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• 1842
HISTORY
OF
BUCHANAN COUNTY,
IOWA.
WITH
Illustrations and Biographical Sketches.
WILLIAMS BROS.,
PUBLISHERS,
1881.
m
^m
FROM PRINTING HOUSE OF W. W^. WILLIAMS, CLEVELAND, OHIO.
-62-7
ii
Prefatory Note,
The following history is the result of the joint
labor of its two editors, for about ten months;
together with that of several assistants in certain
departments of the work. W'ith two exceptions,
the editors hold themselves responsible for every
thing herein contained, for which no other author-
ity is expressly given. The first exception is that
of Township Histories. All of these but two were
prepared by a gentleman of indefatigable industry
and undoubted truthfulness, who spent several
weeks in visitinj the different townships, and col-
lecting from all accessible sources, but mostly from
the lips of old settlers, the material for his sketches.
That these are as reliable as anything based upon
human memory can be, we have no doubt. The
gentleman referred to has had considerable literary
experience; but in these Township Histories he
has aimed rather at brevity and clearness of state-
ment, than at anything like literary ornamentation.
The other exception is that of the Township Bio-
graphical Sketches. These were prepared by the
subscription canvassers, and were of course written
under great inconveniences and difficulties. They
came into our hands for revision. A few redundan-
cies were pruned away; some grammatical erroi^s,
incident to hasty composition, were corrected ; and
that was all the revision which, under the circum-
stances, was found practicable. We trust, however,
that few, if an)-, important errors have gone into
print, and that those specially interested in these
sketches will find them, on the whole, satisfactory.
The sources from which our information has been
derived for the preparation of this work have been
perhaps sufficiently acknowledged in those portions j
of the worl: in which the various items of information I
are embodied. But we desire here to make more
especial acknowledgment to the publishers of the
Consei~i'ative and the Bulletin for their kindness
in granting us free access to the files of their papers ;
to the clerg\-men who so cheerfully furnished us
with historical sketches of their several churches;
to all the county officers, not only for the unob-
structed use of their records, but frequentl}- for
their valuable assistance in examining them ; to
Mr" Charles H. Little for the use of the entire file
of the Buchanan Guardian of which he is the
fortunate owner; and to the Hon. Stephen W. V.
Tabor for admission, at all times cordially granted,
to his magnificent private library. If through
inadvertence, we have failed to mention, either
here or in the body of the work, an>- kind helpers
to whom we are specially indebted, let them be as-
sured that the omission is not due to any lack of a
grateful appreciation of their kindness.
Of the fidelity (or the want of itj with which we
have performed our work, our readers must be the
judges. Of one thing only are we at all inclined
to boast: we think we may safely say that no
count}', whose history- has as yet been written, can
point to so full and complete a record of the doino-s
and sayings of its heroes in the war for the sup-
pression of the Rebellion, as that contained in the
present volume. That no other county could fur-
nish the materials for such a record, we would not
presume to sa\- ; but certainlj- we know of no
county among \\hose soldiers there were so man}-
Xenophons, equally capable of wielding the pen
and sword, as among the .soldiers of "Old Bu-
chanan."
C. S. Perciv.a.1., It-,.
\ Edi
Eliz.\beth Pekcival, j
iitors.
CONTENTS
HISTORICAL.
GENERAL HISTORY.
PAGE.
CHAPTER.
I. — The Aboriginal Iiidabitants .
PAGE.
12
XIX.— The Buchanan Press .
XX. — General Biography
218
219
II. — Physical Features .....
23
TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES.
III. — Historical Address ....
42
'. Independence ....
230
IV. — Settlement and Population
48
Washington
281
v.— Early Mails and Means of Communication .
50
Liberty .....
29s
VI.— Early Commerce .....
53
Perry ....
311
VII. — Hunting, Trapping and Fishing
56
^ Fairbank ....
332
VIII. — Erection and Organization of Buchanan county .
61
Hazleton ....
337
IX.— The County Seat War
63
Buffalo .....
352
X. — The Court and the Bar of Buchanan County
64
Madison ....
362
XI. — Interesting Cases ....
71
Byron .....
369
XIa. — County Societies .....
80
Fremont . .' . .
377
XII.— Railroads .....
93
Westburgh ....
384
XIII. — Provision for the Poor ....
98
Sumner ....
389
XIV.— The Hospital for the Insane .
59
Jefferson ....
404
XV. — Buchanan County in the War of the Rebellion
103
Homer ....
413
XVI.— Buchanan County Schools
210
Cono .....
423
XVII.— Civil List of Buchanan County .
213
/Newton ....
430
ILLUSTRATIONS,
Insane Asylum
Map of Buchanan County
Residence of Z. Stout .
Portrait of Thomas Scarcliff
" Moses Little
facinj
PAGE.
: Title page
facing 9
facing 230
facing 271
facing 314
Portrait of Charles Melrose
" Prettyman King
Portraits of John and .\nn McCny
Residence (with portraits) of John B. Potter
PAGE.
facing 320
facing 341
facing 432
facing 437
BIOGRAPHICAL,
Barnharl, .■\. J . .
Barton, William H.
Bemis, Hon. George W.
Blood, Asa, jr.
Boggs. Rev. John M.
Boon, J. R. .
Brown, Mrs. Mary E. .
Cates, Valentine
Chamberlain, W. H.
Clark, O. B.
Clark, S. S.
Cobb, E.
Coy. Captain J. F.
Curtis, Simon B.
Curtis, Thomas F.
Deering, David S.
Durham, Charles M.
Ensminger Brothers
Few, William
Forrester, James
Frank, A. H. .
Herrick, C. F.
Hitchcock, M. S.
Holloway, Hon. John C.
Jones, William A.
Jordan, Lieutenant George
Kandy, C. B. .
King, Prettyman
Little, Captain E. C.
PAGE.
279
223
224
220
219
278
268
272
270
276
275
271
256
219
275
267
267
271
272
273
279
272
266
269
225
226
280
34 1
226
Little, John A.
Little, Moses
Luckey, Samuel C.
Morse, W. H. H. .
McCoristin, P.
McCay. John
Melrose, Charles
Myers, .August
Naylor, Samuel .
Patrick, C. L.
Poor, James A.
Potter, John B.
Ross, Edward
Scarcliff, Thomas
Sherwood, Thomas
Sherwood, Samuel .
Stewart, W. H. & Co.
Stout, Z.
Tabor. S. J. W.
Trask, A. H.
Travis, Judson J.
Turner, Hon. Thomas E.
Wallace C. R. .
Walker, Daniel
Warren, G. K.
Wilcox, Phineas C.
Wiley, John
Wackerbarth, Jacob
Woodruff, Lieutenant E. A
274
3'4
273
276
279
. facing 432
facing 320
277
272
278
268
437
,266
280
277
270
275
following 272
223
278
269
219
274
277
276
222
274
280
228
INTRODUCTORY.
ALL history is local. Even the strictest biography
interests itself, more or less, in the birthplace and
early home of its subject, and in all the scenes of his
later achievements. Every man is closely identified with
his surroundings. He becomes a part of them, and
they of him ; and it would be as easy for him to exist
separate from space as for a historian to write a history of
his life entirely disconnected with that of the place in
which he lives.
As with the history of individuals and peoples, so with
that of all popular movements, whether in civil, relig-
ious, military or political affairs. The history of a gov-
ernnient or a war, of a reformation in religion or a
revolution in party politics, can not be written separate
from that of the territories in which they occur. All
events are local, and so must their history be. But the
most of the great histories of the world are local in
name, as well as in fact. The history of France, of
England, or of America, pertains, if we follow the literal
sense, even more to the territory than to the nation.
We may say that the chief interest attaches to the peo-
ple; but it is only as the soul is more interesting than
the body. If the two could be separated, the history of
both, together with all human interest in them, as constitu-
ting a living entirety, would come to an end. But though
all history, strictly speaking, is local, yet the name "local
history" is applied exclusively, we believe, to those his-
torical collections which have of late become so com-
mon, and which are limited to small territories — those of
towns corporate, townships, or separate counties.
Local histories, therefore, do not differ from others so
much in kind as in extent. The history of a county
contains, or should contain, all the elements which enter
into that of a State, or of a nation. Every history per-
taining to a limited territory, whether great or small,
should contain a description, more or less minute, of its
physical features and natural advantages; an account of
its aboriginal inhabitants, of its settlement and subjuga-
tion by the people who now occupy it, of its gradual
development of its resources, of the growth and
extent of its internal improvements, of its advance-
ment in art, science, literature, morality and religion ; in
short, of the progress which its people have made in all
that goes to make up that complex social condition to
which we give the name of Christian civilization. As
subsidiary to all this, it must contain an account of its
civil divisions, and biographical sketches of those who
have occupied, within its borders, prominent positions
in social, financial, civil or military affairs. And if it
isillustrated with portraits of its deserving citizens and.
views of its finest edifices and most picturesque scenery,
these illustrations will aid the descriptions of the histo-
rian in producing their most vivid impression upon the
mind of the reader.
The history of a State can contain little, if any thing,
more than the expansion of the elements thus briefly
sketched; and the history of a county should contain
nothing less. There are, however, certain characteristic
differences between county histories and those which
embrace more extensive territories; but they are such as
should commend the former to the especial regard of
the people at large. All these differences, which it is
worth while to mention here, may be comprised in this
one statement : County histories can descend to a mi-
nuteness in details which is quite impracticable in Nation-
al or State histories. And this fact, we repeat, should
give to the former an especial value in the estimation of
the people.
In such histories there is room for descriptions and
illustrations of much interesting scenery, which State or
National historians, on account of limited space, must
necessarily pass unnoticed; for narratives of pioneer life,
which are of great interest to the descendants and suc-
cessors of those to whom they relate, but which, were it not
for the pen of the local historian, must slumber in oblivion ;
for biograpical sketches of many who were true
heroes in their limited sphere, who nobly wrought for
the good of their neighborhood, their town, or their
county, but who, nevertheless, would have gone down to
the grave and been forgotten, but for the local history
which, in preserving the memory of their deeds, has per-
petuated the beneficent influence of their example.
Local history, therefore, is emphatically the people's his-
tory.
But, though it is thus seen to be the peculiar province
of local history to preserve, in comparatively small local-
ities, the memory of events which more pretentious his-
tories must necessarily leave unnoticed, it must not
thence be inferred that the former is essentially less dig-
nified and important than the latter. It is a very com-
mon, but, nevertheless, a very great mistake to suppose
that only the history of the so-called great is worthy to be
written. Even the authors of the great world histories
are compelled to recognize this fact by the necessity they
are under of giving immortality to many subordinate
characters, from the mere accident of their coming in
contact with the more prominent actors in the great
events which they narrate.
But the difference between the great and the small, the
important and the unimportant in human history, is, to a
INTRODUCTORY.
great extent, fectitious. No human life is devoid of in-
terest. An eloquent modern writer has truly said: "It
is interesting to reconstruct any genuine life drama, to
pluck from time and oblivion the most inconspicuous
story that has a human soul for its basis." Every human
life is important, either as an example or as a warning;
and, painted in such colors as the touch of genius could
throw around it, every human life would be found
replete with incidents of historic, and even of romantic
interest. The possibility of everi what the world calls
greatness, lies hidden in every soul whose strength is un-
fettered, and whose light is unobscured, by some of the
various forms or degrees of idiocy. The influence of
what we call accident (which is but one of the forms of
divine providence), not only in developing human char-
acter and fixing human destiny, but also in lifting obscure
names into the sudden light of historic prominence, is
too often lost sight of. Of the many thousands of men
in the United States, who are capable of filling respecta-
bly the office of President, it is not unusually the one
who has the most prestige before the people, and in
whose behalf the most earnest, persistent and direct ef-
forts are made, that succeeds in securing the nomination.
And the influences which combine at last to secure it for
the fortunate candidate, are, for the most part, at least,
such as cannot be controlled and concentrated by man-
agement and foresight. And the favorite Presidents
have been those who have sprung up from among the
people, whose early lives were spent in the obscurity of
rural homes, and who, in the self-training which fitted
them for their high position, have literally been led, "by
a way that they knew not."
But not only the means of preparing for a high posi-
tion and the opportunities of securing it come through
the intervention of what we call accident. Almost every
page of history reveals the fact that combinations of
circumstances, entirely fortuitous, as far as the actors in
them are concerned, have often brought into permanent
celebrity the names of those who never enjoyed either
the necessary training for an exalted station, or the
opportunities for obtaining it. Williams, Paulding, and
Van Wert, the captors of Andre, were common militia-
men, who would never have been heard of in our Revo-
lutionary annals, but for the accident which placed them
in the path of the returning spy, just as he was on the
point of making good his escape within the British lines.
But the constancy and fidelity which prompted them to
spurn the offered bribes of their captive, and thus made
their names immortal among those of their country's
saviors, would have given their souls the stamp of genu-
ine heroism, even had no opportunity been offered for
rendering themselves famous. In the humble sphere
which they were called to fill, those noble qualities would
have found ample scope for exercise ; and their example
would have been just as beneficial to those who witnessed
it as it is now to the multiplied number who read it.
And herein is seen one of the important offices of
local history — and that is, to perpetuate the examples of
worthy men and women, in the locality in which those
examples were set. It aids the children of worthy parents
in obeying that most touching of all the Commandments:
"Honor thy father and thy mother," and affords thejn
the finest opportunity of securing the promised reward —
the prolongation of their days in the land which God
has given them, by the perpetuation of their own names
along with the memory of their parents' examples.
These observations, of course, apply generally to all
times and eras in a county's history. There is no genera-
tion that does not produce some men in every county
whose character and position justly entitle them to his-
toric commemoration, and give both to contemporaries
and posterity the right to demand that such commemora-
tion shall be made. In every generation too, there will
be, in every county, many events in all the departments
of human activity and interest, well worthy to be placed
on record by the pen of the historian. Striking events
in social life will occur. Important political crises will
be passed through. The march of improvement will be
kept up. New commercial thoroughfares will be opened.
Financial enterprises "of great pith and moment" will
be undertaken and carried on to success, or end in fail-
ure. Schools, churches, and charitable institutions will
be established. The great battle between right and wrong
will be fought and won; or lost and renewed again. Im-
migration and emigration will continue, and populations
will change. And all this is the stuff' of which history is
made.
As often, therefore, as once in forty or fifty years at
the most, the history of every county should be thor-
oughly written. Copies of every such work should be
preserved in all the public libraries and offices of the
county, and in all private houses whose owners can by
any means afford the necessary expense. No sentiment
of mock modesty should prevent prominent and wealthy
citizens from furnishing, for the illustration of such
works, both portraits, views of residences, and materials
for biographical sketches. The most generous encour-
agement should be extended to those who undertake the
labor and incur the risk of such publications, provided
ample guaranty is given of ability and fidelity in the ex-
ecution of the work. Local histories, thus patronized
and executed, to whatever era they may refer in the his-
torical development of the locality described, must be
regarded as second in importance to none that can be
written.
But the observations made above, in regard to the im-
portance of local, or county histories, refer especially to
those which are written first, while some of the early set-
tlers or their immediate descendants survive — or, at
least, while all the facts worthy of record concerning the
first settlement of the locality, are easy to be obtained.
The people have an instinctive desire to know as much
as possible concerning those who first opened up the
region in which they dwell, to the occupancy of civilized
men. The pioneers in the settlement of any unculti-
vated region, woodland or prairie, are always men of
mark. None but brave, hardy and energetic men would
undertake such a work. And it is the record of deeds
which spring from these qualities, that constitutes the
romance of history. It is true that the pioneers may
INTRODUCTORY.
not have possessed these quahties in a higher degree, in-
herently, than their successors; but the circumstances
surrounding them — the very necessities of their position
— were calculated to develope these traits in an extra-
ordinary degree, and thus to produce a type of charac-
ter not to be looked for in later and more quiet times.
But even if pioneers were commonplace men, the ac-
cident which made them pioneers would give them a
prominence justly entitling them to historic mention —
just as "the first white male child" born in a county,
though he may never do any thing worthy of fame, never-
theless becomes famous by the mere accident of his
primogeniture.
In speaking of the importance of local histories, we
must not omit to mention the fact that they often afford
valuable material for those more extensive historical
works, which pertain to the State or the nation at large.
Characters with only a local reputation, entithng them to
biographical sketches in county histories, may afterwards
win a national fame; and the subsequent historian, called
to write of their life and times, may be able to find in
such histories alone the record of their early career.
Events also having at first only a local significance, and
recorded only in local histories, may subsequently, by
their connection with later events, become of national
importance. And yet, if they had not been rescued from
oblivion by the local historian, no authentic accounts of
them would ever have been transmitted to posterity.
We will add but one other consideration showing the
importance of county histories, and that is the very obvi-
ous one that such histories, if written even with a
moderate degree of fidelity and ability, will increase more
and more in value, the older they become. Of most
other histories this is true only to a very limited extent ;
and of very many others it is not true at all. The history
of Ancient Rome, or of any modern nation, written at
the present time, will be no more valuable on account
of its age forty or fifty years hence than it is now. Any
such book, when it becomes very old, or very scarce,
may increase in value as a curiosity; but the history
which it contains will probably be no more highly prized
a hundred years from now than it is at the present time.
But the history of a county, going back to its first set-
tlement and organization; containing the names and
personal history of its early settlers, and a record of the
most interesting events that marked the first half century,
or so, of its progress, will be much more highly prized
by succeeding generations than by that to which, in part
at least, it relates.
'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view.
Events which occur at or near our own time, are
commonplace as history, with whatever eagerness they
may have been devoured as news; and it is not until
they have become surrounded by something of the halo
of antiquity that we begin to appreciate their full value.
The writer of this might not, perhaps have set a very
high value upon a history of his native county ("Old
Oneida,'' in Central New York) if written thirty-five
years ago, while he was still a resident within its borders;
but if such a work had been written then, on the plan
and in the manner already described, containing sketches
of the county pioneers (among whom were his own an-
cestors) and embellished with portraits of individuals and
views of scenery familiar to his boyhood, he would now
consider such a work, if still accessible, cheap at double
the price set upon the present volume. A natural desire,
therefore, to gratify, instruct and benefit posterity, as well
as that (already mentioned) to bestow honor upon ances-
try, should induce all the citizens of a county to encour-
age, by every means in their power, any timely and
trustworthy effort to perpetuate, in a suitable form, the
history of the locality in which they live.
It cannot be denied, however, that this species of writ-
ing is the subject of a very common popular prejudice.
This fact is due partly to the lack of a proper apprecia-
tion of the importance of such works, and the general
repugnance toward all enterprises which are thought to
place the people under contribution — and partly, ic must
be confessed, to the well-nigh worthless character of
many of the works put forth under the name of "County
Histories." It is probably too much to expect that either
of these causes of the existing prejudice of which we are
speaking, will very soon disappear. But an intelligent
examination of the subject, in the light of the considera-
tions therein set forth, could hardly fail to prove an anti-
dote to the first ; and the second could not long survive
if every citizen would thoroughly scan both the creden-
tials and the antecedents of any parties proposing to is-
sue a county history, before giving them his sanction.
These remarks, by way of introduction, have seemed
to us important, in order to remove from the minds of
our readers at the outset, if possible, any indifference or
prejudice with which they may have been preoccupied,
in regard to the dignity and importance of a local his-
tory. Whether or not the present volume has to any ex-
tent realized the picture which we have drawn of such a
history, we shall leave them to determine.
HISTORY
OF
Buchanan County, Iowa.
CHAPTER I.
THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
The question, '"What race of men first occupied the
territory now embraced within the Hmits of Buchanan
county?" is one that can be answered only by conjecture.
The immediate predecessors of the present white inhabit-
ants were the modern Indians or red men. The predeces-
sors of the latter, here as in the whole Mississippi valley,
if not throughout the entire central portion of North
America, from ocean to ocean, are now supposed, by
nearly all archaeologists, to have been a separate race of
men; to whom has been given, on account of the
works which have survived them, the name of "Mound
Builders." But whether they were really a different race
from the Indians; or, if they were, whether they were
actually the first human beings that ever occupied the soil
of our country, can never be certainly known. After
having read all the leading arguments in favor of the
commonly received hypothesis, we frankly confess that
we have never been fully convinced that the Mound
Builders were a different race from the modern Indians.
It is true that warlike instruments and domestic uten-
sils that are not now in use by the Indians, are found in
the mounds. But many of the implements found (no-
tably the spear and arrow heads, stone axes, hammers,
etc.), are the same as those used by the present race of
Indians for a hundred years, or more, after the continent
was discovered by Europeans ; and perhaps, by certain
tribes, even at the present time. And circumstances of
which we can know nothing may have caused the race
to give up the use of certain implements — just as many
articles of household furniture in common use among
the whites of this country a hundred years ago, now exist
only as curiosities.
It has always seemed to us that too great stress has
been laid upon alleged anatomical differences — in the
matter of stature, cranial peculiarities, etc — between the
Mound Builders and the Indians. It is known that the
modern tribes have often used the ancient mounds as
places of sepulture ; and hence it has often happened ■
that exhumed skeletons which some experts have pro-
nounced to be those of Mound Builders, have by others,
equally skilful, been declared to be those of modern
Indians. This, of course, proves conclusively that there
are no anatomical differences between the two alleged
races, which can serve as infallible tests of race identity.
But even if these differences were so radical and com-
prehensive that no expel t could ever be deceived in de-
ciding to which people any given skeleton belonged, that
would be no absolute proof that the modern Indians are
not the lineal descendants of the Mound Builders; since
all such differences may have been produced by natural
causes — such as changes in personal habits and modes
of life — operating through long periods of time.
Again, the fact that the present race of Indians have
never been known to construct mounds, since the dis-
covery of the continent by the whites; and that they
have no knowledge, nor even any national tradition as to
the origin of such structures, is regarded as a proof that
the Indians and the Mound Builders are different races.
But whoever constructed these works, ceased to construct
them when there was no longer any occasion for their
CQUstruction — just as log-cabins and "dug-outs" cease
to be built by pioneers, as soon as the pioneer days are
over. And it is entirely certain that the Indians would
have been quite as likely to know something about the
origin of the mounds, if their ancestors had driven out
or exterminated the Builders, as they would if the mounds
had been built by those ancestors themselves. But
where no written records are made, and no poetic narra-
tives are transmitted from sire to son, the memory of
events soon dies out. Thus we read that "the tribes of
the lake region so soon forgot thevisit of the Jesuit Fathers,
that their descendants, a few generations later, had no
tradition of the event." And a similar fact has been put
on record concerning the Indians of the Mississippi
valley, who soon lost all recollection of De Soto's expe-
dition, which, as Dr. Foster remarks " must have im-
pressed their ancestors with dread, at the sight of horses
ridden by men, and at the sound of fire-arms, which they
must have likened to thunder."
It is also stated by Sir John Lubbock that "the New
Zealanders, at the time of Captain Cook's landing upon
their island, had forgotten altogether Tasman's visit,
made less than one hundred and thirty years before.'
Whoever the Mound Builders were, therefore, it is not
to be wondered at that the present Indians have no
knowledge and no coherent traditions concerning them.
For these reasons the argument in favor of the theory
that the Mound Builders were of a different race from
the Indians has never seemed to us conclusive.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
«3
But there are positive objections, which shift the bur-
den of proof, and put that theory upon the defensive.
The weightiest of these objections clusters about the
question, "What became of the Mound Builders?" This
is a fair question, and one to which the theory is bound
to give a reasonable answer. But we confess we do not
see where any such answer can be found. Did they re-
tire of their own accord, and leave their beautiful and
fertile country (the fairest and richest country that the
sun ever shone upon) to be taken possession of peace-
ably by another race of men? Such a migration from
such a region would find no parallel in history; and we
cannot conceive of its taking place in prehistoric times.
Were they driven out by the ancestors of the present In-
dians? All the relics of the Mound Builders go to show
that they were much more civilized and powerful than
the red men who now occupy their places. And, unless
the latter are themselves the Mound Builders, degener-
ated during the lapse of ages, there is no reason to sup-
pose that they were ever any more powerful than they
are to-day. It is, therefore, contrary to all that we know
of the results of the collisions between opposing races
to suppose that the Mound Builders were conquered and
driven out of their territory by the Indians. But if, con-
trary to all that history teaches in regard to ethnic move-
ments, they were expelled by the Indians, or emigrated
of their own accord, the question still remains; Where
did they go? They have left no traces of their peculiar
civilization in any other region; nor has there ever dwelt
upon this continent any other known people to whom
they bore a closer resemblance than to the present race
of Indians. We are aware that an effort has been made
(notably by Mr. John T. Short, of Columbus, Ohio, in
his ingenious and very readable work, published during
the present year, 1880, on "The North Americans of
Antiquity") to show that the Aztecs of Mexico were the
descendants of our Mound Builders. But this hypothe-
sis presupposes that a conquered people, retiring to a re-
gion and climate less adapted (as all history shows) than
the one they left to the elevation and improvement of
the human race, nevertheless made a rapid advance in
civilization; building immense cities and establishing a
well-ordered government; while their conquerors, occu-
pying the more favorable territory upon which they had
seized, continued for untold centuries a nomadic and
barbarous race, without manifesting any desire or dispo-
sition to improve their condition. Of course this is pos-
sible; but it requires some degree of boldness to pro-
nounce it probable.
And beside all this, it is not consonant with the teach-
ings of history to suppose that a great and powerful race,
such as the Mound Builders are represented to have
been, either migrated en masse, or were expelled by a for-
' eign foe. Small tribes migrate, and great nations or
races colonize foreign territory; but the latter, even when
conquered in war, are never expelled or exterminated.
On the contrary, if the conquerors settle in the lands
they have subdued, both races ordinarily dwell together,
coalesce, and eventually form a new race. Thus, when
the barbarians of the north, the Goths and Vandals, over-
ran southern Europe, the nations which they conquered,
were not driven out, but became virtually the masters of
their conquerors; since the latter were forced to adopt
the civilization and the religion of the former, and so lost
not only their national characteristics, but also, in the
end, their identity. This must be the normal result when
the conquering race, though superior in physical vigor
and prowess, is inferior to the conquered in mental and
moral developinent. It is only when a powerful race,
highly developed morally and intellectually, takes pos-
session of a region occupied by rude savages, that its
former occupants disappear before the invaders, either by
emigration or extinction. And as this is not the kind of
collision that is supposed to have taken place between
the Indians and the Mound Builders, it is highly im-
probable that the latter disappeared at the approach of
the former. It therefore seems much more difficult to
guess what became of the Mound Builders, than to ac-
count for the differences between them and the Indians,
supposing the latter to be th? lineal descendants of the
former; since abundant examples might be cited of ex-
isting nations that differ as much, both in national cus-
toms and physical characteristics, from the races or tribes
from which they are known to have descended within
historic times, as the Indians differ from the Mound
Builders.
But there is another question to which, as it seems to
us, the advocates of the commonly received theory are
in duty bound to give a plausible answer, and which
nevertheless, we think will be found quite as difficult to
answer as the one just considered; and that is, "Where
did the Indians come from?" When it isborne in mind
that the Mound Builders are supposed to have occupied
nearly, if not quite, all the territory now embraced within
the limits of the United States, with the exception of the
Pacific slope, it will be found difficult to imagine in what
other part of the continent a people could have been
found sufticiently numerous and sufficiently vigorous not
only to defeat in war but actually to expel from this mag-
nificent domain such a race as the Mound Builders are
represented to have been. If we can imagine the pres-
ent race of Mexicans invading the same territory now,
and driving its inhabitants before them beyond the lakes
into British America, it will perhaps seem probable that
a race existed in the last named region (for, if not there,
surely nowhere) capable of driving the Mound Builders
out of their lands, across the Rio Grande and beyond the
Mexican Gulf
We have no theory of our own in regard to the early
inhabitants of this country ; but we deem it much more
reasonable to suppose that the Indians are the hneal de-
scendants of the Mound Builders, with national customs
and physical peculiarities changed through the lapse of
ages, by the operation of causes which we can never ex-
plain— but among which fractional or sectional wars may
have played a conspicuous part — than to suppose that
such a race as the Mound Builders must have been, were
driven out of such a country as they occupied, by any
people then living north of the Gulf of Mexico. Theo-
ries, against which insuperable objections can be urged.
14
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
are not of much importance, whether in archeology or
any other science ; but so long as such theories are ad-
vanced, and books are written in their support, the ob-
jections can never be out of order. This, we trust, will
be a sufficient justification for the space we have given to
the theory under discussion.
But whoever the Mound Builders may have been, and
in whatever age of the world they may have lived, they
were, so far as we have any means of knowing, the first
occupants of the territory now embraced in Buchanan
county. We might properly say this, even though no
trace of their works had been found here. Their an-
cient works are scattered so generally throughout the
Mississippi valley that there can be no reasonable doubt
that the people who built them once occupied the entire
country drained by the Father of Waters. But we are
not left to a mere inference, even though it be a necessary
one, to establish the fact that we here tread the soil of
the Mound Builders. A good many mounds have
been found in the county, which those well qualified to
judge of such matters do not hesitate to pronounce the
work of that ancient people. A circular mound, several
feet high, was leveled in preparing the foundation for
the county jail, in Independence. No relics, however,
worthy of note were found in it. Two circular mounds,
connected together by a straight embankment, were
found on the farm now owned by Mr. James Forester,
near Independence. Standing in a cultivated field, they
are nearly, if not quite, obliterated by constant plough-
ing. Several earthworks, mostly of a circular form, have
been discovered along the banks of the Wapsipinicon;
but none have been found of sufficient interest to attract
the notice of archaeologists. Some of the older inhabi-
tants have even doubted that these works were really
artificial. Not having seen them ourselves, and being
unskilled in the science of archaeology, we express no
opinion of our own, but give the facts as they have been
communicated to us by those whom we regard as com-
petent judges. As already stated, however, the question
whether the soil of Buchanan county was once occupied
by the Mound Builders, does not depend for its solution
upon the e.xistence here of unmistakable works of that
ancient race; since the contiguity of such works along
the Mississippi and elsewhere, and their general distribu-
tion throughout the western and northwestern States,
must be regarded as settling that question in the affirma-
tive.
THE INDIANS.
These, either as lineal descendants or as conquerors,
or as mere chance successors to lands left vacant, came
into the place of the Mound Builders. When this hap-
pened is as great a mystery as how it happened. It
must have been, at the very least, several hundred years
before the discovery of America by Columbus. At the
time of the discovery, and we know not how many ages
before, these people were divided into almost numberless
tribes, frequently hostile and always migratory. The
ownership of definite territories by the different tribes
was a thing unknown. The temporary occupancy of
grounds favorable for hunting, or for the cultivation of
maize, was often decided by bloody battles; but the per-
manent possession of lands, with metes and boundaries,
is an idea which none of these tribes have ever put into
practice, except at the dictation of their civilized con-
querors. The United States government, acknowledg-
ing theoretically the right of the Indians to the soil, has
at various times made treaties with them, whereby they
have ceded certain lands to the Government, and accept-
ed others as "reservations," to which they have agreed
to confine themselves, and the peaceable possession of
which the Government has guaranteed to them. Thus
an ownership, more or less permanent, has been estab-
lished, and the districts thus reserved have been regard-
ed as the special habitat of the tribes to whom they were
assigned.
But as Buchanan county was never embraced within
the limits of any such reservation, it cannot properly be
said ever to have been the special home of any particu-
lar tribe. Its abundant timber and fine watercourses,
however, have always furnished such excellent facilities
for hunting and fishing that the most of the tribes dwell-
ing in this vicinity must often have made it a place of
temporary sojourn.
As appropriate to this chapter, therefore, we will give
here brief sketches of a few of those tribes which, from
the known history of their wanderings, were most un-
doubtedly, at some time or other, denizens of this
county. And, on account of their historical prominence
in giving a name both to the State and its principal river,
(although they figured much less prominently in the his-
tory of this region than several other tribes) we will be-
gin with
THE io\v.\s.
This tribe is said to belong to the Dakota family, the
principal representatives of which have had their meeting-
grounds west of the Missouri. Unlike many of the other
tribes, therefore, that have inhabited this region, their
migrations were from the west instead of the east. They
originally called themselves Pahucha, which signifies
"Dusty Nose" — though from what peculiarity they were
thus called, we are not informed. They were first men-
tioned by Father Marquette, who, as early as 1673,
speaks of them "as the Pahoutet, back of the Des
Moines." Some of the tribes called them Mascoutin
which name is said to signify "Prairie," and which is
perhaps perpetuated in the name of the county and city
of Muscatine. They were divided into eight clans,
all named from different animals, of which the eagle,
wolf, bear, and buffalo still exist — the other four, which were
named the pigeon, elk, beaver, and snake, having become
extinct.
In 1675 their country was said to be twelve days'
journey west of Green Bay. In 1700 they were in what
is now Southern Minnesota, and, like the Sioux, were at
war with all the western Algonquin tribes. The cele-
brated Jesuif historian, Charlevoir, gives an account of
them at about this period of their history. He says that
the great pipestone quarry was then embraced in their
territory, and speaks of their celebrity throughout the
west as pedestrians, alleging that they were "able to
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
IS
travel twenty-five or thirty leagues a day when alone."
It is said that many of their early chiefs had names in-
dicative of their remarkable endurance in walking, and of
the pride which they took in their acknowledged supe-
liority in this respect. And one of their later chiefs, who
flourished as recently as 1825, was named Manehans, or
Great Walker. The name of their greatest warrior and
chief, Mahaska, or White Cloud, who flourished about
the same time, has been perpetuated in the name of the
county of which Oskaloosa is the county seat.
In early times the lowas were powerful and warlike,
and often came into collision with those greatest of Indian
warriors, the .Siou.N. At the beginning of this century
they numbered about fifteen hundred souls; but, what
with wars, smallpox and "fire water,'' their numbers have
been gradually reduced until 1872, when the last pub-
lished enumeration took place, the tribe consisted of only
two hundred and twenty-five. In 1803 they defeated the
Osages, at that time a powerful tribe, and this seems to
have been about the last of their military successes;
although their hostility to the Sioux continued as late as
1825, when Generals Clark and Cass made an attempt,
only partially successful, to establish peace between the
two tribes.
Few of the northern Indians have shown greater
aptitude for civilization than the lowas, although the evil
influences surrounding them have prevented this dis-
position from bearing very abundant fruits. The first
treaty of peace between them and the United States was
made in the year 18 15 — Wyingwatha, or Hardheart, and
some of the subordinate chiefs acting on the part of the
Indians. August 4, 1824, another treaty was formed;
General Clark acting for the United States, and the great
chief, Mahaskah, or White Cloud, and Manehana, or
Great \\'alker, representing the tribe. By this treaty all
the lands of the lowas in what was then known as the
Missouri territory, were ceded to the government for five
hundred dollars down, and the same sum to be paid an-
nually for ten years — the United States agreeing to
support a blacksmith at the headquarters of the tribe, and,
to assist them with agricultural implements, horses, cattle,
etc. They had at this time several villages on the Des
Moines and Iowa rivers — a part of the Sacs and Foxes be-
ing associated with them. As usual the intrusion of the
whites upon their lands led to trouble and complaints ;
and the influence of liquors, following that of war and
disease, was fast reducing the numbers of this once
powerful tribe.
By a treaty formed September 17, 1836, the remnant
of the tribe, then numbering nine hundred and ninety-two,
was removed to a reservation located on the west bank
of the Missouri, above Wolf river. But a part of them
bec'ame discontented, and, the very next year, abandoned
the reservation and took up the life of vagrants, subsist-
ing by theft, or hunting upon the grounds of other
tribes. Their numbers dwindled year by year, the chiefs
taking the lead in intemperance, from the effects of which
vice many died, and many others were killed in the fatal
quarrels to which it led. About the year 1835 'he Pres-
byterians established a mission and manual labor school
among these people, and kept it up with commendable
zeal for more than twenty years. Though much good
was accomplished, the effort failed to arrest the steady
decay of the tribe. By 1S46 they had become reduced
in numbers to seven hundred and six. At this time
their territory was bounded on the east by the Missouri,
and on the noith by the Great Nemahaw.
On March 6, 1861, a treaty was made by which the
tribe, then reduced to three hundred and five in number,
ceded to the United States all their lands, except a res-
ervation of sixteen thousand acres. In 1869 they
informally agreed to sell this and remove south ; but
afterwards retracted their agreement, but consented to
give part of their lands to the Sacs and Foxes, who had
parted with their reservation.
About the time the Presbyterian mission was aban-
doned, the tribe was placed under the care of the Qua-
kers, under whose influerice they have made considerable
advance in civilization, and have shown an increasing
disposition to become more sober and industrious. In
1872 their school numbered sixty-three pupils — more
than one-fourth of the entire tribe — and all clad in the
garb of civilized life. They had seven hundred acres of
land under cultivation, thirteen framed houses, and
twenty built of logs. Their produce was estimated at
two thousand six hundred and eighty-five dollars, and
their stock at seven thousand nine hundred dollars. The
Government of the United States holds fifty-seven thou-
sand five hundred dollars in trust for the lowas, the
interest upon which is paid annually to the heads of
families; and the almost useless ''Indian goods" formerly
furnished, are now replaced by articles af intrinsic value.
It is a remarkable fact, and one well worthy of record,
that in 1864, when they numbered in all only two hun-
dred and ninety-three, the lowas had forty-one men in
the United States military service — almost one-fourth of
their entire population! What white community at the
north could show any such ratio of soldiers as that? It
is said that these forty-one men were much improved by
our military discipline, and that they all adopted civilized
dress and customs. We greatly regret our inability to
give any personal incidents in the military record of
these men, or to trace their history since the war. It is
devoutly to be hoped that some of them, at least, re-
ceived the appropriate reward of citizenship in the nation
which they helped to defend.
A grammar of the Iowa language, composed by the
Rev. S. M. Irvin and Mr. William Hamilton, was pub-
lished at the Iowa mission in 1848.
THE WINNEBAGOES.
This tribe, like the lowas, belong to the Dakota fam-
ily, and, like them, migrated eastward from beyond the
Missouri, meeting the Algonquins in the region of the
lakes. The name which they have always borne in
history was given them by the last named Indians, and
signifies men from the fetid or salt water, whence the
name Puants, given to them by the French. They were
styled by the Sioux, Hotanke or Sturgeon. The Hurons
and Iroquois called them .\wentsiwaen, but they called
i6
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
themselves Hochungara. Of these last two appellations
we have never heard any signification given. In the
earliest historic times they were numerous and powerful,
and usually defeated the Algonquin tribes, with whom
they came into frequent collision.
Soon after the commencement of the French traffic
with the west, in the early part of the seventeenth cen-
tury, an alliance of the Algonquins and other tribes was
made, and the Winnebagoes were attacked by an over-
whelming force. They were besieged in a single town,
where they were greatly reduced by want and disease,
and, besides the women and children that died, over five
hundred warriors perished. Compelled to surrender,
and greatly reduced in numbers, they nevertheless con-
tinued haughty and turbulent. They recovered a part
of their prestige by making an alliance with the French,
fighting in their wars, and receiving protection in return.
During the Revolution the Winnebagoes were the
allies of the EngHsh. They were active in the Miami
war, taking part in the attack on Fort Recovery, in 1793.
After being defeated by the great Indian fighter, "Mad
Anthony Wayne," they made peace with the United
States. They, however, adhered to Tecumseh, the
Shawnee warrior, and sided with the English during the
war of 181 2, aiding in the reduction of Prairie du Chien,
in 1 814. Their number was then estimated at four
thousand five hundred. In 1820 they had five villages
on Winnebago lake, and fourteen on Rock river. After
the close of the last war with England, they made a
treaty of peace and amity with the United States, June
3, 1816; but, notwithstanding, they levied tribute on all
whites passing up Fox river, which, for some time, was
included in their territory. Treaties made in 1826 and
1827 fixed their boundaries, from which the whites were
by law excluded. But a portion of their lands were rich
in minerals, and this fact led to intrusions, and these to
murders, for which Red Bird and other members of the
tribe were arrested, tried and convicted. This led to ill-
feeling, and when a portion of the Sacs, under Black
Hawk, began the war for the recovery of their ceded
lands, on Rock river, in 1832, the Winnebagoes, or at
least a part of them, took the side of the hostile Sacs.
This led to an importunate demand for their removal.
In 1829 they had ceded to the United States their
land from the Wisconsin to the Rock river, for thirty
thousand dollars in goods, and an annuity of eighteen
thousand for thirty years. Finally, by the treaty of Fort
Armstrong, made in September, 1832, they gave up all
their lands lying south of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers,
amounting to two and a half millions of acres — the
United States agreeing to give them a reservation on the
west side of the Mississippi, in that part of the Wiscon-
sin territory which now forms the State of Iowa; and
also to pay them an annuity of ten thousand dollars for
twenty-seven years, and maintain schools among them,
free of expense. Here they became unsettled and ex-
travagant, and contracted a debt (though for what pur-
pose and to what party we are not informed) of a
hundred and fifty thousand dollars — for the payment of
which they were ready to cede more land to the Govern-
ment. It can well be imagined that their frequent re-
movals had had no tendency to check the nomadic dis-
position which they inherited from a remote ancestry.
They became restless and roving, and separated into
j small bands. In 1842 there were seven hundred and
fifty-six on the Turkey river, their new home in Iowa,
with as many more in Wisconsin, and smaller bands
elsewhere. All had become lawless and wandering.
By the treaty of Washington in 1846, they surrendered
their former reservation for eight hundred thousand acres
north of the St. Peters, and a hundred and ninety-five
thousand dollars. The site to which they were removed,
it is said, was not that which was promised them; and
it proved to be very unhealthy. They lost many by
disease and want, but were kept there by force. At
length, in 1853, they were again removed to Crow river.
Here schools were revived, attempts were renewed for
their improvement, but by the treaty of February, 27,
1856, they were once more removed to Blue Earth,
Minnesota. The climate here proving healthy and the soil
fertile, they began to habituate themselves to agriculture,
building houses, and sending their children to school.
To foster this disposition the Government formed a new
treaty with them in 1859, by which land was to be
allotted to them in severalty — eighty acres to a family
and forty to a single man. Several had taken up lots in
accordance with this plan, when most unfortunately the
Sioux war broke out, and the panic-stricken people of
Minnesota demanded that the poor Winnebagoes should
again be removed.. Though some of the tribe may, per-
haps, have sympathized with the Sioux, or even have
joined in the revolt, yet there can be no doubt that the
great majority were entirely loyal to the Government.
Yet such was the prejudice against them, and so pressing
was the demand for their removal, that the Government
at last felt constrained to yield. They were disarmed in
April, 1863, and removed to Crow creek, in the Dakota
territory, near the Missouri river, above Fort Randall.
The change proved to be very disastrous. The locality
was unsuited to their semi-civilized habits. It was im-
possible for them to make a comfortable subsistence, and
they were constantly exposed to the incursions of wild
and hostile neighbors. An attempt was made to keep
them here by force; but rendered desperate by famine
and disease — more than one third of the nineteen hun-
dred and eighty-five who came from Minnesota having
died — they left in a body and made their way to the res-
ervation of the Omahas, a friendly tribe, half civilized
like themselves, who gave them temporary shelter.
In May, 1866, they were again removed to lands as-
signed to them at Winnebago, Nebraska, where the sur-
roundings were favorable to their improvement, but
where every thing had to be commenced anew. In 1869
they were assigned, as were the lowas mentioned above,
to the care of the Quakers. The next year the agent,
finding it impossible to carry out his plans under the old
chiefs, forcibly set them aside and appointed twelve new
ones of his own selection — making the office thereafter
elective by the tribe. Lands were again allotted in sev-
eralty to such as wished to take up farms; and, in 1874,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
17
they numbered in Nebraska fourteen hundred and forty-
five cultivating their farms, living in cottages, dressing
like the whites, and sending their children to the schools
— of which there were three, very well sustained.
AVhen the tribe removed from Minnesota, a hundred
and sixty of their number, chiefly half breeds, who had
taken up lands, were allowed to remain. These received,
as their share of the tribal funds, eight hundred dollars
each. But many of them spent this, lost their land, and
jomed the tribe in Nebraska. Besides these, portions of
the tribe had been left in different parts of Juneau,
Adams, and Wood counties, Wisconsin, who had become
self-supporting and remained unmolested. They num-
bered nearly one thousand; and, in the winter of 1873--4,
the most of them were removed to Nebraska, where a
smaller tract, near the Winnebago reservation, had been
purchased for them.
In the present condition of tliis tribe, as of the others
that have allowed the advancing tide of white emigration
and civilization to flow around them, after having for
some time receded before it, we may read the final des-
tiny of the Indians on this continent. The remnants of
the race are doubtless to become civilized; and then to
be gradually absorbed as one of the component parts of
the new race that will one day dominate the western
world.
THE POTTAWATOMIES.
This tribe, unlike the Winnebagoes, belong to the Al-
gonquin, or eastern family of Indians. Though warlike,
they are said to have had, at the advent of the whiles, a
less stable form of government and a ruder dialect, than
the rest of their race. At the beginning of the seven-
teenth century they occupied the lower peninsula of
Michigan, in scattered and roving bands, apparently in-
dependent of each other — there being at no period of
their history any trace of a general authority or govern-
ment. They lived, like the other tribes, mainly by hunt-
ing and fishing, and the occasional cultivation of maize.
Notwithstanding their scattered condition and nomadic
habits, whenever a common danger threatened them the
more influential leaders of the independent bands
seemed to find little difficulty in uniting them for the
common defence. They thus maintained their position
for a long time, often coming out victorious in their war-
like collisions with neighboring tribes. At last, however,
they were driven west by the united tribes of the Iro-
quois family, and settled on the islands and shores of
Green Bay. Here they were favored by the Jesuit
Fathers, who established a mission among them. Perrot
acquired great influence over them, by which they were in-
duced to take part with the French against the Iroquois.
Onanguice, their most prominent chief, was one of the
parties to the treaty made at Montreal, in 1701 ; and the
bands united under him, actively aiding the French in
their subsequent wars. Tlieir connection with the
French greatly increased their power, and they gradually
spread over what is now southern Michigan and north-
ern Illinois and Indiana — a mission on the St. Joseph
river being a sort of a central point.
The Pottawatomies joined Puntiac, the Ottawa chief.
in his great conspiracy against the English, in 1763.
They were prominent in the surprise of Fort St. Joseph,
on the twenty-fifth of May in that year, when the garri-
son was routed and the commandant, Schlosser, was cap-
tured. During the Revolution, and the Indian wars that
followed, they were hostile to the Americans; but, after
Wayne's victory, they joined in the treaty of Greenville,
December 22, 1795. The tribe was at this time com-
posed of three bands, each under its own chief, but all
united in a strong confederacy. These were called the
St. Joseph, the Wabash, and the Huron river bands.
There was, besides, a large scattering population, gener-
ally called the Pottawatomies of the prairie, who were a
mi.xture of many Algonquin tribes. From 1803 to 1S09,
the various bands sold to the Government a portion of the
lands claimed by them, receiving an equivalent in cash
and the promise of annuities. Yet, in the War of 181 2
they again joined the English, influenced by the Shaw-
nee ^arrior, Tecumseh. A new treaty of peace was
made in 18 15, followed by others in rapid succession, by
which nearly all their lands were at length ceded to the
Government. A large reservation was assigned to them
on the Missouri; and, in 1838, the St. Joseph's band was
removed by a military force, on the way losing a hun-
dred and fifty persons out of eight hundred, by death
and desertion. The whole tribe then numbered about
four thousand. The St. Joseph, Wabash, and Huron
bands had made considerable progress in civilization,
and adhered to the Catholic church, having been con-
verted by the Jesuit missionaries; but the Pottawato-
mies of the prairie were, for the most part, pagan and
roving. A part of the tribe was removed with some
Chippewas and Ottawas, but they subsequently joined
the rest of their tribe, or disappeared.
In Kansas the civilized band with the Jesuit mission
founded by DeSmet and Hoecken, made rapid improve-
ment, good schools having been established for both
sexes. The Baptists more than once undertook to estab-
lish a mission and a school among the less tractable
Prairie band; but meeting with little success, it was
finally abandoned. The political disturbances in Kansas
brought trouble to the Indians, as well as to the whites,
and made the Prairie band more restless and the civil-
ized portion of the tribe more anxious for a quiet and
settled abode. A treaty, proclaimed April 19, 1862,
gave to individual Indians a title to their several tracts of
land, under certain conditions; and, although the execu-
tion of this treaty was delayed by the progress of the
civil war, yet the policy was subsequently carried out in
the treaty of February 27, 1867. Of a population then
numbermg twenty-one hundred and eighty, nearly two-
thirds elected to become citizens and take lands in sev-
eralty. Some of the Prairie band were absent, and not
included in this arrangement. The experiment met
with varied success. Some did well and improved;
others squandered their lands and their portion of the
funds, and became paupers. Many of these scattered
in small bands, one company even going to Mexico. In
1874, the largest tompany of the Prairie band, number-
ing four hundred and sixty seven, occupied a reservation
i8
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
of seventeen thousand three hundred and fifty-seven
acres, in Jackson county, Kansas, held in common.
They, like the other tribes above-mentioned, were under
the control of the Quakers, who had established schools
among them, and reported considerable advancement.
There were, at that timid, sixty Pottawatomies of the
Huron in Michigan on a small tract of a hundred and
sixty acres, with a school and log houses ; a hundred and
eighty-one 9f the same tribe in Wisconsin, and eighty in
Mexico and the Indian Territory.
The history of this tribe affords much encouragement
to those who are looking and hoping for the civilization
of the remnants of the Indians in this country. So long
as any do well, there is ground for hope. That some
should turn out badly is no more than might reasonably
be expected. Let the Government persist in this plan
of conferring lands in severalty upon those who are will-
ing to become citizens ; but it might be well for the
Government to make these lands inalienable, except to
Indians, and to retain a reversionary right to them in
case they should be abandoned or sold to whites. This
would thwart the cupidity of white settlers, and tend to
the permanence of Indian occupation.
Although there is no mention in any of the accounts
we have seen, of the occupation of Iowa soil by any of
the Pottawatomie bands, yet the fact that the writer of
this once knew of a company of this tribe who made oc-
casional visits to the Iowa river, near Marshalltown — and
the further fact, stated above, in regard to their extensive
wanderings and their known occupation of lands in Wis-
consin on the north and Kansas on the south — these
facts, we say, fully justify us in reckoning the Pottawato-
mies among the tribes that doubtless, in historic or pre-
historic times, made occasional hunting grounds of the
woods and prairies now embraced in Buchanan county.
THE .SIOUX.
There is no western tribe of Indians, except possibly
the Shawnees, that have figured so largely in history as
the Sioux, and none whose history is more replete with
tragic and romantic incidents. They belong to the great
Dakota family, and so prominently do they represent that
family that they are sometimes called the Dakotas.
When first known by the whites they had their hunt-
ing grounds about the headwaters of the Mississippi. It
was in 1640 that the French were first informed of them
by the Algonquins, who called them Nadowessioux,
whence the name Sioux, given them by the French. The
meaning of the Algonquin name we have never heard.
About the year 1660 they became involved in war with
the Chippewas and Hurons, which continued, with only
occasional and comparatively brief interruptions, into the
present century. In 16S0 a French officer, Jean du
Luth, (from whom is named the Minnesota town Duluth)
set up the French standard at Izatys, near the St. Peter's
river; and the next year he rescued Father Hennepin,
the celebrated missionary and explorer, whom they had
captured during his explorations of the upper Missis-
sippi. Nicholas Perrot, in the name of France, took
formal possession of their domain in 1689, erecting a
fortification near Lake Pepin. About the same time Le
Sueur visited this tribe, which he describes as being com-
posed of fifteen sub-tribes, seven eastern and nine west-
ern. They joined the Foxes against the French; and,
in war with the Chippewas, many were forced down the
Mississippi and, driving other Indians from the buffalo
plains in Iowa, took possession of them. Several bands
wandered into the plains of the Missouri, and some re-
mained at or near the St. Peter's. The English emissa-
ries secured the services of the Sioux in the War of 181 2;
but most of the bands soon made peace. The treaties
then made were renewed in 1825 by the Tetons, V'ank-
tons, Yanktonais, Sioune, Ogallalas, and Oncpapas. At
this time the entire nation was estimated at twelve thou-
sand seven hundred and fifty, of whom five thousand
were located near the St. Peter's, and seven thousand
seven hundred and fifty near the Missouri. They were
divided into the following bands: the Aldewakantonwans,
or Spirit Lake village; the Wahpetonwans, or village in
the Leaves; the Sisitowans, or village of the Marsh, also
called Isantis; the Yanktonwans, or End villages; and
the Tetonwans, or Prairie village, which includes the
Ogallala and Oncpapa bands. Their territory extended
from the Mississippi on the east to the Black Hills on
the west ; and from Devil's lake on the north to the
mouth of the Big Sioux on the south. These confeder-
ated tribes ceded to the United States, September 29,
1837, all their lands east of the Mississippi for three
hundred thousand dollars down, and some minor subse-
quent payments. The Indians, however, did not for
many years retire from the lands thus ceded.
Few tribes have been the subjects of more persistent
missionary labors than the Sioux. The American board
began missions among the Wahpetonwans, near Fort
Snelling, in 1835, and the Methodists in 1836. Schools
were established among them, and elementary books
were prepared for them in their own language. As great
results, however, were not produced by these missions as
by some that were established later, and that will be brief-
ly mentioned farther on.
In 1 85 1 the Sioux nation ceded to the United States
all their land east of a line from Otter Tail lake through
Lake Traverse to the junction of the Big Sioux and the
Missouri, retaining a reservation a hundred and forty
miles in length by twenty in width. The Government
thus acquired thirty five millions of acres for three mil-
lions of dollars. But the neglect of the Government to
carry out the provisions of these treaties caused bitter
feeling among the Indians; which feeling awaited only
an exciting cause to break out into a warlike flame.
Such a cause was furnished in 1854, when Lieutenant
Grattan, attempting to arrest one of the tribe for some
misdemeanor, attacked an Indian village, but was cut
off with his whole party. Some of the warriors thereup-
on commenced a series of hostilities; but General
Harney defeated them on Little Blue Water, September
3, 1855, and a general council, held at Fort Pierce, con-
sented to a treaty of peace. But in 1857 the band of
Inkpadutas massacred forty-seven whites near Spirit
lake, Minnesota, and other murders of a like character
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
19
were committed at other places during the four or five
years followina; — five whites being killed at Acton, Min-
nesota, August 17, 1S62. Enraged by the failure of
annuities and the frauds practiced on them, the Sioux
then made a general uprising, and killed nearly a thous-
and of the settlers. The people of that district still
shudder when they speak of the horrors of that bloody
time. New Ulm, a town of fifteen hundred inhabitants,
was abandoned and almost destroyed. Fort Ridgley
was besieged, and was saved with difficulty. The Sioux
of the Missouri and the plains also became hostile, and
were reduced to submission by General Sibley, of Min-
nesota, and General Sully, of the United States army.
After a severe struggle, a number of white women and
children, who had been captured, were rescued, and
many Indians were captured and sent to Davenport.
Of more than a thousand Indians thus taken, many were
tried and condemned; but only thirty-nine, convicted of
specific crimes, were executed. The others were finally
released. Many bands fled into Dakota territory; and
the war, together with disease and want, greatly reduced
the nation. In 1863 the Minnesota Sioux were removed
to Crow creek. .About 1S66 treaties were made with
nine bands, promising them certain annuities, to be in-
creased as the Indians should give greater attention to
agriculture. An act of February it, 1863, had annulled
all previous treaties with the Sioux; but to the innocent
bands a part of the amount pledged was restored, the
Government reset ving compensation for damages. The
most guilty bands fled north, and are still in the British
territory. A few bands continued longer in hostility,
cutting off Lieutenant Fetterman and his party in Decem-
ber, i856, and besieging for a lime Fort Phil Kearny.
In 1873, the Government liabilities, to the different
bands of Sioux Indians, including payments not yet due,
were estimated at over ten millions and a-half of dollars,
with annual payments for their benefit of twenty-seven
thousand, four hundred dollars. A treaty, hastily made
by General Sherman, April 29, 1868, did not prove satis-
factory to either side ; and as gold had been discovered
in the Black Hills, the United States wished to purchase
the tract, and induce the Sioux to abandon their hunting
grounds south of the Niobrara, or even to emigrate to
the Indian territory. The Sioux were very reluctant to
treat. Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and Spotted Tail, with
other chiefs, visited Washington in May, 1875, but Pres-
ident Grant could not induce them to sign a treaty.
Commissioners appointed by him met an immense
gathering of the Sioux at the Red Cloud agency in
September; but as the Indians set an exorbitant price
upon their lands, the negotiation failed. Hostile feelings
were excited by alleged frauds at the Sioux agencies,
which were investigated; but no results, satisfactory to
the Indians, were reached. The feeling of discontent
increased, and finally broke out into open war. After
the expenditure of much blood and treasure, the Indians
were at last subdued — their principal warrior. Sitting
Bull, being defeated and escaping into the British terri-
tory, where he still remains. The Black Hills, which
were so long the bone of contention, have become the
peaceable possession of the United States Government,
which, as usual, proved the strongest dog in the fight.
In 1874 the Sioux nation was composed of the follow-
ing sub-tribes : The Santee Sioux on the reservation at
the mouth of the Niobrara, Nebraska, numbering seven
hundred and ninety-one, with five schools, principally
under the care of the Episcopalians, conducted by the
distinguished missionary, the Rev. S. D. Hinman; the
Yankton Sioux on the Missouri, with the same mission-
aries; the Sissetons and the Whapetons at Lake Traverse
and Devil's lake; the Oncpapas, Blackfeet Sioux, Lower
and Upper Yanktonais, Sans Arcs, Upper and Lower
Brule's, Two-Kettles, Minneconjous, and Ogallalas in
the Crow creek, Grand river, Whetstone, Cheyenne river,
and Red Cloud agencies — in all, forty-six thousand, three
hundred and forty-two, in Dakota territory: together with
the Santee, Yanktonais, Oncpapa, and Cuthead Sioux in
Montana, numbering five thousand three hundred and
nine.
Much attention has been given to the Dakota lan-
guage. A very good grammar and dictionary, prepared
by Mr. Riggs, have been issued by the Smithsonian in-
stitute. The missionaries have also supplied the Epis-
copal liturgy; portions of Scripture, hymns, catechisms,
and educational works in the language, and newspapers
issue lighter reading. The Rev. Mr. Hinman, who is
thoroughly familiar with the language, has probably been
most successful in his labors for the christianization and
civilization of this remarkable people.
THE S.^CS AND FOXES.
This tribe, which is the last of the Iowa Indians that
we shall notice, belongs to the State more distinctly than
any other tribe, and is the one of which, more positively
than the other, we can assert that some of its members
have trodden the soil of Buchanan county; since the
writer of this saw some of them treading its soil in the
city of Independence, during this very year, 1880. As
the name implies, the tribe is a union of what was orig-
nally two separate tribes. And the Fox tribe, of which
we find the earlier historic mention, was also, in ancient
times, the result of a similar union between two bands —
one calling themselves Outagamies, which means foxes,
and the other, Musquakinks, or men of red clay. It is
a notable fact that, although probably more than two
hundred years have elapsed since this union was formed,
and all lineal traces of the two clans thus united must
have been obliterated by intermarriages and by the sub-
sequent union with the Sacs, yet the small remnant of
the tribe of Sacs and Foxes now living on their own
lands in Tama county, about fifty miles from Indepen-
dence, call themselves Musquakies, which is evidently a
revival of their old ancestral name. But how little reli-
ance can safely be placed upon popular stories may be
seen in the fact that many intelligent people living in the
neighborhood of this band of Indians have been made
to believe, though probably not by the Indians them-
selves, that the name Musquiakies signifies men that
won't fight; and that this name was applied to them as a
term of reproach by the rest of the tribe, because they
26
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
refused, on a certain occasion, to take part in a war upon
which the majority had resolved.
About the close of the seventeenth century, before
the union of the Sacs and Fo.xes, the French came into
collision with the latter in the region about Lake St.
Clair. The Foxes were great fighters and were hostile
to the French, who found them the most troublesome
of neighbors. It was in the year 17 14 that a war of
extermination or expulsion was commenced against them
by the French — several other tribes having been induced
to make common cause with the French against the
Foxes. The command of the allied forces was first
given by the governor of Canada to De Louvigney. The
Foxes intrenched themselves on an elevated position
near the Fox river, which has ever since been called
Butte des Morts, or Hill of the dead, on account of the
slaughter which occurred there at that time. After a
desperate resistance they were forced to surrender; and
the victors, more magnanimous than the vanquished had
any reason to expect they would be, made a treaty of
peace with them. This treaty, however, the restless and
untamable Foxes soon violated; and another expedition
was organized against them in 1728, under the command
of a French officer by the name of De Lignerie. It
proved a protracted and bloody struggle, waged with
varying fortunes and occasional intermissions of truce,
for about eighteen years. At length, however, the
French and their allies gained a decisive victory in 1746,
and the Foxes were driven out of the beautiful valley to
whose river they had given their name, which it still
bears as a memento of their long supremacy in the region
about Green Bay.
When first known in Iowa the Foxes were found per-
manently allied with the Sacs, both tribes being united
under one government. When and upon what terms the
union was effected, is a matter of tribal history, which
has never been recorded. The fact that the name of the
Sacs stands first in that of the united tribe, may be taken
as a proof that they were at least as powerful as the
Foxes at the time of the union. Both tribes were a
branch of the great .■\lgonquin family, and must have
been closely related in language and habits of life, or
the union which finally absorbed the two could never
have been formed.
The Sacs, like the Foxes, came from the far east,
where they had many a warlike struggle with the Six
Nations. We first hear of them from the French writers,
by whom they were called Sauks ; but the meaning of
the name has not been transmitted to later times. The
union of the Sacs and Foxes made them a powerful
tribe, and they had many desperate conflicts with other
tribes of the west. Their first great war after the union
was established, was with the Illinois. United with the
Sacs and Foxes in this war were the Ottawas, a friendly
tribe, whose favorite chief, Pontiac, was killed by a
drunken Indian of the Illinois tribe, in 1796, at Caho-
kia, opposite St. Louis. This murder was the exciting
cause of the war, in which the Illinois were almost exter-
minated, and their hunting grounds were taken possession
of by the tribes that had been leagued against them.
The Sac and Fox nation, about this time, occupied a
large portion of the territory now embraced within the
two States of Illinois and Iowa. Some of their villages
were on Rock river, in the former State, and some on the
Des Moines, in the latter. Two of them were not far
from the present limits of Buchanan county — one being
about twelve miles this side of Dubuque, and one on the
Turkey river. Of course, Buchanan county was at that
time a part of their hunting grounds.
The Sacs and Foxes were for some time friendly to the
lowas, and occupied the same hunting grounds with
them. But after a while disagreements sprang up between
the two tribes, which at length led to hostile collisions.
The principal village of the lowas was on the Des Moines
river, where the town of lowaville is now situated, in
Van Buren county. Here was fought the last great battle
between the lowas and the Sacs and Foxes. The fol-
lowing account of the battle is quoted by W. W. Clayton
in his History of Iowa, as contained in the Iowa State
Atlas; but we are not informed from what work the de-
scription is taken:
Contraiy to a long established custom of Indian attack, this battle
was brought on in the daytime, the attending circumstances justifying
this departure from the well settled usages of Indian warfare. The
battlefield is a level river bottom, about four miles in length, and two
miles wide, near the middle, narrowing down to a point at either end.
The main area of the bottom rises, perhaps, twenty feet above the
river, leaving a narrow strip of low bottom along the shore, covered
with trees that belted the prairie on the river side with a thick forest,
and the immediate bank was fringed witli a dense growth of the willows,
and near the lower end of the prairie and near the river bank, was
situated the Iowa village, and about two miles above the town, and
near the middle of the prairie, is situated a small natural mound,
covered at the time with a tuft of small trees and brush growing on its
summit. In the rear of this mound lay a belt of wet prairie, which, at
the time spoken of, was covered with a dense crop of rank, coarse grass.
Bordering this wet prairie on the north, the country rises abruptly into
elevated broken river bluffs, covered witi; a heavy forest many miles in
extent, and portions thickly clustered with undergrowth, aflfordmg a
convenient shelter for the stealthy approach of the foe.
Through this forest the Sac and Fox war party made their way in the
night, and secreted themselves in the tall grass spoken of above, in-
tending to remain in ambush during the day, and make such observa-
tions as this near proximity to their intended victims might afford, to
aid them in their contemplated attack on the town during the following
night. From this situation their spies could take a full survey of the
village, and watch every movement of the inhabitants, by which
means they were soon convinced that the lowas had no suspicion of
their presence.
At the foot of the mound above-mentioned the lowas had their race
course, where they diverted themselves with various amusements, and
schooled their young warriors in cavalry e\olutions. In these
exercises mock battles were fought, and the Indian tactics of attack
and defence carefully inculcated — by which means a skill in horseman-
ship was acquired that had rarely been excelled. Unfortunately for
them this day was selected for their equestrian sports; and, wholly un-
conscious of the proximity of their foes, the warriors repaired to the
race ground, leaving most of their arms in the village, and their old
men and women and children unprotected.
Pashapaho, who was chief-in-command of the Sacs and Foxes, per-
ceived at once the advantage this state of things afforded for a com-
plete surprise of his now doomed victims, and ordered Black Hawk
(who, though but a youth at that time, was in command of one divis-
ion of the attacking forces) to file off with his young warriors, through
the tall grass, and gain the cover of the timber along the ri\er bank,
and with tlie utmost speed reach the village and commence the battle;
while he {the commander-in-chief) remained with his division in the
anibush, to make a simultaneous assault on the unarmed men, whose
attention was engrossed with the excitement of the races. The plan
was skilfully laid, and most dextrously executed. Black Hawk, with
his forces, reached the village undiscovered, and made a furious on-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
slaught upon the defenceless inhabitants, by firing one general volley
into their midst, and completing the slaughter with the tomahawk and
scalping-knife, aided by the devourmg flames with which they envel-
oped the village as soon as the fire-brand could be spread from lodge
to lodge.
On the instant of the report of firearms at the village, the forces
under Pashapaho leaped from their couchant position in the grass and
sprang, tiger-like, upon the astonished and unarmed lowas in the
midst of their racing sports. The first impulse of the latter, naturally,
led them to make the utmost speed toward their arms in the viltage to
protect, if possible, their wives and children from the attack of a merci-
less assailant. The distance from the place of attack on the prairie
was two miles; and a great nuniberfell in their flight by the bullets and
tom.ihawks of their enemies; and they reached their town only in time
to witness the horrors of its destruction. Their whole village vvas in
flames, and the dearest objects of their lives lay in slaughtered heaps
amidst the devouring elements; and the agonizing groans of the dying,
mingled with the exulting shouts of the victorious foe, filled their
hearts with a maddening despair. Those of their wives and children
who h.ad been spared in the general massacre, were prisoners, and, to-
gether with their arms, were in the hands of the victors; and all that
could now be done was to draw off their shattered and defenceless
forces, and save as many lives as possible by a retreat across the Des
Moines river, which they effected in the best possible manner, and
took a position among the Soap Creek hills.
The date of this battle is not given, but it must have
been previous to 1824, since it was in that year, as we
have staled above, that the lowas ceded to the United
States Government all their lands east of the Missouri,
and accepted a reservation on the west side of that river.
The lowas and the Sacs and Foxes had, as we have seen,
long been friends; and this battle jjroves, what all his-
tory verifies, that there is no hostility so fierce and re-
lentless as that which springs from alienated friendship.
But it is worthy of note that, implacable as the Indian
character has the credit of being, the two tribes thus
bitterly alienated actually became friends again. The
lowas had several other villages which the Sacs and
Foxes left unmolested; and it is probable that the pris-
oners who had been taken were eventually restored, and
that a treaty of peace was renewed. At any rate, nearly
fifty years later, we find these same forgiving lowas actu-
ally sharing their lands with their ancient enemies, who
had been left homeless by parting with their reservation,
without securing suitable hunting grounds in its place.
Let us hope that even the northern and southern States
will, byand by, consent to learn from these untutored
savages the sadly needed but hitherto unheeded lesson of
reconciliation and forgiveness.
The Sacs and Foxes had also a fierce collision with
the Winnebagoes, subduing them and taking possession
of their lands on Rock river. But their longest and
most bloody war was with those terrible fighters — the
Sioux. The latter had their hunting grounds, in early
times, mostly in Minnesota, while those of the former
lay to the south and east. Northern Iowa and southern
Minnesota were the scene of many bloody battles ; and
as the Sacs and Foxes are known to have had villages
on the Turkey river, in the adjoining counties of Fayette
and Clayton, north and northeast of this, we may reason-
ably suppose that some of these battles occurred in this
immediate vicinity — perhaps in this very county.
With a view to putting a stop to this devastating war,
the United States appointed as commissioners William
Clark and Lewis Cass to negotiate a treaty with the con-
tending tribes, by which it was stipulated that the Gov-
ernment should designate a boundary line between the
hunting grounds of the Sioux on the north and the Sacs
and Foxes on the south, the Indians agreeing to restrict
themselves to the territories thus marked out. The line
designated by the Government is described as follows:
Commencing at the mouth of the Upper Iowa river, on the west
bank of the Mississippi, and ascending said Iowa river to its west
fork; thence up the fork to its source; thence crossing the fork of Red
Cedar river in a direct line to the second or upper fork of the Des
Moines river; thence in a direct line to the lower fork of the Calumet
(or Big Siou.x) river, and down that river 10 its junction with the Mis-
souri river.
This line commences in the northeast corner of what
is now the State of Iowa, and extends from the Missis-
sippi to the Missouri, on an average (we should judge)
of about twenty miles south of the present northern
boundary of the State. The treaty establishing this line
was made at Prairie du Chien, August 19, 1825. As
might have been foreseen, it failed to accomplish, for
any great length of time, the end desired. Complaints
were made of infractions on both sides, and the Govern-
ment again interferred with a well-meant endeavor to
keep the peace. This time, by a treaty ratified February
24, 1 83 1, the Government bought of the Sioux a strip of
land twenty miles wide, lying on the north side of the
line above described, but extending only to the Des
Moines river; and, on the south side of the same line,
a strip of equal width was purchased of the Sacs and
Foxes. The United States thus obtained possession and
absolute control of a territory forty miles wide and about
two hundred miles long. This tract is known in history
as the "Neutral Ground;" and while the United States
undertook to prevent the hostile occupation of it by
either of the belligerent parties, both were allowed to
use it for hunting and fishing so long as they respected
and maintained in good I'aith its neutrality. This arrange-
ment effectually put an end to the bloody encounters
between the Sioux and the Sacs and Foxes. The "Neu-
tral Ground" continued the common hunting ground of
the tribes for about ten years, when it was made a Win-
nebago reservation, and the principal portion of that
tribe was removed to it in 1841. They occupied it, how-
everj but about five years, when, as we have seen, they
were again removed.
The borders of the "Neutral Ground" were but a short
distance north of Buchanan county; and, doubtless, all
the Indians that were allowed the free use or occupancy
of the former, were at least occasional visitors to the
beautiful woods and streams of the latter. The Sacs and
Foxes, however, were here "on their native heath," and
the lands of this county were a part of the great tract
which they ceded to the United States after the close of
the Black Hawk war, and which first opened up the rich
prairies of Iowa to the permanent settlement of the
whites.
The tract here alluded to is known in history as the
"Black Hawk Purchase," — not because it was actually
purchased of Black Hawk (who was then a prisoner in
the hands of the Government), but because it was ceded
by the authority of his tribe, and was made a part of the
22
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
conditions of his release. The treaty by which this tract
was ceded to the United States was made on the spot
where Davenport now stands, September 21, 1832, Gen-
eral Scott and Governor Reynolds, of Illinois, acting as
commissioners on the part of the Government, and Keo-
kuk, Pashapaho and several other chiefs representing the
tribe. This treaty was ratified during the next session
of Congress, February 13, 1833, and went into effect the
first of the following June. The boundaries of the Black
Hawk Purchase were as follows:
Beginuing on the Mississippi river, at a point where the Sac and Fox
boundan- line, as established by the second article of the treaty of
Prairie du Chien, July, 1830, strikes said river: thence up said boundary
line to a point fifty miles, measured on said line; thence in a right hne
10 the nearest point on the Red Cedar of Iowa, forty miles from the
Mississippi; thence in a right line to a point in the northern boundary
of the State of Missouri, fifty miles measured on said boundary line
from the Mississippi river; thence by the last mentioned boundan- to
the Missisippi river, and by the western shore of said river to the place
of beginning.
By this treaty the United States obtained possession
of a tract of land nearly two hundred miles in length,
and averaging about fifty miles in width, lying along the
west side of the Missisippi river, and now constituting
the eastern part of the State of Iowa. For this tract the
Government stipulated to pay the Sacs and Fo.xes an
annuity of twenty thousand dollars for thirty years, and
to cancel the debts of the tribe which had been accum-
ulating with certain traders for the previous seventeen
years, and which amounted to forty thousand dollars.
From the date of this purchase white settlers rapidly
poured into the new territory ; and about five years
later, that is, in 183S, another treaty was ratified, by
which the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the Government
another tract bordering this on the west, of the same
length, about twenty-five miles in width at the middle
portion, and containing a million and a quarter of acres.
At the same date they relinquished all their lands lying
south of the "neutral ground," the United States pay-
ing them for the relinquishment of this territory one
hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
Since then other treaties have been made with the
Sacs and Foxes, and they have several times been re-
moved. They are now divided into three or four bands,
and are greatly reduced in numbers. In 1872, the
principal band, who had ceded their lands in Kansas to
the United States, first in 1859 and again in 1868, num-
bered only four hundred and sixty-three. They occupy
a reservation of nearly five hundred thousand acres in
the Indian country, between the North fork of the
Canadian river and the Red fork of the Arkansas. The
Sacs and Foxes of the Missouri, the band who remained
true to the Government during the Black Hawk war, are
reduced to eighty-eight, but occupy a large reservation
in southeastern Nebraska and northeastern Kansas.
Both these bands are making considerable improvement
in agriculture and the raising of stock.
In 1857, a party of nearly four hundred Sacs and
Foxes, calling themselves by their ancient name, Mus-
quakies, tired ot being moved from reservation to reser-
vation, bought a large tract of land in Tama county, un-
aided by the Government, which at first refused to assist
them in their separate condition. Since then, however,
they have received their share of the annuities. They
cultivate the best of their lands, and have raised in a
single year three thousand dollars' w-orth of produce.
They are also employed in the raising of stock, having
over ten thousand dollars invested in that business.
They frequently hire out to the neighboring white farm-
ers as laborers, and are thus becoming industrious and
self-sustaining. It is said that the farmers who at first
laughed at the idea of employing them now find them
good workers.
The Government has made several efforts to civilize
and improve the Sacs and Foxes by establishing schools
among them; and several religious denominations have
made overtures for the organization of missions in their
behalf. But they have clung to their Indian prejudices
with even more than the ordinary Indian tenacity.
In 1869, the writer of this was requested by the late
Bishop Lee, of the Episcopal diocese of Iowa, to visit
the Musquakies and ascertain how they would look upon
an effort to establish a mission school among them. He
complied with their request, but they firmly withheld
their consent to any such effort, alleging that if the Great
Spirit had wished them to be like white folks, he would
have made them white.
There are few, if any, of the Indian tribes whose his-
tory is more replete with romantic incidents than that of
the Sacs and F'oxes. Their great chief, Black Hawk,
was as brave as Tecumseh and as eloquent as Logan.
His address to General Street, after his capture in 1S32,
is well worthy of being preserved along side of that
which was delivered by Logan in very similar circum-
stances, and immortalized by Jefferson. The speech of
Black Hawk was as follows :
Mv warriors fell around me. It began to look dismal. I saw my
evil day at hand. The sun rose clear on us in the morning; at night it
sank in a dark cloud, and looked Uke a ball of fire. This was the last
sun that shone on Black Hawk, He is now a prisoner of the while
man. But he can stand the torture. He is not afraid of death. He
is no coward. Black Hawk is an Indian. He has done nothing of
which an Indian need be ashamed. He has fought the battles of his
country against the white man, who came year after year to cheat us
and take away our lands. You know the cause of our making war. It
is known to all white men. They ought to be ashamed of it. The
white men despise the Indians and drive them from their homes. But
the Indians are not deceitful. Indians do not steal.
Black Hawk is satisfied, he will go to the world of spirits contented.
He has done his duty. His father will meet him and reward him. The
white men do not scalp the head, but they do worse; they poison the
heart. It is not pure w iih them. My countrymen will not be scalped;
but they will, in a few years, become like the white man, so that you
cannot hurt them; and there will be, as in the white settlements, as
manv officers as men, to take care of them and keep them in order.
Farewell to my nation! Farewell to Black Hawk!
His proud salutation to President Jackson, on being
presented to him at Washington, has become famous — -
"I am a man and you are another." That he had a ten-
der place in his heart, notwithstanding liis many deeds
of cruelty, is evinced by his parting words to Colonel
Eustis, who was commander at Fortress Monroe during
the old chiefs confinement there — "The memory of your
friendship will remain till the Great Spirit shall say, 'It is
time for Black Hawk to sing his death song.'"
After his release, in 1833, he returned to Iowa, and
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
23
.emained with a portion of his tribe on the Iowa river res-
ervation until that was sold, in 1836. He then removed
to the Des Moines reservation, where he died October 3,
1838, aged seventy-one. He was buried on the bank of
the river in a sitting posture, after the manner of his tribe.
We. here bring to a close our sketches of the Indian
tribes whose contiguity to this county render it pretty
certain that, at some period previous to its settlement by
the whites, these tribes must at Last temporarily have
occupied its soil. We have no accounts of any Indian
villages having been located here, or battlefields, or per-
manent occupation by any of the tribes. Since the whites
began to settle here, companies of Sacs and Foxes, and
occasionally of other tribes, have been in the habit of
visiting the county, either for hunting and fishing, or in
making journeys from one part of the country to another.
The old settlers still relate anecdotes and incidents of
these visits, some of which may be found farther on in
connection with personal sketches. But here our Indian
history must terminate.
Note. — The most of the facts contained in the foregoing sketches
were found in the American Encyclopaedia. In transferring them to
our history we have sometimes employed the identical language of that
work. But so frequent have been the changes, additions and omissions,
that we could not in all cases have indicated this sort of transfer with-
out greaUy marring the appearance of the text, and putting the printer
to unnecessary trouble. We trust, therefore, that this acknowledgment
will be considered all that the equities of the case require. In piepar-
^ni the sketch of the Sacs and Foxes we have also been indebted to W-
W. Clayton's history in Andrea's Iowa State Atlas.
CHAPTER II.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
GEOGRAPHY.
The counties of Iowa lie in very regular tiers, running
east and west, and in tiers less regular (especially in the
southern half of the State) running north and south.
Buchanan is in the fourth tier north of the Minnesota
line, and in the fifth north of the Missouri line. It is the
third county west of the Mississippi River, and the tenth
east of the Missouri. Its central point, (which is a few
miles east of its capital, the city of Independence,) lies
very nearly in latitude forty-two and a half degrees north,
and longitude fourteen degrees and fifty minutes west
from Washington. It is a little over si.xty miles due
west of the city of Dubuque, and in an extension of the
line which divides Illinois and Wisconsin. Its latitude
is about the same as that of Beloit, Wisconsin; Allegan,
in the State of Michigan; Chatham, Canada West; Al-
bany, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Leon, in
Spain; Perpignan, in France; Porta, in the Island ot
Corsica; Civita Vecchia, Italy; Sophia, in European
Turkey; Sinope, Turkey in Asia; Derbend, in southern
Russia; Khiva, Tartary; Tchontori, (a little north of the
latitude of Pekin) China; Chickadado, Japan; and Jack-
sonville, Oregon.
This "girdle" (which we have beaten Puri- in putting
"round about the earth" in something less than "forty
minutes," and in which Independence, though one of the
least, is by no means the least glittering gem) fairly
marks the golden mean between the too freezing north
and the too burning south. Of the five million-peopled
cities of the world, the two largest, London and Paris, are
north of this tine, and the other three, Pekin, Canton
and New York, are south of it. And, among the re-
maining great cities of the Northern Hemisphere, Vien-
na, Berlin, St. Petersburg and Liverpool are on the north
and Calcutta, Constantinople, Chicago and San Fran-
cisco are on the south of the same line. It would
seem, therefore, that the human race, whose in-
stinct in such a matter may be regarded as in-
fallible, have come to the conclusion that the line
passing through Independence and the centre of
Buchanan county, is a very good one to cluster about;
and that, consequently, they have determined to fight
out the great battle of life as near as possible to this for-
tunate line. We know of no one that desires to emigrate
from this fair and fertile county; but if there is such a
one, and he is detennined to gratify that preposterous de-
sire, we advise him to steer his course due west or east,
if he expects to be in luck.
As to its immediate neighbors, Buchanan is surrounded
by a beautiful septer of sister counties, as follows: Bre-
mer (named for the genial and talented Frederika) on
the northwest ; Fayette, on the north; Clayton, on the
northeast; Delaware, on the east; Linn and Benton, on
the south; and Black Hawk, on the west. Such a
county, thus surrounded, may truly, if not quite originally,
be called "a beautiful gem in a beautiful setting."
A bird's eve view
of the territory, now comprising Buchanan county, must
have been a rare sight, during the season of vegetation,
even before the advent of its civilized inhabitants. Its
numerous streams revealed by the silver sheen of their
serpentine currents, by the white lines of sand drift, or
the beetling bluffs along their margins, and still more by
the wide belts of luxuriant timber by which they were for
the most part bordered; its limitless prairies, mostly un-
dulating, but sometimes stretching away in a broad and
level expanse, covered with grass and flowers, gleaming
in sunlight or flecked with shadow, and dotted here and
there with herds of buffaloes, grazing upon the slopes or,
perhaps, stampeding before pursuing wolves or Indian
hunters — all this afforded a picture which, if there had
been an artist's eye to behold it, would have filled his
soul with delight.
But civilization came, and a change has passed over
the scene, as if produced by the waving of an enchanter's
wand, or the utterance of a magical incantation. The
main outlines of surface and stream and forest belt con-
tinue, though the latter has been broken up in many
places to make room for human dwellings or cultivated
fields. Much of the original forest, too, has been re-
moved for fuel or building material ; but on a large por-
tion of the space thus cleared a second growth has been
24
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
allowed to spring up, which has become as beautilul and
luxuriant as the first ; and this, together with the almost
numberless groves and orchards that have been planted,
probably makes the present number of trees in the
county more than twice as great as when it first began to
be settled.
The multiplication of cultivated groves is, indeed, one
of the principal characteristics in the settlement of a
prairie country ; but, from a bird's eye view, there are
dthers which have, perhaps, even a more marked effect
upon the landscape. Such are the breaking up of the
soil, the enclosing of fields and their cultivation in vari-
ous kinds of grain, the multiplication of flocks of sheep
and herds of cattle, the erection of dwellings, school-
houses, churches, bridges, and other architectural struct-
ures, and the grouping of these together in hamlets,
villages and towns. All these have so changed the face
of the country now composing Buchanan county, that
the "century-living crow" which may have flown over
it fifty years ago, on one of his migratory flights, would
hardly recognize it were he now, for the first time since
that not very remote day, to fly over it once more. The
historical account of these changes will be given in its
appropriate place farther on; but we desire to present
here, a little more in detail, a picture of the ]iresent feat-
ures of the country, both natural and artificial, as seen
from above. Word-painting is not our forte, but if the
reader will accompany us in an imaginary balloon ascen-
sion, we will see what we can see.
Here we are, then, directly over the central point of
the county, at an altitude of two or three thousand feet;
from which the entire surface of its sixteen townships
lies clearly revealed to our vision, which has been sharp-
ened up for this special occasion. The point over which
our aerial car is suspended, is near the corners of the
four townships — Washington, Byron, Liberty and Sum-
ner, and would have been exactly the point where those
four townships would have touched each other, had it not
been for the "correction line " and the recent enlarge-
ment of Washington, made for the sake of allowing the
ambitious city of Independence to expand without cross-
ing a township line.
If the reader is as simple-minded as the writer, it has
seetned to him that we ought to be able to discern, from
our present lookout, those boundary lines and colors
which are so striking upon maps, and become so identi-
fied with all our notions of geography. The lines do,
indeed, exist, and are sufficiently visible to the imagina-
tion; but we now perceive, more clearly than ever before,
that, like the equator, tropics, parallels and meridians,
they are fw/y "imaginary."
It is an interesting coincidence that, from our lofty
altitude, we are looking directly down upon two objects
which stand as the principal symbols of American civiliza-
tion, and of the moral improvement and elevation of our
people. These two objects are a church and a school-
house. The former is the Bethel Presbyterian church,
situated on the main road, about three miles east of
Independence, in the southwest corner of Byron town-
ship; and the latter, located upon adjoining ground, is
one of the district school buildings with which, as we
can see at a glance, the whole surface of the county is
dotted over, there being seven or eight, on an average,
in every township. The location of these two structures
in such close proximity, at the very centre of the county,
is not only symbolical of the general intelligence and
virtue of the people; but it also seems to imply that
religion and learning are here regarded as the central in-
fluences to which all other beneficent influences are sub-
sidiary, and upon which the people are chiefly to rely for
securing their highest prosperity and happiness.
But we came here, not so much to moralize about the
people of Buchanan, as to study and enjoy the physical
features of their county. In furtherance of this design
let us direct our attention for a few minutes to
THE PR1NCIP.\L STREAMS,
by which, paradoxical as it may sound, the county is
both drained and watered. Drainage is here, of course,
the principal object of the streams; for imported as are
numerous living watercourses in a stock growing region,
still, in a territory like this, where the average annual of
rain-fall is forty inches, if there were not a sufficient
slope, and a sufficient number of stream-valleys to af-
ford timely escape for the surplus water, the whole sur-
face of the country would be one continuous marsh,
breeding pestilence for the destruction of men, rather
than furnishing arable fields for their support. As it is,
there are very few marshes in the county; and the most,
if not all of these can be artificially drained, and doubt-
less will be as soon as land becomes sufficiently valuable
(as it will some day), to insure a compensation for the
neces^arv expense; while on the other hand, there are
probably still fewer places which, except in very unusu-
al seasons, are ever seriously afflicted by drouth.
The general trend of the land in Buchanan county,
like that of the State at large, is from the northwest to
the southeast. Its principal valley, that of the Wapsipin-
icon river, stretches directly through its centre, in the di-
rection stated, receiving and carrying off all its waters,
with the following exceptions; Those of Jefferson and
Westburg, and of a part of Peiry, Sumner and Horner,
in the southwest corner of the county, flow into the Ce-
dar; while those of a part of Madison and Fremont, in
the northeast corner, make their way into the Maquo-
keta.
The most conspicuous object below us (for we hope
the reader will not forget, even if the writer should, that
we are "up in a balloon") — is, of course, the "VVapsie"
with its magnificent belt of timber, the largest originally
unbroken forest of which lies a little southeast of us, in
Liberty township. If we let our eye follow up the me-
andering course of the river till we come to the little
town of Littleton, in the northern part of Perry town-
ship, we find at that point the principal fork made by the
river in this county. The river a[)proaches the village
from the west, having entered the county at the north-
west corner of Perry township; while the stream with
which it forks (very respectable in size and named the
Little Wapsie) flows down from the north, having come
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
25
in from the county of Fayette, about a mile and a half
east of the northwest corner of Fairbank, and passes
completely through that township in a southerly direc-
tion. We are not certain but that the Wapsipinicon
might justly lay claim to the title, "Father of waters,"
since we know of at least two Little Wapsies — there be-
ing, besides the one here mentioned, another formed
very much in the same way in Howard and Chickasaw
counties. Our Little Wapsie receives several small
streams after entering the county — the largest, being on
its western side and named Buck creek, entering Fair-
bank township in section seven, and emptying into the
Little Wapsie in thirty-two of the same township.
Now let us retrace the course of the river from the
fork above described and note the streams that flow into
it. The first we come to is scarcely more than a brook,
flowing from the south and emptying into the river in
section fifteen, in Perry township. It looks like a thread
of silver winding through the green carpet of the prairie.
We consult the map, which we have not forgotten to
bring with us, and find that it has no recorded name.
As our eyes glance over the county they will fall upon
many such streams — some of them considerably larger
than this. And we desire here to say, that when we
come to the township histories, if we find any names of
streams that have been left hitherto unrecorded, we shall
see to it that the nameless ones are duly christened.
The next that we come to is a fine, large stream flow-
ing from the north through Hazletown and Washington
townships, and joining the river in section nineteen of
the latter. This is Otter creek, one of the most beautiful
streams in the county, and more copiously wooded than
any other, except father Wapsie himself. As our eyes
wander up through its charming valley, they discover
four branches emptying into it, all unnamed on the map.
Three of these are quite small, flowing from the east and
joining the creek in Hazleton township. The other is
larger, rising on the west side of the creek, a little north
of the county line, flowing almost due south through the
western part of Hazleton (the most of the way parallel
with the creek) and emptying into it in section six of
Washington.
Resuming our survey down the river we come to two
small streams which enter it about a mile apart, the first
in section twenty-eight, and the second in section thirty-
four of \\"ashington township, a little above Inde-
pendence. Neither is named on the map, but the one
nearest the city is called (so we are informed) Harter
creek. They both rise in the northern part of Washing-
ton, and flow nearly south.
Next passing down the rapids through Independence,
we come to the mouth of Malone creek, just below the
city, in section three of what was at first Sumner town-
ship, but is now a part of Washington. It also rises in
Washington (in the northeast corner) and flows in a
southwesterly direction. Two little streams, so small
that we can hardly discern them even with our sharpened
bird's-eye vision, rise almost directly below us — the first
in. section thirty-one of Byron, and the second in section
one of the addition to Washington. They are each
about two miles in length, flow southwest and empty into
the Wapsie, in section ten of Sumner.
Still passing on down the river, we see no entering
stream worthy of note till, about seven or eight miles be-
low those last mentioned, we come to the mouth of Pine
creek, not more than two miles above Quasqueton, in
section twenty-eight, Liberty township. This is a fine
stream flowing from the north like nearly all those which
empty into the Wapsie. It rises nearly in the centre of
Buffalo township, and flows south through Byron and
Liberty. It receives many small tributaries, mostly
through its left bank, like the Wapsie and all the other
streams in the county. It is about fourteen miles in
length — its lower half being well timbered, but the
upper half flowing through an open prairie region.
"Pilot Grove" which we see gleaming through the hazy
autumn atmosphere, seven or eight miles away to the
north, is about two miles from the source of this stream.
Although less than a quarter of a mile in diameter (on
an average) this grove is a very striking object, from the
fact that there is no timber within about five miles of it
in any direction.
But a few rods from the mouth of Pine creek is that of
Halstead's run, which has for an "occasional contribu-
tor" Dry creek; and about a quarter of a mile from the
mouth of this run is that of Nash creek, in section
twenty-seven in Liberty township. Each of these streams
is about five miles in length, rising in the southern part
of Byron and running nearly south. From the mouth
of Nash creek, which is about half a mile above Quasque-
ton, to the point where the Wapsie leaves the county,
we can count by close inspection eight tributaries to that
river — all but two on its left (that is its eastern bank.
None of these creeks are named on any map that we
have seen. The larger of the two on the right bank is
the largest entering the river on that side in its whole
course through the county. Yet it is only about four
miles in length, rising in the northwestern part of Cono,
and joining the river in section fourteen of that town-
ship. The largest and the last of these lower tributaries,
on the other side, is about eight miles in length, rising in
the southern part of Middlefield, flowing nearly south
through the centre of Newton nearly to the county line,
then turning abruptly to the west and entering the river
in section thirty-one of the last mentioned township.
But the largest tributary to the Wapsie (though it does
not enter the river within the limits of the county) re-
mains yet to be noticed. If the reader (still up in the
balloon, remember) will cast his eye toward the east, be-
yond Pine creek (as far east of that creek as we are west
of it, that is about three miles), he will observe a stream
flowing in a very straight course about south southeast,
parallel with Pine creek and the Wapsie, and bordered
by a very narrow belt of timber. That stream is Buffalo
creek, the longest branch of our Father of Waters, and,
with the exception of the river, the longest stretch of
water in Buchanan county. It rises in the southern part
of Fayette county, flows in the direction indicated above,
entering our county in section three of Buffalo township,
and continuing till, at about twelve miles from its source,
26
HIS1X)RV OF BUCHANAN COUNTY. lOAVA.
it reaches the northwest corner of section thirty-one in
Madison township. There it turns abruptly to the west,
makiug nearly a right angle, and continuing in that course
for about two miles, when it receives a branch which has
flowed parallel with it almost from its beginning. Then
it makes another sudden turn to the south southeast
again, taking the line of the branch, which it holds with
very little variation till it unites with the Wapsie in Jones
county.
This apparent turning aside from their own valley to
make a sudden debouche into that of one of their branches
is a frequent and singular freak of streams, both small
and great. There are no less than three other examples
of it in this county. The Little Wapsie does it when it
receives its Buck creek branch. Otter creek does it when
it receives that branch, unnamed on the map, which has
flowed parallel with it for six or seven miles. And Father
Wapsie himself does it, when he unites with Pine creek.
In the case of the first three pairs of streams mentioned
above, there is the singular additional coincidence that
the parallel streams, in each case, are just about two miles
apart.
Almost numberless examples of the above mentioned
fteak of watercourses might be given if we chose to go
out of the county; and we will do so just to mention
those of a single river — which we can do without lower-
ing our balloon. We refer to the Missouri, which per-
forms this freak at least five times: first, when it receives
the White river; second, when it receives the Niobrara;
third, when it receives the Jaiues ; fourth, when it receives
the Big Sioux; and last, but not least, when it receives
the Mississippi — for everybody knows that it is the Mis
souri that receives the Mississippi, and not the ^Nlissis-
sippi that receives the Missouri. To call the united
streams the Mississippi was the most stupid of geograph-
ical misnomers — was, indeed like setting the tail to wag-
ging the dog, instead of letting the dog wag his own tail.
In regard to the scientific explanation of these singu-
lar fluvial performances, we will state simply that they
are attributed by the learned to the action of the ice dur-
ing what is termed, in geology, the "glacial period.''
But their explanations, though plausible in certain cases,
are beset with difficulties.
To return (as the French say) " to our sheep" — that
is, to the streams of Buchanan county. If the reader
will turn his eye to the northeast, some five or six miles
beyond the abrupt bend in Buffalo creek, he will per-
ceive a large, isolated grove of native timber, with a
stream of considerable size passing through it to the
southeast. This stream is the south branch of Maquo-
keta river. It rises in the southern part of Fayette
county, and the part of it belonging there (being about
six miles in length) is called Prairie creek. Why this is
thus we are not informed. Sufl^ce it to say that this is
the unmistakable Maquoketa, which passes through
Manchester, in the adjoining county of Delaware; and
there, at the distance of twenty or twenty-five miles from
its mouth, proves to be an industrious and serviceable
mill stream. Its length in this county is about six miles,
passing through the northeast corner of Madison, the
northeast township, entering in section five and going
out in section twenty-four. It has several small branches.
South of the stream last described, and nearly east of
us, we perceive another and much smaller one, flowing
in the same general direction, through prairies and fields
entirely destitute of native timber. It rises in section
four of Fremont township, flows some nine miles in a
sort of circuitous course, and passes out through section
thirty-six of the same township into Delaware county.
It is there called Coffin's Grove creek, from the name
of an isolated body of timber through which it passes;
but whether or not it has that name in this county, the
mapmaker has not informed us.
If now we turn our eyes to the west and southwest,
beyond the watershed of the Wapsipinicon, we shall see
several small streams flowing in a southwesterly direction,
and also gel a glimpse of the Cedar river, which just
touches this county at its southwest corner, the same
being the corner of Jefferson township. Of these small
streams, the two that we see directly west are a couple of
small branches that unite to form Spring creek, which
lies wholly beyond our county, in Black Hawk. The
farthest of these small branches barely touches Perry
township. The other rises m section twenty of Perry,
flows south into Westburgh, and out at section seven of
the latter.
Passing south, the next that we come to is Little
Spring creek, a branch of the former, rising in sixteen,
Westburgh, flowing southwest and leaving the county at
six, Jefierson. Then comes a small stream unnamed,
rising in eight, Jefferson, and passing out at thirty-one of
the same. Turning east we come to Lime creek, which
rises in fourteen, Westburgh, flows south (with a slight
circuit to the east and then to the west) and passes
through Jefferson, leaving it at section thirty-three. Next
and last we come to Bear creek, which rises in seventeen
of the adjoining township of Sumner, makes a circuit
quite similar to the former, passes through a part of
Homer, enters Jefferson at twenty-five, and leaves it at
thirty-six.
Thus ends our survey of Buchanan waters. The bird's-
eye view would be improved with a lake or two, but they
are not needed for any other than esthetic purposes.
We fear the reader will think we are staying up in the
air a long time; but we are not yet quite ready to come
down.
FLUXIAL NOMEN"CL.\TL"RE.
Before we leave the subject of Buchanan streams,
however, we desire to say a few words in regard to their
names. All names are more or less significant; and it is
probable that no one was ever given without there being,
in the mind of the giver, a definite reason why that par-
ticular one, and not another was assigned to the object
named. The reason may never be announced, or, if
once made known, may become forgotten ; or it may be
thought too trivial to remember. But the fact remains,
that every object named must have both a namer and a
reason for its name. And the reason may continue to
be known long after the namer has been forgotten.
Thus it is probably at present unknown who first gave
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
27
the name of Bear creek to the stream last mentioned;
but there can be no reasonable doubt as to the reason
why that name was given. As it would be bare nonsense
to call a stream Bear creek if no bears had ever been
found upon its banks, so we may safely take it for granted
that the name was given to perpetuate the memory of
the fact that bears were once found there. This stream,
therefore, and also Buck, Otter, and Buffalo creeks, are
standing (or rather running) monuments to a fauna
which, in this county, has become extinct. And we
cannot help thinking that, if certain other species that
once abounded here, but have now disappeared or are
fast disappearing) such as the elk, beaver, muskrat, wolf,
wild turkey, grouse, etc.), could have been commemor-
ated in a similar way, it would have been a very graceful
thing to do.
What the names of the streams above mentioned have
done for the fauna of the county, the name of Pine
creek has done for the flora — that stream being so named
on account of the white pines which grow along its banks.
They are found mostly in Liberty township, with the de-
ciduous trees. It is believed that no native pines are
found anywhere in the county, except along this stream.
The name of Lime creek does not seem specially sig-
nificant, since limestone is the principal outcropping rock
found in the county. As a name, however, it probably
serves its purpose as well as another. The personal names
given to several of the streams are those of prominent j
individuals now or fortiierly living in their vicinity. These j
individuals will be suitably mentioned in the sketches of
their several townships. The name of the Mayuoketa
is evidently of Indian origin, but we have not as yet
been able to ascertain its meaning.
As to the Wapsipinicon, the Indian legend, said to be
connected with its name, is sufficiently romantic to satisfy
the most sentimental of novel readers. Wapsie and
Pinicon (so the story goes) were a brave Indian youth
and a beautiful girl of the same race, but of a different
tribe. We may suppose (for the location favors the sup-
position, and there is nothing in the legend to contradict
it) that Wapsie was one of the warlike Sioux, and that
Pinicon belonged to the equally warlike and hostile tribe
of Sacs. Love laughs at tribal prejudices; and so this
ill-fated pair, who had thus far resisted all amorous
attractions within their individual tribes, having met by
chance, the usual way, up somewhere on the neutral
ground, fell desperately in love with each other at first
sight. Both had the blood of a long line of chieftains
in their veins — which circumstance, while it gave a
heroic intensity to the ardor of their passion, interposed
a mountain of obstacles in the way of its gratification.
Love may laugh, as we have hinted, at tribal and family
prejudices, but parental authority is very apt to make an
inflexible religion out of those unamiable sentiments.
Thus it was in the present instance. When Pinicon's
father discovered that his daughter had turned a favor-
able ear to the addresses of a scion of a hostile house,
his rage knew no bounds, and he sternly forbade her to
have any further communication with the presumptuous
and impudent young warrior, or even to think of him
again as a desirable or possible husband. The law of
love, however, is stronger than that of a parent's will;
and the lovers still found means to continue their corres-
pondence— but with a circumspection that entirely eluded
the father's vigilant eye.
At length, weary of the long frustration of their hopes,
and despairing of the paternal consent, they determined
upon an elopement. Pinicon, though she could not tell
a lie, had not hesitated to let her father believe that she
had yielded to his wishes, and given up her ill-starred
attachment. By this he was led to relax his accustomed
vigilance, and he set out upon a hunt of several days,
without leaving anyone specially charged with the duty
of watching her movements. The faithful Pinicon con-
trived to inform her constant Wapsie of this favorable
opportunity, and he hastened to avail himself of it to
bear her away to his northern home. But as bad luck
would have it, the father returned unexpectedly, just as
they were preparing for their flight. Finding the hated
Wapsie under his roof, he exclaimed in a towering rage :
"Wah beh jobangunk! Kommen sie in diesen ort nicht
zuriick, wenn sie auch nicht hangen wollen, wo die
vogel ihre hirnschalenhaut picken werden!" Which '
means, freely translated, "Get out of this! And if you
ever darken the door of my wigwam again, I'll hang
your scalp on a crabapple tree for the birds to pick at!"
The brave Wapsie, though taken by surprise, was not at
all frightened; but he was too magnanimous to fight her
father in the presence of his adorable Pinicon. So he
retreated backward, bowing like a courtier as he went,
and calmly saying, as he left the door: "Auf wreder-
schen! Yach goonic Filippimini weeho!" That is
"good bye! We'll meet again at Philippi!"
We will not attempt to describe the scene which fol-
lowed— the angry rebukes of the father and the speech-
less grief of the daughter. Suffice it to say that the
former, when the storm had spent itself, apprehending no
further trouble, at least for the present, and remembering
his daughter's skill in the preparation of venison, bade
her in a kinder tone to dry her tears and get him his
supper. He was very hungry and very tired, and as
night had set in before the repast was over, it had not
long been finished when he lay down in his blanket and
went to sleep. The dusky Pinicon, with eyes red with
weeping, also retired, but not to sleep. She thought of
many things; but especially she thought of the trysting
place where she and her lover had so often met, and it
occurred to her that, led by the sacred associations of
the place, and perhaps by an undefined presentiment that
she would follow him, he might now be awaiting her in
that hallowed spot. At any rate it would not take her
long to visit it herself, as it was but little more than a
mile, partly through the oak openings and partly across
the prairie. If she found him not, it would at least af-
ford her a melancholy pleasure to be there alone, as she
had so often been ; and she could easily return to the
wigwam before her father would awake. So she arose,
wrapped her blanket around her and went quietly out.
The October moon was shining brightly, and she had no
difficulty in making her way to the well known spot. It
28
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
was just on the border of the grove where, in the shad-
ow of a spreading oak, lay a huge rock, on which they
were accustomed to sit in the deepening twilight, bewail-
ing their unhappiness or discussing plans for bringing it
to an end.
As soon as she came in sight of the tree she beheld a
dark object beneath it, which she soon recognized as the
form of her lover, the noble Wapsie. Almost at the same
instant, he, too, beheld an indistinct figure gliding in and
out among the shadows. At first he suspected that it
might be a deer, and immediately became convinced that
he was not mistaken — that it was his dear deer, Pinicon !
He flew to meet her, and clasped her in his arms, ex-
claiming: "Not even death shall ever part us more. Let
us fly to my northern home, where parental tyranny can
never separate us." And so, looking to the north star
for guidance, as many duskier fugitives have since done,
they set out upon their flight.
But they had not proceeded far when ominous sounds
were heard in the distance behind them. They paused
and listened, and soon distinguished angry voices. They
turned and looked, and at first could discover nothing;
' but a moment after they discovered four tall forms emerg-
ing from the grove. " It is my father and the other
chiefs," exclaimed the frightened Pinicon. "The river!
the river! Let us die rather than be taken!" The stream
was about a mile to the west of them, and toward it they
turned in eager flight, as if to reach it were life instead
of death. Their pursuers perceived them at the same
moment, and redoubled their speed. About half the
distance was across the open prairie, and the rest through
a grove of straggling trees. When the fugitives reached
this grove the pursuing chiefs were so near that the trees
afforded no concealment; and when the former arrived
at the bank of the river, the latter were hardly a rod be-
hind them. There was no time for the young hero (who
is said to have been the best soloist of his tribe) to sing
his death song, nor was any needed. The mui muring
river was singing it even then, and, without waiting for
encores, it was going to repeat it through all the coming
days.
With one backward glance of mingled despair and
forgiveness at the angry faces glaring upon them in the
moonlight, the devoted lovers, clasped in each other's
arms, leajjed into the stream. The enraged father
reached the bank only to behold them sinking, rising,
struggling in the waves. At once his anger was changed
to sorrowing love.
"Come back! come back! " he cried in grief,
"Across the stormy water;
And I'll forgive your Highland chief —
My daughter! O, my daughter ! "
Too late ! too late ! The eloquent Indian words,
reproduced centuries later in passable English by a
Scotch poet, had scarcely died upon the air, when the
two devoted lovers, casting another and more melting
glance of forgiving love at the poor old despairing
chief, weeping on the shore, sank in the engulfing waters
to rise no more. The broken-hearted chief returned to
his wigwam, a sadder and a wiser man. But his sadness
got the better of his wisdom, and end^-d his days. He
never smiled again. A settled melancholy took posses-
sion of his mind. The medicine men could do nothing
to arrest his malady, and before spring bloomed again
upon the prairies he sickened and died. But he left a
will (no copy of which, we regret to say, has been pre-
served) requiring that a memorial mourd should be
erected on the bank of the river, near where the lovers
perished; and that the stream itself should forever after
bear their united names, Wapsipinicon. The mound,
we believe, has been carried away by some of the tre-
mendous freshets which characterize the stream; but the
name, barbarous as it sounds to some fastidious ears, has
come down to the present day, and will probably never
wash out.
As this legend will suit any river whose name contains
the requisite number of syllables, we suggest that it may
be applied to the Maquoketa. We have not been able
to find any interpretation of the Indian name given to
that stream; but we have only to imagine that two Ind-
ian lovers, Maquo and Keta, drowned themselves in
its waters, and all the reasonable demands, both of ro-
mance and of etymology, will be met and satisfied.
We hope the reader will not get impatient: we will
try and let our balloon down in time for dinner. But
as we are speaking of rivers, we cannot think of leaving
the subject without saying a few words about
THEIR FREQUENT VARIATIONS.
What we have to say in regard to this matter will refer
principally to the Wapsipinicon river, but will, of course,
apply, imiiatis mutandis, to all the other streams. The
features of every landscape are always changing more or
less rapidly, under the action of its watercourses. Every
stream is liable to fluctuations. When rains are heavy,
and general and long continued, it rises, overflows its
banks or washes them away, changes its direction, makes
new bends or cuts off old ones, covers green fields with
beds of sand or gravel, washes away dams, bridges and
other artificial structures, and scatters their debris along
its banks. All of these changes, of course, tell upon the
landscape. If we could take an accurate photograph of
the scene that lies below us, and return again, in only a
year's time and take another, we should find the two very
perceptibly diflerent, in consequence of the fluvial chan-
ges brought about in that short interval.
Changeable as are streams in general, we think the
Wapsipinicon is exceptionally so. The soil through
which it flows is, for the most part, sandy, and there-
fore drifts readily with every overflow. This fact makes
it difficult to bridge in many places where bridges are
very necessary. The first crossing of the river below In-
dependence, is a place of this character. The stream,
before reaching this point, makes a sudden deflection
toward the east; and since the present bridge was built,
the stream has changed its bed to such an extent, and
the detrition of the bank has been so great at the south-
ern extremity of the bridge, that it has been thought
necessary (now that the old structure has become dilapi-
dated, and a new and more substantial one is about
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
29
to be built), to cross the river forty rods below — al-
though the road will have to turn that distance out of its
direct course in order to reach the new crossing.
The contrast which the Wapsie presents, between its
usual condition in midsummer, with the water shrunk far
within its banks; the cattle standing in the shade in the
middle of the current; and the entire stream passing
through mill-flume on its way — and the condition in
which it often finds itself in early spring, in the "June
rise," or in the "January thaw," — is about as great a con-
trast as can be imagined. The Wapsie "with his back
up" is always an imposing, and sometime seven a terrible,
sight. If the stream freezes in a time of high water,
and breaks up with heavy rains, look out for fearful
floods, and much damage from floating ice. The writer
of this will neter foiget the spectacle he witnessed at In-
dependence, in the spring of 187 1, in precisely such a
conjecture as the one above mentioned. It had been a
very cold winter, and the ice had formed to the thick-
ness of three feet or more; consequently, when the
"break up" came, the masses of ice that came crashing'
down the stream, were like floating islands.
The water was so deep that it made only a ripple as it
passed over the mill-dam, which is some ten or twelve feet
in height. Three or four ice breaks, placed above the
dam, and consisting of large cribs filled with bowlders,
were cut away by the immense ice shears that passed
over them, as if they had been so many muskrat houses.
The huge ice cakes, as they slid over the dam, just showed
their thick edges as a token of their power, then dipped
themselves gracefully, but majestically beneath the wave,
lifted their monster forms again to the surface, and hurled
themselves like battering rams against the piers of the
bridge below. These, like the ice breaks mentioned
above, were cribs built of large timber and filled with
bowlders. The principal attack was upon the pier near-
est to the eastern abutment. This, like the other (we
believe there were but two), was protected by a wooden
guard, built of heavy timbers and extending out into the
water in the form of an angular inclined plane. Against
this the huge masses of ice were hurled with such force
that, sliding up the inclined plane to its summit, they fell
back into the chaotic mass, sometimes with a dull, leaden
thud, and sometimes with an explosive sound, like that
of heavy ordnance. The guard was soon worn away,
and then the giant rams came butting directly against the
pier. The whole bridge trembled with every concussion.
A cry goes up from the vast crowd of people gathered on
the banks of the river, that the bridge is doomed. A
breach is made in the crib. The bowlders begin to tum-
ble out. The upper part of the pier settles down, and
the floor of the bridge tips in that direction. The whole
structure becomes more and more askew till suddenly the
rest of the pier gives way, and that part of the bridge
comes down with a tremendous crash. As the other
pier and the abutments stood their ground, less than half
the bridge was washed away; but the authorities wisely
decided to remove the rest of the old structure and re-
place it with another more substantial, and likely to be
permanent. The result is the present iron bridge of two
spans, strong and graceful, resting upon two abutments
and one immense pier, all of solid masonry, which, it is
reasonably believed, no ice rams will ever be able to bat-
ter down.
Having studied the Wapsie in his varying moods, all
of which, from the peaceful to the furious, are both pic.
turesque and poetic, we trust we shall be pardoned, even
by the prosaic reader (if we have any such) (or embody-
ing our impressions and recollections of those moods in
a rhyme which shall at least have the merit of appropri-
ateness.
SONG OF THE WAPSIPINICON.
When vernal rains descend no more,
And summer skies are luminous;
He glides along each verdant shore
With murmurs softly fluminous.
The children sport upon the brink.
While sultry noontide hies away:
The thirsty kine go in to drink,
."^nd stand and whip the flies away.
The love-boats kiss the water's cheek,
When moon-lit nights begin again;
And rustic joys play hide and seek
Along the Wapsipinicon,
The sliding Wapsipinicon —
The gliding Wapsipinicon:
The rolly-poly, cheek-by-jowly, strolly Wapsipinicon.
But when the lowering clouds come back.
And o'er the green earth frown again;
And all along his winding track
The summer rains come down again;
The waters, gathering from the hills
And upland pr.airies far away, ^
Descend in thousand swollen rills
That bear each hindering bar away.
The farmers round in terror wake
To hear the deluge din again,
.■\nd see a spreading, surging lake
Where rolled the Wapsipinicon,
The welhng Wapsipinicon —
The swelling Wapsipmicon:
The washy, swashy, splishy-sploshy, sloshy Wapsipinicon.
But winter comes with icy chain
To bind the north-land fast once more;
.•\nd Boreas, in a wild refrain.
Breathes forth his bugle blast once more.
Then Wapsie dons his cloak of ice.
Set round with snowy fur above;
And ne'er an ear, however nice,
Can hear the water stir above.
The skaters, shod with flashing steel.
Glide circling out and in again;
And joy, as sweet as summer's feel.
Broods o'er the Wapsipinicon.
The white-bound Wapsipinicon —
The tight-bound Wapsipinicon:
The snowing, knowing, stealthy-flowing, blowing Wapsipinicon.
But when he feels the touch of spring
Through all his kindling pores again,
.■\nd vernal clouds their treasures fling
.^long his loosened shores again;
Upspringing from his wintry lair
He hurls his frosty chains abroad.
Which tierce destruction madly bear
Through vale and flooded plains abroad.
In aspect wild, in gesture grand,
A blustering giant Finnegan,
With ice shillelah in his hand.
Goes forth the Wapsipinicon,
The roaring Wapsipinicon —
The pouring Wapsipinicon:
The dashing, clashing, wildly smashing, thrashing Wapsipinicon.
30
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
And thus, while seasons come and go.
Through all the years voluminous.
He marks their ever-changing flow
With his own changes fluminous.
The red men owned his verdant banks
But shortly after time began,
Which white men took with little thanks
Not long before this rhyme began.
But while the tide of time flows on,
Still, as old Saturn's minikin,
Till earth, sun, moon and stars are gone.
Shall flow the Wapsipinicon,
The changing Wapsipinicon —
The ranging W'apsipinicon;
The swopsy, whopsy, flipsy-flopsy, slopsy Wapsipinicon.
We fear that the reader may be getting a little weary
of being kept so long "up in a balloon;" but, before de-
scending to ierra Jirma, we desire to take a cursory
glance at the Buchanan
RAILROADS, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS.
For a county whose chief town contains less than four
thousand inhabitants, Buchanan possesses more than
ordinary railroad facilities. The Dubuque & Sioux City
road, now a division of the Illinois Central, passes
through the centre of the county from east to west; and
the Milwaukee division of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids
& Northern passes through north and south, the most of
the way a little west of the Central line. These roads
furnish a convenient outlet for the surplus products of
the county; and a person wishing to make a journey in
any direction, has but a short ride by private conveyance
to reach one of these great public thoroughfares, which
make direct connection with others leading to all parts
of the country. In going from Independence, and parts
adjacent, to Chicago, the great metropolis of the west,
the traveller has choice of two competing routes — the one
by way of Dubuque, and the other by Cedar Rapids.
There are four ipassenger trains a day, two east and two
west, on the Illinois Central, and several freight and
mi.xed trains in each direction. On the Northern road
there is one passenger and two or three regular freight
trains each way. Besides all these regulars, there are
frequent "wild trains" on both roads; so that there are
not many minutes together, during the entire day, when,
from our aerial lookout, we should not be able to see a
train of cars, like some huge articulate animal, "dragging
its slow length along," in one direction or another. We
say "slow length," for, however swiftly a train may move
as it dashes past one standing upon the border of the
track, yet when the beholder is elevated, as we are, so as
to take in many miles of the space over which the train
is moving, its motion is retarded in proportion to the
distance — just as the motions of the planets, though im-
perceptibly rapid, are quite imperceptible across the in-
terstellar spaces.
While we are speaking a train of about thirty cars,
some of them loaded with produce and some with stock,
leaves the Independence station, about three miles west
and a little to the north of us. The huge engine comes
on puffing, wheezing and panting with its Brobdignagian
load. We hear the rumbling of the countless wheels,
like "the voice of many waters," and the squeals of the
poor hogs, crowded into their narrow and uncomfortable
encampments. The steam whistle, that agglomeration
of unearthly sounds, yells out its alarm as it crosses the
road below us; and vast clouds of stifling gas, belched
forth from the huge smoke stack, rise through the air
and envelop us in their sickening stench. Bah I We
wonder if the Lunarians smell it. If they do, they must
regard the earth as the very centre of the Stygian do-
minions.
The Illinois Central road, entering the county from
the east, passes through the southern tier of sections in
Fremont, Byron, Washington and Perry townships —
making a curve to the south, while passing through
Byron, so as to run, for about a mile, just below the
north line of Liberty. The Burlington road, as you en-
ter the county from the north, passes through the centre
of Hazleton, Washington and Sumner; deflecting toward
the east as it leaves the last-named township, cutting off
the northeast corner of Homer and the southeast corner
of Cono.
■ All the townships in this county coincide with the
national surveys, except that the north part of Sumner
(consisting of its upper tier of sections, together with a part
of sections twelve and thirteen) is added to Washington —
partly to accommodate the town of Independence, which
having first been laid out in the latter township, soon
extended itself across the line into the former — and
partly to accommodate the people living near the county-
seat.
The naming of the townships in this county presents
a singular poetic coincidence, which has no parallel in
the state; and probably none in the entire nation. The
county, twenty-four miles square, is divided into sixteen
townships, each six miles square. Hence there are four
tiers, each containing four townships. Every township
name consists of either two or three syllables with but
one accent ; hence, when arranged as they appear on the
map, they form a regular poetic stanza — what would
technically be called a dimeter quatrainthns :
Fairbank, Hazleton; Buffalo, Madison,
Perry, Washington; Byron, Fremont;
Westburgh, Sumner; Liberty, Middlefield;
Jefferson, Homer; Cono, Newton.
Of course, if these names are arranged in any other
order of fours, a similiar stanza will be formed ; but, after
ringing all the possible changes upon them, we are con-
vinced that the order in which they are found on the
map is the most musical. Surely, those who had the
charge of the township nomenclature in this county were
skilful prosodists, or else "they builded wiser than they
knew."
There are twelve villages in the county, including
towns corporate, and cities so called. Five of these rail-
road stations: viz.. Independence, the capital in Wash-
ington township, where the two roads cross, nestled among
the oaks of the Wapsie, just below us; Winthrop, in
Byron, toward the east, and Jesup in Perry, toward the
west; Hazleton station, in the township of that name, on the
north, and Rowley in Homer, on the south. Afar to the
northwest in the township of Fairbank, situated on the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
31
Little Wapsie close to the Fayette county line, we see
the smart village of Fairbank, which is getting sufficiently
ambitious to look for a railroad in the near future. Let-
ting the eye turn toward the east, passing over the well-
wooded Otter creek, we come to the village, situated in
the midst of the timber, growing small by degrees and
beautifully less, from its contiguity (only about a mile
away) to the railroad station, which has stolen its name,
and is fast stealing its life. Passing on still to the east
across Buffalo township, we come to the village of
Buffalo Grove, situated in a fine belt of timber thus
named, extending along Buffalo creek. We reckon the
buffaloes must have been pretty thick here in early times.
At any rate they are so now; and the present herd, though
buffaloes only in name, will effectually prevent their
shaggy precedessors from ever being forgotten.
Turning again toward the west, and tracing up the
Wapsie from Independence for about ten miles, we come
to the little village of Littleton, just below the mouth of
the Little Wapsie. This is in the township of Perry.
Retracing the course of the river, we come to Otterville,
in Washington township, situated on Otter creek, about
a mile from its mouth. Perry and Washington are the
only townships that have two villages apiece, since Ha-
zleton and Hazleton Station can hardly be considered
two permanent and separate villages. Far down in the
southwest comer of the county, in Jefferson township,
near Lime creek, we espy the lonely little village of
Brandon, which is separated farther from neighboring
villages than any other in the county. And finally,
sweeping with our vision across the open prairie, past
Rowley Station on the Burlington road, in an eastly-
northerly direction, we come to the oldest and next to
the largest town in the county — the goodly village of
Quasqueton, picturesquely located on the Wapsie in the
township of Liberty, just within the southern border of
the finest body of timber in the county. Thus, in our
enumeration and location of the villages of the county,
the first is last.
There are seven of the townships (lacking but one of
being half of the entire number) that have as yet no
villages — at least, none with plats duly laid out and re-
corded. These are Westburgh, Sumner and Cono, and
the whole of the eastern tier, viz: Madison, Fremont,
Middlefield and Newton. Probably the time will come
when every township will contain one or more of these
centres of population and business. That time may be
somewhat remote, since at present the population of the
county is increasing very little, if at all; owing to the
vast quantities of excellent, but unoccupied, land now
being opened for settlement in the territories west of the
Missouri. When the desirable lands west of us are as
fully occupied as those of northern Iowa, the large
farms in Buchanan county will begin to be subdivided,
and the population will rapidly increase. Then the vil-
lages already existing will increase in size and impor-
tance, and new ones will_be established as centres of
commerce and manufactures, for the accommodation of
the rural districts. Additional facilities for the transpor-
tation of produce, and for intercommunication with oth
er parts of the country, will be needed; and the era of
free turnpikes will dawn upon Iowa, as it has already
dawned upon Ohio. New railroads will be built, some
of them crossing, as do the present ones, in the goodly
little city below us, which will have assumed by that
time metropolitan dimensions. The surface of the
county will be much more thickly dotted over with farm
houses and barns, half hid among their sheltering groves.
The State hospital for the insane, which now looms up
in such striking proportions on that fine eminence, a
little southwest of the city, will be no less conspicuous
an object then than now; but the trees about it, which
are as yet hardly perceptible in the distance, will have
grown into a leafy screen, which, though partly conceal-
ing, will only enhance, its beauty. The prairies will all
have become enclosed fields, and the prairie fires, once
so characteristic of Buchanan autumns, and now seen
but rarely, will then be only a matter of historj-.
Just how long it will be before all these changes will
occur, we would not undertake to predict ; but, proba-
bly, if we should return to our present serial out-look at
the end of fifty years, we should be as much at a loss to
recognize the landscape we should then see below us, as
an aged Indian would be were he now with us, to recog-
nize in the picture upon which we have been so long
gazing, the scenery with which he was familiar fifty years
ago.
The history of the railroad enterprises of the county
will constitute a chapter by itself farther on ; and addi-
tional notices will be given of the streams, townships
and villages when we come to the township histories.
But, for the present, we leave them, and relieve the
reader, by letting out gas from our balloon and descend-
ing once more to terra firma.
THE LAND SURVEYS.
The division of Buchanan county into townships is,
as we have seen, immediately connected with the origi-
nal survey of the land. A description, therefore, of the
method by which the United States land surveys are
made, will not be out of place in this chapter on the
physical features of the county.
For the description which follows we are indebted, in
part, to an article in the American Encyclopaedia, but
still more to an arlicle by Mr. C. W. Irish on the Gov-
ernment Surveys of Public lands, published as an appen-
dix to Dr. C. A. White's Report on the Geological sur-
vey of the State of Iowa. We have adopted the lan-
guage of each of these articles, whenever it has suited
our purpose; but changes and additions are so frequent
that we have not thought it worth while to disfigure the
page by the constant use of quotation marks. Some of
the changes alluded to are rendered absolutely necessary
in order to render the description intelligible without
the very instructive figures which accompany Mr. Irish's
article. And some of the additions are made for the
purpose of showing the relation of Buchanan county to
the base, meridian and correction lines. But, of course,
the most of the present section was only a general refer-
ence to the county.
32
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
The practice of the "Mother Country," says Mr. Irish,
in the manner of deahng in lands which she saw fit to
"sell and convey" to individuals, in the shape of "grants,"
was initiated by the colonies, and afterwards by the
States. These grants had no definite shape, but were
of all sizes and bounded in all manner of ways. The
boundary lines were made to conform to the windings
of any stream that happened to be favorably situated;
and in the absence of such convenience, the track of an
ancient highway, or any other landmark, natural or arti-
ficial, was taken as a boundary. The courses of the
boundary lines were magnetic, that is to say, the angles
or bearings of the lines were referred to the magnetic
meridian for direction. This system of surveying by
magnetic bearings had its origin at a time when the
belief was general that the direction of the magnetic
meridian, or, if you please, the direction of the compass
needle, was invariable. This, however, is not the case.
The direction of the needle is constantly changing ;
and as a consequence the magnetic bearing of to-day
from one given point to another, will not be the bearing
between the same points ne.xt year. Thus the attempt
to fix the boundaries of a tract of land by the use of
such variable means as those above described, resulted
in assigning variable boundaries, and consequently pro-
duced much perple.xity and vexatious litigation.
We have been informed that the Government is
indebted to General William Henry Harrison, afterward
President of the United States, for the convenient ingen-
uous, yet very simple method of land surveys which is
now in use, and which, for the past fifty years or more,
has taken the place of the old and cumbrous method
introduced by the English surveyors. Whether this credit
is really due to President Harrison or not we cannot
say; since neither of the articles above named contains
any allusion to the matter; and none of the authorities
that we have been able to consult, throws any light upon
the question. But, whoever he was, the man that con-
ceived the idea, involving the principles of the present
system of United States surveys, was indeed a public
benefactor, as well as a thorough scholar; for he brought
order out of the chaos of perplexities and vexations
involved in the plan of surveying just described. In
doing this he laid astronomy, mathematics, and mechan-
ics under contribution; and, at the same time that he
gave to the United States a regular system of surveying,
at once accurate and simple, his plan for getting the
direction of the lines used in bounding the lands sur-
veyed, necessitated the invention of a new surveying
instrument, the solar compass, the most accurate kind of
a compass used by surveyors. This new plan adopted
by the United States Government, has for its basis the
invariable direction of the true meridians. All bearings
taken from these meridians are called true bearings, to
distinguish them from magnetic bearings; and in their
direction are invariable as is the meridian from which
they are measured.
The parallels of latitude are also used in the new
system, as a basis from which to measure distances.
Consequently the United system of ])ublic surveys, con-
sists in the use of the true meridians from which to
get directions or bearings, and the parallels of latitude
from which to measure distances. It is called a rectan-
gular system — that is, all its distances and bearings are
measured from two lines which are at right angles to
each other; the two lines or bases being always a true
meridian, and a true parallel of latitude.
The piincipal lines used in government surveys are
five in number, and are called, in the order of their
establishment, base lines, principal meridians, township
lines, section lines, and correction lines. There are
several other lines used, but they are of interest only to
surveyors, and do not properly come within the limits of
this explanation.
By the rule, all north and south lines must be run
upon true meridians, and all east and west lines upon
true parallels of latitude. In locating the base (or east
and west) lines, and the meridians (or north and south
lines), which is the first step in a government survey, the
initial point, or the place from which the lines start, is
generally located at or near some natural landmark,
merely for the purpose of ready identification. But the
position of the starting point does not depend upon the
invariability of such landmark for its stability. For in
case of the removal of the landmark, the starting point
can be readily identified by its latitude and longitude,-
and the reference marks made near it. Hence the land-
mark, be it the mouth of a river or the top of a moun-
tain, is merely a reference point; but, whatever point is
chosen, the base line and the meridian start from that
point — the base running east and west, and the meridian
north and south.
The Government has established certain lines whose
intersections are to be regarded as starting points in all
government surveys. These lines are called principal
meridians and principal base Xxnti. There is, of course,
no absolute necessi/y of establishing more than one mer-
idian and one base, since all surveys could be reckoned
from the intersection of two such lines. But, if only one
starting point were used in all the United States, the
number of ranges — or rows of six miles squares, extend-
ing north and south of that point — and of townships or
rows east and west, would soon become inconveniently
large. Therefore several meridian and base lines have
been established by the Government. Of the meridians
thus established there were, in 1S75, as stated in the
American Encyclopsedia, twenty-four. Six of these, be-
ginning with the one furthest toward the east, are num-
bered, first, second, etc. The other eighteen have special
names, but all are designated by their longitude. The
first meridian is the boundary line between Ohio and
Indiana, longitude eighty-four degrees fifty-one minutes
west from Greenwich ; and the one further to the west
passes through Humboldt, Nevada, longitude one hun-
dred and twenty-four degrees, eleven minutes.
The number of principal base lines which had been
established at the date above mentioned, were twenty-
one — the northernmost being in latitude forty-five degrees
forty-six minutes twenty-seven seconds, which is about
the latitude of Minneapolis: and the southernmost, in
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
33
latitude thirty, twenty-five minutes, which is that of Tal-
lahassee, Florida.
The meridian from which the Iowa surveys are reck-
oned, is that which passes through the mouth of the
Arkansas river, in the State of Arkansas — being the
same as longitude ninety degrees fifty-one minutes. This
is the fifth principal meridian, which, being extended
north, passes through the eastern part of Iowa, about
twelve miles west of Dubuque.
The principal base line, from which also our surveys
are reckoned, is the parallel which passes through the
mouth of the St. Francis river, in Arkansas — about
thirty-four degrees, thirty minutes — a little south of the
line dividing the States of Mississippi and Tennessee.
The mouth of the St. Francis is about thirty miles east
of the meridian line passing through the mouth of the Ar-
kansas; and the base line drawn west from the former
point, crosses that principal meridian forty-eight miles
north of its starting point. The point at which these
two lines cross each other is the one from which the
Iowa surveys are numbered. And as our southernmost
tier of townships is numbered sixty-eight, there are sixty-
seven townships or four hundred and two miles from the
principal base to the line of Iowa's southern boundary.
After the establishment of the base line and meridian,
they are measured into half-mile, mile and six-mile
spaces, which are respectively the sides of quarter-
sections, sections and townships. The points at the
ends of these divisions are well marked, that they may
be identified and distinguished from each other years
after, and serve as starting points of other surveys.
The next step in the process is to divide the country
lying along these lines in spaces six miles square. This
is called townshipping the land; and all the townships
thus formed begin at the end of the six-mile spaces, on
the base and meridian, and are run parallel to these two
guides.
The law establishing this system, while it required that
the north and south lines should be run on true meridi.
ans, also required that each of the townships should be
six miles square. Exactly to satisfy both these require
ments is manifestly impossible. It is well known thaj
the meridians of the eanh are not parallel to each other •
for they begin at the equator, with a definite width be-
tween them — say sixty-nine and a half miles to a degree
— and gradually converge until they meet in the poles.
Now, these north and south township lines, being run on
true meridians, as a matter of course must converge ; and
in consequence the north side of a township must be less
in width than its south side. This is not the case with
the east and west lines, for they being run on true paral-
lels of latitude do not converge, but remain at equal
distances from each other, however far from the merid-
ian they may be traced. Then, for the want of parallel-
ism between the east and west sides of the townships, an
allowance must be made, as it amounts to about forty-
three feet to the township, between the parallels of
forty-one degrees and forty-two degrees north latitude.
That is to say, the north side of a township, between
forty-one degrees and forty-two degrees of latitude,
measures forty-three feet less than its south side. This
is partly allowed for by the use of "correction lines"
which are new basis run for about every tenth township,
parallel to the principal base. Upon each of these new
basis the half mile, mile and six-mile points are again
established, and from these points a new set of north
lines are measured.
Surveyors have been instructed that each range of
township should be made as much over six miles in
width, on each base and correction line, as it will fall
short of the same width where it closes on to the next
correction line north : And it is further provided that, in
all cases where the exterior lines of the townships shall
exceed or shall not extend, six miles, the excess or de-
ficiency shall be specially noted and added to, or
deducted from, the western or northern sections or half
sections in such township, according as the error may be
in running the lines from east to west or from south to
north. In order to throw the excesses or deficiencies on
the north and on the west sides of the township, it is
necessary to survey the section lines from south to north
on a true meridian, leaving the result in the north line of
the township to be governed by the convexity of the
earth and the convergency of the meridians.
There are two correction lines in Iowa, the second or
upper one passing through the centre of Buchanan
county, and constituting the southern boundary of the
townships Perry, Washington (as originally constituted)
Byron and Fremont.
Theoretically the townships are all six miles square,
and divided by lines running parallel with their sides
into thirty-six equal parts called sections. The dividing
lines being one mile apart each way, the sections are, of
course, one mile square and contain six hundred and
forty acres. The sections are always numbered from one
to thirty-six in regular order, beginning with the one in
the northeast corner, from thence to the west, thence
back to the east and so on — the southeast corner section
being always numbered thirty-six. The lines bounding
each section are called "section lines," to distinguish
them from the other lines used in the survey. They are
marked at the corners of each section by what are called
"section corners."
In subdividing a township, the measurement begins at
the northwest corner of section thirty-six, and progresses
northward and westward. This proceeding throws all
the errors of measurement (as we have seen) into the
lines adjoining the north and west sides of the townships,
giving what are called "anomalous sections " — they being
either greater or less than one mile square, by the
amount of the erior of measurement. These anomalous
sections, being on the north and west sides of the town-
ship, are numbered i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 30 and 31.
The rest of the sections in a township are taken to be
one mile square.
The government makes no smaller subdivision than
forty acres (the fourth of a quarter-section) except where
errors of measurement produce such a result, in the
anomalous sections.
Before concluding this brief, and necessarily imper-
34
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
feet, account of the manner of making government
surveys, it may be well to explain the different kinds of
corners used in running the various lines. They are the
"Initial Monument," "Township Corners," "Section
Corners," and "One-fourth Section Corners," each having
its own peculiar marks.
Township corners, when located in timbered lands, are
marked by a post. This post is about five inches square,
and set in the ground so as to project above the surface
about three feet. The corners of the post are set to the
north, south, east and west, each corner having six
notches cut in it, that being the number of miles, in
each direction, to the next township corner. Two trees
are then marked with a blaze facing the post — the bear-
ing and distance of each from the post being taken and
put in the notes. If the township corner is located in
an open field, with no timber near. A post is set as
above described, and a mound of earth, three feet high,
having a base, five feet square, and the top, two feet
square, is raised around it. The earth for this mound
is taken from two pits, one to the north, the other to the
south of the mound. They are square in shape, and,
like the mound, have their four corners directed to the
north, south, east and west.
Section corners, in a timbered tract, are marked by a
post, three inches square, and two feet high. The
corners of the post are set to the cardinal points, the
same as township posts; but the corners are notched so
as to show the number of miles which the post stands
from the township lines next north, south, east and west
of it. The position of the post is also marked by two
trees, as described for a township corner. In open
ground, with no timber near, the section corner is marked
by a post, as above described, and also by a mound of
earth. The pit from which the earth to form a section
corner is taken, is situated on the south side of the
mound, at a distance somewhat less than that in the case
of a township corner. The mound is also less in size
than a township corner mound, being at the base four
feet square, and two and a half feet high.
The post for a quarter section corner is only flattened
on two opposite sides, and, in timber, its position is
denoted by two bearing trees, and on open ground the
corner is marked by a pit and mound of the size used in
marking a section corner. The position of the pit differs
from that used in marking a section corner, by being
placed to the east of the mound. Its distance from the
mound, however, is the same as the pit from a section
corner mound.
Upon the sides of the stakes used in marking a town-
ship corner will be found the numbers representing the
adjacent townships. Upon the section corner stake will
be found the numbers of the adjoining sections; while
upon the quarter-section stake is marked simply ")^ S."
By the method of surveying thus imperfectly set forth,
a piece of land however situated within the bounds of
the United States surveys, can be referred lo and de-
scribed with the greatest certainty, and its dimensions, or
area in square miles or acres, be ascertained with all the
precision that the skill of the surveyor will warrant.
And further, the manner in which the boundaries are
marked and perpetuated, is such as to make the lines es-
tablished as immutable as the earth itself.
FLORA AND FAUNA.
We have neither the space, nor time, nor ability, to
give an exhaustive account of the flora and fauna of
Buchanan county; but a description of its physical
features would be imperfect, without at least some
general notices of both. We will therefore give, in a
desultory manner, such a description of them as we may
be able, relying partly upon our own study and observa-
tion, partly upon the accounts of early settlers, and partly
upon published scientific reports.
One of the most obvious reflections in regard to this
subject,, relates to the changes which have been produced,
both in the flora and fauna of this county (as of all other
newly settled regions), by the advent of civilized man.
These changes, which were quite unavoidable, have put
a new face upon almost every landscape. Hundreds of
vegetable species, and very many (though doubtless a
smaller number) of animal species, have become the
constant attendants of man in his improved condition,
and follow him in all his migrations. The most of these
(as the food plants and the domestic animals) he carries
with him, by design and of necessity, for the supply of
his various wants. A few (as certain song birds and
flowering plants) become his voluntary but welcome at-
tendants, and are never found remote from his dwellings,
which they cheer and gladden by their melody and
beauty. But many other (such as noxious weeds and
pestiferous vermin) throng about his pathways and
homes, and follow him with a sort of impish persistence,
in spite of all his efforts to shake them off
There is in these facts much that is mysterious, much
that is touching, and almost pathetic; and not a little
that is very humiliating and vexatious. Along the village
streets and country roads, and about dwellings, in gardens
or uncultivated places, may be found almost everywhere
throughout the county, the following, among other im-
migrating plants: The velvet leaf, or abutilon avicen-
nm; two or three species of mallow; the Jamestown
weed, or datura stramo7)ium ; several species of poly-
};onu/n, especially those called lady's thumb, and smart
weed; soapwort or bouncing bet; mag weed, or ma-
ruta cotula; several species of plaiitago, or common
plantain; stellaria, or chickweed; linaria, or toad
flax; purslane, or portulaca ohracea (of which Henry
Ward Beecher said, in one of his sermons, that he had
often ejected it from his garden "with maledictions" —
though what right he had to curse an innocent plant,
simply because it has a troublesome way of dying hard,
he has not yet informed the world); shepherd's purse
capsella hursa-pastoris) and other members of the
crucifera, or mustard family; burdock, or lappa major,
which has a most clinging affection for colts' tails;
stickseed and beggar's lice — species of eihinospermum,
which the amiable botanist, Professor Gray, calls "a vile
weed;" bur-marigold, or bidem frondosa, which the
children call pitchforks; and (where there is too much
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
35
sand for decent plants to grow) the sand-bur, burgrass,
or cenchrus tn'ludoides, which means, very appropriately,
thistle hedgehog, and which is the special tribulation of
barefooted boys and lady pedestrians.
None of these plants are indigenous in this county.
The first settlers found none of them on the prairies or
in the groves. They thought they had left them all be-
hind; but when they had got their houses built, their
gardens made, and their roads laid out, they awoke one.
morning to find them all here. How they came nobody
knows. The settlers would have been very glad to keep
the most of them away — though the chickweed, plan-
tain, knotgrass, and other humble and harmless little
weeds, so familiar in the olden times, did look natural
and friendly about the doorstep. As for the plants
themselves, they were all very much at home. They
seemed to say: "Thank you for getting things ready
for us. We have taken possession, and have come to
stay. Get rid of us if you can."
Of the animals which accompanied the early settlers
in the same unbidden and unceremonious fashion, the
birds that chirp or twitter or sing about the houses and
barns, and enliven the meadows with their beauty and
melody, are always welcome; notwithstanding the depre-
dations which a few of them make upon the fruit trees.
Among these we may enumerate the robin, the blue-jay,
the house-wren, the song-sparrow, the blue-bird, the ori-
ole, the swallow, the martin, the meadow-lark and the
bobolink, the finest of American songsters. Of these
the blue-jay is the only one who braves the severity of
Buchanan winters; and this constancy, together with his
gay and beautiful plumage, is more than a compensation
for his harsh voice — though even he has, occasionally, a
sort of soito voce warble which is by no means unmusical.
The instinct which leads these and other species to make
their abode about human dwellings, is not only interest-
ing, but wonderful. Some of them do it, probably, be-
cause they can find their food more readily there; others
because they are more safe from the attacks of hostile
species; while with some (or all) both these reasons may
have an influence. But it seems still more wonderful
that species which, for the most part, live remote from
the abodes of men, and are reckoned the most timid
and difficult to tame, occasionally manifest the same sort
of confidence in their civilized neighbors. The shy lit-
tle quail, regardless of the missies of boys and the guns
of older people, are frequently seen around our village
streets; and the brown rabbits, certainly the most timid
and untamable of our native quadrupeds, sometimes
brave not only these enemies, but their still more dan-
gerous foes, the dogs and the cats, by making their bur-
rows and rearing their young in our very door-yards ; and
yet, so secretive are they that they are seldom discov-
ered.
Of the more unwelcome species that followed the
early settlers to their western homes, are the rats and
mice and the various insects that prey upon their culti-
vated fruits, garden vegetables and grains. That almost
every plant necessary or desirable for the use of man,
should have its peculiar insect enemy, often becoming a
sort of epidemic, bringing poverty and distress upon
extensive agricultural districts by the total destruction of
some vegetable product largely depended upon for the
support of the people, is certainly a very great mystery.
The believer in Divine Providence and revelation can
hardly fail to see in this a proof of the reality of the
primal curse pronounced upon nature, as a penalty for
man's apostasy. But what a blow human pride must
experience whenever it is brought face to face with the
fact that, with all his boasted ingenuity, it is found utter-
ly impossible to exterminate one of these pests ! Scien-
tific societies and legislative bodies busy themselves
anxiously with projects for obviating the plague of grass-
hoppers. Prizes are offered, and the money paid for
costly inventions, having that object in view. But the
plague comes and goes; and when it comes again, it
finds them as unprepared as they were before. But if it
be thought less surprising that so small a creature, prop-
agating itself in such inconceivable numbers, and, for
the most part, in places so remote from those in which
it commits its worst depredations, and spreading with
such rapidity over large districts of country — if, I say, it
be thought less surprising that such a creature should
escape extermination by any means that man can devise,
who can avoid a feeling of surprise, mingled with humil-
iation (and perhaps just a trace of indignation), when
he contemplates the apparent impossibility of getting rid
of rats ? Here is an animal of comparatively large size,
propagating itself slowly (when compared with insects)
and always in the immediate locality of its depredations,
and surrounded by all sorts of destructive agents.
Against this animal man wages a ceaseless and relentless
warfare, exhausting his inventive genius in the production
of all sorts of traps and guns and deadly poisons, and even
allying himself with other hostile species, such as cats,
ferrets and terriers, whose hatred of race and power of de-
struction have been sharpened by ages of careful and inge-
nious training; but all to no purpose. Many individuals
have been killed — though not all on the side of the com-
mon enemy, for thousands of human beings have been de-
stroyed by rats — but the species thrives and manifests
no symptoms of approaching extermination. It multi-
plies quite as fast as man, and follows him, with a sort
of sarcastic fidelity, in all his wanderings, both by sea
and land ; and seems to repeat, with ironical emphasis,
the affectionate words of Ruth to Naomi: "Whither
thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge.
Where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried."
Man may as well give up all idea of success in his efforts
to exterminate the rats; and may think himself fortunate
if he is able to construct a cellar or a granary which the
cunning and persistent rodents are not able to get into.
But the new species, both animal and vegetable, which
were brought in by the settlers, and which have done
most toward changing the physical features of the coun-
ty, are, of course, those which they brought by design,
for their own sustenance, convenience, or pleasure.
They brought grains and grasses, esculent roots and
vegetables, and that sweet little conqueror, white clover,
which not only displaces most native weeds, but even
36
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
exterminates that odious usurper, May weed; and
these are now cultivated on the prairies and are fast
usurping the places of the wild species that once flour-
ished there. They brought many new species of flowers,
and these now decorate the grounds about their dwell-
ings, which are also adorned and shaded by ornamental
trees and shrubs, the descendants of those which once
adorned their ancestral homes in the east. Many of the
native groves have disappeared, to furnish fuel or timber:
but a still greater number, composed partly of native and
partly of foreign trees, have been planted here and there
for shade and protection from winds, and these now di-
versify and decorate the landscape, which but a few years
ago presented only an unbroken and monotonous ex-
panse of herbage in summer, and of snow in winter.
The settlers also brought with them their domestic
fowls — the common hen, the turkey, and (more sparing-
ly) the Guinea fowl — and these are taking the place of
the wild turkey (once so abundant in the timber, but now
seldom found there), and are fast taking the place of the
prairie hen, which for many years was the delight of our
sportsmen, but is now becoming comparatively rare
within the limits of the county, and may soon cease
to be considered game any longer. And they also
brought with them their domesticated quadrupeds,
their horses, mules, cattle, hogs, and sheep — as also
their dogs and cats — and these have usurped the places
of the buffaloes, elks, deer, and bears, once so numer-
ous, quite as completely as the white men have usurped
the places of the Indians. If any of the last mentioned
quadrupeds are now seen in this county, they have been
tamed and brought here as curiosities, just as any of the
Indian race that may now chance to stray across these
prairies, once the hunting grounds of their sires, are
tailie enough in comparison with those wild and warlike
progenitors.
It is sad to contemplate the extinction of a species,
whether animal or vegetable. The death of an individ-
ual, except one of our own race to whom we have borne
some intimate relation, affects us slightly. We look upon
it as a necessity, and have become reconciled to it. But
the death of an entire species, when once we grasp the
idea of it, seems something almost appalling. And the
nearer such an event comes to our own times, the more
sensibly we are affected by it. Thus we take a much
deeper interest in the remains of the mastodon, whose
era must have come very near, if, indeed, it did not over-
lap that of man, than we do in those which belong to the
earlier geological eras. And that interest measures the
regret we feel at the loss of a species. Much greater,
therefore, is our regret at the prospective extinction of
any species with which we have been familiar, or which
has lived during our own times. We suspect that even
the total extinction of rats would give us a pang of re-
gret, however much we might be glad to get rid of their
annoyance. However this may be, there is certainly no
man of sensibility who does not experience a genuine
sorrow at the almost certain prospect of the ultimate ex-
termination of the buffaloes, those shaggy lords of the
plains, who, with the Indians, for countless centuries held
joint empire in this western world. As they do not seem
to possess the qualities that would render them service-
able in a state of domestication, and as they cannot (or
will not) live in the midst of civilized surroundings, their
total e.xtinction seems to be only a question of time.
And that other species, both animal and vegetable,
that once flourished on the prairies, are doomed to fol-
low the buffaloes into a state of annihilation, seems only
too probable. The prairie hen is as incapable as the
buffalo of being domesticated, and may linger a little
longer than he on the borders of civilization. And
doubtless many of the prairie flowers and grasses will
also disappear before the plow and the cultivator and in-
truding species that accompany them. The legislature
seeks to protect certain animals, and prolong the duration
of their species, by the enactment of game laws. And
it seems almost a pity that the law could not accomplish
something in the same direction for wild plants — perhaps
by setting apart small tracts of land in favorable locali-
ties, as a sort of "preserves" or "reservations," in which
our aboriginal flora might find an unmolested home, and
there perpetuate itself through all coming time. But as
this idea would probably be thought "too sentimental for
anything," we have often looked with an eye of hope (if
not of faith) to the railroads, now so rapidly multiplying,
as a possible means for accomplishing this desirable end.
As we have been whirled along one of the earlier of these
tracks, through some of the cultivated portions of our
State, and have looked out upon the well-tilled fields,
smiling in the verdure of grains and cultivated grasses
which had completely usurped the place of the original
flora ; it has been with a feeling of actual delight that we
have observed on each side of the track, within the rail-
road fences, the strips of ground which have been kept
uncultivated and free from the inroads of cattle, still
covered with the native grasses and flowers, in all their
wild luxuriance and beauty. And it has seemed to us a
most interesting thought, that these steam ways, the type
and representative of modern progress, and prophecy of
still greater achievements in the future, should prove, at
the same time, the most efficient conservator of those
touching mementoes of a vanishing age. And when we
have seen a cabin set up on one of these strips of ground,
with its thread of a garden patch extending for rods in
each direction ; with all our sympathy for the poor, we
have not been able to repress a sort of indignation ; and
we have almost been led to think that if a man cannot
make a living, in a country like this, without invading
such a reservation as that, his continued existence in this
sublunary state, is a matter of less importance than that
of the aboriginal flowers which he thus lends himself as
a tool to exterminate.
The two railroads which now pass through this county,
contain about two hundred acres of ground in the strips
(as above described) along the sides of their tracks. If
all this ground could be reserved for the jiurpose we have
briefly hinted at, it would be sufficient to preserve from
extermination all the herbaceous plants which belong to
the original flora of the county. And the native trees
and shrubs, growing, as they do, in localities which will
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
37
be brought latest into cultivation (and some of which
will never be cultivated at all) require less care for their
preservation. Most of them, in fact, will be able to fight
their way unaided.
CH.\R.\CTERISTIC I-R.AIRIE FLOWERS.
To one coming to this State from the east, the first
sight of a prairie, with its most characteristic plants in
blossom, is a pleasure long to be remembered. Their
most attractive season is in early June; but midsummer
and autumn have also their peculiar blossoms, so that,
from early spring till "pale, concluding winter comes at
last and shuts the scene," the prairies are never devoid
of interest. If the newcomer is at all scientifically in-
clined, the sight of so many new floral faces will be likely
to stimulate his botanical curiosity to such an extent, that
he will not be able to rest contented till he has learned
their names and been formally introduced. This was pre-
cisely our case, and the most of the little we know
about botany, was learned from the prairies of Iowa — a
part of it from the prairies and groves of Buchanan
county.
As appropriate to this part of our history, we will give
here the names of a few of the plants which are most
characteristic of the Buchanan prairies, and whose blos-
soms, in the different seasons of bloom, do most to di-
versify and adorn them. Some of these are found
only on the prairies, while others are also found in forest
regions. To a professional botanist, the list we give
would seem very meagre. But we are not writing for
professional botanists.
The following are the most conspicuous flowers in
May and the first part of June:
Lithospcrtnitm caiiesans, with the common name of
Hoary Puccoon or Alkanet. A low plant, from six to
fifteen inches high, with large flowers of a deep orange
color.
Astragalus caryocarpus, or ground plum. Flower vio-
let purple.
Dodecatheon maedia, or shooting star.
Bapiisia lencophoea, or false indigo. Flowers cream
color and very showy.
Ranunculus r/w?nboideus, a species of crawfoot.
Delphiniun aziireum, or blue larkspur.
Froximon cuspidatuni, a low plant with large yellow
flowers.
Rosa blanda, the early wild rose — more attractive to
the botanist, in its simple beauty, than the finest double
rose of the gardens.
Mertensia rirginica, or lungwort, a low plant with
fine purplish blue flowers, often cultivated.
Two or three species of wild phlox, equal in beauty to
the cultivated varieties.
During the summer months the following characterif-
tic plants are in blossom :
Cacalia tuberosa, the tuberous Indian plantain, grow-
ing from two to six feet in height, and bearing large
heads of composite flowers, of a whitish color.
Cirsium altissimu/n, a showy thistle, sometimes ten
feet high.
Hieracium longipilum, or longbearded hawkweed — a
tall plant with yellow flowers.
Lilium philadelphicum, the wild orange — red lily — a
very conspicuous and beautiful flower.
Oxybaphus 7iyctagines, the only member of the Nycta-
ginaceae, or four-o'clock family, found in the north-
ern United States. It is represented in our gardens by
the common four-o'clock, or marvel of Peru.
Spiraea lobata, the "queen of the prairie."
One or two species of tradescantia, or spiderwort
Verbena stricta, or wild vervain, and perhaps one or
two other species of the same genus.
Petalostemon, or prairie clover. Two species, rose —
purple and white.
Amorpha canescens, or dead plant — the common
name having been given to it, from the early notion that
it indicated the presence of lead ore.
Calystegia, a plant resembling the morning glory.
Silphium laciniatum, commonly called rosin weed
from its copious resinous juice — also compass plant,
from being said to present the edges of its stalk (which
is of an eliptical shape) in a north and south direction.
Echinacea, or purple coneflower. Two species, tall
and showy.
Coreopsis palinata, a near relative of the showy species
commonly cultivated in gardens.
Liatris pychnostachia, commonly called button snake-
root, or blazing star. It is a tall plant, crowned with a
long spike of purple blossoms. It flowers, for the most
part in August, but frequently continues in blossom dur-
ing the following month.
The autumn prairie flowers are mostly yellow; and
though this color is not a favorite with the florists, it
seems most in harmony with the glorious sunshine of our
western autumns. The following are a few of the more
conspicuous flowers that adorn our prairies, just before
"the growing year is over:"
Rudbeckid, or yellow cone-flower — two or three species
belonging to the order of compositae (as do the most of
the late summer and autumn flowers) with very graceful
long and drooping rays.
Solidago, or golden rod, also of several species.
A showy, plum-like flower, common at the east; where
"we boys" were accustomed to use it in the olden time,
in "playing trooper."
Vernonia fasciculata, or iron weed.
Aster sericeus, which Professor Gray describes as "an
elegant silvery species; the large heads with twenty to
thirty rays, of a half inch or more in length." The last
named flower is blue — the one next previous, purple.
Boltonia glasiifolia. The rays white or purplish, and
the disk yellow — resembling some of the asters.
Heliantlius, or sun flower, several species, tall and
conspicuous — near relatives of the mammoth plant of the
same name, cultivated in gardens.
Nabalus, or rattlesnake root, several species. — Powers,
greenish-white or cream-color, often tinged with purple.
Gentiana, or gentian — also several species — among
which are the celebrated gentiana crinitia, or fringed
gentian ; and gentiana andrewsii, or closed gentian.
38
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Moiiarda punctata, or horse mint; "corolla nearly
smooth, yellowish, the upper lip spotted with purple —
very odorous and pungent. " This plant is also common
at the east.
As every way appropriate to the subject now under con-
sideration, we present here some reflections upon the
ORIGIN OF THE PRAIRIES.
These reflections are taken from the "Report of the
Geological Survey of the State of Iowa," published in
1870, by Charles A. AVhite, M. D., State geologist,— with
a very few modifications to adapt them to our use.
The question of the origin of the prairies, has become
more hackneyed, perhaps, than any other of the specula-
tive questions which North America geology affords; and
yet it seems to be no nearer a solution, satisfactory to all,
than when it first began to be discussed. It is not
proposed to discuss this question at length, nor to even
to present the different views that have been published
by different authors; but only to state a few facts, offer
a few suggestions, and perhaps leave the subject as un-
settled in the minds of others, as it was before.
By the word prairie we mean any considerable surface
of land that is free from forest trees and shrubbery, and
covered, more or less thickly with grasses and other
plants which, if not annual, survive the winter only in
their roots. This is also the popular understanding of
the term. It is estimated that about seven-eighths of the
surface of Iowa is prairie, or was so, when the State was
first settled. And that is about the ratio of prairie to
timber land in Buchanan county. 'I"he prairies are not
confined to the level surface, but are sometimes even quite
hilly and broken; and it is well known that they are not
confined to any particular variety of soil, for they prevail
equally upon alluvial, drift and lacustral soils. Indeed,
we sometimes find a single prairie whose surface includes
all these varieties, portions of which may be respectively
sandy, gravelly, clayey, or loamy. Neither are they
confined to the region of any particular geological forma-
tions which may underlie them, nor does their character
seem at all dependent upon any such formations; for
within the State af Iowa they rest upon all formations,
from those of the azoic to those of cretaceous age
inclusive, which etnbrace almost all kinds of rock — such
as quartzite, friable sandstone, magnesian limestone,
common limestone, impure chalk, clay, clayey and sandy
shales, etc. Southwestern Minnesota is almost one
continuous prairie upon the drift, which rests directly
upon, not only the hard Sioux quartzite, but also directly
upon the granite.
Thus, whatever the origin of the prairies may have
been, we have the positive assurance that their present
existence, in Iowa and its immediate vicinity, is not due
to the influence of climate, to the character or composi-
tion of the soil, nor to the character of any of the un-
derlying formations. It now remains to say, without the
least hesitation, that the real cause of the present exist-
ence of the ijrairies in Iowa, is the prevalence of the an-
nual fires. If these had been prevented sixty years
ago, Iowa would now be a timbered instead of a prairie
State.
Thus far we have stated facts and what are deemed to
be legitimate deductions from them. The following
statements are offered only as suggestions: We have no
evidence to show or intimate that any of the prairies
ever had a growth of trees upon them — notwithstanding
the fact that those, at least, of the eastern part of the
great prairie region, will support an abundance of timber,
after it is once introduced, if protected from the fires.
There seems to be no good reason why we should regard
forests, any nore than prairies, as the natural or normal
condition of the surface. Indeed, it seems the more
natural inference that the occupation of the surface by
the forests has taken place by dispersion from original
centres; and that they encroached upon the original sur-
face until met and checked by the destructive power of
the fires.
Then arise questions like the following, which are not
easily answered, and for which no answers are at present
proposed: When was fire first introduced upon the prair-
ies, and how? Could any but human agency have in-
troduced annual fires upon them? If they could have
been introduced only by the agency of man, why did the
forests not occupy the prairies before man came to intro-
duce his fires; since we see the great tendency of forests
to encroach upon the prairies, as soon as the fires are
made to cease? The prairies, doubtless, existed as such
almost immediately after the close of the glacial epoch.
Did man then exist and possess the use of fire, that he
might annually have burnt the prairies of so large a part
of the continent, and thus constantly have prevented
the encroachment of the forests? As the ice of the
glacial epoch extended across the continent, why was
the east covered with forests and the west with prairies ?
It may be that these questions will never be satisfac-
torily answered; but nothing is more evident than that
the forests would soon occupy a large proportion of the
prairie region of North America, if the prairie fires were
made to cease, and no artificial efforts were made to pre-
vent the growth and spread of trees.
We will bring to a close our chapter on the physical
features of the county by inserting here the article on
FOREST TREES,
taken from the work mentioned above, with still more
changes and additions than were found necessary in the
previous article, to adapt it to our use.
Although the use of coal, both hard and soft, has
greatly increased throughout our State, in the past ten
years, yet it is doubtless true now, as it always has been,
that wood is the principal and preferred fuel of our peo-
ple generally; and that, if it were everywhere found in
sufficiently large quantities, they would probably never
care to change their established habits in the use of fuel,
by discarding it for any other. It has been feared by
many that the amount of fuel which Iowa could be
made to produce would not be sufficient to meet the
wants of the prospective inhabitants that her fertile soil
is capable of supporting in plenty. But it is believed
that the discoveries already made of coal and peat have
demonstrated the groundlessness of such fears, even if
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
39
no other sources of supply were considered. In addi-
tion to these, however, it is proposed to show in this
place that a sufficient amount of fuel, at least for
domestic use, for all the present and prospective inhabit-
ants of the State, may be produced from the soil alone,
by the growth of forest trees.
It has been shown that the growth of forest trees can
be cultivated as successfully as a crop of corn, upon all
the varieties of our soil ; and, this question being settled
in the minds of those interested in the subject, it be-
comes necessary to consider the time within which the
result may be practically accomplished ; because, to meet
the wants of the rapidly increasing population, it is
necessary that some almost immediate supply be provided
in the case of the broad prairie districts. Some such
districts are upon, or adjacent to the coal fields. Some
are adjacent to considerable bodies of woodland, and
others have important deposits of peat; from all of which
sources immediate supplies of fuel may be obtained.
But besides these, there are other broad and fertile tracts
that have none of the advantages just named, and those
who occupy them must rely for their supply of fuel upon
distant sources or upon its production from the soil.
Railroads are being rapidly constructed which will carry
coal from distant coal fields to a large part of these prairie
regions; but a large proportion of the inhabitants of Iowa
must depend mostly for their ordinary fuel upon the
growth of trees.
As several years must elapse before even those trees
which grow most rapidly could become serviceable for
fuel, the question arises: "What could be done, in the
meantime, by those districts which should essay to de-
pend for their fuel upon the products of the soil?" To
this it may be answered that, even in as well wooded
a county as Buchanan, corn has more than once been
found to be cheaper fuel than wood. The writer of this
burnt several loads of corn in the city of Independence
in the winter of 1872-3, and found it both pleasant and
economical. Many conscientious people object to the
use of corn for fuel on the alleged ground that it is
wrong to burn up anything produced for food. But corn
is eaten to maintain the warmth (inseparate from life) of
the body; and when it is consumed in a stove, the ob-
ject is closely analogous if not identical. When it is so
abundant and so cheap that it can be economically used
for fuel, there is the best reason to believe that it is not
needed for food ; and, in any case, it cannot be so bad
to burn it up for the advancement of human comfort as
it is to turn it into a "liquid fire" for the destruction of
human happiness and virtue and life itself, in this world
and the next. And, besides, wood is as much a vege-
table product as corn. Sugar is a necessary article of
food; and hard maple, one of the most a]jproved trees
for fuel, produces an excellent sugar. If, therefore, it is
wrong to burn corn because it may be used for food, it
must be wrong, for a similar reason, to burn the sugar
maple. And so the argument against the use of corn
falls to the ground.
It is also said that the mammoth sunflower can profit-
ably be cultivated for fuel; and we see no reason to doubt
the truth of the statement. Of this, however, we cannot
speak from observation, and therefore proceed to consider
the subject already introduced, namely, the production
of fuel by the cultivation of trees.
By first planting those trees which have the most rapid
growth, to be followed immediately by those of the slower
growth and greater detisity of wood, one not acquainted
with the subject would be surprised to see how quickly a
supply of fuel may be obtained, and how a future supply
of the best kinds of wood can be established. The
principal kinds of trees indigenous to the State, which
are or may be used as fuel, are the following, given in
the order of their estimated relative abundance by natural
growth at present in the State at large: oaks — several
species — cottonwood, elm, white maple, linden, hickory,
sugar maple, black walnut.
The oaks form the greater part of the firewood now
used throughout tlie State. In some parts cottonwood
is scarcely used at all for fuel; but in others, better wood
being scarce, it constitutes the greater part of the fuel
used by the inhabitants. Other trees, such as hackberry,
ash, honey-locust, slippery elm, butternut, etc., are occa-
sionally used as fuel ; but they are comparatively so few
in number that they hardly deserve mention as varieties
of fuel. In the new natural growth of these trees the
relative abundance is somewhat changed, the black oak,
hickory and black walnut increasing. The trees named
as follows are those which will probably be most used for
cultivation — the names being given in the order of their
estimated rapidity of growth: cottonwood, white maple,
black walnut, oaks, sugar maple, and hickory.
The relative value of these kinds of wood for fuel is
estimated to be in the same order, cottonwood being the
poorest and hickory the best ; or in other words, the
slower the growth of the tree, the more valuable it is for
fuel. But taking into account the necessity that exists
for immediate supplies of fuel in many parts of Iowa, the
cottonwood becomes one of our most valuable trees,
because of its rapid growth. As soon as it has performed
this valuable pioneer service it should be laid aside to
give place to more solid and useful varieties.
The most congenial habitat of the cottonwood is upon
the sandy alluvial soils of the river valleys; but it grows'
with astonishing rapidity upon all varieties of soil in the
State, and flourishes as well upon the prairies as in the
valleys. Instances are numerous of the growth of this
tree from the seed, or from a riding stick stuck into the
prairie soil, to the size of from twelve to fifteen inches in
diameter, a foot above the ground, within the space of
ten or twelve years. So rapid is its growth that those
well acquainted with it, estimate that ten acres planted
with the seeds or young shoots will, at the end of five
years, supply a large family continually with all necessary
fuel — the wood being allowed to grow up again as fast as
it is cut away. Indeed a large number of persons have
practically proved the correctness of these estimates.
Cottonwood may be propagated either from the seed,
from cuttings, or by transplanting the young trees. The
seed, which is very light, and almost microscopic in size,
is sometimes scraped up from the sandy surfaces along
4°
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
the streams where it has fallen from the trees, the seed
and sand mixed together and sown broadcast upon ground
prepared for it, as small grain is sown. Sometimes the
slender poles are cut from the dense growth that often
springs up near the streams, trimmed of their branches
and notched with the a.xe at intervals of a few feet along
their entire length, then placed end to end in furrows at
proper distances from each other, and covered with soil
by the plow. Sprouts quickly start from the sides of the
notches and rapidly become thrifty trees.
The most congenial habitat of the white maple is also
upon the lowlands, but it thrives well upon the prairies.
For rapidity of growth it ranks next to the cottonwood,
and makes better and more durable fuel. It succeeds
well upon all varieties of soil, and may be readily propa-
gated from the seed, or by transplanting the young trees
from the places of their natural growth. The seeds
must be planted soon after ripening, as they will not
germinate if allowed to become dry.
The black walnut has been found to succeed well
upon the prairies by artificial propagation. It is raised
from the seed with certainty and little labor.
These three kinds of trees are now most commonly
used for the production of artificial groves and wood-
lands throughout the State since the failure of the black
locust, in consequence of its destruction by the borers.
It is well known that all the other indigenous trees may
be artificially cultivated, but these seem to have been
wisely chosen for the rapidity of their growth and the
small amount of labor required in their propagation and
cultivation. These tests, which the people have made
extensively in all parts of the State, prove beyond the
possibility of doubt that a sufficient amount of material
for fuel and fencing may be produced from the soil alone,
in any portion of Iowa.
People have hitherto been in the habit of regarding
the great proportion of prairie surface in our State as a
calamity; but, with a knowledge of the facts just stated,
it is evident that views directly opposite should be taken,
because the labor and expense of procuring all necessary
fuel by the means just explained is but a tithe of what
would be necessary to prepare the land for cultivation,
if it had originally been covered with forests, such as
formerly prevailed over a large part of the States of Ohio
and Indiana. In a prairie region like ours, the farmer
selects the finest lands for cultivation, every acre of
which is ready for the plow, and sets aside the more
broken and less tillable portions for his future woodlands.
Thus he may not only choose the location of his fields
and woodlands, but also the kinds of crops, whether of
grains or trees, that shall be grown upon each.
I'he following catalogue of the principal indigenous
forest trees of Iowa is here inserted as a matter of record,
taken from the same Geological Report from which we
have just made copious extracts:
Acer dasycai-pum. — A\'hite maple.
Ace}- saccharinum. — Sugar Maple.
Aesculus glabra. — Buckeye.
Beliila nigra. — Water birch.
Carya alba. — Hickory.
Carya amara. — Pig-nut hickory.
Carya olivaformis. — Pecan.
Celtis occidentalis. — Hackberry.
Cerasus serotina. — Black wild cherry.
Fraxinus Americana. — White ash.
Gleditsihia triacanthus. — Honey locust.
Gyinnocladus Canadensis. — Kentucky coffee-tree.
Juglans cinerea. — Butternut or white walnut.
Juglans nigra. — Black walnut.
Negundo aceroides. — Box elder.
Platanus occidentalis. — Button-ball or sycamore.
Populus monilifera. — Cottonwood.
Populus ttemuloides. — Aspen.
Querciis alba. — White oak.
Quercus imbricaria. — Laurel oak.
Quercus macrocarpa. — Bur oak.
Qmrcus tinctoria. — Black oak.
Tila Americana. — Linden, or basswood.
Ulnins Americana. — Common elm..
Ulmiis fulva. — Slippery elm.
All but three or four of these species are found in Bu-
chanan county. The list, however, does not profess to
give a complete view of the arboreous flora of the State,
and at least four species might be added that are also
found in this county. They are the following — the first
being found along Pine creek, the second in scattered
localities on the Wapsie, and perhaps one or two other
streams, and the second in the thickets or among other
trees everywhere:
Pinus strobus. — White pine.
Juniper us Virginiana. — Red cedar.
Pry us coronaria. — American crabapple.
Prunus Americana. — ^Vild yellow or red plum.
We close this chapter with a thought suggested by the
presence of so many species of oak growing together in
groves of this county, and of the State at large — a thought
which seems to justify a strong statement in the Teachers'
Institute address, inserted in another part of this volume,
to the effect that "all nature fairly swarms with the most
convincing arguments to disprove the truth of Mr. Dar-
win's theory of development."
One of the fundamental principles of that theory is
that species are not original and fixed creations, but that
they have been developed from what we now call varieties
— in other words, that what we now call genera were
once species, and what are now species, grouped together
under the names of the several genera, were then only
varieties which, in process of time, have become, so to
speak, hardened into species. According to this theory
the oak genus was originally a species, and all the kinds
of oak now existing were only varieties of that one species.
But we know that, at present, varieties mingle freely; and
that, unless they are propagated separately, their varietal
character is soon lost, and they revert to the original
form of the species. As the laws of nature are confes-
sedly uniform, there is no reason to suppose that this
rule with regard to varieties was ever different from what
it now is. But the four species of oak above mentioned
now propagate themselves in close proximity, and never
mingle; or, if hybrides are ever formed, they are sterile.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
41
and never perpetuate themselves at all. That there was
ever a time when these four species were not found in
the same proximity as now is very improbable, if not in-
conceivable. But if they had ever been mere varieties,
propagating themselves as now, they must, according to
the law above stated, have become mingled, thus losing
their character as varieties, and becoming absorbed into
the original species.
In the nature of thing?, therefore, the different species
of oak now growing together in Buchanan county could
never have been varieties, and the Darwin theory of de-
velopment cannot be true.
GEOLOGY.
We had made arrangements with a gentleman familiar
with the subject, to prepare, for this chapter of our work,
a section on the geology of Buchanan county. Circum-
stances prevented him from fulfilling his engagement;
and now, in the hurry of finishing up the general history,
we are thrown largely upon our own resources (which are
by no means extensive) for the collection of a few facts
upon a subject which, if left untreated, would leave our
chapter on the physical features of the county sadly de-
ficient.
We have, however, been so fortunate as to obtain
some valuable suggestions from two gentlemen, who have
been long resident in the city of Independence; and
who, though not professional scientists, have found time,
in the midst of active business pursuits, to make them-
selves familiar with the science of geology in general,
and with the geology of Buchanan county in particular.
We refer to Messrs. E. B. Olden and Dr. S. Deering, to
the former of whom we are indebted for information in
regard to the general geological features of the county,
and to the latter for an account of the principal fossils
found here. Mr. Deering has also placed in our hands
a pamphlet, of which we have made copious use, con-
sisting of an article extracted from the "United States
Geological and Geographical Survey," and entitled as
follows :
"On Some Dark Shale Recently Discovered Below
the Devonian Limestones, at Independence, Iowa; With
a Notice of its Fossils and Description of New Species.
By S. Calvin, Professor of Geology, State University of
Iowa."
This pamphlet, as will be seen, makes honorable men-
tion of Mr. Deering as an original discoverer in the do-
main of Paleontology.
The principal portion of Buchanan county is underlain
(in many places somewhat too near the surface) by the
rocks of the Devonian age. About one-fourth of the
county, however, on the east and northeast, is underlaid
by the Upper Silurian. Both of these groups of rocks
are composed largely of different varieties of limestone,
intermixed with shales. The different varieties receive
different names, from the different localities where they
were first observed — as the Hamilton and Chemung
shales, in the Devonian; and the Clinton limestone,
Niagara Group, and Trenton limestone, in the Upper
Silurian. Of the latter, however, there are few, if any,
6
outcrops in the county; while of the former there are
many, and some very striking ones, along the Wapsie
river and Otter creek.
The Devonian rocks, in this county, though easily
quarried, afford no valuable building stone — the most of
them being too friable, and all of them too irregular in
fracture.
The stone steps at the court-house in Independence
are of this rock, quarried near Littleton ; but after a few
years use they are fast going to pieces, and will soon
have to be replaced. The Upper Silurian abounds in
excellent stone for building purposes — the celebrated
Anamora stone (supposed to correspond with the Tren-
ton limestone) occurring in that deposit. But if, as is
possible, that same stone underlies the eastern part of the
county, it is too far beneath the surface to be available.
Buchanan is one of the richest counties in the State,
in the fossils of the Devonian age — the quarry about
half a mile east of Independence having become quite
noted for its rare fossil shells, and been visited by many
distinguished paleontologists from abroad. D. S. Deering
has probably the best collection of Buchanan fossils that
has ever been made. The specimens in his cabinet em-
brace eighteen genera, and twenty-six species, five of the
latter being pronounced by Professor Calvin, "new to
science." The following are the names of the genera,
with the number of species here represented in each:
Spirifer, four species; Orthis, three; Atrypa, Acervu-
laria, and Strophodonta, each two: Gypidnea, Produc-
tus, Euomphalus, Zaphrentis, Rhynconella, Pleuroto-
maria, Cyrtina, Conularia, Gomphoceras, Lituites, Cyrto-
ceras, and orthoceras, each one species. The four last
named are shells of very large size.
As the Devonian and Upper Silurian rocks are all
geologically below the coal measures, and even below
the sub-carboniferous group, it is as certain as anything
in science, that no coal beds can ever be found in Bu-
chanan county. But the dark, slaty shales that occur
in the Devonian, have often been taken by the unscien-
tific, as a sure indication that coal was near; and for-
tunes have been spent in a vain search for it, when "a
little knowledge" (not in this case "a dangerous thing")
would have shown the explorers the futility of their
efforts.
A similar misapprehension led to an attempt to dis-
cover coal under the quarries near Independence, about
the year 1877. No coal, except the merest trace, was
found; but, as so often happens, the honest elTort of
ignorance led to valuable scientific results.
We will let Professor Calvin tell the story in an extract
from the pamphlet above alluded to :
The Devonian deposits of Iowa as now known, may be roughly rep-
3
42
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
resented by the annexed diagram, in which i indicates the position of
a member of the group recently discovered at Independence, consist-
ing of a dark argillaceous, with some thin beds of impure, concretion-
ary limestone. It has been explored to a depth of twenty or twenty-
five feet. No. 2 represents all the beds of what have been termed
Devonian limestones in Iowa, and is made up largely of limestones,
with associated beds of light colored shales; estimated thickness, one
hundred and fifty feet. No. 3 is a bed of argillaceous shales exposed
at and near Rockford, Iowa, and is referred to in this paper as the
Rockford shales. It abounds in fossils, and weathers, on exposure,
into a stiff clay, that has been utilized in the manufacture of brick;
observed thickness, seventy feet.
Until quite recently Nos. 2 and 3 of the above section weie supposed
to make up the entire thickness of Devonian rocks in Iowa. No. 2 not
only varies, as already indicated, in lithological characters, but the
grouping of fossils differs widely in different localities, so much so that
competent geologists have referred certain exposures — for example,
those at Waterloo — to the Corniferous, and others — as at Inoepend-
ence and Waverly — to the Hamilton. Such leferences of the above-
named exposures will be found in the Twenty-third Report on the
State Cabinet of New York, pages 223-226; and in the same article
Professors Hall and Whitfield declare the Rockford shales to be the
equivalent of the New York Chemung. On the other hand, Dr. C. A.
White — Geology of Iowa, 1870, volume r, page 187 — is of opinion
that all the Devonian strata of Iowa belong to a single epoch.
Thus matters stood until a year or so ago, when D. S. Deering called
attention to the interesting fact-that a dark shale had been exposed in
working out the layers in the bottom of one of the limestone quarries
near Independence. The quarrymen penetrated the shale to a consid-
erable depth in the hope of finding coal. The shale varies somewhat
lithologically, but where it presents its most characteristic features it is
argillaceous, fine grained, and highly charged with bituminous matter.
In some of the beds there are numerous remains of plants — stems of
loepidodendron and sigiliaria that made up the forests of the Devonian.
The plants, however, are very imperfect; the form only is partially pre-
served, and that mamly by iron pyrite that replaced the original stem.
The woody tissue of the plants has been converted into coal that occu-
pies thin irregular seams among the laminae of pyrite. The little bands
of coal vary in thickness, but none of those observed exceed a quarter
of an inch. None of the plants are perfect enough to render either
generic or specific identification possible.
The discovery of shale charged with the carbonized stems of plants
below the Devonian limestone of Iowa is a matter of much interest.
Frequent reports have gained circulation of the discovery of coal in
drilling wells in regions occupied by Devonian rocks.
From Jessup, Janesville, Marion, Davenport, and
other places, such rumors have gone out. In one or
two cases, shafts have been dug at considerable expense,
necessarily ending in disappointment and failure.
The discovery at Independence accounts for these reports. In drill-
ing through the limestones, the lower shales, with their carbonized
plants, were reached, and the dark color of the borings, mi.xed with
fragments of real coal, naturally enough gave rise to the impression
that a veritable coal mine had been found.
It is 10 be noticed that all the places from which such reports have
come, stand near the eastern outcrop of the Devonian, where its en-
tire thickness could be pierced at a very moderate depth. The num-
ber and position of such localities would show that the shale in ques-
tion IS not a mere local deposit, but is distributed all along the outcrop
of Devonian rocks in Iowa.
The researches of Mr. Deering and myself have brought to light
quite a number of finely preserved Brachiopods, representing fourteen
species. Of these two are not determined and five are new to science,
but the chief interest attaches to certain species that have hitherto been
known only from the shales of bed No. 3, near Rockford. It will be
convenient to arrange the specimens in three groups, as follows :
I. Species limited in Iowa, so far as is known, to the Independence
Shales: Strophodonta variabilis, new species; Gypidula niunda, new
species, Othis in/era. nevi s\^iee\e^\ Rhynchon/lla amhigua, new spe-
cies ; Spiripera subumbona. Hall ?
II. Species ranging throughout the entire group, and so common to
beds I, 2, and 3 : Atryparcticularis, Lime.
III. Species common to beds i and 3, but not known to occur in
the intervening limestones: Strophodonta quadrata. new species; 5t
arcuata, Hall; .S. canace. Hall & Whitfield; 5. rcversa. Hall ; Atrvna
hystrix, Hall ; Productus {Productella) dissimilUs, Hall.
It is an interesting fact th.it of the twelve determinable species six
occur only in the shaly deposits at the opening and close of the Devo-
nian, notwithstanding these deposits are separated by one hundred and
fifty leet of limestone. Only one species is known to pass from the
lower shales into the limestones above, and even there it appears
under a form so altered that specimens from the two beds may be dis-
tinguished as really as if they were distinct species, if we take form
and surface markings into account, the Atrypa reiiculacs of No. r,
also finds its nearest representative, not in the limestones immediatelv
above, but in the shales at Rockford,
Obviou.sly, then, the Independence shales are more nearly related to
the Rockford beds than to any other formation in Iowa. The species
in group i, seem to have disappeared with the ushering in of conditions
under which limestones were formed; they maintained themselves in
some locality which has not been discovered, or from which the shaly
deposits have been entirely swept away, and returned with the condi-
tions favorable to their existence during the deposition of the Rock-
ford shales.
The intimate relation between the two extremes of the group, is
certainly a most interesting one, and can but strengthen the conclusion
of Dr. White, that all the De\'onian strata of Iowa, belong to a single
epoch.
Then follows a minute description of the individual
fossils mentioned above, for which we have no space,
and which would not have much interest for the general
reader. VVe will therefore omit it, and call our brief sec-
tion on Buchanan geology, finished.
CHAPTER III.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS.-
[As the author of the following address was a promin-
ent citizen of Buchanan county, and as the occasion of
its delivery forms an important landmark in the history
of the county, we have concluded to insert it entire; al-
though some of the details, given in other parts of the
work, will necessarily contain repetitions of many of the
facts herein recorded.
That this sketch may be read and heard on such an occasion, without
weariness beyond endurance, it is necessary to study brevity rather
than rhetorical effect. With scant space for facts, there is still less for
fancy, and many interesting incidents and individual experiences must
of necessity be omitted.
Beginning with the advent of the first permanent settlement in the
county, we are carried back aljout one-third of a century; for the
pioneer was one William Bennett, who settled where now is the thriv-
ing village of Quasqueton in the early spring of r842. Mr. Bennett is
said to have been the first settler in the county of Delaware also, and
had probably chanced upon the site of Quasqueton in some hunting ex-
pedition. The beauty of the locality captivated his fancy, and the
rapid stream showed that its power could be utilized. He at once laid
claim to the place, and proceeded to make his claim good by erecting
a log cabin on the east bank of the river, and occupying it with his
family.
It is almost as difficult for us to conceive the appearance which the
county then presented to its first citizen, as it would have been for him
to paint by aid of fancy, that which it now presents to us. .Approach-
ing his new home from the east, he had crossed many miles of prairie,
stretching away to the north beyond the limits of vision; looking across
the stream to the southwest, still the same undulating prairie; and if he
passed the river a little to the west he beheld still the same gently swell-
ing sea of treeless green extending toward the northwest to all appear-
ance boundless.
He might have caught some floating canoe drifted from its mooring
* By Hon. O. H. P. Roszell. Read at the Centennial Celebration at
Independence, July 4, 1876.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
43
far up the stream, and following the timber-skirted liver through the
entire extent of the county, no other trace of art or industry would
have met his gaze, save perhaps the lodge-poles of some deserted Indian
camp. But though he would have found the country a wilderness, it
was not a solitude. From every thicket on the river's bank, the dip of
his paddles would have startled the deer, and its splash been echoed by
the sudden plunge of the beaver and otter, while wild fowls,— ducks,
geese and the majestic swan, rose at his approach in countless thou-
sands, and mingled their scieams with the cry of innumerable cranes
wheeling their flight far up in the blue ether. The whole country was
as if just completed— fresh and new and perfect from the hand of the
Creator; an unpeopled paradise. Hardly had Bennett taken posses-
sion of his cabin before he was joined by one Evans, and by Ezra Allen
who settled about one and a half miles north of Quasqueton, and in
April the settlement was increased by the arrival of Frederick Kessler
and wife, Rufus B. Clark and family, S. G. and H. T. Sanford, a Mr.
Daggett and Simmons and Lambert and Edward Brewer; the latter,
who was then unmarried, made his home with Kessler. Clark and
Kessler each made claims, and built cabins about one and one-half mile
west of Quasqueton and near together, and as soon as possible com-
menced breaking prairie, so that in June they had ten acres broken
which they planted with corn and beans; but though frost did not appear
that fall till October loth, there was not sufficient time for the crop to
ripen. They all, men and women, went to work the day after the frost,
and gathered the crop so as to secure it in the best condition possible,
for corn and beans were important articles. For provisions during the
summer of 1842 it was necessary to go to the Maquoketa— a distance
of sixty miles. One person was sent with an ox team, and brought
supplies for the whole community. The land was yet unsurveyed, and,
of course, not in market. The government surveyors were engaged that
summer in making the subdivisions, and were in camp for some time
near Kesslei's. The sight of these and an occasional squad of cavalry
galloping across the prairie and fording the river at the rapids, served
to remind the settlers that they were not alone in the world.
During that summer a man named Stiles settled at Quasqueton ; and
to him belongs the honor of keeping the first whiskey shop in the coun-
ty. He called his place a "tavern" and "grocery." Some addition
was made to the settlers aside from emigration, for in May, 1842, was
born Charles Kessler, the first white child born in this county. In the
autumn of 1842 there arrived Nathaniel Hatch and family and Henry
B. Hatch without family. Nathaniel built himself a house and Henry
B. made his home at Kessler's. Mr. Bennett built a log dam across the
river and raised the frame of a saw-mill that fall. There were several
young men in his employ who never became permanent settlers. This
same season also one Johnson made his appearance and located on the
east side of the river, about halfway between Quasqueton and Inde-
pendence. He asserted that he was the notorious "Canadian Patriot,"
and that a young woman who accompanied him as his sole companion
was his daughter, Kate, and the veritable "Queen of the Thousand
Isles." His language and conduct excited the suspicion and hatred of
the settlers and a party of them seized Johnson, administered a severe
whipping and an admonition to leave the settlement, which he soon did.
This episode was long referred to by the settlers as the "Patriot War."
The winter of 1842-3 proved a very severe one, and the settlers en-
dured many privations. On the seventeenth of November a terrible
snow storm commenced, accompanied with wind which caused im-
mense drifts. Most of the houses having been hastily erected that
spring, of logs, were imperfectly chinked and plastered, and it was
impossible to keep out the drifting snow. — Kessler's was in this condi-
tion, and his family took refuge at Clark's, which was better protected.
On returning after the storm they found their house drifted completely
full and buried — even to the chimney, and had to dig out their furniture
piece by piece. They dug a regular stairway from the door to the
top of the snow ; and the same to reach the water in the spring close
by, through snow fourteen feet in depth. The storm ended in sleet,
which left a hard crust on the surface, which would bear the weight of a
man if not too heavy. It was almost impossible to get about except
on foot, and in that way the mail was carried to and from the "Col-
ony," near "Edes' Grove," in Delaware county, by Kessler, he being
selected for that service on account of being small and light. Deer
were abundant and easily overtaken, as their sharp feet broke through
the crust ; so venison was plenty. Bee trees also had been found in
large numbers in the fall, and there was a plentiful supply of honey.
Some families had three or four barrels of that commodity, but honey
and venison, though each delicious, were found hardly adequate food
for sole and constant use ; and grain there was none, nor other food of
any kind to be had short of a journey to the "colony."
H. B. Hatch was the first to venture out after corn. He went with
two yoke of oxen and on his return was overtaken by a storm of sleet
so severe that the freezing rain blinded not only himself, but his oxen.
But by walking on the off side of his cattle he managed to shelter him-
self somewhat, and after stopping many times to remove the ice from
his eyes and those of his oxen, he succeeded in reaching home with his
load of corn, much to the joy of the settlers, who had been greatly
alarmed for his safety. This corn was immediately distributed, and
when exhausted, Mr. Sanford went to the same place and brought an-
other load, which he carefully dealt out, sternly refusing any applicant
more than one peck at a time ; not from any want of kindness or gen-
erosity, but to enforce that severe economy in its use, which was abso-
lutely necessary. For several months during that winter, venison,
honey, and boiled corn constituted the only food of the settlers.
Wolves were numerous and bold, and often came to the springs within
a few steps from the doors of the settlers, to drink. On the first of
April, 1843. the river was still frozen and teams crossed on the ice.
In the spring of 1843, the land in the south part of the county was
put in market, and on the thirteenth of March of that year the first
entry was made by Edwin R. Fulton, the entry being the west half
northeast thirty-four, eighty-eight, eight, and eighty, which Bennett
had claimed and settled upon. Fulton was never a citizen of this
county, and was probably some friend of Bennett, whom he procured
to make the entry for him. lu May, 1843, Malcom McBane and John
Cordell— both with their families— settled in the immediate vicinity of
Quasqueton, on the east side of the river. They entered their first
land May 2, 1843. Sometime in the summer or fall of 1843, came
James Biddinger, S. 'V. Thompson, and W. W. Hadden ; the former
settled near, and the two latter at, Quasqueton. During the summer
of 1843, a flouring-mill was erected at Quasqueton by Mr. Stiles, but
was probably not completed until 1844, about which time a Mr.
Richards settled there and opened the first store. Up to this time the
place has been known only as "The Rapids of the Wapsipinicon," but
now it had a saw-inill and grist-mill, a store, tavern and saloon, and
had become quite a village, and was named "Trenton, " which name it
retained until about 1847, when it was regularly laid out into lots and
rechristened Quasqueton, which name is euphonized from Quasquetuck,
signifying in the Indian tongue "Swift Waters. "
The first settlers had now begun to raise wheat as well as corn, and,
with a mill in their immediate vicinity where it could be ground, were
in little danger of being again compelled to subsist on boiled corn.
Fish were abundant in the river, and it is told, and is undoubtedly true,
that they were caught of such size that, tied together by the gills and
thrown across a horse, their caudal fins touched the ground on each
side. It is surmised, however, that the horse was an Indian pony and
of not unusual height. The species of fish which attained to such size
was the " muscalonge," and some of the same species weighing twenty-
four pounds were caught at Independence as late as 1854. During the
year 1844 there seems to have been but little additional emigration to
the county; but in 1845 quite a number of families arrived, among them
one Abbott, James Rundle, and Benoni and Harvey B. Haskins, and,
I think, David Merrill; these families all settled near Quasqueton.
During that year, also, was made the first entry of land north of the
correction line. It was on section 25, 89, 9, a part of what is now
known as the "County Poor Farm," and was entered by John Kimmis,
December 4, 1845.
Rufus B. Clark, in his hunting excursions, had early visited, observed
and admired the site of Independence. He had no means with which
to purchase the land, but he laid claim to the place, and in the spring
of 1847 built a log house on the east side of the river, at a spot near
the present junction of Chatham and Mott streets, and removed his
family thereto. After making the claim he had visited Janesville,^Wis-
consin, and induced S. P. Stoughton and Nicholas A. McClure to pur-
chase the land. Stoughton came to Independence the same spring-
April, 1847— entered the land, and during that summer built a dam and
saw-mill, and brought also a small stock of goods. With him came
Samuel Sherwood, Mervin Dunton, and a Dr. Lovejoy. In July, 1847,
S. S. McClure. Eli D. Phelps, A. H. Trask, and Thomas W. Close ar-
rived, and all settled at Independence. In June of that year three
commissioners, appointed by the State legislature for that purpose,
visited the county, and on the fifteenth of June located the county seat
on section 34, 89, 9, and called it Independence. In 1846 John Boon
and Frank Hathaway had settled on the edge of the prairie two miles
northeast of Independence, so that the Fourth of July, 1847, saw at
Independence quite a little community of settlers, and if the celebra-
tion here on that day was not as largely attended as this, it was fully as
' enthusiastic as this can be. The location being made at a date so near
44
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
t.) the Fouith of July had probably a great influence in the selection of
the name of Independence for the future city. The overflow caused by
the erection of the dam produced malaria, and most of the settlers
suffered from fever and ague. Mrs. R. B. Clark and Dr. Lovejoy died
in the fall of 1847. In June, 1848, the colony was increased by the ar-
rival of Asa Blood, senior and junior, Elijah and Anthony Beardsley,
and a Mr. Babbitt. Dr. Brewer removed to Independence also that
year, having been elected clerk of county commissioners the year be-
fore, and consequently being required to be at the county seat. John
Obenchain had settled m the spring of 1848 two miles north of Inde-
pendence, on the farm now occupied by C. Dickson. Isaac Hathaway
also settled on section 36, 89, 9, about two miles east of Independence;
Thomas Barr, si.v miles north of Independence; Samuel and Orlando
Sufiicool, William Bunce, Daniel Greeley, and William Greeley, at
Greeley's Grove; John Scott, on what is now known as the Smyser
farm; Jacob Minton, William Minton, and Gamaliel Walker, on Pine
creek; B. D. Springer, half way between Independence and Quasque-
ton, on the place vacated by Johnson; Thomas E. McKinney, on Pine
creek; a Mr. Trogden. on the west side of the river, about five miles
above Quasqueton; and some fifteen or twenty others, mostly at or in
the vicinity of Qtiasqueton, among them D. S. Davis, George I. Cum-
mins, James Cummms, Charles Robbins, Benjamin Congdon, and
others, not forgetting to mention Hamilton Megonigle, who came from
the banks of the Juniata, in Pennsylvania, a regular, careless, jovial
free-hearted, open-handed backwoodsman, who was known to every-
body, and loved to be called "Old Juny."
Theta.ic list for 1847 shows eighty-one names as resident ta.x payers.
Among them are Thomas Barr, Samuel and Orlando Sufficool, Wil-
liam Bunce, I. F. Hathaway, John Boon, Gamaliel Walker, William
Biddinger, N. G. Parker, Samuel Caskey, Ami H. Trask, Thomas W.
Close, Samuel Sherwood and Edward Brewer, who are still living and
residents of the county. The same tax list shows that there were then
si.\ty forty-acre tracts of land entered in the county, being a little less
than four sections. The valuation of all property, real and personal,
was twenty-one thousand, seven hundred and nine dollars, and total
tax one hundred and sixty-seven dollars and forty cents. Of the eighty-
one residents seventy-four were voters. The total moneys and credits
assessed were three thousand, seven hundred and seventy-five dollars,
of which W. W. Hadden had two thousand, six hundred and seventy
dollars. There were two hundred and forty-nine head of cattle, four
hundred and seventeen hogs, sixty-eight horses, forty-two wagons, six
hundred and forty-two sheep, and not one mule. Few of the settlers
indulged in the luxury of watches, for there seem to have been but six
in the whole county. The mills and machinery at Quasqueton had at
this time become the property of D. S. Davis, and were valued at two
thousand dollars. The saw-mill at Independence is put down at nine
hundred dollars. W. W. Hadden paid the highest tax, the enormous
sum of twenty-two dollars and thirty-nine cents.
The first election of which I find any record was in August, 1847.
The county was then divided into two election precincts, one called
"Quasqueton" and the other "Centre" precinct. John Scott, Freder-
ick Kessler and B. D. Springer were elected county commissioners, and
Edward Brewer clerk ; and it is a conclusive proof of his worth and
ability that he continued to hold that office twenty-three years. On
the fourth of October, 1847, the county commissioners held their first
meeting at the house of Edward Brewer, in Independence. Their first
official act was to divide the county into three commissioner's districts^
The first district comprised all the north half of the county. The
south half was divided by a line running north and south about one
and a half miles west of Quasqueton.
Three road petitions were presented, and viewers appointed at that
session. One from Independence east to county line. One from Inde-
pendence east to intersect the territorial road from Marion to Fort At-
kinson, and one from Quasqueton to Independence on the west side of
the river. It was ordered also that a surveyor be employed to lay off a
town at the county-seat. On November 3, 1847, the commissioners
met and caused eight blocks of lots on the southeast quarter of south-
east quarter section thirty-four, to belaid off as the village of Inde.
pendence, and the county-seat. The land was still Government land
and not entered by the county until January, 1849, though it was legal-
ly pre-empted, and thus secured to the county in January, 1848. The
ots were ten rods in length by five in width, and the price fixed for
them was five dollars each. In January, 1848, also the three roads
first petitioned for, were declared public highways.
Up to that time there had been no regularly laid out roads in the
county, except a territorial road from Marion to Fort Atkinson, cross-
in" the river at Quasqueton, and running thence nearly north through
the county, passing near where is now the village of Winthrop. This
was know as the "Mission" road. And another from Marion to the
north line of the State laid out in 1846, crossing the river at the same
place and passing about two miles east of Independence, at the edge
of the timber. The settlers followed such routes as suited their con-
venience, from house to house and from neighborhood to neighbor-
hood. Indian trails crossed the prairie from stream to stream, leading
to fording places, and well worn paths led up and down the river,
touching, surely, every bubbling spring. Such trails, which recent
settlers suppose to be merely cattle paths, can be pointed out in many
places even to this day by the pioneers.
Though in the spring of 1848 several families came to Independence
the prevalence of fever and ague was so discouraging that not only
they, but most of those who came earlier, left the place, either in the
fall of 1848 or spring of 1849, so that in the summer of 1849 only four
families remained. In July, 1849, the first entry of land was made in
Newton township, by Joseph B. Potter. The first settlement in that
township was by Joseph Austin, in the spring of 1847, on section
thtrty-three. Reuben C. Walton was the next, and built his cabin on
the same forty as Austin, in 1848. In 1850 William P. Harris,
Aaron M. Long, Henry Holman and a Mr. Ogden settled in the same
vicinity on Spring Creek, and James MeCanna on section twelve on Buf-
lalo creek. John Cordell entered the first land in Cono township in
1843, and Leander Keyes and T. K. Burgess settled in that township
just below Quasqueton in 1848. No land was entered in Homer town-
ship till 1851, when John S. Williams entered forty acres on section
nineteen. The first actual settler in Jefferson township was J. B.
Stainbrook, in June, 1850, and his daughter, Martha, now Mrs. Mas-
ters, and residing in Brandon, was the first white child born in the
township. Mr. Stainbrook yet occupies the same farm he first settled
upon, and the first cabin he built is still standing. John Rouse and
.Abel Cox were the next settlers, and arrived in July, 1850, and in
September Nicholas Albert, Philip Zinn and Joseph Rouse. The next
year came John Rice, Thomas Frink, Mathew Davis and Hamilton
Wood.
In the fall of 1851 a State road was suiveyed from Quasqueton to
the county-seat of Marshall county. Two of the commissioners were
D. S. Davis and John Cordell. The party started from Quasqueton
to look out the route, and passed near Brandon, or where Brandon now
is. Xo one, even at Quasqueton, had ever visited Jefferson township,
nor did any one of the party know whether there was a settler there or
not. It was known that some persons from that direction had crossed
the prairie to the Quasqueton mill, but there was no road, not even a
discernible track of any kind. Aided by the compass, the party made
its way to Lime creek, and found nestled in the brush near that stream,
the cabins of Joseph and John Rouse, and close by them went into
camp the first night out. From Rouse it was learned that there were
two or three families a little south, and by strict search and Rouse for
a guide, they found their houses the next forenoon.
No settlement was made in Westburgh township till 1833; nor do I
know who was the first settler; but William B. Wilkinson must have
been among the first. In 1849 Michael Ginther settled in Sumner
township, and, being at a loss to describe the land he desired to enter,
he carried the corner stake to the land office at Dubuque, going there
on foot for that purpose. This entry was afterward found to be on the
wrong section entirely. He had intended to buy the land on which he
had settled, and on which is the famous spring known yet as the "Gin-
ther Spring," about half way between Independence and Quasqueton,
on the west side of the river; and when he found the entry he had really
made was one mile west, and out on the prairie, he was completely dis-
couraged, being a poor man, and believing that land so far out would
never be of any value whatever. The first settler in .Middlefield was P.
M. Dunn, who entered his land on section thirty-four, April 24, 1850,
followed soon after by Daniel Leatherman and Stillman Berry. Fre-
mont township remained unsettled till 1853, when Z. P. and S. W.
Rich located on Buffalo creek, near the southeast corner of the town-
ship. They were induced to venture so far out from the timber from
the fact that at that time the road direct from Independence to Coffin's
Grove, Delhi and Dubuque, had begun to be considerably travelled,
though almost up to that year the only travelled route had been via
Quasqueton; but in 1832 the few citizens of Independence and vicinity
had turned out voluntarily and built a bridge of split logs across Buf-
falo creek, near the correction line, making the route practicable. —
Robert Sutton settled in Byron, on section thirty-two, as early as 1850,
if not in 1B49; and Thomas Ozias in 1831. The first settlers in Perry
township were James Minton, Charles Melrose and Gamaliel Walker,
in r849. Martin Depoy and Jacob Slaughter entered land in that
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
45
township the same year, but did not become settlers till 1850; and in
that same year Alexander Stevenson, and [ohn and Thomas Cameron
settled in the same township, all in the northeast corner, near Littleton.
Melrose had made an error in his entry, entering in the north part of |
town eightv-eight, ten, instead of eighty- nine, ten, being near the pres-
ent village of J essup, and not supposing land in that locality would
ever be valuable, by much effort and the aid of the then United States
Senator, G. W. Jones, a special act of Congress was passed vacatmg
his entry and placing it on the section intended, where Mr. Melrose
now lives. Of the first settlement in Hazelton township I have already
spoken. William Jewell settled and made the first entry of land in
Buffalo township, in 1849, where now hves C. H. Jakeway. .Abiathar
Richardson and Silas K. Messenger came ne.vt, in 1850; and Thomas
and Rockwell )ewell and .A.. J. Eddy, in 1851. In Madison township,
Silas Ross, L. R. Ward, and Seymour Whitney settled at nearly the
same time, in 1853, and were the first comers. They located in the
east part of the township, near the place now known as Ward's Cor-
ners.' In Fairbank township, William S. Clark was the first to locate,
settling in the south part, just above Littleton, in 1R48 or 1849, and
was the very first settler in that region. He went to California about
1856, but the house he built is yet standing.— Thomas Wilson must
have found his way into the timber west of the little Wapsie very soon
fter, for I remember finding him and one McKinstry settled there in
1850. Robert Wroten located near Clark, in 1850.
In 1849, S. P. Stoughton and S. S. McClure returned to Independ-
ence, and with them came the writer of this sketch. There were then
in Independence only Dr. Brewer, Thomas W. Close and E. Beards-
ley and a Mr. Horton, each with their families. Samuel Sherwood,
though still reckoned a citizen of Independence, was absent that winter
building a mill at Cedar Rapids. There was an unenclosed saw-mill,
and no other building on the west bank of the river. On the east side,
besides the buildings occupied by the families named, a vacant black-
smith shop and three vacant dwellings, among them the house built by
Rufus B. Clark, who, after the death of his wife, had sold his interest
in the place to Stoughton & McCIure, and removed to the Cedar river,
in Chickasaw county.
The families in the north half of the county could almost be counted
on one's fingers. W. S. Clark, James Newton Charles Melrose and
Gamaliel Walker were up the river near where Littleton now is. Jacob
Minion, Thomas Barr, Joseph Ross and Isaac Hathaway, on the creek
five miles north of Independence; the Greeleys, William Bunce, John
Kint, and Samuel Sutficool, still further north in Hazleton township;
William Jewell, A. Richardson, and Silas K. Messenger, at Buffalo
Grove; and John Obenchain, Carmi Hicko-i, Frank Hathaway, John
Boon, Isaac Sufficool (who had bought the Isaac Hathaway farm), and
H. Megonigle, located around the edge of the timber north and east
of Independence, and that completes the list.
Quasqueton had become quite a village. It had a flouring-mill, to
which came settlers from the west and southwest with their grain, for
sixty or seventy miles; also a saw-mill, a store, grocery, hotel, and
blacksmith shop, and really was a growing, prosperous town. But In-
dependence was a forlorn looking place, indeed. Four families only,
and they anxious to leave, but too poor to get away; an idle saw-mill,
and not a store or shop of any kind and little prospect of either. The
county had laid out forty acres into lots, and Stoughton and McCIure
a few blocks on each side of Main street. There was nothing to dis-
tinguish streets from lots; even Main street was only a crooked wagon
path through the brush. There was a wagon road cut through the
timber to the Hickox farm (now known as the Smyser farm), and one
more crooked still, out to the prairie east, which crossed the first little
creek near the Brewer place, and the next at the old Sufficool place
(now occupied by Elzy Wilson), and from it followed the edge of the
timber down to Quasqueton, about wheie the travelled road now runs.
There was also a track north, z-Za of the Obenchain farm and thence
across the prairie toward Thomas Barr's and up Otter creek, but so
faint as to be haidly discernible. Neither road nor track up the river,
except an Indian trail, and not even that west across the prairie, nor
east beyond the timber, nor to, or toward Brandon or Buffalo Grove
To venture two miles west on the prairie was about as dangerous as
to venture to sea out of sight of land without a compass. Thomas
Close carried the mail once each week to Cedar Falls, on an Indian
pony. There were no marks of any kind to guide him, and if by care-
ful observation he kept within a mile of the direct course, it was quite
a feat of prairie craft. Wolves prowled about the houses, and bands
of them made night vocal with their howling. The east bank of the
river was where is now the middle of the bridge, and large trees were
growing where now stands the centre pier.
The assessment roll for 1849 shows ninety-seven resident taxpayers
of which about thirty lived in the north half of the county. That Of
1850 shows only eighty-three resident taxpayers in the county, thirty-
three being in the north half. .At the August election in 1848 Washing,
ton township polled twenty-three. Spring fifteen, and Liberty thirty-two
votes; and in August, 1850, Washington nineteen. Spring nineteen,
and Liberty thirty, in all sixty-eight votes. The tax book of 1850
shows the total valuation of property, real and personal, to have been
forty-six thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight dollars, and total tax
assessed, three hundred and seventy dollars and twenty cents. Twelve
thousand six hundred and eighty-one acres of land were entered —
about twenty sections in all. The total value of merchandise was
nine hundred dollars, and that was all at Quasqueton. Mills and ma-
chinery were valued at four thousand three hundred dollars; three
thousand dollars at Quasqueton, one thousand one hundred and sixty-
seven dollars at Independence, and five hundred and thirty-three dol-
lars at Pine Creek. There were six watches, valued at one hundred
and eighty-eight dollars; forty-three wagons, valued at one thousand
six hundred doll.irs; seventy-four horses, valued at three thousand
seven hundred and sixty dollars; two hundred and forty-one cattle,
assessed at three thousand six hundred and seventy dollars; two hun-
dred and eighty-eight sheep, valued at four hundred and three dollars,
and five hundred and fifty-five hogs, valued at eight hundred and sixty-
four dollars.
There was a post office at Quasqueton and at Independence, and the
mail came from Dlubuque once a week, via Quasqueton, in a one-horse
wagon. There was not a bridge in the county, nor across any stream
between this and Dubuque, nor any regular ferry. If streams were too
deep to be forded they must be crossed in canoes, or by swimming, or
by rafts. All houses in the county were of logs, save a few at Quas-
queton and at Independence. .Almost every farm thus far selected was
so located as to embrace prairie for tillage, and timber for fencing, fuel,
and shelter, and on some little stream, and a spring near which to
build. No special pains were taken to construct warm houses, and
fuel was used as prodigally as though the whole country had been tim-
bered. Pork and bread were abundant, and honey, venison and wild
fruits, in their season. There was no market for surplus produce, and
little surplus produce to market, except pork, and if that was hauled
to the Mississippi it would bring two dollars per hundred. But every-
body had plenty of good wholesoine food to eat, and they didn't
trouble themselves about luxuries. Everybody in the county knew
and was neighbor to everybody else, no matter how far apart they
lived.
In 1849, the California gold excitement prevailed, and the fever
siezed many of the settlers here, and in the spring of 1850 several of
them crossed the plains to that ElDorado. -Among them were William
Bunce, John Obenchain, Kessler, B. D. Springer, Trask and Phelps
and Stoughton. Some of them returned, others remained, and some
died there. Among the latter was Kessler. Stoughton returned the
next year, but died shortly after, of consumption, in the south, where
he had gone hoping to benefit his health. In .May or June, 1850, Hor-
ton and Beardsley left the place, and there remained but two familes.
Close and Brewer, and two young men, McCIure and Roszell, to keep
the village alive. McCIure caused the land belonging to Stoughton
and McCIure, on the west side of the river, to be surveyed into lots,
and named the place New Haven. In July of that year, William
Brazelton moved to Independence from Jones county, and soon after,
James .A. Dyer, and a young man, George Counts; and in September,
Thomas Denton and family arrived. John Vargason and James Bige-
low came to the county also that summer, and McCIure tried to induce
them to settle in Independence, offering to give them any lots they
might select, if they would build on them and remain there; but the
inducement was not sufficient, and they settled five miles north.
In June, McCIure traded fractional block number one and the east
half of block number two, on the west side of the river, to Andrew
Mullarkey for a barrel of gin and a bo.x of cigars, and thought it a
good trade. With this assistance, we had a grand celebration on that
fourth of July. Samuel Sherwood, Samuel S. McCIure, Dr. Brewer,
Alexander Hathaway, and O. H. P. Roszell were oflficers, orators and
procession.
Henry Sparling and family settled near the county poor farm that
autumn, and Philander French and Ephraim Miller and J. C. Neidy,
in the timber, between Independence and Quasqueton. John W. Me-
lone came during the winter of 1850-51; also William B.Wilkinson.
Melone entered the quarter section of land immediately east of Inde-
pendence, and Wilkinson the quarter section northeast.
In the spring of 1851 came Casper Rowse and family; and in the
46
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
summer, Charles W. Cummiiigs and family, and several others.
Among them, Francis Girten, Byron C. Hale, Amos B. King, Jacob S.
Travis, and one Evans, who settled where Lyman J. Curtis now lives.
In June, 1851, the river rose twenty-one feet above low-water mark —
the highest point it has ever been known to reach. The saw-mill on
Pine creek was washed away, and some injury done the fences. No
bridges were carried away, for there were none— and no great damage
done, for there was but little to be damaged. That summer, Samuel
Sherwood commenced the erection of a flouring mill at Independence,
and completed it the ne.\t season. The timbers were cut above Little-
ton and floated down the river, with incredible labor, such as none but
men of iron constitution and steel resolution could or would have per-
formed— Samuel Sherwood had both.
In the spring of that year, a State road was surveyed from Indepen-
dence to Cedar Falls, and persons crossing the prairie were enabled,
by following the line of stakes, to keep the same route, so that a visi-
ble trace was soon formed. The line of the route was a little north o(
where Jesup now is, and through Pilot Grove.
In 1851, William Brazleton erected a frame building on Main street,
in Independence, where now stands the First National bank building,
and opened a general variety store; and in 1852 built the first hotel, on
the opposite corner, where so long stood the "Montour house." C.
W. Cummings also brought a stock of goods here in the fall of 1851.
All goods were hauled from Dubuque, generally by ox teams. The
roads were in such wretched condition that it was no unusual thing for
teamsters to be compelled to unload their wagons and carry their pack-
ages singly across the sloughs, and even to take their very wagons
apart and carry them across in the same way. Such roads would now
be considered absolutely impassable. The price paid for hauling was
seventy-five cents to one dollar and a half }ier hundred weight: yet
goods were fully as cheap, and many of them cheaper, than now.
Brown sugar could be bought here at twenty pounds for a dollar, and
seven or eight pounds of coffee for the same amount.
From 1852 the village and county settled very rapidly, and it will be
hardly practicable to particularize individuals. In August, 1852, Jeff-
erson township was carved out of Spring, and in April, 1853, Perry
from Washington, and in August, 1853, Buffalo and Superior (now
Hazleton) were set off as separate townships.
In September, 1854, Messrs. Parker & Hillery commenced the publi-
cation of the first newspaper in the county, and named it the Indepen-
dence C/i77/ff«. In 1855, Samuel Sherwood built the first bridge in
the county, across the Wapsipinicon, at Independence. It was of
wood and paid for by subscriptions of the citizens of the county. In
April of that year, Newton and Alton (now Fairbank) townships were
set off; and at the election that year the county polled five hundred
and twenty-four votes.
In that year also, the first stage coaches were run from Dubuque to
Independence. Heman Morse had settled here in 1853, and bought
the hotel built by Brazleton, which he enlarged and kept until 1856.
One Gould commenced running a line of two horse hacks in 1854, and
during the years 1854-5-6, the "Montour" was crowded to its utmost
capacity with travellers, and its capacity being gauged more by the
number and necessity of the guests than by the size of the house, was
truly marvelous.
Coaches ran night and day, and were sometimes forty-eight hours
making the journey from Dubuque to Independence. Passengers were
fortunate if, in addition to walking across the sloughs, they were not
compelled to carry their baggage, and the coaches too, over the bad
places.
In 1855 W. H. Gifford & Brother commenced the erection of the
hotel now known as the Merchants hotel; completed it in the spring Oe
1856, and during the summer sold it to Carl White and Thomas Sher.
wood, who gave it the name of the " White House" and occupied it as
a hotel for several years, when they sold it to Leander Keyes. It was the
first brick hotel erected in the county, and gave the city quite a metro,
politanair.
In April, 1856, Byron and Prairie (now Fremont) townships were
set off, and at the spring election of that year seven hundred and eleven
votes were cast in the county. That spring also, the Dubuque & Pa-
cific railroad was projected, and efforts were made to induce this county
to issue two hundred thousand dollars m bonds to aid its construction.
The question was submitted to the people at a special election in May
and defeated; re-submitted in July and again defeated.
Speculation, especially in lands and town lots, ran wild. Gold
seemed a drug. The land office was crowded with purchasers. Any-
body could go to Dubuque, give their note for two hundred and eighty
dollars, due in a year, and get a bond for a deed for one hundred and
si.xty acres of land, on payment of the note. The county was full of
such bonds, and they were bought and sold as valuable property. The
most worthless \agabond could give his notes gel such a bond or bonds,
and trade it or them for goods stock, watches, jewelry, and sometimes
money. The last foot of land in the county was entered; lots and land
were bought and sold in many cases for more than they will bring now,
after the lapse of twenty years. In 1857 the bubble collapsed, and al-
most every business house failed in consequence. Expedients innumer-
able were devised to stay the disaster. "Wild Cat" companies were
organized, that issued "shinplasters" in the shape of bank notes, for
circulation in place of money. Early in 1857, a company was orga-
nized, with a project for a railroad up the Wapsipinicon, called the
W^apsipinicon \*alley railroad company. They, like the Dubuque &
Pacific company, asked the county to take two hundred thousand dol-
lars of stock, and issue bonds for the amount. The question was sub-
mitted at a special election in May of that year, and carried; but re-
submitted in June and defeated. Some members of the company then
organized what they called the Wapsipinicon Vallley Land company"
and issued scrip in the shape of bills, for circulation, absolutely
worthless, yet quite extensively circulated for a time, as money, such
were the desperate straits to which business men were driven.
The rapid influx of people, from 1834 to 1857, is shown by a com-
parison of the vote, which, in April, 1854, was only three hundred and
fifteen, and at the special railroad election in June, 1857, was twelve
hundred and sixty-eight, an increase of over nine hundred and fifty
votes, or four hundred per cent, in about three years.
The township of Madison was set off in April, 1S57, and also the
town of Sumner. That spring also, the erection of the first court house
(the same now used) was commenced by O. H. P. Roszell, who had
control of the county business from August, 1851, at which time he was
elected county judge, up to August, 1857, when he was superseded by
S. J. W. Tabor, who was appointed fourth auditor of the United States
treasury, in 1861, which position he now holds. The county finances
were in a healthy condition notwithstanding the general crash, there
being about six thousand dollars surplus county fund in the treasury*
The court house was completed by Judge Tabor in the fall of 1857.
The lumber was hauled by ox teams from Dyersville, that being then
the terminus of the Dubuque & Pacific railroad.
In December, 1856, Rich & Jordan commenced the publication of a
weekly newspaper called the Quasqueton Guardian, at Quasqueton,
and continued its publication there till June, 1858, when they removed
it to Independence and changed its name to the Buchanan county Guar'
dian.
In October, 1858, Cono and Middlefield were set off as separate
townships, and the boundaries of all the townships arranged about as
they now are. The population of the county continued to increase
with remarkable rapidity; so that in i860, at the Presidential election,
there were polled sixteen hundred and ten votes.
The Dubuque & Pacific railroad was completed to Independence the
last of December, 1859.
When the war of the Rebellion broke out Buchanan county was
among the foremost to respond to the call for troops, and continued
to respond with volunteers to every call during the war, raising her full
quota without draft. The first company was organized in June, 1863,
and was commanded by Captain D. S. Lee, who settled here in 1852,
and was the first regular professional lawyer who located in Indepen-
dence. His company was one of those composing the Fifth Iowa regi-
ment and infantry. I would like to honor this sketch by inserting therein
the names of the many brave citizens of the county, who risked and lost
their lives in defence of the national flag, but the list is too long; and
to make selections from the number would be invidious. Notwith-
standing the war, and the drain upon the population for troops, the
county continued to prosper and to increase in numbers. The Dubu-
que 6t Pacific railroad extended its line westwaid through the county.
The village of Winthrop on the railroad eight miles east of Inde-
pendence, which had been laid out by A. P. Foster in 1857, and in
which the first building had been erected by A. E. Dutton in 1859
grew to be a thriving town, with stores, shops, grain warehouses and
elevators, and a population of several hundred. Nine miles to the west
of Independence, on the same road, sprung up the village of Jesup in
the same manner.
On the night of March 16, 1864. the office safe of the county treas-
urer was broken open, and robbed of about twenty-six thousand dol-
lars in money. Two men — Knight and Rorabacher — were accused of
the crime, arrested and convicted, but no part of the money was ever
recovered. This loss, together with the large expense incurred in dis-
covering and trying the burglars, proved a serious inconvenience to the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
47
county, and is the only loss ever occurring to the county through rob-
bery, or through defalcation of officers. In August, 1864, Independ-
ence was incorpoiated as a city, and Daniel S. Lee chosen its first
mayor. In 1868 an act of the legislature provided for the erection of a
hospital for the insane at Independence, and the erection of the build-
ing was commenced in 1869. In the summer of 1873 the Mihv.nukee
division of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota railroad was
completed through the county, and on the line of that road there at
once sprung up the flourishing village of Hazleton, nine miles north of
Independence, and of Rowley, about the same distance south. No
great disaster, either by fire or flood, occurred to mar the prospect of
the county, or any part of it, until 1873. In November of that year
quite a serious fire occurred in Independence, destroying nine buildings
on Main street, most of which were of wood. But on the twenly-fiflh
of May, 1874. a disastrous conflagration broke out which destroyed
about forty buildings, nearly all of brick, on Main and Chatham
streets, and mostly stores, filled with valuable goods. The total loss
on buildings and goods amounted to ne.ir half a million dollars; but
before the close of the year nearly all were rebuilt and the traces of the
conflagration almost obliterated.
I have now in a manner, necessarily imperfect, sketched the history
of the settlement and growth of this county. I( it were practicable
within the limits prescribed by time, space and your endurance, I
would add a more particular account of the schools, churches, etc. A
brief mention is. however, all that can be allowed.
The first school taught in the county was at Quasqueton, in 1844, by
Alvira Hadden. Some of her pupils are still living in the county,
among them Mrs. Norton, daughter of Frederick Kessler. The first
school taught in Independence was by Edward Brewer, in 1848-9. In
1850 there were not more than three school-houses in the county, all
log buildings. One of them was near John Boon's, built in 1848. and
a Miss Ginther taught there in the winter of 1848-9. The first houser
built in Independence for school purposes was in i85t, and William
Brazelton erected it at his own expense. It was of hewn logs, and
about fourteen feet by eighteen in size. O. H. P. Roszell taught the
first school in it. In 1852 a school-house was erected in Hazleton
township, at the place now called "Coy town." where the first white
men in the township — Samuel Sufficool and Daniel C. Greeley— had
located in 1B47.
At Spring Grove, in Newton town.ship, a school-house was built in
1853, near R. C. Waltons; and Ward, Ross and Whitney built a
school-house in the timber between their cabins, in 1853, the very first
year they settled in Madison township. In fact, the pioneers of this
county had hardly got a roof on their cabins to shelter their families,
before they began to think about schools for their children. These
first houses were all built either by some single individuals or by sub-
scription of communities, and the first schools were maintained in the
same way. Until 1847 there were no regularly defined school districts,
and up to 1859 the schools were supported by private subscription or
by rate bills against the patrons. In i860 there were about thirty
schools in the county. In 1875 the number of school-houses was one
hundred and thirty-si.x, valued at one hundred and fourteen thousand
dollars, and the last log house had disappeared, or ceased to be used
as such. The first union or graded school in the county, was organized
at Independence in 1867, with Professor Wilson Palmer, as principal;
the first building for that purpose being completed at the same date.
There are now two graded schools at Independence, one at Winthrop,
one at Jesup, and one at Quasqueton.
Of churches it is not easy to obtain statistics; but the first chtirch
building in the county was at Independence, and built by the Methodist
Episcopalians in 1855. and the next at Quasqueton in 1856. There
are now twenty-eight chuich buildings in the county, of which two are
in Newton township, one in Homer, three in Jeff'erson, three in Liberty,
two in Winthrop, eight in Independence, three in Jesup, two in Fair-
banks, and three in Madison. Three of them are Catholic — Fairbanks,
Independence and Newton having one each. The value of these
buildings is not less than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Of mills and manufactories. I have stated the value in 1847 to have
been two thousand nine hundred dollars, there being then but one
flouring-mill and two saw-mills. In 1848, another saw-mill was built
on Pine creek; in 1852 Daniel Greeley built another on Otter creek, in
Hazleton township; the same year Samuel Sherwood, a flouring-mill at
Independence. In 1854 Messrs. White & Little erected a saw-miU at
Littleton, and in 1863 a flouring-mill was erected at Littleton, and
about the same time one at Fairbanks and one on Otter creek. There
are now eight flouring-miUs in the county, and their value probably
about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars; one in Independence,
built in 1867, valued at seventy-five thousand dollars. Among other
manufactories there are cheese factories in Fairbanks and Byron town-
ships, and one near Winthrop; also three creameries in Madison town-
ship.
The mercantile interests has increased in a still greater ratio; for.
while in 1850. there was but one store in the county — that at Quasque-
ton— kept by S. V. Thompson, and with a stock of goods not worth
more than five hundred dollars, there are now mercantile houses
scattered all over the county, at least a hundred in number, and the
value of goods kept in stock must exceed half a million dollars.
Besides these, there are dealers in lumber, grain, stock, farm machinery
and produce, in Independence, Winthrop, Jesup, Hazleton, and Row.
ley, and each of these places have elevators and grain warehouses.
There were shipped from Winthrop during the past year five hundred
and seventy-four car-loads of grain, and one hundred of stock; and
from Jesup nearly as many, and as many more from the two stations of
Hazleton and Rowley; from Independence about one thousand cars of
grain and stock, one dealer, W. A. Jones, having shipped during that
time nearly three hundred cars of stock, mostly hogs.
Of the professions. Dr. Edward Brewer was the first practicing phy-
sician in the county; Dr. Lovejoy the first at Independence, and died
there in 1848. Dr. R. W. Wright was the third, having settled in
Independence in 1851. Dr. H. H. Hunt comes next in order, and has
practiced medicine in the county for over twenty years.
The pioneers among the lawyers were Captain D. S. l^e, in 1852;
James Jamison and J. S. Woodward, in 1853; Colonel Jed Lake, in
1855, and Vi. G. Donnan, in 1856. All are still residents of Inde-
pendence and practicing their profession.
In the ministerial profession the Methodists were, as usual, the first
in the field. I have not been able to learn what missionary earliest
penetrated the wilderness to this county. George I Cummings, Wes-
leyan Methodist, was one of the eailiest at Quasqueton, and was the
pioneer preacher in Independence. Rev. Mr. Brown was the first reg-
ular Me.hodist Episcopal preacher located here, and the Rev. William
Poor, whose son now fills the responsible office of county treasurer.
Of secret, social and benevolent societies, the first organized was Cf
Odd Fellows, in 1855 or 1856. at Quasqueton; and the next of the
Masons at Independence in 1856 with John Bogart as W. M. The
first chapter of Masons was organized at Independence in 1857, with
George Warne, H. P. There are now lodges of Odd Fellows and
Masons at Quasqueton and Independence; of Masons, at Independence,
Winthrop, Jesup, Fairbanks and in Cono township; of United W^ork-
men, at Winthrop and Independence; and of Granges, being organiza-
tions of farmers for mutual protection, improvement and enjoyment, in
every township in the county except Newton, having a membership of
over seven hundred and fifty. The first county agricultural society
was organized in 1858, dissolved and reorganized in 1870 as a joint
stock company, since which time it has been in successful operation
and holds annual fairs, and now owns forty acres of land and buildings
thereon, near Independence, valued at ten thousand dollars.
The earliest organization of fire companies in the county, was in
1862, when two hook and ladder companies were formed in Independ-
ence. One of them composed exclusively of Germans soon purchased
a hand engine, and became an Engine Co., but after a few, years dis-
banded and donated their engine to the city, but reorganized in 1874,
and now have charge of the same engine. The other, organized as
"Hook & Ladder Co., No i." maintained their organization till June.
1874; when, the city having in the previous month purchased a steam
fire engine, they reorganized as a Steamer Company, and have now
charge of the steam fire engine.
The first bank of issue in the county, was the "First National bank
of the City of Independence," which began business in December,
1865, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, since increased to one hun-
dred thousand dollars. A second, "The People's National bank," was
organized in the fall of 1874. The first bank of exchange was that of
Brewer, Bemis & Roszell," in 1854, and "Older. Lee & Co." in the same
year, both of which were drawn into the whirlpool of speculation in 1855.
-6.-7. and perished in the general wreck of 1857. -8.
The first post oflice in the county was at Quasqueton, established in
1843; the next, at Independence, established in 1848, with S. P.
Stoughton as postmaster. The total proceeds of the Independence
office in 1850, did not exceed six dollars. Now. there are fifteen offices
in the county, and the salary of the single office at Independence is
over two hundred times the total postage received in 1850.
Gas was first introduced into Independence in the winter of 1874--5.
In addition to the newspapers I have mentioned, both of which are
now published in Independence, one as the Independence Coiueri'ative
48
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
and one as the Buchanan County BiiUclin, a third is now published
at Jesup, styled The V'indicator.
In 1820, there was not a bridge of any description in the county.
Now, the Wapsipinicon is spanned with wrought iron bridges at Quas-
queton, built in 1874; Independence, built in 1872, and Littleton,
built in 1876. Besides these, there are two other, wooden, bridges
across the main river; and an iron bridge at Fairbank, andOtteiville; and
every stream in the county is substantially bridged at each highway
crossing.
The population of the county in 1846, wns one hundred and forty-
nine; in 1848, two hundred and hfty; in 1850, five hundred and seven-
teen; in i860, seven thousand nine hundred and six; and in 1875,
seventeen thousand three hundred and fifteen.
The total valuation of all property in 1850, was forty-six thousand
nine hundred and fifty-eight dollars; and in 1875, four million eight
hundred and twenty-ninethousand nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars.
The total taxes levied in 1850, were three hundred and seventy dollars
and twenty cents; and m 1870, one hundred and twelve thousand four
hundred and sixty-four dollars.
I would be glad to have written with more particularity of the
settlement and growth of the several townships and villages in the
county; but it wns impracticable in the time and space allotted. I
would that I could have graced these annals, not alone with the names,
but with a personal sketch of all those pioneers whose brave hearts led
them to this wilderness of prairie, which their sturdy hands have
converted into a garden of cultivated fields, glowing with golden grain,
— whose industry, intelligence, and taste have changed the very face
of nature, so that this endless expanse of treeless plain which they found
spread before them like a sailless sea. is now green, not only with the
verdure of meadow and the waving corn, but with the groves that the
hands have planted around each dwelling of the thousands which
every where adorn the lovelv landscape. I would I might have space to
write of the Menills, the Morgans. McKinneys, Beckleys, N'eidys, Wil-
sons, and Logans, whose dwellings were among the first along Pine
creek, and between here and Quasqueton; of Davis, Hadens, Thomp-
sons, Cummings and Parker, and Hastings and Mowrer, who wrought
so faithfully to build up the thriving village which marks the spot where
stood the cabin of the first settler in the county; of Foreman, and Glass,
and Hoover, and Holland and Carson and Cooper, who thirty years ago,
and more, settled where they or their children now reside, in the
township called Newton; of Everett, and Patterson, and Myers,
and Conable, and Wright, who created the village of Fairbanks,
and Clark, whose name leads all the rest in B'airbanks township;
and Melrose, whose name and speech reminds us of the ancient Abby
■ in "Old Scotland," where he was born, whose little dwelling of one
room above and one below, used, a quarter of a century ago, to accom-
modate twenty weary tiavellers and more, of a night, as I can testify;
and had it been as large as his heart, creation could not crowd it;
of Little, whose memory is perpetuated in Littleton village, and not
less worthily in the sons and daughters who have succeeded him. Of
the Greeleys, and Kints, and Bounce, and Phillips, and Barr, and Ross,
and Mintons, and Curtises, whose hearts and hands, and cabin doors,
were never locked; of Smyser and of Sparling, and of Isaac Sufficool
and his good wife, just gone together to a better land to receive their
records for the glorious virtues which their lives so nobly illustrated;
of Richardson, the sturdy representative of the pines of Maine, and
of Richmond, the compeer of Sevmour and Ross and Ward in the
early settlement of Madison ; of Elliott, whose shanty was the first
in the prairie sea in the north of Fremont ; of Leatherman and Rise-
ley, who were first to brave the mid-ocean of Middlefield ; of the
Greys, William and Henry, the hardy borderers the smoke from whose
cabins first floated over the timber of Spring creek in Jefferson;
of Day and Beach, whose dwellings first relieved the loneliness of
the road to Brandon; and of the Notions, who for twenty-three years
have tilled the soil of Sumner, Homer and Liberty townships ; of the
Boones, noble representatives of the family from which they sprung,
so famous in the early annals of Kentucky ; of Sherwood, as true and
trusty and indomitable as the granite of his native State ; of S. S.
Allen, and Olders, and Whaits, and P. C. Wilcox, and the Clarkes;
of S. S.|McClure, whose opulence in intelligence and wit and gener-
osity and frankness made every man his friend, yet whose poverty in
that worldly wisdom which acquires and retains wealth leaves him, in
middle age, a homeless wanderer from the city which he founded in his
youth, and fostered faithfully and fondly in his young and vigorous
manhood; and of many others, whose skill and labor and energy de-
serve a better monument than this, but it may not be.
The personal history of some of these early settlers would fill a vol-
ume, and read like a romance. Rufus B. Clark, who first settled at
Independence, was the first white child born in what is now the city of
Cleveland, Ohio. He wandered to the mines of Wisconsin: then here;
then northwest toward the head waters of the Cedar; thence farther
northwest into the wilds of Minnesota; thence across the continent to
the west of the Sierra Nevadas, and at last lies sleeping in death on
Whitby's island, in far-off Puget sound.
John Obenchain, bred among the mountains of Tennessee, imbibed
the wildness of his native surroundings; here in 1847; then across the
plains to California in 1850; back again in 1853 to find neighbors too
many and near to be endured; again to California; and now away in
the wilds of Oregon, with his cattle and savage bear dogs, his hair
long and white: a patriarch as rough and rugged and intractable, and
honest and sincere, as the mountains which surround him, and with
their friendly frown scare back intruders.
But mto this enticing field I must not enter. .A single glance dem-
onst."ates its extent and its romantic interest, and must suffice. The
brief outlines which I have sketched of the settlement, growth and
present condition of the county, is all that is possible, and will enable
us to note the progress we have made; and it may be the historian of
the day when the children of our children's children shall meet to com-
memorate the falling of another century from " His hand whence cen-
turies fall like grains of sand," may, in these annals, find material for
one page of his.
CHAPTER IV.
SETTLEMENT AND POPULATION.
There are those who profess to beheve that the coni-
monlv received chronology of the Bible, which represents
the entire human race to have sprung from a single pair,
created about six thousand years ago, cannot be true;
because, as they allege, there has not been time enough
according to that chronology, for the race to have
multiplied to its present e.xtent; nor to have accomplished
what their present condition, and the records and monu-
ments of the past, prove that they have, in fulfillment of
the command to "replenish the earth and subdue it." But
let any man, of ordinary observation and reflection, pass
through Buchanan county and witness its present condition
— its thousands of cultivated farms and commodious
farm-houses, many of them already, wearing the look of
age and surrounded by the large trees that were planted
for their protection — let him drive over its well-built
roads and across its many streams, everywhere substan-
tially bridged — let him note the school-houses that dot
its surface and the troops of children that gather there for
instruction — let him visit its score of villages, all vocal
with the sounds of industry; and especially its capital,
now a thriving city of nearly four thousand inhabitants —
let him observe its well-kept streets and side-walks; its
elegant public and private buildings, business houses,
churches and schools, which would do credit to any town
of its size in New York or New England — let him see all
this, and remember that it is less than forty years since
the first white settlers came to this county — that hundreds
of people are now living here who had passed their
majority before the first furrows had broken the virgin
soil af these prairies — and that many of these old settlers
assisted in laying the first foundations of the marvelous
civilization that everywhere meets his gaze — let him
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
49
remember all this, and, at the same time, recall the fact
that this astonishing change is only a sample of that which
has taken place, and is now taking place, throughout atl
our northwestern States and territories — a region greater
in extent than that of some of the most powerful empires
of the old world — and, while recalling this, let him not
forget that no country has been depleted to furnish
population for this vast region, and that a great majority
of the people now occupying it were born less than fifty
years ago — and he will be a willing skeptic indeed, if he
doubts that six thousand years are a period long enough,
not only to have produced from a single pair, all the race
of men that now exist; but long enough also to have
enabled them to produce all the wonderful works of
power and skill by which they have so far replenished
and subdued the earth.
History repeats itself; and the human race is doing
to-day, here in Buchanan county, and throughout the
west, only what it has been doing ever since the great
dispersion, four thousand years ago. Westward "the
star of empire" has ever taken its way, and when there
remains no more land "to be possessed" in this direction,
some new and startling crisis in the history of the world
will doubtless have been reached.
FIRST SETTLERS.
From Andreas' Historical Atlas, and from personal
information, we have gleaned the following facts concern-
ing the early settlements of this county:
The first white man that came here to reside, was
William Bennett, who had been a resident of Delaware
county, and had there also been the first white settler.
He brought his family here in February, 1842; having
built a small log cabin on the site of the present village
Quasquetown, at a point on the east side of the Wapsi-
pinicon, a short distance above the location of the flour-
ing mill recently destroyed by fire.
Bennett is believed to have been a native of New
England. He was a rough and restless character, and
remained in the county only about a year. Having con-
ceived a violent grudge against the adventurer Johnson,
whose arrival is recorded further on, he formed a con-
spiracy with five or six companions to waylay and lynch
him. They carried out their plot, whipping the man in
the most shameful manner. Fear of arrest compelled
them all to flee from the settlement on the very night of
the outrage, which was in the dead of winter, and fear-
fully cold. They set out for Coffin's grove, in Delaware
county, which they managed to reach — but all of them
except Bennett in a more or less frozen condition. Two
of the company died from the effects of their exposure;
but what became of Bennett and his family is not known.
About the same time with Bennett came S. G. and H. T.
Sanford and Ezra B. Allen. Early the same spring Dr.
Edward Brewer, now residing in Independence and the
oldest living settler in the county, came with Rufus B.
Clark and family, and settled about a mile and a half
from Quasqueton. William W. Hadden and Frederick
Kessler and family also came about the same time. A
man by the name of David Styles came with his family
during the summer of the same year, and opened a hotel
at the settlement.
Bennett was engaged in improving the water-power
and erecting a mill, and had several young men employed
who boarded with him. Their names were Jeffers, War-
ner, Day, Wall and Evens. At least one of these,
namely Warner, was an accomplice of Bennett's in the
lynching outrage, and had his feet badly frozen in the
flight to Coffin's Grove.
During the fliU of the same year there came, among
others, three young men — Henry B. Hatch, who made
his home with Kessler, and Daggett and Simmons, who
lived for a time with Mr. Clark. A few patches of land
were broken the first spring and cultivated for potatoes
and other garden vegetables, and perhaps a little corn ;
but no wheat was raised until the following year.
Some time during the fall or early winter of the first
year, a man by the name of Johnson settled at a point
about midway between Quasqueton and the present site
of Independence. He claimed to be the famous Cana-
dian patriot of that name, who had lived for years among
the islands of the St. Lawrence river. He was accom-
panied by a rather attractive young woman whom he
spoke of as his daughter Kate, the identical "Queen of
the Thousand Islands." Subsequent events, however,
proved that he was "an escaped criminal, and an adven-
turer of the worst sort." His stay was of short contin-
uance. The opening up of a new settlement always
attracts some disreputable adventurers; but it is greatly
to the credit of the first permanent settlers of Buchanan
county that they soon made it so uncomfortable for such
characters as to compel them to seek a more congenial
abode.
This chapter is designed to give one the commencement
of settlement. The settlements in the several townships,
and sketches of the first settlers, so far as materials for
them can be found, will be given in the several township
histories.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first store in the county was opened during the
first year, and in the first place of its settlement, by
"Old Dick" — that being all that is now remembered of
the name belonging to the first Buchanan merchant.
His stock was very "general;" one item being the best
brand obtainable of Old Bourbon whiskey.
The first sermon was preached in the Quasqueton
settlement, during its first summer, by a minister named
Clark. Let us hope that it proved something of an anti-
dote to Old Dick's influence.
The first mill was one built on the Wapsie — begun by
Bennett, in 1842, and finished by W. W. Haddon, 1843.
The first hotel was opened for the accommodation of
the first settlement, during its first year, 1842 — David
Styles being the proprietor, as stated above.
The first death in the new settlement was that of a boy,
seven or eight years old, who was a son of John Cordell,
and who died in 1843 or 1844.
The first post oflSce in the county was established at
Quasqueton, in the year 1845 ■ ^"d William Richards
was the first postmaster.
so
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
The first marriage was that of Dr. Edward Brewer
and Miss Mary Ann Hathaway, celebrated in March,
1846. The ceremony was performed by Joseph A.
Reynolds, then a justice of the peace, for Delaware
county.
The first white child born in the county was Charles
B. Kessler, son of Frederick Kessler. He was born
near Quasqueton, July 13, 1842; and his mother, now
Mrs. Heman Morse, still resides at Independence.
The first law office opened in the county, was that of
James Jamison, of Independence, recently deceased.
He commenced practice here in 1847 or 1848 — D. S.
Lee commencing about the same time.
The first school was taught by Dr. E. Brewer, in a
small log house in Independence, in the winter of 1848.
The building was afterwards used as a blacksmith shop.
The first Buchanan newspaper was the Independence
Civilian, a Democratic organ, the first number of which
was issued on the seventeenth of May, 1855, — B. F.
Parker and James Hilleary being the proprietors.
SOURCES OF POPUL.\TION.
The settlers immigating to Buchanan county, have
come mainly from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and
the New England States. There are, at present, a good
many persons of foreign birth in the count)', but they
did not come in very large numbers till after 1858. They
are mostly Germans and Irish ; but there are a few
Polanders and Scandinavians.
In the southeast corner of the county, in Newton
township, along Buffalo creek, there is quite a colony of
Irish. In Fairbank township, in the extreme northwest
corner of the county, there are a good many Irish and
Germans, and some Polanders. About one-tenth of the
present population is of foreign birth; but the foreign
element is fast becoming assimilated with the native, and
it would be difficult to find a more intelligent, enterpris-
ing, moral, and industrious class of people, than those
constituting the present population of Buchanan county.
The winters are too vigorous to be very attractive to
the colored people; but there are about half a dozen
families of that race now living in Independence, who
are honest, frugal, and industrious people, enjoying in a
good degree the confidence and respect of their neigh-
bors.
The Iowa census of 1875, taken by State authority,
gives Buchanan county seventeen thousand, three hun-
dred and fifteen inhabitants. The national census just
taken, gives it seventeen thousand, nine hundred and
seventy-two — an increase, in five years, of only si.\ hundred
and fifty-seven souls. If both these enumerations are
correct (and, of course, they must be accepted as such),
Buchanan has fallen considerably short of holding its
own, in the matter of population; for this five years' gain
is hardly more than the natural increase for one year.
This is to be accounted for by the recent opening up of
excellent farming lands in Dakota, and other western
territories. Not only have immigrants from the east
passed by or through our county, seeking homes further
west, but there has even been a considerable emi-
gration from the county for the same purpose.
Whether those who have left us have bettered their con-
dition, may well be doubted. But, however this may be,
the check thus given to our noble county, will doubtless
be only temporary. Only the very best lands west of the
Missouri can equal ours, and they will soon be occupied.
When this takes place, we shall not only keep the natural
increase of our own population, but emigration from the
still swarming hive of the east will again be directed to
our desirable, yet unoccupied, space; and the compara-
tively quiet, yet every way pleasant and prosperous times
of the present, will give place to the activity, enterprise,
and excitement that come with rapidly increasing popu-
lation.
CHAPTER V.
EARLY MAILS AND MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.
It was three years after the first settlements began to
be made in the county before a regular post office was
established within its limits. During this time the settlers
had their mail matter directed to the most convenient
post offices, and thence it was brought by private con-
veyance, as opportunity afforded. The settlers about
Quasqueton, and farther north, obtained their mails from
the nearest office in Delaware or Dubuque county. In
the early part of the first winter (1842-3) there came a
heavy snow storm followed by sleet, which left a crust
over the deep snow, sufficiently strong to bear up the
weight of a man, if not too heavy. During this time
Frederick Kessler was selected, on account of being
small and light, to bring the mail on foot, once a week,
from a settlement in Delaware county, called "The Col-
ony," near Ead's grove. As there was then no post office
in the county of Delaware, the mail must have been
brought to this place from Dubuque by private convey-
ance, and the matter directed to the Quasqueton settlers
was held for them till they could find some means of
sending for it. The most of the mail matter, as well be-
fore as after the establishment of post offices within the
county, came by way of Dubuque; but some of the set-
tlers south of Quasqueton, previous to the location of
the post office at that place, were accustomed to getting
their mail from Marion, in Linn county. We are in-
formed that the first post office in Delaware county was
established at Delhi, in the fall of 1843 : and that it "was
supplied with mail once a week by William Smith, of
Dubuque, who had the first mail contract through the
county, from Dubuque via Delhi to Quasqueton, in Bu-
chanan county, which he carried on horseback." But if
he carried the mail to Quasqueton from the commence-
ment of his contract, he must have made a private ar-
rangement with the settlers of that place, since the post
office was not established there till 1845. D. S. Davis
was principally influential in securing it, and William
Richards was the first postmaster.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
SI
It is probable that Davis was the second mail con-
tractor, and that Malcom McBane was the second post-
master, for, early in 1847, when A. H. Trask came into
the county from Wisconsin, he found them occupying
those positions; and he himself "sublet " the mail con
tract of Davis, in the fall of that year. The contract
bound him to carry the mail from Quasqueton to Du-
buque and back, once every week, on horseback or by
any other conveyance he might choose. The "round
rip" occupied four days, and he received, as compensa-
tion, three hundred and sixty-five dollars a year. He
had a partner by the name of Eli D. Phelps, a brick and
stone inason by trade, who came from Wisconsin about
the same time with Trask. They took turns in carrying
the mail between Dubuque and (Quasqueton ; and after a
short time took a contract (this also from Davis) for car-
rying it between Quasqueton and Marion.
There were, at this time, but four post offices between
Quasqueton and Dubuque, viz., Coffin's Grove, Delhi,
Rockville and a farm house near Epworth. When the
travelling permitted (which was the most of the time, al-
though there were then no bridges and no roads kept in
order by the public) they went by wagon or sleigh, and
carried sometimes a large amount of express matter, in
addition to the mail. But sometimes, when the roads
were bad and the streams too high to be forded by a
wagon, they were compelled to go on horseback, and of
course carried very little besides the mails. In the win-
ter the snow was sometimes very deep — Mr. Trask hav-
ing, on one occasion, broken a track the entire distance
from Quasqueton to Farley, when the snow was nearly
three feet deep on a level.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
Some time in March, 1848, about the breaking up of
a hard winter, which is said to have resembled that of
1880-81, Mr. Trask was returning from Dubuque in a
sleigh, with the mail and the customary amount of ex-
press packages. Henry Biddinger, of Quasqueton, a
harncssmaker who had been at Dubuque during the win-
ter, working at his trade, was returning home with him.
A thunder storm came up just as they reached the divid-
ing ridge between Elk creek and the Buffalo. It had
been thawing and raining a little, but the sleighing was
yet quite passable. As the road turned to go toward the
creek, there came a vivid flash of lightning, followed
instantly by a terrific clap of thunder. The bolt must
have struck in the immediate vicinity, as both of the
men were stunned and momentarily prostrated. Mr.
Trask fell out of the sleigh, dropping the lines; and Mr.
Biddinger fell over backward, but remained in the sleigh.
The horses were frightened, and ran as if they thought
the lightning was after them. Both men, however, re-
covered in a moment. Mr. Biddinger first gathered up
himself, then gathered up the lines, and succeeded in
stopping the horses. He lost no time in turning them
about, and starting back to find the missing driver, seri-
ously apprehending that he should find him dead in the
road. He had proceeded but a rod or two, however,
before he saw him running toward the sleigli, as fast as
his legs could carry him. Almost doubting his senses,
Mr. Biddinger called out, as soon as the other came
within hearing distance, "Aren't you killed?" Mr.
Trask, though but partially recovered from his fright,
could not help laughing at the oddity of the question,
and replied: "You must, at least, admit that I'm pretty
lively for a dead man ! He then resumed his seat and
the lines, and proceeded toward Quasqueton, where they
both arrived without further mishap. This was thirty-
three years ago, the present month ; and both the men
are still residing in the neighborhood of their adventure,
and often take pleasure in relating to their friends the
incidents of their narrow escape.
After carrying the mail for nearly two years, Trask and
Phelps sold out to Thomas W. Close, who held the con-
tract only about a year, "carrying the mail and doing
the county shopping," when the business was resumed by
the original contractor, Davis, whose partiality for Quas-
queton led him to discontinue Independence as a part of
the regular route; and for some time the residents at the
latter place had to make private arrangements to get their
mails carried to Quasqueton and back.
The post office was established at Independence in
1848, S. P. Stoughton (the champion of that place, as
Davis was of Quasqueton) being the postmaster. After
holding, for a year, the place which brought more fame
than money, and not enough of either to boast of, he re-
signed, and Dr. Brewer was appointed in his stead. The
enterprising and public-spirited doctor assumed the
duties of mail carrier, as well as of postmaster, and some-
times, it is said, made the trip to Quasqueton on foot,
carrying the entire mail in his vest pocket. He paid the
first quarterage to the Government with a five-franc piece
—his own commissions amounting to forty-seven and a
half cents. He held the office for about six years, and
during no one of them did his income from commissions
amount to five dollars. After a time he put into the
office a few rows of letter boxes; and the rent of these
coming into his pocket, instead of the more capacious
pocket of the Government, increased his income a little.
The meagre income of the office is probably to be ac-
counted for, not so much by the small number of settlers,
as by their acknowledged lack of money. Their friends
at the east showed their generous appreciation of this
state of things by prepaying their postage; and the set-
tlers showed their equally feeling appreciation of it by
leaving theirs unpaid. Thus the letters, whether coming
or going, brought very little money into the office.
About 1850 the contest for postal supremacy, which
had been waged for some time and with some bitterness
between Quasqueton and Independence, was decided by
making the latter a point on the regular route west, which
was then extended to Cedar Falls, and placing the for-
mer on a side route southward.
A man by the name of Gould was the first mail con-
tractor on the route from Dubuque to Cedar Falls. Both
the roads and vehicles began to improve, though the for-
mer continued to be, at certain seasons of the year al-
most impassable. Mr. Trask, who, carried off by the gold
fever, went to California in 1850, found, on his return in
52
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
1854, regular stage coaches running east and west through
Independence, and southward from that point through
Quasqueton. The two railroads, passing through the
county east and west and north and south, have since
done away with the through lines of stage coaches; and
the improvement in the prairie roads, and the construc-
tion of substantial bridges over all the streams at every
crossing point, have made the short stage routes that re-
main comparatively safe and expeditious.
EARLY ROADS.
The private ownership of land is necessarily subject to
the convenience of the public, which demands that some
of it shall be given up for common highways. And one
of the first things claiming the attention of the authori-
ties, after a county is fully organized, is the laying out of
such highways, with due regard of course to private
rights, as well as public convenience. The State or Na-
tion often establishes roads through unsettled territory;
and these, when counties come to be organized, are
sometimes retained as originally laid out, but more fre-
quently, perhaps, are changed or given up altogether.
Two such roads were already in existence in Buchanan
county at the time of its organization. One of these
was established by the authority of the Territory of Wis-
consin, and extended in a southwesterly direction from
Fort Atkinson, its southern terminus being Marion, in
Linn county. Its course through the county was nearly
south, passing near the place where the village of Win-
throp now stands, and crossing the Wapsie at Quasque-
ton. It was called the "mission road," because, as w-e
are informed, it passed through an early Indian mission
in Wisconsin, and was designed in part for its accommo-
dation. The other was a State road from Marion to the
north line of the State, crossing the river at Quasqueton,
but running some three or four miles west of the mis-
sion toad.
The state of things which existed before the lands
were enclosed and county roads established, is pictures-
quely set forth in Judge Roszell's historical address.
"The settlers," he says, "followed such routes as suited
their convenience, from house to house and from neigh-
borhood to neighborhood. Indian trails crossed the
prairie from stream to stream, leading to fording places;
and well worn paths led up and down the river, touching
surely every bubbling spring. Such trails, which recent
settlers suppose to be merely cattle paths, can be pointed
out in many places, even to this day, by the pioneers.
Even after the county seat had been located, and the
town of Independence laid out, theoretically, into lots
and streets; there was nothing for sometime, as we learn
from the same address, to distinguish streets from lots;
even Main street was only a crooked wagon path through
the bushes. There was a wagon road cut through the
timber to the Hickox farm (now known as the Smyser
farm) and one, more crooked still, out upon the prairie
east, crossing the first little creek near the Brewer place,
and the next at the old Sufiicool place. From there it
followed the edge of the timber to Quasqueton, about
where the travelled road now runs. There was also a
track north, by the Obenchain farm and thence across
the prairie toward Thomas Barr's, and up Otter creek,
but so faint as to be scarcely discernible. There was
neither road nor track up the river, except an Indian
trail ; and not even that across the prairie to the west,
nor to the east beyond the timber, nor out toward Bran-
don or Buffalo Grove. To venture two miles west on
the prairie, was about as dangerous as to venture to sea,
out of sight of land, without a compass. The mail was
carried once a week to Cedar Falls, on an Indian pony.
But there were no marks of any kind to guide the car-
rier; and if, by careful observation, he kept within a mile
of the direct course, it was quite a feat of prairie craft.
The mail came once a week from Dubuque to Indepen-
dence, via Quasqueton, in a one-horse wagon; but there
was not a bridge in the county, nor across any stream
between Independence and Dubuque, nor any regular
ferry. If streams were too deep to be forded, they must
be crossed in canoes, or by swiramir>g, or upon rafts.
Such were the means and methods of intercommunica-
tion between the different parts of the county, as late as
1849.
Several county roads, however, had been regularly
surveyed and established, and travel in their several di-
rections was becoming chiefly confined to them. At
their very first meeting, October i, 1847, the ceunty
commissioners had received and granted three petitions
for the establishment of as many different roads within
the county. The first was for a road from Independence
east to the county line, in the direction of Cofiin's Grove.
Rufus B. Clark, James Collier, and John Boon were ap-
pointed viewers of the saine, to meet on the first Mon-
day in November. The second was for a road from In-
dependence to intersect the State road from Marion to
Fort Atkinson — John Obenchain, Edward Brewer, and
Elijah Beardsley being appointed viewers, to meet on
the date last mentioned. And the third was for a road
from Quasqueton to Independence, on the west side of
the Wapsipinicon river — the viewers, Rufus B. Clark,
Levi Billings, and John Cordell, being also directed to
meet on the first Monday in November.
At the same meeting it was "ordered to employ a sur-
veyor to do the surveying on the above roads, and to lay
off" a town at the county seat." And at their next meet-
ing, November 3, F. J. Rigand was appointed county
surveyor.
The next petition for a road was presented and
granted at a meeting of the commissioners, April 10,
1848, the route being from Quasqueton to Otter Creek
settlement. The viewers appointed were James Collier,
B. D. Springer, and John Obenchain, who were ordered
to meet at Quasqueton, on Monday, May i, 1848.
From that time down to the present, the laying out of
new roads has occupied much of the time of the county
commissioners, and, after them, of the supervisors; so
that now, roads have been established on a large majori-
ty of the section lines — besides a great many that do not
follow those lines. Some of these are kept in very good
condition the year round. Others, in the rainy seasons,
and at the breaking up of winters, are still well-nigh im-
passable.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOW.\.
53
The happy era of good roads has not yet dawned up-
on the county— an era which abundant gravelbeds and
outcropping ledges of friable limestone arc waiting im-
patiently to usher in. Let us hope that it will not much
longer be delayed.
CHAPTER VI.
EARLY COMMERCE.
The beginnings of commerce in a rural district, newly
settled, are usually marked by much rudeness and sim-
plicity. The pioneer merchant has not the capital or
the credit which would enable him to import a large,
diversified, and elegant stock of goods ; and his custom-
ers are too few and poor to purchase them, if he had.
Groceries, embracing only the commonest necessaries of
life (among which pioneers too often reckon a supply of
whiskey) take the lead; and dry goods, drugs, and hard-
ware follow as settlements increase — for money begins to
come in with the later settlers. There cannot be exten-
sive imports without exports to counterbalance them;
and for the first few years, pioneers have little or nothing
to export.
The beginnings of commercial enterprise in Buchanan
county were no exception to the general rule. At first
there was no attempt to separate, as now, the different
classes of commodities; since no one class could com-
mand sufiicient custom to support a separate dealer. It
was, therefore, not unusual to find even hardware and
drugs associated with the inseparable "dry goods and
groceries." The earliest dealers purchased their supplies
in Dubuque. Later, trips were made to Chicago and
New York for the purpose of making purchases. Some
bought their goods in St. Louis, from which place they
came to Dubuque by the river. From Dubuque they
were hauled to this county in wagons. The merchants
themselves often kept one or more teams, which were
constantly employed in hauling their own goods. The
independent teamsters, however, constituted quite a
large class of laboring men.
The round trip from Quasqueton or Independence to
Dubuque and back consumed an entire week. Most of
the vehicles were covered two-horse wagons; though in
bad weather, four horses were often attached to one wagon.
The teamsters always went in companies, not only for
the sake of mutual assistance in case of necessity, but
because there were so many of them that they could not
well go otherwise. When it is borne in mind that before
the railroad was built the population of Buchanan county
had reached seven or eight thousand, that Delaware and
Dubuque counties, between here and the city were still
more populous, that several other counties west of here
were rapidly filling up, and that the supplies for all these
people — largely the lumber for their dwellings, and their
household goods and furniture, as well as their groceries
and dry goods, were hauled over the same wagon route;
when all this is borne in mind, it will not be difficult to
fancy the number of men and teams and wagons that
must have been employed in this extensive carrying
trade. And no one will regard as extravagant the com-
mon statement that the lines of canvass-covered vehicles
often looked like the supply trains of an army.
For a long time most of the wagons went to Dubuque
empty, since there were no manufactures to ship to the
east, and the surplus products of the farms were either
consumed here or shipped to the settlers further west.
For a few years, however, before the railroad was built,
flour from the mill at Independence (and perhaps also
from the one in Quasqueton) and corn, wheat and pork
from the farms began to be sent to Dubuque in wagons,
but never in large quantities.
The usual price for freight was one dollar per hundred
weight. This, of itself, made the cost of heavy com-
modities very high. The freight on a barrel of salt was
three dollars; and the price of the article (including
freight) six or seven dollars. The best salt, as at present,
(and in fact, almost the entire supply) was brought from
Syracuse, New York — one of the principal salt centres
of the world.
Financial matters were managed quite differently then
from what they now ars. There being no banks to fur-
nish exchange, large sums of money were sent east
whenever goods were to be paid for. Dealers, paying
for their supplies in Dubuque, would often send money
by teamsters. And when they went to New York or
other eastern cities to make purchases, large sums were
taken with them — not to pay for the goods then pur-
chased, but to settle former accounts. For goods were
purchased upon four or six months' credit, instead of
thirty days, as at present.
The first bank (not of issue, but only for deposit and
exchange) was established in the old Brewer block on
Main street by Beemis, Brewer & Roszell, about 1856.
From that time remittances began to be made by mail;
and merchants going east, began to take with them drafts
instead of cash, or else leave their money on deposit,
subject to check.
THE PERSONNEL OF BUCHANAN'S EARLY COMMERCE.
If men need not be ashamed to own, according to the
teachings of Darwin and company, that they have been
developed from the monkey, the present dignified race of
Buchanan merchants need not blush to be informed that
they have been developed, so to speak, from " Bill Dick,"
sometimes called William Richards for long, who opened
the first store ever seen in the county, at Quasqueton, in
1843. His stock was not extensive, nor was his supply of
the minor necessaries of life always abundant; but his barrel
of whiskey, like the better barrel of the widow of Zare-
phath, "failed not."
We need not regret that this peculiar variety of the
genus merchant did not perpetuate itself. Unfortunately
the barrel of whiskey still lasts, and seeks to maintain a
respectable alliance with drugs; but it was, years ago, cast
ofT as an unfit associate for dry goods, groceries or hard-
ware.
54
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
D. S. Davis and S. V. Thoinpson were the first regular
merchants in the county, commencing their successful
career at Quasqueton about 1845 — a couple of years be-
fore the first beginnings at Independence.
The first merchant at the county-seat was Charles
Cummings, who had his store in a log building near the
lower end of main, just east of Chatham street. Wil-
liam Brazleton came next, in a store on the corner where
the First National bank now is. He put up the first
building on the corner south of the bank, and there kept
the first hotel of Independence, which was afterwards
changed to the Montour House.
Among those who may properly be called pioneer mer-
chants, the only ones (except R. R. Plane, to be mentioned
further on) who are still engaged in mercantile business
are the two brothers, A. H. and Orville Fonda, the former
of whom has a news stand and variety store in the Hage-
man building (Bulletin block), and the latter a dry goods
and grocery store at the corner of Main and River streets,
west of the bridge. Orville Fonda came from Janesville,
Wisconsin, in 1853. He was for sometime engaged in
the preparation of the buhr stones for the flouring mill,
then in process of erection. A. H., the elder brother,
came from the Stale of New York in 1854, and opened a
store in a wooden building, on the same corner where the
stone store of O. Fonda now stands. About 1856 the
two brothers went into business together, at the same
place. F'or some six years they were associated under
the firm name of A. H, Fonda & Co.
In i860 the old wooden building was moved east to
the bank of the river, where Mr. Clark's building now is,
and the present stone building was erected in its place.
After this Orville was out of the business for some years;
but, in i860, he bought out his brother, and has been
doing business there by himself ever since.
Among the merchants who were in business in Inde-
pendence when the Fonda brothers commenced, was
James Forrester, who, in the spring of 1852, opened a
general store (groceries, dry goods, hardware and drugs)
in the place where the "wigwam" now stands. He still
lives near the city limits, on Main street, east, where he
has a fine farm and attractive residence.
E. B. and P. A. Older also had a store at this time, on
Main, between Chatliam and Walnut streets. They, too,
are still living in town, but have retired from business.
R. R. Plane is the pioneer hardware merchant of the
county, coming to Independence from Belvidere, Illi-
nois, in 1854. He began in a small way on Main street,
where Davis' meat market now is. He was there about
ten years, then two years in the Wilcox block, then pur-
chased a lot in front of Chatham street, on which he
built a fine store. He was burnt out in 1874, and re-
built on the same lot the store he now occupies. His
business amounted to about eight thousand dollars the
first year, last year about forty thousand, and has reached
as high as seventy-five thousand dollars a year.
Mr. D. Smith, still living on the west side, commenced
the hardware trade about a year after Mr. Plane, but he
has been out of the business for several years.
The early commerce of the county embraces, besides
the mercantile interest, thus far mainly considered, the
milling interest and 'the shipping of grain and live stock.
The milling interest has from early times been largely
represented by a single name — that of Samuel Sherwood.
He came to the county in 1847, from Janesville, Wis-
consin, with Stoughton and his co-pioneers. He had
previously been engaged in the milling business, a mill-
wright by trade, having served his apprenticeship under
T. B. Hall, of Vermont. He came to Independence to
put up a saw-mill for Mr. Stoughton. The saw-mill was
built nearly upon the same ground where the present
flouring-mill stands. Two years later another was built,
a short distance lower down. These mills sawed a large
amount of lumber, all of which, of course, was used in
the immediate vicinity.
The first flouring-mill, the "old mill," as it is now
called, was built at Independence in 1854. The name
by which it was known in its own day and generation
was "The New Haven mills" — New Haven being the
name first given to that portion of the town west of the
river. Previous to this the people of Independence had
procured their flour mainly from Quasqueton, at which
place a custom mill had been in operation for several
years. The old mill, like the one at Quasqueton, did for
the most part a custom business, though it did at differ-
ent times ship considerable flour to the west, and occa-
sionally a little to Dubuque. The mill built in 1854 did
a fair business for about fifteen years, being owned dur-
ing all that time by Sanford Clark and Samuel Sherwood,
who then thought it advisable to pull down and build
larger. The present fine structure of stone and brick
was begun in the summer of 1868 and completed in two
years. It was built and has always been owned by a
stock company, the Hon. P. C. Wilcox, now deceased,
being at first the principal stockholder. A few years ago
the mill at Quasqueton (unfortunately burned last fall)
was purchased by the Independence company, and the
entire stock was increased to one hundred and twenty
thousand dollars. Of this, Mr. Sherwood is now the
largest owner. The property has always been lucrative,
realizing in one of its best years a net profit of eleven
per cent, to the stockholders. During the existence of
the old mill the supply of wheat was obtained entirely
from this county. But since the failure of wheat here,
their supplies have been obtained principally from Min-
nesota, but largely also from Dakota, from which terri-
tory the best wheat is now obtained. Their best market
is Chicago, the next St. Louis, and after that New Orleans.
Thomas Scarcliff is probably the oldest representative
of the grain trade in the county. He came through
this part of the country, on a prospecting tour, in 1851.
At that time he entered two hundred and forty acres in
Washington township; one hundred and sixty acres adjoin-
ing the original town plat of Independence, on the north,
and now called Scarclifls's second addition; the other
eighty acres one half mile east. He came from England
in 1847, spending two years in the State of New York,
thence two years in Janesville, Wisconsin, from which
place he joi.ied the caravan of immigration to Buchanan
county.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
5S
Having returned to Janesville, after locating his land
he came again in the spring of 1852; but there was so
much sickness (chiefly fever and ague) that he remained
only ten days. The next year he came and spent the
entire summer, but he did not locate himself here
permanently till 1854.
In 1856 he began grain buying in a small way — his
first operation being the purchase of five hundred bushels
of oats in Linn county, which he sold here at a price
ranging from ninety cents to a dollar a bushel. The
very next year the price dropped down to about ten
cents a bushel. During that year he made a nice little
speculation on two hundred bushels of oats, purchased
here at twelve cents a bushel; shipped by wagon to
Earlville, then the terminus of the railroad; thence taken
to Dubuque by rail, and thence by river to St. Louis,
where they were sold at seventy-five cents a bushel
Two years later (1859) when the rails were extended to
this place, he had two thousand bushels of wheat, and
as many of oats, ready for shipment by the first freight
train east.
The wheat crop began to fail about seven years ago —
and for the past five, very little has been sowed. Yet,
from the increased production of other kinds of grain
(chiefly corn, oats and flax seed) the grain trade is now
about as good as ever; while the profits of agriculture, as
a whole, from the more diversified pursuits upon which
farmers have entered (especially in the raising of cattle,
horses and hogs, and the manufacture of butter) have
become greater than ever before. Mr. Scarcliff now
ships about two thousand car-loads of corn per year;
whereas, during the wheat years, corn was hardly taken
into the account. He estimates the amount of corn now-
znnually shipped from this place, at a hundred thousand
bushels, that of oats two hundred. Flax seed began to
be raised, on a large scale, about three years ago. The
quantity shipped from here in 1879 is estimated at
forty thousand bushels — in 1880, at one hundred thou-
sand.
Mr. Scarcliff owns two warehouses, just east of the Illi-
nois Central Railroad station— both of them taken down
and brought h€re from the east, on the completion of the
railroad to this point — one from Dyersville, and the other
from Earlville. He thinks that, on the whole, these
warehouses, though involving much greater amount of
hand labor, have been more profitable, during the transi-
tion through which the grain trade has passed, than an
elevator '-'with all the modern improvements;" since they,
easily adapting themselves to the fluctuations of the trade,
have been kept constantly open and doing business;
while the elevators, owing to the heavy expense involved
in running them, have had to be shut up a good deal of
the time. Encouraged, however, by the revival of
business, he has recently purchased the elevator just west
of the depot.
William P. Brown, entered into the grain trade here
about the same time with Mr. Scarcliff; and, like him,
has been a very successful dealer. He owns a fine ele-
vator next east of Mr. Scarcliff's warehouses.
The pioneer dealer in live stock, in this county is
E. Cobb, who came to Independence in 1853, from Illinois
The first business he engaged in, after coming here, was
hotel-keeping in the house which he built and still occu-
pies, on Main street, west side, opposite the present public
school building. He continued in that business about
six years. Before quitting it, however, (that is to say, in
the year 1857,) he embarked in the business of buying,
feeding and selling cattle and hogs. His farm, which is
now mostly in grass for pasturage and meadow, consists
of nearly three hundred acres, adjoining the town on
the west. His cattle barn is a comfortable and commo-
dious building, forty-two feet wide by two hundred in
length. At first he dealt about equally in hogs and cat-
tle, but since about 1870 he has dealt in cattle mostly.
He shipped the first car-load of cattle that was taken
from here over the Illinois Central road, in 1859; and
also over the Burlington road, in 1873. He transported
no live hogs before the railroad was built, but many
large droves of cattle were driven east previous to that
time, sometimes being taken across the river on the ice,
and sometimes by ferry boat.
He has an effective and ingenious method of enrich-
ing his meadows and cultivating the grass, by a process
called "brushing," by which their productiveness is con-
tinued year after year without re-seeding. One of his
largest meadows has been constantly in grass for twenty-
six years.
J. D. Myers, now living in Nebraska, was connected
with Mr. Cobb in business for six or seven years, from
about the year r86o.
William A. Jones is also a pioneer in the live stock trade
in this county, commencing in that business about two
years later than Mr. Cobb — that is to say, in the year 1859
— on the completion of the Dubuque & Sioux City rail-
road. Like Mr. Cobb, he had been in the hotel business;
not, however, in this county, but Fayette. He came to
Independence from the State of New York in 1855; was
engaged for a few years in general merchandise, including
lumber; then opened a hotel in Fayette, which he con-
ducted for about two years more. Then he returned to
Independence and engaged in the live stock business,
which he has followed ever since. He was at first in
partnership with the late P. C. Wilcox, who, we are told,
"furnished the capital and shared the profits." These,
however, for the first transaction, were "a total loss to
the firm of about fifteen hundred dollars." But, on the
whole, the partnership proved successful; continuing
from 1859 to 1865, since which time Mr. Jones has
carried on the business alone.
His first shipment was of hogs, late in the fall of
1859, about a thousand in number, filling thirteen cars.
The weather turned suddenly cold about the time they
reached Dubuque, and, in forty-eight hours, the river
was frozen over with ice sufficiently thick to be safely
crossed with teams. Over this natural bridge the whole
herd of swine were driven, and, as it was very smooth
and slippery, it had to be sprinkled with sand to enable
the "porkers" to keep their perpendicular. At the close
of his partnership -with Mr. Wilco.x, Mr. Jones had real-
ized sufficient money to pay off, dollar for dollar, some
56
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
heavy debts incurred by previous losses, and to begin
business on his own account "with just one hundred
and fifty dollars in money."
He has dealt chiefly in hogs, but sometimes quite
largely also in cattle. He commenced shipping the lat-
ter in i860, the number that year being only two hun-
dred. The largest number since, in any one year, was
about five thousand. The largest number of hogs
shipped in one year was thirty thousand, in 1877. For
the first twelve years his average business was about sev-
enty-five thousand dollars annually; since then, about
two hundred thousand a year.
A more full biographical sketch of Mr. Jones (as of
some others mentioned in this chapter) will be given
elsewhere, those facts only being given here which serve
to illustrate the history of the early commerce of the
county.
CHAPTER VII.
HUNTING, TRAPPING AND FISHING.
Buchanan county constitutes a part of the great game
region lying between the Mississippi and the Missouri
rivers, whose plentiful supply of game, and I'ur animals,
and fish, won for it, in early times, the sobriquet of "The
Paradise of Hunters." Portions of this region may still
claim the old title as their chief glory; but Buchanan,
perhaps not without some regret, has given it up — for a
better.
THE GAME QUADRUPEDS,
(that is, the quadrupeds hunted for their flesh as well as
for their skins) that were found here at the first advent
of white men, were the elk, buffalo, bear, dear, rabbit,
and squirrel. Of these all have disappeared, except the
two last named, which, on account of their small size and
their habits of self-concealment, will doubtless resist suc-
cessfully all exterminating causes. The buffaloes had
already become somewhat "few and far between" when
the county was first settled, and the same is true of elks.
They were, however, quite plenty no further away than
Blackhawk county and throughout the northwestern por-
tion of the State. It is reckoned only about fifteen
years since the buftalo disappeared entirely from Iowa,
and the elk followed but a little later.
Asa Blood, jr., shot a fine elk on what are now the
cemetery grounds in Independence, on the second of
October, 1848. Mr. Blood was the only male adult left
in the settlement, all the others having gone off on an
elk hunt, which he was prevented from joining by an
attack of fever and ague. It would almost seem as if
the animal referred to, out of poor compassion for the
young hunter's privation, had come of its own accord to
give him a chance for a little sport, in spite of "Old
Shaky's" interdict. Be this as it may, when he heard
that the animal had been seen in the neighborhood he
shook off the shakes, seized his gun and went out in
pursuit. He had not been gone many minutes before he
came across his game in the locality just mentioned, and
succeeded in bringing it down. It was a doe, and
weighed, when dressed, six hundred pounds. By the
help of the boys who discovered it he managed to get it
up to the village and distribute it among the few families
which then constituted the population. The flesh of the
elk is said to be a very savory meat, resembling the best
two-year old beef
It was during the same fall that Asa Blood, sr., pur-
chased of the Quasqueton hunter, Rufus B. Clark, a herd
consisting of seven buffalos and seven elks, for about five
hundred dollars. Clark had captured them when calves
two or three years before, some twenty or thirty miles
west from here. His mode of operating was to go out
in the early part of the season, when the calves were
young, and on finding a herd, whether buffalos or elks,
to follow them till the calves got tired and lagged behind,
and then capture them with a lasso. He would take cows
with him on which the calves were suckled till they were
old enough to feed upon grass. After a few days they
would follow the cows wherever they went, and so he
would bring his captives home, where they soon became
as tame as their foster mother. Mr. Blood drove his
herd to Milwaukee and there put them upon exhibition.
To drive them across the country it was necessary to
lead in advance a couple of the cows with which they
were familiar. While in Milwaukee they were fed upon
malt from a still-house. This, although tolerably nutricious
food, contained more or less alcohol which intoxicated
them if they were isermitted to eat too much of it. One
of the Buffalo cows leaped upon a platform on which
were standing several open barrels full of this food, and
ate so much that she became furious, broke through the
fence into the pen in which the elks were confined, and
actually killed three of them before she could be got
away. From Milwaukee they were taken to Racine and
there exhibited four weeks. The avails of these exhibi-
tions fully defrayed all expenses, and the animals were
subsequently sold for one thousand one hundred dollars
to a Mr. Officer who took them east. Arriving in Chi-
cago at the time of some great political gathering, he
slaughtered one of the buffalo cows, which was very fat,
and gave a public dinner at which buffalo meat fried,
stewed and roasted was one of the principal attractions.
It is said that the sale of tickets to this entertainment
amounted to more than enough to replace the eleven
hundred dollars paid for the herd.
Deer were at first so numerous and so bold that they
would occasionally come into the settlement. Asa
Blood, jr., killed one on the spot where the Independ-
ence flouring-raill now stands. The animal had just
swam across the liver and landed near a saw-mill which
was then standing close by the site of the present mill.
He used to kill from ten to twenty-five every year, with-
out going out of the county. After a while, however,
they began to grow scarce and hunters had to go further
north and west to find them.
It is about ten years since deer disappeared entirely
from the county. Asa Blood, jr., and his brother, Amos
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
57
R., killed the last that were seen in this region in De-
cember, 187 1. There were three of them — two does
and a fawn, first seen in Ezra Wilson's fields, about two
miles southeast from Independence. The brothers
heard that they were there and went out after them
with rifles, but taking no dogs with them. Coming in
sight of them the two hunters, choosing each an animal,
fired, bringing down the two old ones; but the fawn es-
caped for that day. They returned the next day and
followed the track of the fawn — finally overtaking and
killing it on the premises of Ephraim Miller, about two
miles from the place where the others were taken. These
animals, it is believed, were the remnants of the native
deer of the county, and the last that have been killed
within its limits — unless one or two stragglers may have
been taken since, just across the northern line.
Bears were never numerous in this county. A forest-
covered land is the favorite habitat of bruin; and, when
found in a prairie region at all, he confines himself to
the larger bodies of timber. The flesh of the bear has
always been considered a great luxury by old hunters.
Dr. Brewer says that he knew personally of the killing
of but one bear after he came into the county; and that
was killed in 1843 or 1844 by his fellow-pioneer, Rufus
B. Clark, in the woods of the Wapsie, in Newton town-
ship, just below Quasqueton. Of course his old friend
sent him a nice portion of the steak. His father hap-
pened to be with him at this time, on a visit from the
east. As the father Iiad never tasted bear's meat, the
son contrived to have it brought upon the table without
his being aware of what kind of meat it was, that he
might see if he would notice any pecuharity in its flavor.
The meat was, therefore, brought upon the table and
served without comment. The old gentleman partook
of it heartily and with evident relish ; and, when he had
finished the first piece, inquired: "Is this the kind of
pork you raise here? It is the finest I ever tasted."
And when they told him it was bear's meat, he replied,
smacking his lips: "Very well; give us another slicei"
THE GAME BIRDS
found here by the first white settlers, were the wild tur-
key, prairie chicken, partridge or pheasant, quail, wood-
cock, snipe, wild goose, brant, swan, white crane, pelican,
sandhill crane, and ducks of several species. Of these,
the last seven are water fowl, and birds of passage. They
fly north in the spring and south in the fall, usually be-
yond gunshot range; at which seasons their cries (espec-
ially those of the goose and swan) have a peculiar, weird
effect, more particularly when heard in the night.
The pelicans probably never had their nesting grounds
here, and are now never known to light. Still they pass
over, more or less, every season, and sometimes fly so
low as to be reached by bird shot. An acquaintance of
ours in Marshall county, being out hunting with his bird
gun, in early spring a few years ago, fired at what he took
to be the leader of a flock of geese. To his great sur-
prise he brought him down, and to his still greater sur-
prise, he found on reaching the place where he fell, that
instead of a goose, he had actually killed a magnificent
white pelican, measuring full eight feet from tip to tip of
wings. Probably none of the other water fowl mentioned
now breed here, except some of the duck species; but
they all occasionally light in our waters for rest and food.
The wild turkey is getting scarce, and will probably
disappear in the course of a few years. The history of
this magnificent bird is very remarkable. It is well
known to be a native of this country. But so well
adapted is it to domestication, and such are the excellent
qualities of its flesh for food, that it has been introduced
into nearly all the civilized countries of the world; the
only game bird of America that has become cosmopoli-
tan. Its color has become variable by domestication
(the wild bird being black or very dark) but its size has
not increased, nor the quality of its flesh improved.
The mallard duck is the same as our principal tame
species, and can hardly be distinguished from it; but
the wild goose, though easily domesticated, is an entirely
different species from our common tame goose. And
when the two species cross, as they sometimes do, the
product, like the mule, is incapable of reproduction.
The quail, partridge, prairie chicken, snipe, and wood-
cock, are said to be more plentiful now than when the
county was first settled; but the prairie chicken is now
rapidly disappearing, both from a lack of safe hatching
grounds, and from the fearful slaughter to which it has
been subjected.
THE FUR ANIM.iLS
of this county, when the white settlers first came, were
the otter, beaver, mink, raccoon, muskrat, wolf, fox (rare
then but more frequent since) badger, occasionally a
fisher, lynx or wild cat, and (rarely) a |ianther.
Of these the only ones that remain, are the muskrat,
mink and wolf — with an occasional otter, wild cat, rac-
con and badger.
The otter is a short legged, long bodied animal — the
legs being about five inches, and the body about thirty
or forty in length, from tip to tip of nose and tail. It
lives on fish almost exclusively — which it must take alive
— pursuing its game by swimming under water; and out-
swimming (it is said) any fish that ever swam in the
Wapsie.
The otter is taken in a steel trap, that has to be made
for his especial accommodation. The jaws of the trap
mu.=t be low (about two and a half inches) on account of
the animal's short legs. The trap must be heavy, and
furnished with a stout spring, as the otter is as strong as
a bull-dog. Its fur is of the finest and most valuable —
eight dollars being the average price for otter skin.
An "otter slide" is a place where an otter habitually
brings its fish out of the water to eat them, and then
slides down into the water for more. It is generally on
a bank three feet high. Here the traps are set, buried
in sand, dried leaves and grass. To bring the animal
more certainly to the place where the trap is concealed,
it is frequently scented with the perfume of the skunk,
diluted with alcohol — an odor which seems to have an ir-
resistible attraction for the otter. The trap is fastened
by a long and strong chain to a small sapling, from six to
ten feet high, cut down and thrown into the water. Ash
58
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, lOAVA.
is preferred for this purpose, since it is easily split at the
but and then wedged, after the ring of the chain is
slipped over it.
When taken in the trap, the otter plunges at once into
the stream, dragging the trap after him. By the weight
of the trap and his entanglement in the chain, the
animal is very soon drowned. The sapling seldom gets
out of reach from the bank; and, by means of it, the
trap and its occupant are drawn safe to land.
The beaver is a much larger animal than the otter,
and • frequently weighs eighty or ninety pounds. Its
shape is almost precisely that of the muskrat. Its tail
is from ten inches to a foot in length, an inch in thick-
ness, and five or six inches wide— the appendage being
flattened horizontally. They live on the bark of the
willow, ash and aspen trees. They cut down these trees
when from four to six inches in diameter, trim off the
tender branches and drag them away to be stored up for
food in the pond, about which their homes are con-
structed, much in the manner of muskrats. The Bu-
chanan beavers made their ponds by damming the
small streams emptying into the VVapsie. Their dams
were constructed mainly from the branches of the
trees which they had cut down for food. These they
placed across the stream in a very scientific manner, mix-
ing in moss, leaves, mud, and even stones — some of the
latter weighing as much as twenty-five pounds.
The force of the adage, "Working like beavers," may
be appreciated by considering a fact vouched for by Mr.
Blood from personal knowledge. But a short distance
below Independence, near the mouth of a small stream
emptying into the river, stood a grove of young ash trees
averaging about six inches in diameter, and thickly cov-
ering about an acre of ground. All these trees were cut
down in about six weeks time, from the middle of August
to the end of September; and the most of the limbs
were cut off" and dragged into the beaver pond near by.
Mr. Blood's method of catching beavers was as follows:
He would cut holes in the dam to let out the water; and
about these holes he would plant his traps, prepared in
the same way as for otters. The beavers would come in
force to mend the dam, and some of them would be sure
to get caught.
The legs of the beaver are even shorter than those of
the otter. The trap, therefore, has to be made after the
same general fashion as that of the otter trap, though it
must be about twice as heavy, on account of the greater
weight and strength of the animal to be caught in it.
Although the beaver is caught principally for its fur,
which is much sought after and of great value, yet its
hind quarters (and especially the tail) are regarded by
epicures as a great luxury.
The mink, whose fur is highly prized, especially for
muffs and boas, burrows in the ground on the banks of
streams. Each individual has its own peculiar home, to
which it adheres with great tenacity. It lives on fish,
frogs and small birds; and sometimes, like the weasel (to
which it is nearly related) it is bold enough to invade hen
roosts.
In catching the mink a small trap, with only one spring
is ordinarily used. A place is cut in the mouth of its
hole (or burrow) and the trap is placed in it, covered with
leaves and grass. The mink is easily caught, as it has
no cunning to avoid the trap. Small as the animal is,
compared with the beaver or otter, its skin is very valua-
ble, having been sold as high as six dollars.
The fisher is an animal somewhat resembling the mink,
of similar habits, and taken in the same way. It is much
more rare, and its fur is quite as fine.
The muskrat sometimes burrows in the banks of
streams, having the entrance to its burrow beneath the
surface of the water, and coming up into the bank above
high water mark; and sometimes it builds conical houses,
composed of grass and weeds, in shallow ponds, the en-
trance, as in the case of a burrow, being below the sur-
face, and the house being built high enough to afford the
animal a dry nest above the water. It lives on roots, and
the trap in which it is taken is set near its burrow or
house, and baited with parsnip, of which it is very fond.
The animal is very prolific, and, like its troublesome
namesake, hard to exterminate. Its fur is common and
cheap, but profitable to the trapper on account of its
abundance. Mr. Blood has taken as many as three or
four hundred muskrats in this county in a single season;
while if he secured here, in the same time, ten otters, as
many beavers, and twenty or thirty minks, he thought he
was doing pretty well.
THE PREDATORY ANIMALS
which the county is at present seeking to exterminate by
offering a bounty for their destruction, are the wolf, the
wild-cat and the lynx. The State fixes the bounty at one
dollar, but permits the supervisors of any county to in-
crease it to five dollars. The Buchanan county supervis-
ors are at present paying three dollars for each scalp
("with the ears attached") of any one of the above named
species, provided sufficient proof is furnished that the
animal was killed in the county, and within a specified
time before presenting the scalp. The skins of these an-
imals are very valuable, especially those of the lynx,
whose fur is highly esteemed for muffs, etc. Wolf skins
are much sought after for sleigh robes and winter over-
coats.
It is doubted by some whether the lynx and the wild-
cat, as found here are really different species. Many
maintain that they are only different varieties of the same
species. However this may be, it is certain that the
names are frequently confounded.
At first there were found here three species of wolves;
the yellow, prairie wolf (much the smallest), the gray,
timber wolf, and the black (sometimes called the blue)
wolf The last two species were never numerous, and
have almost entirely disappeared. They were large and
powerful animals, and quite disposed to be friendly with
the settlers' dogs— sometimes coming among the houses to
play with them. The prairie wolves are much less
numerous than at the first; but, in spite of the bounty,
they have decreased but little, if any, during the past ten
years. In June, 1873, the supervisors paid the bounty
on thirty-five wolves; in January, 1879, on twenty-three;
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
59
and, in June, 1880, on forty-eight. During the whole of
the last mentioned year, they paid the bounty on sixty-
seven wolves, two wild cats and one lynx. In 1862
bounty was paid on eight lynxes; and, in 1863, on eight
wild-cats. These animals are sometimes killed with
poison; sometimes they are caught in traps, and some-
times (which is by far the most huntsman-like) they are
shot with rifles.
No bounty was ever offered here for the killing of bears,
foxes, or panthers. The first of these disappeared before
the county was organized. The second never became
sufficiently numerous to make their extermination a
matter of importance; and it is doubtful if an individual
of the third-named species was ever seen in the county,
after the advent of the first white settler. Mrs. Heman
Morse, who, as Mrs. Frederick Kessler, was one of the
earliest pioneers of the county, states that, soon after the
settlement was begun at Quasqueton, some of the men
who had lived among the mountains of Pennsylvania,
and had there often heard the scream of the panther
(said to be unmistakable by any one that has ever heard
it) declared that they had heard one at night, in the
timber near the Wapsie. This is the nearest we can
come to a panther story — but the animal was never seen.
The supervisors also attempted, for a number of years,
to exterminate those destructive little burrowers, the
"pocket gophers," by offering a bounty of ten cents each
for their scalps. It afforded a good deal of fun, as well
as profitable employment, to the boys, who sometimes
brought in as many as a hundred thousand scalps in a single
year. But a thousand dollars a year was quite a tax —
especially as there seemed to be no prospect of its dimin-
ishing. So the supervisors, concluding that the gophers,
like Sampson, were more destructive in their deaths than
in their lives, withdrew the bounty. We have never heard
that gopher skins were ever turned to any economic
account.
FISHING IN THE WAPSIE,
was most abundant at the time the settlers first came, and
continued good until dams were built, interrupting the
free passage of the fish.
The principal kinds of fish at first found here, together
with their usual weight, were as follows : Black-bass, from
two to eight pounds; pike, from two to eighteen pounds;
pickerel, from one to twenty-five; mullet (or red horse),
from one to ten pounds; suckers, two pounds; sunfish,
half a pound; rock-bass, from one-half to a pound; bull-
pout, from a half to a pound and a half; catfish, ten
pounds; striped-bass, from one to two pounds; muskal-
longe, from five to forty pounds. These are all found
here now (in reduced numbers) except the catfish and
muskallonge. One of the former was taken three or
four years ago; but it is ten or twelve years since the lat-
ter disappeared.
The usual method of taking all these kinds of fish, is
with a hook. The spear, however, is sometimes used;
and formally many were taken in nets. But as this
threatened extermination to the fish, it is now forbidden
by law. For taking the bass, pike, and pickerel, the
hook is usually baited with a minnow — or an artificial
minnow, or fly, or "spoon," may be used. These all
dart upon their prey, and seize it when in motion. The
sucker and mullet take their food from the bottom of
the stream. The hook therefore, is usually baited with
a worm and dropped down before them.
Some have regarded the catfish as a large bullpout,
and the muskallonge as a large pike. If this were really
so (and we are not scientific enough to say whether the
theory is correct or not), the fact would account for the
disappearance of those large fish — the only ones, in fact,
that have disappeared. From the constant capture of
the fish, it may be that those two species, the pike and
the bull-pout, do not get time enough to develop into
muskallonge and catfish.
Rufus B. Clarke, whose name appears so often in this
narrative, who was one of the pioneers of the county at
Quasqueton, and the first settler in Independence, was,
so far as we can learn, the only man in the county that
ever devoted himself so exclusively to the business of
fishing, hunting and trapping. He made a good deal of
money at these callings, but beyond supporting, in toler-
able comfort, his family consisting of himself, his wife,
and two children, he had little to show for it all. He
was a born pioneer, and felt like a fish out of water as
soon as the institutions of civilized life began to cluster
about his home. It would seem that he came naturally
by his love of frontier life; for as Judge Roszell informs
us, he "was the first white child born in what is now
the city of Cleveland, Ohio." The same writer graphi-
cally draws the following outline of his wanderings:
From Ohio "he wandered to the mines of Wisconsin;
then here ; then northwest toward the headwaters of the
Cedar; thence further northwest into the wilds of Min-
nesota; thence across the continent to the west of the
Sierra Nevadas, and at last lies sleeping in death on
Whitby's Island in far Puget Sound." While here his
reputation as a pioneer sportsman had become known
far and near — as may be seen from the following ac-
count of
A HUNTING, TRAPPING AND FISHING EXCURSION.
As Stated in the sketch of his life, which is given
elsewhere, Asa Blood, jr., first came to Iowa in the fall
of 1844, just after reaching his majority. He came from
Wisconsin, accompanied by a party of five other young
men, of similar tastes and about the same age, named
as follows; A. Brown, Charles Abbott, Leander Keyes
(afterward sheriff of Buchanan county), \Villiam Ham-
mond, and Titus Burgess, who subsequently became a
settler at Quasqueton. They had heard of the fame of
Rufus B. Clark, the great pioneer hunter of that place,
and came there to secure his services as guide and cap-
tain of the party. He consented to accompany them ;
and they set out, the latter part of October, the captain
on horseback and the rest of the party in a two-horse
wagon, carrj'ing their necessary utensils.
They proceeded as far as Clear lake, in Cerro Gordo
county, hunting, trapping and fishing along the streams
and lakes, and capturing, in about four weeks, nineteen
beavers, si.xteen otters, thirty or forty raccoons, and
plenty of other kinds of game for the sustenance of ihe
6o
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
parly. On their return, they struck the Cedar river in
Bremer county, near the place where the town of Wav-
erly now stands. Here the party divided. Clark
returned home with his horse; Blood and Keyes followed
with the wagon, and the rest of the party decided to
come down the river in canoes, which they had managed
to secure, and which they intended to abandon at the
point of the river nearest to Quasqueton. But soon
after this separation, the weather grew suddenly cold.
The ice became so thick in the river that our four roj-
agetirs were compelled to abandon their boats and take
to the Kind. Game di-wppeared, and, in addition to tlie
intense cold, they suffi.red all the pangs of hunger. For
two entire days their only food consisted of a few fresh-
water clams, which they succeeded in digging from the
edge of the stream. Luckily, no snow fell; and with
vigorous exercise by day and files and blankets at night,
they managed to keep themselves from serious freezing,
though their noses, lingers and ears were badly frost-
bitten. At length, after five days' heroic endurance,
they reached Sturgis' rapids (now Cedar Falls) in a hall"-
famished condition. As good fortune (or, rather. Provi-
dence) would have it, Mr. Sturgis had just slaughtered
a fine beef, and had left the quarters hanging from the
limbs of an oak tree near his house. The feelings of
the boys, on suddenly coming in sight of this plentiful
supply of meat, can better be imagined than described.
With a yell which made the frightened Sturgis think
that the Indians were coming, they rushed forward and
surrounded the prize with the most grotesque antics and
cries of grateful exultation. As soon as the proprietor,
having assured himself from a window that they were
not really savages, presented himself at the door, one of
them called out, with a tone of mingled supplication
and command: ''Cook us some of this, as soon as the
Almighty will let you!" This the hospitable man, see-
ing and comprehending their starving condition, was not
slow to do ; and the thankful boys were soon regaling
themselves right sumptuous!)'.
The next day, anxious to put an end to the painful
suspense of their friends, they set out for Quasqueton,
and were met at Pilot Grove, a little west of the Black-
hawk county line, by two men with a team sent out by
Clark for their rescue. The coldest night was that of the
twenty-fourth of November, and the one previous to the
arrival of Blood and Keyes at Quasqueton. They made
a fire and wrapped themselves in their blankets under the
wagon. By these means they managed to keep them-
selves from freezing, but got very little sleep. It was a
joyful meeting, we may well believe, when the friends all
got together again, safe and sound, at Quasqueton. In
a few days they started on their return to Wisconsin, and
all reached their homes without further mishap or ad-
venture.
Thus ended an exciting and meinorable excursion. It
was undertaken mainly from the love of adventure, but
proved to be quite remunerative in a financial point of
view, for the furs taken during the trip were disposed of
at Fort Atkinson for about three hundred and fifty dol-
lars.
IN AFTER YEARS,
Asa Blood, jr., and his brother, Amos R., together with
T. J. Marinus and Alexander Hathaway, all of Buchanan
county, constituted a sort of
OLD hunters' guild,
the members of which, for more than twenty years, never
failed on each recurring autumn to make a long trip to
gether, north or west, for the purpose of hunting and
fishing. Their last excursion of this sort was made in
1877, a little while before Mr. Blood removed to Colo-
rado to reside. They went north, and spent several
weeks roaming over the prairies, through the forests, and
about the lakes and streams of Minnesota. While out
they killed thirty-two deer, and took three thousand three
hundred pounds of fish. All this was sent by express
from St. Paul to Independence. It was stored in what
is now Asa Clark's grocery, and was disposed of at
wholesale and retail, realizing for the hunters about four
hundred dollais.
We will finish up our general chapter on Buchanan
game, with a brief section on
THE RETURN OF THE BEARS.
As an evidence that bar-barism is not easily uprooted,
and that savagery often lingers in the lap of progress and
enlightenment, may be mentioned the fact that in the
autuinn of 1859 several visits from members of the bruin
family were reported in different portions of northern Iowa.
Two were arrested and stopped short in their porcine
pursuit in Delaware county; one in Fayette; a fourth
was killed near Dyersville, Dubuque county, by a Mr.
Sinith; and the fifth, weighing over two hundred pounds,
met the fate which, sooner or later, is sure to overtake
all who set at defiance the principles which underlie the
institutions of civilized society, in Jones county, near
Anamosa. The historian regrets to be compelled to
acknowledge the truth of the assertion, if it should be
made, that no positive testimony exists that either of
these animals ever trod the soil of Buchanan county;
but, as no one will venture to claim that there is, on the
other hand, the least evidence to the contrary, and as
this county cannot well afford to lose the distinction en-
joyed by her sister neighbors, of having been favored in
this farewell visit from members of this classic race, so
long renowned in song and story, there seems to be the
utmost propriety in assuming that at least the last named
did pass through Buchanan on his way to Jones. The
reasons on which this probability is based may be briefly
stated thus: Bears are only one species of northern
barbarians. An incursion of Goths, Vandals, or bears,
from any other point of the compass would be an anomaly
in history, or in any other department of literature. The
bear is also remarkable for longevity, for a tenacity of
memory, and for a preference for night operations and
the additional protection afforded by a proximity to rocky
forests, not often ventuiing far from their sombre re-
cesses. In the vicinity of Anainosa, Jones county, which
lies to the southeast of Buchanan, and shares with it the
Wapsipinicon river, just such a region exists, and that,
too, in a continuation of a belt of woodland bordering
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
6i
the river, which takes its rise far to the north. This ro-
mantic and broken country was, no doubt, a favorite re-
sort if not the home of the ancestry and immediate fam-
ily of the individual in question. Here, probably,
clambering about these rocky defiles, his days of uncouth
gamboling had been spent; and when, in 1838 or 1840,
the presence of the hunters and trappers, and following
them the' pioneer settlers, had made his hitherto safe fast-
nesses no longer safe, instinct led the bear tribe to re-
treat, not in the direction of the flowing water, which
would have carried them into the very camp of their
enemies; but to return, ascending the streams to the
sources from which the water flowed, was their wisdom
and their safety.
Many moons had waxed and waned, and bears had
disappeared from the valleys and hills of Northern Iowa,
but in the autumn of 1859 they reappeared as far south
as the fourth tier of counties; and why? We cannot
answer for all; but, to the subject of this brief notice, it
is evident that this excursion southward was not for pur-
poses of marauding, or even foraging, else the suffolks of
the farmers of Fairbank would have proved too enticing,
and his progress south would have ended where it began,
so far as Buchanan is concerned, in the northwest corner
of the county. No; that hypothesis is not to be enter-
tained for a moment. This aged bruin was drawn irre-
sistably, as the Indian often is, to revisit the graves of his
ancestors. Entering the county by following the Wapsi-
pinicon, at its northwest boundary, and studiously avoid-
ing the abodes of men, and eschewing his fondness foi'
roasting pigs and "tame" honey, keeping within the
friendly shelter of the woodlands, and travelling at night,
he at last entered once more the enchanted wilds of rock
and river, which had visited him in dreams and compelled
him to undertake his last journey. How else should he
have been found in that spot? He did not come from
the south. To have reached the locality from either the
east or west, he must have crossed a long stretch of open,
thickly settled country. No; he was a Wapsipinicon
bear, and returned to end his life where it began.
We are encouraged to hope that none will feel called
upon to assail what they may choose to call the weak
points in this chain of evidence we adduce, as, after
patient research of early records, we have not been able
to discover any other ground for the claim, that Buchanan
county was not overlooked in this last incursion of the
northern barbarians.
Note. — " Since the above was in type." as ilie printers say, we have
learned that one of those northern marauders was intercepted and
killed in Jefferson township. The bear facts are stated in the history
of that township ; but Mr. James E. Jewel, who, though but a mere
boy at the time, joined in the chase and was " in at the death" of the
monster, has given us some additional particulars.
This bear was killed in October, 1859, about two miles east of Bran-
don, on the open prairie. About forty men and boys, all without guns,
joined in the pursuit. He was so fat and heavy that a man could
easily outrun him. But neither men nor dogs ventured near enough to
attack him. One dog, with an unusual reputation for ferocity w.as set
upon him; but, when at the distance of about ten feet, the huge planti-
grade rose in fierce majesty, standing si.t feet in height without stock-
ings, and showing his deadly teeth and claws. The canine, seeing that
death was brewing, and that bruin was death, gave one velp of mingled
fright and despair, turned and fled precipitately with his tail between
his legs.
However, the excited crowd managed to keep his beaiship in check
for about three hours, till Joe Allen, hurrying off to ]. Wilson's, bor-
rowed his rifle, and with it succeeded in despatching the dangerous in-
truder, though not until three balls had been fired into his huge carcass.
He weighed over three hundred pounds.
CHAPTER VIII.
ERECTION AND ORGANIZATION OF BUCHANAN COUNTY:
At ITS winter session of 1837-8, held at Burlington,
the legislature of Wisconsin Territory (which then em-
braced the territory now constituting the State of Iowa)
passed "an act to establish the boundary lines of the
counties of Dubuque, Clayton, Jackson, Benton, Linn,
Jones, Clinton, Johnson, Scott, Delaware, Buchanan,"
etc. The boundaries of Dubuque and Delaw.are having
been described in the first three or four sections of this
act, it proceeds as follows :
Section 5. That all the country lying west of the county of Dela-
ware and between the line dividing townships eighty-si.x and eighty-
seven, and the line dividmg townships ninety and ninety-one, north,
extended to the western boundary of the territory, shall be, and the
same is hereby constituted a separate county, to be called Buchanan.
Section 6. That the counties of Delaware and Buchanan shall,
for temporary purposes, be considered in all respects a part of the
county of Dubuque.
This act, which was approved December 21, 1837,
merely planted the seed of the new county. It gave it
"a local habitation and a name," but left its develop-
ment into a living organization to the operation of time
and its own internal, germinal forces. The subsequent
development of the county may seem to have been slow
to one who fails to realize the amount of embryotic growth
which it had to make. If it takes sixteen months for an
acorn to be developed from the blossom, and twice
that number of years for a blossoming oak to be de-
veloped from the acorn, it ought not to be regarded as
wonderful that it took Buchanan county ten years to
emerge fully from its embryotic condition. Especially
ought this fact excite no wonder, when it is remembered
that all the early development of Buchanan county had
to be made without any of that remarkable stimulus
which railroads have since given to the growth of new-
counties.
The act above cited fixed the eastern boundary of the
county as it now is, and designated the parallels along
which the northern and the southern boundary lines still
extend westward; but it extended those lines to the
western limits of the territory. That is to say, it consti-
tuted as the western boundary of the county, those
portions of the Big Sioux and the Missouri rivers included
within the two parallels mentioned. The county there-
fore embraced, theoretically, at that time, a strip of land
about two hundred and forty miles long and twenty-four
miles wide.
The act locating Blackhawk county, was passed by the
Iowa Territory legislature, about five years after this, viz.:
on the seventeenth of February, 1843 — the boundaries
63
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
beginning at the northwest corner of Buchanan county.
Between these two dates there must, of course, have
been an act designating the present western limits of the
last named county. When such an act was passed we
have not been able to ascertain.
As to the origin of the county's name we have also
made somewhat diligent inquiry, without being able to
obtain any satisfactory information. The prevailing
opinion is, however, that the name was given through
the influence of an ardent admirer of the Pennsylvania
statesman, James Buchanan, who afterwards became dis-
tinguished as the last Democratic President of the United
States.
The act of December, 1837, attached Buchanan and
Delaware to Dubuque, and that of February, 1843, at-
tached Blackhawk and Buchanan to Delaware, for elec-
tion, revenue and judicial purposes; and this latter ar-
rangement continued till 1847, when this county elected
its own officers, and assumed an independent jurisdiction.
The first election was held in August, 1S47, when
John Scott, Frederick Kessler, and B. D. Springer were
elected county commissioners, and Dr. Edward Brewer,
clerk — an office which the latter continued to hold for
twenty-three years. We have been informed by Dr. Brewer
(though we have found no record of the fact) that S. V.
Thompson was appointed by State authority, as organ-
izing sheriff", and that the election was called and man-
aged by him. Doubtless some of the preliminaries were
arranged by the authorities of Delaware county, under
whose jurisdiction Buchanan was at the time, and by
which the latter had been divided into two election pre-
cincts, one called Quasqueton and the other Centre
precinct.
The earliest record of the proceedings of the commis-
sioners' court of the county, shows that certain other
officers, besides those above named, were elected, or ap-
pointed, at or about the time of the first county election.
We transcribe the following entries:
September 4. 1847, John Scott (who was also one of the county com-
missioners) filed his bond and took the oath of office as justice of the
peace in and for the centre precinct of the county.
September 8th, Thomas S. Hubbard filed his bond in this office as
a justice of the peace in and for Quasqueton precinct, having taken
the oath of office before Esquire Holmes of the same precinct.
September 23d, Henry H. Baker fully qualified as constable, and
Thomas E. McKinney as a justice of the peace, in and for the centre
precinct of the county.
September 28th A. B. Hathaway took the oath of office for coroner
of the county.
On the fourth of October the commissioners held
their first meeting — their first official act being to divide
the county into "three commission districts" — that is (as
we suppose) districts from each one of which a county
commissioner was thereafter to be elected.
The first of these districts comprised the north half of
the county; or the eight congressional townships lying
north of the correction line. The second embraced the
four southeastern townships, with the exception of the
two tiers of sections lying on the west side of townships
eighty-seven and eighty-eight of range eight; and the
third comprised all the remaining portion of the county.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
January 3, 1848, the commissioners divided the county
into three civil townships, whose boundaries were made
identical with those of the three commissioner districts
already established. These townships, like the districts,
were first called simply from their numbers; and an elec-
tion for township officers was ordered to take place in
each of them, on the first Monday in the following
April. In township number one the election was to be
held "at the store in Independence;" Isaac Hathaway,
John Scott, and John Obenchain to be judges of elec-
tion. In township number two the election was to be held
"at the school-house in Quasqueton;" Benjamin Cong-
don, Levi Billings and Malcolm McBane to be judges.
In township number three the election was to be held
"at the house of Barney D. Springer;" and J. Monroe
Scott, Gamaliel Walker and B. D. Springer were named
as judges of election.
In July, 1849, t'i6 boundaries of these townships were
slightly changed, and number one was called Washing-
ton, number two Liberty, and number three Spring.
From this date until i860, the erection of new town-
ships and the frequent changes in their names and
boundaries, seem to have employed much of the valu-
able time of the county authorities. We can give only
enough of these to trace the formation of the sixteen
townships as they now exist.
The fourth township — Jefferson — was erected May 22,
1852; Buffalo (at first called Buffalo Grove), August 6,
1852; Perry was set off from Washington February 7,
1853; Superior (afterward called Hazleton), July 4,
1853; Newton, the first made conterminous with a con-
gressional township (the same as township eighty-seven,
range seven, which limits it still retains), was so erected
May I, 1854.
September 19, 1854, the eight townships then exist-
ing, viz.: Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Buffalo, Spring,
Washington, Superior, and Perry, were set forth anew,
as to their boundaries; all of them being more or less
changed, except Newton. At this time Spring township
was very irregular in its form, comprising the south half
of the present territory of Fremont, sections twenty-two,
twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-
seven, thirty-four, thirty- five, thirty-six, and one-half of
sections thirty-two and thirty-three, of the present terri-
tory of Byron, the west half of the present township of
Liberty, all of the present territory of Sumner, and about
three sections of the southeast corner of Washington.
At the same time Superior township consisted of the west
half of the present territory of Buffalo, and all of pres-
ent Hazleton except the western tier of sections.
Alton (the same as the present township of Fairbank)
was erected March 5, 1855. Prairie (afterwards Fre-
mont) was erected March 14, 1856; and Byron, March
20th, of the same year. The remaining townships were
erected as follows: Sumner, March 7, 1857; Madison,
March 11, 1857; Homer, July 29, 1858; Middlefield,
September 21, 1858; Cono, same date; Westburg, Au-
gust 6, i860. The name of Prairie township was
' changed to Fremont, September 5, 1859; that of Alton
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
63
was changed to Fairbank June 2, 1862; and that of Su-
perior to Hazelton, some time during the same year.
The last two changes were made by the board of Super-
visors— all the rest by the county court.
We will now give, for convenience of reference, the
names of the existing townships, in the order of the
dates at which they assumed their present form: New-
ton, May I, 1854; Fairbank (Alton), March 5, 1855;
Hazelton (Superior), same date. Madison, March 11,
1857; Buffalo, same date; Homer, June 29, 1858; Mid-
dlefield, September 21, 1858; Cono, same date; Liberty,
September 5, 1859; Fremont, same date; Byron, same
date; Westburgh, August 6, i860; Jefferson, same date;
Perry, same date; Washington, September 13, i860;
Sumner, same date.
CHANGES IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
The commissioners' court was abolished in i860,
and the board of supervisors was established in its
place. About the same time the office of county judge
was given up and that of county auditor was adopted.
The duties heretofore performed by the county judge
now fall in a great measure to the board of supervisors.
This body consisted at first of sixteen members, one
from each township. At present, however, the number
is reduced to seven — all being elected by a general vote
of the county. The first supervisors were elected in the
fall of i860, and entered upon their duties January 7,
1 86 1. Their names, with the township from which they
were elected, are as follows: Elisha Sanborn, of Alton,
(Fairbank); E. P. Baker, of Byron; C. H. Jakway, of
Buffalo; E. D. Hovey, of Cono; James Fleming, of Fre-
mont; S. S. Allen, of Homer; John Johnson, of Jeffer-
son; William Logan, of Liberty; J. B. Ward, of Madison;
James M. Kerr, of Middlefield; N. W. Richardson,
of Newton; D. B. Sanford, of Perry; V. R. Beach, of
Sumner; William C. Nelson, of Superior (Hazelton);
George W. Bemis, of Washington; William B. Wilkin-
son, of Westburgh.
PRESENT COUNTY OFFICERS.
The present officers of the county are as follows: Au-
ditor, George B. Warne; clerk of courts, O. M. Gillet;
treasurer, J. A. Poor; recorder, J. W. Foreman; sheriff,
E. L. Currier; school superintendent, W. E. Parker; sur-
veyor, J. N. Iliff; coroner, H. H. Hunt.
SUPERVISORS.
C. R. Millington, of Washington, chairman; H. M.
Coughtry, of Byron; G. M. Miller, of Hazelton; A. H.
Grover, of Homer; T. E. McCurdy, of Buffalo; W. H.
L. Eddy, of Liberty; W. H. Gates, of Perry.
CHAPTER IX.
THE COUNTY SEAT WAR.
It is said that an early History of Ireland contained a
chapter entitled: "The Snakes of Ireland"— the whole
of which consisted of six short words, as follows :
"There are no snakes in Ireland."
To those who have never written a history, there may
be nothing in that announcement but the cool, unimpas-
sioned statement of a historical fact. But to us who
have " been there" — i.e., not in Ireland, but in the his-
tory business — it is the laconic expression of an almost
inexpressible regret. We think that we can read between
the lines" — or, rather under the line; for there was but
one hne written — the confession of a sad disappoint-
ment.
We can fancy that historian — who was probably not an
Irishman, though he had learned to manage the vernac-
ular like a native — setting out upon the composition of
that chapter with high hopes of pleasurable excitement,
both for himself and his readers. With what marvelous
"snake stories" he was about to garnish his work!
Monsters of fabulous length and fleetness were to rush
out upon the defenceless inhabitants, from the reeds
along the banks of the Shannon, or from the peat bogs
of Kildare. Pitiless as an English landlord, they would
make nothing of distraining the last pig of some widowed
Kathleen; and only the valorous spades of the paternal
Patricks would save the infant Pats from a like tragic
fate.
He sharpens his well-worn pencil {we always write his-
tory with a pencil) sets down the heading of his chapter,
and then he thinks himself to consult authorities in
regard to the herpetology of the Emerald Isle. As he
reads, the fine (renzy disappears from his eye; and when,
at last, the utter snakelessness of his condition becomes
apparent, he closes the encyclopedia in despair. How-
ever, "what is writ is writ." The heading must stand;
and the few brief words written under it, while they em-
body an interesting historical fact (or fiction), shall, at
the same time, record his own grievous disappointment :
Alas! "there are no snakes m Ireland."
And so, when we recall the thrilling, warlike incidents
which, in so many counties, have attended the removal
of the county seat — the harsh clashing of pecuniary and
sectional interests — the vigorous political campaigns —
the fiery eloquence of orators, subsidized by the friends
of removal on the one side, and by its enemies on the
other — the gathering of the hostile clans around the
ballot-box — the frequent defeat and the final victory at
the polls — the refusal of obstinate (though obsolete) of-
ficials to deliver up the county archives — the siege of the
old court house by the new sheriff, with his comic posseiatus,
bearing the decree of the court as their banner with
its strange device— the defiance of the besieged who,
with guns in their hands, stand at the port-holes and hurl
back, as their war-cry, the legend on the banner of their
foes: "mandamus, if we yield!"— when we recall all this,
and think of the opportunities for fine writing which the
scenes thus hinted at afford, it is with a teeling of regret
similar to that of our Irish historian, that we find our-
64
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
selves compelled to set down, as the pith and marrow of
this chapter, an announcement which is only a parody of
his :
"There was never any county seat war in Buchanan
county."
Independence has been the capital ever since the
county was organized ; and there is not now, and prob-
ably never will bp, any other place that will be either able
or disposed to compete with it for that honor. The
county archives are there, and, in the language of the
immortal Webster, "there they will remain forever."
CHAPTER X.
THE COURT AND THE BAR OF BUCHANAN COUNTY.
In the year 1847, there stood a small wooden building
on the corner of Main and Court streets, in the city of
Independence, the spot where what is called the Brewer
block now stands. The small, dingy front room of this
building was used as the county cleik's office and court
room. The back end was occupied by Dr. Edward
Brewer and family.
In the fall of that year, a gruff-looking man, in a one-
horse buggy, drove up to the front door of this building
and from his seat called for the clerk of the court to ap-
pear. Dr. Brewer modestly stepped to the door, when
the following colloquy took place:
"Is this the clerk of the court?"
"It is."
"I am Judge Grant. Are there any cases on the
docket?"
"Yes; there are two. One an original case; the other
an appealed case from a justice of the peace."
"Bring the docket out here."
The doctor carried the docket out to the buggy. Says
the judge:
"Do you know anything about these cases?"
"I do. One is an original case against myself; that
is to be dismissed. The other is an appeal from a jus-
tice by the defendant. I am counsel for the plaintiff.
That is to be affirmed."
"All right. Enter them up accordmgly."
And the judge drove off. Thus ended the first court
ever held in Buchanan county.
Dr. Brewer had just been elected county clerk, the
first clerk of the county, and a position which he held
continuously for the next twenty-one years.
Couit was held the following year by Judge Grant, in
a log building just south of the Dr. House dwelling, in
what is now the street. The year following, it was held
in an old building occupying the ground where the First
National bank now stands. It was at this place that a
scene occurred which illustrates the practice of the
times, likewise the peculiarities of Judge Grant, and the
summary manner of dispensing with justice.
Two men from Black Hawk county were here on trial
for disturbing the peace. As was usual in those days, a
large number of neighbors and friends of the parties,
and a host of witnesses, were on hand. As the skirmish
was about to commence, the judge said to Dr. Brewer:
"Call out all the men from Black Hawk county, and
have them stand in a row."
This was done, and enough stood in the row to make
a good-sized militia company.
"Now," says Judge Grant, "put all those men under
bonds to keep the peace." It was done at once, and
court adjourned.
The next year T. S. Wilson was elected judge of the
district court. His first term was held in the old Meth-
odist church, just back of the present church. This
building resembled a nine-pin alley, and was just about
as large. The year following, it was held in the upper
room of the stone building now occupied by Tom Cur-
tis as a livery stable, and in a school building where the
jail now stands. It was altei wards held in a wooden
building just south of Orville Fonda's store, on the west
side of the river, and afterwards, in 1856, in the new
court house.
The first judge of the district court of this county
was James Grant, who held his position from 1847 to
1S53. The second judge was T. S. Wilson, of Du-
buque, who held his first term in June, 1S53, and his
last term in September, 1862. The third judge was
James Burt, of Dubuque, who held his first term in
April, 1863, and his last term in October, 1870. The
fourth judge was J. M. Brayton, of Delaware county,
who held his first term in April, 1871, and his last term
in April, 1872. The fifth judge was D. S. Wilson, of
Dubuque, who held his first term in October, 1872, and
his last term in September, 1878. The sixth and present
judge is S. Bagg, of Waterloo, whose term commenced
January 1, 1879.
The first term of the first circuit court of Buchanan
county was held in March, 1869, S. Bagg, of Waterloo,
judge. The first case tried in this court was D. D. Hol-
dridge vs. Andrew Nicolia.
B. W. Lacy was appointed circuit judge to fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation of S. Bagg to fill the
position of district judge, and held his first term in Feb-
ruary, 1879. He was reelected in the fall of 1880 for a
term of four years, commencing January i, 1881.
The first sheriff was Eli Phelps, term commenced Jan-
uary I, 1S49, expired January i, 1850. Second sheriff,
H. W. Hatch; term commenced January i, 1850, ex-
pired January i, 1852. Third sheriff, O. B. King; term
commenced January i, 1852, expired January i, 1853.
Fourth sheriff, Norman Picket; term commenced Jan-
uary I, 1853, expired January i, 1S54. Fifth sheriff,
Eli Phelps; term commenced January r, 1854, expired
January i, 1856. Sixth sheriff, Leander Keyes; term
commenced January i, 1856, expired January i, 1858.
Seventh sheriff, William Martin; term commenced Jan-
uary I, 1858, expired January i, i860. Eighth sheriff,
Byron Hale; term commenced January i, i860, expired
January i, 1862. Ninth sheriff, John M. Westfall; term
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
65
commenced January i, 1862, expired January i, 1866.
Tenth sheriff, A. Crooks; term commenced January i,
1866, expired January i, 1868. Eleventh sheriff, John
A. Davis; term commenced January i, 1868, expired
January i, 1872. Twelfth sheriff, George O. Farr; term
commenced January i, 1872, expired January i, 1876.
Thirteenth sheriff, VV. S. Van Orsdol; term commenced
January i, 1877, expired January i, 1880. Fourteenth
sheriff, E. L. Currier; term commenced January i, 1880.
Dr. Edward Brewer was elected clerk of the court in
1847, and served until 1868; D. L. Smith was elected
in 1868, and served until 1878; R. J, Williamson was
elected in 1878, and served until 1880; O. M. Gillette
was elected in the fall of 1880.
BIOGR.\PHICAL SKETCHES OF LAWYERS.
James Jamison was born, February 14, 1828, in the
county of Armstrong, Pennsylvania. Of his father we
can learn but little, except that he was very poor, and
died when James was two years of age, leaving a widow
and two children. James was given to his uncle with
w-hom he lived until he was eighteen years of age, work-
ing on the farm summers and attending school winters.
At eighteen he cut loose from his uncle and commenced
the struggle of life alone and unaided.
Like so many others, in the vast army of self-made
men, he gained discipline and money by teaching district
school winters. His summers were devoted to study.
In 1850 he entered Alleghany college, at Meadville,
Pennsylvania, where he remained for two years, working
his way. He then cotnmenced the study of law with
the Hon. David Derickson at Meadville, and was admit-
ted to the bar, Aug'ist 18, 1853. He immediately took
his diploma and started for the west. With no particu-
lar point in view, he threw himself into the great wave
sweeping toward the west, trusting move to chance than
to design, as to where he should land.
Independence was the place, and without hesitation,
but with an assurance that success awaited him, he at
once opened an office. His first law case was tried for
Orrin Lewis, October iS, 1853, for which he received a
fee of three dollars. His business for the first month
amounted to five dollars and seventy-five cents.
A more uncouth, awkward, unpromising young man,
in personal appearance, than Jamison was at that time,
never threw his shingle to the public. Tall and angular,
with light hair, a face not molden for beauty, awkward in
every move, a gesticulation that defied all rules, a hesi-
tancy of speech that was painful, he was at once, by su-
perficial observers, set down as a failure. To the young
men he was a subject of ridicule; to the young ladies a
curiosity.
The public soon began to observe that, from early
morning until late at night, he never left his office except
for meals. People soon learned that if they ever should
want anything of Jamison, they would always know
where to find him. The value of the adage, "Keep
your office and your office will keep you," was well
known and appreciated by him. Clients began to drop
in. Their business was dispatched with wonderful
promptness and accuracy. His knowledge of the law,
his sound judgment, and his keen insight into the affairs
of men, amazed the people. Beneath that ugly exterior,
a broad, comprehensive mind was discovered. Clients
thickened around him; business accumulated, and he
was soon in the midst of an extensive and lucrative prac-
tice. Fortune and fame increased. But few cases were
tried in our county in which he was not interested. He
was largely engaged in the real estate transactions of the
county. As a counselor he had but few equals in the
State. The quaint and witty sayings of Jamison would
fill a volume. One must be preserved. One of his ob-
jections was overruled by the court in a trial of a case.
Jamison very drily remarked "your honor is right and I
am wrong, as your honor most always is."
As a citizen he was just and honest. He set a noble
example of filial attachment. His widowed mother
presided over his home (for he never married), and her
lite was made happy by his constant love and devotion.
But for one enemy Jamison would have been living to-
day; have been in the front ranks of his profession, and a
highly honored and wealthy citizen. Having no family
to call forth and cultivate his domestic nature, his social
qualities gradually found relaxation in the society of
those whose tendencies were downward. The sequel
need not be told. It is useless to follow him down the
road we have all seen so many travel. It is the same
old path ; once entered it is seldom forsaken. It leads
all classes to the same goal. The talented, noble James
Jamison, died a victim to intemperance the second day
of August, 1878.
Captain D. S. Lee was born in Genessee county,
New York, October 16, 18 17. When he was sixteen
years old his mother died. The family was scattered,
and young Daniel was left to shift for himself. He was
employed as a farm hand summers, and attended school
winters, until he was twenty-one, when he entered Leroy
academy, where he remained for two years. The follow-
ing winter he taught school and, with his earnings,
started, in the spring of 1842, for the west. He made
his way to Akron, Ohio, where he studied law in the
office of the Hon. William C. Dodge, at the same time
teaching, until the fall of 1846, when he was admitted
to the bar. He practiced his profession at that place
until the summer of 1851, when he came to Dubuque,
Iowa, and in the winter taught Dubuque's first free
school. March 3, 1852, he was admitted to the bar of
the Iowa supreme court. In the same spring he com-
menced the practice of law in connection with the real
estate business at Independence. In 1855, in connection
with P. A. and E. B. Older, he established the first bank
in Independence. The latter business was very success-
ful until the year 1857, when the firm went down with
so many others in the general crash. All of Mr. Lee's
ample fortune was swept away, and financially he never
recovered. Lee attested his patriotism and fidelity to
the Government by being the first man to volunteer from
this county in the late war. On the organization of
company E, of the Fifth regiment Iowa infantry, he was
unanimously elected captain, which position he held for
66
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
three years. He was almost constantly engaged in active
campaigns, and participated in many hard fought battles.
On the field he was brave as a knight, in camp tender
and kind, beloved by all his men. In the fall of 1864,
immediately after his term of office expired, he was
elected the first mayor of the city of Independence, and
was reelected the year following. In the year 1869 he
was chosen a member of the Iowa legislature, and per-
formed the duties of that office with much ability. At
the close of the session he resumed the practice of law,
and continued in the same until he was prostrated by
disease in 1875. After a lingering illness he died. May
25, 1878. Captain Lee was married to Miss Fannie L.
Brooks, who is still living. In physique, the captain
was of medium height, straight as an arrow, with a well
developed head, and was a strikingly handsome man,
easy and graceful in every movement, affable and kind;
he was, in every sense, a gentleman. As a speaker he
was easy, fluent, and forcible. Had he confined himself
strictly to the profession of law, and applied himself
more closely to its study, he would have had but few
equals in the State.
O. H. P. RoszEi.L. — One of the most conspicuous and
remarkable characters identified with the history of our
county was the Hon. O. H. P. Roszell. With his com-
manding presence, superior ability and strict integrity, he
would have been a marked character anywhere. He was
born December 21, 1827, in Canandaigua, New York.
His father died when he was nine years of age. His
education was completed at the Cary Collegiate semin-
ary, where he attended for several years. When he was
twenty-one years of age he determined to find himself a
home in the great west. His first summer was spent
with a Government surveying party in Wisconsin. De-
cember, 1849, found him in Independence, where he
remained until his death. The first few years of his
western life were spent in various pursuits, principally in
teaching and surveying. In 1851 he was admitted to
the bar. In 1854 he was elected the first county judge
of Buchanan county, which position he occupied for six
years. The county judge at that time was a very impor-
tant functionary. His powers, in reference to all business
pertaining to county matters, were almost exclusive and
unlimited. In 1858 Judge Roszell was elected county
superintendent of public schools, holding the position for
two years. He was, also, in the same year, elected a
member of the State school board of education, and was
a member of that body when the present free school
system was adopted, and one of the committee who
drafted the original bill. He was elected mayor of the
city of Independence on three different occasions. He
was married in Independence, in 1852, to Miss Mary
E. Whait, by whom he had nine children. Judge Ros-
zell was of extraordinary personal appearance, tall, dig-
nified and commanding. The expression of his face
was always grave and thoughtful, but good humored.
His fine presence and brilliant talents at once commanded
respect, even among strangers. In his speeches he was
clear, logical and forcible, rather than abounding in
rhetorical embellishment. He was a strong partisan.
always taking great interest in political affairs, and always
an ardent Democrat, of the old school. Yet such was the
esteem in which he was held by his fellow-citizens, that
he was rarely beaten in a political race, although his
party was in a hopeless minority. As a lawyer, he did
not meet with brilliant success. His life was so much
taken up with other matters that others, with less ability,
outstripped him at the bar. Probably no man in Bu-
chanan county did so much for popular education as he.
He was always an enthusiast in advancing the efficiency
of our public schools. He died the fifth day of October,
1877. Avast concourse of people, from all parts of the
county, gathered at the funeral to shed a tear over the
remains of one of Buchanan county's greatest and best
men. He is one of the few, comparatively, who have
left their impress for good in the community in which he
lived.
Albert Cl.\rk.e was born in Conway, Massachusetts
in 1810. He was brought up in the old-fashioned New
England style, on his father's farm, with fair school ad-
vantages, until the age of eighteen, when, exhibiting
more than ordinary aptitude for an education, he com-
menced the study of the languages, preparatory to en-
tering college, which he did in 1830, when he entered
Amherst college, and was in the same class with Henry
Ward Beecher and Fowler, the phrenologist. His stand-
ing as a scholar was good, being most distinguished in
those branches that require close thinking and deep re-
search. He graduated in 1834. He was then principal
of the academy in Oswego, New York, one year, and af-
terwards filled a similar place in l)unkirk, where he also
gave considerable attention to the law, and filled for
some time the office of justice in that young and grow-
ing village. He then moved to Virginia, where he
taught in several institutions of learning, principally in
Smithfield, for about ten years. He then returned to
Massachusetts and completed his law studies in West-
field, with ^^'illiam G. Bates, and practiced several years
in his native town. He then for several years owned a
drug store in Worcester, Massachusetts, and from thence
moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where he went into the land
business, (emigration then being nearly at its height), en-
gaging at the same time, more or less, in the law. Hav-
ing been interested, to a consideralile extent, in lands in
Buchanan county, in 1S54 he moved to Independence,
and gave his attention to its interests, and also to agen-
cies of land belonging to eastern men. and attending to
various public interests with which he was intrusted.
He accumulated a fair property, and was considered as
possessing good financial abilities. Being possessed of
stern integrity and good judgment, he was often called
upon to give counsel and aid to those who had come to
this land of promise with little means, and were strug-
gling to obtain a foothold; and he is still held in grateful
remembrance by many who have risen to prosperous cir-
cumstances. He took great interest in the growth and
development of the county, especially in its educational
and religious interests, and was one of the principal
founders and supporters of the First Presbyterian church
of Independence. He was married in 1847 to Miss
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
67
Elizabeth Adams, and left one son, who lives in Inde-
pendence. He died in the year 1868, aged fifty-eight
years.
J.AMES W. Weart was born in Hopewell, Mercer county,
New Jersey, in a house occupied by General Washington
as his headquarters during a period of the Revolutionary
war. He was lieutenant in the Twenty-first regiment
New Jersey volunteers. He came to Independence De-
cember 25, 1863, and at once coinmenced the practice
of law. He was city clerk for a number of years; also
clerk of the Iowa senate for three terms. He came to
his death by the accidental discharge of a gun while
hunting, on Thanksgiving day, which badly mutilated
both of his hands. He survived the accident about one
week, dying in December, 1874. He was married to
Jennie E. Taylor, of Philadelphia, in 1866, by whom he
had five children. We are very sorry that we are not
able to give a more complete history of this interesting-
young man, but the data are not at hand. He was ex-
ceedingly popular with all classes, especially the young,
and is held in grateful remembrance by the citizens of
Independence.
S. S. Allen", one of the oldest and most respected citi-
zens of Buchanan county, was born May i, 1828, in
Franklin county, Massachusetts. He resided there until
he was about nineteen years of age, when he came west,
stopping in Waukegan, Wisconsin, and engaging in teach-
ing. In 1S51 he entered the law office of Bennett &
Hudson, Janesville, Wisconsinsin, where he studied two
years. He was admitted to the bar in 1853. and imme-
diately came to this county and settled at Independence,
where he practiced law three years, exclusively, though
he was engaged in law and real estate business until 1875,
when he left Independence and moved to Homer town-
ship, upon the farm where he is at present. He has the
largest farm in the township, consisting of six hundred
acres of excellent land. He is principally engaged in
stock raising, keeping from one hundred to two hundred
head of cattle, and about the same number of hogs. He
has a pleasant and beautiful home surrounded by a "Cen-
tennial grove," set out by himself in 1876. Mr. Allen
was an early proprietor of the first newspaper in Inde-
pendence, the Civilian, with which he was connected
from 1855 to 1859. He built the first three-story brick
block west of Dubuque, also established the first broker's
office west of that place. Mr. Allen was in business as
a merchant from 1856 to 1859. He had a drug store,
hardware store, dry goods store, and a book store, the
latter the first in Independence. He dealt quite exten-
sively in real estate for many years, and many acres of
land passed through his hands.
Mr. Allen married Miss Martha Smiley, of Rock
county, February 21, 1854. They have had seven chil-
dren, six of whom are living: Emery S. S., born July 5,
1858; Charles, born February 2, i860, died when about
four years old; John B., born February 15, 1865; Willie
H., born December 15, 1866; Andrew J., born August
27, 1868; Mattie, born January 10, 1874; Augusta M.
W., born April 2, 1877. Mr. Allen is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a firm Demo-
crat, and has held several local offices, though he never
sought them.
J. S. Woodward, esq., was born in Middleburgh,
Schoharie county. New York, in 1830. He lived until
he attained the age of seven years at Hanover, New
Hampshire, the home of his father, Stephen Woodward.
He then went to Tunbridge, Vermont, where he lived
until he came west. His father died in 1865 ; his mother
is still living at Albany, New York. She is at present
over eighty years of age, and is healthy and active.
Mr. Woodward was educated at Kimball Union Aca-
demy, Meriden, New Hampshire, one of New England's
first-class schools. He fitted for Dartmouth college,
but he did not pursue the course, as he had made up his
mind to follow Horace Greeley's advice to young men.
When about twenty years old he went to Wisconsin,
where he read law in the office of George B. Ely, of
Janesville; and in August, 1853, was admitted to the
bar in that place. He came to Buchanan county the
same fall, and located at Independence, then a place of
perhaps twenty or thirty inhabitants. At the time of his
arrival his entire capital consisted of a yankee ninepence
and six law books. Of course his business was very
'• small at first, but by diligently attending to it, Mr. Wood-
j ward gained the confidence of the people, and rose rapidly
j as the county became more thickly settled. In 1854 he
I was elected prosecuting attorney, and from that time
j onward his business steadily increased. In 1857 he was
I elected a member of the State legislature, and represented
his district with much credit. In 1864 he was a delegate
to the Baltimore convention. He has twice been mayor
of the city of Independence. Mr. Woodward has done
a large business for many years. He has practised law
six years longer than any other lawyer in the city. Many
of the prominent lawyers of this vicinity have been students
in his office, as well as several who are now practising
in other States. Mr. Woodward has always been a
constant worker, and is at present doing as large business
as any lawyer in the county. It is unnecessary to add
that he stands high in the community, and possesses the
highest esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. In
physique Woodward is a little below the medium height;
sparely but well built ; coal black eyes and hair to match.
He has untiring energy, is ever active, never caught
napping, always on the alert and diligent. His char-
acteristics as a lawyer may be gathered from the above.
He is untiring and ceaseless in the cause of his clients,
and never forsakes them until he is victorious or hopelessly
defeated. In speaking, his whole body is in motion.
There is no circumlocution, no hitching and hesitating,
to pick out smooth and elegant expressions: the only
object is to hit the mark. If he sometimes scatters,
his shots are so rapid that some are sure to hit. When
Jamison was living, there was rarely a case in which both
were not engaged, and generally on opposite sides. A
detailed history of the legal contests between these two
men would fill a volume with rich and rare reading.
Woodward is the prince of good fellows, social, genial and
generous. His humor is proverbial. His organ of mirth
Is developed to such a degree that it has been said of him
68
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
that he would smile the longest and loudest of any man in
Iowa. Woodward's high standing at the bar, his integrty
as a citizen, his sparkling wit and social qualities would
have commanded for him almost any otificial position.
He has never asked, but steadily refused political prefer-
ment. Last year Mr. Woodward commenced building a
splendid residence, which, when completed, will be the
finest house in this county. It is very tastefully planned,
and is both beautiful and convenient. Mr. Woodward
was married, in 1855, to Miss Caroline Morse, who was
born at Rochester, New York, in 1835. They have
three children living and two deceased. Anna died
when nine months old; Jerome when nineteen months
old. Agnes was born March 26, 1861. Will M. was
born June 29, 1865; Katie, born March 21, 1872. All
are at home with iheir parents. Mr. Woodward is a
member of the Odd fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
He has been a staunch Republican since the organization
of the parly.
Hon. W. G. Donnan is one of the small number of
men whose names are not only woven into the history of
their own county, but of the State and Nation also. He
was born at West Charlton, Saratoga county. New York,
June 30, 1834. His parents were Scotch, and he inher-
ited all the strong, sturdy qualities of that people. At
seventeen years of age he entered Cambridge academy.
Two years later he commenced his collegiate course at
Union college, New York, and graduated in 1856, the
fourth in his class. He immediately started for the west,
and selected Independence for his future home. Here
he studied law with J. S. Woodward, and was admitted
to the bar in 1857. He has practiced law in this city
ever since, except when occupied with official duties. In
the fall of 1857 he was elected treasurer and recorder of
Buchanan county, was reelected and continued in that
office until 1862. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a
private in the Twenty-seventh regiment, Iowa infantry
volunteers, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant,
and was brevetted captain and major, and served until
the close of the war. His meritorious conduct while in
the army received special mention on several occasions
from his superior officers. In 1867 he was elected to the
State senate for the term of four years. He was a very
popular and influential member of that body. It was
through his efforts, while senator, that Independence se-
cured the location of the State hospital fur the insane at
this place. He originated and drafted the bill which se-
cured us that great institution. A man of much ability,
who was in a position to know, thus writes of Mr. Don-
nan;
His services in the legislature were exceptionally noteworthy and
creditable. His practical good sense, fine social qualities, and thor-
ough knowledge of human nature, rendered him alike popular and in-
fluential with both houses. In council and debate his opinions were
sought after and respected. During his first session he originated and
was largely instrumental in securing the passage of an act locating a
State hospital for the insane at Independence. His peculiar fitness for
legislative woik, developed during his career in the State senate, so
recommended him to the favor of the Republicans of his district that
in the fall of 1870 they made him their candidate and elected him to
the Forty-second Congress by a majority of about five thousand votes
over the Democratic candidate.
Mr. Donnan's services in the Forty-second Congress
were so eminently satisfactory to his constituents that he
was renominated for the second term without opposition,
and was elected by a large majority. He could undoubt-
edly have been nominated for the third term, but he pos-
itively refused to become a candidate. At the end of
his second term he was offered a foreign mission to South
America, but declined. Mr. Donnan was a member of
the National convention at Cincinnati in 1876. He has
been treasurer of the Iowa hospital for the insane at In-
dependence, Iowa, since January, 1877. M""- Donnan
has performed the duties of all the high positions in which
he has been called to act, with eminent ability and satis-
faction to his constituents. He has developed an aptness
for legislative work rarely excelled. Physically he could
vie with the old Scotch Bruces and Wallaces, being six
feet in height, broad-shouldered, erect, strong, and
healthy. As an orator Mr. Donnan ranks high, being
always clear, logical, and forcible. Intellectually he is
strong and vigorous, grasping at once the main points
and the details of the question involved. Socially he
has no superiors. He ardently loves his home and fam-
ily, as well he may. He was married October i, 1857,
to Miss Mary E. Williamson, who was born in Kentucky.
His family consists of two boys — William W., born Au-
gust 20, 1859, and Donald D., born August 7, 1862.
Col. Jed Lake was born in Virgil, Courtland county,
New York, November, 18, 1830. His father, Jedediah
Lake, was the son of Henry Lake, of Montgomery
county, New York, who. served under General Washing-
ton in the Revolutionary war. He enlisted when seven-
teen years of age, and served four years. Jedediah
Lake settled in Virgil in 1822, at the age of twenty-four,
and was married to Patience Church, of the adjoining
town of Marathon. They had two sons and two
daughters. Our Jed Lake was the second son. His
father died when he was three years old, leaving his
widowed mother with four children, the oldest seven,
and the youngest less than one year old. The mother
kept the family together, and carried on the farm until
the oldest son was of age, when he took charge of it.
This threw Jed on his own resources. He had received,
at this time, no education except from common schools.
He hired out to a neighboring farmer for the summer,
but after working a month a disagreement arose, and Jed
left. While on his way to find employment he met a
man going to Ithaca to start for New York, with a canal-
boat. To him Jed hired out to drive a team on the Erie
canal at thirteen dollars per month. The Colonel says
he has always felt a little diffidence about telling this part
of his history, but since the election of Garfield he
speaks of it with pride. He laid up some money that
season, and the next spring went to the New York
Central college. By teaching and working on farms he
supported himself for two years at this institution. At
this time he would have been ready to enter college, had
he been prepared in Latin and Greek, but in his youth
he had been taught to despise these studies, and it took
him these two ye."irs to get over the prejudice. At this
time the Courtland academy was in the full tide of its
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
69
prestige. Here Jed took Mathematics under Pro-
fessor Lawrence, the author of Mathematical works, and
English Grammar under S. W. Clark (also author of a
text book), and German under Professor Maasburgh, and
Latin under Professor Sanford. In May, 1855, he was
taken with billious fever and paralysis of the right side,
and by the advice of physicians quit school. In the
fall of that year he engaged to travel with William Swift,
a cousin of the noted Professor Swift, of Rochester ob-
servatory. This Swift was giving lectures on electricity,
electro-magnetism, and an expose of spirit rappings,
which had just then come into notoriety. In this
capacity he traveled until 1855, visiting New York, Penn-
sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio. At this time,
desiring to settle into permanent business, he packed
his satchel and started for Des Moines, Iowa, but landed
in Independence, in October, 1855, where he has
since resided. His health would not permit his engag-
ing in a profession, so he spent two years on a farm. At
the end of that time his cousin persuaded him to pur-
chase a half interest in a saw-mill, and then lit out
between two days, leaving Jed the sole proprietor. Jed
has not seen his cousin since. After a little he blew up
the boiler, sold the remnants, sold all he had and paid
his debts, as for as he could, came to town and com-
menced the study of law. He sometimes tells that it
looked awful dark to him, after he blew up his mill, but
he is now satisfied that it was the best thing that ever
happened to him. He was admitted to the bar in the
spring of 1859. He was examined by Honorable F. E.
Bissell, and D. S. Wilson, of Dubuque, and John H.
Pierce, of Anamosa, and they gave him a flattering
recommend to the court. Honorable George W. Bemis
tells that one day, meeting Jed, he said to him: "Jed,
I understand you are admitted to the bar. Now my ad-
vice to you is to go west and grow up with the country.
You can make something out there." Said Jed with
clinched fist, "I brought one thousand dollars in gold to
this place, and I'm not going to leave here until I can
take away as much as I brought." Mr. Lake then set-
tled down to the practice of the law. In the fall of 1861
he was elected to the State legislature. The following
summer he enlisted in a company then being raised by
Captain Noble, and was elected first lieutenant. He was
commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Twenty-seventh
regiment, Iowa volunteer infantry, by Governor Kirk-
wood. He served with his regiment during the w^ar.
Several of Mr. Lake's interesting war letters will be found
in another chapter of this work. His regiment was in
very many battles, and lost a large number of men. At
the close of the war he was colonel of his regiment. He
then returned to Independence and resumed the practice
of law. He has been urged by his friends to accept
many official positions, such as representative, senator,
and judge of district court, but he has positively refused
to accept any office that would take him away from his
business. He served as alderman for six years, as a
member of the school board for seven years, and was a
member of the board of supervisors two years. He per-
formed the duties of the above offices with admirable
skill and ability. He now holds the positions of Direc-
tor and attorney of the First National bank of this city;
also director, attorney, and chairman of the executive
committee of the Independence Mill company. In his
law practice he has been eminently successful, and has
secured an abundant competence. His firm, of which
he is the senior member, is now engaged in defending
about one hundred and twenty of the citizens of this
part of the State in the celebrated drive well suits. In
personal appearance the Colonel is a solid, well-built
man, weighing two hundred and twenty-five pounds; has
grey eyes, and coal black hair. By a strict observ-
ance of the laws of health he has preserved a re-
markably fresh and youthful appearance, for a man
of his years. As a lawyer he has but (ew equals in
this part of the State. He has a strong analytical mind
and a very retentive memory. Is a close student, not
only of law, but of general literature. He is not given
to ostentatious show and glitter. Everything is business
and matter of fact. His fine judicial mind and com-
manding presence, well qualify him for the bench. Jed
Lake was married June 2, 1861, to Miss Sarah E. Meyer.
He has two children. Rush C, born April 13, 1862, and
Hattie I., born February 7, 1S70.
Other attorneys in Independence are worthy of special
and lengthy notice, but space will not permit.
We have given a more extended liistory of the three last
mentioned, for the reason that they were among the
pioneer lawyers of the county, each having practiced
here for more than a quarter of a century.
The brief sketches following, of later attorneys, will be
as nearly as possible in the order of their residence in
Independence.
D. D. HoLDRiDGE was born in Madison county. New
York, September 3, 1835. He was educated at the
Cazenovia seminary, New York, and then studied law
two years with D. W. Cameron, at that place, after tak-
ing a full law course at the Law university at Albany.
He was married at Cazenovia, New York, March 16,
1858, to Miss Mary L. Loomis. He moved to Inde-
pendence, Iowa, in March, 1862, and immediately com-
menced the practice of law. He was elected to the
Iowa legislature in the fall of 1S63. He was afterwards
quartermaster of the Forty-sixth Iowa infantry volunteers.
During the war he received a commission from Abraham
Lincoln as captain and commissary of subsistence, but
declined to serve. He was three times mayor of the
city of Independence, twice by election and once by
appointment. He has four children — Fannie L., Mary
B., Kate P., and Harry H.
J. B. DoNNAN was born in Saratoga county. New
York, December 13, 1840; was educated at the Fort
Edward institute. New York. He came to Indepen-
dence in May, 1862. He was graduated at the law
department of the Iowa State university in June, 1868.
He had previously formed a partnership with his brother
Hon. W. G. Donnan in 1865, and they have continued
in partnership ever since. He was married in June,
1868, to Martha J. Ross; has four children — Lillian E.,
Ale.xander M., Abbie R., and Mary B.
7°
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Hon. M. W. H.i^RMON was born in Seneca county,
Ohio, June 25, 1844. His parents removed to Ingham
county, Michigan, in 1849, to Dubuque county, Iowa,
in March, 1855, to Hopkinton, Delaware county, Iowa,
in June, 1S56, where they now reside. In the fall of
1859 he entered the Collegiate institute at Hopkinton,
where he remained three years. July 28, 1S62, he en-
listed as a volunteer from Delaware county, Iowa. His
company was mustered into United States service
August 23, 1862, as company K, Twenty-first Iowa vol-
unteer infantry; was private eight months, corporal two
months, and sergeant. He served during the war and
was discharged with his regiment July 26, 1865. He
went south in the fall of 1S65 and lived a year at Mobile,
Alabama. He came to Buchanan in November, 1866.
Here he taught school two years, reading law at the same
time. He was deputy postmaster at Independence
under Captain Little, from April i, 1868, to April i,
1869. He then entered the law office of Hon. W. G.
Donnan and was admitted to the bar in October, 1869.
July I, 1870, he formed a partnership with Colonel Jed
Lake, with the firm name of Lake & Harmon, which
partnership still continues. Mr. Harmon .was married
in December, 1872, to Miss M. C. Carter of Independ-
ence. Iowa, by whom he has one son, Ray. At the gen-
eral election in 1875, Mr. Harmon was elected State
senator from Buchanan county for four years, and was
reelected in 1879. 1^'s present term expires January i,
1884.
J. E. Cook, esq., was born in Grafton county. New
Hampshire, July 8, 1847. His parents removed to this
county in 1856. Young Cook graduated at the Iowa
State University in 1870; studied law with O. Miller, at
Watertown, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He
practiced at Jes/ip until 1877 when he came to Inde-
pendence. He formed a partneiship with J. S. Wood-
ward February i, 1879. He was married to Bessie P.
Johnson, from Decovah, Iowa, September 3, 1874. He
has one child — Roy. Mr. Cook and wife are members
of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity.
D. \V. Bruckart, Esg., was born in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, April 23, 1851. He was one of a family
of eight boys. At the age of twelve he commenced to
work in the iron mines. He was afterwards newsboy on
the streets of Lancaster. He began teaching when
fifteen years of age. In the fall of 1869 he entered
Lafayette college, Pennsylvania, remaining there two
years. He graduated at the law school of the Iowa
State university in June, 1872, and the following fall
opened an office at Independence. He was married
May II, 1875 to Miss Sarah Williams, of Independence,
and has one child living.
M. R. Eastman was born in Hopkinton, New Hamp-
shire, in 1839. He was graduated from New Hamp-
shire seminary, July 20, 1859. He was admitted to the
bar in New Hampshire in April, 1864. He removed to
Waterloo, this State, in 1865; practiced law there until
1868, when he removed to Jesup, this county. He prac-
ticed in Jesup until the ninth day of May, 1874, when he
came to Independence, and has practiced here ever
since.
C. E. Ransier was born in New Woodstock, Madison
county. New York, April 4, 1854. His parents removed
to Indeijendence October 9, 1867. He took the full
course in the high school of this city; commenced to
read law April 4, 1874, on his twentieth birthday, with
James Jamison; was admitted to the bar in May, 1S76,
and has practiced law in this city ever since, being the
successor of James Jamison. He was married March
8, 1881, to Miss Delpha Tryon. He was city solicitor
for three years, and is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity.
Daniel S.mvser was born May 29, 1839, in Wayne
county, Ohio. He removed with his parents to this
county in 185 1. He studied law with James Jamison,
and was admitted to the bar September 10, 1877. He
was married July 9, 1878, to Miss Arvilla McFadden.
They have one son — Walter B.
Seth Newman was born in Herkimer county. New
York, December 7, 1836, and was educated at Fairfield
academy; studied law two years with Horace Boies,
and two years with Lawing & Lockwood at Buffalo, and
was admitted to the bar November 15, i860. He
practiced with Boies at Buffalo until 1861, when he was
compelled, by disease of the lungs, to relinquish the
practice for several years. Having recovered his health,
he returned to the practice in Independence in 1876,
and was elected justice of the peace the same year, which
position he held until January, 1880, when he resigned
and entered into partnership with W. H. Holman. He
was married March 14, 1866, to Miss Laura F. Hewell,
and has but two children, Sarah F. and Lizzie B.
John J. Ney, esq., was born at Sandusky, Ohio, June
8, 1852. He was educated at Notre Dame, Indiana,
graduating in 1875. He afterwards pursued a law course
at that institution. In 1875 ^^ came to Independence,
and entered into partnership with Lake &: Harmon.
He continued in that firm until the following year, when
he formed a partnership with D. VV. Bruckart.
In the spring of 1879 he withdrew from that firm, and
opened an office alone.
He was city attorney for Independence in the year
1876. In the spring of 1877 he was elected mayor of
the city by the Democratic party.
He was married October 3, 1878, to Miss Emily F.
Colby, of Chicago. They have one child, Marion F.
Captain H. W. Holman was born in Erie county,
Pennsylvania, August 22, 1841. He was in the army
from April, 1861, to August, 1865, enlisted as a private
and rose to lieutenant and signal officer. He removed
to Allamakee county, Iowa, in 1865. Was admitted to
the bar in 1868, and practiced at Wankon for two years,
then removed to Waterloo, Iowa, and formed a law part-
nership with Lichty, which continued for two years. In
1872 he was appointed reporter of the district court of
the nineteenth judicial district, which position he held
until April, 1877. He then resigned and commenced
the practice of law at Independence. In 1881 he was
elected captain of the Independence guards. He was
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
71
married October 22, 1867, to Miss Harriet Smith, by
whom he has three children, Gracie, Leta and May Bell.
J. E. Jewel was born in Montgomery county, Ohio.
October 19, 1847. Came to this county in June, 1854.
He enlisted as a private at the age of seventeen years,
and served as such to the close of the war, in company
C, twenty-seventh Iowa infantry volunteers. He attend-
ed Western college in Iowa for two years, and Cornell
college for two years. He was graduated from the law
department of the Iowa state university in 1877. Com-
menced practice in Independence in September, 1877.
He was married March 5, 1S71, to Miss Hala E. Ros-
zell, of Benton county, Iowa, her native place. They
have two boys, Fred B. and Jed Lake.
Fr.\nk Jennings, esq., was born in Pittsburgh, Penn-
sylvania, July 3, 1836; was educated at St. Vincent col-
lege, Cape Girard, Missouri. He studied law with H. T.
McNulty, at Dubuque, Iowa, and was admitted to the
bar in February, 1856. In the year 1859 he was elected
city recorder of Dubuque, which position he held two
years. He was afterwards deputy clerk of the county for
three years. The balance of the time he practiced law
in Dubuque county, until 1877, when he removed to In-
dependence. Mr. Jennings was married January 22,
1872, to Eliza J. Dow. They have three children living,
Charles B., Blanche and Edith.
J. H. Williamson was born February 7, 1855, at New-
burgh, Orange county, New York. He graduated at the
Lenox collegiate institute, in the same class with his
brother, in June, 1878. He was graduated from the
same department of the State university, June 21, 1880,
and was admitted to practice in all the courts of the
State and the federal courts. He commenced practice
at Independence in September, 1880, and entered into a
partnership with his brother, R. J., in January, 1881.
R. J. Williamson was born in Newburgh, Orange
county. New York, February 3, 1857. He graduated at
the Lenox collegiate institute, at Hopkinton, Iowa, in
June, 1878. In the fall of that year he was elected clerk
of the district court of Buchanan county, Iowa, and
served until January i, 1881. He was admitted to the
bar in November, 1880. He formed a law partnership
with his brother, J. H., in January, i88r.
O. M. Gillette was born March 12, 1850, in Bergen,
Gennesee county. New York. He first came to Inde-
pendence in 1865 ; was educated in the high school of Ba-
tavia, New York. He studied law with Lee and Weart,
and was admitted to the bar in 1875. He was first
elected justice of the peace in 1876, and held that posi-
tion until January i, 1881. Was elected clerk of the
court in 18S0. Was married November, 1873, to Miss
Emma Dyer, of Independence. Has one child, Mabel.
E. E. Hasner was born February 21, 1848, in Onan-
daga county, New York ; graduated at the Iowa state
university; was admitted to the bar in 1873; was city
attorney one term. He was married December 25,
1876, to Miss Nettie E. Bain.
Francis W. Comfort was born in Cook county, Illi-
nois, 1853. He was educated at Wheaton college, and
was admitted to the bar in 1880. He was married on
the third of June, 1878, to Miss Ella G. Aborn, of Inde-
pendence.
F. W, CJiFKORD was born March 8, 1854, in Manches-
ter, Vermont. Came to this county in 1858. He grad-
uated at Madison university, Wisconsin, in 1875. Studied
law with Lake .Sc Harmon, and with O. M. Gillette.
Was admitted to the bar in November, 1877 ; was elected
justice of the peace in the fall of 1880.
E. S. Gavlord. — This gentleman was admitted to the
bar three or four years ago, since which time he has been
practicing in Winthrop. A remarkable fact in his history
is the age at which he commenced his legal studies.
After having been a farmer till he was over fifty years
old, he became convinced that he was born to be a law-
yer. He therefore gave up his farm, studied law, was
admitted, and is said to be having an excellent practice.
Stephen Paul Sheffield. — This gentleman, who has
an office at Hazleton, was born at Palmyra, Wayne coun-
ty. New York, F'ebruary 27, 1833; received his early ed-
ucation at Walworth academy; studied law with the Hon.
Stephen K. Williams, and was admitted to the bar of the
supreme court of New York in June, 1855. He came
to Iowa the same year, but remained at that time only a
year and a half. He has been a great rover, and has
followed many avocations, among which, besides that of
the law, are those of civil engineer, newspaper corre-
spondent and novelist. He is a very graceful writer. He
returned to Iowa in 1873, ^"d in 1880 he settled in Hazle-
ton with his family, consisting of his wife and two daugh-
ters. Having fairly settled down to business he expects
to make Hazleton his permanent home.
CHAPTER XI.
INTERESTING CASES.
So.me of the legal cases that have come before the
courts in this county, or been taken from it to others by
change of venue, are sufficiently interesting to be included
among the "causes celebres" of the French bar. We
will give a brief account of a few of the most striking of
these, commencing with the
COVEY MURDER CASE,
which furnishes a remarkable instance of the failure of
justice, through the mere technical inability to prove
what the lawyers call the corpus delicti, or substance of
the crime. That a murder had been committed nobody
doubted. Who the murdered man was, and who the
murderer everybody knew. The corpus of the latter was
lying in jail — that of the former, nobody knewvvhere;
and so, the corpus delicti not being proven according to
the technical requirements of the law, the murderer
escaped unpunished.
A murdered human body has usually been regarded
as a very difficult thing to conceal, and a very easy thing
to find; but a few cases like the following would go far
72
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, lOAVA.
to establish the contrary notion, viz., that, of all things, a
murdered body is the easiest to conceal and the most
difficult to find.
The principal part of the following statement has been
kindly furnished by our friend Jed. Lake, esq., one
of Buchanan's best known lawyers; but we have added
some interesting facts derived from other sources —
especially from the verbal narrative of another friend,
Mr. D. W. Hammond, one of the pioneer settlers of the
county, and for many years in the employment of the
United States Government, as head clerk in the railroad
postal service.
Among the early settlers in and about Buffilo Grove,
or Upper Buffalo, as it was called, was a somewhat
numerous family by the name of Jewell. There were
the father and mother, who were then very old people,
and several sons who were married and had families, and
who had taken up land in that vicinity. One of these
sons was J. R. Jewell, who was then commonly known
as Rock Jewell, and who had taken a fine tract of land
on the west side of the grove, in what is now Byron
township.
In the spring of 1855 one J. N. Covey came here from
Vermont and made some kind of a trade with Rock
Jewell for this land. Covey had a large house built there
the same year, and moved into it in the spring of 1856.
lewell and his family still lived in a small shanty on the
place. Some time in May, of the same year. Covey fore-
closed a chattel mortgage that he had on a span of horses
owned by Jewell, and bid them in himself
It may throw some light upon the subsequent portions
of this history if we state, in passing, that Jewell con-
sidered himself wronged by Covey in these transactions,
and was harboring a sort of grudge against him, though
no open rupture had taken place between them. It may
also be proper to say that Covey and the Jew^ells ("Rock"
and "Tom,'" who figure in the story) were rather rough
and intemperate characters; but no one suspected them
to be capable of such a terrible crime as that of which
the two latter now stand convicted in th? popular esti-
mation.
On the first Sunday in June, 1856, Covey started with
the team above mentioned to go to Dubuque, avowing
his intention (as was alleged) of going from there to Ver-
mont, and of returning in about two weeks. As he was
about to start Rock Jewell came out. of his shanty and
asked the privilege of riding over to his father's, who
lived some two miles distant, in a northeasterly direction,
on the other side of the grove. The privilege was
granted, as from one neighbor to another, and the two
set out, crossed a bridge over Buffalo creek, and disap-
peared in the timber.
This was the last that was ever seen of J. N. Covey,
except by those who are believed to have put him out of
sight, effectually and forever, on that fatal morning.
At the time of which we are writing D. W. Ham-
mond, another settler at the grove, was boarding at the
house of a widow by the name of Watson, who lived on
the opposite side of the grove from Covey's, and about
a mile farther north. Mr. Hammond, who had been
recently married, and had made arrangements for going
to housekeeping, was expecting his wife at Dubuque
about the middle of the week following the events above
narrated, and had engaged to meet her there and return
with a load of household goods. Covey, ascertaining
this, persuaded Hammond to go with him that Sunday
morning instead of waiting till Monday or Tuesday, as
he had intended to do. Hammond, although he dis-
liked to make the trip on Sunday, yet, for the sake of
having company, consented to the arrangement. Covey
was to come up to Mrs. Watson's and they were to start
together from there about 7 o'clock in the morning.
At about 6 o'clock, while Hammond was getting ready
to start, Tom Jewell, who also lived on the east side of
the grove, some distance north of Mrs. Watson's, came
by on the horse of his brother-in-law, Starkey, going
south, with a spade on his shoulder. A few words were
exchanged, Hammond mentioning that he was going to
Dubuque with Covey, and Jewell passed on.
Seven o'clock came and Covey did not appear. After
Hammond had waited a half hour or more, Tom Jewell
returned without the spade, bare-headed, riding the same
horse at a full gallop. As soon as he came near Ham-
mond he called out: Havn't you gone yet?" Ham-
mond replied that he was waiting for Covey. "Why,"
said Jewell, "he went nearly an hour ago. He told me
to come and tell you, and I forgot it He had to go by
the south road, and wants you to go on to the crossing.
Perhaps he'll meet you there. If he don't, you keep on
to Coffin's grove, and wait for him if he hasn't got there.
If he gets there first he'll wait for you." Having said
this, Jewell went back, and Hammond started on as di-
rected.
The road he took was about a mile north of the one
he supposed Covey had taken — the two running parallel
for soiiiC distance, then converging, and finally crossing
each other on a ridge about three miles east of the
grove.
Hammond had not gone far when he saw Covey's
team on the south road, driven very rapidly. He
recognized them distinctly, notwithstanding the dis-
tance, by the flowing silver tail of the sorrel
horse on the near side. He supposed it was Covey
that was driving, but noticed that he sat crouched down
in the wagon in an unusual attitude. Thinking at first
that the rapid driving was a challenge to see which
should reach the crossing first, he put whip to his own
team and run them for some distance. But the other
gained upon him so fast that he soon gave it up, rather
than run tlie risk of injuring his horses.
Just before reaching the ridge Covey's team had to
cross a slough, which retarded them so much that when
they reached the crossing Hammond was not more than
fifty rods from them. The driver was still crouched
down in the wagon, as if desirous to avoid recognition;
and, instead of taking the road toward Dubuque, as
Hammond expected him to do, he turned directly north
and drove off over the open prairies as fast as the horses
could go. And as the wagon receded in the distance
Hammond saw distinctly that a buffalo skin was spread
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
73
over the bottom, and that some large, loose object be-
neath it was rolling or bounding from side to side. Much
puzzled, and not a little vexed by what he had seen, but
still supposing that the driver was Covey, and that he
had hastened off across the prairie to see an acquaintance
living somewhere in that direction, and that he had
driven so fast simply to gain time and not retard their
journey too much, Mr. Hammond went on to Coffin's
grove, and there waited several hours for Covey to come.
But, having waited in vain, he at last gave him up, and
started on to Dubuque alone.
He was there till the latter part of the week, his wife
not arriving till Thursday, and every day he looked and
enquired for Covey; but no Covey came. The latter had
said nothing to Hammond about going to Vermont; but
the understanding between the two was that they should
return together — each expecting to have a pretty heavy
load — that they might assist each other in case of neces-
sity. Mr. Hammond and his wife, however, returning
alone, reached the grove in safety.
Two weeks rolled around, and still Covey did not
return, nor were any tidings heard of him. Rock Jewell
was absent — no one knew where — and suspicion of foul
play began to be aroused, and search began to be made.
About the first of July, 1856, Charles H. Jakway,
then and now residing in Buffalo Grove, happening to
be in Dubuque on business, came across Rock Jewell,
sitting behind a pile of wood on the levee, with his hat
drawn over his face, as if not wishing to be recognized.
Mr. Jakway went up to him, and addressing him called
him by name. He looked up at Jakway and said, with
an oath: "I don't know you." Then another person
came up and inquired of Mr. Jakway if he knew that
man? whereupon Jakway received a warning from Jew-
ell, in an undertone, to say he did not. But when he
openly avowed his knowledge of him, Jewell, in a great
rage, and with many oaths, protested that he had never
seen Jakway before. No time was lost in sending back
word that Jewell was in Dubuque, and in having him ar-
rested by the officers on the charge of murder.
It was afterward found that Jewell had sold the team,
wagon and harness, with which Covey had started from '
home, at Potosi, Wisconsin; that he had tried to sell
two watches which Covey had with him when he left ;
and also tliat he had on many of Covey's clothes when
seen in Dubuque. It was to get these watches priced
by a jeweler that he had come to that city, under an
assumed name, along with the man who was going to
purchase them.
The whole neighborhood about the grove was aroused
when it was learned that Mr. Jewell had been arrested
with Mr. Covey's clothing on, and that he had the other
property in his possession. Letters were written and
telegrams sent to Covey's relatives in Vermont, and ans-
wer returned that he had not been there. After a while, a
large searching party turned out, and went up and down
through the timber and out on the prairie, and examined
every place where it was thought a body could be con-
cealed, but no trace of it was found. In a short time, a
smaller party of men, consisting of E. B. Older, R. J.
Thornton, Jed. Lake, W. S. Church, and some others,
started and followed the route which they supposed
Jewell took after leaving the grove, as far as Elkader,
searching through the bluffs and woods about Volga
City and in that region, spending several days in the
search, and going into caves and all sorts of out-of-the-
way places, and making inquiries of the settlers wherever
they went. All their searching, however, was in vain.
The feelings of Mrs. Covey, while all these events
were transpiring, can better be imagined than described.
^\'hen she saw Mr. Jewell going off with her husband,
she thought (as she afterwards declared) that something
was wrong. She had a presentiment that there would
be a murder. There were then boarding at her house
William S. Church, H. A. Robertson, and Jed. Lake,
who owned a sawmill situated near by. These men,
after breakfast, and before Mr. Covey had started away,
had gone to the mill. When she saw Mr. Jewell in the
wagon with her husband, and this presentiment came over
her, she started for the saw-mill, with the intention of in-
ducing them to follow the team and see what was done.
When she got to the mill, the men were all gone and off
on the prairie, some half a mile away. So she went back to
the house and remained there, with this terrible feeling
hanging over her. When, therefore, Mr. Jewell did not
return to his family, and her husband failed to come
back at the time he was expected, she persisted in saying
that Jewell had followed her husband and killed him.
But it was not until after Mr. Jewell was found in Du-
buque that people generally believed that Mr. Covey
had actually been murdered, so slow are people ordina-
"rily to believe others criminal.
After Mr. Jewell had been arrested in Dubuque, and
it had been ascertained that he had sold the horses, wag-
on and harness in Potosi, Wisconsin, D. S. Lee, esq., and
Jed Lake went to Potosi to recover the property.
The man who had purchased it attempted to secrete
what he could of it, but, after search, it was found and
the matter was compromised. The wagon, when found,
had a stain on the bottom of the box, about in the mid-
dle, that looked very much like blood; but so long a
time had elapsed that it could not be definitely proven
to be so.
Mr. Jewell had a preliminary examination at Indepen-
dence, when all the facts in regard to his going away
with Covey — his being in possession of the team, cloth-
ing and other property of the missing man — his sale of
the same, and his actions when discovered in Dubuque
— were brought out in evidence before the magistrate.
On this evidence Mr. Jewell was committed to jail to
await the action of the grand jury. That body, at its
next meeting in the fall of 1856, indicted him for mur-
der in the first degree, and he was again committed to
jail to await his trial.
While Jewell was in jail he was kept at Delhi, then
the county seat of Delaware county. At that time a
tnan by the name of Manchamer was confined with
him. This KLinchamer, on being released from jail, de-
clared that Jewell admitted to him the killing of Covey,
and told him where the body was buried. He also pre-
74
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
tended that he could go where the body was, if he should
be led into the woods and shown the route that was
followed by the team. This was done in the spring of
1857. Mr. Lake went with him, but on getting out into
the grove the latter was unable to recognize the place.
There were so many little clumps of timber, all so nearly
alike, that, after a half day's travel through the woods
he gave it up, and declared that he could not designate
the spot. He stoutly affirmed, however, that Jewell ad-
mitted to him the killing, and that Covey was buried
within a half mile of his own house.
The fact that all attempts to discover the body were
unavailing will not seem so wonderful when we bear in
mind that the deed was committed when the grass
and leaves had just started, and the search was not com-
menced until some four weeks later. Thus the rapidly
growing vegetation aided to conceal the place where the
ground had been disturbed so long before.
When the searching first commenced the people gen-
erally thought that Jewell went with Covey down beyond
Delhi in the timber, and committed the deed there: and
that, consequently, it was useless to search about Buffalo
grove. But when it was ascertained that, instead of
going east, the team had gone north on the prairie, to-
ward Taylorville, in Fayette county, and had then turned
toward Volga city, they concluded that the body had
been taken in that direction.
It may be proper to state here that what Mr. Ham-
mond saw, on the morning of the tragedy, convinced
him that Covey was shot by Rock Jewell while passing
through the grove; that Tom Jewell, and probably one
other confederate, were to have buried the body there
while Rock Jewell made off with the team; that for some
reason they changed their plan about burying the body,
thinking it would be more safe to leave it in the wagon
covered up in the buffalo skin, to be carried off and se-
creted in some unfrequented place upon the prairie; that
Jewell waited as long as he dared to for Hammond to
get out of sight, and that when he saw him on the north
road he ran the team to avoid being intercepted at the
crossing. That a conspiracy was formed for the murder
of Covey he thinks is rendered well nigh certain by the
fact that the two Jewells, and their brother-in-law, S.
Starkey, are believed to have been together at the house
of the latter till a late hour of the night previous to the
murder.
Another fact in connection with this matter is that
when Jewell was arretted, he had in his possession a re-
volving pistol, known as a Deringer, which Covey brought
with him from Vermont, and which he had loaned to
Jewell not long before the date of his disappearance.
However, some say that this pistol had never belonged
to Covey, but was loaned to Jewell by Samuel Burns on
the very Sunday morning on which the tragedy occurred.
Jewell was kept in jail about a year; when, as it ap-
peared to the court that the body had not been found,
and that there was no prospect of finding it, he was
released from jail and the case stricken from the docket,
so that, if the body should ever be found he could be
rearrested and tried. The law requires that, before a
man can be tried for murder, it must be proved absolutely
that the person supposed to be murdered is dead. In
this case, convincing as were the circumstances pointing
to the murder of Covey, there was still a doubt as to his
death. He might have given up his property and left
the country, although no cause for such a course and no
probability of it could be shown. There is, of course,
a necessity for the law to be thus stringent, in order that
men may not be convicted of a crime while there is a
doubt as to whether a crime has really been committed.
The principle has long been well established, that the
body must, save in very exceptional cases, be shown to
be dead before the accused can be convicted of murder.
Some people have thought that Jewell ought to have
been punished for murder, any way ; that the circum-
stances were so strong against him, and so long a time
had elapsed since the disappearance of Covey, that there
ought to have been a legal presumption that the latter
was dead.
On the other hand rumors have been started that
Covey has been seen in different places since the sup-
posed murder. So that, even in this case, it would seem
that all are not agreed that the missing man is really
dead.
At the same time the editors of this strange history
must be permitted to say that the common instinct of
human justice demands that one found in the possession
of the personal effects of a missing man, who was seen
with him the last time he was seen on earth, should al
least be kept in prison until he can give a satisfactory
account of the manner in which the property came into
his hands.
Mr. James Jewell, a brother of the two men whose
names are so unfortunately connected with the mysteri-
ous disappearance of J. N. Covey, still lives at Buffalo
grove; and it gives us pleasure to state that he has never
been suspected of having any knowledge of the crime
which is commonly laid to their charge. He enjoys in
the highest degree the confidence and respect of the
community.
M.^IL ROBBERY.
John M. Boyd, a young man of good family and of
pleasing address, came to Quasqueton from Montgomery
county, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1857. After a
time, having made a most favorable impression upon the
community, he was employed as deputy postmaster, and
continued to act in this capacity to the entire satisfaction
of the people of Quasqueton until about the first of
September of the same year, when he left for Nebraska.
A letter was mailed at the Quasqueton post office about
the last of August, by a Mr. Potterf, containing a draft
on a Boston bank for five hundred dollars, and one on a
New York firm for one thousand dollars. Mr. Potterf,
learning that they were not received at Pella, Ohio, to
which place they were directed, wrote to New York and
Boston, and was notified in answer that the five hundred
dollar draft had been ])aid. It was learned by inquiry in
Dubuque that the five hundred dollar draft, endorsed by
Boyd, had been sold to Taylor, Richards & Burden,
bankers, of Dubuque. In possession of these facts,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
75
Sheriff Martin, of Quasqueton, was dispatched with a
warrant for the apprehension of Boyd, in Nebraska. He
was brought back, to Quasqueton about the first of De-
cember, and, after an examination, in default of two
thousand dollars bail for his appearance at the next term
of the United States district court, was committed to
jail. Boyd freely admitted, as of course he must, hav-
ing the five hundred dollar draft cashed, but said it was
sent to him by a friend in Wisconsin. The friend not
appearing to substantiate this statement, it fell to the
ground. About the middle of December Boyd was
transferred to the custody of Marshal Pierce, of Du-
buque, and taken to that city. A hearing was had before
Commissioner McKinley, who remanded him for trial at
the next term of the United States district court, on the
fourth of January, 1S5S.
Brought before the court at that date, he was, after a
somewhat lengthened trial, convicted of the crime with
which he was charged. He was ably defended by his
counsel, Messrs. Samuels, Allison, Adams, and Lovell,
Judge Love presiding. The testimony against him was
clear and convincing, and the sympathy which his youth
and previous good character were calculated to excite,
was neutralized by a bold attempt to implicate Mr. Har-
din, the postmaster at Quasqueton, a man held in uni-
versal esteem. The vindictiveness with which he pursued
this scheme, and the stolid indifference which he mani-
fested after his arrest, went far toward convincing many
that Boyd was not the tyro in villainy which his years
and manner would indicate. A most pitiable attempt
to extricate himself from the toils into which his own
folly and wickedness had betrayed him was made in the
court room, when asked if he had aught to say why sen-
tence should not be passed upon him. During his whole
trial his statements were contradictory, and proved their
own falsity; but with this privilege from the court, he
rose, and, weeping during the whole recital, gave the fol-
lowing account of his connection with the robbery: He
asserted his innocence of the charge, notwithstanding the
verdict of the jury, declaring that on the night of the
robbery he went into the office and found two men in the
act of appropriating the contents of the letter. He could
not tell where one of those men was, but the other was
in court. These men, when they found that they were
caught in the act, proposed to buy him off with the five
hundred dollar certificate. He refused it, saying he did
not want to be bought off, but they insisted on his ac-
cepting it, not as "hush money," but as a gift. In accept-
ing it he enquired whether they had come honestly by
it, and they assured him that they had. He counseled
them to destroy the one thousand dollar draft, as
he did not wish the parties to be losers by it. He left
Quasqueton and came to Dubuque to see a sick cousin,
and while in the place had negotiated the certificate of
deposit. He was innocent of the theft, and if the man
who was guilty had the spirit of a man in him, he would
never let another suffer by incarceration in the State
prison, but would confess the charge he then made. He
respected the man's family; they had nursed him when
sick in Quasqueton, and he didn't like the task imposed
upon him. Here, depending no doubt upon having made
a favorable impression upon his hearers, Boyd looked
around the court room until his eye rested on the post-
master at Quasqueton, S. W. Hardin, and pointing at
him, exclaimed, "There tits the man, brazen-faced, who
committed the crime for which I am to suffer." It is,
perhaps, needless to say that this weak and wicked har-
angue had an influence quite the opposite from that in-
tended by the unhappy culprit. It was indeed a sad sight
to all thoughtful persons — a young man endowed with so
many natural advantages prostituting them to the com-
mission of crime, when, rightly used, they would have
secured him a high place among the honored of the
land.
The jury having recommended him to the mercy of
the court, on account of supposed extenuating circum-
stances, he received the lightest sentence known to the
law for the offence — two years' hard labor in the State
prison.
AN ATTEMPTED MAIL ROBBERY.
The principal interest attaching to the following inci-
dent, at the present time, lies in two somewhat curious
coincidences — the locality being the same as that of the
more successful operation of Boyd, nearly three years be-
fore; and the sum which the last robber came so near
securing, being the same in amount as that realized by
Boyd. Since two coincidences suggest another it does
not seem improbable that the robbers were identical.
We do not know that this indeed was suggested at the
time of the latter occurrance; but, as this was several
months after the time of Boyd's sentence had expired,
the idea is by no means chimerical. Truth is stranger
than fiction, it is said; and what sometimes passes for
fiction, has more truth than that which sometimes passes
for history.
On Thursday, the fourteenth of June, i860, near the
hour of noon, the post office at Quasqueton was robbed
of several letters, by a stranger stopping temporarily at
the Hardin house, in the office room of which the mail
matter was kept. It is supposed that he secured them
by reaching through the delivery window; some of the
boxes being accessible from it; and, being in the house
for the purpose of effecting the robbery, the opportunity
for which he was waiting at length offered itself to him,
in the temporary absence of the postmaster. One of the
letters was addressed to a Mr. Smith, and another to Dan-
iel Stratton, a third to Mr. Sales, and one was from Ger-
many; having safely traversed the ocean, and two-thirds
of the continent, to be purloined by a petty villain, just as
it was to be placed in the hands of those who were wait-
ing for tidings from, "fatherland." These four, it is sup-
posed, he took first; carried them into a clump of
bushes several rods from the house, and opened them.
Finding no money, he twisted them into a roll and threw
them into the bushes, where they were afterwards found.
It is thought he then returned and took from another
box four letters belonging to B. G. Taylor, of Quasque-
ton. Mr. Taylor thought that in one of these there
might have been a small sum of money sent in payment
of taxes, but neither of the others were of special value.
76
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
In the same box, however, probably leaning close to
the side nearest the delivery window, so as not to be ob-
servable, was another letter which the thief did not se-
cure— and fortunately, as it contained a draft for five
hundred dollars. The robbery was discovered about
two o'clock p. M., and the thief had not been seen for
two hours; having left the place immediately, it is prob-
able, upon securing the second quartette of letters, which
he must have taken with him, fearing to risk another
opening in the near vicinity. Mr. Hardin made imme-
diate and active pursuit, tracing his quandom guest to
Independence. About eight o'clock in the evening he
was seen leaving that place, going north; and though
chase was made at once, he managed to reach the woods
and escape.
A NOVEL PROSECUTION.
On a pleasant morning in the early part of July, 1859,
a singular cavalcade passed through the streets of Inde-
pendence. The cortege was headed by Sherifif Martin,
whose air was not that of an officer who realized in his
demeanor the majesty of the offended law. Following
the sherifif came a large number of open wagons, filled
with men and boys of all ages, and at the rear rode the
deputy sheriff, his p3sition evidently designed to suggest
the idea of a rear guard. The apprehended zwd. witnesses
numbered over fifty persons, residents of Jefferson town-
ship, and parties in an action before Esquire Glynn — the
defendants being charged with disturbing a religious
meeting. The particulars, as they were developed dur-
ing the examination, were as follows :
Religious services had been appointed to be held on
the Sunday previous, in a grove in the aforesaid township.
Seats had been prepared, and the people, on assembling,
seated themselves as had been their wont, promiscuously,
or, more properly speaking, and with great propriety of
custom, families were seated together. The preacher,
whose name and denomination are not matters of record,
doubtless a well-meaning man, but possessing a zeal not
according to knowledge, insisted that the sexes should
occupy seats on the opposite sides of the speaker. This
"Shaker habit" not commending itself to a majority of
those assembled, the request met with a tardy compliance
on the part of some, and a positive refusal on the part
of others. The person who was to conduct the exercises
not being able to overlook so flagrant a departure from
what he esteemed of the gravest importance, the congre-
gation was dismissed; and, subsequently, the above
action was brought against some seventeen or eighteen
of the offenders.
The action was not sustained, however, and the pris-
oners were discharged. They left town as they had
entered it, singing with great heartiness, but, it is to be
feared, not in a frame of mind to be profited by the min-
istrations of one disposed to elevate matters of minor
importance into the ranks of fundamental doctrines.
As a matter of courtesy, we do not doubt that a sim-
ilar gathering of intelligent citizens of Jefferson at the
present day (which, as history repeats itself, may occur,)
would comply with the request, or even a demand,
though the inicard protest against the unwisdom of the
proceeding might be just as stout as that in the breasts
of the unyielding heroes of the novel trial of 1859.
COUNTY SAFE ROBBERY.
On the night of the seventeenth of March, 1864, the
safe of the county treasurer's office was blown open and
county, State and private funds to the amount of twenty-
six thousand dollars were stolen. The robbery was one
of the boldest and heaviest ever committed in the State,
and its announcement was a shock to the entire com-
munity. Everything indicated that the nefarious crime
was the work of a gang of old offenders.
The safe, which was one of the old Lilly Chilled Iron
patent, was a complete wreck ; the ponderous door was
thrown completely off, and fragments of the lock scattered
about the room. Cases of record books were thrown
down, and deeds, mortgages and other valuable papers
scattered over the floor. Under the debris were found
the implements used to effect their purpose, which had
been stolen from a blacksmith shop on Walnut street —
a sledge-hammer, tongs, punch and cold chisel. The
building was doubtless entered by skeleton keys, and the
safe opened by drilling a hole in the door and applying
a slow match to powder.
Five hundred dollars was picked up from among the
rubbish. None of the records or other papers were in-
jured. The money taken was principally county funds
and State taxes. The night chosen was exceedingly
cold, with a high wind prevailing, which, with the isolated
situation of the court house, prevented the explosion
from being heard.
E. B. Older, county treasurer, promptly telegraphed
to all available points, and one thousand dollars was
offered for the apprehension and conviction of the
thieves, or the restoration of the .money; and later the
sum was increased to three thousand dollars. Chicago
detectis'cs were employed under the direction of Cap-
tain Yates, but it was not until about the middle of the
July following that any arrests were made. Four pris-
oners were lodged in the county jail at that time,
charged with the great county safe robbery. One (Jones)
was discharged at the preliminary examination. In the
time which had elapsed between the robbery and the
arrest of these men. Captain B. C. Yates, of Chicago,
had been pursuing the matter with ceaseless vigilance,
travelling hundreds of miles and assuming all sorts of
disguises. He had been plow-boy, wood-sawyer, flat-
boatman, log rafter, and fisherman, following one of the
suspected parties in a skiff over one hundred miles.
The difficulties were greatly increased by the fact that
the three robbers pursued widely different routes after
the robbery. Such were the evidences that the right
clue had been taken which led to the apprehension, that
from the first, great confidence was felt that the true
culprits were in custody.
The prisoners were arraigned on Monday, July 2 5ch,
before Justice Barton, at the court house in Indepen-
dence. They gave their names as Christian A. Roher.
bacher (arrested at his home, near Pilot Grove, Black
Hawk county), William H. Knight (arrested in Du-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
77
buquc), and Wallace R. Pollard (arrested at Marathon,
Cortland county, New York). C. F. Leavitt, esq., ap-
peared as counsel for the defendants, and Wednesday
following was assigned for an examination. The bail
was set at fifty thousand dollars, and the prisoners were
recommitted to the custody of the sheriff. The three
prisoners were brought before W. H. Barton, justice of
the peace, for examination, on Wednesday, the twenty-
seventh of July, the examination lasting nearly four days.
The State was represented by Messrs. Woodward, Jamison
and Chandler; and the prisoners had Messrs. Barker, of
Dubuque, and Leavitt, of Independence, as counsel.
The e.xamination ended in holding the prisoners for trial
in the sum of fifty thousand dollars each.
Near the last of the month, the prisoners had evi-
dently resolved upon effecting their escape, thus adding
to the evidence already strongly confirming their guilt.
Knight not only slipped out of his irons, but had escaped
through a window, and was discovered only in time to
prevent him from making good his escape altogether.
The other two were found during the same week with
their_irons off. Pollard showed himself a skilful mech-
anician in this line.
The trials took place in April and May of 1865, and
resulted in the conviction of Roherbacher and Knight,
each being sentenced to the State prison for the term of
six years. Pollard was acquitted, and returned to the
State of New York, where he is now living. Knight,
who was suffering from pulmonary consumption, was
pardoned after about nine months' imprisonment ; went
south in the vain hope of recovering his health, but
remained only a few months, when he returned to Inde-
pendence; died at the Montour house, and was buried
by the county. He died, it is said, protesting his inno-
cence of the crime for which he had been imprisoned.
Roherbacher was also pardoned, about six months after
Knight. He went to Kansas soon after regaining his
liberty; and there, as we are informed, established so
favorable an opinion as to his honesty and intelligence,
as to be elected to the legislatnre of his adopted State.
The fact that these men, to all appearances, never en-
joyed the money which they were supposed to have
stolen, joined to the further fact that they were convicted
mainly upon the testimony of paid detectives, who, how-
ever honest they may have been, could hardly fail to be
strongly prejudiced against the men whom they had fol-
lowed so long — these facts, it cannot be denied, caused
a strong reaction in the minds of many, after the excite-
ment of the trial was over. It is probable that a large
proportion of the community now have serious doubts
if the convicted men were really guilty. On this point
we have no opinion, but state the facts as they have
been stated to us.
SUSPECTED POISONING.*
In the year 1868 one Daniel Thomas purchased a farm
in the town of Hazleton, of Albertus Gillett, and moved
onto it. About the same time a Mrs. Fay, a widow
with a large family, moved onto a farm that she had
* Communicated by Jed. Lake, esq.
purchased from Mr. Thomas. The neighbors were not
long in coming to the conclusion that there was an un-
due intimacy between Mr. Thomas and the widow.
But as Mrs. Thomas made no complaint, and none of
the old residents of the neighborhood had any previous
knowledge of either party, nothing was said or done by
them, except to keep as far from them, in a social point,
as possible. Things went on in this way for about two
years. Mr. Thomas had received considerable money
due him from Wisconsin, and Mrs. Fay built a new
house, and fences, and outbuildings on her place.
Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Fay came to Independence to-
gether quite frequently, and purchased goods to a con-
siderable extent, for which Mr. Thomas paid. About
February, 187 1, Mrs. Thomas was taken sick with cramp-
ing in the stomach, and severe spasms. A physician re-
siding at Otsego in Fayette county, was sent for ; and,
at the time of his visit, he discovered no alarming symp-
toms, but thought she would get along in a few days.
In a day or two after this, however, Mrs. Thomas died.
She was buried in due course of time. On the day of
the funeral, it is reported, Mr. Thomas took the widow
Fay out for a ride. The neighbors became aroused, and
sent for the county coroner. Dr. H. H. Hunt, and filed
before him an information alleging, in substance, that
they believed Mrs. Thomas had been poisoned. Dr.
Hunt had Thomas arrested, his house searched, and
found in it a bottle containing sulphuret of strychnia.
He then had the body exhumed; a post mortem ex-
amination made; and the stomach taken out, placed in a
glass jar carefully sealed, and sent to a chemist for
analysis.
The coroner's jury spent some time in their examina-
tion, and finally found that Mrs. Thomas was killed by
poison administered by her husband.
An information was filed against Mr. Thomas; and,
after an examination that lasted about four days, the
justice held him to answer for the charge of murdering
his wife by administering poison, to wit: strychnine. On
the preliminary examination it was shown by the prose-
cution, that when Mrs. Thomas was first taken sick, she
and her husband were at home alone ; that he gave her
some chicken broth that had been prepared by some one
for her; that she complained of its bitterness, and shortly
after, went into spasms, and that he called in some of the
neighbors to assist in taking care of her. To them she
stated, on coming out of the spasms, that the broth was
very bitter. The physician that w^as called to see her
the next day, testified that Thomas told him that she had
these spasms and had been subject to them for some
time; that she would die in a spasm some day; that it
was no use to doctor her, as nothing could cure her, and
told the physician that he need not come again. The
doctor who made the post mortem examination, testified
that there were no indications that she died from disease ;
that her symptoms were those tetanoid convulsions.
That strychnine poison would produce tetanus, and the
convulsions as testified to by witnesses present when she
died, and as shown by the condition of the body when
e.xhumed, and by her general appearance.
78
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
The chemist, Professor Hinrichs, of Iowa State uni-
versity, who analyzed her stomach, testified to finding
strychnine that would indicate that she had taken about
one-half grain of the poison. The witnesses also testi-
fied to the facts as to the intimacy between Mr. Thomas
and the widow Fay: thai he gave her money frequently,
and built her house, and improved her farm. Others
that he ordered merchants at Independence to sell her
goods that she might want, and he would pay for them;
and the fact that he did pay for large amounts of goods
that she purchased.
Messrs. Lake and Horman, and Mr. Jamison were
employed on the defence by Mr. Thomas. They ex-
amined the facts of the case, aside from what was proved
on the preliminary examination. After a careful ex-
amination, ihey came to the conclusion that delay was a
good defence; and therefore, were not ready for trial.
The evidence for the prosecution was mostly circumstan-
tial, and the small amount of strychnine, as shown by
Professor Hinrich's analysis, left the case in some doubt;
so that the prosecuting attorney was not anxious to urge
the case to trial.
Mr. Thomas was confined in the county jail, but, be-
ing an old and feeble man, was allowed large liberty by
the jailors, and had a fail ly comfortable time. He was
in the jail where a large number of very tough customers
were confined then. They desired to try to break jail,
but did not dare to try to get Mr. Thomas to go with
them. So they contrived, in some way, to stupify him
in his cell. But their plan was frustrated by some other
means. They succeeded in getting out of jail, but were
all recaptured in a short time. After that, Mr. Thomas,
at another time, put the sheriff on the watch for tools
that had been prepared by a noted burglar, then confined
in jail, to get out. This so enraged the other prisoners
that it was deemed unsafe fir him to be with them, and
Mr. Thomas was removed to better quarters in the jailor's
house. His case, in the meantime, was not called for
trial, but was continued by consent of counsel. In the
spring of 1872 he was taken sick, and, in a short time,
died.
Thus the facts, as they might have been found by the
jury on a full trial, will never be known. If innocent,
the man was most unjustly dealt by. If guilty, he ought
to have been tried and punished. He has, however,
gone to his reward; and to be judged where all truth is
known. The willingness of his attorneys to allow his
case to linger on the docket, is evidence that they did
not have the most unbounded faith in his innocence.
DEADLY ASSAULT, MURDER, AND SUICIDE.
On Sunday evening, February 17, 1878, Mr. Sidney
Toman and Miss Matie Sherwood were returning to In-
dependence from Fairbank township, where the latter
had been stopping two or three days, visiting friends.
They were in a covered buggy, and it had become dark
(or rather, moonlight) before they reached town. Near
the southwest corner of the Catholic cemetery young
Toman stopped the horses for a moment to adjust the
buffalo robe, when some unknown person leaped upon
the back part of the buggy, thrust his hand through the
cover and discharged a pistol. The discharge not taking
effect. Toman attempted to whip up the horses, but
could not make them move — the supposition being that
an accomplice of the ruffian was holding them. There-
upon, resolved to sell his life as dearly as possible, if
killed he must be, Toman jumped from the buggy and
seized the man who had fired the pistok A scuffle
ensued, during which several more shots were fired, two
of them taking effect on the left side of young Toman's
head and face. One was slight, though causing the
blood to flow profusely. The other was more serious,
the ball lodging among the muscles of the face, where
it remained until removed by the physicians.
The would-be assassin, having emptied all the cham-
bers of his revolver, succeeded in releasing himself from
his intended victim; who though weak from his struggle
and the loss of blood, managed to get into the buggy
and drive into town. Strange to say, the assailant, as
the buggy started, leaped again upon the back part of
it and remained there until it arrived near the Central
depot, when he jumped down and disappeared. Whether
or not he tried to reload and finish his work, will never
be known.
The first suspicion, so far as the public knows, con-
cerning the perpetrator of this diabolical outrage, fell
upon a roving and dissipated character, named Jim
Strohl; who, with an unknown companion, was seen
near the Central railroad station, on the afternoon before
the occurrence. He had recently been in the peniten-
tiary, and it was said, was harboring a grudge against
young Toman for some things that had been said about
him in the Independence Bulletin, of which ])aper Mr.
Toman was local editor. One of the suspicious circum-
stances implicating Strohl and his companion, was the
finding of some wet handkerchiefs, one of them stained
with blood, in the pockets of their overcoats, which had
been secreted under the plank-way at the Independence
mill. Considering all the circumstances, it was thought
best to have them arrested on a charge of vagrancy, that
the authorities might have time for further investigation.
This was accordingly done, and they were sent to jail
for ten days. Before the ten days were up, it was thought
that sufficient facts had been discovered to implicate
them in the attempted murder. Being rearrested on
that charge, they waived examination and were recom-
mitted to await the action of the grand jury.
That body met about the middle of March; and, after
a three days' hearing, the two accused boys (for Strohl
had haidly reached his majority, and the other, Rourke,
alias Henderson, was only seventeen) were held in the
sum of three thousand dollars each to appear at the next
term of the district court. The chain of evidence which
led to this result was about as follows:
The boys left Raymond, the second station west of
here, between twelve and one o'clock, Sunday p. m.
While there they were seen to have in their possession a
pistol known as a "four shooter." They arrived here,
and were seen on Main street bridge about half past five.
About six, three persons were seen near the central
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
79
crossing, one of them identified as Henderson, and
another wearing a coat and cap similar to those shown
in court as the property of Strohl. About dusk three
persons (supposed to be the same) were seen going in a
northwesterly direction up the slough. Mr. Hayes saw
three persons, a little later, near the place where the
shooting occurred, but could not identify them. Mr.
Morse, living in that vicinity, heard the shooting — "four
shots in quick succession, and only four were fired."
This corresponds with the four-shooter shown by the
boys at Raymond, but not with the recollection of young
Toman. These circumstances, with the threats made by
Strohl against Judge Toman and family, made a bad
looking case for the boys. Still, many puzzling questions
were asked by those who doubted that the boys were the
guilty parties. Two things were evident: First, that the
motive of the assault was a grudge of some sort ; and
second, that the person or persons wOio planned and
perpetrated it, knew that Toman was to [jass that way
about that time. If, therefore, Strohl and his companion
knew it (arriving in town late as they did Sunday even-
ing) they must have been informed by some third party.
But no such party was ever found.
The case was called for trial at the next session of the
district court, on the seventh of May. Rourke had been
bailed by his friends, and was not to be tried at this
session. The case was managed, on the part of the State
by District Attorney Powers, assisted by Mr. Holman,
of Independence; and on the part of the defence by
Charles Ransier and an attorney by the name of Gannon,
of Davenport. The trial lasted four days — that is, until
Saturday night, the tenth of May, when the case was
given to the jury. After being in consultation over it all
night, they brought in a verdict of guilty. Strohl re-
mained in jail until the June session of the court, when,
on Saturday, the twenty-second of that month, the appli-
cation for a new trial having been overruled, he was
sentenced to five years imprisonment in the penitentiary
at Anamosa.
THE SEQUEL
of this strange trial is too tragic, the events which com-
pose it are too recent, and the living whose hearts bled,
and still bleed in consequence of it, are too numerous to
justify a minute description here. But this history would
be imperfect, and its patrons would have some right to
complain of injustice, if all allusion to these events, as
notorious as they are sad, were to be avoided. While,
therefore, any mention of them must doubtless be pain-
ful to some, we will endeavor to make our comments
upon them so brief, and withal so charitable, that none
shall have just occasion to censure us.
Miss Matie Sherwood, the young lady who was with
Sidney Toman at the time of the assault related above,
and who was commonly understood to be engaged to
him in marriage, had another lover, Clarence Shaw, who
seemed to be completely infatuated by her many attrac-
tions; and who, on the other hand; seemed to exercise
over her a strange sort of spell. It is not our intention
to give anything like a history of this ill-starred attach-
ment; but we cannot forbear to say that the terrible re-
sults of it should prove a warning to all young people to
keep the sentiment of love within the strictest bounds
of honor, morality and religion. Especially should
everything like love-making between two parties, either
of whom is affianced to a third party, be frowned upon,
not only as dishonorable, but as an actual crime against
society, by all, both old and young, who have the good
of society at heart.
It is not known that the rivalry of the two young men,
in regard to the young lady in question, had ever pro-
duced any open rupture between them ; but both must
have been either more or less than human, if it did not
cause at times, on the part of both, a pretty strong feel-
ing of jealousy.
During the trial, and after it, the feeling was general,
even among those who believed Strohl to be guilty, that
there was a third party yet undiscovered more guilty than
he. This feeling was so much intensified after Strohl's
conviction, that a detective was employed to f&rret the
matter out. Suspicions began to point to young Shaw
as this third party, and these suspicions coming to his
ears, annoyed and disquieted him greatly. His conduct
became more and more strange, and many of his actions
and words, on the day of the fatal deed, partook strongly
of the character of insanity.
But whether, or not, he was guilty of the shooting of
Toman, it is not probable that remorse, or the fear of
apprehension, alone, impelled him to the terrible act
which he finally committed. Toman was alive and well.
A frank confession that he had assaulted him in a mo-
ment of frenzied jealousy, accompanied by an openly
avowed resolution to atone, as far as possible, for his
crime, by a future course of virtuous living, would un-
doubtedly have saved him from the penitentiary, and re-
gained for him at length the good opinion of the com-
munity; whereas, the double crime with which he left
the world, would be looked upon by many as a confes-
sion of the smaller crime of which he was suspected.
No, the infatuation of a misplaced and hopeless love,
was probably the principal cause that goaded poor Shaw
to the commission of murder and suicide.
What little we have to say in regard to this fearful
tragedy, will be taken mainly from a long account of the
affair, published in the Independence Conser-daiive, of
July lo, 1878 — the Wednesday after the act was com-
mitted
To lay before the readers of the Conservative an account of the re-
cent sad occurrence, is, indeed a painful task. Last Saturd.iy night,
at ten o'clock, Clarence Shaw, aged nineteen years, and an employe of
this office, shot Miss Matie Sherwood, twenty years old, daughter of
Thomas Sherwood, and then shot himself. The shooting was done at
the residence of W. S. VanOrsdoI, sheriff of this county. They had
gone thither after tea, by appointment, to meet Miss Minnie VanOrs-
doI, and Mr. John Evers. After conversing for a while, the four start-
ed out for a walk. They had not gone far when the two couples sepa-
rated— Clarence and Matie proceeding to the river for a boat ride
During the walk the strange actions of both had ex-cited the
apprehensions of Mr. Evers and Miss VanOrsdoI ; and, after the for
mer had gone to the river against their expostulations, the two latter
hastened to the store, where Charlie Sherwood, a brother of Matie,
was employed, and informed him of their fears concerning his sister
and Clarence.
Charlie hastened to the river and got there just as Clarence was
pushing the boat off. Charlie rushed into the water and pulled the
8o
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
boat to shore. He then told his sister to go home, and she started,
Clarence accompanying her and Charlie following behind. They
passed directly along Genesee street until they arrived on the corner at
Dr. Hunt's. Clarence then said that they must go to Mr. Van
Orsdol's and get their things.
The narrative does not say whether anything had
really been left there, or whether this was merely a ruse
for the sake of carrying out the fatal programme.
However this may be, the three returned to Mr. ^'an
Orsdol's. Clarence and Matie went in and Charlie re-
mained at the door. After being admitted Clarence
asked Miss Van Orsdol t'or some water to wash his
hands, "as the rope on the boat had dirtied them." He
was shown to a bedroom, which he entered — Miss Sher-
wood following. Miss Van Orsdol, after pouring some
water into a bowl, stepped out for a moment, but scarcely
had she gone six steps when she heard the report of a
revolver twice. Charlie Sherwood rushed in and found
them both lying across the bed, shot through the head.
Matie lived about twenty minutes, and Clarence about
an hour after. Physicians were summoned, but nothing
could be done.
Messengers were sent to mform the parents of the unfortunate young
persons. We forbear to dwell on the sorrowful scenes witnessed when
tidings of the terrible tragedy were imparted to the parents. The
bodies, after being cared for, remained at Van 'Orsdol's until Sunday
morning, when they were taken home.
The funeral of Shaw took place Sunday afternoon at five o'clock;
that of Miss .Sherwood on Monday afternoon at two o'clock.
How the thouglits crowded in upon our minds. Two days before
who would have thought of such an event? Saturday evening on earth;
Monday, the souls in eternity and the bodies in the cold grave. Sad
the thoughts; sadder the scenes; saddest the stern reality.
Miss Matie Sherwood was a pleasant, interesting and engaging
young lady — romantic, sympathetic. She moved in the best society,
and had many warm friends. Her death, and the terrible tragedy con-
nected therewith, will long be felt in this community.
Of Clarence Shaw we wish to say a few words. Having been in
our employ for four years, we believe our opportunity for knowing his
character was better than that of any other person, excepting his par-
ents. He came to us a boy, in September, 1874. .\n almost daily
intercourse with him from that time forward, has led us to regard him
only with the kindliest feelings. He was stricUy honest and temper-
ate, and withal intellectual; and had he not become enmeshed in the
toils of an infatuated love, we believe he would have made more than
an ordinary man; but a morbid sentimentalism got the better of him,
and one thing led to another until he struck down himself and the girl
he worshipped. It was in this that he showed a sveakness that surprises
us.
Here ■we close our extracts from the Conservative, and
let the curtain drop upon the awful tragedy. Whether
it was Shaw who made the deadly assault upon Toman —
whether Matie Sherwood was consenting to the sacrifice
of her own life with his — whether he was of sound mind
when the dreadful act was committed, and what amount
of guilt rests upon the souls of both for its commission —
are solemn questions upon which the grave has set its
seal till the great day of final account. We shall not
attempt to forestall the decisions of that day.
Mainly on account of the evidence adduced before the
coroner's jury, Strohl was released from prison on his
own recognizance, pending an appeal which had been
taken to the supreme court. That court reversed the
decision of the court belov?, and sent the case back for a
new trial. But the district court dismissed the case
without a hearing. Rourke, of course, was never brought
to trial.
CHAPTER XI.
COUNTY SOCIETIES.
This chapter will comprise the history of all the asso-
ciations of a public character, whose membership ex-
tends over the entire county.
We begin with the
EARLY settlers' ASSOCI.ATION,
not because it is first in the order of time, but because
it seems more nearly related than any other to the first
settlement of the county.
Owing to the comparatively recent date of its organ-
ization, we are enabled to give our readers a fuller ac-
count of the meetings held, addresses delivered, etc.,
than would be practicable if its history extended over a
much longer period.
The first formal organization of the pioneers of the
county took place in the autumn of 1875. Several of
the old residents of Independence and vicinity united
in a call for a meeting, to be held on the ninth of Sep-
tember. It was intended to hold the meeting in a grove
near the town, but, the weather proving unfavorable, it
was held in the court house. Quite a good number of
the early settlers came together, and unanimously adopt-
ed the following
CONSTITUTION :
We, the pioneers in the settlement of Buchanan county, assembled
at Independence in said county, this ninth day of September, 1875,
having resolved for our mutual interest and happiness to imite ourselves
into a permanent organization, do hereby, for that purpose, make, or-
dain and adopt the following constitution, to wit :
Article I. This organization shall be known and desingated as
"The Early Settlers' Association of Buchanan county, Iowa."
.Article II. The officers of this society shall consist of one presi-
dent, one secretary, one treasurer ; and also one vice-president from
each township having resident members of this association.
Article HI. .•\11 officers shall be elected annually, at the regular
meeting of the association, as hereinafter provided; and shall hold
their office until their successors are elected.
Article IV. The president shall perform the usual duties apper-
taining to that office; shall countersign all orders drawn upon the treas-
urer; and, in case of his absence or inability to act, the duties of presi-
dent shall devolve upon the first on the list of the vice-presidents able to
act.
Article V. The president and vice-presidents shall constitute an
e.xecutive committee, whose duty it shall be to make all necessary ar-
rangements for meetings of this society; examine and audit all claims
against this society, and attend generally to all business thereof, not
otherwise provided for.
Article VI. The secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of
the society and of the executive committee; also a record of all deaths
of members of the society, so far as shall come to his knowledge, and
attend to all necessary correspondence of the society, and draw orders
on the treasurer for the payment of all claims allowed by the executive
committee, keeping a record thereof; receive all money paid to the
society, and hand the same over to the tieasurer, keeping an ac-
count thereof.
Article VII. The treasurer shall receive all the money from the
secretary, belonging to the society, safely keep the same, and pay it out
only on orders of the secretary ; report to the executive committee, at
each annual meeting, the amounts received and expended, and pay
over to his successor in office any and all moneys remaining in his
hands, belonging to that society.
Article VIII. The society shall also report annually; and both
secretary and treasurer at any time when requested by the executive
committee.
Article iX. .Any resident of the county, who has resided therein
for twenty years, may become a member of the society by presenting
his name to the secretary for record.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUN TV, IOWA.
8i
Ahticle X. The expenses of the society shall be paid by voluntary
subsciiption, unless the society shall, at a regular meeting, provide
some other method.
Article XI. The annual meetings of the society shall be held on
the first Thursday of September of each year, at some place near the
centre of the county, designated from time to time by the executive
committee.
.•\rticle XII. The executive committee shall meet annually, at the
time and place of the meeting of the society, and shall hold such
special meetings as may be called by the acting president, or by a ma-
jority of the members of said committee.
Article XIII. This constitution, or any by-laws or rules adopted
thereunder, may be altered or amended at any annual meeting of the
society, by vote of a majority of the members present and voting.
After the adoption of the above constitution, the so-
ciety proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing
year, which resulted as follows;
O. H. P. Roszell, president; J. S. Woodward, secretary: James
Jamison treasurer; J. B.Ward, Madison township; C. H. Jakeway, Buf-
flalo township; Samuel Sufficool, Hazleton township; Francis Pingree,
Fairbank township; Charles Melrose, Perry township; Ephraim Miller,
Washington township; S. G. Pierce, Byron township; James Fleming,
Fremont township; A. Risley, Middlefield lownsliip; S. Swartzell,
Liberty township; A. C. Blakely, Sumner township; Peter Ham, West-
burgh township; George Frinke, Jefferson township; Eli Norton,
Homer township; John Newell. Cono township; Charles Hoover,
Newton township; vice-presidents.
The following names of members were taken at this
meeting, in accordance with article nine of the constitu-
tion:
William A. Jones, David Cill, B. C. Hale, S. Swartzell, E. A. Cam-
eron, C. Jakeway, J. G. Litts, C. Wilson, John Carson, D. L. Lee,
John Cameron. John H. Anderson, L. D. Ingall, Charles Melrose,
Jesse Ozias, B. B. Warren, A. C. Blakely, Joel Fisher, Thomas Scar-
cliff, D. Robinson, J. Slaughter, David .\gnew, S. M. Eddy, Peter
Ham, Harvey Norton, Ell Ozias, Thomas Ozias, Eli Norton, S. G.
Pierce, H. Sparling, W. O. Curtis, M. A. Glass, J. C. Glass, E. Cobb,
E. B. Older, Eben Little, J. J. Travis, M. Burbridge, J. M. Blakely,
John Logan, E. Miller, B. W. Ogden, J. W. Plumerfelt, A. M. Bryant,
Rebecca Chitistei. J. C. Neidy, Lovina Sparling, J. S. Woodward, O.
H. P. Roszell, James Jamison, Mary Jamison, John L. Frinke, J. R.
Megonigan, J. L. Norton, Charles Hoover, Rufus Brewer, F. W. Car-
don, E. Mosher, diarlotte Minton. Alice J. Burroughs, Charles A. F.
Roszell, Mrs. S. C. Little, C. H. Little, F. M. Curtis, Charles Kautz,
J. C. Wroten, James Poor, E. B. King, S. S. Allen, John .S. Bouck,
C. Gideon Ginther, Lyman R. V'arguson, George McFarland, William
Bunce, .Alexander Risk, J. Wiley, G. Walker, William Slaughter, Wil-
liam H. Gifford, A. E. Morphy, S. G. Gifford, Mrs. J. Wiley, Asa
Blood, W. G. Cummings, Z. P. Rich, Mailha Hoover, W^arren Chase,
Thomas Edie, D. G. Dunlap, Don F. Bissell, Samuel H. Miller, John
O. Cummings, William Waggner, Margaret .■\. Waggner, Mrs. Almina
Miller, J. C. Stevenson, Lovinia Edie, Mrs. E. M. Sampson, Lydia
Rich, Janet Glass.
The next year (September 7, 1876) the association
met in Dickinson's grove, on the west side of the river.
The meeting was called to order by O. H. P. Roszell,
president, and Z. P. Rich, of Byron township, was elect-
ed secretary Jiro ton., in the absence of J. S. Wood-
ward, secretary of the society. The weather was un-
favorable and the attendance consequently small.
The election of officers for the ensuing year, resulted
as follows:
O. H. P. Roszell, president; J. .S.Woodward, secretary; W. A.Jones,
treasurer.
The vice-presidents for the several townships were all
reelected.
W'. A. Jones, A. Risk, Elder Brintnall, IJr. H. Bryant,
and Judge Roszell, made brief addresses, replete with
interesting reminiscences ot f)ld times. Owing to the
small attendance, no additions were made to the mem-
bership of the association.
September 6, 1877, the society met on the same
grounds, and was called to order by B. C. Hale, of Perry
township. The president. Judge Roszell, was present
but too feeble in health to preside. This was the last
meeting of the society that he ever attended, his death
occurring before the close of the year. The weather
being propitious, the attendance was large; and the re-
sult, as will be seen further on, was a goodly number of
accessions to the society.
The following officers were elected for the ensuing
year: Henry Sparling, jjresident; J. J. Travis, secretary;
Byron C. Hale, treasurer.
The vice-presidents were all reelected, with the follow-
ing exceptions: Gamaliel Walker was elected for Perry
township in place of Charles Melrose, deceased ; James
Fleming for Fremont township; and A. Risley for Mid-
dlefield.
Colonel Jed. Lake, David Gill, Henry Sparling, Z. P.
Rich, and Mrs. B. N. Morse (the latter having been a
resident of the county for the past thirty-five years), made
appropriate addresses; and Samuel Harvey, an old resi-
dent of Delaware county, favored the society with a song,
entitled, "Thirty Years Ago." The following names were
added to the list of members:
Curtis Morgan, Mrs. N. Moshier, John McMillan, Mrs. J. McMil-
lan, J. F. Hathaway, Sarah Jane Hathaway, Jesse Kitch, Maftha
Jakeway, John Merrill, Moses Litts, John Slomens, Mrs. Mary Gates,
Mrs. Mary Edgell, Mrs. Dora Gregory, Mrs. Nancy Sheldon, Mrs.
Charlotte Potter, Mrs. T. M. Hunt, Mrs. Mary E. Kitch, Mrs. .Anna
Wagner. Mrs. Rebecca Miller, Mrs. Sarah E. Menshaw, Henry Bnrn-
ham, Mrs. M. C. Burnham, Norman Boyce, Rachel Boyce, Willi-im
Ramsey, Elizabeth Ramsey, Mrs. C. A. Ridinger, James Henry, Jesse
Merrill, Jube Day, George A. Jakeway, Mrs. Martha Logan, Mrs.
Ellen Stevens, Mrs. Elmira Hunt, J. B. Edgell, W. G. Miller, T. M.
Hunt, Amos R. Blood, M. V. Miller, Kate Frank, N. E. House, S. L.
Hastings, Mrs. .Amy Hastings, Sarah Biddinger, Elsa Biddinger, Lo-
vina Hathaway, Josiah Brace, Leonard Curley, James .Saunders, W.
W. Norton, Hugh Hursay, Enos A. Sheldon, Nathaniel Walker, J. E.
Cook, William Morgan, Z. P. Stoneman, Mrs. C. H. Stoneman, John
Moor, Sophia Moor, A. D. Stoneman, Mrs. Samantha J. Litts, Ella
Wilbur, M. S. Ozias, Mrs. J. Day, Mrs. Lovina Sparling, Maltha
Ozias, Mrs. Huldah Sherwood, Mrs. B. N. Morse, Mrs. Hannah
Phelps, Joseph E. Jewell, Mrs. Joseph E. Jewell, J. B. Potter, E. Dick-
inson, E. W. Purdy, Charles E. Purdv. Mrs. E. W. Wilson, Mrs.
Margaret Mann, Mrs. B. Slomers, S. H. Pierce, Mrs. Nancy A. Litts.
The meeting for 1878 (September 5) was held in the
same place (Dickinson's grove) and was opened with
prayer by William A. Jones. The exercises were enlivened
by music by the Independence cornet band. After the
reading of the minutes of the last meeting, the constitu-
tion of the society, and the list of members previously
enrolled, the Hon. W. G. Donnan was called out and
addressed the meeting at considerable length, giving
many interesting reminiscences of the early settlement of
the county. After some stirring music by the band,
Messrs. Asa Clark, Dr. H. Bryant, John C Neidy, Asa
Blood, and William A. Jones also made appropriate re-
marks. The following names were then reported, and
entered on the list of members:
G. W. Smyser. Susan C. Smyser, Mrs. George O. Farr, E. Zinn_
Mrs M. Zinn, Mrs. A. Zimmen, .Adolph Leytze, Mrs. C. Leytze, Louis
Melzmier, Mrs. .A. L. Metzmier. Charles Swartz. Mrs. B. Swartz. J. L.
82
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Bigelow, Mrs. Harriet Bigelow, J. R. Freeman, Mrs. Cora E. Free-
man, Mrs. Emily M. Rich. Mrs. D. M. Moore, Mrs. E. Ogden, G.
Dickinson, G. R. Smitli, Mrs. Elizabeth Heron, Mrs. Hannah Hay-
wood, Mrs. Cynthia George, R. J. Williamson, Mrs. Belle Fonda, C.
G. Woodruff, P. H. Goen, Mrs. S. Bitner, Mrs. L. C. Bryant, Mrs.
Mary Hathaway, Nicholas Bornheim, G. Walkins, Valentine Gates,
Alden Whitney, Mr. G. M. Goen, A. B. Black, Horatio Bryant, L.
Fonst, Mrs. .Amanda Cutler, Mrs. Susan Brace, .Alexander Brace, A.
S. Munshaw, John Briggs, Mrs. Ann Briggs, Mrs. Mary Jamison. D.
C. Hastings, Mrs. E.- D. Whitney, Charles L. Patrick, Mrs. M. A.
Patrick.
The following are the names of the old settlers that
died during the year:
Hon. O. H. P. Roszell, Captain D. S. Lee, James Jamison, Henry
Mead, Thomas W. Close, Mrs. Gaylord, Mrs. Frisell, Mrs. R. R.
Plane, Mrs. Baton, Mrs. Apple. Mrs. Beach, Mrs. Blood, Mrs. Croma '
—all of Washington township— and Mrs. Charlotte, of Perry.
The election of officers resulted in the following choice :
Dr. H. Bryant, president; J. J. Travis, secretary; Henry Sparling,
treasurer; J. B. Ward, Madison township; Nelson Bennett, Buffalo
township; Samuel Sufficool, Hazleton township; Charles Higby, Fair-
bank township; Gamaliel Walker, Perry township; A. H. Fonda,
Washington township; James Hamilton, Byron township; Joseph
Fleming, Fremont township; A. Risley, Middlefield township; Solo-
mon Swartzell, Liberty township; A. C. Blakely, Sumner township;
Peter Ham, Westburgh township; George Lauterdale, Jefferson town"
ship; Eh Norton, Homer tow-nship; John Newell, Cono township'
Charles Hoover, Newton township, vice-presidents.
The fifth meeting of the society, September 4, 1879,
in Dickinson's grove, was called to order by the presi-
dent. Dr. H. Bryant, and opened by prayer by Josiah
Brace. The Independence cornet band was again in at-
tendance. After the preliminary business several mem-
bers addressed the meeting, the last speaker being Perry
Munson, who related incidents in the early settlements
of the county, dating as far back as 1842, when he first
came here to reside.
The following names were added to the list of mem-
bers : •
Henry W. Oliver, George Mann, George Harriman,
Mrs. Antre Ring, Mrs. Doritha Mann, Mrs. Arvilla
Gregory, Mrs. Elizabeth Palmer. Mrs. Lucinda Bright.
The deaths of members reported for the past year
were as follows :
William Ramsy, September 23, 1878, having been a
resident of the county twenty-five years; Mrs. Merrill, of
Liberty township, and Adolph Leytze, of Washington.
The following poem, composed by Mrs. E. A. Wood
and dedicated to the society, was read by the secretary:
TO THE OLD SETTLERS OF BUCHANAN COUNTY.
Old settlers, wlio to-day have met
To take each other by the hand,
Whose hearts have never known regret
For all your toils in this fair land —
We welcome you to our glad throng.
Who, in the months and years gone by.
Have battled manfully and long —
Have bravely stood to do or die.
Strongmen, brave women — true hearts all —
A great State blesses you to-day.
That, from beginnings crude and small.
For empire you have cleared her way.
From eastern homes, with plenty blest.
By mountain-side, or sea, or rill,
* You left your dearest and your best,
The prairie soil untouched to till.
These prairies, as of old, to-d.iy
Spread their green bosoms to the sun;
But bearing, as they ever may.
The honest homes that toil has won.
Each year the harvest time pays back
For all the days of toil and pain;
And never is there any lack
Of stores of fruit or golden grain.
.And many a stream that winds its way
To join its "Father" of the west.
Is taught by skilful hands to stay
And turn a mill at their request ;
While daily, all the season round.
The yellow grain its hoppers fill.
There's nuisic in its cheerful sound —
O never may that sound be still !
Old friends, your monuments, to-day,
.Are scattered wide o'er all the land;
And you have built in such a way
That they forever more shall stand.
Your cities, manufactures, schools,
.And church spires pointing to the sky,
.All show that education rules.
And teaches how to live and die.
May coming years to you but bring
New scenes of joy and gladness.
Like the return of nature's spring
From out a winter's sadness.
And when your days on earth are o'er.
From far across Death's river,
May angel hands stretch from the shore
To help you home forever.
Last year, September 2, iSSo, the sixth meeting of
the society was held in the public park, east of the court-
house, Independence. The old settlers from all parts of
the county came together with baskets filled with choice
eatables from their well-stored pantries; and the usual
exercises were prefaced by a pic-nic, which was highly
enjoyable, not only as an occasion of gustatory pleasure,
but as a social reunion of old friends. The proceedings
of the meeting were, as usual, enlivened by favorite airs
from the cornet band, and, what was quite unusual, by
songs from a well-trained choir, under the leadership of
Mr. D. D. Holdridge.
The death of the late treasurer, Henry Sparling, was
announced, after which the society proceeded to the
election of officers for the ensuing year, with the follow-
ing result:
William .A. Jones, president; J. J. Travis, secretary; Colonel |ed
Lake, treasurer.
The vice-presidents elected from the several townships
were as follows ;
Madison, Alden Whitney; Buffalo, Charles Jakeway; Hazleton,
Samuel Sutficool; Fairbank, Charles Higby; Perry, Gamaliel Walker;
Washington, David Gill; Byron, James Hamilton; Fremont, James
Fleming; Middlefield, A. Risley; Liberty, John C. Neidy; Sumner,
George Wilson; Westburgh, Peter Ham; Jefferson, George Lauter-
dale; Homer, Eli Norton, Cono; John Newell; Newton, Charles
Hoover.
Mrs. Chandler, of Independence, read an appropriate
essay, dedicated to the society, after which addresses
were made by the following members: J. C. Neidy,
Charles Jakeway, James Ptaniilton, Martin Glass ("who
is never known to miss a meeting of the society"); Mrs.
Brooks, of Byron township; D. D. Holdridge (whose
humorous remarks about the establishment of the Inde-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
8£
pendence churches proved conclusively that the "D. D."
prefixed to his name must have a different signification
from what those letters ordinarily have when used as a
suffix); Colonel Jed. Lake, and the Rev. Henry \V.
Bailey.
The Hon. S. J. W. Tabor, an honored pioneer of the
county, who had been absent at his post in the treasury
department, at Washington, ever since the organization
of this society, and who had returned during the past
year to take up again his permanent residence in Inde-
pendence, was present for the first time at this meeting
with his fellow pioneers, who naturally looked to him for
an address. It is no disparagement to the others to say
that his was the principal rhetorical attraction of the oc-
casion. The speech was without manuscript, and largely
extemporaneous, but the speaker having kindly consented
to write it out for our use, it will be found in full a little
further on.
At the close of Judge Tabor's address, the Rev. C. S.
Percival, county historian, who happened to be present
as a guest of the society, was called out and made a brief
extempore speech, the substance of which may also be
found after that of Judge Tabor.
The address of Mrs. Chandler was in manuscript, and
was quite brief, owing to the very limited time given her
for preparation. It has been kindly placed at our dis-
posal, and we insert it here. When it is borne in mind
that Mrs. Chandler is in her seventy-fifth year, the merit
of her address will be all the more highly appreciated.
Friends and Old Settlers; — It is with pleasure that I meet you
here to-day: and, as I look around, I see many old familiar faces that
brighten up this pleasant scene as with the last rays of the setting sun.
Time, with his silent footsteps, has led us down the long pathway of
our western life together: and, consequently, this friendly gathering
seems more hke a family reunion than like a public festival, and awak-
ens thoughts that perhaps have long been slumbering — thoughts of old
times, when this place was new. Many changes have occurred as the
years have glided along, with their burdens of life's heaiy cares.
Memory recalls the scenes of the past when we meet, as to-day, for
social enjoyment: and it recalls, too, painful hours of sickness and sor-
row, when death touched many a loved one with its iron finger, and
left its impress on form and feature, and a vacant chair stood by the
fireside, and we found
" That ties around our hearts were spun
That cannot, will not, be undone."
Many of the old settlers have passed away. We were with them at
the bridal and the burial, and still remember the warm pressure of the
hand as our tears were mingled together with words of sympathy.
They are gone: but their memory still lingers around us, and their
good works are embalmed in the hearts of their survivors. And many
of those sur\'Uors are here to-day, while the frost of old age lies while
upon their heads: but their faces are like autumn's ripened fruit set on
dishes of silver. Leaving the land of steady habits, they came, they
saw, they conquered. They saw that this was a goodly land, and
much to be desired. They found it lying like an infant asleep, while
the gentle Wapsie sang its lullaby. But while they tended this infant
soil, almost before they were aware, it became to them as a nursing
mother.
And these men went to work and built their shanties, saying by that
act, "We mean to possess this land. " Then they sent for their wives
and little ones. That was well : for it is these wives and little ones that
keep the hearts of men tender and true. But they found them true
helpers; and, by their aid, they at length conquered the difficulties that
invest pioneer life.
Most of these pioneers were manly and independent men; and so
they christened this young child of the west — this infant city which
owed its life to their energetic toil, "Independence." It grew so fast
that some said it came up in a night, like Jonas' gourd. But look
over this beautiful city, now so thickly dotted with comfortable and
elegant homes on its many pleasant streets, echoing with the footsteps
of the busy workers. Listen to the voice of the successful mechanic
and merchant. See the churches and fine school-houses and business
blocks. Listen to the rattle of the type in the prosperous printing-
oflices, and the pompous array of lawyers' signs, and the doctors'
mortars beside them, and all the other indices of civilized life — and then
say if it looks like magic or the work of a night. Does it not look
more like work done by energetic men who brought their brains with
them, when they left the old eastern States, and set their hands to work
under the direction of the brain, that skilful alchemist that transformed
this place into a thing of beauty, and we trust "a joy forever." Now
these old settlers are reaping their reward; for country and city have
flourished like a green bay tree.
"And the place has grown human in all the long years,
Has been brightened by happiness, hallowed by tears,
By the brides on the hearth, that bless it no more,
By the cradles kept rocking like boats on the shore,
By the touchlngs of hands and the whispers aside —
AH the charms that survived, when Paradise died."
All the events that have since transpired to make this a queen among
the many pleasant cities of the west, and have given it character and
prosperity, have come to pass through the guiding hand of the Supreme
Ruler of cities and of nations, who has guided heart and hand in all the
affairs of our social and religious life, up to the present time. Let us
render to Him, therefore, the tribute of prairie and thanksgiving which
is justly His due.
We are passing away, one here, another there; and soon the last of
the old settlers will be gone. Let us then plant around our homes the
fragrant Asphodel, that shall say to us here, and of us when we are
here no more, in eNpressive symbolical language — "Remembrance be-
yond the tomb."
The following is
JUDGE tabor's address.
Mr. President, L.\dies .\nd Gentlemen: An "old settler" who
has not only reached the age of three score, but has passed beyond
that boundary, is not so much given to blushes as when he was in his
vouthful prime. This being the case, I have heard with a comparative
decree of composure the encomiums which our presiding officer has so
generously showered upon me. He seems to follow the proverb of
judging others by himself, and in that manner discovers qualities in me
which are his own characteristics. We all know how excellent a repre-
sentative he is of the enterprise, the business tact, and the social amen-
ity of the county: and, knowing this, we have made him our president,
notwithstanding his easy elocution deals out compliments with the
same profusion as his purse scatters its contents among so many of
our farmers and stock-raisers.
It is with pleasure that I greet the assemblage around me. I see
many faces that are strange, but I also see many that are "familiar as
household words" — faces that carry me back to the old times, and re-
mind me of the great changes that have taken place among us during
the last twenty-five years. Now I see here a flourishing town, with a
thrifty, prosperous and enterprising population, and throughout the
county, fine residences, cultivated farms, good roads, numerous
schools, and many villages, full of activity, business, and all the
requirements of future growth and success. — I see the various Christian
sects represented, all with convenient houses of worship, and, some of
them of such elegance as would be no discredit to metropolitan congre-
gations. I see all these denominations living in the greatest peace and
harmony with each other. I see, too, the Israelite and the heretic
have here entire freedom of thought and liberty of speech, and that
equal rights are accorded to all, without social ostracism or theological
denunciation. Every man can truly sit under his own vine and fig
tree, and there is none to molest or make him afraid. This religious
brotherhood and this religious toleration has, indeed, ever been most
marked in Buchanan county, as none can be better witnesses than more
than one of us now in this assembly, who can gratefully testify that
neither heterodo.xy or orthodoxy were made texts by our citizens in
State or national politics, or in our civil government. But the mate-
rial prosperity of the various denominations, and of the community at
large, has increased and developed to an extent which is very gratifying
and which promises to be permanent and yet greater.
I came here from a busy, thriving, manufacturing village and county
in Massachusetts, where manners and customs were stereotyped, and
where precision and etiquette were the order of the day. The barber's
trade was there very flourishing, and tailors found plenty of employ-
84
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
ment for needles, shears and goose. A smooth-shaved face overtopped
an unexceptionable coat and a pair of fashionable pantaloons. A full
beard and moustache were unknown in that Massachusetts region, and
if an individual had made his appearance in the streets with his coun-
tenance so garnished and adorned, he would have frightened the child-
ren and been a spectacle of wonder to the adults. It would have
been doubted whether he wr.s Lorenzo Dow resuscitated, whether one
of the old Hebrew prophets was on a voyage of discovery, or whether
Satan himself was again going about, to and fro, and was hiding his
cloven foot in a well-shaped boot. What was my surprise, then, on
getting to Independence, to find four-fifths of the men with beards of
flowing luxuriance, and with mustaches worthy of a Hindoo devotee !
But, alas ! there is a certam book which tells us most truly that " Evil
communications corrupt good manners," and what is true of vice is
true of custom: "We first endure, then pity, then embrace." So it
was with the well-shaved Yankee who had always abhorred a full beard
and mustache, like a Roundhead in the time of Cromwell; but was
now viewing the unsightly enormity for the first time with his own eyes,
and was making his first acquaintance with western men and western
manners. He became a renegade. He joined the Philistines. He
enlisted in the army of Esau. Verily, he became a hairy man, and,
what is more, though twenty-five years have since passed over his
head, a hairy man he still remains, and now stands before you the
same, and yet changed. The "silver threads" are not the exception,
but the rule, m his locks; and his beard and mustache have taken that
hue which they will never lose. The fact of my so immediately adopt-
ing the full beard and mustache is a proof that I heartily relished
western comfort and western disregard of fashion, which interfered
with ease or business.
I found the same western style in regard to dress. While the ladies
—as a good Catholic on certain occasions always bows his head and
crosses himself, so when the fairest part of creation is mentioned, I al-
ways have an exclamation, "Bless the dear souls!" — the ladies did
then, as they do now, dress most bewitchingly, but the men were as in-
dependent of tailors as of barbers. It was almost a fact that every
raascuUne garment from the lime of Adam down to 1856 could be
found in Buchanan county. The craniums of the citizens weie adorned
by every variety of hats and caps — bell-crowned, peaked, broad-
brimmed, narrow-brimmed, beaver, felt, round, square, white, black
brown, and grizzled — and every man considered himself a Beau
Brummel in style and outfit. There were "long blue coats,'" like that
of old Grimes; there were short, jaunty coats, like that of an Irishman
at Donnybrook fair; there were tight coats, loose coats, swallow tails,
blouses — all sorts, and every one just fitted for the man who wore it, for
the time, and for the occasion. Other garments were after a similar
fashion — every man for himself, and God for 'em all.
Oh, you old settlers, those were the days worth livmg ! Those were
the days of hearty frankness, downright friendship, absolute equality,
and contempt of shams. Oh, how I enjoyed it! Freed from the restraints
of New England formality and staid exactions, I fairly rioted in the
universal sociability which here united one to another, where ceremoni-
ous introductions were unnecessary, where sight was acquaintance, and
acquaintance was friendship. For myself, though not "a native here,
nor to the manner born," if I may quote Shakespeare with a little vari-
ation, yet I took to these free and easy ways, this unostentatious and
cordial intercourse, as a duck takes to the water, or the red man to his
native woods. Yes, old settlers, I became one of you at once, and in
manners, garments, thoughts, and feelings, I was emphatically a pio-
neer. Never before had I enjoyed myself so well; never again do I
expect to experience the beatitude of being
"As free as Nature first made man."
Those were days that could not last. The increase of wealth, the
prevalence of comforts, the influx of newcomers, the greater and
greater number of persons with whom we had no intimacy, our appor-
tionment more and more into a larger number of sects, our devotion to
business, and various other social interests have assimilated us nearly
to the habits and customs of our eastern kindred and progenitors.
Farewell to the old pioneer days ! They are gone. But for one I am
glad that I participated in them, and if i cannot say with .^neas,
"£/ guorit}n pars magna ftii — "
"In which so large a part I bore — *'
I know that I was an Arcadian, that I was one that helped to develop
the resources of the county, and to aid in its culture, its affluence, and
prosperity.
I have some curious reminiscences of those old times which sharply
illustrate the difterence of then and now. W'helher my earnest and
cordial love of my pioneer environments, and my intuitive acceptance
of their social exactions — whether nature had no power to mold me
into a fashionable man — and so my fellow old settlers instinctively re-
cognized me as one of themselves, I know not; but I do know that
without solicitation or expectation on my part, and to my surprise as
well, they made me the recipient of their official confidence for a num-
ber of years, and in fact until our relations were terminated by Presi-
dent Lincoln assigning me to new duties and with greater responsibilities.
But as an example of the thoroughness of my pioneer habits, and of
the ways of those with whom I lived, I will relate a curious circum-
stance wjiich happened to me while I was county judge.
1 then lived on the north side of the railroad, in the house now
owned and occupied by Heman Morse, and which I built. It was a
warm summer afternoon, very near sunset, that I was out in search of
my cow; for I was then my own master, servant, chore boy, and man
of all work, from helping my wife to wash on a Monday morning to
milking my cow, sawing and splitting my wood, feeding my pig, and
looking after things generally. I had on a broad-brimmed palm-leaf
hat, a good honest shirt and a pair of blue overalls, warranted not to
fade in color, and like Washington's buckskin breeches, not to rip in
the seat. My feet were guiltless of shoes and stockings, and I was
striding off with the ease of a man untroubled with corns. While thus
engaged I noticed a handsome barouche approaching, drawn by two
fine bay horses, and occupied by an elegantly dressed gentleman and
lady. When the carriage came up with me the gentleman said:
"Can you direct me to the county judge? "
"Oh, yes sir; I can." I answered, "1 am the county judge."
" You the county judge !" exclaimed the gentleman in a tone of sur-
prise, and exchanging comical and rather astonished glances with his
female companion.
"Yes. sir," said I, " I am the man. according to the record."
"Well." said he, "my name is Griffith. I am a teacher of elocution,
and wish to procure the court-house for a series of lectures. Can I
have it?"
"Of course you can." I replied, "and I presume you will have a suc-
cessful course."
It was soon arranged, and Mr. Griffith proved a very excellent elo-
cutionist, and was the first man who ever made me really appreciate
the power of good reading. In fact, I have always given him the
preference of any elocutionist I have heard. Before he left he was
satisfied that blue-jeans and bare feet did not absolutely preclude some
knowledge of literature, and some acquaintance with books. But the
comical figure I cut on the prairie, among the hazel bushes, and in my
primitive costume, has always made me laugh whenever it has came
into my mind. The Griffiths doubtless thought they had reached the
outer-pos'.s of civilization.
Another similar, but more annoying occurrence, happened the sum-
mer before, when I was living in what had been Wilkinson's carriage-
shop, and which then stood about where the Tabor & Tabor drug
store is now located. I had been over the river to bring up my cow,
in the same identical costume I have described, and as I had waded
through the romantic and picturesque W^apsipinicon, I had taken an
evening bath suitable for a warm day; but the blue overalls were de-
cidedly bedraggled, and clung to my limbs with a tenacity not very
flattering to proportions thai I never considered "A glass of fashion,
and a mould of form." Desirous of changing my wet habiliments for
dry ones, I boiled unceremoniously into tKe only apartment we had
for kitchen, parlor and reception room, and there I was astounded to
find an elegantly dressed lady, who was making her first call upon my
wife. I own I did then wish for shoes and stockings, and consigned
the sticky, wet, clinging overalls to a place which has a reputation for
excessive heat. But there was no help for it. I was very politely in-
troduced by my wife to our visitor, and she, being a real lady, con-
trolled herrisibles, made only mental comments on the staturesque ap-
pearance of my limbs, comprehended the situation fully, and having
a fund of wit and sociability, soon placed me as entirely at my ease as
if I had been clothed in tiie purple and fine linen so noted in the days
of King Solomon. Perhaps it will not be too impudent for me to add
that I see the lady who then called on us now in this audience, and
many a hearty laugh have we had over our first introduction.
Such were the incidents of these old pioneer days, incidents full of
interest with the present improved state of things. Every man and
every woman was aUve then, all woiking with their own hands, and no
one feeling dispirited or degraded thereby. Every winter morning
when I went to my office I used to see the district attorney out-o'-doors,
axe in hand, cutting up wood for his stove, and taking it from a pile
where it lay sled length. Lawyers, merchants, doctors and ministers
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
8S
not only had ench a stalwart pair of hands, but they used them, and
honest hibor was respectable everywliere. But I cannot dwell longer
on the old scenes, which, however, have been more impressed upon me
than the rest of you, because I sojourned away from you for many
years, and have at length returned, as I hope, to spend the remainder
of my days among you.
I miss many old faces that would be with us were they alive. Judge
Roszell, my predecessor as county judge and my frequent competitor
in political contests, has gone to his long home. Never were we other-
wise than friends, and after our first canvass of the county, during a
political campaign and each evening a political discussion, I think we
each had a greater respect £br the other than ever before. I honor his
memory and mourn his loss. The Rev. Mr. Boggs is another who
comes vividly before me. Theologically we differed greatly, but our
personal friendship was never for a moment disturbed; and it is a
pleasing recollection with me that on one occasion, when his health
would not allow him to walk to the polls, he yet rode to them in order
to give me his vote. Samuel Parker, an old and honored citizen, has
recently left us, and so has Mr. .Sparling, both carrying with them our
tender memories and filling us with sorrow at their loss, .^mong those,
too, who were formerly my tried and true friends, I must speak of Mr.
S. B. Curtis, whose native good sense, strict integrity, and sterling
qualities would have done honor to any station in life.
But I must draw my desultory and disconnected remarks to a close,
and as hardly ever a man reaches the age of sixty without thinking
himself competent to give advice, I intend, old settlers, to exemplify
this fact. Yes, my friends, we are old, and even at the longest we can
maintain our hold on life but a short lime. Let us then, by cheerful-
ness, neatness and good temper, by a cultivation of youthful feelings,
by a constant interest in public affairs, by a love for progress and im~
provement, by resolutely banishing fault-finding and querulousness, by
abstaining from unreasonable laudations of the times when we were
young, and by duly appreciating all that is now better and more per-
fect than in former days — let us, I say, by these means, and by being
amiable both in our families and in public, endeavor to be happy our-
selves and to contribute to the happiness of those around us. Let us
keep our intellectual faculties bright by using them. Let us remember
that books are a great comfort for the aged and those deprived of gen-
eral conversation. Let us. one and all, be prepared for death. Let
us be so assured in our own minds in relation to that inevitable debt
that we shall be as ready to meet it now as to-morrow — at this
moment as at any future time. "So live," as I will quote in conclus-
ion what has been quoted before, but which will bear repetition,
"So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave.
Like one wly wraps the drapery of his couch
About him and lies down to pleasant dream.s.
MR. perciv.\l's address.
The remarks made by the Rev. Mr. Percival at this
meeting of the Old Settlers' association were substantially
as follows :
Pioneers of Buch.\nan Cou.ntv:— My friend, the president of
your society, has introduced me as the "county historian." It is not a
title that I am ashamed of, and yet I am almost sorry that he has ap-
pUed it to me on this occasion, for, above all things, I should have liked
to avoid the suspicion that I came here with an axe to grind. At the
same lime I may as well confess that, in a certain sense, the suspicion
would do me no injustice. It is not an entirely disinterested motive
that brought me here. It would not have been that, if I had come
merely to have a good time — to enjoy the pleasant excitement of ming-
Ung in a crowd — to gratify a natural curiosity to see, with my own eyes,
of what stuff the yeomanry of old Buchanan is composed — to avail my-
self of the rare opportunity of listening to the eloquence of your county
orators. All this was, in part, the attraction that brought me here. But
if I confess that my principal motive in coming was apparently more
sordid than that — that I had an eye to business, even more than to
pleasure — that I hoped to gather inspiration from what I should see and
hear on this occasion, that would render the task I have undertaken
(that of writing the history of your noble county) easier for myself, and
more satisfactory to those who may honor the work with their patron-
age, in short, if I own up. fiirly and squarely, that I did come here
"with an axe to grind," I trust you will judge me as leniently as the
demerits of the case will permit.
.^s I have been sitting here, listening to the graphic sketches which
the various speakers have given of eariy times in this county, and cast-
ing my eye over this assembly composed so largely of men and
women who weie actors in the scenes described, I have realized, as
I never did before, how noble it is to be a pioneer— to take the lead in
the great work of transforming a wilderness to a fertile and cultivated
land, and to assist in laying the foundations of a new empire. I feel a
sort of envy of these fortunate men, and a sort of humiliation when I
remember that I was never a pioneer anywhere, or in anything. It is
true that my parents were among the eariy settlers in central \ew York
in "old Oneida," which has sometimes been called the Empire county
of the Empire State; and if I had remained there until the present
time, I might perhaps have been admitted to the old settlers' associa-
tion of that county (should one still exist there) because I once lived in
a log cabin, helped to roll and bum log heaps, and planted and hoed
corn among the stumps.
But I was born too late to be considered a pioneer in my native
county, and I left it too soon to become an old resident in it; and were
I to return now, I should perhaps be looked upon only as a deserter.
Since leaving it. I have lived in four States; but they were al|
settled before 1 came, and, although I have been an old man in three
of them, I was never an old resident in any. Neariy ten years ago I
became a resident of your county and of this goodly town. Had I re-
mained here from that time to the present, I should now have, accord-
ing to your terms of admission, but about ten years more to stay before
I might enjoy the coveted honor of being enrolled in an old settlers-
society. But, alas, my nomadic habits had become too strongly fixed;
and so, after a two years' stay, I folded my tent like the Arabs, and as
quietly stole away! And now, although I should remain with you for
the remainder of my days, there is little probability that I should live
long enough to be reckoned as one of your "old settlers."
Since, therefore, this boon is denied me, I must content myself with
the best substitute that lies within my reach. Since the fates deny that
I shall ever be a pioneer myself, I will do what I can to perpetuate the
memory of them and of their noble achievements. Though I cannot
be remembered as an old settler. I will try to be remembered as the old
settlers' historian.
I deem myself fortunate in finding such an organization as this in ex-
istence here. It is a pledge beforehand, of public interest in the work
I have undertaken; and it will simplify and lighten my labor, by giving
me more ready access to the materials I need.
The county is fortunate in having such an organization within its
borders. It will do more than to furnish an annual festival, that shall
serve as the source of great social enjoyment to its members and their
friends; though that, of itself would be no unworthy object. But
what is far better, it will keep alive the old, healthful, vigorous pio-
neer spirit, and an honest county pride, both in yourselves and in your
children, which will prove, the sure promoter of material, social and
moral improvement.
And finally, my friends, you are, as a society, fortunate and worthy
of congratulation on more accounts than I have now time to enumerate,
but especially on these— that you have so goodly a heritage as this fair
land to transmit to those who are so soon to come after you — that you
have, within your own membership, so goodly a number with ready
wit and ready tongue to instruct and entertain you when you come to.
gether on occasions like this— and last, but not least, that you have a
president capable, energetic and public spirited; magnetic in imparting
his enthusiasm to others; skilful in arranging a bill of fare for an in-
tellectual festival, and well knowing when it is best (as in the present
instance) to observe that ancient rule, so often violated, viz., to reserve
the poorest wine until the close of the feast.
COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY — FIRST ORGANIZATION.
The following "call" appeared in the Quasqueton
Guardian of February 25, 185S:
To the farmers 0/ Buchanan county, and all others interested in the
formatiou of a county agricultural society:
We, the undersigned, in view of the importance, as well as benefits,
derived from a properly organized and well regulated agricultural soci-
ety, would invite all persons who are willing to cooperate in such an
organization, and aid in sustaining the same when organized, to meet
86
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
at Morse's hall, in Independence, on Saiurday, March 20, 1858. at lo
o'clock, A. M., to perfect such an organization.
February 18, 18 =
David W. Gould,
R. Campbell,
Charles Crane,
L. B. Mellish,
S. S. McClure,
C. F. Leavitt,
J. H. Campbell,
H. S. Chase,
P. A. Older,
B. S. Rider,
C. 'W. Sellis,
S. "W. Cook,
L. Keys,
D. S. Lee,
S. V. Thompson,
E. A. Alexander,
J. M. Benthall,
T. A. Jernegan,
E. W. Whitney,
G. C. Jordan,
A. O. Davis.
E. B. Older,
S. J. 'W. Tabor,
C. 'W. ■Wilson,
Thomas Sherwood,
\V. D. Fisher,
A. J. Bowley,
William Miller,
John Burns,
G. P. Hayslip,
G. R. Smith,
Charles E. Kent,
J. Rich,
F. M. Lewis,
D. S. Davis,
E. J. Pratt,
S. W. Hardin,
B. F. Clark,-
James C. Henry,
M. N. Timson,
George P. Martin,
Pursuant to the above call, a meeting was held at the
court house on Saturday, March 20th, for the purpose set
forth in the call for the meeting, viz: The organization of
a county agricultural society. At 11 o'clock a. m., the
meeting was called to order by choosing Dr. H. S. Chase,
as chairman, and L. W. Hart, secretary.
A committee of five was then appointed by the chair
for the purpose of drafting a constitution for such a so-
ciety. The committee consisted of L. W. Cook, D. S.
Lee, M. Harter, H. S. Chase, Samuel Braden, and John
Merrill. The meeting then adjourned until i o'clock
of the same day, and at the same place, to hear the re-
port of the coinmittee. At i o'clock the committee
reported the following constitution :
Article I. — The name of the society shall be the Buchanan county
Agricultural society.
Article II. — The object of the society shall be the promotion of
agriculture and the mechanic arts.
Article IH. — The officers of this society shall be, a president,
three vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and five directors, all of
whom shall constitute an executive committee, with such other ofiicers
as shall be appointed by the society.
Article I'V. — The secretary shall keep ^record of the proceedings
of the society and of the executive committee, and make report thereof
at the annual meeting, or when requested by the society.
Article V. — The treasurer shall keep all moneys belonging to the
society, and pay out the same on a warrant of the president, counter-
signed by the secietary; and tnake an annual report to the society of
the finances thereof.
Article VI. — The e.\ecutive committee shall superintend and direct
the affairs of the society, from one meeting to another, and perform
such other duties as the by-laws shall direct.
Article "VII. — The officers of this society shall hereafter be elected
at the annual meeting, by ballot, and shall hold office one year, and
until their successors shall be elected.
Article VIII. — The annual meeting of said society shall be held on
the first Tuesday in January of each year.
Article IX. — Any citizen of the county may become a member of
this society upon the payment of one dollar into the treasury annually,
and having his name registered by the secretary.
Article X. — The society shall have power to adopt such by-laws
as may be deemed necessary to carry out the object of this constitution,
and to change the constitution and by-laws at any annual meeting of
the society.
This report was received and the committee was dis-
charged.
A motion was then made and carried unanimously, to
adopt the constitution as reported.
The following persons were then appointed a commit-
tee to report names for officers of the society : W. O.
Smith, O. H. P. Roszell, D. S. Lee, \Villiam Logan, H.
H. Hunt, who, after a short session, reported the follow-
ing persons to hold the various offices of the society, to-
wit: H. S. Chase, president; Abiathas Richardson, Da-
vid Merrill and Newman Curtis, vice-presidents ; L. W.
Hart, secretary; O. H. P. Roszell, treasurer; John Smy-
zer, William Logan, Rufus Conable, William Elliot and
Charles Hoover, directors.
The report was received and the committee discharged.
The motion to adopt the report was then put, and car-
ried without dissent. The following persons were then
appointed a committee to draft by-laws for the society,
to-wit: J. B. Thomas, S. S. Allen, Charles Kinckerbocker,
who were to make report at the next meeting. W. O.
Smith, D. S. Lee, and C. S. Leavitt, were appointed a
committee to enquire into and report what should be
done by this society to entitle it to share in the agricul-
tural fund. The secretary was instructed to notify ab-
sent officers of their election, by mail, or otherwise. A
motion was then carried to publish the proceedings of
the meeting in the Independence Civilian^ and the Quas-
queton Guardian. The society then adjourned to meet
on the second Saturday in June, at 11 o'clock a. m.,
at which time the several committees are to report.
With this brief account of the organization of the first
agricultural society, we pass at once to a description of
its first fair, held in October of the same year.
FIRST AGRICULTURAL FAIR.
From the columns of the Guardian of October 21,
1858, we condense an account of the "first fair." The
weather of the first day, October 13th, was cold, blustering
and somewhat stormy, and the entries and attendance of
that day was limited. The "fickle goddess," who, since
that time, has "poured cold water" on many a similar
enterprise, smiled propitiously on the second day, and
the influ.x of both entries and visitors was characteristic
of Buchanan outpourings of that early tinie.
The different committees were generally prompt and
attentive to their duties, making their awards iinpartially,
and to general satisfaction. It was the opinion of the
writer in the Guardian, that though several fine horses
were exhibited, the display was inferior to what the
county was capable of making. In cattle there were
thirty-two entries, some of them very fine, so that even
thus early one of Buchanan's specialties was fore-
shadowed. In sheep there was but one entry, a fine me-
rino buck and ewe, belonging to Mr. C. H. Jakway, of
Buffalo township; the man who once offered a pail of
fine butter in Independence, for four cents per pound,
without finding a purchaser. The display of swine was
quite creditable; Mr. Martin exhibiting the finest speci-
men of the Suffolk variety — the other exhibitors show-
ing crosses of that stock.
The display of poultry was not large, but the varieties
exhibited were fine. L. W. Cook showed a brace of
Chittagong fowls; which we mention in the interests of
science, fearing the name might become extinct as we
suspect the family has.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
87
In fruits and vegetables the exhibit was pronounced
excellent; but, in looking over the list, we are com-
pelled to notice a very remarkable omission — not a single
specimen of fruit being mentioned; unless the "large
and splendid looking sweet potatoes," displayed by Mr.
E. B. Older, and Mr. Romig's radish — two feet and
seven inches in length and twelve inches in circumfer-
ence, were thought by the committee worthy to be re-
garded as standard bearers, if not "standard fruits" of
Buchanan county soil. Mr. Romig also exhibited sam-
ples of white and yellow seed corn which had produced
seventy-five to eighty bushels per acre for him that year.
Some of the Chinese sugar-cane syrup presented was
pronounced equal to the best golden syrup then in mar-
ket. Mr. Lathrop's and Mr. Reed's were especially line.
In butter the entries seemed alike superior. Only one
sample of cheese was entered and that of excellent qual-
ity, made by Mrs. James Brooks.
THE PLOWING .\ND RIDING MATCH.
Passing over the notices of other departments, which
will sufficiently appear in the list of premiums which we
copy entire, a few words in regard to the plowing and
riding matches will suffice, with the list, to perpetuate the
memory of an event, which, at the time of its occur-
rence, was regarded by all classes of the population as
one of special interest. Not a household in the county,
if is safe to say, was not plea.santly and profitably stirred
from the dull monotony of ever recurring toils.
THE RIDING MATCH.
The great point of interest in the entire exhibition, at
least to the more youthful portion of the visitors, was
the riding match which came off at the race-course,
which then occupied the grounds of the west side
school building. About ten o'clock of the second day
a tide of men, women, and children, in wagons and on
foot, began to pour over the bridge towards the place of
exhibition. The plowing match had but a feeble attrac-
tion, except to the few. Farmers' wives and sons could
see plowing on their own broad acres at home; while
the element of novelty drew a large proportion of those
not personally interested in the awards, irresistably to
the race-course.
The entries for the riding contest were Mrs. Edge-
comb, Miss Freeman, Misses Clara and Mary Kipp, Miss
Clark and Miss Coleman. It was the opinion of the
judges, as well as of the spectators, that the horses were
generally inferior, while the riding was uniformly good.
Mrs. Edgecomb and daughter were awarded the first and
second prizes, Miss Freeman, of Byron township, taking
the third.
The exhibition closed with an excellent address de-
livered in the grove on the west side, by C. A. L. Roszell,
and the reading of the premiums by Colonel Thomas.
Mr. Roszell's address will be found in another part of
this chapter. The Quasqueton band was in attendance,
and enlivened the exhibition with their excellent music.
As a primary one, the exhibition was exceedingly credita-
ble. When it is remembered that Buchanan was then
in its adolescence, wanting a full decade of its legal ma-
jority, the following list of premiums will demonstrate
the fact that, though the county was but a robust youth,
its first farmers were already in th'e full tide of successful
experiment.
LIST OF PREMIUMS,
awarded at the first exhibition of the Buchanan coun-
ty agricultural society, held at Independence, October
13 and 14, 1868:
Horses. — Best stallion, five years old or upwards, D. S. Lee, $5.00;
second best. H. S. Chase, $3.00: best stallion, three years old and less
than five, C. B. Jakway, $3.00; second best, H. H. Lathrop, $2.00:
best breeding mare, E. .Miller, J2.00; best four-year-old do., J. Hunt-
ington, $2.00: best sucking colt, S. B. Brooks. $1.00; best trotting
horse, H. Edgecomb, $2.00; best pair matched geldings, A. F. Wil-
liams, $3.00; best yearling colt, F. Pingiee, $2.00; matched carriage
team, W. B. Kipp, $2.00; breeding mares, D. S. Lee, $4.00; single
buggy horse, J. Boone, $2.00; three-year-old mules, C. Hoover, $2.00.
Two-year-old do. , J. Smyser, $1.50; three-year-old mare, F. Hatha-
way, $1.00; two-year-old stallion, S. F. Searle, $1.50.
Cattle — Best yoke of oxen, five years old and upward, S. Sherwood,
$2,00: best yoke of steers, four years old, F. S. Loy. $1.50; best full-
blood short-horned Durham bull, two years old and upwards, D. Mer-
rill, $3.00; best full-blood Devon cow, D. Merrill, $2.00; best do. Dur-
ham do..,D. Robertson, $3.00; best cow, native or crossed, S. B. Curtis,
$2.00: best yearling heifer, Edward Cobb, $1.50; best calf, John Car-
penter, $1.00; two years old Devon bull, J. Carpenter, $1.00; two year
old heifer, D. Merrill, $r.oo; full-blooded Devon calf, the same, 50
cents; four years old grade Devon bull, O. Cobb, 50 cents; second best
Durham bull, three years old, D. Robertson, $1.50.
Sheep — The committee on sheep did not report. C. H. Jakway
made the only entry, and was entitled to the premiums offered. Best
full-blood Merino buck, $3.00; and best do. do. ewe, $3.00.
Swine — Best full-blood Suffolk boar, one year old or more, William
Martin, $3.00: best do., less than one year old, B. W. Ogden, $2.00;
best boar of any breed, one year old or more, Samuel Sherwood. $2. 00;
best litter of pigs, not less than five in number, S. Sherwood, $2.00; to
J. M. Bryan, for crossed Suffolk, $1.00. C. Lane and Smyser present-
ed fine specimens of Suffolk pigs; also James Brown, Leicestershire
and Suffolk pigs.
Field Crops — Best acre of wheat, J. M. Miller, $5.00; best do. corn,
J. F. Romig, $3.00; best do. potatoes, H, S. Chase, $1.50; best acre of
Vermont eight-rowed yellow flint corn, H. S. Chase, $3.00.
Vegetables and Fruits — Best bushel of potatoes, Baxter Adams, 50
cents; best beets, .H. S. Chase, 50 cents; best bushel carrots, H. S.
Chase, 50 cents; best bushel turnips, J. F. Romig, 50 cents; best sweet
potatoes, E. B. Older, 50 cents; best three pumpkins, Solomon Swartz-
ell, 50 cents; best two traces of seed corn, J. F. Romig, $1.00; best
ten pounds of honey, D.ivid Gill, $1.00; best gallon of Chinese sugar
cane syrup, H. B. Lathrop, $1.00.
Poultry — Less than one year old — .Shanghai, best three fowls, cock
and pair of hens, J. M. Miller, $1.50; best pair of ducks, Edward
Chase, $1.50; silver grey fowls, John Rcekhemmer. $1.00.
Butter and cheese — Best twenty-five pounds May or June butter,
Mrs. H. S. Chase, $3.00; best sample of btitter made in September,
Mrs. John Symser, $1.50; twelve pounds September butter, Mrs. J.
Gould, $1.00; jar of brandy cheese, J. M. Brooks, $1.00.
Mechanics' work — first-class — Best two-horse wagon, .Aaion Sher-
wood, $1.00; best buggy, Aaron Sherwood, $1.00, best ox yoke, S.
Sherwood, 50 cents; best specimen of horse-shoeing, W. Scott. $1.00.
Mechanics' work— second class — Best dressed calf-skins, J. C. Loo-
mis, $1.00; best coarse boots, John Wiley, $1.00; best ladies' shoes,
John Wiley, 50 cents.
Mechanics' work — third class — Best specimen blacksmith's work,
three pieces, W. Scott, $r.oo.
.Articles of household manufacture — Best twenty-five yards of car-
peting, Mrs. G. W. Fo.\, $1.00; best two bed quilts. Mrs. J. Gould,
$1.00; one white quilt, Mrs. S. Parker, 50 cents; one knit counterpane.
Mrs. Thomas Scarcliff, 50 cents.
Domestic cookery — Best loaf of bread, .Mrs. L. W. Hart. 50 cents;
best specimen of cooking, Mrs. Purdy, 50 cents.
Miscellaneous articles — One bushel timothy seed, J. M, Miller, $2. 00;
map of Independence, drawn with a pen, Thornton & Ross. $2.00;
bits, augurs and gun work. Aaron Barnes, $z.oo; one dozen domestic
cigars.J. M, Chandler. $1.00; one roast of beef, C:-.rr & Co.. 50 cents.
88
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IO^VA.
[It is evident that the controlling influence with the
awarding committee was decidedly Sir Walter Raleigh-an;
inasmuch as one cigar was esteemed equal to two and
one-twenty-fifth yards of carpeting. The world, it is to
be feared, has not moved greatly since that time, unless
it may be in the wrong direction. In iSSo, it is quite
probable that a roll of the fragrant and flagrant weed
would outweigh an entire roll of "regular stripe," or "hit
and miss," which has been wrought with so much patient
labor, and was destined to redeem some home from the
barrenness which marks the dwellings of stolid plodders,
who have no aspirations beyond the wants of the body.
And in such dwellings the pipe reigns pre-eminent.
Truly, in society as in philosophy, "extremes meet."]
Fancv articles— Sample of worsted work, L. B. Mellish, 50 cents;
fancy pin-cushion. Mrs. J. J. Whait, 50 cents; mona-chromatic paint-
ing, Emma Butterfield, 50 cents; Oriental do., the same, 50 cents; Gre-
cian do., the same, 50 cents; embroidered collars, the same, 50 cents;
leather-work stand, Mrs.R. B. Wright, $1.00; fancy bead basket, Mary
V. Randall, 50 cents; two pictures, H.Kinsley, 50 cents; leather-work
picture frame, Mrs. W. Scott, 50 cents, also specimen of crayon draw-
ing and embroidery, 50 cents each; one .shoe-bag, Mrs. A. J.
Bowley, 50 cents; one swinging book-case, Mrs. E. B. Older, $1.00;
specimen of silk embroidery. Mrs. D. Robertson. 50 cents; embroid-
ered cap, Mrs. E. C. Ecklee, 50 cents; one lamp mat, Mrs. O. H. P.
R05zell,5O cents.
Plowing — Best plowing with one span of horses, J. Smyser, $2.00;
best plowing with one yoke of o.\en, E. Miller, $3.00.
Giving "especial praise" to the committee of arrange-
ments for zeal and industry, in making the necessary
preparations for the exhibition in the short time allowed
them, and acknowledging the indebtedness of the socie-
ty to the following gentlemen, for the loan of lumber,
viz: Messrs. J. D. and D. B. Myers, M. D. Smith, T.
B. Bullen, Samuel Sherwood and Sanford Clark, the
account of the first exhibition of the Buchanan County
Agricultural society closes with the following notice and
call, signed by the secretary, L. W. Hart :
"The annual meeting of the society will be holden on the first Tues-
day of January, 1859. It is hoped that every person interested in the
advancement of agriculture and the mechanic arts will be present and
take part in the proceedings. The officers for the next year are to be
elected, and other important business transacted."
An address delivered at the close of the first annual
fair of the Buchanan County Agricultural society, at In-
dependence, October 14, 1858, by C A. L. Roszell:
Mr. Pkesiuen't, L.vdies .\nd Gentlemen: This is an agricul-
tural fair, and I am invited to deliver you a brief address, more as a
matter of form than from any knowledge I am expected to impart-
more as a characteristic of fairs, to have a separate show — to enlarge
and give variety to the general exhibition by the introduction of a new
animal. A person may sometimes criticise an art without being an
artist himself ; and it is said of the learned Dr. Johnson, of England,
that he was no more a poet than a sheep is a goat, yet he spent a large
portion of his time reading poetry, and gained something of a celebrity
as a critic of that art, though it is now admitted that he was scarcely
ever right, if not always wrong. -And in some respect I am like the
great doctor, for, being no farmer, though I myself may be dull — yet,
by stating some facts connected with agricultuie, I may operate as a
whetstone to sharpen the farmer's energy, if not his practical ideas.
Whether a man be a mechanic, an artist, a doctor, or a lawyer —
whether he has spent a successful life toiling in a country village or in
pent up cities, regarding every other occupation as inferior to his own
— when he first steps into the great valley divided by the "Father of
Waters," bordering a land of the richest fertility, of unsurpassed
beauty, of the finest climate— when his eye wanders over the grassy,
interminable prairies, watered by springs, lakes, and majestic rivers —
he feels his mind expand, his own profession is lost in insignific.ince,
and the vocation of the humble agriculturist rises into the noble and.
sublime. In this great region, which the plow has hardly scarred, lies
our own State, spread out like a table for a feast of the gods, possess-
ing all the natural advantages of a salubrious climate, strength, variety,
and richness of soil — almost an agriculturist in itself — it needs but to
be touched by the creative thought and energetic action of man, and
its luxurious soil yields the harvest. With this immeasurable field for
agricultural enterprise before them — we think our farmers should at
least enquire what ought to be done to secure their own individual hap-
piness and prosperity, and a permanent argicultural importance to
their county and State. It is almost presumptuous for me to under-
take to tell you anything about it, but if we look at the eastern States,
many of them had a primitive fertility of sail equal to our own — but,
the farmers hasting to get rich, and deeming the strength of the fields
inexhaustible, crop followed crop in rapid succession, and they have
raised their millions of bushels of grain, that have filled their own and
foreign markets for three-quarters of a century, by impoverishing the
soil, and replacing but little equivalent — by sapping and not replenish-
ing. They have been industrious — building up magnificent internal
improvements — but not pnident; and to-day their agricultural statistics
show a rapid decrease in produce for the last few years. They have
moved fast, but now move slower, for want of breath; and they admit
that there has been a radical mistake in cultivation.
Many of our Iowa farmers are from the east. They have come
where land is cheap, to seek a wider field for their labors, to establish
a permanent home, to amass wealth. Their old honisteads were too
limited, and, worn out by old age and debility, the soil failed to pro-
duce, and it was thought out of the question to infuse into it new life
and vigor. They are here, certainly, not to repeat the old system of
decay that is urging the soil of the east into sterility, but to grow lux-
uriant crops, and yet retain the pristine vigor of the fields by nourishing
them with proper aliment. Yet, with all the prudence and foresight
exercised, with all the accuracy of geological conclusions, and chemical
combinations, the exact depth of plowing, and precise time of sowing,
the farmer's occupation has its ups and downs, its calamities and de-
pressions— the seeds do not germinate, and in spite of the barometer,
by which a man can get a little start of time, and look forward a week
or two into the weather, the ripening crops are cut off by the frost,
wind and rain. The effects of these accidents can be in part counter-
acted by devoting a portion of the attention to growing horses, cattle,
sheep and swine — which is a concomitant of agriculture, and may be
said to be comprised under that general term.
In this State, where pasture and meadow land is immeasurable, and
grass nearly as free as the air we breathe, a fine herd of live stock
must certainly be a source of immense profit. I am not intending to
recommend any particular breed, for whether the best breed of cattle
is the Durham or Devonshire, the short, long, rough or smooth horn.
1 can not tell.
A good breed is always desirable, but many are under the mistake
that because it cost, for instance, ten dollars to fatten a hog of a poor
breed, it will cost twice that amount to fatten a good one. The reverse
of this proposition, however, is always true; for while a swine of mis-
erable breed is decidedly the most consumate hog in the world, so far
as eating is concerned, it is at the same time the most contemptible as a
porker.
I know there are many so-called aristocratic people in our capitals,
who regard the farmer's calling as beneath them, and their refined sen-
sibilities are shocked at the mention of hogs and sheep. There prob-
ably always will be such a class, but to you there is nothing discourag-
ing in it. Your opulence is in the line of their stupidity. Turn your
attention then as much as you please to growing live stock; that same
aristocratic class of hungry men will keep your millions of swine in a
perpetual squeal. The delicate appitites of those exquisite ladies will
keep your countless lambs in an eternal bleat. But some of you may
not like the idea that you are the class upon which other classes de-
pend, thinking it a menial position. The sun is our planet's source of
light and fecundity; the moon and planets glow and stars twinkle with
its hght; the morning borrows from it its tints of silver, crimson and
gold; yet, as it moves in brilliant mystery through the heavens, 1 im-
agine no one can say it occupies an ignoble position in space.
Raising grain and stock is a source of emolument to the agriculturist
— it results in a profit to be counted in dollars and cents. But there
are other elements than those of gain, intimately connected with his
calling. 1 take it for granted that most of our first-rate farmers have
found a permanent home, for I believe it to be admitted that those who
continually move from State to State are more itinerants than agricul-
turists. However this m.iy be, a farmer wants a home. Castles and
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUN'IV, IOWA
89
palaces, surrounded with grand parks and extensive lawns, may not at
first be built; but, by enclosing his grounds with neat fences or hedges,
planting shrubbery and fruit trees, and cultivating a tasteful garden, he
may give his home, however lowly, an air of beauty and cheerfulness
while in its youth, and when developed an air even of luxury, elegante,
and grandeur. If the farmers children become averse to the farmer's
employment, it is perhaps because too little attention is given to mak-
ing home attractive; and where its general features show a want of life
and energy — a sort of monotonous decay — you must admit there is
nothing inviting in it. To be sure, kindness and harmony, at this day,
reign in the household of the farmer, and no one can take exceptions
to his calling on that account. But it has not always been so. I find
what was formerly considered the height of domestic economy — disa-
greement and dissimilarity of taste --expressed in the old English
ballad—
"Jack Sprat could eat no fat,
His wife could eat no lean,
And so, betwi.xl them both, you see
They licked the platter clean."
But the old regime of economy has passed away, and it is now ac-
knowledged that harmony and union contribute most largely to eco-
nomical power, and henceforth, throughout the limits of the domestic
and general management of the farmer, new elements will be brought
to bear — farming must be done on more wise and scientific principles.
Scientific — a word with a sharkish-looking Latin head; but it is as good
natured as modern Anglo-Saxon, and W'On't harm anybody, and it is
becoming deservedly popular in agriculture. Our material world moves
about the sun now in the path it described thousands of years ago, and
the stars chase each other in the same circle round the pole; but the
world of science has been advancing in a straight line, and agriculture
at last begins to feel its influence. I say at last, for the most important
de\'elopments in agricultural science belong to the last half century.
The fields of heaven had been largely explored. Planets, constella-
tions and satellites had their places on the maps of the astronomer ;
masses were weighed and orbits defined ; the fine arts attained a high
degree of perfection ; paintings and statues adorned the cathedrals
and temples. The Grecians had their national exhibitions of physical
strength ; the Romans had their r/>Y//.f //t a x tin us and gladiatorial shows;
but no crystal palaces were built where the agriculturist might exhibit
to the world the products of the soil. The Helots of Greece and the
Roman plebeians could follow tilling the soil from day to day, and per-
lorm all the physical functions recjuired in sowing .and reaping ; but
they understood no law that governed matter, and knew nothing of the
elements that produced the han-est. Fetteied in ignorance and scourged
by crazy despotism, they were worked, rather than working, trailing
after them their fetters, and gnashing their teeth. There was no stim-
ulus to encourage investigations of animal or vegetable life. There
has been enough of these kinds of farming, and we all admit that they
are the ones which, with an iroii arm, have held our grandest art in
thrall, contributing not a penny-worth, not a grain of sand, to the
temple of human knowledge and industries.
The genius of modern Yankee progress alone is the conjurer that
must fully unlock the spell and startle up this agricultural science from
its sleep of centuries. This spirit of improvement declares that the
world has been too much occupied with heroes and conquerors; that
the strife of gieat men has been too long a terror to the earth, and not
a benefit — coming like a whirlwind, or like conflagrations that consume
cities, rather than seeking those truths which bless mankind. There is
no longer a field for such ambition — we have no more need of mighty
conquerors — the dust of the Caesars is blown away, and to-day it is
more a matter of praise to be an Alexander in the science of raising
grain, horses, cattle and sheep, than to desolate the empire of an in-
nocent people with a victorious army.
Many of the countries of Europe have made great advancement in
scientific agriculture, their governments sustaining colleges where the
deductions of science are applied to the piocesses of agriculture in all of
its departments. England, Russia, Belgium and several of the German
States have taken the first steps toward elevating agriculture to the
place which, from its importance and inherent dignity, it should right-
fully occupy. In Belgium, it may be said that farming is fashionable,
and there they //// the earth — joori it over just as ladies do their butter;
and this is quite possible to them, for the quantities are nearly equal.
In other countries the labor of farming is done by the lower classes.
England is one of these; and she sometimes laughs at our country
with its nineteen millions of agriculturists, saying, the Yankee is
shockingly practical; that he gazes on Niagara's cataract and exclaims.
What a stream to turn a mill ! —on the variegated and gorgeous land-
scape, and cries. What a splendid pasture for cattle, swine and sheep !
— that his speculative genius being engrossed in enterprises and con-
quests for the almighty dollar, all National refinement is lost sight of
— and last, that he is unmilitary.
It does not follow, however, that because we are practical we may
not be theoretical; practice is the natural sequence of theory — the
thought of the thinker taking palpable shape; and the aim of our insti-
tutions is to make men both theoretical and practical. To a monarchy
that loves old forms, and clings to the decaying spirit of the feudal
system, our country appears weak in a military point of view. We
maintain no standing armies to make pompous displays, as suction
pumps to drain with an onerous tax the purses of an industrious
people; yet, if made the object of foreign assault or foreign levy, this
people, so practical, so strongly agricultural in its natural unpampered
strength, is instinctively a military giant, which, when it moves its
limbs and turns itself about, can cause earth to tremble, and make
thrones totter. The possession of a vast body of intelligent agricul-
turists is not, then, a National weakness, but rather a bulwark of un-
told strength. And manly toil under the blue sky, in the bright
sunshine and pure atmosphere of heaven, is it disgraceful? If the
mind loves philosophy, it can there grasp nature in its widest extent ;
if the soul is poetic, the muse's voice is heard in the rippling rills and
the rushing river, and romance lurks around the dewy meadows. Is
there, then, anything degrading in agriculture? It is the vital element
of internal improvement, creating a want that builds railroads through
swamps, and canals over mountains — the enchanter that lifts up cities;
it withdraws its hand from them, and they sink into insignificance; it
extends it. and the choicest treasures of the earth are thefe piled up,
and commerce is the breath of its nostrils.
If agriculture, then, is not degrading, but ennobling— if it is the
leading interest of our State, why not educate men for scientific re-
search in this art? Why should not the farmer be taught to study
propee fertilizers by analyzing earths adding and combining varieties
containing those elements necessary for growing certain products, that
they may be scientific and therefore skilful farmers? Let us place the
plow boy at least on an intellectual and social level with the sleek fel-
low who cuts lace behind the counter, or sells candy and cigars in a
confectionery — on the same platform with him also, who depends so
largely upon the magnitude of his client's pocket ; and let learned ag-
riculturists be sent to legislate in Congress in the interests of this great
industry, and of those of his constituents, who, like himself belong to
a class which the citizens of this great Republic will always hold in
especial honor.
Farmers of Buchanan county, you can aid in bringing about these
results, and to this end the instituting of an annual agricultural fair is
of no idle importance. It shows a desire to improve which must lead
to great advances in all that pertains to agriculture. There is the crust
of the earth. Millions of years have passed over it. Mathematically
it cannot be measured ; agriculturally, it is but partially explored ; for
its profound depths are fathomless as the caverns of the sea. It is a
field for the loftiest intellect, the most scientific experiments and the
most inventive genius. Do not siooJ> to farming, then, but elevate
it. with yourselves, to a plane of commanding dignity-, by com-
bining intellectual capacity with physical energy. Thus you will
not only enhance your individual wealth and happiness, but you
will contribute to the high consideration in which your county
and State will be held, both at home and abroad ; and for
innumerable years to come, every freight car that rolls from west to
east, and every American trade ship that plows the sea, shall bear to
other peoples and climes, some tribute to the wisdom and industry of
the great agricultural people of Iowa.
LATER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
The first society to whose organization and first fair
we have deemed it proper to devote considerable space,
continued in existence but about four years. A good
degree of interest was manifested, and the displays were
very creditable considering the imperfect development
which had, at that time, been made of the agricultural
resources of the county. It was found difficult, how-
ever, to keep up the interest, for the lack of funds to
offer attractive premiums. This organization, therefore,
was soon abandoned.
A second society was organized in 1866, held two
9°
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
fairs, very much of the same character as the previous
ones, and was then abandoned Uke the other. Neither
of these societies owned any ground, or other real estate.
Their means for defraying expenses, paying premiums,
etc., were derived from membership fees (one dollar an-
nually from each member) and two hundred dollars con-
tributed by the State for each fair held. These sources
of revenue being found insufficient, the joint stock plan
of organization, now common throughout the State, was
finally ado[)ted.
THE PRESENT SOCIETY,
adopting that plan, was organized in 1869, and held its
first fair the following year. The first officers were as
follows: L. S. Curtis, president; J. H. Campbell,
treasurer; Jed Lake, secretary. The capital stock origi-
nally subscribed was six thousand dollars, to which was
added soon after the organization six hundred dollars
more. This was increased by a donation of one thou-
sand dollars, made by the county in accordance with a
law of the State. All this not being sufficient to meet
the estimated expense of an equipment that should
enable tlte society to make "a fair start in life," it pro-
ceeded to borrow fifteen hundred dollars -making its
entire outfit nine thousand two hundred dollars. With
this money it i>urchased about sixty acres of land, owned
by James Burns, about half a mile west of Indepen-
dence, being a part of the northeast quarter of section
five, township eighty-eight, range nine: enclosed it with
a close substantial board fence, too high to be scaled, ex-
cept by long ladders; built along its south and western sides
convenient stalls and sheds for cattle, a stable one hun-
dred feet in length for horses, and an octagnal floral
hall twenty-two feet on each side, graded a half-mile race
track, and dug four excellent wells. The aggregate ex-
pense of all this was nine thousand one hundred dollars.
The main hall is two stories high, with a wing on one of
its sides twenty-two feet in width by sixty in length.
This wing is used for the exhibition of fruits and vegeta-
bles, while the main hall is devoted to flowers, articles of
domestic manufacture, works of art, etc., etc.
Fairs have been held annually ever since this society
was organized, which have always been successful, pecun-
iarly, and for the most part creditable to the farming
interests of the county, which should be the chief care of
such an association. It cannot be denied, however,
that, for the past few years, the race-course has been
assuming too great a prominence as an object of attrac-
tion. We are not Puritanical in regard to the morality
of public exhibitions of the speed of horses, but we
cannot help thinking that the chief value of agricultural
fairs will be lost if such exhibitions ever come to be
regarded as the principal means of attracting the masses
to the fair grounds. There are those who think that,
even now, as many of our county fairs are conducted,
they ought, in strict honesty, to call themselves the
"Annual County Races." We hope that the exhibitions
of this society may still be called, without a figure of
speech, "agricultural fairs." But the "truth of history"
compels us to say that, if what we saw last fall is a sam-
ple of the present tendency of its affairs, and if that ten-
dency cannot by some means be effectually checked, the
time is not far distant when it, too, will require a change
of name.
-In companv with a friend we rode out to the grounds
during the progress of the fiir, It was the morning
before the races; but, so deserted did the place appear,
that it almost seemed as if we had come "the day after
the fair." In fact our friend jocosely remarked, as we
drove in at the gate, that we must have mistaken the
day, and come on Sunday instead of Thursday. Noth-
ing brought in for exhibition had been removed; but the
stalls and sheds were nearly all empty, and the space
devoted to farm machinery might have been used by the
boys as a base ball ground. Had it not been for the
very creditable exhibition in Floral hall (mainly under
the energetic and skilful direction of Mrs. C. M. Dur-
nam) the fair must have been pronounced a failure, as
to all the objects that have hitherto been regarded as
germane to an agricultural fair.
The Independence Bulletin, in its next issue after the
fair, contains the following notice of the exhibition:
Tlie tenth annual fair of the Bitchanan County Agricultural society,
which was held near this city last week, was not in all respects the
success of former years, yet was not without a certain degree of inter-
est to the visitor. In all that went to make up the display in the
departments of live stock, farm products, fruits, etc., the exhibition
was only partially successful, as it was observed that these divisions
were lamentably deficient. \ number of the old veteran stock growers
of the county did fully their share toward filling up, but were poorly
supported.
The ladies came forward in their usual enthusiastic manner, and
metamorphosed rough old Kloral hall into a wilderness of beauty, with
their paintings [several of which were by the talented Buchanan county
artist. Miss Hattie Freeman] their embroideries, ornamental and useful
needle work, and other products of feminine skill; and the visitoi was
constrained to obs«rve that, had the community in general manifested
the same zeal as the ladies in particular, the fair would have been all
that could be desired.
The absorbing interest manifested in the races, is
shown by the fact that, on Thursday, the first day devo-
ted to that part of the exhibition, "one thousand nine
hundred tickets were sold at the gate!"
The capital stock of the society is divided into two
hundred shares, one-half of which are owned by Jed
Lake, esq., the most of the other half being held by the
farmers throughout the county. The society is still in
debt about one thousand two hundred dollars.
The present officers are as follows: C. H. Jakway,
president; L. J. Curtis, vice-president; J. H. Wilson,
secretary; W. R. Kenyon, treasurer; Jed Lake, R.
O'Brian, J. H. Campbell, executive committee.
The board of directors at present are as follows : J. H.
Campbell, W. R. Kenyon, R. O'Brian, L. J. Curtis,
Clinton Wilson, J. B. Patton, G. M. Miller, C. H. Jake-
way, Jed Lake, G. H. Wilson, and W. O. Curtis.
COUNTY lilBLE SOCIETY.
This association, auxiliary to the American Bible
society, was organized July 26, 1S57. The meeting
called for this purpose, was held in the Presbyterian
church, Independence. After an address by the Rev.
S. P. Crawford, agent of the American society, it was re-
solved to organize an association to aid in the circulation
of the Holy Scriptures. A constitution was adopted.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
91
which has since been two or three times amended — the
last time in 1875, when it was put into the following
form :
CONSTITUTION OK THE BUCHANAN COUNTY BinLE
SOCIETY.
Article I.— This society shall be called the Buchanan County
Bible Society .'\uxiliary to the American Bible Society.
Article II.— The object of this society shall be to promote the
circulation of the Holy Scriptures, "without note or comment," and,
in English, those of the commonly received version.
Article III.— All persons contributing one dollar to its funds, shall
be entitled to one common, forty cent Bible, or its equivalent in Test-
aments, for gratis distribution if called for during the year. Those
contributing Jivt' dollars, shall be members for life, and entitled to one
common Bible, each year, for the purpose, and subject to the condi-
tions, named above.
Article IV. — AH funds, not wanted for circulating the Scriptuies
within this society's limits, shall be paid over annually to the Parent
Society, to aid distributions among the destitute in other parts of the
country, and in foreign lands.
Article V. — The officers of this society shall consist of a president,
one or more vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, and three directors,
who shall constitute an executive committee, to whom shall be in-
trusted the management of this society, and who shall have power to
fill vacancies in their own body in the interval of annual meetings.
The ministers of all co-operating churches within our bounds shall be
members of this committee, cx-officio.
Article VI. — There shall be a general meeting of this society each
year, at which time the officers shall be elected, and such other business
transacted as may be necessary. Should the society fail of an annual
meeting, the same officers shall be continued until an election does oc-
cur. .-Ml persons sustaining this society by their influence or means,
shall be entitled to vote at this general meeting.
Article VII.— It shall be the duty of the executive committee to
meet soon after each annual meeting, for the purpose of attending to
the following items of business; First. — The report of the secretary
for the past year. Second. — Appointment of an auditing committee
of two or three persons who shall serve during the year, and to whom
shall be referred all reports involving finances. Third. — Report of the
depositary and treasurer. Fonrlk. — The election of a depositary for
the ensuing year. Fifth. — The adoption of necessary measures for
the supply of the field. Sixth. — Miscellaneous business (reports of
committees, etc.) It shall also be their duty to meet frequently on call
of the president, or, any duly authorized agent of the Parent Society;
to see that their depositary is suitably located and well supplied with
books; to see that collections aw; made annually in every congregation,
and that all funds are forwarded promptly to the Parent Society.
Article VIII. — Any branch society or Bible committee formed
within the bounds of this au.\iliary, by paying over its funds annually,
shall receive Bibles and Testaments from this society's depositary for
the supply of their field.
Article IX. — No alteration shall be made in this constitution, ex-
cept at a business meeting, and by the consent of two-thirds of the
officers present.
After the adoption of the constitution, an election was
held for the choice of officers for the ensuing year, which
resulted as follows: Rev. J. L. Kelly, president; Mr.
Newman Curtis and Mr. C. C. Cadwell, vice-presidents-
Rev. John M. Boggs, secretary; Mr. William C. Morris,
treasurer; Mr. J. C. Loomis and Mr. A. C. Blakeley,
additional managers.
The organization being thus completed, the society ad-
journed.
As appears from the records, there have been but
seventeen annual meetings of the society held since the
first — none having been held in i860, 1862, 1865, 1878,
1879 and 1880. There have also been several years
when no meeting of the executive committee has been
held; but, through the wise provision of the constitution,
requiring the officers previously elected to hold over, in
such cases, the society has maintained its existence ; the
depositary has always been kept open and supplied with
Bibles; and no year has passed without more or less
having been disposed of
The books of the treasurer and depositary show that,
on an average about a hundred and sixty dollars' worth
of Bibles have been purchased from the parent society
and distiibuted throughout the county each year since
1857. The largest amount in any one year was in 1869,
when tlie distribution amounted to three hundred and
fifteen dollars and eighty six cents. In cases of inability
to purchase, the distribution has sometimes been gratui-
tous; but the most of those found by the canvassers un-
supplied with a copy of the Holy Scriptures, have been
both willing and able to pay the small price charged by
the American Bible society, which, for those sold here,
averages about one dollar for Bibles and twenty cents for
Testaments. Of course the principal number of books
distributed have been in English; but a few have been
in French and Norwegian, and still more in German.
Since 187-6 the operations of the society have largely
fallen off — the entire distributions, since that time,
amounting only to two hundred and twenty-one dollars
and fifty-seven cents. What has been the actual cause
of this we are not informed. It may be because the de-
mand is not as great as it was previous to that time —
immigration (as we have seen) having materially de-
creased since then. Or it may be that the people, being
in better circumstances, have supplied themselves,
through other channels, with more expensive Bibles. At
any rate let us hope that it is not because the interest in
the Bible is waning, either among the classes that need
to be supplied with it, or in the church that has under-
taken to supply them.
Those who have been elected to the office of presi-
dent of the society since its first organization, are the
following: Rev. J. L. Kelly, Rev. D. Poor, Rev. Harris
Kinsley, Rev. William Sampson, Mr. L. N. Putnam,
Rev. John Fulton, Dr. Horatio Bryant, Hon. W. G.
Donnan, Mr. D. L. Smith, and Mr. J. B. Jones.
The following are those who held the office of vice-
presidents: Mr. Newman Curtis, Mr. C. C. Cadwell,
Rev. R. H. Freeman, Rev. W. H. Sparling, Mr. J. C.
Loomis, Dr. J. G. House, Mr. W. A. Jones, Dr. H.
Bryant, Mr. L. A. Main, Rev. Harris Kinsley, Rev. J.
G. Schaibel, Rev. W. B. Phelps, Rev. A. Beeles, Rev. C.
S. Percival, Mr. J. B. Donnan, Mr. A. B. Clark, Mr. E.
W. Purdy, Rev. H. S. Church, Rev. F. A. Marsh, Rev.
L. W. Brintnall, Rev. I). Sheffer, Rev. James Patterson,
Rev. F. M. Robertson, Rev. T. B. Kempt, and Rev. M.
Knoll.
The following have held the office of secretary: Rev.
John M. Boggs, Rev. John Fulton, Rev. Hale Town-
send, Mr. J. B. Donnan, Mr. D. B. Sanford, Mr. George
R. Warne.
The office of treasurer and that of depositary (or person
to keep the depository of books) have always been united
in one and the same individual. These two important
offices have been held by only five members of the so-
ciety, as follows: Mr. William C. Morris, Mr. H. O.
92
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Jones, Rev. William Sampson, J. P. Sampson, and Mr.
S. Waggoner.
Thirty-three members have held the office of director,
as follows : Mr. J. C. Loomis, Mr. A. C. Blakely, Mr.
E. Curtis, Hon. W. G. Donnan, Dr. H. Bryant, Mr. L.
N. Putnam, Mr. W. C. Morris, Rev. Harris Kinsley, Dr.
J. G. House, Rev. H. H. Fairall, Mr. H. W. Sparling,
Mr. C. C. Cadwell, Mr. M. H. Sanford, Mr. S. Wag-
goner, Mr. William Few, Mr. W. Hart, Mr. G. S.
Woodruff, Mr. S. W. Noyes, Rev. W. B. Phelps, Rev.
C. H. Bissell, Rev. G. M. Preston, Mr. J. B. Jones, Mr.
D. Elwell, Mr. L. A. Main, Mr. J. F. Coy, Mr. J. Kitt-
ridge, Rev. J. G. Schaibel, Mr. B. S. Brownell, Mr. E.
Zinn, Mr. W. E. Kellogg, Mr. George Keifer, Mr. C. F.
Herrick, and Mr. W. F. Kellogg.
The following have been the preachers at the annual
meetings of the society, some of them on two or more
occasions, and all, except Rev. Messrs. Roberts and
Phelps, agents of the American Bible society; Rev. S.
P. Crawford, Rev. B. Roberts, Rev. Mr. Byon, Rev. D.
E. Jones, Rev. Landon Taylor, Rev. Z. D. Scobey, Rev.
W. A. Chambers, Rev. J. N. Williams, Rev. E. C. Con-
dit, Rev. W. B. Phelps.
The following are the present officers of the society,
having been elected in 1877, and holding over, accord-
ing to article six of the constitution : J. B. Jones, presi-
dent; Rev. W. B. Phelps, Rev. James Patterson, Rev.
F. M. Robertson, Rev. Dr. T. B. Kemp, Rev. M. Knoll,
Kev. J. G. Schaibel, vice-presidents; George B. Warne,
secretary; S. Waggoner, treasurer; William P'ew, R. S.
Brownell, E. Zinn, W. E. Kellogg, George Keifer, C. F.
Herrick, and W. F. Kellogg.
BUCH.-\NAN COUNTV MEDIC.XL SOCIETV.
The physicians from Independence were, from early
times, accustomed to hold meetings for consultation, ex-
change of views, the establishment of fee-rates, etc.; but
no society was formed, embracing the entire county, till
1878. On the eighth of May, in that year, upon a call,
issued by some of the leading physicians of the county,
a meeting was held and an organization effected, with
the name of "the Buchanan County Medical society."
This organization has never comprised all the regular
practitioners of the county; since some do not regard
the benefits of association as fully compensating for the
slight sacrifice of freedom and independence which mem-
be:rship in the society imposes.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of May,
August, November, and February, at which discussions
are held in regard to miscellaneous matters connected
with the interests of the profession; and interesting cases
are reported, that are met with in the practice of the
members.
The membership has thus far embraced the following
names — all being those of present metnbers, except
Doctors House and Fisk, deceased: Doctors John G.
House, George Warne, H. C. Markham, S. G. Wilson,
and H. H. Hunt, of Independence; L. M. Johnson,
of Winthrop; A. L. Clarke, now of Bazille Mills,
Nebraska; G. H. Hill, hospital for the insane, Indepen-
dence; J. A. Fisk and F. A. Weir, of Jesup; and Dr.
A. W. Trout, of Quasqueton.
Dr. House died on the first of January, 1880. He
was a member of the Iowa State Medical society; at a
meeting of which body, held at Des Moines, January
29, i88o, eloquent memorials of his life and character
were read by Dr. Warne, of Independence, and by Dr.
A. Reynolds, of the hospital for the insane. As a bio-
graphical sketch of Dr. House, containing the substance
of these memorials, is presented in another part of this
volume, they are omitted here.
Dr. Fisk died August 10, 1880; and at a meeting of
the county society, held on the nineteenth of the same
month, the following resolutions, expressive of the esteem
in which he was held by his professional brethren, were
unanimously adopted:
Rscolvcd, That we have found in Dr. James A. Fisk, a co-laborer of
good ability, genial disposition, and strict integrity. We testify that
our association with him has been both pleasant and profitable. We
cherish his example and deeply regret his early death.
Rcsotvtd, That we express to the bereaved relatives and many friends
our sympathy and grief. One dear to them has been called away in
the prime of life. In him they lose one eminently worthy of confi
dence and love. We commend the sorrowing family to one who has
promised to be a companion to the widow and a father to the orphan.
The present officers of the society are as follows: G.
H. Hill, president, hospital for insane; H. H. Hunt,
vice-president, Independence; I.. M. Johnson, secretary,
\Vinthrop; H. C. Markham, treasurer, Independence;
Drs. Wier, Trout, and Markham, censors.
GR.\NGES.
These are secret societies, organized among the
farmers, for social enjoyment and instruction; and for
counteracting the influence of monopolies and "rings"
which have proved deleterious to the farming coim-
munities. No discussions that involve religious sectari-
nnism or party politics, are allowed at their meetings; and
whatever political power the "grangers" have exerted,
has been generated and directed by machinery never
operated inside of the lodge rooms.
The "Patrons of Husbandry" (as the order at large is
called) was first organized in 1867, by O. H. Kelly, of
Boston, and William Saunders, of the Agricultural
Bureau, at Washington, District of Columbia. For three
or four years the order increased slowly; but irom 187 1
to 1874, inclusive, it spread over the country like a
prairie fire. In the former year only one hundred and
twenty-five granges were established; in 1S72, one
thousand one hundred and sixty; in 1873, eight thousand
six hundred and sixty-seven; and in 1874, forty thousand
six hundred and eighteen. The whole number of patrons
(or "Grangers") in the last named year, was estimated at
one million five hundred thousand, since that time the
order has diminished almost as rapidly as it increased.
In some States it has almost ceased to exist. In Iowa,
although there are not half as many granges as there
were at one time, yet, at the present, the number is
thought to be slightly increasing.
The first grange was established in this county in
1S73 or 1874. No grange can be established within five
miles of another. There were, a few years since, thirty-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
93
five in the county. Now there arc not more than twelve.
There was formerly a county grange, which sent delegates
to the State grange, as that does to the National. The
county grange, however, was given up some three or four
years ago. But all the granges in the county unite in
sending delegates to the State organization.
Membership in a grange is restricted to practical
farmers, or horticulturists — together with their wives and
their children over fourteen years ofage.
The officers of a grange are the master, the overseer,
the cha|)lain, the lecturer, the steward, the assistant
steward, the gate-keeper, the secretary, and the treasurer.
Any or all of these officers may be ladies; but there are
four offices which none but ladies can fill — viz., those of
ceres, pomona, flora, and stewardess.
A deputy grand master for each county is appointed
by the grand master (/'. e. the master of the State grange)
who has the general oversight of all the granges — settling
all questions of order or jurisdiction, organizing new
granges, etc.
Thomas S. Cameron, of Otterville, is the present
deputy for Buchanan county.
At Hazleton the "Patrons" own a warehouse for
handling grain, and shipping directly from the producers.
The upper story is a hall in which their meetings are held.
Elsewhere they meet in school-houses and private dwell-
ings. At Otterville they have a store at which goods
(mostly groceries) are sold only to members of the order,
at first cost. The goods are kept in the house of J. W.
Plumerfelt, who acts as the agent of the grange in their
purchase and sale.
CHAPTER XII.
RAILROADS.
Two railroads only have thus far been built in the
county — the first built by the Dubuque &: Pacific railroad
company, and transferred, by a perpetual lease, to the
Illinois Central railroad company, about the year 1870;
and the second built through this county in 1873, by the
Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railroad company.
The charm of novelty being with the first, we shall give
a pretty full account of the discussions and negotiations
which preceded its commencement, and of the events
which accompanied its completion as far as the county
seat. The other we shall pass over with a comparatively
brief mention.
Of the abortive railroad projects, which at one time
seemed promising, we shall barely allude to that of the
Wapsipinicon & St. Peter's Valley road.
THE DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC, ALIAS THE IOWA DIVISION OF
THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL.
No apology is needed for the introduction into this
volume of farts relative to the movement resulting in the
building of a road which has aided so materially in the
rapid development of the entire county.
The corporation of the ^Vapsipinicon & St. Peter's
Valley railroad, though atone time (/. e., in 1851) appar-
ently ready, under the most favorable auspices, to com-
mence the construction of a road, which was to begin at
Anamosa and run in a northwesterly direction through
Quasquelon, Independence and Fairbank, and thence in
the same direction to the north line of the State ; and
which, with its connections, was to constitute an almost
air line between St. Louis and St. Paul, had finally mis-
carried, leaving the farmers of Buchanan county for
several years with little prospect of an outlet which
would furnish a market for their surplus products. It
was not until the spring of 1858 that another proposi-
tion was made to them, looking to the supply of this
long felt need. An informal meeting, held at Quasque-
ton in May of that year, was addressed by Piatt Smith,
esq., of Dubuque, vice-president and attorney of the
Dubuque & Pacific railroad.
Mr. Smith first gave a brief history of the organization
of this company, and spoke of the original intent and
primary expectations of the incorporators. They had at
first, he said, no expectation of receiving a grant of
land to aid them: and yet, taking the experience of the
Chicago & Galena road as a basis, they calculated un-
doubtingly upon the investment being a paying one.
The reasons which justified an e.xpectation were fully
stated, and the event had proved the soundness of their
deductions.
The Chicago & Galena road had, from the first of its
operations, been considered one of the most remunera-
tive in the entire country ; and yet, while that road, with
forty miles in operation, paid but one thousand, nine
hundred dollars per annum, the Dubuque & Pacific road
from only thirty miles earned from the eleventh of May
to the thirty-first of December, at the rate of two thou-
sand, six hundred and ninety-six dollars per mile per
annum.
A comparison was then instituted between the natural
and artificial advantages of the two roads, to show that
while the former road rapidly advanced in its earnings as
it advanced in length, until it reached in 1856, with one
hundred and eighty-eight miles of road, ten thousand
dollars per mile per annum; there was abimdant evi-
dence that the earnings of the Dubuque & Pacific road
would increase in even a greater ratio. This part of
Iowa, it was claimed, was fully equal to Illinois in agri-
cultural capacity, and was not inferior as regards water
power. The country, too, was better settled, and more
fully developed, than was that along the line of the Chi-
cago & Galena road at the period of its construction in
1849. The value of the jjroperty in the counties border-
ing the line of this road, from Chicago to Dunleith,
one hundred and eighty-eight miles, was seventeen mil-
lion dollars, while in the counties through which the
Dubuque & Pacific road passes, from Dubuque to Fort
Dodge, one hundred and ninety miles, the value of the
property was, in 1856, three million dollars. Illinois, it
was stated, had at that time one mile of railroad for
94
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
every five hundred inhabitants, while northern Iowa,
with a population of two hundred and seventy-five thou-
sand, has but one mile to every six thousand.
As another advantage of the Dubuque & Pacific road
over the former, it was demonstrated that the latter road
would not suffer from the competition of water carriage
by the MississiiJpi. The vast gypsum, coal and iron de-
posits of the interior of the State, if ever brought to
market, must be brought by railroads, as our rivers offers
no facilities for transportation. Lumber, too, must be
freighted west, and these facts demonstrated that their
road would be a better paying road than the other, which
had heretofore yielded dividends of twenty-two per cent.
In setting forth the resources of the company, it ap-
peared that the grant of land from the State comprised
an area of one million, two hundred and fifty-one thousand
and forty acres, which, at an average of six dollars and
twenty-five cents per acre, would more than pay for the
building of the road.
Contracts had already been made with Messrs. Mason,
Bishop & Company for building the road without ecjuip-
ments, but witli the necessary buildings, shops, etc. For
a first-class road from Dyersville to Cedar Falls, the sum
of twenty-three thousand, five hundred dollars per mile
would be required : and from Cedar Falls to Fort Dodge,
twenty-three thousand dollars per mile. Besides, there
had been donated to the road, in the different towns
through which it was to pass, seven hundred lots, with
an average value of one hundred and forty-five dollars
per lot. In Dubuque, the company owned about eighty
acres of property, with a river front of nearly three-fourths
of a mile, worth fully another half million of dollars.
This property was nearly all donated to the company, or
else procured in exchange for property given to them.
The lands of the company were shown to be valuable,
as well for their mineral as for their agricultural resources.
The projected road ran through and would open the
northern portion of the great Iowa coal fields; the com-
pany's lands also contained inexhaustible stores of coal,
iron and gypsum. Professor Owen, then United States
geologist, had estimated the area of the Iowa coal fields
at twenty-five thousand square miles — sufificient to sup-
ply the world with fuel for a thousand years. Pennsyl-
vania, it was stated, was receiving from New York and
New England seven million dollars per annum for her
coal ; and why, it was asked, will not this vast deposit
become a like source of wealth to the people of Iowa,
having tributary to them for their supply of this indis-
pensable article of consumption, the immense territory
occupied by Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota, Nebraska,
and, indeed, the whole region north to the British pos-
sessions ? The immense value of the gypsum beds was
dwelt upon, and the statement made that the value of
this article of commerce was then, in the eastern markets,
equal to that of flour. Millions of tons could be re-
moved from veins varying in thickness from twenty to
forty feet, without a perceptible impression upon the
quantity. The iron deposits, it was claimed, W'ere equally
valuable and inexhaustible. These minerals and the
manufactures to which they must give rise, must of ne-
cessity pay rich subsidies into the treasury of the rail-
road then being pushed towards these buried treasures.
The financial condition of the company was also un-
reservedly discussed. Under assurances of the English
loan, they had gone considerably into debt in the prose-
cution of some parts of the enterprise which, otherwise,
the company would not have attempted. The negotia-
tions for that loan finally failed, having been delayed un-
til the financial panic of 1857. This indebtedness, how-
ever, as was shown, was neither ruinous or pressing, as
the mortgage on the road had thirty years to run. The
impossibility of negotiating bonds, e.xcept at ruinous
sacrifices, had induced the company to return to their
original plan, which was to build the road by the help of
the people along the line. It was easy to show that it
was bad policy to allow the work to stop where the road
then was; bad, not only for the company, but for those
who needed the road and had been impatiently awaiting
its construction. The company must extend it; and to
do it they must have the cooperation of the people inter-
ested. Cash subscriptions, in the then deranged state of
the finances of the country, were not looked for, nor
were they necessary. For the construction of the road,
almost every marketable product of the farm was indis-
pensable. Flour, corn, oats, cattle, hay, meat, stone, lime,
timber, ties, etc., the people along the line of the
road had a surplus of, for which they had no market.
The gist of the proposition of the company was, to buy
these surplus articles, build the road, and pay in stock.
The farmers were shown that in so doing they would
turn their unmarketable material into a reliable specie
paying investment. There was no doubt that the road
would pay a good dividend as soon as completed to Ce-
dar Falls; and, as a result of the road being owned at
home, its revenue would be retained at home to add
to the further development of the country, and thus
increase the business of the road; but, if built upon bor-
rowed capital, every dividend which the company de-
clared would be a drain upon the finances of the coun-
try. If Buchanan county owned one million dollars in
stock, then dividends of twenty per cent, per annum
would throw yearly into her lap twenty thousand dollars
in clean cash, sufficient to make a decided impression
upon the local finances. Every farmer holding a thou-
sand dollars worth of stock would be sure of cash returns
of two hundred dollars yearly. This revenue would, of
course, be derived principally from the local population;
and, if the road was owned by them, would, to a large
extent, return to the owners and patrons of the road.
But, otherwise, it would be a drain upon them to that
extent.
The incentives to secure the stock were apparent, and
the facilities offered, all that could be desired. If the
road progressed, the company would be compelled to
issue their scrip to the contractors; and this they could
not do unless it would buy the articles enumerated as
indispensable to the carrying on of the work; and, to in-
sure this, it was necessary to make it an object to the
farmers and others to secure it. For this reason they
wanted the people of the county to subscribe for stock
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
95
for which they could pay in this scrip. This would
make the scrip current and cause it to answer the end of
the advancement of the road almost as well as money.
Instalments would not be called for oftener than once
in every three months, and for not more than five per
cent, at a time; thus giving five years in which to pay
for stock; while the company allowed seven per cent,
interest on all instalments, as a means of placing on an
equality the full paid and partly paid stock. It was the
expectation that not more than twenty-five or thirty per
cent, of instalments would ever be called for. The
company's lands would doubtless soon be in demand,
and when sold, the receipts would probably be sufficient
to prosecute the work as fast as advisable.
The company had then a title to two hundred and
thirty thousand four hundred acres of land, and had
perfected a plan by which their sale was sure to be ac-
celerated, and at the same time their development in-
sured. This was to sell them to actual settleis at five
dollars per acre, one dollar and twenty-five cents in cash
and the remainder in instalments, the last in five years
from the date of purchase. This price would, when
deemed advisable, be increased so as to bring the mean
price to that at first proposed, viz: six dollars and twen-
ty-five cents per acre.
Mr. Clinton, who had long been conversant with the
operation of the western railroads, gave to the meeting
some sound views, both abstract and practical, of the
benefits of railroads. This much-needed information,
given in his off-hand, humorous and, at the same time,
convincing style, influenced many minds favorably to-
ward the project so ably presented by Mr. Smith.
The farmers and capitalists of Buchanan were not slow
in perceiving the advantages to be secured by this prop-
osition. Indeed, with the accumulated quantity of un-
saleable products then on their hands, it was impossible
not to see that the proposal was one of reciprocal benefit,
while the advantage resulting from a large amount of
stock held in the county, appealed strongly both to the
public spirit and private interest of all classes of citizens.
The next link in the presentation of this matter to the
people of Buchanan county, will appear in the following
proclamation of the county judge:
Statk of Iow.a, j^
BucHAN.'^N County, ) ^^'
The undersigned, county judge of said county, in pursuance of the
code of Iowa in sucli cases made and provided, hereby orders an
election by the qualified voters of said county, to be held on the
twenty-eighth day of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, at the
several places in said county where the last .April election was held , for
the purpose of voting upon the following, to wit:
Whether the county of Buchanan in its corporate capacity will lav
a one per cent, tax upon the taxable property of said county, to aid
the construction of the Diibutiue & Pacific railroad in said county —
said tax to be expended within the limits of said county and not else-
where;— and the means thus collected shall only be paid for work done
after said vote shall be taken, and before the payment of said tax.
Said tax to be collected before the first of November next, and for the
amount of the same the Dubuque & Pacific railroad company shall
issue to said county an equal amount of the capital stock of said com-
pany at par.
The form of the vote shall be, "for the railroad loan " or, "against
the railroad loan."
.Ml votes in the affirmative shall be considered as adopting the prop-
osition entire.
Stephen ]. W. Tabok,
County Judge.
To meet the objection on the part of the taxpayers,
that it was then found dilticult to meet the payment of
taxes for ordinary purposes, whereof the long lists of
delinquencies with which the county papers were filled
at that time, attested, an able editorial appeared in the
Guardian, of which the following is an abstract: Admit-
ting the burdens that were pressing so heavily upon the
farmers especially, the writer showed that though the
vote would increase the taxes, it would at the same time
increase the capacity to pay them. With overflowing
graneries, and thousands of tons of produce, there was
not money enough in the county to pay taxes; and why?
Simply because, having no railroad, the producers
were without, or outside of, a money market. Parties
were at that moment contracting with the Dubuque &
Pacific, and Clinton railroads, for the transjiortation of
hundreds of thousands of bushels of wheat, for which
they were paying cash. But these markets were created
by these roads, and through them the people in prox-
imity were reaping a great, solid, and timely advantage.
But the farmers of Buchanan could not afford to send
wheat thirty or forty miles to a* depot, at the present
prices, even though it brought gold or currency. But
were the road in operation within the county, this market
would be available, and would place in the hands of
farmers the relief so much needed. What man, it was
asked, could not well afford to pay ten dollars out of
every thousand he owned, for the privilege of that market
now? Confidence was expressed, that, as soon as the
work commenced in the county, produce would take a
material rise. Wheat would advance from thirty to fifty
cents per bushel ; potatoes, which were now unsaleable,
would become marketable at paying prices; butter, which
in trade would scarcely cominand a sixpence per pound,
would sell at a shilling, and corn, oats, beef, pork, and
other articles with which the home market was glutted,
would largely advance in price. By this rise alone the
resident taxpayers would be enabled to pay their quota
of the tax, and therefore would not feel it. To those
who objected to receiving the company's scrip, he
answered that, if the scrip was taken in exchange for
their products, the company had, on their j.iart, guaran-
teed to receive the scrip in payment of the tax. No
danger need, therefore, be apprehended as to the pro-
curement of the means to pay the tax. The construc-
tion of the road would bring not only this, but a large
surplus with it.
The amount of taxable property in the county at that
time, 1858, was but two million five hundred and fifty
thousand three hundred and fifty-four dollars. The tax
one per cent, would give a little over twenty-five thou-
sand dollars, fully one-third of which would come from
non-resident owners; while the actual outlay of the
company, in grading alone as far as Independence,
would be sixty thousand dollars. The construction of
this jjortion of the road would leave in the county a
surplus of thirty-five thousand dollars.
96
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
The benefits accruing from the expenditure of this
sum, in exchange for articles of which there was a sur-
plus, everywhere needed no demonstration. And then,
too, it was to be remembered that this sum must be
expended before the collection of the tax. As, in the
words of the proposition, the product of that tax, if
voted, is to be applied in payment of work done since
its voting and previous to its collection, it would seem
all fears as to the capacity to pay the tax were relieved,
and the means insured for other purposes — means of
which all felt ihe urgent need, and which were not to be
secured in any other way. If the tax was voted, work
would commence at once; if defeated, there would be
loss to the county through the disadvantages which its
want would entail, treble the amount asked by voting
the tax.
Still another favorable feature of the proposition was
pointed out. Its adoption entailed no extended tax —
it began and ended during the current year and could
never act as a bugbear to scare away settlers from the
county, but would act rather as an incentive to settle-
ments. The creation of a market for produce was not
the only equivalent which was offered. The stock, until
the road began to pay dividends, was to draw seven per
cent, interest, payable *in stock, which would gradually
increase ; and should the company in three years, through
the earnings of the road and the sale of land, pay a
dividend of twenty per cent., this would give an income
to the county of six thousand dollars per annum, which
would lessen materially, the burden of taxation. To this
result the non-resident taxpayers would largely contrib-
ute, so that, in fact, the county was only called upon to
make a timely investment, yielding immediately and
prospectively great advantages.
It will he seen at a glance that the whole object, both
of the tax and of the effort made by the company to
secure private subscriptions, was simply to make it an
object to the people of the county, farmers and dealers
of all classes, to take the scrip which the company must
issue in order to proceed wiih iheir work, and to pur-
chase the produce and materials necessary in its con-
struction. The following resolution of the board of
directors of the Dubuque &: Pacific raih'oad company,
pledging the company to receive the scrip issued in pay-
ment of the tax or for stock, was published in the papers
of the county, contemporaneously with the other matter,
from which our article has been drawn :
Office of the Dubuque & P.vcific Railroad Comi-anv, i^
Dubuque, low.^, First of June, 1858. I
\VnERE.\s the county judge of Buchanan county has issued a pro-
clamation to the qualified voters of said county, to lake a vote upon
the question whether the said county will levy a one per cent, tax on
the ta.xable property of said county, which said vote is to be taken on
the fourth Monday of June, instant, for which tax the Dubuque &
Pacific railroad company agree to issue to said county full paid stock ;
and whereas it has been represented to the said county judge and the
people of said county that, in case said tax shall be voted, the company
will receive payment therefor, from the proper authorities in said
county, any script or paper which shall be paid out and put in circula-
tion for the purpose of doing work in said county by said company.
Now, therefore,
Rfsoh-cd, That, in consideration of the premises, said railroad com-
pinv hereby [iledges itself to said county of Buchanan, to receive in
payment for such stock, any paper or scrip which may be paid out to
the contractors or men for work done in said county, or any other
obligations of the company; and that the proceeds of such tax shall
be expended in good faith within said county of Buchanan, and not
elsewhere.
We certify that the above is a true copy of a resolution passed by
the board of directors of the Dubuque &' Pacific railroad company, at
their meeting on the first of June, 1858.
Witness our hands and the seal of the company,
J. P. Farley, President.
J.\MES M. McKiNLAY, Secretary /ra /iv«.
HISTORICAL PROBABII.rrV.
And now, with this array of fact and argument before
us, let us ask this young friend of ours, just now jubilant
over his accession to the .glorious privilege of the ballot
(his natal day and the celebration of the opening of the
Dubuque and Pacific railroad being coincident) about
this vote, which had been so ably presented before the
people.
What was the result of the vote? Was it "for the rail-
road loan" or "against the railroad loan?"
"Let me see — that was in 1858 was it? Oh, it was
for the loan of course. It couldn't have been otherwise
— and then the road was opened in 1859, for I have
heard my mother say a hundred times" —
Not so fast my dear young voter. Doubtless your
answer would be that of ninety-nine out of every one
hundred voters, except those who voted on that (juestion
in Buchanan county in 1858; and why it is not the cor-
rect answer it may be the special duty of the historian in
1880 to inform you. But, in regard to the reasons of
the failure of that vote, the records of that day, like the
Sphinx, preserve a sullen silence. Had the vote gone
as you think it ought, the road, without doubt, would
have been opened at least a year sooner, and you would
have lost the distinction of connecting your natal anni-
versaries with so important an event.
Should you so distinguish yourself in the future as to
make your name an honor to your native town, and
should the Dubuque & Sioux City railroad justify its
first ambitious cognomen and become really the Dubuque
& Pacific, the future historian may guess that he has
read the riddle of the lost vote of 1858.
EVIDENCE OF ENTERPRISE AND FRUITFULNESS IN RE-
SOURCES.
Not many weeks after the adverse vote in regard to
the railroad loan, the board of directors published a cir-
cular, setting forth the following plan by which they
hoped to secure the means to proceed with tlie building
of their road. The proposition was as follows:
To appraise the lots and lands belonging to the company, issue land
script to the amount of the ai>praisement, and pay off the bonded and
funded debt by offering for every dollar of debt one dollar of stock and
one dollar of land script, with which scrip any unsold land of the com-
pany can be located and paid for. Also to appraise the balance of the
four hundred and sixty thousand eight hundred acres of land which
the company were to receive when the first hundred miles of the road
was built, and issue scrip as before. This was to be devoted exclus-
ively to building the road to Cedar Falls. For every dollar of full paid
stock then held, or thereafter subscribed, an equal amount of this scrip
was to be issued to the holder or subscriber, in addition to the certifi.
cate of stock. In other words, as an inducement for men to furnish
means for building the road, the company donated to each stockholder
a hundred dollars' worth of lands for every share of stock for which he
subscribed, thus inikiii'' the stock itself cjst him nothing.
HISTORY- OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
97
GOOD NEWS.
The munificent display of capitals and wide-spread
head Hnes, which at the present day go so far towards
excusing the editorial caput from exhaustive mental effort,
had hardly gained, so recently as the close of the year
1859, a very general following. When, then, the local
press of Independence, in the autumn of that year, in-
dulged in three head lines, of small capitals, prevented
from expanding into unbecoming obtrusiveness by their
location on the third page and under the usual heading
of "Local Matters," and the further top ballast of the
"Township Ticket," it must not, after all, be doubted
that the subject matter of the announcement was one that
stirred every Buchanan county heart with intensest delight,
"glorious news for Buchanan county!! the rail-
road COMING ! ! !
On Saturday last our citizens were notified by a few lines written on
the margin of the Western stage company's way-bill, that the contract
for the construction of the Dubuque & Pacific railroad to this point had
been signed, and that the work was to be commenced immediately. "'
But so sick had the aforesaid heart been made by hope
too long deferred, that it was not until Monday, when the
cheering news was confirmed by the Dubuque papers and
by letters, that doubting gave way to universal joy and
congratulation.
It appeared from later intelligence that, General Booth,
one of the directors of the company, had returned from
the east, bringing the welcome news that a contract for
a continuation of the road from Dubuque to Indepen-
dence was signed the Thursday previous, the contractor
being Oliver P. Root, of Oneida, New York. The con-
tract stipulated that the work should begin at once, and
that the road should be completed to Manchester, then
described as being located nine miles this side of Not-
tingham, by the first of October; to Winthrop, eleven
miles further, by the first of November; to a point five
miles west of Independence, by the first of December,
and the balance of the aggregate distance of eighty
miles from Dubuque, by the first of January. Mr. Root
was represented as a practical engineer, a man of energy
and pecuniary ability, and the utmost confidence was
expressed in the fulfillment of the terms of the contract.
A few days only elapsed before work on the railroad
bridge over the Wapsipinicon had been inaugurated.
The piles were being delivered and the work of driving
them had also commenced. The bridge itself was in
process of construction in Dubuque, and was to be
brought out in pieces after the cars began to run. It was
to consist of four spans of forty feet, and twenty-four
spans of twelve feet, making a a total length of four hun-
dred and forty-eight feet. In the centre of the nver^
where the rock bottom prevents the driving of piles, there
were two bents ; and the bridge was to be four feet above
the high-water mark of the great freshet of 1858.
Already the impetus upon the movement of grain was
felt, and an unusual and constantly increasing number of
wagons were to be seen in town daily, loaded with cere-
als, for which cash was being paid by merchants and grain
buyers. A few weeks later, and the city press chronicled
the presence of throngs of wagons on the streets, bring-
ing in grain, and active competition among buyers. A
cash market had at last opened in Independence ; and,
as the crop had been fully an average one, hopefulness
sat serene upon every countenance, and an unwonted
activity was visible in every department of business and
trade. As the time for the opening of the road approached,
it seemed a question whether the capital of Buchanan
might not be compelled to close her ports of entry and
cry, "hold," so continuous was the golden stream which
was filling her storehouses to bursting. One of the city
editors informs his readers that, on the twenty-second of
November, he counted thirty-five teams moving on Main
street, loaded with grain, or returning after having dis-
charged a similar freight; and still they came. Several
new grain and produce buyers had already commenced
operations in the place, and a new era was fairly estab-
lished, in expectation of a speedy outlet for the accumu-
lating stores of cereals and other produce.
preparations for the opening.
A call for a meeting of those interested in celebrating
the advent of the iron horse was published early in No-
vember, and arrangements were perfected to give fitting
welcome to the long desired steed with his attendant
train of cars, and manifold train of advantages.
The first of December arrived, and though the road
was not completed to the county seat, all were ready to
acknowledge that the utmost energy had characterized
Mr. Root's operations; and the only surprise felt was that
he had overcome so many obstacles incident to opera-
tions in a new country, and was so near the completion
of this section of his contract.
The second week of the month created a perfect
furor among the youthful portion of the community, by
sending the shrill echoes of the voice of the approaching
motor vibrating through the oak groves of the Wapsie;
a voice heard by many born on Buchanan soil for the
first time. At last the iron horse (we wish somebody
would invent a name more worthy of him) was within
two miles of the town, and, within a few hours, would be
seen tossing his billowy mane at the new station on the
east bank of the Wapsipinicon.
The track layers were busy during the whole of Sun-
day, the eleventh of December, the contractor doubtless
justifying the de.secration of the day on the plea that he
was nearly two weeks behind the time specified in the
contract. The rails were laid to the depot grounds, the
turn-table brought up from Masonville, and \m\. in order,
passenger and freight cars were at the depot, and all nec-
essary preparations made to commence the formal open-
ing of the road on Monday. At 9 o'clock on that
day, December 12, 1859, the first regular train left the
depot at the county seat of Buchanan county, taking the
first shipment of produce, which was made by West &
Hopkins, and consisted of wheat and pork.
railroad celebr.\tion.
The day was all that could be desired, the entire au-
tumn having been of exceptional mildness and bright-
ness. At an early hour, people came flocking into town
from all directions, and Main and Chatham streets we e
98
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
filled with teams and people. A large concourse was at
the depot to welcome the train, which came in punctual
to time, at 2 o'clock p. m., with four car-loads of
guests, among whom were the Governor Greys, Captain
Robinson, of Dubuque, accompanied by the well-known
Germania band.
After a brief and appropriate address, welcoming the
guests to the hospitalities of the town, by D. S. Lee,
esq., on behalf of the citizens of Independence, and a
graceful response from Captain Robinson on behalf of
the Greys, the large concourse formed in procession,
headed by the military company and lead by the band,
and marched through the village to the Montour house,
where the guests were quartered. About 4 o'clock,
an elegant dinner was served to the invited guests by
Mr. Purdy, which was pronounced by all to have been,
in quality and style of serving, worthy of the occasion.
After dinner, the Greys paraded and went through vari-
ous military evolutions, with admirable skill and pre-
cision.
At night there was a ball at Morse's hall ; and, though
the company was the largest ever assembled ?h the place,
harmony and good order reigned supreme, and the tide
of enjoyment flowed on with undisturbed current, until
the summons for the return train, during the "wee sma'
hours," brought the fete, long to be remembered by some
who participated in it, to a close. The "Germania"
furnished the music for the evening, and choice refresh-
ments were served at both the Montour and the Revere
houses. The committee of arrangements were restricted
in their invitations by the unusual rush of persons from
abroad, which, for several weeks previous to the celebra-
tion, had filled the hotels to their utmost capacity; and
it was only through the most unwearied exertions of
both the hotels and committee that the guests were suit-
ably entertained.
But the opening ceremonies and festivities were over.
Independence had a railroad; and the columns of the
town papers were enriched by a bona fide time-table.
We linger a moment in sympathy with those editors.
With what ecstatic self-gratulation was the carefully pre-
pared schedule placed in the hands of the compositors !
Only two events in their previous history could approach
this acme of exaltation: the first pair of boots, and the
first ballot. Who shall tell which of the triumvirate
should bear away the palm ?
STATIONS k^Vi AGENTS.
Winthrop — The cars reached this place but a few days
before they arrived at Independence. There have been
seven station agents at this point. Their names and the
order of their terms of service are as follows : R. B.
Crippin, S. ^^'. Rich, Samuel Leslie, Frank Ward, W. T.
Kendall, M. J. Flanigan, and G. M. Nix. The present
incumbent is W. T. Kendall, re-appointed.
Independence — The first agent at this point was W.
B. Boss, who remained only six or eight months; the
second, Z. Stout, now of ihe lumber yard near the sta-
tion, one year; the third, J- W. Markle, about nine
months; and the fourth, C. M. Durham, who still holds
the post, a veteran in the service, having occupied the
position over eighteen years.
Jesup — The cars reached this point shortly after arriv-
ing at Independence. Four agents have served the
company (or, rather, companies) here, as follows: J. R.
Jones, W. Mosier, H. H. Smith, and W. C. Smith, the
present agent.
BURLINGTON, CEPAR RAPIDS AND NORTHERN RAILROAD.
This road was constructed through this county during
the summer of 1873. I' has done much toward devel-
oping the resources of the county, but its historical inter-
est, as well as its material value, is, of course, somewhat
eclipsed by its cross-wise neighbor.
Rowley — The station at this place was opened for
business June 17, 1873. There have been three agents
here, as follows: R. R. Harding, J. E. Wyant, and the
third, and last to date, A. Allen.
Independence — The cars reached here about the first
of July, 1S73. Five agents have served the company at
this point: Mr. Harding, Mr. Tuthill, J. Hough (or
Hoff), J. A. Vincent, and G. W. Hallock, who "holds
the fort" at present.
Hazleton — The road was completed to this point in
September, 1873. J. E. Bennett was the first agent,
retaining charge till May, 1880, when the present incum-
bent, W. G. Hogue, took charge.
CHAPTER XIIL
PROVISION FOR THE POOR.
The trustees of the several townships are by law em-
powered to furnish all necessary relief for the poor within
their jurisdictions, at the expense of the county. In the
case of families, this is done at their homes. Applica-
tions for assistance can be made either by the families
themselves or by neighbors who are aware of their neces-
sities. When the application is made the case is exam-
ined by the trustees, and whatever is needed is supplied.
In winter it is very commonly fuel, and at all seasons it
may be flour, or meat, or house rent, or clothing, or
medical attendance. No family, except in rare instances,
and for short periods (as in case of sickness), ever re-
quires its entire support from the county; and, of course,
it is the aim of the trustees to stimulate the self-respect
of the poor, and encourage them to industry by furnish-
ing them employment, whenever that is practicable. It
is thought that, in some of these ways, about fifty fami-
lies in Washington township were aided by the county
last winter; and that in no other township were there
more than half as many aided, while in some there were
very few.
This was the only method of aiding the county poor
until 1 86 1, when the "poor farm" was purchased, mainly
to afford the means of relieving those who are homeless,
as well as in want. The farm consists of one hundred
and ninety-four acres, in the eastern part of Washington
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
99
township (25, 89, 9), one hundred and twenty acres
bought of the Hathaway estate and the rest of Mr. Van-
etten, for about four thousand dollars. Of this land,
one hundred and sixty acres are prairie, and the rest
woodland. The farm had on it, when purchased by the
county, a substantial stone dwelling house and such out-
houses as were common at that time. Since the purchase
a two-story frame addition has been joined to the dwell-
ing, and a large and commodious barn has been built.
The poor farm is under the control of the county su-
pervisors, who appoint of their own number a poor farm
committee, who hire a steward to take charge of the farm
and a matron to manage the domestic establishment and
look after the comfort of the inmates. The committee
meets every month at the farm-house, and reports annu-
ally to the supervisors. The steward purchases every-
thing needed, and disposes of all farm produce, reporting
at stated times to the committee. The joint salary of
steward and matron at present is five hundred dollars, to-
gether with the entire living of themselves and family,
and all needed help. Some of the inmates occasionally
assist about the house and garden. The house has ac-
commodations for twenty inmates, but the largest num-
ber thus far is seventeen, and the average number is
nine or ten. At present (June, 1881) there are but seven
inmates, four men and three women, none of them re-
lated to each other. The present steward and matron
are Mr. and Mrs. William Hamilton, who are now on
their second year. Previous to Mr. Hamilton's time
there had been but three stewards, viz : Gideon Ginther
(who served twelve years), A. G. Beatty, and John Lock-
head.
The following is the "annual report of the poor farm
committee, January i, 1881, to the board of super-
visors :"
Gentlemen: Your committee on poor farm would respectfully sub-
mit the within report :
Number of paupers January i, 1880 11
Added during the year 11
Died : I
Number at date 1 1
(Four adult males; three adult females; three minor males;
one minor female).
Average number of paupers during the year 10
Number in steward's family 5
Total cost of maintaining farm $1,964 35
Deduct for permanent improvements 197 62
$1,766 73
Average annual cost, per pauper, for entire maintenance, in-
cluding products of farm $ in 11
The same, excluding farm products 43 80
Your committee take pleasure in reporting having hired William
Hamilton, and May Hamilton, his wife, as steward and matron for one
year from the dale hereof ; and also in testifying to their faithful and
efficient conduct in their respective positions during the year last past.
Mr. Hamilton exceeding our expectations.
G. M. Miller, "j
Edward Black, sPoor Farm Committee.
A. H. Grover, j
SCHEDULE OF POOR FARM PROPERTY.
Farm and buildings ($30 per acre) $5, 820 00
Stock 778 00
Produce on hand 913 00
Sales during year 679 97
CHAPTER XIV.
THE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
During the winter of 1867 and 1868, the Honorable
W. G. Donnan introduced in the State legislature a bill
for the erection of a hospital for the insane, to be located
in or near the city of Independence.
The hospital at Mt. Pleasant was already overcrowded
and many insane persons in the State were deprived of
the benefits of hospital treatment. The bill passed the
senate without a dissenting voice, and easily passed the
house, together with the first appropriation of one hun-
dred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The bill created
a "board of commissioners for the erection of buildings
for an insane hospital," and appointed as the members of
said board, Maturin G. Fisher, of Clayton county; E. G.
Morgan, of Webster county, and Albert Clarke, of Bu-
chanan county. Mr. Clarke died before the expiration
of the first year, and the Honorable George W. Bemis
was appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy, and
took his seat in the board January 21, 1869.
The bill passed by the legislature required the donation
to the State of three hundred and twenty acres of land
within two and one-half miles of the city. Several tracts
were offered and the money for the purchase was raised
by subscription among the citizens of Independence.
The lot of ground selected by the commissioners is situ-
ated about a mile west of Wapsipinicon river and the
city of Independence, and about the same distance from
the Dubuque & Sioux City (branch of Illinois Central)
railroad. It is about one quarter of a mile wide at the
east end; widens northward to the width of half a mile
in the middle, and narrows again to a quarter of a mile
on the west quarter section. The tract is on an elevation,
rising by a gradual ascent from the banks of the river to
a height of from fifty to one hundred feet, and the hos-
pital building is on about the highest point of the
prairie for some miles around. It is certainly well-
placed to be seen of men. The tract was unbroken
prairie, without a tree or shrub (to use the words of one
of the commissioners, who seemed to think that a recom-
mendation), and furnished, on digging, an abundant sup-
ply of soft water free from any foreign substance.
It was also discovered that the tract contained a bed of
good brick clay, which proved of great value to the State.
Having obtained the land, the next step was to pro-
cure plans and specifications for the buildings necessary
for said institution. In order to qualify themselves with
the knowledge necessary for discharging intelligently the
trust committed to them, the commissioners visited sever-
al hospitals, reputed to be most complete in their ap-
pointments, and consulted eminent physicians who had
made the care and cure of insanity their specialty. They
decided on what is known as the corridor form of hospital
as offering the greatest advantages in convenience,
abundance of light, separation of wards, etc. The com-
missioners engaged Colonel S. V. Shipman, of Madison,
Wisconsin, to prepare plans and specifications, and he
presented a plan nearly identical with that of the old
Kirkbride hospital, of Philadelphia. The plans were
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
accepttd, but were so far modified and improved by the
superintendent of construction, Mr. George Jossclyn, en-
dorsed by Dr. Ranney, superintendent of the hospital, at
Mount Pleasant, as to become almost new plans.
It will not be amiss here to state the opinion of the
commissioners, as expressed in their first report, that
they "esteemed it fortunate that they were able to secure
the services of a superintendent so experienced and so
competent," has been more than justified by subsequent
events. Mr. Josselyn had been employed in a responsi-
ble position during the whole construction of Mount
Pleasant hospital, and was afterwards steward of that insti-
tution for several years. In addition to these cjualifications
he has been found to possess sound practical sense, and
an integrity so rare that it may be doubted whether the
history of the erection of public buildings, in this coun-
try, will show a similar work so economically done, and
so absolutely free from any suspicion of jobbery.
Among the changes in the plans, made by, or at the
suggestion of, Mr. Josselyn, were: ist. The substitution
of mansard roof for ordinary pitch roof, on the main
centre and on the transverse section; thus affording ac-
commodation for about two hundred more patients.
2nd. The removal of cupolas from the roofs of the trans-
verse section, and the addition of projecting towers to
the longitudinal sections. These towers are pardy
rectangular and partly semi-octagonal, and increase the
ornamental appearance of the building, while affording
means of ventilation. 3d. The addition, entire, of the
rear centre building, containing, among other things, the
laundry, kitchen, etc. 4th. Increase in the fire-proof
qualities of the structure by the substitution of iron
stairways for wooden; of masonry for wood in ventilating
flues, and in other ways. 5th. Improvement in the means of
ventilating. In the original plan the domitories were to
be provided with ventilating registers, leading (as now)
from the bottom of the rooms, but connected by ducts
with ventilating towers not provided with any means of
producing the upward draft, which experience has proved
to be necessary for this purpose.
Mr. Josselyn's original plan was to connect all the
ventilating ducts with shafts heated by steam radiators of
the kind used in heating the building, and this plan has
since been adopted in the newer wings. The principle
was at once adopted, but in a different manner — as will
be stated in its proper order.
GENERAL PLAN.
The plan contemplated a central building four stories
high and two wings three stories high; one extending
north and the other south, and exhibiting an eastern
front of seven hundred and twenty-six feet. The two
win^s were to consist each of three transverse and three
longitudinal sections, so arranged that the front, as a
whole, constantly receded from the front line of the
main centre, in all about one hundred feet from the line
of the front center. The main centre building is sixty
by one hundred feet, four stories high and with Mansard
roof. The wings are of the following dimensions : First
section— longitudinal, forty-five by ninety-two feet; a
transverie section thirty-six by eighty-seven and one-half
feet; longitudinal section twenty-six by fifty-six feet;
transverse section thirty-five by seventy-two feet. The
main centre was originally intended to contain the
kitchen, laundry, etc., in the basement, but the plan was
changed by the addition of a rear centre building, the
front section of which is forty-two by sixty feet. The
upper story (equivalent in height to second and third)
contains the chapel. The rear section of this building is
forty-four by forty-nine feet, and contains in the base-
ment the kitchen and laundry. The upper stories con-
tain a dining-room, sitting-rooms for patients, general
storage rooms and sleeping-rooms for female employes.
The hospital as a whole is intended to be fire-proof.
The walls of the basement story are built of granite from
the prairie boulders found in the vicinity. The upper
walls are of brick, with a facing of Farley and Anamosa
limestone. The roofs are of slate and the cornices of
galvanized iron. The framework of the Mansard roofs
in the portions lately constructed, is of iron and brick
arches. In the attics under the roofs the arches are
leveled up and paved with brick. On the ceiling of the
basement, and the first and second floors, wire cloth has
been used instead of lath.
The engine house is built entirely of boulder granite,
cut in rectangular form but of irregular shape and size,
and is an ornamental building. It is fifty-five by one
hundred feet in size and has an attic which contains
some sleeping-rooms and furnishes storage room for
some valuable machinery. It is situated directly back of
the rear centre building, and is connected with it by the
fan room. It contains the engine and boiler for supply-
ing steam for heating the entire building, and also for
doing the greater part of the cooking in the kitchen.
The boilers, at present, are four in number. Three are
thirteen feet by fifty-four inches, and one about the same
length and forty-eight inches in diameter. There is also
a pump for forcing water into the supply tanks through-
out the building. Back of the engine-house is the
chimney, or rather ventilating shaft. It is one hundred
and thirty feet high, including the base which is of
granite, twenty-two feet and six inches in diameter. The
shaft is octagonal or star-shaped, fourteen feet in diame-
ter, and is of brick, of which two hundred and fifty
thousand were used in its construction. Within is the
true chimney, of iron, and this heats the air in the shaft,
causing a strong current through the air passages which
lead into it from different parts of the building. The
ventilation of the most distant parts of the south wing is
by means of perpendicular shafts heated by steam radia-
tors.
THE HEATING
of the entire building is accomplished by the use of
steam radiaters, all of which are placed in the basement
and enclosed in a brick passage way. This latter is sup-
plied with fresh air through a duct connected with the
"fan tower." It is intended to have large fans to force
the air over the radiators. The hot-air registers in the
extreme ends of the building, where the patients are kept
closely confined, are placed in each sleeping room ; but,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
in most parts of the building, they are in the central pas-
sages, and the heated air passes into the sleeping-rooms
through the transoms over the doors. The oldest air,
which in winter is also the coldest, is drawn out through
the ventilating registers at the base of each sleeping-
room by small ducts connected with the large flues
leading into the heated ventilating shafts, before men-
tioned. The main duct constantly increases in size as
it passes every additional smaller duct, until near the
great chimney it is large enough for several men to walk
in. The offices of the medical superintendent and stew-
ard have fireplaces.
THE LIGHTING
of the building is now done with gas, which is manufac-
tured from naptha, in a building erected for the purpose
on the premises. The building and apparatus were
completed in 1879, and during the winter gas was manu-
factured from coal, but the results were unsatisfactory
and the apparatus was changed so as to manufacture the
gas from oil products. The result has been entirely sat-
isfactory.
WATER SUPPLY.
An abundant supply of water is of the greatest impor-
tance in an institution of this kind. A full supply is at
the rate of about thirty gallons a day for each patient.
This includes the amount used for drinking culinary pur-
poses, baths, cleaning of building, and for laundry and
heating apparatus.
During the summer of iSSo, when water was abun-
dant, and the weather very warm, about one thousand
barrels a day were used, being about two barrels to each
patient.
The principal source of supply is a well, ten feet in
diameter, from which water is brought by a siphon, a
distance of about three thousand feet. During parts of
the year this well would furnish more than is needed;
while, during the dry season, the supply is insufificient.
In order to utilize all the water, a storage cistern was
built in 1880, with a diameter of eighty feet, and depth
of about fourteen feet, and capable of holding about
fourteen thousand barrels. Into this will be pumped
daily all the water which the well will yield after supply-
ing the building.
There is a cylindrical cistern, seventy-four feet long by
twelve feet in diameter, and holding about two thousand
barrels; also another, holding about three hundred bar-
rels. These receive water from the roof of the buildings.
The water is distributed throughout the building by
gravity from two iron tanks in the attic of the main
centre building, which are filled by the pump in the en-
gine house. These tanks are twelve and sixteen feet in
diameter, respectively, and hold about si.xteen thousand
gallons. Water is supplied to each bath-room and water-
closet.
GENERAL ARRANGEMENT, CONVENIENCES, ETC.
Each ward is on a single floor, and comprises one
longitudinal and one transverse section. The promenade,
or general hall, in each ward, is lighted at the end and
a "bay" at right angles with the end of the transverse
sections. All dormitories and the dining-rooms have
large windows. There is a dining-room in each ward,
one above another. The cooked food is carried from
the kitchen by a railroad through the basement to the
dumb waiters, which connect with each dining room.
Speaking tubes and bell wires lead from each dining-
room to the foot of the dumb waiters; also bells from
the superintendent's room to different parts of the build-
ing. Each ward is provided with a dust flue and with a
soiled-clothes-slide, leading to receptacles in the cellar.
The water-closets are of the most approved patterns,
and provided with downward ventilation through special
flues. The bath-rooms are floored with marble, and
provided with every convenience for supply and waste.
All waste pipes lead to a six-inch drain pipe of cast-iron,
laid below the cellar bottom, and provided with the
necessary stench traps. The rooms are plainly but com-
fortably furnished. Most of the dormitories are provided
with plain iron bedsteads with woven wire mattresses and
straw beds. The dining tables are set attractively with
stone-china ware, casters and all the conveniences usual
in good families. No wall paper is used about the
building, and all walls and ceilings are hard finished.
In short, every means has been used to insure the
health and comfort of the inmates, and to economize in
labor.
APPROPRIATIONS.
The amounts appropriated for the building and furnish-
ing of the hospital up to the present time have been by
the Twelfth assembly, $125,000; by the Thirteenth as-
sembly, $165,000; by the Fourteenth assembly, $200,000;
by the Fifteenth assembly, $93,900; by the Sixteenth as-
sembly, $99,000; by the Seventeenth assembly, $48,000;
by the Eighteenth assembly, about $33,000.
DIETARY.
The bill of fare is varied, by a regular system, every
day in the week. Coffee is served every morning and
tea at supper. Roast beef or corned beef, or beefsteak,
are furnished once or twice daily, and fish on Fridays.
White and Graham bread are always on the table, and
butter at breakfast and tea. Potatoes are used daily,
and cabbage, onions and beets often. All garden vege-
tables are in abundance, in their season', and large quan-
tities of tomatoes and green corn are kept for winter use,
and pickles are put up. Dried fruits and green apples
are used in abundance, atid berries in season. Hot grid-
dle cakes are furnished for breakfast twice a week dur-
ing winters, and hot corn-cake throughout the rest of the
year. Crackers are kept on hand for those who prefer
them. On Thanksgiving day the whole household has
turkey for dinner, and either turkey or chicken on two
other days in the year. Fresh strawberries and rasp-
berries are served to all the patients several times in
summer, and melons in their season. The sick are
provided with various delicacies when they are unable to
partake of the regular diet.
In 1877, when the number of patients was three hun-
dred and twenty-two, and of employes sixty, the one
baker baked about twenty-six hundred loaves of bread
per week, consuming about fourteen barrels of flour.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Two cooks and five assistants prepared the food; two
men conveyed the food when prepared to the wards, at-
tended to the storage-rooms, and assisted in the kitchen;
one butcher dressed and prepared all the meat, took the
entire care of all the stock cattle, hogs and poultry, and
made the soap used in the laundry; two girls, with the
help of one male patient, did the washing for the entire
household ; three girls, aided by female patients, did
the ironing; one carpenter did the repairing, making
coffins, etc. ; three chambermaids and waiters do the
housework in the main building, wait on table and at-
tend door ; the gardener, with the help of patients, dur-
ing the summer, cultivated fifteen acres of garden, be-
sides attending to the flowers and yards; one man took
care of the cows, fourteen in number, and was employed
part of the day about the farm ; three teamsters were
employed, two at farm work in summer and hauling coal
in the winter, while one drives the hospital wagon, takes
care of the barn, harness, carriages, etc.
For that number of patients twenty-seven attendants,
male and female, were employed in the wards, and a
male and female watch. The attendants are under the
immediate supervision of the male and female super-
visors, who administer all medicines, and are responsible
for the clothing of patients; and the male supervisor
does the work of the apothecary. The seamstress does
all the mending for male patients, makes new clothing,
etc.; the engineer attends to the engine and the heating
and cooking apparatus, and does all necessary repairing
to steam and water pipes. Two firemen are under his
immediate supervision.
According to the last biennial report of the superin-
tendent, dated October 2, 1880, the number of patients
in the hospital was four hundred and fifty, of whom two
hundred and twenty-seven were men and two hundred
and twenty-three women. The whole number admitted
since the opening of the hospital had been one thousand
four hundred and thirty-three. Of this number there
had been discharged, improved, three hundred and fifty-
eight ; recovered, two hundred and forty-nine; unim-
proved, one hundred and ninety-six; died, one hundred
and eighty.
The cost of caVe and board of patients has varied from
sixteen dollars per month, in 1878, to ten dollars in
1879, at which price it remained at the time of the re-
port. The w^hole number of employes was eighty-three.
The number of patients in May, 1881, was five hundred
and twenty, and of employes, including officers, one
hundred.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
have been held in the chapel on Sunday afternoon, be-
ing conducted by the pastors of the Presbyterian, Epis-
copal, German Presbyterian and Methodist churches in
turn. Attendance is voluntary, but is always good.
AMUSEMENTS AND RECREATION.
Concerts, reading, magic lantern exhibitions, etc., are
continued during the fall and winter months. But the
most popular amusement is the dance. The music is
all furnished by the household. Two of the male at-
tendants play the violin, one calls the figures, a female
attendant plays the organ, and latterly one of the patients
plays the bass viol, an instrument which he made during
his stay at the hospital. Quite a number of newspapers
have been contributed, and some books for the forma-
tion of a library.
OUT-OF-DOOR EXERCISE, ETC.
Many of the male patients are at times employed on
the farm and garden, in the various out-buildings, laun-
dry, boiler-room, etc. It is not unusual for twenty female
patients to be employed at one time in the kitchen,
laundry and sewing-room. A large amount of ward
work is done by the patients. Nearly all male patients
go out of doors daily in summer when the weather is not
wet.
THE FARM.
Of the three hundred and twenty acres belonging to
the institution about thirty acres are occupied by the
brickyard, one hundred and twenty are in corn, oats,
potatoes, beans and garden stuff. The remainder is in
meadow and pasture lands. The value of farm and
garden products in 1878 was five thousand six hundred
and forty-three dollars and forty-nine cents, and in 1879
six thousand and seventy-seven dollars and seventy-eight
cents. The wheat grown on the farm for the two years
was valued at nine hundred and thirty-six dollars, and
plants in the green-house at eighty-two dollars and eighty-
five cents.
The current expenses for the year ending October i,
1879, were sixty-six thousand five hundred and fifty-six
dollars and sixty-three cents.
The farm stock and implements are valued at four
thousand dollars, and the current expenses of the hos-
pital for the year ending October, 1880, were seventy-
one thousand and seventy-one dollars and ninety-two
cents.
OPENING OF THE HOSPITAL.
The original board of trustees of the hospital con-
sisted of the persons named as follows:
Maturin G. Fisher, Farmersburgh, president; Rev.
John M. Boggs, Independence, secretary; George W.
Bemis, Independence, treasurer; E. G. Morgan, Fort
Dodge; Mrs. Prudence A. Appleraan, Clermont; C. C.
Parker, M. D., Fayette; T. VV. Fawcett, Chariton.
The board of commissioners appointed to superintend
the erection of the hospital, called the first meeting of
the trustees to take place at Independence, July 10,
1872.
In pursuance of that call they met and organized the
board and took the preliminary steps for organizing the
local government of the institution. A circular was
issued to the several institutions for the care and treat-
ment of the insane in the United States and the British
Provinces of North America, giving notice that this hos-
pital was soon to be opened, and inviting applications
and recommendations of some suitable person for the
office of medical superintendent. The board adjourned
to meet on the first Wednesday in September, the time
fixed by law for the regular quarterly meeting. A few
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
days before this meeting the Rev. John M. Boggs was
seized with a malignant fever and died on the day be-
fore that appointed for the meeting. Without transact-
ing any business the board, after passing resolutions of
regret and condolence, adjourned to meet October 2d.
The governor appointed Dr. John G. House to fill
the vacancy.
From a number of physicians highly recommended,
Albert Reynolds, M. D., of Clinton, Iowa, was elected
superintendent of the hospital.
Dr. Reynolds, after having received a finished medical
education, was employed for a considerable time as as-
sistant physician in the Kings County Lunatic asylum,
Flatbush, New York, under the superintendency of Dr.
Edward R. Chapin, where he had an opportunity to pur-
sue his studies and practice in the special department of
his profession to which he was devoted. He afterwards
travelled in Europe and visited the principal institutions
for the insane in Great Britain and Ireland.
Mr. George Josselyn, superintendent of construction,
was elected steward, and his wife, Mrs. Anna B. Josselyn,
was elected matron. Mr. and Mrs. Jossleyn were steward
and matron of the hospital at Mount Pleasant for several
years, and had ample e.xperience to qualify themselves
for their respective offices.
Dr. Willis Butterfield was elected assistant physician
on the fourth of September, 1873.
The hospital was opened for the reception of patients
on the twenty-first day of April, 1873.
The number of patients received up to December 13,
1873, was one hundred and seventy-eight, and the num-
ber remaining at that tiuie was one hundred and fifty-
two. Only one had died.
In December, 1874, Dr. Butterfield resigned his posi-
tion, and Dr. G. H. Hill was appointed in his place.
Dr. Reynolds' term of office expired on the first day
of February, 1878, and he was reelected.
Mr. and Mrs. Josselyn resigned their positions as
steward and matron in May, 1877, and George B.
Smeallie, and Mrs. Lucy M. Gray were appointed to
their places.
Dr. Henry G. Brainerd was appointed second assist-
ant physician in May, 1878.
Mr. Noyes Appleman succeeded Mr. Smeallie as
steward in January, 1878, and has retained his position
ever since.
Mrs. Gray also retains the position of matron.
CHAPTER XV.
BUCHANAN COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The record of Buchanan county, Iowa, in that struggle
for the life of the Nation, places her shoulder to shoulder
with those who were foremost in throwing themselves into
the deadly breach made in the union by fratricidal hands.
The reverberations of the first cannon fired upon Fort
Sumter had not yet died away among the hills and forests
of the north and west, when a tidal wave of patriotic en-
thusiasm, bearing high its majestic crest, swept with
resistless force from the shores of the Atlantic to break
with murmurs upon the coast of the Pacific. The baser
fires of partisan and sectional strife which had cast a
baleful light over the darkening horizon, and in which
the enemies of the Government had a powerful ally, were
quenched, no more to be rekindled, and in their stead
the pure flame of patriotism burned with a clear and
cheering light.
Henceforth there was no wavering allegiance to the
Government, no divided love for the Republic, but only
the loftiest exhibitions of National pride and devotion, and
the sternest resolve to defend the Nation's life and to
"repel force by force."
If it should be remembered that treason essayed to
lift her hydra head, and even to hiss forth her hatred of
the Government to whose leniency she was indebted for
envenomed power, it can be answered that the antidote
of fervid patriotism was so all pervading and so potent,
that the malignity of these feeble manifestations, served
only to bring out in more vivid contrast the steadfastness of
the true patriot.
To attempt to trace the causes which led to this
memorable civil contest is far beyond the humbler task
allotted to the local historian, whose narrower sphere
limits him to a record of facts and events, in their chrono-
logical order, leaving the higher walks of historic com-
position to him — the philosopher, statesman, and historian
in one — who in the fullness of time having gathered into
one broad reservoir, these quiet rills flowing onward with
the lapse of years, shall distil from their mingled volumes
that wisdom which shall serve for the future guidance of
the Nation.
Some one gave an author credit for a "little of the true
Shakespearean secret," in that he let his characters show
themselves without obtruding unnecessary comment.
To merit such a criticism might satisfy the most ambitious.
The ample material found in the contemporary press
of the county, during the four years' progress of the great
Rebellion, with slight adaptation, will, therefore, be allowed
to tell the story so honorable to Buchanan county pat-
riots, whether at home or in the field.
A few words will suffice to give to the home scenes of
that wondrous drama the needed continuity.
On the twelfth of April, 1861, a cannonade from Fort
Moultrie, and the batteries erected by the confederate
authorities in Charleston harbor, was opened upon Fort
Sumter, which was still in possession of the United States,
and under the command of Major Robert Anderson. On
Sunday the fourteenth, the fort was surrendered. There
was no longer room to doubt the intentions of the South
— she was in open rebellion. The action of the United
States Government was prompt. Immediately, under
authority of the law of 1795, 8'^'i"g the President power
to call out the militia in case of insurrection. President
Lincoln issued a call for seventy-five thousand men.
The effect of these events has already been described ;
hut in the editurial columns of the Buchanan County
I04
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Guardian, in the number following the announcement of
the fall of Fort Sumter, the editor, Mr. Rich, gives utter- .
ance to the following graphic sentences. Thrown off at
a white heat of patriotic ardor, they give a most vivid
impression of that fine heroism which animated the loyal
people of the north, and are well calculated to awaken
in the young men of the present day — sons of the patriots
of 1861, a like noble enthusiasm:
We devote our paper, to the exclusion of everything else, to the details
of the war news. The taking of Fort Sumter, however, distasteful to
those who hoped never to see the stars and stripes trailing in the dust, has
proven the salvation of the country. By it freedom has been saved.
Through it men have had their patriotism and love of nationality
aroused, and now, where the traitors fondly hoped to find divided
counsels, political prejudices, obstructing elements, they see nothing
but the greatest unanimity, the most intense love of the Republic, the
most exalted exhibitions of national feeling, the sternest determination
to repel the attack made upon the Government. . . . Almost as
soon as the telegraph had conveyed the intelligence of the call of the
country, the people had proffered an army twice as great, and means
sufficient for its support for a campaign. Pennsylvania, alone, offers
more than the contingent, and New York and Ohio will do as well.
Our own governor leaves a sick bed, and travels to Davenport in order
the sooner to obtain the proclamation, and offers to mortgage his
property to obtain the money for the arming and equipping of the
troops. Chicago alone proffers the quota of men for Illinois, and Illi-
nois proffers nearly the whole number required from the Union. Who
dares to say, after this, that money-getting has swallowed up the loftier
aspirations of our people?
The contest can have but one end. With us is the power and with
us is the right. The issue is emphatically slavery or freedom. The
question is as stated by the vice-president of the southern confederacy
— whether we shall live under the constitution of our fathers, based on
the idea of liberty, or whether we shall exist under that of Jefferson
Davis and his coadjutors, founded on the doctrines of slavery.
Whether we shall still hold to the vital principle of democracy, the
right of the majority to rule, or whether we sh.all submit to the des-
potic doctrine of the secessionists, that the minority, the few are to
govern. Northern freemen will soon give their answer — will soon set-
tle the question in favor of liberty and the majority.
We can glorify the result at Sumter, in view of the grand develop"
ment of patriotism which it has elicited. With the sentiments of the
civilized world against them ; with no credit, and the great champion
of repudiation at the head of their government , with no navy; with a
scarcity of provisions ; with but few if any manufactories of arms ;
with a servile population of several millions to be kept in check;
with a disparity of men and resources ; with large numbers of union
men among them ; with nothing to depend upon but the bravery of
their people — when met as they are by a people equally brave, how
can the result be other than against the traitors? It must be against
them. They may by their boldness and promptness meet with tem-
porary success : but with the north fully in the field against them, they
must go down. They must fall before northern power, northern bra-
very, and northern love of freedom. God grant that with their fall,
the villainous system of human slavery may be dashed to atoms. • •
• In to-day's paper (April 30), will be found a call for the formation
of a company of volunteers. Although there seems to be but a poor
prospect of being called into active service immediately, (but one regi-
ment being called for from the State and four already offering), it is
highly probable that additional quotas will yet be drawn from the
States, when, if organized and ready, the company may be accepted.
It is plainly the duty of every lover of his country to prepare himself
for the conflict. The question is one of life or death for the Republic,
for free institutions ; and every friend of the Republican idea, every
lover of the principles of free government, should prepare to battle on
the side of his imperilled country. It is a glorious cause in which to be
enlisted — the cause of justice and right — the cause of democracy
against aristocracy — the cause of the masses against an oligarchy — the
cause of freedom against slavery. It is the old battle of the Revolu-
tion over again. Mothers never gave sons to a nobler cause ; husbands
never separated from wives to go forth to do nobler battle ; hands
never grasped swords, nor voice shouted battlecry in a more holy fight
than this on the part of the Government. Let us emulate the spirit of
1776, and, oblivious of self, give onrselves to our country — to human-
ity. Let us be ready when the next call comes. There are men
enough in Buchanan county willing to go where there is need of them.
Let us be ready to report when that need is indicated. We can organ-
ize, get commissioned, become familiar with the necessary drill, arm
and equip ready for instantaneous movement. If we are needed, well;
the steps taken will not be unprofitable. If we are needed we shall
have all the advantage of preparation. Let us make everything sub-
ordinate to our duty to our country. We are all heartily for the Gov-
ernment ; let there be no delay in making a public indication of this
feeling.
These are the fervid utterances which shall give to the
youth of Buchanan county in 1881, the key by which
they may translate the heroism which moved their fathers
and elder brothers, into the prosaic, if not sordid lan-
guage, now current. Or better, the glowing words may
so stir their hearts as to lift them into an atmosphere in
which the language of that heroic, and now historical
time, is the vernacular. Thus inspired, they will be pre-
pared to preserve inviolate that which has been, first pur-
chased, and again redeemed, at so great a price.
C.\LL FOR VOLUNTEER REGIMENTS.
In the meantime telegraphic news from the east,
showed that troops were in motion from all points tow-
ards Washington, and that so simultaneous had been the
rush to arms, at the call of the President, that no doubt
was entertained that the whole number of troops called
for was already at the disposal of the Government, and
that an equal or larger number stood ready to march,
at the first intimation of their acceptance.
Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa, was not, however, idle.
Called from a sickbed, as he stated to an enthusiastic
meeting in Davenport, he had left Des Moines, which
was, as yet, without railroad communication, and had
hastened forward to meet the dispatches of the Presi-
dent at that point, that he might act without loss of time.
Realizing, with all thoughtful men, that "the end was
not yet," he inaugurated, as soon as he was clothed
with the proper authority, the most energetic means for
the raising and equipment of troops. The citizens, not
only of Independence, but of all portions of the county,
responded with alacrity to the call for enlistments. The
patriotic language already quoted from the columns of
the county press, was the universal voice, without re-
spect to name or party.
An impromptu gathering at the court house, on Satur-
day evening, the twentieth of April, was pervaded with
such unanimity and sternness of feeling against the plot-
ters of treason, as could not fail to culminate, when the
hour arrived, in men and means for the defence of the
Government. Party spirit seemed to be annihilated, and
Democrats and Republicans vied with each other in ex-
pressions of devotion to the Government, and in male-
dictions upon the heads of the traitors who had plunged
the country into a civil war.
In order to obtain a fuller expression of feeling and
definiteness of action, a meeting was called for the fol-
lowing Monday evening. At the time appointed, with-
out other than verbal notice, the large hall of the court
house was again crowded with a calm, earnest and de-
termined body of citizens, many ladies also being pres-
ent. Alfred Ingalls, esq., was called to the chair, and
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
105
Messrs. Rich and Barnliart appointed secretaries. On
motion of Mr. Latiirop, a committee of five was ap-
pointed to prepare resolutions, consisting of the follow-
ing gentlemen: C. E. Lathrop, W. S. Marshall, Edward
Brewer, D. T. Randall and Lyman Hathaway. While
the coi.imittee were out, Messrs. Hord and Lee were
called upon, and made strong, earnest union speeches —
urging the claims of the Government upon all loyal citi-
zens, and the necessity of punishing treason by the over-
throw of the traitors. The following resolutions were
reported and unanimously adopted.
Whereas, The f.ict has been announced by proclamation of the
President of the United States, that rebeUion exists in a portion of our
country, and that the flag of our Union has been fired upon by the
constituted authorities of the so-called Southern Confederacy; and
Where.as, The President has called upon the luyal Stales for troops
to put down said rebellion and assert the supremacy of tlie laws,
therefore
Resolved, That we, the citizens of Independence, without respect to
party distinction, will rally as one man to the support of our rightfully
constituted Government, and pledge ourselves to respond to any call
that may be made upon us, either for men or money, to the full extent
of our ability.
Resolved, That we regard all who refuse to stand by the Government
in the present crisis as unworthy of the name of American citizens, and
as enemies of the liberties of mankind.
Resolved, That, come what may, we will never give up that noble
sentiment of the patriot Jackson: "The American Union — it must and
shall be preserved."
Resolved, That we approve of the policy of the national administra-
tion in the present crisis, believing that the President has acted toward
the southern rebels in a just, magnanimous and conciliatory manner,
and has afforded by his conduct no pretext for their recent warlike
preparation and action; and we will stand by our President while he
continues to act in the strict line of his constitutional duty.
Such pledges made by such a body of men, calm,
earnest and determined, were equivalent to the enroll-
ment of every able-bodied man, taking upon himself
such serious obligation, and was doubtless so considered
by every one actively concerned in this public expression
of allegiance to the Government of the United States.
Speeches breathing the utmost devotion to the Union,
and the most earnest determination to support the Gov-
ernment in its struggle to maintain that Union inviolate,
followed the adoption of the resolutions from Messrs.
Donnan, Marshall, Lake, Jones, Pratt, Randall, Bryant,
Sampson and Abbott. Only one dissonant utterance
from a citizen grated upon the harmony of this patriotic
gathering, which, in its manly, outspoken loyalty, con-
ferred lasting honor upon Buchanan county. One of the
speakers called upon took' a narrow, partisan view of the
situation, and spoke of the call of the President for
troops as an appeal from Republicans for assistance from
an opposing political party; and, though he counseled
such assistance, it was upon the ground that only in so
doing could they hope for political ascendency in the
time to come. It is, perhaps, needless to say that these
sentiments had few sympathizers, and the charitable
opinion expressed by the editor of the Guardian, "that
the speaker had done himself great injustice, his patriot-
ism being infinitely deeper and broader than his party
feeling," suggests the added charity of withholding his
name from this record of the war, and those who sup-
ported it.
A Mr. Henry, of St. Louis, who was called out at the
suggestion of a friend, received hearty applause when he
said that he was with the people of Iowa for the Union.
But when he proceeded to say that he and the Union
men of the border States would stand as a wall between
the contending parties, saying to the Government you
shall not cross our territory to attack the South, and to
the South you shall not cross our line to attack the
North, his prestige was gone. The hollowness of such
Union sentiments had only a few days before been ex-
emplified in the killing of Federal soldiers in Baltimore,
on their way to defend the Federal capital, and the true
patriots of Buchanan would have no more of it. Some
sharp catechising showed the speaker that he could have
little hope of pleasing himself again en rapport with his
audience, and his address did not progress beyond the
exordium.
Mr. Sampson, pastor of the Methodist church, declared
his readiness to inarch in the ranks if necessary, thus
showing that he would not urge others to a duty from
which he considered himself excused. At a late hour
the meeting adjourned, after adopting a motion made by
Mr. Donnan, for the appointment of committees to or-
ganize companies and raise the funds that should be re-
quired for their outfit. The meeting had fully developed
the fact that but one sentiment existed in the community
— that of unflinching loyalty to the Government; and it
had likewise demonstrated that, should occasion require,
a company of volunteers for active service could be
raised in a few hours, and another be left at home as a
guard, or ready as a contingent. A meeting lor those
desirous of forming a company whose services should be
offered at once to the governor, was appointed for Wed-
nesday evening, and the citizens' meeting was adjourned
subject to the call of the chairman.
INCIDENTS SHOWING THE STATE OF THE PUBLIC MIND.
At the first telegraphic dispatch, announcing the
opening of the cannonade upon Sumter, the fine flag be-
longing to the citizens of the place was raised upon the
flag-staff near the court house. As the folds of the Na-
tional emblem were lifted by the breeze, and the glorious
stars and stripes shone out, the wildest cheers went up
from the assembled crowd — given as heartily by Demo-
crats as Republicans, and again and again renewed.
Flags were also raised and kept flying from the offices of
both Guardian and Civilian, nor did one differ to the
other in the warmth of their utterances for the Govern-
ment and the Union. On Saturday, April 14th, while a
case was on trial in the district court, and while the jury
was attentively listening to the examination of witnesses,
some one brought into the court room a Dubuque paper
containing the first account of the fight at Charleston.
The news flashed around the court room instantaneously,
and created great excitement. Lawyers, witnesses and
juryman caught the infection, and it was found impos-
sible to proceed with the case, until all had heard and
discussed the news. The jury would give no attention
until the "war news" had been read to them, which was
at length done by order of the court, a suspension of
proceedings having been ordered-for that purpose. .
io6
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
The case of South Carolina and Secession, thus un-
ceremoniously brought before the jury, was of a char-
acter to require no cross-examination of witnesses, no
special pleading of lawyers. The crime stood confessed,
and the judgment was quick, and will never be reversed.
THE TWENTY DAYS OF GR.^CE EXPIRED.
Under date of May 7th, appeared another column of
terse sentences from the vigorous pen of Mr. Rich. Its
succinct summing up and grouping of the elements
which then constituted the "situation," both for the
Government and the people, make it a paper which the
citizens of the county may well be proud to transmit to
her latest posterity:
On Sunday night last, May 5th, the twenty days which Mr. Lincoln,
in his proclamation, gave the rebels to disperse expired, and from now
onward nothing will intervene to prevent the Government from push-
ing its movements actively against the traitors. F. W. Seward, As-
sistant Secretary of State, telegraphed to New York, in refutation of
the report that an armistice had been asked by the Government, that
that sort of thing ended on the fourth of March; and we may there-
fore conclude, both from thut and Mr. Lincoln's reply to the Maryland
deputations, that the administration is fully resolved to give action to
the determined sentiment of the whole north, that this infamous Re-
bellion must not be compromised with, but must be crushed out —
crushed out so effectively that the men and the system that for long
years have kept the country in foment, shall never thereafter be able to
create a disturbance. The country demands no half-way measures.
It demands of the Government no longer conservative or defensive
efforts, but calls for a forward, aggressive movement. It demands not
only that Washington may be made secure, but that every fort, arsenal
and Government building in the slave States, stolen by the secessionists
shall be retaken. . . . Demands that no thought of re-
construction, no proposition of division shall be entertained, but that
the Union and the constitution, as they have existed, shall be pre-
served intact. Since they have been forced to fight, they demand that
the question in issue shall be settled forever — that slavery shall no
longer have the power to convulse the country as it has done hereto-
fore.
This firm determined stand of the people and the administration,
has had its clear effect in the border Stales. Maryland, for a time
overcome by a bold mob, has received a strengthening of b.ickbone by
this evidence of the power and will of the great north. Again the
American flag floats throughout all her borders. Again her people in
mass meetings declare their fidelity to the Union, and her legislature is
forced to frown down the idea of secession. The cry of northern volun-
teers, " Through Baltimore, or over it," has made that city almost as
patriotic as could be desired. Western Virginia stands boldly up, un-
der the inspiration of northern firmness, and declares that she will
battle to the death with the secessionists of the eastern part of the
State. Missouri, also, as well as Kentucky and Tennessee, dare not
declare against the old flag, in view of the glorious uprising of the free
States, and the stern determination to drive treason from the land.
Treacherous as they were and are still willing to prove with secession
triumphant: with a northern army on their borders, and the free States
united and determined, they have found it inexpedient to secede, and
will probably so continue to find it. Virginia, that demanded so much
consideration, that claimed so much power, has gone over to the seced-
ers, and this movement has had no other effect than to show how weak
she reallv was, with all her vaporing. Her going has detracted noth-
ing from the strength of the Government, and added nothing to the
seceders. Her power is now forever broken, because all see that the
influence she claimed in the confederacy she could not have possessed.
Her pretensions were a mere bubble, and she herself has pricked it.
We hope, then, thai the Govenmient will declare, as the people have
done, a firm determination to permit no division of our territory, no
disruption of the Union.
With that declaration as the b.asis of its campaigns the free States
will make short work of this Rebellion.
ENTHUSIASM EVERYWHERE.
Nor were these Union demonstrations by any means
confined to the country seat. Union meetings were be-
ing held at various points in the county. Quasqueton,
the pioneer town of old Buchanan, was true to her early
record as a place of undaunted enterprise. Volunteers
were offering daily at that place and at Littleton, and it
was soon apparent that the entire county was a unit for
the defence of the Government. Everywhere offers of
money for the support of the families of those volun-
teering in the defence of the right, testified to the earnest
patriotism which swayed the public mind.
An enthusiastic meeting of the citizens of Littleton
and vicinity was held early in May, with the avowed ob-
ject to organize a military company, whose services should
be offered to the governor as soon as the organization
was complete. Many ladies were present, giving con-
vincing evidence, by their warm interest in the great
questions before the people, that they were worthy daugh-
ters of the heroic mothers of the Revolution. The
meeting was addressed by Messrs. Lewis, Leavitt, and
Hord, of Independence; and by Reed, Muncy, and San-
ford and others of Littleton. Thayer's band, from Barc-
lay, was present, and the music of the spirit-stirring fife
and drum, as they struck up "Hail, Columbia," "Yankee
Doodle," or the "Star Spangled Banner," aroused the
pattiotism of the people to fever heat.
Another meeting was appointed to be held on the
following Saturday evening at Lester. No town, village,
or hamlet, was destitute of a flag, and at the county seat,
on days of especial interest, such as the reception of war
news, or the announcement of Government measures,
printing offices and business blocks displayed the stars
and stripes in such profusion as to suggest the thought
that, unconsciously, the loyal heart of the north was
striving by a double meed of allegiance to atone for the
indignities offered elsewhere to this sacred emblem of
the nations power and majesty.
A LETTER FROM THE HON. WILLIAM VANDEVER.
The following letter of instructions appeared in the
Guardian of May 7, 1861:
Dubuque, May 4, 1861.
J. Rich, esq.,
Dear Sir, — . . Companies when formed should elect officers
— one captain, two lieutenants, etc. The muster roll should then be
forwarded to Adjutant General Bowen, who will see that the officers
are commissioned. It is the desire of the governor that such companies
should be formed all over the State, and placed in such a state of prep-
aration— without interrupting the usual avocations of the men — as will
enable them to respond promptly to any call which may hereafter be
made for additional troops. The State will distribute arms as fast as
they are received from the General Government. It would be well if
men would furnish themselves with some simple style of uniform, say a
gray tweed flannel blouse and pants. The legislature, at its session
(extra, which met May 15, 1861), will undoubtedly make some provision
for arming and equipping several regiments. Companies now formed
will have a preference in being called into the service.
Preparation is what is needed, for any exigency that may arise here-
after. I trust that in the next regiment required from the State, some
of our northern companies will be preferred over those from the river
towns.
Truly yours,
William Vandever.
THE SECOND CALL.
The second call for troops was received here as every-
where with undisguised satisfaction. The fact that no
requisition was to be made upon the several States for
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
107
the forty thousand volunteers, for three years service, was
commented upon as favorable to Iowa troops — all regi-
ments offering being accepted until tiie full number was
enrolled.
The first Independence military company was an-
nounced as on a firm footing, in the same issue as the
second call of the Government for eighty-three thousand
additional troops, May 14th. The company was organized
with a view to active service, the oath being administered
to each recruit as he presented himself Quasqueton
was reported at the same date to have enrolled a home
guard of nearly one hundred members, and to have com-
menced drilling with an earnestness of spirit which
showed that their ultimate aim was a more serious one
than cannonading the effigies of the enemies of their
country.
On June i, 1861, the Independence guards, having
completed their roll, held a meeting for the election of
officers, which resulted as follows: D. S. Lee, captain;
G. C. Jordan, first lieutenant; W. S. Marshall, second
lieutenant; C. L. \Vhite, first sergeant; R. S. Marlin,
second sergeant; T. Blonden, third sergeant; J. D. C.
Garrison, fourth sergeant; C. J. Reed, first corporal; E.
A.Woodruff, second corporal; J. H. McWilliams, third
corporal; O. J. M. Fuller, fourth corporal.
The company being fully organized. Captain Lee went
to Iowa City to tender their services to the governor,
with the expectation of being accepted and sent inmie-
diatcly into active service. Meanwh le squad drills were
held at Morse's hall every evening : and on the race
ground, on the west side of the river, every morning be-
tween 4 and 6 o'clock; thus rising up early, and late
taking rest, that they might honor themselves and the
county which they represented; but, most of all, the
sacred cause which, taking their lives in their hands, they
were to go forth to defend.
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR.
Though assured of their acceptance, the guards were
not assigned to a regiment until the last week in June-
as appears from the following letter of Governor Kirk-
wood :
Executive Office, Iowa City, )
June 25, 1861. J
Captain Lee, Independence Guards.
Dear Sir ; — Your company is assigned to the Fifteenth Regiment
Iowa volunteers, and under the recent call of the war department will
be sent to rendezvous at Burlington as soon as arrangements can be
perfected — perhaps next week. Fill up your ranks to not less than
•ighty-four, nor more than one hundred and one men. If you can
avoid it, do not go into quarters at home, as I have no money, and
shall have none till the State bonds are sold.
If you cannot possibly avoid going into quarters, do so, but not
otherwise.
As soon as matters are arranged, I will send you orders to march to
Burlington.
I enclose a printed circular, and call your special attention to that
part relating to clothing, and hope you may be able to conform to the
suggestions therein contained.
Please answer immediately.
Very respectfully,
Samuel J. Kirkwood.
The following extract from the circular comprises the
suggestions in regard to the outfit of volunteers:
It is very desirable that, in case you be called into active ser\'ice, you
have a change of clothing. I therefore suggest that your men procure
for themselves, with the aid of your neighbors, the following articles
for each man; A gray or black felt hat — gray is the best; two good
gray flannel shirts; one pair stout gray satinet or cloth pants, lined,
with black stripe up the seam; two pair socks, and one pair stout, well
made brogans or laced boots. These articles will answer, with a good
blanket, which will be furnished by the State, when you may be called
out, until a uniform can be furnished by the State, and will continue to
answer for a fatigue dress, or a change in case of being caught in the
rain — and thus conduce to health. The State cannot furnish these
things, but I hope your neighbors will aid you in procuring them. In
case you shall not be called out, they can be worn as ordinary dress,
and thus no loss will be sustained by the men.
The following call takes its place naturally, as the re-
sult of the publication of the governor's letter and cir-
cular :
PUBLIC MEETI.NG
As the Independence guards have been accepted by the governor of
this State to form part of the Fifth Regiment of Iowa volunteers, and
as the governor has recommended the people of the county to give the
cmopany a temporary uniform, which may hereafter be used as a
fatigue dress, and conduce to the comfort of the men; and as it will
also be necessary to provide for the keeping of many of the members
of the company until they are ordered to the rendezvous at Burlington,
we therefore invite the people of Buchanan county to meet at the court
house, in Independence, on Tuesday evening, July 2d, to take steps to
provide the necessary means for these purposes.
H. S. Chase, J. Rich,
C. P. HiNSLEY, J. S. Woodward,
James Jamison, L. Moore,
M. GlLLLTT, C. F. LEAVITT,
W. Chandler, O. H. P. Roszell,
D. S. Dunham, E. W. Purdy,
T. B. BuLLENE, J. D. Myers,
A. INCALLS, ]ed Lake.
The Guardian had a generous tribute to the " boys,''
and spoke out in regard to their claims upon those who
were to remain at home. It spoke also with the utmost
positiveness as to this company being the only one to
go from the county, and used it as an argument for en-
listment, with all who wished to enter the service of the
Government. A later enlistment would compel citizens
of Buchanan to enter a company from some other lo-
cality.
PREPARING FOR THE START.
July 2d the announcement is made that Captain Lee
had been notified by Colonel Worthington (of the Fil'th)
that the guards would probably receive orders to move to
the rendezvous on the following Monday. And now the
notes of preparation were heard on every hand, and
everybody seemed anxious not only to send the brave
fellows into the field as comfortably equipped as possible,
but with hearts so warmed by kindness and attention, as
to cheer them on to noble deeds for friends and for
country.
As the result of the meeting held in response to the
call, which we have given above, and of subscriptions
made subsequent to the meeting, four hundred dollars
had been raised; and this, with contributions of mate-
rial, by merchants and others, had accumulated a mass of
goods at the company's depot in Morse's hall which
looked sufficiently formidable, when it was remembered
that but one short week remained in which to fashion it
into garments required by the gallant men, who were so
soon to stand as the defenders of a beneficent Govern-
ment, assailed by those of its own household.
io8
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
But where was the corps which could be detailed to
make an advance movement in the face of this breast-
work of satinet? And where was the money to pay
them if they were found? It was evident that the War
Department had neglected to provide a much needed
pioneer force, and therefore it turned out, that in Bu-
chanan county, the honor of being first "called into
active service" fell to the ladies. It is but a simple act
of justice to the heroines of the hour, whose names
should grace the page of history, that a full company,
fully equipped, reported at the rendezvous, at the first
call of their country. The second day, Saturday, fully
one hundred and fifty were in attendance. Sunday was
given to the "work of mercy and necessity," and with an
industry, zeal, and even enthusiasm which knew no flag-
ging, the work went on until the seventh day, when at
evening, the entire company had been provided with
uniforms — an aggregate of nearly three hundred gar-
ments. In addition, each soldier had received from the
ladies a needle case containing a pair of scissors and a
full supply of pins, needles, buttons, and thread. As
this was the evening of their last day "at home," a
social meeting was improvised at the court house, to
give the citizens and the citizen soldiers the opportunity
for a friendly and farewell greeting.
Mr. Leavitt presided at this interesting gathering, and
words were spoken which, it may be hoped, cheered the
hearts of those brave men in many a trying hour of the
future. Captain Lee was called out, and in a few ear-
nest words acknowledged the obligation of himself and
his men, for the many kindnesses and services received
at the hands of the people of tlie county at large, and
from the citizens and ladies of Independence.
THE DEPARTURE.
The departure of the Guards on the following morn-
ing, Friday, June 12th, is best described by the pen of
the editor, an eye witness of the scene.
Friday, the day of departure, came, and a sad day it was to most of
us. In the morning, at nine o'clock, the guards drew up in front of
the Montour House, and were each presented with a Testament by a
committee of the Buchanan County Bible society. Rev. Mr. Boggs
made a presentation address, and was followed in a stirring speech by
Rev. Mr. Fulton. Rev. Mr. Samson, at the close of the addresses,
made an excellent prayer. The boys were then dismissed, that they
might take leave of their friends. The town was crowded with people
from the country, who had come to give a parting greeting to the
noble fellows. Mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, clung to sons, hus-
bands, fathers, and brothers, with the tearful energy of a fearing affec-
tion. On nearly every countenance were traces of tears, and everyone
seemed too full for words. Hands were shaken in silence, the lips
refusing to speak the blessings that each knew were in the heart. A
more solemn occasion we never witnessed, and hope never again to
witness a similar one.
But the time for departure came, and at the tap of the drum the
boys fell into line. The Independence band led the way to the depot,
the Benton company followed, and our own noble fellows brought up
the rear, surrounded by many hundreds of friends, of both se.ves. At
the depot, while waiting for the cars, another scene of leave-taking
occurred. All along the line friends and relatives were clinging, with
tears and sobs, to the soldiers, while they, in their turn no less affected,
were trying to impart comfort to the objects of affection so soon to be
left behind. Pledges of love and friendship were exchanged, and
nearly every man in the ranks carried a pretty bouquet of flowers. The
boys pronounced this leave-taking more unmanning than marching up
to the mouth of cannon.
But gradually these manifestations of feeling were mastered, and
before the train arrived they took to cheering " The Vinton Boys,"
"Soldiers' Wives and Sweethearts," etc.; and the great crowd sur-
rounding the depot, several thousand in number, responded with
cheers for the soldiers. But the friendly arrival of the train cut short
this prolonged tension upon the feelings of the brave fellows and their
friends. The cars brought the Hardin county company, and the Ben-
ton and Buchanan boys were soon on board. The whistle sounded,
and amid the firing of cannon, the waving of handkerchiefs, and the
wildest cheers from both soldiers and friends, the train moved off
taking away many courageous hearts and leaving thousands of heavy
ones, but equally courageous, behind.
At Manchester a splendid dinner was given to tlie soldiers by the
people of the town. We are assured that it has never been surpassed
in the State. This reflects the greatest credit upon the people of that
enterprising town, and entitles them to the heartiest benedictions of the
soldiers and their friends.
A reluctance to transcribe the closing paragraph of
this interesting article has given way before the convic-
tion that the indignation expressed in it is, under all the
circumstances, most generous and natural. That the
brave men, who were leaving all that the heart holds
dear, save the love of country, should have met with
anything like an indignity, and that, too, in the presence
of their weeping wives and mothers, fathers and brothers,
was too much to be borne with equanimity. The good
soldier must indeed be inured to hardness, but stern
necessity soon enough brings the inevitable discipline,
and there could be no excuse for such unseemly haste in
anticipating it, and honor the -warmth of sympathy which
dictated the outspoken reproof:
We cannot refrain from a word of animadversion upon the course of
the superintendent of the Dubuque & Sioux City railroad. With sev-
eral new passenger cars at the command of the company at Dubuque,
and with an empty one on the train. Superintendent Young stowed a
part of our company and all of the Vinton company in open cattle
cars, rigged with rough board seats, wheie the hot sun could play upon
them and clouds of dust cover them. It does not suftice that Conductor
Cawley, to whom all praise is due for his attention to the boys, insisted
upon placing the empty passenger car at their disposal after they
reached Manchester. The fact is patent that Mr. Young, with abun-
dant means at his command to secure the comfort of the soldiers, in-
sisted upon treating them as cattle, forcing them to ride in cars that
were in every way comfortless. Such a niggardly spirit is worthy of
all reprobation, and receives it from the friends of the volunteers in this
county. Superintendent Young has neither done himself nor his com-
pany any good by this treatment of our friends.
MUSTER ROLL, "INDEPENDENCE GUARDS," FIFTH REGI-
MENT, IOWA VOLUNTEERS.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Daniel L. Lee.
First Lieutenant George C. Jordan.
First Lieutenant Alexander B. Lewis.
Second Lieutenant William S. Marshall.
Second Lieutenant Carlos L. White.
NON-COMMISsIONED OFFICERS.
First Seargeant Carlos L. White.
First .Sergeant Thomas Blonden.
Second Sergeant Kelsey S. Martin.
Second Sergeant William S. Peck.
Third Sergeant Thomas Blonden.
Third Sergeant Charles F. Putney.
Fourth Sergeant Alexander B. Lewis.
Fourth Sergeant William Bunce.
Fifth Sergeant William S. Peck.
Fifth Sergeant Jerry Rea.
First Corporal Cyrus J. Reed.
First Corporal Joseph H. McWilliams.
Second Corporal Eugene A. Woodruff.
Second corporal, Julius F. Phelps.
Third Corporal Joseph H. McWilliams.
Third Corporal Frank Noble.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
109
Fourth Corporal Oscar J. M. Fuller.
Forth Corporal Simon L. Shultz.
Fifth Corporal Julius F. Phelps.
Fifth Corporal John B. Oliver.
Sixth Corporal Frank Noble.
Si.vth Corporal William Codling.
Seventh Corporal Leroy F. Funk.
Seventh Corporal John Jarrett.
Eighth Corporal Charles F. Putney.
Eighth Corporal Calvin C. Paltee.
Musician William H. Brown.
Wagoner Henry McQueen.
PRIVATES.
David .Allen, Samuel C. Allison, Joseph Anson, Madison J. Bryan,
William Bunce, James Bell, William W. Baughman, David H. Bill,
Charles F. B.iiley, William H. H. Coats, Solomon J. Clark, William
S. Cushman, Elijah Chiltester. William Crawford, William Codling,
A. M. Conkling. John A. Davis, Thomas Donnelly, Almon [. Francis,
Albert R. Goss, George Gay, J ames B. Gaylord, John C. Geyer, James
Harrigan, Martin Hallock, Morgan Holmes, Sanford Hamilton, John
Jarrett. William F. Johnson, Adin B. Kinsel, Wilbur F. Kellogg,
Castleton Latherman, Simmeus Mead, John W. Marlin, Charles
Marsh, Charles A. Marsh, Rev. J. W. McWilliams, .\lexander Mun-
ger, James G. McKenzie, John B. Oliver, Levi Overhulser, Noah
Porter, William R. Peters, Calvin C. Pattee, Peter Putnam, Thomas
C. Puckett, James C. Perham, William Payne, Thomas Robison,
Samnel -A. Reed, James Rice, John Richards, Edward Roderick, Jerry
Rea, Moses H. Robinson, Jackson Rice, George Sellars, John Shay,
James Stack, Rufus W. SafFord, Oliver Saflford, George B. Sitler,
Simon L. Shultz. Heman Sprague, William H. Sayer, Henry W.
Snider, Hola C. Sprague, John Snider, John H. Towle, Alden R.
Wheeler, James B. Wolf, Cres. W. Waggoner, Ormar R. Whitman,
Richard Whait, Nathan Wheeler, Rynear M. Walker, Weelley Wil-
liams. M.ihlon Williams, Stephen R. Washborn. -Additional enlist-
ments up to January i, 1863, John C. (or W.) McCray.
Captain Lee's company (company E, of the Fifth regi-
ment of the volunteer infantry) was enrolled in the
county of Buchanan, ordered into quarters by the gov-
ernor of the State June 29, 186 1, and mustered into the
service of the United States by Lieutenant Alexander
Chambers, United States Army, at Burlington July 15,
1 86 1, under the liroclamation of the President of the
United States, bearing date May 3, 1861. From the
place where the company was enrolled to its rendezvous
is three hundred miles.
A poetic tribute to the guards appeared in the same
number of the GuarJian as that containing the above
chronicle of their departure; and, though without a name,
it honors both the writer and those to whom it is in-
scribed. It would, therefore, be a manifest wrong done
to "Our Brave Boys of the West" if it were not trans-
mitted as one of the fragrant blossoms which make up
the chaplet offered them by a grateful people.
THE INDEPENDENXE GU.\RDS.
What golden glory doth the sun
Flood over all the west,
A farewell greeting to the earth.
And blossoms on her breast.
The cricket chirps its evening tune,
Its homely, cheery note,
And one last song is trilling forth
From out the robin's throat.
But oh, upon our aching hearts,
Earth's music sadly swells;
W'c hear through all her perfect choir
The echo of farewells.
We've seen our loyal men go forth
To plant the flag, wiiich waves
Triumphant over Northern arms,
Upon the traitors' graves.
W^e know whose hands shall bear unsoiled
The eagle's golden crest;
Whose hands uphold the stripes and stars—
Our brave boys of the west.
Give cheers for our devoted band,
Our men of words and actions;
.And groans, aye three times three, for those
Who bear the flag of factions.
May he who counts the ocean's sands.
And marks the sparrow's fall,
Spredd His almighty, loving hands,
In mercy, over all.
And nerve their arms to strike aright.
Such hearts have never f.iiled;
They'll teach the world how men can fight
When freedom is assailed.
Where're they .stand in battlefield.
With mingled pride and tears,
Our hearts shall follow on to pray
God bless our volunteers.
Friday, June 12, 1861.
INCIDENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND DON.ATIONS.
Mr. Noah Porter, living at Good Hill, Bremer
county, while on his way to work on Friday (June 28),
saw a notice of the acceptance of the "guards," and a
call for a meeting of the company on Saturday. He
immediately went home, put his team in the stable, bade
his wife and children good bye, and walked seventy-five
miles to Independence, where he lost no time in enrol-
ling himself as a member of the company.
S. Hellman, of Independence, accompanied a dona-
tion of one dozen pairs of shoes, and as many of socks,
for the use of the company, with the wish that the wearers
of them might march to victory, for the glory of the
country.
Dr. Chase, of Byron township, as soon as the news
of the acceptance came, gave the conijjany ten dollars.
Had this example had a general following, and had the
resulting fund been invested in rubber blankets, how
many lives, sacrificed by sleeping on the damp ground,
might have been saved.
G. \V. Doiinan presented the company with ninety
pairs of woollen socks, making, at the same time, a speech,
which was received by the company with repeated cheers.
Mrs. William Scott also made a liberal donation of
woollen socks — articles of prime importance to the health
and comfort of camp life.
COM.MENTS AND INCIDENTS.
The Dubuque Times thus speaks of the people and
soldiers of Independence:
Much praise is due to the people of Independence for the creditable
manner in which they fitted out their volunteers. Through the liberal-
ity of the citizens the "boys" were enabled to go into camp with a
better outfit Ih.in any other company in the regiment. .All spectators
were struck by the gallant bearing and evident intelligence of this fine
corps, and with one accord they were pronounced the star company of
the five who left here last Saturday. Much is e.vpected of them, and
most assuredly they will not disappoint their friends.
The "guards" arrived in Burlington on Sunday after-
noon, and were mustered into .the United States service
on the following day, Monday, July 15, 1861. There
were between twenty and thirty companies at Camj) War-
ren, and none, it w'as said, presented a finer appearance
than the Independence company. Three of the volun-
no
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
teers were not accepted — William Sherwood, owing to a
deformed hand; a Mr. Clark, of Littleton, who was
above age, and T. Fleming, of Fremont township, who
was too young. The company, as mustered into service,
numbered ninety-seven men, exclusive of officers.
When first heard from by their friends, they had not
received their blankets, and were sleeping on straw
without covering. As an inevitable consequence of
this sudden change in manner of living, diarrhoea was
to some extent prevailing in the camp. The Indepen-
dence band accompanied the guards to Burlington, and
were offered the position of rtgimental band, on condi-
tion of raising their number to si.xteen.
PRESENTATION.
A number of the friends of Captain Lee presented
him with a fine Colt's navy revolver. Lieutenant Jordan
was the recipient of a similar compliment, and Lieuten-
ant Marshal escaped by being already provided with
small arms.
These officers were held in the highest estimation by
their fellow citizens, and were deservedly popular with
their men. Captain Lee paid a visit to !iis home in the
last week of July, reporting the company in excellent
health and fine spirits. Only one was in the hospital, as
after they received their blankets, and cooked their own
rations, they were living much better than at first. They
were fast acquiring proficiency in drill, though their arms
and equipments had not yet been supplied. The con-
duct of the men received the highest encomiums of their
captain. Not one man had been ordered under guard,
and their fine soldierly bearing and orderly behavior had
won them hosts of friends. Colonel Woithington had
not received marching orders for his regiment, but every-
thing pointed to an early demand for their presence in
Missouri.
OFF TO THE WAR.
The following incident shows not only the stuff" that
one brave heart was made of, but it also shows how
defeat itself, in our case, furnished the impulse that made
our final victory the more complete and decisive.
On recei[)t of news of the gieat disaster to the Federal
forces at Manassas, J. L. Loomis (afterwards editor of
the Bulletin) who was then employed as a clerk in the
post office, in Independence, and who was known to his
friends as an intelligent, quiet, but determined young
man, immediately resolved to volunteer, and, leaving at
the earliest possible moment, went to Dubuque in order
to take advantage of the first opportunity to enlist.
Such a spirit and such promptness and decision in its
manifestations, gave a sufficient guarantee that, whatever
post was assigned him, he did his duty well. He went
to the aid of the Government in the time of its greatest
peril.
ANOTHER COMPANY.
A military company was organized in the early sum-
mer, in Jefferson township, and soon numbered over
fifty men; most of whom were ready for active service.
S. D. Joy, who was an orderly sergeant in the Mexican
war, was elected captain, Joseph Rouse first lieutenant,
and George Frink, second lieutenant.
THE HEARTS AT HOME FOLLOW THE BR.WE HEARTS IN
CAMP.
On the twenty-fifth of July, the friends of company E,
Fifth regiment, in camp at Burlington, shipped to said com-
pany three boxes and a barrel, filled with delicacies be-
longing to what might be styled the higher departments
of culinary tactics, in which the "boys" had not been
drilled. The collation, which was enjoyed as one spread
by loving hands, reached Camp Warren on the second
of August, and, on the following day, the company re-
ceived marching orders, which took them beyond the
reach of these loving ministries.
ORGANIZ.\TION OF A SECOND MILITARY COMPANY IN IN-
DEPENDENCE.
The first election of officers by the "guards" having
been made void by a law passed at the extra session of
the legislature, a second was held on the first of June,
which resulted in some changes in the officers, both com-
missioned and non-commissioned. By the new election
Messis. Jordan and Marshall took the places of Hord
and Marlin, as first and second lieutenants. Lieutenant
Hord, with a promptness which showed that a desire to
serve his country was paramount with him, set to work at
once to raise a second company, and his success showed
the confidence reposed in hmi by his fellow citizens.
I'he following notice which appeared in the Guardian
of June 25th, speaks for itself.
ATTENTION COMPANY !
The Buchanan County Light Infantry will meet at their headquarters
on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings of each week, for the pur-
pose of drill. J, M. Hord, captain.
William Scott, orderly sergeant.
A few weeks later. Captain Hord accompanied the
guards to Burlington; met Governor Kirkwood, and se-
cured the acceptance of the Light Infantry into active
service. The company was assigned to the Seventh
regiment, which was then forming. Captain Hord and
Lieutenants Scott and Randy were commended to all de-
sirous of enlisiing, as every way worthy of confidence.
The captain had seen service in Mexico, and Lieutenant
Scott in the East Indies, while Lieutenant Randy had
for many years been an officer in the militia.
In the early part of August the company went into
quaiters; and so rapidly were Ihe ranks filling up under
the inspiration of the second call for troops, that no
doubt was felt that the Light Infantry would be in readi-
ness to report by the time required, August 25th. Mr.
Bull, proprietor of Bull's addition to Independence, con-
nected himself with this company, and devoted himself
warmly to the furtherance of its interests. An extra session
of the board of supervisors was held to take into con-
sideration the matter of supplying the company with a
uniform. Three hundred dollars was promptly voted by
the board, and a resolution was also passed, declaring
their willingness to give a similar amount to any company
of volunteers raised in the county, upon going into active
service.
The company was so fortunate as to be assigned to
Colonel Vandever's regiment, the Ninth Infantry. As the
colonel had expressed great confidence that the troops
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
collecting at Dubuque at that time, would be furnished
with uniforms before leaving that city, it was necessary
that shirts, hats, shoes and belts only should be provided
by the county. .'\nd again, the noble women of Inde-
pendence exemplified their patriotism, by coming forward
to contribute by their active sympathy and unselfish
labor, to the formation of that esprit de corps, so essential
to the efficiency of military organizations, and so char-
acteristic of the troops from "old Buchanan."
Great enthusiasm prevailed among the men, in view of
the high character of their colonel, and the efficiency
which marked their regimental organization. A battery
of si.x cannon was attached to the regiment, which made
it the best appointed that had been raised in the State.
DEPARTURE OF THE LIGHT INF.\NTRY.
Another month had rolled by, and the leave-taking of
July 1 2th was repeated. As the magnitude of the great
struggle, into which the country had been plunged, came
day by day to be more adequately appreciated, there was
no sign of wavering or drawing back, on the part of the
patriot sons of our smitten country; but, with ever in-
creasing numbers, they were pressing forward to her
defence. A great sympathy for the cause of liberty
assailed, and for countrymen tearing themselves from all
that is most precious in life, save liberty, to offer their
lives upon the altar of patriotism, pervaded the hearts of
all classes, and varying parties and sects became of one
kindred.
And so again, in the early morning of August 27th,
a large concourse was gathered — fathers, mothers,
brothers, sisters, husbands and wives, friends and neigh-
bors— for a parting unlike any other on earth. Already
had more than one battle-field been drenched in patriot
blood, and who should say if these, going out in all the
strength of manhood's prime, should again clasp the
hands that cling to them now? But the words of an-
other must not displace the tribute, warm from the heart
of one who was himself swayed by the overmastering
enthusiasm of the hour, and who was proud to claim
these heroic men as his friends. The Guardian of Au-
gust 27th speaks thus of a scene which had just been
enacted, at the departure of Buchanan's second offering
of a hundred lives upon the altar of Liberty:
Another company of noble-hearted men have left us for the war.
Buchanan county has given up another hundred of her brave sons to go
forth and battle with this unholy rebellion. They have just started,
amid the sobs, the tears, the smiles, the cheers, the God-speeds of hun-
dreds of loving hearts left behind. May every man of them live to re-
turn to the arms which now give thern up for their country's cause.
They were accompanied to the depot, even at the early hour of
starting, by a large concourse of people, many of whom had come ten
and fifteen miles to be at the parting. The scene was veiy aflfectmg,
mothers and sisters and wives clinging to many of the soldiers with
tears and sobs, and fathers, sons and brothers grasping hands in si-
lence too full for utterance. The men mastenng their emotions, like
true soldiers, went off in excellent spirits, cheering heartily as the train
moved away; while the sad crowd behind could do little more than
wave their adieu.
Our self-sacrificing, patriotic women went bravely to work to pro-
vide uniforms for the men, in the latter part of last week, and soon had
the necessary number of shirts made for them. Not satisfied with that,
they made each of them a needle-case, filled with buttons, pins, nee-
dles, etc. Yesterday tliey were presented to the men, who enthusias-
tically acknowledged the kindness of the ladies.
Clad in their blue woollen shirts, felt hats, with eagle and handsome
belt, and decked with that most touching parting gift, a boquet of
bright but perishable flow'ers, these stout, robust men, bronzed with
the labors of the harvest, and full of m.inly vigor and energy, were a
sight to send the proud blood surging through the heart of every be-
holder. What, then, must it have been to those tender ones, whose
lives, until this sad mom, had grown "upon one twin stem" with those
now so rudely torn asunder ?
On the Sunday previous to the departure of the Light
Infantry, the Rev. Mr. Sampson preached a sermon to
them, appropriate to the circumstances, both of the
country and ot the men about to go forward in her de-
fence. On Tuesday morning, before leaving, each of
the coinpany was presented with a copy of the New
Testament by the Buchanan County Bible society. Rev.
Mr. Fulton making the address, and Rev. Mr. Sampson
offering a prayer.
The election of officers took place at Camp Union,
Dubuque. The following is a complete list of the offi-
cers and men of the company:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Jared M. Hord.
Captain Hiram C. Bull.
Captain Robert W. Wright.
First Lieutenant Hiram C*. Bull.
First Lieutenant Nathan Rice.
First Lieutenant Robert W. Wright.
First Lieutenant Jacob P. Sampson.
Second Lieutenant William .Scott.
Second Lieutenant Nathan Rice.
Second Lieutenant Robert W. Wright.
Second Lieutenant facob P. Sampson.
Second Lieutenant Edmund C. Little. .
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Robert W. Wright.
First Sergeant Jacob P. Sampson.
First Sergeant Edmund C. Little.
Second Sergeant Nathan Rice.
Thiid Sergeant David V. Coe.
Third Sergeant Edmund C. Little.
Third Sergeant Hiram Holdridge.
Fourth Sergeant Billings Davis.
Fifth Sero'eant R. T. Bain.
Fifth Sergeant Charles G. Curtis.
First Corporal James M. Elson.
Second Corporal Charles N. Bennett.
Third Corporal Ezra T. Rust.
Fourth Corporal James H. Merrill.
Fifth Corporal Jacob D. Sanders.
Sixth Corporal Fred M. Wilbur.
Seventh Corporal Charles W. Sarchet.
Eighth Corporal Edmund C. Little.
Musician .\lpheus Losey.
Wagoner David Greek.
PKIV.-\TES.
Henry Reynolds, William .Allison, E. J. Allen, Marsena Allen, Isaac
Arwine, William Adams, George M. .'\bbott. Perry Alspraugh, Thom-
as J. Barber, J. H. Bower, Jesse Barnett, John C. Brown, .Adelbert
Bellus, Thomas Cress, C. Corbert, L. D. Curtis. Isaac G. Chase, Val-
entine Cates, John Cartwright, Wesley Curtis, William Decker, Bill-
ings Davis, J. E. Elson, Olinzo H. Engles, John Engerman, J. H.
Ford, Julius Furcht, Edwin Fary, Reuben E. Freeman, Enoch Fary,
George Frerberthauser, N. A. Green, William C. Gillum, Nelson Ho-
vey, Theodore Hyde, C. A. Hobert, Stephen Holman, Isaac N. Hol-
man, Vinson Holman, Eli Holland, Henry Jones, Silas E. King, John
M. King, Benjamin Klapp, James Leatherman, Orlando F. Luckey,
Alpheus Losey, D. Pangburn, E. U. Patchen, Enoch Piatt, B. W.
Powers, William Pope, L. A. Persall, Isai.ah Perdue, Philip Ritter-
man, Henry Reynolds, Russell Rouse, Reuben Rouse, G. Q. Rust,
Darwin Rich, Ahal H. Robbins, Samuel Robbins, John Rogers, David
Steele, James Steele, Charles W. Sarchet, George W. Suyre, R. R.
Stoneman, James M. Sparling, Jacob P. Sampson, Thomas Smith,
112
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
James A. Sutton, George A. Turner, Royal Taylor, W. T. Thayer,
Albert Utteibeck, P. Vanclerbilt, William Willey, H. P. Wilber, Wil-
liain Wisennand, R. M. Whitlock, Pierce Walton, Adonin J.Windsor,
John H. Young.
Additional enlistments up to January i, 1863:
Dorr E. Godfrey, William A. Jones.
Enrolled in the county of Buchanan; went into quar-
ters at Dubuque, July 30, 1861; mustered into the ser-
vice of the United States by Captain C. Washington,
United States army, on the twenty-fifih of September,
1 86 1, under the proclamation of the President dated
July 23, 1861; from place of enrollment to rendezvous,
fifteen miles.
CAVALRY COMPANY.
Early in September, following the raising of these two
companies of infantry, a call was made for recruits for a
cavalry company, which, as Dr. Parsons had been active
in its organization, it was expected he would com-
mand. R. S. Rider was associated with Dr. Parsons in
proiTioting the interests of this new enterprise, in which
great enthusiasm had already been awakened, and en-
listments were being freely made. Before the organiza-
tion had been completed, and pending the acceptance
of the company by the proper authorities. General Fre-
mont issued an order prohibiting the acceptance of more
cavalry after the completion of the Fourth regiinent,
which it was then understood was nearly full. Through
the indomitable energy of Dr. Parsons his men were con-
solidated with those of Captain A. F. Peters, of Dela-
ware county, and were accepted into Colonel Porter's
cavalry regiment. Dr. Parsons took the rank of second
lieutenant in the consolidation, and the company of be-
tween twenty and thirty men left Independence in the first
week in October, and went into camp at Mt. Pleasant.
During the month the regiment was sent, as were many
of the Iowa troops, into Missouri. Through some ine.x-
cusable neglect the names of the members of this com-
pany were not published in the county papers, and though
the company w^as afterwards recruited in Buchanan
county, no roster has been met with in the preparation of
this record.
Quite a number of youn.; men from the north part of
the county joined captain Ainsworth's com|iany during
the months of September and October, so that, by the
close of the latter month, Buchanan county had sent in-
to the army over three hundred men.
The death of R. E. Freeman, of Captain Hord's com-
pany, Ninth regiment, was announced in the Guardian
of December 24th, with the statement that his was the
first death among those who had gone from this county
to the war. He died in the hospital at Pacific City, Mis-
souri.
The Ninth regiment, of which company C was enlisted
in this county, after Jying for some months at Pacific City,
engaged for the most part in guarding important railroad
connections, was ordered near the last of January, to
break camp and move to the southwest to cooperate with
the Federal troops under General Curtis, that had for
some time been confronting the combined forces of Price,
Van Dorn and McCuUough. The brilliant battle of Pea
Ridge, Arkansas, was fought on the sixth, seventh and
eighth of Match, 1862. The Fourth and Ninth Iowa
regiments and the First and third Iowa batteries were in
the thickest of this desperate struggle, and earned for
themselves and for their State an imperishable name. A
regiment of volunteer patriots, but lately from the peace-
ful avocations of secular life, had shown the steadiness
of nerve and unconquerableness of purpose which are
looked for ordinarily in veterans only. There are many
now living throughout the county who, after the lapse of
nineteen years, can recall the shuddering with which the
first news of the victory was received. All had friends
among those who were known to have gone into the bat-
tle— some had fallen. Whose fathers, sons, brothers,
and husbands were those two hundred and forty-eight
who had attested their courage and their patriotism with
their lives? Only a brief season of uncertainty, and the
list of killed and wounded came to tell how singularly
had the thick flying shafts been turned away from our
households, and the pall was lifted which threatened to
shroud the victory.
The youthful Rice, of Vinton, Benton county, who
entered the company in July as second sergeant, and had
risen to the rank of first lieutenant, thus vindicating his
claim to rank among that galaxy, who fulfilled the glori-
ous promise of their early career by giving up their lives
when that was all they could do, headed the list of killed
in company C. Private Julius Furcht was killed and
Isaac Arwine mortally wounded. W. S. Wisennand and
John Cartwright, of Spring Grove, and A. J. Windsor, of
Independence, also died of their wounds. Marcena
Allen, of Littleton, and O. K. Engle, of Hazleton, died
of disease a few weeks after the battle, no less victims of
the war than if they had fallen in the thickest of the fight.
Captain Bull, successor of Captain Hord, was wounded
slightly, as were also Adjutant Scott, Sergeant J. P. Samp-
son, Corporals E. G. Curtis and J. D. Sanders, with sev-
enteen privates whose names are given elsewhere.
"The Iowa troops claimed, at the battle of Pea Ridge,
the position accorded to them in every contest in the
west — the post of danger, the post of brave deeds, and
the post of death."
Lieutenant Colonel Herron, of the Ninth, was wounded
arid taken prisoner. It was related of him that, though
wounded and surrounded by his enemies, he seemed
determined to die rather than fall into the hands
of the rebels. He had already killed more than one of
his assailants, and was making desperate efforts to defend
himself with his sword, after he had been unhorsed,
when his arms were seized and resistance made imjjossi-
ble. A southern major saved his life by shooting an In-
dian who was on the point of butchering him after his
arms were bound with a handkerchief.
Among other incidents of the battle, one showing the
indomitable coolness of the youthful hero, E. C. Little,
was related by adjutant Scott. Early in the action Ser-
geant Litile, who was at the time about seventeen years
old, had his gun taken out of his hand by a shell which
exploded near him, whirling it so far from him that he
could not recover it. Without stopping to waste words
HISTORY OF UUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
113
or time he coolly possessed himself of another, and this,
in a few moments, was ruined by a shot striking it. Out-
wardly, at least, unmoved, he was not long in taking his
place, again "fully equipped," and with this third piece,
he went through the three days' battle without a scratch,
though he received several balls in his clothing.
DE.\TH OF LIEUTENANT JORDAN, OF THE FIFTH KECU.MENT.
It will be remembered that company E, of the Fifth
Iowa volunteers, was raised in Independence, and com-
posed almost exclusively of Buchanan county men.
From the time of its entering the service, the regiment
had been stationed at various ]5oints in central, northern,
and southwestern Missouri. In March, 1862, it was in-
corporated with one of Pope's brigades then investing
New Madrid. This place was held by a force of forty
thousand rebels, behind a double line of fortifications,
and was one of the links in that chain of defences which
seemed to bind the Mississippi to the confederacy with
bolts of iron. During the siege, fatigue and exposure,
acting upon a frame already enfeebled by disease, pros-
trated the gallant Jordan; and even while his friends at
home were indulging in the fond hope that rest and care
were doing a work of rapid restoration to health, a re-
lapse bore him with fatal celerity beyond the reach of
care and skill; and, in the midst of the rejoicing over
the signal victory of our arms in Arkansas, and a signal
e.xemption from loss of life among the sons of Buchanan,
came the unlocked for announcement that he was dead.
Let the tributes poured from hearts bleeding from a
sense of irre|)arable loss, attest the sincere esteem — the
admiring, affectionate regard, in which Lieutenant George
C. Jordan was held by his comrades in arms, and by
the friends of his early years in the community where,
until he went forth at his country's call, had been his
home. He was (it will be remembered), a business
partner of Mr. Rich, of the Buchanan county Guardian.
EDITORIAL TRIBUTE OF THE GUARDIAN, APRIL I, 1862.
Our friend is gone ! We cannot realize it ! And yet we remember —
when the first bright, warm sunshine of spring was flooding the earth,
when everything seemed awakening into beauty and life, when hope
was buoyant and our spirits bright and cheerful — A'e remember how
suddenly there came a blow, blotting out the brightness, dashing aside
hope and cheerfulness, and loading our heart and frame with a weight
of sorrow unutterable. .-\nd we remember the atlas-load of agony
thrown upon her who was all in all to him. And then comes a vision
of him who has so long been our friend — the same slight frame, the
same fair countenance, the parted lips wearing the genial smile we had
seen so often, .^nd when we remember this, and feel the load of sor-
row al our heart, and mark the we.alth of woe in our household, we
know that he who has been our closest companion is no more. For
thirteen years we have stood by his side — working hand-to-hand with
him, eating from the same board, sheltered by the same roof, enjoying
a more than brotherly confidence, knowing his every aspiration, almost
his every hope. In our business the same kind of confidence existed.
There were no accounts between us, but each shared the success and
deprivations of the other. None knew better than we, then, the gen-
erous hopes thai animated him — the brave spirit with whicli he was en-
dowed, the purity of his life, the kindness of his heart, the fidelity of
his friendship, the nobleness of his manhood. None know better than
we how pure and unselfish the motive which led him to leave a wife and
home he loved better than anything on earth, to go forth at his
country's call, and lay upon her altar the sacrifice of his valued life. All
that love and friendship could proffer, was offered to induce him to re-
main at home, but he declared that he could never stand an idle spec-
tator of the contest and be happy. He went forth in the discharge of
what he deemed a sacred duty. How well he performed that duty we
15
know, for we have watched the tearful eye of his men, who have come
back enfeebled by disease, as their grateful lips acknowledge the obli-
gation of his kindness and faithfulness. He loved his men, and when
we urged him but a little while ago, to get a furlough and come home,
he wrote that he could probably get detailed for recruiting service ;
but as it would take him sometime from his men [and at a time when
there was much sickness in the regiment], he would not think of it.
" I shall stand by the company" he said, and that ended the contro-
versy. Alas that he should be the first that should fall ! Alas that the
golden bowl of his life should be the first broken at the fountain !
Since the first of March, fatigue and exposure had worn upon him.
Care and rest, however, brought recuperation. On the march to New
Madrid, he improved and was daily gaining strength. Rut his regi-
ment was ordered out to support a battery that was playing u[)on the
enemy. Too weak to go, he was yet too eager to stay. In spite of
the expostulations of his men, he went. To avoid the shells of the
enemy the troops were ordered to lie down on the damp ground. He
obeyed, caught cold, had a relapse, lingered a few days and died ;
sinking away calmly and quietly without a perception of the loosening
and breaking of the golden thread of his life — died with the green of
spring carpeting the earth with beauty, the buds and blossoms opening
around him, and when life and honor and usefulness must have seemed
to be opening before him with a promise fair and bright, as that be-
tokened by nature's reawakening — died as he always wanted to die, if
the sacrifice was needed, in the harness of the faithful soldier, and the
booming of the deep-mouthed cannon, and the crash of shells sound-
ing in his ear. "We shall listen long and anxiously for his coming,
while our hearts must grow sick as we remember that never more shall
we meet his pleasant greeting. Shade of all noble virtues rest thou in
peace ! " Dear friend ! brave heart ! hail and farewell ! "
IN MEMORI,\M.*
Tears for the dead, though unaiding, will flow, and grief for departed
friends will be felt , and its poignancy is only the greater because it
cannot unclose the portals of the tomb. This grief now pervades the
whole community ; these tears bedew every eye. Lieutenant George
C. [ordan is no more. In the bloom of manhood, and in the full use-
fulness and efficiency of the noblest effoits for his country, he has laid
down his life as a sacrifice for liberty, and the preservation of this re-
public.
.After the bloody and memorable battles of Pea Ridge and Fort Don-
elson, battles which for courage and heroism will compare with any
of Grecian or Roman history, and which the people of Buchanan
county watched with an interest and anxiety indescribable, because
they had precious and noble sons among those gallant troops-
after those battles, when we learned that one out of every three
was either killed or wounded, we waited with breathless suspense
to know who were the brave men that had shed their blood to
preserve our liberties, our honor and our nationality. The news came
— the load of dread was lifted from our spirits. While many were
wounded, but three of our beloved soldiers were killed , and among
our fearless officers, none were slain. We exchanged congratulations
with ardor, and the gloom was dispelled from all our countenances.
We exulted in the indomitable courage and the unconquerable bravery
of those whom our own county had sent to the field.
.Alas ! this joy was of short duration. In the midst of our rejoicing,
like a burst of thunder in a clear sky, the terrible news pervaded the
community, that George C, Jordan was brought into tlie village a life-
less corpse. It was even so. That noble heart had ceased to beat.
His family, his friends, his country have lost him forever ; save as his
example and his deeds live after him. Never, in this community, has
a death produced such general and such profound grief. The aspect
of our village was as if a great calamity had befallen it, and no coun-
tenance but bore the marks of sorrow. The mournful topic absorbed
all others, and all felt as if they had lost a son or a brother.
Well did the departed deserve these tributes of respect, affection,
and grief. Wherever he was known he was beloved. Kind, generous,
intellit'ent, unassuming, free-minded, benevolent, and virtuous, he won
all hearts and secured universal esteem. No wonder, then, that the
pang was so great when he was lost to us. No wonder that we all felt
that a good citizen, a brave soldier, a true patriot, had taken his de-
parture. It is not too much to say that he has not left an enemy be-
hind him. His life was a succession of worthy actions, and it may be
emphatically said that he was incapable of an ignoble one. He was
eminently just and honorable, of gentle deportment and engaging
manners. Yet he had firmness when it was required, unflinching cour-
*For the Guardian.
114
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
age where it was demanded, and, when duty called, a tenacity of pur-
pose that was fixed as fate.
We do well to weep for him. He deserves our tears, and our ex-
pressions of heartfelt sorrow were simultaneous and spontaneous. The
flags which were before waving so proudly for our recent victory, were
weighted with the emblems of woe, and badges of mourning were dis-
played throughout the village. Friends met and exchanged greetings
in hushed voices, and it seemed almost a profanation that business
should go on, when his great heart had ceased to throb — when he had
been brought back dead.
Notwithstanding high streams and almost impassable roads, and the
great difficulty of diffusing intelligence, people from remote parts of
the county flocked to the funeral. The citizens of the place vied with
each other in paving respect to one so honored for what he was in
himself and for what he had become in dying in so noble a cause. The
funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Boggs, Fulton,
Sampson, and Caldwell. The funeral sermon was preached by Mr.
Boggs, at the Presbyterian church, which was densely packed. The
speaker was at times much affected himself, and tears and sobs per-
vaded the audience. The discourse abounded in eloquent bursts of
patriotism, just tributes to the virtues and unblemished life of the de-
ceased, indignant rebukes of the treason which has produced such
dreadful evils in our land, pathetic sympathy with surviving kindred
and friends, and exhortations to imitate the noble conduct, the courage
and patriotism of him for whom we mourned.
Touching testimonials to the worth and excellence of Mr. Jordan,
and respect for his memory, and grief for his untimely death, are found
in the resolutions passed by his comrades in arms, regimental officers
as well as members of his own company uniting in the warmest expres-
sions of regard. These resolutions, which have been placed in our
hands, are appended to this tribute to our departed friend.
Farewell, noble and heroic patriot ! Your memory will live perpet-
ually in our minds. And if his loss is so great to the community, what
must it be to those who were nearest and dearest to him? On the lone-
liness and desolation of the wife of his bosom, and the sad loss to his
most intimate friend and associate in business, I cannot, dare not,
touch. I feel utterly unable to describe or console their affliction. lean
only commend them to the feeble and remote consolations of resigna-
tion and time, and to the certain con\'iction that with such a noble and
virtuous soul it must, beyond all peradventure, be well.
S. J. W. T.
In Camp, before New Madrid, Missouki, 1
March 21, 1862. )
At a meeting of the commissioned officers of the Fifth Iowa volun-
teers, at regimental headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Mathies an-
nounced the decease of Lieutenant George C. Jordan, of company E,
Fifth Iowa volunteers. Whereupon Major Robertson was called to
the chair, and Captain Sampson appointed secretary. On motion the
chairman appointed a committee of three, consisting of Lieutenant
Moriarty, Captain Lee, and Lieutenant Caswell, to draft resolutions of
condolence, expressive of the sense of the officers of the regiment on
the loss of our late associate and brother officer. Lieutenant Jordan.
The commitee reported the following resolutions,
which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, It becomes our painful duty to announce the decease of
Lieutenant George C. Jordan, of company E, Fifth Iowa volunteers,
who died March 20, 1862, in camp near New Madrid, Missouri, after a
brief illness, with typhoid pneumonia, as a testimonial of the respect
and esteem of the officers of the Fifth Iowa volunteers it is unani-
mously
Resolved, That in the death of the late Lieutenant Jordan we have
lost a brother officer of unblemished character as a gentleman and offi-
cer, whose kind disposition, unassuming deportment, and clear-sighted,
intelligent discharge of every duty, rendered him beloved by his men,
cherished and respected by all. While we deeply and sincerely deplore
his loss, we bow with reverence and submission to the will of the Great
Disposer of life and death, and say in our hearts: "Thou art the
source and fountain of life — in thy hand are also the arrows of death.
Thy will be done."
Resolved, That the Fifth Iowa volunteers, in the death of Lieutenant
Jordan, has lost one of its most accomplished officers, whose ability
and patriotic zeal in the service of his country, high moral worth and
unblemished integrity as a man, enshrines the memory of his virtues in
our hearts, which we will ever cherish as worthy to be our example.
Resolved, That the officers of the Fifth Iowa volunteers wear the
usual military badge of mourning for thirty days.
Resolved, That our unfeigned sympathies and condolence are ex-
tended to the friends and relatives of our brother officer, and to his
sorrow-stricken wife we send our heartfelt assurance of sympathy in
this her great bereavement.
W. S. Robertson, Chairman.
E. S. Sampson, Secretary.
New Madrid, Missouri, March 21, 1862.
At a meeting of the members of company E, Fifth Iowa infantry,
held in camp at New Madrid, Missouri, March 21, 1862, for the pur-
pose of expressing their sorrow for the loss of their esteemed officer.
Lieutenant George C. Jordan, and of extending their sympathies to
his afflicted family and friends. Captain Lee was called to the chair,
and Wilbur F. Kellogg appointed secretary.
On motion Lieutenant W. S. Marshall, acting adjutant, \. B.
Lewis and Cyrus J. Reed, were appointed by the chair a committee to
draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting.
The following preamble and resolutions were reported and unani-
mously'adopted: •
Where.\s, Our much loved and worthy officer, Lieutenant George
C. Jordan, has been suddenly taken from us by death whilst far from
home and kindred, in the faithful performance of his duty as an oflficer
and a patriot, enduring the hardships and braving the perils of the
field; therefore
Resolved, That we deeply deplore the loss of our devoted officer and
beloved companion, whose brave heart and generous disposition had
endeared him to us all. and to whose energy and perseverance as an
officer, we are chiefly indebted for our merit as a company and our dis-
cipline as soldiers.
Resolved, That in his official career we have had a worthy example
of every virtue that constitutes a true patriot, an officer and a gentle-
man; that in his social character were combined a generous disposition,
a sterling integrity, a purity of heart, and a nobleness of purpose sel-
dom excelled; and that we will ever cherish the recollection of his
many virtues as the most sacred tribute to his memory.
Resolved, That in this our irreparable loss we recognize the ordering
of Him " Who doeth all things well." and that we bow with reverence
and submission to His divine will.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with his afflicted wife and rela-
tives in this their sad berevement, and assure them that their heartfelt
sorrow is truly shared by us all.
Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of this meeting be sent to
each of the county papers of Buchanan county for publication, and
also that a copy be sent to the wife of the deceased.
D. S. Lee, President.
Wilbur F. Kellogg, Secretary.
A most eloquent, though unpremeditated tribute to
the memory of the lamented Jordan, was the departure
of a band of sixteen men to join company E of the Fifth
regiment, which occurred within a week after the scenes
so graphically described in the eloquent "In Memoriam"
of S. J. W. T. They were recruited in Independence,
and the following is a list of their names:
John W. Stewart, John C. McCray, "Wiliiam H. Wil-
liams, Charles Brockway, H. J. Whait, S. E. Rowse, G.
M. Watson, John H. Ginther, John Bain, F. M. Guard,
Foster Harris, William E. Conway, John Minton, W.
O. Morse, S. F. Turner, Daniel Beckley.
Of this number, thus ready to step into the breach
made by one fallen from the ranks of our country's de-
fenders, John H. Ginther, a young man twenty-one years
of age, and of a remarkably sound, robust constitution,
died of typhoid fever at Camp McClellan, Davenport,
while waiting for their outfit, prejjaratory to joining the
regiment at New Madrid.
In obedience to an impulse which must be shared by
all who worthily appreciate the restored unity of our
common country — the impulse to withhold no moiety of
praise due to one of those whose lives were the price of
our present peace and prosperity, we cannot think this
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
115
chaplet for the hero's brow complete without the added
fragrance of an offering which cannot fail to reach the
heart, because it is the language of a generous affection,
inspired by many noble qualities. Were an apology
demanded, it would be for its omission.
New Madrid, Mo., March 21, 1862.
Dear Sir:— Before this reaches you, you will have learned the sad
intelligence that Lieutenant Jordan is no more. He died precisely at
12 o'clock last night. Painful as the news must be to his "dear
ones at home, " and his many friends iu Independence, they are not the
only ones who mourn his loss. A general gloom this morning per-
vades the camp of the Sixth Iowa, We have just passed through one
of the most affecting scenes which our regiment has ever been called to
witness. A soldier's funeral is at any time a most solemn sight, as the
escort, with arms reversed, and procession following in the rear, slowly
wend their way with measured tread to the plaintive music of fife and
muffled drum, with all the associate reflections of hardships, depriva-
tions and perils, death in the field, far from home and friends, and the
thought of loving parents, wife or family, ignorant of the scene which
is passing, and still an.\iousIy hoping and praying for the return of one
who shall never again gladden their sight— all these come crowding
upon the mind. But the scene of to-day was one of more than
ordinary solemnity. The character of the man gave importance to the
occasion. Frank, generous and humane, and a man of sterling integ-
rity and honesty of purpose, he had won the love and esteem of every
officer in the regiment, while his unassuming manner, and his readiness
to share the toils and deprivations of the most humble, endeared him
to the men of his command, and made him esteemed and admired by
all. He had distinguished himself by a willing, energetic application
to the discharge of his duties, which resulted from no vain desire for
honor or distinction, but from a conscientious sense of obligation.
The same perseverance and industry that characterized his efforts in
the organization of the company amid the difficulties and obstacles
that were thrown around it, were displayed to the last, in his care for
the wants of his men, and his diligent attention to their discipline and
drill. The declaration made to the writer before leaving home that " he
considered his hfebut nothing, if demanded in the service of his coun-
try," and that "he would willingly offer it up if necessary in the dis-
charge of any duty that might devolve upon him," was nobly verified
in his subsequent career. His life has been offered up, a pure and will-
ing sacrifice upon the altar of his country. He proved himself one of
the rare exceptions, who under all circumstances and amidst trials and
difficulties was still the same true, unselfish patriot, in whom perfect
reliance and confidence were never found to be misplaced. With a
small and delicate frame, but with a brave heart and iron will, he
struggled resolutely against difficulties and dangers, until fatal disease
had laid him low upon the bed of death, when he sank to rest, "not
as the setting sun, behind the darkened west, but like the morning star,
which gradually disappears in the bright sunlight of Heaven."
We have paid our last honors to his mortal remains, but it is difficult
to realize that he is gone; and though his gentle presence shall no more
be greeted amongst us, the memory of his many virtues will remain en-
shrined in our hearts, and be cherished with love and admiration.
"Peace to his gentle shade." May his memory live forever.
I remain ,
Respectfully yours,
W. S. Marshall.
THE SIMULTANEOUS RAISING OF TWO COMPANIES.
The Spring of 1862 was signalized by brilliant suc-
cesses on the part of the Federal troops in the west and
southwest. But these were not achieved without a price,
and many existing military organizations required to be
filled up by new enlistments, in order to be certain of re-
taining the advantages already gained. In June of this
year a call was made for three hundred thousand men to
be "enrolled without delay, so as to bring this unneces-
sary and injurious war to a speedy and satisfactory con-
clusion."
It was soon announced that enlistments were going
forward with much energy throughout the State, and Bu-
chanan county, as heretofore, was not long in placing
herself in the front rank in this prompt response to the
call of the Government. Mr. J. D. Noble, commission
merchant. Independence, was the first to initiate steps
for raising a company, which met at once with encourag-
ing success. Already midsummer, another harvest
would soon be passed, when, with the bounty offered by
the board of supervisors, and the advanced pay from the
Government, the families of enlisted men could be pro-
vided for. This liberality produced a marked effect in
the rapid increase of volunteering in all parts of the
county, as indeed wherever the policy was adopted; and
thus enlistments were confidently expected to render
drafting a dead letter. The good work was soon pro-
gressing, not only at the county seat, but also at Quas-
queton under the supervision of Mr. Whitney; and in
Byron township a company was being raised by Jacob M.
Miller. The fire of patriotism had not lost its ardor, and
at the first breath it was again ablaze. Some of the
most prominent business men of the county had soon
given their names; the legal profession being represented
by such men as W. G. Donnan and Jed Lake.
We make the following extract from the Guardian of
August 19th:
The enthusiasm apparent at the time we went to press last week has
continued, and has culminated in the enlisting of two companies of ex-
cellent men from this county. The rolls of these companies show the
names of some of the best citizens of our county, and better material
for soldiers cannot be found anywhere.
The members of both companies were at the county
seat on Monday and Tuesday, eighteenth and nineteenth
of August, with hundreds of their friends, thus giving the
town another faint ripple from the utmost verge of that
angry sea into which our unhappy country had been
plunged. Again were the sad parting scenes re-enacted
— the same clinging, tearful farewells on the part of those
left, and most to be pitied — the same heroic mastery of
self on the part of those who had given themselves to
their bleeding country. The companies were both filled
to the maximum number, and the character of the men
was such as to promise the highest honor to the county,
their State and to themselves. Captain Miller was
elected by acclamation, but further organization was de-
ferred by both companies until they should be in camp at
Dubuque. The roster of company C, Captain Miller's,
taken from the adjutant general's report, is here ap-
pended:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Jacob M. Miller.
First Lieutenant Otis N. Whitney.
Second Lieutenant William G. Donnan.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant .Xaron M. Wilcox.
Second Sergeant Wesley G. Smyser.
Third Sergeant Charles W. Woolley.
Fourth Sergeant Charies W. Evans.
Fifth Sergeant Mark Brownson.
First Corporal Joseph H. Blank.
Second Corporal Daniel Anders.
Third Corporal John G. Litts.
Fourth Corporal Alonzo L. Shurtleff.
Fifth Corporal Henry Silker.
Sixth Corporal Thomas S. Bunce.
Seventh Corporal John S. Frink.
Eighth Corporal George Kirkham.
ii6
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Musician Sidney C Adams.
Musician George W. Heatii.
Wagoner Benjamin Miller.
I>RIV.'\TES.
William C. B. Adams, Sylvester Abbey, Samuel Beckley, John M.
Blank, John Buck, Nelson J. Boone, Morgan Boone, Amos R. Blood,
Sylvester W. Bovvker. Mathias Buro, Hamilton B. Booth, James Camp-
bell, Columbus Caldwell, William Casebeer, Warren Chase, Charles
Conlon, Francis M. Congdon, Dcvolson Cormick, Erastus Campbell,
Alford Cordell, Moses Chase, Albert Cordell, Benton F. Colborn,
Charles H. Coleman, William Crura, Henry E. A. Diehl, Levi H.
Eddy, Hamilton Evans, William B. Fleming, Henry French, Jacob
Glass, George G. Gaylord, Isaac Gill, James C. Haskins, Newton
Hammond, Hiram H. Hunt, Michael Harrigan, George Hathaway,
Ezekiel Hays, jr., Adam Hoover, Charles Hoover, William J. Hen-
dricks, Clinton H. Losure, Harrison H. Love, Charles H. Lewis,
William N. Loy, James A. Laird, Edward P. Lewis, Walter B. Lan-
fear, William McKenney, Alvi McGonigil, Edward E. Miilick, John
Mulick, Louis A. McWilliams, Bartimeiis McGonigil, Abraham S.
Monshaw, John McBane, Charles W. McKenney, William Morgan,
Stewart McKenney, Emanuel Miller, Warren Munson, Jose|5h Moore,
Augustus P. Osgood, John Olar, Edward T. Potter, Austin W. Per-
kins, George A. Patterson, William T. Rich, John Slavin, Philip C.
Smyser, Benjamin .Sutton, Howard T. Stutson, Thomas Sproull, Henry
H. Turner, Joseph Turis, John A. Tift, Myron H. Woodward, Eman-
uel Warden, William ^L Winkley.
It was mentioned as a matter of interest, that forty-
nine of these men were single and fifty married. This
roll, first copied from the Guardian, was afterward cor-
rected by comparison with the roster found in the offi-
cial report of the adjutant general. Captain Noble's
company took the letter name C, in the Twenty-seventh
infantry, and Captain Miller's became company H in
the same regiment.
The roll of Captain Noble's company (company C)
though reviewed at the Guardian office, and acknowl-
edged with the promise of an early insertion, through
undesigned omission did not appear. 'J'he following
roster is taken from the report of Adjutant General
Baker, published January i, 1863:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Joseph Noble.
First Lieutenant Henry F. Snell.
Second I^ieutenant Herman C. Hemenway.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant James A. Poor.
Second Sergeant Joseph F. Jackson.
Third sergeant Enoch R. Fary.
Fourth Sergeant Edward P. Baker.
Fifth .Sergeant William H. Vanderbilt.
First Corporal Albert M. Green.
Second Corporal Charles H. Wright.
Third Corporal Jonathan F. Gates.
Fourth Corporal Lewis A. Main.
Fifth Corporal Frederick Spragg.
Sixth Corporal George Frink.
Seventh Corporal William P. Warren.
Eighth Corporal George N. Whaite.
Musician Robert N. White.
Musician Harry Green.
Musician Oliver Bray.
Wagoner Byron C. Hale.
PRIVATES.
Eli Anderson, Hiram Abbott, Emery S. Allen, Richard H. Andrews,
Daniel L. Brisbin, Job Barns, Gilbert P. Brant, Eli C. Brown, William
B. Burris, Warren Bouck, Henry M. Bailey, George W. Beaman. John
Brady, Michael Butler, Lorin D. Carpenter, John S. Coats, Needham
N. Crandall, Levi Durham, Electus D. Frizell, Erasmus B. Frizell,
Zenas R. Fary, Frank B. Fredenburg, George H. Fuller, Joe! Fisher,
James C. Glass, Harry Green, George W. Hilling, Abner B. Hoffman,
Gilbert L. Hicks, Matthias^Hook, David N. Jewett, David F. Johnson,
Martin T. King, Willard H. King, William S. King, John R. Laton,
.Abraham Littlejohn, William H. Lender, Waller S. Munger, William
B. Minton, Reuben L. Merrill, David McGowan, William Milligan,
Carr W. Mosher, Joel D. Nourse, James H. O'Brien. Bezin Orput,
Samuel V. Pelley, Gilbert R. Parish, Joseph Postel, Joseph Russell,
James E. Robinsot:, John G. Rice. Henry H. Romigs, Elliot G. Smith,
Joel S. Smith, Cyrus E. Smith, .Samuel H. Smith, Daniel S. Spragg,
John W. Sanders, Edward H. Spalding, George H. Spalding, Ben-
jamin .S. Sager, Lucien Stevens, .Albert Tennis, Sylvanus Taylor, N.
D. VanEman, John D. VanCleve, Jesse Wroten, John NL Watson,
Joseph A. Williams, Seth Wheaton, Thomas Watson, David E.
Wheeler. Eri .\. Wilson, George Wille, James G. Warren, Abisha W.
W'ashburn. Thomas Linn.
CAV.ALRV.
As an entire comjjany of this arm of the service was
not raised in Buchanan county, it has been difficult to
secure accurate lists of cavalry recruits. Frequent men-
tion was made in the county jiress during the progress
of the war of the presence of recruiting officers for dif-
ferent cavalry organizations, as the the First, Fourth, and
Sixth, and also of the departure of squads of enlisted
men ; the following, however, is the only one met with
in which the names are given, and these left the county
seat early in September, 1S62, to join the First Iowa
cavalry, viz :
W. H. Mcgill, Alanson .Sager, William Foote, C. P«cock, Dewit
Kelley, E. Lotterdale, D. Brown, C. Edgecomb, C. McGill, F. W.
Paine, S. H. Rose, T. Flemming; J, Wentworth, H. C. Skinner, P. B.
Turney, J. West, A. Palmer, Otter C. Anton, W. H. Baker, R. Kel-
ley, H. P.Jones, J. Wadley, W. George, L C. Jones, Ludebeck Long
F. Weik, W. G. Cummings, Levi S. Drunkwalter, John H. Williams,
Charles Porter, Oscar Daniels, E. H. McMillen, Lyman Ayrault, Ed-
gar Mills, M. D. Carpenter, Edward Brown, J. S. Thompson, Loy
Hutchins, Howard Hall, E. L. Chickenbrend, G. EUworth, H. Bab-
cock, John Furman, Stephen Burk, Hibby, George Carr, John
Boehline, George H. Davis.
But to return to the Buchanan men at Camp Franklin,
to which rendezvous they were ordered by the governor
of the State, Samuel J. Kirkwood, August 26, 1862, and
mustered into the service of the United States by Cap-
tain George S. Pierce, United States Army, at Dubuque,
Iowa, October 3, 1862, under proclamation of the Presi-
dent of the United States, bearing date July 2, 1862,
taking their places as companies C and H, in the Twen-
ty-seventh Iowa infantry.
As related in the correspondence from this regiment,
almost immediately upon being mustered into the service
of the Government, its active service commenced with a
march into the northern woods, attended with hardships
which might well tax to its utmost the endurance of vet-
erans. To some, it may seem trivial, after the lapse of
nineteen years, to make mention of the kindly offices
which were maintained between the " friends at home''
and those who had relinquished home; but who, for a
short six weeks, were yet within reach of the love which
soon, in vain, would yearn for the solace of relieving the
privations so heroically borne, that at least they should
never be forgotten. And when, too, it is remembered
that the oldest survivor of those companies is not yet a
very old man, while the youngest is still a young man^
who will doubt that to them, next to the enjoyment of
fighting their battles o'er again, the pleasantest reminis-
cences connected with their soldier life are those which
recall the many evidences in their past experience, that
their self-devotion to the cause of our country made
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
117
thLin objects of peculiar interest, and gave them a claim
upon the sympathy and the gratitude of all true patriots.
The cold, hunger, and e.xposure, followed by wasting dis-
ease and death to many of these brave men, invest
every circumstance connected with these last efforts to
contribute to their enjoyment with an interest it would
not otherwise possess. With these thoughts in our minds,
what heart will not glow with a warm satisfaction at tiie
glimpse of comfortable times at Camp Franklin, opened
up by the following acknowledgment?
Camp I-'ranklin, Dubuque, ^
September 10, 1862. j
Editor Gu.-vrdian: — Permit us, in behalf of Captain J. M. Miller's
company, to return our sincere thanks to our friends at liome who have
furnished us so many "good things."
We would especially remember Mr. Hoover for two pails of honey
T. H. Bowen and others for a barrel of eggs, our sporting fiiends for
nearly two hundred prairie chickens; and Mrs. Gill and others for a
nice supply of butter.
Communicated.
THE EXCURSION.
Later in tlie month an excursion to Camp was projected
which proved in every respect highly successful. And
here, it is with great reluctance that a record is made
which may seem at first thought to detract from the
prestige of the "Light Infantry," the recipient (about a
year before) of a like compliment while at the same place,
then called Camp Union. This first excursion was con-
veyed to Dubuque by a train of nine cars, and its seven
hundred excursionists were met at the depot by a fine
band, and marched into the city, not with flags flying, but
yet with colors hailed with ardeiit pride by chivalrous
men the world over; not under artns, for the brave men at
"Eagle Point" were, for the most part, already parolled
prisoners, and were not likely to offer resistance to the
invading force to which they had surren,dered at dis-
cretion, and against whose mild sway they had no thought
of becoming rebels. It is not to be supposed that this
army from the dominion of home came empty handed,
though this they might have done, without abating one
jot the enthusiasm of their reception.
Let no flippant, gossiping pen attempt to put into
common phrase the cominunings of such a region — let us
leave them the undisturbed enjoyment of that glorious
autumn day, overlooking that wondrous panorama spread
at their feet, which, intersected by the grandly flowing
river, stretches away into the fading distance whichever
way the gaze may turn.
A year has passed and two companies of Buchanan
county's best were awaiting orders at the same rendezvous,
now Camp Franklin. Is it strange, now that battles had
been fought, and some who took the parting hand then,
were sleeping in southern graves,, that a deeper estimate
of what was due to our heroes had been gained by the
loyal heart of Iowa? The demonstration of 1862 was
not confined to the immediate friends of the soldiers, but
all claimed the privilege to do them honor. Twenty-one
cars deposited their crowded inmates at the Dubuque
depot — in all else this outpouring of patriotism was a
transcript of the subdued enthusiasm of that of Septem-
ber, 1 86 1.
A few days later, having been mustered into the United
States service, and having received their advance pay and
a furlough from Colonel Gilbert, in view of their speedy
transfer to the field, the Dubuque & Sioux City rail-
road company called forth loud and hearty praise from
the men of the Twenty-seventh, by putting on a train
and bringing them through to Independence on quick
time, thereby giving them the benefit of another day
with the friends at home. The following week the regi-
ment left their camp and State and reported at Fort
Snelling, Minnesota. Six companies were detached to
accompany government agents to Millie Lacs for the
transaction of business connected with the Indian
agencies. During the absence of this portion of the regi-
ment, it was transferred from the northern to the southern
department, and the four companies still at Fort Snelling
left immediately for Cairo. Captain Miller, of company
H, left his regiment at Dubuque and visited home on a
furlough to recruit his health impaired by exposure in
Minnesota. Benjamin Sutton and Morgan Boone, of
Independence were left in a critical condition at Fort
Snelling, and Nelson J. Boone had been detailed to
attend upon the sick. S. Abby was sick, and had gone
to Milwaukee on a furlough, and John G. Litts was sick,
but still with his company. And this is the record of
one company after one month's service, of not exceptional
hardship. Captain Miller allowed himself but a short
respite, as the following notice, which appeared the week
after his return, will show:
Any persons wishing to send letters or likeness to their friends in
company H, Twenty-seventh regiment Iowa volunteers, can have an
opportunity to do so, by leaving the same at my residence, or at the
book store of Rev. Mr. Sampson, Independence, until Thursday even-
ing of this week. J. M. Miller.
The following week, the death of young Sutton at Fort
Snelling, was announced. He died of typhoid fever.
Colonel Lake on his return from the Mille Lacs expedi-
tion, finding Morgan Boone convalescent, came to In-
dependence, bringing him, with Oliver Bray and" Joseph
Russell of company C, seriously ill. Walter H. Munger,
of company C, who was left at Anoka on the return
march from the north, died at that place on the eighth
of November. He received the kindest attention from
the people, who took him to a private house, nursed
him tenderly, and turned out en masse to do honor to his
remains.
One who speaks of him as his friend, pays this tribute
to the fallen soldier:
He was an honest, upright, tnithful man, and no one has gone into
the army from purer motives of patriotism, or a nobler sense of duty.
When we last saw him at Dubuque, he was full of life, energy and good
feeling; but now, alas! he is in the silent tomb. May tht sod press
lightly upon his bosom.
THE LADIES .4ND THE .SOLDIERS.
The lady friends of our boys in the Twenty-seventh sent to them, in
care of Colonel Lake, three boxes weighing six or seven hundred
pounds, filled with chickens, turkeys, preserves, cakes, cookies, and
other good things, which will gladden the hearts of the brave boys im-
mensely. God bless our patriotic ladies, will be their prayer, as it
certainly is ours. — From the Buchanan Guardian.
During the months of January and February, 1863,
the deaths of five members of the Twenty-seventh regi-
ment were announced in the Guardian. John McBane
iiS
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
and John \V. Sanders died at Cairo, where they had
been left in the hospital in November of 1862. Jacob
Glass and William H. Leuder died with the regiment
near Jackson, Tennessee, and C. W. Mosher, of Little-
ton, a member of Captain Noble's company, died at
Memphis. All were highly esteemed by their comrades
in arms, as well as by their acquaintances at home.
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT A. B. LEWIS, OF THE FIFTH IOWA
VOLUNTEERS, Vi^HO DIED AT KEOKUK
FEBRUARY 25, 1863.
Lieuten.int .Alexander B. Lewis has sunk into a soldier's grave. But
last week we were all rejoicing in the assurance of his recovery and
return to active duty. But alas! it was not to be. He was destined
to leave his bed of pain, only to lie down in the narrow bed of death.
Here, where the cords of sympathy, of friendship, of respect, of admira-
tion for him ramified throughout our whole community, there is every-
where pam. .Among his companions in arms, in whom his patriotism,
his bravery, his nobleness of character, had induced a warmth of affec-
tion more than brotherly, there must be the poignancy of grief ine.i-
pressible. At his home, where the ties of kindred were strengthened
by pride in his manhood and mental promise, there must be the very
depths of woe.
.Among the thousands of the noble and brilliant, who have given
themselves up as sacrifices on the altars of country, few were more
worthy than Lieutenant Lewis. Frank and social, he drew around
him hosts of friends, while his mental abilities, his industry, his appli-
cation, his ambition gave every promise of a successful and brilliant
career in his chosen profession as a lawyer. But when the war came,
imbued with as true a spirit of patriotism as ever prompted man to
action, he without hesitation threw himself into the contest. He was
almost the first to enlist in this county, and went into the ranks as a
pri\ate soldier under Captain Lee. He soon, however, attracted the
attention of Colonel Worthington, who made him sergeant major of
his regiment, the Fifth, and afterwards, on the death of Lieutenant
Jordan, procurred his commission as first lieutenant of company E, to
the infinite satisfaction of the company, who knew that as far as a man
could he would replace the noble friend they had lost in Lieutenant
Jordan. At the glorious battle of luka, September, r86z, where the
fifth made itself a most honored name. Lieutenant Lewis while fighting
as each fought, like a hero, received a dangerous wound in the hip.
From that time he lay upon a bed of suffering. He tried to reach
home, but was only able to get as far as Keokuk. There he lay for
months, suffering all that acuteness of pain possible to a sensitive,
nervous organization, but bearing all with calmness, with true courage.
On the twenty-fifth of last month he died, bringing home to us by his
loss a new appreciation of the terrible price the Nation is paying for the
great crime of slaveholding. He rests in the patriot's grave, sleeps the
patriot's sleep — "Lost, loved, lamented." — Editor Guardian.
FROM A COMPANION IN ARMS.
After the intimacy that existed between us for the
last ten years, my regard for him resembles more that of a brother than
a stranger. For three years we sat together in the same class, met to-
gether in the same societies, roomed and ate together, shared the toils
and enjoyed with each other the pleasures of youth, and all the bright
anticipations of the great unknown future thai lay before us. Together
with hearts buoyant with hope, and with spirits light and free from
care, we launched our frail barks on the ocean of life. In all places,
on all occasions, and under all circumstances, he proved himself the
same true and tried friend; a noble, proud spirited and honorable man.
M'ith a full knowledge of the dangers and privations he
was about to incur, we see him relinquishing the promise of distinction
in his profession, the pleasures of home and society, and, refusing po-
sition, taking his place in the ranks of that company to which he con-
tributed so much labor and means, and in the welfare of which he felt
such a deep interest. Together with Lieutenant Jordan, whose noble
spirit preceded his to brighter realms, we see him labor day and night
for the success of that cause in which his heart and soul was engaged.
■We follow him to the "tented field" and see him endure disease and
pain until brought almost to the brink of the grave. Again restored to
health and vigor, and chosen to take the place of the lamented Jordan,
we see him discharging every duty of his office with promptness and
fidelity; an honor to the regiment and the pride of his company.
Much improved in health and appearance, after his severe illness, he
continued in the faithful discharge of his duties up to that fatal day
when his regiment was called upon to pass through the first ordeal of
battle. From the early part of that day until evening, beneath the
burning sun, through fields and swamps, and under the fire of the ene-
my, he advanced with the line of skirmishers until he reached the bat-
tle-field of luka. A few minutes more and everything was swallowed
up in the heat of battle. Well do I remember the last time I saw him
during that terrible struggle. I never saw him look so well as he did
at that moment. A volley of musketry had sent a shower of bullets
through our ranks, but he stood at his post with a proud and fearless
bearing, calmly discharging his duty. Conscious of the danger he was
in, but nerved by the justice of his cause, and flushed with the desire
and assurance of victory, he defied the missiles of the enemy. .A half
hour later, and what remained of the regiment, amidst clouds of smoke
and in the shades of nightfall, emerged from the woody battle-ground
and formed in line of battle in the open field. Companies reduced to
squads began to count their loss and enquire for the missing. Among
many others Lieutenant Lewis was absent. Many inquiries were made,
but none there could answer. About nine o'clock it was ascertained
that he had been wounded and carried to a house near by where he had
received proper medical attention. The nature of his wound, and the
manner in which he improved for a few days, gave hope that he would
speedily recover. It, however, proved the prolongation of a life but
for a few months of intense suffering. All that was mortal of him now
slumbers in the tomb, but his spirit lives in the region of eternal bliss.
It is not all to say that he lived and that he died, but it may in truth
be added that he lived uprightly and died happily. — L^ieutenant Mar-
shall.
LATER BUCHANAN RECRUITS, ASSIGNED TO VARIOUS REGI-
MENTS.
The following list of recruits was published in the
Guardian of March 15, 1864. The enlistments were
made by Dr. R. W. Wright, and left Independence for
Dubuque under his charge the week previous to the pub-
lication of tlie list.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Arthur Merriman, Twenty-seventh infantry; John Bessey, First cav-
alry; L. Whait, First cavalry; J. B. Hill, First cavalry; Martin Steb-
bins. Fifth infantry; John J. Miller, Fifth infantry; Harry Samuels,
First cai-alry; Thomas W. Melody, First cavalry; Samuel Brayton,
First cavalry; L. J. Hale, First cavalry; Robert J. Young, First cav-
alry: Augustus l^itner. First cavalry; Solomon Rufe, First cavalry;
Henry Cummings, First cavalry; Thompson Lewis, First cavalry,
James H. Laughlin, Twenty-seventh infantry; Hiram M. Thurslon-
Twenty-seventh infantry; William Plevert, Twenty-seventh infantry;
Samuel H. Pierce, Third battery; W. .S. Wallace, Fourth cavalry,
Theodore Powers, Fourth cavalry: John Donovan, Fifth infantry;
Charles Gordon, Seventh infantry.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
George W. Wells, First cavalry: Andrew Brownson, First cavalry;
Daniel Swartzel. First cavalry; William Miller, First cavalry; R. W.
Bodell, First cavalry; George W. Merkly, First cavalry; William J.
Washburn, First cavalry: S. W. Harden, First cavalry; Amos Andrews,
First cavalry; }. T. Washburn, First cavalry; B. H. Hall, First cavalry;
Ralph Henningan, First cavalry; Silas Henningan, First cavalry; D.
W. Ring, First cavalry.
NEWTON TOWNSHIP.
W. T. Wallon, First cavalry: Charles Bench, veteran, First cavalry:
H. H. Ransey, Twenty-seventh infantry; Abraham Black, Twenty-
seventh infantry; James A. Waldron, Twenty-seventh infantry,
CONO TOWNSHIP.
Charles G. Neucle, P'irst cavalry; S. Bourres, Twenty-seventh infan-
try; A. Stanford, Twenty-seventh infantry; J. Booth, Twenty-seventh
infantry.
FAIRBANK TOWNSHIP.
H. G. Balcom, First cavalry; S. C. Hines, First cavalry; H. S. Hop"
kins. First cavalry; J. H. Kent, First cavalry; .Allen Brant, Twenty
seventh infantry; S. W. Patterson, Twenty-seventh infantry; William
E. Cairn, veteran. Twenty-seventh infantry.
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP.
William H. Sulton, First cavalry; Samuel H. Messinger, First cav.
airy: Samuel Bullis. First cavalry: T. C. Canfield, Twenty-seventh in-
fantry; George D. Smith, Twenty-seventh infantry.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
119
HAZLETON TOWNSHIP.
D. A. Todd, Twenty-seventh infantry; A. D. Allen. Twenty-seventh
infantry; H. D. Barry, Twenty-seventh, infantry; Henry Harpy, Twen-
ty-seventh infantry; C. M, Wheelock, First cavalry; Rufus Bunce,
First cavalry; Martin Hayes. Twenty-seventh infantry; R. Merril, sr.,
Twenty-seventh infantry; R. Merril, jr.. Twenty-seventh infantry.
FREMONT TOWNSHIP.
Peter Gelford, First cavalry; M. S. Mallory, First cavalry; James
Flenning, First cavalry.
SUMNER TOWNSHIP.
Runsbe Metcalf, First cavalry.
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Mort Smith, Twenty-seventh infantry; Gustavus Jackway, Twenty-
seventh infantry; Benjamin Crocker, Twenty-seventh infantry.
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
Preston Reinhart, Twenty-seventh infantry.
BYRON TOWNSHIP.
Robert Buth, Twenty-seventh infantry.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
J. F. Henderson. Twenty-seventh infantry; R. H. Wilson, Twenty-
seventh infantry; J. Dawson. Twenty-seventh infantry.
There were also eight men from Oran township, Fayette county.
RETURN AND WELCOME OF THE VETERANS OF COMPANY
C, NINTH REGIMENT.
Company C, of the Ninth regiment, though not so
early in the field as company E, of the Fifth (the latter
leaving Independence early in July, 1861, and the for-
mer only a month later), was, for reasons of military
expediency, the first to be furloughed as veterans after
the reenlistment under the orders of the ^^'ar Depart-
ment, in the early part of 1864.
Early in February, the "friends, countrymen and
lovers" of the Buchanan boys in blue, began to be
stirred by rumors that soon the heroes, toward whom all
eyes were turned, would "come marching home." All
this and the final outcome, is well set forth in the article
given below, which appeared in the Guardian of Febru-
ary 16, 1864. We give it substantially as it first ap-
peared :
"glorious RECEPTION OF COMPANY C, OF THE NINTH."
For days our citizens have been on the tip-toe of expectation over
the news that many of the gallant soldiers who first enlisted, were
returning to their homes once more, for the purpose of recruiting and
paying their friends a visit. The streets were full of rumors as to the
time when they might be expected; but, at last, the telegraph settled
the question with the assurance that company C, the Ninth Iowa,
would be in our town on Saturday without fail; and everybody was
crazy with joy over the welcome intelligence. They had started from
Huntsville. Alabama; reached Cairo on the tenth instant, and arrived
in Dubuque at three o'clock A. M. , on Friday, the twelfth. Here they
met a glorious reception from the citizens, who prepared them a break-
fast, dinner, and supper, in the best style, and laid before them the
hospitalities of the city.
Dr. Wame had gone down to escort the soldiers to Independence;
and, as they were to come on the regular train of Saturday last, very
little time was left our citizens in which to make the necessary prepara-
tions. It was resolved to give them a dinner at the hall, immediately
on their arrival; and soon all parlies were at work in earnest. .AH
personal and political animosities were forgotten; the reader of the
Herald and the admirer of Horace clasped hands in a fraternal grasp;
old feuds and past differences were dropped by mutual consent; unity
and harmony per\-aded all' classes, and the prevailing sentiment that
animated the public heart was to give the boys a cordial, whole-souled
welcome. Saturday morning in point of loveliness was all that could
be desired. The atmosphere was almost of summer warmth, while a
gentle and refreshing breeze blew softly from the southwest.
The ladies, with their accustomed independence and assurance of
leap-year privileges, took the lead; and soon the obedient lords of
creation were seen flying hither and thither in the performance of
duties connected with the carrying out of the programme of the day.
Committees ad hifiiilcm, walked up and down the streets, peered into
every nook and corner where "good things" might be found, ransacked
the stores, and waylaid every luckless individual who was suspected of
having withheld a half dime from the last assessment. Teams loaded
with bo.\es, lumber, and baskets of provisions, jostled each other on
their way to the hall— draymen, for once, were compelled to acknowl-
edge that they had a surfeit of business; while unsuspecting farmers
were amazed to see some Jehu jump into their vehicles and convert the
same into baker's wagons. Hegee with his artillery was early at his
post, amply provided with levers, swabs, and sledge hammers, with
which to load; and soon the thunderous echoes of his piece proclaimed
that the spirit of '76 was to be revived again. Large numbers of
people in carriages, in wagons , on horseback, and on foot, began to
arrive from the country: and by 12 o'clock M., Main street pre-
sented an animated spectacle of moving humanity.
The town flag was suspended from Morse's hall to the bell-tower;
while at the Guardian office another was displayed, bearing upon its
folds the following motto:
" Honor to whom honor is due —
Ninth Iowa, bully for you. "
Numerous other flags were displayed with appropriate mottoes and
devices. Suffice it to say that our town presented a very happy and
picturesque appearance, and one tliat must long be remembered. Hand
bills were distributed, by which the people were notified that the sol-
diers were to be met at the depot, where a procession would be formed
led by the band, to escort the veterans into town.
As train time approached, the crowd moved to the station, and soon
the platform and everp available inch of standmg room was occupied.
The excitement was intense, but suppressed. Here waited fathers,
mothers, brothers, sisters, wives, with all the unrest of anticipated joy,
for the return of those whose names were never mentioned without
bringing a thrill of grateful pride, not only to their immediate friends,
but to their countrymen everywhere. How slowly the moments flew !
Had some accident befallen the train? How eagerly every eve was
Strained and every ear inclined, to receive the first token of its coming !
Hark ! a rumbling sound is heard; a white puflT of steam, like a mes-
senger of peace, circles above the tree tops; the whistle screams; the
bell rings; and, with a puff and a roar, the cars, with their precious
and an.xiously-e.xpected freight, are at the depot. Hegee now opened
with his ponderous artillery, and the echoes of the discharge had hard-
ly died away, before it was responded to by the soldiers on board
shouting as if in command: "Lie down, boys; the Rebs are firing on
our flank !"
To attempt a description of the scenes that now ensued would be
impossible. Such meetings do not often take place, and the embrac-
ings and hand-claspings were unlike those of the common, prosaic,
every-day life. Captain Little— no one expected to see him with the
company, but there he was, looking healthier and happier by far than
when he went away. fCaptain Little had, but a short time previous,
rejoined his regiment after a visit home, and in his impatience to be
again at the front, had gone while crutches were still a necessity to
him. — E. P.] And then the boys in blue, the boys of whose deeds we
had read and wondered, the same gallant spirits who stood in battle-
hne at Pea Ridge, .-\rkansas Post, Jackson and Champion Hill, filed
slowly out of the cars and formed in company on the tracks, as regu-
larly as though going out to the parade ground (although the crowd
that surged around them sadly interfered with the command, "Right,
dress I")
"■Why, boys, how well you look ! " was heard from all sides; and,
indeed, they were nearly all pictures of perfect health, though finely
bronzed by a southern sun. The boys never broke ranks, but the out-
siders, who had not studied Scott or Hardee, were utterly regardless of
military etiquette, and rushed m upon them from all quarters; but the
gallant fellows, inured to the task of overcoming every obstacle, worked
their way through to the hall, and filed around tables that were fairly
groaning under an endless profusion of delicately-prepared viands.
. -At the close of the repast. Captain Little, in a neat little
speech, extended the thanks of himself and company to the donors of
the entertainment, after which three cheers were proposed and given
"with the spirit and with the understanding," for company C, the
Ninth regiment, and the Union.
It was announced that company E, of the Fifth, would soon be in
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
our midst, and a cordial invitation extended to the guests of the day to
participate in the festivities of that occasion. Company C now num-
bers thirty-four privates, who have all re-enlisted; besides others in
hospital and detached service, who are expected to do so."
[There are, doubtless, some of the Ninth "boys" who have not for-
gotten that, owing to the shortness of their own furlough, which ter-
minated early in March, and the delay in the return of the veterans of
the fifth, they were not permitted to participate in the reception festiv-
ities of the latter, in accordance with the above invitation from their
fair entertainers. — E. P.]
WELCOME TO THE FIFTH.
Soldiers OF THE Iow.\ Fifth: I am selected, on behalf of the
citizens of Independence and Buchanan county, to greet you and wel-
come you home again to the embraces of your friends and relatives.
It is now almost three years since we passed along your lines, on
nearly the same ground where you now stand; gave you the parting
hand, dropped the silent tear, saw you aboard of the cars and away to
the battle-field. Since that day, what changes have taken place !
What perils and trials you have undergone we all know well; and, be-
lieve me, soldiers, we have not been unmoved spectators of 4II that has
befallen you; and be assured that although we have been absent from
you in body, we have been with you in spirit. Our sympathies were
with you during your many marches the first winter from home; as you
journeyed through rain and sleet and mud, nearly all over the trouble-
some Slate of Missouri. We were with you, too. in the first great
victory at New Madrid, and rejoiced with you over that great success.
From New Madrid we followed you to the bloody and hotly-contested
field of luka, and again at Corinth. We were with you in warmest
sympathy in your many wanderings up and down and across the Mis-
sissippi, in peril, not only from the lurking foe, but from death in many
forms; and especially wa^ the heart of this people with you in the late
and ever memorable campaign of 1863. We crossed the ri\'erwith you
at Fort Gibson; we followed you in your rapid march through that
State; we saw you filing in around Jackson, its capital; then at Black
River Bridge and the fatal field of Champion Hill; then to Vicksburgh
Itself, and one continued victory all the way around. And could you
then, at the surrender of Vicksburgh, have heard the shouting and
seen the leaping and weeping for joy, that was everywhere the sponta-
neous expression of the great northern heart, you would have been sat-
isfied, if never before, that the heart of this people was in the right
place, and with you in all you were doing to save our unhappy coun-
try. And let me here assure you, soldiers, that your victories are our
victories, that your sufferings are our sufferings, that your country is
our country; and permit me humbly to acknowledge the fact that to
the soldiers of the Union we owe our national existence — yes, our con-
tinued salvation as a nation; and you, soldiers of the Iowa Fifth, have
stood as a wall of adamant between all we hold dear and the most un-
relenting and cruel foe that ever drew the sword of war. And while
we have enjoyed peace and plenty at home, you have stood in battle
array against such a foe. that we might in safety enjoy the privileges
handed down to us by our forefathers.
There are no mealy-mouthed people among us now. Theie was a
time when some of us would quake and turn pale at the announcement
of a Union victory, lest slavery was in peril; but, thank God, that time
is fpassed. Those people have disappeared; we are now united; we
are now one — one in heart, one in mind, one with the soldiers for the
suppression of the rebellion; and, soldiers, we say, now always, "Strike
till the last armed foe expires," till the rebellion is crushed, till the
country is saved.
And let me. soldiers of the Iowa Fifth, revert to another short
chapter in your history. I refer to the ever memorable, the ever to be
remembered, march from Vicksburgh to Chattanooga, to relieve that
division of the Union army. Hardly in the history of the world has
been another such an undertaking performed with such alacrity and
cheerfulness. We imagine, now, we see you on that march, on half
rations, on quarter rations, then on less — half clad , bare-headed, bare-
footed, sore-footed, tearing up your blankets and other garments to
make moccasins for your sore and blistered feet and legs, and at the
same time joyous, shouting, onward the "Battle Cry of Freedom."
Then, after marching this incredible distance in so short a time, plung-
ing at once into the thickest of the fight on Mission Ridge, hurling
destruction and death like a whirl-wind among the ranks of the foe.
Soldiers ! for these deeds we honor you, and teach our children to
honor you, and will ever do so. Around our hearth stones shall your
praises ever be sung.
Again we welcome you home to the bosom of your families, the em-
braces of your friends, to the hospitalities of the citizens and fair ladies
now awaiting you at the court house. And here let me remind you,
the ladies of our county have ever been thoughtful of you, and have
'continued to labor earnestly for your comfort; and thus will they do,
for, be assured, if true patriotism is to be found, it is among the Amer-
ican women.
Soldiers, welcome home I welcome home !
The "veterans," numbering about thirty, had already
re-enlisted, and had returned, after an absence of nearly
three years, to spend a furlough of thirty days with their
families. The citizens of the county seat, and the
friends of the men from all parts of the county who met
them at this place, united to make their reception an
expression of the warm admiration which was every-
where entertained for them. After the reception at the
depot, and the address of welcome, they were escorted
by a large concourse of people to the court house, where,
as in Dubuque, a table had been spread and was served
by fair hands ; where culinary art and refinement of
taste had done their utmost to please the eye and tempt
the palate. To honor the brave men, who were the
guests of the people of the county, and to charm them
into a brief forgetfulness of the hardships through
which they had passed during those years of absence,
was the one impulse that swayed the entire community.
We copy from the Independence Conservative of
April 12, 1864, the names of these returned heroes:
Quartermaster C. Waggoner, Commissary C. Noble, Lieutenant W.
S. Peck, Orderly M. S. Bryan, Sergeant William Bunce, S. C. .Allison,
Joseph Anson, J. Donnivan, J. B. Gaylord. E. Chittester, J. G. Mc-
Kenzie, P. Putnam. J. C. Perham, James B. Wolf, J. Rea. J. F.
Phelps, M. Williams, J. Richards, F.Johnson, F. Paine, H. McQueen,
H. Whaitc, C. Brockway, S. Rouse, H. A. Sprague, C. Brooks, R.
Safford, W. H. Brown, T. Robinson.
We are glad to append here the
LAST MUSTER ROLL OP THE "INDEPENDENCE GUARDS."
The veterans rejoined the brigade at Decatur, Ala-
bama, May 14, 1864. On the thirtieth of July follow-
ing, the non-veterans of the regiment were honorably
mustered out of the service, and the veterans were after-
wards transferred to the Fifth Iowa cavalry, in which
organization it remained as company (J, Fifth Iowa vet-
eran volunteer cavalry, until the close of the war.
On the ninth of August, 1S65, the following names
(we take them as we find them), formerly members of
company E, Fifth infantry, were mustered out of the
service, at Edgefield, opposite Nashville, Tennessee:
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Second Lieutenant William H. Peck.
NON-COMMISSIO.MED OFFICERS.
Sergeant William Bunce.
Commissary Sergeant Madison J. Bryan,
Corporal Moses H. Robinson.
Corporal Edward Rhoderick.
Corporal Heeley C. Sprague.
Corporal Mahlon Williams.
PRU ATES.
William H. Brown, Charles Brockway, Elijah Chittester, John
Donovon, D. Donovon, William F. Johnson. Henry McQueen, Peter
Putnam, John Richards, Samuel E. Rouse, Thomas Robinson, Jerry
Rae, Rufus W. Safford. Herman Sprague, Henry J. Whait.
Commissioned officer i
Non-commissioned officers 6
Privates 15
Total 22
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
ONE HUNDRED DAYS MEN WHY CALLED INTO THE FIELD
HOW MANY RAISED BY BUCHANAN COUNTY.
Under the head of one hundred days men, we are to
speak of the last efifort, on the part of the Government, to
add to the strength of the Union forces by enhstment.
"In the summer of 1864" (says Ingersoll, from whose
volume our resume of the history of those regiments con-
taining Buchanan county companies is drawn,) General
Grant in \'irginia, and General Sherman in Georgia,
being actively engaged with large armies against the
enemy, the governors of the northwestern States proposed
to the General Government, to send into the field a con-
siderable number of troops for a short term of service,
who might relieve others on guard and garrison duty at
the rear; and thus be the means of adding largely to the
force of drilled and disciplined men at the front. It was
thought that, of those who had served for some time in
the army against the rebellion, but had been discharged
for good reason, and of others who would like to serve
for a short period, a large army might be speedily raised
to our posts and take care of our communications in rear
of the theatre of the war, and thus enable veteran soldiers
of equal number to reenforce the armies actively engaged
in the field. The proposition at first met with consider-
able hostility from the authorities, but was at length
adopted; the term of service being established at one
hundred days.
Governor Stone accordingly issued his proclamation, calling on tlie
State to contribute, of its citizens, troops for the service proposed; and
they responded by offering the Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth and
Forty-seventh regiments, and the Forty-eighth battalion of infantry;
in all three thousand nine hundred and one men. These troops came
from all parts of the State, and were the voluntary offering of our people
who gave them for the special service contemplated, without expectation
of any credit on the general calls for volunteers.
Few counties of the State responded to this last call
more promptly or more liberally than Buchanan; furnish-
ing, as she did, more than double her quota, had the
aggregate been drawn equally from all the counties; or,
had all the counties equalled her in the number furnished,
the aggregate would not have fallen nuuh below double
the number actually raised.
The enlistments were mainly made in May ; many of
the companies leaving for their rendezvous during that
month, and being mustered early in June. Charles F.
Herrick, of Independence, who had taken an active
interest in the formation of the company, was elected
captain; and, increased by the addition of some twenty
men from Blackhawk county, the one hundred days men
of Buchanan county left Independence for Davenport,
on Wednesday the eighteenth of May.
At Davenport they were equipped and assigned as
company D, to the Forty-seventh regiment. The brief
period of absence anticipated, and the nature of the
service assigned to these men naturally detracted much
from the intensity of apprehension which had been a
feature of former leave-takings between the soldiers de-
parting for the war and their friends at home. But
though the time was comparatively short, a hundred
mischances might befall; and though none could predict
the terrible ordeal through which the fated company was
16
to pass, when the time of departure arrived the hearts of
all followed the departing defenders of their country's
rights; and, as heretofore, crowds of relatives and friends
attended them to the depot and bade them "God-speed."
John H. Leatherman, an old member of the Iowa
Ninth, who was wounded at Pea Ridge, and discharged
froin the service in consequence thereof, and who had re-
enlisted in Captain Herrick's company, met with a serious
accident, as the cars were moving away from the depot.
He was waving his hand to his friends, when his arm
came in contact with a grain-spout running out from one
of the ware-houses near the track, dislocating it at the
shoulder. But it would seem that the stuff of which
heroes is made is somewhat tougher than the sinew that
"strikes out from the shoulder" as Mr. Leatherman in-
sisted on proceeding with his company.
We copy, from the report of the adjutant general, the
roster of the officers and Buchanan men of company D,
Forty-seventh regiment.
COMM[.SSIONED OFFICEK.S.
Captain Charles F. Herrick.
Captain Lewis S. Brooks
F'lrst Lieutenant Lewis S. Brooks.
Lieutenant Arthur E. McHugh.
Second Lieutenant Arthur E. McHugh.
NON-COMMISSIONIiU OFFICEKS.
First Sergeant Sidney C. .'\dams.
Sergeant Daniel W. Hopkins.
Second Sergeant Daniel W. Hopkins.
Sergeant John H. Leatherman.
Third Sergeant John H. Leatherman.
Third Sergeant John F. Clarke.
I-'ourth Sergeant John F. Clarke.
Fourth Sergeant Isaac E. Freeman.
Fifth Sergeant William McKenney.
First Corporal Augustus H. Older.
Second Corporal James D. Hill.
Fourth Corporal George B. Bouck.
Fourth Corporal John Hook.
F'ifth Corporal Orrville D. Boyles.
Sixth Corporal Morton J. Sykes.
Seventh Corporal Simmons P. Mead.
Eighth Corporal George S. Jackson.
Musician William M. McHugh.
Musician Hamilton Taylor.
Wagoner Thomas Lincoln.
PRIVATES.
Thomas Abbott, Lyman F. Bouck, Ralph R. Briggs, George 1'.
Benton, Addison C. Beach, Jed Brockvvay, George Casebeer, Gustav
Cairo, James A. Calvin, Howard M. Craig, Francis M. Fritzinger,
Orville Fonda, Lewis H. Gehman, William H. Gaige, Dewitt Gurnsey,
Stephen L. Greely, Henry Holnian, George L. Hayden, Henry R.
Johnson, George T. King, Royal Lowell, lesse H. Long, Lansing D.
Lewis, Frank Landerdale, Hugh McCullough, B. Franklin Mungcr,
Theodore F. Messenger, William H. H. Morse, Tillman Ozias, Samuel
E. A. Ripley, .Alexander Ramsey, David Sellers, .Alexander W. Spald-
ing, Frank L. Sherwood, William S. Scott, William Stevens. Charles
D. Thompson, William C. Vaneman, Alden R. Wheeler, Eliott
Weatherbee.
The Forty-seventh regiment was sent to Helena, Ar-
kansas, where, as will be seen from the correspondence
of Lieutenant Brooks, many contracted disease from
which they died at that post or after their return to their
homes in Iowa. The services of these men were of great
value to the National cause, and they were acknowledged
by the President of the United States in an appreciative
order, couched in terms which must have been \ery grat-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
ifying to those to whom it was addressed, and which, we
feel sure, will be read with deep interest by their children
at the present day, for whom it is transcribed into these
pages:
Executive Mansion, i
Washington City, October i, 1864. j
Special cxtriitive order, returning thanks to t/ie volunteers for one hun-
dred days, from the States of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wiscon-
sin:
The term of one hundred days, for which volunteers from the States
of Indiana, Ilhnois, Iowa, and Wisconsin volunteered under the last
call of their respective governors in the months of May and June, to
aid in the recent campaign of General Sherman, having expired, the
President directs an official acknowledgement of their patriotic sersices.
It was their good fortune to render etiftcient service in the brilliant oper-
ations in the southwest, and to the victories of the National arms over
the rebel forces in Georgia, under command of Johnston and Hood.
On all occasions and in every service to which they were assigned, their
duty as patriotic volunteers was performed with alacrity and courage, for
which they are entitled to, and are hereby tendered, the National
thanks through the governors of their respective States.
The Secretary of War is directed to transmit a copy of this order to
the governors of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and to cause
a certificate of their honorable services to be delivered to the officers
and soldiers of the States above mentioned, who recently served in the
military force of the United States as volunteers for one hundred days.
Abraham Lincoln.
THE FINAL TRIUMPH AND REJOICING.
A few brief revolving months, crowded with brilliant
successes, followed the return of the one hundred days'
men ; and the great struggle, which had so long filled the
land with mourning, was over. How suddenly were the
sorrow and darkness changed to light and laughter.
Youths and maidens, you whose fathers, mothers, and
elder brothers it may be, passed through that time of
fiery trial, ask them to describe to you some of those
demonstrations of a joy that knew no bounds, which
filled the universal heart when the announcement of
Lee's surrender was flashed over the land. In the happy
heyday of your youth, you shrink from the contemplation
of the pain and sorrow that had gone before; try, then,
to gain some adequate conception of the peril and an-
guish from which your fathers and mothers were then
delivered, by dwelling upon the intensity of their trium-
phant rejoicing when the assurance came that war should
be no more, and that the precious inheritance bequeathed
by the founders of our beneficent Government was saved
from the machinations of traitors, to be transmitted to
their children. The joy was as all-pervading as the air
or the sunlight. From ocean to ocean, everything that
symbolized with exaltation and exultation was made the
medium of expressing a satisfaction too great for expres-
sion. When you have heard what was done in this hour
of triumph at Independence, or any other place, be sure
that the same or similar manifestations were being made
everywhere. By midsummer of 1865 the disbanding of
the troops commenced, and in a few weeks the defenders
of their country in her sanguinary struggle for National
existence, had returned to their homes. Everywhere
were they received as heroes worthy of the highest meed
of praise.
As soon as suitable arrangements could be made after
[he return of all the Buchanan soldiers, a reunion and
welcome was tendered them by the citizens, on which
occasion they were the honored guests of the people,
and but one desire animated the entire population of the
county, which was to give expression to the estimation
in which the services of these heroic men were held by
all true patriots. On the day appointed, Saturday, the
sixteenth of September, which proved to be most auspi-
cious, three hundred, of the four companies and subse-
quent enlistments, were gathered at the county seat.
Five thousand of their fellow citizens, it was estimated,
attended in the capacity of hosts and entertainers. A
triumphal arch had been erected with suitable mottoes
and decorations, and the principal blocks on Main street
were gay with wreaths and flags. Ladies joined in the
procession which followed the brave three hundred bear-
ing their battle flags. At their head was borne a beauti-
ful banner, displaying the inscription,
"thus we welcome our heroes home from the wars."
'■'■Duke est pro patria mori."
Among the distinguished guests from abroad, none
were more welcome or more honored than Major
General Vandever, the former gallant colonel of the
Iowa Ninth. In the eloquent address which he
delivered, he almost justified a slight change in the oft
quoted line of the poet, which would make it read,
"The tongue is mightier than the sword,"
A most eloquent and appropriate address of welcome
was delivered by the Rev. J. M. Bogg, and was ably re-
sponded to by one of the heroes of the day. Colonel
Jed Lake, on behalf of the military.
A feast, fit for the occasion, for the people's guests,
was spread in Mr. Older's beautiful enclosed grove,
where it was evident that every resource of the culinary
art had been taxed to bury hard fare and hard-tack for-
ever from the sight and memories of those whose deeds
all delighted to celebrate. The delicate viands amply
discussed. Mayor Woodward, as toast master, introduced
many glowing gems of sentiment, which elicited noble
thoughts clad in eloquent words — as their worthy setting.
Our record of Buchanan county in the Rebellion, may
be already too long — we are glad that the bulk of the
matter contained in it is simply a transcription of the
current war literature of the times, and we close with one
of the sentiments offered at the soldiers' reunion and
welcome in 1865, which, after a lapse of sixteen years, is
still the aspiration of every patriot heart:
The north and the south — may they be reunited by cords that no
traitors hand can sever.
HONORS PAID TO THE MARTYRED PRESIDENT.
Here, as everywhere, the news of the assassination of
the lamented President Lincoln, broke in upon universal
and jubilant rejoicing. Main street had been made gay with
flags in honor of the restoration of the National emblem
to its rightful place over Fort Sumter, in obedience to
the murdered President's order, and throughout the
country, on the fourteenth of April, at 12 o'clock m.,
flags had been given to the breeze and cannon had
thundered the Nation's joy. The flags still floated on
Saturday morning, but the overflowing joy was changed
to overwhelming grief
The next issue of the city papers appeared with
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
123
columns draped in mourning and with full particulars of
the tragedy which had shrouded the Nation in gloom.
A meeting was called by authority of the mayor of
Independence, D. S. Lee, esq., that the citizens might
consult upon the proper action to be taken to carry out
the recommendations contained in the proclamation of
the governor of the State. Arrangements were made at
this meeting of the citizens to observe the day set apart
by the governor, the twenty-seventh of April, 1865, as a
day of humiliation and prayer, in view of the recent
great National calamity. It was also recommended that
places of business should be closed on that day, and
that the citizens refrain from all secular vocations and
enjoyments, and meet to testify, by prayer and humilia-
tion, the great grief felt at the loss of the noble life that
had fallen — their profound sorrow at this great calamity
to the country and to humanity.
Preparations were also made for proper e.xercises on
the day President Lincoln was to be buried at his old
home, at Springfield, Illinois. The programme provided
for the firing of cannon every half hour during the day,
commencing at sunrise; the suspending of all business
between the hours of 10 o'clock a. m. and 2 o'clock p.
M., and the draping of all business houses and private
dwellings in mourning.
On Wednesday following the assassination, the day
fi.xed for the moving of the funeral cortege from Wash-
ington at noon, Judge Burt adjourned the court at half-
past 1 1 A. M., in accordance with recommendations from
Washington that such observance should be made all
over the land.
Owing to the limited time after the arrival of this rec-
ommendation, no formal observance was made. By
means of handbills, however, a large concourse of the
leading citizens and ladies of the place was called
together at the court house. The bell was tolled with
"minute peals" fronr 12 to i o'clock, when the services
at the court house commenced. Rev. Mr. Boggs
of the Presbyterian church presided, and Rev. Mr.
Fulton of the Baptist church opened the exercises with
prayer. Rev. Mr. Eberhart, Baptist minister from Cedar
Falls, was then introduced and enchained the audience
with an eloquent address which was received with deep,
silent, and tearful attention, broken only by occasional
subdued but irrepressible applause. Mr. Eberhart's
address was marked by "thoughts that breathe and
words that burn," and none who were so fortunate as to
listen to his eloquent and patriotic utterances will ever
lose the remembrance of them. He was followed by
brief and appropriate addresses from Rev. Mr. Fulton
and Judge Burt.
The Rev. Mr. Bambo, of St. James' Episcopal church,
and the Rev. Mr. Boggs of the Presbyterian church
preached memorial sermons on the death of President
Lincoln in their respective churches on the Sunday fol-
lowing his assassination, and memorial and patriotic res-
olutions were passed by the various religious societies
and social organizations of the place.
On the fast day appointed by State authority, all
places of business in Independence were closed, and a
more than Sabbath stillness pervaded the streets. The
union services which were held at the court house were
attended by such a concourse as was never before seen
in the town at a religious service. The tragic death of
President Lincoln, who had so endeared himself to the
American people, had deeply impressed all classes ; and
every occasion was gladly embraced to do honor to his
memory.
AFTER THE RETURN.
The following historical sketch from the Bulletin will
be found interesting, and will explain itself:
SKETCH OF COMPANY H, TWENTY-SEVENTH IOWA.
QuASQUETON, August 14, 1865.
Mr. Editor ; — In answer to your favor of the eleventh instant, de-
siring a complete history of company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa
infantry, I reply that my time is so occupied that I cannot furnish
you with a full history of the company, but I will give you a brief
sketch which you are welcome to do with as you please.
Company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa infantry, was organized on the
twenty-seventh of August, 1862, and mustered into the United States
service on the twenty-ninth of the same month, at Dubuque, Iowa.
[The list of officers is omitted here, being already given in the roster of
the company, taken from the adjutant general's report. — E. P.]
The company was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, on the eighth day
of August, 1865, numbering, all told, forty-two. The term of service
w.as twenty-one days less than three years.
The company has been in fifteen engagements, in which but one man,
Charles Canton, was killed and seventeen wounded. Corporal Low,
and Edward E. Mulick, color bearers, were severely wounded at Pleas-
ant Hill, Louisiana, April 9, 1864, and fell into the hands of the rebels.
John Buck, died at Moscow, Tennessee, July 22, 1863, from an acci-
dental gunshot wound received while on picket duty. Twelve died
from disease, as follows: Joseph H, Black died in convalescent hos-
pital, Memphis, Tennessee, December 4, 1864; two days thereafter his
discharge papers were received; Charles Coleman died at Independence.
Iowa, October 14, 1862; Isaac Gill died at Brownsville, Arkansas, Sep-
tember 8, 1864; Jacob Glass died at Jackson, Tennessee, February 15,
1863; George Hathaway died at Holly Springs, Mississippi; Walter
B. Lanfeer died at Cairo, Illinois, December 8, 1863; John McBain
died at Mound City, Illinois, December 9, 1862; Joseph Moore died at
Jackson, Tennessee, March 14, 1863; Bartemas McGonigil died at
Jackson, Tennessee, March i8, 1863; John Older died at Memphis,
Tennessee, May 12, 1865; Benjamin Sutton died at Fort Snelling,
Minnesota, October 28,- 1862; John A. Tift died at Memphis, Ten-
nessee. November 30, 1862.
There were forty discharged previous to the mustering out of the
company. George G. Gaylord was discharged to enable him to ac-
cept a commission as lieutenant in a battery of heavy artillery. Our
surgeon, Sylvander W. Bowker, was discharged at Jefferson Barracks
September 24, 1864, and died two days thereafter while in the hospital.
Four, Matthew T. Brown, Jeremiah Irwin, Isaac T. Lee, and Christian
Waller, the only drafted men in the regiment, were discharged in June,
1865, their term of service expiring September 30, 1865. The remainder
were discharged for physical disability.
Thirty-two were transferred; thirteen of whom, being recruits, were
transferred to the Twelfth Iowa Infantry. Two, Charles H. Lewis and
Dr. H. H. Hunt, were transferred to the non-commissioned regiment
staff, and were soon after discharged to enable the former to accept a
commission of first lieutenant and adjutant, and the latter to accept a
commission of assistant surgeon to the Twenty-first Iowa volunteer
infantry.
The following is a list of officers, non-commissioned officers and
privates who were finally mustered out of the service:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain O. Whitney.
First Lieutenant W. G. Donnan.
Second Lieutenant G. W. Smyzer.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Charles W. Evans.
Sergeant James \. Laird.
Sergeant Daniel .Andrews.
Sergeant Emanuel Miller.
I 24
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Sergeant Henry E. A. Diehl.
Corporal Harrison H. Love.
Corporal William Morgan.
Wagoner Benjamin Miller.
PRIV.\TES.
William C. B. Adams, Samuel Beckley, ]ohn M. Blank, Hamilton
B. Booth, Francis M. Congdon, Columbus Caldwell, William Case-
beer, William Crum, James Campbell, Albert Cordell, Devolson Cor-
nick, Moses Chase, Hamilton Evans, William B. Fleming, Michael
Harrigan, Adam Hoover, Charles Hoover, jr., James C. Haskins,
George Kirkham, William J. Hendrick, Charles W. McKinney, Alvi
Megonigal, Edward E. Mulick, Augustus P. Osgood, Austin W. Per-
kins, WilHam T. Rich, Philip C. Smyzer, Alonzo Shurtliff, Henry H.
Turner, Joseph Tures, Myron H. Woodward.
The company has furnished eight commissioned officers — Jacob Mil-
ler, captain to April 9, 1863; O. Whitney, captain at the time the com-
pany was mustered out of the United States service; W. G. Donnan,
first lieutenant; George W. Smyzer, second lieutenant; C. H. Lewis,
adjutant; Dr. H. H. Hunt, assistant surgeon Twenty-first Iowa infantry;
George G. Gaylord, lieutenant of artillery; and Lieutenant A. M.
Wilcox, whose resignation was accepted to enable him to accept the
commission of captain and commissary of subsistence of United States
volunteers.
As near as I can estimate, from the data I have on hand, the com-
pany has travelled by steamboat over eight thousand miles, by railroad
two thousand miles, and marched three thousand miles. The company,
with the regiment, has visited the capitals of seven different States,
and three times have built comfortable winter quarters without being per-
mitted to occupy them, except for a few days. It has never been sur-
prised on picket or whipped in battle; has burned a fair proportion
of cotton; and its doings will compare favorably with any other com-
pany in the legiment, or among General .^. J. Smith's guerillas, in the
number of pigs, sheep, turkeys, and chickens it has, from military ne.
cessity, appropriated to personal use.
I am, very respectfully yours,
O. Whitney.
A RESUME
of the history of the three regiments, Fifth, Ninth, and
Twenty-seventh, which contained the four companies
raised in Buchanan county, being selections and adapta-
tions from three chapters of "Iowa and the Rebellion,"
by Lurton Dunham Ingersoll, published in 1866.
FIFTH INFANTRY.
The companies which formed the Fifth Iowa volunteer
infantry were organized in their respective neighborhoods
immediately after the receipt of intelligence of the fall of
Fort Sumter; but the General Government, not then ap-
preciating the magnitude of the conflict which was to
ensue, gave no authority for their regimental organization
till some time afterward. The companies were enrolled
in the counties of Cedar, Jasper, Louisa, Marshall, Bu-
chanan, Keokuk, Benton, Van Buren, Jackson, and Ala-
makee, but other counties contributed to swell their
numbers. They were organized into the Fifth regiment,
and as such sworn into the service of the General Gov-
ernment at Camp A\'arren, near the city of Burlington,
on the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth days of July,
1861, at which time the command numbered nine hun-
dred and eighteen robust men. William H. Worthington,
of Keokuk, was appointed colonel; Charles L. Mathies,
of Burlington, lieutenant colonel; William S. Robertson,
of Columbus city, major; John S. Foley, adjutant;
Charles H. Ranson, surgeon ; Peter A, Carpenter, assist-
ant; Robert F. Patterson, quartermaster; and Rev. A.
B. Madeira, chaplain. At the time of his appointment
as second in command of this regiment. Lieutenant Col-
onel Mathies was serving as captain of one of the com-
panies of our First regiment, then making forced marches
from Boonville to Springfield, Missouri. The other offi-
cers were taken directly from civil life.
The Buchanan county company took the letter of the
alphabet corresponding with the order in which the coun-
ty is named in the above list, and was known as company
E. Remaining at Camp Warren, in the performance of
drill and guard duties, about two weeks, the regiment
proceeded to Fort Madison by steamer, and thence to
Keokuk by rail. From this point, though not yet fully
equipped, but using in part arms furnished by the city,
a portion of the regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel
Mathies, was engaged in an expedition into northern
Missouri against the rebel leader, Mart Green. Colonel
Moore had already routed the forces of Green, who was
understood to be in retreat southward. Hoping to inter-
cept and capture him, Colonel Mathies made a rapid
march toward Di.xie with his fresh recruits; and, though
unable to overtake him, they achieved the glory of a first
experience in real campaigning — bivouacking during the
night in an open field, and receiving for their breakfast a
peculiar cracker, which, though possibly not entirely dis-
tasteful as a novelty and as a part of their initiation into
the art of war, became, from too great familiarity, most
undeniably prosaic, under the name of "hard-tack."
The detachment returned to Keokuk the following day,
and proceeded by steamer to St. Louis, reaching there
on the twelfth of August.
At Jefferson barracks the men received their arm,s, and
having been ordered to Lexington in company with other
troops, commenced their voyage up the Missouri without
loss of time. Three days afterwards, when some forty
miles above Jefferson City, the troops upward bound
were met by a regiment of three months' men whose time
had expired, and from them received such urgent repre-
sentations of the inadequacy of a force being sent into a
country literally overrun by guerilla men and beset with
masked batteries, that Colonel Worthington decided to
return to Jefferson City and await further orders. Here,
in response to his telegram to General Fremont, he was
ordered to disembark and go into camp. A few days
later, at Camp Defiance, the first instalment of the Gov-
ernment uniform was received, as also cartridge boxes,
canteens, camp equipage, etc.
From this time until near the middle of October, when
the march on Springfield commenced, the headquarters
of the regiment were sometimes at Jefferson City, some-
times at Boonville, while much of the time was spent in
the field, moving in various directions, a detachment be-
ing kept for many weeks at the railroad crossing at
Osage, some ten miles south of the capital, to protect a
valuable bridge.
During this time a detachment under Colonel \\'orth-
ington proceeded by steamer to Boonville, seized the
confiscated stock of a shot tower, and other property,
including a printing office, bringing the same to Jefferson
City, with the specie from Boonville bank. Another ex-
pedition ascended the river some thirty-five miles to
Rocheport, and, in conjunction with several companies
under Colonel Worthington, advanced from different
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
125
points on Columbia, the object being to capture a body
of rebels collected there under Major Harris. No enemy
was found, and the regiment marched across the country
to Jefferson City, having gained at least some wholesome
experience in carrying knapsacks on .the march.
Drilling and camp duties filled up the time until again,
on the fourteenth of September, the regiment moved up
the Missouri by steamer to reenforce a small body of
home guards at Boonville, who had been attacked the
day before by a considerable force of rebels under Colo-
nel Brown. On the arrival of the regiment, on the
morning of the fifteenth, they were met with the gratify-
ing intelligence that the home guards had repelled the
attack, killing and wounding some sixty of the enemy.
Colonel Brown being among the killed. Ten days were
spent here, adding to the duties of the camp, drill, and
scout, much hard labor in improving and completing the
fortifications which had been commenced by the lament-
ed Lyon early in the summer. On the twenty-fifth the
regiment moved up to Glasgow, where there was an easy
crossing of the Missouri, to prevent the passage of forces
to join Price, who had captured Lexington a few days
before. This duty done, they returned to Boonville,
where the regiment remained until the march toward
Springfield commenced.
During the Springfield campaign the Buchanan men
were attached to Colonel Kelton's brigade, in General
Pope's division, which made a rapid march over wretched
roads to Springfield, and returned to Syracuse, reaching
there November 17th, having marched more than three
hundred miles. During the remainder of the winter,
Colonel Worthington was in command of a brigade with
headquarters at Otterville, Lieutenant Colonel Mathies,
with seven companies at Boonville, quartered comforta-
bly in houses, and three companies at Syracuse, in an
encampment of tents, patrolling the railroad day and
night, until the close of January, 1S62. On the first of
February the three companies from Syracuse joined the
other companies at Boonville. A week later the regi-
ment crossed the Missouri, and after a day or two, took
up the line of march for St. Charles. The weather was
bad and the roads worse, but the march of one hundred
and fifty miles was performed in ten days. Crossing the
Missouri again, the regiment proceeded at once to St.
Louis by rail. Reaching St. Louis, the men marched
from the depot to the river, and were soon on their way
southward. Landed at Cairo, remained a few days, then
ascending the river debarked at Commerce, some thirty
miles above Cairo. Here they received new tents, but
halted in them but one day, marching on the twenty-sixth
to Benton, nine miles distant, where the army of the
Mississippi was concentrating under Pope. The march
on New Madrid was commenced on the first day of
March, the Buchanan troops being in the First brigade;
Colonel Worthington commanding, Second division, Gen-
eral Schuyler Hamilton. The army came in sight of
New Madrid at noon of the third, the march having
been over roads obstructed by the enemy, through
swamps and drenching rains. In the operations which
succeeded against New Madrid, Island No. 10, and
(after the brilliant success at these places) against Fort
Pillow, the Fifth Iowa took an active part. Included in
the onward movement by (ieneral Pope to reenforce Hal-
leck at Corinth, our friends were embarked in a leaky
steamer for Cairo, but making an exchange at that place,
went on up the Ohio and Tennessee without note —
worthy incident, and debarked at Hamburgh Landing on
the twenty-second of April.
In the dull duties of this slow campaign and in the
occasional reconnoissances which, under the direction of
division commanders, relieved the monotony of the
snail-like advance, our regiment bore its part, with be-
coming resignation in the one case, and with distin-
guished valor in the other. On the twenty-second of
May the regiment and the Nation met with a heavy loss
in the accidental death of Colonel Worthington.
Meantime, the regiment moved slowly from Farming-
ton toward Corinth, which was evacuated by the rebels
on the morning of the thirtieth of May, and entered the
same day by General Halleck. A pursuit was at once
instituted by Pope's division, but the Iowa Fifth, though
one of the best marching regiments in the command,
was delayed by rivers and creeks, the bridges over which
had been destroyed, and by other obstructions, so that
its progress was exceedingly slow, as the following state-
ment will show: It marched but five miles on the day of
the evacuation, but eight the next, and then, halting a
day or two to receive Whitney rifles in exchange for its
old arms, moved a dozen miles to near Rienzi, and the
day afterward to Boonville, Mississippi, eight miles fur-
ther south, where it went intg bivouac and there re-
mained until the tenth of June.
From this date, the time passed in marching and
countermarching, drilling being the principal duty, until,
on the fifth of August, the division marched to Jacinto,
where it remained till the day before the battle of luka.
Meantime Major Robertson had resigned. Lieutenant
Colonel Mathies had been promoted to the colonelcy.
Captain Sampson to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and Cap-
tain Banbury was promoted to the rank of major.
The part of Iowa troops in this battle need not be re-
peated here. The regiments which had particularly distin-
guished themselves were the Sixteenth and the Fifth.
"The glorious Fifth Iowa" says Rosecrans, "under the
brave and distinguished Mathies, sustained by Boomer
with part of his noble little Twenty-sixth Missouri, bore
the thrice repeated charges and cross-fires of the rebel
left and centre with a valor and determination seldom
equalled, never excelled by the most veteran soldiery."
The Fifth Iowa, General Hamilton says in his official
report, "under its brave and accomplished Mathies, held
its ground against four times its number, making three
desperate charges with the bayonet, driving back the foe
in disorder each time, until, with every cartridi'e ex-
hausted, it fell back slowly and sullenly, making every
step a battle-ground and every charge a victory." And
the correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial says
that, "most of our troops engaged behaved in the most
gallant manner; particularly the Eleventh Missouri and
Fifth Iowa. These two regiments stood the brunt of
126
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
the battle, as their lists of killed and wounded testify."
Colonel Mathies, in his report, states that high praise
is due to all his officers and men, without exception.
"In commanding my regiment before the enemy, he
says, "I was nobly assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Samp-
son on the right, Adjutant Patterson, acting major, on
the left, and Lieutenant W. S. Marshall, acting adjutant,
all of whom behaved most gallantly, repeating my com-
mands, and steadying and cheering on my brave boys
throughout the engagement." For his own gallant and
meritorious conduct. Colonel Mathies was afterward
promoted to the rank of a brigadier general. Of the
four hundred and eighty-two officers and men of the
Fifth Iowa, who were engaged in the battle, more than
two hundred and twenty were killed and wounded.
Three days after the battle, the regiment reached its
old camp near Jacinto, and there rested (if working upon
fortifications can be so called) during the remainder of
the month. On the first of October it marched to
Corinth, and though, on the first day's battle which soon
followed, it was so posted as not to be brought into ac-
tion, it was engaged on the fourth day, from early in the
morning till the defeat of the enemy about noon, but be-
ing posted behind natural defences, it suffered but a
trifling loss, though rendering valuable service, especially
in the repulse of a charge on the Eleventh Ohio battery,
which it was supporting on the left. To repel it, one
regiment marched on the double-quick step to the threat-
ened point, fired four volleys into the enemy, and drove
them off in admirable disorder. In the pursuit of the
rebels, after their terrible defeat, the regiment made some
rapid marches, and returned to Corinth, going into camp
on the evening of the eleventh, the men worn out with
fatigue, many of them entirely without shoes, and scarcely
one with suitable clothing. Here a brief season of rest
was granted, before the regiment was again engaged, this
time in conjunction with (General Grant's forces organiz-
ing to take Vicksburgh in the rear. No good, but much
suffering resulted from this campaign. From the first of
February, 1863, to the second of March, the division.
General J. F. Quinby's, remained in camp near Mem-
phis, a single day's scout, so far as the Fifth was con-
cerned, bemg the only interruption of its quiet. On the
second of March the regiment commenced its work in
the Vicksburgh campaign; and, from that time till the
capitulation of Pemberton, more than one hundred and
twenty days afterward, its history forms a creditable part
of the memorable events of that period, crowded with
the most momentous achievements of the war. After
the fall of the gallant Boomer, Colonel Banbury, pro-
moted, took command of the regiment, and Adjutant
Marshall was promoted to the rank of major.
In the campaign under Major General Sherman, which
followed the capture of Vicksburgh, the brigade to
which the Fifth belonged, performed valuable service,
and was handsomely complimented by that general in his
official report of the operations which resulted in driving
Johnston out of the State, and in bringing the whole of
it under the power of our armies. In the marches and
countermarches of this active campaign, the Fifth Iowa
encamped two different times on the memorable field of
Champion Hills, remaining there after the retreat of
Johnston, from the seventeenth to the twenty-second of
July. It then proceeded by leisurely marches to Vicks-
burgh, and encamped within the works on the twenty-
fourth, where if remained, in the performance of light
garrison duties, for nearly two months, in common with
the whole division.
On the twelfth of the following September, the division
moved to Helena, Arkansas, for the purpose of reenforc-
ing General Steele. That officer, however, had captured
Little Rock on the tenth, and needed no more troops.
While these troops were awaiting transportation back to
Vicksburgh, General Rosecrans met with the reverse at
Chickainauga. General Sherman commanding the Fif-
teenth corps, was ordered to reenforce the army of the
Cumberland; and, that he might do so the more
promptly, the division of the Seventeenth corps at
Helena was exchanged into his command, in place of
one of his divi.sions near Vicksburgh. The Fifth accord-
ingly moved with the division to Memphis by river, and
thence by rail to Corinth, reaching that place of varied
associations on the afternoon of October 4th, — just one
year from the great victory which it had helped to win.
Here it was employed for a month in rebuilding the rail-
road toward luka, and in other ways preparing for the
march to Chattanooga, which began on November ist,
and ended on the twenty-fourth, with the division, now
the Third, Fifteenth corps, in face of the enemy on
Missionary Ridge.
In the remarkable contest which ensued, called
in history the battle of Chattanooga, which was in fact a
series of grand combats from the banks of the Tennessee
to the tops of mountains above the clouds, our regiment
well performed its part near the northern extremity of
Missionary Ridge. Here, near Tunnel Hill, frowning
with rebel batteries, the regiment fought the afternoon of
the twenty-fifth, but was overcome near evening by an
overwhelming force of the enemy. Many were captured,
including Major Marshall and Adjutant Byers. The
colors also fell into the hands of the enemy, whilst the
men who escaped, passed through a shower of balls, and
were heedless of the rebel yells to "halt." The regiment
went into the action with two hundred and twenty-seven
men and twenty-one officers, and lost in killed, wounded,
and captured, one hundred and six, of whom quite a
large proportion were captured.
Colonel Banbury thus closes his official report:
I can not feel justified in closing this report without bearing testimony
to the uncomplaining manner in which my brave men have performed
the hard labor, and endured the severe deprivations of the campaign
just closed; especially during the week ending November, following
immediately upon the long fatiguing march of over two hundred miles.
They were up at midnight of the twenty-third fortifying, and manoeuvr-
ing for battle all day of the twenty-fourth. On picket-guard in the face
of the enemy on the night of the twenty-fourth, fighting the enemy on
the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh {without rations or blankets,
shivering around their camp fires during the nights, and marching
through rain and mud during the days), and returning to camp— twenty-
two miles — on the twenty-eighth. All this in the Qead of winter, and
without a murmur.
When the regiment on the third, fourth and fifth days
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
127
of December marched to Bridgeport, Alabama, many of
the men had nothing but parched corn in their haver-
sacks. The command remained at Bridgeport, which is
in the extreme northeastern part of the State, until the
twenty-second, when it marched to Laikinsville, forty-five
miles distant. Having halted there a day or two, it
moved a few miles south to a mill, and remained there
on guard duty, and engaged in the milling business for a
week. On the seventh of January, 1864, the line of
march for Huntsville was taken up. The command
reached that place on the ninth, and there spent the re-
mainder of the winter. Whilst at Huntsville, about one
hundred and fifty members of the regiment, being the
most of those present for duty, reenlisted under the
orders of the War Department for the formation of an
army of veterans.
The history of the veterans from this date has already
been given in connection with the account of their recep-
tion on their return to Independence in April, 1864.
The history of the gallant Fifth Iowa infantry as a dis-
tinct command, virtually closed when the non-veterans
were mustered out on the thirtieth of July, 1864. The
term of its service was therefore, a little over three
years. During this time it had marched, on foot, over
two thousand miles in the States of Missouri, Arkansas,
Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama
and Georgia, participating in Fremont's campaign of one
hundred days in southwestern Missouri in the fall of
1861 ; in the campaign against New Madrid, Island No.
10, and Fort Pillow, in the siege of Corinth, in the
battle of luka, and that of Corinth soon afterward, in the
campaign in central Mississippi under General Grant,
the Yazoo Pass expedition, in the grand campaign against
Vicksburgh, in that of Chattanooga, closing an eventful,
honorable history with its ranks so thinned that it was
compelled to yield up its separate organization — retired
from the records of the war for the future, but with a past
so well secured by many glorious services, undimmed
by the shade of any unworthy act, that its memory
will be kept green among our people till luka and Chat-
tanooga shall have passed from their recollection, and
much of the noblest heroism of the war have been for-
gotten.
NINTH INFANTRY.
In July, 1861, on the day of the battle of Bull Run,
the Hon. William Vandever, then a representative in
Congress from the second district of Iowa, which at that
time embraced the northern half of the State, went to the
Secretary of War and tendered a regiment of volunteers,
to be recruited and organized by himself in his district.
His proposition was accepted at once by Mr. Cameron,
and Mr. Vandever speedily returned to Iowa and went
energetically to work in the matter. Early in August the
first company went into rendezvous at Dubuque, and in
a few weeks the regiment was fully organized. It was
mustered into the service on the twenty-fourth of Sep-
tember, with the following oflScers: William Vandever,
colonel; Frank J. Herron, lieutenant colonel; William
H. Cayle, major; William Scott, adjutant; F. S. Win-
slow, quartermaster; Benjamin McClure, surgeon; H.
W. Hart, assistant surgeon; Rev. A. B. Hendig, chap-
lain. Company C, Buchanan county. Captain J. M.
Hord.
The regiment remained in rendezvous but a day or
two after being sworn into the service. From Dubuque
it went directly to St. Louis, where, at Benton barracks,
it went into camp of instruction. By the middle of
October its camp was advanced to Pacific City, on the
Pacific railroad, and the duty of guarding the southwest-
ern branch of that road, between Franklin and Rolla,
was assigned to it. Here, during the next three months,
all of the troops composing the armies of the west, so
designated for convenience and not officially, were pre-
paring for that grand forward movement, which, com-
mencing soon afterwards, swept with irresistable force,
not often long retarded, over the whole domain claimed
by traitors, and at last hurled them to destruction.
Many of the Union troops engaged in this glorious work,
in aid of its complete accomplishment, marched, skir-
mished, fought the entire circuit of the confederacy; and
among these, the Iowa Ninth holds honorable rank.
On the twenty-second day of January, 1862, the vari-
ous companies of the command left their camps along
the railroad and joined the army of the southwest, con-
centrating at RoUo, under Brigadier General Samuel R.
Curtis. Marching to Lebanon, some sixty miles south-
west of Rolla, a week was there spent in organization and
preparation. The army was composed of four divisions:
the first, commanded by General F. Siegel ; the second,
by General A. Ashboth ; the third, by Colonel Jefferson
C. Davis; and the fourth, by Colonel E. A. Carr. The
troops were from the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Iowa and Missouri. Colonel G. M. Dodge, Fourth
Iowa, commanded the First brigade, Fourth division, con-
sisting of his own regiment, the Thirty-fifth Illinois and
the First Iowa battery. Colonel Vandever was in com-
mand of the Second brigade, consisting of the Ninth
Iowa, Twenty-fifth Missouri, Third Illinois cavalry, and
Third Iowa battery. Two battalions of the Third Iowa
cavalry, Colonel Bussey, were also in the army, but not
assigned to any particular division, so that all the Iowa
troops participating in the campaign were in Colonel
Carr's division.
Thus organized, the army marched after the rebel
Price, and on the fifteenth of February entered Spring-
field from all sides, hoping to find the enemy there; but
Price shrewdly "allowing" that it "wouldn't pay," was
rSpidly making his way to a warmer climate, though
Curtis had succeeded in making that of Southern Mis-
souri "too hot" for him. General Curtis marched in
pursuit, and for several days the retreat and pursuit were
equally rapid. Carr's division, containing the Iowa
troops, had the advance, and skirmishing daily was the
rule until Price was joined by McCuUoch, eighteen miles
south of the Arkansas line, at Cross Hollows, and the
southward movement was continued by the rebels. Gen-
eral Curtis took possession of advantageous ground at
Cross Hollows, and determined to await an attack. It
was in one of the skirmishes during the pursuit at Sugar
creek, near the boundary, line between Missouri and
128
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Arkansas, that the Ninth Iowa was first under fire. The
command behaved like veterans on this, to them, im-
portant occasion, charging and driving before them a
rebel force outnumbering their own, after receiving with-
out flinching the fire of a battery of artillery and its in-
fantry supports.
For convenience of forage and subsistence, the different
divisions were posted at considerable distance from each
other, but not beyond the reach of mutual support in
case of the approach of the enemy. Colonel Carr's
division was at Cross Hollows, headquarters of the army.
On the fourteenth of March, Colonel Vandever, with a
picked portion of his brigade, consisting of a battalion of
cavalry, a section of the Dubuque battery, and a large
detachment of his own regiment, moved from the camp
of the division and marched fifteen miles in the direction
of Huntsville. The command reached that place on the
afternoon of the next day, and found it to be a dilapi-
dated village which had just been abandoned by a body
of rebel cavalry. From the bewildered citizens informa-
tion was received ot the advance of the rebel army, now
under the command of Major General Earl Van Dorn,
and heavily reenforced. Colonel Vandever received this
information with the utmost apparent indifference, and
allowed his command to remain in town some two hours,
while he appeared to be attending to matters which
naturally fell under his attention as a Union officer.
Toward evening he leisurely marched his force out of
town, and pitched camp some miles distant. During
the night a courier arrived witli dispatches from (Jeneral
Curtis, confirming the intelligence of the afternoon and
ordering him to march with all possible dispatch to Pea
Ridge, where the army was being concentrated for battle.
To avoid the rebel army. Colonel \'andever was com-
pelled to take a route which involved a march of forty-
one miles, and across the pathway lay the White river
and other streams of smaller size, which had to be forded.
To add to the difficulties of this forced march, snow fell
during the night, making walking most disagreeable and
laborious. At 4 o'clock on the morning of the sixth, the
little column was in motion, and steadily the march con-
tinued— tramp, tramp, all day long was the only sound
that was heard, and that was heard as regularly as the
ticking of a clock. Not a moment's time was lost
throughout the day. At 6 o'clock in the evening, having
marched for fourteen consecutive hours, the command
reached the army. The famous march to Talavera of
Wellington's light division was no more remarkable than
this, in which some of the sons of Buchanan county took
jjart. Napier enthusiastically relates how that division,
which had been trained by Sir John Moore himself,
crossed the field of battle after its great march, in com-
pact order, and immediately took charge of the outposts.
The column under Colonel Vandever fought throughout
a pitched battle of two days' continuance, immediately
after its great march.
The army under General Curtis numbered ten thou-
sand five hundred men, cavalry and infantry, with
forty-nine pieces of artillery, including four mountain
howitzers. It is perhaps impossible to give the rebel
numbers with any exactness, authorities differing widely
on this point. Pollard, the rebel historian, admits that
they numbered sixteen thousand — but their own officers
admitted to Captain McKenney, of General Curtis' staff,
that they numbered thirty thousand; and this accords
with the estimates current at the time, which made the
rebel force engaged three times that of the Union.
Of this battle our author says: "Whether considered
in reference to the skill with which the troops were
manceuvred, or the valor with which they fought, this
must be placed among the most memorable and honor-
able victories of the war. The field was far removed
from General Curtis' base of supplies; in a country
much better known to the enemy than to him ; that
enemy outnumbered him, I think, three to one. Yet he
defeated him so thoroughly and absolutely that his scat-
tered squads were driven in panic for leagues — far away
to the south — like leaves before a tempest. Among
their killed were Generals Mcintosh and McCuUoch,
while Generals Price and Slack were severely wounded.
The American Almanac and Annual Record puts the en-
tire rebel loss at one thousand one hundred killed ; two
thousand five hundred wounded, and one thousand six
hundred prisoners. Our own loss, in killed, wounded
and missing, numbered one thousand three hundred and
fifty-one."
General Curtis, in his official dispatch, very justly says
that "Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri, may
proudly share the honors of the victory which their gal-
lant heroes have won over the combined forces of Van
Dorn, Price and McCulloch at Pea Ridge, in the Ozark
Mountains of Arkansas."
His detailed report of the battle closes in language
which all must feel to be that of just eulogium, and not
of mere formal compliment. "To do justice to all," he
says, "I should spread before you the most of the rolls
of this army, for I can bear testimony to the almost uni-
versal good conduct of officers and men, who have
shared with me the long march, the many conflicts by
the way, and the final struggle ' at the battle of Pea
Ridge."
The part borne by Iowa in the struggle was most con-
spicuous. The commanding general was from our State,
and any description of the battle must be most lame if it
does not show him to have been a consummate tactician
and obstinate fighter. Colonel Dodge and Colonel Van-
dever commanded the two brigades which stood the
brunt of the battle, which were handled with the most
admirable skill and coolness, and which fought with a
valor never surpassed in the history of wars. "The
Fourth and Ninth Iowa," says General Curtis, "won im-
perishable honors." There were innumerable acts of
special bravery performed by Iowa troops during the
battle; and there never was an engagement, perhaps, in
which good conduct was more universal. General
Curtis especially commends Colonels Dodge and Van-
dever, while these colonels, in their official reports, give
long lists of regimental and company officers who dis-
tinguished themselves for coolness and valor, "while all
did well and fought nobly."
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
129
In fine, all the Iowa troops behaved with that high
degree of valor which distinguished their conduct
throughout the war, and their losses were more severe
than those of any other troops. The casualties of com-
pany C, the Buchanan county company, were as follows:
Killed — Lieutenant Nathan Rice, Private Julius Furcht.
Wounded — Sergeant Jacob P.Sampson, Corporal Charles
C. Curtis, Wagoner David Creek, Privates Isaac Arwine
(mortally), George M. Abbott (mortally), Jesse Barnett,
L. n. Curtis, John Cartwright (mortally), J. E. Elson, C.
A. Hobart, Stephen Holman, Orlando F. Luckey, James
Leatherman, Philip Riterman, Russel Rouse, Samuel
Robbins, ^Villiam Wisennand (mortally), Adonain J.
Windsar (mortally).
Having buried the dead and cared for the wounded,
the army moved from Pea Ridge a few days after the
battle, and, encamping in the vicinity of Bentonville, had
there a short rest. After this our regiment took up the
line of march with the army, and moving through a part
of Missouri and across Arkansas, arrived at Helena
about the middle of July, after a campaign of unusual
hardships. At Helena the regiment had its first and last
permanent encampment, and there it remained in quiet
for a period of five months. The history of the regi-
ment up to this time had been one of almost constant
activity, of movements in the face of the enemy; of
severe marches, terminating in a sanguinary battle. It
had been impossible, however, to give that attention to
drill and discipline which had been desired by the offi-
cers. There was a fine opportunity now to make up for
any deficiencies in these respects, and it was improved
by both officers and men, so that, when the regiment
again commenced its active operations, which continued
with but short intermissions of rest, it was one of the
best drilled and best disciplined regiments in the service.
The fame of the army which won the victory of Pea
Ridge, soon spread over the country and over Christen-
dom. The Ninth received a most gratifying evidence of
their own good name and fame, whilst at Helena, in the
presentation to the command, by the hands of Miss
Phoebe Adams, in behalf of a committee of ladies of
Boston, Massachusetts, a stand of beautiful silk colors,
elaborately embroidered in gold. Miss Adams presented
the magnificent gift with the pleasing assurance that it
was a testimonial of the appreciation on the part of
many of the ladies of Boston of the conduct of the
regiment in the battle of Pea Ridge. These colors were
guarded and cherished by the command with religious
care and afTection. After they had been borne many
long miles and on many a proud field, riddled and torn
with balls, and covered with a thousand scars of battle,
they were presented by the unanimous voice of the regi-
ment, one to the original donors, and the other to Brevet
Major General Vandever, the old commander of the
regiment, whom the men of his original command never
ceased to hold in the warmest esteem.
The regiment having been assigned to Thayer's bri-
gade, of Steele's division, joined the army under Sher-
man, which moved down the Mississippi to attack Vicks-
burgh. In the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, where the
'7
Fourth Iowa gained such unfading laurels, and where
many Iowa regiments were engaged, the Ninth was under
fire during the greater part of the twenty-eighth and
twenty-ninth of December; but was not itself actively
engaged^ except for about half an hour on the latter day.
The attempt on Vicksburgh by Chickasaw Bayou having
failed, the army slowly and sorrowfully reembarked and
steamed down the dark sluggish waters of the Yazoo to
the Mississippi, and to Milliken's Bend, where Major
General McClernand assumed command. During the
year just closed, the Ninth had lost, by death, discharge,
and otherwise, three hundred and twenty five men, and
had gained, during the same period, fifty-six by enlist-
ment so that, when it commenced the year 1863, it
numbered seven hundred and twenty-six, rank and file.
The regiment commenced the new year by taking an
active part in the brilliant campaign of Arkansas Post,
which resulted in the capture of a large number of pris-
oners, and an immense quantity of supplies and arms.
From this point the troops again embarked, and, moving
down the Arkansas and Mississijipi, disembarked at
Young's Point, Louisiana; Steele's division moving down
and going into camp below the mouth of the canal,
which had been dug the year before. Here, near Young's
Point, the army lay encamped many weary weeks, which
formed the darkest era of the whole year to the troops
who endured it. The encampment was a vast swamp.
In front was the Mississippi, flowing moodily by, ever
threatening to burst from its banks and engulf the half
submerged army. Beyond, and in plain view, were the
hills of Vicksburgh with their frowning batteries. From
the oozy encampment vapors and fogs arose, which
caused the sun to shine with a feeble, sickly power, whilst
much of the time it rained, day in and day out, without
cessation. The army was like an army of drowning rats.
The troops sat gloomily within their tents in sullen silence,
or moved about from place to place in the performance
of necessary duties, like soulless, voiceless animals.
Driven from one encamjjment to another, and to another,
and still another, till the army at last "roosted on the
levee of the Mississip[)i." The men moved with a list-
less indifference, plainly showing that they cared very
little whether their camps and lives were saved or swept
away together by the floods. Death was holding high
carnival in every encampment, and acres of graveyards
were soon visible in these most dismal swamps. The
dying increased as the flood increased, till at length the
dead were buried on the levee, whither the army had
been driven. There they continued to be buried till, it
is not too much to say, the levee was formed, near its
outer surface, of dead men's bones, like the layers of
stones in a work of masonry. When, after more than
two months' stay in this vicinity, the army moved away,
it left the scene of its encampments, the Golgotha of
America. Major Abernethy, in speaking of this period
in the history of the Ninth, says the ordeal of these
unpropitious months was the more grievous, because it
had all the evils of the battle-field, with none of its hon-
ors. And, as it was with the Ninth, so it was with the
arge army of which it formed a part.
I
13°
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Meantime, Colonel Vandever having been promoted a
brigadier general, Captain David Carskaddon was elected
and commissioned in his place. The first active cam-
paigning in which the regiment was engaged after Col-
onel Carckaddon took command, was in the expedition
of General Steele into central Mississippi, by Greenville,
which consumed about a month. Returning, the com-
mand encamped for a short time at Milliken's Bend, and
then joined the grand campaign against Vicksburgh.
Leaving their tents standing, one regiment put themselves
in light marching order, and, on the second of May,
started for Grand Gulf, as fully inspired by hope and
enthusiasm, as they had been depressed by despondency
and sorrow, two months before. Rapidly marching by
Richmond to the landing opposite Grand Gulf, and there
crossing the river, the division joined the corps, and
marching on Jackson, took part in the capture of that
capital. Then facing about, it moved in the direction
of Vicksburgh; and, on the eighteenth, took position on
the right of our lines before the enemy's works. On the
nineteenth there was an irregular assault, in which our
regiment lost a number of killed and wounded; among
them Captains Kelsey and Washburn, and Lieutenants
Jones, Wilbur, and Terrell, killed. The position of the
regiment during the siege was a good one, well covered
by the crest of a hill, strengthened by works, but the
rebel sharp-shooters occasionally picked off a man, never-
theless. The regiment lost, during the siege, from the
eighteenth of May to the fourth of July, one hundred
and twenty-one in killed and wounded.
But even now there was no rest for the weary troops.
Before daylight, on the morning after the capitulation,
the expeditionary army under Sherman moved after Joe
Johnston, and, following him to Jackson found him
there strongly intrenched behind heavy works. In this
campaign the Ninth fully participated; and, after its
successful termination, went into camp in a beautiful
grove near Big Black river; and here, not far from the
scenes where, for so many months, nothing but the
wrinkled front of grim-visaged war had been seen, had a
long period of rest. But it was not one of enjoyment,
for, added to the discomforts of the hot weather, the
effects of the confined life during the siege began now
to be visible on the troops, many of whom became sick
outright, and others unfit for service. During this period
General Steele, commanding division, and General
Thayer, commanding brigade, were ordered to another
department of the army, being succeeded by General
Osterhaus in command of division, and by Colonel J. A.
Williamson, Fourth Iowa, of the brigade, which was com-
posed of Iowa troops, and which remained under the com-
mand of that accomplished officer throughout the cam-
paigns of Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Savannah ; at the
close of which last, being appointed to the rank which
he had so long and so honorably actually filled, he
received orders which called him into another field of
usefulness.
On the twenty-second of September orders to move
were received, and, before night, the regiment was in the
cars moving to Vicksburgh. Moving by steamer to
Memphis, and by train thence to Corinth, after some de-
lay occupied in the repair of the railway, and some skir-
mishing with the enemy under Forrest, the march to
Chattanooga was commenced ; and, on November 23d,
after a march of three hundred miles, the regiment
pitched its tents at the foot of Lookout Mountain.
Twenty-four hours later it was taking gallant part in the
"Battle Above the Clouds," under the dashing General
Hooker. The enemy evacuated Lookout Mountain on
the night of the twenty-fourth, and, on the following
day, the battle of Mission Ridge took place. So far as
our regiment was concerned this was rather a contest of
legs than of arms; the enemy running to escape, and
our troops to catch them. And thus, for miles on the
summit of the mountain, they had a running fight, which
closed with the enemy being captured in large numbers,
and the rest fleeing from the field. The regiment con-
tinued in the pursuit, under Hooker, to Ringgold, where
the enemy made a stand, and for some time contended
with no little success against our arms. The Ninth
joined in the charge up the hillsides on the twenty-
seventh, but the enemy had now become exhausted and
discouraged, and retired without serious opposition, leav-
ing us in full possession of the position. The loss of
the regiment, during the three engagements, was three
killed and sixteen wounded.
From Ringgold General Osterhaus marched to rejoin
Sherman, from whom he had been separated by reason
of the accidental breaking of a pontoon bridge over the
Tennessee; and, the junction having been made, the
division marched by Chattanooga, Bridgeport and Steven-
son, to Woodville, Alabama, and went into winter quar-
ters but a few days before the close of the year.
New Year's day was spent by the regiment in reenlist-
ing. The number of men had by this time been re-
duced to about five hundred, of whom all were not
eligible as veterans under the rules of the War Depart-
ment. Nearly three hundred reenlisted, and the Ninth
became a veteran regiment. The consequent privilege
of a furlough was granted, and the veterans returned to
Iowa early in the following month. On arriving at Du-
buque they were met by the citizens of that hospitable
city en masse, and welcomed home with a cordiality
which must have been in the highest degree gratifying.
Their reception here was a magnificent ovation, worthy
of Dubuque and of them; and, best of all, it did not
end with speechifying, but with a supper in comparison
with the luxuries of which, those of the Georgia prom-
enade were flat, stale and unprofitable. Moreover, fair
hands, which would not have condescended to wait upon
the princes of the best blood of Europe, gladly waited
on these war-worn heroes. As the men went to their
homes in northern Iowa, they were everywhere met with
as warm and cheerful a reception as is within the heart
of man to conceive, or his hands to bestow. And thns
the thirty days' respite from the toils and hardships of
war, passed like a brief dream, too peaceful and happy
to last.
The men, at the close of their short furlough, accom-
panied by many recruits, went by railway and steamer to
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
131
Nashville, whence they marched to Woodville, arriving
on the tenth of April, 1864. Here twenty days were
spent in procuring supplies of clothing, equipage and
arms. The old Dresden rifles, which had done such
execution from the beginning, were returned to the
Government, and new Springfield rifled muskets drawn
in their stead. Though the regiment had been pre-
sented by the ladies of Boston with another magnificent
stand of colors, to replace those worn out in the service,
these were now kept rather for ornament than use, and
a stand of regulation colors drawn from the Government,
were carried in the line throughout the subsequent career
of the regiment.
On the first of May Colonel Carckaddon, just re-
turned from sick leave, in command, took line of march
for Chattanooga, and at once entered upon the campaign
of Atlanta. For the next four months the regiment par-
ticipated in all the labors, marches, skirmishes, battles,
and sieges of this great campaign, in which the Fifteenth
corps took part. It marched, during that campaign, a
distance of four hundred miles, much of it by night;
built forty different lines of works; crossed three large
rivers and many streams of a smaller size, in the face of
the enemy; and took honorable part in the engage-
ments, many of them heavy battles, of Resaca, Dallas,
New Hope, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoo-
chee River, Decatur, Atlanta, Jonesborough and Love-
joy. In two of the severest of these conflicts it had the
rare pleasure of fighting behind entrenchments, suffering
but little loss itself while inflicting terrible punishment
upon the enemy. There is no doubt that the regiment,
in the course of the campaign, placed many more rebels
hors dc combat than the command itself numbered. The
losses of the regiment were fourteen killed, seyenty
wounded, and six captured. A tabular statement of the
casualties in the regiment, during its term of service,
furnished by Lieutenant Colonel Abernethy, shows that
in its various engagements, numbering more than a score
of battles, the Ninth Iowa lost eighty-seven officers and
men slain, forty-six wounded mortally, three hundred
and sixty-four wounded, and ten captured by the enemy,
making a total loss during the war, on the field of bat-
tle, of five hundred and seven.
With the termination of the campaign, the regiment
went into regular encampment, with the expectation of
having a considerable period of rest. The same ex-
pectation was shared by the generals, as an order was
issued permitting five per cent, of the men to be fur-
loughed, which order was soon countermanded in con-
sequence of the interruptions of our communications
and the threatening attitude of the rebel General Hood.
Our regiment joined in his pursuit, breaking camp for
that purpose early in October, and in one month made a
march and countermarch of three hundred and fifty miles
without having seen anything of the rebel forces but
their heels. But before this march commenced, the
original term for which the regiment entered the service
expired, and the nonveterans, numbering more than one
hundred, were honorably discharged.
During the march on Savannah, the regiment was com-
manded by Captain M. Sweeney, company B, who con-
ducted it through that excursion without the loss of a
single man. .-Xfter a few weeks' halt at Savannah, the
regiment sailed to Beaufort, South Carolina, where it
awaited the completion of General Sherman's prepara-
tions to march through the Carolinas. Here Colonel
Carckaddon returned to the regiment and was honorably
mustered out of service by reason of expiration of term.
He had faithfully served his country for more than three
years. The command of the regiment now devolved
upon Major Alonzo Abernethy, one of the most modest,
as well as most meritorious of Donna's field officers, pro-
moted from Captain of company F, in place of Major
Granger, who died in the hospital at Nashville, Tennes-
see. The march northward began on the twenty-sixth of
January, and on the nineteenth of May our regiment
pitched its tents on the heights of Alexandria, in plain
view of the dome of the National capital. It had, on
this, its last, campaign, marched through many miles of
swamps, built many miles of road and many miles of
intrenchment, especially near Bentonville; participated
in the dangerous movement which resulted in the capture
of Columbia, for which achievement the Iowa brigade,
under Colonel Stone, received the personal compliments
of General Howard, and fought with bravery wherever
there was fighting to do. At Columbia, the regiment
drew rations for the twenty days' march to Fayetteville,
North Carolina. They consisted of one half pound hard
bread per man — neither more nor less. Nevertheless,
the command found plenty of food and fared sumptuous-
ly every day. This was different indeed from the
parched corn era of Arkansas, or the week of rice diet in
the swamps, near Savannah.
Taking part in the great review of the twenty-sixth of
May, the regiment moved into camp near Crystal Springs,
a short distance north of Washington, whence, early in
June, it proceeded to Louisville, where it was mustered
out of service on the eighteenth of July, 1865, then
numbering five hundred and ninety-five officers and men.
From Louisville the regiment moved by rail to Clinton,
Iowa, for final payment.
The regiment brought from the field four flags, of
which two — the National colors and the regimental blue
— were placed in the office of the State adjutant general.
One bearing the names of the principal engagements in
which the regiment had taken part — Pea Ridge, Chicka-
saw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson, assault and siege
of Vicksburgh, siege of Jackson, Brandon, Cherokee,
Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca,
Dallas, New Hope, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain,
Chattahoochee river, Atlanta (July 22nd and 28th),
Jonesborough, Lovejoy, Savannah, Columbia, Benton-
ville— was deposited with the State Historical society.
The fourth, voted to the regiment at the northern Iowa
sanitary fair, held at Dubuque, in May, 1864, was re-
tained by the regiment to be disposed of as the regi-
mental association, formed at the disbandment of the
command, may direct.
And thus endeth the history of the Ninth Iowa volun-
teers. When their distinguished career was closed, and
132
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
their banners furled, they returned to their homes with
the gratified homage of the State upon which they had
conferred so much honor, and which will ever and anon
unfurl those banners, to read the proud blazonry, in
colors of living light, of their unsurpassed achievements
in the war for Union and liberty.
TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
The Twenty-seventh Iowa volunteers had nearly as
varied an experience, in the matter of climate, as the
distinguished explorer after the remains of Sir John
Franklin, who received his orders to the polar regions
whilst bathing in the gulf of Mexico. The Twenty-
seventh performed its first active service in northern
Minnesota, in about the latitude of Quebec; and before
it closed its career of usefulness and honor, its hardy
troops liad made a voyage on the gulf, from Balize to
Mobile bay. They had seen the Mississippi river where
it looked like an insignificant stream; and again where,
having received the waters of a continent, it swept by
many channels into "the far-resounding sea."
The regiment was recruited in the northern part of
Iowa, from the seven counties comprising the Third
congressional district. The different companies went
into camp of instruction at the Dubuque rendezvous in
the latter part of August, where, in Camp Franklin, near
that city, they were engaged in taking the usual lessons
in the military art, until the third of October, when they
were mustered into the service of the United States as
the Twenty-Seventh Iowa volunteer infantry. The rolls
at that date bore the names of nine hundred and
fifty-two enlisted men and forty officers.
The command, thus fully organized and in the service
immediately commenced battallion drill; and thorough
discipline, the result in part of the high character of the
men comprising the companies, was at once inaugurated,
though the time for preliminary training did not long
continue. Within a week after entering the service, the
regiment was ordered to report to Major General Pope,
commanding the department of the northwest, to take
part in the campaign against the hostile tribes of Indians
who were, at that time, threatening the frontier generally,
and were especially waging their savage warfare, indis-
criminately murdering men, women and children, in
Minnesota. The Twenty-seventh regiment hastened to
the assistance of General Pope, moving by transports to
St. Paul, and going into quarteis at Fort Snelling, near
that capital. Shortly afterward Colonel Gilbert was or-
dered to Mille Lacs, a village on the lake of that name,
a hundred and twenty-five miles north of St. Paul, there
to superintend a payment of annuity to certain Indians.
Taking six companies of his regiment. Colonel Gilbert
marched rapidly northward, over roads cut through a
wilderness and made almost impassable by the autumn
rains, performed the duties assigned him, and returned
to St. Paul on the fourth of November.
In the meantime, Colonel (soon after brigadier gener-
al) Sibley had defeated the Indians in a severe encoun-
ter, and they were reported so far subdued that only
Minnesota troops would be required in that department.
While Colonel Gilbert was absent on the march to Mille
Lacs, Major Howard, commanding the four companies
stationed at Fort Snelling, received orders to report
with his detachment at Cairo, Illinois. Upon his return,
Colonel Gilbert received similar orders, and immediate-
ly proceeded to Cairo, going to Prairie du Chien, Wis-
consin, by river, and thence by cars, by way of Chicago.
The united command remained but a few days at Cairo.
Embarking on transports, it proceeded down the river to
Memphis, where it reported to General Sherman, and,
on the twenty-second of November, went into camp near
the city.
A few days later, the regiment was assigned its place
in General Sherman's force, about to move as the right
wing of General Grant's army, on the expedition into
central Mississippi, to take the stronghold of Vicksburgh
by that way. Before the regiment started on this march,
the men complained loudly of the quality of their arms,
which were old Prussian muskets, poor at best, and
many of the pieces absolutely unserviceable. They had
been promised better arms, and, as they were about
entering upon a campaign which they had a right to sup-
pose would be both active and dangerous, they thought
it high time that the promises should be fulfilled. Colo
nel Gilbert had the tact and nerve satisfactorily to
silence all complaints, so that when the march began,
every man and ofificer able to go was in his place. In
this campaign, the regiment marched to the Tallahatchee
river, and was assigned the duty of guarding the Missis-
sippi Central railway between tliat stream and the town
of Waterford.
When news of the capture of Holly Springs by the
rebels was received, six companies of the regiment (in-
cluding a portion of the Buchanan county men), with
other forces, marched on that place. But the rebels
having left the place immediately after the destruction
of the cotton and government stores, they returned
almost immediately to the vicinity of the Tallahatchee,
and soon after joined the army in its march back to
Tennessee.
The regiment went into camp at Jackson, and, on the
last day of the year, being a part of the brigade under
command of Colonel Lawler, marched in great haste
eastward to reenforce General Sullivan, then fighting
the rebel Forrest beyond Lexington. The reenforce-
ment marched rapidly through the cold and mud until
midnight, and then bivouacked without shelter of any
kind or protection from the bitter weather. On the
morning of the new year, the command was aroused by
an early reveille, and, without even a hasty plate of soup
for breakfast, started on the chase after the rebel troop-
ers, who had been whipped the day before by Sullivan,
and were now beating a retreat in the direction of Clif-
ton, a town on the Tennessee river about twenty-five
miles south of west from Lexington. To thai point the
Union troops were moved in hot pursuit, but arrived
too late to prevent the passage of the rebels. They
then returned to Jackson by Bethel. The roads over
which our regiment marched were horrible; the men
were entirely without tents, and many of them without
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
133
blankets, and the weather was most inclement. The
command was without rations, except such as Quarter-
master Sherburn procured by buying corn of the inhab-
itants and grinding it into meal at the mills near the line
of march. Thus the men were enabled to get a meal
of "corn-dodgers" a day, faring almost as miserably,
notwithstanding the efforts of the staff in their behalf,
as our prisoners at Libby, in Richmond. The conse-
quences of this march of only about one hundred miles
were suffering, sickness and death. The regiment re-
mained, during the rest of the winter and till beyond
the middle of April, 1863, at Jackson. Until spring
fairly opened, the camp was a scene of constant suffer-
ing and almost daily death. The surgeon's call was at-
tended much of the time by more men than that for
dress-parade. Every company lost men by the score,
and several officers were compelled to resign in order to
save their lives. In fine, the consequences of the march
to Clifton and return may truthfully be said to have been
a greater loss to the regiment than the loss it sustained
in all its engagements with the enemy — not excepting
the bloody field of Pleasant Hill, where the command
was among those "immortal few" regiments which
formed the shield for the army under Banks, and saved
it from inglorious defeat and destruction.
About the eighteenth of April the command moved
from Jackson to Corinth, held that post during the tem-
porary absence of General Dodge's forces, till the close
of the month, and returned to Jackson. The campaign'
against Vicksburgh, under General Grant, was now fully
inaugurated, and whilst many Iowa regiments were ac-
quiring renown in the active operations of that campaign,
others were performing less brilliant but not less valuable
services, in guarding our lines of communications, and
in preventing a rebel incursion across the frontier into
territory which had been wrenched from rebel authority
by the victories of 1862. Among the latter was the
Twenty-seventh. The regiment was posted in detach
ments at various places on the railway, not far from Jack.
son, Colonel Gilbert being in command of that post.
The colonel here won the high commendation of Gen-
eral Oglesby, commanding the left wing of the Sixteenth
corps, for his wise and energetic administration, which
was distinguished for the unrelenting system whereby
rich rebel inhabitants were compelled to contribute to
the support of indigent Union people who had been
driven from their homes and sought protection within our
lines.
On the fourth of June the regiment moved by cars to
La Grange, and thence by march to Moscow, where, and
in its vicinity, it spent two months in the performance of
duties similar to those it had performed at Jackson. The
monotony of camp life was frequently interrupted by the
attacks of guerilla men, but upon the whole, the period
was one of general and uninteresting quiet. Officers and
men chafed under the enforced inaction, and earnestly
wished to be taken directly against the enemy.
Marching orders were received on the twentieth of
August, and their wishes seemed in a fair way to be grati-
fied. Joyfully the regiment broke camp and marched to
Memphis to join Colonel True's detached brigade, which
went to the support of General Steele, then moving on
Little Rock, Arkansas. The command w-ent by trans-
ports from Memphis to Helena, whence it marched by
Clarendon to Duvall's Bluff. There it joined the army
under General Steele, and with it took part in the cam-
paign which resulted in the capture of Little Rock, on
the tenth of September. This campaign, though highly
creditable to General Steele and the troops under his
command, being sandwiched between that against Vicks-
burgh and that which sent the rebels whirling out of
Tennessee, it did not receive the eclat which otherwise it
would have received. The regiment remained opposite
Little Rock about two months, on guard and picket duty.
Colonel Gilbert, the most of the time being in command
of the brigade. On the fifteenth of November he moved
his command by rail to Duvall's Bluff, and, going thence
by steamers down the White and up the Mississippi river,
reported to General Hurlbut, commanding the Sixteenth
corps, at Memphis, near which city our regiment went
into quarters and there remained until near the close of
January, 1864.
Though the regiment did not actively take part in any
battle during the year 1863, its losses were considerable,
the great majority taking place during that period of suf-
fering already described. By death, discharge, and trans-
fer to the Invalid corps, since called Veteran Reserve
corps, the command lost one hundred and eighty-eight
men during the year. Before it left its quarters in Mem-
phis, which was before its term of service was half ex-
pired, it had ceased to bear upon its rolls the names of
two hundred officers and men, which were on them at
the organization of the regiment. Of these sixty-four
had died during the year 1863; one hundred and eight
had been discharged for disability, and sixteen had been
transferred to the Invalid corps.
On the twenty-sixth of January, 1864, the regiment
went aboard of transports and moved down the river to
Vicksburgh; and, as a component of the Second brig-
ade. Third division. Sixteenth corps (Colonel W. T. Shaw,
Fourteenth Iowa, commanding brigade), it took a part in
General Sherman's grand raid across the State of Missis-
sippi to Meridian, often skirmishing with the enemy, but
never having the opportunity fairly to fight him, and re-
turned to Vicksburgh on the fourth of March.
Halting a few days at Vicksburgh, it next moved by
transport with General A. J. Smith's detachment of the
Sixteenth corps, to take part in the Red River expedition
under Major General Banks. In many of the skirmishes
and general engagements of this unfortunate campaign,
our regiment took part. In the battle of Pleasant Hill,
in particular, where a brigade, composed almost exclu-
sively of Iowa troops, rolled back the tide of disaster
which might otherwise have engulfed the whole army,
the regiment was long and heavily engaged. "In look-
ing at that battle from the standpoint of actual observa-
tion," says a correspondent, "it would seem as if Gen-
eral Banks, alarmed at the disaster of the preceding
day, had concluded that some portion of the army must
be sacrificed for the preservation of the remainder; and
134
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
as if the grim old Shaw and liis Iowa brigade (for it was
composed of Iowa troops, except the Twenty-fourth Mis-
souri, which was partly made up of Iowa men) were se-
lected as the victims. The old hero, with a command of
less than one-tenth of the force in the field, met with
fully one-half the entire loss of the day, losing nearly one-
third of his entire command in killed and wounded, but
saved the army, and covered its retreat that night and
next day to Grand Ecore. Colonel Gilbert was wounded
in the hand during the afternoon, but remained on the
field throughout the engagement. Lieutenants Frank A.
Brush and S. O. Smith were severely wounded and taken
prisoners. Lieutenant Granger was also wounded.
Captain J. M. Holbrook, though twice severely wounded,
led his men with great gallantry. He lost an arm from
one of his wounds, but will never lose the admiration of
his men and fellow ofificers, who fought with him on that
day of carnage."
On the retreat from Grand Ecore to Alexandria, the
Twenty-seventh Iowa, as a part of the forces under Gen-
eral Smith covered the retreat of Banks all the way, dur-
ing which time it had several brisk engagements with the
enemy. On the last of April it moved to the rear of
Alexandria, near Governor Moore's plantation, and was
there engaged in continuous skirmishing with the enemy
for some ten days. Alexandria was burned and evacu-
ated on the thirteenth of May. The enemy constantly
annoyed the retreating column, and at Marksville a sharp
engagement, lasting two or three hours, took place, in
which the Twenty-seventh was under fire, but suffered
no loss. The battle of Bayou de Glaize, or Yellow
Bayou, as it is more commonly called, was fought on the
eighteenth of May. The engagement, which the rebels
admitted resulted in the severest defeat, for the number
engaged, which had befallen them west of the Missis-
sippi, continued nearly five hours, during the whole of
which our regiment was actively engaged, and suffered a
loss of four killed and thirteen wounded.
With the day after this combat closed a campaign
which was as remarkable for its ill success as any of the
war, but which exhibited the courage and indomitable
obstinacy of our troops — fighting by detachments, "on
their own hook," without a general capable of manoeu-
vring the whole army — in the highest possible degree. On
this day the regiment fired its farewell volley at a few
rebels hovering near the scene of the previous day's
fight, and crossing the Atchafalaya, moved to the mouth
of the Red river. The command here embarked on
steamers, went up the river to Mcksburgh, and there
went into camp for a few days' rest.
On the fourth of June it again left Vicksburgh as a
part of the forces under General A. J. Smith, to dislodge
the rebel Marmaduke, who, taking advantage of a bend
in the river similar to that at Vicksburgh, was blockadmg
the river at two points, close to each other by land, but
many tmies as far apart by water. By means of batteries
posted at Point Chicot, Greenville, about half way be-
tween Vicksburgh and Memphis, he was doing much
damage. He could attack a fleet passing up or down
the river twice from nearly the same line, fronting in
different directions. General Smith, disembarking his
forces at Sunnyside Landing, on the Arkansas shore, on
the sixth, marched through a drenching rain and attacked
Marmaduke, delivering his attack so suddenly and ener-
getically that the noted trooper was soon routed, and the
blockade of the river raised. In this spirited affair, in
which the losses were about one hundred and twenty-five
on each side, Colonel Gilbert commanded the brigade.
His regiment, being on the left of the line, where there
was but little firing, met with no loss.
Again the regiment went into camp at Memphis,
whence it moved, with the rest of the command, toward
the last of the month, on the Tupelo campaign, through-
out which Colonel Gilbert commanded a brigade, and
his regiment bore its full share of the labors, skirmishes,
battles, and hard marches of the expedition. In the bat-
tle of Tupelo, fought from 6 o'clock in the morning
till about noon of July 14th — a contest remarkable
among the battles of the war for the disparity of losses
to the contending forces, the Unionists sufifering compar-
atively little, whilst inflicting immense loss upon the en-
emy— the Twenty-seventh was heavily engaged, as it was
also at the battle of Old Town Creek, the next day.
The loss of the regiment in both engagements, was one
killed and twenty-five wounded.
Returning from this successful expedition to Memphis,
where a rest of nearly a fortnight was enjoyed, the regi-
ment next joined in the Oxford expedition under the
same commander; and, after considerable marching and
some skirmishing with the enemy, but no battle, it re-
turned to Memphis near the end of August.
Early in the following month the command moved
with General Smith's army to Cairo, and, after a short
stay, to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. The twenty-fifth
regiment was ordered to Mineral Point, to meet the
■ rebels under Price. Thence, after a slight skirmish, it
was ordered to De Soto, toward St. Louis, and soon af-
terwards to Jefferson Barracks. Thence it marched
with other forces in pursuit of Price, starting October
2nd. Major General Curtis, of Iowa, had the honor of
again defeating and demolishing his old enemy. Price;
and the Twenty-seventh, with the rest of the command,
returned to St. Louis, arriving on the eighteenth of No-
vember, having marched nearly seven hundred miles in
forty-seven days. It was a campaign of forced marches.
On the twenty-fifth the regiment moved again with
General Smith's forces, by transports to Cairo, and thence
to Nashville, Tennessee, where the command disem-
barked on the first of December, and was ordered to the
front, three miles from the city, to oppose the rebels
under Hood, defiantly moving against the capital. Gen-
eral Smith held the right of Thomas' forces, and the
Twenty-seventh was on the extreme left of General
Smith. On the fifteenth, Thomas moved from behind his
works, and attacked the enemy in his chosen, fortified
position, bringing on the battle of Nashville, which, con-
tinuing two days, was one of the most remarkable and
glorious victories that ever crowned the American arms.
In this engagement the Twenty-seventh, Lieutenant Col-
onel Jed. Lake commanding (Colonel Gilbert being in
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
135
command of a brigade), took a prominent part, entering
the rebel works as soon as any troops on their part of
the line, capturing guns and prisoners, and doing its
whole duty with a bravery and efficiency unsurpassed.
The regiment was the pivot of General Smith's army,
which, making a grand left wheel, swung round the ene-
my's left flank, fighting splendidly all the way, capturing
every fortification in its front, several lines of works, and
large numbers of prisoners. Colonel Gilbert and his
brigade won great edat; and, not long afterwards, the
colonel was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
The regiment joined in the pursuit of Hood and
marched southward as far as Pulaski. From thence it
proceeded to Clifton, on the Tennessee, arriving on the
second day of January, 1865. During the year just
closed there had been many changes in the regiijient. A
number of officers had resigned, whilst the command
had lost by death, discharge, and transfer, more than
eighty of its members. It had also received quite a
large number of recruits, so that it had on its rolls the
names of about eight hundred officers and men.
After a short stay at Clifton, the Twenty-seventh em-
barked on steamer and moved up the river to Eastport,
where it went into encampment. Nothing noteworthy
occurred during their stay here, save a reconnoissance to
luka and return. The ninth of February the tents were
again struck and the troops embarked for New Orleans.
Moving down the Tennessee, the Ohio, and the Missis-
sippi, the command disembarked at Chalmette, a short
distance below the Crescent city, on the twenty-first.
Having remained in camp a fortnight, it again embarked
and sailed down the river and across a part of the gulf
of Mexico to Dauphin Island, Alabama, on the sands of
which it went into encampment March 8th, to await the
concentration of troops for the campaign against Mobile,
under Major General Canby.
On the twentieth the regiment moved by transports
across Mobile bay, and ascending a river flowing in from
the east some twenty-five miles, disembarked, and on the
twenty-fifth was marching northward, with the troops com-
posing the Thirteenth and Sixteenth corps, moving
against Mobile. The march was enlivened by skirmishes,
and made laborious by what General Sherman would call
villainous roads. Reaching Sibley's Mills, the regiment
remained guarding the flank of our army investing Forts
Alexis and Spanish, till the second of April, when it was
sent out with the brigade. General Gilbert commanding,
on a reconnoissance, with the object also of opening up
communication with Major General Steele, about to in-
vest the works at Blakely. It was on this march that
General Gilbert narrowly escaped death from a torpedo,
which was buried in the road, and which was exploded
by his horse tramping over it. The incident is thus re-
lated by the correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette:
I had just crossed the brook when a loud explosion on the opposite
eminence, and at the head of the column, attracted my attention. I
supposed the enemy had opened on us with artillery, and that Captain
Rice would soon have an opportunity to try the range of his guns.
Pushing forward to the point where the explosion had taken place, I
saw a group of excited officers and men collected around General Gil-
bert. Several members of his staff were there with faces scorched by
heat and partially blackened with powder. Their hats and uniforms
were covered with sand. One horse lay dead beside the road, his belly
torn open and his bowels frightfully protruding; another, standing by,
had one leg broken and mangled, and was quivering with agony; two
or three other animals were more or less injured. Immediately in the
road, close by a pine stump, was a large hole, from which had been
scooped apparently a couple of bushels of sand. The cause of the
noise 1 had heard was now evident. \ torpedo had exploded in the
very midst of the group composed of the general and his staff, just as
they had commenced to move forward, after a temporary halt upon the
brow of the hill. The general's own animal had exploded the infernal
machine with his hind feet. A stunning report followed, and the whole
party were at once shocked, confused, and enveloped in a cloud of
dust. The horse upon which Lieutenant L. G. Stevenson, Fifty-eighth
Illinois, was riding was almost instantly killed, and the lieutenant
extricated himself with some difficulty from beneath the dying animal.
Lieutenant Eisenhart, Twenty-seventh Iowa, aide-de-camp to General
Gilbert, had his horse's leg broken, and was himself hurt and disfigured
by sand and powder diiven into his face. The horse of Lieutenant
George Childs, Tliirty-second Iowa, A. A. Q. M., was badly injured,
and himself scorched and stunned. Others were slightly hurt; and
others still (among whom your correspondent was conspicuous, although
at a considerable distance when the explosion took place) were badly
scared. General Gilbert, I am glad to say, was entirely uninjured, al-
though the sand was driven with such force against his horse as to start
the blood all along his sides. You may be certain that, in our further
movements that day, there was an air of caution and circumspection
not frequently observed.
General Gilbert moved with General Garrard's divis-
ion to the left of General Steele, now besieging Blakely.
The regiment did excellent service during the siege —
skirmishing by day, extending the parallels by night, all
the while under the fire of the enemy. These opera-
tions lasted until April 19th, when, with one company on
the skirmish line, the others in the main line of assault,
the regiment. Major Howard commanding, joined in the
charge, before whose impetuous onset the rebel works
and garrison fell into our hands, and the great rebellion
fell into irretrievable ruins. In this fine success General
Gilbert's brigade captured eight pieces of artillery and six
hundred prisoners, with a loss to itself of less than thirty
men, killed and wounded. General Gilbert, for his gal-
lant, skilful conduct of this brilliant operation, was again
recommended for promotion, which, no doubt, he would
at once have received, but for the cessation of hostilities.
He was brevetted a major general soon afterward.
In a few days the brigade was released from the duty
of garrisoning the fort, to which it had been assigned,
and joined the Sixteenth corps, marching on Mont-
gomery. This march, of two hundred miles, was rapidly
performed, and the regiment went into camp at the old
rebel capital on the twenty-seventh. Here the command
remained, awaiting orders for muster out more, than two
months. The twenty-third of June, General Gilbert is-
sued an elegant farewell order to his troops, and departed
for the north, bearing with him the benediction of all his
old comrades in arms. The regiment, having mean-
while transferred its recruits to the veteran Iowa Twelfth,
departed on the sixteenth of July; and, moving by
Selma, Meridian and Jackson, to Vicksburgh, there took
steamer, homeward bound. It was disbanded at Clin-
ton, Iowa, in the early part of August, Lieutenant Col-
onel Lake's farewell address being dated the eighth;
and the members of the Twenty-seventh separated after
journeys and marches of more than twelve thousand
miles, guarding their ever unfurled colors through sun-
136
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
shine, and storm, and battle, never once furling the hon-
ored emblem of our nationality, till the power of that
nationality had been everywhere restored by means of
the valor and endurance of the patriotic volunteers, such
as composed this, command.
LITERATURE OF THE WAR — SOLDIERS' LETTERS.
Buchanan county was exceptionally fortunate in the
literary, as well as military, character of its soldiers. VVe
fearlessly challenge any county history, published since
the war, to show a collection of war letters at all com-
parable with the following, either in quantity or quality.
Some of these letters would do no discredit to Russell,
or any other war correspondent that ever followed an
army. But it is their chief glory that their authors went
to the field not to write, but to fight. Like ,^'^neas,
Xenophon and Cresar, they told of scenes — "all of which
they saw, part of which they were."
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE GUARDIAN — LETTER NO. I.
Camp W.\rrkn, July 19, 1861.
Dear Gi'ARDI.\n: — Leaving Independence on the twelfth instant,
wearrived at Burlington on the following Sunday, and were immedi-
ately marched to the camp, which is about two miles from the city, on
the fair grounds. There are three regiments encamped here — Colonel
Lanman's, Colonel McDowell's, and last, though not least. Colonel
Worthington's, the Fifth. I think our regiment will compare favorably
with any that has been raised; and, when fully uniformed and drilled,
will be unsurpassed. The men composing the regiment are mostly
from the northern counties; and, among the officers, are some veterans
of long ser%ice and experience. Our colonel is a graduate of the
Lexington, Kentucky, military academy, and is a gentleman as well as
a soldier.
In a few days we hope to move to another ground, where bathing
and washing will be more convenient than at present. The regiments
are quartered in huts, each hut containing bunks for one hundred men
and a small hut immediately in the rear for the officers. In the morn-
ing, at 5 o'clock, the reveille is beaten from the colonel's quarters,
when the companies "fall in " for roll call, after which the men break
ranks, and wash and clean up the quarters. Next conies breakfast
call, and the companies are again formed and marched in two ranks to
breakfast. The dining-room is a rather extensive one. There are
about fifteen long tables, each capable of standing one hundred men.
Each man has a tin plate, cup, and knife and fork. The fare consists
of coffee, without milk or cream, bread, and meat for breakfast; the
same for dinner, minus the coffee, and adding bean soup; supper the
same as breakfast.
Drilling is going on constantly. There are officer drills, company
drills, and squad drills. Each company in our regiment drills four
hours a day in company, and the officers are drilled each day by the
colonel.
The first two or three nights the weather was pretty cold, and our
men, having no blankets, suffered somewhat; but yesterday the wel-
come intelligence came that some four hundred blankets had arrived,
and were to be immediately distributed. We obtained sufficient to
make the men comfortable, and hope to obtain the balance before
long. As soon as our arms and tents arrive we are to move and en-
camp in good shape. On our route hither we were well cared for.
Messrs. Allison and Conger did everything in their power to make the
boys comfort.able; and, on our arrival here, the captain of a company
which had preceded us, whose name I did not learn, generously gave,
up his dinner table to us. On the whole, I think our boys are doing
well. They are improving in drill, and are in good spirits. Some
few have been ailing, caused principally by change of water; but at
present there are only two, I think, at all sick, and there is no doubt
of their early recovery. As soon as we "get into the hang of things,"
1 will try and keep you posted in regard to our movements.
LETTER NO. II.
Camp 'Warren, July 24, 1861.
Dear Gu.aruian: — Since my last letter nothing of consequence has
transpired, with the exception of the change in the citing department.
The men now receive their rations, and cook them themselves. The
way we manage this is as follows: Every morning, at 5 o'clock, our
orderly reports to the quartermaster's department, and draws for the
use of the company the following provisions, being reckoned as one
hundred rations: One hundred and twenty-five pounds of fresh beef,
eight quarts of beans or ten pounds of rice, fifteen pounds of sugar,
one and one-fourth pounds of candles, four pounds of soap, one gallon
of vinegar, and two quarts of salt. These rations are for one day, and
are delivered to the cooks who superintend the cooking of them. Each
man is expected to take his turn as cook. The cooks for the present
week are Messrs. Bunce and Francis, and no better ones could be ob-
tained. No complaints have been made since they commenced, and
they should feel well satisfied that such is the case. After a meal, the
dishes are to be washed; and this is performed by squads, who take
turns according to their number.
Every other day we have to furnish from nine to fourteen men for
guards around the camp. They repair at the call to the place where
the guard is formed, each detachment as it arrives taking post on the
left of the preceding one, in open order. After the whole guard is
formed, which consists of ovei one hundred men, they are inspected
by the non-commissioned officers and the ranks closed, and marched
to relieve the old guard, who are drawn up at the guard, house. As
they arrive they take post on the right of the old guard, and the new
officer of the guard and the old officer of the guard advance and salute.
The new guard is then divided off into three reliefs, and the first sent
to relieve the sentries. The men are relieved in succession, commenc.
ing at the guard-house, and going around the entire camp. The meals
for the guard should be sent to the guard-house at a time when they
are relieved, or they stand but a poor chance of getting anything
to eat.
There are in this camp three regiments; whether full or not I have
not ascertained. Two companies came in this morning. Several of
the companies were not full on their arrival here, and it created a great
deal of trouble. I should advise no company to go into camp unless
they have the full complement of men. It is the height of folly to
expect to fill up in the river towns on the way.
Some of our men have no change of shirts, and it would conduce
to health, cleanliness, and comfort if these could be furnished. I hope
the citizens of Buchanan county will send enough to make up the bal_
ance. 'V\'e ha\'e been well provided for by them — better, I think, than
any company in the State, and we shall never forget their kindness and
thoughtfulness.
The disastrous news of the defeat of McDowell has caused a general
feeling of sorrow; but, in my opinion, it will only cause a renewed en-
ergy to manifest itself, and a firmer determination to push forward our
columns, and bring the war to a speedy close. God grant that it may
be done with the least possible bloodshed. But let the Government be
sustained, though it be at the cost of millions of lives and treasure. I
understand that the Sixth regiment is now organized. The colonel,
McDowell, who, by the way, is a brother of General McDowell, now
in Virginia, is a courteous and whole-souled gentleman, as you know;
and, what is of more importance at this time, a competent oflicer.
If our friends wish to send us the "good things," tell them they will
be received most thankfully. I can assure you our company is the
most orderly on the ground, as the report from the guard-house daily
shows. I will write as soon as anything transpires.
LETTER NO. III.
C.\MP 'W.VRREN, July 28, 1861.
Dear Guariii.-\n: — Hot, dry and dusty. Not a particle of moisture
have the clouds distilled for the past two weeks; and the earth, parched
and burnt, sends up volumes of dust to fill the eyes, ears, clothing, and
obstruct the respiratory passage of the pedestrian. With a strong
wind from the south, the nuisance acquires a tenfold intensity. Noth-
ing escapes it — books, papers, blankets, and the whole paraphernalia of
camp furniture speedily assumes a grayish hue. The cooks, poor fel-
lows, hang down their heads in a state of perfect despondency; for the
choice soup, over which they have made such great preparation, is apt
to be very strongly seasoned with a substance unknown to Mrs. Leslie
or Delnionico. Really, it would be quite a privilege if the God ^Eolus
would withhold his gentle breezes during dinner hour, and give us a
chance to eat without swallowing an unlimited quantity of dirt at every
meal. But there is nothing like campaigning to give a good appetite:
and though there might have been some fastidious individuals at first,
with squeamish stomachs, they can now walk boldly up to the hos-
pitable board, and bolt their food with the gale blowing its biggest
guns. We have already eaten our peck of earth, and shall make quite
a hole in another if we stay here much longer. But we are gradually
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
137
petting habituated to our new mode of life, and find that many evils
with which we were threatened, have no existence but in the imagina-
tion. The greatest difficulty we have experienced is to overcome the
sense of loneliness one feels when separated from the gude folks at
home. But we shall enjoy their society all the better when we return.
Nearly all the party have regained their buoyancy of spirits, and are
ready and eager to get sight of a secesher. Whether the wish will be
gratified very soon or not, remains to be seen.
On Friday, the twenty-si.xth instant, our regiment was reviewed by
the governor, who expressed great satisfaction at our appearance. It
was quite an imposing sight. Immediately behind us were drawn up
the Si.xth and Seventh regiments, in battalion, extending in long parallel
lines from north to south, and commanded by their respective colonels.
The governor passed in front of each battalion, receiving the military
salute, which was maintained by all until he had passed the distance of
six paces. -As soon as the review was completed, the parade was dis-
missed, and the companies marched to quarters under the command
of their sergeants. There are so many flying and contradictory re-
ports iu camp, that it is safe not to place too much confidence in any
of them. The latest one is that the colonel will march us to Keokuk
as soon as our tents and blankets arrive. Quite probable; for our
crowded condition here renders a removal to some more advantageous
place highly desirable. New companies are arriving continually.
One from Eddyville came last night. The Seventh regiment now lacks
but one company of their full complement, and that will be here shortly.
With such a crowd in camp, you may be sure we have lively times.
The most interesting spectacle is to see the scramble every morning and
evening at the commissariat department for rations. Here struggles a
soldier with a heavy quarter of beef. There another is smiling with
delight at having procured his regluar supply of coffee and sugar — an-
other more fortunate than the rest, has mounted the shoulders of
his comrades, and, thrusting his mess-kettle in at the door, yells loudly
for beans. None are compelled to wait long, and everything passes off
with the best of humor. Indeed, taking into account the number of per-
sons here assembled, of different tastes and dispositions, 'tis miraculous
that there has not been more rows and fights in general. I have not
yet heard of a single instance. Liquor is strictly prohibited from being
brought upon the ground, a most beneficent and salutary measure; for
with the dreaded firewater free for all to partake, we should have a
pandemonium in earnest.
There are several beautiful residences near our camp, occupied by
some of the oldest and most respectable families in the State. One, a
large brick mansion situated about a mile west of us, is a model in
point of external decoration. Flowers of the rarest and most beauti-
ful hue, fill the air with their fragrance, while apple and pear trees bend
beneath their load of luscious fruit. It is a general stopping place for
our company; and, by some means, we chance to be great favorites with
its inmates. This, I suppose, may be attributed, in a great measure,
to the efforts of a young ma.i in our behalf, who. becoming tiled of the
hum and roar of camp, went up there one sultry afternoon to write
some letters. By what means he succeeded in ingratiating himself and
company, none can tell; but certain it is that we were treated the next
day to a couple of pailfuls of iced buttermilk, with the promise of hav_
ing more whenever convenient. Our reputation is established, in camp
and country, as being quiet, orderly and chivalrous; and I hope that
we may maintain it.
While I write, "Old Sol" is darting down his fiercest rays, render-
ing our tent of boards anything but a cool place. O, for just one good
blast from the north pole, to revive drooping nature, and freeze up a
few of these accommodating musquitoes; which magnanimous insects
are ever ready to greet your ears w ith a serenade, the moment the shades
of night begin to fall. Last evening we were full of expectation. A
large, portentous cloud arose in the northwest, which seemed to promise
rain. After remaining stationary for awhile, and tantalizing us with its
broad proportions, which contained the liquid fountains we were ihirst-
ing for, it slowly passed over to the east, giving to the parched and
burning earth beneath it, "nary drop." I have finally come to the
conclusion that rain is not necessary to the maintenance of animal or
vegetable life, and that washing the face and hands is a superfluous act,
which can be dispensed with without injury to the health or beauty of
any person. Most of the boys have gone to church, leaving me and
three or four others, to guard tent and write letters. As to me, I feel
satisfied with a discourse I heard yesterday. The speaker, an intelli-
gent minister belonging to the Seventh regiment, took his position near
the door of our tent, and was listened to for nearly an hour by the men,
with rapt attention. The exercises closed by the singing of Old Hun-
dred, that grand, majestic anthem, which to me never sounded so well
before. Tears were in the eyes of many as they caught up and swelled
the noble strain, and thoughts of friends and dear ones far away came
over my mind thick and fast, as when a child I had listened to the same
plaintive air in the village church of my eastern home.
News has just arrived that General Lyon has made a requisition
upon the authorities of this State for troops — but how shall we be able
to comply without arms? Yours truly,
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. IV.
Lamp Warren, August 2, 1861.
Mr. Editor. — Still in the same old quarters, hotter than ever, and
the dust gradually on the increase. Muttered grumblings, low and
deep, are heard among the men, at the not very pleasant prospect of
being confined here two or three weeks longer, with a scarcity of water,
and nothing of an exciting character to do.
Last Monday was a period of great excitement. We had just re-
turned from company drill, ready to hear and believe anything that
promised to break up the monotony of this eating, sleeping, drilling
life, when we were informed that the colonel had given us orders to be
ready to march for Keokuk by four o'clock the next morning. To say
that we were pleased would be using a very tame expression. The
guards fairly shouted in the exuberance of their joy, and commenced
packing up their "duds" in double-quick time. Those who had been
at the trouble of putting up shelves, as a depository for various arti-
cles, were but too glad to take them down again, consign the whole
within paper wrappers, and label them for Keokuk. But alas for the
uncertainty of human expectations! The fates had ordained that we
should not leave this camp, with its beautiful surroundings and clouds
of dust so soon. Besides the beef contractor has still some pretty
tough specimens of superannuated cattle, which, when served up for
the table, demand our utmost energy and perseverance to conquer ;
and it will not answer to leave an unsubdued enemy in the rear.
On the evening parade the colonel stated that it would be impossi-
ble to make the necessary arrangements for marching in so short a
time, but that we should probably leave in a few days. In the mean-
time we are to drill, and arrive at as great a degree of proficiency as
possible. We shall have no time to spare ; for, judging from present
indications, we shall soon be called into active service. The guns have
not arrived, but they are daily expected. Report says they are to be
rifles.
Wednesday, the thirty-first, was a gala day in camp. The sun rose
in all his brilliancy, and the drums beat their liveliest reveille from the
colonel's quarters. Fligs innumerable waved from tents, and officers
arrayed in blue broadcloth with shining buttons, tripped quickly to
and fro. Something unusual was on the tapis — perhaps an unruly
secesher had been caught, and was about to be made an example of, or
a homesick youth had broken guard, and struck out with his "tallest
licks" for home— but no; a party of excursionists from Mt. Pleasant,
situated about twenty-five miles west of here, had come with the amia-
ble intention of paying us, benighted heathen, a visit. Through the
gate and over the ground they poured in a long continuous stream of
young and old, short and tall, men and women, girts and youths.
Some carried on their arms huge baskets, which our voracious appe-
tites, sharpened by the weir and tear of masculine beef for two weeks,
readilv detected as conveying odors that could proceed only from fried
chickens, currant jellies, and other nice "fixins." Of course the wind
could not resist so tempting an opportunity to blow, and blow it did,
with a force and fury which that venerable personage, "the oldest in-
habitant," never saw surpassed. Dust rolled triumphantly through the
passages and into the tents, converting the immediate whiteness of the
ladies collars into a pepper and s.alt mixture, and interfering, in a most
audacious manner, with their favorite hoops. Faces, which but an
hour ago could rival the lily in purity, were reduced to a dubious gray .
while silks and satins no longer gleamed and rustled in the sunshine.
"Ah I then and there was hurrying to and fro,
And gatherings of distress" —
not to the battle-field, however, but to the old fair building, there to
mourn, and counsel themselves over the wreck of dilapidated hoops,
broken parasols, and the mutability of things in general. I kindly of-
fered to assist a rosy damsel with her shawl, just out of pure benevo-
lence, you know, but her " lovyer, " a great strapping fellow, looked
daggers at me, and intimated that my services were not needed. Con-
cluded that they weren't, and "sloped." But, despite these inconven.
iences, they appeared to enjoy themselves, and in their interest in their
soldier friends, crumpled muslin, soiled silks, and all other discomforts
were forgotten. It was a joyful meeting between many — mothers em-
138
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
braced sons, and pulled out, from the deep recesses of their pockets'
many a little keepsake, from the household pets at home. Fathers
tried to preserve their selfpossession, but the moistened eye and husky
voice betrayed them. Sweet angels in calico would recognize among
the soldiers a cousin or a brother, and rushing forward with a cry .of
delight, bestow on them a hearty kiss. And lovers there were, who
exchanged any quantity of !es doiix _iv«-v— and why not? " It is ever
the bravest in war, who are fondest and truest in love." This was the
hardest of all to bear. Our boys could take the double-quick for half a
day, and never tire ; sleep on straw, and rise in the morning ready to do
or dare as much as any other men ; but to see so many bright eyes and
smiling glances, and know that none of them were intended for us,
was too much for our nature. At least, so I felt, as I sought my bunk
and vainly endeavored to compose my mind to read a tract which
some anxious friend had left me, entitled: "The way to do good."
Read for a while and came to the conclusion to go and divide my to-
bacco among the boys, as most of them were out, and 1 wanted to do
a little good. But we, too, had been remembered, and were not, after
all, the neglected and dejected company we imagined. One of the
boys rushed up to me, half frantic, with a splendid cake in his arms,
to which was appended a note, requesting him to distribute it among
the guards. Yes, the good folks of Independence had again taxed
their generosity, and here were the fruits. Butter and cheese, cakes
and pies, and other things too numerous to mention, were brought to
light. Last, but not least, came tobacco ; and the way the boys
shouted and poured forth thanks, was a convincing proof that they
had no particular ill-will toward the donors. We had a royal dinner
for that day, at least. Cake and cheese were placed at each plate,
with now and then a dish of yellow butter. The sergeants kindly vol-
unteered to act as waiters, and when everything was ready, and the
word given to charge, you ought to have seen the firm and intrepid
manner in which they came up to the board and demolished the eata-
bles. Many thanks, also, for the papers. They were as refreshing as
a shower upon the desert. Even the love stories of the Ledger proved
quite interesting, and served to wile away many an hour. .Anything in
the shape of reading matter is acceptable.
Five deserters were arrested the other day, and brought into camp.
There were two sergeants, two corporals, and one high private. They
escaped from the second regiment now stationed in Missouri. They
were securely bound and taken to the guard-house. I was unable to
learn their names, but they were fine, intelligent looking men. They
complained bitterly of hard fare and harder treatment. The example
appears to be infectious. Two of our— I wont say men— gave us the
slip last night. A squad was detailed to search for them, but returned
with no tidings. Telegraphic dispatches have been sent, and the po-
lice are on the alert. I have not time or space to go into particulars.
Their names are Sanford Hamilton and Wesley Williams. • •
Yours,
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. V.
BUKI.INGTON, August 3, 8}< P. M.
Friend Rich: — The Fifth regiment started this evening at dark for
"Dixie's Land," and at this hour we are in Burlington, awaiting a
boat to convey us thitherward. I seize the present moment, simply to
inform you of the fact, not intending to write you a lengthy letter.
At 2 o'clock this afternoon we received marching orders, since
which time the camp of the Fifth has been a scene of unusual hurry
and bustle. Upon receiving thcabove orders the tents of the Guards
rang with deafening cheers, which increased in intensity up to the
time of leaving Camp Wairen, at which time the camp presented a
scene of the wildest enthusiasm that I ever witnessed; and this not
only in our own regiment, but through the Sixth and Seventh, which, at
our departure, saluted us with the most deafening cheers, heartfelt
wishes for our success, and earnest desires for a speedy reunion with
our columns in a more southern clime.
We expect to stop at Keokuk for two or three days, or possibly one
week, but not longer; when we are to advance into Missouri to take
the place of the First Iowa regiment, whose term, as you are aware,
has almost expired. In proficiency of drill we are, of course, far
inferior to the First, but as to patriotism and ardent devotion to the
cause in which w^e are engaged, that is excelled by none in the service.
Our "boys" are in excellent spirits, and are only anxious to push
forward the work which we have so much at heart — the crushing of the
rebellion. There are only two cases of slight indisposition in the
company, and all are with the regiment except two, viz: Sanford
Hamilton and Wesley Williams, of Spring Creek, who yesterday
basely and cowardly deserted the company— of whom more anon.
The company learned with regret of Captain Lee's sickness, and all
join in wishing him a speedy recovery and early reunion with our ranks
We yesterday received the splendid present of luxuries from the ladies
of Independence; but, in the hurry of to-day, have failed to acknowl-
edge the receipt of the same. It will be attended to at our earliest
leisure. Meantime tender to the liberal donors, grateful and sincere
thanks from the Guards.
Very truly, your friend,
A. B. L.
LETTER NO. VI.
Keokuk, August 4, 1861.
Deak Gu.^KDl.^N: — In my last I stated that our regiment had just
received marching orders for Keokuk. Many of the boys were dis-
posed to consider it a hoax, as we had been deceived' so often before.
But it was true, and at eight o'clock p. M. we struck tents and left
Camp Warren for Burlington, where we were to take boat for Fort
Madison. A large amount of our equipage, consisting of cartridges,
uniforms, etc., had already arrived, and before that and the rest of our
baggage could be conveyed on board, it was twelve o'clock. Two
large barges w^ere attached to either side of the steamer, and the troops
filed on board, filling the boat from stem to stern. Reached Fort
Madison at half past three A. M., and took the cars. The train was
so heavily loaded that it was next to impossible for the engine to move
it. Finally succeeded in reaching Keokuk without any serious acci-
dent or loss other than our breakfast, and went into quarters. We are
now stationed in a large store room, with good conveniences for cook-
ing, and manage to make ourselves comfortable. The boys were over-
joyed at leaving Camp Warren, and appear to be well suited with their
present quarters. The sixth regiment arrived last night. The kindest
courtesy is extended to us all by the citizens. A report was circulated
yesterday that a party of secessionists have caused trouble on the
Keokuk & Des Moines railroad, eighteen miles from here. They are
getting quite troublesome in the northern part of Missouri, and it is
probable that we shall be called there as soon as our guns arrive, which
will be by the first of the week. Weather is excessively hot, but I have
not heard of much sickness among the men.
In great haste, yours,
■ C. I. R.
LETTER NO. VII.
Keokuk, August 7, 1861.
Since my last, we have had a slight touch of grim old war, but have
passed through the ordeal safe and unharmed, and are ready to report
all what we did or saw on the momentous occasion. Rumors to the
effect that a large party of Missourians had assembled for the purpose
of making an attack on Athens, a small town on the Keokuk, Des
Moines ».^- Missouri railroad, had been some time in circulation, but
were generally discredited. On Monday, the fifth instant, news came
that severe fighting was going on, and that the Union forces were hard
pressed and required help. We had as yet received no arms, but suc-
ceeded in procuring the loan of some old cap-lock muskets, which were
kindly lent us by the State until we could get rifles. By 9 o'clock nine
companies from the Fifth and Sixth regiments were on board of the
cars and steaming away for the land of Secessia. Many citizens, some
with double shot .guns and revolvers, accompanied, also a brass band.
We were cheered tremendously at starting, and on the route maidens
fair smiled upon us. Old ladies tottered to the doors and waved their
night caps, or any other articles that they could get hold of, vigorously,
while cheer upon cheer, caught up and prolonged by a thousand
throats, were wafted over the waters of the Mississippi. We passed
up the valley of the Des Moines river, through a low and broken coun-
try, but sparsely timbered and poorly watered, and but little of the
land in a state of cultivation. . . . Not a farmer did we
see in the fields, not a carriage upon the roads; but, in lieu thereof,
sentries and squads of cavalry. At every turn it looked warlike. Ar-
riving within two miles of .\thens, the train stopped and the five com-
panies of the Fifth regiment, with citizens, left the train, while the com-
panies belonging to the Sixth proceeded at once to Athens. We forded
the Des Moines at this point, and marched up the left bank, while the
Sixth was to outflank the rebels if possible, attacking them both in
front and rear. We had gone but a short distance when we were met
by a party of horsemen, who informed us that the Missourians, sixteen
hundred strong, under the lead of McGofiin, it was supposed, had at-
tacked them at 4 o'clock that morning, but had been repulsed by Col-
onel Moore, and were then in retreat towards the south. Lieutenant
Colonel Matheis, who had command of one division, gave orders for
immediate pursuit, as the seceshers wers supposed to be encamped at
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
139
no great distance. We marched five or si.x miles, and finding no
traces of them, bivouacked for the night on a smooth, open prairie,
and awaited new developments. Here we learned from reliable author-
ity that the rebels were si.\teen miles distant, and in full retreat. As
most of their force was mounted, it was folly to think of continuing the
pursuit. In the morning we returned to .Athens and rejoined the Sixth.
Here we saw- many evidences of the fight that had taken place. . .
The Si.xth regiment will remain here for a time. The Fifth returned to
Keokuk, and will probably start for St. Louis in a few days. I find I
have omitted many important particulars, but have no time to write
further.
Respectfully yours,
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. VIII.
On Board STE.'VMiiR W.\r E.\gle, )
August 14, 1861, opposite St. Louis. )
Editor Gu.^RDIAN:— Left Keokuk on the steamer Di Vernon Sun-
day morning, the eleventh instant, for St. Louis. There were five com-
panies of men, and one hundred mules on board, the latter bemg des-
tined for baggage service. Our trip down was as pleasint as could be
e.\pected, though the crowded condition of the boat did not offer many
comforts. The hard sea biscuit and raw ham galled the conscience of
many of the soldiers. In the evening we had a violent shower, the
rain pouring down in torrents, running in miniature floods from the
quarter and forecastle decks, and completely deluging many a luckless
fellow, who was awakened by a stream of water pouring around his
ears. Owing to the low stage of the river, our progress was but slow,
being compelled to take a sudden turn every few moments to avoid
some treacherous sandbar. Reached St. Louis the ne.xt day, and in-
stead of being marched to quarters, as we expected, were immediately
transferred to the Jennie Dean, a Government packet, and started for
Jefferson Barracks, twelve miles below, where we remained all night on
board. The next day we landed on the river bank, with the expecta-
tion of staying a couple of weeks, at least. But no; we were ordered
to hold ourselves in readiness for marching at a moment's notice, and
this morning took to the water once more for Boonville.
Looking over the Daily Bulletin, a secession sheet, I saw this morn-
ing a notice of a great battle fought in the southern part of this State,
in which the Federal forces were reported completely routed, and Gen-
eral Lyon killed. We hardly believe it as yet. Should it prove true,
however, the most of the troops in the northern part of the State, with
the exception of the Fifth regiment, will be withdrawn to support Gen-
eral Sigel. General Fremont is now at St. Louis, and is using the most
vigorous measures.
Our boat is dismantled of all her furniture, and everything put in
order.
The officer of the day has just come into the cabin, saying that we
are bound for Lexington, distance three hundred and fifty miles from
here. . . . The boys are all well — everyone. Mail just going, so
good bye.
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. IX.
Jefferson City, Missouri, .August i6th, )
On board the steamer War Eagle. J
Friend Rich: — . . . This is our third day out, and we are
still steaming over the turbid waters of the Missouri. Of all the dirty,
ill-looking streams I ever saw. this is the worst. A pailful of water will de-
posit a sediment an inch in depth. We are compelled to use it, however,
for drinking and culinary purposes, and in justice, I must say that it is
far better than it looks. It is healthier and pleasanter to the taste than
that furnished by its illustrious brother, the Mississippi. The banks in
places are low, and fringed with a thick undergrowth of vines and
willow bushes, which make a jungle almost impenetrable for man or
beast. In other places the banks rise in rocky bluffs to the height of a
hundred feet or more from the surface of the water, and are covered
with a heavy giowth of cottonwood and sycamore trees, which are the
principal timber.
The chief towns between St. Louis and Jefferson City, are Washing-
ton and Harmon, each containing between four and five thousand white
inhabitants, and any quantity of negroes. The latter class, as far as I
have seen, appear to be well dressed and to enjoy a certain degree of
independence, for which they may thank Claiborne Jackson, and others
of a like stamp, who, in seeking to pin them forever to a southern con-
federacy, have brought in a set of fellows to aid the Goveminent in
their unconditional liberation. Said an intelligent darkey to me the
other day :
"We hab easier times now, massagwine to give us our freedom be-
fore we be contrabens. Uis chile fights for de Union, you see."
And away he went humming the "Star Spangled Banner." Many
of them since the war began are thrown out of employment, and hang
heavily upon the hands of their masters, who would be heartily glad to
dispose of them if they could. A good, whole-souled Christian slave
trader in St. Louis has an advertisement in to-days paper, in which he
kindly offers to sell a couple of fat, bacon-fed niggers at a loss of forty
per cent., stating as his reason for so doing, that business of an imper-
ative nature demands his immediate presence south.
The Missouri & Pacific railroad here follows the river for the whole dis-
tance, and must have been constructed at great expense, there being
heavy grading and blasting through solid rock. Three different bridges
have been burned by the secessionists on this route, but they are now
all rebuilt stronger and more substantial than ever, and guards are
stationed at the distance of every mile. At the towns we passed, the
"Stars and Stripes" were waving, and cheers for the Union were given.
All appeared overjoyed at the appearance of our troops, while not a
single representative of Jeff Davis appeared. Union men are becom-
ing inspired with confidence in the power and determination of the
Federal Government, and the reign of tyrants and terrorism that has
hitherto held the good and loyal citizens of the State in restraint is
drawing to a close. The disunionists either leave or preserve a respect-
ful silence. Many of them are still in St. Louis, but the presence of
General Fremont with a large military force, and the fact that he has
proclaimed the city to be under martial law since the fourteenth instant,
has had a most salutary effect. I caught a glimpse, and a glimpse
only, of the general while we were lying at St. Louis. He was sitting
in a carriage, watching the embarking and departure of the troops. I
was not near enough to get a distinct view of his features, but contented
myself with gazing long and fixedly upon the stovepipe hat that graced
his head.
Much grief is manifested at the death of General Lyon. His noble
efforts in behalf of the Government, and the wisdom he displayed in
preparing the campaign, have enshrined his memory in the heart of
every patriot citizen. Instead of becoming discouraged at our recent
defeat at Springfield, for you can call it nothing else, the War Depart-
ment is making more gigantic preparations than ever. It is hkely
that General Fremont will start soon with a fleet of gnn-boats down
the Mississippi to Bird's Point, while General Siegel and other com-
manders will cooperate from different portions of the State.
LETTER NO. X.
Jefferson Citv, August 17, 1861.
Bright and beautiful is the opening day. and the sun, as he gently
rises from behind the bank of fog that is curling upward in fantastic
wreaths from the bosom of the broad Missouri, lights up with a mild
radiance hill and valley, and falls with a golden lustre upon the cupola
of the capitol, from the dome of which is suspended in proud triumph
the stars and stripes. ... The principal objects of inter-
est in Jefferson City are the capitol and penitentiary buildings. The
former stands upon a high bluff, commanding a fine view of the sur-
rounding country, and is built of limestone. The Second lUinois brig-
ade is quartered there with two pieces of artillery. The long and lofty
senate chamber no longer echoes the sounds of violent political discus-
sions, the rustling of papers, and the beat of the speaker's mallet.
They have given way to the tramp of the sentry, the click of the mus-
ket, and the ringing sound of the bayonet. In the rooms once occupied
by the tr.iitor Jackson and his confreres, plotting the dissolution of the
Union, are now quartered the volunteer defenders of their assailed
'°""''>'' Sunday, August i8th.
Started this morning for Lexington, but had proceeded but a short
distance when we were met by the steamers McDowell and White
Cloud, having on board the Fifth Missouri regiment. They had been
fired into about two miles above, and one of their number killed. After
a short consultation our boats returned with the others to JeB'erson
City, where we are now stopping.
The young hero who was " off for the war " already in the harness.
LETTER NO. XI.
Camp Douglas, Chicago, August 17, 1861.
Friend Rich; — Everybody now-a-days is supposed to be interested
in the welfare of "our boys, " and everybody wants to know all about
them. There are, of course, two sides to a soldier's life, and when a
glowing picture is painted there is a natural curiosity to see the con-
trasting shades. As I am not under restrictions, I shall endeavor to
140
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
present the truth unvarnished. Let me say, at the start, that a soldier
in camp has no time to pohsh his letters, and were I not aware of the
charity of your readers, I should hesitate to comply with your request
to write occasionally for the Guardian.
I have now been in barracks with the Douglas brigade two weeks.
How 1 came here need not be detailed. A personal iiarative is not my
object, and would not interest your readers. This regiment, called by
license the Douglas brigade, has been collecting for several weeks, and
comprises at present nine hundred men. These are divided into four-
teen companies, only a few of which are full. The smaller companies
will probably combine, and the regiment be fully organized next week.
Our camp is beautifully situated in an oak grove, three and a half miles
south of Lake street, and near the lake shore. We are quartered in
rough board shaiities, having two rows of bunks, one above the other
on each side, each shanty large enough to accommodate a full com-
pany. The bunks are hlled uith good, sweet hay, and for those of us
accustomed, from choice, to lie on the floor during the summer months,
are positively luxurious. I have no complaints to make of our quar-
ters. We have been furnished with warm blankets, and no one need
suffer from exposure. I will here state that the regiment is organizing
under the auspices of the General Government. The requisition for
arms and uniforms was made some time since, but we have not been
able to discover much of what the papers term "characteristic energy,"
so far as supplying them is concerned. We have received our blankets,
and shoes for those entirely destitute; but we otherwise present every
characteristic of the "ragged regiment." We hear rumors that our
uniforms are about to be contracted for in Chicago, which does not
look like an immediate provision. The boys are very patient, how-
ever, and I am surprised that there are so many noble souls here. As
a general thing the boys seem inspired by a devoted patriotism, and
conduct themselves accordingly ; but it must be confessed that there
are here a large number who are actuated by baser motives ; and it is
among these that the grumblers are almost invariably found.
We have plenty to eat. To be sure the coffee is sometimes dis-
covered to be compounded of burnt beans, acorns, and vanous other
untropical ingredients, and the bread is occasionally a little sour, but
we all know it to be the fault of the virtuous contractors, and not of
our officers, and so we grin and bear it. One great fault in the com-
missary department of the army generally is the failure to supply fresh
vegetables in line place of some of our salt meat rations. We cannot
even get good potatoes, and are hereafter to be confined to regular
rations, which consists of meat, bread, rice or beans, sugar, coffee,
soap, salt, vinegar and candies. The above list includes all our allow-
ances, with the exception of a little pepper and wood. We are not
even to be allowed, as heretofore, to trade off a portion of our villain-
ous salt pork for molasses and sugar. We expect the scurvy in a few
days, but we shall endure it all without grumbling — if we can. The
temptation is certainly very strong when one is fortunate enough to
get a pass for town, to spend one's money simply to get a change of
diet. But I expected all this, and have no fault to find so far as I am
concerned ; but it makes my heart ache to see men suffering from sick-
ness caused by the want of food which could be provided without ex-
pense to the Government; for we would willingly give half of our meat
rations for good new potatoes alone. This letter is already too long,
and I will close with the statement, that the name of this regiment
seems not to have been taken into consideration at all by the men en-
listing. I suppose there are as many known as Republicans as there
are of Douglas Democrats composing it. We are all of one name —
Americans.
J. L. LoOMis.
LETTER NO. XII.
Jefferson City, August 27, 1861.
Friend Rich : — In your last issue, that is, the last received here, I
noticed among the telegraphic items a statement in regard to our
being fired into while coming up the river. This is a mistake. The
much-looked-for pleasure of smelling " Secesh" powder has not yet
been given us. After travelling nearly, or quite, one thousand miles,
and enduring some, at least, of the privations of a soldier's life, we
have yet to tell that we have had ' 'nary scratch" of "real fun." How
soon we may is uncertain, but the prospect is good at present.
The mistake above mentioned occurred on this wise; While on our
way up the river, about fifty miles above here, we met two steamers
carrying the Fifth Missouri regiment of three months' volunteers, whose
time was out and who were going home. They said they had been
fighting all day, the rebels firing from the timber which lines the shores,
and running away on any landing being made for the purpose of en-
gaging them. The Fifth Missouri lost one man killed .and four or five
wounded.
Not having any artillery, our officers deemed it best to return here
and send to St. Louis for some. On arriving at this place the next
morning (Sunday, i8th), our orders to proceed to Lexington were
countermanded, and we have remained here since. Tents have been
distributed to six companies of our regiment, E being one of the lucky
ones. The other four are quartered in houses. The health of all is
good, and we are as happy a set of fellows as you would find on a
summer day. Postage stamps are in great demand, many of the boys
being utterly unable to obtain any, and therefore can not write to the
"girl they left behind them." And, in fact, I should be very unwilling
to narrate the manner in which I drew the one which will ornament
the outside of this letter. Nothing is ever stolen, begged, or borrowed
here, but if a man wants anything which is comeatable, he is sure to
"draw" it.
The blankets furnished us are very warm and comfortable, but no
protection against rain. Indeed, the principles of capillary attraction
are not better illustrated by the sponge. Money is generally looked
upon as filthy lucre, unworthy the notice of "brave soldiers." We
have to-day drawn each a pair of new pants, a cap and a canteen. The
pants and cap are blue, and a fair specimen of swindling contracts.
The giay ones are generally much the worse for wear, and will soon
be laid aside. I shall not part with mine without regret, they being a
perpetual reminder of scenes gone by and friends far away.
But my letter is already too long — so long I fear you will not find
space for it. But if you will publish the part of it relating to the kill-
ing, you will much oblige all of us, as we wish it to be distinctly under-
stood that we are all here.
O. J. M. Fuller.
LETTER NO. XIII.
Camp Os.^ge, Missouri, August 31, 1861.
Editor Guardian: — Fortune favors the brave, they say, but I am
consoled in the thought that there are exceptions to the general rules,
or 1 should not have been placed upon picket guard to-day, to with-
stand the scorching rays of the sun. Companies B, C, E, and F, o'
the Fifth, are at this post for the purpose of guarding the Osage bridge,
which has been twice burned by the secessionists. The bridge is a
noble structure, a quarter of a mile in length, well worth guarding.
The otherportion of the regiment is at Jefferson City. We left there
on Wednesday, the twenty-eighth, with three days' rations, and expect
to return to-morrow, as our time will be out and some other companies
will be called in our place. At the risk of being called particular, 1
will say that this is a miserable hole, where grim-visaged musquitoes be-
set us at every turn, and an army of fleas are in league with Claib
Jackson in trying to drive us from the land. There is only one redeem-
ing feature here, and that is the fruit, of which there are great quantities.
.\pples, peaches and pears are not considered a luxury with us.
There can be no secession force near here, as the country has been
thoroughly traversed by scouting parties. Yesterday I was out on a
scout under Corporal Woodruft'. We went up the Missouri several
miles, to the timber, to the plantation of an old secesher. Came in
contact with his orchard, but not with him. The orchard, of course,
was a part of Secessia, and putting a large quantity of apples under
guard, was doing our duty. We saw one of his negroes who was
mighty free to express his opinion on the impending ciisis. He said
he was thirty-five years old; had lived where he was ever since he was
born, and withal appeared to like to be a nigger.
The boys are in excellent spirits, and, with two or three exceptions,
are all well. Tuesday Uncle Sam furnished us pants and caps toward
our unifoim, which was very much needed by some of the companies.
The Fifth regiment receive their pay to-day or on Monday next.
Yours, etc.,
S. A. Reed.
LETTER NO. XIV.
Camp Defiance, Jefferson City, Missouri, September 7, i86r.
Friend Rich; — A copy of the Guardian, dated August 27th, lies
before me, and you may be sure its contents were read with pleasure.
Nothing is sought after with more avidity by the company than a
perusal of its columns; and it becomes almost necessary, at times, to
have a guard stationed over one in order to keep it. By it we learn
that Captain Hord has left with a gallant company for the seat of war.
May they ever sustain the high expectations that have been formed of
them; and nobly vindicate the cause of truth and liberty. .
Camp life, as well as every other, has its different phases or classes of
society. First, there's your sober, sedate peace-loving fellows, who
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
141
smoke their pipes, read papers, nnd spin mojt intermii.able yarns of
an evening, by the niess-fires. They are quite sensitive in regard to
forming new associations, and allow none but a favored few to come
within their circle. Between meals, the time that is not consumed in
reading and smoking, is usually devoted to inventing some new and
savory stew, where\\i[h to tempt their own appetites, or gain the ap-
probation of some commissioned officer; number two are perfectly con-
tented to take things as they are, and never trouble themselves to go
beyond the list of luxuries provided for them by the commissary gen-
eral and sutler. To wash their faces, comb their hair, and groan for
the sight of an orchard tilled with peaches and apples, is their principal
employment when off duty; number three differ from both of these.
It is immaterial to them whether they eat more than once a day or
not, while washing and other refining processes are by universal con-
sent regarded as barbarous piactices, and never to be indulged in, ex-
cept when the colonel foolishly insists on their performance. Their
acme of human felicity is attained when in possession of a pack of
cards, a plug of tobacco, and a five cent ante. This class is generally
styled the fancy me=s, and though many of them are whole-souled fel-
lows, they are generally let alone by all those who wish to get the best
end of a joke. . . . To be sure, the inmates of sundry hen-
roosts, cry out for vengeance against them, but the broth of their con-
fiscated and slaughtered companions has served to invigorate the
weakened frame of many a homesick fellow, and it certainly must be
right in the sight of all who like to see foraging done up on the square.
August 28. — Four companies of our regiment received orders to
march down to the Osage, eight miles below here, to guard the railroad
bridge, which had been threatened by the rebels. We went aboard
the cars and reached our destination at 12 M. Our arrival released a
detachment of the Illmois Irish brigade, which had been on duty at
this point, and they returned to town while we pitched our tents, cooked
dinner, and detailed guard as soon as possible. An attempt, which
was partially successful, was made by Jackson's minions last spring, to
burn this bridge. Eighty feet of the western end of the bridge was de-
stroyed, and the telegraph wires torn down its entire length. The
bridge is now rebuilt, but m a rtide and imperfect manner, and is hard-
ly safe for a heavy train. I have read of many bad, mean-looking
places, heard stories of others, dreamed of some, and seen a few, but
nothing that imagination can conjure up, or memory recall, compares
with the sot distant town of Osage. . . .As for the few peo-
ple who are compelled by poverty to live here, they bear the indelible
marks of fever and ague. They would come into camp, bringing small
quantities of corn and potatoes, which were eagerly exchanged for
coffee and sugar. . . . Young men from eighteen to twenty
years of age, do not know the first letter; for schools appear to be un-
known. , . Quite an incident occurred on the night of the
twentieth ultimo. The discharge of a sentinel's gun was heard, fol-
lowed by the cry of "corporal of the guard, No. 9." All haste was
made for the spot, where the sentry was found with his right hand
hanging shattered by his side. He stated that a person approached
hiin from the railroad track, and on being challenged, drew a revolver
and fired, and then ran into the bushes. Search was made but no man
was found.
Five days was the time assigned to us for our stay at Osage, and on
Monday we returned to Jefferson City, and were immediately placed
under marching orders; but no one knew our destination. Our knap-
sacks and clothing, which had that day arrived, were distributed among
the companies. The coats or blouses are black, with brass buttons,
and single breasted; pants blue, and warranted to lip well; the cap is
black and sm.all crowned. I understand that these are only intended
for a fatigue suit, and that the regular military uniform will be gray.
Each man was directed to supply himself with five day's rations, which,
with our knapsacks , canteens and cartridge boxes, would make quite a re-
spectable load for a mule. I could not refrain from laughing at some of
the boys who had stuffed their knapsacks full of every conceivable thing
that they would ever need, and went staggering along under the enormous
weight. Dr. M., in particular, had his knapsack swelled to aldermanic
proportions, and at sight of the bulky mass the sweat started from every
pore; but he bought that he should get used to it. Owing to the lateness
of the hour when we returned to camp, the numerous offices to be per-
formed, and the insupportable heat, it was nine o'clock p. M. before we
left the grounds for the boats, two miles distant, and our orders were
were to be ready at eight. We were to embark on the steamers Satan
and War Eagle for some point up the Missouri. The night was Of
pitchy blackness, the roads rough, and the knapsacks tremendous
heavy. Our march to the boats was anything but agreeable, but,
reaching them about 10:15 P. M., we filed on board, five companies on
each, A heavy thunder shower arising and the rain pouring down m
torrents, the boats were made fast to the shore and remained until
morning. The boys got what sleep they could in the interim by bunk-
ing down on deck, and into every corner and cubby hole that was free
of access. So tired were they that, once couchant, all human threats
and persuasions were unavailing in geUmg them up again. Once a
troop of cavalry horses was actually led over a squad of eight, who
slept on, regardless of hoofs, threats, and expostulations.
The day dawned at last, and we were on our way up the river. The
trip was as pleasant as could be expected, though the scenery was
rather monotonous — nothing but the low, level banks on either side,
covered with brush, with now and then a rocky bluff. Arrived at the
town of Rocheford, a small place situated below Boonville, at 5 P. M.,
and after a little delay the troops were landed. The Satan had stopped
below to intercept all communication in that direction, and had sent a
part of her troops ashore to approach the town from the opposite side,
while we were to march straight through, and rejoin the other compan-
ies at Columbia, the county seat of Boone county, thirteen miles dis-
tant. The colonel here impressed a number of horses and wagons into
the baggage service, and, i believe, took one or two prisoners. No
hostile demonstrations of any kind were made, but the inhabitants
particularly the ladies, looked daggers. They evidently considered us
as belonging to another race, and our unceremonious advent into their
very midst was not calculated to gain their warmest love. It was re-
ported that a strong body of rebels was stationed at Columbia, and
would probably cause us a little trouble. Our division, consisting of
five companies, was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Mathies, and
took the main road, while Colonel Worthington, with the rest of the
command, took another to the right, with the view of surrounding the
enemy, should there be one, and falling upon the town of Columbia as
the common centre. By 8 P. M. we commenced filing out from the
town of Rocheford, and took up the line of march. The recent rain
that had fallen had swollen the streams and rendered the mud of almost
fabulous depth. Up one hill and down another, through bogs, holes,
ruts, and ravines, we stumbled, without even the faint glimmer of a
star to light our path, or a sound to cheer us, except now and then a
bray from the weak lungs of some antiquated mule. Knapsacks, that
had been filled with varieties suflScient to set up a Dutch pedlar in bus-
iness, began to grow intolerably heavy, and haversacks loaded with
crackers and meat were voted a nuisance before we had well begun our
march. The baggage wagons were crowded with soldiers who were too
tired to walk further, and had thrown themselves upon the tender mer-
cies of the surgeon. .As for your humble correspondent, he was revolv-
ing mentally the difference between the real and the ideal of a soldier's
life, envying the folks at home their warm beds, and heaping any
amount of anathemas upon Missouri roads. I was aroused from my
reflections by the voice of Lieutenant Jordan, shouting, "Keep to the
left, boys, keep to the left !" Being naturally of a very inquisitive turn
of mind, I wanted to see what was at the right— and the next moment
found myself sinking in a hole that would compare favorably with the
Slough of Despond, and still going down. By the most vigorous ex-
ertions I succeeded in extricating myself, and struggled out upon the
bank where I was greeted with a shout of uproarious laughter by the
tender-hearted boys.
Here we were overtaken by Sergeant Peck and a squad of ten men,
who had been detailed to remain behind and act as guard. The good
man in his anxiety to catch us had been practicing the double-quick
every step, and himself and men were puffing and blowing like por-
poises. The delicate feet of the sergeant, only eight inches by fifteen,
were loaded with mud enough to start a brick yard, and he was free to
■admit that he thought this a little worse than hunting .Mexican Greasers.
Owing to the bad condition of the roads, we went but a short distance
further, and bivouacked. Wrapping up in our blankets, we sank down
upon the ground, and were soon in a deep sleep, from which we were
aroused by the cry of "Fall in." The grey light of the morning was
fast appearing, and, by ten A. M., we were in sight of the spires and
white houses of Columbia. This is the most tasteful place we have
seen in northern Missouri, being situated in a beautiful farming country,
and laid out with considerable taste. Instead, however, of meeting an
armed foe. with glistening bayonets, the women and children came
pouring out in great numbers, and we were smiled upon in the most
flattering manner by the beautiful damsels. Secession has quite a
number of votaries here, but through humane motives, no doubt, they
refrained from appearing. We were marched up and quartered on the
State university grounds. The building of this institution is quite fine
a brick structure, in the Doric style of architecture. Here the pants
made for us by the ladies of Independence, were jerked out of various
142
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
knapsacks, and distributed to tlie "Union Home Guards," who,
though neither wounded (unless by the smiling eyes aforesaid) nor half
dead, were in pressing need of the garments bestowed. Only one ac-
cident happened during the expedition: and that, it is hoped, not a
serious one. A member of the Home Guards w'as shot through the
shoulder, while leaning on his gun. The wound was promptly dressed,
and the wounded man is doing well. Reached Jefferson city again,
Friday, the si.xth mstant, and found all well. Morgan Holmes, all
honor to his culinary skill, had prepared for us a splendid supper, to
which we did ample justice. More Anon. C. J. R.
LETTER NO. XV.
Camp Worthington, )
Jefferson City, Mo., September lo, 1861. f
Raining! All day the dull leaden clouds have been gathering in the
southwest like a mighty host, ready to pour down their chilling contents
upon us. Under such circumstances the most desirable virtue a person
can possess, is patience. No matter if the water does loin across the
floor of his tent in small rivulets, converting his comfortable bed of
straw and leaves into a steaming mass, it must be borne, and borne
heroically. To be sure the soldier is apt to look out into the gloom,
and contrast his present situation with that of those who are enjoying
the comforts of home, which he, through motives of patriotism volun-
tarily resigned, and lo wonder if the happy faces and warm hearts
clustered around the fireside of home, have a thought to bestow upon
him. Certainly there must be something in the sound of the rain
pattering on the tents very suggestive of feelings like these, for many
have abandoned their usual pastime of card-playing, and have betaken
themselves to silent reflection, or singing sacred songs. A singular
little world is this same camp of ours. On a fine day, with the trees
waving in the breeze, and the gorgeous sunshine pouring a flood of
light over the landscape of hill, valley, and tented field, all is mirth and
jollity. Flags are flying in all directions, and files of soldiers, in gay
uniforms, and with countenances beaming with content, are striving
with a generous emulation to give animation and enjoyment to the in-
spiring scene. But let Dame Nature relapse from this genial sum
mer mood into one of these sighing dismal autumn rains, and its effect
will soon be noted in the darkened brow of the soldier. He no longer
has that reckless or don't care sort of appearance, but his manner, as
he meets his comrade is warm and feeling. With an.\ious solicitude he
inquires about tbe state of his health, and shows a deep interest in the
latest news from home. Recollections of letters hitherto neglected and-
unanswered, come over his mind, and it will be strange if he does not
proceed to his quarters, draw out the old knapsack for a writing desk,
and commence inditing a missive to the friends at home. If the
orderly's box is not filled by the morrow's noon, it will be because there
are no pens and paper to be found.
One necessity exists in the most of our western regiments, which
should be supplied; that is, the want of some person capable of im-
parting thorough moral and religious instruction. He should be, by
natural sensibilities, as well as by education, fitted for the post, and
should devote to it his highest and noblest energies. The chaplain
should be of a practical turn of mind, ready at all times to associate
himself with the ranks of the privates, and to pour words of consola-
tion and Christian hope into the ear of the sick and weary sufferer,
who, removed from all friends, and perhaps from former associates,
and beyond the pale of woman's angelic influence, is longing for some
kindly word of sympathy. Let him be free to reprove the profligate
and abandoned, whose example, unchecked by a warning word, may
lead scores of young men, previously well educated by fond and
faithful parents, to the lowest depths of degradation and misery. One
word from a minister who. by his daily life illustrates what he professes
to teach, will have more restraint upon the evil passions of such men,
than all the fears of a corporal's guard. In this advanced stage of the
world's history, with the many examples that have been set before us
it ought to be understood that army life is very demoralizing, and that
many powerful influences emanating from the Christian mind and press,
must be set to work to counteract the host of vices that creep by in-
sensible degrees into camp. . " . Of course, the chaplain
must have the sympathy and support of the officers of the regiment in
his behalf. On them, and them alone, rests the responsibility: and
they should be held by the world strictly accountable for the conduct
of the army. When the officers are in the habit of using profane oaths,
and obscene language, nothing but a storm of the most horrid vitipura-
tion and abuse is heard from the ranks. . . . The first
great maxim that should be observed and enforced in military life, is
cleanUness. A large body of men, when left together without some
controlling spirit to induct it into a rigid system of order, is apt to be-
come very negligent.
Wednesday, nth.
Orders have been given, I understand, from General Fremont, posi-
tively prohibiting all information in regard to the numbers and move-
ments of troops stationed here. So, for the present, you will have to
rest contented with what news you can receive from priyate sources,
and wild telegraphic dispatches. It is rumored that Jackson is ap-
proaching with a large army, and that he boasts of his intention to eat
his dinner here, a week from this date. Said dinner may not prove
very palatable, but, of course, he will order his own seasoning.
But three of the guards are now in the hospital; the rest are aU enjoy-
ing themselves finely. Our present location for camping is very good,
being situated two miles from the city, on a piece of meadow ground
slightly sloping to the east. I think we shall be quartered heie for
some lime to come. Two members of our company have been honor-
ably promoted. H. S. Marlin, M.D., of Barclay, has received the
post of assistant surgeon to one of the regiments stationed here; and
Lieutenant Marshall has been appointed to the captaincy of company
I, in place of Captain Langg, who is sick. This latter, it is probable,
will be temporary. . . . There go the drums beating for
roll call, so good night. C. J. R.
LETTER NO. XVI CORRESPONDENCE OF THE GUARDIAN.
Headquarters Fifth Iowa Regiment, )
BooNViLLE, MissoL'RI, September 15, 1861. j
If recollection serves me rightly, I predicted quite confidently in my
last letter that we should remain at Camp Worthington for some time.
Every tiling had been arranged, messes divided off, time set apart for
company drill and inspection, and a course marked out which seemed
to promise rest from more active service.
But, on the morning of the thirteenth instant, orders came for us to
hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice ; though for
what point we were ignorant. Some, relying on the demand which
has been made from the east for ten regiments from the western divis-
ion, asserted that we were to go immediately to Washington; others
declared that we were bound for St. Lewis, while one individual of
gigantic frame and nose of flaming hue gave us as his private opinion
publicly expressed that the regiment was destined for Boonville via
Patagonia — that the rebel generals Price and Rains had an enormous
battery a few miles below on either side of the river, and that we should
all get sent to Satan's dominions. Having thus delivered himself on
the vexed question he proceeded to refresh his creature wants from a
huge canteen that hung by his side, the contents of which, if subjected
to chemical analysis, would have been found to contain one gill of water
to three quarts of whiskey. The morning of the fourteenth came and
with it a violent rain storm. Mud was soon at a discount, and clean
pants and diy feet a novelty. The reveille was beat at three o'clock in
the morning, when all turned out, ate a hastily prepared breakfast,
struck tents, shouldered knapsacks, and fell into ranks with alacrity,
impatient to board the good steamer War Eagle and away for our des-
tination, wherever it might be. The rain still kept pouring down in
torrents, wetting many a luckless fellow to the skin, and causing us
all to look anxiously for an ark of safety. At last the storm cleared
aw.ay; the muttering thunder died in the distance, and Old Sol favored
the half drowned earth with his genial rays once more. At 8:25 A. M.
we started; and after rounding a long sandbar the prow of the boat
was turned up stream, which said we were bound either for Boonville
or Lexington. We had gone but a short distance when we met the
steamer Sioux City, freighted with furniture of every description, and
having a number of families on board. A shot across her bows from
the twelve-pounder soon brought the damsel alongside, when all sorts
of inquiries were made concerning the movements of the rebels. They
stated that Boonville had been attacked on the previous morning by a
force of eight hundred men under the command of Colonel Brown, but
that the Home Guards of Boonville, only one hundred and fifty strong,
had repulsed them with great loss to the rebels. General Price, with
sixteen thousand troops, was advancing rapidly upon Lexington,
while Rains with another large division was marching to Glasgow with
the intention of cutting off all communication between Lexington and
Jefferson City. They were quite sanguine in the opinion that we
should have some hot work to do; and giving three hearty cheers we
parted. Nothing worthy of note transpired, and at midnight we made
fast to the shore opposite to the fair grounds of the far-famed town of
Boonville. This morning, after partaking of a hearty breakfast con-
sisting of coffee and crackers, the company was marched ashore and
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
143
quartered in the fair building. Tine fair grounds, comprising from
twenty-five to thirty acres, rise with a bold and regular slope from the
river bank, and after attaining quite an elevation descends quite as
regularly on the other side. On the top are situated the intrench-
ments, constructed of earth and built in the form of an elongated
square with obtuse angles. Prior to our arrival not a single piece of
artillerj- graced the works, a defect which is now somewhat remedied
by our Iwelve-pounder. This kind persuader is placed in an embras-
ure of the northeast angle, commanding the range of all the ap-
proaches, and describing the arc of a circle that will sweep the town
itself. The battles of yesterday was quite a serious affair, resulting in a
repulse of the enemy, with a loss of twenty-six killed; while the number
of wounded is not accurately known. The Home Guards lost but two
killed outright, and si.x wounded, two of whom have since died.
Colonel Brown and his brother, captain of one of the companies, were
shot while gallantlv endeavoring to rally their troops. The contest
did not last over fifteen minutes, but was sharp and decisive. . . .
The fire of the Union men was hot and deadly — the discharge of mus-
ketry unceasing; and when the rebels saw their leader fall they fled in
confusion. The following description of the battle was given by one
of the sergeants : "We war not e.vpectin' the enemy quite so soon;
and when I seed a lot of the sneakin' whelps a crawlin' behind that
house thar" — pointing to a large brick building — "I began to feel a
little streaked. At the same time another gang of 'em was comin'
through the orchard, while the colonel was tearing along in the most
obstreperous manner, right in front. They didn't come in large num-
bers but small squads, and kept dancing about like ducks in a gale of
wind. We never waited fur orders, but poured in our fire as fast as we
could, and I tell yer stranger, it wasn't slow. Every time I pulled
trigger I thought of Betsy and the children at home, and Old Abe.
Right whar you see them two trees standin' together Colonel Brown
was shot, and about five rods to the left his brother fell. One of our
best men was killed right here. Ho had just gave a cheer for the
Union, and was drawin' up his gun to shoot, when a ball struck him in
the forehead. But they paid dear for his death, I reckon."
Wednesd.w, i8th.
"Say, Massa, hab you a position in the Iowa Fifth?"
"I believe I have that honor, uncle."
"Well, dese people roun' heah fraider ob you dan de berry ebil one
hisself. When dey hears ob you comin dey jes packs up an' travels
for dey say dar is no use fighlin' a lot ob fellers dat won't run."
"What makes them fear us so much? "
" Dunno; but eber since dat fight in Springfeel, dey rather meet most
anybody dan de Iowa regiments."
"When did you get away from your master?"
" Night afo' las' Massa say he gwine to knock me in de head 'fore I
fall in de bans ob de aberlilionists; an' I thought I'd hunt my pussunai
convenience."
' 'But ain't you afraid he'll catch you again?"
"Not as long as I'se wid de I'wa boys'"
The facility with which the gallant confederates get out of the way
upon our approach gives some coloring to the statement of my contra-
band brother.
We are now quartered quite comfortably in tents on the fair ground.
Company C has gone nine miles above here to assist the Irish brigade?
who had a slight skirmish with the rebels the other night , and were ap-
prehensive of an attack from a larger force. . . . The
Indiana Eighteenth and Twenty-second regiments arrived here yester-
day. If reports are to be relied upon, the secessionists are concen-
trating all their energies for an attack on this place or Lexington. I
will want but one decisive battle to still rebellion forever in this section.
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. XV 11.
Camp Douglas, Chicago, September 20, 1861.
Fhiend Rich,— During the progress of this war, much has been
said about the propriety of appointing civilians to high military posi-
tions. So pliable had the public become, under the manipulation of
skilful and unscrupulous politicians, that their willingness to risk the
lives and reputations of our soldiery in the hands of men, who, how-
ever expert they may have become in the arts of wire-pulling and log-
rolling, could not properly load a musket, should be no matter of sur-
prise. But experience is teaching us different ideas of military science,
and people are beginning to understand that adaptation will, in part
only, supply the place of a scientific education in the art of war. Snob
politicians are no longer toler.ated, and first class lawyers can no longer
be considered as necessarily first class commanders.
\ little experience serves sometimes to convince lawyers themselves
of this fact, as has been demonstrated in our own regiment. The first
regiment of the Douglas brigade was organized on the twenty-ninth
ultimo. David Stewart, a talented lawyer of this city, and mainly in-
strumental in the organization of the brigade, received a complimentary
election to the colonelcy; but, not being a military man by education,
he had the good sense to resign, at the same time recommending Cap-
tain W. H. Webb, an officer of long experience in the regular army,
for the position. Captain Webb received a unanimous vote, and his
election has given unbounded satisfaction to the men, and has inspired
them with a confidence they could not have felt under the command of
any civilian. Mr. Stewart was elected lieutenant colonel, and G. W,
Roberts, major. With these officers the men are ready for any reason-
able undertaking, and we are all determined to gve an honorable ac-
count of ourselves.
I have been trying to analyze the material in this camp, and have
separated it into three distinct and nearly equ,al classes: First, those
who enlisted from a love of adventure, or for the purpose of obtaining
a lazy livelihood; second, men of moderate intelligence, who hastily
comprehend the meaning of this contest, and choose to be on the right
side, but are here mainly because it is the fashion: third, the real no-
bility of the land — men with large hearts, wholly devoted to their coun-
try, and with arms nerved by the inspiration of duty and honor. The
first class comprises nine-tenths of the grumblers — the other tenth be-
long to the second — and to its ranks may be traced nearly all derelic-
tions of duty, such as failure to appear at roll calls, drills, etc. It has
been observed, however, that their seats at the table are seldom vacant,
although they are constantly complaining of every ailment in the calen-
dar, from a sore toe to general debility. They are, in short, a good-
for-nothing set of drones, and could well be spared from the regiment.
Efficiency does not altogether he in numbers.
Those of the second class will make passably good soldiers; though
their efficiency will depend much upon their humor. Should every-
thing go to their liking; should their officers suit them and their rations
be well served, they would be reliable in an emergency; otherwise they
could not be depended upon, though they would scarcely prove mutin-
ous, unless under the strongest provocation.
But the life, soul and support of the regiment rests with the third
class. .Actuated by the deepest sense of duty, and inspired with an
almost religious zeal for the sacred cause, they are ready to meet every
priv'ation, and to overcome every obstacle. Without them, the regi-
ment would be worthless; with them, it will return from victorv with
the beautiful colors, presented this day, unsullied by a stain of dis-
honor.
I suspect that the divisions above noticed will apply to our army gen-
erally. It is not composed entirely of disinterested patriots; and a
thorough extirpation of weeds, cutting it down at least a third, would
just about double its efficiency.
There are a thousand things in camp life to write about — matters in-
significant, perhaps, in themselves, but invaluable as an inde.x to the
general character of our people; but I will not intrude much further
upon your space, so valuable in these exciting times. The amusements
practiced in camp, are not particularly elevating or invigorating.
Card playing is the staple, and seems to be with many a passion
amounting to folly. Its effects are seen in their disinclination for duty,
and restlessness under restraint. Card playing, equally with whiskey
drinking, unfits men for military service, and should be equally inhib-
ited throughout the army. There is, however, little drunkenness in our
camp. Of course, the sale of liquors upon the grounds is prohibited,
and it is only occasionally, when his habits are known, that a drinker
is passed outside the lines. We pride ourselves on this feature of camp
discipline, and also on the good behavior of our men at the chaplain's
service.
The regiment is soon to remove to Missouri, and I may have some-
thing of more interest to communicate.
j. l. loomis.
letter no. xviu.
Heaoql'.vrters Fifth Iowa, Boo.nville, Missouri, 1
September 22, i86t. )
* * * I can not describe the misery and confusion that everv--
where prevail. Law and order are abolished, and a miserable horde
of Ishinaelites are roving the country, burning bridges, stealing prop-
erty, and slaughtering or driving away all those who are suspected of
having the least particle of love for the Union. Too cowardly, or too
sensible of their inability to meet the Federal troops in a fair engage-
ment, they are content to lie in wait, like the cunning savage, and
strike a blow at some unguarded point.
144
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
On the eighteenth instant, companies E and H r;turned from a suc-
cessful scouting expedition, fifteen miles up the river. The spoils
brought into camp consisted of a gang of six negroes, and property to
the value of five thousand dollars. I was prevented by sickness from'
accompanying the p.arly ; but, from accounts related by the boys,
many rich scenes must have occurred. Company E was commanded
by Lieutenants Jordan and Marshall, who were nothing loth to give
the men a touch of adventure. . . . What if the shoe
did pinch, or the knapsack hang heavily, all was sure to be compens-
ated for when resting from their toil in the house of some broad plan-
tation. . . . One of the scenes of the drama was the
taking of a horse and carriage from a couple of strong-minded ladies.
They were grandly dressed in silks and satins, and made no pretence
of concealing their hatred of "old Abe" and his soldiers. They had
overtaken the company on the main road, and were permitted to ride
quietly along till they arrived at their own residence. The soldiers then
politely informed them that the horse and carriage must be delivered
np as contraband property; that having reached their home they could
have no further use for it, while, on their part, it would prove very ser-
viceable in conveying knapsacks and tired soldiers.
At this stage of aff.iirs an old lady appeared at the gate, protesting
vehemently that she had used both parties alike, and she thought it
mean, yes, outrageously mean, to be treated so. As for the young
ladies, they poured down the vials of their wrath in rich profusion. It
rained, hailed, snowed and lightened all manner of choice expletives,
but no one was hurt. Two soldiers were detailed to take charge of
the property in dispute, and it is to be hoped, that when next these
ladies rode, they were, if occasion required, civil, even to Federal
soldiers. . . . Time would fail me to relate all the ad-
ventures that befell the boys. How Sergeant Peck succeeded in get-
ting his small feet planted under a table and eating until the mistress
of the house stood aghast at the prospect of a famine; how orchards
were entered, and the golden fruit confiscated for present necessity,
while well-filled haversacks provided against future need. All these,
and more, are stored up in retentive memories, to be related by the
boys when safe at home by their own firesides.
A fatal and most disgraceful blunder was made by members of the
Indiana Eighteenth, on their way to Lexington. The steamer had
been made fast to the shore, and scouting parties thrown out, when
two of these met, and, through mistake, fired into each other, killing
and wounding quite a number. The whole affair was the result of
mismanagement on the part of the lieutenant colonel, who was in com-
mand, and who could not be persuaded that the firing did not proceed
from rebels in ambush. Had it not been for the captain of the boat,
this valiant specimen of a Bakertown militia captain would have re-
treated, leaving three hundred of his own men, scattered on shore in
different directions, to shift for themselves. If such officers could be
remanded to the sphere in which it is possible they made a respectable
figure, it were better for them and the army. . . . Every-
thing passes off smoothly in our regiment. The commissariat depart-
ment is well supplied with an abundance of meat, coffee and sugar,
more than is used, which enables the men to dispose of the surplus for
vegetables. We are attaining a good degree of proficiency in com-
pany and battalion drill, and gradually becoming accustomed to the
regime of the camp, and necessary sanitary regulations.
On the twentieth instant reports came that the bridge spanning the
Lamine river, nine miles above, had been burned, and that a body of
rebels were encamped in the vicinity. Five companies from our regi-
ment were called upon, and ere five minutes had elapsed from the first
roll of the drum, they were ready to march, company E being the first
in line. Many of the boys had left their dinners warm upon the table,
and had tallen into the ranks, not without a sigh of regret on the part
of those who had been at the trouble of procuring potatoes and other
delicacies. It was 12 o'clock precisely as we passed out of the en-
campment, and struck the main road leading to the bridge. The
division was under the command of Major Robinson and .Adjutant
Foley, who are well qualified and possess the unbounded confidence of
the whole regiment. The country is hilly and badly cut up into deep
ravines and gullies, and in places heavily timbered
Many fine private residences abound — models of taste and elegance —
invariably surrounded with groves of maple or butternut trees, and
with nice, smooth-shaven lawns extending in front. At the rear of the
family residence are situated the whitewashed cottages of tue blacks,
always clean and neat ; and still further back the orchards, bending be-
neath their load of luscious fruit. Missouri may safely challenge any
State in the Union, as far as the raising of fruit is concerned. The
fabled gardens of the Hesperides could not equal an orchard we
stumbled into while out on a foraging expedition. Great, rosy-cheeked
peaches, pendant from branches bending to the ground, while ap-
ples!— well, there is no use talking; the earth was fairly covered with
them for rods around ; and, for once, you felt that the folks at home
might envy the soldier boys. ... A dense cloud of
smoke directly in front, showed plainly where the work of destruction
had been consumated. A tew miles farther — our march being at a
quick step, pausing now and then for rest and water — and a sudden
turn in the road revealed to us the black and smouldering ruins of the
bridge. The torch of the incendiary must have been applied early in
the forenoon, for the frame work was all consumed, and there remained
only the three grim, silent, stone abutments. It had obviously been
burnt for the purpose of preventing communication between Lexing-
ton and Jefferson City, it being the programme of the secessionist to
hem in and secure this place and Lexington, and then turn their united
forces on Jefferson City, which they are anxious to take the present
month, in order to pass an ordinance of secession declaring the State
of Missouri free from the parental authority of Uncle Sam, and en-
titled to pass her own laws and regulations. . . The
banks of the Lamine river resemble those of the Osage, being fringed
with a thick growth of dwarfish timber, and affording a safe asylum to
multitudes of nameless insects. As to the few people who manage to
eke out here a scanty living, they bear a close resemblance to all other
Missourians of the same class; being dressed in butternut colored
pants, loose frock coat and broad brimmed hat, and possessing a
cadaverous cast of countenance. We stacked arms and proceeded to
gather up materials for dinner, but with rather poor success, as none
of the baggage wagons had arrived. Toward evening a woman came
to the guard's quarters, bearing upon her arm a large basket well filled
with meat, potatoes and warm biscuit. It was soon surrounded by a
hungry, clamorous crowd, humbly entreating for a small piece of
crust. . . . Lieutenant Jordan and company were de-
tailed to act as outside picket guard for the evening, and set out on
their wearisome tramp. Nothing of importance transpired; no traces
or signs of an enemy being seen. Brother Sam, aided by the nimble
fingers and willing heart of Corporal Woodruff, succeeded in drawing
a fine bowl of butter from an isolated spring-house, which helped
amazingly in setting out our breakfast table the next morning. No
one asked any question, but all felt inspired with veneration for the
magic virtues hidden in that one small word "draw." The
next day we were ordered back to quarters. It is probable that
the bridge was fired by a small party that could place itself
immediately out of danger. Its destruction can result in no great
inconvenience to the transportation of troops, as they have kindly left
us the Missouri river, and a ferry a few miles above in possession of
the home guard. Twenty-fourth — Startling news reached us last night
to the effect that Colonel Mulligan, of the Irish brigade, and an Illi-
nois cavalry company, stationed at Lexington, had surrendered to the
rebels under General Price. Lane, with his six thousand reinforcements,
was too late to render assistance, and after a contest of five or six days
the Federal forces, having exhausted their amunition and suffering for
water, were compelled to submit. Great loss of life on both sides.
Of course the greatest excitement prevails now, and the most
extraordinary exertions will be made to retrieve the lost ground. By
this disaster the strongest entrenchments and most complete military
stores on the river are turned against us ; and all this happened when
the Iowa Fifth, the Indiana Eighteenth, Twenty-second and Twenty-
seventh regiments were only forty miles from the scene of action.
Lexington will be made a grand military depot, from which rebej
armies can be fitted out to descend the Missouri, cutting off our sup-
plies Irom Jefferson City and completely corralling us. This is a grand
scheme of the rebels — they have had a mortal hatred of this place ever
since their deleat by the Union home guards, and they are determined
to have it at all hazards. If so, they will have a fine chance to dis-
play their agility in scaling breastworks, for we have a splendid line on
the most advantageous ground, four feet high, and ten feet in thick-
ness. Four steamers are now lying at the landing, and another fleet
is expected this evening. The Indiana Eighteenth regiment left for
Georgetown to-day. about forty miles south of this.
To-day noon, six of the border ruffian rangers, whose regiment is
stationed seven miles above, arrived in camp. They stated that the
story about the capture of Lexington was all false, and that Lane,
with fifteen hundred men. had cut his way through to the relief of Mul-
ligan, while the rebels are cornered on every side and can't run. Our
regiment is now under marching orders, probably for Lexington, where
the courage of the boys will be no doubt tested. C. J. R.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
145
[The glaring contradiction in regard to the burning of
the bridge over the I^amine, which will be noticed in
reading letters Nos. XVIII and XIX, suggests several
serious questions, as: Which of the writers was the
more voracious? VVho burned the bridge? Was the
bridge burned? Why was the bridge burned? etc. His-
tory is said to repeat itself; so also does it illustrate
itself. Some light may be shown upon the last of these
questions (the first three being measurable), by the fol-
lowing incident of the late war, known to have occurred
at Chillicothe, the old capital of a state, young in years,
but old in renown:
Morgan's raid had thrown the southern portion of the
above mentioned State into a condition of constant ex-
pectancy. Morgan and his troop were on the outskirts
of every considerable town in the whole breadth of the
land; from the furthest east to the Queen City of the
west. Home guards rode through the streets every-
where and with gauntleted hand shook defiance at the
bold intruder. At the old capital a picket guard was
stationed near a splendid bridge, which had cost the
municipality many thousands. Some horsemen were seen
in the distance — the guard set fire to the bridge, beneath
which murmured a silver, shrunken stream eight inches
deep, and dashed into town shouting, Morgan! Morgan I
The horsemen, some neighboring farmers, who had
thought to ride into town and get the latest news, asked
innocently, as their horses hoofs were cooled by the laps-
ing waters: "Why was the bridge burned?" And, now
that we look at it, telling the story is not answering the
question, which, for aught w^e can see, must go down
through the ages, vainly questioning. — E. P.]
LETTER NO. XIX.
C.vmpLyon, Boonville. Missouri. September 22, 1861.
Friend Rich : — Having drawn one more stamp, and fished up a
sheet of paper, I thought I would drop a line, just to let you know we
are all alive and well. One of our boys received a letter from home a
few days since, informing him that he and two other of the boys had
been killed, and several wounded in a fight with the rebels. But as
they show no sign of being kilt, we await confirmation of the report.
We arrived at this place one week ago to-day, at i o'clock A. M.
News reached us that the Union Home guards were being cut to pieces.
On arriving here we found the facts to be, that on the Friday before
there had been a hard fight between one hundred and si.xty of the
guards and eight hundred rebels with a loss of forty killed and several
wounded. Colonel Brown, commanding the rebels, and his brother,
a captain, were both killed. The guards had the advantage of a small
earthwork, built by General Lyon after his victory here. One of our
boys asked a member of the guard why the rebels did not storm the
works. He replied in effect, that there was such an incessant hail of
shot, that they kept behind the trees in an opposite grove. We are
now pleasantly encamped on the battle ground, amidst a fine gro\e of
butternut and walnut trees.
Tuesday morning companies E and H were ordered to march with
two days' rations. News had come in that the rebels were trying to
burn the bridge over the Lamine, nine miles west of us. Away we went
in high spirits. But we were again doomed to cruel disap-
pointment, for, on reaching Sulphur Springs, two miles beyond,
we found that the rebels had been gone fifteen minutes, and
they being mounted, pursuit was, of course, useless.
. Friday noon, while sitting in my tent trying to write
a letter, I was interrupted by the beating of the long roll, and the fall-
ing in of men. A report had come that the enemy was approaching
from the direction of the Lamine. Word was given that the first five
companies out would be sent to meet him. Company E was the first
on the ground. Four others were soon in ranks, and we started at a
rattling pace. When about one mile out, we halted and loaded. Our
■7
good-natured major now rode along the line saying: "Now, boys,
keep perfectly cool, don't break ranks, and don't waste one iota of
powder. " .\11 being ready, scouts were sent out on each side of the
road, and we again moved forward. When about two miles from the
bridge, a courier met us with the information that Price's army of twelve
thousand men was only a few miles across the river. Acting upon this
advice, (he major sent several mounted men forward to burn the bridge.
Preparation having been made many days since, this was easily done,
and, a short time after we arrived, the noble structure, which, a few
days before, we had made a forced march to protect, was one smoking
mass of ruins. The march of nine miles was made in two hours, which
we think was pretty good time.
I forgot to mention that the most of our men came off without their
dinner. As soon, therefore as we camped, this became the all-absorb-
ing question. But the boat is getting up steam, and I must close or
lose the chance of sending this. I meant to have told you about draw-
ing the hoe-cake, the scene in the milk house, the mysterious disap-
pearance of the jar of butter, coupled with the condition of Corporal
Ws. haversack, and of the visit to the peach orchard; but the Satan
will not wait. We returned safe and sound the next day. and are now
ready for the next job.
Our fair patrons at home are ever remembered with gratitude, and
they may rest assured that the thought of them will make the weakest
strong. With kind remembrances from all, to all, 1 remain.
Yours, etc.,
O. J. M. Fuller.
LETTER NO. XX.
Gl.^sgow, Missouri, September 29, 1861. )
He.\dquarters Io\v.\ Fifth, j
Our regiment left Boonville on Wednesday, the twenty-
fifth instant, and arrived at this place on the following day. Came up
the river on the War Eagle. But little sickness e.xists in the regiment,
and all are quiet and orderly. E. J. R.
LETTER NO XXL
Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mis.souri, \
October 3, 1861. j
Friend Rich: You doubtless have correspondence from Benton
barracks, but your readers may be interested to know what is thought
of the Iowa Ninth by disinterested spectators. Belonging, as I do, to
a regiment recruited mostly from Illinois, I have better opportunities
to hear impartial judgments than members of the Independence com-
pany. I have heard but one comment, and that of entire commenda-
tion. We have been quartered here for ten days, and have witnessed
the arrival and departure of many regiments, but none to equal Colo-
nel Vandever's. I have had occasion before to feel proud of Iowa, as
the State of my adoption; but especially now of our own county Bu-
chanan. Her part has been nobly performed. .\ little figuring will
convince any one that in numbers she has far exceeded her proportion;
and, in the efficiency of her men, probably no county in Iowa excells
her. Her first company will, doubtless, soon have an opportunity to
test its quality, as, at last accounts, it occupied the advanced post of
Glasgow, on the Missouri. Let us hope that the Fifth may deserve
equal glory with the gallant First, and the Ninth greater than both.
But what queer, tall, brass-emblazoned black hats the boys are sport-
ing ! Already we have nick-named them the " Hawkeye stovepipers,"
and we only wish the enemy may wear "the like" when within shoot-
ing distance — a better mark could not be provided. Brass bugles and
eagles are all very fine, but precious heads ought not to be made prom-
inent targets without cause. Altogether, the regiment seems to have
been as well provided for as any other western troops — far better than
many.
Our regiment— that is, the First regiment of the Douglas brigade,
now classed as the Forty-second Illinois— left Camp Douglas and Chi-
cago without one feeling of regret. Every day here increases our sat-
isfaction with the change. Strange as it may seem, our commissary
arrangements heie, almost in the enemy's country, are vastly superior
to those of Chicago. There it was impossible to obtain vegetables or
anything beyond the old army rations; here we have the new army ra-
tions and are enabled to exchange for vegetables of every description.
We are living luxuriously now. but the boys of the Irish brigade tell a
different story of their fare further west. We shall make the most of our
."■ew days of grace here. But, after all, this detention here is not grat-
ifving. We are anxiously awaiting our arms. Companies A and B
are already provided with Colt's revolving rifle, a splendid arm; but
the rest of us (our's is company G) expect the regulation rifled mus-
kets, manufactured at Springfield. They are certainly a simpler and
146
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
lighter gun than the revolving rifle, and their range is two hundred
yards longer. I understand that a movement is on foot in the Iowa
Ninth to provide themselves entirely with the Colt gun, the cost to be
subtracted from their bounty, they of course to retain the gun after the
close of the war. The experience of the French, the most accom-
plished and the most scientific fighters in the world, has taught them
that the simplest gun of the longest range is the most effective in active
warfare. It is to be feared, therefore, that the Ninth will have cause
to regret the step should the effort be successful.
Benton Barracks afford splendid accommodations for the thousands
of soldiers quartered here for the completion of their organization and
equipment. The magnificent parade is just receiving its finishing
touches, and is said to have no superior in the country. Brigadier
General Curtis, of our own State, is in command, and is universally
esteemed. There are piobably ten thousand troops in this camp alone.
It would be folly (if not treason) for me to give any estimate of the
number within the line of fortifications that surround St. Louis. We
certainly feel perfectly secure.
Universal indignation is expressed among the soldiers at the villain-
ous efforts of Blair and his adherents to procure the removal of Fre-
mont, who has the entire confidence of the .Army of the West. A few
days will show that hopes in him are well founded. We are satisfied
to serve under John C. Fremont, and our cry is : "Death to sleepless
and meddlesome politicians." J. C. LooMis.
LETTER NO. XXII — NINTH IOWA REGIMENT.*
Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, )
October 5, 1S61. J
Friend Rich: — Thinking that perhaps a few lines from this camp
would not be uninteresting to some of your readers, I take it upon
myself to give you a short account of our company. Since we left
Dubuque we have seen rather hard times. We left there with five
other companies on board the Canada. As we were very much
crowded, and had hardly half enough to eat, the situation was well
calculated to beget homesickness. But when we left the boat and
marched through the city of St. Louis without a single cheer, it was as
solemn as a funeral. We finally got to the camp, which is in a most
beautiful situation, and are now in very good barracks. We have si.t
cooks to prepare our victuals, and, of course, live on the top shelf
Five or si.x men are furnished daily by our company to act as guards.
Nearly every day men are killed here. Three men were sent to their
eternal home yesterday — one was shot, one was stabbed, and the other
was thrown from his horse, or supposed to be. The first two were
killed by a member of the Irish brigade that surrendered at Le.xing-
on, and he is now under arrest.
We have received our uniforms at last, and the most of the company
needed them badly. Our coats, or rather blouses, are of dark blue
and rather short; our pants are light blue, fitting to a charm; hats of
the most beautiful style, black, one story and a half high, with a beau-
tiful leather.
By the way, the report that the Ninth regiment were all killed com-
ing down the river, must be false, although it was current when we got
here, for 1 believe we are all right.
We have not yet received our guns, but expect some in a day or
two, to practice the manual of arms with. We are anxious to try our
pluck on the battle-field, but there is no doubt we shall have enough to
do yet. There is a report that the enemy is within thirty miles of here,
but little confidence is placed in it, as the air is full of rumors. Some
twenty-two thousand men are here now, while more are coming every
day. Regiments are also constantly leaving, having completed their
equipment. The weather has been very pleasant until to-day, but now
it is raining very hard. Our company is the color company of the re-
giment, company C. This is all that would interest our friends at this
time, and if you think it worth publishing, please do so.
Yours, etc.,
E. C. Little.
LETTER NO. XXIII.
Camp near Boonville. Missouri, )
October 5. 1861, headquarters Fifth Iowa regiment, j
We left Glasgow for this point on Wednesday last, and arrived here
at 8 P. M. the same day. It appears that the colonel entertains fears
of being cut off from supplies by some of Price's wandering hordes,
who, since the surrender of Lexington, fill the country in all directions,
and thought it more prudent to drop back and rejoin the main body,
prior to making an advance movement.
*From another correspondent.
Glasgow is an isolated place, destitute of defences of any kind, and
nothing would have been easier than for the Secesh to have surrounded
and held us at their mercy. But, in justice to the town, I will sav that,
so far as kindness and liberality are concerned, the people are above
reproach. The fire of liberty still burns brightly in the breasts of many,
and they are not backward in expressing their love for the Union, at
every opportunity. . . . The Ninth Missouri and Thirty-seventh
Illinois regiment. Colonel White, are stationed here. The Illinois re-
giment is well uniformed, their guns are of improved pattern, but they
are poorly disciplined. They have been but six weeks in service, and
need practice.
.As for the Missourians, they have seen, judging from appearances,
hard service. Their uniforms are old and soiled — guns of an inferior
quality, while the utmost confusion reigns in the subsistence depart-
ment. General Pope arrived here, with his body guard, to-day. The
command of the post has devolved temporarily upon Brigadier Gen-
eral Kelton, who is an energetic, eflficient officer, and much respected
by all. You have heard, ere this, of General Fremont's departure from
St, Louis. He brings with him an army second to none in the field.
Despite the number of his personal enemies among his former political
associates, the hearts of the loyal citizens here are with him, while the
conduct of Blair and his supporters is condemned in the strongest
terms. There is no doubt that Price has evacuated Lexington, with a
part of his command, at least, for some point southward, perhaps
Georgetown. Trouble is apprehended, for we leave for that spot to-
morrow morning. A dispatch has just arrived, stating that Sigel had
encountered Price and repulsed him, but it needs confirmation.
C. ]. R.
LETTER NO. XXIV. FROM THE NINTH IOWA.'*
Camp Herkon, Franklin, Missouri. October 14, 1861.
Mr. Editor: — Last Friday afternoon. October 11, we left Benton
barracks and marched through St. Louis to the Fourteenth street depot
of the Pacific railroad company. Bouquets and cheers were showered
on our regiment in the streets of St. Louis. After waiting a couple of
hours until the train was made up, and the stores, including ten days'
rations, were loaded, we moved forward. The train consisted of
twenty-fi\'e cars, and proceeded rather slowly to this point, ninety-eight
miles from St. Louis, where we arrived at 10 o'clock at night. Thanks
to the moon, we were enabled to pitch our tents on the new camping
ground the same night. Our camp is situated on a gently sloping
ground on the southeast side of the small town of Franklin, called also
Pacific City. .As the tents are new, and the camp itself is laid out as
near as possible according to the ' ' rules and regulations of the United
States army," the appearance of the sam; from the foot of the hill, or
from the town itself, is rather pleasant and picturesque.
The days have been rather warm and very bright since we arrived
here. The nights, however, are cold and frosty, and the dew heavier
than I have ever seen before. Last Sunday, while at the depot, a train
from St. Louis came in carrying Simon Cameron, the secretary
of war; the adjutant general, Lorenzo Thomas, and their suite, on
their way to meet General Fremont, at Tipton. A very humorous
scene occurred while the train was waiting. As Mr. Cameron stepped
out upon the platform he saw some four or five of our boys near him,
and addressed one of them jokingly, "Do you belong to Vandever's
regiment?" "Yes, sir." ' 'Are they all as good-looking fellows as you
are?" the secretary asked. The soldier thus addressed, E. C. Little,
of Buchanan county, answered in a dry, humoious way, " We are the
worst looking of the whole lot, but I guess they anyhow look about as
well as you do." This was received with a hearty laugh by the by-
standers, in which the secretary and his friends joined. Mr. Cameron
reentering the car. General Thomas told the boy that he had been ad-
dressing the secretary of war, which information did not move the boy
at all. He continued standing with folded arms, the only one looking
serious in the whole crowd. Presently the secretary returned and said,
"Why. boy, you ought to be mide captain. What is your name?'
"Never mind about my name," was the answer; but the secretary in-
sisting upon knowing it and his place of residence, he said in the same
cool, humorous way, "My name is E. C. Little, and I come from
Buchanan county, Iowa, if you ever heard of such a county. They
say it is called so after President Buchanan, but he is no relative of
mine."
This brought them all down again; but they gave it up entirely when
he added in the same dry way, "I guess my folks live up tV.ere yet, and
if you come up that way you had better call in and see them."
* Correspondence of the Dubuque Times.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
147
I am telling you this incident because I saw some of the gentlemen
of the party making notes of the scene, and it probably will appear m
pnnt somewhere else ; and. as I stood next to the inperturbable boy,
and heard the conversation, I looked upon myself as a perfectly relia-
ble reporter.
We left a few sick at the hospital at Benton Barracks. Captain
Harper, from Jones county, remained behind to attend to them. I am
sorry to report that one of the sick, thus left behind, has since died of
typhoid fever. His name is Amor Winsiow, of Scotch Grove, Jones
county, and he belonged to Captain H.irper's company. A small de-
tachment of our regiment is guarding a railroad biidge, half a mile
west of us ; but beyond this everything seems as peaceable as at Old
Camp Union. There may be a good deal of seceshdom around us.
but if there is, it appears to keep as prudently silent and invisible as
at dear old Dubuque itself. ScRIBBI.KR.
LETTER NO. XXV.
Camp Near Booneville, Missouri, October i6th.
Our marching orders, of which I spoke in my last, were counter-
manded on Monday, the seventh instant, and we still remain here. A
violent storm from the northwest, however, as usual brought with it
marching orders, and we are once more in readiness to sail out for
some point unknown ; probable Georgetown. Price is reported to be
within twenty-five miles of the latter place, with an army of thirty
thousand men. This notorious personage has the marvelous faculty of
honoring twenty different places with his presence at one and the same
time. * ■ To my mind it is quite certain that we shal'
meet no larger force of the enemy for sometime in these parts. Price's
army at Le.xington was composed of a heterogeneous mass, w^hich dis-
persed itself over the country, the moment the conflict was over, only
to organize when summoned to the attack of some weak point.
Well, this is one of the days, decidedly. How the rain dashes and
splashes on our frail tents, shaking the foundations thereof, and caus-
ing the votaries of Mars within to quake with fear and dismal forbod-
ings. Our lodge presents a picture worthy the pencil of an artist. By
my side Sam is snoring in blissful unconsciousness, while the rest of
our comrades in arms are disposed in the most picturesque attitudes.
At length Sam awakes, opens wide his small mouth, yawns, and, as
clearer consciousness dawns, e.xclaims, "wonder if I can't get my
squash on in time for dinner." While speaking he slowly unfolds his
blanket, and displays a fine .specimen of that vegetable, which he had
in camp parlance, drawn, from a neighboring garden. ' ' How are you
going to cook it?" "Well, I s'pose in the usual manner, and, in the
usual mannei, let you fellows eat it." "I think, Sam, you had better
lie down and take a nap. You hav'nt slept but fourteen hpurs, and
must be sleepy. As for squashes, we have plenty of 'em (tho' too
green to cook) without going so far." "It's a wonder that you've not
been picked," retorts the squash hunter, as he adjusts the blanket
around his shoulders, and settles down to another snooze.
Friday. — Still at the old quarters, havmg delayed marching on account
of the rain and the bad ro.ads. The camp is in a flurry of excitement.
The mail and paymaster have just arrived from Jefferson City, on the
steamer Northerner, bringing plenty of news. No one can imagine
with what eagerness the letters were seized, and their contents de-
voured. To be sure, they were all old, but none the less welcome.
We have had no late papeis for three weeks, and have been reduced to
the most deplorable shifts for re.iding matter. Our letters showed that
all were well, aU thriving, all wishing for our success, and safe return,
aiid after reading them over and over again to see if there was any
obscure expression that had escaped us, we went to supper, feeling
better. The captain's wife and Lewis, who had been a long time con-
fined in the hospital, came up to-day. Lewis is improving, and I hope
that he may soon be able to bear his new fledged honors, for it is un-
derstood that he is to be appointed sergeant-major. Mrs. Lee will re-
turn home, and will probably be the bearer of this and other letters.
We all hate to have her leave, for the whole company are in love with
her quiet, unassuming manners and noble grit ; for she would stick by
the company through thick and thin, if possible. May success attend
her.
The boys are half crazy at the prospect of receiving a little money.
The colonel is in a quandary, and favors the expediency of paying off
part at a time, so as to have a guard for the other half How many
good dames will be gladdened by the sight of a little money from ab-
sent husbands. Here comes one rushing up in breathless haste. —
"Boys, 1 am going to sen^ mine back by Mrs. Lee, every cent of it.
If I should full into the hands of the secesh, I don't want them finger-
ing it out of my packets."
We shall not go to Georgetown, but to Syracuse, twenty-five miles
distant, and are to leave as soon as paid off.
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. XXVL
Harlan Barracks, t
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, October 18, 1861. )
Friend Rich:— Knowing that your readers feel some interest in the
men enlisted in the army, from Buchanan county, I take the liberty to
give you some of the details of an incident with which some of the
Buchanan boys and myself were connected. Night before last, as three
of our men were riding into camp from town, with one Bob McCuUoch,
an altercation occurred between them, commenced on his part, by call-
ing them d — d Lincoln men— rugger sted/ers, and ending by his driving
them out of his wagon, and chasing them with a volley of stones; the
boys suffering an ignominious flight, rather than quarrel with a citizen
of the vicinity. But learning afterwards that he was a noted seces-
sionist, and the nephew of General McCulloch, of the would be " con-
federacy," they became clamorous for his arrest. Accordingly a detail
of twenty men was placed under my command, by Captain Peters, with
orders to arrest him, and bring him into camp.
We marched to his residence, a distance of about four miles, and si-
lently surrounding the house, placed guards in a close cordon, and
thought the bird safely caged. But we were doomed to disappointment,
as we learned from the family that McCulloch had gone to one of the
neighbor's, and their description of the locality of the neighbor's house
was not remarkably lucid. Learning that one of his boys, who was at the
stable when we arrived, had made a hasty exodus through the timber
to the west, I detailed a squad of men to guard the house, and with
the rest of the party gave chase to the boy, whom we met at the dis-
tance of half a mile on his return. The country, in that vicinity, was
thoroughly ransacked, but without success. Concluding, and rightly,
as was afterward proven, that the boy had met the father and given him
the alarm, we returned to the house, and withdrew the guard; but, with
skilful manoeuvring, placed a concealed picket in a situation to com-
mand the approaches to the house, and give notice of the buzzard's
return to his roost. We then, apparently, marched back to camp.
Ill reality, however, we sought a heavily timbered defile and bivouacked.
About an hour after, another detachment arrived iVom camp, sent by
Captain Peters and Captain Rector, whose company quarters adjoin
ours, to reinforce us and learn the cause of our prolonged absence. It
was finally decided to return to camp, leaving our watch on duty.
While eating breakfast we received notice that our game was housed.
We marched back, you may believe, in high spirits; but alas! only to
meet a repetition of our failure. One of our guards had imprudently,
and against positive orders, allowed himself to be seen by the family,
and again the bird had flown to the woods, and nothing was left for us,
but to return to camp, hanging our heads, (instead of the traitors) with
shame and vexation at our want of success, and bearing the taunts <j{
our comrades as best we might. The afternoon following Lieutenant
Lee, of Captain Rector's company, thinking no doubt to win laurels
for his company by success where we had failed, started an expedition
for the same purpose, of which I took the lead as guide. By making
a detour through the timber, we succeeded in surrounding the house,
without being seen by the inmates, and again was that house made
historic by being enclosed in a military cordon, embracing a circle of
about one half mile in diameter. Leading the party on horseback,
and seeing the chain uncoil itself behind me, as they were sent off by
Lieutenant Lee, one at a time, at a distance of about fifteen rods from
each other, tightening its huge folds in silence around its supposed
unconscious victim, inspired a feeling of confidence in the success of
our expedition, and also brought to mind similar exploits of "Marion
and his men " in Revolutionary times. After we had completed our
circuit, twenty men were sent to beat the cover; but, beat as they
would, "Bob' was not, and there was the end on't.
Lieutenant Lee, in chagrin at his failure, determined to strain a
point, and ordered under arrest, a son of Robert McCulloch, esq.,
nephew of a secession general, a lad about fifteen years of age. A file
of men started for the woods; taking the boy with them a coil of rope
hanging ostentatiously from the arm of Sergeant Kelley. Taking him
to the darkest corner of a heavily timbered ravine, he was ordered
peremptorily to disclose all he knew of the whereabouts of his father,
which he refused to do. There upon the rope was ordered to be
thrown over the nearest stout limb, and a noose prepared. The boy
took in the arrangements at a glance and yielded, agreeing to lead them
to where his father was; whici'. he said was at a house some four miles
away. The party immediately proceeded to the place designated, and
148
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
found— not the game, but a "sign," announcing that he had been there,
but had left for parts unknown. (We must be allowed here to leave
on record a suspicion that the "boy" got the best part of the joke, in
this transaction; and that he has doubtless many times related to
admiring circles, "how he led those Hawkeye Jayhawkers, a wild goose
chase, through brush and brambles, on a cold morning in October,
1861." E. P,)
Thus ended our first hunt for secessionists; and we came home ready
to admit, that one secesher, in this instance at least, was more than a
match for two companies of Cavalry.
There are but two companies in camp at this time, but the full
number are accepted, and will be here as fast as buildings can be
completed to receive them. Three more companies will be here by
Wednesday next, and the balance in a few days. I have nothing more
to add, except to say to any persons who are wishing to enlist, that
this company yet lacks a few men of the maximum number, and if
they wish to join us, they can do so by applymg to Lieutenant B. S.
Rider, who is commissioned for that purpose.
Yours truly,
George B. Parsons.
LETTER NO. XXVII.
Pope's Division, Headqu.^rters Fifth Iowa Regiment, near )
Otterville, MissoiRi, October 19, 1861 j
Friend Rich: — Our regiment left Boonville at an early hour on
Monday, the fifteenth instant, for Otterville, thirty miles distant, trav-
elling a road, the roughness whereof the imagination of man never
conceived. The Illinois Thirty-seventh regiment. Colonel White,
brought up the rear. At Syracuse we were to rejoin the Missouii
Ninth, which we had left the day previous, and proceed together to
Otterville, which is General Popes headquarters. Mr. Weis, our
scout, leaves to-morrow morning for St. Louis, and I must send this
by him, or never; so I will insert a few extracts from my diary, and let
it go. We have not had any mail, or received a Guardian for a long
time, I had almost forgotten to say that Lieutenant Marshall has
been honored with the post of brigade quartermaster. In his promo-
tion our company loses one of its most gentlemanly and efficient offi-
cers. All the boys are strong and hearty as lions, and eager for an
engagement. This amiable wish may soon be gratified, for the enemy
are reported to be gathering in strength upon the Osage. No doubt
Price has been successful in his long cherished hope of effecting a
junction with McCuUoch, and their united forces amount to thirty-nine
thousand, at least so say the scouts. General Fremont is at Warsaw,
and it is highly probable that he will advance and give him battle, if
the latter gentleman can be persuaded to overcome his inordinate love
for running, and stand fire.
The country through which we passed after leaving Boonville, in a
southerly course, is strikingly picturesque. Noble houses and well
kept lawns beautify the roadside. The second day's inarch was more
fatiguing than any we had previously experienced. The roads are
rough, and m many places very muddy. Wagons sink to the hub, and
mules disappear entirely, except their ears. The second night we
camped one and a half miles from Syracuse, and I had the pleasure of
serving as corporal of the guard. To render the duty still more agree-
able, it rained all night. Lieutenant Marshall, who was officer of the
guard, and myself crawled into a small tent and managed to keep
tolerably dry. At ten o'clock A. M. we started for Otterville, distant
eight miles. The night's rain had rendered the roads awful. Our
regiment took the lead, the Ninth Missouri, which joined us at Syra-
cuse, next, the Thirty-seventh bringing up the rear. The train lined
the road for two miles. Reached Otterville, a small straggling town,
at five o'clock P. M. , marched two miles further and camped on the
prairie. No less than ten thousand are stationed here. The country
looks as if a swarm of locusts had been through it. C. J. R.
LETTER NO. XXVIII.
Camp Huron, Missouri, October 20, 1861.
Friend Rich; — Since my last but little of interest has transpired.
On the tenth instant we were ordered to pack knapsacks and prepare
to leave St. Louis, The day previous we had received our arms, old
muskets, which were undoubtedly in the Revolution, and perhaps have
not been shot since. Nevertheless we took them and started for the
cars. Our knapsacks being heavy, and the sun shining rather warm,
many of us were ready to rest when we got to the depot. We finally
got into first-rate cattle cars and moved off slowly, one engine serving
for a train of over twenty cars. We arrived at this place. Pacific City,
about twelve p. m., and were marched to our camp ground, thirty or
forty rods from the village, " by the light of the moon." We are sta-
tioned here to guard the place, for it is an important post, the roads
forming a junction here. A great many soldiers pass over this road
for Rolla and Jefferson City. Seven companies of the Ninth left last
Wednesday for the west or southwest, to guard bridges and to act as
scouting parties.
We are glad to hear through your columns the election news. We see
there is a Republican administration over our county, which has served
and is serving our country so well. Our company is getting along
finely, all of the boys enjoying themselves. But one or two are in the
hospital. We are afraid of the ague, if we stay here long, for the
region is a malarial one. The patriotic spirit among our boys seems
to be firmer than ever. Life is sweet, but not so sweet but that we
are willing to risk ours to replace the stars and stripes which have
been trodden in the dust. We are bound to ^ e that emblem of our
country's power floating again in the plac .rom which it has been
torn, to be trailed under rebel feel.
E. C. Little.
The memory of the youthful hero who uttered these noble senti-
ments, and who descended to an early grave, from wounds received in
their defense, will live in the hearts of the noblest and purest, not only
of those who knew him, but of all who shall ever claim citizenship in
Buchanan county.
E. P. j
LETTER NO. XXIX.
Camp Herkon, Pacific City, Missouri, October 21, 1861.
Friend Rich. — The Buchanan County Light infantry are still
among the living, though almost dying for a fight. The boys are all
very much dissatisfied at having to stay at this place; but we suppose
it is all right, as, being at the junction of the Rolla and Jefferson rail-
roads, we can be sent in either direction at short notice. At present
four companies are twelve miles west on the Rolla road guarding a
bridge over the Merrimack; two more companies are six miles distant
at another bridge; Captain Powers, with his company, two miles away
at another. The light infantry remain in camp, with two other com-
panies, to guard the city; or, more properly, the railroad. It is one of
the most dismal, forsaken looking places I have seen since I left home.
Almost every able-bodied man has joined either the rebel or Union
army, and if those that are left are fair specimens of those that have
gone, one of our men could chase a thousand, and two could put ten
thousand to flight. You have no idea what a yellow-skinned spindle-
shanked set of goslings they are. Half of the home guards and home
enemies are so ignorant that they can't tell you to what regiment they
belong, or where they came from. They are very much like an old
lady I saw here the other day. She said she didn't "keer as wich on
'em got beat eout," if they would let her "a leavin." Like Jeff. Davis,
she wanted to be let alone. Is it to be wondered at that these ignorant
creatures who know nothing of, and of course care nothing for, their
country, are imposed upon by the designing traitors who ha\'e told
them that, if they do not rise and drive the Union men out they will all
be hung and their property taken. But, thank Heaven and Federal
cannon, they are fast coming to their senses.
We have, at present, some eight prisoners who have been taken by
our scouts. While Captain Powers and his men were in pursuit of one
the other day, he eluded them and got away. But having strong sus-
picion that he was secreted in a house near by. they made a military
search, placing a guard at each door, and one in each room. The
ladies of the house declared that no such man was in the house, and
offered their services as an assurance of the fact. But somehow our
military men lack confidence, even in the ladies down here, and they
were not satisfied until they had gone from cellar to garret. When
they were about giving up the search the captain thought he saw a pair
of boots through a broken ceiling. Drawing a revolver, he demanded
if there was anything alive in them; if not, there was no harm in try-
ing his skill at a mark. The boots soon began to move, and in less
time than I can tell it, a full grown secesh stood before them. And
then the ladies — but we spare you. It would be quite needless to tell
you that the gallant captain did not avail himself of the privilege of
bayoneting them, which they dared the " black-hearted villain" to do.
He simply assured them that he was not there to harm them in any
way, and, having secured the hero of the boots he bowed himself out.
October 22d, Tuesday night, dark and blustering. Quite .an exciting
affair occurred about 8 o'clock. James Waldon, of company D, one
of the picket guards, saw some one coming toward him, and ordered
hinT to stand; but the person came directly on, at the same time raising
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
149
a gun. The guard cried, "Hold, don't shoot!" but raised his own
gun and fired, calling, at the same time, for the corporal of the guard,
double quicl<. Before the corporal could get to the scene of
action bang went another shot. By this time about fifty men had
assembled, and scouts were sent out to bring in the supposed Ijleeding
rebel, hut nothing could be heard or seen. Soon all was quiet, and the
guard was doubled to make all safe. The quiet was of short duration,
however. Halt! halt! halt! and another bang and call for the corporal
of the guard came in quick succession. I stood in the door of the hos-
pital, saw the firing, and ran immediately to the place. Before I came
up another "halt! halt! halt!" by the next, and off went his gun when
I was within ten feet of hmi. By this time we began to think that the
bushes were full of rebels. The colonel was on hand, and, m his usual
prompt manner, five minutes found the companies all in line. At the
word "load!" such a,j:clanking of arms ! The rammers sounded like
the beating often thous>>-l triangles. But, as usual, no enemy was to
be found. So much for our first attack. We are happy to slate that
none were killed on our side, and shall pro' ibly be able to state the
number missing on the other side ne.\t week. Our men exhibited the
best courage; not a man held back, but all were ready for the fight.
Mr. Voung, in his hurry, forgot to take out a paper he kept in the muz-
zle of his gun to keep out the dirt, but put in the charge and rammed
the whole down together. Of course he did not shoot anybody, and
in that he w'as not peculiar. R. W. W.
LETTER NO. XXX.
C.^MP Herron, Ninth Regiment, Iowa Volunteers, 1
October 24, 1861. j
Friend Rich :— Thinking that a few lines from this, the land of
secesh and the home of the homely, might perhaps not be uninteresting
to the readers of your excellent paper, I will note down a few items and
incidents which are common and peculiar to a soldier's life. We left
Benton barracks on the morning of the twelfth, and took the cars at
St. Louis about 3 o'clock p. M., for Camp Herron, arriving here about
10 o'clock at night. The road was very rough and uneven, and having
probably the hea\ iest load the old iron horse ever drew, he travelled at
a snail's pace, and we were somewhat astonished when we were in-
formed that we were only thirty-seven miles from St. Louis. Along the
line of the load the country is very broken and uneven, with timber in
abundance: while here and there could be seen farm houses that beto-
kened thrift and prosperity, with a plenty of fruit, that recalls scenes
that have tr,anspired in youth among the hills of the old Granite State.
Camp Herron is situated between two bluffs that rise in splendid mag-
nificence, the tops enveloped in dense ague fogs, while along their sides
are huge rocks, enormous stumps and clumps of bushes.
The boys are enjoying themselves, passing away the leisure time in
approprKiting apples and other delicacies belonging to those whose
loyalty is not above suspicion, and in scouting by parties of three or
four up to fifty, according to the game we are in pursuit of. Five of
our companies are stationed along the railroad, guarding the bridges
from rebel incendiaries, and visiting those who are known to be enemies
to their country. The sergeant that guards the bridge a mile from the
camp arrested two last week, and brought them into camp. 1 had the
pleasure of assisting in their capture, and, as pursued and pursuers
were mounted, we had an exciting time. But finally they were headed
and taken into camp for inspection. The colonel dismissed one of them
after administering the oath, but the other is still a prisoner. We have
seven of the "critters, " and the number is still increasing. I would
like to give you a description of a regular secesh, but that is an impos-
sibility—to do him justice would be out of the question. One who has
been here any length of time can tell one, almost to a dead certainty,
by their downcast, forsaken, yellow, and jaundiced countenances, occa-
sioned in part, no doubt, by their close proximity to the Iowa Ninth,
knowing, as they must, that the day of retribution is at hand unless
they repent. They have none of that noble manliness that can stand
before the world and say, " I am an American."
I am one of a party that is going out to-morrow, and 1 think we
shall have some sport before we return. There are a considerable num-
ber of home-guards in this vicinity, and also a good many Missouri
boys who are in the service for the war. I have conversed with quite a
number of them, and they say we are too easy with those taken pris-
oners. They think death, for traitors against such a government as
ours, is far better than they deserve. The Union men see and feel the
effects of this monstrous rebellion, and a great many have been forced
to join the army to save themselves from the cowardly rebels. The
army, they say, is the safest place for a Union man.
There was an alarm last night, occasioned by some of the guard
imagining that they heard or saw some one in the bushes near by
where they were stationed. They discharged their pieces at the imag-
inary something, gave the alarm, and in a very few minutes every com-
pany was drawn up in line of battle, ready to meet the enemy. It
turned out to be a false alarm. The only spy that could be found was
an unfortunate hog, on a nutting expedition. This was quite early in
the evening, and everything went on smoothly again until about i
o'clock at night, when the guards raised another alarm. The lieutenant
of the guard took a number of the men and went out to reconnoitre.
They had not advanced far when they beheld a few rods in advance a
crouching figure, ready to pour death, destruction and ounce balls into
their ranks. A halt and the stern demand, "Who is there?" brought no
response. The question was repeated, but the intrepid scout was not
to be intimidated. A shot from the lieutenant's revolver sped on its
deadly errand ; they rushed forward boldly to capture the prisoner and
conduct him to headquarters ; but, strange to tell, he was still un-
moved. The gallant officer of the guard had plumped the centre of a
big black stump ! It was the last alarm of the night.
The boys are all an.xious to get their new arms and try themselves.
We are getting tired of the old revolutionary fusees that we have now.
The only capacity in which they excel is that of killing at the wrong
end. One poor volunteer had his shoulder dislocated, was knocked
down, and kicked three times after he was down. .Another had one
side of his face bruised; and quite a number have been jarred until
their noses bled, while the catalogue of minor mishaps is endless. But
this is not the worst aspect of the case. We can outlive all such catas-
trophies as these; but if we ever get into battle with them, the first fire
we make will place us in position to be shot in the back by the rebels.
We can put up with almost anything, but the idea of being turned
right about face at every fire is too much; and, besides, it is a manoeu-
vre the Iowa Ninth has not yet learned. We have splendid weather,
warm and pleasant in the day-time, but cool at night. 1 received a
Guardian day before yesterday, and it was quite a luxury to hear the
neW'S from so near home. H. P. W.
[The following are extracts from private letters from
Lieutenant Jordan, of the Fifth regiment, written dur-
ing the march southward to join the main force under
Pope, destined to attack Price. — E. P.]
LETTER XXXI.
Camp near Quincy, Missouri, October 26, 1861.
Dear Rich: Ever since we left Boonville we have been on the
tramp, marching each day from ten to twenty miles and camping at
night. We are now, as near as I can find out, about twenty miles
east of Osceola and seventy-five miles north of Springfield. We be-
long to Pope's division. Second brigade. Davis' division is encamped
near us. We suppose that Fremont is fifteen or twenty miles south.
With great mortification and indignation, we hear that Hunter is to
supercede him. The entire army has confidence in Fremont, and
there is no doubt that in a tew weeks, if left alone, he would defeat
Price, and put an end to the war in this State. But the rotten politi-
cians must have their way. I am afraid, if Fremont is superseded, that
this army will rapidly become demoralized, and perhaps be beaten by
Price.
The country through which we have passed the last few days is mis-
erable. A few log houses, tenantless, the remains of slaughtered ani-
mals, and the debris of the campingregiments, are only and everywhere
to be seen. This whole region has the appearance of being very thinly
settled by half-civilized "pukes." We passed through the town of
Warsaw, yesterday, and such a town ! but they are all about alike in
this part of the Slate. The places of business are all closed, and a
Sunday-like silence reigns supreme. A few straggling or sick soldiers
and some slovenly-looking women and children, comprise the inhabi-
tants. The north part of the State is quite different. Toward Colum-
bia the people are educated and refined, and live luxuriously. It will
take years for Missouri to revive from the disastrous eflfecls of this
war.
To-day is Sunday, a fine day, and we strike tents in about an hour.
We have, alltogether, seventeen sick, fourteen of whom are scattered
along at the difterent hospitals between here and Jefferson City. Carl
White is under the weather, and 1 suspect has the measles. Quite a
number of our men have them — got them from Indiana, the Twenty-
second, nicknamed "paw-paw." I suppose you heard about the paw-
paw battle, when they killed their own major and fifteen or twenty of
their own men; and then reported that they had an engagement
with the enemy. Our regiment is being rapidly reduced by sickness,
15°
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
consequent upon sleeping on the danrp ground with only one thin
blanket. Almost all of us have severe colds. I have a rubber blanket,
and every morning, when I get up, the under side is so wet the water
will run off from it. Marshall has been appointed brigade qu^irter-
master, rank of captain. Lewis is sergeant major: Dr. Martin is sur-
geon of the " Hickory County brigade." .
We have just pitched our tents again, about two miles west of our
camp last night, on the headquarters of Hogel's creek, on a fine prai-
rie. The weather is fine; hot in the middle of the day, comfortable at
night. Previous to our last advance we had crackers, but now have
flour; and as it is impossible to make bread, we mix it with water and
fry cakes, which are very indigestible. The colonel is trying to get
some ovens to bake bread in, and if he does, it will make it all right.
What we need most is postage stamps; we can not get them here at all.
The regiment has just got a new suit; and, in a short time, we are to
get our overcoats and another blanket, so that we shall be well provid-
ed for.
LETTER NO, XXXII.
Springfield, Missouki, November 4, 1861.
. . We have been on the tramp ever since I wrote last. I have
been up the past three nights. On Saturday last I was detailed with
twenty men and six teams to go after flour. The distance was six
miles, so they told me. I started at 2 o'clock, travelled the six miles,
and found that the wheat was not threshed. We then had to go two
and a half miles further, to where the wheat was, get it threshed, and
go fifteen miles further to mill. We got to the mill at 10 o'clock )he
same night, irtiloaded our wheat and filled up with flour, and the next
morning started for camp. When I got to the camp at Humansville,
I found only some four hundred sick men. The troops had started
about two hours after I went to mill, on a forced march to Spiingfield.
1 rode on, and reached this place yesterday at 2 o'clock. My seventy-
five miles ride on horseback, not being used to it, has left me mighty
sore. There are about fifty thousand troops here, and there was an
engagement yesterday between our ad\'anced guard and some ' "secesh"
as we came into Springfield. Fifteen of our Fremont body-guards
were killed, and about fifty Secesh. The camp is full of rumors. We
left our tents and baggage behind, and came through in double-quick,
as we he.ird there was a general engagement. We are encamped in
some brush, without tents or knapsacks. The buys have just received
two days' rations of fresh beef, and the only way they have of cooking
it is to put it on a stick and roast it in the blaze. They make coffee
by putting it in a tin cup and holding it on the fire until it is boiled.
The rumor is that Price's picket is about six miles off, and advancing,
but I do not believe a word of it. I expect we shall start to-night for
Arkansas, but we have no orders to march yet. There are here infan-
try, cavalry, artillery, lancers, guides, sappers and miners, and all de-
scriptions of arms in the service. There are some one hundred and
twenty pieces of artillery. If we could but make Price stand and
fight, it would put an end to the war here; but I do not think he will.
We hear to-day the worst news we haye heard since the war com-
menced. Fremont has been superseded. He passed through our
camp to-day on his way to Washington. Everyone, from general down
to private, deplores his removal; and curses, loud and earnest, can be
heard on all sides. He has the confidence of the entire army. The
political knaves, high in the Government, will have to answer for it.
We have in our company some eight men sick with the measles, but
so far the company has not lost one by death.
LETTER NO. XXXIII.
C.4MP Herron, He.\dqu.^rters Io\v.\ Ninth, )
October 30, 186 1. [
. . . It gives us courage to see the hosts of patriots that are
rushing in to save this unfortunate State from the coils of the serpent
treason. The cheering news reaches us every day that the Union cause
is triumphant throughout the State. Quartermaster Winslow is in
New York after our Enfield rifles or Minie muskets, and also to make
provision for paying the soldiers. And we know that when he comes, he
comes with what he went after, or the red-tape and shoulder-strap com-
mission will get a blessing. He is a man of the right stamp. He will
do his whole duty without fear or favor. . . . We are still at Paci-
fic City, forty miles west of St. Louis, and hope to get away soon.
We have a number sick with typhoid fever and diarrhoea. Marcus
Scott, of company H, died on the twenty-eighth. His brother came
from Marion and took his body home in a metallic coffin. John F.
Drips is very low with typhoid fever, also a yuung man named Frank-
lin. The following are the sick of company C: R. Y. Bain, P.
Riterman and R. E. Freeman — the two latter are getting better; D. 'V.
Coe and Stephen Holman, also of our company. Holman has the
measles, Coe bilious fever; the latter very sick. We are having a re-
gular time with mumps and measles. The boys fear the mumps more
than they do the rebels; the rebels run away from us, but the mumps
won't.
The Independence papers are anxiously looked for every week by the
"infants." If one comes into camp you will see a dozen after it, and
one of the number becomes the reader, until all get the news. It
seems like meeting an old friend to get a paper from home. We are
all in good spirits, and gelling ready for any emergency. The boys
are practicing on wild turkeys at present, and there are plenty of them
here. Captain Pow-ers' company killed a deer the other day, two
miles from their camp, which made a fine treat for them. . . .
R. W. W.
LETTER NO. XXXIV.
Camp Herron, Ninth Iowa Regiment, 1
P.\ciFic City, Missouri, November 24. 1861. )
Friend Rich: — . . . The greatest mystery of all is why our
guns do not arrive. They have been looked for with the greatest im-
patience for a number of weeks. Quartermaster Winslow arrived last
Wednesday, and stated that they would be here in a couple of days
but we are still waiting for them. Colonel Vandever, commander of
this post, having learned that a very fine secesh flag, which had waved
defiantly in the village of Manchester, distant from this place twenty-
three miles, was secreted in that vicinity, dispatched Lieutenant Bull,
on the fifteenth instant, to effect its capture. He selected fifteen men
from company C, and your correspondent was cne of the lucky ones.
^Ve left camp at 5:30 P. M. , and took the evening train in a few minutes
for Merrimac, where we were to leave the cars and perform the re-
mainder of our journey on foot. At this point we were joined by the
home guards stationed there, and soon performed our three mile march
to Manchester. Surrounded the house of Esquire Barry, who has been
foremost in the secession movements of that strong secesh town, and
who was reported to have the flag in his possession, he was politely re-
quested to resign its custody to the representatives of Uncle Sam. The
'squire protested against this imputation ; declared that the flag was
not there, and that he knew nothing of its whereabouts. His lady
admitted that she had for a time kept it secreted in a box in the garden,
but as it was likely to spoil, she took it up, dried it, and it was taken
away by some ladies Hving "a great way off," whose names she re-
fused to give. Finally, after a thorough, but fruilless search of the
house, and after the lieutenant had placed her husband under arrest,
and was making preparations to take him to headquarters, the wife,
(probably hoping to save her husband) acknowledged that a certain
widow Stewart had taken the flag from there. Esquire B. was escorted
to the station by four men, and the rest of us were led by our gallant
lieutenant to the house where the flag was secreted. The house was
surrounded and the flag demanded. The lady would like to know who
informed the lieutenant that the flag was in her possession — she was
willing that we should search the house, which was done, but no signs
of the treasure were visible. The lady then thanked the officer for the
gentlemanly manner in which the search was conducted, saying she
supposed he was satisfied. But he shook his head and said that he
still thought the flag was in her possession, and that it would be better
for her to produce it at once; but if she would not, as unpleasant a task
as it would be, he should arrest her, and take her to headquarters at
Franklin. Accordingly two men were despatched for a carriage. This
was but a feint of the lieutenant's to scare her, and insure the giving up
of the flag. The men waited a few rods from the house — the oflicer
waited for the delivery of the flag, and the lady was preparing appar_
ently to go. Finally she asked if any indignity would have been shown
her, had she produced the flag, and was assured that there would nOf
have been. Again she asked who informed him the flag was there; and
when told that Mrs. B. was our informant, she said, "Captain, you
are a gentleman, and I will deliver you the flag." She went to a bed
that had been fruitlessly searched, took a quilt, and, with the aid of
her girl, soon had it ripped open, and there lay the flag which, pre-
vious to the advent of our troops in the neighborhood, was floating
over the town in triumph. It was a fine one, twenty-one feet in length
and nine feet wide. It had been placed in her care by Barry's folks
for safe keeping, as she was a widow, and they naturally thought she
would not be suspected. The flag is now in Colonel \^andever's charge,
as is also Esquire B. , who is awaiting his trial.
We have received our overcoats, and also our pay up to the last Of
October. The great western army is moving this way and will be in
St. Louis in a few days. George Sellars, Pete Putnam, and three or
four others, of Captain Lee's company, who have been in the hospital
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
151
at St. Louis, were here the other night in pursuit of their regiment.
They expected to meet it at Tipton yesterday. They reported their
company in good health when they left. Our own boys in the hospital
are getting along finely, with one or two exceptions.
E. C. Little.
LETTER NO. XXXV.
Headquarters Fifth Iowa Regiment, )
Springfield. Missol'RI, Novembers, 1861. (
Mr. Edito^: — Seated by the threshold of Captain Lee's tent, in-
haling the fresh, morning air, on which is borne the melody of innumera-
ble brass bands, mingled with the plaintive bray of mules and shouts
of angry teamsters, I propose a pensive hour to spend communing
with the Guardian. . . . On Tuesday, the first instant, our
brigade left Humansville at 2 p. m., and took the main road to BoUvar.
Prior to starting, our gallant colonel rode along the lines, and assured
us that we would have a long march, scant fare, and almost certainly a
hard fight. We had not asked him where we were going and for this
he complimented us; said it was not his duty to tell; hoped that we
would sustain our reputation for courage and discipline, which had
gone abroad far and near, and concluded by saving that the report
which the brigade should give of itself, would depend upon the action
of each man in its ranks. . . We marched nine miles that
night, and camped by a small stream, built fires and lay down to catch
a little rest. The air was quite cool, and, in the morning, we found a
heavy coat of frost on our blankets. Were soon under way and reached
Bolivar at noon, where we took dinner. The town was a scene of
desolation. The next day, when about fifteen miles this side of Boli-
var, we were met by a messenger, carrying dispatches of great im-
portance, for we were halted by the roadside, and ordered to cook
dinner (having had nothing warm for twenty-four hours), and prepare
to march all night. Knapsacks and every thing that would impede us
in travelling, were to be left behind in charge of the teamsters. At 5 P.
M. the cavalry company advanced, our regiment closing in immediately
after, the Ninth Missouri next, and the Indianians bringing up the
rear. The whole line extended a distance of more than three miles,
and presented a sight really grand and imposing, as it wound over
bluffy heights and through deep ravines. We were on a spur of the
Ozark mountains, which lies just northward from Springfield, in a suc-
cession of long, broken ranges. We kept on until 10 o'clock without
halting, when we were met by another courier, who stated that General
Fremont had been superseded, and anew condition of things inaugurat-
ed. Messengers were sent back to prevent the further advance of supply
trains and baggage wagons. We were ordered to camp by the road-
side. As fortune would have it, the place chosen for our location was
on a steep hillside, covered with brush. Into this we went, crawling,
dodging, twisting, stumbling, giving vent to all manner of angry ex-
clamations, and ready to cry out in bitterness of spirit. " Ye took us to
Athens, to meet the foe that was not. Ye compelled us to wade through
mud to Columbia, 10 encounter some abuse and a host of musquitoes.
Ye fooled us at Lamine, and now instead of the battle ye promised, we
are forced in an inglorious manner into the brush."
The next morning we were assured that we should go on to Spring-
field at all events, and after a fatiguing march reached there on the
third instant. The country around Springfield is rough and broken,
but poorly cultivated, well timbered, well watered, and affords good
facilities for grazing, The inhabitants area mixture of Irish, Scotch,
and Dutch descent, speaking a variety of languages, and possessing
principles, manners, and customs wholly dissimilar to ours, and shock-
ingly barbarous to the quiet, suggestive^?), quid-loving yankee. Quite a
number of Kentuckians and mongrel southerners manage to eke out a
scanty living on the profits arising from the sale and hire of niggers,
which, with them, is a laudable speculation. The fields, orchards, and
gardens of the town have suffered severely since the war began, while
many of the houses are tenantless. Naturally it is a pretty place, and
was once the centre of a flourishing trade.
On the second morning after our arrival, we had an opportunity of
seeing a company of Lane's renowned Jayhawkers. They are from the
frontiers, regular pioneers and trappers; dressed in a loose hunting-
frock, black hals with feathers, and moccasons. They are armed with
Sharp's carbines, capable of doing good execution at two hundred
yards, knife, sabre, and Colt's revolver. Altogether they are a formida-
ble set of fellows, and will do to match against anything McCulloch
can produce from the prairies of Texas.
But the most interesting spectacle of all was to witness the departure
of Fremont with his body-guard, which occurred on the fourth instant.
Ever since the news of his supersedure reached the public here, the
people have been in a state of excitement, bordering on insanity; and
this increased as the time for his departure approached.
Tiie first intimation of his coming was the music of the band float-
ing out on the early morning air. and soon the road and every avenue
around the camp, was lined with an eager crowd of spectators, anxious
to catch a glimpse of the general. Soon the cortege came in sight,
and in the following order: First the band, preceded by an aid-de-
camp, with a drawn sword; second, the body-guard. These are most-
ly half-breeds, from the Delaware tribe, straight as arrows, defiant,
self-possessed, and haughty in demeanor, and evincing the most perfect
discipline. There was nothing gorgeous, no flimsy glitter or tinsel
about their arms or equipments, but everything looked as though it
was meant for service, had seen service and could do more. They were
mounted on Indian ponies, with thongs of dried leather for bridal
reins, and all had Mexican saddles. Next came the general , dressed in
the garb of an ordinary citizen, and mounted on a gray horse. As I
stood near the road-side, and the train moved slowly, I had a good
chance to see his features. His countenance was pale and care-worn,
with silver threads mingled witli hair once of raven blackness. The
whiskers, with which most of the pictures represent him, had been cut
off, with the exception of a slight moustache. His eyes are keen,
bright, almost looking you through. He saluted us all in the kindest
manner, and with such familiarity, gentleness and solicitude of expres-
sion, that all felt like rushing forward and seizing him by the hand.
Many of the soldiers wept like infants, and all was solemn, silent and
sad as a funeral. Last of all came the baggage-wagons, followed by
the soldiery, in some places amounting almost to a mlitiny; and it
will, I fear, result in the most disastrous consequences to our cause.
You have heard of the fight which took place here, a week ago to-
day, between Fremont's body-guard and fifteen hundred secesh, posted
in and about the town. The action commenced four miles north, on
the road from Boyd's, and after the first fire and charge, was a running
fight the whole distance. After the affair was over, the bodies of one
hundred and fifty rebels were found in the road and bushes; while the
guard lost but seventeen killed. It was a brave exploit, but rather pre-
mature. Had the mnjor followed out his instructions, and waited for
the reserve force under Fremont, to come up, the town could have been
surrounded, and the whole nest captured. As it is. they lost a large
amount of clothing, military stores and ordnance, which they can ill af-
ford to spare. If the numerous reports can be credited. Prices army
is now in a sad condition, disorganized, and destitute of resources.
The general opinion among military men is that the war in this secliorr
can not last much longer, but will be confined mainly to Kentucky and
the eastern department. Generals Siegel, Sturgis, Lane, Montgomery,
McKinstry, Pope, and Kellon, are all here, with their respective di-
visions. Lane appears to be the most honored by the majority of
citizens and soldiers. He is about as ugly a man as you will often see,
thin and wiry in form, with shaggy, portentous eye-brows. He is a
strict disciplinarian; but, at the same time, uses every means condu-
cive to the health and comfort of his men. As to the others,
there is nothing more than ordinary about their general appearance.
Pope has too much of a rowdyish air and swagger to impress one verv
favorably. Kelton is quiet and unobtrusive in deportment, reticent,
and master of his own tboughtsand movements. Our regiment is now
assigned to his brigade, which consists of the Iowa Fifth, Missouri
Ninth, and Illinois Thirty-seventh. The other two regiments, by
priority, would be the Indiana Eighteenth and Twenty-second; but so
much hatred is evinced toward the paw-paw fighters, that it is doubtful
whether they can be worked in. Our camp is half a mile north of the
town, in a field once used as a meadow. Around are scattered a few
trees and brush, sotne half dozen houses, tenantless. and directly in
front a tavern with creaking sign, windows smashed in, and the doors
streaked and smeared with the accumulated dirt of twenty years. A
few rheumatic chairs stand out on the porch, inviting the weary limbs
of the pedestrian to a deceitful repose — these are some of the attrac-
tions of an inn bearing the name, "Pleasant Retreat."
The weather is mild and beautiful, and we have some splendid moon-
light evenings. On such occasions the lovers of the terpsichorean art
are apt to congregate together for a social dance on the smooth turf,
in front of the tents. A musician's balcony is improvised by turning
a barrel on end, and a band, by placing a negro with a cracked fiddle
thereon. To be sure, no method has been devised by which lady part-
ners, ice cream, and bon bons can be improvised; but what of that?
The participants seize each other with something less of the grace and
gentleness which characterized their movements when gliding over the
floor of Morse's hall with the fair damsels of Independence, nor do
" eyes look love to eyes," or lips whisper fond devotion in quiet corners;
152
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
but the dance, notwithstanding all these abatements, which might to
some appear like the play of Hamlet with the part of Hamlet omitted,
passes off right merrily. The set finished, partners are seated, pipes
and tobacco handed round, and the probabilities of our ever having a
fight or seeing home again discussed in a cloud of smoke. And then
we have some good singing from a lot of fellows in company B. Now
and then brother Sam drops in, and takes up the refrain, and such a
voice!
Of Prices movements nothing certain is known. Many think he is
doing his best to form a junction with Pillow, and transfer the seat of
war to Kentucky. Our whole force here is si.xty thousand, principally
from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. For pro-
visions, this vast force is dependent upon supply trains from Otterville,
which is the western military depot, and the road between that point
and Springfield, is crowded at all times with wagon trains. Osceola,
si.vty miles north of here, was laid in ashes two weeks ago, by Lane's
jayhawkers. It was a severe measure, but the e.vigencies of the case
required it. Property was destroyed to the amount of one hundred
thousand dollars. John Minton, once a resident of Buchanan county,
was present, and related to me the whole engagement. One hundred
of the rebels were killed and a large number taken prisoners. Osceola
had always been a secession stronghold, and lichly deserved its fate.
I see by your correspondence that Mr. J. L. Loomis, whom
I saw at Warsaw and Springfield, is disposed to award the palm to
the Iowa Ninth. Upon what grounds I do not know, as he had not
seen our regiment at the time the communication was written. Gen-
erals Pope and Kellon both declare that our regiment is not surpassed
or equalled by any in the western division, and that is considerable for
them to admit. As for company E, we still hold our own. Many of
the men have been sick with the measles, but are now getting better,
with the exception of Scott Cushman. Only one of our number has
been sent to his long home — Charles Marsh, who died m hospital at
Jefferson City, He had relatives living near Independence.
Yesterday we received our overcoats, which must prove \'ery service-
able— if this warm weather does not continue. How the good people
of Independence would stare to see company E marching down Main
street, knapsacks on their backs, and arms a port, dressed in their
long blue oi.'ercoats. Not a day passes, but some fond reminiscence
of times gone by is thought of. Whatever may be our present status,
as compared with others, may our duty to our country be so faithfully
discharged, that if permitted to return, we may not be ranked second
to any company that ever left the patriotic county of Buchanan to
quell the rebellion of 1861.
LETTER NO. XXXVl.
SvRACUSR, Mis-ouRi, November 22, 1861.
We left Springfield on the ninth instant, and arrived here on the
eighteenth. Our destination is St. Louis, and we are now wailing for
cars to convey us to Benton barracks, where w-e shall probably go into
winter quarters. All is quiet here. Everyone is wailing to hear some-
thing, nobody knows what, and so we live m expectancy.
November 27th.
Still at Syracuse.
" I say, cook, the orders are to prepare two days' rations, and to be
ready to start by six o'clock to-morrow morning," shouts a chief to his
mess, as he ruslies down the alley; "the captain has just told me so.
So pick over your beans, boil the meat, brown the coffee, divide the
crackers, and stir around."
"Where are we going?"
" That is more than I can tell. The colonel has never made me his
confidant since I appeared before hnu with that big rent in my trousers.
But then, probably we are bound for Fort Leavenworth, to go into
winter quarters; or, if not there. Cape Girardeau. St. Louis, San Fran-
cisco, or New Orleans."
We have been lying here, with the expectation that something would
turn up, for some time. Camp gossip has not been idle, and the most
improbable stories are circulated. . . A messenger arrived
here to-day, staling that the town of Warsaw was reduced to ashes,
and thai the rebel pickets were within fifteen miles of Sedaha. The
latter repoit is discredited, while the former may be true. The Federals
had seized a large amount of property belonging to secessionists, and
declared it contraband ; but, rather than have it fall into their hands,
the owners may have burnt it. It is hardly probable, however, that
Price would make an advance movement that would expose his rear
and flank to Lane and prevent supplies reaching him from the Arkan-
sas border. . . . Colonel Worthington has been appoint-
ed brigadier general over his brigade, in place of Kelton. who has
resumed his old post of assistant adjutant general at St. Louis. This
gives universal satisfaction. Indeed all the field officers of our regi-
ment are worthy of promotion.
Thursday, 28th.
To-day we were ordered to move. Got under way at 8 A. m., and
took the road for Otterville, en route, as many thought, for Sedalia.
Had nearly reached the town when the order was countermanded, and
we are now back on the old cimping ground, but how long we shall
remain here is uncertain. Some of the boys are suffering from colds,
which is not to be wondered at, for they sleep every night on the damp
ground, with nothing but a little straw and thin blanket under them.
By the by. this is Thanksgiving day with you. Wonder if the ladies
of Independence are fixing up any extras. We are going to have a
cake of Indian meal baked in the ashes. Think some of sending a
piece through to your town by express. Sam has just come in ; says
there isn't half enough for the mess, so you must not let your mouths
water" in expectation of the delicacy.
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. XXXVl I.
Camp Herron, Pacific, Missouri, November 27, 1861.
Friend Rich: I thought I would endeavor to fulfill my promise,
made to you before leaving Independence. My time and attention
have been very closely occupied, since the luwa Ninth left Camp
Union, Dubuque; but I will try to give you some of our doings and
experiences. . - . When we arrived at Benton Barracks, there
were some seven thousand troops there, including ihe Iowa Tenth and
the Douglass brigade, a Chicago regiment. This last named is a fine
regiment, both as to officers and men; but I think the Iowa Ninth has
a finer set of men than any regiment I have yet seen. After being
quartered at St. Louis for two weeks, we received marching orders for
Pacific City; and, on the same day, we had some old guns sent up
from the arsenal for our use. Two-thirds of them were not fit for any-
thing but old iron. Some of themen were very much opposed to taking
them, and felt very bad over it when they were compelled to comply
with the laws laid down in the Army Regulations.
There are about one hundred and fifty sick in the regiment, about
four-fifths with measles. We have not lost a man with the disease,
and none seem to be dangerously sick. We have had five deaths only
since the regiment was organized; four from typhoid fever, and one
from general debility caused by hard drink. This, I think, is not a bad
showing for a body of eleven hundred and twenty-five men. There
has not been a death in the Independence company, although it has
had its share of sickness. Sergeant Bain is the only one of the com-
pany seriously sick at this time, and he is in a fair way for recovery, as
the surgeon told me to-night. I certanily hope this will be the case,
for he is a fine young man.
The regiment was paid off early in the present month, and I can assure
you it was a day of great rejoicing. There was not a company in the
regiment that did not send to parents, wives and friends from a thou-
sand to twelve hundred dollars. I think that speaks well for the Iowa
Ninth. ... On the same day that the paymaster came around,
the boys' new overcoats arrived, and were distributed immediately af-
ter the payments. They were very much needed, for the nights were
quite cold, and standing guard with nothing but a thin coat on, and
a small blanket over the shoulders, was not as comfortable as with a
good overcoat. The regiment is well provided with clothing now,
through the exertions of our colonel, aided by the quartermaster, F. S.
Winslow, from Anamosa.
Ever since we arrived here, our regiment has been divided up into
detachments. Companies \ and F are six miles from this place, on
what is called the southwest branch of the Pacific railroad, which
leads to RoUa. Companies B and G are stationed twelve miles down
the road, at Mozelle. The rest of the companies are located at this
place; and, if we don't get orders soon, it is the intention of the com-
manding officer. Lieutenant Colonel Heiron, to set the men to build-
ing log houses for barracks. It is getting slightly cold lodging in
tents, as we had some hard frosts last week. Most of the officers
brought sheet-iron stoves for their tents, which can thus be made quite
comfortable so long as the fire is kept up; but in fifteen minutes after
they go to bed the fire is out, and the tent as cold as though there was
no stove in it.
I sent you a St. Louis paper, with Lieutenant Bull's exploit; it was
beautifully managed by him. He makes a splendid officer, and is
worthy of a much higher position than he now occupies, and I hope
soon to see him in a higher command.
Colonel Vandever is at present absent — goes to Dubuque to visit his
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
153
family, thence to Washington. He is an officer to be proud of, and
every man in the regiment feels a pride in having such a colonel. He
will probably be away two or three weeks. There are at this camp
some twenty-two thousand, and, by order from headquarters, Colonel
V'andever is placed in command of them.
The Missouri regiments are very inferior in discipline, drill and
equipments to most of the western troops. Carousing and going
home on furloughs are favorite recreations with them ; but a general
order, just issued, puts a stop to that game. Xo enlisted men are al-
lowed furloughs, or commissioned officers leaves-of-absence. except
they are granted by M.ijor General Halleck, commanding the depart-
ment. Lieutenant Colonel Herron is a most gentlemanly and efficient
officer, and well aoapted to the position he occupies. There is no
doubt as to his bravery, for he was tried in the battle of iSpringfield,
where he was in command of a company, and behaved nobly. . . .
The general opinion seems to be that an early move down the Mis-
sissippi is the ne.vt thing on the programme — the sooner the better for
us. Xo doubt you have heard that all the troops are ordered back
from the southwest portion of the State, and are now lying m camp
near Rolla and Sedalia; there being about thirty thousand at the two
places. As for Price, he is reported here one day and there the next, so
I won't pretend to tell you where he is. Doubtless in one of the above-
named places, unless he should have gone somewhere else. Dr.
Wright's wife and Mrs. Hord are staying here with their husbands.
Mrs. Hord lives in the tent with her husband, and seems to enjoy it.
Yours truly,
WiLLi.\M Scott.
LETTER NO. XXXVIII.
Hk.\dql'.^rteks FrFTH Regiment. )
Syracuse Missouri, December 7, i86i. )
The Illinois and Missouri regiments are to leave to-day for their new
quarters, wherever they may be. A brigade stationed at Tipton, six
miles north of here, has been ordered to Fort Leavenworth, while the
Iowa troops, with the exception of the Xinth and Fifth, rendezvous at
St. Louis. • • ■ Military discipline is gradually becoming
more strict and vigorous in all the departments. ' The
orders from General Halleck in regard to citizens entering the lines is
vety strict, but not particularly enforced. Every day droves of country
people arrive, bringing pies, cakes and vegetables, which they offer and
are permitted to sell within the lines. The only safe guard required by
any spy, to obtain the most complete knowledge of our situation and
defences, would be a pie under one arm, or a pailful of nutcakes. Al-
ready intelligence as to our numbers and position, have been conveyed
to the rebel commanders, and without doubt by these means. Still we
feel perfectly secure, and they are welcome to the dubious consolation
of knowing ; for, like a strong deal in the hands of your antagonist, the
more they see, the worse they hate us. Reports of Price's movements
arrive continuallv, but the most of them are discredited. His recent
pathetic proclamation, wherein he states so touchingly his tale of dan-
gers, trials and unrequited patriotism, is hardly strong enough to draw
the most rabid Missourian from his home, to brave the thunders of fed-
eral cannon. \"ague generalities, gorgeous rhetoric, and studied du-
plicity, are his principal arguments ; although he tells them he must
have fifty thousand men, but forgets to state for what purpose.
Sunday. 8th. — Terrific news arrived in this morning's
Democrat, and the whole camp is in a state of commotion. The prob-
abihty of the truthfulness of these statements is increased, from the fact
that large portions of our troops are moving westward ; the rear guard
and baggage wagons of a perfect host being now in view. The intelli-
gence conveyed by a special couriei to the general's headquaiters, is as
follows: " Rains has encountered Montgomery, southwest of Sedalia,
defeated and taken him prisoner. McCuIloch, with twenty thousand
men, has surrounded Siegel, at Sedalia, and cut him off from hope of
reinforcements. Price at the head of sixty thousand men, is marching
direct for St. Louis, by way of Rolla, while Cairo and Paducah have
been evacuated by the Federal troops, who with seven gunboats are
hastening to the assistance of St. Louis. " Be patient dear friends and
wait for further developments. Perhaps the grand army of the west
may yet get into a little scuffle.
Sunday, we have an inspection of arms, clothing and quarters. The
guns must be well scoured, the cloths brushed, the blankets and knap-
sacks folded and put away in the tents, hands and faces washed, hair
combed, collars turned down and coats buttoned ; in short, everything
about tight. We will suppose the company drawn up for inspection,
when somethiug like the following takes place : Captain. — ".\ttention
company — prepare for inspection of arms— to the rear, open order.
march." At this command, the company being drawn up in two
ranks, the front rank stands firm, while the* rear rank steps back the
distance of four paces, the bayonets are fixed, rammers drawn and in-
serted in the bore, when the soldier resumes the position of ordered
arms. The major, captain, or whoever the inspector may be, then
steps in front of the soldier, who brings up his piece briskly with his
right hand to the height of his chin, and then brings it forward hori-
zontally. The inspector seizes it at the small, and commences a strict
examination. If the condition of the gun is not satisfactory, it is re-
turned with the command, "Go to your quarters, clean that gun well
and report to me in an hour. " If this is neglected, the insubordinate
gets a birth for the next twenty-four hours in the guard house.
Lieutenant Jordan retains the high opinion first formed of
him, and is conceded by all to be one of the best qualified officers in
the regiment. We were paid off again to-day, the wages amounting
to eighteen dollars and fifty cents per capita. The boys are talking of
making up a package and expressing it through to Independence. I
saw Dr. Martin to-day. of the Hickory Batt.allion. He is in fine health
and spirits. His regiment is now stationed four miles from us, south-
west of Syracuse.
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. XXXIX.
Smithson, Missouri, December 16, 1861.
Friend Rich:— . . In these border States the right
policy will accomplish much more than large armies. I am confident
that no other man. save General Fremont, could have inspired the con-
fidence already entertained by the soldiery in M.ajor General Halleck.
I except General Fremont, for no commander ever possessed the affec-
tion and confidence of his army more completely than he, and the in-
dignation at his removal was unbounded. It is now conceded that, at
Springfield, the dissatisfaction at one time amounted almost to mutiny.
Still more intense is the universal detestation toward Fremont's vilifiers.
They have abused and misrepresented him in every manner that intense
hatred and jealousy could suggest; they charge him with crimes that
would damn a saint: they talk of his imbecility and inattention to his '
duties; they assert that his army was badly organized, badiv armed and
equipped, badly clothed, worse fed and very inadequately provided with
means of transportation; and that, as a consequence, upon the recent
expedition to Springfield, the soldiers suffered untold horrors. Of
course the country at large cannot judge correctly of the truth or falsiiv
of these charges. The experience of those immediately connected «ith
the Springfield movement is probably better evidence in the matter than
the lying accusations of malignant enemies.
The Forty-second Illinois regiment formed a part of the e.vpedition
to Springfield. Our march from Warsaw was a forced one, and we ex-
perienced all the discomforts incident to such an emergency. We were
awaiting the arrival of our teams from Tipton, with provisions, when
we received orders for an immediate and rapid advance to Springfield.
Of course, we were obliged to leave our tents and camp equipage, with
the exception of a few cooking utensils, which were piled upon crazy
ox-wagons. Thus, deprived of all these appliances for comfort, which
serve to mollify the fatigues of a forced march, it may well be supposed
that we suffered fully as much as any regiment in the expedition. For-
tunately, the weather was most favorable. The days were pleasant and
comfortable, though the nights were quite chilly, and the only serious
discomfort, aside from the suffering natur.ally resulting from long and
rapid walking under a heavy burden, was occasioned by sleeping in the
open air, exposed to heavy dews and the cold night winds. To be
sure, we were on half rations, a portion of the time, but there was no
great suffering on that account. Under the most favorable circum-
stances a march of eighty miles, performed in three days, would ocia-
sion great fatigue, and cause the weak-kneed and weak-willed to fall by
the wayside. .All things considered, where was the particular cause for
grumbling, orfor accusing J. C. Fremont of inefficiency on our ac-
count? It was only an incidental circumstance, (or which he was not
accountable, that we, with several othei regiments, were just then with-
out our tents; and I can testify that, during a tour of observation
through the several camps around Springfield, I neither saw nor heard
anything to justify the bitter and extrav.igant accusation of such sheets
as the Chicago Tribune, and such ambitious politicians as the big and
little Blairs. ... It was not Fremont's fault that all the regiments
were not provided with rifles or rifled muskets. He did even'thing
possible in this direction, and is not responsible for the shortcomings of
the Government. I presume it will not be contraband information to
state, that many of the regiments have only the smooth-bore muskets.
In this respect, however, we are doubtless as well
off as the enemy. If Fremont's troops were at any time on short la-
'54
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
tions, it was directly the fault of his subordinate ofificers; and wlien reg-
imental and company officers are required to pass through no examina-
tion whatever, as to their fitness, inefficiency must prevail, and does, to
a frightful extent. Right there is our failing. Give us good officers
and we will dare the devil.
The Forty-second is now stationed at Smithton, four miles west from
Otterville, and sixteen from Tipton, where the Fifth Iowa is stationed.
Our regiment is at present detached, but we expect soon to be united
with the Second regiment of our brigade proper — Douglas brig-
ade— which is now at Benton Barr.icks awaiting arms. The
Second has a representative from Independence in Mr. Norton.
. • Your correspondent, "C. J. R.," asserts that
I am "disposed to award the palm to the Iowa Ninth." without
having seen the Fifth. He must have misapprehended my language;
but now, having seen both , I can assert with the utmost assurance, that
I am not a proper judge of their relative merits; but I do affirm, with-
out fear of offence, that they are the two best regiments I have seen.
The Fifth has been noted among the regiments now in central Missouri,
for its soldiery qualities. I have heard its praises on every hand. I
recently saw in Otterville, Messrs. Marshall, Waggoner and Woodruff
— all in their full flush of robust health, and evidently none the worse
for the responsible positions to which their talents have already pro-
moted them. Still higher honors await them all. An extensive move-
ment westward has just been made; we have rumors of fighting, and
are an.xiously awaiting more definite and reliable reports.
]. L. LoOMIS.
LETTER NO. XL.
From the same, December 25, 1861.
Friend Rich : — Vandalism has justly been charged upon Price's
army, and like accusations have been brought against us. The truth
in reference to this matter may, perhaps, as well be told now as after
the war. Of course I shall only speak as to what has come within the
range of personal observation. It is probable, however, that the ex-
perience of our division has been substantially the same as that of the
whole army in Missouri, or indeed of any or all the military depart-
ments of the country. During our march to Springfield, in October
and November, our commissariat was not administered with the liber-
ality which had previously characterized this department of the service;
and, as a consequence, the boys were accustomed to cast about for the
means of making good the deficiency. The means adopted were not
always "regular" — such for instance as breaking for every orchard on
the road, without reference to the proclivities of the owners, and ap-
propriating any loose travelling property that fell in their way, etc., etc.
These practices were followed from no desire to pilfer, but simply to
satisfy a craving for a different or more plentiful diet. Again, if a
neighboring hay or grain stack was discovered, the men were morally
certain to appropriate sufficient to keep them well off the damp ground
at night. Was this a very heinous offense in time of war even though
not regular i It was certainly somebody's business to supply these
necessaries ; and if, from the necessities of the case, supplies could not
always be at hand, the other method became, it seems to me, a neces-
sity. I do not deny that a fabulous number of chickens, geese, pigs,
etc., were put hors du combat — the happier memories of my own
stomach would rebel at such a denial — but I do assert that the soldiers
were, in the main, actuated by no other motive than that of self-pres-
ervation. . . . Previous to our return from Springfield,
General Turner had been assigned to the command of our division,
and it was observable that thereafter a change came over the spirit of our
actions. We have been better suppjied with rations, and it is expected
of us in return that we observe the proprieties implied in mine and
thine most scrupulously. In the track of an army on the march, how-
ever, there will invariably be more 01 less petty pilfering. Our enemies
will call this vandalism, and make a mountain of a mole-hill.
When our regiment was ordered to Smithton we took possession of the
vacant buildings, and have been fitting them up for winter quarters.
In doing this it has been necessary to demolish some of the smaller
buildings to procure the required lumber. Whenever stray stoves,
counters, desks, chairs, etc., are found, there are no scruples in regard
to securing them, and the company that takes the most is the "best
fellow."
It will be difficult for the north at large to realize the effect of this
war upon the border. Here in Missouri, Iowa's next neighbor, were
the whole tale told, you would scarcely credit such things of Ameri-
cans. And now I am not alluding to the desolation that must follow
in the track of large armies, but to deeds that result from embittered
feeling between those once friends, but now ranged under opposing
banners in a deadly partisan warfare. To casual observers, such as
soldiers must necessarily be, the effect is most apparent in towns. In-
stance this village of Smithton. It sprang up on the completion of the
railroad to Sedalia, increasing from nothing to a population of some
three hundred, with several large stores and hotels. Last spring, on
the breaking out of the Rebellion, it was one of the most promising of
the new railroad towns; now it is the camping ground of a thousand
men in arms, sent to protect a few trembling loyalists from their self-
banished neighbors. Of the many thriving business firms but one re-
mains, and that is mainly sustained by soldiers' custom. The vacant
stores and dwellings are transformed into comfortable soldiers' quarters.
As with the towns, so with the country. Who can tell of the hopes
blasted, and the many homes made desolate, and their once prosperous
inmates miserable? Who will write of all the dark deeds of crime, the
robberies and murders committed injthe shade of the concealing woods,
or under the cover of night? Truly, every man's hand seems raised
against his neighbor.
Our regiment is in mourning for our colonel, William A. Webb, who
died last evening. With him departed the life and soul of the Forty-
second. This is a sad Christmas indeed for us. As a soldier and a
man he was honorable, generous, and brave. He was universally be-
loved by his men. What more can be said of a commander?
J. L. Loom IS.
EXTRACTS.
*The renowned Sergeant P. went out with a patrol
squad the other night, and had a narrow escape from being mortally
wounded "in the neck," as also the whole party. Having surrounded
a suspicious-looking fellow, they demanded his surrender ; when, to
their amazement, he pulled out a long bottle, and proposed a truce.
In the end four of the party were laid prostrated — and the prisoner
got away. . . After all, Christmas passed off quite
agreeably ; citizens and soldiers mingling with each other hospitably in
emptying wine and beer barrels. We have seven rebel prisoners in the
guard-house, the most of them taken with shot guns and bowie
knives, on their way to join Price. They are a poor, deluded, ignor-
ant set of ragmuffins, unable to read or write; who imagine that the
people of the north are regular Ostrogoths, wearing the skins of wild
beasts, and living on mare's milk. . . . Pope's capture
of the rebel train from Lexington is rather a damper on secession
sympathizers, but affords great congratulation to Unionists.
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. XLI.
Camp Hekron, Pacific, Missouri, )
December 21, 1861. f
Fkiknd Rich: — I see by some of the papers that our regiment is
supposed to be on Price's trail ; at least we are marching to each of
the cardinal points of the compass at one and the same time. Our
friends will take notice that, much to our regret, we are still at Pacific
City. Snow fell to the depth of three inches last night— the first snow
of the season, except a hltle flurry a week ago. Some ol the rebel
prisoners asked our boys if it was not ccld in our cloth tents these cold
nights. The boys told them that it was not cold enough in Missouri
to affect a live patriot, while the camp fires of liberty are burning in his
breast. While treason is feeding upon husks, and shivering without
shoes or blankets, we are well clothed, well fed, and well paid, with
plenty to spare m our father's house. . . . What do you
think of the boasted confederacy, when they refuse to take their own
scrip ; while, at the same time, they take Uncle Sam's currency with-
out asking any questions? The truth is they have no confidence in
their cause or scrip. Price can't get his fifty thousand men. Those
who enlisted first have " fought, bled and died" a few days, and now
are returning home, and would be glad to act as doorkeepers for Uncle
Sam, rather than enjoy the pleasures of treason any longer. They be-
gin to have a better appreciation of the strength of our Government.
Some of the largest slaveholders here are the most severe on the seces-
sionists. If it were left to some of them, they would hang every rebel
in the country. Colonel Manpin, of this county, was one of the first
to raise the Stars and Stripes and to rally around him a band of true
patriots, to defend the cause of the Union. If General Lyon had not
promised Price and Jteckson that they should be protected on their way
~ The tetter from the regular correspondent of the Guardian, a member of the
Iowa Fifth, announcing the return of that regiment from Syracuse, where we
last heard from them, to Boonville, though received and noticed in the editorial
column, December 31st, was not, for some reason, published. A few short ex-
tracts are here given from the letter following the one omitted, dated Boonville,
December 26. — E. P.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
155
from St. Louis to Jefferson City, after IhM itiemorable compromise.
Colonel Maupin would have taken them from the cars at this place and
hung them to the nearest tree. He told them in St. Louis at the time,
it was all a ruse to get time to mature their treasonable plans — and so
it proved. They commenced burning bridges as soon as they got
away from St. Louis. Colonel Nfaupin was a member of the legisla-
ture, and knew all their plans. He regrets very much that he did not
take them from the cars and hang them (so do I). If he had the brave
hero that they so basely betrayed, might at tliis time have been leading
us on to victory. Our gallant colonel (\'andever) is in Washington, at-
tending the Thirty-seventh Congress. We miss him very much, but
we know wherever he is he will be found true to the cause of his
country, whether in the halls of Congress or on the battlefield. He
has the confidence of his regiment, and our prayer is that he may be
permitted soon again to rejom us. I would not neglect to speak of
Lieutenant Colonel Herron, who takes command in the absence of the
colonel. The regiment is highly favored in having a man of his ability
to lead it. We are much attached to him. He is a gentleman in every
respect ; courteous to all, never abrupt in his commands. Red tape
has little influence with such men as Colonel Herron. He can treat a
private well, and preserve his dignity at the same time. He stands
high in the esteem of every one, and is truly worthy of our highest
regard. I might speak of others, but let it suffice to say that no regi-
ment in the volunteer service is better officered than the Iowa Ninth.
The boys think everything of their new guns. They are the improved
Minnie musket. Our boys have tried them, and think them good for
a secesh at half a mile every time. The battery are drilling every day.
They have si.v brass pieces, two of them tw-elve pound howitzers, and
four four-pounders. They make a fine appearance on drill. The pro-
cession consists of fourteen si.\-horse teams, with cannon and caissons,
one man on each near horse, the rest riding on the caissons ; this is on
the march. The men all dismount as soon as the line of battle is
formed, each springing to his place at the gun. The command is
given, and each fire m turn ; the horses and fore wheels being detached
as soon as the line is formed. On each of the pieces is the foUowmg
inscription: ' Where is Jeff Davis?" We hope their voices maybe
heard down in Dixie. We all want to see Jeff, and the prospect is
favorable now, that we make him an early visit. Captain Washburn
is the hero of the Ninth at present. He started out on a scout a short
time since, with ten of his men, and two guides, and returned after a
tramp of fifty miles, with nineteen prisoners, thirty horses, wagons,
guns, etc. He was within three miles of the notorious Freeman's
camp, and feels confident that, with fifty men, he would have taken the
whole camp (that is if he could catch them). His guides tell me that
the rebels always begin to retreat when the Iowa boys start after them,
and thmk if we had a few more such men as Captain Washburn, they
would soon rid the country of these lawless jayhawkers that infest it.
We are all getting out of patience, and were ic not for so many sick in
the hospital, there would be a move made to do something. We have
at present one hundred and seventy-five on the sick list, nearly half of
whom have had measles and mumps. The rest are intermittens, pneu-
monia and typhoid fever. Tlie measles have proved fatal in many in-
stances in consequence of carelessness after convalescence. Twenty
of our noble young men are gone.
"They sleep their last sleep,
They have fought their last battle ;
No sound can awake them to gIor>* again."
They have gained the victory; if not on the battlefield, they have
endured more suffering, and have died at their post like brave soldiers.
. . . Our friend, R. E. Freeman, of company C, was buried on
the thirteenth of December. I never shall forget the feeling that came
over me when he was brought from the barracks to the hospital. I saw
that his time with us was short. He reached out his emaciated hand
to me, and, while the tears rolled down his sunken cheeks, he said,
" doctor, I am so glad to see you ; can't you help me? I feel so bad."
I told him we would do all we could for him. I immediately placed
him in a clean bed, and made him as comfortable as possible. This
was Wednesday evening, the eleventh. The next morning he seemed
to rest better, and said he hoped he would soon be able to go home.
A minister from Marion happened in to see the sick, and speak a word
of encouragement to the brave sons of Iowa. He spoke with Reuben,
asked him if hejfelt that he could put his tnist in the Saviour, to which
he replied, "Yes, I love the Saviour, and am sorry that I have not loved
him more." We knelt down by his bedside while the minister offered
a petition for the re.5toration to health of the young soldier. But I
must close this mournful sketch, simply saying, give me death on the
battlefield, rathcring than a lingering dise.ase and death in camp, away
from home and friends.
R. W. W.
LETTER NO. XLH.
From the Same, Camp Hkrkon, December25.
Our "Merry Christmas" this morning is an order to march. Every-
thing is in confusion; all are packing up and getting ready to start.
The sick list has diminished rapidly, and many would go that are not
able, if allowed. Your humble servant is detailed to stay with the sick.
-Adjutant Scott has just called to bid us good-bye. He thinks it may
be two months before we are all together again. All the stores, bag-
gage, artillery, and all the rest of the fixings, are loaded on the cars
for Rolla. One regiment of cavalry has just passed on its way to
Rolla, and others are expected to follow the Ninth Iowa to-day. We
were standing in the door of the hospital with our better half, to see
our brave boys leave for the seat of war. All seemed delighted with
the prospect of doing something for the country — but again they were
doomed to disappointment. A man comes running and tells us the
order to move is countermanded. Another says they have taken Price
and all his men prisoners, and we are to be discharged froin service —
that the war is ended. The first report is true— we are to remain in
statu quo till further orders. All the men have gone to their old camp-
ing grounds, and have commenced putting up more barracks for win-
ter quarters, and matters are getting so arranged as to make it look a
little like home.
The sick make frequent expression of their gratitude to the aid so-
cieties, for the many comforts they continue to receive. The ladies of
Independence are often spoken of, when the sick soldier rests his
weary head upon the nice soft pillows, and reads upon his quilt or
sheet, "Ladies' Aid Society, Independence." Tears of gratitude are
often seen upon manly cheeks, and a fervent "God bless the ladies of
Buchanan county," is upon the pale lips of many sufferers. They are
always first in every good cause ; may they still continue their good
work in the cause of their country. We still lack many things to make
the sick comfortable— especially jelhes and other delicacies for the con-
valescent. We have an abundance of the substantials— bread, meat,
potatoes, rice, coffee and sugar. The hospital fund also furnished a
little means for the purchase of eggs, butter, milk, etc. But I have
written now more than you will want to publish, so I will close by wish-
ing you all a happy new year.
R. W. W.
LETTER NO. XLVIII.
Camp Herron, )
Pacific, Missouri, January 18. 1862. J
Friend Rich:— It is Saturday evening, and thoughts of home and
friends in old Buchanan come crowding thick and fast before my mind,
in pleasant remembrance, almost making me, I was going to say, a'
little homesick. But that is not it. What I was trying to arrive at
was this: that as I had nothing in particular to do this evening, I
thought I would write a few lines for the Guardian. But I must con-
fess, to begin with, that news, for these times of "wars and rumors of
wars" is most lamentably scarce. We are waiting patiently for the
time to roll around when there will be something done by the Ninth
Iowa that will be worth writing about, though that will certainly not be
until we are removed from here. Indications now point to an early
movement. The companies that were posted at different points along
the railroad, have been called in, and are now here. Since our pack
up, and failure to go to Rolla, we have been quartered in barracks,
built to accommodate one company each; but, since these companies
came down from the railroad, we have been a little crowded, as they
were divided around among the other companies. We are enjoying
ourselves however, resorting to everything that tends to hasten the
hours along. Lately we have organized a debating society, which is
both interesting and beneficial to all who engage in it. We have been
waiting impatiently for the past ten days for the soldier's friend, the
paymaster; but as yet we see no signs of him. We are hoping that if
the "needful" is really getting exhausted, we shall hear of a forward
movement soon, and I most earnestly trust we shall. Why this back-
wardness and delay? Are we waiting for disease to thin our ranks and
paralyze our energies ? Or are we waiting to enable the enemy to
fortify and make themselves impregnable? Orto give England another
opportunity to make a demand upon us more humiliating than the one
already granted. It would seem so, and she will do it, if there is not
soon a move made, and that with such overwhelming power as will
raze to its foundation this monstrous rebellion which we are now con-
tending against.
156
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
I understand that there is an effort being made to put the Ninth in
Lane's division, and if that is accomplished, it will be something that
will suit the boys; for we all believe that he will do something when he
gets started. The soldiers of the Missouri regiments are deserting in
large numbers. Squads of our men have been sent out several times in
pursuit of them. The deserters will be courtmartialed, but what the
sentence will be, I cannot tell. We have one prisoner here, taken as a
spy by the Ninth, and the sentence of death has been passed upon him,
and it has been sent in to General Halleck forapproval. If heapproves
it. the sentence will be carried mto effect. I suppose many of your
readers are not familiar with the modes of punishment that are meted
out to those who have wandered from the paths of rectitude, duty and
military discipline from our own ranks. There are different grades of
punishment, according to the enormity of the offence. For instance,
if one of the boys happens to slip the guard at night, as is often the
case, and is caught, his knapsack is filled with his clothes and blanket,
he swings it on his back, shoulders his gun and marches "on the color
hue" four or five hours. If one of the boys gets a little boozv, as is
seldom the case, he has the honor of riding the " regmiental horse."
as it is styled. He is about seven feet in lieight, with four legs all of a
size, body about si.K inches in width, and is ridden without saddle, bridle
or stirrups. One poor fellow, for sleeping at his post, was sentenced
to pick his kn.ips.ick and gun and march around a circle about two
rods in diameter, so many hours a day for a certain length of tiine; to
suffer ten days' close confinement; to be fed upon bread and water;
and, to cap the climax, to forfeit one-half of three months pay. So
much for sleeping at his post in the enemy's country.
H. P. W.
LETTER NO. XLIV.
Syracuse, Missouri, January 20, 1862.
Friend Rich:— All is quiet with the Filih as yet. That magnificent
forward movement, looked for so eagerly, is not ordered yet. I cannot
think that the Fifth will be excluded when the day arrives, but there is
no confidence among the soldiers that it ever will arrive. If militaiy
editors can bring the war to a close by their bombastic harrangues, it is
all right. If it is not closed by legislation, thousands of poor soldiers
must lay down their lives yet. The remark is often made that during
a war more men die of disease, than on the battlefield. From my own
observation I can certify to the veracity of this statement. Let one
visit the graveyard at this place, who doubts it — the long rows of new
graves attest the fact. Could those fond mothers, who have near and
dear ones in the army, behold the deserted look of this graveyard, I
fear they would censure the officers more generally than they have done
heretofore. Even the slightest pretence of a funeral ceremony is not
observed in most cases, but the soldier is borne silently to the grave by
his comrades. The hospitals here and at Centerville, have been
severely criticized; but it has been to little purpose, judging from their
present condition. The word hospital fairly makes one shudder, and
none will consent to go there, only as a last resort. The sick in this
place are mostly from the Indiana regiments; only three companies of
the Fifth are here. I am assured that there is at Boonville a much
larger proportion of our men on the sick list— company E, we are told,
reports only twenty-five men for duty. Here we are still living in
Fremont's tents, in which we have constrncted sod chimneys, which
make them very comfortable. A cracker barrel forms the top of the
chimney, which not unfrequently takes fire and routs the inmates pell
mell. The colonel keeps no guard around us, and gives the boys the
privilege of going where they please, so long as they behave them
selves. _ S. A. Reed.
LETTER NO. XLV.
Headqu.\rteks Fifth Iowa Regiment. )
BooNViLLE, Missouri, January 24, 1862. )
Friend Rich:— The appointment of Lane has created considerable
surprise and dissatisfaction here. It is feared he will adopt a system of
warfare injurious to the interests of the Government, and force a good
many persons who now occupy neutral grounds into the secession
ranks. Ask a slaveholder who he hates and fears most, and he will
tell you Jim Lane. And I fear that Lane, while at the head of his
troops on a former occasion, did allow them to pillage to a greater
extent than was necessary. This turning a large army loose upon a
section of country already impoverished, and giving them to under-
stand that they are to forage, cut and slash as they please, is not very
pleasant to reflect upon, and the chances are that the enemy, instead
of becoming humiliated and saddened, will be inspired with enthusi-
asm to fight ten times harder. ... A dignified and hon-
orable warfare should be pursued under all circumstances.
[It is quite evident that some of the members ot the Iowa Fifth had
found the "neutrality" and hospitality of Boonville slaveholders rather
confusing. They left home with the motto, "He that is not for us, is
against us," inscribed upon their banners. E. P.]
The monotony of our life has been somewhat disturbed by the
recent battle of Silver Creek, an account of which I presume you have
seen, and the influx of a number of prisoners as one of its fruits. One
detachment of eighty was brought to the city under a strong escort,
and placed in the jail until arrangements could be made fur sending
them to St. Louis. It is hard to conceive of a sight more humiliating
and touching than a gang of men huddled together like sheep in a
slaughter house, awaiting their fate with the most stoical indift'erence.
and to know that these poor deluded mortals are our own countrymen.
Many of the prisoners were young — mere boys, in fact, totally unfit to
endure the rigors of a military life, who had been induced to take the
fatal step without the least reflection. Some have been sent back to
their mothers, with a strong injunction to remain under their protecting
wings for a year or two at least. . . . Going down the
street a short time ago, my attention was arrested by seeing a large
man, of aldermanic rotundity, standing on the sidewalk, and recount-
ing to an imaginary crowd, his grievances. "I came to this city, gen-
tlemen, for the purpose of hunting np my nigger. He ran away from
me some time ago. and I spect he's in among the Iowa troops. He's
nearly white, got a piece of his left ear bitten off, and is a great hand
to pray. He'll beat half the ministers, now, telling about the kingdom,
and I want to keep him on that account. No one can say that I mis-
used him. He's heaiii some o' these abolition stories, and put out.
Now, if any on ye will tell where that nigger is, and he'p me to get
him, I'll treat ye to all the peach brandy ye can drink. I've got some
that old Noah helped put up himself."
The last I saw of this gentleman, he was standing on the sidewalk
praising up the institution of slavery, Abe Lincoln and the Iowa boys
to the skies. There has not been much trouble about slaves escaping,
and when they are found within our lines, "they are generally returned
on application being made for them. This seems rather hard, but it
is the best course that can be pursued. The only troops now here are
a detachment of cavalry, the Home Guards, and our regiment, with
the exception of three companies at Syracuse. Last night I received a
letter from E. C. Little, of Captain Hord's company, stating that their
regiment was under marching orders for Rolla. Lieutenant Jordan
and myself have concluded to try our hand at editing a paper, a copy
of which I send you. '\^'e are all anxious to see Orderly White again,
and hope that he will grace the hospitable board of mess No. i with
his presence ere long.
Yours, truly,
C. J. R.
[The following extracts from a private letter from Or-
derly Sampson, of company C, Ninth Iowa, e.\hibiting,
as they do, the spiiit which animated out heroes, are
of great value. E. P.]
letter no. xlvi.
On the left b.^nk of the Gasconade. )
Thursday. January 30 1862. J
It is now after 7 o'clock P. M., and most of the regiment
are over the river, but the transportation is now being brought over. It
has been a tedious day for us. However, I will commence back a day
or two. We left Rolla early on Tuesday morning — marched about
nine miles, the latter two or three in the rain, the mud being very deep
all the way. About 3 p. M. we halted in the muddiest place you ever
saw. We pitched our tents and shovelled out some of the mud ; opened
ditches to carry off some of the water; and cut poles and brush to
spread our blankets on. During all this time it rained very hard,
drenching us all completely. By a late hour we managed to get dry
enough to lie down, and I must say slept very well. When we got out
in the morning, the ground was covered with about two inches of snow,
and it continued to snow quite hard. We struck our tents, intending
to push forward and cross the Gasconade: but, after marching about
two miles, found that we could not cross the river on account of its
rising. So we pitched our tents again, but on better ground than be-
fore. Here we made ourselves quite comfortable, and were ready the
next morning to advance across the river. There are still about three
inches of snow, but it is not quite so cold as yesterday. We found the
river about three and a half feet deep, and about fifty rods wide. We
could not ford it, but found an old flat-boat which would hold abou^
thirty men, and on this we all passed over, and are now trying to get
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
157
the teams and wagons over. The tents and provisions being in tlie
wagons, many of the companies are still in the open air around their
camp fires. The scenes of this day are not to be described by me. for
I am not capable; but you may be sure it is very rough. No serious
accident has happened however, though it is evident we have had three
days of as rough marching, and poor camping as we shall be apt to
see. Our wagons are still over the river, but we have succeeded in get-
ting the officers' tent and one other, and the wherewithal for a cup of
coffee, with a little meat and hard bread. Nearly all the men stand it
well, and if you could hear the cheering, singing, talking, laughing,
and jesting, you would not think them unhappy. We commenced
crossing the river at 11 o'clock A. M., anJ it will be 11 or 12 to-night
before all will be over. Well, we (Lieutenant Bull, Lieutenant Rice,
Mr. Young and myself), are comfortably fixed in our tent — a fine fire
in the stove, and beds made on the ground. Lieutenant Rice met
with quite a serious accident. One of the men came in with a cup of
hot coflee, and dropped it on his foot. As he had removed his boots,
he «ill not be able to walk for aivhile — the stocking retaining the hot
coffee, made a bad burn of it.
Well, the past three days have reminded me of what we have often
read of revolutionary times. It has been rough indeed (not quite equal
to the roast potato diet of the Revolutionary heroes — otherwise the
lieutenant's accident would not have happened). But it is a fact that
such things are not so bad to go through, as it seems to read and think
about. "We are now really advancing toward Springfield, and now
that we are across the Gasconade shall get along pretty fast.
J. P. S.
LETTER NO. XLVU.
[Had there been really any danger that the "penny
wise and pound foolish" policy deprecated in the an-
nexed letter, would be adopted, nothing, unless the hearts
of those in power were harder than a nether millstone,
could have been wanting to defeat the mtasure, but this
graphic description of the power of music to rekindle
the enthusiasm of the overtaxed soldiery. — E. P.]
Camp Worth, Smithton, Missouri, January 28, 1862.
Friend Rich: — It h.is been proposed to dispense with regimental
brass bands. The wishes of the soldiers are entirely against such a
step. The proposition originated in a desire to curtail expenses, but it
may well be questioned whether such action wou'd not. in the end,
prove to be false economy. Hand-to-mouth economists, are proverbial-
ly short-sighted, as well as small-souled. They comprehend none but
the immediate and most superficial effects of a given cause. Wrapped
up in their one idea, their monomania beclouds their faculties and
renders legitimate reasoning an impossibility. In the present case they
say: " Bands cost a great deal of money: they are not essential in the
contest with the enemy; they may afford the soldiers some amusement,
but they are expensive, extravagant, and are too costly." Little
do they understand the effect of band music upon the minds, morals,
and physical condition of the troops; nothing can so invigorate the
drooping energies on the fatiguing march; nothing so cheering in the
hour of despondency.
Our regiment boasts one of the best bands in this department, and
often, when wearied by long, laborious marches over rough roads, after
sleepless nights, footsore, with every limb and joint aching; joyous,
animating strains revivified our failing spirits, galvanizing every muscle
into renewed life and exertion.
A forced march, peihaps, or one through rain and mud, has tested
the endurance of the hardiest; but night approaches, and the regiment
reaches its uimping ground. Anns are stacked, knapsacks are hastily
thrown off, and the exhausted soldier drops to the ground, softer now
than the eider bed of noble or prince. So sudden is the collapse, one
might almost believe that, but for the burdens he bore, he would have
fallen out of the ranks miles back — he cares not that the cold damps of
his earthen couch may strike a chill to his very bones, and thus lay the
foundation of disease and death — heedless of everything save his over-
powering fatigue, he resigns himself to sleep. A few, more hardy than
their companions, scalier themselves to procure wood, and water for
the invigorating coffee. Here and there around the blackened camp-
keitles the fires spring up, their cheerful crackling alone disturbing the
gloomy solitude of the wood. The sleeping soldier dreams. He is
far away, northward, basking in the sunshine of that fairest spot on
earth, sweet home. He is happy once more — he is in fairy land. Low,
sweet strains of music reach his ear — nearer, licber, louder they swell.
Is it enchantment? He awakes. The band is playing our National
airs, ever welcome, ever thrilling to a soldier's heart, and never failing
to arouse all his patriotism and give him a new inspiration. The peace-
ful moon is looking down through the lacework of vines and branches
upon the reclining forms beneath; the camp fires are reflected back
from burnished bayonets. .Ah! this is not home— no bayonets there —
and the vision vanishes. But the music which had been a part of his
brief happy dieam, is filling the lealy aisles of the wood with inspiring
melody, and as his eye takes in the scene around him, he is thrilled
with the romance of war. He is a new being— rising, though perhaps
with a shiver, yet not too late to escape the baleful effects which might
have followed his heavy sleep, he gazes around him. What a magic
change has been wrought in the camp! Ail is now warmth, and life
and action. Willing hands supply the waning fires with fuel, and the
cheering flames leap heavenward. A warm nourishing supper is soon
prepared, and eaten with a keenness of relish, known only to soldiers.
Still the band plavs on. Dry leaves and twigs aie collected, blankets
are unrolled, and all is ready for wholesome slumber. The band ceases
—cheer upon cheer from the grateful hearts of the soldiers rends the
air, and soon all is quiet.
Ye powers that be, will ye drive your willing slaves over long hilly roads,
day and night, through storm and frost; half starve them when ye list;
pull them down with hard work, and worst of all, give them no oppor-
tunity to accomplish their end — to whip the enemy. Will ye do all this
and then take from them what, of all the various adjuncts of their
wearing lives, they most highly prize, their bands? Do ye think to
economize by thus aiding in the destruction of what little esprit dc corps
your soldiery may possess? Know ye not that a strong arm without a
will, is powerless? Have ye no music in your souls?
J. L. Loom IS.
LETTER NO. XLVIII.
Headquartkrs Fifth Iowa Regimrnt. )
BoOiNViLLE. Missouri, February i, 1862. (
Friend Rich: — . . . This morning Colonel Worthington,
who has been recently appointed brigadier general, under the late
order of General Halleck, to cooperate with Lane, arrived at this place,
and also the other three companies from Syracuse, with M.ijor Robin-
son and Quartermaster Palterson. The boys all look healthy, and are
overjoyed at meeting their comrades once more. General Worthing-
ton's brigade now consists of the Iowa Fifth, Illinois Forty-seventh and
Ohio Ninth regiments, besides a squadron of cavalry and what is known
as Constable's battery, from Ohio, reported to be the best in the west-
ern military service. .W\ this force is now on the way here, where they
will form and be ready to march by the fifth of the present month.
The troops from Ohio and Illinois are crack regiments, well disciplined
and equipped.
Wednesday morning. February 5th.
This morning the streets are alive with soldiers, running to and fro
in all the excitement, hurry and hubbub preparatory to a start. Con-
stable's battery and the Ohio and Illinois regiments are being trans-
ported over the river now, and we are to leave tomorrow. Orderlies
carrying dispatches are dashing along at breakneck speed, and teams
from the country, loaded with all sorts of produce, throng the market
places. The boys are laying in large quantities of stationery, pens,
ink, etc.
I am sorry to say that quite a number of our regiment are sick, and
are to be sent back to Syracuse. Our friend Oscar Fuller, though con-
valescing slowly, is to be left behind. Mr. Woodruff, who has returned
home (to enter the military academy at West Point), will give vou all
the company news. C.J. R.
LETTER NO. XLIX.
Camp NEAR Lebanon, Missouri, February 9, 1862.
Friend Rich :— It has been some time since I have had an oppor-
tunity to communicate to you any of our movements. We left Pacific
City on the night of the twenty-first ultimo, and arrived at Rolla next
morning, a distance of seventy-five miles. We were stationed there
until the twenty-eighth, when we started for Springfield. The first day
of our march it rained, and the ne.xt night snow fell to the depth of four
inches, which made the remainder of our march very uncomfortable.
The greater part of two days was consumed in crossing the Gasconade,
which was accomplished with one flat-boat, the water being too high
to admit of fording. The third night after leaving Rolla we camped
on the west side of the river, twelve miles from Rolla, and a rough
time we had. We marched from eight to seventeen miles per day.
and arrived at this place on the fifth instant. Were reviewed by Gen-
eral Curtis, after which we pitched tents in a meadow, and are here
iS8
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
yet, awaiting orders to move toward Springfield, which orders, from
present appearances, must come soon. We are preparing for a forced
march, and that on half rations. Springfield is some sixty miles dis-
tant, and we are to make it in two days. General Siegel and Ashboth
are here with about fifteen thousand troops, and General Davis is
moving this way from Sedalia with six thousand more. The battle
which is pending is to be a hard one if Price makes a stand, and it is
reported that he is building fortifications twelve miles this side of
Springfield, with a force of from fifteen to twenty thousand. Others
say he has only fifteen hundred— it is hard to get at the truth in the
matter. There are eight or ten batteries here drilling daily, two of
them from Iowa. The Iowa Fourth and Eighth regiments are also
here.
The paymaster arrived yesterday, and is paying the Ninth to-day.
Company C have just received theirs, but we have no good chance to
send It home. We left twenty-five men in the hospital at Pacific, in
the care of Dr. Wright and Assistant Surgeon Hart. They, how-
ever, have been ordered to join the regiment, as one surgeon is not
enough if we should be engaged in battle. Captain Hord left the com-
pany at Rolla. He resigned because he could not get money to send
to his family. Lieutenant Bull is now in command, and a noble officer
he is, taking a great interest in everything that concerns the welfare of
his men. At Rolla he was ordered to report to General Curtis, as a
member of his staff, with one hundred and forty-five dollars per month,
a horse, and servants. But when he heard that Captain Hord had re-
signed, he said he would not leave the company — he would not desert
the boys whose entire confidence he has. Military honor alone is not
what he is after.
We are to be attached to General Curtis' brigade. He compliments
the regiment highly, and company C is not behind, although rather
small on account of having so many sick in hospital. Most of the
movements are kept secret, and it is not easy to say when we shall
leave here; but it is generally understood that it is the general's inten-
tion to take Price by surprise. . . . Lebanon is, or rather
has been, quite a village. It is situated on a hill, and the location is
beautiful; but nearly every building in it is used now either for a hos-
pital or a horse stable. Everything looks very desolate, both in the
towns and country through which we have passed.
Later. — We hear that General Siegel is now moving towards Spring-
field, and is in our neighborhood.
E. C. L.
LETTER NO, L.
[The months of impatient waiting, so trying, but
doubtless as necessary as trying, to our troops, had at
length come to an end. Stirring events, in rapid succes-
sion, broke up the protracted encampments of the Iowa
Fifth and Ninth, and brought these regiments, pining for
action, face to face with the enemy. Put to the
fiery tests, as was the Ninth at the terrible battle of Pea
Ridge, Arkansas, their courage was proven to be of the
most heroic quality. But the long letters, which betok-
ened leisure and a willingness to vary the monotony of
camp life, were for a season intermitted. The following
is a private letter from Adjutant Scott, of the Ninth,
kindly furnished to the Guardian, in the absence of let-
ters from the regular correspondent. — E. P.]
Headquarters Ninth Iowa Regiment, four miles from )
Bentonville, Arkansas, February i8, 1862. J
My Dear Wife: — We arrived here yesterday morning at 11 o'clock.
The enemy's rear guard, of the two thousand men, made a stand for a
short time, and we had quite a little brush. They had a six-gun battery,
with which they opened fire on our cavalry. In one hour after the first
firing commenced, the Ninth came up, and we were immediately formed
in line of battle. The Dubuque battery formed on the left of us and
opened fire, and the rebels fired some twenty shots of canister and
round shot in reply. Then they immediately began to retreat, and
were charged upon by our cavalry a distance of a mile. Our cannon
were mounted at once, and pushed forward after them. They planted
their battery again on a rise of ground, and opened fire once more.
We replied with our battery, the Ninth forming on the right of the
guns. Several of their shells burst near us, some passing over our
heads. Two horses of our battery were killed by the bursting of a
shell, and one wheel was broken off the gun. In the cavalry charge
there were four men killed on our side and nine wounded. Four of the
wounded died last night. The secesh are armed with all kinds of
arms, old rifles, double-barrel shot-guns, etc. The road -all along from
their first stand to their last was strewn with such arms. Our men
picked up no end of them. Clothing such as blankets, coats, pants —
and even one lady's muff — were picked up. In a distance of half a
mile there were not less than twenty-five horses killed. We have found
the bodies of five, and taken six wounded prisoners. One man, who
was taken prisoner, was run over by one of their guns at the time they
were leaving — the wheel passing over his body and feet, and mjuring
him severely. He said they took twelve dead bodies away on their
guns, and would not wait to pick him up. Half a mile in advance of
us is a house with a white flag, and inside everything is covered with
blood, but no one is there. The ground chosen for fighting by them
was very thick with brush, consequently it gave them, with their shot
guns, an equal chance with us, for it was impossible to see more than
ten rods. We arrived in Springfield on Thursday last, and found that
Price had left the day before with his whole force. On Friday morning
the orders were to go forward after him. and at 9 o'clock the whole
army was on the march. We passed over the battle-ground at Wil
son's Creek, where Lyon and the Iowa First fought Price. We got to
Dug Spring, twelve miles from Springfield, about dusk, having come
twenty-four miles — as the most of our division had marched from twelve
miles north of that place. A messenger soon came in from our ad-
vance, saying that they had come on Price's pickets, and were driving
them in, so we were ordered forward four miles further, got in about 9
o'clock, and had to bivouac all night without tents. Our teams did
not get in until 2 o'clock A. M., when we got some hot coffee and some-
thing to eat. Some went to sleep on the ground, others sat up around
the camp fires — among the latter was your correspondent. At five
o'clock we were again on the march; our advance kept driving in
the enemy's rear guard all the time. Night before last our cavalry
charged upon their pickets for three miles, and drove them right into
their camps, killing five or six. They wounded a lieutenant of the cav-
alry, stripped off his coat and taking his watch and two hundred and
forty dollars in money, they left him. Springfield was almost entirely
deserted when we got in, and all along the road, as we advance, the
people leave their houses and scamper off, takmg what they can in
their hurry. It is a perfect stampede. There is no mail from here, so
that many letters cannot be sent at present. This is to be sent by Gen-
eral Curtis' messenger.
LETTER NO. LL
Sugar Creek, Arkansas, March, 10, 1862.
[The glorious yf/^^/.? of the "little brush" mentioned
by Adjutant Scott is also communicated in a private letter
from Orderly Sergeant Sampson. — E. P.]
Dear Father: — We have been in a very severe battle, in which
two hundred and forty-five of the Iowa Ninth were killed, wounded,
or missing. Mostly, I am glad to say, wounded. Lieutenant Colonel
Herron is wounded, and a prisoner. But the enemy is defeated wi^h
great slaughter. On the seventh we went out and took our position,
and our regiment, with three others, kept fifteen thousand in check all
day, but the fighting was terrible. Our whole loss was on that day.
The ne,\t day both armies were concentrated in force, and we cut them
to pieces badly, and drove them with little loss on our side. The loss
in company C, is Lieutenant Rice and Julius Furcht, killed; Isaac
Arwine, mortally wounded; Captain Bull and several others wounded,
some pretty seriously, but most of them only slightly. I will give you
a list of the wounded, with a statement of the condition of each, soon.
I will merely give you the names this time, as I have them on a piece
of paper. I think braver men never came into action than the Iowa
Ninth, from the colonel to the weakest private. I saw no signs of cow-
ardice on the field, and our guns told with terrible effect. You may
not hesitate to state that the Iowa Ninth have done much — yes — all
that men could do, to sustain and add to the already high honors to
which the troops from that State have attained. You will, doubtless,
have full particulars of the battle long before this will reach you, and
yet vou will be glad, I know, as will be all the friends of the company,
for something direct from us. You may feel assured that all not men-
tioned in my report are safe. As to myself I am not hurt. My head is
a hltle sore from the effects of a spent ball striking me above the ear
just hard enough to knock me down. I am spending my time now in
seeing to the sick, or rather the wounded. Captain Bull is now on one
side of me and Adjutant Scott on the other. Captain's is a flesh wound
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
159
in the thigh, adjutant's a bruise upon the ancle, neither serious. I know
the anxiety of the friends at home must be intense, from the time the
first news reaches you until you get more particulars. All but eight of
our company, who were left in hospital in Pacific, arrived here last
night, all looking well and in good spirits. None have died since we
left there. I would like, if it were possible for me, to give you a de-
scription of the battle, but it was an affair of too much magnitude for
me to describe. General Siegel is greatly praised by everyone. We
feel that it was only by his bravery and strategy that the field was won.
The force of the enemy was about thirty thousand, while ours was from
twelve to fifteen thousand.
Respectfully your son,
J. P. Sampson.
The following is the list accompanying Mr. Sampson's
letter:
Captain H. C. Bull, wounded; Lieutenant N. Rice, killed; Corporal
J. D. Sanders, wounded; Corporal C. G. Curtis, wounded; Private
Isaac Arvine, mortally wounded; Private G. M. .Abbott, wounded;
Private Jesse Barnett, wounded. Private L. D. Curtis, wounded; Pri-
vate James Cartwright, wounded; Private J. E. Elson, wounded; Pri-
vate Julius Furcht, killed; Private David Greek, wounded; Private C.
A. Hobart, wounded: Private Stephen Holman, wounded; Private
John Leatherman, wounded; Private O. F. Luckey, wounded; Private
Phihp Riterman, wounded; Private William Whisennand, wounded;
Private A. J. Windsor, wounded; Private Russel Row'se, wounded.
Private Samuel Robbins, wounded.
LETTER NO. LIl.
[The following letter, though not descriptive of move-
ments participated in by Buchanan men, was written by
a Buchanan man; and as its intrinsic interest is such as
to make it quite independent of the accident of its
origin, the collator is released from all obligation to
justify its insertion. — E. P.]
Columbus, Kentucky, March 8, 1862.
Friend Rich: — The telegraph has informed you that on the evening
of the third of March, a detachment of the Second Illinois cavalry
took possession of Columbus, together with its deserted defences, and
that, upon the following day, tlie occupation was completed in forces
There were positively no incidents of interest connected with this
movement. Just imagine a fleet of four gunboats and three transports
moving down the Mississippi from Cairo, of a cold March morning,
with about two thousand troops, and quietly landing them at a half-
deserted, muddy town of fifteen hundred inhabitants, and you have the
whole picture.
We had aboard our transport. New York artists and correspondents,
who will doubtless furnish extensive representations and descriptions of
the fortifications to the metropolitan papers, giving a much clearer idea
of them than 1 can do, and 1 shall therefore confine my observations to
matters which will probably be omitted by them.
The Twenty-seventh, Forty-second, six companies of the Fifty-fifth
Illinois regiments, and two companies of Zouaves, were the troops
landed here on the fourth instant. The Fifty-fifth has since left, and
the balance of the Illinois cavalry has arrived, together with two bat-
teries of artillery. Thus there is now in occupation of this stronghold
of rebeldom a force of not more than twenty-five hundred, all told.
Our regiment (Forty-second Illinois) is on the bluffs within the lines of
intrenchments; the rest of the force occupy the town which lies upon
the flat beneath.
The fortifications are left uninjured, but completely disarmed— not a
gun in position. The stores and armament were also carried away.
The heavy guns were dismounted and thrown into the river. The bar-
racks were mostly ruined by fire, though in some cases nearly whole
regiments left their quarters uninjured. The extent of the rebel force
here has not been overestimated; it must have amounted to nearly
thirty thousand. I am informed that most of the immense labor on
the fortifications was performed by a force of not more than sixteen
thousand, and that the work was done by the soldiers, and not by
negroes.
I have been much interested in wandering through the deserted
quarters of the different regiments. Even ruins speak volumes. These
quarters were built in every conceivable style, but very comfortable,
especially those of the extreme southern regiments. The Louisiana
boys evidently suffered much from the effects of this vigorous climate.
Many of them lived in mere dens, dug in the sides of the steep ravines,
and covered with mud, without a window, with a door just large
enough to crawl through, but with an ample fire-place which was put
to a good use. Imagine a thousand of the illustrious cane ohivalry,
emerging, at the tap of the drum, like moles or gophers from their
holes in the ground, to the defence of their beloved "institution."
Were these the dragon teeth spoken of in classic story? But their glory
has departed, and so have they.
The troops occupying this point, were mostly from Kentucky, Ten-
nessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and .Arkansas. Previous to our arrival
here I had heard much of the propensity of the rebels for liquor, but
had doubted whether it were possible to exceed some of our troops in
the rapid consumption of stimulants. I doubt no longer. The spirit
of secessia has departed in more senses than one, but the skeleton re-
mains. Bottles here, there, everywhere; bottles inside, outside,
around doors, under windows, under stairs; in dark holes and corners
and in open daylight —in the Rev. Bishop General Polk's headquarters,
and in the lowest private's den — a small universe of bottles, as though
rebeldom had been holding a grand winter carnival over its coming
ruin. It is probable that the rebels have fared even better than we, so
far as their commissary was concerned. There are no indications any-
where that they were short of supplies of any kind. Nor did they
lack the luxuries, as the thousands of oyster, sardine and preserve cans
scattered everywhere attest.
These statements may surprise some of the more radical of your
readers, who are accustomed to flatter themselves with the idea that
the rebels must be in a very suffering condition — on the borders of
starvation, etc., but the illusion ought to be dispelled at once. We of
the north have been in the habit of underrating vastly the resources of
the south. Both sides have a great deal yet to learn of each other.
Much will be accomplished in this direction, by this very war, which is
in other respects so calamitous; and the parties in it, will each retire
from the conflict with more liberal, truthful and enlightened ideas con-
cerning the other.
On Wednesday we had a little picket affair. A small force of the
enemy's cavalry appeared in sight of camp, driving in our pickets. A
few shells from one of the gun-boats sent them scampering, with a de-
tachment of our cavalry in full chase. Nothing of the enemy has been
seen since. I apprehend we are in no great danger, for the rebel
generals were on|y too glad to get well out of the traps so skillfully laid
for them. ). C. LooMis.
LETTER NO. LIII.
Steamer Antelope, Mississippi River, 1
March ij, 1862. f
Friend Rich: — Our boys long prayed for action, and now we are
likely to have enough of it. Never was a regiment more delighted than
was ours on the evening of the fifteenth, when we received orders to
get ready immediately to leave Columbus, and the announcement that
we were bound "down the river," was hailed with shouts of delight.
We suddenly acquired new skill in packing knapsacks, tents came down
with a rush, the sick became mysteriously convalescent, and before we
had recovered from our transports, we were winding down the steep
bluffs on our way to Dixie, real Dixie. No more resting on the con-
fines, no more waiting for the "anaconda," so completely bound up in
red tape, but a real onward and downward movement! Of course, we
were in high spirits— for the Forty-second. We were not too excited
however, to court "Nature's kind restorer" and within an hour after
embarkation, the decks of our pre-.Adamite steamer were covered with
sleeping "Vandals of the North "—a freight more precious than they
ever carried before the war.
The first gray streaks of the morning found us in the Grand Expedi-
tion which was lying quietly just above Island No. ro, a few miles
above New Madrid.
The estimates of the number of guns upon the island, which is
apparently very strongly fortified, vary considerably, but there are
probably from seventy to one hundred, some of which are of very large
calibre. There is also a powerful battery on the main land, just at the
bend in the river, commanding the river northward.
The Federal naval fleet consists of seven gun-boats and nine mortar
floats, the latter carrying each one immense thirteen-inch mortar.
The infantry force of this expedition consists of Wisconsin and Illinois
regiments, a company of cavalry and two batteries of artillerv. all under
the command of Colonel Bufort, of the Twenty-seventh Illinois.
i6o
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
LETTER NO. LIV.
New Madrid Missouri, March 24, 1862.
Friend Rich : — Whatever of interest or importance attaches to New
Madrid, considered as a military or strategical point, is no doubt al-
ready familiar to your readers. Sickness and other causes have
prevented me fiom writing for some time, and at present our company,
and indeed I might say the whole regiment, are in the deepest despond-
ency at the untimely death of our gallant Lieutenant Jordan. The
blow was so sudden and unexpected, that we can hardly realize, as yet,
that he is lost to us. Punctilious in business, untiring in his efforts to
promote the health and comfort of his inen, kind, brave, and patriotic,
he stood high in the esteem of all as an officer and a man. On the
march from Boonville to St. Charles he overtaxed his strength and laid
the foundation of that fearful disease, typhoid pneumonia, which ulti-
mately swept him into the grave. On the last day's march from
Sikeston to this place, he insisted on leaving the ambulance and
travelling with the company, as the prospect for a fight was good, and
his adventurous and daring spirit would not allow him to remain be-
hind. Fatal error! for from that day he grew worse, appetite and
strength failed, and he was finally taken to the hospital. Whi e there
he was surrounded by everything that the kindness of loving friends
could suggest, and the regimental surgeons were untiring in their ex-
ertions to afford him relief. Some one or more of his company were
constantly at his bedside, and to one who was bathing his feverish tem-
ples, he remarked: " I may die, but I mean to keep up good spirits. "
On the morning of the nineteenth I went over to the hospital, and
found that he was sinking rapidly. His sufferings at times were acute,
but he bore up under them with the calmest resignation.
At 12 o'clock on the night of the twentieth instant, the king of ter-
ror came, and the man who had led us in our long campaign through
Missouri, participating in all the hardships and exposures of our
marches and counter-marches, and infusing into his men a share of his
own courage and patriotism, yielded to the summons, and departed to
that better land, where the petty toils and strifes of this ephemeral life
of ours are unknown.
There was something of romance and pathos in the gathering of
company E around the camp fiie for the purpose of testifying in a
series of resolutions the high regard which was entertained for our late
comrade, the lamented Jordan. In a strange land, far from home, we
were met to bestow our meed of praise, and leave some token by
which the absent friends might know that we were not insensible to
the merits of the fallen.
[This letter contains a lengthy description of the at-
tack on New Madrid by the brigade to which tiie Fifth
Iowa was attached — the unexpected termination of the
siege by the evacuation of the town and forts and their
occupation by the Federal troops under General Pope.
We give some extracts from the closing portion of the
letter.— E. P.]
On the morning of the fourteenth instant General Hamilton's brig-
ade, composed of the Fifth and Tenth Iowa and two other regiments,
moved forward for the purpose of supporting our battery by the lower
fort. It was 3 o'clock in the morning, with rain falling at intervals,
accompanied with flashes of lightning and low rumbling thunder.
Many a soldier left camp feeling perhaps, that he should never return
again; and doubtless many tender missives were written to be for-
warded in case the writer should received his qiac/Ks. Occasionally
the flashes of lightning would reveal groups of infantry, cavalry and
artillery by the roadside, silent as statues, moving slowly forward
through the mud and darkness. 'We were now within lange of the
enemy's guns, and every exertion was made to get us concealed in the
rifle-pits before daylight. These pits were nothing more than a kind
of trench dug at the base of the declivity, retreating to the west; and
by the time we arrived there the rain had tilled them half full of water.
Here was a delightful state of affairs. To sit there twenty-four hours in
a doubled up posture was bad enough, but to be compelled to paddle
around like muskrals was more than the patience of the boys could
stand without some show of flinching. "Get in, boys, lay low. shells
will be coming over here directly." thundered the colonel. And in
they tumbled, officers and privates together, while behind orderlies
could be seen running off' the horses, and hospital stewards were carry-
ing stretchers here and there to be ready to receive the dead and
wounded. Here we all waited in the keenest anxiety for the booming
of the first gun, which was to usher in the conflict. The day had
dawned, but imagine our surprise when a soldier appeared shouting in
aloud voice, "New Madrid is evacuated." We did not, we could
not believe it. "He means that New Madrid is evacuated," said the
colonel. And it was true; pickets and skirmishers coming soon con-
firmed the announcement. The rebels, in anticipation of our attack
(and perhaps still more in anticipation of those "coming events which
cast their shadows before" in the fall of their stronghold at Colum jus)
had fled during the night, and abandoned all. A cavalryman seized
the colors of the Iowa Fifth and planted it on the battery. Not a rebel
gun-boat or river craft of any kind was to be seen, and soon the stars
and stripes were waiving over the deserted breastworks. Such was the
haste of the valiant Southrons that they had forgotten to take in their
pickets, and three of them were found asleep in a tent. They were a
little astonished when they found that the works had changed hands.
From the official reports, which your readers have doubtless seen, you
can learn the amount of property, stores, etc., seized. The rebels left
candles burning in their tents, biscuit half baked in the ovens, clothes,
guns, everything. The lower fort mounts fourteen guns, nearly all of
the larger calibre and most perfect finish. Traces were here percepti-
ble of hot work of the day before. One columbiad was partially
dismounted, while a twelve-pounder piece had been struck in the side
by one of our large balls, and deeply indented. All the guns had been
spiked, but through the exertions of Colonel Bissell, of the engineer
regiment, they were in readiness again in an hour. The upper fort
mounts four guns, and is surrounded by a deep trench, outside of
which is an abatis to obstruct attacks from a storming party of infantry.
Inside of these works were found a qutntity of tents constructed after
the Sibley patent, suflicient for tliree thousand men. Half barrels of
flour, sugar and molasses were scattered in all directions. Whatever
the condition of the secesh may be in other respects, they are far from
starvation. The citizens of the town had taken refuge in the fort, and
French bedsteads, easy-chairs, gilt mirrors, sofas, centre-tables and
other appli.inces of luxury and wealth were to be met with on every
hand. If the earthquake of 1812 destroyed the old town of Madrid,
the rebellion of 1861 has more than rivaled it in the demolition of the
new town. The vandals burned whole streets of the finest residences,
and laid splendid orchards flat with the ground to get a range for their
guns. A large seminary had been turned into a hospital, and the
walls of some of the rooms had been adorned, evidently by native
artists with designs representing the Republican leaders. In one Old
Abe is seated on the hobby-horse Slavery embracing .'Reward lovingly;
underneath is written, "Abraham Lincoln, the first tyrant and despot,
who sought to overthrow American independence and subjugate south-
ern freemen. "
The Fifth regiment was quartered in some houses which, fortunately
for us, had escaped destruction. Con.pany E had the good fortune to
have allotted to it a very nice, tidy house, with capacious rooms, and
furnished with fireplaces. Fires were soon built, the coffee kettle hung
over the cheery blaze, and everything available brought into requisition
for a glorious square meal. A stalwart Iowa boy finds a jar of honey
in an obscure corner, and is bearing it off in triumph, when a lieuten-
ant sings out,
"Hold on. there, don't eat that; it is poisoned."
"Wal, it may be," says our hero, "but I've got an antidote agin
pizen. and I can't bear to see such things around in the way." .And off
he goes in great glee.
The rebels found time before they left to pitch a light field battery
into the river, and Colonel Bissell. with his engineers, has been busy in
getting out the caissons, but has not succeeded yet in finding any of the
cannon. .According to the most reliable estimates the confederate force
here must have been at least twelve thousand strong. General McCown
was in command, and if they had been so disposed they could have
sustained a hard siege. . . . We are awaiting the denouement
of affairs at Island No, 10. The firing of our mortar fleet is plainly
heard. Part of our division has moved down to Point Ple.nsant, and
are erecting some heavy works there. Telegraphic communication is
opened to Sikeston, the nearest railroad station, and dispatches can be
sent direct to St. Louis.
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. LV.
New Madrid, Missouri. April 11. 1862.
Dear Guardian : — We are all very busy, and expect to leave here
next Sunday. You have heard of all our recent triumphs; how the
gun-boat Carondelet ran the blockade, despite the stream of shot and
shell that was poured upon her ; and also how the transports succeeded
in getting around by the chute. \\\ this has been accomplished.
Last Monday Hamilton's division crossed the river, and proceeded
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
i6i
by the land route to Tiptonville. While on the way we were informed
that Island No. lo had been evacuated, and that Payne had cut off the
retreat of six thousand rebels, taking them prisoners, .^^t Tiptonville
we found the prisoners— a hard-lookmg set, ignorant, dirty, and ragged.
Some rich scenes occurred, which I will descnbe when 1 have more
time. Throughout the whole of Tennessee the rebels are panic-
stricken, and many of the prisoners are better contented with their
present situation than any Ihey have been in since the war began. Said
a rebel captain to me : "We are not fighting for slaveiy. It is a terri-
torial question with us. You people at the north want to carve us ou;
into new States, and that we wont submit to." Quite an original idea,
I thought, and one that Wendell Phillips never thought of. • We have
taken a number of heavy siege guns, destroyed three rebel batteries,
with smaller arms — from the old flint-lock musket to the Sharpe rifle —
without number. The importance of these recent victories cannot be
overestimated. The river is now open to Federal vessels to Fort Ran-
dolph, and craft of every description are crowding down the river. We
are now in a painful state of suspense about the battle of Corinth. The
general impression is that Grant has been defeated. The whole army
here is soon to move southward. We have been much interested in the
Guardian of April ist, and all feel much indebted to S. J. W. T. for
his eloquent tribute to the memory of our departed friend and comrade.
Lieutenant Jordan. The meir.bers of our company are well, and sick-
ness in the regiment decreasing.
Adieu,
C.J. R.
LETTER NO. LVI.
From the Xinth, in c.\mp .\t Galena, Missouri, )
.^pril Q, 1862. I
I should have written to you before, but on the morning of the fifth
we were suddenly ordered to march. We knew nothing of our desti-
nation, but soon found ourselves moving eastward. At Cassville, we
left the Springfield road, taking a southeasterly course. We have
marched over a rough, mountainous road crossing the Ozark river, and
after meeting many hindrances from streams, etc., last night found us
standing in the rain in the town of Galena, waiting for our team train
to come up, which did not arrive until after dark. Our camp is on the
right bank of the James river, which wee.xpect to cross to-day; and as
the river is quite rapid, it is a very difficult feat. We shall make a
bridge for the infantry to pass on by driving the wagons in for abut-
ments. The point we are making tor, and the object of this move
through such a rough country, are matters about which 1 can give you
no information.
As we passed through Cassville, we learned that Lieutenant and Mrs.
Wright were within an hour's ride of that place. The expressions of
the men upon hearing this would have done you good. They all look
upon him as one of their best friends, and they think there are fe^v such
women as Mrs. Wright. \o lady could be more warmly welcomed
into the company. They overtook us the second night from Cassville.
I cannot better express to you the feelings of the company than bv stat-
ing the fact that, the next day, those present of our company made up
a purse of ninety-three dollars for the doctor and his wife, each man
being eager to do his share, and giving with the greatest cheerfulness.
It was presented in consideration of what the Doctor and .Mrs. Wright
have done, and are still doing, for them, out of the abounding kindness
of their hearts. Yesterday, the ambulances having been sent back to
Cassville for some purpose. Mrs. Wright had to ride in one of our
wagons, which had the misfortune to upset. .Almost miraculously, she
escaped without serious injury, and appears quite well this mornino-.
J. P. Sampson.
LETTER NO. LVI I.
Steamer Memphis, .April 16, 1862.
Friend Rich: After the surrender of Number 10, I had an op-
portunity of visiting it, thus satisfying a curiosity heightened by the
indolence of a twenty-five days' siege. The island covers about three
hundred acres, and was owned by a wealthy planter, who, of course
long since deserted it, leaving his buildings and extensive stores of com
to become the prey of ruthless invaders. The residence is near the
centre of the island; and, a little to one side, is a beautiful peach or-
chard, now in full bloom. It is just here that the effect of our shells
is most apparent; vast excavations where they fell, jagged pieces of the
destructive globes scattered everywhere, trees upheaved, or immense
limbs torn off, a general scattering of everything movable, all attest
their destructive power. Still, the batteries which are situated on the
river bank escaped material injury, or, if injured, had been perfectly
repaired at the date of our occupancy. The prisoners asserted sloutlv
that only two men were killed on the island during the whole bom-
bardment. The garrison consisted of only three hundred men — the
main force being upon the Tennessee shore — and as they could see the
approaching shells, it is quite possible that they became adepts in
hunting their holes.
The batteries were found not to be as strong as had been supposed.
They were principally at the head of the isLand, and mounted, in all,
eighteen guns, rating as follows: Ten smooth thirty-two's, three rifled
thirty-two's, one of which had been burst, and one rifled twenty-four.
There were, besides, five thirty-two's not mounted. Only three of the
guns were spiked. Two-thirds of the prisoners were Irishmen, who
had been pressed into the service, and consequently were without heart
in it. They stated that when the gunboats ran the blockade, many of
the guns were purposely elevated so as to carry over. This may be
an invented excuse to hide their miserable gunnery.
The transports of the expedition are now lying ten miles above the
first Chickasaw Bluffs, upon which. ire. foVtilications more or less for-
midable. But little firing has been done on either side at this point.
Of course we know nothin^of the I plans of, attack, but the work is
evidently to be accomplish^ principally by strategy, as at Number
Ten. L'nbounded confidence is felt bjr the soldiery jn the engineering
ability and generalship of Flag Officer* Sgpte and General Pope.
Meantime, it is somewhat gigjifying to know th5l we are only seventy-
five miles above Memphis.
y. L. Loom IS.
LETTER NO. LVIIl.
Steamer Emilie, April 17, 1862.
Friend Rich: — On the evening of the 12th instant, Hamilton's di-
vision embarked on board the steamers lying at New Madrid, and were
soon steaming southward, with the avowed purpose of paying Fort
Pillow a visit. Point Pleasant, Tiptonville, and landings of inferior
note, were soon passed. .At nearly all these points the rebels had
erected batteries which they supposed would be an effective bar to any
federal flotilla that might be venturesome enough to attempt the pas-
sage ; but the gunboats have upset all their calculations. The battery
erected opposite Point Pleasant, had been completely demolished. One
howitzer had been knocked by a shell clear from the carriage, and lay
down the emb.ankment, its muzzle buried in the dirt. The timber
around looked as if a violent hurricane had passed, leaving nothing in
its track but splintered trunks and torn and twisted branches. Appar-
ently the whole country is deserted, not a man woman or child of the
white genus being in sight, while their dusky servants, now tenants-at-
will of tlie mansions, appeared at the doors, waving vigorously their
turbans, or whatever articles of apparel they could get hold of. The
wide waste of muddy waters, bordered with their fringe of silent cot-
tonwoods, the cornfields with their prostrate fences and untilled soil
all go to form a scene of indescribable loneliness and desolation. Stand-
ing on the deck of a steamer one appears to be floating over the
country. Far as the eye can reach, at some points, the land is covered
with water, and still the leaden sky pours down more rain. Some of
the timerous ones on shore are suggesling the propriety of buildin'^ an
ark, while others assert that the Mississippi is leagued with the federal
government, to wipe out the southern confederacy, filling up as it does,
every old bayou for them to run their gunboats around in. and wash-
ing away the secesh forts. There is no denying that the high water has
been favorable to the fleet, while it has retarded the movements of the
land forces. The lowest point reached by our boats is one hundred
and sixty miles below Cairo, opposite Manson, and eight miles above
Fort Randolph. Here the steamers were made fast to the shore, and
reconnoissances ordered to. ascertain the strength and position of the
enemy. All active operations are made impossible by the high water.
From below Tiptonville to this place, there is not a single point where
troops can be landed. In view of this a retrograde movement has
been ordered and the whole fleet, as I write, is steaming back to New
Madrid again.
Much excitement exists in regard to the battle of Pittsburgh Land-
ing, and many censure Grant for what they are pleased to call "his
carelessness." The enemy has fallen back to Corinth, and all accounts
represent him as preparing for a tremendous fight, with a force, some
say, of eightty thousand. Corinth is to the rebels a very important
strategetical point. It controls their line of communication between
the -Atlantic and the gulf seaboard.
Apnl 17th, 6 P. M. — Reached New Madrid last night and waited for
the rest of the fleet to come up when we continued our progress up the
river. Had a fair chance to view the enemy's works at Island No. 10.
It seemed impossible for any force ever to have taken it, but it lost its
value when the gunboats were below it. .April 18th, 6 a. m. — Reached
l62
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Lairo last night, and shall soon be on our way for the Tennessee river.
Other troops have taken our place at New Madrid. Our friend Oscar
rejoined us yesterday, looking quite well. The boys are making up a
package of things for Independence.
C. J. R.
letter no. lix.
From the Fourth C.walry, }
Springfield, Missouri, April lo, 1862. j"
Since my last we have had a little excitement here. Twice, within
a week, we have been called out in the night, expecting an attack. On
Friday night last we received news that some one thousand of Price's
cavalry had crossed White river at Forsyth, and were marching on
this place, with the i.itention of surprising us, which they would have
succeeded in doing, but for the sudden rise of the river making it un-
fordable. So much time would necessarily be consumed in ferrying the
force, that the .surprise was abandoned. This was two days before we
heard of it and the distance only fifty miles; so that, but for a lucky
shower, they would in all probability have succeeded in wiping out this
post, as there are no troops'ifcl^e except our regiment and three com
panics of the Iowa Tliir<J"cavalry. There is a large amount of stores
and transportation at this~b<^^ to reward a successful forage of that
kind. «^ '''*'
Last nifht we heard that Isl.md N'o. 9> was taken, and also that
General Grant had whipped Beauregard, in Tennessee, and we had a
grand parade in honor thereof I hear also that General Curtis is
marching to Forsyth, and will probably go down White river in search
of Price, he being, it is supposed, somewhere in that direction. It is a
positive fact, however, that there is never absolute knowledge of his
position until the battle commences. He can raise an army, or put one
out of sight, by some "hocus pocus" that is altogether unaccountable.
One thing is certain, these butternut-clad devils are harder to subdue
than anything east of the Mississippi. They will continue to fight for
three years after peace is declared — may not hear the news even in that
time. They are mostly mounted, and can move with great rapidity.
Each man takes six day's rations on his horse, which consists of a sack
of corn meal and a piece of bacon, no tents or baggage of any kind,
and he is prepared for a march of from one to two hundred miles. I
do not believe we shall move from here in two weeks, as it is impossible
to get forage below this, and by that time, grass will be abundant.
Peach trees are in blossom, and leaves putting out finely; although it
has been a very cold, backward spring, and last night we had a heavy
white frost. G- B. P.
LETTER NO. LX.
Davenport, C.\mp McClellan, April 22, 1862.
Friend Rich: — There has been a great excitement in camp to-day,
occasioned by the appearance of a steamer coming up the river with
three hundred and fifty prisoners on board. Their destination is
Prairie du Chien. One poor fellow died while the boat was stopping
at Davenport. His name I did not learn. It is entirely a melancholy
sight to see a man lie down in death while a prisoner in a strange land,
and yet how many of our brave men have met the same fate.
Yesterday we were called upon to stand around the death-bed of our
friend and companion in arms, J. H. Ginther. He died of typhoid
fever, after an illness of only eight days. The first few days of his ill-
ness he endured much pain, but his last hours were calm and peaceful,
and his last words were of the loved ones at home. Deeply do we
sympathize with his bereaved parents and friends, and with sad hearts
we bid a long farewell to him that is gone.
Our men are all well at present, except Mr. Stuart and Mr. Harris,
both of whom have been dangerously ill, but are now recovering.
The recruiting officers of the Fifth regiment are all here, and we expect
to start for Dixie day after to-morrow. Companies are leaving here
daily for the seat of war, and each company is anxious to be the first
to leave. George N. Watson.
LETTER NO. LXI.*
Cassville, Missouri, April 7, 1862.
Last Tuesday about half of the men we have here started for a point
about thirty miles distant to break up a jayhau^king band of
desperadoes, and on Friday evening a messenger came in after more
help. Our men had been fighting two days, and had taken ninety
prisoners: but they were getting short of amunition and in danger of
being surrounded by the rebels. Yesterday morning all the men that
* Extract from private letters written bj' a member of Captain liuell's com.
pany, Ninth Iowa.
could be spared went out, and what the result will be time will show.
Some farmers, who came in last night, said they heard cannonading
yesterday morning, which nmkes us the more anxious, because we
know the reinforcements could not have reached our boys.
Later. — Three of the cavalry scouting party have come in. They
say our men had repulsed an attack made yesterday morning, and are
still in pursuit. These three were fired at when coming in, by nine
rebels, only a few miles from here; but the odds were so great that they
spurred on into town. These guerillas are getting very bold, but I
think we shall soon be out of this place. The quartermaster has had
orders to press every team that he can find into service, and send the
sick and wounded away as fast as possible. Fifteen teams were
started to-day. Our ambulence went yesterday with four men. and the
doctor thinks we shall go to the regiment in a week or ten days at the
farthest.
Monday morning. — Great rejoicing here yesterday afternoon. Our
scouts came in. They have been out six days, and have been skir-
mishing every day since they left, and have been in one of the worst
nests of cut-throats in Missouri. They brought in ninety-one prisoners,
and lost only two men killed and one wounded. Our force numbered
only two hundred, and it took half of them to guard the prisoners,
who were constantly trying to get away; because, according to Gen-
eral Halleck's order of March 26th, they are subject to be hung. We
got a horse and gun with almost every man taken. It is believed there
are from seven to eight hundred of the gang, about half of them Indi-
ans. Our men killed two of the red skins.
Two men, who have been acting as guides in our army, left here last
Wednesday to go to their families, not having heard from them for
some time. They got home, and while putting their horses in the
stable some rebels came out of the brush, took them off about two
miles and shot them. This is the way things are carried on here now,
and still our government officers are taking such men as these every
day, swearing them and letting them go.
April i2th. — The army has left and is making its way to the Missis-
sippi, and we are living here in suspense. There are all sorts of re-
ports every day about the Indians and Texas rangers coming in here.
To-day the report came that fifteen hundred rangers were to attack our
town to-night. It makes no little excitement. . . . Some
of our teams were out foraging yesterday, and one got behind, v^■hen
nine rebels came out of the brush, unhitched the horses from the wagon
and, taking the two drivers, left. The men were taken three or four
miles and then made to take the oath and set at liberty. They got
back to camp to-day. This is another specimen of the kind of warfare
carried on here. They will come into town and be the best Union men
you ever saw, find out when a team is going out into the country, go
and get some of their neighbors, lie in wait at a convenient spot, and
nab it. Our boys are getting along nicely. N'alentine Gates is better.
We are having an easy time now soldiering. We do not have to stand
guard nor cook. We haye two cows here, and have milk for supper
almost every night.
Monday morning. — We are all alive this morning, so you see there
was no truth in the report we heard yesterday. I will close with the
remark that our officers and army are too easy with these plagucy But-
ternuts: we ought to wipe out every one of them. .-V mail is going out
this morning. James Sparling.
LETTER NO. LXII.
Camp near Pittsburgh Landing, April 30, 1862.
Friexd Rich: — . . . It is very difficult to form a cor-
rect estimate as to the number of troops under the command of Gen-
eral Halleck at this place, but it can not be far fiom one hundred and
twenty thousand, and in telling this I presume that I shall not be im-
parting forbidden information. The forces are disposed in the form of
the arc of a circle, General Grant's division occupying the centre, upon
the main road leading to Corinth; General Buell's the right flank, ex-
tending to a small town eight miles from the enemy's nearest lines; and
General N'elson's brigade the left flank, resting on the town of Ham-
burgh, four miles above Pittsburgh. Pope's division lies immediately
behind these, as a reserve. General Mitchell still holds his position on
the Charleston and Memphis railroad, cutting off all communication in
that direction.
Last night General Payne's division was thrown forward on the Cor-
inth road, so that from the centre of our position to the enemy's out-
posts, the distance cannot be over four miles, and daily skirmishes
occur between the cavalry on either side. A vast amount of labor is
necessary to repair the roads, build bridges, etc., etc., and a week or
two may elapse before a battle will occur.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
163
t'AMP ABOVK Hamburgh. Pope's Division, May 4tli.
Yesterday our former camp, near Pittsburgh, was broken up, and
the whole division moved six miles in a southwest direction, being now
on the extreme left, and five miles from the west bank of the Tenne-
ssee. A sharp artillery duel came off last night, resulting in the cap-
ture of one of the rebel batteries. Small scouting parties are taken
daily, who represent the greater mass of Beauregard's army as being
in a very demoralized condition, especially with the Tennessee and
Kentucky troops, many of whom have been impressed into the service.
It is also currently reported and believed in camp that Beauregard, de-
siring to reciprocate our wish for an early engagement, has made an
advance, and is now engaged throwing up intrenchments. A battle
must come off soon, perhaps to-day or tomorrow. Sunday appears to
be the fighting day, and our regiment is now under orders to move at
half-past 9, with three days' rations in their haversacks. Discipline is
very strict, and every precaution taken to prevent surprise. Roll is
called five times a day, the men being required to fall out twice at
seveille and tattoo on the color line under their arms, where the num-
ber of men and guards of each company are reported- to the adjutant.
Besides this, there is an inspection of arms and cartridge boxes after
every meal, and woe to the luckless wight who hath not his forty rounds.
The life of the soldier in presence of the enemy is far from being one
of inactivity, and he is perpetually performing some duty that is sug-
gestive of bloodshed. For instance, he is addressed by his officers on
thiswise; "Soldiers, you are soon to enter upon a great battle; cool-
ness and deliberation aie indispensable; under all circumstances don't
get excited; shake the powder down well, and fire low. One wounded
man is worth a dozen killed. " Think of me hearing such language
as that, who, nine months ago. was in the quiet wheat fields of
Iowa, with thoughts intent upon the raising of crops and securing a
comfortable home. . . Our camp is now placed near
the line of the two States, and twenty yards from the log on which your
correspondent sits takes you into Mississippi. Away down in Dixie,
among tangled underbrush and cane brakes, with far-stretching cotton
fields and umbrageous woods, where mosquitoes, frogs and lizards
abound — away down in the land of chivalry, poetry and romance,
where the winds blow soft, laden with the perfume of flowers, and
where earth's richest productions grow spontaneously. What a land,
what associations ! What tremendous lizards ! A couple of them are
gamboling near my seat, turning, twisting and doubling over each,
other with the celerity of the most accomplished acrobats. They are
very affectionate, and consider it their special privilege to ensconce
themselves in the folds of the sleeping soldier's blanket. Just above
the camp is a farm, whose owner enlisted in Beauregard's host just for
five days — the time considered sufficient to wipe out the vandal Yankee
from the sacred soil. Unhappy man ! Yesterday he was captured by
a band of audacious cavalry, and sent to St. Louis a prisoner of war.
As he passed by his farm he saw the corn and cotton fields where of
old trembling slaves bowed subservient to his will, dotted over with
federal camps, while to the corner of his house had been fixed the tel-
egraph wire to convey the news of federal triumphs, and cannon
gleamed beneath his orchard trees. The few families left here are of
that class who are too poor to get away, and are much to be pitied.
Industry is paralyzed. The men are in the army, the children are
ragged, and stand in little groups by the doorway, looking out at the
soldiers with great, frightened eyes — in the background stands the
mother, pale and careworn. Coff"ee is worth one dollar and twenty-
five cents per pound, and flour is not to be had at any price; and the
women and children are compelled to live on corn meal made into
cakes, without saleratus or salt — even the hard crackers of the soldier
they esteem a great luxury, and a gift of them is never refused.
Sunday, 10 A. M.
The boys have been in readiness over an hour, and now the order to
move is countermanded — the roads not being in readiness. True to
former precedents, it has commenced raining, and the watery deluge
comes pouring down on our Sibley with a vengeance. The rebels have
destroyed the bridge across Ball's creek, which will delay our move-
ment a day or two.
C. ]. R.
LETTER NO. LXIII.
Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Wright, of the
Iowa Ninth, to Rev. Mr. Sampson, dated —
B.VTESVILLE, ARKANSA.S, May 9, 1862.
After a long and severe march over the Ozark mountains, we rest a
short time, waiting for the First and Second division to cross the river.
Most of them are already over, and we have orders to be ready to cross
to-night. We left Cassville on the fifth of April, and reached Bear
creek on the fifteenth, a few miles from Forsyth. The country from
Cassville to the latter place is the worst I ever saw.
The country is much better after leaving the Ozark Ridge, and contin-
ues to improve as we approach the While river. There is also a great
diff'erence in the character of the people. We seem to be getting more
amongst white folks.
When we came into Batesville, the people were taken entirely by sur-
prise, except a few Union men who were apprised of our coming. The
advance guard came in upon them on every road, so there was no
chance of escape. Colonel Coleman happened to be on the opposite
side of the river, but a company of his men were playing cards in the
court house on this side and were captured. The citizens seemed well
pleased, and began to look to the Federal arm for protection. Some
say they would like to have the "fuss" settled, but they don't like to
have the south whipped. There is a report amongst the citizens here
that the governor sent to General Curtis last night a proposal to sur-
render the State to the Federal Government. Surrender or not, the
State capital w-ill be ours ina few days. I forgot to say that our ad-
vance had a httle bit of a skirmish on. SnAring the town, with Coleman's
men. A few shels from one of our iTi£r*i<fljiT> "nnn made them ske-
daddle, nor have they been heard of^HcdSRSome of our cavalry are
in pursuit of them. You will be surprised to lea'fn that the Union sen-
timent is stronger here than in any county through which we have
passed. Old men threw up their hats at the sight of the old flag, and
thanked God that they were once more free men. One man com-
menced to dance when the band played " Yankee Doodle." He had
been arrested once for whistling "Yankee Doodle" and "Hail, Co-
lumbia," and this by a people who persuade themselves they are fight-
ing for liberty.
Your son left us at Ozark. He felt very badly to be left behind, but
it was better for him to stay near Springfield, where he would have
good care, than to be left any other place on the road. We hope that
he is better, and will soon be able to join us, as he is much missed by
his comrades in arms. We also sent two of the Farry boys and
Thomas Cress to the hospital at RoUa. The rest of the company are
well and in good spirits, except Sergeant Davis, who has been quite
unwell for some days, but is rapidly improving.
R. W. VV.
LETTER NO. LXIV.
Camp at Boonville, Mississippi, June 7. 1862
Friend Rich: — My long silence has consigned me to your list of
occasional; but there has been really but little of special interest to
write about in the slow, regular advance of the army from the Ten-
nessee river. Nearly every day has had its skirmish of greater or less
extent, resulting sometimes in the enemy's favor, oftener otherwise.
The last grand advance in the investment of Corinth took place on the
twenty-eighth ultimo. It was contested vigorously, but unsuccessfully,
at nearly every point. General Pope's wing did the heaviest fighting
and suffered the most severely. . . . Our troops saw but
little rest on the night of the twenty-eighth. A continuous line of rifle-
pits was to be dug in our new position, and sunrise of the twenty-
ninth showed everything complete. All day the enemy was ex-
pected and we were anxious to receive him ; still, no fighting of mo-
ment occurred in our division. In the afternoon the Forty-second was
taken out to support a battery of Parrot guns which was playing upon
one of the enemy's forts. The fire was briskly returned, but without
any damage to us. Early on the morning of the thirtieth, our regiment
and the Thirty-ninth Ohio were ordered to advance. Hurrah for a
skirmish! was the thought of every one of us. But we passed on
through the woods without sight of a single foe. Suddenly the truth
broke upon us — Corinth evacuated ! We pressed forward to the abat-
tis of fallen timber, which, through continued harping, had become a
bugbear to our imaginations. It would not have delayed an Iowa
assaulting party fifteen minutes ! And that single little breastwork
yonder is called formidable! Are these your boasted defences, Corinth?
Who has been fooled this time? Would it not be a good plan for our
generals to organize an efficient corps of scouts, or — spies, if you will
call them such? To one who has seen the defences of Columbus, those
at Corinth seem contemptible. As we neared the breastworks, the
colorbearers of the two regiments pushed forward on the run for the
honor of planting the first flag. The colors of the Forty-second won,
also a few moments later — the honor of being the first to float over the
village of Corinth. But how barren seemed the triumph 1 We would
have preferred to fight the rebels, then and there.
A few families remained at Corinth. They stated that the evacuation
had been in progress several days, and that eighteen regiments had left
164
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
only the night before. The pursuit commenced the same evening, the
Forty-second leading the van of Pope's army, as it has continued
to do to the present. We marched eight miles to the first brfdge de-
stroyed by the enemy in their flight. It was situated in a ssvamp. cov-
ered with a dense growth of timber. The rear guard of the rebels was
stationed with a battery just beyond to delay our passage, and it was
not until the night of the thirty-first that the way was clear for our en-
gineers to rebuild the bridge. The next morning we marched into
Danville, an insignificant village ten miles south of Corinth. Continu-
ing the pursuit, we rebuilt ruined bridges, and camped at Rienzi, five
miles from Danville. On the second instant we entered Boonville, a
station on the Mobile & Ohio railroad, twenty-one miles from Corinth.
We are still at this point, with the probabilities against any forward
movement at present. On the third we reconnoitred in force, driving
the rear guard of the enemy before us, but returning the same day to
camp. Here we are lying without tents, the most of us without even a
blanket— we were ordered to leave knapsacks behind— exposed to the
caprices of the weather, and wondering in our innocent hearts what is
to come next. We would like to do something, certainly. The coim-
try through which we have passed is beautifully undulating, and covered
with a heavy growth of o'^i- maple and beech timber. It is very thinly
settled by a very miseralDfe-pepple, and our most profound aspiration
at the present moment is to get out of it just as soon as the interests of
our cause will permit.
J. L. LOOMIS.
LETTER NO. LXV.
FROM THE NINTH.
Camp on Red River, Arkansas, May 28, 1862.
Friend Rich: — We left our camp near Batesville on the seventeenth
instant, and arrived here upon the twentieth, Upon our arrival we
learned that Colonel Osterhaus' division, which is in advance of us, had
been terribly annoyed by the enemy on the opposite side of the river.
On one occasion the enemy captured a foraging party of fifty men and
a number of wagons, belonging to the Seventeenth Missouri. When
the men surrendered the rebels said, "We take no prisoners, "and be-
gan to shoot the men down, killing about twenty, and wounding the
remainder. Only one escaped to tell the sorrowful tale. This has
aroused the Germans, and whenever they capture a rebel they kill him
if possible. Their leader is reported to be G. A. Hicks, of this State.
They are broken up into small parties and go in for plunder more than
anything else. They can annoy an army in this way, by being on the
lookout for small detachments, and cutting off every wagon or horse
they happen to meet with. The bridge being again completed, a heavy
reconnoissance was made yesterday. It was supposed that the enemy's
camp was at a small town called Searcy, four miles from our camp.
The town was surrounded and several prisoners taken, but the camp
was not to be found. We found Searcy to be a very pleasant village of
about one thousand inhabitants before this war, but not more than one-
half that number is here at the present time. Two fine churches, and
one or two fine school-houses or seminaries were in the place, besides
many excellent dwellings, and the entire aspect of the place was more
like civilization than anything we had seen in the State. The object of
the expedition yesterday was principally to collect forage.
Red River is navigable to this point, the stream being not very wide,
but very deep. Our men have built a floating bridge, which is very
handy for the boys in crossing. We are now one hundred and fifty
miles from Memphis, and sixty miles from Little Rock. We are brig-
aded with the Iowa Fourth cavalry, and the brigade is commanded by
Colonel Porter, Colonel Vandever being absent. The Ninth is com-
manded by Captain Carpenter, of company B, he being senior captain
of the regiment. Lieutenant McKenzie is acting adjutant.
The weather is very warm, and we suffer from heat. We have been
rather short of provisions for some time, but a large ox-train came in
this morning, which had been on the road since the twentieth of
March. They brought us a fresh supply of hard bread, some that the
Government had on hand at the end of the Mexican war (I should
think), and are now sending it out here for us to devour. Coffee we
have in abundance. I have seen some statements in print that the
Iowa Fifth had only four crackers a day. In our march from Hunts-
viUe to Pea Ridge, a distance of forty-one miles, all that we had to eai
on the morning that we left Huntsville, was one cup full of meal pud-
ding, and the forty-ore miles was made in one day. We arrived in
camp on the night of the fifth of March, and next morning were order,
ed to the field of action. You may know that many of the boys were
not able to leave their tents, but, as there was a fair prospect of a fight,
all but one or two went out. All that day we had nothing to eat, and
nothing until next morning at 2 o'clock, and then we had some bread
mixed up soldier's fashion. When we were at Forsyth we had no
flour, no meal, no hard bread— nothing but shorts (that is what they
call it), and that was so very short, that we had only half rations of it_
nor were the shorts eked out by meat. You imagine that it was rather
tough to live in this manner, but we had been taught by our officers that
good soldiers would not grumble, and so we were contented.
May 31st.
Captain Bull and Adjutant Scott arrived on the twenty-ninth, looking
very well. The captain has nearly recovered from his wound, but he
limps a very little yet. The adjutant has also recovered, and we are
very glad to have them again with us. . . .
Last night we received a mail, the second which has reached us this
month. The letters were dated back to April, yet we were glad to hear
from home and friends. Everything is one month old before it reaches
us, and I think if General Curtis had encamped on the shore of the Red
Sea, instead of sitting down in this outlandish and out of the world
country, we should have been in the way of getting the news at least
semi-occasionall}~, with some regularity. But the older the news, the
more eagerly it is looked for; and, old or new, news is always welcome.
E. C. Little.
LETTER NO. L.XVl*.
Camp near Rienza, Mississippi, July 8, 1862.
Friend Rich: — We have had two deaths lately in our company —
Jackson Rice and F. M. Walker. Both had been ailing for some time,
and were thought to be getting well, but they died very suddenly, and
in a somewhat similar manner. Mr. Rice lived southwest of Inde-
pendence, (in Jefferson township); was young and spirited, and a very
prompt and valuable soldier. His death is a sad loss to the company,
and was mourned by all. He is buried on the top of a beautiful
shady knob, just back of our camp, near Corinth, and the grave is
marked by a plain neat head board. Walker died at the post hospital
at Farmington. The doctor thinks he died of sun stroke. There are
about twenty-five dollars extra duty money due him from the quarter-
masters department, which I will get for his widow, as soon as it can
be obtained.
For the last ten days we ha\e been moving about from place to place,
without any apparent object. Started to Holly Springs; went as far as
Ripley, forty miles from Corinth, were ordered to return for the pur-
pose, we have since learned, of going to Richmond; came part of the
way back ; order countermanded, stopped at this camp and remained
a day or two; went forward a mile and a half; bivouacked a day or
two there; returned here, and have been bivouacking here for two days.
Thermometer stands (or would stand, if there were any in the country
to stand) at about one hundred and five in the shade. At least we think
so. We shall soon be paid for four months, and the boys will no doubt
have quite a pile to send home.
-As regards war matters in general, I have no time to attempt to give
an opinion at present. Give my regards to all my old friends. I hear
that times are beginning to improve in Iowa— glad of it— there is loom
for great improvement, but you have all reason to be thankful that you
are not in this God-forsaken region.
Yours respectfully,
W. S. Marshall.
LETTER NO. LXVH.
From the Ninth.
An extract from a private letter appeared in the Guardian, late in
July, with the following editorial note:
We are greatly gratified, after the various rumors that have floated
about relating to General Curtis' army, to have direct intelligence from
it. The wife of Lieutenant Wright arrived here yesterday, having left
Helena on the sixteenth. The host of friends which Mrs. Wright has
made by her self sacrifices for the good of the men of her husbands
company, will be sorry to learn that she is quite feeble, not having
recovered from a serious illness. It is to be hoped that rest and old
associations will bring rapid recuperation.
Mrs. Wright brought letters from Lieutenant Sampson to his family,
from which we extract a few items from the last, dated:
In C.\mp, Ten Miles Northwest from Helen.\, |
Arkansas, July i6, 1862. j
After one of the roughest and most fatiguing marches we ever had,
we arrived here day before yesterday. We left Jacksonport on the
fifth, and have marched from ten to twenty miles per day. The weather
''Extract from a private letter from Captain Marshall, quartermaster
Fifth.
of the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
165
has been very warm, and, during the first part of the inarch, very dry
and dusty. We have suffered much for want of water, Many of the
wells were filled up or destroyed by secesh upon our approach, and
after camping, wearied and foot sore, we have had to go as far as two
miles and a half for water.
The rebels laid every possible obstruction in our way — felled all the
timber they could across our path, and did all in their power to annoy
us. But thanks to a kind providence we are now near civilization. We
are out of the wilderness, and strange as it may seem, the men are in
excellent health and spirits. Only one death has occurred, and that
from sunstroke, and but few seem to be any worse for the rough
march. . Sergeant Curtis arrived here yesterday, so
that we heard from home once more. .\11 the men of our company are
well or on the gain. King is getting quite strong; Rich is also gaining
fast; Gates has been unwell, but is much better. W. C. Gillian arrived
yesterday, and tells us that Lukey and Rouse are at Helena.
LETTER NO. LXVIII.
C.\MP Ne.\r Courtland, Alab.\ma, July 30, 1862.
Friend Rich: — The monotony of camp life, under the most favor-
able circumstances, soon becomes irksome. .An inglorious rest of five
weeks succeeded our unsuccessful pursuit of the enemy from Corinth.
We did not need it, and were restless under it; although we tried to
persuade ourselves that it would be impossible for us to operate effect-
ively against the enemy during the heats of July and .August. General
Halleck's movement against Corinth was not e.\haustive, reports to the
contrary notwithstanding. The trench digging probably killed nobody,
and surely the gghting was not like that before Richmond. As for
our regiment, we were more inclined to fight, on the fourteenth day of
June, when we went into camp at Big Springs, Mississippi, than ever
before, and we rested uneasily under our oak shades until the order
was received on the nineteenth instant, to prepare for a march.
There has been much an.viety at the north to know the effect of the
extreme heat of this latitude upon our soldiers. It has been generally
supposed that it would be impossible for them to manifest much energy
before the cooler days of autumn; but the recent movements of Mitch-
ell. Buell, and others, prove quite the contrary. It is my opinion that
active operations, properly managed, are more conducive to the health
of the army, even in this latitude, than is inactivity in the camp. This
was most strikingly exhibited on our march to and from Springfield,
Missouri, last fall. We had the most favorable weather, but the com-
mander of our regiment foolishly and boyishly drove us into racing
with the regiments with which we were immediately connected. The
result was. we attained the reputation of being the fastest walkers on
the road, but at the dear cost of loss of health to many a poor fellow
who would otherwise have been this day an efficient soldier. It was
not the distance marched, but the manner of marching it, that pro-
duced such unhappy results. The want of judgment manifested by
some of our supposed efficient generals, in these matters, is quite
astohishing. We were ordered, and wisely, to start at half-past five
o'clock A. M. , of the twenty-first instant. Our preparations were
made accordingly, and at the appointed hour we were ready; but, for
some unaccountable reason, we did not hear the command, impatiently
waited for, "fall into line," until about 9 o'clock. The force consisted
of two brigades — nine regiments and two batteries — constituting the
first division of the "army of the Mississippi." The weather was
exceedingly warm, and the delay in starting threw our march into the
heat of the day. The consequence was the loss, from the Tenth and
Fourteenth Michigan regiments, of six men. who were overcome by
heat before i o'clock P. M. .At that hour we had made eight miles,
and were all, ready to '-give out." Halting till 5 o'clock, we proceeded
four miles further, and camped for the night. Had we started at the
hour indicated in the first order, those victims of a lack of energy
would have been spared — our troops would have marched from 5 till
9 A. M.. rested till 5, and completed the dity's work in the cool of the
evening. On the second day we marched very slowly, resting during
the heat of the day, and reaching luka, a pleasant summer resort, four
miles west of the .Alabama line, before dark. We were becoming
rapidly accustomed to the heat, so that, on the twenty-fourth, we made
twenty-two miles, much easier than we had the first eight of the march.
We were now four miles from Tuscumbia, .Alabama, a fine town on
the Memphis & Charleston railroad. We had passed from a Missis-
sippi wilderness to the beautiful valley of the Tennessee. .Around us
was a beautiful undulating country, ornamented with the elegant resi-
dences of the rich planters. Evidences of former prosperity were
everywhere visible; but how sadly has war changed the face of the
loveliest landscapes! Immense cotton fields on every hand lie fallow —
com has dethroned the old king; but he wields the scepter with a
feeble, trembling hand.
The next day we entered Tuscumbia. Quite a number of troops
were already quartered here, and more were left from our division.
.Activity prevailed, but it was the activity of war. .About noon news
came that a band of guerillas had torn up the railroad track and
burned one of the bridges between Tuscumbia and Decatur, capturing
and dispersing our small guard at the bridge. The non-arrival of the
eastern train confirmed the rumor, and our regiment was put aboard a
train, and sent to hold the doughty warriors in check. An additional
force of infantry and cavalry was dispatched at twelve o'clock the same
night to assist in scattering the guerrillas, who were of course already,
after their manner of warfare, well out of harms way. They accom-
plished their object, in obstructing communication, but did not choose
to wait for the superior force they knew would soon be upon them.
They make a brilliant dash, working perhaps immense injury, and are
quickly off to their mountain retreats, where it is vain to follow. To
end this kind of warfare, we need a vastly increased force, and a vastly
improved policy.- We are altogether too amiable. The rebels laugh at
us — we should make them fear us.
We are now stationed at the burnefl bridge, near the village of
Courtland. twenty-six miles east of Tuscil^Wa. The
feehng, in this part of .Alabama, is intensely southern. In Courtland.
but one man is known to profess union sympathies, and his life has
long hung upon a thread. One planter, whose estate lies near the
bridge, professed attachment to the old flag, and has offered his ne-
groes, to the number of sixty, to assist in throwing up defenses. Rec-
ollect this is northern .Alabama, said to be so strongly union in senti-
ment.
Now let us look a little at our management here. The guerillas
have in the mountains, fifteen miles south, a force of some twelve
thousand. There is also a regular force of ten thousand. There is
nothing between them and this railroad, but our pickets. There are
numerous bridges to be guarded, and our forces are cut up into de-
tachments, one of which is stationed at every important bridge. The
consequence of such rashness is exemplified in the capture of the force
recently stationed at this point. They can quite safely capture us by
squads.
We have chosen our positions and are hastily fortifying them, work-
ing day and night. It is really wearing out our men. The work be-
fore Corinth was poetry in comparison. And yet, here are thousands
of negroes to be had by simply taking them, and an abundance of sub-
sistance throughout the country to support them. We might easily
have had three hundred negroes at work on the very day of our arri-
val. But no. the commandant of this post. Colonel Harrington, of
the Twenty-seventh Illinois, could not think of the thing. We must
not harm the enemy, even in feelings — He might not like it, should we
use his negroes, so we kill off our own men as rapidly as possible, and
in addition, considerately guard every secesh well, orchard, cornfield,
and onion patch ; make, forsooth, this war a humbug and farce: We
guard a rebel henroost at night, and, in the morning, receive a jeer, a
curse, or a bullet, for our pains. The army is becoming sick of such
tomfoolery. We do not wish to harm the innocent ; we would protect
the helpless wife and children of the guilty rebel ; but we would de-
prive him of everything that could possibly aid him in waging war
against us. Bitter and more bitter grow the feelings of the soldier, as
he plods along the dusty highways, thirsty and hungry, to find union
bayonets thrust in his face as he seeks a drink of cold water at the first
well, or ventures to take a ripe, luscious peach from an orchard of a
thousand trees. Perchance he questions the negro, grinning hard by,
as to the whereabouts of his master, the owner of these touch-me-nots.
"O! Massa. he be wid de seceshers in de mountain ; missus say he
soon clar out dese nasty Yankees." .And these bayonets are to guard
his property ! Would not your blood boil? This milk-and-water pol-
icy is rapidly making a milk-and-water army of our once spirited and
enthusiastic soldiers.
J. L. Looms.
LETTER NO. LXIX.
FROM THE FIFTH.
Camp Near Cori.nth, July 28, 1862.
Friend Rich:— I am about to break the long silence which has e.x-
isted between us and inflict on your readers another of those intermin-
able letters. If the prodigies of valor displayed by the Fifth, during
their memorable campaign with the musquitos. fleas, and bugs of every
conceivable shape and color indiginous in this part of Dixie, have of
late been unrecorded. I can only say lam sorry. But so great has
i66
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
been the heat, provoking a hstless languor and laziness, impossible to
resist (the more especially as the numerous specimens of animated na-
ture effectually prevent the closing of our eyes at night), that to write
a letter has been a task of no mean magnitude. The only thing a per-
son can do in this latitude, with any considerable degree of success, is
sleeping. As soon as coft'ee is swallowed in the morning the soldier, if
not on duty, procures a paper, and turns into his bunk for a comforta-
ble season. The telegraphic dispatches are hastily glanced over; the
letters from our "Special Correspondent" read, and he is just ready to
dip into a lengthy editorial on the ' ' state of the country, " or the ■ ' policy
of the Government," or of some of the commanders of depaitments;
when, all at once, the hand that held the paper forgets its office, the eyes
close, and a snore of tremendous volume proclaims the fact that the ar-
dent disciple of Mars, is fast asleep. Mid wars and rumors of wars,
with a generous supply of hard bread in the larder, or on short rations,
with a plethoric purse or "nary rei," with a letter in his waistcoat
pocket conveying the blest assurance that his sweetheart is faithful to
him or keeping company with another chap, it is all the same. He
will sleep on perfectly oblivious of all external things, until the orderly
sergeant arouses to answer roll call; and, failing to shake off the drowsy
influence in time to appear, he will get stuck on double duty.
That part of the army oKjlhe Mississippi, until lately under the com-
mand of General Pope, is now camped four miles south of Corinth'
near a small stream called Clear creek. The ground is admirably suited
for a summer cantonment, there being high ridges covered with a fine
pine and other forest trees, which afford a grateful shade, while good,
pure spring water is found in abundance. New England herself can-
not show anything to excel these springs. They gtish forth from the
base of the bluffs and ripple through the cool ravines with their silvery
music, now hiding beneath the dense foliage of myrtle and interlacing
vines, and now gleaming through the interstices of the leaves like
molten silver. A large tank, or reservoir, has been built over the
fountain head, and a spout inserted, through which all the water is con-
ducted into an aqueduct below. It is quite a sight to stand here and
view the crowds that come "hither to draw." First comes the sturdy
volunteer, smoking his pipe of sweet brier, and bearing a miscellaneous
assortment of canteens, mess kettles, coffee pots, etc., etc., which he
has probably come the distance of a mile to fill. Here is a sweaty, dirty,
ragged, mule driver, who drinks and drinks as though he never could
get enough, vowing meanwhile that it is "just the nicest water oIU
.Adam ever brewed." Next comes a stout, dumpy daughter of Ham,
bearing on her head a large washtub, and followed by a group of pica-
ninies, whose black skins glisten in the sun — the cunningest looking
urchins in the world. The mother makes a reverential curtesy to the
soldiers, and asks if they wouldn't be "jiskind enuf to let her have
some water to rinse with. '
The troops have recently been paid off, and are now luxuriating on
the good things the sutlers' shops afford. Strawberries and pine apples
one dollar and twenty-five cents per can, meet with a ready sale. Or-
anges, lemons, and dried fruits sell by the wholesale, while through all the
camps extempore peddlers are vending pies, candy, and buckets full of
lemonade. It would seem as though the whole western army had
given themselves up to feasting and merriment. . . A]\
that the soldier ever dreamed of in his wildest flights of fancy, can be
procured at Corinth, with the exception of strong drinks, which, much
to his grief, has been vigorously interdicted.
General Rosecrans, our present division commander, is render-
ing himself quite popular, and his administrative capacity is un-
questioned. . . . As yet sickness has not prevailed among
the troops to an alarming extent, and the report that is circulating in
Iowa, to the effect that the Fifth regiment has but three hundred men
fit for duty is a great mistake. I think there never has been less than
five hundred men who were ready to take up the line of march. The
most rigid sanitary measures are pursued to guard against contagious
diseases, and but slight fear is entertained of a visit from his saffron-
colored majesty.
Yesterday the quiet of our camp was disturbed by the cheering intelli-
gence that Bragg, with an army of sixty thousand, was marching upon
us. Two deserters who came within the lines of the Seventeenth Wis-
consin, brought the news — and it men be perfectly reliable. 'Whether a
demonstration is made upon us here, depends very much upon their
success in Virginia. The appointment of General Halleck to the com-
mand of all the land forces of the United States gives universal satis-
faction here, while the recent acts of Congress, discarding the conserv-
ative policy that has been pursued, is cheering. It remains to be seen
whether the generals in the field will come fully up to th.e letter and
spirit of their instructions. C. J. R.
LETTER NO. LXX.
A proud day for the Ninth was that an which the
presentation to the regiment of a splendid stand of
colors, by the ladies of Boston, Massachusetts, for gallant
conduct at Pea Ridge was made.
Camp of the Ni,nth Iowa, I
Helena, Arkansas, August 3, 1862. /
Friend Rich : — To-day has been a proud and glorious time for the
Iowa Ninth. At 2 o'clock this afternoon we were called into line, not
to fight, but to receive one of the finest stands of regimental colors in
the army of the southwest, presented to us by the ladies of Boston,
Massachusetts. The regimental flag is of white silk on one side and
crimson on the other. On the white side is beautifully inscribed, in
gold letters, " Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 7 and 8, 1862." In the
centre held by two greyhounds, is the scroll with the words, "Iowa
Greyhounds." This is over the eagle, which is in the centre of the
flag with the Iowa coat-of-arms ; all of which is encircled with a
beautiful gold border. On the opposite side, handsomely embellished
in gold letters, are the words, " From Your Countrywomen of Massa-
chusetts," with the coat-of-arms of the old Bay State, and the ,vords
"Pea Ridge" again inscribed on the field, under the coat-of-arms, and
surrounded by the same border as on the opposite side. On the flag-
staff is a fine gold-bronzed eagle, with a splendid gold tassel in his
beak. The staff is so arranged that the flag can be detached by a
spring, and folded in a moment, making it very convenient when neces-
sary to dispose of it in a hurry. The other is the national flag, with
its blue field, and its broad stripes ; one large star in the centre of the
field, encircled by thirty-four in a gold ring, or border, and the words
"Pea Ridge, March 7 and 8, 1862," inside the circle ; the flagstaff and
tassel the same as the other.
The color guard is composed of eight corporals and one sergeant,
and is placed on the left of the right centre, forming on the left of
company C. Sergeant Charles Curtis, of company C, is the color
sergeant ; the corporals are taken one from each company. Need I tell
you that we were proud when those beautiful flags were unfurled to the
breeze, to be carried forward to victory by the Iowa Ninth? If you
could have seen those patriotic tears roll down the cheeks of our brave
boys, while our noble colonel, with a heart almost too full for utter-
ance, was replying to the patriotic sentiments of the mothers and
sisters of Massachusetts — a copy of which I enclose, with the reply —
you would join with me in saying the flag is in safe hands. . . .
We are ready to march somewhere, perhaps to Little Rock. The
loyal men of Arkansas are coming out every day and joining the Union
army. A Union man cannot live in the foul air of treason; he is
driven from his home. How can a traitor live in the patriotic air of
Iowa ? Will some one tell us ?
Yours truly,
R. W. W.
ADDRESS OF THE LADIES.
Boston, Massachusetts, July 10, 1862.
Our Countrymen, Soldiers of the Ninth Iowa Volun-
teers:— We desire to present you with these our national colors,
as an evidence of our interest in you as soldiers of the Union, and a
token of our grateful admiration for the valor and heroism displayed
by you on the memorable field of Pea Ridge.
We greet you not as strangers, but as true and loyal friends ; for
though but one of your number is personally known to us in far off
Massachusetts, our hearts have followed you with prayer, and with a
hopeful expectation of being gladdened by your success.
We have anxiously waited for tidings of you from those early Sep-
tember days when you were first assembled at Camp Union, to the
cold, dark days of the late winter ; and although the order onward was
long delayed, yet when it came, so readily did you obey it, that we
found it no easy task, even in imagination, to keep up with the "double
quick" of the Iowa greyhounds. The memory of the patient devo-
tion with which you have unflinchingly borne toil, fatigue, hunger and
privation, and the recollection of your brave and gallant deeds on the
seventh and eighth of March, 1862, will long be treasured in our hearts ;
and although we think with sorrow of the sad price of such a victory,
and the unbidden tears must flow at the thought of the brave hearts
now stilled forever, yet we feel a pride in the consciousness that
her noble sons feel no sacrifice too great for their old and beloved
country.
God bless the Union ! God bless you and all soldiers of the Union
armies, is the fervent prayer of your countrywomen in Massachusetts.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
167
COLONEL VANDEVER'S ADDRESS ON PRESENTING AND UN-
FURLING THE FLAG.
Officers and Men : — I unfold before you to-day a stand of colors,
presented by your countrywomen of Massachusetts. It is our county's
standard, with the arms of Massachusetts and Iowa combined. The
east and the west embrace that proud old flag, resolved at every hazard,
and every cost to maintain it as an emblem of an undivided nationality,
against foes without and traitors within.
Why this regiment, among the man)- who have rendered distin-
guished services upon the battlefields of the west, should be chosen as
the recipient of so noble and generous a testimonial, I know not, but
this I know, that no other could more highly appreciate the honor of
such a choice. From that noble commonwealth has sprung many
martyrs, heroes and statesmen, whose deeds shed imperishable luster
upon the .American name. Their example we will ever emulate. While
we all cherish, in grateful remembrance, the thought that the daugh-
ters of such sires have deemed us not unworthy of their tokens of ap-
proval, many of you remember with tenderesl emotions the kindred of
the old Bay State. Here is a kind offering from home, to remind you
of the stock from which we sprung. In this noble struggle, men of
every State and clime, have mothers and sisters speaking heroic words
of cheer to animate and strengthen the soldier in the path of duty and
peril. Thusencouiaged, let your resolve be, that by the help of God,
no traitor's hand, raised to dull the luster of this flag, shall prosper.
I'his resolution, abiding in the hearts of sire and son, our country shall
live and prosper so long as the granite foundations of the old Plymouth
State shall endure, or the floods of the west flow to the ocean. Upon
the folds of this flag is inscribed an allusion to your heroic deeds on
the seventh and eighth of March, 1862. Of the small band of five
hundred and sixty-six of this regiment, that marched so boldly to bat-
tle, two hundred and thirty-nine lay dead or wounded on the field, at
the close of the contest ; nor shall it be forgotten that on the day pre-
ceding the battle, you performed a march of forty miles between day-
light and dark to reach the field of anticipated strife. To you and to
Colonel Phelps' Missouri regiment, comrades on the march, and to
Captain Hayden's battery, was the post of honor assigned on the
morning of the seventh, at the Elkhorn Tavern. There, amid a terri-
ble fire from greatly superior numbers, the brave general commanding
our division, expressed fears that the position could not be held till
noon.
I answered him that you would perish rather than yield the ground.
The general-in-chief, being informed how hotly we were pressed, sent
word to persevere ; you did persevere until night closed the contest.
You wearily sank upon your arms, but to renew the struggle with the
morning light. The result is known. These flags will henceforth,
whenever they are unfurled, commemorate the sweet records upon
their folds and testify that Massachusetts, so highly honored, is proud
to call you countrymen ! Our hearts are saddened by thoughts of those
who fell beside us on that day of slaughter, but we trust in God that
the storm has drifted them to a haven of peaceful rest, and that the
sacrifice they have made may cement the Union of loyal hearts and
hands, and result in extending the blessings of liberty to the oppressed
of every name and clime.
LETTER NO. LX.\I.
Camp of the Ninth Iowa 'Voluntf.ers, )
Helena, Arkansas, July 28, 1862. )
Friend Rich : — Some time has elapsed since I have had an oppor-
tunity to write to you, as we have been on a long and tedious march
from Batesville, which place was left about the twenty-eighth of June.
Arrived at Jacksonport the next day, a distance of about twenty-five
miles. This place is situated at the junction *of the Black and White
rivers — a very pleasant village in lime of peace, but now everything is
desolate and deserted. The fifth of July we again took up the line of
march, and the third d.ay arrived at .Augusta, fifty miles still farther
down the river. Our sick came down to .Augusta in flat-boats, and
when twenty miles from that place were fired upon by a band of guer-
illas from the bank, killing one man and wounding two. From Augusta
the sick were brought in wagons arranged for that purpose. The
weather was very hot from Jacksonport. We were up in the morning
at 2 o'clock, and sometimes it was dark before we camped, and after 10
before the men could get their suppers. This wore out the men, and
many of them gave out. Our company stood the trip ver\' well, and
we finally arrived here all safe, and all gratified to be once more where
we could hear from home and friends.
While at Batesville the news came of Captain Bulls nomination as
paymaster in the I'nited States army; also of its being confirmed. He
left for St. Louis immediately. Now came the time for the company
to elect a captain. Lieutenant Wright received the entire vote of the
company.
Our regiment has found a great deal of cotton, and the teams to-day
are all out for the purpose of bringing it in. We have now been in this
camp one month, and though the weather is too warm for soldiers to
enjoy good health, our boys are tolerably well. The gunboats came up
from Vicksburgh, but have now returned down the river.
Colonel \'andever has command of the Second brigade. Second di-
vision. You have doubtless heard of the colors presented to us by the
women of Massachusetts. C. G. Curtis is color sergeant.
Our company is in need of about twenty good men. and we depend
upon the patriotic citizens of Buchanan county to fill the ranks that
have been thinned bv the hand of death. When in St. Louis last fall
our number was one hundred and one; to-day our aggregate is seventy-
seven, and several of this number are disabled, perhaps for life. Are
we to call in vain? 1 do not believe it. Some of our company have
been killed on the field, others have died of wounds received there.
Some (worthy of equal honor) have died from sickness, and others have
been disabled by over-exertion in long marches or exposures. We know
the men of Buchanan county will fill our ranks if they have a chance,
and they will have one, as a recruiting officer is to be sent in a few days,
and we have entire trust in his success.
E. C. Little.
LETTER NO. LXXII.
Camp of the Ninth Iowa Volunteers, )
Helen.'v, August t8, 1862. J
Friend Rich : — We are still encamped on our old ground, six miles
west of town. The weather continues very warm, the thermometer
standing 105 and 108 in the shade ; set it in the sun and it quickly runs
up to 126. We have about one hundred sick at present, mostly fevers
and diarrhoea; none that I know of are very dangerous. Lieutenant
Wright has been sick for some time, but I understand is now improv-
ing. He is staying at a house a half mile from camp. Four deserters
from Hindman's camp, at Little Rock, came into camp yesterday.
They say an armed bodv with honnds was sent to hunt them, twenty
having started in company. They hid for a while in a cane-break, but
their whereabouts were discovered, and an attempt made to take them.
The deserters shot the dogs and two men, when the party went back
for reinforcements. So they divided up into squads of four, and this
is the first arrival. They hid their arms outside our pickets, being
afraid of coming up armed, thinking they might be shot. They express
a determination to join the F'irst .Arkansas regiment, which belongs to
our corps. They report a great deal of sickness in Hindman's camp,
and scarcity of provisions. Hindman himself is very sick.
On Sunday last Gener.al Curtis started down the river with two gun-
boats, and several transports loaded with troops. Some troops had
gone down before. I do not know their destination: probably to pre-
pare to take Vicksburgh; and if that be the case our division will move
soon. Colonel Hovey's brigade has been out on an expedition to
Clarendon, on White river, for twenty days or more. The expedition
returned on Sunday morning, without having met the enemy in force,
or so as to make a stand. They lost several men, shot while straggling.
The cotton crop is maturing fast here; corn nearly ripe; all kinds of
vegetables very scarce.
Wii.i.iA.M Scott.
LETTER NO. LXXII I.*
Camp of the Fifth Iowa, J.iVCiNTo. Mississippi, 1
.August 20, 1862. j
If one half of an old regiment was put into a new
one, or the reverse, in one month you would be unable to distinguish
the recruit from the old. This is the case in our own company. The
recruit at once gets the benefit of all the experience of one year's ser-
vice, which, as regards health and cfliciency, is of immense value. Vol-
unteers do not seem to understand what are the advantages of enlisting
in an old instead of a new regiment. Our last recruits cannot be dis-
tinguished from onr old soldiers, either as regards eflSciency of drill or
knowledge of military duty. It cost us months of hard drilling to get
our knowledge, but the recruit is surrounded by examples, so that he
cannot well help himself, even if he would— he is bound to do it right.
I would like to see our old regiments filled up to their maximum
with good, able-bodied men, but I would not like to see one enter the
service who is not perfectly sound and able to stand the unusual hard-
ships of military life. The Government has expended an enormous
' Extract from a private letter.
1 68
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
amount of money on men who were never able to become efficient
soldiers, who never did any good service, who continually filled the
hospitals, and were a burden and hindrance often seriously felt by mili-
tary commanders. A large proportion ot the mortality in the army
results from this fact. The health of our company has been, and is,
indeed, good— better than I had anticipated. We have more than
seventy fit for duty; and there has been no time during the summer
when our number was smaller. We have lost by death in the whole
regiment, for over thirteen months, something less than fifty; and there
have been no deaths since June. If you can send us any good men to
enlist in our company please do so. We are now lying near Jacinto,
Mississippi, about forty miles south of the north line of the State.
The country is poor and uninviting; not much room for the operation
of recent war orders, relative to subsisting upon the country, etc.
I see by your paper you have e.xciting and unpleasant times about
recraiting. I am afraid of one thing, and that is, that the Union men
will all rush into the ranks, and leave the State in the hands of sympa-
thizers with, and indifferent spectators of, this rebellion. I want to
see a draft, and I hope the Union men will not be frightened by it. By
this arrangement many of these wretches will be taken into the ranks,
and they may possibly either be killed or cured of their sympathies.
This is a good school for them ; their views will soon here undergo a
radical change.
A. B. Lewis.
LETTER NO. LXXIV.
[Buchanan county men in the battle of luka. — Extracts
from private letters.]
Camp Near Jacinto, Mississippi, September 22, 1862.
De.\r Sister: — We left this camp on the eighteenth, marched to
luka, whipped Price and returned yesterday. The Fifth Iowa have
done nobly, but suffered terribly. The regiment went into battle with
four hundred and eighty-two men, including officers, and had two
hundred and nineteen killed and wounded. Lewis is wounded severely
in the thigh, but will probably recover. I was in the whole of the
engagement, and escaped without a scratch. All of our luggage was
sent to Corinth before we left this camp. No regiment ever did better
than ours, and the praises of the Fifth are on every hp. 1 will write
again soon.
WiLLiA.M S. Marshall.
SAME place and DATE.
De.ar Father: — We have fought a hard battle, and I am safe and
sound. But alas! one-half of those who took the field with us are
either sleeping their long sleep or suffering from wounds. We went
into action four hundred and forty-si.'; strong, including twenty-five
officers of the line; and had two hundred and thirty killed and
wounded, thirteen being officers, of whom five are killed and eight
wounded, some mortally. Our company lost only one killed and six
wounded, as follows: Killed — John H. Towle, a young Irishman from
Chicago, whom some will recollect as a printer in the Guardian office
for a time, before the company left Independence. The wounded are;
Lieutenant A. B. Lewis, in the thigh, seriously; W. W. Baughman,
E. Chittester, Adam B. Kinsel, Sergeant William Bunce, and William
Brown, very slightly.
Several shots came very near me — my bayonet being hit twice.
Once the ball carried-away the point for about half an inch, and the
second I was just rising from my knees, when crash came a bullet and
hit it straight and square in the middle, and light between my eyes, as
I leaned against it. Another spent ball hit me on the leg, but I did
not mind that, or even feel it. Had not my bayonet been in the way,
I should certainly have been killed; but the steel proved true, and I
was saved. We left here on Thursday, the eighteenth, marched seven
miles and camped. Next morning we again took the road, and at
noon arrived within eight miles of luka, our destination. Here com-
panies E and D were deployed as skirmishers, company E on the right
and D on the left of the road, with company G in the centre as a re-
serve. Firing soon commenced, and we drove the pickets five niiler
through the swamps and bogs, the awfulest place to navigate I eves
saw. During the afternoon five rebels were shot, though none of our
men were hurt. The rebels had the advantage, though they did not
make much of it. We had often to cross open fields while they, from
the shelter of the wood opposite, poured a perfect shower of bullets
upon us. But still we kept on until, at the end of five miles, we were
relieved and another regiment sent out as skirmishers. Filling our
canteens our regiment, which had been in advance, marched along be-
hind the new line. Suddenly the skirmishers came flying back upon us.
and following, came a terrific volley of musketry which made the woods
ring. The regiment was immediately deployed in the woods, and soon
commenced the most deafening roar I ever expect to hear. The can-
non balls flew incessantly, and such a continuous whistling of bullets
ensued as cannot be described. How any one escapes from them sur-
passes my understanding. The regiment on the left, being most ex-
posed, suffered the greatest number of casualties. Company F lost
thirty-six, while company E, on the right, lost but seven. Our regi-
ment was posted behind a ridge which sheltered us. Three times the
three right companies, E, G and D, charged over the hill and
poured in their volleys at scarce one rod distance from the rebels, who
were drawn up five regiments deep to receive us. Five times they
charged upon us with five regiments, but each time we sent them back
howling and gnashing their teeth.
But finally, being outflanked on both sides, and after standing an
hour and twenty minutes the fire of more than five times their number
in front, and a galling fire on either flank, and occasionally a heavy
volley from our friends (?) in the rear, the left wing being out of ammu-
nition, we were compelled slowly to retire, in order to allow another
regiment to relieve us. They went in and we retired a few rods and
lay down behind a fence. Strange as it may seem, amid the thousand
and one confusions of a battlefield, the roar of thousands of rifles and
batteries of artillery, and bursting of shells, I was soon asleep. After
a time, which was but a moment to me, I was wakened. Darkness had
put an end to the contest, and, mo\ing a little further back, we lay
down for the night. In the meantime General Grant had come up from
Corinth to attack the enemy from the other side; but when daylight of
Saturday dawned, the enemy had flown. We stayed on the field .Sat-
urday, engaged in the sad duty of burv'ing our de,id, and the day fol-
lowing returned to our old camp. Our officers behaved nobly through-
out. Towle was wounded twice. The first time he was ordered to
leave the field, but would not; and, soon after, was shot dead.
Oscar J. M. Fuller.
LETTER NO. LXXV.
Camp Near Iuka, Army of the Missouri, )
September 2r, 1862. )
Friend Rich: — .\nother battle, surpassing in fierceness any that
have been fought in the Southwest, has just been fought; and the
heroes of New Madrid, Island No. 10, and Shiloh, have, as ever,
been victorious. Price has been met and utterly routed by a force
far inferior to his own, and compelled to beat a precipitate retreat,
leaving his dead and wounded on the field. Rumors to the effect
that tlie enemy intended making an attack on us had been in circu-
lation for some time, as Price with .a heavy force was advancing
northward, threatening our line of defences on the Memphis &
Charleston railroad, thus forcing General Rosecrans to evacuate
luka. On the seventeenth instant the Third division, under command
of General Hamilton, left Jacinto and moved in an easterly direction
on the main luka road. The second brigade, consisting of the Fifth
Iowa, Twenty-sixth Missouri and Fourth Minnesota, had the advance
and arrived at what is known as White's farm on the eighteenth in-
stant. Continual skirmishing had been going on between the enemy's
pickets and our cavalry, which comprised the Second Iowa, Third
Michigan, and another battalion the name of which I forget. The
whole of our effective force, moving upon the enemy at this lime, could
not have exceeded five thousand, and they successfully engaged and
repulsed the rebels with overwhelming loss, as the sequel will show.
From White's farm to the field of battle the enemy's pickets became
more daring, frequently firing upon us from every spot that could
afford concealment, and contesting every inch of ground. The country
over which our route lay was uneven and hilly, with numerous thickly
settled lavines. Here and there were large clearings, which gave the
rebels a good chance to harass our troops; but forward pushed the
gallant boys over fences and fields, through woods, swamps and
almost impenetrable morasses where they sank to their knees at almost
every step. But nothing daunted, pushing the enemy steadily before
them, they crowded on. This skirmishing force was under the com-
mand of Lieutenant Colonel Sampson, ably seconded by captains
Lee and Banbury and lieutenants Lewis, White and Sample. At
3 p. M. they were relieved by two companies of the Twenty-sixth Mis-
souri, under Lieutenant Colonel Brown. . . Toward night
the skirmish firing lulled, and many were led to believe that the enemy
would make no stand at all, when, just as the head of the column
was rounding a neck of woods, a tremendous volley was poured into
us from the front. The skirmishers, who were about two hundred
yards in advance, were thrown into confusion for a few moments, but
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
169
they soon rallied and returned the fire with vigor. It soon became
evident that the enemy had at least chosen his battle-ground, and
whatever preparations we had to make must be made on the spur of
the moment. The enemy had every advantage over us in regard to
position, their infantry force being posted on the right and left of the
road, which wound along a high ridge extending east. The battle-
ground is situated a mile and a half west of luka, and the line of op-
posing forces e.xtended at front from north to south. Our right was
protected in part by the ndge, and our left was drawn up behind a
thick belt of timber. Immediately in our rear was an open field, cut
up with guilies and water courses, on which was placed our reserves,
consisting of Ohio, Indiana and Missouri troops.
The hue of battle thus formed was arranged as follows: The Fifth
Iowa filed to the right of the road, behind a small comb of the ridge,
and were in the extreme advance. To their left was planted the
Eleventh Ohio battery, supported by the Forty-eighth Indiana, while
to their left were the Fourth Minnesota, Seventeenth Iowa and
Thirtieth Ohio. The formation of the ground would not permit the
engaging of our whole force at the same time, and the enemy's fire was
concentrated upon our centre in an attempt to break our line at this
point and turn our right flank. .'Ml our preparations had to be made
while exposed to a raking fire from masked batteries and musketry;
but our veterans formed in line as coolly as if they had been going out
on dress-parade. It was now 6 o'clock in the afternoon, the sun was
just sinking behind some heavy clouds, tinging them with a significant
line of fiery red. .\11 were confident that the troops would lie on their
arms that night and commence the contest on the morrow. Let it be
remembered that the men had been marching for hours over rough
and dusty roads and that the advance had been skirmishing with the
enemy all the afternoon, while no one had had a chance to make even
a cup of coffee; and it will be readily perceived that our troops were
not in the best condition for fighting. But their devotiori, bravery and
discipline overcame all obstacles. The Ohio battery, having got into
position, commenced plunging a few shots in among the enemy to as-
certain his location, but, for a time failed to elicit any reply. An
ominous silence reigned along the lines, broken only by the heavy tramp
of infantry and the rumble of artillery. 80 close were we to the rebels
that we could distinctly hear them forming in line, and could distin-
guish the commands of their officers, although the ridge hid them from
our view. Soon a major came riding up to the centre, where stood
the gallant Fifth, exclaiming, "Look out, boys, the rebel sharpshooters
are coming just over the hill." The words of warning were hardly
spoken when a broad sheet of flame issued from the battery and spread
along the whole line. It seemed as if all the fiends of hell were let
loose. The roar of artillery, the crash of musketry, the whistling balls
and bursting shells, swelled up a volume of sound that was deafening.
The battle now raged furiously on the right and centre. The Fifth,
though opposed by overwhelming numbers, under Greene and Marlon
stubbornly held their ground and fought with the fiercest determina-
tion. Three times they charged and drove the rebels over the brow of
the hill at the point of the bayonet. Failing in their attempt to turn
our right, the enemy charged on the battery. For some unaccounta-
ble reason the supporting regiment gave way and the enemy took pos-
session of the guns, but the fire of the infantry became too hot for
them and they had to relinquish the ground. At times the guns of the
combatants were muzzle to muzzle. Here our superiority with the
bayonet was fairly proved, for, charging on them with a yell that could
be heard above the roar of artillery, our boys routed them in every in-
stance. Again the enemy attempted to turn our right, but the Third
Michigan cavalry (Coloner Misner) took position on the extension of
the extreme right flank, and repulsed them with great loss.
The rebels resorted to many treacherous devices to get within our
lines, and once or twice they appeared with Union flags. Three des-
perate attempts were made to capture the Iowa F'iflh's stand of colors,
but it was no go. The gallant boys who had marched under their
folds for sixteen months, had no idea of relinquishing them to rebel
hands, and they rallied and struggled with the most valorous heroism.
By this time the cartridges were running low, but the brave Colonel
Mathias, who never exhibited more Sitng froid in his life, still held
them to theii work. He was well aware of their critical position, but
knew if they abandoned the field, the day was lost. At this juncture
the F'ifth was relieved by the Missouri troops, who stood nobly up to
the work, and poured in a murderous fire until darkness put an end to
the conflict. Generals Rosecrans, Hamilton and Sullivan were con-
tinually on the ground, exposed to a heavy fire, urging and animating
the troops by their presence. . . When fighting ceased the bat-
tle-ground was occupied by our troops, and all expected a renewal of
hostilities in the morning. The actual time that fighting continued
was one hour and fifteen minutes, but to those who were in the hottest
of the fire, it did nut seem more than ten minutes.
Few prisoners were taken, but they agree that Price's force was much
larger than ours; but say that it was impossible for any troops to
withstand our fire. The rebel loss cannot fall short of eighteen hun-
dred, in killed, wounded and missing. As evidence that the rebels
were badly beaten, their wounded and prisoner were left at luka, the
prisoners not even paroled. The F'ifth suffered the most, as they were
in the advance and bore the brunt of the conflict. Had they retreated,
or even wavered, the day would have been irretrievably lost.
Of four hundred and forty-six who went into the engagement, two
hundred and sixteen were killed, wounded, or missing.
One thing is certain, the greatest battle ever fought in the southwest,
considering the number engaged and shortness of time, took place on
the eighteenth instant, at luka, Mississippi, and victory has perched on
our banners. . . Verit.^s.
LETTER NO. LXXVI.
C.\MP OF THE Ninth Iow.\, )
Ne.\r Helena, Arkansas, .September 2t, 1862. (
Friend RrcH: — . . Until within a day or two, nothing
of interest has transpired to relieve the dull monotony of camp life,
since our arrival at this place. Those sweltering, scorching, dusty
summer days, of which you have heard, have passed away; but they
will ever remain bright in the memory of those who performed the
march from Jacksonport to this place in the month of July, Anno
Dumiiii 1862. 'What a contrast between those never-to-be-forgotten
days of endurance, and the beautiful, balmy September days we are
now enjoying. The present season reminds me of one year ago, when
we left our noble State to unite with others, many alas! never to return,
in crushing out this monstrous rebellicn, which is still shaking the
whole civilized world with its gigantic death throes.
We have been having a little excitement in camp recently; and, after
so long a period of quietude, it is about as refreshing to the average
Hawkeye veteran, as a draught of cold water is to the same, on a hot
and dusty march. The rebels have been getting bold for some time,
and, three or four days since, word came that they had killed two of
our provost guards about three miles from here, and the next morning
another picket was killed about daylight, nearer camp. He was shot
in seven different places and killed instantly. A party of about seventy
rebels were seen crossing the road in that vicinity, near the time of the
shooting, and it was not long until the country was being scoured by
cavalry sent in pursuit. Twenty-three prisoners have been captured
and are now lodged in the guard-house. It is rumored that a large
force of rebels is within twenty miles of us; and, in c.onsequence, our
pickets have been strengthened to prevent a surprise. At 3 o'clock last
night revielle was beat and every man that was able was out and
equipped, ready for anything that might turn up; but the day has
passed quietly and we have performed our regular Sunday duties.
Colonel Vandever has five or six regiments in this brigade, and if the
enemy are within reach, with him at our head, I am confident we shall
give a good account of ourselves. There is not as much sickness in
camp at present as there was a few weeks since. Captain 'Wright is on
the gain, but is not yet able to resume his duties; consequently the
command of his company has devolved upon Lieutenant Sampson.
The boys are in first rate spirits, although it has been hard on the duty
men, on account of sickness and the amount of picketing we have had
to perform. Our last squad of prisoners was captured by an ingenious
ruse; "all is fair in war, " you know. Some of our men went to a
secesh house disguised, and told the inmates that they would like to get
on the track of the Federals, and so complete was the disguise in their
butternut suits and carrying the regulation gun, that the woman of the
house directed them to a place where eleven rebels lay concealed,
waiting for an opportunity to pounce upon a s(iuad of our men, then
mount their horses and skedaddle to another hiding place. But this
time they were outwitted, surrounded, and taken prisoners without any
ceremony whatever. Adjutant Scott arrived here from home last
Wednesday. He is looking well, and brought several packages for the
boys of company C. H. P. Wilbur.
LETTER NO. I.XXVII.
Cami> of the Ninth Iowa, 1
Near Helena, October 3, 1862. (
Friend Rich:— We have now been in active service twelve months.
One year ago to-day we were in St. Louis, one thousand strong as a
regiment— our company containing one hundred and one men. The
regiment now numbers seven hundred and fifty-nine men, and the re-
I70
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IO\YA.
ports of company C, show a loss of twenty-six men.
A flag of truce came from Little Rock accompanying Colonel Adams
of the confederate army, who was the bearer of dispatches to General
Curtis. Their purport we have not learned. Some say they demand
the surrender of the army, others that tliey inform the general that if
he does not move his army they intend to drive it into the river — hard-
ly think they will drive the army of tlie southwest very far.
We have a good deal of guarding to do, as this brigade does
picket duty for the whole army. A few days since the rebel Bush-
whackers came up to our cavalry pickets and firing into them killed
one of the Iowa Fourth, and wounded two others. \\'e captured quite
a number of prisoners, some of whom have been paroled, and others
sent north, that they may get plenty to eat and some work to do. The
confederates have quite a large force at Little Rock, commanded by
Major General Holmes. Their men are scattered over this section of
the country quite thick, and sometimes they come down and camp
near our pickets. These are jayhawkers, and they would rather slip
up to a guard and shoot him down, in regular savage style, than to
come out boldly and fight in a civilized manner. If we were allowed to
adopt their method of warfare in dealing with them, we should prosper
better. We have men that can shoot just as straight as they can, but
we are not allowed to shoot, but to take prisoners. They are brought
into camp, kept in the guard-house a few days, and then they take the
oath, get a pass outside the pickets, get their guns and go to soldiering
again. They care no more about violating an oath of allegiance to
the old Government: than they do about shooting off our pickets.
The cotton houses have all been burned, by whom it is not known —
one only is standing in this vicinity, and that is quite near camp and
belongs to Mr. Allen Polk, a nephew of ex-President James K. Polk.
It has been guarded very closely. Cotton is ripe and is being picked
by the colored people on the plantations where there are any negroes
left.
We see by the papers that the new regiments at Dubuque talk of hav-
ing haid times. We look back to the time when we were there, with
pleasure. Then and there we saw our pleasantest time — there we could
see men, and once in a while catch a glimpse of the fairer se.\. But
for the past si.\ months we have seen only Butternuts and "niggers,'
unless some lady of the north came down to visit a friend or relative in
the regiment — generally in the hospital. We have, of course, now and
then seen a very few of Uncle Sam's men. Soldiers do nut see very
easy times when they have to march from ten to twenty miles per day
in the scorching sun of Arkansas, and then are not able to rest at night
for the musquitoes. But even then when the sun bursts through the
branches of the mighty oaks, and the order "forward" comes to our
ears, all past troubles are forgotten. • • • Corporal James
H. Merrill, of company C, died the tliird of September, and was
buried in the burying-ground on Polks plantation, where seyeral other
men of the regiment have found their last resting place. We see by
the papers that Senator Foote, of Tennessee, has proposed to the
rebel congress to negotiate a treaty of peace — recognizing the southern
confederacy, pay the expenses of the war, and they will probably be
satisfied. They begin to think that this rebellion is not so much of a
joke as they expected.
Yours, etc.,
E. C. Little.
[Early in the autumn of 1862, the war corre.spondfnce
of the Buchanan county press, was enlarged by commu-
nications from members of the two companies, Captain
Miller's and Captain Noble's, which had been enlisted
from this county and were incorporated in the Twenty-
seventh Iowa infantry. Letters over the signature C.
H. L., were written by Charles H. Lewis, of Quasque-
ton, a member of Captain Miller's company. — E. P.]
LETTER NO. LXXVIII.
Camp Franklin, Dubuque, September 4, 1862.
Mr. Editor : — We are in camp two miles above Dubuque. On
our arrival in the city we learned that no barracks had been constiucted
for our accommodation, and we were therefore quartered temporarily
at the various hotels. We were kindly cared for, and, on our depar-
ture for the camp, three rousing cheers were given .for our respective
landlords — " California " excepted. On our arrival in camp we found
everything in confusion — barracks not completed — preparations for
cooking, eating, etc., not yet made. The soldiers took hold with a
good will, and soon our barracks were completed, bunks arranged, and
for the first time we gathered around the crackling camp-fire, to par-
take of L^ncle Sam's first evening repast, and to realize, as we had not
done before, the intimate relations which bound us together for weal
or woe, as members of the same company — the same regiment — and
as an organized company of that mighty host against which the ene-
mies of liberty were to hurl themselves and be broken.
At reveille the roll is called ; then an hour's drill before breakfast.
Guard mounting at nine o'clock A. M. — drill from ten to half past
eleven A. M. Drill one hour and a half in the afternoon, dress-parade
in the evening and roll call at night; this is the programme for the
present. The camp of the Twenty-first is just above us, and I learn
that their hospital is full. There is no hospital yet erected for the
Twenty-seventh, but all the boys are sure, if required, they will receive
the prompt attention of Dr. H. H. Hunt. His appointment as assis-
tant surgeon gives great satisfaction to his numerous friends from
Buchanan. There are about twenty barracks on the encampment
grounds, rudely constructed of rough pine boards, and each barrack
designed to accommodate one company. The situation at the camp
is most picturesque and even grand. We are in a level tract of land
raised some twenty feet perhaps above the river, and. to the westward,
stretches a long chain of steep and rocky hills.
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. LXXIX.
C.\MP Franklln, September iqth.
Every day is a day of excitement, compared with the
quiet at home. We live faster here than you do in Independence.
Time flies, and we scarce know where it is gone. Soon after my letter
was sealed. Dr. Brewer came into camp with county warrants to pay
the volunteers of our county. Some of the boys soon sold their war-
rants at a considerable discount, being, I presume, sadly in want of
the money. Others declared old Buchanan too good to be sold at a
discount. With this pay came other valuable favors, which were
gladly received. The barrels of eggs and onions, and all the dainties,
refreshed and cheered the boys. The gracious remittances of these
kind friends will long be remembered.
We have church frequently. Elder Fulton, of Independence, has
preached for us several times. He is liked by the men, and there is a
general wish that he may be appointed to the chaplaincy. On Tues-
day, the 2ist, Colonel Merrill left for Rolla, Missouri. The regiment
received marching orders with great enthusiasm. As they passed our
barracks the air was rent w ith cheers, and the heart of every soldier, I
doubt not, wished them God speed. There was a drenching rain as
they marched from the camp to the city, and the poor fellows must
have been thoroughly soaked before they reached the boats. Soon
after they had gone, the Twenty-seventh regiment received marching
orders — not for the plains of Dixie, to drive back the oncoming wave
of rebellion; nor for the rugged northwest, to hold the cruel savage in
check, but for the barracks just vacated by the Twenty-fiist. A num-
ber of men were detailed to renovate them, and shortly, loaded with
blankets, knapsacks and bundles of straw, and singing "Old John
Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back," we were marching to our
new homes. The move, in some respects, is a fortunate one. The
grove is more pleasant, and the barracks were built with much more
care. There are accommodations here for more than four thousand —
quite a respectable little village, you perceive.
Seldom have I heard better music than from a choir of boys here.
When life would be dreary, these brave ones are gleefully singing their
social and patriotic songs; but, if the truth must be told, I have never
been homesick except when listening to these songs. They call up so
vividly the hallowed memories of a social and quiet life, that the long-
ing to return to the home scenes thus recalled, surges like the tidal
wave. But one thought of the cause in which we are engaged restores
my equanimity and fills me with content.
An evening or two since. Lieutenant Colonel Lake and Major How-
ard were introduced to the regiment. They were received with hearty
cheers. Each made a brief patriotic speech. Lieutenant Colonel I^ke
truthfully remarking that it was no time for talk, but the time for
action. Major Howard said it was pride enough for him to be a leader
of Iowa soldiers; that their bravery had shed lustre on the Union army.
Our Colonel Gilbert, of Lansing, is not here yet.
Our uniforms are in the city, and soon we shall be clad in the habili-
ments of the soldier.
C. H. L.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
171
LETTER NO. LXXX.
Camp Franklin, )
DlBl'QUE, October 4, 1861. f
Friend Rich: — Our destination is Minnesota. It was announced
by Adjutant General Baker, tliat lie had thought of dividing our regi-
ment, sending a part of it north and a part south; but tliat he had just
received a dispatch from General Pope, stating that he might send an
entire regiment north ; and he had decided to assign the Twenty-
seventh to that department. The announcement was received by the
regiment with wild cheers; though many, perhaps the greater part of
the men, would have preferred going south. . . . In a
few days the whistle of the locomotive will announce to the people of
Independence the passage of troops for the protection of the north-
western frontier. And we will distinguish ourselves out there. Some
of the tniest men that e\er lived to bless any nation, have lay down to
die among the mountains of the far w'est. It was there that the gallant
Fremont, standing where man never stood before — on the very top of
America, flung out to the breeze the old flag.
Surgeon Sanborn, of Epworth, has arrived. He is keen, jovial and
well-spoken. By his friends he is said to be a man of ability, and
every way qualified for the post he occupies. Yesterday we were mus-
tered into the regiment, and this morning we are to receive thirteen
dollars, the month's pay we were to have in advance. It comes in a
time of need, and will be most gladly received. We are also to have
furloughs for five days, and I opine that this town will decrease in popu-
lation very fast this afternoon, and that we shall see home and friends
once more.
The State fair is being held here, and is, under all the circumstances,
a pretty good show. Our regiment marched into the enclosure on
Wednesday. The fruit on exhibition was good, and the flowers smil-
ingly beautiful. The needle work showed taste and skill. Surely the
ladies of Iowa know how to use "The swift flying needle — the needle
directed by beauty and art." War's dread alarm is sounding through
the land; and, in some portions of our once smiling domain, the hand
of Industry is paralyzed. But of our own favored state it inay yet be
said.
And still she walks in golden hours
Through harvest-happy farms ;
And still she wears her fruits and (lowers
Like jewels on her arms.
Later. — We returned home to our camp late on Thursday e\'ening,
and found the little company who remained during our absence, in
good spirits and glad to welcome us back again.
This morning we are to receive twenty-seven dollars, our guns, knap-
sacks and canteens: and this afternoon four of our companies leave for
St. Paul, and the remaining companies will leave in the morning.
TThe destination of the regiment had been changed from southern
Minnesota.] We leave here with happier hearts, than we should have
carried .iway a month since. The President's proclamation, the harb-
inger of a new and glorious era has sounded in the ears of freemen.
Later. — On board the Itasca — Four companies left
Camp Franklin on Saturday, and started for St. Paul on board the
Northern Light. Colonel Gilbert, Adjutant Comstock and Surgeon
Hastings were on board. On Sunday the rest of the regiment left, four
companies on the Itasca, and two on the F'lora. Lieutenant Colonel
Lake, M.^jor Howard, Surgeon Sanborn and Quartermaster Lang-
worthy were with this portion of the regiment. It was too cold on
Tuesday night, to sleep on deck, and Colonel Lake secured the cabin
for us. The next morning, when we woke, we were within eight miles
of St. Paul, but aground. At 8 o'clock we were aground again; and,
it being election day, we began voting. Granger and Miller, of Alam-
akee, and Donnan, of Buchanan, were chosen judges of election. The
vote Lieutenant Donnan has sent you. When we reached Fort Snell-
ing, we marched about a mile to the west, where we found the com-
panies which preceded us. Here we are, eight miles from St. Paul, on
a beautiful prairie, in our white tents. Captain Noble's company had
pitched tents for us; but, unfortunately, had pitched them in the wrong
place, and we were compelled to pitch our own. The fort, which is a
substantial stone structure, erected in 1822, is occupied at present by a
large body of troops, cavalry and infantry. Our regiment is again
brokeft for a few days. Captain Noble's company and five others, with
two cannons, arc going to Mille Lacs, the head of Rum river, a distance
of about one hundred miles a little west of north from .St. Paul. Both
the colonel and lieutenant colonel accompany the expedition, which is
to superintend the p.ayment of the annuities of the Indians up there,
after which they return to this place.
A few days later, from .St. Francis. . . . Wc marched
northward over a rolling tract of land, to Minnehaha Falls, six miles
above Minneapolis, the intervening country being level and fertile, and
not unlike that about Independence; e.xcept that it has no boulders.
The situation of Minneapolis on the west side of the Mississippi re-
sembles that of West Independence. It has some elegant dwellings, a
good court house, and as magnificent mills as are in the western coun-
try. We marched three miles above the falls, and encainped by a pleas-
ant brook-side, naming our first station Camp Lake, in honor of our
lieutenant colonel. Next day we marched to Anoka, a distance of
sixteen miles, the wind blowing a perfect gale. Here we crossed the
river on an old current ferry, which was a very tedious job. Colonel
I.ake went ahead; and, as fast as we came up, the teams were put in
proper position, and again we pitched our tents, a day's march nearer
our destination. Could you have seen us that night, you would have
had difficulty in distinguishing us from the genuine Sambo. I looked
several times at some members of company C, that I had known for
years, and then passed them by as strangers.
In a little while, however, we had our tents pitched— the war paint
removed, and your correspondent felt like singing, ' ' We will be g,ay
and happy still." This morning we struck our tents at an early hour,
and marched from the little village of Anoka, up the Rum river about
fifteen miles; and here we are on the banks, just after an excellent dis-
course from our estimable chaplain, the Rev. D. A. Bardwell. Colonel
Lake is sitting by my side on a convenient box, intent on reading a
copy of the Army Regulations. Hastings and Hunt are over in their
tent in good spirits, and Captain Noble and company are well represent-
ing old Buchanan. Captain Miller and company remained at Fort
Snelling. I may write you again from some of the T'amarack or Cran-
berry swamps of this region.
Camp Gilbert, November 3d.
. . . As we march toward our destination, our number of able-
bodied men diminishes rapidly. Company C has left a large propor-
tion by the way. Some were down with measles, others with the
various diseases incident to camp. For a little distance from .'\noka
there are marks of civilization — the roads are passable, here and there
rude huts are scattered along the roadside. A few miles, however,
and the good roads are gone, and they become rutty, muddy and al-
most impassable; we have passed the bounds of civilization, and are
lost amid the lofty pine trees in the great Minnesota wilderness. At
Princeton, about midway between Anoka and Mille Lacs, there were a
few Indians; from that point we saw them rarely. For four long days
did wc travel through the deep mud, pitching our tents each night in
the dense woods. At last the troops came in sight of the Indian vil-
lage, the novelty of the trip having worn away into dreary monotony;
but at sight of the wigwams and their dusky inmates, all were wide-
awake. Lieutenant Colonel Lake had gone in advance with the artillery,
which he had vigorously pushed through into camp. Colonel Gilbert,
sitting erect and manly on his noble bay, at the head of his regi-
ment, presented a soldier-like appearance. As we moved along, the
whole Indian population came from their smoky huts, and seemed to
express joy to meet their rich neighbors. Little Indian boys climbed
upon stumps and fallen trees and watched our movements with eager
interest. The deep eyes of the girls peered from behind the trunks of
the burnt trees, and seemed to catch all our looks and actions. A few
words will describe the size and appearance of Camp Mille Lacs.
There is one snugly-built log house, an old stable, and a passably good
barn or storehouse. There are two American and a half-a-dozeii
French residents; and, at the time of our arrival, thirteen or fourteen
hundred Indians. The camp is situated on either side of a small trib-
utary of the Rum. There is a small farm of two or three acres near
by, from which a crop of potatoes had just been har\'ested. In a
short time, our teams or wagon train came plodding along. Few men
would have succeeded so admirably, through such a swamp as the one
which now lay behind us, as our w-agon-master, B. C. Hale. His ef-
forts were wisely directed and untiring, and he is justly applauded.
We remained but a day or two, delighting the Indians with Uncle
Sam's splendid show, toward whom and his representatives they exhib-
ited the truest friendship. As is customary with them, they gathered
thickly around our camp-fires to exhibit their treasures in decorated
birch bark and deer skin, and to beg for presents. Some of them
showed signs of civilization, while others appeared to be in a perfectly
barbarous condition. They were poorly clad and as poorly fed. At
the council which was held, the paymaster and agent took seats upon
a log, and the Indians .soon gathered in a large semi-circle before
them. .Speeches were tlien maile by the Government authorities, inter-
preted by the trader. The old chief, and several others of lesser rank,
replied; and their speeches were in turn rendered into English. They
172
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
complained of having been wronged by their agents, and requested
that the next one appointed might be a strictly honest man. They
declared themselves loyal, saying that when the difficulty arose, they
closed their ears, and they closed them so tight that they could not be
opened. In their march they carried the stars and stripes susjiended
from a hickory pole, and they clung to it as the only hope of their fast
fading race. General Roberts, escorted by twenty-five from each com-
pany, superintended the business. He is an elderly man, deliberate in
his manner, aud possesses, one would judge, a good degree of firm-
ness. Each Indian received ten dollars, the greater part of which was
already due the trader.
Our supplies, especially forage, threatening to run short, four com-
panies started back before 'the payment was made, halted when in
reach of hay, and camped until the others came up. Companies A and
B tarried until the business with these poor children of the forest was
completed. On our way up, we failed at Minneapolis to secure hard
bread and took flour instead. The boys marched by day with heavy
loads upon their backs, and at night slopped to bake their bread, with
but one baking tin or oven to the company. The cooks could get but
three or four hours of sleep each night, but still they bore it nobly un-
til the soda and cream of tartar were gone. Then the bread was as
solid as sandstone, and about as digestible. Very slowly we urged on
our way, until we were once more "out of the wilderness." When we
came in sight of the first rude log cabin our joy was unbounded.
Never before did civilization seem so good to us. Here we received
news that our regiment was to go south, the companies left at Fort
Snelling having already gone to Cairo. Coloiiel Gilbert left us here, to
attend to business preparatory to our removal south. Just north of
Princeton, Colonel Lake halted the battalion, placed it in order, and
said, in effect:, "Soldiers, we are once again within the bounds of
civilization. The manner in which you have conducted yourselves on
this trying expedition is creditable to each one of you. You have en-
dured many privations, the result of which to some has been serious
sickness. Show to the people in this little frontier town that you are
soldiers indeed, and not a rabble." The battalion then moved into
town with colors flying and drums beating. Here we encamped for
the night; and, in the morning as we were leaving, three cheers were
given for the ladies of the little town, at the entrance way to the wil-
derness. We reached Anoka next day, at the junction of the Rum
and Mississippi rivers; and heie quite a number of the sick gave out
and took quarters at the hotel. A difficulty arose here between our
quartermaster and the citizens, which, for a time, portended serious
consequences, but was speedily adjusted when it came to the ears of
Lieutenant Colonel Lake — more of which hereafter.
On our way from Anoka to St. Anthony, we met a train of forty-six
mule teams en route for Fort Abercrombie, on the Red river of the
North, the boundary between Minnesota and Dakota. They were
loaded with Government stores for the soldiers stationed there. Last
evening we received orders from Colonel Gilbert to report immediately
just below Pig's Eye bar, and embark.
Benjamin Sutton was buried yesterday, over yonder on the pleasant
hillside, in the soldiers' burying-ground. He was ever ready to act his
part, and the boys of our company will miss him. We are now in
Camp Gilbert, Fort Snelling. Morgan Boone is sick here, and a few
from the companies that went north will have to remain behind, in
spite of the care and skill of Surgeons Hastings and Hunt. We have
improved the opportunity to wash up and prepare for another of Un-
cle Sam's masterly marches. What I saw in the late one richly repaid
me for all I endured; and all the boys feel the same, unless it may be
the poor fellows who got sick and will now have to endure being left
behind. I must up and prepare to march for Dixie,
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. LXXXL
Camp OF the Ninth Iowa, Helena, Ark-i^nsas, )
November 3, 1862. j
Friend Rich: — "The Iowa Grey Hounds," or the Ninth Iowa, are
still at their old camping ground. Some of the boys have erected log
barracks, anticipating a winter's campaign around the suburbs of He-
lena. Fort Curtis, the Sebastapol of the Mississippi, has just been
completed, and the dedication took place on Thursday last. General
Hovey entered the fort, attended by his staff, at 10 o'clock -A. M., and
opened the ceremonies by unfurling the ensign of liberty to the breeze.
Immediately a salute of thirteen guns was fired from tire fort, the four
gun-boats responding at the same time with eight gnns each, many of
them thirty-six pounders. Then followed the batteries of the different
commands, until it became one continuous roar of artillery, sounding
from hill-top to hill-top, striking terror to the Butternuts and darkeys
in the valley. While the Dubuque battery was firing, the boys of the
Thirty-fourth Indiana commenced ringing a large contraband church
bell, which had been taken from the Christian rebels who had designed
to convert it into a more potent weapon against northern vandals. But
Yankees, you know, have great reverence for church bells; and, after
its capture, had it erected in the centre of the camp; and it is now used,
*as all bells should be, to call patriots, and patriot soldiers to the service
of God and their country. It is also used as a camp clock, ringing
every hour in the day and night, which makes it very convenient for
the different guard reliefs. When Sabbath comes its familiar sound
calls us to divine service, and many .a soldier's heart is made to throb
at the thought of being far away from friends and home, deprived of
all those associations that cluster around his once happy boyhood
home. How often the tear will moisten the cheek of our brave boys
when they talk to each other of home. I could not help noticing the
feeling that was exhibited last Sabbath, while we were singing that old,
familiar piece, "Home, sweet Home." There, father, husband,
brother, son, all joined in the sentiment:
" Be it ever so humble,
There is no place like home."
But our friends must not infer from this that we are homesick, and
want to get away from duty. Far from it, our country, our homes,
life, liberty, everything we hold dear is being assailed by the wicked
hand of treason; and, as long as we have life and health, they shall be
given in defence of the flag of our country.
Mr. Harter has arrived with seven others for company C. They are
strong, noble fellows, and will make the rebels skedaddle when they
get an opportunity. The officers and men of company C, are highly
delighted at seeing our ranks filled up with such good timber. We
should like about ten more of the same stamp — can we have them?
Lieutenant Colonel Coyle has returned, and taken command of the
regiment. The severe wound that he received at the battle of Pea
Ridge, while gallantly charging the enemy, we are happy to state, is
entirely healed. He has been tried and not found wanting, and the
regiment has all confidence in him as a leader.
General \'andever has gone with the cavalry on a five days' scout in
the direction of Clarendon. . . . The fact is, unless we
have a battle or a grand retreat soon, we shall have nothing to write
about. All fears of an attack upon us, at present, have passed. The
rebel General Holmes says, if it was not lor our blasted gun-boats he
would drive us into the Mississippi river. Good for the gun-boats.
The Twenty-fourth Iowa came to Helena last week. Captain Hord is
in one of the companies as second lieutenant. That certainly looks
well for the captain — like a determination to serve the country, without
reference to rank. May he prosper.
R. W. W.
LETTER NO. LXXXII.
Twenty-seventh Iowa 'Volunteers, )
Camp Defl.\nce, Cairo, Illinois, November 17, i86z. )
Friend Rich : — After a separation of nearly four weeks, the
Twenty-seventh regiment is once more united. Our six companies, re-
turned from the Mille Lacs expedition, left Prairie du Chien Tuesday
afternoon last, by railroad, for Cairo. We came by the way of Madi-
son and Chicago, travelling mostly in the night, so that we saw but
little of the country. We pitched our tents in Camp Defiance, Friday
morning, November 14th. The weather has been perfectly delightful
until last evening, seeming more like June than November. Last
e\'ening it commenced raining, and, this morning, the boys say that
each man carries his farm with him on his boots. For one, if I were
called upon to choose, I would rather stay here in the mud than spend
the winter in the Indian country. But I do not think we shall do
either. There are several hundred rebel prisoners a short distance
west of our camp. Some three or four hundred came up the river, un-
der convoy of one of our gun-boats yesterday. They are a motley-
looking crew, clad in all sorts of dress. Some are well dressed in every
day citizen's rig ; some are ragged and dirty ; some few have military
overcoats; but I have not seen a man yet in uniform. Some of the
prisoners are hard looking customers, and as mulish as you please ;
while others have, from their manner, seen better days. Some say
they are tired of the war, and that they never will fight again in the
rebel ranks ; others declare that they will fight us as long as they live,
and curse us when they die. There are also several hundred contra-
bands in the place, some at work in various ways, and the remainder
living in a camp constructed for them. I passed their camp yesterday
as they were cooking tlieir dinner. Nearly all I saw were women and
children. Cairo, it is sufficient to say, is just such a city as one would
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
J73
expect to find in Egypt. Several gun-boats are lying in the Ohio op-
posite to us. They are formidable looking monsters, with low slant-
ing, iron-clad sides, pierced by thirteen heavy guns. When. next they
pay their compliments to the foe it may not be impossible that we may
"be there to see." J^ay before yesterday I paid a visit to the far
famed mortar boats. ^There are twenty-one of them lying near the
shore, in the Ohio, about a mile above town. I boarded one of them ;
and, to get a proximate idea of its dimensions, measured it with a
stick. I made it sixty feet long, by twenty-five w'ide. Two heavy
pieces of timber pass entirely round the boat, making a breastwork
about two feet high. Iron-plating, half an inch thick, fastened to the
outside of these limbers, rises about seven feet above the deck, forming
a complete defence against any rebel sharpshooters from the shore.
These plates are pierced by thirty-two holes, evidently for sharpshoot-
ers stationed behind them. The mortars are mounted npon a heavy
platform near the centre of the boat. The one I examined weighs
seventeen thousand one hundred and sixty-eight pounds, and was cast
at Fort Pitt in 1861. The bore is thirteen inches in diameter, and the
casting is fifteen inches thick. I tried to lift one of the shells, but did
not succeed. The boys are generally in pretty good health, and are
anxious to move down the river.
E. P. B.\KER.
LETTER NO. LXXXIII.
Ninth 1o\v.\, Hklena, .\rkans.^.s, 1
November 8, 1862. j
Friend Rich: — The expedition under Colonel Vandever returned
last night. They went as far as Clarendon, on the While river. They
captured eighteen or twenty, killed eight and the number of wounded
was not ascertained. Our lost was eight wounded and one killed. Five
of the wounded belong to the Fourth Iowa cavalry, two lieutenants of
company H, and three privates. Captain Perkins, forjnerly of Quas-
queton, was in command of the Fourth cavalry. The boys all speak
in the highest praise of his bravery. The Fourth will yet earn a name,
if ihey can have men to lead them who will fight.
The men that were captured with thirty wagons, some three weeks
since, came in under a flag of truce, last .Saturday. The rebels had
taken from them the most of their clothing, and, in return, dressed
them in their secesh rags. I came near getting myself into trouble
with one of them by asking what guerilla band he belonged to, and
when he was taken. He told me not to think he was a secesh, as he
belonged to the Fifth Illinois cavalry. He said that the rebels made
him take off his clothes, and told him that he could put on their old
rags or go without, just as he pleased. Of course I apologized, and
left him asseverating, in the strongest possible terms, that he should
strip the first well dressed rebel that he could take and turn him loose
in ihe woods. The prisoners brought in yesterday are a rough looking
set. One of them told me that he was a conscript, and belonged to
Johnson's .Arkansas Forty-second regiment. He said that he was
coming home sick when our scouts met him ; that he was forced into
the service ; but they never could make him fire at a Union man. He
claims that hundreds feel as he does, but that they cannot help them-
selves. I talked with another, a Texan ranger, and a good specimen
of the real secesh. He was quite defiant, and said we had no busi-
ness down here. All they asked of us was to let them alone ; that
every community had a right lo a government of their own if they
wanted one— and that was the kind of liberty they were fighting for.
And further, if the south should fail to gain her liberty, Texas was go-
ing back to Mexico. Commissioners were already conferring with ref-
erence to such a contingency, and all the necessary steps had been
taken to confirm a reunion. ^He had evidently forgotten thai Uncle
Sam was quite familiar with the route to that land of abortive re-
publics]. R. W. W.
LETTER NO. LXXXIV.
La Gr.\nge, Tennessee, November i, 1862.
Friend Rich: — .At last your humble correspondent finds himself oc-
cupying a bunk in the general hospital at La Grange: and. of course,
under these new and peculiar circumstances, feels somewhat nervous in
addressing the readers of the Guardian. After perambulating the
whole State of Missouri, drinking the muddy waters of the Mississippi
beneath the frowning guns of Fort Pillow, racing over the pine-clad
hills of Tishomingo, indulging in one or two small fights, foraging
hogs, yams, and turkeys from the secesh, now lobe disabled and con-
fined in a hospital, when on the eve of still greater pleasures and
triumphs, is positively disgusting. The quinine and beef-soup brigade
are undoubtedly entitled to much glory, but I hardly like their system
of drill, which consists in fitting a fellow with a ticket, good for any
amount of nauseous drugs— shaving his head until he looks like a howl-
ing dervise, and getting him ready in the quickest possible time for the
coflln, waiting for him in the qu.-irterin.asters hands. It must be ro-
mantic, and all that, to have it go forth to the world that a brave Un-
ion soldier is suffering and pining away in the hospital with a lame foot
caused by lung tramps over the rough roads of the Hatchee, after
Price; but candor compels the acknowledgment, that the present disa-
bility was the consequence of a violent sprain, received, not in a chase
after Price, but in eager pursuit of a fine porcine acknowledging the
belligerent rights of the Confederacy. .And now, my only consolation,
as I turn in my bunk o' nights, and try to get the offending member
into an easy posture, is the reflection that I returned to camp trium-
phant, where I was greeted with the warmest demonstrations of welcome
by the ragged, hungry, funny mess, comprising the simple ones of com-
pany E, Fifth regiment, Iowa volunteers.
La Grange is, without exception, the most beautiful town in west
Tennessee. It is situated on the Corinth & Mississippi railroad, forty-
seven miles from the latter place, and a short distance west of the
Grand Junction. The surrounding country is lovely in the extreme,
and very rich in natural productions. This valley of the Chuarhad and
Hatchee rivers comprises the cream of the State; and here, if anywhere,
are to be seen evidences of southern prosperity. .Along the rivers
heaxy forests of oak, beech, cypress, and sycamore abounds; further
back, fine rolling plains succeed, dotted with broad plantations, which,
in times of peace, were rich with vast fields of corn and cotton. La
Grange was the centre of a flourishing inland trade, and, during the
summer months, was much resorted to by the southern grandees, on
account of its natural beauties and salubrious climate. Here are wav-
ing trees, leafy walks, flowery gardens, and spacious parks. There, to
the east, winds the silvery Hatchee, with its dark fringe of pines, while
other trees, in their autumn tintings, add the charm of vivid coloring to
a landscape which has few equals in this portion of our fair land. The
town is built without regard to chessboard exactness in angles and
lines, and this can well be pardoned in consideration of the numerous
residences with charming grouuds attached, thrown in here and there,
where nature's unerring finger pointed to a fine building spot. Rare
shrubbery, native and exotic, bright parteres of flowers and sparkling
fountains, give ample testimony that these were the homes of taste and
refinement. 1 speak in the past tense, for now they are deserted, or oc-
cupied by negroes and orderlies, who are attached to the various head-
quarters. A few citizens, mostly women and children, remain; but the
few ladies who promenade the streets, flaunt their silks haughtily, and
would consider themselves disgraced lo admit a Federal soldier within
speaking distance. But let the'ragged, dusty butternut, captured by our
cavalry scouts, come "dragging his slow length along," and forthwith,
though an utter stranger, they will meet him as if he was their dearest
friend, and lavish every attention upon him. Many families have been
reduced from a state of aflluence to the extremesl poverty; and it is
sad to witness the destitution that everywhere prevails. AH the stores,
with the exception of one hardware concern, were closed months ago;
and for groceries and other necessary articles, the little that was pro-
cured, was smuggled through by way of Grenada. No sooner is a
Federal sutler located than his shop is besieged with women and chil-
dren anxious to get a glimpse of northern goods. Confederate scrip
is freely offered, but it has few takers. Not a negro but is aware of its
utter worthlessness; and I have seen them pull out handfulls of the
dirty shinplasters in exchange for hard crackers. Mr. Memminger's
attention had better be turned to the condition of his finances, as the
vignette of Mrs. Pickens is at a sad discount at La Grange. On one
of the finest of these great estates, his residence just out of town, lives
a planter whose property, in 1861, was worth two hundred thousand
dollars. Being a firm adherent of Jeff Davis .S: Co. he gave of money
and negroes freely, and later his plantation became a sort of general
rendezvous for straggling parties of guerillas, who lived high, plunder-
ing the trains on the road and burning down bridges. Four of his
sons are in the rebel army, and the old traitor would take the field him-
self were it not for the gout, which confines him the most of the time
to his room. Since the advent of Federal soldiers the old man has
come out, and, as he watches the long columns defile past his spacious
grounds amuses himself by heaping curses upon the Yankee thieves,
as he is pleased to call us. In their eagerness to secure his chickens
and yams the soldiers almost run over him, and, frantic with rage, he
applied to the general for a safeguard. "Hang out the stars and
stripes," said the general, "that is all the safeguard you need." "Not
while my name is Morris" — and back he went, minus chickens, horses,
and negroes.
Nearly in the centre of the town stands the female seminary — a fine
174
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
building, surrounded with a splendid park filled with forest trees. The
semblance of a school is still kept, but the number of pupils can not
exceed thirty: and the preceptress, who always attends them, adheres,
in her costume and stately manner, to the times of Queen Elizabeth.
She looks with a kind of pleased surprise upon the soldiersas they pass
through the streets, and you can easily believe that she is not conscious
of any ill-feeling between the North and South. If so, she e.xhibits a
coolness and self-control that is highly commendable, and in a striking
contrast to the prevailing style of manners among southern ladies in
presence of northern soldiery.
General Grant has taken up quarters in a small house of most un-
pretending appearance, and evidently intends making this his base of
operations. Our advance now occupies Holly Springs, and the two
wings of the army stretch out east and west on the Memphis & Corinth
railroad. Quinby's division is now at Moscow, ten miles west, on the
railroad, and will probably remain there for some time. This is a
severe disappointment to many who were confident, two weeks ago,
that a general forward movement was to be made. Instead of this, our
troops are lying on the ground, exposed to all the inclemencies of the
season, while the enemy are quietly entrenching themselves at Abbe-
ville. Our men have met and measured their strength with the enemy,
and have oveithrown him in every instance. Why, now, should they
be held back, when a vigorous campaign of four weeks would close the
war in the southwest? The intelligent contrabands still continue to
arrive in vast numbers, and are sent north or detailed for duty around
the various hospitals. They make excellent hospital waiters, are
patient, willing, and obedient, and are very useful. The general hos-
pital, under Surgeons Culvertson and Darrow, of the Iowa Fifth, is
established here. The college building is used, and can be made to
accommodate five hundred patients.
Vf.kit.\s.
LETTER NO. LXXXV.*
[The following is a private letter from Colonel Lake
to the editor of the Guardian. — E. P.]
O.N Ste.\mek Emek.\ld, between Fokt Pillow andMemphis, )
November 22, 1862. j
Friend Rich: — We left Cairo, Illinois, on the evening of Wednes-
day, the 2oth instant, with directions to report at Columbus to Brig-
adier General T. O. Davis, commandant of that post. We arrived
there about 9 P. M. of the same day, and immediately reported at head-
quarters. The general had retired, but his adjutant gave us orders to
report immediately to General Sherman, at Memphis. We had been
warned by General Tuttle, before leaving Cairo, that we should be sent
to Memphis without doubt, so that these orders were not unlooked for,
and, besides, they were what we wanted. The boat immediately
started out, and ran down near the famous Island No. 10, where we
lay until morning. There our boys went ashore and cooked breakfast,
and were ready to start at daylight. A gun-boat lay at anchor toward
the lower end of the island, but we were allowed to pass without being
brought to, or asked to give an account of ourselves. The boat ran all
day without landing, meeting several steamers going up, lo.ided with
confiscated cotton, contrabands, mules, etc., including a few rebel
prisoners. .At night we stopped under the protection of the guns of
Fort Pillow, now known on the war maps as Fort Wright. The Fifty-
second Indiana is encamped here. They cost the Government nothing
for subsistence, as they take horses, cattle, corn and cotton enough to
pay all expenses. Just as we were leaving there this morning, several
loads of cotton came in for sale. .An agent is stationed here to pur-
chase that article. He has a permit from the provost marshal to buy,
but has to take a bill of sale of the men from whom he buys, and buys
only from those who have taken the oath of allegiance. Several gun-
boats are stationed along the river, to prevent guerilla parties from
firing into boats as they pass.
We see but few plantations in passing down the river, and the
scenery from Cairo thus far is very monotonous and dull. It consists
principally of Cottonwood trees and sand banks. Fort Pillow affords
an exception. It is situated on a bluff that rises about one hundred
feet above the river. The fort consists of earthworks, made with a
great amount of labor, near the river banks. They were built in u
manner that completely controlled the navigation of the river at this
point, the guns being so situated that they could range up or down the
stream; and, as competent engineers have decided, their construction
was on scientific principles. The guns that vvere left here are all in-
'From the Twenty-seventh Iowa.
jured in some way, so as to make them worthless. One sixty-pounder,
mounted on the top of the bluff, and in such a manner as to command
the road leading up the bluff, was blown up by first driving in a long
ball, then a charge of powder, then another long ball, and then heating
it by building a fire under the gun until the powder ignited. This took
a piece some two feet long out of the gun. whicn was about eighteen
inches thick around the bore. The slugs can now be seen in the gun.
A thirteen inch mortar was halved — one half was lying on the ground
near its carriage, the other I did not see. One cannot pass over these
works, which I have not time to describe fully, without wondering how
the rebels ever did so much labor in so short a time.
We are now approaching Memphis, and I will write you again from
there.
LETTER NO. LXXXVI.
C.\MP, TWENTY-TWO MILES SOITHEAST OF MEMPHIS, 1
November 27, 1862. J
Friend Rich: — The Twenty-seventh regiment, Iowa volunteers,
finds itself encamped to-night at this point, on the road to Holly
Springs. We left Memphis yesterday morning in three divisions, by
three different roads. There were two brigades in each division, and
five regiments of infantry in each brigade. This makes in all thirty
regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and nine batteries of
artillery— all under the command of Major General W. T. Sherman.
The First division is under command of Brigadier General Denver; the
Second under command of Brigadier General Smith; the third under
Brigadier General Lauman, who is an Iowa man, and a good officer,
and a good man.
The Twenty-seventh is in the Sixth brigade, under General Lauman.
The brigade consists of the Twenty-seventh Iowa, Thirty-third Wis-
consin, One Hundred and Fourteenth and One Hundred and Thirtieth
Illinois, and Rogers' battery. When we left Memphis, the Third divi-
sion was on the extreme right, the First in the centre, and the Second
on the left. The First moved out on the Pigeon Roost, the .Second on
the Germantown, and the Third on the Hernando road. To-day at 12
o'clock the three divisions made a junction fifteen miles out from
Memphis. This constitutes quite a formidable army corps. Together
with the necessary trains it probably extends six or eight miles while on
the march. I say probably, because it is impossible for me to find out
its exact length.
Our destination is probably Holly Springs. Here the rebels are in
strong force, having about thirty or forty thousand men, so it is report-
ed. What is the strength of the Federal force already in their imme-
diate vicinity, I do not know, neither do I know the number of men in
this corps, but I judge we have over thirty thousand.
Members of the Twenty-seventh, and all other regiments, not well
enough to walk and carry their knapsacks, were left behind to garrison
Fort Pickering, and among these was Lieutenant Donnan. Probably
it would be as well for those writing to their friends in the Twenty-
seventh to direct their letters in the care of the captain of the company,
giving the letter of the company also, and then adding. Twenty-seventh
regiment, Sixth brigade, under General Lauman, via Cairo, Illinois.
Of the procUvities political of these people, there can be but one
opinion — they are all secesh, red hot, as one woman said to-day. Their
slaves are all in favor of going with the "Lincoln soldiers, " as they
call the Union troops. Each of the regiments in this corps has lots of
black boys with them. They tote knapsacks and guns, and do all
other kinds of labor willingly. The soldiers are not allowed to entice
them away, but it a negro wishes to go with us, he is at liberty to go.
Once with us he is as free as anyone, and is paid his regular wages. We
see large fields of cotton unpicked and com ungathered. The teams
of all planters and farmers along the line of our march are taken and
added to our train. The quartermasters and commissaries take corn
fodder (hay and oats do not exist heie), beef, pork, and all other arti-
cles that are necessary for the sustenance of the army, giving memor-
anda receipts for the same, the holder of which can get a voucher for
the receipt by taking the oath of allegiance prescribed by the acts of
Congress. We took to-day a mule from a Methodist minister. He
complained to the commander of the brigade, who referred him to
Colonel Gilbert. The Rev. represented to the colonel that it was
all the mule he had to ride the circuit with, and he wanted this one left.
Colonel Gilbert told him if he would take the oath of allegiance, he
would give up the mule. The preacher refused, and so our regiment has
one mote mule. . . . We have had lovely weather since we
left C:airo, and this is a lovely country.
Jed Lake.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
175
LETTER NO. LXXXVII.*
L.\Gr.\nge. Tennessee, November 28, 1862.
Friend Rich: — I have but a few moments to write and can give
only the most important items. .Another general forward movement
has commenced, and by this time the Thirteenth army corps is well on
its way to Holly Springs. Genera! Grant started at 3 P. M., and with
his departure there was a regular exodus of sutlers and cullud pussons.
All day long the baggage trains have been mo\ing on the road, and
the hindmost team is not now out of sight. There will be a large force
left at La Grange, however, to protect the depot and Government
buildings, which are very valuable. No transportation for the sick, of
the respective regiments or corps, is now provided, and every man unfit
for duty is left behind to the tender mercies of some post hospital.
The college rooms are now full to overflowing, and still they come by
wagon loads. Some are placed in the belfrey and some in the halls;
while the floor of the cellar is covered with men who ha\-e had no medi-
cine or food for days. The surgeons bluster and curse roundly, the
nurses wilt beneath their labors, while the cooks fume and fret, with a
piteous tale to every listener, of their attempts to make "bricks without
straw." It really seems as if there must be some mismanagement in
the medical department, else provision would have been made before-
hand, for the patients who are now huddled together with no adequate
facilities for their accommodation. Of course, many will be shipped
north, but they will suffer a great deal before they find comfortable
quarters. Probably more sickness exists now among the troops, than
at any other time since the campaign commenced. The hot, sultry
weather from August to the early part of the present month, when the
rainy season began, accompanied with cold, have produced a harvest
of lung diseases and typhoid pneumonia.
A writer in the Chicago Times lately made the statement that the
army was overstocked with negroes, while the streets of La Grange
were swarming with a ragged, hungry rabble, without food, or any
visible means of support. The truth can be expressed in a few sen-
tences. Every negro that is able and willing to work is furnished with
employment forthwith, with pay at the rale of eight dollars per month,
and rations drawn from the post commissary. There are not half
enough of them to supply the demand, so that the timid ones of the
north need have no apprehension of being flooded with negroes. For
the present, at least, they are all wanted here. There is nothing of
special importance from the advance. Our army is moving and the
running or fighting qualities of Price will be tested in a few days.
Verit.'VS.
LETTER NO. LXXXVIII.t
Camf,\t Chl'luhom.^, Mississippi, December i, 1862.
Friend Rich: — we reached this place last evening and have been
resting to-day. We are now fifty miles from Memphis, fifteen from
Holly Springs, and thirty-five from Hernando. Our position is south-
west of Holly Springs, and southeast of Hernando, on the road be-
tween the two; and about seven miles from the main body of Grants
army. Our pickets are within four miles of his. The enemy are
reported to be in full force at .Abbeville, about eight miles from here,
across the Tallahatchie river, a branch of the Yazoo. When we
encamped here, we were drawn up in line of battle, with a color line
extending over a mile, and a reserve of nearly equal length. The Thirty-
third Wisconsin on the extreme left, Rogers" battery next. Twentv-
seventh Iowa, with the Twelfth Indiana in reserve. Then came the
Fifth brigade on our right, and to the right and front of them is CJen-
eial Duryea's division, consisting of the First and .Second brigades.
Our sergeant major and C. H. Lewis have just come in from a scout,
four miles out, and report that they were within half a mile of, and in
sight of the rebel pickets. We may have a fight almost any day. We
expect to attack thein soon. Expect, I say, because movements look
that way, but I have no other authority for saying so.
Jed L.\ke.
LETTER NO. LXXXIX.
In Camp on Hurricane Creek, Mississippi, )
December 7, 1862. J
Friend Rich: — I have just returned from General Grant's army and
the Fifth Iowa; more especially, though, to company E. There were
faint rumors in our camp at Wyatt that the Fifth are some four or five
miles from us, up the river, with Grant's corps. It was a rainy day
and I did not start out to find them. But that evening, Waggoner
P'rank Noble, and several of the boys of the Fifth, came into our camp
*From the Fifth.
tFrom the Twentv-seventh.
and did not leave till morning. So I mounted Sam and went over
with them. When we arrived where they were, they wern't there; but
had started for Oxford. I thought the best way was to follow them,
and see whether Grant's army made a better appearance on the march
than we did.
Where the railroad from Holly Springs crosses the Tallahatchie, the
rebels had prepared for a very obstinate defence. They had earth-
works on both sides of the river, pierced for several guns, and rifle-pits
sufficient for twenty thousand infantry. They had destroyed the rail-
road bridge across the Tallahatchie, as well as the road bridge. The
railroad from the river to Oxford, fourteen miles, had been nearly re-
paired and several new bridges put in. They were compelled to leave
so suddenly that they had not time to destroy the railroad. .A lady in
0.xford told me that there was but an hour between the leaving of the
rear guards of Price's army and the arrival of the advance guard of
Grant's army at that place. Our cavalry took between two and three
hundred prisoners a short distance from Oxford, whom I saw on the
march for Holly Springs.
I found Lieutenant Marshall, who is adjutant of the regiment, and
Colonel Matthias, both looking remarkably well. We met them labor-
ing through the mud on the wagon road, while the troops were march-
iug on the railroad. I was anxious to see company D; so Marshall
and myself took our way across the woods 10 the railroad; but found
only straggling soldiers. We could not find out by them whether the
Fifth was ahead or behind, but concluded to go on and get into the
railroad some miles ahead and wait.
We rode through the woods, jumping fences and ditches, over bogs,
and through swamps for some miles, until we came to a point where
the wagon road and railroad were close together. Here we halted, and
in a few minutes they came up. Captain Lee looks as tough and
hearty as could be expected. His hair may be a little whiter and his
beard a little longer than when he left Independence; but otherwise he
looks no older. Tom Blonden is the same gay and festive young man
he was at home. C F. Putney looked a little thinner in the face, but
as rugged as ever. Mr. Bunce, of Hazelton, is with his company
again and looking well. Dick Whait is "the same old coon.' All
the boys looked well, and seemed to enjoy war as one of the necessi-
ties of life, if not one of its luxuries. I stayed with the Fifth till the
next day. On returning through Oxford I saw between eight hundred
and a thousand rebel prisoners that our cavalry had taken from the
rear of Price's army. They report also a large number of prisoners
that have not yet arrived at Oxford. One thing is certain; they are
worrying Price very much. Report says that Steele is at Grenada,
south of Price, but this is not authenticated. If it is true, the rebel
army of the Mississippi is in a "hard row of stumps."
Grant has about fifty regiments of infantry with him, mostly old
regiments, well drilled, and of course good fighting men. They are
now encamped around the city of Oxford, which is pleasantly situated,
laid out with much taste, and contains many fine residences and some
nice public buildings.
I saw on my return to camp that our wing of the army had taken
possession of a fine steam mill, which they were using for grinding corn
for the men. We expect to be fed on corn bread for a few days, by
way of variety. The darkeys of the secesh planters were compelled to
husk and load the corn, drive it to the mill, and, in short, to perform
all the labor necessary to furnish meal for our men. .Around this mill,
which I judge also contains a col ton-gin, lay several bales of cotton,
and a large pile unbaled. On almost every plantation in this vicinity
there is a large amount of cotton. Some of it is unpic';ed, some
picked and unginned, some in rail pens, and some lying aiound loose.
It seems a great pity that so much valuable property should go to
waste. But such are the incidents of war. Our army, so far as fresh
meats and forage are concerned, subsist entirely upon the enemy. Salt
and sugar are also taken when found in sufficient quantities to pay the
quartermasters to bother with it.
The rebels, when they left this part of the county, felled trees across
the road through the swamps, so as to impede our progress as much as
possible; but they could not have had much of an idea of Yankee per-
severance if they hoped thus to stop the army of the Mississippi.
The other day, as we were marching along, with our army extending
about five miles, an old darkey that had stood a long while by the
road watching the columns pass, fin.ally broke out:
"O Lord! bress Moses! M.assa, where all dese folks cum from? O
Lord! I never see so many folks afore, since de Lord let me live.
Where you cum from Massa?"
Here he broke out in a big laugh, such as only a full blooded Ethio-
pian can give. I asked him where his master was.
176
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
"O Lord! he's done gone dead long ago, long afore you all come."
"Where is your mistress?"
"She'sgone down to her father's."
"Don't you want to go along with us?"
"Yes, massa, but I'se got two little chillun hcah, and I reckon 1
better stay with them. I think it'll all come right by'n by, don't you?"
"Don't your mistress treat you well?"
"Yes, massa, but I reckon I can do better by myself massa, and
when you all goes back norf, I guess black folks all go too."
This is a fair specimen of the feeling existing among the slaves, so
far as 1 have seen. They think they could do much better if they were
free, and ihey all long to be free. Some of them disHke to leave their
wives and children, but not one I have met yet objects to leaving his
master.
Where we are to go, or when, is a thing not revealed to your humble
servant. Jed Lake.
LETTER NO. XC.
Camp at Waterford, Mississippi, December 14, 1862.
Friend Rich: — Since I last wrote you from Hurricane creek, we
have been on the move. Our division has been subdivided, and the
commander of the right wing of the army of the Mississippi has been
sent to another point. On the tenth inst. Major General W. T. Sher-
man announced to the whole column that he had been assigned to a
new command which required him to return to Memphis, but he hoped
to meet us again at Vicksbuigb; till then he bade us farewell. We
supposed, then, that our other army relations would remain unchanged;
but the next morning Brigadier General Lauman announced to us that
he had been ordered to a new division, and that the Twenty-seventh
Iowa would move to Waterford as soon as practicable, and report to
C-olonel Dubois at Holly Springs. The Colonel has gone to-day to re-
port. What our destination is we do not know; but the prospect is
that we shall be set to guarding bridges on the Central Mississippi
railroad. Our present location is on that road, seven miles from Holly
Springs, and four from the Tallahatchie. The One Hundred and
Third Illinois and the Twelfth Indiana are also here, and I understand
the One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois is to report here.
We may be put into a brigade again and move in some direction
quife different from what we now expect; but the peculiar state of the
country around renders it almost certain that our duty, for the present,
will be the inglorious, but very important, one of preventing the rebels
from destroying the railroad. One thing is certain, we have here a
belter chance to receive news from home. As it is, our regiment has
not received any news since we left Cairo, except what we got by visit-
ing the Fifth Iowa. I understand one mail has been sent by way of
Memphis. If that is the case, we must wait until it is sent back to
Columbus, Kentucky, and thence to Corinth. There is no communi-
cation with Memphis any other way, except by a large, armed force.
Thieves, rebels, bandits and guerillas infest the country, and are in and
around the city. It is a place of so much importance that I should
suppose our army would open, and keep open, communication with it
by railroad to Grand Junction.
The country around Waterford is mighty poor just now. The an-
cient landmarks of the proprietors of the soil, which consisted princi-
pally of ten-rail fences, have disappeared. Ancient stables, sheds and
out-houses, are fast going the same road. You see an unoccupied
building to-day in good repair. To-morrow the doors are gone, then
the floors, next the siding, then the roof, and in a short time the entire
structure has disappeared— gone to cook the pork and beef, and boil
the coffee of the Yankee soldiers. Foraging in this vicinity is quite
different from that in the region of Chuluhoma. There neither the
rebel nor the Union army had been in large force till the lime of our
advent, and forage was plenty within our lines. Here Price's whole
army was stationed for several weeks; then Grant's army lay here for
a while, and forage is quite as abundant as you could expect, after the
passage of an army of locusts, followed by one of grasshoppers. But
every day sees from five to ten teams, and from thirty to sixty men
from each regiment go out on foraging expeditions, under directions of
the quartermaster. They have some distance to go, but generally re-
turn well laden with corn and fodder, and in the bottom of the wagon
it is not strange to find a few slaughtered domestic animals — hogs,
chickens, sheep, turkeys, etc.. or a barrel of molasses, sugar or salt.
Frequently it also happens that the expedition returns accompanied by
several fine contrabands, who are immediately set to work to do the
cooking and drudgery of the camp, the policy of the Government being
to relieve the soldiers as much as possible from fatiguing duties in
camp, which can be better peifurmed by these "free American citizens,
of African descent." Night before last we had an alarm. One of the
pickets accidentally discharged his gun. The long roll was beaten, and
the whole regiment was in line in less than three minutes. Among the
first on the ground with'gun and cartridge box was Edward L. Hern-
don, my contraband. He has been carrying for some time the equip-
ments of one of the sick boys in company C, and says if we ever get
into a fight he is bound to do something for the stars and stripes. .
The coldest weather we have had here, as yet, is about hke an April
shower in Buchanan county. To-day it threatens rain, and is so warm
that the flies are somewhat troublesome in our tents. We have had
but one snow storm where we have been, since last winter. When they
had snow here we were at Mille Lacs. It has snowed a very little once
since we have been on the Tallahatchie, but we saw it only while it was
falling. News comes that we are to be stationed to-morrow. Our
worst fears are realized. . . . Jed Lake.
LETTER NO. XCI.
Oxford, Mississippi, December 6, 1862.
Friend Rich :^We have the prospect of a few days of rest before
us, and feel it our duty in the meantime to let our friends at home
know of our whereabouts. We marched from Moscow, Tennessee,
very near the southern boundary line of that State, November 28th.
Our force consisted of General Quinby's division ; but a junction was
formed with General Grant's forces before entering Holly Springs. The
roads were next to impassable. It was 12 o'clock at night before
we got into camp, the first day out from Moscow. To add to our suf-
ferings, a cold rain set in which compelled us to pitch our tents, though
only for a short time, as we were on the march again at 4 o'clock in the
morning. After a short march, however, we entered the beautiful
town of Holly Springs. It seems strange thai the chivalry should
leave this place without a struggle. They had some light fortifications
on the northern side, which have the appearance of having been built
sometime. A small force of cavalry left the day before we entered,
and though they did not think it consistent with their safety to give us
a warm reception, that of the citizens was as cold as the most bitter of
our enemies could wish. Assembled on the street corners are a few
old fellows that are out of danger, so far as the conscript act is con-
cerned. These, with a few worn out negroes and small children, con-
stituted all the visable population. We marched seven miles south to
Waterford, and there encamped. The rebels were driven from there
by an advance, a few hours before we arrived. A skirmish took place
which resulted in the loss of one man on our side, and four of the reb-
els. We remained in this place two days, and then resumed our
march to the Tallahatchie. Price, though holding a strong position,
was seized with a panic, as he has often been before, and evacuated in
time to save all. From this position he could have withstood any at-
tack from the front ; but Sherman's presence in the vicinity seemed to
alarm him for the safety of his rear. I consider it poor generalship in
the rebels to select this place. It may be a strong position enough,
but it is in the midst of a swamp that is completely inundated in rainy
weather, and must be very sickly. They took care to burn the railroad
bridge before evacuating. We were obliged to hall two days to repair
the roads, which were very bad in consequence of the rain. The
wagon train was two days coming to this place, fourteen miles. The
infantry marched on the railroad track and had good walking. Our
camp is now pleasantly situated a mile east of Oxford. We came
thiough the town after dark, and had no opportunity of seeing much.
It is called one of the finest places in the south ; but, like all others in
the track of the contending armies, it is deserted by the wealthy citi-
zens. We shall move southward as fast as the railroad is repaired.
Whatever the indications may have been heretofore, it is certain now
that there is energy displayed in this department. Everything indi-
cates a speedy termination of the war. General Grant may have many
enemies, but let him continue to pursue the present course, and there
need be no fear of his success. The rebels are now in the vicinity of
Grenada, as near as can be ascertained from deserters. The Twenty-
seventh Iowa is with Sherman. Lieutenant Colonel Lake and some
of his men have been over to see us. The Colonel has the appearance
of being all he is represented to be, a good officer. He seemed to be
highly pleased with company E, at least I take the liberty to suppose
so. Some of our men have gone over to see them to-day.
Our brigade has been reorganized, and is now commanded by Colo-
nel Boomer, of the Twenty-sixth Missouri. The board of trade regi-
ment. Seventy-second Illinois, is in this division. On our recent
march from" Moscow, heartrending to their friends as it may seem,
they were compelled to lie three nights without straw. The green
things these new regiments get off, afford considerable fun for the old
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
177
soldier. I must close and fall in for grand review by General Grant.
S. A. Reed.
LETTER NO. XCII.
Headqu.xrters Twenty-seventh Regiment, \
Cami' Thirty Miles from Memphis, November 29. 1862. J
Friend Rich: — * ■ ■ The scenery of the lower Mis-
sissippi is perhaps as interesting, but not half as beautiful, as that of
the upper portion which we saw on our northern expedition to Mille
Lacs. The water is changed from a lively, sparkling clearness, to a
muddy, pool-like appearance. There are fewer and less inviting is-
lands, and the bold and rocky cliffs have dwindled away into the level
marshes. The canebrake, the misletoe, and the cypress, appear in the
place of the stately oak, the graceful cedar and the stately pine. So
far as evidences of thrift are concerned, it is precisely as I have always
heard ; a slave country cannot compare with a free one. The towns
along the river side are vastly different from those in the free States.
They are small and built without regard either to taste or economy.
The landings, as they are all called, usually consist of a clay hill, on
which stands an irregular shaped, dilapidated building, whose front is
half covered with a sign, of which the letters are as varied in size, as
in shape and decipherability. This morning we passed the famous Is-
land No. 10, where so many days of hard fighting gained the well-
earned price — victory. The island is not so formidable by nature as I
had expected, nor was it so large. An old gun-boat lay at anchor near
it, while various wrecks were scattered along the shore. A little after
we passed New Madrid, a little town, of no importance seemingly, but
long to be remembered by the Guardian and its friends. As we move
along, and the air became warmed by a southern sun, the scenery
seemed more inviting. Some places along the river in Tennessee pre-
sent naturally a thrifty appearance. Occasionally there is a farm-house
which resembles some of the better class of northern ones. The river,
at some points, spreads out into a lake-like width, almost equal to lake
Pepin in the north. We received no cheers, with one or two excep-
tions, save from the colored people, who swung their hats and danced
for joy. Some fear was felt lest we might be fired upon by rebels con-
cealed in the thick. woods, but we met with no hostile demonstrations.
At night we lay under cover of F'ort Pillow, a naturally strong de-
fence. There is no fort, but the earthworks are extensive and evince
military*knowledge. They could not have been stormed without an
immense sacrifice of blood and treasure; and happy is it for our Army
of the Southwest that the rebels evacuated it. The second day of our
downward trip, we passed nothing of special interest. At one point
some fine hills rose by the river side, and then we passed the blackened
ruins of Fort Adams. The weathei was fine, and we reached Mem-
phis in good time on Saturday, finding the troops that had been de-
tailed on the Vicksburgh expedition awaiting orders. Two extra men
from each company were detailed to accompany the expedition.
Memphis is a magnificent city; the location is most beautiful, and
the place is said to be healthy. At present it is teeming with military
life. I rode back and forth through the streets, viewing the fine build-
ings, public and private, and if Tennessee was a free State, I see no
reason for not being anxious to live there. At the time we landed
there, at least seventy-five thousand troops were in and around the
city. The people of this State are of doubtful loyalty. Some are
doubtless true to the old Union, while others, intimidated by the pres-
ence of the Federal army, cover their secession fangs with a garb of
loyalty. Soldiers are shot almost daily by concealed rebels.
The ne.xt morning after our arrival at Memphis, we marched out
into the country some three miles to the southeast, and encamped.
The day was quite warm, and many of the boys became much wea-
ried. On that march we passed some very elegant houses, surrounded
by very beautiful grounds. Such lovely evergreen trees as they have
there are enough almost to call our affections from the bleak prairies of
the north to this sunny clime. While you shiver in the northern
blasts, we can sleep in perfect comfort in the open air, uncovered save
by our blankets. Not only the climate, but the fair homes, call on us
for an unflinching struggle to redeem them from the blight which
threatens to fall upon all that is fairest and best.
There is a building hard by our encampment said to be the home of
a rebel general. It is reported that this man, at the breaking out of
the war, gave two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for its support,
sent two sons into the army, next hired two soldiers, and lastly went
himself. The house is now confiscated property. It is by far the
most magnificent place I ever saw. The house is a fine, substantial
brick structure. The grounds, which are extensive, are elegantly laid
out and splendidly decorated. At e.ach front corner of the house there
is a fine statue, repiesentmg some character in ancient mythology.
Such a place as this in a free land, a land inhabited by a race of true
freemen, the wealth of the half of Buchanan county could not pur-
chase.
We were brigaded in that camp, and it was our good fortune to get
into Geneial Lauman's brigade. The people of Iowa were proud of
him as a colonel, and they expect him to maintain his high character in
a higher rank and in his present capacity as commander of a brigade
in the field, already in the advance. Our sick who were out of the
hospital were left in the care of Captain Miller and Lieutenant Don-
nan. Like all other movements of the army, no one could tell of our
course or destination but those in the highest authority. We marched
over a good road down into Mississippi, thence in the direction of
Holly Springs, travelling about fifteen miles each day. When we came
to the enemy's land, our boys put the confiscation act in force to its
full extent. They confiscated potatoes, chickens, turkeys, geese, mules
and negroes. Before we reached General Sherman's headquarters, we
had in our brigade, I doubt not, a hundred mules and half as many
negroes. They also burned many buildings by the roadside. If the
privates had their way, I believe they would devastate the whole coun-
try. When we reached the major general's headquarters, he declared
the officers should be arrested; that captains should be held responsi-
ble for the acts of the companies; and that there was but one way to
confiscate property, and when confiscated it should be done by legal
forms. We arrived here and pitched our tents last evening, six miles
from Holly Springs. Our camp here is supplied with the best water
we have had since we left Minnesota.
How long we shall tarry here, none of us know. It is reported that
we are to move in the morning to reenforce Grant, and that he is to
offer the enemy battle with fifty thousand men. We have in this bri-
gade the One Hundred and Thirtieth and One Hundred and Seven-
teenth Illinois, Thirtv-lhird Wisconsin, and Twenty-seventh Iowa
infantry, and Rogers' battery. In this army corps there are thirty
regiments of infantry, nine batteries, and one regiment of cavMry. In
all probability we shall soon see a fight, and Iowa's host, in high posi-
tion and in low, will, as their hero brothers have done heietofore, strike
effectually for the Union.
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. XCIII.
Helena, Arkansas, December 8, 1862.
My Dear Wife:— Two weeks ago l wrote you that I was about to
start with an expedition which, it was supposed, had for its object and
destination, the reduction of certain fortifications on the Arkansas
river. You can judge of our surprise when our fleet of fourteen steam-
boats all rounded to at Friar's Point, ten miles south of Helena, and
on the Mississippi side, and debarked all the troops. It then became
apparent that our expedition, consisting of eight thousand infantry
and two thousand five hundred cavalry, were in some way to operate
against our old antagonist. Price. We arrived at our old camp again
last night, having made one of the boldest, and at the 5an»e time most
fatiguing marches of the whole war.
It was especially a cavalry expedition, the infantry marching only to
the mouth of the Coldwater, a tributary of the Tallahatchie, to be
used as a support in case of disaster. At that point, which is about
forty miles from the Mississippi, our advance surprised a small camp
of rebels on the opposite side, by throwing a few shells among them,
killing three and wounding quite a number, as we afterward found
them in different houses where they had been left along the road.
At the mouth of the Coldwater we built a bridge of boats and
crossed the. cavalry. Twelve miles further on, we met one thousand of
the enemy prepared to dispute our passage across 6ayou Yorkney, at
the ferry; and, with a few shell, sent them flying again. But, much
to their surprise, we did not attempt, and did not intend to cross at
that point; but continued our march to the south and east, far into
the interior of the State, and in rear of Price's whole army. The
object of the expedition was to destroy all his railroad communica-
tions with the south, and to call away as many as possible of his
troops from the front, where Grant and Sherman were making it
interesting for him. Wc struck the Mississippi & Tennessee railroad
at Hardy station, where we burnt two bridges and a lot of cars. A
part of our force was then pushed on to the Mississippi Central rail-
road, three miles from Grenada, where ano.ther bridge was burned.
Our first object being accomplished, we spent about a week in
creating all the panic we could, the report having gone to Price that
we were thirty thousand strong. This illusion was carefully encouraged
by dashing about in all directions at a terrible rate, at one place to-dav
and to-morrow at another, fifty or sixty miles distant. We heard of
23
178
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
three brigades that were hunting for us in difterent directions, and one
of them we finally met at Oakland, consisting of three regiments of
seven hundred men each. A smart skirmish occurred between the ad
vance of both forces, resulting in the capture of one of our guns, nine
horses killed, seven men wounded, and none killed. The loss of the
enemy unknown, e.tcept two killed and some eight or ten wounded and
prisoners in our hands, .^mong the prisoners are one colonel, one
captain, one lieutenant, one chaplain, and one adjutant. In thirty
minutes from the firing of the first gun. the whole force was flying for
parts unknown. The expedition on our part was an entire success;
we having done all we were ordered to. We dodged about within a
few miles of Price's army without losing a man, destroying all his
railroad and telegraphic communication, and compelling him to retreat
as soon as he heard we were in his rear. What advantage has been taken
of our work, by the armies of Grant and .Sherman, we have not yet
heard; but, in all probability. Price is by this time across Black river,
somewhere in the vicinity of Canton; and if so, the campaign and the
war in the west is reduced to the taking of Vicksburgh. The capture
of Mobile, which will not be difficult,, will cut the Southern Confed-
eracy in two; and opening the Mississippi at Vicksburgh, will cut off
Texas, the only supply region they have left; and neither of these
events will be long delayed. When they occur, the war is virtually at
an end , the rebel army in Virginia to the con'trary notwithstanding.
And then all our war worn soldiers, myself, I hope, among the num-
ber, will be relieved from the toils of the field, and report ourselves for
duty to our wives and sweethearts.
George B. Parsons.
LETTER NO. XCIV.
Camp on Hurricane Creek, Mississippi, )
December ii, 1862. j"
Friend Rich : — We remained at Pigeon Roost Creek, the place
from which 1 wrote last, but a day or two, and then marched south-
ward with two days' rations in our haversacks. The troops marched
rapidly, apparently with the design of making connection with some
other part of the army, or of attacking the enemy. All our wagons
were left behind the division, except an ammunition wagon, and the
two ambulances for transporting the sick. We marched, November
30th, about eight miles and encamped near Chulahoma. Rumors and
excitement were rife. Some thought that we had cut off Price's re-
treat, while others, at each dash of our cavalry, trembled as if the fatal
moment had come.
The camp at Chulahoma is ciuite a good one, in many respects.
The soil was of a more sandy nature, and the country around presented
a more inviting aspect. Rails from the high fences near by made large
and warm fires. Miles of fences were burned that night by our troops ;
but the water was too much like that of the Mississippi, very poor in-
deed. During the night a fierce storm raged through the camp, re-
minding us of those we had seen sweeping over the broad prairies of
Iowa. A number of tents were blown over, and some amusing scenes
and incidents occurred. A major was clinging to his tent poles when
the wind caught up the lower part of the tent, dashed a plentiful
shower around him, for it was raining in torrents, and then passed on
seeking new victims for this practical joke. A certain lieutenant found
himself landed on all fours, fast in the mud ; and those who witnessed
this new military evolution, speak in the highest terms of the agility
displayed ; and though the grin which adorned his visage showed a
slight degree of vexation, there is a general disposition to condone the
offence, in consideration of the suddenness of the adoption of the new
tactics, and the rapidity of movement required the first time he was
"put through." •
The next day, December ist, we remained in camp, but started early
on the second, and marched all day in a drenching rain, in the direc-
tion of Wyatt, at which place we arrived about sundown. The wagons
with the tents and camp utensils did not overtake us until next day,
just at night, so that we did what we had not done before, lay down
upon the wet leaves, among a small growth of trees, with nothing
over us but our blankets and the black and dripping clouds. There
was more meditation than sleep that night. "Thousands of brave
ones, battling for humanity, lay thoughtful upon the ground in an
enemy's land. . . . .^fter remaining a day or two in
Wyatt, constructing a bridge over the stream, which was unfordable,
we marched, Sunday the seventh, to the camp on Hurricane creek,
a distance of six miles. Our way lay through an inferior tract of coun-
try across the Tallahatchie river. The camp here is preferable in many
respects to any we have found since leaving the vicinity of Memphis.
The wood and water are excellent and handy, but the living is quite
poor. We were out of crackers, and almost everything else usually
furnished by the commissary, and were obliged to forage. Corn is the
only breadstuff to be had, and a mill conveniently located was kept in
active operation to turn out meal for the division. Pretty hard fare the
boys say ; but then we are cheerful as ever, and willing to accept what-
ever is inevitable in the soldier's life.
Soon after camping three major generals. Grant, Sherman and
Smith, and a number of brigadiers, came into camp. They halted but
a moment, but long enough for us to get a look at them. On the
ninth our regiment, in connection with several others, was reviewed by
Major General Sherman.
Our most ardent desire now is to get hold of Pemberton and his
army. The large force of which I wrote in my last, in connection with
Grant's forces, have marched steadily forward, meeting with very little
opposition. The rebels had strongly fortified around the Tallahatchie,
but when armies from the north came marching in long and bold lines
down through their land, they vanished away without offering us any
resistance. Our cavalry, as you have learned ere this, closely pursued
them and captured a goodly number.
A division train was sent out to Holly Springs the other day, and has
just returned ; and we shall now live again. And, better still, we have
marching orders for Waterford, a distance of twelve miles over the
Mississippi railroad, to act as guard. Our regiment and the Twelfth
Indiana are to report to Colonel Dubois at Holly .Springs.
Here we are only about one hundred and sixty miles from the capital
of Mississippi. He who thinks that our army is not gaining ground is
deceived. We are going, in spite of rebels, to the gulf, and shall ac-
cept nothing but unconditional surrender to the old flag, the flag of
our fathers. Ye men of the north, in whose hands are the inteiest and
safe keeping of the Government, while patriots from your own fire-
sides are willingly submitting to all the hardships of the camp and the
field, do not submit to an inglorious and temporary peace ; but let us
battle on until we have found the immovable foundations of liberty and
justice, upon which may be built, broad and strong, the enduring
structure of a permanent peace. C. H. L.
LETTER NO. XCV.
[Extracts from a letter from Lieutenant Sampson to
his family, dated Helena, December 16, 1862.]
Once more we have marching orders. The order came
this P. M. for us to be in readiness to go on board of transports on the
morning of the eighteenth. We are evidently going upon the Vicks-
burgh expedition; and, from the nature of orders received, I judge we
shall see some pretty rough marching. The officers are restricted to a
small valise, and the men will ha\e to carry everything they have, as
there will be but six teams to a regiment.
Our brigade has again been changed by taking out the Twenty-fourth
and giving us the Fourth infantry instead. We are much better pleased
by the change. We fought beside the Fourth at Pea Ridge, and it is
probable that we shall do the same again ere long. It is evident that
our commanders here are going to work in earnest, and it does us good
to see it. Would that the same spirit might be manifested in the east.
The western boys want to get home, and we wish to do our share at
once.
Seventeenth, at noon. — Worked hard lintil late last night, getting
things ready. Have just got the teams off with officers' supplies, bag-
gage, etc.
The boys of the company have packed a box which they send by ex-
press to your care. We shall have to leave without our pay. Possibly
•we may not get away for several days, although ordered to be in readi-
ness to-morrow morning. I hope you will soon hear of our doing
something worthy of Iowa and western troops. All we ask is for the
eastern army to take Richmond while we are taking Vicksburgh. We
got the news this morning of the taking of Fredericksburgh. Good.
letter no. xcvi.
Camp near the Tallahatchie, \
Mississippi, December 19, 1862. )
Friend Rich: — The report of colonel commanding the Twenty-
seventh Iowa, to Colonel Dubois, as to the position of our regiment,
reads about as follows; "Companies A and F are stationed so as to
guard the four bridges south of the tank, at Waterford. Company I
guards the hospital; D and H, the four bridges next south; and com-
panies A, F, and C guard the commissary stores and the road near the
fort, north of the river. E and K guard the bridge ne.xt south of the
fort. G and B are on the north bank of the Tallahatchie." This dis-
position of our forces is likely to remain for some time. Though we
have no definite orders as to the length of time that we may stay here,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
179
yet we feel sure, from our surroundings, that the fate of the Twenty-
seventh is for the piesent fixed. Our communication with America is
by railro.td to Grand Junction, thence to Columbus, Kentucky, and by
boat to Cairo. We are also in railroad connection with Corinth and
other paits of the world.
The Twenty-seventh now has si.\ hundred and thirty men fit for duty.
We sent to Vicksburgh, that liave not yet joined us, fifty-one men. We
left in Memphis one hundred and five convalescents and sick, and we
have here about forty-five in the hospitals. There were left in Minne-
sota, who have since come to Cairo, and probably to Memphis, twenty-
si.v. The balance of the regiment were left sick at Cairo, and at differ-
ent points on the river, coming down.
We have received no news from home since we left Cairo, and con-
sequently do not know the condition of the sick at the various hospitals.
Their condition should be reported to us every twenty days. They
may have done this, but for their own protection they ought immediate-
ly to report to their company commanders, directing their letters as
heretofore described.
Nothing can equal the sufferings that the people of this part of Mis-
sissippi will undergo before another harvest. Price's army was quar-
tered here for a long time. Grant's army then came through and took
what Price had left. .Sherman's column came through si.\ miles west of
this. Now there are stationed along this road, from Grand Junction
to Oxford, some forty thousand men, to whom the United States issues
only half rations of meat, expecting that they will draw the rest from
the inhabitants of the country. We sent out eighteen men and two
teams yesterday, and they got only six hogs and one beef, and went
about twelve miles into the country. They report foragmg as very
precarious business, in that direction at least. And that, not on ac-
count of the danger of being attacked, but because the forage is not
there. In the fields immediately around the encampment of companies
A and F there is plenty of unpicked corn. But other than that we find
little to subsist our.selves and horses upon. If we can get back where
neither army has been, report says there is plenty of forage and cattle,
and if we stay here any length of time we shall be apt to go out and
test the truth of these reports. Should anything of interest transpire,
we will keep you posted.
Jed Lake.
LETTER NO. XCVII.
Holly Spring,?, Mississippi, December 21, r862.
Friend Rich: — I wrote you a few days ago, stating that I presumed
that our regiment was stationed for the winter. The next morning
after that was sent, while Colonel Gilbert and myself were at bre.akfast,
a messenger came in, stating that the rebels had attacked our hospital,
which was about a quarter of a mile from the main camp, in a house.
We started immediately, but before we got to the hospital, the
rebels, fifteen in number, had disappeared with five horses belonging to
the surgeons, the ambulances, and seven men. We pursued them by
mounting fifteen men on mules, but after a chase of six miles, to
Wyatt. without overtaking them, the pursuit was abandoned. On our
return we were met by another messenger, with the announcement that
Holly Springs had been taken by five thousand rebel cavaly. We
hastened back to camp, formed one regiment in the best position pos-
sible under the circumstances, and awaited results. About 2 p. M.
Colonel Marsh, with two regiments, came in from Oxford, with orders
for us to go to Waterford. We arrived there about sundown, and
staid until this morning. This morning we received an order brigad-
ing us as follows: Twenty-seventh Iowa, Eighth, Sixteenth and Seven-
teenth Wisconsin, under command of Colonel Gilbert. The brigade
marched to this place to-day. When we arrived, we found that the
rebels had been gone some twenty-four hours, after burning all our
commissary and quartermaster's stores, thirty-six cars, spoiling two
engines, destroying a large number of wagons, getting pretty drunk,
and packing off on our mules and horses, loads of clothing and goods
generally. We have several hundred cavalry and flying artillery in
pursuit, but how long it will take to overhaul and chastise them, is more
than I can tell. I am confident, however, that they will be overtaken,
some of them captured, and a large amount of our goods retaken.
They have a little the start of us, but hard w^ork will overtake them
somewhere, and we may as well give them fits now as ever. Four of
our companies were left to take care of the bridge over the Talla-
hatchie.
WTio is to blame for this humiliating affair, it is not my business to
determine. The United States have lost in property not less than two
millions of dollars. It is certain that the citizens of the town have
taken a great many of these goods, and the houses will be searched,
and those found in possession of them will be punished.
Thus you see our promised quiet for the winter has been most rudely
disturbed, and we find ourselves in a state of excited determination to
fight somebody.
Where we shall go, how long we shall stay there, and what we shall
do while there, my next letter may disclose.
Yours truly,
Jed Lake.
LETTER NO. XCVIII.
Same Pl.\ce, December 22nd.
Friend Rich: — I wrote you last evening, putting the loss of property
to the United States by the rebel raid on this town, on the twentieth
instant, at two millions of dollars. I have just returned from the
place where the depot buildings used to be, and now think I underes-
timated the value of property destroyed. It is true that all that was de-
stroyed did not not belong to the United States, but it is a direct injury
financially to the Government, of more than the amount stated. There
must have been at least one hundred cars burned, a vast amount of
wagons and ammunition, two engines, commissary stores, etc. The
citizens of the town who were instrumental in giving the rebels aid are
known, as all the prisoners were paroled, and all the cotton buyers,
sutlers and citizens remain unparoled. These men will be punished, so
says Colonel C. C. Marsh, commander of the district. We arrested
one man, and sent him up to the colonel this morning: charged with
murder and assisting the rebels. They will, after a while, learn to be-
have like men. It is reported that ladies shot at our soldiers out of
their houses, when they were fleeing from the rebel cav.alry.
Colonel Gilbert has just returned from headquarters, and reports that
we are to remain here for a few days at least. As soon as communica-
tion is opened with the north, we will send our letters, that all our
people may know that the Twenty-seventh Iowa is safe, except those
taken from the hospital. They were Jos. Bryson, A. B. O'Conner,
James Stanley, D. Tracy, D. M. Scott, L. W. Scott, and James
Mitchell, all of company I; Brown, of company C; A. Stangier and
Phineas Smith, of company B, and Smith, of company K. Among
the prisoners taken by the rebels in this place, I have just learned, was
S. M. Langworthy, who had just resigned as quartermaster of our
regiment, and was on his way home. He lost everything, horse,
sword, pistols, blankets, overcoat, etc. All the cotton in town was
burned, and all the sutler stores destroyed. In this work of destruc-
tion the rebel cavalry were assisted by the citizens of this place. That
they will be severely punished, I feel satisfied.
Later. — Since writing the foregoing, one of the men taken from our
hospital, Phineas Smith, of company B, has been here. He says that
the rebels run them off some twenty-five miles, and p.aroled them, and
they are now back at our camp on the Tallahatchie, all safe. He says
that there were twenty-two rebels who made the raid upon the hospital;
that they said they were supported by a large band lying back, and that
men were constantly leaving, and others coming into their band along
the road. This satisfies me that these same citizens that we are pro-
tecting every day , are the ones that act as guides to the rebels in their
expeditions against us. The more I see of the course taken in this
war, the more disgusted I get.
Jed Lake.
LETTER NO. XCIX.
Camp near Waterford, 1
Headquarters Twenty-seventh regiment. )
Friend Rich: — We left camp on Hurricane creek, December izth,
to report to Colonel Dubois, at Holly Springs. . . . The second
day we marched over to and camped at Waterford. Jesse Roton, of
company C, had been failing for days, and he was so far gone that
morning, that he had to be carried. W. H. Lueder, of the same
company, was very low, but rode in the ambulance. They both, con-
trary to the expectations of the surgeons, lived through the day, and
are now somewhat better, with a prospect of recovery.
As we neared Waterford, we began to see, on a more extended scale
the preparations for moving this great army. Just as we entered town
we met one hundred and fifteen mule teams, loaded with provisions for
the armies of Sherman and Grant. And these were but a small frag-
ment of the immense train constantly moving. Waterford is a small
and dilapidated town on the Mississippi railroad, eight miles due south
of Holly Springs. The land about town is sterile, and washes more
than any other country I ever saw. The soil is a clay and sand mix-
ture; and, at each shower, the water washes out deep gullies which
make the country almost impassable, save where the roads are con-
stantly worked. We remained but a day, then marched, agreeably to
orders of Colonel Dubois, for the Tallahatchie. It rained very hard
while we were on the march that day, and all were thoroughly soaked;
l8o
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
but ti)ere was lillle murmuring, and when the tents were pitched, and
large fires were built, and we had become dried and warmed, we were
ready for another installment of the soldiers' peculiar joys. . . .
The surgeons have taken possession of Dr. Jones' place for hospital
purposes. The house is quite large, and, when well cleaned, will be
an excellent building for the purpose. This Dr. Jones is said to be the
richest man in the country. He owns five sections of land and over
two hundred negroes. The greater part of the negroes, he put in the
rear of the rebel army, thinking doubtless that they would be beyond
the reach of the Yankee; but, unfortunately perhaps for hi«i, and
fortunately for themselves, some have already found our lines.
Headquarters of the regiment are established, for the present, about
three miles from Waterford, in a very coinfortable house, a little
distance from the railroad. An old lady, her thrfe daughters, and a
number of blacks, are the only persons about the plantation. The
men have gone, if indeed any belong to the establishment — the fates
only know where — and the women, like all in the south, are widows.
To-night, at a social gathering, the familiar song of "John Brown" was
sung, but with what degree of pleasure it was received by them, I was
not shrewd enough to decide.
.Still the lament is, "no mail since we left Cairo." This is rather
disheartening to some of us, who miss papers and kind words from
home, more than almost all things else. This task of gu.arding the
railroad may seem to some rather inglorious, but perhaps it is well that
we, after having become noted as the travelling regiment, should for a
time perform it. A good soldier is one that is obedient and vigilant.
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. C.
Jackson, Tennessee, January lo, 1863.
Friend Rich: — The Twenty-seventh Iowa is now situated at this
station. We have a fine camping ground in the south part of the town,
where we are in sight of the Mississippi Central railroad and the Mobile
& Ohio railroad. We are required to furnish about two hundred men
daily for picket duty, otherwise we have only camp duty to perform.
Judging the future by the past, we have no leason to think that this
state of things will last for a great length of time, for it has been the
lot of the Twenty-seventh, since it was mustered into service, to keep
moving.
We arrived at this place at 2 o'clock A. M., December 31, 1862.
Were drawn up in line of battle to support a battery that was just then
moving into position to resist an attack from the enemy. We lay on
our arms until daylight, and then went into camp, where we are now.
At 3 P. M. we received orders to start for Le.Nington, Tennessee, forth-
with. Marched eight days, with a blanket to each man, and without
tents, knapsacks or cooking utensils. Foraged on the enemy during
the time, and reached the railroad at Bethel, forty miles southeast of
this place, and twenty-two miles northwest of Corinth, where we lay
one day, then took the cars for this place, which we reached the same
day at ii o'clock p. M. Our boys were glad to get into camp again,
where they could wash up, get on clean clothes and have a little rest.
In this place military law is more rigidly enforced than at any of our
previous locations. No person is allowed to pass out or in, through
our picket lines, unless he has a pass from the commander of the forces
here, who at present is General Sullivan. The citizens draw rations as
well as the soldiers, for when the railroad was destroyed, between here
and Columbus, the commander of the post seized everythingin the pro-
vision line, in and around the town, and put every one on half rations.
No soldier is allowed to go through the streets without a pass from the
regimental commander. Officers are not allowed to be away from
their commands except on business. A large provost guard is contin-
ually patrolling the streets, and persons found out of place very soon
find themselves in the jail or the court house under guaid, where they
are kept for a sufficient time to remind them of the necessity of staying
in their places, and then, if the first offence, they are discharged.
None of our boys have been caught the second time, so I do not know
what penalty the second offence would bring. . . . There is a
good state of health among the men here, and this seems to be a very
healthy climate. The absentees from the regiment, of whom there are
now more than two hundred, are very slow about joining their com-
panions in arms, but we hope to see them soon. The weather is at
this time exceedingly fine.
Two days later; — We received, last evening, copies of the Guardian,
dated December 30, 1863, in which we see that "the Twenty-seventh
were all taken prisoners, and that Colonel Lake was killed." This was
the first news that had reached us, that we were captives and certainly
the first intimation that your humble ser\ant had received of his de-
cease. This news caused me instinctively to feel of mvself, to see if I
was really here, and to wonder what kind of a spiritual being it was
that had devoured the fat turkeys and chickens, that were so plentiful
on our march from this town to Clifton and back to Bethel, commenc-
ing on the thirty-first day of December, 1862, at 9 o'clock P. M., and
lasting eight days. I had perceived no change in my peregrinations,
in the appetite or physical condition of the Twenty-seventh, and so I
came to the conclusion that the statement in the Guardian was a hoax.
\ large number of letters received by the members of the regiment from
home were addressed to persons whom the writers believed to be either
prisoners of war, or perhaps, dead. Some wrote that they had heard
that we went into the fight at Holly Springs, with all the regiment but
two companies, and that the whole were killed or wounded. Others
had heard that we broke and ran for the woods, but were shot and cap-
tured. If all my letters to you have been received, you are aware ere
this, that at the time of the fight we were sixteen miles from that place,
and that the ne.\t day we inarched into and occupied Holly Springs,
from which the rebels had decamped after capturing about two thou-
sand prisoners, and destroying more than two million dollars worth of
property. That the only one of our regiment captured was S. M.
Langwoithy, quartermaster, who had resigned, and was on his way
home.
But while such is the truth, in regard to the safety of the regiment,
I regret that there has been so much suft'ering on the part of the friends
of our brave boys. I am satisfied, from what I have seen of the
Twenty-seventh, that they will do their duty when we get into a fight.
We have been several times where we expected an attack every mo-
ment, but none of them flinched, or tried to evade the conflict.
Jed Lake.
LETTER NO. CI.
[E.^
L.xtracts from private letters from Lieutenant Samp-
son of the Ninth Iowa.]
Yazoo Valley, December 31, 1862.
1 had a chance to write a few lines in a letter which was unfinished
yesterday, and which I sent forward. Several days have passed of
which I have given no account. We landed Thursday night at a point
near where we now are. Left our wagons, and on Friday morning em-
barked again and moved up the river to a point where we again landed,
and then we kept moving about until Sunday morning. Our division
engaged the enemy near a high bluff, while another division engaged
them near svhere we now lie. Sunday night we again moved down to
assist the division here, and Monday were in some sharp engagements
endeavoring to gain the heights, but, in every effort, were unsuccessful.
The Ninth was most of the time in the reserve supporting a battery
until Monday P. M., when we were thrown forward to save our brigade
from a defeat. We advanced into a very dangerous position, but most
miraculously escaped a terrible slaughter. Six of our men were
wounded and two others have not been heard from. Not a man from
company C was hurt. Monday night we lay out upon the field with-
out shelter or fire. It rained very hard all night and we were com-
pletely drenched. Yesterday morning we returned to a distant part of
the field to get dried and tested. We are to move again this afternoon.
Captain Wright is well, and conducted himself nobly while in .iction.
While some of the companies were thrown somewhat into confusion
company C was in good order, with Captain Wright and Lieutenant
Little at their posts. General Thayer gave the regiment praise for their
conduct. The Ninth is respected everywhere. I can give no opinion of
the prospect of success or defeat in this siege. We have, as yet, gained
but little. The enemy occupy the heights in plain sight of us — can see
them moving from where I am now sitting.
On Board Steamer John Rae, January 3, 1863.
We are once more landed, or rather lying, at Milliken's Bend. Our
expedition up the Yazoo seems to have been an entire failure. Yester-
day morning all the transports were loaded, the troops put on board,
and we moved out of the Yazoo. We have had no fighting since I last
wrote, but have had some grand preparations for fights. Since yester-
day afternoon it has rained almost constantly, and the men have suffered
very much, as they are so crowded as not to be able to get shelter.
While writing I see quite a number of the fleet moving out again, and
probably we shall move soon. The movement seems to be up the
river. I do not know where we shall go, and what will be the next
move I cannot now conjecture. Every one seems to be discouraged.
This has been a very hard expedition, and every one seems to be worn
out. Lieutenant Little is quite unwell, and a large number of the men
are sick. Colonel Coyl received news to-day that General Vandever
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
i8i
had left St. Louis to take conim.nnd of his brignde. He will not find
his old brigade, and will not probably take command of it, for he is in
General Curtis' corps, while we are in General Grant's. We should
like our old colonel to command our brigade, but we have in General
Thayer an excellent commander. Colonel Vandevcr having been con-
firmed as a brigadier general, there will be vacancies in our regiment to
be filled.
Sunday Morning. — I am well this morning and in good spirits. We
were ordered to move off and camp this morning, but the order is
countermanded, though we shall probably move soon — up the river no
doubt. Remember we are now in (ieneral Grant's corps. Third brig-
ade. Fourth division, right wing. Thirteenth army corps.
LETTER NO. CIL
[Extract from a letter written by C. H. L., correspon-
dent of the Guardian with the Twenty-seventh regiment,
under date of December 26, 1862.]
Since I wrote last company C has had cause to mourn. One of its
best men, and one of the truest soldiers in the army has died. William
H. Leuder is no more. He died Tuesday, of typhoid fever, after a sick-
ness of but a few days. His loss is deeply felt by the company and by
all with whom he was accjuainted. He was buried with military honors,
his own company, and soldiers from others, following his remains to the
grave. Our excellent chaplain, m an unostentatious way, made a brief
but feeling discourse at the grave, and offered a prayer. We then re-
turned to camp, Iea\ing William, the noble-hearted, resting in his war-
rior giaTe, on the mound shaded by the old oak and chestnut trees.
"Soldier rest, thy warfare's o'er."
LETTER NO. cm.
[Captain Wright's account of the capture of Arkansas
Post.]
Thursday, January 8, 1863.
This morning we find ourselves at the mouth of White river. Most
of the fleet is here, and preparations are being made to do something
somewhere. It is rumored we are going up White river to attack
.Arkansas Post, a place about twenty-five miles up the river. Our
breakfast consisted of half a hard cracker and a cup of coffee. As luck
would have it, it rained hard enough to soak our crackers and cool our
coffee. It is a gloomy day. What makes it more sad, we have two
men lying in the boat, dead. They both belonged to the Iowa Fourth,
which is on the boat with us. 1 hey will be buried in the woods far
away from civilization. Others will soon follow. The expedition to
the Yazoo has been very hard upon our men. I believe had we re-
mained there a week longer one-half of our men would have died. I
never saw men sicken so fast in my life. Two drinks of the water
would produce dysentary in six hours.
We are ordered to get ready with five days rations, two days cooked,
in our haversacks. January 9th. — After breakfast the boats begin to
steam up, and at g o'clock we steam up the river. We soon reach
the Arkansas Cut Off, where the White debouches into the .Arkansas.
Here General Gorman overtakes us in the little steamer Era with a
part of the Dubu(;[ue battery from Helena. His fleet joins us in this
expedition.
It is some consolation to our worn and weary soldiers to know they
are not forgotten by the good women of Iowa. Mrs. Whittemyer, the
sanitary agent of Iowa, came down yesterday with a boat-load of good
things — butter, egg.s, sauerkraut, wines, jellies, etc. They were dis-
tributed to-day among the different regiments. Mrs. Whittemyer is
considered the solders' angel by the Iowa boys.
January loth. — We awake this morning at the sound of the signal.
The atmosphere is clear and beautiful. After breakfast the debarka-
tion commences, and by 9 o'clock the troops are all landed and
formed in line of battle. We formed in an open field and marched up
the bank of the river. Six gun-boats move slowly up the stream shell-
ing the timber in our front.
We are soon in sight of the enemy's line of battle, and can distinctly
see them placing their batteries in position on the bank of the river
above us. As we file by. General Vandever, who with uncovered head
salutes, tells us to put our trust in God — that our cause is just — which
receives a hearty response from the Nmlh. We move from the river
through a cypress swamp, to get in the rear of the enemy's fortifica-
tions. If we. were not accustomed to wade through mud and water up
to our middle, we might find some fault, but as it is we have learned
to endure all, like good soldiers. The conflict thus far to-day has
been principally between the gun-boats and the enemy's batteries.
Our left wing has succeeded in turning the enemy's right, and captur-
ing their second entrenched works. We are ordered back to the river
to its support.
Three deserters have just come in and report the enemy ten thousand
strong, and expecting a reenforcement of double that number to-night.
We shall probably know the truth as to this by to-morrow night. We
wade back through the swamp to our starting point, and stack arms.
Every man now lakes his supper of hard crackers and coffee. John
Brown makes the coffee for our mess to-night and stirs it up with a
rail. Everything on this expedition is done — not by rail, but by rails.
Steam for the boats of our fleet, cooking for twenty-five thousand
men, and even the beds of the soldiers are made with rails. Of course
we sleep on the soft side of them. Jesse Barnett, of mess number two,
is stewmg a couple of chickens, and just as they were almost half
cooked the signal is given to fall in. I had just got a little of the soup
in my cup and its delicious aroma had filled my brain with pleasing
anticipations oi the coming treat, but the soup was too hot to drink
and the chicken too tough to eat. You can easily imagine that a state
of acute rebellion existed in the stomach of each member of mess num-
ber two. We threw away the soup, snatched a leg out of the pan and
munched as we marched.
After dark — 7 o'clock. — Cannonading between the gun-boats and
batteries makes music for us as we go marching on. The scene is ter-
ribly grand. Shells are bursting in the air on all sides of us. One
shell took oft the leg of a lieutenant in the One Hundred and Eigh-
teenth Illinois, and wounded several others. Another burst in one of
the gun-boats and killed thirteen. The night is clear and starlight.
We are soon at the point where the enemy's first battery was stationed
early in the evening. It was placed on a high bank at the bend of the
river, and commanded it for nearly a mile. From this point the scene
IS sublime — beautiful beyond description. Lying in the river is the
fleet with their signal lights of various colors, mingling their different
hues with the reflection of the beautiful bright stars in the water, while
a shell would pass like a fiery meteor through the air, leaving a line of
splendor in the water and forming one of the grandest sights the eye
ever beheld.
The night is spent in marching and countermarching through the
swamps, seeking a position in the rear of the enemy's forts. I never
have seen our men so completely tired out. At every halt they would
drop down on the cold, wet ground, and almost instantly were asleep.
1 hope we may not pass through many such scenes.
January nth. 4 A. M. — We march into and take possession of the
enemy's log barracks, they having left a few hours before, leaving their
tents, cooking utensils, provisions, consisting of corn meal, fresh pork
and beef, and in fact, everything. In one building were left some three
hundred sabres, large Texan knives, shot-guns, etc. Quite a num-
ber of their sick were also left behind, showing a complete stampede.
We captured only about eighty prisoners, the rest are safe inside of
their principal fortifications. Preparations are made to storm them.
While we are getting in position again the big guns of the enemy are
throwing shot and shell among us. The first shell passed over our heads
striking the ground a few rods in our rear, showing that they have got
our range pretty accurate. We were then ordered in the rear of the
log barracks, and here we are flat on the ground, while the shells are
passing over our heads continually. Our heavy batteries are just com-
ing up. It has taken them all night and up to the present, 10 o'clock
A. M., to reach here, and has delayed the bombardment and given
most of the fun to the enemy. Squads are deserting from the rebels
and giving themselves up— six of them have just passed to the rear.
.As soon as our batteries are ready the ball will open in earnest.
Twenty-five thousand men with fixed bayonets are ready for the charge.
Twelve o'clock, M. — We are ordered forward in support of the First
Iowa battery. The Fourth and .Ninth take the right, and the Thirtieth
and Twenty-fifth the left. The battery is in position, and then such
a roar of cannonading and musketry commenced as was enough to
strike terror to the bravest. As the firing began at all points, cheer
after cheer passed from one brigade to another. Amid the terrible fire
of the rebel batteries, our columns still pressed forward, while our men
were falling on all sides. Just as we formed our line of battle, a shell
came whizzing over our heads, making our men dodge like a lot of
young ducks. A moment after, as we were attempting a movement
by the right flank to get out of the direct range, another came close to
our heads, killing General Thayer's horse. The general had just dis-
mounted to lead us through the fallen timber. The same shell killed a
man who was standing at the head of the wheel-horse of one of the
caissons, and wounded several others. This was within five paces of
company C, which passed the point of the disaster a few moments af-
l82
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
tor the shell burst. But, heedless of the death and carnage around us,
we pressed forward. A little further on, we began to meet our poor
wounded comrades, who had preceded us ; and, although many of
them were severely wounded, they would exclaim as we passed; " Go
in, boys, and give them h— 1 1"
Three o'clock.— A slight cessation for a tmie, but the firing is soon
resumed. The conflict is terrible. Minie balls and shells are flying all
around us. A shell passed through a little sapling just over my head,
while I stood with my hand holding it— rather a close call. I then
stepped a few paces to where the company was lying under a low
bank, in the rear of the battery, when a Minie ball, like a bee hum-
ming close to my ear, passed on its de.ath errand. I dodged, and was
not long in getting on my knees.
In the midst of the conflict. General Thayer rode up to Colonel
Coyl and said: "Keep out of sight, and wait for orders." One of his
aids comphmented the Ninth and the Iowa troops generally very high-
ly. Soon after. General Steele, the commander of our division, came
dashing up, saying the decisive hour had come, the fort on the river
bank had been silenced. A charge was ordered to be made on the
right, to complete the victory. Every man was in his place and anx-
iously waiting the order to charge. While thus waiting our time, a
cheer burst from our left, and was soon echoed from regiment to regi-
ment until the woods rang with one glad shout for luiles around. Soon
the order to cease firing came along the whole line, and stillness
reigned where so lately thundered all the harsh sounds of battle. Af-
ter five hours' hard fighting on the second day, the .rebels surrendered
unconditionally. We were all ordered to advance, but under far dif-
ferent circumstances from what we had expected. We were marched
within the fortifications with the stars and stripes, the ensign of liberty,
waving over us. We took possession of the fort at the setting of the
sun on this beautiful Sabbath evening.
Although we gained a great victory, we have to regret the loss of
many of our brave boys. Our loss in killed and wounded is about
one thousand. The enemy's loss in killed equals ours, although they
were behind their breastworks. The loss in the Ninth is light — a few
wounded, none killed. Company C, I am glad to say, is all right —
not a man of the company left the field. Every man kept his place
and did his duty. We took five thousand prisoners, six thousand
stand of arms, all their camp equipage, provisions, batteries, mules,
wagons— in fact, everything they had, to the value of nearly a million
of dollars. I talked with many of them, who appear heartily sick of
the war, some even saying they were glad they were taken prisoners.
The gun-boats seemed a great curiosity to seme of them, as well as a
great terror. We are still in the enemy's quarters.
May God comfort the mothers and widows of our noble and lament-
ed dead, and soon crown us with a final victory that shall give peace
to the country.
LETTER NO. CIV.
[A little light thrown upon the Holly Springs disaster.]
Memphis, Tennessee, January i, 1863.
Friend Rich; — 'Your numerous readers have doubtless heard ere
this, some of the details of the rebel foray on Holly Springs, which re-
sulted so disastrously to the Union forces stationed at that point. It
was, perhaps, the most complete surprise that has occurred during the
war, and strikingly illustrates the beauty of that policy which confides
the management of so important a position to unskilful and incompetent
ofiicers. That the force stationed here was by far too small, no one
acquainted with the facts will deny. But had they been properly dis-
posed, and on their guard, the memorable rout and panic of Friday,
December i8th ultimo, would never have taken place. By some strange
delusion, those who would have been on the alert, and actuated by a
consciousness that they were in an enemy's country, liable at any mo-
ment to attack, were lulled into a feeling of security, and allowed the
foe to steal quietly upon them. The thunder of his guns, pealing in
the gray morning twilight, and shouts of affrighted fugitives with pur-
suing horsemen, was the first intimation we had of his .approach.
Colonel Murphy, the same man who exhibited so craven a spirit at
Mumfordsville, Kentucky, was in command of our forces, consisting
of part of two regiments of infantry, and the Second Illinois cavalry
No infantry pickets were stationed on the roads, and the citizens of the
adjacent country were permitted to come and go as they pleased. The
energetic colonel, in the meantime, with an eye to business that
promised personal emolument, plunged deeply into the cotton specula-
tion, and succeeded, after much labor, expense and anxiety, in piling
mountains of bales near the depot, which the rebels have now kindly
burned for him. I know that it has been reported in the papers that
cavalry pickets have been placed on two of the main roads, at a dis-
tance of three miles from the city; and that the rebels succeeded in
getting between them without being discovered. Credulous as many
of the good people of the north are, I hardly think that they will be
found weak enough to believe this story. The attacking party came in
on the main road from the east, and were not discovered until they
arrived at the depot buildings. I assert, on good authority, that we
had no pickets out whatever, while the troops in the city, instead of be-
ing detained in the camps, were permitted to quarter where they
pleased, and being scattered in all directions, it was impossible to bring
them together so as to offer a fair show of resistance. The men fought
singly, or in squads; and amid the shooting, yelling and excitement,
with a mass of desperate cavalry charging them on the front, rear and
either flank, grew suddenly panic-stricken, and, throwing down their
guns, quietly surrendered, or, as in the case of your whilom correspon-
dent, took with mighty valor to their heels. I believe there are circum-
stances in which a m.an is perfectly justifiable in running, and perh.aps
I can not better illustrate this position than by relating my own ex-
perience in the recent affair at Holly Springs.
By the mutation of time and circumstances, I had been ordered from
La Grange and instructed to report at Holly Springs. Here medical
director Wirtz was fitting up a hospit.al on a grand scale, which was in-
tended to accommodate all of the sick of Grant's division, and I was
placed temporarily in charge of the stores which had just arrived from
the north in vast quantities. We had got everything arranged in tip-
top order, the dispensary fitted up, the wards arranged, the bedding dis-
tributed, and were ready to receive patients on the morrow. The
morrow came, and so did "Van Dorn's ragmuffins, who pitched in with-
out ceremony, not even thanking us for placing them so handy. As
has been before stated, the attack was made at daybreak, and the hos-
pital, which is in the armory building, being near the depot had to sus-
tain the first charge. I was in bed and asleep, when, all at once, there
rose so wild a yell, that dreams were put to flight, and springing to the
window, I soon ascertained the cause of the rumpus. All over the
railroad track and around the station house, wild steeds, with wilder
riders, were galloping, while the cracking of fire-arms came thicker and
faster. At this moment, our colored boy, Jim, rushed into the room,
saying; ''Run, cut, massa! de secesh is on us." And away he went
through the window, and across the square, in a direction opposite to
t'.ie station house, which seemed to be the point of attack. I had not
much time for reflection, for the rebels were already swarming
around the building, so, grabbing my boots, I proceeded to follow
the darkey, \yho, by this tim^, had half a mile the start. About eighty
rods from the armory was a ravine filled with bushes, and, if 1 could
only reach this undiscovered, I was safe. I always had a holy horror
of being taken prisoner; didn't like the idea at all, of being paroled
and lying for months in the barracks at St. Louis. Feeling thus, I put
the running capacity which 1 had cultivated on the old race-track, at
Independence, while drilling with company E, to the best possible use.
I had nearly reached the friendly ravine, and was resolving in my mind
the practiciibility of making another advance in my toilet, by stopping
long enough to pull on my boots, when "Halt, halt!" was yelled out
behind, and, at the same time, pistol shots whizzed past in close prox-
imity to my head. I ran before; I flew now, and soon reached the
desired haven, where I found no less than fifty darkies, who, like my-
self, had decided to evacuate. I finally reached the La Grange road
just in time to catch a splendid horse, whose rider had probably been
shot. Mounting into the saddle, and bidding defiance to the butter-
nuts, I rode into the woods. . . . J. C. R.
LETTER NO. CV.
Camp Reed, near Jacicson, Tennessee, January 21, 1863.
Friend Rich: — We are yet in camp here. Since my last, there has
been nothing to cheer us; even that "greater light " made to rule the
day, has refused its presence in unclouded splendor, but has kept its
cheering rays shrouded in deepest gloom. . . . We are doing
nothing to expedite the war, as I can observe. The most we do is to
guard each other — sometimes a little secesh, and occasionally go on
foraging expeditions. We can live here, if we don't die, but I am
frank to say I would like to move, and from all I can see, from which
it is proper to judge, I think we shall move shortly. The breastworks
of cotton, at Jackson, are being torn up and shipped, and soldiers are
leaving by almost every train. The opinion prevails in camp, that
Jackson is to be evacuated, and that this whole country hereabouts is
to be abandoned. There would be many exultant hearts if such should
be the case. We want to be, though but a handful of men, in that
grand army that shall move irresistably forward to shatter the defences
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
183
of the Gibraltar of the west. We are anxious to be present at the
grand battle soon to be fought at Vicksburgh, and, from present indi-
cations, our wishes may be gratified. The place, which, if taken,
would, so says Jeff Davis, sever in twain the Confederacy, and for
which they must all fight as the last hope of deliverance, must be torn
from rebel clutches. . . . The boys are all as well as could
be expected under the circumstances. Captain Miller, of company H,
has the rheumatism so badly as to be unfit for duty. Captain Noble,
of company C, has been unwell, and Lieutenant Sill is quite unwell
now. I hope my next may be written under a brighter sky, and with a
better prospect of doing something. C. H. L.
LETTER NO. CVI.
[The following letter was doubtless written by one of
the officers of the Twenty-seventh regiment, but for rea-
sons which will be obvious upon a perusal of its vigorous
arraignment of those in authority, was at the time pub-
lished without a signature. — E. P.]
Hi!:Anv>L.ARTiiRs Twenty-seventh Iowa, Camp Reed, \
NEAR Jackson, Tennessee. February 3, 1863. j
Friend Rich :— There has just been sent to these headquarters an
order of which the following is a copy:
"Headquarters Second Brigade, District of Jackson. )
Tennessee, Camf Reed, February 3, 1863. j
"Spvtiai Order No. 7.
"The commanding officer of the One Hundred and Third regiment.
Illinois volunteer infantry, and the commanding officer of the Twenty-
seventh regiment. Iowa volunteer infantry, v>'\\\ forthwith make a detail
of ten men fiom each of their respective regiments to make rails and
rebuild the fence south of their encampment, and owned by Mr. Park-
man, which has been destroyed since the encampment of these regi-
ments in their present locality.
" This detail will be made as far as possibit- from those who destroyed
said fence, if they can be ascertained; if not, from the different com-
panies equally.
" By command of
"C. L. Dunham,
"Colonel commanding brigade.
"To Colonel James J. Gilbert.
"Commanding Twenty-seventh regiment, Iowa volunteers.
"John R. Simpson,
"Acting Assistant Adjutant General."
The italics are as in the original. This order involves the splitting of
about three hundred rails by the two regiments, and the building of
some forty panels of fence. The labor is nothing, but the principle is
what grinds. The facts are these; Our brigade moved out to this
camping ground January 13th, and after moving and putting up our
tents and clearing the ground, it was near night. During the night it
commenced to rain and rained twenty-four hours, when the rain turned
to snow, audit snowed twenty-four hours, making in all forty-eight
hours of storm. After the storm it came off very cold. During this
time the regiments used about three hundred rails. We were encamped
in the woods and had nothing but green wood to burn, and had to
make our fires and cook out of doors. Nothing has been said by Cyms
L. Dunham, of the Fiftieth Indiana, who was and is in command of the
brigade, until to-day, when we received the foregoing order. What
enviable notoriety the aforesaid colonel thinks to gain by such a course,
is hard to imagine. What rule of warfare, or order, or reason, author-
izes him to issue the same, is more than I am able to tell. It would
have been much more to his credit, and at the same lime raised him in
the estimation of the soldiers, if. during that storm, he had sent a man
to appraise the fence and other rails in the vicinity, and receipted for
them, and had them hauled to the regiments and used for fire.
Another thing would add immortality to his fame, if, having the
power, he would exercise it by taking from the rebels and traitors in
this vicinity some of their fat cattle and hogs for the use of his men,
who are compelled to live on tainted meat. Here we are, in the heart
of rebeldom, where there is plenty of everything necessary to the health
and comfort of the men, and yet they are often furnished with rations
unfit for use. It was a maxim with Napoleon, and with all good gen-
erals, that the soldier was to be well fed and well clothed. But in these
latter times a general in the field, or a colonel commanding a brigade,
in violation of the letter and spirit of the laws of Congress, and the
general orders from the War Department, compel their soldiers to live
on food unfit for dogs, while they guard the stores of their enemies;
and to cut gieen wood, even during inclement storms, to cook this said
meat with. And the aforesaid colonel, or general, or both, live in fine
houses, with servants to wait upon them , and receive presents from the
rebels in and about this place, for which we give them protection.
This is the reason we are so long in putting down this rebellion. If
it had been, or was now, the policy of the generals in the field to use
every means in their power to hunt the rebels, and in an authoritative
manner take whatever there is in this country to subsist our armies
upon, and then keep them moving in the direction of the enemy, it
would be far better for our cause, and much more to the injury of the
southern confederacy.
Our trip into Mississippi demonstrated the fact that the people of the
south, where they have not been overrun by the enemy, have enough to
live upon. Twenty thousand men in a body could, by using due pre-
cautions, subsist upon the rebels, and move from Corinth to Mobile.
By such a course we could destroy the communications
between the rebels in the east and in the west; and with thirty thousand
men in the rear, and our ships of war in front, we might capture the
rebel stronghold in a short time. This would hurt the rebellion in more
ways than one, and would at the same time give heart and vigor to our
men. As it is, men and officers are disgusled and discouraged with
the inactivity that we are now undergoing. They came here with the
hope of doing something to put down the rebellion. They want to be
set to work to crush it out. They want to do it now, and return to
their homes, their families, and their avocations.
But we are apt to think that splitting rails to repair secesh fences,
living on spoiled pork in a country that abounds in plenty of good
cattle and hogs, lying inactive in malarial camps until more fall by dis-
ease than on the battlefield, is not quite the treatment that patriots had
a right to expect.
LETTER NO. CVH.
Camp Reed, February 4, 1863.
Friend Rich :— Our rain of two weeks is followed by a cool, pure,
bracing atmosphere ; cool enough to remind us of Iowa winters, but
moderating, under the influence of a southern sun, until we think of
the gentle breezes of a mild April day.
There has been no movement of importance since I wrote you last.
Each day we forage or do picket duty, as routine requires or generals
decide. Five companies of the regiment were yesterday detailed to go
to Henderson Station, a point on the railroad, distant about twelve or
fifteen miles Corinlhward, to act as guard for a forage train. They
took two day's rations, and were under command of Major Howard.
The health of the regiment is improving. There are now about one
hundred and forty on the sick list, and some few at the hospitals in the
city. One hospital is quite comfortable, yet most of the sick remain
in quarters and report to the surgeons for treatment daily. In the city
here there are several hospitals, where the sick are as kindly cared for as
they can be away from home and home friends. T"he large and fine
building, formerly occupied as a female seminary, is now converted in-
to a hospital.
A court martial is being held in Jackson. Lieutenant Colonel Lake
is in attendance. Of the business appertaining to it I have not tried
to learn. It is, however, evidently quite extended, and may result in
good to the army hereabouts. We have lived long enough in this land
of military government, to understand something of the policy pur-
sued by some of our leaders. I have never yet, with but one excep-
tion, indulged in complaint against any one in any way connected with
our army, in any of my communications. But an order which came
to-day, tries my patience, and I must be allowed the privilege of per-
mitting my thoughts to run away with my pen, and tell the simple
story of our wrongs. A week or so ago there was a heavy fall of snow.
There was no dry wood in the vicinity that could be obtained by our
troops. The only chance forgetting it was from some green oak trees
at hand. A neighbor lived hard by and his fence was near our camp.
Our orders were not to get rails from the fence, and the boys say they
did not, but some of the rails have been taken. The owner of these
was one Paikman, whose loyalty I do not call in question ; but it does
seem to me that, if he was a good union man, he would be willing to
sacrifice a few rails for the benefit of the preservers of his property and
his liberties. The order came to-day for our men to take their axes
forthwith and rebuild that fence. The order was received with evident
dissatisfaction by all the officers and men. Colonel Gilbert was sorry
that such an oider was issued, and would have given hundreds of dol-
lars to have saved his men the disgrace of building that fence. Our
regiment to-day is rebuilding the fence, but in a manner satisfactory to
themselves.
Now is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous
i84
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Struggle for liberty? Did the patriots who now fill our armies imagine
that they were to wear their lives away on southern soil for such a pur-
pose as this? Verily they did not. The fact in the case is simply this:
There are too many, vastly too many traitor-like, treason-sympathizing
devils among our leaders. A Murphy at Holly Springs could sleep re-
posedly under the shadow of his cotton bales, though warned of his
danger, until his little force was surprised and taken prisoners. * * *
Later : — The five companies detached to Henderson Station for
the purpose of foraging, have not returned yet. Two of the five have
gone some miles below Henderson to remain there for a few days.
Those at Henderson, as do those below, are enjoying themselves quite
well, Uving well, and being quartered in such receptacles as they have
hastily constructed of loose boards and shingles. Lieutenant Rupee,
of company C, is acting adjutant of the detachment, and reports to
headquarters semi-weekly, on Sundays and Wednesdays. How long
they will remain we do not know. Their tents and camp equipage are
here. Colonel Dunham, commanding the brigade, will, it is hoped,
soon reunite the regiment, that we may again appear on drill and dress-
parade, in all the pomp of days of yore. This morning two other
companies, R and F, were ordered to Jackson for provost guard until
further orders. They struck tents, loaded their baggage and reported
at the provost marshal's office at the court house. It is hoped, by
those who remain in camp, that they will soon return. No doubt they
will like their new duty until the novelty is worn away, and then they
will be anxious to revisit their old comiades. Only three companies
are now left in ramp. H, C, and D. Captain Miller of company H,
has been on the sick list for some time, his complaint being rheuma-
tism. The command of the company devolves on the first lieutenant,
O. Whitney, a good officer, and a long loved friend. Lieutenant Don-
nan is, and has been for some time, at brigade headquarters, as act-
ing aid-de-camp, on acting brigadier Dunham's staff. He is well liked
up there, and appears to be, in turn, well pleased. Orderly Wilcox
met with an accident a few days ago. Being unskilled in the use of
an ax, in attempting to prepare wood for a fire, he struck the ball of
his foot with the ax, injuring it quite senously. Sergeant Smyzer is
acting as orderly for Colonel Dunham. Mr. Woodward of company
H is cooking at brigade headquarters, and G. Fuller of company C is
clerking there. Captain Noble is well, and in the absence of officers,
has been officer of the day for consecutive days. Lieutenant Sill is
quite unwell, and is in the hospital. Lieutenant Hemmenway is
healthy and stirring. Orderly Poor is always on hand to perform his
duties. I would I had room in this sheet for the name of each noble
man of the two companies from your part of the county, and also for
a statement, which if just, would be very creditable to them. •
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. CVIII.
Helena, Arkansas, February 5, 1863.
Friend Rich: — It may be amusing to some of your non-miUtary
readers to note some of the various subterfuges resorted to in the army
to accomplish certain ulterior objects. Among other things it is amus-
ing to watch the by play in sending flags of truce between the opposing
armies. In nine cases out of ten the ostensible business of the flag is
nothing but a subterfuge, the real object being to obtain all the informa-
tion possible concerning the position and movements of the enemy. The
usual fit out of the Confederacy, as they present themselves at our
posts, is, one colonel or major, one captain or lieutenant, and six to ten
enlisted men, all evidently gotten up for the occasion, in uniforms, but
betraying the fit up in the fact that no two of them are uniformed alike.
All are profuse in militaiy buttons, but of different nationalities — Eng-
lish, French, United States. The men areall selected for theirsizeand
military appearance, and this selection usually results in producing
three out of every four Texans, most of them New England bom, en-
terprising, daring, robust fellows, men whose personal acquaintance
you are very apt to make in a fight, before you see any of the sallow,
cadaverous natives of Dixie. All are mounted upon United Slates
horses, captured from us, and ditto for their arms and horse equip-
ments. When in our camp, if allowed to enter, they are treated to the
best the camp affords in eatables and drinkables, everybody being pro-
fuse in apologies about the fare, out of rations just now. elc. Which
statement, coupled with the visible profusion, causes the rank and file
of the Confederacy to stare in blank astonishment, but doubtless the
officers all understand the ruse.
In return for all this, when we are about to send out a flag, a private
order is sent to the different regiments to furnish so many of their larg-
est and finest looking men, mounted on the finest Confederate horses.
A new issue is made of selected uniform clothing, with arms cleaned
and polished to perfection, and it is not uncommon to see captains and
lieutenants in the escort, in the uniform of privates, and perhaps doing
duty as grooms or orderlies. And this often gives the officer in com-
mand a chance for some amusement at their expense, and you may be
sure he exacts prompt attention to their assumed duties. In displays
of this kind we can eclipse the Confederacy. Seeing one of our pri-
vates in full dress usually calls out the mquiry from a native Arkansite,
what rank the uniform betokens. Our friend, Joe Williams being,
questioned in regard to his rank, when in Brownsville on escort duty,
replied, "I expect to be governor of Arkansas soon; but, at present, I
am a high private in squadron B, Fourth Iowa cavalry."
Much is continually being said about the thieving propensities of the
soldiers, and most of it is true, for it could not well be overstated. The
fact is, one thief will set a whole regiment to stealing. It begins in
this way: one man steals some of the articles belonging to a soldier's
outfit, the second man retaliates by picking up the first article of the
kind which he finds " lying around loose;" and •s.o ad infinitum, until
nothing is safe unless your hand is upon it. But still it is true that the
morals of some regiments is much below that of some others. While
brigaded with and camped alongside the Ninth Iowa, property of all
kinds was unmolested, but the moment the Thirty-fourth Indiana came
into our brigade everything disappeared as if by magic.
The Thirteenth Illinois and Fourth Iowa infantry stand preeminent
in feats of purloining, and which of the companies really excelled the
others was an open question until a circumstance which occurred a few
weeks smce decided the contest in favor of the former. Both regiments
lost each a man by death in one night. In the morning a squad of
men was detailed in each regiment to dig a grave for their comrade.
The detail from the Fourth were first on the ground, and that from the
Thirteenth approaching and seeing the work of their neighbors pro-
gressing satisfactorily, quietly withdrew until the grave was completed,
and then, wisely timing their operations, they brought the body from
the Thirteenth, buried it, and retired. Judge the amazement and dis-
comfiture of the rightful proprietors of the grave when they arrived
soon after, to find "love's labor lost." This is a tough story, but it
actually occurred.
Did space permit I might relate many characteristic doings, varying
from the most piquant and harmless wit, to another class of questiona-
ble propriety, not to say downright impiety and blasphemy. But as I
am afraid the reputation of the army as a whole would not gain by
these revelations, I. refrain, and subscribe myself, as ever.
Yours truly, George B. Parsons.
LETTER NO. CIX.
Headquarters Twenty-seventh Regt. Iowa Vols., )
Camp Reed, Jackson, Tenn., February 10, 1863. j
Friend Rich: — You will perceive that the Twenty-seventh is still in
the vicinity of Jackson, a yery snug little town in a peaceful time, but
at present presenting a rather dilapidated appearance in many respects.
The streets are not in a very good condition, as they have been cut up
for the purpose of entrenching and barricading against sudden surprise.
There are long lines of breastworks built entirely of cotton bales, which
encumber and destroy the beauty of the walks and grounds. We don't
seem now to be threatened with attack by any large force at this place,
therefore we employ ourselves, most of the time, in getting in Jeff
Davis' corn crop, and, as it is pretty large, there will be employment
for our brigade for some time to come. I begin to fear that Jeff has
forgotten to publish any proclamation in reference to getting in a new
crop; I hope, therefore, that some of his northern sympathizers will
remind him of this. And let them bear in mind, too, that there will
be a few rails to split, as the fences are in shocking bad condition.
They will find it pretty hard to let a contract, as most of the darkies
went off on a visit about the first of the year and have not yet returned.
Now I would like to give a little advice to a cer-
tain class of people who are just now making a great clamor. They
evidently think that, by scattering the seeds of treason among the sol-
diers, they will get tired and begin to denounce the war; but in this
they will be gloriously mistaken. We enlisted for the war and to whip
the rebels, and will do it or die trying. That pitiful cry of "Peace"
is all a sham. The rebels of the south have more manliness than that.
They don't ask for any peace short of their independence. No, they
must be conquered— whipped, if you like the phrase better— and it
would have been accomplished ere this had it not been for this horde
of northern traitors. . . . The true sentiment of the sol-
dier will soon begin to he transmitted to the north, and you will find
this to be a universal cry — "Conquer, or die." When the rebels come
up and lay down their arms, and deli\er up their leaders, then I say
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
i8s
Peace," and not till then. One or two good victories more and you
will see the planters of Tennessee and northern Mississippi begin to
cry, "Hold, enough." I tell you, Mr. Rich, that the prospect of rais-
ing a crop in this country to feed the citizens alone is out of the ques-
tion entirely for the coming season, let alone the feeding of the rebel
army. This state of things cannot last long. The rebel government
was never in so bad a condition before, and the worse the condition,
the louder the talk. This is why Mr. Foote talks so loud about a sepa-
ration between the west and the New England States, and leaving the
latter out in the cold. Now this looks cruel in him — and then the
States west of the Rocky mountains he gobbles down all at once for
his own benefit. Doesn't it look as though they needed all these States
in order to give them room to spread themselves in ? They have now
scarcely room enough to die in. They see the ground fast sliding from
under them. Mark my words, they are just gone up, but they will die
hard.
Well, we have not had a fight yet, but we are not to blame for this.
Somehow or other we cannot catch the rebels, they always step out at
the back door as the Twenty-seventh goes in at the front. We had the
pleasure of helping to drive Generals Pemberton and Price across the
Tallahatchie, and also of driving General Forrest over the Tennessee
river, both times getting within cannon shot of them. At Parker's
Cross Roads we were a few hours too^ate. These lare some of the rea-
sons why we have not been in a fight. ... I know one lit-
tle company of fifty men that never seemed in better spirits than when
they expected to be attacked every moment by an overwhelming cavalry
force, but they came only within bugle-hearing of us. But enough of
this. I will give my word for it, that the Twenty-seventh will neither
dishonor its flag or its State. The only complaint I have heard of the
Twenty-seventh is that they march too fast for the artillery and cavalry.
This could not be helped under certain circumstances, as, for instance,
when, on our last march, the boys were homeward bound, and had left
three days' rations in their tents. There is nothing to save this south-
ern country from famine. In less than eighteen months, unless they
lay doM n their arms in time to plant this coming season, we of the
north will have to feed them with Yankee corn and pork. A great
many of the planters begin to look at it in rather a serious way — their
last crop is raised until the war closes. J. D. Noble.
Camp of the Fifth Iowa, near Memphis, Ten.vessee, )
February 13, 1863. )
Mk. Editor: — You wished to hear from company E in the absence
of your regular correspondent, and I will try to relieve the monotonv
of camp life, for there is a subject to contemplate at present, of suffi-
cient interest to break the spell which seems to charm the soldier into
listlessness and inaction in his tent, while off duty.
Yes, there are many grave and important subjects to contemplate,
the consideration of which is due to the soldiers in the field and in the
camp, as well as to the statesman in the halls of Congress. He who
has left home, friends and connections, and exchanged all for the
tented field, to fight the battles of his country, should have an expres-
sion in the great questions now agitating, I might say convulsing, the
nation.
I believe, with few exceptions, the army is satisfied that no better
system can be inaugurated for conducting the war than the present;
and I believe also that if appropriations for that purpose were judi-
ciously expended, and the armies propeily officered and wisely ap-
pointed and managed, the question in regard to our national existence
would soon be settled. Mistakes have been made, but notwithstanding,
our armies have been crowned with many signal victories, and I believe
before many months pass our old flag, the original stars and stripes,
will again float to the breeze, all over our broad land.
At present I think we have more to fear from the enemies of the
Government in our rear than from those in our front. Those in our
rear, called by the soldiers "northern Tory Democrats," who seem to
be doing all they can to embarrass the administration and give success
to the rebellion, will eventually receive their reward with the common
traitors of our country. The soldiers often express themselves in bitter
terms, and how could it be otherwise, against the traitors at home, and
say the whole nation shall be renovated, as they can see no distinction
between traitors north and traitors south; and they feel that they could
willingly sacrifice all, their lives if need be, to know that they were be-
queathing to their children a country free from the foul stain of trea-
son, secession and slavery. Yes, the old flag shall again wave, though
torn and tarnished in many a battlefield, and nations yet unborn will
honor the starry ensign of the American Union.
The prospect of the return of our much beloved and esteemed friend.
Lieutenant A. B. Lewis, has occasioned no little pleasure throughout
the entire company. We have, from our first acquaintance, held him
in high regard, but more especially since the battle of luka. Lieuten-
j ant Lewis will be remembered and honored for his gallant conduct on
that memorable day, and though we have feared that the wound there
received would prove fatal, thank God we are to be agreeably disap-
pointed; and. if nothing transpires more than we know of now, in two
or three weeks he will be again in command of the heroic little band
that stood by him so nobly on that fearful but triumphant battlefield.
The name of the gallant Fifth Iowa is heralded far and wide for its
heroism at luka. May other stars be added to the galaxy which she
may emblazon upon her flag.
Our worthy captain, D, S. Lee, Lieutenant White, with all the boys
in that engagement, gained immortal honor; but John Towie, a private,
gained a hero's grave. May his memory be cherished by all. The
general health of company E is good. Our camp is three miles south-
east of Memphis, where we are awaiting orders to move down the river
to Vicksburgh. The paymaster has arrived to-day.
George B. Sitler.
LETTER NO. CX.
Washington's Birthday, Camp Reed, 1863.
[A pertinent address to the Twenty-seventh, which
does infinite honor to all concerned in its preparation
and delivery.]
Friend Rich: — . . . This is the anniversary of the birth
of Washington. The troops of the district of Jackson were paraded
under arms at ri o'clock A. M., and the following extract from the fare-
well address of the father of his country was read :
"To the efficiency and permanency of your Union a government for
the whole is indispensable. No aUiance, however strict, between the
parts can be an adequate substitute. They must inevitably experience
the infractions and interruptions which alliances in all times have ex-
perienced. Sensible of this momentous truth, you have improved upon
your first essay, by the adoption of a constitution of government, bet-
ter calculated than your former for an intimate union, and for the effi-
cacious management of your common concerns. This government,
the offspring of your own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted
upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free in its
principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting security with en-
ergy, and containing within itself provision for its own amendment, has
a just claim to your confidence and support. Respect for its authority,
compliance with its laws, acquaintance in its measures, are duties en-
joined by the fundamental maxims of liberty. The basis of our polit-
ical system is the right of the people to make and alter their constitu-
tions of government; but the constitution which at any time exists,
until changed by an explicit and authentic act of tlje whole people, is
sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right
of the people to establish government, presupposes the duty of every
individual to obey the established government."
-At T2 o'clock M., a national salute of thirty-four guns was fired.
This brigade was reviewed by Colonel C. L. Dunham, of the Fifth In-
diana, at I o'clock p. m., and thus closed the animating exercises of
the anniversary of the great and good Washington.
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. CXI.
Camp Reed, [ackson, Tenne.ssee, February 27, 1863.
Friend Rich: Your most welcome Guardian of Febru.ary nth
reached us last evening, and, in looking over its well-filled columns, my
eye very naturally fell upon an article wTitten as correspondence from
our regiment, headed as follows:
"Headquarters Twenty-seventh Iowa Regiment, 1
J-i^cKSON, Tenne.ssee, February 7, 1863. 1
"Friend Rich: There has just been received at these headquar-
ters an order — "
He quotes the order, which is in regard to splitting some rails, and
then makes some astonishing remarks and assertions relative to Colo-
C. L. Dunham commanding the brigade. Now I have not troubled you
with a line since we left home; but there are a few statements in that
article which ought not to remain before the minds of our home friends
unreplied to and uncontradicted. The anonymous correspondent,
after referring to the rain and snow storm of January r4th and 15th,
(and I fully appreciated it, for with some fifty others I faced the very
worst of it neariy two miles just after daylight, without either supper
or breakfast) makes the following impudent and untruthful assertion:
"Nothing has been s.aid bv Colonel Cvrus Dunham, of the Fiftieth
1 86
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Indiana, who was in command of this brigade, until to-day, when we
received the foregoing order." Now this brigade was organized Janu-
ary ii, 1863, and on the very day that the regiments moved to this
camp, was issued general order number three, the first and fourth par-
agraphs of which are as follows:
"IT IS HEREBY OKDERED,
"First, That the commandants of regiments see that the officers and
men of their respective commands do not enter private dwellings or
yards, or in any way interfere with private property of any kind, either
while in camp or on the march.
Fourth, The commandants of regiments will be held strictly respon-
sible for the enforcement of this order.
By command of
C. L. Dlnii.\m," etc.
Previous to any trouble on account of interference with private
property, this order, dated January 12th was received at our headquar-
ters, and every order is read on dress-parade, so all must have known
that taking any private property witliout authority was e.xpressly for-
bidden, and no permission in this case was asked. Besides, oak wood
was then in abundance within five rods of our tents, and although
green, was precisely the same kind which the commander then and
ever since has burnt, though without "rails." Some of the field offi-
cers of the other regiments were sick, and kindly cared for at the house
of this Parkman, and their horses were under the shelter of his barn
at the time. He may be "secesh, " — I know not, nor care, for my
present purpose. Only this 1 know: he has permits from Generals
Sullivan and Grant to pass our lines, and has also a safeguard for his
property from the commander of this post. It is thus that we disre-
garded positive orders, and were liable for disobedience. These are
positive facts, and, must, so far as the orders are concerned, have been
known to the writer of that article, who surely can be no officer who
e.xpects his own orders to be respected aud obeyed, or he would not
thus purposely place before the men his own utter disregard for disci-
pline and disrespect for his superior officers.
But it is doubted by this writer "what rule of warfare, or order, or
reason " authorizes such a course. Did he not know that general order
number si.x from district headquarters forbid all taking of private
property without proper written authority ? that General Grant has
issued the same in department general order number fifty-six ? that
the same is in order number one hundred and seven from the War De-
partment, based upon the fifty-second article of war? that the colonel
commanding was responsible for the enforcement of these orders?
Must he not also liave known that the brigade was but just organized,
and if allowed to transgress orders with impunity it would greatly in-
crease the difficulty of enforcing afterwards? We all know that disci-
pline is the nerve of the army; without it, we have no power, no
success. . . . Any one who knows me will readily concede
that no li\ing man can well go beyond me in a readiness to injure the
rebels to the furthest possible extent, in any way authorized by military
usage. I would take their horses, cattle and hogs, fat or lean, "rails"
or "niggers," anything that would be of use to us for our comfort,
advantage or protection, or to weaken the treasonable foe; but let it
be properly taken and distributed.
But to cap the climax, the nameless writer presents our commanding
officer to your readers (our old friends are interested to some extent in
everything that interests us) as a person having no higher regard for
his duty, manhood and honor, than to be capable of granting protec-
tion to "secesh" on account of a bribe received from a traitor ! Prob-
ably no man, except the aforesaid writer, would sooner level a man
who dared approach him in that way than this said Colonel Dunham.
It will hardly do for the writer of that article, who has yet to be tried
by war's stern discipline, and of necessity has but little military expe-
rience, to bring such implications and charges against one who, during
eighteen rnonths of hard service, in caring for his own and other regi-
ments in camp, and before the hottest fire of the enemy, has earned
and maintained among all who know him a character and a reputation
as a commanding officer, and as a man, which we may all well strive
to maintain. Surely these charges must have been made in a heated
moment, and a sober second thought would have greatly changed the
tenor of his communication. I have no special regard for Colonel
Dunham, know him only slightly, and more, he is an old Democrat,
and you know I never liked them very well. But, thank God, be is a
fighting Democrat ! Heaven forgive, if possible, the Copperhead:
posterity and history never will.
The article will fall harmless here, and while I desire not to rasp the
feelings of any living person, yet I ain unwilling that our friends
should be led to believe that we are commanded by a miserable.
insignificant, truckling base tool, when we have, in fact, an acting gen-
eral whom we are all proud to follow, and who is everywhere recog-
nized as an excellent officer, a man, and a patriot.
K\er yours,
W. G. DONNAN.
LETTER NO. C.XII.
C.\Mr Reed, Jackson, Te.nnessee, March 17, 1863.
Friend Rich: — ... I think I wrote you in my last
that Colonel James M. True was in command of the post, and also in
command of our brigade. The troops in the vicinity of Jackson are
in an inactive condition. There is but little fighting in the country
hereabouts, the enemy both being wily and cautious. Our duties are
chiefly picketing — the regiment furnishing six commissioned officers,
forty non-commissioned, and one hundred and thirty-five men about
once in three days. This gives us a fine opportunity for drill, which is
being gladly improved. The regiment is in excellent health and spirits,
and with bright prospects for the future. Our last semi-weekly report
of effective men was six hundred and eighteen.
We have lost another man from company H. Joseph Moore died
in the general hospital, at Jackson, two days since. He was a patriot
in the best sense of the word, and a pure, consistent Christian. . .
Disappointed in the appearance of the paymaster, we are consoling
ourselves with the expectation of good news — are looking with eager
expectation for the fall of Vicksburgh, and for the triumph of our cause
in other sections. Beautiful spring weather has set in, the roads are
becoming good, and if there is not a vigorous spring campaign we shall
be both deceived and disheartened. Every patriot is trembling in
eager impatience for a successful termination of this bloody contest
within the next few short months.
LETTER NO. CXIIL
Same, March 23, 1863.
We have had some excitement within the past few
days. You have doubtless been informed ere this time, by telegraph,
that the guerillas, on last Saturday, tore up the track for a short dis-
tance between here and Memphis, designing to capture the paymaster,
who was to pass over the road on that day. But a rail or two were
torn up, and the gtierillas lay in ambush at the cur\'e of the road,
anxiously waiting for the train which was to bring their expected prize.
Fortunately the first train was a wood train, havmg on board a few
negroes as laboreis, and a sufficient force of white men to run it. It
came round the curve and was thrown from the track, when a band of
desperadoes made their appearance, burned a number of the cars and
succeeded in capturing those on board. While engaged at this, the
paymaster's train came in sight. When the turn was made the engin-
eer saw at a glance that there was trouble ahead. Instantly he reversed
the steam. The paymaster, who had on board a large sum of money,
became frightened, and, with a captain, jumped from the train, leaving
his money all on board. The engineer hesitated not a moment, but
ran his engine with all possible dispatch to a place of safety, leaving
Mr. Paymaster and captain in the hands of the guerillas.
It will be a source of pleasure to all to know that our muskets are to
be exchanged for Enfield rifles. Your readers will remember that but
two companies {A and B) were supplied witli rifles when we first started
out. .AH the others had Prussian muskets. There was no little dis-
satisfaction with them when they were furnished to us at Dubuque, and
Colonel Gilbert has availed himself of every opportunity to exchange
the muskets for rifles; and now our -whole regiment is to be armed
with guns, behind which a soldier may stand with some safety, and
before which the enemy will fall. Ancient and modern warfare have
depended to a great extent on the kind and use of weapons. We now
have the right kind, and are being perfected in the use of them in our
daily squad, company and battalion drills. Six hundred effective
lowans, with effective weapons, would, if they imitated the bright ex-
amples of their preceding compatriots, be a wall impregnable to
traitors.
Good news cheers the heart of the loyal man at the north, but it
sends a thrill! of joy through the soldier's heart which is inexpressible.
With what intense interest do we watch our fleet as it winds its way
along under the over-arched, foliage-covered Yazoo Pass. How our
hearts leaped last night with exultation at the news that our iron-clads
had passed Port Hudson, and had reported to our out-posts below
Vicksburgh. But if we are defeated, our devotion will rekindle, and
the smothered fires of liberty will break forth in new and fiercer
flames.
C. H. L.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
187
LETTER NO. CXIV.
Headquarters Twenty-Seventh Regiment Iowa Vol-'j
UNTEER Infantry, >
Camp Reed, Jackson, Tennessee, March 23, 1863. )
Friend Rich; — I clipped the following from the Chicago Tribuue
of the 17th instant:
" Political Movements. — It is said that a caucus of leading Dem-
ocrats was held in the executive chamber on Monday — Governor Sey-
mour in the chair. It is also said that resolutions were adopted in
favor of cutting loose from Fernando Wood & Co., and making the
Democratic party the 'out-and-out' war party of the country. It is
said that Governor Seymour talked warmly in favor of the new platform,
and talked gunpowder and artillery in a manner which cannot fail to
produce reflection at Richmond. It is also said that John Van Buren,
in his late speech in New York, represented the views of Governor
Seymour. — Albany Statesman."
If that rumor is true, and the Democrats of New York will do what
it is rumored the leaders of the party in that State are talking of doing,
they will earn for themselves an enviable reputation.
True, it is now rather late to commence talking about making the
Democratic party the "_out-and-out"' war parly; and this is no time to
talk of any parties, except patriots and traitors; but the old maxim is,
"While the lamp holds out to burn," etc., etc.
What the men now in the held want to see is a united north on the
question of crushing out this rebellion. They care not what name
those take who are for prosecuting this war to a successful termination,
but they want it prosecuted until the rebels cry "hold, enough. "
They want no peace propositions except such as come from the rebels
by their laying down their arms and returning to their usual avoca-
tions. They want no armistice except that which follows a permanent
peace. They have been from home long enough, and are desirous to
return. But they started to accomplish a great object, and have no
idea of returning until their labor is accomplished. Nor have they any
idea of resting quietly on their oars for six months, to afford their op-
ponents a chance to gather new strength and concert new plans for
resistance.
W'ith a united north the army of the Union will, in less than six
months, have so far penetrated into the interior of Rebeldom that to
be an open and avowed secessionist will be very unsafe, even in Missi-
ssippi or Georgia. There is but one sentiment in the army, so far as I
know, and that is: "Down with the rebellion at whatever cost of men
and money."
If Governor Seymour, of New York, means what he is reported to
have said, let him immediately put into the field the thirty-five thou-
sand that that State lacks of her quota of the six hundred thousand
called for last August; and let him show his good intentions by ten-
dering to the President his sympathy and hearty cooperation in the
war. Such an act, coming from such a source, will do much to arouse
the enthusiasm of the men now in the field, and would be equal to the
addition of an hundred thousand men to our army.
Many of the soldiers that hail from the west, are natives of the
State of New York, and they dislike to hear it said that their native
State is behind in making up her quota of men for this war. There-
fore let Seymour say in public, and in an authoritative manner, what he
is reported to have said in a quasi-secret pohtical caucus, and he will
wonder that so much depends on the opinion of one man.
Then let all the Democrats in the loyal States follow in his wake,
and there will be no need of a call for men by the President under the
conscript act.
The authorities at Richmond have been so frequently snubbed
abroad, that they have given up all hope of assistance from foreign
sympathizers. Now let the Democrats of the north make the copper-
heads hunt their hole, if they have one, and the rebels will yield with-
out another struggle.
Thus it is in the power of the Democrats to make that name once
more honored and revered as the great beacon word of liberty and
union, now and forever.
Will they do it?
The soldiers of the Union army, now in the field, wait to see.
Yours, truly,
Jed Lake.
LETTER NO. CXV.
the end of railing
Camp Reed, Jackson. Tennessee, March 31, 1863.
Friend Rich; — It seems that the .anonymous letter published in the
Guardian a few weeks since, regarding an order issued by Colonel
C. L. Dunham, recjuiring the Twenty-seventh regiment to split rails to
replace some that had been burned, caused considerable speculation
at headquarters, and called forth a reply from our worthy friend , Lieu-
tenant Donnan. Before answering the letter it would be well, perhaps
to state the situation of the Twenty-seventh Iowa, at the time the
rails were used; as there is no doubt they did use a part, though I
doubt if they used all the one hundred and fifty rails as charged.
Our regiment came into camp at Camp Reed, the thirteenth of Jan-
uary last. Immediately after coming into camp, there came on a
heavy snow storm, covering the ground to a depth of full six inches,
which remained several days.
On our march from Memphis to the Tallahatchie river, the division
quartermaster took nearly all the axes we had in the regiment to clear
the road and build bridges, and we never saw them afterward. Com-
pany C had three or four axes that had not seen a grindstone for weeks
and that had been used indiscriminately to cut wood, rails, frozen
ground, and stones. Other companies were no better off. As Mr.
Donnan says, "here was plenty of wood to be had for the cutting,'
but we were in a sorry plight to cut it, and when cut it was all green.
Not a stick or twig of dry wood was to be had to kindle a fire with,
' except the aforesaid rails. Any of your readers who have ever made
the attempt to kindle a fire from a match with nothing but greenwood,
know it is no easy matter. Add to this the fact that we were out
of doors, in the midst of a severe snow storm, and you can readily
imagine that it was of first importance that fires should be built at
once, and that building them of green wood covered with snow, was
not an agreeable task. It was under such circumstances that the rails
were taken.
I am no advocate of indiscriminate plunder, though I do believe,
fully and emphatically, that it is the duty of every Union gener.al to
subsist his army upon the enemy; and I doubt the loyalty of any
leader who refuses to do so. I do not blame Colonel Dunham, after
he had issued his order, for insisting that it should be obeyed; nor do
I understand that the writer of the anonymous letter blames him for
it. Military discipline requires that every order must be obeyed.
What I claim would have been a better course, would have been for
Colonel Dunham to send the quartermaster to get the rails for the boys
to kindle their fires with, and to receipt for them. Had this been
done not a rail would have been taken by the Twenty-seventh. The
colonel would have gained the good will of all, and the owner of the
rails, if a Union man, could have had his pay for them. Up to the
time of writing this letter, Lieutenant Donnan had been, most of his
time, after his rettirn on the fifteenth of February, on Colonel Dun-
ham's staff, and had never been detailed to go foraging with the regi-
ment. Those who did go say that there were plenty of hogs and
cattle to be had, on a proper requisition from headquarters.
I have written these few lines because I thought justice to the Twenty-
seventh demanded it. The men who compose it went out from you
with honesty of purpose; they will return to you with their honor
unsullied. They bear the "good old flag" — they are not marauders.
They respect their officers and are submissive to military authority;
and when the day comes the men of the Twenty-seventh believe their
ofiicers will lead them into the deadly fray with all the coolness of
tried veterans, and the officers are confident that their men will follow
them till the " red field is won," and the star spangled banner waves
in triumph over sea and land.
Respectfully, yours,
E. P. Baker.
LETTER NO. CXVI.
J.vcKsoN, Tennessee, .^pril 7, 1863.
Friend Rich: — By order of James M. True, colonel commanding
this post, a council of administration, to consist of Colonel James P.
Gilbert, Twenty-seventh regiment Iowa volunteer infantry. Lieutenant
Colonel Robinson, of the Sixty-second Illinois, and Colonel Mitchell,
of the Fifty-fourth Illinois, was appointed to dispose of the efl'ects of
deceasednon-commissioned officers and soldiers. The council, upon
consultation, concluded to sell all such articles at auction to the highest
bidder. Of course they sold very much below cost, as clothes of
deceased soldiers, who had lain for months, perhaps, in the hospital,
were not likely to be highly prized. Besides the soldiers could not
buy; for all are loaded at all times with the last pound of baggage
they can conveniently carry. The citizens, almost all of whom are, I
doubt not, at heart secessionists, did not feel disposed to buy; for the
Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. The property of one hun-
dred and fifty-three deceased soldiers was sold, by order of the council,
and brought the sum of three hundred and ninety dollars and seventy
cents.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Our arms were inspected the other day by Lieutenant Hunter, of
General Kinball's staff, and one hundred and fifty pieces were con-
demned. I wrote you some time ago that there was to be an e.tchange
of arms. Our quartermaster, who, as I informed you, was taken pris-
oner when the raid was made on the train, was at Memphis that day
to effect the change, but did not, at that time, succeed.
C. H. L.
THE 1
Vazoo V
15, 1863. j
letter no. cxvil
On Board the Steamer Henry Cl.iy, Moored on
Mississippi River, Near the Mouth of the Y
River, March
Readers of the Guardian: — .As many of you are interested in
the movings and doings of the Iowa Ninth, and especially in those of
company C, 1 will give you a few desultory notes.
Our regiment has been quite active since we came down to Vicks-
burgh the second time. It is always ready to take part in the various
duties that arise from the ever-changing circumstances of war; be it
building corduroy roads, digging canals or "cut offs," or what not.
The canal or "cutoff" south of Vicksburgh, commenced last summer,
was abandoned by our troops after spending much hard labor on it.
The entire thing was planned on too small a scale. Several weeks
since a new "cutoff" was projected on a grander scale, and thous,ands
of men put to work on it day and night. The soldiers and contrabands
worked at the e.xcavation like beavers; and now the project is begin-
ning to show its feasibility. At present several dredge boats are finish-
ing the work by deepening and widening the channel. The object of
this "cut off" is to afford a passage for our transports below the city
of Vicksburgh, so as to enable our forces to get a foothold east of the
city.
The second "cut off," or Yazoo Pass, is only a short distance below
Helena. It is a cut through a large levee that was thrown up years
ago to prevent the river, when at high water, from inundating the
surrounding country. If this proves a success it will enable our trans-
ports to reach a point within twenty miles of the Vicksburgh & Jack-
son railroad. By gaining the railroad a tremendous blow will be
given to the Confederacy.
The third "cut off" is between Lake Providence and the Mississippi
river. By this canal boats will be admitted into Lake Providence; and
from this lake they reach a system of bayous, creeks, and sloughs,
connected with the Mississippi and Red rivers, and giving access to a
territory of very considerable e.\tent. By getting possession of these
waters, an extensive river communication can be intercepted, cutting
off large supplies of various products, cattle, etc., which are now fur-
nished the rebels from this region. If this system should prove a
success, as is anticipated by naval officers, the city of Vicksburgh can
be taken without firing a gun.
For the company I would say that on the eleventh instant we re-
ceived orders to be detached from the regiment to act as a provost
guard on the steamer Henry Clay. On the twelfth the regiment was
paid off. This makes the boys feel considerably better. Greenbacks
distributed occasionally by the handful, infuses more activity and
cheerfulness into the soldiers than platoons of doctors, and cart-loads
of medicine. Hurrah for more greenbacks; — and a little more lager
beer. This recalls an incident that I must relate. Just before Cap-
tain Wright left, he wished to give some tangible evidence of his
regard for the members of company C; so two men were detailed with
adequate instmctions and the necessary amount of greenbacks, from
the generous captain. They soon returned with a half barrel of lager,
which, with an ample escort, was introduced into the captain's tent
and nicely adjusted for "tapping." There were, as usual, some pre-
liminaries to be gone through with — fixing a faucet, giving vent, etc.
Lieutenant E. C. Little and Orderly Wilbur were managers. As every-
body's mouth was watering for lager, a becoming degree of dispatch
was expected of the operators, who, in their eagerness to serve their
friends, managed to drop the shut off part of the faucet. ' At first
there was a slight fussing and fizzing, and then out came the lager with
a vim and impetuosity that is indescribable, squirting and splashing
in all directions. The leaders in the fray had too nice a regard for
their reputation for valor to retreat, and too nice a regard for the lager
to witness the waste, and finally succeeded in getting everything right
and the lager tight. The scene was really very laughable (after the
beer was safe). The heroes in the strife were completely drenched by
this novel battery; but, as they were both well tried soldiers, they did
not flinch at the post of duty, but stood up manfully in the fight until
the raging tide was turned back, if not completely subdued.
The health of the regiment is improving. Company C feels well
satisfied with the change. The boys are all of good cheer.
M. Harter,
Company C, Ninth regiment, Iowa volunteers.
LETTER NO. CXVIII.
Camp ok the Fifth Iowa, near Helena, Arkan.sas, }
April 9, 1863. )
Friend Rich : — Since I wrote you last nothing of startling interest
has occurred. We embarked on board the Henry Van Phul, and leav-
ing Memphis on the third of March, steamed down the river and
landed within a few miles of Lake Providence, some ninety miles
above Vicksburgh. Remained there two days, then returned ; landing
six miles south of Helena, and thirty from Memphis, in the swamps of
.Arkansas. Here we remained until the twenty-third, when we em-
barked on board the fine little steamer Armada, and. after due prepar-
ation for a hazardous and tedious expedition, we started, and finally
entered Yazoo Pass, which winds its way through an impenetrable
forest on either side, of cypress, sycamore, Cottonwood, elm and gum,
and a thick undergrowth of cane. The stream varies from forty to
' seventy feet in width, and is the crookedest of all the crooked under
the sun. Our progress was of necessity very slow, and the manage-
ment of our boat required the utmost care and attention. We passed
two sunken boats, the Luella and Jenny Lind; but fortunately they were
got out of the channel before sinking. We were four days reaching
Coldwater, a distance of fourteen miles, and our little boat was much
dilapidated by its oft repeated collisions with trees projecting over the
stream. The Coldwater is not unlike the pass, except in being a little
wider. On the twenty-eighth we were overtaken by the steamer Jennie
Bowen, asking the privilege to pass, having on board ammunition and
dispatches. On the thirtieth we entered the Tallahatchie some fifty
miles from where we entered the Coldwater. This river is much wider
and has less obstructions. The day was quite cold, with considerable
snow falling. April 2d a drowned man was discovered floating on
the river. Colonel Boomer, acting brigadier, ordered his boat to stop,
and had the body picked up and buried. We finally landed a few
miles from Greenwood, at which point the rebels had planted a bat-
tery. This place is one hundred and forty miles from where we en-
tered the Tallahatchie. General Ross' division was in the advance,
cannonading was heard, and I believe somewhat of an engagement
ensued, but the result cannot be learned ; for, about the time we ex-
pected a general engagement would commence, Ross' and Quinby's
divisions were ordered back ; and, on the eighth of April, we started
up stream. Now all this seems strange to the uninitiated (as we ac-
knowledge ourselves to be), and, although it is a dull and tedious life
when we can see but little accomplished, we yet remember the words
of our most excellent President, "its a big job," and destined to bring
about great results. We are not discouraged, but have implicit confi-
dence that the strong arm and stronger intellect which has led this
army on to glorious victory so often, will eventually consummate our
hopes in a glorious triumph, and establish peace and happiness.
We experienced less difficulty in our return trip, the boat being
more easily managed against the current. When we entered Moon
Lake, which is only a short distance from the Mississippi, the boys
gave three cheers. After getting through the lake there remained about
a half mile of the pass to go through before getting into the father of
waters, which should be called Moon Lake Pass. This accomplished,
the Stars and Stripes were hoisted, and then three more hearty cheers
were given. This great river looked to us larger than ever before
doubtless on account of our being in the narrow pass so long. We all
feel better now, and hope there was more accomplished than we can
see at piesent. The cutting of the levee here inundated the whole
country through which we passed. We landed about five miles south
of Helena, Arkansas. The water has fallen some fifteen inches since
we left, which makes our camp more tenable and pleasant. The
health of the regiment is good, there being but few in the hospital —
mostly cases of diarrhoea. It is hard to tell now what disposition will
be made of this part of the army, but we patiently wait, believing that
all will be well.
George B. Sitler.
LETTER NO. CXIX.
[Another correspondent of the Guardian, also of com-
pany E, gives a graphic account of the same expedition,
from which we make some extracts of things "too good
to be lost."— E. P.]
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
189
The sound of rebel cannon regales our ears as I write, giving us a
strong hint that we have something to do soon. The pickets are within
hailing distance, on opposite sides of the river. We have been told
that they enquired after "them Iowa boys," and, when told they were
coming, gave them three cheers, which is more of a compliment than
would be paid to us by a class at home, that should be our friends.
These same forces made our acquaintance at luka, and I think it will
be lasting. Several large siege guns have just come down — they were
brought from Corinth, showing that we are to fight the same men with
the same guns. . . . What has been accomplished here
so far, I cannot tell. About all I can tell you of the rebels is, that they
are here and we are ready to fight them.
Next morning we entered the pass from the lake. Now commences
the history of our troubles. The channel will average about twenty
yards wide, and runs in every conceivable point of the compass. There
is a strong current flowing out, which renders a boat almost unman-
ageable. The boat is lashed from one side to the other against the
trees, the boat generally faring the worse. The Coldwater proved to
be but little better. The good captain of the boat seemed to swear as
hard at Ben, the mate, and holler "go ahead on the nigger," as often
as ever to Bob, the pilot, who had more than the patience of Job. The
captain was unceasing in his demands on him. It was a continuous
round of "Back her on the starboard," " Come ahead on the star-
board," "Catch her up on both. Bob ; " but Bob was always at his post,
and always smiling. It can only be accounted for by considering his
great size — it requiring a great amount of outward pressure to get two
hundred and fifty pounds avoirdupois mad through and through. The
term "nigger" is applied to the capstan, which is often used in navi-
gating a small crooked stream to draw the bow from the shore. I had
never, until coming aboard the Armada, met with this use of the
" nigger," and I haven't got Webster here to consult. We found the
Tallahatchie quite an improvement, this stream being about the
breadth of the W.apsie. There are some fine plantations along its
banks. On some of them the negroes were at work in the fields ; they
swung their hats and jumped high in the air as we passed on through,
certain of a better time coming. Wild game abounds in the swamps
which skirt these singular streams.
Three of the boys of company E met with quite an amusing accident
coming down. They were seated on the outer railing of the boat,
which, yielding to their weight, gave way, precipitating them into the
river in a heap. Fortunately they were all swimmers, and the boat at
the time was floating with the current, so that they were soon pulled
on board without much difficulty. The utter ruin of a pack of cards
and loss of seventy-five cents in sutler tickets, they informed me, com-
prises all the items of damages, which they think must be refunded by
the Government, as they were lost in action.
S. A. R.
letter no. cxx.
Camp Reed, Jackson, Tennessee, )
April 20, 1863. I
Colonel Gilbert reported last night, at midnight, to
Colonel Lawler, who ordered him to march this morning, at 4:30
o'clock, to the Mobile & Ohio railroad depot, with two days' rations.
When we received the order we had over two hundred men on picket
duty. Major Howard is to remain in camp until the pickets are re-
lieved, when he will immediately follow with his forces. Lieutenant
Lake is quite sick, and was not permitted to go. I went down with
the regiment to the depot, expecting to go on the first train, but was
ordered back to camp on business, to follow on the ne.\t train. This
gives me a moment's time to write a hasty communication to you.
We were paid on Saturday, up to the first of March. The boys were
all greatly pleased. Many of them had suffered for want of money
to support their families at home. But now all are well satisfied, and
go in the direction of Corinth with light hearts to meet the foe.
Major Farish, paymaster for the district of Jackson, brought into
town about two million dollars, si.xty thousand of which was paid to
our regiment. With the money came the intricate question, what shall
we do with it? It is not safe to send by express. Adams' express,
the only one here, shoulders no responsibility. Many of the Buchanan
county soldiers sent their money by Captain Miller, company H, whose
resignation has been accepted, and who left yesterday for home. Our
estimable chaplain, D. N. Bardwell, in company with Sutler Handy,
goes to Cairo to-day, to take the money of the regiment to that place,
where he can express it regulaily and safely. C. H. L.
[It was estimated that over forty thousand dollars were
sent froin the Twenty-seventh regiment after this pay-
ment.—E. P.]
BUKGH, 1
:hments, y
ay 25, 1863. j
LETTER NO. CX.XI.
In Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, May 28, 1863.
Friend Rich; — Below is a list of killed and wounded of company
C in the late battles in the rear of Vicksburgh:
Killed — Lieutenant H. P. Wilbur, Corporal L. A. Pearsall, Private
George l''reeberthyser. Wounded — Captain E, C. Little, Sergeant J.
M. Elson, Corporal Reuben Rouse, Alpheus Losey, J. H. Ford, Wil-
liam Willey.
All were doing well when I left the battlefield on the twenty-fourth.
John H. Ford has had his right foot amputated; no other very danger-
ous wounds. I have a couple of flesh wounds, but they are doing
tip top.
E. C. Little.
[Lightly as the hero, Little, speaks of his "flesh
wounds," in the foregoing letter, one of them (as most
of our readers are aware) never completely healed; but,
owing perhaps to his persistence in returning prematurely
to duty, became incurable; gave him almost ceaseless
pain for the rest of his life, and finally caused his death
in 1874.— E. P.]
LETTER NO. CXXII.
Extracts from a letter written by Eli Holland, of com-
pany C, Ninth regiment. It is dated —
In a Confederate Camp in the rear of Vicksburgh,
WITHIN rifle range OF THE ENEMV's ENTRENCHN
May :
We left Milliken's Bend on the second of May and took a circuit
until we reached the Mississippi again, about half way between New
Carthage and Grand Gulf. Here we were taken on board boats and
went down to Grand Gulf, where we landed, lay one day, and started
for Port Gibson. There the rebels where whipped. They made another
stand at Raymond, and were again routed by General Logan's division.
They next tried to hold the capital of the State but were defeated
easier than before. They had no fortifications but rifle-pits, which had
been thrown up in one night. The army went into camp one day at
Jackson and the city was totally ruined. The troops broke open the
stores and took boots, shoes, hats, and clothing, such as we would be
allowed to wear There was not a store in the city but was broken
open. The teamsters and artillery got harness, and the cavalry got
saddles. The quartermasters took boots and shoes and issued them to
the regiments. All the tobacco chewers laid in an abundant store of
the real "Honey Dew." The roads had been so dusty that all the
boys wanted clean shirts, and helped themselves. I was around and
took my share. One of the largest manufactories in the south was
there and was burned. The depot, with about two million dollars
worth of army stores, was burned by the rebels. The next morning
we took our way down the railroad towards Vicksburgh, and reached
Black river. General Logan, after a short contest, had driven them
across the river, but had not been able to prevent them from burning
the bridge after them. Our troops put down a pontoon bridge and
were crossing a few hours after the retreating enemy. We started
from Black river on the nineteenth and kept up the march until we
came withing fighting distance of the rebels. Al their forts in the rear
of Vicksburgh, the battle commenced at 3 o'clock and was kept up
till dark. L. A. Pearsall, of our company, was killed. At night Lieu-
tenant Wilbur was on picket, and while going around the lines got too
far out, and was shot by one of our own men. He lived four days after
the accident and died on the twenty-third.
Fighting began again the next morning, driving the rebels from their
first fortifications. There has been heavy fighting from the eighteenth
until the present, and our skirmishers are out all around watching
their chances to pick off the men in the forts where the batteries are
planted. On Friday, the twenty-second, there was a charge made on
their works at 5 o'clock P. M. The Ninth took the lead at one point
but were not supported rightly and were nearly all cut down. Some
of the boys had advanced to the breastworks and had to lie there all
night. The regiment lost one hundred and twenty men out of two
hundred and fifty engaged. Our captain, E. C. Little, was wounded.
Company H lost just half its men that went into the charge. The
Ninth has been under fire for six days. I had to carry food to the
captain, and had to run thirty rods in view of the rebs, where they had
as fair a chance to shoot as they could w'ant, but I escaped all their
bullets. I think, from appearances, we shall lie in line of battle and
keep the enemy from escaping. They will have to give up some time.
190
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
for our line of battle extends all around the place, and our gun-boats
and mortars are shelling them night and day.
I have just been out to take the boys some dinner, and had to go
through a place about five rods in length in full view from their forts.
As I was going they shot at me but did not hit me. 1 went on the keen
jump, and I tell you no grass grew under my feet.
LETTER NO. CXXIII.
Moscow, Tennessee, Twenty-Seventh Regiment, 1
June 14, 1863. j"
We have been having some trouble of late with the
secesh around here. Thursday, in the stillness of the night, a band of
guerillas near Coliersville, in the direction of Memphis, destroyed a
long trestle work, and carried away, it is reported, three miles of tele-
graph wire. On Friday Colonel Gilbert organized a scouting party
of thirty or more, and mounted them on mules and horses and went in
search of the enemy. When about four miles out, the guerillas, si.'i in
number, fired on our rear guard, but missed their aim, and wheeling to
run, came in contact with two or three of our boys who were straggling
behind the rear guard. Our men, who at the time were effecting a
change of saddles, supposing the enemy was approaching in force,
beat a hasty retreat for camp. The party proper held on their way to
the residence of Colonel A. R. Craddock, of Marshall county, Missis-
sippi. One object of the e.vpedilion was to take this man prisoner, as
it was asserted and generally believed that he was harboring and feed-
ing guerillas. They got the old chap and brought him safely to camp.
While near his house the guerillas again made their appearance, and
were fired at by our guard under command of Lieutenant Peck.
Upon the return of the tliree stragglers to this place, Major Howard
ordered out reenforcements under Captain Garber, of company D.
The captain hastened away in the direction which the first party had
taken and, when out a short distance, met them teturning. The
expedition was commanded by Colonel Gilbert and was a complete
success.
The prisoner, Craddock, was held in custody until the next day,
when he was released on grounds satisfactory to all. He was a shrewd
old fellow, and a man naturally of very fine feelings for a slaveholder.
He fought for the Union until his State was gone, after which he es-
poused the rebel cause, and is yet confident of the ultimate success of
the Confederacy. His son-in-law, a surgeon in the rebel army, now a
parolled prisoner, came into our lines next morning to deny the charge
of being a guerilla. He was "a confederate soldier but no guerilla."
A rank secesh, he early espoused the confederate cause, and to-day be-
lieves in its certain triumph. It seems pretty rough to hear these fel-
lows talk as they do; but I respect them much more than I do those
of pretended loyalty to the Government, who cower around the pro-
vost marshal for the oath of allegiance, wliich, when obtained, is
stowed away in some obscure corner of their pockets, while they go out,
having accomplished the object of a spy, to call together their band
and make a raid on some weak point.
The whole line of road, from Grand Junction to Corinth, is aban-
doned. What astonishes me most is, that the telegraphic line from
Memphis to Columbus, Kentucky, via Grand Junction and Jackson,
is in good order; when but forty out of the three hundred and fifty are
guarded. This certainly looks like loyalty on the part of the citizens
through whose country the line runs. Brigade headquarters are at
LaGrange, but the brigade is badly scattered now along the road. The
Twenty-seventh Iowa is at Moscow, except two companies, B and H ,
at LaGrange.
Lieutenant Colonel Lake's wife went up on the cars yesterday to La
Grange, where the colonel is in command of the post. Sutler Handy
and wife arrived on the cars yesterday. Adjutant Harrington expects
his wife in a few days. The wife of Colonel Gilbert, who arrived at
headquarters, Jackson, in company with Mrs. Chaplain Bardwell,
about the middle of May, will return north soon.
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. CXXIV.
Camp Dodge, Ne.ir Corinth, Mississippi, )
June 24, 1863. I
Friend Rich:— Never was there a more truthful expression uttered
by man than the oft repeated one, "This is an educating war." And
in no place and among no class of people can you find this truth more
thoroughly demonstrated than in the army and among the oflScers and
soldiers composing it. Here we are at Corinth, Mississippi, raising
regiments of colored men to help crush out this inhuman, wicked and
causeless rebellion. I have been told that when the first regiment was
organized, there were one thousand five hundred applications for posi-
tions in the regiment; and if the men who obtained positions are speci-
mens of the whole, I believe they applied because their hearts are in
the work. Now I venture to say, that if their friends had told them,
when they enlisted, that within two years they would be seeking posi-
tions, from colonels down to orderly sergeants, in a negro regiment^
nine out of every ten of them would have felt grossly insulted. Yet
here we are, and here are the colored men learning the art of war.
Now the question comes, will they make good soldiers? I believe
they will, and for many reasons. First, they have been taught from
infancy the most important lesson of a soldier's life, and that is im-
plicit obedience to orders. You let an order come from the colonel of
a white regiment, just entered service, to fall into line, at an unusual
hour, and you will see the men running to the orderly, to the captain,
and even to the colonel, to know what is wanted. You tell a company
of colored men to fall into line, and they fall in, expecting that they
will find out what is wanted soon enough. Obedience, then, we have to
start upon, and drill on that point is for the most part saved. The
next question is, can they learn? To this I will answer — the First
Alabama was organized, that is, its officers were appointed the Eigh-
teenth of May last. At that time there were, I think, three or four full
companies, and two or three parts of companies. At least three com-
panies had not a man in camp. It was not until the first of June that
the ten companies were made up and commenced drilling, and to-day
the First Alabama infantry can execute the common manceuvres in
company and battalion drill as well as several regiments I have seen
which have been m service several months. Their drill in the manuel
of arms elicits praise from all who witness them, yet they have but
about four hundred muskets in the regiment for nearly nine hundred
men, and have only had these about ten days. The next question is,
are they patriotic? I answer, many of tiiese men have travelled ail
night, and some of them for several nights, hiding in the swamps Viy
day, to get inside our lines. Ask them what they come for and they
will tell you: "I comes to you all, to fight dese yar rebels. Ise heered
dat Massa Linkum done said we might come, and here I is." "Well,
sir, what do you want to do? Do you want to drive team?" " No,
sah, I don't want to drive no team, I wants to tote de musket and be a
soldier, dat's what I wants." "But if you are a soldier the rebels will
shoot you or hang you, if they catch you." "Well, Massa, I'll jis tell
yer; I can't die but once. I'se been a slave all my life, and I ain't
much 'count no how. Praps I can do you some good. I'se got a
wife and chil'ern, and I want's them to be free. I'de hke to be free
wid 'em mighty well, but some's got to die to save the rest; an ef I can
save dem, I'se satisfied." If this is not patriotism, it is something just
as good. The next question is, will they fight? Could you see the
eagerness with which the black man learns the use of his gun, going
out as soon as the sun is up to work all day, and then drill with shouts
of joy after dark; could you hear the vim with which he hopes he may
be able to square accounts with his oppressors; could you see him
as I have done, after he himself was safe within our lines, go back, ten
miles if need be, to the plantation of his master who had threatened to
shoot him if he joined us, to get another child, I think you nor no man
will question their bravery. They will fight. They have proved it on
several bloody fields, and are anxious to prove it on many more.
There are here nearly three thousand, men, women, and children.
There are about one thousand soldiers in both regiments. Govern-
ment has a large field cultivated by the old men, women and boys.
There are about three hundred children going to school. The chaplain of
the First regiment has charge of the school, with his female assistants.
He says three months ago there were not six in the three hundred who
knew their letters; and now, if he cannot pick out one hundred who
can read intelligently and readily in the New Testament, he will forfeit
a year's pay as chaplain.
Sergeant James C. Glass and myself are recruiting for the Second
regiment. We have fifty-three men. We have three other companies
forming here in the camp, and I understand that there are one or two
others forming elsewhere. It is not as easy filling the Second regiment
as it was the first, for the first took nearly all the able-bodied men near
here, and we have to depend on expeditions going out into the country.
In my next I will give you an account of the presentation of a flag to
the first regiment, and also speak of one or two of the colored orators
l,ere. E. P. Baker.
LETTER NO. CXXIV (a).
Moscow, Tennessee, July 5, 1863.
Friend RiCH:~Seth Wheaton, corporal of company C, who has
been acting as clerk for several months at brigade headquarters, and
who has given most excellent satisfaction in that capacity, has been ap-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
191
pointed, I learn, sergeant major of the First regiment, west Tennessee
infantry, of African descent. It is a good place, but hardly as good as
Seth deserves, and he will probably get a commission in a very short
time. . . .
Black troops are being rapidly organized in this district. One regi-
ment at La Grange is already full, and the officers announced. Those
blacks make most excellent soldiers, and perform their duties with
greater precision, though with less judgment, than the whites. They
know nothing but to obey orders, and when you are commanded by
one of them to halt, you had better, as a matter of safety, obey. They
are strong, muscular fellows, and are inured to the climate. As a con-
sequence, the ranks of the black regiments will be kept full, up to the
ma.vimuni, constantly. \ thousand men in each regiment will always
be ready to meet the foe— their effective force will always number nine
hundred or more. .A.nd tliat they will fight, none but an infamous cop-
perhead will deny. The soldiers know it; the secesh know it. With
these facts in view, why may not the blacks ere long take the precedence
as troops, and become the regular soldiers of the Union.
Yesterday was the glorious Fourth, and what a day it was. Nothing
transpired worthy of note, save a National salute at meridian by a
battery in the fort.
C. H. L.
LETIER NO. CXXV.
Walnut Hills, Mississippi, July 6, 1863.
Friend Rich: — You will undoubtedly have heard the news of the
surrender of Vicksburgh before this reaches you. On the "glorious
old Fourth," at 10 A. M., the city was surrendered. What the stipula-
tions were I can not tell. Yesterday I was in the city. As our regi-
ment is camped in the rear of it, I had a chance of passing many of
the enemy's works. The most of their defences were adequate to resist
the assaults of any enemy. Nature had left nothing undone in build-
ing fastnesses along the north and east of the city. Many of the de-
clivities are utterly insurmountable. On top of these precipitous cliffs,
rifle-pits and intrenchments e.\tend in unbroken lines around the cap-
tured city. Along these intrenchments are found any number of offsets
and holes for the rebels to creep into to secure themselves from our
shells; and here they were compelled to lie night and day. Along the
line of works where I passed were forty mounted cannon, some of
very heavy calibre. I saw one gun that had several pieces knocked off.
The rebels said that our cannoneers injured that gun before they could
get it mounted. They said it was next to impossible to work their guns
on account of our sharpshooters, and the accurate range our artillery-
men would get of their position. The city is full of secesh soldiers.
Every nook and corner was occupied by their soldiery. Some of the
finest buildings were converted into barracks. The majority of the
prisoners seemed glad of the surrender. Some acknowledged that
their loyalty to the southern confederacy commenced to "cave in"
when they had to fight on "nmle beef." The more sanguine contend
that the "southern confederacy is all right." They say, "time and
chance happens to all." They acknowledge themselves whipped this
time; but not by General Grant, but by General Starvation. The city
looks dull, notwithstanding the crowds of soldiers; and if the dust in it
is the "dust of humiliation," they must be terribly depressed. Many
buildings show the effects of our gun-boats and mortars. Some houses
have hardly enough wall left to support their roofs. I saw but few
women and children. All was excitement. The dear old stars and
stripes again wave over the court house.
The city had scarcely surrendered when most of our army corps took
up the line of march. -The Ninth regiment left on the night of the
fourth for Black River, and before this a desperate battle has been
fought if Johnson did not get away. The weather is warm and the
roads dusty. It is hard on the soldiers, but they press on from \ictory
to victory wherever the enemy will wait an attack.
During the spring and summer campaign the Ninth regiment has
lost in killed, wounded, and missing, one hundred and eight men.
M. H.
LETTER NO. CXXVL*
Vicksburgh, Mississippi, July 4, 1863.
Friend Rich. — Congratulate us ! Joy you need not wish us, for
our cup is full. This long-boasted stronghold of treason has at last
submitted to rightful authority. Yesterday morning, about 8 o'clock,
Pemberton sent out a flag of truce, had an interview with General
Grant, which closed about the same hour this morning, and has resulted
in an unconditional surrender of everj'thing. The rebel soldiers were
marched outside their works and there stacked arms, and returned.
'From the Fifth.
I have no positive knowledge in regard to what disposition will be made
of officers and men. But he who has conducted this compaign to such
a glorious triumph, will secure well the gain of so much hard fighting,
the loss of so much precious blood.
How strange it seems, that men should one day fight with intention
to kill, and the next meet and shake hands, never so heartily before,
indeed almost embrace each othei, as was seen this morning in the
meeting, after the surrender, of the rebel General Forney and our
General McPherson.
It is reported that Johnson has left our rear in disgust. His every
attempt to cross the Big Black was repulsed. The Fifth are out in
that direction somewhere, enjoying themselves, I hope, on roasting
ears, new potatoes, green peas, etc., of which I understand there is an
abundance iu the country.
I am under the necessity of adding another to the list of the killed
of company E. John McCray, of Buck Creek, died at Champion
Hills of his wounds. The others have all been removed north, and
from all we can learn are doing well.
It is hard to tell what the next move will be for Grant's invincible
army. It would not be strange, after all, if he should be sent east;
but no matter where he goes, victory and triumph will be inscribed on
his banners, until America is blessed with peace, prosperity and happi.
ness.
George B. Sitler.
LETTER NO. CXXVII.
Helena, Arkansas, August 25, 1863.
Fkiend Rich: — .\bout 3 o'clock A. M., August 24th, we were
awakened and ordered to get our camp and garrison equipage aboard
the steamer Grosebeck. At daybreak the regiment, which, since its
arrival in Memphis, had been lying in a grove, two miles north of the
city, marched on board the boat, bound for Helena. Several other re-
giments embarked at the same time, with the same destination. The
land on either side, as we descended, presented, like that from Cairo to
Memphis, a continued, cheerless, lone and uninviting wilderness. We
sailed with nothing of interest, apart from our little fleet, until we came
to the confluence of the St. Francis with the .Mississippi. This is quite
a pleasant stream, about the size of the Cedar river. Helena is a
small town, with low, flat buildings, which exhibit no signs of elegance.
It lies on a low tract of clayey land, which is overflowed in high water.
In the distance the hills rise rather abruptly to the height of seventy-
five or one hundred feet.
Immediately on our arrival we proceeded to unload our baggage,
and. at daylight, marched the regiment up the levee near the hills and
pitched tents. On these hills, which run the whole distance of the
town, and parallel with the river, several batteries are planted, which,
it seems to me, would be exceedingly hard to take. We have just re-
ceived news that the boat on which the Forty-ninth Illinois was being
transported, was sunk, some twenty-five miles down from Memphis.
All that we know at present is, that it sunk with a loss of five men, a
number of guns, and quite an amount of baggage. We had orders
to leave here to-morrow, but since the news of the fate of the Forty-
ninth, we do not expect to leave until we get orders from General Hurl-
but or Steele. We are to go to Clarendon, on White river, where
General Steele is in command, with some ten thousand troops. Our
baggage is greatly diminished, and all the sick have been sent to the
hospital. Nothing will hinder our making a rapid and, I think, a
triumphant march to Clarendon, and from thence to Little Rock.
Our regiment numbers four hundred and ninety-five effective men ;
and all these will, 1 think, be true and obedient on the battlefield. A
better brigade than ours never went into the field ; and if they do not
give a good account of themselves they will disappoint every one.
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. CXXVIII.
Clarendon, .Arkansas, August 31, 1863.
Friend Rich:— We left camp above Helena, about three o'clock
p. m., -August 26th, and marched just below the city, and camped on a
very nice green. Passed the residence of the rebel General Hindman.
His home is a very elegant structure, square and substantial, built, I
think, entirely of stone. I did not go near to examine it; but, from a
distant view, judge that it is a building, which in our county would have
cost twenty-five thousand dollars. August 27th, we remained all day
in camp. The Forty-ninth arrived just at evening, and were ordered to
be ready to march in the morning. Two days' additional rations, mak-
ing eight days in all, were drawn, and we retired to await the morning.
Morning came, and the brigade marched to Sick creek, a distance of
twelve miles, before dinner. It rained hard, but the brigade marched
192
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
steadily on, while the rain came in torrents. Soon the dust, which had
blown a perfect cloud along the whole line, was fairly laid, to rise no
more until we should reach Clarendon on White river.
During the afternoon we travelled about six miles and encamped at
Big creek; a stream which, though muddy like the Sick, unlike that
stream, furnished an abundance of water for the brigade. The rebels
had burned the bridge across this stream, but our men, who had been,
previously to our marching from Helena, detailed as pioneers, went to
work in earnest and, at daybreak, August 29th, we were on our way,
marching rapidly over the bridge, which had been constructed during
the night. After a rapid march, stopping an hour for dinner, we en-
camped, at a late hour, at Big Cypress creek, some twenty-five miles
from Big creek. August 30th, marched at 6 o'clock A. M. Reached
Clarendon, about twelve miles, at noon, and encamped in the woods,
just east of the town.
The trip from Helena was a very pleasant one. Excepting a few
cases of chills and fever, the men were quite well. After the rain of the
first day, the marching was as fine as I have ever known since I have been
soldiering; though the country through which we passed was certainly a
destitute and forlorn one. The soil was good, however, and the fields
were smiling with a luxuriant growth of magnificent, waving weeds —
the people all gone — houses burned or torn down — fences destroyed —
flocks and herds killed or driven away, and a once prosperous country
converted into a dreary waste. Clarendon is a beautiful little town of
five hundred inhabitants, in times of peace; but now entirely deserted.
It is on the east bank of the White river, which is at this point the
prettiest stream I have ever seen, north or south.
Boats are passing up and down the river almost every hour. A gun-
boat is at the landing now. The object of this rush of navigation is to
supply the expedition, going on to Little Rock. The boats ascend
the river above Clarendon about twelve miles to De Ball's Bluff, and
from that point there is a railroad to Little Rock. The enemy is said
to be in force near the Bluff, and we start in the morning to find him.
If Price does not skedaddle, we shall have a fight up there, in all
probability. Our brigade numbers about two thousand effective men
— our regiment has three field officers and staff, except two surgeons,
whom we may need. C. H. L.
LETTER NO. CXXIX.
Headquarters Twenty-seventh Iowa, )
Brownsville, Arkansas, September 4, 1863. |
Friend Rich: — I wrote to you last from Clarendon, on the thirtieth
ultimo. On the thirty-first we mustered for pay, and the brigade
crossed the river on a steamboat sent down from Duval's bluffs for
that purpose. The crossing occupied from early in the morning to
late in the afternoon, though the river at that point is not to e.xceed
one hundred and fifty feet in width. Five miles out we arrived at
Bayou Pier, which had been bridged by the Pioneer corps. After
crossing, we rose onto the highlands lying between the White and Ar-
kansas rivers. From that pomt the road has been exceedingly good,
and the Pioneer corps has had no labor to perform. At times we
have touched the skirt of timber, where we have been able to obtain
water for men and animals; but such water ! We have generally
found it in stagnant pools, covered with a green, slimy scum, and
horses, mules and men all drank from the same pool. The second
day was much like the first as to scenery. We started from camp at 4
o'clock a. m., thus taking the cool of the day for our march. The
roads were very dry and dusty, and after 9 a. m. travelling became
anything but agreeable. At about 11 A. M. we stopped for dinner,
eight miles from this place. Some of the men were nearly overcome
with the extreme heat. After two or three hours" rest, they moved on
again quite lively.
From our resting place to this town, the line of march was directly
across the prairie, without a particle of shade or a drop of water to be
obtained. The day was sultry; not a breath of air was stirring to carry
away the dust and fan the fevered cheeks of the wearied soldiers. To
stop on this prairie in the hottest part of the day would be more inju-
rious than to keep moving, so the march was continued until we
reached the grove in which Brownsville is situated, about 3 o'clock P.
M. Into the first skirt of timber we reached we plunged; and the
whole brigade were allowed one and a half hours' rest. Then we
moved to our present camp, which is in the timber and away from the
dust; and this is our second day of rest.
Here we found quite a number of the Buchanan boys that are in the
First Iowa cavalry: George Carr, W. G. Cummings, J. Vannuyse,
Charles Edgcomb, — Foote, — Palmer, George Jewelt, J. Lauderdale,
F. Wick, and quite a number of others, whose names I do not now
remember, and with whom I was not personally acqxiainted. They all
visited our camp. Besides, there have been, from this and other Iowa
regiments, with whom some of our regiment are acquainted, a camp
full of visitors for the past two days. These meetings, here in the
wilds of Arkansas, are very interesting to those concerned.
There are here, also, four companies of the Thirty-second Iowa in-
fantry, under command of Major Eberhart. I met to-day Captain C.
A. L. Roszell, whose company is with this detachment of the Thirty-
second. From them I learn that Captain Cutler, of company A, has
resigned, and that Charles Aldrich is commissioned captain of the
company. He is expected every day now.
Between this place and Little Rock, it is reported that there are
from thirty to forty thousand rebels, armed and equipped ready for a
fight; and that they intend to prevent us from going to the capital of
Arkansas. But we have been ordered there, and intend to go ; so the
rebels had better get out of the way, or they may get hurt. But of
things I have not seen I don't wish to write much, and will, therefore,
leave that matter for another letter.
Jed Lake.
LETTER NO. CXXX.
Headquarters Twenty-seventh Iowa, \
Ashley Mills, Arkansas, September 10, 1863. j
Friend Rich: — When I last wrote you from Brownsville, we were
expecting to start for Little Rock on the sixth. Instead, we moved
our camp about two miles, in order to get better water and more of it.
On the eighth instant, we received orders to march, and were soon on
the road. We marched out of the timber which surrounds Browns-
ville, and across a beautiful prairie about four miles wide ; then into the
nicest timber that I have seen since we came to Arkansas. Two miles
further brought us to Bayou Metre, being the first good water we had
found since leaving White river, where we stopped for dinner. Cross-
ing the Bayou we entered a wilder and more dense growth of timber,
filled with a thick undergrowth. Through this we marched some six
miles, and encamped on the plantation of one of the wealthy planters
of this region. In front of this plantation was Bear lake, an exten-
sive body of clear water, such as is not often seen in these latitudes.
On the ninth we moved our brigade to the front of Major General
Steel's army, and encamped, about 9 o'clock A. M., at Ashley's mills,
on Deerskin Bayou. Here we stayed until this morning, when we re-
ceived orders to move at 8 o'clock A. M., Colonel True's brigade being
in advance of the infantry, on the road to Little Rock. Each man
was to take two days' rations in his hnrversack, the teams to park as
soon as they crossed the Bayou. About 9 o'clock a. m. we started,
and after marching about four miles, we reached the Arkansas river, at
a point where Brigadier General Davidson's division of cavalry was
crossing on a pontoon bridge. The rebels had obstinately disputed
the crossing of our forces, and there had been one of the prettiest ar-
tillery duels that could be imagined ; but, before we arrived, the rebels
had skedaddled, and the firing had ceased. General Davidson's di-
vision moved up on the south side of the river, and Colonel True's on
the north. After marching about two miles Davidson found that the
rebels had made a stand, and a severe skirmish ensued. The move-
ments of both armies could be seen from our position on the opposite
side of the river. Our artillery was placed in position and opened a
flank fire on the rebels across the river. After a few rounds from our
guns, a huge cloud of dust was seen rising on the road to Little Rock,
and the shouts of our men and the dash of the cavalry showed that
the rebels were making long strides at double quick time for Little
Rock. Our artillery was again sent forward and again opened on them
from a favorable position. The column was then put in motion and
we soon came to earthworks recently erected and abandoned by the
rebels. Our advance guard found one man in the trenches at work,
the rest having left without notifying him. In their camp were found
chickens and turkeys dressed and on spits before the camp fires, kettles
of mush half cooked, guns abandoned, and in fact everything to indi-
cate a very hasty leave-taking. About two miles further on our eyes
were greeted by a sight of the capital of the State of Arkansas.
In the river, between us and the town, lay the burning hulks of five
boats. The pontoon bridge across the liver here, had been cut in
twain and set on fire. But a few good swimmers soon brought over
the boats, extinguished the fire, and again the Arkansas river was
bridged. A little before sunset the Stars and Stripes waved over the
capital of Arkansas. At this writing, 10 A. M. , September 11, 1863,
Colonel True's brigade is encamped opposite the town, on the north
bank of the river. Of the city I cannot now speak, as I have not been
across the river yet. I did, however, in company with several hundred
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
193
others, bathe this morning in the river. The water is not deep, but is
the clearest river water we have seen south of the Ohio.
Jkd Lake,
two days later.
We have no news from the forces pursuing Price's
army, except rumor, which says that at night, on the eleventh instant,
they were about twenty miles from here, and fighting all the time ; also
that the rebels were burning their train and everything that in the least
impeded their march. The latest papers we have received from the
north, are the Memphis papers of the first instant. We are here cut
off from civilization almost entirely, as there is no mail route in opera-
tion, and we are compelled to depend upon the supply trains for our
mails. These run at very irregular intervals, and there is no certainty
about their bringing the mails when they do come.
Isaac Gill, of company H, died at Brownsville on the eight instant.
Thomas Magill, of the First cavalry, and son of Esquire Magill of
Buffalo Grove, was killed in the battle on the tenth instant, but his
brother, who was with him, is uninjured. These are all the late casu-
alties to the men from our county of which I have heard.
Jed Lake.
LETTER NO. CXXXL*
\We take the annexed letter, with the editorial explan-
atory note, from the Guardian of October 20, 1863.
Captain Lee's contraband came into the Union lines
soon after the Fifth went to Missouri, and, after a few
weeks' stay with company E, was forwarded to Indepen-
dence to avoid trouble from his owner, who, evidently
appreciating the valuable qualities of this enterprising
chattle, thought him worth looking after. — E. P.]
The following letter is from Edward Herndon, better known as
"Captain Lee's contraband." The letter is written plainly, the words
generally spelled correctly, and the punctuation quite correct. There
are some faults of grammar, but not so many or so grievous as we
have noted in many letters from men of reputed intelligence. .'Xnd yet
this poor negro was compelled to learn his letters secretly, from books
borrowed from his mistress' children, and was se\eral times whipped
because caught with a book in his hand. Nearly all that he has learned
he has acquired since he came to this county, only two years since,
and still there are great, stupid, ignorant loafers, who can scarcely
wTitc their names, who will curse the negro because he aint human,
and you can't learn him anything. — Editor of Guarhiian.
Camp Lincoln, Keokuk, Iowa, October 11, 1863.
Mk. William S.\mpson: — .\ few days ago I received an honorable
letter from your kind self and some of the rest of my friends, there
about Independence, and I consider it tiuite a display of honor, for
which you all have my heartiest thanks. I will now give my reason
for not writing before. We had not been mustered and were e.Npecting
the mustering officers every day, so I thought that I would not write
until I knew for certain what was what. I am now happy to say that
I can send you these lines without any uncertainty about the company
I belong to. We were mustered in to-day, which is the ele\enth day
of October, 1863. There were six companies mustered in, averaging
about eighty-four men to each company; and there were twenty who
called themselves the battery men. The si.v companies were all nicely
clothed in Uncle Sam's uniform yesterday, and I know it would have
done any Union eyes good to have seen us this morning; every man
with a clean shirt, drawers, socks, and new shoes, also dress-coats,
pantaloons, hats, and overcoats. If they will allow me to judge for the
companies, I would say that 1 do not believe any regiment of the
United States infantry has ever worn any nicer uniform than the one
we received yesterday.
However, I must make a few remarks here, before I proceed any
further, with my good thanks to our great Government. It may be
possible that our uniform looks better on us than it would on a white
regiment; at any rate, I guess it feels better oi) the majority of the boys;
for many of them had on little or nothing until they got their uniform.
1 presume you have heard that the officers were to have a premium
for every man enlisted by them, and the premium was to be two dollars,
and it was all true enough. -And the officers thought so much of us
that, when we were mustered in this morning, they gave us the two dol-
lars; so each one of us received a two dollar bill this morning when we
were mustered in.
From the First Iowa colored regiment.
October 12th. — I have but little time to write this morning, as I will
soon be obliged to come to a close for roll-call. Since I wrote you last
I have been appointed orderly sergeant of company A. Some of the
boys are quite unruly, so I have my hands full to see that things are
kept straight. There is only one of company .A's commissioned officers
commanding the company at this time. Our captain, Joseph Ferrice,
is commander of the barracks, and Lieutenant Williams has command
of company .\. There is eighty-four men in the company, including
five sergeants, eight corporals, and two musicians.
We have only one man sick in the hospital at this time, and he has
the lung fever. We have si.vteen sick in C|uarters, but they were all
able to be in the r.anks when we were mustered in but two. We have
been furnished with some school books, and a number of the men are
learning very fast. I put myself to considerable trouble to find out
something about the situation of the company's education and piety,
and I find it to be as follows: nine church members, four seekers, and
seventy profaners; five that can write, sixteen read, si.Kteen spellers, and
twenty-three who have just learned their letters. We have one of the
best lieutenants that ever left home. His name is Lieutenant Bradley.
He is our regimental school-teacher. He sometimes preaches and holds
prayer meeting, and at other times he makes educational and pious
speeches: indeed, he makes himself very useful among the men.
There was one man of our regiment who died the nineteenth of Sep-
tember, one the twenty-fifth, one the twenty-si.xth , one the ninth of
October, and one the tenth. We have a sutler, but have no appointed
chaplain. I was sergeant of the guard the night before I received your
letter, and I caught a bad cold and was quite sick two or three days,
and I am not very well at this time. Neither of the commissioned offi-
cers have been near the company this morning, and it is now ten
o'clock. I must now close, as I have to go to my other duties.
Edw.\rd Hernuon.
LETTER NO. CXXXII.
Camp of the Ninth Iowa Infantry, Iuka, Mississippi, )
October 16, 1863. )
Friend Rich: — I arrived here safe on the night of the fourteenth
inst., and found the regiment here in very good quarters. Tents are
rather scarce, however, and part of the regiment occupies a building for.
merly known as the ladies' seminaty; but it looks very little like such
an institution now, for the "Yanks" seem to be the principal inmates.
I found the company, or a part of them, in poor health. W. A. Jones
is considered dangerously sick by the surgeon, but yet there is some
hope of his recovery. Fever and ague seems to be the prevailing dis-
ease in camp, but we are now in a very fine location, and the health of
the regiment seems to be improving.
The election passed off here very quietly. The Ninth only cast five
votes for General Tuttle, out of three hundred and thirty-two. They
gave General Stone a larger majority than any other regiment in this
part of the army.
[The returns of the First division. Fifteenth army
corps, which the captain gave, are omitted as no longer
of general interest. — E. P.]
Your county ticket just suited the soldiers, and they, of course, all
voted the straight ticket. It seems quite natural to be again with the boys,
and I hope to be able to stay with them, at least until we are discharged
at the expiration of our term of service. I yet carry my crutches with
me.
The town of Iuka is most beautifully situated, on the Memphis &
Charleston railroad, which is guarded by our troops from Memphis to
this place, and as fast as the road is repaired east of here, a sufficient
force is moved forward to protect it from the enemy, who are prowling
around like hungry wolves, to nab some of our boys and destroy their
work. General Osterhaus is now in command of the First division, to
which we belong, and Colonel Williamson, of the Fourth infantry,
commands the brigade. Both are good soldiers, and their bravery and
skill have been tested on many bloody battlefields.
It is uncertain how long we shall remain here, but it is hoped by all
that we may stop here long enough to recruit the health of the men,
for the Iowa soldiers are famous for enduring long marches and many
hardships, and they should be in better health. Hard-tack, meat and
coffee are the principal rations now; good chough when you can't get
anything better, consequently it don't help the matter to grumble. I
had the misfortune to lose my valise in Dubuque, and it has not yet
reached mc, which makes me feel rather blue, even though my clothes
are gray with dust.
The paymaster has just finished paying the regiment, and there is a
"S
194
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
superfluity of Abe's greenbacks in circulation. While at Memphis I
met Captain Noble, who was looking quite well. He was to start for
his regiment, which he expected to find at Little Rock, on the four-
teenth. He has been very sick during his stay in Memphis, and has
not yet entirely recovered; yet he is an.\ious to be in the field.
E. C. Little.
[The Twenty-seventh left Little Rock in November,
and had since that time been in camp near Memphis. —
E. P.]
LETTER NO. CXXXIII.
Rear of ViCKSBfRcn, Missrssippi, February i, 1864.
Friend Rich: — On the twenty-first of January, 1864, we received or-
ders to be in readiness to move on the twenty-fourth. January 23d
we received two months' pay, from October 31st to December 31, 1863.
Major Lupton, paymaster. On the same day one hundred and twenty-
one rounds of ammunition per man were served. Did not move on
the twenty-fourth, as was expected. January 25th, brigaded with the
Fourteenth Iowa, Thirty-second Iowa, and One Hundred and Seventy-
eighth New York, and Colonel 'W. T. Shaw, Fourteenth Iowa, an-
nounced as brigade commander. We are Second brigade, Third
division, Si.vteenth army corps. All regimental and company property,
not required in the field, ordered stored in the quartermaster's depart-
ment in Memphis. January 27th the regiment embarked on steamer
Des Moines. January 28th the fleet left Memphis — seven boats loaded
with soldiers — and steamed down the river at 10 o'clock A. M. Our
band discoursed some lively music, while the bands on the other boats
contributed, by their inspiring strains, to the enthusiasm of the sol-
diers, as well as to that of the crowd collected to witness the departure
of the troops. The large buildings adjacent to the river were covered
with an immense throng. Soon we fell below the fort and, amid the
cheers of the crowd on shore and the waving of handkerchiefs by those
on the tops of buildings, we bade farewell to Memphis, to report ot
■Vicksburgh, Mississippi. January 29th, at simrise, we were at the
mouth of White river, and very soon after we passed that of the Ar-
kansas. To this point the regiment had sailed before; but as soon as
we passed below the familiar scenery, all were on deck, eager to see
something new. The same desolation marked the banks of the groat
river which characterizes them for hundreds of miles, until we had
passed the extreme southern limit of Arkansas. Then we began to pass
large, deserted plantations on either side of the river, on some of them
as many as thirty-five houses — isolated towns, in which the slaveholder
and his slaves formerly lived. Still farther down we saw other planta-
tions which were not deserted, but were worked under the supervision
of Government authorities by the freedmen. January 30th, passed
Milliken's Bend at 9 A. M. Saw the large building in which General
McPherson held his headquarters during the fitting out of the army
which marched westward and south through Louisiana, crossing the
river below 'Vicksburgh during the siege. We also saw the spot where
the negroes fought so heroically, capturing the rebel posts. At 10 A.
M. we came in sight of the city of sieges. We passed the mouth of
the Yazoo river and saw the famous canal — a mere ditch; passed
Haines' Bluff, and thought of the noble sons of America buried upon
those hills, and of the glorious victory of July 4, 1863, by the valiant
army under General Grant.
Immediately on our arrival we debarked, camped on the shore, and
hastily unloaded the baggage and supplies. Yesterday we remained
on shore, awaiting orders, without tents or shelter. Early in the even-
ing it commenced raining, and continued until the whole flat was
flooded with water. The boys, who had early lain down to rest, under
rubber blankets, were soon awake and singing, a l,i boatman, "Four
feet! Six feet!! Nine feet !! ! No bottom!!!!" At midnight the rain
ceased, and the men, without fires, passed the night in great discom-
fort; but all was borne uncomplainingly. This morning we moved, at
11 A. M. , from the levee through the city to our present camping
ground, two miles in the rear of Vicksburgh. The works are in a
measure abandoned. Many of the caves in the earth have been filled,
and the forts torn down. W^e are close to the spot where Lieutenant
Dunlap, of the Twenty-first Iowa, fell in the charge on the fort just be-
fore us. Our transportation is cut down to three teams for a regiment.
A large army is here, commanded by Major General .Sherman, and
will move soon.
Hastily,
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. CXXXIV.
Canton, Mississippi, February 27, 1864.
We have been in the wilderness nearly one month, shut out from all
communication with the northern world. You have doubtless been
notified of our movements through the columns of northern and eastern
journals. The expedition, not yet closed, will be considered one of the
most important of the war. It has been successfully and triumphantly
conducted by Major General W. T. Sherman. It was made up of the
Sixteenth and Seventeenth army corps — the Seventeenth commanded
by Major General McPherson, and the Sixteenth by Major General
Hurlbut.
We left camp, in the rear of Vicksburgh, February 3rd, and began
at once to contend with the difiiculties and privations of the expedition.
On the third we marched over a serpentine road, through a wooded
country, to Deer creek. On the fourth we left Deer creek, passed the
graves of some of the Buchanan county boys, who had been slain in
the struggle in this State one year ago; crossed the Big Black river, a
stream the size of the Wapsie; marched several miles, and, at a late
hour, camped on the plantation owned by the mother of Jeff Davis.
On the fifth there was sharp skirmishing between our advance and the
rebel cavalry, under General Lee. Several of the Union troops were
killed, and several wounded. The rebels were so hotly pursued that
they were unable to carry off their dead and wounded.
In the afternoon the corps, which had previously been on different
roads, formed a junction on a large plantation, with their colors beau-
tifully flying. .Shortly after, the rebels made a stand, and for the last
time west of Jackson. A Union soldier was killed and several wounded
at this point. Again we were advancing, and soon passed a rebel,
cold in death, close by the side of his charger. A solid shot had passed
through them both and produced instant death. The night of the
fifth we encamped four miles west of Jackson, and the cavalry brigade
that same night made a charge through the city. At 9 o'clock A. M.,
Sunday, the 7th, we moved into the city and halted immediately in
front of the capitol.
Twice before has the Union army been here — twice before has the
rebel army been driven away, and the stars and stripes carried in
triumph in the midst of her haughty and aristocratic people. They do
not love us— little children are sent to tell us that they "do not like
the looks of our flag at all," while their proud mothers and sisters cast
contemptuous glances at us, and wish their soldiers were powerful
enough to annihilate us. Jackson was once a fine city, but its beauty
is gone. 'Tis truly sad to look upon its ruins, for its grandeur has de-
parted, and in the midst of its beautiful grounds are to be found only
the blackened ruins of stately mansions.
Four days have we been en route from \'icksburgh. The woods, the
houses, the cotton gins, and king cotton himself, all have helped to
keep one continued blaze of fire — moving through the wilderness — a
pillar of fire to which the oppressed of this land are eagerly flacking.
We crossed the Pearl river on a pontoon bridge which the rebels had
not time to destroy, and came into the pine woods. It is a muddy
stream, and carries down about as much water as the Cedar; is deeper
but not so wide.
From Jackson to Brandon, twelve miles, the country is good for the
most part. Brandon, a fine little town of two hundred inhabitants,
perhaps, was burned. Morton was the next town through which we
passed. Here we took the advance of the Seventeenth corps, and
marched until midnight. February loth we passed through Hills-
borough, which met the same fiery fate as Brandon. At this town there
was skirmishing, and I saw one dead rebel, who was said to have joined
the army but a day or two before. He was said to be immensely rich,
and held the commission of major. On the eleventh we reached
Chunky creek, and here the two or three teams, allowed each regi-
ment, were left behind, and, on the twelfth, the army moved with all
possible speed in the direction of Decatur, to capture the enemy's
train. We reached Decatur, but the enemy had fled. The town was
burned, and we pushed hastily on, camping that night eight miles out
from Decatur. On the thirteenth we made a rapid march and drove
the rebels out of camp among the great pine trees, and cooked our
rations over their fires. Sunday, the fourteenth, we reached the great
railway centre. Meridian. The enemy had evacuated it. It was re-
ported that the infantry went to Mobile, and the calvary in all direc-
tions. Meridian is a small town. Its population, in its palmiest days,
was not more than five hundred. There were no fine buildings, or
gardens, or tastefully ornamented grounds.
As a railroad centre its occupation was of the greatest importance.
We destroyed, in all, some forty-eight miles of railroad track, a part
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
195
of ihe Mobile & Ohio, and part of the Vicksburgh & Charleston. We
penetrated to within two miles of Alabama, and destroyed everything
that could be of advantage to the enemy. Our army held Meridian
and Marion until the twentieth, when the march was led backwards.
An endless amount of cotton had been destroyed, large quantities of
supplies had been gathered from the country, and negroes had flocked
in by hundreds.
The country, from Jackson to Meridian, is a very rich one, sandy
soil, and abundantly watered. It is one continued pine forest, e.xcept
where large and fruitful plantations are found. None of the Spanish
moss, so abundant in other parts of the State, festooning the trees, is
seen in these pme forests.
This movement of Sherman was evidently not expected by the enemy.
On a high hill near Meridian, cotton had been hauled for the erection
of a fort, but was abandoned on our approach. New barracks were
also in process of construction. Here was the general hospital for
Mississippi and Alabama. We returned by Union and Hillsborough
to Canton. The Seventeenth army corps took their match on a road
south of our line, until we reached Pearl river.- The Iowa brigade
laid an excellent pontoon bridge over which both corps passed. The
country is exceedingly rich, and large quantities of forage are being
gathered. Hundreds and even thousands of negroes are in the train
here. They will be sent this morning to Vicksburgh, with the train
which is being pushed out in that direction.
General Sherman started yesterday for the river. We shall remain
here a few days, and, in the meantime, a train may meet us from the
river. Our sick go to Vicksburgh to-day. Of the incidents of the trip
I will speak in my next letter. The mail is about to close, and I wil[
send this, though a hastily written communication.
C. H. Lewis.
LETTER NO. C-XXXV.
[The following, though not from either of the three
regiments containing Buchanan county companies, was
written by a well known citizen of the county, who was,
at the time of writing, in the army. The early experiences
of the Twenty-seventh regiment called our attention for
a brief space, from the southern to the northern fiontier;
and though, after the rugged march to and from Mille
Lacs, no large number of Buchanan men were con-
nected with the Indian expeditions, it yet seems eminent-
ly proper that there should be something in our book to
remind the youth of the present day that simultaneously
with the splendid drama which was enacted on our south-
ern savannahs, fascinating the gaze of the civilized
world; as through a rift in the curtain of mist which
separates us from the past, we seemed to be looking upon
the tragedies of the early colonial times ; burning houses,
from which murdered babes and mothers had been drag-
ged; painted savages, with knife and tomahawk, making
pandemonium around the once peaceful homes they had
so ruthlessly destroyed — that these and similar scenes of
heathen orgies were being reproduced on the broad
upland prairies of the north. E. P.]
Indian E.xpedition, Camp Pope, June 15, 1863.
Friend Rich; — A few more miles nearer the north pole titan when
I last wrote you, and several hundred thousand footsteps in the path
towards military glory, as my achmg feet could testify the night we ar-
rived here.
We are undergoing at present a huge amount of rest, it being, in
military parlance, "absolute!^ requisite for the public service," to re-
cruit exhausted energies and heal up chapped and blistered feet incur-
red during our trip here. No great march to speak of, however — some
eighty odd miles in six days— but the weather, my friend— the weather!
Talk of dog days, the tropics, of ninety-nine degrees in the shade, and
you mention something cool in comparison with heat here. Scarcely a
drop of rain for three months, and no clouds but clouds of dust,
through which the sun glares pitilessly for at least two hours longer
than in regions farther south. I used to read, in my younger days
that the north had two seasons, a long, cold winter, and a short, hot
summer; and the hist clause is no lie, as I can fully testify— the short-
ness is yet to be verified. How the wind blows, too, night and day
without intermission, first from one quarter of the compass and then
another; not a cool, refreshing breeze, but a hot, dragging, sickly wind,
which takes all the energies from a man, and makes one think of the
simoon of the desert. There is one good thing, however, the nights
are cool and refreshing; indeed, I may say chilly, for many a morning
you can see groups huddled around the mess fires, shivering in their
great-coats, who at noon would be glad if the primitive costume of the
garden of Eden were made a part of military law and discipline.
But enough of that hackneyed subject, the weather. I want to tell
you something about Camp Pope and the great Indian e.xpedition. It
is a " big thing, " at least in the eyes of the Minnesotians. although,
beside the army of the Potomac, no doubt it is a small affair. Let us
take a little walk around the camp, for it is now the cool of the eve-
ning, and although dust predominates, that is at least bearable after
the singeing we ha^■e gone through to-day.
We are now twenty-three miles from Fort Ridgley, and pleasantly lo-
cated upon the second rise or plateau above the Minnesota river, and
the ground you see is as level as a parlor floor. What a beautiful site
for a town, with the river near by and plenty of timber on the farther
shore, good water obtained by sinking wells eight or ten feet deep, a
pretty little lake just below, and the bluffs rising gradually until they
reach the broad table land or prairie above. And is it not a town al-
ready? Nay, a city with a population of three thousand souls; streets
laid out with mathematical precision; several stores — but there the re-
semblance ends ; canvass houses instead of frame or brick, the steady
tramp of soldieiy instead of the thronging bustle of citizens, the quick
peremptory challenge of the guard as you approach the lines, instead
of the cordial greeting of acquaintances; and the stirring music of the
fife and drum, and the blare of bugles mark the time instead of church
bells striking the hours. And you know, too, in an hour's time this
city can vanish and leave no vestige of its present existence but these
embankments, which may hereafter be classed among the mounds and
tumuli, that tell of the buried cities of the ages long gone by.
On two sides of the camp, which comprises some forty acres, are
long lines of sod fortifications, about four feet high, with a trench in-
side; and here is the Third Minnesota battery, which accompanies the
expedition, with its field pieces and plenty of shell and shrapnel. They
are our main dependence against a large body of Indians; for they (the
Indians) say they can skulk and hide from a bullet, and dodge a solid
shot, but "those rotten balls, no good." Below them, drawn up out-
side, are the pontoons, twenty-one large yellow flat-boats for bridging
the rivers; and two companies of the Ninth Minnesota accompany
them as sappers and miners. To your right are two long wooden sheds,
at one time filled to the roof with commissary stores, but now pretty
well emptied. Long lines of six-mule teams are drawn up here, and
the quickness with which hardtack, salt pork and other delicacies of
soldier's rations are loaded up, checked off. and the team started out of
the way, is a wonder to the uninitiated. Two hundred and twenty-five
wagons were loaded up with rations, averaging three thousand three
hundred pounds to the wagon. Here, too, are the ambulances — well-
covered spring wagons — some twenty or more. God grant we may
have little use for them; but the long march of eight or nine hundred
miles will place many a poor fellow /tors du combat, if an Indian bullet
or arrow never whistles near us.
Now let us cross over to the other side of the camp, passing the
sutler's tent, where almost everything eatable can be had — for a con-
sideration. The consideration is rather heavy and the weights vict
fi:rM, as you will discover if you conclude to patronize him; but we
won't stop just now. Sutling in the army is extremely profitable, for a
soldier, as a general thing [we are glad to know that there were
many honorable exceptions among tb.e Buchanan county men.— E. P.],
like Jack Tar, when he has plenty of money, only knows one other
thing, how to spend it; and it is not much wonder that many colonels,
whose love for lucre is greater than their patriotism, are apt to have
their fingers in the sutler's pie.
Now we come into the cavalry quarters, eight companies of which
will go with us. Up and down the whole length of the broad streets,
a double row of horses is picketted; and, as you perceive, they are in
good order and capable of undergoing a large amount of work. Their
services will be invaluable to us as we'advance; for the crafty Indian
will never risk a general battle, save in overpowering numbers, but
will skulk and lie in ambush to attack us unawares and at a disadvan-
tage, in the ravines and wooded gullies through which we may pass.
With these mounted rangers to scout ahead and protect our flanks,
we may bid them defiance. In the distance, scattered here and there,
are packs of wagons, their white canvas coverings contrasting finely
196
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
with the rich green of the prairie; and, between them and us, mules,
cattle and horses are scattered around promiscuously. Some eighteen
hundred of the long-eared gentry accompany the expedition.
Everything looks calm and peaceful now; but let one of those pick-
ets upon the distant hills ride his horse in a circuit at full gallop, and
how quick the scene would change ! There would be mounting in
hot haste, and charging to and fro; long lines of soldiers would file
out upon the green; then would be heard the sharp words of com-
mand; the rapid response in motion would be seen; the dashing hither
and thither of mounted orderlies, carrying messages from headquarters;
and every eye would be strained to catch the first appearance of the
enemy. But there is no danger; scouts aie out daily for miles around
and report not the slightest sign of the skulking savage. So we may
retire to our blankets and dream of friends, feeling secure that our
scalp will be in the morning "in de place where de wool ought to
grow."
June 20th. — We have now been upon the match five days, lying over
yesterday at Rigg's creek. We are now twenty-five miles above Yel-
low Medicine agency, having followed up the Minnesota river; and are
at present encamped some forty rods from the stream, which here is hard-
ly as large as the Wapsie at your town. Not a sign of the Indian yet, and
I fear we shall never get near enough to see their rascally countenances.
Prairie upon prairie to-day, as you travel hour by hour, with nothing
around you but this green sea of vegetation, and the boundless blue of
the sky above, you begin to realize the vastness of these plains of the
northwest. Our mammoth train, of some three hundred and fifty
wagons, stretches out, with its attendants, fully five miles m a straight
line; and the head of the column is geneially encamped several hours
before the rear guard reaches the camp.
But I must close in a hurry, as the mail will soon start for below, and
it is our last mail before reaching Fort Abercrombie.
j. M. B.
LETTER NO. CXXXVI.
Camp AT Chattanooga, Tennessee, September 27, 1863.
Friend Rich: — It would be an impossibility, from the nature of
the ground fought over, as well as from the unusual and mixed order
of the fight itself, for an actual participant in the battle of Chickamau-
ga Creek to give any general description of that contest, which raged
two days with a fury hitherto unknown in the progress of this war. I
am more intimately acquainted with the experience of a single bri-
gade, and an account of what it did, and what it suffered, will perhaps
afford some idea of the magnitude and fierceness of the battle in gen-
eral.
The Third brigade. Third division. Twentieth army corps, is com-
posed entirely of Illinois troops. On the morning of the nineteenth
inst., it numbered thirteen hundred fighting men — the Forty -second,
Fifty-first, Twenty-second, and Twenty-seventh regiments. The Forty-
second and Fifty-first are the first and second uf the three regiments
raised by General Stewart, of Chicago, under the name of the "Dou-
glas Brigade."
You will bear in mind that the Twentieth corps had assigned to it
the duty of making a diversion towards Rome, Georgia, in order to
draw Bragg from his exceedingly strong position at Chattanooga.
This strategy was eminently successful; but it caused the corps a vast
amount of hard work in crossing and recrossing the extensive ranges of
mountains lying between Stevenson and Bridgeport (our points of
departure), and the Chickamauga valley. The movement, moreover,
was far more hazardous than was suspected at the time it was made;
and too much credit can not be awarded those generals under whose
immediate direction it was accomplished.
At sunset of the nineteenth, our brigade was in position on the
extreme right of the army in Chickamauga. During the night we
changed position several miles to the left. It was evident that the
enemy was concentrating towards our left, in order to force a passage
on the main road leading to Chattanooga, and thus cut us off from
that point. On the morning of the nineteenth, we again took up our
line of march to the left. We had halted for a lunch at a large spring,
and were on the point of resuming our march, when the roar of cannon
and rattle of musketry announced the battle begun, before our centre
and right could be placed in position. We were thus taken at a dis-
advantage at the outset; nevertheless our boys, already in position,
fought heroically, and troops from the right were thrown into the
contest as rapidly as they arrived on the ground. The nature of the
position was such that but little artillery could be used. The fighting
was principally in the timber and brush. There was no such thing as
looking over the whole field of battle, or even a considerable portion of
it, from any one point. So dense was the underbrush in places, that it
was difficult to get through it at all. At one point there was an extensive
open field, which, at the opening of the battle, was held by a portion
of Longstreet's corps. A brigade from Wood's division. Twenty-first
corps, charged the enemy with the object of gaining this field. With
irresistable energy our boys dashed forward, sweeping before them the
proud Virginia legions and gaining half the field, which they held until
overpowered by sheer numbers, when they fell back to the covei of the
wood. At this moment a brigade from Davis' division, Twentieth
corps, came up and was thrown forward foi a second struggle for the
field. This charge, like the first, was successful, and a portion of the
Eighth Indiana battery was placed in position in the centre of the field;
but, with renewed force, the enemy swept back upon the devoted
brigade, gained the field and with it the battery. Our brigade had now-
arrived, and we were immediately formed for the charge. Before us
were the choicest troops of the South, occupying a portion of the field
in strong force, and covering the rest with their fire. Gallantly in front
of our line lode Colonel Bradley, leading the charge. On, on, pressed
our little brigade. The enemy held their fire, and meantime took
position under cover of the timber and rail fences, where they could
sweep the whole field with their long Enfields. We well knew what the
dead silence portended- it was a terrible moment, more awful than the
roar of artillery and musketry; but not a man flinched, not a cheek
blanched. We had just reached the artillery which the enemy had
failed to remove; when, with a single crash, the contents of thousands
of rifles were poured into our ranks from the front and flank. Our
men went down by scores — the brave Colonel Bradley receiving two
severe wounds at the same instant — still with unconquerable stubborn-
ness our position was held and the enemy silenced. Our brigade saved
the artillery, the men dragging the pieces off the field by hand.
Lying on the ground, we awaited a fresh attack, for the recovery of the
field; but none was made, and we were annoyed alone by sharpshooters
till dark. The loss of the brigade in this charge was two hundred
and fifty. We were kept in front during the night, which was unusually
chilly; and, as fires were out of the question, our sufferings from cold
and want of rest were a sorry preparation fur tlie work of the following
day.
During the night our right was thrown back, and in the morning,
under cover of a dense fog, \Ve abandoned the field and took a new and
more advantageous position on an open hill, on the extreme right of the
army. The centre and right had been weakened in order to strengthen
the left, where the main attack was expected to fall. Taking advan-
tage of this disposition, the enemy massed on the centre; and, at 11
o'clock, commenced the attack. As on the previous day, owing to the
nature of the ground, our artillery was comparatively useless, and the
whole battle was preeminently one of rifles. We of the right listened
anxiously as the roll of small arms grew louder and nearer^evidently
our weak lines w'ere being overpowered, and soon the shock would fall
on us; still we had a strong position, and felt confident of our ability
to hola it. But now commenced an exhibition of stupidity which has
been the theme of indignant discussion ever since the battle.
The division on the left of our own was giving way; Polk's entire
corps, and two divisions from Longstreet's were rapidly bearing down
upon our division. According to all rules of war and common sense
the three brigades forming our division should have been so handled as
to support each other, either in attack or defence. To our astonish-
ment the brigades were ordered singly forward into the brush for
slaughter. The first brigade, entirely overwhelmed, gave way, fighting
manfully; the second brigade was ordered to charge at a point where
to do so was sure defeat; but they went in grandly, and fought like
heroes, though unavailingly. Ours was no>v the last brigade of the
right wing of the army of the Cumberland. Were we to have a fair
show in position, or were we to be sacrificed? Alas, the answer was
soon all too evident! In a single line, by the flank, at the double
quick, we were marched away from advantage in position into the
biush; and even before we could form line and move forward the
leaden storm began to pour upon us with the fury of a whirlwind.
Still we pushed forward into the jaws of death. Four long lines of
the choice troops of rebeldom were confronting us — ten thousand brave
soldiers of the confederacy against a Federal brigade of a thousand men!
We had passed through the hottest of the contest at Stone River, with
fire in front and flank; but that was mere pattering to the storm that
raged during the twenty minutes we held the rebel hosts at bay in the
bush at Chickamauga Creek. Their first line gave way, the second
followed, but the third and fourth remained unbroken; and in conjunc-
tion with a column thrown forward on our left to cut us off, compelled
us to fall back and secure a safe retreat. The enemy had suffered too
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
197
severely to pursue llieir advantage. Let me say that this management
was not under the direction of General Sheridan, the commander of
our division — his military talents are of too sohd a character to admit
of such blundering. 1 will only suggest that General McDowell Mc-
Cook commands the Twentieth corps.
In this second day's fight our little brigade lost three hundred men!
How long must soldiers be sacrificed through the stupidity of incom-
petent generals? With ordinary handling; in short, with the ghost of
a chance we should have held our own with comparatively little loss.
Of the battle in general, let me say that, in so far as the accomplish-
ment of their gnind object was concerned — the recapture of Chatta-
nooga— it was to them a defeat. It is true they compelled us to fall
back; but they were too severely crippled to follow up their advantage,
notwithstanding they hurled over one hundred thousand men against
no more than fifty thousand Federals; and they are further off from
the accomplishment of their original purpose to-day than on the morn-
ing of the nineteenth instant.
The star of Rosecrans is still in the ascendant. Would that some
of the lesser stars shone with as pure a light.
J. L. LooMIS.
LETTER NO. CXXXVII.
SIIERM.VN'S EXPEDITION TO MERIDI.\N — SUMMING UI> RESULTS.
March 7, 1864.
Friend Rich: — . . Much of the way we were between
two hedge fences. These hedges in the south are both durable and
beautiful. The shrub is very much like the sweet brier and is covered
with roses in the summer, which gives the hedges a most beautiful ap-
pearance. The country through which we passed on the first instant
was much the finest we have seen in the south. Imagine yourself
standing in front of one of these stately mansions looking out over a
plantation of hundreds of acres of the richest land, fenced with a
hedge through which a bird cannot fly, covered in the season with the
largest, most beautiful roses; yourself the possessor of all, with negroes
to do all the labor, while you ride through these pleasant flowery aisles
in your thousand dollar carriage ! Would you not feel a little aristo-
cratic?
March 4th we reached Vicksburgli, having been shut out from all
communications for thirty days. And do you ask what are the fnnts
of the e.xpedition? We pushed into the interior as far as Meridian —
burned many houses, much cotton, all the rails that necessity required;
a large part of the remnant of Jackson was burned; the little towns of
Brandon, Morton, Decatur, Meridian and Mason were almost entirely
destroyed. At Meridian, the great railway centre, we destroyed some
fifty miles of rail track, thereby cutting effectually the communication
between Mobile and the southwest, with the great heart and soul of
the confederacy. Hundreds of horses, mules, wagons, carriages and
many other articles of use to the army, were confiscated and brought
in. And last and not least, upwards of seven thousand negroes were
brought back with the two army corps. This was a strike for the ter-
mination of the war and, as such, was a true act of humanity to the
south as well as to the north, and will be so recognized in the future
by all.
Since our return we have received seventy-nine recruits, which bring
our aggregate up to three hundred and ten. E. P. Baker has been
discharged by orders from headquarters, Si.xteenth army corps, to en-
able him to accept appointment as captain in a negro regiment.
W'e are now under orders to proceed by boat down the Mississippi
river and up the Red, to be gone about thirty days. Brigadier Gen-
eral A. J. Smith, of the Third division. Sixteenth army corps, com-
mands the expedition. There are lo be ten thousand troops, two
thousand five hundred of which are of the Seventeenth army corps, the
balance of the Sixteenth corps. We shall go aboard the boats to-
night or to-morrow, and the fleet will move the ninth of March.
L. H. C.
LETTER NO. CXXXVII L
Headquarters Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, )
Ale.xandria, Louisiana. March 17, 1864. J
Friend Rich: — You have heard much of the Red River expedition
of late. It is the fortune of the Twenty-seventh to be one of the regi-
ments comprising it. The expedition was organized immediately after
our return from the march eastward to Meridian, Mississippi. It was
composed of some ten thousand infantry, and one or two companies of
Maine cavalry, and when embarked made a fleet of twenty-two gun-
boats, commanded by .Admiral Porter. The expedition is commanded
by Brigadier General A. J. Smith. Brigadier General Morrer com-
m.ands the First and Third divisions of the Sixteenth army corps.
On the ninth of March we embarked on the steamer Diadem, one of
the nineteen transports which constituted the fleet for the transporta-
tion of the infantry and artillery. At 2 o'clock p. M. an order was re-
ceived for one company to report a^. guard for Brigadier General Smith,
on board the steamer Clara Bell. Company C, Lieutenant Sill, was
sent. Our boat dropped down the river alongside the Clara Bell, and
company C reported at once. Al sunset we moved down the river.
On the eleventh of March we passed Natchez at sunrise, but made no
stop till we reached the mouth of Red river, when we halted and the
men went on shore, which gave an opportunity for cleaning the boats.
The next morning we discovered that what we had supposed was the
mouth of Red river, was, in fact, the confluence of Old river, the for-
mer bed or main channel, with the Mississippi. The water has a very
reddish appearance, and the scenery along either side is truly beautiful.
Having sailed a few miles further, we passed the mouth of the Red,
and at 2 o'clock P. M. entered the Atchafalaya river, when we found
ourselves still saiUng down stream. At 5 P. M. the gun-boats and
transports were anchored, and all await orders from expedition com-
manders. It was an exceeding fine country on either side of the river;
and, as the boats, one by one, passed down the placid waters of the
stream, and moved in toward the shores, the sight was really charm-
ing. Never before, in the history of the Nation have the waters of the
Atchafalaya bore so magnificent a prize, or these shores witnessed so
magnificent a scene. First the daring gun-boats, then the transports,
each clad in blue, and then the small, swift dispatch boats; all have
found their way into the forests of Louisiana, upon these waters un-
known to fame.
Three miles back from the river, at Bayou Blaize. the enemy had
constructed strong fortifications, which, if filled with guns and men,
would have commanded the broad and level tract of country between
them and the river. Large trees had been felled on either side of this
broad clearing, which formed an excellent abattis. On our way out to
the fortifications we saw much of southern vegetation that was new to
us. The tall, spreading evergreen, the large sycamore, and the oak,
were all clad in drooping festoons of Spanish moss, which hangs in
endless (luantities from almost every tree, giving to the grove a funereal
aspect. .\ large bridge, which spanned a stream fifty feet in width,
directly in front of the earthworks, had been burned.
The boats were at once unloaded of wagons, rations, and every-
thing indispensable to our march, and eighty rounds of ammunition
were distributed. At dark we were called into line, and after a delay of
an hour or two, which soldiers must learn to expect, a force of ten
thousand, under General A. J. Smith, marched for the interior. We
marched about six miles and encamped on the bank of Bayou Blaize,
at 2 o'clock a. m. At early daybreak we moved along the bayou,
passing large sugar plantations, all having excellent sugarcane mills.
Bayou Blaize, though narrow, is quite deep even at this dry sea^n, as
I can attest after having tried to ford it in pursuit of rebels. At 10 A.
M. we passed the little town of Boroughsville, at which point we
crossed the bayou — our regiment on a little flat-boat, and the rest of
the troops on a bridge hastily constructed for that purpose. Here we
came in sight of several of the enemy, who beat a hasty retreat. As
soon as the troops were crossed, our regiment. Colonel Gilbert com-
manding, advanced rapidly, and when we had marched two hundred
yards a shot was fired from a hill in our front. As soon as another
bridge was repaired, we started in hot haste, expecting a fight immedi-
ately. We came soon to an open prairie country, settled wholly by
French people. The plantations were large, the houses were neat and
commodious. Large herds of cattle, horses, and sheep roamed over
the most exquisitely beautiful prairies, dotted here and there with min-
iature lakes of clear water.
Mansura, a fine little town of four hundred inhabitants, all French,
was passed, and three miles beyond, over the prettiest country we had
seen in the South, we reached Marksville, another French village.
The people received us with great joy. The men are not in the army,
but at home; and every house is to-day as undisturbed as are the
houses of the north, and everything betokens a peaceful and prosper-
ous community.
Our advance had by this time reached near Red river, at Fort De
Russav. Our gun-boats were in the river below and had opened the
battle. Our brigade was in the advance, but a whole division which
had passed us while we were on guard in Marksville, were between us
and the rest of the brigade. Colonel Gilbert at this point sent Lieu-
tenant Peck, acting adjutant, petitioning Colonel Shaw, commanding
brigade, that we might be ordered to rejoin the brigade. The request
was granted and regiment was ordered forward. We wound our way
down through the woods, the enemy having got good range of the
198
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
road that ran direct to the fort. When we were within several hun-
dred yards of the fort, in the woods, the shells from the eneiny's guns
flying thick and fast about us, we were ordered to lie down and wait
orders. Our brigade battery was in the meantime pouring a constant
fire into the fort. Sharpshooters were ordered for\vard to pick off the
enemy's gunners. Only a moment passed, it seemed to us, when we
were ordered forward, and alongside of a fence, where we again lay
down. Again we were ordered forward. A charge was to be made
on the fort from two points simultaneously. Our regiment was on the
south side and we were ordered forward, double quick. Then, for the
first time in our soldier history, was our courage, as a regiment in ac-
tion put to the test; and glad I am to send the record to Iowa, that no
regiment ever went bolder into a fight than did the Twenty-seventh
Iowa at Fort De Russay March 14, 1864. Their double quick was a
double jump. The Third brigade were the only soldiers in the charge.
The rebels saw that it was useless to fight and quickly ran up the white
flag. Then the soldiers of the brigade broke into one wild, ringing,
vociferous yell of joy. The rattle of musketry, expressive of joy, for a
time was incessant. The fort was ours, two hundred and fifty rebels,
two twenty-four pounders, two six-punders, with small arms, ammuni-
tion and supplies, together with one of the strongest works I have seen
in the South. The whole commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bird,
was unconditionally surrendered. Long might the rebels have held
out if they had had a large force. When the cheering was over we re-
turned to the prairie near the hospital building and encamped.
To-day we have marched thirty miles, built a bridge across Bayou
Blaize, and captured Fort De Russay. The number of wounded in the
hospital is twenty-two. Only three or four were killed. On the fif-
teenth we reembarked on board the Diadem, which lay close to the
fort. At sunset we steamed up the river ten miles and laid up for the
night. One brigade was left at Fort De Russay, and we started up the
river for Alexandria, expecting to find strong works and have a sharp
fight. Sailed through the same beautiful country, la belle France.
The French are at every bend in the river, and the French flags are
flying from the houses. [The "White flags thrown out" at Mansura
must be intended. — E. P.] Laid up at Alexandria without opposition.
The rebels under Dick Taylor were here yesterday, but they are gone
to-day, it is said to reenforce Fort De Russay. We remained all day
at Alexandria. The town is quite a fine one, and it is claimed that it
had formerly fifteen hundred inhabitants. Our regiment was ordered
ashore yesterday and is in camp just on the bank. We sent out a
foraging party to-day, which obtained three hogsheads and two barrels
of sugar, large quantities of shoulders and hams, and a great number
of cattle, mules and horses.
Governor Moore's plantation is within six miles of this place; and
the very spot where Solomon Northrup, who was kidnapped in Wash-
ington and soid into slavery, lived, is only a few miles distant. Some
of the most thrilling scenes in " Uncle Tom's Cabin" are laid in the
Red River country. Another foraging party, uader the command of
Colonel Gilbert, brought in large quantities of sugar, potatoes, etc.
There are thousands of hogsheads of sugar in this country. During
the past three years there has been but a small amount of sugar or cot-
ton shipped, and vast quantities of both have accumulated. Many
Unionists are reported throughout the country — one came through our
lines to-day, an old man, ninety years of age, who had been stripped
of all his property. A man of Union sentiments, in his neighborhood,
had been made to dig his own grave, and then, standing by its side, he
had been shot and buried by traitors.
Later, from Grand Ecore. — Fort De Russay was destroyed by the
brigade left for that purpose. Thirty barrels of powder were used to
blow up the magazines. It is reported that some of the men, anxious
to see everything that was going on, rushed up too near, and met a sad
fate. Five were killed, and as many more shockingly wounded.
Jacob Beck, of company C, who was wounded at the capture of the
fort, died on the twenty-fourth. On the twenty-sixth of March, the
troops left the boats, and marched fifteen miles towards Shreveport,
along Bayou rapids. W> moved through an exceedingly fine country,
on the day following, to Ceolile Landing, on Red river. Our boats ar-
rived, during the night, with the exception of the large and commodi-
ous hospital boat, Woodford, which is reported a total wreck on the
rapids below; having foundered upon an old wreck that had lain
there for years. A large number of our men are taking the small-pox.
Men with this disease are taken to a house near the landing, but it is
in the regiment, and will appear again. April 2d, all our troops were
ordered aboard the boats, and at 12 o'clock M., we moved up the Red
river with the entire fleet of transports and gun-boats. As we pass
along, we see hundreds of negroes on the river side, hailing the advent
of " Massa Linkum. " General Banks' forces are on the march up the
south side of the river, and have captured, after a little fight, the small
town of Natchitoches. At 4 p. M., we reached Grand Cove, and the
signal of one gun announced the enemy in sight. We debarked at
once, taking knapsacks, baggage, camp and garrison equippage. Our
camp is an exceedingly fine one among tlie trees. It will do our men
good to wander through the forests again. We did not receive orders
to move on the following morning, as expected. Our boat, Diadem,
and the Southwester and Sioux, went up the river two miles to wood.
A foraging party was sent out, and returned with some excellent beef.
A large cavalry force, supported by the Thirty-fifth Iowa, moved up
the north side of the river, a short distance above Caurdea, distant
from this point three or four miles. The commander of the troops
moved his whole force carelessly ahead, without any advance guard, it
is reported, down to a bridge, which was torn up by the enemy. As
soon as they had all crowded down at the bridge, the enemy in ambush
fired upon them. The adjutant of the New York veteran cavalry fell
with five enlisted men, and forty men wounded. As soon as our troops
recovered from the shock, they rallied and drove the enemy from the
field. It is a disaster for which some one is responsible, and it is high
time that all officers, who do not properly regard the interests and safety
of their men, were relieved from their command by better men.
What will be our next move I am unable to tell, farther than that it
will be up the river. There are probably about fifteen thousand rebels
in arms above here to meet us. Dick Taylor, Walker, Kirby .Smith
and Daddy Price are said to be in command.
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. CXXXIX.
He.\dqu.\rters Twenty-seventh Iow.\ Infantry, 1
Grand Ecore, April 19, 1864. /
Fkieni:) Rich : — The period which has elapsed since I wrote to you,
has been to us the most eventful of the war. On the morning of the
seventh, the forces of the Thirteenth army corps. General Ransom
commanding ; the Sixteenth and Seventeenth army corps. General Smitli
commanding; the Eighteenth army corps. General Franklin command-
ing, and all under command of Major General N. P. Banks, left Grand
Ecore for an advance towards Shreveport. The Thirteenth corps was in
the advance followed by the Nineteenth, and General Smith's command
in the rear. The weather was fine, the roads good, and the march met
with little or no opposition, until Pleasant Hill was reached. At Mans-
field, ten or twelve miles in advance of that place, the enemy had taken
position and determined to give us battle. When the Thirteenth corps
had reached within striking distance of the enemy, a consultation was
held, and General Ransom was permitted by General Banks, against
the wish of General Franklin, to move up and provoke a fight. Our
army of tv/enty-five thousand was scattered through the woods of
Louisiana for twenty-five miles. A large cavalry train, together with
numerous ambulances, had been pushed to the front. Everything con-
nected with the whole force was wholly managed for a general engage-
ment. The Nineteenth corps had gone into camp, seven miles in the
rear of the Thirteenth. In this unprotected and irregular condition,
the fight was commenced between Ransom and the rebel Taylor.
Some sixteen hundred of the Thirteenth were sent out to contest the
field w^ith ten thousand rebels. Of course they were hastily beaten
back with tremendous slaughter. A small force was thrown out a
second time and gobbled.
By this time the enemy knesv his power and our weakness, and
pushed forward boldly, capturing men, horses, mules, wagons, ambu-
lances, artillery, and whatever they passed which had been shoved in-
to their hands. The thirteenth corps fought well for an hour, and re-
treated two miles, when the nineteenth was met and, after a desperate
fight, checked the further pursuit of the foe. Night came on and
spread her sad and sable mantle over the scene. One hundred and
thirty wagons loaded with cavalry equipage, amunition and rations,
twenty-two pieces of artillery, thirteen hundred men of the Thirteenth
corps, and five hundred more of the Nineteenth corps, with all their
guns — all were gone. General Banks thought he was whipped, and a
retreat was ordered. By this time, the evening of the eighth, General
A. J. Smith's forces had reached Pleasant Hill. We had received no
news from the front, and all lay down as quietly as at our peaceful
homes. At 2 o'clock A. M. reveille was ordered. A few moments
elapsed, and Colonel Gilbert was sent for by the brigade commander^
Soon it was understood that Banks had been whipped, and that there
had been a fearful slaughter of troops. Our fires were extinguished,
our men ordered under arms, and all looked with dark forebodings fOj
coming events.
Soon the retreating train appeared. Hour after hour the heavily
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
199
ladened train moved rapidly back. What an immense train ! There
is a probability that many wagons could yet be spared profitably by
this army. Wagons loaded with flooring for tents, with goats and
bird cages, are of little service to the Government ; and generals who
allow their trains to be thus encumbered, are of less use. All could
see that a retreat had been ordered. Brigadier General Smith, it is
said, expressed much dissatisfaction, and desired to remain and fight
alone ; but all he was allowed to do was simply to cover the retreat to
Grand Ecore.
I send the official report of Colonel Gilbert, which will speak for
itself. Company C is still on detached service, as guard at Brigadier
General Smiths headquarters, on the transport Clara Bell.
Headquarters Tvventv-seventh Regiment, Iowa Vol-"!
UNTEER Infantry, \
Grand Ecore, April 11. 1864. j
Captain; — I have the honor to report the following list of casualties
in the Twenty-seventh regiment. Iowa volunteers, at the battle of
Pleasant Hill, April 9, 1864;
About 10 A. M. we were ordered into line and moved one and a-half
miles on the road to Shreveport, and took position of left centre of
brigade, in advance line, relieving the Fifteenth Maine volunteer in-
fantry. Our line was established in the edge of a thick wood, and the
men commanded to lie down. An open field lay to our front. Com-
pany B was immediately thrown out as skirmishers. Firing was quite
brisk until half past 3 in the afternoon; the enemy's skirmishers appear-
ing at times, then falling back. At that time the enemy advanced in
force. Our*skirmishers fought well, until overpowered and driven in.
Immediately they resumed their place in the regiment, the enemy
steadily approaching in strong columns.
At this point a bold cavalry charge was made by the enemy along the
Shreveport road. Our men remained quiet until they had approached
to within short range, when a full volley was poured into the rebel
ranks. The effect was telling. Riders reeled and fell, horses were
struck as dead as if a bolt of heaven had riven the air. The scene was
an appalhng one. Scarcely a man who made that charge, but met his
death on the spot. The enemy had moved upon the left of our ad-
vance hue in strong force. The line had already broken away to the
left, and news came that the enemy were flanking us. Already the
enemy were fighting in our rear. Several shots had taken effect in the
ranks of companies B and G. The enemy advanced in our front in
solid columns. We met them with determined fire; volley after volley
was poured into their ranks. For two hours the rattle of musketry was
incessant and deafening. Several shells and a number of solid shot
struck immediately by us, bursting and wounding a number of men.
About half-past 5 r. M., the order was given to retreat, but was not re-
ceived by me until after other regiments had retired, leaving both flanks
of my regiment greatly exposed. We fell back in good order and in
line, until the enemy was discovered to be flanking us, when the line
was broken, and we escaped through narrow passages, the enemy pour-
ing a sharp fire upon both flanks, and closing in rapidly on our rear.
At this point in the struggle, a large part of those reported, were killed
or wounded. We immediately formed line in the rear of supporting
column, and awaited orders.
I would like to mention the names of some ofirceis who distinguished
themselves, but all conducted themselves so bravely and so well that I
refrain from mentioning any save Captain J. M. Holbrook, company
F, who, after having received a severe wound, led his men with dis-
tinguished gallantry, until a second severe wound was received, and the
regiment reformed in rear of supporting column.
Aggregate of killed, missing, and wounded, eighty eight.
I have the honor to be, captain.
your most obedient servant,
J.'VMES I. Gilbert, colonel commanding.
To Charles T. Granger, captain and A. A. A. G., Second
brigade, Third division.
The musketry firing was as sharp as that at any place during the
war. if the testimony of the officers and men who were at Shiloh and
Corinth can be credited. At dark the firing ceased, when the rebels
beat a long retreat for eight miles. The enemy lost more in killed and
wounded than we did. Their numbers engaged were far greater than
ours. During the night of the ninth. General Price came down with
fresh troops from Arkansas, and some came up from Texas, making
in all, it is thought, a reenforcement of twenty-two regiments. They
fought as bravely as ever men could fight, and they were in the best of
spirits, for they had gained a large prize on the eighth.
It is a little provoking to rend communications from lying corres-
pondents, to the effect that the Thirteenth and Nineteenth corps did all
the fighting at Pleasant Hill, when it is acknowledged by all that Gen_
eral Smith's forces, the Sixteenth and Seventeenth, saved the army and
gained all that was gained. Far be it from me to detract from the
credit due the Thirteenth and Nineteenth; they fought well and have
as good soldiers as can be found in the United Slates service. But
facts are facts; the Thirteenth corps commenced their retreat two hours
before the battle of Pleasant Hill commenced. The Nineteenth was
our support, and did good fighting after we fell back, which was just
at sunset. We lay in line of battle all night. It was intensely cold,
and many of the boys had lost their blankets during the fight, so that
nothing could be obtained but a light blouse to keep them warm. The
wounded are being brought up to the hospital as fast as they come
within our lines. Although the rebels have retired, it is not safe to ad-
vance by night, and many of those with whom we have spent so many
days of soldiering, are to-night outside our lines, shivering with cold
and suftering from pain. This retreat is the hardest order since we
have been soldiers. Our men, with whom we have associated for almost
two years, whose friendship has been cemented by all the privations
which a soldier meets on the weary march, in the lone camp, or on the
stem field of battle, are left uncared for. Could we have lingered an
hour or two to care for them, it would stay the grief; but no, we must
go at once.
And back we came to Grand Ecore, sick at heart and discouraged,
for the news of our sad repulse is confirmed. But we must submit.
We found that our transports, which had been ordered up the river
when we marched, had not arrived, and the roar of distant artillery
tells too plainly that they are in trouble. We hastened to their relief
and found them all safe, though perforated by rebel balls, and several
cannon shots passed entirely through some of the boats. Company C
have had a share in the fight, notwithstanding they are acting as
guards for General Smith. None of them are woimded, however, and
all are now in the best of spirits. The fleet is safe, the water is low.
When we shall move I would not pretend to say. and in what direction
when we do move, I do not pretend even to surmise. C. H. L.
The following are the casualties reported in company H: H. H.
Love, corporal, wound not known, left on the field; E. E. Mulick, left
hip, severe, left on the field; H. B. Booth, left hand, severe; A. Cor-
dell, neck, slight; H. Harrigan, left hand, slight; J. C. Haskins, left
hand, slight. Love, Booth, Cordell, and Haskins, were from Quasque-
ton, Mulick from Brandon, and Harrigan from Independence.
LETTER NO. CXL.
[Extracts from the official report of Colonel Gilbert,
concerning the gallant fight of the Twenty-seventh near
Tupelo.]
Headqu-^rters Second Brigade,
Division,
Sixteenth Army Corps, Near L.\ Grange, V
Tennessee, luly 22, 1864. j
We had camped on the north side of Old Town creek. Mississippi,
where, about 5 o'clock p. M., fifteenth instant, the enemy attacked the
rear of the column, and from a high hill some three-fourths of a mile
on the opposite side of the creek, commenced shelling our camp. I
received orders to move out the infantry of my command, consisting of
the Fourteenth Iowa, Captain William J. Campbell commanding;
Twenty-seventh Iowa, Captain Amos Haslip commanding; Thirty-
second Iowa, Major Jonas Hutchison commanding; and Twenty-fourth
Missouri, Major Robert W. Fagan commanding.
I immediately marched out upon the road leading to the creek, and
was ordered to deploy my command upon the right of the Thirty-
second regiment, Wisconsin infantry, in a field of growing com, upon
the right of the Tupelo road.
I had deployed the Fourteenth and Twenty-seventh Iowa infantry,
when I received orders to move forward in line on double quick time.
Sending a staff officer to bring forward the other two regiments, I
threw out a line of skirmishers in front and obeyed the order with all
possible promptitude.
The line scaled the fence, waded a stream nearly waist deep in water
and mud, pressed through the thick brush and dmber to the edge of a
large field of growing corn, when it came in full sight of the rebel line,
which, with its battle-flags waving in the sunlight, was boldly and
firmly advancing, and pouring in a destructive fire.
I at once withdrew the skirmishers to the main line, and ordered it
to fire and advance. The whole line poured in a volley, raised a shout,
scaled the fence, and pressed stealthily forward in the open field, firing
as they advanced. The ground was rough and ascending, the day
was very hot, and. by the time the line had reached the middle of the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
field, many had dropped upon the ground from heat and exhaustion,
unable to rise. Not a few had been borne back wounded. The ranks
had become somewhat thinned, and the rebel line in front, in excellent
position, yet held firm, and kept up a continuous and severe fire.
Perceiving that I might be easily flanked upon the right, should my
line be much further advanced, I sent a staff officer to find out why
and where the other two regiments of my command had been detained,
and to bring them forward on the right with all possible dispatch.
By this time the enemy began to waver and fall back, when our men
raised another cheer, and pushed forward up the hill, firing rapidly,
and, as the field over which we advanced showed, with telling effect.
The enemy failed to reform his line, but kept up quite a sharp fire
until driven over the hill. My line steadily advanced to the further
side of the field, over another fence, up through the broken timber to
the crest of the hill, when the firing ceased and the line was ordered to
halt. Skirmishers were thrown out and the exhausted but triumphant
line permitted to sit down and rest. The other two regiments came up,
the enemy were driven beyond sight, and no more firing occurred,
except a few desultory shots from the pickets. I held this position till
sundown, when 1 was ordered to the left, and some five hundred yards
to the rear, where I lay all night; the left of mv line resting across the
Tupelo road.
The enemy left seventeen dead bodies upon the part of the field over
which iny two regiments advanced.
I have to express my warmest thanks and admiration, both to the
officers and men of the Fourteenth and Twenty-seventh Iowa, for the
gallantry they displayed throughout the long charge up the hill, under
a severe fire, driving the enemy with heavy loss, nearly three-fourths of
a mile, from a strong covered position: and to Lieutenant Donnan, of
my staff, especially, I would say he has my heartfelt thanks for the
heroic manner in which he discharged his duties, ever present in the
thickest of the fight, rendering all the assistance in his power to effect
the grand object which was so well acliieved.
The following is an interesting incident of the battle
of Tupelo, given by I. I. Watson, chaplain of the Second
Iowa cavalry :
After the battle was over our men were passing over the field, ren-
dering relief to the wounded, wlien their voices attracted the attention
of a rebel soldier who had been blinded by the explosion of a shell.
He called for water, and, when it was brought, he spoke to a rebel
captain, who was lying near by mortally wounded, asking if he was
thirsty. The olificer answered very faintly that he was. Being re-
vived by a little water, while the life current was ebbing away, he
turned his thoughts heavenward. He prayed most emphatically for
the old Government, that it might be sustained; prayed that the wicked
leaders of this Rebellion might be forgiven and brought to repentance
and loyalty. He acknowledged himself deluded, and with his dying
words remembered his abused country, his family and himself
LETTER NO. CXLI.
In Camp, Helen..\, .\rk.\ns.\s, 1
July i6, 1864. )
Dear Guardi.\n: — Thinking a few lines from the one hundred
days's men might not prove uninteresting, I crawl from my humble
cot, composed of one board elevated about ten inches from the ground,
to give you what little information concerning company D, I am able
to impart. We are indeed a sorry set. First, Captain Herrick was
taken down with bilious intermittent fever, and the Second Lieutenant
McHugh with the same disease. Meanwhile, I did not feel well, but
determined to keep up as long as possible. To give you some idea of
the health of the company, I will state that out of eighty men we re-
port but sixteen for duty. The rest are all sick. David Finley, John
Good, Henry Johnson, Elliott Weatherbee, George P. Bauck, Orville
D. Boyles, ]ohn H. Baldwin, Augustus H. Older, and Jacob B. Mon-
ger, are in the general hospital. The rest are in the regimental hos-
pital and in the company quarters. The principal disease is bilious
fever. Thomas Abbott, Robert Loftus, and Royal Lowel are detailed
as nurses in the general hospital, and I have just learned that the last
named is now sick himself
We keep up our courage by whistling, and hope for more healthy
times; although some of our poor boys have whistled their last tune.
The company is at present commanded by our orderly sergeant,
Sidney C. Adams, acting second lieutenant. There is a report to-day
that the sick of the regiment go to Keokuk soon; and if the move is
made at once the regiment will go en masse, for in two weeks more.
unless matters change for the better, it will be reported unfit for duty.
More anon, if my strength holds out.
L. S. Brooks,
First Lieutenant.
■ 17, 1864. )
LETTER NO. CXLII.
Camp Ninth Iowa Veterans,
East Point, Georgia,
September i
Editor Guardian: — Thinking that many of the readers of the
Guardian would be interested in General Logan's congratulatory ad-
dress, I send it to you, knowing as I do that there are still loyal people
in your county that dehght in hearing of our success. For those who
do not 1 only wish that they could be made to go through what this
army has since we left our homes in 1861.
We have a healthy location, good water, and plenty cf exercise thus
far, arranging matters about camp. The non-veterans will start home
this month. We wish them all the success in the world, knowing, as
we do. that they are " all right," even if they couldn't go veterans.
Our regiment is in excellent health. I don't believe company C has
a sick man at present. Troops in fine spirits, and ready to drive old
Hood's rebel hosts into the gulf any time our glorious generals may
give the command. And we should like to have a few thousand of
those northern traitors to mix in with them for the sake of variety.
But my short letter is already too long.
Respectfully yours,
Dick Thavek,
Drum Major Ninth Iowa.
LETTER NO. CXLIIL
Officers" Hospital, Memphis. Tennessee, )
August 24. 1864. \
Dear Guardian: — The city of Memphis, with its forty thousand
inhabitants, its two or tliree thousand Federal soldiers acting as guard,
and some six or eight thousand troops encamped around its borders,
was thrown into the most intense excitement, on the morning of the
twenty-first instant, by the audacity of from five hundred to one thou-
and rebel cavalry. As good or ill luck would have it, I was in the
Officers' hospital in Memphis at the time, and from my front window
in the second story, I had a fine view of the most that transpired.
forest's grand dash into MEMPHIS.
At about four o'clock in the morning, we were all aroused by the
tramping of horses, the yelling of their riders, and the firing of guns.
We ran to the window and saw about forty horsemen passing the hos-
pital and turning to the left. We supposed them to be a body of our
cavalry on a drunk and having a free fight among themselves; so we
were soon in our beds again, and the clatter of their horses' hoofs and
the firing died away in the distance. One captain in our room sug-
gested that they might be rebels, but this idea was scouted at once.
Where did they get through our pickets ? How could they pass our
regiments outside? Here is our large fort, with its one hundred and
fifty huge siege giuis commanding every avenue; here are our gun-
boats, and there is our cavalry. The more suspicious and timorous
ones were soon silenced by these potent arguments, and we soon saw
the utter impossibihty of these men being other than Federal troops.
So we drew our sheets more closely around us, and got ourselves into
position for our final morning nap. when presently firing was heard
again in the distance. It grew nearer, louder and more frequent, ac-
companied by hooting and yelling and the claitei of horses' hoofs
through the streets. Soon men were running through the hospital cry-
ing: "The rebels are coming ! the rebels are coming ! " All who were
able to be on their feet were dressed in "double-quick" and at the
windows; and sure enough, just at our left and not fifteen rods distant,
were some four or five hundred rebel cavalry, in front of the Gayosa
House, the principal hotel in the city; and they were firing indiscrimi.
nately at every man they saw. We knew they were searching the Gayo-
sa for Major General Hurlbut, who it was known had been stopping
there for a few days. We felt sure that our hospital would come next.
Here were about one hundred officers, colonels, majors, captains and
lieutenants. Quite a haul of shoulder straps they could have made, at
least. And to add to our comfort, one of the guards told us he heard
the rebels say that they must take the Officers' hospital before they
left. I am acquainted with at least one man who didn't relish the
prospect before us. Things began to have a decidedly war-like aspect.
We had no idea that we were born "for such a time as this." But a
few hours before we had been indulging in golden visions of home, and
had become immensely elated by the thought that, in a few days,
"homeward bound," we should take one of the fine old packets at the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
levee, and sail for a more congenial clime. The prospect now was
that we should take a jaunt on foot several hundred miles further down
in Di.xie.
They remained in front of the Gayosa about half an hour, when one
of their number called out: "Now for the Irving block, to reclaim our
prisoners !" and away they dashed down the street. We all felt like
bidding them God speed, clear out of the city. Although we breathed
a little easier when they had left our vicinity, the hospital could not
have been taken without a struggle, .\bout fifty of our men liad arms
and were able to use them: and those stairs would have been covered
with rebels before all could have been captured.
The Irving block was not taken, for by this time a strong guard was
placed there who made a stout resistance and drove the rebels away.
While all this was going on in town some two or three thousand rebels
were fighting our infantry outside the city. Our soldiers were finally
aroused, order was brought out of confusion, the militia was called
out, the cavalry was mounted, and all hastened to the scene of action.
The rebels were driven several miles and badly whipped. Thus ended
the great scare of Memphis, and the daring, though worse than profit-
less, exploit of the rebels.
N.^KKOW ESCAPE OF GENERAL VV.\SHBURN.
During the early part of the raid the rebels made a dash on the
headquarters of General Washburn. They killed most of the guard,
and rushed into the front door just as a small piece of white linen
could be seen streaming out of the back door. The general jumped
out of bed, and without waiting to be over fastidious in his toilet ran
for the fort, which he reached just in time to save his head.
The raiders took a great many of the best horses out of the liveries
in tt>wn, they took some Government horses and mules, robbed hun-
dreds of citizens of their money, watches, and other valuables, shot a
large number of citizens, soldiers, and particularly negroes, took some
prisoners, and after a stay of some two hours, it becoming too hot for
them in the city, took their leave. They in turn lost many of their
men in killed, wounded and prisoners. It is one source of comfort to
us that they took more from their own friends than from the Federals.
INCIDENTS OF THE FIGHT.
Several were killed at the Gayosa, and one man was shot dead right
in front of our window. Several shots were fired at us and we could
hear the balls whizzing by. As it happened. General Hurlbut was not
at the Gayosa. He had been imbibing with some of his old friends
downtown the night before: and,asaconsequence,it was not convenient
for him to return to the hotel, and for once, whiskey saved us a major
general.
I noticed two boys of the Iowa Eighth who manifested a great deal
of coolness. They were on a corner near our hospital. They would
step around the corner, load their guns, come out, take deliberate aim
against a lamp post, and fire at the rebels. This they repeated several
times.
At one time while the rebels seemed to have complete control of the
city, a young lady ran to the door shouting for the southern confeder-
acy, and waving her hands with joy. Her demonstration was cut short,
however, by the arrival at her door of a company bearing the dead body
of her brother, who had been shot by her southern friends. As the rebels
were about to sack a fine residence, the lady of the house ran to the door
and begged them to desist, as they were all good secessionists there:
but, said she, "There is a nigger den across the street, which I wish
you would clear out." So at it they went, and killed all the innocent
occupants. This fair secessionist is now lodged in the Irving block,
and it is to be hoped she will rue the day that she pointed out the
"nigger den."
Our regiment, the Forty-sixth, has been particularly fortunate in
many respects. First, it was fortunate in the selection of its command-
ing officers. Our colonel, D. B. Henderson, of Fayette county, though
a young man. is an experienced, brave and popular officer. In the
really important position which our regiment has gtiarded, very much
is due to the vigilance of Colonel Henderson. Our lieutenant colonel,
T^. D. Durbin, is a large, rough looking man: you would as soon think
of speaking to a bear; and yet no man in the regiment has a larger or
a better heart than Colonel Durbin. He, too, is a veteran, and if I
mistake not, the man who follows him in battle, if he falls, will fall
facing the foe. Major G. L. Torbert, of Dubuque, is a jovial, hale
fellow. Perhaps he can put on more style and look the soldier better
than any other man in the regiment. He is always gentlemanly and
cheerful, and is one of those genial souls whom if you meet once you
will ever after be glad to meet.
D. D, HOI.DRIDGE.
EXTRACT FROM CHAPLAIN WATSON ON THE MEMPHIS RAID.
A short lime after the Tupelo battle a grand expedition was fitted
out under Generals Smith, Hatch and Gierson. They moved out on
the road as far as Holly Springs, thence to Abbyville, meeting with
slight resistance. They dashed into Oxford with little loss, and, find-
ing no enemy in force, they moved on more slowly.
In the meantime Forrest swung around to the flank, and in a mo-
ment when they were not expecting him, he appeared in the city of
Memphis on Sunday morning, the twenty-first of August, with twenty-
six hundred mounted men.
The attack on Memphis produced some uneasiness in our little force
at Colierville, under the very efficient command of Colonel D. B. Hen-
derson— Forty-sixth Iowa infantry.
The health of the regiment is good. I am glad to be able to say that
Hon. D. D. Holdridge has so far recovered as to be in camp.
LETTER NO. CXLIV.
Headquarters Company G, Fifth Iowa, near )
Macon, Gcokgia, April 30, 1865. )
Editor Guardian, Sir: — Having received orders this evening that
we should be allowed To send one letter from a company to our friends
at the north, I thought that by sending you this letter for publication
our friends in Independence and vicinity could be relieved of their anx-
iety for us more satisfactorily than in any other way. Our company
has been very fortunate. All the men belonging formerly to company
E, Fifth Iowa infantry, who started with us from the Tennessee river at
Chickasaw Landing, are with us yet, and all in good health. Our
company has lost but one man on the whole trip, Thomas B. Sim-
bocker, who was wounded and left at Montgomery, Alabama.
A national salute is to be fired in the morning in honor of peace.
Our friends will probably see us before long, when the boys can tell of
the " deeds that were done ' better than I can write them.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. S, Peck,
Company G, Fifth Iowa Cavalry.
SUPPLEMENTARY WAR LETTERS.
The sources from which we obtained the following
letters were discovered after those preceding had been
collected and arranged. As they seemed to us too good
to be lost, we concluded to put them into a section by
themselves. We do not think any apology is needed
for the addition thus made to our already voluminous
collection. The patriotic reader will regret, with us,
that we could not find space for many other letters, per-
haps quite as worthy of being preserved as those here
embodied.
FROM THE IOWA FIFTH.
In Camp near Jacinto, Mississippi, .August 8, 1862.
Editors Civili.vn: — We have at last made a movement south and
east of Corinth about twenty-five miles, and are under orders for any
point where the rebel bushwhackers and guerillas show themselves.
We are now under the command of Jefferson C. Davis, having been
transferred from that of General Hamilton. Davis' advanced brigades
are twenty-five miles or more in .Alabama, which will probably be our
course of destination shortly, liable to variation, as the rebels show
themselves in one direction one day, and in another the next. They
made an attack on Rienza, a few days ago, but were repulsed in quick
metre. Our cavalry is on the alert, while their horses are nearly worn
down.
It is an unbroken wilderness from Hamburgh to this place, except
an occasional plantation, where the underbrush is cut off and the large
trees are girdled. The ground is planted with corn, and we are making
use of it, both for cooking and for forage. There is a large field in
front of our color line that is melling away rapidly before our stalwart
bovs, who have provided them.sclves with the .Arkansas tooth-picks —
huge knives that we got in Price's and Van Dorn's camps. They are
just the thing for corn cutters, and good for nothing else. We have
plenty of peaches and apples by foraging some distance from camp;
also, potatoes, onions, cabbages, etc. Lieutenant Marshall has orders
to obtain one hundred negroes for this regiment, as teamsters, fatigue
men, etc. The soldiers arc not to do anything but guard and fight.
The negroes are to be regularly enrolled, have tents, draw rations, and
be manumitted at the end of the war. The lieutenant has alreadv sev-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
enty-five where he can get them on short notice. Some of the teamsters
are opposed to the introduction of the "kinkeys," as they hke teaming
better than shouldering their rifles and doing military duty; but a
great majority of the soldiers are highly pleased with the arrangement,
as it relieves us of many of our hardest duties.
The country about us is very rolling, with plenty of pure, cold,
spring water; and this, in a great measure, is the cause of our unusual
good health. There are some, however, who got broken down before
we came to this place, who will hardly recover while in the service.
Such are afflicted with chronic diseases, and are subjects for typhoid
pneumonia. I have not done duty in four months, and a dull prospect
ahead. There are a goodly number in the same way in the regiment,
and several in company E. . . .
As to the confiscation act, it is hailed with acclamations of joy by
every Union man or soldier in the army. A year's e.xperience in ser-
vice, of privation and suffering by the soldier guarding the property of
rebels, and if a slave came into our lines, seeing him given up by some
soft-hearted colonel, with bows and grimaces, to the avowed rebel wlio
received back his chattel as a right belonging to him, with lofty hau-
teur and disdain for the mud-sills of the north ; allowed to pour out
his venomed slang and abuse of the Lincolnites, and that without the
least shadow of resentment on the part of our e.xalted gentry — this has
become unendurable. But the times are changed, and the war is, or
must, in be earnest hereafter, or there will be no soldiers to fight. We
are tired of the manner in which the war has been conducted — fighting
the rebels with one hand and feeding them with the other — supporting
the families of the rebels, while the heads of those families
are skulking through the brush and shooting our guards and pickets.
I say we will not stand it; and if any officer has the least sympathy
with the rebel cause, he will act wisely to keep his owTi counsel.
There is no such thing as Democrat and Republican here. We are
for the Union and the Constitution at all hazards and at every cost,
and the speedy suppression of the rebellion by any and all means. If
the south should be entirely depopulated, of which there is no danger,
we have enough good and true men at the north to repeople it in a few-
years. We never intended to meddle with slavery until the rebels
themselves made it imperative to use the same means employed by
them: negro labor for fortifications and fatigue duty.
Besides the lizards, spoken of by the correspondent of the Guardian,
there are wood-ticks, which are very numerous; and a small insect
called the "jigger," almost infinitesimal, scarcely to be seen by the
naked eye, which get into our clothes, puncture the skin, and "row
until they are plainly discernible. These interesting little creatures are
as annoying as the gad fly to the elephant's ears. There is no preven-
titive to their ravages but to soap one's self thorougly; they don't like
soap, and will "schalahoot" in short metre.
Another recruit has just arrived from Independence, Mr. Stewart.
His health is not entirely reestablished, and until he is acclimated,
great care will be necessary, as a relapse would be, without doubt, fa-
tal. The rest of the recruits are doing well, Beckley is convalescent;
Lieutenant White is looking splendidly again; -Lieutenant Lewis is
slightly indisposed, but not seriously. I hear we are to move again in
a few days, the truth of which I cannot vouch for. If anything turns
up, Micawber-like, I shall take advantage of it and inform you.
M. H.
FRO.M THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Fort Pickenny, Memphis, December 24, 1862.
Editors Civilian:— Our detachment arrived at this place one
week ago to-day. We found that our regiment had left here, as we
had supposed, and that its present place of sojourn is near Holly
Springs. Any further definite particulars concerning it I cannot obtain.
A very strong force of sick was left behind, numbering about ninety.
There are now here about one hundred "and fifty of the regiment, over
one hundred of whom are on the sick list. We found almost every
one of those left behind by the regiment suffering from some form of
disease. A large proportion of them are now convalescent, and it is
well that they are, as it is impossible to obtain medical attendance.
Most of them have no medicine whatever. A few, by great persistence,
get a prescription once in two or three days. The cases are not gener-
ally of a very serious character, but it was a great mistake that a
surgeon was not left in charge. There is a very large hospital in the
city, where a few have been taken. They report good care. The
Medical department of the army, as far as I have been able to observe,
is not in the most perfect working order. Much suffering is e.\-peri-
enced for the lack of medicines. I ran all over the fort to get a few very
simple prescriptions put up, but without successs. Tlie lar^e force
which has been here, and the number of sick left behind, explains the
condition of affairs.
When we shall go to the regiment, it is quite impossible to conjecture.
A strong force is required now to make the attempt by land, and the
very uncertain condition of our railroad connections makes it unsafe to
go to Columbus. We may stay here for months, and we may go in a
week.
!Several of companies C and H have applied for discharge, and will
obtain them as soon as they can be put through the proper forms.
Those wishing to send letters to us here, should address "Detachment
Twenty-seventh Regiment, Iowa Volunteers, Fort Pickenny, Mem-
phis, Tennessee. " Aside from the sickness among us, we fare well for
soldiers. We are inside the fort, which is really a fortified camp, be-
low and adjoining the city, of perhaps a mile and a half in length,
and of one or two hundred rods in width. Quite a large number of
houses are enclosed and occupied for hospitals, officers' quarters, and
other purposes. The river bank is of clay, very steep, and from one
hundred to one hundred and fifty feet^n height. The whole works are
of earth, and are mounted with heavy guns. W^ith a proper garrison
it would be hard to take.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, General Sherman's expedition was
embarking. The number of troops, it is impossible to estimate — I
judge, however, from fifty to seventy-five thousand. The troops now
here number five or six thousand, about one-third of whom are unfit
for duty. There are apprehensions of an attack upon the fort, and a
part of our force is constantly stationed upon the outworks. Just now
another rumor is in circulation, that the Twenty-seventh has been in a
fight at Holly Springs. It is quite probable. The condition of the
whole of west Tennessee is most unhappy. Run over as it is alter-
nately by Federal troops and guerillas, it is fast becoming despoiled of
its improvements and its people. How long this will continue, who
knows ?
Business in the city is not lively, except such as pertains to the army.
Cotton is brought in to some extent, and sells quickly at much less than
New York prices. Provisions of all kinds are high, as is also clothing.
There are many secesh here who have recently been considerably exer-
cised by certain orders of Major General Hurlbut, bearing quite hard
upon disloyal persons. The weather has been for the most part very
fine — a few rainy days and some frosty nights. On an average it is
quite as warm and pleasant as the last of September and first of October
in your latitude. To-day it is quite mild, with appearances of rain.
It is not forgotten here, that to-morrow is Christmas, We confidently
expect that while we find a fine dinner entirely out of the question, our
friends at home, while enjoying themselves at their feasts, will hold us
in remembrance and do ample justice for all.
H. C. H.
[H. C. H. may feel well assured that the enjoyment of
many Christmas feasts was marred by recollections of the
men "at the front."]
FROM THE SAME.
January 7, 1863.
. . . Last week a supply train came in from General Grant's
army, and the Fifth Iowa was one of a dozen regiments forming the
escort. I saw Thomas Blondin only. Lieutenant Donnan and others
went outside the fort, and reported the Independence boys doing well.
They certainly have a hard time. Again our camp is full of all sorts
of rumors as to the whereabouts of our regiment. I suppose that
they are in the vicinity of Holly Springs, and conjecture that they may
form a part of the advance of General Grant's army. We are in con-
stant expectation of hearing directly from them. Twice we have pre-
pared to set out to join the regiment. About fifty only are able to
endure the march.
The chance for sick men is as poor as ever. To-day a number of
our detachment started for St. Louis. Hilling, Brady, Allen, and Min-
ton, of company C, left. None of company C or H now here are in
immediate danger, but quite a number are in a condition which demands
prompt relief. They have asked for discharges, and will get them
when they can be examined. More than tw^o thousand men from all
regiments in Grant's and Sherman's commands are here in a similar
condition, but still very few deaths occur. Occasionally there is a small-
pox scare, though but few cases have occurred. HolTman, of com-
pany C, is now convalescent from it.
Major General Hurlbut is still in command here, and is the man for
the place. The city is secesh, through and through, and requires a
commander of cautious, firm decision — one who is not troubled witli
squeamish notions or secesh sympathies — and the general fills the bill.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
203
One of his last orders provides that for each and every raid made upon
the Charleston & Memphis railroad, by citizens and guerillas, he will
banish from Memphis ten secesh families, commencing with the
wealthiest and most influential.
The commander of the fort is General Asbott, a veteran soldier, and
formerly on General Fremont's staff, in Missouri. Very few officers of
high rank are to be found in these parts since General Sherman's ex-
pedition sailed. We hear of the loss of several officers at Vicksburgh,
but are in suspense as regards the issue of the contest. Tliereis reason
to fear that we are repulsed. The failure of General Grant to advance
on Jackson, and of General Banks to cooperate with Sherman, may
place the latter in a very critical position. It w^ould seem that the
rebels ought to have been compelled to fight at Jackson and Vicksburgh
at the same time. Every one is an.\ious, and all have much confidence
in General Sherman's ability, and in the valor of our soldiers.
H. C. H.
FROM THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
J.VCKSON, Tennessee, January 11, 1863.
Editors Civili.'^n: — I last wrote you on the march, near the Talla-
hatchie river. Since then we have done considerable marching. We
marched from where I last wrote you, to near Oxford, when our divis-
ion was separated, and part of it went back to Memphis with General
Sherman. Our brigade was also separated, and we were then ordered
to V\'aterford, and from there to the Tallahatchie river to guard the
railroad bridge. While there the guerillas made a dash upon our
hospital, and took eleven or twelve of our men prisoners. I don't
know the names of any but Brown, a member of company C. All of
them have been paroled and sent to Memphis. While our forces were
pursuing the guerillas, word came into camp that we were about to be
attacked by fifteen hundred rebels. We were immediately drawn up
in line of battle near our hospital, and commenced constructing a forti-
fication out of fence rails. After waiting some two or three hours — the
enemy not coming — we were ordered on to Waterford, as that place
was threatened. We were put through on double quick, and there
found some of our cavalry that had been surrounded at the raid on
Holly Springs, but had succeeded in cutting their way through \'an
Dorn's force by hard fighting. We remained at Waterford the rest of
the night, and at dayligjit set off for Holly Springs, arriving there
about I o'clock. The rebels had disappeared. About ten thousand
men marched into Holly Springs that day. The town presents an
awful appearance. The heart of the city has been burned out, and all
the buildings containing Government stores are destroyed. The mag-
azines exploding, shattered nearly every window in town, and shells
kept bursting nearly all day. The citizens seemed frightened nearly to
death, and I do not much wonder at it. We lay there two days, and
then were ordered back to the Tallahatchie; from whence we marched
to this place after a few days, reaching here on the night of the thir-
tieth of December. Next day our camping ground was assigned us,
and we went to work erecting our tents preparatory to a good night's
rest: but no such good luck for the Twenty-seventh regiment. At 7
o'clock P. M. , we received orders to march forthwith, without tents or
knapsacks, and with but one blanket to the man, in the direction of
the Tennessee river, after Forrest and his crew, cavalry, and supposed
to be eight thousand strong. We marched till 3 o'clock the next morn-
ing, and then were permitted to lie down one hour and a half, without
fire. After a short nap we partook of some raw meat and hard bread
and started off for Lexington. We here met General Sullivan and
the Thirty-ninth Iowa, with some other regiments coming on toward
Jackson with some four or five hundred prisoners and seven pieces of
artillery, which he had captured from Forrest a few days previous,
about twelve miles from Lexington. I did not ascertain what the loss
was on our side. Forrest's loss is reported heavy, and he was retreat-
ing in great confusion toward the Tennessee liver. Our brigade, under
General Lauman, Colonel Truman's brigade and two battalions pur-
sued him. When within seven miles of the river our advance cavalry
fired into his rear, but night was upon us and we had to wait till
morning.' At daybreak one brigade and a battery moved fonvard.
Our brigade and battery were held back as a reserve. At 12 o'clock
the cannonading began , and we were ordered forward on double quick,
through mud and water boot top deep. We were ordered to throw off
everything that would impede our progress. Some got their blankets
into the wagons, and some left them by the wayside. When we got
to the river we found that our artillery could not get a position. It was
Forrest's cannonading we had heard on the opposite side of the river,
to cover his retreat. We found his men about all across the river. The
advance was ordered to fire on them with musketry, which was done;
I AN A, \
17, 1864. j
but they all skedaddled, and report says they sunk the ferry boat to
prevent us from following them. They threw shells pretty sharp while
they were about it. The citizens at the river told us that Forrest said
that if he could get across the Tennessee river alive, he would come
back again. The prisoners taken in the fight near Lexington were
dressed in our uniform, which, no doubt, they got at Holly Springs.
Our boys made them take it off, and put on- their butternut clothes.
We were now ordered back to Jackson; and, when we got within
eighteen miles of the place, were ordered to Bethel, a little town on
the railroad, about eighteen miles this side of Corinth. From there
we were ordered back to Jackson, where we arrived on the eighth
instant. Old regiments that were with us say that, such marching
and hardship, they have never before seen. We left Jackson with one
and a half day's rations, all th.at could be got in the city, but we had
plenty to eat most of the time, such as it was. My mother used to tell
me that " hunger was a good cook," and I beheve it. We had but
two camp kettles and two skillets to the company, and you may guess
at the balance, as we had to depend on foraging for support. We are
now brigaded again, but whose brigade we are in, I can't tell you.
I think that we come under General Sullivan's division.
I have no official word from the thirteen boys that I left at Memphis.
Colonel Gilbert has written for those of the regiment at Memphis to
come and join us. The boys here are able to be around, though some
of them are on the sick fist — none dangerous. Some of them will have
to be discharged, as they will never be of any use to the service. It
takes a man with an iron constitution to stand such marching as we
have done. I am in hopes we shall lie here awhile, till we can recruit
up some. I have been very hearty since coming south — never felt bet-
ter in my life. At this time I have a little rheumatism in my right
knee, but I dont apprehend that it will be serious. This place is
strongly fortified with cotton bales and Union soldiers. A report has
just reached us that Holly Springs has been laid in ashes by the Kan-
sas jayhawkers, but I cannot vouch for its correctness.
]. M. M.
C.\MP Twenty-seventh Iowa iNFANTRy,
Grand Ecoke Landing, Louisiana,
April
Friend B.^rnhart: — As I see you are moving along with the
Conservative, and presuming your readers would like to hear from the
Twenty-seventh, I take this opportunity to give an account of the bat-
tle of Pleasant Hill, and the part we took in it.
On the morning of the ninth instant we were in camp within one
mile of Pleasant Hill, when we were aroused at 3 o'clock in the morn-
ing by the beat of the reveille call. Thought I to myself, now for a
hard day's march, but I was somewhat disappointed, for soon every
man's cartridge-box was filled with fifty rounds of cartridges, while the
camp fires were extinguished and darkness surrounded us. The boom-
ing of cannon soon gave us to understand that the enemy was not far
distant. Soon the day began to dawn — the sun rose and spread its
golden rays over the trees, and nature seemed as pleasant and tranquil
as a June morning in Independence. About 8 o'clock we were ordered
to "fall in," and were soon on the road, our brigade — Colonel Shaw's
— in the advance. We soon halted and loaded our pieces, the road
being lined with teams pushing their way to the rear; General Banks'
retreat, as the boys' called it. Passing through the village we "double
quicked " for a short distance, when we came in sight of our battery
planted on a small elevation in a field in which were some scattering
pine bushes. A line of battle was formed in the edge of the woods
fronting to the field. The Twenty-seventh and Fourteenth Iowa were
in the centre of the brigade, while on the left lay the Thirty-second
Iowa, and on the extreme right, supporting the battery, lay the
Twenty-fourth Missouri. We soon relieved two Maine regiments that
had been holding the enemy in check for some time. Our skirmishers
were sent in the advance, while we lay in a small ravine that nearly
sheltered us from the whistling bullets, which flew thick and fast over
us. Occasionally a shell fell amongst us, which wounded a number
of men, but killed none. Thus matters stood until about 5 o'clock p.
M. , when a regiment of rebel cavalry, six hundred strong, made a
charge on our battery; but upon their approach the Twenty-fourth
Missouri poured a few volleys into them, causing both men and horses
to lick the dust. A few of them eame around to our front, who met
the same fate as their comrades.
Soon after this charge was made they followed it by a solid body of
infantry coming up at " right shoulder shift." Upon arriving in range,
their lines were soon opened by our bullets, but as quickly closed again.
For a while the battle raged along this line, but a colored regiment on
the left of the Thirty-third Iowa, giving way unknown to us, we were
204
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
soon flanked, and under a cross fire. The other regiments fell back,
and Colonel Gilbert, seeing our precarious position, ordered us to fol-
low suit. We were then between three fires, and had just the space
occupied by two companies to get out through; and it was every fellow
for himself, or be a prisoner. We twice tried to rally, but were so
close pursued by the rebels that we were unable to do so. They fol-
lowed in hot pursuit until they came to the ne.xt line of battle,
which gave them a volley after we had passed their line, which
was soon followed by another from the next line. We formed immedi-
ately, becoming the third line of battle. We were compelled to hug
the ground pretty closely, as their bullets still found their way through
the brush; but, being unable to break the line they were forced to fall
back. About 9 o'clock we should have gained a coitiplete victory, had
not General Banks retreated. A. J. Smith's guerillas, as he called us,
covered his retreat. We came off and left our dead unburied, and our
wounded to do the best they could. Our brave color-bearer, C. C.
Mulick, fell while bringing the colors out, but they were soon grappled
by the boys and are safe. Our colonel was slightly wounded in the
hand by a buck shot, and, by the way, Colonel Gilbert is as brave a
man as ever led a regiment. There were three severely wounded in
company H. C. C. Mulick in the hip, H. H. Love, flesh wound in
leg, and H. Booth in the hand. The two former were left on the field;
others of the company were slightly wounded, and there were a great
many hair-breadth escapes. The Twenty-seventh lost eighty-three
men, with nine companies engaged. Our loss in the two days' fight
was three thousand and thirty-nine, besides the cavalry loss, which has
not been reported. In the first day's fight we lost twenty-two guns
one hundred and fifty wagons, and ten days' rations. On the second
day we took twenty-two cannon; and the prisoners in our hands report
their loss as very heavy.
[The first day's fighting must have beeti on the eighth,
in which the Twenty-seventh was not engaged. — E. P.]
On the morning of the tentii, at 3 o'clock, we took up our line of
march for Grand Ecore. We marched fifteen miles and camped. The
next morning we were again on the march, and reached here in the
evening. We found that our boats and supplies had gone up the
river, but we had a few rations left, which were soon divided among
the boys. On learning the condition our boats were in, we were com-
pelled to go and relieve them, as the enemy had planted a battery just
below where they lay, and produced a complete blockade. Their posi-
tion was such that the gun-boats could not touch them, and they were
attacked every day by small bodies of the rebel cavalry until we went
to their relief. They had been pretty well aired by round shot and
shell, but none were disabled. .Surgeons and nurses have been sent
out from this place under a flag of truce, to take care of the wounded
left on the battlefield. General Banks is censured very much by some
of the officers. If General .Smith had been in command 1 think we
should have been at Shreveport before this.
H.-VVVKEVE.
FROM THE TWENTY-SEVENTH.
Gr.\nd Ecore, Louisian.\, .•\pril 20, 1864.
Messrs. Editors: — The first number of the Conservative was re-
ceived by me at this place ; for which favor, thanks. It will afford me
pleasure to send you an occasional letter, informing your readers of
the doings of the Twenty-seventh Iowa ; but, beyond a mere mention
of facts, I will not promise much. The scope of thought with the
soldier is almost necessarily limited to consideration of personal mat-
ters, and speculations as to the intent and result of military opera-
tions. . . . That the past year has seen a wonderful change in
the general estimate of the capability of the negro for military service,
there is no doubt. The fact has been incontestably shown, that he
will not only do for a soldier, but that he makes a good soldier. He
endures fatigue and privation without complaint, and he fights bravely.
The chivalrous rebel has allowed himself to be excelled in humanity
by the freedmen soldiers of the Republic ; and the patriotic soldier of
the North can well learn of them how to practice that patient endur-
ance of duty and quiet subordination, which must alw.iys characterize
the true soldier. I am not alone in wishing that we had two hundred
thousand more of them in the field, to save our brethren of the North
from the toils and dangers of a soldier's life m a climate so deadly to
most of them — but my pen has run away with me.
Assuming that your readers are already acquainted with our part in
the Sherman expedition, I will commence with the setting out of the
Red river expedition. On the tenth of March it left Vicksburgh. con-
sisting of about twenty transports loaded with troops, and supplies of
every kind, for thirty days; Brigadier General A. J. Smith in command.
A heavy convoy of gun-boats joined us at the mouth of Red river, and
all started up the stream on the twelfth. Sailed down Atchafalaya
bayou to Simmsport. Thence the land forces marched across a fine
country to Fort De Russey, near Marysville, which was taken, with
small loss, on the fourteenth.
The Twenty-seventh here manifested good intentions, but were un-
able to achieve great glory, being left at Marysville until the fight was
commenced. They were under artillery fire for some time, and came
up to the charge at the moment of the surrender. The fort was in-
complete and but feebly garrisoned, but still there was a formidable
defence. The spoils were eleven pieces of artillery — mostly heavy
guns captured on the Indianola and Queen of the West — nearly four
hundred prisoners, and a considerable quantity of amunition and com-
missary stores. The works were destroyed, and the last of the expe-
dition reached Alexandria on the thirteenth, which was occupied with-
out resistance.
A portion of our force under Brigadier General Mown, made a raid
and captured a fine battery, and about three hundred prisoners, on
the tsventy-first. We remained here awaiting the arrival of General
Banks' force, and for a rise in the river to enable our boats to go over
the falls, just above -Alexandria, until the twenty-sixth, when our
troops marched to Cotila bayou, some twenty-five miles. The trans-
ports joined them on the twenty-eighth, and here we waited till April
2nd for transports to replace the boats of Ellett's Marine brigade,
ordered back. On the seventh General Banks' troops, consisting of
detatchments of the Thirteenth and Nineteenth corps, having reached
Smith's command, formed the rear of the army on the march. Com-
pany C, of our regiment, was detailed for guard duty on headquarter
transport, Clara Belle, before leaving Vicksburgh, and has remained
on board during the whole time. The transports, with suitable con-
voy of gunboats, proceeded as fast as the nature of the navigation
would allow ; and, on the afternoon of the eleventh, reached Loggy
bayou. Here we found an abandoned rebel steamer lying entirely
across the river. While making arrangements for its removal, a dis-
patch arrived, informing us that a severe battle had been fought ; that
our troops were retreating, and ordering the boats to return. The
boats at once dropped down the river. We were fired on occasion-
ally, as when ascending the stream ; but met with no determined at-
tack until Tuesday, when the enemy appeared at numerous points, and
opened sharp musketry fire. In the afternoon, w'hile a transport was
agYound, and several others were rendering assistance, the enemy came
down on us with a battery and several hundred cavalry. A consider-
able force of infantry was also at hand to support the battery. They
maintained the fight wirh great bravery, for an hour or more, when
they retired, leaving their battery. The boats most exposed to their
attacks had but very few troops aboard, and these managed to keep in
shelter. The gun-boats, Lexington and Monitour, engaged the
battery, and dealt havoc generally. Some pieces of field artillery on
the Clara Bell, and two other transports near by, prevented the enemy
from approaching, in any force, within range of musketry. Our loss
was probably twelve wounded, some very dangerously. Henry Romig
accidentally shot himself through the hand. Our men who went on
shore immediately after the fight, say the rebel loss was one hundred
and sixty killed, lying near the bank ; and a rebel deserter states it at
two hundred and twenty. The next day we came on to another bat-
tery, on the north side of the river, which was so well out of range of
our gun-boats that its fire could not be silenced. One transport and
several gun-boats had passed it in the forenoon ; and, in the afternoon,
the Clara Bell was ordered to pass down, lashed to another transport
which was disabled. Just before night we did so, the enemy present-
ing his compliments of shot and shell lively enough to satisfy the
bravest of our crew. Five shot passed through the cabin, some of
them exploding on our decks. Luckly enough, being on the main
deck none of us were injured. The rebels were unable to depress their
guns sufficiently to reach the machinery of the boat.
The Diadem, with the sick of the Twenty-seventh, was to follow us ;
but, luckily, the enemy saw fit to leave in order to avoid capture by a
strong detachment of troops then marching from this place to protect
the boats. That evening we met the regiment at Campter, and learned
the full extent of the loss. I do not now recollect the names of
those from our county. The loss of our brigade, which does not in-
clude the missing, is as follows : Twenty-seventh Iowa ; killed, two ;
wounded, seventy-six. Fourteenth Iowa ; killed, eighteen ; wounded,
sixty-two. Thirty-second Iowa ; killed, twenty-nine ; wounded, a
hundred and thirty-two. Twenty-fourth Missouri ; killed, nine ;
wounded eighty-six. Third Indiana battery ; three wounded. The
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
205
loss of ihe remainder of our division was twenty killed, one hundred
and sixty-eight wounded.
The whole permanent loss to the Twenty-seventh, will, I hope, not
exceed twenty-five or thirty. Many wounds are very slight. Some of
the most severely wounded were left in the hands of the enemy. The
losses of our whole force are probably nearly three thousand, and the
enemy's loss about the same. Our loss was greater in prisoners, the
enemy's in killed. The troops all fought well, and the Twenty-seventh
was not outdone by any. I will write you again from Alexandria.
From the same, May 20th.
. The fleet of transports arrived at the falls just above
Ale.xandria, on the twenty-third ultimo, and all passed down to the
landing in two or three days. Ten heavy-draft gun-boats were enabled
to come down. The Eastport — heavy iron-clad — was aground forty
miles above, as was also the Hastings, a sort of independent transport.
They were destroyed as effectually as possible. On Tuesday, the
twenty-sixth, the whole army had arrived. On or about the first in-
stant. General Smith's command was thrown out several miles, where
they remained till the thirteenth, occasionally engaging in slight
skirmishes. The remaining infantry and cavalry were camped around
the town in every direciion. Large parties were engaged in handling
quartermaster and commissary stores, in bringing in sugar and cotton
and putting it on boats, and in building a dam at the foot of the falls,
which was commenced by Admiral Porter, on the thirtieth ultimo. It
was a very lively town for two weeks. On the morning of the thir-
teenth, the last gun-boats were safely over. The dam was an extensive
work, and reflects great credit upon the chief engineer. Lieutenant
Colonel Bailev, of a Wisconsin regiment. .
The entire fleet and army left Alexandria on the thirteenth instant.
General Smith's command and some cavalry having the rear. In the
morning, some person, said to be a soldier, set fire to a building on
Front street, about opposite to the centre of the town. Exertions were
made by our men to prevent the spreading of the fire. Houses and
churches were torn down and blown up, but to no purpose. The fire
was raging at 3 o'clock P. M., when the fleet left, and, from what I can
learn, fully one-half of the town was consumed.
Of course, there was no apology for the incendiary — nor is there
much sympathy in the army for the citizens. They have brought, by
their rebellion, an army into their midst, and they must expect not only
to submit to the proper and authorized results of military occupation,
but also to suffer from unmililary, unauthorized and wanton acts of
those bad men who are to be found in every army. As to making war
upon women and children, the only question in my mind as to whether
it is most proper to shoot the rebel father and husband, or to burn down
the shelter of his family, is one of policy. If, by the latter coui'se, he
could be induced for a brief season to forego the exercise of his amiable
intention to kill me, and devote his little furlough to the reinstatement
of his household goods, I am almost certain that I should incline to the
incendiary policy. Besides, who know-s but the endearments of con-
jugal and filial society, might soften the heart of the stem warrior, and
bringing his modern Zantippe to insist upon an extension of his fur-
lough, with a slight portion of the vehemence with which she once bade
him go out and exterminate the hated "Yanks," and bring her a nice
skull for a drinking cup. These feminine(?) characters are no myths.
As to exasperating any body down here, that can't be done. They are
just as savage now as they dare be. .
The fleet was but little disturbed on its way down. It arrived at the
mouth of the Bayou Atchafalaya on the fifteenth, and dropped down
to the place of our previous landing, above Simmsport, the next day.
A large number of transports were waiting, and a bridge of boats was
formed, and the extensive trains of General Banks' commenced crossing
at once. Several boats were also engaged in ferrying. On the
eighteenth there was sharp fighting between the enemy and the First
and Second brigades of Smith's division, with cavalry — the artillery fir-
ing said to be heavier than on our lines at Pleasant Hill. Our loss is
estimated at fully two hundred — a large portion of the wounds severe.
The loss of the Twenty-seventh is four dead and fourteen wounded.
Charles Coulon, company H, is among the dead. Hoover, same com-
pany, is severely wounded. The enemy was entirely satisfied and did
not renew his attacks. 'We leave this afternoon for Red River landing,
where our troops will arrive in the morning, when we take them on
board and leave for Vicksburgh. We learn that General Smith is pro-
moted, and we all say deservedly. H. C. H.
From the s.vme, Vicksburgh, Maysr, 1864.
Messrs. Editors: — 1 he masterly retreat of the Red river expedi-
tion is completed, and the army is safe. After the battle of the Old
Oaks, on the eighteenth, the enemy concluded to let us depart in peace.
. The summary of the results of the expedition, which I
sent you some time since, needs no particular amendment, e.xcept the
addition of the loss of the boats mentioned in my last, and of about
two hundred men lost on the march from Alexandria, and at Old Oaks.
A senseless plan was most miserably executed. What business thirty
thousand men had in that country at the present juncture, no one
knows. But for the probability of capturing cotton and sugar, it is
certain they would never have been sent there. General Banks' policy
has always been to scatter his men all over the country. If cotton-
traders are permitted, encouraged, and assisted, the inference is plain
that General Banks is largely in the cotton business. If he is not, he
has taken such a course as to induce the belief, and must suffer accord-
ingly. The strictures of the northern press upon his operations are
heartily endorsed by the army. General Canby assumes his command
with the full confidence of the army in his integrity and military abihty.
Some of both companies C and H are sick, but I believe none dan-
gerously. H. C. H.
From the s.^me, Memphis, June 18, 1864.
Messrs. Editors: — The regiment has now been eight days at this
place, and is recruiting quite fairly, though under rather unfavorable
circumstances. Our camp is just in the suburbs of the city, is only
partially shaded, and is too small. The supply of shelter tents, or their
substitute, rubber blankets, is also insufficient. The shelter tents are
made of fine cloth, and of so small dimensions as to expose both head
and feet to every driving rain. However, it is generally voted a fine
place in comparison with Red river. Orders to march, and to be pre-
pared to march, have been frequent during the week; but, to our great
satisfaction, have been seasonably countermanded. Forrest's operations
are evidently watched from this point, and no one can predict w hen we
may be after him. The defeat of General Sturgis at Guntown and
Ripley is not as bad as at first reported; but it was a severe blow, not
only in the loss of men, but in artillery, stores, and transportation.
The two regiments of negro troops engaged are reported to have
fought with great determination and bravery. A detachment of the
Fifty-ninth, numbering two hundred and forty men, which had been
reported as captured entire, came in on the night of the fourth day of
the fight, bearing their colors. It is reported that the rebels put
to death the colored soldiers captured. That course will hardly
pay them; for the colored troops and their officers are not to be scared
out of the fight by this added danger. On the contrary, they will go
in and retaliate, to the full satisfaction of rebels.
Several regiments of hundred days' men have arrived, and passed
down the river. The Forty-seventh Iowa were sent to Helena. While
here the boys were visited by their acquaintances in our regiment. Cap-
tain Herrick and his company are doing well. The regiment seems to
be made up too much of boys. It seems to me poor policy, unless the
men are all gone out of Iowa.
There have been several changes in the commissioned officers of the
Twenty-seventh. Lieutenant Sill has been promoted to captain, and
First Sergeant Poor has been promoted to first lieutenant, in company
C ; Lieutenant 'Wilcox, company H, promoted to captain commissary
of subsistence on the general staff; and Lieutenant Harrington, adju-
tant, is promoted in regiment of colored troops. There are, I think,
about six hundred and twenty men and officers present with the regi-
ment, and nearly two hundred absent, sick, and on detached service.
H. C. H.
C.\MP Twenty-seventh Io\v.\ Inf.^ntry, )
• Memphis Tennessee, July 25, 1864. j
Editors Conservative :— Since my last, dated at Moscow, Ten-
nessee, the Twenty-seventh has added another to the list of its
marches, and lost no credit by its conduct on the battlefield. On the
fifth instant, a force of fifteen thousand, consisting of two divisions of
infantry, a brig.ide of colored troops, the usual proportion of artillery
and cavalry, all under the command of General A. J. Smith, moved
from Lagrange, Tennessee, in a southerly direction. '\Ve marched from
Davis' mill, our first camp, by daily marches of ten or twelve miles,
through Riply to Pontotoc, which ive reached on the eleventh. Here
the enemy showed themselves for the first time, and on the roads lead-
ing to Okolona. Resting over the twelfth, the army took up the
march for Tupelo, eighteen miles distant, early in the morning of the
thirteenth. This day the enemy attacked our rear and made desperate
efforts to destroy the train, but were beaten off at all points with
severe loss. The Twenty-seventh was the advance of the infantry, and
saw nothing of these fights. The enemy showing so decided a dispo-
sition to display his powers. General Smith disposed his troops in
fighting order, in a good position, and camped for the night. Early
2o6
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
next morning skirmishing commenced along the lines, and further dis-
position of troops for a general engagement was itiade. The attack
began, along a large part of the line, at about 7 o'clock, and lasted till
10 o'clock. Two regiments of the second brigade were used as a re-
serve protection to the train, and the Twenty-fourth Missouri and
Twenty-.'ieventh Iowa to the front, to support batteries. The Twenty-
seventh was little exposed to fire, it being in a hollow and the bullets,
shot and shell passing over our heads. Only a very few were wounded.
The repulse of the enemy was decisive, with an estimated loss of five
to one.
At night »'e were called out to repel an attack on our left, whicli
was done quickly, after the preliminary "brilliant" operation of shoot-
ing a few of our own pickets, who were very gallantly holding their
own position.
The next day the return march was taken up. The enemy attacked
our rear and train, but as usual were handsomely beaten. They, how-
ever, followed closely with cavalry and mounted infantry ; drove in
our cavalry pickets, and planting a gun on a hill coinmanding our
camp, threw in shell with great precision. The Fourteenth and
Twenty-seventh Iowa were at once put in line, and advanced through
woods, brambles and creeks, emerging into a large cornfield. These
regiments formed the right — other regiments and dismounted cavalry
being on the left. We advanced steadily through the field, delivering
fire as occasion offered, the enemy retiring before us to the crest of a
hill beyoud. After resting awhile, a part of the regiment laying down
to avoid bullets, grape, and canister, a further advance was made and
the enemy left. This was his last appearance with any considerable
force.
The Twenty-seventh lost, during the raid, about thirty men which
was a greater loss than that sustained by any other regiment of the di-
vision. G. R. Parish, company C, was struck with a spent ball, but is
now on duty. S. McKinney and N. Eddy, company H, lost each a
finger.
What was the object of the expedition I do not know ; but the re-
sults are a loss of about three hundred and fifty men, in killed, wound-
ed, and missing. The enemy's loss is variously estimated at from one
to three thousand. This disparity is accounted for by the fact that the
enemy, in all cases, by the generalship of our command, were forced
to make the attack. They were in all attacks repulsed — in no instance
did they drive us from our position.
The return was not a retreat ; it was intended from the start, and
deliberately executed. I infer that the true object of the mo\ement
was to divert the attention of Forrest. I will add that the colored
troops bore an honorable part in these fights, and have proved their
reliability. The Third division took the advance at Collierville and ar-
rived here on the twenty-third, well worn out. It is currently rumored
that we are booked for another move at once, and it is prob.ibly true.
The general health of the regiment is as good as could be expected.
H. C. H.
["Hawkeye," Benjamin J. Miller, of company H,
another correspondent of the Cunservative, gives (as fol-
lows) soine additional incidents of their forward and
retrograde movements, which characterized the military
operations of this department. — E. P.]
C.^MP Twenty-seventh Io\v.\, NE.iVR Memphis,
July 26, r864.
}
Friend Barnhart: — .\fter a hard march and hard fighting, we
have again returned to what we might term "our home," for a short
stay I presume. The correspondent of your paper, H. C. H., has
doubtless given your readers a full account of the fight on the
thirteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth instants before this. On the evening
of the thirteenth the rebels attacked our train near a small town called
Harrisburgh, located a few miles west of the Mobile & Ohio railroad,
killing a few mules and frightening the drivers considerably. The
train was well guarded by the Fourteenth Wisconsin and Twelfth
Iowa, which were soon formed in line and poured in a few volleys
upon them, when the rebs took to their heels. We came into camp
the same evening and bivouacked in line all around our train to secure
it from surprise. On the morning of the fourteenth the rebels com-
menced shelling our train, which proceeding annoyed us very much.
Our batteries were planted in good positions, and worked to good pur-
pose. The enemy massed heavily on our lines leading from Tupola to
lontotoc. The Third Indiana battery gave them double charges of
grape and canister, and the Second Iowa and Second Illinois batteries,
well supported, drove them from their position. . . We were
protected by a small hill directly in our front, but were compelled to
hug the ground closely to avoid the bullets which flew thick and fast
over us. At night we disposed of our meagre supper and lay down,
but not to rest; for we were soon aroused by a volley of musketry from
the colored brigade. Companies A and B were left out as skirmishers
in the evening when the regiment fell back, and meeting too great odds
they were retiring slowly. A volley was fired into their ranks when
they saw fit to withdraw, and we took our position of the evening pre-
vious. The cavalry succeeded in destroying the railroad at Tupola
and some important tressel work below the town. Our rations run-
ning short, limiting us to one cracker a day, we were forced to retire as
speedily as possible.
Camp Twenty-seventh Iow.\ Infantry 'Volunteers, )
Holly Springs, August 8, 1864. )
Mes.'srs. Editors: — As I wrote you, the Twenty-seventh came
down to this place on Thursday last, since which time we have occu-
pied a tolerably pleasant position east of the town. The full effects of
Van Dorn's operations at this point (in December, 1862) appears in
the ruined walls of all the depot buildings, and of all the principal
business buildings up town. There are no marks indicating that busi-
ness had been carried on in the place since our first occupation. Like
all towns I have been in which were occupied by rebels, it is desolated;
improvements of every kind are neglected, and all shows that war is
abroad in the land. Alexandria, Louisiana, does indeed furnish an
exception to this statement.
The whole of General Smith's forces are now said to be in this vicin-
ity, and our regiment is under orders to be ready to march at an
hour's notice. We shall likely move south to the Tallahatchie, and on
to Oxford and Grenada. This, however, is mere speculation, as we
have a general who develops his plans only by the orders for their exe-
cution. There is an opinion prevalent that we shall be at Memphis in
a few weeks. The health of the regiment is generally good, and but
few are left behind on this march. None have returned who have been
furloughed since July ist. We expect strong reenforcements when we
return. The troops make great havoc of the products of the country,
and thrive thereon remarkably well. Apples and peaches are ripening
and are plentiful. Green corn is a staple, and considerable quantities
of potatoes are developed by our best jayhawkers. On the whole we
are doing well.
Promotions in the regiment have been made as follows: Sergeant G.
P. Smith, company G, to be quartermaster, and Sergeant Major C. H.
Lewis to be adjutant. These promotions, especially that of Sergeant
Major Lewis, are considered as very fit to be made. The weather in
Dixie, this summer, though warm, is entirely tolerable. The same
daily breezes prevail here which aflford such pleasurable relief upon the
prairies of the west. Rains have not been frequent, nor has there been
any lack of water. On the night of our arrival here there was a shower
which was so sevei e and long continued as to leave scarcely a dry man
in the regimeut. We don't want any more like it.
The general feeling of the army is that we shall prevail. All that is
required is an exercise of that fortitude which the rebels have so well
taught us by their example. Of personal bravery we have enough, as
is attested by every battlefield. But have we national courage and
fortitude which will insure the prompt reenforcement of our shattered
armies, and thus crown our arms with entire and final success? We,
down here, believe it and believe that the Union is well nigh restored.
But if Sherman or Grant is unsuccesful, why, try again. It is no time
to go back — to yield — after having spent so many millions and lost so
many thousands of brave lives. The blood of heroes slain would cry
out against an abandonment of the advantages which their deaths
have helped to purchase. No, we must go on, and shall prevail. More
from our next stopping place. H. C. H.
C.^MP Twenty-seventh Iowa, near Memphis, )
.August 31, 1864. )
Messrs. Editors: — For the sixth time we are again camped in the
suburbs of this goodly city. The history of our travels since my last,
from Holly Springs, is as follows:
On the seventeenth instant we marched to Waterford, about ten miles
south, on the Mississippi Central railroad. The place is of no impor-
tance except as a railroad station. On the eighteenth marched to .4b-
beyville, also a small town and station, three miles south of the Talla-
hatchie river. Passed in sight of Fort Noble, and other similar
earthworks, garrisoned by our regiment in the latter part of 1862. I
was much amused and interested by the various^ reminiscences of that
campaign, which our approach to well known localities brought up.
The defence of Fort Noble by company C against rebels that never
came — the capture of the attendants at our regiment hospital, and the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
207
gallant and ineffectual pursuit after the successful rebels — the sad inci-
dents attending the death of poor Leuder — the rapid march to Holly
Springs; and any number of exploits in foraging, were all described
with the greatest minuteness. It was conceded by all, however, that
our first campaign was by no means the most severe.
At Abbeyville we were detained two days by a heavy rain, during
which time we amused ourselves in trying to keep as comfortable as
possible. The facilities for such a purpose afforded by a single blanket
per man, are found somewhat deficient. The march was recommenced
Sunday, the twenty-first, over very heavy roads. The distance made
was seven miles. Ne.>;t day our division had the rear, and had just
commenced the march when a general halt was made for several hours,
and about the middle of the afternoon our return march commenced —
our advance had reached O.'iford. Noon of the twenty-fourth found
us in camp on the Tallahatchie, where we remained till the twenty-
fifth, awaiting the construction of the bridge. Holly Springs was
reached on the twenty-sixth. Remained there till the twentv-eighth,
and marched hither in three days. The distance is fifty miles, over a
very fine country now mostly uncultivated. The reason of our return
was undoubtedly the reception of dispatches concerning Forrest's raid
on Memphis, confirming pre\ious information that the enemy would not
present themselves in our front in any considerable force. I infer that
the series of "side shows" of this sort are now "played out," and that
iustead of being kept here for fruitless raids after Forrest, the surjilus
men of this army will be sent where they can do good.
The intention of all our movements here has been to create a divi-
sion of the enemy's force. The enemy are not drawn away from their
strong points, and our force is thus rendered entirely ineffective.
Rumors are rife that we are to go to Atlanta in a few days.
The health of the regiment is good — the supply of fruit has been
abundant and freely appropriated, and the consequence is an almost
entire e.xemption from fevers. When the furlouehed men return to the
regiment it will be, perhaps, in as good a condition for effective field
service as it has been heretofore. H. C. H.
O.v Bo.\RD Steamer Belle Memphis, 1
Cairo, Illinois, September 7, 1864. J
Messrs. Editors: — You will see by above date that the surmises
contained in my last are verified. The Twenty-seventh is again
travelling, and it is currently believed that the point of destination is
some place beyond Atlanta. The whole Third division is now here
and on the river, and the Second is expected to follow on its return
from White river, where it was sent a few days since. The several
divisons of the Sixteenth corps will very likely soon be reunited under
the command of either General Smith or General Dodge. The re-
moval of these troops, and the return of the one hundred days' men,
together with the sending of the second division of cavalry into the de-
partment of Arkansas, will very materially lessen the forces heretofore
operating in the district of Memphis.
We arrived here at an early hour this morning, and may remain an
hour or a week — ^just how long is unknown. There are now present
with the regiment very nearly five hundred men. All men able to
travel have been returned from hospitals, and also men on detached
duty. There are yet many absent on sick furlough and in various hos-
pitals. It is rather a serious matter when nearly three-eights of a reg-
iment are absent for such a cause, but many regiments have such
reports to make. Companies C and H have a few sick — none danger-
ously.
First Sergeant G. W. Smyzer has been promoted to the second lieu-
tenancy. Major Howard, Captains Hemenway and Granger and
Lieutenants Bedung, Robins and Sims are returned from absence
or sick furlough. Lieutenant Colonel Lake has returned and is now in
command of the regiment.
The question of the enforcement of the draft is exciting considerable
discussion. It seems to be agreed that the last men called for must be
forthcoming at once, in order to take full advantage of our present
successes, and it is very generally believed that there will be no post-
ponement. Let them come, we say, and let us conquer without delay.
The army demand the most vigorous policy possible, knowing that in
this manner only can the Union be preserved.
The nomination of McClellan is satisfactory to many.'and mainly on
the ground that he is the man to carry on the war. Unconditional
peace men are scarce. Enough of this. I just hear that we are to
tranship to the Souix City, probably for Louisville. The pay rolls are
being signed, and we expect a supply of greenbacks which will be very
acceptable just now. You will hear from mc again when opportunity
offers. H. C. Hemenway.
THE WOMEN OF BUCHANAN COUNTV IN THE WAR OF THE
REBELLION.
The war chapter of our history would be both incom-
plete and unjust without a further recognition of the
achievements of Buchanan county women. It is true
that their unwearied efforts, during our Nation's trial,
were emphatically a labor of love, and that every city,
town, and hamlet of the loyal north e.xhibited the coun-
terpart of their self-sacrificing devotion. But this does
not detract from ihe honor which is their due, the record
of which should be held as the proudest inheritance of
their childien.
The untold material wealth, represented by the accu-
mulations of hospital stores, collected mainly through
the agency of woman, was not disproportionate to the
vast operations of the GovernmeVit in that great struggle.
How much these labors and this lavish outlay influenced
the final result it is impossible to say; but of their adapt-
edness to ameliorate the sufferings inseparable from war,
there is no doubt. And when it is considered that
wherever any portion of the Union army was sent, there
the sanitary commission found means to follow, with hos-
pital stores, nurses, and all the ajspliances for the care of
the sick and wounded, what language can adequately ex-
press the beneficence of woman's work in the great Re-
bellion?
The mothers, wives, and daughters of the Union had,
in giving up husbands, sons, and brothers, offered their
choicest treasures to the Nation. Was it strange that the
lesser gifts should not be withheld? The mother could not
seek her fever-smitten boy in the distant military hospital;
nor could the wife minister to her stricken husband,
though cruel wounds had paralyzed the strong arms and
made him helpless. Such cases as these were not iso-
lated. The land was filled with mothers and wives whose
yearning anxiety, left to prey upon their hearts, would
have consumed them. Happily this painful solicitude
found its solace and its natural expression in labors which
should surround the suffering loved ones with something
of the atmosphere of home. Difficulties there were, but
love laughs at impossibilities, and in obeying the impulse
to do what it can, often performs miracles. There should
be no lack of the numberless accessories which often
make of the sick room at home a shrine where each
member of the household offers constantly his choicest
gifts. First, there must be a wealth of soft garments,
suitable for the sick and convalescent. And how these
were multiplied till in number they were as the sands
upon the sea shore, or the leaves in the forest (and like
the leaves of that tree by the "pure river of water, clear
as crystal," there was healing in their touch), let the un-
numbered associations under the title of Soldiers' Aid
societies and the unfailing stream of supplies which met
the demand for hospital stores wherever made, and the
condition of our hospitals, which challenged the admira-
tion of the civilized world, answer.
The women of Buchanan county were not behind
their sisters in other counties of the State, nor did the
women in any part of Iowa dishonor the record of the
brave men she had sent forth to battle for a righteous
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
cause, by backwardness in these labors of love. Iowa
soldiers were eminent where all were brave, and the
women of Iowa, by their patient, persistent, heroic labors,
left the world in no doubt as to the cause of the pre-
eminence of her men.
soldiers' .\id societies.
These organizations were to be found in almost every
neighborhood in the county. For, as in every neighbor-
hood there were families from which the father, or one,
two, and in some cases three sons, had gone into the
army. The whole population was, in fact, made up of
organizations from which material supplies in some form
were constantly flowing. To trace, through a period of
four years, the operations of one of these sources of be-
neficence, though perhaps the most subordinate in means
and results, would be beyond the scope of this chapter,
were the data for such a record at hand. A few sugges-
tive titles and statistics are all that will be aimed at, but
these will be sufficient to give the thoughtful reader the
factors concerned in producing that sum total, before
which the world stood amazed.
THE NUMBERS ENGAGED IN THE WORK.
And here, as in other departments, our statistics must
be of necessity, approximate. In the earlier pages of
this chapter, the work of the women of Independence in
preparing uniforms for the first companies that left the
county for the seat of war, before provision had been
made either by the State or General Government for the
outfit of enlisted men, has had honorable mention. For-
tunately the names of those noble women, who, limited
in time for the accomplishment of a great and necessary
labor, and recognizing the warrant of Him who "went
about doing good," continued their work through the day
of rest, have been preserved; and we are not only able
to transmit them to future generations, but to add the
assurance that the zeal and self-devotion of this heroic
band, which was so conspicuous in this inauguration
of work for the soldiers, knew no abatement until armed
rebellion had ceased. And it may be questioned, whether
as co-workers with others like-minded throughout the
State, their holiest work w^as not done after that event.
The opening of homes for the orphans of soldiers, in
recognition of that sacred duty to be a "father to the
fatherless,'" was done mainly through the self-sacrificing
labors of women. It is true that man)-, both men
and women, and that, too, among the most e.xalted
in station as well as in culture and piety, gave to the
cause of the widow and orphan freely of their influence,
their time, and their means. But we have the testimonv
of one who had interested himself in collecting informa-
tion in regard to the history of the establishment of the
Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' home, that, " In the origin and
general success of this enterprise, the greatest credit is
due to the women of Iowa."
To this roll of honor, which will be read with ever in-
creasing pride, no whit less reverent than that which
stirs the pulse at the mention of Revolutionary heroines,
should be added perhaps an equal number, who, during
the next four years, bore the heat and burden of the day.
but were prevented from taking part in this first scene of
the first act of the drama which filled the land with woe,
and brought the keenest sorrow to many households of
Buchanan county.
We give the list as published by an admiring editor,
Mr. Barnhart, of the Independence Civilian, who, for-
tunately for us, and for those who had to follow us, look-
ing in upon the inspiring scene, on that memorable Sun-
day, was moved to make a record of the names of those
patriotic women, who, forgetting weariness, were giving
a fine exhibition of the self-abnegation which should
characterize those who had given themselves to their
country in her hour of need. And it is a pleasant
thought that the heroism, especially of some of those
youthful heroes whose names are an honor to the county
and the State — a Jordan, a Lewis, a Rice, and the most
youthful of them all, the gallant Little — received a higher
inspiration during those last days at the county seat, a
higher estimate of the value of their imperilled Govern-
ment and of the duty of her defenders.
Mrs. E. B. Older,
" C. L. I'.itrick,
" H. P. Henshaw,
" \. J. Bowiey,
" Rev. John Fulton,
'■ D. P. Daniel,
' ' Dr. George Warne,
'■ T. \. Wilson,
" William Morris,
" A. B. Clark, /
'■ S. S. McClure, 1/
" S. S. Clark.
" J. B. Myers,
" D. S. Dunham,
" Dr. E. Brewer,
" Harvey Mead,
" '\\^illiam Stanley,
" William Barker,
" C. F. Leavitt,
" Jed Lake,
' ' Harvey Lovejoy,
" Lettie Wilcox,
" John Whait,
" F. Brockway,
" J. H. Young,
" .S. Ercanbrack,
" Thos. Oliver (and machine),
" Alexander Smith,
" D. T. Randall,
" J. M. Westfall,
" Allen Few,
'* Baldwin,
" H. Sparling,
" Dr. House,
" N. M. Brooks,
" H. A. King,
■■ A. Dudley,
" Parker,
" H. Shaw,
" J. Haywood,
" Kimball,
" Young,
" J. H. Morgan,
'■ G. W. Bemis,
■' M. D. Smith,
'■ C. F. Herrick,
Miss Carrie Patrick,
" Sarah Sturtevant,
" Althea Chandler,
" A. Conolly,
" E. Putney,
Mrs. M. V. Bush,
" C. M. Dunham (and machine),
" James Wliait,
" William .Scott,
" R. Plane,
' ' C. B. Kandee,
" R. W. Wright,
" George Whait,
" J. G. Freeman,
" E. W. Purdy,
" B. C. Halle,
" H. Edgecomb,
" S. P. McEwin,
" H. Connelly,
" M. Glllett,
" E. Roby,
" CM. Pond,
■' J. M. Hord,
" Carrie Simmons,
■' Dr. Hunt,
" R. Campbell,
•■ T. B. Bullen,
" H. I. Brown,
" M. Allen,
" R. A. Kent,
" R. S. Brown,
" E. M. .Alexander,
" E. H. Gay lord,
" Dr. Parsons,
" Dr. Tabor,
" Charles Taylor,
" Holmes,
" R. Bartle,
" Barnhart,
'■ M. B. Tims,
" E. P. Baker,
" Judge Tabor,
" Dr. Bryant,
" B. S. Rider,
" B. D. Reed,
" John Campbell,
■• P. B. Wilco.x,
" • Fisher,
" Heman Morse,
" G. Sauerbier,
" M. Hazelton,
Miss Ellen Henry,
" Carrie Curtis,
" Amelia Parker,
" M. Barnhart,
" Rachel Freeman,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
209
Miss Hattie Crippen,
" Helenjudd,
" C. Morse,
" Gertrude Edgecomb,
" Mary Chandler,
" Jennie Patterson,
' ' Rosa Forbush,
C. Deering,
" Emma Allen,
" E. Wattles,
" Hattie Horton,
" S. L. Jackson,
Miss Annie Kingsley.
' ' Emma Woodward,
" M. Hathaway.
" Libbie Chandler,
■' Lizzie Patterson,
" Eliza Barnhart,
" Mary Deering,
" Delia Clark.
" C. Schwartz,
" E. Sauerbier,
" Bowker.
" Maggie Brockway.
SOME DATA FOR ESTIMATES OF VALUES COLLECTED.
Not long had the Buchanan county com])anies heen
in active service, before appeals were being made from
the sanitary committee of the army, from Quartermaster
General Meigs, from the governor of the State, and
from private sources, setting forth the necessity for sup-
plies which the Government could not provide, and
which, most naturally, must be the product of loving
labor of the friends of the soldiers at their own homes
and by their own firesides. And woman with that won-
derful intuition which is a part of her spiritual constitu-
tion, entered upon the duties of this avocation as though
her previous life had been a training in which its details
had been reduced to the inost exact rules, and its diffi-
culties, apprehended and vanquished, had been arranged
as convenient stepping stones by which she was to cross
the wide and turbulent rapids to gain the farther shore.
Everywhere warm hearts and willing hands were at
once engaged in devising and preparing liberal things,
not only for the sick and wounded, but, as far as possi-
ble, it was the aim to provide such a variety in diet, and
such ample protection against exposure as would effect-
ually guard against disease; and thus, while making lib-
eral provision for the soldier in the hospital, no pains or
expense were spared to keep him out of the hospital.
The first organization of a soldier's aid society in In-
dependence was effected at a meeting held in Morse's
hall, on Friday, the twenty fifth of October, 1861, when
the following officers were elected : Mrs. D. S. Lee, presi-
dent; Mrs. J. C. Loomis, vice-jiresident; Mrs. G. W.
Bemis, secretary; Mrs. G. C. Jordan, treasurer; Mrs.
Dr. Warne, depositor.
The society asked for donations of yarns for knitting
mittens and socks, cloths, flannels, muslins, blankets,
quilts, pillows, etc., jellies, arrow root, corn starch, farina,
preserved, dried and canned fruits, and other delicacies
for the sick, not forgetting money for the purchase of
material to be made up. The meetings were weekly, and
all were invited to aid the work by attending, and by
contributions of material and money.
The receipts of the third and fourth meetings, as pub-
lished at the time, were as follows: In money, given in
small sums by various citizens, eight dollars and fifty
cents; Mrs. Allison, towel and pillows; Mrs. Dr. Chase,
one pound yarn, one paper cocoa; Mrs. Mary Wright,
one comfort; Mrs. Marinus, one pair pillows with cases;
Mrs. Brown, cloth for comfort; Mrs. A. Ingalls, three
towels; Mrs. I. G. Freeman, one comfort, with feathers
and cases for six pillows; patch-work for comfort, by
Emma Taylor and Lydia McCullough; sixty blocks for
comfort, pieced by Master Alphonso Reed; ten yards
calico, by several persons; Mr. Candee, four pint cups,
clerk, one ditto; Mrs. Bush, Mrs. Glynn, Mrs. Edgecomb,
Miss Ella Sauerbier, patch-work for quilts; Mrs. Morse,
two pairs socks; Mrs. Woodruff and Miss Homans, ma-
terial for two quilts; Mrs. Wilson, six pounds batting;
Mrs Jordan, one quilt; Mrs. James Brown, six hair
cushions and one paper of corn starch ; Mrs. Morgan,
one pair pillow-cases; Mrs. Freeman, material for two
quilts, and feathers with cases for six pillows; Mrs. War-
ren, one quilt; Mrs. Parsons, one quilt; Mrs. James
Poor, one quilt; Mrs. Dr. Hunt, one quilt; Mrs. P. C.
Wilcox, one quilt, six spools of thread; Mrs. Dr. House,
one quilt, one pair of sheets; Mrs. Ingalls, one quilt;
one quilt pieced by Katharine and Melissa Wilson, Au-
gusta Noble and Addie Wilcox.
At their fifth regular meeting the money receipts were
about eight dollars, and at the sixth Mrs. I. G. Fret-man
gave feathers for eleven ]jillows, making a donation in
three weeks of seventeen pillows. Surely, "the blessing
of him that was ready to perish" must have made hers a
pillow of down.
The first boxes were packed and sent, one to the Iowa
Fifth, and the other to the Ninth regiment, on the thir-
teenth of December. In the first were sent five straw
ticks, twenty-one pillows, nineteen pillow slips, nine
towels, two flannel blankets, thirteen cotton shirts, three
cotton flannel shirts, two pairs cotton flannel drawers, two
fine shirts, seventeen pairs socks, four pairs of cotton sheets,
one linen sheet, one parcel old linen, one roll of flannel,
four pairs of mittens, three hair cushions, six linen hand-
kerchiefs, one roll of cotton for bandages, twelve com-
forts, three tin cups, three bottles of wine, one can cur-
rant jelly, three papers corn starch, one paper of rice, one
paper of cocoa.
To the Ninth Iowa volunteers, in which was Captain
Hord's company, the following articles were sent: Five
straw ticks, twenty-three pillows, nineteen pillow slips,
one blanket, two pairs of cotton flannel drawers, four
cotton flannel shirts, sixteen cotton shirts, one fine shirt,
one parcel of linen, seven cotton sheets, one linen sheet,
eight towels, one roll of cotton for bandages, sixteen
pairs of socks, three pairs of mittens, six linen handker-
chiefs, two hair cushions, twelve comforters, two tin cups,
three bottles of wine, one can of preserved tomatoes,
three papers of corn starch, two papers of dried grapes,
one paper of farina, one can of plum jelly, three dozen
magazines.
At a meeting on the day following the sending of these
first fruits of a tree which proved to be perennial, a
vote of thanks was tendered to Dr. and Mrs. Warne, and
also to the officers of the society, for a large amount of
extra labor performed, and to Charles W. Taylor for
carrying boxes to the depot, loading and unloading free
of charge.
Let it be remembered that this was the result of about
six weeks' labor, and that, at least twice the amount
must have been sent from other organizations in various
parts of the county, as at Quasqueton, Jesup, Littleton,
and other places, and that there was no cessation in this
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
work during the succeeding four years, and the amount
and value of similar supplies forwarded from the county
of Buchanan, will be seen to have been almost incom-
putable. And then, too, in emergencies, as after great
battles, special efforts were made, and the amount of
hospital and other stores greatly increased. At seasons
when such articles could be safely forwarded, immense
quantities of vegetables, eggs and fruits were sent to ac-
cessible points for the comfort and health of the brave
men whose lives were imperilled, not alone by the burst-
ing shell and the deadly bullet, but by forced marches in
burning heat, and in driving storms of snow — from the
malaria which poisoned the air they breathed and the
water they drank.
CHAPTER XVI.
BUCHANAN COUNTY SCHOOLS.-
The records of our county schools, previous to 1858,
are exceedingly meagre, and the few there are, are so
scattered and disarranged as to be practicably unavail-
able, unless to a historian who, unlike myself, may have
abundant leisure for explanation and collection.
The school system of Iowa — if system it may be called
— previous to 1859, was by no means favorable to com-
pleteness and accuracy of record, and still less to a care-
ful preservation and arrangement of such records as were
made. The only county school officer previous to 1858
was the school fund commissioner, and his duties, as the
title indicates, pertained rather to the care of the school
land and funds than to any supervision of the schools
themselves. The records, which he had little induce-
ment to keep, I have had as little leisure to search for;
and, in the superintendent's office, there are absolutely
none. I must, therefore, depend entirely upon personal
recollection for whatever I may say of the early history
of our schools.
That recollection dates back to the year 1850, or
twenty-three years ago, at which time there were only
three civil township divisions of the county, and I think
not more than four school districts. Washington town-
ship included the whole north half of the county, and a
little more; and though there may have been more than
one district therein, there certainly was but one school-
house, and that was near where John Boone resided
then, and yet resides. In Independence there were three
families, and only two children old enough to attend
school. There were three families near where Thomas
Barr now lives, but no children over five years of age ;
and three families on Otter creek, at what is now called
Greeley's Grove, in Hazleton township, but not more
than one child over five years of age, while in what is
now called Buffalo township there were but two families.
*A historical sketcli delivered before the County Normal Institute.
Tuesday evening, August 12, 1873, by Hon. O. H. P. Roszell.
In what is now called Liberty township (then Spring),
there were probably a dozen families, and, I think, a
school-house on Pine creek, about one mile south of the
Dubuque road. At Quasqueton there were probably
twelve or fifteen families, and they doubtless had a school
building, though I don't remember to have seen it; and
I think there was another school-house near where Sol-
omon Swartzell now lives.
In what is now Newton township there were a few
families, but no school-house, and the same is true of
Jefferson township and possibly Cono. The townships
now called Madison, Fairbank, Perry, Byron, Fremont,
Middlefield and Homer were as trackless and houseless
as the ocean, as was also Sumner, with the exception of
one building, occupied by Isaac Ginther.
The architecture of the school buildings was, of course,
the rudest. All built of unhewn logs — unless, possibly,
the one built at Quasqueton may have been framed.
Board seats next the wall on three sides, fronted by long
desks of rough bass wood, as being soft and easily worn
smooth by friction of arms and books, and, possibly,
more convenient to whittle. These back seats and desks
were reserved for the larger scholars, while the smaller
were accommodated by inner rows of benches, made of
oak slabs for strength and durability. The fourth side
was devoted to the ample fireplace, flanked on either
side by the entrance door and the wood pile. I need
not, however, dwell upon the description of these houses,
for the type has hardly yet disappeared, and is not un-
familiar to even the youngest of my auditors. Who
taught the first schools I am unable to say. But though
the names of Egyptian builders are lost, the pyramids
and ruined temples remain as monuments of their skill;
and though the names of the first teachers are not re-
membered, yet the results of th(?ir labors are perpetuated.
[The names of nearly, if not quite, all the first teachers
in the several townships will be found in the township
histories. — C. S. P.]
In the winter of 1850-51 a school was taught in the
school-house near Boone's for three months, as I remem-
ber, with an attendance of from twenty to twenty-five
pupils, coming from a radius of two miles or more; and
it will serve as an illustration of the interest even then
felt in the subject of education by these early settlers, to
state that an evening spelling school brought the people
together — old and young — not only from Otter creek
and Pine creek, but from Hazleton and Quasqueton.
And a few attempts by the teachers to lecture upon such
subjects as the operation of steam and the steam engine,
methods of calculating, the velocity of light, etc., filled
the house to overflowing, and that at a time when there
were only seventeen families in the whole north half of
the county.
During that same winter, I believe, there was a school
taught in the house on Pine creek, near the old Heam
place, also one at Quasqueton. The next winter there
were not only schools in all these places, but also one in
Independence, two or three families having arrived here
during the vear 185 1. This latter school was taught in
a log building formerly occupied by Rufus B. Clark, the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
first settler here, and original proprietor of the town site;
and the building stood a few rods south of where now is
the residence of Dr. J. G. House. It stood in the street
— Mott street — but streets and lots were then alike un-
shorn of their native bushes, and only the surveyor could
distinguish lot from street. The school was taught by
Mrs. William Bunce, still a resident of Hazleton town-
ship, in this county, and a very estimable and intelligent
lady. Evening schools were common, and, being oc-
casions of social reunion of parents and scholars, were
always well attended by both, and all took part in the
spelling. I remember attending and gaining some ap-
plause for being able to spell most of the words in the
spelling book correctly, and especially for being able to
detect when a word was pronounced, not found in the
English vocabulary, as was sometimes done by mistake,
which is not surprising when we remember that kerosene
lamps were not, and that the only light the pronouncer
had was a tallow candle, held in the hand.
During the year 1852, still more families arrived and
settled in this place and vicinity, and I think it was in
1852, that the first school-house was built in Indepen-
dence— to William Brazelton belongs the honor of its
erection — at his own expense. It was not very large nor
very elegant, being only twelve by sixteen, built of bass-
wood logs; but the logs were hewed on two sides, and
even divested of bark, regardless of expense; for its
builder was determined that Independence should boast
of a school-house worthy of its name. Providence
seemed to smile on the undertaking, for the State super-
intendent, Hon. Thomas H. Benton, jr., visited Inde-
pendence just as the house was nearly completed and
lectured in the new building. Every citizen turned out
to hear him, the house was half filled, and that was a
proud day for Independence. I had the honor of teach-
ing the first school in that house, and I believe there
were twelve pupils on my school roll. The building
stood on the lot now occupied by Thomas Sherwood, and
very near the site of his present residence.
From this time (thougli I do not mean to assert, or
even insinuate, that our new school-house was the cause),
the tide of immigration began to set strongly toward
Iowa, and this county received its share of the immi-
grants. They followed, in their locations, the streams,
or rather timber which followed the course of the
streams. Settlers located up the fiver at Fairbank, at
Littleton, down the river between here and Quasqueton,
and below Quasqueton, on the Buffalo in the east part
of Newton, and on the branches of the Maquoqueta, in
east Madison, on Otter creek from its mouth to Gree-
ley's Grove, and on Lime Spring creek in Jefferson; and
. wherever they located they built school-houses with little
delay. As early as 1855 or '56, there was a school-house
built in Madison near the residence of Silas Ross; one
on Spring creek in the south part of Newton; one near
Brandon on Lime creek; another in the western part of
Jefferson; one near Fairbank, and one a few miles be-
low; still another in the north part of Hazelton, and at
Buffalo Grove; one of brick at Independence, and an ad-
ditional one at Quasqueton. Immigration still continued
and increased, spreading out on the open prairie in
every direction, till 1857, and additional houses contin-
ued to be erected, many of them framed ones ; not only
because the increase of population and wealth deman-
ded and enabled people to build better houses, but be-
cause on the prairies logs were neither the most conven-
ient nor the most inexpensive material with which to
build. I am not able to remember precisely, when or
where schools were taught during these years, and there
are no records readily accessible, from which such facts
may be ascertained. There was no such office as county
superintendent; and I find no report showing the num-
ber of schools, or school children, or houses. Such re-
ports were made to the school fund commissioner, but
are hot at hand.
The law providing for the election of a county super-
intendent of schools came into operation iti 1S58, and
the first superintendent (Judge Roszell himself) was
elected at the April election of that year; and from that
year only, can we begin to refer to records for school sta-
tistics. At that time the county was subdivided into
civil townships nearly as it is now. The superintendent's
report for 1S5S, shows the total number of school chil-
dren in the county to have been two thousand four hun-
dred and forty-five, the whole number attending ten hun-
dred and fifteen; twenty-nine schools, and twenty-seven
school-houses; showing also, that in only two districts
was there more than one term taught during the year.
Of twenty-seven houses fifteen were frame, three brick,
one stone, and eight log. Less than one-half of the
children attended school, owing, doubtless, to the lack of
school-houses within their reach.
Up to this year the old system of schools prevailed.
There was no particular provision for the examination of
teachers. It was only provided that the school boards
were to be satisfied of their abilities and morals. Their
pay was derived from a rate bill, except so far as the in-
terest of the public funds distributed sufficed.
The term ended, and then the labors of the teacher
began. The interest on the public school fund was ap-
portioned as now, and divided among the several dis-
tricts, in proportion to the children therein. This money
was used to pay the teachers in part. The remaining
wages were to be collected of those parents sending chil-
dren to school, on a rate bill apportioned according to
the number of days' attendance. This rate it was the
duty of the district clerk or secretary to collect ; but the
collection was a matter that involved time and trouble,
and was often impossible. Some families had, perhaps
removed from the district, others had children to send to
school, but no money to pay tuition. The clerk had no
great interest in the collection, and no disposition to
hurry business; and the teacher had often not only to
make out the rate bill, but to do the work of the clerk
in collecting it, and spending the summer fruitlessly in
trying to get pay for the winters' services. If Mrs.
Bunce, and Mr. Pierce, and the Misses Butterfield, and
others who taught previous to 1859, havn't old school
orders unpaid and valueless — unless as autographs or me-
mentoes— it will be because they have destroyed them.
212
HISTORY QF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
[Wiihout pretending to a great familiarity with the ap-
plication of ethics to finance, we do not hesitate to say
that citizens of a township having such unsettled claims
for valuable services in the past (and for that matter the
question would not be affected if the services rendered
had been ante-dcluvian, rather than ante-presentpublic-
school-system times), would honor their township, them-
selves, and their race, by making, even at this late day,
provisions for their liquidation. And we have pledged
ourselves that when we have made "our pile" by writing
county histories, and return to Buchanan county to in-
vest the same in a Buchanan county farm, as we should
be proud to do, we will, in selecting a location, give
those townships the preference that have redeemed them-
selves from the odium of having neglected to pay the
school ma'am. — Eds.]
The constitution of this State, called the new consti-
tution, adopted in 1857, provided for a State board of
education, consisting of one member from each judicial
district, together with the governor and lieutenant-gov-
ernor. The first election for this board was held in
October, 1858, and the first session was held in Decem-
ber of that year. It was a distinct legislative body, with
power to legislate on school matters only, and its first
legislation was the adoption of our present system of free
common schools, modified only in details at subsequent
sessions of the board, and by the legislature since the
abolition of the board, in 1S63. The new law went into
operation in 1859, and in this county was hailed with al-
most universal satisfaction. The county superintendent
of this county at that tune was also elected a member
of the State board of education, and during its sessions
had aided in the adoption of the new system, anticipat-
ing, however, much opposition to the radical change it
made. The unanimity with which the people of the
county apjjroved its provisions, was, therefore, especially
gratifying to him, and did honor to their intelligence.
The report of the superintendent in 1859, shows a
total of two thousand five hundred and thirty-two school
children in the county, and one thousand seven hundred
and forty-five attending school; a decided increase in
the per centage of attendance over the previous year,
which is explained by the fact that during that year there
were taught in the county sixty-six schools, though the
number of houses had only increased to thirty-one, be-
ing an addition of four during the year. Thus it appears
that not only were schools taught two terms in every dis-
trict, but in several of these, schools were taught in other
places than school-houses. Many of them were in
private dwelling-houses, vacant or occupied. I remem-
ber that one in Newton was in an attic; but I am not
sure whether the room was reached by a ladder or by
stairs; one in a wagon-house or shop, vacated for that
purpose, and fitted up by Mr. Albert Riseley; one in
Byron in a granary of John Tullock's; one in Buffalo
in a vacant bed-room ; and one in Hazleton in a cellar
kitchen at Isaac Sufficool's.
The standard of qualifications was not high. Not
many teachers could be found who had reached such a
standard. Many of them would hardly pass such an
examination as is properly made now, I suppose; yet
some were fully equal to the present standard in educa-
tion, and for fidelity and zeal, few of them have been
surpassed. The houses were rough hewn, so were the
people and pupils, and so the teachers, many of them;
but they were fitted for the time as few are fitted now.
Robust health and capacity for endurance were essential
when teachers "boarded round," and boarding places
scarcely in sight of each other, even on the open prairie;
where no fences marked the course of the highway, and
the beaten track led anywhere but to the school-house,
and bridges were the exception rather than the rule,
teachers then must be able to walk miles, and to face
storms; and they were.
The first certificate granted by the county superintend-
ent was in 1858, to Miss Mary Preble; the fourth and
fifth to Misses Emma and Eliza Butterfield. Eighty-
three examinations were made that year and the same
number the year following. Some were refused certifi-
cates, and some who procured certificates, did not teach.
Among the teachers examined that year in addition
to those I have mentioned, I find the names of Jed
Lake, S. G. Pierce, C. H. Jakway, Benjamin Knight,
Samuel Leslie, Miss Lucinda Pierce, Miss A. L. Her-
rick, now Mrs. Poor, Miss Rachel Freeman, now Mrs.
Dr. House, Miss Delia A. Pease, now Mrs. Woodruff;
and 1 am glad to say they were all good teachers. The
first teachers' institute was held at the court house in In-
dependence, in 1 868. There were about forty teachers
in attendance, and at that institute was formed the
Teachers' association, which has held its meetings annu-
ally since, and in 1870 numbered over two hundred
members.
The second county superintendent was Mr. Bennett
Roberts, who was elected in October, 1859, but shortly
resigned, and C. E. Lathrop was appointed to fill the
vacancy, and continued in office till October, i860. His
successor, Mr. S. G. Pierce, who so long and ably filled
the office, and to whose ability and zeal our schools are
so largely indebted, was elected in i860, and reelected
in October, 1861, and held the office almost continuously
up to 1872, when he was succeeded by our present effi-
cient incumbent. At that time, 1861, the number of
schools in Fairbank had increased to four, with one hun-
dred and seventy-nine pupils in attendance. Hazleton
had six schools, and two hundred and fifty-three pupils in
attendance. Madison seven schools, and one hundred
and seventy-three pupils in attendance. Buffalo had two
schools with fifty-six pupils; Fremont two schools and
fiftj-four pupils; Byron four schools and one hundred
and one pupils; Washington nine schools and three hun-
dred and fifteen pupils; Perry one school and forty-five
pupils; Westburgh had yet neither house nor school;
Sumner had two schools and forty-two pupils; Liberty
eight schools and two hundred and ninety-seven pupils.
Three of these schools were taught in one building, and
I should have remarked that Quasqueton was the first in
building a school-house of more than one room. They
built in 1857, I think, quite a commodious building, a
portion of it two stories in height, with rooms above and
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
213
below, and an additional room in a wing, making three
rooms in all; and in that building the second Teachers'
institute was held in 1859. Middlefield, in 1861, had
three schools, Newton eight, Homer two, Jefferson
seven; making a total in the county of seventy-six
schools, forty houses, with an attendance of two thou-
sand and ninety pupils, out of a total of three thousand
one hundred and thirty-eight school children. The total
value of school-buildings in the county at that time was
reported at six thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine
dollars. There were four brick buildings, two of stone,
twenty- four framed, and ten log.
At this time the war had broken out, and though its
continuance for several years, doubtless, retarded in a
measure, the progress of our schools, and especially the
building of houses, yet there was a steady progress; and
I find, by the report of 1864, that the number of school
children in the county had increased to three thousand
four hundred and thirty- five, the number attending
school to two thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, the
number of schools to one hundred and twenty, and of
houses fifty-nine, valued at fourteen thousand six hundred
and eighty-eight dollars. In 1S65 the number of school
children had increased to four thousand and sixty-two,
three thousand and forty attending school; one hundred
and six schools, sixty-four houses, worth seventeen thou-
sand dollars. This was immediately after the close of
the war, and brings us down to a date so recent, that any-
thing I may say of the schools since, can hardly be con-
sidered history. The progress we have made since 1865,
especially in the way of school-buildings, has been e.x-
ceedingly gratifying. In 1867 the first Union school-
house was completed, and the first graded school or-
ganized in Independence. Since that time a second has
been built. Also a tasteful and commodious one at
Jesup, and another at Winihrop.
The number of school-houses in the county in 1872
was one hundred and twenty-four, valued atone hundred
and sixteen thousand seven hundred dollars. Only one log
school-house remains in use, and nearly all have entirely
disappeared. The number of children at the last date
mentioned was six thousand four hundred and sixteen,
and there were two hundred and forty-three teachers em-
ployed during the year. When we compare this with one
three log buildings in 1850, with three schools, or with
twenty-seven buildings and sixty-six schools in 1858, the
result is indeed gratifying; and all the more so when we
remember that this statement does not include any of the
excellent private schools taught in the county. We have
the Catholic common school, well attended and well con-
ducted, and the seminary under the supervision of the
Sisters — an institution doing excellent service in the cause
of education ; and the Commercial school recently estab-
lished in our city, also doing good work in its appropriate;
place and last, though by no means least, this normal
school now in session, and doing still another portion of
the great work — that of educating the educators.
I find on the list of teachers for 1858 not more than
two who are teaching now; showing that very few if any,
adopt teaching as a permanent profession. A few terms
or a few years, at most, is the general rule, and the ranks
have constantly to be filled with new recruits. This fact
is often alluded to as detrimental to the cause of educa-
tion, but I do not so regard it. Teaching is both a
science and an art, and those who practice the art, have
generally little leisure to investigate the science. The
natural tendency is to follow accustomed methods of
teaching, as it is to prefer the accustomed text books;
and the teacher who is in the constant practice of the
art for many years, will almost invariably fail to keep
pace with the progress of the science of teaching — just
as a physician who should be kept constantly at the bed-
side of patients, would have no time to keep pace with
the new discoveries in the science of medicine; or the
lawyer who should be always pleading in court, would
soon exhaust his vitality, mental and physical, and fail to
keep posted in the later legislation and more recent
decisions.
For these reasons I consider that the constant changes
in teachers, has at least its advantages, supplying, as it
does, a new life and fresh vitality.
Our progress has been encouraging, and the present
condition of our schools is alike honorable to the teachers,
to the officers superintending, and to the people sustain-
ing them. We have a school system susceptible of im-
provement doubtless, but not inferior to that of any
State; and it will be our aim not to maintain, but to im-
prove its efficiency; and I doubt not that he who writes
the history of our schools in 1896, will have an advance-
ment to chronicle, fully equal to that we have made
during the twenty-three years which have preceded this.
Greater we cannot reasonably expect, nor should we be
satisfied with less.
Note. — Since the foregoing address was delivered, two more super-
intentendents have had supervision of the county schools — Amos Rowe,
one term (two years), and W. E. Parker, who is just now finishing his
third term. The number of school-houses has increased, in the eight
years, from one hundred and twenty -four to one hundred and forty-
two, and the "one log school-house" has disappeared. The "Com-
mercial school," of which the lecturer made favorable mention, has
been discontinued, doubtless for want of patronage — a fate which, on
account of the enlargement of the public school course, has overtaken
most private enterprises of that kind. The number of children of
school age in the county, in 1872, w.as six thousand four hundred and
sixteen — in i88o, six thousand seven hundred and forty-five. The
whole number of teachers during the former year, two hundred and
forty-three — in the latter, two hundred and eighty-five. It will be seen
therefore, by any one who will cipher it out, that the children of school
age, and the teachers provided for their instruction, have increased ;«
precisely the same ratio ; a somewhat remarkable coincidence.
CHAPTER XVII.
CIVIL LIST OF BUCHANAN COUNTY.
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
Buchanan county forms part of the Third Congressional
district and the only representative to Congress elected
from the county is Hon. W. G. Donnan, elected October
II, 1870, serving two terms.
214
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
STATE SENATORS.
D. C. Hastings, October, 1859; L. W. Hart, Novem-
ber, 1S63; W. G. Donnan, October, 1867; George W.
Bemis, 1871; M. W. Harmon, 1875-1879.
REPRESENTATIVES IN LEGISL.ATURE.
D. S. Davis, Quasqueton, 1852; F. E. Turner, Quas-
queton, 1854; George W. Bemis, 1859; Jed Lake, 1861.
D. D. Holbridge, 1863; P. C. Wilcox, 1865-1867; D.
S. Lee, 1869; J. M. Hovey, Jesup, 1871; S. T. Spangler,
Buffalo, 1873; John Calvin, 1S75-1877; Isaac Muncey,
1879.
COUNTY JUDGES.
O. H. P. Roszell, August, 1851; O. H. P. Roszell,
1855; S. J. \V. Tabor, October, 1859 (resigned); W. H.
Burton (to fill vacancy) 1861; W. H. Burton, 1863-1867.
During the latter part of Judge Burton's term, and
since, the office of auditor has taken the place of that of
county judge.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
J. L. Loomis, October, 1869-71; D. A. M. Lesib,
1873-75; George B. Warren, 1877-79.
JUDGE OF PROB.\TE.
Elijah Beardsley, August, 1848; G. I. Cummins, 1849.
CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT.
S. P. Stoughton, 1848; Edward Brewer (elected bien-
nially from 1852 to 1866 inclusive); D. L. Smith,
November, 1868- 1870, 1872, 1874, 1876; Robert J.
Williamson, 1875; O. M. Gillett, 1880.
RECORDER AND TREASURER.
Edward Brewer, August, 1848; Edward Brewer, 1849.
G. I. Cummins, 185 1; John Leslie, 1853; H. G. Hast,
ings, 1855; William G. Donnan, 1859; S. J. W. Tabor,
1861; E. B. Older, 1863.
The offices of treasurer and recorder were then sep
arated and the recorders were as follows : T. J. Marinus
1864-66; John Hollett, 1868-70-72-74-76; William J,
Miller, 1878; J. W. Foreman, 1880.
TREASURER.
E. B. Older, 1865; L. A. Main, 1867-1869, 1S71;
James A. Poor, 1873-5-7-9.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
Elijah Beardsley, 1848; (Record defective) 1850;
D. S. Lee, 1852; J. S. Woodward, April, 1854; James
Jamison, August, 1854; J. C. Head, Quasqueton, 1856.
SHERIFF.
E. D. Phelps, August, 1848; N. W. Hatch, August,
1849-51; J. A. Guthrie, August, 1852; Eli D. Phelps,
August, 1853; Leander Keys, 1855; Byron C. Hale,
October, 1859; M. Gillett (died during term). 1861;
John M. Westfall, 1862-63; A. Crooks, 1865; John
A. Davis, 1867-69; George O. Farr, 1871-73; W. S.
Van Orsdol, 1875-77; E. L. Currier, 1879.
COUNTY SURVEYOR.
D. C. Greely, April and August, 1848; O. H. P.
Roszell, August, 1850; O. H. P. Roszell, August, 1851-
53; George W. Bemis, 1855; David Merrill, 1859; I.
P. Warren, 1861; J. W. Myers, 1S65-67; J. L. Seely,
1 868-9-71; D. S. Deering, 1873; J. L. Seely, 1874-5--
-7; Jasper N. Iliff, 1879.
CORONERS.
D. S. Megonigal, 1848; T. Merritt, 1849; Thomas
Morgan, 1851; Thomas J. Marinus, 1852; R. W. VVright,
1853; T. J. Marinus, 1854: J. L. McGee, 1855; R. W.
Wright, 1859; H. H. Hunt, 1861; L. S. Brooks, 1863;
H. H. Hunt, 1865-67-69-71-75-77-9; M. A. Cham-
berlain, 1873.
SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONER.
S. P. Stoughton, April, 1848; William Logan, 1850-
52--S4-56-
MEMBER OF BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
H. N. Gates (county?), 1858; S. J. W. Tabor, i860.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL.
O. H. P. Roszell, 1858; Bennett Roberts, October,
1859; S. G. Pierce, November, 1860-61; George Gem-
mell, 1863; S. G. Pierce, 1865-67-69; E. H. Ely,
1871; Amos Rowe, 1873; W. E. Parker, 1875-77-79.
COUNTY ASSESSOR.
H. B. Hatch, 1857, appears to have been the only
one.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Rufus B. Clark, 1848; James Collier, Malcom Mc-
Bane, 1848; Carmi Hicko.x, M. McBane, 1849; Nathan
Trogdon, 1850.
COUNTY SUPERVISORS.
The first board met January 7, 1861, consisting of one
member elect from each township, viz: Elisha Sanborn,
Alton township; E. B. Baker, Byron; C. H. Jackway Buf-
falo; E. D. Hovey, Cono; James Fleming, Fremont;
L. S. Allen, Homer; John Johnson, Jefferson; William
Logan, Liberty; J. B. Ward, Madison; James M. Kerr,
Middlefield; N. W. Richardson, Newton; D. B. San-
ford, Perry; V. R. Beach, Sumner; William C. Nelson,
Superior; George W. Bemis, Washington; William B.
Wilkinson, Westburgh.
The chairmen of the board were: George W. Bemis,
January, 1861, 1S62; John Johnson, January, 1863;
Isaac G. Freeman, January, 1864, 1865; N. Dickey,
1866; J. H. Campbell, January, 1867; John Johnson,
January, 1868; E. P. Brintnall, January, 1869; S. W
Rich, January, 1S70: E. P. Brintnall, January, 1871.
In 1871 the board was reduced to three members,
chosen by the county at large. This continued for three
terms, and the members were : E. P. Brintnall, Jed Lake,
J. A. Stodard, 1871; Jed Lake, J. A. Stodard, Morris
Todd, 1872; J. A. Stodard, Morris Todd, John D. Rus-
sell, 1873.
In 1874 the board was increased to seven members,
of whom the following have been chairmen: Horatio
Bryant, M. D., 1874, 1875, 1876; J. G. House, M. D.,
1877, 1878, 1879; H. Bryant, 18S0; C. R. MilUngton,
i88i.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
215
CHAPTER XVIII.
SCRAPS OF HISTORY.
A VETERAN VOTER. — An old gentleman named Hath-
away, who was then in his ninety-first year, was present
at the polls in Independence, October, 1858. He was
then residing about two miles from Independence, and
had voted at every presidential election since Washing-
ton's second term. Mr. Hathaway voted the Demo-
cratic ticket, but remarked that Democracy now-a-days
(or should we say then-a-days ?) was not what it used
to be.
Fernando Flannery, who came to Independence when
there were but three houses on the west side of the river,
died in 1880, aged eighty-four years. The three houses
were owned respectively as follows: E. Cobb, S. S.
Allen and S. Sherwood. Mr. Flannery claimed to have
come to this city in 1857; but as others who came here
about that time think that the era of "three houses on
the west side" had passed before 1857, it is probable he
was here as early as 1852.
A Wedding in Early Times. — A writer over the signa-
ture of "Abbottsford" informed the readers of the Con-
servative, in the summer of 1878, that the first marriage
solemnized in Independence was that of Miss Cynthia
Messenger to Charles McCaffra. The ceremony was
performed by 'Squire John Scott, in September, 1847.
A novel mode of offering congratulations seems to have
prevailed at that period, as the writer adds that after the
ceremony the settlers gave vent to their feelings by the
wildest cheers.
"Abbotsford" also asserts that in 1849 there was a
hegira from the embryo city, which left but two families,
those of Dr. Brewer and Mr. Close, true to their faith in
a "good time coming."
A Large Bird. — In April. 1858, Mr. Beebe, of Quas-
queton, shot a swan near that place measuring eight feet
between the tips of the wings, five feet seven inches in
length, and weighing twenty-nine pounds.
It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. Not-
withstanding the great financial pressure, and the general
stagnation of business in 1857-5S, during the last named
year there were built in Independence between fifty and
si.xty houses, and eight stores. Perhaps political econo-
mists would tell us that had the times been more pros-
perous at the east, there would have been less rapid
growth in the west.
A Stranger. — A grey fox of large size was killed by
Mr. W. W. Gilbert, on the border of Greeley's grove, in
the autumn of 1880. This species had seldom or never
been seen in this region, and the presence of this one is
quite a mystery.
A Large Fish. — Charles Putnam, in the winter of
1859, caught a muscalonge in the river, near Indepen-
dence, which measured within two inches of four feet
in length, and weighed twenty-six pounds. In the same
paragraph which contained the above announcement, it
was stated that Messrs. Smith & Cannon, of Dubuque,
shipped two thousand three hundred pounds of Wapsie
pickerel, a few days before, to the St. Louis market.
Coldest Day. — Sunday, the twelfth of January, 1857,
was the coldest day that had or has been known in
Iowa. At sunrise on that day, the thermometer stood
at forty degrees below zero at Independence.
Daily Mail. — The Independence correspondent of the
Quasqueton Guardian mentions, under date of October
19, 1857, that the people of that town were enjoying the
luxury of a daily mail, through the influence, it was
claimed, of Senator Jones.
P. C. Wilcox was mentioned in the town press as one
of the new merchants of the county seat, in the autumn
of 1857.
The flood of the summer of 1858 did a great deal of
damage in the valley of the Wapsipinicon. The total
rise, from Saturday morning to Sunday noon, was fifteen
feet. The street at the east end of the bridge at Inde-
pendence was submerged, and the bridge was saved only
by the timely exertions of the citizens. The bridge at
Quasqueton was carried off, and considerable property
destroyed. Mr. Davis, of that place, lost several hun-
dred bushels of wheat, which was stored in his mill.
Post Offices and Saw-mills. — In 1856, there were in
the county eleven post offices, and about twice as many
saw-mills, fifteen of which were propelled by water.
The post offices were named as follows: Independence,
Quasqueton, Fairbank, Chatham, Greeley's Grove, Buf-
falo Grove, Erie, Pine, Erin, Frink's Grove, and Bran-
don. In 1 88 1, the number of post offices has increased
to sixteen, averaging one to each township.
Houses and Families. — In the same year, there were
in the county eight hundred and fifty-three dwelling
houses, nine hundred and fifty-two families, seven hun-
dred and ninety-three owners of land, and twenty-one
thousand two hundred and twenty-two acres of improved
land.
Death of the First White Child.— Charles B. Kessler,
aged twenty one years, died near Quasqueton, April 7,
1864. He was the first white child born in what is now
Buchanan county. Heeding the call of his country, he
volunteered in January, 1862, and became a member of
company H, Thirteenth regiment. United States army.
With his regiment he went safely through several severe
battles, among which were those of Arkansas Post,
Black River, Siege of Vicksburgh, and Collierville.
From the last-named conflict he turned to the hospital,
broken down by fatigue and exposure, as many another
youthful hero had been. Continuing to decline, he was
brought home to die amid the loved and tender associa-
tions of his boyhood. Brave and generous, he was
loved by all. He sleeps in a patriot's grave, another
willing sacrifice for liberty and the Union.
The parents of Charles B. Kessler were Mr. and Mrs.
Frederick Kessler, who came to Quasqueton with the
first installment of settlers, in the early spring of 1842.
His mother, now Mrs. Heman Morse, is still living in
Independence.
ACCIDENT.\L DE.\THS.
A record of deaths which have occurred in the county
by accident from flood and fire, or accidental discharge
of firearms, would make a chapter not without interest
2l6
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
and certainly not without value, but longer than our space
would warrant. We propose to select from the long list,
which, without any design to make such a collection, has
come to our notice, a few instances of such deaths which
seem to be distinguished by unusual incidents.
The following melancholy history was communicated
by the Independence correspondent of the Giiardia?!, in
July, 1858:
A lamentable accident occurred yesterday a few miles from this place,
resulting in the death of four persons.
It ai)pears that a man by the name of Casper Wright engaged a
Canadian, owning a span of horses and a wagon, to take himself, his
wife and his sister, a young girl about eleven years of age, to Fair
bank on a visit to some friends. They reached Otter Creek about 6
o'clock on Sunday morning, and, in attempting to ford it, the box
floated off, and the whole party were soon struggling in the swollen and
rapid stream.
A man who saw them passing his house toward the creek, heard their
cries, and hastened to the ford, arriving, he thinks, in less than five
minutes, but not in time to aid, or even to see, a single person of the
party. He did not warn them, because, as the creek was generally
known to be dangerous at that stage of water, he did not tliink of their
attempting to drive through at that place, but, being strangers, they
were not aware of the danger.
A Mr. Dyer, who resides near the scene of the accident, and who
was milking at the time, had his attention called by his little daughter,
who lan to him exclaiming that a woman was floating down the creek
in a wa^n box. Mr. D. ran immediately along the bank of the creek.
till he found the wagon box still right side up, but with no one in it.
He saw the horses struggling to ascend the bank and succeeded in res-
cuing them, but did not see or hear anything whatever of the persons
in the water, so soon was the tragedy ended.
The bodies of the husband and wife, and also of the young girl,
were found before 2 o'clock of the same day; that of the girl about
twenty rods below the scene of the disaster, and the other two but a
few rods from each other, nearly a. half mile down the creek. The
body of the Canadian, whose name had not been learned, and who
was understood to have been but a short time in the county, was not
recovered until the third or fourth day, when it was found entangled in
some bushes near the spot where the catastrophe happened.
Whether this sad event hastened the building of a
bridge at that point, we are not informed.
On the twenty-third of Noveinber, 1859, Mr. Gustavus
Lang, of Superior, now Hazelton, township, took a little
daughter, two and a half years old, in his arms and went
to look at a coal pit in the vicinity of his house. Ob-
serving that the covering needed repairing in one place,
he went up to attend to it, telling the child to stay where
he placed her, and not attempt to follow him. Who,
that has never seen a darling child in a like peril, can
imagine his sensations, when, a few monients after, hear-
ing a cry of anguish, he looked around to see that the
little creature, in her desire to be near him, had at-
tempted the perilous path; had broken through the cov-
ering, and was literally hanging in that fiery furnace by
her arms! He sprang to her rescue, but the intense
heat had already done its work, and after a few hours of
suffering, the bright and joyous life went out.
Another death by accident occured the same week as
that recorded above, in Byron township. Mr. Edward
Ryan, a fanner, had bought a cow of a neighbor, and on
the morning of the twenty-second of November, went to
take her home. The neighbor offered to help Mr. R.
drive the cow after she was in the road, and he proceeded
alone to the field. Not returning, a search revealed the
fact that, in passing through a heavy gate, it had by some
means fallen upon him, and he was found dead, his skul
being badly fractured. Mr. Ryan left a wife and several
children.
On the morning of the ninth of March, 1874, the
dwelling house of George L. King, situated in the south-
west part of Independence, was consumed by fire, and
in it perished Mrs. Morris, aged seventy-four, the mother
of Mrs. King; Mrs. King, Emma Bell, a daughter aged
fourteen, and Frank, a son, aged ten years. The fire
originated in the kitchen, which was entered by a door at
the bottom of the stairs leading to the sleeping rooms
above. Mr. King was aroused at about 4:30 a. m. by
the daughter, who entered his room saying that her room
was full of smoke. Hastily dressing and descending, he
opened the kitchen door, when the pent-up flames burst
out upon him like a savage beast. He attempted to re-
turn to the rescue of his family, but the raging flames
filled the stairway, and after repeated attempts, and in a
state more dead than alive, he was compelled to desist.
Smarting with pain and crazed with the awful calamity
which had overtaken him, he wandered into the garden
and sunk upon the earth in a semi-conscious state, where
he was found by his neighbors, who, though soon collected
about the burning house, were too late to save alive one
of the doomed victims of this sad catastrophe. A ladder
was placed at one of the front or east chamber win-
dows, on the side opposite to the kitchen, and Mr. Baker,
a neighbor, a man of stalwart proportions and of iron
nerve and courage, entered the room occupied by Mrs.
King. The smoke was so stifling that he was compelled
to grope around on his hands and knees. The bed was
found without an occupant, and, after returning to the
window for fresh air, the search was renewed. The bodies
of two insensible persons, which prove to be those of
Mrs. King and her little son, were found lying as if she
might have fallen with him in her arms. They were
both dead; and such was the rapidity with which the
flames spread, that further search was impossible. Death
by asphyxia, it was believed, came to their relief before
the flames reached them. This unprecedented calamity,
in a town like Independence, cast a gloom over the
whole community, and great sympathy was manifested
for the husband and father thus suddenly stricken and
bereft of all that was dear to him. Mr. King had long
been a resident of the town, and enjoyed the esteem and
confidence of all who knew him. Mrs. Morris and Mrs.
King were highly esteemed members of the Presbyterian
church, and the funeral services of the four, whose lives
had so tragic an ending, were conducted by the Rev.
Mr. Phelps, pastor of the church, on the following
Wednesday, and in the presence of a large concourse of
sympathizing friends.
E.\RLY RO.'MlS-
'SLOUGHED DOWN.
There are many people in Buchanan county, not much
past the meridian of life, who can remember when all
communication between the residents of the county and
Dubuque; all goods brought from eastern markets; all
additions to the population by the coming of new set-
tlers, involved seventy miles of travel by wagon, over
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
217
oads which, at certain seasons of the year, to those who
had not learned from an expert how it was done, were
actually impassable. A slough many rods in width, mud
unfathomable in depth, wagons heavily loaded and
"sloughed down" — so fast stuck in the waxy mire, that
no amount of prying or pulling will avail to move the
"balky" mass. Who among the uninitiated will solve
the problem and bring the goods and wagon to dry
land? The extract given below enunciates the formula
"shifting the cargo," but does not, to one not learned in
all the wisdom of the Egyptians, sufKiciently indicate the
"work," the steps of the solution. It is evident that his
loading, women, children, goods, cannot be dumped in
the centre of a slough, where several inches, not to say
feet, of water may be standing above the treacherous
mire; but if he is a solitary pioneer, which, fortunately,
was not often the case, caravans being much more com-
mon, as well as more safe in cases of emergency, there
was but one alternative. The wagon must be unloaded;
so much is sure ground — if his goods and chattels were
of a character to be carried piecemeal to the farther
shore, he set himself resolutely to the task; and, this ac-
complished, with the aid of poles and branches of trees,
a bridge, still in the embryo state, and by the good will
of the patient team that had watched with intelligent
interest these efforts to enable them to make a long pull
and a strong pull, to some purpose, the ponderous
"prairie schooner" is again under way, or, we might say,
has weighed anchor, and is ready with her white canvas
to move forward through the green waves of the rolling
level, stretching away "westward ho."
But if his loading is heavy boxes, which he can move
but not carry, then he must build a platform or wharf, of
material at hand, the undeveloped bridge, left by some
good Christian to aid pioneer pilgrims, stopped short in
their progress; and easing his load he must return to his
wharf in mid ocean as many times as the safe transit of
his cargo demands.
An active minded Yankee, coming unexpectedly upon
one of these structures, piled with dry good boxes, in a
neighborhood that could be peopled only by ^^sop's fav-
orite interlocutors, would have jumped at the conclusion
that a modern scientist, having arrived at the deduction,
that the cause of the slow development of these tribes,
since the time of the great fabulist, was entirely owing
to neglect on the part of their more advanced brethren,
was about to open a curriculum for their rapid elevation ;
the condition of admission, being the laying^ aside of
their green coats and buff vests (well enough in a lower
stage of development, as in the semi-barbarous times of
the troubadours, but quite out of harmony with the in-
tellectual age into which the world has advanced), and
the donning of more sober colors, with which he had
come prepared to furnish them at a little advance upon
cost. But this is an unwarranted digression. A friend,
whose father was among the earlier arrivals in a central
Iowa county, chanced to be one of a stage load of pas-
sengers "sloughed down," or "sloughed," as was a fre-
quent form of denoting the situation. It was a time of
unusually high water; and, much to the consternation of
28
the lady passengers, they seemed to be actually in a lake.
The stage was crowded, and it was absolutely necessary
that it should be emptied. After many schemes, pro-
posed and rejected, the ladies were transported a la chil-
dren's chair fashion, to a fence, which, fortunately for
them, had been built across the slough and was but a
few steps from the stage. Clinging to the top rail with
their hands, their feet moving upon rails barely above
water, they zigzagged for twenty or thirty rods, and ar-
rived at terra firma, with a story added to their repertoire
of western experiences, well worth the price they had
paid for it. If this incident did not occur in Buchanan
county, there is no reason why dozens of a similar char-
acter might not have occurred here. All the requisite
conditions existed during the first twenty years after its
settlement. The only deficiency in the present rough
sketch is the absence of that Hogarth-like talent of the
original participant and delineator, for producing the
most striking effects by a few skilful touches. The
"creeping things" on the fence might be likened to vari-
ous animals; but happily for once the goose must be
ruled out. Who ever heard of a flock of geese on the
fence, a position those wise birds allow politicians to
monopolize.
But, to our extract, which we had well night forgotten
was not to be introduced as a text, but as the body of
the discourse — the sermon. It is, as will be seen, valu-
ble not only for its testimony in regard to the character
of early roads and modes of travel, but also for demon-
strating the fact that jealousy is not a vice of modern
origin, but that even in that golden era of good feeling,
when every newcomer was welcomed with open arms and
open doors, jealousy between contiguous towns of equal
ambition, if not of equal advantages, was not unknown.
A writer in the Quasqueton Guardian of October 15,
1857, called attention to the fact that the greater propor-
tion of the travel going west from Dyersville and Dubu-
que had avoided Quasqueton, "by taking the direct
route to Independence, which though, being some three
or four miles shorter as regards actual distance, is, in
rainy weather, by condition of its roads, twelve or fifteen
miles longer. There are a number of sloughs upon it,
which, bad enough in the best weather, are almost im-
passable during a wet period. Teamsters almost invari-
ably expect to get 'sloughed down' three or four times;
and a trip which does not involve the 'shifting of cargo'
is deemed worthy of remark. There are but two or
three short sloughs on this road, and we are assured
that these could be made passable at all times by a little
attention and less expense. There is indeed scarcely a
doubt that by the judicious expenditure of a few dollars
the whole tide of travel would be turned upon this
route ; and we should receive all the benefits which could
accrue from the passing of this trade and travel through
our town, and which, the citizens will readily perceive,
are not inconsiderable."
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE BUCHANAN PRESS.
The first newspaper published in Buchanan county,
was the Independence Civilian, a Democratic sheet, the
first number of which bore the date of May 17, 1855,
and the names of B. F. Parker & James Hilleary as pro-
prietors. As the pioneer paper of a pioneer town, it
was creditable to their enterprise; but they retained it
but about a year, and then sold it to S. S. Allen & S. J.
W. Tabor — the latter being the editor, and making it
thoroughly anti-slavery. But, in the fall of 1856, Mr.
Tabor was elected county judge, and soon after sold out
his interest in the paper to his partner, who, in a short
time, disposed of a half interest to G. W. Barnhart and
J. S. Cornwell. In the following July, Barnhart sold to
Cornwell and went west; but, in March, 1858, returned
and purchased Cornwell's interest.
There have been several proprietary changes since that
time — Cornelius Hedges becoming sole proprietor in
1859, and the Buchanan County Democratic association,
in 1863, with the Hon. O. H. P. Roszell as editor. In
the spring of 1864 it was purchased (for the second
time) by G. ^V. & W. Barnhart, who changed the name
to Independence Consen'ative. Finally, in 1872, W.
Barnhart bought out his brother, and became sole
owner; as he is at the present time. But Mr. Barnhart
is a member of the firm of Barnhart Brothers' type foun-
ders, in Chicago, in which city business compels him to
spend nearly all his time. He has therefore placed the
management of the paper in the hands of L. W. Goen,
a sprightly writer, who, for two years, has occupied the
editorial tripod, to the entire satisfaction of the many
patrons of the paper. E. S. Strohman, who has worked
in the office nine years, is now its foreman.
The Quasqueton Guardian, the second paper in the
county, was established at (Quasqueton by Rich & Jor-
dan, December 13, 1856. It was a seven column paper,
ably edited by Dr. Jacob Rich, afterward political editor
of the Dubuque Times, and now holding an office under
the General Government, at Des Moines. The paper
was removed to Independence in 1858, and continued
there under the same management (Mr. Jordan having
died in the army, but his wife retaining his pecuniary in-
terest in the paper) till the last of May, 1864, when they
sold out to S. B. Goodenow. He conducted it for two
years, and then sold it to J. L. Loomis who consolidated
it with the Bulletin, which he had established about a
year before. The consolidated paper bore, for a time,
the rather cumbrous title of the Buchanan county Bulle-
tin and Guardian. The last name, however, was drop-
ped, after a little, and the paper has since borne the ti-
tle which Mr. Loomis first gave it, and which has be-
come familiar, not only through the county, but through-
out the State. Mr. Loomis continued to manage it with
much ability, till the spring of 1869, when he sold it to
Judge William Toman, who has remained its editor and
proprietor till the present time. The paper has always
been Republican in politics, and the fearless advocate of
all moral reforms.
The American Eagle was started in Independence as
a Republican paper, by D. P. Daniels, in 1859. It con-
tinued such for about two years, when it was changed to
a spiritualistic paper, and the named changed to Hising
Sun. Under this name it rose and set till 1865, when it
set to rise no more.
Since the establishment of the first Buchanan paper, in
1855, there have been in the county the usual number of
People's Papers, Messengers, Recorders, Vindicators and
Reformers, which have gleamed forth for an instant, like
fire-flies in the dark, then gone out and left the world no
lighter than they found it. The history of these would
not be particularly edifying, and we shall therefore con-
tent ourselves, in concluding this chapter, with a brief
mention of the papers which have been more recently
established here, and which are still in existence.
The National Advocate, an eight column folio, was es-
tablished and its first number issued at Independence,
May 17, 1878, by R. J. Williamson. It was the result
of the somewhat popular protest against the bank and
bond system, and the general financial policy of the Re-
publican party; and, up to the present date, June i,
1881, continues to be an organ of the National Green-
back labor party. Mr. Williamson having been elected
to the office of clerk of the courts for Buchanan county
on the Greenback ticket, and finding it impracticable to
conduct the paper in connection with the duties of his
office, sold it to M. S. Hitchcock, one of the pioneers of
the Greenback movement, January i, 1S80. During
that year a Washington press was procured, and other
important additions were made to the stock and furni-
ture of the office. The Advocate is now printed both
sides at home, and for the six months previous to this
date (June i, 1881), the average circulation of the paper
has been over eight hundred copies.
The Buchanan county Journal, the third or fourth
newspaper venture at Jesup, was established October 10,
1879, by A. H. Farwell, editor and proprietor. It is
Republican in politics, hvely and "newsey," and has suc-
ceeded in securing a very respectable patronage. "Fe-
lix," (M. R. Eastman, esq.,) an industrious collector of
"things new and old," pertaining to the history of the
county, is its Independence correspondent, and his live-
liness and vim have added not a little to its success.
The Weekly Telephone, was started at Quasqueton,
January 7, 1881, under the proprietorship of Dr. John
Cauch and his son, Willis S., who acts as editor. It is a
sprightly and readable sheet, neutral in politics, and, if
versatility of talent can command success, it will suc-
ceed.
The Independence Courier, a paper printed in the
German language, was established in January, 1881, by
Hermann Hoffman, as editor and proprietor. It is a six
column paper with "patent insides," published every
Thursday, and independent in politics. It is printed on
the Bulletin press. Mr. Hoffman prepares all the edi-
torials, sets all the type — in fact does all the work of
the office, with assistance in putting the paper through
the press. He often "composes," in both senses, at the
case; setting up what has never been set down, except
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
219
in his own head. Mr. Hoffman sold out the type and
other property of the office, to Steinmetz & Company,
about the middle of April, 1881, but is still retained as
editor.
CHAPTER XX.
GENERAL BIOGRAPHY.
HON. THOMAS E. TURNER,
was born in New London, Connecticut, May 17, 181 1.
^\"hen quite young he removed to Butternuts, Otsego
county. New York, where he remained until he was
seventeen, and from that time till he was twenty-si.\, he
attended school at Guildford academy, Guilford, New
York. He was one year with a private teacher at Fly
Creek, four years at Oneida institute, Whitesborough,
New York, and two years at the Andover Theological
institute. Here his health failed, and, after resting over
a year, he began teaching. He opened a select school
at Dundee in the fall of 1841, continuing until the
spring of 1845. He then began teaching in the Starkey
seminary, Starkey, Yates county, New York, where he
taught two years. In the spring of 1848 he immigrated
to Byron, Ogle county, Illinois, where he started a select
school, and kept it up until the spring of 1853, when he
came to Quasqueton. During the winter of 18S3--S4 he
taught the Quasqueton school, in the west wing of the
school-house. In the summer of 1854 he was elected
a member of the legislature, representing Buchanan and
Delaware counties, being there during the stormy session
when a grant was given to the Chicago, Dubuque &
Sioux City railroad. During the two winters, from 1855
to 1857, he taught at Quasqueton; was notary public
and justice of the peace. September 6, 1841, he was
married to Martha Peer, of Starkey, New York, by
whom he had five children — Thomas P., born Novem-
ber 29, 1842, died September 17, 1843; George S.,
born August 17, 1844; Martha, born September, 1847,
died May 11, 1848; William J., born November 2,
1849; ^nd Henry Scott, born April 21, 1853. Mr.
Turner died on the third day of January, 1861, of con-
sumption, a disease which had been hanging over him
for twenty years. Mr. Turner was a gentleman of a
very social disposition, who, as a teacher, a scholar, and
a legislator, was known only to be respected. The high
esteem in which his educational talent was held by the
legislature, was evidenced by the position conferred up-
on him as chairman of the committee on public schools.
Mr. Turner was a high-minded, honorable and fearless
debater, in whom the cause of freedom and justice
always found an eloquent champion.
SIMEON B. CURTIS.
Mr. Curtis, from the time of his settlement in the
county, took rank among its leading men. He was born
in the State of New York about the year 181 1, but early
in life his father removed with his family to Brown
county, Ohio, where the subject of this brief biography
spent the remainder of his youth. Soon after reaching
his majority he married Miss Sarah E. Hall, and immi-
grated to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he resided
until the spring of 1851, when he came to Iowa. Leav-
ing his family in Jones county, Mr. Curtis came into
Buchanan, selected and purchased, in W'ashington town-
ship, eighty acres of prairie, and forty of timber lands,
of Jacob Minton, entering at the same time three eighty
acre lots of Government land, in section five. Here
Mr. Curtis made a home for his family, honored among
the pioneer homes of Buchanan; here he spent the re-
maining years of a useful life, dying in February, 1867;
and here his wife died in August, 1880.
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis had twelve children, eight sons
and four daughters, all now living, (June, i88i), except
Orrin G., who died during the war of the Rebellion, in
the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky. All the sons and
daughters of Mr. Curtis are married and living in Bu-
chanan and Fayette counties, except the oldest and the
youngest sons, now in Deadwood, Colorado.
Four of Mr. Curtis' sons were in the army during the
late war at one time — Wesley O., Orrin G., Charles G.,
and Lewis D. F. Marion also enlisted, but was taken
sick at Davenport, and was discharged; Simeon G. en-
listed, but being under age, and needed by his father, his
discharge was procured through the justifiable interfer-
ence of Mr. Curtis.
Lewis D. now owns and occupies the homestead, hav-
ing purchased it of his brother, W. O. Curtis, who first
purchased it of the estate.
Simeon Curtis was a man of much public spirit, and
took a deep interest in the schools of his township, serv-
ing many years as a township director.
REV. JOHN M. BOGGS.
Rev. John M. Boggs was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, October 20, 1818; and died at Indepen-
dence, Iowa, September i, 1872. He was educated at
Washington college, Pennsylvania, at Franklin college,
Ohio, and at Princeton Theological seminary. In June,
1 843, he was licensed to preach by the Presbyterian church,
and was pastor of the churches at Paxton and Derry, Penn-
sylvania, during the years 1845-6 and 7. From 1848 to
1856 he had charge of the church at Millersburgh, Ohio;
and in the fall of 1856 he accepted a call to become the
pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Independence,
Iowa, which position he held for thirteen years; and then,
on his own motion, because of failing health, he relin-
quished his charge, greatly to the regret and sorrow of
his entire congregation. In April, 1870, the legislature
of the State elected him as a member of the board of
trustees of the hospital for the insane at Independence,
which office he held at the date of his decease. He
was. for many years, the stated clerk of the presbytery
of which he was a member, and his discriminating mind
and excellent judgment prompted his co-presbyters often
to seek and follow his counsel.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
In personal appearance, Mr. Boggs was tall, had fine,
black, curling hair, a very mild expressive eye, a pecu-
liarly classical cast of features, and was extremely modest
i.i manner, yet dignified in bearing.
As a Christian minister he was meek and earnest, de-
voted and prudent, always striving to promote the peace,
unity, purity and spiritual welfare of his charge, and was
extremely kind and sympathizing to all classes of his
parishioners. He was not gif'ted in oratory, but his ser-
mons were models of pure language, terse composition,
sound logic and gospel doctrine. A prominent ex-judge
of our State once said to the writer, that he always re-
joiced, in travelling his district, to spend the Sabbath at
Independence, tor he enjoyed listenmg to the sermons of
Mr. Boggs more than any other preaching he had ever
heard in Iowa.
Asa citizen, his life was so unspotted by the world that
his memory remains among all who knew him well, as
the most exemplary person of their acquaintance. When
the war of the Rebellion came, he promptly stood forth
as his country's firm. uncon)promising friend. He took
an early opportunity, after the attack upon Sumter, in a
carefully prepared sermon, to point out the wickedness
of rebellion, and the plain, unmistakable duty of all to
stand firmly for the unity and integrity of the Govern-
ment. The performance of this duty cost him the
friendship and support of one of his oldest parishioners;
but he lived long enough to have this party acknowledge
his error and make up what he had withheld from the
pastor's support.
Two incidents may illustrate his fidelity to his sacred vo-
cation, and his inflexible devotion to duty and to friends.
In the winter of 1858-9 a course of lectures, infidel in
their tendency, were advertised at the court house in
Quasqueton. It was a surprise to everybody to learn
that Mr. Boggs was regularly present. When the course
was about half delivered he quietly announced in
his own pulpit that he would reply to the positions
taken by the lecturers. A masterly argument delighted
his hearers, which, upon request, was repeated in some
of the other churches. At the close of the course, by
general request, he made his reply also at the court
house, to an overflowing audience, delivering a magnifi-
cent argument, which w-as, perhaps, the most noted effort
of his life.
Some years later, when his own health had become
enfeebled, one of his brothers, then a stranger travelling
in the western part of the State, became involved in
some personal trouble, knowledge of which accidentally
came to be known to the Rev. Mr. Boggs. The w^eather
was extremely inclement, the travelling very bad, with
high waters and few bridges. Hastily fortifying himself
with certificates as to his own identity and standing at
home, he at once set out, by the only possible mode of
travel, on horseback, to his brother's relief, under expos-
ure, which, to his friends, seemed absolutely to endanger
his life. To the writer of this article, who intimated this
to him on his return, he said : " Yes I felt it was a risk
to my own health, but I should have gone had I known,
to a certainty, that I could never return.
Such men are few. They deserve monuments more en-
during than bronze or marble, even an imperishable rec-
ord of their noble manhood, as the memory of his is
now recalled and warmly cherished by all who knew him.
On May 6, 185 1, Mr. Boggs married Adaline Mar-
shall, of Richland county, Ohio, a most amiable lady
who still resides among us. To them were born five
sons, all of whom are living. William S., born Septem-
ber 8, 1852, who is now treasurer of the Independence
county mills. Thomas M., born September 24, 1854;
Charles L., born April 22, 1857; Edward, born January
20, 1861; John J., born February 23, 1865.
ASA BLOOD, JR.,
one of the early settlers of Independence, was born at
Blood's Corners, Steuben county, New York, October 2,
1823. His native village received its name from his
fiither, who kept a hotel there at a very early date.
Asa Blood, sr., left New York in 1836, when young
Asa was thirteen years old, and came to Walworth coun-
ty, Wisconsin, bringing his family with him. They
remained there but five years, when they removed to
Janesville, Rock county, in the same State, where they
remained about ten years. There were many Indians in
tliat part of Wisconsin at the time of which we write,
and young Asa became very familiar with their mode of
life. Whether or not it was owing to this familiarity that
he conceived the passionate fondness for hunting, fish-
ing and trapping, which has characterized his whole life,
we are not informed. Be this as it may, the fondness of
which we speak has existed from his boyhood; and
though it has not prevented him from devoting himself
industriously and successfully to the more legitimate call-
ings of civilized life (for he is a practiced architect and
builder, an operator in lands, and more recently in
mines), yet, indulged only at intervals and for the sake
of recreation, it has given a romantic tinge to all his life
and character. It was for the gratification of his fond-
ness for these pioneer sports that he first came to Iowa,
passing through Buchanan county, in the fall of 1844,
just after reaching his majority, and about four years
previous to his coming with a view to permanent settle-
ment. Some of the incidents connected with this visit
may be found in the general chapter on "Hunting, Fish-
ing, and Trapping."
In June, 1848, but a short time after the town of In-
dependence was located, he came here with his father,
"prospecting" for a permanent home. They, however,
did not make any investment at that time, but returned
in the fall of the same year to Janesville. The father
took with him a herd of buffaloes and elks, which he had
purchased of the hunter, Rufus B. Clark, of Quasque-
ton, an account of which transaction may be found in the
chapter mentioned above.
The next spring, having in the meantime been married
to Miss Susan Penny, of Janesville, he returned to Inde-
pendence with his wife and a portion of his father's fam-
ily, with the design of making a permanent home. They
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
purchased of Stoughton & McCluer the four lots on
which the engine house now stands, and toward fall
erected there a comfortable wooden house. But owing
to the general prevalence of malarial fever, from which
Mr. Blood and other members of the family suffered se-
verely, they became discouraged, sold back the lots and
improvements at a great sacrifice, and returned to Janes-
ville. The entire journey was made in a sleigh in the
month of December. From Independence to Coffin's
Grove, by way of Quasqueton, a distance of twenty-five
miles, they drove across the crust where no track had
been made, the weather having turned very cold after a
thaw and rain. They saw, on the way, several packs of
wolves — twenty or thirty in each — which were prudent
enough, however, to keep out of bullet range.
In the spring of 1851 the Bloods again decided to
emigrate from Wisconsin. The father had got his heart
set upon Virgmia, and removed thither with all the fami-
ly except Asa, jr., who, acting upon the motto that "the
best place for a man to look for money is the place where
he lost it, returned with his wife to Independence. The
health of the town was improving, but the population
had very little, if at all, increased during his absence of
a year and a half The only families and adult individ-
uals whom, according to his best recollection, he found
here on his return, were the following: Dr. E. Brewer,
Thomas Close, O. H. P. Roszell (then unmarried), the
two Whait families, Elijah Beardsley, Mr. Denton and
family, Seymour Stoughton, W. A. and Samuel McCluer,
Mr. Coe and family, Charles Cummings, Samuel Sher-
wood, Thomas Scarcliff (unmarried), T. J. Marinus, Wil-
liam Brazleton, and Jacob S. Travis and son.
The young couple had a pretty rough time of it for
the first two years. Mr. Blood worked at his trade, which
was that of mason, during the building season, and eked
out his living at other times by hunting, fishing, and
trapping. The first fall he purchased a frame shanty
which had been used as a stable, standing in the middle
of what is now Independence street, on the west side,
between the present residences of Mr. Pond and Mr.
Armstrong. This he made over into a somewhat rude
cottage of two or three rooms, finishing the plastering
and moving in on the twelfth of November. The
weather turned very cold and the snow fell a foot deep
that night, and they had to keep up a constant fire for
several days, both to dry the plastering and to prevent
taking cold.
During a good part of that winter, they kept an in-
voluntary Lent, the procurement of meat of any kind
being almost an impossibility. The weather was so cold,
the snow so deep, and the storms so frequent, that the
hunter dared not venture far away from home in search
of game ; and the deer were not sufficiently obliging to
come up to his door to be shot. On one occasion,
however, with an appetite sharpened by several weeks'
privation, he took his gun in a sort of desperation, and,
with little expectation of success, went down the river
about a mile to a place where he knew the deer used to
have a run-way. To his surprise and delight, he had no
sooner come in sight of the place than he espied a fine
doe, which he brought down with an unerring shot; and
in less than an hour and a half from the time he left his
door, he returned with the prize upon his shoulder. The
reader will appreciate the fine condition in which they
found it, when he is informed that Mrs. Blood made six
dozen full-weight cardies out of its tallow. The fact
that the meat was very delicious, made it only the more
delightful to share it with others. Therefore, reserving
but one quarter for their own use, they distributed the
rest gratuitously among their neighbors.
During the second year of their residence in this cab-
in, Messrs. Woodward and Dayo, two young lawyers,
came to board with them. They had a large melon
patch adjoining the house, upon which the wolves, in the
latter part of summer, made great depredations by com-
ing in the night, gnawing holes in the melons, and eating
out the insides. Mr. Blood set a steel trap one night,
and caught a large wolf within ten feet of the room in
which Mr. Woodward was sleeping. The lawyer, as
may well be imagined, was not a little startled on being
suddenly roused from his dreams by the howling set up
by the wolf, when the stout otter trap caught him by the
foot. The "varmint" was kept in the trap all the next
day, the pain having apparently subsided; and many of
the villagers came to see him; for though wolves were
common enough in those days, the sight of one in such
"durance vile" was a novelty.
It was about this time that Mr. Blood commenced
his speculations in land, the profits of which gave him
his first pecuniary start in life. By the end of the sec-
ond year, he had purchased a lot and built on it the
commodious wooden house in which Mr. Ranson Bar-
tie now lives. He moved into this house in the fall of
1853, and lived there twelve years, when he sold it to
Mr. Bartle. He then purchased lots three and four,
block sixteen, of Stoughton & McClure's western addi-
tion, and built there the house now owned by Mr. D. C.
Backus, the piano tuner. In that house Mr. Blood and
his family continued to live till 1877, when they re-
moved to Colorado.
In 187 I he built, for the Wilcox heirs, the celebrated
Wilcox block, justly regarded as the finest architectural
ornament the town ever possessed, and one hardly sur
passed by any other town in the State. In 1874, imme-
diately after the great fire, he purchased one of the lots
which had been occupied by that block (the purchase
being made while the ruins were still smoking), and at
once commenced the work of rebuilding; and it is
largely owing to his good taste, judgment and persever-
ance, that the rebuilt business portion of the place, in
the general attractiveness of its appearance, stands un-
rivaled by any city of its size in the whole country.
Since going to Colorado he has made his home in
Denver, but has been quite largely engaged in mining
operations in Leadville, Alma, the Independence min-
ing district and Frying Pan gulch. He now owns an
interest in thirteen different mines, for which he would
not take less than twenty-five thousand dollars. He
went to Colorado on account of the health of his wife
and son, both of whom were consumptive, Mrs. Blood
222
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
having also suffered from asthma for twenty years. The
dimate has restored her to perfect health; but Edward's
disease had become so deeply seated that his recovery
was impossible, and he died at Colorado Springs in
May, 1878, aged a little over twenty-one years. He was
a young man of hopeful promise, and his death was a
severe affliction to his parents. He was the second of
three children, the other two being daughters. Both of
these are married — Ida, the eldest, to A. C. Sweet, of
the firm of Post & Sweet, dry goods merchants, of In-
dependence, Iowa; and Leona, the younger, to Frank
W. Howbert, paying and receiving teller in the First
National bank, Colorado Springs.
PHINEAS C. WILCOX.*'
The ancestors of him whose history is outlined in this
sketch, were among the early settlers of New England.
His maternal great-grandfather, Andrew Lord, was born
in 1697 — his grandfather, Martin Lord, was born in
1742, and settled in North Killingworth, Connecticut;
a man of great force and dignity of character, patriotic
and energetic, he was truly one of "nature's noblemen."
He married the daughter of Rev. William Seward, of
North Killingworth. They reared a large family of chil-
dren, of whom Huldah, the fifth, born in 1776, was the
mother of our subject. His paternal grandfather, Abel
Wilcox, was of good Puritan stock, and for thirty-three
years held the office of deacon in the Congregational
church at Killingworth. Of his eight children, the two
youngest, born in 1771, were twins. Their history is
very remarkable. Their resemblance was so striking,
that it was with difficulty that their nearest friends could
distinguish them. They were of fine personal appear-
ance and dignified manners. They married sisters, were
merchants by occupation, and at one time very wealthy,
owning vessels engaged in the West India trade, woollen
factories and stores. They were very pious men, rigidly
orthodox in their belief, and reared their large families in
strict Puritan style. They were named Moses and Aa.
ron. Moses was the father of our subject. He was a
fine reader, and in the absence of the minister, was
called upon to read the sermon. He was once a mem-
ber of the Connecticut legislature. Meeting with many
reverses of fortune, the twins, in 1824, removed to Sum-
mit county, Ohio, where they had taken up a tract of
four thousand acres of land. Arriving at their destina-
tion, after a wearisome journey of forty days by canal
and Lake Erie, and thence through the wilderness by
marked trees, they called the place "Twinsburgh." They
lived, however, but two years after reaching their new-
home, both dying upon the same day from the same dis-
ease, after a few hours illness. Each left a widow and
large family, with small means but brave hearts, to face
the hardships of life in a new country. Our subject, the
youngest of nine children, was born on the sixth of De-
* This sketch is taken verbatim from the "Iowa volume of the
United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent
and Selfniade Men."
cember, 1820, his mother's forty-fourth birthday. He
was the darling of her heart and remarkable for his filial
devotion and love. He was seven years old when his
father died. He had very limited educational advanta-
ges at the village academy, and when not in school was
employed on the farm/ and, when old enough, engaged
in teaching during the winter months. His youth was
marked by energy and enterprise, and being of an in-
quisitive mind, fond of investigation, he often perplexed
his pious mother with questions upon what she consid-
ered sound theology, which she could not answer. She
said to his wife, in her old age, I never could coax Phi-
neas to join a church, but I do believe he is the best
Christian in the family. Finding farm life ill suited to
his tastes, he, at the age of fifteen, went to Painesville
and engaged as clerk for Mr. Henry Williains, his
brother-in-law. In 1841 he became a partner of Mr.
Williams, and carried on a successful mercantile trade.
In 1845 ^^ ^''^^ married to Miss Augusta C. Smith, of
New London, Connecticut. Hearing of the excellent
business chances offered in the west, he became imbued
with a spirit of speculation, and, in 1856, removed to
Independence, Iowa. During the financial crisis of
1857, his business was greatly interrupted, but his native
energy, his patience, perseverance and financial ability,
carried him through.
He began a mercantile trade entirely upon his credit,
saying that the earnings of his former life were safely in-
vested in mother earth; that he should live to pay all
his debts and the lands would be left for his children.
His prophecy was fulfilled; he payed his debts, and, by
strict attention to business, accumulated a handsome
property. His fellow citizens, finding his abilities such
as eminently fitted him for official positions, in the fall of
1865, elected him to the general assembly of Iowa, and
re-elected him in 1867. His ability was soon recognized
and he was made chairman of the committee on ways
and means. Acting with Messrs. Donnan & Weart, he
was largely instrumental in locating the insane asylum at
Independence. He was very active in public enterpri-
ses, and had just begun to carry out a long cherished
plan of improving the business localities of his adopted
city, when his life and plans were suddenly cut off. He
died of apoplexy on the sixth of December, 1868, and
was buried on his forty-eighth birthday. His death was
to his family, a wife and four children, a blow, crushing
and terrible; and brought sorrow to the hearts of hun-
dreds who had known him personally and enjoyed his
friendship. Mr. Wilcox was a man of large stature,
strong, muscular frame, with dark hair, large dark eyes,
and a massive head, and weighed over two hundred
pounds. He was a man of very few words, but with his
immediate friends, was exceedingly social and friendly.
He was a man of intense likes and dislikes, loving his
friends devotedly and never pretending to be saintly
enough to love his enemies. He hated shams and utter-
ly despised hypocrisy and deception. A thorough reader
of human nature, generous hearted, of sound judgment
and invincible courage, he fought life's battles success-
fully. Few men have passed through the varied walks of
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
223
life with less of ostentation, or more satisfactory results.
His life was a grand success, and at every step reflected
the grandeur, the honor, the dignity of labor. Through
all the intermediate grades of hope and doubt, embar-
rassment and success, he finally gained the prize and the
golden wedge lay at his feet. His life was no specula-
tion; it was a life of trial, a stern and determined bat-
tle for desired results. The battle was long and severe,
but he more than won; he conquered. In all his inter-
course with the world, he never violated the laws of truth
and duty to manhood. AMiile others professed with
their lips, he practiced in his daily life, the most sacred
requirements of the gospel. In religion, he chose to
make his profession of faith silently before God, and
we all consent to leave him in silence before the great
Creator. A noble and true man, his works live after
him, and the influence of his example has left its im-
press upon the lives of all who knew him.
dren, that lived to be married, have had large families;
and his descendents are numerous — both grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
WILLIAM H. BARTON.
The last of the county judges of Buchanan county
was born in Slieffield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts,
December, 1802. His father was Roger Barton, a farmer
who emigrated from Connecticut. Being in moderate
circumstances, he could give his children only a common
school education. In 1818 he removed to Genesee
county. New York, and there died. William H. Barton
was married at Java, now Wyoming county, New York,
in 1821, to Abigail Lane. He continued to reside in
different parts of western New York, till about the year
1854, having served as justice of the peace in Erie
county si.xteen years next previous to leaving the State.
From New York he went South, and was there engaged
six years as railroad contractor — three years in Missouri
and three in Texas. Warned by the muttering thunders
of the rebellion to avoid the coming storm, he returned
North in i860, and settled in Independence. The very
next year he was elected county judge, and was reelected
to the same office three times, making in all eight years
of service in that capacity. He also held the office of
justice of the peace part of the time during his judgeship,
and when the latter terminated he continued to hold the
former down to the first of January, 1881.
He was admitted to the bar by Judge Wilson, of the
district court, soon after coming here, but never has at-
tempted to do much in the way of practice, having held
some judicial position nearly all of the time. But now,
in his seventy-ninth year, he has hung out his "shingle"
anew, which reads as follows :
\V. H. BARTON,
Attohney at Law,
Notary Public
AND
Collection Agent.
This means courage whether it means success or not.
Judge Barton has had six children, four of them (two
sons and two daughters) having lived to maturity and
married. The Hon. John Hallet, recently Mayor of
Independence, is one of his sons-in-law. All of his chil-
STEPHEN J. W TABOR.
[The following sketch is taken mainly from an article
which appeared in the Washington Sunday Morning
Gazette, in the early part of 1869 :]
Judge Tabor was born in Corinth, Vermont, August
5, 1815. Losing both his parents while still but a mere
child — his father when he was eight and his mother
when he was but eleven years old — young Tabor was
thrown entirely upon his own resources to make his way
in the world. Although without fortune or influential
friends, such was his indomitable energy and unswerving
integrity that he steadily overcame all obstacles in the
path of his chosen pursuits. He received the rudiments
of education at the academy in Bradford, Vermont, but
his refined taste and literary proclivities urged him to
enter more fully the flowery walks of liberal learning than
he could even in so excellent a school. He speedily ac-
quired (largely by private study) an extensive and varied
acquaintance with general literature, and in some spec-
ialties pushed his researches to an extent not often
reached by our profoundest scholars. In common with
most aspiring young men in New England, his first essay
in the business of life was that of school teaching —
"boarding round" — and still pursuing his own studies
during the winter evenings at the farmers' firesides.
During this period he acquired a high reputation as a
graceful, forcible and brilliant writer, by contributing
prose and poetical articles of high merit to the press.
He also translated a work from the French for a Boston
publisher, which was highly complimented. His next
pursuit was the laborious but congenial one of editor, he
having been engaged to conduct The Beacon, a weekly
in New York city. He was, however, soon after engaged
as one of the editors of the New York Sun, then recently
started by B. H. Day, its founder. He continued at
this post until 1837, when failing health compelled him
to quit the editorial chair. He removed to Ashfield,
Massachusetts, and studied medicine with Dr. Charles
Knowlton, whose daughter he married. During the
Harrison and Van Buren campaign he took the editorial
management of the Hampshire Republican, a Democratic
newspaper published at Massachusetts. During this
campaign he made his first political speeches, stumping
the counties of Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin. In
the winter of 1840-41 he graduated as M. D. in the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, and
the following spring commenced the practice of medicine
in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Here he remained
till the death of his wife, in 1846, when he returned to
Northampton and became editor and publisher of the
Northampton Democrat. He was the Democratic candi-
date tor Congress in 1847 against George Ashmun, but
though he received more votes than any other Demo-
cratic candidate in the State, the other party was too
224
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
strong and he was defeated. At the earnest solicitation
of his friends he then removed again to Shelburne Falls
and resumed the practice of his profession, in which he
met with the most distinguished and flattering success.
He continued here until 1855. During this period he
attached himself to the Free Soil party, and became one
of its most prominent leaders, distinguishing himself by
his earnest aud enthusiastic devotion to the cause of
freedom for all; frequently addressing public meetings
and contributing many stirring and forcible articles on
the same topic to the public press; but the ascendency
of the Whig party prevented his election.
During his residence in Shelburne Falls he married
Miss Mary Ann Sherman, his second wife, and in the
winter of 1S55 they removed to Independence, Iowa,
where they still reside. Here, in 1856, he edited (as
part proprietor) the Civilian, which had recently been
established as a Democratic newspaper, although under
Judge Tabor it was frankly anti-slavery. Its politics,
however, were afterwards changed again, and it became
the predecessor of the present Coiisen<a/i7'e, the Demo-
cratic organ of the county. In the fall of 1856 he was
elected county judge for Buchanan county, then a very
important office, to which he was reelected for a number
of successive terms, until he declined the office and was
elected treasurer and recorder of the county. While
filling that office he was, in 1863, called upon by Presi-
dent Lincoln to assume the duties of Fourth Auditor of
the United States Treasury, which position he occupied
with signal ability for si.xteen years. In 1879 he re-
turned to Independence and formed a partnership with
his cousin, Dr. P. Tabor, and son, under the firm name
of Tabor & Tabor. They connect with drugs, books and
stationary, and are doing a safe and successful business.
In his relations with his fellow men. Judge Tabor is
eminently social, kind and just. His convictions are
earnest and unswerving, and he is somewhat fond of re-
ligious controversy, taking what is properly called the
"liberal" side. Towards opposing schools of thought he
is sometimes a little severe; but his benevolence does
not allow him to become harsh or unjust towards indi-
viduals. He has been one of the most enthusiastic and
uncompromising anti-slavery men ever since the agitation
of the question whether slavery should be permitted to
follow our flag into California. Since the formation of
the Republican party he has devoted press, pen, and
voice to its principles, and used all honorable means for
its success. His tastes are literary and poetical. The
leisure hours of his life have been devoted to books and
art ; and instead of investing his means m lands, moneys
or stocks, he has formed one of the best private libraries,
in proportion to its size, to be found in the Union. It
numbers about six thousand volumes, and has been
carefully selected by a sound judgment and a critically
refined taste. The greater part of the volumes have
been imported from Europe. It contains many rare old
books, and is rich in all the most esteemed classic works
of ancient and modern literature. Among other special-
ties he has probably the largest collection in the world
of books upon tobacco, tea and coffee; and upon the
first named subject he has an original volume, still in
manuscript, entitled "Nicotiana Tabacum," which
evinces the most profound research, and the most pol-
ished and refined literary taste.
In person Judge Tabor is of medium height and size,
dark complexion and full beard, now bleached by the
frosts of sixty-five winters. His face indicates the refined
and contemplative student; while his knowledge of men,
no less than of books, makes him a most instructive and
entertaining conversationalist. He is a classical scholar,
familiar with modern languages, and especially erudite in
polite literature. He is proud of having been a pioneer
in Buchanan county, as may be seen from his entertain-
ing address delivered at the last meeting of the Old
Settlers' society, and printed in another part of this
volume.
Mrs. Tabor, a lady of culture and refinement and of
rare social qualities, has been, for many years, to a great
extent secluded from general society by loss of hearing,
which makes it difficult even for her own family and most
familiar friends to converse with her. Judge Tabor has
but three children. The oldest, Stephen, married and
living with his parents, is engaged in the grocery trade at
Independence. He inherits his father's love of books
and fondness for writing, and is an occasional poetic
contributor to the pages of Scribner's Magazine. Eunice,
the second, is now the wife of John Barnet, one of the
leading dry goods merchants of Independence ; and
Annie, the third, a miss of fifteen summers, and a bloom-
ing example of the sana mens in sano corp07-e, is just con-
cluding the graded school course of study and about to
enter the high school at Independence. These are all
the children of the second marriage. There were two
by the first, but they did not survive the period of infancy.
HON. GEORGE W. BEMIS,
for many years a prominent citizen of Buchanan county,
was born in Spencer, Worcester county, Massachusetts,
on the thirteenth day of October, 1826. He is a de-
scendant of Joseph Bemis, who came from England in
1640, and settled at Watertown, Massachusetts, from
whom have sprung all who bear the name in that part of
New England. Edmond Bemis, his grandfather, was a
native of Spencer, Massachusetts, where he spent most
of his life, and died in 18 10, at the advanced age of
ninety. In 1745 he served as a lieutenant at the capture
of Louisburgh, and as a captain in the Crown Point ex-
pedition in 1755-6.
In 1S37 the subject of this sketch migrated with his
father, Eleazar Bemis, to Genesee county, New York,
where the latter died, August 11, 1873, in the eightieth
year of his age. Here he resided, being an only son,
until after reaching his majority, working on the farm
summers, and attending school during the winter months,
finishing his education at Carey Collegiate seminary,
Oakfield, Otsego county. New York. Shortly after
reaching his majority he spent two winters teaching
school in Wisconsin, and in 1854 removed to Iowa, and
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
225
settled at Independence, where he still resides. For sev-
eral years he was employed as county surveyor, and was
also actively engaged in carrying on an extensive real es-
tate and banking business, in connection with Dr. Edward
Brewer and Judge O. H. P. Roszell. In 1859 he was
elected a member of the Eighth general assembly, and
served in the lower house during the regular session of
i860, and in the extra war session of June, i86r, as
chairman of the committee on State University, and was
also a member of the appropriation committee. On his
return home he received the appointment of postal clerk
on the Dubuque & Sioux City railroad, in which capacity
he faithfully served the Government for about seven
years. Upon the death of Albert Clark, commissioner
of tlie insane asylum at Independence, he was appointed
by Governor Samuel Merrill to fill this vacancy in the
board, and served as secretary and treasurer until his
resignation, in December, 1871. He was reappointed
by Governor C. C. Carpenter, in April, 1872. Being the
only resident commissioner, a disproportionately large
amount of work and responsibility devolved upon him,
which he performed to the entire satisfaction of his as-
sociates and the criticising public.
In the fall of 1871 he was elected to the State senate,
and occupied at once an influential position in that body
as a member of several important committees, and chair-
man of that on public buildings.
In 1876 Mr. Bemis was elected State treasurer, and
was reelected to the same office in 1878. At the close
of his second term he returned from Des Moines to In-
dependence, where he intends to make his permanent
home.
The State still retains his services as a member of the
board of commissioners for the hospital for the insane,
at Independence.
Politically Mr. Bemis has always acted with the Re-
publican party. Sympathizing with and encouraging the
anti-slavery movement when it was unpopular, he has
always stood firmly and unflinchingly in the defence of
right and justice, no matter what it might cost him.
Although too truthful, frank, and firm in his convictions,
too outspoken and unpolitic in the expression of his
opinions to secure that kind of popularity sought by
modern politicians, yet he has, by his honest, fair, and
incorruptible conduct in public life, won hosts of friends
whom the most fastidious would be proud to acknowl-
edge.
He was married April 11, 1855, to Miss Narcissa T.
Roszell, an accomplished lady, and sister of the late
Hon. O. H. P. Roszell. They have a family of three
children, two sons and one daughter.
WILLIAM A. JONES.
Honorable William A. Jones was born August 24,
1824, at Middlebury, Schoharie county. New York, where
the earlier years of his life were spent. He had the ed-
ucational advantages to be derived from the common
school of that time, combined with the practical training
which farm life gives to a youth of natural quickness of
intellect. The winter after he was seventeen he attended
Jefferson academy for four months, and then entered his
father's store in the capacity of clerk. After an appren-
ticeship of something more than three years, he com-
menced business for himself by opening a store at
Breakabeari, New York, which he successfully conducted
for seven years, when he disposed of his stock and re-
moved to Benton Centre, Yates county, in the same
State, purchasing there a general variety store. Soon
after this change in his business Mr. Jones' health failed
to such an extent that he was compelled to leave the
management of his affairs entirely in the hands of em-
ployes, and at the end of two years found himself on the
verge of bankruptcy as a consequence. He immediately
closed his business, paying every debt, though at a loss
of ten thousand dollars. Abandoning the mercantile
business, he next, with the remnant of means left him,
rented land and raised twenty acres of broom-corn,
which he manufactured and sold, realizing from his ven-
ture, above living expenses, just three hundred and ten
dollars. That Mr. Jones was not encouraged by this
success will not be a matter of surprise to those who un-
derstand how diiTicult it is for him not to "des[)ise the day
of small things." Large operations with a fair prospect
of large returns seem to be a necessity to some minds,
and this is emphatically a characteristic of the mental
constitution of the subject of this biography.
Turning his back upon what, to many, at that early
date would have seemed the highway to fortune, Mr.
Jones determined to seek a fortune in the west; and,
packing up his household goods, he landed in Indepen-
dence in the spring of 1855, with just ten dollars in
money. With his usual restless energy he immediately
rented half of a very small store on west Main street,
and stocking it with a small quantity of goods which he
had bought on thirty days' time, put it in charge of his
wife, who in five months' time sold over five thousand
dollars' worth. Mr. Jones at the same time engaged in
the lumber business, both manufacturing and selling.
Commencing in a small way, his first purchase being two
trees for which he paid five dollars, he gradually in-
creased, he says, but so rapidly that in less than six
months he had cleared over two thousand dollars in his
lumber operations. This business was continued until
1858, during which time he had cut from standing timber
about one hundred thousand feet of native lumber.
In the summer of 1857 Mr. Jones built a large hotel
at Fayette, which he completed and furnished at a cost
of over ten thousand dollars, besides engaging to some
extent in real estate business. In the fall of 1857, when
the financial embarrassment which was prostrating all
branches of business in the east, began to be felt in the
west also, it found Mr. Jones largely involved, as he was
owing some thirteen thousand dollars, although owning
property worth a third more than his liabilities. With.his
characteristic decision and promptness of action, he
asked no extension of time to realize the full value of his
assets, but converted all he had into money at prices cur-
rent, and paid his obligations as far as he could ; but,
226
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
owing to the great sacrifice he was compelled to make,
he did not pay in full until several years later. He did
what he could, understanding well that a part of a debt
paid during such a crisis may be, and often is, worth
more than the whole in more prosperous times. Men of
such undoubted integrity do not often experience much
difificulty in securing the means to transact business, as
Mr. Jones' experience shows. Not disheartened by this
second failure, and with a large capital of untarnished
honor to operate with, and an energy that knows no
abatement, he was soon at work to pay his remaining
debts, which he successfully accomplished in 1865, pay-
ing one hundred cents on the dollar.
In the fall of 1859 he engaged in stock buying with
P. C. Wilcox, a man in whom a correct business judg-
ment seemed an instinct. Mr. Wilcox furnished the
capital and shared the profits. Their first consignment,
thirteen cars of hogs, was the first stock shipment from
Independence. But though it enjoys the distinction of
being the first shipment of stock, it did not prove to be
the first success, as the hogs were sold in New York at a
total loss to the firm of about fifteen hundred dollars.
Other operations followed in the same line with very dif-
ferent results, as the partnership was continued about
seven years, or until 1865, when Mr. Jones had the satis-
faction of commencing life once more out of debt, and
with (he tells us) just one hundred and sixty-five dollars
in money. Since then he has continued the same busi-
ness, being extensively known as a large dealer in stock,
his operations amounting to not less than one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars per annum. He now owns
and operates, in connection with his stock business, a
half-section farm, with sixty-five acres of good timber
land adjoining, besides a good residence and other prop-
erty in Independence.
In the spring of 1864 Mr. Jones was elected mayor of
Independence, reelected in 1865, and again in 1870,
after which he positively declined to be a candidate for
reelection.
Mr. Jones was married at Schoharie, New York, Janu-
ary 25, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth C, daughter of Rev.
David Poor, of the Troy conference. They had ten chil-
dren, only two of whom are now living. Mrs. Jones
died in August, 1868, and in 1869 he was married
to Mrs. Mary E. Anable, who, like her valued prede-
cessor, has proved in every respect a help-meet for her
husband.
LIEUTENANT GEORGE C. JORDAN.
An account of Lieutenant Jordan's business career in
this county in connection with that best of all pioneer
papers, the Quasqueton Guardian, and also of his brief
but brilliant military career, and of his untimely and
widely lamented death, has been given with sufficient
minuteness in another part of this volume. It only re-
mains, therefore, to give some additional particulars in
regard to his personal and domestic history.
The facts given below were furnished mainly by his
old friend, and former partner, the Hon. Jacob Rich,
now of Des Moines. They would be painfully brief
were they all that the volume contains of him; but they
are all that we have been able to obtain — and only, in
fact, for which we now have time and space.
Lieutenant Jordan was born in Philadelphia, in Sep-
tember (according to Mr. Rich's recollection) of 1832.
His father was a soldiei' before him, having entered the
army as a volunteer in the Mexican war; and was killed,
or died, in that service.
George C. early apprenticed himseL to the trade of
printer, and was always regarded as one of the best of
workmen. He worked in Philadelphia until 1852, and
then went to New York, where he stayed for two or three
years. Afterward, about 1855, he went west — first to
Cincinnati, then to St. Louis, and finally to Dubuque,
where he entered into partnership with Mr. Adams,
and established the Nonpareil job printing office in that
city.
In 1856, in company with Mr. Rich, he started the
Guardian at Quasqueton ; the paper being removed to
Independence in 1858. There, respected and influen-
tial, he continued to reside until he enlisted and went
into the late war as first lieutenant.
Of the sequel, so bright, and yet so sad, our readers
are already informed.
Mrs. Jordan is a sister-in-law of George S. Harris, one
of the most extensive ornamental printers in Philadel-
phia. It was with him that Mr. Jordan learned his
trade ; and at his house that he first met Mrs. Jordan.
After all the arrangements for starting the paper at Quas-
queton were completed, he returned to Philadelphia and
was married — the engagement having then existed for
some years.
Mrs. Jordan is a lady of excellent family; of fine men-
tal endowment and culture, and of every wifely virtue.
Her maiden name was Thompson; but she had been
previously married to a man named Tanner, from whom,
some years before her acquaintance with Lieutenant
Jordan, she had been compelled to procure a divorce.
Since her husband's death she has never married again
— preferring, with a constancy as beautiful as it is rare,
to cherish his memory in perpetual widowhood. Her
i-esidence is mainly in Philadelphia, though a consider-
able portion of her time has been spent with friends in
Dubuiiue.
In some of his more striking traits of character — es-
pecially in his ardent patriotism, his indomitable cour-
age, and the warmth and purity of his domestic affec-
tions— Lieutenant Jordan resembled his distinguished
companion-in arms — Captain Little. It is fitting, there-
fore, that, as far as this local history can accomplish so
desirable a result, the names of the two brave and patri-
otic soldiers — the two faithful and devoted husbands —
should be handed down to posterity together.
CAPTAIN E. C. LITTLE.
So prominent was the career of the heroic Little as
will be seen in our voluminous chapter on the war, and
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
227
so eloquently does every presentation of his name speak
of those qualities which take captive the heart and thrill
it with emotions of admiring love, or bow it with sym-
pathetic sorrow, that a simple record of the closing
scene, the yielding up of the brave, true soul, after years
of suffering, nobly, patiently borne, would seem all that
remained to be done. But only the army life of Ed-
mund C. Little has been brought before us ; and the few
short years that intervened between his compulsory de-
parture from his command and his lamented death so
completely correspond to our conception of his capabili-
ties, that they cannot be ignored. He returned to the
friends he had made by his gallantry since, as a boy sol-
dier, he went away, few suspecting that fame was even
then preparing a chaplet for his youthful brow. So man-
ly was he, yet so modest, so gentle, so faithful in the use
of means for his own improvement, and in the discharge
of all the duties of a private citizen, that he lost nothing
of the enthusiastic regard which he had called forth in a
sphere so different. So far as his physical condition
would permit, and far beyond what would have been
possible to some of a different mold, he was diligent in
the personal performance of the duties of postmaster, an
office conferred upon him as a slight recognition of his
manly worth, and of the great sacrifices he had made in
the service of his country.
All that could be crowded into his shortened career
of the most generous friendship and tenderest love, it
soothes the heart to think of as his. Married in 1870,
to one in the highest degree worthy of the noble heart
she had won, how much of brightness must have been
cast upon the pathway, which, from the first, he knew was
tending toward the dark valley, and which, all too soon,
entered the shadows which hid him from the gaze of all
who loved, and still love, the youthful hero, the noble
man !
Captain Little's death occurred on the sixteenth of
April, 1874. Probably no other death of so young a
person ever occurred in the State which called forth
such a widespread expression of sympathy and sorrow.
Some few selections from the many tributes before us,
penned by those whose privilege it was to know his worth
and feel his loss, will furnish the most fitting language-
with which to complete this brief biography:
No event of recent occurrence in our city has occasioned, among all
classes and in all circles, such profound and all-pervading sorrow as
the death of Captain Little, which occurred yesterday at about the
hour of noon, after a long and painful illness, which he bore with the
courage of a martyr, and a cheerfulness which was but a reflex of his
strong and healthy nature. Nor will the sad intelligence which it thus
becomes our painful duty to pen, fall with a pang alone upon his
friends and neighbors, who knew him best, and had learned best to
appreciate his high character, his honor, his life above reproach, his
manly, generous instincts, and his possession of all those noble quali-
ties which exalt men above their fellows. It will be read by many
acquaintances all over Iowa with emotions of heartfelt sorrow, that the
grave has prematurely closed over one so worthy to adorn his day and
generation, and whose career of usefulness was so bright with promise.
But beside the stricken friends bound to him by ties of family, none
will mourn his loss more sincerely, or cherish his memory more tenderly
than the brave men who with him, at the call of their country, marched
to the defence of the Union, and upon many a well-fought field upheld
the honor of the flag. It is around Captain Little's career as a soldier,
with its record of patriotism, of bravery, of duty well performed, of
much enduring sactifice, that a peculiar glow is shed. Among the he-
roes that Iowa sent to the war, none have a brighter record of bravery
and devotion, and the same sterling qualities of heart that secured for
him the respect and confidence of all who knew him in civil life, en-
deared him to his companions in arms.
Edmund C. Little was born in LaSalle, Illinois, to which State his
father had emigrated from New Hampshire- -on the eleventh day of
March, 1845. In 1853 the family made a further move westward, set-
tling near Littleton, in this county, on land yet occupied by the elder
sons. The father was a man of exceptional intelligence and strength
of character, and early secured a position of influence and honor in
the community. He died in December, 1856, universally lamented.
The subject of this sketch remained with his mother, engaged in the
labors of the farm, until 1861, when the portents of the civil war at-
tracted his attention and stirred his patriotic impulses. He was anx-
ious to enlist, but his age was a bar to this step. This obstacle, how-
ever, he managed to evade, and in August, 1861, at the age of sixteen
years and four months, he enrolled himself in company C, Ninth Iowa
infantry, then being organized in this county by Captain Hord. He
was made eighth corporal, and soon after departed with his company
for the rendezvous at Dubuque. His genial nature, his enthusiasm,
and his soldierly qualities, at once made him a favorite in the company
and regiment, and his advancement was steady from the first. July
18, 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant of the company; and
on the eighth day of March, 1863, three days before he was eighteen
years old, he received his commission as captain. He participated in
all the marches and battles of the regiment in the Missouri campaign,
during which his courage and coolness under fire were the theme of
every tongue. On the memorable twenty-second of May, while gal-
lantly charging, at the head of his company, upon the defences of
Vicksburgh, he received a wound in the hip, which incapacitated him
for further service, caused him months and years of unspeakable suf-
fering, and was finally the cause of his death. He was carried oft' the
field by Valentine Cates, one of his company, then and now a resident
of this city, and a worthy man and brave soldier.
After his return from the army, he commenced the study of the law,
but his health forbade and he was obliged to desist. The duties of
the position of postmaster of this city, which he held by the consent of
all parties until his death, he performed to the unqualified satisfaction
of the public and the Department.
A loving mother, several brothers and sisters, and an affectionate
wife are left to mourn his loss.
From another source we take the following :
When the war broke out, Mr. Little, then but a boy of sixteen,
promptly enlisted for the fight, and entered himself upon the rolls of
the Ninth Iowa, General Vandever's gallant regiment. One of the
cheerfulest, bravest and most zealous soldiers that ever shouldered a
musket, he soon won the respect of his officers and the warm affection
of his comrades. He was with the Ninth in all its fierce struggles;
and the nonchalance and imperturbable coolness of the boy-soldier
was the theme of many a letter which came home from the regiment.
Captain Little had a strong, vigorous mind; and, taking up his
studies after his return, with all his earnestness and ardor, gave prom-
ise of much intellectual achievement. He wrote well, spoke well, and
thought well; and at all times was the cheerful, witty companion.
Generous, liberal minded and honest, a fast friend, a good son and
brother, and a most affectionate husband, there can be found few char-
acters more admirable.
We insert here Captain Little's farewell to his com-
pany, as a fitting close to this brief sketch of his life:
Officicrs and men of Company C, Ninth Iowa veteran vol-
unteer infantry: — Your late commander wishes to bid you adieu as
a soldier. Circumstances beyond my control have made it necessary
for me to quit the field of strife in which we have for nearly three years
together been engaged. We left our homes with the same object in
view — the preservation of our once happy country. Many who started
with us have died of disease or fallen in battle. Others have become
crippled for life, and have been obliged to leave us. In the latter num-
ber I am compelled to include myself, and it only remains for me to
thank you most sincerely for your considerate and soldierly conduct
since I have had the honor to be your commander. While in camp
you have performed your duties as became soldiers. While on the
march you have borne the privations and hardships consequent, with a
will and resignation that challenge admiration. And while engaging in
the more stern realities of your profession, marching in battle amid
228
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
dangers innumerable, where shot and shell fell thick -and fast, piercing
the hearts of your comrades on the right and on the left, you have not
flinched, but have gone steadily forward, exhibiting a courage and
bravery that could not be excelled. You have, in every engagement
done honor to yourselves, your homes and your country.
All that I can ask of you is, that you give to my successor, whoever
he may be, the same confidence you have shown me. When I shall
have left you my mind will ever revert to the color cotnpany of the
Ninth Iowa with a feehng of pride. Our long, weary marches, and,
above all, the remembrance of the battlefields of Pea Ridge, Chicka-
saw Bayou, .Arkansas Post and Vicksburgh, where we fought side by
side, will ever be associated with my most dear recollections.
Once luore, fellow soldiers, I bid you a kind adieu.
UNDER THE O.^KS.
The visitor to Oakwood cemetery, Independence, will
not foil to be attracted by a group of monuments — that
of the soldier hero, whose .short but brilliant career we
have endeavored to sketch — that of the wife who so
soon followed him, and between them a tiny marble, at
the cradle bed of the babe of their love. Remembering
these, there seems no incongruity in closing this memo-
rial of the husband with a final extract, commemorating
the virtues of the wife.
The little arbor close at hand where, with book and
work, Mrs. Little's favorite hours were passed, standing
now with locked door (though, surely, none could be
found so wanting in reverence as to profane so sacred a
shrine), speaks eloquently of a love which the silence and
darkness of the grave could not quench, and which,
spiritualized, and made iminortal, is still burning witli a
purer flame, in a clime that knows no death.
The death of Mrs. Alice Little, widow of the late Captain E. C.
Little, which occurred at the residence of her father. Dr. P. Tabor,
on Tuesday morning of this week, after a lingering illness of many
months, of consumption, was an event that struck a pang of sorrow to
many hearts not drawn to her by the ties of consanguinity. Mrs. Lit-
tle was a noble woman, and the idol of a very large circle of friends.
Of sensitive and refined nature, cultured and retiring, though genial in
manners, of educated tastes, and with all the characteristics of a true
lady, she was at the same time a sincere, unostentatious Christian
woman, one who lived her profession, whose tender sympathy went out
to all in want or affliction, and whose heart was in every good work.
Mrs. Little idolized her husband — a man well worthy of such devo-
tion; and his death, four years since, was a terrible blow to her; too
great for her delicate organization; and to it may be attributed the in-
ception of the disease that bore her away. Her age was nearly thirty-
one. Her married life embraced the short space of four years, during
which her cup of happiness was full. She has gone to join the beloved
husband and little one that fluttered into the family nest, only to
stretch its wings after a few brief days, and depart to that fairer clime,
where there is now a reunited family. Let the knowledge that her hap-
piness is again complete assuage the grief of almost breaking hearts.
LIEUTENANT E. A. WOODRUFF.
We conclude our chapter of "General Biography"
with a brief sketch of one, whose early and heroic death,
like that of his compatriots, the lamented Jordan and
Little, called forth expressions of the most profound sor-
row, not only in his adopted county, but throughout the
land.
Eugene A. Woodruff was born in Avon, Connecticut,
November 26, 1841. His parents were William C. and
Harriet A. (Hawley) \Voodruff. His ancestors, on both
sides, as far back as known, were natives of Connecticut.
Mrs. Woodruff's grandfather was a Congregational minis-
ter at Avon before and during the RevoliJtionary war.
Her father was a graduate of Yale ; became a physician,
and practiced for some time in New Haven, where Mrs.
Woodruff was born.
Eugene's father died in November, 1849, leaving his
widow with four young children, two boys and two girls
(of whom Eugene was the eldest), mainly dependent
upon her skill as teacher of music for support. The
boys spent most of their time with diflerent relatives
until the summer of 1857, when all the family came west
together, Mrs. Woodruff having made arrangements (as
related elsewhere), to unite with Miss S. E. Homans in
establishing the Oakwood seminary for young ladies, at
Independence. Here Eugene continued five years, in-
dustriously assisting in the support of the family, till the
breaking out of the w-ar, when, in July, 1861, he enlisted
in company E, Fifth Iowa infantry — being elected second
corporal of the company.
That he was a "rising man," and that he would have
been sure of promotion and distinction as a soldier, had
he remained with the regiment, as he expected to do,
through the war, is the united testimony of all who knew
him during his brief connection with the volunteer ser-
vice. But Providence had in store for him something
more flattering if not more brilliant and useful. Some
of his friends, headed by the noble-hearted editor,
Jacob Rich, believing that he was preeminently the man
for the place, had united in recommending him for an
appointment as a cadet in the military academy at West
Point. The privilege of nominating the candidate was
placed in the hands of Hon. William Vandever, then
member of Congress, and Colonel of the Ninth Iowa.
On the sixteenth of January, 1862, before he had had
an opportunity of smelling pow'der in any noteworthy en-
gagement, and when he had been but about six months
in the regiment (stationed then in northern Missouri),
Eugene was surprised by the receipt of a letter from
Colonel Vandever, containing his preliminary appoint-
inent as cadet, and an order for his discharge from the
volunteer service. The letter contained the following,
among other complimentary expressions:
I congratulate you upon being the fortunate recipient of this ap-
pointment, for which there have been many candidates — some of them
urged by my most familiar friends. The lepresentations in your favor
h.ave been very flattering by those who are acquainted with you; and
I trust your future conduct may warrant all that has been said in your
behalf — and that your career may be one of distinguished usefulness
and honor.
One thing which has constrained me to decide in your favor is, that
you are represented as being a young man of energy and decision of
character, and capable of carving for yourself a name, without any of
the adventitious circumstances surrounding those who are born to
affluence.
Happy country ! — in which poverty, instead of being
an obstacle in the way of the young and aspiring, is a
talisman that opens to them the arena where the great
prizes are to be w-on !
Recalling some of our youthful aspirations, and the
pleasure we experienced when doubt and apprehensions
in regard to a cherished hope were suddenly changed to
joyous certainty by the arnval of a letter, we have no
difficulty in realizing the thrill of delight which Eugene
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
229
experienced on the receipt of this communication. And
now, when we hold it in our hand and gaze upon it, after
a lapse of nearly twenty years — during eight of which
that generous heart has been hushed in the silence and
darkness of its southern grave — and when we think how
brief, though brilliant, was the fulfilment of its noble as-
pirations, we cannot restrain our tears.
Sad as it was for Eugene to leave his loved compan-
ions in arms; yet, satisfied that, in this instance, the call
of inclination was coincident with the call of duty, he
accepted the appointment and his discharge, returned to
Independence, and set himself diligently to work to pre-
pare himself for his first examination — which was to
come off the following June. Since his fifteenth year
he had had no regular schooling, and, up to that time,
only in the common schools of Connecticut. He had,
however, done not a little in the way of self-culture — es-
pecially in the study of French, in which he had been
assisted by his mother, who is proficient in that language.
He found no difficulty, therefore, in becoming well pre-
pared, and passsed his examination with credit to him-
self and to the entire satisfaction of his examiners.
He entered the academy July i, 1862, graduated the
seventh in his class in 1866, received then his commis-
sion as second lieutenant in the corps of engineers, and
was subsequently, about the year 1868, promoted to the
rank of first lieutenant. He continued in the engineer
corps to the end of his life. He was stationed first at
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, two years; was then sent to
Milwaukee, in the beginning of 1869 — having oversight
(under Colonel Farquhar) of harbor improvements on
the Michigan side of the lake. In 1870 he had com-
plete charge of the works at the mouth of White river,
Michigan.
Early in 187 1 he was transferred to Major Howell's
department, having headquarters at New Orleans, and
continued in that department until the time of his death.
In the fall of 1871 he was sent by Major Howell to make
a thorough survey of the "raft" obstructions in the Red
river, with a view to their removal (if found practicable),
and the opening of the channel. On the strength of his
report of the survey, in the spring of 1872, Congress
made an appropriation of one hundred and fifty thou-
sand dollars, to become available for the commencement
of operations July i, 1872.
The work of removal having been decided upon. Lieu-
tenant Woodruff was sent north by Major Howell to
organize an expedition and purchase a "snag-boat" and
other necessary material for carrying on the work. He
had entire charge of the survey and of all the operations
for the removal of the raft, making his own plans and re-
porting to Major Howell. The work of the expedition
cominenced in December, 1872, with headquarters at
Shreveport, Louisiana. Lieutenant Woodruff also had
charge of the operations for removing obstructions in
Cypress bayou, Texas, the survey of which included a
chain of lakes connecting Cypress bayou with Red river,
about two miles above Shreveport.
George S. Woodruff, brother of the lieutenant, joined
the latter at St. Louis in the month of September, 1872,
as clerk and steward of the snag-boat, and private secre-
tary to his brother, and continued with the expedition
until its work was accomplished. After the death of the
lieutenant, he was appointed superintendent by Major
Howell, and remained acting in that capacity to the en-
tire satisfaction of the department till the expedition was
disbanded, April i, 1874. The channel was open to
navigation, through its entire length, November 27, 1873,
for the first time in thirty years.
Having spoken thus briefly of the last great work in
which Lieutenant Woodruff was officially engaged, and
in which he won an almost world-wide fame as an en-
gineer, it remains that we say a few words of the nobler
work in which he lost his life and won a more enviable
fame as a Christian hero and philanthropist.
Our readers cannot have forgotten the terrible scourge
of yellow fever by which Shreveport was attacked, in the
latter part of August, 1873. At that time the expedition
of which Lieutenant Woodruff had charge was at work
some fifty-seven miles (by the river) above that ill-fated
city. About the first of September, Lieutenant Woodruff
went down to the city on business, unaware that the epi-
demic had broken out. He found the city panic-stricken,
the citizens, as many as could get away, fleeing for their
lives, and hundreds sick and dying, with little or no at-
tention to their wants. His generous, sympathetic
nature could not hear without heeding the appeal of suf-
fering, dying humanity. He joined the " Howard Asso-
ciation," and, forgetting his business, devoted himself
with tireless assiduity to the relief of the sick. There are
many now alive who believe that their lives were saved
through the instrumentality of his self-denying care.
Thus he labored for one entire week, when he himself
was taken down with the disease. After three or four
days he was pronounced convalascent. But many pa-
tients were sick and dying in the house where he was,
and the excitement and exposure proved too much for
his overtaxed system. He suffered a relapse, and died
on the thirtieth of September. He was buried from St.
Paul's church, his friend, the Rev. Dr. Dalzell (himself a
heroic worker among the sick), officiating. There was a
large concourse of citizens present, notwithstanding the
usual precautions. The interment was in the Shreveport
cemetery, in the family lot of Mr. J. C. Elstner, with
whom he had made his home during his entire residence
in the city.
About a year after his death the citizens of Shreve-
port erected a tasteful monument to his memory. No
words of oursc an do justice to such a character.
The Townships and Villages
OF
Buchanan County,
INDEPENDENCE.
THE LOCATION AND THE ADDITIONS.
In June, 1847, the three commissioners, appointed by
the State legislature, visited the county and, on the fif-
teenth day of June, located the county seat on section
34, 89, 9, and called it Independence. The location be-
ing made at a date so near to the Fourth of July had
probably a great influence in selecting the name of In-
dependence for the future city. On the twenty-seventh
day of November the county platted the southeast quar-
ter of the southeast quarter of section 34, 89, 9.
Stoughton & McClure's addition was platted and
placed on file February 27, 1854. The land on the west
side of the river, which was originally platted by Stough-
ton & McClure, was called by them New Haven, which
was, by the State legislature, on the twenty-seventh day
of January, 1857, changed to Stoughton's & McClure's
second addition to Independence. Scarcliff's addition,
July 8, 1853; Melone's addition, May 3, 1854; A. & A.
B. Clark & Company's addition, June 20, 1854; Fargo's
addition. May 7, 1859; Bull's addition, September 15,
1857; Bartlet's second addition, March 5, 1858; Union
addition, March 17, 1879; Close's addition, February 21,
1856; Harter's addition, December 23, 1858; Fargo's
second addition, June 23, 1868 (this is a replat of Bart-
let's second addition); Cummings' addition, January 12,
1857; Railroad addition, March 24, 1858; Railroad
addition replatted September 9, 1872; Mathias' sub-
division of block sixty; Union addition, August 30,
i860; Card's addition, November 20, 1873; Car-
tel's addition, December 7, 1857; Scarcliff's sec-
ond addition, June 15, 1870; Woodward's addition;
April 12, 1869; Herrick's addition, September 7, 1872,
(this is a replat of Bartel's second addition).
INCORPORATION.
Independence was incorporated as a city August 7,
1864, and the first city election was held on the nine-
teenth day of December, 1864. The first officers were
Daniel S. Lee, mayor; James M. Weart, clerk; Henry
S. Cole, marshal; Charles F. Leavitt, solicitor; Edward
Brewer, treasurer; Oliver H. P. Roszell, engineer.
The present officers are C. M. Durham, mayor; Rufus
Brewer, clerk; L. F. Springer, solicitor; B. W. Tabor,
treasurer; H. R. Hunter, chief of fire department; C.
B. Kandy, marshal; V. Cates, night watch; Edward
Hammond, bell-ringer; A. D. Gurnsey, engineer of
steamer.
THE BEGINNINGS AT INDEPENDENCE.
In the year 1846 the site of the present county seat of
Buchanan county was occupied by the cabin of Clark,
the well known pioneer and hunter, who found amid the
solitudes of this portion of the valley of the Wapsipin-
icon, and in the deep pools of the river, abundant em-
ployment for his rifle and traps. He tilled ground
enough to furnish his family with corn bread, relying upon
the chase and trapping for the chief means of subsist-
ence, and wholly for clothing. His annual or semi-
annual visits to Dubuque or the lake cities, enabled him
to dispose of his furs and pelts, and furnished him with
the means of an honest if not a luxurious living.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
231
Though he had chosen the banks of the Wapsipinicon
as his dwelHng place, or rather as the home of his family,
probably from its proximity to eastern markets (for these
considerations had their weight even with the western
trappers), but his hunting and fishing grounds were not
confined to the valley of the Wapsie, where his traps
could be watched by the young hunters growing up under
his training and dependent upon him for instruction in
the profession to which they were born. Despite the In-
dians then freely roaming over northern Iowa, he trav-
ersed the valleys of the Cedar, the Iowa, and the Des
Moines, as well as that of the stream on which his cabin
was located.
But this hardy pioneer, though fearing no evil from his
red neighbors, or the wild beasts he daily encountered,
found himself in peril from the greed of a certain class
of men appropriately called "land sharks," who always
appear on the confines of civilization, as soon as it be-
comes evident that the wave of immigration is setting in,
ready to practice upon the simplicity of the hardy pio-
neer and rob him of the fruits of his well earned "pre-
emption." To save his claim and home from the wiles
/ of these operators, Clark sought the assistance of his
/ firm friend and adviser, N. A. McClure, esq., then a
merchant of Milwaukee, and afterwards of Dubuque.
With his assistance he succeeded in entering four forty-
acre lots, or a quarter section.
Some assert that Rufus B. Clark, so far from being a
mere hunter and trapper, was the one who conceived the
plan of locating a town at the point now occupied by the
county seat of Buchanan county. In his long excursions
through the northwest portion of Iowa, though many eli-
gible sites for future cities were met with, none struck him
so favorably as the water power and surrounding high
grounds, covered with groves of oak, on the banks of
the Wapsipinicon. In 1856 he was living at Quasqueton,
but finding, a few months later, that speculators were al-
ready attracted to this fair domain over which he had
wandered, enjoying in anticipation the choice of locations
in the entries of Government lands, he came from Quas-
queton on the eighteenth of March of that year, on the
ice, and commenced his house, which he had ready for
occupancy early in April. Not having the means for
further improvements, or for entering the land at Govern-
^ ment price, he succeeded in interesting N. A. McClure
(as already stated), in his enterprise, who recommended
N. P. Stoughton as another associate, and the latter
named gentleman returned to Iowa with Clark. Being
well pleased with the situation of the proposed purchase,
he stopped in Dubuque on his return and made the en-
try of the quarter section, which included the water
power, and extended some eighty rods east and west
from the river, and the same distance north and south of
Main street. Clark's house, which was a double log
structure, with a hall between the two rooms (a favorite
style in Tennessee, Kentucky, and southern Ohio in the
early part of the present century), stood in the middle of
what is now Mott street, at the intersection of Chatham
street, directly south of Dr. House's residence. It was
for some time the principal house in the settlement, and.
of course, the headquarters and rendezvous of all new
arrivals.
Mr. Stoughton, who had returned to Wisconsin after
entering" the land, as above related, was again on the
ground after a lapse of a few weeks, bringing with him
Samuel Sherwood and T. Dolton, who w^ere prepared to
proceed at once with the building of the dam and the
mill. Dr. Lovejoy, the first physician of the place, was
also one of the Stoughton party. Soon after the little
community was again nearly doubled by the addition of
A. H. Trask, Eli Phelps and Mr. Babbitt, who all
boarded with Clark. In the following June Thomas W.
Close came, who continued a resident until his death, in
1874. S. S. McClure, and some others, came during
the summer, but returned before winter.
The second building erected was a store, which stood
somewhere on the north side of Main street, and east of
Chatham. It was occupied by S. P. Stoughton with a
small stock, comprising the plainest, most common, and
necessary goods, but sufficient for the wants of the pop-
ulation at that time, and, doubtless, a great convenience,
as there was no other market nearer than Dubuque. The
dam and saw-mill were completed, probably during the
autumn of the first year; and the first slabs were used in
putting up the third building, but second dwelling house,
in Independence. This was built by Elijah Beardsley
near the site of W. R. Kenyon's handsome hardware store.
The fourth house was built by Dr. Edward Brewer, and
stood for many years, that is, considering the character
of the building, which seems to have been remarkable
principally for the multiplicity of purposes which it
served at one and the same time — a private dwelling, a
post office, a boarding house, and all the ofifices known to
law and to courts, besides a real estate and broker's
office, and, as we have not been informed to the contrary,
we may take it for granted that, in the number of its
rooms, it did not exceed the manor house (as it will be
quite proper to style the residence of the founder of the
city), and there is really no proof that Dr. Brewer's house
contained more than half the number of rooms contained
in that house, which, whatever may be said of it, is sure
of the distinction of having been the first built in Inde-
pendence.
It is believed that the persons already mentioned, with
two or three young men, comprised all the permanent in-
habitants previous to 1848. In the spring of that year
there were some additions and the number of families
increased to eight, viz: Dr. Edward Brewer, Rufus B.
Clark, Asa Blood, Elijah Beardsley, Tliomas "W. Close,
Almon Higley, William Hammond, and Dr. Lovejoy.
Although there were many newcomers and the place
became of some importance as a trading point, little ad-
vance was made in the permanent population for several
years. In consequence of the building of the dam, ague
and other malarial fevers prevailed to such an extent
that few had the courage to remain after the first season.
Before the fall of 1849, all the families had left ex-
cept those of Brewer, Close, and Beardsley, and one
family had been added — that of Mr. Horton. In the
spring of the following year Beardsley and Horton left.
232
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
reducing the population of the embryo capital to two
families, those of Dr. Brewer and Mr. Close. In 1848
a small log building was erected a little east of the pres-
ent location of the People's National bank, in which Dr.
Brewer taught the first school established in the county.
At its opening there were twenty pupils in attendance,
and the Dr. was said to be no less successful in his at-
tention to the mental needs of those committed to his
care, than, afterwards, in the eradication of those physi-
cal ailments, which, if they do not emigrate with the pio-
neer, are, it would seem, deterred from doing so, by
some sort of telegraphy which shows the ground to be
already occupied by a legion of indigenous diseases,
ready to dispute the occupancy of new territory, inch by
inch, and to yield only after a protracted struggle, which
has been marked by many victories on the part of the
malign forces. It was about this time, as has been al-
ready stated, that victory perched upon the standards of
the native belligerents and the discomfited fled, so that,
before the close of the first year, the school closed and
the temple of science became a blacksmith shop. The
fact that a prosperous community had been growing up
at Quasqueton, during the three or four years covered
by our narrative, should not be lost sight of; nor the
other fact, that, as spokes or their equivalent are neces-
sary to a wheel, so these centres or hubs of activity and
enterprise must and will surround themselves with their
necessary feeders; and farms were already beginning to
radiate from both the lower and more vigorous settle-
ment on the Wapsipinicon, and also from the younger
and more feeble aspirant for immigration honors.
This is necessary to account for the use to which this
first school-house was put. With our eyes fixed upon
the depleted little hamlet under the oaks at Indepen-
dence, we should feel inclined to ask whose horse was to
be shod — and, following out the precedent in versatility,
shown in the disposition of his first structure, why did
the doctor allow the school to be interrupted. He had
only to stipulate that horse-shoeing should be performed
during recesses and "noonings," and wagon tires manip-
ulated between recitations, and there could have been
no troublesome antagonisms between the two institu-
tions, for one who had reconciled a boarding house and
private dwelling in a building with but one room.
Charles Robbins was the name of the first man in In-
dependence who sent a shower of fiery scintillations
dancing to the music of his anvil, to the no small de-
light of those same juveniles, who, turned loose from
wholesome rule (or ferule), had no resort but to hang
around this place of amusement.
William Brazelton put up a small building during the
summer of 1850, which was used for a school taught by
O. H. P. Roszell, afterward county judge.
The post office was established the second year of the
settlement, in 1848, S. P. Stoughton being the first post-
nwster. Dr. Brewer succeeded him after a short time
and held the office for six years. The emoluments of
the office were very inconsiderable, for the first two or
three years, not exceeding one dollar and twenty-five cents
a quarter — and the amount of business accorded, as a
matter of course, with the revenue; the mail being often
carried in the vest pocket of the postmaster. In the
autumn of 1847, the contract for carrying the mail be-
tween Dubuque and Independence, was sub-let to Trask
& Phelps, who for some time carried the mail matter on
horseback, making weekly trips. Finding an increased
demand for the services of a purchasing and carrying
agent, they put on a democrat wagon, and speedily grew
into favor, and a remunerative business, by attending to
small commissions from all points along the route. They
were even flattered by the deferential attentions of the
Dubucjue merchants, who did not disdain the increase of
patronage which was connected with the trade of the
Buchanan county mail carrier.
In 1853, when Independence was visited by the writer
from whom most of the facts incorporated in this sketch
are drawn, the place contained but twelve inhabited
dwellings, one or two stores, a saw-mill, blacksmith shop,
etc. At that date Waterloo was scarcely a hamlet, and
all the valleys of the Iowa rivers in the northwest, were
an almost unbroken wilderness. And yet, in six years
from that time. Independence had grown from the strag-
gling collection of a dozen and a half of primitive build-
ings, to a thrifty stirring town- of fifteen hundred inhabi-
tants, with mills and mechanic shops, churches, hotels,
stores, a court house, and hundreds of beautiful private
residences. Schools flourished and society was marked
by that refinement which generally betokens the pres-
ence of wealth and the fixed habits of setded and homo-
geneous communities. And why not? Here had been
no slow emergence from the condition of pioneers (the
result of unfavorable location), only a few degrees re-
moved from that of the aboriginal inhabitants, involving
a hopeless struggle with the privations of a pioneer
country, being far removed from the great tides of emi-
gration, must always remain [jioneer ; but a community
of eastern bred people, many of them among the most
enterprising of the older communities from which they
had emigrated, had come to make new homes, and to
take possession of the rich prairies whose beauty and
fertility had wooed them from the homes of their fathers,
along the eastern slopes of the continent.
The growth of the town since this second stage was
reached, has been steady, but, like that of most Iowa
towns, at a greatly reduced rate of increase. The rail-
road opened in 1859, though of the greatest importance
to the prosperity of the county at large, and indispensa-
ble to the continued growth of the town, yet, as in its
further completion and multiplying communications and
connections in opening to the on-pressing tide of emigra-
tion, the great beyond, which, to the average American
mind, has always been invested with irresistible charms
— its rapid advance into new territory may be said to
have checked eventually, the wonderful growth which
marked the first years of the assured prosperity of the
new town.
GLIMPSES INTO THE COUNTY SEAT IN 1 85 7-8.
The editor of the Dubuque Times, in the early autumn
of the later year, says:
We halted a day at Independence and learned that, notwithstanding
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
233
• he great financial pressure, that place is having a steady growth. Be-
tween fifty and sixty houses have been erected since the opening of
spring. Messrs. Campbell and Loomis are building (juite an exten-
sive tannery which will be in operation in a short time. We found the
stage house at Independence, the Montour, kept by Mr. Purdy, the
best hotel between Dubuque and Cedar Falls. We understand that
Mr. Sherwood also keeps a good public house, and there is also one
west of the river.
In the evening of the day spent at Independence, we accompanied
friend Rich, of the Guardian , to a concert given by Professor Kane
with the assistance of fifteen or twenty Independence musicians and
vocalists. We have seldom heard "How Beautiful is Zion," "The
Old Mountain Tree," "Where Can the Soul Find Rest," "Play On,
Play On," and "The Lord My Shepherd Is," sung any better than on
that occasion. "Mr. and Mrs. Snibbs. " and the "The Barber's
Shop," two comic pieces, were most admirably executed. "The Dear-
est Spot of Earth to Me " we never heard sung more sweetly or with
better effect. "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" was grand and
made an appropriate ending of the concert. There is evidently a good
degree of musical talent in Independence, and a laudable spirit of
emulation in cultivating it.
BOLD ROBBERY.
The event described in the following paragraph from
the Quasqueton Guardian was nearly contemporaneous
with that which received so appreciative a notice in the
Times. That thieves and robbers often display an
amount of energy quite sufficient to insure their success
in a pleasant though honest calling, is a matter of fre-
quent observation. Their early appearance in frontier
towns shows them to be possessed of a quality of enter-
prise which keeps tliem fully abreast with the march of
civilization.
The jewelry store of Mr. Charles Hernck, of Independence, was en-
tered on Thursday night last and robbed of some forty gold and silver
watches, partly belonging to Mr. Herrick and partly those left with
him for repairs. The value of the goods taken aggregate nearly a
thousand dollars. Mr. Herrick had, as was his custom, packed the
watches in a box and placed tliem under the counter upon which he
slept. The thief, who must have been perfectly con\ersant with the
premises, entered by a back window, having previously, it was thought,
removed a couple of nails by which it was fastened down. He suc-
ceeded in carrying off tlie box of watches without waking either Mr.
Herrick or a friend sleeping in the room. Mr. Herrick is a worthy,
enterprising young man just starting in life, and this loss falls heavily
upon him. He receives the sympathy, as he possesses the respect and
confidence, of our entire community. We believe no reliable trace of
the burglar has yet been obtained.
About the same time with the rgbbery of Mr. Her-
rick's jewelry store, the school fund cornmissioner was
robbed of about seven hundred dollars in gold coin,
which was abstracted from a bureau drawer.
These, it is true, are rather small operations in this
department, and it is to be regretted that the history of
crime in the county furnishes anything more sensational
than the two cases just cited. If, however, there are
any who enjoy the recital of stupendous villainies by
"experts" they will find in the great county safe robbery
case, which occurred a few years later (and which is fully
described in another part of this volume), ample proof
that this class of gentry which wars against the founda-
tions of human industry and enterprise, had not been left
in the wake, but in their nefarious arts had kept pace
with the development of the greater resources of the
country, and with the best ingenuity of man in devices
for security.
COURT HOUSE.
The following facts in regard to the building of the
court house are learned from an address and report of
the county judge, published in 1858:
In another column I lay before you a statement of the financial con-
dition of the county; and, as the erection of public buildings and other
circumstances have caused the amount of expenditure to be greater than
ever before, I have made the report more full and specific on that ac-
count. . . . Through the courtesy of the Quasqueton
Guardiaf^ and of the Independence Civitian, I am enabled to give
these further explanations without any expense to the county; that all
our citizens may have an opportunity to examine the details of a mat-
ter which so materially concerns them.
On examining the items of expenditure, it will be seen that by far
the greatest one is the court house. But although it has been erected
during a season of unprecedented hard times, and great scarcity of
money, and without funds in the county treasury to c^sh the various
county warrants as they were issued, yet the cost of the building has
been less than was estimated, and while it will compare favorably with
the court houses of neighboring counties, theirs have cost two or three
times as much.
The whole amount of warrants issued for it in the fiscal year, ending
July I, 1858. was $9,240.57. Of thismy predecessor, up to August lo,
1857, issued $3,122.97. Prior to July i, 1857, my predecessor had
issued $517.94. making the sum total for the court house, $9,758.51.
This amount comprises all that has been done for the court house — in-
cluding the preparing of the ground, the lumber, lime, stone, brick,
sand, hardware, etc., the hauling of the same, railroad freights, the
digging and construction of the deep well in the scjuare. the material
and construction of the out-buildings belonging to the premises, the
changing of the court house seats, according to Judge Wilson's recom-
mendations, and in fact every species of expense connected with the
grounds or llie edifice. The full completion of the latter will require a
few hundred dollars more for stone steps, lightning rods, stairway to
the belfry, painting, graining, etc.; but, considering the ample dimen-
sions of the building, its thorough construction by masons, carpenters,
and plasterers, and the excellence of the materials used, it must be pro-
nounced by all competent judges, one of the cheapest public buildings
ever erected. .
FINANCE OF THE COUNTY IN 1858.*
It will be seen that, saying nothing of the delinquent tax, the countv
has outstanding against it, only $590.29, beyond the resources of the
fiscal year, and should no more than fifty per cent, of the delinquent
tax be collected, it would make a surplus in favor of the county of more
than eight hundred dollars.
In classifying the expenditures of the county, I have aimed to be as
full and as explicit as a decent regard for space would permit; but I
would say to those who have any curiosity for minuter specifications,
that now, as has always been the case heretofore, the books and papers
of the office are accessible to the public, and are at all times open to
the free inspection of any citizen who may desire to see them. .
But my fellow citizens may depend that I shall constantly aim
to preserve a rigid economy, and to exercise a vigilant caution in regard
to involving the county in debt — trying to avoid unwise extravagance
on the one hand, and extreme parsimony on the other.
SlEI'HENj. W. T.\BOR.
July I, 1858.
THE FIRST, LAST, AND ONLY TANNERY IN INDEPENDENCE.
Messrs. Campbell & Loomis established the first tan-
nery in Buchanan county in the autumn of 1858. They
commenced in a building twenty by fifty feet, with only
eight vats. So encouraging had been their success, both
in the quality of their leather and the demand for it,
that at the end of the first year they determined to en-
large their establishment. A good substantial stone
building, thirty-five feet square, and two and a half stories
high, was erected, and also an addition to the old build-
ing of a structure twelve by thirty-five feet.
The first floor of the main building contained a steam
*From the same report.
234
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
engine and boiler, for the purpose of running a fulling-
mill, and other machinery necessary to perfect and expe-
dite the various processes in the manufacture of leather.
During the first year the company had manufactured and
sold about fifteen hundred pieces of leather, worth from
four to five thousand dollars, thus keeping that amount
in circulation at home which otherwise would have been
withdrawn from circulation for the purchase of leather in
other markets. Such enterprises entitled the projectors
to be regarded as public benefactors. With the increased
facilities from six to seven thousand pieces per annum
were manufactured. The quality of the "Wapsie
leather," as the firm denominated theirs, was conceded
to be equal to the better qualities of American bark-
tanned leather; and it was claimed that it was even
stronger than most of the bark-tanned, and more dura-
ble. The tannery was situated in the southeastern part
of the town and, very conveniently for water supply, near
Malone's creek, a small but unfailing stream of water,
which has at this point sufficient jjower to turn a small
water wheel, by which power all the water needed was
pumped from the creek.
The leather turned out by this firm had been tested
by both shoemakers and saddlers, and pronounced of an
excellent quality; and the success of this manufactory
was a source of pride to the citizens of Independence,
who viewed with great interest every venture designed to
develop the resources of the county and add to the bus-
iness and population of the place.
If this promising inauguration of an important branch
of manufacturing has through any cause been allowed to
decline, it is still desirable for the credit of the commu-
nity at large that some record should be preserved of
this exceptional instance of wisdom in the investment of
capital, which, if followed, would make of Independence
that which her natural advantages warrant her in aspiring
to become — something more than a railroad station, and
a place of deposit for the county records.*
OAK WOOD SEM1N,\RY.
Among the early educational advantages of Indepen-
dence the above named high school for girls deserves es-
pecial notice, meeting, as it did, the deeply felt want
during the time which elapsed between the establishment
of the old district schools and the improved graded
schools which, within the limits of the city, have taken
their place.
In the summer of 1857 Miss S. E. Romans, who had
been for some years a teacher in Washington, D. C., and
other eastern cities, came to Independence to examine
into the feasibility of establishment here of a seminary
for girls. Finding the prospect favorable, she wrote to
her friend, Mrs. H. A. Woodruff, to come and join her
in the entei prise. Mrs. Woodruff accepting the pro-
posal, they rented a small frame building, owned by T.
W. Close, and standing next west of the lot where
Morse's block now stands, and there the new seminary was
*NoTE, — The principal building of the establishment above described
is still standing, and appropriated to the possibly less dignified, but
certainly useful, occupation of soap making.
temporarily opened. Their success was so decided that
they deemed it safe to purchase a lot and erect a more
commodious building. They therefore bought a lot on
Hudson street, upon which, during the summer of 1858,
they erected a large, two-story frame building, the upper
part of which was arranged for the school, and the lower
for their residence.
To this building the school was transferred, at the be-
ginning of its second year, in the fall of 1858. The in-
stitution was regularly incorporated under the name given
above, and some of the leading men of the city consti-
tuted its board of trustees. Mrs. Woodruff was teacher
of music, French and English literature, and Miss Ro-
mans of mathematics. The school was very successful,
the average annual attendance of pupils being about fifty,
especially during the last five years of its continuance.
Its patrons were confined mostly to Buchanan county,
Independence furnishing the greatest number.
In looking over an old pile of the Buchanan Giiafdian
we saw frequent notices of the good work this school
was accomplishing. The number of young ladies who
there received their chief education may be inferred
from the facts above stated. In mature womanhood
rnany of them are still residents of the county; many
are scattered in various parts of the country, and some
have gone to "the better land."
Upon all those immortal spirits the influence of those
true, cultured. Christian women was indelibly stamped.
x\nd when it is remembered that all those spirits are
channels through which that influence is to be extended
indefinitely, as time rolls on, it will be seen that the be-
neficent results of the good work done in Oakwood
seminary during the ten years of its continuance are
altogether incomputable.
In 1867 the graded schools were established, the sem-
inary was discontinued, and Miss Homans took a prom-
inent position in the new establishment as principal of
the grammar school. This position she held with some
slight intermissions, under several superintendents, till
1876.
As we believe the names of the graded school superin-
tendents have not been given elsewhere we will give them
here. Wilson Palmer, five years from 1867. Then two
superintendents, one on each side of the river, one year.
They were James McNaughton and J. K. Picket. Then
T. W. Graydon alone one year. Then William Elden
from 1876 to the present time.
It was under the superintendency of Mr. Graydon that
Miss Homans had a somewhat memorable controversy
in regard to Bible readings and the Lord's prayer in the
grainmar school. Mr. Graydon insisted that they should
be given up. Miss Homans refused. The matter was
brought before the directors, and the courageous Chris-
tian woman was sustained — as she ought to have been.
THE FIRST BELL IN BUCHANAN COUNTY.
In one of the May numbers of the Guardian, i860,
the editor suggests the propriety of providing, for the
convenience and pleasure of the citizens of the county
seat, both a bell and a cannon.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
235
"All know," said he, "how sweetly the tones of the
bells sound on a quiet Sabbath morning or evening, how
irresistibly they draw the people towards the places of
worship, how fully they awaken the mind to thoughts of
devotion. There is a poetry and melody at such times
in the song of the bells that makes us involuntarily listen,
which soothes and elevates us. Sweet as the music of a
flute, would be their silvery tones, ringing over the broad
prairies, and many a happy recollection of other days
would they call up."
At this point in his appeal it seems to have occurred
to the writer that, mayhap, in the busy, bustling popula-
tion around him there might be some whose hearts were
not attuned to the tender sentiments in which, amid a
glow of early recollections, he had indulged; and that
the movement which he advocated must be made to ap-
peal to the quid p?v quo element — which, after all, rightly
directed, is a very respectable and safe moderator in
most public enterprises demanding the outlay of money.
It is quite impossible, however, that at that date there
were many in that youthful community whose hearts did
not respond to the chord struck by his allusion to the
sweet tones of the Sabbath bells. How the thoughts
flew back to the homes that have been left, scattered
along from the rock-bound shores of Maine to the bor-
ders of the inland seas and the great Father of Waters.
"The Sabbath bells" — what magic in those three short
words! No, the demurrer which followed was not
needed. Or, if then, as now, these sentiments appeal to
some impervious souls, practical and material advantages
easily suggest themselves, which might enlist all to lend
a helping hand. The regular summons to labor, to sec-
ular meetings, to fires, the clanging joy-peals of the great
national holidays — all these touch the universal heart,
and would abundantly repay the e.xpense of securing so
valuable a public servant.
The same article set forth the impossiblity of being
properly jubilant on "state occasions" without a piece
of ordnance that would give loud-mouthed expression to
the general enthusiasm, and closed with the statement
that the Fourth of July and political victories lost half
their force and enioyment when the means were wanting
to celebrate them with a. feu dejoie. It may give addi-
tional interest to this morsel of history that in an adjoin-
ing column stood a short paragraph, headed, "How Old
Abe received the News."
This appeal for a bell was, as was to be e.xpected,
promptly responded to. The ne.xt number of the paper
contained a communication in which the author of the
timely proposition was warmly applauded for bringing
the matter before the citizens of the place. "To one"
he says, "who has always lived where the stillness of
the Sabbath was first broken by the sound of 'the church
going beir its deprivation is deeply felt, hallowed as it
is by associations of joy and sorrow — joy as its lively
peals call the devout worshipper to the house of God, sor-
row as its deep and heavy tones reverberate from the hill-
side and valley, while the solemn procession wends its
way from the house of mourning to the last resting place
of the dead."
This second author in belles lettres (and here no sec-
ondary rank in literary merit is intended to he imputed),
was, as will be seen, a punster. And punning is an art,
or science, or both, which, I am happy to reflect, the his-
torian is not called upon to defend, but simply to admit
the fact of its use, and in connection, the proof of it.
The different stages of the founding of the first bell of
Independence seems to have been marked by successive
suggestions, the second, at the close of the communica-
tion now under consideration being as follows: "Let the
belles of our place take the matter in hand, and we shall
soon hear the merry peals of a bell sounding over our
lovely prairies, vibrating through our groves, and undu-
lating on the waters of our Wapsipinicon." Suggestion
third: "The fourth of July is at hand; a fit time for the
fair of our town to get up a fair, the avails of which shall
be devoted to the purchase of a bell, and the "material
aid" of the "lords of creation," who love thus to respond
to the winning ways and more winning smiles of their
wives, sweethearts, sisters and daughters, is hereby
pledged."
These suggestions, severally and collectively, meeting
the approbation of the citizens, their wives, sweethearts,
sisters and daughters included, a meeting was called at
the court house, at which a large number of the classes
enumerated were present, and entered with commenda-
ble enthusiasm into the discussion of various plans for
the accomplishment of the desired object. Arrange-
ments were perfected for a celebration of the "coming
National anniversary in a manner thoroughly patriotic,
and yet without marring this character, making it subser-
vient to the object of creating a fund for the purchase of
a bell.
At this meeting, on motion, D. S. Lee was called to
the chair and C. P. Kinsley appointed secretary. The
chair stated the object of the meeting when, on motion,
a committee of three, consisting of J. Rich, S. S. Allen,
and C. L. White, was appointed to report a list of com-
mittees to make the necessary arrangements for the cele-
bration. The committee reported the following list:
Committee to procure all things necessary for the table.
— General Dickinson, superintendent; Mrs. General
Dickinson, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. E.
M. Van Duzer, Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Henshaw, Mr. Albert
Clark, Dr. Bryant, Martin Adams, Charles Kinsley, A.
B. Lewis, W. S. Marshall, C. F. Leavitt, Dr. Chase, E.
Leach, Mrs. Asa Clark, Mrs. C. Eckles, Mrs. James Poor,
Mrs. Mary A. Tabor, Mrs. M. V. Bush, Mrs. D. S. Lee,
Mrs. H. Morse.
Committee to procure grounds, tables, etc. — A. H.
Fonda, W. H. Jones, R. W. Wright, R. S. Rider, M. V.
Bush, A. J. Bowley, George Morse, George W. Bemis,
M. Stead, T. Tyson, W. Chandler, R. Bartle, Aaron
Sherwood.
Committee on music. — C. F. Herrick, J. M. Chandler,
A. Barnes, A. Ammerman, E. Ross, Asa Blood.
Financial committee, also authorized to procure a gun
and ammunition.— ^S. S. Allen, Samuel Sherwood, A. In-
galls, Jed Lake, S. S. McClure, L. W. Cook, B. D. Reed,
E. H. Gaylord.
236
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Committee on printing. — George C. Jordan, D. P.
Daniels, Cornelius Hedges, W. C. Morris.
Committee on side tables. — Mrs. C. Eckles, Mrs. Van
Duzer, Mrs. B. D. Reed, Miss G. Loomis, Miss L. Bry-
ant, Miss E. A. Barnhart, Miss Net. Cowley, Miss A.
Kinsley, Miss Fieeman, Miss Olive Gaylord, Miss Ho-
mans. Miss N. Bogart, Miss E. Morse, Miss Sue Whait,
Miss D. Clark.
Committee on toasts. — S. J. W. Tabor, D. S. Lee,
Charles E. Lathrop, James Jamison, Rev. John Fulton,
Rev. Mr. Lament, Lorenzo Moore. Toast master, J. B.
Thomas.
Committee on dancing hall, and evening entertain-
ment.—J. C. Joens, S. S. Clark, Z. Stout, O. H. P. Ro.s-
zeli, Allen Few, J. S. Woodward, Thomas Sherwood,
Richard Campbell, Joseph Sullivan, H. A. Norton, M.
Tims, Thomas Scarcliff, Charles Putney, Charles Taylor,
John H. Campbell, C. R. Wallace, W. B. Rose, John
Carlton, Mr. Northrup, T. Blonden, 'I'homas Curtis.
Committee to procure orator and reader, marshals, etc.
— Carl M. White, J. Rich, J. C. Loomis.
The report was adopted, and on motion it was voted
that the proceedings of the meeting be published in all
the county papers, and that an invitation be extended to
every man, woman, and child in the county to participate
in the celebration. It was then moved and carried that
the chairmen of the several committees be a committee
of arrangements, to take the general direction of the cel-
ebration, and that the said committee report the plan of
the celebration through the papers as soon as convenient.
The following outline of the celebration appeared in
the same issue of the Guardian, June 13, i860:
The committee of arrangements chosen by the citizens of Indepen-
dence to take measures for celebrating the Fourth of July in a becom-
ing manner, and make it subservient to the object of purchasing a belj
for our town, invite the citizens of both town and county to unite in the
proposed celebration; and we offer the following general programme:
That measures be taken by the committee duly chosen, to obtain a
cannon and music; that the day be duly ushered in by a salute at sun-
rise of one gun for each State; that at half past ten o'clock a proces-
sion be formed, under the direction of the marshal, and, preceded by
the band, march through the principal streets of the town to the grove
selected for the reading and speaking; that a reader and speaker be
obtained, to read the Declaration of Independence, and to deliver an
oration; that the citizens of the town and county be invited to furnish
eatables for a public dinner, and also to furnish side tables; that the
price of tickets to the table be twenty-five cents each; that a ball be
given in the evening, the avails of this entertainment, and of the tables,
to be appropriated to the aforesaid object; that toasts be prepared to
be read at the table and responded to by distinguished guests from
abroad and by citizens of the place; that every suitable measure be
taken by the several committees to secure such an observance of our
National independence as shall give interest to the occasion and secure
the object aimed at, viz: a bell for our town. A full and complete pro-
gramme of the celebration will be made out and published previous to
the day.
The next issue of the city papers contained the an-
nouncement that the committee intrusted with the duty
of providing a speaker for the occasion had been so for-
tunate as to secure the services of the Rev. C. Billings
Smith, of Dubuque, as orator of the day. The week
following, the promised programme appeared. The "old
time" Fourth of July celebrations have of late years
been so far modified by new times and new methods,
both in thinking and doing, that it is not improbable that
the grandchildren, or, at farthest, the great-grandchildren
of those who took part in the celebration of the Nation's
birthday at the county seat of Buchanan county in the
year preceding the breaking out of the great rebellion,
may read with a curious interest the details of a public
observance of this day, such as the "fathers of the Re-
public" delighted in, but of which little may be left them
as a matter of personal observation or experience. The
introduction of the programme in full, redolent of the
enthusiasm of a by-gone era, though now it may seem of
little historic value, is justified, if we admit that our next
centennial, at the present rate of decadence in the ob-
servance of our National fete day, may necessitate the
rummaging of dusty and worm-eaten tomes of county
histories and other matter published early in the second
century of American independence, in order to repro-
duce those ceremonies which give expression to that
glowing type of patriotism expressed by the founders of
the Republic, and recommended to the generations in
perpetuity, to whom their priceless legacy was to de-
scend.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, i860.
President of the day L. W. Hart, esq.
Vice-presidents .Mbert Clarke, Dr. T. C. Bartle.
Reader W. G. Donnan.
Orator C Billings Smith.
Chief Marshal General G. Dickinson.
Assistants B. C. Hale, Edward H. Gaylord, Charles P. Kinsley.
Chief of Police Deputy Sheriff B. D. Read.
Assistants A. Ingalls, J. M, Westfall.
Gunner Samuel Sherwood.
The committee offer to the citizens of the town and county the fol-
lowing programme:
1. A National salute of thirty-three guns, one for each Slate, at sun-
rise, under the direction of Samuel Sherwood, esq.
2. A town salute of twelve guns, one for each year of the corj^orate
age of the town, at 10 o'clock A. M.
3. At the firing of the town salute a procession will be formed near
the court house, composed of the citizens of the town and county, and
under the direction of the marshals, in the following ordei :
1. Martial music.
2. Independence brass band.
3. A bevy of young girls, one for each State, dressed in white, with
appropriate badges, in a carriage drawn by four horses, and under the
direction of Dr. George Warne, Charles "W. Taylor, and A. B. Lewis.
4. The orator and reader, attended by the president of the day.
5. The vice-presidents.
6. The clergy.
7. Invited guests.
8. Organized charitable societies.
g. Gentlemen accompanied by ladies.
10. Citizens.
The procession will move through the principal streets of the town to
the place prepared for the reading of the Declaration of Independence
and oration, where seats will be prepared for the occasion.
4. Music by the band.
5. Prayer by the Rev. J. M. Boggs.
6. Music by the Independence Glee club.
7. Reading the Declaration of Independence by 'W'. G. Donnan.
8. Music by the Glee club.
9. Oration by C. Billings Smith, D. D.
10. Music by the band.
11. After the oration and music a procession will be formed under
the direction of the marshal, consisting of the invited guests and those
having tickets for the table, and all who wish to dine, which, headed by
the band, will proceed to the bower where tables will be prepared foJ
four hundred. After the cloth is removed toasts will be read, appro-
priate to the occasion, which will be responded to by distinguished in-
dividuals at home and from abroad, interspersed with music and songs.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
237
12. After dinner there will be another town salute of eighteen guns,
one for each hundred of our inhabitants.
13. In the. evening there will be a dance at Morse's hall, under the
direction of Messrs. Lee, White, Jones, and Kinsley, the avails of
which will be appropriated to the fund for the purchase of a bell.
The committee would say to the citizens of the county, " Come one,
come all." and let patriotism, mingled with rational pleasure, be the
order of the day and the evening.
By order of the committee,
G. Dickinson, Chairman.
The last number of the Guardian, prior to the event-
ful day, contained a most encouraging report of the pro-
gress of the preparations. A pole had been raised on
the west side of the river, where most of the exercises
were to take place, over one hundred and seventy feet in
height, and from its top a large and splendid flag was
floating to the breeze. A cannon weighing over four
hundred pounds had been procured from the foundry of
the Messrs. Rogers at Quasqueton, and stood ready to
send forth a volume of sound which, it was thought,
might almost reach and reverberate among its native
groves. Several balloons had been prepared by Messrs.
Littlejohn and Hardenbrook, and everything seemed
auspicious for a day of rare enjoyment — "just such a
time as John Adams recommends for the day ; rockets-
and racket, cannon and crackers, squibs oratorical and
squibs pyrotechnical, bonfires and bon mots, flags and
flambeaux, dinner and drumming, music and merriment,
graciousness and glorification."
This attempt to photograph the very palpable shadows
cast by "coming events," which is after all but a faint
impression of the vivid pictures found in editorials and
communications in the town press, contemporaneous
with the events depicted, would be manifestly and inex-
cusably incomplete without some record of "the day we
celebrate," looking backward at it as it receded into the
dim vista of the past.
The day broke, cool, cloudless and beautiful, and con-
tinued so from the booming of the national salute at
sunrise until the last rays of the setting sun shone with
softened splendor through the shining foliage of the
mighty oaks, which then, as now, were the pride of the
homes they sheltered in their majestic beauty. Shortly
after 8 o'clock the people began to pour in from the
country, every avenue to the village being lined with
wagons, and all available spaces among the wheeled ve-
hicles being occupied by horsemen. In the language of
a Guardian reporter, who was there to see, "Spring
Creek sent a procession of seventeen well-filled wagons,
Fairbank sent a delegation headed by a marine band and
carrying a flag, a four-horse team ornamented with Lin-
coln and Hamlin flags brought Bray's band and escorted
a goodly representation from Pine Creek ; horse-teams,
ox-teams, mule-teams, carriages and carts, buggies and
buckboards, road-wagons and rockaways — all came filled
with old men and old women, youths and misses, boys and
girls, small babies and large babies, dressed in holiday
garb and overflowing with the spirit of the day. The boys
naturally gravitated towards firecrackers and fun, the '
girls indulging in cakes and candies, youths and misses
in gingerbread and gossip; tlie young men and women
took to creatii and courting, lemonade and love; the old
ladies to purchases, and the old gentlemen to politics."
At 10 o'clock A. M., after the town salute of twelve guns,
the procession was formed in good order, and moving
through the principal streets entered the grounds on the
west side of the river, which had been prepared for the
exercises of the day. The procession was one to fill the
heart of a patriot with enthusiasm and national pride.
Its most poetic feature, however, in strong contrast to
the stalwart sun-bronzed " bone and sinew " of the nation,
was the group of thirty-three little girls in a wagon drawn
by four horses, the wee fairies dressed in white with blue
caps and sashes, and each holding a tasteful flag on
which was inscribed the name of the State she had been
sent from the court of Queen Mab to represent. The
idea of substituting these little maidens for girls of larger
growth, a practice which had obtained in still earlier
times, was due to Mrs. Dr. Warne, and was realized in
this lovely group, with the assistance of a few ladies and
of the gentlemen ajipointed to direct this feature of the
parade.
The stand was occupied by the president of the day,
the orator and reader, the clergy, invited guests, the glee
club, the brass and marine bands, and last, and in this
case least (in size), the graces, eleven times multiplied,
represented the States, then numbering thirty-three.
The music, both vocal and instrumental, the reading
and the oration, elicited the most enthusiastic applause.
It was the intention of the papers of the county to pub-
lish the eloquent address of the Rev. Mr. Smith, whose
subject was "The Mission of America." The treatment
of such a theme at that time, revealing, as it must, the
state of the popular mind when though few were the
seers that then would have predicted it, the country was
about to be plunged into a terrible struggle for its very
existence, would possess great interest and value, doubt-
less, to us of the present day, and it is a matter of sincere
regret that the address cannot make a part of the pres-
ent history. This much ought, however, be preserved as
a warning to future writers who would not object to pass
into history : The manuscript placed in the hands of the
city editors, who ought to be equal to anything short of
the Babylonian inscriptions, proved to be like the chir-
ography of Rufus Choate, a series of scratches and
wriggles, which, while they established indisputably the
claim of the production to the glowing encomiums of the
critics (for what great man ever wrote legibly), have de-
prived us of the present day of the pleasure and profit
which might hare been derived from the published ad-
dress.
The table for four hundred, which had been considered
ample for all who would desire seats, was found insuffi-
cient for the crowds which moved into the grounds sur-
rounding the arbor. Led by inspiring strains of martial
music, all seemed eager for the attack. All that was
possible was done to secure positions of honor for those
not brought to the front, and the commander in chief,
aided by his adjutants, was soon able to report "vigor-
ous skirmishing, along the entire line." The physical
man ministered to, the mental aliment was supplied by
the reading and responses to the following toasts. E. G.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Lathro].), es(|., acted as toast master, and the bands
played enlivening and patriotic airs after the responses.
REGUL.^R TO.iSTS.
1. The Day we Celebrate.
Mr. Lee was expected to reply to this toast, but was
not present.
2. "Our Country —
Our glory and our pride,
Land of our hopes — land where our fathers died.
When in the right, we'll keep its honor bright.
When in the wrong, we'll die to set it right."
Response by Rev. John Fulton.
3. The Union — Consecrated by the wisdom of our forefathers; ac-
cursed be he who would destroy it.
Responded to by C. Hedges, esq.
4. The Memory of Washington.
[Mr. Jamison, who was to respond was absent.]
5. The Patriots of '76.
W. S. Marshall, esq., responded in a very eloquent and appropriate
speech.
6. The President of the United States.
T. Finnigan, esq. , responded in a very happy manner.
7. The Governor of Iowa.
Response by W. G. Donnan, esq.
8. The Army and Navy.
[Mr. Ercanbarack, who was to respond, was absent.]
9. The Star Spangled Banner.
Responded to by .A. B. Lewis, esq., who called upon the Dubuque
glee club to sing the song, which was given in a manner both spirited
and artistic.
10. The Orator of the Day.
Mr. Smith responded in a most happy manner.
11. The Press — A mighty pen, which in writing men and great
events immortal, renders itself so.
This was responded to by J. L. McCreary, of the Delhi Jminial, in
a speech felicitous in thought and expression.
12. Woman — The light and glory of the world. Respected for her
virtue and intelligence, adored for her beauty and grace, and beloved
for amiability, she occupies the first place in the affections of the
sterner se.x.
[Judge Tabor, who was to respond, was unavoidably
absent.]
13. Iowa — The State of Our Adoption — Though young, not the
least among the stars of the Confederacy. Rich in her agricultural and
mineral resources, in the development of her educational interests, and
in the virtue, intelligence, and sobriety of the masses, we are justly
proud of her exalted position.
Responded to in fitting terms by Jed Lake, esq.
14. The Town Bell — Its well remembered echoes awaken in our
hearts the memory of pleasant associations in our far-off eastern homes
We hail with delight the prospect of again hearing its joyful peals
ringing out over the prairie and woodland surrounding our beautiful
village.
E. M. Van Duzer, esq., who was expected to respond,
was not present :
VOLUNTEER TO.'iSTS.
By Francis Pingee:
American Liberty and the .American Union — One and inseperable —
now and forever. May the hand be palsied that attempts to destroy
the former or dissolve the latter.
By General Dickinson:
Our representatives of the States — Fit emblems — beautiful single, but
perfected only in union.
By O. Sherwood ;
Union of the States — .^s each body of inanimate matter, however
large or small, has a mutual attraction, one for the other, so may our
vast republic be bound together by the tie of everlasting friendship and
good will.
Party Spirit — May a spark from the fire of true patriotism descend
upon the ponderous magazine of party, and blow it to the four winds of
Heaven.
The -American Eagle — May he in his lofty flight through the political
heavens, sweep with his broad pinions the crown from the head of every
despot in the world.
By a Guest:
Independence Day — May it ever be the day for Independence.
By W. G. Donnan:
The Pioneers of Iowa — The privations and hardships they have en-
dured entitle them to the admiration and gratitude of all who have fol.
lowed in their footsteps, and now enjoy the privileges and blessings
which they have earned.
By General H. C. Bull:
The true -Advent Doctrine — The Railroad Advent, bringing the
eastern market to our farmers' doors, and to us all a Fourth of July
Celebration having the ring of the true metal in it.
General Bull responded to a call in a short speech, in
which he spoke of material interests — of railroads and
nianufactories. He expressed great faith in the future
growth and importance of the town, and urged a wise
attention to nianufacturing interests.
By Jed Lake:
Uncle Sam — May he continue to grow until he takes his seat on the
Isthmus of Panama, and, with his feet resting on Cape Horn, his hat
hung upon the North Pole, his left hand laid upon the West Indies, and
with his right thumb to his nose, he gyrates defiance to the combined
powers of the old world.
By a Guest:
The Glorious Fourth — A day on which all parties, creeds and profes-
sions may meet on common ground, and glorify the principle of uni-
versal liberty. May the time be far distant when the people of this
country shall cease to celebrate it.
After the conclusion of the exercises at the grove,
citizens and guests sought each his choice among the
means of entertainment offered. Some attended the
concert of the Dubuque amateur minstrels, and many
witnessed the balloon ascensions, four or five of which
were sent up during the afternoon and evening. As soon
as daylight had faded, Main street was blazing with
rockets, bonfires and Roman candles, much to the enjoy-
ment of juveniles of all ages. The day was unmarred
by a single accident, and every one voted that, from
morning's dawn to the "wee sma' hours" devoted to
Terpsichore, the festivities had been a successful round
of unbroken enjoyment.
The amount raised for the bell fund was about one
hundred and sixty dollars. Some additions were made
to the fund in receipts from entertainments held during
the summer and autumn months of i860. Early in Oc-
tober the committee intrusted with the purchase of the
bell announced that, after much correspondence with
manufacturers, the long longed for bell had been ordered
from the Iron Amalgam foundry, Cincinnati. If the
committee were deceived by the testimony offered them
into the belief that an iron bell could possess the re-
quisite qualities of sonorousness and tenacity, it was no
more than happened with scores of bell committees all
over the country. The delusion had one paliation. It
was not so expensive an experiment in metallurgy
and accoustics as might have been made. The bell,
with hangings, weighed one thousand six hundred and
fifty pounds, and cost one hundred and seventy-five, in
Cincinnati. A strong tower twenty-six feet in height
was erected on the south side of Main street, and in the
early part of December the first bell in Independence
had reached its destination and was swinging at the top
of the tower. The first criticism after testing its quality,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
239
was to the effect that while the tone was musical and
could be distinctly heard several miles distant, it seemed
to lack volume in the immediate vicinity.
Whether this defect was owing to the location or con-
struction does not appear to have been fully settled.
The total cost of the bell and tower was about two hun-
dred and fifty dollars.
We trust that none of our readers will think that we
have given more time and space than it deserves to this
episode in the history of Independence. Other bells of
greater cost and better quality have been purchased
since; and other celebrations of the Fourth; perhaps
equaling in enthusiasm the one herein described, have
been held in later years. But first events in the settle-
ment of a new country, naturally figure most largely in
its history. Hence the first bell in the county, and the
novel method resorted to for its purchase, have a
historic importance which no subsequent facts or
events of a similar character can ever possess.
"Old fashioned celebrations" — that is, modern cele-
brations in imitation of those which gave natural ex-
pression to the spirit of early times, must, like all other
imitations, be wanting in the genuine spirit of the origi-
nal. A life-like picture, therefore, taken at the time and
on the spot, such as the foregoing description really is —
for we have done little more than to give it a new frame
— will be more welcome to coming generations than any
attempt at reproduction. So we do not feel called upon
to apologize for the length or minuteness of our descrip-
tion.
It remains for us briefly to record the untimely fate of
the bell whose advent created so profound a sensation,
and to mention with equal brevity the arrival of its suc-
cessor. It would be very poor irony to call bell-metal
cast iron, or vice versa. The last named metal, admira-
ble as it is when applied to proper uses, has two very
bad habits which should forever prevent its being mould-
ed into bells. The one is the habit of making a very
disagreeable sound, and the other, that of cracking under
the hammer in very cold weather. The latter, however, may
be regarded by some as a very good habit, since it has
accomplished the very good result of bringing cast iron
bells, at least of the larger sort, into disuse.
Our historic bell had been in position but a few weeks
when it was cracked and rendered worthless. Fortu-
nately, thought the purchasers, it is "warranted for a
year," and we shall get our money back; so it was duly
returned to Cincinnati. But when it "got there, the
cupboard was bare" — that is to say, the company that
sold the bell had "dissolved," and there was nobody to
refund the money. But, like Franklin with his whistle,
our citizens learned a good lesson from their bell. Put
into the form of a laconic apothegm, that lesson reads
as follows: Buy only the best, from only the best. This
lesson they proceeded, with an admirable courage, to
put into immediate practice.
Some of the Independence ladies, under the leader-
ship of Mrs. Richard Campbell and Mrs. Bowley, had
raised a hundred dollars or so, for the repair of the old
burying-ground. About this time, it was decided to
abandon that ground and establish a new cemetery.
The money raised by the ladies, therefore, was not need-
ed for its original object; so it was made a nucleus for a
new bell fund. Additions were made to this by sub-
scriptions, and by various entertainments given for the
purpose, till the sum had reached four hundred and
fifty dollars. With this amount a bell of excellent tone
and temper was purchased of the celebrated bell-found-
er, Meneely, of Troy, New York. Its weight is one
thousand and fifty pounds. It occupies the summit of
the old tower, which has been moved to the south side
of North street. It endures our winters, and no musi-
cal ear wishes it to crack. Since the purchase of the
two existing church bells, it is rung only on secular oc-
casions.
THE GRE.VT SNOW STORM OF 1 86 1.
The fall of x86o was marked by an unusually low
temperature. Snow fell at various times during Novem-
ber, and early in December there was good sleighing.
The mercury, during this period, had more than once
been as low as fifteen degrees below zero. But even in
this forbiding aspect of affairs, it was soon apparent that
it is "an ill wind that blows nobody any good." The
"northwesters" that played such mad pranks with the
falling snow, before the farmers were quite ready to hive
up for the winter, blew in an early pork harvest, and this
thronged the streets of the county seat, for weeks, with
teams from every point of the compass, loaded with
the clean looking animals, for once, and at last, through-
ly "washed from their wallowing in the mire." As fifty
cents had been for sometime the price offered for wheat,
very little was brought to market; and, but for the early
pork season, business would have continued dull. But
if the business season in some branches, had an early
and prosperous opening, it was destined to a sudden and
effectual closing.
A great storm, or, more properly, a series of storms,
was inaugurated on the night of Tuesday, the fifteenth
of January, 1861. The snow-fall which commenced
during the early evening, was accompanied with a fierce
wind from the northeast. A public entertainment had
called together a large audience at the court house, and
at its close it was with great difficulty that the citizens
made their way through snow drifts and the driving
blasts, to their homes. Those who had come in from
the country were compelled to remain in town all night,
as the storm was too violent to be braved by man or
beast, on the open prairie, with all traces of roads oblit-
erated. The snow fell to a depth of from eighteen
inches to two feet on a level, but was so drifted over the
prairies and forced into the cuts on the railroad, by the
driving wind which continued after the snow had ceased
to fall, that an eftoctual embargo was laid upon commu-
nication between town and country, as well as between
the beleaguered town and more distant points by railroad.
The circumstances that intensified the privation of
news from tne outer w-orld, which the citizens, not only of
Independence, but of the entire county then suffered,
can hardly be appreciated by the generation which has
since come upon the stage of active life. Let it be re-
240
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
membered, then, that already had Major Anderson aban-
doned Fort Moultrie, spiking the cannon and burning
the gun carriages, and, occupying Fort Sumter, was
awaiting the instructions of the Government. The latest
advices from Washington had announced the departure
of the Star of the West, from New York with troops and
munitions for the relief of Major Anderson ; her arrival
before Charleston; her attempt to enter the harbor; the
opening upon her of the batteries at Morris Island, and
her subsequent return to sea without accomplishing her
mission. What was likely to be the next act in the
opening drama, was the one question which stirred the
hearts of millions of patriots, scattered throughout the
length, if not the breadth, of the land. It needs but a
slight effort of the imagination to recall the burning im-
patience with which the daily mail was awaited; the
crowds that gathered about the post office; the eager
questioning of those who were not so fortunate as to se-
cure the latest daily ; the frequent reading aloud of the
latest dispatches by some considerate, public spirited
citizen. All these things are as of yesterday to men still
in the prime of manhood, but the boys that hung upon
those eager groups, attracted by an enthusiasm which
they vaguely comprehended, now stand in the places of
many a noble young patriot, whose life was offered on
the altar of his country, and who fell doing battle for
freedom and for right.
Wednesday and Thursday went by, and no mail; nor
had the Tuesday's train returned from Jesup, then the
terminus of the road. Friday and Saturday passed, and
still no mail. Late Saturday afternoon the return train
was reported to be about two miles west of town, bat_
tling with the huge snow waves, and anxious to reach the
haven of the Independence depot.
Again the town went to sleep; feeling, no doubt, that
if it might prove a Rip VanWinkle nap, and unseal their
eyelids, when the world outside should be unsealed to
their waking senses, it were a boon devotedly to be
craved. About lo o'clock on Sunday morning the shrill
whistle of the eastern train startled the snow-bound den-
izens of town and vicinity, and as it rolled up to the
depot, everyone felt that the parted links which had iso-
lated them so effectually, were again united and once more
they were a part of the busy, moving, wide-awake world.
The train had been on the rails between Dubuque and
Independence since Wednesday morning. It reached
Dyersville Wednesday night, and Manchester Friday
night. It was from 8 o'clock Saturday morning until
lo o'clock Sunday morning in making its way through
drifts of marvelous depth and compactness, to this place
It was within two or three miles of the town on Saturday
night, but, breaking the smokestack of the locomotive
Marion, it was compelled to stay on the prairie all night,
the passengers and employes sleeping on the cars. The
train had three locomotives attached, and was preceded
by a huge but rude snow plow, with which, and a force
of seventy shovellers, it had worked its laborious way as
has been related. It went westward to Jesup in the
afternoon, and returned to the Independence depot
about lo o'clock p. m., on its return to Dubuque.
The mail matter brought by this train was, of course,
only one day later than that already received, so that
almost a week of possibilities in the past remained, upon
which the citizens, anxious and impatient for news from
Charleston and Fort Sumter, speculated and conjectured
and over which, even before the flag and Fort Sumter
had been fired upon, Buchanan county patriotism glowed
at a white heat.
But the storm was not over. Frequent snow-falls and
almost constantly prevailing north and northwesterly
winds, put a complete quietus upon the operations of the
Dubuque & Sioux City railroad company, for several
days subsequent to the return of the trains as already
described.
On Wednesday, the twenty-third, the train came
through again from the east; but, after working for sev-
eral hours, trying to force a passage westward to Jesup, was
compelled to return to Independence and stay over
night. On the morning of Thursday, the attempt was
renewed; but, after getting about four miles west, the
engine was thrown from the track and remained in a
snow-bank until Sunday, the twenty-seventh. The train
from the west also made an ineffectual attempt to reach
Independence on the twenty-third, but was compelled to
return to Jesup. It returned to the encounter the next
day, but old Boreas, having entered the lists against
Monsieur Puff, upon whom, no doubt, he looked down
with very much the feeling we may imagine an elephant
to entertain loward a barking poodle flying at his pro-
boscis, blew so long and so strong a blast, that the drifts
were repiled almost faster than they were removed, and
so, after getting within a mile or two of the engine off
the track, it was compelled a second time to beat a re-
treat and return to Jesup. On the twenty-seventh the
engine was replaced upon the track and the train re-
turned to the depot to await the daylight, so indispensi-
ble to this peculiar style of railroad operations. The
third attempt to bring the western train (Conductor
Cawley's) through was successful. Boreas, having shown
how easy he could do it, and being after all a jolly old
roisterer, or as some of the shoveling corps suggested,
having roared himself into an acute stage of bronchitis,
allowed Monsieur Puff to proceed on his journey. It
was not expected, however, that the trains bound eastward
would reach Dubuque before Tuesday, as the road was
badly blocked between Independence and Farley, and
the time of its return was problematical. If the storm
had spent itself, a few days would restore things to their
normal condition — but, refreshed as a giant with sleep,
the storm burst forth anew. During the first week of
February, several falls of snow were added to the twenty-
five or thirty inches already covering the earth, and, as at
the beginning, a strong wind, which prevailed for several
days, piled the surface snow into a new stratum of drifts,
and closed the roads in all directions; thus cutting off once
more the county seat from communication with the
farming population, and making railroad locomotion an
impossibility.
The editor of the Buchanan County Guardian sug-
gested that if Uncle Sam would cut off the mail facilities
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
241
of the seceding States, as effectually as the great storm
had cut off those of the citizens of Buchanan county,
secession would prove less palatable to the cotton con-
federacy, than it appeared to be at that date.
Under date of Friday, February 5th, the statement was
made that no train had been at that place since "last
Monday week." These were the trains which we have
already seen plowing their way eastward, and which
reached Dubuque the fourth day from Independence.
On Wednesday, January 30th, a train left Dubuque
for Jesup, and on Thursday had reached Masonville ;
but the locomotive having cracked the head of one of
her cylinders, the passengers, mail and express goods
were sent westward by sleighs, and reached here Thurs-
day night. On Friday and Saturday, the first and
second of February, two engines were in the^ neighbor-
hood of Winthrop, endeavoring, with a force of nearly
one hundred men, to work through ; but, disabling some
of their machinery, they were compelled to go back to
Dubu(]ue, leaving the Independents in a very dependent
situation. Hear their touching lament ! " When we
are to hear of, or get sight of them again, who can
guess ?" " Merchants are getting pretty badly off for
some kinds of staples ; editors are worried for ' copy ;'
and the people are anxious for news."
It may be well to mention here, as proof that mankind
are not degenerating with the terrible velocity some
would fain have us believe, that even at that
period, while this unequal contest was being waged,
there were men who could hold the railroad company
responsible for the failure of the mails. But, on the
other hand, the prevalent feeling among all classes,
seemed to be, that everything possible had been done to
keep open the lines of communication. Conductors
Cawley and Northrup were accorded the praise of having
been indefatigable in their exertions to push their trains
through the snow banks. They had not remitted their
efforts day or night, nor had their efforts been wanting
in intelligence or determined enterprise. Since the
storm began, there had been scarcely a day in which the
cuts would not fill up, almost as fast as the snow was
thrown out. The company had expended thousands of
dollars ; wasted a vast amount of energy ; destroyed their
engines and frozen their men, without result. And yet
these grave censors, sleeping in their downy beds, and
failing to find their morning paper beside their smoking
coffee, thought somebody ought to have done something !
Verily, it is well for these people that they ate not a
product of modern civilization, and that our reverence
for what has been transmitted to us from the misty ages
of the past prevents them from being regarded as un-
mitigated nuisances.
On Saturday, the ninth of February, a warm south
wind prevailed, and the vast accumulation of snow was
rapidly diminished ; and this, hastened by a warm rain
on Sunday, made pedestrianism literally a mode of navi-
gation. Happily the danger which threatened from a
too rapid conversion of the superincumbent burden of
moisture to a liquid state, was averted by a change to
cold on Monday, and another freezing up prevented the
tumultuous Wapsipinicon from indulging in what the
" down casters " call a "January thaw." The quantity
of snow, however, had been so far reduced, and what
was left, put in so compact a condition that sleighing, on
a good foundation, was at once established ; and the
farmers, liberated from the four weeks' embargo, re-
sumed their winter avocations, and the streets of the
county metropolis were once more alive with traffic.
The following extract from an editorial, under date of
February 26th, will show that this relenting mood of the
storm king was of short duration :
Saturday was one of the most disagreeable days we have ever seen.
The wind blew with immense force, taking the snow from the ground
(doubtless a fresh fall of the ' beautiful,' etc.). and whirling it about in
the air in clouds so dense, that it was impossible to see more than a
rod or two. It was almost an impossibility for man or beast to face it,
and almost every one kept in-doors, leaving our town, on a day
usually the busiest of the week, more quiet than it generally is on Sun-
day. Certainly the present winter stands out boldly, as one of the
severest ever experienced in the country.
We have had but two trains from the east since the fifteenth of
January, and none since the twenty-third, more than a month smce.
Our people begin to feel like a youngster who had been compelled to
doff his first jacket and trousers, and go back to frock and petticoat.
Instead of steam carriage and five hours to Dubuque, we have got
back to horse teams and two days to the Mississippi. Instead of
daily mail and express, we have gone back to tri-weekly and weekly
posts. Instead of the shrill whistle and thundering rumble of the loco-
motive, we hear the crack of the ox-whip and the scraping of the ox-
sled. Verily our spurs are off ; our tail feathers out ; and strutting has
become an absurdity. We're in short clothes again, and are not a bit
bigger than such fellows as Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Waterloo and
Cedar Falls.
But, presto! a short week, and the winter of their dis-
content was passed. On Friday, Match ist, the inspir-
ing notes of the steam whistle sent the long silent
echoes flying over the frozen surface of the Wapsie. The
iron steed, flinging from its steaming nostrils, upon the
frosty air, long wreaths of vapor of dazzling whiteness,
stood ];anting once more before a jubilant population.
The train left Dubuque on Friday, the twenty-second;
and, after the most energetic exertions, succeeded in
opening the road to Independence by the afternoon of
the following Friday. The employes ate and slept upon
the train and worked faithfully, and even with enthusiasm,
to clear the track which, under the snow fallen since the
thaw, early in February, was covered, in many places,
with a considerable depth of ice. Superintendent Young
remained with the train during the entire week, sharing
the coarse fare of the men einployed in the laborious
work of extricating the rails from their long-continued
ice-bath. And thus they closed up their long winter
campaign, with a slight variation from cutting a road
through snow banks from six to fifteen feet in depth.
Fears had been entertained that the railroad bridge at
Independence had become insecure, since, through the
expansion of the ice around the supports of the bridge,
it had been thrown out of position. The workmen suc-
ceeded, however, in getting it back to its position in time
for the train to pass over it on Saturday, the second of
March; and, as additional precautions had been taken
to render it secure, it was believed to be even safer than
before.
On Tuesday, March 12th, the cars which had been
242
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IO^VA.
running regularly since the first day of the month, ran
through for the first time to Waterloo, and from that date
thereafter.
The following card, which explains itself, is inserted as
a most suitable conclusion, embodying, as it does, many
names of early citizens and the experiences it describes
being a part of the history of the great storm of 1 860-61 :
Independence, January 20, 1861.
We, the undersigned, for the past five days local residents in snow-
banks upon the hne of the Dubuque & Sioux City railroad, in this hour
of our deliverance convened, most heartily subscribe to the following
resolutions :
1. Resolved: That we do extend to Mr. James S. Northrup, con-
ductor of the Uubuque cS Souix City railroad, our unqualified thanks
for his gentlemanly and courteous manner towards us at all times; also
for his marked efforts to supply us with all necessary material com-
forts, and his untiring efforts, both by night and by day, to bring us to
our destination. And that although we may never meet him person-
ally again, our earnest prayer shall ever be that he may long be spared
to gladden many a heart by his manly bearing, as he has this day ours;
and that when the giver of every good and perfect gift shall see fit
to call him from our midst, that the sun of his life shall set in a fair
western sky, as a bright emblem that his to-morrow shall be fair.
2. Resolved: That we find in Martin Hinman, engineer of the
locomotive Dubuque, a faithful, gentlemanly, cautious, persevering
and never-tiring officer, whose services should ever be held in the high-
est esteem by every person who shall ever have occasion to pass over
the Dubuque & Sioux City railroad; and that we feel that his services
cannot be valued in money by any railroad company who may secure
the same.
3. Resolved: That we would not be, and are not, umnindful of the
kindness of the citizens of Manchester, who, upon being advised of
our perilous situation in the snow, four miles east of their village, came
on horseback to our aid, and manfully labored until they brought us to
their beautiful haven, "where there was bread enough and to spare.''
Also to O. B. Dutton, station agent at Masonville (as well as others),
who when we were truly "an hungered," at once set his household in
order and gratuitously supplied us. May neither he. nor his children,
ever lack bread.
4. Resolved: That we invite the press of Dubuque, Independence,
Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, to insert the foregoing resolutions once in
their weekly editions.
P. C. WiLCON, A. W. Bowman,
W. B. Mills, E. O. Bartlett,
C. Rankin, J. F. Duncombe,
John S. Norway, D. A. McKinlay,
E. A. Woodruff, C. Wilborn,
R. M. Johnson, James Woods,
Fkanklin Miller, J. S. Rice,
R. P. Fewton, James Miller,
A. B. Worden, George Bentley,
W. L. Bristol, J. H. Corkery,
Patrick Sillers, A. Norris,
J. G Cooi'ER, J. W. King.
PROCEEDINGS IN RELATION TO THE DEATH OF SENATOR
DOUGLAS.
The action taken by the citizens of Independence, on
the occasion of the death of Senator Stephen A. Doug-
las, at a time when treason had filled the land with indig-
nation not unmixed with dark forebodings, is so honor-
able to human nature, and so well illustrates the supreme
value of patriotism in the esteem of all true men, that it
seems highly proper that a record of this action should
make a part of the history of the time.
A hotly contested election, in which the fallen states-
man bore a conspicuous part, had, because of the greater
interests involved, engendered more than the usual
amount of bitterness. But when the danger which
threatened the best government the sun ever shone
upon, stood unmasked, the true patriot also stood
revealed — he was no longer a partisan — he stood shoulder
to shoulder with all who loved and defended his country.
And so it happened, that when the sad announcement
was made that Senator Douglas was dead, a general
gloom settled upon the community. A true patriot, who
was throwing all his great powers into the service of the
Government, when it seemed that not one strong arm
bared in its defence could be spared, had fallen; and
without distinction of party, all patriots mourned.
A call was made for a meeting of citizens at the court
house, June 5, 1861, at 9 o'clock p. m., that all might
meet to do honor to the dead. The large hall of the
court house was filled to overflowing at the hour ap-
pointed, and a deep feeling of a common loss pervaded
the entire assemblage.
J. S. Woodward, esq., was called to the chair, and
L. W. Hart was chosen secretary. The object of the
meeting having been appropriately stated by the chair-
man of the meeting, the committee on resolutions re-
ported the following through their chairman, O. H. P.
Roszell:
Where.vs. by the dispensation of Providence we are called upon to
mourn the loss of Stephen A. Douglas, a statesman cut off in the prime
of life, a firm supporter of his country in its greatest danger, therefore,
while we leave it for the historian to record the many acts of his public
ife, be it
Resolved, I. That we regard the death of .Stephen A. Douglas as a
great national calamity.
2. That we recognize in him an honest man, a true patriot, and a
great statesman; that in his death freedom has lost a friend and cham-
pion, the constitution a chief support, and the Nation one of its bright-
est ornaments and most illustrious sages.
3. That his death is specially deplored in the present distracted con-
dition of the country, when the hopes of so many were resting on him
as the man through whose possible influence order might be brought
out of chaos, and our beloved country once again become united, pros-
perous and happy.
4. That we sympathize deeply and sincerely with the family of the
illustrious dead, and with our fellow countrymen, everywhere, in this
our common bereavement.
5. That as a fitting tribute to his memory we renew in our hearts our
allegiance to the Union, and our fidelity to the great principles of
popular rights.
These resolutions were supported by eloquent ad-
dresses from Hon. O. H. P. Roszell, Lorenzo Moore,
Jed Lake, E. P. Baker, W. S. Marshall, W. G. Donnan,
J. M. Hord, and L. W. Hart, esqrs. Rev. J. Fulton and
others also made appropriate addresses, after which the
resolutions were unanimously adopted.
A motion was carried that the resolutions and pro-
ceedings be published in the papers ot the county, and
a copy sent to the family of the deceased.
THE GREAT FIRE OF MAY 25, 1 874.
A more graphic or faithful account of this lamentable
disaster few pens could produce, and certainly few read-
ers ask, than that which is here transferred to our pages
from the columns of the first number of the Bulletin is-
sued after that destructive conflagration.
"OUT OF THE ASHES."
After an involuntary suspension of one issue, the Bulletin again
greets its readers, not with an apology, but with something akin to con-
gratulation. In the widespread disaster which cast its murky shadow
upon our beautiful city, on the morning of the twenty-fifth of May, no
interest wholly escaped damage, and the press, so far as its means of
communicating with the public was concerned, was pretty effectually
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
243
wiped out. All that remained at daylight, of the eventful morning, of
two well-provided and well-stocked printmg-offices was a few broken
fonts of type, the rest being represented by a heap of smoking debris.
That, under these adverse and discouraging circumstances, the Bulletin,
has been compelled to intermit but one regular issue— that being sup-
plied by a voluminous extra — is therefore a source of gratification and
pride to its publishers, and we cannot doubt, from the expressions that
reach us, of congratulation to the public. This ability, so soon after
the total destruction of its resources, to resume its legitimate work, is
partially due to good fortune, though our modesty shall not forbid us
to put in a claim for a little energy and enterprise in the matter.
While yet the flames were crackling and hissing among our finest
business blocks, we measured the full extent of the calamity that had
fallen upon our city, and appreciated the fact that the only way to
overcome it and rise superior to it, was the maintainance, on the part
of our people, of the most unfaltering courage, founded upon invinci-
ble faith in the future of our city. Willing to set an example in this
regard, that is. to show our faith by our works, we started for Chicago
on the day of the fire, without money and with no definite idea of the
extent of our resources, to purchase new material for the re-establish-
ment of the Bulletin ; not stopping to discuss the probable effects of
the calamity upon business. We found all the business men of Chica-
go, with whom we had dealt before, synipathizingly interested in the de-
tails "of the disaster to Independence, ready and willing to extend any
aid in their power, and confident of the ability of our merchants and
property owners to rally from the shock. The credit of our business
community has not been weakened a particle, despite the late misfor-
tune. We purchased an entiie new outfit, the greater portion of
which has arrived and is set up. The Bulletin is again an entity, and
notwithstanding all that comes in the shape of ordinary dispensations,
proposes to Hve and to chronicle the rise of our fair young city from
the ashes of her sorrow, to a higher plane of prosperity and a
larger growth than before. We have implicit confidence in the recu-
perative power of our community, and we only ask our fellow citizens
to realize that , though crippled, we are by no means ruined. Let us
admit of no unprofitable repining, but put our shoulders to the wheel
and, from the uncomfortable distinction of the most unfortunate city
of Iowa, let us earn the reputation of the pluckiest.
With this pronunciamento, breathing a spirit of cahn
determination and confidence which could not fail to be
contagious, the editor of the Bulletin proceeds to give
what may be called, in reference to previous accounts,
the "official report" of the great contest between the fire
fiend and the opposing forces, whose resources were
taxed to their utmost to stay his all devouring progress:
THE GRE-\T FIRE.
Through the Bulletin extra of last week, and the very full and com-
plete accounts in the Dubuque papers, the majority of our readers are
probably already in possession of the particulars of the disastrous con-
flagration which laid waste the business portion of our city two weeks
since in which were involved the Bulletin oflice and contents. We pro-
pose in this article to go over some of the prominent incidents of the
calamity for the information of the readers of the Bulletin at a distance.
The fire, which was the most destructive, in point of value of the
property burned, that ever occurred in the history of Iowa, commenced
at 2 o'clock of Monday morning. May 25th, in a frame building on
Chatham street, south of and adjoining the Burr block, owned by N.
Burr and occupied by Mrs. M. E. Brown as a millinery store and resi-
dence. Mr. Holt and family also had rooms in the second story. These
parties were aroused from slumber by the night watchman, and before
they had time to dress, the fire had communicated to the outside stairs
of the building, thus cutting off egress. In this dilemma Mr. Holt
seized a mattress and threw it to the ground, then tossing the baby on
it, his wife and a lady visitor. Miss Gannon, following, and finally him-
self. Miss Gannon was slightly injured by the leap, but has recovered.
The fire swept southward toward Main street with great rapidity,
the old dry frame buildings in its path in this direction going down be-
fore the terrible blast like straw. The firemen were early on the ground
and the hand engine got to work without delay, but without any appre-
ciable effect. The flames soon communicated with the Burr block
through the windows in the third story above the building in which
they originated, and soon that fine structure, including the stores of
Levi Strohl, dry goods. W. J. Cummings, groceries, C. R.Wallace,
drugs, and J. W. Johnston, groceries, and the St. James hotel, was
the centre of a sea of fire.
A new steam fire engine, purchased by the city some time since of
Clapp& Jones, manufacturing company, Hudson, New York, had ar-
rived a day or two previous, and, with most of its attachments packed in
boxes, was awaiting the coming of the general agent, for trial and accept-
ance by the city. W^ien the fire began to assume formidable proportions
it occurred to our competent engineer and machinist, Dick Gurnsey, that
this machine was not fulfilling its destiny lying idle in the engine house.
So, with the assistance of some of the crowd, he took it to the river in
the rear of the Burr block, filled its boiler by means of a garden puinp
lighted the fire, attached the hose, and ran the steamer to her utmost
capacity during the remainder of the night, doing most efficient service.
When it is remembered that the engine had neither steam nor water
guages attached, and was operated by Mr. Gurnsey entirely without
means to indicate the pressure or state of the water in the boiler, and
at imminent risk of his life, the heroism of the act will be realized.
The new steamer under these unfa\'orable circumstances behaved ad-
mirably, and more than realized all the good that had been promised of
it. It was undoubtedly the sole agency by which property of many
times more value than the cost of the machine was saved from the
flames. The lumber yard of Benton & Company, on the opposite side
of Chatham street from the St. James hotel, was on fire several times,
but was promptly extinguished by the strong and steady stream of
water from the steamer. Had it burned, the conflagration would, with-
out doubt, have swept through the square, consuming the Munson
block, the First National bank building and other valuable property.
But to resume: The march of the devouring element toward Main
street was resistless, successively taking Robbins' grocery, Steinmetz's
shoe shop, Hinman's meat market, Whait's shoe store, and the bank,
ing house of Francis, Jones & EKvell. These parties generally saved a
part of their goods.
At this point the conflagration began to assume magnificent propor-
tions. The wooden block on the north side of Main street, between
Chatham and the river, belonging to the Wilcox estate, in its turn fell
a resistless prey to the tempest of fire, and fully verified the common
prediction that, if it ever did burn, it would make one of the hottest
fires on record. It was occupied on the ground floor by T. Kittridge,
variety store; S. M. Marquette, furniture; Olmstead, restaurant, and
John Gorman, tailor, the second story being occupied by Ensminger
Brothers, photograph gallery, and several other parties. Being entirely
of wood, that material forming its inside walls instead of plaster, and
withal of large proportions, it burned with a fierce intensity that for-
bade near approach, and carried destruction to all in its vicinity. Most
of its occupants had removed their goods, which were piled in the ut-
most confusion on the bridge. As the surging flame advanced a second
removal was necessary, and the ensuing confusion and terror were aw-
ful to contemplate. Two frame buildings at the approach to the
bridge on the north side of the street, were hcked up in a breath, and
left no trace behind. The wind, which was but a zephjT when the fire
commenced, had now arisen to a brisk breeze from the northwest. This
sealed the fate of the magnificent three-story brick block of six stores
on the opposite side of Main street, also the property of the Wilcox
heirs. When the forked tongues of flame, reaching with insatiable
fury across the street, attacked this splendid pile of buildings, simulta-
neously firing It in front and on the roof, the culminating terror and
sublimity had arrived. No pen can describe the awful grandeur of the
moment; neither can tongue fitly portray the pang of sorrow which
penetrated the hearts of our citizens as they saw this splendid build-
ing— no interior town in Iowa containing as fine a structure — wrapped
in the embrace of the relentless fire fiend. But regrets were unavailing;
once fired the building burned rapidly, and the demon of fire passed on.
The occupants of the Wilcox block were: Bowley & Orcutt, dry goods;
Welch & Wilcox, grocers; Morse & Barnett, dry goods; Tabor & Son,
druggists; and f . F. Sullivan, dry goods, on the lower floor. The sec-
ond floor was occupied by W. H. Joslin, insurance agent; Hart & Bru-
cart, attorneys; F. S. Brainard, dentist; John Burke, barber; William
Few, tailor; and the public library. The Masonic and firemen's halls
were in the third story. Many of the goods removed from these build-
ings, through miscalculation of the intense heat, were burned after
they were supposed to be in a place of safety. The brick building
next the bridge, on the south side of Main street, occupied by S. M.
Osgood, music and millinery store, J. S. Woodward, attorney' and the
Odd Fellows, went the way of all the rest, with much of its contents.
It was hoped that the solid and high W.1II on the east end of the Wil-
cox block would be a barrier to the flames in that direction; and this
mii'ht have been the case but for the frame warehouses and old shanties
in the rear of these buildings all the way to the Montour house corner.
' The flames, seizing upon these, advanced eastward in the rear twice as
244
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
fast as in front. While the Opera house was burning in front, the fire
had progressed as far as the Biillelin office at the back of the block.
The next building to succumb to the devouring element, after the
Wilco.\ block, was Plane's hardware store; and, from that point,
the march of the destroyer was steady, persistent and resist-
less. Fisher's grocery. Close & Tysons grocery, Moore & Chamber-
Iain's dry goods store, the Bazaar, the Opera house, Maas' dry goods
store. King & Menyon's hardware store, the Conservative office, A.
Myers' dry goods store, Smale Brothers' drug store, Robert & Taylor's
hardware store, ■\\''illiams & Son's grocery, the Bulletin otfice, Stevens'
meat market. Turner's millinery store, the Montour house, Curtis'
livery stable, and Sherwood's livery stable successively fell into the un-
satisfied maw of the monster, and were soon masses of smoking ruins.
While all this was transpiring on Main street, the buildings on the
south front of the square, including the German Presbyterian church,
and the residences of 'W. R. Kenyon, S. D. Orcutt, H. R. Hunter, B.
F. Gillett and Thomas Sherwood, were swept off like chaff before the
wind, leaving the entire block bare of everything, except here and
there broken fragments of wall, standing like sentinels over heaps of
unsightly debris. Drawing water from the cistern at the corner of
Main and ■\A''alnut, the new steamer kept the roof of Glass' furniture
store wet, thus saving it, and with it the whole southeastern portion of
the city.
At 6 o'clock, A. M. the fire was finally subdued; but, in the four
short hours that elapsed after the sharp stroke of the city bell aroused
our citizens from their peaceful slumbers, quite nine-tenths of our most
valuable business places, with nearly an equal proportion of the stocks
of our merchants, were but smouldering heaps of ruins. Thirty-nine
business houses, two hotels, one church, five dwellings, and two livery
stables were embraced m the terrible disaster. Independence, in pro-
portion to her wealth, is worse smitten than was Chicago in her mem-
orable disaster. It was but natural that this terrible catastrophe should
at first fall with stunning effect upon our people. This feeling was but
temporary, however; the first shock past, it gave place to a hopeful
courage and an indomitable determination to conquer an adverse fate,
that is strengthening day by day, as words of cheer and sympathy, and
offers of aid and credit come from abroad. Preparations are already
in progress for rebuilding a large share of the burnt district, and every-
thing betokens a business season not less active than was anticipated
previous to the fire.
It is a subject for deep congratulation that, amid all the appalling
scenes of this great calamity, no loss of life occurred; though there
were several narrow escapes. A pair of horses belonging to T. Curtis
had been sent to the west side of the river to bring over the old Amos-
keag engine. Finding this impracticable on account of the wall of fire
that rendered Main street, east side of the bridge, a very avenue of the
infernal pit, young Clarence Fonda, a son of the west side dealer,
mounted one of the horses and imprudently attempted to run the fiery
gauntlet, -^s he came opposite the Wilco.\ block, which was raging
and seething like a furnace seven times heated, the rider's clothes were
observed to smoke, and the noble steed to cringe in the scorching blast;
but he came through, and, when out of range, it was found that the
foolish boy and the faithful beast were severely burned. A moment
more and both would undoubtedly have succumbed to the fiery ordeal.
Two nights after the fire narrated above, our citizens were again
called from their beds by the clang of the fire alarm. About half past
II o'clock, on Wednesday evening, the .Star foundry and machine
shop owned by Frank Megow, was discovered to be on fire. The
steamer being disabled, and the fire having, before discovery, got a
fair start in the dry wooden foundry building, all efforts to stop it
were futile. The greatest excitement prevailed in consequence of this
later fire. Many discovered in it the confirmation of their theory that
a systematic purpose was entertained by somebody to burn our city.
Yet in this case, as in the other, the presumption of incendiarism was
utterly at fault. The fire at the foundry was, without doubt, the result
of accident, if not carelessness. Mr. Megow's loss was five thousand
five hundred dollars with seven hundred dollars msurance. The blow
falls upon a very worthy and industrious young man, who is noways
discouraged, butalready has the frame up fora new foundry, and hopes
to make available, with some repairs, the engine and a portion of the
tools in ttie machine shop.
LOSSES.
The following list of some of the heavier losses is
taken from the Bitlktins complete schedule of losses and
insurance :
NAME. LOSS. INSURANCE.
Wilcox estate $80,000 $29,000
G. N. Whait 3,000 1,000
John Gorman ; 2,800
J. F. Sullivan 12,000 3,000
P. Tabor & Son 8,000 3,200
Morse & Barnett 25,000 10,000
Welch, Wilcox & Welch 7,000 1,500
Bowley & Orcutt 30,000 16,500
N. Maas 25,000 15,000
Jacob Manz 11,000 7,000
Smale Brothers 9,000 3,000
Robert & Taylor 11,000 11,000
C. W. Taylor 6, 800 5, 000
O'Brien & Stone S'°°° 3,000
Montour House 10,000
J. F. Hodges 4.000
Conservative office 3,000 1,200
S. Waggoner 800
Moore & Chamberlain 20,000 7,000
S. N. Marquette 4,000
S. M. Osgood 9,000 2,700
A. J . Bowley 2,000 1,000
T. Kittridge i , 500 600
Lawton & Post 30,000 18,000
King & Kenyon 40,000 15,000
C. R. Wallace 5, 000 3.000
Herrick & Henshaw 4.500 3,000
C. A. Clarke 9,000 5,000
N. Burr 23,000 10,500
J. W. Johnston. 2,500 1,000
M. Ungerer 5.500
William Richmond 2,500 1,300
R. R. Plane 22,000 6,000
W. R. Kenyon 3,000 1,500
J . B. Turner 3,000 2,000
William Few 1,300 1,000
Ensminger Brothers 800 500
.A. Myers 30,000 18,000
T. Sherwood 5,000 1,000
0. B. Dickinson 3.500 i ,000
A. E. Olmstead i ,000 500
German Presbyterian church 2,500 1,000
C. Swartz, 4,000
Mrs. Benham 3 ,500
C. lekel 1,500
Bulletin ofifice 4.,5oo 3,000
Mrs. D. S. Dunham 4-500 3.000
John Fawcett 11,000 6,000
Mrs. M. E. Brown 2,600 500
W. J. Cummings 3.500 2,000
Fisher Brothers 8,000 4,000
Levi Strohl 6,500 2,000
John Buchler 4,000 2,000
Close & Tyson 5,000
1. H. & L. Co 1.400 400
Odd Fellows i ,000 500
When it is remembered that in November of 1873,
only six months previous to the great fire, inore than half
of the north side of Main street, between Chatham and
Walnut, had been burned, some idea can be formed of
the desolation that reigned in the very centre of what
had been the business nucleus of the city. The fire of
1873 had been regarded as a serious check to the busi-
ness interests of the place; no wonder, then, that the
men who had identified their fortunes with those of the
growing city, and had waited long and patiently to reap
the returns of their early ventures, were, for a time,
appalled by the greatness of this new calamity. That
the wounds then received have been so speedily healed,
leaving only honorable scars, gives ample proof of the
superior abihties of her leading business men, and is
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
245
also a sure pledge that Independence will yet justify the
wisdom of those who have labored in good faith for her
advancement.
INDEPENDENCE IN 1881. A COMPLETE VIEW OF ITS VA-
RIOUS INTERESTS; INDL'STRI.^L, COMMERCIAL, SOCL\L,
EDUCATIONAL, AND RELIGIOUS.
It is intended in this chapter to present such a view
of the present condition of the business interests and
public institutions of Independence, as shall be of in-
creasing value in the future; and the more so as the
things of the present recede farther and farther into the
past. Any one who has been well acquainted with any
such town in the past will be surprised on attempting to
recall accurately the condition of business at any partic-
ular time, and the persons who engaged in business or
political life, to find how much he has forgotten, and how
confused and mixed is his recollection of the business
changes that have taken place.
The business of Independence, like that of so many
Iowa towns, has undergone almost an entire change with-
in the past ten years, especially that part of it which con-
sisted in the collection and distribution of the products
of the surrounding country. Independence is still, as it
always has been, mainly a distributing point; manufac-
tures having never assumed much magnitude or impor-
tance. But the change spoken of has come through a
radical change in the agriculture of the surrounding
country.
A few years ago many car loads of reapers, seed sow-
ers and threshing machines were annually imported and
sold to all parts of the surrounding country. Spring
wheat was the great staple production of the farms, and
the business of buying, storing, and shipping wheat, was
the important feature of the business which clustered
around the railroad stations.
But the reputation gained by a few samples of Iowa
butter in 1876, and the total failure of the wheat crop,
turned the attention of the farmers to butter making and
stock-raising, as not only more profitable, but as the only
resource left them. The result is seen in the absence of
wheat shipments and the great increase in the trade in
butter, cattle and hogs, and also in the larger amount of
corn and oats handled. One effect has been to transfer
the greater part of the buying of produce from the
neighborhood of the railroad stations to the centre of
the city.
The business of Independence, aside from the coal,
lumber, and grain trade, is nearly all done on that part of
Main street e.xtending from River street on the west side
of Wapsipinicon river, to North street on the east, and
on Chatham street northward from Main to Mott streets.
This compactness of the business part of the town, and
the rebuilding in uniform style, after the great fire of
1874, gives an appearance of neatness and solidity sel-
dom found in western towns. The main street crosses
the river by a wrought iron bridge, consisting of arch
trusses resting on a pier and two abutments of boulder
granite. The bridge was built in 1873 by the Canton
Bridge company, of Canton, Ohio, and cost between
eighteen and nineteen thousand dollars.
In making the following statement of the present bus-
iness interests of the place, some attention has also been
given to the past history of those firms which have been
long established, or whose members are old residents.
Many interesting details might be added in this connec-
tion, but do not come properly within the scope of this
article.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
From time to time, as the town of Independence in.
creased in population and business importance, and sub-
stantial brick buildings were erected, either on vacant lots
or as substitutes for the old wooden buildings, it became
apparent that there ought to be some authority to estab-
lish a grade for buildings, sidewalks, and streets, and to
make and enforce such rules and legulations as are nec-
essary for the health and good order of a town. On the
business streets, everyone had built his board sidewalk
at such a height and of such width as suited him, the
result being an irregularity which was neither ornamental
by day nor safe at night. Of paved sidewalks on the side
streets, there were few, if any. A petition for incorpora-
tion was accordingly filed, and the act of incorporation
was recorded August 6, 1864. The first election of city
officers was held December 19, 1864, and resulted in the
election of D. S. Lee, mayor; James M. Weart, clerk;
Edward Brewer, treasurer; R. Campbell, O. H. P. Ros-
zell, James B. Thomas, Robert R. Plane, Sanford Clark,
Albert Clarke, John F. Lyon, and Samuel Sherwood,
trustees.
The following is the list of mayors from the incorpora-
tion to the present time, with the date of their election:
D. S. Lee, elected in 1864; D. S. Lee (resigned before
expiration of term), 1865; J. S. Woodward (to fill va-
cancy), June 5, 1865; William A. Jones, two terms,
1866, 1867; Charles F. Herrick, two terms, 1868, 1869;
H. P. Henshaw, 1870; O. H. P. Roszell, 187 1; W. A.
Jones, 1872; O. H. P. Roszell, 1873, 1874; D. D. Hol-
dridge, 1875, 1876; O. H. P. Roszell, 1877; O. H. P.
Roszell (died before expiration of term), 1878; Samuel
Hussey (to fill vacancy), 1878; John Hallett, 1879, 1880;
C. M. Durham, 18S1.
Elections are held annually on the first Monday in
March.
The city is divided into five wards, bounded as fol-
lows: First, north of Main street and east of Walnut
street; Second, south of Main street and east of Wapsi-
pinicon river; Third, south of Main street and west of
the river; Fourth, north of Main street, between Walnut
street and the river; Fifth, north of Main street, west of
the river.
The city ofificers elected by popular vote are — mayor,
elected annually; one councilman annually from each
ward, holding office for two years; treasurer, elected an-
nually; solicitor, every two years; assessor, annually.
The council elect the city clerk, marshal, city engineer,
night watch, bell ringer, chief engineer of fire depart-
ment, steam fite engineer, street commissioner.
PRESENT CITV OFFICERS.
C. M. Durham, mayor; B. W. Tabor, treasurer; Rufus
Brewer, clerk; L. F. Springer, solicitor; C. B. Kandy,
246
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
marshal; E. E. Backus, street commissioner; Thomas J.
Marinus, assessor; D. S. Deering, engineer; Henry R.
Hunter, chief engineer fire department; V. Cates, night
watch ; A. D. Guernsey, steam fire engineer. Members
of council: First ward, R. O'Brien, Hugh McClernon;
Second ward, George A. Steinmetz, N. Maas; Third
ward, J. E. Cook, H. B. Phillips: Fourth ward, J. W.
Johnston, O. M. Gillett; Fifth ward, C. R. Millington,
George AVarne.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department is under the control of the city,
and the various apparatus is the property of the city; but
the fire companies are volunteer organizations, acting in
time of fires under the orders of the chief engineer of
the department.
The following are the companies and otificers: H. R.
Hunter, chief; Jacob Wackerbarth, first assistant; L.
Soener, second assistant.
THE STE.^MER COMPANY.
This was originally organized as a hook and ladder
company, in 1864, and was changed to steamer com-
pany on ]jurchase of the engine by the city, in 1874.
Mr. Hunter, the present foreman, is the only member
who belonged to the original company in 1864. The
engine is a Clapp & Jones, piston, and cost four thousand
dollars; and is accompanied by a hose cart carrying two
thousand feet of hose.
The officets are H. R. Hunter, foreman; E. L. Cur-
rier, first assistant; Hugh McClernon, second assistant;
B. W. Tabor, treasurer; James Forrester, secretary; L.
M. Stevens, foreman of hose; P. McCorston, first assist-
ant ; Z. Hasbrouck, second assistant.
C.\TAR.\CT ENGINE COMPANY NO. I.
This was originally organized in 1863, and the engine
purchased ; but, after several years, was disbanded, and
the engine given to the city. The present company
which, like the first, is composed of citizens of German
descent, was organized December 17, 1873.
The officers are Eouis Soener, foreman; Charles
Schmidt, first assistant; A. E. Holtzer, second assistant;
J. Wackerbarth, secretary; B. Yaeger, treasurer.
Both engines and the three hose carts are kept in the
engine house on the south side of Main street, just west
of North street. The engine house has a bell tower at-
tached ; and the bell, in the absence of any tower clocks,
is rung at the "workmen's hours," 7 a. m., 12 m., i p. m.,
and 6 p. u.
FIRE LIMITS.
Fire limits, were established soon after the fire of 1874,
and are of two orders. Within the first, buildings may be
only of brick or stone, and must have fire-walls extend-
ing above the roofs, which must be of tin or of gravel of
sufficient depth to prevent the composition from taking
fire. Within the second limit residences may be built of
wood with brick "veneering."
SALARIES OF CITY OFFICERS.
The following are the salaries received by the different
city officers : Mayor, fifty dollars per annum and office
rent; clerk, two hundred dollars per annum and fees; mar-
shal, four hundred dollars per annum and fees ; solicitor,
twenty-five dollars per annum and fees when employed;
night watch, four hundred dollars per annum; bell ringer,
seventy-five dollars per annum; steam fire engineer, three
hundred dollars per annum; chief of fire department,
fifty dollars per annum.
Members of council receive one dollar for each meet-
ing, providing that the total amount received by all shall
not exceed fifty dollars per year.
There is also an appropriation of one hundred dollars
a year to each fire company.
FINANCES OF THE CITY.
The city is out of debt, the taxes collected being
sufficient to pay all expenses.
The total assessed value of taxable property is seven
hundred and sixty-six thousand eight hundred and
seventy-six dollars.
The tax rate for the year 1880 was three and a half
mills, divided as follows : Street fund, two and a half
mills; library, one mill. Besides this. is the road tax,
assessed in lieu of labor, as a poll tax on each voter, and
license fees which are as follows: Beer and wine saloons,
two hundred dollars per year; exhibitions in halls, three
dollars each ; circuses, twenty-five dollars each ; circus
"side shows," five dollars; transient merchants, five
dollars per day.
The receipts from all sources, during the fiscal year
ending F'ebruary, 1881, were four thousand five hundred
and seventy dollars and thirty-two cents; and the balance
on hand at the time of the previous annual report, three
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five dollars and forty-
two cents, making a total of eight thousand three hun-
dred and seventy-five dollars and seventy-four cents;
total disbursements, six thousand seven hundred and
fifteen dollars and sixty-two cents; total on hand, one
thousand six hundred and sixty dollars and twelve cents.
The foregoing statement shows that the finances of the
city are in good condition, and that Independence is free
from that curse of cities, a floating debt. One item of
the expenditures above mentione'd was five hundred and
fifty-one dollars and ten cents for the extinguishment of
the last of the sinking fund.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The free public library and reading room is one of
the institutions of which the city may not only be proud,
but for which she may also congratulate herself, as not
only a means of intellectual culture, but also, to a great
extent, as a means of preventing intemperance and kin-
dred vices, by providing a place where the young may
spend some of those leisure hours outside of their
homes, which they zc/Z/have; not to mention those who
have no homes worthy of the name. At the reading
room, well warmed and lighted, may be found, every
afternoon and evening, a quiet, orderly company of peo-
ple, interesting themselves in the leading periodicals and
the news of the day.
Note.— A privatenightwatchman is employed by the merchants on
Main street, the present one being Mr. John O'Mara who has served in
that capacity several years.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
247
The library is supported by a tax of one mill on the
property of the city, authorized by the law of the State.
It was organized in September, 1873, and received the
books of the Library association, numbering about six
hundred volumes. This was a voluntary association,
which had been in existence for a few years previous,
and had been maintained by annual fees. It had suc-
ceeded the old Independence Lyceum (formed about
1857 or earlier by C. F. Leavitt, D. S. Deering and oth-
ers) in the care of a collection of books, mostly stand-
ard, numbering about three hundred volumes. The
formation of the Library association and, in 1S71-2,
the purchase of new books, had awakened in the people
a desire for a larger library; and when the act authoriz-
ing the tax levy was passed, it was quickly taken advan-
tage of
The public library was burned in May, 1874, nothing
escaping but the record book and books in the hands of
patrons. But in the autumn of 1874, the present libra-
ry rooms were leased, books purchased, and the reading
room opened. The library is under the control of a
board of seven members, two of whom are chosen an-
nually by the council for a term of three years. The
seventh member is chosen by the council from their
own number, and acts during the continuance of his
term of office in the council. The present members of
the board are: George Warne, M. D., president; S. J.
Tabor, secretary; H. Burlingham, treasurer; J. Hollo-
way, M. W. Harmon, D. S. Deering, B. \V. Tabor. The
librarian is Mrs. E. A. Sanford. The library is in the
second story of Morse's building, No. 14 Main street,
and the reading room adjoins it on the west. The num-
ber of volumes in the library list is seventeen hundred
and fifty, valued at about eighteen hundred dollars.
The periodicals subscribed for are:
Nine monthly, viz: Harper, Scribner, Appleton, At-
lantic, Popular Science Monthly, Phrenological Journal,
St. Nicholas, American Agriculturist.
Four dailies, viz: Chicago Journal, Chicago Times,
Dubuque Times, Dubuque Herald.
Nine weeklies, viz: Scientific American, Burlington
Hawkeye, San Francisco Post, Harper's Weekly, Harper's
Bazar, Fraak Leslie, Youth's Companion, Woman's
Journal, Ne'a' England J^ournal of Education.
Sent free by publishers : Bulletin, Conservative and
Advocate, of Independence, LaPorte Progress, West
Union Gazette, Western Stock journal.
By individuals: The Advance.
Besides the funds from taxation, the library received,
during the past year, fifty dollars from the Dramatic
association for the purchase of new carpet, etc.
Patrons residing outside the city pay an annual fee of
two dollars. Books drawn from the library may be re-
tained two weeks, and renewed for one week on presen-
tation. A fine of three cents is imposed for every day
overdue; which, if not paid within two weeks, is collect-
ed by a messenger, with an additional charge of twenty-
five cents. Out-of town subscribers are charged a mile-
age of twenty-five cents per mile when a messenger is
sent to collect a fine.
The amount of money available for the use of the
library at the beginning of the fiscal year, March i,
1880, was $331.16; and the amount received from all
sources, $914.34; making a total of $1,245.50. There
has been expended for all purposes $936.05, leaving on
hand a balance of $309.45.
The number of book loans from the library during
the year was 10,278; and the number of new applicants
for permits, 169.
Of the receipts above mentioned, $22.26 was a dona-
tion from the Young Ladies' Social club, and $48.00
from fines collected.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The people who settled in Independence were largely
from New England, and the other northeastern States,
and brought with them their inherited belief in the
desirability of education for the individual, and the.
necessity to the State that its citizens should be intelli-
gent.
The school accommodations were, however, quite
meagre at first — there being only two school-houses in
the district, and no graded schools. Those who wished
better instruction than the public schools afforded, were
obliged to resort to private schools. But in June, 1866,
the school board voted to build a school-house large
enough to seat four hundred pupils, and establish a
graded school. This was finished in 1867, and the
graded school established in the autumn of that year,
with five rooms and six teachers, besides the principal.
The building is of brick and three stories high, besides a
basement; and cost, with furniture and fencing, about
twenty thousand dollars.
This building proved to be too small, however, and it
was found necessary to hire additional school-rooms, be-
sides occupying the old school building. In the autumn
of 1868, a lot was purchased on the west side, and an-
other school-house was built the following year and
finished in 1870. This also cost over twenty thousand
dollars. School was opened in the new building with
six teachers. Since then the Wilcox residence, on Wal-
nut street, in the northern part of the city, has been
purchased and conveited into a school-house, for the use
of the high school, and an additional primary. All the
buildings have large yards attached and are well lighted,
i warmed, ventilated, and furnished with the most ap-
proved seats and desks. The board of directors have
been very generous in furnishing apparatus, and it is be-
lieved that no public schools in the State are better pro-
vided.
In the high school department there is a full set of
apparatus for performing all the experiments laid down
in the text books of philosophy and chemistry, and also
about two hundred geological specimens. In the dif-
ferent school-rooms all the walls between doors and
windows are prepared as blackboards. In both gram-
mar departments, and in the high school, class-rooms are
provided for recitations, outside of the school-room.
But good buildings and apparatus do not make a good
school. A corps of efficient teachers, trained for their
work and instructed in it, is necessary, and an examina-
248
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
tion of the schools and their working shows that Inde-
pendence is fortunate in the possession of such teachers,
under the intelligent oversight of the present superin-
tendent. From the lowest primary to the highest school,
no effort is spared to make the pupils take in the real
meaning of their studies and to prevent "parroting" or
mere memorizing of lessons. Beginning with the young-
est pupils, arithmetic is taught by the giving out to each
pupil examples not previously studied, and these are per-
formed at the blackboard, and must be logically explained.
In the reading classes the pupils are constantly questioned
to test their understanding of the words read; and, in
all recitations pupils are called upon, out of course, so
that there can be no chance for any pupil to commit to
memory his own particular paragraph or problem. In
the primary departments the recitations are made short,
and so arranged as to keep all the pupils interested, and
it is evident the object thus sought is attained. The
order, both of recitations and studies, is written on the
blackboard, the recitations in colored crayon, so that
both teacher and pupil can see at exactly what minute
any exercise is to be expected. Finally, by frequent ex-
aminations, a test is made to show what the pupils have
retained, as well as learned to recite.
The whole graded school course extends over a period
of eleven years, divided as follows:
First primary, one year; second primary, one and one-
half years; third primary, one and one-half years; two
grammar rooms, four years; high school, three years.
The course of study is divided into eight grades (not
including the high school course) and each grade into
two classes. In view of the importance of education,
and as showing something of the intellectual status of
the city, it is thought worth while to give an outline of
the course of study:
First grade, first year. — Charts, cards, and blackboard,
through year. First reader, second one-half year, with
oral spelling. Slate and blackboard, copying from reader
and spelling from dictation. Drawing, four cards No. i.
Geography (oral), local, county, and State. Morals and
manners (Gow). Oral arithmetic.
Second grade, second year. — Second reader, thiuugh
year. Word primer, second one-half year. Slate and
blackboard, exercises and drawing. Oral geography
and Gow's morals and manners, as in first grade. Oral
arithmetic.
Third grade, third year. — Third reader, unfinished.
\\'ord primer, continued. Copy books (pencils one-half
year, pens one-half year). Spelling on slate and black-
board. Drawing, from cards one-half year, maps one-
half year. Oral arithmetic and geography, morals and
manners, "common things," physical exercise, and sing-
ing through first four grades.
Fourth grade, fourth year. — Third reader finished,
fourth begun. Word primer finished. Word book begun.
Copy-book. Intermediate arithmetic to fractions. Other
studies and exercises as before.
Fifth grade. — Reading, fourth reader, and Childs'
book of nature. Word book, copy-books. Drawing (of
figures from book of nature, maps, geometry figures,
etc.). Arithmetic, intermediate continued. Language
lessons (oral), primary geography.
Sixth grade. — Reading as before, and fifth reader be-
gun. Spelling, Word book and review. Writing, copy-
books Nos. two and five. Arithmetic, intermediate
finished, common school begun. Language lessons
(oral), graded English one-half through. Geography,
comprehension. History, first lesson. (Singing, morals
and manners through eighth grade.)
Seventh grade. — Spelling, Word book finished. Writ-
ing, copy-books No. five. Arithmetic, common school
continued. Grammar, graded English finished, Harvey's
grammar begun.
Eighth grade. — Reading, fifth reader finished. Spell-
ing, Word book reviewed and selected words. Writing,
No. five, and drawing. Arithmetic, common school
finished. English grammar. United States history.
Book-keeping, single entry.
The high school course comprises for the first year:
Reading, with Word analysis, English grammar, algebra
and philosophy, with botany, during the spring and sum-
mer. In the second year: English literature, with
word analysis, rhetoric, geometry, botany completed, gen-
eral history, geometry, and physics. In the third year:
Intellectual philosophy, trigonometry and surveying,
chemistry, science of arithmetic, geology, and lectures
on zoology.
An examination of the foregoing list will show that,
while it is as comprehensive as any that could well be
adopted in a common school, it is so arranged that only
four branches are generally taken up at once; so tha:t the
minds of the pupils are not burdened with a multiplicity
of studies. The superintendent, Mr. William Elden,
inspects the schools daily, and conducts three recitations
in the high school, besides delivering lectures.
The whole number of teachers is fifteen. The salary
of the superintendent is one thousand one hundred dol-
lars, and of the other teachers, from thirty-five to fifty
dollars per month. The number of pupils enrolled is
one thousand two hundred and fifty, and the actual
number attending the schools is eight hundred and fifty-
one.
The total expense of conducting the schools is nine
thousand, and seventy-two dollars per year, — being
ten dollars and sixty-six cents for each pupil in actual at-
tendance. There are about twenty pupils residing out of
the district who pay weekly forty cents for their tuition.
The present teachers are, William Elden, superintend-
ent; Sarah L. Angell, Anna Deering, high school; Mrs.
Alice R. Davis, primary in high school building; Misses
L. C. Parker and Ellen Jones, east side grammar; Misses
Carrand M. R. Johnson, east side intermediate; Misses
Lizzie Sherwood, Fanny Mason, E. S. Primrose, Maggie
E. Vincent, and Annie Getchell, west side grammar;
Mrs. Ella A. Comfort, Miss Hough, west side inter-
mediate; Mrs. Nettie Hasuer and Miss Minnie Shenvood,
west side primary.
Mr. Elden commenced his duties in 1876 and the
first class graduated from the high school in 1877.
The school directors are, E. W. Purdy, D. F. Bisbee,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
249
R. Bartle, Thomas Edwards, B. W. Ogden, C. R. Mil-
lington.
CHURCHES.
The churches of Independence are nine in number,
as follows: Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist
Episcopal, Congregational, German Presbyterian, Roman
Catholic, Evangelical (German), Lutheran (German).
The Roman Catholics have also a convent, in charge of
the sisters of charity, with a day school.
The Presbyterian church is situated at the corner of
Spring and Main streets, on the west side of the river, is
substantially built of brick, with a spire. It has seats
for four hundred, and has a pipe organ, built by John-
son, of Westfield, and having about six hundred pipes.
The present membership of the church is one hundred
and ninet)'. The ofificers are J. H. Ritchie, pastor; A.
B. Clarke, J. F. Coyj W. G. Donnan, J. B. Donnan,
elders. The trustees are, Hamilton Williamson, D. F.
Bisbee, J. C. Holloway, H. B. Barber, W. S. Boggs.
The church and organ cost, in 1S68, about thirteen
thousand dollars.
St. James' (Protestant Episcopal) church is situated on
the «ast side of Chatham street, above Mott; is built in
gothic style, of wood, but with an outside "veneering''
of brick; has a tower and belfry with bell, and has seats
for two hundred persons. The communicants number
about one hundred. Thomas B. Kemp, D. D., rector;
Thomas Coghlan, George Josselyn, C. D. Jones, S. New-
man, George S. Woodruff, W. R. Kenyon, Frederick
Hopkins, vestry.
The Baptist church is on the southeast corner of Wal-
nut and Church streets ; is built of wood, with a tower.
It has sittings for two hundred and si.xty. The present
membership is ninety-four, and the officers are: Rev.
George Sutherland, pastor; Milton House, L. A. Main,
William Few, Josiah Brace, deacons ; Melvin Webster,
clerk. The corporate name of the church is. The First
Baptist Society of Independence, and the trustees are:
M. J. Baker, president; William Elden, secretary; W.
H. Thrift, treasurer; George N. Leach, William Few,
George S. Dean, Thomas Blamer.
The Methodist Episcopal church is situated on the
south side of South street; is built of brick and has two
towers. One of the latter was originally surmounted by
a spire of wood which, however, was blown down in the
gale of 1873. The building has two stories, the lower
containing Sunday-school and class rooms, and the upper,
the main audience room. The seating capacity of the
latter is four hundred. The present ofificers are : Rev. J.
A.Ward, pastor; D. B. Sanford, H. P. Benton, J. Evers,
S. Waggoner, Luther Hayford, W. Francis, D. L. Smith,
J. Lesure, trustees.
The Congregational church is on the east side of
North street, near Main. It is built of wood, has a spire
and bell, and seats about three hundred. The ofificers
are : Roswell Foster, pastor ; B. S. Brownell, deacon ;
H. W. Holman, William Toman, B. S. Brownell, C. S.
Getchell, Charles Merritt, trustees.
The German Presbyterian church is on the north side
Df Church street, near the east bank of the river. It is
built of brick, with Sunday-school room in the basement,
and is surmounted with a wooden spire. It seats about
two hundred. J. Schaible, pastor; E. Zinn, H. Long-
neckhard, elders; Peter Tunpus, George Goeller, dea-
cons: Peter Tunpus, E. Zinn, George Goeller, trustees.
St. John's (Roman Catholic) church is on the north-
east corner of Mott and Elizabeth streets ; is built of
brick, and seats four hundred. It has a rectory attached.
The pastor is the Rev. John Burke.
The Evangelical (German) association have a wooden
church on the northeast corner of Monroe and Madison
streets, on the east side of the river. It has a neat spire,
and seats about one hundred and fifty. It is under the
charge of the Rev. H. Stellrecht. George Kiefer, Con-
rad Vollmer, Jacob Kress, trustees.
The German Lutheran church is a wooden building,
about twenty-five by thirty- five feet, and seats about one
hundred and ten. Services are not held regularly. The
church is on the west side of Elizabeth street, about one
block north of the court house.
INDUSTRI.\L ESTABLISHMENTS.
The geographical situation of Independence, and the
lack of raw material, have not been favorable to the es-
tablishment and growth of manufacture; and capitalists
have been (perhaps unduly) shy of investing in such en-
terprises. Among the most noticeable is the
INDEPENDENCE MILLS COMP.\NY.
This is a joint stockc ompany with a capital of one hun-
dred and twenty thousand dollars invested, mainly in the
flouring mill iind the water privilege of the Wapsipinicon
river; but the property of the company includes also
the water power at Quasqueton. The mill takes the
place of the old "New Haven mill," elsewhere mentioned
in this work, and was built in 1870. The foundation is
built, most substantially, of bowlder granite, and the
basement of Farley limestone. The superstructure is a
timber frame, with filling and veneering of brick, so that
it is in effect a brick building, strengthened by a timber
frame. It is five stories high from the basement, one
hundred and twelve feet long, sixty-two wide, and one
hundred and two in height from the bed of the river.
It is not occupied with its full capacity of machinery,
but has seven turbin wheels, and five run of French
buhr stones, and is capable of turning out about seventy-
five barrels of flour daily. It has two La Croix middlings
purifiers, and turns out a very fine quality of fancy pat-
ent flour. At the time when the mill was built, it was
intended for a woollen mill, but as this did not appear to
be a good point for that business, it was fitted up for
flouring. The gradual decline, and finally total aban-
donment, of wheat growing in this vicinity, has made it
unnecessary to enlarge the working power of the mill.
It is believed that there is power enough to admit of the
introduction of some other kind of machinery. The
mill and water privilege cost one hundred thousand dol-
lars. The officers of the company are : Z. Stout, presi-
dent; O. B. Clarke, secretary; William S. Boggs, treas-
urer; S. Sherwood, Jed Lake, E. W. Purdy, executive
committee.
25°
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
THE INDEPENDENCE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
have their works on the west bank of the river, south of
Main street. Their specialty is the manufacture of the
Sherman patent window blind, which has the peculiarity
of having the slats movable from the inside of the room.
The company also manufacture doors, sash, and all sorts
of carpenters' mill work, farmers' water tanks, and an
improved churn. They also do feed grinding, and all
kinds of repairing of agricultural machinery. The works
consist of a two-story wooden building with a thirty-five
horse power engine, wood planer, circular saws, molding
machines, scroll saw, cut off saws, mortise and tenon
machines, slat machines, etc. Adjoining and fronting
River street is a one-story building, containing iron lathes,
drilling machines, etc., and forges. The main building
has a set of F"rench buhrs for grinding feed. The com-
pany has a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars, and
was organized as a stock company in 1874. The gross
earnings of the establishment during 1880 were a little
over twenty thousand dollars.
Megow Brothers' foundry and machine shop, Frank
and William Megow, proprietors. This business was
established in February, 1873, by Frank Megow, but the
building was burnt just after the fire of 1873. William
Megow was admitted to partnership in 1879. The
specialty of the firm is the casting of architectural work,
such as columns, cornices, etc., and also vases, iron fence,
and lawn ornaments. They have also iron lathes, etc.,
and are prepared to manufacture steam engines, or other
machinery. The shops are near the river on the east
side above Mott street.
B. Yeager's machine shop is just north of Megow
Brothers. The work done consists entirely of repairs,
mostly of agricultural machinery.
J. EVERS' COOPER SHOP.
The great increase in the dairy product of the county
has given a new impetus to the business of manufactur-
ing butter tubs. J. Evers' shop was started in 1876,
and was run by steam power, with a full complement of
machinery, but has been twice burned, the last time in
the fall of 1880. At present the product is at the rate
of forty thousand eight hundred "Welsh" tubs annually,
one thousand to thirteen hundred tight barrels, and two
thousand five hundred flour and egg barrels. The amount
paid for labor is about six hundred dollars per week.
Hunter & Forrester's cooper shop was not started
until April 10, 1880, but the product to January i, 1881,
was fourteen thousand one hundred and four butter tubs,
and about four hundred tight barrels. The number of
hands employed averages six.
S. G. Carter, on the west bank of the river, makes
about four thousand butter tubs and one hundred and
fifty tight barrels. The average value of butter tubs
is thirty cents each, and of barrels one dollar and fifty
cents.
J. Gregory, cooper, has a small shop near the east
bank of the river.
WAGON SHOPS.
These are nearly all on Walnut street, east side, be-
tween Main and Mott streets. Only hand work is done.
Whait Brothers, established 1859, make spring wagons
and buggies, and have lately resumed heavy wagon
making.
Brandenburg & Halzer, 1873, heavy wagons.
Klotzbach & Hagiman, heavy wagons.
Charles Kerwer, heavy wagons.^
John Bitner, west side of Walnut street.
Samuel Cole and N. C. Ellis, Chatham, above Mott.
Simeon Hale, outside of the corporation, on the west
side, manufactures occasionally fine carriages, omnibuses,
heatses, etc.
BLACKSMITHS.
John McGrady, Walnut, above Mott.
Alexander Hathaway, River street, below Main,
George Weber, back of Walnut street, above Main.
J. G. Whitney, gunsmith and fine tool maker, street
west of River street, makes a great many tuning forks,
which are sold in all parts of the Union.
BREWERIES.
Chris. Seeland, at the eastern outskirts of the city,
manufactures six hundred and fifty barrels of lager beer
annually. Established in October, 1859.
John Wingert's brewery is situated on the west side of
Walnut street, near the Illinois Central railroad; turns
out two thousand barrels of beer annually.
CIGAR FACTORIES.
J. \V. McCarthy, over No. 20 Main street, makes
about five hundred thousand cigars annually, and em-
ploys twelve hands and upwards.
Simpson Stout, over Goeller's grocery, employs three
or four hands, and makes upwards of one hundred and
sixty-five thousand annually, selling wholesale at twenty-
five to thirty dollars per thousand.
S. D. Frank, east of Wheeler house, employs three or
four hands, and makes one hundred and fifty thousand
cigars annually.
king's opera HOUSE.
This, the principal place of amusement, is situated on
the northwest corner of Main and North streets. It was
built by Charles King in 1876 and cost ninety-five hun-
dred dollars. The extrerne length is one hundred and
twenty feet and width fifty-six feet. The stage is twenty-
four by fifty-three feet, and is furnished with gas foot-
lights and suitable drop curtains, wings and backgrounds
for ordinary entertainments. The gallery is twenty-two
feet deep, and under it are the entrance, ticket-office
and foyer. The heighth of the auditorium is twenty-
six feet, and the ceiling is decorated in color. The
building seats about eight hundred persons.
PHOTOGRAPHERS.
Ensminger Brothers, established about 1870, give
special attention to copying and enlarging; three persons
constantly employed. The firm consists of J. E. Ens-
minger and S. M. Ensminger, and are located in
Ungerer's block up-stairs.
Barclay & Bertrand, in Purdy's new block, have a very
handsomely fitted gallery, and do nice work. Proprie-
tors, B. F. Barclay and E. E. Bertrand, the latter but
lately admitted to partnership.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
251
BOOKBINDERV.
J. G. Boettcher, in the second story, rear room, over
Goeller's grocery, does a fair amount of custom work,
and the business increases.
MARBLE WORKS.
J. Harward, monumental marble cutter, Walnut street
south of Main; established about twelve years and doing
a good business.
SOD.\ WATER FACTORV.
J. Redmond, proprietor; situated at the southwest
corner of Cobb's run and Division street. Manufac-
tures and bottles soda and sarsaparilla waters.
THE GAS WORKS
are the property of J. D. Patton, and consist of a small
brick building on the east bank of the river, and on the
south side of Mott street, with the necessary retorts and
purifiers, and with a gasometer outside. The gas -is
made from naptha from passing the latter through red-
hot retorts, and is claimed to be a fixed gas and not a
condensable vapor. It is entirely satisfactory to con-
sumers, but only thirty-six meters are in use. Eleven
street lamps are supplied. The works were put in oper-
ation in 1880.
LUMBER DEALERS.
Z. Stout, whose yard and office are situated on the
south side of the lllitiois Central railroad, to the west of
the depot, is the oldest lumber dealer in the city. He
established his yard in 1859; was for several years in
partnership with William Stout, and, since the death of
the latter, has conducted the business alone. He esti-
mates his sales for the past year at twenty-five to thirty
thousand dollars, and the amount of lumber sold at one
and one-half million feet.
H. P. Benton's yard is situated at the southeast corner
of Chatham and Mott streets, and reported sales of one
million feet of lumber besides shingles, lath, sash, pick-
ets, etc, ; the figures in this case being taken from care-
fully kept books.
LUMBER, COAL, AND WOOD.
E. Zinn, whose lumber-yard is southeast of the Illinois
Central depot, reports sales of about six hundred thou-
sand feet of lumber, si.x hundred tons of Anthracite coal
and two hundred and fifty tons of soft coal. Mr. Zinn
is also a builder, and is engaged in building a new bridge
across the Wapsipinicon at the foot of North street.
Kellogg & HoUoway, lumber, coal, and wood dealers,
have their yard and offices at the northeast corner of Main
street and the B. C. R. & N. railroad. They report sales of
six hundred and seventy-two tons of Anthracite coal, at
ten dollars to eleven dollars and fifty cents; two hundred
and fifty tons of soft coal, at about six dollars; nine
hundred cords of wood, at six dollars and twenty-five
cents; about six hundred and fifty thousand feet of lum-
ber, and several car-loads of lime.
J. J. Travis, wood dealer, buys and sells large quanti-
ties of wood obtained from the northern part of the State.
GRAIN AND LIVE STOCK DEALERS.
In the business which comes under the above heading
there has occurred a remarkable change within the past
decade. Previous to 1876 the handling of wheat em-
ployed a great number of men, and was the most impor-
tant produce business of the county. But the continued
failure of the wheat crop and the greatly increased de-
mand for Iowa creamary butter compelled farmers to
make a change (which for their best interests they should
have made years before) and turn their attention to
dairying and the raising of hogs and cattle. In conse-
quence, however, of the great increase in the acreage of
corn, in place of the former wheat fields, more corn is
raised than can be fed, and there is a large trade in corn
for export. Below we give a list of the principal dealers
in grain and hogs.
Thomas Scarcliff has a warehouse at the Illinois Cen-
tral railroad, east of the depot, and ow-ns the elevator
west of the latter. He started business in January, i860,
and shipped the second car load of wheat from this point.
He shipped, in partnership with Mr. T. Blamer, during
1880, sixty cars of flax seed, amounting to about twenty-
four thousand bushels. He has shipped since Septem-
ber, 1880, one hundred and ten car loads of oats and
corn, about thirty thousand bushels of each, and bought
about sixty thousand bushels of each.
W. P. Brown is another who has been long in the
trade. Office at Zinn's lumber yard. He reports the
purchase during 1880 of seventy-five thousand bushels
of oats, ten thousand bushels of wheat, five thousand
bushels corn, fifteen hundred bushels of flax seed, one
thousand bushels of timothy seed, and ten thousand
live hogs. Only three car loads comprised all the wheat
of the crop of 1880.
Thomas Blamer buys and ships flaxseed and other
grain. Warehouse west of Scarclifi"'s elevator.
Kemmerer & Lamb, grain buyers; warehouse at Bur-
lington depot, office at Bisbee's store. They purchased
between August, 1880, and January i, 1S81, thirteen
hundred and thirty bushels of wheat, forty thousand three
hundred and ninety-five bushels of oats, five thousand
and forty bushels of flaxseed, forty thousand five hun-
dred and seventy-three bushels of corn, one hundred and
sixteen bushels of barley, three hundred and forty-two
bushels of timothy seed. They are also agents for the
sale of agricultural implements and seeds.
BANKS.
The First National bank was chartered in 1865, ''^'''h
a capital of fifty thousand dollars, which wms increased
in 1870 to one hundred thousand dollars. Removed to
its present location, at the southwest corner of Main and
Walnut streets, in the autumn of 1873. The building is
the property of the bank, and was built in connection
with the adjoining building, owned by Mr. Purdy, and
was the first to have windows of plate glass. Deposits
average two hundred and thirty thousand dollars. Pres-
ident, Richard Campbell; cashier, H. P. Brown.
The People's National bank — E. Ross, president; J.
F. Coy, cashier — situated on the northwest corner of
Main and Chatham streets, has a capital of seventy-five
thousand dollars. It was established in October, 1874,
with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, which was in-
creased in 1876 to the present amount. The amount of
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN. COUNTY, IOWA.
discounts for the year 1880 was one hundred and twen-
ty-five thousand dollars, and deposits about one hundred
and five thousand dollars. Dividend of five per cent,
declared semi-annually.
HOTELS.
The Empire house, on west Main street, near Division
street, is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The
present proprietor, Mr. Raymond, keeps a good hotel,
which is, perhaps, the most popular with travellers. The
hotel has rooms for eighteen guests, and is built of brick.
It was built in 1873.
The Wheeler House, Main street, above Walnut, is
kept by Wheeler & McKee, who succeeded in 1879 to
M. Berberich. It has twenty furnished rooms.
TJie Central house, Chatham street, above Mott, is
kept by A. Hagernan, and has thirty-five rooms. It was
established in 1876.
The Chatham house, Chatham street, near the Illinois
Central railroad, S. Naylor, proprietor, was established
in 1865 by the present proprietor. It has been very
popular with the farmers, and has been enlarged from
time to time, and now has twenty-six rooms for guests.
The Clobe hotel. Main street, north side, between
Court and Elizabeth streets, P. McCorstin, proprietor —
building of brick veneer — is two sto.ries high, and was
rebuilt in 1879. It contains rooms for thirty guests, and
has twelve regular boarders.
The Burlington house, a wooden building on Main
street, near the B. C. R. & N. railroad, was built after
the completion of that road.
aiERC.\NTlLE HOUSES.
In the following sketch no place of business will be
omitted because it is small and of no reputation, the ob-
ject being to give a complete list for future reference. As
affording the best means of hereafter locating any busi-
ness establishment now in existence on our streets, all
are described in consecutive order.
Beginning on the north side of Main street, at King's
opera house (already mentioned), and proceeding west-
ward, we first find Union block, a wooden building, al-
ready showing signs of neglect and decay. It was built,
in 1858, and was then one of the most important busi-
ness buildings in town, containing the post office, a jew-
eller's shop, and a dry goods and grocery store. At
present the only store in the building is that of Lawlor &
Co., who buy rags and keep a small stock of groceries.
Next in order are Assmuss Bros., butchers, in Scar-
cliff's wooden building.
Passing two beer saloons (not a difficult thing for us to
do), we come to John McGarry, merchant tailor. This
establishment is the continuation of a business extend-
ing over nearly fifteen years in the same place. Three
hands are employed.
Hugh McClernon, harness maker and saddler, second
door above Walnut street. This business was established
by Patrick Devlin, in February, 1859. The present
owner entered into partnership with Devlin thirteen
years ago, and the partnership was dissolved by the death
of Mr. Devlin in November, 1877. Eight hands are
employed through the year, and the sales in 1880 were
over fifteen thousand dollars, and the value of material
bought over nine thousand dollars. The back part of
the shop now occupied by Mr. McClernon has an inter-
estmg history. It formerly stood on the east side of
Elizabeth street, a little to the north of what is now
known as the Brewer block, and was one of the first
buildings in the town. In it was printed the first news-
paper in Independence, and it was also occupied by the
post office. The first court held in the county is said to
have been held in front of it, the judge sitting in his
sleigh, in which he had come from one of the river
towns. The clerk of the court. Dr. E. Brewer, came out
and presented two cases. One was dismissed; and the
other, a civil suit for seven dollars and fifty cents, decided
for the plaintiff. The building was also used for a store.
It was moved to its present position in 1855.
Woodward & Beecher's candy factory and restaurant
occupies the northeast corner of Main and Walnut
streets. Fine candies are made in variety, and a full
stock kept on hand. Established in the spring of 1880.
Passing Walnut street and the First National bank, we
find Frank P. Dclaney, with groceries, provisions, and
crockery, situated in Purdy's limestone building, and car-
rying a good stock. Mr. Delaney succeeded, early in
1881, to E. B. Backus & Co., whose sales in 1880 were
said to be about twenty thousand dollars.
Thomas Tyson, groceries and crockery, is in a small,
one-story, wooden building, which, before the fire of
1874, was occupied for many years as a drug store. He
moved to his present location in 1874, being then a
partner in the firm of Tyson & Close. Mr. Tyson com-
menced business in i86g, entered into partnership with
T. Close in 1872, and dissolved partnership in 1876.
Davies & Ahearn, butchers, occupy the wooden build-
ing next west, and do a good business. Established eight
years.
A. H. Fonda, dealer in newspapers, periodicals, sta-
tionery, confectionery, and notions, in Hageman's brick
building, in front of the post oflSce.
George Goeller, groceries and provisions, in Munson's
block, last established in business in 1S69, and removed
to his present location in the fall of 1S76. He has a
considerable trade with German citizens. Mr. Goeller
was in business in Independence as early as 1859, keep-
ing a small shop with one Schmidt, on the present site of
King's opera house; afterwards with Christopher Seeland
until 1864; was in the furniture business from 1868 to
1869.
J. S. Shinners, bakery and restaurant, in Munson's
block. All buildings west of this point to Chatham
street were destroyed in the fire of 1873, and rebuilt.
Del. Davison, beer and wine saloon, in a one-story
brick building.
A. H. Frank, bakery, confectionery, and restaurant.
This is the largest establishment of the kind in town;
was established in 1871, and has occupied the present
location since 1875.
J. Wackerbarth, boots and shoes, succeeded in Febru-
^ ary, 1877, to George Steinmetz, established in 1863.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
253
The sales during 1880 were about twelve thousand
dollars.
Thomas Edwards, groceries, provisions, crockery, etc.,
No. 29 Main street, established in 1870 with Robert
Riddell, and in 1S71 dissolved partnership, and removed
to the northeast corner of Main and Walnut streets;
purchased and removed to the present stand in the
spring of 1S80. Sales in 1880 about twenty-five thou-
sand dollars. Mr. Edwards, is in partnership with Ed-
wards, McLush & Co. at Brandon.
H. Pfotzer, No. 27 Main street, harnessmaker, suc-
ceeded to Louis Soener, who succeeded in 1861, to
William Scott, who began the business very early. Sales
about eight thousand dollars.
J. Johnston, groceries and crockery, No. 23 Main
street, sold in February, 1881, to C. W. Williams & Bro.
G. R. Dewey, watchmaker, occupies the east window-
of No. 23 Main.
M. Reitler, Chicago cothing house, northeast corner of
Main and Walnut, succeeded in 1876, to Engel & Liv-
ingston, who established the business in 1873.
Macdonald Bros., No. 7 Main street, successors to
Woodruff & Macdonald, groceries and crockery. Capital
two thousand dollars.
A. Littlejohn & Son, boots and shoes, established
November 26, 1878. Sales in 1880 about fifteen thon-
sand dollars.
C. F. Strohmeier, harnessmaker, No. 3 Main street,
started in 1880.
M. Ungerer, beer and wine saloon and restaurant, No. i
Main street, next to bridge. Mr. Ungerer deserves to go
on record for strictly complying with the liquor law, and
keeping an orderly house.
Passing over to the west side of the river, we find
stores on the north side of the street, and turning at the
B. C. & N. railroad, we find, on the south side of the
street a small store, kept by Mrs. Benson who keeps a
general stock for the accommodation of the neighborhood.
Returning eastward, the next store is that of D. F.
Bisbee, grocer. Main street, west of River street, who
established in 1876. The building is one of the oldest,
and is owned by Mrs. S. S. Clark. Mr. Bisbee removes
in the spring to No. 9 in Phillips' block, Main street.
Orville Fonda, groceries and dry goods, southeast
corner of Main and River streets, established in 1854,
and has done business in the same place ever since.
Hinman & Co., butchers.
Archer E. Clarke, groceries and crockery, second door
west of the bridge, in A. B. Clarke'.s block.
A. B. Clarke, druggist and dealer in paints, oils and
cement, next river, succeeded to S. S. Allen in 1862, and
has occupied the same location since.
Returning to the east side, we find shops in the fol-
lowing order:
Mrs. O. M. Gillett, millinery and ladies' fancy goods,
No. 2 Main street.
O. Marquette, furniture, upholstery and undertaking,
No. 6. Main street, succeeded in 1877, to S. M. Mar-
quette, who established in 1S57. Stock about four thou-
sand dollars.
J. Barnett & Co., dry goods, carpets, etc., No. 10
Main street, established in 1876.
Tabor & Tabor, drugs, wall paper and stationery, No.
12 Main street, succeeded in May, 1878, to Tabor &
Son. Business established in 1868. Sales in 1880
about fifteen thousand dollars.
Morse & Littell, dry goods. No. 14 Main street, suc-
ceeded in September, 1879, to W. H. H. Morse. Es-
tablished in 1866 as Wilcox, Chesley & Morse, and con-
tinuing until 1869. Four men employed.
R. R. Plane, hardware and tinsmith work, established
in April, 1854. This will be seen to be one of the oldest
establishments in the city. He still lives in the house
he then built, the lumber for which cost eighty-five
dollars per thousand. No railroad then came ngarer
than Warren, Illinois, and freight from Chicago on
ordinary merchandise was three dollars and seventy-five
cents per hundred. This w'as then the only hardware
store west of Dubuque, and Mr. Plane used to sell hard-
ware to go to Fort Dodge. Sale of hard coal heaters
during the present season about forty. Stock about
fifteen thousand dollars. Sales during the past year
thirty-five to forty thousand dollars.
Fisher Bros., grocers, No. 18 Main street, established
in 1865, and probably doing considerably the largest
grocery trade in the city. Sales in 1880 upwards of
! thirty thousand dollars.
J. Wiley, boots and shoes, No. 20 Main street, estab-
lished business in 1856, in a small way, and by doing a
cash business has steadily advanced. He has occupied
his present location since the spring of 1875, and keeps
a good stock and a neat store.
"New York Store," Post & Sweet, dry goods, suc-
ceeded in March, 1878, to Lawton & Post. Established
in 1872. One of the largest establishments in the city.
Four to five hands employed. Mr. Lawton, with various
partners, was in business in Independence since the
spring of 1864, when the firm of Lawrence, Lawton &
Poucher bought the business of P. C. Wilcox, who was
the first heavy merchant in the city.
C. F. Herrick, watches, jewelry and silverware, No. 24
Main street, established as Herrick & Sherwood in 1862,
and continuing until rS68, and in 1870 to 1874 as Her-
rick & Henshaw.
Mrs. J. B. Turner, millinery, occupies the west side of
C. F. Herrick's store. In business since 1868.
August Myers, dry goods and clothing, known as
"City of Paris Store." Established in 1862. Employs
five persons.
Kenyon & Tabor, hardware and tinware, No. 28 Main
street, succeeded W. R. Kenyon in February, 1877.
Mr. Kenyon succeeded King & Kenyon in 1874. The
business was conducted by H. A. King from about i860
to 1874. The firm employ six hands, and do a large
business. Stock estimated at twenty-five thousand dol-
lars. Sold about forty-five hard coal heating stoves, one
hundred tons barb wire, and eighty-four tons smooth wire
within the year.
George Smale, drugs, wall paper and school books,
succeeded in January, 1880, to Smale Bros., the success-
254
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
ors in i86S to George Smale, and established in July,
1866. The shop is remarkable for its neatness and con-
venient arrangement.
W. H. Chamberlain, dry goods and clothing, es-
tablished in 1870. Four hands employed. The store is
known as "Oak Hall."
Bonniwell & Cobb, hardware. No. 34 Main street.
This firm is the lineal successor of Sanford Bros., who
began in 1864, changed to Sanford & Myers, and again
to J. W. Myers. The latter took into partnership C. W.
Taylor, and the firm was known as Myers & Taylor.
Just before the fire of 1874 Mr. Myers withdrew, and
Mr. Taylor took in Mr. Dickson, and afterwards sold his
own interest to F. B. Bonniwell, when the firm was
known as Bonniwell & Dickson. Mr. Bonniwell after-
warSs became sole proprietor, and in January, 1880, took
in partnership I. H. Cobb. Bonniwell & Cobb sold in
1880, twenty-eight full car loads besides frequent small
shipments. Sold eighty hard coal heaters, and employ
six hands.
It is believed that no town in the State can show three
such large retail stocks of hardware as these three here-
in mentioned. While it is difficult to make exact com-
parisons, it may be said that Plane has held ground the
longest; Kenyon & Tabor probably do a little the
heaviest traoe, and Bonniwell & Cobb keep the best ar-
ranged store.
Williams & Son, No. 36 Main street, groceries and
crockery, established in 1869.
S. Waggoner & Co., No. 38 Main street, books,
stationery, wall paper and fancy goods. Established in
i860, by J. N. Waggoner, and succeeded by Samuel
Waggoner in 1862.
Charles Putney, clocks, watches and jewelry in Wag-
goner's bookstore.
R. O'Brien, No. 40 Main street, general merchandise,
has a large trade among the Irish people. Established
by O'Brien Bros, in 1864. Known as O'Brien & Stone
from 1865 to 1874.
C. R. Wallace, No. 42 Main street, drugs, paints and
oils. Reestablished in 1872. Was previously in the
same business from 1861 to 1868 in the room now oc-
cupied by T. Tyson.
H. S. Kellogg, watches and jewelry, with C. R. Wal-
lace.
W. H. Stewart & Co., dry goods and millinery, first and
second floors of No. 44 Main street. Established 1879.
Till & Roads, boots and shoes. Established 1875.
Nathan Sampler, clothing, northwest corner of Main
and Walnut streets.
Webster & Tabor, 54 Main street, groceries and pro-
visions; one of the old establishments. Started origi-
nally by Coy & Hammond, succeeded by Coy & Web-
ster, and conducted by Alexander Webster for several
years, assisted by his son, the present senior member of
the firm.
J. Settle, No. 56, groceries and provisions.
Ransom Bartle, "The Wigwam," agricultural imple-
ments and insurance; established about 1864; building
covers two lots.
ESTABLISHMENTS ON CHATH..\M STREET — EAST SIDE.
Phillips & Gates, butchers, occupy a small brick build-
ing, south of Benton's lumber-yard.
WEST SIDE.
C. lekel, first door north of People's bank, boots and
shoes; also agency for Singer's sewing machines. Has
been in the business here over twenty years.
R. Jacobs, stoves, hardware and tinware. Has sold
about thirty-five hard coal heaters during the year. The
special mention of the number of anthracite coal stoves
sold in this report is owing to the fact that the use of
hard coal is a new thing in this section. The stoves sell
at from twenty-five to forty dollars, and are all base
burners.
A. J. Barnhart, grocer, established in the fall of 1874.
Runs a creamery which is described further on.
George Wilkins, restaurant.
J. L. Cross, organs, pianos, and sewing machines, and
musical merchandise.
Thomas Coghlan & Sons, furniture dealers and cabi-
net-makers. Keep a good stock and employ three
hands constantly. Since removed to No. 25 Main street.
Richard G. Swan taken into the partnership, and firm
name changed to T. Coghlan & Co.
C. D. Jones, corner Chatham and Mott, insurance and
real estate agent; represents over twenty-six companies.
Manning & Conable, agricultural implements, C. D.
Jones' building, northwest corner of Chatham and Mott
streets. They are well established and have a large
trade.
W. H. Joslin, "of Joslinville," Grocer, Chatham
street, one block south of the Chatham house; keeps a
small store for the accommodation of the neighborhood,
being about half a mile north of the main business part
of the town.
LIVERY STABLES.
Thomas Sherwood, northwest corner Walnut and
Church street. Established in the spring of 1865. The
stable is of brick and has stalls for sixteen horses. Eight
horses kept to hire and four boarded.
A. H. Trask, Walnut street, west side, between Main
and Mott. Has stalls for twenty-four horses and loft for
thirty tons of hay; keeps twelve horses to let. Mr.
Trask drove a stage from Quasqueton and Independence
to Dubuque weekly, carrying the mail, from June, 1847,
to May, 1850. At that time there was only one
house on the site of Independence and that was in the
middle of Mott street, a double log cabin, and was used
as the tavern. Mr. Trask went to California in 1850,
and returned in 1854, and built his stable the next
spring.
Thomas Curtis, livery, sale and feed stable, south side
of Main street, east of Elizabeth. Present location oc-
cupied since the fire of 1874. In business on
Walnut street since 1856. Keeps from twenty-five
to fifty horses. Makes a specialty of buying horses for
the eastern market, and ships about two hundred annu-
ally.
Jesse Hitchings, feed stable, east bank of river, north
of Mott street, stalls for thirty-five pairs of horses.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
255
Morgan's stables, opposite (east) of Hitching's stable,
of brick veneer, with thirty stalls.
Raymond & Hunt, livery and sale stables. About ten
horses kept to hire and several boarded regularly.
John Klotzbach's livery and feed stables ; eight horses
at livery; twenty-four single and fourteen double stalls.
Situated near the east bank of the river, north of Mott
street.
R. \V. fryer's. TR.^INING SCHOOL FOR ANIM.\LS.
This institution, which well deserves a notice in the
present exhibit of the business of Independence, is
situated on South street, one block east of the public
school. It consists of a large wooden building, con-
taining a stable for the animals and an amphitheater for
practice. The animals trained are horses, ponies, goats
and dogs — some fifteen in all. Mr. Fryer is a very suc-
cessful animal trainer; and many of the feats of intelli-
gence and agilily which his animals are taught to per-
form are original, ingenious, instructive and intensely
amusing. He has been in the business a good many
years, but this particular school was established about four
years ago. He trains his animals during the winter, and
exhibits them during the summer and fall. The coming
season he travels in connection with Coup's celebrated
combination show — getting, for hnnself and animals, two
hundred and fifty dollars a week, and found. We think
his enterprise would be a splendid success "on its own
hook."
THE BUTTER TR.\DE.
Dairy products have become a most important article
of export, and the trade in butter has assumed large pro-
portions.
Hunter & Forrester, butter buyers, have their establish-
ment under Phillips' new block, west of the People's
National bank. They report that they have paid out
one hundred and sixteen thousand dollars for butter
within the year, at an average of seventeen and a
half cents per pound, the price sometimes running over
thirty cents.
A. H. Van Dusen, under People's National bank, also
buys largely of butter and eggs.
H. E. Palmer, egg packer, reports about two hundred
thousand dozen eggs bought during the year. Packery
on Walnut street, one square above Mott.
A. J. BARNH..\RT AND SON's CREAMERY.
This establishment was not started until May, 1880,
and was regarded as an experiment, both by the proprie-
tors and by the farmers of whom they bought cream.
The theory on which the creamery system is based
is, that when the cream is taken directly from the milk,
carefully manufactured in our establishment, furnished
with all the facilities for maintaining the proper uniform
temperature and other necessary conditions, the product
will be so much more uniform in quality and color than
if made in small lots in the farmer's home; that it will
bring so much better price as to enable the creamery to
pay more for the cream than the farmer could obtain for
the butter he would make from it. It is also claimed
that the butter can be made more economically on a
large scale. Some farmers doubted this theory, and re-
fused to sell their cream ; but the system proved, on the
whole, so satisfactory, that the business increased rapidly
toward the close of the season.
The modus operandi is substantially as ibllows: The
creamery lends to farmers tin cans two feet ten inches
long and about eight or ten inches in diameter, capable
of holding about thirty-three pounds of milk. A slit in
the side of the can, near the top, about six inches long,
graduated in inches and covered with glass, shows the
amount of cream in inches. The cans are to be floated
in cold water and are so proportioned that an inch of
cream will make, on an average, a pound of butter.
Teams are sent daily from the creamery to collect the
cream, and Mr. Barnhart employed six wagons last sea-
son. The -price paid for cream varies with the price of
butter, and last summer averaged sixteen cents to a
pound of butter. The churn used held twelve barrels
and was run by horse power. During the present season
Messrs. Barnhart & Son used two such churns and a
power worker, run by a steam engine. They also run
eleven teams, and expect to make twelve hundred pounds
of butter a day instead of five hundred as last season.
Work was suspended November of last year but will be
continuous during the coming season.
NEWSPAPERS.
Independence has four weekly newspapers, as follows :
Buchanan County BtiUdin, edited by William Toman,
proprietor; office in Hageman's building; politics, Re-
publican.
The Independence Consen'ative (Democratic), office
in Baum's building, No. 31 Main street; W. Barnhart,
publisher; L. W. Goen, acting editor.
The National Advocate (Greenbacker), M. S. Hitch-
cock, editor and proprietor.
Independence Courier (German), recently established;
H. Hoffmann, editor and proprietor.
LIVE .STOCK FEEDING AND BUYING.
William A. Jones, hog buyer, has been engaged in this
business over twenty years, and has probably bought
more hogs than any other man in the county. During
the past year he has bought and shipped twenty-one
thousand hogs. Yard near the river, on Church street.
Edwin Cobb, one of the oldest residents of Indepen-
dence, is well known as a large cattle feeder. He has a
large farm, lying mostly just beyond the western boun-
dary of the city and well furnished with barns, sheds and
other conveniences. He usually has on hand about
two hundred head of cattle, is a shrewd manager and
hard worker, and has become wealthy in his business.
INDEPENDENCE GUARDS.
This organization, known officially as company H,
Fourth regiment Iowa National guard, was organized
July, 1877, and has about fifty members. The company
is well drilled and is armed with Springfield rifles. The
officers are — H. W. Holman, captain; P. A. Sutkamp,
first lieutenant; Frederick Hopkins, second lieutenant.
The armory is in the second story of the Caffall block,
southeast corner Main and Walnut streets.
^56
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
ANCIENT FREE AND .\CCEPTED MASONS.
Independence Lodge No. 87 — George B. Warne, wor-
thy master; W. S. Boggs, senior warden; Rufus Brewer,
junior warden; W. R. Kenyon, treasurer; D. S. Deering,
secretary.
Aholiab Chapter No. 21 — J. H. Plane, high priest;
D. S. Deering, king; C. M. Durham, scribe; VV. R.
Kenyon, treasurer; Rufus Brewer, secretary.
Kenneth Commandery Knights Tem])lar No. 32 — W.
G. Donnan, eminent commander; James A. Poor, gen-
eralissimo; C. M. Durham, captain general: Rufus
Brewer, treasurer; D. S. Deering, recorder.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Lodge No. 142 — Z. Stout, noble grand; William Wood;
vice grand; A. H. Fonda, secretary; J. Wiley, treasurer;
T. B. Kemp, chaplain.
ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN.
Evergreen Lodge, No. 24 — R. B. Fiester, P. M. W.;
W. E. Kellogg, M. W.; Joseph Evers, foreman; John
Smith, overseer; W. P. McGuire, guide: D. B. Sanford,
recorder; E. S. Wilcox, financier; J. J. Travis, receiver;
J. V. Rice, inside watchman; E. E. Backus, outside
watchman.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Crescent Lodge No. 46 — J. A. Vincent, C. C; Noyes
Appleman, prelate; G. P. Hopkins, M. of E.; S. S.
Toman, V. C; C. A. Gilliam, M. of R. S.; David Don-
nan, M. of F.; W. Evers, M. at arms. The lodge was
organized May, 1879, and has forty-nine members. There
are also endowment and insurance ranks.
rnvsiciANs.
Among the early physicians was Dr. Lovejoy, who was
the pioneer, coming in the early part of 1847, and died
here in 1848. We could learn nothing of his early his-
tory.
Dr. R. W. Wright became a settler here in 1851, re-
maining until i860, when he went to Missouri. He,
while here, was in the full practice of his profession, and
was an active, energetic business man. He is now in
California, having gone there for the health of his wife.
Dr. George B. Parsons came here in 1854, and
entered upon the practice of his profession. He gradu-
ated from the Medical Department of Yale university
about 1852. He practiced his profession in Connecti-
cut, his native State, for a short time before coming
west. While here he also kept a drug store in connec-
tion with his practice. At the breaking out of the late
war he was among the first to enlist in the service of his
country. He was a captain while in the war. When the
war closed he returned to the city of Independence, but
remained here but a short time. He is now in Nebraska.
He has been twice married, his last wife being the
daughter of the late Henry Edgecomb.
Dr. Joseph B. Powell settled here in the spring of
1852. He devoted his whole attention to the practice
of his profession, and was an experienced practitioner.
He was a graduate of a medical college in Ohio. He
came from Reedsburgh, Ohio, to this county. He
bought a farm about one mile northeast of the city of
Independence, where, in 1855, he died.
Dr. J. A. Ward settled here in 1854, and remained for
some ten years. He is now in Fairbank village practic-
ing his profession and keeping a drug store. A further
and more complete sketch will be found of him among
the biographies of Fairbank township.
The present physicians located at Independence are
as follows:
Dr. George Warne settled here on the twenty-ninth
day of May, 1856. He commenced the practice of
medicine in Wisconsin, and continued in practice there
for nine years. He read medicine with Professor George
H. Richards at St. Charles, Iowa; attended a course of
lectures at LaPorte, Indiana, in 1845-6; and in 1850 at-
tended another course at Keokuk, where he graduated
and received a diploma. The doctor was the originator
of the Cedar Valley Medical society, and was its first
president. He materially assisted in forming the
Buchanan County Medical society; is a membor of the
Iowa State Medical society, and one of its pioneers; is
connected with the American National Medical associa-
tion, and was in 1880 a delegate to their convention at
New York city. He has been a member of our city
council quite a number of times, as he is now, taking a
lively interest in the municipal matters. The doctor is
a man of original thought and marked ability; a kind,
true friend. He is a native of New York, born there
August 25, 1821; has been twice married, and has but
one child, George B. Warne, who is the present county
auditor.
Dr. H. C. Markham commenced the study of medi-
cine with George W. Jenkins, in 1856, at Kilbourn
city, Wisconsin; attended the medical department of
the University of New York, graduating therefrom,
and receiving his diploma in 1859. He then entered
upon the practice of his profession in the very place
where he had commenced its study; remaining there
until after the breaking out of our late war, when, in
1862, he went into the service as a surgeon. He lemained
in the service for two and a half years, the most of that
time in charge of Post hospital,. at Norfolk, Virginia. In
1865 he came to Buchanan county, locating at Winthrop,
but in the spring of 1878, moved to Independence,
where he is in active practice. He is examining surgeon
for pensions, and local surgeon for Illinois Central rail-
road and the B. C. R. & N. railroad, at Independence.
He was born in Mexico, Oswego county. New York, in
1838. He is married and has two children.
Dr. Samuel G. Wilson settled here in July, 1873,
going into partnership with the late John G. House,
M. D., which continued up to the time of Dr. House's
death, which occurred January i, 1880. He prepared
for and entered Lafayette college in eastern Pennsylva-
nia, but left during the junior year and commenced the
study of medicine with his brother, a physician and a
resident of the State of Pennsylvania. He graduated
at Jefferson Medical college, Pennsylvania, March 12,
1873, and at once started west. He pays special atten-
tion to surgery. He married here in the spring of 1878,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
257
a daughter of A. H. Fonda, an old settler, and has one
child — a girl. Dr. Wilson was born July 7, 1850, in
Pennsylvania.
Dr. M. J. Powers studied medicine with Dr. W. H.
Leonard, state medical director of Burnside's division.
He studied and received his diploma at Berkshire Med-
ical college, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, November, 1865.
In 1867 he came west and settled at Parkersburgh,
Butler county, Iowa, remaining there until October,
1880, when he moved to Independence and formed a
partnership with Dr. S. G. Wilson. In 1869 attended
lectures at Rush Medical college, Chicago, and in the
winter of 1870 at Medical university, New York. He
is married and has three children.
The above physicians are of the regular school.
Dr. J. Richards read medicine in Andrew county,
Missouri, with E. W. Brown, M. D., a regular physician,
in 1865-6. He commenced the practice of his profes-
sion in the latter part of 1867, in the same state. In
1869 he migrated to Iowa, settling at Quasqueton. He
left there and went to Indiana in 1870, and practiced
there up to the fall of 1880, when he came back to
Buchanan county, settling in Independence. He at-
tended lectures at Ohio Eclectic Medical institute, grad-
uating therefrom in the spring of 187 i.
Mrs. A. E. Maltison, M. D., came to this city and
commenced the practice of medicine in 1874. She
graduated at Ohio Eclectic Medical college, and soon
after commenced the practice of medicine in Belvidere,
Illinois. She is now in active practice in the city of
Independence.
Dr. Willis A. Mellen, M. D., a native of New York,
graduated at Hahnemann Medical college, Chicago,
March 11, 1873. He commenced the practice of his
profession at Sibley, Iowa, soon after his graduation,
remaining there until his removal to Independence,
where he is now in active practice.
A little out of the order of time, we give the following
sketches of the other Independence physicians:
Dr. Edward Brewer. — No other man has been so long
and so prominently connected with the history of Bu-
chanan county as the subject of this sketch. His early
settlement here, his election to the office of clerk of the
courts at the first organization of the county, and his
continuance for twenty years in that and other civil
offices (during which his medical practice was in a large
degree suspended), have been already spoken of at suf-
ficient length. In this brief sketch, therefore, we shall
give only a few additional facts in regard to his domestic
and professional history.
Edward Brewer was born August 17, 1815, in Fram-
ingham, Massachusetts. He was the second of five
children of Rufus and Mary (Nourse) Brewer. His
father was, in Edward's early childhood, deputy sheriff
of Middlesex county; but afterward, and for many
years, cashier of a bank in Framingham. Edward's
early life was spent in his native town, where he was
prepared for admission to Harvard university, which
institution he entered in 1830, at the age of fifteen
years. He was graduated in 1834, and continued his
studies in the Medical department three years longer.
Immediately after his graduation in medicine, he came
to Milwaukee and commenced the practice of his pro-
fession. In 1839, he went to Whitewater, where he
spent a year and a half; and then removed to Exeter,
Green county, where he remained two years. From the
last-named place he came to Quasqueton; and, as else-
where mentioned, was among the pioneers of the most
primitive era of Buchanan county history. About 1867
he was induced to change his school of practice, from
the study of books obtained through Dr. Gilbert, of
Dubuque, and also from the effect upon himself of the
Homceopathic treatment for chronic rheumatism, after
the old-school remedies had failed to effect a cure.
Dr. Biewer was married in Quasqueton, April, 1846,
to Mary Ann Hathawaj', daughter of an early settler.
They have had ten children, seven of whom are still
living. Two died in infancy, and one after arriving at
maturity. Of the four sons and three daughters now liv-
ing, five are living in Independence, and two temporari-
ly in Colorado. Notwithstanding his advancing age,
and an unfortunate habit (which his many friends deep-
ly de))lore) of excessive indulgence in stimulants and
narcotics, there is probably no physician in Indepen-
dence, at the present time, who has a more extensive
practice than Dr. Brewer.
Dr. Horatio Bryant was born in the year 1809, June
9th, in Plymouth county, Massachusetts, within seven
miles of Plymouth Rock. He lived with his father, Mi-
cha Bryant, till he was twelve years of age, when he com-
menced to face the world alone, securing work wherever
he could find it. When between seventeen and eighteen
years of age, he undertook the task of going through
college. In this pursuit he spent seven years, two of
which he spent in Amherst college. He graduated in
Union college in 1836. He at once commenced the
study of medicme, and graduated in the same in New
Haven, in the year 1838. He commenced practicing in
Hampden county, Massachusetts, and about eighteen
months afterward he was elected a member of the Mas-
sachusetts Medical society, in the year 1841. After
eight and a half years' practice in Hampden county, he
attended a course of lectures in New York city, and
returned to Plymouth county, Massachusetts, where he
practiced seven years. In the fall of 1854, he came to
Iowa, locating in Independence, where he again en-
gaged in the practice of medicine. He still continues,
in spite of his seventy-two years, a practicing and con-
sulting physician of high authority. Dr. Bryant was
married at Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1836, to Miss
Luthera Clark. Our venerable friend is a man who has
such a contempt for anything savoring of flattery, that
he will not permit us to say of him a part of the com-
mendatory things which we might say without flattery.
Dr. H. H. Hunt was born in Baltimore, Maryland,
July 7, 1S23, made his home with his father (Rev. John
N. Hunt, a minister of the Baptist Church), and attend-
ed school till he was twenty-one years of age, when he
commenced the study of medicine with Dr. John C.
McKall, in Barnsville, Belmont county, Ohio, and con-
258
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
tinued with him about four years. In the year 1843 ^^
commenced the practice of medicine in Tuscarawas
county, where he continued in practice till the fall of
1853, when he came to Independence. He practiced
here till the year 1863, when he enlisted as a private
in company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa volunteers. At
the organization of the regiment he was appointed hospital
Stewart, which position he held about six months,
when he was commissioned by Governor Kirkwood
assistant surgeon of the Twenty-first Iowa volunteers,
a position which he held till the close of the war; when
he was mustered out in the summer of 1865. Since his
army life was over Dr. Hunt has been one of the leading
physicians of Independence. His sound judgment and
thorough knowledge of his profession, together with his
wide experience as a practicioner, have given him a wide
reputation throughout the county. Dr. Hunt was married
in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 185 1, to Miss Almira
Salter. They have had six children, four of whom are
living. William P., the oldest, is engaged in the livery
business in this city, twenty-seven years of age ; Abbie
is married to James Raymond, and Mary C. to Sanford
E. Frank, both of the city ; H. H. jr., fourteen years of
age, makes his home with his parents. Mrs. Hunt was
a daughter of Aaron and Mary Salter, and w-as born on
the Western Reserve, Summit county, Ohio, in 1831.
John G. House, M. D. — The subject of this brief
memoir was of New England ancestry, both parents be-
ing natives of Connecticut. He inherited the best traits
of the New England character, and early laid the founda-
tion of an eminently useful life on these solid virtues :
industry, integrity and perseverance.
John Gates House, the son of John House and Sally
Fuller House, was born in Cazenovia, Madison county,
New York, on the twenty-sixth of April, 1S16. His
father removed in 1824, to Springville, Erie county, in
the vicinity of the city of Biiffalq. The remaining por-
tion of his childhood and early youth were spent at
home upon a farm, attending the common schools a
part of each year.
In the autumn of 1833 he entered Springville academy,
an excellent institution, which elevated the moral as well
as literary character of its students, and of the society of
the place. Spending nearly four years in this institution,
Dr. House gratified, to a liberal extent, his strong love
of study.
At the age of twenty-one years he commenced the
study of medicine with Dr. Carlos Emmons, of Spring-
ville, and spent one year in his office. He then went to
Buffalo, where, for two years, he enjoyed the private in-
structions of the eminent medical author, Dr. Austin
Flint, then in practice in that city. A\'ith a thorough
preparation seldom attained at that period, he next at-
tended a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical college,
Philadelphia, and another at Columbia college, Wash-
ington, District of Columbia, where he graduated in
1 84 1. On the sixth of July of the same year, he was
married to Miss Julia A. Pratt, of Buffalo, a daughter of
Pascal Pratt, one of the early settlers of that city.
Returning to Springville, he commenced practice with
his preceptor. Dr. Emmons, the partnership continuing
fifteen years. He left Springville for St. Louis, hoping
by a change of climate to benefit his family. At St.
Louis he buried a son ; and, after a residence there of a
year and a half, he returned to New York, remaining
two years in the practice of his profession, first at Clar-
ence, Erie county, and then at Buffalo; from which city
he removed to Independence, Iowa, on the first of May^
1861.
Here, the rank to which his ability, learning, and ex-
perience entitled him was at once and fully recognized,
and Dr. House enjoyed an enviable reputation as a
medical practitioner and an honorable citizen. His rides
were very extensive, his skill in surgery equalling his ex-
cellence in the practice of medicine.
At the time of his death, January i, 1880, he had been
for nineteen years an influential and leading character of
the town .and county. He had been for eleven years a
member of the Iowa Medical society, and presided at
its meeting in 1875 — was offered the presidency of the
society for the next year, but declined to accept it. He
had been also a trustee of the Hospital for the Insane at
Independence, and secretary of the board since 1872,
rendering valuable services to the institution as medical
adviser. For several years he had served as examining
physician for pensions.
Dr. House had been a member of the Baptist church
for forty years, and had honored his profession by works-
of charity and love. Serious minded to a degree bordering
on melancholy, he was nevertheless a man of large heart
and tender sympathies, ever ready to respond to the call
of the suffering ; and the poor man never went uncom-
forted from his door.
Mrs. House died in 1863. She had had four children,
a daughter and three sons, two of whom are still living.
In November, 1864, Dr. House married Miss Rachel C.
Freeman, of Independence, by whom he had one child,
a son, who bears his father's name, and who, we may de-
voutedly hope, will inherit his father's virtues. He
resides with his widowed mother in Independence, and
is still in that golden morning time of life, so conscien-
tiously and diligently improved by his honored father.
This brief biography, which has been mainly drawn
from memorial addresses of associates in his chosen pro-
fession, cannot be more fittingly closed than in the
following tribute from the address of Dr. A. Reynolds,
of the Insane hospital, delivered before the Iowa State
Medical society :
In his intercourse with the members of his profession, he was most
courteous and open-hearted, always respecting their opinions, but
ever ready to render a reason for the faith that was in him, and never
sacrificing his patient, for the salie of agreeing with his counsel.
Though conservative in his practice, and tenacious of his old land-
marks, few men of his age kept so well up in the literature of his pro-
fession : were more willing to adopt the new, or let the dead past bury
its dead.
For several years he had looked death calmly in the face, knowing
he had an incurable malady, waiting patieirtly to go over to the ma-
jority and solve the great mystery.
He lived like a trae Christian, and in his dying hour gave evidence
that his faith was well founded.
" The good die first,
And they whose hearts are dry as summer's dust
Burn to the socket."
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
259
SECRET SOCIETIES.
M.\SONIC HISTORY.'
Masonry has accompanied emigration, commerce, and
civilization, in the march of progress throughout the
world. It has left the record of its presence and opera-
tive nature in the ancient architecture of Asia, afterwards
in Africa, and more subsequently in more enlightened
Europe. It survived all other institutions of many na-
tions that are now known only in history. In its progres-
sive steps it has flourished most where the people were the
nearest free, and when the best culture of the age marked
a higher degree of intellectual and moral development.
When its operative character was gradually changed to
the speculative form, it rose with the progress and refine-
ment of western Europe, and, like other elevating insti-
tutions, was ready to seek a wider field in the new world
for further advancement in cultivating the science and
practicing the art it had brought from the clime of the
Orient.
It grew with the strength of the American colonies,
and still more after their union as a nation. When the
boundaries of our country became enlarged and the ex-
pansion of political freedom included more millions of
progressive men, the ratio of Masons to the whole pop-
ulation increased more rapidly than ever before.
At the beginning of the present century, when the
" great west became prospectively the most important field
on earth for settlement and enterprise, pioneer Masons
mingled with the other founders of new communities and
territories. Every new State added to the thirteen colo-
nies gave to the world of Masonry another family of
lodges and altars sustaining another parent grand lodge,
in augmenting the power and skill of the American craft,
in more systematic work, greater usefulness and wider
benevolence. The progress of our country and of our
order, within the period known by living Masons, already
points to truths that will be realized in the new century,
viz: that the valley of the Mississippi will be the richest
portion of the most powerful nation in the world ; and
that the genius of Masonry, not forgetting the Orient,
will then diffuse its brightest light from the land of the
Occident.
The first Masonic lodge organized in the State of
Iowa was at Burlington, under a dispensation granted by
the grand master of Missouri, dated November 20, 1S40,
and on the eighth day of January, T844, the grand lodge
of Iowa was organized — there being at that time four
subordinate lodges in the State, with a membership of
one hundred and one. From that time to the present
there has been a steady increase in the number of lodges
and in membership, and such has been the progress of
the order that, on the first day of May, 1880, there were
in this State three hundred and si.xty- three lodges, and
eighteen thousand two hundred and seven members.
In many of the prosperous towns of Iowa, some of the
best of the early settlers and business men had already
learned the science, intellectually and morally, and also
*ConIributed by D. S. Deering.
the art, speculatively and practically, inseparably con-
nected with the mystic tie of Masonry.
Before a railroad had reached Buchanan county, or
the valley of the Wapsipinicon had been settled by the
thousands who now occupy it, the few Masons of Inde-
pendence and vicinity determined to avail themselves of
the benefits of the organized form of Masonry. They
accordingly petitioned the grand master for a dispensa-
tion, which was granted by John F. Sanford, grand mas-
ter, April 16, 1856, and the lodge worked under the dis-
pensation with the following officers and members, who
were the petitioners for the dispensation : John Bogart,
W. M.; John C. Ozias, S. W.; John Smyser, J. W.; John
W. Westfall, secretary; P. H. Plais, T. W. Close, I. S.
Freeman.
On the fourth day of June, of the same year, the
grand lodge of Iowa granted a charter to the said breth-
ren, under the name of Independence Lodge No. 87.
At that date the names of two thousand one hundred
and fourteen Masons were borne on the rolls of the sev-
eral lodges in the State. This lodge was regularly con-
stituted under the charter, by P. M. Keeler, on the
eighteenth day of June, 1856, and so prosperous had the
lodge become, that they had built and furnished a new
hall, which was, on the thirty-first day of December,
1857, dedicated to Masonic uses by District Grand Mas-
ter L. B. Fleek. This hall was occupied by. the lodge
until 1872, when it was torn down for the purpose of
erecting other buildings.
The new hall, which had been erected upon the ruins
of the old, being completed, the same was duly dedi-
cated to Masonic uses on the twenty-fourth day of June,
A. D. 1873, by Joseph Chapman, grand master of Iowa.
This hall was among the largest in the State, and was
furnished in a substantial manner, and the lodge was
supplied with all the necessary furniture for the work of
the lodge.
This lodge room was occupied less than one year
when the fire fiend, having a special spite against the
city of Independence, laid in ruins the greater part of
the business portion of the city; and, with the rest, the
Masonic hall. The loss to the Masonic lodge by this
fire was about fifteen hundred dollars, upon which there
was an insurance of one thousand dollars. All the prop-
erty of the lodge was burned, except the records and a
part of the jewels. This fire occurred on the twenty-
fifth day of May, A. D. 1874; and, on the eighteenth
day of November, 1874, the lodge commenced its labors
in the hall now occupied by them.
The lodge now numbers ninety-five members, and has
lost by death and otherwise since its organization, one
hundred and twenty-six members. Of the charter members
J. Bogart, J. Smyser, J. C. Ozias, and T. W. Close are
dead. There are also four other lodges in this county —
one at Jesup, one at Fairbank, one at Winthrop, and one
at Quasqueton, the charter members of which were
mostly members of the Independence lodge before the
formation of these lodges. We have lost by death
twenty who were members at the time of their death.
Independence lodge had, at the time of the fire, a Ma-
26o
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
sonic library of sixty volumes which were all burned,
except four or five volumes, which were in the hands of
members at the time.
Of the other lodges in this county, Fairbank Lodge
No. 148 was chartered June 6, i860, and, at the time of
the last report had thirty-one members. Siloam Lodge
No. 222, at Jesup, was chartered June 3, 1868, and has
thirty members. Shiloh Lodge No. 247, at Winthrop,
was chartered June 2, 1S69, and has thirty-seven mem-
bers. Prospect Lodge No. 350, at Quasqueton, was
chartered June 6, 1876, and has twenty-seven members,
making the total number of members on the first day of
May, 1880, in this county, two hundred and twenty.
Since the organization of Independence lodge its prog-
ress has been steady and its work well done. The con-
duct of its members in public is to be judged by the
public; and their acts as Masons, in disseminating the
principles and teachings of Masonry, and in practising
its charities, are not for the public eye; but its good
works are left to carry their moral influences forward in
a peculiar way, without blowing a trumpet of self praise.
CAPITULAR MASONRY.
The introduction of the associate branches of Mason-
ry In the west resulted from the good work done in the
lodges. Royal Arch chapters were established next in
order, and now exist in nearly all the counties in the State.
The first grand convocation was held at Mount Pleas-
ant on the eighth day of June, A. D. 1S54. At this
meeting there were but four chapters represented, and
on the first day of October, 1880, there were reported
ninety subordinate chapters in the state, with a member-
ship of four thousand five hundred and thirty-three.
Aholiab Chapter, No. 21, at Independence, Iowa,
commenced work under dispensation issued by E. W.
Eastman, G. H. P., December 25, 1857, and their first
meeting was held January 2, 1858, with the following of-
ficers:
G. Warne, H. P.; J. B. Thomas, C. H.; J. M. West-
fall, K.; E. Brewer, P. S.; W. O. Smith, S.; T. B. Bul-
lem, R. A. C.
The other members were J. Smyser, J. C. Ozias, J. M.
Miller, and B. D. Reed.
On the fifteenth day of October, 1858, a charter was
granted to said chapter, and the same was duly consti-
tuted by Kimball Porter, grand king, on the twenty-
fourth day of November, 185S.
The chapter has had its home in the same hall with
the lodge, and has therefore shared in the losses by fire
in common with the lodge. The chapter bore upon its
roll, at the annual report on October i, 18S0, the names
of forty-nine members.
ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD.
Commanderies of Knights Templar were organized in
Iowa in 1857, and a grand commandery for the State
was established at Des Moines on the sixth day of June,
1864, at which time there were three subordinate com-
manderies in the State. There are now thirty-seven
subordinate bodies, with a membership of one thousand
nine hundred and seventy-one.
Kenneth Commandery of Knights Templar at In-
dependence was organized under a dispensation issued
October 10, 1877, to W. G. Donnan, H. S. Ames, H.
O. Dockham, B. G. Taylor, E. Brewer, J. A. Poor, J.
S. Anderson, D. S. Deering, E. W. Conable, H. Ely, R.
Creighton, J. P. Percy, R. S. Undyke, and J. Rhodes.
The commandery worked under a dispensation one
year, and, on the seventeenth day of October, 1878, a
charter vvas granted, and the commandery was numbered
thirty-two on the register of the grand commandery, and
was duly constituted by F. Neeley, R. E. G. C, on the
fifth day of November, A. D., 1878, with the following offi-
cers: W. G. Donnan, E. C; J. A. Poor, G.; E. W. Conable,
E. G.; J. S. Anderson, president; R. Brewer, treasurer;
D. S. Deering, recording secretary; B. G. Taylor, S. W.;
H. S. Ames, J. W.; E. O. Craig, St. B.; J. H. Plane,
Sw. B.; H. O. Dockham, W.; A. Woodruff, sentinel.
The commandery now numbers twenty-six members,
and has lost by death and otherwise, since its organiza-
tion, five members.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
A lodge of the above order was organized at Inde-
pendence, July 25, 1866, with but six members, viz.:
W. H. Barton, P. G.; E. A. Alexander, W. P.; T. J.
Merrinus, Joseph Evers, Eli Ozias and M. Winters.
Their first officers were: W. H. Barton, N. G.; E. A.
Alexander, V. G. ; Eli Ozias, secretary; Joseph Evers,
treasurer. The lodge was instituted by J. J. Edgerton,
D. D. G. M., of Eldora. On May 25, 1874, this lodge
lost its charter, books and regalia in the great fire of that
date. They immediately obtained a place of ineeting,
sent for new regalia and went to work, and by autumn
of that year were occupying an elegantly furnished hall,
which is their present place of meeting. Their furniture,
fixtures, etc.j are valued at one thousand two hundred
dollars, inortgage on real estate seven hundred, and
cash on hand two hundred dollars. The present
membership is ninety-four and the officers are G. P.
Hopkins, N. G.; H. Gates, V. G.; J. J. Travers, treas-
urer; A. H. Fondee, secretary; and the trustees are M.
B. Tims, J. Wiley and H. Friell. This lodge is hailed
and known as Independence Lodge No. 142.
INDEPENDENCE ENCAMPMENT NO. 56 OF I. O. O. F.
This order was organized here January 14, 1873, with
twelve members, viz.: L. W. Hart, Ira Alexander, M.
B. Tims, A. F. Williams, J. W. Johnson, O. M. Pond,
W. G. Beals, C. B. Kandy, A. J. Bonley, S. R. Shipley,
W. Francis, and William Wood. The officers were : O.
. M. Pond, C. P. ; L. W. Hart, H. P. ; A. J. Bowley, S.
W.; M. B. Tims, J. W.; Ira Alexander, scribe; A. F.
Williams, treasurer. The lodge was instituted by S. S.
Winnall, chief patriarch of the State. The present offi-
cers are: D. W. Bruckart, C. P.; J. A. Vincent, H. P.;
J. S. Woodward, S. W.; William Wood, J. W.; M. B.
Tims, scribe; J. Wiley, treasurer, and has a membership of
thirty.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
Evergreen Lodge No. 24 of A. O. U. W., was organized
here April 15, 1875, with twenty-one charter members,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
261
and instituted by H. W. Holman, D. D., G. M. W. The
first officers were D. B. Sanford, P. M. W. ; J. L. Loomis,
M. W. ; D. W. Bruchart, foreman; George B. Warne,
overseer; C. D. Jones, recorder; E. B. Backus, guide;
W. S. Luthur, receiver; George A. Williams, financier;
C. B. Kandy, watchman; James A. Poor, George B.
Warne and E. E. Backus, trustees.
The present membership is ninety-seven, and the offi-
cers are: W. N. Kellogg, P. M. W. ; Joseph Evers, M.
W. ; R. B. Feister, foreman; John Smith, overseer; D.
B. Sanford, recorder; \y. P. McGuire, guide; J. J.
Travis, receiver; E. L. Wilcox, financier; H. A.Cramer,
watchman; Solomon Baum, George B. Smallie, and
James A. Poor, trustees.
The examining physicians are H. C. Markham and S.
G. Wilson. There have been but two deaths^O. H. P.
Roszell, October, 1877, and E. B. Backus, January, 18S1.
On the death of a member, his heirs, or the party he may
designate, receives two thousand dollars.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Crescent Lodge, No. 46, was organized here May 14,
1879, with thirty members, and instituted by R. S. Hill,
G. C. C.
The officers were: J. A. Vincint, P. C. ; S. Newman,
C. C. ; William Westerman, V. C. C. ; George B. Warne,
prelate; R. M. Campbell, M. of F.; H. P. Browne, M.
of E. ; C. A. Gillam, R. of N. and S. ; O. D. Burr, M. at
A. ; Toman, S. G. ; E. S. Wilcox, O. G.
The present membership is fifty, and the officers are:
O. M. Gillett, P. C. ; C. N. Wallace, C. C. ; S. S. Toman,
V. C. C. ; N. Appleman, prelate ; W. L. Evers, M. at A. ;
D. Donnan, M. of F. ; C. A. Gillam, R. of N. and S.;
G. P. Hopkins, M. of E. ; C. S. Cole, I. G.; W. H.
Stewart, O. G.
CHURCHES OF INDEPENDENCE.
METHODIST EPISCOP.\L CHURCH
Standing first in point of time, among the various
religious organizations of Independence is the Methodist
Episcopal church. No sooner had a few families formed
the nucleus of the coming city, than we find her mission-
ary, in the person of Rev. Harvey Taylor, of Illinois,
wending his way towards the new settlement to proclaim
the Gospel as believed in and taught by her founders
and votaries. Tarrying awhile at Pine creek, and then
at the old log school house near the residence of Mr.
John Boone, we soon find him preaching in the newly
built residence of N. A. Bassett, on the west side of the
river, now known as the Hart place, owned by L. J.
Curtis, esq.
In the fall of 1850 the first signs of organic life
appeared in the formation of a class consisting of Henry
Sparling, his wife, their four children — Edwin, James,
Emily, and Mary — Isaac Sufficool, Mrs. Hathaway, and
perhaps one or two others. Henry Sparling was ap-
pointed leader — a position he retained, with the excep-
tion of one year, till the day of his death, in 1879. His
widow, from whom much of the early history of the
church is obtained by the writer, is still an honored
member.
In March, 1852, a board of trustees was elected by
the society, composed of H. Sparling, Orin Lewis, Isaac
Sufficool, George Whait, William Logan, N. A. Bassett,
and R. W. Wright, in whose barn the first quarterly
meeting was held. These had all previously become
members of the church. In July of the same year a
lot was purchased of Ephraim Miller, and a contract
entered into with N. A. Bassett to build a house of
worship, which, however, does not seem to have been
carried into full effect until some four years later. In
the meantime the society was not idle; for, in the fall of
1853, another lot was purchased by the trustees, on which
a parsonage was erected, which served as both residence
and house of worship until the completion of the church
in 1856. This (the parsonage) has since been sold, and
is now the property of J. B. Turner. The church was
an unpretentious one-story building, twenty-two by thirty
feet, to which was added eighteen feet in length, two
years later, under the pastorate of Rev. D. Poor. Pre-
vious to this, Mr. and Mrs. Denton, Newman Curtis,
W. A. Jones and wife, Henry Mead and wife, and many
others, had become more or less active members of the
growing society.
The first vacancy occurred in the board of trustees by
the death of George Whait, in 1853; which was filled by
the election of John Cameron. In the year following
Adam Miller became trustee in the place of Orrin Lewis,
removed from the place; and still a year later, Thomas
Cameron was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by the
withdrawal of Dr. R. W. Wright. In the fall of 1856,
by a division of the field, the two Camerons and Suffi-
cool were assigned to another charge. Adam Miller had
removed, so that the choice of four new trustees became
a necessity. These were found in M. V. Bush, A. C.
Blakely, H. C. Dean, and J. E. Voak; the two latter
being succeeded a year later by William A. Jones and
H. Mead. In May, 1864, articles of incorporation were
filed, with H. Kinsley, H. Sparling, William Sampson,
William A. Jones, Enos A. Sheldon, Samuel C. Luckey,
and Joseph Evers, as trustees.
Measures were soon after taken looking to the erection
of a new church edifice, which, after various changes of
plans and numerous delays, resulted in the present two-
story brick building forty by seventy-six feet, with well
adapted Sunday-school and class rooms. The corner
stone was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, on the
twenty-eighth of May, 186S, by Rev. A. K. Sanford, of
New York conference; the final dedication taking place
September 19, 1869, Rev. R. M. Hatfield, D. D., officia-
ting. Total cost of building and furnishing seventeen
thousand dollars. In the summer of 1874 the spire,
which towered one hundred and eighty-two feet above
the foundation walls, was blown down and has never
been replaced. Alter years of adverse circumstances,
largely the consequence of a heavy debt, the church is
to-day unencumbered; has a membership of upwards of
two hundred and fifty, and is enjoying a good degree of
spiritual prosperity.
Besides those already mentioned are the following,
who have borne official relations from time to time:
262
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
J. S. Rouck, Newman Curtis, G. D. Stephenson, L. W.
Hart, A. J. Bowley, Lyman J. Curtis, D. B. Sanford,
J. P. Sampson, J. L. Winnegar, S. Waggoner, N. Burr,
A. Breles, W. G. Breles, D. L. Smith, M. H. Sanford,
A. F. Williams, W. Francis, W. H. Hosiner, N. J. Peck,
John Lesher, P. Graham, H. P. Benton, John Hollett,
W. E. Kellogg, M. Dolphin, E. Murphy, L. Hayford,
James A. Wells, B. R. Smith, E. A. Palmer, S. G. Carter,
S. S. Welch, and doubtless some others.
A very efficient Ladies' Aid society has been sustained
for many years. It's present officers are Mrs. H. H.
Waggoner, president; Mrs. E. P. Baker, vice-president;
Miss Ella M. Smyser, secretary and treasurer. The fol-
lowing have officiated as pastors for the times specified:
Rev. Harvey Taylor, 1 850-1; Rev. William Shippen,
1852-3; Rev. William N. Brown, 1853-5; Rev. S. S.
Ashbaugh, Sanford Halbert, 1855-6; Rev. J. L. Kelley,
1856; Rev. David Poor, 1857-9; Rev. D. La Mont,
1859-60; Rev. William Sampson, 1860-62; Rev. S.
Knickerbocker, 1862-3; Rev. S. C. Freer, 1863-4;
Rev. R. N. Earhart, 1864-5; Rev. H. H. Fairall,
1865-6; Rev. W. P. Watkins, 1866-7; Rev. S. A. Lee,
1867-8; Rev. William Lease, 1868-71; Rev. W, H.
Sparling, 1871-2; Rev. H. S. Church, 1872-5; Rev. D.
Sheffer, 1875-6; Rev. F. C. Wolf, 1876-7; Rev. F. M.
Robertson, 1877-80; Rev. J. A. Ward, 1880-1.
Of those who, during the thirty years of the society's
existence, have borne her burdens and shared her joys,
some have been called to the church above, some have
been cast out as unworthy, many have removed to other
fields, while a goodly number still remain as living mem-
bers of the great earthly church of the living God.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of Independence, was organized December 16, 1854,
with sixteen members, only two of whom are now resid-
ing here. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas G. Garver,
from July, 1854, to June, 1S56. Samuel Wilson and
Albert Clarke were the original members of its session;
and the first board of trustees were Elsy Wilson, J. B.
Thomas, A. B. Clarke and H. Bryant.
In 1856, the society purchased the lot, and erected a
small brick church, on the east side of the river, on the
site where the German Presbyterian church now stands.
In the fall of 1856, Rev. J. M. Boggs was called to the
pastorate of this church, and continued to serve with
great acceptability until October, 1869, when, on ac-
count of failing health, he resigned the charge. He was
succeeded by Rev. W. B. Phelps, who faithfully and
efficiently served as pastor from May, 1870, to May,
1880. His successor was Rev. J. H. Ritchey, the pres-
ent pastor, whose labors as such commenced July i,
1880.
William C. Morris was elected member of the church
session in 1858; W, G. Donnan, N. N. Sykes, in 1865 ;
A. B. Clarke and J. F. Coy, in 1869; J. B. Donnan and
J. H. Morrill, in 187 1. Albert Clarke, who, from the
first, had been a most active, reliable and liberal mem-
ber and officer, was removed by death in 1868, and
Samuel Wilson in 1870. The present session consists
of W. G. Donnan, A. B. Clarke, J. F. Coy and J. B.
Donnan. The present board of trustees are D. F. Bis-
bee, H. Williamson, J. C. Holloway W. S. Boggs and
H. B. Barber.
In 1868 the society erected, on West Main street, a
large brick church, at a cost of about thirteen thousand
dollars, which it now occupies free from debt. Its
choir, under the efficient direction of J. G. Whitney, has
long been known as one of the best in this section of
the State. Its Sunday-school has been steadily main-
tained ever since the organization of the society, and
numbers nearly one hundred and fifty scholars. The
church has had a steady growth, and now consists of
nearly two hundred inembers. The society has been
self-supporting for the last thirteen years; and now
raises for congregational expenses about sixteen hundred
dollars annually, and contributes freely to all the boards
of the church. The Ladies' Foreign Missionary society
in connection with this church has, for many years, con-
tributed one hundred dollars annually towards the sup-
port of a female missionary in the foreign field.
This society is financially the strongest in this county
at the present time, but it derives additional strength
from the degree of harmony and concord which has
existed during all the years of its history.
ST. J.MMES' PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first church service held in Independence was on
Thursday evening, July 31, a. d. 1856, in the Methodist
chapel, the Right Rev. Henry Washington Lee, D.
D. LL D., bishop of Iowa, officiating. Rev. Reuben
H. Freeman (deacon), who had just been received from
the diocese of New Jersey, and who resided near the
town (and who was then, as he has been ever since, in
infirm health) was present.
In regard to the first parochial organization, the Rev.
Benjamin R. Gifford states as follows:
"I visited Independence in February, a. d. 185S, and
held services at the Presbyterian house of worship on
the evenings of seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth
— Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. At 4 p. m. of Feb-
ruary 19th there was a meeting of those interested at the
office of Dr. Henry S. Chase. I presided, and after
consultation it was decided to organize a parish, which
was accordingly done, giving it the name of the Church
of the Messiah. The following gentlemen were chosen
as vestrymen, viz: Rev. Reuben Freeman (deacon), Mr.
Olise, J. D. Myers, H. S. Chase, R. W. Wright, Thomas
Scarcliff, Thomas W. Close, G. B. Thomas, and William
Scott. Messrs. Freeman and Chase were chosen wardens."
The communicants registered at this date were the
following, viz : Rev. R. H. Freeman, Mrs. Freeman,
Isaac S. Freeman, H. S. Chase, Mrs. Chase, Mrs. Har-
riet H. Woodruff, Miss Sarah E. Homans, Mr. Olise,
and Dr. R. W. Wright, though it does not appear that
Dr. Wright ever communed.
The Rev. Mr. Gifford made arrangements with the
parish to hold monthly services, which were held during
the greater part of that year and also of the year 1859.
The services were held principally in the Wasshic and
Morse halls. Some few were held in the court house.
Brown's hall, and the Presbyterian church.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
26'
At the annual convention held May 26 and 27, a. d.
1858, the parish was admitted into union with the
diocese.
On Thursday evening, June 3, 1859, in the Presbyterian
church. Bishop Lee confirmed the following persons,
who formed the first class of the parish, viz: Mrs. Haney
Snow, Mrs. J. D. Myers, Dr. Smith and Mrs. Smith, all
of whom became communicants. In February of this
year a Sunday school was organized, with four teachers
and twenty scholars. Its sessions were held when church
services were held, in the same building, but chiefly in
the school-room of Misses Woodruff and Romans, both
of whom by a kind providence have been spared to labor
therein up to the present date (May, 1881).
The Rev. Mr. Gifford resigned the parish about the
end of the year 1859, and was succeeded by the Rev.
Hale Townsend, on the tenth day of April, 1862. Dur-
ing his ministry, which closed May 30, 1864, the church
building was erected, the corner stone of which was
laid on the ninth day of September, 1863, by the rec-
tor, and an address delivered by the Rev. J. H. C.
Bonte, of Dubuque.
In consequence of some informality in the original
parochial organization, a new parish was organized, the
name being changed from the Church of the Messiah
to St. James' church. The first service was held in the
new church on Christmas day, 1863, and the church
was consecrated by the Right Rev. Bishop Lee, on the
eighth day of May, 1864. The original cost of St.
James' was one thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars.
The third rector, the Rev. Jacob Rambo, was called
in June, 1864; accepted, and entered upon his duties on
the first day of August, ensuing. He gave two services
a month, and two services a day for one year, at the end
of which time he resigned.
The fourth rector, the Rev. Henry Adams, appears to
have held the rectorship for a brief period, and was suc-
ceeded by the Rev. Thomas Hooker Eddy (deacon),
who remained less than a year.
The sixth rector in succession, the Rev. W. W. Esta-
brooke, commenced his duties on the first day of May,
A. D. 1868, and resigned July, 1S69, and was succeeded
by the Rev. A. P. Crouch, whose incumbency was of short
duration. After an extended vacancy, the Rev. Chester
Smith Percival, as the eighth rector in succession, com-
menced his duties on the twelfth day of February, 1871,
and continued for two years.
The Rev. Thomas B. Kemp, the present rector, the
ninth in succession, was called in June, a. d. 1873; ac-
cepted, and entered upon his rectorship on the first day
of October, ensuing.
In November of this year the church was enlarged
by the addiiion of choir and vestry room, and in 1876
was rebuilt. The parish is out of debt, has a fine church
building, an endowment fund of one thousand dollars,
secured by present incumbent, one hundred and thirty-
seven communicants who claim it as their home, and all,
with twelve exceptions, residents of Buchanan county.
The value of church and other property is about seven
hundred dollars.
There are three missions under the charge of the rec-
tor, viz: one in Quasqueton, where the church has eleven
communicants; one in Oehvein, Fayette county, seven
communicants; one in Manchester, where the church
has nine communicants. The work of the Lord is pros-
perous; to His holy name be the praise.
The present officers of St. James' are the following:
The Right Rev. William Stevens Perry, D. D., LL D.,
bishop; the Rev. T. B. Kemper, dean of the northern
convocational district, and rector; Mr. Seth Newman
and Mr. C. D. Jones, lay readers; Thomas Cochlan, sr.,
and C. D. Jones, jr., wardens; George Josseyln, treasurer;
G. P. Hopkins, G. Woodruff (secretary), and William R.
Kenyon, vestrymen; G. Woodruff, choir master; Mrs.
H. H. Woodruff, organist.
Sunday-school — Rector, superintendent; C, D. Jones,
esq., assistant and secretary; Mrs. C. D. Jones, treasurer;
Mr. \\'illiam Laytze, librarian.
ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The history of St. John's Catholic church of Inde-
pendence presents to the reader a record of a communi-
ty whose growth and increase amongst us is as truly
wonderful as it is remarkable. In the years 1854 and
1855 the few Catholic families who were then in Buchan-
an county were attended by a missionary from Dubuque
two or three times a year. In the year 1856 the first
Catholic church was built, a small frame building situ-
ated near the site of the court house. The number of
families who were accustomed to assemble therefor wor-
ship might be counted on one's finger ends. Among
them W. Bonner, James Shannon, S. Murray, John
O'Loughlin, James Burns, etc. The resident pastor was
Father Slattery, who was afterwards succeeded by Father
Shields. Father Shields' charge at that time extended
over a tract of country which was not less in extent than
two hundred square miles. It comprised Buffalo, Man-
chester, Fairbanks, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Iowa Falls,
Pine Oak, and Vinton. These places have at present
each a resident pastor. In 1863 the present brick struc-
ture was commenced under John L. Goskar, who had
charge of the congregation for some sixteen years. In
the year 1878 the present incumbent, Rev. Patrick
Burke, took charge. He is a native of Dublin, Ireland,
born 1847; ^'^s educated for the ministry at Holy Cross
College, Clonlifle, St. Patrick's Carlow, where he was
ordained priest by Bishop Walsh in 1873. The present
congregation worshiping at St. Johns' alone numbers
over fifteen hundred souls.
Attached to St. John's Catholic church is a convent
conducted under the auspices of the Sisters of Notre
Dame. It is intended for the education of the young
ladies of the Catholic community. Besides caring for
the education of the young, the good Sisters also attend
to the sick and perform other works of mercy. The con-
vent was purchased by Mother Borromeo for seven
thousand dollars in the year 1869. There are ten Sisters
in the community.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist church of Independence was organ-
ized May 9, 1858, with the following constituent mem-
264
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
bers: Men — L. W. Cook, M. D. Weston, Josiah Brace,
J. C. Loomis; women — Emily C. Cook, Sarah E. Smith,
Urene Weston, Elizabeth Chandler, Melvina Bartle, I.
E. Loomis, Electa Young. After holding services in the
court house for six years, in 1865 they finished and ded-
icated their beautiful house of worship, which has since
been enlarged. The first pastor of this church was the
Rev. John Fulton, through whose wise energy and emi-
nent social qualities the new organization rapidly in-
creased in efficiency, influence and members; so that at
the close of his ministry it ranked among the leading
churches of the state. Since its organization eighty-
three have been baptized into its fellowship, one hun-
dred and sixteen have been united by letter, and
eighteen have joined by experience. The present mem-
bership is ninety-two. It includes several energetic
young men who are rising into prominence. A special
feature of the work of this church is the Sunday-school,
which has usually been large and flourishing. Since its
origin eight different clergymen have been pastors of
this church. These frequent changes have been detri-
mental to its prosperity. But scanty results of the labors
of the successors of the first pastor can now be seen.
The following is the pastoral record:
Rev. John Fulton, from September, 1S59, to
March, 1866; Rev. William C. Earned, from
July 29, 1866, to July 6, 1867; Rev. William
L. Hunter, from March 6, 1869, to September 30, 187 i;
Rev. George M. Preston, from November, 187 1, to
November 20, 1872; Rev.F. A. Marsh, from August,
1874, to January, 1877; Rev. James Paterson, from
June, 1877, to April, 1879; Rev. George Sutherland,
August, 1879.
THE NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
of Independence was constituted on May 8, 1867. The
recognition was on the nineteenth, the public services
being held in the Baptist church. The number of mem-
bers at the organization was nine. On the sixteenth of
the same month eight additional members were admitted
to its fellowship, so that, at the time of recognition, the
membership vi'as seventeen. The officers of the church
are pastor, deacons, clerk and treasurer. C. C. Cadwell
was the first clerk, Spencer W. Noyes the first deacon,
and Rev. Henry Mills the first pastor, beginning stated
supply of pulpit the first Sabbath in March, 1868.
The New England Congregational society was organ-
ized on the eighteenth day of March, 1868, by the adop-
tion of articles of incorporation and compact with the
church. The society convened on the twenty-third day
of May to consider the following questions: First, shall
we purchase a lot for a church edifice? Second, shall
we attempt to build a house for public worship this sea-
son? Third, what kind and dimensions? Fourth, what
measures to accomplish these objects, if deemed practi-
cable? It was voted to purchase a lot. June 6th the
society ordered the committee to buy the lot on which
the house now stands. On the thirteenth, voted to build,
and ordered plan and estimates, and appointed a com-
mittee to solicit subscriptions and pay for the lot and
proposed building; also a committee to have charge of
its erection. In July the soil was broken and the foun-
dation, the superstructure and furnishing of the same fol-
lowed in quick succession, and on the sixteenth day of
December following the house was dedicated and sub-
scriptions and cash raised to meet all bills against the
society. Rev. Charles H. Bissell was the second minis-
ter. Rev. L. W. Bricutnall the third minister. Rev.
L. W. Foster, the present pastor, has been with his
people three and a half years — an able and faithful man
in the pulpit, in the Bible class and in the weekly prayer
meeting. All these pastors have been good and faithful
ministers, and in some respects able men — why, then,
such frequent changes? In the opinion of the writer of
this brief sketch, it was not the fault of the ministers.
GERMAN PRESByTERL-^N CHURCH.
On the twentieth of September, 1858, Rev. F. C.
Schwartz, a minister of the Presbyterian church (old
school) preached here to a goodly number of Germans
in the English Presbyterian church in Independence.
After the services were over most of the Germans pres-
ent asked him to stay, at least for a time, and preach for
them, which he did. He labored here till June 7, 1858,
on which day the following persons met in the evening
to consult in regard to a church organization: E. Zinn,
F. Herman, P. Tempus, Charles Heege, V. Klotzback,
H. Dellfeld, F. Bittner, John Bechkemmer, I. Moser, I.
Langeneckhard, I. Mohring, Henry Langeneckhardt, I.
Schenkowitz, Christian Schaefer, and Eberard Lan-
geneckhardt. Rev. F. C. Schwartz presided, and it was
resolved after reading and adopting the Westminster cat-
echism, to be organized into a Presbyterian church, and
all present signed a petition to the Dubuque presbytery
to grant them such an organization as soon as conven-
ient.
On the seventh day of July, 1858, a committee of the
presbytery of Dubuque, consisting of Rev. A. Van Vliet
and Rev. C. Schwartz, met with these people at the
school-house in the eastern part of the town. Rev. Mr.
Van Vliet preached a sermon, and then the two minis-
ters examined the people present, also putting the usual
questions and offering prayer, after which the church was
declared organized, under the name of the "German
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Independence, Bu-
chanan county, Iowa." The following day, July 8th,
another meeting was held, and after sermon the following
persons were duly elected as officers of the church: Eck-
hardt Zinn, and Fred. Herman, elders ; Christian
Schaefer, and Henry Langeneckhardt, deacons. These
four brethren received their ordination July 11, 1858,
according to the constitution of the Presbyterian church,
old school.
All these proceedings are recorded in the session book
of the said church, and signed by Rev. F. C. Schwartz.
The congregation consisted at that time of twenty-seven
male and twenty-five female members, numbering in all
fifty-two souls. On July 15th the congregation had a
meeting at which it was resolved to purchase a lot and
build thereon a place of worship. They bought one-half
of a lot in the eastern part of the town, near the court
house, of Judge O. H. P. Roszell, for one hundred and
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
265
twenty-five dollars, to be paid in three years. April 24,
1859, six persons were added to the church on examina-
tion. April 8, i860, two more members were added,
and on the fifteenth of the same month there were added
two more. At a meeting at which these last two were
received, it was resolved to have the church incorporated
according to the laws of the State of Iowa, and a com-
mittee of five was elected to take charge of this busi-
ness and see that the congregation was incorporated as
as soon as possible. This was done April 23, i860, and
the writings were recorded in the recorder's office at the
court house April 25, 1S60, at 4 o'clock p. m., in book
II, pages 498 and 499.
At the meeting of April 15, i860, there was much
disagreement in regard to paying for the lot and build-
■ ing a meeting-house, and four persons were soon
after dropped from the roll of the church. April 29,
i860, they had another meeting at which Rev. F. C.
Schwartz resigned his position as stated supply. His
farewell sermon was preached on the eighth of the fol-
lowing July, and a few days thereafter he removed from
the place.
After this the church dwindled for several years. Rev.
Mr. Van Vliet, of Dubuque, came frequently to preach,
and some of his theological students occasionally — the
people simply paying their expenses. But most of the
so-called members left the church, and the few that re-
mained were not able to pay the balance due on the lot
which had been purchased, and so it was sold.
June 7, 1868, Rev. John G. Schaible commenced
preaching for this little flock. There was one elder left,
Mr. E. Zinn, and two deacons, P. Tempus and H.
Longeneckhardt. Besides these there were only eight
members more — making eleven in all. Mr. Schaible be-
gan his ministrations in the court house, and after he had
moved his family here, the morning services were held
in the school building, north of the court house, and the
evening in the English Presbyterian church. About
twenty members were added to the church soon after.
April 29, 1869, the session book was for the first time
submitted to the inspection of the presbytery of Du-
buque. It was examined, approved, and signed by the
moderator. Rev. J. S. Wilson.
August 29, 1869, Mr. John Lemink was elected a
ruling elder of the church, and was duly ordained and
installed in that office.
February 25, 1869, a Sabbath-school was commenced
with eighteen scholars.
March 9, 1869, the old Presbyterian church and lot,
near the east bank of the river, were purchased for one
thousand dollars. After improvements had been made
to the amount of one hundred and seventy dollars, the
church was reconsecrated to the service of the Lord by
Rev. A. Van Vliet, of Dubuque, and Rev. Mr. Boggs,
of this city, and all was paid for on the day of the re-
consecration, and enough was left to buy a cabinet organ
for the church.
May 25, 1869, the church elected three men to serve
as trustees, one for one year, one for two years, and one
for three; so that each year one trustee must be elected.
July 6, 1872, Rev. Mr. Schaible was called to the
pastorate of the church, after having served as stated
supply for four years and two months, and on the fif-
teenth of the same month, he was duly installed as pas-
tor by the Rev. Messrs. W. B. Phelps and J. Conzett.
May 25, 1874, the church building was destroyed
in the great fire which swept away the most of the bus-
iness portion of the town. But the little flock was not
discouraged. They received, for insurance, one thou-
sand dollars; raised a subscription among themselves;
obtained some help from the good people, and, on the
sixth of January, 1876, the present comely brick edifice,
standing on the site of the old one, was dedicated to the
services of the Lord by Rev. A. Elfield, of Freeport, Il-
linois, and Rev. E. Schuetta, of Waukon, Iowa. The
entire cost of the new church was one thousand and
seven dollars, and the whole is paid.
March 26, 1877, elder John Temink was dismissed
from office, and Henry Langeneckhardt was elected and
installed in his place. The present elders (1881) are E.
Zinn and H. Langeneckhardt. The deacons are P.
Tempus and G. Goeller; and -the trustees are E. Zinn
and the two deacons. The membership now numbers
about fifty-six, and the Sabbath-school between seventy
and eighty.
The pastor's salary has always been small — the board
of Home Missions, of the Presbyterian church, aiding
year after year, so that he could remain at his post. The
amount raised, however, for pastoral support has been
constantly increasing.
The following statement shows what has been raised
by the congregation, for all purposes, during the past year:
■ For pastor's salary $325 00
For missions 52 00
For sexton's hire, wood, oil, and insurance 74 00
For Sabbath-school 17 00
Cash on hand 7 00
$475 00
CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
This society is composed of Germans, and the relig-
ious services are in the German language. It was organ-
ized about the year 1856. No early records existing, we
are unable to make this history as complete as it should
be. The first of its ministers whose names we have
been able to learn was Rev. R. Dubs, now a bishop of
the church, residing in Cleveland, Ohio. He had a pas-
torate of two years, beginning about i860. This society
then belonged to a circuit extending over a large portion
of northern Iowa. Circuits are self-supporting; missions
receive outside aid. This church has been connected
with missions about half of the time since its organiza-
tion. Its first edifice was a stone building, now used as a
private residence, and standing a short distance east of
the court house. It was built about the year 1858.
Its present edifice is a wooden building, on the corner
of Monroe and Madison streets, with a comfortable par-
sonage adjoining. It was built sorne eight years ago.
Some of the more recent pastors are the following;
H. Brauer, H. Kleinsorge, H. Althaus, H. Buts, M.
Knoll, S. H. Witte, and H. Stellrecht, the present incum-
bent.
266
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
For some additional facts see the article entitled " In-
dependence in i8Si" — elsewhere in this volume.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN.
In the spring of 1863 a church of the above denomi-
nation was established here, with a membership of four-
teen. When they first organized they had services in a
brick school-house that stood where the jail now stands,
for four years. The school-house was taken down to give
place to the jail buildings, and then, for a time, they had
services in private houses.
They built a house of worship and a parsonage in 187 1,
and the whole property is probably worth one thousand
dollars. Their first pastor was Gottlieb Bruckmer, and
was the one who held services in the brick school-house.
Their present membership is twenty, and the preacher is
Rev. L. Christ. They have services every other Sab-
bath, in the German language. In the winter time the
preacher has a German school for the benefit of his par-
ish and all who desire to attend.
Biographical Sketches.
EDWARD ROSS
was born in Lower Waterford, Vermont, September 21,
1828. His father. Royal Ross, owned a farm, one and
one-half miles from Lower Waterford, which was pur-
chased by his father about 1790, and which is still owned
by the family. As the name indicates, the family is of
Scotch extraction, and originally settled in Pennsylvania;
were farmers as far back as is known. Mr. Royal Ross
gave all his children a good academic education ; and
whether modern educational facilities furnish anything
better than the old-time academies of the Eastern and
Middle states, is an open question.
The choice of a collegiate course was also accorded
to his sons, but was declined by Edward, who thus
escaped the bench of the supreme court, now occupied
by his brother, who graduated at Dartmonth, and is now
the Hon. Jonathan Ross, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
But
" There is a divinity that shapes our ends."
The west needed just such men as Mr. Edward Ross,
with his thorough business education and vivid sympathy
with progressive Americanism, which is prone, with the
star of empire, westward to take its course. There will
always be enough of conservative scholasticism to supply
the supreme bench, while the west cannot have too much
of that element which helps to develop and direct her
vast resources. Mr. Ross was one of a family of twelve
children, eight of whom are still living. Deciding to de-
vote himself to an active business life, he gave his at-
tention to civil engineering, and so far mastered the
principles of the art, as to command employment soon
after he passed his majority. He was employed in this
capacity for the six years following 1851, and came
to Independence at the close of that period, in the
spring of 1857. His first position in this western arena,
was in the office of W. G. Donnan, county treasurer and
recorder, where he served as deputy for two terms, or
four years, and with what acceptance will be seen in the
fact that the same position was held under Mr. Donnan's
successor, and for the same time.
In 1865, after eight years of faithful public service,
Mr. Ross was prepared to indulge his preference for ac-
tive pursuits, and was engaged m farming and milling
from 1865 to 1871. He purchased a large farm near
Otterville, Washington township, and owned half of the
valuable mill at that picturesque hamlet on Otter creek.
From 1871 to 1874 he was engaged in real estate busi-
ness in Independence. In the fall of 1874 was prin-
cipally influential in organizing the People's National
bank, of which he was at once elected president, and has
held that office ever since.
Mr. Ross was married in 1856, in Vermont, to Miss
Martha A. Cutter. They had two children, both dying
young. Mrs. Ross died in Independence in the year
1875. He was married the second time in July, 1877,
to Miss Maggie P. Reuthet'ord, then principal of the
grammar school, east side. They have one child, a son,
Parke Ross, btjrn January, 1879. The fine house, since
occupied as a family residence in West Independence,
was built in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are members of
the Congregational church.
CAPTAIN J. F. COY
was born in Livingston county, New York, in the year
1839. His early years were spent principally in school.
He attended the Genesee college, New York, from 1859
to 1862 inclusive. In the month of August, 1862, he
enlisted in company G, First New York dragoons. At
the expiration of the first six months' service, he was
appointed first lieutenant, which ocffie he held but a
short time when he was appointed captain of company
B of the same regiment. He served his country in this
capacity till the year 1865, when he with his regiment
was mustered out of service. He was a hospital patient
about six weeks, through the effects of a wound received
at the battle at Trevillian Station, Virginia. He partici-
pated in all the battles Sherman's army engaged in be-
side the battle of the Wilderness, experiencing all the
hardships of army life and its accompanying dangers.
He became a citizen of Buchanan county, Iowa in 1866.
He engaged in the grocery business in Independence
till the year 1874, when he united his interests with the
People's National bank, and has since been cashier of
the same.
Mr. Coy was married in 1870, in East Granville, Mas-
sachusetts, to Miss Delia E. Clark.
MORRIS STRAFFORD HITCHCOCK
was born in Marshall, Oneida county. New York, June
2, 1828. His mother's maiden name was Susan Wye.
His ancestry were all of New England and Puritan ori-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
267
gin. His father, Anson Hitchcock, was deacon of the
Hanover Congregational church in Marshall, and his
mother was a woman of ardent piety. He obtained
most of his school education at the district school,
and commenced teaching when eighteen; and subse-
quently taught several terms in New York and Iowa.
He chose farming for an occupation; and, in the fall of
1854, came west and settled in Clayton county, Iowa.
In 1873 he removed to Madison township, Buchanan
count)', and subsequently located on a wild prairie farm
in Buffalo township.
The subject of this sketch was always fond of litera-
ture and interested in questions pertaining to science,
philosophy, politics and theology. His father, grand-
father and uncles were all active pioneers in the temper-
ance and anti-slavery reforms of their day. Young
Hitchcock cast his first presidential vote for General
Winfield Scott; he voted for Colonel J. C. Fremont in
1856, for Horace Greeley in 1872, and for Peter Cooper
in 1876; since w^hich time he has been an active mem-
ber of the National Greenback party. About the first
of January, 1S80, he bought the National Advocate, then
in its second year of publication, and since that time he
has devoted his time to editing and publishing the same.
He was married December 18, 1856, to Miss Catha-
rine H. Humphry, who was born in Cornwall, England.
Their family consists in all of six children, three boys
and three girls.
DAVID S. DEBRING
was born in Scarborough, Maine, March 9, 18 16. His
parents were Isaac and Sarah Deering — his ancestry be-
ing among the early settlers of Cumberland county. His
father and mother never emigrated from the Pine Tree
State.
In 1839 David removed to Jefferson county, Penn-
sylvania, where he remained till 1856, when he came
to Buchanan county. He purchased eighty acres of land
in Middlefield township, but kept it only a year, when
he traded it for the house and lot in Independence,
which he still owns and occupies. It is situated on the
west side of the river, at the corner of Centre and Inde-
pendence streets.
He has been employed here in various occupations.
He was once elected county surveyor, and though well
qualified for the office, it was one that he did not choose,
and he resigned after three months. He was employed
two years as deputy clerk of the courts. He made a
map of the city, which has just been published by sub-
scription ; and has now in progress a county map, to be
published also by subscription during the year 1881. It
is got up in atlas form — one township to a page — and is
designed as a real estate map, containing the boundaries
of every separate parcel of land in the county, except
town lots, together with the name of the present owner.
Mr. Deering takes an active interest in everything
which pertains to the moral and intellectual progress of
his adopted city, and he has been now for four years
chairman of the library committee. His leisure time,
all the way through life, has been devoted to scientific
pursuits; and his attainments in paleontology (as maybe
seen in the chapter on the " Physical Features" of the
county) have been publicly acknowledged by Professor
Calvin, of the Iowa State university.
Mr. Deering was married in 1844, to Emeline H. Low-
ell, of Brookville, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania. They
have had seven children — four only of whom are living :
Mary, married and living in Sigourney, Iowa ; Leander,
married and living in Independence ; Augustus, living in
Minneapolis ; and Anna, who has been now for two
years assistant teacher in the High School of Indepen-
dence.
CHARLES M DURHAM
was born in Yates county. New York, in 1830, his par-
ents being Benjamin and Mary K. (Bates) Durham.
His ancestors were English, and among the early set-
tlers on Long Island. His father was a millwright by
trade, an excellent workman, who followed that business
industriously the greater portion of his life. He, how-
ever, connected farming with the prosecution of his
trade, purchasing land in Yates county as early as 1799,
and finally becoming the owner of a fine farm of two
hundred acres.
We have read an interesting biographical sketch of
Benjamin Durham and his family, containing a vivid ac-
count of their trials as pioneer settlers in Yates county,
which we would gladly transfer to our pages did time
and space permit.
Benjamin Durham died in 1832, and his second wife,
the mother of Charles, in 1845, leaving a large family of
children. At the early age of fifteen, therefore, young
Durham was left an orphan. Vigorous, however, in body
and mind, self-reliant and industrious, he went to work
for himself For some years he was in mercantile busi-
ness in Naples, Ontario county. New York. In 1859 he
came to Delaware county, in this State, where he was
clerk in a store one year. He then went to try his for-
tune in St. Louis, but remained there only six months,
when he came to Independence, and here pitched his
tent " for good and all. " In about six months after
coming here he was appointed assistant to the station
agent of the Dubuque & Sioux City railroad at this place,
and in three months more (which brings us down to the
beginning of 1862) he was installed in the office as chief
agent, and has continued to occupy the same position
ever since.
On the eighteenth of June, 1873, he had the misfor-
tune to get his right hand crushed between two cars in
coupling. The hand had to be amputated at the wrist,
but before the operation was performed he was practic-
ing penmanship with his left hand, and in one month
after the accident he was back in the office doing his
own writing. If any one can give us a better instance of
"pluck" we shall be happy to record it.
Though a Democrat, " dyed in the wool, " he was for
twelve successive years (beginning with 1865) elected as
a member of the city council, from a Republican ward,
268
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
and in 1881 he was elected mayor of Independence,
which, "since the organization of the party," has always
been a Republican city.
He has been a delegate to two Democratic national
conventions — at St. Louis in 1876, and at Cincinnati in
1880. He is still proud of having assisted to nominate,
and still more proud of having assisted to "elect," Sam-
uel J. Tilden to the olfice of President of the United
States. He is likewise still indignant at not having been
permitted to assist in inaugurating the same; but wheth-
er his indignation is chiefly toward the Democrats for
proposing, or towards the Republicans for accepting, an
electoral commission, which cheated the same out of the
office " to which he had been fairly elected, " he has not
informed us.
Mr. Durham was married March 18, 1855, to Helen
M. Cameron, of Steuben county. New York. She was
the daughter of Peter and Julia (Patterson) Cameron.
Her father was a native of Scotland, having emigrated
from that country to this when he was sixteen years old.
Her mother's family were from New England. Her
grandfather Patterson was an officer in the Revolution,
but settled, after the war, in Canada, on account of a
liberal homestead law which had been enacted in that
country. Mrs. Durham's mother was the youngest (or
one of the youngest) of thirteen children. Four of her
elder brothers were drafted into the British army on the
breaking out of the War of 181 2. But such was the loy-
alty of the Pattersons to the United States that they
abandoned their property in Canada, which had become
very valuable, left everything behind, without hope of re-
covery, and, through many perils, made their escape
across the St. Lawrence into the State of New York.
The four brothers deserted, and, after escaping into the
States, enlisted in the American army, and served till
the close of the war. The simple narrative of that es-
cape across the river, and of the journey to Rochester
(whither Mr. Patterson had preceded his family), would
read like a romance. Mrs. Cameron was, at the time,
only four or five years old, but she carried through life a
vivid recollection of the exciting scenes through which
she then passed. All her children know the story by
heart, and we deeply regret that we have not room to re-
produce it entire.
Mr. and Mrs. Durham have had but two children —
Maud A., born June 3, 1858, and Charles H., born
April 2, 1866.
JAMES ARMINIUS POOR
was born in Pawlet, Vermont, November 11, 1836. His
parents were David and Julia Ann (Wetherwax) Poor —
the former being a native of Vermont, and the latter of
New York. His father is a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal church, having joined the New York confer-
ence, in that capacity, in 1826. His biographer, in the
"Genealogy of John Poore" (his ancestor eight genera-
tions back), thus speaks of his early ministerial work :
In most of his circuits, averaging from twenty to twenty-eight ap-
pointments, all to be met once in four weeks, he travelled over hills and
mountains, fording rugged streams and heavy snow drifts, subjected
frequently to the uncongenial society of bears, wolves, panthers, rattle-
snakes and copperheads.
He came to Iowa at quite an early day, and was two
years each (then the longest pastoral term allowed) at
Independence, Fayette and Cedar Falls. He subse-
quently returned east, and served for a time at Benning-
ton, Vermont, and East Hebron, New York; since which
time he has been on the superannuated list. He is now
(1881) living with his third wife at Round Lake, Saratoga
county. New York, at the advanced age of seventy-eight
years.
James A. came to Independence in 1855, and was here
engaged for two or three years in mercantile business.
From 1857 to 1861 he was engaged with his brother-in-
law, William A. Jones, in the lumber business and farm-
ing. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted
in the Twenty-seventh Iowa infantry, and served (being
promoted to a lieutenancy) for about three years and a
half. His career as a soldier has been sufficiently
chronicled in the history of his noble regiment.
On his return from the war he again engaged in mer-
cantile pursuits till i86g, when he was appointed deputy
treasurer, and served the county in that capacity till
1873, when he was elected treasurer — a post to which he
has been now three times reelected — being in the
seventh year of his service. He was married April 30,
1859, to Amelia L. Herrick, sister of C. F. Herrick, of
Independence. They have four children, all born in
this city: Elizabeth Rebecca, born June 9, 1866; Helen
Louisa, born January. 20, 1871; Mary Edna, May 20,
1875; David William, August 20, 1S77.
Mr. and Mrs. Poor have a pleasant cottage residence
on the corner of Monroe and Chatham streets, where
they have spent the most of their married life, and where
all of their children were born.
MRS. MARY E. (NORRIS) BROWN,
wife of Ellis R. Brown, was born in New Philadelphia,
Ohio, August 3, 1842. Her parents were Lorenzo D.
and Ruth Norris. Her father was engaged in mercantile
business, and was one of the early settlers in that part of
Ohio. With her family she removed to Dubuque in
1857, and, after a residence there of eleven years she
came to Independence on a visit to her sister, Mrs. Mc-
Donald, who had been living here some time — her hus-
band being a harnessmaker. It was during this visit that
she and Mr. Brown "met by chance, the usual way" —
which meeting resulted in their marriage before the close
of the year 1868.
Mr. Brown came from New London, Chester county,
Pennsylvania, in the year 1864, and at the time of his
marriage, and for five or six years after (till the time of
the great fire in 1874) was engaged by himself in the
grain trade in Independence, and since that time he has
been employed with his brother, \\'illiam P. Brown, in
the same business. In January, 1873, Mrs. Brown went
into the millinery business in the Burr block on Chat-
ham street; and almost immediately secured a lucrative
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
269
trade. But on the third of May in the following year,
the "Great Fire" occurred, originating in the part of the
building occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Brown and their two
young children. It was with the greatest difificulty that
they escaped with their lives — losing everything but their
night clothes.
Mrs. Brown's loss was two thousand six hundred
dollars ; and though her insurance was fifteen hundred
dollars, she never received but five hundred dollars.
Left in poverty, they did not despair; but both went to
work with a will. Mr. Brown, as already stated, went
into the employment of his brother, with whom he still
continues; and Mrs. Brown, in October, 1875, went into
the store of Lawton &: Post as saleswoman, and con-
tinued with them until their partnership was dissolved in
1878. She then engaged with the new firm of Post &
Sweet, w-ith whom she stiU remains.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have but the two children, already
mentioned as having been rescued with them from the
fire: William, born July 25, 1869, and Jessie May, born
August 13, 1872.
JUDSON J. TRAVIS
was born in Franklin county, New York, in 1834. His
parents were Jacob S. and Judith (French) Travis — his
father being a farmer and an early settler in Franklin
county. His mother died in 184 1, and his father not
long after married again. In July, 185 1, he came to Bu-
chanan county with his father, who, in the meantime,
had become a widower. They entered one hundred
and twenty acres of land about half way between Inde-
pendence and Quasqueton ; but retained it only about
two years, vs-hen they sold it and purchased a hotel in the
former place, which they named the Judson house. The
elder Travis died two years after the close of the war —
having served two years in the "Gray-beard regiment" —
the Thirty-seventh Iowa.
judson is the eldest of three children. A brother,
next younger, died in childhood, and Alice, the youngest,
now Mrs. Hamilton, is living near San Jose, California.
Mr. Travis owns and cultivates a small farm adjoining
Independence on the northeast, on which he has a fine
orchard of four hundred apple trees, consisting of
Duchess, Fameuse, Haas, Saxton, Plumb's Cider, Ben
Davis, Russet, Talman's Sweeting, and several other va-
rieties. Mr. Travis had the courage to set out this
orchard in 1872, when almost everybody was bewailing
the supposed impossibility of raising apples in northern
Iowa, but in 1880 he raised from this orchard four hun-
dred bushels of excellent fruit, and there is every pros-
pect of an increase for years to come.
Mr. Travis has demonstrated that whoever has land
with a clay sub-soil, and is willing to pay a fair degree of
attention to his trees, m the way of mulching, pruning,
etc., can raise apples here as well as in any other part of
the world. He has a "forty" of fine woodland not far
from his farm, and also four lots in town, three of which
constitute his homestead, lying three blocks east of the
court house. He has been largely engaged in the wood
trade over twenty years, and, for seventeen, has kept a
regular woodyard — the first established in the city. He
sometimes handles nearly a thousand cords of wood in a
year — bringing large quantities of hard maple from the
north.
Mr. Travis was married December 31, i860, to Mar-
garet Ann Bright, who came with her parents to Buchan-
an county from Indiana the same year as his coming
from New York. They have had six children, two of
whom died in infancy. Clara M. was born in 1864, Cora
I. in 1866, Daisy E. in 1874, and Elsie L. in 1877.
Clara is now teaching her first school, in what is known
as the T. S. Cameron district, in the northeastern part of
this township.
Mr. Travis has been for several years secretary of the
Old Settlers' association, and takes a lively interest in
whatever concerns the advancement of his adopted
county and city. He was especially active and influen-
tial in securing the improvement of the public park, the
land of which was donated by the county to the city
when the latter was first located as the county seat. The
ground, situated in the centre of the original town plat,
was low and wet — in fact almost a slough. To fill it up,
grade, fence, and decorate it with trees and shrubbery,
was really a great undertaking for a place no larger than
Independence at the time the work was done. To se-
cure the necessary means Mr. Travis raised a private
subscription of over five hundred dollars, and, mainly
through his influence, the county authorities contributed
two hundred and fifty dollars, and those of the city
about seven hundred dollars, for the same object. As
a result the grounds are now among the most attract-
ive in the city, and a favorite place for public out-door
gatherings of a patriotic and social character.
HON. JOHN C. HOLLOWAY
became a citizen of Buchanan county in the summer of
1878. Mr. Holloway purchased a large body of land
in Middlefield township in 1876. To this he has since
added five hundred and thirty-two acres, adjoining his
first purchase, though one hundred and seventy-two
acres lie in Liberty township. This is the largest farm,
by several hundred acres, in the county. This farm in
soil is equal to any in the county, is under a fine state
of cultivation and general improvement, and has three
good farm houses upon it, besides barns, sheds and oth-
er conveniences for stock. The water privileges can not
be excelled, being supplied by the- Buffalo creek. Spring
branch and a never-failing spring. This farm Mr. Hol-
loway superintends, giving employment to over twenty
men in the summer season, and working thirty horses.
Stock raising is made a specialty, though the production
of grain to supply feed is by no means a small item.
Seven hundred acres of corn and four hundred of oats
are raised per year.
In the fall of 1878, Mr. Holloway built a handsome
residence in the western part of the city of Indepen-
dence, where his family have since made their home.
270
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
The year 1877 was spent by Mr. Holloway and family
in Santa Rosa, California, and liis fine west side house
is understood to be a reproduction in architecture of
the one purchased for their occupancy during their stay
at Santa Rosa.
Mr, Holloway was born at York, Livingston county,
New York, July 17, 1826. The Holloways were early
settlers of Deerfield, Massachusetts, and the grandfather
of the subject of this sketch was a blacksmith connected
with a cavalry company during the war of the Revolu-
tion. The family immigrated to western New York at the
close of the War of 1812, and engaged in farming.
Mr. J. C. Holloway received an academical education
in Genesee and Lima, western New York, and at twen-
ty-one came as far west as Flint, Michigan, where he
spent three years farming, building mills, etc. After-
ward he went to Marion, Ohio, where he farmed and
dealt in stock for years. In the autumn of 1855, Mr.
Holloway settled in Lancaster county, Wisconsin, pur-
chasing a large farm near the village and engaging
largely in business. Before the Rebellion he was a
heavy and prosperous stock dealer.
During Mr. Holloway's residence in Wisconsin, he
was a member of the lower house of the State legisla-
ture (1871), and of the senate, four consecutive years;
and while in the latter body, was chairman of several
important committees.
Mr. Holloway was married March 3, 1853, to Miss
Mary E. Baldwin, daughter of Rev. Johnson Baldwin,
of York, Livingston county, New York. They have had
six children, only two of whom are now living. Charles,
a promising son, was drowned June 7, 1876, at Beloit,
while a student in college at that place. John, the elder
of the two living children, was compelled to leave an
unfinished course of study at Beloit college, on account
of the failure of his health. Addle has spent two or
three years at the Wisconsin State university at Madison
and is now at home.
To Mr. Holloway's many occupations in the past, may
be added that of banker as we learn from an extract
from the Legislative Manual of Wisconsin, 1875, in
which it is also stated that Mr. Holloway was elected to
the legislature by a handsome majority of Republican
votes. The Holloway farm of Buchanan county, con-
taining fifteen hundred and eighty-four acres, may yet
rival the famous "Burr Oaks" SuUivant principality of
Illinois.
SAMUEL SHERWOOD
was born in Fairfield, Vermont, October 18, 1820. He
made his home with his father, Samuel Sherwood, sr.,
till he was twenty-five years of age, when he moved to
Janesville, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the mill-
wright business till the year 1847, when he came to
Iowa, locating in Independence. He pursued his trade
twenty-three years, working in adjoinmg counties wher-
ever the work called him. His last work was done in
1870, on the Independence mill. Since that time he
has lived a retired life, with the e.xception of keeping the
mill in repairs. He has always been a man of great
ability in that direction, and master of his profession;
has been engaged in the erection of some of the finest
mills in the country. He is, too, one of the first set-
tlers of this county, and to-day holds an honored posi-
tion as one of Buchanan's pioneers. We have secured
from him many interesting reminiscences. He has been
successful in business, and is now the largest stockholder
in the company owning the Independence mill.
Mr. Sherwood was married in Independence in 1S49,
February 2, to Miss Hulda Hathaway, who was born in
Warren county, Ohio, February 18, 1822. She was a
daughter of Henry Hathaway, a prominent farmer and
citizen of that county. Mr. Sherwood has a family of
four children, one daughter and three sons — Chister,
twenty-nine years of age, single, and engaged in the
millwright business in Montana; Clara, born December
10, 1856; Andrew, born October 30, 1858; and Samuel,
jr., born May 3, 1S65. The three younger children are
all living at home.
AV. H. CHAMBERLAIN
was born in Orange county, Vermont, 1841. When ten
years of age his father, Alden Chamberlain, moved to
Windsor county, where W. H. made his home until
he was sixteen years of age, when he went to North-
field and engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store, where
he continued five years. Afterwards returned to his
native town, Royalton, and clerked about two years. In
the year 1863 he came to Independence in company
with B. R. Chamberlain, with whom he engaged in the
grocery business, and continued it until June, the year
following, when they sold the stock. The following six
months Mr. Chamberlain clerked for Cook, Chesley &
Co., at the expiration of which time this firm sold out to
Lawton & Curtiss, with whom Mr. Chamberlain con-
tinued as clerk until December, when Wilcox, Chesley
and himself purchased the stock of groceries he and his
brother had formerly owned, and added to it a general
stock of dry goods and notions. This they run till
January of the year following, when they sold to Lawton
& Curtiss. In the fall after the sale he returned to Ver-
mont on a visit, and remained till spring, when he re-
turned to Independence and clerked for Wilcox, Chesley
& Morse till January, when he was admitted as a
partner, which relation he sustained till the death of Mr.
Wilcox, which was in the year 1869. At this time
Mr. Chamberlain was running a store at Webster City,
under the firm name of Wilcox, Chamberlain & Co.
This they closed out immediately after the death of Mr.
Wilcox, and Mr. Chamberlain retired, and continued in
the store in Independence till March, when he sold out
to Messrs. Chesley & Morse. In the spring of 1870, he
engaged as a travelling salesman with Sadler & Goff, a
crockery and glassware firm of Dubuque, with whom he
remained about eighteen months. Returning to Inde-
pendence, in company with Mr. L. Moore, purchased a
new stock of dry goods, clothing, notions, boots and
shoes. In this business they continued till the fall of
THOMAS SCARCLIFF
was born in Lincolnshire, England, February ii, 1828.
He made his home with his father, Henry Scarcliff, on the
farm till he was nineteen years of age, when he came to
the United States, spending his first two years in Genesee
county. New York, some of the time engaged in the
hotel business, the rest of the time he spent on a farm.
From there he went to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he
engaged as clerk in a dry goods and grocery store, and
part of the time in a hotel. His time spent in that State
altogether amounted to about four years. In the year
1 85 I he came to this county and located two hundred
and forty acres lying north and northeast of the town
plat proper of Independence. He soon after returned
to Janesville. The year following he came to Indepen-
dence and saw the forty acres lying directly south of the
town plat proper. He returned to Janesville and pur-
chased this forty acres of the owners, who lived there,
paying four hundred and fifty dollars for it. In the year
1853 he returned and laid it out in town lots. The dis-
posing of these lots by sales and trades of different
kinds commanded his attention for about three years.
Those were days of inflation. The prospects for a fast
growing town made the lots very marketable, and at high
prices; twenty feet front and ten rods back sold for three
hundred and ninety dollars. It was part of the lot
where the Luckey House now stands. Circumstances
and hard times caused a reverse of fortune, so to sjjeak,
making an absolute lull in the markets, and lots could
not be sold at any price.
While these lots were selling for such fabulous jjrices,
other commodities were inflated also. The influx of
immigration made a visible difference in prices of every-
thing. In a few weeks the demand so far exceeded the
supply that many made it a business to bring grain from
older adjoining counties. In this enterprise Mr. Scar-
cliff engaged moderately, hauling some oats from Lynn
county, paying from thirty to thirty-five cents per bushel
and found ready sale for the same at one dollar per
bushel, corn selling as high as one dollar and twenty-five
cents per bushel. In 1856 or 1857 there was such a
decline that grain had really no cash value. The year
1859 completed the railroad, which seemed to revive the
markets, the price of oats reaching as high as forty-two
cents.
About this period Mr. Scarcliff" was well initiated in the
grain business, buying and shipping on the market. His
books show profit and loss with accuracy; but the profit
exceeded the loss quite sufficiently tn justify his continu-
ing the business. In the latter part of the year i860 he
laid in about twelve thousand bushels of oats, averaging
in price about eighteen or twenty cents per bushel. The
war breaking out the year following prevented shipping
down the Mississippi, therefore blockading the market
so completely that oats dropped as low as seven cents
per bushel; but in the spring of 1862, when navigation
opened up again, he shipped it to St. Louis and realized
a profit above the first price paid.
The rise and fall of prices were not confined to grain
alone, but to commodiiies of all kinds. In the winter
of 1861-2 Mr. Scarcliff paid one and a half cents per
pound for dressed hogs; the price steadily advancing
till it reached as high as two dollars and sixty-five cents
per hundred before spring. The grain business has been
Mr. Scarcliff's principal avocation since the railroad came
through. He was the first buyer of Independence who
shipped grain over the railroad after its completion,
some years his business amounting to as high as one
hundred thousand dollars. He has since the first done
business on the same grounds, scarcely absent three
weeks during the whole time, which is about twenty-one
years. He is one of the very few men in the United
States who has been in business that length of time who
has always paid one hundred cents on the dollar.
Mr. Scarcliff was married in Independence, Sc]ittm-
ber 30, 1862, to Miss Hattie S. Crippen, a native ol New
York State. They have two children — M. Lillian and
Thomas, ages fifteen and four respectively. As will be
seen by this sketch, Mr. Scarclift" was one of the first
settlers of this county, and has helped to not only lay
the first lines to its successful history, but has always
been one of the solid business benefactors of the count)-.
He enjoys the highest respect of acquaintances, and is
known throughout the county.
He helped to organize the military company; was
one of the first stockholders in the People's National
bank, and also in the First National bank, of which
latter he is still a stockholder. Mr. Scarcliff owns a
beautiful residence on the corner of South and Eliza-
beth streets, and has in this county about four hundred
acres of land, besides a farn; in F.Tyette county.
*el
■ j^J!^[&j-
THOS. SCARCLIFF.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
271
1874. On the third day of May, 1874 they were burned
out, losing the greater part of their stock. In the fall,
after this event, Mr. Chamberlain purchased Mr. Morse's
interest in the stock, and has since continued it alone.
Mr. Chamberlain has been associated with business in-
terests of the county and city for the past eighteen years,
and has always commanded the confidence of the com-
munity as a business gentleman. His shrewdness in
buying and fairness in selling, have won for him a repu-
tation which insures a business career that will be both
satisfactory to himself and to his patrons. Mr. Cham-
berlain was married in this city, in 1870, to Miss Kate
Wilson. They have one child, Rolfe, born July, 1871.
Mr. Chamberlain owns a nice residence west of the river.
E. COBB
was born in the State of New York, Greene county, in
the town of Windham, June 7, 1823. His father, Simon
Cobb, died when he was but eighteen years of age. At
the age of twenty-one he commenced to do for himself
by working by the month, and was thus employed until
he was twenty-five years of age, when he went to Illinois,
purchased teams and engaged in buying wagons in
Chicago, and hauling them out to the lead mines, where
he sold and traded them for furs and such other articles
as he could make profitable by taking back to Chicago
to sell. This he followed about four years, when he
came to Iowa, June 13, 1S53. He made his first pur-
chase in this county of one hundred and sixty acres,
sections four and five Washington township, adjoining
the city on the west. At the same time he purchased
two acres where his fine residence is now located ; has
since added to it, making one of the most desirable
properties in this city. His first residence was a small
shanty, set on blocks, with no fence or other buildings,
or even a well The solitary one story, fourteen by
twenty-two shanty, among the hazle brushes and weeds,
is the picture of his home when he came to move in.
But within two years after this he had in its place one
of the finest residences in the county, with shade and
fruit trees. Soon after Mr. Cobb built his house people
commenced to insist on stopping with him ; he was
compelled to enlarge his house, and built a stable for the
accommodation of the public. This soon grew to be a
good business, and he pursued it in connection with the
stock business until the Central railroad went through
the city. When the travelling public could be accomo-
dated elsewhere, he cut down his sign and let them pass
by. Since that time he has been overseeing his fiirm,
but has turned his attention principally to the stock busi-
ness. His experience taught him it was more profitable
to buy, feed and sell instead of raising the stock. This
business he continues still, and very successfully. Ships
principally to Chicago, but sells a great many at home.
Dunng the years intervening between 1865 and 1878,
he frequently had on hand five hundred head ; averag-
ing through the summer on the prairies three hundred
head, and handling some years as high as eighty thou-
sand dollars worth of cattle and hogs. He at present is
not dealing as extensively as in the past on account of
the scarcity of cattle and pasturage — Uncle Sam's being
no longer available. Mr. Cobb owns one of the most
valuable farms in the county, situated, as it is, adjacent
to the city, and naturally rolling and of fine soil. He
owns in timber and cultivated land two hundred and
forty acres. When he was twenty-one years of age his
only wealth was ninety-four cents, but he now ranks
among the wealthy men of the west. Mr. Cobb was
married in Cook county, Illinois, in 1852, to Miss
Phinanda Butterfield, who was born in Niagara county,
New York, in 1825, and died in Independence, Febru-
ary 20, 1872 ; leaving a family of five children, all sons.
The oldest, Franklin, now twenty-five years of age,
single, and engaged with his father in the cattle business ;
Edwin, jr., is twenty-two years of age, married, and farms
in the vicinity ; Albert, eighteen ; George, fifteen ; Harry,
eleven. The three youngest children are at home, and
attending school.
ENSMINGER BROTHERS.
This enterprising firm engaged in photography in the
city of Independence, consisting of J. C. and J. M.
Ensminger, was organized in the year 1870.
The senior partner, Mr. J. C. Ensminger, was born in
Stark county, Ohio, in 1843. His father being a photog-
rapher, he commenced, when only a boy, to make him-
self well acquainted with the business. When he became
a man his design to become proficient as an artist led
him to Cleveland, Newark, and Columbus, Ohio. Also
to New York city and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where
he was connected with some of the finest art galleries in
the country. Sparing neither time nor money to make
himself master of the photographer's art, in all its
branches. In the year 1868 he came to Indepen-
dence, where he has since been engaged in the business.
Mr. Ensminger was married in A\'aterford, Vermont, in
1872, to Miss Amanda Brown. They have a family of
two children, Freddie and Mary, aged three and five,
respectively.
Mr. J. M. Ensminger was born in Stark county, Ohio,
in 1845. He associated himself with his father in the
photograph business in Ashland, Ohio, principally prior
to coming to Independence, which was in the year 1870,
at which time he and his brother engaged as partners.
Mr. J. M. Ensminger was married in this county, in
1877, to Miss Alice Anderson, a resident of this county.
These young men are sons of Mr. E. M. Ensminger, a
photographer of considerable renown in the east, and
from whom they received much valuable knowledge in
the art.
This firm has associated itself with the business
interests of this community for the past several years,
and are among those men who, by their honorable deal-
ing and complete understanding and knowledge of their
business and the never-wavering determination to give
perfect satisfaction, have won for themselves a favor with
the people that is not only creditable, but assures a bus-
272
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
iness career that will be both satisfactory to themselves
and the community at large.
Their spirit of enterprise has not been confined within
the walls of their studio, but objects of interest every-
where in the city have been visited and a negative taken.
They have on file an illustrated history of Independence,
consisting of steroscopic views of the city in its infancy,
and when it lay in ruins, made waste by the fire in 1874.
C. F. HERRICK.
C. F. Herrick, jeweler, has been in business in this
place since November, 1856. He was born in Lima,
Livingston county, New York, in 1835. When about
fourteen years old he commenced learning his trade. In
1856, he came to Independence and has resided here
ever since, working at his trade all of the time, with the
exception of about fourteen months in the army. He
does an immense business and has the best fitted jewelry
store in the city. Mr. Herrick enlisted in September,
1861, in the Eleventh Illinois regiment, and served about
a year as a private. In 1864 he went with company D,
Forty-sixth Iowa infantry, as captain. He was out only
a few months when he was obliged to resign, on account
of the effects of the southern climate upon his health.
Mr. Herrick was married in September, 1858, to Miss
Sarah A. Sauerbier, of this town. They have six chil-
dren: Ellen A., William S., Alice E., Mary P., Sarah
E., and Charley G. Mr. Herrick is a member of the
Episcopal church; also of the Masons and United
Workmen. In politics he is a thorough Republican.
He occupies a high social position, and is one of our
best citizens. He has twice held the office of mayor,
and has also been councilman.
WILLIAM FEW
was born in Cambridgeshire, England, August 22, 1825.
At the age of eleven, in company with his parents, two
brothers, and two sisters, came to .America. The trip
required seven weeks and four days, a very tedious jour-
ney as compared with the time required to make the trip
at present on one of our beautiful steamers. What is
now considered quite a pleasure trip was then a dreaded
voyage. On arriving in America they located at Lock-
port, New York. Mr. Few learned the merchant tailor-
ing business at Lockport, which business he has followed
ever since. He remained about seventeen years in
Lockport, when he removed to Albion, New York, where
he spent about the same number of years, when he emi-
grated westward, locating in Independence, Iowa, where
we find him industriously engaged at his business, com-
manding a generous patronage, which he well deserves,
and has earned by strict attention to business and com-
petent workmanship. Mr. Few is a man of exemplary
habits, trustworthy, both in his business and social con-
nections, liberal in matters of a local nature, always
willing and ready to do his part in matters that tend to
elevate and impove his town, and place its citizens in
the front rank with those of other counties. March 7,
1847, Mr. Few was married to Miss Frances Harriet
Phillips, of Albion, New York. They have had eight
children, six living and two deceased. Allen died at the
age of one year, and Alfred at the age of seven.
In politics Mr. Few is a staunch Republican. Mr.
and Mrs. Few are members of the Baptist church in
Independence.
SAMUEL NAYLOR
was born in Wayne county, Ohio, August 15, 1834.
Mr. Naylor's boyhood days were spent on the farm,
where he learned industry and economy. Mr. Naylor
came to Iowa in 1854. September 24, 1856, he was
married to Miss Nancy Agnes Meyers, daughter of
Jacob and Sarah Jane Myers, who came to Buchanan
county from Marshall county, Illinois, in the fall of 1854,
and at once entered the hotel business at Fairbank, in
this county, where they still continue the same business,
Mr. Myers at the advanced age of eighty years, and
Mrs. Myers about seventy-two years. The Naylor and
Myers families are among the earliest in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Naylor have had but one child, a daugh-
ter, Alice Ellen, born December 18, 1858. Mrs. Nay-
lor, after a very painful suffering of six months, died
F'ebruary 15, 1880.
Miss Alice remains with her father, looking after the
hotel and her father's interests, and striving as best she
can, to take her mother's place. This family enjoy a
large acquaintance, having been constantly for a period
of sixteen years in the hotel they now occupy, and which
Mr. Naylor has owned for many years. Mr. Naylor is
a sociable and entertaining landlord, a genial companion
and a very kind and indulgent father. His .father and
mother are still living in Yates Centre, Woodson county,
Kansas, his father aged seventy-six, and his mother sev-
enty-four years old. They have lived together over half
a century.
VALENTINE CATES
was born in the State of New York in 1832, where he
lived till seven years of age, when his father, Samuel
Cates, moved to Belvidere, Boon county, Illinois, where
he lived till his death, which was in April, 1877. Mr.
Valentine Cates made his home in that vicinity about
twenty-three years. On or about the year 1852, he went
to Lake Superior, where he engaged in mining copper
about two years. In the spring of 1854 he came to Iowa,
locating first at Waverly, where he entered some land
and made his home about four years. At the same time
he was engaged in teaming from Dubuque west. Many
amusing incidents occurred during this time, and a mi-
nute story of his life would here portray the west in its
cradle of civilization. At that time a single log house
marked the future of Waverly. It was built by William
Hammond. Mr. Cates erected there a house, sixteen by
twenty-four, and rented the lower story for a store room,
and occupied the second story as a dwelling. This house
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
273
was the first constructed of pine lumber ever built in
Waverly. Mr. Gates hauled it himself from Dubuque,
the distance being over one hundred miles. The road
was without bridges, and wound around in every direc-
tion to avoid sloughs.
Mr. Cates' next move was to a farm near Quasqueton,
where he lived about two years, when he enlisted in com-
pany C, Ninth Iowa volunteer infantry, and served his
country in all four years. He was at the taking of Vicks-
burgh, and with Sherman on his march to the sea, and
participated in many events of interest that a brief sketch
will not admit notice of But suffice it to say, he was one
of the Government's profitable soldiers, was never in the
hospital an hour, nor ever wounded, nor taken prisoner.
Since his return from the array he made his home in In-
dependence, engaging in different avocations till the year
1873, when he was appointed by the councilmen of In-
dependence as the night watchman. This position he
occupied for three years, when the mining interests of
Colorado attracted his attention. He spent about a year
in the mountains, but finding society and life generally
very disagreeable, he returned home, when he was at
once reappointed to the position of night watchman.
Mr. Cates was married November 25, 1855, to Miss
Mary Sparling, who was born in Crawford county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1840. They have four children: Carrie,
born in May, 1857, married John Parker in August, 1878,
and resides in Independence; Charles, born in October,
1861; Arthur, born in December, 1868; Lillie, born in
October, 1874. The three younger children live at
home and attend school. Mrs. Cates is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Cates is a Baptist.
JAMES FORRESTER
was born in county Wexford, Ireland, June 15, 1814.
His father died when he was about two years old. When
he was five years of age he left his native home, in com-
pany with his mother and a sister, and landed in Can-
ada, where he remained until he was twelve years of age.
His mother having married again, he, in company with
his uncle, Mr. John Forrester, came to the United States
and settled in Niagara county, New York. Here he re-
mained and assisted his uncle on the farm until he was
about seventeen years of age. He then returned to
Montreal, Canada, where he apprenticed himself to a
stone-cutter, where he remained and worked at his chosen
trade until 1831, when he again returned to the United
States.
In 1845, December 29th, he was married to Miss Lu-
cinda A. Lovejoy, of Michigan, daughter of Palmer and
Dolly Lovejoy, her father having died in Michigan about
five years previous. Mr. Forrester, having purchased a
farm of two hundred acres three miles from the place
where his wife's mother lived, the next day after the mar-
riage they, with an ox team, started on their wedding
trip, which consisted of the distance from Mrs. Lovejoy's
to his farm, where they at once commenced life for them-
selves in earnest, and were doubtless as well content with
this three miles tour as many of our young people now-
a-days would be with a trip of hundreds of miles and an
expense of several hundred dollars.
In February, 1852, Mr. Forrester landed in Buchanan
county, Iowa, having determined to make this place his
home. He bought some property in Independence, and
in May of the same year brought his family to Indepen-
dence. Mr. Forrester opened a general store, which
contained such articles as early settlers desire. Mr. For-
rester is one of the early settlers of Buchanan county,
and is one of a very few indeed of those who came at
the time he did who still survive. He has been an active
man, and by industry and economy he is now in circum-
stances to pass his declining years as he desires. He
owns a farm of two hundred and fifty acres adjoining
the city of Independence, and some considerable town
property besides.
They have had seven children — four sons and three
daughters. James P., the oldest, was born in Wisconsin
May 30, 1848, and is living in single blessedness, making
his home with his aged parents. He is engaged in the
produce business in Independence, with Mr. Henry R.
Hunter, the firm being Hunter & Forrester. They do a
good business, and enjoy the confidence of tlie commu-
nity. Mary Adelia, the second child, was born February
6, 1850, and died November 4, 1852. Harvey Uii, born
December 19, 1850, died September 14, 1852. Mary
Lucinda, born July 14, 1853, died February 8, 1854.
Walter Edwin, born October 5, 1854, died the same day.
Alice D., born June 5, 1856, is the wife of Mr. Byron
Tabor, of the firm of Tabor & Tabor, druggists. Edwin
v., born February 14, 1858, is engaged in sheep raising
at Le Mars, Plymouth county, Iowa.
Mr. Forrester is not connected with any church. Mrs.
Forrester is a member of the Methodist church in Inde-
pendence, and has been for a period of thirty years.
Mr. Forrester is a staunch Republican, and his son
James is strongly imbued with the same political faith.
SAMUEL C. LUCKEY.
Samuel C. Luckey was born in Albany county, New
York, December 16, 181 1. He was brought up a farmer,
and followed that occupation until 1874. He went with
his parents, at the age of three years, to Cayuga county,
New York, and lived there until he was eighteen. From
there the family moved to Allegheny county, where he
lived until 1844, with the exception of four years in Wy-
oming county, New York. He went to Boone county,
Illinois, in 1844, where he lived four years, then went to
Marquette county, Wisconsin; he was there four years,
while the country was wild and new, and Wisconsin yet a
territory. From Marquette county he moved to the In-
dian lands in Waushara county, before the land had been
surveyed by the government. Mr. Luckey built two
houses there and improved two farms. He experienced
much of the rough life of a pioneer. He lived there un-
til the spring of 1861, and then came to Buchanan county
and settled at Independence. Mr. Luckey followed va-
274
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
rious kinds of work, until the fall of 1877, when he opened
a restaurant on Chatham street, near Main street. He
did a large business there for three years. In September,
1880, he bought the property formerly known as the
"Rising Sun," and now keeps hotel. The Luckey House
is very popular. Mr. Luckey is one of the most agreeable
landlords of our acquaintance. He and his wife make
their customers feel at home, and give them their money's
worth every time. Their house is a favorite stopping
place for farmers who come into the city to trade.
Mr. Luckey was married January 4, 1837, to Miss
Caroline M. Blakeley, who was born in Green county.
New York, September 19, 181 6.
They have had five children, none of whom are living
at present. Their names were: Oscar G., Ovando F.,
Elvira, Romanzo, and Cleantha G. All except Elvira,
who died when one year old, lived to grow up. Oscar G.
was married.
Mr. and Mrs. Luckey are members of the Methodist
church. They are .highly esteemed and have hosts of
friends.
A. LITTLEJOHN
was born in Columbus, Ohio, August 20, 1833. He
learned the boot and shoe-making trade, and worked in
the city of Columbus for a period of about three years.
Mr. Littlejohn was married September 20, 1855, to Miss
Ellen Cain, of Columbus, Ohio. In 1 85 6 they immigrated
to Iowa, and located in Independence, Buchanan county,
where Mr. Littlejohn engaged in business with a Mr.
Loomis, but only remained one year, when he went to
work for Mr. John Wiley, remaining in Mr. Wiley's em-
ployment until August II, 1862, when he enlisted in the
Twenty-seventh Iowa, where he served a term of
three years, doing a soldier's duty, enduring the hardships
and privation, and engaging in the memorable battles of
Pleasant Hill, Nashville, Fort Blakely, and many others.
Mr. Littlejohn's soldier experience, though it required
nerve and endurance, is cherished by himself, as by
many other of our soldier boys, with considerable pride,
as well it may be. At the close of his term of enlistment,
Mr. Littlejohn returned to Independence, and again en-
gaged in the boot and shoe business with Mr. Wylie,
where he remained as foreman in that store until No-
vember, 1878, when he engaged in the boot and shoe
business for himself, the firm being A. Littlejohn & Son.
They have a nice store, and its appearance, upon entering,
speaks favorably for its management. The writer has
been told by a number of the business men of the town
that the best custom-work was done at this establishment,
which is saying considerable, as the competition in this
branch of business is quite sharp.
Mr. Littlejohn has a family of six children, four sons
and two daughters — James Otis, Harriet, Ida May, Frank
Edgar, William Charles, and Abraham Lincoln.
Mr. Littlejohn is one of the staunch Republicans of In-
dependence, a good business man, and enjoys a large ac-
quaintance in Buchanan county, as he is one of the oldest
business men in Independence.
JOHN WILEY
was born in York, England, September 22, 1832. When
he was five years and a half old, in company with his
father, two brothers and two sisters — his mother having
died when he was two and a half years old — he emigrat-
ed to America, and settled in Lockport, Niagara county.
New York. He remained with his parents until he was
about twenty-three years of age, when, contrary to the
wishes of his parents, he detet mined to emigrate for the
west. His father was anxious to have him educate him-
self preparatory to fitting himself for a professional po-
sition, but John was averse to that kind of life and car-
ried out his determination by leaving home and its
natural attractions, and after visiting some few western
towns, in 1856, May 12th, became to Independence and
began the boot and shoe business. September 9, 1867,
he was married to Miss Amelia A. Parker, daughter of
Samuel and Elizabeth Parker, who came to this county
from the State of New York as early as 1857. Her
father was a man admired by all who came in contact
with him. In the fall of 1S79 he met his death by fall-
ing from a load of bran. Her mother is still living in
Independence.
Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have been blessed with one child
Albert Eugene, born January 30, 1873 — a bright little
boy, the pride of fond and indulgent parents. Mr.
Wiley's father is still living in Richland county, Wiscon-
sin, at the advanced age of eighty years.
Mr. Wiley is a man of exemplary business habits, and
occupies a front rank among the business men of Inde-
pendence. Mr. Wiley is a man who always pays one
hundred cents on the dollar, and his strong sense of
right has given him a position among the people of In-
dependence that any man may be proud of, and none
get unless deserved.
C. R. WALLACE
was born in Oswego, New York, September 25, 1837.
In 1855, in company with his parents, one brother, and
three sisters, he emigrated to Iowa. His father, Mr.
Horace Wallace, engaged in the business of joiner and
builder and farming. He died in April, 1865, and his
mother died March, 1880. C. R. Wallace, having had
some experience in school-teaching in New York, en-
gaged in the same work soon after reaching Iowa. He
taught two years at Mechanicsville, Cedar county, with
the exception of a few months during the hot summer
weather, when he assisted his father on the farm, where
his services were doubtless appreciated, especially on a
rainy day.
While teaching school Mr. Wallace gave the study of
medicine as much time as possible, as he wished to pre-
pare for the drug business. In 1857 he engaged as clerk
in the drug store of his brother-in-law, J. W. Plummer,
at Vinton, Iowa, where he remained one year and a half,
when he came to Independence, and, in company with
his father, engaged in the grocer business, but at the end
of six months they sold out. He then purchased a stock
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
275
of drugs of the widow of Dr. Butler, and from that time
to the present, with perhaps a few months spent in se-
lecting locations, Mr. Wallace has been constantly in the
drug business, in which we find him one of the oldest
and, doubtless, best druggist in Independence. The
very appearance of the store speaks favorably of the
man and his business qualifications. Mr. Wallace sold
out his business in Independence in 1868 and started
east to look up a location, and brought up in the town
of Wooster, Ohio, where he bought an interest in the
wholesale and retail drug and grocer business with a
Mr. Eckles, the firm being Eckles & Wallace. Mr. Wal-
lace took charge of the drug department. At the end
of four years Mr. Wallace sold his interest in the busi-
ness to Mr. Eckles, and returned to Independence more
than ever in love with the western people. October 23,
1863, he was married to Miss Hellen H. Judd, in Chit-
tenanga, New York, by the Rev. James Talmage, brother
of De Witt Talmage. Mrs. Wallace is the daughter of
Harley and Hannah H. Judd, of Chittenanga, New
York. They have one child — Arthur H., born August
9, 1865. Mr. Wallace is a staunch Republican and a
man worthy the respect of all who come in contact with
him, either in a business or social way. Mrs. Wallace is
distinguished for her skill in vocal music.
THOMAS F. CURTIS
was born in Yates county. New York, in 1841, where his
parents still reside, his father at the age of about seven-
ty-one and his mother sixty-nine.
Since 1858 Mr. Curtis has been actively engaged in
business, having a livery stable, and is also engaged
in buying and selling horses. By strict attention to
business, combined with a large amount of good judg-
ment, Mr. Curtis has gained a place among the business
men of Independence that he" richly deserves. He is
generous, but shrewd and energetic, just the characteris-
tics sure to place any man high in the estimation of as-
sociates and business men generally. The writer is free
to say that in all his wanderings the past ten years, in
many different States, he has not been better, if ever so
well, accommodated by a livery man. Mr. Curtis has
nothing but first-class driving teams, and the young
folks of Independence and vicinity enjoy many pleasant
drives from this well known barn.
Mr. Curtis yet enjoys single blessedness. Neverthe-
less, time don't seem to set hard upon his shoulders.
W. H. STEWART & CO.
This firm, consisting of W. H. Stewart and J. A.
Aiman, engaged in the dry goods and millinery busi-
ness in Independence, was organized in August, 1880.
It was formerly under the management of W. H. Stew-
art as sole proprietor, whose first connection with the
business was in November, 1879. He is a son of Rob-
ert Stewart, a highly respected citizen of Independence.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1856;
came to this county with his parents in i860. His ear-
ly years were spent on the farm and in school; was en-
gaged in the creamery business one year in Westburgh
township. The years 1877 and 1878 he spent in the
Upper Iowa university, where he received a practical
business education.
Mr. Aiman was born in the State of Pennsylvania in
1857. Most of his time previous to engaging in this
business was spent in acquiring an education. He grad-
uated in La Fayette college in 1878. The time inter-
vening between this date and his connection with Mr.
Stewart was spent in teaching in Fremont seminary.
The members of this enterprising firm are known
throughout the county as thorough-going, straightfor-
ward, honorable business young men.
Their affability and gentlemanly bearing, together
with the reputation they have won for themselves in the
past as shrewd buyers, and the "live and let live" princi-
ples they maintain in selling, bespeaks for them a busi-
ness career that will not only be successful, but credita-
ble to them and satisfactory to the community at large.
S. S. CLARK.
The late S. S. Clark was born in East Granville De-
cember 10, 1825, and died in Independence November
15, 1878. He was a son of Mr. Henry Clark, a
prominent citizen of East Granville. When only a boy
Mr. Clark evinced considerable business ability and at
the age of sixteen commenced doing business with the
public. Soon after he was employed as travelling sales-
man by the Ward Brothers of New York city, with whom
he continued for several years. At the age of twenty-
two he joined a party that was being formed in Westfield
for the purpose of making an overland trip to California,
which proved to be one of considerable interest and
filled with incidents both exciting and pleasant. He
made a stay in California of about four years, being en-
gaged principally in mining. After his return home and
after recovering from an attack of Panama fever, he came
west and attended some land sales and purchased land
in this and several adjoining counties. Some time
afterwards he returned to his home on account of his
father's death which occurred in the year 1858. He
soon afterwards returned to Independence where he en-
gaged in buying, selling lands, and making loans of
money in connection with overseeing his farming inter-
ests. These avocations he pursued in connection with
other branches of business during his life time. In the
year i860 he made his first purchase of an interest in
the Independence mill and afterwards owned a half in-
terest in the same with Mr. Sherwood, who were sole
proprietors till the milling company was organized, when
Mr. Clark was chosen general manager and held the
position while he lived. He was for a time connected
with a Mr. Ingalls in the manufacture of the Ingalls'
seeder. He afterwards connected himself with Mr. J.
G. Whiting in the manufacture of a seeder of their own
patenting, known as the ^Vhitney & Clark seeder. In
276
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
the year 1865 Mr. Clark built the beautiful residence on
River street, where the family still resides.
In the year 1861, April 15th, Mr. Clark and Miss
Caroline Newkirk were united in marriage. Mrs. Claik
was a daughter of Joseph and Francis Newkirk, residents
of Wayne county, Ohio, where she was born December
4, 1833. Their family consists of three children, two
daughters and one son — Mary A., Katie E., and Stewart
S., ages fifteen, eleven, and nineteen respectively. Mr.
Clark was a man of rather delicate constitution, and five
years prior to his death was very much afflicted, interfer-
ing considerably with his business. He was an active,
energetic man, and one of the leading men in the busi-
ness community, and though he always had many irons
in the fire, he managed them all well, and at his death
was not only a well to do citizen of Independence, but
one of the wealthy men of the State.
A. B. CLARK
was born in Massachusetts in the year 181 7. He made
his home principally with his father, Ebenezer Clark,
till he was twenty years of age, when he went to Vir-
ginia, where he engaged in teaching about eight years.
Returning to Massachusetts he engaged in the drug bus-
iness in Westfield, where he remained about eight years,
excepting the years 1849 and 1850 whicli he spent in
California. Though for a while engaged in the mercan-
tile business, his chief interest in California was in mining.
In the year 1852 he sold his interest in Westfield, Mas-
sachusetts, and came to Iowa, locating in Dubuque,
where he was engaged in the land business about two
years, which business he transferred to Independence
in 1854 and continued for about five years. He after-
wards returned to the drug business in which he is still
engaged.
Mr. Clark was married in Westfield, Massachusetts,
in 1851, to Miss Margaret Hedges, a native of that State
and town. They have a family of four children, two
sons and two daughters — Virginia, the oldest, is the wife
of William S. Boggs, Fannie, Archer E. and Robert S.
Archer is engaged in the grocery business in Indepen-
dence, and Robert S. is still a school boy. Mr. Clark is
among the early settlers of this county and one of its
prominent business men. He owns a nice residence in
the city and is doing a good business. He entered Am-
herst college in the year 1837.
W. H. H. MORSE
was born in the State of New York in 1841. ^Vhen he
was quite young his father, Heman Morse, moved to
Canada, where they made their home about five years,
after which they spent two years in Belvidere, Illinois,
and afterward moved to Galena and Nera, making a stay
in the State of about six years. In 1853 they came to
Iowa, locating in Independence. Mr. W. H. H. Morse
made his home with his father on the farm till the year
1866, when he engaged in the dry goods business with
Messrs. Wilcox and Chesley — the firm name being Wil-
co.x, Chesley & Morse, and so continued until the death
of Mr. Wilcox, which occurred about the year 1869,
when the name was changed to Chesley & Morse. They
continued in the business together about one year, when
Mr. Morse purchased his partners interest and continued
in business alone. In the fall of 1879 ^f- ^^'- H. Lit-
tell purchased a half interest in the stock, forming the
enterprising firm of Morse & Littell, which is known
through the country as straightforward and honorable, as
their extensive trade gives ample testimony.
Mr. Morse was married in this city in 1867 to Miss
Mamie Hale, and his family consists of two children —
Neva and Anna — ages twelve and ten years, respectively.
Mr. Morse is a man whose enterprise is congratulated by
his fellow townsmen. He has in process of building a
fine residence in the east part of the city.
Mr. Morse has been long identified with the business
of Buchanan county, and at present is a leading business
man of the county seat, which has grown up under his
observation, as, when he first saw it, himself a boy of
twelve, he little thought that before he reached his ma-
jority, the straggling hamlet would put on such metropol-
itan proportions.
G. N. WARREN
was born in Allegheny county. New York, in the town of
Nunda, February 18, 1832, and made his home with his
father, Noah Warren, till he was twenty-five years of age,
when he went to Wisconsin where he purchased a farm
of eighty acres and farmed it till 1862, when he enlisted
in company H, Thirtieth Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
He served his country three years and three months; was
never wounded nor taken prisoner, though he partici-
pated in many severe engagements. His service was a
part of the time on the plains, being afterwards ordered
south, serving most of the time in General Thomas' corps.
October 3, 1865, he was mustered out of service with his
regiment. After his return from the army he came to
Independence and engaged in the carpenter and joiner
business, in which he continued seven years. Mr. War-
ren built the Congregational church and several fine res-
idences, which is evidence of the estimation in which he
was held as a builder. In the month of March, 1869,
he purchased the farm of one hundred and seventy-four
acres on which he still resides, in section thirty-one,
Washington township.
Mr. Warren was married October 5, 1855, to Miss Bel-
vie E. Blakely, who was born in Allegheny county. New
York, October 30, 1831. They have one child, Viola N.,
born July 4, 1858. Mrs. Warren is a lady whose ability
as a teacher has won her many friends. The faithful ser-
vice of one's country in her hour of peril, and a success-
ful waging of war upon that enemy of popular govern-
ments, ignorance, constitutes a claim for benefits
conferred, which no intelligent community will fail to
recognize. With such claims Mr. and Mrs. Warren's
ample doinain, which we have numbered in acres, can
only faintly symbolize their larger realm, which must be
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
277
compLitfd in golden opinions. They are Christian peo-
ple, and members of the United Brethren church.
DANIEL WALKER
was born in Sullivan county, New Hampshire, in
1830. He made his home with his father, Henry
Walker, until he was twenty-one years of age, after
which he commenced life for himself, by engaging
in farming and stock-raising. In these branches
of business he continued until the fall of 1869, when he
came to Independence, where he was employed in buying
and selling stock. In 1874 he purchased a ten-acre lot
west of the city, where he built his beautiful residence
the same year. This property, when improved, cost him
over five thousand dollars. He has since purchased dif-
ferent lots adjoining him, and he now owns about one
hundred acres of land, costing in the neighborhood of
seventy-five dollars per acre. Mr. Walker's place is
tastefully embellished and his farm has such a desirable
location that it makes his property one of the most
valuable in the vicinity, and his home one with which he
may well be content.
Mr. Walker was married in New Hampshire, June 8,
1852, to Miss Lorinda Gordon, a native of New Hamp-
shire. They have had two children, Edwin M. and
Nettie F. Edwin died at his father's house November i,
1874, at the age of seventeen. Nellie, born in 1857,
is living at home.
Mr. Walker is not only a well to-do farmer, but one of
the sound financiers, valuable to any community. He
has, by his own existence, made a handsome property;
showing what a man can do, if he has industry coupled
with judgment. He is one of the first stockholders in
the First National bank, organized in 1874.
THOMAS SHERWOOD
was born in New York, in 1819. When about twelve
years of age his father, N. J. Sherwood, moved
to Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the
hotel and mercantile business, in which Mr. Thomas
Sherwood assisted him till he became twenty-five
years of age. He then engaged in staging and the hotel
business in Honesdale, the county seat of Wayne county,
which he continued about ten years. He then disposed
of his property and business and joined Governor
Reader's party, and went to Kansas, where he remained
about one year. It being in the year 1854 — was one
of the founders of the City of Pawnee, changed in 1858
to the name of Junction City, at which time it was
moved to the junction of Smoky Hill and Republican
rivers. At that time the slavery question was agi-
tated hotly, and Kansas was inhabited largely by law-
less, pro-slavery men. Mr. Sherwood, being decidedly
an advocate of the Free Soil party, found there was too
much conflict for pleasure, and soon rejiaired to Goshen,
Indiana, where he again engaged in the hotel business.
At the end of about six months he sold out and came
to Independence, Iowa, it being in the year 1856, and
engaged in the hotel business with C. L. White. This
he followed till the year 1856. Their old stand is now
empty, — known as the Merchants hotel. He engaged
in the livery business after quiting the hotel, in which he
has since continued. In the year 1874, in the month of
May, Mr. Sherwood met with a terrible loss by fire, which
would have discouraged most men. He had a fine
house and livery barn, on the lot where his present fine
stable is built. All was swept away in that terrible visita-
tion, still called the "great fire." He succeeded only in
saving his livery stock and part of his household furni-
ture. The balance of his property was laid in ashes.
He rented a barn, collected his accounts, and built him-
self the finest livery barn in the city; and is to-day, with his
splendid horses and choice rigs, doing a fine business.
Mr. Sherwood was married in Wayne county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1844, to Miss Henrietta Mumford. They
have seven children living and two deceased. Mr. Sher-
wood is not only one of the first men of tiie county in
point of settlement, but in point of business standing in
the community, being a man of indomitable energy. He
gives us the pleasure of stating that since his visit to
Kansas he has been an out and out Republican, and ex-
pects to remain so. Mr. Sherwood is a man who has
always lived a public life and frequently been called up-
on by his fellow citizens to hold positions of trust and
honor — such as member of council, county assessor, etc.
In the latter office he served seven years.
AUGUST MYERS
was born in Bingen on the Rhine, Germany, in 1836.
At the age of fifteen he came to America alone, making
his first stopping place in New York city, where he
clerked in a dry goods store about seven months. In the
year 185 i he came to Iowa, locating in Dubuque, where
he engaged as a dry goods clerk about seven years. At
the expiration of this time he engaged in the dry goods
business himself, in Dubuque, and continued till the year
1861, when he came to Independence, Iowa, where he
engaged in the dry goods and ready made clothing busi-
ness, in which he is still successfully engaged. The town
and business at that date being very small, he started
with a light stock, but has since added to it until now he
has one of the finest stores in the west, and owns one of
the finest residences in the city.
Mr. Myers was married in Dubuque in 1857, to Miss
Balbetta Baum, who died in this city in 1871, leaving
seven children: Jennie, now the wife of Samuel Green-
wald, a clothing merchant in Lamars, Iowa; Isaac, en-
gaged in the clothing business in Omaha; Hattie, Sarah,
Julia, Carrie, and Yetta; the five younger children all
making their father's house their home.
Mr. Myers married his second wife in Germany in
1873. Her maiden name was Jane Obermyre. They
have a family of five children: Freddie, Harry, Fannie,
Charles, and Rosa, ranging in ages from seven years to
four months.
Mr. Myers joined the order of Free Masons in 1863.
278
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
C. L. PATRICK
was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, in 1821. When
sixteen years of age he moved with his father and family
to Byron, Ogle county, Illinois, where Mr. C. L. Patrick
made his home for twenty years, engaged in farming.
He came to Independence in the year 1857. He pur-
chased two lots, where he still resides, in the western
suburbs of the city. Built himself a fine residence
soon after his arrival, and has since purchased several
lots and erected commodious buildings upon them. In
the spring of 1854 he came to this State for the purpose
of purchasing Government land, and purchased about
two thousand acres in Lynn county, and at the same
time purchased three hundred and twenty acres in this
county, all of which was entered at the Dubuque land
office. In the fall of 1855 he attended a land sale at
Fort Dodge, and purchased about three thousand acres
in White county. In the year 1S56 he purchased in
Bremer county four hundred and eighty acres, making
in all about six thousand acres of land which he held at
one time in this State, besides five hundred and sixty
acres he owned in the State of Illinois. Mr. Patrick
chose this city as a home, and as convenient to oversee
this land. In May he brought through from Illinois
several teams and hands, and at once commenced the
erection of his buildmgs, and in the fall he returned
and brought his family to their new home. Immedi-
ately following these purchases came the panic that will
never be forgotten by many who were in the west at that
time.
Mr. Patrick, not being able to sell his land as he
expected, remained comparatively inactive for a time.
But finally, finding things becoming no better, hired
hands and went to improving his land. His Illinois
land he sold at an advanced price, and engaged in the
business of buying, feeding, and shipping stock. This
he followed till the second panic came on, making stock
almost worthless. Another season of inactivity followed,
waiting for affairs to develop. In January, 1880, he
engaged in the business of supplying the city with milk,
and is still engaged in the same business. He is a man
who believes in doing well whatever he engages in. His
stables are a model of neatness, and his cows are cared
for in such a manner that they are really handsome, and
a sight of them as they stand in the stalls, is worth going
there to see. Try it.
Mr. Patrick was married May 6, 1847, ''i Berny,
Massachusetts, to Miss Martha A. Hancock (a connec-
tion of General Hancock); she was born in Berny,
Massachusetts, in 1824. They have two children, both
sons, ages thirty-three and twenty-eight respectively.
Walter H. married, and resides on his father's farm, two
miles south of Independence ; Herbert R. graduated as
civil engineer, in the Iowa State Agricultural college, in
1877, afterwards was employed by the Des Moines &
Aimes narrow gauge railroad company, as civil engineer.
Afterwards went to Arizona in the employ of the Gov-
ernment in land surveying and construction of irrigating
canals. Was for two years engaged as assayer in the
interests of the Mormons. Is now in the employ of the
Southern Pacific railroad company, as civil engineer.
J. R. BOON.
J. R. Boon, attorney, was born in Holmes county,
Ohio; February 29, 1840. When he was but seven years
of age his father, Samuel Boon, died and he made his
home two years with Rev. Mr. Geary, brother of Governor
Geary, of Pennsylvania and Kansas. His time was spent
principally in school till he was fifteen years of age, when
he commenced teaching. Attended school at Fredericks-
burgh, Ohio, two terms. In the year 1859 he entered
Vermillion institute, Ashland county, Ohio, at that time
one of the finest academies in the Middle States. Here
he continued in the pursuit of a legal education, till the
year 1862, when he enlisted in company C, One hundred
and twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry; but was soon
after discharged on account of bodily disability. After-
wards engaged in the mercantile business in Jeromeville,
Ohio, which he continued till 1864, when he sold out
and came to Buchanan county, Iowa. The first winter
he taught in Independence. In the spring he moved
upon a farm he had previously purchased and farmed
ten years. At the expiration of this time he moved to
Independence, and reviewing his law studies with W. G.
& J. B. Donnan, was admitted to the bar in the fall of
1877. Has since been practicing law in this city. Mr.
Boon was married, April 12, 1864,10 Miss N. J. Wilson,
daughter of Squire Clinton Wilson deceased, formerly a
prominent citizen and early settler in the county. Mr.
and Mrs. Boon have three children: Thomas C, Minnie
S., Acquilla S., aged sixteen, thirteen and eleven, respec-
tively.
A. H. TRASK.
A. H. Trask was born in Chatauqua county. New
York State, in 1826, November 3rd. At the age of six
he moved with his parents to Oswego county, where he
lived until he was about thirteen years of age. In the
spring of 1840, he, with his parents, moved to Janesville,
Wisconsin, and remained there until the month of June,
1847. At this time Mr. A. H. Trask, in company with
Mr. Eli Phelps, came to Independence, Iowa. His first
enterprise was a contract which he and Mr. Phelps took,
to carry the mail from Quasqueton to Dubuque, a dis-
tance of seventy-five miles. This they continued about
two years. It was at such an early day that Indepen-
dence had no regular post office. In the summer of 1S49,
Mr. Trask went to Minnesota, where he remained only
about two months, when he returned to Independence.
In the spring of 1850 he went to California. The first
winter he was engaged in the mines on the American
revier, afterwards engaging in teaming, which he followed
till the latter part of the year 1853, when he returned to
Independence and engaged in teaming from Indepen-
dence to Dubuque, which he followed about six months.
In the spring of 1855, he started a small livery in Inde-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
279
pendence, and this business he is still engaged in, but
more extensively, running as high as twenty horses,
and rigs accordingly. Has in the meantime purchased
in the neighborhood of four hundred acres of land, a
part of which he superintends in connection with his
other business. Mr. Trask married his first wife. Miss
Austa Fry, in 1861, in Independence; she died in 1873,
leaving one child, Charles G., born August 13, 1864.
Mr. Trask married his second wife, Alethea Candee, in
Independence, in September, 1875. In justice to Mr.
Trask we must say that notwithstanding his diffidence in
making himself conspicuous in the eyes of his fellow-
men, he is not only one of the first settlers of this county,
but one of its financially solid men of to-day.
A. J. BARNHART
was born in Chatauqua county, New York, in 1829. He
made his home with his father, Peter Barnhart, till he
was twenty years of age, when he purchased a tannery
and run it two years. Seized with the western fever,
which is always prevalent in the east, he sold out and
went to Michigan and leased a farm for two years. The
state of his wife's health induced him to return. Mrs.
Barnhart died soon afterwards. One year alter this
event, he purchased a tannery in his native town and
continued his first business about two years, when he
sold out and returned to Michigan and engaged in the
boot and shoe business in Schoolcraft. This he contin-
ued fourteen years, when, selling his stock, he purchased
a farm in the vicinity and moved upon it one year, and
when he sold, returned to Schoolcraft, where he re-
mained two years. In April, 1868, he came to Buchan-
an county and purchased a half interest with his brother,
in a farm of three hundred and sixty-five acres, in Sum-
mer township, with a view of going into the dairy busi-
ness. But at the expiration of five years, finding it not
sufficiently remunerative for the amount of time and
money invested, he rented the farm and moved to Inde-
pendence. Here, after about one year spent in pros-
pecting, he engaged in the grocery business, in which he
still continues. In the year 1878 he purchased a half
interest in a creamery in Fairbank township, which he
still owns. In 1880 he added four more creameries, one
being situated in Perry township, two in Black Hawk
county, and one in Independence. The ones in Fair-
bank township and in this city are run by six horse
power steam engines; the others run by tread horse
power. He runs eighteen teams, besides a great deal of
hauling done by outsiders, and gives employment to
thirty men. He makes as high as three thousand
pounds of butter daily through the best portions of the
season. He ships principally to New York city, but
frequently to Philadelphia.
Mr. Barnhart married his first wife in New York State
in the year 1851. Her maiden name was Theresa Che-
ney, who died in 1854. He married his second wife,
Miss Alice E. Rider, in New York State, in 1856. They
have two children — Maurice W., born July 9, 1863; now-
engaged with his father in the creamery business in In-
dependence. Frenella I., born March 5, 1868. Mr.
Barnhart, affable as a dealer, has a kind word for every
one and the highest respect of all his acquaintances.
Politically, he is a Greenbacker, and was one of seven
men who first represented that party in this township.
A. H. FRANK
was born in Germany in 1844. At the age of fifteen he
went with his parents to England, and remained two
years, where he learned the bakery and confectionery
trade. At the age of seventeen he came to America,
locating first in Nevv York city, where he remained until
the year 1869 engaging constantly in the bakery and res-
taurant business. In the year 1869 he came to Inde-
pendence, Iowa, where he engaged again in the same
business. His stand was for the first five years in Jami-
son's old office. In the spring of 1875 ^^ purchased
the lot and erected the building w-here he still does a
very fine business indeed.
Mr. Frank w-as married in New York city, May 3,
1866, to Miss Theresa Baum, born in Bavaria, Germany,
in 1844. They have a fine little family of five children :
Ida, Sarah, Bertha, Leonard, Wade — aged eleven, nine,
seven, five and three, respectively.
Mr. Frank is a prompt, active, wide-awake business
man. He commenced in this country with only a good
knowledge of his trade and his hands, for capital; but,
by his honorable dealing and pleasant business ways
with the public, has won hosts of friends, has acquired a
fine home and splendid business building, and a fair
trade.
P. McCORISTIN
was born in Ireland, February 13, 1846. When three
years of age, his father, John McCoristin, came with his
family to America, and died six years after his emigra-
tion. Mr. P. McCoristin being the oldest of the family,
commenced at once to do what a boy of nine years
could to help his mother in the care and support of the
family. He came to Iowa in i86i, locating in Brewer
county upon a farm his father had entered in 1S54.
Most of the time he was engaged in farming, but part of
the time in a steam saw-mill. He remained with the
family until he was twenty-three years of age, when he
commenced to do for himself, other brothers having
grown up to take his place. His first enterprise was in
the hotel business in the city of Independence, Iowa,
beginning in April, 1869, his house being situated on
the same ground where he is still keeping a hotel. Find-
ing his building too small and old to accommodate his
customers as he w-ished to, he tore it down, and in the
year 1879 he built himself a splendid brick hotel, w-here
he is still doing a fine business.
Mr. McCoristin was married in this city, .A.pril 5,
1869, to Miss Anna Collins, a native of Ireland. They
have one child, John D., now nine years of age.
28o
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COWNTY, IOWA.
Of Mr. McCoristin we are pleased to say we find him
a very pleasant and straightforward business man, and
well calculated to succeed in the business he has chosen,
being a man of energy and well acquainted with the
means of securing patronage.
C. B. KANDY
was born in Syracuse, New York, April 20, 1829. He
made his home with his father, John F. Kandy, till he
was twenty-one years of age, save three years he spent
in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, when he learned the ma-
chinist's trade. In the year 1850, he accompanied his
father to Belvidere, Illinois, where his father built a
woollen mill and run it about one year. While the father
and son were putting in and adjusting new shafts, Mr.
John F. Kandy was caught by one of the revolving
shafts and killed. This happened in iS5r. After the
event, Mr. C. B. Kandy engaged in clerking, which he
followed until the spring of 1859, when in company
with several others he made an overland trip to Pike's
Peak, occupying over thirty days in the trip. Not find-
ing matters very encouraging there, he returned in No-
vember, stopping at Independence on his way, to visit
his brother-in-law, Robert Plane, who was in the hard-
ware business, and for whom Mr. Kandy engaged as
clerk one year. The year following, he engaged in the
dry goods business with a partner. In the spring of
1862 he was appointed sutler in the Twenty-seventh
Iowa infantry, and held the position until the close of
the war. Returning to Independence, he engaged as
clerk in the hardware store of King & Ke'nyon, and was
in their employ about three years, when he again en-
gaged with Mr. Plane for about two years.
In the year 1870, he was elected by his fellow towns-
men as city marshal, which position he occupied three
and a half years. At the expiration of this time, he
was elected to the office of constable, which trust he
still holds in connection with the position of city mar-
shal, which appointment he received in 1877.
Mr. Kandy married his wife in Independence in 1875,
her maiden name being Anna C. Whait.
Mr. Kandy, by his strict attention to business, and by
doing whatever law and duty demands regardless of
friend or foe, has won for himself the highest respect of
all who know him. He has been a citizen of this place
since its earliest development, and takes a laudable
pride in the rapid strides made by the county, and in
the present condition of the county seat. In addition,
we have the pleasure of stating that he is a good, sound
Republican.
JOHN KLOTZBACH
was born in Germany in 1S43. He came to America m
1863, locating in Independence, Iowa. His first two
or three years were spent in the manufacturing of
wagons, but was afterwards engaged in the grocery busi-
ness about one year. In September, 1872, he built a
livery barn on the river bank, where he is still to be
found in the same business. In the year 1876 he had
the misfortune to have his barn and all his livery stock
except his horses burned to ashes. He commenced at
once to rebuild, and in less than six weeks he had a new
barn and was again doing a flourishing business. He is
one of the good horsemen of the city, and, being a judge
of good horses and fine rigs, can always suit those who
patronize him. Mr. Klotzbach is attentive and accom-
modating, and does his share of business along with
other competitors for patronage. Mr. Klotzbach was
married in the city of Independence in 1865 to Miss
Mary Steimetz, a native of Germany. He has a family
of three children — John, Charles and August.
Mr. Klotzbach's qualities as a business man have al-
ready given him a position in the estimation of his
adopted countrymen which is certain to secure for him a
large success.
JACOB WACKERBARTH
was born in Germany May 30, 1855. He came to
America at the age of sixteen, locating at Independence.
He first engaged in the wagon making business, which
he followed about one year, at the expiration of which
time he went to Chicago and worked in a sash and door
factory nearly one year, when he returned to Indepen-
dence and engaged in the manufacture of carriages, which
he followed about two years. In the month of July,
1S76, he returned to the old country, where he remained
about four months, settling up his father's estate. Im-
mediately after his return he went into the boot and
shoe business, in which he is still engaged. He was
married Christmas day, 1880, in this city, to Miss Pau-
line Zinn, who was born in Independence January 26,
1857; daughter of E. Zinn, a prominent citizen and busi-
ness man of this place. Mr. Wackerbarth owns a fine
store and complete stock. Through the reputation he
has won for himself as a shrewd buyer and his live and
let live principles in selling, he has secured an amount of
trade which promises success for himself and satisfaction
to the community. Few young men occupy so enviable
a position. He has a splendid business and a beautiful
home.
WASHINGTON.
ORGANIZATION.
This township was given a separate and independent
organization, by order of the court, as early as 1848,
and it then included the congressional townships of
Washington, Hazleton, Perry and Fairbank. In course
of time the townships settled up, and each one was
granted a separate organization as they now are. In
1848 an election was ordered for Washington, as above
set forth, and Isaac Hathaway, John Scott and John
Obenchain were appointed judges of the election, but
no record of that election was kept, or at least, we were
unable to find any. Since that order was made, various
changes have taken place in the boundaiies of the town-
ship. It now consists of congressional township 89.9,
and sections i, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of township 88.9, also
the north half and southeast fourth of section 12, the
northeast quarter of northeast quarter of section 13, the
north half of northwest quarter of section 7, and the
grounds for the asylum of the insane, containing three
hundred and twenty acres.
The present township officers are: John HoUett, D.
D. Holdridge and F. W. Gifford, justices; L. M. Pratt,
assessor; George Kiefer, sr., David Gill and James
Saunders, trustees; C. B. Kandy and H. H. Bruce, con-
stables, and John Hollett, clerk.
SETTLEMENTS PREVIOUS TO 1847.
Isaac Hathaway settled in the territory that is now
Washington township, about two miles east of Indepen-
dence, in September, 1845. He entered the land, upon
which he settled. The farm of Elzy Wilson is a part of
the original Hathaway entry.
When he came, there was a hut made mostly of poles,
that had been placed there by some unknown individual,
which, with some repairs, served him and his family for
a home that winter.
During the winters of 1845 and 1846 they went to
Centre Point for corn, which they purchased at twenty-
five cents per bushel. They called the place, where they
purchased this corn, Egypt.
When Mr. Hathaway settled here, there were no set-
tlers north of him in the county, nor west in the town-
ship; his nearest neighbors were Henry Baker, in Byron,
east of him three miles, and E. G. Allen, Joseph
Collier, and Gamaliel Walker, in Liberty township,
five miles south. Early in the spring of 1846, he
made a log house which was much more convenient and
comfortable than his former residence. The first years
they were here, they obtained their supplies from Du-
buque mostly; there was, however, one store at Quasque-
35
ton, and a mill, where they ground corn only, owned by
Davis & Thompson. At the time they first settled, game
was plenty, such as deer and turkeys. Alexander Hath-
away being then a lad of twelve years of age, but a good
shot, kept the family in venison. That first winter the
snow was deep, but the weather mild and pleasant for
winter; and it was with considerable difficulty that they
made their way to Centre Point for corn.
The next spring, in addition to building a house, he
fenced eighty acres of land with rails that had been split
out the winter before, by a man that Hathaway brought
along with him for that purpose, from Illinois; and that
year they raised a little corn, but did a large amount of
breaking; for he had a large number of teams, both
horses and oxen. The first years of Mr. Hathaway 's res-
idence here, the county was full of Indians, who made
their home in the timber along the Wapsie river; they
were quite friendly, but did, however, steal one of Mr.
Hathaway's horses, which, after some weeks, he re-
covered.
In the summer of 1847, Mr. Hathaway raised a fine
crop of wheat, nearly forty bushels per acre, cut
by cradles, and threshed by being trodden out by
horses. Some of this wheat they drew to Dubuque, but
there was no demand there for it; he, however, disposed
of his surplus crops to new settlers that were continually
coming. Isaac Hathaway was born in New York in 1801 ;
immigrated to Ohio when quite young, and married there;
and from Ohio he went to Michigan; thence to Wiscon-
sin, where he remained a number of years, and then
moved to McHenry county, Illinois, while the country
was quite new. From Illinois he came here with his
family in 1845. He lived on the place where he first
settled for about twelve years; then sold out and went
again to Ohio; where, having remained a short time, he
returned to this State; bought a farm near Greeley's
grove; and there remained about five years, when once
again the spirit of adventure came upon him, and he sold
his farm and went to Cedar county, where he lived up to
the day of his death, which occurred in 1872. He
had but five children, all of whom are now living.
Alexander Hathaway, the eldest son, is married, lives
in Independence, and is a blacksmith ; he has seven
children, six boys and one girl. John, married to Katie
Smyzer, the daughter of another old settler, lives in
Wright county, and has two children, both girls. Hulda,
married to John Hines, a wealthy stock dealer, lives in
Cedar county, Iowa. Mary, married to William Paige, a
dry goods and grocery dealer, lives at Mechanicsville,
Cedar county. Hattie married to a Mr. Schuyler, now
381
282
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
lives at St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs. Schuyler is the only one
of the children that was born in Iowa, she having first
seen the light in the log house in 1849. While Mr.
Hathaway lived in Washington he was al one time the
owner of four hundred acres of good land that is now
very valuable. He died in very comfortable pecuniary
circumstances. The first school taught in the township was
in the winter of 1846-7, in Hathaway's log house and at his
own private expense, by William Thompson, of Liberty
township.
John Obenchain became a permanent settler here in
the spring of 1846, building his shanty two miles north of
the city of Independence, on what is now called "Oben-
chain's creek." He was Hathaway's first neighbor in the
township, yet nearly three miles from him. Having built
a rude shanty, he then commenced breaking prairie with
ox and horse teams, of which he had a large number and
plenty of lielp ; for he had a large family of grown boys.
He obtained money to pay for his land by raising pork
and then drawing it to Dubuque, a distance of seventy
miles, and selling it for two dollars and twenty-five cents
per hundred. They were natives of Virginia, born and
raised among its mountains. He remained here until
1850, when he went overland to California, but came
back again in 1853, and lived here until i860; when,
finding neighbors too many and near to be endured, he
started for the wilds of Oregon, with his cattle and savage
bear dogs, his hair long and white; "a patriarch as rough
and rugged and intractable, honest and sincere as the
mountains which surround him and, with their friendly
frown, scare back intruders." He is now a resident of
Oregon, and is past eighty-five years of age. In the early
years his house was ever open to the wanderer who had
lost his way out on the pathless prairie. Many are still
living in the county who can attest to the generous hos-
pitality of the Virginian whose integrity and honesty were
as true as the north star. He was also quite a hunter,
always keeping a pack of hounds to track the deer, lynx,
wildcat and catamount. After he had remained here a
few years, he built a fine, large log house, and the same
was used as a dwelling up to about 1880, when it acci-
dentally caught fire and burned down ; and there is now
a large and commodious farm-house, that has been erected
by the present owner. He had seven children, six sons
and one daughter, whose names are as follows : Bartlett,
married to Nancy Morse, and living in Jackson, Oiegon;
Davis, married, and moved to Kansas, then returned to
Iowa, where he died, leaving a wife and one child; Mary
Ann, married to Jacob Gritton, and living in Liberty
township, and having a large family; James, married to
Mary Jane Ship, and hving in Denver, Colorado, and now
keeping hotel there; Washington, married to Hannah
Seely, and living in Oregon, with his father, his wife hav-
ing died; John, in Oregon, engaged in herding cattle;
Madison is also engaged in the sheep business.
Oscar Wickham settled in the north part of the town-
ship some time in the spring of 1846, and built a
shanty on the land now owned by the S. Curtis es-
tate. He was a native of Ohio. After about one
year's residence, he became dissatisfied, and moved
to Linn county, where the country was more thickly
settled ; but remained there only a short time, and then
settled in the timber along the Turkey river in Fayette
county. The last heard of him was that he was a
pioneer in Kansas. We could learn nothing of his
family.
Michael Ginther became a settler at the same time
that Wickham did, and they lived together in the same
house. But in 1850 he moved into Sumner, and was
the very first settler there. A history of him is given in
that of Sumner township, to which we direct the at-
tention of the reader.
Thomas Barr is one of the pioneers of this township,
and became a settler here on the eighteenth day of No-
vember, 1846, building his shanty in the north part of
the township, upon land which he afterwards entered
and to which he kept adding, until he is now the proud
and happy owner of an excellent farm of eight hundred
and forty acres. In speaking of the early times, he says
"that it was much easier to raise the money to pay for
land that, in later years he bought for twenty dollars per
acre than it was to get the money to pay forGovernment
land at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre."
Thomas Barr was one of the eighty-one resident tax
payers of this county in 1847. Of the settlers of 1845
and 1846 he is the only remaining one in the township.
Hathaway, Boone and Ginther are dead, Obenchain and
Wickham have moved away ; but Barr still lives on the
very spot where he first settled ; the primitive house has
given way to a large and commodious one. He has
had four children, three of whom are now living, whose
names are as follows : Joseph N., who is now in Cali-
fornia, and is by profession a school teacher ; John W.,
married and has two children, living in Hazelton town-
ship; Melissa, the daughter, is married to William
Rogers, and lives in Oelwein, Fayette county, and is by
profession a school teacher.
John Boone settled in the township in November,
1846, entered his land, and built a log cabin where the
county poor-house now is. After living here about one
year he sold to I. ¥. Hathaway, and he sold the place
subsequently to the county. He then moved about one
mile away, but in the same township ; purchased two
hundred acres of land, built a log house, and began
making improvements. After building a house, the next
thing thought of was a school for his children. He and
Isaac Hathaway built a log liouse, and hired a teacher
in the winter of 1847 and 1848. Mr. Boone, like his
brave heroic ancestry, was quite a hunter, and kept his
family well supplied with good venison ; he also, like
Hathaway, went to Centre Point, Linn county, the
Egypt of these early settlers, for his supply of corn. He
lived in this township, u])on the place where he last
settled, up to the time of his death, which occurred May
22, 1881, at seventy-four years of age. He died respect-
ed by his fellow-citizens, living a peaceful, quiet life, and
leaving behind him the record of a life well spent. His
wife survives him, and still lives on the old homestead.
He had ten children, who are as follows: Nelson J.
Boone, married to Catharine Suit ; he is a carpenter,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
283
and lives in Vinton, and has one boy ; William is married
and lives in Kansas ; Susan, married to Crawford Wil-
son, and lives in Kansas ; Daniel, married, and in Min-
nesota ; Morgan, married to Olive King, the daughter
of an old settler in the county, and lives in Byron town-
ship ; Jane, married to Emanuel Wardell, and lives in
Byron ; John, married and lives in Byron ; Charles is
married, and lives in Nebraska ; Benjamin, married, and
lives at the old home in this township; Hellen lives at
home with her mother. The four last-named children
were born here. John Boone, the father, was born in
Preble county, Ohio, May 15, 1807. In 1S29 he im-
migrated to Cass county, Michigan, with his brother,
George Boone, and, while living there, was married to
Mary Sutton, October i, 1829. In the spring of 1835
they immigrated to Mc Henry county, Illinois, the
county was then new, and but sparsely settled. And in
the fall of 1846 he immigrated to this township, having
heard of Iowa's fertile prairies, beautiful streams and
springs.
SURFACE, SOIL, PRODUCTION, ETC.
In all these Washington is so similar to the other
Wapsie river townships, whose peculiarities are sufficient-
ly described elsewhere, that we do not deem it jiecessary
to occupy time and space with their description here.
OTTERVILLE.
The only village in Washington township is a pleasant
little hamlet, situated on Otter creek, about half a mile
from its junction with the Wapsie. It was platted about
the year 1857 by Robert T. Young, who owned the
ground. There is an excellent water-power at that
point, and a saw-mill was built there in 1854, by James
Dyer, and three years later, a grist-mill. The former was
abandoned in 1878. The latter, since March, 1875, has
been owned and operated by V. F. Wieser. It has two
run of stone for flour, and one for feed. While the
county was producing plenty of wheat, it did custom
work alone. Since the failure of the wheat crop it has
become so far a merchant mill that its owner purchases
wheat from Minnesota, or wherever he can obtain it at
best advantage — manufactures the flour, and sells it only
to the surrounding inhabitants. There is water enough,
most of the time, for constant grinding. During a dry
time the stones run about fourteen hours a day. The
dam has a fall of ten feet ; and the mill a capacity of
about twelve to fifteen bushels of grain per hour. A black-
smith shop was started here the ne.xt year after the saw-
mill by Homer Sanders. A wagon shop, in 1859, by
Enoch and Zachariah Hall. This is now owned and
carried on by G. R. Addis, who has been its proprietor
since 1869. At first he made a good many wagons — the
last being three years ago — but now he keeps a repair
shop only. We thought we detected a little sarcasm in
Mr. Addis' tone and manner when he informed us that
he finds the repairing of city-made wagons quite as prof-
itable as the making of new ones.
A post office was established here about the year i860,
the first postmaster being George L. Wilcox. His suc-
cessors have been a Mr Ostrander, S. H. Stanard,
George Sprague and J. T. .\nderson, the present incum-
bent, appointed in 1872.
The first store was established in the village, in the
winter of 1861 and 1862, mostly groceries and "notions."
Mr. Anderson, the postmaster, now has a store (in which
the postoffice is kept) well filled with groceries and dry-
goods.
A hotel was opened here in 1863 by a Mr. Robertson,
which was kept up by various parties till 1875. Since
then there has been no regular hotel ; but we found
Reuben Bardine and his obliging wife ready to act the
host and hostess by giving shelter from the rain to our-
selves and our horse ; and by furnishing entertainment
for both, of an excellent quality, and at a reasonable
price. We were pleased to learn that drinking saloons
have been only an occasional nuisance here; and that
there has been none at all for the past two or three years.
A tri-weekly mail comes to the village from Indepen-
dence— Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The first bridge across the Otter was built in 1868.
The fine iron structure which spans it now was built by
the county in 1877.
The only shoeshop in the village is kept by Reuben
Fisher.
The Methodist Church is the only religious organiza-
tion, established about 1861 or i86^. The present
preacher is the Rev. Hiram Bailey, for whom the society
furnishes a comfortable parsonage. They have no church
edifice, but hold their services in the school-house.
This station is on a circuit having four other preaching
places connected with it.
CEMETERIES OF W.4SHINGT0N TOWNSHIP, INCLUDING
INDEPENDENCE.
In 1859 a cemetery was laid out north of the Illinois
Central railroad by Dr. R. W. Wright, and called Inde-
pendence cemetery. It is not used now for burial pur-
poses, and many of the remains have been taken up and
placed in other cemeteries ; yet there are some graves
here, their places marked by the tombstones. We are
also informed that at a very early date they buried just
north of Independence, in what is now called Scarcliff's
addition.
In 1850 one was laid out in the southwestern part of
the city of Independence by Norman Bassit, and was
used for that purpose until of late years. There are quite
large number of graves there. It is now the property of a
T. J. Burr, with the exception of the lots that have been
sold to different parties.
A cemetery was laid out in the southeast part of the
township by E. Wilson in 1852. Afterwards a cemetery
association was formed, who now own the property, and
the trustees are E. Miller, Thomas Ozias, and Clinton
Wilson. It covers two acres of land, and nearly one-
half is occupied with graves.
James Saunders, about 187 1, purchased two acres of
land in the north part of the township, and near the vil-
lage of Ottervflle, in section seventeen, and laid it out in
a cemetery. There are quite a large number of graves
there. Mrs. Saunders, wife of James Saunders, was the
first person buried there.
284
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
St. John's Catholic burying place, just north of the city
of Independence, about one-fourth of a mile, was laid
out and set apart as a burying place in September, 1863.
It contains four acres of land, and full two-thirds of it is
occupied. There are some fine monuments, and many
beautiful and expensive tombstones.
Richard Campbell and E. Ross, in June, 1864, laid
out a cemetery south of the city of Independence, and
within the city limits, on the banks of the Wapsie, con-
sisting of eight acres, but in June, 1877, an addition of
five acres was made thereto. There are here a large
number of graves and some very fine monuments, and
the place will eventually be one of great beauty. The
owners of lots, who have relatives buried there, have
taken pains to beautify and ornament them by putting
around their lots tasteful fences, and setting out orna-
mental trees. This and the Catholic burying place are
the principal ones for those living in or near the city of
Independence. The founders gave it the name of Oak
Wood, by which name it has been known ever since.
Sampson George was born in Yorkshire, England,
September 13, 1825. He came to America with his
father, Sampson George, sr., in the autumn of 1836, who
located in Rockford, Illinois. Here he purchased a
farm, and expected to make it his home, but in five
weeks afterwards was stricken down by death. He left
a family of five children, Sampson being the oldest son.
They were a lonely family in a strange land, but, in spite
of all these disappointments, they kept together as one
family till his oldest sister was married, which happened
five years afterwards. Sampson remained at home till
he arrived at the age of twenty-one, when his next
younger brother took charge of the farm, and he started
out to face life alone. His first enterprise was the pur-
chase of forty acres of land on time. This he had about
paid for when he sold it to his brother and came to Bu-
chanan county in the year 1852. His first year was
spent with Mr. Gamaliel Walker, who is still a resident
of Perry township. His first entry of land was in 185 1,
in sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight, in Fairbank
township. This he sold the following year, and pur-
chased one hundred and twenty acres in the same
township in sections fifteen and twenty-one. In the fall
he added forty acres to it, and moved on to it the first
of November, and erected a log house. Here he made
his home for twenty-six years, reared all his family, and
added to his possessions until he became the owner of
six hundred and twenty acres.
In the year i860 he rebuilt his house, converting it in-
to a very comfortable frame, which is yet one of the best
houses of the neighborhood. Mr. George, wishing to
give his sons a start, turned this farm over to them, and
purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres one
mile west of the city of Independence. This place has
one of the finest locations in the county. The asylum,
nearly one mile directly south, is in plain view, as well
as the city. Many miles of railroad lie wtthin its horri-
zon, and moving trains are seldom wanting to give life
to the landscape. Since coming to the farm he has
built a fine horse barn, substantial corn-cribs and a
wagon house, and has now in preparation the building
of a fine residence, which, from the taste he has dis-
played in his other buildings, we can predict will be one
of the most attractive homes in the county. The yard is
beautifully adorned with shade trees, and an orchard of
eight acres, with an abundance of small fruits, which show
that its fine location is not the only advantage of Mr.
George's new home. Mr. George was married in 1852,
January 4th, to Miss Cynthia Sayler, who was born in
Tompkins county, New York, December i, 1829. They
have seven children living and one deceased: William
S., born October 2, 1S53, who is now mining in Colora-
do; Letta M., born February 21, 1855, resides with her
parents; H. G., born August 7, 1857, farmer in Fairbank
township; Hattie L., born October 4, 1859, married, and
resides in Fayette county; Alice L., born April 21, 1861,
also resides at home; Ulyses S., born November 9, 1864,
died September 22, 1870; Ernest S., born February 5,
1867; Clarence S., born May 24, 1869, the last two living
at home. Mr. George's mother still resides in Rockford,
Illinois. She is a lady eighty-two years of age, and re-
markably active and intelligent for a woman of her
years. We had the pleasure of seeing a letter she re-
cently sent to her son, and the hand-writing surpasses
anything we ever saw written by the hand of an aged per-
son. Mrs. George was for some years a beloved par-
ishioner of the author and compiler of this history, who
will remember, as long as he remembers anything, her
constant friendship and many kindnesses to him, and
her loyal devotion to the " old church" of her child-
hood. God grant that her last days may be her happi-
est and best.
M. D. Ozias was born in Preble county, Ohio, Novem-
ber 22, 1832, came to the State of Iowa with his father,
Jesse Ozias, in 185 i, and has since made this State his
home, and farming his principal business. His first pur-
chase of land was made in 185 1, in section thirty. Fair-
bank township, purchased with land warrant, costing
eighty-seven and one-half cents per acre. In 1852 he
purchased two hundred and seventy acres in sections nine
and sixteen. Perry township. Here he made his home
till 1869, when he sold to George Parish, for eleven
thousand eight hundred and seventy dollars. The spring
following he made a purchase of one hundred and sixty
acres of land where he still resides, two miles directly
west of the city of Independence. He has since made
other purchases, till now he owns two hundred and
seventy-eight acres. He built a fine residence in 1874,
and in 1878 he built one of the finest barns in the
county, forty-eight by one hundred feet, and twenty-four
feet high. Mr. Ozias owns in all in the neighborhood of
fourteen hundred acres, mostly situated in this county.
Mr. Ozias was married in 1854 to Miss Clarinda T.
Bright, born in Ohio, August 20, 1832. They have a
family of seven children — Mary E., born November 14,
1857, married Samuel Walker, and resides in Fairbank
township; John L., born November 6, 1859; Martha E.,
born March 26, 1862; Anna S., born September i, 1864;
Charles E., born April 28, i868; Lolla L., born April 8,
1872; Edward H., born July 25, 1875.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
285
Adelbert Brown was born in New York in the year
1837, January 27th. He made his home with his father,
Alpha Brown, till he was about twenty-eight years of age.
when he came to Iowa, locating in this county, where he
purchased at that time the farm of one hundred and
thirty-eight acres on which he still resides, two miles west
of Independence. He owns also in this township twenty
acres of timber. Mr. Brown was married in 1864 to
Miss Ellen Roberts, who was born in Wales, May 3, 1845.
They have a family of two children — Imogene, born No-
vember 15, 1866, and Mary Ellen, born November 23,
1868. Mr. Brown owns one of the best farms in Bu-
chanan county, and is one of its most enterprising far-
mers. Politically he is a Democrat.
L. A. Main was born in the State of New York De-
cember 10, 1832. At the age of twenty-one he went to
Madison university, New York, and remained two years.
On his twenty-fourth birthday he married Miss Fannie
E. Loomis, who was born in New York February 14.
1833. In March, 1861, they came to Iowa, locating in
Buchanan county. His first year was spent in farming and
the following si.x months in the mercantile business. In
August, 1862, he enlisted in company C, Twenty-seventh
Iowa infantry, and served his country three years. After
his discharge he engaged in the service of the Govern-
ment one year and a half. When he was soldiering he
received sixteen dollars per month, and afterwards one
hundred and twenty-five dollars per month. Soon after
his enlistment his health failed him, but he rendered the
Government good service in the commissary department.
In the year 1865 he purchased the farm of one hundred
and sixty acres where he now resides, two miles west of
Independence. In the fall of 1867 he was elected
county treasurer and served his fellow citizens in this
capacity six years. He has a family of five children —
Helen A., Eouis P., attending Knox college, Illinois;
Willis E., Maurice A., and Morton L. — ages respectively
twenty-one, eighteen, twelve, ten, six. They take a great
interest in books and bid fair for the future. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Main are very pleasant, refined people, and
enjoy the highest respect of all. An atmosphere decid-
edly tellectual pervades their home and the means are
at hand to stimulate and gratify mental hunger.
William W. Gilbert was born in Litchfield county,
Connecticut, October 23, 1828. In the year 1855 he
came to Iowa, locating in Hazleton township, where he
purchased property and made his home fourteen years.
In the year 1869 he sold his property and purchased
the beautiful residence where he still resides, at the
eastern limits of the city of Independence. Mr. Gilbert
was married in 1857 to Miss Hester H. Palmer of Hazle-
ton township. They have two children, Ella and
Frederick, ages respectively twenty-one and eighteen.
Mr. Gilbert has a wide-awake interest in the public wel-
fare and has frequently been appointed to positions of
trust by his fellow townsmen.
Robert Burke was born in Ireland in 1829. At twenty-
one years of age he came to America, and in the spring of
1857 to Independence, where he still resides, and where
he has been principally engaged in the mason's trade.
He made his first purchase in 1858, buying a part of the
property where he now resides, in the eastern limits of
the city of Independence. He has since added to his
land until he now owns twenty-seven acres. This prop-
erty is valuable and beautifully situated, it being within
the corporation and adorned with shade trees, and pro-
vided with a fine house.
Mr. Burke was married November 12, 1859, to Miss
Ann McLaughlin, of Irish birth. They have a family of
four children living: Mary Ann, born March 4, 1861,
married Herbert Bruce; they have one son, Robert,
born October 11, 1879. Henry J., born March 25,
1862; Margaret Ellen, born February 2r, 1865; Rose
Delia, born May 5, 1875. It may be said in Mr. Burke's
honor, that by his own industry and business skill he is,
to-day, an independent man. Both he and his wife are
Christian people, and members of the Catholic church.
C. C. Cadwell was born in Madison county, New York,
January 25, 1809. He lived with Colonel E. S. Cadwell
till he was twenty-three years of age, when he went to
Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the literary department in
the Lane seminary. He afterwards engaged in teaching
in private schools, and then became connected with the
Sunday-school mission work, in which he proved very
efficient. He became an occasional contributor to the
press and united himself with the interests of the tem-
perance cause, frequently addressing audiences on the
subject. In the year 1840 he went to Tennessee, where
he spent nearly five years teaching in different parts of
the State. In the year 1856 he came to Buchanan
county, Iowa, and soon after purchased the piece of land
where he still resides, one mile west of the city of Inde-
pendence. Here Mr. Cadwell has a good home in a de-
sirable location, in close proximity to the city, yet having
the advantages of the country. ■ Mr. Cadwell was mar-
ried in Tennessee in 1849, to Miss E. E. Ross, a native
of Vermont. They have a family of five children: El-
more R., thirty years of age, married, and resides in
Dunlap, Harrison county, Iowa, and practices law; Clem-
ent S., twenty-eight years of age, married, and farming
in Minnesota; Edwin P., twenty-six years of age, mar-
ried, and practicing law in Logan, Harrison county, Iowa;
Elfred S., twenty-one years of age, teaching music in
Harrison county, in the town of Dunlap; Lizzie S.,
sixteen years of age, the only child left with the parents.
Upon every public question of interest, Mr. Cadwell
thoroughly informs himself, and his opinion is eagerly
sought. The citizens of the county have many times
been interested and instructed by articles from his pen.
Before coming to Iowa he lived for a time in Racine
county, Wisconsin; and about the year 1851 was town-
ship superintendent of public schools in that county.
His wife was a teacher in Germantown, Tennessee, at
the time of their marriage; and, before going south, she
had taught some time in St. Johnsburgh academy, in her
native State.
Edward Baggot was born in Ireland, in 1824. He
made his home with his father, Edward Baggot, sr., un-
til he was twenty-five years of age, when he came to
America. After several years spent in different States
286
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
in railroad building, he came to Iowa, in the year 1858,
locating in this county, where he continued that business
for three years. In 1861 he purchased twenty acres of
the Clark & Wilson addition to the city of Indepen-
dence, where he made his home until the year 1872,
when he sold it and moved upon the farm of one hun-
dred and fifteen acres, where he still resides, about two
miles northwest of Independence. On this farm he
built a splendid brick dwelling — large and roomy, and of
excellent material and workmanship. This farm former-
ly contained two hundred acres — lying on each side of
the railroad. He has sold all lying south of the track.
Mr. Baggot has one of the finest homes in the county.
It is situated only a (ew rods north of the railroad, the
trains passing in full view, thus relieving the monotony
of country life. His home is in the midst of a beauti-
ful natural oak grove, which shields him from the in-
clement winter weather, and furnishes him all the
pleasure of a park in the summer. Mr. Baggot was
married July 9, 1855, to Miss Catharine Shehahan, of
Irish birth. They have had five children, only two of
whom are now living: James, born May ?6, 1856, was
drowned while crossing' a ford on horseback, in the
Wapsipinicon river on the second day of September,
1873; Edward, born September 25, 1865, died, of ery-
sipelas, June 4, 1875; Ellen, born March 12, 1858, died
April 24, 1876; Mary, born August 2, i860; Nora, born
October 24, 1863. This was an active, promising family
till the destroyer, death, came in its midst and cut down
three bright flowers within three years. Mr. Baggot is a
man of sound judgment upon every question of im-
portance. He is one of those men who has wrung by the
hard hand of toil, a fine farm and home. Mr. Baggot
and his wife are earnest Christians and members of the
Catholic church.
Elzy Wilson was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in
1843. He was a son of Clinton \\'ilson, a prominent
citizen of that county. Till he was twenty-one years of
age, he made his home with his father on the farm and
attended school. In the year 1864, he made an exten-
sive tour through the west, simply to see the country.
The year following, in company with his father and fam-
ily, he returned, locating in this county, Washington
township, upon the farm where Mr. Elzy Wilson still
resides, two miles east of Independence. Mr.. Clinton
Wilson made several purchases of land, giving each of
his children a farm. He made this county his home
until his death, which occurred March 22, 1880. Mr.
Elzy Wilson was married February 2, i86g, to Miss
Maria Kaufman, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio,
August 20, 1850. They have two children, George and
Kate, aged .eleven and six respectively. Mr. Wilson
owns £)ne hundred and eighty-two acres; also an eighty-
acre farm in Byron township. He makes stock raising
and feeding his sole business, handling as high as two
hundred and forty head each year; has this number at
present. His sales some years amount to six thousand
dollars of his own feeding. His farm is all in grass, and
well adapted to the business to which he turns it. A
creek running through it affords water for stock the year
around. His barns, sheds, etc., he has arranged very
conveniently. Mr. Wilson is one of those shrewd, far-
seeing business men who "make every lick count." In
a word, he is one of the drive-wheels of the business
community.
Ephraim Miller was born in Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania, May 12, 1822. When about six years of
age he moved with his father, Jacob Miller, to the State
of Ohio, locating in Wayne county, where his father
died in June, 1851. In the year 1850 Mr. E. Miller
came to Iowa, locating in Buchanan county. In the
summer of 185 i, he purchased the farm where he still
resides, in the southeast corner of Washington township.
Originally there were two hundred and forty acres in this
farm, but he has since added to it until it now numbers
eight hundred and forty-five acres, beside forty-five acres
in a different piece. In the year 1856 he built a large
stone house, in 1858 a commodious horse-barn, and in
1865 a large cattle-barn. His grounds are well orna-
mented with shade trees, and everything about his place
gives a pleasant, home-like appearance. Mr. Miller was
married August 12,1841, td Miss Rebecca Wilson, who was
born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 3, 1823. They have
a family of seven children, four sons and three daugh-
ters. Wilson J. married Miss Mary V. Gould, and re-
sides on a farm in the neighborhood of his father. Mary
J. married John W. McMillen, and also resides in the
neighborhood. Lewis B. married Miss Jennie L. Willi-
ver, and resides on a farm joining his father's. John
W. is single and at home. Nancy E. married H. H.
House, and resides near her parents. Clinton E. and
Emma I. are both still at home. Mr. Miller's early
association with this county gives him prominence
among the pioneers. His first introduction was satisfac-
tory, and has so continued, though at first he had to go
to adjoining counties for flour and to Dubuque for gro-
ceries and clothing. ^Vhen he built his house, he hauled
the shingles, flooring, etc., from Dubuque. His perse-
vering will and energy, and pioneer discipline, have
brought him a rich reward.
John Boon was born in Preble county, Ohio, May 15,
1807, made his home with his father, Daniel Boone, until
he was twenty-two years of age, when he went to Mich-
igan. In 1846 he came to Buchanan county, Iowa. His
first purchase of land was forty acres, where the Poor farm
is now situated. Becoming disheartened with the county
in its loneliness and wierdness, he sold his farm in the
spring and determined 10 return east; but owing to different
causes he concluded to stay till fall By that time the
country found greater favor in his eyes, and here he has
since made his home. In the spring of 1847 he settled
upon the farm where he now lives — in section thirty-six,
Washington township; obtained a deed for the same in
1849, the farm consisting of two hundred acres. Has
since sold about ninety acres. Built himself a good
house in 1863, and has his farm under a good stale of
cultivation.
Mr. Boon was married in 1829 to Miss Mary Sutten,
also a resident of Preble county, Ohio. He has ten liv-
ing children— Nelson J., married and resides in Vinton,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
287
Benton county, Iowa; William, married and resides in
Kansas; Susan, married Crawford W. Wilson, and also
resides in Kansas; Daniel, married and resides in Min-
nesota ; Morgan, married and resides in Perry town-
ship; Jane, married Emanuel Wardell, and resides at
present in Byron township; John S., married and resides
also in Byron township; Charles, married and lives in
Nebraska; Benjamin, married, and carries on the home
farm ; Helen, single, and at home.
Mr. Boon is wide-awake and exceptionally jovial for a
man of his years. His pioneer life and hardships seem
not to have destroyed his natural cheerfulness.
William Horsey was born in the State of Tennessee in
the year 181 8. At the age of eleven he moved with his
father, Nathaniel Horsey, to the State of Kentucky, where
he lived till the spring of 1847, when he came to Iowa, lo-
cating in Henry county, where he made his home thirty
years. In the month of March, 1877, he became a resident
of this county. The same summer he purchased his farm
of eighty acres, where he still resides, in section thirty-six,
Washington township. He remodeled his house the same
year, converting it into a very neat, comfortable home.
Mr. Horsey married his first wife in July, 1838. Her
maiden name was Susan Marcian, a resident of Ken-
tucky. Mr. Horsey was married the second time on
Christmas day, 1878, to Mrs. S. Wilson, widow of
Thomas Wilson, deceased. Her maiden name was
Buckmaster, formerly a resident of Holmes county, Ohio.
Mr. Horsey is one of those men that it does a man's
heart good to meet. He is kind hearted, clever, pleas-
ant and sociable; has the highest respect of all his neigh-
bors. He was born spiritually into the kingdom of
Christ in the year 1856, and has since lived an earnest,
exemplary, Christian life, and been a faithful member of
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Horsey is also a
member of same church.
Philander French was born in Cayuga county. New
York, September 20, 1812. In the year 1850 he came
to Iowa, locating in Buchanan county. The same year
he purchased the farm where he still resides, in section
twenty-five, Washington township. In the year 1851 he
moved upon the farm and has since made it his home.
Originally there were one hundred and sixty acres, but he
has since added forty. He owns, also, one hundred and
sixty acres three miles north in same township. Mr.
French certainly has one of Buchanan's good farms,
finely timbered. He engages in general farming, raising
grain and stock of different kinds. His building site is
especially worthy of notice, consisting of a sandy knob,
sloping off" in every direction, and naturally exceeding in
beauty many labored results of the hand of art. He
built himself a fine residence in 1859, and has ever-
greens and other shade trees in tasteful order about it.
In a word, he has one of the beautiful homes of Bu-
chanan county. Mr. French married his first wife in
1833, in New York. Her maiden name was Lydia
Hance. She died June 30, 1849, leaving four children:
Lafayette, who is now in the stock business in British
America, was formerly in the fur business, and has made
that his home for the past sixteen years; the second
child, Jerome, farming m Nebraska; Mary, married Luke
Munson and resides in Colorado; Elmira, who married
Sylvester Ide, died September 18, 1879. ^I""- French
married his second wife, Mary Ann Vannettenn; in April,
1852. They have a family of eight children: Lucan
resides in Montana ; Frankie married Allen Sill, and
resides in Nebraska; Verna, married W. Sill, and also
resides in Nebraska; Louis, Charles, Freddie, and
Gussie. Mr. French's early relation to this county cer-
tainly renders him one of its pioneers. When he came
here there were only two men of families and three
single men in Independence. Dr. Brewer and wife,
Thomas Close and wife, Samuel Sherwood, O. H. P.
Roszell, S. S. McClure, comprised the inhabitants of the
city, in 1850. Mr. French not only ranks first in the
county in point of time of settlement, but in citizenship.
He is a good sound Republican.
Erasmus Frizell was botn in the town of Cazenovia,
Madison county, New York, May 6, i8or. With the
exception of the intervening years between 1828 and
1834, which he spent in Ohio, he lived upon the farm
where he was born, till he was sixty years of age. In
March, 186 1, he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, and
has since been a citizen of this county. In 1866 he
purchased the place of thirty-four acres where he still re-
sides, one fourth mile east of Independence, lying north
of the railroad. Mr. Frizell was married in Ohio in
1831, in Licking county, to Miss Sarah Sryer, who died
April 30, 1878, in this county. They had a family of
nine children, seven of whom are living: Electus L., a
carpenter, who resides in Green county, Iowa; Elizabeth
married Mr. J. C. Remcier, and resides in Minneapolis,
Minnesota; Eliza married Isaac Dalley, keeping house
for his father; E. B. resides in Green county, Iowa;
Emma, single, and carries on a dressmaking store in
Cincinnati, Ohio; Nettie married Charles Cook; is a
widow and resides at La Cross, Wisconsin; E. H. in the
hotel business, at Buna Vista, California. Mr. Frizell is
sprightly and active for a man of his years. Has had a
long and wide experience in the world. Has raised a
large family, all of whom are taking their part in the
great business of life.
G. W. Smyser was born in York count\', Pennsylvania,
August 29, 1834. When about eighteen months old, his
father, John L. Smyser, moved to Wayne county, Ohio,
where he resided till the year 1852, when he and family
came to Iowa, locating in this county, in Washington
township. A full biography of him will be found on
another page. Mr. G. W. Smyser made his home with
his father till he was twenty-four years of age, working
as a minor. At this age he commenced to do for him-
self, but remained with his father two years longer. He
was married November 17, 1866, to Miss Susan C. Neid-
igh, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, ^Lay 13,
1838. They have three children: Mary V., born Octo-
ber r, 1867; John W., born July 13, 1879; Neva M.,
born April 27, 1878. Mr. Smyser purchased his farm in
i860, where he still resides, in section twenty-four Wash-
ington township. ■ Originally there were one hundred
and sixty acres, but he owns at present one hundred and
:88
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
ninety-four acres. In August, 1861, he enlisted in com-
pany H, Twenty-seventh Iowa infantry, serving his
country three years; the last year served as second lieu-
tenant. His first engagement was at the capture of Lit-
tle Rock. He served under the command of General
A. J. Smith, Sixteenth army corps; was never wounded,
though he participated in several severe engagements.
At a battle on Red river, a ball passed directly through
his hat. His last engagement was at the battle of Nash-
ville, Tennessee, December 13 and 14, 1864. After his
return from the army he moved upon the farm, where he
has since resided. He engages largely in the stock bus-
iness and dairying. In 1875 he built himself a magnifi-
cent barn. It is considered one of the finest in the
county. His farm is well calculated for stock raising,
a creek running directly through it affording water for
stock the year round. Mr. Smyser is well known
throughout the county and possesses the confidence and
highest esteem of all classes.
John G. Litts was born in Pike county, Pennsylvania,
December 16, 1836. At about the age of eighteen his
parents moved to Sussex county, New York, where they
remained about sixteen years. At the expiration of this
time they came to Buchanan county, Iowa, where they
remained the balance of their lives. His father died in
September, 1867, and his mother in June, 1876 — both
buried at Bethel Church cemetery. John G. Litts was
married May 22, 1862, to Miss Nancy A. Makinson,
who was born in Detroit, Micliigan, September 19, 1836.
They have nine living children, and three deceased.
The names of the living are — Wilhelmina A., Franklin
A., Louis M., George L., Minnie W., Susie E., Ernest
A., Arthur W., and J. Allison — ages, respectively, eigh-
teen, sixteen, fourteen, thirteen, ten, nine, six, two, one.
The names of the deceased — John M., who died at the
age of eight months; Cora M., who died at the age of
eighteen months; Claude Ray, who died at the age of
eleven weeks. On the eleventh of August, 1862, Mr. Litts
enlisted in company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa volunteer
infantry, and served his country about nine months,
when he was discharged on account of heart and spinal
disease. He has never seen a well day since. He was
second corporal of company H. In the year 185 1 he
made his first purchase of land, it being in section
twenty-four, Washington township. In 1864 he moved
upon the farm of eighty acres, where he still resides, in
section twenty-four. Mr. Litts is one of those men who
have a mind of their own, and, though his relatives were
all Democrats, he has been a life long Republican.
James Harrigan was born in the State of New York,
on the tenth of July, 1843. When eleven years of age
he came to this county with his mother, Catharine Har-
rigan. They moved upon a farm of two hundred and
forty acres, his father, Jerry Harrigan, had purchased in
1850. Jerry Harrigan was, in his early years, a man of
nerve, mind, and ability. He showed great ability in the
purchase of land, etc., but, in about one year after this
purchase he became perfectly insane, the result of a
year's severe illness. He is living at this writing, pos-
sessing comparatively good health, though he has passed
through twentj'-seven years of this affliction, yet a
stranger to his family. His wife has had unsurpassable
patience in caring for him during all these years. July
15, 1 86 1, James Harrigan, and two brothers, John and
Michael, enlisted in company E, Fifth Iowa infantry.
He served his country two years and eight months, when
he was discharged on account of disability, caused by in-
flammation settling in his right knee, rendering it lame
ever since. This was the result of a forced march from
Corinth to Chattanooga. He receives a pension from the
Government, but insignificantly small when compared
with his loss. He is a young man of more than ordi-
nary ability. He carries on the home farm, and is known
throughout the community as a gentleman and friend of
everybody. John, a brother, was killed in the army,
near Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1865.
George S. Dean was born in Yates county, New York,
March 12, 1828. He made his home with his father,
Elvin C. Dean, until he w^as twenty-six years of age,
when he married and began life for himself. In the
spring of 1855 he came to Iowa, locating in Buchanan
county, where he has since been a resident. His first
three years in the county were spent in Independence,
engaged in the carpenter and joiner business. During
this time he purchased a tract of land in Jefferson town-
ship, near Brandon. This he moved upon and made his
home ten years, succeeding finely. At the end of this
time he had purchased two hundred and twenty acres, at
the same time owning eighty acres where he now resides,
in section twenty-four, Washington township. In the
spring of 1868 he sold his Jefferson township farm and
moved upon the Washington township farm, where he has
since made his home, owning at present one hundred and
seventy acres, having recently sold eighty acres. In the
year 1868 Mr. Dean built a very fine house, and, in
i86g, built one of the finest barns in the neighborhood.
Its smooth, rolling surface, natural drainage, and splen-
did running water, supplying drink for stock the year
round, together with its excellent soil, render this one of
the finest farms, as well as most attractive homes, in the
county. The building spot is admirable. Mr. Dean has
shade and fruit trees planted, and evergreens already
adorning his grounds. Mr. Dean was married January
3, 1854, to Miss Louisa A. Smith, born in Ulster county.
New York, in the town of Olive, December 16, 1826.
She died at her home, in this county, March 30, 18.77,
leaving a family of six children — Elvin C, James O.,
William F., Lu Ella, Charles S., and Carrie Alice, aged,
at this time, twenty-six, twenty-four, twenty-one, seventeen,
nineteen, and fifteen. The members of this family are at
present making their home with their father except [ames
O., who is attending the Baptist Theological seminary, at
Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Dean and all his family, with
the exception of the youngest, are members of the Bap-
tist church, and he is a trustee of the same.
Leopold Seltzer was born in Germany in May, 1832,
and came to America in July, 1849. His first five years
in the country were spent in Northampton county, Penn-
sylvania, where he married, and came west, locating in
Wisconsin, where he made his home until the first day of
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
289
January, 1881, when he became a resident of this county
by moving upon the farm of one hundred and sixty
acres which he had purchased in 187 1. It is situated in
section thirteen, Washington township. In Wisconsin he
made farming his principal business, though he served
his fellow citizens as county clerk lor eight years. Mr.
Seltzer has three children — Julia, Amelia, and George —
aged twenty-one, nineteen, and sixteen, respectively, all
making their home with their father. Though Mr.
Seltzer is a new man, comparatively speaking, he had es-
tablished a good character in Wisconsin, which has fol-
lowed him and is indeed one of those friends a man
cannot easily shake off.
J. C. Reed was born in Germany, near Leipsic, in the
year 1829. When about five years of age, he came to
Ameiica with his parents, Charles A. and Rosina Reed.
They located first in Detroit, Michigan, but after two
years removed to Wisconsin, where his father died in
1838. As he was the only son, he felt at that early age
the responsibility of caring for his mother and the
younger children. He worked on a farm until he was
old enough to learn the mason's trade, and when he was
twenty-five years of age he had the mtans to come to
Iowa, which he did in 1854. He purchased at Govern-
ment price the farm of eighty acres, where he now re-
sides, in section seven, Washington townshij). He has
added to his first purchase so that he now owns one hun-
dred and sixty acres of excellent land. He built himself
a pleasant house in 1865, which took the place of his
first residence, constructed of logs, a representative of
the early days of the county. Lumber was not to be
had; so, after erecting a building sixteen by nineteen, he
covered it with hay, and not daring to put a stove into it,
his "Home Comfort" was situated several rods from the
house. When the winter was well upon them, with three
inches of snow, he succeeded in getting slabs at ten cents
apiece for a roof, and with a platform for his stove, it was
moved in out of the cold, and they were no longer com-
pelled to go to bed to keep warm. Mrs. Reed says there
was no sweeping to be done in those days, as there was
no floor. Mrs. Reed before her mirriage was a timid
girl, but soon- got used to staying alone in the cabin,
without a door or window, until 10 or 11 o'clock at night.
Many other families came to the township that same au-
tumn, and were sleeping under wagons or in tents while
their houses were built. Mr. Reed was married in 1853
to Miss Agnes Kunkle, who was born in Germany in
1831, and came to America when ten years of age. They
have one child living and one deceased: Maggie, born
February 5, 1856, married Mr. Charles E. Dailey August
19, 1876; Julia, born September 16, 1862, died in No-
vember, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the
Baptist church. Mr. Reed is one of the earlier pioneers
of the county, and is worthy of the highest regard of the
present generation. He is a Good Templar and a mem-
ber of the Granger society. Politically he is a Democrat.
His farm is beautifully situated, sloping in all directions
from his house, forming a natural drainage, and the grove
by which his home is encircled is a delight to the artistic
eye. Those early days of hardship and privation furnish
much material for pleasant retrospect as they recede into
the dim past, and this is in some degree a compensation
for early sacrifices.
George Washington Rice was born in Worcester coun-
ty. New York, March 14, 1824. His father, Washing-
ton Rice, being a manufacturer of cloths, George Wash-
ington spent his early life with him in the factory, and
assisted his father until he was about twenty years of
age, when he began the life of a sailor. His first voy-
age was on a whaling expedition. On this trip he was in
all the oceans, including the China sea, and made a com-
plete trip around the world; visited many of the islands
in the Pacific ocean. They vi-ere gone forty-nine months.
They killed whales enough to make three thousand bar-
rels of oil. The cargo was sold at New Bedford for ten
thousand dollars. After this he engaged in coasting
about five years. The whole of his life was satisfactory,
and was the means of restoring his health, which was
the sole cause of his engaging in that avocation. In the
year 1847 he engaged in quarrying granite for rail-
road bridges, and contracting for fine buildings, both
public arid private. He assisted in building the State
reform school in Massachusetts, which was about the
first in the United States. His building contracts be-
came quite extensive for those early times, and the bus-
iness was followed until the year 1853, when he came to
Iowa, locating in Sumner township, where he purchased a
farm and resided twelve years. In the spring of i866,
he moved to Independence and engaged in building, and
run a marble shop at the same time, which was continued
for about five years. In the spring of 187 1 he pur-
chased the farm of one hundred and eighty acres, where
he still resides, in Washington township, this county.
Mr. Rice has splendid buildings and his farm is under a
fine state of cultivation. He has plenty of fruit and
shade trees and raises some fine fruit. It is a pleasure to
meet such a man as Mr. Rice, with a world-wide ex-
perience. He is a man of a great amount of natural
talent. His skill is displayed in a beautiful cane which
he carved from the jawbone of a whale, and in several
other articles of a similar character, showing the uni-
versal Yankee genius. Mr. Rice was married May 8,
1852, to Mrs. Walters, daughter of Isaac Lincoln, of
Massachusetts. Mrs. Rice was born in Worcester, Mas-
sachusetts, August 2, 1824. They have no children of
their own, but have adopted a little girl thiee years of
age. She is now a young lady nineteen years of age and
bears the name of Etta Rice. They have a beautiful
home, made so by the taste, skill, and labor they have
spent upon it. Mr. Rice's father, Washington Rice,
came to Iowa in 1854. He was a drummer in the War
of 181 2, and known throughout this county as the first
man who picked up the drum sticks to march the army
of Buchanan to quell the Rebellion. He was active in
raising companies for the war, and though seventy years
of age, he had the old war spirit so characteristic to the
old soldier. Mr. Rice made his home with his son,
George Washington Rice, till his death, which occurred
June 2, 1867.
E. Daniels was born in Berkshire county, Massachu-
2go
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
setts, August 21, 1832. When about one year old his
father, E. Daniels, moved to Franklin county, Massa-
chusetts, where he purchased a farm. Here Mr. E.
Daniels, the subject of this sketch, made his home till
about twenty-four years of age. In the winter of 1857
he came to Iowa, and purchased a farm where he still
resides in Washington township. Purchasing at first
one hundred and twenty acres, but since adding to it till
he now owns two hundred and eight acres. He built his
house in 187 1. It is one of the best houses in the town-
ship. When Mr. Daniels moved on his place there was
not so much as a tree on it. A cheap shanty and fifty
acres broken comprised the improvements. Now he
owns one of the finest improved farms in the country.
Has shade and fruit trees planted, and every convenience
of a tasteful home supplied. Besides having his conve-
niences for carrying on his farm, and stables, and sheds,
etc., for his stock, he also has his house well and
tastefully furnished, rooms adorned with pictures, flowers
and books ; and papers in plenty at hand. Mr. Daniels
was married August 20, 1856, to Miss Emma M. Dick-
inson, daughter of General G. Dickinson, born' in Frank-
lin county, Massachusetts, September 19, 1833. They
have three children; Carrie W., born December ir,
1858; attending school in Ripon, Wisconsin ; Hattie A.
born March 15, 1863, single, and attending school from
home; Louise E., born January 12, 1870, and a wide-
awake little lady she is. This is a home where a taste
for reading throws the charm of intelligence around
everything that nothing else can give.
Mr. Daniels' experience as a frontiersman is none of
the pleasantest. He came when the flood of inflation
was at the highest water mark. Every purchase he
made was at the highest price. And immediately fol-
lowed the panic ; and when it came his turn to sell there
was scarcely a market at any price. Many were financi-
ally engulfed, causing many failures and much dis-
couragement. Only those who were endowed with stout
hearts and manly courage could stand such a defeat.
Mr. Daniels stood the storm, and is finally anchored
upon one of the best farms of the county.
George McFarland was born in old Virginia in the
year 18 15, where he made his home till twenty-four
years of age. After spending eight years in Indiana, en-
gaged in farming, he came to Iowa and purchased a
farm in Washington township, which was afterwards sold,
and the two hundred and seventeen acres where he still
resides was purchased. Has since added difi'erent tracts
of land till now he owns about five hundred acres, a
part of which lies in Hazleton township.
Mr. McFarland was married in 1853 to Miss Naomi
Powell, of Indiana, who died there in May, 1859. Mr.
McFarland is still a widower and childless, but has raised
four nephews and nieces — a labor of love, for he will not
fail of his reward.
E. A. Sheldon was born in Rupert, Bennington
county, Vermont, January 2, 1833. He made his home
with his father, Enos Sheldon, till he was twenty-one
years of age, when he went to learn the carpenter trade ;
working at it five years in the city of Boston, Massachu-
setts. On the eleventh day of February, 1858, he came
to Independence, Iowa, and has since remained as a
citizen of the same, working at his trade principally till
the year 1875 i employed on many of the principal build-
ings of the place. The last five years he turned his
attention almost entirely to bee culture, and his success
has been very satisfactory indeed. He spares neither
time nor money in informing himself and making him-
self perfectly familiar with all the secrets of the apiary.
Has made the breeding of bees from pure Italian stock
a special study and a success. Has at present in his
yard bees brought across from Italy. Has raised as high
as a ton of honey in a year, and from its fine quality and
self-recommendation it has always found ready sale. He
has found this a remunerative as well as a pleasant busi-
ness, and expects to pursue it as a vocation. Mr. Shel-
don was married February 4, 1858, to Miss Ellen A.
Lyon, of Boston, Massachusetts, who died October 5,
1864, in Independence.
He was married the second time, April 10, 1866, to
Miss Nancy A. Sparling, who was born in Crawford
county, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1842. They have no
children of their own, but in 1874 adopted Jessie B.
Sparling, daughter of James M. Sparling, brother of Mrs.
Sheldon. Jessie B. was born February 7, 1862. She
and her aunt, Mrs. Sheldon, took an extensive trip in
the summer of 1880 to visit Mr. James Sparling, who is
in the mining business in Colorado. We have had
the pleasure of examining some of the curiosities they
brought back with them, and must say as crystals, petri-
factions, ores, etc., etc., they surpass in beauty and num-
ber any thing of the kind we have ever seen. Mr. Shel-
don has one of the attractive homes of Washington
township, and is awake to the interests and general wel-
fare of the community.
J. F. Shattuck was born in the town of Smithville,
Chenango county, New York, in 18 17. He made his
home with his father, D. P. Shattuck, till he was twenty-
eight years of age. He engaged in farming after his
school days were over. In the meantime he moved
with his father to the county of Genesee, same State.
In the year 1845 Mr. Shattuck married Miss E. M.
Resell, who was born in Ontario county, New York, in
the town of Bristol, in the year 1825. They moved
upon a farm, which Mr. J. F. Shattuck purchased soon
after. Here they resided till the year 1853, when they
moved to Michigan, where Mr. Shattuck purchased a
farm in Calhoun county. They made this their home
five years.
In the month of April, 1858, they came to Iowa, stop-
ping the first year in Independence. The same year he
purchased the farm where he still resides. The follow-
ing spring he moved on his farm; has since made it his
home, and a pleasant one, indeed, it is. He has a good
house which is surrounded with evergreens and other
trees, which add beauty to the grandly located farm.
At first there were only eighty acres, but by his business
tact and industry he has added to its acres till now he
owns the "snug" farm of four hundred and forty acres.
Mr. Shattuck is extensively engaged in stock raising
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
291
and dairying; has his own creamery, and ships his butttr
to New York and Philadelphia. He milks from fifty to
sixty cows. He has his farm under a good state of culti-
vation, trees bearing fruit, and every convenience of a
good home and farm supplied. Mr. Shattuck's family
consists of five sons and two daughters: Agnes Theressa,
born in New York State in 1846, married George Brooks,
and resides in Pilot Grove, Buffalo township; Eugene
E., born in New York in 1848, married Miss Josie Cole-
man, and resides in Kansas City, Missouri, where he
practices dentistry; Forbs R., born in New York, March
2, 1 85 1, single, and lives at home; Ralph L., born in
Michigan in 1854, married Miss Ida Hungerford, and
resides in Lincoln, Nebraska; Inez I., born in Michigan
in i860; Clarence H., born in Independence in 1859;
James Leon, born in Buchanan county, Iowa, in 1866.
Mr. Shattuck is a very pleasant and intelligent man,
and his farm and business generally indicate a business
ability that always wins. He has the highest respect of
his neighbors and business associates. Politically, he is
a firm Democrat.
George C. Morse was born in Cataraugus county. New
York, June 17, 1833, and made his home with his father,
Heman Morse, till he was thirty-five years of age,
though changing localities frequently, as their business
was teaming. When they located in Belvidier, Illinois,
they teamed and farmed, hauling goods from Chicago to
Galena, a distance of one hundred and seventy-five
miles. This they followed till the year 1854, when they
engaged in the hotel business. In 1855 his father came
to Independence, and purchased a hotel. The year fol-
lowing George C. came and engaged with his father in
the hotel. His father sold the hotel in 1856, and moved
to the place where George C. now resides. This he had
purchased the first year he came to Iowa. Since that
time Mr. Morse has turned his attention exclusively to
farming. He owns one of the finest farms in the county.
It contains four hundred and seventy acres, and is under
a good state of cultivation. He has trees bearing fruit,
raises quantities of berries, and in fact, every want of a
pleasant home is supplied. Mr. Morse has a home
worthy of notice. In the year 1874 he built one of the
finest residences in the county. For convenience and
beauty it cannot be surpassed. He spared neither money
nor pains to make it complete, and has it furnished in
good taste. His front yard comprises two acres adorned
with evergreen and other shade trees, beautifully arranged,
and a prepared fine carriage drive showing the spirit
of enterprise and a love of the beautiful.
Mr. Morse believes in mixed farming, and deals some
in stock, dairying and grain raising.
Mr. Morse was married February 20, 1875, 'o Miss
Carrie Curtiss, daughter of Lyman J. and Jennett Cur-
tiss, of this county. She was born in Fayette county,
Kentucky, September 12, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Morse
have one child: Charles C, born March i, 1876. They
have a beautiful home, and seem to be enjoying it
hugely. In addition to the many good things that might
be said of Mr. Morse, is that he is a good and sound
Republican.
V. F. Wieser was born in (jermany in 1838. He
came to America in 1857, landing in New York city on
the second day of January. He at once engaged in the
railroad business, working a short time as a hand, and
aiterwards took contracts in grading the new Illinois
Central through this part of the country. This he fol-
lowed till the year 1863, when he turned his attention to
farming. He purchased a farm in section thirty-five.
Perry township. Here he lived till the year 1875, when
he sold his farm, and purchased a half interest in the
mill in Otterville. The year following he purchased the
other half. Since that time he has owned the property
entire. Mr. Wieser was married in November, 1866, to
Miss Mary Gates, born in Germany in the year 1844.
They have six children living and one deceased: Joseph,
Anna, Henry, Fannie, Franklin, Anetty. Mr. Wieser is
a very pleasant and intelligent man, and takes a wide in-
terest in the literary world. He is known in his neigh-
borhood as a man well informed upon the topics of the
day, as well as in regard to important events of the past.
James Sanders was born in Chenango county, New-
York, August 15, 18 1 3. He made his home with Tobias
Sanders, his father, till he was twenty-one years of age,
when he commenced to provide for himself by engaging
in lumbering and clearing. This he continued, in con-
nection with farming, till the year 1857, when he moved
to McHenry county, Illinois, and the following spring he
came to Iowa and purchased eighty acres near Iowa
Falls, and also one hundred and twenty acres in Wash-
ington township, this county, where he located and lived
upon it about twelve years, when he sold. About three
years previous to this he moved to Otterville, and pur-
chased a hotel and run it about two years. At the same
time he had a one-third interest in a lime-kiln, with his
son and Mr. Wilcox. In the year 1869 he traded the
hotel and other property for one hundred and twenty
acres of land, where he now resides. He has since added
to his possession, till now he owns three hundred and
sixty acres, besides ninety-eight acres of timber land.
Mr. Sanders, immediately after moving on his farm,
built himself one of the finest residences in the county.
He has a splendid farm, and his farm is under a good
state of cultivation. His place is beautifully located, as
all can testify who have had the pleasure of passing the
premises. They have that air of tidyness about them
which expense and labor and refined, cultured taste
only can give. Mr. Sanders is engaged in farming, stock
raising and dairying. Mr. Sanders was married Septem-
ber 7, 1834, to Miss Cloe A. Holcomb, of New York,
who died September 25, 1872, leaving a family of six
children, four sons and two daughters: Homer W., born
February 14, 1836, married Harriet Bicker, tnd resides
in Oelwein, Fayette county; Henry J., born June 6,
1837, married Emma Carson, and resides in Washington
township; Betty Maria, born October 8, 1838, married
William A. Melins, and lives on her father's farm; Rachel
R., born May 31, 1840, married George W. Crowell, and
resides in Perry township; Albert M., born October ii,
1842, married Delia Crowell, and resides at Storm
Lake; George L., born November 15, 1844, single, and
292
HISTORY OF BUCHAiSIAN COUNTY, IOWA.
lives with his brother-in-law. Mr. Sanders was married
the second time October 13, 1873, to Mrs. Rachel Ran-
dall, of New York, wife of Nelson Randall, deceased.
She is the mother of three sons: Francis E., born Octo-
ber 3, 1856; Frederick R., born January 13, 1859; Nel-
son Augustus, born July 16, 1S61. Francis married An-
nie Cameron, and resides at Jesup. Nelson married
Nettie Balcam, and resides in Perry township. Freder-
ick is single, and farming in Nebraska. Mr. Sanders is
a man of activity, and, though he is well advanced in
years, does his own chores and attends to all his busi-
ness transactions. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman,
and adheres to the strict principles of the Repubhcan
party.
Edward O'Brien was born in Ireland in the month of
May, 1823. He made his home with his father, James
O'Brien, and farmed till the year 1841, when he came to
America, locating first in New York. Here he engaged
with railroad companies in mason work on different lines,
following the star of emjnre as it wended its way west-
ward till he landed in Davenport, Scott county, Iowa.
Here he made his home permanently for three years,
working at the mason's trade. In the year 1857 he came
to Buchanan county, Iowa, and moved upon the farm
where he now resides, in Washington township, this
county. He had previously saved by his hard earnings
sufficient to purchase forty acres; but has since added to
his first purchase till now he owns one hundred and five
acres. He built himself a very comfortable house in
1872, and has his farm under a good state of cultiva-
tion. Mr. O'Brien was married in 185 1 in the State of
Pennsylvania, in the city of Greenesburgh. His wife's
name was Catharine Casey, born in Ireland in the year
1825. They have a family of seven children: John,
twenty-eight years of age, single, and teaching in St.
Louis; Margaret, twenty-six years of age, joined the Sis-
ters of Mercy October, 1879; Martin, twenty-three years
of age, single, and is doing for himself; Mary Elizabeth,
twenty years of age, attending school at the convent;
Anna, seventeen years of age, single, at home; Patrick
Joseph, sixteen years of age; Francis Thomas, fifteen
years of age. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have started from
the foot of the ladder, and by their honesty, integrity,
and earnest toil, have wrung from the hard hand of this
selfish world a comfortable home. They have demon-
strated by their lives what stout hearts and earnest wills
can do. They have reared a fine family, respected by
all. They are worthy members of the Catholic church.
George Harter was born in Summit county, Ohio, near
the village of Manchester, December 29, 1823. He
made his home with his father, Andrew Harter, till he
was twenty-five years of age. A part of the year teach-
ing school in connection with farming. At the age of
twenty-five he attended Allegheny college, at Meadville,
Pennsylvania, two years, and then joined his brother,
Mathias, at Cleveland university, where he spent the
winter in study. But on account of the sudden de-
cline of that institution they went to Ann Arbor, Michi-
gan, and there entered the university. Here they at-
tended till the year 1855, when they graduated in the
scientific department. He and his brother being the
first graduates in that department of the institution. In
the ensuing fall he came to Iowa, spending the first
winter in Cedar Falls, teaching. In the spring of 1856
he came to Independence, where he commenced improv-
ing his farm where he still resides, about a half mile
north of the city. This farm was purchased by Mr.
Harter and brother in the year 1853, there being one
hundred and ninety-five acres. Mr. Harter taught school
during the winters and farmed in the summers for about
six years. Since that time he has turned his attention
entirely to farming and gardening. He finds ready sale
for all his vegetables in the city of Independence. Mr.
Harter was married in February, i860, to Miss Jennie
Simons, who was born in Sterling, Wayne county, Penn-
sylvania, December 22, 1832. They have two children:
Haven, born February 5, 1861, a namesake of Bishop
Flaven, an old preceptor of Mr. Harter's at Ann Arbor;
May S., born November 24, 1862; both single and at
home attending school. -Haven recently honored his
friends with a creditable opening speech at the city
school oratorical contest. Mr. Harter's education has
taught him its value, and he purposes providing his chil-
dren with the best educational advantages. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Harter are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church.
Simeon Hale was born in York county, Maine, on
the twenty-fourth day of January, 181 7. He resided in
his native State until he was thirty-three years of age,
engaged in carriage-making from the time he was twen-
ty-two. In the spring of 1850 he moved to Lowell,
Massachusetts, where he made patterns for the Boston &
Lowell railroad company for two years. He moved
then to East Cambridge, and continued the same avoca-
tion for the same railroad company two years longer.
At the expiration of this time he moved to Williams-
ville, a suburb town of Buffalo, where he engaged in
the carriage business four years. He then moved to the
city of Buffalo and engaged in the dairying business,
furnishing milk. He was postmaster at a point called
BufTalo Plains about two years. In the year 1862 he
came to Iowa, landing in Independence the latter part
of April. It took him nine days to come from Buffalo to
Chicago, the ice impeding his progress considerably.
Mr. Hale's first two years in Independence were spent at
his trade. In the year 1867 he purchased his farm of
an hundred and thirty-six acres where he still resides, in
the northwest corner of the city. He has since added
by purchase until now he owns one hundred and fifty
acres. His farm is beautifully situated, on the corpora-
tion line and in full view of the railroad. Mr. Hale was
married in 1839 to Miss Julia Ann Davis, born in the
State of Maine, June 28, 1820. They have had a fami-
ly of seven children, only four of whom are living.
Mamie, the oldest living, is now the wife of W. H. H.
Morse, a merchant in Independence. John P., born
October 22, 1851, married Miss Delia A. Stevens on the
twenty-fourth day of January, 1877; they have one
child, Roy Stewart; born January 4, 1878. Mr. John P.
is interested with his father in farming and stock raising.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
293
Nettie B. married Harry A. Wolcott, conductor on the
B. C. R. & A. railroad, and resides at Albert Lea, Min-
nesota ; they have one child, Morse Albert, now two
years old. The youngest child, Fannie R., is single and
at home. She is cultivating a natural gift she has for
painting, and all who have had the pleasure of seeing any
of her work can prophesy a good degree of success for
her in her art in the future. Mr. Hale is a man of wide
experience, and he, his sons, and all their connections
are good, sound Republicans.
John Bohan was born in Ireland in 1821. His father
Patrick Bohan, died when he was but three years of age.
He made his home with his mother and stepfather till
he was fifteen years old, when he commenced life for
himself and alone. He worked at farming till he was
thirty-one years of age, when he came to America, in
1852. He S])ent his first four years in Witt county, Illi-
nois, where he rented a farm, and farmed and raised
stock on shares. In the month of May, 1856, he came
to Buchanan county, Iowa, locating first in Jefferson
township, where he entered eighty acres of school land,
with the understanding that he was to pay two dollars
and a half per acre; but afterwards found it was to be
sold to the highest bidder. This unsatisfactory state of
affairs caused him to remove the house he had built up-
on the land, to another piece of forty-six acres he had
purchased from private parties, in the same neighbor-
hood. Here he lived about seven years, when he sold
it. In the fall of 1864, he purchased the farm of one
hundred and twenty acres where he still resides, in
Washington township. He now owns, a fine farm of
two hundred and ten acres, for some of which he paid
forty and fifty dollars per acre. He built himself a nice
residence in 1872, and has his farm under a fine state of
cultivation. At present he is extensively engaged in
dairying and stock raising. Mr. Bohan was married in
1848 to Miss Mary Hickey, born in Ireland in 1820.
They have a family of eight children living and three
deceased. The names of the living children, in rotation
are: P. F., an agent for the Cedar Rapids insurance
company; W. C, manager of a teaming firm in Colora-
do; Mary Ann, a teacher; Emma, also a teacher; El-
la, attending school; Edwin, a business-like little fel-
low; Dannie, a school-boy of considerable promise,
and Agnes, a school-girl. Mr. Bohan certainly de-
serves great praise for his undaunted energy. Starting,
as he did, a poor boy, facing alone the world with
all its stern realities and difficulties, he has won by
the hard hand of toil a splendid farm and home, beside
rearing and educating such a family as would do credit
to any man.
William Bowen was born in Ireland in 1826. Here
he made his home till the year 1847, the time of the
great famine there, when he came to America, stopping
the first eight years near Richmond, Vermont, work-
ing about six years for one man. When he moved to
Rutland and engaged in hauling marble from the quarry
to the cars with a three ox-team. This he continued till
the year 1854, when he went to New York, and spent
about eight months, and where he married Miss Cathar-
ine Devlin, born in Ireland in 1830. They have never
had any family. In the spring of 1856 they moved to
Buchanan county, Iowa, locating first in what is now
known as Westburgh township. Here he took one-third
section of land. The winter following proved to "be a
very severe one, often raining hard, it immediately turn-
ing in severely cold, frequently freezing stock to death.
During this winter and the following he lost many fine
cattle, which he had only a short time previous paid a
fine price for in gold. The same winter the snow fell to
a considerable depth and drifted fearfully, often covering
their houses and stacks completely up. It had such a
smooth crust over it that it made it impossible to
travel on foot without sharp brads in the boots. Fre-
quently, before the crust came, Mr. Bowen has caught
wild deer in his arms and a-foot, while they were floun-
dering in the deep snow, seeking flight. These hard
winters cost him nearly all his property, and but for his
undaunted spirit he would have folded his arms and
given up in despair. But he was not that kind of a man.
He traded a team of mares for forty acres of land in
Homer township, and went hard at it again. From
this second start he has gone on w-orking and planning
and saving, till now he owns one of the best farms in
the county. In 1878 he purchased his present farm of
one hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides in
^Vashington township. "Bad luck" could not strike him
hard enough to discourage him ; but with admirable per-
severance and determined purpose he has overcome all
obstacles, and is now settled upon his own farm and in
his own home, and is to-day one of the well-to-do and
prominent citizens of the county.
John Burns was born in Armagh county, Ireland, in
1844. Came with his father, James Burns, to America
when fourteen years of age, it being in the year 1858.
In the year 1868 he purchased eighty acres of land in
section twelve, Washington township. This land he
worked, and boarded with a neighbor till the year 1877,
when, April 3d, he married Miss Mary J. Glynn, and
moved upon his place, where they have since made their
home. His wife was born in Hartford, Connecticut,
October 6, 1857. They have two children: Mary Ellen,
born May 7, 1878; James Patrick, born November 18,
1879. Mr. Burns is a man of clear grit and stout heart,
and has won by his own exertions a splendid farm and
good home, and has commenced life in earnest.
Daniel Webster Emery w'as born in Northampton
count)', Luermount, Bethel township, Pennsylvania, No-
vember 6, 1854. He came west in early childhood with
his father, William Emery, and after living in Illinois
and Michigan for twenty years, he came to Buchanan
county, Iowa, in 1875, and purchased the old Smyser
farm, situate in Washington township. Mr. Emery su-
perintended this farm until his death, which occurred
August 5, 1878. His remains are buried at Plainfield,
Will county, Illinois. His age was sixty-three. His first
wife, whose maiden name was Susan Elizabeth Dietrick,
died in Illinois in 1859, leaving a family of seven chil-
dren: Irvin H., a resident now of this county; Mary E.,
died in Michigan, January, 1875; William J., now in
294
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Denver City, Colorado, in the hotel business; Henry E.,
makes his home with Irvin; John D., Grand Rapids,
Michigan; Anna M., wife of John B. Akey, now living
on the old homestead; Daniel W., is also on the home-
stead;
Cornelius Lane was born in New York in 1821. At
the age of t>venty-five he went to Illinois and rented land
six years. In the spring of 1850 he came to Buchanan
county, Iowa, and moved upon the farm where he still
resides, in Washington. His first purchase of this farm
was one hundred and sixty acres, which was made in
1849, paying only about ninety cents per acre. He has
since made different purchases of land, till now he owns
about six hundred acres in all, about three hundred and
fifty acres of which constitutes the place where he re-
sides. In 1872 he built himself one of the finest resi-
dences in the county. He is largely interested in the
stock business, h;.vinj one hundred and seventy head of
cattle, twenty head of horses, two hundred hogs, and six
hundred sheep. Mr. Lane was married in New York in
1845 'o Miss Elizabeth Correll, who was born in New
York in 1825. They have a family of five children —
Mary, born in 1857, now wife of L. C. Tifft, a farmer and
resident of Washington township; George, born in 1853;
Alonzo, born in 1856; John, born in 1857; Fredie, born
in 1869. The sons arc all single and make their home
with the father and help him carry on the place. Mr.
Lane has the highest respect of the whole community.
He has the honor of being one of the first settlers of the
county, and one of the most solid men financially in it.
He is politically a sound Republican, and is bringing
his sons up in the same ]jrinciples.
Thomas Peasley was born December 25, 1837. His
early years were spent in Dubuque county, this State,
engaged principally in farming. He commenced to do
for himself at about the age of twenty by renting a farm.
He came to Buchanan county in 1862 and purchased
eighty acres of land in section fourteen of Albert Clark.
His first payment was only eighty dollars. Mr. Clark
formed such a favorable opinion of him that he gave
him a deed for the land without taking a mortgage for
the balance. This was promptly paid and he imme-
diately bought an adjoining eighty acres, so that he owns
now a clear one hundred and sixty acres without a
mortgage or a lien of any kind against it — a thing
many of his neighbors cannot boast of who used to put
on airs with their wealth, when he in his old clothes was
toiling hard for a farm. His farm is under a fine state
of cultivation and ranks with the best in the county,
affording him a pleasant home which he seems to be en-
joying as he deserves. His industry and frugality have
gained the high esteem of his neighbors, which it is his
pleasure to possess, for he has fought hard against fate
and has conquered. Mr. Peasley was married in i860
to Miss Sarah Busby, of Dubuque county. They have a
family of five children, one son and four daughters —
Anna, born in 1861; Mary, born in 1863; William, born
in 1865; Lizzie, born in 1867; Ida, born in 1870.
Mary is a teacher and has the highest praise of all as a
disciplinarian. The family are still united and are a
bright, intelligent one, that any man should be proud of.
Lindall J. C. Tifft was born in Rensselaer county,
New York, February 3, 1848. He made his home
with his father, Abram B. Tifft, till he was about twenty-
five years of age. About the year 1855 he moved with
his parents to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he spent his
early years. In the fall of 1868 the family came to Bu-
chanan county, locating two miles east of Independence.
The family returned to Zanesville in March, 1873.
Since this date Mr. Lindall Tifft has made this county
his home and been doing for himself, engaging in
farming, with the exception of about one year when
he engaged in the hotel and butter business in Hazle-
ton. He was married September 17, 1872, to Miss
Mary E. Lane, the only daughter of C. Lane, whose
lengthy sketch will be found in another portion of this
history. His first enterprise after marriage was to rent
eighty acres of land owned by his father-in-law. This
he worked two years, at the expiration of which time
he purchased eighty acres of land in section ten and
another in section seventeen, in Buffalo township. He
moved upon the last mentioned piece and farmed it,
renting the other piece. He made this his home for
about four years, when he traded the eighty acres on sec-
tion ten for hotel property in Hazleton. The following
October he traded the property back for the same eighty
acres and purchased at the same time a full one hun-
dred and sixty acres where he still resides in Wash-
ington township. By more recent purchases his farm
now contains two hundred acres. He has a number one
farm and is largely interested in the stock business, own-
ing as high as fifty head of cattle, six head of horses, and
other stock. This farm is admirably calculated for the
purpose to which he turns it. There are living springs
upon it that in the severest winters do not close. Mr.
Tifft is a young man who deserves great credit indeed
for his success. With his clear business tact and unceas-
ing industry he has secured one of the best farms and
homes in the county. Though still a young man he is
independent, and ranks among the solid men of his
township.
Michael Many was born in Ireland in 1836, came to
America in 1853, and to Buchanan county in 1857.
He was married in this county in 1863 to a lady of Irish
birth. They have two children living and two deceased,
the former two daughters, Ann and Margaret. Mr.
Many owns eighty acres of land, earned by his own exer-
tions, showing what stamina there is in the Irish people.
They came here hard-working and honest; have helped
to make this one of the best nations of the earth, and
nothing can be more pleasing than to see them enjoying
good homes in their adopted country. Fate and fortune
have struck hard against Mr. Many. Sickness and doc-
tors' bills and accompanying ills have attended him in
bad fortune — resulting in many losses. Had he been
only saved these troubles he could have been one of the
rich men of the county. But, in spite of all this bad
luck, he is to-day independent and well-to do.
LIBERTY.
This township corresponds to the Congressional town-
ship, eighty-eight north and range eight west of fifth prin-
cipal meridian. It is, therefore, six miles square; and,
as it is laid out in regular sections, and these regularly
numbered, there is not the difficulty experienced in lo-
cating tracts of land that there is in the irregular surveys
of the Eastern States. The method by which the western
States were laid out in regular squares and numbered will
be explained in its proper place.
In 1847 tl''6 county was divided into precincts, of which
there were three — Washington, Spring or Centre, and
Liberty. The last then embraced the south half of Mid-
dlefield, the south half of Liberty except sections 19, 20,
21, 30, 31, and 32, all of Cono except section 6, and sec-
tions 12, 13, 24, 25, and 36 of Newton.
The north half of Liberty then comprised a part of
Spring precinct. Quasqueton was the voting-place of
Liberty precinct, as it had been at one time for the entire
county.
On September 5, 1859, Liberty township was reduced
to its present size and form.
SURFACE..
The greater portion of this township lies in a fine loca-
tion, with hills and valleys, the former of no great height
and with gentle slopes; between these, especially on the
prairies, are belts of slightly depressed land, with gentle
slopes toward the water-courses, covered with a thick,
tough sward which precludes washing. Such places are
called "sloughs." There being no gullies in these to
carry off the water, and the rains from the surrounding
hills passing but slowly through the luxuriant growth of
grass which grows upon the sloughs, these places are usu-
ally very moist. This characteristic may be aggravated
by certain physical causes which will be explained in an-
other chapter.
The hills become relatively higher in the vicinity of the
river and the larger creeks, and have more abrupt slopes
and narrow valleys; hence the land is of less agricultural
value than that more remote. There are scattered along
by the river frequent low and level lands, sometimes of
considerable extent, known as "second bottoms," which
are very productive. Though some of these "bottoms,"
either from peculiarities of subsoil or surroundings, or
from the slight elevation above the river, are too wet for
purposes of tillage.
SOIL.
The soil varies considerably in the different localities
of the township. There are three distinct soils, each pe-
culiar to the prairie, timber and bottom lands; and these,
variously blended together and iiiingled with sand, con-
stitute a great variety, whose value, agriculturally, depends
upon the amount of the sand and the depth of the mixture,
and also very considerably upon the kind of subsoil; for
this materially affects the drainage. The difference in the
productiveness of these several soils is a result of the de-
gree of fineness or coarseness, and the kind of rocks,
whether quartz or limestone, out of whose comminution
they were formed, and of the amount of humus or organic
matter contained. These peculiar diflerences and their
causes will be explained at length in the geological de-
partment.
The soil of the prairies is an arenaceous loam, usually
quite deep, very durable and productive. The sloughs
often have even a greater depth of soil, are richer, heavier,
having received valuable additions in the washings from
the hills and from the decay of the rich vegetable matter
which has grown in them, the dampness not permitting
the annual fires to destroy this growth. In this way a
deep vegetable mould is formed. Even when the sloughs
are not fit for jjlough lands — though they frequently
would be if properly drained — they constitute one of the
most valuable parts of the prairie farm for grass-growing
purposes. The native grass growing upon them is often
cut twice, and these lands produce two large crops of ex-
cellent hay. Timothy will grow first rate on the dryer
ones, and red-top grows most luxuriantly when once
started upon them.
In part of the woodlands the soil is very similar to that
of the prairie, and has perhaps a greater amount of veg-
etable matter. It is a deep, sandy mould, of great pro-
ductiveness and durability, and is considered to be some-
what quicker than the prairie soil. However, in differ-
ent parts of the timber region, the quality of the soil varies
considerably, depending much upon conditions mentioned
before. In some places it is clayey, at others it is sandy;
this variableness is noticed in the prairie regions, espe-
cially in those parts near the river. Where the white oak
timber grew or is growing especially abundant, the soil is
invariably found to be thin and poor.
The "butternut" or "second bottoms" have long been
prized and recognized as the best of soils. These are of
diluvial origin, having been deposited during the Cham-
plane epoch, when the bed of the river was the entire e.x-
1 tent of its bottom lands. .Some of these are devoid of
trees; others have been encroached upon by the forests
of the adjacent hills.
The prairie is recognized, on the whole, as being the
best for corn, and the timber and "bottoms" unrivaled
for the production of wheat; for on these this grain is not
so likely to "smut" or " blast." and has the advantage of
the "quickness." As a whole, the soils are admirably
29s
296
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
adapted for the growth of cereals, grasses, and northern
fruits.
TIMBER.
Almost one-half of this township was, at the advent
of the settlers, densely forested. This region embraces
all or the greater part of sections 5, 8, 9, 16, 17, 19, 20,
21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30; 32, and 33, and fractions of others.
The native trees are the white oak, bur oak, red oak,
black oak, white (or soft) maple, sugar (or hard) maple,
white elm, red (or slippery) elm, linden (or basswood)
walnut, butternut, hackberry, poplar, aspen, cotton wood,
shagbark, bitter-nut, ash, and water-birch. But few-
evergreens appear; red cedar and white pine were
formerly found in considerable numbers on the cliffs of
the rivers and creeks. Among the shrubs and smaller
trees are the wild plum, crab-apple, hawthorn, black-haw,
willow, Virginia creeper, wild grape and other vines.
The hard maples were once so numerous in the sugar
bottoms, that not a little sugar were made from them.
Large trees being quite numerous till comparatively
recent times, the manufacture of hard-wood lumber was
an important industry; but now there are but few valua-
ble trees left and the others are being rapidly taken from
this region for fuel. If the present rate of destruction
continues, there must, within a few years, be a dearth of
wood fuel.
Timber, without the land, has been sold as high as
sixty dollars per acre. This shows the value of the wood.
STREAMS.
The general undulatory character of the surface, gen-
tly sloping toward the creeks and to the river, causes the
township to have an excellent drainage system, which is
further effected by the numerous streams which flow in
and through it. The Wapsipinicon, familiarly known as
Wapsie, flows through the southwestern part of the town-
ship, entering it on the east, one and a-half miles from
the southern boundary, continuing with large deflections
in an almost easterly course to the vicinity of Cedar
Rock, three-quarters of a mile north of Quasqueton,
when its course is changed to the southeast, and, pur.
suing this direction it enters Cono, two and one-fourth
miles from the eastern boundary line; whence it flows in
the same direction through Cono and the southwest
corner of Newton into Linn county. Pine, Nash, Hal-
stead, and Blank creeks are the principal tributaries of
the Wapsie in the township. Pine creek, which receives
its name from scattered pine trees which formerly grew
upon the bordering cliffs, and of which only a few re-
main, rises in Byron, and, after entering this township,
follows a semicircle course, in a southerly direction,
through the west central part of the township into the
Wapsie, less than two miles, as the crow flies, from
Quasqueton. The two confluent branches of Halstead
creek rise at a considerable distance apart in the town-
ship to the north, and flow in a southerly and southwest-
erly direction till within a mile of the river, when they
come together and empty into it a short distance from
the mouth of Pine creek. Before their branches unite,
the larger and more eastern one is called Merrill's creek.
and the other Dry run, and the stream formed by the
two is usually called by the name given above. Nash
creek rises within the township, flows to the southwest,
and drains a considerable area. The last named creek
flows through the southeast corner of the region de-
scribed.
These streams flow over rocky, pebbly, or sandy beds,
are fed by numerous springs, and are, therefore, clear,
cold and valuable. Their banks are usually high, but
the channels formed by them are not always large enough
to carry away all the water which falls upon the large
area drained by them, during the severe storms of the
summer months.
Pine, the larger of these tributaries, is a brook of per-
haps twenty feet in width, and carries a considerable
volume of water to the river. As it flows with con-
siderable rapidity, and as a larger part of its course was
through a formerly heavily forested region, dams were
constructed at an early day across it and the power util-
ized for sawing logs, and latterly for other purposes. Of
the places dammed, one was at Pine Creek bridge, and
the other further north at a place known as Eddie's mill.
Owing to the growing scarcity of timber, and the un-
certain supply of water — and this last was probably ac-
celerated as the surrounding hills became bald and no
sheltering trees invited the clouds to give a regular sup-
ply of water and retarded its rapid evaporation, thus
forming reservoirs for the continual supply of the stream
— these dams have been abandoned, and the water now
flows with gentle, gurgling sounds where it was wont to
plunge madly propelling the industrious saw, which
caused the woods to echo with its music.
The power observed in the rapids at Quasqueton was
that which first attracted man to this place. It was util-
ized at a very early day, and since that time it has been
an important factor in the development of this region
and of a large part of the county.
INDI.^NS.
It does not appear that this vicinity was ever the home
— if such their semi-permanent camps can be called — of
any of the Indian tribes; but it was frequently their
camping place during their hunting, fishing, and trapping
expeditions. As they had been pretty thoroughly sub-
dued prior to the immigration of the whites, there were
not the difficulties and the horrors of Indian wars here
that attended the settlement of other parts of the Mis-
sissippi valley. The Indians were not particularly trouble-
some, save when drunk, or from their inveterate habit of
begging. They were exceedingly jealous of each other
in regard to the treatment received by them from the set-
tlers. When on their begging tours each expected to
receive from the givers the same amount of everything;
and woe to him who expected to be rid of a band of these
nuisances by giving to one of the braves or squaws the
amount of meal designed for all.
No traces of these Indians remain, save the Indian
trail, which is on the west side, nearly parallel with the
river. When the grass is burned in the autumn this trail
can yet be seen.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
297
There was once a grave of a noted chief, marked with
a heap of stones, in front of L. Sail's residence, Quas-
queton, to which the Indians would make periodical
visits and make many expressions of great sorrow. This
grave was opened before the war by a number of boys,
the bones scattered about, and the skull sold to Mr. J.
M. Berthall, of Quasqueton, in whose possession it still
remains. The Indians were much grieved at this wanton
act, and since have not visited the spot so frequently.
All traces of the grave are now destroyed, even though
at their first visit after the exhumation they gathered to-
gether the bones, reintened them, and piled stones over
the spot.
SETTLEMENT.
The early settlement of Liberty township was not at-
tended with the same difficulties and privations, nor
fraught with the dangers from hostile Indians, and from
other sources, as were an accompaniment in the early
development of some of the western states; yet, they
were of such a nature as would cause even the bravest
and hardiest to hesitate before advancing to meet and
grapple with them. Less than fifty years ago no prairie
sod had here been turned by the plough ; no tree had
been felled with the ax, and no "saplings" so arranged
as to form a shelter from the inclemencies of the seasons.
Then there recurred the stretches of hill and dale, of soft
emerald green, a sea of waving grass, an expanse variega-
ted with beautiful wild flowers, or a waste of brown turf
from the autumnal fires, or a broad, undulatory extent of
drifting white. Then the springs and the brooklets run-
ning deep and narrow from them, were difficult to find
in the dense tall grass that bordered them; and no ob-
structions, save those of nature, or the industrious beaver
checked the waters of creek and river; then the forest
trees grew large and the Indians and the wild beasts and
birds enjoyed possession undisputed by those who have
since made so many changes.
The first white settler in this township and in the
county, was William Bennett, who, in February of 1842,
came to Quasqueton from Ede's Grove, Delaware county.
Bennett is said to have been a roving speculator, and
not by any means a good man. He was attracted to this
spot by the rapids in the river, which suggested the
building of mills in order to utilize the power which he
saw in the swiftly running water, and the locating of a
county seat. The first house in Quasqueton was built
by Bennett, who, with his wife and three little girls lived
in it. This house was constructed of logs with a roof of
bark covered with dirt. It stood on the bank of the
river, some twelve rods above the mill, and near the foot
of Walnut street. Before the last of .4pril (1842), S. G.
Sanford and family were living in a log house, a quarter
of a mile south of Quasqueton on the Cordell place.
His brother, H. T. Sanford, a carpenter, lived with him.
Ezra G. Allen lived in a hut where S. Swartzel now lives.
On the last day of April, a band of immigrants arrived in
this township, two of whom are residing in the county
at the present time. In this band there were seven men,
two women, and three children, whose names were as
follows: R. B. Clark, Dr. E. Brewer, Frederick Kessler,
38
J. Lambert, — Simmons and Dagget, Mrs. R. B. Clark
and Mrs. Frederick Kessler, Mason, and Seth Clark, and
Sarah C. Kessler. Messrs. Clark and Brewer built the
first house on the west side of the river, near the spot
where William Broadstreet's house now stands. These
men came from Exeter, Greene county, Wisconsin, and
immediately made claims. Dr. Brewer was originally
from Middlesex county, Massachusetts, and since the
founding of Independence, has been one of its leading
citizens. Mr. Clark was born where Cleveland, Ohio,
now stands, and his only playmates for several years,
were one brother and the children of the Indians then
residing there. He was the hunter of his party and a
hardy backwoodsman. Mr. Kessler was from Pennsyl-
vania, and died many years ago in the mining camps of
California. The last built an apology for a house, half a
mile west of Clark and Brewer's, on the Boies farm. It
was inhabitable during the summer time, but was not an
adequate protection against the terrible storms and cold
of the ensuing winter.
The spring of this year was an extremely early one;
al the time this company landed here, grass was two feet
high on the lowlands. The following summer was very
dry, and there was a frost every month that year, which
nearly killed the potatoes and vines, and on the tenth of
September there came one which killed the corn. There
was but very little corn planted or growing, owing to the
extreme dryness, and it was very poor before it was
killed. Potatoes were small and few in a hill, and there
was no wheat raised this year. The failure of the small
crops that were planted did not make a very pleasing
outlook for these settlers lor the coming winter.
The first white child born in the township, and in the
county, was born during this summer. It was Charles
B. Kessler, who was born July 13, 1842. He was born
in old Liberty, and gave his life that liberty might be to
all the land. Enlisting in the war of the Rebellion in
1862, he served until April, of 1864, when he died in the
south.
In the course of the summer one Styles came to Quas-
queton and lived in a small cabin which was situated but
a few rods from the mill. Soon after he enlarged his
house and for a time kept a hotel. This was the first
public house; but then, as for years afterward, every set-
tler endeavored to feed and lodge all who might come to
his house.
Besides these there were Hugh Warren, a loafer,
and a few young men, who boarded and worked with
Bennett. Their names were Jefifers, Warner, Day, Wall,
and Evens. Bennett made claim to the "eighty" that
includes the mill site, and during the summer built a log
dam across the river, and, on the first of October, raised
the frame of a mill. His men made large claims, and it
is said that, by the first of July, nearly the whole of the
middle portion of the county was claimed by some fifteen
or twenty men. But it will be seen that these men re-
mained only for a short time, and were of little influence
in the development of the county.
On the fifth of October William Hadden came to the
Brewer neighborhood and stopped with Mr. Kessler
298
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Meanwhile, Dagget and Simmons, hunters and trappers,
were stopping with Brewer and Clark, preparing to take
claims and commence farming. And on the fifteenth of
the same month there came to the same neighborhood a
brother of Mrs. Kessler and Nathaniel and Henry B.
Hatch. Later in the fall there came to the township Wil-
liam Johnson, who claimed to be the Canadian patriot who
had lived for years among the islands of the St. Lawrence.
He was accompanied by a very attractive young lady
whom he introduced as his daughter Kate, the veritable
queen of the Thousand Islands. Johnson located in the
Postle neighborhood, about midway between Indepen-
dence and Quasqueton. His object was to found a town
which should become the county seat — a town in oppo-
sition to the one Bennett was endeavoring to build up.
He had no business, and was light fingered, and an im-
postor.
On the eleventh of November it began snowing and
blowing at a terrible rate. As Kessler's house was but
poor protection, it was determined to move that family
to the house of Clark and Brewer. These gentlemen
had a large and comfortable log house, well finished, and
having a stone fire-place. The roof was of log shingles,
or "shakes," as they were usually called, laid in tiers,
with poles to hold them down. The floors were of split
logs, and were quite smooth and white. Although the
distance between these places was less than a half mile,
yet the men, carrying the two children and circling Mrs.
Kessler, were almost exhausted when they reached their
destination, so great was the fury of the storm. There
were nine men in the house, and, during the most severe
part of the storm, even they were frightened at its vio-
lence. The storm lasted two days. On the morning of
the third day the sun rose clear. It was then found that
three feet of snow had fallen in the timber, and it lay
from one to fifteen feet deep on the prairies. As soon
as the weather permitted, the men started to find the de-
serted house. It was found almost hidden by the snow,
which had drifted into the house until it was filled solid.
Mr. Kessler dug out a room six feet square over the
spring, which he called "crystal palace," from the fes-
toons of crystal which were formed by the steam arising
from the warm water of the spring. A road to the tiui-
ber was broken, which was covered again and again with
the snow, and this being packed down, made the road
quite as high as the house. Nine steps were made in the
snow to get to the wood and fourteen to get down to the
spring. As the snow continued to drift it was found im-
possible to go for corn, of which they were likely soon
to be in need. The amount raised was not sufficient to
last them through the winter, especially as there was a
camp of Musquakie Indians north of them who were
very poor and depended largely upon these settlers for
food. AVhen starvation began to stare them in the face
H. B. Hatch started down the Wapsie with two yoke of
oxen in search of corn. He succeeded, after going twenty
miles, in securing that many bushels of corn. The wea-
ther was quite pleasant when he left the settlement and
remained until he got about half way back, when there
came on a terrible blinding snow storm. In order to
make the oxen face the driving tempest, he was obliged
to go on the "off" and windward side and keep them in
the right direction by holding to their horns. The cut-
ting wind and the blinding snow precluded the idea of
seeing at all. There were no beaten tracks that could be
followed, no fences to guide; and as there was nothing
to direct save the "sense of direction," it seems almost a
miracle that at length, after hours of toil, he should have
reached the "lone tree," a land-mark very near to his
destination, for which he was aiming and which he did
not see until within a few feet of it. Had he missed the
tree he must have perished, and his friends would have
suffered for food. This large family then feasted on boiled
corn and honey and venison; but corn prepared in this
way does not satisfy the hunger; it has rather the effect
of increasing it, so that when very hungry they would
grind corn in a coffee mill and make griddle cakes. At
times, by way of variety, they would procure the bark of
slippery elm, and this was considered a great treat. For
six weeks they did not have a bit of bread in the house.
The nearest mill was on the Maquoketa, sixty miles away.
At the time of the storm Clark and Kessler had seven-
teen deer, besides a large supply of honey, but all this
was not a large supply for so large a number, and the snow
was so deep that the deer could get nothing but browse to
eat; consequently they were very poor, and many were
found dead in the drifts.
Besides the difficulties in procuring food and in keep-
ing from freezing, there was another in endeavoring to
keep a cheerful mind in the midst of these barren soli-
tudes and in the tedium of such a life. The nearest post
offices were far away, at Dubuque and Marion; so there
was no daily mail, with its letters and papers, to vary the
monotony of this long, cold winter. The hardships of
this hand on the west side of the river were suffered no
doubt by others who had settled in the township; but
while these scenes were enacting in the Brewer neigh-
borhood, there were events happening on the east side of
the river that cause the history of Liberty to be of more
than ordinary interest. The principal characters in these
were Bennett and Johnson. Bennett, fearful that the
inhabitants might think more of Johnson than of him-
self, and that he might be successful in building up a
county seat, became jealous of him and determined that
he should leave the country. The Indians were afraid of
Bennett, and the gang of which he was the leader had a
similar feeling. As Bennett kept whiskey, he was enabled
through the love his followers and some of the Indians
had for it, and by means of a small sum of money, to ac-
complish his purpose. He induced ten whites and five
Indians to drink, and while they were under the influence
of liquor it was resolved that the one leaving before ac-
complishing the object should receive twenty lashes,
none but Bennett, however, knowing what was the ob-
ject. They then started for Johnson's house, taking
plenty of whiskey with them, and gained entrance by
pretending that they had been out hunting and were
nearly frozen. Johnson, not suspecting their intentions,
made every effort to make them comfortable. When the
men arose as if to go, by an adroit movement Johnson
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
299
was seized, stripped, tied to a tree, and given thirty-nine
lashes, and told that if he did not leave within twenty-
four hours he would receive a more severe scourging. As
soon as they were gone his daughter Kate, and his niece,
who was now with them, assisted him, then in a lacerated
and almost frozen condition, into the house. They then
packed up, and at 2 o'clock at night, in December, 1842,
fled down the river, the nearest house after leaving
Clark's being over twenty miles. They reached Clark's
about daylight, where they got their breakfast, and where
Dr. Brewer dressed Johnson's wounds. There was a
heavy fall of snow the next afternoon, and after several
days of travelling through the deep snow they reached
Marion. In about two weeks Johnson returned, leaving
his family at Marion, with Sheriff" Gray, of Linn county.
They found Bennett with his gang, but they refused to
be arrested. The sheriff, not having a sufficient number
to overpower them, returned for help. The next day
Bennett, with Jeffers, Warner, Day, Wall, and Evens,
started for Coffin's Grove. It is said that Bennett barely
escaped the officers; that several times they were in sight
of him, but that he was enabled to elude them, as he
had snow-shoes, and, they being mounted on ponies, he
had the advantage. By others it is stated that he himself
escaped on a horse. His followers were not so well pro-
vided for. There was twenty inches of snow on the
ground when these five fugitives started out, taking with
them plenty of whiskey, but no food. The first day they
got as far as Buffalo creek, where they encamped for the
night, without food and without sufficient protection for
such inclement weather. The night was extremely cold,
and before daylight they resumed their journey in order
to keep from freezing. Before they had travelled far,
Warner was taken with a cramp and buried in the snow.
Day and Wall could not travel as rapidly as the remain-
ing ones, and were left behind. .Two besides Bennett
succeeded in reaching Coffin's Grove, but so great was
their numbness and exhaustion that they were unable to
speak. A Mr. Muckley yoked up his oxen and started
out to find the missing ones. Wall was found, pitched
forward, with extended hands, and with an icicle extend-
ing from his mouth to the snow. He had remained there
from 8 o'clock till 2, and as a result of the exposure he'
lost both feet, and the flesh came off from his hands.
Warner lost one foot. Just how many of these finally
survived the effects of this trip is not positively known,
but it is stated that the one who endured it with the least
harmful results, was the one that took no whiskey with
him.
In January deputy sheriff Taylor, with Green and
Thompson, followed Bennett up to the Turkey river,
where they found him living with the Indians. He drew
a revolver on his pursuers, which, being accidentally dis-
charged, killed an Indian. He then fled. Styles, Par-
ish and Reece were arrested as accomplices in the
flogging affair, and w-ere imprisoned. Johnson moved
off the next spring to the Skunk river country, in Mahas-
ka county. A short time afterwards he was shot through
the heart while in his own house. As Bennett was seen
lurking in that vicinity about that time it is su[)posed
that he fired the shot. Bennett was the last survivor of
this gang, and was last known to be in Potose, Wiscon-
sin, where he was carrying on a low groggery. Such is
the story of those " first settlers," those unworthy precur-
sors of civilization.
The spring of 1843 was very cold, and the summer
also very cold and wet. Teams crossed the river on the
ice at Quasqueton on the seventh of April, and the ice
did not go out of the river until the last of that month.
In June of this year the river was the highest ever wit-
nessed by the oldest Indians.
There were, in the spring of 1S43, the following occu-
pied habitations on lands: Sanford's, afterwards the Cor-
dell place; Ezra Allen's, at the " Spring, " now S. Swartz-
el's farm; Clark & Brewer's, now Broadstreet's; Frederick
Kessler's, now the Boies farm; Spencer's, afterwards Mal-
com Mc Bane's. During this spring Malcom McBane
and John Cordell came to this township. Mr. McBane
was born in Virginia, and lived for a number of years in
Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he was engaged in
farming. On his arrival here he entered the eighty,
which now forms a part of the village of Quasqueton, his
house being on the same site as that on which "Smoky"
Taylor's now is. He was one of the progressive, public-
spirited kind, and was one of the three composing the
second board of supervisors of the county. He remained
here until his death, which occurred April 25, 1865.
Mr. Cordell was born in Liverpool, England, and came
to America when about seventeen years old. He lived
in Belmont and Tuscarawas counties, Ohio, engaged in
farming, the greater part of the time, until he came to
Iowa. He immediately, on his arrival, entered the farm
that is called by his name.
This is said to have been a very hard season for these
pioneers. In addition to the depressing influence of the
cold and wet spring and summer, there was not a plenti-
ful supply of food for immediate consumption, and there
was great difficulty in getting clothing and shoes. For
several years if a man was seen who was not dressed
partly in skins he was at once set down as a stranger.
During this time the majority of the people wore mocca-
sons, made in a peculiar manner from the skins of deers'
hind legs. At this time there was only a small pair of
"corn buhrs " in the mill, which Avas not yet enclosed.
All the bolting was done by hand. The season was not
conducive to health. Late in the autumn all of John
Cordell's family, save himself, were sick, and one of the
children, Allen, died, this being the first death in the
township.
During the fall of 1843 James Biddinger, then a
young unmarried man, came to this township from Tus-
carawas county, Ohio, and deeded the eighty on which
he now lives. Save Dr. Brewer, he is the oldest Hving
resident in the county. At the raising of his house
every man, woman and child in the county was present.
In 1843 there came also Hugh Warren, who made
claim to land north of Quasqueton, David Stiles and J.
A. Reynolds, a blacksmith. In 1844 Levi Billings set-
tled on the Swartzel place, and James Cummings on the
farm now owned by John Merrell. There also came for
300
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
a short time R. L. Thopson, a physician. Two years
afterwards Joseph Collier and Isaac and J. F. Hathaway
located two miles east of Quasqueton, and Samuel Cas-
key, now a resident of Quasqueton, entered the Cecil
farm. He afterwards sold this claim, intending to buy
one from the Scott brothers, in the Miller neighborhood,
which embraced a large tract of land, extending to the
river. They wanted two yoke of oxen and ten dollars,
which was regarded by Mr. Caskey to be too large a price.
He then deeded the Russel Halstead place.
In March, 1846, occurred the first marriage in the
township and in the county. Miss Mary Ann Hathaway
was married at this time to Dr. E. Brewer, Joseph A.
Reynolds, the justice of the peace for Delaware county,
officiating.
During these years and afterwards the Indians were
the most numerous class of human beings. Wandering
bands of the Musguakies and Winnebagoes encamped in
the timber west of town and near the " mouth of the
pine. " They and the settlers were very friendly, and
often traded with each other. The account books of
Dr. E. Brewer show entries against Magotoke, Petake-
ma, Apalove, Apalnpe, Nolloosick, Wana, and others of
the former tribe, and against Coeapaboe, Chuchul,
Wamanoo, and others of the latter tribe of Indians.
The settlers were wont in those early days to diversify
their labors with hunts after bears and bee trees, and the
common deer. Of bee trees there were many, and, at
times, some of the pioneers had even barrels of this
honey at one time. During the spring and early sum-
mer they used to go to the prairies between the rivers to
the westward, going sometimes as far as Ackley, to hunt
buffaloes and elks, principally to capture their young.
At the time they would go for the latter purpose, the
young of these animals would be about the size of a
young calf, and would be taken by running them down
with horses. They would take cows with them so that
the captured infant elks and buffaloes might have their
customary food, and arrange cages or pens on their wag-
ons in which to bring them home.
One such trip was made by R. B. Clark, James Bid-
dinger, and two others, who took with them a team, one
cow, and horses to ride. They returned with three young
elks.
In the spring of 1844, Clark, Kessler, and several
other men, started out on an elk and buffalo hunt, taking
several cows, tents, fast horses, ox-teams to haul their
loads, and provisions to last six weeks. They returned
with eleven buffaloes and seven elks. Only one buffalo
and two elks lived. It being so late in the season when
they started they had to chase them so much they died
of overheat.
In the spring of 1845 the company started out earlier,
and took more cows. They were gone seven weeks, and
came in with a drove of little fellows. Seven elks and
four buffaloes lived. The first buffalo that was captured
Clark kept until it was three years old ; it got so cross he
had to kill it. The others were sold to Asa Blood, sr.
He broke the elks to harness, and drove them before a
sleigh. They would go as far as one would like to hold
the lines on a cold day, but could not be taught to back.
The township had a steady and healthy growth for a
number of years, and has had such even up to the pres-
ent time.
Until railroads crossed Buchanan county it frequently
happened that the farmers were enabled to sell, at their
own doors, all of the surplus raised by them to the new-
comers, and to those bound for the far west.
During the fall of 1857 corn and oats each sold for
thirty cents per bushel— the next spring for one dollar.
In 1858 oats and wheat were blighted and there was
scarcely an ordinary yield of corn.
POLITICAL.
At the first precinct election there were thirty votes
cast; at the second, in 1849, the same number — ten
Democratic, fifteen Republican, and five Anti-slavery.
The first township officers were: N. G. Gage, justice
of the peace; Clark Burnett, Galin Shurtliff, and J. P.
Miller, constables; Morris Todd, assessor ; A. Waldron,
clerk; and H. B. Hatch, William Logan, and H. M.
Stephens, trustees.
The present officers are: A. P. Burrhus, clerk; H. S.
Boies, assessor; J. Irwin, John Copeland, and W. D.
Boies, justices of the peace; Hugh Hurrey, Samuel Cas-
key, and J. McDoald, constables; and Philip Yarnell,
James Van Orsdoll, and B. C. Hale, trustees.
QUASQUETON.
In the early settlement this point was a noted ford,
and the Indian trails from all directions centered here.
The name means "swift running water," and was origin-
ally Quasquetuck. S. V. Thompson changed "tuck" to
"ton." We have seen already that William Bennett was
the first settler of this town. With the mill as a nucleus
the village gradually grew around it. The site is a
splendid and beautiful one, having not only the advan-
tage of an excellent water-power — now not utilized — but
of being in proximity to plenty of timber, and having
very productive lands on every side. It is what is known
as an "opening," and lies in an oak valley, having hills
on every side save to the south. The river flows at the
west side of the valley next to the hills; from the river,
on the east, there is a stretch of land which extends with
a scarcely perceptible ascent to the prairie hills almost a
mile away. These hills extend in almost a semicircle
around the town.
At the first temporary land sale held in Marion in
1843, 'he Quasqueton land, though bid upon, was not
sold, but it soon came into the possession of William
Hadden. Mr. Hadden kept the first store in this village
— quite a small affair. One peculiarity of this gentle-
man was that he refused to sell land to dealers in liquors.
In 1844 he had the frame of the mill enlarged and the
whole completed, putting in a run of corn and wheat
buhr-stones and other machinery. Two years afterward
D. S. Davis became a partner, and the mill received ad-
ditional improvement, so that a good article of flour was
made. A saw-mill was built by them the same year, just
below the grist-mill. Prior to this the principal part of
the milling was done at Cascade and Rockdale, Dubuque
History of buchanan county, iowa.
301
county ; these were the most convenient places, as Du-
buque was then the tradiuL^ place, as it was for years
afterward.
The first post office was established in 1845, with
William Richards as postmaster. About this timS D. S.
Davis acquired possession of the greater part of the vil-
lage. Prior to this the conditional titles that Hutton
would impose on all land sold, and afterwards an unfor-
tunate litigation concerning ownership, checked the
growth of the town; for a good title to lots could not be
obtained. In 1846 Davis had the principal part of
Quasqueton platted and laid out in regular form.
To and from this place people came and went. In
1852 there were not more than half a dozen houses on
the east, and one or two on the west side of the river.
During this year a bridge was built across the river, a
turning and cabinet shop was built on the west side, by
S. V. Thompson, the Hastings block was erected by D.
S. Davis, and the mills, coming into the possession of J.
G. Hovey, were further improved. Until the fall of this
year there was no regular school, the "L" of the present
school-house having been built during the summer.
From this time, till the "financial panic," there was a
period of great prosperity and growth; 1855 and 1856
being the great immigration years for the town and town-
ship. In 1856 the Hastings house, Ashley block, and
other buildings were erected. J. M. Benthall and the
Lewis Brothers tore down the old mill, and erected a
larger one just below the saw-mill. On the thirteenth of
December, 1856, the first number of the Quasqueton
Guardian was issued by Rich & Jordan. Two years
later this firm, although largely assisted by the citizens of
Quasqueton in starting the paper, moved to Indepen-
dence, which then had an immediate prospect of railroad
communications with the east.
Quasqueton, however, not receiving the anticipated
railroad, has since that time languished, and many of the
whilom citizens who left the town, having no hope of its
future growth, have occupied important positions in other
lands.
In 1858 surveys w-ere made for the Wapsipinicon
Valley railroad, and the Wapsipinicon Valley Land
company issued scrip, and endeavored to build this road.
Meanwhile, in 1856 the I. C. railroad made surveys,
and raised hopes. In 1870-71-72 surveys were made,
and a considerable amount of grading done for the
Anamosa & Northwestern, but Quasqueton remained
without the iron horse. In April of 1880 a ta.\ was voted
for the Chicago, Bellevue & Northern road, and during
the latter part of 1880 a mysterious survey was made for
a Chicago & Manitoba railroad ; but whether Quasque-
ton gets either of these roads is now only a matter of
conjecture.
A PRIMITIVE POLICE — QU.\SQUETON MUTUAL PROTECTION
COMPANY.
In the second number of the Guardian appeared the
following announcement :
The Quasqueton Mutual Protection company held its third quar-
terly meeting on Saturday evening, at which time tile following gentle-
men were elected a vigilance committee for the ensuing quarter: M.
McBane, captain; D. Robbins. lieutenant: D. S. Davis, J, C. Neidy,
D. Lotherman, .S. W. Hardin, E. A. Alexander, J. Heighlly, E.
Mosher, J. M. Benthall, B. E. Logan, J. Biddinger, D. Hitch, M.
Todd, S. Caskey, W. Blank.
A statement of the aims and results of the associa-
tion was furnished by Dr. Bidwell, their secretary, and
published in connection with the proceedings of the
fiuarterly meeting. The company was organized early in
the preceding year (1856), for the purpose of protecting
the community in some measure from the dejiredations
of horse thieves — an evil from which, in common with
other new communitie.s, it had greatly suffered, and
against which the ordinary safeguards of the ordinary
forms of law, and its regularly constituted executors were
entirely inadequate. In the language of Secretary Bid-
well, "It is constituted upon a strong basis in more
senses than one; and its influence thus far is presumed
to have been decidedly beneficial, inasmuch as no at-
tempt has been made since its organization upon the
property of any one of its numerous members. Conse-
quently its physical force has never yet been tested. For
the sake of offenders, as well as of the community, it is
to be hoped that its moral force may continue as hereto-
fore sufficient for their intimidation. The organization
is mutual and only to be called into service when a mem-
ber is the sufferer. Any citizen may become a member
by signing the constitution and paying the sum of one
dollar."
The officers of the company at that time were: L.
Ayrnault, president; William iMartin, vice-president; E.
C. Bidwell, secretary; D. S. Davis, treasurer.
It will be noticed that the organization comprised
many of the leading citizens; all, probably, who owned
horses, and the methods of the "riding committee," in
dealing with offenders, were no doubt summary, as the
jury was already impannelled and the court always in
session.
That the necessity for the organization did not cease
with the second year will be seen by another e.xtract from
the Buchanan county Guardian of June 9, 1859:
Tlie reguhir quarterly meeting of the Mutual Protection society was
held at School-house hall, Quasqueton, on Monday evening, June 6,
1859. In the absence of the president, J. M. Benthall was appointed
chairman. After reading the minutes of the previous meeting, a mo-
tion was made and carried that the secretaiy procure a brand for the
purpose of branding horses; and that all members have their horses
branded within thirty days after the publication of these proceedings,
or be excluded from the benefits of the society. Branding 10 be done
by order of the secretary,
A "riding committee," consisting of si.xteen persons, was then ap-
pointed for the ensuing quarter.
Cii.\RLEs E. Kent,
Secretary.
This organization was kept up for several years, but of
the precise date of its disbanding we have not been in-
formed.
CHURCHES.
PRESBYTERIAN.
The first religious meeting held in Quasqueton is
thought to have been Presbyterian; but there were no
regular services until 1851, when G. G. Cummings, a
Wesleyan Methodist came. There was once an organi-
302
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
zation of this denomination, but no church was built and
the society has long since died out.
At an early day there was a Presbyterian church
organized by Rev. Joseph W'hitam, of Virginia, and
called the Free Presbyterian church. Mr. John Merrill
deeded this society two acres of land, and did the greater
part toward building an edifice on the same. This build-
ing is known as "Hickory church," and is situated about
two miles north of Quasqueton.
There is a sect called Free Methodists that has quite
recently effected an organization, and hold services in
Quasqueton. Their leader was known as "Tommy
Gates," who seemed to have considerable influence
among his followers.
C0XGREG.\T10NAL.
June 26, 1S53, the Congregational church was organ-
ized by the Reverends Alfred Wright and W. Reed.
The services of this church were first held in the school-
house; but, in 1854, the "brick church" was com-
menced, and completed the following year by a commit-
tee— "a body corporate for religious purposes." The
society was very prosperous for a number of years. One
of the early resolutions adopted by them was: "That
we will not receive into the church, nor admit to the
communion, nor invite to our pulpit, slaveholders nor
the advocates of slavery.
The pastors of this church have been : Alfred Wright,
Bennett Roberts, H. N. Gates, Albert Manson, G. H.
Bissel, Charles Dame, E. G. Carpenter, and G. N. Dor-
sey. Rev. Mr. Manson was the pastor of this church at
two different times; the first time he served eight years,
and the second two. Rev. W. S. Potwin is their minister
at this time. The Congregationalist .Sunday-school was
organized May 2, 1875.
B.^PTIST.
The Baptist church was organized March 10, 1855, by
the following named persons: A. G. Firman, E. A. Mil-
timore, D. Leatherman, Permelia Leatherman, J. D.
Reese, H. G. Hastings, A. G. Hastings, E. W. Hastings,
*-^ and J. W. Gagely. William Ramsey and A. G. Hastings
were the first deacons, and A. G. Firman the first min-
ister licensed to preach.
Their first meetings were held in the Davis block, and
subsequently m the second-story of the school-house, in
the "brick church," and the Methodist church. The
Baptist church was first occupied in January of 1868,
though not then entirely completed. The building is
thirty-six by fifty-six feet, and cost about four thousand
dollars. It is the only church in town that is adorned
with a steeple and has a bell.
The first minister was Elder Daniel Rowley, who was
followed by Elders Joseph Wood, A. G. F'lrman, John
Fulton, John Cauch, and B. H. Damon. Elder Fulton
served from 1861 till 1868; since 1868 Elder Cauch has
supplied this church and the one at Winthrop, except
one year, when Elder Damon was pastor, and during one
year of sickness.
METHODIST.
No records were kept by the Methodist Episcopal
church until 1870. It appears, however, that at the
beginning of 1852 the Quasqueton society was organized
by Rev. William Brown, and consisted of but three per-
sons, viz: William and Elizabeth Cooper and Henry
Norton. These worshipped in the west wing of the
school-house until 1856, when, under Rev. Mr. Ash-
bough, the church was built. About this time there were
four appointments in this circuit, to wit: Quasqueton,
Spring Grove, Buflalo Grove, and Pine Creek. At pres-
ent this society is one of the two appointments of
the Quasqueton circuit of the Dubuque conference; the
second appointment is at Rowley, which was organized
in 1868.
Rev. Mr. Norton is in charge of these appointments
at the present time.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
According to the mir^utes of the society, the first
meeting of Quasqueton Lodge No. 59, I. O. O. F., was
held September 25, 1854. At this date, "in pursuance
of a dispensation issued by the M. W. G. M. Richard
Cadle, and countersigned by R. W. G. Secretary William
Garrett, dated August 30, 1854, the R. W. D. D. G. M.
J. G. Dimmett instituted and constituted a lodge of the
I. O. O. F., to the petitioning brothers, J. W. Singer, J
G. Hovey, William Martin, J. M. Bryan, and G. W
Smith. Its first officers were; J. W. Singer, N. G. ; J
G. Hovey, V.G. ; William Martin, secretary; J. M. Bryan
treasurer; G. W. Smith, C. ; and E. D. Hovey, warden
The last meeting of this lodge was on May 28, 1861.
On January i, T862, Franklin Lodge No. 59, I. O. O.
F., was organized, with a charter issued in lieu of the
one issued to Quasqueton Lodge, by Abraham Hunsik-
er, S. Yockey, C. E. Kent, T. A. Jernegan, and H. B.
Hatch.
The present officers are: James McDonald, N. G. ;
Hugh Hursey, V. G. ; C. E. Kent, secretary; Henry
Biddinger, treasurer; William Harris, C. ; A. P. Burrhus,
warden.
FREE .\ND ACCEPTED MASONS.
A dispensation was granted to A. W. Trout, G. W.
Butterfield, W. H. Eddy, and seven others, in 1875, to
hold a Masonic lodge in Cono township. Quasqueton
being within the jurisdiction of another lodge, one
could not be held there without its consent. On the
seventh of June, 1876, a charter was granted to form a
lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, under the
name of Prospect Lodge No. 350. A home was built
in that township and lodge held there until 1878, when
in June the grand lodge, in session at Cedar Rapids,
granted the removal of said lodge to Quasqueton.
The first officers were: A. W. Trout, W. M. ; G. W.
Butterfield, S. W. ; W. H. Eddy, J. W. ; W. J. Miller,
secretary.
The present officers are: A. W. Trout, W. M. ; John
Crowder, S. W. ; William Harris, J. W. ; Henry Biddin-
ger, treasurer; Henry N. Northrup, secretary.
SCHOOLS.
Quasqueton has long had a graded school in which
she has felt great pride. Of the earliest schools not
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
3°S
much is known. The main part of the present school-
house was built in 1855. At the election March 4,
1867, the independent district of Quasqueton was deter-
mined. S. \V. Heath was president of the first board of
directors of this district. In 1869 a ward school-house
was erected by this district two miles east of town. This
contains one department, and the village schools proper
contain three, under the management of a principal.
Mr. N. E. Leach now holds that position.
BRIDGES.
The bridge built in 1852 was swept away by the July
flood of 1858. A second was soon constructed, and in
March of 1865 it was carried away with the mills of the
west side. These two bridges were built by private sub-
scription, and were situated immediately below the dam.
In 1867 a bridge was built by the county, at the place
where the present one is located. The ice broke away
the east span of this bridge in February of 1871. This
was replaced the next year by an iron span; and the year
following, the west span was torn away and replaced in
the same manner.
During a part of the years 1877-8, there was a paper
printed by A. B. Vines, called The People's Paper. It
is not highly spoken of. On the seventh of January,
1 88 1, J. and W. S. Cauch issued the first number of a
neat and newsy sheet, called The Weekly Telephone.
The saw-mill was torn away during the fall of 1878,
and on the morning of the first of January, 1881, the
flouring mills were burned.
It seems not a little strange that, as Quasqueton had
an earlier commencement and as good, if not better,
advantages of location, water-power, etc., that Indepen-
dence should so far exceed it in numbers and surpass it
in enterprise. Thirty years ago the mail from the west
was carried gratuitously from Quasqueton to the county-
seat. In the days of stage-coaches, Quasqueton was
the more important place. A railroad and the advan-
tage of having the county seat, caused the present dif-
ference between them.
SETTLEMENT NOTES.
C. Woodward Butterfield, the youngest of five children
and son of a physician, was born at Johnson's Creek,
Niagara county. New York, in 1823. His education was
received at the village schools and the Genesee semin-
ary. During his minority he was employed as a clerk in
a mercantile establishment, and, for several years, he
managed his father's farm.
In 1850 he, with his mother and sisters, came to
Cook county, Illinois, where he continued at farming ;
and, in 1857, he moved to Quasqueton. Here he farmed
some and worked at carpentering until 1871, when he
was appointed postmaster at Quasqueton, which office
he has retained until the present time. During the year
1880, he opened a store of general merchandise. His
first wife was Mary L. Cook, by whom he had two
children, Frank and Lilian, the latter of whom is dead.
In i860, after the death of his first wife, he married S.
Adalaide Shurtleff, by whom he has two children, Ollie
Emma and Milton Galen.
During the year 1864, Mr. Butterfield served nine
months in the quartermaster's department. In early life
he was a Democrat, but, on the passage of the Fugitive
Slave law, he became a Republican, and since the or-
ganization of the party has been its earnest supporter.
Jesse J. Mowrer was born near Reading, Chester
county, Pennsylvania, in 1827, and, when but two years
of age, his parents moved to Redsburgh, Wayne county,
Ohio, where he made his home until 1850. During
early life he attended school winters, and labored upon
the farm the rest of the year. When eighteen years of
age he was apprenticed to a tanner and currier.
After learning his trade, he worked at it in Canton, New
Haven, Ontario, and Tylesville, Ohio. In 1850, he im-
migrated to Quasqueton. Here he had no particular
business until 1859, when he built a tannery, and manu-
factured for two years. Then, on account of failing
health, he made a trip to Pikes Peak. A short time
after returning, he began clerking for A. Hunsicher. In
1868, with Thomas Jernegan as partner, he bought a
stock of general merchandise. In three years he bought
his partner's interest, and has remained in that business
until the present time.
In 1854, he was married to Sarah Parker, of Quas-
queton, and is the father of eight children : Esther,
James W. (who is dead), Ellen, Hattie (also deceased),
Cora, Lucy, Jesse, and Gertie. In politics, Mr. Mowrer
is a Democrat; in religion, a Congregationalist.
Dr. Alexander W. Trout was born in Tazewell county,
Illinois, September 11, 1844. His common school edu-
cation was received at the district schools, the high
school, of Fremont, and the Eureka college. In 1862
he enlisted in the Seventieth Illinois infantry, and, after
serving six months, was discharged; but in 1863 he again
enlisted, by responding to the call for one hundred days'
men. After his return from service, he began reading
medicine with Dr. Samuel Wagonseller, at Pekin, Il-
linois, and during the winters of 1865-6 and 1866-7 he
attended lectures at Rush Medical college, Chicago,
graduating in 1867. ThenYor about two years the doc-
tor practiced medicine with his former proprietor, at
Pekin, Illinois, and in 1869 located in Quasqueton, where
he built up a large practice and gained a host of friends.
In 187 1 he was married to Mattie M. Donohugh, of
Quasqueton. He has but one child, Erma, who was born
December 28, 1877. He was one of the originators of
the Masonic lodge at Quasqueton; was the first worthy
master, and, save one year, has held that office to the
present time. He is an old line Democrat, and is recog-
nized as the most efficient worker of that party in Liber-
ty township.
WilHam Harris was born in Longworth, Berkshire,
England, in 1832. He was educated at private schools.
When twenty years of age he came to America, with his
cousins, on a tour of inspection, with a view of remain-
ing if the country was liked. The State of New York
proved pleasing. He first located near Newburgh, and
engaged in farming. Here he remained until 1852,
when he went to the vicinity of Janesville, Wisconsin,
and continued at farming. After a time he removed to
302
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IO^VA.
Chicago, remaining only a short time, when he came to
Quasqueton, Iowa, where he soon started a meat market,
of which he is now the proprietor. In 1858 he was
married to Anna Elizabeth Preston, a native of England,
and then of New Windsor, Orange county. New York.
He is the father of three children: Willie Samuel, born
October 4, 1862, died July, 1865; James Ellison, born
January 14, 1867; and Mary E., born December i, 1872.
Mr. Harris is a member of the Episcopal church at In-
dependence. Through some mistake he did not become
naturalized until 1878. His sympathies have always
been with the Republicans, and he is a working member
of this party. He is a conscientious Christian and a man
of sterling worth.
James W. Gageby was born near Greenesburgh, West-
moreland county, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1828. In
1838 his parents went to Greenesburgh, Decatur county,
Indiana, from which time, until 1844, he worked upon
a farm, and attended the distiict school during the win-
ters— having had to support himself after he was twelve
years old. When sixteen he was apprenticed to his
uncle to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, with whom he
worked until he was of age. In 1849, he came to Ma-
rion, Linn county, Iowa, where he remained three years,
working at his trade. During this time, in 185 1, he was
married to Cynthia A. Hobart, by whom he had one
child, Hobart D., born January 27, 1852, died October
19, 1854. She died September 10, 1870. In 1855 ^e
moved to Quasqueton, where, for two^ years, he carried
on a shop of his own, but was obliged to give it up. He
worked at painting and carpentering for a time, and then
started another shop; but soon gave this up on account
of the washing away of the dam which furnished power
for his lathe. Then, for ten years, he worked at his
trade with Noah Leighton, and, in 1879, 'n partnership
with Dr. J. Cauch, he bought a stock of goods and is
> now engaged in a furniture store. In 1856 he was mar-
V ried to Susan A. Washburn. He has five children:
Ida O., born September 20, 1856; Ashei" R., born June
23, 1859; Mary E., born May 2, 1862; O. Grant, born
June II, 1865; and Burton, born October 18, 1867, died
September 10, 1870.
Henry Biddinger was born near Urichsville, Tusca-
rawas county, Ohio, in 1826. His education was gained
at subscription schools. In 1837 he went to New Port,
Vermillion county, Indiana, where he remained four
years, serving an apprenticeship of eighteen months at
the saddler's trade. In 1847 he returned to Ohio, and
during the spring of the following year he went to Quas-
queton, remaining till fall when he went to Dubuque and
there finished learning his trade. He then located at
Marion, Linn county, Iowa, where he worked at his
trade until the fall of 1853, when he returned to Quas-
queton and started a harness shop, which he has con-
tinued till the present time. During the year 1853 he
married Sarah M. McBee, of Marion. He is the father
of five children — Josephine, born December ii, 1854;
Sarah Ellen, born February 28, 1856; Flora, born April
16, 1859; James William, born April 19, 1862, and
Lowell Henry, born May 29, 1870. Mr. Biddinger,
I though of a Democratic family has been a Republican
from the organization of the party. No man in Liberty
township is better known than "Hank" Biddinger, and
none more favorably.
Alfred P. Burrhus was born in Patterson, Putnam
county. New York, March 22, 1839. He was educated
at the public schools and the high school at Poughkeep-
sie. In the spring of i8=;6 he came to Quasqueton.
The first two years he and his brother were engaged in
the daguerreotype business, travelling with a car. Dur-
ing one winter he taught one term at the Scott school-
house one-half a mile from Forcstville, Delaware county.
He then became interested in a line of hacks from
Dyersville to Cedar Falls — the former place being then
the terminus of the Denver & Pacific railroad. In 1859
he discontinued this business and until 1866 was engaged
in farming. During the winter of 1862-3 he lost every-
thing he had by fire, yet the next spring he bought his
present home. In 1866 he was awarded the contract to
carry the mail to Winthrop, and afterwards, in 1873, to
Marion from Quasqueton; and when the B. C. &: N.
railroad was completed, also to Rowley from the same
place. Save an interim of one year he has continued to
carry the mail to these points. In the fall of 1872 he
started a livery stable, and during the fall of 1875, his
barn thirty by thirty-six feet, ten valuable horses, harness,
etc., were burned, but within three weeks he had again
built a barn and was again started in the livery business,
in which he is still engaged. In 1859 he was married to
Lizzie Crooks, of Quasqueton, by whom he had three
children — Fred Crooks, born September 25, 1S60;
Adaie Lou, born .August 24, 1862, died September 17,
1863; Lois Nina, born June 11, 1866; Artie Elizabeth,
born May 18, 187 1. His wife died September 24, 1872.
In October, 1873, he married Martha Alice Crooks, of
Quasqueton, by whom he has one child — Alfred Penny,
born April 26, 1877. Mr. Burrhus is an active, working
Republican, and has been frequently a delegate to the
State and congressional conventions.
Rev. John Cauch was born in London, England, in
1830. He attended an academy in London, but finished
his education in this country. In 1843 he came with his
father, an Episcopal minister, and settled at Elgin, Illinois.
For several years he worked on a farm and attended
school during the winter seasons. In 1850 he attended
the Elgin academy, and afterwards, for several years, the
Kalamazoo college. He was licensed to preach as a
Methodist minister in 1854, and preached the first year
in the Canton circuit. After 1861 he became an elder
of the Baptist society. In 1870 he came to Quasqueton
as pastor of the Baptist society of that place and Win-
throp. He attended lectures at Eclectic Medical bchool,
Cincinnati, and graduated at the Bennett college in 1873.
In 1855 he was married to Elizabeth Watson, of Aurora,
Illinois, by whom he has five children — Elizabeth, born
September 24, 1857; Willis S., born August 11, 1859;
Lois, who died early; Nellie, born February 4, 1869; and
John, born January, 1871. Mr. Cauch and his son W.
S. edit and publish the only paper in Quasqueton, called
The Weekly Telep/tpiie, which made its first appearance
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
3°5
January 7, 1881. It does credit to its name, communi-
cating the news of the week to a large number of sub-
scribers.
J. M. Benthall was born in Princeton, Massachusetts,
September 12, 1832; moved to Lowell in 1835, where
he remained until 1850. During this time he gained an
academic education and learned the dry goods business,
spending one year in Boston in order to learn more about
it. In 1854 he immigrated to Iowa, remaining a short
time at Dubuque, closing business connected with his
father's estate. In the month of April, 1855, he came to
Quasqueton and entered into the milling business, to-
gether with general merchandise, till the year 1862, when
he entered the army in the Tenth Minnesota, serving
three years to a day, first in the Indian wars of Iowa and
Minnesota, going west in 1863 on an expedition to the
Missouri river under Brigadier General Sibley; the
balance of the three years in the South. On his return
he went into business with C. H. Lewis, dissolving after
two years. Began farming in 1870. In 1875 bought an
elevator at Rowley, with grain and commission business,
which he sold out in 1879. ^'^ '^55 he married Mary E.
Stratton, of Boston, Massachusetts. She died in the
spring of 1858, leaving a son, Frederick J., born Septem-
ber 10, 1857. In 1870 he was married to Elizabeth D.
Wilson, by whom he has had two children — Eugene D.,
born December, 1872; Mary, born February, 1877. He
was regular war correspondent of the BuchSinan County
Guardian.
John B. Ginter was born in Defiance, Wayne county,
Ohio, January 2, 1842. In the fall of 1849, 'I's parents
removed to Quasqueton. His father entered about three
hundred acres of land, and the family remained upon the
farm until 1865. His father died in 1853, and in 1867
the homestead was divided, and Mr. Ginter received forty
acres. In 1864 he bought property in town and lived
there four years. He then moved to the old homestead,
and, by industry and energy, succeeded in saving enough
to buy the Stoneman place. He now has a farm of one
hundred and forty-one acres. Pays a great deal of atten-
tion to horticulture. Married Mary E. Thorp, of Man
Chester, Iowa, in 1865. Have had two children — Carrie
F., born March 7, 1866; Kate, born November 13, 1772.
Mr. Ginter was a Douglas Democrat, and one of the
right kind.
George Ginter was born in Wayne county, Ohio, Feb-
ruary 22, 1837. During early life he worked on the farm,
acquiring his education at district schools, which was, as
he says, "a very small smattering at that." Came into
Iowa with three teams in 1849. At that time there was
a saw-mill and grist-mill at Quasqueton, and his father
bought that piece of property of eighty acres with the
house upon it, which is standing at the present time, oc
cupied by his brother, Henry Ginter. His father entered
one hundred and sixty acres in Cono, and two hundred
and twenty in Liberty. In the spring of 1864 he went on
a tour to Pike's Peak. His father died in 1853, and he
assumed the management of the land, and continued till
1867. He now runs a fiirm of forty acres. In 1867 he
married Mary J. McDonough, of Quasqueton.
Colonel O. Wilson was born in Orwell, Vermont, Feb-
ruary 26, 1805. His father was Judge Ebenezer Wilson,
judge of the circuit court in Genesee county. New
York, and member of the assembly of New York for a
succession of years, until his death in 1830. The family
is of Scotch descent, their name being formerly spelled
with two I's. When but three years old his father moved
to Middlebury, Genesee county, New York. In 1841,
moved to Batavia, Illinois. He received his education
at the Middlebury academy. Engaged in mercantile
business with his brother in Genesee county, for ten
years. After several business changes, moved in 1866,
to Quasqueton, purchasing the beautiful Thompson
property. In the spring of 1830, he married Betsy
Hoyt, of Middlebury, New York, who lived eleven
months, leaving one son, W. Scott Wilson, born April
28, 1831. In 1838 he married Antiverta Egesta Smith,
of Genesee county. New York, by whom he has had five
children: first boy dying in infancy, born December 31,
1838; Libbie Delia, born December 18, 1839; James
S., born December 11, 1840; girl, born July 30, 1841,
dying before it was named; Arthur Douglas, born Janu-
ary 5, 1846. The colonel was a prominent member of
society and highly respected by all. He died January
22, 1875.
William Lewis was born in Scandinavia, Erie county,
New York, January 2, 1833. In 1840 his family re-
moved to Chemung, McHenry county, Illinois, where his
father built a saw-mill on the Piscasaw, between Big Foot
and Long Prairie. From there he moved to Buffalo
Grove, Root county, Illinois, and, in 1S50, moved to
Independence, Iowa, — the family being about the third
on the west side. His father started a chair factory,
erecting a building twenty-two by forty, two stories high,
on the site now occupied by Clark's drug store, which
business he contmued about a year and a half His edu-
cation was received at the district schools. He attended
one of the first schools at Independence, O. H. P. Ros-
zell being the teacher. In December, 1853, he went to
California bv New York and the Isthmus, where he en-
gaged principally in mining, making lots of money and
losing it again, roaming in parts ol the Pacific coast for
fourteen years. In October, 1867, he again landed in Bu-
chanan county, where, in 1869, he bought out Mr. Day's
drug business, which business he has continued till the
present time, save an interval of six months, when John
Chesley had the stock of goods. In 1863 he joined
company H, Second cavalry, California volunteers, in
which he served until after the war. Mr. Lewis was
married in 1878 to Sarah J. Hovey.
Dr. H. O. Dockham was born in Wentworth, Cross
county. New Haven, April 27, 1831. His education was
acquired at the district school, Newbury seminary, and
Darthmouth college, graduating in 1851. He attended
the Woodstock Medical school, Vermont, graduating in
1857. His intervening time was spent in teaching and
assisting in proof reading in German, Latin, etc., for the
Riverside Publishing company, Cambridge, Massachu-
setts. He went as assistant to Professor Morse, of
Northwestern university, to Europe, making a tour of
3o6
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
the continent, being absent two years. On his return
he located at Boston as a practicing physician, continu-
ing there until 1875. During this time he made two
extensive trips, each of four months duration, at one
time going as far north as the straits of Belleisle to ob-
tain cod liver oil, and for recreation. He came to Iowa
in 1876, and was medical examiner for the Iowa Life
Insurance company, making his headquarters at Win-
throp, Iowa. The next year he moved to Quasqueton,
and located there permanently. In 1862-3 he had a
commission from the Government as surgeon; he then
enlisted in company D, Second Massachusetts heavy ar-
tillery. He served one and one-half years in the field,
and was soon appointed regimental assistant surgeon,
which position he held to the close of the war. In 1850
he married Mary A. Burback, of Haverhill, Vermont.
Six months after his marriage his wife was killed by fall-
ing off of an overloaded piazza, on the fourth of July,
1851. In 1854 he married Roxana Howe, of Corinth,
Maine, by whom he has had six children — Emma C.,
born December 20, 1857; B. H., born November, 1859,
supposed to have been lost at sea in May, 1876; Charles
K., born November 27, 1861; Ella J., born June, 1863;
Henry W., born October 17, 1865; George H., born
December 20, 1867. His wife died February 12, 1868.
In March, 1877, he married Miss Mary E. Whitney,
daughter of James W. Whitney, of Quasqueton.
Richmond L. Wright, son of Rev. Alfred Wright, was
born in Paris, Monroe county, Missouri, October 8,
1837. In 1846 he came to Anamosa, and in 1853, to
Quasqueton, where his father organized a church of his
denomination. His education was acquired at district
schools and a part at Cornell college. In 1855 he en-
gaged in burning brick with his uncle. Ransom Wright,
to which business he has devoted a part of his time ever
since. In 1857 he began to work his father's farm near
town. In the spring of 1858 he bought eighty acres, and
now has three hundred and ten acres in Liberty. In
1870 he bought the Rock Glen farm. In 1875 he
built a cheese factory and creamery. In 1863 he
married Lizzie Pease, by whom he has four children:
William Pease, Louise B., Delia C, and Charles Alfred.
Rev. Alfred Wright died in Marshall county, Novem-
ber 18, 1865, aged sixty-two; a native of Massachusetts ;
graduated at Amherst and Auburn Theological seminary.
He spent his life in the home mission service — fifteen
years in Missouri, but the last nineteen in Iowa. He
organized the Congregational church at Anamosa, and
eight years afterward removed to Quasqueton.
Edward D. Hovey was born May 22, 1825, in Tioga
county. New York, of Scotch descent, and one of seven
children. He was educated at the district school, at-
tending three months of the year. After he had arrived
at the age of fourteen, he worked at the carpenter and
joiner's trade, continuing till he was nineteen years old.
Then he engaged in the milling business, and continued
at Union in Broom county during 1846. He then went
to Laporte, Indiana, and commenced the wagon trade
with his brother, remaining there three years and a half
In 1850 he came to Iowa, roaming through the State,
and finally settling at Burlington; there engaged in
wagon-making. In 1852 he came to Quasqueton, and
engaged in milling three and a half years — also at Inde-
pendence, and at Fairbank one year. He then went to
Quasqueton again, living on his farm near that town for
five years; has worked at his trade since. He owns a
farm of one hundred and si.xty acres under well improved.
He married Mary E. Cooper; one child — Clara E., born
December 5, 1839. Mr. Hovey is a Republican in pol-
itics.
Charlie E. Kent was born in Suffield, Hartford county,
Connecticut, July 7, 18 16, of Welch descent — his
mother's family coming from Wales in 1837. In 1825
he moved to Suffield, Portage county, Ohio, and was
educated chiefly in district schools, also attending the
academy at Talmadge. When seventeen, he commenced
clerking in a store of general merchandise, continuing
until 1837, when he went to Richmond, Virginia, clerk-
ing in a wholesale dry goods house with an uncle until
1840; then went into business with William Jones at
Mogadore, Ohio, and continued for a number of years —
then 5it Cleveland in the grocery trade till 1850. He
then went to Medina, where he was engaged in a
general store until 1855. He then came to Quasque-
ton, clerking for Benthall a short time, when he went into
business with Robert Lewis. In 1865 he had R. N.
Soper as partner, and continued business until 1878,
since which time he has supervised his farm of eighty
acres. He was married in 1844, to Margaret Wilson, and
again, January 2, 1852, to Harriet A. Forman.
Ale.xander Crooks was born at Monavore, Derry coun-
ty, Ireland, May 17, 1819. In 1825 he emigrated to
Quebec, Canada, thence to New York city. He was
educated at public school until between twelve and thir-
teen. Clerked in grocery store two years; he was then
apprenticed to a tailor and served three years; worked
at his trade till August, 1838, then removed to Carroll
county, Ohio. Worked as journeyman one year and then
opened shop till October, 1856, when he came to Quas-
queton. Opened a shop for three years more; clerked
with Hunsicher; since which time he has been engaged
principally in official business. In 1865 he was elected
sheriff of Buchanan county, serving two years — lived
then at Independence. A Republican in politics, he has
held all of the township offices, except trustee. Always
has been an active worker in politics. Was married June
24, 1839, to Hannah Johnson, of Lueburgh, Carroll
county, Ohio. Has had seven children : Mary D., born
May 16, 1840, died August 29, 1872; Elizabeth, born
November 20, 1842, died September 24, 1S72; Martha
A., born June 11, 1846; Melville J., born January 6,
1849; Alvin B., born June 22, 1852; Ivan A., born Oc-
tober 28, 1855; and Elvvood C, born September 8, 1858,
died 1875.
Joshua Perkins was born in \Voodstock, Maine, June
3, 1827, his father being a Baptist minister. His edu-
cation was received in the various towns in which his
father was located. In 1845 he engaged in peddling
until 1848. Went to Newton, Massachusetts, where he
worked three years in the paper mill of James Rice, jr.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
307
Went then to Chelsey, where he was in the express busi-
ness between there and Boston. He was then on a farm
for nearly two years; also worked some at the carpenter's
trade. He then went into the grocery business with a
partner; then alone for a few months. In September,
1857, came to Quasqueton. Worked at carpenter work
and bought a house for three hundred dollars, paying
one hundred dollars in work. Has been engaged in car-
pentering ever since; for the last seven years gradually
working out of it as he has improved his farm of over
eighty acres. In 1858 he married Lucy F. Leatherman,
daughter of Daniel Leatherman, of Quasqueton.
B. G. Taylor was born in Bradford county, Pennsyl-
vania, December 8, 1825. Until fifteen years of age he
lived on a farm ; then went on the road, travelling through
northern Pennsylvania, western New York, and Ohio,
for nine years — save one year spent in the pineries of
Pennsylvania — in the jewelry business. January 13,
1854, he came to Quasqueton, bringing teams to Chica-
go by rail. First year was engaged in farming and team-
ing, then in trade for over two years. In 1861 he sold
out to Mr. Vincent, intending to improve the one hun-
dred and forty acres of land he then owned, and has re-
mained there ever since, adding to his farm until he now
owns over eight hundred acres, nearly all under good
cultivation. He is largely engaged in stock-raising. In
1851 he was married to Mary Kershner, of Danesville,
New York, by whom he has two children : Ella, born
June 13, 1853; Delia K., born February 8, i860. Is in
politics a Republican, and has been frequently a delegate
to the county convention.
William D. Boies was born near Buffalo, New York,
August 24, 181 9. His education was acquired in the
common schools and Springville academy. Worked
with his father on his farm until he was twenty-eight.
On the twentieth day of May, 1847, he came to Boone
county, Illinois, where he entered one hundred and sixty
acres, and buying other pieces until he had a farm of
four hundred acres. In 1873 came to Quasqueton,
where he purchased the "Hatch place," consisting of
about five hundred acres, to which he has added as
much more, so that he now has one of the largest farms
in the county, nearly all under cultivation or in pasture.
Here he started the first cheese factory of the vicinity,
manufacturing the milk of seventy-five cows into that
staple, and raising besides large numbers of cattle and
hogs ; of these last selling about two thousand dollars
worth per year.
In 1846 he was married to Sarah Bugbee, of Erie
county, New York, by whom he has had six children :
Eugene, born May 3, 1848 ; Horace L., born November
I, 1850; Inez, born April i, 1852; William D., born
January 3, 1857 ; Charles E., born January 15, 1859 ;
Alice S., born October 17, 1861 ; died August 9, 1863.
In politics he is a Republican ; having served several
terms as supervisor of Boone county, Illinois. He is an
active member of the Methodist church.
William McCay was born in Antrim, Ireland,October,
1825. He went to school during the winters at the
National schools. When twenty-one he came to New
York city ; worked in a ])rovision store for three years,
then moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, engaged as a
laborer, remaining two years. In the fall of 1852 came
to Newton township ; entering, in the course of two
years, two hundred acres, which he spent some time in
improving — at the same time buying and selling. At
one time he had a farm of over four hundred acres. In
1850 he married Elizabeth McKee, of New York city.
He has one child, Mary Elizabeth, born January 22, 1858.
He was naturalized in 1851; voted the Democratic
ticket until 1861 ; but has been a Republican since that
time.
A. T. Cooper was born in Peachbottom, York county, -^
Pennsylvania, October 31, 1833 ; when one and a half
years old he removed to Belmont county, Ohio. After
nearly two years went to Tuscarawas county, Ohio ;
thence to Harrison county, where he remained until
1S50, gaining his education at district schools and work-
ing on a farm. In this year he came to Quasqueton,
where he attended one term of the Quasqueton schools.
He devoted most of his time to his father's farm until he
was twenty-two. He then broke prairies and ran a
thresher for nine years. Then he bought a farm near
town, and commenced improving it. He has added to
it several times since, until he now has two hundred acres
of prairie and some timber land. In October, 1878,
moved to town in order to educate his children ; since
which time he has supervised the farm. He was married
November 7, 185S, to Susanna Logan, of Quasqueton,
by whom he has four children: Hugh Ramsey, born
October 15, 1859; Berta, born September 28, 1863;
Mina, born July 29, 1865; Lizzie, born May 21, 1875.
Was a Republican until the great Greeley campaign, when
he become a reformer — -now sympathizes with the Green-
back party.
Solomon Swartzel was born in Montgomery county,
Ohio, November 25, 1813 ; remained there until of age,
aiding his father. He bought one hundred and thirty
acres of woodland, and cleared up seventy-five acres.
Having a large family he determined to emigrate. In
the spring of 185 1 he started with a top buggy to seek
a location ; travelling through Indiana and Illinois, and
saw nothing which he would pull up stakes for, until he
came to Buchanan county. Here he bought of Billings
one hundred and ninety acres, and then went to the
land office at Dubuque and entered two quarter sec-
tions. There was nothing upon the place but an
"Indian shanty." Twenty-eight years ago he built the
house that is now standing on the place ; hauling the lum-
ber from Dubuque. On the twenty-eighth of May, 1835,
married Judah Stabler, of Montgomery county, Ohio,
by whom he has five children : Henry, born August 6,
1836; David, born October 30, 1837; Mary Ann,
February 26, 1839; Elizabeth, July 9, 1841; Carolina
November 21, 1843.
September 30, 1862, he was married to Martha
Nerdigh, of Liberty township. She was born in Harris-
burgh, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, April 20,
1829. Mr. Swartzel has managed his farm as a stock
and grain farm. He has kept for a number of years
Co8
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
thoroughljred horses, cattle and hogs. He raised the
celebrated horse " Silas Rich," which afterward sold for
seventeen thousand dollars.
James Riddmger was born in Mill township, Tusca-
rawas county, Ohio, on the second day of June, 1820.
Here he received his education and farmed until twen-
ty-three, though during seven summers he worked on the
Ohio canal as steersman. In the fall of 1S43 he came
to Quasqueton, and in the following February deeded
eighty acres on which he now lives, afterwards adding
largely to it. He has been engaged principally in grain
farming. He was married in 1845 'o Rebecca Cum-
mings, of Harrison county, Ohio, by whom he has eleven
children: Philip, born May 15, 1846; Sophia, born May
17, 1849; Samuel D., born September 30, 1855; Caro-
line, born September 10, 1857; Lillie E., born April 30,
1859; James H., born January 3, 1861; John Franklin,
born April 26, 1864; Luella M., born January 25, 1866;
Mary Etta, born April 15, 187 i ; Allen Taylor, born Au-
gust 29, 1874; and Gertie, born March 5, 1878. Mr.
Biddinger is the oldest resident citizen of the township,
and has the respect of all that know him.
M. R. Adams was born in Coshocton county, Ohio,
October 23, 1840. His education was acquired in the
district schools of Ohio and at the schools in Quasque-
ton. In 1856 he came to Buchanan county, where he
attended school and worked at farming. After about
three years, having spent one season in Ohio, he bought
one hundred and sixty acres, partially improved, to which
he has added until he now has two hundred and sixty-
seven acres in Liberty township, which he manages as a
stock and gram farm. December 24, 1861, he was mar-
ried to Nancy Jane Logan, of Quasqueton. He has five
children: Gelia W., born April 4, 1863; Ulysses G., born
April 4, 1865; Hattie Zula, born June 16, 1866; Charles
F., born January 25, 1869; Lewes E., born October 25,
1877. In politics Mr. Adams is a staunch Republican.
Warren Chase was born October 14, 1843, in Ellicotts-
ville, Cattaraugus county. New York. In 1856 he immi-
grated to Iowa, stopping over at Sandwich De Kalb
county, Illinois, arriving at Waucon, Allamakee county,
in 1857. Here he followed the life of a laborer. His
education was acquired at the schools of \\'aucon and
Independence. In February, 1859, he came to Quas-
queton, where he farmed for himself for two years. In
1866 he bought one hundred and sixty acres, unim-
proved, in Cone township. After farming this and im-
proving fiity acres, he sold it, returned to Quasqueton,
and engaged in teaming and carrying into effect a mail
contract to Anamosa. In 1870 he finished a contract
on the asylum and several bridge contracts, and in 1871
commenced well-drilling, in which he continued until
1875. February 26, 1876, he was admitted to the bar at
Independence, since which time he has engaged in the
practice of law. On the eighth day of August, 1862, he
enlisted in company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa volunteer
infantry, serving in Minnesota, his regiment going up
among the Chippewas, paying them off, etc. He then
went south, his regiment serving in western and northern
Mississippi. He was discharged at Moscow in August
of 1863. October 14, 1863, he was married at Quas-
queton. He has six children: Charles, born October
29, 1864; Anna M., born February i, 1866; Fred, born
September 20, 1867; Minnie, born August 11, 1869;
Chloe, born June 21, 1872; Myrta, born September 29,
1877. In politics he was a Republican until 1872, when
he became an Anti-monopolist, and is now allied with
the Greenbackers.
John C. Neidy, one of seven children, was born near-
ly opposite Harrisburgh, Cumberland county, Pennsyl-
vania, August II, 182 1. When about ten years of age
he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where he remained
until 1850. His education was obtained in winters, at
the district schools, he being engaged in farming during
the rest of the year. In 1850 he came to Liberty town-
ship, settling upon one hundred and sixty acres of tim-
ber land, which he then owned. Finding that it was too
hard work, especially as there was plenty of prairie land,
he entered eighty acres in the same township, and not
long after got forty acres, at government price, buying
eighty acres more to improve, to which he added until
he had nine hundred and twenty acres. A part of this
he divided with his children, retaining one hundred and
sixty-five acres. He has been an extensive grain farmer,
though now, with his son David, he is running a stock
and dairy farm. September 7, 1843, he was married to
Nancy Wilso.i, of Wayne county, Ohio, by whom he has
four children: William H., born August 6, 1844, died
July 3, 1847; Lucinda Jane, born September 26, 1846;
David Wilson, born June 6, 1849; Mary Susan, born
May 17, 185 1. From the foundation of the party he
has been a zealous Republican.
Jolin Moore was born in Washington county, Penn-
sylvania, October 4, 1816. In 1828 he went to Tusca-
rawas county, Ohio. His education was gained at dis-
trict schools, as is the case with farmers' sons. When
about eighteen he conducted the home farm himself,
and continued on the place until 1855. In the fall of
this year he immigrated to Buchanan county. Here he
first bought one hundred acres, and traded his Ohio
farm for more, partly timber and partly prairie. This
land is now managed as a stock farm. October 28,
1841, he was married to Sophia Biddinger, of Tusca-
rawas county, Ohio, by whom he has nine children:
Mary Elizabeth, born September 21, 1842 ; Nancy El-
len, born November 27, 1844; Sarah Catharine, born
June 21, 1847, died November 4, 1874; John Taylor,
born December 14, 1849; MarviUa, born May 9, 1852;
Louis L., born February 20, 1855; Rachel A., born May
10, 1858; James Henry, born February 21, i85o; and
Martha Adella, born December i, 1862. He has been
a Republican since the organization of the party, and is
"one of the few " that never have aspired to office.
Malcolm McBane was educated in the common
schools of Ohio. His occupation was that of a farmer,
at which he occupied himself in Ohio until the spring of
1843, when he came to Quasqueton and made claim to
the eighty upon which Avery Taylor's house now stands,
and afterwards getting the eighty adjoining it. This he
sold, and then bought the William Biddinger farm, upon
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
309
which he died April 25, 1865. His first wife was Polly
Biddinger, of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, by whom he had
six children: Sarah, born April 5, 1839; John, de-
ceased; Susan, born February 19, 1844; James,
born December 12, 1848; Katherine, born November 14,
1851; Franklin, also deceased. November 14, 1862,
he was married to his second wife, Martha P. Turner, of
Quasqueton. He was a member of the first board of
supervisors in the county, a professor of religion, and a
Republican.
Stephen Pearsall was one of ei,i;ht children. He was
born in Chenango county. New York, November 13,
1833. In 1838 he removed with his parents to Bellvi-
dere, Boone county, Illinois. His education was ac-
quired at Belvidere, at the public schools, going to
school during the winter and farming the rest of the
year. In October, 185 1, he came to Liberty township,
where his father entered one hundred and sixty acres.
This is now in the possession of Mr. Stephen Pearsall,
who has added to it one hundred and five acres of tim-
ber. His farm is all fenced, and one hundred and si.x-
ty acres under cultivation, being supplied with large
barns, a substantial house, and a good growing orchard.
In politics he is a Democrat. He has often been a del-
egate to State, congressional and county conventions.
He is the son of Hiram Pearsall, a Methodist clergyman
well known in the community. The Rev. Mr. Pearsall
was ordained elder twenty-four years before his death,
which occurred when he was seventy-three years old.
James A. Utterbeck was born in Culpeper county,
Virginia, September 23, 1815. When about a year old
he removed to Harrison county, Ohio. His education
was received at the district schools of that State. His
life-long occupation has been that of a farmer, being in
that business in Harrison county. In 1853 he removed
to Helos county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm
and lived on it for two years, and then came to Liberty
township (at that time called Spring). Here he first
bought eighty acres of prairie and twenty of timber. He
afterwards added an eighty, so that he now has one hun-
dred and sixty acres under cultivation. His farm is now
devoted to stock-raising, though he formerly r;iised over
one thousand two hundred bushels of wheat in one year.
He was married to Laura Blackwell of Virginia, on the
thirty-first of December, 1835, by whom he has six chil-
dren: Robert B., born September 12, 1836; Mary A.,
born January 17, 1841; Albert, born April 3. 1843, died
July 25, 1865; Thomas J., born March 21, 1845; Sarah,
born February 20, 1851, died February 15, 1865; Joseph,
born September 27, 1853. He is a member of the Dis-
ciples, having become so shortly after his marriage. In
politics he is now, as he was formerly, a Republican,
though he was a delegate to the first county Greenback
convention.
Benjamin Miller was born in Wayne county, Ohio,
September 8, 1838. In April, 1854, he came to Wash-
ington township, where he first worked with his brother
Ephraim on a farm. He then engaged in carpentering
for a time. In 1859 he bought a farm and lived on it
until the fall of 1862. After the war closed he farmed
one season in Byron townshiii, and then bought a farm
of eighty-five acres, on which he has lived until the pres-
ent time, managing it as a dairy and grain farm. In the
fiill of 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Iowa,
company H, infantry; served till the close of the war,
being at Nashville, Plea.sant Hill, Meridian, Tupelo, Old
Town Creek, etc., being in Major General A. J. Smith's
Nineteenth corps. Was also in the Red River cam-
paign. On the twenty-second day of September, 1859,
he was married to Jane Megonigle, of Byron township,
by whom he has four children: Eunice E., born Sep-
tember 16, 1861; Eva Bell, April 8, 1868; Carlos Ar-
thur, May I, 187 1 ; and Delias Burton, December 31,
1875. He is a prominent member of the "Winebren-
narian" church — or, as they prefer to be called, "the
Church of God."
Lewis Singer was born in Lewisburgh, Preble county,
Ohio, December 30, 1827. Was educated in the graded
school at Lewisburgh. \Vhen about sixteen years of age
he was apprenticed to learn the wagon and carriage
making trade, and served three years. He then worked
at his trade for three years at Lebanon, Ohio, when he
returned to Lewisburgh and started a manufactory of his
own, having a steam engine to furnish power for planing,
sawing, etc. After about two years he sold out and came
west. During the fall of 1856 he came to Liberty town-
ship, where he purchased four hundred and forty acres
of timber and prairie. He now has three hundred and
sixty improved, feeding a large number of cattle and
hogs, and manages quite a large dairy, raising the grain
necessary to feed his stock. He was married to Phrebe
C. Potter, of Preble county, Ohio, September 23, 1855,
by whom he has eleven children: Gertrude, born Au-
gust 19, 1857; Jeanette, March 13, 1859; Roscoe, Febru-
ary 10, 1861; Grant U. S., November 29, 1862; Lewis W.,
August 1, 1864; Carrie P., September 28, 1866; Kate J.,
January 10, 1869; Laura M., September 23, 1870; Isa-
bel, August 28, 1875; Libbie, March 20, 1877; Joseph
A., December 28, 1879. He has been a leading member
of the Congregational church for a number of years.
Politically he is a Republican, though he has never min-
gled actively in politics.
Jesse Kitch was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio,
May 28, 1822. He worked on his father's farm, and
during the last year or two of his residence at home,
farmed for himself. In May, 185 1, he came to Liberty
township. November 14, 1850, he was married to Jane
Eberhardt, of Tuscarawas county, by whom he had seven
chtldren: Aerihu, born October 17, 1851; Elmer, born
September 25, 1853; Eudora, born August 25, 1856;
Jasper, born August 30, 1858; Wilson, born September
23, i85o; and Seymour, born November 6, 1862. His
wife died December 4, 1864. On the twenty-sixth of
November, 1865, he was married to Mary E. Megonigle,
of Byron township, who has one child. In pohtics he is
a Democrat, but is not in any sense a politician.
William Morgan was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio,
March 28, 1836. When four years of age he removed
to Vermillion county, Indiana, where he remained nine
years. In 1847 he came with his parents to Buchanan
3IO
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
county. He attended school at Quasqueton two winters,
and worked at farming with his father until he was thirty-
one years of age. In August, 1862, he enlisted in com-
pany H, of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and
served three years. He was in the engagements of
Nashville, Pleasant Hill, Meridian, Old Oaks, Tupelo,
and in General A. J. Smith's corps. He received no
wounds, save that in the last battle at Fort Kearny, his
musket exploded and injured his right wrist. After re-
tiring from the war he purchased a farm of eighty acres,
on which he lives at the present time. He manages this
principally as a grain and stock farm. November 30,
1865, he was married to Mary Cosedear, of Winthrop,
by whom he has four children: Edith E., born March
13, 1867; Charles, born April 11, 1869; Viola, born
May 14, 1872; and Freddie, born July 7, 1878. In
politics he is a Democrat, who prefers men not extreme
in party opinions.
Alexander Sproul was born in Tuscarawas county,
Ohio, on the third day of May, 1844. His occupation
has been that of a farmer, engaging with his father until
he was about twenty-four years of age. During the win-
ter of 1869, he came to Liberty township, where he en-
gaged to work a farm of one hundred and ten acres,
belonging to his father. November 5, 1874, he was
married to Catharine McBane, of Winthrop, by whom he
has two children: Stella M., born November 7, 1875;
and Nina, born January 19, 1878. He has been a
member of the Baptist church about seven years. In
politics he is a Republican, always ready to work for and
vote with that party.
Nelson E. Leach was born in Edensburgh, Vermont,
January 22, 1844. When thirteen years old he removed
with his parents to Dundee, Kane county, Illinois. He
was educated at the Elgin academy, graduating from that
institute in i860. He then began teaching and has been
in that profession for eighteen years, teaching first in
country schools, in Kane county. In 1865 he was elect-
ed principal of the west side Elgin schools, remaining
there five years. He then had charge of the schools at
Escanaba, Michigan, for three years, then at Huntly,
McHenry county, for two years. He then came to Iowa
and taught at Jesup and North Manchester. In 1880
he came to Quasqueton, where he had charge of the
schools. On the twentieth day of April, 1879, he was
married to Miss Rhoda Winward, of Hazle Green, Dela-
ware county, Iowa. He is a member of the Presbyterian
church.
Samuel Postel was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on
February 7, 1825. When about nineteen years old he re-
moved with his parents to Tuscarawas county. In
October, 1848, he came to Buchanan county, spent the
winter and then removed to Otter Creek, Linn county,
where he remained three years. He then came to Liber-
ty township, and bought the farm of eighty acres on which
he now lives. Since then he has added to his land until
he now has a farm of three hundred acres — two hundred
being under cultivation. He works this large tract as a
stock farm, endeavoring to feed all the grain he can raise.
Out of the wilderness of thirty years ago, he has made a
fine farm, a good home, and his house is surrounded by
barns, numerous outbuildings, and a good orchard. On
the seventh day of September, 1847, he was married to
Isabella Barr, of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, by whom he
has nine children: Isaac, born May 29, 1849, died
March 23, 1851; Mary, born September 18, 1851; John,
born May 5, 1853; Allen, born April 5, 1855; James,
born April 24, 1857; Sarah, born May 6, 1859; Elijah,
born July 6, 1861; Ralph, born June 11, 1863; and
Edward, born November 9, 1867. In politics he was
born and raised a Democrat. Mr. Postel is one of the
oldest settlers of the county, quiet, unassuming, and
highly esteemed.
PERRY.
This township is situated in the western part of Bu-
chanan county, and bounded on the west by Black
Hawk. It was organized as an independent township
February 17, 1853, by order of the county judge, as
follows :
"Ordered by the county court, that townships 8q
and 90, of range 10, of Buchanan county, and also the
west tier of sections in township 90, range 9, and sec-
tions 5 and 7 and the west half of section 18, 89, 9, be,
and the same are hereby, separated from Washington
precinct in said county, and shall, until further orders,
form a separate precinct, to be called Perry precinct;
and all orders, so far as they conflict with the above or-
der, are hereby revoked."
Changes have since been made. Township 89, 10,
was set off by itself March 5, 1855, under the name of
Alton, now Fairbank; and the west tier of sections in
90, 9, was attached to Superior, now Hazleton. Sub-
sequently, the part belonging to 89, 9, was severed there-
from, leaving a square township of thirty-six sections, as
it is at present, being the same as congressional town-
ship 89, 10.
THE FIRST ELECTION
was held at the house of John Cameron, in said town-
ship, April 4, 1853, when Henry Bright and W. S.
Clark were elected justices; Charles Melrose, Gamaliel
Walker and John H. Anderson, trustees; and W. S.
Clark, clerk.
SETTLEMENTS.
Charles Melrose, a native of Scotland, came from
Fort Wayne, Indiana, and settled in the township in
June, 1849, with his family. He is undoubtedly the
first settler in the township. The same year he entered,
as he supposed, the land where he lived; but there was
an error in the entry, placing him in the north part of
town 88, 10, instead of 89, 10, this being near the pres-
ent village of Jesup. Not supposing land in that locali-
ty would ever be valuable, by much effort and the aid of
the then United States senator, G. W. Jones, a special
act of Congress was passed, vacating his entry and plac-
ing it on the section he intended.
The same year, Gamaliel Walker settled in the north-
west, near Littleton, on the farm where he now resides.
He is probably the second settler. He has a family of
four children, and has a good and productive farm, a
fine, large house, and an orchard said to be the best in
the township.
James Minton came with Walker, and continued to
live with him until his marriage, which occurred soon af-
ter his arrival; and then he moved to Fairbank, where
he lived for a number of years. He is now in Kansas.
John Cameron settled in the northeastern part of the
township in September, 1850, coming from Indiana.
He brought with him six grown-up girls, who constituted
his family. His daughters were: Emeline, who mar-
ried Martin Campbell and lives in Indiana; Adaline,
who married Jonathan H. Anderson, and lives in P'air-
bank township; Rosannah, who married Emory Miller,
and lives in Perry township; Minerva, who married D.
D. Clark, of Indiana (she is now dead); Nancy J., who
married William Marshall, and lives in Fayette county ;
Sarah Catharine, who married J. D. Moody, a dentist
living in Mendota, Illinois — she has learned the dentist
trade and is now working in the office of her husband.
In 1853 Mr. Cameron returned to Indiana and was mar-
ried to Mrs. Rachel Rinehart, by whom he has two chil-
dren, William G. and Anice. He has thirty-two grand-
children and eight great-grandchildren. He assisted in
the organization of two Methodist Episcopal churches
in the township; filled the ofifice of county supervisor
for two years, and is a free and accepted Mason. His
business has, for the most part, been farming; but he
has sold goods a part of the time, having been one of
the proprietors of the second store opened in the town-
ship. He is past seventy years of age. The first relig-
ious services in the township were held at his house.
Martin Depoy and family came in 1850. The year
before, Mr. Depoy was here and entered his land. He
was a native of Virginia. He left there and went to
Ohio when but six years of age, where he grew to man-
hood and married a sister of John Cameron. He then
lived quite a number of years in Indiana; he is now a
resident of Jesup, where he was in the grocery trade
some six years, but has now retired from business.
H. S. Bright in 1850, settled near Littleton, on what
is known as the Buckmaster place; he is living in Fair-
bank township.
Jacob Slaughter, with his family, settled here on the
farm now owned and occupied by him.
James Shrack, a German, came with his family, in
185 1, and settled in the northwestern part of the town-
ship. He is very fond of hunting; and in those early
days when game was plenty, he watched for the swift-
footed deer. He is also an expert trapper. He has five
children — Mary, William and Charles (twins), George
and Emma.
N.'VTUR.iVL FE.\TURES.
The surface of this township is generally rolling prairie.
The soil is a lightish loam, except along the ^^'apsie
river, which passes through the township, where it is
312
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
light and sandy. There are some fine, large barns,
among which are those of E. & C. H. Little, who keep
a large stock of cattle. The principal streams are the
Wapsie and Little Wapsie, which empties into the large
stream at Littleton. There are also some small creeks
in different parts of the township. The timber for the
most part is in the northwest and along the Wapsie river.
SECRET ORGANIZATION.S.
A Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was organized
in Jesup in 1866, and installed by D. S. Deering, P. M.,
and in the June following it obtained a charter from the
grand lodge. The members and ofificers at that time
were J. M. Hovey, W. M. ; J. N. Hovey, S. W. ; R. O.
Laird, J. W. ; R. F. Williams, treasurer; J. R. Jones,
secretary ; A. N. George, S. D. ; C. M. Newton, J. D. ;
W. R. Harding, tyler; C. H. Kenyon, A. Strong, and R.
S. Searls. The present ofificers are George S. Murphy,
W. M. ; F. A. Weir, S. W. ; A. H. Farwell, J. W. ; J. D.
Laird, secretary, and George Rickard, treasurer. They
have a membership of forty.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Perry Lodge No. 158, was organized af Jesup January
21, 186S, with five charter members: F. C. Merrill,
Charles A. Wattles, Jonathan Richmond, R. S. Smith,
and G. Harding. The lodge was instituted by Sanford
Wells, D. D. G. M., assisted by brethren from Waterloo
lodge. Eleven persons were instituted into its mysteries
on that night. They elected the following as its first
officers: H. C. Merrill, N. G. ; Charles Wattles V. G. ;
S. W. Kenyon, secretary; R. L. Smith, treasurer, and E.
B. Cook, permanent secretary. The present officers are
Eli C. Brown, N. G. ; Horace G. Wolfe, V. G. ; Holden
Cook, secretary, John Dickinson, permanent secretary,
and Ira R. Deming, treasurer. The membership is
thirty-eight.
ENCAMPMENT.
Parkersburgh Encampment, No. 62, was organized at
Farkersburgh, Butler county, October 2, 1873. If* 'he
spring of 1880, having obtained a dispensation from the
chief patriarch, it was removed to Jesup, where they
hold their meetings in the Odd Fellows' hall. The
present officers are George S. Murphy, C. P. ; F. C.
Merrill, H. P. ; M. Cone, S. W. ; Horace G. Wolfe, J.
W. ; Jacob Hohl, scribe, and E. C. Brown, treasurer.
EARLY EVENTS, ETC.
In the early days, during some of the seasons the set-
tlers subsisted on hulled corn, and especially when the
winters were severe. The nearest mill was twenty-five
miles away, at the village of Quasqueton. The first store
was kept by Sufficool & Marshall, in 1856, at what is now
called Littleton. Sufficool subsequently sold to John
Cameron. The early settlers had for food venison,
sometimes beef, chickens, wild and domesticated, and
corn bread. Some of the settlers ground the corn, in
which they made bread in a common coffee-mill. The
colony at one time made up a purse and sent John
Cameron to Dubuque for groceries, nearly seventy miles
away. At this time Mr. Cameron brought the first
plough to the township. They made their bedsteads of
poplar poles, these being the best their houses could af-
ford. The first buildings were also made of poles. The
first hotel was kept by B. C. Hale, in Littleton, and the
second one was a mile north of Jesup, kept by a Mr.
Boardman on what was then the State road, probably in
1856. The early physicians were Drs. McGonigal and
Allen, and James Muncy, who is now a resident of the
township. The first postmaster was Charles Melrose,
and John Cameron the first mail carrier; and the first
mail consisted of three letters. The very first wedding
in the township was at the house of John Cameron, in
1 85 2 — Martin Campbell to Emeline Cameron, by 'Squire
W. S. Clark. They lived in the township for a short
time then moved to Indiana, where they are now living.
A daughter of Isaac Spencer was the first white person
that died in the township. Nancy Melrose was the first
white child born in the township, April i, 1850. She is
the wife of Nelson Hovey, residing in Dakota Territory.
The first bridge made in the township was across the
Wapsie at Littleton, and was made of wood, but now the
river is spanned by a large iron bridge in place of the
wooden structure of early days. The first wheat in the
township was raised by John Cameron, Martin Depoy,
Gamaliel Walker, Jacob Slaughter, and Charles Melrose.
They all united together, cut their first crop with cradles,
and stacked it altogether in one place. A machine came
from Clayton county and threshed it for them. J. R.
Jones built the first grain elevator in the township, which
is now standing, but idle, there having been no use for
it in the last few years. The first school taught in Jesup
was at the house of R. S. Searls. William Boss was the
first depot agent, and the present one is Mr. W. Smith.
RIVERS, CREEKS .\ND SPRINGS.
The Wapsie river runs through the township in a
southeasterly direction ; Buck creek, in the north; Camp
creek, in the northwest; Schrack's creek is in section
seven, running north, and Silver creek is in the eastern
part. There are some large, fine springs along the Wap-
sie river.
The leading productions are corn, oats and hay.
There are also large numbers of cattle, hogs, horses, and
a few sheep; considerable attention is also paid to dairy-
ing.
THE VILL.VGE OF LITTLETON.
The first appearance of a village was here with a store,
hotel, blacksmith shop, saw- and grist-mill, in 1856.
The followini; is a correct statement of the business at
the present time: A grocery store, kept by Ed. Hay-
ward; a wagon-shop, by Charles Stanford, who is also
the magistrate; blacksmiths, T. Smith, Shultz & Coger.
Mrs. Lydia Melius has a manufactory of palm leaf hats,
which is the only one in the county; a grist-mill, by
Hovey & Kraft; a public school-house, capable of accom-
modating fifty students; two houses of worship, owned
by the Presbyterians and Methodists.
JESUP.
This place is located in the southwestern part of the
township, on the Illinois Central railroad. This road
was built here in i860, .^t that time there was a small
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
313
village at Barclay,. Black Hawk county, which, when the
road was built, was relocated at Jesup. Many of the
buildings which were moved here are now pointed out
by the early settlers. It takes its name from an officer
of the road by that name. R. S. Searb kept the first
store, and also was the first postmaster, and shipped from
here the first car load of stock. A. Grattan, a present
resident, is the pioneer blacksmith. The first hotel was
kept by one Marvin, who had located here just before
the road was built to the place. The present business is
represented by the following catalogue: Hotels — "The
Evergreen," O. A. E. Laurer proprietor. "The Julian,"
R. S. Benedict. Blacksmiths — John Dickinson, A.
Grattan, E. Scott and Nathan Miller. W'agonniakers —
D. C. Brott, E. Parker, and William \\'ilkins. Harness
shop — Frank Randall. Physicians — James Muncy, F.
A. Weir and H. M. Crayton. Grain dealer — C. Hoyt.
Lumber dealer — Thomas Taylor, and also dealer'in coal.
Wood yard — Frank Hatch. Groceries — Ira Deniing, L.
Reynolds, D. Kressner and Eli C. Brown. Dry goods —
J. A. Laird, C. M. Newton, T. F. Renyon, and Cheesbro
& Marsh. Bouts and shoes — Charles Stevens. Hard-
ware— Thomas Ta\lor and Elias Parker. Jeweler, watch
and clock repairer — R. E. Martin. Postmaster — R. E.
Martin. Millinery — Mrs. Burkhardt. Jesup Nurserj-,
wine and fruit growing — F. C. Merrill. Mr. Merrill
manufactures grape wine, in quite large quantities and of
a good quality. Newspaper — Buchanan County Jour-
nal, A. H. Farwell, editor and proprietor; established,
October 10, 1879. Attorney — James Dalton. Military
company — Company I, of first infantry, Iowa national
guards, of Second brigade. The officers are: F. C.
Merrill, captain ; H. J. Wolfe, first lieutenant, and C. C.
Smith, second lieutenant. It is composed of sixty men.
This company was organized February 17, 1877, with F.
C. Merrill captain; H. G. Wolfe, first lieutenant, and C.
P. Baldwin, second lieutenant. A public school employ-
ing three teachers and having two hundred students.
Painters — Peter M. Deyo and William Case. Four
houses of worship, belonging to the Methodists, Presby-
terians, Baptists and Catholics. Jesup, during its twenty
years of existence, has had only three postmasters, R. S.
Searls, R. O. Laird and Robert E. Martin, the present
incumbent. There are in the place three vacant grain
elevators. One warehouse owned and occupied by
Charles Hoyt. It was incorporated March 8, 1S76, as
an incorporated town. The officers were : John Ander-
son, mayor ; G. E. Marsh, recorder; and the city trus-
tees were: H. M. Crayton, G. O. Marsh, Murat Sayles,
E. Parker, and I. A. Stoddard. R. O. Laird was city
treasurer. The jiresent officers are: James Dalton,
mayor; George S. Murphy, recorder, and the city coun-
cil, S. D. McLain, J. D. McNalley, H. C. Kenyon, A.
H. Farwell, R. C. Martin and H. M. Crayton; J. H.
Hovey, treasurer; J. D. Dobell, street commissioner, and
John Dickinson, city marshall.
At the last election in March, 1881, the people voted
to have no liquor license whatever in the city, and now
there is not a saloon, even for the sale of beer. They
are a happy people and of good repute.
SHIRT M.\NUF.'\CTORY.
A shirt manufactory was established here in the spring
of 1880, by R. & H. Conk, and it is now in successful
operation, employing annually some ten hands, mostly
girls.
B.\NKS.
The Farmers' bank was established August 11, 1879,
with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, and the fol-
lowing officers elected : Lewis S. Hovey, president; J. W.
Dickinson, vice-president; George S. Murphy, cashier;
Thomas Taylor, J. R. Deniing, C. Hoyt, Lewis S. Hovey
and J. W. Dickinson, directors. The present officers
are: Thomas Taylor, president; J. A. Laird, vice-pres-
ident; George S. Murphy, cashier.
The Buchanan County bank was organized March 19,
1881, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars.
The officers are: Lewis C. Hovey, president: John W.
Dickinson, vice-president; James Dalton, cashier. The
directors are: W. M. Young, J. T. Graham, H. M. Cray-
ton, G. W. Watkins, C. M. Newton, J. M. Hovey, L. S.
Hovey and John W. Dickinson.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
.■\ Methodist society was organized in the township at
the house of John Cameron, in 1853, with five members,
viz : John Cameron, Rachel Cameron, Thomas T. and
Elizabeth Cameron, and Lucinda Anderson. The first
preacher was Rev. Mr. .'Vshcouch. After a few years,
this church was transferred to Littleton, where they now
have a house of worship and a membership of about
thirty. The present preacher is Hiram Bailey. .\
Methodist society was organized at Jesup in i860; for a
time holding services in a hall and school-house. In
1869 they built a large and commodious house of
worship, valued at four thousand dollars, and they now
have also a good, comfortable parsonage, and a member-
ship of about two hundred and a flourishing Sunday-
school. The early members were: John Cameron and
wife (who had at this time moved to Jesup), lohn
Cooper, Fannie Cooper, R. L. Smith and wife. Bertha
Smith, Charles Campbell and Nancy Campbell. Among
the early preachers were J. Hankins and Revs. Moore
and Thomas. The present pastor is U. Eberhart.
THE B.^PTISTS.
The Baptists organized a society in Jesup about Sep-
tember, 1866. At first they held their services in Fuller's
hall, and afterwards in the public school-house. John
FuUerton was their first preacher. This society was
made up in part, from a society in Barclay, which dis-
banded, and many of the members united with the
society at Jesup. They are the owners of a good house
of worship (with an organ and bell), which was dedicated
February 19, 187 1, and is valued at four thousand dollars.
Among their early members were Mr. Abbott and wife,
Jacob Wolfe and wife, William Smith and wife, Mrs. E.
Parker, and T. S. Stone and wife. The present member-
ship is fifty, and the present preacher is F. Bower.
PRESBYTERI.^N.
The first Presbyterian society was organized June 4,
1853, in the northeast part of the township, and called
314
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Pleasant Grove church. James S. Fullerton was the
preacher. The first members were Alexander Stevenson
and wife, Robert Wroten and wife, Martin Depoy and
wife, and Mrs. Susan Slaughter. This society was trans-
ferred to Littleton in the fall of 1856, with a member-
ship of twelve. Their first settled preacher, and the
present one is Rev. J. D. Caldwell. They built a house
of worship in 1865, at a cost of one thousand dollars.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN.
A church was organized at Jesup, April 20, 1856.
This was composed, in part, of members of the former
church at Barclay. The first and present preacher is J.
D. Caldwell, and the membership is about twenty-one.
They own a house of worship at Jesup, which is worth
probably two thousand dollars, and is provided with an
organ.
SCHOOLS.
Most of the early schools in the county were supported
by contributions of the people, and the Perry schools
were no exception to the rule. In 1853 a log school-
house was built on land belonging to John Cameron, in
the northeast part of the township, and the first teacher
was W. S. Clark, who had twenty-five scholars. The
early teachers were W. S. Clark, Laura Curtis, Charlotte
Cutter, Maggie P. Agnew and Miles Randalls. The first
school-houses built were one at Littleton and one that
was called "the white school-house." There were in the
township eight schools, and the one at Jesup employs
three teachers.
The first cemetery established was in 185 1, on land
owned by John Cameron, and the first person buried
there was a daughter of a Mr. Spencer. In 1856 it was
removed to Littleton appriopriate grounds having been
donated by Charles Melrose, to which an addition is
now being made. In 1870 another one was established
in the south part of the township, about one mile east of
Jesup. This is owned by a company. There are quite
a number ot graves here, and some fine tombstones.
A saw-mill was built at Littleton about 1854, by Moses
Little and H. J. White. A grist-mill was built there by
the estate of M. Little and H. J. White, in 1856.
A stage passes through Littleton tri-weekly, carrying
the United States mail.
Moses Little was intimately connected with the inter-
ests of the northern part of Perry township. He came
to Iowa in 1854, being a native of New Hampshire.
He made his first settlement, where S. F. Searls now
lives. His children were : Martha, who is now Mrs. B.
C. Hale, living near the old homestead; Ebenezer, who
still owns a part of the original farm; Captain E. C.
Little, who was a brave officer in our late war, and who
is now dead; Charles H. Little, who is married, and
lives at the old home ; Electa, who is the wife of T. K.
Hovey, living in Littleton ; and Moses, jr., married, and
a merchant in Lowell, Massachusetts. Mr. Little died
in 1856, and his widow still resides at the old home.
Rev. J. D. Caldwell, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl-
vania, studied at Greenville academy, entered Jefferson
college in 1851, and graduated in the class of 1853. In
the fall of 1853 he became a member of Western
Theological seminary at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania,
and graduated therefrom, on the seventh day of May, 1856.
The next day after his graduation he was married, and
then immediately started for Iowa, and settled in Little-
ton in 1856. He lives on a farm of eighty acres,
preaches at the Presbyterian church there, at Jesup, Fair-
bank and Hazleton, and also practices medicine. His
children are as follows: Otis O. W., Luella H., Hattie
J., Sallie D., Alice M., Edith May, John U., and Jesse
Boggs.
When the early settlers came, deer were plenty, and
occasionally an elk; bears have been seen there, but none
were ever caught, as we could learn; also wild turkeys
were seen, but seldom.
There were also otter, beaver, fish, mink and musk-
rat ; of the above named, the mink and muskrat alone
remain. Then the otter and beaver were plenty along
the Wapsie and its tributaries.
The fish were scarce, but some have been caught.
James Shrack who lives in the north part of the town-
ship, seems to have been about the only hunter that had
sufificient knowledge and sagacity to catch the beaver,
otter and fish. At one time, when out hunting, he saw
a panther, but the "varmint" was too nimble, and escaped
without a scratch. Wildcats and wolves, then as now,
were plenty. Bodies of deer, with their horns firmly fas-
tened together, have been found here.
NEWSPAPERS.
A newspaper was started at Jesup, in the spring of
1869, by Cole & Shinner, called the Jesup Recorder. It
continued thus for about one year; then Cole purchased
the interest of Shinner, and continued its publication for
a year; and then moved it to Earlville.
In about 1874 W. H. Hutton started another one,
called the Jesup Vindicator, which, in the spring of
1879, he moved to Independence, having changed its
name to the Buchanan County Messenger, where it died.
October 10, 1879, A. H. Farwell established the
Buchanan County Journal, which he has ever since pub-
lished; and it has, under him, become a live, wide-
awake paper, every way worthy of its large patronage.
Gamaliel Walker was born in Genesee county. New
York, in 1817. Moved to Ohio with his father, Samuel
Walker, when he was one year old. Lived in Erie coun-
ty, Ohio, until he was nineteen years of age, when he
moved to Knox county, Illinois. Remained there only
about six months when he came to Iowa, locating in
Lynn county in the year 1838. Worked on the Missis-
sippi river two winters, making Muscateen his home.
Settled in Buchanan county in 1875, on the Wapsie, when
he bought the farm where he still resides. At first he
owned one hundred and sixty acres but has bought since
so that he has owned six hundred acres, but has given
farms to his children so that now he owns one hundred
and forty acres. Mr. Walker got the first deed of land
ever given in Perry township. They lived one year with
only two families within five miles of them. No house
between him and Independence. Those were early and
■Oii€d' j^cii'Cecz::)
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
315
rough times, and yet, as they look back upon those early
days spent in their log cabin, they cannot help but re-
member them with some degree of pleasure. Mr. Walk-
er was married May 8, 1843, 'o Miss Sarah Vinton.
They have four children living: Clarke, age thirty-four,
married and living in Buena Vista county, Iowa; Char-
li^tte, age thirty-one, married James Sankey, and is living
in this county; Simon, age twenty-six, married and lives
joining his father; Laura A., age sixteen, single and lives
at home with her parents. As will be seen by this sketch
Mr. and Mrs. Walker were among the very first settlers
of this county. They have braved the storms of life
and finally anchored upon a fine farm of their own hon-
est earnings. They have reared a good family and have
a fine home in which to spend their last days. Mr.
Walker only knows of one person living who was a resi-
dent of this county when he came, and that is Mrs.
Morse.
James A. Brison was born in Scotland in 181 1. He
moved with his father, Alexander Brison, to Canada in
181 7. Mr. J. A. Brison came to America in 1868, lo-
cating in Buchanan county, Iowa. In 1869 he pur-
chased the farm of one hundred and twenty acres in
Perry township, where he still resides. Was married in
1839 to Miss Agnes Dickman, of Scotch parentage.
Have eleven children — seven sons and four daughters,
two of whom are married, ^^'e find Mr. Brison a very
fine gentleman, having a nice farm and home. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Brison are members of the Presbyterian
church.
Joseph Milton Hovey was born in Grafton county,
New Hampshire, July 3, 1826. When he was four years
old the family moved to Bradford, Orange county, Ver-
mont. His parents were poor, and as a consequence
his advantages for an education were very limited. At
fifteen he was sent out to shift for himself. He drifted
to Plymouth county, Massachusetts, where he engaged
in learning to make boots and shoes, faithfully devoting
his spare money to the purchase of books and his leisure
hours to the acquirement of an education of which he
felt the most urgent need. In 1846 he went to southern
Illinois and became a school teacher, always being him-
self the most earnest student. After three years he re-
turned to New England and soon took up his abode
again in Massachusetts — this time as bookkeeper and
partner in the business of manufacturing shoes. From
too close application, his health became impaired and
for two or three years he devoted himself solely to an
effort to regain it, and in 1865, mainly in pursuit of that
object, he emigrated to Buchanan county, Iowa, and was
among the early settlers of the town of Jesup. He has
almost constantly occupied positions of trust, and was
in 187 1 elected to the legislature, serving acceptably.
In 1850 he was married to Alma E. Hibbard, of Orange
county, Vermont. They have one son — Carroll M., aged
ten years. They are members of the Baptist church, and
are living now in the house erected by themselves at
Jesup in 1867, happy in their domestic and social rela-
tions, and in the enjoyment of the confidence of their
acquaintance.
J. A. Wroten was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1S23.
Moved with his father, Robert Wroten, to Indiana in
1835. He, with his father's family, came to Iowa in
1850, locating in Fairbank township. Mr. J. C. Wroten
was married in i860 to Miss Celia J. Diehl, of Pennsyl-
vania. Have four children: Frank O., aged nineteen;
Jesse E., aged seventeen; Martin A., aged fourteen;
Mary A., aged twelve; all living at home and constitute
a nice family. Bought the farm of eighty acres where
he now resides, in Perry township, in 1865. Mr. Wroten
has been engaged at the carpenter trade for the past fif-
teen years. He has a nice farm and home.
John William Flummerfelt was born May 4, 1838, in
Marion county, Ohio. Moved with his father, Charles
Flummerfelt, to Delaware county, Indiana. Came to
Iowa, Franklin county, in 1855. Remained there until
1858 when he came to Buchanan county. Bought the
farm of two hundred acres where he now resides, in 1869.
Mr. Flummerfelt was married September 19, 1862, to Miss
Mary Ann Smith, a resident of Buchanan county. They
have two children: Laura J., aged fifteen; and Luella
Nett, aged twelve. Mr. Flummerfelt makes stock quite
an item in connection with his farming. He is one of
the prominent men of Buchanan county. Has a fine
farm and nice home.
Murat Sayles was born in Oswego county. New York,
in the year 1834, and lived with his father, Sumner
Sayles, on his farm and attended school until he was
twenty-one years of age. At the age of thirteen he
moved with his father to Cook county, Illinois, where his
father still resides, very comfortably situated as to this
world's goods. When Mr. Murat Sayles was twenty-one
years of age he commenced doing for himself by work-
ing for a neighbor on the farm one season; then came
west to Fayette county, Iowa, where he spent about one
year at such work as the extremely new country afforded
— broke up prairie, worked at the carpenter's trade, in a
saw-mill, etc. After showing himself a live young man
by doing what his hands found to do, and later by mak-
ing profitable investments, Mr. Sayles, after leaving Iowa
the second time in 187 1, returned the third time, and
purchased the farm he now owns, consistmg of eighty
acres, for which he paid two thousand dollars. This
property he has improved wonderfully, built a new house
and barn, and made a fine home. Mr. Sayles was mar-
ried in the year 1857 to Miss Lydia M. Andrews, of Cook
county, Illinois. They have five children living: Eva A.,
aged twenty, married George M. Conifort in 1877; Ella
M., twenty; Charity E., fourteen; Mabel M., eleven;
Ernest R., six. All except the oldest daughter are living
and constitute a very happy family. While Mr. and Mrs.
Sayles have grandchildren, they do not appear to be peo-
ple past the middle of life. They are both social and
cheerful. They have fought the battles of life together,
and have always come off victors. They are both mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Sayles is
a leading man in the church and in his community. He
is a strong temperance man, and a good, square Republi-
can.
Mrs. Delia Bright was born in Hardy county, Virginia,
3i6
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
in 1823. At the age of six years she moved with her
father, Isaac Ncff, to Piqua county, Ohio, where they re-
mained about two years, when they removed to Marion
county, where they remained about nine years. In 1840
they moved to Delaware county, Indiana. In 1851 they
came to Iowa, locating in this county. They bought one
hundred and sixty acres in 1850, and bought an addition
where they now reside, so that they have a fine farm of
two hundred and twenty acres. They built a fine brick
residence in i860, and built the barn in 1872. Mrs.
Bright was married to Mr. Henry Bright in 1850, who
died in 1865. They have four children living: David
S., aged twenty-nine; Lucinda J., twenty-four; William
Moses, twenty-two; Emelia P., twenty. All are married
and living on farms in this county. We find Mrs. Bright
very pleasantly situated on a fine, big farm, and in a nice
residence, with her children all settled around her.
Stephen F. Searls was born in Lake county, Ohio, in
1827. At the age of twenty-one, in the year 1848, he
moved to McH^nry county, Illinois, where he remained
till the year 1856, engaged principally in buying and
driving his fat cattle to Chicago. He came to the State
of Iowa in the spring of 1856, locating in Perry town-
ship, and purchased the farm of eighty acres, where he
still resides, in Litdeton. He built his barn in 1858,
and built his house in 1S65. He bought a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres in 1875. It corners on the
centre of the townsliip. The farm where Mr. Searls re-
sides is indeed a fine place. He has an excellent house,
surrounded with every natural ornament to make a home
desirable. His farm in the country is well supplied with
good buildings, cattle-sheds, wind pump, and every con-
venience of a farm. Mr. Searls has made the handling
of stock his principal business for the past thirty-one
years. He has sold within the past week sixty-five head
of cattle, and has fifty-five left, besides ninety-four head
of hogs. As will be seen .by this sketch, Mr. Searls was
one of the first settlers of the county. He swam the
Wapsie many a time before iron bridges were inaugu-
rated. Mr. Searls is a man of great energy, has accu-
mulated quite a handsome property, and is one of the
drive-wheels .of the business community. Mr. Searls
was married in 1853 to Miss Maria Kane, of Illinois.
They have two children: George W., aged twenty-six,
single, makes his home with his father, who is also en-
gau-ed in the stock business; Edward P., aged nineteen,
single and at home. We must add that it is a pleasure
to meet such people as Mr. and Mrs. Searls.
\ Orsamus Wilder was born in Rutland county, Vermont,
J in 1805. At the age of twenty-four he moved to Niagara
county, New York, where he remained about five years,
when he moved to Lorain county, Ohio, remaining there
about twenty-five years, when he came to Iowa, in 1864,
locating in Perry township, on the farm .of eighty acres
where he still resides. He was married in 1835 to Miss
Elmira Wright, who died in about one year after their
marriage. He was married a second time in 1838, to
Miss Betsy Francisco, of Ohio. They have one child —
Elmira, aged thirty-one, married in 1877 to Mr. William
Baker, living in Michigan. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilder
are members of the Congregational church, and are
highly esteemed.
W. R. Davenport was born in the State of New York
in 1827. Came to Iowa in 1865. Purchased the farm
of eighty acres where his family now resides. He is a
railroad engineer by trade, at which most of his time is
employed. Built a fine house the same year he came to
Iowa, and built a barn about six years later. Has planted
shade and fruit trees, and put his (arm under a good state
of cultivation, so that now he has one of the good farms
of the township. Mr. Davenport was married in 1852 to
Mrs. Phoebe Ann Austin, of New York. Have three
children — Emma T., twenty-seven, married Peter Rubert
in 1878, living in Perry township; Charles E., twenty-one ;
William Orville, nineteen ; both single. Charles is a fire-
man on the railroad. William O. is living at home and
taking care of the farm. Mrs. Davenport, by her first
marriage with Mr. Austin, has two children — Lonzo
Austin, thirty-one, living at home; Daniel, twenty-nine,
married and living in Burlington, a conductor on the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad.
William H. Vincent was born in Greene county, Ohio,
in 182 1. At the age of thirteen he moved with his father,
W. H. Vincent, to Delaware county, Indiana, where he
entered eight hundred acres of land and lived upon it un-
til his death, which took place in April, 1875. Mr. Wil
liam Vincent came to Iowa in 1856, locating in this
county, Washington township, where he purchased a farm
and remained eight years. Bought the farm of one hun-
dred acres where he now resides, in Perry township, in
1864. Built a cabin by joining two log structures, one
twelve by fourteen, the other sixteen by eighteen. Roofed
with split three-foot clapboards. In 1S67 he built his
present residence, and in 187 i he built a barn. Has set
out shade and fruit trees, and placed his farm under a
perlect state of cultivation, so that now he has one of Bu-
chanan's good farms. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent, as will be
seen by this sketch, were among the first settlers of this
county. In those days the country was wild, inhabited by
the wild red man and the wild animals of the plains.
Neighbors were scarce and luxuries of life few. Mr.
Vincent was married January 23, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth
J. Booth, born in Virginia in 1822. Have six children
living, four daughters and two sons — H. W., thirty-five,
married Mrs. Mary Deacon, in 1865, living three-quarters
of a mile east of his father; J. O., thirty, married Miss
Maggie Weliman, in 1877, living one quarter of a mile
east of his father; Nannie A., twtnty six; Rinda, twenty-
two; Mattie, eighteen; Lizzie, fifteen; all living at home,
and constitute a bright, happy family circle. We find
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent verv comfortably situated in their
own home, surrounded by relatives and friends. They
are among the substantial citizens of the township, mor-
ally, politically, and financially. Mr. Vincent is a good,
square Republican.
J. W. Booth was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1828.
Came to Iowa in 1869, locating in Perry township.
Bought a farm of one hundred and thirteen acres, where
he still resides. Set out shade and fruit trees, and put his
farm under a good state of cultivation, so that now he has
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
317
one of the best farms of the county. He makes farming
his special business. Was married in October, 1857, to
Miss Catharine Phillips, of Ohio birth. Have seven
children — J. F., twenty-two ; Mary A., twenty; Hannah
M., eighteen; James O., sixteen; Hattie E., eleven;
Luella, nine; Thomas H., five; all living at home, and
constitute a most agreeable family. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Booth are members of the Methodist church. They are
among Buchanan's good citizens; they have the respect of
the community and the good-will of their neighbors.
Philan P. Hayes was born in Steuben county, New York,
1815. Lived with his father, Cephas Hayes (who died in
this county in 1867, at the advanced age of seventy-nine),
on the farm till he was twenty-one years old, when he
bought a farm of one hundred acres, and faimed till the
year 1855. He then came to Iowa, locating in Buchanan
county, and purchased a farm of four hundred acres,
where he still resides. Mr. Hayes was one of the very
first settlers of this county. When he came, there was
scarcely a house or fence in sight, but Indians could be
seen on every hand. In a word, this was a wild country,
and only tamed by the stout-hearted men of Mr. Hayes'
ability. He built a house, the year he came, nineteen by
twenty, and hauled his timber in wagons from Dubuque.
In the year 1876 he built a fine residence, large and
commodious, and one of the finest homes in Buchanan
county. Built a very fine barn in 1S67 ; and set out Iruit
and shade trees when he first came, so that now he raises
plenty of fruit, and possesses all the advantages of a fine
establishment. Mr. Hayes raises quite an amount of
stock, besides carrying on farming quite extensively. Mr.
Hayes was married July 9, 1836, to Miss Sarah Shaw, of
New York. Have two children — Guy C, thirty-four,
married and lives in Hampton, this State; Fay S.,
twenty-eight, single, and lives at home. We find Mr.
and Mrs Hayes very pleasant people and well off in
worldly possessions.
L. C. Koile was born in Indiana in 1S43. Lived with
his father, S. T. Koile, on the farm till he was twenty-one
years of age, when he enlisted in company A, One Hun-
dred and Sixtieth Indiana infantry. It being just at the
close of the war, he only remained about four months in
the service. Came to Iowa in 1865, locating in Buchanan
county. Moved on the farm where he now resides in
1870 ; has one hundred acres. Mr. Koile was married in
1864 to Miss Emeline Vincent, who died in 1868, leav-
ing one daughter, Mary, fourteen, living with her father.
Married the second time in 1870, to Miss Harriet A.
Oakley, of this county. Have four children — Rosa, nine;
Carlton, eight; Ralph, seven; Olive, five; all living at
home and constituting a fine family. Mrs. Koile has a
son, A. Eugene, twelve, who also makes his home with
them. We find Mr. and Mrs Koile very pleasantly situ-
ated on a nice farm, and helping to make up the good
neighborhood north of the Wapsie.
Mrs. Missourie G. Updyke was born in 1842, April 9th;
lived with her father, Samuel Gear, in the Province of
Quebec, until she was twenty-one years of age, when she
went to Michigan with her uncle, William Allen, in 1863;
married Mr. R. S. Updyke November 11, 1866; came to
Iowa May 6, i86g, locating on the farm of one hundred
and sixty acres, where Mrs. Updyke still residi.s. Mr.
R. S. Updyke died March 8, 1879. Have had five chil-
dren, three of whom are dead. Vice-President .Arthur's
father was Mrs. Updyke's father's school-teacher in his
boyhood, and Mr. Arthur is a cousin of some of Mrs.
Updyke's relatives. She has photographs of some of his
sisters. Mrs. Updyke is a very pleasant lady indeed, and
carries the features of a once beautiful lady; but life's
troubles and disappointments have made their marks of
care and silvered her raven locks.
David Brott was born in the State of New York, 1822.
At the age of twenty he moved to Michigan, where he
spent about thirty one years on the farm. In the year
1872 he moved to Iowa, locating in Jesup, where he pur-
chased a fine property and set up a wagon-shop, which
he has run ever since; keeps two men in his employ con-
tinually. Mr. Brott was married in 1844 to Miss Jane
Hoffman, of Michigan. Have only one child living —
Julia A. — aged thiity-three, married to Mr. C. Smith, and
lives in Jesup. We find Mr. Brott one of Jessup's staunch
men. Is a good mechanic and takes an interest in the
welfare of his city.
Mrs. Rebecca McLaughlin was born in Warren county,
Ohio, in 1830. At the age of twenty she married Mr.
Hiram C. McLaughlin, and moved on a farm in Butler
county, Ohio, where they remained till they came to
Iowa, which was in 1858. Bought a farm of one hun-
dred and twenty acres one mile east of Littleton, where
Mrs. McLaughlin still resides. They built a fine brick
house and put the farm under a fine state o( cultivation.
Mr. McLaughlin died May 14, 1872, leaving a family of
seven children — Mary K., aged twenty-seven, married
William Sankey, living at Littleton ; Otho, aged twenty-
five, married Frances Keiser, live in Kansas; Katie, aged
twenty-two, married Moses A. Bance, farming the home
place; Charles, aged nineteen, Adelia, aged eighteen,
married George Wellman and lives in Iowa; James B.,
aged fifteen, Henry C, twelve, single children, make their
mother's house their home. They are a fine family and
have a nice farm and home.
Samuel Miller was born in Preble county, Ohio, in
1833; lived with his father, Adam Miller, and attended
school part of the time till he was fifteen years of age.
Assisted his father at the caipenter's trade till he was
twenty-one years old. At the age of twenty-two he and
his father were partners in the grocery business in New
Lexington, Ohio. Sold out in 1856 and engaged in the
carpenter business about one year, when he came to
Iowa and purchased fifty acres of land in Perry township.
This was in the days that tried men's souls. The tide
of inflation had just receded, emigration had stopped,
banks had failed, and the circulation of money had al-
most stojjpcd. Mr. Miller engaged at farming and car-
pentering, just as he could to make things go. Used to
work for corn and, having no team, used to carry it two
miles on his shoulder to a corn-cracker and return with
his grist on his back. The railroad came through as far
as Independence in 1859. Good crops that year cheered
the people up, and in i860 they had the great crop of the
31^
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
west. In 1 865 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres
where he now resides, and has since added to it till he
now owns four hundred and forty-one as good land as
lies out doors, worth at least, with the present improve-
ments, twenty-five dollars an acre. In 1867 Mr. Miller
built his house and barn, set out wind-breaks, fruit and
shade trees, till now he has one of the most pleasant
homes in Buchanan county.
In addition to his extensive farming Mr. Miller has
made stock raising a very prominent branch of business,
keeping as high as two hundred and twenty-five head in
all. Mr. Miller was married, October, 1855, to Miss
Sarah A. Wikle, of Ohio. They have four children —
Alonzo P., aged twenty-three, Mattie E., aged twenty-one,
William C, aged seventeen, Warren F., aged fourteen.
Alonzo and Warren are at home helping their father, and
William C. is attending school at Hopkins. Mattie E. is
an unusually intelligent and attractive young lady. Has
taught several very successful and satisfactory schools
and displays considerable taste in the art of landscape
painting. Mr. Miller is a gentleman in every sense of
the word, and politically believes in greenbacks.
John Keane was born in Clair county, Ireland,
in 1852; lived on his father's farm and worked his
place untill he was twenty-one years of age, when
he came to America. He stopped first in Fitch-
burgh, Massachusetts. Engaged in laying water pipes
in that city about two months when he went to Chicago
and worked in the rolling mills two and one-half
years. Then came to Iowa and worked two years for
Mike Consodine, on the farm. In 1878, he married
Miss Ellen Consodine of this county. They moved
on the farm of one hundred acres where they still
live and which they own. They are very comfortably
settled and seem to be enjoying their prosperity.
John C. Melrose was born in this county in 1859.
Attended school and lived upon the old home farm till
the summer of 1879, when he taught the Littleton school.
The following year he attended school at Hopkinton
(Leno.x collegiate school), taught last fall's term of the
Littleton school and is at present teaching a very suc-
cessful winter term at the same place. Mr. Melrose is
known throughout the county as a very fine scholar and
successful teacher. Is a gentleman in every sense of the
word, and very successful as a disciplinarian.
Miss Jane bpragg was born in New Brunswick, in the
year iSii. Was married to William Spragg, in 1829.
Came to Iowa in 1857, locating in this county, bought
a piece of land and have lived on the same for the last
eighteen years. Mr. Spragg died July 4, 1858, leaving a
family of ten children — Frederick, who died in the army
in 1863, at the age of thirty-three; William, now forty-
eight; Daniel S., forty-six; Elizabeth, forty-four; Mary,
forty-two; George, thirty-nine; Sarah, thirty-five; Eunice,
thirty-one; Christopher, twenty-eight; Abner M., twenty-
six. All the children are married and doing well, some
in this State and some in western homes. Mrs. Spragg
is a very pleasant, smart woman, and seems much
younger than her age indicates.
J. B. McKibben was born in Greene, Michigan, in
1853. He resided with his father, William McKibben,
on his farm and attended school till he was twenty-one
years old. His father was taken away by death when J.
B. was about twelve years old. After his m.ijority he
run the home farm in the interests of the family, there
being three sisters and two brothers. When he was
twenty-five years of age he came to Perry township and
farmed for E. C. Little. Since then his time has been
occupied in accumulating the almighty dollar.
W. W. Grooms was born in Greene county, Pennsyl-
vania, in the year 1837. At the age of six he moved
with his parents to West Virginia, where he remained till
he was seventeen years of age, when he came to Burling-
ton, Iowa and run a saw-mill for his brother, O. P.
Grooms, for six years. In the year 1859 he went to
Pikes Peak and remained in the territories till 1875. In
1864 he enlisted in company A, Seventh Iowa cavalry,
Served his country three years, and was mustered out.
In 1875 Mr. Grooms located in this county and pur-
chased a farm of one hundred and five acres, where he
still resides. He deals in stock considerably. He has
his work done on the farm in the summer and works at
the carpenters' trade himself. Mr. Grooms was married
in 1869 to Miss Lizzie Chidester, of Jefferson county,
Pennsylvania. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs.
Grooms are very pleasant people. They have friends on
every hand and a mutual interest in the neighbors. Mr.
Grooms is a Republican.
C. H. Little was born in La Salle county, Illinois, in
1847. He came to Iowa with his parents in 1853, and
located where Littleton now stands and from whose fam-
ily it was named. Mr. Little's father died in 1856. Mr.
C. H. Little made his home with his mother and family
till he was twenty-one years of age, when he married
Miss Elmira M. Hovey (daughter of E. S. and M. M.
Hovey), of Iowa. They have three children — Sarah C.
ten years old; C. H., seven years old, and Mattie A.,
one year old. They constitute a bright and happy
family. Mr. Little and his brother, E. Little, own three
hundred and twenty acres of land, where Mr. C. H. Little
resides. They are very extensively engaged in the stock
business, usually keeping from one hundred to one hun-
dred and fifty head of hogs, and from fifty to one
hundred head of cattle, and from ten to twenty head of
horses. Mr. Little has at present the finest lot of fat
hogs that it was ever our pleasure to see. Mr. Little is
a good, square Republican and a brother of the distin-
guished Captain Little, a sketch of whose life will be
found in the chapter of General Biography.
L.J. Labour was born March 10, 185 2, in Steuben coun-
ty. New York. He lived with his father, Peter Labour,
on the farm till he was fifteen years of age, when he came
with his father to Iowa, locating on the farm where he
now resides in Perry township. Since then he has been
engaged in business in Independence and Jesup about
three years. Mr. Labour studied law and was admitted to
the bar in 1877. He practiced in Colfax, Jasper county,
Iowa, two years, when his father's health failed and he
had to return home to assist him with his business. Mr.
Labour was married October 23, 1872, to Miss Eva A.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
3'9
Rich, of Jesup. They have one child — Hattie Beatrice
"will be five years old next February twenty-third day" —
Hattie's own words. Mr. Labour is justice of the peace,
and from his natural ability together with his knowledge
of law we should judge he may look forward to success.
John Cooper was born in England in 1831. He
helped his father at the carpenter trade till he was about
twenty years of age; assisted in building the Crystal Pal-
ace in London, and other large buildings of that coun-
try. At the age of twenty-two he came to America,
locating in Elgin, Illinois. He made his father's house
there his home for about two years, when he was mar-
ried and moved to Minnesota, Spring Valley, remaining
there two years. As some will remember, the winters of
1855 and '56 were noted for heavy falls of snow in that
region. The people were almost driven to desperation
on account of the hardships that followed. The snow
was so deep that travel was suspended, food for people
and provisions for cattle became scarce, and death stared
many in the face. People thought themselves well off if
they had a little bran and shorts to eat. They killed
their cattle to keep them from starving to death. Mr.
Cooper operated a brick kiln through the two summers
very successfully. He returned to Illinois and pur-
chased a small farm, and engaged in threshing three
years. In the year 1861 he moved to Perry township,
and purchased a farm of eighty acres, on which he still
resides, but has since added eighty acres. He has al-
ways been quite e.xtensively engaged in the stock busi-
ness, and has had as high as ninety-nine head of cattle at
a time. At present he is engaged in the dairy business,
and milks twenty-three cows. Mr. Cooper was married
in 1855, April 5th. He has nine children: E.
Resa, twenty-four; Mary Ann, twenty-three ; Walter H.,
twenty-one ; Frederick W., nineteen ; Hattie J., eigh-
teen; Martha M., fourteen; Ivis .\. and Ida E., twins, aged
thirteen. These two young girls look so much alike
that their nearest neighbors cannot tell them apart.
The next is Fannie B., aged seven. These children all
make their father's house their home except E. Resa,
who is married to Mr. George Lochhard, and lives in
Nebraska.
We find Mr. Cooper, after many hard fights with the
world's difficulties, now very comfortably situated on his
own farm — showing what a man can do if he only has
the stout heart to brave the difficulties that overwhelm so
many.
Frank Rust was born in Switzerland in the year 1836.
He came to America with his father's family at the age
of eight. At the age of fourteen he went to Wisconsin.
At the age of sixteen he came to Iowa with his father,
who bought the farm where Mr. Frank Rust now lives,
and which he owns. In the year 1863 Mr. Rust en-
listed in company B, Fourth Iowa cavalry; served his
country till the war closed, when he returned home, and
where he has resided ever since. Mr. Rust was mar-
ried in 1855 to Miss Alvina Heath, of Black Hawk
county, Iowa. They have ten children living : Edwin
J., twenty-three, married Emma Trumbar, and is living
in Kansas; Jane L., twenty-one, married Peter Trumbar,
and is living in Kansas; Martha L., twenty; Mary E.
seventeen; Anna M., fourteen; Dora B., twelve; Frank-
lin J., ten ; William H., five ; Eva C, three ; Edison
Garfield, aged six months. All the unmarried children
make their father's house their home, and constitute a
ver)i happy family. Mr. Rust has a good home and a
fine farm of seventy-three acres. He came here when
this country was one bleak, unbroken prairie, but he has
stuck to his text till he now has neighbors and friends
on every hand. Mr. Rust is one of Iowa's Republican
sons of liberty.
J. D. McNally was born in Upper Canada, in the town
of West Hoxburgh, in 1838. He lived with his father,
John McNally, and attended school, and farmed until
the age of twenty-one, when he came to the United
States, locating in Bangor, New York, where he again
engaged in farming. In the year 1862 he enlisted in
company F, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment.
New York infantry, and served his country nearly three
years, when the war was closed and he was mustered
out. He was a faithful soldier indeed; never off duty one
hour, never taken prisoner nor wounded, though in six-
teen hard fought engagements, where men fell all around
him. He carried on farming about five years after he
came home from the war, after which he came to Iowa,
and made his home for one year with Mr. R. S. Woos-
ter. In 187 1 Mr. McNally bought the property where
he now resides, in the suburbs of Jesup. Mr. McNally
was married in 1866 to Miss Leruga Leonard, of Mora,
New York. They have only one child, Lottie Belle,
aged nine years. Mr. McNally has a fine home and
family. Mr. McNally is an indispensable man in his
neighborhood, is a splendid hand in sickness, and is
everybody's friend. Mr. and Mrs. McNally have been
members of the Methodist Church for the last twenty
years. Mr. McNally is a steward of the same and treas-
urer of the Sunday-school, and is also one of the city
council.
E. C. Gates was born in Halifax, Windham county,
Vermont, in 1852. He moved to Illinois with his fath-
er's family in 1854. He remained there on a farm about
seven years, when they came to Iowa, locating in Fair-
bank township. In the year 1862 they returned to In-
diana, but remained only one year, when they returned
and located on the same farm they had left. Mr. E. C.
Gates has been a man of general business, besides spend-
ing considerable time at school. He taught some, and
afterwards attended school at Hopkinton. He after-
wards graduated at a commercial school in Indepen-
dence. Since then he has been engaged principally in
teaching school. He has clerked in a store and attended
the post office. The last two summers he has been en-
gaged in the creamery business. Mr. Gates is still en-
joying single blessedness. He is a man of marked abil-
ity, and is one of Buchanan's good teachers. He was
appointed numerator in the last census of Fairfield town-
ship.
George Parish was born in King Sutton, North
Hamptonshire, England, March 13, 1820. He came to
America when he was eight years of age. At the age of
320
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTV, IOWA.
ten he went to learn the cabinet trade, and worked at it
five years. In the meantime his employer moved to
Michigan. He returned to New York State at the age of
seventeen. In the year 1840 he returned to Michigan,
and worked out two years, and earned money and bought
forty acres of land. The first year he engaged with Mr.
W. W. Upton, whose wife took sick, and Mr. Parish
was sent on horseback in search of a girl. He soon re-
turned with one on his horse behind him. The same is
now his wife, and this little circumstance is often talked
over by them and remembered as a happy romance.
They were married in the spring of 1841, and moved on
to his forty acre farm. They lived on it two years.
After several changes in location, he sold a farm of one
hundred and sixty-six acres in 1S65, and came to Iowa
on a visit. He returned and bought a mill property in
his own town, Cascade, and run it about three years,
when he sold out and moved to Iowa, it being the year
1868, and bought a farm of three hundred and twenty-
two acres, where he still resides. Mrs. Parish's maiden
name was Betsy Ann Cranson. They have two daught-
ers of their own and an adopted son: Charlotte, aged
thirty-eight, married to Mr. E. D. Johnson, a merchant
of Littleton; Mary, aged thirty-six, married to J. D.
Coger, who also resides in Littleton; Charles H., the
adopted son, is also married, and lives at Otterville.
Mr. Parish has all his life kept a daily account of his
business transactions. They are a happy, kind-hearted
couple, and seem to be enjoying their last days, as well
as their first.
George B. Hovey was born in Orleans county, Ver-
mont, in 1845. Came to Iowa at the age of nine years
with his lather, George Hovcy, now living at Indepen-
dence. At the age of seventeen, Mr. G. B. Hovey
commenced doing for himself Bought a farm in Da-
kota, and farmed it four years, when he sold out and re-
turned to this county, on a six months visit. Went to
Illinois in 1871 and engaged in the pump business. At
the expiration of four years he came to Iowa, and moved
on his father's farm in Perry township, where he still re-
sides. Mr. Hovey was married July 3, 1872, to Miss
Emma J. Ross, of Illinois. They have two children:
Edmund L., aged seven years, and Mary A., aged five
years. Mr. Hovey is quite extensively engaged in the
stock and dairy business, and is making money. They
are a pleasant, happy family, and have an interest in
their neighbors and their neighboi^s have an interest in
them.
Mrs. L. A. Bryant was born in the State of New York,
in 1826, and is the daughter of George Leonard. She
married Mr. D. C. Bryant in 1854, and lived in New
York fourteen years after marriage, moving to Jesup in
1868, where they purchased a farm, where the family
still reside. Mr. Bryant died in May, 1879, leaving a
family of three children: Eli J., aged twenty-five years;
single, and helps carry on the farm; Adna L., aged
twenty-two years, married Mr. .Arthur Hutton, editor of
the Argus in Webster City, Iowa; Elmer E., single, and
helijing his brother on the farm. Mrs. Bryant has a nice
property and is keeping the family together, acting well
the part of a daughter by caring for Mr. Bryant's mother,
who is seventy-three years of age, and who makes her
home with Mrs. Bryant. Her sons are exemplary young
men, and have the friendship and respect of the commu-
nity. They are perpetuating the good name their father
bequeathed to them.
C. A. Marsh was born in the State of New Jersey, in
the year 1859. He attended school most of the time
until the year 1875, w^hen he came west to look after
some lands his father had previously purchased, being in
all sixteen hundred and seventy acres, and situated
mostly in Buchanan and Black Hawk counties. He at
once commenced the improvement of a seven hundred
acre farm just outside the limits of Jesup. He has built a
beautiful house, set out shade and fruit trees, and adorned
the place in every way calculated to make a pleasant
home. He has now two large barns, and is erecting the
third. Mr. Marsh is quite a lover of fine hor?es, havmg
at the present time, seventy head. He ships his fine
horses to New York city, and sells them in the high
priced markets. He has some exceedingly fine horses,
one of which cost him four thousand dollars. Mr.
Marsh was married in 1878, to Miss Eva Baily. They
have a fine little girl who, it is hoped, will live to enjoy
with them their many advantages and their attractive
home.
R. E. Martin was born in the city of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, in the year 1845. At the age often years
he moved with his parents, three brothers and three sis-
ters, to Winnebago county, Illinois. Here he attended
school two years, when his father died, after which he
was called upon to help maintain the family. At the age
of eighteen he entered the army in company A, One
Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois. He served his
country two years faithfully and was never off duty one
hour during the whole time. After his army life he
taught school for five years. In the year 1869 he mar-
ried Miss S. A. Brannan, of Winnebago county, Illinois.
In the year 1870, he moved with his family to Jesup.
Here he ojjcned a barber-shop and run it very success-
fully for one year. He then returned to Illinois and re-
mained only a short time. After several changes in bus-
iness he entered the services of Laird & Brother (mer-
chants of Jesup), as clerk, a position he retained six
years. At the expiration of this time, he went into the
dry goods and jewelry business on his own responsibility.
At the end of one year he closed out the dry goods bus-
iness and bought a restaurant stock. The year following
he was elected postmaster. This transaction, by the way,
demonstrates the popularity of Mr. Martin, as the op-
position was strong, but Mr. Martin's friends brought
him through with a handsome majority. He has been
postmaster ever since, to the entire satisfaction of all.
His family consists of his wife, Charles W., aged eight
years, Carl E., aged six years, and Nettie, aged three
years. Mr. Martin, through his own exertions has se-
cured a competency of this world's goods. He has, ever
since his connection with Jesup, been a servant of the
Ijeople by holding different offices of trust.
A. W. Farwell was bo:n in Caledonia county, Ver-
.MR. CHARLES MELROSE.
The late Mr. Charles Melrose was a native of Scotland,
being born near Edinburgh in the year 1803. He made
that country his home till he was twenty-five years of age.
His parents died when he was small, and he was raised
by a man by the name of Boston. In the year 1828 he
came to America, locating in Saratoga county, New York
State, where he remained several years. He was then
married to Miss Isabel Bunyon, and moved to Michigan,
where Mrs. Melrose died about four years afterwards,
leaving one child, then two years of age, but now forty-
five years of age, the wife of Barney Brown, and resides
at Lester, low^a. In the year 1840 Mr. Melrose went to
Indiana, where he remained about nine years, engaging
in farming principally. In the year 187 1 he and Miss
Hester Price were united in marriage in Wells county,
Indiana. In the fall of 1849 ^^^- Melrose came to Iowa,
locating in Perry township, where he purchased about
four hundred acres of land and made his home till his
death, which was in the year 1876, March 9th. He left
a family of six children by his present wife. Their fam-
ily consisted of twelve children, six of whom are not
living. Jane, the oldest, is the wife of Truman Briggs,
and resides in Dakota. The next oldest living, Charles,
is now thirty-four years of age and engaged in caring for
the home place. Nancy A. is the wife of Nelson Kerry,
also residing in Dakota. James is twenty-nine years of
age, and is foreman in a livery stable in Alma, Colorado.
Thomas, twenty-six years of age, is in connection with
his brother Charles, in the interest of the homestead.
John, the youngest child, is twenty-two years of age. He
is engaged in acquiring an education and teaching school.
Mr. Melrose's emigration to this county was in such an
early day that the people in different parts of the county
were their neighbors, and they knew them nearly all. At
the time they raised their log houses they had to go to
Quasqueton to secure help. A little incident of interest,
related by Mrs. Melrose, is worthy of notice, illustrating
the life of the early settler. On one occasion the Indians,
who were frequent annoyances, came to their house
begging. The only food in the house being offered
them, which was only sifted bran, was indignantly re-
fused. They left for a few minutes, when they returned
blackened and making rude demonstrations. The men-
folks being away from home, Mrs. Melrose and Mrs.
Clark and their children being the only occupants, of
course agitation spread through the house. Presently a
fire was kindled to the long grass, which soon surrounded
the premises. .Mrs. Clark's first impulse was to pray,
which suggestion Mrs. Melrose followed only for a mo-
ment, when she arose statmg that faith without works was
dead, and hurried out to fight the fire. With the assist-
ance of two gentlemen who saw^ the flames and came to
the rescue, they succeeded in conquering the fire with-
out its doing any further harm to Mr. Melrose's property.
This fire spread over quite a scope of the country, doing
considerable damage in neighboring localities.
Those who had the privilege of meeting Mr. Melrose
in those early days can testify to his generosity and phil-
anthropic spirit. Many are the meals he gave to new-
comers, and many are the days he spent in helping emi-
grants locate their farms, and many are the times he has
stood in other men's stead when debt and ruin were
crowding them hard. These are recollections of Mr. Mel-
rose that many will take pleasure in rehearsing. He was
universally loved and respected; and the honor done
him by his sons in having his portrait inserted in this
work is certainly a just and dutiful act upon their part.
Mr. Melrose was a Christian gentleman, a member of
the Presbyterian church and an elder of the same.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
321
mont, in the year 1S50. He lived on the farm with his
father and attended school till he was fifteen years of
age, when he moved with his parents to Iowa Falls, Har-
den county, Iowa, where the family, except himself, still
reside. He engaged as an apprentice in the printing of-
fice of M. C. Woodruff (editor of Iowa Falls Sentinel),
and remained with him four years. In the year 1872,
he married Miss Ella Dodge, of Iowa Falls, and moved
to Siou.K City, Iowa. He worked on the Sioux City Joiir-
nal, with Perkins Brothers, two years. From thence he
went to North Piatt, Nebraska, their he published a pa-
per called the Westei-n Nebraskian. At the expiiation of
one year, he sold out to Mr. \\ . H. Michael, and came
to Jesup, Perry township, this county, where he still re-
sides. He purchased a half interest in the office and
paper called the Jesup Vindieator. At the expiration
of nine months he sold out to his partner and engaged
in farming. One year proved to him that farming it was
hard work, and so he returned to his old occupation. In
the fall of 1879, he started the paper called the Buchan-
an County Vindicator, which he still manages very suc-
cessfully. Mr. Farwell is a number one journalist. His
paper has a wide circulation and is one of the leading
papers of the county ; purely Republican and is not afraid
to speak its sentiments.
John Cameron was born in Lancaster county, Ohio,
in 181 1 ; came to Iowa in 1850, locating in Perry town-
ship, where he bought a farm, and in 1862 sold it, pur-
chasing a farm south of Jesup. He remained there
about eight years, when he sold it and bought a grocery
store in Jesup. This business he continued three years,
when he traded it for the farm now owned by William
Slaughter. On this farm he lived two years, then moved
to Otterville and again engaged in the grocery business.
He continued it only two years, when he sold it, and
buying a farm, rented it and remained in town two years.
Then he sold his farm, and again went into the grocery
business at Jesup. At the end of two years, he closed
out his stock and moved to the farm where he now re-
sides. Mr. Cameron's first wife was Miss Mary Rine-
hart, of Indiana. She died in 1849, leaving six children.
In 1852 he married Mrs. Rachel Rinehart, of Indiana.
They have two children — Anice, aged twenty-three, wife
of F. E. Randall, harness maker at Jesup; and W. T.,
who married Miss Cora Hines, and lives with his father,
farming the place. Mr. Cameron is one of the first set-
tlers of Buchanan county, and has been familiar with its
history and rapid development.
Sarah C. Little was one of the first who settled in
Buchanan county. Her husband, Moses Little, came
to Iowa from La Salle county, Illinois, in the year 1852.
Mr. and Mrs. Little were formerly from New Hamp-
shire. Mr. Little purchased a section of land when
he came to this county, it being the ground that Lit-
tleton now occupies, and his name the town bears.
Mr. and Mrs. Little came to this county with a fam-
ily of six children: Martha, who is now forty-one years
of age and the wife of B. C. Hale, living at Quasque-
ton; Ebenezer, aged thirty-eight, married and farming
the home place; Electa B., aged thirty -six, married to
T. K. Hovey and living at Littleton; Edmund C, who
died in the year 1874, at the age of twenty-nine (was
captain in company C, Ninth Iowa infantry, receiving
his commission w-hen lacking three days of eighteen
years of age, and died from the effects of a wound re-
ceived while serving his country); Charles H., aged
thirty-four, married and living on his own farm ; Moses,
aged thirty-two, married, and in the mercantile business
at Lowell, Massachusetts. The Little family, as will be
seen in different parts of this history, have been con-
nected very conspicuously with the interests of Buchan-
an county. They now own about six hundred acres,
besides C. H.'s farm of two hundred and thirty-six acres.
They are among the prominent citizens of the county,
and are honoring the good name left by Moses Little.
William N. Comfort was born in Canada in the year
1 82 7, and came to the United States at the age of eigh-
teen, locating in Cook county, Illinois. In 1855, he
purchased a farm of eighty acres. In 1869 he sold
his farm, and coming to Iowa, he purchased the farm of
two hundred and forty-four acres where he now resides,
in Perry township. He built the nice house and barn,
and set out the fine shade and fruit trees, that now make
this one of the fairest farms in Buchanan county. Mr.
Comfort was married in 1849 to Miss Matilda Blackman,
of St. Charles, Illinois, and they have seven children.
Z. A., aged thirty, married and lives on his own farm,
about one mile east of his father. W. J., aged twenty-
eight, is married and lives on a farm south of Jesup.
George Nelson, aged twenty-six, is married and lives on
a farm opposite his father's. E. W., twenty-two, is sin-
gle and lives at home. Elmer Ellsworth, seventeen,
and Mary M., fourteen, both live at home. Mr. Comfort
is one of the leading men of Buchanan county, and has
by his own exertions accumulated quite a handsome
property. He is very extensively engaged in the stock
and dairy business. Mr. Comfort, though well off in
this world's goods, does not allow that to occupy his en-
tire time and attention; he is an ardent Christian and a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He al-
ways has a word of cheer for the depressed in spirit,
and is ever ready to turn his fellow man from the paths
of vice and sin to the way of life everlasting; and though
he has one of the finest houses in the county, he gave
liberally when his society built the Lord's house in
Jesup.
Russell Andrews was born in Broome county. New
York, in 181 2, and moved to Chicago at the age of
twenty-three, which was before the now famous city was
an incorporated village. Mr. Andrews lived in the same
county and watched its growth up to its present mam-
moth proportions. In those days Indians infested that
neighborhood. In 1874 he came to Iowa and pur-
chased a farm in this county. Since that time he has
visited the mines of Colorado and several of the terri-
tories. In 1878 he purchased the beautiful farm where
he flow resides. Mr. Andrews was married April 23,
1837, to Miss Hulda Martin, of Massachusetts. She
died July 27, 1874, leaving seven children living. Lydia
M., aged forty, wife of Murat Sayles; Jessie I), thirty-
322
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
six, married and living in Denver, Colorado; Mary E.,
thirty-four, wife of D. A. Spearin, who also lives in Col-
orado; Cardine F., thirty-two, single and living in Mon-
tana; Willis E., twenty-six, married, and farming the
home place; Stephen R., twenty-four, single and living in
Michigan; and Betsy A., twenty, single and living in Lead-
ville. We find Mr. Andrews one of the go-ahead, har-
dy, energetic men who have developed the great re-
sources of Buchanan county. Though he is now an old
man, he is yet full of life and business. Mr. Andrews
is living with his son Willis, who has two nice twin boys,
seven months old. They are the first grandchildren of
the Andrews name, and it is hoped they will grow up
with the business ability of their grandfather.
William H. Gates was born in Lebanon, New Hamp-
shire, in 1819. At the age of twelve he moved with his
parents to Canada, but returned in two years to New
Hampshire. At the age of twenty he moved to Brad-
ford, Vermont, where he engaged in the carriage bus-
iness. In 1857 he came to Iowa and purchased a farm
of one hundred and thirty-four acres in Perry township,
where he still resides. He built a fine residence and set
out fruit and shade trees and improved his farm general-
ly. Mr. Gates has been the choice of his fellow citizens
at several elections. He has held the offices of township
trustee, and clerk, and at the last election was elected
supervisor. Mr. Gates was married in October, 1841, to
Miss Mira A. Hyde, of Bradford, Vermont. This sketch
is written on the twenty-ninth anniversary of his mar-
riage. They have eight children living: Wille H.,
aged thirty-six, married and lives in Osceola county,
Iowa; Jane H., aged thirty-four, married to VV. N. Har-
rison, and lives in Sterling, Illinois; Katie E., single, and
at home; George W., aged twenty-six; Charles H., aged
twenty-four; Edward F., aged seventeen; Harry W., aged
fifteen. Mr. Gates is very comfortably situated in this
world's goods, and is one of Buchanan's model farmers
and men, and has contributed largely to its growth and
welfare. He has friends wherever he is known and is
enjoying life as he has a right to. Mr. Gates invented
the first patent ever patented in this county-it being a well
auger, which has proved quite a success and has been a
source of profit to a considerable extent.
Alexander Boyack was born in Foifershire, Dundee,
Scotland, in the year 1829. He came to this country at
the age of twenty-three, locating in Rockford, Illinois,
where he remained in the grain business about four
years. He came to Iowa in 1S54, locating in Indepen-
dence. He opened a stone-quarry, and furnished a gen-
eral line of building material. He furnished the material
for the erection of the court house, and the school-
houses east and west. He hauled the first load of rock
to build the new magnificent asylum before the ground
was surveyed for its erection. In 1872 he bought the
farm in Perry township, where he still resides. He is
engaged in the stock-raising and dairy business quite ex-
tensively. Mr. Boyack was married in 1851, to Miss
Sarah Thompson, of Glasgow, Scotland. They have
seven children, all of whom make their father's house
their home. Mr. and Mrs. Boyack have been members
of the Presbyterian church ever since their marriage.
They are now the possessors of a splendid farm, a good
home and are among the substantial people of Buchanan
county.
W. S. Richmond was born April 5, 1841, in the Do-
minion of Canada. At the age of four he came to the
United States, locating in Cain county, Illinois, where he
attended school and worked on the farm until he was
thirteen years of age, w-hen he moved to Brema county,
Iowa, and worked in a mill and on a farm until he was
eighteen years of age. Shortly after he went to Pike's
Peak and engaged in the mining business; but returned
in about one year with some success in his pocket. Soon
after his return he enlisted in the three months' service.
After fulfilling this agreement he again enlisted in com-
pany H, .Second Iowa cavalry, and was under the doc-
tor's care, flat on his back, about one year afterwards.
As soon as he was able to be about, his patriotism again
manifested itself by reenlisting, but was not accepted on
account of disability. He engaged in the milling bus-
iness in Littleton as soon as his health permitted. He
continued at this about six years, when he purchased,
and moved on, the farm where he now resides, in Perry
township. Mr. Richmond is a heavy farmer and feeder.
He has on hand about one hundred head of hogs and
forty head of cattle, and is at present largely engaged in
the dairy business. Mr. Richmond was married on
March 7, 1863, to Miss Betsy M. Hovey, of Perry town-
ship. They have four children: Alice A., aged sixteen;
Adda M., age fourteen; Albert G., aged twelve; Aha
H., aged eight months. Mr. Richmond is serving his
second term as township trustee. He has a fine farrp
and all that the heart of man can ask for.
J. D. Dobell was born in Otsego county. New York,
in 1840. At the age of three he moved with his parents
to Chemung county, where he resided until sixteen years
of age, when he moved to St. Charles, Illinois, and went
into the baking business, but soon after changed his
plans and engaged in farming and teaming, until he en-
listed in company C, Nineteenth Illinois infantry. He
served his country three and one-half years. In the bat-
tle of Chickamauga he was severely wounded, from the
effects of which he lay in the hospital seven months.
He was a faithful soldier, but will be a disabled man all
his days. He returned home in 1864, and engaged in
teaming and carried on a restaurant about one year,
when he sold out the restaurant and engaged in the
butchering business, which he continued about one year,
and then clerked five years in a dry goods store. In
1876 he moved to Jesup, Iowa, bought a city block and
built a fine residence, where he still lives. Since com-
ing to Jesup he has been engaged in merchandise and
farming. One thing we wish to add to Mr. Dobell's
army history, is that though he lost the ball of his right
shoulder, he tried to join the army four months after his
wound; and though he was not admitted till seven, he
served his country eight months. The time he was
wounded he lay three days on the field. Mr. Dobell
was married August 20, 1865, to Miss E. M. Whitcomb,
of Palatine, Illinois. They have one child, Leroy, aged
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
323
nine. Mr. Dobell is now very pleasantly situated, with
friends on every hand, and seems prepared to enjoy life
in the future.
Charles Hoyt was born in Essex county, Vermont, in
1839. He, in company with an older brother, came to
Iowa in 1857, bought a saw-mill in Fayette county, and
run it until 1861, when Charles enlisted in company F,
Third Iowa infantry. He served his country through
the war, making in all about five years. He was in about
twenty different engagements, and was never wounded or
taken prisoner, in all the conflicts. After his return
from the army, he returned to Manchester, Iowa, where
he engaged in the grain business until the year 1869,
when he moved to Jesup. Here he built an elevator and
again engaged in the grain business. He bought as high
as one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of grain a year.
He was married, in 1866, to Miss B. F. George, of
Fayette. They have six children: Eva, aged twelve;
Minnie E., aged ten; Jesse H., aged eight; Charles E.,
aged si.\; Elwell E., aged four; and an infant, not named,
all of whom are at home, and constitute a very nice,
happy family. Mr. Hoyt is one of Jesup's prominent
business men. By his own exertions he has accumulated
quite a handsome little fortune.
T. F. Kenyon was born in Oneida county. New York,
in the year 1844. His father, O. L. Kenyon, was a
merchant in Rome, New York. Mr. T. F. Kenyon's
early days were spent in school. Clerked eight years for
the firm of R. V. Yates, of Utica, New York. In the
year 1862 he entered the army, enlisting in company G,
One Hundred and Seventeenth regiment. New York in-
fantry. After serving his country faithfully two years, he
came to Buchanan, and located in Jesup, in the year
1868, where he commenced the general dry goods busi-
ness, and continued it very successfully for four years,
when he sold his entire stock to C. M. Newton, and en-
gaged as travelling salesman for the firm of Boies, Fay &
Co., of Chicago. This business he followed three years,
and then returned to Jesup, and again engaged in the
general mercantile business, which he is carrying on still
and very successfully. Mr. Kenyon is one of those sub-
stantial business men who are the pillars of trade in their
community. His gentlemanly bearing and easy manners
command at once your respect and admiration. Is a
jolly bachelor, and enjoys life hugely.
F. E. Randall was born in Broome county. New York,
in the year 1856. His father. Nelson Randall, died
when F. E. was but four years old. He lived with his
mother, and attended school most of the time until he
was about fifteen years of age, after which he "worked on
the farm and helped his grandfather, Augustus Randall,
at the shoe trade. In the year 1874 he moved to this
county, and resided near Independence about one year,
when he came to Jesup and commenced the harness
and saddle business, with Mr. Thomas Styer. He soon
bought out his partner, and has ever since run the busi-
ness alone ; keeps hired help, and does all the business
of the town in this line. Mr. Randall was married in the
year 1876, to Miss Anice C. Cameron, of Jesup. They
have two children : Bertha, age 3 — birthday on the third
of October, same day as that of her father ; Fannie, aged
one year. Mr. Randall has a new and beautiful home.
Is doing a good business. Is a gentleman in every sense
of the word, commands the respect of the community,
and has friends on every side.
George S. Murphy was born in Delaware county,
Ohio, in the year 1846. His father, James Murphy,
was a farmer, and moved to Iowa, Black Hawk county,
in the year 1856, where he purchased a farm. Mr. G.
S. Murphy lived at home and attended school until the
year 1869, when he went to Dakota territory, and re-
mained two years. Returned to Sibley, Osceola county,
Iowa, and engaged in the agricultural im|)lement busi-
ness. In the year 1873 he was employed as cashier in
the Osceola County bank, which position he held five
yeais, when his health failing, he had to spend several
months in recruiting. In 1879 came to Jesup, and or-
ganized the bank of which he is cashier. Mr. Murphy
was married in the year 1872, to Miss Hattie Franklin,
of Black Hawk county, Iowa. Have one child, Mary,
aged six years. Mr. Murphy was the youngest son of a
family of seven children. Has had a wide experience in
the world. He is one of Jesup's foremost business men,
and, as a cashier, is a grand success.
H. G. Wolf was born in Monroe county, Pennsyl-
vania, in the year 1844. His father, John Wolf, moved
to Wisconsin in the year 1855. He lived at home and
in his father's family till he was seventeen years of age,
when he enlisted in company B, Thirty-first Wisconsin
infantry. Served his country nearly four years ; was
wounded at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia. Received six
gunshot wounds in the left side from his ankles to his
neck, losing middle finger on left hand at same time.
Was taken prisoner in same battle, and was held in the
prison pens four months, when, by a daring effort in com-
pany with thirty-five others, escaped at the peril of their
lives, and rejoined Sherman's army at Savannah, on the
twenty-third day of December, 1864. They then drove
Johnston's army to Raleigh, where he surrendered.
Was soon after mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky
(on January 21, 1865). Then settled in Brandon, Iowa,
and worked at the carpenter trade two years, when he
engaged in the furniture business in Vinton. In 1870
he came to Jesup, and engaged in merchandise, and
is still in that business. Mr. Wolf was married in 1872,
to Miss Bertha A. Smith, 01 Jesup ; has four children :
Ransome L., aged nitte; Cora^£is aged seven; Howard
H., aged five. The fourth is a little daughter of two
months, unnamed. Have a fine home,and, though they
do not keep the wolf from the door, are a happy family.
Mr. Wolf is a lover of fine stock, and makes it a branch
of his farming.
Jacob Hohl was born in Germany in 1844; lived with
his father in Canada, and attended school till about four-
teen years of age, when he started in the butcher busi-
ness with William Head, and remained with him fifteen
years. He then commenced the business of buying and
shipping cattle to eastern markets, at the same time car-
rying on the butcher business. This he continued until
1870, when he came to Iowa, locating in Jesup, where he
324
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
has since resided and wiiere he still carries on the butch-
ering business, and shipping stock east. Mr. Hohl was
married October 3, 1877, to Miss Jane Bocard, of Elora,
Ontario. They have two children — Frederick, twelve,
and Barbara, six years old. They constitute a happy
family, and live in a nice home. Mr. Hohl is one of Jes-
up's wide-awake business men, and has fought the battles
of life without inherited money to help him. He has a
nice farm and home, and much other property, to show
what can be done when a man works with a purpose.
Mary E. Grattan was born in Wayne county, New
York, in 1820. Her father, Richard Wilcox, died when
she was nine years old. She attended school, and se-
cured her own livlihood till she was twenty-eight years of
age, when she married M. A. Grattan, who proved a kind
husband and provided a good home. He is a black-
smith by trade and worked at it in Yorkshire for eight
years. They then moved to Waterloo, Black Hawk
county, Iowa, where Mr. Grattan worked at his trade four
years, when they moved to Jesup and engaged in farming
four years, after which he again returned to work at his
trade, and is still one of the village blacksmiths. By
their united industry they have bought a nice home and
are well prepared to spend their last days happily. While
Mr. and Mrs. Grattan are seventy-one years of age, they
are very active, and so full of life that they appear twenty
years younger than they really are.
R. S. Searls was born in Ohio, in the year 1823. He
lived with his father, Richard Searls, on the farm, till he
was twenty years of age, after which he attended school
three years in Kirtland, Ohio; taught school one term,
and clerked in his brother's (O. C. Searls) store two
years; made a visit to Illinois, and, on his return, in the
spring of 1848, was shipwrecked on Lake Michigan;
paid his last twenty-five cents for his breakfast at Paines-
ville, Ohio, having lost everything on the lake; engaged in
the stock business two years, after which he moved to Mc-
Henry county, Illinois, where he continued the stock
business three years. He moved to Iowa in 1855, bought
a section of land in Fayette county, and built a house
and improved the farm. Stock and grain were so low
that he rented his farm and engaged in merchandising in
Jesup. He was Jesup's first postmaster. He continued
in business four years, when he went to buying and ship-
ping stock. He bought the farm he now owns in 1865;
has built fine buildings, set out trees, and improved the
farm, until it is now among the best in Buchanan county.
Mr. Searls was married August 29, 1852, to Miss C. A.
Damon, of Ohio. They have two children — Arthur R.,
married and living in Jesup; Letta Bell, aged nine years.
As will be seen by this sketch, Mr. Searls has risen by
his own exertions from the starting point to a position of
independence.
R. R. Miller was born in Westminster, Windham
county, Vermont, in 1832. He lived with his father,
Robert Rodgers Miller, on his farm, and attended school
until he was twenty-one years old. (The man Rodgers
who skated away from the Indians on the Hudson river,
was a great uncle of -Mr. Miller's father, and for him he
was named Rodgers.) At the age of twenty-one Mr.
Miller went to work in the insane asylum at Providence,
Rhode Island ; was overseer of a ward in that institution
two years, when he went to Livingston county, Illinois,
and purchased a farm. He came to Iowa in the year
1866, and purchased a farm of three hundred acres, one
hundred and sixty of which is situated on the eastern
edge of Black Hawk county, and the balance on the
western edge of Buchanan county, all lying in one body,
being only divided by the county line. The first cost
was ten dollars per acre, and was raw prairie, without the
first improvement upon it. In the year 1867 he
built a house twenty-two by twelve, where his present
house now stands. In 1869 he built the very fine house
that now adorns the farm, which cost about three thou-
sand dollars. The same year he built the horse barn,
across the road from the house. In 1877 he built an-
other fine large barn just south of the horse barn. Dur-
ing this time Mr. Miller set out fruit and shade trees,
planted wind breaks, and put his farm under a splendid
state of cultivation. Mr. Miller has always made stock-
raising a business in connection with his extensive farm-
ing, and has as high as fifty head of cattle, one hundred
and twenty hogs, and eight horses at a time. He is at
present quite extensively engaged in the dairy business —
milks thirty-nine cows — has a third interest in a large
creamery on his farm, known as the Big Spring creamery,
a full account of which will be found in another part of
this history. Mr. Millei was married March 23, 1857, to
Miss Amanda Wright, of Westminster, Vermont. They
have no children of their own, but have adopted a bright
girl — Florence W. — six years old. Though Mr. Miller's
house and part of his farm is situated in Black Hawk
county, his Buchanan county friends wanted him lecog-
nized in the history that contained their interests. We
find Mr. Miller one of the drive-wheels of the commu-
nity, and, as will be seen by this sketch, he is one of the
big farmers of Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are
members of the Baptist church.
Eli Cutshall was born in Maryland, Frederick county,
in the year 1813. At the age of eight he emigrated with
his father, Samuel Cutshall, who was a soldier in the War
of 181 2, to Ohio, locating within two miles of Dayton,
which was at that time a very small town. Here Mr.
Cutshall lived upon a rented farm for fifteen years, when
they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father
entered a quarter section of land, which Mr. Cutshall
farmed till the year 1839. He came to Iowa in 1855,
and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres
in Perry township, where he still resides. He has since
bought land so that he now owns two hundred and thir-
ty-nine acres. When Mr. Cutshall came to this county
his nearest neighbor was one mile off, and only two
houses between him and Waterloo, long before the city
of Jesup ever was thought of Mr. Cutshall built his
house in 1866, planted fruit and shade trees, and put his
farm under good cultivation. Mr. Cutshall was married
in September, 1841, to Miss Dorcas Price, of Indiana.
They have eleven children living: Anna M., aged thirty-
seven, married Mr. James Thayer in 1872, and lives in
Nebraska; Samuel L., aged 35, married Jennie Moyer
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
325
in 1870, and lives in Clay county, Iowa: Thomas J.,
aged thirty-three, married Katie Wolf in 1871, and lives
in Osceola county, Iowa; Mary Jane, aged thirty-one,
married David Whitney in 1871, and lives in Osceola
county, Iowa; Sarah M., aged twenty-nine, married
Ankney Buckmaster, who died in 1879, and Mrs. Buck-
master now resides in Nebraska ; Kallie, aged twenty-
seven, single, and lives at home ; Joseph H., aged twen-
ty-five, single, and lives in Nebraska; George W., aged
twenty-one, Hester L., aged nineteen, Eli G., aged six-
teen, C. W., aged fourteen — all of whom make their
father's house their home. As will be seen by this sketch
Mr. Cutshall has always been a frontiersman, but as his
reward he is now very pleasantly situated in regard to
this world's goods. They are a fine family, and friends
to everybody. We are pleased to say that Mr. Cutshall
is a Republican. They are members of the Methodist
church. Mr. Cutshall's son, Samuel, enlisted in com-
pany B, Fourth Iowa cavalry, in 1863, served his country
over two years, and was in several engagements, and
helped drive old Forrest off his roost. He was never
off duty, nor wounded, nor taken prisoner.
Mrs. Caroline Hills was born in Grafton, New Hamp-
shire, in the year 181 1. At the age of six she moved
with her father, Daniel Richards, to the State of New-
York. She married Mr. Edwin Hills in the twenty-third
year of her age, in 1834. They moved to Walworth
county, Wisconsin, in 1S42. At the end of eighteen
months they moved to Winnebago county, Illinois, where
they remained till 1852, when they came to Iowa, locat-
ing one-half mile east of Littleton, where Mrs. Hills still
owns^sixty acres of land. Mr. Hills died May 11, 1854.
Mrs. Hills lost a little (laughter, Adelia, aged twelve
years, just five days pVe'Vious to her husband's death.
Mrs. Hill's son, William Oscar, enlisted in company G,
at the age of seventeen. He served his country faithful-
ly till he was taken sick as the army lay in the open field
hospital after the battle of Atlanta. He was sick four
weeks before he was taken to the hospital, and only lived
two weeks afterwards. He died at Chattanooga Novem-
ber 12, 1865, and was buried in the beautiful cemetery
there. To such dead boys, who died in their youth for
their country's cause and freedom's, the world cannot
give too much praise. Mrs. Hills is a member of the
Presbyterian church, and though she has no relatives in
this State, yet she is not alone. Her circumstances are
very pleasant and comfortable in this world's goods, and
she is spending her days in trying to make others happy.
In the year 1868 Mrs. Hills adopted Mary E. -McWil-
liams, at the age of eight, who has lived with her ever
since, and has borne the name of Mary E. Hills up to
her marriage with Mr. Elon D. Sanders, who farms Mrs.
Hills' farm. Though Mrs. Hills is sixty-nine years of
age, she has never needed to use glasses, and can thread
her needle by lamplight.
E. D. Johnson was born in Huron county, Ohio, in
1839. At the age of sixteen he moved with his father,
Jefferson Johnson, to Kent county, Michigan, where E.
D. worked on the farm and attended school till he was
twenty-two years of age, when he went to clerk for R. C.
Luce, at Grand Rapids, Michigan. He remained with
him five years, when he enlisted in company B, Twenty-
first Michigan volunteer infantry. He served his country
one year, when he was wounded and taken prisoner at
the battle of Stone River, Murfreesborough. He lay in
the world-renowned, infamous Libby prison three months,
when he was exchanged. Immediately afterward he re-
ceived an injury of the spine, which has since made him
an invalid, who can only walk by the aid of crutches.
Though he could not stand erect after his hurt, he re-
turned to his former employer and clerked for him. In
the year 1867 he engaged in the mercantile business
upon his own responsibility, and continued it for five
years in Michigan. In the year 1872 he came to Iowa,
locating in Littleton, and again engaged in the same
business, and has since been thus engaged till within the
last week he has sold to Mrs. Barber. Mr. Johnson's
ability as a business man cannot be excelled in the coun-
ty, and if it were not for his deplorable physical condition
he would be one of the drive-wheels of the community.
He is a good, honest Republican. They have two very
bright little daughters, who, it is hoped, will live to bless
them in years to come.
Rev. J. D. Caldwell was born in Mercer county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1828, and came to Iowa in 1856. His early
life was spent on the farm and in school. After coming
to Iowa he was a missionary under the auspices of the
Home board of missions of the Presbyterian church,
supplying all the Presbyterian churches in the counties
of Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Greene. He has made
Littleton his home for the last twenty-five years, and has
preached there and at Jesup all this time. Mr. Caldwell
had, previous to his theological studies, made medicine
a study. He took lectures in Chicago since engaging in
his ministerial labors, and has praciiced since 1875, in
connection with his pastoral duties. Mr. Caldwell was
married in 1856 to Miss Anna E. Hastings, of Pitts-
burgh, Pennsylvania. They have eight children : Orlan-
do, aged twenty; Luella H., aged nineteen; Hattie J.,
aged seventeen ; Sally D., aged fifteen; Alice M., aged
fourteen; Edith M., aged ten; John D., aged six; Jesse
B., aged four — all of whom make their father's house
their home. Rev. Mr. Caldwell graduated in Jefferson""
college, of Pennsylvania, in 1853, and has a diploma of
the same. He has also a diploma from the Society of
Inquiry of the same institution. He graduated in the
Western theological seminary, of Allegheny City, Penn-
sylvania, in 1856. He has braved the dangers and en-
dured the hardships of a frontier life in his Master's,
cause. His success as a physician has been such as
would satisfy greater professional ambition than his.
Mrs. Lucy L. Barber was born in the State qf New
York in the year 1822. Came to Iowa from Michigan
in the year 1S64, and located on a farm in this township
near Kier post office. Her husband, John A. Barber,
died in the year 187 1, at the age of fifty-nine, leaving a
family of three children: Eliza J., aged thirty-five, mar-
ried E. V. Barkley in 1870, they now reside in Grunby
county, Iowa; Etta D., aged twenty-five, married M. V.
Wilber in 1873, reside in this county; Emma J., aged
326
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
eighteen, iiiariied J. E. Hayward November lo, 1880,
engaged in the mercantile business in Littleton. He is
a promising young man, and we predict for him a suc-
cessful business career. Mrs. Barber has lived in Lit-
tleton for the past four years, and has been speculating
quite extensively in land and lots. Mrs. Barber is a
member of the Presbyterian church.
Richard Cook was born in Lincolnshire, England,
November 22, 1821. Worked at farming from about
1829 to 1844. In April of 1844 he crossed the waters
to Canada, landing in the city of Quebec June 9, 1844.
In four years he had saved enough from his wages to
send for his parents and brothers, and they came to
America in 1848. He, in connection with his brothers
and sisters, took care of their parents for some twenty
years, when they went to the better land. He was mar-
ried to Miss Margaret Robinson, of Warrensburgh, War-
ren county. New York, March i, 1849. She was of
Scotch parentage, coming directly from Scotlard to New
York. Mr. Cook and wife attended college at Fort Ed-
ward, New York, under the management of Rev. I. E.
King; pursuing the scientific course, with Greek and
French languages, and remained there about two years.
Taught eleven years in the city of Troy after leaving clo-
lege. Since teaching he has been employed as commer-
cial agent, selling linen goods on the roads, and so con-
tinues at this writing, November 25, 1880. Has been a
Methodist local preacher for the past thirty years. Has
lectured on temperance, also education and natural
science. Has reared four orphan children — two boys
and two girls, all of whom are doing quife well, and it is
hoped his labor is not lost. He is fifty-nine years of age
this day. Is hale and hearty, weighing two hundred and
thirty-eight pounds, and hopes to live a little longer to
fight the battle of life this side of the river, and then
hopes to have the company of those who are gone be-
fore. Mr. Cook is a Master Mason and not ashamed of
the credit — a member of the Evening Star Lodge No.
75, West Troy, New York.
H. M. Craton, M. D., was born in Richland county,
Ohio, in the year 1833. At the age of nine years he
moved with his father, George Craton, to Rousburgh
(now Ashland county), where he lived seven years and
attended school, when he moved to La Grange county,
Indiana. Resided there six years with his father on the
farm. Thence to Wisconsin with his father and located
in Greene county, where he commenced the study of
medicine. Attended lectures at Rush Medical college,
Chicago, and at Keokuk, Iowa. Commenced the prac-
tice of medicine in the year 1866 in the town of Anark,
Illinois. At the expiration of six months he located in
Rock Grove, Illinois. In the year 1867 he came to
Jesup and commenced the practice of medicine, where
he still practices and is doing a very satisfactory business.
Dr. Craton was married in 1854 to Miss Rachel Rough,
of Indiana. They have three children: George A., aged
twenty-four, married to Miss Cook and living in Jesup;
Ida A., aged twenty-two, married to W. H. Cook; Mar-
tha A., single. In 1862 Mrs. Craton was taken away by
death. The doctor was married again in 1865 to Miss
H. M. Hawley. They have one son, aged eight years.
Has been the people's choice for mayor and other posi-
tions of trust.
Elias Parker was born in the State of New York in the
year 1829. Lived with his father till he was three years
of age when his parents died (only two weeks between
their deaths). His uncle. Orange Parker, took him to
rear. He lived with his uncle and attended school most
of the time till he was about fifteen years of age, when
he went to his uncle Samuel Parker, in Eaton, Madison
county, and learned the blacksmith trade and worked as
journeyman until he was twenty-three years of age. He
then set up his own shop and made edged tools. It was
in those days when axes, etc., were made slower and bet-
ter than they are now. At the age of twenty-seven he
came to Iowa (1857), locating in this county at Little-
ton. Here he worked at blacksmithing for six years.
He then purchased a farm three miles west of Indepen-
dence and farmed four years; then rented and moved to
Jesup and started a smith and wagon shop, which he
still runs with hired help very successfully. He has
lately added to his business a large stock of general
hardware and is doing a fine business. Mr. Parker was
married when he was twenty-six years of age to Miss
Amelia C. Brown, of Madison county. New York. Have
five children: Ida, aged twenty-four; Olen B., aged
nineteen; Julia I., aged fourteen; Freddie E., aged ten;
Leora A., aged six. Mr. Parker has by his own exer-
tions accumulated quite a competence, and is a wide-
awake, pleasant business man, and one of the drive-
wheels of Jesup's business engine.
Isaac Muncey was born in the State of New York,
Utica, Oneida county, in 1829. He lived with his fath-
er in Utica until he was nine years of age, when his
family moved to Illinois, locating thirty miles west of
Chicago, in DuPage county. Mr. Muncey resided at
home upon the farm until his father's death, which
took place in 1840. His oldest brother being married,
and the next one soon after, it devolved upon him and a
brother next older than himself to look after the farm
and care for their mother. Mr. Muncey says then was
when he saw hard times, and a ten-cent piece looked as
big as a cart-wheel to him. They sold cows for eight
dollars that would to-day bring thirty-five. He says the
far west complains of hard times, but he thinks they
lack his experience or they would call them pretty good.
In 1866 Mr. Muncey moved to this county, and engaged
in stock raising and farming, often having on hand as
high as two hundred head of cattle at a time. In 1867
he broke seventy acres of land and sowed it all to
wheat, raising twenty-six bushels per acre, which he sold
in Jesup at one dollar and forty-five cents per bushel.
He owns three hundred and fifty acres of land and con-
trols it all, besides being interested in a creamery with
Messrs. Miller & Harris. He was married in 1856 to
Mrs. Hulda Arnold, of DuPage county, Illinois, and
they have four children: J. N., aged twenty-three; Fan-
ny, nineteen; Frederick, seventeen; Emma, seven — all
living at home. J. N. is helping his father in his busi-
ness, and is a bright, active young man. Mr. Muncey
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
327
is very pleasantly situated in a beautiful home just in the
suburbs of Jesup. Though over fifty years of age, he
is full of life and vigor; he is one of the moving ele-
ments in the business circles of the town. We cannot
imagine a more desirable position than his, in the midst
of a bright, happy family, and surrounded with friends.
In 1879 he was chosen a member of the legislature, as
a straight, square Republican.
Thomas Taylor was born in Lamville, Vermont, in the
year 1826, and lived with his father, E. Taylor, and at-
tended school till he was twenty years of age, after
which he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. In
1856 he moved to Wisconsin pinery at \Vausaw, and
worked at his trade about a year, when he engaged in
the mercantile and lumber business. At the expiration
of two years he sold the dry goods part of his business
to his brother.in-law, R. E. Parcher, and continued in
the lumber trade for six years. He handled lumber
in a wholesale style by floating it down the river, and
supplying towns down as far as St. Louis. In 1866 Mr.
Taylor came to Iowa, this county, and purchased a farm
of two hundred and seventy acres in Wcstburgh town-
ship. At the same time he commenced the lumber
business in Jesup, renting his farm. In the year 1876
he added a general stock of hardware to his lumber
business which he is yet running, also supplying the city
with lime, coal, etc. He sold his Westburgh farm and
purchased one within a mile of the town. Mr. Taylor
was married in the year 185 i, to Miss Lucinda Parcher,
Monsville, V'ermont. They have two children — Nella
L., aged twenty-five, and Robert Edward, aged eighteen,
who helps his father in his business. Mr. Taylor is a
wide-awake business man, and although he has several
irons in the fire, he never lets any of them burn. They
are a happy, prosperous family, and among the leading
families of the place. Mr. Taylor is also a great lover of
improvements, and has on his farm some of the finest
cattle in the west. If you want to see a good square
Republican, go and look at Mr. Taylor.
Thomas G. Kelley was born in Chester county, Penn-
sylvania, in the year 1830, and moved to Clark county,
Ohio in 1856. In 1861 he bought a farm in this county,
Perry township, of two hundred and eight acres, and
moved onto it in 1866, where he still remains.
Mr. Kelley is a machinist by trade, and most of
his time since coming to Iowa has been occupied
in that capacity. He was married in 1854 to Miss
Elizabeth Bowls, of Chester county, Pennsylvania.
They have no children living — lost an infant son, Town-
send, in 1861. Mr. Kelley built a house in 1856; and
has improved his farm until now he has one of the best
farms of Buchanan county, and seems to be driving bus-
iness on every hand. He is a Republican both by faith
and practice.
R. A. Cameron was born in the State of Indiana in
1845, his parents dying when he was small. He came
to this county at about the age of seven with an uncle,
Thomas Cameron, and lived with another uncle, M. L.
DePoy, till eleven years ago, when he was married to
Miss .\nna O'Brien, of this county. They have three
children: Ada M., ten; Eva I., eight; Gary S., four.
They are a bright, nice little family of girls. Mr. Cam-
eron purchased the farm of eighty acres where he now
resides, in 1878. Politically he is a Democrat, and relig-
iously a Presbyterian. He is a gentleman who has an
interest in his neighbor's welfare as well as his own.
Dr. James Muncey was born in the State of New York
in 1825 ; lived with his father, Isaac Muncey, on the farm
till 1837, when he moved to Illinois, near Chicago, where
he attended school principally till he was twenty-one years
of age. In the winter of 1858, there being no school in
that vicinity of the country, Mr. Muncey together with
seven other boys built an additional room to a man's
house and hired a lady teacher for one dollar and a half
a week. The school consisted of eight boys and four
girls. Mr. Muncey's, father died in 1840. Mr. Muncey
attended medical lectures at Philadelphia and gradua-
ted at Chicago. Commenced the practice of medicine
in Campbell, Illinois, in 1851; crossing the plains to Cali-
fornia, where he practiced about three years. Returned
in 1854 and located in Black Hawk county, spending
his winters in hospital practice in Chicago. Has prac-
ticed in Black Hawk county, and in Chicago about
twenty-five years. Dr. Muncey carried the first pill
bags that were used in Black Hawk county. In 1867 he
moved to Jesup and built a handsome residence where
he still resides. Is still practicing medicine; a large
amount of his practice is in Black Hawk county. In
the spring of 1854 he purchased five hundred acres of
land which he stocked and improved and sold at quite
an advance. Dr. Muncey was married in 1856 to Miss
Anna McCloud, formerly of Montreal, Canada, and of
Scotch parentage. Have four children, twosonsand two
daughters. The doctor has friends on every hand; is liv-
ing happily in the midst of a fine family and a good home.
Is one of Jesup's indispensable men. He is medical
director of Barely township. Black Hawk county; Perry
tow-nship, and also of the city of Jesup. Mrs. Muncey,
and her daughter Nora, have displayed wonderful taste in
mounting birds, and have a fine collection of their own
work. The doctor has the finest flower garden in the
county. Over three hundred varieties, it presents one of
the grandest feasts for the eye the west affords.
James O'Brian was born in Ireland in 1822, emigrated
to America in 1836, locating in the State of Delaware in
the town of New Castle. Remained in the State about
twenty-one years. Moved to Butler county, Ohio, in
1857. Came to Iowa in March, 1862, and purchased the
farm he now lives on, there being three hundred and
seven acres in all. Mr. O'Brian is quite extensively en-
gaged in the stock business. Was married in 1846 to
Miss Martha Kelley, of Delaware, who died, leaving
three sons and three daughters, three of whom are living
and three dead. Married the second time in 1870 to
Miss Elizabeth Miller, formerly from Holmes county,
Ohio. They have one little daughter, Effie Louisa, age
nine. We find Mr. O'Brian a very pleasant gentleman
and from this on you will find him a good, square Repub-
lican.
T. W. Rich was born June 29, 1825, in the State of
328
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
New York. Lived with his father, Samuel Rich, on the
farm till he was nineteen years of age, when he went to
Vermont and attended school four months in Grand Isle
county; after which he worked on the farm for a man
six months. Spent the following winter at home on the
farm and attending school; but attended school only
nine days. After various changes in business and loca-
tion, occupying the time from 1843 to 1868, we find the
subject of this sketch, locating in Jesup in the spring of
the latter date. Here he bought the farm (now owned
by I. H. Stodard) and moved on it in the fall of the same
year, where he resided till February last, when he sold
and again returned to Jesup and bought the property
where he now resides. About five years of the thirteen,
when he owned the farm, he spent as travelling salesman,
and has been engaged at the same since coming to town.
Mr. Rich was married September 13, 1845, to Miss
Matilda S. Berry, of Franklin county, New York; have
nine children living — Sarah M., age thirty-three, married
Mr. Marcellus Denio in 1866, who was an engineer, and
was killed on the railroad .'\pril 8, 1879 ; she was
married again February 26, 1880, to Mr. Roy Wel-
lington, now living in Harvard, Illinois; George F., age
thirty, married Miss Julia Smith, October 2, 1879, liv-
ing at Harvard Illinois; Lester M., twenty-eight, single,
lives at Cedar Rapids; De Forest T., age twenty-four,
married Miss Ida Beckley, March 10, 1878, lives in this
county; Frederick S., age twenty-two, single and lives in
Illinois; Charles A. Rich, age twenty, single, lives at
home; De.xter H., who died September 14, 1865, at the
age of nineteen months; Estella E., age fourteen; Mary
E., age nine, both living at home. Mr. Rich is one of
Buchanan's prominent citizens, and Jesup's first business
men. He is a man who has large experience in the
world, has a nice home and fine family.
B. F. Munger was born in Columbia county, New York,
in 1835. His father, David Munger, moved to Ashta-
bula county, Ohio, when B. F. was a mere child. Here
he resided till the year 1855, when he came to Iowa with
his parents and located in this county, Fairbank town-
ship, where his father had previously purchased one hun-
dred and twenty acres of land. i\Lade his home at his
father's until the year 1863, when he married Miss Sarah
Richardson, formerly of Ohio (an old school-mate and
friend). He rented a farm the first year, and joined the
one hundred days service and served his time out and
returned to his farming interests. Bought pieces of land
at different times till now he owns the wholesome num-
ber of five hundred and sixty acres, besides several valu-
able lots in Hazleton. Is extensively engaged in the stock
and dairy business, besides farming extensively. They
have four children — Mavro, twelve years old; Bertie, six
years old; Katie F., two years; Lousis S., six months old.
They are a wide-awake little family. Mr. Munger is in-
deed one of the big farmers and stock raisers in Bu-
chanan county. He is a good neighbor, besides being
one of those who are helping to make it an honor to be
a Fairbank farmer.
O. P. Soper was born in Franklin county. New York,
n 1S27. .\t the a^'j of ekven he moved with his father.
Joseph Soper, into the Brasher, St. Lawrence county.
Went to Illinois in the year 1850, thence to Wisconsin.
Spent a year in the pinery, during which time his father
died, and he returned and brought his mother to Iowa,
it being the year 1851, and entered two hundred acres of
land in Fairbank township, where he still resides. The
first house he built was a log hut, fourteen by eighteen
feet. His neighbors came from seven to eight miles
around to the raising. Fifty-two took dinner. They
came to get acquainted with the newcomer, as well as to
do the raising and get a good bite. Has since added to
his acres till now he has three hundred and four in all.
Built his present dwelling in 1864. Has planted fruit
and shade trees, and has his farm under a splendid state
of cultivation, so that now he can lie in his own shade
and eat his own apples. Mr. Soper was married in 185 1
to Miss Hannah Gray, formerly of New York, but raised
in Wisconsin. Have ten children — J. M, aged twenty-
seven, married, and lives at Quasqueton ; Phcebe Caro-
line, aged twenty-four, married J. M. Smith, lives one-
half mile east of her father; Alondon, aged twenty-two;
Hannah Electa, aged twenty; Lavina Naomi, aged
eighteen; Charles M., aged sixteen; Mary, aged fourteen;
Julia, aged twelve; William, aged ten; Anna, aged two.
All the single children are living at home and constitute
a wide-awake, lively family. As will be seen by this
sketch Mr. Soper was one of Buchanan's first settlers.
Mrs. Amelia Wright was born in New York in 1835;
moved with her father, Darius Hewett, to Illinois, in
1839. Married Mr. William C. Wright, in the year
1856, who died in July, 1878, leaving a family of seven
children, two of whom are now deceased. Their ages
and names at present are as follows: Letty, aged twenty-
two, married Mr. Clem Dorland and now resides in Fair-
bank; Dodo, aged seventeen; Kittie, aged fourteen;
Gelea, aged twelve; Cora, aged nine. All the single chil-
dren make their mother's house their home. Mr. Wright
bought the piece of land of ninety acres, where the fam-
ily still reside, in the year 1854. Has made several ad-
ditional purchases, so that there are two hundred and eight
acres in all, eighty-five of which are in Mrs. Wright's own
name. We find Mrs. Wright a very genial, pleasant
•woman. She is an earnest member of the F"ree Will
Baptist church, and is raising her family to fear God and
keep his commandments.
Captain H. F. Sill was born in Livingston county, New
York, in 1835. Came to Iowa in 1852, and preempted
one hundred and twenty acres in Fairbank township.
Returned to New York, came back to remain perma-
nently in 1858, when he purchased forty acres more, and
has since added to his farm. He owns now three hun-
dred acres. In 1862 he enlisted in company C, Twenty-
seventh Iowa infantry. When the company was organ-
ized he was chosen second lieutenant, and was chosen
first lieutenant in a few days. In 1864 was chosen cap-
tain of the company; served his country in that capacity
three years, when the war closed and he returned home.
Was in such favor with his men that he bears the hon-
ored title still, and will while he lives. Captain Sill was
married in 1867 to Mrs. Augusta Laton; have five chil-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
329
dien — two sons and three daughters — Henry M., aged
thirteen; Anna M., aged twelve; Austin W., aged seven
Minnie B, aged four; Myrtie A., aged two. The captain
engages in the stock business along with his extensive
farming. Has what he deserves — one of Buchanan's
best farms and good homes.
Joseph Wolgamott was born in Maryland in 1824. His
parents moved to Holmes county, Ohio, when he was a
babe. Came to Iowa in 1855. Bought the farm of two
hundred and seventeen acres where he now resides, in
Fairbank township. Was married in 1851 to Miss Atha
Buckmaster, of Ohio. Have seven children living — five
sons and two daughters. Mr. Wolgamott came into this
county in an early day. Commenced a frontier life in
Ohio, and has had a full share of experience in this line.
Long may he live to enjoy the reward of early privations.
A. R. Wolgamot was born in Holmes county, Ohio,
January 10, 1852. At the age of four he came to Iowa
with his father, Joseph Wolgamot, and located in Fair-
bank township on a farm. Mr. A. R. Wolgamot com-
menced business for himself July 12, 1876, engaging in
the drug business in Fairbank. Read medicine and
practiced three years previous to that. Resided upon
the farm till twenty years of age, after which he attended
school at Hopkins three years. Was married June 10,
1877, to Miss Clara G. Graham, of Delaware county.
Have two children — Winnie Olta, two years old; Lita
May, seven months old. Has recently built a splendid
house, in fact the best one in Fairbank.
B. F. Ranney was born in Cattaraugus county. New
York, in 1856. At the age ot twelve he came to Iowa
with his father, J. C. Ranney, locating in the town of
Fairbank. Mr. B. F. Ranney commenced doing business
for himself soon after he was sixteen years of age, first
working on the farm, but in March, 1880, he commenced
the grocery business in his town, and continues it still,
very successfully. He still enjoys single blessedness.
He is politically a Democrat, and has an interest in the
business welfare of his community.
J. C. Myers was born in Marshall county, Illinois, in
1843. He came to Iowa in 1855, and engaged in farm
ing with his father, Jacob Myers, until he was twenty-
one, when he engaged in the mercantile business in
Fairbank, in which he has been engaged exclusively
since. Mr. Myers was married, in 1866, to Miss Rebec-
ca J. Shults, of Fayette county. They have two chil-
dren: Minnie Bell, age fourteen; and Harry E., aged
eight. Mr. Myers has a fine stock of goods and a fine
trade, and has one of the finest homes in the town. He
is a natural business man, and from the fact that he has
been in business in one place for the last seventeen years,
we may predict permanency in the future — new styles,
but the same old merchant.
G. B. Ward, M. D., was born at Centre Point, Linn
county, Iowa, in 1856. He lived at home with his
father, Dr. A. B. Ward, until his death, which occurred
March 30, 1879. He attended school at Ann Arbor, in
the department of medicine and surgery and graduated
luly I, 1880. He had previously studied medicine
under his father, and took a course of nine months' lec-
tures in 187 7-8, and practiced, for a time, in Fairbank,
where he has practiced since his graduating. It is but
justice to say that Dr. Ward is a young man of fine
ability. He has a complete understanding of his pro-
fession, and we predict that he will, in no far future day,
rank among the leading physicians of Iowa. Dr. Ward
was married, May 12, 1880, to Miss Ella J. Berry, of
Ohio. Dr. Ward's office shows he is a man of an in-
quiring mind and of splendid taste. He has a geolog-
ical collection, arranged in fine order, making a very
interesting and attractive office.
J. I. Minkler was born in Canada, in 1830, and came
to the United States in 1840, and located iai New York.
He went to Illinois in 1856, and remained about three
years, when he returned to New York, and remained two
years. In 1861 he returned to Illinois and lived there
until 1864, when he came to Iowa and located in the
village of Fairbank, where he has resided ever since.
He owned a half interest in, and run, the mill about two
years. He engaged in the dry goods business in 1856,
in company with his present partner, F. \V. Nichols, and
has continued the business successfully since. Mr.
Minkler owns several farms, and has an interest in some
others, owning in all about nine hundred acres. They
own and run the mill in partnership. Mr. Minkler was
married, in 1856, to Miss Martha Kent, of New York.
Mr. Minkler got his start in the mining business, in Cali-
fornia, in 1851 to 1853. As will be seen by the sketch,
he is one of the wealthy men of Buchanan county. He
is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and a friend to everybody.
Dr. J. A. Ward was born in Columbiana county, Ohio,
in 1831. At the age of fifteen he moved with his father,
Benjamin Ward, to Iowa, locating in Independence, in
July, 1854. Dr. Ward commenced reading medicine
with Henry L. Kirkem, of Springsville, Ohio, and fin-
ished his study with Dr. Blymin, of Mansfield, Ohio.
He commenced practice in Springsville, Ohio, and con-
tinued about one year, when he moved to Independence
and commenced his practice there, in 1854, and con-
tinued until the breaking out of the war, when he joined
the army and served three years, as assistant surgeon, in
the Ninth Iowa cavalry. He returned to Indepencence
after the war closed, and resumed the practice of medi-
cine until the year 1875, when he located in Bradford
Chickasaw county, where he practiced two years. He
then moved to Jesup and practiced three years, and then
came to Fairbank, in 1879, where he has purchased a
stock of drugs, and, besides a successful business in that
line, is enjoying a fine practice. Dr. Ward was married,
in 1840, to Miss Irena Wilson, of Ohio. They have
two children: Anna, aged thirty, married to Daniel
Carson, and resides in Lynn county, Iowa; and Katie,
aged twenty-three, married David Anthony, living in
Jesup, Iowa. The doctor is a gentleman in every sense
of the word, and rightfully enjoys the people's confidence,
which he abundantly possesses.
C. H. Procter was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in
1827. He went with his father, Leonard Procter, to the
State of Vermont, when only a child. At the age of
twenty-five, he moved to Charleston, Illinois, whore he
33°
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
engaged at the carpenter's trade four years, when he
moved to Decatur, Illinois, and remained there in the
neighborhood of fourteen years. He worked in a pump
shop principally. He came to Iowa, this county, in
October, 1868, and located in Fairbank, where he still
resides. He has carried on blacksmithing and wagon-
making principally. He run the grist-mill three years.
Mr. Procter was married on December 29, 1846, to Miss
D. A. Strong, of Pomfret, Vermont, who was born in
February, 1827. They have only one child living, Cora
A., aged sixteen, single and living at home. He has
always been a Republican.
L. Boutwell was born in Cattaraugus county. New
York, in 1828. At about the age of nine he moved with
his father, Charles Boutwell, to Illinois, locating in Cain
county, where Mr. L. Boutwell spent his best days, en-
gaged principally in farming. Enlisted August, 1862,
in company I, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois
infantry. Served his country about three years, when he
was discharged at Washington in 1865. Was indeed a
faithful soldier, and though he received a severe injury
in his back, and a fit subject for the hospital a great deal
of the time, yet he was too plucky to ever go there. Mr.
Boutwell was married in 1850, to Miss Polly Nichols, of
Illinois, who died in 1866, leaving two children: Charles,
who is now twenty-eight years of age, married and lives
in Nebraska; Eunice, twenty-two years of age, and mar-
ried to Eresta Ward, and lives in Fairbank. Mr. Bout-
well was married the second time, in 1866, to Mrs.
Mary J. Taylor, of St. Charles, Illinois. They have one
child, George, ten years old. Mr. Boutwell has served
his voting friends as constable for the past four years,
besides being among that number who honored his State
and county by giving Garfield a sweeping majority in
1880.
Dr. E. Wiltse was born in Canada in 1851, came to
the United States when only about three years old with
his father, Ale.xander Wiltse, who located in Colesburgh,
Iowa, and remained there about two years, when they
moved to Strawberry Point, where his mother still resides.
Mr. Wiltse died October 7, 1876. Dr. Wiltse lived at
home and attended school until he was nineteen years of
age, when he attended school two years at Upper Iowa
university. At the age of twenty-one he attended the
Bennett Medical college, of Chicago. Commenced the
practice of medicine in 1874, in Fayette, Iowa, where
he remained till the year 1877, when he came to Fair-
bank and established as a physician, where he is still
practicing. Dr. Wiltse was married in 1873, to Miss
Lucy Ann Dean, of Iowa. We feel that it is but justice
to the doctor to say that he is a pleasant gentleman, and
well worthy of the confidence the people repose in him.
To give a little variety to our sketches, as well as to add
a pleasant word for the doctor, we may state that he is a
good, square Republican.
John Leehey was born in Ireland, in 1840; came to
America in 1844, located first in Massachusetts, where
he lived only about one year, when he went to Brattle-
borough, Vermont; moved to New York in 1851 ; moved
to Pennsylvania in 1852; moved to Illinois in 1853;
came to Iowa in 1855, and located in Dubuque county.
Bought the farm of two hundred acres where he now
resides in the year 1864, moved upon it in 1866, built
his present residence in 1878. Has put up barn build-
ings this last summer. Has planted fruit and shade
trees, and has his farm under good cultivation. Was
married in 1868, to Miss Ellen O'Connor, of Irish birth.
Have four children: Moses D. , ten; Florence, five;
Michael, three; Joseph, two — a rousing family of boys.
We find Mr. and Mrs. Leehey very pleasant people.
They have a nice farm and good home. Mr. John
Leehey enlisted in company F, Tsventy-first Iowa volun
teer infantry, in September, 1862. Served his country
two and a half years. Lost a thumb in the battle of
Port Gibson. Was discharged in February, 1864, on
account of wounds. Was in two severe engagements.
Alexander Stevenson was born in Pennsylvania in 1808.
His parents moved to Ohio when Mr. Stevenson was a
babe, locating m Ross county, where he remained until
about the age of twenty-eight, when he went to Tippe-
canoe county, Indiana, and remained six years, then
moved to Boone county, and spent ten years. ^ Came to
Iowa in 1850, locating in Fairbank township, where he
bought forty acres of land and forty the year following,
where he built a house and two barns, and resided until
the spring of 1878, when he moved house and barns to
the farm owned by his son John, where the two families
now reside. Mr. Stevenson was married in 1834, to Miss
Mary Ann Cameron, of Ohio. They have only one
child living, John C, forty years of age, and was married
September 4, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Wilson, of this
county. Have six children living: Laura J., seventeen;
Elmer, twelve; Effie, nine; Mertie, four; Eber, six;
Ralph, two. Tliey constitute a bright, happy, lively
family. Mr. J. C. Stevenson owns one of the best farms
of Buchanan county, tw-o hundred and ninety acres in
all. Has fine buildings and a nice home in every respect.
Mr. Alexander Stevenson was among the first settlers of
this county, and his name will be honored in the far
future as among those who went forward with stout
hearts to open the broad, fertile prairies of the great
west.
Samuel Wilson was born in Clarion county, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1810, June loth, where he resided until he was
forty-five years of age. In the meantime he had moved
to Illinois, but returned disgusted with the unhealthiness
of the country. Came to Iowa in 1855, purchased one
hundred and twenty acres, paying eight dollars per acre
in gold. Built his present fine brick residence in 1864,
hauled the brick and quarried the stone himself. Built
his barn in 1861. Mr. Wilson was married December
24, 1835, to Miss Sarah Henry, who died July 19, 1851,
leaving a family of five children: Lewis P., forty three;
Clarissa J., forty; Mary A., thirty-five; Alvin H., thirty-
two ; Albert P., thirty. Mr. A\'ilson was married the second
time, January 4, 1852, to Miss Mary A. Law. Have two
children: Samuel L. Wilson, twenty-seven; Elizabeth M.,
twenty-five. Mr. Wilson ranks among the earliest set-
tlers of this county. Was a pioneer in Pennsylvania.
Was the first child born in Taba township, Pennsylvania.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
331
Has spent many a day in the western solitude, perfectly
contented, anticipating and working for the comfortable
days he is now enjoying. Has as good a farm and fine
a home as one need wish.
C. O. VVellman was born in New York in 1829. Came
to Iowa in 1854, and bought the farm of one hundred
and twenty acres, where he still resides, in Fairbank
township. Built his house in 1869. Has his farm under
good cultivation. Bought ten acres of timber in 1862.
Was married in 1853 to Miss Elizabeth Agnew, who
died in September, 1879. Has four children — Eugene,
twenty-six, married and living in this township; Maggie,
twenty-four, married James Vincent, and lives in Perry
township; George O., twenty-two, married and lives with
his father; Cora, twelve. Mr. Wellman is one of Bu-
chanan's substantial farmers and sound Republicans.
Henry Wilbur was born in Windham county, Vermont,
in 1810, where he spent his early years on the farm and at-
tending school. At the age of seventeen he went to the
vicinity of Troy, New York, Rensselaer county, and en-
gaged with Mr. John Gary, assisting him on his farm and
in his tannery, and remained with him about six months,
when he was taken sick with a fever, and after his recov-
ery returned home to Vermont, where he taught school
two winters and worked on the farm two summers, and
then returned to New York. At that time there was only
one steamer running between Albany and New York, so
he took passage on a tow-boat to the city, where he lived
about eight years, employed as hotel clerk most of the
time. From the year 1835, Mr. Wilbur resided princi-
pally in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with the ex-
ception of two years spent in Ohio, until 1857, in the
month of'June, when he came to Iowa and bought the
farm of one hundred and eight acres, where he still re-
sides, in Fairbank township. He has since added to his
possessions, until now he owns one hundred and fifty-
three acres. He built his house in 1868. Mr. Wilbur
has changed bis horiie and farm from a log hut and wild
prairie to a fine residence and well cultivated fields, a
change that may well make any man ieel that he has con-
quered a kingdom. Mr. Wilbur was married in June,
1834, to Miss Ann J. Porter, of Nashua, New Hampshire,
who was born in Lyme, New Hampshire, January 14,
1813. Have four children living and four deceased —
Ann Augusta, forty-five, married in 1856 to John R. Lay-
ton, who died in August, 1866, from effects of army
service, leaving one son, Willie W., now twenty-one years
of age; Mrs. Layton was again married, in May, 1867,
to Mr. F. H. Sill, and resides in Fairbank township.
Henry P. Wilbur, who was second lieutenant in company
C, Ninth Iowa infantry, and died May 22, 1863, at the
age of twenty-five, near Vicksburgh, while serving his
country. Frederick M. Wilbur, who died July i, 1864, at
the age of twenty-five ; he was the second son who lost
his life in his country's cause. Sarah C, thirty-eight,
single, and lives at home. Rowland G., who died De-
cember 9, 1844, at the age of seventeen months, drowned
at Medford, Massachusetts. Ellen B., who died October
25, 1846, at the age of fourteen. Clara F., thirty-three,
married, in October, 1868, to Mr. G. W. Camp, and lives
in Fairbank township. Melverton, twenty-seven, married
January i, 1874, to Miss Etta D. Barber, also living in
Fairbank township. As will be seen by this sketch, Mr.
Wilbur has been one of the pioneers of Buchanan coun-
ty. He is one of Buchanan's substantial farmers, and
a straight Republican.
Since the above was written, the publishers have re-
ceived the following obituary notice of Mrs. Wilbur:
Died, March 8, 1881, after many months of intense suffering, Mrs.
Ann J , Wilbur, wife of Henry Wilbur, of Fairbank. Iowa.
Mrs. Wilbur was born in Lyme, New Hampshire, January 14, 1813,
and was married in Nashua, New Hampshire, Junes, 1834, reniovmg
immediately to New York city, where her husband then resided. After
a few years residence in New York and Massacliusetts, they returned to
Nashua, which place tliey made their home until the spring of 1857,
when they came to Iowa, that they might be nearer their older children.
In leaving her New England home, Mrs. Wilbur severed many ties,
for she was surrounded by warm, true friends, whose names were often
spoken during thai last, long illness.
In 1861 her two eldest sons. Henry and Frederick, volunteered in the
war for the Union, and now the anxieties of a mother's heart began to
be manifest in lines of care, and a look of trouble in the beautiful, dark
eyes.
The terrible blow, caused by the death of her son Henrv, at Vicks-
burg, in May, 1863, was followed by another in 1864, when her son
Frederick, who had returned from the army wasted by disease, yielded
up his young life. These sacrifices told fearfully upon the mother's
strength, and from this time on life's journey was often trod with falter-
ing footsteps and failing strength. Ever gentle, kmd and thoughtful
for the comfort of others, she went bravely on, waiting her Heavenly
Father's call, and the rest which he has promised.
She leaves a husband, son and three daughters, who mourn the loss
of a faithful, devoted wife and mother. Rev. Bailey preached an im-
pressive sermon from Hebrews, fourth chapter, ninth verse.
P. N. Freeman was born in Massachusetts in the year
1826. At about the age of eighteen months his father,
Harry Freeman, moved to the State of New York, where
he remained till his death, which was in 1863. Mr. P.
N. Freeman commenced to do for himself at the age
of twenty-two, engaging in farming. Resided in that
State till the year 1855, when he came to Iowa, locating
on the southern line of Fayette county, where he lived
thirteen years. In 1868 he sold and purchased the farm
of two hundred and forty acres where he now resides, in
section twenty-seven, Hazelton township, this county.
Has since made some purchases of land, till now he
owns in all three hundred and eleven acres. Mr. Free-
man has a good house and farm buildings. His farm
lays beautifully, and is under a good state of cultivation
generally. Has shade and fruit trees planted, and every
convenience of a western home provided. Mr. Free-
rnan was married in 1849 to Miss Mary Dunton, who
was born in the State of New York,in 1827. Have four
children living : Walter M., twenty-six April last ; Flora
C, eighteen in March ; Fannie, fifteen in December,
1880; Prentice M., thirteen, January 11, 1881. Mr.
Freeman is one of those men who believes in voting for
men instead of party. He belongs to the order of Odd
Fallows. Mr. Freeman's interests have been associated
with this county for the past twenty-five years. He is
one of Buchanan's drive-wheels and business farmers.
W. N. Norcott was born in Schoharie county, New
York, in 182 i, where he lived until he was twenty-three
years of age, when he moved to Brown county, and lived
there sixteen years. Came to Iowa in May, 1870;
332
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
bought the farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres
where he now resides in Fairbank township. Is engaged
in stock raising and farming. Was married April 13,
1843. to Miss Margaret Becker, of New York. Have
four children living: Howard, thirty-six, married Ezabel
Ganan, in 1877, now residing at Waterloo, is a painter
by trade ; Violet, thirty-one, married J. P. Anderson, of
Otterville, January, 187 1 ; D. A., twenty-nine, married
in 1879 to Miss Laura Williamson, reside at Otterville,
farmer ; Willard, twenty-seven, married Miss Rachel
Rust, September, 1876, farming in Perry township. Mr.
Norcott has the horticultural department of farming in a
good shape, has plenty of apples, berries, etc., etc. Has
his farm under a good state of cultivation, and now owns
one of Fairbank's best farms, and is a good farmer. Mr.
and Mrs. Norcott are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church. Among the other many excellent qualities
of Mr. Norcott, it may be mentioned that he is a good,
stiff Republican.
Weldon Gallop was born in Otsego county. New York,
in 1 80 1. Spent his best days in that State, engaged
principally at (arming. Moved to Pennsylvania in 1850,
remained there about ten years. Came to Iowa in i860,
and bought a farm of two hundred acres in Fairbank
township, where he still resides. Mr. Gallop was married
in 1820 to Miss Minerva Holcomb, of New York. Had
ten children, all of whom are living and facing the re-
sponsibilities of life for themselves : Luceba, Ennety,
Elmira, Abner, Porter, Minerva, Ludema, Daniel,
Celestia. Mr. and Mrs. Gallop are very active, consider-
ing their ages. Have thirty-four grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren.
J. B. Roberts was born in Ripley county, Indiana, in
the year 1839, where he remained until the year 1855,
when he moved to Wisconsin, and remained until June,
1856, when he came to Iowa, locating in Fayette county,
Oren township. He purchased a farm and resided till
1866, when he sold his place and purchased the farm of
eighty acres where he now resides in Fairbank township.
Has turned his attention principally to farming. In
1863 he enlisted in company F, First Iowa cavalry;
served his country two years and four months ; was never
wounded nor taken prisoner. During his whole service
was only off duty about six weeks, and only returned
home when the rebellion was put down. Mr. Roberts
has held positions of trust most of the time since his con-
nection with Fairbank township ; was clerk of the board
of township directors seven years, and assessor six years.
Mr. Roberts was married in i860, to Miss Louisa M.
Carpenter, of Fayette county ; have five children : John
H., nineteen; Gilford W., seventeen; Chester M.,
thirteen ; Cora E., ten ; Griffith, one year ; all living at
home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Roberts is a member
of the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows order.
FAIRBANK.
This township is located in the northwestern part of
the county. It was, at the time of its organization,
called Alton, but, about one year after, the name was
changed to Fairbank. In the meantime, a village had
been located in the north also called Fairbank, and a
post office of the same name. One of the founders of
the village was a Mr. Bacon, whose grandmother's name
was Fairbank. He suggested the name to his partner,
F. J. Everett, to which all agreed; hence the name.
ORGANIZATION.
It was organized as a separate and independent town-
ship March 5, 1855, as evidenced by the county court
record, which is as follows :
State of Iowa, Buchanan County, s. s., March 5, 1855: It is
ordered by the court that township ninety, north, of range ten, west,
be detached from Perry township, and that it shall hereafter be and
form a separate township, to be called Alton, and that an election be
holden in said township on the first Monday in .April next, at the house
of George Beatty, in said township, and that George Beatty, Miles
Soper and Sampson George be the judges of said election. The court
urther orders that the west tier of sections in township ninety, range
nine, be detached from Perry township, .and hereafter form a part of
Superior township.
About one year after the above order was made the
name of the township was changed to Fairbank, and the
name Superior has been changed to Hazleton.
ELECTION.
The election referred to in the above order, accord-
ing to the best information that we can obtain, was not
held until August, 1855, and then in a log house belong-
ing to Charles Cheesbiough, but used as a school-house.
The following were honored with an election to office :
J. M. Soper, Jacob Minton and William Beatty, trustees;
W. S. Clark, clerk ; Fred Patterson, assessor ; W. S.
Clark and Fred Patterson, justices; and Justus Durham
and James Patchen, constables. The present township
officers are : O. S. Payne, Thomas McDonald and Phil-
lip Kroft, trustees; J. S. Stevenson, assessor; C. B. Ever-
ett and J. Sheridan, justices; J. C. Raney and B. F.
Wright, constables ; and A. R. Wolgomat, clerk.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
333
SETTLEMENT.
William S. Clark made the first permanent settlement
in this township in 1849, in the southern part, on the
farm now owned and occupied by John C. Stevenson.
He was a native of New York, and had five children.
He was the first magistrate here; also one of the pioneer
teachers, and the first clerk of the township In 1858
he, together with his family, went to Calift)rnia, where he
resides. He was a man of marked ability, of whom the
settlers speak with great respect.
Alexander Stevenson settled here in September, 1850,
coming from Indiana. He was born in Pennsylvania
October 14, 1808, and married in Indiana to a sister of
John Cameron. They have had four children, one only
of whom is living — John C. Stevenson — with whom the
old folks reside. Mr. Stevenson is still in the full enjoy-
ment of health and of his mental faculties. He is one
of the pioneer Presbyterians, and has been an elder in
that church for forty years. His son, J. C. Stevenson,
has si.\ beautiful and interesting children.
Robert Wroten settled near Stevenson's in the fall of
185 I, being a native of Delaware. He also was a pio-
neer Presbyterian. His children are as follows : John,
married, and living in Perry township; Jesse, married,
and living in Washington township; Jane, married to
Asaiah Anderson, and residing in Washington township;
Alexander, married and living in Minnesota; Rachel,
married to George Van Emman, and living on the old
family homestead ; Eliza, married to Fremont Gates, and
still living in the township ; Thomas, living in Washing-
ton township ; and Almira, married to H. Bantz, and
living in Washington township. Mr. Wroten died June
10, 1867, and his wife January 10, 1878. Jesse, their
son, died in the army in our late war.
Justus A. Durham settled in this township in 1852, in
the southern part. At the time he came his family con-
sisted of five persons. He continued to reside in the
township up to the time of his death, which was in 1879.
His wife survived him and still lives in the southeast
part of the township. Alice married Allen Bryant.
Thomas Durham is yet a single man, and lives in the
county.
F. J. Everett, a native of New York, settled in the
north |)art of the township in 1853. At that time he was
an unmarried man. He and C. \V. Bacon, who came
with him, built the first log cabin in that part of the
township, near the present residence of Mr. Everett.
They had not been there but a short time before they
built a saw-mill on the Wapsie, in what is now the vil-
lage of Fairbank. They worked in the mill themselves,
and were quite successful in this enterprise. In the fall
of 1854 Mr. Everett was married to Sarah L. Baldwin,
with whom he went to keeping house in the cabin built
by himself and Bacon the year before. In i86o he
opened a general store on the very land where he first
commenced, and where he now lives and does business.
He has filled the offices of justice of the peace and school
director. The names of his children are Clarence, who
is married to Axie French, and lives in the village; Gros-
venor, Newton, Charles, Mary and Sallie S. All except
Clarence are young and live at home. Mr. Everett, in
addition to his business in the village, is a part owner of
a grist-mill in Black Hawk county and quite an exten-
sive land owner in Fairbank.
C. W. Bacon settled here (as already stated), with Mr.
Everett, in 1853. At that time, as we have said, they
were both unmarried men, and for some time lived and
owned their property together. But in i860, becoming
dissatisfied with the west, he sold his interest in the pro-
perty, and went back to New York, where a few days
since he died.
Frederick Patterson came here about January, 1854,
and settled near Everett. He was in season to assist in
building the cabin of Everett and Bacon. He soon
commenced the erection of a building which, upon its
completion, he used for a hotel; and this was probably
the first one in the township. The same building, with
some additions, is now used as a hotel by Jacob Myers.
Mr. Patterson also laid out an addition to the village of
Fairbank, called Patterson's addition. He, with R. Con-
able and others, built a steam saw-mill in 1855. In 1859
he sold out and went to Michigan, and then to Mis-
souri. He returned here in about 1876, and now lives
in Oren township, Fayette county. He has two children:
George, married, and living in Missouri, and a daughter,
Edith, who is a school teacher.
Jordan Harrison became a settler here in the fall of
1853, coming from Ilinois, but he was a native of North
Carolina. He entered the land, where he first settled,
and upon which he now lives. He had three children —
two boys and one girl. William H. and George B. are
both married, and living in the township.
Jacob Minton settled here in 1852, building his log
cabin in the south part of the township. He had quite
a family of children, some of whom are now living
here, respected and honored men and women. He, on
the fourteenth day of April, 1865, abandoned his family,
leaving his farm to his wife, who nobly raised the chil-
dren, and went on with the management and improve-
ment of the place, and died there a few years since.
Mr. Minton went to Indiana, where he remained a short
time, and thence to Texas, where he now is. He subse-
quently married a woman that left the township about
the same time that he did.
George Beatty, in the fall of 1853, settled in the central
part of the township, on the farm now owned and occu-
pied by Joseph Wolgomot. He was a Protestant Metho-
dist preacher, and built a stone church at Fairbank vil-
lage, mostly with his own means. He died some years
since, and his wife is now living with Mrs. J. Harrison,
her daughter.
J. M. Soper was one of the pioneers in this township,
settling here in 1852, in the north part. He was one of
the organizers of the township, being elected one of the
trustees. He was a man of excellent business ability,
and popular in the neighborhood. In an early day he
frequently went to Dubuque for goods; and during these
trips he made the acquaintance of many immigrants,
who were looking for homes, and induced them to settle
in Fairbank; and some of them are still there, and
334
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
among the very best citizens. But a few years since he
moved to Franklin county, where he now remains, and
is the owner of a fine, large farm. He has four children —
three boys and one girl, as follows: George Wesley, mar-
ried, and living in Hampton, Franklin county, engaged in
buying stock ; William W., also married, and a merchant
in Dakota Territory; Albert M., married, and engaged
in farming near his father's, and Lavina, married to
Colonel Andrew Rieves, residing at Hampton.
RELIGIOU.S SOCIETIES.
FREE WILL BAPTISTS.
This society was organized here in 1859, with about
eighteen members. Among the early ones were Deacon
James Sanborn, J. A. Durham and wife, S. P. Cramer,
Morrill Sanborn, E. Sanborn, Deacon Norris and wife,
and Jason Nichols and wife. The present membership
is forty. They have a good house of worship and an
organ. The property belonging to the church, includ-
ing a house and two lots, on which it stands, is worth
fifteen hundred dollars. The present preacher is L. D.
Felt.
PRESBYTERIAN.
The Presbyterian church was organized here in 1S56,
at what was called the Stone church, with six members,
among whom were F. J. Everett, C. W. Bacon, and
James Sankey and wife. The first, and ]3resent pastor,
is J. D. Caldwell. There are now about fourteen mem-
bers, holding services in the Methodist Episcopal church,
which they assisted in building.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN.
This society was organized November 18, 1868, with
twenty-seven members. The first preacher was a Mr.
Buckrer. It now has a membership of between thirty
and forty souls. Before the erection of their house of
worship, which was in 1865, they had services in the pub-
lic school-house. The present pastor is Rev. R. H. Mach-
mueller. The society owns a house of worship, a par-
sonage, and an organ in the church, the whole valued at
one thousand dollars. The religious services are con-
ducted in the German language.
ROMAN C.\THOLIC.
This church, designated as the Church of the Immac-
ulate Conception, was organized here in about 1858, at
the McCuniff school-house. Father Shields was the first
priest, then the resident priest of Waverly, who was suc-
ceeded by John Gosker, the resident priest of Indepen-
dence. In 1868 a large stone church was built here,
ninety by forty-four feet. The first settled priest was
Eugene Sullivan, who was succeeded by G. Stack. The
present priest is Thomas Murtagh, who settled here in
December, 1875. There are some one hundred and
thirty families, and probably six hundred communicants.
The parish owns a house of worship and pastoral resi-
dence— the whole property is worth not less than eight
thousand dollars. In this church are represented seven
different nationalities — Irish, German, French, Belgians,
Polanders, Americans and Austrians.
METHODLST EPISCOPAL.
A society of Methodists was organized here in 1865
with eight members, at what is called the Stone church.
A house of worship was completed in the fall of 1873.
They now have a membership of some forty persons,
own a parsonage, a church, and an organ. The whole
property is worth two thousand five hundred dollars.
The present pastor is P. M. Gould. The first sermon in
the township was in 1852, at the house of Alexander
Stevenson, by Rev. D. Gill, of Independence.
VILLAGE.
In 1854 a village was laid out in the north part of the
township by F. J. Everett and C. W. Bacon, and called
Fairbank. Afterwards an addition was made thereto by
Frederick Patterson, and called Patterson's addition.
The first store kept here was by John McCuniff, in 1855,
and the building in which he kept it was made of oak
lumber procured at Everett & Bacon's mill, mentioned
above.
The present business men of the place are as follows:
Physicians, J. A. Ward, E. D. Wiltsie, W. G. Dwyer,
and G. B. Ward; drug stores, A. R. Woigomot, J. A.
Ward, and F. J. Everett ; flouring mill, situated on the
Little Wapsie, that passes through the village, owned by
Minkler& Nichols, and operated by W. H. Miller; hard-
ware, C. E. Redfield; general stores, Minkler & Nichols,
J. C. Myers, H. Higby, and F. J. Everett, the pioneer;
shoe shop, Ernest Martin; shoe store, L. D. Lowell;
grocery, B. F. Raney; cooper shop, Barnard McGuire;
postmaster, H. Higby; carpenters and wagon makers,
George DeLong and John Ball; hotels. Grove house, by
Jacob Myers, and one by A. Chase; millinery store,
Misses Keith & Parris; blacksmiths, C. R. Ward, a Mr.
Parsons, and A. J. Ward; harness shop, B. F. Stevens;
egg and butter packing house, J. W. Redfield.
A fine public school-house on the west side ot the
river, employing two teachers.
Houses of Worship — Catholic, Methodist Episcopal,
Free Will Baptist, and German Lutheran.
POST OFFICE AND MAIL ROUTE.
The first office was established here in 1854, and C. W.
Bacon appointed postmaster, who kept it in the little log
cabin built by him and Everett. Fred Patterson was the
first mail carrier, going once a week to Independence.
In 1866 an office was established in the southern part of
the tosvnship, called Kier, and James M. Walker was ap-
pointed the first postmaster; E. L. Hopkins is the pres-
ent incumbent. They now have a tri-weekly mail from
the village of Fairbank to Independence, and one twice
a week from Waverly, Bremen county, by way of Oelwein
SURFACE, SOIL, TIMBER, AND PRODUCTIONS.
The township is somewhat level: about three-fifths
being timber land, the rest prairie. The timber land is a
sandy loam, with a clay sub-soil; the prairie a rich black
loam, and very productive. Nearly one-fourth of the
township (in the southern part) is covered with timber,
mostly white, burr, and "pin" oak, poplar, bass, cherry,
hickory, birch, butternut, walnut, soft maple, and cotton-
wood. There are large quantities of wild fruits on the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
335
bottoms, such as plums, apples, and grapes. The prin-
cipal productions are corn (which is the staple), and
wheat (which on the clay land does finely), hay, potatoes,
oats, and tame grass in large quantities.
Considerable attention is paid to stock raising and
dairying. Many of the farmers have ten or fifteen cows,
and some as high as forty and fifty. The milk and cream
is used by the creameries in the township. They have
also given much attention to the raising of hogs, having
some of the best varieties, such as the Poland China,
Berkshire, and Chester Whites.
As one passes through the township, he is struck by
the beautiful scenery that meets his eye upon every hand
— large farm houses and barns, and all convenient out-
houses, with groves of cotton-wood trees — fields with fine
grass and growing corn; pastures with large numbers of
cattle, most of them, as we noticed, indicating, by their
large, square backs, that they are of the Durham family.
At nearly every farm house is seen a wind-mill, used for
pumping water for the stock.
The first wheat raised here was in 1851, in the south-
ern part, where the first settlement was made by W. S.
Clark and Alex. Stevenson. This crop was cut with cra-
dles, and threshed by treading it out, in scriptural man-
ner, with horses. The yield is spoken of as very good.
The Little Wapsie, in the western part, is a beauti-
ful stream and called Little Wapsie, to distinguish it from
the other of like name into which it enters at Littleton.
Buck creek is in the extreme western part; Jones creek,
in the northwestern, and tributary to the Little Wapsie.
There are also some fine springs here, in which is the
very best and purest of water, especially those located on
the land of Sampson, George H. Wilbur, Mr. Nichols,
F. Pingree and A. Gallop.
There is, situated in the southern part on section
thirty-three, a stone quarry. It has been worked since
about the fall of 1850, and probably covers some six or
seven acres. Lime has been made from it, but the rock
being hard and of a darkish color, the lime has not met
with favor. The rock is excellent for building and has
been largely used for that purpose.
A creamery was first started by Prairie Grove grange,
as a cheese manufactory, and operated some three years
as such; but, for some reason, did not prove satisfactory.
In 1878 it was converted into a creamery proper, and
run one season by a Mr. Andrews, who sold to R. I.
Jakway. He operated it one season, then sold out to
Ihe present owner, A. j. Barnhart, of Independence,
who has operated it since August, 1879. It was first
run by horse power, but in the spring of 1881 a six
horse power steam engine was put in. They use two
eleven-barrel churns, each having a capacity of three
hundred and fifty pounds of butter at a time; and, dur-
ing the busy season, they churn on an average four times
a day. There are three branch creameries, where milk
is set; but all the churning is done at the home cream-
ery. The branches are in Lester and Bennington town-
ships. Black Hawk county, and Perry. Two men are
employed at each of these branches most ot the time,
and four men at the home creamery. There are also
four teams gathering cream among the farmers, and two
drawing cream from the branch creameries. In 1880
they received during the season as high as seventeen
thousand pounds of milk per day, and paid out for milk
three thousand dollars per month to the farmers. It is
called the Fairview creamery, and is located at about the
centre of the township, in a good agricultural neighbor-
hood, and is patronized by all the large farmers and
many others in the locality. There is connected with
the creamery a refrigerator large enough to hold a car-
load of butter at one time. The business will probably
be doubled in the season of 188 1.
A creamery was established in the village of Fairbank
in May, 1880, by Chester Smith, but now operated by
Chester Smith and J. M. Wolgomot. It is run by horse
power, and has but one churn, with a capacity of one
hundred and fifty pounds of butter at each churning.
They have a branch creamery m Bremer county. At this
branch they employ two men, at the home creamery
three men, and have five teams drawing cream and milk.
It is the intention of the owners to have an engine soon,
and to increase their business.
A cemetery was established in Fairbank village in
1856. There are quite a large number of graves here,
and some fine monuments. It is now owned and con-
trolled by a cemetery company.
Another was organized near Kier postoffice, in the
southern part, where are also a large number of graves.
In 1855 a school was kept in the house of Charles
Cheseborough, by Emma Connor; and, in the same
year, another in the north part of the township, by Miss
Lou Addis; also, about the same time, one in what is
called the Sill district, by Moody Clark. Among the
early teachers were Captain H. H. Sill, N. Baldwin and
J. Byron Wait. The schools now employ, each, one
teacher, except the one in Fairbank village, which has
two teachers and about two hundred students. There
are in the township eight schools, and the houses good
and convenient.
The first crop that was ever raised in the township,
by a white man, was corn, by W. S. Clark, in 1850.
The first grist-mill in the township was built by J. G.
Hovey, on the site where the present one stands, about
1854. The first death here was that of a child of Sol-
omon Ginther, in 1852. The first white child born in
the township was Thomas Wroten.
The first marriage of which we have been able to ob-
tain any knowledge, was between Solomon Ginther and
Miss E. Phillips, solemnized by W. S. Clark, in the
southern part of the township in 1850.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was established
here on the eighth day of June, i860, and instituted by
E. Brewer, D. D. G. M. The first officers were: W. S
Mathews, W. M.; H. Higby, S. W. ; J. J. Roberts, J.
W. ; W. C. Nelson, treasurer; and J. Strichland, secre-
tary. The membership is now thirty-six. The present
officers are: J. C. Myers, W. M.; J. W. Redfield, S. W.;
J. Conway, J. W.; S. P. Lee, treasurer; and H. F. Sill,
336
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
secretary. They are now in good working condition.
The name of the lodge is Fairbank No. 148.
An Ancient Order of United Workmen, was estab-
lished here March 24, 1881, and instituted by George
B. Smeallie, D. D. G. M. W., and called Fairbank Lodge
No. 222. The officers are: Chester Smith, P. M. W.;
J. M. Wolgomot, M. W.; Frank Howard, foreman; A.
J. Ward, overseer; Charles Wright, guide; H. M. Mil-
ler, recorder; G. B. Ward, financier; F. W. Nichols, re-
ceiver; H. D. Miller, I. W.; Henry Hober, O. W.; E.
Nichols, A. J.; Pulrer and W^ D. Miller, trustees; G. B.
Ward and J. Hodgkinson, examining physicians. The
present membership is twenty-five.
MILLS.
There was a saw-mill built here as early as 1854, by
Bacon & Everett, near where Fairbank village now
stands, on the Wa])sie, and remained probably two or
three years. A grist-mill or flouring mill built here about
1855, by Naylor and Harrington, is still in operation,
and now the property of Minkler & Nichols. There
were at one time two steam saw-mills here but a short
distance from the village of Fairbank and situated on the
Wapsie river. John McCuniff started a distillery here,
about 1S56, on the east side of the river, near where the
Methodist Episcopal church now stands; a good ex-
change. It was there for three or four years and did
quite a business; then, for some reason unknown to us,
he closed up the business. This is the only distillery
ever in the township or county.
In 1850-51 the settlers suffered many deprivations,
and sufferings in some instances, living on corn-bread
alone. A. Stevenson and family at one time sub-
sisted for weeks on boiled corn. This was owing to the
condition of the creeks, which were so high that people
were not able to ford them. Sampson George, when
he first moved to the township, used to go to Indepen-
dence on foot, a distance of twelve miles, and take home
in a basket what groceries he could. The only mill in
the county at this time was one at Quasqueton, some
thirty miles away. In .1850 and 185 i there were large
numbers of Indians in the township of different wander-
ing tribes, but they were always friendly, offering no hos-
tilities whatever.
ORCH.\RDS.
•There are in this township some very fine orchards,
and among them we may mention that of John Sheridan,
who at the county fair in 1880 had some fine specimens
of apples, which were large and well flavored. I). W.
Hopkins has also a small but productive orchard.
PERSON.\L MENTION.
O. P. King was born in the State of New York, Jeffer-
son county, in 1844. At about the age of twenty one he
came to Iowa with only his valise in his hand, stopped
in this county and worked on the farm for Mr. John
Oza and Mr. Burwell the first summer. In the spring of
1864 he and his brother, C. E. King, purchased eighty
acres of land in Fairbank township, where they farmed
about one year and a half together, when O. P. King
bought his brother's interest and remained one year
afterwards, when he sold it and purchased the farm of
two hundred and sixty-five acres where he now resides,
in the same township. He built himself a good house
in 1870, and also built a barn the year following. He
has fruit and shade trees in good condition. Mr. King
has of late years turned his attention principally to the
stock and dairying business, and has at present eighty-
one head of cattle and about sixty-five head of hogs,
and milks twenty-seven cows. He is at present engaged
in raising and feeding fine cattle. Mr. King was mar-
ried in 1866 to Miss Sarah Custard, born in New York
in 1846. They have three children — Frank, aged
twelve March 26, 1880; Kelly, aged nine Octobers,
1880; Ella, aged five March 17, 1880. Mr. King is one
of the prominent citizens and leading farmers of his
township. He is a pleasant man and good neighbor, and
one of that great army of Iowa farmers who need not
fear to meet competition and comparison with those of
any other State of the Union or out of it.
D. W. Hopkins, was born in Berkshire county, Mass-
achusetts, in 181 8. At about the age of twenty-seven,
moved to New York, where he resided about eight
years, when he moved to Indiana, remaining only about
two years. Came to Iowa in the spring of 1855, located
in section twenty-two, in Fairbank township. Bought
the farm of eighty-two and one-fourth acres (where he
now resides) in the year 1868. Built his house in 1872.
Set out two acres of fruit trees, and has his farm under
fine cultivation. Was married in 1841 to Miss Laura
Taylor, of Massachusetts. Have no children of their
own, but have adopted a son, Edger L. (an only child of
Mrs. Hopkins only sister), at the age of two years, who is
now twenty-seven years of age and is farming his father's
place. Mr. Hoi)kins is one of Buchanan's early settlers,
and has a good farm and fine home to show in return
for early sacrifices and privations.
Elisha Sanborn, was born in Rockingham county.
New Hampshire in 1826. At about the age of twenty-one
he went to Boston and engaged in business for about
three years, then went to Wisconsin in 185 1 and hired
out to work on the farm four years. He entered one
hundred and sixty acres of land in Fairbank township,
this county, in 1854. Moved upon it in 1855 and still
resides there. He has since added twenty-nine acres of
timber land. Mr. Sanborn has brought his farm up from
the condition of a wild prairie traversed by deer and
other wild animals of the plain, to a grand home in the
midst of civilization. He has erected fine buildings and
planted fruit and shade "trees. Mr Sanborn was married
in May, 1855, to Miss Esther Ann Sawyer, of New York.
Have two children, Herman E., age twenty-one, and
Clara Augusta, age eighteen ; both single and living at
home. These people have a fine home and seem to
ajjpreciate it.
Mrs. Lucia Nurse was born in Rutland county, Ver-
mont, in 1829. She married Mr. Joel D. Nurse, in
1845. She moved to Illinois in 1855. She came to
Iowa in 1867. Mr. Joel D. Nurse died October 26,
1878, leaving a family of four children: V. C, aged
thirty-two, married and runs the farm; Alice, aged twenty
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
337
six, married Olville ^Valker, and lives in Dakota; Frank,
aged thirteen, lives at home and attends school; Anna,
a bright little girl of eight summers, who keeps her
mother company on the farm. Mrs. Nurse and family
have made their present residence in Fairbank township
their home for the past thirteen years. Mrs. Nurse is
one of those ladies who still show in their manners the
advantages of eastern birth and early culture.
Mile L. Higby was born in Pomfret, Chautauqua coun-
ty, New Y'ork, in 1830. He settled in Oren township,
Fayette county, Iowa, about one mile across the line from
Fairbank, in 1857. His farm there consists of one hun-
dred and seventy acres. He removed to Fairbank, April
I, 1881 — having rented his farm. He has four village
lots, lying together, on which he is building a commo-
dious residence, as a quiet and cosy retreat for his declin-
ing years. He was married in Chautauqua county, in
1854, to Jane Wilson, whose parents were early pioneers
in that county. They have four children — one girl and
three boys: Emma, Duane, Arthur, and Leon. He en-
listed as a private in the Thirty-eighth Iowa infantr}',
August 15, 1862, and continued in the service until the
close of the war. He was at Vicksburgh, Mobile, Fort
Gains, and Fort Morgan. At the latter the land forces
did the principal part of the work — the gun-boats doing
little more than to attract the attention of the forts. He
was also in several skirmishes. The most serious en-
gagement in which he took part was the attack on Mobile.
But he came through, as through all the rest of his bat-
tles, without a wound.
I. B. Agnew was born in Mount Vernon, Knox county,
Ohio, in 183 1. He came to Iowa in 1855, locating on
the farm where he still resides, in Fairbank township.
He bought, at that time, two hundred acres, and has since
bought sixty acres. He built his fine house in 1877, and
his barn in 1868. He engaged in the stock and dairy
business quite largely, as well as farming extensively.
He has his farm under perfect cultivation, and trees
bearing fruit, so that he has one of the best farms, and
a home that ought to satisfy any man. Mr. Agnew was
married, in September, 1856, to Miss Sarah R. Dille, of
Indiana. They have five children living: Ward B.,
aged twenty; Mary E., aged eighteen; Nancy E., aged
fifteen; Sarah E., aged eight; and Freddie D., aged
seven. They all make their home with their father. We
must add here that Mr. Agnew is one of those pleasant
men that a fellow likes to meet. Among his excellent
qualities as a gentleman, we are pleased to state he is a
good, square Republican.
E. W. Wellman was born in Geauga county, Ohio, in
1853. At about the age of three, he moved with his
father, Obed Wellman, to Indiana, where he lived till he
was twenty years of age, which was in the year 1853,
when he came to Iowa, and located on the farm where
he now lives, in Fairbank township. He bought it of the
Government, there being eighty acres in the piece. He
built a good house in 1878. He has the farm all under
good cultivation, and makes farming his principal bus-
iness. He was married, in 1872, to Miss Phoebe A.
Webster, of this county. They have two children:
Edith Myrtle, aged seven; and Adelbart E., aged three —
a couple of bright little children. Mr. Wellman is one
of Buchanan's substantial farmers, and one of the Na-
tion's good, sound Republicans.
HAZLETON.
This township was granted an independent organization
by the county judge in April, 1S53, under the name of
Superior, with thirty-six sections, and bounded on the
north by Fayette county. On the first day of August,
1853, the people had their first election, and the follow-
ing were elected township ofificers: James Huntington
and Samuel Sufficool, justices of the peace; Nathan Ped-
dycord, E. P. Spear, and John Kint, trustees. The name
of the township was changed to Haxleton about 1862.
The officers of Hazleton township for 1881 were as fol-
lows: John Kiefer, B. H. Miller, and Patrick O'Brien,
trustees; O. M. Bunce, clerk; Wayne Nelson, assessor,
S. O. Hillman and William Bunce, justices of the peace;
Peter Putnam and Charles Morton, constables.
The surface of the township is generally rolling. The
soil i.i a light loam, though some poitions are sandy; yet
the larger part is good and productive land. The timber
is white, red, and burr oak, butternut, walnut, and hick-
ory. Nearly one-fourth of the township is in timber.
The streams are the Otter in the west, Little Otter in the
northeast. South creek in the east, and Phillips' creek in
the west.
SETTLEMENT.
Samuel Sufficool and D. C. Greeley made the first
permanent settlement here February 21, 1847, '" the
northwest part of the township. They were natives of
Ohio, and had emigrated to Iowa the year before, stop-
ping at Marion, Linn county, from whence they came
here with ox teams. They came to the county the sum-
mer before and put up some hay in Buffalo township.
They built a shanty, jjassed the time until spring came
hunting, cutting wood and splitting rails, with no com-
338
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
panions but the Indians and wolves, for at this time their
nearest neighbors were seven miles away. In the spring
they built a log house, this being the first house in the
township, and soon after its completion Calvin Tuttle
and wife came and moved into it, with whom Sufificool
and Greeley lived. That season they broke sixty acres of
land, and raised a little sod corn.
No further settlers came until September, 1847, when
William Bunce, wife and child, arrived and built, a log
house near Sufficool and Greeley. The child who came
with Bunce and wife is now O. W. Bunce, clerk of the
township, and a hardware merchant of Hazleton village.
John Kint and family, consisting of a wife and four chil-
dren, settled here August 17, 1848, on section two, the
land he afterwards entered and now owns and lives on.
With Kint came Oilman Greeley and wife and his two
sons, W. H. Greeley and Stephen L. Greeley, and built a
log house near the others.
In June, 1848, Isaac Sufificool, the father of S. Suffi-
cool, and family came, and on their arrival moved into
the house of Sufficool and Greeley. Orlando Sufficool
the same year settled in the southwest part of the town-
ship, upon land which he had entered in 1847 and now
owns and lives on. He was then quite a young man;
now he is married and the father of four children, and
the owner of a good farm of two hundred and fifty acres.
He was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1824. Of the early
settlers Samuel Sufficool still resides in the township, the
owner of eight hundred acres of land, and has a wife
and two grown daughters.
D. C. Greeley died October 4, 1854, leaving a widow.
John Kint was born April 8, 1815, in Pennsylvania.
When young he learned the cooper's trade. In 1836 he
went to Ohio, and there married, March 25, 1837, a sis-
ter of D. C. Greeley. They had five children^Daniel,
George H., Betsey Ann, Florence Ellen, and W. H.
Kint. Betsey A. married Thomas M. Sparks, -ivho vol-
unteered in our late war, where he lost his life. She
afterwards married Peter Young, with whom she is now
living in Hazleton. Daniel married Sarah Buchart, and
resides on section two. He has four children. George
married Eliza Sparks, by whom he has seven children,
and lives in Fayette county. W. H. Kint married Anna
Graves, and has four children, residing in Knox county,
Nebraska. Florence Ellen married Jacob Hasbrook,
and has four children, and lives near John Kint's.
Oilman Greeley and wife are dead. The whereabouts
of W. H. Greeley are not known. Quite a number of
years ago he mysteriously disappeared, and nothing has
been known of him since. Stephen L. Greeley is in Ne-
braska.
A. Belt settled here in 1S52. He came from Indiana,
being a native of Ohio. He resided in the township for
some years, and now lives in Byron township with his
son, E. C. Belt. He has been a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church for forty years. The first religious
services held in the township were at his house. He had
six children, all of whom are now living.
Isaac Sufficool and wife died in 1866 in this township.
James Girton came in 1851. He settled near Coy-
town, and now lives on the same farm where he first set-
tled. He had a large family of children, and is now
seventy-four years of age.
Fayette Gillet, a native of New York, settled in the
west part of the township in 1854. At that time he en-
tered the land upon which he now lives. He has three
children.
W. C. Nelson, a native of Pennsylvania, a German
by descent, settled here in 1853, at old Hazleton, which
was for a long time the only village in the township.
He was the pioneer physician. The village was fortu-
nate, for at this early day even, they had the honor of
having a doctor of their own. In those days, in the
sparsely settled country, the doctor made long and te-
dious rides on horseback to visit his palients, frequently
away weeks at a time, travelling among the sick. He
also taught the first school established at the village
above mentioned ; and also w-as townshi[) clerk for a
number of years. He died here in 1862, leaving a wid-
ow and four children: George, Thomas, ^Vayne A. W.
and Catharine. His widow afterwards married General
S. Bell, and is now living in the village of Hazleton.
E. W. Tenney settled here September 28, 1853 — a
native of Sutton, Massachusetts. He was the son of a
physician, and by profession a railway engineer. On
his arrival here, he opened a store at the old village of
Hazleton, he being the second one to make the venture
in the township. He continued in business until about
1873, when he retired lor a time. In about 1875, he
married a Miss Haines, by whom he has one child — a
girl. In the fall of 18S0, he again embarked in busi-
ness, becoming a member of the firm of Miller & Os-
mer, dealers in lumber, the style of the firm being Mil-
ler, Tenney & Co. He is one of the directors of the
People's bank, at Independence.
L. D. Engle settled here with his family in 1851. He
had seven children, only two of whom are now living;
his wife is also dead. He was born in Ontario county,
New York, in 1805, and when twelve years of age he
went with his father's family to Ohio, where he remained
until twenty-two years of age. Then he returned to
New York and resided there six years, during which time
he married and soon left with his bride for Oiiio. After he
had lived in Iowa twenty years, he made a trip to Cali-
fornia, where he remained some four years. He has re-
turned and is now living in the township, having retired
from business, and is now passing his life in peace and
quiet.
W. \V. Gilbert, a native of Ohio, settled in the town-
ship in the spring of 1854. At that time he was not a
married man, but in 1857 he married and settled down
to housekeeping in this township. He has two children,
a boy and a girl, Ella and Fred. In 1870 he bought a
place about one-half mile east of Independence, where
he now resides. He has been quite a hunter, keeping a
fine pack of trained dogs; and even now he takes down
occasionally the old gun that has, in his hands, killed many
a swift-footed deer, calls the dogs together, and starts
for the timber for a hunt and a day's sport. If a skulk-
ing wolf comes lurking about, then the fire and enthu-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
339
siasm of early years kindles up, and he starts in pursuit.
Mr. Gilbert has about his place many trophies of his
hunts in the days that are passed, such as horns of the
deer, skins of animals he has killed — reminders of nar-
row escapes from the sharp claws and teeth of the l)nx,
and the feet and horns of the dying stag.
VILLAGES.
In 1852 a store and post office were started near where
Sufficool and Greeley made the first settlement in 1841.
The store was started by Allen Coy, who was also post-
master; but the store was soon purchased by Edward
Hutchins. The building where the first store and post
office were, is now occupied by J. L. Biglow as a resi-
dence; and the place is called Coytown. All that is left
of this first village is a few farm houses.
In 1853 E. \V. Tenney opened a store two and a half
miles south of the former one, and a post office was
established there and called Hazleton, Tenney being
appointed to the office of postmaster. C. Weistman
also opened a store here in 1856, and this place was the
centre of business for the township until September,
1873, when the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern
railroad was built through, about one mile west from the
village. Then the shops, stores and, in fact, nearly all
the dwelling houses, were moved to the new village called
Hazleton.
The following is a correct statement of the present
business men, etc., of the new village of Hazleton:
Physicians — B. M. Corbin and W. E. Baker. Grain
dealers — D. A. Daus and John Kiefer. Station agent
of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railroad —
W. S. Hogue. Dry goods and groceries — Pret. King
and George W. Phillips. Blacksmiths — T. H. Under-
wood, F. S. Bertrand and G. R. Kayes. Hardware —
Miquett, Long & Co. Saloons — A. Nellis and C. Weist-
man. Dealers in lumber — Miller, Tenney & Co. Car-
penters— General S. Bell, William Truax and M. S.
Wheaton. Hotel — Henry O'Neil. Harness shop —
Birch & Farley. Shoe shop — Ephraim Walker. Meat
market — Moses Urkhart. Watch and clock repairer —
Henry Fourtner. Creamery — ^Adam Kiefer; established
in the spring of 18S0, and represented as doing a profit-
able business. A public school, employing two teachers,
the present ones being Mrs. D. Osmer and Julia Bunce.
Stephen Paul Sheffield represents the legal profession.
W. Bunce and S. O. Hilman are justices of the peace.
An opera house was erected in the spring of 1881 by
Pret. King, and called King's opera house. It is eighty
feet long and forty feet wide. IMurphy & Hunter and
B. H. Miller are stock dealers. The Burlington, Cedar
Rapids & Northern railroad passes through the centre
of the township from south to north.
EARLY EVENTS.
The first wedding was in 1848, W. H. Greeley to Mary
Ellen Sufficool, at the residence of the bride's father;
D. C. Greeley, esq., tying the knot; and the wedding oc-
curred near where the first settlement was made. They
had two children — a boy and a girl: Oilman and
Kesiah. The boy is in Nevada, and the girl now the
wife of Nelson Clough, and still lives in Hazleton.
Wallace S. Sufficool was the first white child born in the
township, January 21, 1849. The first wheat was raised
by Samuel Sufficool in 1848. Allen Coy was the first
postmaster. The first and only saw-mill was built in
1854, by John Moorehouse, on Otter creek; but before
it was completed he sold it to Isaac Sufficool, who fin-
ished and operated it for a number of years. The first
physician was W. C. Nelson, who settled there in 1853.
A tannery was started here in 1862, by E. W. Tenney,
W. A. Nelson, and S. Faulkner, which was the only one
ever established here. It remained for four years.
William Bunce made the first entry of land here, June,
1847, on section ten — D. C. Greeley, W. H. Greeley, and
Orlando Sufficool, made entries at the same time. In
the early days, the nearest grist-mill was at Quasqueton.
Most of their supplies came from Marion, Linn county.
Samuel Sufficool and D. C. Greeley attended the first
election ever had in Buchanan county, August, 1843,
which was held two miles east of Independence, in what
was called "Centre precint." Each was honored with
an office — D. C. Greeley being elected county surveyor,
and Sufficool county judge. In 1848, good mess pork
sold for two dollars per hundred, and slow sale at that
price. The timber was full of hogs. In the early years,
the inhabitants received their mail at Quasqueton, about
twenty-five miles away. Alien Coy was the first post-
master, and was succeeded by E. W. Tenney, and the of-
fice was moved two and one-half miles south from where
it was first established. Tenney was appointed in 1856
or 1857, by James Buchanan. The next was O. C.
Searls; then E. W. Tenney again; after them Thomas
Morton, C. Weitman, and W. S. Wheaton, the present
incumbenL
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
On the twentieth day of November, 1877, the
Ancient Order of United Workmen was established
here. It was instituted by W. H. Buford, D. D. G. M.,
of Iowa, and called Good Will Lodge, No. 139. It had,
on the night of its institution, a list of twenty-eight mem-
bers. The first officers were as follows: R. G. Merrill,
P. M.; S. H. Coon, master; J. B. Bennett, financier; O.
M. Bunce, foreman; E. D. Thomas, overseer; J. A.
Spear, recorder; and Peter Young, receiver. There is
now a membership of twenty-five, and it is in a good,
healthy financial condition. The present officers are,
William J. Darling, P. M.; Peter Young, master; G. M.
Miller, financier; O. Hunter, foreman; E. C. Lawrence,
overseer; J. S. Girton, recorder; and A. G. Merrill, re-
ceiver. This, in fact, is an insurance order, taking none
but good, sound members, who are able to pass a critical,
medical examination. At the death of a member his
estate gets two thousand dollars.
CEMETERIES.
The first cemetery here was established in the fall of
1849, in the northeast part of the township, near where
the first settlement was made. Here lie the remains of
its very first settlers, D. C. Greeley, whose sterling worth
of character will lie in the minds of those who knew
340
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
him, and never be forgotten by the old settlers. A
second one was established in 1855, in the centre of the
township, which is now quite well filled with graves.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The Methodists had the first religious organization, as
early as 1852. It was formed at the house of A. Belt,
and among the first members were, A. Belt and wife,
Nathan Peddycord and wife, C. S. Belt, and Mr. Russell
and wife. The first sermon preached was by Rev. Mr.
Shippen, the stationed preacher at Independence. The
society had occasional services at school-houses, private
houses and halls. In May, 1879, they built a house of
worship. Rev. H. Bailey is the present pastor.
The first Presbyterian church was organized here in
1864, at the house of John Long, by the Rev. J. D.
Caldwell. Since the building of the Methodist Episco-
pal church they have worshipped there, as at present.
The Rev. J. D. Caldwell is still the preacher.
An organization of the Free Will Baptists was formed
here, in July, 1879. They held services in the school-
house, in district No. 9, in the southwest part of the
township. They have no regular preacher.
SCHOOLS.
The early schools were supported by voluntary sub-
scriptions from the inhabitants. In the fall of 1852 a big
log house was built in the northeast part of the township
by D. C. Greeley and John Kint. A school was taught
there in the winter by Elizabeth Amelia Sayles, and it
had twelve scholars. The teacher, Miss Sayles, married
D. C. Greeley, with whom she lived for about two years,
when he died. She subsequently married John D. Max-
well, of Webster City, where she now lives. This school-
house was primitive in the style of its architecture, the
whole being constructed of logs, including the desks and
seats, which were made of hewn logs. The chimney
was built of rock. An incident occurred during the con-
struction of the house that seems worth relating here.
Greeley and Kint had got the house up e.xcepting the
roof, when, during the night, a snow-storm came. In
the morning Kint went to the house and there found
Greeley standing within the walls in snow four inches
deep, looking somewhat disappointed. Greeley re-
marked to Kint, "that he would have a school here this
winter, if he had to to do all the work himself" In a
short time the house was completed and the school com-
menced. Among the first school-houses were one at
Coytown and one at Hazleton village. Abraham Wykoof,
D. C. Greeley, Stephen L. Greeley and C. W. Lillie, a
prominent citizen of Independence, were some of the
early teachers. There are now ten schools in the town-
ship, and the one at Hazleton village employs two teach-
ers. The school-houses in the township are good ones,
convenient, and mostly new.
There is in the northeast part of the township, near
where the first settlement was made, a limestone quarry,
covering about twenty acres of land. The stone has
proved to be of a good quality, standing well the weather
and storm, and answering well for building purposes.
The rock lies in tiers from four to twelve inches thick.
and from six to ten in length. The stone is very white,
and easily worked. In the spring of 1879 a patent lime-
kiln was erected here by Bunce & Co., who are also the
owners of the quarry. The kiln has the capacity of burn-
ing one hundred bushels of lime in twenty-four hours.
Since its establishment a good and profitable business has
been done, — supplying the adjacent places with lime. In
1S80, thirty-two hundred bushels were burned here.
The lime is of an excellent quality, being very white and
strong; and thus far its users have been well satisfied.
Bunce & Co. have a fortune here, if it is properly managed.
In early days there was a large number of deer in all
parts of the township, and occasionally an elk was seen,
but not common. The skulking wolves were in large
numbers, as now. Of fur-bearing animals, the otters
were plenty, from which the principal stream in the town-
ship takes its name. There were a few beavers; but now
nothing is left but the mink and muskrat. William Bunce
and W. W. Gilbert, in the winter of 1854-5, had, between
them, a pleasant competition, to see which would kill the
most deer. These Nimrods slaughtered, that winter,
thirty-seven deer, and to Gilbert was given the honor of
killing one the most. In those times venison was plenty
and good. Since the winter of 1855-6, no deer have
been seen in the township. During the winter of 1854-5
there were two or tliree elks killed here. There were
wild-cats and lynxes. A large lynx was killed by W. W.
Gilbert, with which he had an encounter; but, being
mounted upon a horse, which understood him, he suc-
ceeded in killing him. He tracked him to a tree, where
he was found ready to leap upon his pursuers. At the
discharge of the gun the horse leaped forward; and the
lynx, being wounded, jumped from the tree and lighted
upon the very spot where horse and rider had stood. The
lynx received a second discharge, and then, with hunting-
knife, was dispatched. Gilbert says, in relating the story,
" that, for a moment, this was not a very pleasant place to
be at." A gray fox was also killed here by this Nimrod.
The winters of 1857 and 1858 are spoken of by the
old settlers as very severe indeed, being characterized by
cold weather and deep snow. There was much suffering
in the township, and several persons were frozen to death
while travelling over the prairie.
PERSONAL MENTION.
James Dow-ling was born in Scotland in 1834. He
lived with his father, Samuel Dowling, assisting at his
trade in weaving until he was sixteen years of age, when
he enlisted in the British service, where he remained two
and a half years, fighting through the Crimean war. He
was at the taking of the great Redan. He came to
America in 1858, and staying a few months at New York
and a short time in Chicago, he finally went to Rankakee
City, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for three
months, the first time he had ever served in that capaci-
ty. He bought a ditching machine, which he was han-
dling very successfully, when his adopted country called,
and he joined the noble force that squelched the Rebel-
lion. He enlisted in company A, One Hundredth Illi-
nois volunteer infantry, and served the country three
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
341
years. He was in twenty engagements, and was wound-
ed by a gunshot in the battle of Chickamauga. Mr. Dow-
ling was never taken prisoner, nor off duty one hour ex-
cept when wounded, and then he joined his regiment
before he was fully recovered. Returned home in 1865
and entered a piece of land and purchased forty acres
joining the same. In the spring of 1866 he was married
to Miss Margaret Victoria Murphy, of Wayne county,
Illinois, who was born March 16, 185 1. Here he leased
his mother-in-law's farm during her life, which proved to
be ten years. In 1876 he came to Iowa and bought the
farm of eighty acres where he now resides, south of
Hazleton, and has since purchased seventy acres. Mr.
Dowling has a nice little family of five children; Nettie,
aged thirteen; James, aged ten; John aged eight; George
Washington, aged five; Charles W., aged three. Mr.
Dowling and his wife are members of the Methodist
church, and Mr. Dowling has always fought for, and
voted the Republican ticket.
Alexander Bass was born in Scotland February 4, 1837.
At the age of twenty-one he came to America with his
father, Andrew Bass, locating in Wisconsin, where Mr.
Alexander Bass resided about five years, when he went
to Minnesota and farmed till the year 1867. He then
returned to Wisconsin and remained nearly two years.
In the spring of 1869 he came to Iowa and purchased
the farm of eighty acres where he still resides, in section
twenty-five, Hazleton township. Mr. Bass was married
June I, 187 1, to Miss Margaret Edgar, who died Janu-
ary 2, 1S80, at the age of forty-three years. She was
born in Scotland June 2, 1837. Mr. Bass has two chil-
dren living and one deceased: Jennie Helen, aged eight;
Maggie E., aged six; Mabel A., born October 11, 1877,
died August 27, 1879.
Prettyman King was born in Defiance count)-, Ohio,
in the year 1841. Attended the Ohio Wesleyan univer-
sity at Delaware, Ohio, in the year 1S60. Enlisted in
the three months' service, after the expiration of which he
again attended school three months ; then enlisted in the
Fifth battalion for six months, and at the expiration of
the time, he enlisted at Camp Garrett, Kentucky, in the
Thirteenth Ohio volunteer cavalry for three years, or dur-
ing the war. The regiment was organized at Camp
Chase, and entered the service in Virginia. Served his
country over three years, entering the anny as a private,
was promoted to orderly sergeant, then to sergeant
major, then to second lieutenant, then to first lieutenant.
Afterwards was appointed adjutant, and then captain of
his company. Captain King was in the front ranks at
the surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865. Afterwards ordered
to City Point, and turned over ordnances and horses.
Went then to Columbus, Ohio, and was discharged.
Was in three open-field sabre charges, and had two
horses shot from under him. At four different battles
supported field artillery. Was in twenty-four battles —
the first and last battles of the Rebellion. Under the I
command of General Burnside he lay thirty days in the
rifle pits in front of Petersburgh, and helped blow up the
rebel fort, using eight tons of powder. Was in the
Ninth corps which made the charge and carried three
lines of the rebels' works, and held their position till 5
o'clock p. M., when they were ordered back to their own
lines in wild retreat. Lost five thousand men killed in
the charge. Military tactics required the following up
of the left wing; the centre was already broken. General
Burnside went to the commander, General Mead, and
urged this movement, stating that his men "were melt-
ing away like snow," but, on account of jealousy, it was
not granted, and this terrible loss of life was the result,
prolonging the war at least a year, and leaving a bitter
feeling in the heart of every surviving soldier toward
General Mead.
After Mr. King's return home from the war he at-
tended commercial school in Ohio. Mr. King was
married to Miss Mattie Demorst, of Delaware, Ohio.
Returned home to assist his father two years in the
hotel, mililnery and mercantile business. Mrs. King
died of hemorrhage while on a visit home in the year
1868, after which Mr. King came to Iowa, and engaged
in the dry goods business with Mr. J. F. Hodges, of In-
dependence, for two years. Returned to Ohio on a visit
of one year, came back to Independence in 1872, and
married Miss Amelia Manz. Have three children :
Wyatt, aged seven; \\'illiam, aged five ; Maud A., aged six
months. Engaged in the mercantile business with
Keifer Brothers, of Hazleton, in March, 1877, where he
is still in business, but no longer in partnership. Mr.
King is a man of rare experience. His affability and
gentlemanly bearing gives him rare advantages as a
business man. Among his many other excellent qualities
we may state the fact that he is a good, sound Repub-
lican.
J. R. Cowell was born in New York, in 1835. At the
age of twenty-one he went to Wisconsin, where he re-
sided eight months, and returned to New York State and
engaged in farming about eighteen months. He came
to Iowa in 1858 and spent about two years, and fenced
and improved forty acres of land, it being a part of
eighteen hundred acres his father, C. R. Cowell, had
purchased at government price about the year 1854. He
then rented his farm and went back to New York, and
stayed two years. Returned in 1862 and moved upon his
land, where he still resides in Hazleton township.
Owns in all one hundred and sixty. Mr. Cowell was
married in 1861 to Miss Marcia Morse, who died in
1868, leaving three children : E. E., aged eighteen ; C.
W., aged sixteen ; F. A., aged fourteen. Mr. Crowell
was married a second time in 1874, to Miss Fannie
House, who died in June, 1878, leaving two children :
F. M., aged four; C. J., aged two. Mr. Cowell is a
member of the Baptist church, and, politically, is a good
Republican.
J. W. Barr, was born in Buchanan county, Washington
township, Iowa, in 1848. Has, with the exception of
some travelling, always made his home here, engaged in
farming principally. He owns a farm of two hundred
acres where he resides in section thirty-three Hazleton
township, the forty where the buildings stood was bought
from the Goverment by his father, Thomas Barr, in the
year 1855. Mr. Barr was married in 1874 to Miss
342
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Elizabeth I. Curley, who was born in Hohnes county,
Ohio, in 1854. They have two children, Galileo C, age
five; Clara F., age three. We are pleased to meet such
a man as Mr. Barr. He is one of the very first men
who helped lay the foundation of Buchanan county.
He remembers well when his neighbors were more of the
red than the white. When deer and other wild game
inhabited the groves and prairies and the conveniences
of life were scarce. But he has a property that well pays
him for his many privations.
Orin Harrington, was born in Canada in 1833, and
came to the United States in 1853, stopping two years in
Illinois, working on the farm as a hand. Came to Iowa
in 1855, spent about two years as a hired hand when he
purchased eighty acres in section twenty, Hazleton
township, where he resided fourteen years, when he
moved to Independence and their lived two years, work-
ing at the carpenter's trade, and improved some lots he
owned there. In the spring of 1873 he purchased the
farm of two hundred and forty acres where he now resides,
in Hazleton township. Has splendid buildings and his
admirably, farm under good improvement. His farm lies
one hundred and twenty acres on each side of the road.
On the west side of the road he has a natural grove of
one hundred and twenty acres. He has a great facility
in feeding stock. He has barns and sheds well arrranged
for this avocation, which he takes quite an interest
in along with his farming. He sells about twenty-three
hundred dollars worth of stock a year, besides his hay
and grain. He owns seven hundred and eighty and
one-half acres of land, all told. Mr. Harrington was
married about the year 1855, to Miss Sarah S. Long,
born in New York in 1839. They have seven children
living, and three deceased. Eva, age twenty-three, mar-
ried Webster Smale, and lives in Lamars Plymouth
county; O. Chester died, June 19 1880, at the age
of nineteen; Walter, age seventeen; Ellen, age fifteen;
Amos, age eleven; Fred, age seven; Penn, age five;
Arthur, age three. The single children are all living and
constitute a wide-awake bright family. Mr. and Mrs.
Harrington are members of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Harrington is one of Buchanan's early settlers, and
is one of its successful business farmers to-day. He is
one of the substantial men Of the county, and one of the
driving-wheels of the community. And he is among
those sound-headed men, who are satisfied with the
present condition of the country, and means to vote to
keep it the same.
Albertus Gillet, was born in Courtland county. New
York, in the year 1S32; commenced to work for himself
at the age of fifteen. At the age of twenty-two he came
to Iowa and purchased the farm of three hundred and
twenty acres where he now resides in Hazleton town-
ship. Moved onto it in 1856, commenced breaking and
built his house. He has made many additional improve-
ments, besides having his farm under a fine state of cul-
tivation, has shade and fruit trees and every convenience
of a good home. Has since made some changes in
buying and selling, so that now he owns two hundred and
eighty acres all in one body. East of the house there is
a natural grove of forty acres that surpasses in beauty
anything of the kind we have ever seen in the west. It
is a natural sloping mound. Mr. Gillet was married
July 4, 1859, to Miss Emma L. Parish, who was born on
Long Island, New York, April, 1842. They have two
children — Edward M., aged nineteen, and Cora L., aged
twelve years. Mrs. Gillet's grandfather, on the mother's
side, was a brother of the noted Colonel (afterwards Gen-
eral) Miller, who was asked by General Scott, at the bat-
tle of Lundy Lane, if he could take a battery which was
the key to the enemy's position. His famous reply was,
"I will try, sir." He tried, succeeded, and the fight was
won. Mrs. Gillet has a brother residing in Nagasaki,
Japan, engaged in furnishing ship supplies and groceries
to the American and German navies. Mr. Gillet sends
him all his butter — even during the hottest weather.
We had the pleasure of seeing some exquisite presents
sent by this brother to his sister, containing views of his
place of business and his residence. Never before, to
our comprehension, were the east and west brought so
near together.
Fayette Gillet was born in the State of New York in
1824. He resided at home with his father, Nathan Gil-
let, and attended school until he was twenty-one years
of age, when he commenced life for himself by engaging
in farming. When twenty-six years of age he married
and moved into an adjoining county and resided until
the year 1854, when he came to Iowa and purchased the
farm where he now resides, in Hazleton township. He
owns one hundred and twenty acres, and built a fine
stone house in the year 1868. His farm is under good
culture, with trees bearing fruit, and the farm bears the
appearance of a pleasant home, Mr. Gillet was married
in ^L1rch, 1850, to Miss Eunice Amanda Eldridge, who
was born in Chenango county, New York, in 1830.
They have three children living and one deceased: Mary
Lucinda, twenty-nine, married H. E. Merrill, resides in
this township ; Frank H., twenty-seven, married Maggie
Ann Spragg, and resides in Montana; Ada Malvina,
died August 5, 1865, at the age of five years; C. Leon
F., nine. Mr. and Mrs. Gillet are good neighbors, and
Mr. Gillet is a good, sound Republican.
RoUin Miller was born in Wyoming county, New
York, in 1843. At the age of six he moved, with his
father, Adam Miller, to Illinois, where they remained
about three years, when they came to Iowa, locating in
this county, Washington precinct. He farmed his fath-
er's place and lived at home till he was twenty-three
years of age, when he was married and moved to his own
home. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of
land, where he now resides, in Hazleton township, in 1867.
He built his house the same season, and now owns in
all three hundred and sixty acres of excellent land. The
editor finds the canvasser's notes so obscure in regard to
the children of Mr. and Mrs. Miller (both, as it would
seem, having been previously married), that he feels
compelled to leave out their names altogether. Mr.
Miller was an abolitionist previous to President Lin-
coln's emancipation proclamation, and ever since a Re-
publican. He is a man who enjoys life and the society
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
34^
of his friends, and has the respect and good wishes of all
his neighbors.
Thomas Morton was born in Spencer county, Indi-
ana, August 7, 1813. At the age of sixteen he moved,
with his father, Francis Morton, to Wabash, Indiana,
where he resided four years, when they moved into Illi-
nois, where Mr. Francis Morton died in 1842. In the
year 1839 Mr. Thomas Morton went to Wisconsin and
lived about twenty-eight years, engaged in farming. He
came to Iowa in the spring of 1867, locating in "Old
Hazleton," where they made their home about five
years, engaging in the hotel business. He purchased the
farm of eighty acres where he resides, in the east edge,
at Hazleton station, in the year 1872. He has put up
fine improvements, both in buildings and shade and
fruit trees, besides putting his farm in a fine state of cul-
tivation. When the railroad came he laid forty acres off
in town lots. Mr. Morton was married in 1835 to Miss
Susan Kelly, who died in 1845, at the age of thirty,
leaving a family of five children — four sons and one
daughter — all of whom are married and doing for them-
selves. He was married the second time in 1844 to
Miss Frances A. Brown, who was born in Highland
county, Ohio, June 15, 1S26. They have five children
living and one deceased: Sanford B., who died Septem-
ber 7, 1846, at the age of two years ; Sarah C, born No-
vember 14, 1846, married Wallace Sadler, and resides in
Hazleton township, on a farm ; Mary C, born November
9, 1848, married William Sadler, and resides in the vil-
lage of Hazleton ; Thomas J., born April 4, 1852, mar-
ried Mary Ann Haghwood, and resides in Hazleton ;
John F., born June 28, 1854, married Carrie Benette,
and also resides in Hazleton ; Stephen A. Douglas, born
October 18, i860. Mr. and Mrs. Morton are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr.
Morton is a greenbacker.
H. R. O'Neil was born in Ripley county, Indiana,
February 20, 1854. He came to Iowa, with his father,
Ruel O'Neil, locating in Fairbank township, in April,
1856. Mr. O'Neil made his father's house his home un-
til he was about twenty-two years of age, two years of
which time he farmed the home place on shares, at the
expiration of which he attended school two years at Keo-
kuk. In the spring of 1877, he entered in partnership
with C. Weitman, in the general mercantile business in
Hazleton, which he continued about one year; then en-
gaged in the stock and lumber business for another year.
He then purchased the hotel in Hazleton in 1878, which
he still retains. Mr. O'Neil was married August 15,
1880, to Miss Mary E. Jarrett, who was born December
28, 1854, in the State of Indiana. Mr. O'Neil took pos-
session of his hotel as landlord (his wife being landlady),
on the fifteenth day of January, 1881, through the ur-
gent request of their fellow townsmen, and we can testi-
fy to the fact that they are well calculated for the busi-
ness. They keep a quiet, genteel house, set a good
table, and give general satisfaction in accommodations
and prices.
Peter Young was born in Germany, near the borders
of France, in 1829, May 7th, and came to .America when
about twelve years of age, entirely alone, inaking Defi-
ance county his home till 1863, engaging in farming and
carpentering. He came to Iowa in November, 1863,
and purchased a property in Old Hazleton in January,
where he made his home better than a year carrying on
the carpenter's and joiner's business. In 1865 he pur-
chased a property in Coytown, and resided there three
years, where he engaged in the carpenter's and joiner's
business, owning a farm of eighty acres in Buffalo town-
ship at the same time. October 14, 1868, he purchased
the farm of one hundred and twenty acres where he re-
sides, one mile west of Hazleton station He owns also
ten acres of timber in section ten, Hazleton township.
He did not move upon his place till the year 1869. The
same year he built his fine residence; he built his barn
in 1873. He has a beautiful natural grove of about five
acres just back of his house, which not only adds beauty
to his home, but comfort in both summer and winter.
The natural location of Mr. Young's farm cannot be ex-
celled for beauty in the county. The house stands on
an eminence overlooking the village of Hazleton, the
railroad track north and south for several miles, and the
country far beyond. His improvements are of a fine
character. Besides fine buildings, he has his farm un-
der a perfect state of cultivation ; fruit trees, etc., planted,
and every want of a nice home supplied. Mr. Young
was married in 1864, December 6th, to Miss Betsy Ann
Sparks, who was born in Williams county, Ohio, Octo-
ber I, 1843. They have nine children: Stejjhen Elmer,
born October 26, 1865; Mary Elizabeth, born June 18,
1867; Jacob Henry, born October 31, 1869; Carrie
May, born October 10, 1871; Nora L., born September
17, 1873; Nettie E., born March 19, 1875; Fffie E.,
born March 14, 1877; Mertie F., born October 24,
1878; Daniel Nelson, born January 4, 1881. They are
pleasant and intelligent, and take an interest in the com-
munity, and have the best wishes of all their neighbors.
They take great pains in giving their children an educa-
tion— a worthy example to all. Mr. Young is a member
of the order of Free Masons.
G. M. Miller was born in Wyoming county. New York,
in 1837. At the age of twelve he went to Illinois with
his father, Adam Miller, and lived near Rockford about
three years. His father was a car[)enter and joiner by
trade, but engaged in sheep-raising during his stay in Illi-
nois, besides working at his trade. G. M. Miller came to
Iowa September 13, 1852, locating in Washington town-
ship. His first purchase of land in the county was in
section thirty-two, Hazleton township, which was in 1853.
He purchased the farm of two hundred and ten acres,
where he now resides, in Hazleton township, and has
since added to it, till now he owns two hundred and
eighty acres in all. He built his fine residence in 1871,
and his barn in 1875.
Benjamin H. Miller was born in Thompkins county,
New York, in 1840. At about the age of four he moved
with his father, E. Miller, to Illinois, near Rockford,
where they made their home till the year 1866, when he
came to Iowa and purchased the farm of three hundred
and forty acres of land where he still resides, in Hazle
344
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
ton townshi]3. He enlisted in company A, Sixty-third
Illinois infantry, in the three months' service, but served
his country nearly five months. Mr. Miller was married
in October, 1863, to Miss Lucy M. Payne, who was born
in Rockford, Illinois, in July, 1844. They have six chil-
dren— Gertie A., aged sixteen; Warren A., fourteen;
Mattie E., ten; Samuel B., seven; Bennie H., five; Ul-
ster S., three. Mr. Miller has one of the best farms in
Buchanan county. He has one of the finest groves, of
four acres, in the county. It is planted in straight rows.
He has also a fine orchard, and knowing the require-
ments of a fine home has supplied them. He has held
positions of honor and trust several times — served as jus-
tice of the peace four years, town clerk, and trustee. He
is one of Buchanan's wide-awake farmers. Mr. Miller is
affable, pleasant, and a solid Republican.
Mrs. Eunice Sjjragg was born in New Brunswick in
i8i2. She lived with her father, Moses Brundage, till
she was twenty-two years of age, when she married Ed-
ward Spragg, who was born in New Biunswick in 181 o,
and died July 11, 1878. They spent their early and best
days on the farm in New Brunswick, came to Iowa in
1865; purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres
where she now resides, in Hazleton township. They had
seven children, only two of whom are now living — Cath-
arine, who married Robert Alder, and died at the age of
twenty-seven, leaving one child, Edward K., now eigh-
teen, who makes his home with his grandmother;
Moses, who died in November, 1S49, at the age of thir-
teen; Sarah Matilda, who married B. Curtis, October 18,
1868, and died June 25, 1880, at the age of forty-two,
leaving two children ; Ezra, aged forty-one, is married
and resides in Montana, and has one child; Eliza Ann,
who died at the age of nine; Eunice, who died at the
age of eighteen months; John, twenty-six, single, who
resides in Montana. Mrs. Sprapg is a very pleasant, ac-
tive lady, for her years; is one of those apt ])ersons who
can calculate dates, ages, etc., very readily, and remem-
bers well the story of her life. She has a nice farm, and
is living in hope of reaching the better land when she
takes her departure.
Antoine Menuez was born in France in 18 16, and came
to America, at about the age of seventeen, with his father,
Henry Menuez, and located in Oswego, New York, where
he remained about twenty-two years, engaged principally
at the carpenter's trade. He came to Iowa in the year
1855, and purchased the farm of one hundred and ten
acres where he now resides, in Hazleton township ;
he has now one hundred and thirty acres. He built
himself a fine residence in 1879, and a number one barn
in 1874; has fruit and shade trees planted. Mr. Menuez
has one of the good farms of Buchanan county, and en-
gages in stock raising in connection with his farming.
Mr. Menuez was married, in r84i, to Miss Pauline Prud-
homnie, born in France in 1S30. They have nine chil-
dren— Mary Ellen, thirty-one, married Marcus Burns,
and resides in Marion, Iowa; Catharine Augusta, twenty-
nine, married Justine Jarder, a farmer of Hazleton town-
ship; Anthony Henry, twenty-five, married Rosa Staguls,
and resides in Hazleton township; John B., twenty-one,
married Jessie Sparks, and resides in Hazleton township;
Francis Domnique, nineteen; Mary Frankie, seventeen;
Peter Washington, fourteen; Frank, twelve; Leo, eight.
All the single children are residing at home, and consti-
tute a happy family. As will be seen by this sketch Mr.
Menuez is one of the first settlers of Buchanan county,
and has been one of its successful men. He has a fine
farm and nice home. Mr. and Mrs. Menuez are mem-
bers of the Catholic church. They are fine people, and
we should esteem it a pleasure to be one of their neigh-
bors.
L. O. Hellman was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in
1823. While still young, he went with his father, Ben-
jamin Hellman, to Grant county, Indiana, where he en-
gaged in farming till the year 1856, when he came to
Iowa, locating in Buffalo township. Here he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, but
sold eighty acres of it, and improved and lived upon the
balance till 1864, when he sold it, and" moved to Hazle-
ton township. He purchased the farm of one hundred
and twenty acres, where he still resides, and has in all
two hundred and twenty acres.
Mr. Hellman was married in 1846, to Miss Elizabeth
Coate, of Indiana. They have nine children living and
two dead; William, thirty-three; married Mary M. Miller,
and resides in Buffalo township ; Nancy, thirty-one, mar-
ried A. G. Pringle, and resides in Dakota Territory; Ben-
jamin, who died in 1869, at the age of nineteen; Mar-
garet, twenty-eight, married R. E. Ketchem, and lives in
Mainard, Fayette county; Harriet Amanda, twenty-six,
single; Isaac, twenty-three, single; Allen, twenty-one;
Oscar, nineteen; Albert, seventeen; Caroline, died in
1869, at the age of two years and a half; Esther, seven.
The single children all make their home with the father.
Mr. and Mrs. Hellman are members of the Christian
church. Mr. Hellman is well ofT in the world's goods,
has a large and interesting family, is a good neighbor
and friend, and a good and stiff Republican.
John G. Classon was born in Grafion, New Hamp-
shire, in 181 7. He went to the State of Vermont, when
he was thirteen, and resided there till he was twenty-one,
when he returned to New Hampshire, and remained
until 1842, when he returned to Vermont, where he
resided till the year 1855, engaging in the manufacture
of carriages in Thetford the whole time. In May, 1855,
he came to Iowa, and moved upon the farm of two hun-
dred acres, which he had previously purchased in Bremer
county. Those were early days. They had to go a dis-
tance of thitty-six miles for their groceries, etc., but the
wave of civilization soon reached them, and neighbors
and towns were near at hand. He sold his farm, and
caine to this county in September, 1863, and purchased
a farm in Homer township, where he lived five years, and
sold out to a good advantage, and purchased the farm of
eighty acres, where he now resides one mile west of
Hazleton. They have a beautiful home. It is protected in
the winter from the cold piercing winds, and in the summer
from the hot rays of the sun. Its natural location can-
not be excelled in the county, close to the railroad, close
to neighbors, and close to school and church. They
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
345
have trees bearing fruit, apples, plums, grapes, berries,
etc., and everything that the heart could desire, and
every attraction of a western home. Mr. Classon was
married September, 1841, to Miss Mary Ann \\d\s, who
was born in Merrimack county. New Hampshire, in
1817. They have four children living, and two deceased:
Ellen Louisa, thirty-eight, married Mr. Lewis Clark, who
died August 7, 1868; she is still a widow, and resides
at Cedar Falls. Harrison, thirty-five, married Miss
Hattie Harrington, and lives near his father's. Francis
A. died at the age of twenty-six, September 12, 1871, in
Kansas, and married William H. Merrill. Adelaide A.,
thirty, married Henry Bessie, and resides in Hazleton.
William E., twenty-six, single, and makes his home with
his parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Classon are members of
the Presbyterian church. Mr. Classon is a Republican.
Henry Erdman was born in Hanover, Germany, in
1825. He came to America in 1840, locating in New
York about six years, when he moved to Wisconsin, and
engaged in blacksmithing about six years. Mr. Erdman
came to Iowa in 1863, and purchased the farm of one
hundred and forty acres, where he now resides in
Greeley's Grove, Hazleton township. Mr. Erdman was
married in 1855, ^° '^'ss Mary Ann Stevens, of New
York, who died in 1870, leaving a family of four children:
Frank, twenty-four; Cirena, twenty-two; Hattie, sixteen;
Willy, fourteen — all living at home except Frank, who is
in Dakota working for himself. Mr. Erdman was married
the second time to Miss Eliza Lee, of Wisconsin. We
find Mr. Erdman very comfortably, situated. He has a
fine farm, a pleasant home, anxi an interesting family, and
is one of Buchanan's solid men, and besides all this, he
is enjoying the satisfaction of being a good and sound
Republican.
I. L. Bigelow was born in Troy, Bradford county,
Pennsylvania, in the year 1823. When still a boy he
went with his father, R. D. Bigelow, to Upper Canada,
where he lived about four years, when they moved to
Wisconsin, where he worked at the blacksmith trade
about ten years. He came to Iowa in May, 1850, where,
locating in Washington township, he spent three years.
Bought the place where he still resides, in Williamsburgh,
in 1868. Farming and blacksmithing were his principal
business. Mr. Bigelow was married in 1847, to M'ss
Harriet E. Varyason (fifty three years old), of Wisconsin.
They have five children: Sabina E., thirty-three, single;
Charlotte E., thirty, married William Scott Cushman,
resides in this county; .\manda Melvina, twenty-eight,
married Stephen C. Roddel, who died in 1873; John
Day, twenty-seven, single; James B., twenty-two. Mr.
Bigelow was one of the early pioneers. There were
only two married men in Independence at the time he
came. He ground the corn for his bread seven weeks,
in a coffee-mill. He has passed seventeen days at a time
without seeing the face of a white man. There was only
one corn mill in the county, and people came for sixty
miles to grind. They could grind about two bushels a day.
Though they can remember some severe hardships, yet
they look upon those days as being full of pleasure and
happiness. True fellowship then existed.
Henry Finch was born in New York in 1839, where
he resided till eighteen years of age, when he went to
Wisconsin and engaged in the lumber business for about
fourteen years, except the three years he spent in the
army. Enlisted August 15, i86^, in company K, Twen-
ty-fifth Wisconsin infantry. He was in the battle of Vicks-
burgh ; under Sherman's command afterwards, and the his-
tory of the war found in this work, will tell of the many hard
fought battles and skirmishes Mr. Finch was engaged m.
He was wounded in battle, from which he was off duty
three months, and from which he has never fully recov-
ered. He is still in possession of the Minnie ball which
caused the wound. It is battered and disfigured, show-
ing the terrible force with which it struck. He was never
taken prisoner, nor off duty one hour, save when he was
wounded, and was one of the Government's profitable
soldiers. He came to Iowa in 1873, and moved upon
the farm of two hundred and sixty acres which he had
purchased in 1867, situated three miles south of Hazle-
ton. Mr. Finch was married in 1868 to Miss Ida F.
Howard, of New York, and they have five children:
Bertha, ten; Abram, nine; Ida, six; Willie, four; Wil-
bur, two. A bright, wide-awake, interesting little family
of children. Mr. Finch has one of the best farms of
Buchanan county for their home, and is one of the best
men of the county. He is a patriot, heart and soul, and
a Republican to the backbone.
Stephen Patrick was born in England in 181 7, where
he engaged as a farmer's hand until the year 1848, when
he went to Canada and farmed six years. Came to the
United States in 1854, locating in Hazleton township,
where he purchased the farm of ninety acres where he
has since resided, two miles south of Hazleton. Built
his residence in 1865. Mr. Patrick was married in 1845,
to Miss Ann Jocklin, of England, who died, on their
way over, at Quebec, in 1848, leaving one child, Charles,
now thirty-four years of age and married to Miss Sarah
Shafer. They have four children and reside in the same
house with his father. Mr. Patrick was married the
second time in 1849, to Miss Ann Newcombe, born in
England in 181 2, who came to America alone in 1848.
She is now an old lady and very much afflicted with
rheumatism, but bears the traces of early beauty. Mr.
Patrick is a member of the Free Will Baptists. Is a
model man in his neighborhood. Has the good will of
all his acquaintances, and is, of course, a good, sound
Republican.
Charles Patrick enlisted in the Third Iowa battalion
in 1865, and served his country until the close of the
war.
J. I. Nichols was born in St. Lawrence county. New
York, in 1839. At the age of seven he went to the State
of Illinois with his father, Jason Nichols, where they
resided seventeen years. He came to Iowa in 1865,
locating in Fairbank township, where he resided three
years. He bought the farm of eighty acres where he now
resides, about two miles south of Hazleton, in 187 1.
Mr. Nichols was married December 31, 1864, to Miss
Lovina Kelley, born in Canada, September 13, 1842.
Have five children: Martha Ann, fourteen; F. W.,
346
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
eleven; Eunice E., nine; Cora A., seven; J. H., born
May 9, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of
the Free Baptist church, and have the good opinion of
their neighbors.
R. G. Merrill, jr., was born in New York in 1848. In
the spring of 1854 his father located in Hazleton town-
ship, where the family has since resided. His father
died January 17, 1865. Mr. R. G. Merrill enlisted in
company H, First Iowa cavalry, in 1864, at the age of
sixteen, and served until he was discharged on account
of the war being over; the business of the cavalry being
principally skirmishing, they had a full share of that to
do, which was almost of daily occurrence. He is glad
to say that he was slightly wounded, just enough to give
him a token of the war. After his return from army life
he engaged in farming three years, since which time he
has been in the well-boring business. Mr. Merrill was
married in 1S68 to Miss Cordelia Jackson, born in Can-
ada in 1850. They have five children — Estella, age
eleven; Annitta, age ten; Ralph, age eight; Gardner,
age three, and Cordelia, born July 16, 1879. Mr. Mer-
rill is one of the first settlers of this county, and one of
its solid men to-day, and one of the supporters of the
Greenback party.
Gilman Nelson Bunce was born in this county in
1850, and made his home with his father, William
Bunce, on the farm until he was about twenty-one years
of age when he commenced work for himself by engag-
ing in farming till the spring of 1878, when he engaged
in the lime business. He bought his property where he
resides January, 1879. Mr. Bunce was married in 1874,
to Miss Mary Russell, who was born in Wisconsin in
1857. The hme-kiln of Hazleton township, and the
only one in the county worked by Page's patent, was
first started by Nelson Bunce in 1879. It is situated on
his premises in Coytown, and it is running very success-
fully. He has burnt over four thousand bushels in the last
season. He finds ready sale for it all, which encourages
him to go ahead with the business even stronger next
year. He is determined to supply the demand at the
lowest possible rates.
M. S. Wheaton was born in Seneca county, New
York, in the year 1832. At the age of three he went
with his father, 'Squire Wheaton, to Delaware county,
Ohio, where he remained sixteen years, and where most
of ten years were spent in school. He came to Iowa in
1850, locating in Anamosa, and engaging at the carpen-
ter and joiners' business, contracting and hiring a gang
of hands. In 1862 he went to Cedar Rapids where he
spent five years as contractor and came to Hazleton in
1867, where he has been engaged in the dairying busi-
ness and is postmaster. He was elected justice of the
peace two years, and is at present notary public. Mr.
Wheaton was married in 1857 to Miss Elizabeth D. Pat-
ten, of Anamosa. They have four children living —
Alice E., age twenty-two April 19, 1880, married Dr. W.
E. Baker, a practicing physician in Hazleton; Orson
Eugene, age twenty-one, operator at Robertson on the
Burlington & Cedar Rapids railroad; Judson C, age
thirteen, attends school and helps his father in the store;
Willard W., age nine, attends school. We wish the
privilege here to speak of Mr. Wheaton as his acquaint-
ances speak of him. As a gentleman he is a number
one; as a friend he cannot be excelled; as a business
man he is affable and honest; as a notary public he is
abundantly able; as a justice of the peace he is consid-
erate, a man of sound judgment, who is willing that law
should rule, but prejudice and friendship never; and
finally, he is one of Buchanan's soundest Republicans.
E. R. Truax was born December 18, 1854, in Grant
county, Indiana. At the age of ten he came to Iowa
with his father, Isaac Truax, and located in Hazleton
township. At the age of nineteen Mr. E. R. Truax
commenced life for himself by engaging in farming. He
purchased forty acres of land in Hazleton in the spring
of 1876. He was married February, 1878, to Miss Erie
Walker, who was born in Buchanan county, Iowa, Sep-
tember, 1857. They have two children — Maud, age
two, and Minnie, age one. Mr. and Mrs. Truax are
very pleasant people and possess the good opinion of
their acquaintances. Mr. Truax is a good, solid Republi-
can.
Isaac Truax was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 181 7,
where he resided until his majority. Starting west about
that time and spending some years in Illinois and Indi-
ana, he came to Iowa in the fall of 1864 and bought the
farm of two hundred and twenty-one acres where he now
resides, in Hazleton township. He built his present
residence himself, with the assistance of his son, in 1875.
Mr. Truax was married August, 1848, to Miss Anna
Hillman, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1828.
Had five sons, four living and one deceased — Eli, born
in July, 1849, married September, 187 1, to Miss Catha-
rine C. Clawson, of Iowa.
A terrible tragedy connected with the death of Mr. Eli
Truax and wife while on a visit to Kansas this winter
cannot be neglected here. They arrived at the house of
their relatives, Lyman Culver, in southern Kansas on the
eleventh day of November, 1880. They were enjoying
the society of their friends till, on the night of the twen-
ty-first. About three or four o'clock in the morning, the
house was discovered to be enveloped in flames. The
occupants of the house were all sleeping up-stairs, and
their first warning of danger also disclosed to them the
terrible fate which so soon awaited them. Mr. Truax,
taking in the situation at a glance, effected an escape by
kicking out a window and jumping to the ground. His
wife handed him their two children, William Earl and
Orval, being five and one years old respectively. These
were rescued in safety, but Mrs. Truax and her aunt by
this time were wrapped in flames, and were so burned
before they could be taken from the ill-fated building
that Mrs. Truax died at 9 o'clock, and her aunt, Mrs.
Culver, died at 6 p. m. the same day. Mr. Truax,
in his exertion to knock out the window, severed the
femoral artery of his right limb, which caused his death
on the fourteenth of December. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac
Truax, the grandparents of the orphan children, are car-
ing kindly for them, and expect to give them a home as
long as they live. Thus ends a brief account of an aw-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
347
ful event that will ever hold a sad place in the hearts and
memories of their friends. The second son, William,
twenty-nine years, married Miss Sarah J. Barney, and
lives in Hazleton, and is a carpenter by trade; Edger R.,
twenty-six years, married Erie Walker, and lives in the
neighborhood of his father, and farms; John B., twenty-
one years, married Miss L O. Lawrence, and lives with
his father, and helps carry on the home farm ; Isaac D.,
fourteen years, lives at home. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Trua.x are members of the Christian church. They
have the esteem of the community in which they live,
and Mr. Truax is known and respected as one of Bu-
chanan's good, sound Republicans.
W. A. Nelson was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April
22, 1853. His father, William C. Nelson, removed to
the State of Indiana, and remained about five years.
In i860 he came to Iowa, locating in Hazleton town-
ship, where his father engaged in the practice of med-
icine, which he continued till his death, which occur-
red December 4, 1863. Mr. W. A. Nelson made his home
with his father till the year 1861, when he enlisted in com-
pany F, Twelfth Iowa volunteer infantry, and served his
country three years and two months. He was in twenty-
three different engagements, the principal battles being:
Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, and Shiloh, where he was
taken prisoner and remained a prisoner of war six
months and eleven days, during which time he visited
the infamously famous Libby Prison. He was exchanged
in the spring of 1863, and at once rejoined the Union
forces and fought till the close of the war. Mr. Nelson
was an inmate of the hospital through sickness about
two months. Before his recovery he volunteered to go
out and quell the disturbance created in Missouri, by
Quantrell. He was on the Red river expedition in
Smith's corps under the command of General Banks.
He returned in iS 64 and engaged in farming. By his
father's will he came in possession of a farm of onehundred
acres in Fayette county, which he moved upon in 1865,
and remained there eight years. In the fall of 1874 Mrs.
Nelson's father, Mr. Henry Koons, made her a present
of the farm of one hundred and thirteen acres, where
he now resides, one half mile north of Old Hazleton.
Mr. Nelson was married, October 28, 1866, to Miss
Catharine Koons, who was born in Williams county,
Ohio, August 7, 1850. They have three children —
William Henry, aged thirteen; Theresa May, aged ten;
and Rosetta, aged six. They are a bright, intelligent
trio. It is but due to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson to speak of
them here as their neighbors do, they are Christian peo-
ple, assisting all in cherishing good and crushing out
evil.
Henry Coy was born in Defiance county, Ohio, in
1832, where he lived till the year 1S64, engaged in farm-
ing. In that year he came to Iowa and purchased the
farm of two hundred acres where he still resides, in the
vicinity of Old Hazleton. His farm now consists of
three hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Coy was married
in 1 86 1, January 20, to Miss Mary A. Koons, born in
Williams county, Ohio, April 17, 1843. They have four
children: William Henry, aged eighteen; Nancy Bell,
age fourteen; Mary Elizabeth, aged nine; Martin Clark,
aged three, born oti his father's birth-day. They are a
wide-awake little family. Mrs. Coy is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Coy is one of Bu-
chanan's prominent farmers and will not submit to the
shackles of any party, but votes for the best man and
interests.
D. W. Thomas was born in Wisconsin in 1859. Lived
there with his father, Edwin Thomas, upon the farm till
he was about eight years of age when they moved to
Minnesota and remained three years. Came to Iowa in
1870, locating in Hazleton township, where his father
bought a fine farm south of Hazleton, and still resides.
Mr. D. W. Thomas is one of the energetic young men of
his community, and is undertaking the responsibilities of
life for himself Is, politically, a Democrat, and is happy
to say is at present enjoying the realization of single
blessedness.
Morton Hayes was born in New Brunswick in 1843,
and came to the United States in 1855 with his father,
Thomas B. Hayes, locating in this county upon the farm
where his father still resides, in Hazleton township. In
the year 1864, Mr. Morton Hayes enlisted in company
F, First Iowa cavalry, and served his country nearly two
years, when he was discharged on account of the war
closing. His health was so impaired by the hardships
that he has never fully recovered. He bought the farm
where he now resides, two miles north of Hazleton vil-
lage, in 1S69. Has since added to it till now he owns
one hundred and twenty acres. And here we wish to
state that besides being good land it has one of the
finest natural positions of any farm in the county.
It is level, and yet at such an elevation that one can see
the horizon at a distance of ten miles around. The
chimney of the asylum can be seen on a clear day, which
is twelve miles distant. The village of Hazleton is in
plain view, and at the same time the church steeples can
be seen plainly at Oelwein. Mr. Hayes was married
March 20, 1870, to Miss Angeline Zimmerman. They
have two children: Mertie E., aged six; Herbert M.,
aged two. They are both interesting little people. Mr.
Hayes is one of the first settlers of Buchanan county,
and is to-day not only one of its prominent men financially,
but one of its strong Republicans.
Elizabeth Sax was born in Portage county, Ohio, in
1823. She lived with her father, Mr. George Ivaly, till
his death, which was in 1837. After this event she was
compelled to face life and all its realities alone till the
year 1853, when she married Mr. John Sax, who was
born in the State of Pennsylvania, in 18 13, and died
January 10, 1879. They have two children living and
three deceased: Nancy, aged thirty three, married to
Robert Swartz, and reside in Hazleton township — have
three children; Ida, aged twenty-two, married Henry
Mille, April, 1878 — have one child, Libbie, nearly two
years old. Mrs. Sax has been a resident of this county
nearly twenty years. She is the owner of one hundred
and sixty acres of Buchanan's best land; is a pleasant,
congenial lady, and is held in the highest esteem by her
neighbors.
348
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
James Girton was born in Columbiana county, Penn-
sylvania, December 19, 1811. Moved to Illinois and re-
mained three years. Came to Iowa in 1851, and bought
the farm of eighty acres where they now reside, north of
Old Hazleton one-half mile. Purchased forty acres since,
so that now they own one hundred and twenty acres.
Built their stone house in 1869. Mr. Girton was married
in 1832 to Miss Sarah Lemon, who was born in Columbi-
ana county, Pennsylvania, in 1814, November 23d.
Have six children living and three deceased: Joseph, aged
forty-two, married Calista M. Porter, who died January
19, 1880; Margaret, aged forty, married H. T. Reynolds;
Angeline, aged thirty-five, married Louis Woods; Lucin-
da, aged thirty-one, married John B. Woods, and resides
with her parents; William, aged twenty-nine; Amanda
F., aged twenty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Girton were among
the first settlers of Buchanan county.
L. D. Engle was born in the State of New York, On-
tario county, in the year 1805. At about the age of
fourteen he went to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where he
lived till he was twenty-two years of age, when he returned
to New York and farmed about four years, again return-
ing to his former home in Ohio and engaging in farming
for about three years. He then sold out and went to
Williams county, Ohio, and purchased a farm, where he
lived twelve years. In 1846 he sold out and went to
Wisconsin and purchased a farm and farmed six years,
when he again sold and came to Iowa. He bought the
farm of one hundred and twelve acres where he now re-
sides, in Hazleton township. Mr. Engle was married
October 22, 1829, to Miss Lydia Kinsman, who died
March 28, 1875, in Hazleton. Mr. Engle is the father
of seven children, two of whom are living and five de-
ceased. Nancy A. Painter now resides in Fayette county.
L. H. Maxfield was born in Connecticut April 26,
1848. At the age of five he moved with his father, A.
B. Maxfield, to Milwaukee, where he remained about
ten years, engaging principally in the printing business.
In 1862 he enlisted in company E, Twenty-fourth Wis-
consin infantry, when but fourteen years of age. He
served his country during the war, and remained in the
regular service afterward. Returning to Milwaukee, he
engaged in the printing business about nine months,
then again enlisted in the regular army and remained
three years. For several years he was employed in
different places; and was married in 1873, June 7th, to
Mrs. Adalaide Buchet, of Dubuque, whose husband died
in 1871, leaving a family of three children — Joseph F.
M., sixteen, Rosa P., thirteen, and Frank A., eleven.
Mr. and Mrs. Maxfield have a bright little daughter,
Lucy v., aged five years. They have a fine farm of
ninety-three acres, upon which they live, in Hazleton
township. They have a pleasant home indeed. Mrs.
Maxfield is an exceptionally intelligent woman, with
qualities which cannot fail to make home happy.
Joseph L. Gerton was born in Columbia county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1838. When about nine years old he moved
with his father, James Gerton, to the State of Illinois,
remaining there until 185 i, when he came to Iowa, locat-
ing in Hazleton township. In the year i860 he began
to do for himself by engaging in farming. In 1S61 he
enlisted in company F, Twelfth Iowa volunteer infantry.
April 6, 1862, he was wounded, at the battle of Shiloh,
and taken prisoner. After remaining in rebel custody
two months, he was exchanged, and again joined his
regiment; but after remaining three months longer, was
discharged on account of disability caused by his wound.
After a partial recovery, he engaged in farming for sev-
eral years, then went into the American house in Inde-
pendence for two years, at the expiration of which time
he went to Tama City and kept hotel a year. Return-
ing to Hazleton, he again engaged in farming until in
1876 he engaged as clerk for Mr. Whiteman, dry goods
merchant. He remained with him about two and one-
half years, since which time he has been in the same
business with Kiefer & King. Mr. Gerton was married
in 1865 to Miss Celestia M. Porter, who died January
19, 1880, leaving a family of two children — Nettie May,
ten years old, and Jessie J., five. Religiously, Mr. Ger-
ton is a Universalist, and politically is a Greenbacker.
He is a natural business man, affable and pleasant in all
his transactions.
W. H. Kiefer was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, in
1856. His first years were spent in school and on his
father's farm (George Kiefer), till he was about fourteen
years of age, when he came to Iowa, locating at Inde-
pendence. Here he learned the cooper's trade, and con-
tinued at that business about four years, when he engaged
as clerk with his brothers in the mercantile" business in
Hazleton, and has since been in their employment. Mr.
Kiefer was married in 1879 to Miss Ella Bates, of this
county. They have one child, Oma, one year old. Mr.
Kiefer is not only a number one business man, but is a
Christian gentleman and a prominent member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and is a trustee of the
same. He is also a good, sound Republican.
Adam Kiefer was born in Indiana, in 1847, where he
remained till he was twenty-one years old, engaged prin-
cipally in farming, but spent about two years as an ap-
prentice to the mercantile business in Mi shawaka, St.
Joseph county. In the year 1869 he came to Iowa, locat-
ing in this county. He and his brother John bought and
improved a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres,
which he lived upon nearly two years, at the expiration
of which time his brother John took charge of the farm,
and Adam engaged in the mercantile business for about
four years in Independence. In the spring of 1877 he
and his brother John went to Hazleton and purchased a
fine building and laid in a complete stock of general
merchandise, and commenced a business in which they
have been engaged ever since, having retained at the
same time their connection with farming and stock rais-
ing. They have always been energetic and enterprising
business men, and are evidently in the way of success.
Their trade has been large, and their future prospects are
indeed most encouraging. Mr. Adam Kiefer was mar-
ried in 1876 to Miss Marvilla Moore, of Winthrop.
They have two sons: Earl, aged four; Kyle, aged two.
Mr. Kiefer and his brother own the whole block of build-
ings on their corner, and consequently they have the most
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
349
valuable property in Hazleton. Mr. A. Kiefer, besides
being a model business man, is a Christian gentleman.
He is a prominent man in the Methodist church, and is
a steward of the same. Among the many excellent
things we may say of Mr. Kiefer, not the least is that he
is a good, square Republican.
John Kiefer was born in Indiana in 1850, where he
remained till he was twenty-two years of age, when he
came to Iowa, locating in Hazleton township, upon a
farm which he and his brother Adam had purchased two
years previous. He resided upon the farm six years,
when he moved to Hazleton and engaged in buying
grain, which business he is still engaged in, having also
an interest in the dry goods store with his brother Adam.
His grain business has been quite a success, command-
ing the trade for miles around. He buys about seventy-
five thousand bushels of grain and flax-seed per year.
Mr. Kiefer was married October 1 7, 1 880, to Miss Lizzie
Drummond, of Dubuque. Mr. Kiefer is one of the en-
terprising business men of this county, and is one of the
drive-wheels of the community. He is a Republican.
Thomas C. McKenzie was born in St. John's, New
Brunswick, in 1849, and came to Iowa in February,
1877. He made his home with his brother, S. A. Mc-
Kenzie, and taught school one year, when he engaged as
attendant in the hospital at Independence for two years.
In July, 1880, he engaged as clerk with Messrs. Kiefers
& King, in Hazleton, where he still remains. Mr. Mc-
Kenzie is an intelligent, active business man, and enjoys
the happy lot of single blessedness.
John M. King was born in New York in 1830. When
about nine years of age he went with his father, Nathan
King, to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where they remained
eight years, and moved to Cass county, Michigan,
and lived there nine years. Here J. M. King com-
menced to do for himself by working at brick-making in
Beloit for two years, and came to Iowa in 1851. He
located in this county, Byron township, where he remained
till 1862, when he enlisted in company G, Sixth Iowa
cavalry. He served his country over three years, and
was in seven battles, each conflict being with the Indians,
his service being on the plains. He was never wounded
or taken prisoner, but we are sorry to state almost entire-
ly lost his eyesight. For two years he was totally blind,
but lately is partially recovering the sight of one eye.
This was caused by drinking alkali water. After his re-
turn from the army he sold his homestead and purchased
the one of two hundred acres where he now resides, in
Hazleton township. Mr. King was married in May, 1854,
to Miss Elizabeth Kirkendale, of Holmes county, Ohio.
They have seven children: De Noris, aged twenty-five;
Mary Ann, aged twenty-three, married J. C. Allen, and
lives near Waterloo; Christopher, aged twenty-one; Em-
ma Lovina, aged eighteen; Joseph, aged ten; Fred.,
aged six; and Bertha Bell, three years old. All the chil-
dren except Mary Ann are single and living at home.
They are an intelligent family. Mr. King is ranked
among Buchanan's honest men — those who have their
country's interest at heart. Mr. King and his two sons
are substantial Democrats.
T. B. Hayes was born in New Brunswick, Kings
county, in 1801. He remained in New Brunswick dur-
ing his early years, engaged principally in farming.
When he was fifty-five years of age he came to Iowa and
purchased two hundred and forty acres of land where he
now resides, in Hazleton township. Since coming to
Iowa he has turned his attention exclusively to farming.
Mr. Hayes was married on November i, 1825, to Miss
Augusta Ketchem, of New Brunswick, who died on
March 4, 1832, leaving four children: Charlotte, now
fifty-four years old, married Abraham Coulpitt, of New
Brunswick, and has one child, Matilda; Harriett Ann,
was the second child, who is now fifty-two years old, mar-
ried Robert Morrison, of New Brunswick, and has
twelve children living; Samuel H., aged fifty, married
Anna Southworth, and has three children; John K., aged
forty-eight, married Emaline Burnett, of New Brunswick,
and has four children. Mr. Hayes married his second
wife in 1833, Eleanor Coulpitt, of New Brunswick, who
was born in 1810. They have seven children: Augusta,
aged forty-seven, married Joseph Southworth, and lives
in Pocahontas county, this State, and has three children;
Oren, aged forty-five, married Fannie Snyder and has
seven children, and lives in New Brunswick; Mary J.,
aged forty-three, married C. L. Belt, of Nebraska, and
has five children; Morten, aged thirty-nine, married Anna
Zimmerman, and has two children, and lives in Hazleton
township; William M., aged thirty-seven, married Eliza
McKinsey, who died December 28, 1880, leaving a
family of four children. Mrs. Hayes was a very estima-
ble lady and will be long mourned by her neighbors
and friends; James, aged thirty-two, married Jennie
Gill, has three children, and lives in Buffalo township;
Nettie, aged twenty-five, single and teaches school.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Mr. Hayes is the father of eleven
children and grandfather of forty-four, and greatgrand-
father to nine. He raised a family of six boys and none
of whom have ever been known to indulge in the use of
any intoxicating liquors, or use tobacco in any form.
F. B. Fillmore was born in Walworth, Wayne county.
New York, in the year 1830. He was educated at Wal-
worth academy. He being the younger son, remained at
home with his father, Honorable Luther Fillmore, and
carried on his farm till his death, which was in the year
1854, after which he engaged in farming at different points
until the year 1866, when he came to Iowa, locating in
this county. He bought a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres in Grundy county, which he sold in 1868,
and bought the farm of eighty-five acres where he now
resides, in Fairbank township. Mr. Fillmore was mar-
ried, in the year i86r, to Mrs. Maggie A. Becker, of
New York, who was born in Lyons, Wayne county, in
1828. They have no children, but Mrs. Fillmore has a
daughter, Emma, by her first husband, Mr. D. M.
Becker. Emma is now twenty-seven years of age, and
married R. S. Bowen, in 1870. They now reside at
Winterset, Iowa. We feel like adding to this sketch in
behalf of Mr. Fillmore and lady, that they are very
pleasant people indeed, and we should esteem it a pleas-
35°
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
ure to be connected among tlieir neighbors and friends
N. M. Miguet was born in France in 1841. \\'hen
about five years of age he came to America with his
father, John P. Miguet, who located in Dubuque county,
where they remained nine years. In the year 1856 they
came to Buchanan county and purchased the farm of
one hundred and twenty acres in Hazleton township,
where N. M. Miguet now resides. Mr. John P. Miguet
died March 10, 18S0. By his father's will he came into
possession of eighty acres of the old homestead. He
had previously, and has since, purchased different pieces
of land, so that now he owns the round number of four
hundred acres. He owns one of the best farms of Bu-
chanan county, which, from its location and other nat-
ural advantages, is exceedingly desirable. It affords one
of the grandest views in the State; has fine buildings, and
is under a state of careful cultivation, and has fruit and
shade trees planted, and doing well. Mr. Miguet was
married September 17, 1S63, to Miss Caroline Long.
They have six children: John, aged fourteen years; Ed-
ward, aged twelve years; Carrie, aged ten years; Ella,
aged seven years; Emma, aged two; boy babe three
months old. Mr. Miguet has been a resident of the
State for thirty-three years, and of the county twenty-
four years. He is one of those men who helped to lay
the first lines of Buchanan's successful history, and has,
at the same time, been very successful himself
Mr. Theodore Messenger was born in Northampton
county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1841. At the age of
twelve years he moved with his father, George Messen-
ger, to the State of Illinois, and located in the northern
part of the State, and remained their till the year 1864,
when he enlisted in company F, Forty-sixth regiment,
Illinois volunteer infantry. He served his country until
the war closed, when he returned home and worked at
the carpenter's trade. He was married and farmed his
father-in-law's place tw'o years, when he came to Iowa in
the fall of 1869, and bought the farm of ninety acres on
which he now resides, in Hazleton township. He built
his house in 1876, and his barn in 1S72. His farm is
under the finest state of cultivation. He farms with C.
H. Miller, and now owns one hundred and sixty acres of
Buchanan's best land. It is in splendid condition, has a
good house and barn, and every convenience of a num-
ber one home. Mr. Messenger was married in 1868, to
Miss Caroline High, of Pennsylvania. They have two
children: Leonora A., aged twelve years; Octavia Carrie,
aged three years. Mr. Messenger has an interesting
family, and has reason to feel that the lines have fallen
to him in pleasant places.
Mr. T. C. Nelson was born in Wayne county, Ohio,
April 27, 1841. At about the age of seven he moved,
with his father, William C. Nelson, to Kosciusko county,
Indiana, near Warsaw, where they remained about five
years, when they came to Hazleton township. Mr.
William C. Nelson died in December, 1862, at his home
in the village of Hazleton. He was a physician, and
practiced seven years in this county. Mr. T. C. Nelson's
first exertions for himself were in the capacity of a school
teacher, which was when he was only sixteen .years of
age. He followed this avocation for about eighteen
years, when he turned his attention to farming principal-
ly, which he still continues. Mr. Nelson was married in
1 November, 1858, to Frances E. Sufficool, of this county
and township. They have three children living : Arthur
L., twenty-one; Charles I., fourteen; Fred Ellsworth,
twelve. Mr. Nelson was married the second time to
i Louisa Bender, November 4, 1879. They are living up-
on their own farm and in their own home. A coinci-
dence that is perhaps more amusing than instructive we
beg leave to mention here: That the subject of this
sketch, Mr. Thomas C. Nelson, is of the same name
with the writer, Thomas C. Nelson, of Ashland county,
Ohio. Mr. T. C. Nelson, we are glad to say, is a very
intelligent and pleasant man, and we are perfectly will-
ing to accept and recognize him as a relative. He is,
besides all this, one of those sound Republicans that on-
ly a Nelson is capable of being. He enlisted in 1861 in
company F, Twelfth Iowa volunteer infantry. He was
fourth corporal, serving his country about thirteen
months, when he was discharged on account of disabili-
ty, caused by a gunshot wound in the right hand, which
he received at the battle of Shiloh. He was slightly
wounded at Fort Donelson, but never off duty from
any cause save the time he was wounded. He was in
three battles — Fort Henry, Shiloh and Donelson.
Mr. Frederick Zatsch was born in Prussia in 1823.
He came to America in 1856; worked in a saw-mill in
Michigan one year, and came to Iowa in 1857, locating
in Independence, where he worked at the carpenter's
trade about fifteen years. He bought the fine mill prop-
erty where he now resides, one mile south of Hazleton,
in 1872. He owns, besides a fine home and a mill, a
splendid farm of one hundred acres. Mr. Zatsch is do-
ing a splendid business with his mill. It is in perfect
running order, and he does splendid work and gives gen-
eral satisfaction. Mr. Zatsch was married in i860 to
Miss Augusta Thorman, of German birth, but a resident
of Fayette county. They have three children: Clara,
twenty; Emma, fourteen; Frederick, nine. They are all
living at home, and constitute a happy family. Mr. and
Mrs. Zatsch are members of the Lutheran church.
G. W. Phillips was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania,
in 1819. At the age of twenty he went to Rock county,
Wisconsin, where he lived twenty-five years, engaging in
farming and blacksmithing. Came to Iowa in 1863,
locating in Fayette county, in the city of West Union,
where he engaged in staging about four years ; afterwards
run an auction store for a time. He remained in the
place about six years. After various changes in busi-
ness and residence, covering several years, Mr. Phillips
came to Hazleton, January 15, 18S0, and purchased a
general stock of merchandise, and is doing a good busi-
ness. He is one of those wholesouled, genial business
men who will always have friends.
Mr. Phillips' first wife, Olive L. Jones, died in Rock
county, Wisconsin. His second wife, Lena Carpenter,
whom he married at West Union, died in Linn county,
at Centre Point, where he married his third wife, Emma
Morse, who is still living.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
351
Mr. Phillips is the father of seven children — four by
the first wife, one by the second, and two by the third.
This sketch is written on New Year's day, iSSi. Mr.
Phillips is wide-awake and enjoying himself on the oc-
casion.
E. W. Tenney was born in Worcester county, Massa-
chusetts, in 1830. At about three years of age he
moved with his father. Dr. John W. Tenney, to the town
of Webster, where E. W. lived and attended school till
about the age of sixteen, when he engaged with a corps
of civil engineers, and continued at the business from
1846 to 1852, when he engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness about one year. In 1855 he came to Iowa, locating
in Old Hazleton, where he engaged in the mercantile
business, and followed it up for nineteen years. When
the new town of Hazleton sprung up, on account of the
railroad, he moved to it and purchased a fine residence,
and had lived a retired life till the fall of 1880, when he
engaged in the lumber business. Mr. Tenney was
married on October 18, 1877, to Miss Lucena F.
Haines, formerly of Manchester. They have one child,
Lena Luella, aged twenty-two months. They have a
pleasant home. Mr. Tenney, as will be seen by tlie
sketch, is one of Buchanan's first settlers. He is one of
the county's solid financial men, and one of the State's
good, solid Republicans.
H. J. Fourtner was born in Hancock county, Ohio, in
1845. ^^ ''^s age of two he moved with his father,
Samuel Fourtner, to Dubuque, Iowa. Lived with his
father on the farm and attended school till he was twenty-
one years of age, when he engaged in the threshing busi-
ness, and continued at it about sixteen years — he had
previously worked at it with his father, making about
nineteen years in all. Had in the meantime acquired
the trade of repairing watches, clocks and jewelry. Has
been a resident of Hazleton township for the past twenty-
four years; moving to New Hazleton in 1876, when the
railroad came through. This is the fourth winter he has
run a jewelry repairing shop in Hazleton. Mr. Fourtner
was married in 1871, to Miss Louisa A. Gutcher, of this
county, by whom he has four children; Ida, Edward,
Elsie and Zadie.
Dr. William E. Baker was born at Providence, Rhode
Island, February 2, 1852. Moved with his parents to La
Salle county, Illinois, in 1859; removed from there to
Cedar Rapids, in this State, in 1865. Resided with his
parents until he commenced the study of medicine under
the supervision of Drs. E. L. Mansfield and George P.
Carpenter, of Cedar Rapids. He remained with these
gentlemen about two years, attending, in the meantime, a
full course of lectures at the Ruth Medical college, at
Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Baker was married at Cedar
Rapids, on the tenth of October, 1876, to Miss Alice E.,
daughter of M. S. Cheaton, esq., by whom he has one
child, a son. At the instance of his medical preceptor,
he settled at Hazelton, where he has secured a very
large practice for a young man, and has gained the con
fidence of the community as a thoroughly skilled
physician. Dr. Baker is a Presbyterian in religious belief,
and a Republican in politics.
A. H. H. Hitchcock, sr., was born in the State of Con-
necticut in 1 80 1. At about the age of eighteen he went
to Rochester, New York, where he worked at the mill-
wright business for nearly thirty years. In the year 1850
he moved to Walworth, Wisconsin, remaining about
seventeen years. Came to Iowa in 1868, locating in Ha-
zleton township, where he purchased a farm of one hun-
dred and twenty acres and resided till the year 1877,
when he moved to the village of Hazleton, occupying the
fine residence he had built the year before. He sold his
farm on account of poor health. Mr. Hitchcock was
married in 1828 to Miss Julia A. Reed, of New York
State, who was born in 1805. They have four children
living and three deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock are
members of the Congregational church.
George Hall was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in
1814. At about the age of nine he moved with his father,
William Hall, to Knox county, Ohio, where he resided
till he was twenty-four years of age, when he was married
to Miss Sarah Hughes, and moved to Holmes county,
Ohio, where he bought a farm and lived upon it thirteen
years. In the year 1849 he moved to Indiana, and re-
mained till the year 1864, when he came to Iowa, locating
first in Lynn county, where he remained only about six
months, when he got a chance to sell his farm at quite an
advance, and bought again in the same county. In the
year 1873 he moved to Fairview and kept a hotel about
three years, when he bought the farm of eighty acres where
he now resides, in Hazleton township. Mr. Hall's first
wife died in A|jril, 1862, leaving a family of two children,
a son and daughter — William D., who was killed in the
battle of Kennesaw Mountain, in the year 1864, July 7th,
at the age of twenty-four; Caroline M., married a Method-
ist minister, and is residing in Indiana. Mr. Hall was
married to his second wife, Rosa Cranmer, in 1863. They
have three sons — Robert F., George J., and Sherman;
all living at home and attending school.
George A. Long was born in Wyoming county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1843. Came to Iowa in 1855 with his father,
J. M. Long, locating in Hazleton township. Lived at
home on the farm till he was twenty-four years of age.
Attended school altogether in private houses. Bought
his father's farm after his death, which occurred in the
year 1867. Lived upon his farm till the spring of 1873,
when he sold it and purchased a farm in the northwestern
part of the township, and farmed it till the spring of
18S0, when he sold it and took a trip to Montana and
through the far west generally. Travelled with teams al-
together. Bought three hundred and twenty acres of fine
land in Gallatin Valley mountain; but, on account of his
family becoming dissatisfied, he returned via Utah. In
September, 1880, he traded his Montana farm for ninety
acres, near Hazleton. Bought an interest in the hard-
ware business with Miguet & Bunce, the firm name read-
ing Miguet, Long & Co. They are a good, solid firm,
and doing a good business. Mr. Long was married in
1868 to Miss Laura Kindle, of Indiana. Have children
— Sylvia E., aged nine; Bertha J., seven; Ulvia C, two;
they are a nice, wide-awake little family. Mr. Long is
one of Buchanan's enterprising business men.
352
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
H. Miguet was born in Hazleton township, this county,
in 1857. Lived on the farm with his father, F. Miguet,
and attended school till he was nineteen years of age,
when he went to college at Keokuk, Iowa, remaining five
months. Bought a half interest in the hardware business
with Mr. Bunce, in Hazleton, January 14, 1878. Decem-
ber 3d they took Mr. George A. Long in as third partner.
Mr. Miguet still lives in the enjoyment of single blessed-
ness. Though he is a younger man than would naturally
be expected to be engaged in as heavy a business as he
is, yet he is very proficient and capable.
Dr. B. M. Corbin was born in Bourbon county, Ken-
tucky, in 181 7. At about the age of sixteen he moved
with his father, Daniel Corbin, to the State of Indiana,
where he spent his best days. Dr. Corbin commenced
the practice of medicine in Milton, Indiana, in 1848.
Came to Iowa in 1864, and located in Hazleton, where
he still resides and practices. Dr. Corbin was married,
in 1872, to Mrs. Eliza J. Aubrey, of Iowa. He bought
the property where he now resides when he first came to
Iowa, but built his house in 1870. It is indeed a fine
residence. The doctor received his medical education
in the Ohio Medical college, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Grad-
uated and received his diploma in 1851. The doctor
has been practicing ever since coming to Iowa, and has
taken rank as a leading physician in the county.
O. M. Bunce was born in Williams county, Ohio, in
1848. Came to Iowa with his father, William Bunce, in
the fall of 1849, locating in Linn county. He made his
father's house his home, and attended school till he was
twenty-one years old, when he engaged in the grain bus-
iness in Hazleton, continuing at it about eighteen months.
In the year 1877 he engaged with C. Whiteman in the
mercantile business, remaining with him about eighteen
months. In October, 1876, Mr. O. M. Bunce and W.
H. Hunnington purchased a stock of hardware of Mr.
Whiteman. They continued business together for about
one year, when M. H. Miguet bought Hunnington out,
and continues as Mr. Bunce's partner still. Mr. Bunce
was married In February, 1870, to Miss Julia Allen, of
this county. Mr. Bunce, as will be seen by this sketch,
has been interested in Buchanan's welfare since a boy ;
has watched its progress, and at the same time watched
his own interests, so that now he is in possession of a fine
business and a good home.
Samuel Sufficool was born in Stark county, Ohio, in
the town of Canton, January 4, 1822. At the age of
eleven he moved with his father, Isaac Sufficool, to Por-
tage county, where they resided about three years, then
moved to Williams county where they made their home
for about nine years. Samuel Sufficool came to Iowa in
1845, stopping one year in Lima county and purchasing
the land where Mt. Vernon now stands. He sold this
land and came to Buchanan county in 1846, locating in
Hazleton township; D. C. Greeley accompanying him,
they being the first and only white men in the township.
Mr. Greeley died about twenty-five years ago, leaving
Sufficool the only land mark of the township's early ex-
istence. It was a wild, wierd place then; now it is the
scene of so many happy and contented homes. Then it
took the bravest of men with the stoutest of hearts to oc-
cupy the land ; and now the little child is perfectly safe
in the midst of kind neighbors and friends. Mr. Suffi-
cool's first purchase of land was the one hundred and
sixty acres which Mr. Henry Coy now owns, north of
old Hazleton. He bought a half section where he now
resides, in the year i860. He has since made different
purchases of land, till now he owns five hundred and
eighty-eight acres all told. He built his fine residence in
the summer of 1876. Mr. Sufficool was married June
6, 1858, to Miss Lydia M. Prettyman, daughter of a
Methodist minister. She was born in Williams county,
Ohio, May 30, 1834. Her early life was spent in Ohio,
largely engaged in teaching. She came to Iowa in 1857
on a visit, at which time she became acquainted with
Mr. Sufficool. They have two daughters — Phrenie, age
twenty-one, and Ida, age nineteen — two very pleasant
and intelligent young ladies.
Jabe M. Watson was born in the State of New York
September 8, 1847. At about the age of seven he came
to Iowa with his father, David Watson, locating in Hazle-
ton township. Mr. J. M. Watson made his home with
his father till the spring of 1880, when he moved upon
the eighty acres where he resides, in section twenty-three.
Mr. Watson was married March 4, 1880, to Miss Alice
Woeman, who was born in this county April 16, 1862.
As will be seen by this sketch, Mr. Watson is one of the
pioneers of the county. They came with scarcely
enough to commence farming with, but by their united
industry and frugality they have in all three hundred and
forty acres of as good land as there is in the county,
illustrating what pluck and energy can do. Mr. Watson
has a young orchard and shade trees planted, so that in
a few years he will have every want of a western home
supplied.
Jacob Kiefer was born in Portage county, Ohio, in
1842. At about the age of four years he moved with his
father, Ceorge Kiefer, to the State of Indiana, where
they made their home twenty-two years; came to Iowa
February 2, 1870, and bought the farm of eighty acres
where he resides, in section thirty-six, Hazleton township.
He built his house in 1S75. He has his farm under
good cultivation, and has fruit and shade trees planted.
He enlisted in company F, Forty-eighth Indiana in-
fantry, in October, 1861. He served his country nearly
four years. He served out the time of the first enlist-
ment and immediately reenlisted. At Huntsville, Ala-
bama he was wounded and taken prisoner. He went to
help put down the Rebellion and came home with his
work accomplished. Mr. Kiefer was married in 1865 to
Miss Lydia Russell, who was born January 30, 1845, in
Indiana. They have four children — Flora A., George
Willis, Harvey Eugene, and Amos Clenton. Mr. and
Mrs. Kiefer are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and Mr. Kiefer is a good, sound Republican.
Augustus Hurlbut was born in Chittenden county,
Vermont, in 181 1- At the age of twenty-three he went
to Huron county, Ohio, remaining in that State twenty
years, engaged in farming principally. In the fall of
1852 he came to Iowa, and bought a half-section in Ha-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
353
leton township, of which he sold all but one hundred
and twenty acres where he now resides; also owns a
small farm in Wisconsin, Richland county. Mr. Hurl-
but was married March 15, 1836, to Miss Margaret
Pierson, who was born in Pennsylvania, ^Vashington
county, October 7, 181 1, and died October 8, 1876.
He has two children living and two deceased. Sarah E.
is married and resides in California. Wilton W. is mar-
ried and lives in Kansas. When Mr. Hurlbut moved
into Hazleton, only nine families were in the township.
He has been one of the driving-wheels of its prosperity;
and is one of its sound Republicans.
James E. Friars was born in the province of New
Brunswick, December 16, 1830. At about the age of
sixteen he commenced to do for himself, by engaging in
farming in partnership with his two brothers, Arthur and
Christopher. When about twenty-five years old, he went
to Maine and engaged in the lumber business on Mach-
ias rivet about five years. In June, i860, he came to
Iowa, locating in Hazleton township. The first season
he spent as a hired hand on a farm. The second season
he farmed a place on shares, and continued on this plan
six years, then purchased the eighty acres where he now
resides, in section twenty-six. About the year 1870 he
bought another eighty in section twenty-four. He has
a beautiful farm indeed ; plenty of shade and fruit trees
and every convenience of a western home. Of late
years he turns his attention almost wholly to stock rais-
ing and dairying, having on hand one hundred and seven
head of stock all told, fifty head being cattle. Mr. Fri-
ars was married September 4, 1859, to Josephine E.
Smith, who was born in Maine November 6,1841. They
have four children: Quinton E., aged twenty; Roswell
E., eighteen; Stella E., sixteen; and Louis E., ten.
They lost a little daughter, Cora E., May 5, 1874, at the
age of five years and ten months. The death of the
little daughter was a sad event in the history of the fam-
ily. She started to school full of bright anticipations
and wonder as to what her first day at school would be
like, when an ill-fated prairie fire came near the school-
house, and she, child like, struck with its beauty, acci-
dentally set her clothes on fire. Upon discovering this,
she started toward the house, but this only added fury
to the flames, which burned her so terribly that she only
lived about six hours afterwards. She was the family pet
and the idol of her friends — a bright little flower, still
missed in the family circle. They also lost a little
daughter, Nellie E., on the twenty-fourth day of August,
1878, aged two years and three months.
Orin Moe was born in Lorain county, Ohio, in 1843.
When about eighteen months of age he moved with his
father, Edwin Moe, to Racine county, Wisconsin, where
he resided till he was twenty-one years of age. Septem-
ber 3, 1864, he enlisted in company H, First Wisconsin
heavy artillery, and served till the close of the war, and
was mustered out at Milwaukee about the tenth of July,
1865. After his army life was over, he returned to Wis-
consin and engaged in farming two years, then came to
Iowa and purchased the farm of eighty acres where he
resides, in section thirty-four, Hazleton township. He
also owns fifteen acres of timber in section twenty-seven,
same township. Farming is his principal business,
though also engaged in stock raising and dairy. Mr.
Moe was married November 15, 1865, to Lucinda M.
Clark, who was born in the State of New York August
2, 1S46. They have six children: Lennie C, Allan S.,
Cliff"ord O., Zelia L., Edwin N., Ray W., born March 27,
1880, and Roy S., a twin of the latter, died July 14,
1880. Mr. Moe was assessor in 1878-79.
Edward Hillman was born in Germany, in the year
1840. Came to the United States in April, 1866, locat-
ing first in Dubuque. In 1873 he purchased the one
hundred and twenty acres where he now resides in Ha-
zleton township. Has since purchased fifty acres, making
in all one hundred and seventy acres of as good land as
lies out of doors. Built his house in September, 1879,
and it is indeed a fine farm residence. Mr. Hillman
was married February, 1869, to Miss Mary K. Bletsch,
born in Germany in the year 1847. They have three
children: Freddie, Gustavus, and Mary. Mr. and Mrs.
Hillman are members of the Catholic church.
James A. Spear was born in Essex county. New York,
February 16, 1849. At about the age of eight he went
with his father, Alden Spear, to Wisconsin, where they
remained about six months, when they came to Iowa,
locating in Hazleton township. Mr. James A. Spear
commenced to do for himself in 187 1. Bought the farm
of two hundred acres where he resides in sections twelve
and thirteen, Hazleton township, in 1874, and built his
house the same year. It is situated in a natural grove
of about twenty acres. Has fruit trees bearing, and his
farm under good cultivation. Mr. Spear was married
September 14, 1870, to Miss Adda Watson, born Febru-
ary 24, 1850, in Fairfield county, Ohio. Mr. Spear is a
member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
C. Whiteman was born in Germany, in 1834. Came to
America in 1852. Previous to this he worked at his
trade, which was blacksmithing, and after coming to the
United States he followed it twenty-five years ; some of
the time in Pennsylvania and the rest in Iowa. He came
to Iowa October, 1855, locating in Hazleton in 1856,
and worked at his trade till 1870, when he engaged in
the mercantile business. Was postmaster nine years,
resigning in 1879, at the same time closing out his store.
Afterwards he engaged in the stock business for a time.
Mr. W'hiteman was married August 7, i860, to Miss
Emma Linderman, who died in 1869, leaving three chil-
dren : Ida, Delia, and Alfred. Mr. Whiteman married
his present wife, Sarah Underwood, on the eighth day of
March, 1880.
Charles L. Foster was born in Patriot, Indiana, in
1842. At about the age otsix he moved with his father,
Thomas Foster, to Wisconsin, where they remained till
1852. After two or three removals, Mr. Foster, in the
year 1867, came to Iowa, and purchased the farm of
eighty acres, where he still resides in Hazleton township.
This piece of land he has brought from its natural, wild
state of prairie to a good well-cultivated farm and a
pleasant home. He has over one acre of shade trees
planted, deals in stock considerably, in connection with
354
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
the farm, is milking six cows, and is wintering twenty
head of cattle. Mr. Foster was married in September,
1866, to Miss Rosa Bell, who was born in Boone county,
Illinois, April 8, 1844. They have two children: George
A., born May 8, 1873, and Mabel, born August iq, 1879.
Mr. A. Nellis was born in the State of New York in
the year 1813. At the age of twenty-one he went to
Canada, where he lived about twenty-five years, engaging
in the wagon-making business. In 1859 he went to
Michigan, and remained about two years. He came to
Iowa in 1861, locating at Quasqueton thirteen years,
where he worked at his trade, and kept a restaurant.
He moved to Hazleton in 1874, and has been engaged
in a restaurant since. Mr. Nellis was married in 1835,
to Miss Hepsebath Greenelge, who was born in England
in 1817. They have four children living, and four de-
ceased. Mary Ann, aged forty-three, married Joseph
Labeau, and resides in Nebraska. John, aged forty-
one, married Ellen Comings, and resides in Kalamazoo
county, Michigan. Martha M., aged thirty-seven, married
Mr. Woolman, and lives in Shelby county, Iowa. Robert,
aged thirty, married Mary Roselle, and lives in Shelby
county. Mr. Nellis, is, in politics, a Democrat.
E. A. Lewis was born in Esse.x county. New York, in
April 19, 1850. At the age of fourteen he came to Iowa
with his father, A. A. Lewis, who purchased a piece of
land in section 13, where they still reside in Hazleton
township. Mr. A. A. Lewis was born in the State of
New York June 22, 1823. Mrs. A. A. Lewis was born
in the same State, August 28, 1825. She is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. E. A. Lewis,
being the only child, has always made his home with his
father, and they have united their interests in their farm,
and in business generally. They own together one hun
dred and eighty acres, twenty of which is near Hazleton
station. They have one of the finest residences in the
county. They are largely engaged in the stock business,
making sheep a specialty. They own in all about five
hundred, besides twenty-five head of cattle, seven horses
and forty head of hogs. They have their sheds and
stables arranged beautifully, which shows that, whatever
they do, they believe in doing well. Mr. A. A. Lewis
owns, in addition to his home property, two dwelling
and tvvo business houses in the village of Hazleton.
Mr. E. A. Lewis was married, Christmas day, 1878, to
Miss Abbie C. Beers, who was born in New York,
December 23, 1852. They have one child: Ralph Clif-
ton, born November 16, 1879. Mr. Lewis is politically a
Greenbacker, and a member of the Independent Order
of Good Templars. Mrs. Lewis is a meniber of the
Baptist church.
Roderick Williams was born in Scotland June 17,
1854. He came to America alone at about the age of
twenty-one and spent the first nine months in Canada.
He came to the United States in 1874, locating in Hazle-
ton township. He hired with David Watson on the
farm one season, and bought the farm of eighty acres,
where he resides, in the summer of 1875. He built a fine
barn in 1878, and had shade and fruit trees planted, and
every convenience of a western home supplied. Mr.
Williams was married November 23, 1875, to Miss Delia
P. Watson, who was born August 29, 1856. They have
one child: Alexander M., born November 25, 1880.
They buried a little son, Roderick A., on the eighteenth
day of January, 1881, at the age of seven weeks. Po-
ticcally Mr. Williams is a Democrat.
BUFFALO.
In 1852 a township was formed, comprising the whole
of Buffalo, Madison, the north half of Byron and Fre-
mont. But subsequently each congressional township
was set apart as a separate and independent township,
by order of the county court. The order establishing the
township as above stated, was as follows:
August 6. 1852, ordered by the court th.it a township, to be called
Buffalo Grove township, be created, bounded a<i follows: Commenc-
ing at the southeast corner of section twenty-four, in township eighty-
nine, north of range seven, thence north to the north line of the
county, thence west to the west line of township ninety, range eight,
thence south to the southwest corner of section eighteen, town eighty-
nine, range eight, thence east to east line of township eighty-nine,
range eight, thence south to southwest corner of section nineteen,
township eighty-nine, range seven, thence east to place of beginning.
O. H. P, ROSZELL.
County Judge.
ELECTIONS.
The first election held in BufTixlo township, as a
separate and independent township, in accordance with
its present boundaries, was in the spring of 1857, and
was held at the house of Abiather Richardson, and the
following were elected township officers: A. Richardson,
A. J. Eddy, and a Mr. Gould, trustees; Silas K. Mes-
senger, justice, which position he held for a number of
years; Samuel M. Eddy and R. W. Bancroft, constables;
A. Richardson, clerk. The present township officers are,
R. M. Harrington, J. T. Cotuns, and John A. Clark,
trustees; George Brooks, assessor; J. S. Russell, clerk;
J. H. Titus, justice; Joseph H. Russell and Henry Mills,
constables.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
355
SETTLEMENTS.
Abiather Richardson settled here in the fall of 1849,
and built a log house in Buffalo Grove, and on the west
side of the Grove. He was the first settler in the town-
ship. Here he lived in his log cabin for nearly a year,
when he induced Silas K. Messenger to move there, and
to him he sold his cabin and lived with him, being a
married man, and Mrs. Messenger is probably the first
white woman resident in the township. Mr. Richardson
was a native of the State of Maine. He remained in the
township some time before he was married, perhaps the
manner in which he met the lady who afterwards became
his wife, may not be uninteresting to the reader. He
was at work one day in the timber, when suddenly he
heard the cry of a woman, as if in distress, which he
answered, and went in the direction of the voice, and in
a short time found a young lady lost in the dense timber,
and being informed that she lived in the south part of
the Grove, he piloted her there, and thus commenced
his acquaintance with the lady, whose name was Almira
Noyes, that in a few months became his wife. He built
the first frame house in the township, and into this house
he moved his bride, and there lived many years. The
old house is now standmg and is owned and occupied
by his son, Ezra Richardson. They had but two chil-
dren: Ezra, who is married and still in the township;
and Frank, who i? now practicing law in Monnonee,
Iowa. Mr. Richardson was a man of uncommon energy
and perseverence. His first wife dying, he married again.
He died in the township, February 11, 1872.
Silas K. Messenger, the friend of Richardson, settled
here in 1850, purchasing the house that Richardson had
built. He was a native of New York, and was the first
magistrate in the township. He had two children: Sam-
uel Messenger is married and lives in the county; Alme-
lia, who is married and lives in New York. Mr. Mes-
senger was the second settler here, and who can imagine
Richardson's joy at the advent here of Messenger, for
he had lived here for nearly a year hermit-like. He died
herein 1S63 on the farm now owned by A. B. Stocking.
Andrew J. Eddy became a settler here in June, 1851,
and built a log cabin near Richardson's. He was born
in New York June 29, 1826, and when quite a young
man emigrated to the State of Illinois, and thence to
Iowa. His sister and mother came with him. The
year he came he broke prairie with six yoke of oxen, and
still owns the land he broke in June, 1850, and which he
now, with true, manly pride, points out to the visitor.
That year he raised a little sod corn. When he came to
the township there were but three settlers there — a
brother of Richardson, Silas K. Messenger, and W. Jew-
ell. None of them are now residents. He has had four
children, three of whom are now living, two daughters
and one son, who are still at home: J. P. Eddy, Orra M.,
and Hattie A. In the early days Eddy's house was the
home for the stranger whom night had overtaken out on
the wild prairie.
William Jewell settled here in 1850, and only a short
time before Mr. Eddy. He also built his cabin near the
first pioneer, Richardson. He came here from Illinois,
but was a native of New York. He had a family of five
children. He remained here for quite a number of years,
and is now living in Sioux City. He settled and lived on
the farm now owned and occupied by C. H. Jakway.
Mr. Jewell carried the United States mail from Quas-
queton to Dubuque with an ox team.
Rockwell Jewell became a settler here in about 1852,
on what is now called the "Watson farm." He re-
mained here only about four years. The last heard of
him was in Sioux City. He was an unfortunate man,
being a slave to whiskey, and was involved m the " Covey
murder case," related in another place.
Samuel M. Eddy came to the township in 1851 with
his brother, A. J. Eddy, when but sixteen years of age.
He lived with his brother until 1857, when he entered
some land, built a cabin thereon, and his mother kept
house for him. He, in the fall of 1859, married Lydia
A. Bradley, with whom he is now living, and on the
same place where he first settled, on the same spot that
attracted his boyish fancy. They had one child, now
dead. They have an adopted one. He has here a
beautiful place; a well tilled and profitable farm, with
good buildings, barns and everything attractive and
pleasant about the place.
VILLAGE.
There is in the southeast part of the township, and
near where the first settlement was made, a village
called Buchanan, but better known as Mudville, and was
platted and laid out by Abiather Richardson, that first
brave pioneer, in about 1857. The business of the place
is represented as follows: Groceries and dry goods, John
M. Price; dry goods and groceries, Theodore Williams;
wagon shop, Robert Trotter; blacksmiths, John Ripkie,
G. D. Russell and William Bradly; steam feed mill,
Johnson Allison; steam saw-mill, William Bradly; wind
grist-mill, J. M. Price, capable of grinding twenty
bushels of feed per hour; wagon-maker, G. D. Russell;
physician, J. M. Price; postmaster, John M. Price; broom
manufactory, J. W. Russell.
The first store in the township was kept by Joseph
Abbott, and in the same place where one is now kept
by Mr. Price.
The first blacksmith was Calib Fairchild, and the sec-
ond G. D. Russell.
Cook Richardson built a saw-mill in the south part of
the village. These houses were built of lumber sawed
at this mill, consisting mostly of oak, poplar and black
walnut, and some of the houses built of that lumber are
still standing.
The first postmaster was Abiather Richardson.
When the first settlers came there was an abundance
of deer in the grove, and there was no want of good ven-
ison, a few elk, and over on the Buffalo creek the voice
of the ferocious lynx was heard, as it is now occasionally;
also panthers and wild-cats, in the dense timber, have
been heard and seen by the first settlers. Wild geese
made this, for a time, a stopping place through the sum-
mer.
In 185 1, when A. J. Eddy came, there was quite an
Indian settlement in the grove, having quite a number
356
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
of wigwams or lodges. Some of the remains are now
pointed out to the curiosity seeker. Upon the settle-
ment of the white man they folded their tents and left
for the far west.
The first white child born here was Emeline Jenks, in
September, 1852. She is now married to Homer Car-
penter, and lives in Brush Creek, Iowa. Ezra Richard-
son was born here in the fall of 1853. He is now mar-
ried and still lives in the same house where he first saw
the light of day.
The first death in this little settlement was Rufus Con-
nelly.
In the summer of 1853 a school was taught in the
house of Silas K. Messenger by Emily Gaylord. She
was paid for her services by subscriptions of those who
had children to send. The first house was of logs, and
all the settlers turned out and built it, and it was located
near Farmer Jewell's. James Bennett was the first teach-
er here. There are now six schools in the township.
A cemetery was established here in 1S68 in the east-
ern part. There are now quite a number of fine tomb-
stones, tokens of the regard of the living.
Abiather Richardson, that earliest pioneer, was mar-
ried to Almira Noyes in 1852. This was the first mar-
riage ceremony in the township.
There are in this township two post offices; one in the
southeast, called Castleville, and another in the eastern
part, at a place known as Mudville.
The timber for the most part is in the eastern part of
the township, covering probably three sections. There is
here a beautiful grove that attracted the attention of the
early settlers, called Buffalo grove. The stately trees
that protected Richardson, and whose greatness and
beauty he so much admired, are still standing in all their
sylvan beauty. Here, also, was one of the favorite
haunts of the stately, stoic Indian. Here that first pio-
neer saw and loved Almira Noyes. who became his wife.
There passes through this timber a beautiful brook, bub-
bling along, singing its sweet songs of the days that are
gone, when the red man drank from its pure stream. It
is no wonder that Richardson, Messenger, and Eddy were
attracted here by the wild, sweet beauty of the scene, the
melody of the sparkling stream, and the branches of the
wide-spreading trees.
Buffalo creek passes through the eastern part and runs
along near A. J. Eddy's house, who, before the day of
bridges, ferried people across this stream, and to use his
own words, "in a wagon-box." The west branch of the
Buffalo is in the centre of the township, and unites with
the main stream iil the southeastern part of the township.
In the grove there is a beautiful lake, covering proba-
bly three acres, of never-failing water, and is filled with
large quantities of fish. This adds much to the roman-
tic scenery.
The people obtain their mail twice a week — Tuesdays
and Fridays a United States mail from there to Inde-
pendence.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious meeting of which we can find any
record was held at A. J. Eddy's house in 1852, by a min-
ister who was passing through the country, by the name
of Zeigler.
The Methodist church was first organized here in Sep-
tember, 1856, in a private residence, and held services
for some time in school-houses and private residences.
Among the early members were O. Preble and wife, L.
H. Smith, and othens. The first preacher was J. A. Stod-
dard, who now resides in the western part of the county.
They now have a membership of twenty-five persons.
The present preacher is N. Jones. They hold services
in the Free-Will Baptist church.
The Free-Will Baptist church was organized here about
1867, P. M. Halleck and wife, and H. M. Bailey and
wife having withdrawn from Madison, united, and formed
a society here. There were probably eight members
when formed. The first preacher was R. Norton. They
now own a house of worship, and have a membership of
some twenty persons. Quite a number of the members
have moved away ; at one time they numbered forty.
The present pastor is J. W. Drew.
The United Brethren church was organized here about
1875. The first and the present preacher is L. M. Za-
breshie. They have no house of worship, but hold oc-
casional services. They have a membership of about ten.
The first frame barn in the township was made in 1855
by A. J. Eddy, and is now standing in good condition.
The first frame house was built here in 1851 by A.
Richardson, in which is now the village of Mudville, so-
called, and is now occupied by his son. It is of roman-
tic color, being red.
A. Richardson made the first entry of land here.
A. J. Eddy drew the first load of pork from this town-
ship, and took the same to Dubuque, forty miles away.
C. H. Jakway commenced raising sheep as early as
1857 — his usual flock is two to three hundred. He has
the larger breeds, coarse-wooled Lincolns. J. Cotant, in
the western part, has a flock of fifty sheep, keeping the
large kinds; has been in the business since about 1875.
They find it an important and profitable industry, even
in this western country, which is free from rocks and
mountains.
The principal productions are corn, oats, flax, a small
quantity of wheat, and hay. There is a very large dairy
interest here, and considerable attention is paid to the
breeding of cattle and hogs. The famous breeder of
short-horned cattle, Hon. S. T. Spangler, the owner of a
large herd of these animals, lievs here.
The farms of this township are fenced, and mostly
with barbed wire. A great change from thirty years ago,
when there was neither a fence nor a bridge in the whole
township. Now the streams are all bridged, and roads
in good condition.
J. M. Price has in this township a fine apiary, having
seventy swarms of bees, deriving from them an annual
income of two hundred dollars. He commenced in
1865 with a few swarms, which have steadily increased
on his hands, though he has lost largely some winters.
Most of the early settlers were from the Eastern States
bringing with them their habits of thought and life.
They built themselves cabins, made with their own
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
357
hands school houses for the education of their children,
broke up the prairie, built substantial houses on the
same; then, having this done, they turned their atten-
tion to the luxuries of life, and began planting orchards.
A. J. Eddy has probably the oldest one in the township.
We were shown a large tree there that has borne apples
for many years, which was planted in early days by his
own hands. S. M. Eddy has also a bearing orchard of
about two acres; and Jalnes Hammond has a good,
thrifty young orchard, which is probably the largest one
in the township.
B. B. Warren started a creamery here, in the north
part of the township, in 1875, and was the pioneer in
the creamery business in the township. He uses two
churns, with a capacity of ninety pounds each, and as a
rule churns once a day. Two men are employed in the
creamery. It is operated by horse power. He has run
as high as five thousand pounds of milk per day, and in
i88o eight thousand pounds per day. In the season of
1881 he had three teams on the road gathering cream.
Charles Brooks & Brother established a creamery in
the west part of the township in 1879. They have two
churns, with a capacity of seventy pounds each. There
are two men employed in the creamery, and three teams
constantly gathering cream from among the farmers.
Now run by horse-power. The proprietors of this
creamery intend this season (1881) to put a six-horse
power engine in for the purpose of working the creamery
and running a mill for grinding feed for their stock.
PERSON.AL MENTION.
Albert Downing was born in Genesee county, New
York, in the year 1819, where he lived until twenty-one
years of age, at which time, like (as he says) all poor
boys ought to do, he came west, first locating in LaPorte
county, Indiana. There he lived the following tw-enty-
seven years or until 1857, following the business of a
carpenter. He there owned a small farm, but wishing
to own a larger one and go to farming, he came to this
county in the spring of 1857, and bought a farm in the
southeast corner of Buffalo township, which he still owns
and where he still resides. Mr. Downing was married
in the year 1841, to Miss Lovina Johnston, of Genesee
county, New York. Mrs. Downing was the daughter of
Mr. Gilchrist Johnston, of Genesee county, New York.
Mrs. Downing was removed by death the third day of
September, 1880, in the fifty-seventh year of her age.
She was unusually devoted to her husband, and was a
model wife and mother, worthy of imitation. Besides
her husband she left a family of four children to mourn
her loss; Pauline, born October 2, 1845; Carrie E.,
May 22, 1847; Martha J., December 25, 1853; Gertrude
A., August 23, 1855. Pauline is the wife of Mr. Van-
dewalker, of Aurora, Nebraska; Carrie E. is the wife of
Mr. F. A. Noble, of the same place; Martha J. is the
wife of S. O. Halleck, who carries on the home farm ;
and Gertrude A. married Mr. Charles R. Jenks, a farmer
of Madison township. Mr. Downing is a member of the
Baptist church, of which Mrs. Downing was also a
member.
Charles H. Jakway was born in Washington county.
New York, on the twenty second day of October, 1826.
In the year 1833 his father, Thomas Jakway, moved
to West Haven, Vermont, where he engaged in farming
and lumbering. When eighteen years of age Mr. Jakway
lost his health, and was an invalid for several years. In
the twenty-first year of his age he went with his brother,
George Jakway, to his home in Boone county, Illinois.
Here Mr. Charles Jakway resided for the following five
years, save one which he spent in Vermont on a visit
At the time he bid his friends farewell preparatory to
going to Illinois, they all supposed it was a long farewell
indeed; for his health had become so poor that they
would not have been surprised to have heard of his death
at any time. But, strange to say, shortly after his arrival
in Illinois, his health began to improve and he soon be-
came a strong man, and is to-day enjoying perfect health.
He attributes this sudden and unexpected change to the
event of his drinking water daily from a well curbed with
green oak planks. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Jakway
and his brother came to Iowa with sheep, locating upon
a tract they had previously entered, east of Buffalo Grove.
Here they engaged in wool growing a short time, when
they sold the farm and purchased another of William
Danx This they afterwards divided, Mr. Charles Jak-
way getting the part known as the Jewell homestead,
one-fourth mile north of Buffalo Grove, where he still
resides. In the year 1858 Mr. Jakway married Miss
• Eunice Linton, of Buffalo Grove. She was a daughter of
Mr. Adam Linton, a resident of Genesee county. New
York, where Mrs. Jakway was born on the twenty-third
day of April, 1828. They have twochildien: Jesse J.,
born June 29, 1859, and John W., born February i,
1 86 1. The daughter is the wife of A. S. Hammond, a
lawyer in Dakota, Iowa; the son is at present interested
in his father's affaiis, and makes his home with him. It
is but justice to Mr. Jakway to add that he is not only
one of the prominent men of his township, but of his
county, and is known as a shrewd calculator and prompt,
honorable business man. He is wide-awake and ac-
quainted with all the live issues of the day. He believes
in letting any theory fall which will not stand the test of
science and truth. He owns a splendid farm and a
beautiful home, and seems to be enjoying in his riper
years what his prudence and frugality in his younger
years have acquired.
S. T. Spangler was born in Maryland June 11, 1829.
When about six years of age he went with his father,
George W. Spangler, to Trumbull county, Ohio, where
they made their home about five years, when they moved
to Coshocton county, Ohio, where George V. Spangler
died in 1840. S. T. Spangler remained in Coshocton
county till the spring of 1857, when he came to Buchan-
an county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and twen-
ty acres where he still resides, in section thirty-four,
Buffalo township. The first five years he spent in mod-
erate farming, not expecting to make this his future
home; but his far-seeing eye discerned the fact that here
was a country where money could be made. At once
he commenced to lay his plans, and those who know
him to-day can testify to his great success. About the
358
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
year 1862 he engaged in the stock business, at first deal-
ing only in common stock; but finding the great need of
better, turned his attention at once to the improvement
of his stock. In 1869 he purchased a herd of seven-
teen cattle, but finding the grade not fine enough,
he made investments of over twelve thousand dol-
lars before he felt satisfied with the condition of his
stock. He is a man whose judgment in this, as well
as other departments of business, is emphatically sound.
To his first purchase of land he has added different
tracts until now he owns sixteen hundred acres, his first
purchase costing five dollars per acre and the last eigh-
teen. This farm is known far and near as the West
Buffalo stock farm, and as a stock farm is one of the
finest in the county; and, in fact, the State will furnish
no better, when its natural location, its water privileges,
and its size, are taken into consideration. Mr. Spang-
ler's reputation as a thorough-going and honorable busi-
ness man is at a standard that any man may well be
proud of, and in addition to his business ability, he has
a happy faculty of being friendly (an important element
of business ability). His sales within the past si.x
months have amounted to over five thousand dollars.
The high prices he has paid for stock have frequently
been repaid to him in his sales, often selling lots of young
cattle for three hundred and three hundred and fifty
dollars per head, and he has some on hand now of more
than double these prices. At present he has three hun-
dred and fifty head of feeding cattle, together with over
one hundred head of thoroughbreds. Mr. Spangler was
married in Ohio July 31, 1852, to Miss Sarah Adams,
who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, December 29,
1833. She is a daughter of J. Q. Adams, a descendant
of President Adams. They have a (amily of three chil-
dren, one son and two daughters. The oldest, Ella L.,
born in Coshocton county, Ohio, March 14, 1854, mar-
ried A. T. Fleckinger on December 29, 1880; her hus-
band is an attorney at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a man
of fine scholarship and good ability. The second child,
Emma A., was born also in Coshocton county, Ohio, in
1855, October 21st; and married John Myer, a promi-
nent farmer in Byron township, December 29, 1880.
The son, George F., was born in this county March 2,
1858; is a single young man and owns two hundred and
forty acres of land; makes his home with his father, and
unites his interests with him in his extensive business.
Robert McClawry was born in Courtright, Delaware
county. New York, August 3, 18 10. Lived with his
father, J. R. McClawry, on his farm until he was twenty-
three years of age, when he married Miss Margaret Row-
land, who was born also in Courtright, July 25, 18 12.
Came to Iowa in the spring of 1855, and purchased a
farm in Burton county, and resided there ten years.
Afterwards purchased town property in Bell Plain, and
rented it. Here he resided three years, turning his at-
tention considerably to the legal profession, with a view
to the practice of law. In the year 1865 he purchased
the farm of eight hundred acres where he now resides in
Buffalo township. His wife died October 18, 1857,
leaving a family of ten living children : Ebenezer, born
February 16, 1833; Margaret, born June 9, 1836; Hugh,
born January 13, 1838; Edmond, born August i, 1840;
Mary E., born October 25, 1842 ; William R., born
December 6, 1844; Margorie A., born March 14, 1846;
Robert, born March 3, 1848; Christian, born February
25, 1 85 1 ; Thomas C, born April 22, 1855 ; Sarah C,
born April 22, 1855 ; Hugh died, at the age of five years,
on the tenth day of February, 1843. This sad event was
occasioned by the house taking fire at midnight, and be-
fore he could be rescued he was enveloped in flames.
Edmond died October 14, 1862, at the age of twenty-
two ; lost his life through exposure while a prisoner of
war in the late Rebellion.
Mr. McClawry married his second wife in October,
1875. Her name was Mrs. Anna L. Lee, born August
25, 1840. They have two children; [ohn Chister, born
April I, 1878, and Arthur, born June 24, 1880. Mrs.
McClawry, by her first husband, Mr. J. W. Lee, had five
children — one of whom is deceased, Sara A. Elizabeth,
who died December 20, 1861, at about the age of one
year: William Russel, born March 15, 1862; George
Thomas, born April 15, 1866; Iris J. O., born
January 15, 1868 ; Nora Belle, born May 27,
1S70; Nancy Josephine, born August 25, 1S72. Mr.
Lee was a soldier in the late war three years ; afterwards
enlisted as a veteran. Mr. McClawry 's family are con-
siderably scattered, and most of them are married.
Ebenezer married Miss Fletcher,and faims in Humboldt
county, Iowa; Margaret married D. D. Applegate, an
attorney in Toledo, Tamer county, Iowa ; Mary E.
married Mr. Holmes, a leather dealer in Bell Plain ;
William R., married, and practicing law in Fort Worth
city, Texas ; Agnes married Jesse Daily, a merchant and
cattle dealer in Vermillion, Dakota ; Robert is single,
and is receiving large pay as boss mechanic in Arizona
Territory ; Christian married Levi Armstrong, a merchant
in Macon, Iowa ; Thomas, single, and owns a ranch,
and supplies a military post in Arizona Territory ; Carrie
is unmarried, and teaches in Tama county, Iowa. All
of this family partake of that indomitable spirit
of the father, consequently all are wide-awake and
meeting the demands of the times. Both Mr. and Mrs.
McClawry are members of the church, and living
Christian lives. Mr. McClawry is known throughout the
country as a man of sound judgment and great energy.
He has all his life been interested in the public's welfare,
even before he left the east he was elected justice of the
peace. He is one of Buchanan county's first men
financially and morally. His advanced years do not seem
to impair his invincible will, but he is as elastic in mind
and body as most men of half his years.
Charles Brooks was born in Summit county, Ohio,
October 22, 1S42. He is the son of Mr. P. A. BrookSj
who settled in Independence in the winter of 1856, and
who died October 31, 1857, in the sixty-third year of his
age. About a year after his death Mrs. Brooks moved
to the farm where her son Charles still lives with his
mother. Mrs. Brooks was daughter of Samuel Lillie, of
Bethel, Windsor county, Vermont, and was born March
20, 1803, and is consequently in the seventy-eighth year
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
359
of her age. In the year 1862 Mr. Charles Brooks en-
listed in the Fifth Iowa infantry, in which regiment he
served about three years, at the end of which time the
regiment was consolidated with the Fifth Iowa cavalry,
in which regiment he served until the close of the war,
when he was mustered out of service. He immediately
went to farming at the old home in Buffalo township.
He is now one of the leading men of his township.
William Crowfoot was born in Cattaraugus county, New-
York, in the year 1842. His early boyhood was spent
here, but in the year 1855 his father, .Seth Crowfoot, em-
igrated with his family to Hillsdale, Michigan county,
Michigan. After a residence of about two years in Hills-
dale, Mr. Crowfoot again removed his family, settling this
time in Buchanan county, Iowa. In 1S66 Mr. Crowfoot
was married to Mrs. Almeda M. Crandall, of Buffalo
Grove, and immediately after located on the farm where
he now resides. Mrs. Crowfoot by her first marriage had
five children — Dwight J., Lorenzo D., Mariette R., Lu-
cius, and James. Mr. Crandall died a soldier of the
Thirty-eighth Iowa infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Crowfoot
have four children, as follows: Mary E., twelve years of
age; Minnie M., eight; John A., seven; Delila M., one.
Mr. Crowfoot also was one of the number of those who
risked his life in the defence of his country. From Octo.
ber, 1864, until August, 1865, Mr. Crowfoot served in
the Fifteenth Iowa infantry, company D. Mr. Crowfoot
is one of the good farmers of tlie county, and is also
paying attention to stock-raising. They are among the
rising families of Buffalo township, and both parents are
active members of the Congregational church.
Joseph W. Russell was born in New Haven, Huron
county, Ohio, in the year 1839. During his infancy his
father moved to Cattaraugus county, New York. There
he remained until at the age of sixteen, when he emi-
grated with his uncle, Samuel Grant, to De Kalb county,
Illinois. There he lived until the removal of his uncle's
family to Iowa, in 1855. They settled on what is now-
known as Grant farm, in Buffalo township, where Mr.
Grant died on the twentieth of November, 1880. He
was one of the best known and foremost citizens of this
county, and very highly esteemed by all who knew him.
Mr. Russell has been one of our citizens ever since his
arrival in the county, excepting about eighteen months
spent in Minnesota and the western part of this State.
In 1862 Mr. Russell enlisted in company C, Twenty-
seventh Iowa infantry, in which regiment he served until
April, 1864, w-hen he was transferred to the veteran re-
serve corps, serving on the staff of Colonel E. B. Alex-
ander. Mr. Russell participated in. different engagements
in which the regiment was conspicuous, never was
wounded or taken prisoner, but suffers from the result of
severe marching to such an extent that he is very desir-
ous of a pension, which he no doubt will get when all
our soldiers get their dues. In the year 1866 Mr. Rus-
sell was married to Miss Anna Dunn, of St. Louis, Mis-
souri. After a little more than five years of happy life
together, and the birth of two children, Mrs. Russell was
removed by death, at the age of twenty-five years. Mrs.
Russell was a model wife, and she is remembered as one
beloved by all who knew her. The children are — Mary
Anna, born May 5, 1867; and George W., born May 24,
1869.
Joseph Rowse was born in Cornwall, England, in the
year 1813, where he worked for his father as a farm lab-
orer until he reached the age of thirty-five. He then
gathered together his effects and sailed for Canada, where
he again hired to a farmer, remaining in that country
eighteen months. From there he moved to Fort Atkin-
son, Wisconsin, engaging in the hotel and livery business,
which business he followed for the succeedmg seven
years. In the year 1856 he sold out and moved to
Rockford, Illinois, w-here he took up teaming and farm-
ing. Thinking that the place where enterprise and pluck
would find their greatest reward, could be found on the
rolling prairies of Iowa, Mr. Rowse again took to his
wagon, this time bound for Buchanan county, Iowa,
where he arrived in the month of May, 1866. Mr.
Rowse was married in Fort Atkinson, in the year 1856,
to Miss Mary E. Wood. They have a family of two sons
and four daughters: George Walter, age twenty-two;
William, age twenty; Eliza J., age twenty-three; Mary
Ann, aged eighteen; Harriet, aged sixteen; Charlotte V.,
aged thirteen. Mr. and Mrs. Rouse are happy in the
enjoyment of a very good home, which is wholly the re-
sult of their ow-n exertions, and are considered one of
the first families, where, to have acquired through hon-
est industry is better than a patent of nobility.
Norman R. Lewis was born in Orleans county. New
York, on the twenty-fourth of .August, 1827. When
Mr. Lewis was but a child, his parents moved to Cat-
taraugus county, in the western part of New York, where
they lived the ensuing twenty-seven years. Some ten
years were spent in Chautauqua, an adjoining county,
before quitting the State. At the close of that time, in
the year 1S66, he emigrated to Buchanan county, Iowa,
n-here he still resides. In the year 1864, Mr. Lewis was
man led to Miss Electa L. Lewis, of Calhoun county,
Michigan, who had two children by a former marriage.
The oldest, a daughter, being the wife of Edgar E.
James, of Independence, and the second, Martin L.
Lewis, of the same place. Her first husband died a
soldier of the Twentieth regiment, Michigan infantry.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have two children: Arba J., born
in New York, in 1865; Elba A., born in Buchanan coun-
ty, in 1 858. Mrs. Lewis was born in Ohio, on the
eighteenth of August, 1843. Mr. Lewis has a good farm
and is very comfortably situated to enjoy life.
James Jew-ell was born in Saratoga county. New York,
on August 2, 1 8 15, where he lived w-ith his father until
his twenty-ninth year. At that age he began business for
himself, and continued farming until the year 1852, when
he emigrated with his family to Buchanan county, Iowa.
Here he located on the farm where he now resides, which
he bought of the United States Government for a little
less than one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, buy-
ing two hijndred and forty acres at once. In the
spring of 1S42, Mr. Jewell was married to Mrs. Juliana
King, of Saratoga, New York. Mrs. Jewell has one son
by her first marriage, Charles King, who is a prosperous
360
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
farmer of Buffalo township. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have
two children, both sons: James E., born in the year
1843; and Richard T., born in the year 1847. The
oldest of whom is in Missouri. The other son is living
on the farm with his father. He married the oldest
daughter of Mr. Robert Campbell, of Buffalo township.
Mr. Jewell is one of our very earliest settlers, being the
first settler out from the timber northeast of Indepen-
dence, having few neighbors and seeing many bands of
Indians, but never was molested by them. They are a
fine family and are prepared to enjoy their old age with
their children settled around them. Mr. Jewell was in
Buffalo county three years before moving into it, and
found but four houses in Independence. He has seen
the county grow and has helped to make its history, a
history of which, in coming years, his descendants, with
those of all the early pioneers, will be justly proud.
Edwin R. Titus was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio,
November 6, 1844. When he was about six years of
age, his father's family took up their residence at Paines-
ville in the same State. After a residence of about
eleven years there, he, together with his father's family,
moved to Buchanan county, Iowa. In the year 1865
Mr. Titus was married to Miss Elizabeth Jewett, of
Buffalo Grove, and soon after bought and settled on the
farm, where he now resides (section 21, Buffalo town-
ship). He followed farming until the year 1872, when
he with his family returned to Lake county, Ohio. There
he engaged in trading of different kinds for about
eighteen months, when he again returned to his farm in
this county. Since his return he has been engaged in
his farming operations connected with stock-raising.
His family circle was sadly broken by the death of
his wife on the tenth of October, 1879, in the
thirty-fourth year of her age. Mrs. Titus left besides her
husband to mourn her loss an interesting family of five
children: The eldest, Hattie M., aged fourteen years;
the second, Eunice E., aged nine years; the third, Re-
becca A., aged seven years; the fourth, Caroline B., aged
four years, and the fifth and youngest, lidwin R., three
years of age. They are a happy family in spite of their
seeming present loneliness, and Mr. Titus is one of our
foremost farmers and business men, with the best part of
his life yet before him. Mrs. Titus was the daughter of
Mr. Nelson Jewett, and was born at Westburgh, Ver-
mont, January 3, 1845. She was a model wife and
mother, and was a consistent and active member of the
Congregational church, of which Mr. Titus is also a
member.
Ezra Richardson was born in Buffalo Grove, Novem-
ber 6, 1852. He made his home with his father during
his lifetime, and since his death and the division of the
property, he falling heir to the homestead, now occupies
it. The farm consists of two hundred and sixty-two
acres, finely located, and is not only a fine farm but a
fine home. Mr. E. Richardson was married May 15,
1877, to Miss Evaline A. King, who was born in Buffalo
township January 6, 1858. They have two children —
Ralph, born September 14, 1878, and George Washing-
ton, born February 22, i88i.
Mr. Abraham Richardson, the father of Mr. Richard-
son, married his second wife August 4, 1861. Her
maiden name was Caroline Jewett, born June 3, 1837.
She died September, 1879, while on a visit to Virginia.
Mr. Richardson and both wives are buried in the ceme-
tery on the west side of Madison township.
M. Bradley Delos was born in Wyoming county, New
York, November 16, 1842. Lived with his father, Har-
vey Bradley, until he was twenty-one years of age, at
which time he purchased a saw-mill and engaged in the
manufacture of cheese boxes for three years. Came to Iowa
in May, 1868, and purchased the farm of eighty acres where
he still resides, in section fourteen, Buffalo township. In
the summer of 1875, Mr. Bradley built himself one of
the finest farm residences in the county. It contains ten
large rooms, and is of first-class architecture. It pre-
sents a fine appearance on an eminence affording a
splendid view; has shade and fruit trees planted. He
is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and is engaged at it
principally, hiring help to carry on the farm. Mr. Brad-
ley was married on New Year's day, 1865, to Miss E.
York, daughter of Horace and Maryett York. She was
born in Wyoming county. New York, January 11, 1847.
They have two children — Minnie, born November 14,
1869; Guy, born November 11, 1878. Mr. Bradley
possesses the true spirit of enterprise. Whether he
brought it with him from the east, or whether it has been
imbibed from the free winds of our prairies it is not easy
to decide, but whatever its origin, may it increase and
prevail, until every prairie farm is crowned by a fine
mansion. Mr. Bradley is, ])olitically, a Democrat.
B. J. Titus was born in Canada December 15, 1831.
When only six months old he came to the United States
with friends to his grandparents in Rochester, New York,
where he lived until he was twelve years old. He came
to Iowa in May, 1868, and moved on the farm he had
located in 1863. Afterwards he bought eighty-three acres
situated in Buffalo township. Here he lived till ihe
spring of 1880, with the exception of three years spent in
Ohio. He bought the farm of eighty acres where he
now resides, in Buffalo township. Mr. Titus wms mar-
ried March 25, 1852, to Miss Lydia Babbitt, who has
the honor of being born in the town of Mentor, Lake
county, Ohio, the home of President Garfield. They
have five children living — John A., born September 26,
1854; F'red A., born January 13, 1857; Allanta, born
October 21, i860; James D., born November 7, 1870,
and died January 2, 1872; Mary, born November 27,
1874; Lenore, born April 18, 1877. Mr. and Mrs.
Titus are members of the Congregational church. He
is a good sound Republican.
C. W. King was born in the State of New York Jan-
uary 16, 1835. His father, Charles King, was lost at
sea on his way to England when C. VV. King was but six
months old. His mother married Mr. James Jewell a
few years afterwards, and the subject of this sketch lived
with them until he was eighteen years of age, when he
came with them to Iowa in 1852. They located in Buf-
falo township. Mr. C. W. King bought one hundred
and twenty acres of Government land where he now^ives,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
361
in section twenty-six. He has since purchased sixty
acres, making a farm of one hundred and eighty acres.
He built his house in 1856 and his barn in 1865. Shade
and fruit trees are planted, and his farm is under a good
state of cultivation. Mr. King was married October 15,
1856, to Miss Louisa Grout, born in New York January
12,1840. They have four children living and two de-
ceased— -Evaline Augusta, born January 6, 1858, married
Mr. Ezra Richardson May 15, 1877, and resides in Buf-
falo Grove; Estella Jane, born April 24, i860, died
August 26, 1872; I. \V., born A]jril 27, 1862; Samuel
Charles, born July 26, 1868, and died September 30,
1871; Olive Julia, born September 30, 1871; Orville
James, born April 21, 1878. Mr. King hunted deer
successfully for several years after coming west. At
that time he had to go to Independence to vote; there
being only five or seven voters in the county. He took
the first issue of the first paper published in the county,
before the townships were organized.
Robert Campbell was born in New York, Niagara
county, June 26, 1824. Up to about twenty years of
age his life was spent in school during the winters and on
the farm in summers. After that he worked as a hand
till he was twenty-two years of age, when he went to
Wisconsin. He came to Iowa in the fall of 1863, and
stopped in Independence one year. In October of
1874 he moved into the house of Mr. Whitmarsh, and
remained two years while he farmed his place and built
himself his present residence. Mr. Campbell purchased
forty acres of his farm in 1S63, and forty in 1879. He
carries on farming and is the postmaster at Castleville
post office, and has been for the last twelve years. Mr.
Campbell was married March 27, 1875, to Miss Corde-
lia L. Hart, who was born in Niagara county. New York,
March 2, 1828. They have five children living and two
deceased: Silas M., born March 26, 1846, killed at the
battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, on the fourteenth day of
July, 1864; he enlisted in 1862 in company F, Thirty-
third Wisconsin infantry; Thomas, born in Rock county,
Wisconsin, July 8, 1851; died November 12, 1854;
Hattie S., born in Rock county, \Visconsin, New Year's
day, 1854; married R. T. Jewell, and resides in Buffalo
township; Amelia, born in Rock county, Wisconsin,
April 7, 1854; married I). B. Heath, and resides in Ne-
braska; Charles W.,born in Lane county, June 11, 1859,
married Miss Alice A. Douthit, of Nebraska, and lives
with his father; Mary E., born in Buchanan county,
June 22, 1864, single and lives at home; Clarence H.,
born in Buchanan county, August 13, 1867, also lives at
home and attends school. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are
members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Camp-
bell is a solid and sound Republican.
T. E. McCurdy was born in Coshocton county, Ohio,
March 2, 1848. He resided with his father, E. Mc-
Curdy, in Newcomerstown, till he was seventeen years of
age, when he went to Illinois, where he worked on a
farm by the month. He enlisted February 8, 1864, in
company I, Twelfth Illinois infantry. He was mustered
out June 12, 1865. He was with Sherman on his At-
lanta campaign, and engaged in the battles on that ex]5e-
46
dition : Kennesaw Mountain, battles before Atlanta on
the twenty-second and twenty-eighth of July, and at
Jonesborough. He was wounded at Atlanta October 6th,
which was the means, indirectly, of him severing his
connection with the army. Before recovering from his
wound (which was that of a gunshot in the left limb), he
was taken sick with the small-pox. After his return from
the army he came to Iowa and purchased eighty acres of
land, where he still resides, in section eighteen, Buffalo
township. He has since made purchases of land, until
no^ he owns two hundred and forty acres. There is no
better farm in Buchanan county. Its soil is of the first
order and its natural location is very fine, furnishing a
beautiful view for many miles of the horizon Mr. Mc-
Curdy was married October 28, 1866, to Miss Catharine
E. Nelson, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, March
4, 1850. They have one daughter: Ines L., thirteen,
born July 27, 1880. They have an attractive home, and
all the necessary appliances for the enjoyment of life.
Mr. McCurdy has held offices of trust more or less since
a resident of Buffalo township; is at present a member
of the board of supervisors. He is one of the driving
wheels of the community, one of the fine men of the
county, and one of the sound Republicans of the Nation.
Mrs. Ellen Blunt was born in Ireland. She was a
daughter of Miles McGowen. She came to America in
1825, and January 12, 1853, she married Charles Blunt,
who was born in Ireland, in 1815. They moved from
Wisconsin to Iowa in 1864, locating in Tama county,
Iowa. Mrs. Blunt purchased the place of forty
acres, where she now resides in Buffalo township in
the spring of 1877. Mr. Blunt died September 10,
1879, leaving one son: James Thomas Blunt, now
.twenty-four years of age October 20, 1880. He car-
ries on the farm and makes a home for his mother.
They are members of the Catholic church. They have
a nicely situated farm and a snug little home.
W. H. Huntington was born in Cedar county, Iowa.,
April 17, 1853, and resided with his father, James Hunt-
ington, until he was about the age of eighteen, when
he commenced to do for himself, engaging in different
occupations, among which business was the hardware in
Hazleton. He was married January i, 1877, to Miss
Zorada Amanda Watson, who was born in Iowa county,
Iowa, February 22, 1857. They have one child: Alma
Margaret, born December 23, 1879.
Mr. Huntington purchased his farm of eighty acres in
March, 1878, situated in section 7, in Buffalo township,
where he still resides. He has a beautifully situated
farm which is all under cultivatiou, and with his present
purposes carried on, he will soon have one of the pleas-
antest homes of Buchanan county.
Nicholas Meyer was born in Wisconsin, January 4,
1857. He resided with his father, Peter Meyer, on the
farm till the year 1876, when he came to Iowa and pur-
chased the farm of eighty acres where he now resides, in
section seventeen, Buffalo township. Mr. Meyer was
married, January 28, 1878, to Miss Mary Muller, who
was born in Wisconsin, November 17, 1859, daughter of
Nicholas and Mary Muller. They have a little son, born
362
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
April 22, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are members of
the Catholic church. They have a nice farm, with shade
and fruit trees planted, and every convenience of a well-
furnished home. They are young folks who are starting
with the determination to win, and have the ability also
to realize their expectations.
K. M. Harrington was born in Orleans county. New
York, in the town of Medina. February 13, 1825. When
eleven years old his parents moved to Niagara county.
He lived with his father, Daniel Harrington, on the farm
till he was twenty-four years of age. When he went to
the State of Michigan, engaging in farming during that
time. He returned to Niagara county. New York, in
1 85 1, and again engaged in farming and continued it for
fifteen years, being married in the meantime. He came
to Iowa in the spring of 1866, engaged in the sheep bus-
iness the first six years. His purpose was to raise fine
stock, but found the soil too wet. After losing many
fine sheep he had paid a high price for in the east and
brought with him, he abandoned the project and turned
his attention to farming. Being naturally of an energetic
driving spirit, he went into everything he undertook with
all his power, consequently he put out one hundred and
fifty acres of wheat the following season. In previous
years, nothing could have been a better project, but it was
just when the wheat crop failed all through this portion of
Iowa. He ]3urchased the farm of two hundred and sixty
acres where he now resides, in sections twenty and twenty-
one, Buffalo township. He finds the cattle and hog bus-
iness pays more remuneratively than any thing else, and
is extensively engaged in the same. He owns about fifty
head of stock besides five head of horses. His farm is
finely situated. The house stands on an eminence com-
manding the view in all points of the compass. Mr.
Harrington was married, on April 18, 1852, to Miss
Lucy A. Jewett, who was born in Middleburgh, Vermont
July 19, 1825. They have four children — one son and
three daughters: Harriet M., bom November 16, 1855,
married H. A. Jones, and resides in Buffalo township;
Thomas J., born June 14, 1858, engaged in the railroad
business in Colorado; Cora A., born May 8, 1865; Car-
rie E., born December 29, 1867. Mr. Harrington is re-
garded as a sound-headed, well-read, and thoroughly
posted man. His house is well furnished with books
and papers. Politically he has always been a sound
Democrat.
Samuel J. Manning was born in upper Canada, January
23, 1850. He was a son of Daniel and Sarah Manning
— his mother being a daughter of William Prout. He
made his home with his father until he was twenty-seven
years of age, when he was married and made a home for
himself Mr. Manning and his father's family, consist-
ing of three sisters and two brothers, moved to the State
of Ohio in 1869, where they remained about one year.
They came to Iowa in 1870, locating, for one year, in In.
dependence, when his father purchased a farm in Buffalo
township, and he farmed for him until the year 1873,
when he purchased the farm of eighty acres where he
still resides. Mr. Manning was married, March 25,
1876, to Miss Sarah McLaughlin, who was born in Upper
Canada, March 28, 1850. She was a daughter of John
and Ann McLaughlin. Mrs. McLaughlin's maiden
name was Ray. Mr. and Mrs. Manning have two chil-
dren: Sarah Ann, born April 4, 1877; and Effie Ada,
born January 25, 1880. Mr. Manning is a member of
the United Presbyterian church. They are a pleasant
family and have a nice farm and home, and everything
around seems to have a home-like air.
William Ingaraells was born in England May 30,1850.
When about two and a half years old he came to the
United States with his father, John Ingamells, there be-
ing a family of twelve children, eight boys and four
girls. Their first location was in the State of New York,
where they lived about eleven years. They then moved
to Wisconsin and purchased the farm upon which his
father still resides. At the age of nineteen William In-
gamells came to Iowa and engaged in teaming, farming,
etc., residing in Black Hawk, Grundy and Tama coun-
ties. January i, 1880, he purchased the farm of one
hundred and twenty-nine acres where he resides, in Buf-
falo township. Mr. Ingamells was married July 21,
1876, to Miss Aggie Philp, who was born in Canada,
October 29, 1858. They have one child. Chancy Fran-
cis, born January 23, 1877. Mr. Ingamells has made
his property by his own exertions, and is now one of the
sound farmers of the county.
Rev. A. C. Zabriskie was born in Valparaiso, Indiana,
November 17, 1836. He was a son of George L. and
Mary J. Zabriskie, who raised a family of five children:
A. C, the subject of this sketch; George W., who died
in August, 1863, at the age of twenty-one; Jennie M.,
who married George Stocking, a resident of Iowa; L.
O., born February 5, 185 1, also a resident of Iowa;
Mary Annette, born November 5, 1853, single, and
making her home with her mother in Fayette county.
Mr. A. C. Zabriskie's early life was spent at home with
his father, and attending school, until he was nineteen
years of age, when he commenced to work for himself
by leading a general, active business life, till the spring
of 1862, when he enlisted in company K, Thirty-second
Iowa volunteer infantry. Though not wounded or taken
prisoner during his three years' service, he was an inmate
of the hospital at several different times, his energy,
however, keeping him out of it far more than his health
really permitted. During the whole time, he was in act-
ive service, participating in some of the severest battles
in the Rebellion and many engagements where life was
equally unsafe. Soon after his return from the army, he
came to Iowa and married. Purchasing a farm in Dela-
ware county, he farmed about a year and a half, then
exchanged the farm for one farther north. In 1869 he
purchased the farm of one hundred and twenty acres
where he now resides, in Buffalo township. In 1870 he
turned his attention to preaching and preached frequent-
ly without giving up his farming. About the year 1875
he gave up farming entirely and now gives his time to
preaching. Rev. Zabriskie was married April 18, 1866,
to Mary C. Clute, who was born in Livingston county,
New York, August 20, 1862. She was a member of a
family of eleven children, seven of whom are living —
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
363
L. G., J. W., p:mma, R. S. H., S. J., Charles, Frank,
all residing in Delaware county except Emma, who mar-
ried Henry Hardman, and lives in Floyd county. Mr.
and Mrs. Zabriskie have four children living and one
deceased: Rier S., born March 16, 1868; George L.,
born September 23, 1870; Mary Jane, born December
4, 1876; Amos Roy, born October i, 1878.
John D. Damge was born in the village of Batter-
court, Belgium, in the year 1839. At the age of fifteen
Mr. Damge came with his father's family to America,
settling first in Wisconsin, where for one year he helped
his father on the farm, after which he started out for
himself He worked principally on the farms in his
neighborhood until the year 1855, when he came to Bu-
chanan county, locating on the same farm where he now
lives, and began breaking the prairie without a house in
sight. In 1862 Mr. Damge was married to Miss Bar-
bara Casper, of Racine, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1863
was drafted, but furnished a substitute rather than leave
his family in such a new country. He has a happy fam-
ily of six children: Katie L., Peter F., Fred G., Wil-
liam H., Gertrude M., and Anna E., aged respectively,
seventeen, fifteen, eleven, nine, five and four years. Mr.
Damge is one of our foremost farmers and cattle rais-
ers, and is well thought of by all of our citizens. Both
he and his wife are members of the Catholic church.
MADISON.
This township is located in the northeast part of the
county. It was set apart as a separate and independent
township on the eleventh day of March, 1857, as shown
by the order of the county judge, which is as follows:
St.^te of Iowa, )
Buchanan County.)' '
And now, March ii, 1857, it is ordered by tiiis court tiiat township
ninety, north of range seven, be set apart and organized as a separate
precinct, to be called Madison precinct ; and that an election be holden
in said precinct, at the house of Charles Richmond, in said township,
on the first Monday in April next, for the election of township officers,
district judge, county assessor, and such State officers as are to be
elected by law at that election. It is further ordered that that portion
of town eighty-nine, range 7, heretofore belonging to Buffalo precinct,
be attached to Prairie precinct, and the west one-half of township ninety,
range eight, be detached from Superior pr.ecinct and attached to Buffalo
precinct. C. H. P. RosZELL, County Judge.
The first election in the township, pursuant to above
order, was held at the residence of Charles Richmond,
April 6, 1857, and the following township officers were
elected: John Marsell, Silas Ross and A. D. Bradley,
trustees; Charles Bennett and J. B. Ward, justices; Seth
Paxon and S. M. Eddy, constables; D. M. Brown, clerk.
There were at this election thirty-six votes cast. The
present township officers are: Simon Cole, D. M. Whit-
ney, and George Anderson, trustees ; A. M. Bogue, as-
sessor; C. N. Bennett and A. Whitney, justices ; E. S.
Ticknor, clerk; G. H. Jakway and George Foster, con-
stables.
SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement in the township was made by Sey-
mour Whitney, in the fall of 1852, locating in the east
part of the township, near a place known as Ward's Cor-
ners. His family came with him. He remained here
for about fifteen years, and then moved to Missouri, where,
after stopping ten years, he again comes back to his first
love. While in Missouri his wife died. He was again
married in the winter of 1880 to Ida Ward, daughter of
L. R. Ward, and is living in Clayton county. He has
four children living. He was the first clerk of the town-
ship.
J. B. Ward settled here in the fall of 1853, just one
year after Whitney, and in the eastern part. He entered
some land and opened up a farm. He also went into the
mill business, starting the first saw- mill in the township,
and is now interested in two feed mills there. He had
five children — James, who is married and lives in Ne-
braska; Dayton, married and also in Nebraska; Daniel,
is a Sunday-school missionary in Dakota ; Mark, married
and lives in Nebraska; Cyrena, married and lives in Ne-
braska. Mr. Ward is now living in Clayton county, Iowa,
and in the mill business there.
Silas Ross settled here on the twenty-eighth day of
March, 1853. He, the year before, in September, se-
cured the land upon which he still remains. He is a
native of Vermont.
Mark Whitney is another old pioneer, settling here in
1853. He also settled near Seymour Whitney. He, at
the time he came, entered the land upon which he has
lived since that time. He was born in Massachusetts,
October 15, 181 5. When quite young he immigrated to
the State of New York with his father's family. In the
spring of 1836, being then twenty-one years of age, he
walked to Illinois, excepting from Buffalo to Detroit.
Married in Illinois in 1838; came to Iowa in the spring
of 1853. He has had eleven children, five of whom are
now living, whose names are : Angeline, married to
Russel Whitman, and lives in Ward's Corners ; D. M.
Whitney, married and lives in the township; Caroline,
married to Carlos Neelis ; Eva, married to C. Strong,
and lives in Fremont township ; Emily F., a young lady,
now at home. Mr. Whitney is one of the pioneer Bap-
364
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
lists here, assisting in organizing the first Free-Will Baptist
church in this locaUty.
Alden Whitney settled here in February, 1854, on sec-
tion twenty-four, entering the land which he settled. He
is a native of New York, married in Illinois. Went to
Illinois when but six years of age. Upon being married
he came at once to Iowa. He has nine children — Rachel
M., married to Isaiah Harrington and lives in the town-
ship; Sarah M., married to Albert Ward, now living in Wis-
consin ; Orril, Seymour A., John S., AlmaHorace, Frank,
Willard, Mark, and Herman M. are all young, and are
still with their parents. Mr. Whitney has filled the office
of county supervisor; was one of the first magistrates in
the township; township trustee for eighteen years in suc-
cession, and is now filling that lucrative position.
E. R. Jenks became a settler in the township in June,
1853. He came to the county in 185 1, and lived for a
time with A. J. Eddy, in Buffalo. He first built and
lived in a log house, a picture of which was shown us;
the primitive home is there very clearly set forth. The
house has been moved to another part of the township,
and is now occupied by a Mr. Frye as a residence, and is
yet in a good condition. Mr. Jenks, when he first com-
menced here, had but one hundred and twenty acres of
land; but, by industry and close attention to business, is
now the proud and happy owner of a farm of four hun-
dred and forty-five acres, all well stocked and supplied
with good buildings, and with the modern improvements
for farming.
The Mequoketa passes through the northeast part, and
its general course through the township is south. Buffalo
creek is on the west end. There are a few small streams
here, tributary to the Mequoketa, and also some fine
springs along its banks.
In the summer of 1853 Silas Ross, Mark Whitney and
J. B. Ward built a log school-house, and the next winter
a school was taught there by Mrs. Getty Riley. There
were at this term probably thirty students, coming from
all directions, some as far as five or six miles away. A
school was taught in the same house for two successive
winters by the same teacher. It was supported by sub-
scriptions of the people, all giving freely for that purpose.
The next school-house we hear of was built at Ward's
Corners, and a third one at Buffalo Grove. Among the
early teachers were Lucy Ticknor, Jane Bennett, Melu-
sia Davies and Julia Whitney. The teachers of those
early days received for their services ten dollars per
month. The first teacher, Mrs. Riley, received for her
services one dollar and fifty cents per week and board.
This township has eight schools and all in good condi-
tion, with convenient school-houses — the primitive
school having passed away with the settlement of the
township.
They have a tri-weekly mail coming from Manchester.
There are in the township three cemeteries. The first
one was established at Buffalo Grove, in the southwest-
ern part of the township, in about 1857. A second one
was located at Ward's Corners in 1858. A third in the
northeast, near the Free-Will Baptist church. There is
in these cemeteries a large number of graves, and some
fine tombstones and expensive tnonuments. Here lie in
peace many of the early and brave pioneers whose acts
of heroism and bravery will live on through all time.
One of the largest and most important industries in
this township is butter making. One that is remunera-
tive to the farmer, taking the place of wheat, which, on
account of the uncertainty of the crop, was fast leading
the farmer dow-n to bankruptcy and financial ruin, and
having a tendency to shift the real estate into the hands
of a few instead of the many. Many of the farmers here
have as high as thirty, forty, fifty, sixty and seventy
cows each, and one party here in the season of 1880 had
as high as ninety cows. And, as a consequence, cream-
eries have sprung up all over the township; some of
them have creameries of their own, with all the appli-
ances of a first-class establishment, among whom are the
following: E. K. Jenks, who built his in 1875. It is
operated with horse power, has a churn with a capacity
of eighty pounds, churning usually once per day. S. H.
Smith in 1876 started one at his residence, churning once
a day. In 1S80 his butter brought him one thousand
six hundred dollars, and he then milked fifty cows. M.
V. Smith has one on his farm, operated by horse power,
and a churn with the capacity of one hundred pounds.
In 1880 he kept ninety cows, but in 1881 he had
seventy-five. W. H. Durfey, in 1881, started a cream-
ery on his place, having one churn, capable of making
eighty pounds of butter at a time, and run by horse
power. He will use the milk of sixty cows. George A.
Jakway established a creamery here in May, 1879, called
" Clear Spring Creamery," taking its name from a spring
from which the creamery obtains its supply of pure fresh
water. There are two men employed here, and three
teams gathering cream from the farmers. Two churns
are used to do the work, with a capacity of one hundred
pounds each, and they usually churn three times each
day, making six hundred pounds of butter per day. It
is run by horse power. One was started at Ward's
Corners, in the spring of 1874, by John Stewart, but it is
now owned by G. G. Thompson. In this are two churns,
which will hold eighty pounds. The power is generated
by a horse upon tread-wheels. Two men are employed
in the creamery, one team collects the cream. There is
also at this creamery the necessary machinery for mak-
ing cheese. Most of the butter is sent to Philadelphia
and New York, and thus far a good report comes back
of it.
A feed-mill was built here by Whitney & Ward in
1856, on the Mequoketa. At the same time a saw-mill
was built, but, not proving remunerative, was discontin-
ued in 1878. The feed-mill will grind one hundred and
sixty bushels per day, and proves a good investment to
its owners. In 1881 a second one was built near the
old site, with capacity for two hundred bushels per day.
A cane-mill was established here in 1856 by J. B.
Ward, situated on the river near the feed-mill. It is now
owned and operated by Alden Whitney. There is made
here each year some fifteen hundred gallons of molasses.
The work in the mill is all done by water-power.
A village is located here in the eastern part of the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
365
I
township, which takes its name from one of the old set-
tlers— Ward's Corners. It is on one of the branches of
the Mequoketa.
The business of the place is represented as follows:
A general store, including dry goods, groceries, drugs
and hardware, by Quick & Hill; grocery and farm ma-
chinery, by George M. Foster; shoemaker and watch
repairer, Ira J. Richmond ; physicians, J. H. Craig and
Albert Collins; wagonmaker and repairer, Asa Canfield;
one creamery; two houses of worship, the Methodist
Episcopal church and the Baptist church.
Here, on the banks of this beautiful stream, with signs
of prosperity and peace on every hand, no one has had
yet the courage to put up a sign bearing the word
"saloon." There is not one in the place nor in the
township.
The timber is in the eastern part, and is situated
mostly on the south fork of the Maquoketa, and there are
probably two hundred acres. In the early settlement
there were here a few elks, quite a large number of deer,
lynxes, wild-cats, and a few otters along the streams,
but none of these denisons of the forest and stream are
now seen or heard. The nearest approach to those early
days is the occasional yell of the lynx, a few of which
still lurk about in the heavy timber.
The first white child born in the township was Hiram
Whitney, a son of the first pioneer, Seymour Whitney, in
1854.
The first death was that of David Cornell, in 1854.
The pioneer blacksmith was John W. Dana, in 1857,
his shop being about half a mile east of Ward's Corners.
He is now living on a farm in the township, and has long
since laid aside the hammer and the tongs and become
a hardy tiller of the soil.
The first crop raised here was wheat, by Silas Ross, in
1854. This first crop was cut with cradles, and all the
settlers (they were few) helped in the harvest. The
manner of threshing it was as follows : A piece of land
was cleared away, made smooth and hard; then bundles
of the wheat were placed on this ground and oxen
driven about upon it until the grain was all out on the
ground. Of this crop Ross had twenty-eight bushels of
wheat on one and a half acres of land. The year before
Ross moved here, a party, whose name we could not as-
certain, settled on the land Ross bought and broke some
of it, so that the first year wheat could be raised. At
this time the land all belonged to the United States.
The people settled wherever they found a place that
suited their fancy, and afterward obtained their title — ■
unless some one had gone to the land office and made
an entry before them. This was not often the case, but
such things happened occasionally, and were a source of
trouble among the settlers.
The first store here was kept by Rev. W. Durfey, at
Ward's Corners.
No hotel was kept here until 1880, when one was
opened by Alfred Bush, who is now its proprietor.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The Free-Will Baptist society was organized here June
27j 1857, with seven members, viz: Peter Halleck and
wife, Mark Whitney, Cyrus Bailey and wife, and N. R.
Whitney and wife. The first meetings were held at the
house of Cyrus Bailey. The first preacher was Rev. S.
Hutchinson. They are now the owners of a house of
worship with an organ, and their whole property is valued
at twelve hundred dollars. They have a membership of
fifty-eight. The present pastor is Charles A. Baker.
The first church organized after a time divided, and
those living near Buffalo Grove withdrew and formed a
society there.
The old school Baptists organized here somewhat later.
At the time it was first organized there were but ten
members, whose nameswereas follows: John Merrill and
wife, J. B. Ward and wife, Charles Richmond and wife,
Amanda Braman, and Orrin Ross. The first preacher
was Rev. George Scott. For the first six years they held
services in a log school-house. They built a house of
worship in 187 1, which they now own and have a pleas-
ant parsonage. The whole property is valued at seven-
teen hundred dollars. The present pastor is Rev. R. H.
Shaftoe, and they have a membership of thirty-five per-
sons. They have also a flourishing Sunday-school of
some fifty.
There is also a Methodist Episcopal society here, but
we have not been able to obtain its early history. The
present preacher is R. N. Jones, and it has a member-
ship of about thirty persons. They are the owners of a
house of worship built in 1879. W. Quick, of Ward's
Corners, where the church is located, donated to the
society the lot upon which the church stands.
PERSON.\L MENTION.
William Sneath was born in England in 1832. He
came to the United States in 1853, and became a citizen
of Buchanan county September 8, 1865. His first two
years in the county were spent in Madison township,
where he purchased a farm. He purchased the farm of
sixty-five acres where he now resides, in section twenty,
Madison township, in the month of April, 1879. Mr.
Sneath was married January 4, 1856, to Mrs. Christina
Halter, who was born in England in 18 19, and married
Mr. Halter in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Sneath have two
sons: William Robert, married, and lives in Floyd coun-
ty, Iowa; John Thomas, single, and is farming in Kan-
sas. Mr. Sneath and wife are pleasant and intelligent
people, worthy to be numbered among Buchanan coun-
ty's best citizens.
Charles Nelson Bennett was born in Cataragus coun-
ty. New York, in 1840. He came to Iowa June 25,
1855. His first purchase of land was made in 1862,
consisting of one hundred and six acres, situated in sec-
tion seventeen, Madison. He purchased the piece w-here
he now resides in 1872. These pieces join each other,
and, in connection with another piece he has since pur-
chased, make a fine farm of two hundred and twenty
acres. Mr. Bennett is engaged in dairying and stock
raising principally. Mr. Bennett was married Novem-
ber 15, 1866, to Miss Sarah M. Preble, who was born in
Orwell, Adison county, Vermont, April 3, 1845. They
have a family of three children: Harlan P., born Janu-
ary 6, 1871; Minnie L., born January 20, 1875; Alice
366
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Garfield, born September x8, iS8o. Mr. and Mrs. Ben-
nett are both members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and are not only among the first in the county
in point of settlement, but in point of social standing.
Mr. Bennett enlisted August 12, 1861, in company C,
Ninth Iowa infantry, and served his country four years.
His first year was under the command of Curtis, in Mis-
souri and Arkansas. The balance of the term he was in
the Sixteenth army corps, under the command of Gen-
eral Sherman. He participated in twenty-seven general
engagements, and was under fire during this time four
hundred and si.xty-five days; and yet was never wounded,
though his wearing apparel was perforated at different
times with the missils of death. He and Mr. D. Bel-
lows were the only two of his company who had the good
fortune to pass through without a scratch. Since Mr.
Bennett's return from the army he has been almost con-
stantly connected with the public interests of the county.
He has been township trustee nearly ten years, and he
is a man of ability and good principles and a good,
sound Republican.
Moses S. Durfey was born in Granville, Washington
county. New York, April 19, 1823. When three years
of age his father, Willis Durfey, moved to Gainesville,
Wyoming county, New York, where Mr. M. S. Durfey
made hi.v Jiome principally until the year 1870, when he
came to Iowa and became a citizen of this county and
moved upon the farm of two hundred and forty acres, in
section eighteen, Madison township, where he still re-
sides. He purchased this farm in 1869, but having
let each of his sons have a portion of the land, he has
now only one hundred and seventy acres. He is en-
gaged in the dairy business principally. This farm and
home is among the best in the county. The land lays
smooth, yet rolling and dry. The house stands on an
elevation, affording a splendid view of the surrounding
country. Mr. Durfey married his first wife March 4,
1845. Her maiden name was Sarah J. Wiseman. She
was born in Gainesville, Wyoming county. New York,
October 16, 1824, and died in this county November 16,
1870, leaving a family of two children, both sons: Wil-
liam M., marr ed and farming in the neighborhood of
his father; Willis J., married, and resides in his native
town in New York. Mr. Durfey married his second
wife August 15, 1872. Her maiden name was Sarah B.
Carpenter; born at Trenton Falls, New York, March 16,
1837. They have one child, Jennie L., born August 25,
1873. Mr. Durfey is a practical business man, and is
shrewd and knows how to make money. He has served
his fellow citizens in the county several terms as justice
of the peace, and held the same office in New York.
He is a Republican.
George A. Jakway was born in Washington county.
New York, October 7, 1819. When about five years of
age he moved to the State of Vermont with his father,
Thomas Jakway, where he (George A. Jakway) lived till
he was about twenty-five years of age. He came to
Iowa in company with his brother, Charles Jakway, in
1855. His first purchase of land was situated on the
line of Buffalo and Madison townships, and consisted of
about si.x hundred acres. This he sold in the year fol-
lowing, and has made different purchases and sales of
land. His first purchase for his present farm was made
in the fall of 1854, paying seventy-five cents per acre.
His last purchase was made in 1874, paying ten dollars
per acre. He owns at present seven hundred and twen-
ty-four acres. Mr. Jakway built his fine residence in 1861.
He has his premises adorned with shade and fruit trees,
and every want of a home is supplied. He is at present
erecting a splendid cow barn, thirty feet wide, one hun-
dred and eight feet long, twenty-foot posts, with room
for seventy-five cows; loft capacity, one hundred and fifty
tons of hay. Mr. Jakway is extensively engaged in
farming, stock-raising and dairying. He has a creamery
on his farm, where he manufactures about twenty tubs of
butter weekly in the winter, and averages fifty during the
summer, sometimes making as high as seventy in a week.
He keeps about eighty head of cows, about ninety head
of young cattle, besides about fifty head of hogs and
eight horses. Mr. Jakway married his first wife in the
State of New York, in 1844, Miss Matilda Preble, a na-
tive of New York. She died in this county in 1862,
leaving a family of five sons and three daughters. He
married his second wife in 1865. Her maiden name was
Martha J. Smith. She married Mr. Henry Whitmarsh
in 1850, who died in January, 1865, leaving two chil-
dren— William and Stella. Mr. Jakway has by his second
marriage one child, Martha, born in 1868. Mr. Jakway's
two oldest sons, Gustavus H. and Charles W., are mar-
ried and reside in the neighborhood ; as also his two
oldest daughters, Maria and Mary. Mary is a widow.
The rest of the children — .Abraham, Frederick and Frank
(twins), and Emma — are single, and make their father's
house their home. Mr. Jakway is not only among the
first settleis of the county, but one of its first citizens.
William Andrews was born in Boston, Massachusetts,
October 11, 1846. When nine years of age he came
with his parents, Matthew and Margaret Andrews, to
Iowa, locating in this county, where he has since been a
resident. His father purchased one hundred and twenty
acres in section twenty-one, Madison township, where he
made his home till his death, which occurred in 1857.
Mrs. Andrews is still living, and resides at Strawberry
Point, and is now sixty-three years of age. In 1877 Mr.
Andrews purchased forty acres of land in section twenty-
one. He was married July 14, 1869, to Miss Nellie
Smith, who was born in McHenry county, Illinois, March
16, 1848. She is a daughter of Mr. Holley Smith, a
prominent citizen of this county. They have a family of
six children — Albert S., Richard H., Amy A., Charles
W., William N., Walter B. — as wide-awake and promis-
ing a group as one often meets. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews
reside upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres,
which was a present to Mrs. Andrews by her father at
the time of her marriage. Mr. Andrews is a Green-
backer in politics. Among the first settlers of this coun-
ty, he is to-day among its most prosperous citizens.
George Anderson was born in New York in 1829.
At the age of eleven years he went to the State of Illi-
nois with his father, William Anderson, where he made
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA
367
his home nearly twenty-four years. In the meantime he
had purchased property and married. In 1864 he came
to Iowa and purchased the farm where he now resides in
section eighteen, Madison township. Originally there
were eighty acres in this farm, for which he paid twelve
and a half dollars per acre. Has since made different
purchases until now he owns two hundred and thirty-
eight acres, eight of which are in Delaware county. His
last purchase of land was in section fourteen, consisting
of forty acres, for which he paid twenty-seven dollars
and fifty cents per acre. In the summer of 1869, Mr.
Anderson built himself one of the best residences in the
vicinity at that time. Has in progress a fine cattle barn,
dimensions thirty-six by sixty feet, which will soon be
completed, adding both to the usefulness and fine ap-
pearance of his home. He has trees bearing fruit, shade
trees, plants, and in a word, he has about him all of the
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Ander-
son was married in the State of Illinois in 1856, to Miss
Anna J. Pitman, who was born in New Hampshire in
1839. They have four children: Frankie, born in Illi-
nois in 1857; Gracie L., born in Illinois in 1862, married
^\'illiam Wallace, March 13, 1881, resides in Mitchell,
Dakota; Alfred, born in this county in 1864; Oren, born
in this county in 1870. Mrs. Anderson is a member of
the Baptist church.
L. R. Ward was born in New York in 1817. At the
age of seventeen he moved with his father, Justus Ward,
to Illinois, locating near Chicago, where he lived twenty
years, engaged in farming. In 1S55 he came to Iowa
and purchased from the Government the farm of four
hundred acres, where he still resides, in Madison town-
ship, besides twenty acres of timber in Delaware county.
This farm is not only among the good ones of Madison
township, but of Buchanan county. We think Mr. Ward
has one of the finest building spots in the county. A
beautiful grove of pine trees which he set out about
twenty years ago, presents a grand appearance. Mr.
Ward was married in 1846, to Miss Clarinda M. Hewitt,
born in Pennsylvania in 1826. They have a family of
seven children: W. F., S. W., Adelaide, married Sey-
mour Whitney, resides in Clayton county; Mary J.,
Alice v.. Silence A., teacher; H. O. Mr. Ward is a
man of great ability and a leader in his community, in
an intellectual point of view. He is not only one of the
first citizens in the county in point of time of settlement
but in point of citizenship. Politically we find Mr.
Ward a man who has investigated matters thoroughly,
and stands firmly on the Greenback platform.
F. W. Young was born in England in 1828, and came
to America in 1844. He spent his first ten years in this
country in New York city, engaged as clerk in a book
store on Fulton street ; afterwards spent about five years
in Philadelphia, and came to Iowa in 1853, locating first
in Newton township, where he lived nine years. In 1862
he sold and came to Madison township and purchased
two hundred acres of land where he still resides. His
first residence was built in 1876. Mr. Young was mar-
ried in Illinois, in 1854, to Miss Ann Parmiter, a native
of England. They have a feimily of five children — Anna
May, Victoria Alice, Mary Ella, Frederick George, and
John Alfred — aged twenty-four, twenty-two, nineteen, si.x-
teen, and twelve. Anna is now the wife of R. E. Draper,
and resides in Fayette county; Victoria is now the wife
of J. F. Webster, and lives in the neighborhood. Mr.
Young is a pleasant gentleman, and takes an interest in
the live issues of the day. He has one of the finest
farms and most pleasant homes of the county. Politi-
cally, he is a Republican.
William Quick was born in New York in 1835. He
was the son of John and Susan QuicL When twenty-
one years of age he came to Iowa, locating first in Dela-
ware county, where he lived on a farm two years, which
he traded for the one he still owns in section twenty-two,
Madison township. This farm he moved upon and made
his home about sixteen years. In the year 1874 he
moved to Ward's Corners and engaged in the mercantile
business, in which he still continues. Though the place
is small he does a very good business, satisfactory not
only to himself, but to the surrounding community. He
is a wide-awake, shrewd business man, and is still the
owner of two hundred and ten acres of land. Mr. Quick
was married in 1853 to Miss Mary A. Townsend, who
was born in Steuben county, New York, in 1836. They
have two children living — Mina, born in this county in
1866, and Franklin, born in this county in 1872. Mr.
and Mrs. Quick are intelligent, refined people. He has
made his "licks" count, and has, by his own exertions
and frugality, become an independent man. But, unlike
most men, he allows his wife an equal share of the credit
of success.
N. R. Whitman, jr., was born in New Hamphshire, No-
vember I, 1842. At the age of thirteen he came to Iowa
with his father, N. R. Whitman, locating in Madison
township, where he has since resided, with the exception
of the time spent in army life. He enlisted July 24,
1862, in company H, Eighteenth Iowa infantry. He
served his country over three years. Was in the Seventh
army corps under the command of Steele, Schofield, Tot-
ten, and Blunt. Was never wounded or taken prisoner,
though he participated in several severe conflicts. Mr.
Whitman's father and mother and oldest sister all died
in the year 1879, within three months. Mr. N. R. Whit-
man, sr., came to this county with a family of seven chil-
dren. It was in the wilds of the west in those days.
His land was only located and not paid for. He was a
man of great nerve. Notwithstanding all the dark op-
position before him, and without a cent in his pocket, he
met fairly, and tested thoroughly, what the west had in
store for him. He raised his family and gained a good
home in spite of the opposing forces. This latent will
power was demonstrated in the fact, that in the year
1854, he, in company with his three sons, Omer R., N.
R., and C. E., aged fifteen, twelve, and ten respectively,
passed the Green mountains of Vermont, carrying their
flint-lock guns and a small trunk. The vigor of youth
and the determination of age, combined to make a
strong force and the trip was accomplished with many
pleasant recollections, for enjoyment in after years. Mr.
N. R. Whitman, jr., was married May 13, 1866, to Miss
368
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Angeline Whitney, who was born in Illinois, in 1841.
They have two children, twins: Cora E., and Mark
Ebert, aged respectively, seven and four. In such a
record, there is praise enough to satisfy the most crav-
ing. Who would weaken its force by common place
compliment?
Mark Whitney was born in the town of Orange,
Franklin county, Massachusetts, in the year 18 15. When
about three years of age his father. Palmer Whitney,
moved to the State of New York, where Mr. Whitney
lived till he was nearly twenty-one years of age. After a
residence of seventeen years in Illinois, he came to Iowa
in 1853, and purchased the farm of one hundred and
sixty-five acres, where he still resides, in section twenty-
four, Madison township, and built a good house in 1856.
In that day, it was the best house in the township. Mr.
Whitney was married in Illinois, in the year 1838, to
Miss Caroline Ward, born in New York, in 1820. They
have a family of five children living: Angeline, now wife
of Nathan R. Whitman, residing in Ward's Corners;
David, married and lives upon his farm one mile west of
his father; Caroline, wife of Charles M. Niles, and re-
sides in Marion county; Eva Felena, married April 12,
1 88 1, to Mr. Church Strong, and resides in Fremont
township; Francis Emily, single, and at home. Those
who know them best, speak well of them.
Silas Ross was born in Ludlow, Vermont, Windsor
county, in 1814. Here he made his home till he was
thirty-seven years of age, engaging in farming, principally,
with the exception of two years, during which he was en-
gaged iu the mercantile business in the town of Ludlow.
In 185 1 he went to Davis county, Illinois, where he re-
mained about eighteen months, but finding the society
very rough, he wended his steps westward, in pursuit of
a more genial home. In the year 1852 he came to Iowa
and purchased the farm where he still resides, in Madi-
son township, section thirteen. He owned two hundred
and eighty acres, but five years ago sold it all to his sons.
Mr. Ross was married in Lunenenbergh, Massachu-
setts, in 1835, to Miss ParruU Donsmon, born in Massa-
chusetts in 1 814, and died in this county, January, 1877.
Mr. Ross' family consists of three living children — Emily,
now the wife of Samuel Messenger, and resides in this
township; Oren S., married Miss Demelda More and re-
sides in Nevada; Calvin, single, and now owns and farms
the homestead. Of Mr. Ross we can say we are pleased
to find such men among the first settlers of the county.
Mr. Ross is a member of the Bajitist church, and honors
his profession in his life. Lucy died in Vermont at the
age of two and one-half years, September 19, 1843.
Lucy P. died in this county at the age of fifteen, August
25, i860. Allen was born in Ludlow, Vermont, in 1850,
and died in this county, February 13, 1877. He was
married in August, 1873, to Miss Ann Marshall, who was
born in New York in 1847.
Earl K. Jenks was born in Genesee county, New York,
in the town of Covington, May lo, 1826. His father,
Joseph Jenks, moved to Ohio when Mr. Jenks was about
ten years of age. He, however, lived in Covington with
an uncle until his seventeenth year, when he went to
Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where his father lived. After
remaining there but a short time Mr. Jenks went to Ken-
tucky, where he stayed about two years, going to school
most of the time. At the end of that time he returned
to Ohio and soon after went to Boone county, Illinois.
There he farmed for the following seven years, or until
the year 1851, when he again moved, this time to this
county. Mr. Jenks was married in the year 1848, to
Miss Eunice M. Green, of Cherry Valley, Illinois. They
had six children, five of whom ate still living: R. M.
Jenks, born April 7, 1850; Emma H., born September
8, 1852; Charles R., born July 23, 1855; Clarence M.,
born April 20, 1858; Anna T., born October 8, 1861.
Mrs. Jenks was removed by death the tenth of Decem-
ber, 1865, in the forty-fourth year of her age.
Mr. Jenks married Marietta Fuller, of Cherry Valley,
Illinois, in the year 1866. They also have had five chil-
dren, three of whom are living, as follows: Katie M.
Jenks, nine years of age ; Blanche E. Jenks, seven years
of age; Alonzo D. Jenks, four years of age. I'hey are
one of the leadmg families of Madison township, and
Mr. Jenks is engaged in cattle raising and farming busi-
ness, and somewhat largely in dairying.
Mr. L. Hawley Smith was born in Johnston, Lamoille
county, Vermont, on the thirtieth of July, 1823, where he
lived with his father until his seventeenth year, when his
father emigrated to McHenry county, Illinois. When he
came of age he began doing business for himself, first
farming for about two years, afterward engaging in the
lumber business in Waukegan, Illinois, in which busi-
ness he spent about two years. In the year 1850 Mr.
Smith traded his interest in the lumber business for a
farm, and left home for the gold regions of California.
He, however, remained there but about nine months
when he returned to Illinois and commenced farming.
At the end of three and one half years, or in the fall of
1854, Mr. Smith came to Buchanan county and bought
a farm in Madison township near Buffalo Grove post
office, where he still resides. Mr. Smith was married
January 17, 1844, to Miss Mary Colby, of McHenry
county, Illinois. She was the daughter of Mr. Gideon
Colby, and was born in Danville, Vermont, May 22,
1826. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had eight children —
three sons and five daughters, all of whom are living, ex-
cept one daughter, Mary, who died November 4, 1864,
at the age of three and one-half years. The family now
consist of Montreville, V., born November 26, 1845;
Nellie, born March 16, 1849; Olive I., born July 16,
1852; Herbert, born July 29, 1854; Carrie W., born
December 23, 1856; Albert A., born April 12, 1859;
Mary M., born May 23, 1866. They are a happy family
and enjoy a pleasant home. Mr. Smith is one of our
most prominent cattle and dairy men, and runs his home
farm of four hundred and twenty acres. Is a prominent
Republican, and both he and his wife are members of
the Methodist church. He is one of those men who
came here with but little, and by a strict attention to
business, without, however, neglecting the social develop-
ment and education of his family, has acquired a for-
tune of many thousands. Nellie is the wife of Mr. Wil-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
369
liam Andrews. Olive is the wife of R. M. Jenks. Car-
rie is the wife of Mr. S. C. Todd, and lives in Illinois.
He is a man who always keeps a promise, and his word
is just as good as his note. He has always been a hard
working man and richly deserves the reward he is enjoy-
ing.
BYRON.
This township was granted an independent and separ-
ate organization on the twentieth day of March, 1856, by
order as follows : "Comes into court James Lines and
forty-six others, praying that the court set off township
eighty-nine, north of range eight, excepting sections thir-
teen, twenty-four and thirty-six; and the same is hereby
formed into a separate precinct to he called Byron, and
the court orders that an election be holden in said town-
ship on the first ]\Ionday in April next, at the house of
William Lines, on section fifteen in said township, for
the election of three trustees, two justices, two constables,
and one road supervisor, and one school fund commis-
sioner, for the county at large — O. H. P. Roszell, Coun-
ty Judge."
ELECTION.
The first election in the township was held as above
ordered, T. Stoneman and C. W. Mc Kinney being ap-
pointed judges of election, and William Lines clerk.
The following persons were elected: E. B. King, John
Tullock and William Potter, trustees; L. S. Brooks and
Sylvester Pierce, justices; James Becker and Martin
Hearne, constables; S. L. Gaylord, county supervisor;
William Lines, clerk, and John C. Ozius, assessor. The
present township officers are: Joseph Sutter, E. B. Brit-
nall, and A. P. Mills, trustees; S. J. Dunlap, assessor;
Z. P. Rich, Davis and Benjamin Knight, justices ; G. E.
Titus and William Patterson, constables; Frank Fox,
clerk. At this election there were thirty-seven voters.
SETTLEMENT.
The first permanent settler in this township was Henry
Baker who built the first cabin here and occupied it in
1844, in the southwest part of the township, near a beauti-
ful spring and close to the timber. Here it was that the
first and only settler in Byron lived for nearly two years,
his nearest neighbor being Hamilton Mcgonigle, who
had settled south of him in Liberty township, some three
or four miles away. Baker's sister lived with him. He
did not remain in the township more than about two or
three years. During the time he lived here he was mar-
ried to Laura Hunter, then soon after left the county and
his present residence has not been found, nor has any-
thing been learned as to what became of him. His sister
married Samuel Casky and lives in Quasqueton, Liberty
township.
Robert Sutton settled in Byron township in 1846 or
1847, having purchased Henry Baker's claim, and the
latter moved away, leaving, as far as we have been able
to find, Sutton and family the sole inhabitants of the.
township. He lived here until the fall of 1865, when the
country began to settle up and civilization and religion
began to spread their influence over the country and
neighbors became too many; it was then that he gathered
his herds of cattle about him and started for the frontier
of Kansas, where he now resides engaged in keeping a
hotel. While he lived in this township he never went
into the timber without his faithful gun, which in those
days was his constant companion. He is said to have
been very severe in the punishment of his children and
unrelenting in the hatred of his enemies. On one occa-
sion his oldest son Benjamin did something that angered
the father, and he fastened him tightly to a large tree with
his hands also fastened behind him, then placed an ear
of corn in his mouth, left him there in a hot day for
more than two hours, and when taken down he fainted
away and it was some time before he gave any indication
of life. The names of his children were Henry, James,
Benjamin, Jessie, Clarisa, Daniel, Nancy and Perry. Mr.
Sutton was a native of Pennsylvania, but emigrated here
from Illinois where he had lived for awhile, keeping in
advance of civilization and religion and a settled up
country. The place where he first settled is beautiful
beyond description, with a spring of pure water under
the grand old trees on the edge of the timber and pro-
tected by it.
Mr. Gaylord was a native of New York, being born
there April 27, 1808 ; married at the age of nineteen years
to Sophia Brokman. He and his wife were members of
the Methodist Episcopal church with which they united
in early life. He continued to live on the place up to
the time of his death, which after a short illness, occured
on the twentieth day of October, 1856; his wife and nine
children survived him. His widow continued to live on
the old homestead, and in the severe winter of 1857 fol-
lowing she lost a large number of catde and horses ; this
was a winter ever memorable in the history of the west on
account of the severe cold weather. At the break-
ing out of our late war four of her sons volun-
teered in the service of their country, viz: Edward
H., Erwin R., J. Birney, and Levi B. All returned at the
370
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
close of the war except Erwin R., who died September,
1863. In 1865 Mrs. Gaylord sold the homestead, pur-
chased a residence in Independence, where she lived up
to the day of her death, which occured July 16, 1878,
being then nearly seventy-one years of age. They
had in all ten children, one dying quite young:
Edward H. lives with his family in Denver, Colorado;
Emily M. married in, 1854, S. VV. Rich, living in this
county until 1880, when she moved to Greeley, Nebraska,
is a widow, her husband having died in Buchanan county
in 1874; Olive O. Gaylord resides in Lincohi, Nebraska;
Elizabeth A. married to H. E. Palmer, and lives at
Independence; J. Birney is married, living in Indepen-
dence. He is engaged in the show business, having travel-
led all over the United States, Australia and Mexico,
and has been thus engaged for a number of years; Flora
W. married to E. H. Colburn, and resides in Greeley,
Nebraska; Levi B. married and lives in Beloit, Kansas;
Frank M. is married, and also lived in Beloit, Kansas;
Frank M. died September 27, 1880, leaving a wife and
two children. These two worthy and highly esteemed
pioneers of this township now sleep side by side in Oak-
wood cemetery, in Independence.
Hamilton Megonigle first settled in Buchanan county
in February, 1848, about one mile east of Independence,
on land owned and occupied by Ephraim Miller. He
squatted upon that land, and while he was in possession,
and had made improvements, built a log house and
broke up land, another party entered it from the
Government. At the time Megonigle came there were
but a few settlers in the county. The present beautiful
city of Independence, entirely unknown, scarcely a house
there. When he became satisfied that he could not
become the owner of the spot, that to him and his wife
seemed dear, beautiful and grand, with sad hearts, they
moved upon a place, near Quasqueton, the then metrop-
olis of the county, called the Orbit farm. In 1853 he
settled in Byron, on Pine creek and in the midst of the
timber. Here he lived up to the day of his death, which
occured on the twenty-fourth of April, 1867. He was a
native of Pennsylvania from the banks of the Juniata, a
regular, careless, jovial, free-hearted, open-handed, back-
woodsman, who was known to everybody and loved to be
called "Oldjuny." He was ashoeraaker by trade, but after
he came to Iowa devoted his attention to farming. He was
the life of the settlement, jovial, happy and gay, and at
their festive occasions was the bright particular star. At his
death his widow remained upon the old homestead, where
she now, surrounded with all the comforts of life, still
resides where the writer visited her. Her love for the
brave pioneer of early days is still unabated, speaking in
raptures of their heroism and true kindness of heart.
They were blessed with nine children, eight of whom
are now living: Bartamour married and then volunteered
in our late war and died in the army; Armenia, married
to S. N. Miller and lives in Liberty township; Cronocia
married Emanuel Miller and lives in Liberty; Louisa
married, and resides in Liberty; Alva married and
lives in Pottawattamie county, Iowa; Jane, married to
Benjamin Miller and lives in Liberty; Isabel, married
and lives in Nebraska; John R. is married and lives in
Byron township; Samuel S. lives on the old homestead,
and is yet unmarried.
Colonel Isaac G. Freeman came to Iowa April 14,
1853, settling on Pine creek. He was a native of New
Jersey, but went to New York when quite young, grew
up there, and married there December 17, 1835. While
living in New York he received the appointment and
acted as deputy sheriff, and was also a magistrate. He
was also appointed colonel of a regiment of State militia
in New York, receiving his commission from the govern-
or of the State. During his residence here he acted as
a justice, and took a lively interest in all political mat-
ters, being of the anti-slavery type. At the Presidential
election in the fall of 1880, being quite feeble, he insisted
upon voting, and, in company with his wife, rode to the
polls and deposited, as it proved, his vote for the last
time. He died in April, 1881. He was a Mason and a
member of the Baptist church. They had the follow-
ing children : Rachel C, who married Dr. John G.
House, of Independence, and who is now dead, but
Mrs. House is still living in the city; I. E., who was a
soldier in the late war; Reuben E., who volunteered in
our late war, and died in the army; Phineas G., who
married, and whose family lives in Independence, but he
takes charge of the old home farm ; William C, an engi-
neer, who now lives in Minnesota; George B., engineer,
who is married and lives in Minnesota; Henry A., who
is married and lives in Byron, on the old homestead;
Harriet, who is an artist, and is now at Denver, Colo-
rado; Charles B., who is an engineer, and resides in
Minnesota; Lillie A., who lives in Denver, Colorado.
Nathan King came to the county in 1852, settling in
Washington township, but in 1853 became a settler of
Byron, and on the farm now owned by A. Francis. He
died here in October, 1866. He had thirteen children,
of whom there are nine living. He was a native of New
York, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Amos King came to the county in 1849, settling in
Independence, but in the early part of 185 1 became a
resident of Byron, building his cabin on Pine creek.
He remained here but two years, then went to Ohio, but
subsequently moved to Chicago, Illinois, and is now in
business there. He had a family of four children — two
boys and two girls.
Ezra King settled here about the same time in 185 1,
remaining until 1877, and then removed to Liberty town-
ship, and died there in 1880, leaving a wife and six chil-
dren. He was a member of the Church of God, in
Byron.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was organized
here June 2, 1869, with sixteen charter members. The
following were the first officers: S. W. Rich, W. M.; C.
W. Seidell, S. W.; E. W. Ely, J. W.; John WiUey, J. S.;
H. Griswold, treasurer; B. Culver, tyler; W. Hildreth,
secretary; G. S. Field and A. B. Stocking. This lodge
was established under name of Shiloh Lodge No. 247,
under the jurisdiction of the grand lodge of Iowa.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
371
The present officers are — I. D. Owen, W. M.; E. O.
Craig, S. W.; \V. T. Kendall, J. W.; M. J. Goodrich,
secretary; W. A. Patterson, treasurer. The present
membership is thirty.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
was first organized here .April 5, 1876, and the lodge
called Fraternity No. 60, with a membership of fourteen.
Its first officers were — M. J. Goodrich, M. W.; C. W.
Seidell, P. M. VV.; A. C. Simmonds, foreman; H. C.
Markham, overseer; J. D. Owen, recorder; James Jam-
ison, financier; W. T. Kendall, receiver; E. O. Craig, I.
/ W.; F. W. Seidell, O. W.; W. Hildreth, guide.
The present officers are — G. E. Titus, M. W.; C. W.
Seidell, P. M. W.; Alexander Scott, foreman; W. B.
Hallick, overseer; Frank Fox, recorder; Frank Schuile,
1/ guide; W. Hildreth, receiver; L. M.Johnson, financier;
M. J. Furgerson, I. W.; J. E. Robinson, O. W. The
present membership is thirty-nine. In this order, at the
decease of a member his legal representatives receive
the sum of two thousand dollars.
WINTHROP.
There is but one village in the township, and this is
located in the southeast corner. It was platted and laid
out into lots in 1857 by A. P. Foster. The name Win-
throp was suggested by E. S. Norris, a friend of Foster.
Previous to the village being platted and laid out, Mr.
Foster purchased two hundred and forty acres of land
there, and a part of the same land Winthrop now stands
on. There was no village until the railroad was built
through the township in 1859. The first store here was
kept by a Mr. Button, and the first hotel by Heniy Cor-
rick. The present business of the place is represented
as follows:
Physicians — M. A. Chamberlin and L. M. Johnston.
Carpenter shops — F. A. Collins and E. C. Huff Wagon
shops — J. P. Furgerson and M. Fuchs. Blacksmith
shops — John and George Kirkpatrick and M. J. Furger-
son. Grain dealers — O. J. Metcalf and Alex Risk.
There are two elevators and three warehouses, and all
are occupied. The elevator owned by A. Risk is oper-
ated by a steam engine, and he also grinds feed at his
elevator. Stock dealers — Horace Chesley and George
Spangler. The station agent of the Illinois Central here
— W. T. Kendall. One hotel, the Winthrop house —
W. A. Patterson. Livery stables — W. A. Patterson and
G. E. Titus. Lawyers— E. S. Gay lord and Z. P. Rich.
Groceries and notions — George Hartwick. Grocery and
shoe shop — I. D. Owen. Grocer and Stationer — George
Woodwarth. Drug stores — M. A. Chamberlin, Fox &
Johnston. Dry goods and groceries — W. Hildreth and
Palmiter & PuUis. Hardware and groceries — D. W.
Hovey. Agricultural implements — N. Barney and A.
Risk. Postmaster — W. M. Woodwarth. Meat market
— Frank Schuiler. Millinery — Miss Anderson. Dress
makers — Carrie Goodell, Miss Robinson and Limbert.
Saloons — C. W. Aborn, Charles Dougherty and Thomas
Lurley. Three houses of worship — Congregational,
Catholic and Baptist. A public school-house. There
are two public halls — Hovey's and Barney's. Barbed
wire manufactory — A. A. Edgergington; the process be-
ing to take smooth wire and barb it by machinery; but
one man is employed. Shoe store — Furgerson & Jack.
Shoe makers — George & A. Jack and D. T. Colegrove.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
A Congregational society was organized here on the
twenty-second day of May, 1865, with a membership of
twenty-two. It was organized in a log school-house,
called the Brown school-house, and services held there
for some time. A house of worship was built in Win-
throp in 1S69, worth probably three thousand dollars.
The first preacher was Rev. William Spell. The lots
where the church stands were donated by Rev. L. W.
Brintnall. The present membership is one hundred and
eleven, with an interesting Sunday-school of some sev-
enty-five members. The present pastor is Rev. S. W.
Brintnall.
The Presbyterian church was first organized in Quas-
queton March 26, 1853, by Rev. J. H. Whitham, with
seven members. It was first organized as a free Presby-
terian church, withdrawing from the general Presbyterian
church on the question of slavery; but on the twenty-
sixth day of April, 1867, it was received back into the
Presbyterian church and added to the Dubuque presby-
tery, with twenty members. October 4, 1875, a union
was effected between the Quasqueton church and the
Byron Centre church, and from these churches another
was formed called Pine Creek church, and a house of
worship was built. The present membership is seventy,
and the present pastor is John McAlister. This church
is situated in the south part of the township, in a weal-
thy settlement. The property of the church, including
the church building and parsonage, is valued at twenty-
six hundred dollars.
A Catholic church was organized here in September,
1876, with eight families. At that time a house to hold
the services in was purchased, costing five hundred dol-
lars. It was considerably repaired and changed. The
whole property now owned by the church is valued at
one thousand dollars. The communicants now number
twenty families. They have no resident priest, but Pat-
rick Clubby, a priest in Newton township, visits and
holds services in the church once in three weeks.
A Church of God was organized in Liberty township
on the seventh day of April, 1853, at Hamilton Megon-
igle's house, with five members. They held services for
some time in a log school-house and private residences.
Rev. D. Gill was the first preacher. In 1855 they built
a house in the southwestern part of Byron township,
which they designated the Bethel. They have a mem-
bership of one hundred and fifty, and their church prop-
erty is valued at one thousand dollars. The present
preacher is Rev. C. W. Evans, who holds services twice
a month.
The first Baptist meeting was held here by Rev. John
Fullerton, of Independence," in June, i860, preaching
from the steps of the Illinois Central depot ; also, about
the same time in a private residence. Rev. Fullerton
standing in the door of the house, and addressing him-
self to those on the outside as well as the inside of the
372
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
house. In 1867 a society was formed for the purpose of
building a house of worship, and in the summer of 1868
the house was built, and dedicated to the worship of
God on the twentieth day of December, 1868. The
whole cost of the house at that time was four thousand
nine hundred and eighty dollars. On January 26, 1869,
the Baptists who were members at Quasqueton came
with letters and formed the Winthrop Baptist church.
Rev. John Fullerton was their first preacher. Rev. W.
L. Hunter is the present preacher; the present member-
ship is thirty-three.
A cemetery was established in the western part of the
township in 1875, called Whitney cemetery. There are
quite a number of graves and some fine tombstones and
monuments.
The creeks of the township are Buffalo creek in the
eastern part, and Pine creek, about the centre of the
township, running from north to south.
There are some fine springs in the township, on John
Metz and L. J. Dunlap's farms. There is one on O.
Down's farm, however, that has a history, for it was here
that the very first settler, Henry Baker, first pitched his
tent; as also the second, Robert Sutton. Most of these
springs are along Pine creek.
A school was taught in Colonel I. G. Freeman's house
in 1854, by Miss R. C. Freeman ; another was taught in
a log school-house of D. C. Gaylord in 1855, by Lucinda
Pierce. The season of 1855 a school-house was built in
Freeman district. The ne.xt soon after in the Daws'
district. Among the early teachers were Mary Freeman,
S. G. Pierce, Philip Bartle, Lucinda Pierce, and R. C.
Freeman. There are now in the township nine schools,
the one in Winthrop is an independent school, having
two teachers.
The first death here was that of Frank Freeman, a
son of Colonel I. G. Freeman, who died October 23,
1856.
The first wedding was that of Robert Copeland and
Louisa McGonigle in 1856, by S. G. Pierce, esq. The
parties are now living at Quasqueton, in Buchanan county.
The first postmaster in the township was L. J. Dunlap,
who is still a resident of the township.
The first white child born here was Thomas SuttOn, in
1852.
The first religious meetings of which we can find any
account whatever, was at what is known as the "Bethel,"
in 1855, southwest part of the township.
SURFACE PRODUCTIONS, TIMBERS, ETC.
The surface for the most part is rolling prairie, and
the land is of an excellent quality, being a black loam,
but in the southwest it is hilly, and the land light and
sandy. The timber is in sections twelve and thirty-three
— probably from three hundred to four hundred acres,
and is situated along Buffalo and Pine creeks. The
principal productions are corn, hay, and oats. Consid-
erable attention is paid to raising stock, cattle and hogs,
and dairy products. There are in this township three
thousand head of cattle over one year old.
There are a number of small flocks here. Thomas
Diggins has one of seventy-five, John Clark, sixty, and
John Myers, thirty.
L. J. Dunlap commenced breeding Durham stock in
1875. Has now a herd of some fifteen pure blood
animals, and has also a large number of grades which
are very fine animals.
RAILRO.\D.
The Illinois Central railroad passes through the south
part of the township. This road was built to the village
of Winthrop in the fall of 1859.
CREAMERIES.
S. G. Pierce established a creamery here in 1878.
Uses one churn with a capacity of eighty pounds, and
invariably churns once per day. He has horse-power
and one man employed in the creamery, and one team
gathering cream.
P. G. Freeman, in 1880, started a creamery here on his
farm on Pine creek. He has now but one churn with a
rapacity for eighty pounds of butter, and churns once
per day. Has horse-power, but will, during the season,
put in a six horse-power steam engine, to be used for
running the creamery and grinding feed for his stock,
etc. He will during part of the season have three teams
on the road gathering cream; has one man employed in
the creamery.
There are, besides the above, a number of private
creameries in the township, with all the necessary appli-
ances and machinery of a first-class creamery, but using
only the milk of their own cows, and among them are
those of Kasper Rouse and Milton House.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Dr. M. A. Chamberlain was born in Thetford, Ver-
mont, in 1829; married Miss Mary E. Bartholomew, of
Thetford, in 1853. He came west in 1854, first to Illi-
nois, then to Minnesota. Was in the army three years
as hospital steward for the Eighth Minnesota volunteer
infantry. Came to Buchanan county in 1865. Since
that time the doctor has been located in Byron township,
practicing with excellent success. He is the father of
eight children, six of whom are now living. Their names
and dates of birth are as follows: Andrew M., born in
1854; Belle, in 1856, died the same year; Carrie, born
in 1858, died in 1873; Nellie, born in 1861; Theodore,
1862; Minnie, 1864; Herbert, 1866; Ethel, 1872. Dr.
Chamberlain has practiced twenty-six years in all. He
is a graduate of Thetford Hill academy, Vermont; at-
tended medical lectures at Worcester, Massachusetts, and
Cincinnati, Ohio, has a diploma from the National Ec-
lectic association. In Minnesota in 1859, he was elected
a member of the State legislature. He has held several
local offices; was county commissioner two terms in
Minnesota. In Winthrop, has been justice of the peace
four years, and town clerk six years. In addition to his
practice, the doctor is keeper of a well furnished drug
store.
Rev. Loren W. Brintnall, pastor of Winthrop Congre-
gational church, was born in Windham, Vermont, Janu-
ary 10, 1828. He was educated at Townsend academy,
Vermont, and at Oberlin college; is a graduate of Ober-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
373
liii Theological seminary. His early life was spent on a
farm mostly, though he worked some at carpentering.
He taught school several winters in Vermont, "boarding
around" occasionally. Was married September 19, 1855,
to Miss Abbie H. Willey; has three children. The old-
est, Burgess W., born September 10, 1857, is at present
principal of schools in Monona, Iowa. He married Mrs.
Lottie Martin, March 30, 1880. The second, Edna M.,
was born December 24, 1859, she resides at home, and
is at present teaching. The youngest, Walter A., was
born November 26, 1862. Rev. Mr. Brintnall has been
a preacher twenty-seven years; commenced in Vermont;
was ordained in Ohio in 1855. While in Ohio he was
pastor of Lafayette and York churches; and since com-
ing to Iowa, of Winthrop, Independence, and Monte-
cello churches. He has been twice called to preside
over Winthrop church, where he has been nearly ten
years in all. Mrs. Brintnall, a lady of about fifty years,
was the daughter of Mr. Benjamin F. Willey, of Grafton,
■Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Brintnall are beloved and
esteemed by all.
George S. Dawes was born in Morgan county, Ohio,
December 2, 1825. His early life was spent on a farm
where he received a common school education, under
somewhat unfavorable conditions. He married Miss
Lavina Adelia Graves, of Licking county, Ohio, April 4,
1847. Came to Iowa in 1856, and has resided in By-
ron township over eighteen years. He has reared a
large family, of whom all are living but two. Following
are their names and dates of birth; Cynthia E., born
May 7, 1848, in Ohio; Frank E., May 22, 1849, in Ohio;
James E., born January 6, 185 i, in Wisconsin, died Sep-
tember 10, 1861; Laura E., born February 22, 1853,
in Wisconsin; Charlotte E., October 14, 1854, in Wis-
consin, died March 28, 1856 ; Charles E., October 26,
1856, in Iowa; George E., September 20, 1858; Henry
E., September 17, i860; Willis E., January 29, 1862;
John A., June 21, 1866; Grace A., April 10, 1870;
Richmond M., September 7, 1872. Mrs. Dawes died
February 9, 1879. Mr. Dawes has a fine dairy farm of
one hundred and sixty acres, with good fences and good
buildings. He keeps a large stock, and all his land is in
use, either as tillage or pasture. There is a fine young
orchard upon the land. In politics, he is a thorough
Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian
church. Mr. Dawes has served as justice of the peace
several terms, and has also held several township offices.
William Kerr was born in Scotland, in 1830; came to
.this country in 1852, first to the State of New York;
moved to Byron township, Buchanan county, in 1859.
In i860 he went west and spent about five years in the
mining districts. Married Amanda Morehouse, of By-
ron township, in 1868. They have two children: Frank,
born in 1870, and William, born in 1877. Mr. Kerr has
two hundred and eighty acres of land in good condition;
keeps a large stock, and is prosperous and happy. He
is a Presbyterian and a strong Republican.
James Hamilton was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, a few
miles from the birth-place of Robert Burns, in 1827.
Spent his early life on a farm, herding cattle, picking
stones, etc. In 1852, he left Scotland and came to New
York State, where he remained over three years. Married
Sarah Hardy in 1856, in New York, and came west the
same year; settled in Byron township in 1859. After
coming to Iowa, he rented a farm for two years. Neigh-
bors were then few and far apart. He next took up a
wild farm and commenced paying for it, in which under-
taking he succeeded after years of hard work. He owned
the first reaper in the township, and with it worked for
the farmers around. Mr. Hamilton is the father of seven
children, six of whom are now living: William, born in
1856; Belle, in 1859; Jessie L., in 1861; John M., in
1866; James, in 1869; Nellie, in 1872; Charles, in
1875 — died when he was about four years of age. Mr.
Hamilton's land consists of two hundred and forty
acres of prairie and fifteen of timber. He keeps a large
stock, including twelve to fifteen cows. His land is un-
der good improvement, and the house and buildings are
neat and comfortable. Mr. Hamilton is an earnest Re-
publican, and is really quite a politician, though he will
not own it. He has held local offices and has been a
delegate to several State conventions. He is wide-awake,
well informed, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors.
He served in the army a year, in the Fifteenth Iowa reg-
iment, and was with Sherman through his famous
"March to the sea." Mr. Hamilton surprised his old
friends and associates in Scotland, by a visit to Ayrshire,
about six years ago. At first, he was not recognized by
his aged parents. Much moved, he asked his mother
whom she thought he was; she replied, "Ye're nae wan
o' mine," and it was some time before his identity was
established.
Rev. Reuben H. Freeman was born in New Bruns-
wick, New Jersey, in 1807. While a young man, he en-
gaged in teaching for several years. He received an
academical education; attended the Episcopal Theo-
logical seminary, in New York city; followed missionary
work four or five years in New York and New Jersey;
but, health failing, he was obliged to leave it. He farmed
in New Jersey ten years, and came to Iowa in 1856;
settled in Byron township in 1857. In 1834, Mr. Free-
man rnarried Margaret Staats, of Franklin county. New
Jersey. The names and dates of birth of the children
are as follows: Isaac S., born in 1835; Martha, born in
1837; Mary S., born in 1839; Martha A., born in 1842;
William D., born in 1844; Phoebe S., born in 1847;
John R., born in 1852; and Eliza H., born in 1855. Of
these, Martha, Martha A., and Phoebe, are dead. Mrs.
Freeman died in 1859, aged forty-four. Mr. Freeman
has held the office of county supervisor. He is quite
smart, notwithstanding his advanced age. He is a man
well known and highly respected.
Andrew P. Mills was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
May 6, 1832. His father, Timothy Mills, was one of
the first settlers in Michigan. Mr. Mills has always been
a farmer. He came to Byron township in 1865; took up
a wild lot, and has now one of the best farms in the
township. He married, in Kalamazoo county, Michigan,
March 16, 1853, Louisa P. Stanley, who was born in
Trumbull county, Ohio, May 16, 1830. They have three
374
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
children living: Clarence S., born May 19, 1854, died
February 27, 1862; Timothy A., born March 17, 1856,
died July 22, 1870; Sophia A., born December 26,
1857, married William M. Tate, April 25, 1877, and re-
sides in Benton county, Iowa; Hiram A., born October
26, 1859; Charles A., born September 16, 1861. Mr.
Mills has two hundred and forty-acres of prairie and fif-
teen of timber. His buildings are excellent, both house
and barn being of the best order. He keeps a large
stock of cattle and horses. There is a good orchard on
the place. Mr. Mills is an earnest Republican, and
has held several local offices, both in Michigan and Iowa.
He enjoys the highest esteem and confidence of his fel-
low-citizens. His home is one of the pleasantest we have
visited.
James Hood was born in Scotland in 1835. He
served an apprenticeship as a blacksmith, and worked at
his trade in Scotland till twenty-two years old, when he
came to Illinois. He came to Byron township in 1868,
and has since been a farmer. He married Miss McLaren,
in Illinois. He has seven children — William H., John
E., Kittie R., Mary A., Fred D., Martha C, Albert J.
Mr. Hood owns six hundred and eighty acres of prairie
and eighteen of timber. He keeps a large stock of cat-
tle, including twenty-five cows, and has good buildings
and fences. He is a firm Republican, a man of intelli-
gence, well known and everywhere respected.
Ervin P. Brintnall was born in Windham, Vermont, in
1826. When a boy he learned carpentering, at which he
worked about ten years. He moved to Illinois in 1854,
and resided there ten years. He came to Iowa nearly
seventeen years ago, and settled in Byron township. He
married, in Grafton, Vermont, in 1850, Miss Wealthy J.
Willey, by whom he had five children: Edgar E., born
in 1852; Florence W., born in 1854, died in 1877; El-
mer E., born in 1861; Herbert G., born in 1865; Angle
E., born in 1869. Mrs. Brintnall died in 1877. In 1880
Mr. Brintnall married Mrs. Mary E. Merrill, of Middle-
field township. Mr. Brintnall is a very successful farmer,
and has one hundred and sixty acres of prairie, and
thirty-four of timber. His house is neat, pretty, and well
furnished. The farm buildings are also good. Mr.
Brintnall is a thorough Republican. He is deacon and
Sabbath-school superintendent of the Winthrop Congre-
gational church. He has held the office of county su-
pervisor, besides other local offices.
Henry M. Coughtry was born in Scotland in i83r.
He came to America in 1853, and has since been a
farmer. He settled in Byron township in 1863. In 1863
Mr. Coughtry married Miss Mary Tulloch, of Byron.
Her father, Mr. John Tulloch, was one of the earliest set-
tlers, having come to the township twenty-five years ago.
Mr. Tulloch was a man highly honored and respected in
the community. He held the office of justice of the
peace for several years. He died about seventeen years
ago. His wife is still living, and resides with her daugh-
ter. Mr. and Mrs. Coughtry have had seven children)
five of whom are still living: Bella, born 1864; Mary,
1867; Catharine, 1869; Anna, 1871 ; Henrietta, 1878;
Flora, born 1862, and Catharine, born 1865, and lived
less than one year. Mrs. Coughtry taught the first school
in Byron township in 1855, in a "lean to" on the back of
a log house. This accommodated a large district. She
afterwards taught in a room of a granary, ten by twelve
feet in size. Mr. Coughtry has one hundred and forty-
five acres, including forty acres of timber. He has a
good house and farm buildings; keeps a good stock
of cattle and horses. His father, Mr. Nathan Coughtry,
is still living with his son, and is now nearly eighty
years of age. Mr. H. M. Coughtry held the office of
district clerk of the school board thirteen years in suc-
cession, and has been assessor and trustee of the township
several terms, and has been county supervisor two terms.
He is a thorough Republican.
B. R. Hovey and D. W. Hovey, successors to R. R.
Plane in the hardware business at Winthrop, are natives
of Vermont. Came west in 1856, to Buchanan county;
resided in Perry township several years. Their father,
Mr. George Hovey, was then a farmer; he is now in bus-
iness at Independence. They engaged in trade in Win-
throp five years ago. Their store is large and well fur-
nished, and their business good. The Messrs. Hovey are
enterprising young men, and are highly esteemed by a
large circle of acquaintances. They are both staunch
Republicans. Mr. B. R. Hovey married Miss Susie
Baldwin in 1874. Has one child. Jay, born in 1874.
Mr. D. W. Hovey married Miss Dora Talley, of Bu-
chanan county in 1S80.
Robert White wrs born in Canada in 1836. His par-
ents were natives of Scotland. He lived in Canada until
nineteen years of age; came to Iowa in 1855; has re-
sided in Byron township since 1865; has always been a
farmer. In iS6r he married Miss Hannah Beith,
daughter of Thomas and Jane Beith, who were among the
earliest settlers in Byron. Mrs. White's parents still live
with her. Mr. White has two children — Munsey, born
1863, and Herbert, 1869. He has a good house and an
excellent barn; keeps a large number of horses and cat-
tie. Mr. \\'hite is a member of the Congregational
church, and is highly resjjected in the community. He
is a wide-awake Republican. Has held several township
offices, including those of assessor and trustee.
Almon I. Francis was born in Courtland county. New
York, in 1S28. Has always been a farmer. Came to Iowa
in 1855, and settled in Hazleton township. Has resided
in Byron since 1864. He married Miss Elizabeth Gir-
ton, of Hazleton, in 1858. Following are the names and
dates of birth of their children: Ella A., i86r ; Lillie
M., 1864; Ida, 1866; George, 1868; Alice, 1869;
Effie, 1871. Mrs. Francis died in 1876. In 1880 he
married Mrs. Going, of Benton county, Iowa. Mr.
Francis has two hundred and twenty acres of good land
with good buildings ; runs a dairy farm and keeps about
fifty cows. He is a man well known and everywhere re-
spected. Mr. Francis is an enthusiastic Greenbacker.
Benjamin Knight was born in Orange township,
Carroll county, Ohio, July 7, 1824. He has been en-
gaged in a variety of ways. After becoming of age, Mr.
Knight taught school for several years, at the same time
pursuing the study of medicine. He afterwards travelled
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
375
as a phrenologist in several States of the Union. Married
in 1850 to Miss Editha Hamilton, of Orange township,
Ohio. Soon after marriage was the victim of quite a
serious accident. A buggy containing himself and wife
was upset, and Mr. Knight sustained injuries which oc-
casioned great inconvenience for some years. Following
are the names of his children : Theresa M., born Febru-
ary 13, 1852, married Leonard J. Sells, of Byron;
Josephine A., born May 30, 1854, graduates from the
Iowa State university in 1881 ; John ^V., born January
14, 1863; Cassius H., born January 12, 1861, died
February 2, 1861. Mr. Knight owns about two hundred
and seventy acres, and does a good business in stock and
corn raising; came to Byron township in 1857, and has
since kept the farm where he first located. Mr Knight
has held the office of justice of the peace, besides other
minor offices. He is a man highly esteemed by his
neighbors and acquaintances.
William R. Woodworth was born in Fulton county.
New York, in 1817. Came to Byron township in 1865,
where he has since resided. Married in 1848 to Miss
Helen Kested, of Montgomery county. New York.
They have four children living : Joseph H., born 1849;
Julia A., born 1S50, died 1871; Marietta, born 1851,
died when less than two years old; Eugene M., born
1855; Josephine, born 1857 ; William S., born 1861.
Joseph and Josephine are married ; the former resides in
Byron township, and the latter, who married Elmer J.
Abcry, resides in Illinois. Mr. Woodworth has eighty
acres of good land with a good house. He and his wife
are respected wherever they are known.
Thomas Farrell was born in Ireland in 1832. He
has been in America twenty-eight years; in Buchanan
county twenty-five years. He was in business in Win-
throp for some time, and has been engaged in farming
for about eighteen years. He married Mary Hagan, of
Dubuque, in 1868; has four children living: Mary E.,
born 187 1 ; Cornelius, died when four years old; Annie,
born 1873; Robert E., 1877; Margaret, 1880. Mr. Far-
rell works one hundred and sixty acres and has twenty-
five acres of timber; keeps a good stock o£ cattle, hogs,
etc., and is prosperous and happy. He is a man of in-
telligence, and is highly respected as a citizen.
Alexander Risk, grain merchant at Winthrop, was
born at Wigtonshire, Scotland, in 1827. He came to
America in 1852, and has been in Buchanan county
since 1854. He located first in Newton township, and
worked at farming thirteen years. He was engaged in
carpentering in New York, and has always worked some at
that trade. He has been in business in Winthrop since
1867; was in partnership with W. Hildreth in the dry
goods and grocery business for several years. Mr. Risk
is the owner of a large grain elevator, the original cost
of which was eight thousand dollars. He has also a large
warehouse, which cost twenty-two hundred dollars. He
handles in the grain season about four car loads daily.
He has cribs for fifty thousand bushels of corn, and at
the time of our visit all were full. He married Miss El-
len Moore, of Quasqueton, who died about sixteen years
ago. He has one daughter living: Maria, aged sixteen.
Thomas, his oldest child, died at the age of three years.
He is a thorough business man.
Samuel Braden, one of the earliest settlers of Buchan-
an county, was born in Ohio in 1823. He has been a
farmer the most of his life, though he worked at the
cooper's trade when a young man. He married Miss
Mary Merrill, of Ohio, in 1848, and has five children:
Nancy E., born 1849; John M., 185 1; Edwin M., 1853;
Richard M., 1856; Martha J., 1859. Mr. Braden came
to Liberty township, this county, in 1851, and lived there
about twenty-five years. He came to Winthrop, his
present residence, in 1876. When he first came to the
county Quasqueton was the largest place in it. Inde-
pendence was not located. There were very few fami-
lies in Liberty. Winthrop village was not built until
some years later. Emigration was just beginning to take
its course westward. He has about three hundred acres
at present, though his farm has been much larger. Mr.
Braden and family are members of the Congregational
church. Both he and his sons are staunch adherents to
the Republican party.
L. B. Rich is a native of New York. He was born in
Ticonderoga county in 1S20. He came west in 1836 to
Michigan. He did an extensive business in the grain
trade for thirty years in that State, and followed the same
occupation for some years in Winthrop. He has been a
resident of this county since 1866. He was married in
Michigan in 1854 to Miss Cobb, and has one child liv-
ing: Frank A., aged thirty-three. His daughter Stella
died at the age of twenty. Mr. Rich is a man of up-
rightness and integrity, and is highly esteemed as a citi-
zen.
J. H. La Grange, of the firm of La Grange & Palme-
tier, dealers in dry goods and groceries at Winthrop, was
born at Albany, New York, in 1849. He has been en-
gaged in farming until recently. He came to Fremont
township in 1865, lived there until 1873, ^^^ ^^^ since
been in the mercantile business at Winthrop. He formed
a partnership with J. Palmetier in 1880. Mr. La Grange
is a strong Republican, and a member of the Masonic
order. He married Miss M. L. Goodell, of Wisconsin,
in 1876. They have two children — Don G., aged two;
and an infant daughter, three months old.
F". A. Collins, carpenter, of Winthrop village, was born
in Onondaga county. New York, in 1841; came west in
1863; lived in ^\'isconsin four years, and has since been
in Winthrop. He married Miss Laura Woodward in
New York, in i860, and has four children — Cora E.,
born in 1861; Mary L., in 1869; Lillian I., in 1873; and
Edwin E., in 1875. Mr. Collins has a nice house, well
furnished. He is kept busy at his trade the most of the
time. He and his family are highly respected wherever
known. Mr. Collins is a Republican, and a Mason.
M. M. Bucher was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in
1838. He has always been a farmer; lived in Ohio till
1862, and then came to Iowa; has been a resident of
Byron township since 1863. He was married in Ohio in
1859, to Miss Belle Wilson. They have two children —
C. W., aged seventeen years, and E. W., aged thirteen
years. Mr. Bucher has a good house, good farm build-
376
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
ings, and keeps quite a large stock of cattle. He is en-
gaged in dairying — keeps twenty cows. He has two hun-
dred acres of land, and is a most successful farmer. In
politics he is an earnest Republican. Mr. Bucher is a
member of the Baptist church, and a most highly re-
spected citizen.
S. G. Pierce was born in Ohio in 1830. He received
a good common school and seminary education. He
taught school in New York, and afterwards in Ohio. He
came to Buchanan county in 1854, and has since been
engaged in farming. Mr. Pierce has been married three
times. His first wife, whom he married in 1853, was
Miss Lucina Brown, of Lake county, Ohio. She had
one child, Pliny, born in 1855. Mrs. Pierce died in De-
cember, 1856. He was married a second time in 1857,
to Miss Hattie A. Tower, of Lake county, Ohio. Her
children are: Charles H., aged twenty-two; George M.,
nineteen; Harry \V., sixteen. His second wife died in
1872. He was married again in 1874 to Mrs. Kate
Sherwood, of Buchanan county. They have one child,
Nellie, aged five. Mr. Pierce has a neat and well fin-
ished house, good farm buildings, etc. He is engaged
quite extensively in dairying, keeps sixteen to twenty
cows, and runs a creamery. Mr. Pierce was county su-
perintendent of schools from 1859 to 1872, and during
that time labored hard to biing the schools of this coun-
ty up to that degree of excellence which they have since
maintained. He has also held several local offices, and
was one of the first justices of the peace after the
organization of the township. He is a Republican and
has been since the organization of the party.
Caspar Rowse was born in Wayne county, Pennsylva-
nia, in 18 1 5. He has been a farmer most of his life. He
came to Buchanan county in 1851, and settled at Inde-
pendence, his making the thirteenth family in that place.
Mr. Rowse kept store about seven years in Indepen-
dence. There was at first only one store besides his,
and a part of the time he was the only merchant there.
He has been engaged in farming in Byron about twelve
years. Mr. Rowse married Miss Mary A. Eley, of Ohio,
in 1837. They have had eleven children, nine of whom
are now living, viz: Theodore, died, aged five; Zalmon,
born in 1840, died in the army, aged twenty-three; Reu-
ben, born in 1841; Russell L., born in 1843; Samuel E.,
born in 1845; Mary E., born in 1848; Mehetabel, born
in 1850; Emma C, born in 1852; Ransom M., born in
1853; Rupert J., born in 1856; Horace, born in 1859.
Mr. Rowse has a good farm and good buildings. He
! keeps one hundred head of cattle and horses, and is
reckoned among our prosperous farmers.
Thomas Ozias was born in Ohio in 1814. Has always
been a farmer. Came to Buchanan county in 185 1, and
has since resided in Byron township. Married Miss
Martha A. Walton, of Ohio, in 1853. The names and
1 dates of birth of their children are as follows: Mary S.,
; 1854; Walton, 1856; Ida May, 1858; infant son, born
i860, died the same year; Emma, 1861; Charles, 1864.
Mr. Ozias is one of our best farmers; has a large and
beautiful house, a good barn, two hundred and fifty-nine
acres of land, and keeps good stock of all kinds. There
is also a fine orchard on the place. Mr. Ozias is a mem-
ber of the Bethel church, and is a well known and
highly esteemed citizen.
Lsaac Wardell, by occupation a farmer and carpenter,
was born in Virginia in 1830. Has been in Buchanan
county since 1852, with the exception of four years.
Married in Ohio in 1852 to Miss Louisa O'Donnell.
They have five children: Horace A., aged twenty-six;
Alice, aged twenty three; Melissa, aged eighteen; Salena,
aged fourteen; Clarence, aged seven. Mr. Wardell has
two hundred acres of good land, with good house and
farm buildings. He is reckoned among the prosperous
farmers and respected citizens of this township.
Frank Fox, druggist at AVinthrop, of the firm of Fox
& Johnston, was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin,
in 1850. His father, H. S. Fox, is one of Buchanan's
most substantial farmers and worthy citizens. Mr. Frank
Fox has pursued the occupation of his father several
years; worked in a lumber yard in Wisconsin; has been
a clerk in a store, etc. He married in Byron township
in 1873 Miss Nettie Kirkpatrick. They have one child
— Arthur, born July 12, 1879. In August, 18S0, Mr.
Fox commenced the drug business in Winthrop in com-
pany with Dr. L. M. Johnston. We predict that, ere
many years elapse, he will be one of the foremost busi-
ness men of the town. In politics he is Republican;
in religion, a Congregationalist.
Dr. Lindsay M. Johnston, partner of Mr. Fox, was
born at Fort. Recovery, Ohio, in 1854. Graduated in
medicine from Iowa State university. Married in 1877
to Miss Sarah L. Allen, of Manchester, Indiana. Has
one child — Gracie E., an infant. Dr. Johnston is a
member of the Congregational church, and is highly
esteemed by all. In politics he is a thorough Repub-
lican.
"^^
FREMONT.
This township was named in honor of the gallant
John C. Fremont, the man who was the first Republican
candidate for President in the United States.
It was set apart as an independent and separate town-
ship, in March, 1856, as seen by the order of the county
judge, which is as follows:
State of Iowa. Buchanan county, ss. , Marcli, 1856.
Ordered by the court that township eighty-nine, range seven, except-
ing sections i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, g, 10, ir, 12, together with sections
13. 24, 25. and 36, of town eighty-nine, range eight, and sections i, 12,
and 13, of town eighty-eight, range eight, and sections i, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7. 8, 9, 10, II, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, of town eighty-
eight, range seven, be, and the same are hereby declared to constitute
a separate precinct, to be called Prairie precinct, and it is ordered that
an election be held in the said precinct on the first Monday in April
next, at the school-house, near the residence of Zenia R. Rich, in said
township, for the purpose of electing one township clerk, two consta-
bles, two justices of the peace, three township trustees, one road super-
visor, and one school-fund commissioner, for the county.
O. H. P. ROSZF.LL,
County Judge.
Since the above order, changes have been made in the
boundaries of the township, until now, it consists of con-
gressional township eighty-nine, range seven. .\t the
second election of the township, the name was changed
to Fremont, there being no opposition whatever. When
the first petition was sent to the court for an organization
of the township, it was then asked by the petitioners that
the township be named Fremont. This was disregard-
ed, and the court called it Prairie.
SETTLEMENT.
Z. R. Rich and his brother, S. W. Rich, were the first
to make a permanent launch out on the prairie sea of
Fremont. They came here in July, 1853. They, how-
ever, were in the county in 1852, and located their land,
but did not become permanent settlers until July, 1853.
.\t the tiiTie they settled here there was not another white
man in the township. Z. R. Rich was a married man
and had quite a number of children. S. W. Rich was
unmarried and made his home with his brother. They
immediately built a house, into which the family moved.
Here they were out on the great and almost boundless
prairie, with not a neighbor nor even a tree near. And
yet, with all their deprivations and inconveniences, they
most emphatically say that in the enjoyment of this free
and easy way of living, they were more happy than at any
time since. The stage road direct from Independence
to Coffins Grove, Delhi, and Dubuque, passed by their
lonely dwelling, and made it a general stopping place
for the stages and for keeping a relay of horses. In fact
it was a hotel, ready to keep any one that came along.
And the number of guests was almost legion. There
were many lookers for land in those early days ot specu-
la
lation. The nearest market Mr. Rich had was Dubuque,
where he went for groceries, buying in large quantities,
and what else he needed to keep his unpretentious hoilse
in presentable condition. Z. R. Rich has been married
three times. He is now residing in Winthrop, with his
third wife, and has somewhat retired from the busy
scenes of life; owning a neat cottage there, and acting
as a magistrate of the place, living in his declining years
in peace and quiet.
He has had fifteen children, eleven of whom are now
living, and are as follows: Sarah, married to E. Gaylord,
lives in Denver, Colorado; Darwin, who enlisted in our
late war, in the Ninth Iowa, served three years, then re-
enlisted and served until the close of the war. During
the war he became disabled, which unfitted him for labor
and he now subsists upon a pension; Walter F., married
and lives in Nebraska. He too was a soldier in the war,
serving three years; William T., is married and lives at
Salt Lake— the city of the Mormons. He was the third
son in the late war, serving in the gallant Twenty-seventh
for three years; Henry Clay, a single man, living with his
brother, in Utah; Carrie, for a long time a .school teacher,
but, a few years since she went to Kansas, and there
married; Ellen, unmarried, and lives in Vinton; Leonard
W., is married and lives at Ward's Corners; Oscar W., is
a school teacher in this State; E. G. and Omer W., are
minors and live at home.
S. W. Rich shared equally with his brother the vicis-
situdes and deprivations of a pioneer, and becoming
tired of single blessedness, he married Emily Gaylord,
in 1854, and went to keeping house right away, building
another house on his own land, near his brother's, living
here until 1874, when he died. Mr. Rich was a Mason
and the first Master of the Lodge at Winthrop. He was
born at Ticonderoga, New York, February 8, 1824, and
died in the county and on the farm where he first settled,
on September 8, 1874. His widow and seven children
survived him, whose names are as follows: Arthur D.,
who, in April, 1880, married Miss Ida Mills, and is now
practicing law in Niobrara, Knox county, Nebraska;
Mary, George W., Mark C, May, and Marcia. Mrs.
Rich sold her farm about a year after her husband's
death, and, in June, 1880, went to Holt county, Nebraska,
where she is located on a homestead, together with her
children— the youngest being six years of age.
Alru Peck settled here in April 1855, coming from
New York. He entered, from the Government, the
land where he settled. When he came, there were but
three families here: Z. R. and S. W. Rich and James
Fieminc'. He had ten children, eight of whom are now
378
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
living, as follows; Christiana, married to Hiram R. Bar-
rett, lives in the township; R. Peck, who is unmarried
and lives on the old homestead with his mother; Wolsey,
married and went to Minnesota, but in the summer of
1880 came back sick, lingering here some time and then
died, he left a widow and two children ; Willard, married
and lives in the township; Charles is in Colorado;
Alfred, married and still remains in Fremont ; Elizabeth,
married to Fred. Ebersole, and lived in the township
until her death ; Louisa, who is married to her sister's
former husband ; David and William are minors yet,
living at home. Mr. Peck was a member of the Con-
gregational church, and the first clerk in the township.
He died where he had lived so long respected by his
townsmen, February 25, 1862.
Andrew Payne settled here in October, 1855, coming
from New York. He was a brother-in-law of Alru Peck
and came here with him. He had a family of ten chil-
dren, named as follows: E. N. Payne, married and lives
in Fayette county ; Helen was married to Charles Tattle,
but soon after died; Hiram, married and lives in Fayette
county; Frederick, married and lives in Byron township;
Mary W., is married and also lives in Byron ; William, is
married and lives in Byron; Julia, unmarried; Elizabeth,
married to Sylvanus Taylor and resides in Washington
township; Sarah, is married to Sewell Butler, and lives
in the State of Illinois; the youngest is Henry. Mr.
Payne died in the township where the prime of his man-
hood was passed, in February, 1874. His widow sold
the property in Fremont and moved into Byron township,
where she still lives. He was a member of the Method-
ist Episcopal church.
James Fleming settled in Fremont township July,
1854, coming from \\'isconsin, but a native of Massa-
chusetts. He has had eleven children, only three of
them now living. He still resides on the old homestead,
all of his family having passed on before him, except the
three children.
The first school taught in the township was m 1856,
in a school-house expressly built for that purpose by Z. R.
Rich, and near his own residence. Laura Peck was the
teacher, who is now Mrs. Toogood, of Manchester. This
lady taught school there two years in succession.
This school was wholly supported by Z. R. and S. W.
Rich, for even at this time there were no settlers nearer
than four miles in this township. In 1858 a school dis-
trict was formed, which, for the first term of school rented
this house built by Rich, and also hired S. W. Rich as
the teacher. No houses were built until 1864 and 1865,
after the close of the war. The first one built was in
what is called the Fleming district in the southwest part.
Among the early teachers are Laura Peck, Ellen Payne,
and S. W. Rich.
The first cemetery started here was in the southwest
part of the township, in 1855, on land donated by James
Fleming and Alru Peck. There is quite a large num-
ber of graves here, many tombstones that mark the rest-
ing places of the brave pioneers.
The first death here was that of Omer Fleming, Feb-
ruary 17, 1855. His death was (juite sudden. He went
one night to a neighbor's to attend an evening party and
was taken sick and died there in a few days.
The first wedding here was that of one of the earliest
pioneers, S. W. Rich and Emily Gaylord, in 1854.
The first white child born here was Ella Rich, Decem-
ber 29, 1853. She is now married and lives in Vinton,
The first crop raised in this township by a white man
was buckwheat and sod corn, by Z. R. Rich, in 1853,
the very year he first came here.
The first wheat raised was in the summer of 1854, by
Z. R. and S. W. Rich.
It is a rolling prairie; the soil a dark loam, and the
subsoil a dark blue clay. The land is admirably adapt-
ed to agriculture, in which the people are engaged. The
raising of stock and dairying also obtain considerable
attention here. There is a large amount of excellent
land here that is vacant, unirnproved, except for herding
cattle, of which there were, in the season of 1880, large
numbers. There is scarcely any natural timber, except
a few trees along Buffalo creek; but there are a great
many beautiful groves about the farmers' dwellings, and
some, who planted out groves at an early day, have suf-
ficient wood for fuel from them now.
The principal productions are corn, oats, hay, butter,
hogs (in large numbers) and cattle.
C. W. Schoville established a creamery here in 1878,
operated by horse power. He uses but one churn, with
a capacity of probably ninety pounds, and he invariably
churns once a day. There is one man employed in the
creamery, and one team collecting cream.
W. L. Mollory started a creamery here in 1877, and
has since been doing a good and prosperous business.
He has one churn with a capacity of one hundred
pounds. One man is employed in the creamery, and
one team gathering cream. His is also operated by
horse power.
Buffalo creek is in the southwestern part of the town-
ship. Along this creek the first settlers built their mod-
est cabins. Prairie creek passes through the eastern
part. There is a pond covering one acre near James
Fleming's, of never failing water, in which are large
quantities of fine fish.
The Illinois Central railroad passes through the south
part of the township, going its entire length.
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
H. A. Frederick was born in Geauga county, Ohio, in
1S20. When he was nine years old his father died, and
the year following his mother and the rest of the family
moved to Madison county. New York. Mr. Frederick
lived there until 1848, running a canal-boat, railroading,
and farming. He then moved to \Vahvorth county,
Wisconsin, where he resided until the s]jring of 1868,
when he came to Fremont township, in this county,
where he still resides. Mr. Frederick purchased his farm
in 1867; it contains one hundred and sixty acres. There
are two houses upon it. His home is in a pleasant loca-
tion with fruit and shade trees around it. There is a
fine young orchard of one hundred and forty trees on
the farm. In the fall of 1869 Mr. Frederick suffered as
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
379
severe a loss as can befall any man. His oldest child, an
accomplished lady of nineteen, died of typhoid fever.
The rest of the family were ill at the same time. Thus
Mr. Frederick's first year in Iowa was full of distress.
He married in Wisconsin in 1S49 Miss Almira Davis,
who was born in Onondaga county. New York, in 1828.
They have two children living and one deceased — Ellen
A., died in October, 1869, aged nineteen; Sarah L. was
twenty-nine years of age !May 15, 1889, married Edgar
Chesley and resides in Winthrop ; Charles A. was twenty-
seven September 23, 1880, married Miss Florence Brint-
nall, of Byron township, and resides in Winthrop. Mr.
Frederick is reckoned among our most highly respected
citizens, and is a sound man, morally, socially, and polit-
ically. • He is an earnest Re])ublican. Mrs. Frederick
is a member of the Congregational church.
Columbus A\'altermire was born in Ghent, Columbia
county, New York. He came to this county in the
spriTig of 1864, and in the fall of the same year purchased
and settled upon the farm where he now lives, in Fre-
mont township. He has one hundred and twenty acres,
finely situated. Mr. Waltermire married in Wisconsin
in 1856 to Miss Ordelia Maxwell, of Columbia countj',
New York. She died in the spring of i860, leaving one
child, Elmer T., who was twenty-three years of age May
10, i88o. He is single and resides in Illinois. Mr.
Waltermire married in Columbia county, New York, in
1 86 1, Miss Margaret A. Maxwell, sister of his first wife.
Mrs. Waltermire was born in 1835. They have four chil-
dren living and one deceased — Ada E., born September
5, 1S62; William H., born November 23, 1863; Cora
A., born September 9, 1865; Ordelia A., born June 23,
1868, died June 8, 1859; Annie C, born June 8, 1875.
Mr. and Mrs. Waltermire are members of the Congrega-
tional church at Winthrop. They are agreeable people,
have a pleasant home, and a large circle of friends.
Charles Tulloch was born in Canada in 1834. He left
Canada when four years old, in company with his father,
John Tulloch, and came to Iowa in 1855, and settled in
Byron township, this county. Mr. Tulloch has always
been a farmer, and is still doing a thriving business in
that line. He purchased in 1855 the farm on which he
lives, in Fremont township, and moved upon it in 1858,
biTilding a house the same year. He built his present
residence in 1866, and made an addition to it in 1879.
Mr. Tulloch has two hundred acres in all, one hundred
and sixty being his home farm. He is one of the oldest
residents of this portion of Buchanan county, and in his
younger days went through all the varied experiences of
a pioneer. He was married in this township in 1858 to
Miss Helen M. Payne, a native of New York. She died
in 1874, leaving two children: John C, who was twenty-
one February 6, 1880, married Miss Alta P. Starr, and
resides in Waterloo; Helen A., age seventeen, Novem-
ber 25, 1880. Mr. Tulloch married his second wife, Mrs.
Hattie E. Perkley, who was born in Butler county, Ohio,
in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Tulloch are among the most
worthy citizens of this county. They are members of
the Methodist church. Mr. Tulloch is one of the men
who helped to make Buchanan county what it is to-day.
He is a successful, substantial farmer, and a sound Re-
publican.
M. J. Sampson was born in Scott, Wayne county,
Pennsylvania, in 1827, December 31st. He came to
Iowa in 1870, and settled upon his farm of one hundred
and twenty acres, previously purchased, in Fremont
township. He built the house in which he lives and
made all the improvements upon the place himself Mr.
Sampson is finely situated, and has a pleasant home. He
has an orchard and plenty of shade trees. He married
in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1851, Miss
Mary A. Prindle, who was born in Otsego county, New
York, August 11, 1829. They have four children living
and seven deceased: Mary E., born December 7, 1852,
married John Bloom, and resides in this township; Alvin
L., born February 4, 1855, died April 30, 1855; Clara
E., born April 7, 1856, married - George Jenks, and re-
sides in this township; Charles \V., born September 4,
1858, died December 16, 1868; Milo J., jr., born No-
vember 16, 1859; Alice E., born June 13, 1862, died
October 5, 1879; Addison J., born December 6, 1864,
died in February, 1865 ; Hattie L., born August 18,
1866, died October 25, 1866; March L., born March i,
1868, died March 9, 1868; Grace E., born October 14,
1869, died December 23, 1869; Fannie J., born April
27, 1871. Mr. Sampson is one of Buchanan's good citi-
zens and substantial farmers. His wife is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
C. ^V. Scovill was born in Canada October 26, 1833.
HeenHsted in Wisconsin August 14, 1862, in the Twen-
ty-second Wisconsin infantry, and served three years as
corporal in company C. He was in several of the
severest engagements of the war; was with Sherman
through the famous " march to the sea;" was once cap-
tured by the rebels and detained among them three
months. The greater part of this time was passed in
that den of horrors known as Libby prison. He came
to this county in September, 1865, and located on the
farm where he now lives, in the northern part of Fre-
mont township. Mr. Scovill does a good farming busi-
ness, runs a creamery, and keeps seventy cows. He was
married in Bloomfield, Wisconsin, in 1859, to Miss Pri-
scilla Bridges, who was born in Walworth county, Wis-
consin, April 10, 1 84 1. They have three children liv-
ing: Charles H., born August 5, 1859; Lennah M., born
November 30, 1867; Robert C, born November 31,
1871; Leona M., born May 23, 1874, died September 9,
1875. Mr. and Mrs. Scovill are members of the Method-
ist church. They are well situated in a nice home, and
seem to enjoy life. They have hosts of friends, and de-
serve the esteem bestowed upon them. Mr. Scovill has
held the offices of trustee, director, supervisor, etc. He
has always been a good, honest Republican.
Sidney Brooks was born in Chautauqua county. New
York, October 28, 1827. He bought the place on which
he now resides, in Fremont, in 1865, and moved upon
it in 1866. He built his present residence in 1872; has
one hundred and seventy-five acres, including timber.
His farm is well improved. He keeps a good stock of
cattle, and is reckoned among our prosperous farmers.
38o
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Mr. Brooks was among the earliest settlers in this por-
tion of the State, and experienced many of the hardships
and privations of pioneer life. He came here with very
little property, and has earned, through his own exer-
tions, all that he now possesses. He married Hannah
L. Woolcott in 1851. She was born in Chautauqua
county. New York, April 5, 1834. They have five chil-
dren living and five deceased: Sarah M., born November
28, 1852, died October 6, 1853; Eli M., born October
30, 1854, died March 15, 1861; Olive L., born Novem-
ber 9, 1856, died March 21, 1861; Ezra N., born Janu-
ary 3, 1859, died January 4, 1859; Mary Jane, born
June II, i860; Letitia, born May i, 1863. Jes-
se A., born April 10, 1866; Eliza, born May
5, 1869; Jane, born October 10, 1873; Frank S.,
born May 27, 1877, died August 16, 1879. Mr. Brooks
and his oldest daughter are members of the Methodist
church. Mrs. Brooks belongs to the Free Baptist de-
nomination. Mr. Brooks is a straight Republican, and
bears the name of an honest, upright man.
Edmund Grant was born in Utica, New York, May
15, 1836. He left New York at the age of sixteen, and
came to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he resided fif-
teen years, being engaged in farming. He came to Fre-
mont township in 1869, and purchased the farm of three
hundred and twenty acres on which he now lives. Mr.
Grant has made the most of the improvements upon the
place himself He does a large farming business, and
is one of the sound, honest farmers of this county. He
keeps a good stock of cattle and horses. Mrs. Grant,
his mother, is still living, at the age of sixty-seven. His
father, David Grant, died in June, 1872, at the age of
sixty-two. Mr. Grant is a member of the Catholic
church. He is an agreeable, intelligent gentleman, has a
host of friends, and bears a most excellent reputation
among his neighbors.
Nicholas V. Norman was born in Somersetshire, Eng-
land, June 15, 1819, and came to America in 1848. In
1864 he came to Fremont township, this county, arriving
in March, and purchased the farm of one hundred and
sixty acres where he now lives, two miles from Winthrop.
He has made several additions to his farm, and now
owns four hundred and twenty acres in all. He built the
house where he now lives in 1869; it is one of the pleas-
antest homes in the township. There is a fine young
orchard upon the place, also a large number of shade
trees. Mr. Norman was married in Ohio in 1849 to Miss
Mary A. Taylor, who was born in Somersetshire, Eng-
land, May I, 1830. They have ten children living, and
one deceased. The following are their names and ages
in 1880: Freeman N., aged twenty-nine, June 10th;
Frances A., twenty-eight, November ist, married Edgar
Hermans, and resides in Fayette county; Albert, twenty-
six, August 1 2th; Charles, twenty-four, August ist;
Ida M., twenty-two, July 14th, married Richard Baden,
and resides in Liberty township; Frederick S., twenty,
July 15th; Henry, eighteen, April 12th, Grant died at
the age of nine, in August, 1873; Lucy A., fourteen,
September 14th; Lafayette N., twelve, December 14th;
Homer E., seven, December 7th. Mr. and Mrs. Nor-
man were members of the Church of England, and have
held to its principles since coming to America. They
are agreeable, intelligent, and highly respected people.
Mr. Norman is a sound Republican, and a most worthy
citizen of this county. Mr. Norman has held several
township ofifices.
Harvey Griswold was born in Saratoga county. New
York, June 16, 1818, and has always been a farmer. He
came to Fremont township in the spring of 1862, and
commenced work on the farm on which he still lives. He
entered about four hundred acres at Government price
in 1857; has sold all but one hundred and sixty acres of
the original tract; has also purchased eighty, so that now
he has two hundred and forty acres. Mr. Griswold has
a nice house and excellent farm buildings, and there is a
good orchard on his place. He built the house in which
he lives in 1862, previous to the coming of his family.
His farm was a wild lot, and there were but three or four
houses visible from his place at this time. He was mar-
ried in Janesville, Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1857, to
Miss Mary E. Dillenbeck, who was born in Montgomery
county. New York, March 20, 1832. They have five
children — Henry J., who was twenty-two November 13,
1880; Arthur M., twenty-one, April 5, 1881; Ida E.,
nineteen, January 30, 1880; Lizzie A., seventeen, De-
cember 10, 1880; Willie E., fourteen, October 7, 1880.
Mrs. Griswold's mother, Mrs. Kate Dillenbeck, is living
with her daughter. She was seventy-two February 9,
1881. Mr. Griswold is one of our most substantial
farmers, and has done much to advance the prosperity of
this county. He is a good, straight Republican, and a
most worthy citizen. He has been county supervisor
two years, also town clerk, and assessor.
James Fleming, who has been a resident of Buchanan
county since 1855, was born in Massachusetts in 1809.
He came to Fremont and purchased about four hundred
acres in the western part of the township. His wife was
Miss Pamelia Robinson, who died in i868 at the age of
fifty-three. They reared a large family of children — had
twelve in all, but only ten lived to grow up. Of these,
only three are now living, viz: Lavonia E., aged forty-
four, who married William Miller, and resides in this
county; Ada A., aged thirty, who married Alfred Cordell,
and resides in Waterloo; Fremont, aged twenty-four, who
resides at home. Mr. Fleming was one of the pioneers
in this county, and experienced all of the hardships usu-
ally accompanying those who undertake the task of con-
verting the wilderness into a field. By diligent, earnest
work, he succeeded in building up a fine home and prop-
erty. At this writing (January, 1881) Mr. Fleming is
very ill, and has been confined to his room two years.
He is a man everywhere respected.
Ira D. Havens was born in Cook county, Illinois, in
1855, lived there until ten years of age, and then came to
Iowa with his father, D. C. Havens, and settled in Fre-
mont township. Bought the farm of eighty acres, where
he now lives, in 1879. Married in 1876 to Miss Mary
Butler, who was born in Canada in 1856. They have
two children, George D., aged four, December 4, 1880,
and James F., aged two, February 10, 1881. Mr.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
381
Havens is a good Republican, and straightforward, up-
right young man.
Albert Knowles was born in Onondaga county, New
York, in 1836. In 1859 Mr. Knowles went to Missouri
and remained about four years. In 1861 he became a
member of the Home Guard, which was afterwards
merged into the Twenty-second Missouri cavalry ; en-
tered company A., Twenty-second Missouri. The regi-
ment was afterwards consolidated, and this company be-
came company K, Seventh Missouri cavalry. While in
discharge of his duty at Kansas City, Missouri, Mr.
Knowles was thrown from his horse, receiving severe in-
juries, which necessitated his leaving the service in
February, 1863. He first entered the service as ser-
geant, then received a commission of second lieutenant,
afterwards promoted to first lieutenant, which office he
held until his discharge. Mr. Knowles came to Byron
township, Buchanan county, in 1863. After six or seven
years he bought the place on which he now lives in the
central part of Fremont township. It was a wild lot,
and, not yet having his house built, Mr. Knowles and
wife lived in the school house seven weeks, having a
bed upon the benches. His farm is a good one, and is
being improved continually. Mr. Knowles was married
in Wisconsin, in February, 1862, to Miss C. P. Bar-
tholomew, who was born in Orleans county. New York,
in 1839. Have three children : Ella E., born May 10,
1864; Katie F. September 29, 1867; Albert C, Oc-
tober 29, 1S71. Mr. Knowles has a pleasant home and
seems to enjoy life. He is a good Republican, and a
member of the Masonic order. Has had several offices,
such as justice, assessor, clerk, etc.
Patrick Taylor was born in Clare county, Ireland, in
1813. Mr. Taylor came to America in 1851; he moved
to his farm in Fremont township, in 1869. This farm
contains four hundred acres, and is excellent land. Mr.
Taylor bought it in 1867. All the improvements on the
place were made by Mr. Taylor and his sons. He has
a large, two-story house which he built in 1869 ; the
farm buildings are also good. Mrs. Taylor, whose
maiden name was Annie Maloney, was born in Clare
county, Ireland, in 1823. They were married in 1846.
They have seven children living. Following are their
names and their ages in 1880: Joseph, thirty-three;
Dennis, thirty-one; Thomas, thirty; Francis, twenty-
eight; George, twenty-seven ; Delia, twenty-one; Mary,
nineteen ; Charles Patrick and two other sons died in
infancy. Mr. Taylor has been a hard-working man all
his life. He and his sons do an extensive farming busi-
ness, being among the first farmers in the township. Mr.
Taylor is in very comfortable circumstances, and all his
property is simply the result of his own exertions. He is
one of our solid men and most worthy citizens.
H. K. Mefifert was born in Germany, in 1836; came
to America in 1858; lived in Cook county, Illinois, seven
years; came to Buchanan county in 1864, where he has
since resided. He purchased the farm of ninety acres
on which he now lives, in the western part of Fremont
township, in 1863. He built his house in 1866. He
was married in 1864 to Miss A. L. Brintnall who
was born in \\'indom, Vermont, in 1832. They have
five children: Ralph H., Frank J., Mary E., George
K., and Freddie E. Mr. Meffert belongs to the Lu-
theran church. His wife belongs to the Congregational
church. Mr. Meffert is a good, sound Redublican and
a most worthy citizen.
George Elliott was born in Yorkshire, England, in
1830. When ten years of age, he came to this country
with his father, John Elliott, and settled in Illinois, where
he lived about fourteen years. In 1856, Mr. Elliott
came to this county, and settled in Jefferson township,
where he had previously purchased a quarter section;
there he lived about three years, being engaged in farm-
ing, threshing, etc. Mr. Elliott, in company with Charles
TuUoch, owned one of the first threshing machines ever
brought to this county, and with it did a great deal of
work for his neighbors. After leaving Jefferson, he resi-
ded in Byron two years. In i860, he purchased eighty
acres in Fremont ; has since made additions, and now
owns four hundred and twenty acres in all. He built his
present residence — a very good house — in 1864. He
has a good orchard, and good farm buildings, making a
very pleasant home. In 1861, he married Miss Jeanette
Sharp, who was born in New York, in 1843. Following
are the names of their children: John, born June 4,
1862; Mary Alice, born June 12, 1864; William George,
born October 13, 1866; Florence, born November 28,
1870; Bertha Mabel, born March 30, 1876, died Au-
gust 3, 1879; their youngest, a daughter, was born July
29, 1879. Mr. Elliott is one of the early settlers. He
is highly esteemed as a man and a citizen. He has held
several local offices.
C. F. Tank was born in Prussia in 1843. In 1865 he
came to this country with his father and mother; they
are still with him. His father's name is Christian Tank.
Mr. C. F. Tank purchased the farm of eighty acres on
which he now lives in this township, in 1873. Built his
house the same year. In 1869 he married Miss Fred-
rica Raether, who was born in Prussia in 1843. They
have six children, viz : Charles, Louisa, Augusta, Frede-
rick, Caroline and Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Tank are mem-
bers of the German Presbyterian church. Mr. Tank is a
Republican, a good farmer, and a good citizen.
Mrs. Janett A. Christman, wife of H. A. Christman,
is an old settler in this county, having been here since
1856. She was the daughter of James McBride, and
was born in Allegany county. New York, in 1830. Her
father moved to Illinois in 1837, in which State was
her home until she came to Iowa. She was married in
Boone county, Illinois, in 1850, to Evert Van Epps, who
died March 12, 1872, leaving six children: Dora E.,
born April 14, 185 1, married Augustus Marvin, and
lives at Masonville, Delaware county; Eva, married Wil-
liam Grout, of this township, died January 12, 1877,
aged twenty-three; Virginia M., died June 30, 1874, aged
eighteen years and six months; Everett E., born April
28, 1858, lives in Kansas; Elmer W., born January 2,
i86i, also in Kansas; Nettie M., born February 25,
1863, resides in Kansas. In the death of Mr. Van
Epps this county lost one of its best citizens. He was
382
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
born in Sullivan, Madison county, New York, in 1826.
Moved to Belvidere, Illinois, in 1846. He was a man
of fine education and ability, a gentleman in every sense
of the word. He was the first school director ever elect-
ed in this district; was justice of the peace ten or twelve
years, and held other township offices. When he came
to this township he purchased two hundred and forty
acres of land at Government price. There were only
three or four other families in Fremont at the time of
their settlement. The winter of 1856, famous for its
severity, was passed by the family in a hastily built board
shanty eleven feet square, with a small addition for a
bedroom. One day toward the latter part of December
of this year, Mr. Van Epps and wife went with a team
to a neighbor's house, about one mile distant, in quest of
a load of wood. As they were returning with the load,
the horses being obliged to face a driving storm,
and losing the track, refused to move, as there w-as
a sharp crust which cut their legs at every step. In
this precarious state of affairs Mrs. Van Epps sat on the
sled with a child in her arms. It was about sundown
when they had started for home. Now thick darkness
came on and the moon was disappearing from view. In
this dilemma Mr. Van Epps decided to turn the horses
and go back to the timber, as he could not find the road
home, and knew that once in the timber something like
shelter could be found. The horses soon refused to
proceed, and acted as though they wished to go in a dif-
ferent direction. Being allowed to have their own way,
they soon brought Mr. and Mrs. Van Epps to their own
door. Mr. Van Epps was warm from the exercise he
had had in tramping about looking for the road, etc.;
but his wife was so chilled that she had to be carried
into the house, where a warm fire soon revived her. The
child had kept warm and comfortable. Mrs. Van Epps
married Mr. Christman September 29, 1878. She is an
intelligent and very agreeable lady. She is a member of
the Methodist church. To her the early history of this
county is a vivid reality, and we found her accounts of
early occurrences deeply interesting.
Steijhen Knowles was born in Onondaga county. New
York, in 1829. He visited California in 1853, and, after
various changes in location, he enlisted in company C,
Twenty-second Wisconsin infantry, and served through
the war. Enlisted as a private ; commissioned second
lieutenant, and then captain. He was under Sherman
through his famous campaigns; was present at the battles
of Thompson's Station, Resaca, Dallas Woods, at the
capture of Atlanta, Savannah, etc. At Thompson's Sta-
tion he was taken prisoner, and kept in the custody of
the rebels six weeks, when, by exchange, he was again
brought into the Union ranks. After the taking of Sa-
vannah, Mr. Knowles, being sent forward as a forager
and scout, was again captured February 24, 1865, near
Hanging Rock, North Carolina, by General Wade
Hampton's corps. He was despoiled of his clothing, a
valuable watch, and two hundred and twenty-five dollars
in money. Even the boots were taken from his feet by
the order of the merciless rebel general. Then, clothed
only in rags, he was put into camp, where he slept with-
out blankets. Then he was marched ninety-five miles,
put on the cars and taken to Saulsbury, North Carolina,
prison. They kept him there about four weeks; then he
was removed to Danville; Virginia, and from there to
Libby prison, where he was at the close of the war, when
he was released, having been a prisoner about six weeks.
Mr. Knowles has a specimen of the bread fed to him and
his comrades by the rebels. It is composed of corn and
corn-cobs ground up together, and looks very much like
dirt. Mr. Knowles came to Fremont in 1865; purchased
his farm in 1868, and built his house the same year. He
has been married three times; first, in 1847, to Miss
Margaret J. Dickson, who died in 1862, leaving two chil-
dren living — Ansel H., aged thirty-two, and Samuel B.,
thirty. Two sons died — Albert H., at the age of four,
the other in infancy. His second wife was Mrs. Mary E.
La Grange, of Albany, New York. They were married
in 1865; she died in 1874, leaving one child, Albert
Henry, aged fourteen this year, 1880. In 1879 he was
married to Miss Sarah Little, who was born in Canada in
1846. Mr. Knowles is a thorough Republican and a
first-rate citizen. His wife is a member of the Baptist
church. She is a lady of education and refinement, and
possesses considerable poetic talent. One of her produc-
tions, read at the union of the Twenty-second Wisconsin,
we had the pleasure of reading. It is a fine poem, and
portrays in vivid language the hard life of a soldier.
H.-C. Eddy was born in Monkton, Vermont, in 1836.
At the age of nineteen he went to Walworth county,
Wisconsin, where he lived until 1862, when, in the month
of August he enlisted in company C, Twenty-second Wis-
consin infantry, and served through the war. He par-
ticipated in fourteen severe battles, being with Sherman
through his campaigns. March 25, 1863, Mr. Eddy was
captured by the rebels about eighteen miles from Nash-
ville, and was kept a prisoner sixteen days. He spent
twenty-four hours in Libby prison, a sufficient time in
which to become satisfactorily acquainted with the place.
In July, 1865, Mr. Eddy came to Fremont township and
purchased the farm on which he now resides. He has
one hundred and sixty acres of good land. All the build-
ings and improvements have been made by himself. He
was married in 1861 to Miss Mary Ward, who was born
in Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1842. They have
four children — Alice L., born March 2r, 1863; John W.,
August 20, 1866; Harvey K., July 26, 1873; George
H., June 19, 1879. Mr. Eddy is a good sound Repub-
lican. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and are highly esteemed in the com-
munity.
John Doyle was born in Wexford county, Ireland, in
1833. He came to America when eighteen years old,
but did not come to Iowa until 1870. In that year he
purchased the farm on which he now lives, in Fremont
township. He has one hundred and sixty acres under
good improvement, though it was unimproved when he
came. He has a comfortable house with fruit and shade
trees about it. He was married in 1859 to Mrs. Hannah
Cox, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1825.
Mr. Doyle has no children living. His daughter, Emma
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA
382
Marcella, died July 26, 1878, aged about eighteen years.
Mrs. Doyle has one daughter by a former marriage —
Hannah Cox. She married Benjamin Cox and resides
in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle are members of
the Catholic church. They are agreeable people and
good citizens. Mr. Doyle is, at present, township asses-
sor, and has held several similar ofifices.
Ezekiel Martin was born in Champaign county, Ohio,
in 1828. Left there in 1845 with his father, George
Martin, and came to Iowa ; settled in Delaware county
where he resided until 1874. Mr. Martin had many of
the rough experiences of a pioneer. Mr. Martin was
married March 29, 1855, to Miss Margaret LeLacheure,
who was born on Prince Edward's island in 1833. They
have three children: George Arthur, born February 16,
1856; Lottie, born June 20, 1857; John born June 27, 1859.
Mr. Martin came to this township in 1874, bought his
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, built a large and
convenient house the same year. He has himself made
all the improvements on the place. Has a good orchard,
also shade trees. Mr. Martin is a successful farmer;
keeps about one hundred head of cattle; owns three
hundred and seventy-five acres in all. He is a member
of the Masonic order, a good Republican, and one of
our solid men. He is pleasantly situated in a fine home,
his children living with him.
John D. Bishop was born in Tompkins county. New
York, in 1831 ; came to Fremont township in 1869; pur-
chased the farm of eighty acres on which he still lives.
The land was only partially improved, but Mr. Bishop
has made a good home on it. He was married in 1865
to Miss Cinderella Wise, who was born in Rochester,
New York, in 1839. They have one child living and
one deceased: Ida C, died January 31, 1875, aged
eight years; Adelbert T., born June 23, 1876. Mr. and
Mrs. Bishop are agreeable people, and have a pleasant
home. Mr. Bishop is a sound Republican and a re-
spected citizen.
Lewis Atwater was born in Cayuga county. New York,
in 18 1 7, and lived in that State till 1869. He was occu-
pied, partly in farming and partly in merchandise, in
Cayuga and Tompkins counties. In 1869 he came to
Iowa and settled in Mandiester, Delaware county. In
connection with his brother Samuel, he had [lurrhased,
some fourteen years previous, nearly fifteen hundred acres
of land in Wright and Delaware counties, and had
bought out his brother's share in 1868. He purchased
a house and lot in Manchester, in 1869, and has since
made that place his home. He started a drug store in
that place in 1873, which his son Frank now manages.
Mr. Lewis Atwater owns at present, about eight hundred
and twenty-six acres of land. He manages a farm of
five hundred acres, eighty being in Fremont township,
and the remainder in Delaware county, adjoining. He
was married February 16, 1841, to Miss Ann M. Price;
she died December 9, 1862, at the age of forty-two,
leaving four children : Mary E., married L. W. Williams
and lives in Tompkins county, New York; Eliza S.,
single, resides at Manchester; Frank J., married Ada
Corning, and lives at Manchester; Ellen Cornelia, mar-
ried James L. Kelsey, and resides at Manchester. Mr.
Atwater was married again January 23, 1866, to Miss
Cornelia Swift, who was born in Cayuga county, New
York, in 1830. Mrs. Atwater is a member of the Con-
gregational church. Mr. Atwater is a good Republican
and a most worthy and influential citizen.
Abijah K. Martin was born in Otsego county. New
York, in 1804. He migrated to Michigan with his father,
John Martin, in 1814, from there to Ohio, then back to
New York, then to Bureau county, Illinois, where he was
engaged in farming and milling for twenty years. In 1858
he came to Iowa, settling in Masonville, Delaware coun-
ty, where he was a grain merchant ten years. Finally, in
1879, he came to Fremont township, having traded his
property in Masonville for the farm on which he now lives.
He has one hundred and sixty acres of good land, and
a very pleasant home. Mr. Martin was married in 1829
to Miss Julia McKey, who was born in Herkimer coun-
ty. New York, in 1810. They have six children living,
and two deceased: Carlton E. died when four years old;
Curtis D. married Juliette Newman, and lives in Nebras-
ka; Emily P. married David Hoyt, and lives at Water-
loo; .'Vnn A. married William Disbrow, of Liubuque, and
died at the age of thirty-seven; Mary A. married Wil-
liam Barringer, of Illinois, who died in 1866, and she
now resides with her parents ; Judson W. married Ennis
Smith, and resides in Troy, New York; Henry E. mar-
ried Mary Weber, and resides at Masonville; Lucretia
F., married Henry Wiley, and lives at Masonville. Mr.
Martin has been a member of the Baptist church since
he was fourteen years old, and his wife for about fifteen
years. They enjoy good health, and are smart and active
for people of their age. Mr. Martin has been a hard-
working man all his life, and is still able to work every
day. He preserves his youth to a remarkable degree.
He is a fine man and a good Republican.
Samuel Blanchard was born in Herkimer county, New
Y^ork, in 1829. He has always been a farmer. In 1855
he came to this county and entered one hundred and
twenty acres of land at Government price, in the south-
eastern part of Fremont township, where he still resides.
The place was wild, and wolves and other animals were
plenty. Mr. Blanchard was among the earliest settlers
of this township, and experienced many of the hardships
of a pioneer. He has succeeded in building up a com-
fortable and pleasant home. He has a good house, a
part of it built in 1858, and the remainder in 1869.
He has also a fine barn, thirty by fifty-six teet. There
is also an orchard and a fine grove of maples, affording
excellent slielter from the winds. Mr. Blanchard was
married in 1856 to Miss Amelia Nelson, who was born
in the northwestern part of Pennsylvania in 1837. Their
children are: Auldice M., born November 9, 1857,
died February 23, 1863; Elmer Howard, born April 25,
1861; Clarence, born April 20, 1863; Merritt N., born
May 27, 1867; Delbert S., born March 22, 1870. Mr.
Blanchard is a good, sound Republican. His is a fine
family, and highly respected. He is one of Buchanan's
old settlers and one of its solid men to-day.
Hugh Roney was born in Down county, Ireland, in
384
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
1821. At the age of nineteen years he came to Amer-
ica and settled in Bangor, Maine, where he Hved twenty-
one years, working at moulding in an iron foundry. In
1861 he moved to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he re-
mained seven years, farming in Prairie Creek township.
In the spring of 1869 he came to Buchanan county and
purchased the farm of two hundred and forty acres on
which he now resides. He has a good house, a fine
farm, a good orchard, etc. In 1846 Mr. Roney was mar-
ried Miss Sarah to Ann Cochran, who was born in Bangor,
Maine, in 1828. Following are the names and dates of
births of their children: John C, October 15, 1847;
Hugh H., February 17, 1849; Celia S., November 29,
1S50; Robert E., April j, 1852: James E., March 3,
1854; Mary E., March 11, 1856; Sarah A., June 13,
1858; William F., April 21, i860; Margaret E., April
22, 1862; Jane M., February 11, 1865; Catharine, De-
cember 6, 1867; Loretta, October 14, 1869; Hugh F.,
December 2, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Roney belong to
the Catholic church. They are intelligent, agreeable peo-
ple, and are reckoned among our most worthy and
respected citizens. Mr. Roney is a hard-working, pros-
perous farmer, and has earned all his property by his
own labor. He keeps about one hundred head of cattle,
and does a good business. He is, most emphatically, a
self-made man and richly deserves his success.
Patrick Gallery was born in Clare county, Ireland, in
1825. In the year 1852 he came to the United States.
He lived two years in Brooklyn, New York, then went
to Massachusetts, where he lived, near Springfield, about
fourteen years, working in a quarry and farming. In
1 868 he moved to Buchanan county and purchased one
hundred and sixty acres in Fremont. He has since
added, and has now four hundred acres in all, making a
most excellent farm. The place was unimproved, but Mr.
Gallery has made a superior farm of it. He built his
house himself, and has a neat and pretty home in a fine
location. He has a young orchard of over one hundred
trees, and is making improvements continually. Mr.
Gallery was married in 1856 to Miss Joanna McGrath,
of Tipperary county, Ireland. They have five children,
born as follows: James A., May 14, 1857; Ellen N.,
December 7, 1859; Daniel M., September 27, 1861;
Francis P., November 12, 1863; Edmund, August 23,
1865. Mr. and Mrs. Clallery belong to the Catholic
church. They are worthy citizens and have a fine home.
Mr. Gallery is an industrious and business-like farmer;
starting poor, he has built up a fine property by his own
exertions. He is a man of intelligence and everywhere
resjjected.
John W. Bloom was born in Clearfield county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1851. In 1865 became to Iowa with his
father, Peter Bloom, and settled in Byron township,
where he spent his boyhood. He has travelled consid-
erably; in 1867 he went to Missouri, and was there a
year, farming, working on a railroad, shoemaking, etc.
In 1868 he went to Wisconsin. In 1869 he went to
Pennsylvania, where he remained about six years, work-
ing in the lumber woods. In 1877 he returned to Iowa,
and has since resided in Fremont. Mr. Bloom was
married April 3, 1878, to Miss Mary E. Sampson, who
was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, in 1852.
They have two children — Ross H., born April 29, 1879,
and Ethel Alice, born November 25, 1880. Mr. Bloom
and wife are very pleasant young people and enjoy the
respect and esteem of a large number of friends.
WESTBURGH.
NAME.
At a meeting of the residents of the township, for the
purpose of selecting a name and taking necessary steps
for making an application to the court for an order to
organize, M. D. Weston, who lived in the north part of
the township, desired to have it called "Weston," for
him; but those in the southern part of the township ob-
jected, unless the word "burgh" was substituted for
"on," which all agreed to: hence the name.
ORGANIZATION.
The township was organized in the fall of i860, by an
order of the county court, as follows:
"In the county court of said county: Be it known,
that, on the petition of M. D. Weston and others, the
court aforesaid, this sixth day of August, A. D. i860,
constitutes and forms a new township, eighty-eight, range
ten, in said county ; and it is ordered by the court afore-
said that the new township thus formed be called by the
name of Westburgh, in accord with the wishes of the
voters thereof"
The first election was held at the house of John R.
Sabin, and at that time there were sixteen voters, all of
whom were present except J. W. Goen, who was sick of
fever. I. N. Myers was chosen clerk, and filled the
office for a number of years thereafter; John Bowder,
assessor; M. D. Weston, P. G. Davis, and Eli Lizer,
trustees; John R. Sabin and D. M. Noyes, justices;
Isaac A. Williamson and R. A. Whitlock, constables;
Eli Lizer, road supervisor. All went home feeling
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
385
honored with an office, with the exception of Robert
Stewart, W. B. Wilkinson, J. R. Noyes, Benjamin Cain
and Peter Cox. Only four of the sixteen are now living
in the township, J. H. Goen, Benjamin Cain, Isaac W.
Wilkinson, and Eli Lizer. Six of the number have
crossed the peaceful river, and taken up their abode in
their long home ; these are P. G. Davis, M. D. Weston,
R. N. Whitlock, John R. Sabin, W. B. Wilkinson, and
J. R. Noyes. The remaining five are in Iowa — John
Bowder is in Jefferson township, Buchanan county; I.
N. Myers in Denison; J. M. Noyes in Jesup; Peter Cox
in Black Hawk county.
At the election in 1880 one hundred and fifty votes
were cast.
SOIL.
The soil is a dark loam, and in quality ranks with the
best in the county; it is excellent land for farming and
dairy purposes. The people are all engaged in agricul-
ture, raising stock and dairying. There are some large
farms, and among them those of Robert Stewart, with
six hundred and eighty-three acres; Henry Cooke, six
hundred and ninety acres; James Farris and son, James
F. Farris, six hundred and forty acres; Peter Ham, five
hundred acres.
TIMBER, CREEKS, ETC.
There is but little native timber in the township, per-
haps forty acres lying in the southwest corner. There
are, however, many fine groves about the dwellings of
the farmers, covering acres, that give the landscape a
fine appearance, changing the otherwise dull monotony
of the scene.
There are two creeks in the township — Lime creek in
the east, and Spring creek in the west. At the head of
the last named stands a creamery. Large wind-mills are
seen at many of the farm-houses.
In this township there are no organized religious soci-
eties, the inhabitants attending church at Independence
and Jesup. Nor is there a cemetery in Jefferson or Per-
ry township.
SETTLEMENTS.
Peter Cox, with his mother, came from Indiana in
1849, ^""^ made the first permanent settlement, building
the first house or shanty. About a month afterward, he
purchased the land upon which he settled from the Gov-
ernment. The place is novv' owned and occupied by
Isaac A. Wilkinson. Mr. Cox is a resident of Black
Hawk county, Iowa. He was married in 1859, and has
five children.
D. M. Noyes settled here with his family in 1859. He
was prominent in organizing the township, and one of
its first magistrates. He lived here eight years, then
went to Michigan , a few years ago he returned to the
county, and is now a resident of Jesup. He had four
children: Mary J., wife of Isaac A. Wilkinson, who is
now living in the townshi[); Ellen J., wife of G. J. Cor-
win, residing in Dakota; Alice E., wife of D. J. Stafford,
living in Dakota; and Gertie S., wife of William Corn-
ford, living in this township on the same farm where Mr.
Noyes first commenced. He was a native of Vermont.
Peter Ham came in 1855, and settled on the same
farm where he now resides. He has a family of eight
children. By energy and close application to business
he has become one of the best and most properous
farmers. He has a farm of five hundred acres, a large
two-story house, and everything in keeping with them.
J. H. Goen came here from Indiana in 1857, and now
lives where he stuck his first stake. He has a family of
four children. His oldest son, L. W. Goen, is the edi-
tor of the Conservative, a weekly paper published at In-
dependence.
W. B. Wilkinson and family came to this State and
settled here in 1855, on section thirty-one. He had a
large family. He died in 1865. His widow and S. M.
Wilkinson occupied the homestead for some time after-
wards.
John R. Sabin and family, in 1856, came from In-
diana and settled in the centre of the township. The
first election was held at his house, the place now owned
and occupied by Mathew Steward. Mr. Sabin is dead.
Phillip Ham came, in 1856, and remained some five
years, and then, becoming tired of the west, went to Illi-
nois, where he now resides.
Patrick Shine settled here in 1857. He was a native
of Ireland. He died about 1862. His widow and
family still own and occupy the old homestead.
M. D. Weston, one of the organizers of the township,
came with his family in 1858. About 1868, he went to
Dakota and there died.
John Bowder settled here in the f;xll of 1854. His
was the second shanty that stood forth on the prairie sea
of Westburgh. The house in which he lived was made
of slabs driven down into the ground, and fastened at
the top, with neither floor, windows, or door; and the
place where the door should have been, a blanket or
buffalo skin was hung. Here their first child was born,
lohn Sylvester Bowder. Mrs. Bowder in speaking of her
residence then says: "I never at any time in my life en-
joyed myself better, although I have since, and do now,
live in a much better house. Mr. Bowder resided there
until 1862, when he returned to Jefferson township,
where he now lives, on the old Bowder homestead,
that attracted his attention in early manhood. They
have twelve children: John Sylvester, Jacob, Matilda,
Ann, George W., Rosa Bella, is now dead, Ida Kotre,
Lillie B., Lincoln, Delia May, Sarah Ella, Jim, Clarinda.
Two of his children are married: John Sylvester to
Laura Romig; Matilda to Albert D. Hook. Mr. Bowder
was born in Pennsylvania, F"ebruary 6, 1830. He was
married in Jefferson township, to Anna Bouche, in the
fall of 1853. He has there a farm of three hundred and
thirteen acres in a good state of cultivation, well-stocked
fields, yards, and everything connected with the farm in
first-class order, where he lives in peace and quiet. He
is a jolly, whole-souled German, whose heart and hand
are ever open to any and all.
The first wedding was Isaac A. Wilkinson to Mary E.
Noyes, May 3, 1864, and they are still living in the town-
ship and have one child. The Rev. Edwin Champlin
tied the knot that made them one.
The leading productions are corn, oats, tame grass,
386
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
and dairy products. Many of the farmers have from
twenty to thirty cows, and some as high as seventy-five,
and used solely for dairying.
ORCH.VRDS.
H. C. Merrill has an orchard of about forty acres. It
is young but is quite remunerative indeed. There are
quite a number of smaller ones. Thomas Taylor is also
the owner of a good and productive orchard, new and
joining Mr. Merrill's. A. R. Davis has also one of about
ten acres.
Nearly all of the orchards here, which is probably true
with every township in the county, are yet young. Our
people were under the necessity of e.xperimenting to find
out what varieties were best suited to the climate, and
now are meeting with success.
SCHOOLS.
In 1861 and 1862, a school was opened at the house
of D. M. Noyes, and had ten scholars. George Heller
teacher.
The same winter there was another one at the house
of William B. Wilkinson, with eight scholars, taught by
Libbie Murphy.
The next spring two school-houses were built — one
near the residence of D. M. Noyes, which is now stand-
ing, and another in about the centre of the township,
near Peter Ham. Mary E. Noyes taught one of the
schools the ne.xt summer. Among the early teachers
were George Fuller, Mary E. Noyes (now Mrs. Isaac A.
AVilkinson), I. N. Myer, Edward Noyes. There are now
in this township seven schools.
CREAMERIES.
In the spring of 1878, R. R. Miller and Mr. Harris
started a creamery at the Miller big spring, in the north
part of the township, and one and one-half miles south
of Jesup, known as "Big Spring creamery." In the
spring of 1S79, Honorable Isaac Muncy bought a third
interest in the creamery, and the firm is now Miller,
Harris & Company. In 1879 t^ey started a branch
creamery at the farm of P. Labor, two miles northwest,
and, in 1880, one at Spring Creek, Black Hawk county,
and Barclay township, the former seven and the latter
eight miles away. In 1881 they made still further ad-
ditions— one at Caldwell's springs and residence of F.
F. Rice, Barclay, and at Charles Campbell's farm Payner
township. The milk is received and cream raised at
these branches, but the churning is all done at the home
creamery, in Westburgh. In 1880 the daily number of
pounds of milk received was fifteen thousand pounds,
and churned six hundred pounds of butter. From April
20, 1880, to December i, 1880, they received two million
four hundred and eight thousand, two hundred and
ninety-two pounds of milk, and manufactured eighty-
eight thousand four hundred and forty-seven pounds of
butter, and paid in cash for milk si.xteen thousand nine
hundred and seventy-two dollars. The first two years
the firm used horse and water-power. Not deeming that
sufficient to do the work, in 1880 they put into the
factory an eight horse-power engine, and two large churns
are used with a capacity of one hundred and fifty pounds
each.
The firm has, at their creamery, machinery for making
cheese, which they will engage largely in in the season
of 1881.
In 1879, Robert Stewart built a creamery on his farm
in about the centre of the township, and that season
commenced making butter. He has but one churn,
with a capacity of one hundred pounds of butter, and
invariably churned once a day. He has two men em-
ployed in the creamery. Horse-power is used for churn-
ing and pumping water. It is called Stewart's creamery.
WESTBURGH PERSON.\L SKETCHES.
James Farris was born in Scotland, near Castle Doug-
las, on the twelfth day of January, 1816. \Vhen about
twenty-one years of age he emigrated to America, settling
in Rhode Island, where he followed farming for eleven
years. About the year 1846, he with his family removed
to Clayton county, this State, and remained there the
ensuing twenty years ; at the end of which time he,
having bought a farm in this county, removed to it, and
has since been one of our leading citizens. Mr. F'arris
was married in Scotland to Miss Grace Roan, of New
Galoway. They have four children living and one
deceased, who was the wife of Mr. N. S. Barger, of
Hampton county. The living are : Grace A., Elizabeth
J., Matthew R., and James W. The eldest married R.
Benedict, of Jesup ; the second is the wife of W. S.
Shultz, of the same place. The parents are members of
the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Samuel Hulett was born in Windsor, Vermont,
on the twenty-ninth day of August, 1801. With the ex-
ception of about twelve years spent in the State of New-
York, he lived in his native town until the year 1857,
when he moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. There he
engaged in mercantile business till the year 1867. In
the year 1855, however, he, while travelling for his
health, came to Buchanan county, where he bought a
half section of land, one-quarter section of which he
still owns and on which he now resides. This he has
improved by buildings and the planting of a grove until,
in some respects, it is far ahead of any other in West-
burgh township. Mr. Hulett has been thrice married ; in
1823 to Miss Mary Savage, of Windsor, Vermont, who
died February 10, 1842; on the fifth of May, 1844, to
Miss Harriet R. Taylor, of the same place — by this
marriage Mr. Hulett had two children, who were left
without a mother on the twenty-fourth of April, 1855 ;
again on the fourth of April, 1867, to Betsy Fuller, of
Kalamazoo, Michigan. The children's names were:
Mary Emma, and Julius C, both of whom are dead.
Julius died September 25, 1856, in his tenth year;
Mary Emma, June 9, 1861, in the eighth year of her
age. Mr. and Mrs. Hulett, although deprived of their
children, seem to enjoy life, and, although Mr. Hulett is
now in his eightieth year, he is as quick in his move-
ments as most of our young men. He is one of those
Green mountain sprouts so noted for their toughness.
He suijcrintends his farm and still does considerable
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
387
work. There are few older men in the county. Maples
from seeds of his planting are now a foot in diameter.
Lucian Stevens, was born in Vermont, November i,
1830. In April, 1853, he left Vermont for Connecticut,
where he lived two years, working a machine shop in
Meriden. From there he came to Buchanan connty,
arriving at Independence, April 23, 1S55, where he lived
twenty-five years, with the exception of the time he
spent in the army. In April, 1867, he moved to his
farm in Westburgh township, where he still resides. On
New Year's day, 185 1, Mr. Stevens was married to Miss
Julia Hill, of Waterford, Vermont. She was the
daughter of Mr. Walton Hill, of the same place, and
was eighteen years old at the time of their marriage.
They have a family of nine children : Louisa M. W.,
born May 23, 1852, who is the wife of George Worth, of
Waterloo; Ellen, J., March 8, 1854; Elletta A., Janu-
ary 20, 1856, who married Mr. Herman Messenger, of
Independence; Sarah J., October 9, 1858; Alfred L.,
June 15, i860 ; Emma ^I., February 27, 1862 ; Ada F.,
September 17, 1866; Armanella M., November 22,
1869; Seldom S., November 22, 1874.
Mr. Stevens was a soldier of the Twenty-seventh Iowa
infantry. Leavmg a family of six children and wife de-
pendent upon him for support, he went to the front and
served his country three years, being mustered out as a
corporal. He was with the regiment, and was engaged
in all the campaigns with which it was connected.
Mr. James H. Goen was born in Hawkins county,
Tennessee, July 8, 1832. When he was about ten years
of age his father moved to southern Indiana, where
they lived nearly eleven years. After leaving that State
and travelling considerably for a couple of years, Mr.
Goen,- in the year 1855, entered one hundred and sixty
acres of Government land in what is now Westburgh
township, but at that time unorganized. After a winter
spent in Minnesota, and more than a year at running a
saw-mill on Spring creek, Mr. Goen married, and not
long after moved to his farm. . He was married Septem-
ber 25, 1856, to Miss Lavisa M. Sabin, of Westburgh.
She is the daughter of Mr. John R. Sabin, of the same
township. They have had five children, all of whom are
living, with the exception of one who died in infancy.
They are Lewis W., well known as the editor of the In-
dependence Conservative ; Clara A., who is the wife of
Edwin Chaplin, of Black Hawk county; Francis M.,
the second son, who is at present in the northwestern
part of the State; and the youngest, Edwin H., now in
his seventh year. ' Mr. Goen is one of our self-made
men, and owes his prosperity to nothing but his own
exertions. He has demonstrated the fact that a man can
make a beautiful home in a new country, and at the
same time give his children the advantages of a good
education. He has been a life-long example to all who
know him, of a complete, upright man.
Malachi Mason was born in Erie county, New York,
March 16, 1819. He was twenty-four years old when
he left the State for McHenry county, Illinois, where
he lived until the year 1859, at which time he moved to
Rockford, same State. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Mason
came to his flirm in this county, on which he has lived
up to the present time, and which he has made a very
pleasant home. Has one of the best orchards in the
county, with small fruits, and the many things which gQ
to make up a comfortable home. On August 29, 1844,
Mr. Mason was married to Miss Maria L. Maxsom, of
Newport, New York. She is a daughter of Rev. Varnum
Maxsom, of the same place. They have had a family of
four children, two of whom died in infancy. The living
are Francis A., born November 21, 1847, who is a
teacher in the Independence schools; Sheldon G., born
March 31, 1850, who lives on the home place and is en-
gaged in farming and shipping. He is head of the firm
of Mason & Stewart, wholesale shippers of butter. He
has had considerable experience as a business man for
one of his years. Has been connected with the insur-
ance business, and has also had experience on the road
as a salesman of nursery stock. Mrs. Lucy Mason, his
estimable wife, is the daughter of Mr. C. S. Thurber, of
the firm of H. K. & F. B. Thurber, the wholesale grocers
of New York city. She was born July 25, 1852, and was
married to Mr. Mason March 3, 1878. They have one
daughter — Mary L., born March 17, 1880.
Peter Ham was born in Cayuga county, New York,
on the ninth day of April, 1827. When he was but
three years of age, his father, William H. Ham, moved
to Putnam county, Illinois, where they lived until he
reached the age of twenty-seven years. In the year
1854 Mr. Ham moved to Iowa, where he entered eighty
acres of Government land, and bought eighty. Here he
began by improving his farm, having to overcome the
disadvantages of an isolated position for a number of
years, while Independence was getting started. Depend-
ing on the fire-break — consisting of a strip of plowed
land around the premises — for protection from the sweep-
ing prairie fires which were of frequent occurrence in
those times. But in spite of all the dangers and priva-
tions incident to a new country, he soon made a com-
fortable home. He has now, a well improved farm with
all that goes to make a pleasant home. Mr. Ham has,
however, not worked single handed, for before settling
in this new country, he chose what has proven to be a
most excellent partner and help-meet, in his wife. She
was Harriet N., daughter of Mr. William B. Wilkinson,
one of the first settlers in Independence. She was born
in Providence, Rhode Island, October 27, 183 1, and
married October 16, 1850. They have eight children,
all living: Harley F., a farmer of Westburgh township;
born September 24, 1851; Leoti M., born October 11,
1856; Nora R., born September 10, 1861 (she is the
wife of Mr. Fred Stumma); Henry B., born August 6,
1863; Charlie O., born September 24, 1868; Albert G.,
born May 17, 1870; William O., born March 24, 1872;
and the youngest, Peter M., who was born January 17,
1875-
Isaac A. Wilkinson was born in La Salle county, Illi-
nois, May 3, 1839. His father, William B. Wilkinson,
was one of the first settlers where Independence now
stands. He came here in 1848 and started a w-agon-
shop, and in the fall of 1852, sent for his family, con-
388
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
sisting of his wife, two sons and four daughters. The
eldest, a daughter, is the wife of Mr. Benjamin Cain, of i
Westburgh township; the second, is Mrs. Amy A. Hast-
ings, of Independence; the third, is the wife of Peter
Ham, and the fourth married Walton Hill, formerly of
Independence, now of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The
eldest son is Mr. Leprilette M. Wilkinson, of Marshall-
town, and the second son is the subject of this sketch.
He was married May 3, 1864, to Miss Mary E. Noyes,
of Westburgh township. They have one son, William
D., born June 8, 1865. Mr. Wilkinson is a prosperous
farmer of Westburgh township, owning a farm in the
southwest corner of the township.
The Burr Brothers are well known business men and
farmers, and are the sons of T. J. Burr, of Independence.
Their lives have run in the same channel to a much
greater extent than is the good fortune of many brothers
— having spent their early manhood in the same town in
their native State — having passed through the dangers
and trying times of nearly four years of army life in the
same regiment; after the return of peace going into part-
nership, and still continuing in business together. There-
fore it is eminently proper that in writing a short sketch
of their lives the two should go together. The senior
brother, Thomas Jerry Burr, was born in Genesee county,
New York, July 18, 1829. His brother, George W., lacks
one day of being two years his junior. Between the time
they reached their manhood and their entering the ser-
vice of their country, the elder brother was engaged
mostly in the mercantile business in tbe town of Castile,
while the younger paid attention chiefly to farming. In
the summer of 1862 they both enlisted in the One Hun-
dred and Thirtieth New York volunteer infantry. In this
regiment they served about nine months, when it was
transferred to the cavalry service, and made the after-
wards famous First New York dragoons. Soon after en-
listing Thomas was promoted to a lieutenantcy. In mak-
ing a charge at Cold Harbor he passed through the
enemy's line, and, on attempting to return was terribly
wounded by a Minnie ball, which passed through his
throat. No hopes of his recovery were entertained, but,
at the end of seventy days he reported for duty. After
his return to the field his regiment participated in the
battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and
all of Sheridan's fights in the Shenandoah valley. He,
however, lost his voice, and was compelled to quit the
field, so was given an adjutant's commission and placed
on the staff of Colonel Hancock, who had charge of the
camp of discharge, where he served until the close of the
war. George was more fortunate in his army experiences
than his brother. He was with his regiment in all of its
many severe engagements without receiving the slightest
scratch, and never so much as went home on a furlough
until the close of the war, when the troops were mus-
tered out of the service. During this time their father
had moved to Independence, Iowa, and, immediately
after their return from the army they came here also, and
went into the hotel business. After a year in Indepen-
dence they went to Cedar Falls, where they kept the Car-
ter house, returning, however, at the end of two years,
when they again took charge of the Burr house, now
known as the Merchants' hotel. In the spring of 1870
the Burr brothers, tiring of the hotel business, sold, and
bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres four miles
west of Independence, on which they still reside.
George was married September 13, 1869, to Miss Nellie
Riseley, daughter of Jacob Riseley, of Independence.
She was born in Monroe county. New York. They have
had a family of four children, all boys, one of whom
died in infancy. The living are Albert Leslie, Eugene
Sherman, and Leo Ernest. Thomas was married Febru-
ary 22, 1876, to Miss Anna Riseley, also daughter of
Jacob Riseley. She was born in Monroe county. New
York, February 22, 1845.
David McKibben was born March 10, 1831, in Law-
rence county, Pennsylvania. When he was three years
of age his father, John McKibben, moved to Seneca
county, Ohio, where he lived until arriving at his twenty-
first year, when he started out for himself by marrying and
locating in Greene county, Wisconsin. His wife was
Miss Elizabeth McClelland, daughter of Andrew Mc-
Clelland, of Seneca county, Ohio. She was born March
22, 1834, and was married May 20, 1852. After a resi-
dence of twenty-three years, or until the fall of 1874, in
Wisconsin, they came to Buchanan county, and located
near Jesup, Westburgh township. During his residence
in Wisconsin (in the spring of 1862), he went to Cali-
fornia, taking with him a drove of horses, which he sold
to advantage in Nevada City, and returned home in the
fall of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. McKibben have a
family of four children — Emma O., born April 7, i860;
Elmer T, December 15, 1862; Emery C, July 18,1865;
and Eddie O., December 30, 1872. Emma is the wife
of W. M. Pooler, of Westburgh township. Mr. McKib-
ben is universally considered a fine man. He is at pres-
ent assessor of his township.
SUMNER.
NAME.
This township was called Sumner in honor of Hon.
Charles Sumner who, for a long time, ably represented
the State of Massachusetts in the United States senate.
ORGANIZATION AND ELECTION.
Sumner was set apart as an independent and separate
township on the seventh day of March, 1857, by order
of the county judge, which is as follows:
And now. lo-wit. March 7, 1857, it is ordered by the court, that
township 88, range 9, excepting sections i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12, No. %,
and 38"^, section 13 and No. '/,, section 11, together with sections 30,
31 and 32 in township 88, range 8, and sections i, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of
township 87, range 9, and section 6 of township 87, range 8, be set
apart and organized into a separate precinct, to be called Sumner; and
that an election be holden in said precinct on the first Monday in April
ne.\t, at the house of John Ginther in said township, for the election of
township officers, county assessor and district judge, and such other
officers as are by law to be elected at that time; and that a warrant for
such election issue to Norman A. Bassett, constable.
O. H. P. ROSZELL,
County Judge.
Since the above order, changes have been made in the
boundaries of the township. The following have been
separated from it and added to the original Congressional
townships, from which they were taken: Sections i, 2, 3,
4, 5 and 6, of town 87, range g, and section 6, township
87, range 8.
In 1878 the grounds of the asylum for the insane were,
by order of the county supervisors, separated from Sum-
ner and annexed to Washington township, as also the
northwest quarter of section 7. Sumner now comprises
Congressional township 88, range 9, excepting sections
I, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and northwest, northeast and south-
east quarter of 12, and northeast quarter of 13, the asy-
lum grounds for the insane and northwest quarter of
section 7.
The first election in the township was held in March,
1857, in accordance with the above order, and the fol-
lowing officers elected: John Ginther, Jube Day and
William Boyach, trustees; B. W. Ogden, justice; and
Norman A. Bassett, clerk. At this election there were
only about twelve votes.
SETTLEMENTS.
Michael Ginther settled here in the spring of 1847,
and was the first permanent settler in the township. He
made the first entry of land here, and being at a loss
how to describe the land he desired to enter, he carried
the corner stake to the land office at Dubuque, going
there on foot for that purpose. This entry, however, was
found to be on the wrong section entirely. He had in-
tended to buy the land on which he had settled, and on
which is the famous spring, known yet as the " Ginther
spring," about half way between Quasqueton and Inde-
pendence, on the west side of the river; and when he
found the entry he had really made was one mile west,
and out on the prairie he was completely discouraged,
being a poor man and believing that land so far out
would never be of any value whatever. Mr. Ginther
was here and attended the first election in the county,
August, 1847.
His children are Thomas, Joseph, Absalom, Sarah,
Nancy, and Samantha. Thomas Ginther married and
is now living in the southwestern part of the State. Jo-
seph is married and left the county quite a number of
years ago, but is still living in the State. Absalom is
also married and living in the western part of Iowa.
Sarah married a Mr. Phillips and moved away. Nancy
is married and lives in the southwest part of the State.
Sarah married a Mr. Loy and lives in Sumner township.
Mr. Ginther, after a residence here of twenty years,
moved to the southwestern part of Iowa, where he died.
John Ginther, a brother of Michael, settled here in
1854 on the same farm where he lived and died, said
farm being situated in the south part of the township.
He was of German descent. He was one of the original
organizers of the township, and at his house was the first
election, and also the first religious services. His wife,
Nancy Ginther, died in January, 1881, in Sumner town-
ship, on the old homestead, she then being the oldest
surviving setder. Their children are, Gideon C, now in
Cedar Rapids; Madison, who married here and a few
years ago went to Colorado and died there; Harrison,
who, in 1 86 1, then a young man of eighteen years of
age, enlisted in our late war and went to Davenport,
where he was taken sick and died. His remains were
then brought to this county and buried here. Charlotte,
the oldest daughter, was married to James Palmer, and
resides in Sumner township. These were the first par-
ties married. Rosanah married Myron Safford and lives
in the northwestern part of Missouri. Martha went to
Illinois and there married, but is now living in Nebraska.
Malinda lives in Sumner at the old home, and has been
sick for twelve years with hip disease. Maria is a young
lady of about twenty-four years, and lives in Sumner.
She is the youngest of the family. Jacob, who was a
young man of promise when he became of age, went to
California, where he has become wealthy, and is still liv-
ing there.
B. W. Ogden settled in the northern part of the town-
ship in 1853, coming here from Ohio. He was a native
of Frederick county, Virginia, where he was born June
3S9
39°
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
i8, 1821. He was educated at Leesberry seminary, Ohio,
and married in that State December 26, 1847. He, for
some sixteen years previous to the time of his coming
here, taught school, and when he came to Iowa he re-
sumed his old profession, for he taught the first school in
the township, in his own log cabin; and many of his first
students here were grown-up young men and women, and
he taught them the rudiments of the English language.
He was instrumental in building the first school house in
Sumner, and taught in it the first school kept there, and
for a long time the only one. He is now living in Inde-
])endence, but yet owns a good farm in Sumner. He
is a member of the school board in the city in which
he lives, which he has seen grow to a place of thirty-
five hundred inhabitants since his residence in the
county. His children are; Austin W., who is in Dakota
territory; William J., Anna, and Bella Victoria Fl The
last three are young persons, now living at home.
Jube Day, in 1855, settled in the western part of the
township, and was one of the first in that part. He
was a native of Massachusetts. He continued to
reside here until 1869, when he moved to West-
burgh township, where he now resides. At the time he
moved to Sumner, his nearest neighbors were four
miles away, w-ith the exception of R. R. Beach, who set-
tled here and came to the county with him. His children
are Charles H., Frederick, and Ida. When a young man
he was an engineer, and worked on engines on rivers, and
also worked in machine shops. Eighteen years of his
life were thus spent.
R. R. Beach settled here in May, 1855, near Day's,
and came with him. He was a native of New York. He
had five children, three of whom are now living: Albert,
married and living in Independence: Abbie, and An-
drew. His son Addison was drowned in the Wapsie river
while attempting to cross it just above the dam at In-
dependence. Going near the dam, the boat was drawn
in by swift water, carried over the dam, and when he
was taken up below, life was extinct. His daughter Ann,
who was in the millinery business at Independence, died
there, of consumption. After Mr. Beach had lived in
Sumner for about ten years, he moved to Independence,
and went into the wood business there. In 1878 his
wife died, and he soon after left the county, and is now
in Minnesota.
Orlando Cobb settled here in 1853, and on the same
farm where he now lives, about one-fourth of a mile south
of Independence. He has been married twice, and is
now living with the second w'ife. He has but one child, a
son, who is now married and lives with his father on the
family homestead. He has a large and valuable farm,
and cuts annually a large amount of tame hay, and feeds
two or three car-loads of stock per year. Mr. Cobb,
about 31X years ago, was so unfortunate as to break one
of his legs, and since that time he has been confined to
his house.
AVilliam Boyack, a native of the land of Burns, a stur-
dy Scotchman, settled here in 1S54, coming from Illinois,
and still lives on the same farm where he first settled. He
is one of those thorough-going farmers that are an advan-
) tage to any county or State. He has five children — four
I boys and one girl. The latter is married to Daniel
'Washburn, and lives in the township. Mr. Boyack has
i a farm of two hundred acres of prime land, with good
buildings, etc.
J. W. Wheeler settled in the township in 1856, and
now lives here on the same farm where he first settled.
He had four children — one daughter and three sons.
His daughter, Betsey, married F. Ginther, and is now
dead. Daniel was a soldier in our late war, and died in
the army. Another met with an accident, and died fiom
the effects of it ; and the third and last oiie is living at
home with his f^ither.
SCHOOLS.
The first school here was in the winter of 1853-54, in
the north part of the township, taught by B. W. Ogden,
in his own log cabin. There were about twelve scholars,
many of them fully grown, pursuing primary studies.
This was a subscription school. The next winter there
was a school at Michael Ginther's, taught by the same
teacher. In 1S58 a school-house was built in the east-
ern part of the township, under the supervision of Mr.
Ogden, who taught the first school in it. Soon after
another was built in Mr. Ginther's district. Among the
early teachers were B. W. Ogden, who now lives in Inde-
pendence; Charles Lewis, now judge of the Eleventh
Judicial district; Ida Shutliff, Amelia Miller and Mrs.
Sueler. The latter taught school in her own house.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
There are no regularly organized religious societies
here, but there are occasional religious services at school
and private houses. The first religious service of any
kind in the township was held at the Ginther school
house in 1855, by the Methodists. The township being
near the city of Independence, the people attended re-
ligious services there.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
The Wapsie river passes through the township on the
northeast side. Bear creek passes through the centre.
The land, though generally good, in some parts is cold
and wet.
The first wedding in the township was that of James
Palmer and Charlotte Ginther, in 1856, and about the
same time Francis Metcalf was married to Maria Palmer,
B. W. Ogden, esq., officiating at both of these weddings
in his modest log house.
The inhabitants of Sumner obtain their mail at Inde-
pendence, and do their business and trading there.
There is no post office in the township and never has
been.
Michael Ginther, that brave early pioneer, has the
honor of raising the first wheat in the township in 1848.
The first white child born in the township was Austin
W. Ogden, February 11, 1854. He is now in Dakota
Territory.
The soil is a light sandy loam; surface, rolling prairie.
In some parts of the township are a great many large
boulders, which make excellent foundations for build-
ings and piers for bridges.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
391
Along the river the land is hilly. There are among
these hills large quantities of limestone. No quarries of
any consequence have been opened as yet, but upon the
surface there is every indication of being rock in abun-
dance. There are, however, in the township many good
farms, especially those of George H. Wilson, secretary of
the Buchanan County .Agricultural society, and William
Boyack.
The four eastern tiers of sections are mostly covered
with timber, consisting of oak, basswood, elm, hickory,
cotton-wood and soft maple — the different species of oak
predominating. But some portions of this timber land
is what is properly called "brush land."
The people in an early day lived in a very humble
manner, their principal food being corn bread. They
endured the deprivations incident to pioneer life, and
what is true of this is true of all other townships in the
county. Before the railroad came here wheat was a drug
in the market at twenty-five cents per bushel and pork at
one dollar and fifty cents per hundred. They received
most of their groceries from Benton county. Until 1855
the city of Independence was in an embryo condition —
but one or two small stores there; post office ke[)t at
Quasqueton; no bridges across the river south of Inde-
pendence, fording being the only way of crossing. Many
of the settlers in this township became discouraged, sold
out and returned to their former homes, while others,
having more confidence in the future of the county, re-
mained, and are now in good circumstances, being own-
ers of good farms well supplied with all the conven-
iences of modern life.
Mrs. William Applegate died first among these early
settlers, in the winter of 1854.
There are quite a number of young and thrifty
orchards here, and among them we notice that of John
Westfall of about si.x acres. He has made considerable
cider. R. Allensworth, John Specs, William Boyack
and William Penrose also have promising orchards.
The productions are corn, oats and hay. The wheat
crop is very light, and but few of the farmers try to raise
it. Some still cling to this staple of the past, but almost
invariably get a very light harvest indeed.
PERSON.AL MENTION.
William Boyack was born in Dundee, Scotland, in the
year 1822. There, after arriving at the age of twelve or
fourteen years, he worked in the linen factories, with the
exception of four years spent in Seville, Spain, until
1852, when he emigrated to America. On his arrival
here he engaged as a lumber salesman in Rockford, Illi-
nois, where he continued three years. In October, 1855,
he came to Buchanan county, locating in Sumner town-
ship, where he now resides. In the summer of 1849,
Mr. Boyack was married to Miss Jane Uoig, of Dundee.
They have had six children, one of whom, Agnes V.,
died December 5, 1S76, in the twenty-fourth year of her
age. The remaining five — James D., William, Breeze
O., Bessie J., and Charles E. — are all living. The daugh-
ter is the wife of D. R. Warburton, of Hamilton county.
Mr. and Mrs. Boyack were among the earliest settlers of
the county. Coming here when the country was new
and entering two hundred acres of government land,
they have improved and added to it, until they now pos-
sess one of the finest farms in the township. Mr. Boyack
is a well informed man. He has always kept his eyes
open during his travels. He is also a great reader. Dur-
ing his stay in Spain he acquired the Spanish language,
and learned much about the manners and customs of the
people. It is a pleasure to listen to his descriptions of
persons and places which he has seen. His oldest son,
James, is township assessor.
W. H. Hosmer was born in Chautauqua county. New
York in 1841. He left here with his parents when about
five years old and went to Ohio where he lived until twelve
years of age, then moved to Wisconsin where he resided
until he came to this county in 1868. He bought the
farm on which he now lives the same year. It was only
partially improved. Mr. Hosmer built the house, and
now has an excellent farm. He has also a fine orchard,
shade trees, etc., altogether a very pleasant home. His
wife, whom he married in 1865, was Miss Lydia J. Ship-
ley She was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1842.
They have two children — Ira T., born January 20, 1868,
and Alma, born May 20, 1870, Mr. and Mrs. Hosmer
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr.
Hosmer is one of our best citizens, and has held several
township oflfices. He is a thorough Republican.
J. M. Westfall has been a resident of Buchanan county
twenty-eight years. He was born in Sussex county. New
Jersey, in 1S23. When a young man he learned the
carpenter trade, and worked at it about twenty-five years.
In 1848 he left New Jersey and went to Belvidere, Illi-
nois, and having lived there about five years came to
Buchanan county. He first settled in Independence,
where he resided seventeen years, working at his trade
part of the time. He then moved to the farm on which
he is living at present. He owns one hundred acres of
excellent land, and one of the finest orchards we have
seen in the county. He has a good house and a pleas-
ant home. Mr. Westfall w-as married in 1843 to Miss
Lydia J. Vannetten, who was born in Sussex county,
New Jersey, in 1823. They have five children, viz:
Augustus B., born February 27, 1849, married Miss Kit-
tie Hayden, and lives at Independence; John C, born
June 22, 1851, married Miss Bessie E. Marshall, and re-
sides at Sedalia, Missouri; George B., born December
18, 1855; Frank I., born December 13, 1859; Leo D.,
born November 4, 1866. Mr. Westfall was elected con-
stable in 1859 and held the office two years. In i860
he was elected deputy sheriff of the county, and was
soon afterward appointed sheriff, which office he held
five years in all. At the same time he was deputy pro-
vost marshal for the Third district of Iowa. Mr. West"
fall is a prominent Mason, being the only surviving
charter member of the Blue lodge at Independence; he
is also a charter member of the chapter. He is one of
Buchanan's solid men, an early settler and a highly re-
spected citizen.
William Davis was born in Kent, England, in 1829.
He came to .Xmerica when ten years old, with his father.
392
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
James Davis, and settled in Saratoga county. New York,
where he resided till 1857; he then moved to Stephenson
county, Illinois, where he lived five years in all, though
he was back in New York State about three years. He
came to this county in 1864; first settled in Homer
township; after four years' residence there, he moved to
Independence for a short time, and has since been
engaged in farming in Sumner township. He owns
three hundred and forty-seven acres; has two fine-look-
ing houses, and excellent farm buildings. Mr. Davis has
been a thriving and successful farmer. He is now about
to give the management of the farm into the hands of
his son James, who no doubt will succeed equally as
well. Mr. Davis was married in 1S55, to Miss Sarah J.
Terry. She was born in Saratoga county, New York, in
1837. They have had five children; two died in in-
fancy; three are living, viz: James H., born September
8, 1856; William, January 16, 1865; Frank M,, Decem-
ber 16, 1875. Mr. Davis' father died at the age of
eighty-five. His mother is still with him. She was
eighty years old in August, 1880. The whole family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr.
Davis is a Republican. He is esteemed by all as a worthy
citizen.
James Beatty, sr., was born in County Tyrone, North
Ireland, in 1818. He left there when sixteen years old,
and came to America. He lived in Philadelphia about
eighteen years, during which time he was married.
From Philadelphia he came to Jones county, Iowa,
where he resided twenty-eight years. In 1878 he came
to this county, and moved upon his farm located in
Sumner township. This farm contains two hundred
and sixty acres; he also owns a farm in Cascade, Jones
county. Mr. Beatty has been a farmer since he came
west; but he learned a machinist's trade when young
and worked at it several years. He was also engaged in
the manufacture of cotton and woollen goods for about
seven years. Mr. Beatty has a large farm with good
buildings. He is a man of means, and is now able to
enjoy the fruits of his early labor. Mr. Beatty 's family
record is as follows. He was married, January 29, 1839,
to Miss Grace Stewart, who was born in the north of
Ireland in 1820. They have eight children living, two
deceased: Elizabeth J., born December 4, 1839; died
July 17, 1S76; she was the wife of John Sloan of this
township. She left six children, four of whom were
adopted by and are still living with Mr. Beatty: James
M., born September 23, 1841, married, resides in
Philadelphia, is a member of the firm of Clark & Beatty,
manufacturers of woollen hosiery; Alexander, born
November 17, 1843, married, lives in Homer township;
Martha A., born December 23, 1847, died August 23,
1848; Margaret, born June 23, 1S52, married B. C.
Wise, resides at Cascade, Iowa; Stewart, born May 27,
1854; Sarah A., August 12 1856; William M., February
23i 1859; George, March 8, 1861 ; Grace, January 18,
1865. Mr. Beatty and wife, Maggie, Stewart and Grace
are members of the Baptist church ; William and Sarah,
of the Methodist. Mr. Beatty is a Republican. He is
a self-made man. When he landed on the shores of this
continent, his property consisted of one English sov-
ereign. His property and his prosperity are the reward
of his labors. He came to Iowa when it was but little
settled, and has witnessed many changes.
W. W. Norton, one of the old settlers of this county,
was born in Chautauqua county. New York, in 1836.
When about a year old he left there with his father, Eli
Norton, who moved to Erie county, Pennsylvania. In 1854
he came to Buchanan county; lived ten years in Homer;
in 1865 he bought eighty acres in Sumner, where he
now resides; he has since bought and sold some land,
and now owns one hundred and fifteen acres. Mr.
Norton has a good farm with excellent buildings upon it.
He is a prosperous farmer. When he came here but
little of the southern portion of the county was settled.
Like the rest of the pioneers he had before him the diffi-
cult task of building up a home on the wild prairie, in
which undertaking he has succeeded well. Mr. Norton
was married, in 1861, to Miss Catharine E. Miller. She
was born in Stark county, Illinois, in 185 i. They have
five children. Following are their names and their ages
in the year 1880: Nettie M., eighteen; Clarence E.,
sixteen; Mira L., fourteen; Frank L., seven, and Ransom
E., four. All of the children are living at home at pres-
ent. Mr. Norton has held several local offices, such as
justice, clerk, etc. He is a first-rate citizen.
Mrs. Eliza A. Safiford was born in Bennington, Wyom-
ing county. New York, in 18 14. She was the daughter
of Elisha and Betsey Hoard. She was married in New
York State May 25, 1834, to Mercian O. Stafford. They
lived in Pennsylvania and New York several years, then
went to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where they re-
sided until 1 86 1, when they came to Buchanan county.
Previous to coming here Mr. Safford had purchased
eighty acres in this township, where Mrs. Safford lives at
present. The country was quite wild and settlers were
few. Mr. Safford made all of the improvements on the
place himself. He died April 2, 1865, at the age of
fifty-five. They had a large family, twelve children,
seven of whom are now living. Following is a copy of
the family record: Ellen, born May 19, 1836, died
June 25, 1837; Rufus, born August 3, 1838, married,
lives in Grundy county ; Alonzo, born November — ,
1840, died January 8, 1841; Oliver and Olivette, born
May IT, 1842; Oliver died in the army October 25,
1862; Olivette was married in 1863 to John Orput, re-
sides in Cloud country, Kansas; Myrom, born April 11,
1844, married, resides in Worth county, Missouri; Lois,
born June 10, 1846, died December 24, 1871; Darius,
born October 14, 1848; Lyman W., born January 1,
1851, died March i, 1852; Ida A., born August 21,
1855; John, born June 25, 1858; Ella, born June i,
i860. Mrs. Safford has a good home with her son
Darius, who manages the farm. Darius is a straight Re-
publican and a good, industrious citizen.
George H. Wilson was born in Cornwall, Litchfield
county, Connecticut, October 21, 1828. At the age of
fifteen he commenced work as a clerk in a store and
post office. He followed clerking and teaching for sev-
eral years. He then bought a store and engaged in
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
393
trade in Plymouth, Connecticut; was there five or six
years, then went to New Haven and engaged in the
wholesale and retail grocery business for three years.
His health failing, he sold out and went back to Ply-
mouth. In the opening of 1864 he came to this county,
and has since been a farmer, with the exception of one
year in a store in Independence. He purchased one
hundred and forty acres in this township in 1867, and
has since added forty. Mr. Wilson has a fine farm and
does a good business. He has an orchard on his place,
and the buildings are good and nicely situated. He was
married February 4, 1857, to Miss Anna Terry, who was
born at Plymouth, Connecticut, December 3, 1835.
Mrs. Wilson is the granddaughter of Eli Terry who
made the first wooden clocks in this country. His first
work was done entirely with a pen knife. It was a suc-
cess, however, and he afterwards amassed a fortune from
this industry. They have only two children : Alice J.,
born December 8, 1857, and Ella T., born April 21,
1861 ; both are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson
are members of the Congregational church. He is a
prominent man, and an earnest Republican. Mr. Wil-
son was elected secretary of the Buchanan County Ag-
ricultural society, May 27, 1878, and has since held that
office. He has been a director of the society almost all
of the time since its organization. He is also director
and secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance com-
pany of the county. He has held nearly all the town-
ship offices.
Thomas McGowan was born in Ireland, in 1838. He
came to this country with his father, Edward McGowan,
at the age of twelve; lived in Rockland county, New-
York, four years; came to Fayette county, this State, in
1857; remained there one year, and has since resided in
Buchanan. He lived in Washington township till 1873;
the farm on which he lives at present he bought in 1867;
built the house and made all of the improvements. He
has ninety acres, including timber. Mr. ■ McGowan was
married in 1868, to Miss Alice Holt, of Independence.
They have four children: George, born January 19,
1869; Fred., born October 9, 1872; Frank, born May
23. 1875, ^""i Helen, born January 5, 18S0. Mr. Mc-
Gowan has a good house and a pleasant home. He is a
man of intelligence and a good farmer. He served his
country in the army, probably for a longer time than any
other soldier of this vicinity. He enlisted in September,
1861 in company F, Twelfth Iowa infantry, and served
till January 25, 1866. He participated in some of the
severest engagements of the war, was present at the bat-
tles of Shiloh, Fort Donelson, Vicksburgh, Mobile, and
many others. He was taken prisoner April 6, 1862, at
Shiloh, and was kept in custody of the rebels six months
and a half, in the prisons of Macon, Georgia, and Mont-
gomery, Alabama. He received a shot through the left
arm at the battle of Shiloh. Mr. McGowan is a sound Re-
publican. He is a hard working and industrious farmer
and a good citizen. He started poor, but has made
himself a good home and is making improvements con-
tinually.
A. R. Goss was born in Randolph, Vermont, in 1839.
When nineteen years of age he canic' to Littleton, in
this county, where he resided until 1867, with the ex-
ception of the time he was in the army. He enlisted
June 29, 1 86 1, in company A, Fifth Iowa infantry, and
served three years and three months. Was present at
the battles of Vicksburgh, Chattanooga, Lookout Moun-
tain, Corinth, luka, etc. In 1873 he moved to Wash-
ington township; resided there six years; moved to Sum-
ner township in 18S0, purchasing a farm of two hundred
acres, making one of the best farms in the township.
He was married in 186S to Miss C. A. Fuller, of Hazle-
ton township. They have four children: Henry Dclbert,
born August 18, 1870; Charles Rjgers, born May 14,
1875; George Edward born June 14, 1877; ^nd Arthur
Orrin, born January 21, 1879. Mr. Goss is a sound
Republican. He is one of the old settlers, having come
here when but a comparatively small portion of the county
was settled.
F. S. Loy was born near Frederickstown, Maryland, in
1822. When about one and a half years old he went to
Ohio with his lather, Frederick Loy. Lived in Morrow
county, Ohio, till 1854, then went to Wisconsin. In 1856
he came to this county, and lived in Independence two
years. In 1858 he bought eighty acres in Sumner, it
being part of the farm on which he is living at pres-
ent. He now owns two hundred acres of excellent land,
all in one body. It is one of the best farms in the town-
ship. The land was wild; Mr. Loy has made all the im-
provements. He is one of the few farmers in this town-
ship who are still living on the places where they first
located. There is a beautilul grove of maples and cot-
tonwoods, covering four and a half acres, near his house.
This was planted by Mr. Loy and adds very much to
the beauty of the place. He was married in 1842 to
Miss Clarissa Purvis, a native of Seneca county, New
York. Mrs. Loy was the mother of nine children, eight
of whom are now living. She died May 5, 1879, at the
age of fifty-eight. Following are the names of the chil-
dren and their ages at the time (i 881) of writing: Wil-
liam N., thirty-seven, married, resides in Jefferson town-
ship; Sarah Belle, thirty-five, married Albert Beach, of
Independence; George H., thirty-three, lives in Arkan-
sas; Nelson F., thirty-one, married, resides in Sumner;
Frederick D., died when about a year and a half old;
Louisa M., twenty-eight, married John Torrence, of Jef-
ferson township; Henry W., twenty-six; Mary E., twen-
ty-four; and Frederick W., twenty-one. The last two
reside at home. Mr. Loy has been a member of the
Presbyterian church for about thirty-seven years. He is
a solid Republican, a good fanner, and a good citizen.
He has held several local offices.
Matthew Rodney was born in County Mayo, Ireland,
in 1826. In 1837 he came to this country with his par-
ents, who settled m St. Lawrence county. New York.
There he lived until the fall of 1849, when he went to
Green Lake county, \Visconsin, where he resided until
1865, in the midst of an Indian settlement. He came
to this county in 1S65, and settled in this township. At
first he bought eighty acres of wild prairie; now he owns
three hundred and sixty acres of the veiy best land in
394
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Sumner. Mr. ll^oaney has a good house, nicely fur-
nished, which he built in 1865. His farm is all under
excellent cultivation; he keeps seventy-five cattle, and
fourteen horses; he has thirty-five cows, and is making
preparations for running a creamery this season. Mr.
Rodney was married November 16, 1853, to Miss Mary
A. Lee, who was born in Ireland in 1836. They have
eleven children now living. The following are their
names and ages at this writing (March, 1881): Mary,
twenty-five, wife of John Ratchford, of Homer township;
William, twenty-three; Michael, twenty one; Matthew,
nineteen; Kate, seventeen; James, fifteen; John, twelve;
Emma, ten; Lizzie, seven; Lulu, six; Eveline, one.
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney belong to the Catholic church.
They are good citizens, well known and respected. Mr.
Rodney commenced work for himself at the age of
twenty-five, starting with nothing. He has always been
an energetic, hard working man, and has earned all that
he now possesses. He is to-day one of the wealthiest
men in this vicinity, and is, most emphatically, a self-
made man. He is straightforward and honest in all his
dealings, and owes no man a dollar.
Philip C. Smyser was born in Adams county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1825. At the age of twelve he went with
his father, Michael Smyser, to Wayne county, Ohio,
where he lived eight years; then he returned to Pennsyl-
vania and remained seven years; went back to Ohio for
four years; and in 1852 came to Iowa with John Smy-
ser. Since that time he has been a resident of Buchan-
an county principally. In 1862 he enlisted in company
H, Twenty-seventh Iowa, and served nearly tiiree years.
He saw some of the severest engagements of the war,
but was fortunate enough to get through without injury.
He bought the farm on which he now lives in 186S. It
was unimproved, and Mr. Smyser built the house and
all the buildings. He has one of the best orchards in
this vicinity. Mr. Smyser was married July 6, 1856, to
Miss Emeline Decker, who was born in Hancock coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1841. They have no children of their own,
but have an adopted daughter, Ella, who was twenty
years of age in January, iSSi. Mr. Smyser has been a
Republican since the organization of that paity, and is a
good citizen.
William H. Warburton was born in Galena, Illinois,
in 1845, and lived in Illinois until he came to this county
in 1869. His farm of two hundred acres was purchased
in 1868. It was then a wild lot, but is now one of the
best improved farms in this vicinity. There is a fine
young orchard of about three hundred trees on the place,
a beautiful grove of maples and several evergreen trees
near the house. The house is large, convenient and
situated in a pleasant spot. Mr. Warburton does a good
farming business. Two of his brothers have been with
him in years past, but they are now in other business,
and the entire management of the farm devolves upon
him. He keeps a large stock of cattle, horses and hogs,
and is considered one of our most industrious and suc-
cessful farmers. Mr. Warburton was married February
18, 1869, to Miss Ellen C. Irvine. She was born in
Ogle county, Illinois, in 1846. They have throe chil-
dren living — Carrie E., born October 12, 1871; Myrtle,
born in June, 1873, died .in infancy; Mary A., born
February 2, 1875; Clyde W., born December 7, 1879.
Mr. Warburton's mother, Mrs. Caroline Warburton, is
living with him. Her maiden name was Higgins; she
was a member of a family of ten children, of whom four
brothers and herself are now living. She was born in
Chautauqua county. New York, in 1817. Mrs. Warbur-
ton has four children living, William being the oldest.
The whole family are members of the Presbyterian
church. Mr. Warburton is a strong Republican, and a
wide-awake, well informed young man. Has held several
township offices, such as trustee, clerk, etc.
William S. Spece w-as born in Morgan county, Vir-
ginia; left there when four years old and went with his
parents to Champaign county, Ohio, where he continued
till 1S48, then went to Green county, AVisconsin, and was
there until 1S71, when he came to this county and
bought a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, on which
he is at present living. There is a good orchard of large
trees upon the place. When about eighteen years of
age he learned carpentry, and worked at that trade eight
years, and has since been engaged, principally, in farm-
ing. Mr. Spece was married, in 1844, to Miss Julia A.
Youngblood, a native of Virginia. She died in 1873 at
the age of fifty-three, after rearing a family of eight chil-
dren, all of whom are now living. Their names are
Sarah J., Mary C., Barbara A., John D., Margaret E.,
William N., Mamie E., and Maria S. The three oldest
are married. Sarah is the wife of George Burdick of
this township; Mary married David McBride, now de-
ceased, and resides at Independence ; Barbara married
John Hastings and lives in Green county, Wisconsin.
Mr. Spece passed his early days in the frontiers of Ohio.
He is a pleasant gentleman, smart and active for his
years.
Thomas Ginther was born in Tuscarawa county,
Ohio, in 1851.. His parents, John and Nancy Ginther,
came to this county in 1843. When they settled in
.Sumner there were only two other families in the town-
ship. Of course the country was wild, and they had all
of the difficulties and hardships of pioneers with which
to contend. They succeeded, however, in making a
good home, and brought up a family of ten children.
Mr. Ginther died October 22, 1859, at the age of forty-
seven. Mrs. Ginther was spared to live with her chil-
dren until December 16, 1880, when she passed away,
aged sixty-seven. Mr. Thomas Ginther now manages
the old farm. He was married July 9, 1878, to Miss
Sarah Barrett, who was born in Grant county, Wisconsin,
in 1859. They have one child, Guy, born May 25, 1879.
Mr. Ginther is a sound Republican and a good citizen.
He has been in this township longer than any other man
now living here.
Henry Washbuin was born in Columbia county, New
York, in 1814, and moved to Onondaga county when
eight years old. When young he worked at carpentry,
and made that his business until he came to Iowa in the
fall of 1859 and bought the farm on which he still lives.
He purci^ased one liundred and twenty acres of it before
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA
395
leaving New York, and has since added thirty. He
bought a wild lot. There were only two houses between
his place and Independence at the time of his coming.
Mr. Washburn has now a good farm, with excellent
buildings, shade and fruit trees. He was married in
1835 to Miss Anna Stevens, who was born in Green
county. New York, in 18 1 7. They have eight children
living and three deceased. Their names are as follows :
Sarah A., Phcebe R., Enos B., Stephen R., Etta P., Frank
E., James H., M. Adelbert, Ida A., William D., George
H. Sarah, Stephen, and Ida are not living. Phcebe,
Enos, Stephen, Etta, Frank, and Adelbert are married.
Mr. Washburn has held several township offices. He is
a prominent and highly respected man.
Natlian C. Baker was born in Genesee county. New
York, in 1S27. When about seventeen years of age he
learned the jewelry trade, at which he worked several
years in Fond du Lac; Wisconsin, and in Placerville,
California. He lived in California from 1850 to 1859,
where, besides working at his trade, he engaged in min-
ing, ranching and training horses. From California he
went to Battle Creek, Michigan, where he resided the
most of the time until he came to Iowa. He w.as married
while there. Mr. Baker has travelled extensively. He
devoted his time to travelling for two years. He has
been in every State in the Union ; also in Mexico and
Central America. He came to Buchanan county in
1874, having bought his farm previously. He has three
hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, and the farm
is one of the very best in the county. It is well wooded
and watered; has good buildings, a fine orchard, and
beautiful shade trees. There is a valuable stone
quarry on the place. Mr. Baker is one of our largest
and most prosperous farmers. He was married in 1859
to Miss Carrie J. Crocker, a native of Lockport, New
York. They have one child, Harley N. Baker, born in
1864. Mr. Baker is a member of the Masonic order.
He is a prominent and highly respected citizen.
Nelson North was born in Shoreham, Vermont, in
1824. In I S3 1 he went with his parents to Essex coun-
ty, New York, where he resided fourteen years. Then,
in 1845, he went to Wisconsin and lived there twenty
years. In 1865, he came to this county, and settled in
this township. He has eighty acres of good land. The
house in which he lives was among the first built in this
township. Mr. North has always been a farmer and is
still working away at the business with industry. He
was married, in 185 1, to Mi.ss Isabel Wiley, who was
born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1830. They have
two children: Mary Edith, born July 8, 1852, married
William Loy, resides in Jefferson township; and Elmer
E., born December 16, 1862. Mr. North is a good,
sound Republican and is most highly esteemed in the
community. He has held the office of justice six years,
besides other local offices.
William E. Snow was born in Essex county. New
York, in 1823. He has followed various occupations.
When a young man he worked at carpentering, also
worked on the canals eight years, and farmed seven vears.
He came west in 1865, and settled at Independence,
where he worked at carpentering until 1878, when he re-
sumed farming. Mr. Snow bought his farm in 1873, but
has not worked it himself until recently. He has three
hundred and twenty acres under cultivation, making one
of the largest and best farms in the neighborhood. He
keeps a good stock of cattle and hogs, and is engaged
in dairying. Mr. Snow was married, October 10, 1847,
to Miss Alsina Sweet. She died December 14, 185 1, at
the age of twenty-three. She bore him two children:
George A., born June 12, 184S; and Charles J., born
July i8, 1851. His second wife, whom he married
February 25, 1854, was Miss Betsy J. Sweet, born in
Essex county. New York, December 25, 1833. She is
the mother of two children: Emma A., born Novem-
ber 18, 1854; and Jed W., born July 25, 1859.
George married Miss Emma Flemings. She died in
1877. His second wife was Miss Phu;be Knapp. He
resides in this township. Charles married Miss Nellie
Perry, resides at Independence. Emma married R. C.
Hyde, and also resides at Independence. Mr. Snow is
a member of the Order of Odd Fellows. He is a prom-
inent man, and a most worthy citizen.
Charles G. Woodruff was born in Farmington, Hart-
ford county, Connecticut, in 181 2. His parents died
when he was young. He worked at various occupations
until twenty-four years of age, when he married and com-
menced farming. He was engaged in this business about
four years in Connecticut, and then moved to Granville,
Licking county, Ohio, and resided there several years.
During this time he went with a colony to southern Mis-
souri. While there he was taken sick, and was unable to
work for three years. He returned to Licking county
and engaged as a travelling salesman for an eastern pub-
lishing house. He followed this business nine years, in
different State.s. In 1852 Mr. Woodruff left Ohio, and
came to Buchanan county. He entered a farm of Gov-
ernment land at Foink's Grove, Jefferson township. In
1866 he moved to Sumner township, having purchased a
part of his farm in 1S64. The place was unimproved.
He now owns one of the best farms in this township.
There are two hundred acres of excellent land, a good
house, and the best of farm buildings. Mr. Woodruff
lives in town mostly, but still manages the farm. He
deals in stock considerably and carries on dairying quite
extensively. He keeps thirty cows and runs a creamery.
He was married at Granville, Massachusetts, March 22,
1836, to Miss Amelia C. Eno. She died November 4,
1858, at the age of forty-two, leaving five children: Fred-
erick C, born in 1S38, is now superintendent of Ames'
school, St. Louis; Henry R., born in 1845, house build-
er, Lawrence, Massachusetts; Helen A., born in 1846,
married John McGowan, and resides in Osceola county,
Iowa; Charlotte H., born in 1848, lives at home; Willie
A., born in 1855, is also at iiome. The three oldest are
married. Mr. W'oodruff married again, in 1859, Miss
Loanna Z. Cooley, daughter of Dr. John B. Cooley, of
Homer, Licking county, Ohio. She died September 30,
i860, at the age of thirty-six. She lost one child, Albert
C, born May 19, i860, died August i, i860. He is
now living with his third wife whom he married in 1861.
39^
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
She was Miss Delia S. Pease, daughter of Deacon Eli
Pease, of Blandford, Massachusetts, and was born in
1828. They have one child living and one deceased:
Franklin P., born February 19, 1869, died June 19,
1869; Mary L., born September 4, 1870. Mr. and Mrs.
Woodruff are members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Woodruff has held several local offices such as jus-
tice, trusiee, etc. He is a staunch Republican and a
most worthy citizen. He was the originator of the Inde-
pendence Connregational church, and gave eleven hun-
dred dollars towards building it.
George Netcott was born in Somersetshire, England,
in 1842. When about seventeen years of age he com-
menced working at the mason's trade, and has been en-
gaged in that business ever since. He came to this
country in 1872, and settled at Independence, where he
has since been engaged in the capacity of a contractor
and builder. He has erected some of the largest and best
buildings in our city, and is kept busy constantly. He is
at present engaged by the county to construct a large,
fire-proof building which is to contain the county offices.
Mr. Netcott is one of our most enterprising business
men. He was married in 1863 to Miss Matilda E.
Woodbury, who was born in London in 1842. They
have five children: Henry, born August 7, 1867; George
A., August 3, 1869; Flora Amy, June 6, 1871; Willie,
July 17, 1873; Rosina Kate, October 27, 1876. Mr.
Netcott is a good, sound Republican. Mr. and Mrs.
Netcott have always adhered to the principles of the
Presbyterian church.
MIDDLEFIELD.
This township was organized and set apart as a separ-
ate and independent township on the twenty-first day of
September, 1858, as shown by the following order of the
county judge :
State of Iowa, )
Buchanan County. )
In the County Court of said County.
Be it known. That on this twenty-first day of September, 1858. on
petition of Phiietus Mackey and Albert Risley and others, a new town-
ship in s.Hid county is hereby constituted and fornied, consisting of tlie
thirty-six sections of Congressional township eighty-eight, range seven,
and in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants thereof, it is or-
dered to be styled Middlefteld.
Stephen J. W. Tabor,
County Judge.
The first election in the township was held at a school-
house in the fall of 1858, and the following officers were
elected: G. Smith, R. Stontman, and M. Broadstreet,
trustees; Daniel Leatherman, assessor and constable.
The present officers are : A.J. Hagelrigg, Joseph King,
and Patrick Farrell, trustees; E. A. Barnard, clerk; W.
T. Sharp, assessor; L. P. Stutson and J. W. Sharp, jus-
tices; John Plank and A. Miller, constables.
SETTLEMENTS.
Patrick M. Dunn settled in the southeast part of the
township April 2, 1850. He settled in the timber,
and he remains now, as he was then, entirely surrounded
by a beautiful forest, and his residence is situated on Buf-
falo creek. There is no doubt he was the first white man
to build a cabin in the then wilderness of Middlefield.
He was a native of Kings county, Ireland, being born
there September 29, 1800. He came to the United
States September 29, 1836, with his wife and two chil-
dren. He and his wife, in those early years, went each
year twice to Dubuque for groceries and such things as
they needed. At one time he went to Quasqueton for
some meal, one week going each way, and, at last, on
Saturday night he succeeded in getting ten pounds of
shorts, which he carried home, and it was used to make
bread for the family. He had scarcely any companions
or friends in those days e.xcept the Indians, who were
wandering in the timber in large numbers, but showed no
signs of hostility whatever. Mr. Dunn has four children,
one boy and three girls.
Daniel Leatherman and his family were the ne.xt set-
tlers here. They came June 2, 1854, settling out on the
prairie, where there was nothing to guide them when they
first came, and while their house was being built they
lived for six weeks in the wagons they came with. A few
acres were broken that year, and a little sod corn raised,
also a fine patch of water-melons. His was the only
house built out upon the prairie, and probably the first
frame house built in the township. The stage road from
Dubuque by way of Coffin's Grove, to Quasqueton, passed
by their house, and this was the only house from Quas-
queton to Coffin's Grove, a distance of twenty-three
miles. At night a light was plficed, in the east window in
the upper story of the house, so that wanderers out on
the prairie could see the light as they were coming in from
Coffin's Grove. Many poor fellows were lost out upon
the boundless land, who have seen the light in Leather-
man's house, and there found a place to rest their w-earied
bodies, and found also a host and hostess with hearts as
large and open as creation itself Never was one turned
away in those early days, though it truly seemed there
was not even room for one more, the house both above
and below being crowded. Mr. Leatherman was born
December 18, 1814, in Indiana, and was of German de-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
397
scent. Mrs. Leatherman was a native of Kentucky. He
came to Iowa with ox and horse teams. He died on the
farm where he first settled, on the twelfth day of Novem-
ber, 1876, leaving a wife and ten children surviving him.
His wife still owns and occupies the old homestead, and
has the vigor of earlier and happier years. When he
first came Mr. Leatherman employed much of his time
teaming between Quasqueton and Dubuque, and the
lumber of which his house was built was mostly drawn
from Dubuque, a distance of seventy miles. He was
one of the first magistrates, and he and his wife were
members of the Baptist church in Quasqueton.
R. Stoneman settled here in 1855, near Leatherman's,
he being Mr. Leatherman's first neighbor. Mr. Stoneman
lived here probably ten years, and then went to Kansas,
where he now lives. He had a family of some eight
children, all of whom went farther west with their father.
George Smith was another of these early pioneers. He
came about the s.ime time as Stoneman in 1855. He re-
mained here only about eight years; his wife died here,
and then he soon emigrated to Kansas, where he still re-
sides. He was a Wesleyan minister, and held the first
religious services in the settlement.
William Broadstreet became a settler here in 1854, not
far from Leatherman's, and on the farm now owned and
occupied by William Braden. He remained but eight or
nine years. He is still a resident of the county, living in
Liberty township.
Mr. McWilliams settled in the township in June, 1854.
He came from Ohio, of which State he was a native.
He lived here until about the year 1865 and then moved
to the south part of the State, where he died. He had
a son in our late civil war — Henry McWilliams, who
was killed in the same battle in which a son of Mr.
Leatherman was killed.
Stillman Berry came to the State in May, 1855, set-
tling first in Quasqueton, but the same year bought the
land he now lives on in Middlefield township. He
was a native of Maine and had but one child — a girl,
who is now Mrs. Olive Perkins, who has four children
and lives on the old homestead with her father's family.
CRE.\MERIES AND CREAM MANUFACTURE.
■ Charles W. Cray established a creamery here in the
spring of 1881. He has one churn with a capacity of
fifty pounds of butter, and ordinarily churning once a
day, uses the milk of six hundred cows; he also pur-
chases cream from the farmers. He uses horse-power in
churning. One man 0[)erates the creamery, and two
teams are engaged ir ?r>'hering cream.
CHEESE MANUF.ACTORY.
A cheese manufactory was established here in the
spring of 1881 by Mealier Brothers, on the farm of B.
Dunlap. They make what is termed Swiss cheese,
weighing from eighty to one hundred pounds each.
They use the milk of two hundred cows. There are
two men employed in their manufactory. They will
make in the season four cheese each day, using a large
copper kettle. The cloth in which the cheese is enclosed
is imported from Switzerland.
CEMETERY.
A cemetery company was organized here about 1874.
They have a good burying place. But previous to the
organization of this company the people used the same
grounds for the burial of their dead.
Buffalo creek passes through about the centre, enter-
ing the township at the northwest corner and passing
through to the southeast corner. There is another small
creek in the south part of the township called Leather-
man's creek.
A post office was established here in about 1872, and
L. P. Stutson appointed first postmaster. W. T. Stut-
son, his son, is the present incumbent. The office is
called Middlefield. They have a mail here twice a week.
TIMBER, ETC.
The timber is mostly in the southeastern part. There
are about two hundred acres in the township, and that
along Buffalo creek. There are, however, about the
dwellings of the settlers, some fine groves that have been
planted by them.
The surface is a rolling prairie, the soil of a dark loam
and is very productive.
The first birth here was that of Edward L. Leather-
man, April 4, 1855. He died September 29, 1879, at
the family residence in the township.
The first wedding was that of Willard S. Blair and
Permelia Ann Leatherman, June 24, 1855. Mr. Blair is
dead, and his wife is married to Mr. A. M. Benton, and
now lives in Linn county, Indiana.
The first religious services ever held in the township
were by Rev. G. Smith, in 1855 or 1856, in the pioneer
school-house that had just been built.
The first crop raised in the township was turnips, sod
corn, and a few potatoes, by Patrick ^L Dunn, in 1850.
This, the first year that Mr. Dunn came to the township.
This little crop gladdened the heart of Mr. Dunn and
family.
The first wheat in the township was raised by P. M.
Dunn in 1851. It was cradled and the crop was a good
one.
W. T. Stutson keeps a general store in the west part of
the township, which is a great convenience to the people.
The principal productions in this township are corn,
oats, timothy seed, hay, flax, sugar-cane, and buckwheat.
In the early days of this township some of the farmers
took their surplus products to Dubuque, but the expense
of going there would frequently amount to more than
their loads, the prices of everything then being very low
— wheat not more than twenty-five cents per bushel.
There was in the early days considerable suffering in
the winter of 1856-57, on account of the severe cold
weather.
Thtre was at the time the early settlers came quite a
large quantity of game, and more especially when Dunn
first settled away in the timber. There were deer, geese,
lynx, catamounts, and a few otter along Buffalo creek.
W. J. Dunn killed a large number of lynx, and they are
occasionally heard now in the timber.
The first school taught in this township was in a school-
398
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
house thnt Mr. Lcatherman and one or two other resi-
dents had built, and' the first teacher was Malinda Gage-
by, now Mrs. Samuel Braden, and living in the same
township. The teacher was paid in the same way that
the house was built — by subscriptions from the people.
Among the early teachers were Henry Blank, A. Scott,
R. Stoneman, Nancy Merrill. A second school-house
was built near Stillman Berry's, in about the centre of the
township.
The first entry of land in this township was made by
Patrick Dunn.
INDIANS.
In 1856 and 1857 the Indians frequently came to the
township in large numbers, camping along the Buffalo,
passing the time in hunting, fishing, and begging among
the few settlers, but committing no hostility whatever.
The Buffalo was a favorite haunt of theirs.
In 1858 the crop here was an entire failure; wheat
killed by the blight and not worth cutting, and on the
twenty-eighth day of August, 1858, a frost came and
killed all the corn. Then their little all was gone, but
yet they were hopeful, and with brave and true hearts,
and by the strictest economy, they managed to live
through the winter, and as one of these brave men ex-
pressed it, living mostly on Johnny-cake, and he says,
"although we had the school-marm to board, that's the
way we lived." But now there is plenty and to spare
thrpughout the entire length of the township; fine and
beautiful farms, with tasteful, spacious residences.
TAME GR.\SS.
When the first settlement was made here the farmers
were of opinion that tame grasses, like timothy, clover,
etc., could not be successfully raised here, as also
trees for groves. But now that doctrine has become
entirely obsolete, the farms are entirely in tame
grass, including the pastures, and the country is dotted
all over with beautiful groves, giving it a fine appearance.
Had not this opinion obtained such strong hold among
the people, years ago trees would have been planted
and grasses grown. But some strong minded persons
broke away from this old fogy idea, and were at once
successful; then others followed, until now we see the
fine results.
PERSONAL MENTION.
J. W. Gilmore was born in Des Moines county, Iowa,
in 1850, and resided there until he was eighteen years
of age. He then came to this county and settled in
Middlefield township, where he has since resided all but
two years, when he was travelling. He bought his farm
in 1878. It contains eighty acres, under good cultiva-
tion, an orchard, etc.; altogether, a very pleasant home.
Mr. Gilmore was married April 2, 1878, to Miss Emma
Scott, who was born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin,
in 1857. They have no children living. Their son,
Charles M., died February 17, 1S80, aged six months.
Mrs. Gilmore is a member of the Methodist church.
Mr. Gilmore is a good, sound Republican and a first-
rate citizen. He is one of our most enterprising young
farmers.
Alonzo J. Foster was born in Parkman, Piscataquis
county, Maine, February 22, 1841. His parents went
to Boone county, Illinois, when he was about four years
old. That region was then new, and emigration to it
was only just begun. Mr. Foster lived there until he was
fourteen, and then went with his parents to De Kalb
county, Illinois, where he remained until he was twenty-
eight, with the exception of the time he was in the army.
He enlisted in the fall of 1861 in company C, Fifty-sec-
ond Illinois infantry, and served nine months, when he
was discharged on account of the disease scrofula. Mr.
Foster enlisted as a private, was elected second sargeant,
and afttnvards orderly. He was in the battle of Shiloh,
where nearly half of his company were killed. In 1869
Mr. Foster moved to Benton county, this State, where he
engaged in f;irming four years. In 1873 ^^ came to Bu-
chanan county, and bought his farm in 1874. He has
one hundred and sixty acres under good improvement,
with good substantial buildings. His orchard produces
a good supply of apples, as well as other fruits in their
season. Mr. Foster was married in the fall of 1861 to
Miss Mary Bishop, of New York city. She died in May,
1870, at the age of twenty-eight. She bore three chil-
dren, two of whom died in infancy. The other, Frank
E., died October 15, 1880, in his sixteenth year. Mr.
Foster was married a second time January 11, 1873, to
Mrs. Susan J. Henderson, nee Kapple. She was born
in Lake county, Ohio, August 9, 1832. She had four
children by a former marriage, three of whom are now
living. Their names are Nona M. Henderson, born
September 9, 185S, married John F. Seymour, of St.
Peter, Minnesota; James K., born February 9, i860;
Lizzie, born June 30, 1862; John, born December 9,
1864, died June 25, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have
two children: Fred C, born December 11, 1874; and
John W., born September 5, 1875. They have a pleas-
ant home, well supplied with valuable books and an
abundance of newspapers. Mr. Foster is a prominent
man in his township, and is highly respected by his
neighbors. In politics he is a Republican. His wife
belongs to the Congregational Church and he to the
Methodist. Mr. Foster was census enumerator in 1880.
Deacon Stillman Berry was born in Sumner, Maine,
July 15, 181 1. His parents, John and Deborah Berry,
moved to Paris, Maine, when he was about four years of
age, they being among the early settlers in that town.
Here Mr. Berry passed his early days, and, after becom-
ing of age, engaged in farming for himself. He stayed
in Paris until 1855, and then came to Buchanan county.
After residing two years in Quasqueton, he moved upon
the farm he now occupies in Middlefield township. He
is one of the very oldest settlers in this vicinity. Mr.
Berry bought one hundred and sixty acres of prairie and
forty of timber, but has since disposed of half of it.
There were no improvements on the place worth men-
tioning. The farm is now an excellent one; the build-
ings, both house and barn, are good, and pleasantly
situated. About the house is a gi'ove, also an abun-
dance of fruit trees. Mr. Berry has labored long and
successfully in Buchanan county, and now eirjoys a com-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
399
fortable home in his old age. He has seen the desolate
prairie change its aspect and become the home of a
thriving agricultural community; and knows as well as
any other man what were the real difficulties and hard-
ships which entered into the lives and labors of those
who were our earliest settlers. Mr. Berry was married
April 25, 1837, to Miss Persis Cushman, who was born
in Bethel, Maine, November 16, 1813. They have had
but one child, a daughter, who now lives in the same
house with them. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have long been
earnest and faithful workers in the Baptist church, which
Mr. Berry joined at the age of twenty, and his wife at
the early age of fourteen. He is a deacon of the Win-
throp Baptist church ; also held the same office in Maine,
and during his residence in Quasqueton. They are
both exemplary Christians, and as such are honored and
esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances.
Their son-in-law. Deacon A. W. Perkins, is also a
Maine man and an old settler in this county, having
come here in 1856. He was born in Woodstock,
Maine, August 8, 1835. He worked at farming in vari-
ous parts of his native county until he came west. Since
coming here he has resided in this township, with the
exception of the time he spent in the service of his
country. He enlisted in August, 1862, and spent three
years in company H, Twenty-seventh regiment Iowa
volunteers. He took part in eleven engagements, but
was fortunate enough to escape bullets, though his health
suffered so greatly that even yet he has not entirely re-
covered. For two years after he returned from tlie war
his health was extremely precarious. Mr. Perkins was
married January 22, 1S57, to Olive, only daughter of
Deacon Berry. She was born in Paris, Maine, iSIarch
23, 1838. Following are the names and dates of birth
of their children: Julia A., born December 30, 1857,
married Rev. A. S. Leach, of the Methodist church ;
Luther S., born May ^, 1S59; Cynthia A., born June
27,1862; Gilbert A., born July 23, 1868; Addie O.,
died August 30, 1879, aged four years and ten days.
Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, Luther and Cynthia, are members
of the Baptist church. They are all sound Republicans.
E. J. Wigg was born in Norfolk, England, May 13,
1820. When he was eighteen years old he started for
America alone. After spending two years in New Jer-
sey and one on the Hudson, he settled in the western
part of Ulster county. New York, where he engaged in
farming for twenty-one years. In 1863 he came to Bu-
chanan county and purchased the farm on which he now
lives; this farm contains one hundred and forty acres of
prairie and thirteen acres of limber. There is a good
orchard on the premises, as well as shade trees, etc.
Mr. Wigg was first married in 1841 to Miss Harriet
Giles, a native of England. She died in 184S, leaving
two children — Harriet A., who died at the age of eigh-
teen; and Cordelia E., who resides in this township.
He was again married in 1857 to Mrs. .Mary A. Burnett.
She was born in Greene county, New York, in 1832.
They have five children living and four deceased, two of
whom died in infancy. Their names are: Ellen A.,
bor.i .\pril 16, 1859; Christina .\., born .March 16,1861;
Eddie P., born August 13, 1864; John R., born March
10, 1868; Alice B., died at the age of two years and four
days, and Charles W. when seven months old; their
youngest, William J., was born November 9, 1876. Mrs.
Wigg had one daughter by a former marriage, Sarah E.
Burnett, born August 18, 1854, married J. B. Lewis and
lives in Republic county, Kansas. Mrs. Wigg belongs
to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wigg is an
earnest Greenbacker. He is a prominent and highly
esteemed citizen, and has held several important local
offices. He served one term as county supervisor; was
justice twelve years, secretary of school board thirteen
years, and has been township assessor four years. He
is a man of whom everybody speaks well.
H. T. Stutson was born in Hillsdale county, Michi-
gan, February 18, 1844. When twelve years of age he
came to Muscatine county, Iowa, where he resided until
1 86 1, and then moved to this county and settled in Mid-
dlefield. His father, Mr. L. P. Stutson has been in this
county the same length of time. Mr. H. T. Stutson en-
listed .August 15, 1862, and served until January 16, 1863,
when he was discharged by reason of a surgeon's certifi-
cateof disability. Mr. Stutson purchased his farm of eighty
acres in 1868. He has one of the finest young orchards
in this vicinity which produces yearly a variety of choice
fruit. His farm was unimproved when it came mto his
possession, but it is now a pleasant home — made so by
the labors of Mr. Stutson and his wife. He was married
November 4, 1869, to Mrs. Cordelia E. Campbell, nee
Wigg. Mrs. Stutson has four children by he;' former
marriage. Their names and ages (in i88i)areas fol-
lows: William H. Campbell, nmetcen; Edward V., six-
teen; Cordel E., died in 1866, aged one year; Cordelia
C, thirteen. Her children by Mr. Stutson are: Charles
H., aged ten; Earnest A., eight ; Harriet E., six; Vernon
■ C, two. Mr. Stutson is postmaster at Middlefield, and
has held that office the past eight years. He has also
been constable for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Stutson
': are agreeable and pleasant people, and well spoken of
by their neighbors. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. In politics he is an earnest Green-
backer. His ancestors have all been patriots. His
great-great-grandfather was one of seven brothers, all of
whom were in the Revolutionary war. Two of his uncles
were killed in the Rebellion.
Charles W. Cray, one of the very oldest settlers in this
county, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, October 7,
1831. He worked at blacksmithing from the time he
was si.xteen years old until he was thirty-four, and has
since been a farmer. He came to Quasqueton in 1852,
when that iown was the only one of any miportance in
this region. Emigration had just begun to find its way
to Buchanan. Mr. Cray worked at his trade in Quas-
queton until 1864, though he purchased in 1862 a part of
the farm on which he is at present. He has added to it
and now owns four hundred and eighty acres — one of
the largest and best farms in the county. Mr. Cray is
finely situated; his is the best set of farm buildings in
the township. His residence, built in 1875, is two-story,
large and beautiful; it is on a fine site, surrounded by
400
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
trees, etc. He has a large orchard of choice trees. Al-
together, he is now in a position to enjoy fully the good
things of this life. He is a large and successful farmer,
deals quite extensively in stock — usually keeps one hun-
dred and fifty head of cattle, one hundred and fifty to
two hundred head of hogs, and sixteen horses. In past
years he has kept a large number of sheep. He now has
forty cows and runs a creamery. Mr. Cray has seen
Buchanan county changed from a wild prairie, inhabited
by Indians, wolves and wild game, to a large and pros-
perous community, enjoying all of the privileges of ad-
vanced civilization. Mr. Cray was married July 23,
1855, to Miss Elizabeth Parker. She was born in
Cleveland, Ohio, November 30, 1836. They have six
children — Charles W., born May 1S56; Elmer E., born
February 11, i860; Viola M., July 9, 1862; Nora
Louretta, December 16, 1865; Mary A., May 3, 1869;
Reverdy G., November 8, 1875. All are living at home
at present. Mrs. Cray belongs to the Congregational
church. Mr. Cray and wife merit and enjoy the esteem
of their fellow citizens.
William Hairison Blank was born in Niagara county.
New York, May 18, 1840. When he was about five
years old, his parents, Jonas and Salome Blank, moved to
Du Page county, Illinois, where he resided until 1870,
excepting a lengthy term in the service of his country.
Mr. Blank enlisted in the fall of 1861, in company K,
Thirty-sixth Illinois infantry, and served until November,
1865. He took part in some of the great battles ; was
in the following engagements : Pea Ridge, Perryville,
Stone River, Chickamauga,Resaca,Kennesaw Mountain,
and several others. He enlisted as a private, but was
promoted to corporal. He received a rupture in the en-
gagement at Resaca, which has since caused consider-
able inconvenience. Mr. Blank came to Buchanan
county in 1870, and purchased his farm the same year.
He has recently added forty acres to it, making a farm
of one hundred and sixty acres of very good land. He
built the house and barn himself; both are substantial
and well made. There is an orchard on the place. Mr.
Blank does a good farming business and is engaged in
dairying. He was married November 30, 1865, to Miss
Martha A. Plank, who was born in Memphis, Missouri,
January 26, 1845. They have two children living, one
deceased: William Henry, born SeiJtember 2, 1866;
Franklin Wentworth, boin February 14, 1869; Jonas
Sylvester, born January 24, 1872, died February 12,
1874. Mr. Blank is a thorough Republican. His
family has a high social standing. Both he and his wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mrs. Polly Leatherman was born in Knox county,
Kentucky, September 18, 1815. Her father was Castle-
ton Wilson ; he died before she was born. Her mother
married John Lynch, and Mrs. Leatherman was brought
up in his family. They moved to Indiana when she was
three years old, and it was there she passed her early
years. She married Daniel Leatherman, January 8,
1835. They lived in Putnam county, Indiana, two
years, then moved to Cook county, Illinois, where they
remained seventeen years. In 1854 they came to
Buchanan county, and settled in Middlefield township,
on the farm where Mrs. Leatherman still resides. They
camped two weeks while building a house. Before the
house was finished the family occupied it, the boys sleep-
ing out-doors in wagons, and the girls and their mother
making themselves as comfortable as possible by putting
up sail cloth to keep off rain. They even passed one
night in the house with an umbrella over their heads to
keep off rain. Despite these rough experiences, Mrs.
Leatherman was never homesick or discouraged. There
were but one or two houses in the township when they
came here, and only two houses in sight on the prairie.
March 11, 1854, Mr. Leatherman entered three hundred
and sixty acres of Government land, two hundred and
eighty of which Mrs. Leatherman still owns. In 1854
Dubuque was the principal point for trade ; thence was
brought a large part of the lumber used by Mr. Leather-
man in building his house. Wolves were plenty upon
the prairie, and it required great vigilance to keep them
from the sheep and other stock. In the face of such
obstacles Mr. Leatherman and wife made themselves a
comfortable home and reared a large family. Mr.
Leatherman died November 12, 1876, in his sixty-second
year. He was a man of sterling integrity and was wide-
ly known and respected. F^ollowing are the names and
dates of birth of the children: Pamelia Ann, November
14, 1835 ; married VVillard S. Blair for her first husband,
is the wife of Moses Benton, Newton township ; Lucy
Frances, September 2 1, 1837; married Joshua Perkins,
Quasqueton ; Castleton, November 19, 1839, was killed
at the battle of Champion Hills, May 16, 1863 ; Simeon,
May 6, 1842 ; m.irried Miss Helen Brown, resides in
Liberty township; Hannih, .-Vpiil 3, 1844; married
Henry Blank, resides in this township ; James Wesley,
August 16, 1846; married, resides in Republic county,
Kansas; Mary Ann, February 4, 1848; married A. B.
Patterson, Liberty township ; Armilda, March 23, 1852;
married Dwight Manson, Cono township ; Eva Rosetta,
August 23, 1853; married G. W. Blank, Quasqueton;
Edward Daniel, April 4, 1855, died September 23, 1879;
Rhoda, June 28, 1858 ; Mary Ellen, November S, i860,
married Ora Coffin, this township. Mrs. Leatherman
enjoys good health, and is well contented. She is the
oldest settler now living in this township, with one excep-
tion. She is a member of the Baptist church.
A. J. Hazelrigg was born in Linn county, Iowa, in
1843, which was his home until he was twenty-seven
years old. He served in the army three years; enlisted
July 4, 1862 in company A, Eighteenth Iowa infantry;
was mustered out in August, 1865. His regiment was
on the frontier a great part of the time, in Missouri
county, Kansas, and the Indian Territory, though it
took part in some quite severe engagements. Mr. Hazel-
rigg came to Buchanan county in 187 1 ; bought an eighty
acre farm in this township, and sold it in 1875, ^^d im-
mediately purchased the place on which he is at present.
He has one hundred acres all improved. Mr. Hazelrigg
was married in 1866 to Miss Helen E. Marshall, a native
of Wayne county, Pennsylvania. She was born in 1842.
They have four children living and one deceased. Their
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
401
names and ages at this writing are as follows : Sidney
Marshall, thirteen; John, eleven; Frank, died October
26, 1874, in his second year; Mark C, five; Mary L.,
one year and six months. Mr. Hazelrigg is a sound Re-
publican, and as a citizen stands well in the community.
Patrick Farrell was born in Clonmel, County Tipper-
ary, Ireland, about the year 1832. He left there in
1853, and came to New York, where he lived until 1857,
working at railroading principally. In 1857 he came to
Iowa, and remained about a year in Delaware county.
In 1858 he settled at Winthrop, where he resided until
1865, taking contracts in work on the railroad. He built
the first dwelling house in Winthrop, though two others
were erected about the same time. In December, 1862,
Mr. Farrell went to Missouri, and soon afterward enlisted
in the Twenty-second Iowa infantry, and serv'ed four
months; he w^as then obliged to return home on account
of sickness. In 1865 he moved to Middk-field town-
ship, and engaged in farming. He bought the farm on
which he is at present in 1867. He has one hundred
and seventy acres, all improved. It was a wild lot when
he made his purchase. Mr. Farrell's house, built by
himself, is large and convenient. He has a good farm-
ing business. He has a pretty place and is well situated
to enjoy life. Mr. Farrell was married in 1857 to Miss
Sarah McMann. She was born in Urlingford, County
Killkenny, Ireland, in 1836. They have had ten chil-
dren, seven of whom are living. Following are their
names and ages : Ellen M., twenty-two ; Thomas, twenty-
one; Katie A., nineteen; Robert W., sixteen; Cornelius
F., fourteen; Perry J., twelve; Henrietta J., died aged
five; Michael, died aged three; Heber M., died when
one year old; Sarah J., four. Mr. and Mrs. Farrell be-
long to the Catholic church. They are well informed,
intelligent people. Starting poor, they now enjoy a good
home as the reward of their labors.
E. Touhey was born in County Clare, Ireland, in the
year 1838. He came to America in May, 1847; landed
in New York; soon afterwards went to Canada; then,
after some travelling and moving, finally settled in Mid-
dlefield township, in 1854, on the spot where he still re-
sides. This makes Mr. Touhey one of the oldest set-
tlers in this township. In 1854, he entered forty acres
of Government land. Since that time he has made
several additions, and some sales, besides giving eighty
acres to his son. He now owns three hundred acres of
excellent land, well supplied with water and wood.
Wolves and deer were abundant at the time he came
here, and were frequently seen in large droves. Mr.
Touhey started poor, but now possesses a fine property,
all acquired by his own work. He is now considered
one of our wealthiest and most prosperous citizens. Mr.
Touhey was married, in 1852, to Miss Mary Flannigan,
who was born in County Clare, in 1838. They have
twelve children, with names and ages as follows: John,
aged twenty-four; Mary Ann, aged twenty-two; Law-
rence, aged twenty-one; James, aged eighteen; Thomas,
aged sixteen; Margaret, aged fourteen; Bridget, aged
twelve; Jane, aged ten; Celia, aged eight; Edward, aged
six; Agnes, aged four; William Francis, aged two. Mrs.
Touhey's mother, Mrs. Margaret Flannigan, is now liv-
ing with her daughter. She is a native of Ireland, Coun-
ty Clare, and is now over seventy years of age. The
family are Catholics. Mr. and Mrs. Touhey have
brought up a large and industrious family. Their oldest
daughter has taught five terms of school and is at present
teaching in her home district. The family have many
friends. Mr. Touhey will build a new residence this
season, large and convenient.
John Dobbins was born in county Louth, Ireland, in
1840. He left Ireland in 1859, and came to this State,
settling in Dubuque, where he lived about eleven years,
working on steamboats on the Mississippi river. In 1870
he came to Buchanan county, and settled in this town-
ship. He has since sold his farm, and bought the one
on which he now lives in April, 1875. He has recently
bought eighty acres, making one hundred and sixty
acres, all improved. He has a good and very pretty
house, built in 1877; it is a very fine farm residence.
Mr. Dobbins is an industrious and thrifty farmer; keeps
a good stock of cattle, hogs, etc. He is engaged quite
extensively in dairying — keeps seventeen cows and makes
a large amount of butter. Mr. Dobbins was married,
in 1867, to Miss Margaret Doyle, who was born in
County Louth, Ireland, in 1845. They have six children
living, one deceased: Sarah E., aged thirteen; Mary C,
aged eleven; Thomas H., died when fourteen months
old; John T., aged seven; Patrick M., aged five; James,
aged two; Stephen F., aged four months. Mr. and Mrs.
Dobbins belong to the Catholic church. They are well
contented, prosperous, and happy. Like so many of
their countrymen, they started with little, and have earned
their property by constant labor. Mr. Dobbins works
hard, and deserves his property.
P. M. Dunn, the oldest settler in Middlefield town-
ship, and one of the first in the county, was born in
King's county, Ireland, and brought up in County Deny.
He came to New York State in September, 1836, and
lived there two years, and then moved to Hartland, Mc-
Henry county, Illinois, where he resided until 1850,
when he came to this county and settled on the Buffalo
in the southern part of Middlefield, where he still lives.
At that date there was not a house in the township, and
it was four years before any other families came. I.i-
dians were seen frequently, though they were not trouble-
some. In 1850 Mr. Dunn's nearest neighbor was seven
miles distant. Quasqueton contained three or four
houses, and Newton township, one. Mr. Dunn was a
jury man in the second term of court ever held at In-
dependence. Court was held in an unfinished building
without floors, the jury room being in another house.
As may well be imagined, Mr. Dunn found life at that
early date not all pleasant, but he always managed to
keep his family well supplied. He entered a quarter-
section of land at first, but afterwards became the owner
of a whole section. He came here with twenty-one
head of cattle, also a wagon and some other farming
implements. He has built up a fine property to support
him in his declining years. He owns a fine house, and
the other buildings are good. He has sold a large
402
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
part of his farm, but still owns one hundred and ninety-
five acres, besides two lots in Masonville. His land is
especially valuable because of the large amount of timber
upon it. There is an extensive natural grove surround-
ing the house. His house is a pleasant one. Mr. Dunn
and his wife toiled long and earnestly, and succeeded in
making their work count for usefulness. They brought
up five children, four daughters and one son : Mary Ann,
the wife of John Mcllvenna, resides in Dakota; Williain
John, married, resides in Newton township; Sarah, mar-
ried; George H. Johnson, lives on the old place; Cath-
arine, died August 2, 1878, aged about twenty-six: Jane,
the wife of Gustavus Linkley, Coffin's Grove, Delaware
county. Mrs. Dunn died May 12, 1878, aged seventy-
eight. Mr. Dunn is now in the eighty-first year of his
age, and is quite smart for his years. He belongs to the
Catholic church. He is an old-style Democrat, extremely
liberal in his views, and believes in the motto, "Prin-
ciples, and not party." Mr. Dunn has seen this county
converted from a wilderness to its present prosperous
condition. Few men have been here longer than he.
Jacob Nehls was born in the province of Pomerania,
Prussia, March 8, 1830. He lived there until he came
to America in 1852. He first stopped three months in
Dayton county, Ohio, and then came to Dubuque county,
Iowa, where he engaged in farming for twelve years. In
1865 he moved to Middlefield township, Buchanan
county, where he has since resided. He bought his farm
the year of his coming, which was mostly unimproved.
He built the house and barn himself His residence is
one of the finest in this vicinity. Mr. Nehls also has
two hundred and forty acres of good land. His barn,
thirty-four by thirty-eight feet, is one of the best in the
township. Mr. Nehls is finely situated in a nice house,
and is in a position to enjoy life fully. He was mairied
in 1S51, to Miss Emma Wilken. She was born in
Prussia May 8, 1829. They have four children living,
and two deceased: Robert, born 1852, married; resides in
this township; Helen, born 1854, married Albert Sauer,
resides in Newton township; Clara, born 1856; died in
1879; Charles, born 1857; Emma, i860; Ludwig, 1866;
died in 1873. Mr. Nehls and wife are agreeable people,
and their social standing is most excellent. Mr. Nehls
is a sound Republican and a most worthy man.
H. R. Smith was born in Elgin, Illinois, January 22,
1844. There he resided until twenty-one years of age.
In the year 1866 he came to this county and resided at
Winthrop three years. He then bought the farm on
which he now lives in Middlefield. It contains two
hundred and forty acres, all improved, and is now one
of the best farms in the township, though it was wild
prairie when purchased by Mr. Smith. He has a good
farm and a good home, and farms quite largely. His
house, built in 1875, is large and convenient, and he has
also a substantial barn twenty-eight by eighty feet. Mr.
Smith keeps seventy-five to one hundred head of cattle
usually, has forty cows and does an extensive business in
dairying. He has a creamery fitted up in first-class style.
During the season of 1879-80, Mr. Smith sold over one
thousand dollars worth of butter, and expects to do even
better the present season. He is one of the most suc-
cessful farmers in the township. Mr. Smith was married
March 8, 1865, to Miss Mary Western, born in Savoy,
Berkshire county, Massachusetts, May 4, 1837. They
have four children — Jarvis, born March 9, 1866; Nathan
W., November 7, 1868; Ray B., September 21, 1874;
Grace, August 20, 1878. Mr. Smith is an earnest Re-
publican. He is an active business man, and is one of
our solid citizens.
Jesse Doyl was born near New London, Canada, July
30, 1814. When eight years of age his father, Henry
Doyl, moved to Detroit, Michigan, where the subject of
this sketch resided until 1825, when he moved to Ipsi-
lanti, and remained until he was twenty-two years old.
He next went to Branch county, Michigan, where he
took unto himself a wife and worked at farming twenty-
five years. P'rom Michigan he went to Winnebago
county, Illinois, and remained seven years. In 1868 he
came to Buchanan county, and settled in SiTmner town-
ship; lived there seven years, then moved to the farm in
Middlefield, where we now find him. Mr. Doyl has one
hundred and eighty acres, mostly improved. His house
and farm buildings are good. He keeps from thirty to
fifty head of rattle, and does a good business, especially
in dairying. He usually keeps about twenty cows, but
during the year 1880 he milked only fifteen, and from
them made and sold two thousand two hundred and
ninety-eight pounds of butter. His cows brought him
in exactly thirty-three dollars and thirty-three cents per
head for the year. Mr. Doyl has adopted the wise plan
of keeping an exact record of all receipts and expendi-
tures, and thus knows at the end of each year just what
branch of farming has paid and what has not. He was
married February 25, 1838, to Miss Mary Ann Holcomb;
she was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 181 7.
They have had six children, and five are living — Theo-
dore, born February 27, 1839, died March 3, 1839;
Elizabeth, born August 9, 1840, is the wife of Clinton
Gould, Girard township, Piranch county, Michigan;
Esther, born April 20, 1842, married Joseph Russel, re-
sides at North Piatt, Nebraska; Polly Ann, born Au-
gust 9, 1847, married James Prescott, lives in Black
Hawk county, Iowa; Ellen, born June 15, 185 i; Luella
Icelona, born February 8, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Doyl
adhere to the principles of the Free-Will Baptist church.
Mr. Doyl is a Republican. His family are highly es-
teemed by their neighbors and acquaintances.
Henry Gates was born in the province of Pomecrania,
Prussia, in 1825, and resided there until 1869, working
at cabinet-making. At the latter date he came to the
United States, and settled in Cono township, this coun-
ty, and engaged in farming. He bought eighty acres
of wild prairie, improved it, and built a house upon it.
In 1874 he sold it and bought another eighty acre farm
in Middlefield, where he now resides. This farm was
but little improved and had no buildings. Mr. Gates
put up a house the year that he came, and has since
been making improvements constantly. In 1880 he
made a nice, convenient barn, and will soon add other
farm buildings. Mr. Gates makes and uses his own tools,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
403
and does his own car|5enliy, thus saving quite an amount
of expense which other farmers are obliged to meet.
Mr. Gates was married in 1849 to Miss Louise Jahnke,
who died April 12, 1877, aged fifiy-five years. They
had six children, three of whom are now living, viz:
Minnie, aged twenty-four; William, twenty-two; and
Julius, nineteen. He was again married in 1879 to Miss
Elizabeth Alphus. She was born in Bellevue, Iowa, in
1 86 1. They have one child, Henry, one year old. Mr.
Gates belongs to the Presbyterian church. He is an
earnest Republican and a most worthy citizen. He is
an intelligent man, and keeps well informed upon cur-
rent topics.
John V. Spees was born in Green county, New York,
in 1820. He left there when four years old, and went
with his parents to Allegany county. New York, where
he was brought up. AVhen about twenty-two years of
age he moved to Michigan, where he resided two years
and during that time w-as married. Then he moved to
Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he remained
twelve years. From Wisconsin Mr. Spees came to this
county in 1859, and settled in Liberty township, where
he remained twelve years, and has since been in Middle-
field. He has taken up and improved three wild farms
since he came to this county, and certainly has had
his share of that kind of work. He bought the place
where he now lives in 1866. It consists of two hundred
acres, mostly improved. Mr. Spees farms quite largely —
keeps about seventy head of cattle, also hogs, horses,
etc. His stock is equal to any we have seen in the
county. He usually keeps from ten to twenty horses;
has at present nine — the best lot to be found anywhere
in this vicinity. He has thirty cows, and makes a large
amount of butter. Besides what he used for his stock,
Mr. Spees sold about two thousand bushels of grain dur-
ing the past season. During the two years just passed
he has raised over sixteen thousand bushels of corn and
oats. He works about three hundred and fifty acres,
and is a most thrifty farmer. Mr. Spees was married
March 30, 1848, to Miss Louisa R. Harwood, who w'as
born in Ontario county, New York, in 1825. They have
eight children living, four deceased: Achsa A., married
Addison Spees, resides in Santa Anna, California; Alice,
Lovina, the wife of Jacob Swartzell, Liberty to\vnshi[);
Henrietta M., married W. D. Palmetier, lives at Geneva,
Wisconsin; John H., married, resides in Marshall county,
Minnesota; Willie E., Frank M., Edith F., James Mon-
roe— the four last being at home. The second oldest of
their sons, Fremont C, died April 4, 1879, aged twenty-
three years. He was accidentally killed while working
in a grain elevator in New Richmond, Wisconsin. He
was caught in the gearing of the machinery and crushed
in a frightful manner. He was a fine young man, be-
loved and respected by all his acquaintances. Clarence
G., their next son, died when five years old. The other
children were two daughters, Marion and Jessie. The
former died when one year and a half old, and the latter
when only a few days old. Mr. Spees is a Republican,
and as a citizen his standing is most excellent. He has
held several local offices.
Albert Merrill was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio,
February 17, 1848. His parents left Ohio when he was
about one year old, and Mr. Merrill was brought up in
Buchanan county. His father, John Merrill, still re-
sides in Liberty township, where he first settled in the
county. Mr. A. Merrill lived in Liberty township until
1878, when he moved upon his farm in this township.
He has two hundred and forty acres of good land, all
well improved. The land is situated in a pleasant part
of the township, and is one of the best farms in the
neighborhood. Mr. Merrill's house is pleasantly situated,
with fruit and shade trees about it. He was married
January 23, 1879, to Miss Fannie L. Kershner. She
was born in Livingston county. New York, February 12,
1855. They have one child, Willis H., born November
21, 1879. Mrs. Merrill is a member of the Methodist
church. Mr. Merrill is one of our well informed, indus-
trious farmers and best citizens. Though he was quite
young when he came to this county, few have been here
longer than he.
William A. Scott, one of the old settlers of our coun-
ty, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, January 31,
1 814. He lived in that State until 1855, then went to
Ohio and remained three years, after the lapse of which
he came to this county, in 1858, and settled in Liberty
township. The first four years he rented a farm, then
bought eighty acres of wild prairie, and afterwards bought
and sold several pieces of land. Mr. Scott came here
early, when settlers were few, and has seen the greater
part of this county's growth. He has worked constantly
for many years, and now in his old age is in possession
of a comfortable home and a good property. Mr. Scott
was married in 1837 to Miss Rachel Condit, a native of
Mercer county, Pennsylvania. She died May 30, 1861,
in the fifty-second year of her age. She bore him four
children, one of whom is now living. Their names are
as follows: Ira C, born June 9, 1838, died while in the
service, on the anniversary of the day he enlisted, Octo-
ber 27, 1865, having served exactly four years; Mary,
born April 26, 1840, married Jesse G. Merrill, who died
in March, 1868, and is now the wife of Deacon E. P.
Brintnall, of Winthrop; Alfred M., born January 4,
1842, died April 13, 1878; Elizabeth, born November
29, 1844, died in February, 1847. Mr. Scott was mar-
ried a second time, in January, 1862, to Miss Margaret
Oliver. She was born in County Deiry, Ii eland, in
March, 181 7. Mr. and Mrs. Scott belong to the Win-
throp Congregational church. Mr. Scott is an Indepen-
dent in politics. For a man of his years he is remarka-
bly active. He is well known in the county, and has
many friends.
JEFFERSON.
Jefferson township is located in the southwestern part
of Buchanan county. On the south and southwest it
touches upon the Cedar river, which is one of the most
beautiful streams in the State. The township in its sur-
face is somewhat diversified, along the creeks being
hilly, but elsewhere consisting of rolling prairie, fertile
and productive. The underlying rock is limestone,
there being some limestone quarries in the township.
The soil is a lightish loam.
NATIVE FOREST TREES AND GAME.
There is considerable timber along the creeks, being
for the most part in the southwest, and also in the north
and west portions. The timber is not of the most valu-
able kind, except for fuel, consisting of oak, elm, bass-
wood, aspen, hickory, butternut, walnut, and a few soft
maples.
When the early settlers came, they found large num-
bers of deer and wild turkeys, and occasionally a bear
and some smaller game. The turkeys were very numer-
ous, and were found in flocks of as many as a hundred.
They were hunted by the then few inhabitants and fur-
nished them most delicious food. Nearly all the pio-
neers became hunters, and learned expertly to use the
rifle. Many are the incidents that these early pioneers
relate of their hunting exploits. It may not be uninter-
esting to the reader to give one or two, which truly illus-
trate the German character — for the early settlers were
of the Teutonic race.
In the winter of 185 1-2, Peter and Henry Albert,
father and son, went into the timber to shoot turkeys.
A fine flock came along. Henry, the son, fired and
brought down a large one that weighed twenty-two
pounds. The turkeys for a moment gathered about
their fallen companion, then fled. Henry, turning to his
father, inquired why he did not shoot when they were
all together. "Why, I wanted you to get yours sure,
first," was the astute reply.
At another time, Peter went out chopping wood, tak-
ing with him his trusty gun, which was the constant
companion of the pioneer. A fine turkey came along.
He rushed after it with his axe, unmindful, in his anxie-
ty to catch the turkey, of the gun that was still standing
by the tree; but the turkey was too fleet for our hero,
and he returned to his work disappointed.
The hunting of deer was a source of amusement as
well as profit. The principal hunters were Jack Rouse
and Abel Cox, his son-in-law. These Nimrods would
sometimes kill as many as a dozen in a day. On one
occasion Rouse shot a couple of bucks whose heads
were firmly fastened together by their horns, and when
404
dead could not be taken apart. They were sent to the
county seat. Independence, and there kept as a curios-
ity. From thence they were taken to New York.
Philip Zinn, an early settler, having an aspiration to
become a deer-hunter, shouldered a musket and started
for the timber; and soon he saw nestling in the bushes a
fine deer sleeping. Zinn, thinking that he might be
dead, and not desiring to waste his ammunition on a
dead deer, made a noise by breaking some of the brush,
when up started the deer and bounded away into the for-
est, leaving our friend looking on in amazement. He
then went home, hung up his musket, and thus ended
his deer hunting.
Wolves were then, as now, quite plenty; for, although
a bounty has been offered, it does not seem to diminish
the number of these pests, and the fanners are much
troubled in raising sheep on account of wolves. Jack
Rouse, on one of his hunting expeditions, dug from their
burrows four young wolves, and made a present of them
to his grandchildren, the sons of William Rouse, by
whom they were raised and domesticated. But their
fondness for chickens and sheep, and their dislike for
cats, rendered it impossible to keep them at a farm-
house, so they disposed of them. The chickens and
sheep they would kill and eat, and the cats they would
kill and then leave them.
A large black bear was liilled here, near John Bow-
der's, in the fall of 1859, by Joel Allen, who, with Wel-
lington Town and E. S. Wilson, was passing along the
road on his way to assist a neighbor in threshing, when
they espied the bear. Town kept watch of bruin, while
Allen went to one of the neighbors' for a gun. After
the bear had been killed and skinned, the meat was di-
vided around among the settlers, each family getting a
slice. One of its paws measured five and a half inches
across the bottom. The old settlers remember well
their receipt of a piece of this bear. Concerning his
captors, we can only say that Allen has gone to the bet-
ter land, Town is yet living, and of Wilson we could
learn nothing.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first actual settlers were J. B. Stainbrook and his
family, consisting of his wife and one child, June 13,
1850. He was a native of Pennsylvania, having been
born there September 29, 1823. He built a log cabin
on land, which he afterwards purchased of the Govern-
ment, and now owns. The log house is still standing
and is the veritable one in which most of his children,
and one of his grandchildren, first saw the light of day.
His brother-in-law, Henry Albert, also came with
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
405
him and afterwards settled near him, in Benton county.
He comes from the German race, partaking of their
tenacity and thrift. He has passed through discourage-
ments and adversities, but has stood firmly, and now is
reaping the reward of his well spent early days. Mr.
Stainbrook is the father of seven children : Katie Stain-
brook, now Mrs. Colt; Martha Jane, married to S. E.
Masters, who has five children and lives in Brandon ;
Andrew Jackson, who is married to Ida Town, daughter
of an old settler, and has one child ; Peter, married to
Mary Usur; Mary, married to W. H. Pearson; J. B.
Stainbrook, jr., and Jacob Alfred, who are young, un-
married men, residing with their father. Some fourteen
years ago his wife died, and since then he and his two
sons have lived at the family homestead. He has
the honor of raising the first wheat in the township, in
the summer of 1852. He used, to put in the wheat, a
wooden drag made by his own hand, and cut it with a
cradle, borrowed from a settlement some twenty miles
away. The crop is spoken of as being a very good one.
In the fall of 1850, came Peter Albert (the father-in
law of J. B. Stainbrook), his wife and four children :
Nicholas Albert and family (wife and four children), and
Phillip Zinn with his wife and four children. When the
winters of 1850 and 185 1 came, the above named com-
pleted the colony. They obtained their supplies from
Cedar Rapids, some thirty miles away. Sent a man
once a week to Marion for their mail, forty miles away;
had plenty of wild game that supplied them with delic-,
ious food. We should call this hard life. But, with all
the deprivations incident to pioneer life, they claim, that
never in their lives did they enjoy themselves better.
Phillip Zinn is dead. Peter Albert is still living there,
although he has passed his eighty-first birthday. He was
born in Bavaria, Germany, December 25, 1799; married
in Germany; came to the United States forty-four years
ago with his wife and four children; settled in Pennsyl-
vania, and, in the fall of 1S50, came to Iowa, and has
lived here from that time. He can. now gather about
him six children, thirty grandchildren, and thirteen great-
grandchildren. He and his good wife, who is two years
his junior, still live happily and in full enjoyment of
health. While living in Germany, and about fourteen
years of age, he saw Napoleon I, while on one of his
expeditions into the German country. He is a member
of the Reformed church.
Jacob Fouts is entitled to a notice among the early
settlers, as one of those who gave vigor and enthusiasm
to the young colony, by his kindness of heart and busi-
ness-like abilities. He was born in Ohio, June 25, 1808,
received a common school education, and married De-
cember, 1827. He came to Iowa in 1852 and was largely
interested in real estate, owning at one time ten hundred
and ten acres of land in this township. This, at his
death, he equally divided among his children. He died
May 27, 1874, and his wife followed him August 20th,
in the same year. His children are as follows: Mahala,
who married W. W. Morton, and now resides in Nevada;
Davis Fouts, who married Julia Albert (said to have
been the first wedding in the township), si.\ children be-
ing the issue of the marriage. They now reside in Wood-
bury county, Iowa; W. H. Fouts married Mary Romig,
and has two children, a boy and a girl. He still resides
in the township, having passed the most of his days as a
merchant in Brandon. He has now retired to his farm,
three miles northeast of that village, where he spends his
days in peace and quiet, with his happy family. Eslie
married C. C. Morton and is now living on a farm near
Brandon; they have si.\ children: Susan, married G.
W. Short; they have six children and live in the town-
ship. Albert F. Fouts, a hardware dealer in Brandon, is
married to Amelia Muchmore, by whom he has three
children. Emeretta J., is married to D. B. Stickman, a
farmer in the township, and has four children. Thus the
reader will notice that the Fouts family is a numerous
one.
A\'illiam Rouse settled here in February, 1851, on land
which he afterward entered from the Government, and
now lives on it. He is a Tennesseean, having been born
in May, 1813. When a boy he emigrated to Indiana
and married there. He was at one time the owner of
three hundred acres of land in this township, but he has
divided it up among his sons, reserving for himself, a
homestead of a hundred and twenty acres. His children
are: Margaret, Joseph, John, Andrew, William, Elsy,
and Jacob, all married except two. He has thirteen
grandchildren and all boys but one. When he first
came to the township his whole property was a span of
horses, a wagon, and two hundred dollars in money.
John Rouse, or Jack, as he was familiarly called, father
of William, became a resident of Iowa in 1851, and set-
tled in section thirteen, where he owned and tilled a little
farm of twenty acres. He was a native of South Caro-
lina, and in early life, emigrated to Tennessee, where
he was married. Then he removed to Indiana, and
from there to Iowa. He was a great hunter and spent
most of his time hunting deer, wild turkeys, wolves, rac-
coons, etc. In his hunting expeditions he almost invaria-
bly travelled on horseback. As the country became settled
up, game became scarce and he grew dissatisfied. So,
in 1862, he moved to Nebraska, where he now resides,
at the age of ninety-one years. The first election of the
township was held at his log house, and he was elected
one of the magistrates.
• Abel Cox, a son-in-law of John Rouse, and a native of
Indiana, came in the spring of 1851, settling near Rouse's,
on a part of the same section, a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres. He was also a Nimrod of no mean order,
his unerring rifle having brought down many a fleet deer.
When hunting, his invariable custom was to walk. In
i860, he sold out and left for better hunting-grounds, in
Nebraska, where he still resides, often pursuing the swift-
footed game.
Nicholas Albert, a native of Germany, born in Bavaria,
March 21, 1806, settled in this township in the fall of
1850. He came to the United States April 11, 1832;
was a shoe-maker, having learned the trade in father-
land. His sister and another lady came with him, the
latter of whom, on landing at New York city, he mar-
ried. His money being exhausted, she furnished the
40 6
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
wedding fee and paid tine expenses of herself, husband,
and sister to Pennsylvania, where they first settled. Soon
after his arrival he built a log house (for no others were
then in fashion), into which the family moved and passed
the winter. He has now retired from business and lives
in a neat cottage near where he first settled. The names
of his children are, Louisa, Henry A., Peter T., Cath-
arine, and W. A. Albert, who is a carpenter, unmarried,
and lives at home with the old folks. The youngest is
Maggie.
John Frink settled here in 1852, coming from Illinois.
He had a family of grown-up boys. He first settled in
a grove, three miles north of Brandon, which still bears
his name. He was a native of New York, and one of
the first magistrates in the township. His sons were
John, Alonzo, and George. Alonzo and George left
soon after, not remaining here but a few years. John,
the father, died in i860, then one of the oldest in the
place. The son, John, still remains, and was married to
Miss Pella. In those early days he kept a hotel, and as
it was on the State road, he did a large business. He
also had the honor (such as it was) of keeping the first
and only whiskey shop ever kept in Jefferson township.
In that locality, in those days (we are sorry to say), but
little regard was paid to morality. Alonzo Frink, after
leaving, together with his family, settled in Minnesota;
and we have of him a sad, but true tale to relate. His
wife and children were killed by the Indians, without any
provocation whatever. Then it was that Alonzo swore
eternal vengeance against the red man. He now follows
the life of a hunter, and many are the Indians that have
fallen before his unerring rifle. The dread of the In-
dians, he refuses friendship from their hands.
ORG.^NIZATION.
Jefferson was set off as a separate township, by order
of the county judge, March i, 1852, the record of
the transaction being as follows: "It is ordered by the
court that township eighty-seven, range nine, and town-
ship eighty-seven, range ten, of the county of Buchanan,
compose one precinct to be called Jefferson precinct,
and that an election be held in said precinct, on the first
Monday in April next, at the house of John Rouse. A
change was made in the township on the twenty-ninth of
July, 185S, when congressional township eighty-seven,
range nine, was severed therefrom and constituted one
township, under the natiie of Homer.
The first election was held at the house of John Rouse
in accordance with the above order, and eleven votes
were cast. J. B Stainbrook, Abel Co.x, and Joseph
Rouse, were elected trustees; John Rouse and John
Frink, justices; Alonzo Frink, assessor; and John Rice,
township clerk. The second election was held where
Brandon now stands, on Lime creek, with about the
same number of votes. The present officers are as fol-
lows: John Bain and Joseph Bunce, justices; Eli Fouts,
H. F. Miller, and John Kipford, trustees; W. T. Bryan,
township clerk; B. B. Brown and E. W. Sweet, constables.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The pioneer church in Jefferson township was the
Methodist. In an early day religious services were had
at private houses, and it was some time before a house
of worship could be obtained. In May, 1856, Rev. D.
Donaldson organized the first society at the house of J.
G. Williams, with only five members — J. G. Williams,
Caroline F. Williams, Thomas Brandon, his wife, and
daughter Maria. It may not be out of place to state
the circumstances under which this society was formed.
Mr. Williams was one day standing in the street when he
noticed a person passing on horseback, and, thinking
from his clerical appearance that he might be a minister,
he hailed him. The minister stopped that night and
held religious services and organized (as above stated)
the first Methodist class in the township. They now
own a good meeting-house and parsonage, and have an
organ. Their property is valued at one thousand five
hundred dollars, and is all out of debt, and have a mem-
bership of seventy-five persons. Rev. B. A. Wright is
the present pastor.
The Wesleyan Methodist was organized in February,
1867, with some twenty-five members, and D. P. Parker
as their preacher. The present number is about twenty,
located in the southeastern part of the township. Rev.
George Allen is the present preacher.
Reformed church in the United States was organized
December i, i860, with twenty members, being mostly
composed of Germans. Rev. Joshua Raile was the first
preacher. They are now the owners of a good house of
worship, with a bell and organ, and have services and a
Sabbath-school each Sabbath. The present membership
is about forty, and the Rev. Thomas Lund is the pastor.
BRANDON.
This, the only village in the township, is in the south-
western part. The village was platted and laid out by
S. P. Brainard, Jacob Fouts, and E. C. Wilson, in 1854.
The first stock of goods and store kept there was by S.
P. Brainard, who soon after took as a partner W. H.
Fouts; subsequently sold to Fouts, who continued the
business for a number of years. The following are some
of the principal business establishments; and nearly
every business and profession is represented, except the
legal — there is no lawyer, but there are four physicians:
Wagon-shops, Robert McLaughlin and William A.
Albert; drug stores, Benjamin Muchmore and Hyde &
Bissell; dry goods, McLeish, Edwards & Co.; grocery,
J. N. Bissel; hardware, A. F. Fouts; blacksmiths, Robi-
son Lamb, and S. Ackman & Brother ; houses of wor-
ship, Methodist Episcopal church and Reformed church;
a laige public school-house; physicians, Benjamin Much-
more, Merrill J. Hyde, John Bain, and Dr. Stevens; a
cornet band, with W. Bryan as leader ; harness-shop,
William Bain ; hotel, D. L. Brown ; creamery, R. J.
Jackway. This latter was established in the summer of
1880, and is operated upon the plan of gathering the
cream from the farmers instead of the milk. Thus far it
seems very satisfactory. One thing strikes the stranger
as out of the general order of things, and that is an entire
absence of drinking saloons. The people are certainly
to be congratulated. The population is between one
hundred and fifty and two hundred. The first white
child born here was Martha J. Stainbrook, daughter of
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
407
J. B. Stainbrook and granddaughter of Peter Albert.
She was born August 27, 1850, and is now the wife of
Simon E. Masters. She still resides in the township and
is the mother of five beautiful children, whose names are
as follows: Mertie C, Carrie B., Jessie I)., Joseph B.,
and Minnie S. Mr. Stainbrook had not been in the
township but a short time before Martha Jane's birth.
Jacob Fouts built a saw-mill at Brandon on Lime
creek in 1854, which remained standing for some twenty
years, when the business not proving remunerative the
building was taken down.
A cemetery was established here, on a Mr. Beachler's
farm about a mile from Brandon, in 1853, and the first
person buried there was a little girl by the name of Pella,
who was accidentally burned to death. She was out in
the yard with her father, who was burning brush, and her
dress taking fire, before assistance could be rendered she
was so badly burned that she died in a short time.
This was the first death since the settlement of the town-
ship, in June, 1850. The second was Noah Naylor, a
promising young man of eighteen years of age, in 1854.
In 1859 a second cemetery was established near Bran-
don, and joining the plat on the west. A third is located
two miles east of Brandon, at Green Wood chapel, under
the control of the Wesleyan Methodists.
The postmasters were appointed in the order given,
as follows: S. P. Brainard being the first, W. H. Fouts,
A. B. Edwards, James Romig, J. N. Bissell and Nellie
Bissell. There has never been but one office in the
township and there is a tri-weekly mail.
Darwin Youndt & Co. have an establishment here for
the purpose of making sorghum, located two and one-
half miles east of Biandon. Each fall they make some
two thousand or three thousand gallons. The busi-
ness is of great advantage to the people. A. W. Jewell
and J. C. Williams were the pioneers in the manufacture
of this article in the township. They made a machine
with their own hands, which is reported to have done
good work, although somewhat rude in its structure.
SCHOOLS.
The earliest school in the township was a private or
subscription school. We have seen a paper that was
circulated in the township for the purpose of raising
money to hire a teacher and buy a stove ; and Jacob
Fouts gave them the use of a log house in what is now
the village of Brandon. The school was taught by Mrs.
William Boyles. Under such circumstances twenty
scholars gathered for instruction, ten of whom are still
living in the township and heads of families. This was
in the winter of 1854-55. The first school-house was
built in Brandon on Lime creek, by Ed. Webster.
Soon after the building of the one in Brandon another
was built in the Lizer district and one in the Boone dis-
trict. In 1880 a large, fine school-house was built in
Brandon. There are now ten schools in the township.
Among the early teachers are R. P. Nelson, a resident
of the township, and Wellington Town.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
The pioneer physicians were B. F. Muchmore, J. B.
Darling, and Dr. Stimpson. The first Iiotel was kept by
E. C. Wilson. The first blacksmith was Fred Youndt.
The first entry of land was made by William McCay, in
section twenty-eight. The first wedding that we can
find any account of was solemnized August 5, 1852,
between Davis Fouts and Julia Albert. They resided in
the township until February, 1877, when they moved to
Sloan, Woodbury county, Iowa, where they are now
living. Six children were born to them. George Frink,
George Lauderdale and C. O. Morton have good but
small orchards, all young and growing. Frink and Lau-
derdale have made cider in small quantities.
Lime creek passes from the north in a southwesterly
direction through the township. Bear creek is in the
southeast part; Mud creek in the centre; in the north
Spring creek. About one and one-half miles east of
Brandon is a small pond, covering half an acre of land,
which has never failing water.
In 1855 the corn crop was entirely destroyed by an
early frost coming August 31; and in 1856 a terrible
hail storm passed through the township, coming from the
north, destroying the entire crop, nothing being left to
harvest and scarcely a grain shrub remained standing.
Roofs of houses were blown off, and one or two houses
were blown down. Even the bark on the north side of
the trees was torn off It was the most severe and de-
structive hail storm that has ever visited this township or
county in the recollection of the oldest settlers. The
following winter was a very severe one, the settlers suf-
fering for the common necessities of life. A very deep
snow came — four feet on a level; and after it fell, it
rained and then froze, making a very thick, hard crust on
the snow — hard enough to bear up a horse. Many of
the settlers subsisted on boiled corn, which they obtained
in Linn county, for one dollar and twenty-five cents per
bushel. Many of the young children were without
shoes and boots, and the brave settler was compelled to
sell his trusty rifle to buy bread for his starving family.
The deer, not able to run upon the crust, became an easy
p»ey. The wolves were bold and fierce.
The first fruit was raised in the township by John S.
Bouck. He is said to have started here the very first
fruit nursery in the county; and here at one time he had
a good orchard, located in the northwestern part of the
township. But now that once beautiful and productive
orchard is dead, killed by severe weather in winter.
Those who first settled in this township became so
well satisfied that they, for the most part, have remained
in it, and they and their descendants have peopled it.
And we venture the closing remark, without fear of con-
tradiction, that there is not another township in the
county that has retained so large a number of its old
pioneers as Jefferson.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Lyman N. Bissell was born in Ticonderoga, Essex
county. New York, October 26, 1854. He was educated
in an academy at Ticonderoga, in the public schools of
Independence, and at Iowa City. In 1868 he came
with his parents to Independence. In 1873 he came to
Brandon, Jefferson township, where he engaged in gen-
eral merchandise business with his father, though devoting
4o8
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
a part of his time to teaching, and was at one time prin-
cipal of the Brandon schools. In March of iS8o he en-
gaged in general merchandise and drug business with Dr.
M. J. Hyde, with whom he is building up a large trade.
In politics he is a Republican, though he was a Demo-
crat until a year ago, when he had "his eyes opened."
Dr. M. J. Hyde was born in Isle Lamoile, in Lake
Champlain part of Addison county, Vermont, April 2,
1854. When seven years old he went to New Haven;
and, seven years later, he again moved to Plainwell, Al-
legan county, Michigan. His education was obtained at
Plainwell and the State university, Ann Arbor, from which
he graduated M. D., March, 1876. After graduating, for
a short time he located at Brandon, Buchanan county,
Iowa. In March, of 1880, he went into the drug busi-
ness with Lyman Bissell, also continuing his professional
duties.
D. A. McLeish was born in Perthshire, Scotland, Febru-
ary 28, 1844. In 1848 he immigrated with his mother — his
father having been lost at sea two years before — to the
County Perth, Canada. He was educated in the com-
mon schools, attending for a short time the Stratford
high school. When about eighteen he began teaching,
and continued this profession after he came to Iowa in
1865, teaching some eleven terms in Buchanan county.
During the fall of 1873 was elected county auditor and
served two terms. During the spring of 1878 he engaged
in the mercantile business with Thomas Edwards and A.
T. McDonald, buying out the store of J. M. Ramsey.
They have increased the trade done by their predecessor
and are still increasing the amount done the first year.
In 1868 was married to Lena N. Bowersock of Brandon,
Iowa, a native of Ohio, and an adopted daughter of A.
Oler, bv whom he has four children: Mary Louise, Mar-
garet, Harriet Webster, and William Oler. He is a mem-
ber of the Reformed German Lutheran church. In pol-
itics he is an earnest, working Republican, though he
was elected auditor on the Anti-monopoly ticket.
D. L. Brown was born in Maytown, Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, December 31, 1824. He was raised on a
farm, receiving his education at the common schools —
being able, on account of threshing, to attend school but
five days one winter, and twelve another. When seven-
teen he was apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade;
worked at it but one year after serving his time of three
and a half years. In 1850 he commenced farming on
the old home place, where he remained until the spring
of 1855, when he sold out and came to West Union, Fay-
ette county. The colony that came out with him took
the cholera, and some seventeen died from it. Abraham
Hess' death deranged the plans of the colony, so that
within a week they left West Union and went to South
Bend, Indiana, where he bought and managed a farm
and engaged in the manufacture of bricks. In three
years he returned to Pennsylvania, and then farmed for
three years, and was engaged in distilling for three years.
He went, in 1867, to Lock, Clinton county, where he
engaged in the wholesale liquor business until March 10,
1 87 1, when he was financially ruined by fire. He then
was without regular employment until he came to Bran-
don, in the spring of 1878. Here he engaged in the
hardware business for two years, when he bought the
Exchange hotel, of which he is now the genial host. On
March 10, 1846 he was married to a lady of York county,
Pennsylvania, by whom he has had seven children — El-
mira, born March 5, 1847; Emma, born April 10, 1849;
John W., born May, 2, 1851; Zulime, born January 7,
1853; David, born June 15, 1855; Lovada Mabelle,
born November 20, 1857 ; and Henry, born February
14, 1862, and died in August, 1863.
Dr. B. P. Muchmore was born in Hamilton county,
Ohio, February 7, 1827. In 1834 he moved with his
parents to Fayette county, Indiana. His common school
education was received in the public schools of Ohio and
Indiana. When about sixteen years of age he began
reading medicine with Dr. Parker, of Fayette county,
Indiana, and attended lectures at the Eclectic Medical
college, of Cincinnati, when nineteen years of age, and
graduated from this institution in 1845. He located as
practicing physician at Selma, Delaware county, Indiana,
remaining three years. In the fall of 1854 he located in
Spring Creek, Black Hawk county, and two years after-
ward at Brandon, where has remained until the present
time. In 1874 he purchased the stock of drugs of John
Bain, and, with an interim of one year, has conducted
the store to the present time. On September 28, 1846,
he was married to Elizabeth J. Hardesty, of Fayette
county, Indiana, by whom he had six children — Stephen
C, born June 8, 1847; Frances, born August 4, 1849;
Mary Ellen, born July 13, 185 i; Sarah Jane, born Sep-
tember 9, 1853, and died in October, 1854; Oliver Ed-
win, born March 31, 1867; and Elizabeth Alice, born
January 3, 1869, and died September 9, i86g. In Feb-
ruary, 1869, his wife died, and on December 15, 1869,
he was married to Nancy J. Clements, of Laurel, Fayette
county, Indiana, a pupil and teacher of Brooklyn college,
Indiana, by whom he had two children — Isaac B., born
October 9, 1871, and Charles K., born August i, 1876.
He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and in politics he has always been a Republican.
J. M. Romig was born in Richfield township, Wash-
ington county, Wisconsin, May 29, 1849. When thirteen
years old he removed to Jefferson township, Buchanan
county, Iowa. His education was received in the public
schools of Wisconsin. When seventeen he clerked for
his father in a general merchandise store, and when
twenty-one bought the stock of his father and continued
in trade until 1878, since which time he has been en-
gaged in farming. He has a farm of one hundred and
eighty-eight acres under good cultivation, one-half mile
northeast of Brandon. This he manages as a grain farm.
On November 25, 1870, he was married to Sarah New-
comb, of Independence, and a native of Westfield,
Chautauqua county. New York, by whom he has three
children: Myron I,., born April 2, 1873; Frank Guy,
born October 20, 1877; Lyma G., born May 4, 1878.
A. F. Fouts was born in Greene county, Wisconsin,
January 23, 1847. In the fall of 1862 he went with his
parents to Harrison township, Benton county, and three
years afterwards his father moved to Jefferson township,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
409
Buchanan county, and located near Brandon. His edu-
cation was received in the Brandon schools, and his oc-
cupation has been that of farming. In 1868 he bought
an eighty-acre farm which, after working for a time, he
sold and bought three forties, which he sold about five
years ago and engaged in blacksmithing. About one year
ago he bought a stock of hardware of J. M. Romig, and
is now engaged in that business. On July 4, 1865, he
was married to Miss Muchmore, of Brandon, Iowa, by
whom he has three children: Arthur E., born April 6,
1867; Alice May, born March 24, 1870; Adalbert K,
born December 24, 1872. In politics he is a Democrat
and an active worker, having been a number of times a
delegate to the county conventions. Mr. Touts has in-
creased the amount of the stock that he originally pur-
chased, and is steadily building up a good trade.
A. B. Edwards was born in Romulus, Seneca county,
New York, January 18, 1822. When six years old he
removed to Seneca Falls in the same county. His edu-
cation was received at the public schools and Seneca
Falls academy. His occupation has been that of a
farmer, working with his father, and in 1S45 he began
farming for himself, and continued at this in Seneca
county until 1856. In May, 1856, he came to Jefferson
township, and bought sixty-two acres, to which he has added
from time to time until he now has one hundred and
forty-two acres in Jefferson and some timber land in
Benton county. The farm near Brandon he still farms
himself. On November 5, 1845, he was married to Irene
Johnson, Horseheads, Chemung county, New York. He
has no children but an adopted daughter, Cairie Ed-
wards. She was born April 17, 1868. In politics he is
a Democrat, and has been frequently appointed a dele-
gate to county and other conventions. He was assessor
of Jefiferson township some twelve years, and was post-
master at Brandon eleven years.
Nicholas Albert was born in Bavaria, Germany, March
21, 1806. His education was received in the common
schools of Germany. When about eleven years of age
he commenced the shoemakers' trade, and worked dur-
ing the summer time at (arming with his father, until he
was twenty-six years old. In 1832 he came to this
country — Crawford county, Pennsylvania — working on
the canal in summer and at his trade winters, and for
five years worked for James Hyde at Midwell. He then
bought a little place in Crawford county and began farm-
ing. In 1850 he left Pennsylvania and immigrated to
Jefferson township, where he bought a land warrant for
an eighty, and soon bought an adjoining eighty, which
he improved and worked until 1866 when he moved into
Brandon and let his boys work the farm. About two
years ago he sold the farm and has since been engaged
in no business, determining in his old age to take life
easier. On July 7, 1832, he was married to Margaret
Weidenbach of the same place with himself, by whom
he has eight children — Louis, born April 17, 1835;
Henry A., born February 2, 1837; Peter D., born Janu-
ary 28, 1839; Fred, born November 5, 1841; Katie,
born April 5, 1843; William A., September 7, 1845;
Eva, born August 20, 1848, died in early childhood, and
Margarette, born .-Xpril 3, 1851. He is a member of the
Reform church in the United States, of which he has
been a member over sixty years. In politics he is a
Democrat (though formerly a Whig), and has held num-
erous township offices.
Henry F. Miller was born in Holstein, Germany,
November i, 1840. His education was gained in the
schools of the Fatherl.md. In 1852 his parents immi-
grated to America and located at Davenport. Here he
remained two years, and then moved to Lyons, Iowa,
where he made his home until the close of the war.
When fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to learn
the blacksmith trade, but did not finish the apjirentice-
ship on account of the failure of the firm to which he
was bound. He then worked at Lyons until the sixth
of May, 1861, when he enlisted in company I, Second
Iowa infantry volunteers, and seived three years in the
west. He was at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, etc.,
and came through with but a slight wound. In July of
1865 he came to Jefferson township, where he bought
forty acres, to which he has since added until he has a
farm of one hundred and thirty acres under good culti-
vation. This he inanages, besides working at his trade
in a shop on his place, two miles northwest of Brandon.
In November, 1864, he was married to Elizabeth B.
Schlagel, of Lyons, Iowa, by whom he has five children:
Martha, born October, 1865; Lillie, born 1867; Willie,
born October, 1869; Edwin, born November i, 1872;
Bertie, born May, 1876. He was reared a Lutheran,
but at preseni does not belong to any church.
Dr. John Bain was born in Wells county, Indiana,
Mav 19, 1843. When about six years of age he re-
moved to Allen county of the same State, where he re-
mained eight years, when he came to Homer township.
His education was received in Allen county, principally
from his father. His occupation till 1875 was farming.
He then sold his fatm, and started the fir.it drug store in
Brandon. This he sold in about two years. During the
years 1875, 1^7^ ^"^ 1877 he attended medical lectures
at the State university, graduating in March, 1877.
Since graduating in medicine he has been practicing with
good success in Brandon and vicinity. He enlisted in
company G, Fifth regiment, Iowa infantry, in March,
1862. He received a detail from General Grant as
hospital steward, and served in this capacity at St. Louis,
on the Mississippi, and was stationed the longest at
Chattanooga, Tennessee. In March, 1865, was dis-
charged. September 23, 1866, he was married to Louisa
J. Elliot, of Jefferson township, by whom he has four
children: Wilson W., bi)rn April 9, 1868; Elizabeth O.,
born December 10, 1869; Nellie B., born April 13, 1871,
and Susan L., born September 22, 1873. He has been
a member in good standing of the Christian church for
thirteen years. In politics he is a Republican.
C. C. Morton was born in the State of Illinois, Oc-
tober 25, 1835. When about four years old his parents
removed to Greene county, Wisconsin. His education
was received in the common schools of Greene county,
though the educational facilities were not excellent. In
November, 1857, he immigrated to Jefferson township.
4IO
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land,
one-half mile southwest of Brandon, which he has im-
proved and lived upon till the present time. This he
has managed as a grain farm ; but during the last year
or two has been changed to a stock farm. March 24,
1857, he was married to Elsie E. Fouts, of Brandon, by
whom he has six children : Addie, born November 8,
1858 ; Edgar Thomas, born November i, 1862 ; Minnie,
born February 21, 1863; Jacob W., born September 22,
1865; William Emmett, born September 17, 1870, and
Pearl, born May 10, 1876. In politics he is a Demo-
crat, though in no sense a politician.
E. Bower was born near Sandusky, Ohio, December
2, 1838. When about ten years of age removed with his
parents to Linn county, where he remained about two
years, and then came to Jefferson township in the spring
of 185 1. His education was principally received at the
Marion schools. His life-long occupation has been that
of a farmer — beginning for himself in i86r, having pur-
chased the farm on which he now lives in 1857. It con-
sists of eighty acres, which he manages as a stock and
grain farm. June 24, i860, he was married to Mary
Jane Maberly, a native of Mercer county, Illinois, then
of Black Hawk county, Iowa, by whom he has six
children: Rebecca, born June 2, 1861; Florence, born
August 22, 1865; Anna, born November 28, 1866;
Elven, born September 8, i867;Libbie, born August
22, 1870, and Elijah, born October 28, 1874.
George Pelly was born in Ontario county. New York,
May 26, 1838. When about six years old his parents
removed to Winnebago county, Illinois, where he lived
about six years, and then moved into Jefferson town-
ship. His education was received at the common
schools. His occupation has been that of a farmer.
When twenty-one he began farming for himself on his
own farm. He now has one hundred and sixty acres of
good land, three miles west of Brandon. His farm is all
under good cultivation, and is managed as a stock farm.
April 30, 1868, he was married to Alzina Day, a native
of Ohio, a teacher then living at Amana, Iowa, by whom
he has one child: Gertrude A. Pelly, born August 13,
1870. In politics he is a straightforward Republican.
G. H. Lauderdale was born in Burlington, Vermont,
September 19, 1816. When about three years of age his
parents removed to White Creek, \Vashington county.
New York, where he remained about four years; then to
Groton, Tompkins county. New York, and then, in 1826,
to Ovid, Seneca county; thence to York, Livingston
county, New York, for three years; thence to Springville,
Erie county, two years; then to Eden, Erie county; and
from thence, about 1836, to Wayne county, Ohio, where
he remained until 1850. ' He began, when thirteen years
old, to learn the tailor's trade, and worked at it for
twenty years. In the spring of 1850 he went overland
to California, and engaged in mining with some success,
and returned during November of the same year; went
back in the spring of 1852, and remained eighteen
months; engaged as before, at Goldfield, etc. After sell-
ing his property in Ohio he came, in 1854, to Jefferson
township, where he entered three forties, and then
bought two eighties of prairie and twenty-eight of timber.
This he improved and lived upon until 1872, when he
sold out and bought the Woodruff farm of over two hun-
dred acres, two and a half miles west of Brandon. Sep-
tember 5, 1839, he was married to Mary Jane Pocock, of
Wayne county, Ohio, by whom he has had three chil-
dren: Edward I., born May 6, 1842; Frank, born March
22, 1844, and died September 25, 1S64; and John W.,
born May 7, 1S46. Frank died at Davenport, on his
return from service in the south. In politics Mr. Lau-
derdale is a Republican "every time;" is a leader in the
township; has been a delegate to the county conventions
and a prominent official in the township for many years.
In 1872 he bought an interest in a hardware store at In-
dependence, and continued in business for a short time.
He built the house that Judge Tabor now resides in, but
in six months removed to his farm.
Daniel B. Steckman, one of eleven children, was born
in Munroe township, Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
January 8, 1833. His education was received at the
public schools of Pennsylvania. His life-long occupa-
tion has been that of a farmer, and, until coming to
Iowa, he worked with his brother, living with his father
till he died on the old place. In the fall of 1856 he im-
migrated to Spring Creek township. Black Hawk coun-
ty, Iowa, having stopped that summer in Lee county,
Illinois. He bought a farm of eighty acres, which he
worked until 1870, when he bought one hundred and
sixty acres of wild land in Jefferson township, which he
built upon and improved and lived upon for five years,
and in the fall of 1876 bought the place of seventy-
eight acres on which he now lives, one-half a mile north-
west of Brandon. This he manages as a stock farm.
November 29, 1866, he was married to Emma J. Fouts,
of Brandon, by whom he has four children: Mahala E.,
born December 19, 1867; Susie A., born April 14, 1869,
died July 8, 1872; George W., born September 28, 1871;
Alva B., born January 27, 1874; and Minnie A., born
October i, 1879.
J. S. Frink was born at Forestville, Chautauqua county,
New York, December 10, 1822. Here he remained
until he was twelve years old, and then went to Erie
county, where he lived two years — thence to Genesee
county, living there three years; from there in Septem-
ber, 1839, moved to Winnebago county, Illinois. His
education was received in the public schools, but the
most of his boyhood days were spent in a saw-mill, where,
in figuring with lumber, he gained a practical education.
After he w-ent to Illinois, he learned the carpenter and
joiner's trade with his father, at which he worked a great
deal for a number of years. He and his father con-
tracted for and built the first court house at Rockford,
and'other large buildings. In the spring of 1850 he,
with seven others, went to Chickasaw county, Iowa, and
squatted on a piece of land on which the village of Brad-
ford now stands. Here he built a house, hauling the
timber from Cedar Falls, and made other improvements.
One Watson, whom they had sheltered and fed, took their
farms from them. In the spring of 1851 he went to
Eldorado county, California, kept a boarding house and
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
411
store of general merchandise, and was away about three
years, making a fortune in that time. He then came to
Jefferson township and entered over three thousand
acres, and for several years was engaged in breaking up
and improving land, and kept a public house at Frink's
Grove, now Sunny Side. In 1855 he started a store of
general merchandise which he continued for four years.
After he returned from the army, he bought a quarter
section, two and a half miles northwest of Brandon, which
he improved; but, in 1869, he sold that and his old
home and bought a quarter section three miles east of
Brandon, on a part of which he now lives. In the spring
of 1862 he enlisted in company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa
volunteer infantry and served until the close of the war;
but, in 1864, was transferred to the invalid corps at
Washington. He served in Missouri, Tennessee, Miss-
issippi, and Arkansas, and was at Lookout Mountain,
Vicksburgh and Coldwater. April 9, 1845 he was mar-
ried to Mary Gill, of Madison county. New York, then
residing in Winnebago county, Illinois, by whom he has
seven children : Ellen M., born January 23, 1847, died
September 2-8, 1849; Aaron, born June 15, 1849; Jane
N., March 26, 1851; Lewis N., February 24, 1854;
Hattie A., 4i5ril 5, 1S57; Ida May, Februarys, 1859;
Thomas L., November 24, 1861. Jane N. died June
24, 1880. In politics Mr. Frink is, of course, a Re-
publican, and has been frequently a delegate to impor-
tant conventions. He is a man who has a more varied
experience than the common lot of men. He is a man
of good information, a good neighbor, and a man well
known through the country.
George Frink was born at Hanover, Chautauqua
county, New York, January, 1835. When he was five
years old, his parents moved to Winnebago county,
Illinois, and settled on a farm near Rockford. His
education was gained in the public schools of Winne-
bago county. His life-long occupation has been that of
a farmer. In the summer of 185 1 his folks moved to
Jefferson township, where his father entered a quarter
section which is known as Frink's Grove. When he was
twenty-one years old, he took this farm, and has owned
and lived upon it until the present time. This he
manages as a general farm. On the first of August,
1862, he enlisted in company C, Twenty-seventh Iowa
volunteer infantry and served until the close of the war.
He was at Pleasant Hill, Nashville, Blakely, etc. No-
vember 12, 1867, he was married to Elizabeth Murphy, a
native of Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, and then of Sunny
Side, Jefferson township. She was born June 30, 1840.
He formerly was a Republican, but latterly has allied
himself with the National Greenback party; but never
has been a politician. He is the postmaster at Sunjiy
Side, formerly Frink's (jrove, having held that position
some five years.
^Valter Jamison is of Scottish descent, and was born
in Oswego county, New York, January 22, 1843. When
eight years of age his parents removed to Mayville, Chau-
tauqua county. New York. At the common schools and
the academy .of this place he gained his education, at-
tending principally during the winter time. When eigh-
teen he enlisted in company G, Seventy-second New-
York infantry (volunteer). His was at fiist the third
regiment of General Sickle's Excelsior brigade. He was
discharged the fourth of March, 1864, but reenlisted on
the ninth of September of that year in the Veteran Re-
serve corps and served until November, 1865. On the
twelfth of March of the following year he came to Jef-
ferson township, where he bought a farm of ninety-five
acres, which he now works and lives upon. July 4, 1868,
he was married to Martha H. Newcpmb, then of Jeffer-
son township, who was born July 13, 1850. They have
three children: Milton C, born November 2, 1870;
Robert H., born May 6, 1875; and Mary E., born No-
vember 21, 1S78. Mr. Jamison is a leading Republican
in his township, and besides frequently serving as a dele-
gate to the important conventions, he has taken a promi-
nent part in the administration of the township affairs.
H. S. Van Burcn was born at Charlottsville, Schoharie
county, New York, August, 1838. His education was
received at the New York Conference seminary. In
1856 he moved with his parents to Walworth county,
Wisconsin, and located on a farm. He remained upon
his father's farm until i860, when he went to Central
City, Colorado, where he remained three years, engaged
in mining. In the fall of 1863 he moved to Waterloo,
Iowa. At this place he was farming for two years, and
then for three years w-as in the grain business at Inde-
pendence, and during the tivo following years was engaged
in the mercantile business at Brandon, with Isaac Romig.
After selling out at Brandon he returned to Waterloo
w^here, for seven years, he was in the grocery trade. In
1877 he again moved into Jefierson township and bought
a farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres, on which
he now lives. December 31, 1863, he was married to
Harriet Romig of Brandon. She was born July 11,
1845, and has borne three children: Mary E., born Jan-
uary 12, 1866; Charles Centennial, born October 9,
1876; and James Clinton, born October 12, 1878.
D. F. Fary was born at Galen, Wayne county. New
York, August 18, 1S28. When about a year old his
parents moved to Chautauqua county, remaining there
seven years, when they moved to Columbiana county,
Ohio. Four years later they removed to Washington
county, and two years afterward to Henry county, Illi-
nois. His opportunities for attending school were limit-
ed. He worked at home until he was seventeen, when
he bought his time and worked for wages upon a farm
for nine years. During the spring of 1850 he came to
Sabula, Jackson county, Iowa. During the spring of
1865 he moved to Jefferson township, where he bought
a farm of eighty acres, on which he lived until three years
ago, when he bought his present farm of eighty acres,
one mile northwest of Brandon. October 24, 1858, he
was married to Mary A. Marr, a native of Sinco, Onta-
rio, and then residing in Jackson county. She was born
March 12, 1842, and has been the mother of seven
children: Abner S., born July 9, 1859, died May 14,
1863; Mary Helen, born October 28, i860, died April
13, 1863; Maggie A., born June i, 1862, died June 30,
1864; Olive May, born July 28, 1865; Charles David,
412
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
born February i6, 1867, died February 27, 1867; Wil-
ber F., bnrn September 2, 1868, died March 23, 1870;
and William Marr, born February 7, 1879. In politics
Mr. Fary is a Douglas Democrat.
J. L. Scoggin was born in Tennessee, April 28, 1835.
His schooling was obtained in subscription schools of
Tennessee, but his educational advantages were few.
When sixteen he went to Davis county, Indiana, where
he remained two years, engaged at farming, which has
been his occupation. In 1854 he went to Greene coun-
ty, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1865, when he
came to Jefferson township. Here he bought a farm of
eighty acres, one and one-half miles northwest of Bran-
don, to which he has added the same amount. This
quarter section is all under cultivation, and is farmed by
himself In 1864 he enlisted in company I, Fifth Wis-
consin, and was at Petersburgh, Cedar Creek, and other
West Virginia battles. He was discharged on the twen-
tieth of June, 1865. February 23, 1862, he was married
to Clara HoUaway, a native of Greene county. She was
born April 12, 1865. He has eight children: Jacob L.,
born February 14, 1863; Cora and Dora, born June 14,
1864; Arthur, born October 7, 1866; Franklin, born
April 18, 1869, died October 10, 1870; Hattie S., born
Aprils, 1872; William Leroy, born December 9, 1875;
Clara E., born January 2, 1878; and "baby," born De-
cember 13, 1880. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Brandon, and a Republican in
politics.
George E. Peck, one of the largest farmers of the pre-
cinct, was born in Warren county, Ohio, March 31, 1S28.
When ten years old his parents moved to Montgomery
county. He was a farmer's boy, and had few opportuni-
ties for gaining an education. He worked upon his
father's farm until he was past twenty-three; and then,
after farming for himself in Ohio until 1857, he moved
to Jefferson township. Three years prior to this, how-
ever, he came to this township and entered an "eighty,"
the one on which he now lives. This farm has been en-
larged into one of three hundred and twenty acres. He
is largely engaged in stock raising. In 1851 he was mar-
ried to Sarah Ann Oldfather, a native of Montgomery
county, Ohio. She was born November q, 1831, and
has nine children — James W., born April 8, 1852; Samuel
H., born October 19, 1853; Mary Jane, born June 28,
1856; Matilda Ida, born June 13, 1859, died August 31,
1864, Rebecca Kate, born July 24, 1S62; Theodore,
born May 6, 1864; Daniel Webster, born October 27,
1867; Minnie, born February 26, 1869; and Ret, born
May 31, 1872.
A. H. Reynolds was born in Norfolk county, England,
July 6, 1 830. When two years old, his parents emigrated
to Northeast Hope, Perth county, Canada. He was ed-
ucated in the "free schools" of Canada. He early began
farming, and has been thus engaged to this time. When
twenty, he began to farm for himself in Canada, on land
on which he remained until he came to Iowa. During
the fall of 1865 he came to Jefferson township, and lo-
cated on four hundred and eighty acres of land, for
which he traded his farm in Canada. January 8, 1850,
he was married to Ann Heddrick, a native of Blackburn,
Perth county, Scotland. She died February 9, 1865.
He is the father of ten children — Ann, born March 8,
185 1, died October i, 1865; Lewis, born December 17,
1852; Eliza Ellen, born May 5, 1855; William Francis,
born April 26, 1857; Margaret Eadie, born May 12,
1859; John, born August 11, 1861, died December 22,
1861; Amelia, born November 10, 1862, died February
10, 1865; George Alfred, born December 25, 1874;
Edwin Andrew, born December 16, 1876; and Henry
Albert, born December 24, 1879. February 19, 1874,
Mr. Reynolds was married to his second wife, Susan
Cline, of Dubuque county.
E. M. Brown was born in Montgomery county, In-
diana, November 22, 1846, and is one of seven children
of Thomas H. Brown and Pheniah Perkins, who were
married on the fifteenth of September, 1831. Thomas
H. was born in Preble county, Ohio, June 9, 18 11, and
his wife September 6, 1811. When E. M. Biown was
nine years of age his parents moved to Jefierson town-
ship. His education was received there in the district
schools. When of age he began farming for himself on
the home place, the greater part of which, a few years
since, he purchased. October 27, 1870, he was married
to Miss C. Rose, who was born in Montgomery county,
Ohio, and then a resident of Benton county, Iowa. They
have four children — Alfred Rose, born October 10, 1872;
John Thomas, born September 21, 1874; George Ross,
born August 31, 1876, and Joseph Samuel, born Oc-
tober 7, 1878.
James H. Douglas is of Scotish descent, and was born
in Preston county, Virginia, November 7, 1833. He was
educated in the public schools of Virginia, but, in the
mountainous region where he lived, schools were few
and far between, and the terms of short duration. In
1855 he immigrated to Greene county, Wisconsin, where
he remained until 1864, when became to Fayette county,
Iowa. After working the farm, which he bought, for
three years, he moved to Waterloo, near which place he
bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and in
the fall of 1864 he moved upon the farm in Jefferson
township, which he now owns and lives upon. January
I, i86i,he was married to Sarah A. Moore, who was
born in Dolphin county, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1844,
and then living in Greene county, Wisconsin. They
have no children of their own, but have with them two
of a deceased brother's children — Delbert, born June 10,
1868, and Ida, born February 11, 1871. His occupa-
tion has always been farming, and since its organization
he has been a member of the Republican party.
A. B. Hoskins was born in McKane county, Pennsyl-
vania, September 11, 1835. When nine years of age his
father moved to Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa. He has
always followed farming. He worked with his father
until January, 1859, when he moved to Johnson
county. In 1869 he came to Jefferson township, hav-
ing traded his Johnson county farm for a quarter-
section of wild land in this township. This he has
improved, built upon, and added to, so that now he has
a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. May 6,
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
413
1858, he was married to Miss J. McHowell. She was
born June 4, 1837, in County Down, Ireland. They
have three children — Richard G., born May 24, 1859;
Rebecca Ann, born March 7, 1861, died July 23, 1880;
and Lois, born February 21, 1863.
HOMER.
This township is in the southern part of the county,
and has a variety of soil. Along the creeks it is sandy
and li^ht — some portions wet and springy — but, for the
most part, it is of a black productive loam, and there are
some excellent farms in the township.
0RG.\NIZAT10N.
It was set apart as an independent and separate town-
ship on the twenty-ninth day of July, 1858, as evidenced
by the record of the county court of that date, which is
as follows:
St.\te of Iowa. )
Buchanan County, j ' '
In the County Court of said County.
Be it known that, on the petition of James D. Phillips, Eh Norton,
and others, the court aforesaid, this twtrnty-ninlh day of July, 1858,
constitutes and forms a new township in s.iid county, as follows; The
whole thirty-six sections of the Congressional township eighty-seven,
range nine, in said county. And it is also ordered that the new town-
ship, thus formed, be called by the name of Homer, m accordance with
the wishes of the voters thereof.
Stephen J. W. Tabor,
County Judge.
Prior to the above order, that is, from May 22, 1852,
this township was a part of Jefferson. But, previous to
1857, there were but few settlers in what is now Homer;
the newcomers preferring to settle along the creeks, where
they found the best supplies of timber. Consequently
the first settlements in the original township of Jefferson
were along Lime creek, near the place where Brandon is
now located.
ELECTION.
The first election in Homer township was held in Sep-
tember, 1858, at the house of Nathan Norton. Twelve
votes were cast, eight of which were Democratic and
four Republican ; and the persons named, as follows, had
the honor of being elected as the first officers:
L. S. Allen, Joseph L. Norton, and Eli Norton, trus-
tees; Eli Norton and L. S. Norton, justices; L. S. Allen,
county supervisor; James Norton and D. O. Sweet, con-
stables; Joseph L. Norton, assessor; Dyer Shealy, town-
ship clerk; John Sites and James Norton, road supervis-
ors.
The present township officers are as follows : Nelson
Rodgers and E. A. North, justices; A. Pike, J. A.
Adams, and A. G. Beatty, trustees; A. K. Stanford,
clerk; George H. Norton, assessor; and Henry Barnhalt
and W. H. Potter, constables.
SETTLEMENTS.
Thomas Kendrick and family settled in this township,
on Bear creek, in the fall of 1853. For the previous two
years they had lived in Jefferson, near Able Cox's. At
this time the Kendrick family consisted of himself and
wife and two children. He made a rude shanty of poles
and boards, scarcely sufficient to protect them from the
cold weather. It had no floor but the cold ground, and
no door except a buffalo skin or blanket. They had
thirteen children, all of whom are dead. Pen of them
died in 1868, within eight weeks of each other ; some of
diphtheria and some of scarlet fever — both of those fear-
ful diseases prevailing at the same time. Provisions
were very scarce ; and for some time after coming into
the township they lived on corn bread and potatoes — the
coin of which the bread was made being ground by
members of the family in a common coffee-mill. Mr.
Kendrick's mind was so wrought upon by the death of
his children that he became insane, and survived them
only about a year. Mrs. Kendrick subsequently married
Charles Kountz, of Independence, where she is still liv-
ing. And it may be mentioned, as the culmination of a
most remarkable series of domestic afflictions, that she
has for several years been suffering from an incurable
cancer.
Price Kendrick, a brother of Thomas, settled here
next, in 1854; and with him came his two sisters,
Mrs. Holland and Mrs. Robinson, both widows ; but,
becoming dissatisfied, they remained only about four
years. About the same time with these, George Boone
settled here, in the fall of 1854, on the farm now oc-
cupied by his son. Colonel Boone. He was a native of
Ohio. At the time of his settlement here there were but
one or two settlers in the southwestern part, where he
was, and none in the eastern. He lived but a short time
after migrating to this township — dying in 1856. He
raised the first wheat in the townshiii in 1855. His
wife carried on the farm, thereafter, for some time.
They had eleven children, named as follows : Colonel
(that was the name of the eldest and not his title),
William, Martin E., James M., George C, Lucinda L.,
Lavina, Mary A., Elizabeth, Laura and Sarah. Colonel
Boone, now living on the old homestead, has nine
children — all girls but one.
D. O. Sweet settled here in 1855, coming from Essex
414
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
county, New York. He was present at the first election
in the township, and was honored with the responsible,
if not remunerative, office of constable. He has four
children, two boys and two girls. One of his sons is a
member of the well-known firm of Post & Sweet, dry
goods merchants, at Independence. He lived in Homer
about four years, then moved into Jefferson, where he
still resides. He is now seventy-four years of age, yet
hale and hearty.
Joseph L. Norton, a native of Pennsylvania, settled
here in 1855 ; and, not long after his arrival, married, as
his second wife, Sarah Kessler, who had come to Qaas-
queton, with her parents, among the first settlers of the
county, in 1S42. Mr. Norton is now living in Kansas.
Joseph McGary, a native of Ireland, came from Ver-
mont, and purchased a farm in this townshi]!, in 1858.
He erected a shanty on his land, where he and his
brother-in-law. Murphy, who came with him, kept
" bachelor's hall " for some time, until the arrival of his
two sisters — one of whom was the wife of M arphy. He
■ still owns his fine farm of six hundred and ten acres;
but he has retired from active business, and is now living
(yet unmarried) with his sister, Mrs. Joel Allen, of In-
dependence.
Lyman S. Allen, one of the earliest settlers in the
township, was born at Ticonderoga, Essex county, New
York, October 28, 1806. He was married April 5,
1833, to Angelina Whitford. They lived in New York
till 1854, when they came to Iowa, and settled in Homer
township. He was one of its first magistrates; and,
for several years, a member of the board of county
supervisors. While living in New York he was captain
of a military company. He was a descendant of -Ja-tfie's'
Ethan Allen, of Vermont, partaking largely of the sterl-
ing qualities of his distinguished ancestor. He died in
this township, November 18, 1877, leaving a widow
(still living there) and nine children. The follow^ing are
the names and a brief domestic history of the children:
Melissa A. married Jeremiah Bissel, and lives in Bran-
don ; Marion B. married Bowen B. Brown, and also
lives in Brandon; Joel O. married a sister of Joseph Mc-
Gary ; he is now dead and his widow and children are
living at Independence ; Stephen M. is married, and
lives near the old homestead ; Emma married John
Lizer and lives in Jefferson township ; Eunice married
Dr. John Jenks, and now lives in the State of Arkansas;
Evelyn married L. Cobb, who took her to the State of
Texas ; Lizzie married Eugene Crum, and removed to
Nebraska ; Kate is unmarried, and lives with her sister in
Texas. The children of Mr. Allen have all filled the
responsible position of teacher.
Nathan Norton immigrated to the township in 1855,
from McHenry county, Illinois. He was somewhat ad-
vanced in life at the time of his coming, and he has been
dead several years. His children were: Hester, married
and settled in Kansas; Hosea, who settled in Liberty
township, and died in 1S76, leaving four children; James,
married and living in Kansas; Justus, still living with his
family at Homer; Joseph, in Kansas; Selvina, married
and living in Butler county; and Nathan, the youngest.
who lives on the old homestead, and is a successful
farmer and stock raiser. Nathan Norton was a pioneer
Methodist and one of the founders of the township, the
first election having been held at his house.
John Bain settled in the township in July, 1858, on
Bear Creek, having immigrated from Indiana. The
next winter he taught school in the house of George
Boone — the first school in the west part of the town-
ship— the number of scholars being thirteen. Mr. Bain
was a native of Scotland, and came to the United States
in I S3 1. He stopped for a time in New York, and
there Elizabeth Yule, the lady to whom he was affianced,
came to him from Scotland in 1832. Upon her arrival
from the " land o' cakes '' they were immediately mar-
ried, and went to Indiana, where they lived till ihey
came to Iowa. They had nine children: Daniel, who
died quite young; Ellen, now the wife of Conrad Stites,
and living in Independence; Robert, who gave his life
to his country in our late war; John, now a physician in
Brandon; Ebenezer, engaged in a spoke and hub manu-
factory in Glenn Falls, New York; Harris, an attorney
in the same place; Nettie, now Mrs. E. E. Hasner, liv-
ing in Independence, and one of the teachers in the pub-
lic schools of that city; Amelia, married to Robert Elli-
ott, and living in Jefferson township; and Charles W.,
the youngest, a dentist in Seward, Nebraska, and yet
unmarried. John Bain, sr., died on Christmas day,
1871. After his death his widow moved to Independ-
dence, where she now lives, but she yet owns the old
family homestead in Homer. In religious belief and
connection Mr. and Mrs. Bain were Scotch Presbyteri-
ans.
Eli Norton migrated to Iowa in 1854. He first came
to Liberty township, but moved to Homer in 1855,
where he has ever since resided, and upon the farm he
first purchased. He has had ten children, two boys and
eight girls. One of his sons, W. W. Norton, lives in
Sumner township, and the other, N. F. Norton, is now
a member of the Iowa State university. His daughters
are all married. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and one of its most earnest support-
ers.
ROWLEY.
This is the only village in the township. It sprungup
in the fall of 1873, when the Burlington, Cedar Rapids
& Northern railroad was built to this place. It was
named for D. W. C. Rowley, who was secretary of the
company when the road reached here.
The business of the place is in the hands of a num-
ber of wide-awake business men. J. I. Prentiss handles
all kinds of grain and seeds, cattle and hogs — in fact,
almost anything the farmer has to sell. He is running
an elevator, and buys annually large quantities of corn
from the farmers in the south part of the county. He
has been in business here since the railroad was built,
and has done on an average business to the amount of
one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars per year.
His arrangements for handling hogs are the most con-
venient and humane that we have ever seen — an immense
house, one hundred and seventy-six feet long by twenty-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA
415
four wide, divided into thirty-six commodious pens, being
provided for their comfort. He has a steam engine
by which he shells his corn and grinds feed for his hogs.
Mr. Prentiss is a thorough business man and a great
benefit to the place.
J. W. Cooper opened the first store here in 1873.
The dry goods and grocery trade is now represented
by C. E. Hawley & Co.; groceries alone, by J. B. Edgell;
dealers in lumber, William J. Miller, and D. C. Tuttle ;
hotel keeper ("Rowley House"), George H. Norton;
blacksmith and wagon shop, by Slater & Wilson, who
have in their shop an eight-horse-power engine, by which
they are doing a large amount of work, especially in the
manufacture of wagons; shoemaker, Mr. Oessmer; drug-
gist and physician, Dr. O. G. McCauley.
There is one saloon in the place, kept by "a jolly Ger-
man," who, it is believed, dispenses nothing but the fa-
vorite beverage of his countrymen.
The Presbyterians and Methodists have each a house
of worship here.
The railroad station agent and telegraph operator is A.
Allen; postmistress, Mrs. J. W. Cooper.
A creamery was established here in September, 1879,
by R. I. Jakway, upon the plan of procuring the cream
from the farmers, instead of the milk, as is the usual
custom. He buys the cream by the inch, sending teams
around among the farmers to collect it. It has thus far
proved a success, profitable alike to the proprietors and
to the farmers.
RELIGIOUS.
The Methodists were the pioneer church of the
township. A class was formed here in 185S by the Rev.
John Fawcet, who was their first preacher. Among the
early members were Eli Norton and wife, Nathan Nor-
ton, sr., and wife, and John D. Price and wife. For a
time they held services in private houses. They built a
meeting-house in 1S6S or 1869, about half a mile from
the present site of Rowley. This building was blown
down in the summer in 1875. The railroad company
then gave them a lot in Rowley, provided they would
place their church upon it, which they did, and there it
now stands. The church property is valued at two thou-
sand dollars. They have a membership of sixty, and a
good Sunday-school. Their present jxistor is R. V.
Norton.
The first Presbyterian church was organized here in
1873, after the building of the railroad. The Rev.
George Carroll was the first preacher, who held services
in the railroad depot building, w-here, with seven mem-
bers, he organized the church. They built and slill own
a house of worship here, but have now no regular ser-
vices.
A cemetery was established here in 1870, about half a
mile northwest of Rowley. It is the property of private
parties.
MISCELL.\NEOUS NOTES.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids cS: Northern railroad
passes through the township, at the northeast corner,
having been built to this point in the fall of 1873.
Before the railroad was built there was no post office
in the township, the inhabitants getting their mail at
several neighboring offices. In 1873 ^ POSt office was
established at Rowley, and J. W. Cooper was appointed
postmaster. After him, D. S. Marcy served for a time;
then Mr. Cooper was again appointed, retaining the of-
fice till his death, in 1879. Soon after this his wife re-
ceived the appointment, and still remains in charge of
the office.
There is but a very small amount of timber in this
township — probably not to exceed three hundred acres in
the southwest part, along Bear creek, where the first set-
tlements were made. This scarcity of timber (which,
owing to the supply of fuel in not very remote localities,
has seldom been felt as a very serious privation) is, of
course, due to the small number of streams — the one
just mentioned, which passes through almost the entire
length of the township, in a southwesterly direction, be-
ing the only one that has been thought worthy of a
name. There is, however, another small stream in the
northwestern part.
The first wedding, of which we can find any account,
was that of Don F. Bissel and Aurelius Bishop, in the
fall of 1856. But about tlie same time Reuben Crum
was married to Wealthy Allen.
The first death was that of one of the earliest pioneers,
George Boone, in 1858.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township was opened in 1856,
by Mrs. Sarah C. Price, in her own house (situated in
the eastern part), where twelve scholars assembled for
daily instruction. Mrs. Price still lives in the same
house in which she taught this first school.
The next winter a school was kept by John Bain, sr.,
in the west part of the township (as already stated), at
the house of George Boone. Some of the thirteen
pupils that attended, living from two to three miles away.
The first school-house was built near the present vil-
lage of Rowley; the second on land donated to the dis-
trict by Joseph McGary; and the next in the Boone
district.
Among the early teachers (besides those just men-
tioned) were Mary McGary, Betsy L. Patterson, Oscar
L. Luckey, who is now dead, and Lizzie Ta\lor, after-
wards married to Dr. Griffin. There are now eight
school houses in the township.
A LVNX STORY.
The mere killing of a lynx is not, even now, a very
rare thing in any part of Buchanan county. But one was
killed in this township, in the fall of 1867, under circum-
stances which give the event a romantic, if not a historic
interest.
Lizzie Mitchell, the heroine of the story, had gone out
one morning, like a true daughter of a pioneer, to cut up
corn, accompanied only by a couple of house dogs. She
had been at her work but a short time when she heard
some terrible outcries, only a short distance aw-ay. Run-
ning to the place, she found the dogs in a life and death
struggle with a ferocious animal, such as she had never
seen before, and whose size and fierceness far exceeded
4i6
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
anything she had ever heard of, wild-cat or lynx. But
she had no time for queries concerning the monster's
identity, for she saw at a glance that her canine friends
were getting the worst of the conflict. Rushing forward,
therefore, to their assistance, she speedily put an end to
the fight — actually splitting open the head of their foe,
wiih one well-directed blow of her corn knife.
The animal proved to be one of the largest specimens
of the genus lynx ever seen in this p.nrt of the country,
and, as a reward fur the bravery of the girl, who dis-
patched him thus heroically, the board of county super-
visors voted her a special bounty of ten dollars. She is
still living in the township — the wife of Mr. Free.
ORCHARDS.
There are in the township a number of small orchards.
William McDonald has the largest one, from which he
annually gathers a large quantity of good apples.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Mr. J. I. Prentiss was born in Madison county. New
York, November 6, 1839. At the age of sixteen, in
company with his parents, he came west, and settled in
Dresden, Illinois, where, after a stay of one year, his pa-
rents moved to Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, remained but
about one year, when they moved to Marbhall, Michigan,
where his mother died in i860, at the age of fifty years.
In 1863 his father moved to Branch county, Michigan,
where he still resides, at the age of seventy-six, enjoying
very good health. The subject of this sketch left his
home for a soldier's hardships in August, 1862 — First
Michigan engineers and mechanics — remaining with his
regiment a period of three years and one month. The
hardships of a soldier's life have ofttimes been printed,
and as Mr. Prentiss' experience w-as no exception to the
rule, we leave this part of his life with only an honorable
mention due a faithful soldier boy and patriotic lover of
one of the best governments on the face of the globe. In
October, 1865, he was mustered out of the service, and
spent the winter in Nashville, Tennessee. In the spring
of 1866 he returned to Hastings, Michigan; built a sash,
blind and door factory, and engaged in that business, the
firm being Dickey & Prentiss. In June, 1868, he married
Miss Ellen Havvley, daughter of Mr. D. C. Hawley, of
Hastings, Michigan. In the summer of 1866 Mr. Pren-
tiss sold his interest in the factory at Hastings, and moved
to Decatur, Michigan, and built another factory of the
same nature as that at Hastings, the firm at the latter
place being Prentiss & Rawson. Here he remained until
1869, when he sold his interest to his partner, Mr. L. T.
Rawson, and moved to Cedar Rapids, Linn county, Iowa,
where, in company with two others, he again embarked in
the sash, door and blind factory. This was a joint stock
company, and was called the Cedar Rapids Planing Mill
company. Here Mr. Prentiss remained until the Mil-
waukee division of the B., C. R. & N. railroad was built,
when he engaged in the lumber and grain trade in Bu-
chanan county, where we now find him, doing business on
a very extensive scale at Rowley, a small village on the
above-mentioned road, some ten miles south of Inde-
pendence. Mr. Prentiss is one of the live business men
of the county, perhaps does the largest business in his
line in the county. He is a genial, straightforward man,
and is held in high esteem by all who associate with him,
either in a business or social way. At this writing he has
in cribs, near the railroad station at Rowley, over seventy-
five thousand bushels of corn. His family, which con-
sists of wife and three children, live in Independence,
where he spends his Sundays. Mr. and Mrs. Prentiss
are members of the Presbyterian church at Rowley. Mr.
Prentiss is and always has been a staunch Republican,
having cast his first vote on his twenty-first birthday for
one of America's best Presidents — Abraham Lincoln.
Mr. Eli Norton was born in Stanford, Delaware
county. New York, September 7, 181 2. At the age of
three he moved with his parents to Courtland county,
New York, where he remained till he was sixteen years
old, and then went to Tompkins county, working here
in a saw-mill for two years. At the close of this time
his father, Amos Norton, moved with his family to Erie
county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Norton, the subject of this
sketch, remained here upon his father's farm till he was
of age, and then went to Chautauqua county, New York,
and commenced to work for himself on a farm taken on
shares. He resided here two or three years, when he
returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, where he re-
mained till 1855, being engaged in farming in the mean-
time. He then came west, first stopping in Liberty
township, though staying but a few months, before going
to Homer township, where he had previously purchased
two hundred and twenty acres of land. He built the
house he now lives in the next fall, to which he has since
made several additions, making now^ a very pleasant
home, it being finely situated and well surrounded with
shade trees, besides having a nice orchard, supplying
him with plenty of fruit of all kinds. Mr. Norton is a
man who does not live for self entirely, as is seen by the
interest taken in the coming generation, in setting out
trees now in his old age. Mr. Norton was married, in
1835, to Miss Louisa Baird, of Chautauqua county.
New York. Mrs. Norton lived about six years. Mr.
Norton married his second wife. Miss Mary E. Shepard,
October 5, 1843, of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Mr.
Norton has had a family of twelve children, two by his
first wife and ten by his second. Their names are as
follows: Washington W., born December 15, 1836;
Louisa P., November 8, 1842; Harriet E., January 12,
1846; Minerva E., September 17, 1847; Caroline C,
September 11, 1849, died when about two years of age;
.Mice E., September 13, 1851; Hiram F., July 24, 1853;
Eliza A., January 24, 1856; Emma A., May 14, 1859;
Amos D., October 3, 1861, died when three years old;
Clara E., December 20, 1863. Mr. Norton lost an in-
fant son between Louisa and Harriet who was not
named. Mr. and Mrs. Norton are members of the
Methodist church, and are cheerful and consistent Chris-
tians. The Methodist Episcopal church at Rowley owes
its existence largely to the efTorts and generosity of Mr.
Norton, who contributed much for repairing it after it
had been wrecked by the wind, besides giving liberally
when it was first built. Mr. Norton has been justice of the
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
417
peace in Homer township for seven years, and in the
meantime has won the esteem and confidence of his
fellow-townsmen, as is shown by his repeated reelection.
A. C. Blakeley, one of the oldest and most respected
residents of Homer township, was born in Green county,
New York, September 18, 1814. Mr. Blakeley re-
mained at home till he was of age, working upon his
father's farm, but on arriving at his majority, he began
life for himself in the town of Grove, Allegany county.
New York, engaging in farming at this place till 1844.
He then went to Boone county, Illinois, where he resi-
ded till 1850, when he moved to Cook county, Illinois,
and after a stay of four years here, removed to Indepen-
dence, Buchanan county, Iowa, and entered eighty acres of
Government land in Washington township. Mrs. Blake-
ley being taken ill and unable to endure the hardships
and labors of early pioneer life, Mr. Blakeley decided to
move back to Independence, and resided here four years,
where he was engaged in different occupations. At the
close of this time he exchanged his property in Indepen-
dence for a farm in Sumner township, containing eighty
acres, besides some out land, making in all one hundred
and twenty acres, this affording one of the most pleasant
homes in the township. Mr. Blakeley resided here till
1878, when, becoming involved in debt he sold the
beautiful home he had made. Though hard as it was to
part with his old homestead, he now has the satisfaction
of knowing, that every man whom he owed, has received
all that was due him. Mr. Blakeley at the present time
lives upon his son's farm in Homer township, but a few
rods from his former home. He is now pleasantly situa-
ted and is evidently enjoying life. His house is well
surrounded with a splendid grove of maple and cotton-
wood, which adds much to the beauty of the place, and
he has also one of the best orchards in the township, if
not the best. The farm he now resides upon contains
eighty-eight acres, good soil and well watered. Mr.
Blakeley was married January 5, 1837, to Miss Betsy
Luckey, of Schoharie county, New York. Miss Luckey
was born August 30, i8t8. Mr. and Mrs. Blakeley have
had six children, three of whom are living : James H.
Blakeley, born May 8, 1839, and resides in Indepen-
dence; Nancy S. Blakeley, born August 10, 1841, mar-
ried and lives in Nebraska ; Orrissa L. Blakeley, born
May 6, 1851, married and is the nearest neighbor of her
parents. The deceased are.' Samuel L. Blakeley, born
January 22, 1845, ^"'i lived only seventeen days; Ar-
minta M. Blakeley, born October 13, 1853, died Octo-
ber 10, 1 861; Edgar C. Blakeley, born February 13,
1848, died June 3, 1874. James H. has held several
offices; has been deputy sheriff four years, also township
assessor and treasurer of school district. Mr. and Mrs.
Blakeley are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and are sincere and devoted Christians. Mr.
Blakeley is a sound Republican and is considered a
highly respected citizen. Has held several township of-
fices, was first, township clerk, and was afterward chosen
a member of the board of supervisors, was also justice
of the peace two terms.
Richard Fleming was born in New York, December 3,
1806. When about one year old he moved with his
parents to Hamilton, Canada. His father, James Flem-
ing, died soon after. After his death Richard moved
with his mother to Forty mile creek, Canada, where he
remained two years and then went to Stony creek — his
mother having married in the meantime. Mr. Fleming
remained here until the War of 181 2 broke out, when he
went to Fort George, stopping in that place about two
years. Mr. Fleming's mother was taken prisoner while
at Fort George, and was carried over to the American
side, her husband having been shot before the fort was
taken. Many of his relatives with much of their prop-
erty were also captured. Richard, the subject of this
sketch, was with his grandfather at this time, where he
remained till he was about eleven years old, when he
joined his mother at Batavia, Genesee county, New
York, where his mother was again married. Here he re-
sided till 1826, having previously learned the blacksmith
trade, which he followed for twenty-five years, working in
Scipio and Summer Hill during this period. Having be-
come tired of his occupation he concluded to sell out,
which he did, and purchased a farm in the same town,
where he remained till 1867. He then came west, first
settling temporarily at Marion, Iowa. Stopping here a
few months he then located in Homer township, Bu-
chanan county, where we now find him. Mr. Fleming
bought six hundred and thirty acres, including about
thirty acres of timber. He has a beautiful home, well
surrounded with shade trees and shrubbery which adds
much to the beauty of the place. He has also a splen-
did orchard of three hundred and fifty trees. His
house is beautifully situated, and affords a pleasant and
quiet home, possessing the attraction of music, books,
and pictures, also other evidences of refinement. Mr.
Fleming was married November 28, 1828, to Miss Ke-
ziah Barnes, a daughter of Joseph Barnes, of Cayuga
county, New York. They have had eight children, five
of whom are living. Their names are as follows: Mary
A. Fleming, James M. Fleming, Sarah A. Fleming, Addie
J. Fleming, Mary S. Fleming. The names of the de-
ceased are, Richard S. Fleming, Phidelia F. Fleming,
Livingston H. C. Fleming. Mr. Fleming was married
the second time to Miss Elethe Crozier, of Scipio, Cay-
uga county. New York. Mr. Fleming is a staunch Dem-
ocrat and has held several township offices. Has been
justice of the peace two years, also township clerk a term
or two. He is an intelligent and enterprising man, and
is highly esteemed.
Myron D. Blood, the subject of this sketch, and one
of the substantial farmers of Homer township, was born
June 13, 1839, at East Hampton, Massachusetts. While
an infant his parents moved to Connecticut, where Mr.
Blood remained till he was seventeen years of age, at-
tending school up to that time. He then came west,
in company with his father, Nathan Blood, and located
in Rbck Island county, Illinois, where he was engaged
in farming about four years, and then went to Linn
county, Iowa, renting a farm here for five years, in part-
nership with his father. He then moved to Eads'
Grove, Delaware county, remaining till the war broke
4ii
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
out, when he enlisted in the Twenty-first Iowa infantry
as a private. Mr. Blood took part in some of the
severest engagements of the Rebellion. He was in the
battles of Houston, Fort Gibson, Champion Hills, Black
River Bridge, through the siege of Vicksburgh; alsoonthe
Red River expedition, and was present at the capture of
Mobile. Mr. Blood maintained an honorable and faith-
ful position as a soldier, being promoted first sergeant
for his brave and meritorious conduct. His record as a
soldier in defence of our Government is certainly one in
which his family may well take pride. After the close of
the Rebellion Mr. Blood returned to Delaware county
and engaged in farming, remaining there two years,
when he came to Homer township, Buchanan county. He
rented land for three years, and then went to Sumner
township, stopping there seven years. He then returned
to Homer township, where he now resides. His farm
contains eighty acres of good land. He has a very pleas-
ant home, being regarded by neighbors and citizens of
the township as an intelligent and enterprising farmer.
Mr. Blood married Miss Ellen A. Potman, of Cook
county, Illinois, July 17, 1847. They have three chil-
dren: Lina B. Blood, born September 3, 1872; Hattie
Blood, born April 4, 1875; Ray O. Blood, born Septem-
ber 15, 1879. Mr. Blood is a strong Republican.
Among the early pioneers of Homer township, who de-
serves special mention in the history of Buchanan county,
is George Davis. Mr. Davis was born in Susse.x county,
England, January 7, 1833, and emigrated to America in
1 84 1. He landed in New York, and at once went to
Saratoga county, where he lived upon a farm with his
father, James Davis. George remained here until 1857,
when he went west, first locating in Stevenson county,
Illinois, where he rented a farm for two years, and then
returned to New York from whence he had come. He
continued farming for three years, and finally decided to
try his fortune again in Stevenson county. After remain-
ing here three years he came to fJuchanan county, Iowa,
locating in Homer township. He bought one hundred
and sixty acres of wild prairie, and erected a fine house,
surrounding it with shade trees and shrubbery, also a
splendid orchard, thus making a beautiful home. Mr.
Davis made all of the improvements, showing much per-
severance and energy, and enjoyed the results of his
labors about nine years, when he sold out on account of
poor health and went to what is now called Rowley, where
he built a hotel which he has kept for seven years, but re-
cently sold out. Mr. Davis, during these years of land-
lord life, succeeded in winning the esteem, confidence,
and good w-ishes of the travelling public. It is with pleas-
ure that his townsmen hear of his intention of remaining
with them. Mr. Davis married Miss Mary E. Tarry, of
Saratoga county. New York. They have had four chil-
dren, three of whom are living — Hattie M., born in No-
vember, i860; George E., born May 5, 1866; Rose A.,
born October 7, 1868. George Henry died when four-
teen months old. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of
the Methodist church, and are highly esteemed. He is
a firm Republican, which, it will be seen, is a prevalent
political faith in Buchanan county.
William G. Shillinglaw was born in Toronto, Canada'
March 28, 1836, and lived there until he became of age,
being engaged in farming. He made his home with his
uncle, having lost his parents when about eight years old.
Until 1867 he was engaged in farming and various other
occupations. He was employed upon the lakes as a
sailor ten summers, during which time he experienced
many hardships, at one time being obliged to go without
food four days, the vessel having become unmanageable;
however, a landing was effected on the fourth day, when
all the men had given up except the mate and Mr. Shil-
linglaw, who, with courage and perseverance, strove to
keep up the sinking spirits of their companions. The
latter, no doubt, owed their preservation to the indomita-
ble pluck and presence of mind of these two. Such he-
roic action is rarely seen, and it is with genuine pleasure
that we record this valliant deed of Mr. Shillinglaw. In
1867 Mr. Shillinglaw came to this county, and rented a
farm in Homer townshij) for three years, during which
time he purchased the place on which he now lives. He
first bought eighty acres, which he has increased to two
hundred. His farm was at first only wild prairie, but by
hard and earnest w'ork, for which Mr. Shillinglaw has been
noted smce his residence here, he finds himself in pos-
session of one of the best farms in the county. He has
a beautiful home surrounded by elegant shade trees.
There is also a fine orchard on the place, supplying good
fruit of every variety. He may well take pride in his
pleasant abode, it being entirely the reward of his own
labors, assisted in no small degree by the efforts of his
w'ife. Mr. Shillinglaw was married in August, 1S55, to
Miss Hannah Lindsay, of Gananoque, Ontario. They
have three children — Collin M., born May 11, 1857;
David W., born January 16, 1S59; Marion E., March 23,
1866. Mr. and iMrs. Shillmglaw are members of the
Presbyterian church. He is a staunch Republican, and
is highly regarded by his fellow-townsmen.
Henry Sampson was born in Canada March 23, 1847.
He remained there till he was of age, and then went to
Detroit, Michigan, where he was employed in a mall
house for eighteen months. Mr. Sampson them came
west, locating at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He worked on a
farm situated near the city, for seven years, when he
moved to Homer township, Buchanan county, in the
employ of E. W. Purdy of Independence. Mr. Sampson
was married in June, 1866, to Miss Ann VVelbon of
Detroit. They have had six children, five of whom are
living — Edwin S., born September 4, 1877; Robert H.,
November 6, 1869; Walter S., February 3, 1871; Jessie,
November 4, 1874; Alice N., May 23, 1878; Nellie
November 26, 1880. Alice died when eighteen months
old. Mr. and Mrs. Sampson are members of the Pres-
byterian church. Politically he is a strong Republican,
and is a worthy citizen.
William Lots was born in Germany June 4, 1829, and
emigrated to this country in 1847. He landed at New
Orleans and immediately went to St. Louis, where he
worked at shoemaking about two and a half years, and
then enlisted in the Mexican war which was waging at
this lime, though it did not continue but six months after
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
4t9
his enlistment. Starting Ironi St. ]>ouis, he went to Fort,
Leavenworth, thence to Sante Fe, New Mexico. At the
close of the war Mr. Lots returned to St. Louis, but after
a few months went to New Orleans. He soon returned
north, settling in Ohio. Wheeling, West ^'irginia, was the
next place of his destination, though he stopped here
but a few weeks. Being afflicted with the western fever,
he went to Wisconsin, where he lived sixteen years, still
following his easy occupation. It was here that Mr.
Lots was drafted in 1863, being at once assigned to the
First Wisconsin cavalry and afterwards transferred to the
Veteran Reserve corps, which was stationed at Washing-
ton. In this connection it is of the greatest interest to
record that Mr. Lots was one of the men sent out in
pursuit of the murderer. Booth. He also is one among
the few men of Buchanan county who has had the honor
of shaking hands with America's best President, Abraham
Lincoln. Mr. Lots was mustered out of the service June
19, 1865. He then returned to his family in Wisconsin,
remaining there a short time, and came to Homer town-
ship, Buchanan county, Iowa. He bought one hundred
and sixty acres of wild prairie, which has been converted
into a pleasant home. Mr. Lots was married Novem-
ber 29, 1849, to Miss Sophia Stroble of Germany. They
have had thirteen children, eleven of whom are living:
William G., born Mays, 1851; Emmaline, January 6,
1853; Joseph, December ID, 1854; Clara, July 6, 1856;
Frank, May 8, 1858; Louisa, March 11, i860; Albert,
November 30, 1861; Lydia S., February 7, 1863:
Edward, August 29, 1866; Oscar H., January 19, 1868;
Earnest, February 4, 1872; Charlie, April 28, 1873;
Emery, March 10, 1877. Joseph died in infancy. Frank
died in the fall of 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Lots are mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a
sound Democrat, and is at the present time school dir-
ector, being regarded as an intelligent and respected
citizen.
Among the many substantial farmers of Buchanan
county, A. H. Groves deserves special mention. He was
born December 15, 1844, in Jackson county, Iowa, where
he remained till the beginning of the war, when he en-
listed as a private in company I, Iowa infantry, being
only seventeen years of age at this time. He was a par-
ticipant in many of the severest engagements of the war
in the Gulf States; took part in the siege of Vicksburgh,
was also in the battles of Arkansas Post and Coldwater ;
was under General Grant a little over a year. Mr. Groves
was honorably discharged May 22, 1864. His military
record is one in which he may well take pride. At the
close of the war he returned to Jackson county, Iowa,
where he was engaged in farming till 1867, when he re-
moved to Jones county, residing there till he came to
Buchanan county, locating in Homer township. Mr.
Groves purchased eighty acres of land, to which he has
made additions, now having three hundred and sixty
acres. It is considered one of the best farms in the vi-
cinity, being well adapted for stock raising, in which busi-
ness Mr. Groves is especially engaged in. Mr. Groves
was married March 4, 1866, to Miss Olive E. Buell, of
Canada. They have had eight children, seven of whom
are living — Harvey G., born May i, 1867; Getha M.,
born October 6, 1868; William A., born April 28, 1870;
Nellie A., born October 30, 1872; Byron E., born April
I, 1874; Guy, born March 4, 1876; John A., born May
I, 1879; Getha died in infancy. They have an infant
girl not named as yet. Mr. Groves is a sound Republi-
can, and is regarded by his fellow townsmen as an ener-
getic and enterprising farmer. He has been repeatedly
reelected to township offices.
Frederick Reiterman was born June 3, 1846, in Craw-
ford county, Pennsylvania. He came west when about
six or seven years of age in company with his father, who
located in Jefferson county. Frederick assisted his father
on the farm till he was eighteen years old, when he en-
listed in the Fourth Iowa infantry. He tilled the posi-
tion of a substitute; was with Sherman on his noted
"march to the sea." Mr. Reiterman was detailed as a
fifer for about three months, took part in the engage-
ments at Atlanta, Marion, Savannah, Beaufort, Columbus,
Bentonsville, and Raleigh. It was at this latter place
that the news of Lee's surrender reached his regiment.
He then went to P'redericksburgh, then to Richmond
and Washington, where he 'took the cars, for Parkers-
burgh on the Ohio river. He was mustered out in Louis-
ville in July, tS65. Mr. Reiterman returned to his
home in Jefferson county, and remained there till he was
twenty-six years of age, though he had previously bought a
farm in Benton county, Polk township. His land was
wholly unimproved, but Mr. Reiterman soon made
marked changes ; he built a good residence and planted
trees. He remained here but three years when he sold
out and came to Homer township, Buchanan county,
w^here he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres of unimproved wild prairie. He built the house
in which he now lives in the following spring, and now
has a very pleasant home, a nice young orchard, and is
evidently in the way of enjoying life. Mr. Reiterman
married Miss Ellen A. Romig January i, 1872. They
have five children — Minnie K., born November 27,
1873; Nellie, born August 29, 1874; Charles, born Au-
gust I, 1875; Julia, born August 12, 1877; Frederick M.,
born January 16, 1880. Mr. Reiterman is an active
Republican, and is highly esteemed by all who know
him. He has been township assessor one term, also
road surveyor several years.
Benjamin F. Buckley, one of the solid men of Buchan-
an county, was born April 30, 1838, in Barnstable,
Massachusetts. During his infancy his father, William
Buckley, removed to Summer Hill, New York. Mr.
Buckley's father followed the sea for twenty-five years
or more ; beginning as a cabin boy, he worked himself
up till he became master of a vessel. This position he
filled several years, and in the meantime sailed around
Cape Horn many times, being engaged in the whale
fishery in the North Pacific. Many a narrow escape he
experienced during his life as a sailor. Once when in
pursuit of a whale the boat which Mr. Buckley was in
was thrown into the air, and as fate would have it, Mr.
Buckley in descending passed through the mouth of the
whale. At another time, when the boat had been upset
420
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
and broken, and the nitn thrown out tlie wattr, the
whale on rising to the surface came up under Mr. Buck-
ley so that he was able to ride on the whale's back some
distance, though he finally escaped by swimming. Mr.
Benjamin Buckley remained at home till he was about
eighteen years old. He worked out and attended school
and taught school till he was twenty-three. He enlisted
in August, 1861, as a private in the Forty-fourth New
York (Ellsworth's) regiment. This regiment was com-
posed of a single representative from every town and
ward in the State. Mr. Buckley was chosen to represent
Summer Hill, and was the first one to enlist from his
town. After remaining in this regiment several months
around Washington, he was taken sick and sent to the
hospital, and in a few weeks was transferred to Philadel-
phia. He remained about six weeks in the hospital at
Philadelphia, being detailed as nurse, but was soon
afflicted with typhoid fever. After his recovery he
was discharged, to his surprise, as it was entirely unex-
pected. After a rest of thirty days he enlisted in the
One Hundred and Thirty-eighth New York infantry, sub-
sequently turned into the Ninth heavy artillery, of which
Joseph Welling was colonel, and William H. Seward, jr.,
lieutenant colonel. Mr. Buckley remained in this regi-
ment fifteen months, and then for gallanfand meritorious
conduct received a commission of lieutenant in the Third
United States colored regiment. This regiment was at
Germantown, Pennsylvania, when he was ordered to re-
port at that place. It then went to Morris Island and
assisted in the retaking of Fort Sumpter. Mr. Buckley
was discharged about a year after his connection with
this regiment, on account of asthma. Finally after some
other changes he came west and settled in Homer town-
ship. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild
prairie, treeless as a barren plain, and built the house he
now occupies in 1S70. It is a very pleasant residence,
being pleasantly situated and now surrounded with trees
and shrubbery. Mr. Buckley married Miss Addie J.
Fleming, of Summer Hill, New York, September 6, 1S65.
They have had four children — Susie E., born November
20, 1S67; William R., born June 11, 1873; Edwin P.,
born January 23, 1876; Richard I., born July 12, 1880.
William died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Buckley and a
daughter are members of the Methodist church. Mr.
Buckley has held several township offices ; has been
assessor, clerk, and trustee. He is a Republican and is
held in high esteem by his fellow townsmen.
Thomas Cottrell was born in Monmouth county. New
Jersey, December 16, 1832. He remained at home till
he was sixteen years old, and then went to Chicago,
where he resided seventeen years, being engaged as a
teamster all the time, with the exception of four years of
army life. Mr. Cottrell enlisted July 18, 1861, in the
Twelfth Illinois regiment, company K, and took part in
some of the severest engagements of the war. He was
at Pittsburgh Landing, Fort Donelson, Corinth, Kenne-
saw Mountain, Atlanta and Savannah. He maintained a
gallant and heroic record as a soldier, was mustered out
July 18, 1865, and returned to Chicago, where he re-
mained till the following February, and then came to
Iowa, locating in Buchanan county, where he purchased
eighty acres of wild prairie. After being in the county
ten years Mr. Cottrell located in Homer township,
where he now is the fortunate possessor of one hundred
acres of excellent prairie. Mr. Cottrell was married
August 31, 1865, to Miss Zelinda Eaton, of Cook coun-
ty, Illinois. The names of their children are: Lillie A.,
born June 29, 1869; Lewis F., born May 27, 1870; Lu-
ella, born November 4, 1872; Samuel F., born Novem-
ber 27, 1876; Auena M., born October 7, 1878. Mr.
Cottrell is a sound Republican, and is regarded as a
very worthy man. Mr. Cottrell was married the second
time to Miss Chloe M. Eaton, of Independence, Iowa,
August 31, 1867.
Among the early pioneers of Buchanan county is the
subject of this sketch, John D. Price. Mr. Price was
born March 18, 1818, in Herefordshire, England, and
emigrated to this country in 1848. Previous to his emi-
gration he was engaged in farming and mining. Imme-
diately after landing in New York he went to Buffalo,
and from there to Canada, where he was employed as a
teamster for three months, and then went to Armstrong
county, Pennsylvania, working in a coal mine, and thence
to Zanesville, Ohio, where he still continued to work in
coal mines. Six years later he started west, going to
Maluska county, Iowa, where he made bricks and mined
one year. Mr. Price then moved to Buchanan county,
and lived at Quasqueton two years, though he had pur-
chased the farm he now occupies even before leaving
Ohio. He then moved to Homer township, where he
built a house, and, in fact, made all the improvements
about it. He has a very pleasant home, encompassed
with a grove of maple and cottonwood and a fine orch-
ard. Mr. Price's early life on the wild prairie is like that of
many of the old settlers. At the time of his coming here
there were only two houses between his home and Inde-
pendence, and one of these was out of the direct way.
There were no roads to speak of; country wild and plen-
ty of game. It is very interesting to hear him relate his
early experiences. Once his house was blown over by
the winds; he also came very near losing his house by
prairie fires. He tells the writer that he once lost his
team in the Des Moines river while attempting to cross
on a ferry-boat, the rope having broken. Mr. Price es-
caped by swimming, losing not only his team, but the
flour and hardware with which the wagon was loaded.
Mr. Price taught the first school in this district in his
own house. Mr. Price enlisted in September, 1861, in
the Fourth Iowa cavalry, and rendezvoused at Mount
Pleasant, Iowa, about three months, and then went to
St. Louis, remaining there about two weeks, thence to
Springfield, Missouri. His first active service was at Pea
Ridge; was through the siege of Vicksburgh; also at Cot-
ton Plant, Austin, Mississippi, Fort Henry, and other
places where some of the severest engagements were
fought. Mr. Price was taken sick while in Arkansas,
and was sent to the Sisters' charity hospital at St. Louis,
where he remained two months, and was transferred to
the Mississippi Marine brigade. He was connected with
' this brigade a little over a year, when he was again
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
421
granted a leave of absence on account of sickness. He
came home, remaining two months; then went to Daven-
port, where he was afflicted with lung disease, and was
finally discharged. Mr. Price had three horses shot
from under him and the fourth one wounded in less
than an hour and a half. He married Miss Sarah Fos-
ter, of Zanesville, Ohio, July 15, 1S49. 'I'hcy have had
one child, who died when two and a half years old.
They have adopted three children, one of whom is liv-
ing with them at the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Price
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr.
Price is a Republican, and has held several township of-
fices; has been trustee, justice of the peace and road
supervisor, and is regarded as one of the substantial
men of the township.
Thomas Davis, the subject of this sketch, was born in
Sussex county, England, December 29, 1822, and immi-
grated to America in 1841, in company with his parents.
He landed at Quebec and immediately went to Albany,
New York. His voyage lasted nine weeks and three
days. It was very perilous and many a narrow escape was
experienced. Their food consisted of oat meal for three
days, as the storm prevented them from having fires.
He went to Schenectady, New York, and then to Charl-
ton township, Saratoga county, residing there seventeen
years, being engaged in farming and masonry in the
meantime. Coming west, he arrived in Illinois in the
time of the money panic of 1S57. After frequent changes
he came to Independence, Buchanan county, Iowa, lodg-
ing his first night with James Donnan. Mr. Davis rent-
ed a farm in Liberty township one year, and then moved
to Homer townshi]), buying eighty acres of wild prairie.
He at once built a house and made other improvements.
His home is well situated, being surrounded with a beau-
tiful grove of shade trees. Mr. Davis married Miss
Abigail J. Hayes, of Charlton, January 9, 1850. They
have had seven children, only two of whom are living:
Henry S., born April 14, 1851 ; Emma J., born October
5, 1853; Thomas H., born December 8, 1855; Mary
H., born October 12, 1857 ; George F., born August 8,
i860; Milford P., born October 19, 1862; Susan N,,
born March 4, 1866. They have adopted a little one
by the name of Burtin E. Davis, born April 22, 1876.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Methodist
church. Mr. Davis is a strong Republican, has been in
the town board several times. He is an intelligent and
highly respected man.
Robert Clayton was born March i, 1835, in Preston,
Lancastershire, England, and emigrated to America in
1849, landing in Philadelphia, August 17th, after a very
pleasant voyage. Mr. Clayton remained in Philadelphia
about three months, and then went to New Jersey, stop-
ping there four months, working in a cotton factory in the
meantime. He then came west and located in Grant
county, Wisconsin, where he lived one year and then
moved to Lafayette county, remaining there six years
and worked out all of the time. He then bought a
farm of eighty acres in partnership with his brother.
This farm he tilled eight years, and afterwards rented a
farm five years. He next moved to Homer township, Bu-
chanan county, Iowa. He purchased four hundred acres
of excellent land, two hundred and forty acres being im-
proved and the remainder wild prairie. He built his
present residence about five years ago, and has a very
l^leasant home. Mr. Clayton has a fine farm and is evi-
dently doing well. He was married September 7, 1862,
to Miss Ann Winn. They have had thirteen children,
ten of whom are living; Joseph J., born June 3, 1863,
died January 8, 1865; Joseph Clayton, born November
29, 1864; James, born March 16, 1866; Mary J., born
February 8, 1868, died September 8, 1869; Mary J.,
born August 15, 1869; William T., born February 21,
1871; Charles C, born August 19, 1872; Robert H.,
born February 14, 1874; John R., born October 18,
1875; George R., born Deceinber 17, 1S76, died Feb-
ruary 9, 1877; Calvin, born March 17, 1878; Nettie L.,
born August 21, 1879. They also have an infant girl,
not yet named, she was born February 13, 1881. Mr.
Clayton is a thorough going Democrat, and is held in
high esteem by his fellow townsmen.
Andrew Clayton was born in Lancastershire, England,
in 1829, and emigrated to this country in 1853. Mr.
Clayton went into a factory to work when eight years of
age and remained there till the time of his emigration,
with the exception of the little schooling he received —
being able to attend school but a half day at a time for
four or five years, though he considered himself fortunate
in getting this small amount. His voyage to America
was a pleasant one, and nothing transpired of special in-
terest. He landed in Philadelphia, where he remained
two weeks with his sister, and then went to Galena, Illi-
nois, going by the way of Pittsburgh down the Ohio
river to Cairo, and up the Mississippi to Galena, thence
to Elk Grove, Wisconsin. Here he worked with his
brother about eighteen months on a farm; then hired
out for a year or two, but soon after purchased a farm.
He came to Iowa in 1869, having sold his farm in Wis-
consin, and settled in Homer township, where he now
lives, occupying the old Mitchell mansion. Mr. Clayton
was married in 1879 ^o Miss Mary Ellwood, of Preston,
England. In politics Mr. Clayton is a Conservative and
is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.
A. K. Stanford was born in Monmouth county. New
Jersey, April 26, 1841. When fourteen years of age he
went to Zanesville, Ohio, where he remained two years
and then came west in company with his uncle, locating
at Quasqueton. They remained upon a rented farm one
year, then removed to Homer township, where his uncle
had previously bought one hundred and fifty acres of
wild prairie. Here they built a house, and planted trees
and made many other improvements. Mr. Stanford re-
sided upon this farm two years. January 4, 1864, he
enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Iowa infantry. He was a
participant in the Red river expedition, and also in the
battles of Pleasant Hill, Old Oaks, Tupelo, Oldtown
Creek, Nashville, and assisted in taking Spanish fort and
Fort Blakley. Mr. Stanford was mustered out at Mem-
phis in December, 1865. He maintained throughout
his military career a faithful and gallant record as a
soldier. After the close of the war he returned to Iowa
422
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
and went to farming in Homer township. Two years
later he bought the farm where he now lives, consisting
of one hundred and sixty acres, though he has sold
eighty acres. Mr. Stanford was married to Miss Isabel
Haskell November 4, 1861. Mrs. Stanford died in 187 1.
Mr. Stanford was married the second time to Miss Cath-
arine Cox. He has a family of eleven children, six by
the first and five by the second marriage. Mr. and Mrs.
Stanford are members of the Methodist church. He is
a Republican. He has been township assessor four years,
and is now serving his sixth year as township clerk, he
has also been trustee and school director. He is one of
the oldest residents of the county, and is regarded as an
intelligent and enterprising farmer.
James R. Patten was born at Summer Hill, New York,
March 18, 1839. He remained at home until he was
fifteen years of age, when he moved west with his father,
James Patten. After stopping a few months in Illinois
he went to Wisconsin, where he lived three years, being
engaged in farming. He then returned to Illinois, where
he remained two or three years. There he enlisted in
the Ninth Iowa cavalry, company I. He was stationed
at Chicago the first winter, then went south. He took
part in several engagements, among them Guntown,
Mississippi; Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. Mr.
Patten maintained a faithful record as a soldier and
served his country with zeal and fidelity. He once came
near being killed, being kicked in the head by a mule.
In December, 1864, he was mustered out and returned
to Illinois. In 1868 he came to Buchanan county, and
settled in Homer township. After several changes he
finally bought the one hundred and twenty acre farm on
which he now resides. Mr. Patten has an excellent farm,
is well-contented and prosperous. He is quite exten-
sively engaged in dairying, keeps thirty cows and consid-
erable stock of other kinds. He has a good home, well
situated, with a fine young orchard. Mr. Patten was
married March 18, 1863, to Miss .-^ddie Beckith. They
have seven children: Ida L., born January, 16, 1864; Mary
M., born July 22, i866; Stella J., born August 12, 1868;
Martha M., born April 25, 1870; Minnie M., born April
17, 1873; Willmina, born November 11, 1878; Millie
E., born August i, 1880. Mr. Patten is a strong Repub-
lican from principle. He is an intelligent and enterpris-
ing man, and is highly spoken of by his neighbors.
Lucius E. Robison was born in New York, Septem-
ber I, 1844. He remained here until he was six years
of age, when his parents moved to Courtland county,
New York, where Lucius resided until 1866, though he
was in the army about two years. He enlisted on the
thirteenth of January, 1864, in the Sixteenth New York
heavy artillery, and was stationed at first at Yorktown,
and then transferred, March ist, to the First New York
mounted rifles. He was a participant in the engagement
at Bermuda Hundred, under Buder; was also at Peters-
burgh, and through the siege of Richmond. He was
discharged December 9, 1865, at Albany, New York.
At the close of the war he went to Michigan, where he
resided four years, being engaged in farming. In the
spring of 1870 he went to Greeley, Colorado. He
stopped here till June 29th, when he returned, locating
in Buchanan county. He rented a farm in Homer town-
ship, but bought the farm he now resides upon the same
year. His farm contains one hundred and twenty acres
of excellent land; it was partially improved. Mr. Robi-
son was married, April 17, 1S70, to Miss Fannie Mosher,
of Summer Hill, New York. They have two children:
Eva L., born September 17, 1871; William A., born Jan-
uary 22, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Robison are members of
the Methodist church. He is a sound Republican and
is regarded a worthy citizen.
Charles Combs was born May 9, 1817, in Jefferson
county, New York. When he was fourteen years old he
removed with his father, Nicholas Combs, to Chautauqua
county, and was engaged in farming till 1866, when he
came west, first settling in Michigan county, where he
purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He
resided here ten years and emigrated to Buchanan coun-
ty, Iowa, locating in Homer township, on a farm of two
hundred and forty acres. It is one of the best in the
township, soil fertile and well watered, and cost Mr.
Combs three tliousand sjx hundred dollars. He has a
l)leasant house, well situated, also a fine young orchard
of one hundred and fifty trees, which he does not leave
for the cattle to trim, so he says. As a proof of the
fertility of the soil, Mr. Combs has raised thirty bushels
of oats to the acre, on an average of twenty-five acres of
land. He is engaged in mixed farming, keeps quite a
large stock of cattle and horses — some of the best in the
county. Mr. Combs was married, October 7, 1852, to
Miss Susan M. Groves, of Chautauqua county, New
York. They have had nine children, seven of whom are
living: Fremont, born September 2, 1853; Blanche I.,
born September 23, 1855; Corwin, born January 26,
1857; Alma, born April 26, 1859; Jefferson D., born
July 31, 1861; Bertha, born June 13, 1S63; Antionette,
born August 23, 1865; Nasby, born August 5, 1S69; and
Reo, born December 28, 1873. Mr. Combs is a Demo-
crat, and is regarded as one of the substantial men of the
townshi|).
Thomas Delaney. — Among the early settlers of Bu-
chanan county, Mr. Delaney deserves special mention.
He was born December 19, 1833, in the county of Tip-
perary, Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1S51. Im-
mediately after landing in New York he went to Cayuga
county, where he was engaged in farming about three
years. He then moved to Sutherland Falls, Rutland
county, Vermont, residing there eighteen months, and
then removed to Cayuga county, where he remained till
the fall of 1858. He next emigrated to Buchanan
county, Iowa, locating in Jefferson township, where he
bought forty acres of wild prairie. Mr. Delaney built a
log house, in which he lived till 1870, and surrounded it
with a beautiful grove. Selling this, he moved to Homer
township. He has a good farm of eighty acres, is well
situated, has plenty of timber near his house, and is
evidently enjoying life. Money, Mr. Delaney says, was
as scattering as hen's teeth when he came in 1858. He
was married in 1855 to Miss Bridget Coleman. They
have seven children: Mary L., born May 22, 1S56; Alice
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
423
A., born September 29, 1857; Elizabeth J., born Sep-
tember 23, 1859; Margaret E., born January 21, 1861;
Celia, born May 2, 1864; Emily, born August 17, 1868;
Martin T., born June 17, 1S69. Mr. Delaney is a Cath-
olic. He is a firm Democrat. At present he is road
supervisor. He is a self-made man.
Alfred Pike. — .-Ymong the early and prominent resi-
dents of Buchanan county, Mr. Pike deserves special
mention. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, May
17, 1829. He remained at home until eighteen years of
age, and then began work for himself In the fall of
1864 he came to Independence. After remaining there
three months, he moved to Homer township, having pre-
viously purchased forty acres here. The land was but
partially improved, there being a small house upon it.
Mr. Pike says he remained there until the house was
ready to fall down, and then concluded to sell out, which
he did, and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty
acres in the same section as his first. Mr. Pike consid-
ers his farm equal to any of its size in this county. He
has a nice home, with a beautiful grove about it; also a
young orchard in a thrifty condition. Mr. Pike is en-
gaged in mi.\ed farming, and is evidently doing well. He
was married December 18, 1847, to Miss Rebecca
Brandon, of Wayne county. They have had thirteen
children: William, Philander, Mary E., Martha M.,
Henry E., Granville B., Sarah R., Jasper B., Nora R.,
Julia A. They lost three children in infancy. William,
Martha, and Sarah are also deceased. Mr. Pike is a
"black Republican" from principle. He has been town
trustee one term, and is now serving his second term, thus
showing the esteem and confidence in which he is held
by his fellow townsmen.
Isaiah H. French was born at Royalton, Vermont,
August 2, 1841. When very young his parents moved
to Clavemont, New Hampshire. Here Isaiah remained
till he was twenty years of age, assisted his father on his
farm till he was fourteen, and then began to work for
himself, hiring out on farms in the summer seasons, and
teaching winters. He came to Iowa in 1861, landing in
Independence, and stopped with his brother Henry the
first winter, about five miles out of the city, and then
went to Spencei's Grove, where he was engaged in farm-
ing till August, 1862, when he enlisted in the Fortieth
Iowa infantry, company K, and rendezvoused at Iowa
City till November. His regiment at this time went
south, but Mr. French, having contracted disease and be-
ing unable to perform military duties, was sent home on
a sick furlough, and was under doctors' care eight
months. He then reported himself for duty at Iowa
City, though he had not recovered fully from his former
sickness, and has not even at the present time. The sur-
geon declared him unsound, and Mr. French was excused
from all duties. In November, 1863, he was sent to
Keokuk, where he filled several positions in the hospital,
remaining a year; then went to Davenport, where he was
discharged March 25, 1865, because his heart and lungs
were diseased. After his discharge he returned to Spencer's
Grove, Iowa, and engaged in farming, which occupation
he has since followed. His present farm contains one
hundred and twenty acres ; has good buildings, and also
a fine orchard of three hundred trees. Mr. French
married Miss Livera G. Kidner, August 9, 1866, which
union has been blessed with five children : Minnie L.,
born December 12, 1869; George A., born March 17,
1874; Ada B., born August 20, 1877; Nellie, born May
21, 1879. They lost a little boy in infancy. Mr. French
is a Conservative in politics, and a Free and Accepted
Mason. He has held some town otifices, among which is
that of justice. He is an intelligent and worthy man.
CONO.
N.A.ME.
The township was called Cono from a Winnebago
chief, thus named, who, in early days, was often in the
township on his hunting and fishing excursions alone the
Wapsie river. He had many friends among the early
settlers, and was a great friend of the white man.
ORGANIZATION.
This township was organized and set apart as an in-
dependent township on the twenty-first day of Septem-
ber, 1858, by an order of the county judge, as follows :
State of Iowa, )
Buchanan County. J '
Be it known, that on this twenty-first day of September, 1858, it
hereby is ordered that a new township be formed of the thirty-si.\ sec-
tions of congressional township eighty-seven and range eight in said
county, and that it take the name Cono, all in accordance with the
petition of Jonathan Simpson, W. McCaughty and others.
Stephen J. W. Tabor,
County Judge.
ELECTION.
The first election was in 1858 — George Anson, J. B.
Gleason and Samuel Hovey being elected trustees ;
Martin C. Glass and M. Hampton, justices ; W. Mc-
Caughty, assessor ; and Edward Hovey, county super-
visor. The present ofificers are John B. Hannam and E.
W. Showls, justices ; W. F. Cooper, Henry Burham and
Jacob Kress, trustees; J. Crego, township clerk, and
Lucius Stout, assessor.
424
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
SETTLEMENT.
John Cordell made the first permanent settlement
here in 1843, on a creek near where Quasqueton now
stands. He came here from Ohio, and made the first
entry of land, on which he resided. But he lived in the
township only about one year, and then moved to
Liberty, where he remained up to the time of his death.
In the fall of 1851, Mr. Cordell was one of the commis-
sioners who surveyed a State road from Quasqueton
to the county seat of Marshall county. His children
were : Sarah A. Cordell, married to Alvah M. Fir-
man; they have three children, and live on a portion of
the land formerly owned by her father ; John Cordell,
married to Lucinda Lemons ; has four children ; Alfred
Cordell, married to Alphenia Fleming ; is a miller, and
lives in Waterloo ; Albert Cordell, living in Minnesota,
is a farmer. Mr. John Cordell died at Quasqueton in
1858, his wife preceding him in 1857. He was an Eng-
lishman, born at Liverpool, and came to the United
States when seventeen years of age.
William Rounds, about 1852, came from Ohio, and
first built his shanty on Sand creek. He did not remain
but a short time. He became dissipated in his habits,
deserted his family and went to Kansas, where he soon
after died. The family being left, Mrs. Rounds went to
Marion and the children were bound out. There names
were John, James, Racliel, Diana, Rebecca and Sarah.
Leander Keys and T. B. Burgess settled here in 1845.
They built the first frame house in the township. For a
time these two young men lived there — " batched it," as
the saying is. Keys was a carpenter and Burgess a
tailor, and both worked at their trades occasionally.
T. B. Burgess married, in 1852, a lady from Wisconsin,
and lived here one year; then rented his farm and went
to Janesville, Wisconsin, for a short time ; then back
again and sold his interest in the farm and went to
Cedar Rapids, where he started a livery stable. He was
a native of New York. Leander Keys, in 1850, went to
California overland, and remained there some two or
three years ; then he returned, and married Cora Anna
Coffin, of Coffin's Grove, Delaware county. Then he
moved to Independence and went into the dry goods
business. While living in Independence he was elected
sheriff of the county, and served one term. He had not
been there but a few years when he sold out his store
and ag.iin went to California, where, we understand, he
is now. F. B. Burgess, when last heard from, was also
in the land of gold.
George Anson, a native of England, emigrated from
the old sod in 1848, and came from Ohio in 1853. He
was a gunsmith, but has not worked at his trade since
coming to the United States, but has been a farmer. He
is still livmg in the township, and has seven children and
twenty-two grandchildren.
Morris Todd became a resident of Buchanan county
in 1854, and first settled in Liberty township. In i860
moved to Cono, settling on section three, where he now
lives. He has seven children, three boys and four girls.
He has been assessor of the township for twelve years,
and a member of the county board of supervisors for
three years. He has a nursery covering ten acres of
land ; has an orchard and a fine twostory house, and a
good, well cultivated farm.
Jacob Kress settled here in 1856, and came from Illi-
nois. He is a German, born in Baden Baden in 1836.
He was married in Cono in 1857; has eight children;
and says that he has four pairs, proving it thus : The
first is a girl and the second a boy ; the third a girl
and the fourth a boy ; the fifth a girl and the sixth a
boy ; the seventh a girl and the eighth a boy. The
youngest is four years old and the oldest twenty-one.
Mr. Kress has a fine orchard, now in full bearing ; has a
good farm and good buildings, and is, in fact, one of our
best farmers.
Adam Gimpher came from Germany and settled in
the south part of Cono township in 1857. ■ He has a
family of eight children, a large farm, a good stock of
cattle, and a dairy of thirty cows. He commenced life,
like many other young men, with nothing but a good
sound body and a determined will.
Henry Burnham became a settler here in 1857; came
from Chicago, Illinois. He was a blacksmith, and while
in Chicago was connected with the Illinois Central rail-
road shops. He has filled, since living in the township,
the office of county supervisor, and has been connected
wuth its schools as director and otherwise for twenty-three
years. He is still living in the township, and has a farm
of three hundred and three acres, with good buildings,
etc. He has a wife and eight children.
W. G. Anson became a resident of Cono in 1853.
He is an Englishman and came to the United States in
1848 with his father when but ten years of age. They
first settled in Maryland, and then came to Ohio, thence
to this township, where he now lives. He is a cabinet-
maker by trade. He was married in Quasqueton to
Harriet Blair and has seven children. He is now farm-
ing in this township.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
The surface is a rolling prairie, e.xceptmg along the
river, where it is hilly, the soil a light loam with a clay
subsoil.
In the southeastern part of the township, on the
Wapsie river, is situated the timber, and not over four
hundred acres in all.
Allen Cordell, a son of John Cordell, died here in
the summer of 1854.
In 1844 and 1845 ^^^ t^c" ^"^^^ inhabitants were terri-
bly afflicted with sickness, mostly fever and ague. The
venerable Dr. E. Brewer, now a resident of Indepen-
dence, was the physician, living near Quasqueton, and
in fact the only physician in the county. At the time
Mr. Cordell's family were sick and their little boy, Allen,
died, the only thing they had in the house to eat was
baked squash, and to this meal the doctor was in-
vited, and he says it was one of the sweetest morsels he
ever tasted.
The Wapsie passes through the southwestern part of
the township. There are two small streams called Sand
creek and Blanks creek. There is in section eleven a
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA
425
lake extending over six acres of land. There are in this
lake some fine fish, such as bass, pike, etc. In some
parts of the lake it is very deep, at one time, in winter,
measuring forty feet.
Mrs. Firman, the daughter of John Cordell, the early
pioneer, is the owner of a large portion of the lake. The
land near and surrounding it is wet and boggy.
In early days, along the river, there were a good many
wild turkeys and a few deer; bears also have been seen
here, but none caught. There are also wolves, which,
in spite of civilization and settlement, still remain. The
fish and game in the early days contributed largely to-
wards the support of the early settlers.
L. Keys and T. K. Burgess raised the first wheat here
in the summer of 1846.
The first white child born in the township was Lucien
Stout, who now lives in the township, and is the present
assessor.
William Burway and Jane A. Cooper were married
February 5, 1854; D. C. Hastings and Margaret A.
Cooper August 3, f854. There are no cemeteries in the
township, the people burying their dead at Quasqueton
and Rowley.
The Evangelical society was organized here in 1857.
Rodolph Deipher was the first preacher; and, at its or-
ganization, it had fifteen members. In i86g they built
a house of worship in about the centre of the township
at a cost of eight hundred dollars. The present preacher
is Henry Stillright. The religious services of this church
are conducted in the German language.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern road
passes through the southwest part, and running some
five miles in the township.
A post office was established here on or about 1849,
and H. Grimm appointed postmaster ; and he was the
first and only one. The office was abolished six years
after. The inhabitants now obtain their mail at Quas-
queton and Rowley.
Jacob Kress has probably the largest and oldest
orchard. Martin C. Glass has one in which he raises a
large quantity and a fine variety of apples. Martin
Kress and Adam Gimphe'r and Morris Todd have each
a young orchard.
Morris Todd has a fruit nursery that covers about ten
acres of land, from which he sells large cjuantities of
trees each year. The trees are of a hardy variety and
well adapted to the western climate.
The principal productions in the township are corn,
oats, barley, and hay, and some raise flax; but it is not
general among them. Much attention is paid to raising
fine hogs, cattle and horses. Wheat raising here is
among the things that were; but the milk-pail has taken
its place. There is a large number of good dairies here,
and the township boasts of some excellent butter makers.
The consequence of this change is that the people have
money to invest, and also sufficient to pay debts.
PERSON.\L MENTION.
^\'illiam Brady, one of the well-known residents of Bu-
chanan county, was born October 11, 1832, at Hampden,
Geauga county, Ohio. He assisted his father on his farm,
54
and worked out some till he was twenty-two years of age,
when he came west and settled in Cono township, where
he entered eighty-seven acres of wild prairie. Mr. Brady
lived the first year upon what is known as the Taylor
place. He then moved upon his present farm, built a
log house and resided in it fourteen years, when he
erected the fine house he now occupies upon the old site.
He has a pleasant home, well surrounded with shade
trees, also an orchard in good bearing condition, afford-
ing him an abundance of fruit. Mr. Brady's early life on
the western prairies was much like that of other old set-
tlers. He has lived to see the country that was formerly
uninhabited and wild, cultivated and inhabited by a thriv-
ing and prosperous community. Beginning poor in life,
he now enjoys a competency as a reward for his labors.
Mr. Brady was married April 23, 1854, to Miss Flora T.
Miller, of Geauga county, Ohio. This union has been
blessed with six children, four of whom are living — Hattie
E., born December 6, 1854; Clifton B., born February i,
1857; Florence E., born December 24, 1862; William
Elmer, born March 15, 1866; James R., born May 25,
1868; Mattie J., born July 22, 1875. Florence and
Mattie died in infancy. Mr. Brady came of a long-lived
family; his father and mother, also seven brothers and
three sisters are still living. He is an energetic and en-
terprising man, and has been justice, township treasurer
and school director, and is highly spoken of by all who
know him.
Robert Sampson was born in England, September 22,
1829, and emigrated to America in company with his
parents, when about three years of age. They landed in
Quebec, and went to Kingston, Ontario, where he re-
sided until 1S65. He attended school until he was
fourteen, when he went to farming, and has since fol-
lowed that business principally. He first settled in this
State at Cedar Rapids, where he lived four years, engaged
in farming two years and teaming two years. Then he
came to this township, and purchased a farm of one hun-
dred and twenty acres, partially improved. He built the
house he now resides in four years ago. It is a pleasant
place, well surrounded by shade trees. There is a thriv-
ing young orchard of one hundred trees upon the farm.
Mr. Sampson evidently does a good farming business.
He married Miss Annie E. Grant, January i, 1861. They
have had six children, three of whom are living — Eliza-
beth was born November 14, 1861; Agnes C. was born
August 9, 1864; Robert A. was born October 12, 1S67;
Edith M. was born July 28, 1871 ; Frederick H. was born
June 23, 1874; Albert G. was born October 8, 1878;
Elizabeth, Edith and Robert are deceased. Mr. Samp-
son and wife are faithful members of the Presbyterian
church. Mr. Sam[)son is a firm Greenbacker. He has
been township assessor two times, and is held in high es-
teem by his fellow-townsmen.
Hiram K. Stewart, one of the solid men of Buchanan
county, was born October 20, 1830, in Amity, Erie
county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1866, when
he came to Iowa and bought a farm of eighty acres in
Cono township. He has since added twenty acres, mak-
ing a very good f;irm. It was wild prairie when he
426
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
came here, but like all prairie farms was soon brought to
its present condition. He built his house the second
year after he came here. It is surrounded by a grove
and an orchard which produces a variety of good fruit.
Mr. Stewart was married July 4, i860, to Miss Louisa
Chaffee, of Erie county, Pennsylvania. They have had
four children, three of whom are living. Mary L. was
born January 26, 1867; Charles F., July 2, 1872; Edna
L., November 30, 1875 ; Eugene I., June 15, 1861, died
April 25, 1865. Mr. and Mrs Stewart are active mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Stewart
is a staunch Greenbacker. He has been justice, also
school director seven years, and has recently been elected
for three years, thus showing the confidence his fellow
citizens repose in him.
William W. Baker, one of the substantial farmers of
Cono, was born in Groton, Tompkins county. New York,
November 9, 1824. When he was very young his pa-
rents moved to Steuben county, where they resided six
or seven years, and then went to Allegany county, of the
same State. Mr. Baker remained in the latter county
until 1868, engaged in farming. Coming west he spent
a few months in Du Page county, Illinois, then came to
this county and located in Cono township, where he is
pleasantly situated upon a farm of eighty acres of prairie
and ten of timber. He lived in a log house ten years
and then built a fine residence. There are fruit and
shade trees about the house, all in a thrifty condition.
Mr. Baker married Miss Eliza Brown, daughter of James
Brown, of Courtland county. New York. They have one
child, Addie A., born June 15, 1858. The family be-
long to the Rowley Methodist Episcopal church. Mr.
Baker is a firm Republican ; has no aspiration for the
honors of office, though he has often been solicited by
his townsmen to take positions of trust.
Warren L. Maxson was born May 18, 1834, at New-
port, New York, where he resided till he was fifteen years
of age, then moved to Oneida county, where he remained
three years, and then to Madison county, where he lived
till the breaking out of the Rebellion. Mr. Maxson en-
listed in the Forty-fourth New York State volunteers
September 21, 1861. While the regiment was at Hall's
Hill, Virginia, Mr. Maxson was taken sick with a fever,
and was sent to a hospital at Washington, where he re-
mained a few weeks and then was sent to Philadelphia,
staying till April, 1862, when -he returned to his regiment,
which was on the peninsula at this time. He was engaged
in some of the severest battles of the Rebellion; was at
Savage Station, Antietam, second Bull Run, Chantilla,
Gettysburgh and Fredericksburgh, and in many others.
Mr. Maxson was wounded at Fredericksburgh, in the
left leg, below the knee, and was sent to the regiment
hospital, where he remained a few weeks, then returned
to his duties. He was mustered out of the service Au-
gust 28, 1865, at Cincinnati, Ohio. After the war Mr.
Maxson returned to New York. Stopping here a short
time he then catne west, first locating in Rockford, Illi-
nois, where he resided three months. He then moved
to Roscoe, Winnebago county, living there till 1878, when
he came to Cono township, where he purchased a farm
of eighty acres, also twenty-seven acres of timber. Mr.
Maxson has here a pleasant home, being made attractive
internally by the presence of books, papers and pictures,
and other evidences of refinement. He was married
October 16, 1853, to Miss Azuha W. Shepardson, of
New York. This marriage was blessed with one child,
Stuart D., boin May 15, 1856, now residing in Rochelle,
Illinois. He was married the second time to Miss Sarah
Plumb, of Louis county. New York. The names of their
children are: E. Varnum,born November 18, 1867; Edith,
born September 10, 186S; Blanche, born May 11, 187 1,
W. Larmard, born July 26, 1873; Clarence G., born Oc-
tober 25, 1875. Edith and Clarence died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Maxson are members of the Methodist
church. He is a firm Greenbacker, and is a most worthy
citizen.
Andrew J. Timson was born August 19, 1829, at New
Fane, Vermont, where he lived until he was ei^hteen
years old, when he came west and settled in Ogle coun-
ty, Illinois, where he worked and rented a farm for seven
years. Mr. Timson then emigrated to Jackson county,
Iowa, where he purchased a farm, but the hard times of
1857 came on and he left the farm, losing everything he
had laid out in the way of improvements. He then
moved to Middlefield township, Buchanan county, where
he rented a farm two years, and then went to Fremont
township living here one year, when he enlisted in the
Sixth Iowa cavalry, September 25, 1862, and was sent
against the Indians in Dakota. His regiment was very
useful in restoring confidence in that part of the north-
west;' was at White Stone Hill, Takaokeety, Mamaise.
Zenes, and Fort Rives. He narrowly escaped with his
life at Fort Rives, where ten or fifteen cavalry men were
surrounded by three hundred or four hundred Indians,
though they finally escaped with the assistance of in-
fantry, and left twelve Indians dead on the field. Mr.
Timson was mustered out in Sioux City, October 17,
1865, and returned to Buchanan county, and lived in
Quasqueton three years, then moved to Cono township,
where he bought a farm of forty-five acres, residing here
five years, then moved upon the farm which is his
present home. His larm contains one hundred and twenty
acres of good land. Mr. Timson has a ]3leasant place,
and is intending to build the coming summer. He mar-
ried Miss Elmira Wood, daughter of AVesley Wood, one
of the oldest settlers of Iowa, June 9, 1857. They have
had six children, four of whom are living: Mary A.,
born January 24, 1859; Ora L., born September 18,
1861; Fred E., born November 21, 1866; Elce L., born
October 28, 1S69; Lottie, born May 30, 1872; John,
born July 6, 1878. Mary and Ora are deceased. Mr.
Timson is a Greenbacker, and is at present school di-
rector, serving on his second term, and is regarded by all
as a worthy man.
Rev. Albert Manson, one of the oldest and most
prominent men of Buchanan county, was born Novem-
ber 25, 1803, in Canada East, where he resided until he
was twenty-two years of age, assisting his father on a
farm. He then went to Vermont in search of labor, re-
maining there until 1839, being engaged in various oc-
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
427
cupations. He was employed in the manufacture of
marble several years, also taught school a few winters.
He entered the law office of Warner Hoxie, esq., of Mil-
ton, Vermont, in which he remained from 1828 to 1832,
and was admitted to the bar and practiced about four
years in Vermont. He then abandoned this profession
and went to the Theological seminary, at Gilmanton,
New Hampshire, where he completed a full three years'
course in two years. Mr. Manson, immediately after
graduating, went to Bennington, where he had had a call,
though he was not ordained until November 2, 1841.
He remained there till 1850, then went to Rochester,
Vermont, where he spent tour years, when he moved
west and took charge of a church in Marion, Iowa, in
May, 1854. In 1858 he was chosen first superintendent
of schools, which office he filled one and one-half
years. From 1859 to 1864, he acted as an itinetating
missionary in Linn county. In the spring of 1864 he
came to Cono township, and preached at Quasqueton
eight years. Mr. Manson was married, April 27, 1834,
to Miss Rebecca Farr, of Vermont. They have two
children, both of whom are now living with their parents;
Eliza J., born May i, 1835; and Dwight, born October
17, 1842. Mr. Manson has a very pleasant home, beauti-
fully surrounded with shade trees, and having internally
many evidences of refinement. His farm contains two
hundred and eighty acfes of excell-ent land, and is one
of the best in the vicinity. Mr. Manson is, as his name
indicates, of Scotch parentage, and is an intelligent and
enterprising man, having done much towards laying a
foundation for a successful history of Buchanan county.
He has held many important places of trust; has been
supervisor four years, also overseer of the poor four years
in Linn county, and has held the same offices the same
length of time in Buchanan county; has been justice of
the peace and township clerk. Few more interesting
subjects for biography are presented in Buchanan, than
he whose long and eventflil life is outlined in this short
sketch. Now about to complete his eighth decade, he is
one among the oldest residents of Cono, and yet remains
in surprising vigor of mind and body, with the full
promise of rounding out a hundred years. For over a
quarter of a century he has walked, talked, lived, and
labored among the people of Iowa, and his upright char-
acter and useful life will long be an ins[)iration wherever
known, to better living and more hopeful dying.
W. E. Butterfield was born August 2, 1843, in Kalama-
zoo county, Michigan. Assisted his father on a f^m till
he was si.\teen years old, then came west, and, after stop-
ping six months in Newton township, went to Manches-
ter, and worked at the blacksmith's trade eight months.
At this place he enlisted in the Thirteenth United States
regulars. His regiment was in the following battles:
Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Rolling Fork, Haines'
Bluff, Champion Hills, through the siege of Vicksburgh,
Mission Ridge, and Jackson. He was mustered out of
the service March 12, 1865, and returned at once to Bu-
chanan county. He came to Cono township in 1869,
and located upon a farm of one hundred and twenty
acres. This was wild land when Mr. Butterfield pur-
chased it, but the same courage and energy which had car-
ried him through the four years' struggle for his country,
enabled him to overcome all difficulties. He was mar-
ried April 26, 1866, to Miss Mary L. Ham, of Newton
township. They have had eight children, six of whom
are living— Alice C, born July 19, 1866; Reuben J., De-
cember 18, 1868; Charlie E., December 10, 1870; Elsie,
October 16, 1872; Chester, October 21, 1874; Jacob R.,
January 24, 1878; Nettie J., September 17, 1880. Elsie
died when about four years of age. They also lost a lit-
tle girl in infancy. Mr. Butterfield is a sound Republi-
can, and is regarded by all as a most worthy citizen.
Jacob Arnold was born January 14, 1835, in Germany,
and emigrated to America in 1855. Before leaving home
he learned the shoemaker's trade. His voyage lasted
four weeks, the first two being quite pleasant, but the last
two Mr. Arnold knows little about, as he was in his berth
on account of sickness. He landed in New York and
was taken to the hospital on Staten Kland, where he re-
mained five weeks, then went to Westchester county,
where he worked for his board one season, being able
to do but little labor. Mr. Ainold then came west, stop-
ping for a short time in Chicago, and then going out of
the city about thirty miles, where he worked on a farm
for eleven years. He then emigrated to Buchanan county,
locating in Cono township, where he now resides, pleas-
antly situated on a farm of two hundred and sixty-five
acres, and this was wild prairie at the time ot his coining
but it is now in a high state of cultivation. Mr.
Arnold married Miss Catharine Kautz, of Buchan-
an county, in 1862. They have had seven children,
six of whom are now living — Jacob, Frederick, Em-
elina, William, Daniel, Charles, and Caroline. Caroline
died when about two years old. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold
are members of the Lutheian church. He has been
school director six or seven years, and is held in high es-
teem by all who know him.
Cyrus E. Hopkins, one of the well known residents of
Cono township, was born October 11, 1837, in Clarence,
Erie county. New York. When he was very young his
parents moved to De Kalb county, Illinois. Here Cyrus
remained until 1864, then emigrated to Iowa, settling in
Cono township, Buchanan county, where he purchased
a farm of two hundred acres, it being but partially im-
proved. Mr. Hopkins resided upon this place fourteen
years, then moved upon the farm where he now lives,
though he is intending to go back to his old place before
long,. 'He is engaged in farming — keeps quite a large stock
of cattle, horses, and hogs, etc. — and is regarded as one
of Cono's successful farmers. He was married in 1863 to
Miss Jane A. Wallace, of Illinois. This union has been
blessed with six children, five of whom are living — Lula
M., born January 19, 1864; Horace E., July 24, 1867;
Maude B., February 29, 1869; Cyrus B., January 7, 1874;
Vivian D., November 11, 1877; Lottie A., October 3,
1879. Vivian died when two years of age. Mr. Hop-
kins is a Republican, has held several offices, having
been assessor, trustee, and school director, and is highly
esteemed as a good citizen.
John Zimpler, one of the oldest and best known of
428
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
the citizens of Cono, was born in Baden on the Rhine,
Germany, September 3, 1829, and emigrated to Amer-
ica in 1 85 1. He was engaged in farming until he came
to this country. His voyage was a most perilous one,
and attended with severe storms. It was fifty-three days
before he landed. He first settled in Ilhnois, where he
lived three years, then came to this county and settled
in Cono, where he now owns a farm of three hundred
and sixty acres of excellent land, though it was all wild
prairie at the time of his coming. Wolves were a very
common sight at first, and often came near the house.
Mr. Zimpler is now engaged in miscellaneous farming,
keeps quite a large stock of cattle, hogs, etc., and is con-
sidered one of our best farmers. He was married in 1850
to Miss Michalena Highland, who died in 1876, after
having borne seven children: Charles, John, Adam,
Jacob, Michalena, Sophia and Sarah. Mr. Zimpler is a
member of the Lutheran church, a sound Greenbacker,
and a most worthy man.
M. C. Wells, one of our substantial citizens, was born
October 17, 1836, in Clinton, Maine, where he remained
until 1855 assisting his father in farming. At that date,
he went to Bureau county, Illinois, where he resided six
years. He then came to Iowa and was engaged in farm-
ing and lumbering at Burlington for two years, after
which he went to Sioux City, and there, in 1861, enlisted
in the Sixth Iowa cavalry, and \vas sent out against the
Indians in the northwest territories. He shared in many
severe engagements with the red men, who at that time
were giving the country much trouble. He was mus-
tered out October 17, 1S65, and at once went to Iowa
county, where he purchased a wild lot, and in a short
time made a good farm and a pleasant home, where he
resided seven years. He then sold out and came to
Cono township, where he now lives. Mr. Wells has one
hundred and eighty-two acres of good land. It was but
little improved when he bought it, but it is now a fine
farm. He has a beautifully situated place, with shade
trees surrounding it, and also an orchard. His house is
well furnished with books, papers and other evidences
of refinement. Mr. Wells is engaged in mixed farming,
but intends soon to go into dairying. He married Miss
Jane Cunningham, of Utica, New York, in October,
1857. They have five children, with names and dates
of birth as follows: Alice A., December 16, 1859;
George H., October 26, 1862; Richard M. and WiUie
G., March 20, 1867; Ray, October 28, 1876. Relig-
iously, Mr. Wells endeavors to keep peace with all men.
Politically, he is a Greenbacker, and is active in local
affairs. He has held the office of township trustee, as
well as several other offices. He is earnestly interested
in education, and everything else which tends towards
the advancement and development of the county. He
is a man respected in the highest degree by his fellow
townsmen.
William G. Anson, well known as an old resident of
this county, was born in Staffordshire, England, October
15, 1835. He came to America with his father, George
Anson, in 1845. They were six weeks on their way to
New York, and had a most tempestuous voyage. Several
on board the ship lost their lives. Mr. Anson served as
cabin boy. After landing, he worked a short time in
New Jersey and then eight months in the coal mines of
Maryland. He then went to Medina, Ohio, and after
working at various occupations for about three years,
engaged in cabinet-making which he followed until
1853, when he came to this county. He lived in Quas-
queton four years, working in a mill. Then he began
work for himself, and was engaged in breaking prairie
land in all parts of the county. He broke at least one
thousand three hundred acres. In 1856 he went to
Kansas, having secured a Government contract to break
land for the Indians. He returned to Buchanan county,
farmed three years, then went back to Kansas, where he
made but a short stay, and then turned his steps again
toward Buchanan. He remained here only a year, and
then crossed the plains to Oregon, and was one of the
first settlers in the wonderful country known as the Grand
Round Valley. Mr. Anson resided about six and a half
years in Oregon, and meantime opened a ranche. He
has travelled extensively in the far west, freighting, etc.
In 1 868 he came back to Iowa and bought a farm in
Cono. He has one hundred and sixty acres pleasantly
situated. He has fine buildings built by himself, sur-
rounded by a beautiful grove, — also an orchard of two
hundred and eighteen thriving trees. Mr. Anson is a
successful farmer. He was married in April, i860, to
Miss Harriet Blair of Quasqueton. They have eight
children, born as follows: Albert G, January 18, 1861;
Charles T., February 8, 1864; Willie, November 10,
1866; Willard, July 27, 1869; Samuel, August 20,
1872; Benjamin R., May, 17, 1874; Addie, March 17,
1879; Hattie E., November 17, 1880. Mr. and Mrs.
Anson are members of the Congregational church. Mr.
Anson is one of the oldest Greenbackers in the county.
He has held many local offices. He is an intelligent
and active man, and is highly esteemed by all who know
him.
George Anson, an old and highly respected citizen
was born in Staffordshire, England, March 13, 1813,
and emigrated to this country in 1848. He worked as
a gunsmith until he came to the United States. The
passage over was difficult and dangerous; and lasted six
weeks. He immediately went to Mount Sarayo, Mary-
land, where he worked as a blacksmith a short time; but
when his skill as a workman became known he was em-
ployed as a machinist in the works of Mr. Graham. Here
Mr. Apson remained about four months, and then went
to Medina, Medina county, Ohio, where he worked as a
gunsmith about six years. At the end of this time he
came to Buchanan county and settled in Cono, where he
still resides. *He has a farm of one hundred and twenty-
five acres, well improved, and a good home to enjoy in
his declining years. His house is surrounded by a fine
grove and an orchard. Mr. Anson was married June
29, 1833, to Miss Margaret D , of Bristol, England.
They have had eighteen children: William G., Joseph,
George (deceased), Henry, Granville (deceased), Jane,
George, Eliza, Catharine, Granville, Samuel (deceased),
John, James, Edward, Walter, Samuel and two who died
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
429
in infancy. Edward and \\'alter are now livina; with
their parents to comfort them in their old age. Mr. and
Mrs. Anson are devoted members of the Episcopal
Church. Mr. Anson is a Greenbacker, and is one of
our most worthy citizens.
J. H. Stoneman, one of the earHest settlers in the
county, was born in Carroll county, Wisconsin, in 1S29,
and remained there until the spring of 1853, when he
came to this county, settling in Liberty township. In
his early life Mr. Stoneman was engaged in farming and
harness-making. After coming west he devoted his at-
tention to carpentering for several years. In i860 he
went to Pike's Peak, where he worked at his trade, build-
ing quartz mills, etc. He made the first panel door and
sash in Central City. After remaining there thirteen
summers, with the exception of the time lost in going
back and forth to Iowa, he worked at mining two sea-
sons, and then returned to Buchanan county and bought
the farm on which he now lives. It contains one hun-
dred and thirteen acres, including a good orchard, a
grove of maples, making altogether a pleasant home.
Mr. Stoneman is engaged in mixed farming, and appears
to be highly successful. He was married in January,
1873, to Miss Laura Tift, of Liberty township. Mr.
Stoneman is a thorough Republican from principal, and,
though not an active politician, he has been with the Re-
publican party in belief since its organization. He is
considered a most worthy citizen, and enjoys the confi-
dence and esteem of the community in which he lives.
Martin A. Glass, one of the oldest residents of this
county, was born July 28, iSog, in Harrison county,
Ohio. When he was two years old, his father, Jacob
Glass, moved to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and there the
subject of this sketch lived forty years. He came to
this county in 1849, and soon bought a farm in Newton
township, which he sold out after three years, and came
to Cono township. He has now two hundred acres, well
improved, after having disposed of one hundred and
twenty acres. This was wild prairie, but energy and in-
dustry have made it a beautiful home. His house is
pleasantly situated, surrounded by shade trees, orchard,
etc. Mr. Glass is well situated to enjoy life. He was
married in 1831 to Miss Nancy Belch, of Ohio. Fol-
lowing are the names and dates of birth of their chil-
dren: Jacob, January 18, 1833, deceased; Sarah, No-
vember 13, 1834; Elizabeth, June 28, 1837, deceased;
Mary, May 4, 1839; John, July 18, 1841; Joseph, July
26, 1843, deceased; James, June 6, 1846, deceased;
Reason, April 26, 1847; Isabel, August 2, 1849; Susan,
April 23, 1S52; Martin L., February 16, 1855; Martha
J., July 9, 1857. He was married a second time, No-
vember 7, 1 87 2, to Mrs. Elniira L. Powles, of Cono.
Mr. Glass is a staunch Republican, has been justice two
terms, and school director for many years.
James A. Crego. — The subject of this sketch was born
January 10, 1840, in Syracuse, New York. When three
years of age, his parents came west, and settled in Mc-
Henry county, where he resided till 1S68, engaged wilh
his f;)ther in farming. In that year he went to Delaware
county, Iowa, where he worked two years in an auditor's
office and was afterwards a deputy sheriff for two years.
Mr. Crego then moved to Cono township, to the farm
where he now lives. It contains one hundred and si.xty
acres of prairie and twenty of timber. This was wild
land when Mr. Crego came here, but by hard work he
has succeeded in building up a pleasant home. He is
engaged in mixed farming, keeps a large stock of cattle
and hogs, and is considered one of Cono's prosperous
farmers. Mr. Crego was married in 1869 to Miss Julia
Shapley, of Illinois. They have three children: Agnes
A., born December 4, 1870; Lila E., born January 5,
1874; Clyde B., born July 14, 1878. Mr. Crego is a
firm Republican, has held several otifices, has been trus-
tee and clerk, and is regarded by his fellow townsmen as
a man worthy of the confidence and esteem which he
enjoys.
Benjamin P. Wade, one of the oldest and best known
residents of Buchanan county, was born January 29,
1829, in Allegany county. New York. Mr. Wade spent
his early years in farming and lumbering, and was after-
wards a sailor on the great lakes and salt water. He
has been in all quarters of the globe, has experienced
many a narrow escape, and has probably seen as much
of the world as any man in Iowa. After quitting the
sea, he went to Rockford, Illinois, and was engaged in
farming for seven years in Winnebago and Ogle counties.
He then emigrated to Iowa, first settling in Newton
township, where he bought a farm of three hundred and
twenty acres. He resided here fourteen years, then sold
out and came to Cono township, where he now resides,
most pleasantly situated on a farm of one thousand acres,
the largest, and as good as any in the county. This was
wild prairie, but by untiring energy he has succeeded in
making it one of the best homes we have seen. He has
a fine residence, beautifully surrounded with shade trees,
and also an orchard of two thousand trees, supplying
him with plenty of fruit of all varieties. Mr. Wade is
engaged in mixed farming, and keeps a large stock of
cattle, horses, and hogs. He married Miss Martha John,
of Pennsylvania, July 4, 1853. They have four children:
Benjamin H., born October 20, 1857; Martha E., born
July 24, 1862; Edward L., born December 9, 1865;
Laura M., born October 4, 1871. Mrs. Wade is a mem-
ber of the Free Methodist church, and Mr. Wade is a
member of the Free Baptist. Politically, he is a sound
Republican. He has held several offices, though he has
never been an office-seeker, as his own business has re-
quired his whole attention. Mr. Wade may well be
termed a self-made man, having been thrown upon the
world when ten years of age, without education, pro])er-
ty, or influential friends. He has by his energy and per-
severance succeeded in acquiring a competency, which
he is now enjoying.
NEWTON.
This township is situated in the southeastern part of
the county, and bounded on the south by Linn county,
and on the east by Delaware.
ORGANIZATION.
It was set apart as an independent and separate town-
ship on the twentieth day of July, 1854, as evidenced by
order of the county judge, which is as follows:
It is ordered by the court that township 87 north, range 7 west, in
this county, be and is hereby set apart as a new township, to be called
Newton township. This order to take effect on the third Monday in
July ne.xt and not sooner.
O. H. P. ROSZELL,
County [udge.
ELECriON.
The first election was on the first Monday in August,
1854, at a school-house in the south part of the town-
ship. Andrew Whisennand, Cliarles Hoover and Nathan
Holman, were appointed by the court judges of election,
and the township officers elected at that time were
Charles Hoover and Reuben C. Walton, justices; Jesse
McPike, Andrew Whisennand and Charles Hoover,
trustees; Charles McPike, assessor; Anios Long, clerk;
and Green Berry, constable.
The present officers are John Gunn and John B. Pot-
ter, justices; H. C. Rowe, Owen Ward and H. A. Wil-
liams, trustees; John B. Potter, clerk; Isaac Holman,
assessor; W. H. Ball and Louis Sauer, constables.
SETTLEMENT.
Joseph Austin was the first permanent settler, building
a cabin in the spring of 1845 near a beautiful and large
spring in the timber, which, to this day, bears his name.
When he first came he was an unmarried man, but in
1846 he married a lady from Linn county. He entered
the land upon which he lived. He lived here until
1849, when he sold to Martin C. Glass, who remained
until 1853 and then moved to Cono, where he resides.
Austin, from Linn county, went to Sac City, Iowa, thence
to Nebraska, where he now resides. He was a native of
Ohio. He has four children — Leonard, Almiria, Phcebe,
and Mary. He volunteered in our late civil war and
was a brave soldier. He passed through the whole war,
coming out unharmed.
y Reuben C. Walton was the next to settle here, in the
spring of 1847, 'f the south part, on section thirty-three,
near Austin's, and also near a large spring that bears his
name— Walton spring. He continued to reside there
for nearly twenty years, then sold out with the intention
of settling in Kansas; but there became dissatisfied, and
returning, bought a place near where he first settled, and
now resides there. He had thirteen children, ten of
whom are now living. He had a boy in our late war, who
died in the service. Mr. Walton was a native of Ohio,
coming from about the same locality with Mr. Austin.
Mr. Walton and family came to Iowa in 1845, stopping
for a short time in Linn county. He was one of the first
magistrates and married the first couple in the township.
W. H. Harris and W. Ogden, with their families, set-
tled here in 1851, near where the first settlement was
made by Mr. Austin. They did not remain but about
two years. Mr. Harris is now living in Waverly, Bre-
mer county.
Charles Hoover came to this State in Apiil, 1851, and
stayed a short time at Quasqueton; but the same summer
settled on the land now owned and occupied by hiir.
He is a native of Ohio. When he first came and set-
tled here the nearest neighbor was four tniles away. He
has had thirteen children, five living, whose names are as
follows: Nancy, married to a Mr. Stout, and lives in
Cono townshi|3; Samuel, a farmer, and lives in Newton;
Jane, manied to John M. Carson, and now resides in
Kansas; Adam, a farmer in Newton; James, married
and lives in Cono; his three sons, Samuel, Adam and
James, are among the most prosperous in the county.
In early days Mr. Hoover was a great hunter, and kept
about him a fine pack of trained hounds, and used to
follow the swift-footed deer over the prairie and through
the timber, furnishing the settlers with plenty of good
venison. Since he came to this State he has killed here
fifty-seven deer. His manner of travelling while hunting
was invariably afoot. The lynx was also quite common
in those days, which he frequently killed. At one time
when he was out hunting he saw a lynx in a tree and
fired upon it; but it still remained in a crotch of the tree.
Thinking it might be dead, he climbed the tree, when,
as he came near it, he noticed its glaring eyes, as if in
in the act of leaping upon him. Then he thought dis-
cretion was the better part of valor and immediately re-
turned. Again he opened fire upon him, and this time
he was dislodged and fell to the ground, where he was
quickly disjiatched by the dogs. Mr. Hoover has thirty-
eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Martin C. Glass settled here in 1S49, purchasing the
interest of Joseph Austin, and becoming the owner of the
Austin Spring. He lived there only three years, and then
moved into Cono, where he now resides. He pays a
large portion of his attention to orcharding, and raises
some very fine varieties of apples. There have been in
his family twelve children, eight of whom are now living.
He lost one boy in the army. He can now gather about
him eight children, twenty-nine grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren.
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
431
Jesse McPike settled here on April 28, 1853. He
came from Indiana, but is a native of Tennessee. He
purchased the place, where the first settlement was made
by Austin, near the famous spring, and lived there up to
the day of his death, August 25, 1875. He was a sol-
dier in the War of 181 2. He and his good wife lived to-
gether for sixty years and two months. They had twelve
children, five of whom are now living, whose names are
as follows : William, who lives on the old homestead,
and has a large family ; J. W. McPike and Charles live
in Linn county ; Charlotte, married, and resides in Indi-
ana; Jane C, married Green Berry, and is living in Linn
county, Iowa. Mr. Pike was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and one of the first trustees of the
township. His wife, Mary JMcPike, is now living on the
old place, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. She
has five children living, thirty-two grandchildren and
thirty-one great-grandchildren.
Henry M. Holman came here in 1851, but moved to
the State in 1852, settling first in Cedar county. He
still lives on the same farm, where he first settled, in New.
ton township. Mr. Holman was born in Woodbury
county, Kentucky, March 16, 1805, living there until he
was twenty-one years of age, when he went to Indiana
and there married and lived until he came to Iowa. He
had five children — Sarah, married to J. S. Long, and liv-
ing at Troy Mills, Linn county; Susan, who died when
quite small; Isaac, married and living in Newton town-
ship, is now assessor and one of its farmers ; Nancy, mar-
ried to Isaac I. Arwine, who volunteered in the late war,
and w'as killed in battle. He had two children, and his
widow lives with Mr. Holman ; Cathaiine, married to
Levi Birney, who died in the army. She afterwards mar-
ried a Mr. Thompson, of Fayette county, and now lives
there. Mr. Holman is a member of the Christian church,
and an elder in the same. He seems to be quite a
genius. Without serving any apprenticeship whatever,
he built the house he lives in, doing all the work himself,
does his own blacksmithing, even to the making of the
necessary tools to do the work with. In his early days
he was quite a hunter, spending much time in pursuing
the deer and other game.
^ Andrew Whisennand settled here in 1851, on the
/ property where Reuben C. Walton now lives; was born
in Kentucky May 19, 1813, and moved to Indiana when
a mere child. There he grew up and married, and con-
tinued to reside until he moved to Iowa. When he came
here he had a family of five children ; has had twelve in
all, four now living, whose names are: Stephen H., who
lives in Newton; Na»han H., living at home; Rebecca,
;' married to John McClure, and Jemima. He had three
sons in our late war, two of whom died in the service.
He was one of the early organizers of the township, being
one of the first judges of election, appointed by the court
at the first election. He was also one of the township
trustees and a pioneer Methodist.
G.\ME.
Bears were seen in the township, but we could not
learn that any had ever been killed here. Deer were
very [ilenly, and were a source of profit to the pioneer.
There were also a large number of lynxes, that excited
fear among the people, on account of their ferocity.
Wild-cats and turkeys were also sometimes killed. The
principal hunters here were Charles Hoover and Nathan
Holman; but of late years the larger game has disap-
peared, and the smaller is scarce. These Nimrods have
both become old men, but are yet living in the township.
They have disposed of their dogs, hung up the rifle, and
devoted their attention to farming; and their farms have
the appearance of thrift, enterprise and good husbandry.
FIRST CHILD.
Leonard Austin was the first white child born here, in
the winter of 1847; and he first saw the light of day near
the beautiful spring, near which his father made the first
settlement in 1845, and which now bears his name.
Leonard has grown to manhood, and is now living in
Nebraska.
The first wheat in the township was raised by Joseph
Austin in 1846.
SCHOOLS.
The pioneer schools of this township were supported
by voluntary contribution from the people. The first
school was held in 1848, in the south part of the town-
ship, near the ])lace where the first settlement was made,
and was taught by Ned Bartly, with ten scholars. The
use of a log house was donated to the school by a Mr.
Harris. In 1850 Reuben C. Walton and five others
built a log school-house, in which they had a school
taught a number of winters. Samuel Calvin, who is now
professor in Iowa university, at Iowa City, taught the
first school in this house. A few years after this, the
district built a good house on the old site, which is now
standing. There was also one built in the eastern part
of the township. Among the early teachers were Ned
Bartly, Samuel Calvin, Mrs. Geiger, Charles McPike, A.
Henry, George Francis and Charles Moore. There are
now eight schools in the township.
FIRST DE.\TH.
A daughter of James Brown (a granddaughter of
Jesse McPike) was the first who died in this township, in
September, 1853.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The first religioua meeting of any kind held in New-
ton township was by the Methodists, at the house of
Reuben C. Walton, about the year 1853. Samuel Far-
low was the preacher. They had also frequent services
at the house of Jesse McPike.
The Christian church was organized here about 1853,
with some fifteen members, among whom were H. N.
Holman and wife, S. Payton and wife, P. Payton and
wife, William and Thomas McKee and wives, and Na-
than McConnell. The present preacher is Milton Mc-
Kee. The society owns a house of worship, and has a
membership of eighty persons.
St. Patrick's Catholic church was first organized in
1856. They had services for some time in a log house,
but in 1870 a fine large church was built here, as also a
two-story pastoral residence. Among their priests have
been Fathers Slattery, Shields, J. G. Ghosker, and Malone.
432
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
The present priest, who has been in charge ten years, is
Patrick Clabby. The whole property belonging to the
church is probably worth one thousand dollars. There
is a large membership connected with this church —
eighty families.
The Protestant Methodist organized here a society in
1858 at the Hoover school-house, with some twenty
members. They now have a good society and have
services at the Centre school-house. Rev. M. H. Noe
is the present preacher.
CEMETERIES.
A cemetery was established in 1853 in the south part
of the township. Jesse McPike donated the land and
the first burial there was that of Mrs. Long.
Charles Hoover had a private burying-ground on his
land near his house, but, in 1S80, a cemetery associa-
tion was formed, with James Ironsides president, W.
King, treasurer, and Samuel Hoover, secretary.
A cemetery was established near the Catholic church
in the east part of the township about 1856, and there
are in it some fine monuments.
RIVERS, CREEKS, ETC.
The W'apsie river passes through the soutliwest corner
of the township; Buffalo creek through the northeast
part, and Carpenter creek through the centre. There
are several other small streams in the township.
POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS.
A post office was established here and named Newton
Centre in the summer of 1855, in -the south part of the
township, near where the first settlement was made; and
the first postmaster was Ulyses Geiger, and after him
were R. C. Walton, Turner Cartright and R.. Downs. In
1873 the office was transferred to the centre of the town-
ship, and Samuel Hoover appointed postmaster. The
present incumbent is William Bruce.
FIRST STORE.
The first store kept here was by J. S. Long, in the
south part of the township, on H. M. Holman's farm;
but there is nothing of the kind there now. There is a
little village, south of Newton township, in Linn county,
called Troy Mills that accommodates many of the people
in the township with opportunities for making pur-
chases, etc.
THE FIRST WEDDING.
The first wedding that was solemnized in this town-
ship was that of Isaac Arwine and Jane Holman,
daughter of H. M. Holman, about the year 1855. Mr.
Arwine volunteered as a sodier in our late war, and died
in the army in the service of his country. Charles Mc-
Pike was married to Jane Ramsey about the same time.
These parties were married by that early pioneer,
Reuben C. Walton, esq.
TIMBER, ETC.
The timber, for the most part, is in the northeast,
along the Buffalo creek; and also in the southwest
corner, along the Wapsie. There are probably five and
one-half sections in all, together with native groves. In
the timber and near the large springs the early settlers,
Austin and Walton, built their first modest Iol; house.
SHEEP — WOOL-GROWING.
James Ironsides, living in the western part of the
township, commenced raising sheep in 1856, with a
small flock he took on shares from a neighbor. He now
has a flock of six hundred. They are of the large
breeds, and are in a very healthy condition. He finds
them as profitable as any stock on his farm — he raises
large numbers of cattle.
BREEDER OF FINE CATTLE.
John B. Potter commenced the breeding of Durham
cattle here in 1872, with a full blooded imported bull.
He has now on his farm here a herd of thoroughbred
Durham animals. His sales have been quite large.
During 1880-81 he sold ten good ones at one hundred
dollars each. He finds it a very pleasant and profitable
business.
PRODUCTIONS.
The principal productions are corn, oats and hay.
Considerable attention has been paid by the farmers to
cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. The only large flock of
sheep in the county is owned here by James Ironsides.
There are some large farms here, and among
them those of J. B. Potter, six hundred acres ; James
Ironsides, six hundred and fifty acres, and Charles
Hoover, five hundred and fifty acres.
ORCHARDS.
There are in the township some orchards, although
yet quite young, but yielding to the owners quite a large
amount of fruit; the most noticeable are those of Patrick
Smith, Patrick Durham, R. C. Walton, Adam Hoover
and H. M. Holman.
In the early days the inhabitants were subjected to
many deprivations — some living for weeks upon hulled
corn. As there was no market, their farm produce did
not bring but a small price. Nathan Holman, one of
the early settlers, when he first came here rented land in
Linn county, and the place where he raised wheat was
fifteen miles, and corn five miles ; and that distance he
went for the purpose of taking care of this crop. He
frequently went to Anamosa, some thirty miles away, for
a load of corn.
SPRINGS.
There are, in the south part of the townshio, near
where the first settlement was made by Austin and Wal-
ton, two beautiful and never-failing springs, already
mentioned ; one is called the Austin spring, and the
other Walton spring. These are what attracted those
early settlers. The water is clear and pure, bubbling up
from the depths below; never ceasing in its flow or los-
ing its purity. Here the Indian and his dusky mate
have olten bowed and drank from these pure silver
fountains; and, having slaked their thirst, have uttered a
silent prayer of gratitude to the Great Spirit.
John Bolton was born June 18, 1821, in the county of
Granville, Canada West, where he resided till 1864, when
he came west and located in Newton township. Mr.
Bolton was engaged in farming in Canada, which occu-
pation he has ever since followed. He purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie in Newton, built
a house, and made many other improvements. He lived
-hlii ^^
J^r^U^ f^^^^-y
Mr. John McCay, deceased, was born in Antrim
county, Ireland, May 4, 18 15. In that country he spent
his childhood and early manhood days. In the year
1847 he came to America to share its liberal institutions
and make his future home. His first three years in this
country were spent in the employ of a physician in New
York city, at the expiration of which time he went to
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and engaged as a laborer on
the farm of a merchant with whom he remained two
years. On the eleventh day of June, 1852, he married
Miss Ann Robison, a lady of Irish birth, born in Fer-
managh county, in 1826, and came to America in 1850.
Immediately after their marriage they came to Iowa and
purchased eighty acres of land, where Mrs. McCay still
resides, in section one, Newton township, this county.
They were among the first substantial settlers of this
county, and among the few who held to the plow and
did not look back. To their first purchase they have
added different tracts of land, till the farm consists now
of three hundred and sixty acres. It is beautifully
located, and is of the finest soil the west affords. Dur-
ing Mr. McCay's life time he devoted this farm princi-
pally to the interests of stock-raising, learning its profits
exceeded that of farming. In the year 1879 ^^ built
one of the finest farm residences in the county, costing
over four thousand dollars. But, sad to say, fate decreed
that he should enjoy it only seven short months.
On the thirty-first day of July, 1880, while engaged in
reaping with a four-horse team, they became frightened
and threw him in front of the guards, where he was so
mangled that he died in two weeks afterwards. Thus
ended the career of a man whose life was a beacon of
hope to the poor man, and a model to the church. He
was a man, who, by his own exertions, wrung from the
hard hand of toil one of the finest properties in the
west. When he first became a citizen of this county
his only possessions were about three hundred dollars.
But with his and his wife's combined efforts they won for
themselves a fortune that classed them not only among
the well-to-do farmers of the county, but among the
wealthy citizens of the State.
Both Mr. and Mrs. McCay were earnest members of
the Methodist Episcopal church, which relation Mrs.
McCay still sustains. They commanded the highest re-
spect of the community, and Mrs. McCay still lives to
enjoy it, while Mr. McCay only lives in the memory of
his many friends and acquaintances, who will thank Mrs.
McCay for the mark of respect she has displayed for
him, and the favor she has conferred upon them, by hav-
ing the above portraits in this work. Of Mrs. McCay,
we are pleased to state, she is a woman who has always
had the will and dare to do, as the event of her com-
ing to this country alone, when only a girl, testifies. She
is a lady whose morality, friendship and generosity can-
not be excelled.
^^..^ .:.^^
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
433
here till 1872, then exchanged his farm for the one upon
which he now resides in the same township. It contains
two hundred acres. He erected the centennial house he
now occupies in 1876. It is well situated and is finely
surrounded with a natural grove. He also has a young
orchard. Mr. Bolton is engaged in mixed farming, keeps
quite a stock of cattle, horses and hogs, and is consid-
ered one of Newton's successful farmers.
He was married October 5, 1849, to Miss Mary Rich-
ards, of Elizabeth township, in the county of Leeds,
Canada West. They have had seven children : Marion
M., born July 15, 1850; William H., born January 27,
1852; George W., born November ig, 1859; Francis E.,
born March 20, 1862 ; Anah B., born December 3, 1867;
Mary E., born February i, 1870; John N., August 24,
1854. John died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Bolton are members of the Wesleyan
Methodist church. Politically Mr. Bolton is. a Repub-
lican, has held several offices in the township, and is a
worthy citizen. He was married the second time to
Sarah Howarth, of Cook county, Illinois, January 11,
1881.
William N. Walton, the subject of this sketch, was
born March 28, 1852, in Linn county, Iowa, where he
resided till 1872, when he moved to Newton township
and rented a farm till the spring of 1880; though he had
bought the farm he now lives upon the previous year.
His farm contains one hundred and sixty acres of excel-
lent land, also twenty acres of timber. He has a very
pleasant home, and is evidently enjoying life. Mr. Wal-
ton was married October 20, 1872, to Miss Isabel Hoo-
ver, of Newton township. They have four children:
Charles, born September 23, 1873; Alva N., born June
I, 1875; Ida L, born July 15, 1877; Esther S., born
February 16, 1881. Mr. Walton is a Republican, and
has often been solicited by his fellow townsmen to hold
places of trust, but has always refused.
William H. King was born December 27, 1835, in
Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where he lived till he was about
four years of age, when he moved to Knox county, in
company with his parents, and resided there eight years;
then moved to Wyandott county, living there about
eight years, being engaged in various occupations. His
next move was to Illinois, where he worked one year in
his father's carriage shop; then went to Black Hawk
county, Iowa, where he lived five or six years and was
employed as a carpenter the greater part of the time, till
he came to Newton, and settled upon the farm where we
now find him pleasantly situated, enjoying a home made
by hard and industrious labor. His farm contains one
hundred and sixty acres of good land, also forty of tim-
ber. He is engaged in mixed tarming; keeps quite a
stock of cattle and hogs, and is a successful farmer. Mr.
King was married September 21, 1857, to Miss Delilah
C. Cochonour, of Ohio. They have had six children,
five of whom are living; Emma E., born September 13,
1858; Joseph W., born September 29, i860; Nettie E.,
born December 17, 1865; George N., born January i,
1868; Mary L., born September 25, 1870; Rachel C,
born April 26, 1871. Emma died when about fourteen
years of age. Mr. and Mrs. King are members of the
Methodist Protestant church. Mr. King is a Republi-
can, has held several offices; has been trustee, school
director, and is held in high esteem by all who know
him.
Thomas Moody, one of the early pioneers of Buchan-
an county, was born December 21, 1826, in England,
and emigrated to America in 1853. His early years
were spent on a farm, being engaged in the dairy bus-
iness chiefly. Immediately after landing in New York
he went to Niagara county, and settled in Middleport,
where he resided two years, then came west, locating in
Quasqueton, where he lived for a time, being employed in
various occupations. He then came to Newton town-
ship, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres, and resided upon this twenty years. In the
meantime he made many improvements and built up a
pleasant home. He sold out in 1875, ^"d came upon
the farm where we now find him pleasantly situated.
His farm contains two hundred acres of excellent land.
He built the residence he now occupies in 1877. It is
well located and is one of the most pleasant places we
have yet visited. Mr. Moody married Miss Eliza Car-
penter, of Bath, England, in 1849. They have had
four children: Thomas W., born June 8, 1854: John
H., born February 17, 1856; Eliza A., born October 23,
1859; Mary J., born August 4, 1863. Mary died in
infancy.
Samuel Hoover, one of the early residents of Buchan-
an county, was born December 2, 1836, in Harrison
county, Ohio, where he remained till he was fourteen
years of age, when he came to Iowa, in company with
his parents, and settled in Newton township, where he
has ever since resided. He has a good form of one
hundred and sixty acres of prairie and twenty of timber.
He built the residence he now occupies in i85i, though
he did not complete it until 1869. It is a beautiful
place and is well surrounded with a grove of maple and
poplar. All the improvements now existing have been
made by the hard and industrious work of Mr. and Mrs.
Hoover, and they now enjoy a fine home as a reward
of their efforts. Mr. Hoover was married, February 23,
i860, to Miss Hulda Cummings, of Ohio. The have
had seven children, five of whom are living: Junius P.,
born December 3, i860; Mary E., born February 21,
1863; Martha M., born August 17, 1865; Janetta S.,
born September 9, 1867; Rosa, born November 29,
1871; William J., born September 16, 1875; Byron J.,
born October 7, 1877. Rosa and William died in
infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are members of the
Wesleyan Methodist church. Politically, Mr. Hoover
is a Republican, and has held office the greater part of
the time since he became of age; has been township
clerk, treasurer of school board, also secretary and mem-
ber of the same; has been postmaster seven years.
Alexander M. Wallace, one of the substantial farmers
of Newton, was born September 10, 1837, in Goodrich,
Huron county, Canada West, where he lived until 1857.
He then went to California and resided there till 1862,
being engaged in various occupations. He returned
434
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
home over the plains to Canada and was there about
three months, when he went into the army of his adopted
country and served in the quartermaster's department for
three years. After the close of the war he came to Iowa
and settled in Newton township, upon a farm of one
hundred and forty-seven acres which he had purchased
while in the army. This was unbroken prairie when Mr.
Wallace came here; but by hard work he is now in pos-
session of a pleasant home. Mr. Wallace is engaged in
mixed farming, keeping quite a stock of cattle and hogs.
Mr. Wallace was married November 7, 1867, to Miss
Annie E. Powles, of Cono township. They have had
five children — Annie I., born February 2, 1869; William
M., born April 23, 1870; Agnes E., born May 7, 1872;
Elma M., born June 18, 1875; George E., born July 26,
1879. Elma died February 14, 1877. Mrs. Wallace is
a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Wallace in poli
tics is a liberal Republican, He has been school director
eight years, and is regarded by all as a most worthy citi-
zen.
William H. Moore, an early pioneer of Buchanan
county, was born November 16, 1828, in Norfolk county,
Canada West, where he lived till he was twenty nine
years old. He was raised on a farm and followed the
millwright occupation a few years, when he came west
locating in Newton township on a farm of eighty acres,
upon which he lived three years, then sold out and
bought the farm on which we now find him. It contains
three hundred and sixty acres of prairie, and fifty acres
of timber land. This was wild land when Mr. Moore
came here, but is now a very pleasant place. He built the
house he resides in and surrounded it with a fine grove
of Cottonwood and maple. Mr. Moore is engaged in
general farming, keeps quite a large stock of cattle,
horses, and hogs, and is considered one of Newton's
prosperous farmers. He was married December 23,
1858, to Miss Isabel Wallace, of Goodrich, Huron county,
Canada West. They have seven children — Lizzie, born
December 25, 1859; William W., born September 29,
1S61; John A., born January 11, 1865; Howard, born
January 10, 1869; Frederick A., born November 5, 1872;
James H., born December 12, 1874; \\"illie, January 28,
1879. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Baptist
church. Politically Mr. Moore is a Republican, and has
been school supervisor, though he has had no aspirations
in the way of office. He has been Sunday-school super-
intendent seven or eight years, and is a prominent citizen.
John Crowder was born September 29, 1826, in the
county of Durham, England, and emigrated to America
in 1848, landing in Boston after a perilous voyage of
five weeks. He at once went to Iowa county, Wiscon-
sin, where he resided about eighteen months, being
engaged in the lead mines. He then went, by the over-
land route, to California, being engaged there as a miner
for four years. He then returned to Dubuque county,
Iowa, where he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty
acres, which he cultivated until 1864. He then crossed
the plains again, going to Idaho, thence to British Col-
umbia, from there to Montana, then back to Iowa, com-
ing by boat from Fort Benton to Sioux City, a distance of
two thousand miles. Mr. Crowder came to Buchanan
county in 1870, and settled in Newton township upon a
farm of two hundred acres of partially improved land,
which has been changed to a high state of cultivation by
the hard work of Mr. Crowder. He was married, De-
cember 20, 1854, to Miss Mary Liddle, of Dubuque
county. They have ten children — Frank E., born Sep-
tember 22, 1854; Charles N., September 21, 1857;
Laura A., July 10, i860; Minnie M., February 18, 1863;
Ida H., September 4, 1867; Ella E., February 21, 1870;
Harvey J., June 25, 1872; Lizzie M., October 23, 1874;
Mamie I., March 7, 1877; Roy G., August 12, 1880.
Politically Mr. Crowder is a firm Republican and ever
has been since the organization of the party. He has
held several offices; has been township assessor, also
school director, and is a good citizen.
Charles Hoover, jr., one of the early residents of
Buchanan county, was born in Harrison county, Ohio,
where he lived till he was seven years of age, when he
came west with his parents and settled in Newton town-
ship. He has always followed farming as an occupation
with the exception of three years of army life. He en-
listed August 4, 1862, in the Twenty-seventh Iowa in-
fantry, and was sent to Minnesota against the Indians;
though he remained there but three weeks, when he went
to Memphis, Tennessee. He was a participant in some
of the hardest engagements of the Rebellion — was with
Sherman on his raid to Holly Springs, also at Little
Rock and Meridian and on the Red River expedition
under General Smith. Mr. Hoover was wounded on this
expedition, and carries a rebel ball in his body, even
to this day. He was sent to the hospital at Jefferson
Barracks, thence to Keokuk, where he remained eight
months, then returned to his regiment, and was present
at the capture of Mobile. He was mustered out of ser-
vice August 8, 1865, and returned to Iowa. His farm
contains one hundred and sixty acres of good land. He
was married February 14, 1866, to Miss Susan Curtis, of
Independence. They have four children — Frank W.,
born July 22, 1869; Jesse B., March 29, 1873; Arthur
L., April 24, 1877; Flora A., October 14, 1879. Mr.
and Mrs. Hoover are members of the Wesleyan Method-
ist church. In politics Mr. Hoover is a Republican, and
is well spoken of by his neighbors.
\Villiam Bruce was born in August, 18 19, in Scotland,
and emigrated to America in 1849, landing in New York.
He went to Oriskany, Oneida county, New York, where he
lived three years, engaged in a factory. He then moved
to Elgin, Illinois, and continued to work in a woollen
factory for three years ; then emigrated to Iowa, settling
in Delaware county, where he bought three hundred and
twenty acres of raw prairie. Mr. Bruce built a house
and made many other improvements, residing there three
years. After several removals and changes of occupation,
in all of which he seems to have been fairly successful,
he came to Newton township, about the year 1870, and
purchased the farm on which he now resides, which con-
tains one hundred and eighty acres of excellent land.
He is engaged in general farming, has a pleasant home,
and is evidently doing well. Mr. Bruce was married in
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
435
1846 to Miss Ellen Scott, of Scotland. They have had
seven children — Eliza, born August 24, 1848; Andrew,
July II, 1850; Jenette, March 7, 1855; Margaret, July
7, 1858; Robert, March 17, i860; William, November
9, 1861; George, August 18, 1864. Jenette and Robert
are deceased. Politically, Mr. Bruce is a Republican, and
is highly esteemed.
James S. Brewer was born February 13, 1831, in Ohio,
where he remained till he was about three years of age,
when his parents settled in Will county, Illinois, where
he resided till 1856, being engaged in various occupa-
tions. He then came to Iowa, and settled in Newton
township, upon a farm with his uncle, John Carpenter,
and lived with him one year, when he began life by him-
self, and rented a farm for four years in the same town-
ship. At the expiration of this time he purchased a farm
of forty acres and tilled it one year, when he enlisted in
the Twentieth Iowa infantry, in the fall of 1862. He
was a participant in many of the severest engagements of
the war, went through the siege of Vicksburgh, and was
at Fort Morgan, and at the capture of Mobile, besides
many other engagements. He was mustered out of the
service in July, in 1865, and returned at once to Iowa
and began farming, which occupation he has followed ever
since, residing upon the farm he had purchased previous
to his army life, till 1872, w^hen he bought the place he
now occupies, adjoining the old farm. Mr. Brewer was
married in 1850 to Miss Eliza Carpenter, of Joliet, Illi-
nois. They have had eight children — Elvis A, born Sep-
tember 7, 1853; William A., November 4, 1856; Emma,
November 28, 1858; Annie, May 6, 1861; John E., May
5, 1866; Sarah B., April 2, 1868; Ida, September 27,
187 1; James, March 30, 1875. Ida died when about
three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer are members of
the Protestant Methodist church. Politically, Mr.
Brewer is a Republican; has been school commissioner,
and is a good citizen.
John A. Berry was born November 28, i860, in New-
ton township, and has ever since resided here. He is
an active and enterprising young man, and enjoys the
good wishes of all for future success in life.
Nathan Holman, one of the early pioneers of Buchan-
an county, was born July 10, 1810, in Woodford county,
Kentucky, where he lived till he was seventeen years old,
when he moved to Lawrence county, Indiana, in compa-
ny with his parents; resided there eighteen years and then
went to Monroe county, of the same State. He tended
ferry for seven years at Salt creek, in Fairfax. He then
emigrated west, locating in Iowa, Linn county, living
there but a few months, when he removed to Buchanan
county, Newton township, and settled upon a farm of
three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land. Mr.
Holman was married March 26, 1835, to Miss Martha
Owens, of Lawrence county, Indiana. They have had
thirteen children — Isaac N., born March 23, 1836; Mary
F., July II, 1837; Stephen, December 20, 1839; Zerel-
da, November 15, 1841; Amanda, February 27, 1843;
Henry, December i, 1845; Susannah, February 18, 1847;
Mahala, June 9, 1849; Julian, June 20, 1851; Nathaniel
T., July 26, 1853; Martha J., April 20, 1855; Sarah C;
Mertie (an adopted child), and Daniel. Mr. and Mrs.
Holman are members of the Christian church. In poli-
tics Mr. Holman is a firm Greenbacker, and is a sound
man.
George A. Elliott, one of the substantial men of New-
ton township, was born December 15, 1845, in Shelby
county, Indiana, where he lived till he was three years of
age, when his family went to Howard county. There he
lived till he was seventeen, when he enlisted in the
Sixtieth Indiana regiment. Mr. Elliott was a participant
in many of the hard fought battles of the south; was
through the siege of Vicksburgh, at Arkansas Post, and
in many other engagements. He was mustered out of
the service in March, 1865, and at once came to
Iowa, where, after a few temporary locations, he settled
in Newton township upon the farm where we now find
him most pleasantly situated. His farm contains one
hundred and eighty-four acres of good land. - He built
the house he now occupies and is well located. Mr. El-
liott married Miss Indiana Evland, of Waverly, March i,
1866. They have five children: Katie, born January 5,
1867; William H., born September i, 1869; Evelyn,
born January 25, 1871; Rufus O., born September i,
1872; James J., born February 28, 1876. Evelyn died
when about eleven months old. Politically, Mr. Elliott
is a firm Republican and ever has been. He has held
several offices; has been secretary of school board, also
director, and is regarded as a most worthy citizen by all
who know him.
John Carpenter, one of the oldest residents of Buchanan
county, was born in Herkimer county. New York. He
came to Iowa about twenty years ago and entered the
farm upon which his widow now lives. It contains two
hundred and forty acres of excellent land, though it was
wild prairie when Mr. Carpenter came here, but by hard
and industrious work he succeeded in creating a pleasant
home in what was a wilderness a few years before. He
married Mrs. Polly Williams, of New York, June 25,
1869. Mr. Carpenter died in November 1873. He was
highly esteemed by all who knew him, being regarded as
a most worthy citizen by his fellow townsmen. He left
a wife and two children to mourn his loss. The names
of the children are: George, born July 13, 1871, and
John A., born July 31, 1873. John died in infancy.
We very much regret being unable to give a long sketch
of this most worthy man.
Joseph E. Fay was born April 30, 1839, in Lima, Al-
len county, Ohio, where he lived till he was fifteen years
of age, when he came west with his parents and settled
in Linn county, Iowa, residing there till 1868, when he
moved to Newton township, upon the farm where he
now lives. It contains two hundred acres of good land.
It was raw prairie when Mr. Fay came here. He built
the house he now occupies and planted the seed for the
beautiful grove surrounding it. He has also a thrifty or-
chard. Mr. Fay is an energetic and prosperous farmer.
He was married December 30, 1865, to Miss Eliza Me-
lindy, of Linn county. They have had six children, four
of whom are living: Orange E., born November 18,
1866; John H., born January 11, 1868; Howard W.,
436
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
born March 19, 1869; Minnie E., born November 14,
1871; Edith B., born June 25, 1873; William D., born
May 4, 1877. Minnie and Edith died in infancy. Po-
litically, Mr. Fay is a sound Republican. He is a self-
made man, and through his energy and industry has se-
cured a comfortable property, and is regarded as a most
worthy citizen.
James Ironside, an old resident and a well known
man, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, February 2,
1823. He emigrated to America in 1834, and landed
in Quebec. He remained in Canada till 1855, residing
in three or four different places, and pursuing various oc-
cupations, in all of which he was successful. He oper-
ated a last factory several years in Dundas, and gained
a wide reputation as a business man. He also manufac-
tured materials for boots and shoes in connection with
his last business. He was grand master of the Indepen-
dent Order of Odd Fellows' lodge of that place for many
years. Mr. Ironside came to this township and located
here in 1855. He entered a quarter section of land at
one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. He now owns
six hundred and fifty acres and is one of the leading
farmers of the county. The prairie was wild and settlers
were few in 1855. Deer and wolves w-ere numerous.
Mr. Ironside met bravely all the trials of pioneer life,
and is now prosperous and happy. His home is a beau-
tiful one, built by himself His house is finely situated,
and is surrounded by a very pretty grove. He has an
orchard of three acres. Mr. Ironside keeps a large stock
of cattle, hogs and horses, and is a model farmer. He
was married November 29, 1850, to Miss Matilda Tyke,
at Hope, Canada West. She was born March 22, 1834.
They have eleven children living, one deceased. Their
names are: Matilda E., born September 13, 1851 ; Mar-
garet A., born February 10, 1856; George, born Novem-
ber 29, 1857; Ellen M., born March 15, 1859; Edwin
J., born October 15, 1861; Janet A., born January 7,
1865; Elizabeth, born July 17, 1867; William W., born
June 17, 1871; Charles J., born August 11, 1873; James
H., born December 5, 1874; Edith M., born May 10,
1877; Lily, born December 3, 1878. Charles J. died in
early infancy. Mrs. Ironside is a devout member of the
Episcopal church. Mr. Ironside is a sound Democrat,
and is respected far and wide. He is one of the sub-
stantial men of the county; has been township treasurer
seven years, and has held other offices. He possesses
the sterling qualities of honesty and worth, characteristic
of his countrymen.
William J. Dunn, one of the oldest residents of this
county, was born in County Derry, North Ireland, Novem-
ber 6, 1832. He came to this county in 1837 with his
mother, his father having come two years previously. After
landing in New York they went to McHenry county, Illi-
nois, where he lived until 1850. His family was the first to
settle in Hartland, McHenry county. In 1850 he came to
this State with his father, P. M. Dunn, and settled in Mid-
dlefield township. Mr. W. J. Dunn began work for himself
at the age of twenty-two, and was engaged in breaking
prairie, buying stock and running a reaping machine for
ten or eleven years on his own account, although he
made his home with his father until 1864. In 1867 Mr.
Dunn bought the farm on which he is now living. He
owns two hundred and sixty acres of excellent land.
The first house he built was destroyed by fire in 1879.
He then built a fine residence upon the old site. Mr.
Dunn keeps cattle, horses, hogs and sheep, and does a
prosperous business. He was married September 6,
1867, to Miss Catharine Gleason, who was born in County
Clare, Ireland, February 8, 1842. They have had six
children, four of whom are living. Their names are:
William J. born May 13, 1868; Michael J., born July
13, 1869, died March 12, 1871; Anna M., born Novem-
ber 9, 1870; Michael J., born July 15, 1875, died Au-
gust 5, 1876; Charles, born January 13, 1877; Blanche
C. E., born December 25, 1880. Mr. Dunn and wife
are Catholics. Mr. Dunn is a Republican. He has held
several township offices, such as assessor, clerk, school
director, etc., thus showing that he is held in high es-
teem by his fellow-citizens.
Reuben C. Walton, well known as an old settler, was
born in Champaign county, Ohio, December 13, 1824.
When twenty years of age he settled in Linn county,
Iowa, renting a farm for three years, at the expiration of
which time he came to Buchanan county and entered
two hundred acres of wild prairie in this township. He
built his house and made all of the improvements him-
self He lived upon his first farm twenty-five years,
when he sold out and bought his present place of resi-
dence. He has eighty acres of excellent land, and is en-
gaged in mixed farming. Mr. Walton helped raise the
house of Joseph Austin, the first that was built in this
township. He experienced all the hardships incident to
the early pioneers. He came from Ohio with an ox
team, his cash capital being only eleven dollars and ten
cents. He has succeeded in building up a pleasant
home for himself in his old age. ;\Ir. Walton was mar-
ried September 8, 1842, to Miss Sarah McClure, of Al-
len county, Ohio. She was born December 29, 1837.
They have had thirteen children: Olive G., born Sep-
tember II, 1844; James A., born October 11, 1846 (de-
ceased); Cynthia H., born November 28, 1848; Samuel
J., born September 20, 1850; William, born November
16, 1852; George C, born November 8, 1854; Mary A.,
born February 4, 1856; Maria J., born January 2, 1858;
Leonard, born September 10, 1861; Alice M., born
March 4, 1864 (deceased); Edith A., born January 6,
1867; Frankie E., born February 15, 1869 (deceased);
Catharine E., born February 7, 187 1. James was in the
First Iowa cavalry, and died at Little Rock, Arkansas.
Mr. and Mrs. AValton belong to the Christian church.
Mr. Walton is a liberal Democrat. He has been justice,
constable, school director, etc., and is regarded as a most
worthy man by his fellow citizens of Newton township.
John H. Swayze was born in Warren county. New Jer-
sey, May 4, 18 16, and resided there until he was six-
teen years of age. At this time (in 1832) his migrations
commenced. He lived in New York, Ohio, Michigan,
and in several different parts of Iowa, suffering many
vicissitudes of fortune, but showing great perseverance
in all, and often plucking snccess from the very jaws of
CO
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1
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IO^VA.
437
defeat. Finally, about the year 1S67, he moved to New-
ton township, where he had previously bought a farm.
He purchased three hundred and twenty acres of wild
prairie, built a house, and made many improvements,
living on his farm ten years, and then returned to Linn
county, his present residence. He is most pleasantly
situated, and still keeps his old farm in Newton township.
He has one hundred and ninety acres in Linn county
and thirty-four in Delaware. He rents the most of his
land. He is prosperous and happy, and enjoys the re-
sults of his long labor and many privations. He was
married Noveinber 25, 1844, to Miss Ann Jenette
Dewey, of Oakland county, Michigen. She was born
January 13, 1827. They have had eight children, six of
whom are living. Their names are: Marion, born Octo-
ber 23, 1845; Creen, born July 4, 1S47; Seemon, born
May 16, 1849; Mary, born May 29, 1850; Emma, born
August 29, 1853; Marshall J., born June 7, 1857; Lucy
H., born April 14, i860; Ann Jenette, born October 22,
1864. Of these, Marion died in September, 1847, and
Ann Jenette July 28, 1878. Mrs. Swayze was formerly
a member of the Baptist church, and was one of the first
members of the church at Anamosa. Politically, Mr.
Swayze is a sound Democrat He is highly esteemed as
a self-made man and a worthy citizen.
James Richardson was born in Bennington county,
Vermont, February 28, 1827. He resided there until
about twenty-eight years of age, and then came west and
settled in Newton township. He entered one hundred
and si.xty acres of Government land, at one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre. He has made additions, and
has now three hundred and twenty acres of good prairie;
also fifty acres of timber. He lived in a log house six
or seven years, and then made his present residence, a
large and beautiful house. He is doing a prosperous
farming business. He was married February 19, 1855,
to Miss Almira D. Blanchard, of Bennington county,
Vermont. They have had ten children, eight of whom
are living. Their names are; Herbert, born February 6,
1856; Nathan, born December 16, 1857; Mary J., born
February 6, i860; Bedia A., born February 24, 1862;
Ellen AL, born September 3, 1865; Julietta, born De-
cember 19, 1868; Orin, born April 6, 1871; Edith P.,
born April 5, 1856; and two sons who died in infancy.
Mary and Bedia are also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rich-
ardson are members of the Methodist Protestant church.
In politics Mr. Richardson is a strong Republican. He
has held several offices, such as justice, trustee, etc. He
has been the architect of his own fortune, his entire
fortune, at twenty-one, being his bible.
John Burgoyne Potter was born in Canandaigua, On-
tario county, New York, July 27, 1827. He was a son
of John B. and Susannah Potter. His father died at
Rockport, New York, April 16, 1837. He was a Bap-
tist mtflister of considerable note, and one of the found-
ers of the Rockport college. His mother is at this writ-
ing living in ALirion, Linn county, Iowa. His home for
quite a while after his father's death was wherever he
could obtain employment. Though but ten years old he
began at once to support himself and mother. He per-
severed and fought against poverty till he found himself
the owner of three acres of land. On this he erected
a house and presented his mother with a home. When
this was accomplished he packed his trunk and on the
twentieth day of May, 1846, he started for the west. He
went to Michigan as a farm hand. Finally he worked for
an interest in his crops. This proved a profitable under-
taking. With this remuneration, together with his previ-
ous accumulation, he purchased some land in Oakland
county in 1853. This he sold a few months afterwards
for eight hundred dollars, being an advance of two hun-
dred dollars on what he paid. The same year he visited
his brother, Dr. Joseph B. Potter, whom he had not seen
for twenty years. He resided in Canal Winchester,
Franklin county, Ohio. At his solicitation Mr. J. B.
Potter came to Iowa on a prospecting tour, which re-
sulted in his making this State his future home. He
immediately returned to Michigan and prepared to emi-
grate to this county. On the sixteenth day of January,
1854, he married Miss Charlotte Halstead, and, on the
seventeenth, he, in company with his wife, mother and
sister, started in a two-horse lumber wagon for Iowa.
They arrived at Quasqueton the fourteenth day of Feb-
ruary, 1854. He erected a house on section twenty-two
in Newton township, but soon afterwards sold it and pur-
chased one hundred and twenty acres in section twenty-
six, Jackson township, Linn county. This farm being
situated at a cross roads, and considered a convenient
place for a post office, he was duly appointed postmaster,
the office being known as Ford's Grove. Their nearest
market was Dubuque, ninety miles distant. Sometimes
grain would be so low that the expense of hauling would
e.xceed the money it brought. In 1857 he exchanged
his farm for the one where he now resides in Newton
township, containing at that time only one hundred and
forty-five acres. He has since added to his possessions
till he now owns six hundred acres of choice land, under
good cultivation. He has a beautiful and convenient
home. His farm is admirably adapted to stock breed-
ing, in which he is extensively engaged. Mr. Potter is a
public-spirited man, and has served his township in dif-
ferent capacities; such as justice of the peace, township
clerk, county supervisor, etc., and has always taken an
active part in the agricultural society since its organiza-
tion. He has the honor of being the first to introduce
thoroughbred short horns into his township, which en-
terprise has been followed very successfully by some of
his neighbors, as well as himself. Mr. Potter's family
consists of himself, wife and three sons — Joseph Ben-
jamin, born in Linn county, April 22, 1855; Truman
Judson, born April 11, 1S58, and John Hiram, born
May 6, 1 86 1.
Life of James A. Garfield,
BY A. G. RTDDLE.
CHAPTER I.
BIRTH AND EARLY INCIDENTS.
The Generations of llie Garfields. — The Mother Birth. — Loss of His
Father. — The Home. — Eagerness for Boolts. — Case vs. a Schoolmas-
ter.— Rape of a Lock. — What Eliza Thought. — Growth and Size. —
A Dream of the Sea. — Repulse by a Lake Captain. — Begins on the
Tow-path. — Promotion. — First Fight. — How the Second was not
Fought. — Reflection and Return. — Overhears His Mother's Prayer.
— An Ague Cake.
Great men rarely, perhaps never, appear under similar
circumstances. A man and woman under common con-
ditions, and yet marked with minor variations, wed, and
a genius is born of them. The vulgar observers of his
advent look to see it repeated from other twos, under
similar conditions. So men who observe something mean
or common in the early years of a great man's life usual-
ly attribute his success to that. In the boyhood of
General Garfield, he drove the horses that dragged a
canal-boat on an Ohio canal one or two trips, and his
biographers have usually set this forth as the leading event
of his youth, and as quite all that is known of him, and
this is supposed to have given the bent and impetus
which launched hirp on the world as one of the great
men of his time.
The birth of a great man is a thing of accident to the
parents, and this enhances the wonder in the eyes of
men. Nature has no accidents, nor is she surprised at
her own work. All are equally prepared for and of
equal importance to her. It matters not whether we say
Providence had certain results to work out, and prepared
a specially endowed man for its accomplishment, or that
certain particles of organic matter — protoplasm — have
certain properties, which flowing along the vital channels,
gathering and losing as they flow, unite, when those
channels coincide, with a certain result. The ordinary
incidents of human life push the ordinary man along
the usual courses. He does the common work of life,
works their processes, because he has the power to do it.
because he can do no other. The same incidents push
the extraordinarily-endowed man along the same avenues,
and he grapples with the unusual, the extraordinary, and
both lives are necessary results of natural causes.
A herd of men, strangers to each other, enter the Am-
erican house of representatives. Two or three, half a
dozen, go sooner or later to the lead, become creators
and directors, because it is in them to do that work.
The rest are led, because it is in them to be conducted
by the others. What has produced the difference, and
whence was derived the leading elements and qualities
of the men, is the problem.
In the instance with which I am to deal I shall not
attempt its solution. I can only hint at scanty antece-
dents. We know that much, many unusual qualities,
went to the making up of the subject of this sketch.
Just what they antecedently were, and how they were
united in his production, is a matter of the vaguest
speculation. The conditions of such an inquiry are
not in our hands, and the science which should guide
it is of the unborn.
Some popular delusions must vanish in reference to
him. He did not grow up a stalwart, unlettered, good-
natured Orson of the wood, nursed by a bear till seven-
teen or eighteen, and then under sudden inspiration rush
through school and college in an intellectual rage, rav-
ishing from the sciences their sweets and secrets, drawing
from books their blood and souls, and devouring and
assimilating teachers and professors.
Most men who become remarkable finally, have a kind
of mythology constructed about their obscure early years.
All the curious things of fact or fancy in the region where
they live are conferred on them. General Garfield is
an eminent example of this fortune, and the busy hand
of fiction is supplementing the natural growth with works
of its own.
One tradition assigns the origin of the Garfields to
Wales, and mainly on the ground of the similarity of the
name to that of a venerable ruin in that country. The
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
better opinion is that they are of Saxon descent. The
family had its seat at Tuddington, Middlesex county, as
early as the twelfth century. The crest of the house is a
heart, with a hand rising out of it, grasping a sword.
The legend, vincit amor pa/rue. The name is inscribed
on the roll of Battle Abbey, as that of a crusader, which
the arms are said to indicate.
The family first appeared in this country at Watertown,
Massachusetts, in 1635, of which Edward Garfield was one
of the proprietors, and where he died in 1672. He had
a son, Edward, who became the father of Captain Ben-
jamin Garfield, a very conspicuous man, who represented
Watertown many years in the general court, and died in
1 7 1 7. One of his sons was Lieutenant Thomas Garfield,
who bore on the tide of descent, imparting it to a son
Thomas, who, in turn, became the father of a Solomon
Garfield. Solomon comes within lingual reach of the gen-
eral, being his great-grandfather. He also had a brother,
Abraham, who fought at Concord and Lexington, and
joined with John Hoar and John Whitehead in a deposi-
tion, proving that the British fired the first gun of the war.
This Solomon married Sarah Stimson, and pushed off for
the wooded hills of Otsego, New York, where his son
Thomas was born. His wife, when he grew to have one,
was Aseneath Hill, of Sharon. To these were born
Abram Garfield, father of the general, and Thomas, ot
Newburgh, Ohio.
Abram was a man of heroic proportions, endowed
with marvelous physical strength; one of those large-
souled, generous-hearted men who, notwithstanding they
might overcome by weight and strength, nevertheless win
by the sweetness and richness of their natures. Many
legends exist of his great strength. A laboring man, all
his implements and tools had to be of a corresponding
si/'e and weight; ^nd, though, the best-natured man in
the world, his courage matched his strength, and on
more than one occasion he employed it in resisting
others. Once on the Ohio canal, where he had a large
job, and was living with his young wife, a gang of hands,
the roughs of a neighboring job, led by two bullies,
the terror of the whole line, came to get up a row with
his men. At the first demonstration of these leaders he
sprang upon and overcame them effectually ere their fel-
lows came to their aid, and thus secured peace. He
was from that moment the acknowledged monarch of
the line of work, and ruled generously. Abram had a
half-brother, Amos Boynton, his mother's son by another
husband, whose fortunes were connected with his.
At the foot of Mount Monadnock, in New Hampshire,
lived a brother of Hosea Ballou, and of this family were
two daughters, Eliza and a sister. Highly endowed in-
tellectually, reared with the care and circumspection of
New England, with its thrift and prudent economies,
these sisters became the wives of these brothers, Eliza
wedding with Abram. Of these two — this grandly-
formed, large-natured, large-souled, kindly man, and this
slight, intellectual, spirited, high-souled, and pious
woman — was born James A., their fourth and last child,
and ninth in descent from Edward, of Watertown — born
to the heart and sword of the Crusader. The event oc-
curred in the woods of Orange, Cuyahoga county, No-
vember 19, 1 83 1. A picture of the humble dwelling in
which our hero was born may be seen on the following
page. It has a rustic look. Although long since torn
down and removed, it can be relied upon as a faithful
representation of General Garfield's birthplace, as it was
drawn from a full description given by Mr. Garfield him-
self.
BIRTHPLACE OF GENER.AL GARFIELD.
After the canal job, the brothers took their families to
make for them permanent homes in Orange, built their
cabins near each other, and, save one, there was then no
human habitation within six miles of them. The Gar-
fields were alive with a generous ambition to win more
than a bare subsistence. The implements of work were
to be the weapons with which to conquer labor, and not
whips in the hands of necessity to scourge them as the
slaves of toil. Work, hard, long continued, and unre-
mitting, to make a home of intelligence and virtue for
their children, and, with the leisure and opportunity, for
better, culture for themselves. The forest rapidly yielded
to the eight-pound axe of Garfield. In time an exten-
sive field, surrounded by the woods, was ripening its
wheat in the summer sun. A fire in the forest threatened
its destruction. By a desperate exercise of strength and
activity the crop was saved. The overtaxed man, over-
come by heat, sat in the cool wind, and contracted a vio-
lent sore throat. A quack came, placed a blister upon
it, and the strong man was strangled. He only said,
"Eliza, I have planted four saplings in these woods. I
BlRTH AND EARLY INCIDENTS.
leave them in your care." He walked to the window,
called his faithful oxen by name, and died.
When the earth was placed over him, the battle of life
for Eliza began. The eldest child was a stout lad of ten.
The first work was to complete the unfinished fence, to
protect the wheat. The rails for this were split by the
slender Eliza, and the two laid them up. The land was
unpaid for. Food was to be won from the earth.
At his father's death, James was less than two years
old; the second and third children were daughters. The
eldest inherited his father's generous and devoted nature
in large measure. With him, till he was thirty years of
age, there was but one purpose in life, — to help his
mother, and do all within his power for his sisters and
younger brother.
The Garfields and Boyntons, isolated from others, by
neighborhood, education, and habits of life, were greatly
dependent on each other for society, and grew up almost
one family. The young Boyntons, as the Garfields, espe-
cially the daughters and James, were of quick parts and
great intelligence. They had between them a few books.
They generally managed to have a school at least during
the winters. So far as the future statesman was con-
cerned, instead of growing up untutored until the divine
frenzy seized him, he became a good reader when he was
three years old, and could almost repeat the contents of
some of the volumes at his command, at an age when
the children of to-day are thought first eligible to the
alphabet. Eliza knew her responsibility, and entered
upon the task of his education. He early made great
proficiency, and the man who fancies that the stupidity
of his son is the counterpart of the child or boyhood of
General Garfield is sadly misinformed on a vital matter.
So emulous were the young people that, mastering all
the branches taught in their early schools, they annoyed
and worried their teachers about studies and lessons, and
with questions quite beyond their reach. At an early
day, and when James was advanced enough to take part
in it, they established among themselves a class of critics,
to examine and determine the accuracy of the use and
pronunciation of words and the construction of sen-
tences. To this class and its critical labors General
Garfield expresses his obligation for the habit of care-
fully scanning the use of words, and their arrangement
in sentences and paragraphs, written or spoken.
His cousin Harriet and himself associated the most in
their literary labors. .Somewhere they came across a
volume of tales of the sea, — some kind of "Pirates'
Own Book," — with which they became fascinated. They
went over with the worn, but never worn-out, stories, till
the young boy's imagination took fire, and he read and
dreamed a boy's impossible career on the ocean. Some
vein of a love of roving sea-life and adventure had come
to him with his other gifts from some Norse ancestor, — ■
some old viking, — which this book kindled, and which
has never quite burned out or been extinguished. What
came of it may be seen later.
His father and mother had early become interested in
the religious movement on the Reserve, which resulted
in the organization of the Disciple churches, and this gave
to her maternal care and admonition the religious sanc-
tion of her convictions of duty and destiny. A woman
of spirit, with a capacity to manage and control children;
to all a mother's solicitude and anxieties was added some
apprehension on account of James, a frank, natural,
tender-hearted, loving boy. Every fibre of his large
frame was redolent of a love of fun, and not without a
spirit of mischief, while his eldest cousin, Boynton, was
the embodiment of ingenious hectoring. There was one
notable winter, in which the boys convicted a teacher, in
the then populous district, of incapacity to parse a
sentence of ordinary English. They agitated against
him, demanded his expulsion, and made so clear and
strong a case on him that a school-meeting was called of
the patrons, before which they appeared as prosecutors,
and sustained their charges. Despite the popular voice,
he managed to retain his place, and most of the scholars,
with the Boyntons and Garfields, were withdrawn. These
were in the habit of holding their lyceum debates and
other exercises in the school-house each week. To pre-
vent this, the door was locked against them. Boys,
under such circumstances, show as little respect for locks
as does love. The youths held their meetmg inside the
house as usual. A man was dispatched to Cleveland,
twelve or fourteen miles, for another lock, which was out
of the way in time. Never was there such a door or
such locks, though, doubtless, the world is full of such
boys. At the fifth and last of these failures of the locks,
careful Mrs. Eliza discovered that the handle of her fire-
shovel showed marks of a strange usage, and there is a
tradition that the new-fallen snow retained the imprint
of a foot — of two feet — that always turned back to her
house as home. The good woman was greatly disturbed.
She still looks grave at every reference to that magical
school-house door. James escaped Middle Creek and
Chickamauga, the greater perils of Congress, but expia-
tion may still be required for the "rape of a lock."
He largely inherited the proportions, strength and per-
sonal qualities of his father, and in the open-air life,
active exercise, simple fare, and regular habits of such a
boy, he grew rapidly, and at sixteen was a full-blooded,
rollicking, spirited, light-hearted boy, living and growing.
LIFE OF JAMFS A. GARFIELD.
Though quick-witted, with considerable power of mimicry,
more exercised than now, we can fancy him a very green-
looking boy, with the untrained, uncouth ways of the youth
of the country of that day. One would like to know what
he thought of himself Of couse, he sometimes looked
in the glass, where he met a broad, round, laughing, richly
florid face, laughing blue eyes, expressive of little but
animal good nature. What did he think of that immense
head? Of course, he tried on the hats of other boys —
of men — and could get it into none of them. Did he
ever think of that? Did he all the time carry around
that callow mass of brain, without a suspicion of what it
might become? Did he think he was like other boys —
one of the common sort to work and play, be kind, love
mother, sister, brother, cousins, especially cousin Harriet;
chop wood and clear land, hoe corn, dig potatoes, run
and jump, throw down all the boys, live and vegetate in
Orange — hilhest and remotest of townships — with no
thought or suspicion to the coming? The mule carries
alike a sack of coals, a casket of gems, or precious gums,
as a horse bears a clown or prince, not knowing the dif-
ference. A boy is not a mule — is something better than
a horse. When does it dawn upon a man of remarkable
parts, not that he is unlike others — every one feels his
unlikeness to his fellow.s — but that he has parts in excess
of others. The fool, perhaps, always thinks that. I am
not dealing with a fool. A man is as much of a mystery
and a revelation to himself as others. It is probably best
that impending superiority be hidden from young mor-
tals of the male species.
His principal business — whatever his ultimate destiny
— of these years, was to live and grow strong and healthy.
Growing wise was not then in order. It never becomes
so to the mass apparently. He was to strengthen and
develop, broaden and deepen; must be wide in the shoul-
ders, deep in the chest, straight in loin, strong and straight
in leg and thigh, with immense lung and heart power.
The base of the brain was of more consequence then;
no matter what Humphrey Marshall, Senator Lamar, or
Judge Kelley might severally be doing in those years, it
was his business to grow; by and by he will ripen, and at
an early day, for use. And so, in his sixteenth year, in the
spring, he went to Newburgh to chop one hundred cords
of wood — I don't know vthat he w-as to receive for it. It
is not of the least consequence whether it was twenty or
twenty-five dollars. It was not money that was of the
chief use to him, though he worked for it.
From the margin of the wood where was his work,
there was an outlook of the wide lake, on which under
the deep blue of the March and April sky, went the
White-winged ships, Day by day there to the North was
the bright ridge of slaty-blue, "the high seas" of the
books. It was like the sea of which he had always
dreamed. It was the sea, and there were ships and
sailors and sailor-boys. All the latent longings of his
nature, quickened and fed by his childish reading, were
aroused. Here lay the sea beckoning to him. Here
he would begin and master the rudiments, — a funny
idea for a boy at his age, this of thoroughness of begin-
ning at the bottom. When he had mastered these fields
of fresh water, he would go and take the boundless
ocean, — that which is itself the boundary. And so he
chopped and split and piled his hundred cords of wood,
pausing to gaze and sigh and resolve. He was to be a
sailor, not "a fisher of men." In one of these mysteri-
ous coming and going, never staying, weird phantoms of
the blue, he would come and go, toss and beat, and see
the far-off regions of the east, which lay in his ardent
imagination like colored bubbles or painted dreams, only
he knew they were real. And over the wide Pacific, the
world of sundown seas and living islands, these should
rise out of the blue and come to meet him, and his feet
should tread their shores. All this should be his; and
thus he dreamed as he chopped and piled his wood.
He afterwards hired out to a Mr. Treat during the
haying and harvesting season, and still dreamed of the
sea. With his small earnings, putting by the persuasions
and entreaties of his mother, he made his way to Cleve-
land to begin at the bottom and work up. In the harbor
he found but a single vessel which he thought he would
like to go on. To that he made his way, stepped lightly
up the gangway, and asked eagerly for the captain; was
told that he was below, but would be on deck in a minute.
He had never, save in dreams and pictures, seen a cap-
tain, a poetic hero, a cross of angel and pirate, in feather
and spangles, — instead of which there stepped on deck
a hardened, red-faced, brutal wretch, half drunk. He
was evidently in a towering rage. The nascent rover of
the blue modestly asked him if he wanted a hand. The
enraged brute turned and poured upon him his pent
wrath in curses, oaths, and made no other answer. The
men on deck heard this with illy suppressed chuckles.
The poor boy, struck dumb, endured one minute of dis-
tressed awkward silence, which seemed an age before
he could recover and walk away.
So far from curing him of his sea longing, it strength-
ened and gave it a new direction, or rather, it suggested
a new and the true mode of the entrance upon his ca-
reer. The captain's treatment showed him that he was
too young and green to become a sailor without some
initiatory process. In turning the matter over in his
mind, the canal presented itself as the true starting-point,
BIRTH AND EARLY INCIDENTS.
and from the canal he would graduate to the lake, and
so flow out to the ocean. On the canal the lowest point
was that of driver. For this post he would compete.
To a canal-boat he went. The first boat he applied to
wanted a driver, and he secured the situation.
Poor boy ! Had his career ended with that trip, as it
came near doing, not a woman but would weep for his fate.
He had not the faintest idea of sw imming, and knew noth-
ing of water, save as a beverage, and occasionally to wash
hands in. On that first and most important tour he fell in-
to the canal fourteen times, and had fourteen miraculous
escapes from drowning. After all he showed his quality,
and on return to port, the end of his first and last round
trip as driver from Cleveland to Beaver, he was promoted
from the tow-path to the deck, as bowsman. This brought
a new experience. On his second trip he had his first
fight. While in motion, he stood on deck, with a "set-
ting-pole" on his shoulder, some twenty feet from Dave,
a great, good-natured, hulking boatman, with a quick
temper, with whom he was on good terms. The boat
gave a lurch, the pole was sent with violence in the di-
rection of Dave, and reached him before the warning
cry. It struck him midships. Garfield expressed his
sorrow promptly. Dave turned upon the luckless boy
with curses, and threatened to thrash him. Garfield
knew he was innocent even of carelessness. The threat
of flogging by a heavy man of thirty-five roused the hot
Garfield and Ballou blood. Dave rushed upon him
with his head down, like an enraged bull. As he came
on, Garfield sprang to one side, and dealt him a power-
ful blow just back of and under the left ear. Dave
went to the bottom of the boat with his head between
two beams, and his now heated foe went after him, seized
him by the throat, and lifted the same clenched hand —
the left — for another buffet. "Pound the d — d fool to
death, Jim !" called the appreciative captain. "If he haint
no more sense than to get mad at an accident, he orto
die." And as the youth hesitated — "Why don't you
strike?" D — n me if I'll interfere." He could not. The
man was down, helpless, in his power. Father, as well
as mother, stayed the blow. Dave expressed regret at
his rage. Garfield gave him his hand, and they were
better friends than ever.
The victory gave him as much prestige along the canal
as that accorded him through the North for thrashing
Humphrey Marshall at Middle Creek. The general
says that not long after he came near being thrashed
himself, and for cause deemed sufficient by the interna-
tional code of the canal. At a certain distance each way
from either gate of a lock is set what is called a "distance-
post." If it happens that two boats approach a lock at
the same time, the one that first reaches his distance-
post has the first use of the lock, and the other must lie
to and wait. The bowsman who violates this rule of
reasonable law does so at the peril of immediate war.
At a lonely place in the canal one night, Garfield's boat
and one from the other way approached a lock at the
same time. The other reached his distance-post first.
In an instant's rashness, Garfield, disregarding the other's
rights, dashed on, opened the lock-gates at his end, and
thus took possession of it. The insult was appreciated.
The rival bowsman, a burly infuriated Irishman, leaped
from his boat and made for his foe, illuminating his
approach with a shower of Irish threats and curses.
Being in for it, Garfield awaited his approach, leaning
against the gate with seeming coolness, replying not a
word. When the enraged man had approached within a
few feet, the youth, in a commanding voice and manner,
ordered him to halt then and there, on peril of being
instantly awfully whipped. The audacity of taking the
lock, the coolness and authority of this command, the
height of the young man, looming on the amazed sight
of the enemy, arrested his ajjproach, and he contented
himself with announcing certain punishment for any
future outrage of the kind, and the boats passed. The
general admits that his conduct in the first instance was
the rashest folly, and in disregard of duty. In the
second, it seemed the best way out of a difficulty. He
was but sixteen. '■■
Garfield himself attributes his early abandonment of
the canal and the change of his cherished plans to a
combination of circumstances, which, though more nu-
merous, resolve themselves to two — his mother and the
ague. The memory of his tributes to Neptune in the
muddy waters of the canal lingered in his boyish mind,
with the refrain, "It might have been." He had taken
one of his many tumbles into the mud, and grasped the
dangling end of a drag-rope which hung over the stern.
It seems to have been in the night. Hand over hand
he sought to pull himself from the water, too deep tor
him; and hand over hand it paid out, giving him not the
least help. His position became perilous. Himself be-
came alarmed, as he struggled seemingly more and more
helplessly. Finally the rope became fixed, and lent
itself to his aid, and he drew himself on board. Curious
to know the cause of its mysterious conduct, he found
on examination that it lay in a loose coil, and in running
over the edge of the boat, in his grasp, it had been drawn
into a crack with a sort of kink, like a knot, at that point,
which alone prevented it paying out its whole treacherous
length. In his wet clothes he sat down in the cold of
the empty night, to contemplate and construe the matter.
It seemed then, to him, that there was but one chance in
LIFE OF JAMES a. GARFIELO.
one thousand that a line thus running over the edge of
the boat should run into a crack and knot itself; and
that one chance had saved him. Then came the
thought of home and mother, and how with seeming in-
difference he had left her, and under the impression that
he was going upon the lake. He remembered he had
not written to her during the three months he had been
absent, and he pondered over the pain and distress his
misconduct had doubtless caused her; and he knew of
the constant prayers with which her love had surrounded
him, as with an atmosphere, from the dawn of being. He
had, in his modest self-abnegation, never regarded him-
self of any especial consequence in the world, and the
rope had not now fastened itself for him on his own ac-
count, but solely at the intercession of that mother.
Morning light and the life of the next day came with
new thoughts. The peril and escape of the last night
faded to the memory of an unpleasant dream, the fig-
ments of which lost their hold upon him. Be a sailor
he would. Then he had broken with home; had gone
for himself; had a right to shape his own life, provided
he did well, worked, and earned money, and avoided
vicious courses. But the drenching, the malaria of the
canal, were too strong for the health and will of sixteen.
He began to shake incontinently. He called up his will
and determination; set, or tried to set, his teeth. How-
ever firm his will, his body would shake and his teeth
would chatter. The boat was on its way to Cleveland,
and he determined there to lie off and get well. From
Cleveland he went to Orange. He drew near the old
home, consecrated by his mother's presence, in the eve-
ning, and weak and shattered stole to the door. Her
voice came from within in prayer. With uncovered head
he bowed and listened, as the fervent prayer went on.
He heard her pray for him, her son, away from her, and
only in the providence of God. "Would He preserve
him in health of body, and purity of life and soul; and
return him to be her comfort and stay." When the voice
ceased, he softly raised the latch and entered. Her
prayer was answered. Not till after that time did he
know that his going away had quite crushed her.
He was at once prostrated with the " ague cake," as
the hardness of the left side is popularly called. One of
the old school M. D.'s salivated him, and for several
awful months he lay on the bed with a board so adjusted
as to conduct the flow of saliva from his mouth, while
the cake was dissolving under the influence of calomel,
as the doctor said. Nothing but the indissoluble consti-
tution given him by his father carried him through.
However it fared with that obdurate cake, his passion for
the sea survived, and he intended to return to the canal.
The wise, sagacious love of the mother won. She took
counsel of other helps. During the dreary months of
drool, with tender watchfulness she cared for him, with-
out the remotest word of his immediate past. She trusted
in his noble nature. She trusted in God that, although
he constantly talked of carrying out his old plans, he
would abandon them. Not for years did he know the
agony these words cost her. She merely said, in her
sweet, quiet way, "James, you're sick. If you return to
the --anal, I fear you will be taken down again. I have
been thinking it over. It seems to me you had better
go to school this spring, and then with a term in the fall,
you may be able to teach in the winter. If you can
teach winters, and want to go on the canal or lake sum-
mers, you will have employment the year around." Wise
woman that she was.
In his broken condition it did not seem a bad plan.
While he revolved it, she went on. "Your money is now
all gone, but your brother Thomas and I will be able to
raise seventeen dollars for you to start to school on, and
you can perhaps get along after that is gone upon your
own resources."
He took the advice and the money, the only fund ever
contributed by others to him, towards a collegiate edu-
cation, and went to the Geauga seminary at Chester.
CHAPTER II.
EDUCATIONAL LIFE.
A Professor. — The senant retires. — Whirligigs of Time. — Grand River
Institute. — A call to the Ledge. — Goes as Jim Gaffil. — Returns Mr.
Garfield. — Is Converted. — Rides Seventy Miles to see a College. — •
Hiram. — Course there. — Chooses Williams. — Experience there. —
First in Metaphysics. — Indifference to Money. — Professor of Lan-
guages.— President of Hiram College. — Preaches.
I have thus rapidly passed from General Garfield's
birth, through the mythical and legendary period of his
life, which others have enriched with absurd fables, to
that of history. A wider space, in which other matter of
interest in those chrysalis years might find place would
throw much strong light upon the structure and growth
of his character and mind.
The period of his school education, with the unfolding
of his mental powers, and the development of the latent
traits of character which go also to the formation of
a life, are of the greatest importance to a correct
appreciation of the matured man, but must yield to a
more rapid treatment. At the close of the spring term
at Chester, he had so far recovered as to enable him to
work as a day laborer at haying and harvesting. It is
curious the fantastic changes which time and the after-
success of a man work in the memories of other persons
EDUCATIONAL LIFE.
concerning him, and of their own agency in bringing
him forward. At an eariier period young Garfield had
worked for a merchant at boihng black salts. While so
employed, the daughter of the house came home from
the Geauga seminary, actually attended by a real pro-
fessor, or so they called him. Young Garfield had never
seen a specimen before. He really sat at the same
table, and was permitted to linger in the same room in a
remote corner, where the effulgence was not too strong,
until nine o'clock in the evening, when the good mother,
in a decided voice, announced that "it was time for serv-
ants to retire." Soon after, ho found himself in his little
bedroom, up stairs, without being conscious of the details
of the journey thither. "Servant." It was not a good
word for the ears of even an intended sailor boy. His
term was quite out; the merchant sympathized with him,
said what he might, and offered an increase of wages,
but the servant retired at the end of the month.
Ah, "the whirligigs of time," and the compensations
they bring! The daughter became the wife of the won-
derful professor, and a few brief years later, when on a
visit to the lady mother, the three went to a reception
tendered to the popular president of a college and elo-
quent young senator, when the mother congratulated him
with cordiality, and herself warmly, for once having him
a member of her family. The servant had retired.
And so this summer, a farmer of the neighborhood
for whom he did yeoman's service in the harvest field at-
tempted to defraud him of his scant wages, and was only
foiled by the youth's spirit. He lived to speak of "Jim
Gafifil"* as one of his boys whom he had raised and
helped forward in his day of penury.
With the money thus earned the young man purchased
more decent raiment. When he reached Chester for the
fall term, he had just six cents, and these he cast into
the contribution box on the ensuing Sunday at church,
and so he resumed his education.
In the neighborhood of the school there was a large
two-story house in the course of construction; to the
master builder he applied for work, as he had an apti-
tude for the use of tools, and was familiar with a jack-
plane and jointer. He secured the job of dressing
"clap-boards" for the weather boarding at two cents
each, and one vacation day he dressed fifty, the first
time in his life that he received a full dollar for a day's
work. He made his way through easily, and in the au-
tumn he received the examiner's certificate as a teacher.
When the call came to "the Ledge," (a neighborhood in
Orange), in his honest judgment of himself, he shrank
from undertaking the school. In his doubt, he applied
to his Uncle Boynton. After a moment's thought, he
• The popular pronunciation at the time in Orange.
replied, "Take it. You will go as 'Jim Gaffil;' you must
come back 'Mr. Garfield,' " and he did. '
That winter Father Lillie, a Disciple preacher of local
fame, held a protracted meeting in the neighborhood,
and yielding his assent to the faith of his ever-hopeful
mother, he united with her church organization, and this
severed the last strand of the cord which bound him to
the dream, of the ocean. All these it took — imminent
peril of death, illness, devoted love of motner, her
prayers and intercessions, an abiding thirst for knowl-
edge newly awakened, his conversion and union with
the church. The center of them all was the sweet,
beaming, tender, lovely face of his mother, the light
from which brought out all the alluring or repulsive fea-
tures of the other.
Not many years since in speaking of these trials and
temptations of his early years, he said, half regretfully,
"But even now, at times, the old feeling (the longing for
the sea) comes back;" and walking across the room, he
turned with a flashing eye, "I tell you, I would rather
now command a fleet in a great naval battle than do
anything else on this earth. The sight of a ship often
fills me with a strange fascination; and when upon
the water, and my fellow-landsmen are in the agonies
of sea-sickness, I am as tranquil as when walking the
land, in the serenest weather." But the sea lost her
lover.
At the close of -his school on "the Ledge," he went
with his mother to visit a brother of hers, in the south
part of the State. Save on the canal, this was his longest
journey and made on the railroad, his first ride on the
cars. They stopped at Columbus, where Mr. Kent, the
representative of Geauga, showed them much attention,
and young Garfield saw the wonders of that capital. At
Blue Rock an unfortunate school-master had just been
disciplined by the scholars of one of the districts and
dismissed, and he was induced to take them in hand for
two months, and did. During the time he rode on
horsebacK seventy miles to Athens to see a real college,
the first he had ever seen.
What a strong light this incident throws on the uncon-
scious working and influence of the real forces of the
young man's mind !
The longings of his strong and still undeveloped na-
ture were in a new direction. It was no longer the sea,
the remote shores of old lands, the lonely islands, and
pictured archipelagoes, but the cloisters of learning, its
abode. The walls and roof of the mere edifice appealed
to an imagination that seems early to have exercised a
strong influence over him. He was now to turn all
the energies with which he was so abundantly en-
dowed, in the new direction. The little seminary of
8
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
Chester, to which he returned from Blue Rock, was suf-
ficient for the present. This must have been the summer
of 1850. The ensuing winter he taught school again;
thus enlarging his own powers and thoroughness of acqui-
sition. An ingenious mind never acquires so surely as
where it masters for the purpose of imparting. A man
must find his learning so roomy that he can turn in it,
and still find it at his hand. A man's soul must be large
enough to turn round in, or it cannot be much of a soul.
The story of this school life has been told with fair
amplitude in history and fiction. Rich and useful as it
is, my purpose is more to help finish out the artist's tran-
script of the noble head and face, to furnish forth the
complete idea of the man, than to tell a tale, however
graphic, of the details of a very interesting career. — to
show, if I may, what he was and is, rather than what he
said and did. There is such incompleteness in a life,
running at full tide like a river on whose banks you stand,
that even this is scarcely possible. At mid career, per-
haps, one can at best furnish a conception of what a man
seems, rather than what he really is. That can possibly
only be known when his years are completed.
Some intelligent, hard-working farmers, caught up and
molded into unity of sentiment by the remarkable relig-
ious movement in which Alexander Campbell was a
leader — a movement hardly possible save amid a pio-
neer people, who are remitted somewhat to the primary
conditions of life, which seem to pla(^ them nearer na-
ture and God — had worked into accomplishment their
idea of an institute of learning, needed for tlie education
of their own youth. They had found in the scriptures,
pure and simple, not only an abundant formula of faith,
but a code for church government as well. They knew
it was written in an original language, and, among other
things to be provided for, was a means of the thorough
mastery of this and the Latin tongue. This was a school
much in advance of Chester; it was the central literary
light of the new, or the re-organization of primitive Chris-
tianity, and to this the young scholar would necessarily
make his way. It was an event in the history of Hiram
rather than in that of Garfield, when he entered her new
fresh halls and rooms. The incidents of school life,
which with the passage of time were to become tradi-
tions, were yet to occur. With cravings sharpened, facul-
ties still wholly immature, broadened and strengthened
at Chester, and a capacity for study greatly enlarged, the
large-headed, broad-shouldered, deep-chested young
giant, with his surplus of life, finding vent in loud
gushes of laughter, and the thousand ways in which an
overflood of young male animal vitality finds innocent
outlets, he concentrated his energies on Greek and Latin.
One can almost fancy that a thrill from the grasp of his
warm, strong hand, must have run back to the ashes of
the old writers, whose thoughts he was to master, with
their language. Two years at Hiram and he was largely
the best scholar she had, and he became the standard by
which to measure her future prodigies. We are not toW
what were his methods and peculiarities of study. We
know very well that he had no peculiarities. A direct
nature of his breadth and force can never become eccen-
tric, could hardly be otherwise peculiar. He was differ-
ent from other young men rather in quality and quantity.
He exhausted Hiram and needed more. He wrote to
Yale, Williams, and Mr. Campbell's young college at
Bethany, gave a modest account of his acquisitions, and
wished to know what time it would require in their
classes to complete the university course. They sever-
ally answered, two years.
Singularly enough, he turned from Bethany. There
was a leaning in it toward slavery, by which it was sur-
rounded. It was less thorough. The youth who would
grow up to a sailor, possibly an admiral, from the tow-path
of a canal, would be content with nothing less than the
most complete. Beside, he was quick enough to see
that his religious association was a little exclusive, though
confessedly as broad as the scheme of salvation, and he
wished to see and mix with a body more cosmopolitan, —
preferred the older and more advanced East. "If you
come here, we shall be glad to do what we can for you,"
was the conclusion of President Hopkins' letter from
Williams. There was a little warmth, sympathy in these
words that touched a nature so responsive, and this de-
cided that Williams and not Yale should graduate him.
Through the discovery of life insurance the young student
raised the necessary means, on a policy he secured on his
own life, which was a good risk, and the summer of 1854,
in his twenty-third year, saw him in the junior class of
Williams.
At Williams, the air was warm and close with the styles,
fashions, and conventionalisms, — stifling, with the artifi-
cialities and refinements of eastern life. A young man, the
product of a city, can never apprehend the emotions and
confusions experienced by the country-bred youth who
finds himself suddenly in their midst. He is afiaid of a
great town, and patronizes a third-rate hotel rather than
face the monsters of a first. It is not in nature that the
elegant students from the wealthy homes of the East
should not note and comment upon the western speci-
men. Let it not be supposed that the young athlete, on
whom canal water made little impression, was impervious
to the glances that ran him over or took him in. He was
the most sensitive of mortals.
EDUCATIONAL LIFE.
The youth who, abashed by the manner of a drunken
brute, went from the lake to the tow-path, had but the
humblest conception of himself. What mattered it
though he was intellectually a giant, and a genius so
large and general that it had no special tendency, and
therefore not recognized as genius, — that his intellect had
the fashion of Cicero, of Demosthenes, his imagination
was Athenian, his thought moulded and polished by
Virgil and the classics? He knew he was rural. He
thought he might be rustic. He could see that he still
looked unripe. The full blood was all too near the thin,
fine-fibred skin of the face, and that was too broad. He
never could see why that head, disproportionately large
even for those shoulders and chest, need be quite so big,
light as he carried it. He had not thought much of his
dress. Now it was impressed upon him that his coat was
of Hiram. His boots were Hiramy, and so were his
pantaloons. His hat he purchased in Ravenna, but was
not Williams fashion. Why had he not gone to Bethany?
Alas ! it is both Darwinian and Taineian that man is the
servant of his environments, and more than one man has
been made unhappy by his coat. Surely there are crosses
enough without putting a man at feud and disadvantage
by his garments. Better that he be without. The
loftiest ambition, the highest soul has its weaknesses.
Young Garfield's nature was roomy enough to absorb
Williams, faculty and students, and his magnetism made
them his own. They and he forget the lack of grace in
his dress in his other abundant graces, and he wore his
garments as he might. He kept his place in his class to
the close.
At the end of two years he received the award for
metaphysics, the best honor of Williams. Metaphysics!
who would have suspected that? Who would have sup-
posed that the kind of power and grasp that clutches the
particles of the s[Hrit of things, and follows filmy specula-
tion to shadowless, atomless conclusions in the abstract,
and so sets Williams wondering, were his? "Metaphysics,
after all, may be a specialty with Mr. Garfield." Yes, I
have observed that the subject in hand with him, what-
ever it is, becomes a specialty.
Mention has been made of the slenderness of his means
and meagreness of compensation he earned, where it
seemed to reflect light on his character. Had I ever
heard of his higgling over the price of a Barlow-knife, or
woodchuck-skin whip-lash, I should mention the oft-re-
peated scantiness of his expenditures, and the sum total
of his debt when he took metaphysical leave of Williams.
It might then help to a better understanding of the man.
Great men may be small in money matters ; when they
are, it may as well be known. It helps to equalize great
and common men. Mr. Garfield seems rather of the
temper of the knight who twisted off an unweighed quan-
tity of his golden chain, and threw it in silent disdain to
the churl who asked wages for hospitality.
On his return to Ohio he was honored with the post
of languages in the Hiram institute. The next year he
became its president. As an instructor, he was famous,
so far as such a post can confer distinction. Doubtless
there are minds gifted with a special aptitude for instruct-
ing. It was now thought this was his gift. He never
had any of the pedagogue. He never would have real-
ized any man's idea, save his own, of a professor. I
doubt whether there was any one or two things that
peculiarly fitted him for teaching. I think there are few
things to which, if he turned and concentrated himself,
that he would not do about as well as the best in that
line, and shortly. It is said that Greek and Latin, in his
mouth, ceased to be dead languages, in a manner. That
the secrets of most of the sciences revealed themselves
to him, and so were freely translated. The power lay in
the warmth and magnetism of his nature. A gift to ani-
mate things, make them move and take color. In some
sense a born orator, his rank as such I do not speak of.
His mastery of language gave him a copious vocabulary.
He was full of enthusiasm. Anything which engaged
his attention five minutes awakened it. Never was there
such talkings up of lessons as his; nor had any studies
ever before seemed so attractive to the pupils. They
saw them through his medium, which was warmth as
well as light.
He was born — had all his days save his Williams
days — lived at the heart-beat of the common people, and
knew exactly the influences which control them, and that
they measure everything by the money standard of cost,
and what could be got for it in cash. He knew that
they even estimated him by the money he could earn at
teaching, and hence the eagerness to know the money
cost of his education. A young farmer, in the emulation
which the young professor's name produced, would se-
cure a quarter in the institute, and became charmed at
the world of letters opened to him. His father would
refuse, hesitate, was seen and talked with by the young
president, who made it clear, to even his apprehension,
that a more thorough education enhanced the cash value
of the youth. Would it have been better on the whole
that Garfield had remained a college professor or presi-
dent? It is pretty certain he would not long have
remained at Hiram. His proportions were not suited
to that, and he would have grown much faster else-
where. Would it have been better if his plans of life
had embraced the idea of adhering to some one thing ?
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
Was he incapable of that? Is here the weakness in him?
Or is there too much of him or of sometliing, — too
much or too little ?
The years of his teaching coincide with the years of
his preaching. Whatever may have been the effect on
others, which must have been salutary, and although it
was a useful training-school to the young men, the draw-
back— less hurtful to him than to most — is the half-odium
attaching to an ex-clergyman. Most of the callings a
man may turn from to others, without a shadow of dis-
credit. The clerical is not one of them. He was at the
most a lay-preacher. Under the Disciple rule any brother
may offer his views. Of all peoples they were most
given to discussions, public, private, and all the time; of
reading, discussing, and expounding the Scriptures. A
young man of Garfield's gifts and temperament, dealing
with Scripture texts and lessons, would become a public
speaker on the themes of such universal interest. Of
course he excelled. I have no doubt he liked to preach.
All true artists love to practice their art. For a real born
speaker, with warmth of temperament and imagination,
the exercise of his gift has a great charm. To feel every
fibre alive and tremulous with a theme, and rise and
launch himself with fearless confidence on speech, "wreak
himself on expression," kindle and glow, lift the audi-
ence and be lifted till the sentiment and emotion of all
become one, and his the utterance of it, give to the
speaker a rare delight. The pleasurable glow remains
though the physical frame may become exhausted. Gar-
field had no call to preach; felt none. Had none of
the intense religious enthusiasm that has made so many
smaller men famous. He had natural enthusiasm,
warmth, sympathy, sensibility, language, rare powers of
speech, — had faith. He lacked the kindling inspiration
of an intense evangelical spirit that hears the voice of
the strong necessities of its own nature. He was never
set apart for the miriistry of the word by the authority of
his people. Though he spoke often, in many places,
was famous among his people, who have produced so
many able and some widely-famous ministers, few of
whom have much of the clergyman about them. Ear-
nest, zealous, able, eloquent Christian teachers are they,
with a very small modicum of the parson. Perhaps had
Garfield remained a college jirofessor or president he
would have continued to preach, with what success is not
difficult to forecast. In the superabundance of him he
did other things beside. Among them, it is even said
that in 1858-59 he saved some money, which was a
thing he would be less likely to succeed in than in any
other field of human enterprise that occurs to me. A
weakness in this matter is doubtless amiable; it is a
great personal inconvenience, and not by any means
necessarily allied to excellence of mind, character, or
morals. Money values are not to be ruled out as vulgar
or vicious. They are the only measures of property,
and should be kept in their place. To estimate a man
by his worth in money provokes a guffaw of the gods.
Whatever he may have done in the way of this acquisi-
tion, he made many political anti-slavery speeches. Here
was a field broad and standing thick with material, the
use of which could not fail to be most effective in his
hands. Since the pre-revolutionary period no cause has
done so much for American orator)', as we still miscall
our public speaking. The other two together, temper-
ance and woman's rights, save with the sex, do not
approach it. Most of the good platform speakers of
middle life of the North were formed in this school, so
nearly allied to the more vulgar and very useful political
speaking common to all parts of the country.
CHAPTER III.
WAR EXPERIENCES.
Elected to the .Senate. — Studies Law. — Plans of Life. — Approach and
Preparation for the War. — General Cox. — James Monroe. — Lieuten-
ant Colonel Forty-second Regiment. — General Buell. — Interview m ith
Him. — Plans Mill Creek Campaign. — Finds Humphrey Marshall. —
Battle. — Humphrey Hies to Pound Gap. — The Campaign. — Steers
the Sandy Valley up the Big Sandy. — At the Battle of Shiloh. — Wash-
ington.— Fitz John Porter's Trial. — Chief of Staff in Army of the
Cumberland. — Rosecrans. — Overrules the Seventeen Generals. — Tul-
lahoma. — Chickamauga. — Heroism on the Field. — Major General. —
Plan to Supersede Lincoln. — The Patriot Boy. — Lincoln Urges Him
to Enter Congress.
With his great personal popularity Mr. Garfield could
not well have avoided politics and becoming officially a
public man. I don't think he tried. He must have had
a relish for affairs. I don't see how, with his robust vital-
ity and abounding animal life, he could well have long
lived in a college cloister. He was elected to the Ohio
Senate in the autumn of 1859, ^n*^ ^^''"^s then twenty-eight.
This indicates a possible change in the plans of life. So
earnest and thoughtful a man had plans and programmes,
had long and carefully arranged and adhered to sys-
tem for the discharge of his duties and avocations. Such
men by such means conquer lime and win leisure. There
is one other evidence of this change of plan. In the
same autumn he entered his name as a student-at law in
WAR EXPERIENCES.
the office of Messrs. Williamson & Riddle, of Cleveland,
and had full five minutes' conversation with the junior as
to the books and course of reading, from whose hand he
subsequently received a paper that he had diligently-
studied that science two years, under whose instruction
was omitted, and w-as admitted to the bar by the supreme
court at Columbus. He doubtless then intended, as he
has several times since, to turn himself to the practice of
law. Of the cause which could have led to this, specu-
lation would be useless. We have a catalogue of the
reasons which turned him from the sea, though they did
not banish the viking from his heart. Less cogent rea-
sons, and perhaps fewer in number, may have been am-
ple to lead to change of the plans of life.
He was then a member of the Ohio senate, and quite
every day from that to the present has been spent in the
public service. His figure on the public stage soon be-
came conspicuous. The character of his services and
the manner in which he has rendered them early called
the public attention to him. As his period of service
lengthened, his fame broadened; the impressions he pro-
duced deepened. As we study and contemplate him he
grows upon us.
Perhaps I might leave him here. His career is matter
of already written history. Its muse will assuredly care
for him. This sketch is not written for him or his friends,
nor at their dictation. I have undertaken to furnish some
sketches of many men well known to me, though less
known to fame than he, for a domestic history. I must
in the fulfillment of this undertaking so far glance at the
incidents of these later j'ears, or of some of them, as to
suggest the lights and shades they throw upon him, to
show the effect they have produced, the changes they
have wrought in the man himself, and help as I may to
form an estimate of him.
It will be remembered that Garfield entered the Ohio
senate in 1859, when the leaders of slavery had so far
changed the forms of resistance to the exercise of their
constitutional rights by theNorthern people, that the con-
test would inevitably escape from the forms of political
action and assume those of war. It cannot be said that
the North were not amply warned in time. But hardly a
man of that region, a year later, believed the South meant
an actual collision of arms. It may be that it was as
well that the North was incapable of being thus alarmed.
The parties were mutually deceived. The South was in
earnest, but, in turn, believed that war, inevitable and
bloody, would not ensue, for it was assured that the farm-
ers, mechanics, traders, and manufacturers would not
attempt to enforce the rights and laws of the Nation
against them. The South was more foolhardy than the
North supposed; the North less timid and pusillanimous
than the South believed. Curious it now seems, that the
peoples of one blood, language, laws, and actual govern-
ment, who had lived, associated, traded, and intermarried,
occupied the same lands, and jointly carried on the same
political institutions, could be so divided by the single
thing of slavery, that they could have so misunderstood
each other. So it was. The conflict was rapidly ap-
proaching. The domestic agitations and political con-
vulsions which must precede a contest so great and near,
were shaking and shaping the minds and actions of the
peoples of the two sections, and, unconsciously on the
part of the North, conducting them to the margin of the
inevitable conflict. These interests and agitations super-
seded the ordinary themes and interests of legislation
and discussion. It was the day for the advent of large-
brained, warm-natured men of profound convictions,
under the passionate impulses of the fiery blood, beating
out the fullest pulse of youth. In a way, Garfield's con-
stitutional make, the source from which he sprang, the
life he had lived, the training and discipline he had gone
through with, fitted him admirably for the important part
he performed in preparing Ohio for the contest, and
leading her side by side with the more advanced Northern
States into it, and preparing himself and fellows for their
own individual shares in it. It is still strange how that
war fought itself, and though utterly unprepared with
materials, soldiers, and commanders, perhaps the most
surprising thing, after all, was the admirable and thorough
preparation of the people themselves for the war, amazed
as they were when it broke upon them. The causes
which led to it worked this fitting — the planters, nursers
and growers of the ideas, the germinal elements which
produced the Northern half of these fashioning causes,
were older than Garfield. He and the men of his gen-
eration, the young, fiery orators, who, under the impetus
of older forces and movements, were but to shape the
things at the last moments ere the conflict, were to
arouse, marshal, and lead the masses into the field, trans-
form and be transformed into soldiers and commanders.
His share of this work he did faithfully and well. When
has he shirked or been wanting? He became almost at
once the foremost in it. That, too, is quite his way.
Who would expect him long to lag in rear of the most
advanced, and that not wholly from emulation, — he has
given little evidence of great personal ambition, — as froth
the qualities and forces of his nature, which, when
turned in a given direction, take him as far as men can
go, and greatly in advance of all save the very few?
With these his race is probably yet to be run. The man's
nature makes it inevitable. Seemingly, he leaves himself
in the hands of events.
12
LIFE OF JAMES. A GARFIELD.
No quotation I could make from any speech of the
several effective ones delivered by Mr. Garfield in the
Ohio senate would do them or him justice. Quotations
are always unjust. Of his immediate associates, J. D.
Cox, of Trumbull county, and James Monroe, of Lorain
county, then in the senate, were his most efficient co-
workers. I make no comparisons of these men, nor shall
I contrast Mr. Garfield with any. It is probable that with
Co.x was he the more intimate. When it became probable
to these young men that a conflict of arms would ensue,
each knew that he should go to the field, each felt that
he would be called on to lead others. However that
might be, each would be there to meet whatever foe he
might find. They at once applied themselves to study
the art of war. Both had read Ciiosar, were familiar with
the history of modern campaigning. They now took the
subject up as an elementary study. Garfield, as we know
from the natural logical thoroughness of his mind, began
at the soldier's tow-path. Cox showed all through the war
his natural aptitude, and the helps he drew from study
never remitted.
Whatever may be said of the genius, or talent, or both,
necessary to fit forth a great military leader, the glitter
and dazzle, the pomp and splendor, which ever attend
the movements and encounters of men in arms, throw
so much glamour over the names of successful generals
that their essential merits are lost sight of. The real
nature and quality of the faculties, by the possession and
exercise of which men succeed as generals, are, after all, a
little dubious. The war showed that there was an abund-
ance of this talent among us, and of excellent quality.
It is useful in war, itself the most absurdly useless of
human avocations. Barbarians and savages have it, and
doubtless it is developed early in men. Men succeed
early in life as commanders, and with us men who failed
in everything else, before and after the war, did well as
subordinate commanders, and may have had the ability
to conduct a campaign.
At the start. Cox received the first command. The
early three months' regiments were permitted to elect
their field-ofScers. Upon the organization of the Seventh,
Garfield was at Cleveland, and at Camp Taylor, and was,
perhaps, willing to have been its colonel. The push-
ing, dashing Tyler carried off that honor. The first of
his exploits was to sit down to breakfast with the boys
oiie morning, at Cross Lanes, in the enemy's country,
never thinking that chaps unmannerly enough to break
out of the Union would break in on a colonel at his
breakfast, but they did, and this broke up the Seventh.
During the summer, Garfield, who began as lieutenant-
colonel, was in command of the Forty-second at Camp
Chase, and stamped himself upon it in a month. He
was teacher, professor, and colonel in one. On the fif-
teenth of December, in obedience to an order from Gen-
eral Baell, commanding the department of the Ohio, the
Forty-second was sent to Cattlettsburgh, Kentucky, and
its colonel proceeded to headquarters at Louisville.
The preparations and expectations, the longings, possi-
ble doubtings of the eager, anxious months were to be
brought to the test of actual war.
What a picture the interview of Buell and Garfield
would make in the hands of an artist ! Buell, the most
accomplished military scholar and critic of the old army,
and the most unpopular as well as one of the most deserv-
ing generals of volunteers of the war, astute, silent, cold.
Garfield, with his glowing thirty years and splendid
figure, made to fill and set off the simple blue uniform,
with his massive head well borne, and eager, flushing
face, and bringing the warm atmosphere of his generous
nature to confront his questioning and undetermined
fate. A keen, sharp, searching glance, with a few cold,
unconnected questions greeted him. Humphrey Mar-
shall was moving down the valley of the Big Sandy,
threatening eastern Kentucky. ZoUicoffer was on the
way from Cumberland gap, towards Mill Spring. In con-
cise words, as if to one skilled in military technics, the
eeneral, with a map before him, pointed out the position
and strength of Marshall, the locations of the Union
forces, the topography of the country, and lifting his cold
eyes to the face of the silent listener, said, " If you were
in command of this sub-district what would you do?
Report your answer here at nine o'clock to-morrow morn-
ing.'' The colonel, with a silent bow, departed. Day-
light the next morning found him with a sketch of the pro-
posed campaign still incomplete. At nine sharp he laid
it before his commander. The skilled eye mastered it
in a minute. He issued to its author an order, creating
the Eighteenth brigade of the army of the Cumberland,
and assigned Colonel Garfield to the command. After
directing the process of embodying the troops, came this
sentence, brief enough for the soul of wit:
"Then proceed, with the least possible delay, to the
mouth of the Sandy, and move with the force in that
vicinity up that river, and drive the enemy back or cut
him off." Never was order more literally executed, or
with greater prompitude. Buell seemingly risked much
on the accuracy of his judgment. Garfield, who had
never seen an enemy or heard a musket fired in action,
suddenly found himself in command of four regiments
of infantry and eight companies of cavalry, charged with
the duty of driving from his native State the reputedly
ablest of its officers not educated to war, whom Kentucky
WAR EXPERIENCES.
13
had given to the rebelHon, who commanded about five
thousand men, and could choose his own position. He
was at Paintville, sixty miles up the Sandy, was expected
ultimately to unite with Zollicoffer, advance to Lexing-
ton, and establish the rebel provisional government in the
State. He was a man of great intellectual abilities, and
famous for having led the Kentuckians in the charge at
Buena Vista. The roads were horrible, the time mid-
winter, and the rains incessant.
Before nightfall of the ninth of January, 1862, Gar-
field had, at the head of fifteen hundred men, driven in
the enemy's pickets between Abbott's and Middle creeks.
He dispatched orders to his reserves at Paintville, twenty
miles away, less than one thousand strong, and bivouacked
in the pitiless rain, to await morning and the struggle.
Wrapped in his heavy cloak, with his men about him, on
the edge of unknown battle, he lay. There was plenty
of time to think, — to think of everything. How the
mind, armed with incredible flight in such a supreme
moment, will flash the world around ! Back over all his
life — the canal, his boyhood, trivial things, his mother,
old Williams; his wife and babies, and then the Hiram
Eclectic boys, a full company of whom were then near
him, because he was there. They had followed him.
He knew their fathers and mothers. They had, in a
way, put them into his hands, and he had brought them
here. Somewhere near lay the enemy, of known superior
strength. Where should he find him? At odds, in
position as in numbers, he must expect. His main force,
the Fortieth, the Forty-second, had never faced an enemy.
How would they behave? And then he turned to him-
self to question — question his innermost self — for weak
places, lingering, unexpectedly mayhap, in spirit, perhaps
in mere nerve, in some portion of his body, who can
tell where may be a treacherous weakness ? Then his
thoughts wandered away to things he had always revered.
And then came the drowsy numbness of sleep, with a
sense of the nearness, the presence of the dear ones m
his precious, peaceful home.
After all, it was not so easy to find General Humphrey
Marshall. Not on Abbott's creek at all. He was so
near, his foe could feel his presence; had found his
cavalry and artillery. Where was Marshall's self and his
army? Garfield could almost hear him breathe. What
a day of hunt that was! He was certainly on Abbott's
creek; and Garfield would strike Middle creek, and so
get in his rear. In executing this movement, he found
the enemy perked up on the side of a ragged, wooded
hill, as if to be up out of danger. In fact, he was too
much up to defend himself At about four p. m. a
rattling fire began — about as much as could be got out
of one thousand muskets that attacked on one side, and
three thousand on the other. Never was there such a
banging as the rebels made. They, too, were raw, and
firing down a steep hill. On level ground raw troops fire
too high, and wound the clouds, if in range. The
rebels could not get down to our boys, who, under cover
of the trees, kept onward and upward. There were too
many rebels, for the trees and logs would not cover a fifth
of the poor fellows.
Though an ufvhill business, the Union soldiers did
not aim too high, and they were pushing on up to see
where they hit. Finally a rebel reinforcement came up
over the crest, and the idea seemed to strike them to
make a rush down and sweep the Union line — thin as a
skirmish-line — out. At this instant Union Colonel Mon-
roe and his Kentuckians — four or five hundred — got up
so as to get in a very unpleasant enfilading fire, when
round a curve in the road came Colonel Sheldon, with
his one thousand from Paintville, through twenty miles
of mud. Round they came, in the rear of Garfield's
little handful of reserves, and gave a loud cheer. The
reserves took it up and sent it to the struggling boys on
the side-hill, who sent it up to Humphrey Marshall.
Sheldon threw his men in line, and though the ground
was miry, they started on a double-quick. Too late.
That shout and the sight of the shouters did the rest of
Humphrey's business. The shoutees did not wait for
shot, or anything worse than noise, but turned and
scrambled up hill, followed by the Ohio boys. Night
came down; the soldiers gathered up their wounded,
and the whole force concentrated on a good position, —
pickets thrown out, and preparations made for a final
struggle next day.
Shortly after dark a bright light blazed up behind the
hill of battle. The Union soldiers beheld it with wonder.
It was Humphrey Marshall's last fire. In it he consumed
every possible thing that might hinder flight or be of
value to his foe, and by the light he hied him away to
Pound Gap.
In reading the histories of the numerous generals on
both sides of the war, the greatest stress is laid upon the fact
whether a given man has been tried by the only reliable
test — a separate, independent command. If he had not,
or failed under it, his fame had yet a flaw. Garfield met
this at his entrance on the field. I never attempted but
once an opinion on the movements of our army. I saw
the flight from the first battle of Bull Run, and I ven-
tured to suggest that the movement was in the wrong di-
rection, and, as I remember, not executed with military
precision. For this criticism I was promptly hanged,
burned, and drowned — in effigy. I venture nothing on
H
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
the merit of the campaign. Military writers have awarded
it high praise. Its fault was the temerity of the attack.
The commander had no knowledge of the character and
force and commander opposed to him, save what his un-
practiced eye could hastily catch when in a possibly too
dangerous neighborhood. Probably the disposition made
by Marshall might have revealed all that it was necessary
to know, but I have no doubt he would have been at-
tacked under almost any circumstances. Garfield was
capable of extraordinary personal exertions, and the
weight of his force — in fighting, pluck, and morale — was
perhaps never surpassed by men of their experience.
His own subsequent criticism of his conduct was that
the attack was rash in the extreme. "As it was, having
gone into the army with the notion that fighting was our
business, I didn't know any better." The general plan of
the campaign must have been based on true military
principles, for it was approved by Buell.
I have almost exceeded my limits. This hasty outline
must shrink to a mere mention of incidents most useful
to my purpose. Garfield received reinforcements, and
held the conquered territory for a time. Rations grew
scarce, and the only source of supply was from the mouth
of the Big Sandy, which the long continued winter rains
in that mountain region had swollen to an unnavigable
torrent, up which a salmon could hardly make his way.
The colonel was at the mouth. He had a cargo of pro-
visions placed in the little stern-wheel, "Sandy Valley,"
and ordered it to start up. The captain refused. No
craft could be found to attempt it. The river was sixty
feet deep; had risen almost to the tree-tops along its
wooded banks. Garfield ordered the captain and crew
on board, stationed a plucky officer on deck over the
captain, and himself took the wheel. Steering a canal-
boat had not been wholly in vain. The captain protested;
declared that no such craft could stem such a down-
sweeping tide. The new helmsman had the steam turned
on, and headed the shuddering little craft up-stream.
With her greatest power she could not make three miles
an hour. Night came. The captain implored that the
frightened thing might be tied up, but she was kept head-
up, and the determined colonel kept the wheel. She
plunged her nose into the bank past digging out. Colo-
nel Garfield manned a boat, pushed across the stream,
extemporized a windlass, and with a line pulled her out,
and sent her on up to his hungry boys. He started on
Saturday. All that day and night, Sunday and Sunday
night, and at nine o'clock Monday morning they reached
the camp. A tumult of cheers welcomed him. Spite of
military rule, the young commander barely escaped being
carried to headquarters on the shoulders of his soldiers.
Of the whole time in climbing the Big Sandy, he had
been absent from the wheel but eight hours.
He was formed for a soldier's idol.
The Big Sandy campaign could have no wide signifi-
cance, save on the fortunes of the two commanders.
Humphrey Marshall disappeared in a shower of ridicule
and sarcasm from both sides. The attention of the
country was for a day concentrated on the young man
who had shown such dashing qualities. He was made a
brigadier-general, to date from January loth, and ordered
to report to General Buell. The separation from the
Forty-second was a real affliction to both. His new com-
mand was two Ohio and two Ind;;-vna regiments; nor did
the fortunes of war ever again place his old regiment
under his command or in his presence.
He was enabled to get into the second day's battle
at Pittsburg Landing. He had his share in the tedious
siege of Corinth, and finally advanced to Huntsville,
where he was at the close of that campaign. He was
placed at the head of the court-martial on General Tur-
chin, which developed his qualities and fine ability in new
directions. The old malarial influences, the result of his
early campaign on the canal, quickened by the climate of
the South, brought a vigorous return of the old foe, and
late in the summer he was obliged to return home. He
was ordered to relieve General Morgan on Cumberland
Gap, but was still in the clutch of the ague when he was
directed to report at Washington as soon as health per-
mitted. The eye of the secretary of war had been on
him from his first appearance in the army. His knowl-
edge of law, the ability in the Turchin case, his admir
able judgment on all occasions, and his ardent patriotism
induced Mr. Stanton to place his name among the first
of the court for the trial of Fitz-John Porter. The his-
tory of that famous trial is to be re-written, with what re-
sult is unknown. It is known that General Garfield then
had no doubt of his guilt. He is not one to make or
change his opinions lightly. In him, however, the moral
qualities which produce a firm, quick sense of justice
are strong and active.
During this long trial he became intimate with General
Hunter, the president, who desired to have him in the
contemplated campaign in South Carolina ; and, with his
intensified anti-slavery sentiments, the assignment to this
field was gratifying to the young general. Meantime was
fought the sanguinary battle of Stone River. Gerache,
the chief-of-staff of the commanding general, was slain,
and Garfield, appointed to the vacant post, was sent to
Rosecrans, in January, 1863.
This commander, in some respects the most brilliant
general of the army, was the poorest judge of men; and
WAR EXPERIENCES.
IS
though one of the best-hearted, he had one of the most
unaccommodating of tempers, especially in his dealings
with the powers at Washington. His deficiencies were
admirably supplied by his new chief-of-staff. There was
perhaps not a prominent general in the army who could
not have been supplemented in the same way. The
quick eye of the new chief saw the defects in the organ-
ization of the army. These could be measurably sup-
plied. He saw the incapacity of the wing commanders,
A. M. McCook and T. L. Crittenden, and promptly
recommended their removal. The general could not
injure "two such good fellows." The inefficiency of
McCook lost the first day at Stone River. They went
on to Chickamauga, where he ruined the field. Garfield
would have supplied their places with McDowell and
Buell. His arrival at headquarters was about the begin-
ning of the bitter, acrimonious correspondence between
the general of the army and the war office, which laid
the foundation for his being relieved from the command
under a cloud. Garfield found the army at Murfrees-
boro', and here it lay, spite of the urgency, the importu-
nity, the almost command of the secretary of war for
action, till the twenty-fourth of June, in the presence of
Bragg. Rosecrans needed reinforcements, material sup-
plies. He had defeated a superior army at Stone River.
The secretary could not understand why he should hesi-
tate to assail an interior one now. It needed explanation.
Rosecrans required the formal opinions of his corps,
division, and cavalry generals as to the safety and ex-
pediency of an advance. The seventeen, with singular
unanimity, coincided that it should not be attempted.
The chiefofstaff collected these opinions, analyzed, and
replied to them, showed their weakness, and conclusively
that the army could move at once. This bore date June
12, and the army marched the twenty-fourth. The paper
has been pronounced by high authority the ablest of its
kind of the war. On the morning of the advance, one
of the three corps commanders, Crittenden, said to Gar-
field, at headquarters, "It is understood, sir, by the gen-
eral officers of the army that this movement is your work.
I wish you to understand that it is a rash and fatal move,
for which you will be held responsible." The army
marched on the short and brilliant Tullahoma campaign,
which relieved that region of Bragg and his army. Had
it been commenced a week sooner, his army undoubtedly
would have disappeared from the war. Probably the in-
cessant heavy rains only saved him finally. It would
have saved Chickamauga.
The influence of Garfield on Rosecrans was very
great. Better for all had it been entire. Crittenden and
McCook commanded two of the three corps in the great
battle of Chickamauga — battle of blood, glory, and dis-
aster. The armies in array were seventy thousand Con-
federate and fifty-five thousand Union soldiers. Thomas
commanded on the left and McCook the right. It is
said Garfield wrote every order on this field save that
fatal one to Wood, which he did not see. This in effect
induced him to break the line of battle, and with his
division take a position in the rear of another. Long-
street saw the blundering gap, and launched the impetu-
ous Hood into it. The battle on the right was lost. The
whole wing crumbltd and dissolved, and McCook's whole
corps, panic-stricken, fled, a swarm of frightened wretches,
back to Chattanooga.
The tramping flood of mere human beings, reft of
reason, caught the general and chief-ofstaff in the rush.
One eye-witness says that the conduct of the two meUj
stripped in an instant of all power to command by the
dissolving of the charm of discipline, was superb. Gar-
field, dismounted, with his figure above the surging mass,
and his resonant voice heard above the din, seized the
colors from the fleeing bearer, who had instinctively
borne them off, planted them, seized men to the right
and left, faced them about, and formed the nucleus of a
stand, shouting his ringing appeals in the dead ears of
the unhearing men, reft of all human attributes, save
fear. A panic is a real disease, which for the time
nothing can stay. His exertions were vain. The mo-
ment he took his hands from a man he fled. The
fleeing tide swept o.i. With a hasty permission from his
chief, Garfield turned away to where the thunders of
Thomas' guns proclaimed the heart of the battle to beat
fiercest, and against whom the enemy had concentrated
his heaviest battalions. If the weakest-pressed wing had
been thus crushed, what might be the fate of the left?
Thomas was not McCook. While Garfield, with a few
staff-officers and orderlies, went to warn and aid Thomas,
the general, with firmness and coolness, hurried to Chat-
tanooga to gather up, preserve, and reorganize the atoms
of McCook's corps.
Garfield's mission was by a long and perilous ride,
crossing the lines of the fleeing and their pursuers, hav-
ing an orderly killed on the way. Finally, almost alone,
he reached Thomas, half-circled by a cordon of fire, and
explained the fate of the right. He informed him how
he could withdraw his own right, form on a new line and
meet Longstreet, who had turned Thomas' right and was
marching on his rear. The movement was promptly
made, but the line was too short to reach ground that
would have rendered it unassailable save in front. At that
time Gordon Granger came up with Steadman's division.
i6
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
met Longstreet at the opening thus left, and, after a fear-
ful struggle, forced him back. Thomas, the army and its
honor, with the soil of the disaster on the right, were
saved. It is said as night closed on that awful day, with
the warm steam of blood irom the ghastly wounded and
recently killed rising from the burdened earth, Garfield
and Granger, on foot, personally directed the loading
and pointing of a battery of Napoleons, and sent their
shot crashing after the retiring foe, and thus closed the
battle of Chickamauga.
What there was left of the Union army, was left in
possession of the field. The battle was fought Septem-
ber 20, 1863. After a few weeks, Garfield was sent on
to Washington with dispatches — too late to save his
honored chief. His best skill and ability had from his
arrival at Rosecrans' headquarters been interposed, first
to save him from his own pungent temper, and then
from its consequences with the department at Washing-
ton, where, with the aid of maps, he made a most mas-
terly expose of all of the movements of the army of the
Cumberland. Montgomery Blair, one of the most sa-
gacious observers and judges of men at the capital, was
filled with astonishment and admiration at its clearness,
force, and completeness. "Garfield," said he, to a per-
sonal friend to whom he related the occurrence, "Gar-
field is a great man.''
General Gatfield, on his arrival at Washington, found
himself a full major-general of volunteers, " for gallant
and meritorious conduct at the batde of Chickamauga "
One curious transaction, occurring while Garfield was
connected with the army of the Cumberland, has never
to my knowledge transpired in history, or in any form.
It is within the memory of the well-informed that during
one or two years, including quite the whole of 1S63,
there was a strong, decided, and almost bitter feeling of
hostility to President Lincoln, personally, on the part of
the leading radicals, in and out of Congress — a condem-
nation of his policy and management, and a lack of con-
fidence in his ability and strength of character. It is
known that Mr. Greeley shared this sentiment to the full-
est extent. He and the rest naturally felt the greatest
anxiety to secure the best possible man as Lincoln's suc-
cessor in 1864, and it was largely due to the difficulty
of procurmg a candidate that induced these men silently,
and sullenly, to acquiesce in the instinctive choice of
the masses, who demanded his renomination at Balti-
more. The brilliant qualities of Rosecrans, and the
fame of the battle of Stone River, drew their eyes to
him as the possible man on whom to fix and bring for-
ward; and Edmund Kirk,* a writer of some ability and
* Kirk was his n<»n deplume. His real name was Gilmore.
shrewdness, was sent forward with letters to Garfield — in
whose judgment they had confidence — with instructions
to remain at headquarters, observe, gather up opinions,
learn the views of the chief of-staff, and, if all concurred,
Rosecrans was to be approached, sounded, and his ac-
quiescence in the plan secured if possible.
The clear, sagacious mind of Garfield saw the futility
and probable evil consequences of the project at once.
He gave it such emphatic discouragement that it is be-
lieved no whisper of it ever reached Rosecrans, or any
considerable number of men not in the secret. These
reasons he urged among others: that it would be ruinous
to the usefulness of his general; that it could not suc-
ceed; that it ought not to. Kirk was convinced, and the
idea was abandoned. He, however, cultivated the ac-
quaintance of Garfield, to whom, like most men, he was
strongly drawn, and managed, in various conversations
— in which Garfield is the frankest of men — to draw
from him something of his early life.
As a consequence, not long after, there appeared
"The Patriot Boy," by Trowbridge. Of the hero of this
pleasant novel the friends of General Garfield had little
difficulty in recognizing the one intended.
The military career of General Garfield ends here. A
year before, in his absence, the people of his congres-
sional district desired, of all things, to place him in the
house, and they elected him. Ordinarily, this would
have been gratefully acquiesced in; now it came to break
a high, brilliant, possibly a great career in arms, where,
in his judgment, he could be equally arid perhaps the
more useful. As a matter of ambition, the sacrifice was
great. He was a full major-general, with the largest
confidence of the secretary of war, was the idol of the
men he commanded, had the entire confidence of the
army, save some of the "seventeen generals" of the
army of the Cumberland, perhaps, and at that time the
promise of a continuance of the war was of the largest.
Easily he saw that no man could in the glitter and splen-
dor of arms, and the names and fames they made and
marred, with which the land was filled, made for himself
a name in congress; that the executive was substantially
the government ; that congress was but a committee of
ways and nieans, and all its powers went but to swell,
strengthen, and sustain the executive arm. Mr. Lincoln
wanted the aid of his fresh, strong, sagacious intellect in
the house. Backed by his fame in arms, he would be a
power. He urged and implored him to change his field
of labor; and, judge of man, as he was, and hopeful of
a speedy end of the war, he foresaw that, whatever
might be the aid derived immediately from the young
general's turning civilian, his ultimate field was there.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.
17
Garfield acqi:iesced. He seems scarcely ever to have
controlled his own destiny.
CHAPTER IV.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Partial Estim.ite of His Character. — Exactions of Friends. — Lacks
Egoism. — Had He a Plan of Life. — No Lack of Moral Courage. —
The Wade-Davis Manifesto. — Faces a Frowning Convention. — Re-
sult.— His Growth on the Public. — Fears of Being Named for the
Presidency Prematurely. — Marriage.
The oft-expressed purpose of this sketch to present a
personal view of General Garfield, rather than a meagre
history, must be taken as accomplished here. Few lives
present richer or more varied and attractive material to
the biographer. The opportunity to write a complete
life, it is hoped, will not be presented to any man of this
generation. The people of Geauga and Lake have him
with them. His public life is their property, one of their
most valuable possessions. They know his history as
well as I do. I have brought forward, froai the early,
uncertain past, so much of it as will enable them some-
what to realize his qualities and capacity for service, and
help to some appreciative judgment of his stature and
position, so diflScult to estimate in his presence. Never,
till a man can be drawn against a background of the past,
when he and all his surroundings have become subject
to the law of perspective, and the light about him has
become cold and pure, can a historian draw him with
accuracy of judgment.
One or two things I may venture further, and mainly
in the light of my own narrative, and somewhat in
answer to a question asked by friends of the subject of
it. "What is the lack in Garfield? What is the thing
wanting?" Not large and obvious, or what it is, as well
as its absence, would at once be seen. Some little thing
wanting to completeness; a lack felt, not seen, hard to
define, yet a coming short of the perfection demanded of
him. And, then, instances are mentioned where he has
unexpectedly failed, in that he has not met the demand
of the occasion, or of his friends' expectations as is
claimed; and in a most baffling and unsatisfactory way, a
half-score of times. It has been defined as a lack of
moral courage, and ere the words have ceased came
some exhibition of that attribute or quality pure and
simple.
More than once it has appeared in the course of this
narrative, if such it may be called, that important changes
have occurred in Mr. Garfield's career without much in-
telligent action on his part, w^hen the matter was seem-
ingly within his control. Men are hardly willing to allow
that he could be guilty of fault of judgment, or hesitate
from not clearly seeing the right. His failures may not
be covered with these charities. In his own and in the
affairs of the public there is an unwillingness to credit
him with common fallibility, and charge it to the common
account of the weakness of human nature. So well
endowed is he that he should want in nothing, even that
little thing so small and uncertain as to elude identity
and escape detection. I do not believe in human per-
fection. I may only query for this puzzling lack. I go
back to this recent remark, that his life, however rich and
varied, has lacked the unity of seeming design, or that
sort of continuity indicative of plan adhered to, either of
which argues possible lack or superabundance.
His one passion was the sea. For its indulgence he
toiled and schemed, if this last word will apply to the
mental processes of such a man. When that was fully
given up, not overcome, he turned himself to acquire an
education. Yet why, in the ordinary philosophy of life,
is the mystery. The son of wealth may be educated,
merely because his father is rich, and desires he should
have the polish of culture. Garfield was poor, and must
make his own way. What did he propose to do with his
learning when acquired? What use would he make of
himself when educated? It looks much as if, when
brought to face this problem, with the stimulus of a
strong, eager, hungry mind he pushed into and pushed
on from that logical sense of completeness which he early
exhibited. So it would seem that he became a teacher
because it was there to be done ; he found pleasure in it,
excelled in it, but found in time that whatever his pro-
gramme was, it did not embrace a college professorship,
and so of his preaching. Clearly he studied law by de-
sign. If it was with any intention of pursuing it as a
ca'ling, it has never in any considerable degree been ad-
hered to. He tries cases occasionally, and well, in the
supreme court of the United States. I do not believe
that he entered public life to make of it a trade, a caO-
ing, or a profession, and I think he has constantly in-
tended or expected to retire from it. A man often
intends the opposite of what he expects. In short, to a
superficial observer, his life, rich and varied, seems rather
the result of his surroundings, which he has not resisted,
but, with a remarkable adaptability, has turned himself
largely and readily into new channels. Why didn't
he defeat the salary bill? An answer, two or three of
them, can be given without involving any lack of quality
or faculty. I am now referring to another thing, which
brings this matter of lack to an issue, where some reply
is called for. Why don't he lead his party in the house?
i8
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
Long service, raie ability, complete mastery of all the
essentials, — position included, quickness, temper, per-
sonal bearing, absence of enmities, all unite. The reins
trail carelessly through the hall, are thrown over his desk
repeatedly, are sometimes in his hands, and admirably
used on occasion. Why don't he take them firmly as his,
assert himself, be the man he is, and make the most of
it? Why, indeed? That is the question.
Why did he not carry off the Seventh Ohio regiment?
Why did he permit himself to be appointed lieutenant-
colonel of the Forty-second, when he might as well have
been full colonel ? Why has he not grasped the Ohio
senatorship, or done half a score of things for the not
doing of which he is complained of?
He is not a self-seeker, never has been. By nature he
cannot be. His lack is egoism, if the absence of that
quality is a lack; and whenever or wherever that element,
if such it is, of men's nature enters into the subject of
action, he will be apt to take that course from which it
is absent, or the least involved. If, other things being
nearly equal, a course is open to him which he can take
without self-assertion, he will take it. So of that notable
case of the salary bill. If all the other considerations
were equal, self-assertion, not courage nor firmness, for
they were rather needed for the course he pursued; but
self-assertion, egoism, the thing I, was the thing to defeat
it, and hence the bill passed. That setting of oneself
up above all others is not much in his nature, no vestige
of arrogance. Courage of the chivalrous order — spirit
abundant, but to set himself up, claim for himself, which
this involves — is certainly not much in him.
Let his party, formally or informally, elect him leader,
and see what will come of it. They would have to do it
spontaneously.
As bearing on this delicate matter, which I touch with
gentle hand, one incident in Mr. Garfield's early con-
gressional career may be mentioned. The Wade-Davis
manifesto of 1864, containing so much truth, yet so
actually revolting to the Republican masses, was a sore
thing with them, and for a time cast a cloud even on
Mr. Wade.
The Republican convention in Garfield's district had
assembled in Warren to noiViinate his successor in con-
gress. It wanted to nominate him. It was said that he
had not condemned the manifesto; on the contraiy,
quite justified it. If there was anything predetermined
in that body, it was a unanimous condemnation of that
paper. And Garfield, and no other man who upheld it,
could receive a nomination at its hands. It was in trouble.
It loved him. It would compromise, would do anything
but approve that paper. It sent a committee to his ho-
tel, and respectfully asked his views, certain that he would
in some way accommodate himself to their requirements,
at least enough to permit his re-nomination. There were
not wanting friends to advise some little show of conces-
sion. Here was a chance lor that lack in the man to
help him out. The general went in looking a little grave,
took the stand, and, in a ringing, proud, half-defiant
speech of twenty minutes, approved the manifesto and
justified Wade. Amid the silence of the blank amaze-
ment oi' the convention he strode haughtily out. A
spirited young delegate, seeing the silent dismay of the
elders, arose with " By George ! thL^ man that has the cour-
age to face a convention like that, deserves a nomina-
tion," raid moved it by acclamation. Ere the feet of the
retiring congressman had passed the outer threshold, the
building shook with the thundering acclaim that declared
him tr-.e nominee. That people have little faith in his lack
of courage of any kind.
Rare and varied as has been the career of this gentle-
man, one phenomenon has attended both himself per-
sonally, and the estimation of him by the public, — a
steady, rapid, uninterrupted growth. Not only has he
been tried in many fields, in all of which he has easily
and assuredly excelled, but the man has steadily devel
oped, broadened, deepened, and risen in intellectual
qualities and excellence, and now, at forty-seven is evi-
dently making as steady an advance in healthful mental
growth as at any time since known to the public. Men-
tal old age will come late to him ; probably not at all. He
may even overcome the unknown defect in character or
mind, or what it proves to be, by sheer growth.
Compare him with any man who entered public life at
about the same time, with all of them for that matter, or
with any man at the period of his career corresponding
with the years of Garfield's public life, and who of them
has ever attained a wider regard and confidence, and
with so few drawbacks, forfeitures, and blemishes of
record? Has there ever been a time when his position
before the country was so steadily and rapidly growing as
now?
I foresee but one danger; it springs from no defect of
character, but the peril of being named by some super-
serviceable friend, or ingenious enemy, for an unnamed
place prematurely. I believe him too well poised to be
personally injured. Let the future provide for him as
has the past. He may leave himself in the hands of the
fates or forces which have been so kind to him. But the
impression that he, or tb.ey, or it were shaping things for
any special elevation of him would greatly impair his ad-
vance in the public confidence and esteem, and render
him less useful
CONGRESSIONAL LIFE.
19
Mr. Garfield, in his professor days, was joined in mar-
riage with Lucretia, daughter of Zeb. Rudolph, of Hiram,
a lady of rare excellence of character, charm of person
and manner, alike loved and admired at the capital as in
the country. They have a promising family of sons, with
one daughter, an attractive cottage and farm in Mentor,
a pleasant, modest residence in Washington.
CHAPTER I.
CONGRESSIONAL LIFE.
The House of Representatives is the Governing Body. — Its Character.
— Conditions of Success Compared with the Senate. — Leading Men
of the House. — Old Members, Colfax, .Stevens, and others. — Remark-
able Influx of New, Strong Men, -Blaine, Creswell, Boutwell, Wind-
ham, Allison, and others. — Garfield's District.
In December, 1863, Garfield entered the house of
representatives of the congress of the United States, the
governing branch of the legislature of the Republic.
Largely the most numerous, so it is the most popular and
interesting of the two houses, with a character, laws, tra-
ditions, spirit, and usages, peculiar to itself. Its mem-
bers the most approachable and often the least dignified
and unassuming of men, the house, as a body, is the
most despotic, severe, and awful, in its conceptions of
its own dignity, and in its bearing toward those who
offend it, or who attempt anywhere, at any time, to in-
vade its sanctities, or infringe upon the privileges of its
members. At times the noisiest and most unruly of as-
semblages, it always knows wliat it is about, and never
departs far or tarries long from the line of its duties, as
it esteems them.
No deliberative body pretending to dispute by rule, ever
attempted to govern itself by a code of laws and rules
so complex and artificial, and it remains to be seen
whether greatly the new rules adopted at its last session,
are an improvement. As a business body it partakes
largely of the infirmities of all popular assemblages. It
has its times of intelligenoe, order and work, and its days
of doing nothing, when its leaders make haste to ad-
journ, and betake them to their committee rooms, where
more and more its share of the legislative work of the
Republic is done. It has already reached that size, when
an increase of its numbers would diminish its working
capacity. Its average of intellectual capacity greatly
varies. One believes on the whole that with the passing
years there is a steady advance in this respect, as in the
individual character of its members. It always has a fair
share of the best minds, but there never was a house that,
as a whole, did not greatly resemble a body of ordinary
men, and never a day, when the presence in it of a large
number, was not a wonder to the thoughtful observer.
Common as it appears, a stranger is in danger of greatly
underestimating the intelligence of the house. There
always are minds of a high order, which by common con-
sent, and unconsciously to the average man, direct it, and
lead him along the route of safe, and often of wise and
enlightened, legislation. An observer for a considerable
period comes finally to regard the house as a huge body
of immense forces, full of grand instincts and capable of
noble impulses, never clearly seeing, often groping and
sometimes going wrong, but which on the whole slowly
moves on the line of human advance.
While the average of intellect is not much above the
good common, the house never fails unerringly to know
its own men. Sham and pretence never impose upon it
for a moment. It will not tolerate dullness and stupidity.
It good-naturedly sets apart days for them, and goes
home. It knows what it wants, and when found, it
appreciates and cherishes the giver. Every man soon
takes his proper place, finds his rank, and always at his
merit. The house is not a great admirer of eloquence,
and is never tickled with sound. To it the mere maker
of speeches, is the most useless of men, if not the great
est of bores. The time is long past for a man to make
a reputation by a speech on the floor, and the house
often differs with the country in its estimate of its own
man. Whatever may be a man's reputation at home in
city or country, he has none at the capital, and whatever
may have been his position there, he begins in the ranks
here. There is now no Haider place in the world of men,
of contest and labor, to make a reputation, win a place,
than in the American house of representatives. Less
ability and tact, will win fame in the senate. Of all the
distinguished men now in that body, there are not five,
not educated in the house, who, if transferred to it,
would ever again be heard of. The conditions of the
house, the nature of its service, its laws and usages, its
very size and numbers, its traditions and temper, make
it the most difficult and trying ordeal to which a man
can be subjected. Ability alone cannot master it; will
and force of character do not conquer it. Genius is
powerless in its presence. Steadiness, intelligence and
integrity, with fi'me enough, will win, as they do every-
where. But when time depends on the caprice of a
constituency, it is seen how seldom this element lends
itself to any man's advance.
Into this body, at a few days past thirty-two years of
age, this man, of whom the reader now has a good idea,
entered, to take his place in the mass of the unknown
and untried representatives, beginning where all begin.
2o
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD
and winning, as all must win. To sketch his personal
career in that body, to present it with brief reference
to his connection with leading measures, is all that can
be done, and that imperfectly.
To write him up with breadth, and bring out his grow-
ing influence on legislation and politics, would be to
write the political history of the country, from mid war
to the present. We know, in advance, that this large-
brained, large-hearted, large-souled man, with his great
capacity for the best work, his immense vitality, warm
magnetism, and decided personality, will not linger in the
undistinguished herd, nor do any but the best and most
work; that sooner or later must largely influence, if not
control measures.
Ere I enter upon my task, something must be said of
the personnel of his associates of the house. Those
whom he found there, the more marked who entered
with him — a glance at their careers, as of the later
comers and goers of the years to follow, and something
of the spirit of congressional life may also be found in
my pages.
The places of the eleven seceding States were vacant
in the hall of the house. Schuyler Colfax was elected
speaker. This was his fifth congress. He was now forty
years of age, of good person, pleasant address, a rapid,
persuasive speaker, able, politic, admired, and immensely
popular; no man at the capital ever more so. Though
not a lawyer, he mastered, as well as man may, the laws
of the house, and ruled it with dignity and suavity, for
six years. The speaker of the house fills the real second
place in the American government. From this he re-
tired, through the vice-presidency — than which there is
no easier or more effective avenue — to private life.
Thaddeus Stevens, chairman of the ways and means,
and titular leader of the house; strong, masterful and
arbitrary — not the leader, not a leader of men in any
sense; a driver rather. Though in private life the gentlest
and tenderest of men, in a public body, stormy, sharp,
sarcastic, with a merciless, caustic wit. Not an eloquent,
scarcely a good speaker, who put an end to an ordinary
man with a sarcasm, and sometimes answered inquiry for
information with aquafortis. He was then seventy-one,
and had served in many congresses ; was the peer of the
Blacks and Merediths of Pennsylvania, and the greatest
embodiment of revolutionary forces in the two houses.
Elihu B. Washburn, the titular father of the house,
though then but forty-seven ; strong, able, forceful, hon-
est and brave; more of a leader, and not less masterful,
than Stevens; always direct and above-board, with a
temper not of the politic cast, and which sometimes was
troublesome — a good man for any time, and one of the
men for that time.
Justin S. Morrill was one of the prominent men of the
Thirty-eighth congress, and one of the most valuable in
the history of our legislation. Second on the ways and
means, he was by far its best man. Tariffs and indus-
tries were his specialties. Mr. Garfield early attracted
his notice, and when he became the head of the com-
mittee in the Thirty-ninth congress, the young Ohio re-
presentative, at his special request, became his second.
William D. Kelley entered the Thirty-seventh con-
gress, was conspicuous in the Thirty-eighth, and has
filled a large place in the public vision ever since. A
man of fine literary tastes, with a quick, eager, sagacious
mind, he early took one of the first places as an orator
and debater, which he retains.
Robert C. Schenck, after an absence of many years,
returned to his old seat; coming with the memory of
his former high position to fill a larger and higher place.
One of the ablest of the hard-workers who ever sat there,
and whom it is now the fashion to slur over by men
never his peers in ability and usefulness.
John A. Bingham, the orator of the house, and one of
the hundred best speakers who ever sat in it, and a
statesman as well, missed the Thirty-eighth congress, re-
appearing in the Thirty-ninth.
So of Roscoe Conkling, three years the senior of
Garfield — in some respects, one of the strongest men of
either house, one of the masters of sarcasm, with a power
of producing his thought better and more sharply de-
fined and cleaner cut than almost any debater in our
parliamentary history.
Henry Winter Davis returned to Congress this year —
an event in itself Proudest and most reticent of men,
with the gift of genius, and a rare power of speech, he
seems to have added little to his former great reputation.
He died in December, 1865.
Henry L. Dawes, of Massachusetts, was there at the
height of his great usefulness, perhaps better adapted to
the house, where he was educated, than to the senate,
to which he has been transferred.
Samuel S. Cox, the wit and wag of the house, and a
good deal more. He was then from Ohio, and had man-
aged to get his growth early.
James E. English, of Connecticut, one of the ablest of
the Democrats, and a high-minded man.
And old melancholy Governor Francis Thomas, of
Maryland, was in the house.
Daniel W. VoorheeS; an orator, you:ig, vigorous, and
growing to the head of the western Democracy.
William H. Wadsworth, of Kentucky, who maintained
its fame for eloquence.
James F. Wilson, of Iowa, a man of more sturdy vigor
and strength that often reaches Congress in one man.
CONGRESSIONAL LIFE
William Windom.of Minnesota, who has grown steadily,
silently and naturally, to the front rank. And there were
scores of good men. There was Isaac N. Arnold, one of
the two only outspoken friends of President Lincoln, at the
close of theTliirty-seventh congress; Fernando C. Beaman,
and Portus Ba.xter; William S. Holman, of Indiana, and
George W. Julian, one of the strongest and best cultured
men of the house; Frederick Pike, of Maine; Theodore
Pomeroy, of New York, and Alexander H. Rice, of Mas-
sachusetts; and certainly the able and accomplished
George H. Pendleton should have distinguished mention.
Vallandigham was still in exile, while J. M. Ashley, of
Ohio, was a very -conspicuous figure on the floor and
filled much space in the field of general politics.
TheThirty eighth congress is marked in our annals by
the appearance of new and strong men upon the national
boards; some of whom are remarkable. Among the
first stands James G. Blaine, but a year older than Gar-
field ; a born parliamentary leader — a leader of men every-
where ; gifted with great personal advantages, a strong,
quick, brilliant intellect, rare powers of speech, with infle.x-
ioility of will, and great force of character. Aggressive,
heroic, no civilian since Henry Clay has had so much
magnetism, as certainly since his day there has not
appeared in the national lists so intrepid and gallant a
leader, or one who dashes along the front of the adverse
host so fearlessly.
J. A. J. Cresswell also, three years the senior of Gar-
field, came in from Maryland, was transferred to the
senate, from which he entered the cabinet of President
Grant. Able and brilliant, he was selected by the
house of representatives to deliver the eulogy on his
friend and colleague, Henry Winter Davis, a distinguished
honor to each.
George S. Boutwell had been governor of Massachu-
setts, and now made his advent upon the national plat-
form. Sharp, ready, incisive. He went through the
treasury department as secretary and from thence into the
senate.
James Brooks, able, a man of unusual accomplish-
ments, and enviable position, whose sad ending would
go far to condone even grave faults.
William B. Allison, of Iowa, now senator, first en-
tered the house in this congress, as did John A.
Kasson, minister to Austria, and Senator Kernan, and
William R. Morrison, of Illinois; also Godlove S. Orth,
of Indiana, and Samuel J. Randall.
This congress also received Rufus P. Spalding and
Fernando Wood, both able men, with the airs of grand
seignieurs. John A. Griswold and John Ganson of
New York; Ebon C. Ingersoll, of Illinois; T. A.
lencks, of Rhode Island; E. R. Eckly, of Ohio, and
some others.
Distinguished and able men thronged the senate.
Sumner and Wilson still represented Massachusetts, and
Wade and Sherman, Ohio; Collamer and Foot, Ver-
mont. Pennsylvania had Buckalew and Cowan. One
wants to ask what has become of them. Chandler and
Howard bore up the honor of Michigan. Grimes and
Harlan cared for that of Iowa. John P. Hale was still
there, growing lazy and careless. Harris and E. D.
Morgan silently sustained the position of New York.
Doolittle was there for Wisconsin. Howe was by his side
when not in advance of him. Lyman Trumbull was
there for Illinois, with strong, rough Richardson. Rev-
erdy Johnson sustained the old fame of Maryland, and
McDougal, wittiest and frailest of senators, stood up,
when he could stand, for California. Lott M. Morrell
represented Maine, while Fessenden was secretary of the
treasury. Alexander Ramsey, of Minnesota, was also
then in the senate. It had many conspicuous and able
men not here named.
On this stage, among these men, old and new, the
young general, sun-browned and battle-scorched, from
the war, made his appearance, as one of the joint body.
He is to know them and be known by them, associate
with them, become a friend, a rival, an opponent, an
enemy never. Will live with them, and grow up with and
become a conspicuous part of the legislative history of
the Republic, for all the succeeding years to this day.
Will remain such part or pass to the highest and most
solitary.
At his election, he was a resident of the county of
Portage. The rest of his district, Ashtabula, Geauga,
Lake, Trumbull and Mahoning, constituted the old dis-
trict of Joshua R. Giddings — so much of New England
translated into the freer, broader and more fertile west.
The people, intelligent, shrewd, not given to enthusiasm,
understanding men, and knowing the cash values of
things, they had taken to the young man, and nomi-
nated and elected him without especially consulting him,
which somehow set the fashion in his career. Not all fair
weather will it be between them and the youth of their
love. Bickerings, misconceptions, and busy tongues,
ambitious intriguers will intervene, and he will turn and
face them and have a fair and square set-to, and they
will never, never doubt him again.
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
CHAPTER n.
LIFE AT THE CAPITAL.
Lincoln's Offer. — Committee on Military Affairs. — State of the Army.
— Increase of Bounties' .Speech. — A Crisis. — Meets It. — Chief Jus-
tice Chase. — New .Army Bill. — Defeated. — Lincoln Meets the Com-
mittee.— Substitute. — .Speech. — Passage of Bill. — Proclamation and
Answer. — Reply to Long. — Presidential Canva-ss. — Defies the Nomi-
nating Convention at Warren. — Thirteenth Amendment. — Speech in
Reply to Pendleton.
We resume the thread of our narrative. It was stated
in chapter third that General Garfield went to Washing-
ton with a mission from his military chief to the Presi-
dent and secretary of war. It was late in the season,
and near the time of the assembling of congress. On
his way, he went around by his home in Hiram. There
he found his-first born, "Little Trot," less than three
years old, one of the rare sweet buds that perish ere
opening, seemingly waiting for his parting kiss ere her
departure, and left him as if to show how sweet death
might seem, and how near and precious the unseen. He
held her in his arms, to secure the last presentiment of
her dead face, and left the stricken mother by the little
grave's side, to make his darkened, solitary way, to the
life and scenes of the capital. The result of his mission
to the President has been stated. Nothing could save
Rosecrans. Garfield had received a letter from General
Thomas, now at the head of the army of the Cumber-
land, offering him the command of a division, and had
determined to resign his seat in the house and accept it
Every motive and inipulse of his heart urged him to this.
On expressing his purpose to the President, Mr. Lincoln
earnestly dissuaded him from it. He represented that the
Republicans had a very slender, if not a doubtful,
majority in the house, tliat he was greatly needed, with
his perfect knowledge of the wants of the army; that
at least he must remain till the house was organized, and
at work, saying that he had assured General Frank Blair,
returned to the same house, that as soon as he could be
spared he would restore him his resigned commission,
and would do the same by Schenk and himself It will be
remembered that the President carried out this promise
to Blair, simply by an order restoring him, contrary to the
opinion at this time e.vpressed to him, by Schenk, that, hav-
ing resigned, nothing b'Jt a reappointment could return
him, which was undoubtedly the law. Thus strongly urged,
Garfield acquiesced, and on Saturday, December 3d,
resigned his commission as major general, and the next
Monday was sworn as a representative in the house, and
took his seat.
General Schenk was placed at the head of the com-
mittee on military affairs, and General Garfield received
an honorable place with him. It made little difference
what figure of the seven represented it, he would soon
find his true place; the military was the great brilliant
committee of the house and war. The Republic was in
the midst of a gigantic struggle, all the people were at
war, intense and terrible; all the resources of the Xation
were employed; all the powers of the executive and
legislative departments were welded into one; a com-
pound arm wielded to place and command immense
armies in the field. At the head of the legislative stood
the military committee of the house.- More than one
million two hundred thousand soldiers had been in the
Union armies during 1873; nearly three hundred thou-
i sand had left the ranks without leave. That was the last
year of Halleck, the year of the first ineffective draft,
of^the ruinous system of bounties so fatal to the army.
Vicksburgh and Port Hudson, and with them the Missis-
sippi were captured that year; Gettysburgh, Stone River
and Chickamauga had been fought. The armies of the
Tennessee, Cumberland and Ohio were consolidated, and
placed under General Grant; and the season closed with
less than five hundred and fifty thousand effective men of
all arms in the field. The military committee was the
legislative hand that formulated the laws, devised the ma-
chinery by which the last raw reserve of material, of men
and arms, were to be rendered effective, as well as to pre-
serve and make more perfect the vast armies still in the
field.
Here was an immense, conspicuous field for all the re-
sources of ability, invention and experience of the wisest,
most energetic and heroic men in the land; the last
quality was as much in requisition in congress as in the
field. An experience at the front was but little less need-
ful to fit a man for great usefulness in congress at that
time, than at the head of the armies. In certain direc-
tions the educational process of actual service is effective;
the soldier goes with a bold directness to his ]^urpose,
and is a stranger to the doubts and hesitancy, the timid
policies, the fear of personal consequences, which para-
lyze the average politician, of even good parts. The
politician usually feels obliged to devote his time, ability
and strength to protect and defend his own rear. Proba-
bly no two men were ever better fitted for their places
than the chief of the military committee and he who
quite at once became his lieutenant and friend. Garfield
had been in Washington during the trial of General Por-
ter. He now took up his solitary residence at the north-
east corner of New York avenue and Thirteenth street,
just a square below his present residence. Here he re-
LIFE AT THE CAPITAL.
23
mained till the holiday vacation, when, at the invitation
of General Schenk, he joined him at Mrs. Lecont's house
on C, near ^yi, a historic neighborhood of many mem-
ories. On one side of it was the house which long shel-
tered Professor Morse, on the other the old residence
of Dr. Baily, of the Nalional Era, opposite were the
residences of Daniel Webster, and of Lewis Cass. This
place soon became a sort of army headquarters, where
one might meet all the distinguished and other generals
when they happened to be at the capital; as all the in-
ventors of new arms, projectiles run mad with plans to
end the war, enthusiasts, visionaries, the unfortunate and
unappreciated great men, with bummers, and loafers on
the outside. Here were drawn out, discussed, and ma-
tured the great bills to be submitted to the committee,
and launched upon the house.
During the first week of the session, an incident oc-
curred in the young representative's career, so illustrative
of the man, as well as of the new service, that I mention
it. The use of chloroform and ether, and the history
of their discovery and introduction was then little
known, and probably nothing in use could then be men-
tioned of which a congressman knew less. Anaesthetics
were extensively used in the hospitals, and the matter
came before the committee, on Dr. Morton's memorial,
accompanied by ample testimonials from eminent men of
Boston. It was referred to the committee. Dr. Morton
claimed to be the discoverer of chloroform, and de-
manded a large sum as compensation, for its use, in the
hospitals. An inscription, in cuneiform characters, would
have been barely more embarrassing to the military com-
mittee. The chairman read it, and ran his eyes over the
faces of his committee, to choose a luckless victim of
chloroform. They nearly all made shuddering haste to
disclaim the slightest knowledge of the subject. Garfield
casually remarked that it was a remarkable claim. It
was at once assigned to him, and the clerk so entered it
on the committee's calendar. It had long been Garfield's
habit to secure some odd out of the way thing to read up
in his hours of leisure on the cars or elsewhere. Some
years before, on taking the cars for home from a remote
city, he stejjped into a bookstore, to secure the required
unusual thing. Running his eye along the backs of a
row of books, it was arrested by "Anaesthesia," on the
back of one of tlicm. He purchased it. It was an ex-
haustive discussion of chloroform and ether, and of the
claims of Dr. Morton who was a dentist; Prof. Jackson,
a man of science; Dr. Wells, and perhaps, some others,
to be the discoverer. Of course, he mastered it, and
this led- him to note the current literature upon the sub-
ject since. At the next session of the committee, he
produced a clear, tersely written, full report, upon the
subject. The members were amazed. It settled his
place at once. Here was a young man who, off hand,
knew all about ansesthesia. Good Lord ! what might not
such a man know ! *
On the twenty-eighth of January, he made his first
speech. The confiscation bill was under discussion.
He had already had occasion to make short explanatory
statements on the floor, characterized by clearness and
directness, and the house came at once to see that the
youthful hero of Chickamauga had the power of exposi-
tion. Confiscation^emained what it was in theThirty-
seventh congress — aii endless labyrinth, where the law-
yers, were like Milton's devils,
"Wandering in tanglecfmazes lost,"
in the technics and provisions of the English stat-
utes. The bill had military features, which made his
occasion. There was the never worked out native puzzle,
what was the status of the seceded States? Were they
still States in contemplation of law? And were they in
or out of the Union? If in the Union, what were the
rights of their people, and what the powers of congress
over them? Of course, the malign thing, slavery, was
ever present. As we know, Mr. Garfield brought to the
discussion of the complex subject the light to be gained
from an exhaustive study of English history and statutes,
and he shed through and over the whole a clear, strong
light. His replies to the points made by the Democrats
were exceedingly well done, and in off-hand answers to
their numerous interruptions, he showed a readiness ot
resource, and flexible use of his powers, more than sug-
gestive of what time and practice were to make of him —
* During liis school days, he had as a fellow-student, the late Miss
Almeda Booth, quite an equ.il mental associate, and they made it a rule
ne\er to pass a word without mastering it. One day they came upon
"depositary." supposing it a misprint, for depository, they went on.
They came upon it again, and on investigation found it to mean the
person with whom a thing was deposited. Early in the Ohio senate, a
bill came up for consideration, to protect the moneys of the State from
the Breslins or others, modelled after the sub-treasury of the general
government, in which ample provisions were made to secure the vaults,
saf^s and all the depositories, but using depositary, to designate the
place. Almeda's classmate, called attention to the word, assuming that
it was an inadvertent slip, and moved a correction. He was about the
youngest man ever in the senate, and as little known there then, and the
proposition was received with derision. One senator thought he was
more nice than wise; another, tliat he was very hypercritical, while a
third suggested that the senate had little need of the school-master.
He made a snappy rejoinder, defined the words, when there was a rush
for the big dictionary on the clerk's desk, when congratulating the
senators for resorting to what they seem to have before missed, the
schoolmaster, he sat down. A brief consultation of the "unabridged"
was followed by a recommittal of the bill. The senate soon learned
that tlie school-master was but a minor character of the young man's
repertory. The reader will also remember the club of young critics.
24
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
one of the very ablest parliamentary debaters of his time.
The speech produced a marked impression, alike upon
the course of the debate, as well upon the fortunes of
the new power, which had entered upon the national
forum. As was their wont, the members gathered about
him when he began, to take his measure and estimate
his weight. Those who came to criticise remained to
admire, and finally to be enlightened. His position in
the army, his campaign against Humphrey Marshall, the
ability he had shown as chief of staff, his great exertions
at Chickamauga, around which the tales of his dashing
courage had thrown the halo of heroism, were all in his
favor. His fine person, splendid head, musical, sonorous
voice and good manner, above all, the firm grasp of his
subject, his broad mastery of historic accessories, and
thorough study of the law involved, which gave him easy
play in the new field, with his flowing, facile delivery,
stamped the effort as above a high average of good
speeches, ranking it with the remarkable first speeches in
the house. To those who wish for a concise statement
of English history, covering the period of the expulsioti
of the second James, or a forcible statement of the con-
stitutional problem of the position of the rebel States,
under clear, strong light, will find it of great service. It
fixed the position of the young representative on the floor
of the house, and opened the paths to reputation
through the country.
In April following, on the bill to increase the bounties
to soldiers, he made a startling five minute speech against
it. Short as it was, it pictured the fatal results of buying,
bribing our countrymen to fight their own battles, where-
by we secured the bribers' purchase— the very poorest
material— did not secure it, for the thus bought at once
deserted to re-enlist elsewhere, and flee again. The only
gain was a new name to our language — "bounty-jumper."
Alas! it was on the eve of a new election, then more im-
portant than the pending march through the wilderness.
On the passage of the bill, one hundred and twelve re-
corded their names in favor of it, to James A. Garfield,
solus, against it. Moved by his sublime courage, in view
of the pendency of his own re-election, Grinnell,' of
Iowa, plucked his name away from the herd who would
supplement the evil, and secure their own seats, and
placed himself by the side of him who heard only the
calls of his country.
An artist who would seize an incident in our congres-
sional history, the portrayal of which should embody the
immovable granite which is the basis of heroic charac-
ter, and crown it with a courage that will not calculate
consequences, will find it in the defiant figure of the
young representative, the most youthful of the body,
haughtily confronting the whole house of representatives
on this vote.
The late Chief Justice Chase, then secretary of the
treasury, the embodiment of inflexible will, and calm,
cold resolution, sought him, and gave him his warmest
congratulation. He had measured himself with a great
crisis, and towered above it. But he prudently admon-
ished him not to go rashly in pursuit of occasions person-
ally so perilous to himself Meet them, if they came, as
he did this, but it was very important that he remain in
public life. Do the heroic sparingly. We shall see how
he acted under this characteristic advice.
The existing draft-law, framed with such painstaking
care, to not draft soldiers for the army, had fully developed
its efficiency for that purpose. It had thirteen classes of
exemptions, and the man who escaped through none of
them could lay down his three hundred dollars, and walk
back to his peaceful pursuits. The three hundred thous-
and drafted under it in 1863 yielded to the army twelve
thousand men. The two generals elaborated a new bill.
The first section repealed the commutation clause, and
the exempting grounds were frightfully reduced. Six
weeks the debate upon it ran on in the house, and Grant
was wading his weltering way through the Wilderness.
Then came a motion to strike out the first section. In
a shot-and-shell speech, Garfield declared that the men
who were in favor of striking out did not want to crush
the rebellion. On the vote, the motion prevailed, one
hundred to fifty.
The next day the President went to the committee
zoom, and had an interview with the Republican members.
With the sad, mysterious liglit in his melancholy eyes,
as if they were familiar with the things hidden from mor-
tals, and the grand pathos of his voice and manner, he
stated the position of things, then — the last of June —
three hundred and eighty thousand Union soldiers then
in the field would return home, by the ensuing October.
Under the existing law, the draft of one million of men
would be required to give fifty thousand to the army. If
the departing soldiers could not be replaced. Grant could
not maintain himself before Richmond, and Sherman
must retire from before Atlanta. He was answered : "It
is on the eve of the election. Our places in the house
depended on that. The President's own election was in-
volved; all depended on these two." Drawing himself
upon his seat, to a height of grandeur, he answered. "I
have thought that all over; my election is not necessary;
I must put down the rebellion; I must have five hun-
dred thousand more men."
A substitute for the decapitated bill was at once intro-
duced, and the war over it flashed up anew. On the
LIFE AT THE CAPITAL.
25
twenty-fifth of June, General Garfield delivered a masterly
and exhaustive speech in its favor. The bill was passed.
The President issued his proclamation for five hundred
thousand men, and the people responded —
' ' We are coming, Father Abraham,
Five hundred thousand more."
A new inspiration, fresh life, restored strength and courage
sprang up and revived the North.
Garfield's vote against the increase of bounties was
bitterly reprobated in his district. A public meeting near
his home wrote him a letter, and required his resignation.
He made a temperate reply, and said he should expect
from each of the signers a written apology for it, in the
calm of the near future. He retained the paper, and
was able to score against each name the mark of an apol-
ogy received; and all were thus crossed within a year.
He delivered his enlightened and liberal speech on
our commercial relations with Canada in the house, in
March, to which future reference will be made. On the
eighth of April he delivered the awful reply (no other
one word so aptly characterizes it), to Alexander Long, of
Cincinnati. Probably it is the most complete and per-
feet piece of invective, sarcasm, and indignant denuncia-
tion ever heard in the American congress. It is a good
deal more than that, as the reader will see by the follow-
ing passages:
reply to honorable alexander long, april 8, 1864.
Mr. Chairman:
I should be obliged to you if you would direct the sergeant-at-arnis
to bring a white flag and plant it in the aisle, between myself and my
colleague who has just addressed you.
I recollect on one great occasion when two great armies stood face to
face, that, under a white flag just planted, I approached a company of
men dressed in the uniform of the rebel confederacy, and reached out
my hand to one of their number and told him I respected him as a
brave man. Though he wore the emblems of disloyalty and treason,
still, underneath his vestment, I beheld a brave and honest soul.
I would reproduce that scene here this afternoon. I say were there
such flag of truce — but God forgive me if I did it under any other cir-
cumstances!— I would reach out this right hand and ask that gentle-
man to take it; because I respect his bravery and his honesty. I be-
lieve what has just fallen from his lips is the honest sentiment of his
heart, and in uttering it he has made a new epoch in the history of this
war. He has done a new thing under the sun; he has done a brave
thing — braver than to face cannon and musketry — and I honor him for
his candor and frankness.
But now, I ask you to take away the flag of truce; and I will go back
inside the Union lines and speak of what he has done. I am reminded
by it of a distinguished chef.-acter ir Paradise Lost. WTien he had re-
belled against the glory of God and ■ ' led away a third part of 1 leaven's
sons, conjured against the Highest;" when after terrible battles in which
moimtains and hills were hurled by each contending host "with jacula-
tion dire;" when, at last, the leader and his host were hurled down
"nine times the space that measures day and night," and, after the ter-
rible fall, lay stretched prone on the burning lake, Satan lifted up his
shattered bulk, crossed the abyss, looked away into Paradise, and, so-
liloquizing, said: "WTiich way I fly is hell; myself am hell." It seems
to me in that utterance he e.vpressed the very sentiment to which you
have just listened; uttered by one no less brave, malign and fallen.
This man gathers up the meaning of this great contest, the philosophy
of the moment, the prophecies of the hour, and in sight of the para-
dise of victory and peace, utters his conclusion in this wail of terrible
despair, "Which way I fly is hell." He ought to add, "Myself am
hell." .♦».»♦
But now. when hundreds of thousands of brave souls have gone up
to God under the shadow of the fl.ag, and when thousands more,
maimed and shattered in the contest, are sadly awaiting the deliver-
ance of death ; now, when three years of terriffic war have raged over
us, when our armies have pushed the rebellion back over mountains
and rivers, and crowded it into narrow limits, until a wall of fire girds
it ; now, when the uplifted hand of a majestic people is about to let fall
the lightning of its conquering power upon the rebellion ; now, in the
quiet of this hall, hatched in the lowest depths of a similar dark treason,
there rises a Benedict Arnold, and proposes to surrender us all up,
body and spirit, theNation and the flag, its genius and its honor, now
and forever, to the accursed traitors to our country. And that propo-
sition comes — God forgive and pity my beloved State ! — it comes from a
citizen of the honored and loyal Commonwealth of Ohio.
I implore you, brethren in this house, not to believe that many births
ever gave pangs to my mother State such as she suffered when that
traitor was born [suppressed applause and sensation]. I beg you not to
believe that on the soil of that State another such growth has ever de-
formed the face of nature, and darkened the light of God's day [an
audible whisper, " Vallandigham"]. « « «
But the gentleman takes higher ground — and in that I agree with
him — namely, that five million or eight million people possess the right
of revolution. Grant it ; we agree there. If fifty-nine men can make rev-
olution successful, they have the right of revolution. If one State
wishes to break its connection with the Federal government, and does
it by force, maintaining itself, it is an independent nation — If the
eleven southern States are determined and resolved to leave the Union,
to secede, to revolutionize, and can maintain that revolution by force,
they have the revolutionary right to do so ; grant it. I stand on that
platform with the gentleman. And now the question comes, is it our
constitutional duty to let them do it? That is the question, and in
order to reach it, I beg to call your attention, not to an argument, but
to the condition of affairs which would result from such action — the
mere statement of which becomes the strongest possible argument-
What does this gentleman propose ? Where will he draw the line of
division ? If the rebels carry into successful secession what they desire
to carry, if their revolution envelops as many States as they intend it
shall envelop, if they draw the line where Isham G. Harris, the rebel
governor of Tennessee, in the rebel camp near our Unes, told Mr. Val-
landigham they would draw it— along the line of the Ohio and the
Potomac— if they make good their declaration to hira that they will
never consent to any other line, then I ask what is this thing that the
gentleman proposes to do ? * *
I tell you, and I confess it here, that while I hope I have something
of human courage, I have not enough to contemplate such a result.
I am not brave enough to go to the brink of the precipice of successful
secession, and look down into its damned abyss. If my Wsion were
keen enough to pierce to its bottom, I would not dare to look. If there
be a man here who dare contemplate such a spectacle, I look upon
him as the bravest of the sons of women, or as a downright madman.
Secession to gain peace ! Secession is the tocsin of eternal war. There
can be no end to such a war as will be inaugurated if this thing be done.
Suppose the policy of the gentleman were adopted to-day. Let the
order go forth; sound the "recall" on your bugles, and let it ring
from Te.vas to the far Atlantic, and tell the armies to come back. Call
the victorious legions back over the battlefield of blood, forever now
disgraced. Call them back over the territory they have conquered and,
26
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
redeemed. Call them back, and let tlie minions of secession chase
them with derision and jeers as they come — and then tell them that
that man across the aisle from the free State of Ohio gave birth to the
monstrous proposition.
Mr. Chairman, if such a word should be sent forth through the
armies of the Union, the wave of terrible vengeance that would
sweep back over this land could find no parallel in the records of time.
Almost in the moments of final victory the "recall" is sounded by a
craven people not deserving freedom ! We ought, every man, to be
made a slave forever should we sanction such a sentiment.
The gentleman has told us there is no such thing as coercion justifi-
able under the constitution. I ask him for one moment to reflect that
no statute was ever enforced without coercion. It is the basis of every
law in tlie universe — human or divine. A law is no law I'itbout
coercion behind it. You levy ta.\es: coercion secures their collection.
It follows the shadow of the thief, and brings him to justice. It lays
its iron hand on the murderer; tries him. and hangs. It accompanies
your diplomacy to foreign courts, and backs the declaration of the na-
tion's rights by a pledge of the nation's strength. But when the life of
that nation is imperilled, we are told that it has no coercive power
against the parricides in its own bosom. • * » » »
I said a little while ago that I accepted the proposition of the gentle-
man that the rebels possessed the right of revolution. The decisive
issue between us and the rebellion is, whether they shall revolutionize
and destroy, or we shall subdue and preserve. We take the latter
ground. We take the common weapons of war to meet them; and if
these be not sufficient, I would take any element which will overwhelm
and destroy; I would sacrifice the dearest and best beloved; I would
take all the old sanctions of law and the constitution and fling them to
the winds, if necessary, rather tlian let the nation be broken in pieces
and its people destroyed with endless ruin.
What is the constitution that these gentlemen are perpetually fling-
ing in our faces whenever we desire to strike hard blows against the
rebellion? It is the production of the American people. They made
it, and the creator is mightier than the creature. The power which
made the constitution can also make other instruments to do its great"
work in the day of its dire necessity.
* » ♦ *d* * *
Mr. Chairman, let me mention another class of facts in this same
connection. We were compelled last year to send our secret sen'ice
men to ferret out the insidious work of that organization known as the
"Knights of the Golden Circle," which was attempting to corrupt the
army and destroy its efficiency. It was found that by the most subtle
and secret means, the signs and pass-words of that older were being
made known to such men in the army as were disaffected or could be
corrupted. Witness also the riots and murders which their agents are
committing throughout the loyal north, under the head and guidance
of the party whose representatives sit yonder across the aisle. And
now, just as the time is coming when we are to select a President for
the next four years, one rises among them and fires the beacon, throws
up the blue-light, which will be seen and rejoiced over at the rebel
capital as the signal that the traitors in our camp are organized and
ready for their hellish work. I believe the utterance of to-day is the
uplifted banner of revolt. I ask you to mark the signal that blazes
here, and see if there will not soon appear the answering signal of trait-
ors all over the land. If I am wrong in this prediction, I shall be
thankful, but I am only too fearful of its truth.
The close of the long session saw Mr. Garfield one of
the most conspicuous men of the house. Probably in the
annals of congress no fresh young man ever advanced to
such a position in so short time, certainly none ever went
to it so securely and certainly. Though the public gaze
was on the armies and generals, and popular sympathy
was with the soldiers, the labors and high qualities of the
young representative did not escape general notice, and
appreciation. In the presidential campaign of 1864, his
services as a speaker were everywhere sought. In it he
delivered sixty-five speeches and traveled seven thousand
five hundred miles. As he received his first nomi-
nation and election while absent in the field, so now he
left his people to form their own estimate of him, and
continue or reject him, as they would. The district nom-
inating convention was called late in the season, and met
while he was at home for a short visit. He returned
to find the entire Reserve in flames over the Wade-Davis
review of the war policy of the President. Unquestion-
ably that was the subject of severe and just criticism.
He had never seen it, knew nothing of it, save by rumor.
He was charged with holding to the views — even with
the authorship of the paper. Wade himself was bitterly
denounced. Garfield was proscribed by the popular
clamor. His re-nomination was wholly dependent on
his ability to clear himself from complicity with the man-
ifesto, and sympathy with its statements and spirit. He
read the paper, approved of it, and felt himself doomed.
He was written to, and requested to be at Warren, at the
convention and take care of himself, with a very direct in-
timation that salvation meant denunciation of Wade and
Winter Davis. He felt challenged. The knightly spirit of
the old Crusader heard the trumpet call to the listed field.
He answered that he would be in Warren on the day
at a named hotel. There he remained in seclusion.
The convention met, organized, took a recess for dinner,
and sent him a delegation, who curtly informed him that
the convention requested his presence. He entered,
coldly, and proudly took his seat in front of the grim
and frowning body. After an ominous silence he
said he had complied with their request. Why was his
presence required? Very directly the chairman told him
of the manifesto, of his reputed connection with it. The
chair hoped he would appreciate the situation. The
district would not permit any criticism of President Lin-
coln, nor any opposition to his policy.
The young man arose. His six feet seemed seven,
with his head thrown vvell back, and his eyes and face
flashing. In courteous terms he thanked them for their
former trust, venturing to remind them that it had been
unsought. It was frank on their part to in.''orm him of
the terms upon which it could alone be continued. He
denied the authorship of the paper — had only recently
read it. He was sorry to read it. It gave him infinitely
greater sorrow that it was entirely true. "I fully approve
LIFE AT THE CAPITAL.
27
of it. If you throw over, cut off old Ben Wade, j^our
course is clear with nie. Truly yours, I am more truly
my own. Good day, gentlemen." He strode out with
the certainty that he bore his head, as he had his polit-
ical life, in his hand. Down the stairs he stalked, giving
them the resounding blows of his spurning heels. They
had just crunched the gravel in front of the entrance
when the roof of the assembly seemed to be lifted by ac-
clamations. This was their shout over his fall, and he
walked away haughtier than he had approached. He
had not gone half a square when the delegates of the
convention came running and shouting after him.
His speech electrified the resolved and frowning con-
vention. A young man from .Ashtabula was the first to
recover breath. He sprang to his feet, declaring that the
man who had the grit and courage to come there and
face a convention like that, ought to be nominated. "I
move that he be nominated by acclamation !" And he
was. That vote it was, that greeted the ears of the retir-
ing hero as he smote his foot upon the ground below.
Adjournment instantly followed, when the more eager
flew after the restored favorite. In their after cooler mo-
ments, many of the usually impassive men felt as if the
act marked the convention for ridicule. "Huh!" ex-
claimed an old man, "when we had a resolved an' sent
for 'im to receive his sentence, he jest took us by the
noses, pulled our beards, lafed in our faces, an' went
off, an' we up an' nominated 'im quicker'n lightnin'. It
beats all nater!" So it did, such nature as theirs, which
was a very good and true nature, after all.
The proclamation of the President abolished slavery
in all the rebel States, and immense armies in their bor-
ders were giving it bloody effect. An act of congress
swept it from the District of Columbia, but it remained
in its bad integrity, in Maryland, and though fearfully
shaken in Kentucky, it then had the sanction of State
authority. During the Thirty-seventh congress, Mr. Lin-
coln, by a solemn message to the two houses, proposed a
plan of emancipation on compensation, similar to that
which purged the District of Columbia. The men of
Maryland and Kentucky, with the stupidity of slave-
holders, rejected it. Congress and the executive were
resolved. Slavery should be abolished. Time and
change must compensate slave-holders. This was the
work of the second session of the Thirty-eighth congress.
The great enterprise was to be accomplished by a
solemn amendment of the constitution. It was elabo-
rately debated. Mr. Pendleton made an able, adroit
speech against it. His argument was, that the central
idea of the constitution could not be abrogated by an
amendment. That this was that purely State institu-
tions (slavery) were placed beyond the reach of a power
outside the State. That, in no event, could the concur-
rent action of three-fourths of the States so change the
constitution as to thus reach a State institution of the
other fourth of them. Slavery was a State institution,
and therefore, not to be thus reached. He said much
of the subtle, hidden soul and essence of the constitution.
He was answered by Garfield, from whom I quote speci-
mens of his reply, and methods of dealing with the
questions involved :
Mr. Speaker : We shall never know why slavery dies so hard in
this Republic and in this hall till we know why sin has such longevity
and Satan is immortal. With marvellous tenacity of existence, it has
outlived the expectations of its friends and the, hopes of its enemies.
It has been declared here and elsewhere to be in all the several stages
of movtality, wounded, moribund, dead. The question was raised by
my colleague [Mr. Cox] yesterday, whether it was indeed dead, or only
in a troubled sleep. I know of no better illustration of its condition
than is found in Sallust's admirable history of the great conspirator,
Cataline, who, when his final battle was fought and lost, his army
broken and scattered, was found far in advance of his own troops,
lying among the dead enemies of Rome, yet breathing a little, but
exhibiting in his countenance all th.it ferocity of spirit which had char-
acterized his life. So, sir, this body of slavery Ues before us among the
dead enemies of the Republic, mortally wounded, impotent in its
fiendish wickedness, but with its old ferocity of look, bearing the
unmistakable marks of its infernal origin.
Speaking of the covers of slavery and Pendleton's de-
fense, he said :
It sought an asylum in the untrodden territories of the West, but,
with a whip of scorpions, indignant freemen drove it thence. I do not
believe that a loyal man can now be found who would consent that it
should again enter them. It has no hope of harbor there. It found
no protection or favor in the hearts or consciences of the freemen of
the Republic, and has fled for its last hope of safety behind the shield
of the Constitution. We propose to follow it there, and drive it thence,
as Satan was exiled from heaven. But now, in the hour of its mortal
agony, in this hall, it has found a defender.
My gallant colleague [Mr. Pendleton,] for I recognize him as a
gallant and able man, plants himself at the door of his darling, and
bids defiance to all assailants. He has followed slavery in its flight,
until at last it has reached the great temple where liberty is enshrined
—the constitution of the United States— and there, in that last retreat,
declares that no hand shall strike it. It reminds me of that celebrated
passage in the great Latin poet, in which the serpents of the Ionian
sea, when they had destroyed Laocoon and his sons, fled to the heights
of the Trojan citadel and coiled their slimy lengths around the feet of
the tutelar goddess, and were covered by the orb of her shield. So,
under the guidance of my colleague, [Mr. Pendleton,] slavery,
gorged with the blood of ten thousand freemen, has climbed to the
high citadel of American nationality, and coiled itself securely, as he
believes, around the feet of the statue of justice and under the shield of
the constitution of the United States. We desire to follow it even
there, and kill it beside the very altar of liberty. Its blood can never
make atonement for the least of its crimes.
But the gentleman has gone further. He is not content that the
snaky sorceress shall be merely under the protection of the constitu-
tion. In his view, by a strange metamorphosis, slavery becomes an in-
visible essence and takes up its abode in the very grain and fiber of the
constitution, and when we would strike it he says, " I cannot point out
28
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
any express clause that prohibits you from destroying slavery; but I
And a prohibition in the intent and meaning of the constitution. I go
under tlie surface, out of sight, into the very genius of it, and in that
invisible domain slavery is enshrined, and there is no power in the Re-
public to diive it thence."
*♦*♦««♦
He goes behind the letter of the constitution, and finds a refuge for
slavery in its intent, and with that intent, he declares we have no right
*.o deal in the way of amendment.
But he has gone even deeper than the spirit and intent of the consti-
tution. He has announced a discovery, to which I am sure no other
statesman will lay claim. He has found a domain where slavery can
no more be reached by human law than the life of Satan by the sword
or Michael. He has marked the hither boundary of this newly discov- '
ered continent, in his response to the question of the gentleman from
Iowa.
Not finding anything in the words and phrases of the constitution
that forbids an amendment abolishing slavery, he goes behind all
human enactments, and far away, among the eternal equities, he finds
a primal law which overshadows States, nations, and constitutions, as
space envelopes the universe, and by its solemn sanctions, one human
being can hold another in perpetual slavery. Surely, human ingenuity
has never gone farther to protect a malefactor, or defend a crime. I
shall make no argument with my colleague on this point, for in that
high court to which he appeals, eternal justice dwells with freedom,
and slavery has never entered.
He grappled the argument, luminously tracing the
power to make and amend the constitution from its true
source. He demonstrated the constitutional power to
change the organic law as the amendment proposed.
The speech, like most of its author's, abounds in filicit-
ous expressions, and sharply cut points as the reader has
seen.
The session ended with the congress on the third of
March, 1865.
CHAPTER III.
IN CONGRESS.-EUROPEAN TOUR.
Assassination, Destruction, Restoration.— Studies. — Needs of the Day.
—Placed on the Ways and Means.— Eulogy of Lincoln.— Records of
the Secretary of War.— The Milligan Case.— Bureau of Education.
—Europe.— Return.— What He Found.— Jefferson Receives a Les-
son.
Mr. Garfield was in New York on the night of the as-
sassination. A ghastly colored waiter made his way to
his room at early dawn and communicated the tale to him.
After generations cannot now appreciate the first effects of
the blow. For a day the government lay in shattered frag-
ments, and had its strength and life resided in physical
force, and the trappings of power, it might have been
overthrown. Its citadel was in the hearts of millions of
people, and its strength their intelligent love. It was,
and is, indestructible. For one hour, for one time, the
mind of Garfield acted with less than its usual clear-
ness and force. He dressed himself, made his way to
the street, and saw around him the ominous signs of the
breaking down of authority, in the great cosmopolitan cen-
ter. He met many utter strangers who, without reserve,
spoke their innermost thought and emotion. The
streets, too, were full of dark, silent and sinister faces, as
of men who had escaped from the pent places of dark-
ness and hiding, and were for the first time abroad in
the day — not a full-orbed healthy day, but one of half-
twilight, full of shadows, and half-uttered whispers
of impending evil. He fijially reached the custom
house, one of the seats of national authority, where was
assembled an immense crowd of fearful, overwhelmed
men. Mr. Odell, a representative from New York, re-
cognized him, conducted him through the mass, up the
steps, and pushed him forward to address the frightened
unknowing multitude. A reporter of the Herald gath-
ered portions of what was a solemn and impressive
address such as a man of his mould would make under
the circumstances.
RESTORATION.
The vacation of the summer of 1865 gave time and
opportunity for a survey of the state of the Republic
and its needs in the future. To Garfield it was obvious
that a period of destruction, of uprooting and overturn-
ing had come. It must be succeeded by that of repose,
new crystallizations, and growths; new ideas must orig-
inate new policies. They could hardly be expected from
the old conductors of the war. They were the most of
them warriors, ministers and legislators of the war, having
clear vision, fixed purpose, and great power and grasp in
creating and using means. Their work was well and
thoroughly done. What was the next wise thing seemed
hardly to dawn on many minds. Stern, intent, narrow,
and hence forceful, with frowning brows confronting the
great rebellion, till the habit of mind and form of ex-
pression were fixed also. It were easy to destroy. The
hand which ruins can hardly restore. There now re-
mained the great work of clearing the ground of the
entire Republic, of the debris, the cost, debt, and ruin
of the war. Disband and pay the army, adjust a pension
roll, fund the floating debt, readjust the whole vast sub-
ject of revenue, all the forms and sources of taxation
and expenditure, search out the true basis of the mone-
tary system of the country, govern the subdued States,
provide a system of education, change and restore the
currents and costs of war to the economies and condi-
tions of peace. He saw a parallel between the condition
of the Republic at the close of the war, and that of Eng
land at the end of the Napoleonic struggles. He read
with great care the entire history of the period of her
IN CONGRESS— EUROPEAN TOUR.
29
transit from Waterloo to her resumption of specie pay-
ments, the course and policy of Wellington, and con-
trasted them with those of Peel and of those who held
with him; mastered the literature of political economy and
the history of banking ; and when asked by the re-elected
Colfax, what place he should assign him to, he answered
that he preferred a place on the ways and means. With
much remonstrance, the amazed speaker complied. He
had favorably attracted the notice of Justin S. Morrell, now
to be placed at the head of the committee, who requested
that he might be assigned a place with him. Aside from
his great value in the committee room, Morrell wanted
the aid of his unsurpassed power to master, and of his
clear and forcible exposition in committee of the whole
and in the house. Roscoe Conkling, who had returned to
the house, was on the same committee, as was also John
Wentworth, who now appeared after years of absence.
Of old and distinguished members thus returning after
many years, may be mentioned Delano, Bingham and
Shellabarger. Of the new, were Rutherford B. Hayes,
William Lawrence, Henry J. Raymond, Thomas W.
Ferrj', General Haibert E. Paine, Robert S. Hale, and
others.
This session is memorable for the overhauling and re-
construction of all the revenue legislation, the elabora-
tion and enactment of the great statutes of taxation.
The internal revenue law was revised and remodelled
anew, with delegations representing all the trades and
interests. The whiskey crowd, the brewers, the tobacco
manufacturers of all sorts, men, craftsmen of all the
trades, whose products were to be subjected to the ser-
vitudes of the revenue. Then came the tariff, upon
which men never have agreed, and never will agree.
Below the great schools of protection and free trade
were infinite subdivisions of men, who disagreed as to
what free trade practically meant, and what was protec-
tion ; with every shade from high to low tariff, and here
again come the trades and artisans. There was the awful
debt to be met, and 1866 saw twelve hundred and ninety
millions of dollars appropriated for all purposes. Does
histor)' parallel this in the expenditures of any nation for
a fiscal year? In all these labors, the strong, clear, well-
advised mind of Garfield, luminously and profitably
worked, and his firm, strong hand, made itself felt in the
fashioning of this legislation. Thus employed the four-
teenth of April, 1866, came upon the over-busy house,
unconscious that it was the anniversary of the assassina-
tion of Lincoln. President Johnson had been more
thoughtful. He issued an order to close the great de-
partments in commemoration of the event. The execu-
tion of the order reminded the members of the house of
their own proper duty. Fifteen minutes before twelve,
when the house would be called to order, Colfax rushed
breathless into the committee room, where Garfield was
hard at work, and told him that when the house was
called to order he, the general, was to rise, remind
the house of the solemn anniversary and move an ad-
journment, and deliver a happy, touching and eloquent
speech.
If there is anything in the world that would greatly
dismay a public speaker, no matter how gifted, original
and eloquent, it would be such an announcement. Few
can, with ample preparation, do these things well. No
one would attempt on such notice, were escape open to
him.
Garfield, lost in figures and tables, looked up in dis-
may. The uncovering of a rebel battery in his front
would have startled him less. Colfax turned everybody
out of the room, went out himself, and placed a messen-
ger at the door. Fifteen minutes ! The imprisoned re-
presentative turned himself in on his roomy brain;
started the imps of memory in all directions for stores
which never did fail, awoke fancy, pathos and reverence.
He was at his desk as the prayer ended and the gavel
fell, when he arose and said:
Mr. Speaker, I desire to mpve that this house do now adjourn. And
before the vote upon that motion is taken I desire to say a few words.
This day, Mr. Speaker, will be sadly memorable so lo!ig as this Na-
tion shall endure, which God grant may be "till the last syllable of re-
corded time,", when the volume of human history shall be sealed up
and delivered to the omnipotent Judge.
In all future time, on the recurrence of this day, I doubt not that the
citizens of this RepubUc will meet in solemn assembly to reflect on the
life and character of .\braham Lincoln, and the awful, tragic event of
April 14, 1865 — an event unparalleled in the history of nations, cer-
tainly unparalleled in our own. It is eminently proper that this house
should this day place upon its records a memorial of that event.
The last five years have been marked by wonderful developments of
individual character. Thousands of our people before unknown to
fame, have taken their places in history, crowned with immortal honors.
In thousands of humble homes are dwelling heroes and patriots whose
names shall never die.
But greatest among all tliese great developments were the character
and fame of Abraham Lincoln, whose loss the Nation still deplores.
His character is aptly described in the words of England's great laure-
ate— written thirty years ago — in which he traces the upward steps of
some
'* Divinely gifted man,
Whose life in low est?te began,
And on a simple village green;
*' Who breaks his birth's invidious bar,
And grasps the skirts of happy chance.
And breasts the blows of circumstance,
And grapples with his evil star;
*'%Vho makes his force by merit known.
And lives to clutch the golden keys
To mould a mighty State's decrees,
And shape the whisper of the throne;
30
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
"And moving up from high to higher,
Becomes on Fortune's crowning slope.
The pillar of a people's hope,
The center of a world's desire."
Such a life and character will be treasured forever as the sacred pos-
session of the .-American people and of mankind.
In the great drama of the rebellion, there were two acts. The first
was the war with its battles and sieges, victories and defeats, its suffer-
ings and tears.
That act was closing one year ago to-night, and, just as the curtain
was lifting on the second and final act— the restoration of peace and
liberty— just as the curtain was rising upon new characters and new
events, the evil spirit of the rebellion, in the fury ol despair, ner\-ed and
directed the hand of an assassin to strike down the chief character in
both.
It was no one man who killed .Abraham Lincoln ; it was the embodied
spirit of treason and slavery, inspired with fearful and despairing hate,
that struck him down, in the moment of the nation's supremest joy.
Sir, there are times in the history of men and nations, when they
stand so near the veil that separates mortals from the immortals, time
from eternity, and men from their God, that they canalmost hear the
beatings and feel the pulsations of the heart of the Infinite.
Through such a time has this Nation passed. When two hundred
and fifty thousand brave spirits passed from the field of honor, through
that thin veil, to the presence of God, and when at last its partmg
folds admitted the martyr President to the company of these dead he-
roes of the Republic, the nation stood so near the veil, that the whispers
of God were heard by the children of men.
Awe-stricken by His voice, the American people knelt in tearful
reverence and made a solemn covenant with Him and with each other,
that this Nation should be saved from its enemies, that all its glories
should be restored, and, on the ruins of slavery and treason, the temples
of freedom and justice should be built and should survive forever.
It remains for us, consecrated by that great event, and under a
covenant with God, to keep that faith, to go forward in the gre.\t work
until it shall be completed.
Following the lead ol that great man, and obeying the high behests
of God, let us remember that —
"He has sounded forth a trumpet that shall never call retreat ;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat ;
Be swift, my soul, to answer Him, be jubilant my feet;
For God is marching on."
I move, sir, that this house do now adjourn.
The motion was unanimously agreed to ; and thereupon (at fifteen
minutes after twelve o'clock) the house adjourned.
This is justly regarded as one of the most fehcitous
things of the kind in our congressional history. Perhaps
the recalling of the lines of Tennyson, seemingly written
and laid away for the occasion, was an effort of memory
little short of inspiration. He had not seen them for
years. No book was at hand; no tongue to recall.
They leaped from their ambush in his brain, and gave
themselves to the tender and solemn office of an offering
never more fitly made than now.
The general's rendering was as if the words were a
sudden inspiration, now first finding utterance in their
own most fitting expression ; rapt, tender, tremulous, and
with loving awe. They were taken down with the speech.
On comparison with the authorized text, there was the
single error of a word.
The celebrated case of Milligan and others is referable
to this period. It will be brought fully under notice for
another purpose. In the order of time, and as illustra-
tive of character, it must receive mention here.
The secret history of the provost marshal general's
office at Washington, and the connection of the war office
of which it was an agency with it, never can be written;
perhaps, never should be. It is known, however, that
the Old Capitol and Carroll prisons were thronged with
men against whom no charges were ever preferred, who
were never tried, and yet who were arbitrarily detained
against remonstrance, in spite of entreaty, and without
a shadow of constitutional authority. The writ of habeas
corpus was suspended, and there were no legal means of
relief. In this condition, a statement of the prisons, with
many details, was sent to the military committee, which
so startled the generals at- its head, that they went to the
prisons, and made a personal inquiry, saw several of the
prisoners, and heard their stories, which excited their
surprise and indignation. On the next day Garfield
offered a resolution demanding an inquiry. The house
adopted it, and directed the military committee to make it.
On the day following, General Garfield was detained from
the house at its opening. When he entered, he found it
listening to Thaddeus Stevens on his motion to rescind
Garfield's resolution of the day before, which the old man
denounced as a needless and mischievous intermeddling
by a young man, with the management of the war office.
Garfield replied with great spirit, stated the origin of the
resolution, the petition, his personal inquirj', what he
found; related in indignant terms the outrages upon
Union men; told the story of a Union colonel, wounded
at the second battle of Bull Run, and denounced the
great secretary of war as worthy of impeachment, and
told the house to rescind the resolution if it would. It
did not do it, but there was an iinmediate emptying of
the prisons, which rendered inquiry useless. The daring
of the young tribune, in thus bearding the terrible secre-
tary, won the admiration of all men, and especially of
Mr. Stanton himself, which was manifested in a strik-
ing way. Meantime, Milligan and his co-conspirators
were in prison awaiting execution, and the kind Lincoln
was sorely perplexed.
In this exigency Judge Black and one or two leading
Democrats approached Garfield, laid the case before him,
and asked him to appear in it before the supreme court
of the United States. The defendants were poor, abject
and odious, but their case involved the same great
questions of right, constitutional law, and civil liberty, so
promptly and effectively vindicated in the case of the
Capitol and Carroll prisoners. He did not hesitate.
IN CONGRESS— EUROPEAN TOUR.
31
His sense of duty in the defense of the principles in-
volved, compelled him at any personal sacrifice and peril,
to undertake the case, and he did. He prepared his
great argument, printed his brief, presented the case, con-
vinced the court, saved the wretched men, and restored
to menaced rights the support of the law of the land.*
During this session he introduced a bill to establish the
national bureau of education. He secured a special
committee for its consideration, and closed the interest-
ing and important debate upon it June 8, 1868. The
speech was full of the broad, just and enlightened nature
of the man, and presents the views in favor of it, with
an amplitude of argument and illustration, fortified from
history and experience, which would go far to establish
the reputation of almost any other man.
The bill passed by eighty to forty-four, became a law,
and for this the people of the United States are wholly
indebted to the young professor of Hiram college.
The necessity for subjecting Mr. Garfield's career to
a more rapid treatment, in view of the many years yet be-
fore us, is apparent, and my sketch must pass with but .
slight glances at its more prominent points. I leave the
residue of the Thirty-ninth congress without further refer-
ence to him or it.
EUROPE.
In the summer vacation of 1S67 Mr. Garfield was
able to realize the dream of every intelligent Ameri-
can, and visit Europe. He sailed from New York on
the thirteenth of July, and reached that city, on his re-
turn, November 6th of the ensuing autumn. With a
just and tender appreciation of their mutual help and
dependence, the husband and devoted wife had made
their lives continuously together, and she lived with him
at Washington, holding her proper place by his side,
sharing his confidence and counsels, and going with
him along the way of his rapid advance, herself develop-
ing naturally and gracefully in the seemly form of per
feeling womanhood, in the atmosphere and social circles
of the capital. They carried with them and realized
there the tenderness, warmth, and simplicity of their true
home life.
For this brief absence they made a careful disposition
of the loved ones, and now this husband and wife, who
have never ceased to be lovers, go away — they two, each
having only the other, to stand side by side with a strong
arm around a slender waist on the large steamer's deck,
and, with a half-sense of bereavement, see the land and
light of their home fade into night, and fall below the
horizon, then turn to hail the new day, count the
days, and look for the new and everlasting old shores,
* See Chapter I, Part V.
where they are to land — they two, and run, hand in
hand, like wondering, wandering boy and girl, through
Europe. I hold the young man's diary in my hand,
and fancy I can see them, and it all seems very sweet
and charming.
Here is what he says on the day they started: "^^^len
I entered Williams, in 1854, I probably knew less of
Shakspeare than any other student of my age and cul-
ture in the country. Though this was a reproach to me,
I had the pleasure of bringing to the study of those
great poems a mind of some cultivation and maturity,
and my first impressions were strong and vivid. Some-
thing like this may be my experience on this trip." Un-
doubtedly it will. They were on the great "City of
London." "At eight o'clock in the evening we caught
the last glimpse of land."
One hour on the high seas, when the land has sunk,
brings all that can be seen at sea, unless storms or islands
arise, baring sea-sickness. Of course, everything is novel
and fresh to one capable of the vivid impressions of
Garfield. The ocean, the sun, and, above all, the huge,
throbbing ship, and its navigation, were new and pictur-
esque subjects, the unusual, to be studied. We must pass
over the Atlantic more rapidly, under our recent pledge.
We wait for them at Queenstown and find the ship washed
and scoured, and the passengers ready to land. Of
course, the general got acquainted with everybody on
board, and found something to like in everyone. The
I person he would not like would be unlovely to the
odious ; and we know they all liked him, though he is
careful to say nothing of that. We remember he was a
born sailor, and the voyage awoke all his old longings.
On the ship's last day, I find this reflection: "Perhaps
each human being has several possible characters in him
which changed circumstances could bring out. Certain-
ly life on the sea brings me out quite unique. Mine is
as much a surprise to me as it could be to any other. I
have purposely become absorbed in the parenthetic life,
and have enjoyed it so much, that a fellow passenger said
to 'Crete' (Lucretia), that I would certainly be sorry to
land." He was greatly interested in testing the accuracy
of the captain's estimate of his whereabouts, and rate of
speed. The captain had assured him that he would see
the speck of Little Skelligs not thirty minutes from six
p. M. It was sighted at ten minutes to six o'clock of
July the 24th. On the twenty-sixth they steamed up the
muddy Mersey, and the general is moved to qoute:
" Tlie quality of Mersey is not strained."
He may have been homesick a little. They visited
and lingered about Chester, oldest and sole walled town
of England. The general had great aptitude for becom-
32
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
ing impregnated with the spirit of a place, and saw and
felt with the fresh, unsoiled nature of a primitive man,
which responded truly to impressions. July 28th, oft" to
London — town of Whittington, lord mayor, and London
bridge; stopped at the Langham, and found there
Henry J. Raymond; went to the parliament house, and
admitted to the gallery; heard Disraeli, Layard and
others; surprised with the conversational, business-
like manner of the speaking, marred by an almost
painful hesitancy; went to the lords, where, sitting on the
steps of the throne, the future President listened to born
law-makers. Lord Russell, Lord Malmsbury, and smaller
lordlings, on the reform bill. "I was strongly impressed
with the democratic influences manifest in both houses.
There seemed as much of the demagogue here as in our
congresses," is his comment. "There is a constant ref-
erence to the demands of the people."
Next day did .St. Paul's and Westminster, and again to
the lords, with Senator Morrell, of Vermont; heard
Cams, and also Cardigan, of the "light brigade;" later,
took rooms; again at Westminster, and then to parlia-
ment; heard Derby, whose gout permitted his attend-
ance; also Earl Gray. How these names take one back.
Derby was the best speaker he had yet heard ; saw
Gladstone. Next-day, August 2d, at the British museum;
saw the remains of the Elgin marbles. Of course, he
called upon Mr. Charles Francis Adams, and talked up
home politics, which may have been interesting to
hear; went to Hampton court. Such a reader of
English history saw the places, and freshened his im-
pressions. The next Sunday, went to see and hear
Spurgeon, and gives an interesting account of him, his
tabernacle, and people. Next day they went to the
Tower, and then home through Billingsgate. They were
very busy every day in London. The parliament house
had charms for the politician and member of congress,
and he managed to hear a good deal of indifferent
speaking. He speaks forcibly of it — of the leading men.
He made a good study of Disraeli; also of Bright. He
was quick to see and apprehend the lines and points of
these English statesmen. There is a good sketch of
Gladstone. It is curious to think of the possible official
relations of these remarkable men. Then follows a de-
bate and "division." August loth went to Leamington,
and the next day to Stratford-on-Avon, where some good
ramblings and musings were done. Many pages bear
the notes. Such a man could not help his impressions. I
must pass them. From there they visited various places,
not on the usual beaten routes to Sheffield. August
15th they were at Edinboro, visited Abbottsford, Holly-
rood, the Heart of Midlothian, and all the points which
were as fresh as if the way to them had not been beaten
hard and smoth by previous visitors. There was Glasgow,
the Clyde, and then Burns' cottage, and the "twa Brigs,"
and the general says he re-read Tam 'O Shanter. I believe
Morrell and Blaine were with them part of the time in
Scotland. August 23d, sailed from Leith to Rotterdam.
The passage over the North sea is well described; and
the next morning they were in sight of the dykes, and
soon after they were looking at Holbein's landscapes, and
the men and women whom they saw wore the same
clothes as in his pictures. August 27th, went to Brussels,
thence to Cologne, and steamed up the Rhine. Read
Childe Harold, and estimates Byron's poetry. Stopped at
Mayence, thence to Frankfort, and on Baden, September
5th, to Strasbourg, to see the cathedral and clock, then
the Alps and Berne, next Lausanne and Lake Lucerne,
more mountains, and then to Italy, then come the old
names dear to history, and the romances of the medi-
aeval years and the renaissance, and so, to the still
"spouseless Adriatic," and Venice, city of dreams, where
her annual bridegroom perished centuries ago. Florence,
and finally Rome, receptacle of things lost on earth,
herself the saddest and greatest loss. Here all ways
meet, all journeys end.
What must be the impressions of such a man when he
buys his last ticket for Rome, and takes his seat in a car!
To Rome by railroad ! What an anachronism ! What
days those Roman days were ! On page 217 I find a
rude map — the Tiber, and the position of the Seven
Hills. Childe Harold accompanied him to Rome. They
reached there September 2Sth, and remained there until
October ist, and left with an infinitely greater regret
than he ever left home. Away "by the blue Mediterra-
nean to Leghorn, and by steamer to Genoa and Colum-
bus, thence to Turin, and so on, and over the moun-
tains, and finally to Paris, where, too, all roads intersect,
and many end. Dear Geneva had been left out with a
small pang. Paris, and it was the fourth of October;
and already thoughts of home and hard work came upon
the busy-brained man. Home and the babies, were ever
in the heart of his companion. There they found Miss
Ransom, the artist, and many Ohio friends. It was still
the Paris of the second empire, and they left it on the
nineteenth. Fifteen days there, then by rail to Dieppe,
and there they took a steamer for New Haven. How
flat sounds our familiar names after spelling out and fan-
cying the otherwise unpronounceable names of continental
Europe. Fifteen days of reflection and ocean, recalling,
comparing, and the western world received them.
The eager boy and girl came back the grave and
thoughtful man and woman, with a world of new images.
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
33
some perfect, many broken, others vanishing shadows.
They had touched the old world of magic and memory.
It had laid its hand on them lightly, to be sure, but they
were not just the same, though no one could detect or
suspect the difference. I close the little diary with regret ;
regretting also that I have but traced its dead outline, its
dry sketches. It details briefly, with a bright, brief episode
of an interesting, busy life; presents little cabinet pictures,
bits of warmth and color, to linger in the memory and
my reader's fancy.
He came back to find that an election had been lost;
some lunacy had put that sham plank in the Repub-
lican State platform, which, whatever it said, was popu-
larly construed that the United States bonds should be
paid in the national currency — greenbacks. It was always
an abominable name ; a fragmentary party has rendered
it unendurable. The bonds were to be paid in paper,
no matter at what discount. To the eradication of this
pernicious heresy and lunacy which had smitten the
entire State in his absence, he was henceforth to be
consecrated.
Jefferson, the county seat of Ashtabula, the old home
of his great predecessor, Giddings, of Benjamin F. Wade,
and of several conspicuous personages; a seat of culti-
vated men, and the home of the Howells and Howlands;
also where the returned representative had warm friends
and admirers, which he had seldom visited, tendered him
that modern social invention, a reception, which he
accepted. Of course there would be some speech making.
In the speech of welcome the platform was referred to,
and it was more than intimated that his unqualified
acceptance, or at least acquiescence, would be a condition
of his continued public service. I know not that there
was Special design in it, it looked like that. His very
clear and forcible speech of March, iS66, set forth his
views, as then fixed and determined, and this was to be
taken back or silenced. It was besides, not just the thing
under the guise of courtesy and hospitality. Invite a
man to a feast and pleasantly ask him to permit his host
to poison his meat. They had forgotten Warren. They
never forgot the lesson of this night. In his reply, cour-
teously, to be sure, he never could be other, he exposed
and denounced the policy of the platform ; told them
that he would hold his seat on no such condition ; that
the dogma was false, pernicious and fraudulent. In short,
he administered a most wholesome lecture, which came
near being a castigation. I was never advised of the
social aspects of that festive occasion ; I presume it was
enjoyable. Garfield is the most social and festive of
men. With such a world — overrunning humor, wit and
hearty good fellowship, as well as being the most mag-
nanimous and forgiving of mortals, the time must be
hard which his presence did not make a good time.
That ended this vacation, and with it we tag out the
European episode.
Mr. Garfield now went on to the regular long session
of the Fortieth congress. It- held an extra session before
he went to Europe. To that we now return, and present
an uninterrupted glance at the entire congress. It will
be remembered that there was now not only no harmony,
between the Republican congress and President Johnson,
but open war.
CHAPTER IV.
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
Extraordinary Character. — Impeachment. — Speech on the MiHtary
Governments. — General Hancock. — Preparing His Presidential Can-
didacy.— Arraignment of him. — Their Position now. — Speech on
Impeachment. — The Currency Speec^. — .Arlington Oration. — Taxa-
tion of the Bonds. — Reply to Butler and Pike. — Chairman of the
Military Committee.
The Fortieth congress was one of the most remarkable
in our annals. It impeached the President, and sat more
times than any under the constitution. It commenced on
March 4, 1867, not in obedience to a proclamation of the
executive, but in spite of him, and with the declared pur-
pose of protecting the Republic from its executive. Its
first session sat until July 20th, when it took a recess
until November 21st, and sat from that date to the hour
of the regular session. That session continued until
July 27th, took a recess to September 21st, another to
November loth, when it adjourned finally.
The senate welcomed the return of Simon Cameron.
Fessenden was received at the last congress. Prominent
among the new senators were Roscoe Conkling and Jus-
tin S. Morrell, from the house; Garrett Davis, from Ken-
tucky, greatest talker of senators or common men;
Charles D. Drake, ol Missouri, who was to fill an impor-
tant place ; Oliver P. Morton, one of the great forces of
that body, strong, fibrous, a moulder of measures and
leader of men; Nye, of Nevada, a coarse wit, humorist
and wag; and some others.
George F. Edmunds entered the Thirty-ninth. The
house became enriched by the presence of General But-
ler. It also received General Morgan, of Ohio. General
Logan, who resigned his seat for the war in the Thirty-
seventh congress, resumed it in the Fortieth.
34
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD
The session was not fruitful in the pcrfettion of laws.
Its main purpose was to watch over and care for tlie ex-
ecutive, v.hom it impeached and tried, and passed some
of its important acts over liis veto.
The regular session opened on the second of Decem-
ber, and was but a continuance of th.e extra session in
spirit and purpose. Obviously the pending contest — the
first in our history, between the great Republican major-
ity— in effect, the congress, the legislative departments
and the executive — was to be pursued to a final issue, tu
the exclusion of many more important matters. This
was in some measure due to the mere ur.spent momentum
of the war. The great war leaders < ould not at once
arrest it. They may have misjudged of the point at
which its forces should be ( onducted off. The executive
with a temper as unaccommodating, in utter disregard of
the essential spirit of the constitution, seemed to place
himself directly across the way of the representatives of
the people and of the States. There was no effort to
placate, no toleration, not even forbearance, on the part
of congress, and so the collision came, and ended as it
began. In the great future, when the air becomes clear,
and the light white, and distance gives needed perspect-
ive, the events of the struggle will be estimated, and the
men adjudged. The great contest which, coming ere
the great agitations of the rebellion had ceased, for the
time re-convulsed the Republic.
Of the last work of the Thirty-ninth congress, was the
"act to provide for the more efficient government of the
rebel States," passed over the veto. This it was which
made them military departments, governed by a general,
certainly the best governments the most of them have
had since the war. This law came up for amendment at
the regular session. The discussion of this amendment
and of the act, covered about all the ground of the
pending controversy.
Mr. Ashley's resolution of impeachment had failed,
but the matter was in no way even interrujited. Garfield
voted against that. On the seventeenth of January,
1868, in a forcible speech of twenty minutes, he gave
his views of the pending situation, and it is a good spec-
imen of how much a strong m.^.n can do in twenty min-
utes. As showing his opinion of the main issue I quote
a paragraph :
"Some of our friends say, since the President is the chief obstacle,
impeach him. .\s the end is more important than the means, so
is the rebuildini; of law and liberty, on the ru;:-.s of anarchy and
slavery, more important than the impeachment of .Andrew Johnson.
*♦♦*.«♦
"Let no m.'.n suppose that because t:-.is house did not resolve to
proceed «itli impeachment tliat it will abandon the loyal men of the
South to the tender mercies of the rebels, or to the policy of the Pres-
ident and his party."
This is the speech in which he calls attention to the
course of a certain major-general (Hancock) of the
Union army, while at the head of the department for
the government of Louisiana and Texas, under the law
referred to, of which, doubtless, much may be said. This
passage is given in full:
I will not repeat the long catalogue of obstructions which the
President has thrown in the way, by virtue of the power conferred
upon him in the reconstruction law of 1867; but I will allude to
one example where he has found in a major-general of the army a
facile instrument with which more effectually to obstruct the work of
reconstruction. This case is all the more painful, because an otherwise
meritorious officer, who bears honorable scars earned in battle for the
Union, has been made a party to tlie political madness which has so
long marked the conduct of the President. This general was sent into
the district of Louisiana and Te.vaswith a law of congress in his hand,
a law that commands him to see that justice is administered among the
people of that country, and that no pretence of civil authority shall
deter him from performing his duty, and yet we find that officer giving
lectures in the form of proclamations and orders on what ought to be
the relation between the civil and military departments of the govern-
ment. We see him issuing a general order, in which he declares that
the civil should give way before the military. We hear him declaring
that he finds nothing in the laws of Louisiana and Texas for a guide to
his conduct. It is for him to execute the law-s which he was sent there
fo administer. It is for him to aid in building up civil governments,
rather than preparing himself to be the presidential candidate of that
party which gave him no symp.u'.iy when he was gallantly fighting the
battles of the country.
This is now his position confronting this accusing tri-
bune of the people, a candidate for the same high place.
It is seen that in this speech. General Garfield bears
honorable testimony to the high character and military
fame of the major-general.
Then came another "act of usurpation" as it was
called, on the part of the President, which led to formal
articles of impeachment. These were thoroughly dis-
cussed, and on the third of March Mr. Garfield ad-
dressed the committee in his usually well-considered,
fresh, strong way. He had not before deemed it expedi-
ent to impeach the President, though he believed him
guilty. There was now- no alternative. The immediate
cause was the removal of Secretary Stanton, and the ap-
pointment of General Lorenzo Thomas. The question
turned on his power under the constitution, and the civil
tenure act, of March 2, 1867, enacted for the special
purpose of preventing the very or any similar act, by the
executive. In this fpceih the constitution is scanned;
the statute carefully and discriminatingly examined, and
it was shown that Stanton was removed in violation of
the law, and Thomas, meekest and most amiable of
mortals, was appointed in violation of the constitution.
It is difficult to see how either conclusion can be avoided;
certainly not the first. The President was impeached and
afterwards tried, with a result which thoughtful men antic-
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
35
ipated, although thoughtful men did not agree as to its
merits. The good and evil of it were perhaps balanced.
CURRENCY.
On the fifteenth of May,- Mr. Garfield delivered his
first exhaustive speech on the currency, which probably
did as much as any single speech, to enlighten both con-
gress and the countrj-, on the nature and character of
money, its paper relative, their office, the laws which
control their use — the whole brought out with breadth and
clearness. Whatever of history and so-called science as
illustrated by writers on political economy — all the liter-
ature of the question — he had mastered and brought their
united lights, made his own, to bear on the subject. The
speech occupied two hours for its delivery. -The house
is true to itself. To one of its own men — one of its wise
and modest children, who always respects it, and never
kicks up rows in the family, it is kind and true. Here
was its favored one with his great roomy head, full of
wise, distilled knowledge, almost wisdom, with the
gatherings of the world's experience, gleaned in far
journeys to remote regions, by knowing hands, with
wise and clear thought of his own. The inexorable
Sphinx had propounded its riddle, and he was to instruct
them how to answer it. They gave him his time. He
used it justly, and to the profit of all. No one will look
to my hasty work for a full statement of his doctrines.
They are now part of the common tliought, have crys-
tallized into law, and command as well as instruct. Yet
hereafter will be found a fuller statement of them.
From the great and fierce warfare of the house, to
sweet and peaceful Arlington, where, massed rank on
rank, sleep the Republic's dead, what a change ! Here,
on the thirtieth of the ensuing May, General Garfield
delivered the first of the annual commemorative orations.
The choice was apt and the duty ai)tly performed. Not
out of the broad lines of his daily thought was it, and
it fell naturally in the order of his labors. The reader
shall judge of this; the following is the last fourth,
entire.
And now, consider this silent assembly of tlie de.id. Wliat does it
represent? Nay, rather, what does it not represent ? It is an epitome
of the war. Here are sheaves reaped, in the harvest of death, from
every battlefield of Virginia. If each grave had a voice to tell us what
its silent tenant last saw and heard on earth, we might stand, with
uncovered heads, and hear the whole story of the war. Wo should
hear that one perished when the first great drops of the crimson sho.vir
began to fall, when the darkness of that first disaster at Manassas f_'!I
like an eclipse on the Nation ; that another died of disease while w:r.-
rily waiting for winter to end ; that this one fell on the field, in sight of
the spires of Richmond, little dreaming that the flag must bo carried
through three more years of blood before it sliould be planted in tV.-;
citadel of treason ; and that one fell when the tide of war had swc-t
us back, till th.e ro.ar of rebel guns shook the dome of yonder oapitcl,
and re-echoed in the chambers of the executive mansion. We should
hear mingled voices from the Rappahannock, the Rapidan, the Chicka-
hominy, and the James; solemn voices from the Wilderness, and tri-
umphant shouts from the Shenandoah, from Petersburgh, and the Five
Forks, mingled with the wild acclaim of victory and the sweet chorus
of returning peace. The voices of these dead will forever fill the land
like holy benedictions.
What other spot so fitting for their last resting-place as this, under
the shadow of the capitol saved by their valor? Here, where the grim
edge of battle joined; here, where all the hope and fear and agony of
their country centered; here let them rest, asleep on the Nation's heart,
entombed in the Nation's love!
The view from tliis spot beajs some resemblance to that which greets
the eye at Rome. In sight of the Capitoline hill, up and across the
Tiber, and overlooking the city, is a hill, not rugged nor lofty, but
known as the Vatican mount. At the beginning of the Christian era,
an imperial circus stood on its summit. There, gladiatorial slaves died
for the sport of Rome; and wild beasts fought with wilder men. In
that arena, a Galileean fisherman gave up his life a sacrifice for his
faith. No human life was ever so nobly avenged. On that spot was
reared the proudest Christian temple ever built by human hands. For
its adornment, the rich offerings of every clime and kingdom have been
contributed. And now, after eighteen centuries, the hearts of two hun-
dred million people turn towards it with reverence when they worship
God. As the traveler descends the Apennines, he sees the dome of St.
Peter rising above the desolate Campagna and the dead city, long be-
fore the seven hills and ruined palaces appear to his view. The fame
of the dead fisherman has outlived the glory of the Eternal city. A
noble life, crowned with heroic death, rises above and outlives the
pride and pomp and glory of the mightiest empire of the earth.
Seen from the western slope of our capilol, in direction, distance and
appearance, this spot is not unlike the Vatican mount; though the
river that flows at our feet is larger than a hundred Tibers. Seven
years ago, this was the home of one who lifted his sword against the
life of his country, and who became the great imperator of the rebel-
lion. The soil beneath our feet was watered by the tears of slaves, in
whose heart the sight of yonder proud capitol awakened no pride, and
inspired no hope. The face of the goddess that crowns it was turned
towards the sea, and not towards them. But, thanks be to God, this
arena of rebellion and slavery is a scene of violence and crime no
longer! This will be forever the sacred mountain of our capital. Here
is our temple; its pavement is the sepulchre of heroic hearts; its dome,
the bendmg heaven; its altar candles, the watching stars.
Hither our children's children shall come to pay their tribute of
grateful homage. For this are we met to-day. By the happy sugges-
tion of a great society, assemblies like this are gathering, at this hour,
in every State in the Union. Thousands of soldiers are to-day turning
aside in the march of li,'e to visit the silent encampments of dead com-
lades who once fought by their side.
From many thousand homes, whose light was put out when a soldier
fell, there go forth to-day, to join these solemn processions, loving km-
dred and friends, from whose hearts the shadow of grief will never be
lifted till the light of the eternal world dawns upon them.
And here are children, little children, to whom the war left no father
but the Father above. By the most sacred right, theirs is the chief
place to-day. They come with garlands to crown their victor fathers.
I will delay the coronation no longer.
Thus elevated and refreshed, we return to the national
arena.
TAXING THE BONDS.
It will be remembered that laws which created the
various bonds issued by the government during the war,
prohibited their ta.\ation by all national. State, and mu-
36
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
nicipal legislation ; exemption was thus an inherent ele-
ment of their existence; it was a property of theirs, and
not an external and effaceable mark. Their taxation was
of the class of assaults to which their payment in depre-
ciated paper belonged. The proposition in various
forms had been brought before the house by amendment
to pending bills, and also by resolutions. The questions
involved were the power to tax and the morality of so
doing. Among the advocates of taxation were Fred-
erick C. Pike, of Maine, who should have known better,
and does now, and General Butler, of whom it is hard
to say what he does or may know, in a straightforward
way. They had both made elaborate speeches in favor
of the policy. To these, jointly and severally, General
Garfield replied on the fifteenth of July, in the course
of which he gave an abstract of the English history and
practice of taxation, which was necessary to dislodge
positions fortified from alleged English methods on the
Other side, during which his opponents questioned him
and took many issues, to conduct which, on his side,
required that roomy knowledge in which a man can turn,
knowing all the ground, and all the resources of both
sides. Both were able, adroit, and skilful debates, and
Butler, aided by clerks and secretaries, whom he always
uses, generally has in hand all there is. I do not state
the matter unjustly in saying, that in the play of authori-
ties, precedents, historical instances and illustrations, Gar-
field's opponents were worsted, as well as in dialectics,
direct and conclusive. Garfield is the fairest of debaters,
and one of the most just and generous of opponents. It
cannot be claimed that his speech on this occasion put
an end to this, or of the impish brood of bad faith and
repudiation, the spores of which hung suspended in the
air; but it placed it out of the field of practical enlight-
ened discussion. The subject will find further mention.
I have gone through with two sessions of this congress,
and have not yet stated that Garfield was placed at the
head of the military committee. The speaker insisted
he must have the chairmanship of an important com-
mittee, as a ribbon to his button-hole at the least. And
there was no other, without injustice to men of longer
service, and I have written in vain, if it is not apparent
that no man living appeared less solicitous as to the
place nominally assigned him. Well, he was chair-
man of the military committee, and on the twenty-sixth
of February, 1S69, made his famous report on the re-
organization of tlie army, long .in imperative necessity,
awaiting the hand of a master. It makes a closely
printed document of one hundred and thirty-two pages
with an index. He called before him all the heads of
the different departments of the army, quartermaster
general, commissary general, paymaster general, surgeon
general, as also the adjutant general, and all of the rest,
among them General Hancock, and searched into and
lit up every corner of the service, from the general down,
and tabulated all the results, subjoined with a history of
each department, from its organization to the day of the
report; making thus a complete magazine of all the
needed information on all the branches, as well as fur-
nishing much curious matter, with a complete statement
of expenditures for the fiscal year.
The Fortieth congress under the constitution ended
with the third of March, 1869,
The Republicans failed to secure the conviction of
the President before the high court of imi.ieachment.
They had elected Grant to the presidency over Sey-
mour, to which General Garfield contributed as largely as
any single individual.
In the vacation the Cincinnati Commercial sent a re-
porter to Jefferson to secure his address on a memorable
occasion, and he found time also for other work, to be
mentioned elsewhere.
CHAPTER V.
BANKING AND THE CURRENCY.
The Forty-first Congress. — Return of the South. — Accessions to the
Houses. — Black Friday. — Investigation and Report. — The Census.
— Tlie Currency. — His Bill. — Speech. — Nature of Money. — Need of
Banks. — Glance at his Later Labors.
This congress was memorable for the return of the
seceding States to their places under the constitution, as
integers of the Union. Under the law, it assembled on
the fourth of March, 1869, inaugurated the President,
raised its two flags over the two houses, and resumed the
business of the Republic.
In the house James G. Blaine was elected speaker,
Mr. Colfax having been reduced to the post of vice-
president.
The senate received Carl Schurz to its chamber, also
from the reconstructed States, Hiram R. Revells from
Mississippi, and William Pitt Kellogg from Louisiana,
and senators from other States. Georgia remained ab-
sent.
The accessions to the house, with the exception of
Onier D. Conger, were more numerous than great, by the
difference between number and size. Mr. Conger proved
not only an able man, but, since Joe Root, no one with
suqh a rasping wit has appeared in the house.
Mr. Garfield was placed at the head of the banking
BANKING AND CURRENCY.
37
and currency committee, with John Lynch, his second.
Otherwise it was not above a good average. The first
session lingered to the twenty-second of April.
BLACK FRIDAY.
A noticable thing of the ensuing vacation was the
Black Friday of Wall street, falling on the twenty-fourth
of September. On the re-assembling of congress, a
memorial concerning it, demanding action by that body,
was presenteci, and referred to Garfield's committee. At
the holiday vacation he went to New York; became the
guest of General McDowell, his friend, the command-
ant of that department, where he remained incog. Se-
curing an interview with a man having some information,
and from whom he learned the name of one having
more, he, by several intermediate steps, got up or down,
to the immediate core of the matter. He finally secured
an interview with J. E. Hodgkins of the gold board, who
managed to smuggle him into the gold room, where a
committee was trying Speyer, the Israelite, in whom there
was guile, and the then supposed author of the fraud
involved, or one of the conspirators, who were. Here he
remained, listening, remembering and writing down when
he went away, and then returning for another hearing,
until he was compelled to return to Washington. Then
he sent the sergeant-at-arms to occupy his place, near the
witnesses, who were subpoenaed and hurried off to
Washington, the moment they left the gold room trial,
and were thus prevented from being communicated with,
till they came to Garfield's hands, and were examined be-
fore his committee. Among them were the reticent Jay
Gould, as silent and inscrutable as Grant, the gorgeous
and exi)ressive Jim Fisk, with diamond cluster and seal
skin overcoat. His discourse sparkled with figures of
speech.* An able report on the first of March con-
cluded the investigation.
So much of this as my limits permit is here found.
It thus discloses the purpose and means employed, and
reveals conspiracy against the business of the country,
seemingto involve the highest oflScers of the Nation in it.
On tlie first of September, 1868, the price of gold was one hundred
and forty-five. During the autumn and winter it continued to decline,
interrupted only by occasional fluctuations, till in March, 1869, it touclied
one hundred and thirty and one-fourth (itslowest point for three years),
and continued near that rate until the middle of .'\pril, the earliest period
to which the evidence taken by the committee refers. At that time,
Mr. Jay Gould, president of the Erie railroad company, bought seven
millions of gold, and put up the price from one hundred and thirty-two
to one hundred and forty. Other brokers followed his example, and b)
the twentieth of May had put up the price to one hundred and forty-
four and seven-eigliths, from which pomt, in spite of speculatiun, it
*When asked what became of the twenty-five thousand dollars paid
by Gould to Corbin, witli a pathetic wave of hands e.vpressive of utter
loss, he replied, "Gone where the woodbine twineth."
conti.iued to decline, and on tiie last day of July stood at one liuiidred
and thirty-si.\.
The first indication of a concerted movement on the part of those
who were prominent in the panic of September was an effort to secure
the appointment of some person who should be subser\'ient to their
schemes, as assistant treasurer at New York, in place of Mr. II. H.
Van Dyck, who resigned in the month of June. In this effort Mr.
Gould and Mr. A. R. Corbin appear to have been closely and intimately
connected If the testimony of the witnesses is to be believed, Mr.
Corbin suggested the name of his step-son-in-law, Robert B. Cather-
wood, and Mr. Gould joined in the suggestion. This led to an inter-
view with Catherwood, the object of which is disclosed in his own testi-
mony, as follows;
"I went ne.\t day to have a conversation with Mr. Gould and Mr.
Corbin, and I found that the remark was simp'y this: Tliat the parties
could operate in a legitimate way and make a great deal of money, and
that all could be benefitted by it in a legitimate manner. I satisfied my-
self that I could not fill the bill."
And again, (page 441);
"Mr. Gould, Mr. Corbin, myself, and some other associates, had an
understanding that we would go into some operations, such as the pur-
chase of gold, stocks, &c., and that we would share and share alike."
And, (page 441): "I declined to go into this sub-treasury business."
On what grounds Mr. Catherwood declined to be a candidate does
not appear.
The parties next turned their attention to General Butterfield, &nd,
both before and after his appointment, claimed to be his supporters.
Gould and Catherwood testify that Corbin claimed to have secured the
appointment, though Corbin swears that he made no recommendation
in the case. General Butterfield was appointed assistant treasurer,
and entered upon the duties of that office on the first of July.
It is, however, proper to state that the committee have no evidence
that Catherwood's name was ever proposed to the President or secre-
tary as a candidate for the position, nor that General Butterfield was in
any way cognizant of the corrupt schemes which led the conspirators
to desire his appointment, nor that their recommendations had any
weight in securing it. In addition to these efforts, the conspirators re-
solved to discover, if possible, the purposes of the President and the
secretary of the treasury in regard to sales of gold. The first attempt
in this direction, as exhibited in the evidence, was made on the 15th of
June, when the President was on board one of Messrs. Fisk and Gould's
Fall River steamers, on his way to Boston. At nine o'clock in the
evening, supper was served on board, and the presence at the table of
such men as Cyrus \V. Field, with several leading citizens of New York
and Boston, was sufficient to prevent any suspicion that this occasion
was to be used for the benefit of private speculation; but the testimony
of Fisk and Gould indicates clearly the purpose they had in view. Mr.
Fisk says (page 171):
"On our passage over to Boston with General Grant, we endeavored
to ascertain what his position in regard to finances was. We went
down to supper about nine o'clock, intending while we were there to
have this thing pretty thoroughly talked up, and, if possible, to relieve
him from any idea of putting the price of gold down."
Mr. Gould's account is as follows (page 171):
".At this supper the question came up about the state of the country,
the crops, prospects ahead, etc. The President was a listener; the
other gentlemen were discussing; some were in favor of Boutwell's
selling gold, ..uid SC;^ opposed to it. After they had all interchanged
views, some one asked the President what his view was. He remarked
that he thought there was a certain amount of fictitiousness about the
prosperity of the country, and that the bubble might as well be tapped
38
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
in one way as another. We supposed, from tliat conversation, that
the President was a contraciionist. * * His remark struck
across us hke a wet blanket.
It appears that these skilfully-contrived efforts elicited frotn the
President but one remark, and this opened a gloomy prospect for the
speculators ; for Mr. Gould testifies that early next morning he was at
the telegraph office, and found there one of his associates telegraphing
to New York to sell out his stocks.
Upon their return to Xew York, Fisk and Gould determined to bring
a great pressure upon the administration, to prevent, if possible, a
further decline in gold, which would certainly interfere w ith their pur-
poses of speculation.
This was to be effected by facts and arguments presented in the
name of the country and its business interests; and a financial theory
was agreed upon, which, on its face, would appeal to the business in-
terests of the country, and enlist in its support many patriotic citizens,
but would, if adopted, incidentally enable the conspirators to make
their speculations eminently successful. That theory was, that the
business interests of the country required an advance in the price of
gold; that, in order to move the fall ciops and secure the foreign mar-
ket for our grain, it was necessary that gold should be put up to 145.
According to Mr. Gould, this theory, for the benefit of American trade
and commerce, was suggested by Mr. James McHenry, a prominent
English financier, who furnished Mr. Gould the data with which to ad-
vocate it. This theory is exhibited very fully in the testimony of Mr.
Gould (pp. 4 and 5), and of Mr. Fisk (pp. 171 and 172).
•Grant was followed to Newport in vain — something
else must be done.
If the impression could be produced that the secretary
of the treasury would withhold gold for a month that
would do.
On the nineteenth of August the President passed
through New York. The Times was to be used, and a
seeming semiofficial article was written, headed "Grant's
Financial Policy," to be used as a leading editorial, its
publication to be secured by indirect means. The Times
was reached, and the article put in double-leaded lines,
ready. The editor became suspicious. It was published
in an amended form, with the original in a parallel col-
umn, and failed. An effort on Secretary Boutwell was
ineffective also. It so happened that he did decide to
sell gold sparingly during September. Perhaps this de-
sign was penetrated, and gold touched near 13S, on the
sixth. Gould purchased. His associates became alarm-
ed, but he persisted. His means to force it up were
various and curious. A pretense 'that the President had
ordered the non-sale of gold in September was one
means. That the advance of gold was the depression of
the currency, should be kept in mind. At the middle of
September Gould had gold at 135 and 136, and Gould
was alone. He courted Fisk, who was coy, but became
frisky.
Fisk was told that Corbin had enlisted the interests of persons high
in authority, that the President, Mrs. Grant, General Porter, and Gen-
eral Butterfield were corruptly interested in the movement, and that the
secretary of the treasury had been forbidden to sell gold. Though
these declarations were wickedly false, as the evidence abundantly
shows, yet the conipij.inded villainy presented by Gould and Corbin
was too tempting a bait for Fisk to resist. He joined the movement at
once, and brought to its aid all the force of his magnetic and infectu-
ous enthusiasm. The malign influence which Cataline wielded over the
reckless and abandoned youth of Rome, finds a fitting parallel in the
power which Fisk carried into Wall street, when, followed by the thugs
of Erie and the debauchees of the Opera House, he swept into the
gold-room and defied both the street and the treasury. Indeed, the
whole gold movement is not an unworthy copy of that great conspiracy
to lay Rome in ashes and deluge its streets in blood, for the purpose of
enrichmg those who were to apply the torch and wield the dagger.
With the great revenue of the Erie railway company at their com-
mand, and having converted the Tenth National bank into a manufac-
tory of certified checks to be used as cash at their pleasure, they terri-
fied all opponents by the gigantic power of their combination, and
amazed and dazzled the dissolute gamblers of Wall street by declaring
that they had in league with them the chief officers of the national
government.
Possessed of these real and pretended powers, the conspirators soon
had at their command an army of brokers, as corrupt as themselves,
though less powerful and daring. They opened an account for the
"pool," which they styled the national gold account, hoping thus to
strengthen the pretense that officers of the national government were
interested with them.
They gradually pushed the price of gold from one hundred and thirty-
five and one-half, where it stood on the morning of the thirteentii of
September, until on the evening of Wednesday, the twenty-second,
they held it firm at one hundred and forty and one-half. Russell A^
Hills, clerk for William Heath & Company, had bough seven millions
for the clique. James Ellis, partner of the same firm, had bought for
them six millions, eight hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars more,
under orders to put up the price and hold it there.
Woodward testifies that he bought eighteen millions, of which ten
millions were taken by Gould. H. K. Enos testifies that he bought ten
millions. E. K. WiUard testifies that he bought ten millions. Charles
E. Quincy. of Heath & Company teslilies that he held over fourteen
millions.
On the evening of Wednesd:i\-, the twenty-second, gold stood at one
hundred and forty and one-half, and according to Fisk's testimony the
conspirators held calls from fifty to sixty millions. Mr. Gould thinks it
was not more than twenty-five millions, but his partner (Smith) testifies
that they held from forty to fifty or fifty-five millions, in the purchase of
which they had employed from fifty to sixty brokers. No better proof
was needed that the natural tendency of gold was downward than the
fact that it required these enormous purchases, with all the acompani-
ments of fraud, to hold it three cents higher than it had stood sixteen
days before.
During the ten days in which these purchases were made, the con-
spirators were disturbed by the mo\'ements of the secretary of the
treasury.
About the fourteenth of September it became known in New York
that within a few days Secretary Boutwell would pass through the city,
and that he had accepted an invitation to dine at the Union League club.
It was noised about that the dinner was gotten up by parties short of
gold, who expected to use the occasion to influence the secretary in
favor of increasing his sales of gold, and breaking up the supposed
clique. Mr. Gould became alarmed at the confident manner in which
the secretary's intentions were spoken of, and solicitous as to what
effect the bears and business men might have on the secretary's policy.
He called on Coibin, and communicated his fears. The testimony
shows that he distrusted Corbin's pretended influence. For nearly a
fortnight he had called twice a day, and while studying the situation
was narrowly watching Corbin's behavior. He knew that every cent of
BANKING AND CURRENCY.
39
advance in Ihe price of gold added fifteen thousand dollars to Corbin's
profit from the gold movement, and that this fact might explain Cor-
bin's preten:-e of knowing the President's purposes, and of being able
to inflticnce them.
Corbin continued to assure Gould that there uas no danger, and on
the evening of the seventeenth of September it was agreed that the
former should address a letter to the President, urging him not to in-
terfere in tl-.e gold market by ordering or permitting sales from the
treasurv. During that night Corbin wrote a long letter on the subject,
which \vas not considered worth pre5er\ing, but was destroyed soon
after it was received by the President. The testimony shows that the
letter contained no reference to the private speculations of Corbin, but
urged the President not to interfere in the fight then going on between
the bulls and bears, nor to allow the secretary of the treasury to do so
by any sales of gold. The letter also repeated the old arguments in
regard to transportation of the crops. Its contents are exhibited in the
testimony of both Corbin (page 249) and Gould {page 155).
\A'hile Corbin was writing it, Gould called upon Fisk to furnish his
most faithful ser\'ant to carry the letter. W. O. Chapin was designated
as the 'messenger, and early on the following morning went to Mr. Cor-
bin's house and received it, together with a note to General Porter.
He was instructed to proceed with all possible haste, and telegraph
Fisk as soon as the letter was delivered. He reached Pittsburgh a little
after midnight, and, proceeding at once by carriage to Washington
Pennsylvania, thirty miles distant, delivered the letter to the President,
and, after waiting some time, asked if there was any answer. The
President told him there w'as no answer, and he liurried away to the
nearest telegraph office and sent to Mr. Fisk this dispatch: "Letters
delivered all right," and then returned to New York.
Mr. Fisk appears to have interpreted the "all rlglit" of the dispatch
as an answer to the doctrine of the Corbin letter, and says he pro-
ceeded in his enormous purchases upon that supposition.
This letter, which Corbin had led his co-conspirators to trust as their
safeguard against interference from Mr. Boutvvell, finally proved their
ruin. Its efifect was the very reverse of what they anticipated.
General Porter testifies, (page 448) : The letter would have been like
hundreds of other letters received by the President, if it had not been
for the fact that it was sent by a special messenger from New York to
Washington, Pennsylvania, the messenger having to take a carriage
and ride some twenty-eight miles from Pittsburgh. This letter, sent in
that way, urging a certain policy on the administration, taken in con-
nection with some rumors that had got into the newspapers at that time
as to Mr. Corbin's having become a great bull in gold, excited the
President's suspicions, and he believed that Mr. Corbin must have a
pecuniary interest in those speculations; that he was not actuated
simply by a desire to see a certain policy carried out for the benefit of
the administration. Feeling in that way, he suggested to Mrs. Grant
to say, in a letter she was writing to Mrs. Corbin, that rumors had
reached her that Mr. Corbin was connected with speculators in New
York, and that she hoped that if this was so he would disengage him-
self from them at once; that he (the President) was very much dis-
tressed at such rumors. She wrote a letter that evening, which I did
not see. That, I think, was the night after the messenger arrived, and
while we were still at Washington. Pennsylvania.
Both Mr. Gould and Mr. Corbin have testified in regard to this letter,
and they state its contents substantially as given by General Porter.
It was received in New York on the evening of Wednesday, the
twenty-second. Late that night Mr. Gould called at Corbm's house.
Corbin disclosed the contents of the letter, and they sat down to con-
sider its significance. Both have detailed at length in their evidence
what transpired between them that night and the following morning.
(See Gould's evidence, pp, 156 and 157, and Corbin's evidence, pp.
231 to 253.)
This letter created the utmost alarm in the minds of both these con-
spirators. It showed Corbin that his duplicity was now strongly sus-
pected, if not actually discovered. It showed Gould that he had been
deceived by Corbin's representations, and that a blow from the treasury
might fall upon him at any hour.
The picture of these two men that night, as presented in the evi-
dence, is a remarkable one. Shut up in the library, near midnight,
Corbin was bending over the table and straining with dim eyes to de-
cipher and read the contents of a letter, written in pencil, to his wife,
while the great gold gambler, looking over his shoulder, caught with
his sharper vision every word.
The envelope was examined, with its post-mark and date, and all the
circumstances which leiit significance to the document. In that inter-
view Corbin had the advantage, for he had h.ad time to mature a plan.
He seems to have determined, by a new deception, to save his credit
with the President, and at the same time reap the profit from his specu-
lation with Mr. Gould. He represented to Gould the danger of allow-
ing the President any reason to believe that he, Corbin, was engaged
in speculation, and said he had prepared a letter to the President deny-
ing that he had any interest in the movement, direct or indirect, and
said he must send the letter by the first mail, but that in order to send
it, it must be true. He proposed, therefore, to Gould that they should
settle the purchase of a million and a half by Gould, paying to him
the accrued profits, which, as gold stood that night, would amount to
over one hundred thousand dollars in addition to the twenty-five tliou-
sand dollars he had already received.
Gould was unwilling either to refuse or accept the proposition. Fear-
ful, on the one hand, of losing his money, and on the other of incur-
ring Corbin's hostility, he asked a delay until morning, and in the mean-
time enjoined and maintained secrecy in regard to the existence of the
letter.
Gould went from Corbin's house to the office of the Erie railroad,
still keeping Mrs. Grant's letter a secret from Fisk. ■ Later in the day
he disclosed only enough of the truth to make Fisk jointly responsible
for whatever amount of money he should pay to Corbin.
Mr. Gould testifies that the check was drawn, but never paid to
Corbin.
Mr. Fisk knew only of Corbin's nervousness, but Gould knew far
more. He says that Corbin had deceived him in pretending to possess
knowledge of the President's purposes, and of being in any way able
to influence them. He saw the whole extent of the danger and the
ruin w^liich a treasury sale would bring upon him. New victims were
prepared, and a new sdieme devised to save himself.
Gould'.s old partner, Bcldcn, rushed upon the street
and made immense purchases. He managed to induce
Speyer to believe he was himself the broker for Fisk,
Gould and others, with orders to buy. Others purchased.
Gould says "I was a seller of gold that day. I pur-
chased merely enough to make believe that I was a bull,
and Fisk was in the gold room offering bets that gold
would touch two hundred. Gold that day closed at one
hundred and forty-four. The conspirators held a meet-
ing, had lists of all the dealers. They had calls for more
than one hundred millions. There were not fifteen millions
real gold in New York, outside the treasury. Every man
who had bought or loaned owed them, and must buy it
of them to pay with, and at their prices. More than
two hundred and fifty prominent men and firms were
short. They resolved to publish the list, demand one
40
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
hundred and sixty for goM, and if settk-ments were de-
layed later than three p. m. more would be required,
but were advised that there was peril in that. It was
then determined to push gold up still further the next
day, Friday — day of doom. The name of Belden should
cover the purchases. Heath's office was the head-
quarters.
Smith, Osborne, Dater, and Timpson, and other leading brokers of
this cHque, were to frighten the borrowers of gold into private settle-
ments in their office, and Jay Gould, tlie gui:ty plotter of all these
criminal proceedings, determined to betray liis own associates, silent
and imperturbable, by nods and whimpers, directed all. He knew that
day better than ever the value of silence, and as he testified to the com-
mittee, (page 143) :
■ ' I had my own plans, and did not mean that anybody should say that
I had opened my mouth that day, and I did not. "
Jpeyer was sent to the gold room and run gold up
to one hundred and sixty, taking sixty million dollars.
The clique needed vast sums of money so as to be able to pay for the
gold that parties who declined to place margins in their hands might
return to them. For this Gould had made, as he thought, ample pro-
vision. He had some time before purchased a controlling interest in
the Tenth National bank, and used that institution as a convenience to
certify the checks of his firm. To this bank he wrote a letter the day
before the panic, guaranteeing them from loss through certifying the
checks of William Heath cS: Co.
Russell A. Hills, clerk of Heath & Co. says, (p. 39S):
"He told me that the Tenth National bank had agreed to certity to
an unlimited e.\tent, day by day. A short time afterwards one of the
officers of the bank came into the office of William Heath & Co., and
said that it was impossible for the bank to certify, as there were three
bank e.xaminers in there to prevent it."
It is in evidence that on Tiiursd.ry the bank certified checks to the
amount of twenty-five millions, and on Friday, notwithstanding the
presence of the e.'caminers, certified fourteen millions more.
While this desperate work was going on in New York, its alarming
and ruinous effects were reaching and paralyzing the business of the
whole country and carrying terror and ruin to thousands. Business
men everywhere, from Boston to San Francisco, read disaster in every
new bulletin. The price of gold fluctuated so rapidly that the tele-
graphic indicators could not keep pace with its movement. The com-
plicated mechanism of these indicators is moved by the electric current
carried over telegraphic wires directly from the gold-room, and it is in
evidence that in many instances these wires were melted or burned off
in the efforts of the operators to keep up with the news.
In the meantime two forces were preparing to strike the conspirators
a blow. One was a movement led by James Brown, a Scotch banker
of New York, and supported by many leading bankers and merchants.
The situation of all those whose legitimate business required the pur-
chase of gold was exceedingly criticil. and the boldest of them, under
the lead of Brown, joined the great crowd of speculative bears in des-
perate efforts to break down the conspiracy and put down the price of
gold by heavy sales. The other was a movement at the national
capital.
The President returned from Pennsylvania to Washington on Thurs-
day, the twenty-third, and that evening had a consultation with the sec-
retary of the treasury concerning the condition of the gold market.
The testimony of Mr. Boutwell shows that both the President and
himself concurred in the opinion that they should, if possible, avoid
any interference on the part of the govemment in a contest where both
parties were strugghng for private gam; but both agreed that if the
price of gold should be forced still higher, so as to threaten a general
financial panic, it would be their duty to interfere and protect the busi-
ness interests of the country. The ne.xt morning the price ad\anced
rapidly, and telegrams poured into Washington from all parts of the
country, exhibiting the general alarm, and urging the govemment to
interfere, and, if possible, prevent a financi.il crash. This was issued:
"Treasury Di-:i'Art.\ient, September 24, 1869.
"Daniel Buttekworth, Assistant Treasurer United States, New
York:
"Sell four millions ($4,000,000) gold to-morrow, and buy four mill-
ions (4,000,000) bonds.
"George S. Boutwel„,
"Charge to department. "Secretary Treasury.
"Sent 11:42 A. M."
The message was not in cipher, and there was no attempt to keep
it secret. It was duplicated, and a copy sent over each of the rival
lines. The one sent by the Western Union line was dated at the treas-
ury 11:42, Washington time, and reached General Butterfield 12:10,
New York time. That sent over the Franklin line was dated at the
treasury 11:45, ^'i'' '■''^^ delivered to General Butterfield at 12:05, ^'^w
York time. The actual time occupied in transmitting the dispatch
from the secretary to General Butterfield, including messenger travel
at both ends of the line, was eight minutes, the same over each line;
but in the branch office of the Western Union company, at Washing-
ton, there was a delay of eight minutes before the operator could get
control of the wire. Its contents may have been heard in some of the
telegraph offices in New York, by outside experts standing near the
instruments, and thus the news may have been known in the gold-room
in advance of its publication ; but the evidence on that point is not
conclusive. A few minutes before noon, when the excitement in the
gold-room had risen to a tempest, James Brown offered to sell one
million at one hundred and sixty-two; then another million at one hun-
dred and sixty-one; and then five millions more at one hundred and
sixty; and the market broke, .\bout ten minutes afterwards the
news came that the treasury would sell, and the break was complete.
Within the space of fifteen minutes the price fell from one hundred and
sixty to one hundred and thirty-three, and, in the language of one of
the witnesses, half of Wall street was involved in ruin.
It was not without difficulty that the conspirators escaped from the
fury of their victims and took refuge in their up-town stronghold — the
office of the Erie Railroad company.
During Thursday and Friday thry had sold out, at high rates, a
large pan of the gold they had previously purchased, and had made
many private settlements at rates ruinous to their victims. They at
once repudiated all the purchases they had made through Belden,
amounting to se\enty millions, and it is e\ ident that, either before or
after the fact, they bought Belden's consent to tl.is villainy.
The gold clearing-house, with its almost unlimited facilities for set-
tling the accounts of gold gamblers, v .s suffocated under the crushing
weight of its transactions, and r.^ doors wtre closed.
This admirable report carries the matter forward with
amplitude of detail to conclusion. The blowing up and
bursting of the bubble are here shown. It also appears
that a congressional investigation in Garfield's hands was
a very real thing.
Toward the close of the Forty-first congress there
arose between the two houses a grave controversy over
the right of the senate to originate revenue bills. The
house claimed the exclusive power over the subject.
BANKING AND CURRENCY.
41
Able speeches were made on both sides. The question
was not free from doubt, and never was directly settled.
The bill out of which it arose went to a committee of
conference, which disagreed. On the house report, on
the last day of the session, Mr. Garfield made a speech
covering the whole ground, prepared in his thorough
way, which was accepted as the authoritative exposition
of the claims of the house.
During the spring session Mr. Garfield raised a special
committee to prepare and report a plan for taking the
approaching census, a work requiring a vast amount of
unrequited labor, which could find no compensation in
money or applause. His sub-committee spent forty days
of the vacation, between the sessions, in elaborating his
plan. At the request of the American Social Science
association, he delivered an elaborate address before it
on this subject, on the twenty-seventh of October, and
he afterward produced his plan in a complete report, in
the house, accompanied by a well-considered bill. With
almost infinite care and pains he conducted this through
the house, explaining, answering objections, and carrying
It successfully through. He could not follow it to the
senate, where it was lost, and the ninth census was taken
as happened. Not wholly lost was this bill and labor.
Ten years later the bill was reached and reintroduced. The
Forty-fifth congress passed it into law, and under its en-
lightened provisions the agents of the government are
now taking the enumeration and statistics of the Republic.
THE CURRENCY.
It is time our attention was given more largely to Mr.
Garfield's labors in his appointed field of the currency. He
had, on the fourteenth of March, 1870, amply discussed
public expenditures and the civil service, a kindred sub-
ject, and, on the seventh of June, on his bill "to increase
banking facilities, and for other purposes," he discussed
"Currency and the Banks," where he may sparingly speak
for himself to my readers. See the clearness with w^hich
he sets forth the elementray truths on which his doc-
trines rest, deepening the lines of his former speech
already spoken of:
Before entering upon the consideration of the bill itself, I ask the
indulgence of tlie house while I state a few general propositions touch-
ing the subject of trade and its instruments. A few simple principles
form the foundation on which rests the whole superstructure of money,
currency, and trade. They may be thus briefly stated ;
First. Money, which is a universal measure of value and a medium
of exchange, must not be confounded with credit currency in any of its
forms. Nothing is really money which does not of itself possess the
full amount of the value which it professes on its face to possess.
Length can only be measured by a standard which in itself possesses
length. Weight can only be measured by a standard, defined and
recognized, which in itself possesses weight. .So, also, value c;in only
be measured by that which in itself possesses a definite and known
value. The precious metals, coined and stamped, form the money of
the world, because when thrown into the melting-pot and cast into
bars they will sell in the market as metal for the same amount that they
will pass for in the market as coined money. The coining and stamp-
ing are but a certification by the government of the quantity and fine-
ness of the metal stamped. The coining certifies to the value, but
neither creates it nor adds to it.
Second. Paper currency, when convertible at the will of the holder
into coin, thougli not in itself money, a title to the amount of money
promised on its face ; and so long as there is perfect confidence that it
is a good title for its full amount, it can be used as money in the pay-
ment of debts. Being lighter and more easily carried, it is for many
purposes more convenient than money, and has become an indispen-
sable substitute for money throughout all civilized countries. One qual-
ity which it must possess, and without which it loses its title to be
called money, is that the promise written on its face must be good and
be kept good. The declaration on its face must be the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If the promise has no value,
the note itself is worthless. If the promise affords any opportunity
for doubt, uncertainty, or delay, the note represents a vague uncer-
tainty, and is measured only by remaining faith in the final redemption
of the promise.
Third. Certificates of credit under whatever form, are among the
most efficient instruments of trade. The most common form of tliese
certificates is that of a check or draft. The bank is the institution
through which the check becomes so powerful an instrument of ex-
change. The check is comparatively a modem invention, whose func-
tions and importance are not yet fully recognized. It may represent" a
deposit of coin or of paper currency, convertible or inconvertible ; or
may, as is more frequently the case, represent merely a credit, secured
by property in some form, but not by money. The check is not money;
yet, for the time being, it performs all the functions of money in the
payment of debts. No greater mistake can be made than to suppose
that the effective value of currency is not directly increased by the whole
amount of checks in circulation.
I would not for a moment lose sight of the great first necessity of all
exchanges, that they be measured by real money, the recognized money
of the world; nor of that other necessity next in importance, that bank
notes or treasury notes should represent real money; should be of uni-
form value throughout the country, and should be sufficient in amount
to effect all those exchanges in which paper money is actually used. I
would keep constantly in view both these important factors. But that
is a superficial and incomplete plan of legislation which does not in-
clude, in its provisions for the safe and prompt transaction of business,
those facilities, which modern civilization has devised, and which have
so largely superseded the use of both coin and paper money.
The bank has become the indispensable agent and instrument of
trade throughout the civilized world, and not less in specie paying coun-
tries than in countries cursed by an inconvertible paper currency. Be-
sides its function of issuing circulating notes, it serves as a clearing-
house for the transactions of its customers. It brings the buyer and
seller together, and enables them to complete their exchanges. It
brings debtors and creditors together, and enables them to adjust their
accounts. * * * * « ♦
I find there are still those who deny the doctrine that bank deposits
form an effective addition to the circulation. But let us see. \ bank
is established at a point thirty or fony miles distant from any other
bank. Every man within that circle has been accustomed to keep in
his pocket or safe a considerable sum of money during the year. That
average amount is virtually withdniwn from circulation, and for the
time being is cancelled, is dead. -After a new bank is established a large
portion of that average amount is deposited with the bank, and a
smaller amount is carried in their safes and pockets. These accumu-
lated deposits placed in the bank, at once constitute a fund which can
42
LIFE OF TAMES A. GARFIELD.
be loaned to those who need credit. At ieast four-fifths of the average
amount of deposits can be loaned out, thus converting dead capital
into active circulation.
But the word deposits covers far more than the sums of actual money
placed in the bank by depositors. McLeod, in his great work on
banking, says: "Credits standing in bankers' books, from whatever
source, are called deposits. Hence a deposit, in banking language, al-
ways means a credit in a banker's books in exchange for money or se-
curities for money." — Vol. 2, p. 267.
Much the largest proportion of all bank deposits are of this class —
mere credits on the books of the bank. Outside the bank, these de-
posits are represented by checks and drafts. Inside the bank, they
effect settlements, and make thousands of payments by mere transfer
from one man's account to that of another. This checking and coun-
ter-checking and transferring of credit, amounts to a sum vastly greater
than all the deposits. No stronger illustration of practical use of de-
posits can be found than in the curious fact, that all the heavy pay-
ments made by tlie merchants and dealtsss in the city of Amsterdam for
half a century, were made through a supposed deposit which had en-
tirely disappeared some fifty years before its removal was detected.
Who does not know that the si.\ hundred millions of dollars of deposits
reported every quarter as a part of the liabilities of the national banks
are mainly credits which the banks have given to business men? *
If the analysis I have attempted to make of the principles which
govern trade and business be correct, it will aid in ascertaining the
wants of the country, and in determining what legislation is necessary
to meet the demands of business.
Mr. Speaker. I shall venture to hope that those who have honored
me with their attention thus far, will agree that a mere supply of cur-
rency, however .abundant, will not meet the case; coin and currency form
only the change — the pocket-money of trade. For the great transactions
which the marvelous energies of our people are carrying on they need
and will demand that greater instrument of modern invention — that
credit, currency, properly secured and guarded, which takes the forms of
checks, drafts, and commercial bills. And this brings me to the question,
how is the country now supplied with currency and with these other
facilities for the transaction of business?
It ought to be understood everywhere that the great injustice done to
the western and southern portions of the country by the present dis-
tribution of currency and banking facilities is so flagrant that it will
not much longer be endured; and if the wrong be not soon righted the
overthrow of the National banking system is imminent.
In entering upon this question I am met by our philosophical eastern
friends, who say, "Put the currency wherever you please, and, like
water on the top of a mountain, it will find its level; the distribution,
therefore, makes no difference, for the currency will necessarily find its
natural place."
Mr. Speaker, I recognize the truth asserted, but insist that it is not
applicable to the case in hand. I offer, in answer, the fact that the dis-
tribution of banking facilities under the State system before the war, is
a better test of the wants of business than the present distribution.
■Wliat are the facts? In 1860-61, in ele\en of the southern and south-
western States there were two hundred and ninety banks of issue, hav-
ing a capital of one hundred and nineteen million, two hundred and
twenty-three thousand, si.x hundred and thirty-three dollars, and a cir-
culation of seventy-four million, one hundred and fifty-three thousand,
five hundred and forty-five dollars, besides specie to the amount of
twenty-six million, sixty-four thousand, five hundred and three dollars.
Contrast that with the present situation. Trace a line from this capital
westward, by the south line of Maryland, Pennsylvania, West \'irginia,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, and we find in the twelve States
south of that line, whose population in i860 was nine millions, there
are but seventy-one National banks, with a capital of only tliirteen
million, one hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred dollars,
and a circulation of but eight million, nine hundred and thirty-six
thousand, one hundred and sc\enty dollars. Besides the increase of
population, the four million sla\ es have now become users of currency.
The people of those States have not more than seventy-five cents each
of bank circulation. It is monstrous to pretend that such a distribution
is either equitable or just.
Thus he states the existing state of things:
Ninety-four millions of currency reserves in the vaults, thirty millions
more than the law requires, money a drug at four and five per cent.,
and all this because speculation in the gold room was dull, while mi;I-
ions of our industrious citizens find it difficult to loan money at ten and
fifteen per cent !
It is marvelous with what patience the -American people permit them-
selves to be robbed and defrauded.
These speculators are now waiting to see what financial laws we pass,
as my friend before me (Mr. Judd) suggests, and what influence they
will have on the operations of the gold room. During this suspense,
the gamblers of Wall street are letting their money lie idle, to see which
way the tide will turn. Let Congress neglect to pass the legislation
which is necessary to overcome the difficulties of the situation and we
shall see the scenes of July and August, and September Last, with its
black Friday, re-enacted. I hasten to say that I by no means indorse
the notion that congress can determine, by any artificial mathematical
rule, just how the currency ought to be distributed through the country,
or how much is needed. But it cannot be denied that our past experi-
ence and present situation demonstrate the outrageous injustice done in
the West and South in regard to the currency.
And now 1 inquire for a remedy. What shall it be? By what means
shall we supply tlie West and South with currency and banking facilities
to meet the demands of their rapidly increasing population and we.alth?
Shall it be by an immediate increase of the volume of our paper
money, to be followed by a greater depreciation of the whole mass, an
increase of prices, and a great and disastrous disturbance of values and
of all business transactions? For myself, I do not hesitate to declare
that such legislation would be in every way ruinous to the interests and
destructive of the credit of the country. I believe that the volume of
our paper currency is already too large, and that a resumption of specie
payments would reduce it. But, Mr. Speaker, whatever may be our
individual opinions, it is clear that no measure of inflation can by any
possibility become a law during the present session of Congress,
The following resolution passed.l)y the Ssnate, without a dissenting
vote, on the twenty-fourth of February last, indicates that no measure
of inflation can meet the assent of tliat body. I quote the proceedings
of the senate on this subject as recorded in the Ghbc of February 25th:
' ' Resolved, That to add to the present irredeemable paper currency
of the country would be to render more difficult and remote tiie resump-
tion of specie payments, to encourage and foster the spirit of specula-
tion, to aggravate the evils produced by frequent and sudden fluctua-
tions of vahies; to depreciate the credit of the Nation, and to check the
. healthful tendency of legitimate business to settle down upon a safe
and permanent basis ; and therefore, in the opinion of the senate, the
existing volume of such cunency ought not to be increased.
The Vice-President. Is there objection to the present consideration
of the resolution ?
"Mr. Sherman. I hope not. Let it pass.
"Mr. Sumner. Let it pass.
"The Vice-President. The chair hears no objection to tiie present
consideration of the resolutioa, itnd it Is before the senate.
"The resolution was agreed to."
It is equally clear that no me.nsure for the resumption of specie pay-
ment that includes contraction of the currency as one of its provisions
BANKING AND THE CURRENCY.
43
can pass tliis house during the present congress. Shut up within these
limitations, practically forbidden either to increase or diminish the
volume of the currency, the committee on banking and currency were
instructed by the house of representatives February 21, 1870, to per-
form the duty described in the following resolution :
Resolved, That in the opinion of the house the business interests of
the country require an increase in the volume of the circulating cur-
rency, and the committee on banking and currency are instructed to
report to the house at as early a day as practicable a bill increasing the
currency to the amount of at least fifty million dollars.
Under these circumstances the duty of the committee was very diffi-
cult to perform. Shut up between Scylla on the one side and Charyb-
dis on the other, and propelled by this peremptory resolution, what
could the committee do? It must give more banking faciUties. It
must give more circulating currency. But it must neither increase nor
decrease the volume of the currency. * * * *
Thus he unfolds his bill and remedy:
This bill is the result of a compromise of many differences of opin-
ion, and perhaps suits no member of the committee in all its features';
yet, on the whole, they believe it will give the needed relief, with the
least disturbance to the business of the country, and without injury to
the public credit.
I now invite the attention of the house to its provisions. It aims at
two leading objects : To provide for a more equitable distribution of
the currency without contraction or inflation, and without increased
expense to the government ; and to jirovide for free banking on a spe-
cie basis.
The first of these objects the bill proposes to reach by the provisions
of the first si.x and the last three sections of the bill. The second
object is provided for in the remaining sections, being sections seven,
eight, and nine.
The provisions for the more equitable distribution of the currency
and the increase of banking facilities are the following :
First. The issue of ninely-fi\e million dollars of national bank notes
in States having less than their proper portion.
Second. The cancellation and retirement of the three per cent, cer-
tificates, which now amount in round numbers to forty-five million
five hundred thousand doIKirs, ;;:".d t'le cancellation and retirement of
thirty-nine million five hundred thousand dollars of United States
notes.
Third. When the whole amount of the r.inety-five million dollars
of additional notes shall have been issued, circulation shall then be
withdrawn from States having an excess, and distributed to States
being deficient, in such sums as may be required, not e.xceeding in the
aggregate twenty-five million dollars.
After developing the scope of the measure, he is con-
strained to say pensively :
I wish I were able to demonstrate also that there is no inflation in
this bill; and here is the feature most unsatisfactory to me. For four
years past I have pleaded for some practical legislation, looking toward
a gradual and safe return to specie payments. It has been clear to my
mind that resumption was impossible so long as the present volume of
inconvertible currency is maintained. I have therefore strenuously op-
posed all attempts to increase its \olume. But deeply impressed with
the necessity of giving more equal facilities to the West ana South, and
relieving the National bank system from the odium which the present
unequal distribution brings upon it, I have consented, with reluctance,
to this feature of the pending bill, believing that the benefits conferred
by it will be greater than the evils that will result from the measure of
inflation it contains.
The actual increase of circulating notes which it authorizes is about
thirteen million dollars; but the great increase of credit currency in the
form of checks and drafts will, in my judgment, result in a very consid-
erable expansion of paper credits. I cannot, in justice to myself, let
this feature of the bill pass without expressing regret that the state of
opinion in the house and country requires its enactment.
And thus he deals with inflation and congressional
meddling with the currency.
But some gentlemen say, "Increase the greenback currency; issue
more; it is popular; it is safe; it is cheap; give it liberally and satisfy
the wants of the country." This brings us to the question whether we
will have the National bank currency or a currency issued directly by
the government. All those who believe that the national banks should
be overthrown, and that the go\ ernment should itself become the man-
ufacturer of the currency of the country, will doubtless oppose this bill
in all its provisions. There are a few gentlemen, whose opinions I very
greatly respect, who believe such a substitution ought to take place. I
disagree with them for the following reasons:
In the first place it is the experience of all nations, and it is the
almost unanimous opinion of eminent statesmen and financial writers,
that no nation can safely undertake to supply its people with a paper
currency issued directly by the government. And, to apply that prin-
ciple to our own country, let me ask if gentlemen think it safe to sub-
ject any political party who may be in power in this government to the
great temptation of over-issues of paper money in lieu of taxation? In
times of high political excitement, and on the eve of a general election,
when there might be a deficiency in the revenues of the country, and
congress should find it necessary to levy additional taxes, the tenipta-'
tion would be overwhelming to supply the deficit by an increased issue
of paper money. Thus the whole business of the country, the value of
all contracts, the prices of all commodities, the wages of labor, would
depend upon a vote of congress. For one, I dare not trust the great
industrial interests of this country to such uncertain and hazardous
chances.
But even if congress and the Administration should be always supe-
rior to such political temptations, still I aflfirm, in the second place,
that no human legislature is wise enough to determine how much cur-
rency the wants of this country require. Test it in this house to-day.
Let every member mark down the amount which he believes the busi-
ness of the country requires, and who does not know that the amounts
will vary by hundreds of millions?
But a third objection, stronger even than the last, is this: that such a
currency possesses no power of adapting itself to the business of the
country. Suppose the total issues should be five hundred millions, or
seven hundred millions, or any amount you please: it might be abund-
ant for spring and summer, and yet when the great body of agricultural
products were moving off to market in the fall, that amount might be
totally insufficient. Fix any value you please, and if it be just sufficient
at one period, it may be redundant at another, or insufficient at
another. No currency can meet the wants of this country unless it is
fotmded directly upon the demands of business, and not upon the
caprice, the ignorance, the political selfishness, of any party in power.
W'hat regulates now the loans and discounts and credits of our
National banks? The business of the country. The amount increases
or decreases, or remains stationary, as business is fluctuating or steady.
This is a natural form of exchange, based upon the business of the
country and regarded by its changes. And when that happy day
arrives when the whole volume of our currency is redeemable in gold
at the will of the holder, and recognized by all nations as equal to
money, then the whole business of banking, the whole volume of cur-
rency, the whole amoiint of credits, whether in the form of checks,
drafts, or bills, will be regulated by the same general law — the business
of the country. The business of the country is like the level of the
ocean, from which all measurements are made of heights and depths.
Though tides and currents may for a time disturb, and tempests vex
44
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
and toss its surface, still, through calm and storm the grand level rules
all its waves and lays its measuring-lines on every shore. So the busi-
ness of the country, which, in the aggregated demands of the people
for exchange of values, marks the ebb and flow, the rise and fall of the
currents of trade, and forms the base-line from wliich to measure all
our financial legislation, and is the only safe rule by which the volume
of our currency can be determined.
But there is another point to which I desire to call attention. What-
ever may have been our opinions and wishes hitherto, since this session
began the supreme court of the United Slates has made a decision
which adds a new and important element to this question. The court
has declared that the legal tender notes are not, and cannot be made, a
legal tender for debts contracted belore their issue. Now, I ask gen-
tlemen to remember that my friend from Illinois [Mr. IngersoU] who is
the champion of greenback issues on this side of the house, realized at
once the importance and effect of that decision; for within two or three
days after the decision was announced — I believe it was the very next
day — he proposed an amendment to the constitution of the United
States, providing that it should be lawful for congress to authorize the
issue of treasury notes, and make them a legal tender in the payment
of all debts, thereby admitting that he believed such an amendment
necessary, in order that such an issue could be made.
*****
Mark the conclusive force of these paragraphs:
There is another consideration \vhich I desire to present to the house,
and it is this: we are not permitted to choose betw'een banks and no
banks. We are not permitted to choose between a National banking
system managed immediately by the officers of the treasury. The Na-
tional banks exist now only because they occupy the field and the ten
per cent, tax on State circulation prevents the issue of State bank notes.
If we abolish the National banks, and undertake to conduct the busi-
ness of this country by the issues of greenback currency, the influence
of State banks and of banking capital will soon compel the repeal of
the ten per cent, tax; and then will spring up again all the wild-cat
banks against which the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. IngersoU] de-
claimed so eloquently a few days ago.
We are shut up, in my judgment, to one of two things; either to
maintain, extend,_and amend the present National banking system, or
to go back to the old system under which every State was tinkering at
the currency, without concert of action and uncontrolled by any gen-
eral law. Then banks were established under the laws of twenty-nine
different States, granted different privileges, subjected to different re-
strictions, and their circulation was based on a great variet\- of securi-
ties, of different qualities and quantities. In some States the bill-
holder was secured by the daily redemption of notes in the principal
city; in others by the pledge of State stocks, and in others by coin re-
serves. But as State stocks differed greatly in value, all the way from
the repudiated bonds of Mississippi to the premium stock of Massa-
chusetts, there was no uniformity of security, and the amount of coin
reser%es required in the different States was so various as to make that
security almost equally irregular.
This is followed with a series of pictures of the explo-
sions of the State banking systems, already sketched,
concluding with this:
Thus it appears there were more than six thousand five hundred va-
rieties of fraudulent notes in circulation; and the dead weight of all the
losses occasioned by them, fell at last upon the people, who were not
expert in such matters. There were in 1862 but two hundred and fifty-
three banks whose notes had not been altered or imitated.
The results of State banking are thus grouped and
contrasted with the stability and usefulness of the Na-
tional banks.
In obedience to a resolution of congress, adopted January 7, 1841,
the secretary of the treasury made a report, showing that from 1789 to
1841 three hundred and ninety-five banks had become insolvent, and
that the aggregate loss sustained by the government and people of the
United States was three hundred and sixty-five million four hundred
and fifty-one thousand four hundred and ninety-seven dollars. The re-
port also showed that the total amount paid by the people of the
United States to the banks, for the use of them, during the ten years
preceding 184T, amounted to the enormous sum of two hundred and
eighty-two millions of dollars.
Startling as these figures are, they fall far short of exhibiting the
magnitude of the losses which this system occasioned. The financial
journals of that period agree in the following estimate of the losses oc-
casioned by the revulsion of 1837:
On bank circulation and deposits $ 54.000.000
Bank capital, failed and depreciated 248,000,000
State stock depreciated 100,000,000
Company stock depreciated 80.000,000
Real estate depreciated 300,000,000
Total $782,000,000
The State bank system was a chaos of ruin, in which the business of
the country was again and again ingulfed. The people rejoice that it
has been swept away, and they will not consent to its re-establishment.
In its place we have the National bank system, based on the bonds of
the United States and sharing the safety and credit of the government.
Their notes are made secure, first, by a deposit of government bonds
worth at least ten per cent, more than the whole value of the notes;
second, by a paramount lien on all the assets of tlie banks; third, the
personal liability of all the shareholders to an amount equal to the
capital they hold; and fourth, the absolute guarantee by the go\ern-
ment to redeem them at the national treasury if the banks fail to do so.
Instead of seven thousand different varieties of notes, as in the State
system, we have now but ten varieties, each uniform in character and
appearance. Like our flag, they bear the stamp of nationality, and are
honored in every part of the Union.
Now, I do not speak for the banks; I have no personal interest in
them; but I speak for the interests of trade and the business of the
counlrv, which demand that no measure shall pass this house which
may rudely shock those interests. These twenty-five million dollars,
which are not likely soon to be required, will be taken when needed,
from States having a great surplus. About nine million dollars will
come from the banks of New York that have over one million dollars
of circulation each, and the balance will come from about eighty-four
banks in three other States which have still a great excess above their
proper proportion. I shall reserve for a later period in this discussion
mv remarks on the funding provision of this bill embodied in the third,
fourth, and fifth sections.
I thank the house for its indulgence and the patient attention with
which I have been honored.
Thus dismembered, we produce but broken fragments
of this massive production, simple and severe in its out-
lines and solidity, like a doric temple, and as enduring.
This was in iS6o. Many years were to intervene, much
]aboT, much exposition, by the clear, far-seeing financier,
vhose career we are yet to trace, beginning on this sub-
ject in the house, in March, 1866, casting down his gage
POLITICAL ECONOMY.
45
CHAPTER VI.
POLITICAL ECONOMY.
The Tarifi'. — Politics at Williams. — Free Trade. — Protection.— His
Williams Speech. — Speech of April, 1870. — Elementary Prices. —
E.xpenditure and Prices. — High home prices close the Foreign Mar-
ket.—Reduction of Prices. — Internal Revenue and the Tariff. —
Speech of 1872. — Speech on Sugar Tariff, ^879. — Subject exhaust-
ively treated. — Hoop Iron. — Transportation. — The Locomotive. —
Railroad System considered.
Certainly political economy is not an exact science,
nor is scarcely any branch of it. Like our common law,
its texts are clear and its rules certain. The facts depend
on human testimonies, and hence are the most uncertain
of things. This is charged against the law as a defect,
residing in itself, when it consists almost entirely in the
diflSculty of ascertaining the facts. The practical appli-
cation of the doctrines of either the two schools of polit-
ical economy, to industries and trade, encounter the same
difficulty, in an exaggerated degree. The determining
the conditions of things, and properly estimating results
under given rules, by which servitudes are laid upon or
omitted from given productions is most difficult. So
what is meant by free trade, is sometimes in practice
to his own people in Jefferson in 1867, and covering a
part of the field by the speech just brought to the read-
er's notice.
Again on the floor January 23, 1872, and in March,
1874, and most effectively in April following. Finally,
the great measure authorizing resumption became a law,
which had to be defended against all comers, and never
more ably than by him November 16, 1877. Then in
the form of fiat money, in reply to Mr. Kelly, in March,
1878, and so in his own State in the great campaigns,
and where alone he fought the battle in the silver phase
of the maney-hued contest afterward. By special re-
quest, he wrote a strong exposition, with ample historical
illustration, in the Ailaniic Monthly of February, 1876.
He made a great speech at Chicago, and another in old
Faneuil, in Boston. Both were pronounced great, and
those who heard either pronounced it greater than the
other. And thus largely has he borne the burdens of j
this great multiform issue, to the consummation of the |
labors of himself and the band of the sagacious, far-see- i
ing, steady statesmen who wrought with him, and which
now, in the leisure of the prosperity thus secured to the
country, his enemies find time and opportunity to assail
him.
not clearly defined. A slight duty leaves it freer than a
heavy one, compared with which it is free. So what is
meant by protection is clouded by the same obvious
uncertainty. Each under certain conditions seems pref-
erable to the other. Can there be found a resting place
which shall so far embody the best of the one, as to per-
mit the existence in moderate measure, of what is good
in the other ? Each scliool will declare this impossible.
When at Willams, on the nomination of Fremont, a
gathering of students called on Garfield for a speech.
In response he declared that he had never voted. His
horror of slavery was so great. that he would unite with
neither of the old parties, vvhile the disunion teachings
of the abolitionists, kept him from acting with them.
With the Fremont men he could unite and did. So he
was a Republican by birth as well as by instinct and
reflection.
In the class-room, the professor stated clearly the
abstract theories of the free traders and protectionists, and
called for an expression of opinion of their respective
merits. Garfield ventured to say, that to him free trade
seemed to be absolutely right, but, for the United States,
protection seemed an absolute necessity. When called
upon for a practical solution, he replied in effect that he
would be a protectionist till he could become a free
trader. I do not know that this is a key to his views
and leadings in congress. That he early studied the
subject thoroughly, and thought of it comprehensively,
we know.
On the first of April, 1870, he delivered the first of
any considerable speech on the tariff. He said that he
felt the embarrassment of a man who was to add to the
foi ty-two speeches already delivered in the committee (of
the whole house). It had been an able, searching
debate. He quoted Coleridge's declaration that the
human race had suff'ered more from abstract definitions
than from war, pestilence and famine. He was not pre-
pared to question the poet-philosopher's declaration.
There were two practical points from which no wide
departure was permissible. The needs of the revenue,
and the wants of our industries. In a sea of abstrac-
tions, these were very real, and ever present. Modem
scholarship was on the side of free trade.
Mr. Kell}', the champion of protection, denied this,
and mentioned Henry C. Carey, and the acceptance of
his teachings in Germany. Mr. Garfield admitted what
was due to Mr. Carey, but insisted that if England was
struck out, half at least of the light of civilization would
disappear. Mr. Carey was in the minority. While what
he stated was true, every modern nation had in some
form enforced the principle of protection. He then
46
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
presented a rapid and forcible review of the career of
American industry. Like liberty, it had won its way by
great struggles. The sketch of its colonial fortunes, like
all his studies of English history, was very happy. He
then defined and illustrated what he meant by American
industry, and is forable, as he always is, when remitted to
broad generalization. This brought him to the consider-
ation of prices. The study of them requires a knowl-
edge of whatever influences them. When the war
begun, our debt sixty-five million dollars; our annual ex-
penditures, on an average for eight years, ninety-five
million dollars per annum :.one year of the war consumed
one billion, two hundred and ninety million dollars; at
the end we owed three billion dollars. Prices advanced,
and were highest in 1866. louring the last four years
(from 1870) the expenditures averaged three hundred
and sixty million dollars per annum. From 1S66 we
have tended to the ayite helium prices. The result — we
have furnished a good market for foreign goods, but have
lost the foreign market for most of ours. Cotton and
provisions only do well abroad, and exceed in value all
our other exports. Before the war we exported manu-
factures amounting to forty-two million dollars a year;
during the war but thirty-three million dollars. He pur-
sued this subject to our trade with Canada, the Sandwich
Islands, and, contrasting the years i860 and 1869,
showed an exportation of seventeen million dollars for
the first and five million dollars for the last. Our indus-
tries need extended markets. "To do that, prices here
must be so adjusted as to open to our trade more of the
markets of the new world." They can now buy cheaper
of foreigners. A further decline of our prices will finally
bring that relief Then the channels of trade will open.
It will take many years. While we raise two hundred
and fifty million dollars of taxes, prices can never fall
to a standard of sixty million dollars of taxes. The leg-
islation which does not notice this economic law will be
mistaken. When prices descend to a rate where the
laborer can still save on a smaller wage, relief will begin.
The laborer cannot suffer by this; ultimately will gain.
Congress has done much to reduce taxation, and thus
reduce prices. In the Thirty-ninth congress, we reduced
the internal revenue one hundred million dollars; in
the Fortieth, seventy million dollars more. We simplified
the tax, removed it from industry, and imposed it on vice
and luxury.
The large internal revenue tax on our own manufact-
ures was met by an increase of duty on the foreign com-
peting articles. Since we have removed this internal tax
we may well reduce the protecting duty. The war tax
has disappeared. It is reasonable that the war tariff go
also. Custom duties should be so adjusted as to avoid
duplicate taxation.
This furnishes but an imperfect outline of the unfold-
ing of the principles on which the bill was framed. He
I then proceeds to a discussion of details, answering ques-
1 tions, and making explanations. It i^rare that a man
with such grasp and power over great subjects, in their
I broad relations, has also such a mastery of details. No
one ever escapes him, and from a full development of
the large scope and design of an important measure, he
at once descends, in an easy, graceful way, to the minut-
est detail, and never leaves a question unanswered, or a
detail unexplained.
The tariff", internal revenue, taxation, in all their com-
plex relations to home and foreign policies, became as
much a specialty with General Garfield as the currency
and banking; and he was at an early day received as au-
thority upon the subject.
i- ame aspects of the complex subject received so
much light from his great speech of January 22, 1872,
on public expenditure, that we must here refer the reader
to the next chapter, and ask him to consider it in connec-
tion with his views upon the tarifif here briefly brought to
notice. His speech of February, 1879, on the sugar tariff
bill is a copious discussion of the then interesting subject
in connection with the broader and general one, and
treated in his usual wav. The reader should study it.
After some introductory remarks he says:
The pending bill, like all bills which relate to customs duties.should
be considered in its relation to four great interests: the revenues, home
industries, foreign trade, and the interests of consumers. First, as a
source of revenue for the support of the government, we are receiving
about thirty-seven million dollars in coin per annum from duties on
sugar in its various forms. That is about one-si.\th of all our revenues
from ali sources. Tlie effect of any measure upon so large a part of the
revenue is vital to our fisances and to the fiscal credit of the government.
Second, it affects two great producing industries of our people. The
first of these is the growth of cane and the production of cane sugar,
to foster which congress has for a long time levied a discriminating
duty, though only a single State is pursuing the industry. Notwith-
standing the fact that sugar is one of the necessities of the daily life of
our people, they have consented to pay a ta.\ which, under existing
laws, averages about sixty-two and one-half per cent, ad valorem upon
all the sugar they consume. This burden is borne cheerfully for the
purpose of protecting and promoting a great home industry in one of
our southern States.
A second important industry which has grown up in connection with
the sugar trade and has developed to a great magnitude in recent years
is the business of refining. It is one of the interesting evidences of the
progress of civilization that people are using less and less of the raw
sugars of commerce, and more and more of refined sugars. And this
change of habit is not merely a refinement of luxury but is demanded
by a better knowledge of the laws of health. In a recent investigation
made by the -Analytical Sanitary Commission of England, appointed to
examine the various kinds of food. Dr. Hassell, the chairman, reported
among other things the following:
POLITICAL ECONOMY.
47
"We feel, however reluctantly, that we have come to Ih.e conclusion
that the sugars of commerce are in general in a state wholly unfit for
consumption."
Tliat is the latest \ oice of science in England on the subject of unre-
fined sugar. And if gentlemen will turn to the Popular Science Month-
ly, of New York, for February, 1S79, tliey will find a very interesting
scientific discussion of the various insects tliat infest food, and on pages
508 and 509 occurs,a passage relating to sugars, which I quote:
" The sugar-mite, T.sacchari, (a magnified wood-cut of which ac-
companies the passage), is most commonly found in brown sugar. It
is large enough to be seen with tlie naljed eye, and sometimes appears
as white specks in the sugar. It may be discovered by dissolving two
or three spoonfuls of sugar in warm water and allowing the solution to
stand for an hour or so. At the end of the time the acari will be found
floating on the surface, adiiering to the sides of the glass, and lying
mixed with the grit and dirt that always accumulate at the bottom. In
ten grains of sugar as many as five hundred mites have been found,
which is at the rate of three hundred and fifty thousand to the pound.
Those who are engaged in handling raw sugars are subject to an erup-
tion known as 'grocers' itch,' which is doubtless to be traced to the
presence of these mites. They are almost invariably present in unre-
fined sugars, and may be seen in all stages of growth and in every con-
dition, alive and dead, entire or broken in fragments. Refined sugars
are free from them. This is in part due, perliaps, to the crystals being
so hard as to resist their jaws, but principally to the absence of albumen,
for without nitrogenous matter they cannot live. , *
"These degrading and disgusting forms are not proper food-stuffs,
nor is tlieir consumption una\ oidable. Pure articles, in an undamaged
condition, do not contain tliem, and their presence in numbers in any
article of food is proof that it is unfit for human use and should be
rejected. "
This scientific testimony is corroborated by the experience of all per-
sons who manipulate raw sugars, while no such effects result from the
handling of refined sugars. For these reasons the consumption of raw
sugars in this and in all other civilized countries has rapidly fallen off.
And so, although in former years a large- quantity of what is known as
grocers' sugars went directly into consumption without going through
the process of refining, the amount of sugars of that class now used
has been reduced to almost nothing.
To exhibit something of the magnitude of this industry, I state a few
facts: omitting maple, sorghum, and beet sugar, we consumed last year
in round numbers one billion seven hundred million pounds of cane
sugar. Of this amount we produced in our own country two hundred
million pounds; the remaining one billion five hundred millions were
imported. Reduce the whole to tons, the people of tlie United States
consumed seven hundred and forty thousand tons of cane sugar last
year, or an average of about forty-five pounds to each inhabitant. Of
all this vast amount of sugar not two per cent, was consumed in the
raw or unrefined state. Nearly all of it passed through some process
of refining to fit it for the use of our people.
From this it will be seen that in addition to the business of cane-
planting and sugar-making tliere has grown up in this country a second
industry of sugar refining, the importance of which may be sliown by
a few additional facts. There are twenty-five thousand laborers in the
United States to-day employed in the business of refining sugar and
fitting it for use, in addition to those employed by the sugar producers.
In this work they employ coopers, blacksmiths, mechanics, machinists,
and other classes of laborers. Tliey consume thirty millions of pounds
of bone-dust, eighteen lliousand kegs of nails, thirty thousand car-
loads of staves, and three hundred tliousand tons of coal.
In this statement I do not take into account the refining done by
Louisiana planters in preparing their products for market, though a
large majority of the sugar growers, have connected witli their mills
some form of refining. I have staled these facts to show tlie extent of
the two Ijome industries, which we should keep in view in any legisla-
tion on tlie subject.
The third interest to be considered is our foreign commerce, of which
only a word needs to be said. We arc compelled to buy abroad aljout
eighty-five per cent, of all our sug.ir. We buy it from tropical coun-
tries with which, on every ground of public policy, we ought to main-
tain healthy and active relations of trade. If we are able, by our supe-
rior skill, to refine their low-grade sugars more cheaply than our neigh-
bors and send them back with the added value of American labor, it will
strengthen us industrially and commercially; and the fact that our refin
ing interest has grown to such perfection that we have been able to sell
in a single year to tropical countries about seventy million pounds of re-
fined sugar, is a gratifying one on e\ery account. No change should be
made in the law which will injure our conmiercial prospects in this direc-
tion.
The fourth interest, one of vital importance, is that of the consumers
of sugar. They are not a class; they are the whole population of the
United States; and there must be reasons of controlling strength that
will justify any considerable tax on an article of food of universal con-
sumption and of such prime necessity as sugar. That reason has been
found partly in the necessity for revenue, but chiefly in the purpose of
enabling our people to become self-supporting, and as far as possible
to produce their own sugars, that they may not be dependent upon
foreign countries for so important an article of food. In short, the
chief reason for the tax is that American labor may find employment in
producing and preparing food for .American tables.
The duty on sugar has been levied in various forms. Up to 1846
sugars were classified into raw and refined sugars, with a low rate on
the raw and a higher rate on the refined. But as the processes of
manufacture and refining have been improved, additional grades have
been added to the law from time to time to meet the new conditions.
It was found in 1870 that the lower grades embraced so wide a range
of products that a uniform tax upon one whole class was neither equit-
able nor just ; and hence the law was so amended as to increase the
number of classes and make the tax ad valorem in principle but specific
inform; that is, sugar in all its forms was graded into seven classes,
arranged in the order of its value, and a specific duty was levied upon
each class, the lowest rate being imposed upon sugars of lowest value
and a higher rate upon each successive class. The tax thus adjusted
has been an efficient means of raising revenue. I have already shown
that it produces more than thirty-seven million dollars a year. That it
has afforded sufficient protection to the producers and refiners of sugar
will not be denied. The theory of protection may perhaps be thus
summarized: on any imported article which comes in competition with
an American product the rate of tax should be proportionate to the
amount of human labor which has been expended upon it at the time
of importation. That which represents the least labor should bear the
least burden of tax; that which represents the most should bear the
greatest. The principle has generally prevailed in all our tariff laws
relating to sugar.
As the law now stands, the duty is adjusted by classifying all sugars
into seven grades. First, the lowest, crudest, and cheapest product,
which comes in liquid form and is known as melada. On that we levy
a specific duty equal to about forty per cent, ad valorem. The next
grade of sugar is represented by the specimen I hold in my hand, and
is known in the trade and to our law as Dutch standard number seven.
Until a recent period all sugar was manufactured by the simple process
of boiling down the cane-juice and clarifying the product by means of
clay. By that process the purity and strength and hence the value of
aU crystallized sugar were exhibited by its color. Here, for example,
[holding up a specimen], is a specimen of the lowest and crudest forms
of crystallized sugar. Gentlemen will notice its dark color. It is
48
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
known and fjmded as Uutdi st md.ird number seven, and forms the
second class in our present law. Here [holding up another specimen]
is another specimen advanced higher, embodying more liuma.i labor,
having less impurity in it, being advanced to a condition fit for use. It
is known as Dutch standard number twenty.
Then follows a discussion of the details, in which
many gentlemen of the house participated, in the all-
togethery way of that body. He is now an opposition
member of the ways and means, giving the ruling major-
ity the benefits of his thorough mastery of the subject,
as faithfully given to the country now, as when he guided
the policies of the ruling party. He contrasts the pres-
ent law with the Robbins bill, which sought to consoli-
date the grades of sugar, and he again touches the broad
field, which he always illuminates. Hear him:
Of the grades under No. lo, Dutch standard, there were received
thirty-five million dollars out of thirty-seven million dollars; and of
the grades under No. 7 I think about fourteen million dollars or fifteen
million dollars. BiU from No. 10 down we get thirty-frve millions of
the thirty-seven millions collected on sugar. What effect this change
will have on the revenues it is difficult to say ; but I have no doubt it
will wholly prevent the importation of the lowest grades, will increase
the price of sugar to the consumer and probably decrease the revenue.
At all events it is a dangerous e.xperiment to make in view of our pres-
ent financial necessities.
But I desire to show how it will operate as a protective measure. I
have already shown that by our present law sugar pays a duty of forty
per cent., forty-five per cent., forty-si.x per cent., forty-nine per cent.,
sixty-eight per cent., etc.. increasing in rate from the lower to the
higher grades. Now note the effect of consolidating the lower grades,
as proposed in the Robbins bill, end fi.King the single rate of two and
forty.one hundredths cents per pound. Melada, which is the lowest
grade and now pays about forty per cent., will then pay eighty per
cent, ad valorem. The second grade, (that is, sugar not above No. 7,)
which now pays forty-five per cent., will then pay si.\ty-eight and one-
half per cent, ad valorem. The ne.xt grade will pay sixty per cent.,
the next higher fifty-three per cent., the next higher forty-five per cent.,
and the next forty-two per cent, ad valorem.
In short, the Robbins bill is an inverted cone; the lowest grade of
sugar must bear the highest rate of duty, and the highest grade will
bear the lowest rate. In other words, the less labor there is in the im-
ported product, the heavier the rate of tax upon it; and the more
labor, foreign labor remember, there is in it, the least burden of tax
will be put upon it.
The fundamental doctrine of protection is completely overturned and
reversed by this bill. Yet it is by no means a free trade bill. It so
happens that on the grades upon which the extreme high rate of duty
is imposed, our friends from Louisiana will recieve a very considerably
larger protective duty than tlie present law gives them. Hence the
favor with which this proposition is received by gentlemen from that
portion of the country.
Mr. Kelley. I desire to say that there is such a noise coming from
the galleries that we sitting here by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr.
Garfield] cannot hear what he is saying.
The Speaker /ro tempore. Unless silence is observed in the galleries
they will be cleared.
Mr. Garfield. Now, Mr. Speaker, I object to this bill, first, because
it violates the fundamental principles of a just and equitable taxation;
and I object 10 it in the second place because it puts a prohibitory duty
upon the low-grade sugars that are refined by American skill, and
become the cheap sugar in common use among our people. It injures
one portion of our industrial interests and gives an unreasonable pro-
tection to another. It violates the canons of free trade on the one
hand, and of protection on the other. It destroys absolutely the
business of refining the cheap low-grade sugars, and will increase the
cost of sugars most in use.
Let me illustrate still further. How is it that this day while I speak
to you sugar is cheaper in the United States than it has ever been
before? Because we have built up in this country a great industry, by
which we are eclipsing the world as refiners of sugar. When the
French manufacturers were at Philadelphia at our centennial, they were
amazed to see that our sugar products there rivaled the best products
of the Old World. They did not understand how it had been done.
But it was the result of the same skill that has enabled America to
surpass so many other countries in the recent exposition at Paris, and
to carry off more medals in proportion to their exhibitors than any
other five countries of the globe.
We were so successful in the refining of sugar that two years ago we
were exporting seventy million pounds of our refined product. It was
becoming and it will become, if we are allowed to carry on this in-
dustry, a great element in our export trade. We are trading with Cuba
and South America ; we are compelled to depend largely upon the
tropics for our raw material. Is it not wise for us to be able to send
back the refined product in exchange? Or shall we so legislate as to
give an undue protection to our Louisiana planters, and drive the
refining business out of the United States, allowing Cuba, England,
and other countries to do our refining for us ? Refined sugar we must
have. The day is gone by when our people will eat the animals which
abound in the raw unmanufactured sugars of the world. I say. there-
fore, that this bill as drawn sins against the consumer and against the
refining interest and unreasonably protects the producing interest of
the country.
Let me illustrate a little further. In the Phillipine islands there is a
class of people who have not enough intelligence and resources to take
the first simple step toward clarifying sugar. They have no limestone
on their islands; they cannot even furnish the lime to drop into the
sugar vats and clarify the product just a little. But they take the juice
of the cane and boil it down in the crudest, rudest, simplest way, by
labor the cheapest and least skilful ; and w hen they have reduced it to a
black, cheap form of crystallized sugar, the dirtiest yet known, they
put it up in sacks of one hundred and fifty pounds each, so that a man
can carry it on his back to the landing to be shipped away. Our people
are buying largely of that low grade of sugar from the Phillipine
islands. We are buying it also from other countries where the produc-
tion is of a low grade. This sugar we bring here, and by our skill and
labor make it into a cheap, clean sugar for table use. Shall we now by
law impose a prohibitory duty on all that trade and industry, an eighty
per cent, rate or a sixty-five per cent, rate, keeping it all out and bring-
ing in only the sugar that has been advanced by the higher and more
intelligent processes of our nearer neighbors, thus cutting off the whole
bu'-iness of refining these low-grade sugars? I hope not.
I know there is some controversy among the refiners themselves.
Some of them — indeed, quite a number of most estimable gentlemen —
say, "Let this bill pass and we can do a better refining business than is
done now; we can refine the high-grade sugars." Now, I am glad to
have those gentlemen work the higher grades of sugar and make
a success of them ; but I see no reason why our refineries should not
also take the lowest grades of sugar, that which has the least value,
the least labor in it, and bring it up by our American labor to a cheap,
UiCful, merchantable form; and, therefore, I am unwilling, for the sake
of helping one class of refiners, to destroy another. I do not believe
it is necessary to destroy either.
I r.-grct that the refiners do not unite on some common ground on
POLITICAL ECONOMY.
which all could have had a fair chance. But there seems to liave been
an internecine war among them; and with such a war I have no
sympathy.
There is so much information as well as discussion in
this admirable performance, that one leaves it with much
regret
From his great speech in reply to Rand. Tucker, of
the month of June, 187S, I can only quote this copious
passage :
Too much of our tariff discussion has been warped by narrow and
sectional considerations. But when we base our action upon the con-
ceded nation:d importance of tlie great industries I have referred to,
when we recognize the fact that artisans and their products are essen-
tial to the well-being of our country, it follows that there is no dweller
in the humblest cottage on our remotest frontier who has not a deep
personal interest in the legislation that shall promote these great na-
tional industries. Those arts that enable our Nation to rise in the
scale of civilization bring their blessings to all, and patriotic citizens
will cheerfully bear a fair sliare of the burden necessary to make their
count r)' great and self-sustaining. I will defend a tariff that is national
in its aims, that protects and sustains those interests without w hich the
Nation cannot become great and self-sustaining.
So important, in my view, is the ability of the Nation to manufact-
ure all these articles necessary to arm. equip, and clothe our people,
that if it could not be sectired in any other way I would vote to pay
money out of the Federal treasury to maintain government iron and
steel, woolen and cotton mills, at whatever cost.
We are often surprised in an examination of the labors
of congress, to find under what inexpressive heads lie
hidden interesting, often most valuable, matter. Duty
on sugar was not very suggestive. We have seen what
it covered. Now we come upon hoop-iron, where I lin-
ger only to say, that in Mr. Garfield's minority report of
the ways and means, of May, 1880, may be found sev-
eral large cubes of very considerable specific gravity, and
of great value in the markets of wisdom. It is a com-
pact presentation of one part of the mighty subject of
iron — of "pig-iron" also, in some of its important fea-
tures. This is apparent when I quote from it the effect
which would result from the change in the duties, which
it most vigorously opposes:
I. It will destroy at least six millions of capital now invested in ma-
chinery specially and e.Kclusively applied to this particular branch of
manufacture in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, and
other States.
II. It will turn out of employment not less than five thousand artis-
ans and laborers who are now engaged in this special manufacture, and
about ten thousand more who are engaged in the production of the
material of which hoop-iron is made.
III. It will transfer the profits of these manufactures to the importers
and to our rivals in foreign countries, and will not materially reduce the
cost of the furnished products to American consumers. This is shown
by the fact that since the importation of cut-hoops, under the treasury
ruUng of 1878, has been allowed at thirty-five per cent, the importers
and foreign producers have fixed the prices at so small a fraction below
the price at which the American manufacturer can produce them, that
only a very small advantage has accrued to the consumer; and the
home production has become impossible.
IV. It is wholly out of harmony with the duties imposed by existing
laws upon every other form of iron manufacture, as may be seen by
examining the Revised Statutes (Boutvvell's edition), pp. 464, et seg.
It violates two principles which have controlled nearly all our tariSf
legislation since the foundation of t!ie government: First, that all im-
ported articles which are alike in kind and in their relation to the wants
and industries of tlie United States shall be treated alike in the customs
laws. Second, thatimported articles which come into competition with
the industries of this country shall bear a rate of duty proportioned to
the amount of skill and Labor employed in their production. - ,
These extracts also show the steady, far-seeing devo
tion of their author, to the vast and varied interests of
the Republic, caring for each and all, with the same en-
lightened solicitude and sagacity.
Immediately connected with the tariff, and interwoven
with every fibre of the system of production in all forms,
is the great subject of transit, the means of transporta-
tion.
It falls so naturally into this chapter, that I may here
place Mr. Garfield's views on our system of railroads, in
their relations to commerce, the country generally, as set
forth in his speech in the house of June, 1S74. The
danger of mistranslating is so great, and the reader has
such a preference for Mr. Garfield's expression of his
own thoughts that time and space must, as most men
and things do, give place for him. The trouble is, there
is such an exceeding much of him, that one is bewildered
by his magnitude, which defies compression. He is not
porous. In studying this speech, the place to begin is
easily found, though I shall pass to a later paragraph. I
cannot give it entire, nor can I find a place short of the
end where I would stop, and one can't leave any of him
out, at intermediate points.
We pass matter of pith and moment, and break in
upon him here:
What have our people done for the locomotive, and what has it done
for us? To the United States, with its vast territorial areas, the rail-
road was a vital necessity.
Talleyrand once said to the first Napoleon that " the United States
was a giant without bones." Since that time our gristle has been rap-
idly hardening. Sixty-seven thousand miles of iron track is a tolerable
skeleton, even for a giant. WTien this new power appeared, our peo-
ple everywhere felt the necessity of setting it to work; and individuals,
cities. States, and the Nation lavished their resources without stint to
make a pathway for it. Fortunes were sunk under almost every mile
of our earlier roads in the effort to capture and neutralize this new
power. If the State did not head the subscription for a new road, it
usually came to the rescue before the work was completed. ''
The lands given by the States and by the National government to aid
in the construction of railroads reach an aggregate of nearly two hun-
dred and fifty million acres — a territory equal to nine times the area of
Ohio. With these vast resources we have made paths for the steam
giant ; and to-day nearly a quarter of a million of our business and
working men are in its immediate service. Such a power naturally
attracts to its enterprises the brightest and strongest intellects. It
so
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
would be difficult to find in any other profession so large a proportion
of men possessed of a high order of business ability as those who con-
struct, manage and operate our railroads.
The .'\merican people have done much for the locomotive; and it has
done much for them. We have already seen that it has greatly re-
duced, if not wholly destroyed, the danger that the government will
fall to pieces by its own weight. Tiie railroad has not only brought
our people and their industries together, but it has carried civilization
into the wilderness, has built up States and Territories, which but for its
power would have remained deserts for centuries to come. "Abroad
and at home," as Mr. Adams tersely declares, "it has equally nation-
alized people and cosmopolized nations." It has played a most im-
protant part in the recent movement for the unification and preserva-
tion of nations.
It enabled us to do what the old military science had pronounced im-
possible, to conquer a revolted population of eleven millions, occupying
a territory one-fiftli as large as the continent of Europe. In an able
essay on the railway system Mr. Charles F. Adams, jr., has pointed
out some of the remarkable achievements of the railroad in our recent
history. For e.\ample, a single railroad track enabled Sherman to
maintain eighty thousand fighting men three hundred miles beyond his
base of supplies. Another line, in the space of seven days, brought a
reinforcement of two fully equipped army corps around a circuit of
thirteen hundred miles, to strengthen an army at a threatened point.
He calls attention to the still more striking fact that for ten years past,
with fifteen hundred millions of our indebtedness abroad, an enormous
debt at home, unparalleled public expenditures, and a depreciated
paper currency, in defiance of all past experience, we have been stead-
ily conquering our difficulties, have escaped the predicted collapse, and
are promptly meeting our engagements; because, through energetic
railroad development, the country has been producing real wealth, as
no country has produced it before. Finally he sums up the case by de-
claring that the locomotive "has dragged the country through its diffi-
culties in spite of itself."
It is unnecessary to particularize further; for whether there be peace
or war, society cannot exist in its present order withoiit the railroad.
I have noticed briefly what society has done for the locomotive, and
what it has done for society. Let us now inquire what it is doing and
is likely to do to society. '
The national constitution and the constitutions of most of the
States were formed before the locomotive existed; and of course no
special provisions were made for its control. Are our institutions strong
enough to stand the shock and strain of this new force?
The editor of the Nation declares the simple truth wlien, in a recent
issue, he says;
"The locomotive is coming in contact with the frame-work of our
institutions. In this country of simple government the most powerful
centralizing force which civilization has yet produced, must, within the
next score of years, assume its relations to that political machinery
which is to control and regulate it."
The railway problem would have been much easier of solution if its
difficulties had been understood in the beginning. But we have waited
until the child has become a giant. We attempted to mount a colum-
biad on a carriage whose strength was only sufficient to stand the recoil
of a twelve-pound shot. '
The danger to be apprehended does not arise from the railroad,
merely, but from its combination with a piece of legal machinery known
as a private corporation.
In discussing this theme we must not make an indiscriminate attack
Upon corporations. The corporation limited in its proper uses is one
of the most valuable of the many useful creations of law. One class
of corporations has played a most important and conspicuous part in
securing the liberties of mankind. It was the municipal corporations
— the free cities and chartered — that preserved and developed the spirit
of freedom during the darkness of the Middle Ages, and powerfully
aided in the overthrow of the feudal system The charters of London
and of the lesser cities and towns of England made the most effective
resistance to the tyranny of Charles II., and the judicial savagery of
Jeffreys. The spirit of the free town and the chartered colony taught
our own fathers how to win their independence. The New England
township was the political unit which formed the basis of most of our
States.
Since the dawn of history, the great thoroughfares have belonged to
the people, have been known as the king's highways or the public high-
ways, and have been open to the free use of all, on payment of a small,
uniform tax or toll to keep them in repair. But now the most perfect
and by far the most important roads known to mankind are owned and
managed .as private property by a comparatively small number of
private citizens.
In all its uses, the railroad is the most public of all our roads;
and in all the objects to which its work relates, the railway corporation
is as public as any organization can be. But in the start it was labeled
a private corporation; and, so far as its legal status is concerned, it is
now grouped with eleemosynary institutions and private charities, and en-
joys similar immunities and exemptions. It remains to be seen how long
the community will suffer itself to be the victim of an abstract definition.
It will be readily conceded that a corporation is strictly and really
private when it is authorized to carry on such a business as a private
citizen may carry on. But when the State has delegated to a corpora-
tion the sovereign right of eminent domain, the right to take from the
private citizen, without his consent, a portion of his real estate, to
build its structure across farm, garden, and lawn, into and through,
over or under, the blocks, squares, streets, churches, and dwellings of
incorporated cities and towns, across navigable rivers, and over and
along public highways, it requires a stretch of the common imagination
and much refinement and subtlety of the law to maintain the old fiction
that an organization is not a public corporation.
In the famous Dartmouth college case of 1819 it was decided by the
supreme court of the United States that the charter of Dartmouth col-
lege is a contract between the State and the corporation, which the
legislature cannot alter without the consent of the corporation; and that
any such alteration is void, being in conflict with that clause of the
constitution of the United States which forbids a State to make any
law impairing the obligation of contracts.
Tliis decision has stood for more than half a century as a monument
of judicial learning and the great safeguard of vested rights. BtH:
Chief Justice Marshall pronounced this opinion ten years before the
steam railway was born ; and it is clear he did not contemplate the class
of corporations that have since come into being. But year by year the
doctrine of that case has been extended to the whole class of private
corporations, including railroad and telegraph companies. But few of
the States in their early charters to railroads reserved any effectual con"
trol of the operations of the corporations they created. In many
instances, like that of the Illinois Central charter, the right to amend
was not reserved. In most States each legislature has narrowed and
abridged the powers of its successors, and enlarged the powers of the
corporations ; and these by the strong grip pf the law, and in the name
of piivate property and vested rights, hold fast all they have received.
By these means not only the corporations but the vast railroad and
telegraph systems have virtually passed from the control of the State.
It is painfully evident from the experience of the last few years that
the efforts of the States to regulate their railroads have amounted to but
little more than feeble annoyances. In many cases the corporations
have treated such efforts as impertinent intermeddling, and have
brushed away legislative restrictions as easily as Gulliver broke the cords
with which the Lilliputians attempted to bind him.
GARFIELD AS A FINANCIER.
51
I do not say that this tax is excessive ; perhaps it is not ; but its rate
is determined, and tlie amount levied and collected, not by the autiior-
ity of the State, but by private parties whose chief concern is to serve
their own interests.
We have seen that the transportation tax is the amount paid to the
companies for their investment. How much they shall invest, where,
and under what limitations it shall be invested, has been wholly left to
the companies themselves ; but whether they have invested their capital
wisely or unwisely, however much the business may be overdone, the
investors must be paid for the use of their capital, and that payment is
made by the community.
In roost of the States railroads may be built in unlimited nuxubers
wherever five or ten men, who incorporate themselves under the general
law, may choose to build them,
This has probably been allowed in the belief that free competition in
building and operating roads would produce economy in the manage-
ment and cheapness in transportation.
But this expectation has utterly failed. All railroad experience has
verified the truth of George Stephenson's aphorism, that "when com-
bination is possible, competition is impossible." Great Britain has
gone much farther into the study of this question than we have, and
the result of her latest study is thus expressed in the London Quarterly
Review of April last :
By the common consent of all practical men competition, the orcUnary
sefeguard of the public in matters of trade, has ceased to offer the
slightest protection (except in a few unimportant cases of rival sea
trafiic) against railway monopolies.
In spite of the efforts of parliament and parliamentary commissions,
combinations and amalgamation have proceeded at the instance of
the companies, without check and almost without regulation. United
systems now exist, constituting by their magnitude and by their exclu-
sive possession of whole districts, monopolies to which the earlier
authorities would have been strongly opposed. Nor is there any
reason to suppose that the progress of combination has ceased, or
that it will cease until Great Britain is divided between a small num-
ber of great companies.
The article concludes with tliis striking paragraph :
"We have tried the luissez /aire policy and it has failed; we have
tried a meddlesome policy, and it has failed also. We have now to
meet the coming day, when all the railways, having completed their
several systems, may, and probably in their own interests will, combine
together to take advantage of the public. In the face of this contin-
gency we have simply to make our choice between two alternatives;
either to let the State manage the railways, or let the railways manage
the State."
And here we leave him as abruptly as we began.
Were I compiling a hand-book for the campaign, I
should include the paper-pulp speech.
CHAPTER VII.
GARFIELD AS A FINANCIER.
Appropriation. — Expenditure. — Budgets. — Study of the Subject. —
Committee Laws of Expenditure. — Cost of War. — When they wiH
disappear in Our Case. — Speech 1872. — Speech 1874. — Episode. — Plat-
heads.
The Forty-second congress is to be forever distinguished
as that in which the vast and complex system of public
expenditure was to be established on a basis of sound
financial principles, with perspicuous rules of method
and order, for the guidance of the labors of those to
whom the great task of framing the appropriation bills
for the national expenditures might be imposed. The
services of James A. Garfield in this field are more un-
known to his countrymen, and less appreciated than
those of almost any statesman known to our history,
the fruit of whose hidden work the people have un-
consciously enjoyed. To them these pages will be a
revelation. \\'e have already seen him mastering and
unfolding the subject of finance and taxation; immedi-
ately connected with expenditure, always united in the
hand of the English chancellor of exchequer; he is now
to develop expenditure, and appear in the character of
the first and greatest American chancellor of the excheq
uer of our parliamentary history ; he is himself to undergo
slight mental modification, exuberance of expression,
the little expressions of fancy, happy efforts of memory
in quotation, which waited on his earlier efforts on the
floor, are exorcised, and at the end of the Forty-third
congress he went forth, not a deeper, higher, or stronger
man, but one, on the whole more compacted and indu-
rated, holding himself more perfectly in his own hand.
He was placed at the head of the committee on appro-
priations, with Aaron A. Sargent, Oliver J. Dickey, Free-
man Clark, Frank W. Palmer, Eugene Hale, Wm. E.
Niblack, Samuel S. Marshal, and Thomas S. Swan,
selected with the care which indicated the accurate
knowledge of men of the speaker of the house. , The
duties of the committee were a part of the labors of the
waj's and means, until the Thirty-ninth congress, when
the appropriation was created. The annual expenditure
was provided for in twelve bills, and their consideration
in the two congresses, under Garfield, occupied a third
of the -time of the house. It was a privileged com-
mittee, might sit during the sessions of the house, and
its business always in order, subject to the will of the
house.
The first labor of the chairman was personal qualifica-
tion. Here he always began. His knowledge was al-
ready large and accurate. He went to the great reservoir
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
English histor)', usage and method. He read the budget
speeches of the chancellors of the exchequer for twenty
years; studied their various methods, their grasp of their
subjects, arrangements, presentations and explanations;
studied their estimates, and what if any were their funda-
mental rules, and mastered the history of their expendi-
ture during long periods of time.
Then he took up our own which was scanty enough.
He studied the appropriations themselves, with their re-
lations to the extent of population and business of the
people. He found that for a long time, it was the usage
to appropriate a given sum in solido for the government
at large, with no reference to the different departments ;
that in time came a general division of a sum for each
department; then subdivisions for the bureaus, and
further, subdivisions for groups of items, and finally all
were itemized, and a specific sum designated for each
Of these were born the whole brood of deficiencies,
against which no attained knowledge and skill have
yet devised a safeguard. These divisions and sub-
divisions, the further they were intelligently carried, be-
came the safeguards more and more effective, for the
protection of the treasury, against the wash of that great
flood which had hitherto by its volume and current,
swept away the unguarded moneys.
Then he took up the baffling matter of wastes and
their causes, lapses, surpluses and deficiencies. All
this was machinery ; mechanics, administration, surpluses
and deficits involved principles. Below lay the great
question of the laws of public expenditure. Upon what
did they rest? What should govern expenditure? What
had? In England there was an obvious relation between
expenditure and population, engaged as the English were
in their vastly diversified employments. In America the
same relation was found to exist, modified by its wider
expansion, and the condition of the territory it occupied.
From these he deduced the rate of expense in time of
peace. He found that war was constantly breaking in,
breaking up ever}'thing, devouring everything, and de-
manding new and extraordinary revenues, disarrang-
ing all the sources of income, and compelling a resort to
new methods, often of credit or loan supply, the burdens
of which would remain after their cause had ceased.
What, then, does war do? What are its effects as a mat-
ter of pure finance, upon expenditure and the sources of
revenue? His labor was limited to expenditure. He
made wide and several inductions, as history offered
the means.
This, to him, seemed the rule. Take a given public
war, mark the average of expenditure before it began,
note its continuance in time, double this time, and the
sum would represent the probable period, at which the
expenditure would be near what it was when the war
began, having reference to the rule of population, and
in this country, its proportion to the country it covered.
In this estimate, another thing came in for consideration.
Upon the conclusion of the war, in determining at
what period the ante bcllum rate of expenditure will be
reached, it became necessary to distinguish between what
items of expense were due wholly to the war, and what
were incident to peace onlv, and what partook of both.
As time advances, under a wise administration, the for-
mer would diminish, and more nearly approximate equal-
ity with the sum required for peace, which in turn would
constantly be on the i.icrease. The intersection of the
war descending line, with the rising peace margin would
mark the point, below which their united volume would
never descend. The rise of the peace expenditure,
would compensate the decrease of that for war. The
time for this cutting of the lines, he calculated, would,
in our present case, be reached in 1876.
Upon this theory of expenditure, he formed his first
budget. The general soundness of it was confirmed by
the experience of the two congresses, during which he
presided over expenditure, and the system and methods
thus introduced, have not been widely departed from
since.
Some further words will explain the basis of his per-
sonal relations with the gentlemen of his committee, and
the methods he employed to secure from each his best
efforts in the common cause. Hitherto it was the rule
of the senate, and in a modified form of the house also,
that all the members of the committee were the practical
subordinates of the head. He commanded a company
of privates — was the one figure on the floor — the chief,
absorbing all the credit and notoriety the place gave him.
Garfield introduced a new practice, and with it new
life and efficiency in his company. Here, too, he drew
on his own experience and early observation. When
first one of the Hiram corps of teachers, the chief had
a way of absorbing and drawing to himself the credit
due to his several lieutenants. The evil as well as in-
justice of it, was seen and felt by the young professor of
languages. When he succeeded to the headship, in in-
terviews with each of the professors and teachers, he
commended them for such merit as they had, and urged
them severally to go forward on their appointed ways,
making and wearing their own fames. The institution
sprang into new life and vigor. When expostulated
with, as diminishing his own reputation and importance,
he answered, "See what it is doing for the college." It
was effective service that he wanted. He knew men, and
GARFIELD AS A FINANCIER.
53
secured it, leaving to others to care for his reputation.
He early unfolded his views of expenditure to his
associates. He then explained his idea of their rela-
tions to him, and to each other. Of the twelve great
bills, one at least, was committed to each of the nine,
to whom it was delivered by the chief, with all the infor-
mation he had, and full suggestions as to the best method
of dealing with it. A discriminating reduction of the
estimates was the standing order, each man to go to all
the departments, heads of bureaus, and down to the hid-
den, unknown men, who did know, all this informa-
tion to be gathered, noted, collated and filed. When
the man's bill was perfected and passed upon, he re-
ported it, had the charge of it on the floor, made the
opening speech, and the closing argument, with his chief
and associates present, a trained, intelligent, armed band,
acting in concert, ready to aid when needed — until then
remaining silent. The work and credit of it thus were
the task and property of the given man. The commit-
tee without reference to party lines, at once came to be
a band of friends, standing closely about the chief whom
they loved, never differing or jealous, always effective on
the floor, and useful in committee.
For himself, Garfield took largely the care of the re-
maining bills, while each member was prepared to aid
him and all the others.
On the introduction of his leading bill, the chairman
took occasion to unfold his general views, which he did
on the twenty-third of January, 1872. From this I
quote nearly all which is an exposition of his views.
Mr. Chairman: In opening the discussion of this bill, I realize the
difficulties which at all times attend the work of making appropriations
for carrying on this government. But there are more than ordinary
difficulties attending the work of a chairman who succeeds to a position
which has been so adorned as has the chairmanship of the committee
on appropriations during the last two years.* The most I can now
venture, is to express the hope that by the generous aid of my col-
leagues on the committee, and the support of the Iiouse, I may be able
to follow, at a humble distance, in the path my predecessor has tra\'eled.
I would not occupy any time this morning in the preliminary discus-
sion of this bill, but for the f.^ct that this general appropriation bill,
more than any other of the eleven which will come before the house,
embraces in its scope nearly the whole civil establishment of the gov-
ernment. The approval of this bill is, in a certain sense, the approval
of the whole system to which the other appropriations will refer. If
our general plan of appropriations ought to be attacked, this is the
place to begin. If they have a sufficient reason for being in the main
what they are, that sufficient reason can be given for the passage of
this bill substantially as it stands in the print before us. I therefore
beg the indulgence of the committe while I call attention to a few ques-
tions which have arisen in my mind during the study I have given the
subject.
* Mr. Dawes, now in the senate.
REL.\TION OF EXPENDITURES TO THE GOVERNMENT.
And first of all, I will consider what part expenditures play in the
affairs of the government. It is difficult to discuss expenditures com-
prehensively without discussing also the revenues ; but I sh.all on this
occasion allude to the revenues only on a single point. Revenue and
the expenditure of revenue form by far the most important element in
the government of modem nations. Revenue is not, as someone has
said, the friction of a government, but rather its motive power. With-
out it the machinery of a government cannot move ; and by it all the
movements of a go\crnment are regulated. The expenditure of rev-
enue forms the grand level from which all heights and depths of legis-
lative action are measured. The increase and the diminution of the
burdens of taxation depend alike upon their relation to this level of ex-
penditures. That level once given, all other policies must conform to
it and be determined by it. The expenditure of revenue and its dis-
tribution, therefore, form the best test of the he.ilth, the wisdom, and
the virtue of a government. Is a government corrupt, that corruption
will inevitably, sooner or later, show itself at the door of the treasury
in demands for money. Tliere is scarcely a conceivable form of cor-
ruption or public wrong that does not at last present itself at the cash-
ier's desk and demand money. The legislature, therefore, that stands
at the cashier's desk and watches with its Argus eyes the demands for
payment over the counter, is most certain to see all the forms of pubhc
rascality. At that place, too, we may feel the Nation's pulse : we may
determine whether it is in the delirium of fever or whether the currents
of its life are flowing witli the steady throbbings of heaUh. \\'hat
could have torn down the gaudy fabric of the late government of
France so effectually as the simple expedient of compiling and publish-
ing a balance sheet of the expenditures of Napoleon's government, as
compared with the expenditures of the fifteen years which preceded his
reign? A quiet student of finance exhibited the fact that during fifteen
years of Napoleon's reign the expenditures of his government had been
increased by the enormous total of three hundred and fifty million dol-
lars in gold per annum.
HOW SHALL EXPENDITURES BE G.\UGED?
Such, in my view, are the relations which tlie expenditures of the
revenue sustain to the honor and safety of the Nation. How, then,
shall they be regulated? By what gauge shall we determine the amount
of revenue that ought to be expended by a nation? This question is
full of difficulty, and I can hope to do little more than offer a few sug-
gestions in the direction of its solution.
And, first, I remark that ihe mere amount of the appropriations is in
itself no test. To say that this government is expending two hundred
and ninety-two million dollars a year, may be to say that we are penu-
rious and niggardly in our expenditures, and may be to say that we are
lavish and prodigal. There must be some ground of relative judgment,
some test by which we can determine whether expenditures are reason-
able or exorbitant. It has occurred to me that two tests can be applied.
TEST OF POPULATION.
The first and most important is the relation of expenditure to the
population. In some ratio corresponding to the increase of popula-
tion it may be reasonable to increase the expenditures of a government.
This is the test usually applied in Europe. In an official table I have
before me the expenditures of the British government for the last fifteen
years, I find the statement made over against the annual average of
each year of the expenditure per capita of the population. The aver-
age expenditure per capita for that period, was two pounds, seven shil-
lings and seven pence, or about twelve dollars in gold, with a slight
tendency to decrease each year. In our own country, commencing
with 1830 and taking the years when the census was taken, I find that
the expenditures, per capita, exclusive of payments on the principal and
interest of the public debt were as follows:
54
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
In 1830 $1 03
In 1840 I 41
In 1850 I 60
In i860 I 94
In 1870 4 26
or, excluding pensions, three dollars and fifty-two cents. No doubt
this test is valuable. But how shall it be applied? Shall the increase
of expenditures keep pace with the population? We know that popu-
lation tends to increase in a geometrical ratio, that is, at a per cent,
compounded annually. If the normal increase of expenditures follows
the same law, we might look forward to the future with alarm. It is
manifest, however, that the necessity of expenditures docs not keep
pace with the mere increase of nunibers; and while the total sum of
money expended must necessarily be greater from year to year, the
amount per capiln ought in all well-regulated governments in time of
peace *o grow gradually less.
TEST OF TERKITORI.\L SETTLEMENT AND EXP.\NSION.
But in a country like ours there is another element besides popula-
tion that helps to determine the movement of expenditures. That ele-
ment can hardly be found in any other country. It is the increase and
settlement of our territory, the organic increase of the Nation by the ad-
dition of new States. To begin with the original thirteen States, and
gauge expenditure till now by the increase of population alone, would
be manifestly incorrect. But the fact that there have been added
twenty-four States, and that ..we now have nine territories, not includ-
ing Alaska, brings a new and important element into the calculation.
It is impossible to estimate the effect of this element upon expendi-
tures. But if we examine our own records from the beginning of the
government, it will appear that every great increase of settled territory
has very considerably added to the expenditures.
If these reflections be just, it will follow that the ordinary movement
of our expenditures depends upon the action of two forces: first, the
natural growth of population, and second, the extension of our terri-
tory and the increase in the number of our States. Some day, no
doubt — and I hope at no distant day — we shall have reached the limit
of territorial expansion. I hope we have reached it now, except to en-
large the number of States within our borders; and when we have set-
tled our unoccupied lands, when we have laid down the fixed and cer-
tain boundaries of our country, then the movement of our expenditure
in time of peace will be remitted to the operation of the one law, the
increase of population. That law, as I have already intimated, is not
an increase by a per cent, compounded annually, but by a per cent,
that decreases annually. No doubt the expenditures will always in-
crease from year to year; but they ought not to increase by the same
per cent from year to year; the rate of increase ought gradually to
grow less.
EXPENDITURES OF ENGL.\ND.
In England, for examiilc, where the territory is fixed, and they are
remitted to the single law of increase of pojjulation, the increase of e.\-
pciiditure during Ihc last fifteen years of |jeaco has been only about one
and three-quarter per cent, conip mnilcd annually. I believe nobody
has made a very careful estimate of the rate in our country; our growth
has been too irregulat to afford data for an accur.ite estimate. But a
gentleman who has given much attention to the subject expressed to
me the belief that our expenditures in time of peaca have increased
about eight per cent, compounded aninially. I can hardly believe it;
yet 1 am sure that somewhere between that and the English rate will
be found our rate of increase in times of peace. I am aware that such
estimates as these are unsatisfactory, and that nothing short of the ac-
tual test of experience can determine the movements of our expendi-
tures; but these suggestions, which have resulted from some study of
the subject, I offer for the reflection of those who care to follow them out.
EFFECTS OF W.\R ON EXPENDITURES.
Thus far I have considered the expenditures that arise in times of
peace. Any view of this subject would be incomplete that did not in-
clude a consideration of the effect of war upon national expenditures.
I have spoken of what the rate ought to be in time of peace, for carry-
ing on a government. I will next consider the effect of war on the rate
of increase. And here we are confronted with that anarchic element,
the plague of nations, which Jeremy Bentham called "mischief on the
largest scale." After the fire and blood of the battle-fields have disap-
peared, nowhere does war show its destroying power so certainly and
so rentlessly as in the columns which represent the taxes and expendi-
tures of the nation. Let me illustrate this by two examples.
In 1792, the year preceding the commencement of the great war
against Napoleon, the expenditures of Great Britain were less than
twenty million pounds sterling.
During the twenty-four years that elapsed, from the commencement
of that wonderful struggle until its close at Waterloo, in 1815, the ex-
penditures rose by successive bounds, until, in one year near the close
of the war, it reached the enormous sum of one hundred and six million
seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
The unusual increase of the public debt, added to the natural growth
of expenditures from causes already discussed, made it impossible for
England ever to reach her old level of expenditure. It took twenty
years after Waterloo to reduce expenditures from seventy-seven million
seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds, the annual average of tlie
second decade of the century, to forty-five million seven hundred and
fifty thousand pounds, the expenditure for 1S35.
This last figure was the lowest England has known during the pres-
ent century. Then followed nearly forty years of peace, from Waterloo
to the Crimean war in 1854. The figures for that period may be taken
to represent the natural growth of expenditures in England. During
that period the expenditures increased, in a tolerably uniform ratio,
from forty-five million seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds, the
amount for 1835, to about fifty-one million seven hundred and fifty
thousand pounds, the average for the five years ending 1853-54. This
increase was about four million dollars of our money per annum.
Then came the Crimean war of 1854-1856, during one year of which
the expenditures rose to eighty-four million five hundred thousand
pounds.
Again, as after the Napoleonic war, it required several years for the
expenditures of the kingdom to get down to the new level of peace,
which level was much higher than that of the former peace.
During the last ten years the expenditures of Great Britain have
again been gradually increasing ; the average for the six years ending
with March 31, 1871, being sixty-eight million seven hundred and fifty
thousand pounds.
WAR EXPENDITURES OF THE UNITED ST.\TES.
As the second example of the effect of war on the moN'ement of
national expenditures, I call attention to our own history.
Considering the ordinary expenses of the government, exclusive of
payments on the principal and interest of the public debt, the annual
average may be stated thus :
Beginning with 1791, the last decade of the eighteenth century
showed an annual average of three million seven hundred and fifty
thousand dollars. During the first decade of the present century, the
average was nearly five million five hundred thousand dollars. Or,
commencing with 1791, there followed twenty years of peace, during
which the annual average of ordinary expenditures was more than
doubled. Then followed four )-ears, from 1812 to 1S15. inclusive, in
which the war with England swelled the average to twenty-five million
five hundred thousand dollars. During the five years succeeding that
war, the av'erage was sixteen million five hundred thousand dollars;
GARFIELD AS A FINANCIER.
55
and it was not until 1821 that the new le\el of peace was reached.
During the five years, from 1820 to 1825, inchisive, the annual average
was eleven million five hundred thousand dollars. From 1825 to 1830
it was thirteen million dollars. From 1830 to 1835 it was seventeen mill-
ion dollars. From 1835 to 1840, in whicli period occurred the Semi-
nole war, it was thirty million five hundred thousand. From 1840 to
1845, it was twenty-seven million dollars. From 1845 to 1850, during
which occurred the Mexican war, it was forty million five hundred
thousand dollars. From 1850 to 1855, it was forty-seven million five
hundred thousand dollars. From 1855 to June 30, 1861, it was si.tty-
seven million dollars. From June 30, 1861, to June 30, 1866, seven
hundred and thirteen million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars;
and from June 30, 1866, to June 30, 1871, the annual average was one
hundred and eighly-nine million dollars.
It is interesting to inquire how far we may reasonably expect to go
in the descending scale before we reach the new level of peace. We
have already seen that it took England twenty years after Waterloo
before she reached such a level. Our own experience has been pecu-
liar in this, that our people have been impatient of debt, and have
always determinedly set about the work of reducing it.
Here followed a valuable and carefully prepared table.
DUR-\TION OF \V.\R E-XPE.NDITURES.
Throughout our historj' there may be seen a curious uniformity in
the movement of the annual expenditures for the years immediately
following a war. We have not the data to determine how long it was,
after the war of independence, before the expenditures ceased to de-
crease; that is, before they reached the point where their natural growth
more than balanced the tendency to reduction of war expenditure ; but
in the years immediately following all our subsequent wars, the de-
crease has continued for a period almost exactly twice the length of the
war itself.
After the war of 1812-15, ^^^^ expenditures continued to decline for
eight years, reaching the lowest point in 1823.
After the Seminole war, which ran through three years. 1836, 1837,
and 1S3S, the new level was not reached until 1844, six years after its
close.
After the Mexican war, which lasted two years, it took four years,
until 1852, to reach the new level of peace.
WHEN SH..\LL WE liEACH OUR NEW LEVEL OF EXl'ENnH UKES?
It is perhaps ui.safe to b.ase our calculations for the future on these
analogies ; but the wars already referred to have been of such varied
character, and their financial effects have been so uniform, as to make
it not unreasonable to e.xpect that a similar result will follow our late
war. If so, the decrease of our ordinary expenditures, exclusive cf
the principal and interest of the public debt, will continue until 1S75
or 1876.
It will be seen by an analysis of our expenditures, that, exclusive of
charges on the public debt, nearly fifty million dollars are expenditures
directly for tlie late war. Many of these expenditures will not again
appear, such as the bounty and back pay of volunteer soldiers, and
payment of illegal captures of British vessels and cargoes. We may
reasonably expect that the expenditures for pensions will hereafter
steadily decrease, unless our legislation should be unwarrantably ex-
travagant. We may also expect a large decrease in expenditures for
the internal revenue department.' Possibly, we may ultimately be able
to abolish the department altogether. In the accounting and disburs-
ing bureaus of the treasury department we may also expect a further
reduction of the force now employed in settling war claims.
We cannot expect so rapid a reduction of the public debt and its
burden of interest as we have witnessed for the last three years; but
the reduction will doubtless continue, and burden of interest will con-
stantly decrease. I know it is not safe to attempt to forecast the
future; but I venture to express the belief that if peace continues the
year 1876 will witness our ordinary expenditures reduced to one hun-
dred and twenty-five million dollars, and the interest on our public
debt to ninety-five million dollars; making our total expenditures, ex-
clusive of payment on the principal of the public debt, two himdred
and thirty million dollars. Judging from our own experience and from
that of other nations, we may not hope thereafter to reach a lower fig-
ure. In making this estimate I have assumed that there will be a con-
siderable reduction of the burdens of taxation, and a revenue not
nearly so great in excess of the expenditures as we now collect.
This is the presentation of general principles and
shows the breadth and grasp of Garfield's mind.
This rapid reduction of the principal and interest of our public debt
tends also to strengthen the hope that for three or four years to come
our expenditures may continue to decrease. It would be cheering,
indeed, it we might also hope that when the Nation again begins the
ascent it will be up the beautiful slope where no sign of war shall come
for many long years. If so, the ascent will be gradual and gentle, and
will mark the course of that highway along which the Nation shall
move upward and forever upward in its grand career of prosperity.
But let it forever be borne in mind that the day which witnesses a new
war increases more and more heavily than ever the calamities of the
past. For the burdens ot the past are mainly the burdens of war, and
there is a point to which a national debt may rise when its people lose
heart and grow hopeless under the burden.
NECESSITY OF REDtJCING OUR PUBLIC DEBT.
Conceding to F.ngland all her wealth, all her greatness, and all her
glory, still one fact in her histcft'y is so full of gloomy portent that I
have never been able to understand how her statesmen could look upon
it without the profoundest alarm. It would seem that all hope of pay-
ing off, or even of considerably reducing her public debt, is extin-
guished in the minds of her people. The last attempt in that direction
was made by the chancellor of the exchequer, Mr. Gladstone, in his
speech on the budget of 1866. After affirming that nine leading
nations of Europe had incurred a debt of no less than one billion five
hundred million pounds sterling during the last twenty-five years, and
that, too, in a time of very general peace, he said that America was
the only great iiation-of the world that was now considerably reducing
her debt. Then referring to the British debt, he said :
"At the close of war against France in i8iq, the British debt was
nine hundred and two million two hundred and sixty-four thousand
pounds. On the fifth of January 1854, it was eight hui drcd million five
hundred and fifteen thousand pounds. From 1815 to i85.*, there were
nearly forty years of the most profound tranquility ever known in this
country.' " * * « *
"The rate of decrease during that period was two million six hundred
and nine thousand pounds per annum." # * *
* " I do not believe if we take the whole years of peace since
1815, that the average reduct^n would reach three million pounds. If
ever v e should become involved in any great and protracted war, we
must expect to see the debt increase at about ten times the annual
rate by u^hich we reduce it in time of peace."
A steady though not extravagant reduction of our debt should be the
fixed policy of the Nation.
Here followed a luminous exposition of the treasury
reports of receipts and expenditures, with illustrative
tables. An examination of the present and of the next
year's estimates which were compared with those of Great
Britain, concludes thus:
S6
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
I may venture to say for the committee on appropriations, that while
they have endeavored to follow the line of rigid and reasonable econ-
omy, they have not forgotten the vastness and variety of the functions
of government, whose operations should be maintained \ igorously and
generously. It would be a mistake to cut down e.vpenditures in any de-
partment, so as to cripple any work which must be accomplished, and
which can better be done at once and ended, by a liberal appropriation
than to let it drag on through a series of years by reason of insufficient
appropriations. It is better to make a reduction of whole groups,
when that can be done, than merely to cut down individual items.
But I hope that members of the house will bear in mind that in many
of our civil departments we have large forces of employes, \vhich the
settlement of war accounts made necessary, and which, when their
work is done, it will require no little courage and effort to reduce to a
peace basis. In doing so. it would be well for us to adopt the sentiment
recently e.xpressed by Mr. Gladstone, in the house of commons, that—
"The true way to save is not the cutting down of single items, but a
more complete organization of our departments, and the determina-
tion, that for whatever the country spends, it shall have full value in
labor, talent, or materials."
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I thank the members of the house for
the patience with which they have listened to these dry details, and for
the kind attention Nvith which they have honored me. I yield the floor
for any remarks which other gentlemen may desire to make, and then I
shall submit the bill to the judgment of the committee of the whole.
■ As a general unfolding and discussion of elementary
principles, also an exposition of that portion of a budget
which deals with expenditure, this stands as the first and
ablest in the house. It opened a new era.
The legislative bill became, in Mr. Garfield's hands, the
budget bill of the house. On its introduction at the first
session of the Forty-third congress, he again made an
elaborate presentation of his views generally. I repro-
duce some of its leading propositions to be taken with
the speech just quoted from :
The bill now pending before the committee of the whole is the best
gauge by which to measure the magnitude and cost of the National
government. Its provisions extend to every leading function of the
government in the three great departments — legislative, executive and
judicial — and includes the ci\il functions of the military and naval es-
tablishments. It appropriates for all tlie salaries and contingent ex-
penses of all the officers and employes of the civil service. If its pro-
visions could be thrown upon canvas, they would form an outline map
exhibiting the character and the magnitude of the government of the
United States.
This is the proper standpoint from which to study the public expen-
ditures, to examine the relation of expenditures to taxation, and of
both to the prosperity and well-being of the Nation. * * *
The necessary expenditures of the government form the base line
from which we measure the amount of our taxation required, and on
which we base our system of finance. We have frequently heard it
remarked, since the session began, that we should make our expendi-
tures come within our revenues — that we should "cut our garment ac-
cording to our cloth." This theory inay be correct when applied to
private affairs, but it is not applicable to the wants of nations. Our
national expenditures should be measured by the real necessities and
the proper needs of the government. We should cut our garment so
as to fit the person to be clothed. If he be a giant, we must provide
cloth sufficient for a fitting garment.
The committee on appropriations are seeking earnestly to reduce the
expenditures of the government ; but they reject the doctrine that they
should at all hazards reduce the expenditures to the level of the rev-
eaues, however small those revenues may be. They have attempted
rather to ascertain what are the real and vital necessities of the govern-
ment : to find what amount of money will suffice to meet all its honor-
able obligations, to carry on all its necessary and essential functions,
and to keep alive those public enterprises which the country desires its
government to undertake and accomplish. When the amount of ex-
penses necessary to meet these objects is ascertained, that amount
should be appropriated ; and ways and means for procuring that
amount should be provided.
There are some advantages in the British system of managing their
finances. In tlie annual budget reported to the house of commons, ex-
penditures and taxation are harnessed together. If appropriations are
increased, taxes are correspondingly increased. If appropriations are
r.fduced, a reduction of taxes accompanies the reduction.
On some accounts, it is unfortunate that our work of appropriations
is not connected directly with the work of taxation. If this were so,
the necessity of taxation would be a constant check upon extravagance,
and the practice of economy would promise, as its immediate result,
the pleasure of reducing taxation.
SURPLUS AND DEFICIT.
Revenues and expenditures may be considered from two points of
view ; in relation to the people and their industries, and in relation to
the government and the effective working of its machinery. So far as
the people are concerned, they willingly bear the burdens of taxatioti,
when they see that their contributions are honestly and wisely ex-
pended to maintain the government of their choice, and to accomplish
those objects which they consider necessary for the general welfare.
So far as the government is concerned, the soundness of its financial
affairs depends upon the annual surplus of the revenue over expendi-
tures. A steady and constant revenue drawn from sources that repre-
sent the prosperity of the Nation — a revenue that grows with the
growth of national wealth, and is so adjusted to the expenditures that
a constant and considerable surplus is annually left in the treasury
above all the necessary current demands; a surplus that keeps the
treasury strong, that holds it above the fear of a sudden panic ; that
makes it impregnable against all private combinations ; that makes it a
terror to all stock-jobbing and gold-gambling — this is financial health.
This is the situation that wise statesmanship should endeavor to sup-
port and maintain.
Of course in this discussion I leave out the collateral though impor-
tant subject of banking and currency. The surplus, then, is the key to
our financial situation. Every act of legislation should be studied in
view of its effects upon the surplus. Two sets of forces are constantly
acting upon the surplus. It is increased by the growth of the revenue
and by the decrease of expenditure. It is decreased by the repeal or
reduction of taxation, and by the increase of expenditures. When both
forces conspire against it, when taxes are diminished and expenditures
are increased, the surplus disappears.
With the disappearance of the surplus comes disaster — disaster to
tlie treasury, disaster to the public credit, disaster to all the public in-
terests. In times of peace, when no sudden emergency has made a
great and imperious demand upon the treasury, a deficit cannot occur
except as the result of unwise legislation or reckless and unwarranted
administration. That legislation may consist in too great an increase
of appropriations, or in too great a reduction of taxation, or in both
combined.
HISTORY AND CAUSE OF DEFICITS.
Twice in the history of this Nation a deficit has occurred in time of
peace. In both instances it has occurred because congress went loo far
GARFIELD AS A FINANCIER.
57
in the reduction of taxation — so far as to cripple the revenues and de-
plete the treasury. It may be worth our while to study those periods
of our history in which deficits have thus occurred.
I do not speak of periods of war, for then the surplus is always
maintained by the aid of loans; but I speak of deficits occurring in
times of peace. From the close of the last war with England, in 1815,
our revenues maintained a healthy and steady growth, interrupted only
by years of financial crisis. A constant surplus was maintained suffi-
cient to keep the treasury steady and diminish the public debt, and
finally complete its payment. But in 1833, the great financial discussion,
which at one time threatened to dissolve the Union, was ended by the
passage of the compromise tariff of 1833 — a law that provided for the
scaling down of the rates of taxation on imports in each alternate year
until 1842, when all should be reduced to the uniform rate of twenty per
cent, ad valorem.
By this measure the revenues were steadily decreased, and in 1840
the treasury was empty. During the nine preceding years the receipts
into the treasury had averaged thirty-two millions a year; but in 1840
they had fallen to nineteen and a half millions, and in 1841 to less than
seventeen millions. True, the expenditures had grown with the growth
of tht country; but no large or sudden expenditure appeared in any of
those years. The deficit appeared, and it was unquestionably due to
too great a reduction of taxation. This deficit brought political and
financial disaster. To meet it a special session of congress was con-
vened in June, 1841, and President Tyler sent in his message, in which
he declared that by the end of the fiscal year of March 4, 1842, there
would be a deficit of eleven million four hundred and six thousand
one hundred and thirty-two dollars and ninety-eight cents, and a fur-
ther deficit by September, 1842, of four million eight hundred and forty-
five thousand dollars.
In his message of December 7, 1841, he reported a still further de^
ficit, and declared that these accumulated deficits were the results of
the too great reduction of taxation by the legislation of 1833. These
accumulated deficits amounted to more than all the receipts for that
year. They were to that time what a deficit of three hundred millions
would be to us to-day.
I understood the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Dawes] to de-
clare that congress had never increased taxation in time of peace.
Our history does not bear him out in this assertion.
The congress of 1841-42 was called upon to repair the wasted reve-
nues by an increase of taxation. The debates of that body show that
the bill they passed was treated wholly as a necessity of the revenue.
The bill itself was entitled "An act to provide revenue for the govern-
ment." It became a law in 1842, and under its influence the revenues
revived. In 1843 the surplus reappeared, and again the revenues con-
tinued to grow with the growth of the country.
Excepting the period of the Mexican war, which, hke all other mod-
ern wars, was supported by the aid of loans, the surplus continued
down to and including the first year of Buchanan's administration.
During the four years of Pierce's administration, the revenues had ex-
ceeded seventy millions a year; but in the first year of Buchanan's
term, an act was passed so largely reducing the duties on imports that
the revenues dropped to forty-six and a half millions in 1858, and a
deficit appeared which continued and accumulated until the coming in
of Lincoln's administration.
Let us notice the growth of that deficit. On the first day of July,
1857, the public debt, less cash in the treasury, was eleven millions three
hundred and fifty thousand two hundred and seventy dollars and sixty-
three cents; on the first day of July, i860, the account stood, total debt,
less cash in the treasury, sixty-one million one hundred and forty-seven
thousand four hundred and ninety-seven dollars, showing a deficit ot
fifty millions in the space of three years. When Mr. Lincoln was in-
augurated, in 1861, the debt had increased to nearly ninety millions
and there had accumulated a deficit of more than seventy millions,
and those four years of Buchanan's administration were not years of
extraordinary expenditures. Indeed, during those four years, the ex-
penditures had not averaged so great as in the last year of the adminis-
tration of Mr. Pierce. The deficit then did not arise from an increase
of expenditure, but from a decrease of revenue. For four years the
government had been paying its ordinary expenses by the aid of loans
at ruinous rates, and by forced loans in the form of treasury notes.
Here, as in the former case, the final remedy for the deficit was taxa-
tion. ■ V
The first act of the last session of congress in Buchanan's term was
an act to authorize the issue of treasury notes to meet the expenditures
of the government; and almost the last act of that session was the act
of March 2, io6i, to provide for the payment of outstanding treasury
notes, and to meet the expenditures of the government by increasing
the duties on imports. This act was passed by a Republican congress,
and was reluctantly approved by a President whose policy and whose
party had produced the deficit, and brought financial distress upon the
country by cutting too deeply and too recklessly into the public reve-
nues.
RErENT CONDITION OF THE TREASURY.
Mr. Chairman, when the house convened in December last, we were
startled by the declaration that another deficit was about to appear.
We were informed that we might look for a deficit of forty-two millions
by the end of the current fiscal year. This announcement was indeed
the signal for alarm throughout the country: and it became the imper-
ative duty of congress to inquire as to whether there would be a deficit,
and if so, to ascertain its cause and provide the remedy.
In this instance, to the ordinary causes that produce a deficit, there
had been superadded the disastrous financial calamity that visited a
portion of the business interests of this country in September last; a
panic that fell with unparalleled weight and suddenness, and swept like
a tornado, leaving destruction in its track. We have not yet suffi-
ciently recovered from the shock to be able to measure with accuracy
the magnitude of its effects. We cannot yet tell how soon and how
completely the revenues of the country will recover from the shock.
But we have sufficient data to ascertain, with some degree of accuracy,
the part that the legislation of congress has played in producing the
situation in which we now find ourselves.
That we may more clearly trace the legislative steps by which we
have reached our present position, I invite your attention to the condi-
tion of our finances at the close of the war. Leaving out of view the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1865, in which there were paid over the counter
of the treasury the enormous sum of one billion two hundred and
ninety million dollars, the accumulated products of taxation and of
loans, we begin our examination with the year that followed the close
of the war, the fiscal year ending June 30, 1866. In that year, our
aggregate revenues, from all sources, exclusive of loans, amounted to
five hundred and fifty-eight million dollars, and our expenditures to
nearly fi\e hundred and twenty-one million dollars, leaving us a clear
surplus of thirty-seven million dollars. These were the gigantic propor-
tions of our income and our payments. From these as a base line we
sketch the subsequent history of our finances. From these vast totals
the work of triple reduction began — reduction of the revenue by the re-
peal of taxes, reduction of ordinary payments by the decrease of expendi-
tures, reduction of the public debt by applying to it the annual surplus.
Then follows a history of surplus and reduction of
taxation, since the war, with tables and results, after which
he mildly solaces himself and warns others, thus:
Mr. Chairman, it is a grateful task to remove burdens from the in-
dustries and the earnings of the American people. No more grateful
work can an American congress be called upon to perform. But while
58
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
we are relieving tlie people from tlie burdens of taxation, it should al-
ways be borne in mind tliat we are in danger of so crippling the rev-
enues as to embarrass the government and endanger the public credit.
It is a great thing to remove all burdensome taxes; but there is danger
that while congress may imitate Tennyson's Godiva, who —
Took away the tax,
And built herself an everlasting name, — ■
yet in so doing, it may cause the public credit to go forth from a de-
spoiled treasur)', and, like the Lady Godiva, ride naked in the streets
of the world. We have had abounding faith in the elasticity of our
revenues. We have found that even reduction of rates frequently
brings us increased revenues; that the buoyant and almost immortal life
of our industries will make tlie tree of our revenues bloom again, how
oftensoever we may pluck its flowers and its fruits. We think of it as
the fabled tree which Virgil's hero found in the grove of Avemus.
"Whenever the bough of gold was plucked away, another sprang out in
its place:
Primo avulso non deficit alter
Aureus; et simili frondescit virga metallo.
But, sir, we may pluck the golden bough once too often. We may
pluck away with it the living forces of the tree itself.
Thus refreshed, he continues the broad discussion of
surplus and deficit, uitli apt reference to our own ex-
perience. Then he takes up our recent expenditure,
which calle^i up Mr. Daw'es, his predecessor. The whole
is illustrated by carefully prepared tables and figures.
This only brings us through the first third of this very
statesman like performance.
The conference report on the tariff bill being before
the house on the twenty-third of the following June,
which gave scope for the counterpart of his budget, he
Submitted to the house a clear and forcible presentation
of it, supplementing the effort just brought to our notice.
The reader is now in possession of the means of form-
ing an estimate of the views of Mr. Garfield upon the
great subjects of money, the currency, taxation and ex-
penditure, with so much of his reasoning as enables him
to see the grounds on which they rest; and it is not my
purpose to return to either of them, though six years of
congressional life remain to be glanced at. I turn back
to refer to an episode.
I REMOVAL OF THE FLATHEADS.
In the vacation of the summer of 1872, General Gar-
field went on a mission to the Indian country, by ap-
pointment of the executive.
The Flatheads, occupying the valley of the Bitter
Root, or Snake river, had long refused to comply with
their engagement to remove to a new reservation, some
hundred miles distant. With his characteristic thorough-
ness, he began with Lewis and Clarke's expedition, and
read up all the literature on the Indian question. He
started in May, this threader of the intricacies of bud-
gets, accompanied by the companion of his European
tour, and sweet child, Mollie, whom he left at Leaven-
worth, and himself staged the four hundred and fifty
miles between Salt Lake City and the Snake. The
FlatJuads were all Catholics, and numbered five or six
hundred — a superior order of the natives, with some
rudiments of civilization. There were plenty of stories
of Lewis and Clarke, who were there more than sixty
years before. He saw an elderly, intelligent half-breed,
the reputed son of Captain Clarke, "(vhose flame-red hair
testified of the probability of the story. The general him-
self visited the reservation and judged of its capacity and
fitness for their residence. On his return he assembled
the Indians and the agents, when after a two or three
days' talk, two of the three chiefs assented to the terms
he was authorized to offer, and he was thus able to ex-
ecute his mission satisfactorily.
On their way back, at Chicago, he purchased a paper
and there read the first account of the Credit Mobilier
embroglio. He hurried on to Washington, made his re-
port to the President on the thirteenth or fourteenth of
September, and at once secured the publication of the
statement of the facts he always made, and calmly
awaited what time might unfold. Through all of the
not quite forty-one years of his eventful life, this was the
first whisper derogatory of his name. In the next part
of my labors, the reader will find an exhaustive expose of
this, and the other two charges which came upon him at
about the same time, one of which grew out of his con-
scientious discharge of his duties as the head of the coin-
mittee on appropriations, and another was calumniously
connected with it.
Let no reader be deterred by the seeming length of
what is offered him. He will there find all the original
material from which he can form a satisfactory judgment
of General Garfield's conduct, in all the cases referred
; to, and I have written thus far in vain, if I have not
shown that the thus assailed man is fully entitled to
have each of his countrymen examine and decide for
himself, the merits of these charges.
A CHAPTER ON SLANDERS.
59
PART THIRD.
CHAPTER I.
A CHAPTER ON SLANDERS.
Credit Mobilier. — The Charge and How Met. — Union of Credit Mo-
biiier with the Union Pacific. — Its Purpose and Plans. — Oakes
Ames, Trustee, Places His Stocl<, and How. — Suit and Exposure. —
Garfield's Proitipt Action. — Blaine Demands an Investigation. — The
Committee.- — Its Report Exonerates Garfield from Blame. — Leaves
Him Exposed to Charge of Perjury. — Case Considered. — All the Evi-
dence Given.— Ames Impeaches Himself. — Contradicted by His Pa-
pers and Writings. — Xo Case. — Garfield's Statement. — Its Support.
— Wholly Innocent.
Living and walking on a level above the heads of
dealers in votes, caucus and convention managers, never
having an acquaintance ■with the makers and workers of
rings; surrounded by an atmosphere too raeified and
cold for subsidists and lobbi'ists, the jobbers in congres-
sional legislation; never having about him men of whom
questions are asked and whose ways lie through the un-
known, he ■was suddenly compelled to pass the ordeal of
calumny, relentless as slander is, and coine to appreciate
the fugacious tenure of reputation, and be compelled to
fall back, and in, upon himself.
The three charges, "Venal Dealing in Stock," "The
DeGolyer Contract," and "Salary Grab," like three
assaulting hosts, came upon him by surprise. Allies
they were, each giving might to the others, though prob-
ably had it not been insisted that he was vulnerable to
the first, the other two would have been less fierce and
persistent.
CREDIT MOBILIER.
The alleged stock transaction is supposed to have oc-
curred late in 1867 or early in 1868. No assailant has
been able, to fix its date. As we have seen, it transpired
to the public, and took form, in the summer or autumn
of 1872. This seeming cover of time and silence gave it
added weight and -H-ings. The charge involved many,
each of whom had been regarded as unapproachable by
corruption. The number involved, their high personal
characters, in the curious illogic of the public mind
dealing with charges upon men, gave it force and weight
instead of doubt and improbability.
On the second day of the third session of the Forty-
second congress, Mr. Blaine, whose name was on the list
of the proscribed, acting by request of others, demanded
an immediate investigation by the house, and a commit-
tee of five was appointed, consisting of Luke P. Poland,
Nathaniel P. Banks, George W. McCrary, William E.
Niblack and William M. Merrick, all men ranking with
the first of the body, and the two last among the ablest
of the representative men of the Democracy. After a
patient and exhaustive hearing, in which all known sources
of information were used in all the known and un-
known ways of congressional investigations, the commit-
tee having perfect jurisdiction of the case, unanimously
exonerated Mr. Garfield. No man of the house before
believed him guilty. No member has ever since given it
credit, or will repeat the charge.
On the eighth of May, 1873, Mr- Garfield him-
self gave a masterly expose of the case to the public,
which seemed to clarify the atmosphere of all the color-
ing matter that the committee left suspended in it.
There is no silencing malice, or answering the scruples
of aspiring rivals. They did not irnmediately die out.
The year following was their apparent opportunity, and
he was assailed in his own district, on all the charges.
On the nineteenth of September, 1874, he invited friends
and enemies to a discussion of all the charges, now
boldly made upon him. That was the vital issue in his
pending re-election. There, in a calm, colorless manner,
clear and forceful, he distinctly stated each charge, and
exposed and disproved it, calling upon any and all to
answer or deny his statements or conclusions, giving them
ample time for that purpose. No one undertook the
hopeless task. The issues thus made his people adjudged
in his favor, and from that no appeal has ever been made.
It was taken as conclusive in the State, and reaffirmed
by his unanimous nomination and election by the Re-
publicans of the Ohio legislature to the senate of the
United States. His recent national nomination is an af-
firmation of the judgment of congress and of his own
people.
During all the time of the congressional investigation,
as during all the years since, men and women, the purest
in the land, of lives the most elevated and blameless,
men of the most exalted positions, of unquestioned
integrity and. purposes, sought and associated with him,
cultivated his society, gave him their trust, their love,
and applause. They hailed his nomination as an omen,
a pledge for the elevation of our poUtics, and the purifi-
cation of our highest public and national life.
Against slander there is no plea of former acc[uittal; no
statute of limitations is a bar; no trust, no faith, no love
however profound and universal are the least protection
against it. Every man, wherever he stands, however
surrounded, is within reach, exposed to its shafts.
It may be said that the judgment of the house of rep-
resentatives, of the State of Ohio, of a national conven-
tion, do not bind the people of the Republic, and these
questions of fraud and misconduct may be heard in the
6o
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
great forum. The charges are not now renewed because
any intelligent man believes them, nor for the purpose of
injuring the candidate as a man, but it is a means of
•war which may embarrass, possibly harm, political oppo-
nents in a national contest for power. I will deal with
this matter as a new question.
It is alleged that in December, 1S67, or January,
1868, Mr. Garfield in effect corruptly purchased and
held for some time, ten shares of stock of a corporate
body, known as the Credit Mobilier, and that he real-
ized by the transaction three hundred and twenty-nine
dollars.
If there was fraud in this transaction it can be shown
precisely where it resides, and the evidence can be pointed
out that proves it. The stock itself must have been
tainted, or there was fraud in the purchase, or the pur-
pose of the acquisition was bad.
Some things need to be stated for a clear apprecia-
tion of the case. The Union Pacific railroad company
was chartered by congress. It received large subsidies of
land to secure its construction. Congress promised a
liberal loan of United States bonds, deliverable upon the
completion of its sections. Should these prove inade-
quate, the company was authorized to issue its own bonds,
and to the extent of the insufficiency of the United
States bonds, to pay for the construction; these con-
struction bonds of the company were to be prior in
security to the debt of the company to the United States
for its bonds. The government of the United States ap-
pointed two of the directors, and retained the right to
annul the company's charter. These great advantages
were secured to the company by act of congress of July,
1864. No further legislation was sought by the company.
In 1859 Pennsylvania incorporated a company which
afterward took the name Credit Mobilier from the French
company of that name, with a capital of two million
five hundred thousand dollars, which was afterward, by
its own action, increased to three million seven hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. Its declared purpose was to
use its capital to aid the construction of great works of
improvement the profits of the building of which would be
dividends on its stock. Later, Thomas C. Durant, of New
York, who was largely an owner and manager of the rail-
road company and the Credit Mobilier, and Oakes Ames,
of Massachusetts, who was also a stockholder in both com-
panies, united their energies, genius, and means, for the
construction of the road, the building up of the Credit
Mobilier, and the enriching of themselves and associates.
The means employed were by a contract, executed in
August, 1867, between Oakes Ames and the Union Pa-
cific, for the construction of six hundred and sixty-seven
miles of railroad for the sum of forty-seven million nine
hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.
In October, 1867, another contract was made between
Oakes Ames, the Credit Mobilier, and seven trustees, to
whom Ames had assigned the contract for construction,
by which the Credit Mobilier was to advance money to
build the road at a rate of interest and commissions of
nine and one-half per-cent. - All the leading holders of
Union Pacific stock were holders of Credit Mobilier
stock. To ensure the perpetual control of the Union
Pacific, it was desirable that the seven trustees should
hold perpetual proxies of the Union Pacific stock, and
thus secure the direction of the company. To ensure
this, the profits of the Ames construction contract were
to be divided only among the holders of the Credit Mo-
bilier stock, who, as holders of the Union Pacific stock,
should deliver their proxies to the seven. All this is
shown in Willson's (2d Cred. Mob.), Rep. No. 78, 42d
Cong., 3d Ses.
It should be stated, that as in effect, the principal
stockholders of the Union Pacific, thus contracted with
themselves as the Credit Mobilier, to build the road, for
which the bonds of the United States were to pay. It was
at enormous profits, so great that the Credit Mobilier
stock from below par in a few months was worth three
or four times its par value, though none was ever in the
market. This is apparent from both the Poland and
Wilson reports. The case I am considering assumes
that the dividends of the one thousand dollars of stock,
paid for itself in five months, with a balance over of
three hundred and twenty-nine dollars. Also, it should
be remembered, that by this device, under the provision
of the act of July, 1864, which permitted the Union
Pacific to issue its own bonds, and give them priority in
security over its debt to the United States for its bonds,
it managed to displace them, and thrust in its own in
advance of them, as first mortgage bonds. The Poland
committee justly holds this to be a fraud upon the
United States. "Obviously terms and devices so extraor-
dinary would be kept within the counsel of the conspir-
ators. That it did not transpire to the world, and was
not disclosed by Oaks Ames to the implicated members
of congress, is the concurrent testimony of all the wit-
nesses, and the unanimous finding of the Poland com-
mittee.
In the autumn of 1867, there seem to have been six
hundred and fifty shares of Credit Mobilier unsold, and
some controversy arose between Durant, Ames and
Henry S. McComb, a large stockholder, as to their dis-
position. Each claimed that he needed them to fill pro-
mises to applicants. Ames was finally permitted to re-
A CHAPTER ON SLANDERS.
6i
ceive three hundred and forty three shares at par and in-
terest from the preceding July. Thus armed Oakes Ames,
a member of the house, made his peaceful way to the
capital, on his mission of placing this stock, in accord-
ance with the rule of his life, as stated in his letters found
further on. He selected his depositaries with care, in
every instance his political, and some of them, his personal
friends, who had entire confidence in his business tact
and honesty — men of nice integrity who would never be
suspected, whom he could have had no wish to involve in
difficulty, and neither of whom — he nor any man — would
dream of approaching with a corrupt proposition. To
each he sold or offered to sell at par, with interest from
July. To no one did he disclose the relations of the
two corporations, nor yet the enormous value of the
stock. To assure some, he guaranteed a profit of ten
per cent. Some paid him. Some did not. He was in-
different about that. To not more than one, was the
stock transferred. It stood in his name, he received the
dividends, converted the bonds received and paid over, in
a careless, pleasant way, as a man would, who had a secret,
which some of them might blunder on, if each trans-
acted his own business for himself. His transaction was
with each separately. He told no one of his sales to
either of the others, and each kept his own counsels.
That there was no understanding between Ames and each
of these men, nor between them as there would have
been, had the purpose on tlieir part been corrupt, is
proved by the surprise and panic produced, when the
real character of the arrangement was made known.
Even then, there was no concert, save to demand a trial.
Ames had a purpose. He did not desire further legisla-
tiorL The Union Pacific had not asked it. He was
afraid that certain prominent men might ask impertinent
questions in the house. He wanted silent, independent
nfluence in different parts of the house. He did not
intimate tnat he wanted it; did not disclose the real
value of the commodity he was selling. That might lead
to inquiries. Having planted his stocks, he wrote his
letters of January 25th and 30th, and placidly pursued
his peaceful way.
About the time of this stock-planting by Oakes, Mr. H.
S. McComb planted a suit in the Pennsylvania courts
against him, to recover these very shares, and time giving
birth to other events, passed silently over both transac-
tions. In the summer of 1872, the Pennsylvania case
sprang into flower. McComb gave his deposition, and
produced the following letters — reproduced before the
Poland committee, where he testified:
Washington, January 26, 1868.
H. S. McComb, Esq. — Dear Sir: Yours of the twenty-third is at
hand, in which you say Senators Bayard and Fowler have written to
you in relation to their stock. I have spoken to Fowler, but not to
Bayard. I have never been introduced to Bayard, but will see him
soon. You say I must not put too much in one locality. I have as-
signed, as far as I have given, to four from Massachusetts; one from
New Hampshire,- one, Delaware; one, Tennessee; one-half, Ohio;
two, Pennsylvania; one, Indiana; one, Maine; and I have three to
place, which I shall put where they will do most good to us. I am
here on the spot, and can better judge where they should go. I think
after this dividend is paid we should make our capital four million dol-
lars, and distribute the new stock where it will protect us. Let them
have the slock at par, and profits made in the future. The fifty per
cent, increase on the old stock I want for distribution here, and soon.
Alley is opposed to the division of the bonds, says he will need them,
&c., &c. I should think that we ought to be able to spare them with
Alley and Cisco on the finance committee. We used to be able to
borrow when we had no credit and debts pressing; we are now out of
debt and in good credit. 'Wliat say you about the Lond dividend?
A part of the purchasers here are poor, and want their bonds to sell to
enable them to meet their payment on the stock in the C. M. I have
told them what they would get as dividends, and they expect, I think
— when the bonds the parties received as the eighty per cent, dividend,
we better give them the bonds. It will not amout to anything with us.
Some of the large owners will not care whether they have the bonds or
certificates, or they will lend their bond to the company, as they have
done before, or lend them money. Quigley has been here, and we
have got that one-tenth that was Underwood's. I have taken a half,
Quigley a quarter, and you a quarter.
Judge Carter wants a part of it. At some future day we are to sur-
render a part to him. Yours truly,
0.\KEs Ames.
Washington, January 30, 1868.
H. S. McCOMB. — D^ar Sir: Yours of the 28th is at hand inclosing
copy of letter from, or rather to, Mr. King. I don't fear any investiga-
tion here. What some of Durant's friends may do in New York can't
be counted on with any certainty. You do not understand by your
letter what I have done and am to do with my sales of stock. You say
more to New York. I have placed some with New York, or have
agreed to. You must remember that it was nearly all placed as you
saw on the list in New York, and there was but about 6 or 8 M for me
to place. I could not give all they wanted or they might want out of
that. You would not want me to offer less than one thousand (M) to
anyone. We allowed Durant to place $58,000 to some three or four
of his friends or keep it himself. / have used tiiis wiiere it will produce
most good to us I think.
In view of King's letter and Washburn's move here, I go in for
making one bond dividend in full. We can do it with perfect safety.
I understand the opposition to it comes from Alley. He is on the
Finance Committee, and can raise money easy if we come short, which
I don't believe we shall ; and if we do, we can loan our bonds to the
Company, or loan them the money we get for the bonds. The contract
calls for the division, and I say have it. When shall I see you in
Washington? Yours truly, Oakes Ames.
IMcComb sued Ames for this very stock, gave his de-
position, and thus these letters transpired to the public
and produced wide-spread excitement. General Garfield
was then in the Indian country, as will be reniembered,
and on his return first heard and saw them, on the thir-
teenth or fourteenth of September. He immediately
called upon his friend, Gen. H. V. Boynton, of the Gin-
(,2
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
cinnati Gazette, and authorized the following, wliich
appeared in that print, September 15th:
" General Garfield, who has just arrived from the Indian country, has
to-day had the first opportunity of seeing the charges connecting his
name willi receiving shares of the Credit Mobilicr from Oakcs Ames.
He authorizes the statement that he never subscribed for a single share
of the stock, and that he never received or saw a share of it. W^lien
the company was first formed, George Francis Train, then active in it,
came to Washington and exhibited a list of subscribers, of leading cap-
italists, and some members of congress, to the stock of the compon; .
The'subscription was described as a popular one of one thousand dol-
lars cash. Train urged General Garfield to subscribe on two occasions,
and each time lie declined. Subsequently he was again informed that
the list was nearly completed, but that a chance remained for him to
subscribe, when he again declined, and to this day he has not subscribed
ior or received any share of stock or bond of the company."
The sittings of the Poland committee, as will be re-
membered, were attended by excited crowds, and among
the statements of the daily press were repeated accounts
of the dismay of the gentlemen whose names appeared
in Mr. Ames' list. The paragraph from the Gazette
shows that none of these statements applied to General
Garfield. Mr. Train's connection with the Credit Mo-
bilier is apparent by other evidence. In his account of
that company Mr. McComb says:
"The Credit Mcbilier corporation was the result of a charter ob-
tained by a man named Duff Green, from the Pennsylvania legislature,
called the 'Pennsylvania Fiscal Agency.' It was subsequentlv changed
by legislati\'e enactment to the Credit Mobilier of America, and some
little change made in its provisions. It was purchased by Thomas C.
Durant, from a man in Pennsylvania named Hall, and George Francis
Train. It was purchased especially with a view of building the Pacific
railroad. The Pennsylvania legislature made an amendment in the
charter allowmg a branch office to be in New York, and providing tiiat
it should be managed by what was called a railway bureau, all of whom
need not be directors of the company." — Poland's Report, page j.
Thomas C. Durant said —
Some parties were interested in this Pennsylvania fiscal agency when
I first went into the Credit Mobilier. They had taken a few shares of
stock before the branch was established in New York, under the amend-
ed charter. I sent Mr. Train to Philadelphia. We wanted it for a
stock operation, but could not agree what was to be done with it. Mr.
Train proposed to go on an expanded scale, but I abandoned it. I
think Mr. Train got some subscriptions; what they were I do not know;
they were never collected and returned to the company. — Id. page i6g.
The Poland committee was created by, and sat under,
the following resolution;
W'/ureas, accusations have been made in the public press, founded on
alleged letters of Oakes Ames, a representative from Massachusetts,
and upon the alleged affidavits of Henry S. McComb, a citizen of Wil-
mington, in the State of Delaw\are, to the effect that members of this
house were bribed by Oakes Ames to perform certain legislative acts
for the benefit of the Union Pacific railroad company, by presents of
stock in the Credit Mobilier of America, or by presents of a valuable
character derived therefrom : Therefore,
Resolved, That a special committee of five be appointed by the
speaker pro tempore, whose duty it shall be to investigate whether any
member of this house was bribed by Oakes Ames, or any other person
or corporation, in any matter touching his legislative duty.
J^esotved /urtiier, That the committee have the right to employ a
stenographer, and that they be empowered to send for persons and
papers. — Poland Reports, page i. —
l\ began its labors December 12th, and sat many weeks,
filling over five hundred pages with the sworn statements
of many men, chief of whom was the unhappy Oakes
Ames. On the eighteenth of February the committee
made its final report, written by the chairman.
The following is so much of this paper as deals with
the charge against Mr. Garfield:
The ficts in regard to Mr. Garfield, as found by the committee, are
identical with the case of Mr. Kelley to the point of reception of the
check for three hundred and twenty-nine dollars. He agreed with Mr.
.\mes to take ten shares of Credit Mobilier stock, but did not pay for
the same. Mr. .^mes received the eighty per cent, dividend in bonds,
and sold them for ninety-seven per cent., and also received the sixty per
cent, cash dividend, which together paid the price of the stock and
interest, and left a balance of three hundred and twenty-nine dollars.
This sum was paid over to Mr. Garfield by a check on the sergeant-at-
arms, and Mr. Garfield then understood this sum was the balance of
dividends after paying for the stock. Mr. Ames received all the subse-
quent dividends, and the committee do not find that, since the payment
of the three hundred and twenty-nine dollars, there has been any com-
munication between Mr. Ames and Mr. Garfield on the subject until
this investigation began. Some correspondence between Mr. Garfield
and Mr. Ames, and some conversations between them during this in-
vestigation, W'ill be found in the reported testimony. • * *
The committee do not find that Mr. Ames, in his negotiations with
the persons above named, entered into any detail of the relations be-
tween the Credit Mobilier company and the Union Pacific company, or
g.vve them any specific information as to the amount of dividends they
would be likely to receive further than has been already stated. * *
In his negotiations with these members of congress, Mr. Ames made
no suggestion that he desired to secure their favorable influence in con-
gress in favor of the railroad company, and whenever the question was
raised as to whether the ownership of this stock would in any way
interfere with or embarrass them in their action as members of congress,
he assured them it would not.
The committee, therefore, do not find, as to the members of the
present house above named, * that they were aware of the object of
Mr. Ames, or that they had any other purpose in taking this stock than
to make a profitable investment. * * * *
It ought also to be stated that no one of the present members of the
house above named appears to have had any knowledge of the dealings
of Mr. Ames with other members.
The committee do not find that either of the above named gentle-
men, in contracting with Mr. Ames, had any corrupt motive or purpose
himself, or was aware that Mr. Ames had any, nor did either of them
suppose he was guilty of any impropriety or even indelicacy in becom-
ing a purchaser of this stock. Had it appeared that these gentlemen
were aware of the enormous dividends upon this stock, and how they
were to be earned, we could not thus acquit them.
Mr. Poland is an able and learned man. There was
within his easy reach ample material for a vigorous, dis-
criminating, judicial disposition of the case, which would
have saved us further labor. It lacks all those qualities.
*Ames and James Brooks not included in the list referred to.
A CHAPTER ON SLANDERS.
63
It is feeble, and pervaded with a good-natured indiffer-
ence; or worse, an easy-going laziness, in grasp, statement
and argument, cruel and hurtful to a man whom he pro-
foundly respected, and for whom he has expressed the
greatest admiration. There is an unwritten history of
statement and comment, by several members of the
committee, bearing on this feature, cotemporaneous with
the report, profitless to inscribe now.
At the first opportuity after the report was made. Gen-
eral Garfield addressed the House, as follows :
I rise to a personal explanation. During the late investigation by
the committee, of which the pentleman from Vermont (Mr. Poland)
was the chairman, I pursued what seemed to be the plain path of duy,
to keep silence, except when I was called upon to testify before the com-
mittee. When testimony was given which appeared to be in conflict
with mine, / waited, expecting to be called agaiji if anything was needed
from me in reference to these discrepancies. I was not recalled; and
when the committee submitted their report to the house, a consider-
able portion of the testimony relating to me had not been printed.
In the discussion .which followed here, I was prepared to submit some
additional facts and considerations, in case my own conduct came up
for consideration in the house; but the whole subject was concluded
without any direct reference to myself, and since then the whole time of
the house has been occupied with the public business. I now desire to
make a single remark on this subject in the hearing of the house.
Though the committee acquitted me of all charges of corruption in
action or intent, yet there is in the report a summing up of the facts in
relation to me which I respectfully protest is not warranted by the tes-
timony. I say this with the utmost respect for the committee, and
without intending any reflection upon them.
I cannot now enter upon the discussion; but I propose, before long,
to make a statement to the public, setting forth more fully the grounds
of my dissent from the summing up to which I have referred. I w'ill
only say now that the testimony which I gave before the committee is a
statement of the facts in the case as I have understood them from the
beginning. More than three years ago, on at least two occasions, I
stated the case to two personal friends substantially as I stated it be-
fore the committee, and I here add that nothing in my conduct or con-
versation has at any time been in conflict with my testimony. For the
present I desire only to place on record this declaration and notice.
The purpose thus publicly declared he executed, as
we have seen, in the following May.
Obviously, if there was fraud in the alleged purchase
of the Credit Mobilier stock, it must be in the point
that it was purchased, or the alleged dividend was re-
ceived, with the knowledge of the fraudulent arrange-
ment bv'^tween the Union Pacific Company and the Credit
MobiKer, to which the purchaser, a member of the house,
wouM thereby become a party. There is no pretense that
ihere is a shadow of evidence that Mr. Garfield had the
sligliLCst Ivr.owltdgc, or any hint to put him on his inquiry
as to th.s transactions between the two companies; Aines
swore that he did not know of them. But the com-
mittee did i)urm;t itself to say that he agreed to buy ten
shares, but did net pay for them, that Ames held them
for him, and out of the dividends he jwid for the stock,
and that the balance, three hundred and twenty-nine
dollars, was paid to Garfield by Ames, in a iheck on the
sargeant-at-arms of the house.
Each of these statements General Garfield solemnly
denied on his oath; and it is now alleged that, though
he was guiltless of corruption in the purchase itself, he
was guilty of the gravest crime known Vo the law, in the
denial of the innocent purchase itself Certainly this is
the mest illogical of accusations. If General Garfield
was innocent of wrong, why should he commit perjury
to conceal it ? It is true, the committee appeared to
disbelieve him ; what it did do was to disregard his case,
shir it over, couple it with another man's, and disregard
the evidence. Not only do they seem to have disbelieved
him, but they disbelieved Oakes Ames also, who at first
swore that Garfield was entirely innocent, and found
facts without evidence.
Not thus is this case to be dismissed. I am remitted
to the dreary task of examining in detail the real and
seeming proofs. The charge of perjury is to be proved
by a weight of evidence equal to that of two men. The
evidence of one man is met and balanced by that of the
accused, is the rule of law and logic. I do not place
this case solely on the basis of legal evidence, which is
but the mass of human experience formulated into prac-
tical rules for convenience and use. Let all sources of
information be employed, which practical intelligence
uses in deahng with common grave affairs. There really
are but two witnesses, and a itw side lights, which attend
the transaction.
Oakcs Ames is the sole source of inculpatory evi-
dence. His connection with the whole transaction at
once compromises him so entirely, that it is a rule alike
of experience and law, that full credit cannot be given
him. He has knowledge, but his integrity is impaired.
He who would entrap the people's representatives by half
truths, and whole suppressions, is thereby gravely dis-
credited.
Is it said that Garfield occupies the same position — is
compromised and therefore discredited? That is the fact
to be proved. Until his guilt is established his credit is
unimpaired. He is a witness entitled to full credit.
Oakes Ames, the thus impeached witness, and sole
source of criminative evidence, is further, and more
gravely, compromised. The man who makes different
statements of the same matter, though one statement is
not on his oath, so far discredits himself, that his state-
ment ceases to be a source of full proof.
In his letter to McComb of January 25, 1868, he says
he had sold to Garfield, of Ohio, twenty shares of stock
at two thousand dollars. He swore before the committee,
64
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
that there were but ten shares at one thousand dollars.
The first statement was in writing, when the supposed
transaction was fresh, when he was under an obligation
to be truthful and accurate; the second, four years
later, on his oath. Both cannot be true. The man who
made them, is not truthful.
It is alike a rule of law and intelligence, that a man
who deliberately swears that the fact to be proved
does not exist, and then that the same fact does exist,
thereby destroys himself as a source of information as to
the existence of that fact.
The facts to be established were, that this same witness
sold to Garfield ten shares of Credit Mobilier stock, and
paid him as a dividend on it, three hundred and twenty-
nine dollars.
On these points, I quote from the Poland Rep. at p.
28, under date of December 28th:
Q. In reference to Mr. Garfield, you say that you agreed to get ten
shares for him, and to hold them till he could pay for them, and that he
never did pay for them nor receive them? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. He never paid any money on that stock nor received any money
from it? — .■\. Xot on account of it.
Q. He received no dividends? — A. Xo, sir ; I think not. He says
he did not. My own recollection is not very clear.
Q. So that, as you understand, Mr. Garfield never parted with any
money, nor received any money, on th^t transaction? — A. Xo, sir; he
had some money from me once, some three or four hundred dollars,
and called it a loan. He says that that is all he ever received from me,
and that he considered it a loan. He never took liis stock, and never
paid for it.
Q. Did you understand it so? — A. Yes; lam willing to so under-
stand it. I do not recollect paying him any dividend, and have for-
gotten that I paid him any money.
The sum of this i.s, that he agreed to sell Garfield ten
shares, but did not. Garfield did not pay for them, and
never received from him, Ames, any dividend.
And so, later, on the same day, from p. 40, in answer
to Mr. McCrary who recalled his attention to it.
Q. I do not understand distinctly your answer to Mr. Merrick's
question as to how many members of congress received these dividends
upon that slock, and what members did not receive it, among those
you have mentioned. — A. I think that all who paid for their stock re-
ceived their dividends up to the time this suit was commenced; that is
my impression.
Q. Who received the dividends? — A. Mr. Patterson, Mr. Bing-
ham, James F. \Yilson did, and I think Mr. Colfax received a part of
them. I do not know whether he received them all or not. I think
Mr. Scofield received a part of them. Messrs. Kelley and Garfield
never paid for their stock, and never received their dividends.
Surely this is plain and direct.
I here interject a passage from the evidence of Mr.
Durant from page 173, and then resume Mr. Ames. It
will be remembered that these three hundred and forty-
seven shares carried to Washington stood on the Credit
Mobilier books in the name of Oakes Ames as trustee.
As to these I quote from Mr. Durant, on the fourteenth
of January, speaking of this same stock:
A. The stock that s'.ands in the name of Mr. Ames, as trustee, I
claim belongs to the company yet, and I have a summons in a suit in
my pocket waiting to catch him in Xew York, to ser\'e the papers.
Thus threatened with another suit, to recover from him
this very stock, all of which he had received back in his
own right be.'"ore this date, and was thus perfecting his
title to it, through tlie pretense of a sale, as trustee, and a
re-purchase in his individual right, on the twenty-second of
January he went again upon the stand — this time for him-
self, so far as Garfield is concerned, for it was only by a
sale to him and a re-purchase that he could hold it. It is
claimed that at this time he swore positively that he did
sell Garfield the stock, and did pay him a dividend, in a
check for three hundred and twenty-nine dollars. The
payment of the dividend was the only proof of an actual
sale. If he did so swear, in the face of his swearing
above, with the exception of Judge Poland there is no
human intelligence that will pretend to credit his state-
ment, or call a fact proved because he swore to it. As a
source of evidence he has ceased to exist.
My reader now understands the character and quality
of the sole witness by whom it is said General Garfield
is proved to have [lurchased Credit Mobilier stock, re-
ceived a dividend, and is convicted of perjury, in depos-
ing that he did not. The whole of that evidence in the
least criminative I now lay before him — premising that
General Garfield appeared before the committee and
gave his evidence on the fourteenth of January.
Q. In regard to Mr. Garfield, state to the committee the details of
the transactions between you and him in reference to Credit Mobilier
stock. — A. I got for Mr. Garfield ten shares of the Credit Mobilier
stock, for which he paid par and interest.
Q. WHien did you agree with him for that? — A. That agreement
was in December, 1867, or January 1868 ; about that time ; about the
time I had these conversations with all of them. It was all about the
same time.
Q. State what grew out of it. — A. Mr. Garfield did not pay me
any money. I sold the bonds belonging to his one thousand dollars
of stock at ninety-seven, making seven hundred and seventy-six dollars.
In June I received a dividend in cash on his stock of si.x hundred dol-
lars, which left a balance due him of three hundred and twenty-nine
dollars, which I paid him. That is all the transaction between us. I
did not deliver him any stock before or since. That is the only trans-
action, and the only thing.
Q. The three hundred and twenty-nine dollars which )'0U paid him
was the surplus of earnings on the stock above the amount to be paid
for it, par value ?— .\. Yes, sir ; he never had either his Credit Mobilier
stock or Union Pacific Railroad stock. The only thing he realized on
the transaction was the three hundred and twenty-nine dollars.
Q. I see in this statement of the account with General Garfield,
there is a charge of forty-seven dollars ; that is interest from the July
previous, is it ? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. .\nd the seven hundred and seventy-six dollars on the credit
GARFIELD AS A FINANCIER.
65
side of the account is the eighty percent, bond dividend soMat ninety-
seven ? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. And the six hundred dollars on tlie credit side is tlie money
dividend? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. And after you had received tlicse two sums, they in the aggre-
gate overpaid the price of stock and inlcrcst three liundred and twenty-
nine dollars, which you paid him ? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. How was that paid ? — A. Paid in money, I believe.
Q. Did you make a statement of this to Mr. Garfic'.d? — A. I pre-
sume so ; I think I did with all of them ; that is my impression.
Q. When you paid him this liiree hundred and twenty-nine dollars,
did you understand it was the balance of liis dividend after paying for
his stock ? — A. I supposed so ; I do not know what else he could
suppose.
Q. You did not deliver the certificate of stock to him ? — A. No, sir;
he said nothing about that.
Q. Wliy did he not receive his certificate? — A. I do not know.
Q. Do you remember any conversation between you and him in the
adjustment of these accounts? — A. I do not.
Q. You understood that you were a holder of his ten shares? — A.
Yes, sir.
Q. Did he so understand it ? — A. I presume so. It seems to have
gone from his mind, however.
Q. Was this the only dealing you had with him in reference to any
stock? — A. I think so.
Q. Was it the only transaction of any kind ? — A. The only trans-
action.
Q. Has that three hundred and twenty-nine dollars e\er been paid
to you ? — A. I have no recollection of it.
Q. Have you any belief that it ever has ? — A. No, sir.
Q. Did you ever loan General Garfield three hundred dollars ? — A.
Not to my knowledge ; except that he calls this a loan.
Q. You do not call it a loan ? — .\. I did not at the time. I am
willing it should go to suit him.
Q. What we want to get at is the e.x.ict truth. — .\. I have told the
truth in my statement.
Q. When you paid him three hundred and twenty-nine dollars, did
he understand that he borrowed that money from you ? — A. I do not
suppose so. -
Q. Have you any belief now that he supposed ? — A. No ; only
from what he said the other day. I do not dispute anybody.
Q. We want your jurlgment of the transaction. — .■\. My judgment
of the transaction is just as I told you. There was but one thing
about it.
Q. That amount has never been repaid to you ? You did not sup-
pose that you had any right to it, or any claim to it ? — A. No, sir.
Q. You regarded that as money belonging to him after the slock
was paid for? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. There were dividends of Union Pacific Railroad stock on these
ten shares? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did General Garfield ever receive these? — A. No, sir; never
has received but three hundred and twenty-nine dollars.
Q. And that he has received as his own money? — A. 1 suppose
so ; it did not belong to me. I should not have given it to him if it
had not belonged to him.
Q, You did not understand it to belong to you as a loan ; you never
called for it, and have never received it back? — A. No, sir.
Q. Has there been any convers.ition between you and him in refer-
ence to the Pacific stoc!; he was entitled to? — A. No, sir.
Q. Has he ever called for it ? — .\. No, sir.
Q. Have you ever offered it to him? — A. No, sir.
Q. Has there been any conversation in relation to it ? — A. No, sir.
Q. Has there ever been anything said between you and him about
rescinding the purchase of the ten shares of Credit Mobilier stock ?
Has there anything been said to you of its being thrown up, or aban-
doned, or surrendered ? — A. No, sir; not until recently.
Q. How recently? — A. Since this matter came up.
Q. Since this investigation commenced? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you consider at the commencement of this investigation
that you held these other dividends, which you say you did not pay to
him, in his behalf? Did you regard yourself as custodian of these
dividends for him ? — A. Yes, sir ; he paid for his stock and is entitled
to his dividends.
Q. Will the dividends come to him at any time on his demand? —
A. Ves, sir, as soon as this suit is settled.
Q. You say that three hundred and twenty-nine dollars was paid to
him; how was it paid? — .A. I presume by a check on the sergeant-at-
arms. I find there are some checks filed without any letters or initials
indicating who they were for.
The following memorandum referred to by witness as a statement of
his account with Mr. Garfield, was placed in evidence:
J. A. G. [Garfield]. Dr.
1868. To ten shares stock Credit Mobilier of .\ $1,000 00
Interest 47 00
June 19. To cash 329 00
$1,376 00
1868. By dividend bonds. Union Pacific railroad, $r,ooo,
at eighty per cent, less three per cent $776 00
June 17. By dividend collected for your account 600 00
$1,376 00
Leaving these statements without further remark, save
to note the corlcscrew-y process of leading questions I
quote Oakes Ames from page 353, under date of Janu-
ary 29th. He had found a bunch of old checks in the
office of the sergeant-at-arms, which Judge Poland is
talking up with him in a luminous way:
Q. Here is another cheek upon the scrgeant-at-arms of the same
dale, June 22, 1868: "Pay O. A. or bearer three hundred and twenty-
nine dollars, and ch.irge to my account. Oakei.\mes." That seems
to have been paicl to somebody and taken up by the sergeanl-al-arms.
These initial are your own? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you know who had tlie benefit of that cheek?— I cannot tell
you.
Q. Do you think you received the money on it yourself? — A. I have
no idea. I may have drawn the money and handed it over to another
person. It was paid on that transaction. It may ha\e been paid to
Mr. Garfield. There were several sums of that amount.
Q. Have you any memory in reference to this check? — A. No, sir;
I have no memory as to that particular check. I found these checks
in the package which the sergeant-at-arms gave me, and I find tliem on
the sergeant-at-arms' books.
Q. You have some memory in regard to some of these men receiv-
ing payment of their dividends?— .•\. They all received payments of
their dividends. There is no question of that in my mind. There may
be in the minds of others.
Q. Is there any other gentleman here in congress who received three
hundred and twenty-nine dollars dividend except those who liave
already been named by you?— .\. I don't think of any other.
Q. In regard to Mr. Garfield, do you know whether you gave him
a check or paid him the money?- .\. I think I did not p.ay him the
money. He got it from the scrgeant-at-arms upon a check.
66
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
This is the check entire, placed by itself:
"June 22, 1868.
"PayO. A. or bearer three hundred and twenty-nine dollars, and
charge to my account. Oakes .'\mes."
From page 555 of this pitiful record, I quote this,
and all there is on the dreary expenses bearing on this
matter, still in the plastic hand of the amiable chairman.
Q. You think the check in which you wrote nothini; to indicate the
payee must have been for Mr. Garfield? — A. Yes, sir, that is my judg-
ment.
No ! he did not think so — had not said he thought
so. In the pitiful helplessness of his position, groping
in darkness, he timidly ventured the suggestion, "It may
have been paid to Mr. (larfield." Then, uhen the chair-
man insisted that he thought so, he helplessly assents.
The stupidity of the chairman was of that dense quality
appalling to the gods. He assumes that Garfield must
have been paid by a check, and this was it, — notwithstand-
ing Ames swore (page 25) that he thought he paid with
money, — because this check had no possible mark or
sign to show by whom, or for what, it was issued; and
Ames assented. Here, then, in this aimless, nameless
slip of paper resides the evidence which convicts Gen-
eral Garfield of a purchase of stock, and of perjury to
conceal the purchase. A word disposes of it. Turn
back to Ames' account with Garfield, on page 241, to this
item. "To cash [paid], $329. Against this payment
stands the date, June 19, 1S68. This check is dated
June 2 2d, three days afterward. How could a check not
drawn till the twenty-second of June pay a debt on the
nineteenth of June? Had the dates coincided, or this
check been before payment, some seeming warrant for the
chairman's assertion might exist. The alter date of the
check is fatal to his case, and to him.
It is to be borne in mind that GeneraRkirfield, having
made his statement before the court, was then bearing
the burden of the Republic's great appropriations
through the house. The statement that he had counsel
before the committee is untrue. Judge Black, when
there, was of counsel for McComb.
There was further so-called evidence from Oakes
Ames. He several times early referred to a certain
memorandum book, and finally j)roduced extracts from
it. He was at once required by tiie chairman to pro-
duce it, which he did February nth. The ground on
which the committee received it is not obvious. Bearing
in mind that the Garfield account, page 241, dates the pay-
ment of the three hundred and twenty-nine dollars June
19, 1868, what corroboration does Mr. Ames receive
from his tardy book? This is taken from page 450 of
the report:
1868.
Saturday, January 2, 18
H. L. Dawes.
Scofield
600
600
Patterson 1,800
Painter 1 , 800
Wilson a,, 1,200
C'olfa-x 1,200
Bingham 1,200
Allison 600
Kelley 329
I Wilson 329
Garfield 329
Q. You put down in this list what was to be paid to these men; it
is not an entry of the payment you had actually made?. — A. It is a
list of payments to be made, and which were made in different ways,
some in one way and some in another.
The entry is in a book for 1S6S. The list is dated
January 2, 18C9, and contains the names of the men to
whom payments of dividends were to be made. Among
them is that of Garfield, who, if ever paid, was paid
months before.
Here is another of the entries from p. 453 Id.:
1868.
Sunday, June 31.
Checks on commerce, deposited with Sergeant-at-Arms $10,000
P'd S. Colfax 1,200
' ' James F. Wilson 329
" H. L. Dawes 600
" William B. Allison 60O
" G. W. Scofieid , . 600
" J. W. Patterson 1,800
" John A. Logan 329
" James A. Garfield 329
'* William D. Kelley •.'-'•
" Henry Wilson 1.200
" John A. Bingham 1,200
Q. This entry, "Paid.S. Colfax one thousand two hundred dollars, '*
is the amount which you paid by this check on the sergeant-at-arms? —
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Was this entry upon this page of these various names intended
to show the amount you were to pay or that you had paid; was that
made at this date? — A. I do not know; it was made about that time.
I would not have written it on Sunday; it is not very likely. It was
made on a blank page. It is simply a list of names.
Q. Were these names put down after you had made the payments
or before, do you think? — A. Before, I think.
Q. You think you made this list before the parties referred to had
actually received their checks, or received the money? — A. Yes, sir;
that was to show wh(5m I had to pay, and who were entitled to receive
the sixty per cent, dividend. It shows whom I had to pay here in
Washington
Q. It says ''paid." — A. Yes, sir; well, I did pay it.
(J. Wh.it I want to know' is, w'hether the list was made out before or
after payment? — A. About the same time, I suppose; probably before.
These are marked paid, and dated June 31st, and is
left for its own comment
Here follows another from p. 459 :
Q. Now turn to any entries you may have in reference to Mr. Gar-
field.— \. Mr. Garfield's payments were just the same as Mr. Kelley 's.
(J. 1 find Mr. Kelley's name on the list of June dividend payments
for three hundred and twenty-nine dollars. That I understand you to
be the amount of the June dividend after paying the balance due on his
A CHAPTER ON SLANDERS.
67
stock? — A. Yes, sir; the general statement made up for Mr; Garfield
is as follows :
GARFIELD.
10 shares Credit M $1,000
7 mos. 10 days 43 3^
1.043 36
80 per ct. bd. div. , at 97 776
267 36
Int'st to June 20 3 64
271 00
1,000 C. M.
1,000 V. P.
Q. You received six himdred dollars cash divideiid on his ten
shares? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. And, as you say, paid him tliree liundred and twenty-nine dol-
lars, as the balance of the dividend due him.^- A. I thinlv I did.
Q. This general statement is not crossed oi^7 — A. No, sir.
Q. In this list of names for the June dividend, Mr. Garfield's name
is down for three hundred and twenty-nine dollars. — A. That would
be the balance due.
Q. The cross opposite his name indicates that tlie money was paid
to him? — A. Yes, sir.
Mr. Clark remarked that Mr. Ames was not certain whether this
amount was paid Mr. Garfield by check or in currency.
The Witness. If I drew tlie check I may have paid him off in cur-
rency, as i find no check with initials corresponding to his.
Q. We find three checks for the amount of three hundred and
twenty-nine dollars each; one is in blank; there are no initials written
in. There are, however, the same number of checks for tliat amount
as are called for by the names on this list for that amount. — A. I am
not sure how I paid Mr. Garfield; I paid him in some form.
Q. This statement of Mr. Garfield's account is not crossed off,
which indicates, does it, that the matter has never been settled or ad-
justed?— A. No, sir; it never hai,.
Mr. Clark reiuarked that he supposed it was understood that no
one of these gentlemen had ever seen the entries in this book.
Q. Can you state wliether you have any other entry in your book
relating to Mr. Garfield? — .-\. No, sir.
From page 47 1 1 quote the last of Mr. Ames' state-
ments as to the facts themselves, made as follows:
Q. In testifying in Mr. Garfield's case you say you may have drawn
the money on the check and paid him; Is not that answer equally ap-
plicable to the case of Mr. Colfa.x? — A. No, sir.
Q. Why not? — A. I put Mr. Colfax's initials in the check, while I
put no initials into Mr. Garfield's check, and I may have drawn the
money myself.
Q. Do you say that if you put any initials before the words "or
bearer" into a check, that is evidence that you gave him the check, and
that he drew the money on it? — A. I am satisfied that I gave him
(Colfa.x") the check any way, because it belonged to him.
Q. Did not Mr. Garfield's check belong to him? — A. Mr. Garfield
had not paid for his stock. He was entitled to three hundred and
twenty-nine dollars balance; but Mr. Colfax had paid for his stock, and
I had no ousiness with his one thousand, two hundred dollars.
Q. Is your recollection in regard to this payment of Mr. Colfax any
more clear than your recollections ;as to the payment to Mr. Garfield?
— A. Yes, sir, I think it is. Do you doubt that I gave him (Colfax)
the check ?
Q. That is not a proper question for me to answer; if it were I should.
As bearing on the unmarked check of June 22, 1868,
the check of the report, Mr. Dillon, the cashier, said :
Q. There is a check payable to O. A. or bearer; have you any
recollection of that? — A. That was paid to himself.
Q. Have you any memory that it was, or do you judge of that by
the form in which the check is drawn? — A. No; I have no distinct
memory about it. I have no doubt myself tliat I paid that to Mr, Ames.
—Poland Reports, page 4yg.
I observe of these statements^that so far from claim-
ing that he had any, the least memory of the payment
of a dividend to Mr. Garfield, Mr. Ames several times
says that he had none. His first testimony directly con-
tradicts what he subsequently testified.
He is sustained by no witness. He is not corrobor-
ated by any writing of his own. His first account is
marked paid June 19, 1868. The sole check by which
it could have been paid bears a later date. In his list
of June 31st, it is marked as paid. He declares that
though marked paid, this was a list of men to be paid,
though the claim is that Garfield was paid before. And
the list of January 2, i86g, was also that of men then
unpaid, of whom Garfield was one, and, finally, that the
account never was settled. Thus these papers, so far
from sustaining the witness, contradict him, and impeach
each other.
The strangest feature of the case is yet to be named.
Ames sold to Garfield ten shares of stock, and held it
for hirn as trustee; made one payment in June, 1868,
and, though he continued to hold it, and collect the di-
vidends, of course, from that day of payment to his ap-
pearance before the committee — a period of five years —
he never again so much as mentioned the subject to
Garfield. He swore he did not. And, stranger yet, here
was this young man, owner of this money-coining
stock, impecunious, running about for money and
never going to Ames for it on this stock, never
to the present time calling him to account, oblivious
of ownership, declaring he did not own it, and all
the time the sky was serene, and Ames was collecting
dividends as owner of the stock, and without a pretense
that he had repurchased it. Owner cestui que trust and
trustee never so conducted themselves toward the proj)-
erty. The parties never for an instant held this relation
to this Credit Mobilier stock. To pretend they did is
the feeblest of sham.
It is remembered that Garfield authorized the state-
ment in the Gazette of September 15th, and quietly
awaited events. He was not called before the committee
until the 14th of January.
As preliminary, I quote a paragraph from his expose
of May 8, 1873, page 8. After saying that Mr. Ames
sought him, he continues:
68
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELt3.
Soon after the investigation began, Mr. Ames asked me what I re-
membered of our talis in 1867-8 in reference to the Credit Mobilier
Company. I told him I could best answer his question by reading to
him the statement I had already prepared to lay before the committee
when I should be called. -Accordingly, on the following day, I took
my written statement to the capitol, and read it to him carefully, sen-
tence by sentence, and asked him to point out anything which he might
think incorrect. He made but two criticisms; one in regard to a date,
and the other, that he thought it was the Credit Foncier, and not the
Credit Mobilier, that Mr. Train asked me to subscribe to in 1866-7.
Wlien I read the paragraph in which I stated that I had once borrowed
three hundred dollars of him, he remarked, "I believe I did let you
have some money, but 1 had forgotten it." He said nothing to indi-
cate that he regarded me as having purchased the stock; and from
that conversation I did not doubt that he regarded my statement sub-
stantially correct. His first testimony, given a few days afterward,
confirmed me in this opinion.
I give his testimony entire. Poland's report, page
128:
W.VSHINGTON, D. C, January 14, 1873.
J. A. Garfield, a member of the United States house of represen-
tatives from the State of Ohio, having been duly sworn, made tne fol-
lowing statement ;
The first I ever heard of tlie Credit Mobilier was some time in 1866
or 1867— I cannot fix the date— when George Francis Train called on
me and said he was organizing a company to be known as the Credit
Mobilier of America; to be formed on the model of the Credit Mobilier
of France; that the object of the company was to purchase lands and
build houses along the line of the Pacific railroad at points where cities
and villages were likely to spring up; that he had no doubt money thus
invested would double or treble itself each year; that subscriptions
were limited to one thousand dollars each, and he wished me to sub-
scribe. He showed me a long list of subscribers, among them Mr.
Oakes Ames, to whom he referred me for further information concern-
ing the enterprise. I answered that I had not the money to spare, and
if I had I would not subscribe without knowing more about the pro-
posed organization. Mr. Train left me, saying he would hold a place
open for me, and hoped I would yet conclude to subscribe. The same
day 1 asked Mr. Ames what he thought of the enterprise. He expressed
the opinion that the investment would be safe and profitable.
I heard nothing further on the subject for a year or more, and it was
almost forgotten, when some time, I should say, during the long ses-
sion of 1868, Mr. Ames spoke of it again;. said the company had or-
ganized, was doing well, and he thought would soon pay large divi-
dends. He said that some of the stock had been left or was to be left
in his hands to sell, and I could take the amount which Mr. Train had
offered me, by paying the one thousand dollars and the accrued inter-
est. He said if I was not able to pay for it then, he would hold it for
me till I could pay, or until some of the dividends were payable. I told
him I would consider the matter; but would not agree to take any
stock until I knew, from an examination of the charter and the condi-
tions of the subscription, the extent to which I would become pecuni-
arily liable. He said he was not sure, but thought a stockholder would
be liable only for tlie par value of his.stock; that he had not the stock
and papers with him, but would have them after a while.
From the case, as presented, I probably should have taken the stock
if I had been satisfied in legard to the extent of pecuniary liabiUty.
Thus the matter rested for some time, I think until the following year.
During that intenal I understood that there were dividends due
amounting to nearly three times the par value of the stock. But in the
meantime 1 had heard that the company was involved in some contro-
versy with the Pacific railroad, and that Mr. Ames' right to sell the
stock was denied. Wiien I next saw Mr. Ames 1 told him I had con-
cluded not to take the stock. There the matter ended so far as I was
concerned, and 1 had no further knowledge of the company's opera-
tions until the subject began to be discussed in the newspapers last fall.
Nothing was ever said to me by Mr. Ames or Mr. Train to indicate
or imply that the Credit Mobilier was or could be in any way connected
with the legislation of congress for the Pacific railroad or for any other
purpose. Mr. .Ames never gave, nor offered to give, me any stock or
other valuable thing as a gift. 1 once asked and obtained from him,
and aftenvard repaid to him, a loan of three hundred dollars; that
amount is the only valuable thing I ever received from or delivered to him.
I never owned, received, or agreed to receive any stock of the Credit
Mobilier or of tiie Union Pacific railroad, nor any dividend or profits
arising from either of them.
By the chairman :
Question. Had this loan you spe.ak of any connection in any way
with your conversation in regard to the Credit Mobilier stock? — A. No
connection in any way except in regard to the time of payment. Mr.
Ames stated to me that if I concluded to subscribe for the Credit Mo-
bilier stock, I could allow the loan to remain until the payment on that
was adjusted. I never regarded it as connected in any other way with
the stock enterprise.
Q. Do \ou remember the time of that transaction? — A. I do not
remember it precisely. I should think it was in the session of 1868. I
had been to Europe the fall before, and was in debt, and borrowed
several sums of money at different times and from different persons.
This loan from Mr. Ames was not at his inbtance. I made the request
myself. I think I had asked one or two persons before for the loan.
Q. Have you any knowledge in reference to any dealing of Mr.
Ames with any gentlemen in congress in reference to the stock of the
Credit Mobilier? — A. No, sir; I have not. I had no knowledge that
Mr. .Ames had ever talked with anybody but myself. It was a subject
I gave but little attention to; in fact, many of the details had almost
passed out of my mind until they were called up in the late campaign.
By Mr. Black:
Q. Did you say you refused to take the stock simj^Iy because there
was a lawsuit about it? — .A. No; not exactly that. I do not remember
any other reason which I gave to Mr. .Ames than tliat I did not wish to
take stock in anything that would involve controversy. I lliink I gave
him no other reason than that.
Q. When you ascertained the relation this company had with the
Union Pacific railroad companj'. and whence its profits wcic to be de-
rived, would you have considered that a sufficient reason for declining
it irrespective of other considerations? — -A. It would have been as the
case was afterward stated.
Q. At the time you talked with Mr. Ames, before you rejected the
proposition, you did not know whence the profits of the company were
to be derived? — A. I did not. I do not know that Mr. .Ames withlield,
intentionally, from me any information. I had derived my original
knowledge of the organization of the company from Mr. Train. He
made quite an elaborate statement of its purposes, and I proceeded in
subsequent conversations upon the supposition that the org.mization
was unchanged. I ought to say for myself, as well as for Mr. .Ames,
that he never said any word to me that indicated the least desire to in-
fluence my legislative action in any way. If he had any such purpose,
he certainly never said anything to me which would indicate it.
Q. You know now, and have known for a long time, that Mr. .Ames
was deeply interested in the legislation on this subject? — .V. I supposed
that he was largely interested in the Union Pacific railroad. 1 have
heard various statements to that effect. I cannot say I had any such
information of my own knowledge.
Q. You mean that he did not electioneer witli you or .solicit your
A CHAPTER ON SLANDERS.
69
vote?— A. Certainly not. None of the conversations I ever had with
him had any reference to such legislation.
By Mr. Merriclt;
Q. Have you any knowledge of any other member of congress being
concerned in the Credit Mobilicr stock? — A. No, sir; I have not.
Q. Or any stock in the Cnion Pacific railroad? — A. I have not. I
can say to the committee that I never saw, I believe, in my life a certifi-
cate of stock of the Union Pacific railroad company, and I never saw
any certificate of stock of the Credit Mobilicr, until Mr. Brooks exhib-
ited one. a few days ago, in the house of representatives.
Q. Were any dividends ever tendered to you on the stock of the
Credit Mobilier upon the supposition that you were to be a subscriber?
— A. No, sir.
Q. This loan of three hundred dollars you have repaid if I under-
stood you correctly. — A. Yes, sir.
By Mr. McCrary:
Q. You never examined the charter of the Credit Mobilicr to see
what were its objects ? — .\. No, sir; I never saw it.
Q. If I understood you, you did net know that the Credit Mobilier
had any connection with the Union Pacific railroad company? — A. I
understood from the statement of Mr. Train that its objects were con-
nected with the hands of the Union Pacific railroad company and the
development of settlements along that road ; but that it had any relation
to the Union Pacific railroad, other than that, I did not know. I think
I did hear also that the company w;is investing some of its earnings in
the bonds of the road.
Q. He stated it was for the purpose of purchasing land and build-
ing houses? — A. That was the statement of Mr. Train. I think he
said in that connection that lie had already been doing something of
that kind at Omaha, or was going to do it.
Q. You did not know that the object was to build the Union Pacific
railroad? — ,\. Xo, sir; I did not.
This is the clear, distinct statement of a man giving a
succinct account of a transaction in strict accord with all
we have learned of the facts. Mr. Ames' first testimony
fully corroborates and sustains it in all details.
Garfield received the first information of the real use
made of the Credit Mobilier from Judge Black. On re-
ceiving that he put an end to all negotiations with Ames.
In corroboration of his evidence, and that this was al-
ways his statement of the case, I produce Judge Black's
statement bearing date before the report of the committee
was made. It covers the whole case and should silence
even malice.
PniL.'\DF.LPHi.\, February 15, 1873.
My Dear Sir. From the beginning of the investigation concerning
Mr. Ames' use of the Credit Mobilier, I believed that General Garfield
was free from all guilty connection with that business. This opinion
was founded not merely on my confidence in his integrity, but on some
special knowledge of his case. I may have told you all about it in con
versation, but I desire now to repeat it by way of reminder.
I assert unhesitatingly that, whatever General Garfield may have done
or forborne to do, he acted in profound ignonince of the nature and
character of the thing which Mr. Ames was proposing to sell. He had
not the slightest suspicion that he w.as to Ix; taken into a ring organized
for the purpose of defrauding the public ; nor did he know that the
stock was in any manner connected with anything which came, or could
come, within the legislative jurisdiction of congress. The ca.se against
him lacks the scienter which .alone constitutes guilt.-
In the winter of 1869-70, I told General Garfield of the fact that his
name was on .Ames' list; that .\mes charged him with being one of his
distributees; explained to him the character, origin, and objects of the
Credit Mobilier; pointed out the connection it had with congressional
legislation, and showed him how impossible it w.as for a member of con-
gress to hold stock in it without bringing his priv.ate interests in conflict
with his public duty. That all this was to him a perfectly new revela-
tion I am as sure a.s I can be of .such a fact, or of any fact which is capa-
ble of being proved only by moral circumstances. He told me, then,
the whole story of Train's offer to him and .\mes' subsequent solicita-
tion, and his own action in the premises, much as he details it to the
committee. I do not undertake to reproduce the conversation, but the
effect of it all was to convince me thoroughly that when he listened to
/\mes he was perfectly unconscious of anything evil. I watched care-
fully every word that fell from him on this point, anddid not regard his
narrative of the transaction in other respects with much interest, because
in my view everything else was insignificant. I did not care whether he
had made a bargain technically binding or not; his integrity depended
upon the question whether he acted with his eyes open. If he had
known the true character of the proposition made to him he would not
have endured it, much less embraced it.
Now, couple this with Mr. .Ames" admission that he gave no expla-
nation whatever of the matter to General Garfield; then reflect tliat not
a particle of proof exists to show that he learned anything about it pre-
vious to his conversation with me, and I think you will say that it is al-
together unjust to put him on the list of those who knowingly and will-
fully joined the fraudulent association in question.
J. S. Black.
Hon. J. G. Blaine,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Judge Black was not the attorney of Garfield, and not
a political friend. He revealed to Garfield the facts of
the relation of the Union Pacific company and the
Credit Mobilier, when Garfield had no motive to conceal
his own position. He also revealed to him tlie existence
of Mr. Ames' list. On this information Garfield acted.
The question now under consideration is not whether
Garfield is venal in the matter of the Credit Mobilier
stock. We know he was not, but whether he was guilty
of perjury in denying that charge.. Did he state the facts
as he understood, and stated them to others at the time?
These are important questions. On this point hear the
following:
Hiram, Ohio, February 18, 1873.
Dear .Sir: It maybe relevant to the question at issue between your-
self and Mr. Oakes Ames, in the Credit Mobilier investigation, for me
to state that three or four years ago, in a private conversation, you
made a statement to me involving the substance of your testimony Ije-
fore the Poland committee, as published in the newspapers. The
material points of your statement were these:
That you had been spoken to by George Francis Train, who offered
you some shares of Credit Mobilier stock; that you told him that you
had no money to invest in stocks; that subsequently you had a conver-
sation in relation to the matter with Mr. .-Vines ; that Mr. .Ames offered
to carry the stock for you until you could pay for it, if you cared to
buy it ; and that you had told him in that case perhaps you would take
it, but would not agree to do so until you had inquired more fully into
the matter. .Such an arrangement .as this was m.ade, .Ames agreeing to
carrry the stock until you should decide. In this way the matter stood,
as I understood it, at the time of our conversation. My understanding
76
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
was distinct tliat you had not accepted Mr. .\mes' proposition, but that
the shares were still Iield at your option.
You stated, further, that the company was to operate in real prop-
erty along the line of the Pacific road. Perhaps I should add that this
conversation, wbicli I have always remembered very distinctly, took
place here in Hiram. 1 have remembered the conversation the more
distinctly from the circumstances that gave rise to it. Having been
intimately acquainted with you for twelve or fifteen years, and having
had a considerable knowledge of your pecuniary affairs, I asked you
how you were getting on, ai-,d especially whether you were managmg to
reduce your debts. In reply you gave me a detailed statement of your
affairs, and concluded by saying you had had some stock offered you,
which, if you bought it, would probably make you some money. You
then proceeded to state the case, as I have stated it above.
I cannot fi.'C the time of this conversation more definitely than to say
that it was certainly three, and probably four, years ago.
B. A. Hinsdale,
Hon. J. A. Garfield, President of Hiram College.
Washington, D. C.
That he had not closed with the offer of Ames in the
spring of iS68, is clear, from the following statement.
He was then deliberating:
Clevel.ind, Ohio, May, i 1873.
Dear General : I send you the facts concerning a conversation
which I had with you, (I tliink in the spring of 1868,) when 1 was slop-
ing in Washington for some days, as your guest, during the trial of
the impeachment of President Johnson. While there, you told me
that Mr. Ames had offered you a chance to invest a small amount in a
company that was to operate in lands and buildings along tlie Pacific
railroad, which he (.\mes) said would be a good thing. You asked me
what I tliouglit of it as a business proposition; tliat you had not deter-
mined what you would do about it, and suggested to me to talk with
Ames, and form my own judgment, and if 1 thought well enough of it,
to advance the money and buy the slock on joint account with you,
and let you pay me interest on the one-half, I could do so. But I did
not think well of the proposition as a business enterprise, and did not
talk with Ames on the subject.
After this talk, having at first told you that I w^ould give the subject
thought, and perhaps talk with Ames, i told you one evening that 1
did not think well of the proposition, and had not spoken to Ames on
the subject. . Yours, truly,
J. P. ROBISON.
Hon. J. A. Garfield.
Both of these gentlemen are widely known and es-
teemed in their own State.
This is all that belongs to the case. During the inves-
tigation there was an interview between the parties, of
which each gave an account. Neither throws any light
on the case.
Garfield expected to be called before the committee,
to reply to the new and inexplicable statements of Mr.
Ames. He was not. The conclusion must be that Gen-
eral Garfield never purchased Credit Mobilier stock of
Oakes Ames; that he never received money from him
as dividends on stock; that all his own statements in
the case are in strict accord with truth.
CHAPTER H.
SALARY GRAB.
Involves onty a Question of judgment. — Resolution requiring Gar-
field's Resignation. — Popular Phrenzy. — Garfield as Chairman of the
Committee of .Appropriations has Charge of the Bill. — Its Magnitude
and Importance. — Scheme is an Amendment to it. — Voles Eighteen
Times .Against It. — His own Statement. — Meets all his Accusers.
A\'hile our young man was taking his first practical les-
son in the fragile tenure of human reputation, and the
air was thick with the vapor and odors of the Credit
Mobilier, a convention of his constituents adopted the
following resolution:
"A'<sohrd, That James A. Garfield, in voting for the retroactive sal-
ary bill, has forfeited the confidence of his constituents, and therefore
we, the representatives of the Republican party of Trumbull county,
in convention assembled, ask him to resign forthwith his office as our
representative in congress."
At this distance of time, during which so many events
have occurred, it is difficult to recall the force and vol-
ume of the indignation, the fierce phrenzy which at once
seized upon the entire Republic upon the passage of the
legislative appropriation bill of March 3, 1873, which
carried the obnoxious three-line amendment, advancing
the pay of the legislators. The fury of the tempest will
be appreciated by the resolution above, of men who had
known and trusted Garfield long. He had opposed the
project in all forms, everywhere, by vote, speech, and
personal influence; had only voted for a bill of the
greatest importance, whose folds sheltered it after a des-
perate effort to dislodge it; when it became a law he
would not be bound by it, never held in his palm the
fruit of it for an instant, was the first to order it back to
the unappropriated money in the treasury. The public
mind was suffering from a brain plague. No sinister
motive can be attributed in this ca.se. Ai the most it was
a grave misjudgment upon a matter of mixed good and
evil.
Hear him as to his position:
I had special charge of the legislative appropriation bill, upon the
preparation of which my committee had spent nearly two weeks of labor
before the meeting of congress. It was the most important of the
twelve annual bills. Its provisions reached every part of the machin-
ery of the government in all the States and Territories of the Union.
The amount appropriated by it was one-seventh of the total annual ex-
penditures of the government, exclusive of the interest on the publie
debt. It contained all the appropriations required by law for the legis-
lative department of the government; for the public printing and bind-
ing; foe the President and the officers and employes at the e.xecutive
mansion; for the seven executive departments at Washington, and all
their bureausand subdivisions; for the sub-treasuries and public depos-
itaries in fourteen cities of the Union; for all the officers and agents
emploj'ed in the assessment and collection of tlie internal revenue; for
SALARY GRAB.
71
the governments of the nine Territories and of the District of Columbia:
for tlie mints and the assay offices; for the land offices and the surveys
of public lands; and for all tlie courts, judges, district attorneys, and
marshals of the United States. Besides this, during its progress
through the two houses, many provisions had been added to the bill
which were considered of vital importance to the public interests. A
section had been added in the senate to force the Pacific railroad
companies to pay the arrears of interest on the bonds loaned to
them by the United States, and to commence refunding the principal.
I also quote his statement of the means by which this
feature was attached to the bill :
Before it was finally adopted there were eighteen different votes taken
in the house and the committee of the whole, on its merits and its
management. On each and all of these 1 voted adversely to the
amendment. Six years ago, when the salaries of congressmen were
raised, and the pay was made to date back si.\teen months, I had
voted against the increase ; and now, bearing more responsibility for
the appropriations than ever before, I pursued the same course. No
act of mine during this struggle, can be tortured into a willingness to
allow this amendment to be fastened to the bill. But all opposition
was overborne by majorities ranging from three to fifty-three, and tlie
bill with this amendment added, was sent to the senate Saturday
evening, the first of March. If the senate had struck out the amend-
ment, Ihey could have compelled the house to abandon it or take the
responsibility of losing the bill. But the senate refused, by a vote of
nearly two to one, to strike out the salary clause, or any part of it ;
and many senators insisted that with the abolition of mileage and
other allowances, si.x thousand five hundred dollars was no real in-
crease, and that the rate should be greater. The bill then went to a
conference committee, with si.xty-five unadjusted amendments pending
between the two houses.
On that committee he was the solitary member op-
posed to this feature. These are his views of some of
the evils of the bill :
There were grave objections to the defeat of the appropriation bill.
Everybody knew that its failure would render an e.\tra session of the
new congress inevitable. It is easy to say now that this would have
been better than to allow the passage of the salary clause. Present
evils always seem greater than those that never come. The opinion
was almost universal that an extra session would be a serious e\ il in
many ways, and especially to the ^treasury. Its cost directly and indi-
rectly, would far exceed the amount appropriated for retroactive sal-
aries. An unusual amount of dangerous legislation was pressing upon
congress for action.
In his speech at Warren, 1S74, already referred to, he
thus refers to his final action. What can be more satis-
factory ?
But by a very large vote in the house, and a still Larger vote in the
senate, the salary clause was put upon the bill. I was captain of the
ship, and this objectionable freight had been put upon my deck. I had
tried to keep it off. What should I do? Bum the ship? Sink her?
or, having washed my hands of the responsibility for that part of her
cargo I had tried to keep off, navigate her into jiort, and let those who
had put this freight on be responsible for it? Using that figure, that
was the course I thought it my duty to adopt. Now, on that matter I
might ha\'e made an error of judgment. I believed then and now that
if it had been in my power to kill this bill, and had thus brought on an
extra session; 1 believe to-day, I sny, had I been able to do that, I
should have been the worst blamed man in tlie United States.
The government has since submitted to graver wrongs
than a dozen salary grabs, to avoid the evil and peril of
an e.xtra session of congress.
This charge against Garfield has long ceased to have
vitality. It never had any right to live, and I close this
brief reference to it by one of the concluding passages
of his admirable address referred to:
If the delegates believe that the retroactive clause is so infamous
that 1 ought to resign for voting for the appropriation bill to which it
was attached, will they follow out their logic and insist that the Presi-
dent ought to resign for signing it? My vote did not make it a law.
His signature did. I do not consent to the logic that leads to such a
conclusion.
CHAPTER III.
THE DE GOLYER CONTRACT.
Case .Stated. — .Sketch of the District of Columbia (Government. — Cow-
gress Never .Appropriates for Street Improvements. — Case before the
loint Committee of Congress. — Glover and His Committee. — His
Labors. — His Garbage Sealed with Seven Seals. — Case Re-opened
by Chicago Times. — The Spry Nickerson. — Garfield Exposes Him.
— Garfield's Statement on Oath. — Garfield's Chances for Thrift. —
Still Poor.
There has been a certain flavor following the name of
DeGoiyer, which much effort has attempted to connect
with that of General Garfield. Perhaps its intangibility,
its formlessness, has given it a certain lightness favorable
to its life.
If it could be fairly arrested and analyzed, if there was
venality or corruption in the conduct of General Gar-
field, that could be made to appear. Something may be
done, however, to show that nothing sinister could have
existed in his relations to the case.
In February, 1871, congress created a government for
the District of Columbia, consisting of a legislature, gov-
ernor, and the usual machinery of a State government.
It also provided for a board of public works, and cast
upon it full power over the streets and avenues of the
District. Full power was vested in the legislature,
which alone could appropriate money for improvements,
with a limitation on the power to create a debt. The
board of public works could make no contract until the
legislature had made an appropriation to cover the out-
lay. During the existence of this government, which
continued until June 20, 1874, congress did not attempt
to exercise the slightest control over the streets or ave-
nues, or other objects of improvement, nor did it make
an appropriation for streets or avenues, nor was it asked
to ; nor during that time did it pay for any improvement,
except as the United States was a property owner. Nor
did or could any contract, or proposed contract, in any
way depend upon an appropriation by congress, nor did
72
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
anybody who knew anything of the subject suppose con-
tracts did so depend. Who should so state was either
ignorant of the subject or base in his purpose.
The board entered on its duties in April, 1871, and
the first session of the legislature placed at its disposal
four million five hundred thousand dollars by appropria-
tion ; one-third of the cost of improvements was a servi-
tude on property, and this sum was to pay the two-
thirds, chargeable to the District treasury. The board
at once, with wonderful vigor, entered upon hundreds
of miles of streets, and commenced their improvement.
Pennsylvania avenue was the only paved street in Wash-
ington, at that time. Various plans for paving, and a
vast variety of pavements, and paving companies, com-
peted for preference. On consultation with the United
States engineers and architects, the board adopted a
rate of payment for pavements by the square yard, and
a form, with well-devised stipulations, terms and condi-
tions, for its contracts. There may have been some ir-
regularities h* making these contracts, and possibly
favoritism in awarding them. The trouble was in decid-
ing among the many, which was the best pavement, and
the best party to execute the work. In its eagerness to
push the work, scores of contractors went to work, and
had their contracts filled up and executed long afterward.
The DeClolyer contract was awarded in June, 1872,
when vast quantities of work were being undertaken.
There was always a vigilant and relentless opposition, in
the District, to the board of ])ublic works, and late in
1873, congress ordered an investigation into all its trans-
actions. It was out of this incjuiry, before the joint
committee, that the famous safe-burglary case arose. All
of the board's contracts were overhauled, and the details
of their letlings and execution passed upon — atnong them,
the DeGolyer. That made no figure there, nor was
there any importance attached to it. General Garfield
was not then assailed, nor did he appear before the com-
mittee. Senator Thurman and Mr. Jewett, of Ohio,
were both on the committee, both his personal friends,
and either of them would have had him called, had there
been the least thing reflecting upon him. Mr. Parsons,
DeGolyer's lawyer, was called, and made an explicit
statement of the whole matter ; so also one Benjamin R.
Nickerson was called, who swore he knew nothing ot
the transaction, nor of the men or means employed to
secure the contract. Garfield's connection with the
transaction transpired to the public. It was seized upon
in his district as we have seen. One of his constituents
called, out the following letter from J. M. Wilson, of In-
diana, chaiiman of the house part of the committee, and
perhaps the most efficient man of the very able joint
committee.
CONNERSVILLE, INDIANA, August I, 1874.
Hon. George W. Steele — Dear Sir: To the request for informa-
tion as to whether or not the action of General Garfield, in connection
witli tlie affairs of the District of Columbia, was the subject of con-
demnation by the committee that recently had those affairs under con-
sideration, I answer that it was not; nor was there, in my opinion, any
evidence that would have warranted any unfavorable criticism upon his
conduct.
The facts disclosed by the evidence, so far as he is concerned, are
briefly these:
The board of public works was considering the question as to the
kind of pavements that should be laid. There was a contest as to the
respective merits of various wooden pavements. Mr. Parsons repre-
se:Ucd, as attorney, the DeGolyer & McClelland patent, and being
called away from Washington about the time the hearing was to be
h;-d before the board of public works on this subject, procured General
Garfield to appear before the board in his stead, and argue the merits
of this patent. This he did, and this was the whole of his connection
in t"ie matter. It \\as not a question as to the kind of contract that
sl'.ould be made, but as to whether this particular kind of pavement
should be laid. The criticism of the committee was not upon the pave-
ment in favor of which General Garfield argued, but was upon the con-
tr.ict made with reference to it ; and there was no evidence which would
warrant the conclusion that he had anything to do with the latter.
Very respectfully, etc., ]. M. Wilson.
This was one of the charges which he met at Warren,
already referred to. His course was discussed in the
circles of the capital. No one spoke of corruption on
his part. Everybody there knew that the appropriation
referred to, as a condition of increasing the work, was an
appropriation which could only be made by the District
legislature. The only question was, whether he, with his
eminence, should have [jcrmitted himself to ajipear be-
fore such a body as the board of (lublic works.
The matter passed to merited oblivion, until one of
those popular mishaps, which discredit representative in-
stitutions, threw from the depths one Glover (a name the
world would let die — willingly) of Missouri, into the house
of representatives. Emulous of the example of his
Democratic peers, to inquire into the doings of their
neighbors, while they were away, (he had a turn for that,)
he managed to organize a small inquisitorial office of
his own, nominally a committee to investigate* the "Wash-
ington Real Estate Pool," a very baffling body indeed.
After an ineffective tussle with that mythical shadow.
Glover turned his attention to miscellaneous scandal,
sparing no body or thing, friends — if such he ever had —
or enemies. Some of his mendacious assaults were
upon the good men of his own party. He had a short-
hand reporter, and all through the winter of 1876-7, he
was raking among the scabs of the body politic and
THE DE GOLYER CONTRACT.
73
social. He had a pleasant way, when he fancied lie had
discovered a pustule, or pimple, of having his first im-
pressions written vividly up and given to the press. In
this way he contributed many lively tales to the current
gossip of the capital. From a scandal himself he be-
came a nuisance, and his political associates were- com-
pelled to abate him. He never was permitted to make
any report, could never get his rakings printed. Finally,
as was said, the committee upon printing gathered his
garbage, placed it all in a box, and sealed it with their
"seven seals," each having one of the names of the
committee written upon it.
Among the things to which he was attracted, was the
DeGolyer contract. He took it up as an original case.
He called Governor Shepherd before him several times,
without effect. Finally the versatile N'ickerson came to
his aid — Nickerson who had sworn before the joint com-
mittee that he knew nothing of the transaction : that
neither Brown, nor Chittenden, nor Parsons, nor any one
else — the parties who were in sonje way < onnected with
the DeGolyer contract — had ever told him anything
about it. They avoided telling him. Now he declared
that they severally told him all about it, and that he had
a great deal of original knowledge of his own upon the
case, which he detailed in a spry way to the refreshed
Glover — all going by innuendo and indirection to point
to Garfield as the great power to be secured in the case
by the DeGolyer party — the man who held the national
purse strings, and could secure large appropriations. At
this point Garfield himself appeared, and read to the
committee in the face of the undisturbed Nickerson, his
former testimony, in flat contradiction of each point just
deposed to by him. He went further, was s\;orn, and
for the first time gave his account of his connection with
the case, on oath, which was the end of it. Glover did
not furnish the world with any account of his findings,
and the world never knew that he was looking for any-
thing in this gutter. It was sealed up to silence and ob-
livion, until a correspondent of the Chicago Times dis-
turbed tne remains of Glover, violated the seals of the
committee, and gave it, with comments of his own, to
that sheet.
Nickerson was recalled on the first of March, by Glo-
ver, and General Garfield was pre,sent with the report of
the joint committee. I quote fiom the Times version.
He asked Nickerson —
Are you the B. R, Nickerson who testified before the joint committee
of which Senator Allison was chairman in 1874? — A. I am.
Q. From page 1270 of tlie proceedings of that committee I read a
portion of your examination as follows : " Q. Did you know Mr. Brown
was employed by Mr. Chittejiden? — .\, No, sir; Mr. Brown avoided
every reference to anything of the kind ; will say he avoided it. I mean
to say he did nut communicate anything" — was that statement true? — A.
yes, sir.
Q. Tliat statement was subsequent to your knowledge at tlie time
of the transaction? — A. Yes, sir.
Q. In your testimony here the other day were you asked, "Do you
know whether Chittenden employed Brown and paid him ten thousand
dollars," and did you answer "I know that he did pay Mr. Brown two
thousand dollars; so Brown said and so he said?" — A. Yes, sir.
Q. Which of those two statements'is true? — A. They are both true.
Mr. Garfield, resuming the joint committee report:
Now I will proceed to another point. I read from his (Nickerson 's) ex-
amination before the joint committee, volume three, page 1270, as fol-
lows: "Q. And you had frequent talks with Mr. Chittenden on the
subject? — .'\. Very frequently. Q. Did you see what he was doing?
— A. Yes, sir. Q. Did he ever tell you? — .\. He told me he thought
they were getting along very fine, and that he was assured. I am now
speaking up to the time of Mr. Huntington's death. I am speaking of
the time that elapsed after the death of Mr. Huntington, subsequent to
that time. He assured me every time the question was up that he had
secured the proper arrangements for carrying out substantially what
had been secured with .Mr. Huntington. He stated that Mr. Hunting-
ton had secured a promise and the assurance that the contract should
be awarded, and that ^^r. Huntington had secured it, and would have
obtained it in a few days subsequent to his death. His death cut it off,
and he has secured the services of other parties. My idea was that in
the same line, and the same men Mr. Huntington had been associated
with, had been substantially continued, and the arrangements were ab-
solutely to be carried out. Q. Who were these men? — A. Mr. Chit-
tenden never informed me; whate\'er he knew definitely he cautiously
concealed. Q. Had you any idea who these men were? — A. Well,
he informed me — yes, sir; I had an idea who they were. My idea was
that Governor Cooke was the mam man that Mr. Chittenden assumed
to me to be relying upon, and I will tell you the reason I say that."
And so Governor Cooke was the mighty, mysterious
man, longed for, sighed for, in 1S72, before Glover's
time, not Garfield. Mr. Garfield resumes, commenting
and reading from the report:
There is a long cross-examination here to elicit from this witness the
names of any other ]5arties, and four pages further on the chairman says
to him: " Now just give the names," to which the witness replied: " I
told you two or three times that no names were given." .\ member of
the committee then asked him this question: "You were asked by Mr.
Wilson what Mr. Page told you the names were; ans^ver that ques-
tion;" and he replied: "I stated distinctly that .Mr. -P.age cautiously
and purposely avoided telling me." Q. He did not tell you the names?
A. "No, sir." Repeatedly— seven or eight times, Ishouldsay — thewit-
ness here declared that Chittenden gave him no names after the death
of Huntington, and that he did not know the names of the parties.
Now, I ask him, were those statements true? A. Yes, sir.
Q. Then what have you to say as to the truth of this statement
made here the other day; " I know all .about the matter in all itspli.ases
through Chittenden and Parsons at the time?" A. That is true, too.
Here the witness goes back to Brown, who had avoid-
ed him.
By Mr. Garfield: Q. When did you learn those names? A. I
learned them when Chittenden was called upon the stand, and I learned
them through Brown previously, and through DeGolyer and McClel-
land.
74
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
Q. When did you learn them from Brown? A. Directly after the
contract was awarded.
Q. Then you knew from Brown before you testified, the names that
you now refer to? A. No, sir; 1 don't say that either. If you will
understand what 1 do say you will get along better — you v\'ill get the
truth and tliat is all you will get.
Mr. Garfield — It is very difficult to get that in view of these conflict-
ing statements.
The Witness — There are no conflicting statements tliere. I don't
want to be badgered. If you will ask me proper questions I will an-
swer them distinctly if I can.
Q. When did you learn from Brown the names of these people?
A. I never said I learned from Brown the names of the people. I
learned from Brown that he was employed, and I learned from him,
furthermore, that he had received a consideration, or was to receive a
consideration.
Q. When did you learn that from Brown? A. Directly thereafter.
General Garfield pursued the agile witness, with many
further contradictions.
Here follows Mr. Garfield's testimony upon the mat-
ter, taken from the same Times, as follows:
Now the whole story is plainly and briefly told. A day or two be-
fore the adjournment of the congress which adjourned in the latter
part of May or the first part of June, 1872, Richard C. Parsons, who
was a practicing lawyer in Cleveland, but was then the marshal of the
supreme court, and an old acquaintance of mine, came to my house
and said that he was called away summarily by important business ;
that he was retained in a case on which he had spent a great deal of
time, and tliat there was but one thing to be done, to make brief of
the relative merits of a large number of wooden pavements ; that the
board of public works had agreed that they would put down a certain
amount of wooden pavement in the city, a certain amount of concrete,
and a certain amount of oilier kinds of pavement ; that they had fi.xed
(he price at which they would put down each of the different kinds,
and that tlie only thing remaining was to determine which was the best
pavement of each of these several kinds. He said he should lose his
fee unless the brief on the merits of these pavements was made, and
that he was suddenly and necessarily called away home ; and he asked
me to prepare the brief. He brought his papers to my house and mod-
els of the pavement. I told him I could not look at the case until the
end of the session. When congress adjourned I sat down to the case,
in the most open manner, as I would prepare a brief for the supreme
court, and worked upon this matter. There were perhaps forty kinds
of wood pavement, and several chemical analyses of the ingredients of
the different pavements ; I went over the whole ground carefully and
thoroughly, and prepared a brief on the relative claims of these pave-
ments for the consideration of the board. That was all 1 did. I had
nothing to do with the terms of the contract , I knew nothing of its
conditions, and I never had a word to say about the price of the pave-
ment. I knew nothing about it ; I simply made a brief upon the rela-
tive merits of the various patent pavements ; and it no more occurred
to me that the thing I was doing had relation to a ring, or to a body
of men connected with any scheme, or in any way connected with
congress, or related in any way to any of my duties in connection
with the committee on appropriations, than it occurred to me that it
was interfering with your personal rights as a citizen. I prepared a
brief and went home. Mr. Parsons subsequently sent me a portion of
his own fee.
A year later, when the aflfairs of the District of Columbia came to be
overhauled, congress became satisfied that the government of the Dis-
trict had better be abolished, and tliis whole matter was very thoroughly
investigated by a committee of the t\\o houses. They went into the
question of the merits of this pavement, some clauning that it was bad,
and some claiming that the government had paid too much for it.
Mr. Chittenden was called as a witness. I ought to say here that I
never saw Mr. Chittenden until about the time I made the brief; I
did not and do not know De Golyer and McClelland ; I would not
know them on the street ; I am not aware that I ever saw Mr. Nicker-
son before; and if anybody in this business had any scheme relating to
me, it was never mentioned to me in the remotest way. It never was
suggested to me that this matter could relate to my duties as a member
of congress in any way whatever. All that I ditl was done openly.
Everybody who called on me could have seen what I was doing, and if
there was any intention or purpose on the part of anybody to connect
me in any way with any ring or any dishonorable scheme, it was sedu-
lously concealed from me. As I have said, three years ago a joint
committee of the two houses investigated this matter thoroughly. Mr.
Parsons was summoned, was examined, and cross-examined; Mr. Chit-
tenden was examined; Mr. Nickerson was examined. When I heard
that my name was being used in the matter, I went to the chairmen on
both sides — for it was a joint conimiKee. Senator Thurman, of my
own State, was on the committee; Mr. Jewetl, now president of the
Erie railway, was on the committee. I said to the chairmen that, if
there was anything in connection with the case which reflected upon
me, and that they thought 1 ought to answer, I would be obliged to
them if they would inform me. The chairman on the part of the
house, Mr. Wilson, said that he had looked the matter all over, and
that what I had done w-as perfectly proper; but, if anything should
occur to make any explanation necessar}-, I should appear before the
committee; he would send me word. He never did send for me.
I want to say this, further, that if anybody in the world holds that
my fee in connection with tiiis pavement, e\en bv suggestion or impli-
cation, had any relation whale\er to any aj^propriation by congress for
anything connected with this District, or with anything else, it is due to
me, it is due to this committee, and it is due to congress, that that per-
son be summoned. If there be a man on this earth who makes such a
charge, that man is the most infamous perjurer that lives, and I shall
be glad to confront him anywhere in this world. I am Cjuite sure this
committee will not allow hearsay and contradictoiy testimony to raise a
presumption against me. Now, I will say very frar.kly to the commit-
tee that, if I had known or imagined that there was an intent such as
this witness insinuates, on the part of anybody, that my employmentby
a brother lawyer to prepare a brief on a perfectly legitimate question — a
question of the relative merits of certain lawful p.itents — had any con-
nection whatever, or any supposed connection in the mind of any man,
with any public duties, I certainly would have taken no such engage-
ment. I would have been a weak and very foolish man to have done
so, and I trust that gentlemen who know me will believe that I would at
least have had too much respect for my own ambition to have done such
a thing.
fey the Chairman: Q. What was the amount that Mr. Parsons did
pay you of his fee?— A. Five thousand dollars. I do not think he men-
tioned any sum at the time he asked me to make the argument. He
said that he was to receive a large fee, and he would share it with me. I
am not sure that he then mentioned the amount, or what he would pay
me, but he said that tlie fee was a large one, and that there was a large
amount involved. When I had made the argument I went home to
Ohio, and some time in the month of July, I think, or perhaps a month
afterward, Mr. Parsons deposited in bank to my credit five thousand
dollars.
By Mr. Culbertson: Q. Who paid those fees ?— -A.. I do not know.
I never knew anything about that at all. Mr. Parsons engaged me. No-
body else spoke to me about it, The only relation I had to It at all was
THE DE GOLYER CONTRACT.
75
with him. Mr. Parsons' testimony on the subject is very full, and is
true, as I remember it.
A CONTINGENT FEE.
By the Chairman: Q. Did Mr. Parsons say to you thnt his fee or
yours would be contingent on the award of a contract for two hundred
thousand square yards of pavement ? — A. Oh, no, sir. I do not think
he said that. He said: " I am in danger of losing an important fee
unless I make this argument, and I cannot do it; I must go away, and
I will pay you a share of what I get if you will make the brief. " I don't
remember that he said whether it was contingent or absolute. I simply
acted upon his request.
Q. Your brief was made and filed ? — A. Certainly. I labored over
the case a good many days. I remember among other papers which I
examined were some pamphlets giving an account of the working of this
pavement in California, and I think, irr Chicago. There were two or
three chemical analyses of the materials used. I h.id to examine, I think,
nearly forty of the different patents. The understanding was that the
merits of the different competing pavements were to be laid before the
board, in order that they might determine llieir relative merits. I do not
think I knew anything about the price that was to be paid per square
yard; certainly it was none of my affair; I had nothing to do with it or
to say about it.
By Mr. Pratt: Q. It was not involved in the question submitted to
you ? — A. It was not involved in the question at all, because, as I un-
derstood, the board of engineers had beforehand determined that for
wood pavements they would pay so much, for concrete so much, and
for other kinds so much. The property-holders on a street made a re-
quest for whichever pavement they preferred — concrete, Belgian, or
wooden — and when the petitions of the property-holders were filec^with
the board they gave the different streets the kinds of pavement asked
for by the people.
By the Chairman: Q. Had you any knowledge at tlie time that the
advisory board had passed a condemnatory judgment upon this very
pavement upon which the award was made? — A. I had not, nor have
I now. I only knew that there was a considerable amount of wooden
pavement to be laid, because the citizens had asked for it. 1 liad no
knowledge of the matter except what I got from the papers before me.
I recollect, among other things, that it was certified from tlie board of
public works of Chicago that this pavement had stood there better than
any other wooden pavement they had ever had, and I believe there was
similar testimony from the city authorities of San Francisco.'
Q. Had you any previous knowledge as an expert in tlie qualities of
different pavements?— A. I had had consideiable experience in pat-
ents and patent law generally. I had been engaged in the Goodyear
rubber case, in the supreme court, and I was familiar with patent law.
I have been practicing in the supreme court here since 1866; I do prac-
tice constantly, as much as my public duties allow.
Mr. Garfield refuted the idea that he was sought for
any purpose connected with any possible appropriation
by congress.
The Chairman— I don't think, Mr. Garfield, that it has been testified
here, directly, that any proposition in so many words, was made to you
in relation to any appropriation made by congress, but there have been
put in evidence here extracts from letters, which were written by Chit-
tenden from this city to DeGolyer & McClelland, after interviews with
you.
Mr. Garfield— Of course, Mr. Chairman, you will see the utter impos-
sibility of one man being made responsible for what another man writes
about him. I can not, of course, say what has been written about me.
If I had it all before me, it would be a very mixed chapter, I have no
doubt, as it would be in the case of any of us.
The Chairman— There has been no direct testimony that any such
proposition was ever made to vou.
Mr. Garfield— If there is any testimony of that sort it is false, and I
shall be obliged if you will let me know.
Though no one can care what Nickerson may have
said, on any subject, I cut this further from him, after
Mr. Garfield's statement. The very last paragraph of
this singular record:
Mr. Pratt— Didn't I understand you to say just now, Mr. Nickerson,
that at the time Mr. Garfield was employed, and at the time he was giv-
ing the board the result of his examination of the matter, you were
aware of it, and were anxious for his success ?
Mr. Nickerson — I say I was interested and anxious for the success of
the matter, and spent a good deal of time and money in connection
witli it, but I did not know that Mr. Garfield was in at all, at that time.
The only other witness, and the first called, was Gov.
Shepherd whose evidence strongly contradicted that the
contract was received by influence.
As nobody before that committee, or elsewhere, has
in any form contradicted Gen. Garfield's statement, it is
to be taken as entirely true. The busy years had inter-
vened between the events recited and their narration, he
had not been permitted to forget them, and he gave the
same account of them, as in his Warren speech of
September 19, 1874.
The case is this: He had no knowledge of or confer-
ence with the principals. He did not know that there
were persons between them and Mr. Parsons. He was
employed by Mr. Parsons, esteemed as a high-minded
and honorable man, to take his place in an iinportant
case, prepare and make a purely legal and scientific
argument in it, before a regular official body, having
jurisdiction of it. We know that the task was ably
and conscientiously performed. There is not a shadow
of proof that he was even unconsciously used, or sought
to be used for any other purpose however indirectly.
Beyond his able presentation of the merits of the De
Golyer pavement, he had nothing to do with procuring
the contract, nor does it appear that that was fraudulent,
unfair, or to the harm of the District.
He had nothing to do with determining the sum to be
paid Mr. Parsons, nor was there any stipulation between
Parsons and himself, as to the amount to be received by
him. Mr. Parsons, a just and generous man, decided
what he ought to pay, and unasked, paid it.
In this transaction what nice rule of official conduct,
what strict law of personal integrity, what severe canon
of propriety was violated or invaded by Mr. Garfield?
No public money went for his fee. The District did not
pay it. No possible action of congress was involved in
it. Shall it be said that he ought to have suspected
something? Who, or what ? What was there to put hira
76
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
on his guard? Was he a great man, and should he have
known that something more than his mere argument was
employed? That he should have known that the weight
and presence of his influence as a public man were what
were retained? So a lawyer, an advocate and a civilian
shall see to it, lest he grows too large, and dwarfs the
courts, and his very presence amounts to that undue in-
fluence which works a denial of justice, although in this
instance, no one has claimed that it did.
If still it is said that Garfield had no such position as
a lawyer as would warrant the payment to him of five
thousand dollars, even in a matter of this moment, and
he ought to have known that himself, it is still to be re-
membered that he did not bargam for or name the sum,
nor was he consulted about it. If such are the reader's iin-
pressions of him he is respectfully referred to chapter
first, Part Third of this work.
It might be well to ask the reader to remember that
while Garfield was chief, of staff of the army of the Cum-
berland with power to give passes, and do all that the
general could do, nothing would have been easier in
those unscrupulous times, than for a man with a turn for
thrift to have realized unnumbered thousands in cotton
and other speculations. So on the ways and means, and
appropriation committees — what would not men have
given to increase or reduce a ta.x, or import, or to secure
an appropriation? One scorns a reference to the small
savings of such a man to negative a charge of ve-
nality; and yet that he has but scant resources after all
these years of great and splendid services, and has met
with no pecuniary losses is satisfactory evidence that his
hand has never touched venal money.
PART FOURTH.
CHAPTER I.
THE LAWYER.
Reasons for not Entering the Ministry. — Studies Law. — Admission. —
The Milligan His First Case. — The Court, its Judges and Lawyers.
— The Case. — No Law Authorizing Milligan's Prosecution. — Con-
dition of the Country. — The .\dvocate. — His Opponent's argument.
— Result. — Campbell Will Case. — Preparation. — Trial. — Leading
Cases. — Gains the Cause. — Cases in the Supreme Court and Else-
where.— Earnings at the Bar.
It w'ill be remembered that coincident with his profes-
sor days Mr. Garfield was a lay preacher among his peo-
ple of the Disciple church, to which he remains at-
tached. As time bore him forward he queried with him-
self as to the regular ministry. The wishes and influence
of his mother were strong, and these were greatly strength-
ened by the universal desire of the churches. It was a
perplexing matter, one which he must decide for himself.
He was conscious that while his people had no written
creed yet there were certain limitations of doctrine in
their construction of the New Testament which he might
find narrow. In a smaller way came in his want of
means, and it was rather the theory of the Disciples that
the ministry of the word was quite consistent with
poverty. There was a winsome maiden whose eyes had
awakened a wish for that dual life, which for her sake he
resolved should not be lost in the narrow cheerlessness
of poverty, to which he was born, and which had walked
with him some thing more than a phantom through life.
He would not be a minister. He would find an early
occasion to announce his purpose to the Disciples and
to the world. He even mentally sketched the outline of
his address. He would study law, be a lawyer. Then
came his election to the senate. If he then should
announce his purpose he would be subject to the impu-
tation of being allured from the high, serene path of the
ministry, for the charm of politics, place -seeking and
affairs. He would not make the announcement till he
left the senate. Then came the war and swept him off
in a whirlwind of fire, and he never did make it. Things — ■
events took him as they always did and set him his task.
With his instinctive idea of beginning with the root-
lets of thmgs, and his conscientious thoroughness, at his
time of life, with his mental training, he was admirably
prepared to master the law. He applied to a lawyer in
a somewhat remote town, to whom he felt himself drawn,
THE LAWYER.
77
and in consultation .marked out a course of study. He
was then at the head of the college at Hiram, which
numbered three or four hundred students, with many
outside demands upon his time. He began with Black-
stone, read a chapter, made from memory a rapid ab-
stract of it, and later, re-read the chapter, and then re-
vised his notes of it. This was his method. Among
the books of his course was "Gould's Pleading," in many
respects the most scientific and complete treatise of com-
mon law-pleading ever written. The master of it is a
good lawyer. Garfield mastered it. At the end of the
required two years he was attending his duties as a
senator at Columbus, and applied for admission to the
supreme court of the State, then sitting as a court of
errors. His application was referred to Thomas Key
and Richard Harrison, both members of the senate, the
first a Democrat, and Mr. Harrison a Republican of de-
cided conservative tendencies. Both were able lawyers,
and with both he had interchanged blows in the senate.
Neither had any idea of his real acquisitions, nor more
than a courteous disposition to treat him fairly. They
subjected Mr. Garfield to a thorough and searching exam-
ination, but they did him ample justice. In their report
they spoke of his mastery of the law as unusual, phe-
nomenal, as of course it was. James Mason, esq., em-
inent at the Ohio bar, which suffers nothing by compar-
ison with any other, a relative of Mr. Garfield's young
wife, was ready to form a partnership with him, but the
inexorable war, which carried off the young preacher,
bore away the young lawyer in the same fiery chariot.
Not wholly to the bar was he lost, as we shall see. The
Milligan case will be remembered. That was his first
case. It was before the supreme court of the United
States — the old court of MarsI all, chief justice by Wash-
ington's appointment, where Jay and Ellsworth had pre-
sided, and where another Washington, and Story, Thomi>
son and Baldwin once sat. Where Emmet and DuPon-
ceau, Webster and Pinckney, and Wirt, and Johnson,
and Black, and Evarts, and half a hundred other great
advocates had been heard, and had left the traditions of
their fame. This was the court, sitting iii the old senate
chamber of Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Ewing, Seward,
Chase and Sumner, in the capitol, fanned by the two flags
over the two houses, in which he first appeared. It was a
great case, a causa celebra. Misguided men, caught in
the great whirlpool of the rebellion, which drew in a
hemisphere, were in the grasp of relentless power, which
had itself in a way become revolutionary, in its war
to save from greater revolution.
It had become unscru])ulous, relentless, inexorable
■ — had substituted its hasty, unlawful ordinances for the
irrepealable law of the land, unmindful that if it
stripi^ed the awful form of Justice of the consecrating
robes of the law, and sent it forth to take its penalties
in men's forfeited lives, that in this guise its judgment
was vengeance, and it became a murderer and not justice;
that this was a violation of the inner essence of law and
justice, which alone authorized the very war which the
Nation was then waging; that there was no more consti- .
tutional right to put Milligan to death, as he had been
adjudged, or send him to the penitentiary for life, to
which the President commuted his ])unishment, than
there was for the revolt of the States. And this was the
awful paradox the Nation was enacting. It was seeking
to preserve its life by violating the principle which gave
it a right to live. It was waging war on exactly the same
absence of right and law, as that on which alone the re-
bellion rested. Who was to come forward and make all
this clear, and save the lives and liberties of Milligan and
his band, and save the Nation from the suicide involved
in their punishment? A man of courage as well as of
rare ability. For precisely the same spirit which had en-
meshed Milligan in the fatal snair of lawless doom would
concentrate its wrath on his advocate.. It required more
courage than to rally the fleeing soldiers from Chicka-
mauga. A man who could scornfully confront an enraged
convention ; stand alone against the house of represent-
atives and denounce it; a man who went and searched
out the cause he knew not in the old capitol prison, and
turned upon the great secretary of war, girt with his armies,
and a more powerful and subservient public opinion ; and
this blond- faced, blue-eyed saxon young man went for-
ward to this duty. And this was the young lawyer's first
case, paralleled in the history of our jurisprudence by the
defense of the British soldiers for the Boston massacre,
by John Adams, in the old revolutionary time. That the
peril to himself was not imaginary, the young man soon
felt, in the condemnation expressed of him in the jour-
nals of his own State, and the momentary denunciation
of his constituents. The case was tried in March, 1866,
and deemed of the utmost importance to the National
cause.
Under the vague, shadowy war power, never defined
even by those who exercised it, these men were seized
in 1 864, in the State of Indiana, then not invaded; they
were not in the military service, and were charged with
conspiracy against the United States, inciting insurrection,
disloyal practices, violations of the laws of war, commit-
ted in Indiana, tried by a military commi.ssion unknown
to any law, and sentenced to death by hanging. The
sentence was approved by President Lincoln, who com-
78
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
mutec" death to imprisonment for life. The prisoners
applied for a habeas corptts, under the act of congress of
March 3, 1S63. The United States circuit court were
divided in opinion, and the case came before the supreme
court to settle the questions thus raised. Others appeared
with Mr. Garfield, but he from his position and surround-
ings was mainly relied on. For the United States ap-
peared Attorney-General Speed, Henry Stanberry, his
successor, and General Butler. My quotation from Mr.
Garfield's argument must be brief After a happy state-
ment of the case — that the question was, whether the
commission had a legal existence, he said:
As a first step toward reaching an answer to this question, I affirm
that every citizen of the United Slates is under the diminion of law;
that wliether he be a civilian, a soldier, or a sailor, the constitution pro-
vides for him a tribunal before which he may be protected if innocent,
and punished if guilty of crime.
He then quoted the fifth amendment to the constitu-
tion, and traced out the power for the creation of courts
under that instrument. From that he diverged to the
military department, and stated with exactitude its limits
of authority, and traced down the current of enactment
and usage, and the jurisdiction of military courts. He
then drew the line which divided the citizen from the
soldier. One side of it he was a citizen, and amenable
to the civil courts; the other he was a soldier, under
the jurisdiction of military courts. The line had been
marked all the way. A man does not pass that line from
citizen to soldier, till mustered into the military service,
With his usual perspicuous care, he then clearly opened
out the cases on these points, showing that the supreme
court had jurisdiction to inquire into and review the case
before it.
The prisoners were not in the naval service, nor in the
military, nor militia ; and called into service, were mere
civilians.
He then examined the authority for military commis-
sions.
Thus he states the position of the attorney-general and
his associates.
The honorable attorney-general and his distinguished colleague
(General Butler) declare that —
I. .\ military commission derives its power and authority wholly
from martial law; and by that law, and by military authority only are
its proceedings to be judged or reviewed; that —
II. "Martial law is the will of the commanding officer of an armed
force, or of a geographical military department expressed in time of
war, within the limits of his military jurisdiction, as necessity demands
and prudence dictates, restrained or enlarged by the orders of his mili-
tary chief or supreme executive ruler," and that "the officer executing
martial law is at the same time supreme legislator, supreme judge, and
supreme executive. "
To give any color of plausibility to this novel proposition, they were
Compelled not only to ignore the constitution, but to declare it sia5-
pended; its voice drowned in the thunders of war. Accordingly, with
consistent boldness, they declare that the third, fourth and fifth articles
of amendments "are all peace provisions of the constitution, and, like
all other conventional and legislative laws and enactments are silent
' inter arma,' when * salus populi suprema est hx.'" Applying these
doctrines to this cause, they hold that from the fifth of October, 1864,
to the ninth of May, 1865, martial law alone existed in Indiana; that it
silenced not only the civil courts, but all the laws of the land, and even
the constitution itself; and during that silence the executor of martial
law could lay his hand upon every citizen, could not only suspend the
writ of habeas corpus, but could create a court which should have the
exclusive jurisdiction over the citizen to try him, sentence him, and
put him to death.
We have already seen that the congress of the United St.ites raises
and supports armies, provides and maintains navies, and makes the
rules and regulations for the government of both; but it would appear
from the teachings of the learned counsel on the other side, that when
congress has done all these things — when, in the name of the Republic,
and in order to put down rebellion and restore the supremacy of law,
it has create(,l the grandest army that ever fought — the power thus
created rises above its source and destroys both creator and law.
They would have us believe that the government of the United
States h.as evoked a spirit which it cannot lay — has called into being a
power which at once destroyed and superseded its author, and rode, in
uncontrolled triinnph, over citizen and court, congress and constitution.
All this mockery is uttered before this august court, \vhose every
member is sworn to administer the law in accordance with the consti-
tution !
Mark the strengtii of the last paragraphs.
In a masterly argument of simple, compact force and
vigorous strength, he proceeds for the next hour and a
half to the utter extinction of every shadow of law, pre-
cedent and reason, supporting the proposition contended
for by the government. Authorities were never more
logically compacted and effectually presented, and the
case at bar clearly placed within their reach, than by him.
Then he opened out, explained, and enforced the reasons
for the war legislation of congress, showing that military
commissions found no resting place or support in them.
I quote his beautiful and impressive peroration:
When Pericles had made Greece immortal in arts and arms, in liberty
and law, he invoked the genius of Phidias to devise a monument which
should symbolize the beauty and glory of Athens. That artist selected
for his thejne the tutelar divinity of Athens, tlie Jove-born goddess,
protectress of arts and arms, of industry and law, who typified the
Greek conception of composed, majestic, unrelenting lorce. He erected
on the heights of the Acropolis a colossal statue of Minerva, anned
with spear and helmet, which towered in awful majesty above the sur-
rounding temples of the gods. Sailors on far-off ships beheld the crest
and spear of the goddess and bowed with reverent awe. To every
Greek she was the symbol of power and glory. But the Acropolis,
with its temples and statues is now a heap of ruins. The visible gods
have vanished in the clearer light of modern civilization. We cannot
restore the decayed emblems of ancient Greece, but it is in your power,
O Judges, to erect in thi^ citadel of our liberties, a monument more 1-. st-
ing than brass; invisible indeed to the eye of flesh, but visible to t!ie
eye of the spirit as the awful form and figure of Justice, crowning and
adorning the republic; rising above the storms of political strife, above
the din of battle, above the earthquake shock of rebellion; seen from
afar and hailed as protector by the oppressed of all nations; dispens-
THE LAWYER.
79
ing equal blessings, and covering witli the protecting s'.iic'.d of law the
weakest, the humblest, the meanest, and. until declared by solemn law
unworthy of protection, the guiltiest of its citizens.
The argument was delivered in a crowded court room,
and was justly esteemed by the cool-judging, wise old
heads of the bar, as one of the ablest in that forum,
consecrated to weight, logic and law, with a suspicion of
dullness and a flavor of the somniferous.
They congratulated him and the judges complimented
him.
The court adjudged as follows:
First. That on the facts as stated in said petition and exhibits, a
writ of habeas corpus ought to be issued according to the prayer of said
petition.
Second. That on tlie facts stated in the said petition and exhibits,
the said Lanibdin P. Milligan ought to be discharged from custody as
in said petition is prayed, and according to tlie act of congress, passed
third of March, 1863, entitled "An act relating to habeas corpus, and
regulating judicial proceedings in certain cases."
Third. That on the facts stated in said petition and exliibits, the
military commission mentioned therein had no jurisdiction legally to
try and sentence said Lambdin P. Milligan in the manner and form as
in said petition and exhibits are stated.
And it is therefore now here ordered and adjudged by this court that
it be so certified to the said circuit court.
Judge Davies pronounced the opinion which was for a
time withheld, and the wise logical world, as between
him and General Garfield, adjudged him the guiltier.
However much it blames an advocate for appearing on
the unpopular side of a case, it always visits the per-
suaded and convinced judge with greater punishment
than it awards to the advocate who persuaded and con-
vinced him.
Mr. Garfield's argument placed him at once in the
rank of the very able men who appear in the supreme
court of the United States — would have conferred great
distinction on almost any other man.
Some way, as his gifts are so much more abundant,
greater things seem to be exacted of him than of others,
for the same meed. Had he the persistent, untiring push
of some others — of which no flavor exists in him — he
might have ruined the possibility of going to the first
place ten years ago. We think of this and are silent.
It was wise to be unconscious of great deserving. He
could wait.
THE ALEXANDER CAMPBELL WILL CASE.
This remarkable man who exercised so great an influ-
ence over the faiths, opinions and even the fortunes and
lives of so many; who had mainly built up a new church
on the restored, old foundations, as was claimed, founded
a college, defended revelation against infidelity, and Pro-
testanism against Rome, whose opinions largely influenced
the thought of his time, finally fell under the delusion
j that he had himself visited Jerusalem, and it was the
I solace of many hours, to give glowing descriptions of the
; fallen city. These were due as was supposed, to the
vivid pictures of the desecrated home of the old and new
faith, conveyed to him in the letters of an intellectual
and favorite daugliter. He was a man of much wealth,
and was the father of two sets of children. Those of
the first wife being daughters, to whom in his life time he
had apportioned what he deemed their just shares of his
i property. By his will he devised the residue to the chil-
dren of the second wife. The elder daughters were
dead, leaving children and husbands. These husbands,
one the president of his college of Bethany, Virginia, re-
pudiated the claimed settlement with them, and brought
their suit to set aside the will for alleged, non-sound
mind of the testator, and thus be let in with the younger
children to an equal share of the residue of the estate.
They employed eminent counsel, among whom was the
late Ben. F. Stanton, formerly of Ohio. The devisees
under the will, retained Judge Jerry Black and General
Garfield. The case by arrangement was left to the judges,
and came on for trial in the spring of 1868, in the Vir-
ginia court. The case had then been pending for a year
or more.
On his retainer, Garfield, overwhelmed as might be
i supposed, set himself about his preparation in his
1 usual, thorough way. In the first place he broadly mas-
tered the whole body of testamentary law, without refer-
ence to his case. He always covers the whole ground,
that no possible thing can anywhere spring up, out of
unknown territory, to surprise him. He went through
the Roman civil law, and then began with the older Eng-
lish books; Swinburn, and the cases referred to by him,
and so down to Jarman, thence to our own text writers
and cases. Then he turned to the questions involved —
testamentary capacity, and rriastered the cases. Espe-
cially he studied the leading New York case of Lispinard,
where rules were recognized certainly not severe, in their
limits as to capacity. Then came the Parrish case, later,
in the same courts, appearing by the syllabus to overrule
the former, and redefining testamentary capacity, requir-
ing a higher and broader range of mind, and furnishing
a new definition, in the opinion of Chief Justice Davies.
This with the dissenting opinions of Gould and others, al-
together cover three hundred pages or more. He made
ample notes of his studies, and laid everything away.
The case did not come on in 1867; he went to Europe,
returned, and went through with the labor and distrac-
tions of the long session, and when the senate was trying
the President, accompanied by Judge Black, he went to
try the will case in Virginia. The greatest interest was
So
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
manifested in the trial, and the court house was crowded
the ten days it occupied. Over forty witnesses were
examined. On the third day Judge Black returned
home, leaving Garfield to tread the wine-press alone,
save the aid of a junior who had looked up the witnesses.
The case against the will was strong. Stanton, book in
hand, read Judge Davies' rule to each of his witnesses,
and from the most of them, received answers that Mr.
Campbell did not meet its requirements.
Garfield called his own witnesses and made a fair
showing, putting in some interesting evidence. Stanton
arose for the closing argument, a strong-fibered, logical,
masterful mind, and a clear, forcible speaker. He
cleared the ground, re-read Judge Davies' definition,
and at the end of his six hours' siieech left not a shred of
a case for the will. The devisees were dismayed. Alex-
ander, jr., was in despair. It was utterly useless to con-
tend further. What occurred during the night following
I have from one who was there at the time. Garfield
had not seen his notes or books for a year. He packed
them up and carried them to Virginia. On overhauling
them he found that he had not his notes. For once his
marvellous memory was in halWault. He remembered
that there was somewhere a charm which rendered the
Parrish case and Judge Davies harmless to his case; that
the Alice Lispinard case was the rule after all. The
syllabus of the Parrish case stated that the Lispinard case
was overruled, and so Judge Davies declared, and then,
late at night, he sat down to read the case through.
Toward morning his waiting, wakeful friend, saw him
throw up his hands, breathe an exclamation of relief,
close the book with a resounding cla|), and he went to
bed. He met his clients with hopeful words in the
morning, which were lost on them. The fame of the or-
ator had long before reached Bethany. There was the
utmost anxiety to hear him. The college had a holiday,
and men from a distance were there. Mr. Garfield be-
gan what was justly regarded a very ])owerful speech, by
re-stating in the clear forceful way for which he is
famous, the proposition and case of Mr. Stanton, and
asked that gentleman if he had stated them fairly. Mr.
Stanton arose and declared that they were stated with
surpassing force and clearness, and beyond his own
power of stating them himself, and he sat down with a
taunting commendation of it, to the teeth of his "con-
gressional friend." Garfield, resuming, said to the court:
"If at the end of fifteen minutes I do not convince the
court that the plaintiff's case has no resting place in the
law, I will retire from it." He then turned to the lead-
ing dissenting opinion of the Parrish case, and read pas-
sages showing that the dissenting judges, and the whole
court united with Davies in the judgment, pronounced,
not because the court adopted his new rule, but because
the facts under the rule of the Lispinard case showed
that Parrish was incompetent to make a will. This was
a reaffirmance of the Lispinard case, a repudiation
of Judge Davies' new rule, and the destruction of the
legal ground on which Mr. Stanton had rested his case.
He had not read the whole case, evidently, and the re-
porter had not, but made up the syllabus from the opin-
ion of the chief justice. The production of the ruling
of the court thus brought out, was a shock from which
Stanton and his friends did not recover. The court ex-
amined the book, as did opposing counsel, when Mr.
Garfield was directed to proceed with his argument. Of
course he had now to show that, under the rule of the
Lispinard case, Mr. Campbell was competent to make a
will. The instrument was in Mr. Campbell's own hand.
It recited the alleged settlement with the elder children,
which the husbands denied. Other curious testimony
came in to sustain the will, all of which was used with
ingenious effect. The speech placed the case beyond
reply, which a Wheeling lawyer attempted. The court
sustained the will, and the case was ended.
Mr. Garfield received nothing for his great work in the
Milligan case; not even the thanks of the liberated
men ever reached him. For the Campbell case he re-
ceived a fee of three thousand five hundred dollars.
The three cases of the New York Life Insurance com-
pany with Taite and others, the same with Steatham and
others, and the same with Dudley et a/., all tried in
the supreme court of the United States, in which Ger>eral
Garfield appeared for the company, were of the first im-
portance, as they settled very grave principles. In the
first case he was associated with Judge Curtiss, one of
the most eminent men of the American bar, and by
many ranked as the first lawyer. The insured were
residents of the rebel States, war intervened, all com-
munication was cut off, the annual premiums for re-
newals were not paid. Suits were brought, after the war,
and after the death of the parties, to enforce the policies
against the company.
What was the effect of the war on the contract of
insurance? The question was new and difficult. Its
discussion would find iirecedents and analogies going a
good way, and then the advocate and court were remitted
to the reasonableness and rightfulness of the case under
the circumstances. Other contracts and marine insur-
ance were the helps and guides, but they stopped short.
So the decisions of the supreme court, settling the pow-
ers of agents, under appointments before the war, came
in, also cotton cases decided in the same court.
THE LAAVYER.
8i
On the first trial of the first case, the court were
equally divided. Before the second, and trial of the
other cases, Judge Curtiss died, and other counsel were
employed in the other cases, to aid Garfield. The prep-
aration of the briefs was his entire work, and my reader
now knows how he performed the labor. He also made
the principal arguments. His examination of authorities
was discriminating and accurate. No case escaped him.
His argument upon general principles was cogent and
convincing. Chief Justice Waite complimented him upon
the principal one, and the court accepted and followed
him in the decision, to the extent, that the contract of in-
surance was inoperative from the date of the war. His
grasp and handling of the cases and principles involved
were able and lawyer-like, which is about the highest
praise lawyers ever award each other. He was paid five
thousand dollars for these trials.
I have thus called attention to three or four cases of
exceptional importance, to show something of Mr. Gar-
field's ability and learning as a lawyer, and his method
of dealing with great and important issues. The subject
has little interest for the average reader.
In running my eye over the calendar of the supreme
court I observe that he tried the case of the United
States vs. Henderson in 1872 ; a Montana case in 1873 ;
an important railroad case also the same year, and that
the number of his cases have increased since. He has
in that court tried more than twenty cases of greater or
less importance, which under the circumstances of his
immense labors in the house, in the great canvasses of
which scarce a word has been said, and the fact that he
had no connection with lawyers anywhere by which cases
have been placed in his hands, and that through the
country he is not known as a lawyer, is really a very
remarkable practice. It may be said also that of the
many lawyers distinguished at their home bars very
few who become members of congress are ever admit-
ted to the supreme court, and the appearance of
any of them there is phenomenal. Edmunds is occa-
sionally there. Carpenter very often; Freelinghuysen and
Bayard, I have seen there ; Conkling, rarely. The nu-
merous and important cases from New York are tried by
the lawyers who managed them in the Slate courts. But-
ler is there a good deal ; Hoar, rarely. Garfield at one
time had seven cases on the calendar, among them the
famous Goodyear patent case. I remember that he went
to Mobile and tried an important case and was paid five
thousand dollars for it. He has appeared in the supreme
court of Pennsylvania and several times in the supreme
court of the District of Columbia. He must have de-
rived from his law practice in these later years over
twenty-five thousand dollars. He would be a power be-
fore juries. In most all lines of law he has been thor-
oughly tested, in none has he fallen below the first class.
It never has required in this country, nor in England,
the greatest intellect to make the greatest lawyer in either
country. Very high mental excellence in certain direc-
tions is requisite, with great and steady labor. Garfield's
intellect, as I believe, fairly takes place with the rare few
— the very best; certainly his is one of the largest and
broadest minds that have appeared among us. Could it
be diminished in some directions it would be phe-
nomenal. Cut away one half and he would be a genius.
He could easily become a great lawyer with a supera-
bundance for literature, philosophy and metaphysics,
where he early excelled.
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
CHAPTER IL
MISCELLANEOUS WORK.
Extent and Character. — American Review. — Atlantic. — A Centurv in
Congress. — General Thomas. — .\lnieda Booth. — Dr. Robison.—
Eliza Mother.
There remains a ma.ss of other labors scattered through
all these years, contributions to the press in various forms,
essays, addresses on various occasions, strewn over my
table, enough in themselves to have made a reputation,
had they not been smothered and lost sight of in the
grave and great labors of their author, in the National
house of representatives. Some mention must be made
of these — some bits to show their flavor. They fall into
three groups, or two and a miscellany. There are
those connected with his thought and service in the
house. His is eminently a productive mind, constantly
searching out the foundation, the essential philosophy of
things, and while doing hard, practical work, there came
to be large outside margins, and deep lower reservoirs of
knowledge, lying all about, and under the product of his
labor. From these resources he has drawn, as time or
call permitted or required. Of this class is his paper in
the Republic, a political and party magazine, published at
Washington, and edited by the late Judge Edmunds, a
practical, sagacious mind. It appeared in July 1873, and
is a concise re-presentation of the subject of public ex,
penditure, and the underlying reasons which should con-
trol them — with a subject which the reader is supposed
now to have some familiarity.
Mr. Speaker Randall had engaged to furnish the North
American Review a paper contrasting Republican extrav-
agance and profligacy with Democratic economy and vir-
tue, and Mr. Garfield was asked to furnish a Republican
counterpart, after the polyglot style of the Revietc—to
give all sides and decide nothing, in the spirit of the
luminous Story in his law books. Garfield promised the
paper. Mr. Randall withheld his— never furnished it, and
later Garfield's appeared under the title of "Appropria-
tion and Misappropriation," where the reader will find
the amplest opportunity of comparing, and contrasting the
merits of the great parties in this important field of ad-
ministrative law and policy, as set forth by Mr. Garfield.
So also in Mr. Blaine's symposium in the same journal,
a concise paper upon negro suffrage, and his two remark-
able papers on the army of the United States in the Re-
viejc in the spring of 1S78.
His study of the history of our National legislation,
affecting our industries and resources, the currency, tariff,
and revenues, with his eager, grasping mind, which
caught the spirit and life of what produced and con-
trolled the vast and variegated volume of enactment,
made him familiar with the men who legislated and their
methods. Living, as he had for so many years, in the
house, and becoming possessed of its unwritten legends
and traditions, there grew up in his mind the idea of
presenting a summary of the origin of congress, as an
entity, and a rapid sketch of it as a thing apart, yet living
and continuing, with historic incidents, and mention of
prominent men, whose lives illustrated it, with some ref-
erence to its customs and habits. The result thus far
was his paper, "A Century in Congress," in the Atlantic
for July, 1877. Something more than a translated flavor
of this admirable performance is due to the reader.
Here are a few paragraphs following the happy opening :
THE .\MERIC.\N CONGRESS.
Indeed, the history of liberty and union in this country, as developed
by the men of 1776 and maintained by their successors, is inseparably
connected with the history of the National legislature. Nor can they
be separated in the future. The l-Tnion and the congress must share
the same fate. They must rise or fall together.
The germ of our political institutions, the primary cell from which
they were evolved, was the New England town; and the vital force, the
informing soul of the town was the town-meeting, which, for all local
concerns, was king, lords, and commons in one. It was the training-
school in which our fathers learned the science and the art of self-gov-
ernment, the school which has made us the most parliamentary' people
on the globe.
The idea of a congress on this continent, sprang from the necessity
of union among the colonies for mutual protection, and tlie desire for
union logically expressed itself in an inter-colonial representative as-
sembly. Every such assembly in America has been a more or less
marked symbol of union."
This seminal idea he rapidly traces lo the origin and
growth of the union as it takes form in action, in con-
ventions. This action, as in most instances of human
progress, seemed an accidental blind groping for present
expediencies, rather than the result of sagacious forecast.
There is a large outlook in the paper, showing wide read-
ing and a complete mastery of the causes which led to
the convention of the first congress proper. There was
the meeting of the governors at Albany, in 1748, fol-
lowed by the congress at Albany, of 1754- This was
made up of twenty-five coinmissioners, of whom Franklin
was one. There, in some way, the great words union
and congress found utterance. One would like to know
who discovered them. The second convention which
called itself a congress first, was held at New York, in
June, 1765, tp devise meaiis of resistance to the stamp
MISCELLANEOUS WORK.
83
act, and we see the great names of the pre-revolutionary
time. Here was the genesis of things.
There for the nrst time James Otis saw John Dickinson; there Gads-
den and Rutledge sat beside Livingston and Dyer; there the brightest
minds of America joined in tiie discussion of their common danger and
common rights. The session lasted eighteen days. Its dehberations
were most solemn and momentous. Loyally to the crown, and a
shrinking dread of opposing estabUshed authority, were met by the
fiery spirit which glowed in the breasts of the boldest thinkers. .Amidst
the doubt and hesitation of the hour, John .-^dams gave voice to the
logic and spirit of the crisis when he said: "You have rights ante-
cedent to all earthly governments; rights that cannot be repealed or
restrained by human laws; rights derived from the great Lawgiver of
the universe." * » ♦ • »
THE CONTINENT.'VI. CONGRESS OF I774.
Nine more years of supplication and neglect, of ministerial madness
and stubborn colonial resistance, bring us to the early autumn of 1774,
when the Continental congress was assembling at Philadelphia. This
time the alarm had been sounded by New York, that a sister colony
w'as being strangled by the heavy hand of a despotic ministry. The
response was immediate and almost unanimous. From eleven colonies
came the foremost spirits, to take counsel for the common weal. From
the assaulted colony came Samuel and John Adams, Gushing and
Paine. They set out from Boston in August, escorted by great num-
bers as far as Watertown. Their journey was a solemn and trium-
phant march. The men of Hartford met them with pledges to abide
by the resolution which congress might adopt.
New Haven welcomed and Roger Sherman addressed
them. Refreshed by a visit to the grave of Bidvvell, one
of the king-killers, they went on to their reception by
the Sons of Liberty at New York. There came Jay-
and Livingston, Sherman, Deane and Hopkins; from
the far South, Washington, Henry, Lee, Gadsden, and
Rutledge. In congress sat fifty-five men and eleven colo-
nies— colonies, archaic word, about to become
"Nameless here forevermore. "
Then follows an account of congress of 1775; con.
gress of revolt and independence with a resume of the
congressional life of the old war, full of the old names
and the mention of great events. The paper is very
fascinating. Room for the sketch of the first congress
under the constitution must be had.
This brings us to the congress of the constitution, which began its
first session at New York on the fourth of March, 1789.
Fears were entertained that some of the States might neglect or
refuse to elect senators and representatives. Three States h.id hitherto
refused to adopt the constitution. More than a month passed before
a quorum of the senate and house appeared in New York; but on the
sixth of April, 1789, a quorum of both houses met in joint session and
witnessed the opening and counting of the votes for president and
vice-president by John Langdon. Having dispatched the venerable
Charles Thomson, late secretary of the old congress, to Mount Ver-
non to inform Washington of his election, the new congress addressed
itself to the great work required by the constitution. The three ses-
sions of the first congress lasted in the aggregate five hundred and
nineteen days, exceeding by more than fifty days the sessions of any
subsequent congress. It was the high duty of this body to interpret
the powers conferred upon it by the constitution, and to put in motion
not only the machinery of the senate and house, but the more com-
plex machinery of the executive and judicial departments.
It is worth while to observe with what largeness of comprehension
and minuteness of detail the members of that congress studied the
problems before them. While Washington was making his way from
Mount Vernon to New York, they were determining with what cere-
monials he should be received, and with what formalities the intercourse
between the President and the congress should be conducted. .A. joint
committee of both houses met him on the Jersey shore, in a richly
furnished barge, and, landing at the battery, escorted him to the resi-
dence which congress had prepared and furnished for his reception.
Then came the question of the title by which he should be addressed.
The senate insisted that "a decent respect for the opinion and practice
of civihzed nations required a special title," and proposed that the
President should be addressed as "his highness, the President of the
United States of America, and protector of their liberties." At the
earnest remonstrance of the more republican house, the senate gave
way, and finally agreed that he should be addressed simply as "the
president of the United States."
It was determined that the President should, in person, deliver his
"annual speech," as it was then called, to the two houses in joint ses-
sion; and that each house should adopt an address in reply, to be de-
livered to the President at his official residence.
These formalities were manifestly borrowed from the practice of the
British parliament, and were maintained until near the close of Jeffer-
son's administration.
Communications from the executive departments were also to be
made to the two houses by the heads of those departments in person.
This custom was unfortunately swept away by the Republican reaction
which set in a few years later.
Among questions of ceremony were also the rules by which the
President should regulate his social relations to citizens. Washington
addressed a long letter of inquiry to John Adams, and to several other
leading statesmen of that time, asking their advice on this subject.
The great historic theme is further pursued, under the
suggestive sub-titles of "Congress and the E.Kecutive,'
"Congress and the People," and the significant one of
"Congressional Culture."
One hopes Mr. Garfield will take this interesting sub-
ject up in the later of time and give the world a book.
With his sagacious perception and discrimination, his
going alway to the foundation and building logically, his
reverence for truth, his copious language and clear style,
he certainly could write history, and of the highest order.
There is also his masterly article on "The Currency
Conflict," in the same magazine for February, 1876, of
twenty compact pages, furnished at the request of the
editor. So good a statement of the whole case, with his-
torical references, and forceful argument, from his posi-
tion, cannot be found in the copious literature of the
subject, in space so narrow.
All the utterances of the mind whose labors we have
so slightly dealt with, upon any subject, are curious as
well as valuable. One likes to see how things look to
such an intellect. One wants to know how it deals with
them and what are its estimates of them. One expects
fresh, vigorous treatment, and looks for light. Here is
84
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
an oration delivered at Ravenna, July 4, i860; "National
Politics," at Warren, September, 1S66; an address to
the Geauga historical society; "Free Commerce between
the States," in the house, in 1864, and might have been
most profitably delivered anywhere. We cannot mention
his addresses to literary societies.
There is another class of productions. I hold in my
hand two — "In Memoriam" addresses, and in view of
my swollen copy, hesitate to open either. One is in-
scribed "George H. Thomas;" almost a book, of fifty-two
noble pages, delivered before the society of the army of
the Cumberland, November 25, 1S70, Garfield talking
to his comrades of their great old commander. .Some
things from this without comment. Here is his sketch
of the old hero, among the opening paragraphs:
No line can be omitted, no false stroke made, no imperfect sketching
done, which you, his soldiers, will not instantly detect and deplore.
I know that each of you here present, sees him in memory at this mo-
ment, as we often saw in life; erect and strong, like a tower of solid
masonry: his broad, square shoulders and massive head; his abundant
hair and full beard of light brown, sprinkled with silver; his broad fore-
head, full face, and features that would appear colossal, but for their per-
fect harmony of proportion; his clear complexion, with just enough color
to assure you of robust health and a well-regulated life; his face lighted
up by an eye which was cold gray to his enemies, but warm, deep blue to
his friends; not a man of iron, but of live oak. His attitude, form and
features all assured you of inflexible firmness, of inexpugnable strength;
while his welcoming smile set every feature aglow witli a kindness tliat
won your manliest affection.
• *******'
No human life can be measured by an absolute standard. In this
world, all is relative. Character itself is the result of innumerable in-
fluences, from without and from within, which act unceasingly through
life. Who shall estimate the effect of those latent forces enfolded in
the spirit of a new-born child — forces that may date back centuries
and find their origin in the life, and thought, and deeds of remote
ancestors — forces, the germs of which, enveloped in the awful
mystery of life, have been transmitted silently from generation to
generation, and never perish! .\11 clierishing nature, provident
and unforgetting, gathers up all these fragments, that nothing
may be lost, but that all may ultimately reappear in new com-
binations. Each new life is thus the "heir of all the ages," the
possessor of qualities which only the events of life can unfold. The
problems to be solved in the study of human life and character are,
therefore, these: Given the character of a man, and the conditions of
life around him, what will be his career? Or, given his career and sur-
roundings, what was his character? Or, given his character and career,
of what kind were his surroundings? The relation of these three fac-
tors to each other is severely logical. From them is deduced all gen-
uine history. Character is the chief element, for it is both a result and
a cause — a result of influences and a cause of results.
On the twenty-sixth page is this extract, summing up
a perfect thing;
In the presence of such a career, let us consider the qualities which
produced it, and the character which it developed. We are struck, at
the outset, w*ilh the evenness and completeness of his life. There were
no breaks in it, no chasms, no upheavals. His pathway was a plane
of continued elevation.
A little further on is this :
In such a career, it is by no means the least of a man's achievments,
to take his own measure, to discover and understand the scope and
range of his own capacity.
Did Garfield ever apply this rule to himself?
To him (Thom<as) a battle was neither an earthquake, nor a volcano,
nor a chaos of brave men and frantic horses, involved in vast explo-
sions of gunpowder. It was rather a calm, rational concentration of
force against force. It was a question of lines and positions; of weight
of metal, and strength of battalions.
I resolutely pass marked, great passages to the grand,
simple close.
To us, his comrades, he has left the rich legacy of his friendship.
To his country and to mankind, he has left his character and his fame,
as a priceless and everlasting possession.
" O iron nerve to true occasion true!
O fallen at length that tower of strength
Which stood four-square to all the winds that blew!"
" His work is done ;
But while the races of ni.nnkind endure.
Let his great example stand
Colossal seen of every land,
And keep the soldier firm, the statesman pure.
Till in all lands and through all human story.
The path of duty be the wav to glory."
The other bears the name of Almeda Booth ! The
reader may remember her ; a noble-souled, high-hearted,
large-brained woman, with corresponding form, asso-
ciated with Garfield's professor years. A great help of
his in many ways, worthy to associate with ;he Lirgest
and most generous nature on terms of equality. She
was one of his first discoverers. She early penetrated
that big-boyism that has ever surrounded hi;n as with
an atmosphere, making him seem the equal of common
men only, or exceeding thein mainly in mere quantity.
Everybody ran to him, all wanted him, and lie had what
they wanted ; often thinking that they had only received
their own back again, so generous and delicate was the
alms bestowed. It was as the rendering back of an over-
due debt, paid with excuses for the long delay. She early
set her face against this waste, not of thought, mental
property, but of himself, the fauic and consideration his
due, without which the common mind would never
measure the immense distance between common men
and him. "James I don't want everybody and anybody
should feel, that they can have you, everywhere and any-
where, not that you will be exhausted or they will not
be helped. You are to grow upwards up, and not spread
yourself over a great surface." Wise, far-seeing woman
that she was who would fence him about and protect
his upward growth.
MISCELLANEOUS WORK.
8S
I am not to sketch Miss Booth, worthy as she is to be
drawn in even a glancing history of Garfield, but I show
his estimate of her for the purpose of helping out a more
complete picture of him, and of his many-form work.
The address was delivered at Hiram college, June 22d,
1876. The subject of it passed away December 15th,
1875. Sweet and tender are his first words.
Mr. President: You have called me to a duty at once most sad and
most sacred. At every step of my preparation for its performance, I have
encountered troops of thronging memories that swept across the field
of the last twenty-five years of my life, and so filled my heart with the
lights and shadows of their joy and sorrow that I have hardly been
able to marshal them into order or give Ihem coherent voice. I have
lived over again the life of this place. I have seen again the groups of
young and joyous students, ascending these green slopes, dwelling for
a time on this peaceful height in happy and workful companionship,
and then, with firmer step, and with more serious and thoughtful faces,
marching away to their posts in the battle of life.
And still nearer and clearer have come back the memories of that
smaller band of friends, the leaders and guides of those who encamped
on this training ground. On my journey to this assembly, it has
seemed that they loo were coming, and that I should once more meet
and greet them. And I have not yet been able to realize that Almeda
Booth will not be with us. After our great loss, how shall we gather
up the fragments of the life we lived in this place? We are mariners,
treading the lonely shore in search of our surviving comrades and the
fragments of our good ship, wrecked by the tempest. To her. indeed,
it is no wreck. She has landed in safety, and ascended the immortal
heights beyond our vision.
The sailor boy's figures of the sea !
Then, with that elementary force of mind which al-
ways finds or lays the foundations of things, he constructs
the solid base of the beautiful structure of her life and
character, which he builds. One all the time, as in the case
of Thomas, can't help seeing the builder notwithstanding
his effort to disappear. How many beautiful compari-
sons he draws between her and others, so that those to
whom she, like him, had made herself so common, that
the power of estimating her was lost, could see and feel
her true proportions. His is the rare gift of seeing and
reading the real about him, to which the eyes of common
men had been blind. How striking the contrast he
draws between the second Adams and Lincoln, and
what a masterly comprehension of both. Mark this just
appreciation of woman's nature :
Woman's nature is of finer fibre; her spirit is attuned to higher
harmonies. "All dipped in angel instincts, " she craves, more keenly
than man, the celestial food — the highest culture which earth and
heaven can give; and her loss is far greater than his, when she is de-
prived of those means of culture so rarely found in pioneer life. Suc-
cess in intellectual pursuits, under such conditions, is the strongest
possible test of her character.
Then comes the rapid sketch of the pioneer life;
of Ezra Booth, the father, whose life deserved a care-
ful study. One sees the young girl grow in all her
various lovely ways, under his hand, till the catastrophe
of her younger life, thus told:
In the family of her nearest neighbor, she had formed the intimate
acquaintance of Martyn Harmon, a young man of rare and brilliant
promise. Like herself, he was an enthusiastic student. Ambitious of
culture, he had pushed his way through the studies of Meadville col-
lege, and was graduated with honor. He had given Almeda his love,
and received in return the rich gift of her groat heart. The day of
their wedding had been fixed. He was away in Kentucky, teaching;
while she was in Mantua, preparing to adorn and bless the home of
their love. On the si.vth of March, 1848, he died of some sudden ill-
ness, and was buried near Frankfort, Kentucky.
Hers was an essentially great life, rounded in complete
and just proportions, so far as it was permitted to reach,
a life which required just such a man as he, whose hand
sketched it, to justly appreciate and estimate it. There
is a striking sketch of the work of Margaret Fuller, with
which he contrasts that of Almeda Booth, with this con-
clusion:
Highly as I appreciate the character of Margaret Fuller, greatly as
I admire her remarkable abilities, I do not hesitate to say tiiat in no
four years of her life did her achievements, brilliant as they were, equal
the work accomplislied by Miss Booth during the four years that fol-
lowed her coming to Hiram.
The judgment of a man endowed with a rare insight
into the nature and character of men, and what is more
unusual, of woman.
Here is the living form of the woman.
We shall never forget her sturdy, well-formed figure; her head that
would have appeared colossal but for its symmetry of proportions;
the strongly marked features of her plain, rugged face, not moulded
according to the artist's lines of beauty, but so lighted up with intelli-
gence and kindliness as to appear positively beautiful to those who
knew her well.
The basis of her character, the controlling force which developed
and formed it, was strength — extraordinary intellectual power.
Here he acknowledges his indebtedness to her.
On my own behalf, I take this occasion to say that for her powerful
and generous aid so often and so efficiently rendered, for her quick and
never-failing sympathy, and for her intelligent, unselfish and unswerv-
ing friendship, I owe her a debt of gratitude and afTection, for the pay-
ment of which the longest terra of life would have been too short.
His close was fitting and tender.
What a temptation to sketch in here, as a companion
piece, the rough, strong figure of Dr. Robison, whose
commanding voice, filling "all space," coming from
those great lungs and admirable digestion, moves things
by its quantity, on his theory that as rocks are lifted
easier in water — so he " inundates" a weighty matter. Not
all lung and voice; there are the granite foundations of a
man, topped out with a mind practical, accurate, strong
and forceful. A famous preacher of the Disciples, to
whom Alexander Campbell was more than a hero,
almost more" than a prophet. He, too, was one of the
first, if not the very first, discoverer of Garfield. What
86
Life of james a. garfield.
a picture is this of the doctor silently leading the callow
youth on commencement day, away from the college
into a sheltering thicket, and there with the young man
kneeling before him, grimly and phrenologically hand-
ling that great head, and then in suppressed thunder,
declaring it a Daniel Webster head — a greater than
Daniel — and solemnly dedicating the weeping youth to
a grand career. After which, kneeling himself, he
breathed a fervent prayer for his guidance, and laid his
hand again on thai head, now in benediction. The far-
seeing doctor, tender and generous, had before opened
his heart to the boy, now his door was opened also.
Other striking forms arise. That Uncle Boynton, of
the men and women who early come around to love,
cherish and encourage, never to leave him after. He
has never lost a friend. Ponder that. And of the
nearer and dearer circle where he sits a crowned king,
ruling and being ruled by the divine right of love.
She who bore him, with her thin bent form, high
brow and striking aquiline face, Eliza, great mother,
wise as sweet, whose strength equals the sum of
wisdom and sweetness, sitting ever at his right hand, as
watchful and tender, as an.xious now as in his boyhood.
Silent she sits with pleased face when he utters a noble
thought, reproving what to her is unworthy or un-
seemly for him to say; often enforcing her rebuke with
her hand smartly on his cheek, as when a little boy;
selecting choice and tender bits, or rare fruits, and
transferring them to him, which he accepts with the
pleased eager air of a boy receiving sugar plums. What
a picture she would make with the delicate lines of
character running and crossing, and which most men
never see, well drawn — Eliza, rebuking the noisy plaudits
of the unthinking crowd, and hiding in her heart the
sincere words, the prophecies of „myboy," like Mary,
silent and tender. These are not for my hand — never
will be, nor yet the other — all the others who form this
rare group of home and love.
CHAPTER III.
THE MAN.
His Nature and Qualities. — The Real Man. — The Man as he .'Appears.
Scattered through my little volume are various esti-
mates of some of the striking qualilies, with references
to the physical mould of James A. Garfield, where such
mention seemed apt or asked to be noted down. My
purpose mainly has been to translate to my countrymen
my conception of the man as it exists in my own mind.
Was there a great deal less of him, was he less symmet-
rical, rounded and complete, less balanced, less perfect,
one may say, so that some one of his great qualities
stood out alone and strikingly, the labor would have been
less, the result more certain.
THE RE.AL M.\N.
In moulding him Nature had before her one or several
of her grandest and noblest models. She did not stint
him to a genius — she did not want a poet, a sculptor, a
warrior, or merely a statesman, an engineer, or a discov-
erer. For some purpose, or many, she wanted a man, as
if to vindicate again to herself her own old, true concep-
tion of a man, and she made him. She took no
effete matter, worn by the long descent of a remarkable
strain of men, but used new, fresh, abundant in quan-
tity, of rare excellence of quality, all of equal fineness,
and each part carried out in symmetrical proportion,
large, generous, superabundant, not coarse, not porcus,
no gilding, but strong, solid, sweet all through — a
primitive man who sees and thinks at first hand.
Taking to himself all the thoughts, all the seeings,
all the struggles of all other men, and testing them
anew by his own seeings and thinkings, with the
power of seeing all the significances of the common
things around him, not before seen of others, finding
new meaning in common words, and the meanings of
many things before thought superfluous and without
meaning, and so rejected, natural, fresh, vigorous,
strong, and so in just and pure relations with primitive
forces and ideas. Himself a force, simple and sweet as a
child, to whom God is and the Heavens are — one who
will never largely depart from the great simples, the spirit,
the life and significance of things. A man whose self
is the large and generous self, which embraces other
selves whom he cherishes and keeps as parts of him, and
THE MAN.
87
so unconsciously advances his own self, whose vision
is broad and high, and not marred by the small defects
on which small-eyed men fasten to convict God of un-
wisdom, or which to them so large are, that they hide
God, and so the seers are atheists; but large, seeing the
whole, its beauty and symmetry, and so sees God every-
where. A man with instinctive reverence for duty,
which don't seem duty, but the thing is attractive to him
which he does, because he loves to do it; so it becomes
love's work and is easy. It is not as the work of other
men, but it gives pleasure to an eager mind, and is as
other men's pastimes are— done freshly with laughing brow
and happy, jocund words. The things that others can-
not do or produce with sweatings and groanings he does
easily. He finds things out of place, incongruous, and
searches out their true foundations, and puts thexn back
in their places,and goes his way laughing, and other men
take the credit. He laughs and don't care. It did not
seem much to him, nothing to have praise for — so easy
and natural for him to do. Things which needed to be
done sought him out, and placed themselves docilely in his
hands, as that of a master for whom they waited, and so
being done, stay forever accomplished, and curiously and
naturally he never thought of himself, or of any come-out
to or for himself. He remained on the common ground of
common men, doing their works and jobs without thought
of pay or reward. He went about finding discouraged
groups here and there, tugging and toiHng over their in-
evitable tasks, and they instinctively made way for him,
and he did it, asking nothing; or they would push him
to some new obstruction in their way, too huge for them,
and he would remove it, not leading or caring to, though
knowing better than another the true way, and with vastly
more strength than others to clear it, and secure easy
and certain advance. Loving all, serving all, asking only
love in return, w-hich no one withholds, and so he lives
on the earth.
AS HE APPEARS
To most men, finely formed, of the full, large height;
large, unusually large and well-formed head, and
carried well; finely moulded limbs; of the rounded
fullness of chest and limb, which fill the idea of just,
not over bulk and proportion. Two defects: perhaps the
neck lacks length; the feet seem too small for a man
of his proportions. Hands good, manly, well-formed,
strong, firm, forceful; shoulders broad ; chest deep; face
large — had to be for such a head ; well-formed nose ;
splendid brows — turn back and study it ; blue eyes ; fine,
light blond, diminishing hair; soft, full lips; well-formed
chin, hidden by the curling blond whiskers; Saxon —
Saxon or Norse without doubt. The best likeness ever
made of him fronts my title page. So persistently does
the common mind cling to the common of its own plane,
cherish and cling to the common of Garfield's
early life and surroundings, so insistent that he
remain there amid the dwellers of the level, that
men who would see and describe him to others,
still see only that common in his person, manners and
dress. He dresses as do other gentlemen. On his farm
he is a farmer, frank and manly, as farmers are. His
manners are the out-come, largely, of his hearty kindli-
ness, and an inherent courtesy of heart and soul, that
instinctively protects the feelings and sensibilities of
others; courteous and dignified. The head is well borne;
great natural majesty is its proper air, and the whole
figure, when the man rises to his true proportions
and position, is one of easy, simple dignity, unconsci-
ous of what is its due. The man always gives more
than he receives, in his common intercourse in life — giv-
ing spontaneously, because he has it to give. The spirit,
nature and essential man are fine-fibered, not coarse
never could have been; never could have been vul-
gar. It was all there in the rude-looking, youthful
form of the poor canal boy; as real as in him to
whom the eyes of a Nation are now turned. They
are the same person. The boy did not escape and
get new outside impressions, helps and gildings; en-
abled to take on new pow-ers, and grow to new life,
by accretion, carrying within the \-ulgar canal hand.
All there ever was in him, he received from Eliza Ballou
and Abram Garfield. That ever essential thing has never
been changed or hidden. It carried him naturally and
easily along all the way he ever trod, growing, develop-
ing, broadening and deepening, rising higher, and be-
coming luminous, till a Nation has caught its rays
and turns to it, to light up the high broadway of its own
march. In the nature of things, Garfield can not be
proud of the everlastingly dwelt-on canal, its malarias
and swamps, its coarse, soiled associations, its foul smells
and noisome surroundings. We must deplore them; aU
men deplore them; one weeps that in any tender boys'
helplessness and unseeing, there should be no hand to
guide him to the something — anything better than that.
The instinct so careful of the slightest hurt to the feel-
ing of another, cannot but be tenderly sensitive to these
early hurts and bruises of soul and spirit, which the
thoughtless world in its noisy adulation so constantly re-
minds him of. It is too bad — that in his unsought eleva-
tion he should hear nothing else. Had the young prince
worn it as a disguise, he did not know he was a prince.
The first thing which strikes all men, women and chil-
88
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
dren alike, in the presence of General Garfield, is the
frank, natural warmth and tenderness of his reception.
Never was a man so approachable, nor a man so unre-
served; nothing hidden, nothing kept back, nothing but
self, which, as a thing to be cherished, has for him no
existence. He has no secrets; nothing hidden, or to be
hidden. It is impossible to betray him in this way.
What he is he says; what he has, is any man's. His
love and kindliness surround him with an atmosphere
which every one feels who approaches him, magnetic,
all-pervading; more constant than his shadow born of
the sun without, this radiates from the never setting sun
within. No other word expresses it but love, never-
changing, all-embracing, and, like love, not seeing faults;
some times so strong as to overpower judgment, where
he alone is concerned. Probably there is no better or
more accurate judge of men than Garfield now living.
Men do not impose on him; they never will. He sees
their faults and likes them, raaugre their failings. There
is, however, another element of character and mind ever
active, his just sense of responsibility, and accurate esti-
mate of means to ends. He knows exactly what is
needed for any certain purpose, and will never use that
which does not fully meet all the requirements. His
first qualification for an agent would be eminently that of
moral fitness. No man of blemish would be trusted by
him. The man himself he would love, could not help it,
but the incongruity of using him with a known defect
would ensure his rejection.
There is something noticeable in these qualities of
Garfield, not falling under any definition or general head
— his sense of the fitness of things, his eye for proportion
and symmetry, the artist element, which is very large,
that which leads him to study and demand the congruous
in all his own work, and in all the things about him. He
once, in his inimitable way, told of meeting a young
maiden of twelve, in the far-off Orange, pre-canal days,
in some lonely way. She was draped in a badly worn
and not less soiled "tow" frock, repaired in front with a
large flannel patch. Barefoot she was, this maiden of
twelve, and over her sun-burned face she wore a light
silk veil. The bare feet kissed the earth harmoniously.
The woolen and coarse linen were a matter of necessity,
which he allowed for, and not unseemly, but the veil —
that veil, with that dress, and the bare feet, struck hit»
violently as incongruous. The unconscious child went
her barefooted way. Her image dwelt not in the boy's
heart, but brain, an idea, a form of incongruity, always
ready to suggest comparisons. "This is a patch-frocked,
bare-footed girl, with a veil." "This is my barefooted,
tow-frocked girl's veil," became an oft mental observa-
tion upon his own work. This sense of the congruous
finally compelled him to have the top line of the fence
in front of his Mentor home reduced to a right line,
without reference to the modest swell of the ground on
which it stood. There was also the important question
of the color of a screening lattice, between the floor of
the veranda and the ground. What should it be? Then
followed an original disquisition upcm colors, and the
congruous. There was a law, which, when deduced,
would direct the waiting painter in the weighty matter of
this lattice. It must not offend the eye by incongruity.
It was a lattice near the ground. Its purpose and
position must, allowing for one or two other things,
ccJntrol its color. Everybody would know what it
was. It was not a foundation, nor a part of the build-
ing;_nor yet a blind for a window, but a screen to hide
an unseemly opening — a gap. It must do that and
please the eye, with reference to all the surroundings.
This sense of fitness and propcJrtion is a habit of the
mind, a quality of the man, referring to the moral and
intellectual, as to the physical world, and is a governing
law. It may be a real instinct, a necessity which com-
pels him to find foundations for everything, and build
with such infinite care. No faulty, imperfect material,
stick, brick or stone, has the least chance for use any-
where.
Next to the magnitude of the intellect, so often men-
tioned, is its many-sidedness. Roundness and complete-
ness, without angles, better express it. We have seen
that it is eminently original, from the aptitude with which
it finds newness and freshness in common things, a better
test of originality than any eccentric plunge into the
unknown, in search of the uncertain. Yet, while thus
original, it tests and corrects its thought, by all the lights,
a comparison with all the methods and models known
to history and human experience. These, alway used
in subordination and as aids, test helps. The union of
these mental qualities is rare. The great original mind,
usually so strong and conscious of its creative power,-'
whose structures, so near that they seem to dwarf and
discountenance the remote edifices of others, even in the
absence of egoism, and they seem of no account. Secure
in itself, it seldom seeks aid. We found in the summing
up of Part First, that Garfield lacks egoism, and hence
always under-estimates himself, and his work. So he
docilely and modestly looks for and accepts all help from
all hands and lands, old and new.
There is also the union of the powers of a rare
memory, with the productive faculties of creating,
not often witnessed save among those who build of
borrowed material, which he does not. His quotation
THE MAN.
89
from Tennyson, on the first anniversary of Lincoln's
death, will be remembered. When called to pronounce
the fi.3L commemorative oration at Arlington, he wrote
with much care — a rare thing with him, the entire ad-
dress. Later he revised and cut it down, and thus im-
proved it. Then he laid it by, intending to read it. He
did not see it again until on his way to Arlington for its
delivery, when he hastily ran it over. At Arlington were
fifteen thousand living and fifteen thousand of the dead
to confront him, with the three thousand or four thou-
sand flags of all nations and people. The President,
cabinet, and foreign ministers were there. He had never
attempted to read but once or twice. He would not
read to these. He arose, full of his theme, and
launched himself boldly on outspread pinion of free,
happy, and seemingly spontaneous speech. It was taken
^ by the reporters. Friends afterward compared it with the
two, the original and the amended written copies. It
was found identical with the last. It was, after all, an
unconscious production of the wonderful memory.
His is an intellect of great creative power, capable of
quarrying a mountain and throwing up a temple in a
single day. Ever}' great monolith would be {X)lished
and inscribed with -classic legend, the whole chastely
garlanded by fancy, and bearing rare flowers of poetry.
It is a wonderful mind, wonderful and masterful, whose
masterfulness, in its unconsciousness, yet wins by its
modesty and unostentatious riches. It is curious, with
the warmth and ardor of temperament of the man, this
mind is eminently conservative, as all great balanced in-
tellects must be. In all his utterances, is there a suspi-
cion of the visionary? Calm, self sustained, he never
labors to a height whence, abandoning himself to
impulse, he throws himself in soaring eccentric flight.
He must always bear himself with himself, and then he
is calm and self-sustained.
One likes to know the methods of such a man.
Strong and healthy, nourishing food and good measures
of rest are necessary for him. He must have plenty of
rich red blood. His power of work can be estimated by
the hints and glances rather than a full survey we have
taken of it. He seldom, almost never, writes a speech.
He walks as he thinks, and thinks in words which he
speaks aloud, accompanying the expressive parts with
the swing of that left hand, the gift of Eliza Ballou.
The heads of these extemporized speeches he notes,
and when the whole subject is thus rolled into com-
pass and well in hand, it is laid away for its hour r
use. Language — all words — comes when needed. The
thought well mastered instinctively finds its own just
foundation, and the word -structure springs spontane-
ously into just and enduring structures. Would be
greatly admired for their beauty and often majesty, did
not men find them so solid, roomy and useful in prac-
tical life. As a public speaker, an orator, he stands fully
with the very first of his time. He never declaims.
Happy, copious, strong, massive, finished, alive and leap-
ing with the throb and pulse of great thought, his speech
flows full with human sympathy and tenderness. What-
ever he says and does is full of the great-heartedness of
the man.
He is an actor born, with great facial power and a
mimetic talent which enables him to reproduce the
voice and manner of most living men. I am not aware
that he has ever availed himself of this in public. Hints
of it may have escaped him. One wants to see him at
home, live with him, so as to be certain of his happiest
times, at his own table, or wherever it comes. 1 here,
too, one should hear him, to have an accurate idea of
his force and power as an orator. There where he mo-
mentarily gives himself into the hands of a mighty emo-
tion or some grotesque fancy, to be reproved perhaps by
the admonitory hand of maternal Eliza.
On one of these times he once uttered an eulogium of
Grant in the wilderness. The great general was sitting
on a log in the woods, smoking, with his staff around him,
while his army was executing a great decisive movement.
Suddenly there dashed up an officer from a remote com-
mander of a corps, staggering under the very weight of
the message he bore, and announced that the whole rebel
army was executing a simultaneous movement that
would place it successfully in Grant's rear with the most
awful consequences. All men were aghast. The Gen-
eral removed his cigar, and calmly directed him to
re-state his message, which he did. An instant's re-
flection! That wonderful brain which planned all, knew
all, knew better what was happening than a skilful gen-
9ral who actually saw it. He quietly answered " I don't
believe it." Let the movement go on." " That," said
the general, who with wonderful power had pictured
the whole thing, the messenger, the unmoved Grant, the
fright and terror produced on others—" That was
Godlike," and then as the idea of the wonderful pres-
cience grew on him, so passing the boundaries of
human knowledge, partaking of the quality of the
Highest, with a face whose expression culminated, he
brought his mighty arm down with a grand sweep —
"That was God!" Never, as I believe, were three
words of any language uttered with such prodigious effect.
Never before did the whole man so deliver, so discharge
his whole self. Men and women's eyes were on the glow-
ing face, saw the descending hand, but the boldness and
9°
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
grandeur of the climax could not be calculated. The
emotions produced are incommunicable. Even pious
Eliza was overwhelmed, and the awful, the almost pro-
fane boldness of the figure, passed unreproved even by
her. However great, and wherever great, he is greatest
and best at home.
He puts himself well on paper. His purely literary
labors are characterized by the limpid unconsciousness
of his style, and the simple, compact vigor of his sen-
tences. He uses words on paper as any one who recalls
the club of child critics, must know he would. In work of
this sort so sure is he of himself, that he finishes each
page as he goes, and when the last is written the article
is done. And yet he sometimes finds himself halting on
the threshold of a sentence that won't form itself, noi
let him pass it, and there he stops until it yields.
He never leaves anything in his rear. He who
searched for the lowest beginning place in boyhood,
never has to go back to finish up or rebuild. How deep
and ineradicable was that first love for the sea, is shown
by his constant return to the visions of a sailor-boy,
whence he draws more figures for his speeches than from
all other sources.
Here I linger a moment to recall the half-limned pic-
ture of two years ago, in Part First of this little history.
It seemed to me then, that the changes in his life were
produced by extraneous causes, and were not due at all
to any plan of his own. The instances in proof of this
have multiplied. Things which wanted him have come
and taken him. He was willing to receive the senator-
ship — would not go to seek it. Having received that,
he wanted, as many did for him, his six full years in the
senate. This which threatens to intervene was fortuitous
— came at the least prematurely. It came as other things
have alway come to him, and whatever attends its com-
ing, it was unsought and in a way unwelcome.
That other thing, strongly marked in my study of him,
was his remarkable growth upon the public. This is
certainly to go on unchecked as it has gone. He is a
primitive man, standing on the earth, with God and
Heaven over him ; with mother, wife, and children about
him; the first, oldest, the everlasting helps of mortal
man. With these, whatever happens, he will go on de-
veloping and growing, until Americans and the world
recognize him in many ways the largest of his countrymen.
Here these slight labors end. I cannut more prop-
erly conclude them than with his speech at Painesville,
July 3, 1880, at the unveiling of the soldiers' statue.
After the programme of addresses and reports was
concluded by the very able oration of ex-Governor
Cox, there came from ten thousand voices a com-
pelling call for General Garfield, who sat among the
invited guests. A moment's hesitation, with the old
instinct of foundation and construction, and the ever-
present spirit of the young teacher aroused, he arose, and
with all his great advantages of person and voice, quite
at their best, he said:
Fellow citizens : I cannot f.iil to respond on such an occasion and in
sight of such a monument, of such a cause, sustained by such men.
While I have listened to what my friend, [General Cox], has said, two
questions have been sweeping through my heart. One was, "What
does the monument mean?" and the other, "What will the monument
teach?"
Let me try to ask you for a moment to help me answer — "What
does this monument mean?" Oh! the monument means a world of
memories, a world of deeds, a world of tears and a world of glory.
You know, thousands know, what it is to offer up your life to the coun-
try, and that is no small thing, as every soldier knows. Let me put a
question to you. Suppose your country in the embodied form of Ma-
jestic Law should stand up before you and say, ' ' I want your life, come
up on this platform and offer it," how many would walk up before that
Majestic Presence and say, " Here am I; take this life and use it for
your great needs." And yet almost two millions of men made that
answer, and the monument stands yonder to commemorate their ans-
wer. That is one of its meanings. But, my friends, let me try you a
little further. To give up life is much; for it is to give up wife, and
home, and child, and ambition, and almost all. Let me test you this
way; suppose that Majestic Form should call out to you and say, "I
ask you to give up health, and drag yourself not dead, but half alive,
through a miserable existence for long years, until you perish and die
in your crippled and hopeless condition." To volunteer to do that
calls for a higher reach of patriotism and self-sacrifice; thousands of
our soldiers did that. That is v/hat our monument means also.
But let me ask you to go one step further. Suppose your country
should say. "Come here on this platform, .and in my name and for my
sake consent to be idiots, consent that your brain and intellect shall be
broken down into hopeless idiocy, for my sake." How many could be
found to make that venture? and yet thousands did that with their
eyes wide open to the horrible consequence. Let me tell you that one
hundred and eighty thousand of our soldiers were prisoners of war,
and many, when death was stalking, when famine was climbing up
into their hearts, and when idiocy was threatening all that was left of
their intellects, the gates of their prison stood open for them if they
would just desert their flag and enlist under the flag of the enemy.
Out of one hundred and eighty thousand, not two per cent, ever re-
ceived a liberation from death, starvation, idiocy, or all that might
come to them, but they took all these horrors and sufferings in prefer-
ence to deserting the flag of their country and the glory of its truth.
Was ever such measure of patriotism reached by man on this earth
before? That is what your monument means.
By the subtle chemistry that no man knows, all the blood that was shed
by our brothers, all the lives that were devoted, all the grief that was
felt, at last crystallized itself into granite and rendered immortal the
great truths for which they died. It stands there to-day — and that is
v\hat your monument means.
Now, what will the monument teach? I remember a story of one of
the old conquerors of Greece, who, when he traveled in his boyhood
over the battle-fields, and saw trophies, the trophies set up by the con-
queror, said: "These trophies of Miltiades will never let me sleep."
Why? Something had taught him a lesson he could never forget; and,
fellow-ciiizens, that silent sentinel that crowns your granite column will
look down upon the boys tl-.at shall walk the streets generations to
THE IMTAN.
91
come, and will not let tliein sleep when their country calls. From
his granite lips will sound out a call that the sons of Lake county
will hear after the grave has covered us all and our immediate children.
That is the teaching of your monument — that is the lesson. Its lesson
is the endurance of what we believe — its lesson of sacrifice for what we
love- -the lesson of heroism for what we mean to sustain, and that
lesson cannot be lost upon a people like this. It is not a lesson of
revenge, it is not a lesson of wrath, it is a grand, sweet lesson of the
immortality of truth, that we hope will soon cover like the Schekina of
light and glory, all parts of this Republic from the lakes to the Gulf. I
once entered a house in old Massachusetts where over its door were
two crossed swords— one was the sword carried by the grandsire of its
owner on the field of Bunker Hill, the other was the sword carried by
the English grandsire of the wife, on the same field and on the other
side of the conflict. Under these crossed swords in restored harmony
and domestic peace lived a happy, contented and free family in the
light of our Republican liberties; and I trust the time is not far distant
when under the crossed swords and the locked shields of America,
North and South, our people will' sleep in peace, rise in liberty, and
live in harmony under our flag of stars.
Resuming the Narrative,
The preceding parts of this volume were given to
the public amid the kindling excitement, the enthusiasm,
the hope, of the great canvass of 1880. After the
lapse of a single year, with the subject of it awaiting his
final inurning, amid the emblems and manifestations of
National and personal sorrow, when a common grief has
dissolved hostile hosts, and opposing parties have be-
come a common people, I sit down to write the con-
cluding chapter of the great life therein so hastily
sketched.
I took leave of him encamped at the head of one of
the National hosts, about to engage in the grtat civic bat-
tle which was to make him the head of the Nation,
when the disbanded multitudes, losing the guise of hos-
tility, would turn to him in accord as the chosen, des-
tined to lift the people to a higher life, and conduct the
Nation to a more advanced position. I took have of
him surrounded with family, kindred and friends ; leav-
ing to other hands to carry forward his personal history
to years beyond my time, when these other forms might
become the property of history, and stand grouped about
their natural chief Thus far, all the years seemed but
preliminary to the greater future ; all his labors but dis-
ciplinary for greater achieveinents.
A single year, and to the conclusion.
I turn back to the termination of his congressional
career, where mention is made of the journey to Chi-
cago. Here I take up the thread, compelled to subject
the great events of the year to the same rapid treatment
of the period immediately preceding.
We have seen power slipping from Republican hands
and know something of the causes which led to the loss.
The overwhelming majority of the Democrats in the
House of the Foity-fourth Congress was greatly reduced
in that of the Forty-fifth ; but the causes which produced
it continued to influence, and produce in the Senate
changes adverse to the Republicans, and the end of the
last session of that Congress saw the Democratic party
in possession of both houses. The great popular up-
heaval, for such it was, had not placed the Democratic
party in entire ascendency in the Republic. Why it
stopped short of that I do not now discuss.
THE CONTKST OF 1880.
The eve of the great contest of 1880 saw the United
States as nearly divided, and the National parties as
equally balanced, as at any similar contest under the
constitution. To a close observer the rising popular in-
fluence was si-emin^ly adverse to the Democrats. They
complained of being defrauded of the Presidency in
1876, yet, in the contest, lost the efftct of that claim, by
not making a direct appeal to the Nation, with the same
candidate, and thus trying their case in the great forum.
Probably the spirit and determination of two opposing
parties were never more firmly bent on success than were
those of the confronting hosts of that year of fate. The
Republicans had prestige, great leaders, large intelli-
gence, but great divisions and mortal enmities. The
Democrats were compact, had one hundred and thirty-
eight votes assured, great leaders, and their unfoitunate
history. Each could command the needed sinews of
war. The contest from the first was most doubtful. Its
influence upon history under the ensuing complications
no man attempts to forecast.
The Republicans, with the eclat of their career and
prestige, took the initiative, held their convention first,
placed their candidates before the world, with their dec-
laration of measures and policy, and sounded the note
of defiance and onset.
In its own time and place the Democracy assembled
in general convention, settled its representations, com-
posed its dissensions, arraigned its opponents, selected
its candidates, set its squadrons in the field, sent an an-
swering challenge, and joined in the proffered battle.
The differences among the Republicans survived the
convention, and weakened their line.
THE CHICAGO CONVENTION,
The Republican convention was held at Chicago the
2d of June, and the Democratic at Cincinnati on the
2 2d of the same month. General Garfield was one of
the delegates of his State at large. Curiously enough,
RESUMING THE NARRATIVE.
93
with his declared support of Senator Sherman, he proba-
bly could not have been elected a delegate in his own
old Congressional district, which was emphatic for an-
other, and yet he whom he opposed throughout for the
Presidency was his choice for Secretary of State. Many
of his personal friends, who wished his nomination at the
convention in advance, urged him strongly to decline be-
ing a delegate, and remain away from the convention,
which, in his absence, might nominate him. It is certain
that he did not wish the nomination; and, while he felt
that the Republicans had a right to his services in the
convention, it was his declared judgment that his pres-
ence there would check and defeat any tendency in his
own favor. Undoubtedly his presence, bearing and ser-
vices in that memorable body largely contributed to, if
they did not inspire and dictate its final action. Through
all the days, as the strife for supremacy became more in-
tense, while the great leader of New York held the Grnnt
forces with steady devotion to their purpose, and the
Blaine men came to see the hopt lessness of their cause,
the spontaneous acclamations of the thousands in the
galleries proclaimed the wish of the popular heart, and the
instinctive judgment of the intelligent multitude, which
had great effect. That the object of this unsought favor
labored to the extent of his powers for the chosen of his
State with zealous fidelity was never questioned. That
he did not wish the nomination at that time is known to
hundreds. When, in spite of him, it came upon him, he
was overwhelmed with a moment's anguish, which now
seems prophetic. Obviously a nomination for the Presi-
dency was within a reasonable forecast of his future, and
had been discussed with friends. I'hat he seriously did
not wish it at that time, and deplored it then and later,
and before the assaults upon him of the opposing host is
Well known to mativ'. He wanted his term in the Sen-
ate. He wanted the help, discipline and growth that it
would give him. He knew that debate, the mastery, un-
folding and enforcement of great themes and subjects, in
the National forum, were his proper field, and the Presi-
dency might come after, if it would. To more than one,
and on more than one occasion he deplored the close of
his career in the National legislature. Some of the most
successful of his speeches, as well as the most effective,
were delivered in that fatal convention, notably the two or
three elementary paragraphs, on the motion to expel the
three delegates who had dared to vote against a pending
resolution.
His speech in presenting the name of Ohio's candi-
date, following, as it did, the great effort of the New
York leader, will remain a model of its kind.
THE SUMMER AT MENTOR.
From the convention he found his way to the dear old
cottage at Hiram — his last visit to its sequestered walls
and shades. From Hiram he returned to Mentor, and
all through hailed by gathering throngs. There was no
more privacy for him. Though most of his life had been
in the public service, he was now dedicated to the open
world. Henceforth for all the months, no retreat could
becoine sacred, no retirement a sanctuary.
The new house at Mentor — Lawnfield — beautiful and
spacious, was finished in his absence, and thousands
came to receive him home.
A few days later he made a visit to the Capital, gath-
ered up his papers and books, dispatched them to Men-
tor, made his last political speech to ten thousand from
the Arlington balcony, sounding the key-note of the
campaign, held a continuous reception, and with his pri-
vate secretary returned to Mentor.
What months were those from that mid-June till mid-
November! Whoever visited Lawnfield during this period
will never forget it. There was the public office in the
rear of the mansion, filled with secretaries and clerks,
books and papers. A telegraph office was established
there; immense mails came and departed daily. There
was the private office at the top of the stairs, in the house.
There were the throngs of visitors, biography writers,
newspaper reporters, editors, politicians, members of
Congress, Governors of States, Senators, the inquisitive
and curious, ministers, men with plans, schemes and ideas,
and those with neither. What floods of newspapers and
pamphlets! What museums of wood cuts and lithographs!
And there was the great candidate, through it all calm,
equable, pleasant, receiving all, charming all. Then came
the great delegations and speeches; the journey to New
York, the visit to Chautauqua, and so home again; and
the meeting with the soldiers; and through it all, the
usual and beautiful routine — all the little habits and cus-
toms of the household — was never departed from, and
into which visitors and temporary guests at once nleas-
antly fell.
In the meantime, everywhere outside, through all the
land, in every State, district, county and precinct, the war
was raged with relentless fury. No candidate was ever
subjected to a fiercer or more relentless ordeal. He was
pursued to his own home, and the sacred household was
no protection. In the changed attitude of the then
seeming enemies, no one cares now to recall the unlovely,
the cruel aspect of the great contest.
Then came the Ohio and Indiana elections, carried by
a movement of the people, whatever may be said of ap-
94
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
pliances and sinister practices. Yet the battle, though
decided, was not ended — was afterward endangered by
means which the just and generous masses of all parties
condemned.
But the end came with a success so complete and
certain that all men acquiesced, and the names, stains,
and odors of the strife passed at once from earth and
atmosphere, never more to be named in history.
No man was ever subjected to a more severe or a
longer continued ordeal; and certainly no man ever bore
himself through it with a calmer dignity, or a more serene
endurance. Some of the most remarkable of his public
utterances were during these trying months. Daily
called upon, always responding, always felicitous, always
forcible, often striking, sometimes eloquent or touching,
never repeating himself, never below himself, never mis-
taking, and though watched and followed, never saying
a word or uttering a sentiment that did not meet with
general approbation; nor one that subjected him to an
instant's misapprehension. A volume of these addresses
has been published, and nothing so unique has been
found in English literature. These, his strong person-
ality and widely felt magnetism, were potent auxiliaries
in the contest. Men who never saw him were irresist-
ibly drawn to him. No man ever took so strong a hold
on men's hearts.
The struggle was over, the victory won, yet there was
no repose. The great and protracted contest was only
to achieve a place where a greater struggle, a higher re-
sponsibility, a longer continued campaign, might begin.
./»
SECOND VISIT TO THE CAPIT.\L.
About the time of the winter holidays the President-
elect, accompanied by Mrs. Garfield, made the second
of his four last visits to the Capitol. He arrived unan-
nounced, and permitted no demonstration during his
stay. His purpose was to close up his private affairs as
far as practicable, and make a few calls upon cherished
friends — the last as it proved. At one of these, toward
its close, the lady of the house arose and said to him —
" When you go, I shall take my final farewell of Genera
Garfield. I shall see the President occasionally, but
James A. Garfield disappears from my world." The
lady doubtless referred to the great change in the Gen-
eral's lite, but the singularity of the words and solemnity
of their utterance moved the visitor, and were remem-
bered by those present on the occasion.
The rare judgment and dignity with which the candi-
date bore himself through the canvass, attended the
President-elect during the intervening months ere he
entered upon his duties. He said he should "be a good
listener during the winter."
Fortunately, the wisdom and skill of those never called
to important places are not wholly lost to the world. No
sooner is a man placed in a high position than they at
once enlighten him as to his duties; and the President-
elect was greatly favored and Lored by them. The very
profusion of their offerings rendered them perplexing.
From his position and residence, the President of the
United States is more to the people of the Capital than
he can be to the people of a State, or the inhabitants of
any other city. He is a large part of it; the most
striking figure in it, the most important factor of its
social economy. He can greatly influence its prosperity,
advance its growth, do things for it, make direct recom-
mendations, and use his good offices in various indirect
ways, in aid of its citizens. The nomination of General
Garfield gave great satisfaction to the people of the Capi-
tal. At the beginning of the campaign, probably there
were few business men who did not wish for his election.
As the contest became heated and party passions were
influenced, they generally ranged themselves with their
old party, the Democracy, and it became impossible to
find a suitable building on the north side of Pennsylvania
avenue to which could be attached a Republican banner.
As soon as the result was known, all animosity disap-
peared from Washington; indeed from the country. If
the canvass was one of the most intensified bitterness
in history, the sudden return of good will — of great
kindness toward the person of the successful candidate,
certainly is without parallel in party annals. So far as he
was personally concerned, an opposition party practically
disappeared; and with his rare personal endowments it
may be questioned whether it would again spring into
existence. The Democratic party would exist, with a
modified spirit, and holding higher' ground, in conse-
quence of its defeat by Garfield.
He was alway popular with the people of the Capital,
who gave no heed or currency to the aspersions of his
fame. Large and reasonable expectations were cherished
of his administration. The Rupublicans at the end of
their first year of power had abolished slavery in the
District. They completed the great, domed capitol dur-
ing the war ; established an enlightened system of pub-
lic instruction; revolutionized and improved the city,
and placed it among the first objects of National prov-
idence. In all of these acts of beneficence, which had
their origin after he entered Congress, he bore a conspic-
uous part. Some of his children were born there — all
had received the rudiments of education there, and there
was his home.
RESUMING THE NARRATIVE.
95
INAUGURATION.
When it was ascertained that he was elected, the or-
ganizations and orders, the citizens, and sojourners of
the Capital, spontaneously united and entered vigor-
ously upon preparations for his inauguration. The pro-
gramme adopted was one of grandeur and magnificence,
hitherto unapproached in the New World, and perhapsso
long as the memory of what so speedily followed remains,
the splendor and glory of that one day and night will
not be again attempted.
On the second of March the President-elect made his
entrance into the city — now with acclaim, with triumph-
ant music, military and civic array. He came as a wise
and humane conqueror comes to his decorated Capital,
after the wise and peaceful submission of peoples and
nations to his benignant rule without bloodshed. Hun-
dreds of thousands from all parts of the Republic came
to swell the pageant of his induction. The day, pre-
ceded by a night of tempest and snow, came with om-
inous clouds and storm. Men said the fortunate star of
Garfield would yet rule; and ere mid-day the clouds
vanished from the skies, the snow disappeared from the
earth, the sun came to light up and glorify the splendor
and triumph of a single day. The great procession
moved from the E.xecutive Mansion, under the great arch,
past the arches of all the States, present with their arms
and insignia, passed up Capitol Hill, wheeled to the front
of the famous east portico, dipped its banners to the new
chief where he stood. The music ceased, silence fell over
the thousands. The Chief Justice administered the
simple oath of office, and turning with his grand head
and face to the uplooking world below and before him,
the President announced in simple terms the principles
of his faith and policy; saluted his mother and wife,
and turned back to gather up the reins of administration.
What a sinister incident was that, during the return
procession of the President. It is well vouched for, has
never been explained. At one point a hearse was
found in the line, following the President's carriage.
All seasons, men and occasions are under the sceptre
of death. A funeral train in some way was upon the
avenue, and in the jostling presence of the unmanage-
able masses, the unseemly carriage of the dead for a
brief time took part in the pageant.
A great ball was given that night at the spacious mu-
seum building, changed to a wondrous pavilion of light,
music, beauty, and splendor.
THE CABINET.
I have claimed for the subject of this sketch an exten-
sive and accurate knowledge o( men, and have credited
him with an exacting sense of the fitness of things, which
would compel the exercise of great care in the selection
of instrumentalities. He was personally acquainted with
a large number of the men supposed to be eligible to
places in his Cabinet ; had served with many of them.
Few men in our history have reached the Presidency, of
whose powers and abilities to discharge its various duties
the country generally has judged so favorably. Probably
no one so gifted and cultured had before him reached it.
The masses of men and their leaders were in advance
prepared to accept his action in a given case without
criticism, as judicious and best if not the wisest.
Like Mr. Lincoln, he called two of the competitors
for the candidacy at Chicago to the first and second
places in his councils.
The first produced surprise, in soine quarters, and
something more in others. Few, perhaps, questioned
the ability and patriotism of the gentleman referred to.
It should be remembered that the President knew him
thoroughly; knew all that had ever been said of him;
understood his ambitions and the motives likely to in-
fluence him; knew what criticism his selection would
subject himself to; yet, so far as is known, he was his
first and only choice as the head of his Cabinet. A
curious paper in the late President's hand is in existence,
containing many names grouped for the various places,
from the rudiment to the nearly completed list, which
he carried to the Capital with him. They all contain
but this one name for Secretary of State. It may also
be borne in mind, that had he chosen he could have
carried Ohio into the convention for this gentleman, and
thus Lave secured his nomination for the Presidency it-
self. Instead of attempting that he opposed him. This
has some place in estimating the causes and influences
which governed his choice. Seemingly nothing has since
arisen to compromise its wisdom and fitness.
Securing Mr. Sherman to the Senate, could there have
been a more entirely meritorious selection for the Treasury
Department? So Pennsylvania was assigned the Depart-
ment of Justice. A pure and able lawyer was needed.
One with early and assured, anti-slavery opinions and
position, with independence of character, was selected.
The grateful sentiment of the country toward Mr.
Lincoln was gracefully gratified, and the War office se-
cured an able and efficient administrator. The South
received just recognition in the person of Judge Hunt,
assigned to the Navy, and the Interior placed in the hands
of one of the oldest and most experienced of our public
men. The fact that General Garfield selected these
men, must, with our common mind, go for much in de-
teriaiining our estimate of their fitness,
96
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION.
Practically the new administration ended with the
first day of July. The President had formulated no an-
nual message; had been called upon to deal with no new
complication, had but launched his administration. The
minds of his advisers must be explored for all utter
ances, beyond his letter of acceptance and inaugural
address.* He succeeded two Republican Presidents, at
the head of the same party which had settled the ques-
tions of measures and policy, under his advice and
leadership. It was not expected that he would depart
widely from them. Theie was little on the surface be-
tween the two parties. The causes for disturbance
would spring from the Republicans themselves. The
old differences, mainly about men, which had hardened
to animosities, so hard to be controlled at Chicago, and
which weakened the Republican battle of 1880, re-ap-
peared at the called session of the Senate, in March,
1881. I only refer to them. All of the elements
necessary to a just estimate of them and the parties to
them are not in hand, nor is this the time to adjudge
them. There may have been error on both sides. The
prescience of the President enabled him to see that a
direct contest was unavoidable. Unquestionably it were
best for him, as for his party and the country, that it
take place early and pass away, and he may have pre-
cipitated it. However that was, the signs accord with all
men's wishes, that the animosities themselves will be en-
tombed with the dead President.
THE SOUTH.
To many admitted to the President's conversation, it
is known that the South occupied a large share of his
thought, and would doubtless have received at his hands
every kindness and consideration in his power to render
her. Time and new growths are doubtless necessary to
restore her to her right position; time and the building
up of her material interests and general prosperity. Lit-
tle can apparently be done by direct legislation. That
little he would doubtless recommend and urge. To
people, as to individuals, the best often comes indirectly.
Time, with the attention and effort of the Southern peo-
ple, turned more directly to their own industries the
revelation of their own sources of wealth and material
prosperity, the building up of all property and business
interests, as the first and most important of things. He
would probably have made no formal progresses through
the South or elsewhere. He would have taken advan-
tage of all occasions to meet them at their own gatherings
*It is said that John Sherman is to prepare a paper from these sources
for the Scribner.
and expositions, make himself familiar with their needs
and advantages, and let them see and feel the warm and
abiding interest he cherished for their well-being and
prosperity. The celebration at Yorktown, the cotton ex-
position, were to be specially employed for this purpose.
No man could have been called to the Presidency of
whom the South would expect more, or who had the will
and power to do for her so much.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
To the practical statesman of to-day, undoubtedly
civil service reform is one of the toughest problems with
which he will be called to deal. It is necessarily that in
its essential nature and surroundings. The givings out,
and the supposed position of President Garfield, were
not satisfactory to many. Curiously enough, all men do
not agree in their views of it. He held thai the subject
was of the gravest importance. He had not developed
his ideas in the form of specific recommendations, nor
formulated any plan. Unquestionably he contemplated
the concurrence of Congress and the Executive. No
scheme would be practicable without. A fixed tenure of
office for all subordinates was a marked feature with him,
while, unquestionably for the gravest reasons, many of
the highest functionaries must hold their places at the
pleasure of the President.*
The exigencies of the public service early demonstrated
that the State, Treasury, and Post Office departments
were in able and vigorous hands.
Undoubtedly among the achievements of the adminis-
tration would have been a complete restoration of the
American mercantile marine, the re-building of the
American navy, and an enlargement and strengthening
of the army, to the needs of the National service. So
much can be safely said.
LIFE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
The President and his family took possession of the
Executive Mansion, and entered upon their new life.
Few women, by personal position, within the circles of
public and society life at the Capital, more largely en-
* Any scheme of civil service reform that does not fully relieve the
President of the fearful burden of seeing and hearing all applicants for
all possible places— and many times examine their papers, making en-
quiries, hearing charges and counter-charges, carrying forward their
cases and finally disposing of them— would leave one of the gravest ills
untouched. There is no ruler of a great nation in the world who trans"
acts so much of the individual business of the subjects as the President
of the United States. Think of President Garfield spending nearly all
the hours of every day of his official life in the fearful, thankless, petty,
perplexing, wearing labor of seeing all the clamorers for small places
in the United States. They were as fatal to Harrison and Taylor
as were Booth and Guiteau to Lincoln and Garfield.
RESUMING THE NARRATIVE.
97
joyed the love, respect, and admiration of the thought-
ful and cultured, than she who shared the life and for-
tunes of the new head of the Republic. For all of the
March evenings and some of the days, the house was
open, and a steady succession of visitors shown to the
waiting-room till their cards could reach the mistress —
following them to the drawing-room, to be graciously re-
ceived by the lady, usually supported by Mrs. Blaine or
one of the other ladies of the Cabinet ; and attended by
Miss Mollie. A usual feature of these evenings was
the Mother Eliza, seated in a sheltered place, to whom
all the visitors were eager to pay homage. Very often
the President, escaping from the besieging throngs, in the
upper and executive jiart of the great building, made his
appearance in the rooms, passing from group to group,
and thence to the billiard-room, or to the open air for a
drive. The memory of these delightful evenings will be
long cherished and often recalled.
There was a great multitude of strangers, which
seemed fixed in the Capital ; many in the pursuit of
places, many cultivated people of leisure, who found the
city and its society attractive. Several of the ladies of
the new Cabinet set their days and evenings, and a very
pleasant semi-season ran through the short vernal months
— the spring time of the young administration.
Mrs. Garfield was obliged to restrict her evenings to
Wednesdays and Fridays. Then came her own well-nigh
fatal illness, which indirectly led to the end of all. The
mother and the two youngest children were returned to
Ohio ; and the recovering mistress of the family, weak
and sensitive, was sent away to more quiet scenes, and a
purer and more bracing atmosphere. As she entered
the depot on the arm of the President the memorable
morning of her departure, an almost irresistible impulse
to hurry — rush forward through it, as if to escape, came
upon her, which the unwarned man, while supporting
her, could hardly restrain.
Curiously enough, every member of the Presidential
family had a strong repulsion for the Executive Man-
sion, quite explicable without resort to the unknown.
Large, high, empty, old, dirty, dim, dingy; everything
soiled and uncanny. The three older of the young peo-
ple were ever ready to escape to places and surroundings
more in accord with their lives and sympathies.
What days were those for the President which followed
the departure of Mrs. Garfield, toiling vainly to work
through the undiminished throng of place-seekers and
idle, curious visitors. There were the guardians of the
doors below, the ushers and messengers within; the
angel of the great stairway at the lower landing; the
usher at the top; the colored porters; the President's
ante-rooms. The private secretary's room, with his as-
sistants, was the select resort, where, with rare tact and
ability the young chief met, received, talked with, sorted
out, as with an instinct, the comparatively few to be ad-
mitted to the President ; and persuaded the multitude
that for them it was unnecessary or useless, and who
were dismissed with no feeling of repulse or refusal.
There were many to whom the doors stood open. There
were yet two weeks of June. The programme for the
summer was formed, covering three months. The ad-
ministration was launched ; all the departments at
healthy, successful work ; peace, favor, and hope, in
•which the sting of the recent strife was unfelt, pervaded
and surrounded the young government, enveloped all
the land, and extended to all other lands.
The last night — that of July first, inevitably found
many things not done; many unfinished; some to be
left with regret ; some gladly postponed, and a few to be
escaped from. There were hasty notes and memoranda
for the Secretary ; many for the Cabmet Ministers and
their assistants; and the work for the night and for the
time — for all time, ceased.
THE FATAL JULY SECOND.
The nature and spirit of the President were the most
elastic and joyous that find abode in the bosoms of men,
and he went forth the next morning with a deep, serene
exaltation. His remaining children were going with
him, going to their mother: finally to Mentor. The
whole party preceded him to the depot. Hundreds
were in waiting to see him depart. He alighted from his
carriage, and arm in arm with his Chief Secretary, as
two weeks before with his wife, he entered the same
building, was passing the same room. No shuddering
impulse came to him ; a few steps forward, a slight move-
ment near and behind him, a detonation, a puff of white
smoke, an ounce of lead through the spinal column, a
helpless fall, and that was the end — the final end of all
things then and there. The splendid form with its
might, its power, its beauty, that had breasted the battle
on fire-swept fields, and towered above men in the con-
tests of giants in the Capitol, never was to rise again.
That great domed head, with its mighty brain, shall
never again be lifted in the presence of men; that
trumpet voice that called men to stem the bloody fight,
that so often rung out over the land proclaiming great
truths and calling doubting, discouraged men back to
principle and duty, has sunk to a child's whisper. This
is the end. Look at him where he fell! Think of it!
This is the end! The end of rule, the end of achieve-
98
LIFE OF JAMES A. GARFIELD.
nient. There is no futuve, only the secured pnst. Al'
that he was, all that he had achieved, seemed but ])re"
paratory steps, preliminary to greater and higher. They
are now his and our all. He was never so great, so high,
so strong: never with such hold and grash upon empire
and men, their love and willing service; and here he
perishes under our eyes.
What do we think now of special interpositions; spe-
cial raisings up for great work and high destinies? Did
thev conduct to this, or was there something amiss?
Why was not Grant nominated at Chicago, or Blaine,
Sherman, anyone? Was the great contest of 1880, the
success, the splendor of induction into office only to
conduct him to this hour? Vain babble, and senseless.
The man breathed. His rare union of physical excel-
lences, the wonderful force and vigor of the vital organs,
though shaken and greatly disturbed by the fatal intruder
lodged in their midst, did not cease their functions.
Men stood for an instant ghastly with surprise and hor-
ror, and then they bore him to an upper room, laid
him on his left side on a mattress, with his face to an
open window, and men of rare skill knelt by him and
sought the course of the projectile, took the evidence
of witnesses, calculated force, distance, and bearing to di-
agnose tlie probable result. An hour later he was borne
back to the Presidential residence. The recovered wife
was summoned to his side, a council of the skilled
and learned pronounced the injury fatal, and named
twelve o'clock of that night as the probable limit of
existence. The stimulating presence of his wife, and the
muster of his own energies which came with the reaction,
enabled the stricken man in a way to take the case, and
seemingly for a time his destiny, into his own hands.
Thenceforward the surgeons and physicians became but
his counsellors and assistants. The world knows the
history of this wonderful case. It was a National clinic.
None will turn to this scant page for a sketch of it.
The qualities of character, of temper, and mind, which
had won for the sufferer the first place of power and
honor an American can reach; the iirst in the hearts
and judgments of his countrymen; high courage, inflex-
ible will, exhaustless endurance, boundless good nature,
were never more conspicuous than in all the long, great,
losing battle, which he fought — not for himself alone,
for ambition, nor love of life, nor yet for wife and chil-
drenj dear as they all were; but for the best in his coun-
try's hope, the dearest in her history, yet to be com-
pleted; the most precious things in the aspirations of the
face of men; and he was never so great, so truly a hero,
•as during all the days of fading life which followed.
And she whose place and love were nearest — parts of
himself — wore through those days in the exercise of qual-
ities as high and noble as those of her dying consort.
Laboring for him alone, unconscious that she was win-
ning for herself a place in history, giving tender grace
and dignity to his passing hours; and consecrating her-
self to the love and reverence of her countrymen.
The unexpected has attended and ruled the life, as
it terminated the career of this remarkable man. His
mother had for many months cautioned him to the care
of his life against assassins. Vague impressions of evil,
impending over the house of Garfield, had disturbed the
minds of others.' Seemingly he was the most secure of
mortals. The absence of enmity, the wide and general
favor of men, the wish and expectation of the Nation,
the blamelessness of his life, seemrd to ensure and guard
him against the approach of violence. In his courage
and confidence all men shared, and assassination seemed
not within the horizon of possibility.
In a way the murder of Mr. Lincoln was within the
scope of events. The head of the Nation at war with a
nation of rebels, assassination to advance the adverse
cause, or revenge its failure, was, if not logical, within
the rationale of events. Vears of battle and bloodshed
had schooled the American people for deeds of violence.
This day, its spirit and deed, are the antithesis of that.
The first sensation of our people was absolute incredulity
of the event. The first emotion was amazement and
horror. In its jiresence the assassin escaped to the sanc-
tuary of a prison. As the confirtned announcement ran
through the land, for a time, all die avocations of life
ceased. It was the end of orderly events, a dissolution
for the moment of the primal bond of society. Men on
journeys felt that they must hurry home, and separated
families must at once reunite. It crossed the wastes of
oceans and startled rulers and peopks alike. It was a
great crime against civilization, horrible to all ; without
aggravation, without palliation.
All government, whatever its form, wisdom or justice,
is essentially one and the same thing. All Governors,
whatever their dignity and functions, occupy the same
real position to the thing government, and persons gov-
erned. The history of all races confirms our own, that
the persons of the highest function aiies are jetulirri
exposed to peril, and the American people will, in duty
to their Presidents, and in care of their own well-being,
be compelled to employ the best devised means sug-
gested by the common experience of mankind to secure
both.
The President fell on Saturday, the second day of July.
The National spirit ebbed or flowed, as the official bul-
letins of his condition gave margin for hope, or cause
RESUMING THE NARRATIVE.
99
for depression. All stood in suspense awaiting ; as all
things seemingly depended on the result. Hot and fiery
July ran into more torrid, and less endurable August,
and yet he lived. August poured its heat and fervor
into fierce September ; and on Tuesday, the 6th of that
month, in the cool of the early morning, amid the silent
tears and the bowed and uncovered heads of the people
of the Capital, he was borne away to the seashore. A
few still sheltered a diminished hope of his recovery.
With iliem it had become a sentiment growing stronger
under cherishing and tears, as tlie foundation on which
hope alone could stand dissolved under its airy feet
How fiercely they defended it. The breath of the ocean
toned up the sufferer, and there came back a ray of com-
fort— of hope.
There had been the black Fridays and the darker
Saturdays. These would recur no more.
Anxious groups gathered at nightfall of the 19th,
around the thousands of bulletin boards; and the un
despairing went away, with enough to bear them through
the night. Ere midnight, as the deepening silence grew
solemn, the bells tolled out through all the land: and all
the people knew the President was dead.
While these broken lines run on, the Nation and peo-
ple are giving their own expression to their great sorrow.
The political changes, if any, to follow this the saddest
event in our history, are undeveloped. In the nature of
things they will be grave.
The full significance of that event to the Nation and
to parties may not appear for years. Not all evil can it
be; compensation already appears.
Its effect upon the careers and histories of individuals
is less obscure. How many fell with the President! A
dissolution of the band of men whom he called about
him, seems inevitable. What sad endings and goings
away there will be. How many hopes and expectations
built on him perished; words spoken that cannot be
followed by actions; beginnings broken off; delays that
never can be retrieved. Yet how paltry are all these
compared with the great loss of the people and Nation.
After all, the Republic survives its head — all its heads,
and will go on its own high appointed way; the race of
men more and greater than the greatest man, and God
and the American people will care for those nearest the
fallen Chief
The moral lesson of this event may not now be
profitably speculated about. It is an ordeal to the relig-
ious faith and sentiment of men. God would not spare
his life to the earnest and persistent supplication of the
Christian world. In the midst of its fervid outpouring
he died. To them it only shows that God knew his pur-
pose better than they, and the means for its accomplish-
ment. His plans rim through centuries — eternity, and
vindicate themselves to the ages, let generations of men
clamor as they may. James A. Garfield had worked out
all that depended on his life. His death may have been
a rebuke to party strife, to public vice. The best loved
of all, should be so smitten, that every household and
individual should lay it to heart, and be profited. It was
needed as a trial of faith, a trier of hearts and lives, a
National expiation, it may be.
Those who discredit Providence and all supervising
power, nevertheless believe in law, however it became es-
tablished. Law as inflexibly rules the actions and minds
of men as it does the stars and properties of matter. The
event, though seemingly accidental as far as the victim
was involved, was nevertheless the product of anterior
and ever-present law, became itself a new influence, the
source of other events, in the chains of which it n^as a
most important, perhaps productive, link, working out
good and ill as men define them, showing results here
and hiding them there. In their view much good will
flow from this deed in the nature of things. They are
not optimists. For them no benignant power will over-
rule all the seeming ill for final good. Nor does the con-
ceded system of law produce such a result.
It is for most men to see the mighty hand in this, to
accept its doings, and trust with humble faith, as would
he whom all deplore.
Upon the demise of the President, the instrutnents of
the surgeons revealed the latest known of the unexpected
that have waited on his footstep.?. It is a solace to know
that, in the nature of things, the hurt was unto death.
That nothing but the visible laying bare of the Almighty
arm by an absolute miracle could restore him. That
this %vas not wrought does not greatly disturb the faiths
of men.
The end came on the 19th, one of the nineteens which
hung so curiously in the margin of Garfield's strong,
healthy mind.
On the 20th he made his fourth and last entry into
the Capital. Let the reader contrast it with the scenes
when he came to take possession of his Government.
Coming embalmed to a city in black, to a silent, weeping
people; and the two days in the rotunda, the Friday's
ceremony, the standing of the living President and
ex-Presidents by his casket; the solemn movement over
the east portico; the procession up the avenue, borne by
the hearse now; the deposit in the draped cars, the
mourning procession through Maryland, through Penn-
sylvania; the reception by the mother State, in whose
bosom he is to rest. His tomb is to be built on beauti.
ful, sloping ground, overlooking the broad, ocean-like
lake, the sight of which in his boyhood awoke his first
longing for the sea.
And so comes the end, and with it comes rest.
Washington, D. C, September 24.
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