I
NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
;P
HISTORY
OF"
Clay County, Iowa
RROM ITS EARLIES-r S ET—TI-E M E N T TO l©09
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BY
Samuel Gillespie and James E. Steele
ALSO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETOHEIS
OF MANY PROMINEINT CITIZENS OF THE! COUNTV
AS NA/EILL AS ITS ILLUSTRIOUS DEIAD
Illustrated
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C M I G AG O
S.J. CI_ARV-<.E PU Bl_l SM 1 ISI C3 COMPAIMV
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
733382
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
L\TRODUCTION.
Sixty years ago all that part of the great and beautiful state of Iowa of which
the county of Clay is a part was practically terra incognito, a vast wilderness,
given over by the Almighty to wild beasts, birds of the air and their masters,
the Indians, who roamed the plains and forests at will, claiming and securing
an existence from the bounteous hand of nature. Here the deer, buffalo and other
fur-bearing animals found a habitat, and the many streams gave generously of
the palatable fish. The red man had no care for the morrow. No thought
came to him that his possessions would ever be disturbed by the paleface. So
he continued on in his dreams. The hunt was his daily avocation, broken in
upon at intervals by a set-to with a hostile tribe of aborigines that was alwavs
cruel and bloody in its results and added spoils to the victor and captives for
torture. He knew not of the future, and cared less. But the time was coming —
was upon him — when he was called upon to make way for a stronger and a
progressive race of men ; when the fair land that was his birthright and his
hunting grounds, resplendent with the gorgeous flower and emerald sod, must
yield to the husbandman. The time had come for the buffalo, deer and elk to
seek pastures new, that the alluvial soil might be turned to the sun and fed
with grain, to yield in their seasons the richest of harvests.
It is hard for the present generation to realize the rapid pace of civilization
on the western continent in the past one hundred years ; and when one confines
his attention to the advancement of the state of Iowa in the past sixty years, his
amazement is all the more intense. Evidences of progress are on every hand as
one wends one's way across the beautiful state. Manufacturing plants are spring-
ing up hither and yon ; magnificent edifices for religious Worship point their spires
heavenward ; schoolhouses, colleges and other places of learning and instruction
make the state stand out prominently among her sisters of this great republic.
Milages are growing into towns, towns are taking on the dignity of a city gov-
ernment, until today Iowa is noted throughout the Union for the number, beauty
and thrift of her cities and towns.
The commonwealth is cobwebbed with her telegraph, telephone and railroad
lines, and all these things above mentioned have been made possible by the thrift.
determination' and high character of the people who claim citizenship within
her borders.
8 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
THE INDIAN AND HIS FATE.
It is conceded by historians, who have given the subject deep thought and
careful research, that this country was inhabited by a race of human beings
distinct from the red man. But that is beyond the province of this work. The
men and women who opened up the state of Iowa and the county of Clay to
civilization had only the red man to dispute their coming and obstruct their
progress ; and in that regard something should be recorded in these pages.
So far as the writer can ascertain, the Indians were the first inhabitants
of Iowa. For more than one hundred years after Marquette and Joliet had trod
the virgin soil of Iowa and admired its fertile plains not a single settlement had
been made or attempted ; nor even a trading post established. The whole covmtry
remained in the undisputed possession of the native tribes. These tribes fought
among themselves and against each other for supremacy and the choicest hunting
grounds became the reward for the strongest and most valiant of them.
When Marquette visited this country, in 1673, the Illini were a very powerful
people and occupied a large portion of the state. But when the country was
again visited by the whites not a remnant of that once powerful tribe remained
on the west side of the Mississippi, and Iowa was principally in the possession
of the Sacs and Foxes, a warlike tribe which, originally two distinct nations
residing in New York and on the waters of the St. Lawrence, had gradually
fought their way westward and united, probably, after the Foxes had been driven
out of the Fox river country in 1846 and crossed the Mississippi. The death of
Pontiac, a famous Sac chieftain, was made the pretext for war against the Illini,
and a fierce and bloody struggle ensued, which continued until the Illini wer'"
nearly destroyed, and their possessions went into the hands of their victorious
foes. The lowas also occupied a portion of the state for a time, in common with
the Sacs, but they, too, were nearly destroyed by the Sacs and F"oxes and, in the
"Beautiful Land" these natives met their equally warlike and bloodthirsty enemies,
the Northern Sioux, with whom they maintained a constant warfare for the
possession of the country for a great many years.
In 1803, when, under the administration of Thomas Jefiferson, then president
of the United States, Louisiana was purchased from Napoleon Bonaparte,
emperor of France, the Sacs, Foxes and lowas possessed the entire state of Iowa
and the two former tribes also occupied most of Illinois. The Sacs had four
principal villages, where most of them resided. Their largest and most important
town, from which emanated most of the obstacles encountered by the government
in the extinguishment of Indian titles to land in this region, was on Rock river,
near Rock Island ; another was on the east bank of the Mississippi, near the
mouth of Henderson river ; the third was at the head of the Des Moines rapids,
near the present site of Montrose; and the fourth was near the mouth of the
Upper Iowa. The Foxes had three principal villages. One was on the west side
of the Mississippi, six miles above the rapids of Rock river; another was about
twelve miles from the river, in the rear of the Dubuque lead mines ; and ^-he third
was on Turkey river.
The lowas, at one time identified with the Sacs of Rock river, had withdrawn
from them and become a separate tribe. Their principal village w^as on the Des
Moines river, in Van Buren countv, on the site where lowaville now stands.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 9
Here the last great battle between the Sacs and Foxes and lowas was fought, in
which Black Hawk, then a young man, commanded one division of the attacking
forces. The following account of the battle has been given :
"Contrary to long established custom of Indian attack, this battle was com-
menced in the daytime, the attending circumstances justifying this departure
from the well-settled usages of Indian warfare. The battlefield was a level river
bottom, about four miles in length and two miles wide near the middle, narrowing
to a point at either end. The main area of this 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 of the river was fringed with a dense growth of willows. Near
the lower end of this prairie, near the river bank, was situated the Iowa village.
About two miles above it and near the middle of the prairie is a mound, covered
at the time with a small clump of trees and underbrush growing on its summit.
In the rear of this little elevation, or mound, lay a belt of wet prairie, covered
at that time with a dense growth of rank, coarse grass. Bordering this wet
prairie on the north the country rises abruptly into elevated broken river bluffs,
covered with a heavy forest for miles in extent, and in places thickly clustered
with undergrowth, affording convenient shelter for the stealthy approach of
an enemy.
"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, intending to remain in
ambush during the day and make observations as this near proximity to their
intended victims might aft'ord, 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 the excitement of horse racing, and schooled
their voune warriors in cavalrv evolutions. In these exercises mock battles were
fought, and the Indian tactics of attack and defense carefully inculcated, by which
means a skill in horsemanship was acquired that is rarely excelled. Unfortunately
for them, this day was selected for their equestrian sports, and wholly unconscious
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, women and children
unprotected.
"Pash-a-popo, who was chief in command of the Sacs and Foxes, perceived
at oice this state of things afforded opportunity for a complete surprise of his
now doomed victims, and ordered Black Hawk to file off with his young warriors
thrcugh the tall grass and gain the cover of the timber along the river bank,
and with the utmost speed reach the village and commence the battle, while he
rerrained with his division in the ambush to make a simultaneous attack on the
unrrmed men whose attention was engrossed with the excitement of the races.
Th ; plan was skillfully laid and dexterously executed. Black Hawk, with his
for:es, reached the village undiscovered, and made a furious onslaught upon the
defenseless inhabitants by firing one general volley into their midst and com-
pleting the slaughter with the tomahawk and scalping knife, aided by the devour-
10 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
ing flames with which they enveloped 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
Pash-a-popo leaped from their couchant position in the grass, and sprang, tiger-
like, upon the unarmed lowas in the midst of their racing sports. The first
impulse of the latter naturally led them to make the utmost speed towards their
arms in the village, and protect, if possible, their wives and children from the
attack of their merciless assailants. The distance from the place of attack on
the prairie was two miles, and a great number fell in their flight by the bullets
and tomahawks of their enemies, who pressed them closely with a running fire the
whole way, and the survivors only reached their town in time to witness the
horrors of its destruction. Their whole village was in flames and the dearest
objects of their lives lay in slaughtered heaps amidst the devouring element,
and the agonizing groans of the dying, mingled with the hideously exulting
shouts of the enemy, filled their hearts with maddening despair. Their wives
and children who had been spared the general massacre were prisoners, and
their weapons were in the hands of the victorious savages; all that could now
be done was to draw oft' their shattered and defenseless 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 Sioux located their hunting grounds north of the Sacs and Foxes. They
were a fierce and warlike nation, and often disputed possession in savage and
fiendish warfare. The possessions of these tribes were mostly located in
Minnesota, but extended also over a portion of northern and western Towa, to
the Missouri river. Their descent from the north upon the hunting grounds of
Iowa frequently brought them into collision with the Sacs and Foxes, and after
many a sangine conflict a boundary line was established between them by the
government of the United States, in a treaty held at Prairie du Chien in 1825.
Instead of settling the difficulties, this caused them to quarrel all the more, in
consequence of alleged trespasses upon each other's side of the line. So bitter
and unrelenting became these contests that in 1830 the government purchased
of the respective tribes of the Sacs and Foxes and the Sioux a strip of land
twenty miles wide on both sides of the line, thus throwing them forty miks apart
by creating a "neutral ground," and commanded them to cease their hos;ilities.
They were, however, allowed to fish on the ground unmolested, prnvidec thev
did not interfere with each other on United States territorv.
Soon after the acquisition of Louisiana the United States government adopted
measures for the exploration of the new territory, having in view the concili; tion
of the numerous tribes of Indians by whom its was possessed and also the
selection of proper sites for the establishment of militarv posts and trading
stations. The Army of the West, General Wilkinson commanding, had its head-
quarters at St. Louis. From this post Captains Lewis and Clarke, with a sufific ent
force, where detailed to explore the unknown sources of the Mis.souri, md
Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike to ascend to the headwaters of the Mississippi. Lieu-
tenant Pike, with one sergeant, two corporals and seventeen privates, left the
military camp near St. Louis in a keel boat, with four months' rations, Aug ust
9, 1805. On the 20th of the same month the exped'tion arrived within the pre; ent
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 11
limits of the state of Iowa, at the foot of the Des Moines rapids, where Pike met
Wilh'am Ewing, who had just been appointed Indian agent at the point; a
French interpreter, four chiefs, fifteen Sac and Fox warriors. At the head of
the rapids, where Montrose is now situated, Pike held a council with the Indians,
in which he addressed them substantially as follows :
"Your great father, the president of the United States, wishes to be more
accjuainted wdth the situation and wants of the different nations of red people
in our newly acquired territory of Louisiana, and has ordered the general ta
send a number of his warriors in different directions to take them by the hand
and make such inquiries as might afford the satisfaction required."
At the close of the council he presented the red men with some knives,
tobacco and whisky. On the 23d of August he arrived at what is supposed, from
his description, to be the site of the present city of Burlington, which he selected
as the location for a military post. He describes the place as "being on a hill
about forty miles above the River de Moyne rapids, on the west side of the river,
in latitude forty degrees twenty-one minutes north. The channel of the river runs
on that shore. The hill in front is about sixty feet perpendicular, and nearl\-
level at the top. About four hundred yards in the rear is a small prairie, fit for
gardening, and immediately under the hill is a limestone spring, sufficient for the
consumption of a whole regiment." In addition to this description, which cor-
responds to Burlington, the spot is laid down on his map at a bend in the river
a short distance below the mouth of the Henderson, which pours its water into the
Mississippi from Illinois. The fort was built at Fort Madison, but from the
distance, latitude, description and map furnished by Pike, it could not have been
the place selected by him, while all the circumstances corroborate the opinion
that the spot he selected was the place where Burlington is now located, called
bv the early voyagers on the Mississippi "Flint Hills." In company with one
of his men. Pike went on shore on a hunting expedition, and, following a stream
which they supposed to be a part of the Mississippi, they were led away from their
course. Owing to the intense heat and tall grass, his two favorite dogs, which
he had taken with him, became exhausted and he left them on the prairie, sup-
posing they would follow him as soon as they should get rested, and went on to
overtake his boat. After reaching the river he waited for some time for his
canine friends, but they did not come, and as he deemed it inexpedient to detain
the boat longer, two of his men volunteered to go in pursuit of them. He then
continued on his way up the river, expecting the men would soon overtake him.
Thej' l5st their way, however, and for six days were without food, except a few
morsels gathered from the not accidentallv-met trader from St. Louis, and might
hav< perished had they not induced two Indians to take them up the river, over-
taking the boat at Dubuque. At the latter place Pike was cordially received by
Julian Dubuque, a Frenchman, who held a mining claim under a grant from
Spa in. He had an old field piece, and fired a salute in honor of the advent of the
first American who had visited that part of the territory. He was not. however,
disposed to publish the wealth of his mines, and the young and evidently inquisi-
tivn officer obtained but little information in that regard.
Upon leaving this place Pike pursued his way up the river, but as he passed
beyond the limits of the present state of Iowa, a detailed history of his explora-
12 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
tions does not properly belong in this volume. It is sufficient to say that on the
site of Fort Snelling, Minnesota, he held a council with the Sioux, September
23d, and obtained from them a grant of one hundred thousand acres of land.
Before the territory of Iowa could be opened to settlement by the whites
it v.as first necessary that the Indian title should be extinguished and the
aborigines removed. The territory had been purchased by the United States, but
was still occupied by the Indians, who claimed title to the soil by right of posses-
sion. In order to accomplish this purpose, large sums of money were expended,
warring tribes had to be appeased by treaty stipulations and oppression by the
whites discouraged.
BLACK HAWK.
When the United States assumed control of the country, by reason of iti
purchase from France, nearly the whole state was in possession of the Sacs and
Foxes, a powerful and warlike nation, who were not disposed to submit without
a struggle to what they regarded the encroachment on their rights by the pale-
faces. Among the most noted chiefs, and one whose restlessness and hatred
of the whites occasioned more trouble to the government than any other of his
tribe, was Black Hawk, who was born at the Sac village on Rock river in 1767.
He was simply the chief of his own band of Sac warriors, but by his energy and
ambition he became the leading spirit of the united nations of the Sacs and
Foxes and one of the prominent figures in the history of the country from
1804 until his death. In early manhood he attained distinction as a fighting chief,
having led campaigns against the Osages and other neighboring tribes. About
the beginning of the nineteenth century he began to appear prominent in the
affairs of Mississippi. His life was a marvel. He is said by some to have been
the victim of a narrow prejudice and bitter ill-will against the Americans.
November 3, 1804, a treaty was concluded between William Henry Harrison,
then governor of Indian Territory, on behalf of the United States, and five chiefs
of the Sac and Fox nation, by which the latter, m consideration of two thousand'
two hundred and thirty-four dollars' worth of goods then delivered and a yearly
annuity of one thousand dollars to be paid in goods at just cost, ceded to the
United States all that land on the east side of the Mississippi extending from
a point opposite the Jefferson, in Missouri, to the Wisconsin river, embracing
an area of fifty-one million acres. To this treaty Black Hawk always objected
and alwavs refused to consider it binding upon his people. He asserted that the
chiefs and braves who made it had no authority to relinquish the title of the nation
to any of the lands they held or occupied and, moreover, that they had been s;nt
to St. Louis on quite a different errand, namely, to get one of their people released,
who had been imprisoned at St. Louis for killing a white man.
In 1805 Lieutenant Pike came up the river for the purpose of holdi!ig
friendly council with the Indians and selecting sites for forts within the territory
recently acquired from France by the United States. Lieutenant Pike seems co
have been the first American whom Black Hawk had met or had a personal
interview with, and was very much impressed in his favor. Pike gave a ve:y
interesting account of his visit to the noted chief.
Fort Edwards was erected soon after Pike's expedition, at what is nc w
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 13
Warsaw, Illinois, also Fort Madison, on the site of the present town of that
name, the latter being the first fort erected in Iowa. These movements occasioned
great uneasiness among the Indians. When work was commenced on Fort
Edwards a delegation from the nation, headed by their chiefs, went down to
see what the Americans were doing, and had an interview with the commander,
after which they returned home and were apparently satisfied. In like manner,
when Fort Madison was being erected, they sent down another delegation from
a council of the nation held at Rock river. According to Black Hawk's account
the American chief told them he was building a house for a trader, who was
coming to sell them goods cheap, and that the soldiers were coming to keep
him company — a statement which Black Hawk says they distrusted at the time,
believing that the fort was an encroachmen upon their rights, and designed to aid
in getting their lands away from them. It is claimed by good authority that the
building of Fort Madison was a violation of the treaty of 1804. By the eleventh
article of that treaty the United States had the right to build a fort near the
mouth of the Wisconsin river, and by article six hey had bound hemselves
"that if any citizen of the United States, or any other white person, should form
a settlement upon their lands, such an intruder should forthwith be removed."
Probably the authorities of the United States did not regard the establishment
of military posts as coming properly within the meaning of the term "settle-
ment," as used in the treaty. At all events, they erected Fort Madison within
the territory reserved for the Indians, who became very indignant. Very soon
after the fort was built a party led by Black Hawk attempted its destruction.
They sent spies to watch the movements of the garrison, who ascertained that
the soldiers were in the habit of marching out of the fort every morning and
evening for parade, and the plan of the party was to conceal themselves near
the fort and attack and surprise them when they were outside. On the morning
of the proposed day of the attack five soldiers came out and were fired upon by
the Indians, two of them beins: killed. The Indians were too hastv in their
movements, for the parade had not commenced. However, they kept up the
siege for several days, attempting the old Fox strategy of setting fire to the
fort with blazing arrows, but finding their efforts unavailing, they desisted and
returned to their wigwams on Rock river. In 18 12, when war was declared
between this country and Great Britain, Black Hawk and his band allied them-
selves with the British, partly because he was dazzled by their specious promises,
but more probably because they were deceived by the Americans. Black Hawk
himself declared they were forced into the war by having been deceived. He
narrates the circumstance as follows : "Several of the head men and chiefs
of the Sacs and Foxes were called upon to go to Washington to see the great
father. On their return they related what had been said and done. They said
the great father wished them, in the event of war taking place with England,
not to interfere on either side, but to remain neutral. He did not want our help,
but wished us to hunt and support our families and live in peace. He said that
British traders would not be permitted to come on the Mississippi to furnish us
with goods, but that we should be supplied by an American trader. Our chiefs
then told him that the British traders always gave them credit in the fall for guns,
powder and goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe our families. He repeated
14 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
that the traders of Fort Madison would have plenty of goods ; that we should
go there in the fall and he should supply us on credit, as the British traders had
done." Black Hawk seems to have accepted the proposition, and he and his
people were very much pleased. Acting in good faith, they fitted out their
winter's hunt, and went to- Fort Madison in high spirits to receive from the trader
their outfit of supplies ; but after waiting some times they were told by the trader
that he would not trust them. In vain they pleaded the promise of the great
father at Washington ; the trader was inexorable. Disappointed and crestfallen,
the Indians returned sadly to their own village. Says Black Hawk : "Few of
us slept that night. All was gloom and discontent. In the morning a canoe
was seen ascending the river. It soon arrived, bearing an express, who brought
intelligence that a British trader had landed at Rock Island with two boats filled
with goods, and requested us to come up immediately, because he had good news
for us and a variety of presents. The express presented us with pipes, tobacco
and wampum. The news ran through our camp like fire on a prairie. Our lodges
were soon taken down, and all started for Rock Island. Here ended all our
hopes of remaining at peace, having been forced into the war by being deceived."
He joined the British, who flattered him, and styled him "General Black Hawk,"
decked him with medals, excited his jealousy against the Americans and armed
his band ; but he met with defeat and disappointment, and soon abandoned the
service and returned home.
There was a portion of the Sacs and Foxes whom Black Hawk, with all
his skill and cunning, could not lead into hostilities against the United States.
With Keokuk, "the Watchful Fox,'" at their head, they were disposed to abide
by the treaty of 1804, and to cultivate friendly relations with the American
people. So when Black Hawk and his band joined the fortvmes of Great
Britain, the rest of the nation remained neutral and. for jirotection, organized,
with Keokuk for their chief. Thus the nation was divided into the "war party"
and "peace party." Keokuk became one of the nation's great chiefs. In person
he was tall and of portly bearing. He has been described as an orator, entitled
to rank with the most gifted of his race, and through the eloquence of his
tongue he prevailed upon a large body of his people to remain friendly to the
Americans. As has been said, the treaty of 1804 between the United States and
the Sac and Fox nations was never acknowledged by Black Hawk, and in 183 1
he established himself, with a chosen band of warriors, upon the disputed terri-
tory, ordering the whites to leave the country at once. The settlers complaining.
Governor Reynolds, of Illinois, despatched General Gaines, with a company of
regulars and one thousand five hundred volunteers, to the scene of action. Taking
the Indians by surprise, the troops burnt their village and forced them to conclude
a treaty, by which they ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi and agreed
to remain on the west side of the river.
Necessity forced the proud spirit of Black Hawk into submission, which
made him more than ever determined to be avenged upon his enemies. Having
rallied around him the warlike braves of the Sac and Fox nations, he recrossed
the Mississippi in the spring of 1832. Upon hearing of the invasion. Governor
Reynolds hastily gathered a body of one thousand eight hundred volunteers,
placing them under Brigadier-General Samuel Whiteside. The army marched
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 15
to the Mississippi and, having reduced to ashes the village known as "Prophets'
Town," proceeded several miles up the Rock river, to Dixon, to join the regular
forces under General Atkinson. They formed at Dixon two companies of volun-
teers, who, sighing for glory, were despatched to reconnoiter the enemy. They
advanced, under command of General Stillman, to a creek, afterwards called
"Stillman's Run," and, while encamping there, saw a party of mounted Indians
at a distance of a mile. Several of Stillman's men mounted their horses and
charged the Indians, killing three of them ; but, attacked by the main body under
Black Hawk, they were routed, and by their precipitate flight spread such a
panic throughout the camp that the whole company ran off to Dixon as fast as
their legs could carry them. On their arrival it was found that eleven had been
killed. For a long time afterward Major Stillman and his men were subjects
of ridicule and merriment, which was as undeserving as their expedition was
disastrous. Stillman's defeat spread consternation throughout the state and
nation. The number of Indians was greatly exaggerated and the name of Black
Hawk carried with it associations of great military talent, cunning and cruelty.
He was ever active and restless and was continually causing trouble.
After Black Hawk and his warriors had committed several depredations
and added more scalp-locks to their belts, that restless chief and his savage
partisans were located on Rock river, where he was in camp. On July 19th
General Henry being in command, ordered his troops to march. After having
gone about fifty miles they were overtaken by a terrible thunderstorm, which
lasted all night. Nothing cooled in their ardor and zeal, they marched fifty
miles the next day, encamping near the place where the Indians encamped the
night before. Hurrying along as fast as they could, the infantry keeping up an
equal pace with the mounted men, the troops on the morning of the 21st
crossed the river connecting two of the four lakes, by which the Indians had been
endeavoring to escape. They found on their way the ground strewn with kettles
and articles of baggage, which in the haste of retreat the Indians were obliged
to abandon. The troops, imbued with new ardor, advanced so rapidly that at
noon they fell in with the rear guards of the enemy. Those who closely pursued
them were saluted by a sudden fire of musketry from a body of Indians who
had concealed themselves in the high grass of the prairie. A most desperate
charge was made on the four, who, unable to resist, retreated obliquely in order
to outflank the volunteers on the right ; but the latter charged the Indians in
their ambush and expelled them from the thickets a the point of the bayonet
and dispersed them. Night set in and the battle ended, having cost the Indians
sixty-eight of their bravest men, while the loss of the Illinoisans was but one
killed and eight wounded. Soon after this battle Generals Atkinson and Henry
joined forces and pursued the Indians. General Henry struck the trail, left his
horses behind, formed an advance guard of eight men and marched forward
upon the trail. When these eight men came in sight of the river, they were
suddenly fired upon and five of them killed, the remaining three maintaining their
ground until General Henry came up. Then the Indians, charged upon with the
bayonet, fell back upon their main force. The battle now became general ; the
Indians fought with a desperate vigor, but were furiously assailed by the volun-
teers with their bayonets, cutting many of the Indians to pieces and driving the
16 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
rest c£ them into the river. Those who escaped from being drowned found refuge
on an island. On hearing of the frequent discharge of musketry, General Atkin-
son abandoned the pursuit of the twenty Indians under Black Hawk himself and
hurried to the scene of action, where he arrived too late to take part in the battle.
He immediately forded the river with his troops, the water reaching up to their
neck-., and landed on the island- where the Indians had secreted themselves. The
soldiers rushed upon the Indians, killed several of them, took the others prisoners
and chased the rest into the river, where they were either drowned or shot before
reaching the opposite shore. Thus ended the battle, the Indians losing three
hundred, besides fifty prisoners ; the whites but seventeen killed and twelve
wounded.
Black Hawk, with his twenty braves, retreated up the Wisconsin river. The
Winnebagoes, desirous of securing the friendship of the whites, went in pursuit
and captured and delivered them to General Street, the United States Indian
agent. ' Among the prisoners were the son of Black Hawk and the prophet of the
tribe. These, with Black Hawk, were taken to Washington, District of Columbia,
and >oon consigned as prisoners to Fortress JMonroe. At the interview Black
Hawk bad with the president he closed his speech delivered on the occasion in the
following words: "We did not expect to conquer the whites. They have too
many houses, too many men. I took up the hatchet, for my part, to revenge
injuries which my people could no longer endure. Had I borne them longer witli-
out striking my people would have said, 'Black Hawk is a woman; he is too old
to be a chief ; he is no Sac' These reflections caused me to raise the war whoop.
I say no more. It is known to you. Keokuk once was here ; you took him by the
hand, and when he wished to return to his home you were willing. Black Hawk
expects, like Keokuk, he shall be permitted to return, too."
By order of the president. Black Hawk and his companions, who were in con-
finement at Fortress jNIonroe, were set free on the 4th day of June, 1833. After
their release from prison they were conducted, in charge of Major Garland,
through some of the principal cities that they might witness the power of the
United States and learn their own inability to cope with them in war. Great
multitudes flocked to see them wherever they were taken, and the attention paid
them rendered their progress through the country a truimphal procession, instead
of prisoners transported by an officer. At Rock Island the prisoners were given
their liberty amid great and impressive ceremony. In 1838 Black Hawk built him
a dwelling near Des Moines, this state, and furnished it after the manner of the
whites and engaged in agricultural pursuits, together with hunting and fishing.
Here, with his wife, to whom he was greatly attached, he passed the few remaining
days of his life. To his credit, it may be said, that Black Hawk remained true
to his wife and served her with a devotion uncommon among Indians, living with
her upwards of forty years.
At all times when Black Hawk visited the whites he was received with
marked attention. He was an honored guest at the old settlers' reunion in Lee
county, Illinois, and received marked tokens of esteem. In September, 1838,
while on his way to Rock Island to receive his annuity from the government, he
contracted a severe cold, which resulted in an intense attack of bilious fever and
terminated his life in October. After his death he was dressed in the uniform pre-
CLAY COUNTY COURTHOUSE
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 19
sented to him b}- the president while in Washington. He was buried in a grave
six feet in depth, situated upon a beautiful eminence. The body was placed in the
middle of the grave in a sitting position upon a seat constructed for the occasion.
On his left side the cane given him by Henry Clay was placed upright, with his
hand resting upon it. His remains were afterwards stolen and carried away, but
they were recovered by the governor of Iowa and placed in the museum at
Burlington of the Historical Society, where they were finally destroyed by fire.
INDIAN TREATIES.
The territory known as the "Black Hawk Purchase," although not the first
portion of Iowa ceded to the United States by the Sacs and Foxes, was the first
opened to actual settlement by the tide of emigration which flow^ed across the
Mississippi as soon as the Indian title was extinguished. The treaty which pro-
vided for this cession was made at a council held on the west bank of the Missis-
sippi, w^here now stands the city of Davenport, on ground now occupied by the
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company, September 21, 1832. This
was just after the Black Hawk war and the defeated savages had retired from
east of the Mississippi. At the council the government was represented by Gen-
eral Winfield Scott and Governor Reynolds of Illinois, Keokuk, Pashapopo and
some thirty other chiefs and warriors were there. By this treaty the Sacs and
Foxes ceded to the United States a strip of land on the eastern border of Iowa,
fifty miles wide, from the northern boundary of Missouri to the mouth of the
Upper Iowa river, containing about six million acres. The w^estern line of the
purchase was parallel with the Mississippi. In consideration for this cession the
United States agreed to pay annually to the confederated tribes, for thirty con-
secutive years, twenty thousand dollars in specie, and to pay the debts of the
Indians at Rock Island, which had been accumulating for seventeen years, and
amounted to fifty thousand dollars, due to Davenport & Farnham, Indian traders.
The government also donated to the Sac and Fox women and children, whose
husbands and fathers had fallen in the Black Hawk war. thirty-five beef cattle,
twelve bushels of salt, thirty barrels of pork, fifty barrels of flour, and six thousand
bushels of corn.
The treaty was ratified February 13, 1833, and took effect on the ist of June
following, wdien the Indians quietly removed from the ceded territory and this
fertile and beautiful region was opened to white settlers.
By the terms of the treaty out of the "Black Hawk Purchase" four hundred
square miles of land was reserved for the Sacs and F'oxes, situated on the Iowa
river, and including within its limits Keokuk village, on the right bank of that river.
This tract was known as Keokuk's reserve, and was occupied by the Indians until
1836, whereby a treaty made in September between them and Governor
Dodge, of Wisconsin territory, it was ceded to the United States. The council
was held on the banks of the Mississippi above Davenport, and was the largest
assemblage of the kind ever held by the Sacs and Foxes to treat for the sale of
land. About one thousand of their braves and chiefs were present, Keokuk being
the leading spirit of the occasion and their principal speaker.
CL.\Y 2. • ' '
20 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
FIRST LAND TITLE IN IOWA.
By the terms of this treaty the Sacs and Foxes were removed to another
reservation on the Des INIoines river, where an agency was estabhshed at what is
now the town of Agency, in Wapello county. The government also gave out of
the "Black Hawk Purchase" to Antoine LeClaire, interpreter, in fee simple, one
section of land opposite Rock Island and another at the head of the first rapids
above the island, on the Iowa side. This was the first land title granted by the
United .States to an individual in Iowa.
General Joseph M. Street established an agency among the Sacs and Foxes
very soon after the removal of the latter to their new reservation. He was trans-
ferred from the agency of the W'innebagoes for this purpose. A farm was
selected, upOn which the necessary buildings were erected, including a comfortable
farm-house for the agent and his family, at the expense of the Indian fund. A
salaried agent was employed to superintend the farm and dispose of the crops.
Two mills were erected — one on Soap creek and the other on -Sugar creek. The
latter was soon swept away by a flood, but the former did good service for many
years.
Connected with the agency were Joseph Smart and John Goodell, inter-
preters. The latter was interpreter for Hard Fishes' band.
Three of the Indian chiefs — Keokuk, Wapello and Appanose — had each a
large field improved, the two former on the right bank of the Des Moines, and
back from the river, in what was "Keokuk's Prairie," and the latter on the present
site of the city of Ottumwa. Among the traders connected with their agency was
J. P. Eddy, who established his post at what is now the site of Eddyville. The
Indians at this agency became idle and listless in the absence of their !iatural ex-
citements and many of them plunged into dissipation. Keokuk himself became
dissipated in the latter years of his life and it has been reported that he died of
delirium tremens after his removal with his tribe to Kansas. In May, 1843, '"ost
of the Indians were removed up the Des Moines river, above the temporary line
of Red Rock, having ceded the renmants of their land to the United States, Sep-
tember 21, 1837, and October 11. 1842. By the terms of the latter treaty they
held possession of the "New Purchase" until the autumn of 1845, when most of
them were removed to their reservation in Kansas, the balance being removed
in 1846.
Before any permanent settlement was made in the territory of Iowa, white
adventurers, trappers and traders, many of whom were scattered along the Missis-
sippi and its tributaries as agents and employes of the American Fur Company,
intermarried with the females of the Sac and Fox Indians, producing a race of
half-breeds, whose number was never definitely ascertained. There were some
respectable and excellent people among them, children of some refinement and
education.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first permanent settlement made by whites within the limits of Iowa was
by Julien Dubuque in 1788, when, with a small party of miners, he settled on the
site of the city that now bears his name, where he lived until his death, in 18 10.
What was known as Girard settlement, in Clavton countv, was made bv some
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 21
parties prior to the commencement of the nineteenth century. It consisted of
three cabins in 1805. Louis Honori settled on the site of the present town of
Montrose probably in 1799, and resided there probably until 1805, when his prop-
erty passed into other hands. Indian traders had established themselves at other
points at an early date. Mr. Johnson, an agent of the American Fur Company,
had a trading post below Burlington, where he carried on traffic with the Indians
some time before the United States came into possession of Louisiana. In 1820
LeMoliese. a French trader, had a station at what is now Sandusky, six miles
above Keokuk, in Lee county. The same year a cabin was built where the city
of Keokuk now stands by Dr. Samuel C. Muir, a surgeon in the United States
army. His marriage and subsequent life were very romantic. While stationed
at a military post on the Upper Mississippi the post was visited by a beautiful
Indian maiden — whose native name unfortunately has not been preserved — who,
in her dreams, had seen a white brave unmoor his canoe, paddle it across the
river and come directly to her lodge. She felt assured, according to the super-
stitious belief of her race, that in her dreams she had seen her future husband,
and had come to the fort to find him. Meeting Dr. Aiuir, she instantly recognized
him, as the hero of her dream, which, with child-like innocence and simplicity,
she related to him. Charmed with the dusky maiden's beauty, innocence and
devotion, the doctor took her to his home in honorable wedlock ; but, after a while,
the sneers and jibes of his brother officers — less honorable than he — made him
feel ashamed of his dark-skinned wife, and when his regiment was ordered down
the river to Bellefontaine, it is said, he embraced the opportunity to rid himself
of her, never expecting to see her again, and little dreaming that she would have
the courage to follow him. But with her infant this intrepid wife and mother
started alone in her canoe, and after many days of weary labor and a lonely jour-
ney of nine hundred miles she at last reached him. She afterwards remarked,
when speaking of this toilsome journey down the river in search of her husband :
"When I got there I was all perished away — so thin." The doctor, touched by
such unexampled devotion, took her to his heart and ever after, until his death,
treated her with marked respect. She always presided at his table with grace
and dignity, but never abandoned her native style of dress. In 1819-20 he was
stationed at Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, but the senseless ridicule of some of
his brother officers, on account of his Indian wife, induced him to resign his com-
mission. He then built a cabin, as above stated, where Keokuk is now situated,
and made a claim to some land. This land he leased to parties in the neighbor-
hood and then moved to what is now Galena, where he practiced his profession
for ten years, when he returned to Keokuk. His Indian wife bore him four chil-
dren : Louise, James, Mary and Sophia. Dr. Muir died suddenly of cholera in
1832, but left his property in such condition that it was wasted in vexatious litiga-
tion, and his brave and faithful wife, left friendless and penniless, became dis-
couraged; so with her two younger children she disappeared. It is said she
returned to her people on the Upper Missouri.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT FOR TERRITORY AND STATE.
After the "Black Hawk Purchase" immigration to Iowa was rapid and
steady, and provisions for civil government became a necessity. Accordingly, in
22 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
1834, all the territory comprising the present states of Iowa, Wisconsin and
Minnesota was made subject to the jurisdiction of Michigan territory. Up to this
time there had been no county or other organization in what is now the state of
Iowa, although one or two justices of the peace had been appointed and a post-
office was established at Dubuque in 1833. In September of 1834, therefore, the
territorial legislature of Alichigan created two counties on the west side of the
Mississippi river — Dubuque and Des Moines — separated by a line drawn west-
ward from the foot of Rock Island. These counties were partially organized.
John King was appointed chief justice of Dubuque county and Isaac Lefifler of
Des Moines county. Two associate justices in each county were appointed by the
governor.
In October, 1835, General George W. Jones, in recent years a citizen of Du-
buque, was elected a delegate to congress. April 20, 1836, through the efforts
of General Jones, congress passed a bill creating the territory of Wisconsin, which
went into operation July 4 of the same year. Iowa was then included in the terri-
tory of Wisconsin, of which General Henry Dodge was appointed governor; John
S. Horner, secretary; Charles Dunn, chief justice; David Irwin and William C.
Frazer, associate justices. September 9, 1836, a census of the new territory was
taken. Des Moines county showed a population of six thousand two hundred and
fifty-seven, and Dubuque county, four thousand two hundred and seventy-four.
ORG.\NIZ.\TION OF THE TERRITORY OF IOWA.
The question of the organization of the territory of Iowa now began to be
agitated and the desires of the people fcmnd expression in a convention held
November i, which memorialized congress to organize a territory west of the
Mississippi river and to settle the boundary line between Wisconsin territory and
Missouri. The territorial legislature of Wisconsin, then in session in Burlington,
joined in the petition. The act was passed dividing the territory of Wisconsin
and providing for the territorial government of Iowa. This was approved June
12, 1838, to take effect and be in force on and after July 3, 1838.
The new territory embraced "all that part of the present territory of Wiscon-
sin west of the Mississippi river and west of a line drawn due north from the
headwaters or sources of the Mississippi river to the territorial line." The organic
act provided for a governor, whose term of office should be three years ; a secre-
tary, chief justice, two associate justices, an attorney-general and marshal, to be
appointed by the president. The act also provided for the election, by the white
citizens over twenty-one years of age, of a house of representatives, consisting of
twenty-six members, and a council, to consist of thirteen members. It also appro-
priated five thousand dollars for a public library and twenty thousand dollars for
the erection of public buildings. In accordance with this act President Van
Buren appointed ex-Governor Robert Lucas, of Ohio, to be the first governor of
the new territory ; William B. Conway, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, secretary ;
Charles Mason, of Jjurlington, chief justice; Thomas S. Wilson, of Dubuque,
and Joseph AMlliams, of Pennsylvania, associate justices; Air. Yzn Allen, of New
York, attorney ; Francis Gehon, of Dubuque, marshal ; Augustus C. Dodge, regis-
ter of the land office at Burlington ; and Thomas C. Knight, receiver of the land
office at Dubuque.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 23
On the loth of September, 1838, an election was held for members of the
legislature, and on the 12th of the following November the first session of that
body was held at Burlington. Both branches of this general assembly had a large
democratic majority, but notwithstanding that fact General Jesse B. Brown, a
whig, of Lee county, Des Moines and Dubuque counties having been previously
divided into other counties, was elected president of the council, and Hon. William
H. Wallace, of Henry county, also a whig, speaker of the house. The first session
of the Iowa territorial legislature was a stormy and exciting one. By the organic,
law the governor was clothed with almost unlimited veto power. Governor Lucas
was disposed to make free use of this prerogative, and the independent Hawkeyes
could not quietly submit to arbitrary and absolute rule. The result was an un-
pleasant controversy between the executive and legislative departments. Con-
gress, however, by act approved March 3, 1839, amended the organic law by
restricting the veto power of the governor to the two-thirds rule, and took from
him the power to appoint sheriffs and magistrates. Among the first important
matters demanding attention was the location of the seat of government and pro-
vision for the erection of public buildings, for which congress had appropriated
twenty thousand dollars. Governor Lucas, in his message, had recommended
the appointment of commissioners with a view to selecting a central location. The
extent of the fviture state of low^a was not known or thought of. Only a strip
of land fifty miles wide bordering on the Mississippi river was alienated by the
Indians to the general government, and a central location meant some central
point v.'ithin the confines of what was known as the "Black Hawk Purchase."
The friends of a central location favored the governor's suggestion. The
southern members were divided betw^een Burlington and Mount Pleasant, but
finally united on the latter as the proper location for the seat of government. The
central and southern parties were very nearly equal and, in consequence, much
excitement prevailed. The central party at last was triumphant and on January
21, 1839, an act was passed appointing commissioners to select a site for a perma-
nent seat of government w'ithin the limits of Johnson county. All things consid-
ered, the location of the capital in Johnson county was a wise act. Johnson
county, was, from north to south, in the geographical center of the purchase, and
as near the east and west geographical center of the future state of Iowa as could
then be made. The site having been determined, six hundred and forty acres were
laid out by the commissioners into a town and called Iowa City. On a tract of
ten acres the capitol was built, the cornerstone of which was laid with appropriate
ceremonies July 4, 1840. Monday, December 6, 1841, the fourth legislature of
Iowa met at the new capital, Iowa City, but the capitol building not being ready
for occupancy a temporary frame house erected for the purpose was used.
In 1841 John Chambers succeeded Robert Lucas as governor, and in 1845
he gave place to James Clarke. The territorial legislature held its eighth and
lasf session at Iowa City in 1845. James Clarke was the same year appointed the
successor of Governor Chambers and was the third and last territorial governor.
THE TERRITORY BECOMES THE STATE OF I0W^'\.
The territory of Iowa was growing rapidly in its population and soon began
to look for greater things. Her ambition was to take on the dignity and import-
24 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
ance of statehood. To the furtherance of this laudable ambition the territorial
legislature passed an act, which was approved February 12, 1844, providing for
the submission to the people the question of the formation of a state constitution
and providing for the election of delegates to a convention to be convened for
that purpose. The people voted on this at their township elections the following
April. The measure was carried by a large majority and the members elected
assembled in convention at Iowa City, October 7, 1844. On the ist day of No-
vember following the convention completed its work and adopted the first state
constitution. By reason of the boundary lines of the proposed state being unsat-
isfactorily prescribed by congress the constitution was rejected at an election
held August 4, 1845, by a vote of seven thousand two hundred and fifty-six to
seven thousand two hundred and thirty-five. IMay 4, 1846, a second convention
met at Iowa City, and on the i8th of the same month another constitution pre-
scribing the boundaries as they are now was adopted. This was accepted by the
people August 3 by a vote of nine thousand four hundred and ninety-two to nine
thousand and thirty-six. The new constitution was approved by congress and
Iowa w-as adiuitted as a sovereign state in the Union. December 28, 1846, and the
people of the territory, anticipating favorable action by congress, held an election
for state officers October 26. 1846, which resulted in the choice of Ansel Briggs
for governor ; Elisha Cutler, Jr., secretary ; James T. Fales, auditor ; ^Morgan
Reno, treasurer ; and members of both branches of the legislature.
The act of congress which admitted Iowa into the Union as a state gave
her the sixteenth section of every township of land in the state, or its equivalent,,
for the support of the schools. Also seventy-two sections of land for the com-
pletion of her public buildings ; the salt springs within her limits, not exceeding
twelve in number, with sections of land adjoining each other; also in considera-
tion that her public lands should be exempt from taxation by the state the state
was given five per cent, of the net proceeds of the public sale of public lands
within the state.
The constitutional convention of 1846 was made up largely of democrats,,
and the instrument contains some of the peculiar tenets of the party of that day.
All banks of issue were prohibited within the state. The state was prohibited
from becoming a stockholder in any corporation for pecuniary profit, and the
general assembly could only provide for private corporations by general statutes.
The constitution also limited the state's indebtedness to one hundred thousand
dollars. It required the general assembly to provide for schools throughout the
state for at least three months during the year. Six months' previous residence
of any white male citizen of the United States constituted him an elector.
At the time of the organization of the state Iowa had a population of one
hundred sixteen thousand six hundred and fifty-one, as appears bv the census
of 1847. There were twenty-seven organized counties, and the settlements were
being rapidly pushed toward the Missouri river.
The western boundary of the state, as now determined, left Iowa City too
far toward the eastern and southern boundary of the state. This was conceded.
Congress had appropriated five sections of land for the erection of public build-
ings, and toward the close of the first session of the general assembly a bill was
introduced providing for the relocation of the seat of government, involving to.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 25
some extent the location of the state university, which had already been dis-
cussed. This bill gave rise to much discussion, and parliamentary maneuvering
almost purely sectional in its character. February 25, 1847, ^" act was passed
to locate and establish a state university, and the unfinished public buildings at
Iowa City, together with the ten acres of land on which they were situated, were
granted for the use of the university, reserving their use, however, for the general
assembly and state ofificers until other provisions were made by law.
Four sections of land and two half sections were selected in Jasper county
by tlie commissioners for the new capital. Here a town was platted and called
Monroe City. The commissioners placed town lots on sale at a cost exceeding
the receipts. The town of Monroe was condemned and failed of becoming the
, capital. An act was passed repealing the law^ for the location at IMonroe, and
those who had bought lots there were refunded their money.
By reason of jealousies and bickerings the first general assembly failed to
elect United States senators, but the second did better and sent to the upper house
of congress Augustus Caesar Dodge and George Jones. The first representatives
were S. Clinton Hastings, of Muscatine, and Shepard Leffler, of Des Moines
county.
The question of the permanent seat of government was not settled, and in
185 1 bills were introduced for its removal to Fort Des Moines. The latter locality
seemed to have the support of the majority, but was finally lost in the house on
the question of ordering it to a third reading. At the next session, in 1853, a
bill was again introduced in the senate for the removal of the seat of govern-
ment. However, the efifort was a more final vote and was just barely defeated.
At the next session the etTort was successful, and on January 15, 1855, a bill relo-
cating the capital of the state of Iowa within two miles of the Raccoon fork of
the Des Moines river and for the appointment of commissioners was approved
by Governor Grimes. The site was selected in 1856 in accordance with the pro-
visions of this act; the land being donated to the state by citizens and property
holders of Des ]\Ioines. An association of citizens erected a temporary building
for the capitol and leased it to the state at a nominal rent.
THE STATE BECOMES REPUBLICAN.
The passage by congress of the act organizing the territories of Kansas and
Nebraska, and the provision it contained abrogating that portion of the Missouri
bill that prohibited slavery north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes, was
the beginning of a political revolution in the northern states, and in none was it
more marked than in the state of Iowa. Iowa was the "first free child born of
the Missouri compromise." In 1856 the republican party of the state was duly
organized in full sympath}- with that of other states, and at the ensuing presiden-
tial election the electoral vote of the state was cast for John C. Fremont. Another
constitutiojial convention assembled at Iowa City in January, 1857. O"^ o^ the
most pressing demands for this convention grew out of the prohibition of banks
under the old constitution. The practical result of this prohibition was to flood
the state with everv specie of "wildcat currency." The circulating medium was
made a part of the free-bank paper of Illinois and Indiana. In addition to this
26 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
there was paper issued by Iowa brokers, who had obtained bank charters from
the territorial legislature of Nebraska, and had their pretended headquarters at
Omaha and Florence. The currency was also variegated with the bills of other
states, generally such as had the best reputation where they were least known.
This paper was all at two, and some of it from ten to fifteen per cent, discount.
Every man who was not an expert at detecting counterfeit bills and who was not
posted in the methods of banking institutions did business at his peril. The new
constitution adopted at this convention made ample provisions for house banks
under the supervision of the laws of the state, and other changes in the old
constitution were made that more nearly met the vie^vs of the people.
The permanent scat of government was fixed at Des ^loines and the uni-
versity at Iowa City. The qualifications of electors remained the same as under
the old constitution, but the schedule provided for a vote of the people upon a
separate proposition to strike out the word "white" from the suflfrage clause.
Since the early organization of Iowa there had been upon the statute books a law
providing that no negro, mulatto or Indian should be a competent witness in any
suit at law or proceeding to which a white man was a party. The general assem-
bly of i856r7 repealed this law, and the new constitution contained a clause for-
bidding such disqualification in the future. It also provided for the education ot
"all youth of the state" through a system of common schools.
THE C.\PITAL REMOVED TO DES MOINES.
October 19, 1857, Governor Grimes issued a proclamation declaring the city
of Des Moines to be the capital of the state of Iowa. The removal of the archives
and offices was commenced at once and continued through the fall. It was an
undertaking of no small magnitude. There was not a mile of railroad to facili-
tate the work and the season was unusually disagreeable. Rain, snow and other
accompaniments increased the difficulties, and it was not until December that the
last of the effects — the safe of the state treasurer, loaded on two large "bobsleds,"
drawn by ten yoke of oxen — was deposited in the new capitol. Thus Iowa Citv
ceased to be the capital of the state after four territorial legislatures, six state
legislatures and three constitutional conventions had held their regular sessions
there.
In 1870 'the general assembly made an appropriation and provided for a
board of commissioners to commence work of building a new capitol. The
cornerstone was laid with appropriate ceremonies November 2t,, 1871. The esti-
mated cost of the building was two million five hundred thousand dollars, and
the structure was finished and occupied in 1884, the dedicatory exercises being
held in January of that year. Hon. John A. Kasson delivered the principal ad-
dress. The state capitol is classic in style, with a superstructure of buff lime-
stone. It is three hundred and sixty-three feet in length, two hundred and fortv-
seven feet in width, with a central dome rising to the height of two hundred and
seventy-five feet. At the time of completion it was only surpassed by the capitol
building of the state of New York, in Albany.
CLIMATE.
• In former years considerable objection was made to the prevalence of high
winds in Iowa, which is somewhat greater than in the states south and east. But
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 27
■climatic changes have lessened their grievance. The air, in fact, is pure and
generally bracing; so during the winter. Thunderstorms are also more violent
in this state than in those of the east and south, but not near so much so as
toward the mountains. As elsewhere in the northwestern states, easterly winds
bring rain and snow, while westerly ones clear the sky. While the highest tem-
perature occurs in August, the month of July averages the hottest and Januarv
the coldest. The mean temperature of April and October nearly corresponds
to the mean temperature of the year, as well as to the seasons of spring and fall,
while tha:t of summer and winter is best represented by August and December.
"Indian summer" is delightful and well prolonged.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The state lies wholly within and comprises a part of a vast plain. There are
no mountains and scarcely any hilly country within its borders ; for the highest
point is but one thousand two hundred feet above the lowest point; these two
points are nearly three hundred miles apart, and the whole state is traversed by
gently-flowing rivers. We thus find there is a good degree of proprietv in re-
garding the whole state as belonging to a great plain, the lowest point of which
within its borders, the southeastern corner of the state, is only four hundred and
forty-four feet above the level of the sea. The average height of the whole state
above the level of the sea is not far from eight hundred feet, although it is over
a thousand miles from the nearest ocean. These remarks are, of course, to be
understood as on!}- applying to the state at large or as a whole. On examining
its surface in detail we find a great diversity of surface by the formation of val-
leys out of the general level, w^hich have been evolved by the actions of streams
■during the unnumbered years of the terrace epoch. These river valleys are deep-
est in the northwestern part of the state, and consequently it is. there that the
country has the greatest diversity of surface and its physical features are most
strongly marked.
It is said that ninety-five per cent, of the surface of Iowa is capable of a
high state of cultivation. The soil is justly famous for its fertility, and there is
probably no equal area of the earth's surface that contains so little untillable land
or whose soil has so high an average of fertility.
LAKES AND STRE.\MS.
The largest of Iowa's lakes are Spirit Lake and Okoboji, in Dickinson
•county ; Clear Lake, in Cerro Gordo county, and Storm Lake, in Buena \'ista
county. Its rivers consist of the Mississippi and Missouri, the Chariton, Grand.
Platte, One Himdred and Two, Nodaway, Nishabotany, Boyer, Soldier, Little
Sioux, Floyd, Rock, Big Sioux, Cedar, Wapsipiunicon, Turkey and L'pper Iowa.
IOWA AND THE CIVH. WAR.
Iowa was torn a free state. Her people abhorred the "peculiar institution"
of slavery, and by her record in the war between the states proved herself truly
loyal to her institutions and the maintenance of the Union. By joint resolution
in the general assembly of the state in 1857 it was declared that the state of
28 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Iowa was "bound to maintain the iniion of these states by all the means in her
power." The same year the state furnished a block of marble for the \\'ashing-
ton monument at the national capital and by order of the legislature there was
inscribed on its enduring surface the following : "Iowa — Her affections, like the
rivers of her borders, flow to an inseparable Union." The time was now come
when these declarations of fidelity and attachment to the nation were to be put to-
a practical test. There was no state in the Union more vitally interesed in the
question of national unity than Iowa. The older states, both north and south, had
representatives in her citizenship. lowans were practically immigrants bound to
those older communities by the most sacred ties of blood and most enduring
recollections of early days. The position of Iowa as a state, geographically,
made the dismemberment of the Union a matter of serious concern. Within her
borders were two of the great navigable rivers of the country, and the Mississippi
had been for years its highway to the markets of the world. The people could
not entertain the thought that its navigation should pass to the control of a for-
eign nation. But more than this was to be feared. The consequence of intro-
ducing and recognizing in our nationar system the principle of secession or dis-
integration of the states from the Union. "That the nation possessed no consti-
tutional power to coerce a seceding state," as uttered l)y James lUichanan in his
last annual message, was received by the people of Towa with humiliation and
distrust. And in the presidential campaign of i860, when Abraham Lincoln
combated with all the force of his matchless logic and rhetoric this monstrous
political heresy, the issue was clearly drawn between the north and the south,,
and it became manifest to many that in the event of the election of Lincoln to
the presidency war would follow b.etwecn the states. The people of Iowa nursed
no hatred toward any section of the ctiuntry, l)ut were determined to hold such
opinions upon questions of puljlic interest, and vote for such men as to them
seemed for the general good, uninfluenced by any threat of violence or civil
war. So it was that th.ev anxiousl}- awaited the expiring hours of the Buchanan
administration and looked to the incoming president as to an expected deliverer
that should rescue the nation from the hands of traitors and the control of those
whose resistance invited her destruction. The firing upon the flag at Fort
vSumpter aroused a burning indignation throughout the loyal states of the repub-
lic, and nowhere more intense than in Iowa. And when the proclamation of the
president was published, April 15, 1861, calling for seventy-five thousand citizen
soldiers to "maintain the honor, the integrity and the existence of our national
unit)n, and the perpetuity of popular government," they were more than willing
to respond to the call. Party lines gave v.ay, and for a while, at least, partv spirit
was hushed and the cause of our common country was supreme in the affections
of the people. Fortunate indeed was the state at this crisis in having a. truly
representative man as executive of the state. Thoroughly honest and as equally
earnest, wholly imbued with the enthusiasm of the hour, and fully aroused to the
importance of the crisis and the magnitude of the struggle upon which the people
were entering, with an indomitable will under control of a strons^ common sense,
Samuel J. Kirkwood was, indeed, a Avorthy chief to organize and direct the
energies of the people in what was before them. Within thirty days after the
date of the president's call for troops tlie first Iowa regiment was mustered into
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 29
service of the United States, a second regiment was in camp ready for the service
and the general assembly of the state was convened in special session and had, by
joint resolution, solemnly pledged every resource of men and money to the na-
tional cause. So urgent were the offers of companies that the governor condi-
tionally accepted enough additional companies to compose two regiments more.
These were soon accepted by the secretary of war. Near the close of May the
adiutant-general of the state reported that one hundred and seventy companies
had been tendered the governor to serve against the enemies of the Union. The
question was eagerly asked: "Which of us will be allowed to go?" It seemed as
if Iowa was monopolizing the honors of the period and would send the largest
part of the seventv-five thousand \\anted from the whole north. There was much
difficultv and considerable delay experienced in fitting the first three regiments
for the field. For the first li-gimcnt a complete outfit of clothing was extem-
porized, partlv by the volunteer labor of loyal women in the different towns, from
material of various colors and qualities obtained within the limits of the state.
The same was done in part for the second infantry. ^leantime an extra session
of the general assembly had been called by the governor to convene on the 15th
of Mav. A\'ith but little delay that body authorized a loan of eight hundred
thousand dollars to meet the extraordinary expenses incurred and to be incurred
by the executive department in consequence of the emergency. A wealthy mer-
chant of the state, ex-Governor Merrill, immediately took from the governor a
contract +0 supply a complete outfit of clothing for three regiments organized,
agreeing lo receive, should the governor so elect, his pay therefore in the state
bonds at par. This contract he executed to the letter, and a portion of the cloth-
ing was delivered at Keokuk, the place at which the troops had rendezvoused, in
exactlv one month from the day in which the contract had been entered into.
This clothing was deHvered to the soldiers, but was subsequently condemned by
the government, for the reason that its color was gray, and blue had been adopted
as the color to be worn by the national troops. Other states had also clothed
their troops, sent forward under the first call of President Lincoln, with gray
uniforms, but it was soon found that the Confederate forces were also clothed in
o-rav, and that color was at once abandoned for the Union soldier.
o - -
At the beginning of the war the population of Iowa included about one hun-
dred and fifty thousand men presumably liable to render military service. The
state raised for general service thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine regiments
of cavalrv and four conipanies of artillery, composed of three years" men,
and four regiments and one battalion of infantry composed of one hundred days'
men. The original enlistments in these various organizations, including one
thousand seven hundred and twenty-seven men raised by draft, numbered about
sixtv-nine thousand. The reenlistments. including upwards of seven thousand
veterans, numbered nearly eight thousand. The enlistments in the regular army
and navy and organizations of other states will, if added, raise the total upwards
of eightv thousand. The number of men who, under special enlistments and as
militia, took part at different times in the operations of the exposed borders of
the state was probabl}- five thousand.
Every loyal state of the Union had many women who devoted much time and
great labor toward relieving the wants of our sick and wounded soldiery, but for
30 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Iowa can be claimed the honor of inaugurating the great charitable movement,
Avhich was so successfully supported by the noble women of the north. Mrs.
Harlan, wife of Hon. James Harlan, United States senator, was the hrst woman
of the country among those moving in high circles of society who personally
visited the army and ministered to the wants of the defenders of her country. In
many of her visits to the army Airs. Harlan was accompanied by ]\Irs. Joseph
T. Fales, wife of the first state auditor of Iowa. No words can describe the
I
good done, the lives saved and the deaths made easy by the host of noble women
of Iowa, whose names it would take a volume to print. Every county, every
town, every neighborhood had these true heroines, whose praise can never fully
be known till the final rendering of all accounts of the deeds done in the body.
The contributions throughout the state to ''sanitary fairs" during the war were
enormous, amounting into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Highly suc-
cessful fairs were held in the principal cities and towns of the state, which all
added to the work and praise of the "Florence Nightingales" of Iowa, whose
heroic sacrifices have won for them the undying gratitude of the nation. It is
said to the honor and credit of Iowa, that while many of the loyal states, older
and larger in population and wealth, incurred heavy state debts for the purpose
of fulfilling their obligations to the general government of Iowa, while she was
foremost in duty, while she promptly discharged all her obligations to her sister
states and the Union, found herself at the close of the war without any material
additions to her pecuniary liabilities incurred before the war commenced. U])on
final settlement after restoration of peace her claims upon the federal govern-
ment were found to be fully equal to the amount of her bonds issued and sold
•during the war to provide means for raising and equipping her troops sent into
the field and to meet the inevitable demands upon her treasury in consequence
of the war. It was in view of these facts that Iowa had done more than her duty
(luring the war, and that without incurring any considerable indebtedness, and
that her troops had fought most gallantly on nearly every battlefield of the war,
that the Newark (New Jersey) Arlvertiscr and other prominent eastern journals
called Iowa the "Model State of the Republic."
EDL'CATIOXAL I XSTITUTIONS.
School teachers were among the first immigrants to Iowa. This gives point
to the fact that the people of Iowa have ever taken a deep interest in education,
and in this direction no state in the Union has a better record. The system of
free public schools was planted by the early settlers, and it has expanded and
improved until now it is one of the most complete, comprehensive and liberal
in the country. The lead-mining regions of the state were first to be settled bv
the whites, and the hardy pioneers provided the means for the education of their
children even before they had comfortable dwellings for themselves. Wherever
a little settlement was made the schoolhouse was the first thing undertaken by
the settlers in a body, and the rude, primitive structures of the early times only
disappeared when the communities increased in population and wealth and were
able to replace them with more commiodious and comfortable buildings. Perhaps
in no single instance has the magnificent progress of the state of Iowa been more
marked and rapid than in her common school system and in her schoolhouses.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 31
Today the schoolhouses which everywhere dot the broad and fertile prairies of
Iowa are unsurpassed by those of any other state in the great Union. More
especially is this true in all her cities and villages, where liberal and lavish appro-
priations have been voted by a generous people for the erection of large, com-
modious and elegant buildings, furnished with all the modern improvements, and
costing from ten thousand dollars to sixty thousand dollars each. The people
of the states have expended more than twenty-five million dollars for the erection
of public school buildings, which stand as monuments of magnificence.
THE FIRST SCHOOL BUILDING AT DUBUQUE.
Dubuque saw within its limits the first school building erected in the state of
Iowa, which was built by J. L. Langworthy and a few other miners in the fall of
1833. When it was completed George Cabbage was employed as teacher during^
the winter of 1833-4, and tlnrty-five pupils answered to his roll-call. Barrett
^^'hittemore taught the school term and had twenty-five pupils in attendance.
Mrs. Caroline Dexter commenced teaching in Dubuque in March. 1836. She was
the first female teacher there, and probably the first in Iowa. In 1839 Thomas
H. Benton, Jr., afterwards for ten years supetintendent of public instruction,
opened an English and classic school in Dubuque. The first tax for the sup-
port of schools at Dubuque was levied in 1840. A commodious log schoolhouse
was built at Burlington in 1834 and was one of the first buildings erected in that
settlement. A Mr. Johnson taught the first school in the winter of 1834-5. In
Scott county, in the winter of 1835-6, Simon Crazen taught a four months' term
of school in the house of J. B. Chamberlain. In Muscatine county the first term
of school was taught by George Baumgardner. in the spring of 1837. In 1839
a log schoolhouse w-as erected in Muscatine, which served for a long time as
schoolhouse, meeting house and public hall. The first school in Davenport was
taught in 1838. In Fairfield, Miss Clarissa Sawyer, James F. Chambers and
Mrs. Reed taught school in 1839.
Johnson county was an entire wilderness when Iowa City was located as the
capital of the territory of Iowa. May, 1839. The first sale of lots took place
August 18, 1839, and before January i, 1840, about twenty families had settled
in the town. During the same year Jesse Berry opened a school in a small frame
building he had erected on what is now^ known as College street.
In Monroe county the first settlement was made in 1834 by John R. Gray
about two miles from the present site of Eddyville, and in the summer of 1844 a
log schoolhouse was built by Gray and others, and the first school was opened
by Miss Urania Adams. About a year after the first log cabin was built at Oska-
loosa. a log schoolhouse was built, in which school was opened by Samuel W.
Caldwell in 1844.
At Fort Des Moines, now^ the capital of the state, the first school was taught
by Lewis Whitten, clerk of the district court, in the winter of 1846-7, in one of
the rooms on "Coon Row," built for barracks.
The first school in Pottawattamie county was opened by George Green, a
Mormon, at Council Point, prior to 1849. and until about 1854 nearly all the
teachers in that vicinity were Alormons.
32 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
The first school in Decorah was taught in 1855 by Cyrus C. Carpenter, smce
governor of the state. During the first twenty years of the history of Iowa the
log schoolhouse prevailed, and in 1861 there were eight hundred and ninety-three
of these primitive structures in use for school purposes in the state. Since that
time they have been gradually disappearing. In 1865 there were seven hundred
and ninety-six; in 1870, three hundred and thirty-six; in 1875, one hundred and
twenty-one, and today there is probably not a vestige of one remaining.
In 1846, the year of Iowa's admission as a state, there were twenty thousand
pupils of schools out of one hundred thousand inhabitants. About four hundred
school districts had been organized. In 1850 there were twelve hundred and in
1857 the number increased to three thousand two hundred and sixty-five. The
system of graded schools was inaugurated in 1849, and now schools in which
more than one teacher is employed are universally graded. Teachers' institutes
were organized early in the history of the state. The first official mention of
them occurs in the annual report of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Jr., made December
2, 1850, who said: "An institution of this .character was organized a few years
ago, composed of the teachers of the mineral regions of Illinois, Wisconsin and
Iowa. An association of teachers has also been formed in the county of Henry,
and an effort was made in October last to organize a regular institution in the
county of Jones."
Funds for the support of public schools are derived in various wa}s. The
sixteenth section of every congressional township was set apart by the^ general
government for school purposes, being one-thirty-sixth part of all the lands in
the state. The minimum price of all these lands was fixed at one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre. Congress also made an additional donation to the
state of five hundred thousand acres and an appropriation of five per cent, on all
the sales of public lands to the school funds. The state gives to this fund the
proceeds of the sales of all lands which escheat to it, the proceeds of all fines
for the violation of liquor and criminal laws. The money derived from these
sources constitute the permanent school fund of the state, which cannot be di-
verted to any other purpose. The penalties collected by the courts in fines for
forfeitures go to the school fund in the counties according to their request and
the counties loan the money to the individuals for long terms at eight per cent,
interest on security of lands valued at three times the value of the loan, exclusive
of all buildings and improvements thereon. The interest on these loans is paid
into the state treasury and becomes available school funds of the state. The
counties are responsible to the state for all money so loaned, and the state is like-
wise responsible to the school fund for all money transferred to the counties.
Tlie interest on these loans is appropriated by the state auditor semi-annually to
the several counties of the state in proportion to the number of persons between
the ages of five and twenty-one years of age. The counties also levy a tax for
school purposes, which is apportioned to the several district townships in the
same way. A district tax is also levied for the same purpose. The money arising
from these several sources constitutes the support of the public schools, and is
sufficient to enable every sub-district in the state to afford from six to nine
months' school every year. The burden of district taxation is thus lightened and
the efficiency of the schools increased. The taxes levied for the support of the
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 33
■schools are self-imposed. Under the admirable school laws of the state, no taxes
can be legally assessed or collected for the erection of schoolhouses until they
have been ordered by the election of a school district at a school meeting legally
called. The teachers' and contingent funds are determined by the board of
directors under certain legal instructions. These boards are elected annually.
The onlv exception to this method of levying taxes for school purposes is the
•county tax, which is determined by the county board of supervisors. In each
countv a teachers' institute is held annually under the direction of the county
superintendent, the state distributing annually a sum of money to each of these
institutes.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
By act of congress, approved July 20, 1840, the secretary of the treasury
was authorized to "set apart and reserve from sale, out of any public lands within
the territory of Iowa not otherwise claimed or appropriated, a c^uantity of land
not exceeding two entire townships for the use and support of a university within
■aid territory when it becomes a state." The first general assembly, therefore, by
act approved February 25, 1847, established the "State University of Iowa" at
Iowa City, then the capital of the state. The public buildings and other property
at Iowa City were appropriated to the university, but the legislative sessions and
state offices were to be held in them until a permanent location for a capital was
made. The control and management of the university were committed to a board
of fifteen trustees, and five were to be chosen every two years. The superin-
tendent of public instruction was made president of this board. The organic act
provided that the university should never be under the control of any religious
organization whatever, and that as soon as the revenue from the grant and dona-
tions should amount to two thousand dollars a year the university should com-
mence and continue the instruction free of charge of fifty students annually. Of
course, the organization of the university was impracticable so long as the seat
of government was retained at Iowa City.
In January, 1849, ^^'^'O branches of the university and three normal schools
were established. The branches were located at Fairfield and Dubuque and were
]:laced upon an equal footing, in respect to funds and all other matters, with the
university of Iowa at Iowa City. At Fairfield the board of directors organized
and erected a building at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. This was
nearly destroyed by a hurricane the following year, but was rebuilt more sub-
stantially by the citizens of Fairfield. This branch never received any aid from
the state and, January 24, 1853, at the request of the board, the general assembly
terminated its relations to the state. The branch at Dubuque had only a nominal
■existence. The normal schools were located at Andrew, Oskaloosa and ]\Iount
Pleasant. Each was to be governed by a board of seven trustees, to be appointed
by the trustees of the university. Each was to receive five hundred dollars an-
nually from the income of the university fund, upon condition that they should
•educate eight common school teachers free of charge for tuition, and that the
citizens should contribute an equal simi for the erection of the requisite build-
ings. The school at Andrew was organized November 21, 1849, with Samuel
T^ay as principal. A building was commenced and over one thousand dollars
34 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY '
expended on it, but it was never completed. The school at Oskaloosa was started
in the courthouse, September 13, 1852, under the charge of Professor G. ^I.
Drake and wife. A two-story brick building was erected in 1853 costing two
thousand four hundred and seventy-three dollars. The school at Mount Pleasant
was never organized. Neither of these schools received any aid from the uni-
versitv fund, but in 1857 the legislature appropriated one thousand dollars for
each of the two schools, and repealed the laws authorizing in payment to them
of money from the university fund. From that time they made no further effort
to continue in operation.
. From 1847 to 1855 the board of trustees of the university was kept full
by regular elections by the legislature, and the trustees held frequent meetings,
but there was no actual organization" of the university. In ]\Iarch. 1855, it was
partially opened for a term of sixteen weeks. July 16, 1855, Amos Dean, of
Albanv, New York, was elected president but never fully entered into its duties.
The university was again opened in September, 1855, and continued in operation
until June, 1856, under Professors Johnson, Van \'alkenberg and Griffin. The
faculty was then reorganized with some changes, and the university was again
opened on the third Wednesday of September, 1856. There were one hundred
and twenty-four students (eighty-three males and forty-one females) in attend-
ance during the years of 1856-57, and the first regular catalogue was published.
At a special meeting of the board, September 22, 1857, the honorary degree of
bachelor of arts was conferred on D. Franklin Wells. This was the first degree
conferred by the university.
r.y the constitution oif 1857 it was provided that there be no branches of the
State university. In December of that year the old capitol building was turned
over to the trustees of the university. In 1858 ten thousand dollars were ap-
propriated for the erection of a students' boarding hall. The board closed the
universitv April i-j, 1858, on account of insufficient funds and dismissed all the
faculty with the exception of Chancellor Dean. At the same time a resolution
was passed excluding females. This was soon after reversed by the general
assembly. The university was reopened September 19, i860, and from this time
the real existence of the university dates. Chancellor Dean had resigned before
this and Silas Tottcn. D. D., LL. D., was elected president at a salary of two
thousand dollars. August 19, 1862, he resigned, and was succeeded by Oliver
M. Spencer. President Spencer was granted leave of absence for fifteen months
to visit Europe. Professor Nathan R. Leonard was elected president pro tern.
President Spencer resigning, James Black, D. D., vice-president of Washington
and Jefferson college, of Pennsylvania, was elected president. He entered upon
his duties in September, 1868.
The law department was established in June, 1868, and soon after the Iowa
Law School, at Des Moines, which had been in successful operation for three
years, was transferred to Iowa City and merged in the department. The medical
department was established in 1869, and since April 11, 1870, the government of
the university has been in the hands of a board of regents. The university has
gained a reputation as one of the leading educational institutions of the west, and
this position it is determined to maintain.
SPENCER PUBLIC LIBRARY
PUBUC LIBRARY
-^STOH. LFNOX
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 37
STATE NORMAL COLLEGE.
Cedar Falls, one of the chief cities of Black Hawk county, holds the State
Normal school, which is an institution for the training of teachers and is doing
most excellent work.
STATE NORMAL COLLEGE.
By act of the legislature, approved March 23, 1858, the State Agricultural
College and Farm was established at Ames, in Story county. In 1862' congress
granted two hundred and forty thousand acres of land for endowment -of schools
of agriculture and the mechanical arts. In 1864 the general assembly voted
twenty thousand dollars for the erection of the college buildings. In 1866 ninety-
one thousand dollars more was appropriated for the same purpose. The building
was completed in 1868, and the institution was opened the following year. The
institution is modeled to some extent after the Michigan Agricultural college. In
this school of learning admission is free to all students of the state over sixteen
years of age. Students are required to work on the farm two and a half hours each
day. The faculty is of a very high character and the college one of the best of
its kind. The sale of spirits, w^ine or beer is prohibited within three miles of the
farm. The current expenses of this institution are paid by the income from the
permanent endowment. Besides the institution here mentioned there are many
others throughout the state. Amity college is located at College Springs, in Page
county, Burlington university at Burlington, Drake university at Des Moines,
Iowa college at Grinnell, etc.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.
The legislature established the institution for the deaf and duml) January
24, 1855, and located it at Iowa City. A great effort was made for its removal
to Des Moines, but it was finally located at Council Bluffs. In 1868 an appro-
priation was made by the legislature of one hundred and twenty-five thousand
dollars for the erection of new buildings and ninety acres of land were selected
south of the city. October, 1870, the main building and one wing was completed
and occupied. In February, 1877. fire destroyed the main building and the east
wing. About one hundred and fifty students were in attendance at that time.
There is a regular appropriation for this institution of twenty-two dollars per
capita per month for nine months of the year for the payment of officers' and
teachers' salaries and for a support fund. The institution is free to all of school
age too deaf to be educated. in the common schools, sound in mind, free from
immoral habits and from contagious and offensive diseases. No charge for board
or tuition. The session of the school begins the first day of October and ends the
last day of June of each year.
COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND.
In 1852 Professor Samuel Bacon, himself blind, established a school for the
instruction of the blind at Keokuk. He was the first person in the state to agitate
CIx.\Y 3.
38 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
a public institution for the blind, and in 1853 the institute was adoped by the
legislature, by statute, approved January 18, 1853, and removed to Iowa City.
During the first term twenty-three pupils were admitted. Professor Bacon was a
fine scholar, an economical manager and in every way adapted to his position.
During his administration the institution was, in a great measure, self-supporting
by the sale of articles of manufacture by the blind pupils. There was also a
charge of twenty-five dollars as an admission fee for each pupil. In 1858 the
citizens of Mnton, Benton county, donated a quarter section of land and five
thousand dollars for the establishment of the asylum at that place. Alay 8 of the
same year the trustees met at \'inton and made arrangements for securing the
donation, and adopted a plan for the erection of a suitable building. In i860
the contract for the building was let for ten thousand four hundred and twenty
dollars, and in August, 1862, the goods and furniture were removed from Iowa
City to Vinton and in the fall of the same year the school was opened with twenty-
four pupils. There is a regular appropriation of twenty-two dollars per capita
per month for nine months of each year to cover support and maintenance. The
:-c]iool term begins on the first Wednesday in September and usually ends about
the Tst of June. Applicants may be admitted at any time and are at liberty to
go home at any time their parents may send for them. The department of music
is supplied with a large number of pianos, one pipe organ, several cabinet organs
.111(1 a sufficient nuiuber of violins, guitars, bass viols and brass instruments,
livery student capable of receiving it is given a complete course in this depart-
ment. In the industrial department the girls are required to learn knitting,
crocheting, fancy work, hand and machine sewing; the bovs, netting, broom-
making, mattress-making and cane-seating. Those of either sex who desire
may learn carpet-weaving.
IIOSI'IT.XL l-OR Till-: IXS.XNi:.
The hospital for the insane was established by an act of the legislature Janu-
ary 24, 1855. The location for the institution was selected at Blount Pleasant.
Henry county, and five hundred thousand dollars appropriated for the build-
ings, which were commenced in October of that year. One hundred patients
were admitted within three months after it was opened. The legislature of
1867-68 provided measures for an additional hospital for the insane, and an
appropriation of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars was made for the
purpose. Independence was selected by the commissioners as the most desirable
location and three hundred and twenty acres were secured one mile from the town
on the west side of the Wapsipinecon river and about a mile from its banks.
The hospital was opened May i. 1873. The amount allowed for the support of
these institutions is twelve dollars per nionth for each patient. All expenses of
the hospital, except for special purposes, are paid from the sum so named, and
the amount is charged to the counties from which the patients are sent.
soldiers' orphans' home.
The Soldiers" Orphans' home is located at Davenport, and was originated
by Mrs. Anne Whittenmeyer during the late rebellion of the states. The noble-
hearted woman called a convention at Muscatine, September 7, 1863, for the pur-
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 39
pose of devising means for the education and support of the orphan children of
Iowa whose fathers lost their lives in the defense of their country's honor. The
public interest in the movement was so great that all parts of the state were
largely represented, and an association was organized, called the Iowa State
Orphan Asylum. The tirst meeting of the trustees was held February 14, 1864,
at Des Moines, when Governor Kirkwood suggested that a home for the dis-
abled soldiers should be connected with the asylum, and arrangements were made
for collecting funds. At the next meeting, in Davenport, the following month, a
committee was appointed to lease a suitable building, solicit donations and pro-
cure suitable furniture. This committee obtained a large brick building in
Lawrence, \'an Buren county, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount Pleasant, as
steward. The work of preparation was conducted so vigorously that July 13 fol-
lowing the executive committee announced that it was ready to receive children.
Within three weeks twenty-one were admitted, and in a little more than six
months seventy were in the home. The home was sustained by voluntary contri-
butions until 1866, when it was taken charge of by the state. The legislature
appropriated ten dollars per month for each orphan actually supported and pro-
vided for the establishment of three homes. The one in Cedar Falls was organ-
ized in 1865 ; an old hotel building w'as fitted up for it, and by the following
January there were ninety-six inmates. In October, 1869, the home was removed
to a large brick building about two miles west of Cedar Falls, and was very pros-
perous for several years, but in 1876 the legislature devoted this building to the
State Normal school. The same year the legislature also devoted the buildings
aiul grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans" home at Glenwood, Mills county, to an
institution for the support of feeble-minded children. It also provided for the
removal of the soldiers' orphans' at Glenwood and Cedar Falls homes to the
one located at Davenport. There is in connection with this institution a school
building, pleasant, commodious and well lighted, and it is the policy of the board
to have the course of instruction of a high standard. A kindergarten is operated
for the very young pupils. The age limit beyond which children are kept in the
home is sixteen years. Fewer than" twenty per cent, remain to the age limit.
A library of well-selected juvenile literature is a source of pleasure and profitable
entertainment to the children, as from necessity their pleasures and pastimes are
somewhat limited. It is the aim to provide the children with plenty of good,
comfortable clothing, and to teach them to take good care of the same. Their
clothing is all manufactured at the home, the large girls assisting in the work.
The table is well supplied with a good variety of plain, wholesome food and a
reasonable amount of luxuries. The home is now supported by a regular appro-
priation of twelve dollars per month for each inmate, and the actual transporta-
tion charges of the inmates to and from the institution. Each county is liable to
the state for the support of its children to the extent of six dollars per month,
except soldiers' orphans, who are cared for at the expense of the state.
FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN.
An act of the general assembly, approved March 17, 1876, provided for the
establishment of an asylum for feeble-minded children at Glenwood, Mills county,
and the buildings and grounds of the .Soldiers Orphans' home were taken for that
40 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
purpose. The asvlum was placed under the management of tliree trustees, one of
whom should be a resident of Mills county. The institution was opened vSeptem-
her I, 1876. By November, 1877, the number of pupils were eighty-seven. The
purpose of this institution is to provide special methods of training for that class
of children deficient in mind or marked with peculiarities as to deprive them of
the benefits and privileges provided for children with normal faculties. The object
is to make the child as nearly self-supporting as practicable, and to approach
as nearly as possible the movements and actions of normal people. It further
aims to provide a home for those who are not susceptible of mental culture,
relying wholly on others to supply their simple wants.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
The industrial school for boys is established at Kldora. By act, approved
]\Iarch 31, 1868, the general assembly established a reform school at Salem,
Henry county, and provided for a board of trustees from each congressional dis-
trict. The trustees immediately leased the property of the Iowa ^Manual Labor
Institute, and October 7 following the school received its first inmate. The law
at first provided for the admission of both- sexes under eighteen years of age.
The trustees were directed to organize a separate school for girls. In 1872 the
school for boys was permanently located at Eldora, Hardin county, and some
time later the one for girls at ]\Iitchellville. There is appropriated for these
schools and their support the sum of thirteen dollars monthly for each boy and
sixteen dollars monthly for each girl inmate. The object of the institution is
the reformation of juvenile delinquents. It is not a prison. It is a compulsory
educational institution. It is a school where wayward and criminal boys and
girls are brought under the influence of Christian instructors and taught by ex-
ample as well as precept the better ways of life. It i*; a training school, where
the moral, intellectual and industrial education of the child is carried on at one
* and the same time.
PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
The governor by an act, approved January 25. 1839, was authorized to draw
the sum of twenty thousand dollars, appropriated by an act of congress in 1838.
for public buildings in the territory of Iowa and establish a state penal institu-
tion. The act provided for a board of directors, consisting of three persons, to
be elected by the legislature, who should superintend the building of a peniten-
tiary to be located within a mile of the public sc]uare in the town of Fort Madi-
son, Lee county, provided that the latter deeded a suitable tract of land for the
purpose, also a spring or stream of water for the use of the penitentiary. The
citizens of Fort Madison executed a deed of ten acres of land for the building.
The work was soon entered upon, and the main building and warden's house
were completed in the fall of 1841. It continued to meet with additions and im-
provements until the arrangements were all completed according to the designs
of the directors. The labor of the convicts is let out to contractors, who pay the
state a stipulated sum for services rendered, the state furnishing shops and
necessary supervision in preserving order.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 41
PENITENTIARY AT ANAMOSA.
The first steps toward the erection of a penitentiary at Anamosa, Jones
county, were taken in 1872, and by act of the general assembly, approved April
23, 1884, three commissioners were selected to construct and control the prison
buildings. They met on the 4th of June following and chose a site donated by
the citizens of Anamosa. Work on the building was commenced September 28,
1873. In 1873 a number of prisoners were transferred from the Fort Madison
prison to Anamosa. The labor of the convicts at the penitentiary was employed
in the erection and completion of the buildings. This institution has a well-ap-
pointed and equipped department for female prisoners ; also a department for
the care of the criminal insane.
I
• STATE HISTORICAr. SOCIETY.
A state historical society in connection with the university was provided
for by act of the general assembly January 25, 1857. At the commencement an
appropriation of two hundred and fifty dollars was made, to be expended in col-
lecting and preserving a library of books, pamphlets, papers, paintings and other
materials illustrative of the history of Iowa. There was appropriated five hun-
dred dollars per annum to maintain this society. Since its organization the so-
ciety has published three different quarterly magazines. From 1863 to 1874 it
published the Annals of Iowa, twelve volumes, now called the first series. From
1855 to 1902 it published the Iowa Historical Record, eighteen volumes. From
1903 to 1907 the society has published the Iowa Journal of History and Politics,
now in its fifth volume. Numerous special publications have been issued by the
society, the most important of which are the Messages and Proclamations of the
Governors of Iowa, in seven volumes. The Executive Journal of Iowa, 1838-
1843, and the Lucas Journal of the War of 1812.
IOWA soldiers' home.
The Iowa Soldiers' home was built and occupied in 1888 at Marshalltowm.
The first year it had one hundred and forty inmates. In 1907 there were seven
hundred and ninety-four inmates, including one hundred and twelve women. The
United States government pays to the state of Iowa the sum of one hundred dol-
lars per year for each male inmate of the soldiers' home who served in any war
in which the LTiited States was engaged, which amount is used as part of the
support fund of the institution. Persons who have property or means of sup-
port, or who draw a pension sufficient therefor, will not be admitted to the home ;
and if after admission an inmate of the home shall receive a pension or other
means sufficient for his support, or shall recover his health so as to enable him to
support himself, he will be discharged from the home. Regular appropriation
by the state is fourteen dollars per month for each member and teii dollars per
month for each employe not a member of the home.
OTHER STATE INSTITUTIONS.
There are at Clarinda and Cherokee, state hospitals for the insane and one
at Knoxville for the inebriate.
42 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
It is strange but true that in the great state of Iowa, with more than sixty
per cent, of her population engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising,
it was not until the year 1900 that a department of the state government was
created in the interests of and for the promotion of agricultural, animal industry,
horticulture, manufactures, etc. The Iowa department of agriculture was created
by act of the twenty-eighth general assembly. In 1892 the Iowa geological sur-
vey was established, and the law which provided therefor outlined its work to be
that of making "a complete survey of the natural resources of the state in the
natural and scientific aspects, including the determination of the characteristics
of the various formations and the investigation of the different ores, coal, clay,
building stones and other useful materials." It is intended to cooperate with the
United States geological survey in the making of topographical maps of those
parts of the state whose coal resources make such maps particularly desirable and
useful. The State Agricultural society is one of the great promoters of the wel-
fare of the people. The society holds an annual fair, which has occurred at Des
Moines since 1878. At its meeting subjects are discussed of the highest interest
and value, and these proceedings are published at the expense of the state.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF IOWA.
BY JOHN C. PARISH.
In the year 1907 the state of Iowa closed the first half century of existence
under the constitution of 1857. In April, 1906, the general assembly, looking
forward to the suitable celebration of so important an anniversary, passed an act
appropriating seven hundred and fifty dollars, to be used by the State Historical
Society of Iowa in a commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the constitu-
tion of 1857. It was eminently desirable that the celebration should occur at
Iowa City, for it was the place, then the capital of the state, that the constitu-
tional convention of 1857 was held. And it was particularly fitting that the
exercises should be placed under the auspices of the State Historical Society of
Iowa, for the same year, 1857, marks the birth of the society. While the conven-
tion was drafting the fundamental law of the state in a room on the lower floor
of the old stone capitol, the sixth general assembly in the legislative halls up-
stairs in the same building passed an act providing for the organization of a state
historical society. Thus the event of 1907 became a celebration of the fiftieth
anniversary of the State Historical society as well as a commemoration of the
semi-centennial of the constitution of 1857.
In due time plans were matured for a program covering four days, begin-
ning on Tuesday, March 19, and closing on Friday, March 22, 1907. It con-
sisted of addresses by men of prominent reputation in constitutional and his-
torical lines, together with conferences on state historical subjects. On Tues-
day evening Professor Andrew C. McLaughlin, of Chicago university, delivered
an address upon "A Written Constitution in Some of Its Historical Aspects."
He dwelt in a scholarly way upon the growth of written constitutions, showing
the lines along which their historical development has progressed.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 43
The speaker of Wednesday was Professor Eugene Wambaugh, of the Har-
vard Law school, one of the leading authorities in the country upon questions of
constitutional law, and formerly a member of the faculty of the College of Law
of the University of Iowa. Professor Wambaugh, taking for his subject "The
Relation Between General History and the History of Law," outlined the his-
tory of the long rivalry between the civil law of Rome and the common law
in their struggle for supremacy, both in the old world and the new. In closing
he referred to the constitution of Iowa as typical of the efforts of the American
people to embody in fixed form the principles of right and justice.
Thursdav morning was given over to a conference on the teaching of his-
tory. Professor Isaac A. Loos, of the State University of Iowa, presided, and
members of the faculties of a number of colleges and high schools of the state
were present and participated in the program. In the afternoon the conference
of historical societies convened, Dr. F. E. Horack, of the State Historical So-
cietv of Iowa, presiding. Reports were read from the historical department at
Des jMoines and from nearly all of the local historical societies in the state.
Methods and policies were discussed and much enthusiasm was aroused looking
toward the better preservation of the valuable materials of local history.
The history of the Mississippi valley is replete with events of romantic in-
terest. From the time of the early French voyagers and explorers, who paddled
down the waters of the tributaries from the north, down to the days of the sturdy
pioneers of Anglo-Saxon blood, who squatted upon the fertile soil and staked
out their claims on the prairies, there attaches an interest that is scarcely equaled
in the annals of America. On Thursday evening Dr. Reuben Gold Thwaites,
superintendent of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, delivered an ad-
dress upon "The Romance of Mississippi Valley History." He traced the lines
of exploration and immigration from the northeast and east and drew interesting
pictures of the activities in the great river valleys, when land was young and the
ways full of wonder to the pioneer adventurer.
Friday's program closed the session. On this day Governor Albert B. Cum-
mins attended and participated in the celebration. At the university armory, be-
fore a large gathering, he spoke briefly on the constitution of the United States,
paving it high tribute and at the same time showing the need of amendment to
fit the present day's needs. He then introduced Judge Emil McClain, of the
supreme court of Iowa, who delivered the principal address of the day. Judge
McClain took for his subject "The Constitutional Convention and the Issue Be-
fore it." He told of that memorable gathering at the old stone capitol in Iowa
City fifty years ago, when thirty-six men met in the supreme court room to draft
the fundamental law for the commonwealth.
The members of the convention of 1857 were from various occupations. The
representatives of the legal profession led in numbers, with fourteen members,
among whom were many men of prominence: William Penn Clarke, Edward
Johnstone and J. C. Hall were there. James F. Wilson, afterwards so prominent
in national politics, was a member, then only twenty-eight years of age. J. C.
Hall was the only delegate who had served in either of the preceding constitu-
tional conventions of the state, having represented Henry county in the convention
of 1S44. There were twelve farmers in the convention of 1857 — rugged types of
44 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
these men who settled upon the land and built into the early history of the state
its elements, of enduring strength. Among the remaining members were mer-
chants, bankers and various other tradesmen. They were a representative group
of men and they attacked the problems before them with characteristic pioneer
vigor.
The convention of 1857 chose for its presiding ofificef Francis Springer, an
able farmer and lawyer from Louisa county. ]\Iany were the discussions that
stirred the convention. One of the first was over the proT^r^ition to move the
convention bodily to Davenport or to Dubuque. The town of Iowa City, it seems,
hrid not provided satisfactory accommodations for the delegates ; and for hours
the members gave vent to their displeasures and argued the question of a removal.
But inertia won and the convention finally decided to remain in L:>wa City and
settled down to the discussion of more serious matters.
The constitution of 1846 had prohibited banking corporations in the state.
But there was strong agitation for a change in this respect, and so the convention
of 1857 provided for both a state bank and a system of free banks. The matter
of corporations was a prominent one before the convention. So also was the
question of the status of the negro. The issues were taken up with fairness and
argued upon their merits. The convention was republican in the proportion of
twenty-one to fifteen. The delegates had been elected on a party basis. Yet they
did not allow partisanship to control their actions as members of a constituent
assembl}'. On the 19th of January they had come together, and for a month and
a half remained in session. They adjourned on March 5th, and dispersed to
their homes.
That the memliers of the convention did their work well is evidenced by
the fact that in the fifty years that have followed only four times has the consti-
tution of 1857 been amended. Xor did these amendments embody changes, the
need of which the men of 1857 could have well foreseen. The first two changes
in the fundamental law \vere due to the changed status of the negro as a result
of the Civil war. In 1882 the prohibitory amendment was passed, but it was
soon declared null In- the supreme court of Iowa, because of technicalities in its
submission to the people, and so did not become a part of the constitution. The
amendments of 1884 were concerned largely w-ith judicial matters, and those of
1904 provided for biennial elections and increased the number of members of
the house of representatives.
With these changes the work of the convention of 1857 ^'^^^ come (hnvn to us.
Fifty years have passed and twice has the convention been the subject of a
celebration. In 1882, after a quarter of a century, the surviving members met in
Des Moines. Francis Springer, then an old man, was present and presided at
the meeting. Out of the original thirty-six members, only twenty responded to
roll call. Eight other members were alive but imable to attend ; the remainder
had given way to the inevitable reaper. This was in 1882. In 1907 occurred
the second celebration. This time it was not a reunion of members of the
convention, for only one survivor appeared upon the scene. It was rather a com-
memoration of the fiftieth birthday of the constitution of the state. Only one
member of the convention (John H. Peters, of Manchester, Iowa,) is reported
to be living.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 45
The celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of our funda-
mental law was marked by a unique feature. There were present and par-
ticipating in the program three pioneers of the state, a survivor of each of the
three constitutional conventions. These three conventions met in 1857, in 1846,
and in 1844, respectively fifty, sixty-one and sixty-three years ago. On the
opening day of the celebration, J. Scott Richman appeared upon the scene.
Sixty-one years ago he had come to Iowa City as a delegate to the convention of
1846. Eighty-eight years old, with patriarchal beard and slow step, he came as
the onlv living member of the convention that framed the constitution under
which Iowa entered the Union. On Thursday there came from Marion, Samuel
Durham, a tall pioneer of ninety years of age, the sole survivor of Iowa's firsi
constitutional convention, that of 1844. His memory ran back to the days of
Iowa's first governor, Robert Lucas, for he had reached Iowa from Indiana in
the year 1840. On the last day of the program these two old constitution-
makers of 1844 and 1846 were joined by a third, John H. Peters, who had come
from Delaware county as a member of the last constitutional convention fifty
years ago. They sat down together at the luncheon on Friday noon and
responded to toasts, with words that took the hearers back to the days when
Iowa was the last stopping place of the immigrant.
Thus the celebration was brought to an end. From every point of view
it was a success. Probably never again will the state see the reunion of
representatives of all three constitutional conventions.
Time must soon take away these lingering pioneers of two generations ago.
But tlie state will not soon forget their services, for they have left their monument
in the fundamental law of the commonwealth.
EXPLANATORY.
Something over fifty years have come and gone since the first white man
appeared, to occupy and develop the rich agricultural lands of Clay county.
These have been years of vast and remarkable changes ; and those who came in
1856 can scarcely realize the wonderful growth of the population, the vastness
of the development made since that period. From a broad, unbroken prairie,
it is now covered with churches, schools, fine homes, productive farms, live
towns and a happy, prosperous people. Since that memorable date, stirring
events have occurred. The Indians have laid waste to property, and destroyed
it; a war, bloody and destructive, has passed over this fair land. There have
been vears of desolation and destruction. Had some of the vigorous minds and
ready pens of the early settlers been directed to keeping a chronological journal
of the passing events, to write a history of Clay county would have been com-
paratively an easy task. In the absence of any such data, we must rely upon such
facts, figures and incidents as we may glean from those who have resided here
either since its formation, or upon the meagre official records which only give
but an imperfect account of the earlier times. Of those who came here in the
pursuit of homes during the years of 1856 and 1857 but few are left to tell the
story of their hardships, privations and dangers they encountered. The struggles,
changes and vicissitudes that these fifty years evoke, are as trying to the minds
as to the bodies of men. Physical and mental strength waste away beneath
46 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the weight of accumulating years, and the memory of dates, names, and impor-
tant events are forgotten in the lapse of time. The footprints of time leave their
impressions and destroying agencies upon everything, and consequently it would
be unreasonable to suppose that the annals, incidents and events of more than
fifty years could be preserved intact and unbroken. In a history like this errors
will naturally occur, however careful the writers may have been. It has been
their aim and object to make as few as it was possible. To the many who aided
and assisted in gathering these facts, figures, incidents and biographies the writers
extend their warmest thanks.
CLAY COUNTY.
The county of Clay is twenty-four miles square, containing an area of
368,640 acres. It is located in the northwestern part of the state, being in the
second tier of counties from the north, and the third from the w^est boundary of
the state. Its soil is a rich dark-colored loam, extending in depth from two to
eight feet. Underlying this rich soil is a clay subsoil, which renders it capable
of withstanding either drouth or excessive rainfalls. The Little Sioux river
and its many tributaries furnish abundant water and excellent drainage. In addi-
tion to the Little Sioux there are the Ocheydan, Willow, Prairie, Muddy and
Henry creeks. In the eastern part of the county are several lakes, known as
Lost Island lake. Swan lake. Virgin lake, Pickerell lake and Mud lake. In
these lakes are found an abundance of fish of all kinds. Around these lakes and
alonof these streams are found some of the finest and most fertile lands which
Clav is known to possess. The surface of the county is undulating, divested of
the nianv sloughs so usually found in lands of this description. The consequences
are chat there is very little waste land in the county. The lower lands have
proven a great source of profit to the farmers, as they produce an abundance
of rich and nutritious grass, which, when cut and properly cared for, makes
excellent substitute for tame hay. The farmers have taken advantage of this
and yearly tons of this grass have been cut, stacked and pressed, and shipped to
eastern markets, realizing for the farmers handsome margins for their labor.
There is a scarcity of timber, and with the exception of the extreme southwest
part of the county and Gillett's Grove there is no timber, but this scarcity is
supplied by a great many large and beautiful groves, which have been planted
and cared for until they have grown to such a size that they not only furnish
shade and adorn the farms, but furnish plenty of good firewood. The Little
Sioux river is a beautiful stream, and with its serpentine windings measures a
distance of nearly seventy-one miles in Clay county. This splendid stream and its
broad rich valleys cannot but fill the mind of the beholder with admiration. Its
waters are clear and silvery, its bed rocky and sandy, its current slow and steady ;
its flow and volume constant. Heavy water powers at Spencer and Peterson
afford excellent manufacturing facilities, and all along the stream dams might be
constructed which would cause thousands of busy wheels to toil in the service of
man.
A most excellent clay is found here, and several brick and tile kilns are in
active operation and are turning out thousands of brick annually of a superior
quality.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 47
The county is fairly well supplied with railroads, as two of the largest and
most important lines in Iowa pass through its borders. The Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul railway crosses the county four miles north of its center, and from
Spencer a branch line extends north to Spirit Lake. The southwest part of the
county is crossed by the great Chicago & Northwestern and furnishes an outlet
for the southern part of the county. A roadbed was completed some time ago
through the entire county from the southeast corner north to Spirit Lake; but for
some reason the company purposing building the line has never completed it.
It is probable that some time in the future work will again be commenced on it.
The Cowrie & Northern road was constructed in 1900 and runs from Gk)wrie to
Sibley, entering the county at the center and south line of Garfield township and
running northwesterly crosses Herdland, Lincoln, Clay and Lone Tree townships.
The Minneapolis & St. Louis runs south from Spencer and makes its exit through
Herdland township.
ITS CLIMATE, SOIL AND GROWTH.
Clay county, one of the newest counties in the state, by its rapid development
and growth, has in a few years taken its place in the ranks among the wealthy
and populous counties in Iowa. The hundreds of farmers, with improved farms,
com.modious and substantial dwellings, countless herds of stock, broad fields of
golden grain, are the potent and self-evident proofs of its rapid and wonderful
development, and yet the work has ju>t begun. Thousands of acres await the
approach of the sturdy yeoman, w-hen the quiet beauty of its existence shall fade
before the destructive implements of toil, only to be replaced with a harvest of
greater and more resplendent beauty and grandeur. A healthful climate is one
of the chief elements to be considered in the settlement of a new country, and
the fact that Clay county is situated near the most elevated point between the
Mississippi river, and beween the Great Lakes and the Gulf, and far above the
miasm.atic influences that are prevalent in the lower lands, and the gentle undu-
lating character of the country where circulates an atmosphere free from impuri-
ties, renders this county and this section of the state exceedingly healthful. The
soil is of a rich alluvial loam, admirably adapted to all branches of agricultural
pursuits. The county is well watered, with numerous streams and lakelets, and
the little Sioux river traverses the entire length, furnishing excellent water power
for manufacturing enterprises. This county is especially adapted to grazing and
dairying pursuits, and the excellence of the dairy products of Northwestern Iowa
are becoming known in the leading markets of the country, and the rapidly
increasing demand assures a rich return to those who are engaged in the business.
In all the vast expanse of Northwestern Iowa there is no fairer portion than
Clay county, or that is endowed with greater elements of growth and prosperity.
A good soil, a healthful climate, good water and abundance of it, good railroads
and markets, make the advantages in the pursuit of farming and stock growing
equal to the more developed portions of the state, while land can be purchased
here at a price from three-fifths to one-half of its value.
ITS ORGANIZATION.
By an act of the legislature in 185 1 Clay county was created, and her
boundary lines were defined. At the same time there were several
48 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
other counties created, and their boundary hues were defined. This being
shortly after the termination of the ^Mexican war, the legislature determined
that three of the counties should be named in honor of three of the distinguished
ofticers who fell in that war. The names selected were Clay, Hardin and Yell.
The last named was afterwards changed to Webster. Whether the real object
was to name the county Clay, after the gallant officer who fell while leading his
men on the field of battle, or in honor of his more distinguished father, who had
so many warm Iowa followers, is not apparent, but at any rate this fair county
was thus christened. In 1853 the legislature attached Clay to Waukan — now
Woodbury — for revenue, election and judicial purposes. At this time it was
simplv a county in name only ; its beautiful prairies had not at this time attracted
the attention of those seeking homes in the western territory. It was not
until the fall of 1858 that the little settlement in Clay county mustered up courage
sufficient to apply for a separate organization, "that it might take its position
among the older counties of the sovereign state of Iowa." At this time the
county seat of W^oodbury county was located at Sergeant's Bluff, and as all
business in Clay had to be transacted at that place, and as the distance was quite
great and very inconvenient to reach, it was decided to apply for a separate and
distinct county government. Charles C. Smeltzer, who at that time and subse-
quently was quite active in local and county affairs, drew up a petition and circu-
lated it among the settlers, who generally signed it. This petition was presented
to the county court of Woodbury county, and after due consideration the prayer
of the petitioners was granted, and an election of officers was ordered to be held
October 12th, 1858. This first election, which was the beginning of the new life
of Clay county, was held at the house of Ambrose ]\Iead, on section 34, in Peter-
son township. The returns show that there were eighteen votes cast, and the
following county officers were elected : County Judge, C. C. Smeltzer ; treasurer
and recorder, S. W. Foreman ; sheriff, Henry Brockschink ; superintendent of
schools, Ambrose S. Alead ; clerk of court, Ezra i\I. W' ilcox ; surveyor, S. W.
Foreman ; drainage commissioner, John Kindelspyer ; coroner. Christian Kirchner.
Thus the county was completely organized, and its independent life fully inau-
gurated. Charles C. Smeltzer, the newly-elected county judge, appears to have
been greatly elated over the result of the election and the organization, as the
following entrv in the first record of the countv will indicate :
"Be it remembered, that in accordance with the prayer of a majority of
legal voters of Clay county, Iowa, praying for an organization of said county
(that it might take its position among the older counties of the sovereign state
of Iowa as an independent and self-sustaining community, and that the bonds
that existed between Clay and Woodbury, to which Clay was attached for
judicial purposes, might be irrevocably dissolved), which prayer, in forln of a
petition, was presented to the honorable county court of Woodbur}- county,
Iowa, Judge John Campbell presiding, that an election was ordered by said court,
to be held October 12th, 1858, authorizing the voters of said county to meet at
the house of Ambrose S. ]\Iead, for the purpose of perfecting an organization
and voting for state, district, county and township officers, thus severing the ties
between the independent county of W'oodbury and the independent county of
Clay, that the mutual resources might be developed, and the youthful, yet strong
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 49
community might stand forth in its conscious strength, and prove to the world
that it no longer needed the fostering care of another, but that it was well able
to maintain itself, and that it would give to it the proud position of an independent
sovereign within itself, with all the characteristics of a prosperous people, noble,
loving and enterprising, ready to assume the guardianship of the weak and dis-
pense even-handed justice to the benighted of Northwestern Iowa."
This pronunciamento is notable and historical for its grand eloquence and
its author may have thought it would be handed down alongside of the
Declaration of Independence.
While the county had all the necessary official appendages for its running
machinery, yet it was without a public building, the result being that the offices
were kept at the respective houses of the officers. A. W. Hubbard, judge of the
Fourth judicial district, on the 7th of June, 1859, appointed a commission, .con-
sisting of Miles Mahon. R. W. Wheelock and John W. Tucker, authorizing
them to locate the county seat of Clay county. The commissioners examined
the county, and July 16th, 1859, reported in favor of locating it on section 20 in
Spencer township (now Sioux township). This was on the land now ownied by
M. E. Griffin and the town was laid out by George E. Spencer. It is said that
just previous to the coming of the commissioners several shrewd speculators had
come on and laid out the town of Spencer on this section, and with a flourish of
trumpets had declared their intentions to the people of the town and the sur-
rounding country. The commissioners, in their report, stated that they had
made the selection with a knowledge that the people had the right to accept or
reject their selection. The "people" did decide, and refused to pay any attention
to the recommendation made by the commissioners. The county records there-
fore remained where they were. On the 14th of May. i860, a document was duly
circulated and duly signed asking that the county seat be located at the present
site of Peterson. An election was directed to be held, and although but ten votes
were c^st, Peterson was chosen and remained the seat of government until near
the close of 1871. At this election Judge Charles Smeltzer was authorized to
erect public buildings at Peterson, at a cost not to exceed six thousand dollars.
In the course of a year a court house was erected, but instead of being within the
first appropriation, something over forty thousand dollars, it is said, was expended
in its construction at different times. In 1 871. the county seat question was
again agitated. The county by this time had received a large immigration, and
the northern part was filling up more rapidly than the southern. There was
considerable objection to the extreme southeastern location of the county seat,
and a great clamor by the northern residents for its removal to a more central
location. The pressure was so extreme that the question of a relocation was
submitted. Previous to this Spencer had sprung up, and was a town of larger
size than Peterson. In October, 1871, the question was submitted to the voters,
and resulted as follows : Spencer, 359 ; for Peterson. 200 ; thus giving Spencer
a majority of 159. This ended the matter and the question has never been
seriously agitated since that time. A court house was built at a cost of one thou-
sand three hundred and thirty-three dollars and. although it has long since given
way to a more convenient one, it still stands as one of the earlier landmarks .of
Spencer. The removal, in the h'ght of future events, has proven decidedly satis-
50 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
factory, and even those of 1871, who were most bitterly opposed to the change,
are now ready and wilhng to acquiesce in the judgment that it was best for the
county's and pubhc's interests.
THE PIONEERS.
If there is anywhere a class of people who deserve to have their names
perpetuated in history, it is the hardy pioneers who came to Clay county in its
infancy, who left their eastern homes of plenty and comfort and braved the
dangers, privations and hardships of the wild western prairies, and made it
possible for settlement. It was no easy task to forsake the advantages of the
thickly settled East of peace and plenty, and blindly plunge into the unknown and
unsettled West, explore, inhabit and develop a vast field of industry, and aiil in
making it possible for others to obtain a home. To these brave men and women,
who, nothing daunted, dared to imperil their lives, we today owe a debt of eternal
gratitude, and the future historian will not fail to give them just credit for their
heroism and self-sacrifice. In listening to a recital of their deeds of daring, their
indomitable pluck, energy, enterprise, and the unconquerable determination that
marked their wonderful achievements in transforming these bleak prairies into a
live, teeming and densely populated country, sounds more like romance than
reality. As the sight-seer passes through Clay county in an elegant coach, draw 11
as by the wings of lightning, catching a glimpse of the waving, golden harvest.'
green pastures, beautiful farm houses, handsome towns and innumerable herds of
line cattle quietly grazing on nutritious grasses, he wonders at the marvelous
transformation. Yonder, a beautiful lake surrounded by clumps of hushes is
seen, the fair western maiden, in company with her lover, quietly rowing over
its smooth and placid waters, enjoying a pleasant pastime, little thinking that
only a half of a century ago the wild and uncivilized red man held absolute pos-
session of it, and that it would have been either instant death or fearful torture
to have ventured on its quiet waters. The change is marked and marvelous.
These vast, unbroken prairies of surpassing beauty, of unequalled richness and
fertility, overshadowed with fair skies, and surrounded by beautiful scenery, and
<lotted with bright lakes, could not always remain in the possession of a rude
and barbarous race. No. There are always brave and daring men who possess
ihc courage to investigate and penetrate the great unknown. Such were the men
wild came to Clay county, not as discoverers, but as settlers, that the way might
])e made possible for its settlement and the development of its soil. That they
accomplished this grand and noble object is wonderfully attested by its large
population, its hundreds of schoolhouses for the education of the youth, its large,
commodious places of worship, its beautiful villages and cities, and the teeming,
prosperous multitude of farmers, merchants and mechanics, who extend a hearty
welcome to all who seek a home in this enticing spot, where the broad, rich,
rolling prairie land is to be had at a far less value than it is really worth.
The early development of the county was quite slow, and but few events
transpired worthy of note other than those mentioned. Its immigration being
small, its real worth unknown, and there being so many thousands of acres of
government land to choose from, it is no wonder that it did not at once spring
into prominence. The settlers plodded along, exerting their best energies to make
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 51
for themselves homes and accumulate something for the future. They, however,
in time, succeeded in effecting an organization and had the county made a
separate and distinct county. They made some public improvements, built a
courthouse, and made numerous other county changes. There being but a few
of them, they knew each other intimately, and the friendships thus formed in
those days are yet unbroken. Everything moved along prosperously until 1873,
when a plague, in the form of grasshoppers, came down upon them. The ele-
ments had been favorable, and the crops were plentiful, antl gave evidence of
vieldine the toiling farmers a rich reward for their labors, when all at once this
destructive and devastating plague swept down upon them. Swarms upon
swarms of these pests came until the skies were black and the earth covered
with them. They destroyed and laid waste to the great growing fields of waving
corn, wheat, oats, etc. From tield to field they went their way, and when they
left one to go to anrithcr, it had the appearance of having been mowed to the
earth and left as bare as if nothing had ever grown there. It was a sad and
terrible blow to the tillers of the soil. It was too late to plant and sow another
crop, and even if they did there was no assurance that they would not receive
another visit from the pests. Many farmers were poverty stricken. All they
had had been swept aw^ay. Their source of revenue w-as gone, and even their
potatoes, cabbages, turnips and other vegetables, which they intended to live
upon during the coming winter, were taken from them. It was a pitiful plight in
which they were placed. Many were without ready money, and many others
had no hopes of getting any unless they sold the only team they possessed. While
this might have furnished them with temporary means, for the fall and winter,
when spring came they would be without means to purchase another team, and
therefore would be unable to farm. Work jwas sc arce; in fa_ctjt was next to
impossible to get employment. What should they do? was the inquiry one
-would make of another as they looked out upon their destroyed fields of grain
and talked over the situation. Many grew disheartened, and gathering together
their few effects, started for the east in search of employment, leaving behind
them the farms on which they had spent time and toil, and had almost lived on
long enough to acquire a title. It was a sad blow to these enduring and deserv-
ing farmers, who had struggled so hard to make for themselves a '"place" that
thev corld say "these one lumdred and sixty acres bek)ng to me." It was a
trying time to the souls of many a man as he looked for the last time upon those
fertile acres which he had cultivated, and which had promised him such an
abundant yield. These he must forsake, for to stay was to lose all.
Such were the conditions of affairs in 1874. The raid made by the grass-
hoppers did a great amount of injury to the county. An impression prevailed
that they would make annual visits to this section, and it required several years
to disabuse this belief. Many remained, being more fortunately situated than
those whom necessity required to go elsewhere, to seek sustenance for the coming-
winter.
It was not until some years afterwards that immigration began to turn in
this direction, and even then it was limited. The scare was not over, and the
people who wanted to come waited to see if the grasshoppers would make
another visit. Thev had heard of the work done by them, and of the privations
52 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
of those who went and stayed, and were thus prevented from coming. In time
these fears were removed, and Clay began to fill up J A\'hen the railroad came,
the prospects of future settlement became more encouraging. In the spring of
1879 the tide came. Many came to purchase land, others to build and establish
homes./ As if by magic the houses sprang into existence, and the prairies were
soon dotted over with well-tilled farms and good, substantial farm houses. It
was well worth the years of solitude and privations of the early settler to see
his home suddenly surrounded by other farms under good cultivation ; and to
live within a short distance of friendly and pleasant neighbors.
We have thus briefly and imperfectly sketched the earlier struggles, the
repeated failures and the final triumphs of Clay county, and have seen it trans-
formed from a vast unbroken prairie into almost a wilderness of farms, dwell-
ings, towns and villages. Even today it is a source of genuine comfort to those
who went through the hardships we have enumerated, to tell the newcomer of the
trials and .troubles of .the early days, and to point out the many and varied
improvements made in the past half a century.
ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT.
I'ntil the year 1856 the only inhabitants of Clay county were the Indians
and. the great Northwestern Iowa was a trackless praivie. Hut gradually settle-
ment extended its way westward and the rich and fertile prairies began to teem
with activity. .Vnd as the years rolled around immigration increased and the
east heard of the wonderful productiveness of the soil ; tbe salubrious climate,
the cheapness of the land and the population multiplied itself in a short time.
The lack of settlement for so many years was to an extent due to a lack of timber.
There appeared to be a desire among the settlers to select the timbered districts
and to regard the prairies as worthless for agricultural purposes, because they did
not produce the necessaries for fuel and fences. But gradually there came a
change in the minds of men in regard to this, and the great west, with its bound-
less and sweeping prairies, were sought for and then came the rush. And when
the soil was subjected to farm tillage and reaped such rich harvests, its fame
was spread far and wide, and Northwestern Iowa became known as the great
agricultural center of the west. But this was not accomplished in a year, but
required time and patience to develop and make known all of its natural resources.
The first permanent settlement by whites known was made in the spring of
1856. Previous to this settlement the firm' of Lane & Ray, government sur-
vevcrs, had passed through this county and run township lines and staked them
out. and as was the custom in new counties, posted the sign, "Claimed by Lane &
Ray." Whether deciding to relinquish their claims t© these lands to some more
determined men who would brave and bear the wants, privations and hardships
of pioneer life, or obtaining a more lucrative position or business, they at least
never returned to make their claim good or establish their ownership to the land.
The principal portions of the land claimed by these surveyors were located along
the banks of the river, in the south part of the county.
Unquestionably, the earliest permanent white settlers in Clay county were
the Kirchners, who came here in April, 1856. In the year 1855, J. A. Kirchner,
VIEW NEAR SPENCER
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. L- N-- X
TILDEN FOUND* ION3
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 55
in company with his brother, Jacob, set out from his native state, New York, to
find fame and fortune in the far away west, of whose wonders he had heard
and read so much. As they had no settled point in view, they traveled from
place to place, hearing glowing accounts of the state of Iowa. They drifted
westward, until they reached Cedar Falls, then but a small village near the
borders of the west, where supplies were obtained by the pioneers. After reach-
ing the place, they formed the acquaintance of Ambrose S. Mead, who, like
themselves, was desirous of exploring the western part of the state. Mr. Mead
possessed some Indian ponies, which he tendered the use of to the New Yorkers,
which were gladly accepted by them. They at once purchased a sleigh and the
necessary provisions to last them during their search for a location, and started
out on their trip. Being impressed with the advantages of Spirit Lake and its
surroundings, of which they had heard so much, they directed their course
toward the historical part of the great Hawkeye state. While on their way they
inspected numerous points and were greatly pleased with the beauty and wealth
of the soil. LTpon reaching a point near Algona, Kossuth county, they met a Mr.
Brown, who informed them that he had spent a part of the previous year with
a United States surveying party and was thoroughly acquainted with all the new
territory. After making known to him their intentions to go to Spirit Lake to
locate, he remarked to them: "Why don't you go to Clay county? That is the
finest county in the state and the land is the best."
After a long conversation, in which a full description of the county was
given and the route to take, they set out and finally reached a point just a little
west of where Peterson now stands. Being unable to cross the river they, how-
ever, made a careful survey of the surroundings and decided to locate there.
Their impression of the country was most favorable and they saw that the glow-
ing accounts of the beauty and fertility of the soil had in no sense been exag-
gerated ; they there and then decided to make it their home for life. They
immediately made claim to the timber lafid along the river on sections 2>2> 33 and
34, township 94, range 38, being in all about 300 acres, which was equally
divided among the three. After choosing their land and settling everything
satisfactorily among themselves, they returned to Cedar Falls, where they pur-
chased the necessary teams, farm implements and provisions and returned to their
new home, where they immediately set to work to perfect arrangements for the
immediate occupancy and improvement of their claims. The first work of the
pioneers upon reaching their claims was the erection of a cabin, or log house,
and at the same time to commence breaking the ground on their newly acquired
farms. The first plowing done was by J. A. Kirchner in May, 1856. Mr.
Kirchner, after building a house and arranging for his crops, set out for New
York, and in the fall returned with his father. Christian Kirchner, and wife and
ten children. The house was built of logs, trees were felled and hewn and
placed together. Shortly after the completion of this log cabin, James Bicknell
and family arrived, and it was sold to him. Then Mr. Kirchner set to work
to build another, which stood for several years in the corporate limits of Peter-
son. These first cabins were very primitive afifairs, but they answered the
purposes most satisfactorily. Among the next settlers were the Gillett brothers,
who settled at what is now the little town of Gillett's Grove. During the year
CLAY 4.
56 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
there also arrived Ezra Wilcox and a INIr. Wilcox. Although the winter was
quite severe the little band of pioneers suffered no discomforts, other than what
was incident to a partially completed preparation, and their stock passed through
without loss. In the meantime, the progress of settlement had rapidly increased,
and a small town had sprung up in Webster county, where the government had
established a fort, known as Fort Dodge, which made the distance a great deal
less from which to obtain supplies.
The little settlement, of energetic and determined pioneers, made unusual
progress with their labors to complete their homes and increase and enhance
their possessions. It was not until something over a year after taking possession
of these lands that they did acquire title to them. They went to Sioux City and
made formal entry. The distance was quite great, but they became accustomed
to long journeys and did not mind it. Tlieir trips to and from trading points
were made twice a year, and sufficient supply was purchased to last frdin spring
to fall and from fall to spring. There were no incidents worthy of note during
the first eighteen months of their residence and they began ti^ think that all
dangers were passed and the future foreboded nothing but peace and ]irosi)crity.
Their crops were good, their stock in excellent condition and increasing, the
families healthy and contented, and everything pointed to pleasant and lia])py
homes.
During the next year tlie little band was increased by the arrival of lolm
Kindelspyer, who located in the southeastern part of the count\, also l'"rederick,
William and C. H. Brockschink. In the spring of 1858 there came Charles C.
and ii. 1",. W. Smeltzer : the former was subsequently elected county judge and
the latter held several county offices. There were a number of other arrivals but
the settlement was by no means swelled, as the census of i860 shows only a total
population of fifty-two. But those who came located their claims and proceeded
to improve them with all their might and main and to build for themselves houses.
The first religious services were held at Peterson, at the residence of C. Kirchner,
on Sunday, in August. 1856, and were conducted b\ kev. ( ). S. Wright. ( )n
that occasion nearly every soul in the county attended divine worslu'ii. The class
of people who settled here at that time was moral and upright, and gave hearty
accord to the establishing ot religious services.
THE IXniAX TROUl'.r-ES.
Our little band of pioneers progressed rapidly in developing the soil and
making suitable hom.es for themselves, and were undisturbed bv the few Indians
that were living in and about Clay county at that time. Small bands of these
wandering tribes frequently made the settlers visits, but gave no cause to them
for alarm. They appeared to be friendly and made no pretensions of disturbing
the u'hites. Up to February, 1857. the colony had been favored by uninterrupted
peace and prosperity, but in that month the red-skins came down upon them and
threatened for a time an overthrow of all their bright hopes. It appears that
during the month previous a party of Indians passed down the Sioux river, with
the intention of paying a friendly visit, and as they had made no sign of molesting
the whites, no fears were apprehended, but when they had passed farther into
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 57
the Avhite settlement, the latter became greatly alarmed at their boldness and at
Smithland, the sixty or seventy warriors were disarmed and given to understand
that while they would not be molested on their 'jotirney they wovild not be per-
mitted to carry firearms. Upon having their arms taken from them, they became
greatly enraged and immediately started back, vowing vengeance on all whites
whom they should meet. On their returning they stopped at every house,
appropriating everything in the way of firearms and provisions they could lay
their hands on. When they had secured sufficient rifles and ammunition to arm
their numbers, they became bolder, and not only slaughtered their stock, seized
their provisions, burned their houses, but killed the settlers and created a reign
of terror throughout the country. The Clay county settlers had heard of the
depredations they were committing and were thoroughly alarmed for the safety
of themselves and their property. When they came to the home of j\Ir. Bicknell
and finding no one there — he with iiis family having gone to Air. Kirchner's,
across the river, they immediately appropriated everything which met their
fancv. The next day they made their appearance at the Kirchner home, where
thev found the terror stricken settlers huddled together. Without any ceremony
they captured all the arms to he found, killed the cattle and took what they wanted.
After remaining in the Peterson settlement for a day and a night they pushed
on, leaving the whites badlv frightened, Init thankful that they had escaped with
their lives. This band of bloodthirsty Siouxs then proceeded to the house of
Ambrose Mead, who was absent at the time at Cedar Falls. Previous to leaving
for this place, he had arranged to have a ^iv. Taylor and family remain with
Mrs. Mead and the children during his stay. ' Becoming angry at Taylor for his
interference, they threatened to kill liini if he did not keep out of their way.
Fearine that thev would carrv out their threats, Tavlor left the women and
children and set out to secure assistance. The Indians killed the stock, drove oflf
the ponies and carried the women with them. I'.ut fearing they would be pursued
and overtaken, they decided to allow the women to return, after taking such
liberties as the helpless women could not prevent. They then directed their steps
toward Linn Grove and Sioux Rapids, where they subjected the settlers to the
same treatment they had given the ]\Iead and Taylor families. From thence
they went to Gillett's Grove, where they not only repeated their operations but
burned the buildings. The Indians had no sooner left Peterson than a courier
was sent to Sac City, to inform the people there and give warning to the settlers
of the depredations being committed by the red devils. A company was at once
formed of settlers and set out in great haste to overtake them. They followed
them to within a few' miles of where Spencer' now stands, but a severe snow
storm coming on, prevented the Indians from being overtaken and caused the
settlers to take refuge from the terrible snow storm. The Indians, however,
hurried on to Okoboji and Spirit Lake, and massacred the entire colony, men,
women and children, with one exception, Miss Abigail Sharpe, who was subse-
quently rescued and his since written a book, detailing the history of the attack,
and massacre and the horrible tortures inflicted on the helpless captured, by
those wild, bloodthirsty and inhuman brutes.
When the horrible and blood-curdling tale of the Spirit Lake butchery
became known to the settlers, many of them being so thoroughly alarmed, they
58 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
left their claims entirely or sought refuge at the homes of friends. This tribe
was under the leadership of a chief known as Ink-pah-du-tah, and whose crimes
are the most atrocious in the annals of Iowa Indian history. This had the effect
to materially check settlement throughout the northwest.
The Indians kept up their onward march of death and destruction until
they reached Jackson, ^Minnesota. In the meantime companies well armed were
hurriedly organized and sent to this point, where they met and attacked the
Indians and succeeded in defeating them. The battle was a sharp one, but finally
the Indians were sent flying westward until they w^ere driven out of the state and
also out of ^Minnesota. The Indians being exterminated from Clay county and
peace and safety being restored, the settlers were given a chance to repair their
property and to proceed with their work of developing the resources and the
cultivation of the soil. Frorfi that date Clay county was no more troubled with
the Indians.
THE COURTHOUSE HISTORY.
After the election of 1858, Clay county was equipped with a full quota of
officers. She had neither a courthouse nor a public building of any description,
and as a result the officers made their homes public buildings, and whatever public
meetings w-ere required to be held were held at the most convenient house. This
was not all. Clay was duly organized and officered, but she was without a
county scat. Judge Hubbard, then the presiding judge of the Fourth judicial
district, comprehending the condition of affairs, in open court appointed a com-
mission, consisting of three, who were supposed to be disinterested parties, to
locate a county seat. They selected the site previously mentioned and named it
Spencer, in honor of United States Senator Spencer, of Alabama, who had
been one of the United States surveying party which surveyed Clay county and
established the boundary lines. The committee made its report to Charles C.
Smeltzer, then county judge. Whereupon he entered upon the court docket the
following order:
"I, Charles C. Smeltzer, county judge of said (Clay) county, and the official
head thereof, do hereby order that said town of Spencer, named in their report
as the county seat of Clay county, Iowa, be and is from this time hence 'till
changed, according to law, the seat of justice of said county."
For several months the court records are dated "Spencer, Clay county,
Iowa," but that was finally dropped, and the former form of "Office of the
County Judge" was substituted, showing that the judge while in spirit was at
Spencer, in person he was many miles away.
A petition was in time drawn up and circulated among the settlers and
generally signed, and on the 14th day of i\Iay, i860, was presented to Judge
Smeltzer. The petitioners prayed that an election might be called to test the
county seat question, and that they should be given the privilege to select the site.
The prayer was granted, and on the 27th day of June, i860, after due notice
having been given, the voters of the county, of which there were ten, decided
to locate the county seat at what is now known as Peterson. At this election
Judge Smeltzer was authorized to cause to be erected a courthouse building at
the new county seat, at an expense of six thousand dollars. Bids and plans were
immediately advertised for, and on the 15th day of September, i860, the contract
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 59
was let to C. H. Brockschink. Work was at once commenced, and in due course
of time was completed, and Clay county had a courthouse. Mr. Brockschink
afterwards .presented a claim for fifteen hvmdred dollars for extra work done,
and was allowed nine hundred dollars. Additions were subsequently made to the
building to accommodate the officers, and it is claimed that these additions cost
the county quite an extravagant sum of money. It is not infrequent to hear the
earlier settlers speak of the "Forty-thousand dollar court house."
During the interim of i860 and 1870 the northern part of the county received
a large immigration, and in time became more numerously inhabited than the
southwestern part. Its voting population in 1870, combined with the eastern
section, was, therefore, numerically greater than the southern part.
The location of the county seat in the extreme southwestern corner was very
inconvenient for those living in the northern part. As the years passed by, a
feeling of dissatisfaction grew up with the location, and the more the subject
was agitated the greater the displeasure of the northern and eastern people
became. A petition was drawn up and circulated among the voters, and received
many signatures. The petition set forth that Peterson, the county seat, was
inconvenient of access, that it was not sufficiently centrally located, and the
people demanded that the seat of government should be placed where it would
accommodate the many, and not a chosen few. The petition was presented to
the Board of Supervisors, which body ordered an election to be held. The result
was that the county seat was relocated, and Spencer chosen as the place. The
principal argument against the removal, previous to the election, was that Spencer
was not provided with a building sufficient to accommodate the county officials.
This argument was immediately met, by the people of Spencer setting to work and
erecting a building that would meet these requirements. It was no easy task in
those days to erect a building. The lumber must be hauled a. distance of forty
or fifty miles, and the amount of money required to purchase a thousand feet of
lumber in those days would buy three thousand now\ But, undaunted, the
attempt was made. A stock company was at once organized, shares were sold,
and the entire community in and around Spencer became interested. Those who
were unable to buy a share and pay the money, gave a day's labor. ''Where
there's a will there's a way," is an old saying, and in short time the building was
completed and ready for occupancy. The structure was afterwards sold to the
county for one thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars, pa3^ment being
made in county warrants, at that time away below par. Even at that price it
would seem today that it was an extravagant figure, but it cost the stock com-
pany a greater sum. We insert the proposition made by the company to the
Board of Supervisors, not for the intrinsic worth, but as an incident of the earlier
times. It is as follows :
"We hereby propose to the board of supervisors, of Clay county, Iowa, to
sell them the courthouse and lot owned by the Spencer Courthouse Company,
for one thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars, in county w^arrants.
(Signed), J. B. Edmunds, Secretary.
C. D. Marcellus, President."
This building was occupied until 1882, when it became inadequate for the
wants of county purposes, and its dimensions too limited. The board of super-
60 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
visors then leased of A. \\'. ]\[iller, the basement and several of the rooms in the
second story of the Clay county bank, using the second story of the courthouse
for court purposes.
At the April meeting of the board of supervisors in 1884, it was decided
to build a new courthouse. A number of liberal-spirited citizens purchased the
block on which the present courthouse now stands, and donated it to the county.
The contract was let to H. H. AVade for four thousand four hundred and thirty-
five dollars, and a brick building was constructed. It was two stories high, and
contained seven rooms, besides the court room. It was supplied wnth four large
vflults, and was in every way sufficient to meet the demands of the times.
There were many who regarded the building as lacking in architectural
beauty and finish, and criticised the board of supervisors for not constructing one
on a more pretentious scale. At the time it was built the people of the county
were opposed to making an appropriation for a courthouse, and as the law would
not permit the board of supervisors to expend a greater sum than five thousand
dollars, they were from necessity compelled to keep within that limit. Such
briefly are the facts connected with the various changes made in the courthouse
buildings up to 1900.
CRE.\TION' OF TOWNSHIPS.
The first action relating to townships was taken December 3d, 1859, when
it was ordered by County Judge C. C. Smeltzcr, "that the whole of Clay county
be divided into, or recognized as one civil township, to be known as Clay."
On the 15th day of October, i860, Douglas township was created, embracing
nearly one-half of the county.
On September 19, 1861, a township was created, and named Sioux, which
included the four western congressional townships in the county, except four
sections. This township was afterward merged into others.
In September, 1866, the boundaries were all changed, and the north half of
the county was named Spencer township.
Douglas township was divided in January, 1867, and Lincoln was set oflf.
September 5, 1870, Bridgewater township was set ofif, comprising territory
taken from Spencer. It has since been included with other townships.
Summit was set off September 2, 1872, embracing the same territory as at
the present.
Gillett's Grove tow^nship was set oft' September 2, 1873.
Ilerdland came into existence at the same time.
Riverton was set off from Spencer July 7, 1874.
October 15, 1877, Lone Tree township was set off.
Peterson was set oft', and its organization was authorized September 3, 1878.
Lake and Freeman townships were set off and organized June 7, 1882.
Logan was created June 3, 1882.
Meadow came into existence in June, 1882.
Waterford was set off September i, 1884.
SIOUX TOWNSHIP.
All that part of Spencer township outside the incorporated city of Spencer
and the territory embraced in the city limits of Spencer was cut off, and made a
separate township and designated at Sioux Township April 2, 1894.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 61
Among the early settlers in this township were John F. Calkins, Byron
Hough, S. Calkins; Harvey Mars, and their families ; a German by the name of
Kail, James Mars, Remain Hough, Solomon Wells, Rev. D. N. Coats and his
son, R. A. Coats. There also came John Martin, F. M. Wells, Homer and Anson
Calkins and John W. ]\farsten. John Marsten located on section i and owned
the land on which the original town of Spencer now stands. The settlement
grew rapidly and soon a town began to assume proportions on the west side
of the township, which is now known as the city of Spencer.
gillett's grove.
Gillett's Grove township was organized in 1873, being taken from Lincoln
township, and is composed of congressional township number 95, range 36.
Its chief physical features are the rolling prairies and the Little Sioux river.
The former has a deep rich soil, wdiich annually yields a heavy growth of native
grasses and of all cultivated crops, when the soil is subdued from its native state.
The river extends the entire distance across the township from north to south
through the eastern tier of sections. Its valley is about one-half mile wide
between the base of bluffs, which are nearly fifty feet high, receding most too
abruptly to be easily cultivated, though entirely covered wath grass where there
is no timber, and is cut through in many places by the smaller watercourses,
which affects the drainage of the prairies. The principal ones are Lexington
creek from the w-est, named after the town of New Lexington, a town staked
out upon the east half of section 22, and the west half of section 23, some time
before the Indian outbreak of 1857. Elk creek from the east, deriving its name
from the lake of the same name, which it drains, and Lime creek from the south-
east, called so from a lime-kiln on its banks, operated in the early days by Asa
and Isaac Johnson. In this township, along the river bottom and the bluffs, and
in the ravines, was one of the largest bodies of native timber in the country.
The kinds of wood were burr oak, black walnut, elm, tin-tight bark, hickory, ash
and soft maple. In the best body of this timber the Gillett's built their houses
and began improvements for a home in 1856, previous to the Indian depredations,
but afterwards were driven away. A depression less than two feet, which w-as
the cellar, marked the place w'here the log house stood, and where were scattered
about pieces of glass, dishes, crockery and nails. The house was burned after
Gillett and his family had made their escape. From the Grove and the timber
skirting the river, the surrounding settlers were supplied with fuel and building
materials for a distance of twelve miles. In the summer of 1872, P. M. ^loore
erected a saw mill on the river at the lower end of the Grove, where most of the
timber suitable for lumber was sawed. The mill was afterward converted into a
feed mill.
When the township w^as organized, the settlement consisted of A. W.
Green, E. C. Green, S. Gray, E. Reed, D. C. Palmer, J. Garreston, S. E.
Beven, A. F. McConnell, John Stephens, Stephen Wilson, R. Taber, John
McPherson, W'illiam Wilson, W'. W. Moore, P. M. Moore, A. A. Mills, John
Mills, Jasper Messenger, J. P. Evans, and their families. Also D. C. Palmer,
Aaron Bates, Oscar Hodgin, E. H. Crandall, D. H. King and John O. Evans.
62 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
When W. ^^'. and P. I\I. Moore settled at Gillett's Grove, in the summer of
1866, the nearest postoffice was Peterson, twenty miles away. The nearest flour
mill was Estherville, thirty-five miles. The best trading place — Fort Dodge —
seventy-five miles. The nearest railroad — Iowa Falls — was one hundred and
twenty miles. There were no bridges across the river, or any of the sloughs
or mud holes, hence a journey for supplies or any business was attended with
many troubles and difficulties. Early in the spring and fall, it was difficult to
cross these sloughs when they were filled with water and the ground was very
wet and soft. The journey was no less dangerous or unpleasant in the winter
time, owing to the distance between the places of shelter and the deep snows.
The only cheering points along the route to Fort Dodge were the stopping places,
which were fe^v and quite a distance apart. There was one place on this long
journey where not a house or a tree could be seen for forty miles, and when the
ground was covered with snow, but a faint trace would be left to guide the
traveler towards his destination. As soon as it could be done a mail route was
established, and secured an office at Gillett's Grove. P. M. Moore was appointed
postmaster in 1867. A few years afterwards he resigned and his father, W. W.
Moore, was appointed.
In 187 1 an office was established on the same route on section 30, named
Greenville, of which .A. ^^'. Green was appointed postmaster. The citizens of this
township were mostly from Wisconsin, Illinois and other parts of this state.
They are intelligent and enterprising, mostly church members, belonging princi-
pally to the Methodist, Congregational, Baptist and Friends denominations. The
last named have a good church at Greenville. The township has settled up more
slowly than other parts of the county, owing to the fact that much of the land has
been owned by non-residents, having purchased it from the government in 1857. But
there has been a gradual improvement from year to year, the opening of new
farms and the planting of artificial groves, which grow rapidly, and are seen in
every direction. Some of the earliest planted have grown more than fifty feet
high. The people are engaged in farming and raising cattle, horses and hogs.
\"ery few men who have been industrious and persevering have failed to do
well. The early settler drove a tean] of oxen and lived in a sod house. This
was made by first selecting a piece of ground covered with a tough sod, and
plowing it with a breaking plow, then cutting the sods thus turned over in
lengths about two feet long. These pieces were then laid into a wall, after the
manner of laying brick, until the wall was cbout two feet thick on the bottom,
a foot and one-half thick at the top, and about six feet high. Then a strong
post was set in the center, extending about six feet more or less, above the walls,
according to the size of the house. Upon the top of this post one end of the
other poles or rafters were laid and the other ends of the walls at the proper
intervals. Then willow brush was laid across these rafters, then hay upon the
willows, and upon the hay sods were tightly laid, and afterwards the whole was
plastered over with clay mortar, and with some hay thinly spread upon the
ground inside of the house it was ready for occupancy. A house thus con-
structed, although rude, furnished shelter and comfort for its occupants, and the
earlier inhabitants appreciated their sod shanties, as the pelting storms beat down
upon their roofs.
NORTH SCHOOL. SPEXCKR
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. Lf NOX
TILDkN FOUNDA.IONS
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 63
Although cheap, they were comfortable, and in fact were all that could be
had during- the first years of settlement of this country. • Many of the children,
now men and women, remember the happy days they spent in the sod house.
But now they are driving fine horses, living in painted frame and brick houses,
and feeding their stock in commodious barns, under the shelter of nice, large
trees they planted for wind breakers and protection from storms. The storms
in the winter upon the shelterless prairies were sorely felt by the people — more
in the early settlement than at the present time, because of the greater distance
between places. In the winter of 1876 and 1878 a man named Parish came to
Gillett's Grove to see his daughter, who was working for a family. He started
from Okoboji Lake in the morning, intending to walk to the Grove, expecting
to reach there before evening. Darkness, however, overtook him, and instead
of reaching the Grove, he passed by it. After wandering around several hours
he found an empty house, which was only about a mile from the place he wished
to reach. He entered it, but did not have the means to light a fire, and
therefore spent the night as best he could. He walked, jumped, lay down,
and in fact did everything to keep from freezing. When day came he began
his journey, but was unable to find a house until noon. \Mien he came to W.
W. Moore's it was found that his feet were so badly frozen that they had to
be amputated.
In the winter of 1869 a }oung man named Con started for Spirit Lake
early one morning, taking a lunch, expecting to walk there that day. Soon
after he started it began to snow, and within an hour it was snowing and drifting
so furiously that it was impossible for him to proceed farther. He could neither
proceed nor return, as he became so bewildered, and did not know which direc-
tion to take. He therefore w^alked back and forth all one day and one night.
At one time he attempted to crawl or dig into a snow drift and let the snow
cover him. But he became chilly and returned to his path, which, as the snow
piled upon it, became so high that he would fall off, and had to make another.
In the morning it cleared away, and he made his way to the river, where he
discovered a wood cutter's shanty and found something to eat. He succeeded
in reaching the lakes, never once laying down his axe, which he carried while
battling with the furious storm. L'pon arriving at the lakes he found friends
and was carefully cared for, but the heroic struggles of that bitter cold and
stormy day and night were far too great for his physical strength, and within
a few short weeks his remains were deposited in their last resting place.
Another man, named Laughlin, was hunting deer on a fine, clear winter
dav, and after securing one, hung it up in a tree in the grove and started
home. A place was found where he broke through the ice on the river and
evidently wet his feet. Farther on his gun was found leaning against a tree.
He never reached home. Early in the evening a terrible storm came on, and he
must have been overtaken by it. His remains were found in the spring, where
the high water had washed them ashore, about a mile farther down, and about
two miles from his home.
In June of 1881 a hurricane swept across this township from the northwest.
It broke down about one hundred native trpes in Moore's grove. It partially
unroofed P. M. Moore's barn, moved Simon Brailer's house from its foundation.
■64 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
nearly demolished Mr. Newton's house, and tore David Brailer's house all to
pieces, which was only finished the day before. The neighbors came and replaced
the house, which stood there for a great many years. Alany other small build-
ings were more or less injured or destroyed. One tornado in the summer of
1886 passed over from the south to nearly north, touching lightly, but hurting
nothing until farther on. One hail storm crossed the northwest corner of the
township and almost entirely destroyed the crops where it struck. The corn-
stalks were completely stripped, and the small grain almost all knocked ofif.
Gardens were destroyed and the grass laid low.
PETERSOX TOWNSHIP.
Although the civil township bearing this name dates its birth and name
from 1871, yet it was the first settled portion of Clay county. The name is
prominently connected, and its history so intimately interwoven with that of
the county's that the latter would be largely shorn of its fifty odd years of
excellent record of pioneer life and the sturdy integrity it has borne, as well
as stripped of much that makes it one of the most interesting counties of north-
west Iowa, were Peterson omitted. The history of this township, therefore,
forms a leading feature in the annals of the county, and deserves more than a
mere passing notice. Peterson township is located in the southwestern part
of the county and is settled by sturdy and solid yeomen, who are active and
progressive. The first settlement was made in the spring of 1856, by J._ A.
Kirchner. John Kirchner and Ambrose S. Mead. The Kirchners came from
Albanv. Xew Y(M-k. and Mead from the ea.stern part of the state. After
selecting their claims along the banks of the Little Sioux river, on sections 32,
33 and 34, they at once set to work to build houses, and when they h^d com-
pleted them, commenced to till the soil. During the years 1856 and 1857 John
J. Bicknell, C. Kirchner. Chas". Oldfield and families arrived, and added to the
number who had cast their fortunes in Clay. In 1857 Charles C. Smeltzer, J. W.
P)rockschink, H. E. W. Smeltzer and others came, thus making valuable acquisi-
tions to the pioneers, to whom it was a great pleasure to extend a greeting to
every newcomer. Later there arrived Harry Gardner, R. B. Crego and others.
By this time, with those who settled farther east, there was a sufficient number
to organize the county and establish a seat of government. This was accom-
plished, and the place where the little band of advanced western pioneers lived
was formally constituted a town and made the capital of the county. A majority
of the citizens of the county had settled in and around where the town of
Peterson now stands, and the six or eight houses composed the town. The
reason for putting up their log houses in such close proximity was for two
very good reasons. In the first place there prevailed a feeling of lonesomeness
at being separated from any place inhabited by white settlers and a desire to be as
near each other as practicable, and thus share with each other what comforts
and pleasures there were for them in social intercourse. There was another
and very important reason. The Indians had made one or two invasions on
their quiet homes, and it was deemed expedient for their mutual protection to be
within hailing distance of each other should the savages again make a raid
upon them. The houses were therefore built witliin only a short distance of
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 65
each other, so that, should any unforseen event occur, other houses would be
within easy access. These houses were also constructed not alone for warmth
and comfort, but for protection as well, should the settlement receive an attack
from the wilv and stealthy redskins. In the course of time the settlement
grew and became more extended, and as the frightful Indians were held under
subjection by the United States government, there was little cause for fear
of molestation, and the newcomers took claims more remote from the primitive
or original settlers. This township was abundantly supplied with timber, con-
sisting of walnut, oak, basswood, ash and elm ; and, as the Little Sioux river
furnished excellent water power, J. A. Kirchner conceived the idea of utilizing
both by building a saw mill. In this move he was greatly encouraged by his
neighbors, and at once went east and purchased the necessary machinery to
operate it. Men were employed and set to work, and in as brief a time as this
faraway place could accomplish it the sound of falling trees and the busy whir
of the big saw could be heard all day long. For miles and miles farmers and
newly acquired landowners could be seen busily wending their way to the mill,
drawing with their teams heavy timbers to be sawed and made ready for build-
ing purposes. Log cabins soon gave place to more pretentious and commodious
frame dwellings, and the settlement put on an entirely difit'erent appearance.
The soil of this township is of a superior quality and produces every kind
of cereal. The main body of the land is a little inclined to be level, with the
exception of that part that lies along the Little Sioux river. This is somewhat
rough and hilly, but a greater portion of it is either utilized for grazing or
producing purposes. The farmers are chiefly in good circumstances, and a large
proportion of them own good farms. Having a good market at the town of
Peterson, they are able to realize fair prices for their marketable products.
There are excellent schools in all parts of the township, and they are sulifi-
cient to accommodate all of their patrons. It is blessed with good citizens, and
has consequently prosperctl through these many years. In point of wealth,
population and natural advantages it stands second in the county, and as the
future years come and go it will keep pace with the moving and improving
northwest, accumulating wealth, increasing its numbers and establishing a repu-
tation for vast possessions and great prominence.
LONE TREE.
Lone tree is that portion of tin territory of Clay county embraced in
township 96, north range 38 west, and is composed of thirty-six full sections.
It was duly constituted a township on the 15th day of October, 1877. And
although having an organization of over thirty-one years, it has only the past
years come into note. The land composing this township is in the main very
good, and is excellent plow, grazing and hay land. While not so high and
rolling as some other townships, it yet has some very excellent advantages
which render its soil valuable. The Ocheydan, with its winding channel and a
number of small tributaries, courses its way through the township, thus giving
an abundant supply of water. Then there are numerous small lakes scattered
over the entire township, so there is little need of wells to satisfy the thirst of
the stock. Yet it cannot be called a swampy or wet township, for in many
66 HISTORY OF CLAY COUxXTY
parts the land lies well above the level. Some most excellent farms are found
in this township, well cultivated, supplied with excellent buildings and pro-
ducing abundantly.
The first settlement made in this township was by J. ^^^ and S. B. Crist,
wlvo came here in May, 1870. The former remained some six years, and then
moved west and was followed by the latter in 1879. They located on section
2, on what is known as the "Lone Tree farm." It was so named because at
one time it was the only farm which contained a tree, and hence the name.
This tree was a large elm and could be seen from a great distance before the
present cultivated groves were grown. It therefore stood out in bold relief
on the broad and unbroken prairie, and from this tree the township received
its name.
The Crist brothers were shortly followed by James Johnson, who located
on the western side of the township. Then came H. Wetmore, W'm. F. Shaffer
and David Arledge. Then there was a cessation for a time, which was even-
tually broken by the arrival of a number of families. After the planting of
Everly there was a large influx and the entire township put on a busy, stirring
air. Since that date Lone Tree has gradually forged ahead and has been
rapidly populated and its soil greatly enhanced in commercial value. The
Chicago and Milwaukee railroad spans the township, and has been a potent
agency in increasing and developing what resources it possesses. The farming
community is composed of excellent farmers who arc industriously tilling the
soil, building themselves substantial dwellings, and surrounding themselves with
all the necessary comforts of life. They have a fair start in the stock line, and
by prudence and care they are destined to become a wealthy community. A
number of speculators own considerable land in this township, but even these
are constantly giving way to the sturdy farmers who have come to make homes.
All in all. Lone Tree is possessed of good soil, excellent drainage, splendid
water, good grazing and hay land, abundant crops and an enterprising and
intelligent class of citizens. In 1901 the Cowrie and Northwestern railroad was
completed. It enters Lone Tree township at its southeastern border and leaves
the township about midway of its western border line.
DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP.
Douglas is that congressional township No. 94 north, and 37 west. It
is doubtful if there is another township in Clay county so rich in material
resources and with as little waste land as this. The south line just misses the
breaks and rough land along the Little Sioux river, while Willow creek traverses
it five miles and drains all the north half and affords abundant watering places
for stock.
Settled by an industrious and enterprising class of people, having nine
schoolhouses and three churches, it is no wonder it is rich in all the material
resources that go to make up a prosperous people, containing between six and
seven hundred inhabitants, and hardly a dwelling in the township but that is
surrounded by beautiful groves. The west half is settled largely by Welsh
people, who are as a rule the best of citizens ; industrious, economical and
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 67
naturally religious, they are a valuable adjunct to any community in which their
lot is cast.
Douglas township formerly embraced what is now Herdland, Garfield,
Logan, Gillett Grove and Lincoln townships. Of the earlier settlers, William
Crozier was perhaps the first permanent settler in the congressional township,
he coming in the summer of 1858, and John Kindlespyer settling the same season
on section t^2, now Herdland township. Two years previous Ezra Wilcox had
located a claim on section 20. (now) Herdland township, and George Gillett
located on section 22,, (now) Gillett's Grove township. Both settlements were
made in magnificent groves on the Sioux river, which now bear their names.
There were others at this time that took up claims but lacked fortitude and
endurance to stay on them. The earliest permanent settlers, with the excep-
tion of those mentioned above, were O. C. Foots. David Christy, Thomas
Fucket and Paxton Morriss, who, with their families, came in the summer of
1863, and at once erected for themselves the primitive log house, there being
plenty of timber for that purpose along the river. The first schoolhouse in the
township was built in the year 1863, on section 32, (now) Herdland township,
on the farm of D. D. Christy. It was called the White schoolhouse and was
the polling place for the township.
S. W. Dubois, Stephen Dubois, Joseph Watts and son Hiram, Samuel and
J. L. Crozier came in June, 1864. All these had families except S. W. Dubois.
Peter Dubois, Erastus Treman, Ellis and Ashley George, John Fhineas and
Jesse Pickering and parents came in the fall of the same year. At that time
the nearest railroad station was at Iowa Falls, the Illinois Central having been
built to that place that year.
It was indeed a great undertaking for those early poineers' to carve out
for themselves and families a home. With Fort Dodge the nearest trading point.
a distance of seventy miles from the Sioux river, the roads many times were
almost impassable. Corn was worth at Fort Dodge from $1.50 to $2 per bushel;
wheat, about $2.60. and a common cow would sell readily at $50. What little
grain there w-as that could be spared was readily taken by the newcomers for
bread and seed.
The summer of 1866 brought another grist of settlers: J. J. Duroe,
Ephraim Sands, O. G. and J. C. Tabor, all of whom brought their families and
took up claims. The Dubois and Sands people moved in the Samuel Crozier
house until they could build houses for themselves.
After the first settlers had taken all of the desirable claims along the river,
the adventurous newcomers had to push out on the prairie, and as the majority
were poor, but of that class who overcome all obstacles, the most of our prairie
settlers turned architects and built sod houses or dugouts, which, although dirty,
w^ere as a rule warm, and as the material cost nothing, the prairies were soon
dotted with sod houses. Strange that when men sufifer such privations as do
all pioneers to a new country they should move on as soon as the country
fairly gets under way of settlement ; but such is the history of all new countries,
and ours is no exception.
The first caucus ever held in the township was held by the side of a hay
stack, near the old Kenyon place, on section 34, (now) Gillett's Grove town-
68 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
ship. Thomas Pucket was nominated supervisor for the new township. This
was in the fall of 1864.
The first township officers were : F. E. Bigsby, clerk ; S. W. Dubois,
Stephen Dubois and J. L. Crozier, trustees ; Samuel Crozier and George Crozier,
constables; for road supervisor, district No. i, which comprised the whole town-
ship. S. T. Collins.
The first official records in the township were of an election held at the
White schoolhouse October 9, 1866, of which K. D. Wright for secretary of
state had forty-four votes, and S. G. \'ananda had one, the vote running the
same all the way through for state officers, there being forty-four Republicans
and one Democrat. For county officers there were f(irty-tliree votes cast for
clerk of the courts, of which William Y. Crozier had thirty seven and B. B. Crego
had six. For recorder, P. M. Moore had thirty-seven and C. Kirchner, Jr., six.
The township officers elected were : Ellis George, clerk ; Thomas Pucket and
John Watts, justices of the peace; James Halstead and John Pickering, con-
stables; J. L. Crozier, S. T. Collins and Thomas Pucket, trustees; John Watts,
assessor; Richard D. Miller, road supervisor.
At this time the land which had all been subject to homestead and pre-
emption was taken out of the market until the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad
Company could make their selection, which was every alternate section for ten
miles on each side of their ])ro]x)sed line, as near as practicable on the 43d
jiarallel, alxmt four miles north of the township lines. When the Milwaukee
road finally built the road through Spencer, manv of the oldest hc^mesteaders
thought they were unjustly deprived of one-half of their homestead rights, by
taking the road so far north and throwing the township outside of the railroad
limits. However, every available claim was taken before the year 1868, and men
seemed as anxious to file on eighty as one hundred and sixty acres. There was
little '^tock raised at that time, and corn was nearly a failure, owing, perhaps, to
the newness of tlie land. Wheat yielded from twenty-five to forty bushels per
acre. What corn there was raised was of the early ^'ankee varieties, and the
blackbirds were so troublesome that much of the corn was eaten by these
pests. Gradually people began to experiment with other varieties, until today
corn is the best crop. Stock raising also began to receive more atten,tion, until
now the farmer who has not all the stock he can handle is an exception.
One need not go outside of the township to get thoroughbred stock of all
kinds. Previous to the year 1879 ^'niost all of the grain was hauled to Storm
Pake, a distance of twenty-five miles, and during those years the streets of
Storm Lake were many times lined with teams waiting to unload grain. Now
stock raising and dairying have taken its place, and the inhabitants are largely
indebted to the change for the progress they have made. The surroundings
are all favorable for the production of stock and dairv products. With a
climate admirably adapted to this business, with a soil in which grass grows with
great luxuriance, and which with even slovenly and slipshod methods of culti-
vation produces all kinds of feed in marvelous abundance ; with land so cheap
that the yearly products of a single cow will pay for an acre of land in the
most favorable locality ; with water at every man's door ; with all kinds of grain
feed so cheap and abundant that it can be sent four thousand miles and then
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 69
fed with a profit ; with transportation so rapid, we can lay down our product in
a fresh condition in almost every market in the world, wdiat more could be asked
for than what the township already possesses?
LAKE TOWNSHIP.
Originally Lake w^as a part of Bridgewater and was set off as a congres-
sional township in 1882. It derives its name from the number of lakes wuthin
its borders. It was early settled by an excellent class of citizens, wdio have been
energetic and frugal, and tilled its soil to good advantage. It possesses some
excellent farm and ha}' land, and is also a fine stock township. Among its first
settlers were J. A. Anthony, who was subsequently followed in years by D.
M. Green, Capencr. Cutshall, J. G. Duncan and a host of others. Among its
very first settlers was a German, who built a small cabin and lived there along
in 1866 and 1867. In and around these lakes for many years was the constant
habitation of Indians during the hunting and fishing seasons. There were a
number of Indian relics found near these lakes, showdng that it was a common
rendezvous for wandering tribes. Mr. Anthony gives a description of a fort
which he found in good condition upon his settlement on Lost Island lake.
The game was plentiful at times, and the protection from storms and excessive
heat very fair, and consequently the Indians found it a very comfortable place.
The citizens of the township, some years since, were very confident that the
Rock Island at no distant day would extend its branch northward from Ruthven
and thus supply thci'li with better railroad facilities. When this is accomplished
there can be no doubt but what Lost Island and its surrounding lakes will be
utilized for a summer resort, besides the land will greatly increase in market-
able value.
John A. Anthony was born in Delaware county, Xew York, August 13th,
1818, and remained a resident of that county for eleven years, when he moved
to Broome county, where he lived for a great many years. In 1869 he came to
Palo Alto county, just across the line from Clay county, and located nqar
the north end of Lost Island lake. He had seen these broad prairies when there
was not a house within the range of his vision. He had seen it slowly and grad-
ually rise from a vast and uninhabitable plain to a thriving and well populated
township c.rd county. When he first settled on the edge of this beautiful lake
it was a perilous undertaking, as it was and had been a common camping ground
for. roving bands of Indians. But fortunatelv he remained undisturbed, and the
few Indians that visited at this pleasant spot left him unmolested. During the
first year of his residence, at times there was a feeling of loneliness at being
separated so far from civilization, but his anxiety to improve his possessions
and secure a comfortable home in time drove away these sad and desponding
feelings. Then there was plenty of diversion. Game at that time was plentiful,
fish in abundance, and manv other amusements to turn the mind from the
channel of sad or regretful thoughts. ]\Ir. Anthony has given a most minute
description of an old fort located about one and a half miles east of where he
resided, which was in a good state of preservation when he arrived at the
lake. He stated that a rifle pit was throwm up to a considerable height, and
port holes were plainly to be seen. There were manv evidences to indicate that
70 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
it had been in use at some previous period, from the scattered pieces found
in and around it. His conclusions were that at some time a roving tribe of
Indians, probably belonging to the Sioux, who were the more intelligent, had
come to Lost Island Lake to spend the winter, and as there was a scarcity of
timber and also a number of other hostile bands traveling through that section,
it was decided to erect this fortress as a protection against the severe storms
that prevailed, as well as a place of safety should some of their enemies attenipt
to attack them. This fort remained in existence for a number of years, and
was quite a curiosity. Lost Island Lake is a large body of water, part of which
is in Clay count}-. Its banks are gravelly, and it is surrounded by a plentiful
supply of shade trees. This township is noted for its consolidated school, a
description of which is given in another part of this work.
RIVERTOX TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized July 7, 1874, by being set off from Spencer,
to which is was formerly attached. The first settlement made in Riverton was
by John and Stephen Calkins, "Father" Solomon Wells and his son Frank
Wells, and Rev. R. A. Coates. Then came B. P. Plough and W'ales Lambcrton,
all of whom settled on section 12 in this township. A year or two later Charles
and James Carver settled two miles further west. John Calkins became one
of the prominent men of the county. He was associated with J. H. Hale in
laying oft" the town of Spencer, and was county supervisor for several years.
His wife was especially active in church, Sunday school and educational work.
The first religious service in this part of the county was held at her home.
"Father" Wells was known for his religious enthusiasm. R. A. Coats, then
a young man fresh from the army, was of fine intellect and active in many ways ;
he readily found an entry to the hearts of all who knew him.
When the board of supervisors set off Riverton, it authorized and cm-
powered Major Cheney to call an election and swear in the judges of the
election. Officers were duly elected, and the township was properly equipped
and prepared to manage its own affairs as a township. Riverton has from that
date borne an honorable part in the county's history. Its inhabitants have
always been among Clay county's best citizens, and have had the reputation of
being enterprising, honorable and prosperous. The township is most fortunately
located, being watered by the Little Sioux and Ocheydan rivers and traversed
by the Chicago, IVIilwaukee and St. Paul railroad. It borders Spencer on the
west, in fact a part of the town of Spencer lies within the congressional town-
ship of Riverton. A visitor to this place cannot but be impressed with the
general evidences of thrift, the pleasant and comfortable location of its farmers.
There are quite a large number of farmers who give particular attention to
stock raising. They have all classes and varieties of breeds. It is no disparage-
ment to other townships to say that the land is of a most excellent character,
and annually yields a large reward to its owners. The general condition of the
soil and the favorable location of the township render it among the most favor-
able in the county. The township is therefore a prominent factor in point of
wealth, resources, educational facilities, social advantages and political influences.
Spencer and Everly are both easy of access, and the farmers of this township are
therefore conveniently situated to take advantage of either market.
LOG CABIN STILL STANDING. FOUR MILES EAST OF SPENCER IN SIOUX
TOWNSHIP. BUILT BY EVAN JONES IN 1867
, THE NEW YORK
UbLIC LIBRARY
AS ■'OR. L
nr X
TiLD' N Fcaro_t
i^nS
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 73
SUMMIT TOWNSHIP.
It was during the year 1872 that this township was created. Previous to
that date it had been a part of Spencer, but it settled so rapidly that it was
deemed advisable to give it the authority to govern itself in regard to local
afifairs. It belongs to the northern tier of townships, and with the exception of
the townships containing towns, it is the wealthiest in the county. The soil
is a rich loam and is well adapted for producing either grain or grass. It is
none too high nor too low, but a happy medium between the two extremes,
and is therefore able to withstand either the extreme droughts or rainy seasons.
It is just sufficiently rolling to carry off a heavy fall of rain and yet to retain
enough moisture during the dry times to grow good crops. The Little Sioux
river courses its way in a diagonal direction through the township, while
smaller channels coming from different directions empty into this common reser-
voir. The land is therefore rich and productive, and the amount of grain raised
is simply immense. For grazing purposes few if any townships surpass or excel
it, and for that reason it is the center of stock raising in the county. It goes
without question that there is double the amount of stock owned by the farmers
and dealers in Summit township than any other in the county. Some firms
' handle in the course of a year from two thousand to. five thousand head. Its_
farmers are permanent, prosperous and pushing, and nearly every citizen is in
well-to-do circumstances. Probably the first settlement made in that township
consisted of such men, and their families, as Thomas Berry, Peter Nelson, G. W.
Clark, Joseph O'Brien and others, who located in 1869. These were the begin-
ners. During the next year there came James Anderson, Charles Justus, Mr.
Emerson, Ole Berg, Martin Rassmussen, Frank Miller, James Peterson, Nels
Sorrenson. The next year brought as settlers James Goodwin, W. H. Webb,
Charles Tennant, I. B. Titus and quite a large number of others. Everything
has tended towards prosperity in that township, with the exception of the grass-
hopper raids, which gave it a very bad setback. But with this single exception
prosperity has attended its citizens. They have good citizens, energetic farmers,
good local government, excellent school houses, taught by proficient instructors,
and everything required to make living there pleasant and profitable.
FREEMAN TOWNSHIP.
This township is one of the more recently organized ones, having formerly
been a part of old Bridgewater, which was divided, and out of this division
grew three townships. It contains among its inhabitants some of the first
settlers in the north part of the county. Among its citizens will be found some
of the best, most prosperous farmers and business men in the county. It is, in
point of wealth, among the first, and is constantly gaining. The little town
of Dickens was started in 1886, and although still small, is gradually growing
and gaining and now contains several stores, warehouses, a hotel, a school and
church edifices. It also has representatives of a majority of the trades, and
is destined to become a' town of importance as a trading point. Its exhibit in
the line of trade is quite flattering, and is annually increasing. It is located
about equidistant from Spencer and Ruthven, and furnishes the people between
CLAY "5.
74 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
these two points a trading place. Its citizens are possessed of the usual amount
of western enterprise, and with favorable crops will gradually spread in size
and increase in the number of business houses. The land in this township is
not dissimilar in fertility and general location to that in other parts of the
county. The cultivation of the farms and the general appearance of the buildings
indicate that its farmers are prosperous and diligent. Among some of its older
settlers are such men as J. B. Wilson, R. J. Archer, George Bassett, the Culvers,
Thomas Hagarth, R. E. Leach, Kinderdines, Monks, Broons, Reuben Somers
and a host of others, who transforrned the place from a bleak prairie to a finely
settled township.
Lost Island Lake, one the most beautiful lakes in the county, extends into
this township, and is bountifully supplied with many different kinds of fish. Its
banks are lined with a sprinkling of timber, which adds to its beauty and attract-
iveness. The Chicago and ^Milwaukee railroad traverses the township near its
center. Elm Lake also partly lies within its borders.
TOWN OF DICKENS.
Dickens is a very prelly little town of about three hundred inhabitants. The
town was platted in the early '8o's. The first merchant in the town was John
Lawler. James E. .Mill- ran the first elevator, which was built by A. A. Mint,
and Clarence hish was the first blacksmith. The Dickinson brothers had a hay
l)arn, Iniilt about the same time. The town has three elevators. They are run
by J. I''.. Mills, J. J. Lawler and A. A. Flint. It has a volunteer fire department,
which has a chemical engine and ample hose for fire protection. Dickens is not
an incorporated town.
The Dickens Review is the latest paper to enter the count)-. Allen C. i'"lint
is its editor. It was established October 21, 1908. In politics it is Republican.
It is a seven-colunm folio, issued every Wednesday. This is the fourth paper
to be started in the little town of Dickens. Its predecessors have all vanished.
The first newspaper in Dickens was the Dickens Tribune, established by Henry
Merrill in 1891. It then passed to C. A. Robison, who ran it one year. Robison
sold the paper to R. A. and A. C. Somers, who merged it into the Dickens
Senate about 1900. The Senate lasted until 1906, when it died a natural death,
after going into ihe hands of Haven Flint. James E. Mills, one of the early
settlers of the county, established the Dickens Leader in 1889, and placed it
in charge of John Easterbrook. who continued the paper a few months and then
left ihe plant and the village with the subscription book under his arm. Mr.
Alills then removed th.e plant to his home, where he and his wife set up the
type and gave the people of that vicinity the news for about five years. The
plant was then sold to H. Flint, who took it to Greenville, where he issued a few
copies of the Greenville Times, when it was sold and taken away.
Dickens lodge, I. O. O. F., Xo. 583, was organized about 1890, with about
forty members.
The daughters of Rebekah was organized later, with about seventy members.
There are also lodges of the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Neighbors.
T. J. Hurt leads the Dickens Cornet band. It is considered by the Dickens
people to be a very fine musical organization.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 75
The Central Hotel was built early in the history of the village and is now
owned and presided over by Mrs. E. Symington.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The people ni and around Dickens are a moral and upright class of citizens,
and faithful attendants at divine worship. Until the establishment of the town of
Dickens the people of that vicinity were accustomed to attend services at the Barlow
and Drake schoolhouses. \arious revivals had been held at these, places and quite a
religious sentiment created, and from this nucleus has grown the Dickens organi-
zation and church. The project of constructing a suitable place of worship was
begun in 1887, and in a short time the present handsome and commodious
edifice was built. Its dimensions are twenty-eight by forty-five feet, with a seat-
ing capacity of 225 persons, costing $1,750 and free from any incumbrance.
Among those who were instrumental in designing and prosecuting this good
work to a successful finish were Rev. J. B. Morrow, J. D. Duncan, Noah Day, W.
W". Scott, R. Somers and Gore Warren. They labored zealously and with a
fidelity worthy of the noble cause of which they are true, tried and faithful
members. The church is located on a prominent rise of ground in the north
part of the town and has a commanding view of the surrounding country. It is
neat' and attractive, and is well lighted and seated. When services first began
the membership numbered sixty persons, but after a successful revival, con-
ducted bv Rev. H. Hild, it increased, and now numbers about one hundred and
sixtv souls. Since its construction it has met with two accidents. It was blown
from its foundation in 1888, and struck by lightning in 1889.
CONGREGATIONx\L CHURCH.
The Congregational church was organized October 14, 1894. Its first pastor
was J. C. George. Some of its first members were ]\Irs. Agnes George, Miss
Alyrtie Symington, Carrie Symington. \\'. C. Holding. Mrs. Carrie Moore,
Philip Corke, Mrs. Ida M. Corke, Henry La Brant, Mrs.' Margaret L. La
r.rant, Mrs. Lillian La Brant, Marie La Brant, Albert G. La Brant, Paul La
jlrant. W. W. Culver, Mrs. S. A. Culver, Maude Culver, Mrs. Betsy B. Janes,
Fred janes, Mrs. Rosa Janes, Lorin P. Corke, Harlow A. X'arney, Mrs. W. R.
Rice, Mrs. Alexine Craft, Mrs. Delia Cordray, ^Irs. N. P.akcr, George Williams
and Clara Hopson.
The church was erected in 1895, at a cost of $2,000. A parsonage
has since been built, at a cost of $1,000. It has about fifty-three
members and about forty in the Sunday school. They have a Ladies' Aid
Societv, Young People's Christian Endeavor and Junior Society. The pastors
following Rev. George were A. J. Burton, three years; Charles G. Marshall, a
little (n-er a year; E. J. Grinnell, one year; C. W. Anthony, one year; C. G.
Oxlev, three years. J. T. Steele, the present pastor, came to the church in
Jul}-, 1907.
HERDLAND TOWNSHIP.
This is one of the four southern townships of the county, and dates its
existence as far back as 1873, and was at one time embraced in the township of
76 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Don das. Herdland has alwavs been known as one of the earlv settled points
in the county, having among its early settlers such men as John Kindelspyer,
J. J. Duroe, George McClay, Samuel Mills, W. D. Brown, L. Gown. Henry
Hughes, S. T. Collins, J. A. Mills, J. W. Ford and many others. These
organizers and promoters of the township were sturdy pioneers and had implicit
confidence in the ultimate growth and development of it. They had the satis-
faction of seeing its sod houses vanish and handsome frame residences take
their place. They have seen a thin and sparse settlement gradually grow and
enlarge to great proportions. They saw its uncultivated lands transformed
into fields of waving corn and wheat, oats and other grains. It was a source
of great satisfaction to them to have been able in a measure to effect this great
change. The land is good and almost all of it is tillable, and the majority of
that which is not used for plow land is used for grazing and hay purposes.
It is watered by the Little Sioux river, which in a serpent-like manner courses
through the entire township. It has good schools, a good postofifice and is near
Webb, the nearest and most convenient shipping point. It has all the natural
resources and the necessary conveniences for great future possibilities. Among
its farmers are some of the most . prominent and influential citizens, whose
interest in the county's prosperity and development has never flagged. It has
supplied the county with a number of members of the board of supervisors,
who have always proven themselves not only excellent business men, but shrewd
and sagacious in working for the county's welfare.
Herdland had long been anxious for a railroad. This it is now blessed with.
In fact two cross the township. The Minneapolis and St. Louis runs south
alone: its western border and cuts into its southern corner. The Gowrie and
Northwestern cuts across the township, entering at its northwest corner and
leaving the township at about the center of its east line and midway north
and south.
LINCOLN" TOWNSHIP.
This was the fifth township created by the county legislature, and originally
embraced several other townships. Its physical features are not unlike those
of Douglas and Gillett's Grove, with the exception that the Sioux river does
not touch its boundaries, nor is it supplied with native timber. Its soil is deep
and rich, its prairie land yields richly, and its native grass is of a heavy growth
and nutritious. Among its early settlers are such names as Josiah E. and John
F. Chase, J. S. Brownell, Henry A. Bell, W. H. Arms, P. W. Madden, Isaac
Fenn, Jonathan Green, A. Seibel, M. Rote, E. J. L. Merchant. C. D. Killam,
the Davises, and a number of others. This township appears to have been
settled up much more rapidly than others, as the names given in the list of
inhabitants are in the main persons who have lived in the township for a great
many years. The earlier life of the pioneers of this township was similar to
that of those of adjoining ones. " At first it was the sod house they were com-
pelled to live in until they accumulated enough money to purchase lumber and
build a frame dwelling, and when this was accomplished, then along came a
pest in the form of grasshoppers, destroying their crops and almost all their
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 77
hopes of future success. But in time they recovered from ,this disaster, and
are now a contented, happy and prosperous class of farmers. In time a post-
office was estabhshed at the residence of Nathan Chase and later at the residence
of J. S. Brownell on section 12, and he was made postmaster, which office he
held a great many years, finally resigning, and Adolph Seibel was appointed.
The postofifice was then moved to the residence of the latter, only a short distance
from the former, being in fact on the same section. The name of this postoffice
was designated "Annieville." The township was named in honor of the lamented
president. A majority of the farmers were homesteaders, and have lived ip
the township a sufficient length of time to grow good groves and build substan-
tial and comfortable homes. They have a number of schoolhouses, located in
different parts of the township and within convenient distances from most of the
homes. More than the ordinary amount of interest is manifested by the citizens
in the education of the young, and the result is that they have good teachers
and well conducted schools, which is but a reflex of the intelligence of its
inhabitants. In point of wealth it stands in the middle class, but in point of
industry and sterling worth of its farmers it stands among the first.
GARFIELD TOWNSHIP.
This township is one of the youngest in the county, havmg been set ott
as a separate body in January, 1889. Previous to this it constituted a part of
Herdland. Its numerical strength is therefore limited. It embraces that portion
of territory lying in the extreme southeast portion of the county and consists
of thirty-six sections of very superior land. The land is somewhat rolling and
produces very bountifully in certain localities. It has two bodies of water, known
as INIud and Pickerel lakes, besides it is quite near the Little Sioux river. A
majority of its inhabitants are of quite recent arrival, who are firm in the belief
that Garfield, like its great namesake, is destined to development into a tower
of strength and form an important factor in the composition and future legisla-
tion of the county. Being situated near Sioux Rapids and Marathon, it is thus
in some respects fortunately located and cannot fail to increase its numbers.
It is fairly supplied with trees, possessing quite a number of groves and one or
two good sized bodies of timber. Besides the lakes, there are several small
streams which give an abundant supply of water. As a whole, the location and
natural advantages of Garfield are very superior and offer sufficient inducements
to those seeking a home to in short time increase and multiply its present number
of citizens. Gillett's Grove and Logan, w'hich join it on the north, are both
splendid townships and present good opportunities, either for speculation or
permanent homes. The land is good and the prices for which it is selling
are within the reach of those with limited means. They rank with other town-
ships in every respect, except numbers, and there is no potent reason why their
future is not as bright as any of the townships in the county. The people of
Garfield are a progressive and upright class and are making excellent efforts
to populate it with good citizens and stirring farmers. The first election of
this township was held November, 1889, and while the vote was small, it was
due to its recent civil organization.
78 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
LOGAN TOWNSHIP.
This lies on the eastern line or tier of townships in the county and embraces
thirty-six sections or twenty-three thousand and forty acres of excellent land,
the majority of it being tillable. It is not only productive, but constitutes one
of the best townships for grazing and stock purposes in the county. In the main
it is level, well watered and produces excellent and nutritious grasses. Besides
Elk creek, its branches and numerous other streams, which afford a plentiful
supply of water, it has numerous small groves which provide good shade and
fire wood. This township was organized in 1882, having previously been a
part of the township of Herdland. Its creation as an independent and separate
civil organization has left it without the great or lengthy history which is
attached to a number of its sister townships. It has not had any great rush of
immigration or any particular boom, but its farmers are substantial, energetic
and in the main successful. Some of the land within its borders is owned by
non-residents, who appreciate its value and ultimate worth. With moral and
upright citizens, a pushing and progressive class of farmers, excellent and well-
taught schools, a good and efficient local government, productive lands, and
possessing every natural advantage necessary for comfort and convenience,
there is nothing to deteriorate it, but on the contrary, every opportunity to make
one of the very best and leading of the townships in the county. During the
first period after being set off it received but a limited accession, but in the
last few years it has gradually grown.
WATERrORD TOWNSHIP.
Among the townships that have come into prominence, none has done so
more rapidly than Waterford, and none has maintained its record more sub-
stantially or creditably. By an act of the board of supervisors, passed in 1884,
all that part of Clay county embraced in 97, range 38 west, was set off and con-
stituted as \\'aterford township, for civil, school and election purposes. It is
true, at that time it only had the minimum number of voters and freeholders,
but these were anxious for separate township. At first there were no spurts
of immigration, but of late years there has been a gradual increase, and Water-
ford has asserted her importance and force in many of the affairs of the county
in a very potent manner. There is a general unanimity of feeling and sentiment
existing among the people in that section, as is powerfully attested at the county
elections. A large proportion of its citizens are Germans, and in the main
they are successful and enterprising farmers. They may not be as aggressive
as in other townships, but the general results of their labor shows to a much
better advantage than their more progressive neighbors. The soil in the town-
ship is most excellent, and the average yield of grain ranks most favorablv with
that in other parts of the county. It is well watered. The Ocheyedan river, a
most beautiful stream with a gravel bed, clear and crystal-like, courses its way
through the w^estern portion, while a number of small streamlets and lakes in
different parts of the township furnish all the necessary water and drainage
needed. The township, in addition to its producing qualities, is largely adapted
to stock raising. There are several very extensive stock farms in this section,.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 79
whicii are not only well farmed, but are proving very profitable to their owners.
It is well located, being within easy approach of stations and railroad, and
produces quite extensively. The trade of the people of this township is greatly
sought after. Its farmers are frugal and industrious and are accumulating con-
siderable of a competency for their labors. The moral character of its inhabi-
tants is noteworthy, their enterprise and industry commendable and worthy of
emulation. The small number of the earlier settlers infused and engendered a
feeling of friendship, which time has not broken, and the consequences are that
there is almost perfect accord prevailing among its people, which constitutes
in the township an efficient and strong force in all public and personal matters.
The grain, stock and dairying products from Waterford township form a con-
siderable portion of shipments from this county. With all the necessary elements
in its favor, there is every reason to conclude that Waterford's future is cer-
tainlv bright and promising. Economical, businesslike in methods, sturdy rugged
and industrious as its citizens are, there is nothing to prevent them from accumu-
lating wealth, developing its soil, and making Waterford a record that will
eclipse anv of its neighbors in point of numbers, financial worth, and value of
property.
CLAY TOWNSHIP.
This township is the remainder of the county, which was declared and
designated by Judge C. C. Smeltzer as the civil township of Clay. All of the
other townships, fifteen in number, were set off from the original Clay township,
which leaves the present Clay township in No. 95, range 38. This is one of the
creditable townships of the county and its citizens' prosperity will compare
favorablv with that of those of any other township in the county. It is made up
of an industrious, frugal and enterprising class of men and women, and the
farms show a high state of cultivation. The homes are comfortable and many
are supplied with modern conveniences. It had two churches, the Maple Grove
Methodist Church and the Bethel Church, the latter under the auspices of the
Cherokee Association of the Congregational Church. The Bethel church was
recently torn down and the material used for an addition to the Congregational
church at Peterson.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY.
'The census of Clay in i860 showed the population to be only fifty-
two. Two years later it nearly doubled itself, there being one hundred persons.
In 1865 the enumerators reported one hundred and seventy-five. In 1867 it
had increased to three hundred and sixty-nine, more than doubling itself. During
the next two years the immigration was not so rapid, as the population only
numbered four hundred and fifty, but during the fall of 1869 and the spring
of 1870 there was a great influx, and the number of persons ran up to one thou-
sand five hundred and twenty-three. New life and energy was infused in those
who had lived here so long, and had seen the years roll by with only a small
increase annually. The next two years the county more than doubled itself
and it was reported that there were three thousand five hundred and eighty-five
souls in the county. In 1875 the number Avas three thousand five hundred and
sixty-nine. The census enumerators of 1880 reported the number to be four
80 HISTORY OF CLAY COCXTY
thousand two hundred and forty-eight, and in 1885, six thousand four hundred
and thirty-eight. In 1890 the population was nine thousand three hundred and
nine: in 1895, eleven thousand two hundred and seventy-seven; in 1900. thirteen
thousand four hundred and one: in- 1905, twelve thousand seven hundred and
eleven. The next enumeration will occur in 1910. when, if the same proportion
of increase is maintained, the total population of the county Avill probably reach
fifteen thousand.
The. population of Clay county in 1905 by townshijis, towns and villages was
as follow's :
Clay township 763 Meadow township 595
Douglas township 533 Peterson township 485
Freeman township 765 Peterson (town) 482
Garfield township 472' Riverton township 478
Webb (town) 166 Sioux township 471
Gillett Grove township 609 Spencer, 1st ward 1,011
Herdland township 515 Spencer. 2d ward *f. . 935
Lake township 415 Spencer, 3d ward 1,191
Lincoln township 615, Summit township 663
Logan township 358 Waterford township 391
Lone Tree township 398
Everly (town ) 400 Total 12,71 1
FIRST DAYS IX CLAY COUXTY.
BY Till-: I'lkST SETTLER.
J. A. and William Kirchncr, who were the first settlers in Clay county,
carnc and located on the hills just across the Little Sioux river, a little south of
where the present town of Peterson now is located. They came from Albany,
Xew York, to what is now East Dubuque by train and footed it from there to
Cedar Falls. Here the\- purchased a light democrat wagon, a span of little
ponies, and carried tents with them. The first stop they made after leaving
Cedar Falls was at a place a little north of the present site of the town of Sioux
Rapids. While there they learned of the beautiful groves on the Sioux river,
a little farther on, so they determined to push on to this place.
In the first place they had started for Spirit Lake, but they found this
beautiful grove and plenty of good water for their horses near by, so they
made up their minds to settle in the grove. So they put up stakes for their
claims and then went back to Xew Hartford and stopped at Ambrose S. iMead's.
'"The place on which we first landed, upon the hill," said J. A. Kirchner,
"is now owned by Fred Eirhardt. There was nothing here at that time, and
I saw that there was a spring down across the river and I pointed it out and
said I wanted to live down there by the spring.
'AVe then went to Cedar Falls and bought wagons, teams, a plow and some
other farm implements and came back again. We reached here the latter part
of May, 1856, and began breaking up some of the land in June.
AN OLD PIONEER OF SPENCER
THE NF,W YOPK
IpUBLICLIBRAR'^l
tild
tN found a" ions
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 81
"fohn I. Bicknell came with us the second time, but did not stay. I went
back to Albany, New York, and got my father and mother and brothers and
sisters and they came back with me. While I was gone I left my younger
brother and i\. S. Mead to look after the new place. I brought my father and
mother (Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kirchner), my brothers, John, Phil and Will.
Mv oldest sister, Barbara, married Michael Springer in New York, but they
afterward located in Fort Dodge. Mary married Henry Brockschink and located
in Webster City. Lottie married Dr. i\L S. Butler, of Cherokee. Lanie married
Walter French and located in Sioux City. Julia married Hiram Hulburt, of
Peterson ; both are now deceased. Another sister, Dorothy, married a Mr.
Schmidt and never came to Peterson.
"I located on section 33, Peterson township, and took one-half of the sec-
tion. The center of the town is about the center of this section. I just squatted
on the land, then railroad land, and afterward got title to it. The railroad com-
pany got it before we knew it, because we were so far away from any road and
it took news so long to reach us. In the first place I lx)ught the land of the
county and paid for one quarter section, and they only gave me a quit-claim deed
to it. My brother wanted part of the land, and so he paid me for it and we used
the timber to build a log house with.
"It was a good many years after we located before anyone else came near
us to locate on the land. lUit in the summer of 1856 Henry Waterman settled in
O'Brien county, and the Gilletts at what is now Gillett's Grove. A Mr. Frink
settled near Linn Grove, also \\'ill Weaver and Mr. Bell and Esley Wilcox
settled near the present site of the town of Sioux Rapids. Then we all tried
to get as manv as possible to come and settle near us, or in adjoining counties.
■ "In the year 1857 Charles Smeltzer and his brother E. Smeltzer started to
organize the county.
"I was appointed the first postmaster in Clay county, and soon after that
a postoffice was established at Spencer. I had the postofiice in my house and I
made my own boxes for the mail. The mail was carried through on foot, from
Sioux City to Mankato, Minnesota. The postage in those days was five cents.
W^e got mail every week, once a week from the south and the next week from
the north. We usually received about three or four papers and half a dozen
letters. I was the postmaster here in Peterson for over fifteen years. I was
appointed by Buchanan.
"The first religious services were held in the schoolhouse. In 1883 the
^Methodists and the Congregational societies botii built small churches.
PETERSON :\[ILLS.
"I built a saw mill on the river in 1869. This was the first mill erected in
Clay count}'. I afterward converted this into a grist mill and ran this for a
good many years. About eight or nine years ago I sold this mill to my son-in-
law. The dam built by me for my mill was also the first dam built in Clay
county. C. D. Marcellus built the next mill, at Spencer. When I first owned
the mill I hired A. W. Miller to run it, and after a while I ran it myself.
"The first blacksmith shop in Peterson was conducted by W^ilson Brown.
82 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
He came from Hardin county to Peterson about 1869 or 1870. 'Joe' Tatroe
afterwards ran a shop here, and then Morgan Schull and James Hagerty.
"The first hotel was built by Oscar Rice, located on the corner of Front;
and Fourth streets. It is still standing on these lots. The next hotel was
erected on Main street and is now occupied by Gaskin's agricultural implement
house. The next hotel was built on Main street and is now the Commercial
house. It was erected on Elm street, but was afterward moved to the corner
of Main and Second streets, where it now stands.
"The Park hotel was built in two parts, the first part by 'Long' William
Evans and the other part by Hilton Voigt. These two parts were afterward
joined, but it is not occupied as a hotel at the present time.
"The Peterson waterworks were built ten or twelve years ago. They are
of natural pressure. They are erected on a hill at the north end of Main street.
The reservoir is twenty feet in diameter and about twenty feet deep. Peterson
is now planning to put up another reservoir and wc are also laying a main up
Third street. The pressure from this height furnishes sufficient fire protection
for the city. The water is of a very high quality, clear and cool. The water
system has cost the town about $2,500, not including t^ie new contracts let in
1908. The well is just north of the depot and they pump this with a gasoline
engine. The well is about 100 feet deep and has a six-inch pipe to the bottom.
"The city is lighted with large gasoline street lamps.
"The only buildings belonging to the town are the pump house and the
scale office.
"The Good Templar's hall is the only public hall in the town, it is erected
on North Main street.
"The Chicago and Northwestern is the onlv railroad in the town of Peterson.
This was built in 1883. The first agent was George L. Hawn, who came and
opened the station. He turned it over to E. Turner in a few months, who it still
acting as agent for the company."
THE OLD COURTHOUSE.
"After the courthouse was abandoned by the county here, I purchased it and
used it for a barn for twenty-five years or more, until a year or two ago, when it
was used for a cement block factory. In the spring of 1908 I cut it in two, added
some to it, and made two dwelling houses out of it. Soon after the county
abandoned it as a courthouse it was used for a dw-elling house, and severaJ
Pastors lived in it.
INDIAN VISITS.
"There was a tribe of Indians went through our little settlement in the early
fall, who were on their way to Omaha to visit other tribes. They were verv
peaceful when they went down. They came in the fall of 1858. and returned
February i6th and visited all the houses in the settlement. A\'hen thev came to
our house I went to the door, and when I opened the door our dog ran out and
the Indian shot him ; then he aimed his gun at me and I lausfhed at him. The
chief of the tribe was standing by Iiim and lie touched the young fellow on
the arm, when he put down the gun and war.ted to be friendly with us. Then
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 83
the Indians came in and ate their dinner at our house and seemed to be all rieht.
We cooked a kettle of meat for them and one of them went into the pantry and
got a jug- of molasses and poured it into the kettle and they ate all of this. Then
they left our house and went up to Alead's, and my younger brother followed
them, to see what they were going to do there. They had pitched their tents
a little way from Mead's house. As soon as they saw us they came up and spoke
to us and tried to make friends. My younger brother wrestled with several
of the young boys and he succeeded in throwing them all. They called him
brave paleface and they all laughed and clapped their hands at the sport. Of
course they were his best friends from that time on. This was the next day
after they had been to our house. When we went into the house we found
out that they had taken the women out to their tents and kept them out all night
the night before, and they came and took them again. I told them no ; but I
was not armed and there were sixty-three of them and they were mostly all
of them armed. They took Mrs. Taylor, a settler's wife; Miss Harriet Mead,
about twenty years of age, and Emma ]\Iead, twelve years old. Mr. Mead was
gone all winter and his two boys, Frank and Harrison, were left to do the chores,
Harrison had accidentally shot his limb a few days before, and so I went up to
help do the chores for them.
".'Vfter a while three Indians came to the door of the house and said that
the white people were killing the Indians down in their camp, and that was the
cause of all the noise. I said no, because there were no other white people
around. Then one of the Indians led me outdoors and held a tomahawk over
my head, and one Indian stood on one side of me with a bowie knife and one
on the other side of me wath a tomahawk. I had nothing to protect myself
with. I told them no again, and they laughed at me and let me go. All they
did this for was to see if there were any other white men in the house. I had
a good gun in the house and they stole this and all they could find that they
wanted. They had taken it once before and I gave them $2.50 and bought it
back from them. ]\Iy brother did not have a gun, and one of the boys that he
had thrown when they were wrestling took a liking to him and gave Jake a
rifle. If an Indian sees a white man running away with a gun he wdll take after
him and try to kill him. So this young Indian went nearly home with my
brother and then told him to hurry and not let any Indian see him with the
rifle. Jake kept this rifle a good many years and always prized it highly.
"The Indians stayed at Mead's for three or four days. Mead had about
twenty good ponies, and they said they belonged to the Indians and so they took
the ponies when they went away. We had two good horses and one of them
they killed and the other they cut in the hip to see if it was fat. And of course
we had to kill it also. They also shot and killed one cow. Then they all left
Mead's with the ponies and nearly all the provisions they could find, and went
up to Linn Grove, where they killed all the horses and cattle that Frink had,
and then they went on to Sioux Rapids to W^eaver's.. When they got here about
three or four of them went ahead to spy out and see what there was that they
could steal from the settlers. They took a large supply of provisions from the
Weavers and did other damage to their homes.
"Once in the earlv fall the Indians stole all the horses we had and a verv
84 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
fine span of young horses belonging to Charles Smeltzer. Of course we were
verv busy and wanted to use our horses in the fields the next day. So, early
in the morning, we started out to look- for them and we found a partially eaten
ear of corn and some buckskin strings. Toward evening a heavy thunder storm
came up and the horses all came home on the run Imt Smeltzer's nice team. He
never got his good team back. Another time they stole every horse we had
and took them up to Mankato, Minnesota. We heard through an Indian agent
that they were there. So my brother Jake went up after them, and my other
brother, Phil, went with him. They got the horses, and the Indian agent told
them that the Indians were on the warpath and for them to get home as soon
as thev possibly could. One of my horses was lame, so they sold it in order
to get home quicker.
'"Another time I was gone to Sac City for a time and when I returned
I went out to hunt for a cow and a young calf of mine. I never found the
calf but found the cow a few miles away, where the Indians had killed her and
took the best of the meat and left the remains. T hunted around and tried to
find some further traces of the Indians, but could not.
"I had one horse that was always afraid of the Indians and it would always
start the others for home when the Indians came near. These things happened
in the years 1862 and 1863.
"One time while the soldiers were in camp at the old fort, two of them went
to Sioux Rapids to do some trading; on their return, they were coming along
past the place where the Alliance farm is now located, when their horses suddenly
took fright. Thev heard several shots fired at them. The .soldiers had nothing
but their rifles and they had used up nearly all their ammunition, but nevertheless
thev took after the Indians. Mr. Whitlock, one of the soldiers, caught one of
the Indians right back of the old barns. Of course by this time, he had nothing
left to fight with but an empty gun. One of the Indians knocked him down and
would have killed him if the other soldier had not ridden up just at this time.
He helped J\lr. Whitlock on to his horse and they hurried to the old fort, where
thev got more soldiers and hurried after the Indians, but they could not find them
again."
.\X E.\RLY INCIDENT.
^Ir. Gillett, one of the early settlers of the county, for whom Gillett's Grove
bears its name, visited friends in this count\- and the scene of his former home.
During his visit he related an event wliich the hitherto had never made public.
Mr. Gillett was quite aged and in a few years his race was almost run, and, as he
said, "it was useless to keep it a secret any longer, as the participants had passed
over the silent river of death. The story is substantially as follows : He, with
his brother, came to Clay county in the fall of 1856. and located at what is,
known as Gillett's Grove, which is a beautiful spot, filled with growing trees and
through which courses the Little Sioux river. After deciding upon their location,
they agreed to divide the grove equally, and one take the north and the other the
south part. This being settled, they at once set to work and in a short time had
consructed neat log houses and prepared themselves for winter. Being amply
supplied with firewood and their log houses being built not alone with a view
to convenience, but as well for warmth, they had no fears of sufifering from the
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 85
storms or intense cold weather, which were notable at that time in this section.
The only fears they entertained were from the Indians. But at that time the
Indians did not make frequent visits to this particular section, for the reason that
there was but little game, poor fishing and no settlements. The newly acquired
property holders therefore felt themselves safe and comfortable from any intru-
sions of the wild savages, whose treachery they so much feared. Everything passed
along quietly for several months, until one day a tribe, under Chief Ink-pa-du-
tah, came and set up their tepees on the bank? of Lost Island lake. The settlers,
upon learning of their arrival and location, feared that the Indians would discover
the location of their houses and visit them. Their fears were well founded, for
in a few days several of the red skins paid them a visit. The white settlers
treated them kindly and gave them provisions and they left for their camping
grounds, expressing their friendship and thanks for the food given them. In a
few davs another lot of them came, headed by a stalwart 'brave, who had been
with the others a few days before. After saying their "How," they were sup-
plied by the whites and returned to the lake. During both visits it was notice-
able that one of them — the one who led the second group — had his eyes fixed
constantly in admiration upon Mrs. Gillett. Wherever she went, and whenever
she moved, the Indian's eyes were upon her. In a few days he returned, this
time alone. He was given a seat and provided with a meal. He went away,
but two or three days later he came, and although saying nothing, his looks
indicated his admiration for Mrs. Gillett. His visits grew so constant and
frequent that they became annoying, not only to Mrs. Gillett, but the two families.
He was constantly prowling around and appearing before them at the most
unexpected moments, until he became a great nuisance. He was given to
understand that his visits were not desired, but to these reminders he paid not
the least attention. He was always fed and well treated, for the reason that the
settlers did not wish to give any ofifense to the tribe, or incur their enmity.
But becoming emboldened by the kind treatment that had been exended to him,
.he came one day in the absence of Mr. Gillett and, mastering all the English
language he possessed, he made certain propositions to Mrs. Gillett, which she
indignantly rejected and warned him to leave. He left the home in a short
time, but had not gone a great distance, when Mr. Gillett returned home. His
wife inmiediately informed him of what the Indian had proposed. The husband
took down his rifle, and learning the direction the Indian had taken, set out
after .him. After a few minutes' walk he caught sight of him and drew up his
rifle and fired. He did not wait to ascertain the result of the shot but returned
to his log cabin and ate his supper. In the morning, in company with his brother,
he visited the spot and there found a dead Indian. The brothers, after severing
the head from the body — which they subsequently sent to an eastern college —
placed it in a hollow tree. They at once packed up their belongings and started
for Fort Dodge, knowing full well that the Indians would discover the absence
of the young buck, knowing his fondness for Mrs. Gillett, would come there in
search of him and finding no trace of him would suspect that they had killed
him and would avenge themselves upon the white settlers. They therefore
deemed it prudent to make their escape before the arrival of the searching
party, which they did. Subsequently, they learned that the Indians did come,
86 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
and not finding him, set fire to the buildings and destroyed everything about
the late homes of the Gillett's. In a short time they visited Okoboji lake?? and
their barbarous, inhuman treatment and cruelty, are matters of history.
RECOLLECTIONS OF A PIONEER.
Samuel Gillespie came to Peterson, Iowa, which was the county seat of Clay
county at that time, in 1871. He came from California. The town of Peterson
contained only three or four families. The county courthouse was there and
the county officers formed the most part of the population. The courthouse
was a small one-story building, consisting of three rooms, and the offices
were doubled up into these three rooms and court was also held in them.
Samuel Gonser w-as county auditor; Samuel Dubois, treasurer; J. G. Dodd,
recorder ; Joseph Crozier was clerk of the court, but Mr. Gonser was deputy,
and (Jid most of the business for him. Judge J. Snyder was from Humboldt
count}-. The county had three supervisors at that time: J. J. Davis, J. C. Taber
and J. F. Calkins. Charles Garner was county superintendent.
The town of Peterson was the only town in Clay county at that time and
the people came from a long distance to do their trading there. The village
had a grist mill and a blacksmith shop. J. A. Kirchner run the grist mill and
had a fair patronage, owing to the large scope of country surrounding. The
blacksmith shop was conducted by William Brown. There were two small
general stores ; one conducted by Thomas Bevin and the other by Robert
Roberts, deceased. There were two or three residences and a small hotel. Mr.
Gonser was an attorney and there was a Mr. L. M. Pemberton, also an attorney.
W'ho now lives at Beatrice, Nebraska, who has become district judge and is a
very eminent jurist.
M. E. Griffin had his land and real estate office in the courthouse at
Peterson. The same M. E. Griffin now of Spencer.
The county then, in 1871. contained about fifteen hundred people. With
a ver\' few exceptions they were people who had come here to locate on govern-
uunt lands. In the spring of 1871, most of the homesteaders erected sod
houses and sod barns for their stock and broke up some of their land. Some of
them planted wheat and oats on the breaking. The country was covered with a
large growth of prairie grass, some of it as high as ten feet and most of it at
least six feet high. In the following spring a fi.re started and burned the entire
country over, carrying everything before it. Most of the frame buildings were
burned, but those who had sod buildings did not sufifer any loss.
Homesteaders continued to come in during the summer and built for the
most part small sod houses, but some of them built frame ones. Most of them
brought grain enough for their horses and enough to plant in the spring. Those
who did not bring anything with them found it difficult to make a living here.
In the fall of 1871 a number of schoolhouses were erected in Clay coimty,
mostly of sod. A number of these were erected in Clay. Lincoln and Peterson
townships. There were more sod buildings at that time than any other. .The
sod buildings were erected by taking a breaking plow, going into the low land
where the sod was heavy and plowing a furrow of sixteen to eighteen inches in
width, and then cutting it into sections, eighteen to twenty inches long, and
HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY 87
lading them up like brick. The cabins usually had board floors in them. The
roof was usually made of large rafters, covered with prairie hay or grass, and
covered again with sod, making quite a tight roof, lasting for several years.
Usually the structure had one door and one window, the latter about one-half
size with glass in it. If they were carefully built they were quite comfortable
houses, especially if a good fire was kept in them. Water would not freeze
in them in the coldest of weather, even when the thermometer stood at 40
degrees below zero. Some of the schoolhouses were provided with patent desks
but a number of them and perhaps most of them were made of large slabs
bought at Peterson.
Several towns often constituted a school district in those days. The early
pioneers were always willing to do anything to hel[) along their schools. The
revenue for school purposes was not very high at that time but was more than
sufficient to keep them in running order.
The schools were of a very crude character and, consequently, good teachers
were very scarce. The wages were not very large, but the teachers received
more than enough for their labors. The average salary of the rural teacher
w^as from fifteen to twenty-five dollars, according to the size of the school.
It was often payable in warrants much below par. A good many of the schools
were conducted in private houses. A director often employed his wife to teach
the school in his own home, thereby securing fuel for his own use and for the
school as well. This condition of affairs continued to exist up until the year
1880, when the railroad lands were opened up and more revenue for school
purposes became available. The county was then divided into more uniform
shape for school purposes. More and better buildings were erected and usually
provided with better desks, seats and other useful and necessary things now
found in the modern schoolroom. The first independent school district was
established in Spencer in 1874. and was composed of about six sections, includ-
ing the village of Spencer. This constituted the district when it was established.
The schoolhouse was a frame building 16 by 24. After the establishment of
the district an addition 16 by 30 was added to the south end of the old building.
The first school teacher in Spencer was Aliss ^Maggie Thompson. The above
described building continued to do service until 1880. After the coming of the
railroad a new four-room, two-story building was erected. This was quite a
building for that time, but it was properly built and the first graded school was
established in the county with '\l. Af. Gilchrist as principal.
In 1882, the Chicago & Northwestern railroad came through I'eterson and
soon after that a very nice four-room school building was erected there. It
was larger than needed at the time, but in two or three years an addition was
necessary.
In 1882, the one school building in Spencer had been outgrown and it
became necessary to erect another one on the east side. There were about twelve
hundred inhabitants in the town of Spencer at that time. Only two rooms of
the new building were occupied, but they were soon all in use. These two
buildings continued to serve the town for school purposes until 1893. when the
present west side building was erected, at a cost of about twenty-five thousand
dollars, exclusive of furnishings. In 1902 an additional four-room brick build-
88 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
inc was erected on the north side and a one-room frame building on the south
side. The schools at the present employ about twenty-four teachers and are
maintained at an expense of approximately twenty thousand dollars per year.
REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT.
At the meeting of the board of supervisors, consisting of three members in
1871, it was voted to submit the removal of the county seat of Clay county
from Peterson to Spencer. Peterson was in the southwest corner of the county,
being within a half mile of the south line and two and one-half miles from the
west line, thus making it necessary for a large part of the people to travel a dis-
tance of thirty miles to reach the county seat. A railroad had recently been
surveyed about six miles north of the forty-third parallel and eight miles from
the north line of the county and in the exact geographical center east and west
with its more central location and probabilitv of a railroad in the near future.
It was finally decided to remove the seat of government to the new town. The
latter part of October the last of the records were removed to the new town of
Spencer, where the people of the town or village had provided a courthouse
free of expense to the county. The new courthouse was a building about 20 b\'
40, two stories high. The first floor was subdivided into county offices and the
second floor constituted the courtroom. This room was used for all public
gatherings as well as all the court proceedings. The jDuilding was erected on
lower Main street. This building continued to serve the county until 1882, when
another two-story frame building was erected. This building was about 40 by
48 and was erected on the present courthouse site.
FIRST GRASSHOPPER INVASION.
The first grasshopper invasion occurred in June, 1873, ^vhen the pests came
down in countless millions like so many snowflakes. They devoured the most
of the crops and later devoured all the growing grain. They left nothing for
the poor settlers for the winter food or the spring seed. In fact many of them
were left in destitute circumstances and they found it necessary to appeal to
friends in other states for aid. A great many aid societies were organized and
solicitors sent to Illinois and Wisconsin, to solicit aid for the poor and destitute
of the county. These people furnished the homesteaders with food and clothing
for the winter ; but what troubled the settler the most was the grain for seed
for the next spring. They formed themselves into parties and drew up petitions
and sent them to the legislature, asking for grain for the coming year. The
legislature sent out men with the authority to distribute seed grain among the
destitute people. The quantity of grain furnished to each family depended largely
on the size of the family and the amount of land they had. The grain provided
was sown in the spring of 1874, came up nicely and gave promise of a verv
good crop; but by the middle of Alay the grasshoppers began to appear and
devour the coming crop. For a time it looked as if everything was lost : but
the season being favorable, the grain came again and about the first of June
the grasshoppers obtained wings and flew away. The farmers' crops were
saved for that vear at least.
CLAY COUNTY'S FIRST COURTHOUSE
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LFNOX
TILDEN FOUNDATK^K*-
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 91
SECOND GRASSHOPPER INVASION.
The second grasshopper invasion occurred the latter part of July, 1876,
just as the wheat and oats were ripening and the corn coming into tassel and
silk. The grasshoppers ate the heads off of the grain and settled down on the
corn, until they broke it down with their weight, literally destroying all of the
small grain. This was the most complete destruction ever known. The settlers
began to abandon their homes, many of which were mortgaged heavily. Some
of them turned their homes over to their creditors while others sold them for
little or nothing and left the country. Some of them had their horses and other
stock mortgaged, but they were leaving in such great numbers that the officers
Avere powerless. There was great destitution the following winter, but kind
friends again came to their aid and supplied the necessary food and clothing
to the needy. Friends also supplied the necessary seed grain, and the settlers
paid for the grain wdien the crop was harvested. The crops came up fine in
the spring but the latter part of May the grasshoppers began again to devour
the growing crops. They flew away, however, the early part of July. Many
farmers, particularly on the border lands, lost all of their crops, while in some
parts of the country the crops matured and were excellent. The oats went as
high as one hundred bushels to the acre. Corn was also very good, averaging
about thirty to thirty-five bushels to the acre, wheat about twenty-five bushels
to the acre. That w^as the last grasshopper invasion and the country has never
been troubled by one since.
THE TOWN OF SPENCER IS PLATTED.
In April, 1871, J. H. Hale, who then owned forty acres which constituted
the original town of Spencer, conceived the plan of platting it and establishing
a town.
The first two small general stores in Spencer were conducted by John W.
Masten and iSl. M. Peeso. They were erected on the site of the present court-
house, which at that time was railroad land. There was a mill on the river
about a mile below town, conducted by C. D. Marcellus. There was also a
small blacksmith shop run by A. Tatroe. (Joe). It stood on the present site
of the Clay County News office. The shop was a one-story low building,
fifteen feet wide and about twenty feet long; for a long time it had no roof.
It was constructed of sod. Tatoe had a rude forge, an anvil and such other
tools as an early blacksmith used. There was another blacksmith shop erected
later on, near the corner of ]\Iain and Fourth streets, by David Skinner.
Mr. Hale associated with him in the town enterprise J. F. Calkins, an
enterprising homesteader, who had located near the present Spencer cemetery;
his home being on the present site of Dr. Knight's fine residence. They pro-
ceeded to have the town platted, by John Edmands, surveyor. On the loth day
of May, 1871, the plat was filed for record. Lots were placed on sale and several
of them on Alain street were sold. The two general stores, then standing on
the present courthouse site, were moved down to the corner of Main and Second
streets. About the same time a small hotel was erected on the corner of Main
and Second streets, now the site of L^nion Hall. A hardware store was also
CL.4Y 6.
92 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
erected about this time on the southwest corner of Main and Second streets.
Another store occupied the corner of Main and Third streets, now the site of
Union Block. A new frame store building was also erected on the corner of
Main and Third streets, on the present site of W. B. Cruver's grocery. A
drug store was also established, by Dr. S. J. Eggleston, on the west side of
Main street, between Second and Third streets. This constituted the business
portion of the town until 187 1. Jacob Rood, deceased, and his son, W. L Rood,
erected a small building on the west side of ]\Iain street, between Third and
Fourth streets, using it as a book store and a photograph gallery. About this
time the building now occupied by Mack Bros. & McConnell as an office, was
erected for a store. These buildings constituted the business houses of the town
until the railroad came. The first residence on the original town site was
erected by J. W. Masten, located on the present site of the residence now occu-
pied by F. X. Maurer, on East Fourth street. Mr. Masten afterward sold this
property to Julius H. Hale, the owner of the original town site, who continued
to occupy it for a number of years. In 1871, after the town was platted, the
first residence erected was that which is now occupied by L. A. Hammond, on .
East First street. It was erected by A. G. Martin. The second residence w^as
erected on West Third street, by Henry B. Wood, the county's first repre-
sentative in the legislature. This was a modest one-story, one-room building,
which he continued to occupy for several years after. The present residence
of Julia Wood now occupies the site. The third residence was that of Samuel
Gillespie, who was associate editor and proprietor of the News, at that time.
The next residence was that of John F. Ford, associate editor and proprietor
of the News; this was just opposite Mr. Gillespie's residence. The fifth resi-
dence was erected by J. H. Stilson, who edited a paper known as "The Land
Dealer." The first residence of any pretensions was erected on the south side
of West Fourth street, about one block west of Main, in 1875, by J. H. Grout ;
it is now the home of A. G. Hardin. From that time until the railroad came no
residences of any pretension at all were erected.
THE FIRST RAILROiVD.
The first railroad entered Clay county about the middle of September, 1878,
being an extension of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul from Algona. Its
reaching Spencer was really an epoch in the history of the town. On the
road entering Spencer, the town seemed to take on new life. The elevator,
moved by Frank M. Tuttle from its site near the Milwaukee depot to a site
near the Minneapolis & St. Louis depot, was erected, and the farmers from a
distance of over thirty miles and often more began to market their grain and
stock here. Now the larger store buildings were erected ; larger and better
stocks of goods were placed in them and, in less than a year, Spencer grew
from a small village to a good sized town. It soon became a little city of about
one thousand inhabitants.
The railroad land was placed on the market and it was bought up rapidly.
New settlers came in and in less than three years from the coming of the rail-
road the population of the county had increased from about two thousand to
more than six thousand, which all thought was pretty rapid development.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 93
The first church erected in Clay county was in 1869, in Douglas township,
and was known as the Welch Pionfeer Baptist church. Their first pastor was
Rev. Tones. It continued to be the only house of worship in Clay county until
June, 1873, when the first church was erected in Spencer. This was the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and it was erected on the present site of Frank Smith's
residence, on the corner of Second and Mill streets. Their first regular pastor
was Rev. C. B. Winter, who came to Spencer in the fall of 1871. He first held
services in the little old schoolhouse, on the site of the present west side building,
but later transferred to the courthouse hall on its completion. The Methodists
continued to occupy the new building until February, 1877, when it was
destroyed by fire. They had to go to other quarters to hold their services and
this thev continued to do until the coming of the railroad, when they erected a
small frame building on the site of the new and elegant house of worship on
the corner of Fourth street. They continued to occupy this building until about
ten years ago, when they erected a commodious addition. The enlarged building
served as a house of worship until the present brick and stone building was
completed in the spring of 1908. The present building was begun in the spring
of 1907, and completed about a year later, at a cost of over twenty-six thousand
dollars, not including the fine new pipe organ, which cost about three thousand
dollars. This was put in by the Estey Organ Company. It is one of the finest
houses of worship in this part of the state.
This same denomination has churches in Peterson, Everly, Dickens and
Fostoria and one or more country churches.
Speaking of the pioneer churches, the first church was occupied by the
Welsh Baptists, and they continued to occupy it for a number of years, but it
was finally outgrown and a new and better building was erected on the same
lots occupied by their first building in Douglas township. They still occupy
this building but the congregation is large and prosperous. It is the only
church oi the denomination in the county.
The Free Baptists were pioneers here, coming in 1866. There were two
families came here by the name of \\"ills and Calkins and soon after they
organized a society. Rev. D. N. Coats was their first pastor and he continued
to serve them for five or six years, then his son, Rev. R. A. Coats, succeeded
him. He continued here for a great many years, but he is now living in Maine.
Minnesota. Their first services were held in private homes until the schoolhouse
was erected, when they occupied that. Later they held services in the court-
house hall. They continued to occupy this hall until 1882, when was erected
a small frame building on the site of their present church. They have added to
their building from time to time until it is at present very comfortable and
convenient.
The Christian church, was organized here in 1883, and the first regular
pastor was Rev. F. O. Fannen, now of St. Louis. The present house of wor-
ship was erected in 1885. It has also undergone changes and additions from
time to time until it is quite comfortable and convenient.
The first Congregational minister to visit Clay county was Rev. David
Wirt, of Fort Dodge. He came to Spencer, August, 187 1, and preached for the
few scattering Congregationalists in that part of the county. During the same
94 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
trip he visited Peterson and preached there. He was a man of fine education,
pleasant appearing and left a good impression wherever he went. Early in
1872, the Congregationalists organized in Spencer, and held their services in the
courtroom. Their first pastor was Rev. W. L. Coleman. In 1874 they erected
their first church, located on the site of the present parsonage, on the corner of
Mill and East Third streets. They continued to occupy this building until
1893, when their present commodious and fine building was erected. The old
building was sold to the Friends, who moved it to a site on East Second street,
but later to its present site on East Fourth street. Mrs. Cofifin was the first
regular pastor. Under her guidance the church grew and prospered, until it
is one of the prominent religious bodies in Spencer.
The Episcopal church was organized in 1882, placing a small building on
West Second street, about a block west of Main street. They continued to
hold service here for a few years but owing to members moving away, it was
found necessary to discontinue the regular services. About 1890 they erected
their present building on East Fifth street. It is a very pretty and comfortable
building. The church has grown considerably in numbers since the erection
of its new building.
The Catholic Society has a very nice small building on West Fifth street.
Services have been held here since in the seventies. The present building was
dedicated in 1895.
The German, Danish and Swedish Lutherans have small churches in the
north part of Spencer.
The German jMethodist Episcopal church, on West First street, was estab-
lished about 1895, and it has grow-n much in numbers and is now one of the
important churches of the city.
The first birth in the little town of Spencer was in October, 1871. A
daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Peeso.
The first death in the town was that of a Mr. Polk, who was burned to
death on a farm north of the town, by a prairie fire.
The present cemetery was established in 1885, by the town of Spencer.
As an illustration of the character of the Spencer people, there were no
persons sent to the penitentiary during the first twenty years of the organization
of the county. The first person sent to the penitentiary was a man by the name
of Rasmuss Martin. He recklessW let a prairie fire get away from him and this
was called criminal carelessness.
The first crime of any importance was that committed by George Elliott.
He attempted to cash a check on Adams & Griffin's Bank some years ago and
he was sent to the penitentiary for this.
Among the first comers to Spencer might be mentioned the following :
J. W. Masten, deceased ; M. M. Peeso, deceased ; Tuttle, Goodwin & Co. The
members of this company w^ere Mark M. Tuttle, deceased ; James Goodwin,
deceased, and A. H. Wilburn, now of South Dakota.
Frank M. Tuttle, residing on North Grove street, is a son of Mark M.
Tuttle, deceased.
A daughter of James Goodwin was married to W. H. Webb, who is now
one of Spencer's leading men. She is also deceased. Mr. Roy Webb is a
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 95
grandson of James Goodwin, deceased; and he resides on the old homestead
in Summit township.
Another business man of Spencer, in, the earher days was Horace Smith,
who came here in 1871 from Wisconsin, and engaged in general merchandise.
His son, H. W. Smith, is now residing in Milwaukee.
Another of Spencer's business men was M. S. Green.
Jacob ]\Ierritt, now deceased, came here from DeWrite, Wisconsin, and
engaged in general merchandise. His son is now running the post card store
on South ]\Iain street.
Another firm was that of Field Bros. They came here from Wisconsin in
the early days. Henry Field is now on the road as a traveling salesman,
and his brother, Charles, is living on a farm in southern Kansas.
James A. Bond came here from Algona early in 1872, and engaged in
general merchandise. T. P. Bender was in partnership with him. Mr. Bond
afterward moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and Mr. Bender to California.
Jacob Rood, deceased, and his son, W. L Rood, came here in the fall of
1 87 1. They erected a building on South Main street and engaged in photog-
raphy. He is still in the business at the old stand.
Dr. Egleston, from Wykofif, Minnesota, came here and established a drug
store. He lived here for a great many years, when he finally moved to Santa
Monica, where he still resides.
James Ward established the second drug store in Spencer. He continued
here for a number of years and then sold his business to M. P. W. Albee, who
became one of the prominent business men of the town. A few years ago he
moved to Berkeley, California, where he now resides.
SPENCER AGAINST THE SALOON.
In the spring of 1881, the town of Spencer held its first city election.
There were two parties at that time, one in favor of the saloon and one against
it. Jacob Merritt was the candidate on the anti-saloon ticket, and W. C. Gil-
breath was candidate on the ticket in favor of saloons. Mr. Gilbreath was
elected by a large majority. This indicated that the little town was in favor of
the saloon. The first two years the saloon-favoring candidates were elected.
The third year they were badly defeated. E. E. Snow was elected as mayor
and it was a splendid victory. The year following it was reversed and those
in favor of the saloon were again in power. But the next year their candidate
was badly beaten and affairs have always remained in this condition since. For
over a quarter of a century there have been no saloons in the city of Spencer.
The sentiment today is very decided against the saloon. In 1898 the last big
fight on the question of saloon or no saloon was decided and the saloon element
was badly defeated.
SPENCER WATERWORKS.
In the fall of 1886, the people of Spencer decided to estabhsh the water-
works. This was done in the name of the city and it has always owned and
operated them since that time, and they have always been very satisfactory
to the people. The first organized system was to put, down an artesian well.
96 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
It was put to a vote whether the city should control and operate these wells and
it was carried. The city then issued bonds to the amount of six thousand
dollars. Up to date the waterworks have cost the city upwards of twenty
thousand dollars.
The first waterworks erected in Spencer was a large tank on lower Main
'street. There was an abundant supply of water obtained at a depth of about
four hundred feet. This was utilized. This plant and fixtures cost the city about
three thousand dollars. The town had a small office in connection with this,
where a good fire burned in the winter time to keep the pipes from freezing
and bursting. The building took fire and the tank and all were destroyed.
This was quite a loss for the little town.
The next move was to change the location to where the present electric
light plant is, just north of the Milwaukee & St. Paul depot. Here another
large tank was erected, very much on the plan of the former one. They put
down several large wells here. Things remained in this condition until 1906,
when the present large steel tank, supported by other steel work, was erected.
The system has three large wells, one nine feet in diameter, one sixteen feet
and one thirty-three feet. They are sunk to a depth of about fifteen feet and
an abundant supply of water is obtained. The water is of a very good
character as it has been examined by good chemists. The Milwaukee road has
had the water examined several times and found as good water at only one
place on their road between the lakes and the Missouri river.
SPENCER FIRE DEP.ARTMENT.
There was a volunteer fire company established at the time the first water-
works w^as put in and it has always served the city well.
The fire company has always been a volunteer company but it has saved
the town from a great many bad fires. There has never been but one real
destructive fire and that occurred the next day after the waterworks burned.
The entire street was swept by the flames, from Fourth to Fifth streets, on
Main street. The loss was about twentv-five thousand dollars and this was
only partially covered by insurance.
SPENCER HOTELS.
The first hotel in the town of Spencer was erected on the corner of Main
and East Second streets in 1871. This building was a small two-story afifair,
containing about fifteen rooms, owned by W. H. Hunter. It was called the
Hvmter House. This hotel burned about three years later.
The next hotel in Spencer was known as the Sioux Valley House, on the
present site of the First National Bank building. J. H. Robins was the pro-
prietor. It was moved to make room for the present building.
The next hotel w-as what is known as the Commercial Hotel. The first
part of this was built in 1872, but it has been added to at various times. Its
first landlord was Dolph Edwards. Its present landlord is Frank Cady.
The first modern hotel in Spencer was the Earling, situated on North Main
street, at the corner of Main and Pine streets. The first part of this was built
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 97
in 1886, by a stock company, mostly citizens of Spencer, but Mrs. Kaynor
owned one-half of the stock. It is now owned by J. A. Beck, of Spirit Lake,
Iowa.
The Merchants Hotel was built in 1890 by Mr. Franklin' Floete, situated
on West Fourth street, near Main. It is now conducted by Judson A. Poole.
The Central Hotel was built about the same time as the Merchants. The
Central is located on Main street between Fifth and Pine sreets.
The Hay Press Manufactory was established about 1890 by F. X. Maurer
for the manufacture of what is called the Maurer Press. This press is one of
the best manufactured for the purpose in the United States. They employ
about fifteen men the most of the time. They receive orders for these presses
from all over the United States and Canada.
Straight Bros.' Brick & Tile Factory was established about 1900. They
employ upwards of forty men. They turn out a great amount of very high
grade brick and tile. It is often shipped out by the train load. Their factory
is run by L. W. Peirson, and it is situated about one mile northeast of town.
The Hilliard Brick & Tile Works is situated northwest of town. They
usually employ about twenty-five men. They also manufacture a fairly good
grade of brick and tile.
The Cement Tile Factory is located at the east end of Fourth street and
it is owned by Messrs. Kruse & LaGue. This was erected in 1907. They
employ about ten men. They turn out a very good grade of cement tile.
These cement tile are being used to drain the land a great deal more at the
present time than the former poor grade of tile.
OFFICIAL ROSTER.
We herewith give a complete official list of the vote by years for all the
county offices. There are two reasons for furnishing this in detail : First,
That the reader may get an idea of the gradual growth of the county in num-
bers ; and, secondlv, that he may form some faint idea of the close and exciting
elections held :
1858.
Coroner.
Christian Kirchner 18
County Judge. Drainage Coviiiiissioiier.
Charles C. Smeltzer 9 John Kindelspyer 17
Superintendent of Schools. Justice of the Peace.
Ambrose S. Mead 9 John Kindelspyer 16
Treasurer and Recorder. James Bicknell 13
S. W. Foreman 17 Ambrose S. Mead 4
Sheriff. Toivnsliip Assessor.
Henry Brockschink 18 Eli Wilcox 9
Clerk of Courts. John Kindelspyer 4
Ezra M. Wilcox •. A. S. Mead i
Sttrveyor. Constables.
S. W. Foreman 5 Henry Wilcox 18
Charles Oldfield 2 J. A. Kirchner 18
98
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Township Trustees.
S. W. Foreman i8
J. A. Kirchner i8
John Kindelspyer 17
Toitniship Clerk.
Harvey Gardner 18
Road Supervisor.
A. S. Mead 18
1859.
County Judge.
C. C. Smeltzer 10
Treasurer and Recorder.
John Kindelspyer 10
Sheriff.
W. H. Bain 10
Surveyor.
H. E. W. Smeltzer 10
Coroner.
A. S. Mead 10
Drainage Co mm ission er.
H. E. W. Smeltzer 6
William Crozier 4
County School Superintendent.
G. A. Kirchner 6
W. R. Blain 4
i860.
Clerk of Courts.
H. E. W. Smeltzer 11
William Crozier 9
Erecting Courthouse.
For the proposition 14
Against the proposition 7
1861.
Representative.
C. C. Smeltzer 18
A. S. Collins 4
County Judge.
C. A. Clark 14
C. C. Smeltzer 3
Treasurer and Recorder.
C. Kirchner, Sr 16
John Kindelspyer 5
Sheriff.
Joseph Goodnow 18
Coroner.
F. W. Brockschink 7
A. S. Mead 3
Superintendent of Schools.
Isaac Enders 21
Surveyor.
H. E. W. Smeltzer.' 18
Drainage Co in niissioner.
Jacob Kirchner 16
1862.
Clerk of Courts.
J. A. Kirchner 7
C. W. Clark 5
1863.
County Judge.
C. H. Brockschink 9
Treasurer and Recorder.
C. Kirchner, Jr 10
Sheriff.
R. B. Crego 8
Coroner.
J. W. Brockschink 9
Drainage Commissioner.
Jacob Kirchner 10
Superintendent of Schools.
J. A. Kirchner 10
Surveyor.
F. W. Brockschink 10
1864.
Clerk of Courts.
R. B. Crego 30
Recorder.
C. Kirchner 16
John Kindelspyer . . . . 13
C. H. Brockschink i
Surveyor.
William Crozier 16
Clerk of Court — (To Fill Vacancy).
Jacob Kirchner 11
1865.
Treasurer.
J. J. Bicknell 19
S.T. Collins 18
County Judge.
J. L. Crozier 20
D. W. Inman 17
Sheriff.
George C. Kindelspyer 33
Coroner.
J. W. Brockschink 17
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
99
Surveyor.
J. L. Crozier
Jacob Kirchner
Drainage Commissioner.
H. H. Mead
Superintendent of Schools.
N. L. Chesley
1866.
Clerk of Courts.
R. B. Crego
AVilliam Y. Crozier
Recorder.
C. Kirchner, Jr
P. M. Moore
Superintendent of Schools.
R. A. Coates
Ellis George
Drainage Commissioner.
R. S. Hough
County Judge.
P. M. Moore
J. L. Crozier
Clerk of Courts.
S. W. Dubois
Jesse Pickering
Treasurer.
D. N. Coates
J. J. Bicknel
Sheriff.
David Watts
D. Coates
Joseph Crozier
Superintendent of Schools.
R. A. Coates
Surveyor.
P. M. Moore
Coroner.
J. L. Crozier
Drainage Commissioner.
J. W. Brockschink
Alfred Van Norman
O. C. Potts
Joseph Crozier
1868.
Clerk of Courts.
S. W. Dubois
Jesse Pickering
20
17
16
16
51
37
52
37
44
32
35
56
I
42
24
35
31
61
II
65
66
62
8
I
2
I
60
14
Treasurer.
J. J. Bicknell
L. Smith
1869.
Treasurer.
S. W. Dubois
J. J. Bicknell
Auditor.
Samuel Gonser
Joseph Crozier
George Crozier
Sheriff.
T. C. Dodd
George ]\I. Collins
Clerk of Courts.
Samuel Gonser
Joseph Crozier
George Crozier
Superintendent of Schools.
Charles Carver
Surveyor.
P. M. Moore
Coroner.
J. W. Brockschink
P. M. Moore
1870.
Clerk of Courts.
Joseph L. Crozier
Recorder.
J. G. Dodd
Sheriff.
John Copper
Coroner.
Thomas McCormick
1871.
H. B. Wood
Treasurer.
M. E. Griffin
S. W. Dubois
Auditor.
L. M. Pemberton
C. K. Matteson
Sheriff.
Albert Wheeler
George F. Martin .
Superintendent of Schools.
J. E. Chase
H. D. Parsons
73
I
70
44
68
39
3
87
24
51
27
3
81
51
96
266
267
262
258
561
350
415
154
383
193
387
179
100
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Surveyor.
Alark Hunt 403
P. M. Moore 55
Coroner.
C. J. Wright 356
S. J. Egleston 36
For Location of County Seat.
Spencer 359
Peterson 200
1872..
Clerk of Courts.
Ackley Hubbard 385
J. L. Cline 257
Recorder.
John Copper 379
S. W. Dubois 261
J. L. CUne 3
Coroner.
Marshall Hines 639
Scattering 2
1873-
Representative.
H. B. Wood 412
C. W. Inman 118
L. G. Ireland 43
Auditor.
L. M. Peniberton 576
J. E. Chase 3
Treasurer.
M. E. Griffin 408
William Abbey 176
' Sheriff.
Albert Wheeler 373
W. Hunter 204
\Y. Richards 4
Superintendent of Schools.
J. E. Chase : 399
Mattie McPherson 172
Suii'eyor.
Mark Hunt 426
J. T. Painter 158
Coroiier.
Charles McAllister ". 581
1874.
Clerk of Courts.
Ackley Hubbard 447
Recorder.
A. H. Cheney
John Copper
Coroner.
Charles McAllister
M. E. Hines
1875.
Auditor.
L. ]M. Pemberton
J. M. Spencer
Treasurer.
M. E. Griffin
J. C. Tabor
Sheriff.
J. E. Francis
J. R. Patterson
J. G. Dodd
A. H. Wilber
W. H. Hunter
Superintendent of Schools.
J. E. Chase
D. W. Crouse
Mark Hunt
E. C. Green
Coroner.
J. Rood
E. E. Harris
Ezra Hockett
Scattering
Surz'eyor.
A. W. Drake '
Winslow Abbey
John T. Painter
Mark Hunt
1876.
Clerk of Courts.
Harry Chamberlain
Charles M. Squires
Scattering
Recorder.
S. W. Dubois
Winslow Abbey
1877.
Representative.
Charles McAlHster
283
208
443
4
387
341
309
328
269
208
52
104
64
255
181
162
118
292
152
26
16
604
77
33
- 2
457
201
5
504
164
609
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
101
Auditor.
Ackley Hubbard
A. F. McConnell
R. A. Coats
Treasurer.
AI. E. Griffin
J. Messenger
Sheriff.
J. E. Francis
J. R. Patterson
Superintendent of Schools.
Samuel Gillespie . . . .
George H. Williams
J. E. Chase
Surveyor.
A. W. Drake '
E. N. Jencks
Coroner.
Jacob Rood
1878.
Clerk of Courts.
Harry Chamberlain
H. B. Wood
Recorder.
S. W. Dubois
J. P. Evans
1879.
A. T. McCargar
H. C. Brown
Treasurer.
P. E. Randall
Scattering
Sheriff.
J. R. Patterson
F. W. Madden
M. G. Shull
Superintendent of Schools.
Samuel Gillespie
IvOttie Kirchner
Surveyor.
E. N. Jencks
A. W. Drake
Coroner.
]. Rood
E. A. Maker
322
302
5
363
268
342
286
394
220
6
330
302
636
440
192
450
187
461
42
787
6
410
302
87
419
379
656
127
781
IT
1880.
Clerk of the Courts.
Harry Chamberlain
L. Sutherland
Recorder.
S. W. Dubois
A. F. Masterman
Charles Darrow
T. L. Bailey
1881.
Auditor.
H. B. Wood
Scattering
Treasurer.
P. E. Randall
Sheriff.
P. W. Madden
J. R. Patterson
E. A. Maker
Superintendent of Schools.
M. M. Gilchrist
O. \\'. Towner
Surveyor.
E. N. Jencks
J. T. Painter
A. W. Drake
Coroner.
A. K. Train
Scattering
1882.
Clerk of Courts.
Harry Chamberlain
Recorder.
Mrs. N. O. Dubois
J. E. Steele
Scattering
1883.
State Senator.
C. C. Chubb
Alexander Mitchell
Representative.
C. W. Fillmore
J. J. Condon
Z. A. Wellman
Auditor.
Henry B. Wood
L. Sutherland
796
124
386
159
282
93
703
6
713
399
394
120
392-
314
515
153
40
669
92
893
830
45
4
806
331
809
294
31
916
219
102
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Treasurer.
P. E. Randall 938
W. W. Scott 195
Sheriff.
P. W. Madden 947
Morgan Shull 184
Siipcrintendent of Schools.
M. M. Gilchrist 790
Louis Lange 330
Coroner.
Jacob Rood 902
S. J. Green 229
Surveyor.
John T. Painter 803
E. N. Jencks 315
1884.
Clerk of Courts.
Harry Chamberlain 1367
Recorder.
Mrs. N. O. Dubois 1359
Mrs. E. N. Dickinson 7
1885.
Auditor.
Henry B. Wood 940
George W. Anderson 369
Treasurer.
Peter E. Randall 989
Eben Bailey 331
Sheriff.
P. W. Aladden 1072
S. J. Green 240
George Mann i
County Superintendent.
George Mann 654
yi. AL Gilchrist 613
Surveyor.
John T. Painter 989
S. B. Gould 333
Coroner.
Alonzo Chamberlain 940
John H. Lewis 373
1886.
Clerk of Courts.
A. H. Cheney 744
Harry Chamberlain 706
Scattering 8
Recorder.
Mrs. E. N. Dickinson 833
Mrs. N. O. Dubois 643
Scattering ^
County Attorney.
A. C. Parker 1445
Scattering 2
1887.
Representative.
C. W. Fillmore 1023
S. Sturdevan 343
Auditor.
H. B. Wood 556
A. F. McConnell 467
E. C. Green no
F. G. Alvord 254
Treasurer.
George E. Runyan 650
J. C. Tabor 135
J. H. Hale 254
J. S. Brownell 108
A. AL Jones 256
Sheriff.
P. W. Madden 1037
George Andrew 198
J. O. Hodgin 66
J. S. Green 96
County Superintendent.
John Dolvin 493
George Mann 398
L. C. Ford 490
Surveyor.
John T. Painter 766
A. W. Drake 475
Coroner.
A. Chamberlain 1063
H. AL Clopper 284
1888.
Clerk of Courts.
A. H. Cheney 1671
Fanny Hagerty ^y
Scattering 5
Recorder.
Mrs. D. N. Dickinson 1704
Scattering 10
County Attorney.
A. C. Parker 1692
Scattering 8
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 103
Board of Supervisors.
1871 — J. F. Calkins, chairman; J. J- Duroe, J. C. Tabor.
1872 — E. H. Puffer, Chairman ; J. J. Duroe, J. C. Tabor.
1873 — Wesley Gross, cjiairman ; E. H. Puffer, J. C. Tabor.
The board during this year decided to increase the number to five members.
1874 — J. C. Tabor, chairman ; E. H. P^uff'er, Wesley Gross, William Harvey,
C. H. Wait.
1875 — William Harvey, chairman; Wesley Gross, C. H. Wait, J. C. Tabor.
A. F. McConnell.
1876 — William Harvey, chairman ; C. H. Wait, A. F. McConnell, D. F. O.
Cuttell, Eben Bailey.
i877_A. F. McConnell, chairman; Eben Bailey, D. F. O. Cuttell, H. S.
Bender, J. F. Calkins.
1878 — Eben Bailey, chairman; D. F. O. Cuttell, J. E. Calkins, H. S. Bender,
J. D. McDonald.
1879 — J- J- Duroe, chairman ; John F. Calkins, H. S. Bender, J. D. McDonald.
Charles Hunt was duly elected but failed to qualify and Jacob Merritt
was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1880 — James Goodwin, chairman ; J. D. McDonald, J. J. Duroe, Horace Smith,
Reuben Somers.
1881 — J. J. Duroe, chairman ; James Goodwin, H. Smith, John Dodge, Reuben
Somers.
1882 — T. P. Bender, chairman ; James Goodwin, John Dodge, R. Somers,
Hiram Watts. The latter resigned and J. G. Dodd was selected to
fill the vacancy.
1883 — John Dodge, chairman ; T. P. Bender, James Goodwin, J. P. Mills,
J. G. Dodd.
1884— J. G. Dodd, chairman; T. P. Bender, J. P. Mills, G. M. Smith, James
Goodwin.
1885— J. P- Mills, chairman ; J. G. Dodd, James Goodwin, T. P. Bender, J. W.
Fairbanks. Mr. Fairbanks resigned and J, A. Kirchner was appointed.
1886— T. P. Bender, chairman; H. J. Taber, R. B. Jones, J. A. Kirchner.
J. G. Dodd, (resigned), John Mates, (appointed).
1887— T. P. Bender, chairman; R. B. Jones, H. J. Taber, John Mates, R. A.
Stewart.
1888— T. P. Bender, chairman ; H. J. Taber, John Mates, R. A. Stewart.
1889.
Board of Supervisors.
T. P. Bender, chairman; Weis, Vincent.
George E. Phelps 939
Representative. Auditor.
James Mercer 1089
C. P. Buckey 2
E. Boyer i J- M- Davis 614
M.H.Richards 6 Henry B. Wood 3
A. W. Sleeper 11 Scattering 14
104
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Treasurer.
George E. Runyan 1599
Sheriff.
P. \V. Madden 1036
Elizah Pickering 589
Superintendent of Schools.
John Dolvin i570
Scattering 12
Surveyor.
John T. Painter 1590
A. W. Drake 2
Coroner.
Jacob Rood 1587
Scattering 18
Board of Supervisors.
(Fourth District.)
P. C. Blackmer 199
Ed. Sitz 90
J. B. Lamb i
1890.
District Judge.
George H. Carr 1072
Clerk of District Court.
A. IT. Cheney 1046
T. G. Alvord 494
E. H. Parish i
Recorder.
Mrs. D. N. Dickinson 934
John Andrew 345
Peter Flannigan 268
County Attorney.
A. C. Parker 1039
J. E. Steele 367
L. Gowan 3
Supervisors.
(For Douglas, Harland and Garfield.)
George Ross 94
L. Gowan 85
(For Spencer and Meadow.)
T. P. Bender (received total vote
cast) 329
1891.
State Senator.
A. B. Funk 1335
C. C. Painter 751
Representative.
James Goodwin 1 135
E. Boyer . 786
G. A. Capstic 86
Scattering 2
Treasurer.
George E. Runyan 858
Geo. W. Anderson 490
C. E. Blondel 478
E. H. Crandall 212
J. H. Walsh 3
Superintendent of Schools.
John Dolvin 718
Harlin Buck 706
L. C. Ford 486
J. Lamar 143
Sheriff'.
P. W. Madden 969
T. C. Dodd 629
Wm. ]\Iincer 418
Frank Smith 40
Surveyor.
A. W. Drake 1341
Eben Bailey 4
Coroner.
S. J. Green 917
Scattering 7
Supervisors.
(First District."^
J. B. Wilson 211
Thos. Kenderdine 72
(Third District.)
A. W. Sleeper 349
John Wilburn 99
1892.
Judge District Court.
Lot Thomas 1538
Auditor.
George E. PhelpS 1552
M. Tell, Jr 641
A. J. Rowley 142
Clerk District Court.
A. H. Cheney 1534
G. E. Cooper 659
J. R. Ketcham 143
Recorder.
T. P. Powell 1273
Fannie E. Hagerty 712
John Copper I
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
105
County Attorney.
A. C. Parker 1450
Guy H. -Martin 789
Sheriff.
J. B. Lewis 1531
August Steigleder 671
C. L. Shultz 142
Supervisors.
(Fourth District.)
P. C. Blackmer 254
W. W. DeWitt 147
1893.
Representative.^
W. W. Cornwall 1349
Joseph Schenk. ._ 515
J. C. Baker " 183
Treasurer.
C. E. Blondell 1 ^3^,
Geo. E. Cooper 512
George Jones, Sr 172
George E. Runyan 2
Superintendent of Schools.
George E. Reed 1413
Mabel Andrews 477
John Dolvin i
SJieriff'.
John B. Lewis 1440
M. G. Shull 446
F. A. Hiser 163
John Hopkins i
Swveyor.
P. AL Moore 1387
A. W. Drake 54
Coroner.
H. Shipley 141 1
James Livingston 1 76
J. E. Green i
.'^tipcri'isor.
TFor Second District.)
J. F. Lundy . .* 44^^
E. H. Trvon ivR
(For Fifth District.)
J. A. Piatt 136
J. L. Eckley 134
Judge District Court.
William B. Quarton 1438
C. E. Cohoon 682
Auditor.
G. E. Phelps 1474
C. P. Buckey 453
A. J. Livingston 226
Clerk District Court.
C. H. Staples 1233
C. E. Johnson 554
George Capstic 314
William Barnes 42
Recorder.
T. P. Powell 1466
Wirt Bronson 437
Mary Riley 229
County Attorney.
Guy H. Martin 1431
Vernon D. Buck 564
Fred Kirkpatrick 2
Scattering: i
County Attorney to Fill Vacancy.
Guy H. ":\Iartin 1190
Vernon D. Buck 21
Fred Kirkpatrick 2
Superintendent of Schools.
Ellen Reed 1968
Scattering i
Supervisor.
(First District.)
Thomas Kenderdine 213
W. H. Moore 105
G. G. Buck 26
(Third District.)
A. W. Sleeper 284
W. H. Webb 146
Frank Riley 27
On the question, Shall a poor house he established and erected at a cost not
to exceed $8,000.
For 987 Against 3^2
1895
State Senator.
A. B. Funk 1274 T. J. Hughes 340 Scattering 3
L06
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Representative.
\\\ W. Cornwall 1288
A. J. Rowley 102
Scattering 10
Treasurer.
C. E. Blondell 1330
Charles Prichard 338
G. G. Beck 241
Scattering i
Sheriff.
J. B. Lewis 1334
T. D. Griggs 330
G. W. Jones 235
Scattering 2
Superintendent of Schools.
Ellen Reed 1716
Scattering 6
Coroner.
John Andrews 1283
William Battin 365
Jacob Rood 241
Sitrrcyor.
Frank Austin 1291
Charlton Bailey 399
F. A. Gossman 211
Scattering i
Supervisor.
(Fourth District.)
P. C. Blackmer 232
Scattering 3
1896.
Judge of District Court.
Lot Thomas 1905
W.W.Cornwall i
Auditor.
W'illiam Barnes 1903
H. S. Parker 930
Clerk of District Court.
C. H. Staples 1884
C. H. Woodruff 937
Recorder.
T. P. Powell 1896
F. J. Crane 931
County Attorney.
Guy H. ^lartin 1683
Frank Richardson ii43
Supervisor.
(Second District.)
J. F. Lundy 618
H. Walker' 258
(Fifth District.)
Charles Gillmore 249
J. W. Cook 114
1897.
Representative.
W. \\'. Cornwall 1 183
Ed. Anderson 1017
C. W. Gillmore i
, Treasurer.
Jasper ^Messenger 1513
G. G. Buck 660
George Jones 49
Scattering 3,
Sheriff.
J. B. Lewis 1 516
G. F. ]\Iartin 652
J. L. Rowley 52
Superintendent of Schools.
Ellen Reed 1509
j\Irs. J. W. Lauck 659
F. J. Crane 50
Scattering 2
Surveyor.
P. M. Moore 149a
J. A. Griffin 669
John Phillips 53.
Scattering i
Coroner.
John Andrews 1473
E. Hallock 680
C. T. Ressel 54
Scattering i
Supervisor.
(First District.)
Thomas Kenderdine 309
(Third District.)
A. W. Sleeper 235
Ed. Moeller 215
1898.
Judge District Court.
W. B. Ouarton 1359
F. H. Helsell 1235
J. W. Sullivan 671
C. E. Cohoon 770
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, SPENCER
PUBLIC LIBRARY
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
109
Auditor.
William Barnes 1526
George H. Moeller '. . 526
Clerk District Court.
Chas. S. Weaver 1556
Wm. A. O'Donnell 502
Recorder.
T. P. Powell 1279
John Lawler 783
County Attorney.
Robt. AI. Bush 1510
A. O. Russell 540
Supervisor.
(Fourth District.)
H. H. Powell 212
Eben Bailey I95
1899.
State Senator.
E. W. Bachman 1599
Vernon W. Buck 658
Representative.
E. P. Barringer 1348
H. S. Parker 887
Treasurer.
Jasper Messenger 1667
A. M. Jones 620
Sheriff.
J. B. Lewis 1647
T. D. Griggs 638
John Andrew i
Superintendent of Schools.
Ellen Reed 1672
Aliss Berry Buck 606
Mrs. C. C. Little 3
Orville A. Hammond i
Surveyor.
P. M. Moore 1661
C. J. Madsen 602
Coroner.
S. J. Green 1909
Wm. O'Donnell 631
Supervisor.
(Second District.,)
A. F. McConnell 634
H. R. Brownell 180
^ Fifth District.)
Charles Gillmore 203
Lewis Lewis i
1900.
Judge of District Court.
A. D. Bailie 2309
L W. Bane 777
Clerk of District Court.
C. S. Weaver 2350
Paul M. Miller 746
Recorder.
W. L. AlcCown 2333
Eugene Slowey 762
Auditor.
William Barnes 2328
Ed Moeller 761
County Attorney.
Robt. M. Bush 2330
\'ernon W. Buck 758
Supervisor.
(First District.)
J. H. Walsh 327
j. W. O'Neil 182
(Third District.)
John Adams 339
Charles King 259
1901.
Representative.
A. H. Cheney 1283
H. A. Powers 296
Treasurer.
Jasper Messenger 1277
C. Welch 301
Sheriff.
John H. Price 1276
P. A. Clark 298
J. B. Lewis , , I
Superintendent of Schools.
H. F. Fillmore 1274
Eben Bailey 304
Snr-i'cyor.
P. M. Moore 1265
Frank Smith 304
Coroner.
S. J. Green 1283
John Stuhr i
T. H. Johnson i
Earl Bronson i
A. Jones i
M. W. Page I
CLAY 7.
110
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Supervisor.
(Fourth District.)
H. H. Powell 242
F. W. Walker i
1902.
Judge of District Court.
\Vm. B. Ouarton 1398
L. Scharenberg i
Clerk of District Court.
Charles S. Weaver 1443
J. S. Walker ■ 365
Recorder.
W. L. McCown 1417
L. Koechert 369
Auditor.
Wm. Barnes 1423
E. F. Slovvey. . • 376
County Attorney.
Robt. M. Busli 1414
Vernon W. Ihick 380
Coroner.
(To Fill Vacancy.)
John Andrew 141 5
A. M. Jones i
Supervisor.
(Second District.)
A. F. ]\IcConnell 565
H. R. Buck 135
(Fifth District.)
Charles Gillmore 188
1903-
State Senator.
George Kinne 1345
Lewis Sti\ehman 349
A. J. Rowley i
Representative.
A. H. Cheney 1344
O. E. Johnson 351
A. E. Wells I
John Cory i
Treasurer.
John McWhirter 1335
George B. Bender 346
Nathan Pickering 72
Sheriff.
John H. Price 1334
Wm. Marlow^ 355
A. \W. Duboise 68
C. W. Mills 3
Stiperintendent of Schools.
H. F. Fillmore 1342
Thomas Dunn 344"
B. F. Ellsworth 66
SiDVcyor.
P. ]\I. ]\Ioore 1343
A. R. Claxton 357
Coroner.
John Andrews 1332
H. O. Green 375
Supervisor.
(First District.)
J. H. Walsh 198
Wm. r^IcCurdy 15
(Third District. )
John Adams 226
R. H. Knight i
.1904.
Judge of District Court.
A. D. Bailie 2151
J. A. Reid 2
"h. J. Buck r
T. j. O'Donnell i
Auditor.
E. F. Marker 1377
Frank L. Brodgate 1254
Clerk of District Court.
C. S. Weaver 2151
Harry Dunn 489
J. E. Rubes I
J'^ecordcr.
W. L. McCown 2142
Erick M. Horner 497
County Attorney.
Fred Kirkpatrick 2139
A. R. Claxton 495
Coroner.
(To Fill Vacancy.)
A. S. Mack . .2094
Wm. A. O'Donnell 509
Supervisors.
(Fourth District.)
H. H. Powell 938
W. A. Gehring 2
A. W. Hunter i
Morriss Lacev 2
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
111
Judge of District Court.
Dannie F. Coyle 1531
Scattering
Representative.
Benj. F. Felt, Jr 1510
Hiram O. Green 1414
Auditor.
E. F. ^Marker 1484
Fred Flagman 500
Treasurer.
John r^IcWhirter 1538
George Broon 424
Clerk District Court.
C. S. Weaver 1624
Frank Huss 375
Sheriff.
C. M. Pinneo 1 154
J. H. Price 942
Recorder.
W. L. McCown 1578
W'nt Bronson 423
County Attorney.
F. KirkDatrick . i £^39
A. R. Claxton 387
Superintendent of Schools.
Alary Riley 1693
H. F. Fillmore 108
Sun'eyor.
P. M. ?^Ioore 1539
John Stuhr 371
Coroner.
A. S. Mack 1591
Superz'isor.
( I'irst District.)
C. F. Johns 224
A. Al. Jones 216
( Second District.)
J. P. Mills 519
H. S. Parker 129
(Third District.)
John Adams 22y
George W. Moeller 152
(Fourth District.)
H. H. Powell 272
Robert l-'isk 78
(Fifth District.)
Charles Gillmore 188
POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
BO.\RD OF SUPERVISORS.
The board of supervisors at any regular meeting .shall have the following
powers, to wit:
To appoint one of their number chairman, and also a clerk in the absence
of the regular officers ;
To adjourn from time to time as the occasion may require ;
To make such orders concerning the corporate property of the county as
they may deem expedient ;
To examine and settle all accounts of the receipts and expenditures of the
county, and to examine, settle, and allow all just claims against the county unless
otherwise provided for by law ;
To build and keep in repair the necessary buildings for the use of the
county and of the courts ;
To cause the county buildings to be insured in the name of the county, or
otherwise, for the benefit of the county, as they shall deem expedient, and in
case there are no county buildings, to provide suitable rooms for county purposes ;
To set oft", organize, and change the boundaries of townships in their
respective counties, designate and give names thereto and define the place of
holding the first election ;
112 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
To grant licenses for keeping ferries in their respective counties as provided
by law ;
To purchase for the use of the county, any real estate necessary for the
erection of buildings for county purposes, to remove or designate a new site
for any county buildings required at the county seat, when such removal shall
not exceed the limits of the village or city at which the county seat is located ;
To require any coimty officer to make a report, under oath, to them on any
subject connected with the duties of his office, and to require any such officer
to give such bonds, or additional bonds, as shall be reasonable or necessary for
the faithful performance of their several duties ; and any such officer who shall
neglect or refuse to make such report or give bonds within twenty days after
being so required, may be removed from office b\" the board by a vote of a'
majority of the members elected ;
To represent their respective counties, and to have the care and manage-
inent of the property and business of the county in all cases where no other
provision shall be made ;
To manage and control the school fund of their respective counties as shall
be provided by law ;
To appoint commissioners to act with similar commissioners duly appointed
in any other county or counties, and to authorize them to lay out, alter, or
discontinue any highway extending through their own and one or more other
counties, subject to the ratification of the board ;
To fix the compensation of all services of county and township officers not
otherwise provided for by law and to provide for the payment of the same ;
To authorize the taking of a vote of the people for the relocation of the
county seat as provided by law ;
To alter, vacate, or discontinue any state of territorial highway within their
respective counties ;
To lay out, establish, alter, or discontinue any country highway heretofore
or now laid out, or hereafter to be laid out through or within their respective
counties as may be provided by law ;
To provide for the erection of all bridges which may be necessary, and
which the public convenience may require within their respective counties, and
to keep the same in repair ;
To determine what bounties, in addition to those already provided by law,
if any, shall be offered and paid by their county on the scalps of such wild
animals taken and killed within their county as they may deem it expedient to
exterminate. But no such bounty shall exceed five dollars ;
To purchase for the use of the county any real estate necessary for the
erection of buildings for the support of the poor of such county and for a farm
to be used in connection therewith ;
To have and exercise all the powers in relation to the poor given by law to
the county authorities ;
To make such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, as they
may deem necessary for the government of their body, the transaction of
business- and the preservation of order;
The board of supervisors shall constitute the board of county canvassers.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 113
COUNTY AUDITOR.
The county auditor shall : Record all the proceedings of the board in the
proper books provided for that purpose ;
!\Iake full entries of all their resolutions and decisions on all questions
concerning- the raising of money, and for the allowance of money from the
county treasury ;
Record the vote of each supervisor on any question submitted to the board,
if required by any members present;
Sign all orders issued by the board of supervisors for the payment of money
and record in a book provided for the purpose the reports of the county treas-
urer of the receipts and disbursements of the county ;
Preserve and file all accounts upon by the board, with their action thereon, and
perform such special duties as are or may be required of him by law ;
Designate upon every account on which any sum shall be allowed by the
board, the amount so allowed and the charges for which the same was allowed ;
Deliver to any person who may demand it a certified copy of any record or
account in his office on payment of his legal fees therefor.
The auditor shall not sign or issue any county warrant except the recorded
vote or resolution of the board of supervisors authorizing the same, except for
jury fees, and every such warrant shall be numbered, and the date, amount and
number of the same, and the name of the person to whom issued, shall be entered
in a book to be kept by him in his ofifice for the purpose;
Whenever the auditor of any county shall receive from the state auditoi
notice of the apportionment of school moneys to be distributed in the county,
he shall file the same in his office and transmit a copy thereof before the board
at its next regular meeting ;
The county auditor shall have the general custody and control of the court-
house in each county, respective!}', subject to the direction of the board of
supervisors ;
The county auditor shall report to the secretary of state the name, office,
and term of office of every county officer elected or appointed, within ten days
after their election and qualification, and the secretary of state shall record the
same in a book to be kept for that purpose in his office ;
In order to enable the clerk of the district court properly to comply with
the provisions of section two hundred and three of the code, it is made the
dutv of the county auditor to report to said clerk, before the first day of
November in each year, the expenses of the county for criminal prosecutions
during the year ending the thirtieth day of September preceding, including, but
distinguishing, the compensation of district ( county) attorney;
The clerk of the district court and county recorder shall each be eligible to
the office of county auditor, and may discharge the duties of both offices;
The offices of the county auditor and county treasurer shall not be united
in the same person. The auditor and his deputy are prohibited from acting as
attorney, either directly or indirectly, in any matter before the board of
supervisors.
114 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
COUNTY TREASURER.
The treasurer shall receive all money payable to the county, and disburse
the same on warrants drawn and signed b\- the county auditor and sealed with
the county seal, and not otherwise ; and shall keep a true account of all receipts
and disbursements, and hold the same at all times ready for the inspection of
the board of supervisors.
When the warrant drawn by the aviditor on the treasurer is presented for
payment, and not paid for the want of money, the treasurer shall indorse thereon
a note of that fact and the date of presentation, and sign it. and thenceforth
it shall draw interest at the rate of six per cent ; and when a warrant which
draws interest is taken up, the treasurer is required to indorse upon it the
date and amount of interest allowed, and such warrant is to be considered as
canceled and shall not be reissued.
County treasurers are hereby authorized to issue calls for outstanding war-
rants at any time he may have sufficient funds on hand for which such warrant
was issued; and from and after such calls have been made, public interest shall
cease on all warrants included in said call.
County treasurers shall publish said notice twice in the newspaper having
the largest circulation in the county in which such publication is made, and
each notice shall designate the warrants called.
The treasurer shall keep a record of the number and amount of the warrants
presented and indorsed for non-payment, which shall be paid in the order of
such presentation. When there are funds in the treasury for their payment
to an amount sufficient to render it advisable, he shall give notice to what
number of warrants the funds shall extend, or the number wdiich he will pay,
by posting a written notice in his office, and at the expiration of thirty days
from the date of such posting, interest on the warrants so named as being
payable shall cease.
When a person wishing to make payment into the treasury presents a war-
rant of an amount greater than such payment, the treasurer shall cancel the same
and give the holder a certificate of the overplus, upon the presentation of which
to the county auditor he shall file it and issue a new w^arrant of that amount,
and charge the treasurer therewith, and such certificate is transferable by
delivery, and will entitle the holder to the new warrant, which, however, must
be issued in the first drawee's name.
The treasurer shall keep a book, ruled so as to contain a column for each
of the following items in relation to the warrants drawn on him by the auditor :
The number, date, drawee's name, when paid, to whom, original amount, and
interest paid on each.
The treasurer shall keep a separate account of the several taxes for state,
county, school and highway purposes, opening an account between himself and
each of those funds, charging himself with the amount of the tax, and crediting
himself with the amounts paid over severally and with the amount of delinquent
taxes when legally authorized so to do.
The warrants returned by the treasurer shall be compared with the warrant
book, and the word "canceled" be w^ritten over the minute of the proper numbers
in the warrant book, and the original warrant be preserved for at least two years.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 115
The treasurer is required to make weekly returns to the auditor of the
number, date, drawee's name, when paid, to whom paid, original amount, and
interest, as kept in the book before directed.
A person re-elected to or holding over the office of treasurer, shall keep
separate account for each term of office.
COUNTY RECORDER.
The recorder shall keep his office at the county seat, and he shall record
at length and as speedily as possible all instruments in writing which may be
delivered to him for record, in the manner directed by law.
The same person may be eligible to and hold the office of county recorder
and county treasurer; provided, the number of inhabitants in such county does not
exceed ten thousand.
No person shall be disqualified for holding the office of county recorder on
account of sex.
COUNTY SHERIFF.
The sheriff shall, by himself or his deputies, execute according to law, and
return all writs and other legal processes issued by lawful authority and to him
directed or committed, and shall perform such other duties as may be required
of him by law.
His disobedience of the command of any such process is a contempt of the
court from which it issued, and may be punished by the same accordingly, and
he is further liable to the action of any person injured thereby.
He has the charge and custody of the jail or other prison of his county,
and of the prisoners in the same, and is required to receive those lawfully com-
mitted, and to keep them himself, or by his deputy or jailer, until discharged
by law.
The sheriff and his deputies are conservators of the peace, and to keep
the same, or to prevent crime, or to arrest any person liable thereto, or to execute
process of law, may call any person to their aid, and, when necessary, the sheriff
may summon the power of the county.
The sheriff shall attend upon the district (and circuit) courts of his
county, and while either remains in session he shall be allowed the assistance
of such number of bailiffs as either may direct. They shall be appointed by the
sheriff and shall be regarded as deputy sheriffs, for whose acts the sheriff shall
be responsible.
No sheriff, deputy sheriff, coroner, or constable, shall appear in any court
as attorney or counsel for any party, nor make any writing or process to
commence, or to be in any manner used in the same, and such writing or process
made by any of them shall be rejected.
No sheriff, deputy sheriff, coroner, or constable, shall become the pur-
chaser, either directly or indirectly, of any property by him exposed to sale
under any process of law, and every such purchase is absolutely void.
Sheriffs and their deputies may execute any process which may be in their
hands at the expiration of their office, and, in case of a vacancy occurring in the
office of sheriff from any cause, his deputies shall be under the same obligation
116 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
to execute legal processes then in his or her hands, and return the same, as if
the sheriff had continued in office, and he and they will remain liable therefor
under the provisions of law as in other cases.
^^'here a sheriff" goes out of office, he shall deliver to his successor all
books and papers pertaining to the office, and property attached and levied upon,
except as provided in the preceding section, and all prisoners in the jail, and take
his receipt specifying the same, and such receipt shall be sufficient indemnity to
the person taking it.
If the sheriff' die or go out of office before the return of any process then
in his hands, his successor, or other officer authorized to discharge the duties
of the office, may proceed to execute and return the same in the same manner
as the outgoing sheriff' should have done, but nothing in this section shall be
construed to exempt the outgoing sheriff' and his deputies from the duty imposed
on them by section three hundred and thirty-seven of this chapter (472), to
execute and return all processes in their hands at the time the vacancy in the
office of sheriff occurs.
On the election or apix)intment of a new sheriff", all new processes shall
be directed to him.
If the sheriff', who has made a sale of real estate on execution, die, or go
out of office before the period of redemption expires, his successor shall make
the necessary deed to carry out such sale.
COUNTY CORONER.
It is the duty of the coroner to perform all the duties of the sheriff when
there is no sheriff', and in cases where exception is taken to the sheriff as pro-
vided in the next section.
In all proceedings in the courts of record where it appears from the papers
that the sheriff' is a party to the action, or where, in any action commenced or
about to be commenced, an affidavit is filed with the clerk of any court stating
that the sheriff and his deputy are absent from the county and are not expected
to return in time to perform the service needed; or stating a partiality, prejudice,
consanguinity or interest on the part of the sheriff, the clerk of the court shall
direct process to the coroner, whose duty it shall be to execute it in the same
manner as if he were the sheriff.
Where there is no sheriff, deputy sheriff or coroner qualified to serve legal
process, the clerk of the court may, by writing under his hand and the seal of
the court certifying the above fact, appoint any suitable person specially in each
case to execute such process, who shall be sworn, but he need not give bond, and
his return shall be entitled to the same credit as the sheriff's when the oppoint-
fnent is attached thereto.
The coroner shall hold an inquest upon the dead bodies of such persons
only as are supposed to have died by unlawful means. When he has notice of
the dead body of a person supposed to have died by unlawful means, found or
being in his county, he is required to issue his warrant to a constable of his
county, requiring him to summon forthwith three electors of the county to
appear before the coroner at a time and place named in the warrant.
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THE NEV/ YO^'K
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 117
The constable shall execute the warrant and make return thereof at the time
and place named.
Jf any juror fails to appear the coroner shall cause the proper number to
be summoned or returned from the bystanders, immediately, and proceed to
impanel them and administer the following oath, in substance :
"You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will diligently inquire and
true presentment make, w'hen, how, and b}' what means the person w'hose body
lies here dead came to his death, according to your knowledge and the evidence
given you."
The coroner may issue subpoenas within his county for witnesses, return-
able forthwith or at such time and place as he shall therein direct, and witnesses
shall be allowed the same fees as in cases before a justice of the peace, and the
coroner has the same authority to enforce the attendance of witnesses and to
punish them and jurors for contempt in disobeying his process as a justice of
the peace has when his process issues in behalf of the state.
An oath shall be administered to the witnesses in substance as follows :
"You do solemnly swear that the testimony which you shall give to this
inquest concerning the death of the person here lying dead shall be the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."
The testimony shall be reduced in writing under the coroner's order, and
subscribed by the witnesses.
If the inquisition find that a crime has been committed on the deceased
and name the person whom the jury believe has committed it, the inquest shall
not be made public until after the arrest directed in the next section.
If the person charged be present, the coroner may order his arrest by an
officer or any other person present, and shall then make a warrant requiring
the officer or other person to take him before a justice of the peace.
If the person charged be not present, and the coroner believes he can be
taken, the coroner may issue a warrant to the sherifif and constables of the
county, requiring them to arrest the person and take him before a justice of
the peace.
The warrant of a coroner in the above case shall be of equal authority
with that of a justice of the peace, and when the person charged is brought
before the justice such justice shall cause an information to be filed against
him, and the same proceedings shall be had as in other cases under information
and he shall be dealt with as a person held under an information in the
usual form.
The warrant of the coroner shall recite substantially the transactions before
him and the verdict of the jury inquest leading to the arrest, and such warrant
shall be a sufficient foundation for the proceeding of the justice instead of an
information.
The coroner shall then return to the district court the inquisition, the written
evidence, and a list of the witnesses who testified material matter.
The coroner shall cause the body of a deceased person which he is called
to view to be delivered to his friends if any there be, but if not, he shall cause
him to be decently buried and the expense to be paid from the property found
with the body, or, if there be none, from the county treasury, by certifying an
118 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
account of the expenses, Avhich, being presented to the board of supervisors,
shall be allowed by them if deemed reasonable, and paid as other claims on
the county.
Where there is no coroner and in the case of his absence or inability to act,
any justice of the peace of the same county is authorized to perform the duties
of coroner in relation to dead bodies, and in such case he may cause the person
charged to be brought before himself by his warrant, and may proceed with
him as a justice pi the peace.
In the above inquisition by a coroner, when he or the jury deem it requisite,
he may summon one or more physicians or surgeons to make a scientific examina-
tion, who, instead of witness fees, shall receive such reasonable compensation as
may be allowed by the county board of supervisors.
COUNTY SURVEYOR.
The county surveyor shall make all surveys of land within his county which
he may be called upon to make, and his surveys shall be held as presumptively
correct.
The field notes and plats made by the county surveyor shall be transcribed
into a well-bound book under the supervision of the surveyor when desired by
a person interested and at his expense.
Previous to making any survey he shall furnish himself with a copy of
the field notes of the original survey of the same land, if there be any in the
ofifice of the count} auditor, and his survey shall be made in accordance therewith.
He is required to establish the corners by taking bearing trees and noting
particularly their course and distance, but if there be no trees within reasonable
distance, the corners are to be marked by stones firmly placed in the earth, or
by mounds.
In the resurvey and subdivision of lands by county surveyors, their deputies,
or other persons, the rules prescribed by acts of congress and the instructions
of the seci'etary of the interior shall be in all respects followed.
The county surveyor shall, when requested, furnish the person for whom
the survey is made with a copy of the field notes and plat of the survey, and
such copy certified by him, and also a copy from the record, certified by the
county auditor, with the seal, shall be presumptive evidence of the survey and
of the facts herein required to be set forth, and which are stated accordinglv,
between those persons who join in requesting it and any other person then con-
cerned who has reasonable notice that such a survey is to be made and the
time thereof.
The board of supervisors is required to furnish a substantial, well-bound
book, in which the field notes and plats made by the county surveyor mav be
recorded.
The plat and record shall show distinctly of what piece of land it is a
survey, at whose personal request it was made, the names of the chainmen, and
that they were approved and sworn by the surveyor, and the date of the survey,
and the courses shall be taken according to the true meridian and the variation
of the magnetic from the true meridian stated.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 119
The necessary chainmcn and other persons must be employed by the person
requiring the survey done, unless otherwise agreed, but the chainmen must be
disinterested persons and approved of by the surveyor and sworn by him to
measure justly and impartially to the best of their knowledge and abilitv.
County surveyors, when establishing defaced or lost land corners or lines,
may issue subpoenas for witnesses and administer oaths to them, and all fees
for service of officers and attendance of witnesses shall be the same as in pro-
ceedings before a justice of the peace.
COUNTY JUDGE AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
C. C. Smeltzer remained county judge until 1862, when he was succeeded
by C. A. Clark. Following him came C. H. Brockschink, J. L. Crozier and P.
M. Moore, the last named serving until the office was abolished in 1869. In
the meantime, however, in 1861, the board of supervisors was created, and to
them was delegated most of the authority which had been held by the county
judge, so that after 1861 the office of county judge was an unimportant one.
When the board of supervisors was first created it consisted of one member
frcm each township in a county, no matter how many there might be. The
first meeting of the board for Clay county was held on January 7, 1861, when
C. FI. Brockschink was made first chairman. The following is a list of the
various gentlemen who were members of the board during the time the law pro-
viding for a representative from each township remained in effect : C. H.
Brockschink, F. W. Brockschink, Isaac Enders, Jacob Kirchner, Thomas Puckett,
Jacob Hale, John F. Calkins, John C. Tabor, H. D. Rice, J. W. Brockschink,
J. J. Duroe and John Evans.
During the year 1870 the law was changed, and in accordance with the
change the board was thereafter to con-sist of three members, there being a
proviso that the number could be increased to five members by submitting the
question to the voters. This was done and in 1873 the membership of the board
of supervisors was increased to five.
EXTRACTS FROM COUNTY JUDGE SMELTZER's MINUTE BOOK.
The following extracts from the minutes of Charles C. Smeltzer, the first
county judge, may be of interest and perhaps amusing to the general reader.
They are given verbatim et literatim :
State of Iowa, Clay County.
April Term.
On this the fourth day of April, 1859, I considered the matter of remunera-
tion for hauling County Books from Des Moines & Fort Dodge and allowed
for the same delivered in Clay County, Iowa, forty dollars— in the county war-
rants also two dollars and fifty cents for seal for county use.
In witness, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the year and day above
written. ■ Chas. C. Smeltzer, County Judge.
120 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Office of the County Judge of Clay Co., Iowa.
August Term.
It is hereby ordered that a county warrant be issued to pay Post Master
at Spencer one dollar, it being the amount of postage due on county papers sent
out of the office at Spencer.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand officially.
February 2nd, i860.
Upon this day the salary of the County Judge for 16 months was assigned
to H. E. W. Smeltzer, amounting to 66 dollars and 661/2 cents and for the same
warrants in his favor were drawn on the County Treasury.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand officially the year and day above
written. a -, ^
April lerm.
Monday second i860.
Upon this day commenced an action against Woodbury County Iowa in
the name of Clay Co Iowa to recover money due Clay Co on the taxes collected
by Woodbury for the year 1858 on land in Clay Co. Iowa. The court employed
J. A. Kasson as Attorney in behalf of Clay Co. at a fee of 75 dollars certain and
one hundred and fifty in the event of Clay Co. gaining her cause and getting
judgment for the amt. an agreed case being made up it was submitted to the
proper court for adjudication.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand the day and year first above
written.
This claim was settled and J. A. Kasson was paid $130, for his services.
December 15 i860.
Upon this day J. Kindelspyer, Treasurer and Recorder of Clay Co Iowa
made a full report of his doings in his office during the year from Jan ist i860
to Dec 15th i860. Report filed away and in substance as follows — said report
embracing only monies received on the taxes from 1858 & 1859.
State tax $580.50
County tax 1850.44 Said amount being paid over in Co warrants.
School tax 757-25
Road tax 841.75 paid over in Road warants
Bridge tax 301-33 P^id over in Bridge warrants
District tax 842.37
$5173-34
Recording deeds, 24.50 Paid out applied on Treasurers salary
Said report has been received as so much of Each Kind of tax to be applied
to the Credit of the Treasurer in the cases where the Court has received the
proper vouchers
In witness whereof I have hereunto set mv hand this 15th day of Dec A.
D. i860.
Jan 5th 1 861.
Issued an order upon this day to Hedges Bros for the sum of ten dollars
for candels furnished By order of the Court.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand officially the day and year
above written.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 121
THE BENCH AND BAR.
In 1 85 1, by an act of the general assembly, county courts were established
and the office of county judge was created. By the same act the office of
probate judge was abolished, as were the offices of county commissioners, the
duties of these several officers devolving upon the county judge. The county
of Clay not being organized until 1858, after the passage of this act, had no
probate judge or county commissioners. The first county judge was Charles C.
Smeltzer, who was elected on the organization of the county, October 12, 1858.
Upon him devolved the duty of perfecting the organization of the county,
dividing it into townships, and such other work as was necessary to perfect a
system of government. He held this office until October, 1862, when he was
succeeded by C. A. Clark. That same year he was elected to represent the county
in the state legislature.
Judge Smeltzer was a man of more than ordinary ability. He was intensely
interested in Clay county and all of its affairs, as will be shown by a glance
at his minute book as county judge. He was a man of splendid stature, over
six feet in height; his hair was black, had dark, piercing eyes, and his general
makeup was pleasing to the observer. He was a man who made a host of
friends. After retiring from office he remained in Peterson for some years
and then removed to Fort Dodge. There he engaged in the banking business,
and died there about twenty years ago.
-In 1867 the county court was abolished and in 1869 the circuit court was
established and took control of the probate business, and to it was given the juris-
diction over all cases of appeal from inferior courts, such as justices', mayors'
and other tribunals of that nature.
Judge J. M. Snyder held the first term of court in Spencer in 1871. He
was a young man at that time, of great attainments, and made his home at
Humboldt. He now lives at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Prior to that time actions
were brought in the courts of Woodbury county. The first action in the district
court of that county from Clay county was a case in equity, by Ambrose Mead
against John A. and Christian Kirchner, for the partition of a tract of land held
and claimed by the Kirchners. This land was known as "Long Grove." These
parties made a claim thereon April, 1856, and with their families came to the
county in the summer of that same year. The land in dispute was finally divided
between the litigants. The court decided that the parties were tenants in common
of the land in dispute.
At that time there was both a circuit and a district court. Judge Ford,
of Sioux City, presided at the district court, which had jurisdiction over all
criminal cases and equal jurisdiction with the circuit court over all civil cases.
At that time the judicial district had what was known as the district attorney.
Pie had charge of all criminal trials. The office of district attorney was even-
tually abolished and each county was given its county attorney. The first session
of the district court, as shown by the records, was on the 22d of June, 1865.
Judge Isaac Pemberton, of Sioux City, presided.
The duties of the lawyer were not so great in the early days as to occupy
his whole time, and often he indulged in other lines of business to make a
living for himself and family. At the present the people demand their services
122 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
and thev are glad to accommodate the people. Today the profession stands
at the head almost over all others, and a good lawyer must always be a
brilliant scholar, an able and eminent lawyer and a credit to society. He must
always be an honor to the profession and to society and to the entire county.
The first attorney in the county was Samuel Gonser. He came from Indiana
and located at Peterson. He was a man of wide range of investigation and a
civil leader. He was a good advocate and a great reader. He left Clay county
in id.yy and went to Des Moines. He lived there about three years and then
removed to Guthrie Center, where he died about 1885.
The courts of Clay count}- have never been called upon to adjudicate any
great civil cases, although its records slmw litigation that has been of importance
to the parties interested therein. The class of jieople settling the county luus
been of the very best; hence but few cases luuler the criminal law have
appeared. Clay county has never had a murder committed within its borders
since its courts were organized, and that fact has prevented anything of a sensa-
tional order coming before its courts. Minor offenses against the law have been
few and far Ijetween, and to sum it all up. the general proceedings of the Clay
county courts have been prosaic and lacking in that interest thai usually draws
the morbidly curious.
Ackley Hubbard came to Spencer early in its history, and ])ractice(l there
until al)out 1884. He was born in St. Lawrence county, Xew ^'<)rk, in 1849,
and lived there until he reached the age of eighteen, lie then removed to
]\Ionroc county, where he lived about a year and a half, when he removed to
Clay county and subsequently came ti> Spencer and entered the cabinet trade,
at which he had worked previously. He obtained his education in the schools
of Xew ^'ork. Being possessed of more than ordinary ability and being a great
reader and a close, keen observer, the early schooling he received served him
as the foundation for a deeper, broader and more practical echication than he
could have received in the classic colleges of today. Although but a resident
of the county less than three years, he was in the fall of 1872 elected to the
responsible office of clerk of the courts, a position he filled so satisfactorily that
he was re-elected. During his incumbency he devoted himself to the study
of law. Being an apt and close student and, as clerk of the courts, familiar with
the practice, he soon mastered the necessary studies, and after a careful examina-
tion was admitted as an attorney in 1876. As soon as his term of office expired
he opened an office and began to practice. But so signally satisfactorily had he
filled the office of clerk that in 1877 he was elected to the office of auditor,
which he held two years, declining a second term. At the expiration of his
auditorship he again devoted his attention to his legal business, which, while
holding office, had gradually grown, although unsolicited. In 1878 he formed
a partnership with F. C. Dariforth, and the fifm enjoyed a good practice. In
1879, in company with Mr. Lovewell, he purchased forty acres of land adjoining
the original town plat on the west and laid it out in lots and placed them on
the market. There was a great demand for them, and in a short time this
forty-acre lot was covered wnth some of the finest residences in Spencer. The
addition is known as Lovewell and Hubbard's addition to Spencer. Upon the
retirement of Mr. Danforth, Mr. E. C. Hughes was admitted as a partner, and
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 123
their practice became remunerative and extended. In 1884, owing to failing
eyesight, ]Mr. Hubbard was compelled to retire from the practice of law.
Previous to his retirement, however, he had formed a partnership with A.
Woodrutit' in the furniture business, and as soon as he disposed of his interest
in the legal line he at once devoted all his time and attention to the furniture
trade, with which he was thoroughly conversant. As a lawyer Mr. Hubbard was
eminent!}- successful. He had an excellent knowledge of the law and its appli-
cability. He had quick, analytic perception, strong logical powers, and a tenacious
memory. As a pleader he was plain, terse and forcible. After three years he
embarked in the !;anking business and was the assistant cashier of the First
National bank. I Ic removed to California and engaged in the banking business
there. He returned to Spencer and again became president of the First National
bank, after which he was cashier of the Citizens National bank and the Citizens
State bank. In 1907 he removed with his family to Sioux City, where he is at
the present time president of the First ,^ National bank.
L. ]\[. Pemberton, now of I'lcatrice, Nebraska, came to Spencer about 1869.
He was one of the best lawyers of the Clay county bar. He at one time was
county auditor. He left .'>i)encer about 1880 for Beatrice, where he now sits
upon the judicial bench.
E. C. Hughes was one of the early lawyers in Spencer. After his admission
to the bar at Sac City he came to Peterson with the intention, in conjunction
with his brother, Senator Hughes, to engage in banking in connection with
his legal business. But after a short stay he abandoned the idea and came to
Spencer and went into partnership with Ackley Hubbard. Later he purchased
INIr. Hubbard's interest and for a time was alone. In 1884 he was tendered the
presidency of Carthage College, an institution noted for its prominence and
power throughout the state of Illinois. This great honor he declined, because
of his great desire to remain in the profession and in which he has had great
success. In 1886. at the urgent request of his many friends in several counties,
he was a candidate before the judicial convention for the nomination for district
judge. The convention was composed of the leading men of the Fourteenth
judicial district and was one of the most noteworthy and protracted ever held in
the northwest. There were seventy-two delegates and five candidates. Three
hundred and twenty-three ballots were takeh before a selection was made. In
every selection except the three hundred and twenty-third Mr. Hughes led and
only required three votes of receiving the nomination. By a combined effort
another received the prize. Like Grant's followers at Chicago, his friends stood
1)y him until the last. Although a stanch and unilinching Republican, Mr.
Hughes was appointed special district attorney under President Cleveland's
administration. L'pon a change in the political administration he was again
appointed by the attorney general as special district attorney, in a case which
involved an immense amount of money, namely, to declare a forfeiture of the
Sioux City and St. Paul Railway Company and recover back to the United
States twenty-one thousand acres of land in O'Brien and Dickinson counties,
which was patented to the state and now claimed. Mr. Hughes left Spencer
about ten years ago to make his home in Seattle, Washington, where he is now
practicing law.
124 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Harry Chamberlain came to Clay county in 1871, from Winnebago county,
Illinois, and located on a homestead. His education was obtained in the Rockford
schools. He taught several terms of school in that state and also in Clay county.
In 1876 he was elected clerk of the courts and was re-elected again in 1878,
1880 and 1882. The last two terms without opposition. He was a candidate in
1886, but was defeated by onl}- thirty-eight votes. In 1885 he was admitted to
practice law and upon his retirement from the clerk's office he formed a part-
nership with E. C. Hughes, but withdrew from active practice in 1888, on
account of failing health.
W. H. H. Hastings came to Spencer in 1883, from Danville, Illinois. He
first worked as a farm hand in the summer and taught school in the winter.
This he repeated for five years. His ambition was to enter the legal profession,
but how was the question. There were many obstacles in the way. Ikit the
determination was firmly fixed in his mind and he resolved to surmount every
barrier and reach the goal of his ambition. During the pleasant winter evenings
he came to Spencer, his school being in the country, and burned the midnight
oil in pondering over his law books. In May, 1888, the object which he .sought
was reached and he was permitted to practice. His admirable pluck and fixed-
ness of purpose are evidences of what can be accomplished by a strong and
determined mind. He began at the lowest round of the ladder, without money
or influence, and by his natural ability and a large stock of energy and perse-
verance won a place in the ranks of his profession. He left Spencer some
years ago.
Perhaps the mosl prominent law}'er of the Clay county bar was A. C.
Parker. He came to Spencer in company with A. R. Claxton and opened a
law office June 10, 1879. Mr. Parker was born in Zenor, Indiana, in 1857, and
received his education in the ]niblic schools of Buchanan county. Having made
law the choice of professions, he entered the Iowa Law School, where he studi-
ously employed his time for two years, mastering the intricate points of the law
and storing his mind with the varied and multifarious rules of practice. After
some time Mr. Claxton retired from the practice, and in 1822 Frank Richardson
was admitted as a partner. Mr. Parker is a man of wonderful mental force.
He possesses in a large degree indomitable pluck, and is extremely tenacious
of purpose. He is what is commonly called a legal fighter. He prepares his
cases with scrupulous care, is cautious in every preparation, and then searches
for the law and examines it most minutely, and selects that which has a direct
and forcible bearing upon them. With all his labor, when his causes are called
he is fully and ably equipped for the legal contest. In the heat of the legal
arena he is at his best. Possessing a striking familiarity with the law and an
excellent and retentive memory, he is ever ready to meet his opponent. He is
a clear and logical speaker, rather crisp, hews straight to the line and is not
at all given to many words or rhetorical flourishes. He is a lawyer of con-
servative views, of sound judgment, and careful in giving a decision. These
qualities have served him admirably and have enabled him to gain the confidence
of his clients, the esteem and respect of the court, and have placed him in the
front rank of his chosen profession. For some years past he has been a resident
of Des Moines and is considered one of the ablest lawvers of the state of Iowa.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE. SPENCER
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX
TILDE.N FOUNDATIONS
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 127
Frank Richardson came to Spencer in 1883 and formed a partnership with
A. C. Parker. Mr. Ricardson read law in the office of Hon. J. J. Morgan, of
Independence, and was admitted there to the bar. He was a clear, logical lawyer,
a brilliant counselor, a close student and gifted with a good voice. He was
elected city recorder in 1888. He has since removed from Spencer.
E. E. Snow became a resident of Spencer about 1871 and practiced law
there until about 1890, when he retired and went to Xew Jersey. He accumu-
lated large tracts of land in Clay county and has visited Spencer in late years.
Mr. Snow had entered into partnership with his younger brother, Sumner S.
Snow, who died in the summer of 1892. The latter's widow is the wife of
Franklin Floete, one of the most prominent business men in Spencer.
One of the present members of the Clay county bar to attain prominence
here is John \V. Cory. He was born in Linn county, Iowa, February 21, 1855.
In 187 1 he graduated from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon. Iowa. He taught
several terms of school and at one time was principal of the Estherville public
*
schools. He was admitted to the bar in 1873, and lived in Estherville until 1874,
then he removed to Spirit Lake and began the practice of his profession. He
removed to Spencer October i, 1896. He is an able lawyer and has a large
practice, both in Clay county and Dickinson county, where he maintains an
office at Spirit Lake. His practice extends into other counties of northern
Iowa.
The present members of the Clay county bar are as follows : Fred
Kirkpatrick and Harlan J. Buck, members of the firm of Buck & Kirkpatrick
(Mr. Kirkpatrick is the present county attorney) ; W. W. Cornwall, now Supreme
Court reporter ; John W. Cory ; George A. Heald, who came to Spencer in 1907 ;
W. E. Barnhart; Orville A. Hammand ; W. S. Bemis, retired, and J. E. Steele.
Guy H. ]\Iartin was county attorney and practiced in Spencer about ten
years and was in partnership with J. E. Steele about two years. He became a
very fine trial lawyer. He removed to Spokane, Washington, in 1907. He is
now living at Sand Point, Idaho, where he is practicing his profession. Sketches
of other attorneys of Spencer will be found in the biographical section of this
work.
THE CENTRAL HOTEL.
The Central Hotel has been in operation for several years. It is conveniently
located on Alain street, near the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul depot, and has
good patronage. The Commercial Hotel is another one of Spencer's well-kept
hostelries, as is also the Merchants. Spencer is well supplied with good hotels
and resturants, which are liberally patronized.
SPENCER FOUNDRY.
This branch of industry is one of great value and is almost indispensable to
Spencer. It not only gives employment to a number of artisans, but transforms
the rude and crude material into articles of utility. While it is true that it does
not rank with many institutions of a similar kind in the state, and has not all the
necessary machinery required, notwithstanding all this, the work it does turn
out is of a superior kind. Messrs. ]\Iaurer are men thoroughly conversant with
■
CLAY 8.
128 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the business and are skilled mechanics. They give their time and personal
attention to all work done, and are endeavoring to build up a reputation by the
character and durability of it. They have produced some work which for quality
and workmanship cannot be excelled in the state. They are now manufacturing
a number of hav presses, machines for making fences and are filling numerous
other orders.
SPENCER MILITARY R.\XD.
Spencer has a brass band of which its people arc proud. It was organized
in January, 1906, with the following officers: President. D. A. Thompson;
secretary, Benjamin Martin; treasurer, Robert Anderson; manager, E. M.
Horner ; leader, Peter Sarlette. Members ; D. A. Thompson, Arnold Anderson,
E. R. Pruitt, cornet; E. M. Horner, H. Johnson, G. Taylor, clarionet; A. C.
Schuneman, Thoral Thompson, Gust Strondberg, bass; Peter Rhode. Robert
Anderson, Arthur Anderson, slide trombone; Julius Bickscn, Leonard Stair,
F. Piuck. Archie Ewing. alto; Charles Carter, small drum; Harry I'inneo. bass
drum.
THE .\E\V COURTHOUSE.
In 1900 it was decided by the people of the county to erect a new court-
liouse — a temple of justice — and one that should evidence the character of the
community and its wealth and progress among the many great commonwealths
of the state. To further this end bonds were issued and bids advertised therefor;
and to show the importance of Clay county and her financial standing, it may
here be stated that many money centers bid on the bonds and they were finally
sold — $50,000 worth — to a Cincinnati. Ohio, firm, at a premium of $1.1 17. These
bonds draw four per cent interest and the last series of $6,000 become duv
in 1910.
The old frame courthouse had long (Uitlived its usefulness and ca])acity for
the growing needs of official business. It was of frame material and had become
an eyesore to the provident but progressive farmer and business and professional
man. They felt the need of a better, more modern and convenient courthouse,
and but few, if an}-, criticised the amount expended for the ]:eautiful edifice that
took the place of the old one.
The new courthouse was completed and the first term of court held in the
beautiful court room in September, 1901. There were no frills or flourishes
in the way of dedicatory exercises. The doors were simply opened, the office
rooms were tenanted by the various officials, and the precious records and nionevs
of the county placed in the fireproof vaults prepared for them. That was the
dedicatory exercises of the new courthouse of Clay countv.
The building is massive and sits in the center of the beautiful plot of ground
formerly the site of the old courthouse. It has an imposing, majestic appearance
and is a credit not only to the bailiwick but to the great state of which it is an
integral part. And when the layman views it critically and when he sees the
handsome and substantial appointments in the interior, with the labor-saving
devices and fireproof arrangements, the wonder to him is that but $60,000 was
expended for it all.
The front of the building faces on Fourth street and while the architecture
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 129
is not elaborate, it gives one the idea of harmony in its general appearance.
The most noticeable features are the four immense columns of Portasre Entrv
red stone, capped with terra cotta capitals. These support a beautiful architrave,
in the center of which is a bronze tablet from which an American eagle stands
free with outstretched wings, in a laurel wreath circlet. On either side of the
national bird of freedom is a bunch of six arrows and two American flasfs.
Approaching the building is a cement walk, from which one notices a flat dome
at each corner of the roof of the building. These are covered with bronze, as
is the tall central (!i)mc. The front steps, constructed of stone, are of immense
width, and lead above the basement to the first floor. There are two entrances
to the building, the main one facing on Fourth street and the other at the
east side.
On the first floor the northwest corner room is occupied by the clerk of
the district court; in the southwest corner is the recorder's office; the treasurer'^
office is in the southeast corner of the building, and midway between the clerk's
and the auditor's offices is the board of supervisors' room. The whole west
half of the second floor is. consumed by the court room, while on the remainder
of this floor are rooms for the county superintendent of schools, county attorney,
the judges' chamber, witnesses, grand jury and trial jury rooms. In the base-
ment the sheriff' has his office, and three rooms are made use of by the Woman's
l\;lief Corps of the ( Irand Army of the Republic. Here also are the excellent
licating apparatus and coal bins, also fireproof vaults for overflow of documents.
The wood finishings of the interior are of oak. The floors of the hall on
the first floor are tiled, as are also portions of the offices on this floor. The steps
in the building are of slate and the wainscoting about the hall and stairways
is of Italian marble. The cost of the slate and marble alone was $3,000.
The court room is very pleasing to the eye. The walls are of rough plaster
finish, frescoed with plaster of Paris decorations. The ceiling is dotted with
these decorations, while in the center of it are allegorical figures done in oil.
The beautiful eft'ect is added to by delicate tinted paint. The seating capacity of
the court room, outside the rail or inclosure for the members of the bar, is
two hundred.
This edifice in its entirety is second, scarcely, to any built for a similar pur-
pose in the state of Iowa, outside of the largest county seats, and stands in its
splendor as a monument to the progress and the prosperity of Clay county and
her people.
THE COUNTY J.ML.
The county really has little use for a jail, and the size of the present building
devoted to malefactors is equal to the demand upon it. Constructed of wood,
with iron cells, it looks like the calaboose usually in vogue in the country towns.
But as diminutive as it is, it more than fills the requirements of such institutions.
For months at a time the jail is devoid of a tenant. In fact, during the
summer of 1908 there was not one prisoner within its walls. Nothing could
go farther to show the character of the people of Clay county. With not a
saloon in the county, and a law-abiding, moral and cleanly people, this condition,
almost perfect, is made possible ; and the better element is so strong, numerically,
130 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
in the countv that the probabiHty is this condition of things will be made perma-
nent. That, at least, is the intention and determination of the present generation.
THE COUNTY INFIRMARY.
The old saying that "The poor ye have with you always" applies to Clay
county as well as to other communities, but luckily, not so much so, to use an
expression. Humanity, with its frailties, improvidence and misfortunes, always
pleads for and secures the sympathies of the more fortunate and those whose
benefits are substantial and means of livelihood secure are called upon to lend
the helping hand to the poor and needy. The county, has its poor, its aged and
decrepit, its freaks of nature (human), and mentally weak. These become a
charge on the community, and it is well that a fitting home and asylum be pro-
vided for their comfort and welfare out of the public funds. Such a home
was established in Clay county in 1895.
The supervisors of Clay county bought a tract of land, consisting of one-
hundred and sixty acres, in 1881, of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Rail-
road Company, paying for the same $7.50 per acre. This land was intended for a
"poor farm." Later, in 1895, twenty acres purchased of Herman Kraus, were
added to the original tract.
No attempt was made to erect buildings on this farm until 1894. and in
the meantime sundry persons attended to the needs of the indigent and wire
reimbursed by the county, on presentation of their bills. I'eforc the building-
was erected the farm was rented by the year "on such tenus as shall seem for
the best interests of the county, the party taking said farm to keeji the poor
who are a county charge."
hi 1894 provisions were made for the erection of suitable buildings on the
farm. But the board of supervisors struck a snag in the way of the county
attorney's opinion, the same being that the board had failed to take the necessary
legal steps to establish a "poor farm"' and that nothing could be done in that
regard, nor could buildings be erected for that purpose, except by a vote of the
people of the county. So the matter was deferred until the fall election of 1894.
when the question, "Shall a poor house be established and erected at a cost not
to exceed $8,000?" was voted upon. The answer of the taxpayers of Clay
county was strongly in the affirmative, the vote being: Lor the .proposition,
987 ; against, 382.
On April i, 1895, the contract for the buildings was let to S. B. Taylor
for $4,175, and J. A. Piatt, A. A\'. Sleeper and J. F. Lundy were appointed the
building committee. September, 1895, saw the completion of the poor house, at
a cost of approximately $8,000. J. H. Eckley was the first steward. He was
succeeded by J. H. Doty, and for the past six years Earnest Goedicke has been
the incumbent of that responsible office.
The buildings are of frame, but modern, and have many of the conveniences
of similar institutions in other counties. The farm is fertile, well kept and pro
ductive, and for ' some time past a herd of shorthorn cattle has been a chief
feature of the farm. In October, 1906, a dispersion sale of these animals was
held and forty-seven head were sold, bringing aii average of $92.62" a head.
The total sum was $4,355.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
131
FREE RURAL DELIVERY OF MAIL.
For several years past Clay county has had a free delivery of mails. This is
a blessing and a convenience not dreamed possible of attainment at one time.
It gives the farmer his mail at his gate or crossroad almost as soon as the mer-
chant receives his in the town, and as a consequence, the daily paper in the rural
districts has now become the vogue as much as the weekly. One can easily
reason from this that the farmer can now keep abreast of all that is going on
in the world, as the news of each day comes to him before the day is gone.
And when you consider that he has the telephone and not unlikely an auto-
mobile and the means to maintain it, who can say but that the Clay county farmer
is prosperous and enjoying the comforts and many of the luxuries of a fruitful
soil and persistent energy and industry bring forth.
TELEPHONE FACILITIES.
Clay county is abreast of her neighbors in the matter of rapid means of
communication. There are three telephone companies doing business in the
county and the patronage of these concerns is pf such extent that one can easily
reach almost any farm, residence or place of business in the county with the
expenditure of a little time and expense. The companies now owning lines
in the county are: The Western Electric Telephone Company, the Iowa and
Nebraska Telephone Company, and the Spencer Telephone Company. Recently
telephone companies have been organized at Peterson, Webb, and one in Meadow
township — a farmer's line, entering Spencer.
ASSESSED \ALUE OF LAND AND PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR 1887.
As a matter of course, the personal property and the value of the real estate
would necessarily increase in a degree in proportion as the population increased.
A\'e have, therefore, prepared a tabulated statement of the assessed valuation
of personal and real property for the years 1887 and 1907, thus showing the
wonderful increase in tlie past twenty years.
1887
Viliie of
Real Estate
Value of
Personal Property
Value of
Lots
Herdland $163,935
Douglas Ill ,802
Ind. District of Peterson 44442
.Peterson 20,186
Clay '2-2,^2^^
Lincoln 21,910
Gillett Grove 21,812
Logan 25,972
Freeman 20,417
Lake 19,290
?\Ieadow 21,723
Spencer 19,297
Ind. District of Spencer 3-438
Riverton 20,618
Lone Tree 21,807
Waterford 22,439
Summit 21,882
$19,238
20,170
25,238
24,661
25,033'
19,816
17,029
4,438
40,587
10,372
19,262
35,173
102,013
45,676
39,196
3,997
35,217
$154,499
7,108
132
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
ASSESSED VALUE OF LAND AND PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR I907.
JJo. of Acres.
Lake 20,360
Meadow 21,689
Meadow lots
Summit 22.o'/7
Summit lots .•
Waterford 22,279
Lone Tree 18,560
Everly (Ind.) 2,917
Everly (Inc.) 506
Everly lots
Riverton 20,481
Sioux 19^185
Spencer (Ind.) 2,399
Spencer (Inc.) 658
Spencer lots
Freeman 20,471
Dickens (Ind.) 2,463
Dickens lots
Logan 22,502
Gillett's Grove 22,373
Gillett's lots
Lincoln 22,316
Lincoln lots
Clay- 19.-983
Royal (Ind.) 2,434
Royal lots
Peterson I9>^57
Peterson (Ind.) 2,163
Peterson ( Inc. )
Peterson lots
Douglas 22,215
Herdland 17422
Herdland lots
Garfield 14,170
Webb (Inc.) 257
Webb lots
Webb (Ind.) 12,076
DRAINAGE DISTRICTS.
Value of Land.
$
548,092
906,800
9,196
903-500
24,904
856,728
727,986
106,476
30,276
41,168
818,536
725,688
110,872
84,340
1,241,868
687,900
110,412
39,008
760,392
.831,360
32,552
880,796
18,272
802,580
98,716
165,880
767.544
83,808
152,172
884,220
623,044
3.540
514,620
I 1 ,780
376
441.592
Value of
Personal Property
$ 54,420
90,100
147,624
97,496
74.536
12,744
101,944
102,796
84,844
15,088
456,976
84,216
60,012
72,716
135.426
138,984
103,088
54.836
75,320
7,616
127,032
121,488
69,284
46,812
35,808
41,620
The drainage of swamp and overflowed land has come into vogue but quite
recently, and in the western states especially, the husbandman is awakening to
the fact that money expended in tiling and in big drainage ditches is well spent
and the returns more than compensate for the outlay.
Vast tracts of land have been reclaimed, in recent years, in Illinois and
Iowa, that were considered worthless. By the system of establishing drainage
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 13
o
districts and assessing the land benefited by the drains or ditches, swamps and
overflowed land, to the extent of millions of acres — lands looked upon with
contempt — have been drained by the building of big ditches and now make the
most fertile fields in the communities where the drainage districts have been
established. In one county in Illinois, Ford county, within the past ten years,
over $600,000 has been spent in drainage canals. This vast sum of money is
but a mere bagatelle, however, when compared to the millions of dollars added
to the appreciation in the value of the land reclaimed.
In 1905 a movement — the initial one — took place in Clay county, to establish
a drainage district. Henry Achenback and others were the prime movers in
a petition for drainage district number one, to be established in Sioux and
Riverton townships. Immediately following this petition came one from John
Adams and others for the establishing of drainage ditch number two, in Water-
ford, Lone Tree and Riverton townships.
These ditches, or canals, have been completed, at a comparatively small
outlay of money, probably $10,000, but the benefits derived, both from a com-
mercial and sanitary viewpoint, more than compensate those who were called
upon to pay the cost.
Drainage districts are established under a law passed by the Thirtieth gen-
eral assembly, the first section of which reads as follows :
"Section I — The board of supervisors of any county shall have jurisdiction,
power and authority at any regular, special or adjourned session, to establish
a drainage district or districts, and to locate and establish levees, and cause to be
constructed as hereinafter provided any levee, ditch drain or water course, or to
straighten, widen, deepen or change any natural water course, in such county,
whenever the same will be of public utility or conducive to the public health,
convenience or \velfare, and the drainage of surface waters from agricultural
lands shall be considered a public benefit and conducive to the public health,
convenience, utility and welfare."
GRAIN AND FRUIT.
The soil and climate are well adapted to the production of w^heat, oats, rye,
barley, corn, flax, buckwheat, potatoes and other vegetables. In an early day,
and in fact for a number of years, wheat was the principal crop, but of later
rears it has not produced so well. Farmers have, therefore, turned their atten-
tion to other cereals. Flax has yielded well and being easily cared for and a crop
that can be realized on in a short time, besides always commanding a good price
and is such an excellent thing for new land, that acres upon acres have been
seeded in years past. It is never a drug on the market and brings a handsome
sum. It has been demonstrated that tame grass does well, especially timothy,
and there are a large number of acres seeded down to it. There are a number
of orchards in the county which have been yielding for a number of years and
others planted later which give promise of future success. A great deal of
attention is paid to fruit culture. There are several farms where a large amount
of ground is taken up with small fruit such as blackberries, raspberries, straw-
berries, currants, and they are growing luxuriantly and producing excellent
varieties. Very few sections are devoting more attention to horticulture than
134 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
the farmers of Clay county. There is a healthy rivalry existing, each determined
to raise the very best. The dry pure air of the climate gives to trees and plants
a healthy growth and the fruits and vegetables are solid and delicately flavored.
The productiveness of Clay county is noteworthy, notwithstanding the fact that
there have been many detractors. The average yield of corn is from thirty-live
to fortv bushels to the acre ; average yield of wheat, ten to fifteen ; average yield
of flax, twelve to twenty bushels. This is with fair cultivation, seasonably sown
and properly cared for. Xo fancy farming but just plain and careful attention.
Oats, for years past, has been one of the principal crops of the Clay county
farmer, and on which he can, as a rule, expect a splendid return. The season of
1908, in all crops, oats, corn, and hay, was especially gratifying, and the prices
being greater than at any time since the war, the Clay county husbandman's bank
account was considerably swollen. For the past ten years every product of
the farm has brought a top price and a ready market has been eagerly waiting
to consume all that might be offered for sale. Cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, and
wool, rarely at any time before, have brought the farmer such magnificent
returns on the labor and expense of their raising and preparation for the market.
STOCK.
Perhaps few if any counties in northwestern Iowa excels Clay in character
and class of stock raised. Some counties mav have a larger number of head,
but none better bred or a greater number of them. It has been the aim and
object of a number of breeders to purchase the very best blooded stock that
could he had, and if Clay surpasses her sister counties in this respect it is because
she has men who are willing to invest in this kind of animals. A well-bred
animal always commands a greater value than a poorly-bred one. Farmers
appreciate this fact and are raising the grade of their stock. Stock raising is
yearly increasing as it succeeds well. The country being unsurpassed for pas-
turage and hay, stock can be kept with very little expense and grow sleek and
fat on the nutritious grasses.
The wild grass, known as blue- joint, is sweet and the best for food for stock.
With an abundance of grass, hay and corn, it is not marvelous that stock growing
is a prolific source of revenue.
There are a number of fine herds of cattle of the Short-Horn, Jersey and
Holstein breeds and a large number of grades of these various classes. In the
horse line there is everything from the Shetland pony to the large and powerful
X'^orman. Hogs and sheep are also of the very best breeding. There has been a
large growth in the numbers of head of stock during the past ten years, par-
ticularly in cattle.
MORALS OF THE COUNTRY.
The moral and upright class of people that Clay county is inhabited by is
well attested by the fact that the records show that there have been but few
bad and dishonest characters. Up to 1885 there were none of any consequence.
There was, of course, the usual amount of technical violations of the law, but
no particular overt acts committed. During that year A. B. Van Dee, an
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 135
excitable man, and D. C. Palmer had a little difficulty over a piece of land. Thev
met one day when, without a word of warning or a word passing between them,
Van Dee took from his wagon a shotgun and fired upon Palmer. The wounds
inflicted necessitated the amputation of a limb. \'an Dee surrendered to the
sherifif, and, pending his trial, was adjudged insane and sent to an asylum.
Beyond this there have been no criminal cases worth mentioning. Litigations
have been infrequent and criminal cases few, demonstrating that Clay county's
citizens are peaceable, quiet and respecters of the law and have the fear of God,
man and the powers that be before them.
CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS.
Twenty million dollars does not cover the amount invested in the state of
Iowa on school buildings and equipment, and the annual expenditure for the
support of these schools reaches the stupendous sum of over $10,000,000. This
gives proof of a loyalty to the cause of education that is beyond question. In
addition to this vast outlay for the benefit of more than 540,000 children enrolled
annually in the public schools of the state, may be added the money spent in
the support of numerous parochial schools, academies, business colleges, private
normal schools, colleges and universities — institutions employing in the aggre-
gate 2,000 professors and teachers and enrolling annually more than 40,000
students. A'ast as is the amount spent annually in supporting the schools of
the state, of all classes and grades, no retrenchments would be tolerated. The
problem before each of the 4,948 school boards of Iowa is not how to run the
school with the fewest dollars, but how the school can be made the most
efficient.
"No common school system," says Horace Mann, "can ever succeed, where
the compensation is so meager as to encourage only those of the most ordinary
talent and attainments to embark in it." The wages in many schools are too
low to attract and hold the best teaching talent. Indeed, the advance in teachers'
wages in recent years, has outrun but little the increased cost of living, and has
barely kept pace with the advance in w'ages in other lines of work. So many
remunerative occupations are now open to promising young men and women,
that many whose services are sorely needed in the schools can not be induced
to enter the teaching profession. The loss of men from the teacher's ranks is
particularly noticeable. Forty years ago thirty-nine out of every one hundred
teachers employed in Iowa were men ; twenty years ago thirty-one out of every
one hundred were men : while for the year just closed there were but fourteen
males out of every one hundred Iowa teachers. For the United States as a
whole the percentage of male teachers had decreased from 48.8 per cent, in 1880,
to 28.8 per cent, in 1900.
The advantages of the children of the pioneer, in the way of securing an
education, were very meager, indeed, when a comparison is made in that regard
with the bounteous provisions for teaching the present generation, it calls out
the amazement and admiration of every one interested in the subject.
The early settler came to the county to better his condition, and, in many
instances, it was a struggle on his part, from the very beginning, to make both
ends meet from one end of the vear to the other. If his children were large
136 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
enough they were put into the field, to help cultivate and gather the crops; and
when winter appeared, the country was so sparsely settled and the elements so
severe, as to prevent anyone going any great distance from home. It was not
long, however, before schoolhouses made their appearance and the children
eao-erly took advantage of their opportunities. Teachers were scarce and the
payment far from commensurate with their services; but improvements rapidly
took place in these essentials and today Clay county has scarcely a rival among
her sister commonwealths, in the opportunities she offers to her youths to lay the
foundations for a higher education.
In Clay county there are one hundred and twenty-five subdistricts and one
hundred and thirty-one schoolhouses. For the school year ending June, 1908, two
hundred and sixty-one teachers were employed, two hundred and thirty-four of
them being females and twenty-seven males. The former received for their
services on an average, forty dollars and twenty-seven cents ; the latter, fifty-nine
dollars and ninety-nine cents. A total of fifty-five thousand four hundred and
thirty-five dollars and thirty-five cents was paid them for the year mentioned.
The number of children of school age enrolled was three thousand five hundred
and twenty-two.
THE CONSOLIDATED RURAL SCHOOL.
Some years ago educators came to a full realization of the fact that the coun-
try children were not being treated equally with the children of the graded schools
of the towns, and the idea of consolidating the schools of a township into one
central school building in the township, met with quite general favor among
those who had given the matter more than a passing thought.
In 1903 Moss Mason, of Lake township, long a member of the Lake town-
ship school board, became enthused and very much interested in the plan of
having one central, graded school in a township and went to work vigorousl\-
and valiantly to put the plan into operation in the township of Lake. Those he
approached on the subject were either as enthusiastic as himself or indifferent;
others opposed the proposition as being impracticable and too expensive. But, in
1903, a vote was taken on the proposition in Lake township and it carried by
a most gratifying majority; thanks to the efforts of its promoter. Moss Mason,
and his able assistants, C. M. Varney, J. Cook, J. Chapman, and others.
The old school buildings were abandoned. In the exact geographical
center of the township a commodious and modern frame building, consisting of
four rooms, was erected, at a cost of three thousand two hundred dollars. The
frame building that stood on the site of the central school house, was set apart
for the drivers of the wagons or conveyances for the children. Of these wagons
eight were especially constructed for the purpose, each having a stove for winter
use and each having a capacity of fifteen children. Bids were offered for teams
and drivers, which went to the citizens of the township, and the big boys of the
contractors, as a rule, became the drivers. These omnibuses each mornine are driven
forth from their respective places and the first child called for bv the driver at
alx)ut 7 :30 ; the last child to be taken home after school, as a rule, reaches there
about 6 in the evening. This Lake township school has nine grades and a
splendid corps of teachers; and in the school year ending June, 1908, there were
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 137
one hundred and five pupils enrolled. For their transportation it cost one
thousand nine hundred dollars and fifty cents. The average cost per month for
the tuition of each pupil was three dollars and thirteen cents. The annual
salary of the principal of the schools was four hundred and twenty dollars, for
seven months. The school has thus far been closing at the end of February, on
account of the poor condition of the roads.
The following is a report of John F. Riggs, superintendent of public instruc-
tion, which will give a fair idea of the working of the consolidation plan :
LAKE TOWNSHIP.
On January lo, 1905, in company with County Superintendent H. F.
Fillmore, I visited the Lake township central school. The day was very cold,
mercury registering ten degrees below zero. Our visit was vmannounced and
unexpected. We found ninetv-eight pupils present out of a total enrollment of
one hundred and nineteen.
The school is located at the geographical center of the township, and the
nearest building of any description is three-fourths of a mile distant. The
schoolhouse, erected at a cost of three thousand two hundred dollars, is the
only building in the township of a public character, there being no church, hall,
shop, or store of any description. This school is in its second year. The children
are conveyed to and from their homes in hacks. Three of these are provided
with stoves and the others have blankets and robes. All are completely covered.
The average cost per team for transporting pupils is twenty-eight dollars per
month. Two young men attending school are among the drivers.
As one of the direct results of consolidation in Lake township may be
mentioned the fact that this winter four miles of excellent gravel road have been
made — the first attempt in that part of Clay county at this class of improvement.
The work was mostly done by farmers gratuitously. They expect to continue
the work next winter, and it will be but a few years until this township will
have excellent roads, and the value of every acre of land in the township will be
enhanced thereby. Last year the roads were so bad that transportation was next
to impossible for a considerable time, but the people of Lake township have
staying qualities, and they are proving the practicability of consolidation in the
one township of all others in Clay county most unfavorable for the undertaking.
Church and Sunday school are held there in the school building on Sundays
and the hacks used to carry the children during the week are used to some extent
to carry the people to church on Sunday.
The eight drivers furnish their own teams and hacks, and are under written
contract.
The different routes are indicated on the map appearing in this report.
The first child called for on Route Xo. i must ride 6 miles.
The first child called for on Route No. 2 must ride 41/2 miles.
The first child called for on Route No. 3 must ride 6 miles.
The first child called for on Route No. 4 must ride 6 miles.
The first child called for on Route No. 5 must ride 7 miles.
The first child called for on Route No. 6 must ride 4I/4 miles.
The first child called for on Route No. 7 must ride 9 miles.
The first child called for on Route No. 8 must ride 6 miles.
138
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
The driver for Route No. i receives $40.00 per month.
The driver for Route No. 2 receives 20.00 per month.
The driver for Route No. 3 receives 28.00 per month.
The driver for Route No. 4 receives 30.00 per month.
The driver for Route No. 5 receives 31.00 per month.
The driver for Route No. 6 receives 20.00 per month.
The driver for Route No. 7 receives 30.00 per month.
The driver for Route No. 8 receives 25.00 per montli.
For the purpose of comparison, I give the following table showing enroll-
ment, attendance, etc., in Lake township for the years indicated, the first four
under the old district plan and the last under the consolidated plan :
Years.
Enrolled.
Average
Duil.v
Attentliince.
Total Paid
Teacliers.
Paid for Fuel
Repairs and
Janitor.
Month's
School.
Average Compensation
Teachers.
Males.
$27.12
28.00
50.00
Females.
1900. . . .
I9OI ....
1902. . . .
1903....
1904....
126
120
107
96
116
62
55
64
70
lOI
$1,479.00
1 ,639.00
1,650.00
1,102.10
803.25
$150.00
120.00
I 50.00
380.00
150.00
8
8
8
5-5
8
$27.45
29.23
28.92
29.60
3750
The figures given in the above table are from the annual reports of the
county superintendent of Clay county. Evidently the amount for the year 1904
for the amount paid for teachers' hire should be $1,000 if all the orders were
paid.
It will be seen from the above table that the average daily attendance was
sixty per cent, greater in 1904 than the average in the township for the four
preceding years.
In 1905 the principal received $50 per month and the grade teachers $40
each per month.
The cost per month of maintaining the Lake township central school at
present is : '
Teachers' salaries $130.00
Transportation (eight teams) 224.00
Fuel and janitor service (estimated) 20.00
Total $384.00
The assessed valuation of the township is $178,000. On the present basis
of cost the levy for teachers' and contingent funds combined for eight months of
school would be but 17.2 mills.
For the year 1902, when eight months of school was maintained in the seven
separate districts, the levy was 10 mills (assuming that the assessed valuation
was the same as now). But for the year 1902 the average daily attendance in the
township was but sixty-four, whereas it is now over one hundred. The people
are spending more in dollars and cents, but they are getting more for the
money spent.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 139
Pupils are transported this winter froni forty-one homes. To each of these
homes I sent a letter requesting answers to the following questions :
1. Do }ou regard the school now being conducted in Lake township as
being better than the school you had previous to consolidation ?
2. When the schools of this township were consolidated did you favor
consolidation or oppose it?
3. Are you now in favor or opposed to consolidation in this township?
4. Give reasons to your answers to question 3.
5. What advantages, if any, have resulted from consolidating the schools
of this township?
6. What disadvantages, if any, have resulted from consolidating the schools
of this township?
Thirty-two answers were received. Of these twenty-six patrons say the
school is better than formerly, most of them say much better. Fourteen of the
thirty-two were opposed at first, and ten are still opposed.
THE BENEFITS CLAIMED. »
Those favoring the central school were very positive in their opinions. Mr.
J. P. Livingston, a director in the township for eight years, answers the six
questions submitted as follows :
1. Yes, far ahead of it.
2. Yes and no, because the roads were not fit.
3. In favor.
4. Better school. Better teachers. Better roads. Children like to go
better and advance more in one year than in two the old way. Children go ahead
instead of standing still as they ofttimes did the old w^ay. Also better attendance.
5. The roads have become better. Property is worth more and a better
feeling all around.
6. It has cost more so far. I don't know of any other disadvantage. Hope
the good work ma}- go on.
The following are the principal arguments offered by others in defense of
the new way as opposed to the old :
Children attend more regularly.
The pupils are learning better in every respect.
Better attendance.
Bad weather doe!^n't interfere w-ith attendance.
Inexperienced teachers are eliminated.
Better classification.
Pupils learn more in the same length of time, six months in the consolidated
school being worth more than nine months in the district school, which means
less relative expense.
Pupils have a graded school.
No pupil ever tardy.
Larger classes.
Country children get equal advantages with city children.
Parents know where their children are during the day.
More rivalry for excellence.
140 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
No exposure of children to inclement weather.
Better teachers.
Only slight advance in cost, cheaper per pupil considering work done.
Gives teachers time for individual work.
Fits children to enter high schools.
One schoolhouse only to keep up.
Better teachers and fewer of them to pay.
More interest in school work.
Causes improvement of roads.
Children can be educated without being sent to city.
Many go that would not go to district schools, among larger children.
THE OnjliCTlOXS URGED.
Those who still oppose the i)lan of having but one school in the township
urge the following objections :
'Tt makes all .the school in winter and none in summer and it does not give
the small children any advantage. 1 am also opposed to boys driving the bus.
(Two of the \oung men students drive hacks in this township). It also makes
too long a day. starting at 7 o'clock and not coming home until 6 p. m. The
disadvantage of the consolidation are poor roads, and also raising the school tax
almost double."
'Tt is too hard on children from six to ten years of age. Some must start
before daylight and do not get home until after dark, and ride ten miles. It
makes most of the school in cold weather. About the only advantage is getting
a better grade of teachers and it doesn't take as many. It costs too nu'cli money
for transportation."
"The school is better, but in wet lime the scholars can not be transported on
account of the bad roads, there is no place for the drivers to stay during the
day, the cost is double the district plan and the house is located in a frog pond.
But the scholars never are tardy, they have the benefit of a graded school, and
are transported in a warm bus.''
"If a good teacher were hired the district school is the best. The graded
school is an advantage, but the district is better, figuring expense, and the long
ride of pupils. The disadvantage is the great expense."
'T think it is a damage to the t(:)wnship. There are no advantages over the
old way. It costs us more."
'Tt is too far away for little children in cold weather. Don't like some of
the men they have for drivers."
"To expensive and too far away from patrons on the out-edge of the
township."
"The children are obliged to start about 7 o'clock and do not get home
until 5 :5o. They can not have time to help at home at all when they are going
to school." .
"It makes taxes one-half higher. I opposed it for the reason that I am not
located right. My children leave home at 7:15 to 7:30 a. m. and do not get
back until 5 140 to 6 p. m."'
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 141
To show the comparative cost of maintaining the old plan schools with the
consolidated plan, the following figures, levies made for school purposes for
Lake township, for the years indicated, are here given :
For 1902 — Teachers' fund, 7 mills; contingent fund, 7 mills; schoolhouse
fund, 6 mills.
For 1903 — Teachers' fund, 6 mills; contingent fund, 11 mills; schoolhouse
fund, 6 mills.
For 1904 — Teachers' fund, 5.5 mills; contingent fund, 11.5 mills; school-
house fund, 6 mills.
For 1905 — Teachers' fund, 6 mills; contingent fund, 12 mills; schoolhouse
fund, 6 mills.
For 1906 — Teachers' fund, 5 mills; contingent fund, 12 mills.
For 1907 — Teachers' fund, 1.2 mills; contingent fund, 11.5 mills.
It can be seen that in inaugurating- the new system the expense was quite
heavy. This consisted in the building of a new schoolhouse, at a cost of $3,200,
and to convey the children to and fro. To meet these outlays the succeeding
levies became heavier than in the preceding years, but the levy for 1906 shows
most of this initial expense had been wiped out and the levy for 1907 indicates
the drift of the cost for the maintenance of the consolidated school, as compared
to the cost of the subdistrict school plan.
The present county superintendent of schools is Miss Mary E. Riley, who
is eminently fitted for the position, possessing not only experience but culture
and great energy. She has manifested great interest in the schools and her
standing is high among educators for thoroughness and efifectiveness. This
statement in regard to Miss Rdey is in no sense derogatory to her predecessors,
who, without exception, made excellent records and performed their duty with
fidelity to the cause of education. They were men and women possessing Ijroad
and liberal ideas and were instrumental in making the schools of Clav count \
what they are today — the best in the west.
Among those holding this important office were: Ambrose S. Aleacl ; (\. A.
Kirchner followed him and the latter was succeeded by Isaac Enders, j. A.
Kirchner, N. L. Chesley, R. A. Coates, Charles Carver, J. E. Chase, Sanuiel
Gillespie, M. M. Gilchrist, George Mann, John Dolvin, George E. Reed, Fllen
Reed and H. F. Fillmore.
CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL AT WEBB.
An independent school district has been in operation one year at W'elib and
has proven entirel}- successful and satisfactory. Webb is in Garfield township,
on the west border of it, midwav between its north and south lines. The d' strict
embraces part of the west third of the township and a portion of the east third
of Herdland township. This school has an eight months' term and is presided
over by a principal and two subordinate teachers. There are twelve grades and
the enrollment of pupils for the school year ending June, 1908, was one hundred
and sixteen. When this school was organized two subdistrict scIk ols were
discontinued, and the number of pupils received from the schools was thirty-one.
The average cost per month per pupil for tuition for the year above indicated,
was $3.12. The number of hacks employed for the transportatitni of cInUlren.
142 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
four; and the amount paid for transportation ^vas Si.iii. The average daily
attendance \vas seventy-six.
farmers' institute.
For a number of years past the farmers of Clay county have been holding
annual institutes, where they assemble and discuss subjects of interest to the
tiller of the soil. A marked interest has always been maintained by the members
of the society and the progress of the Clay county farmers, in the effort to
obtain the highest efficiency and greatest results in husbandry, is ample evidence
of the benefits secured from these perennial meetinos.
In 1907, the "Short Course" of the State Agricultural College was taken up
by the institute and professors, thoroughly versed in scientific farming, appeared
before the institute and taught their tlicories to willing students — men and
women who were born and bred on the farm. At these meetings, for some years
past, exhibits have been given of farrn products, even to "showing off" the fine
horses, cattle, sheep and hogs that abound in the county. To this may be added
the annual poultry show, which always attracts the people and engenders great
interest in all. For some time past the farmers of the county and even the
business men, have felt the need of a permanent place to hold these meetings. To
obtain this, several enterprising and energetic men started a movement to secure
a suitable site and building for the purpose of a hall. In 1907, 15. F. Felt, II. H.
Hoberg and others started a subscription list for the securing of shareholders in
a proposed company to secure and maintain a hall. The company took the
title of Union Hall Association, which was capitalized at $3,000. The shares
were all sold, at $10 per share, and the organization was completed by the selec-
tion of the following officers: President, B. F. Felt; vice president, M. M.
Austin, of Meadow township; secretary, A. E. Wells, Spencer; treasurer. Homer
Pitcher. The board of directors is composed of B. F. Felt, M. M. Austin, J. H.
Graham, A. E. \\'ells and II. E. Pitcher.
In the spring of HjO/ the association purchased of the Methodist Episcopal
church people the old church building, a structure in a splendid state of preserva-
tion, paying for the same on the ground, $800. This building was moved to a
conspicuous and convenient site, on the corner of Main and Second streets,
which had been purchased for $600. Here the building was set upon a high
cement foundation, in which are large windows, and remodeled to suit the taste
and requirements of the society. The basement was arranged for the exhibition
of stock and poultry and the luain floor was given a stage and seats and is used
for lectures and entertainments. The building, when completed, cost $3,300,
together with the ground it stands on. The first meeting in this handsome and
commodious hall was held in the winter of 1908, when an institute and "Short
Course" brought the farmer, his wife and children, and the business man and his
family to the entertainments, which were not only instructive, but beneficial, in a
high degree, to the people of Clay county. ^Mention should be made of the fact
that many of the stockholders in the Union Hall Association are business and
professional men.
Below is given the law under which the "Short Course" of instruction is
now held annuallv in this countv :
CENTRAL SCHOOL. LAKE TOWNSHIP
'YHE ^t'^.
YOKK
PUBLIC LIBRA^^I
ons
LAKE TOWNSHIP, CLAY COUNTY.
TRANSPORTATION ROUTES.
Map of ILake Township, Clay Countv, showing transportation routes. Tlie numbers
indicate where each wagon starts and the arrows sliow the direction taken.
X. Homes from which children are transported.
D Central schooL
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 145
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORK.
An Act to provide for agricultural extension work by the Iowa State College
of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts and making appropriations therefor.
Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa :
That the Iowa College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts is hereby author-
ized to continue and to extend the system of agricultural extension work, author-
ized by the Thirty-first general assembly. Under this system, the said college
shall be authorized to conduct experiments in the various portions of the state
and to give instructions in agriculture wherever, in the judgment of the college
authorities, it shall be advisable, with reference to the various lines of agricul-
tural work maintained upon the college grounds at Ames, Iowa. The college
authorities are authorized to give instructions in corn and stock judging at the
agricultural fairs, institutes and clubs, and to aid in conducting short courses of
instruction at suitable places throughout the state ; to give lectures and demon-
strations on the growing of crops and fruits, on stock raising, dairying, land
drainage and kindred subjects, including domestic science. This work shall be
so planned as, in the judgment of the college authorities, is best calculated to
carry to the communities remote from the college, the benefits of the instruction
given by the teachers in the state college and the results reached in the work of
the experiment station.
For the purpose of carrying out the provision of this act, there is hereby
appropriated out of any funds in the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated,
the sum of twenty-seven thousand dollars ($27,000). annually for the agricul-
tural extension work ; said appropriation to be available on and after the first
day of July, 1907; to be paid quarterly upon the order of the board of trustees
of the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
Approved April 13, A. D. 1907.
CLAY COUNTY AGRICLILTURAL SOCIETY.
The Clay County Agricultural Society was organized in 1879. Although
the prime movers met with man}' discouraging elements and reverses, yet
through the indomitable energy and perseverance displayed by a few, they suc-
ceeded in inducing the people to take hold of it and, finally, saw their eflforts
crowned with success and believed it had done great good in advancing the
cause of farming and creating a praiseworthy rivalry among the breeders of
good stock. Exhibitions were held annually. The association had thirty acres
of land inclosed, handsome grounds, which were supplied with stalls for horses
and stock ; judge's stand, floral hall, pens, amphitheater and a good half-mile
track. As the county grew' older, there had been more or less interest manifested
in the annual exhibits of stock and other products of the farm, but in its infancy
it was a struggle to awaken the people to a full realization of the importance
of the annual county fair. The first officers of this society were : T. P. Bender,
president ; W. C. Gilbreath, secretary ; M. E. Griffin, treasurer ; Dr. Charles
McAllister, J. B. Edmunds, A. T. McCarger, and James Goodwin, directors.
For a few years the society held on to life, but eventually it passed out of
existence.
CLAY 9.
14(5 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
There is no enterprise of a public character that should receive the suppoi:
and cooperation of the people more generally than the county fair. Why in
Clay county it is not done remains an enigma. A good fair is a correct index
of a county's prosperity and healthy financial condition. It brings the people
together from all sections of the community, giving them the opportunity of
renewing old acquaintances and comparing notes for the year. It gives to the
live, wide-awake, enterprising and ambitious farmer, an incentive to do better
than his neighbor in the corn, wheat, oats, hogs, sheep, cattle and horses he
raises. And the neighbor seeing this, puts forth the best that is in him not to be
excelled in this regard. This means that the contestants must have the best
variety of seed and blooded stock to "make good" at the annual exhibit, and it
still further means that the county at large is benefited in many ways. Its repu-
tation goes abroad in the state and other states, of its fine agricultural products.
This increases the demand for these things and, consequently, the price. And at
the modern county fair the management, when of an enterprising spirit, arranges
for the amusement of the crowds. If the association conducts its meets on proper
lines, good purses will be offered, in order to Ijring to the track a commendable
string of horses. The races break the monotony of the exhibitions of the farm
products and other things and creates just the kind of excitement looked for on
such occasions.
For the past three or four years another effort has been made by prom-
inent citizens of Spencer to organize a fair association, and the project now
seems on a fair way to its fruition. Under a law passed at the last session of the
legislature, the promoters of the proposition see their way toward ultimately
shaping things so that in a short time Clay county will have its annual fair and
be abreast of her neighboring counties in that regard. Those taking the initiative
in this project are E. L. Dickey, Harry Walters, B. F. Felt, Jr., and C. P.
Buckey, cashier of the First National Bank. Their plans are for the county to
buy the necessary land, and then the association will do the rest. Two locations
have been considered : A tract of land in the neighborhood of the tile factory,
on the east boarder of Spencer, and land belonging to Frank Tattle, in the
northwest part of town.
To further the wishes of a number of citizens the board of supervisors at
its meeting held in September, 1908, passed a motion and "decided to submit
the proposition of making an appropriation of $5,500, under the statute, for the
purpose of buying a tract of land, to be used for agricultural fair purposes, to a
vote of the electors of Clay county, at the general election to be held November
3, 1908. Said sum to be raised by a special levy on the taxable property in the
county."
The law under which this appropriation can be made reads as follows :
"The board of supervisors are further authorized to purchase real estate
for county fair purposes, in sums exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00),
providing, however, that the board of supervisors shall first have submitted
to the legal voters of the county a proposition therefor, and voted for by a
majority of all persons voting for and against such proposition at a general or
a special election ; notice to be given as provided in section four hundred twenty-
three (423) of the supplement to the code. And the board of supervisors shall
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 147
not exceed in the purchase of real estate when purchased to be taken in the name
of the county, and the board of supervisors shall place such real estate under
the control and management of the incorporated county fair society, as long as an
annual county fair is maintained by such corporation on said real estate. And
said corporation is authorized to erect and maintain buildings and make such
other improvements on said real estate as is necessary, but the county shall not
be liable for Such improvements, or the expenditures therefor. The right of
such county fair society to the control and management of said real estate may
be terminated by the board of supervisors whenever well conducted agricultural
fairs are not annually held thereon."
In effect. This act, being deemed of immediate importance, shall take effect
and be in force from and after its publication in the Register and Leader
and Des Moines Daily Capital, newspapers published at Des Moines,
Iowa.
Approved March 27, A. D. 1907.
PETERSON.
This historical place is located on section t,t„ of Peterson township, and is in
the extreme southwestern portion of the county. It is situated on a declining
hill, which is of just sufificient undulation to afford excellent drainage. On the
south and west flows the Little Sioux river. On the north and east sides are
heavy bluff's, rendering the place most picturesque. On the south side of the
river are also heavy bluff's, covered with a full and thick growth of timber.
All these add attractions to the place, in view of the fact that the northwest is
not noted for an extra abundance of timber. The residence portion of the village
surrounds that of the business part on all sides. Added to its general location,
its excellent protection from storms, its immense bluff's, which encompass it,
splendid water power and abundance of timber, there are other reasons for
making this a point of interest. The first settlement ever made in Clay county
was there, and it has the further honors of having had the first postoffice ; the
first dwelling, the first school taught and the first schoolhouse ; the first court-
house ; the first store ; the first and only fort ; the first saw^ and grist mills ; the
first place of attack, wlien the Indians made their raid through the county ; the
first polling place ; the first town in the county ; the first hotel ; the first news-
paper and the first place where religious services were held. These facts and
incidents make it one of the most interesting of towns and around which clusters
the memory of the dav^ of "Auld Lang Syne."
The first settlement was made in the spring of 1856, when the Kirchners
and Ambrose Mead came and located a little north of where the old mill now
stands. The house was subsequently sold to Mr. Bicknell and the Kirchners
moved on the east side of the river, where they erected a house within the
present corporate limits of Peterson. Among the settlers who came after John
and J. A. Kirchner and Ambrose S. Mead were Messrs. C. Kirchner, the
Smeltzers, Crego, Oldfield, Bicknell and a number of others. These formed the
nucleus for Peterson. After the pioneers had been here two years they deemed
it advisable to secure, if possible, a postoffice. A petition was drawn up setting
forth the disadvantages under which they were laboring in obtaining their mail,
148 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the distance the nearest otifice was from them and asking the department to
create a route and establish a postoffice and to appoint J. A. Kirchner postmaster.
This was duly signed and sent to Washington. In this petition they designated
the place as Howard, in honor of the gentleman who drew and circulated it.
After the lapse of a few weeks a letter was received from the government
officials at Washington, stating that the petitioners' request had been granted,
with the exception that they found it impossible to name it Howard, as there was
already an office in the state bearing the name, and they had christened it Peter-
son. If the Washington officials desired to honor any person or thing by thus
giving it this name none of the earlier settlers was aware of it. Mr. Kirchner
held the position for several years.
Among the first dwellings were those of C. Kirchner, J. A. Kirchner, Henry
Rice, now the property of Thomas Bevans. The latter's was originally built for
a tavern, but later it was used for a private dwelling. The first school taught
here was by H. E. \\'. Smeltzer, using the kitchen of Christian Kirchner, as a
schoolroom. He was followed by Milton Smith, who instructed the few pupils
that lived in the vicinity. In i860 a small school building was erected, which
answered the purposes for some twenty-six years. In 1886 the present building
was erected, which afifords plenty of room to accommodate the large number of
pupils now in attendance. The building complete cost three thousand dollars and
is in every way an excellent structure.
During the year of i860 the county seat was moved from the north part
of the county and located at Peterson. The contract for erecting the building
was let to C. H. Brockschinks, who immediately set to work, and in 1861 it was
ready for occupancy.
The Indians, during the years of 1861 and '62, became cjuite troublesome
to the white settlers along the western borders of the frontier, and eventually
put on their war paint and declared open warfare upon the frontiersmen. In
Minnesota several massacres occurred and it required a large force of troops to
quell and put an end to their blood-thirsty intentions. Peterson, at that time, was
one of the frontier places, and its inhabitants were to a great extent without any
protection from roving bands of these cruel savages, who were wont to make
their appearance at the most unexpected moments and were known to be lying
in stealth in different parts of northwestern Iowa. It was therefore deemed
advisable, by the authorities, to extend the necessary protection to the settlers
and prevent a massacre. Northwestern Iowa was at that time under the imme-
diate command of Colonel James Sawyer, who commanded a regiment of cavalry.
He, accordingly, detailed one company of cavalrymen to go to Peterson, build a
fort, scout the country in and around there and to keep a constant lookout for
the Indians. As soon as he arrived he selected the place where the fort should be
built. This particular spot is on or near the intersection of Second and Park
streets and also includes part of the lots on which the residence of W. E. Ellis
stands. After suitable ditches were made, huge trees were felled and a large
stockade was constructed. It was in shape of a triangle. The logs used were
twelve feet in length and stood on end, extending about eight or nine feet above
the ground. Port holes were made and places for sentries constructed. The
stockade was a most substantial and solid structure and gave ample protection
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 149
for the soldiers, as well as the settlers, and was a safe refuge from the attacks
of the Indians. Inside and on the north side of the stockade was built suitable
living quarters and with these equal care and caution was taken to make them
secure and perfectly safe against any attacks of the enemy. After the arrival
of the soldiers and the construction of the fort the settlers' fears were greatly
removed and they were no longer in constant dread lest the Indians should
swoop down upon them, burn their homes, run off their stock and take their
lives.
At first an entire company was stationed there, but as time passed on and
there w^ere no more open outbreaks, or many discovered prowling parties in
the immediate vicinity of Peterson, the force of troopers diminished, by details
being made and sent to other points, until there only remained a squad of men
under command of Sergeant William \\'hitlock. It was during this time that
an incident occurred which came near costing the brave sergeant his life. Having
occasion to go to Sioux Rapids, a trading point about twelve miles distant, he
set out one bright morning to make the journey. He was accompanied by a
private, William McKinley, of his company, and after a few hours' ride reached
the place of safety. After transacting the business and giving their horses a
few hours' rest, they mounted and started on their return to the fort. While
riding and quietly conversing, all unmindful of any lurking danger, they were
suddenly startled by the report of a number of rifles, the whistling of as many
bullets in close proximity to their ears, and the frightful yells of their adversaries.
For a moment or more their horses were unmanageable, but in a short time they
were brought under control, and the two brave men dismounted and began
preparation to sell their lives as dearly as possible. It did not require any one
to tell them who the attacking party was, for they knew that the}- were none
other than a hostile band of Indians, who probably had seen them leave the fort
and knowing that they would return over the same route they had previously
traveled, had lain in ambush and awaited their coming. From the manner of the
firing and their marvelous escape from so many whizzing bullets, they attributed
their escape to poor marksmanship and the desire of the Indians to kill them and
thus secure their horses, for when they fired they were only a short distance
from the two soldiers. But time then was too precious to give this any consid-
eration, for it was now either life or death and they preferred the latter to falling
into the hands of the despicable and tortuous foe. Xo sooner had the two dis-
mounted than on came their foe. Drawing their revolvers, which they had
taken the precaution to see were in good working order before starting out on
their ride, they took deliberate aim and fired, and two of the foremost fell
pierced by the bullets of their trusty revolvers. The Indians halted, and as is
their custom, gathered their killed and to the surprise of the soldiers beat a
hasty retreat. They at once started in hot pursuit, firing as they ran, but not so
effectively as at first. They, however, succeeded in killing two or three of them,
as they were seen to require the assistance of some of the others. After traveling
some distance, the Indians became fearful of a fire in the rear and so, when they
reached a place of some protection, they halted and began preparation to resist
the attack. The two brave men, however, were undaunted ; their blood being
tip to fever heat they determined to face Mr. Lo in his own quarters. They
150 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
therefore rushed in behind the place the Indians had sought and then began a
hand-to-hand contest. As the sergeant, who was a httle in advance of his com-
panion, rushed at them, one of the Indians came at him with a large knife.
Then began a struggle for life. The sergeant was a large and powerful man,,
while the Indian was not much his inferior in strength. The struggle lasted
for several moments but at last the sergeant, by a quick and dexterous move-
ment, wrenched the deadly weapon from the savage's grasp and as quickly buried
it in the Indian, disemboweling him. The brave fell a corpse and as he did so^
another Indian approached the sergeant from behind, and with the butt end of
his rifle, dealt him a stunning blow on the head, which felled him senseless to
the ground. The Indian, seeing his advantage, drew up his rifle to deal the pros-
trate man a final blow. In the meantime McKinley had, like his companion,
been busily occupied, and had wounded several of the redskins. At last, finding^
that the soldiers were strong, daring and determined, they began a retreat. As
the last foe, in front of McKinley, made his departure, he turned to see what
had become of the sergeant, when he beheld him lying at the mercy of an
Indian, who was in the act of raising his gun to give the death blow. He at
once sprang to his assistance and drawing his revolver, took deliberate aim,
and killed the savage. The timely arrival of McKinley was none too soon, for
a moment's delay would have resulted in the sergeant's death. After discovering
that the Indians would no longer give them any further trouble, AIcKinley placed
the unconscious sergeant on his horse and with great difficulty succeeded in
reaching the fort, where, for two long weeks, the brave soldier lay with his life
hanging upon a brittle thread. He finally recovered and will not as long as he
lives forg'^t his trip to Sioux Rapids.
After J. A. Kirchner built the saw mill several frame houses were built in
and around Peterson. This enterprise was well received by a large patronage.
During the fall of 1870, J. A. Kirchner began building a grist mill, which w^as
completed in 1871. This was a grand thing for the farmers who had previously
had to draw their grain many miles to have it converted into flour. This mill
is still in operation, under the management of Ed Sitz, and is one of the best
equipped mills in the county and manufactures an immense quantity of a superior
quahty of flour.
The first religious services were conducted by Revs. Wright and Oldfield,
the former a jMethodist and the latter a Baptist. There are now two commodious
churches in Peterson, under the control of the ^Methodist Episcopal and Con-
gregational denominations.
The first newspaper enterprise that made its appearance in the town was
the Peterson Democrat. It was very short lived, as the only object for removal
of the necessary printing material to Peterson was to secure* the publication of
the delinquent tax list. This object, having been accomplished, the further pub-
lication of it w^as abandoned and the material sent back to its former place.
Subsequently. J. F. Ford and Samuel Gillespie, in 1870, established the Clav
County News, but upon the removal of the county seat they took their outfit to
Spencer. For a number of years the place was without a newspaper, but event-
ually E. J. Helms started the Peterson Patriot, w^hich he continued several vears;
finally he sold it to other parties.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 151
Preyious to 1881, Peterson's growth was very slow, and mainly retarded by
its lack of railroad facilities. The only outlet was by means of teams and the
nearest railway station several miles. This tended to keep it back, and without
this important and necessary adjunct there was little or no hope of its future
development into a town other than name. During the year 1881, the great
Chicago & Northwestern railroad sent out a surveying party and laid out the
grade for this line of road. As soon as these facts were known, Peterson at
once sprang into importance as a trading point. J. A. Kirchner, who owned
the most of the land on which Peterson stood, at once platted it and placed
the lots on the market. At once they were in demand, and the embryo town and
quiet place immediately assumed an air of activity. Buildings were erected,
dwellings built, and the year of 1881 saw a wonderful change in the place. The
railroad arrived in 1882, and from that date Peterson has been a busy and
bustling little town, with fair prospects of considerable commercial development.
The Chicago & Northwestern railroad has performed a good act for the little
town of Peterson, and has been instrumental in transforming it from a town in
name to one of business activity. Its citizens are moral and upright ; its business
men sagacious and enterprising, and the town a pleasant and delightful place to
dwell. Besides many social organizations, there are two churches, and several
secret societies, all in a healthful state of prosperity and well attended.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Peterson circuit was organized August 22, 1855, by Rev. Orange S.
Wright, who preached a part of that year, once in every two weeks. Then
Rev. T. D. Adams followed. Rev. Seymour Snyder formally organized a
Methodist Episcopal class of eight members in the fall of 1863, which class has
been continued up to the present time. The following is the list of preachers,
in their order, who have served on this charge. The dates show the time of
service: Rev. R. B. Hawks, 1864-65; Rev. William Malory, 1865-67; Rev.
Thomas Whitley, 1867-68; Rev. C. W. Clifton, 1868-70; William R. Pitt,
1870-71; Rev. G. W. Lothian, 1871-73; Rev. Walter Drake, 1873-74; Rev. Forbs,
1874-75; Rev. A. S. R. Grooms, 1875-76; Rev. C. W. Gardner, 1876-78; Rev.
Frank E. Drake, 1878-80; Rev. G. E. Cheesbrough, 1880-81; Rev. Beigler,
1881-83; Rev. D. M. Yetter, 1883-84; Rev. C. A. Hawn. 1884-85: Rev. C.
Artman, 1885-86; J. M. Wollery, 1S86-88; Rev. F. A. ^vlorrow, 1888-90; Rev.
R. Hild. 1890-92; Rev. G. W. Barnes, 1892-94; Rev. W. W. Cook, 1894-95; Rev.
H. L. Smith, 1895-96; Rev. W. S. Cannon, 1896-98; Rev. George O. Kidder,
June, 1898-99; Rev. C. F. Kirk, 1899-1900; Rev. F. B. Stafford, 1900-02; Rev.
W. S. Cannon, 1902-06; Rev. F. \W. Wilson is the present pastor. They have
at the present time a membership of about one hundred and thirty-five, including
the out appointment of Maple Grove. They have a Sunday school of eighty-five
members.
The charter members of the Methodist Episcopal church are as follows:
R. \\. Crego and wife: Jacob Hale, wife and daughter; Mrs. Collins; Hannibal
Waterman and wife ; making a total of eight faithful members.
152 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The first Congregational church of Peterson was organized by Rev. J. B.
Chase, April 30, 1882. Its first membership consisted of J. W. Coombs, L. H.
Coombs, Mrs. L. H. Coombs, Edwin F. Coombs, ]\Irs. Celia Coombs, Mrs. E. E.
Pinkerton, Mrs. Carrie F. Voigt, Mrs. J. P. Martin and Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkwood.
The first Sunday school was organized in 1883.
The first church building was erected in 1883, and the cornerstone was laid
with fitting ceremonies. The first church was worth about $2,000. The pastors
of the church were as follows: J. B. Chase, A. M. Beeman, R. E. Helms,
J. C. Stoddard, J. F. Horn, O. L. Corbin, M. H. Galor, W. G. L^ichleiter,
J. S. Morris, J. B. Salter, J. W. Williams, Rev. Deacon, E. E. Reed and C. Oxley,
the present pastor.
At the present time they are building an addition to the church, which
is 32x36.
BAPTIST SOCIETY.
The Baptist Society was one of the earlie:!.t societies ni the county. This
society was organized in 1871. They held their meetings in the old courthouse
and the Good Templars' Hall. The Bicknells, the Bevans and the. Hurlburts
were the original Baptist families. When the railroad came through the Metho-
dist Episcopal and the Congregational churches were organized and then the
Baptists went to these other churches and did not attempt another organization.
PETERSON BANKS.
The Peterson Bank was established in 1888 by C. W. Fillmore and H. S.
Parker. These gentlemen continued the bank until 1902, when they sold their
business to J. F. Turner. F. H. Hclsell, G. C. Allison and Frank Steckmest, who
are now conducting the concern with marked success. They do a general banking
business, have a neat one-story modern brick building, erected in 1894, on Main
street. The officers of the bank are as follows: President, J. P. Farmer; vice
president, F. H. Helsell ; cashier, G. C. Allison ; assistant cashier. Frank Steck-
mest. Its capital is $20,000, deposits about $200,000.
The First National Bank was organized in 1881 by A. S. Weir, H. A.
Brandon, David McMillan, E. H. Ellis, Frank Steckmest, James Kennedy,
C. W. Pinkerton, J. P. Farmer, G. C. Allison, W. E. Bertram, William Kirchner,
K. Buland, F. E. Crippen. F. H. Helsell and others. Its officers were as follows:
J. P. Farmer, president; A. S. Weir, vice president; G. C. Allison, cashier.
In 1892 A. S. Weir became president and continued as such until his death,
which occurred March 2, 1908. ^Ir. Weir came to Peterson from Trayer in
1882. He was fifty-seven years of age at the time of his death. Mr. Allison
remained cashier until 1902. The present officers are as follows: E. L. Mantor,
president ; W^illiam Kirchner. vice president ; Charles H. Staples, cashier. The
bank has a capital of $50,000, a surplus of $10,000 and deposits of $150,000.
They do a general banking business. The bank building was erected in 1898, on
the corner of Main and Second streets. It is of pressed brick and has a fifty-foot
frontage on Main street.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, PETERSON
THE JVEW'rnpp- ,
prauc LIBRA RV
ASTOW, tPNry
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 153
PETERSON LODGES.
Peterson lodge A. F. & A. M. was organized Jnne, 1895. Its charter mem-
bers were A. S. Weir, R. B. Tillinghast, William Esser and twelve others. It
now has a membership of sixty-four.
Peterson lodge, No. 234, A. O. U. W., was organized 1882. Among its
charter members were G. Shnay, W. H. Skellenger, W. E. Ellis, AI. C. Willis,
E. F. Coons, C. W. Pinkerton, L. X'oigt, J. Shnay, J. J. Ulrick and G. G.
W^hisler.
Log Cabin camp, Homesteaders, was organized September 18, 1906, by
Frank Steckmest, A. S. Chatterton, G. E. Allison and John Baier and thirtv-nine
others.
Peterson lodge of Yeomen was organized February 28, 1899, by J. S.
Chatterton, H. S. Parker, E. F. Turner and thirty-six others.
Modern Woodmen of America was organized January 24, 1896, by Charles
. Fillmore, William E. Blackburn, William Boge Waret, H. A. Brando and
^wenty-eight others.
EASTERN' ST.AR LODGE.
The Eastern Star lodge was organized in Peterson in March, 1897. There
were only fifteen members when the lodge was organized, but now they have a
membership of over eight}-. The first officers of the lodge were : Worthy
patron, A. S. Weir ; worthy matron, Mrs. Allison ; secretary, lona Hulburt.
The first members of the lodge were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Allison, A. S.
Weir, Frank Steckmest, Miss Lulu Turner, Miss May Kirchner, Miss lona
Hulburt, Airs. Tibbits, Airs. Lulu Kinyon, Airs. DeWitt, Airs. Pyer, Airs. Ed.
Sits, Airs. O. W. Long, Airs. O. W. Towner, Airs. Dr. Chatterton.
The present officers are as follows : Dr. Chatterton, worthy patron ; Airs.
Will Kirchner, worthy matron ; Lulu Turner, secretary ; Airs. Alantor, treasurer.
CITY MAYORS.
H. S. Parker, Charles Fillmore, Herbert Towner, Frank Steckmest, L.
Rogers and Charles Staples, the present mayor.
Charles Fillmore built the waterworks, but there have been additions made
recently to the plant.
THE PETERSON PATRIOT.
The Peterson Patriot was established April 19, 1882, by E. J.' Helms and
E. G. Blackhurst. The paper was a nonpartisan, seven-column folio. The next
editors, in their order, were James Kennedy, George Long, and Jay Smith, who
succeeded A. G. Warren. Air. Warren was followed by Ray Gleason, and Air.
Gleason by Grant E. Hirleman. Then came R. Gleason again, who continued as
editor until 1906, when its present editor, Archie Evans, took charge.
Air. Evans now conducts a five-column quarto. It is issued weekly, is
Republican in politics and is a good all-around sheet.
154 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
THE PETERSON DISPATCH.
About two years ago the Peterson Dispatch came out under the editorship
of Ray Gleason. It was a Republican sheet, but it only lasted about two months
in Peterson, and the plant was then moved to Minnesota.
CLAY COUNTY TIMES.
The above named paper was established about 1898, by C. H. Leichleiter.
This was a Democratic organ, which lived about six months. The plant was
moved to Larchwood, Iowa.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Peterson has a volunteer fire department, which was organized in 1902.
There are fourteen members at present, and John Gelattly is the chief. The fire
apparatus consists of two hose carts, several hundred feet of hose and several
long ladders, etc.
GOOD templars' hall.
Peterson has not as yet a distinctive hall for amusements. For several
years the Good Templars" hall has been used for this ]nirpose, for political meet-
ings and lectures.
everly.
When the town of Everly was surveyed and platted in 1884 there was no
well defined purpose in the minds of its projectors other than to afford the few
people in the western part of the county a way station. The selection was not
due either to the physical conditions prevailing or to accommodate any great
number, as there were but few people living in that section at that particular
time. Evidently the only purpose was to induce immigration. If this was the
motive that prompted the establishment of the town, the object has been most
successfully obtained. Everly is located on the southw-est quarter of section 3,
in Lone Tree township. The town proper is on a rising piece of ground that
is of sufficient height to afford excellent drainage for the main and business
portion of the village. When the station was established it was in the midst of
unbroken prairie, with little encouragement or hope of a town of any con-
siderable size. It was platted in 1884, by Griffin & Adams, of Spencer. This
firm owned considerable land contiguous to the place, and perceived in this
an opportunity to enhance the value of their property and induce settlers to
locate in that section. Soon after its being platted they disposed of it to I. P.
Rumsey, a Chicago capitalist, who had already invested in Clay county real
estate. Air. Rumsey at once perceived that the townsite was admirably chosen,
and if the surrounding country was populated, Everly was destined to become
an excellent marketing point and place of no small note in the county. In
company with A. W. Sleeper, who had purchased an interest in the land designed
for the town, and a man who had had large experience in northwestern Iowa,
he at once set to work wdth a will and determined energy to make it what they
knew it could be made. The first year the progress was slow, but the founda-
tions were being laid solidly and substantially. The next year their labors
began to bear fruit, people began to come ; on adjacent land farm houses sprang
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 155
up ; there was a demand for town lots ; carpenters were sought after ; the knuber
yard was a common resort; comfortable residences were erected; store houses
were built; elevators and warehouses constructed, and the entire place was the
scene of busy activity. The tide had turned, and the bleak and drearv station
was shortly surrounded by a large number of buildings, owned by a busy,
moving and active class of citizens, who had come to stay and cast their lot
in this "goodly heritage."' The good work commenced has been constantlv
kept in motion, and while the village has not rapidly increased in numbers, it
has been adding slowly but steadily to its population and wealth. As a trading
point it leads in proportion to the number of its inhabitants. Its business men
are shrewd and ahva_\s on the alert, and are determined, if. within their power,
to make Everly the most important market place in the county. The immense
quantities of grain, hay, stock and produce they have handled during the past
year is a true index to their push and progressiveness and demonstrates that
they are making rapid strides toward attaining the distinction of shipping out
more products from Clay county than any other town in it. These elements in
the shippers are to be admired, and are destined ultimately to give the town such
an impetus that her rivals may+)e stirred to redouble their diligence and vigilance
or lose the honor of being the largest town in the county. Everly is young,
but with the most excellent record she has made and the present live and stren-
uous efforts being put forth by her citizens, she is sure to develop into one of
the leading towns along the line of the Chicago and Milwaukee railroad in
northwestern Iowa. She has equal railroad facilities with the surrounding towns,
excepting Spencer, being on the Chicago and Milwaukee railroad and in the
center of the most fertile and fruitful agricultural region of Iowa. She pos-
sesses excellent advantages and opportunities for transacting a large and annually
increasing business. The farmers in the territory of Everly are a prosperous
and industrious class and among the largest producers of grain and stock in
the county.
The Everly bank is a private concern and was organized in 1905, by C.
P. Buckey and Dr. McAllister, as a branch of the First National bank of
Spencer. It is capitalized at $10,000 and has deposits of $72,000. The present
officers are as follows : Dr. Charles McAllister, president ; C. P. Buckey, vice
president; Frank N. Wood, cashier.
The Farmers and Alechanics bank was a private concern, organized by A.
W. Sleeper, Louis Scharnberg and Peter Kettleson January 2, 1905, and was
merged into the First National bank July 13, 1905. This bank was organized
by A. W. Sleeper, Peter Kettleson, Louis Scharnberg, H. H. ]\Ioehler, Ness
Lorensen and John Stuhr. A. W. Sleeper, president; Peter Kettleson, vice presi-
dent ; Louis Scharnberg, cashier ; \V. H. Sleeper, assistant cashier. The board
of directors are. IT. H. Moehler, Ness Lorensen, John Stuhr, A. W. Sleeper,
Louis Scharnberg and Peter Kettleson. Capital, $20,000, and deposits, $70,000.
The Alethodist Episcopal church was organized in 1886 and was first a
mission church. In 1888 a church edifice was erected at a cost of $1,500. Up
to that time they had occasional preaching. The first missionary was L. A.
Downe, 1886-1888; M. B. Keister. 1888-1890; H. W. Howe, 1890-1892; R.
Hild. i892-i8c]4; C. J. Messenger, 1894-1896; H. L. Case. 1896-1898; Charles
156 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
E. Anderson, 1898-1899; E. AI. Glasgow, 1899-1900; A. ^I. Tainter, 1900-1903:
H. L. Hastings, 1903-1904; Irvin Green, 1904-1907. F. P. Calkins came to the
church in September, 1907, and is the present pastor. Members of the church,
forty-four ; and the ^unday school, about sixty.
St. Mary's Catholic church was organized about 1898. It has a member-
ship of about thirty families. Rev. B. A. Hunt, of Spencer, supplies this
charge.
The German Lutheran was organized June, 1907, by C. H. Peterson, Peter
Kettleson, J. Stuhr, Christian Peterson, Otto Theil, Louis Weise, D. P. Peterson,
Fritz Whede. The first pastor was Rev. \\\ Siefkes. He was followed by Rev.
Gutschofif, who is the present pastor. The membership is about twenty souls
and there are forty in the Sunday school. The present place of holding meetings
is in the Christian church. This church was organized in April, 1897. by Rev.
J. M Hofifman, who was succeeded by W. H. Rust. The next pastor was H.
M. Gregory, then S. W. Hall. The last pastor was J. \V. Ellis. This church
was dedicated about 1906. The church property is valued 'at $3,500. The
organization dwindled so in numbers that no church meetings have been held
for some years. >
The German social society of the Unter Haltungs Verein, composed of
men, women and children, was organized in Everly in 1901. It has three hundred
and forty-one regular members and their families. Its present officers are :
Fritz Whede,. president ; Jergen Schmidt, vice president ; X. J. Hennings, sec-
retary; Louis Scharnberg, treasurer; John Stuhr, J. Peterson and C. H. Peterson,
directors. The hall is over the Everly bank, where the society holds its meetings
and where entertainments, lectures and all public meetings are held.
Columbia lodge A. F. & A. ^L, No. 560, was organized February 7, 1899.
The first members were S. P. Striker, J. W. Devnell, Thomas Corns, J. P.
Baker. A. M. Erickson. W. C Davis, F. J. Plondke, U. G. Morris, O. A.
Shafl:"er. F. J. Coleman, John H. I'eck, C. P. Phelps, M. G. Shull, A. S. Roberts,
C. H. Staples. The first officers were: S. S. Striker, G. M. ; S. W. Devnell. S.
M. : Thomas Corns, J. M.; F. J. Coleman, treasurer; U. G. Morrison, secretary;
J. P. Baker. S. D. ; M. G. Shull. S. S. ; A. M. Erickson. I. S. ; J. H. Peck, tyler.
ROYAL LODGE.
U. D. lodge was organized March, 1908.
EVERLY LODGE.
Everly lodge. No. 641, I. O. O. F.. was organized in 1897. W. G. Swain,
A. W. Sleeper, Mike Fell, Peter Wohlenberg. G. E. Hirleman were the first
officers of this lodge. It has about forty members.
Lone Tree camp. No. 1592, M. W. A., was organized in 1892. William W.
Ahrens, Edward L. Clark, William Day and Peter Erickson were among its
first members.
The Yeomen organized in 1897. They gave up their charter in 1906.
The first house built in Everly was a frame structure, sixteen by twenty-
four, erected by O. C. Seaverson in 1883, io^ ^ residence and section house. The
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 157
second one was built in 1884, by Reimer Mundt. O. C. Seaverson and family
and a brother were the first residents of Everly.
In 1884 twenty-four families came to Everly and Lone Tree township from
Benton county, Iowa. Some of the first settlers in Everly and Lone Tree town-
ship were Reimer Mundt, Moses Jesmer, William Day, Louis Scharnberg. John
and Charles Scharnberg, H. W. Moehler, Peter Steuben, George Schoerns,
Hans Peterson, W. Ahrens, !V. Peterson, N. J. Hennings, John Krumbeck, John
Tischer, Mell Green, R. Ericksen and A. W. Sleeper. Some of those who came
about the same time and settled in Everly were John Adams, Nicholas Schroeder,
the Rhode brothers, Deltz and Herman, and Louis Tischer. The same year M.
Jennings and Will Day erected the first store building'. J. P. Parker was the
first mayor of Everly, George Nugent followed him, then A. T. Jones, and
Mike Fell, who is the present mayor. The town has four hundred inhabitants.
The first hotel in Everly was conducted by William Hatch ; however, this
was only a small boarding house. The first real hotel was run by Charles
Brooks and is the present Columbian Hotel, which was built in sections. The first
part of the present Columbian House was built in 1892.
The Everly News was established September 18, 1897, by Edward McBride.
He was succeeded as editor by Allen Clossen. A Mr. Bardon was the next
editor, and after him came Frank Bowman. The present editor, George Nugent,
took the paper in October, 1901. The paper is a five-column quarto. Inde-
pendent in politics and published every week.
EVERLY CEMENT TILE.
This organization came into being in 1906, when Louis Scharnberg, Peter
Kettleson, F. F. Ruge, John Huch and Peter Hildt formed a company for the
purpose of making cement tile. A large plant was erected in 1906, and now
employs about twenty men. This concern is in a flourishing condition.
Everly has a good cream market and also a splendid market for hogs, cattle
and sheep. It has three elevators on the right of way of the Chicago, Alilwaukee
and St. Paul railroad.
OTHER TOWNS IN THE COUNTY.
In the past few years other towns have sprung up in the county which
make good trading points for the communities surrounding them.
There is Cornell, in Herdland township; Webb, in Garfield township;
Gillett's Grove, in Gillett's Grove township ; Greenville, in Gillett's Grove town-
ship; Rossie, in Lincoln township; Royal, in Clay township; Langdon, in
Meadow township ; Fostoria, in Sunmiit towjiship. These villages are all grow-
ing and prosperous.
SPENCER.
The seat of government of Clay county contains a population of three
thousand five hundred and is a most interesting town. There is on every hand
clear and distinct evidences of thrift, prosperity and individual enterprise. Its
social and business condition is in a most healthful state, and a harmonious
feeling for the future prevails. The topography of the place is excellent and it
possesses every advantage for business and manufacturing purposes. Since
158 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
it was first established it has been inhabited by a class of people who were public
spirited, hig'h minded and successful, and have made the name of Spencer
synonymous with push, pluck and prosperity.
The survey of the original plat of Spencer was made in 1871, by P. M.
Moore, county surveyor, for J. H. Hale. In April, 1873, and in October, 1881,
Byron Hough made two additions on the northwest. In December, 1875, S. J.
Egleston added to the townsite by platting his land on the eastern side of the
village. In June, 1879, Lovewell & Hubbard made a third addition, theirs being-
on the west side. There still being a demand for town lots, L. C. Burgin in
1881 laid off a piece of land into lots, just east of the Egleston addition. The
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway platted their additions, one in 1880
and two in 1883. Griffin & Adams in November, 1884, platted and made the
ninth addition. Since then there have been several other additions to the town
of Spencer, namely, College addition, Tuttle's addition, and Huttenlocher's
addition.
Spencer is but a short distance from the geographical center of the county
and is therefore admirably located. The railway facilities are furnished by the
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul and the ^Minneapolis and St. Louis railroads.
A branch line of the former road furnishes excellent communication to Okoboji
and Spirit lakes, two great pleasure resorts, and south to Des Moines.
Spencer is most happily and fortunately located. On the south the Little
Sioux river courses its winding way toward the great Missouri, furnishing
excellent drainage and good, pure water. One cannot but be impressed with
the fine appearance of the town and the many natural advantages it in an
eminent degree possesses. Its central location in the county makes it the leading
trading point for a large territory unsurpassed in fertility, and when the county's
resources are developed it cannot fail to make Spencer a point of even greater
importance. With good railroad facilities, surrounded by a prosperous, wide-
awake class of farmers, wdiat is to prevent it becoming one among the most
important cities in the Northwest? It has never gone through the booming
process, although its growth during the past decade has been fairly satisfactory,
having been through the result of private enterprise rather than in consequence
of a combined and systematic effort to herald its advantages. From a hamlet
of less than forty years ago, possessing a few frame and log houses, it is now
a thriving tow'n in which a majority of the heads of families own their own
homes. There are no fictitious values placed upon real estate. The people are
contented to live and let live. They are industrious, frugal, happy and contented
in the belief that the possession of property in Spencer is valuable and destined
to become of greater value.
Scarcely had the people of Spencer got fairly settled on the new townsite
than they began to agitate the question of a railroad. They saw the natural
advantages of the town and county and as they looked into the future they
picured a bright and prosperous city, surrounded by waving fields of grain,
immense herds of cattle and live stock, a county populated by a teeming.- indus-
trious class of people. They saw all this and of course thought others could
see it as well. They talked and sent their representatives abroad to present
.and impress their ideas upon those in authority. But ofttimes their agents
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 159
returned with anything but encouraging words, and so often was this repeated
that there seemed but Httle hope of reahzing* their great desire. But in a few
5hort months the chances of success would again fill their minds and another
attempt would be made. It was true that at times they grew greatly discouraged
and many were upon the point of leaving and would have done so had they
not been pursuaded by the more hopeful and determined ones. And well might
they be discouraged. The nearest railroad point was forty miles away, and
over these long miles of road the merchandise must be transported by teams.
The trip could not be made in less than three days and the cost of transportation
was very great, and the merchant must therefore add this^to the cost of his
goods, which of necessity made the price <.f all classes of merchandise much
higher than they would have otherwise been. The farmers therefore had in a
measure to pay this extra expense, and it is not to be wondered that they
were anxious to see the day when Spencer should have a railroad. They were
tireless workers, not alone in Clay but in adjoining counties, and the day came
when their labors were at last crowned with success and the great ^Milwaukee
road, with its far spreading branches, came to Spencer. It was a day of rejoicing
and the hearts of those who had waited and watched so long were filled with
gladness. The arrival of the railroad marked an important epoch in the history
of Clay county. Slowly Init gradually Spencer and the county put on a new
appearance. It was like the budding of winter into spring. Houses sprang up
on every hand ; new arrivals came on every train ; trade was given a fresh
impetus ; farmers were made happy by receiving better prices for their stock
and produce. The change was marked and' great. The prospects for Spencer
grew brighter than ever before in its history. The many struggles, trials and
untiring efforts had at last brought forth their legitimate fruit, and from this
time forward unparalleled prosperity" had attended it.
The moral, religious and social standing of Spencer is most excellent and
it points with pride to the class of citizens that make up the town. To this in
a measure it owes its permanent growth and prosperity.
Nearly every religious denomination is represented by an organization.
Its public schools are all that could be asked for, and its social conditions are
among the best and most elevated in their tone. In addition to its social
clubs, literary, benevolent and other societies, there are a Masonic chapter and
lodge, an encampment and subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, two orders of the United Workmen, a lodge of the Knights of
Pythias and uniform rank, the Woodmen, a Grand Army post, and others of
similar character.
INCORPORATION.
Although Spencer was platted in 1871, it Avas not until the year 18S0 that
it was incorporated. In 1880 a petition was presented to Judge Duffie, then
district judge, for authority to call an election to vote upon the question for
or against incorporation. The petition was granted and the judge appointed
Theodore Secor, J. B. Edmunds, W. C. Gilbreath, A. C. Parker and J. Merritt
commissioners, with authority to call an election, name the day and act as judges.
The election day arrived and there was a very close and heated contest, but the
^'fors" won by a fair majority. Subsequently an election was called for the 26th
160 HISTORY (3F CLAY COUNTY
day of jVIarch, 1880, to select a ma\or and five trustees. There was much
friendly rivalry displayed at this election. AX'hether it was the novelty of the
office or a desire to be one of the first officers of Spencer remains today a
mystery. The election resulted as follows : Mayor. W. C. Gilbreath ; recorder,
J. F. Ford, who resigned and C. S. Penfield was chosen to fill the vacancy ;
trustees, M. P. W. Albee, T. P. Bender, ^[. E. (iriffin. J. Rood. E. E. Snow and
C. M. Squire. John Annett was selected as marshal. This board immediately
drafted and passed a number of ordinances. But it was far from being an easy
task to enforce them, as the people of the town were unaccustomed to such
restraints as these ordinances imposed, and there was frequently a clash between
the- citizens and the town officials. In time tliey grew to respect the laws of the
town, and today it would be difficult to find a place where the laws are more
rigidly enforced, observed and upheld by the people than in Spencer. They
have respect for them and believe that their strict enforcement will result advan-
tageously and contribute to good order and citizenship. Subsequent boards have
in many instances made a number of material changes to some of the original
ordinances, and have added a large number as time and necessity required. It
has been the policy of all the councils to pursue a careful and economical course,
and the people have demonstrated their wisdom in the selection of their council.
It is not the intention to review the work done by the respective councils. It
would be useless. It is only necessary to point to its streets, sidewalks, city
hall, electric lights and waterworks. These are monuments to the good work
accomplished by the trustees of Spencer. The following named gentlemen have
held the office of mayor since the date of its incorporation :
\V. C. Gilbreath 1880-81 H. Chamberlain 1895-96
J. B. Edmunds 1881-82 AI. S. Green 1896-97
E. E. Snow 1882-83 M. S. Green 1897-98
M. P. W. Albee 1883-84 E. H. Crandall 1898-99
John Thayer 1884-85 E. H. Crandall 1899-00
S. Gillespie 1885-86 G. W. Patterson 1900-01
C. S. Penfield 1886-87 G. W. Patterson 1901-02
L. Whitney 1887-88 H. J. Buck 1902-03
S. S. Snow 1888-89' H. J. Buck 1903-04
J. O. Adams 1889-90 G. F. Martin 1904-05
H. N. Smith 1890-91 G. F. Martin ; 1905-06
Thomas AIcQueen 1891-92 John Painter 1906-07
H. Chamberlain 1892-93 John Painter 1907-08
H. Chamberlain 1893-94 A. E. Wells 1908
H. Chamberlain 1894-95
CITY CLERKS.
S. S. Snow 1892-1893 Harry E. Glover 1899-1900
Harlan J. Buck 180^1804 x- ^m t* ^
yr , i ^ , -'^ -'^ V ernon W. Buck 1900-1901
Harlan T. Buck 1894-189S ,- ,,, ,, , ^ v
Harlan j. Buck 1895-1896 ^ '™"" ^^ ' ^""'^ 1901-1902-
Harry E. Glover 1896- 1897 ^ ^^"O" ^^' ■ ^"ck 1902- 1903
Harry E. Glover 1897-1898 ^^- -^- Hammond 1903-1904
Harry E. Glover 1898-1899 A. W. Taylor 1904
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^F '^ _?vH^Bbb -^ '-^^'si^^^^^^H^^^^^H
-
_ll
» V
■1. ; :,- ■ ■■
.'■■■
m^0
PETERSON, IOWA, TAKEN IN 1901
IpUBLlC LIBRARY
ORK
rX
\onS
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 1G3
Mr. A. W. Taylor died while in office and was succeeded by his son, Roy
Taylor, who is the present incumbent.
CITY MARSHALS.
John Andrew 1892-1900 Frank Smith 1904-1905
C. E. Baldwin 1900-1901 Frank Smith 1905-1906
C. E. Baldwin 1901- 1902 Henry Green 1906-1907
Frank Smith 1902-1903 Lester ]\[. Baldwin 1907-1908
Frank Smith 1903-1904 Lester M. Baldwin 1908-1909
IXCORPORATED ORGANIZATIONS.
There have been a number of associations and organizations incorporated
in Spencer. Some of them have been very successful in carrying out the object
of their incorporation, w-hile others have met with signal failure.
On the nth of July, 1871, articles of incorporation were filed in the
recorder's office to build the Spirit Lake and Sioux Valley railroad. The incor-
porators were R. S. Wilcox, Orson Rice, C. M. Squire, J. F. Calkins, H. S.
Bailey, D. C. Thomas, S. Olney, Jr., T. S. Seymore, Samuel Gonser, J. B.
Edmunds and others. At that time Clay, as well as the adjoining counties,
would have been greatly elated to have had any kind of a railroad.
.^ The "Pioneer Baptist Church" was incorporated in April, 1870, with William
C. Roberts, David and William I^vans, John W. Jones and D. C. Thomas
incorporators.
The Methodist Episcopal church was incorporated January 3, 1872, w^ith
C. B. Winter, W. W. Scott and AL M. Peeso signing the articles. A neat and
cosy church building was constructed but was subsequently destroyed by fire.
In December, 187 1, John Lawler, Henry Ford and Lindsay Seals filed
articles of incorporation. The purpose of this organization, they alleged, was
to construct a line of railroad to be known as the Minneapolis, St. Paul and
Union Pacific Raihvay Company. They also proposed constructing, owning and
operating roads, railroads, bridges, ferries and ferry boats, stores and store-
houses, warehouses and elevators in the state of Iowa. Spencer was to be the
headquarters. The plan and purpose was conceived with a very broad foundation.
But wdiether the undertaking was too great or the scheme was too heavily loaded
is today unknown. At any rate this herculean and extensive project was never
carried out by the incorporators.
The Congregational church was duly incorporated in September, 1872.
Edward Pruyn, H. B. Coryell and Peter 'M. ]\Ioore were the incorporators.
The incorporators of the Free Baptist church were G. D. Marcellus, R. A.
Coats, J. F. Calkins. P. E. Randall and others.
The first Clay county agricultural society dated its organization from May
21, 1873. It, however, was short lived, giving but one exhibition.
The Co-operative Council of Patrons of Husbandry was in existence from
the early part of 1875 until the beginning of 1878, when it went the way of all
things earthly. For a time it was a potent factor not only in business matters
but in political circles. It was well officered, but, like many organizations of a
CLAY 10.
164 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
*
similar character, it did not prove either profitable or beneficial generally, and
the members gradually dropped out and it became a thing of the past. The
officers were : President, J. jNI. Spencer ; secretary, A. W. Green ; treasurer,
Eben Bailey; superintendent, S. \V. Dubois: trustees. J- W. Ford, J- R- \\'ard
and W. W. Scott. •
The Iowa and Montana Live Stock Company came to be known in 1883.
For a time this organization, which was composed of some of the wealthiest
citizens of the county, did a large and extensive business. They purchased
several thousand head of cattle and horses, which they shipped to ^^lontana,
where for a few years the investment made bid fair to yield immense profits.
Unfavorable weather, extremely low prices for cattle and the great cost for
railroad transportation all combined to entail a loss and cost that ultimately
caused the investment to prove unprofitable to the investors. Among those
in this county who were original stockholders were Marcus Tuttle. John Thayer,
M. E. Griffin. James Goodwin, J. E. Francis and Franklin Floete.
In 1884 a number of gentlemen living at Peterson, after discussing the
(juestion from day to day, decided "that there was coal underneath the soil in
and around that town. The more the subject was discussed the more convinced
they became of it being a fixed fact. They became so satisfied and convinced
that they formed a stock company, sent for an expert, and at once began sinking
a shaft in search of the "dark and dusky diamonds." After digging down some
distance the expert reported growing signs of coal. The stockholders became
jubilant. The news was spread broadcast, and the excitement became intense.
The work was prosecuted with great vigor and the quantities of soil, rocks, etc.,
raised made a small mountain. The expert reported brighter and better signs
and the people no longer doubted that in a short time huge quantities of coal
would be ready for sale. The confidence in the ultimate success of the project
became so great that a large number of companies were immediately organized.
The first one was called the Fairbanks Coal and ]\Iining Company, after the
main projector. The officers were as follows : President, Hon. Isaac S. Strublc ;
Lewis Voight, secretary ; J. W. Fairbanks, treasurer. Then there were the G.
F. Strait Coal and Alining Company, the Jones Coal and Mining Company, the
Peterson Coal and Mining Company, and a host of others. The whole project
came to naught and the incorporators were out of pocket several thousands of
dollars. There may be coal there, but these companies failed to obtain it in
sufficient quantities to make it profitable.
The Spencer and Southeastern Railway Company was organized in 1884.
The ofjject of this company was to construct a line of railroad running through
Clay county in a .southeasterly direction. The officers were A. W. Miller, James
Goodwin, J. Q. Adams. C. S. Penfield. J. D. McDonald and Ackley Hubbard.
The first movements of this company gave evidences of ultimate success and
probably would have resulted in securing a railroad had not the farmers and
others refused to aid it in voting a tax. Failing to secure a majority of the
townships through which the proposed road was to run. the organizers abandoned
their plans.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY ■ 165
THE FIRST HOTEL IN SPENCER.
Captain W. H. Hunter, a veteran of the Civil war, came to Spencer early in
its history and built its first hotel. He was not permitted long to be its landlord.
He erected the building in the spring of 1871 and in the spring of 1873 it was
completely destroyed by fire. This building stood at the corner of Main and
Second streets, now the site of the Farmers' Institute. On another page is
shown the building as it stood at that time.
The first band in the town of Spencer was known as the Spencer Cornet
Band, and was led by Major A. H. Cheney.
The first petition for a road to be opened in Clay county was filed with
the county judge on the 25th of ]\Iarch, 1859. This was for a road running from
section 32. township g6. range 78, by Spencer, thence to the north line of the
county.
John William Brockschink, a native of Prussia, was the first one to be given
naturalization papers in Clay county. He secured them in 1859.
On August 20, 1859, Andrew Hood, surveyor of the city of Fort Dodge,
was appointed surveyor for the county of Clay, by Judge Charles C. Smeltzer.
]\Ir. Hood had shortly before that time entered into a contract with Clay county
to locate and survey the swamp lands allotted to the county under the "Swamp
Land" act.
THE CITY HALL.
The town hall was built in 1883. Previous to this Spencer was without
a public building. The council had from time to time leased diiferent rooms, but
none of sufficient size to accommodate any public gathering. It was therefore
decided to construct a building of sufficient dimensions to meet these wants.
.\fter due deliberation it was agreed to bond the town for $3,000 and put up
the building, which was done, and the town now has a neat two-story building,
twenty by fiftv feet. The lower floor is used for the hook and ladder outfit and
the hose cart, while the second story is divided into two rooms, one being used
for a council room and the other for public purposes. The lot on wliich the
building stands was a donation from the late Alexander ^Mitchell, president of the
Chicago, ]^Iilwaukee and St. Paul Railway Company, to the town. The facts in
regard to this gift are these: In the spring of 1882 a number of young men,
being fired with a military spirit, decided to organize a militia company. A
meeting was called, which was largely attended. A paper was drawn up which
set forth the object of the organization, and after being circulated among those
gathered and others, some fifty signed their names and signified their willingness
to unite. As soon as the proper officers were elected, semiweekly drills were
held in the building later occupied by Ackley Hubbard. In a short time Mr.
Hubbard gave the company notice that he intended to occupy the building and
it must seek other quarters. There being no building of sufficient size, it was
decided to build one. A subscription paper was handed around, and nearly
one thousand dollars was at once subscribed. The project had all the evidences
of success and the matter was referred to a committee to select a site and report
at the next meeting. Alexander Mitchell, Jr., at that time a resident uf the county.
a member of the company and a member of the committee, volunteered to go
16(3 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
to ^Milwaukee and interview his uncle, Alexander jNlitchell, and endeavor to
induce him to donate a lot. That he succeeded is unquestionably true. In the
meantime the members and officers of the company had lost their interest and
military zeal, and the matter, like many other projects, fell through. The "next
meeting'' was never called ; that committee on a site has never reported, but the
town has the lot just the same.
THE SPENCKR Prcr.rC SCHOOLS.
The first school house in Spencer was a little sixteen by twcnty-foiu", built
in 1860. It was the only schoolhouse in the township at a time when the school
town>hip comprised five congressional townships, liesides doing service as a
school building, this primitive structure answered the demand for a church
and Good Templars' hall. The first teacher was Charles Carver. 1 lere Frank
W. Calkins, one of the contributors to the Youth's Comi)anion. went to school.
In the fall of 1874 the independent school district of S])encer was organized,
witli practically the same boundaries as at present. An addition, eighteen by
tliirty-two, was built, and George Mann was selected principal and Augusta
Smitli assistant. The first board of education was M. Mines, 11. W. W'ocxl and
Horace Smith.
In the fall of 1879 the old 1)uilding gave place to a new two-story frame
l;uil(Hiig, forty-eight by fifty-eight, containing four nM)ms and heated by a
furnace. Tlie Iniilding cost $4,000, and fixtures $800. M. M. Gilchrist was
made principal. He laid out the first course of study and thon")Ughly graded
the school.
In 1881 the public schools of Spencer had an enrollment of three hundred
pupils. J. T. Lamar was principal and was assisted by ]\liss L. Parker, Miss I*'..
I^jcan. Miss Cowan and Miss Olivia Woodruff. The board of education
consisted of T. P. Bender, President A. W. ]\liller, J. C. McCoy and Ackley
Hubbard.
In 1882 the ]iresent four-rc^oni frame building was erected on the east side.
This building was overhauled in KjO/. after twenty-five vears of continuoir-;
service, and a commodious basement constructed, modern water closets added,
and the walls and ceilings tinted. At this writing grades one to six, inclusive,
are hotised here.
In 1887 a one-room building was erected on the north side, but in Kj02,
this building was moved down to the site of the West school, to make room
for the handsome four-room brick building which was erected in that year.
In 1893 the Spencer high school building shown in the picture was erected
at a cost of $24,000. It is ninety by ninety-four and contains an assembly room
thirty-five by seventy-five and four recitation rooms on the upper floor, five grade
rooms on the first floor, two recitation rooms, steam plant, water closets, coal
bins and storeroom in the basement. Bonds for the erection of this building were
voted in 1892. and it is said that had they been floated immediately, five per cent
bonds would have brought a premium, but in 1893 the panic came on and it was
found almost impossible to float the bonds at any price. Over two hundred
letters were written to various financial institutions in Chicag-o, New York.
Boston. San Francisco and other cities throughout the country, but without avail.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 167
Finally Mr. S. Gillespie went to Chicago, and after spending several days upon
the street, succeeded in floating six per cent ponds at ninety. In order to get
in the heating plant, which cost $2,100, a local party was persuaded to take
warrants upon the schoolhouse fund drawing six per cent and discounted ten
per cent. At this time the board of education consisted of S. Gillespie, H.
Chamberlain, A. H. Cheney, F. T. Verharen, M. P. W. Albee and George Starr.
The building w^as constructed by S. B. Taylor and J. C. McCoy.
In 1901 a one-room frame building was erected on the south side. The
first three grades are housed here.
In 1902 a handsome four-room two-story brick building was erected on the
north side at a cost of $8,000. It is heated by hot air, but has neither city water
nor sewer connections. The first five grades and the seventh are housed here.
At this time Spencer has a school population of eight hundred and sixty
pupils, over seven hundred of whom are in school. The pupils are housed in
five dififerent buildings and instructed by twenty-three teachers. A. H. Avery
is superintendent, and the board of education consists of A. W. Green, President
A. C. Ferine, J\I. E. DeWolf. S. Gillespie and Charles Weaver.
A full five-year course of study is laid out for the high school and graduates
are conditioned for sophomore in college. The high school has an enrollment of
one hundred and ninety-two students, twenty-three of whom will graduate this
year. Eight teachers do the work, as follows : D. M. Odle, principal, geometry ;
John A. Larson, physics, chemistry and geology; Lodema Willis, English; W. J.
]\Ioir. Jr., history; Gertrude Ingalls, Latin and German; Laura Benson, science
and algebra ; Florence Hall, Latin and English ; A. H. Avery, economics. First
year classes are segregated. The following is the course of study :
Eighth grade, A class : Arithmetic, grammar, history, physical geography.
Ninth grade: Latin, algebra, rhetoric, physiology, botany.
Tenth grade : Cssar, geometry, American literature, ancient history.
Eleventh grade : Cicero, or geolog}' and zoology, geometry, English litera-
ture, modern history.
Twelfth grade: Virgil or chemistry, German, algebra and civics. United
States history.
Thirteenth grade : Physics, German, economics and arithmetic, English
literature, including English grammar.
The Spencer high school has two literary societies, the Alpha, a girls'
society, whose membership is limited to fifty, and the /\thenian, a boys' society,
whose membership is limited to forty.
The Spencer high school has a library of fifteen hundred volumes, consisting
largely of books of reference, histories, biographies, science and literature. The
history department is especially strong, there being over two hundred volumes
of the very best. The library has been accessioned and card catalogued according
to the Dewey decimal system, and the books are made as accessible to the school
as it is possible to make them.
In the fall of 1901 the Spencer high school became a member of the Iowa
High School Declamatory Association. Since then the following have carried
off silver medals from the district contests : Ralph McWhirter, Clare Horner,
V68 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
\\'ilson Cornwell, Leonard Reed ; and the following gold medals from the state
contests : Ralph McWhirter, Wilson Cornwall and Leonard Reed.
The following is a complete list of the graduates of the high school :
Class of '87: Ella Bowman. Burton Calkins. Charles Jones. Carrie Randall
and Blanch Watson.
Class of '88 : C. C. Bender. Harry Glover, Curtis Cruver, Irving Townsend,
Mattie Knight, Florence Claypool, ^Myrtle Gifford, Frank O'Brien, Carrie Fay,
Archie ]\IcCoy, Mabel IMann, Nellie Kirkpatrick, Lorena \'arney.
Class of '90: Zada White, A. J. Cuttell, Belle Hulling. Allic Myers, Hattie
Cuttell, Nellie Green, Lena \'erharen, Bessie Smith, Carrie ■\IcConnell Lizzie
AIcElhiney.
Class of '92': Alice Hubbard. Minnie McConnell. Bessie Knight, Mark
Taylor, Charles Kirkpatrick, Rose Davison, Oma Evans.
Class of '94: Cj. C. Albce, Susie Barrett, Jessie Bender, O. A. Hammond,
Edna ]\IcConnell, ]^Ielvin Stephenson. Lulu Purdy.
Class of '95 : Jay Goble, Florence Steele.
Class of '96: Edith Brande, Edna Brande, Marion Bruntlett, Alonzo
Chamberlain, Jennie Claypool, Fred Crandall. Ida Dubois, Arthur Greaves,
Frank Hendricks, Minnie Hurinton, Forest Flirleman, Florence Hubbard,
Lulu N'erharen. Ethel Wyatt, Gertrude Robbins. ]\Iay Tryon.
Class of '97: Edith Archer, Olive Archer, Homer Coffin, Bessie Cotterell,
Bessie .Crawford. Lena Fuhr. Zelma Goldsworthy. Adelaide Hewitt, Dasie
McConnell. Harry Oliver, U'illiam Paterson, Arthur \'erharen. Avis Wescott.
George White.
Class of '98: Jennie Austin, Lenora Barry, i\Iary Burgin, Grace Gregory,
Nina Hewitt. Gertrude Ingalls. Ella Jones. Inez Palmer, Amanda Palmquist,
Will Robison. X'ictor Tryon.
Class of "99: John Ackenback. Leigh Gillespie, Clinton Green. Rov
Sherbondy, Lome Smylic.
Class of 1900: Edna Ryerson. Stella Kimball. Eunice Hockett, Grace Walsh,
Edna Dubois, Ruth Francis, Edna Green, Stella Gregory, Floyd Hiser, Elsie
Kellogg, Jessie Miller, Minnie Bowman, Irene 'Montour, Margie Ferine, Cordelia
S. Treat, Emma Robinson.
Class of "01 : Elizabeth Crandall. Basil Dean, May Dull, Sadie Goble, Clara
Green, Edna Mattson. Lucy Starff. Emma Steigleder, Bessie \'an Denburg.
Class of '02 : Mabel Ackenback, Mabel Hay, Beulah Hendershott,
Mlhelmine Jesperson. Audrey Livingstone, Aleck ^McAllister. Hazel 'Painter,
Margaret Steigleder, Mabel Treat, Blanch Watts, JMortimer W'eaver.
Class of '03 : Gertrude O'Brien, Henry Hubbard, May Nettleton, Maude
Gillespie, Josephine Francis, Blanches Goldsworthy, Ricka Larson, Mae Thomas.
Class of '04: Maud Fraher, Susie Goble, May Ketcham. Flora Belle Mack,
Ruby ]Montour, Emma Miller, Mary Ferine, Grace Symington, Thomas Thomas,
Frances Wade. Mildred Yates. Cecile Buck, Clare Horner, Leo Mather.
Class of 05 : Emma Ackenback, Fanny Blondel, Flora Mitts, Charles
Collester, Oran D. Jones.
Class of "06: Mildred [Morgan, Lena Bjornstad. Agnes Gillespie, Mabel
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 169
Kingsley, Verne McCown, Barbara Cornwall, Charles Royce, Ethel Weaver,
Elsie Scholer.
Class of '07 : Elsie Ackenback, Lyle Baker, Helen Black, Royal Burgin,
Marie Dickinson, Lisle Goldsworthy, Ethel Knight, Edna Livingstone, Zella
P^almer, Zora Parrott, Theodore Scholer, Eva Spencer, Alfred Thomas, Bertha
Walters.
Class of '08 : Wilbnr Bailey, Edna Brown, ]\Iabelle Claypool, Wilson
Cornwall. Avery Constant, John Cory, Harold Horner, Lilly Knight, Floy
Mather, Ralph AlcWhirter, Leonard Reed, Donald Wooliscroft, Etta Taylor,
lona Wilson, Bennie Wilson, Dale Youde, Cass Youde.
The Spencer Public Library Association was organized in 1883 by a few
ladies who were willing to give their time and means that Spencer might have
the best advantages possible at that, time in the way of books, which meant hard
work, much time and sacrifice on their part.
Officers were selected, Mrs. Ackley Hubbard being chosen as the first
presiding officer.
The beginning was made with a few books and a few from the W. C. T. U.,
of which they wished to dispose. Mrs. Dr. Crary gave the use of her parlor
as a library room, acting as librarian for a time, the ladies taking turns in looking
after the librar}-. A plan was made for raising money to carry on the work and
buy books, also for regular sul^scribers, who, by paying the sum of $1, were
entitled to the use of the library books for one year, non-subscribers paying at
the rate of five cents per week. Fairs were held, suppers given, and money
raised by many legitimate means.
After seven years of untiring effort the ladies were able to purchase a small
frame building for librarv purposes, paying $500 for it, which they then occupied.
To keep this in repair, pay insurance and other incidentals necessary, added so
much to the expense that the ladies found it too great a burden, so offered the
town council the property, on condition that they levy a tax for the maintenance
of the library; which proposition was accepted and a tax voted by the people,
as provided by the state law.
The property, then valued at $1,000, was turned over to the city, the ladies
still having charge of it and taking all responsibility, which did not materially
lessen their work. The name was changed to Spencer Public Library, and a
librarian employed at a small salary. For three years a tax of one mill was
received, then one and one-half for a time.
In the spring of 1902 Harlan J. Buck, an attorney and old resident of
Spencer, was elected mayor, and soon after he procured letters from prominent
congressmen, cabinet officers and judges urging Mr. Andrew Carnegie to make
a donation of $10,000 for a library building, which letters, together with a
certified copy of a resolution adopted by the city council July 18, 1902, pledging
the city council and its successors to levy such a tax for library purposes as w'ould
produce a sum of at least $1,000 per annum, were forwarded by the mayor,
together with his letter of application, to Mr. Andrew Carnegie, of New York
City.
On January 13, 1903, the mayor received the following letter:
170 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
"Andrew Carnegie,
2 East 91st Street,
New York.
Mayor, Buck, 13th January, 1903.
Spencer, Iowa.
Dear Sir: Responding to your communications in behalf of Spencer, if the
city agree by resolution of council to maintain a free public library at cost of
not less than $1,000 a year and provide a suitable site for the building, Mr.
Carnegie will be glad to furnish $10,000 to erect a free public library for Spencer.
Respectfully yours,
J.\s. Bertr.am,
P. Secretary."
At the time the library books were turned over to the city by the Spencer
Public Library Association they also conveyed a lot on Main street, together
with a small wooden building located thereon, to the city, this having been the
home of the library for many years; and after the receipt of the letter from Mr.
Carnegie steps were taken to procure a new site for the library, it being thought
that the old site was not suitable in many respects.
Dr. Charles McAllister offered to deed the present library site to the city
in exchange for the lot and building on [Main street, which offer was accepted
by the board of library trustees and the city council April 6, 1903, and subse-
quently deeds were exchanged.
The city council on Septemljer 18, 1903, adopted a resolution pledging the
city to levy an annual tax upon the taxable property within the city sufficient
to produce the sum of $1,000 to maintain the free public library when the library
building shall have been built, also expressing appreciation to ]\Ir. Carnegie for
his magnanimous offer to the city, and the city clerk was directed to send
]\Ir. Carnegie a certified copy of the resolution.
In 1904 the present library building was erected. The structure is quite
a novelty in architecture and pleasing to the eye. The exterior is beautiful
and the arrangements are the acme of perfection for convenience and the com-
fort of its patrons. Almost four thousand volumes of a varied selection of
books are on the shelves of this Carnegie library and from year to year the
most desirable of new publications are being added to the list.
SPENCER POSTMASTERS.
R. A. Coats was the premier postmaster of Spencer, taking the office in
1869 under General Grant's administration. Mr. Coats was one of the early
settlers of the county and was a member of the famous "Spencer Pioneer Band"
of early comers. His homestead was what now constitutes land belonging to
A. S. Mack and Frank M. Tuttle, northwest of the city limits. He at one time
was county superintendent of schools and for a number of years was the pastor
of the Free Will Baptist church. Rev. Coats left Spencer about a quarter of a
century ago and now makes his home at Maine, Minnesota, although he occa-
sionally visits Spencer and renews old acquaintances.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SPENCER
THE NEW YORK I
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LTNOX
TILO' N FOUNDATIONS
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 171
R. A. Coats was succeeded by Miss Eliza Gannett, who was a daughter
of E. Gannett, a homesteader who came to Clay county in 1870, from Wisconsin,
and located one mile southwest of Spencer. Miss Gannett held the office until
1874, when she resigned to become the wife of Charles Carver, an early settler
of Riverton township. In less than a year after his marriage, Mr. Carver lost
his life in a windstorm. The house in which he was sleeping was blown over
and his lifeless body taken from the debris. His widow about four years later
became the wife of David Skinner, who died about four years ago. Mr. Skinner
was a blacksmith and plow maker and owned the Skinner block, on Main street.
Mrs. Skinner is now living with relatives in Missouri.
The next postmaster of Spencer was Peter E. Randall. He was appointed
to the office to fill out Miss Gannett's unexpired term and was his own successor
for another term of four years. Mr. Randall came to Clay county in 1870, from
Wisconsin, and took up a homestead two miles southwest of Spencer, in Riverton
township. He afterward resigned from the postoffice to assume the duties of
county treasurer, to which office he had been elected. Mr. Randall died in
Spencer in 1905.
The next incumbent of the office of postmaster was J. H. Hale, who held
the position until the beginning of the first Cleveland administration. It was
for Mr. Hale that P. M. Moore, civil engineer, laid out the town of Spencer, in
1871.
C. P. Buckey, the present cashier of the First National Bank, of Spencer,
was Mr. Hale's successor as postmaster,' serving four years under Grover
Cleveland's first administration. Mr. Buckey came to Clay county in 1874, from
West Virginia. He is a native of Frederick, Maryland. He located in Spencer
and went into the Clay County Bank as bookkeeper.
A. F. McConnell received the appointment as postmaster, and assumed his
duties as such under Harrison's administration, in 1889. Mr. McConnell has
long been a resident of Spencer and is now engaged in real estate and the buying
and selling of live stock.
The successor of A. F. McConnell was Earl Bronson, who came to Spencer
in 1 89 1 and established the Spencer Herald. He entered the postoffice as its
chief when Grover Cleveland became president the second time, and held the
position four years. Mr. Bronson is now engaged in editing the Spencer
Herald, one of the most creditable newspapers of northwestern Iowa.
Mr. Bronson was followed as postmaster of Spencer by the present incum-
bent, Charles C. Bender. Mr. Bender was born in Algona and was but a child
when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Bender, arrived in Spencer, in 1872. At
that period the elder Mr. Bender engaged in general merchandise, but when the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad began operations in Spencer, an elevator
was built and he bought and sold grain. He is now living in Los Angeles.
Postmaster Bender is now serving his third term and performing the duties
of his office to the entire satisfaction of the postal department and his constit-
uency. In fact, the same may be said of all who held this responsible position.
November i, 1908, Spencer took on metropolitan airs and from the post-
office issued men in uniform, with mail sacks strapped to their shoulders. These
were mail carriers — city mail carriers — and today Spencer has the same privilege
172 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
and convenience in the distribution of mails as any city in the state — a free
dehvery.
THE SPENCER REPORTER.
The Spencer Reporter made its first appearance in 1878, and for a short
time was under the management of M. E. Griffin and Samuel Gillespie. J. F.
Ford in August of that year, returned from California and purchased the plant.
He conducted the business for some three years, when he sold it to A. T.
McCarger. In January, 1882, the Barnard brothers purchased the concern and
run it for several years. Others have owned the Reporter. In September,
1904. E. S. Randall, I. R. McKee and F. W". Randall took possession and since
that time have given their constituency a live, up-to-date newspaper, tliat is
continually growing in favor and usefulness. The Reporter is a six-column
quarto and is issued every Wednesday. It is republican in politics and at this
time the official organ of the county.
THE SPENCER HER.ALD.
The Spencer Herald i.s the democratic organ of Clay county and- one of the
best edited weekly newspapers in northwestern Iowa. The paper dates its birth
from the advent of its founders into Spencer, which took place in the summer
of 1891. At that time there came from Manchester. Iowa, the place of their
birth, two ambitious and enterprising young men. Earl and Wirt Bronson,
sons of Charles E. Bronson, now deceased, one of Manchester's pioneers and
most prominent lawyers. Forming a partnership, these young journalists estab-
lished the Spencer Herald, which at once took a firm anchorage in the business
affairs of the county and became, as it is today, a reliable, truthful and pro-
gressive weekly distributor of both foreign and local news. The Herald is par-
tisan in its politics. No one can question the democracy of its editor. The
Herald is a six-column quarto, published weekly, has a liberal advertising
patronage and a wide circulation. In 1902 Wirt Bronson retired from tlie firm ;
since then Earl has been going it alone. He finds in his wife, however, an able
assistant.
THE CLAY COUNTY NEWS.
The News, Clay county's first permanent newspaper, was started at Peterson
in January, 1871, J. F. Ford being the editor and proprietor. jMr. Ford was a
young man possessed of more than average mechanical skill and a fair share of
literary ability. The following spring he was joined by Samuel Gillespie, who
assisted in both the mechanical and editorial work. Peterson was then a small
village and contained not to exceed fifty people. The business of the town
included two small general stores, a grist mill, a hotel and a blacksmith shop.
The people of both the village and the surrounding countrv welcomed the new
enterprise and gave it hearty support. The News, when first published, was
a seven-column folio, two pages of which were printed in Chicago and two at
home. Matters moved along pleasantly until the early fall of 1871, when the
proposition to remove the county seat from Peterson to Spencer became a live
issue. Peterson was a half mile from the south line of the countv. Situated as
the town was in the extreme southwestern corner of the countv, the News could
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 173
not inslifv itself in advocating the retention of the seat of government at a point
so inequitable. It also became evident, early in the campaign, that Spencer, a
town on the newly surveyed line of the Chicago; [Milwaukee & St. Paul railway,
would win in the contest. It was likewise evident that a town the size of
Peterson, with the county seat lost and twenty-five miles to the nearest railway,
was not an inviting point at which to conduct a newspaper. Remembering the
heartv welcome that had been accorded and the substantial help extended, it
seemed ungrateful to leave, while to stay meant destruction. The law of self-
preservation prevailed and the latter part of September, 1871, the News moved
to Spencer, where several business houses and two small residences had been
erected on the newl}- platted town site.
On leaving Peterson, the News lost a considerable number of its subscribers
in that part of the county: but the business men of Spencer came to the rescue
with a liberal amount of advertising, and many subscriptions were forthcoming
from the homesteaders then settling in large numbers on the vacant government
land.
The news made very satisfactory progress from the time of coming to
Spencer until the early summer of 1873. when the first invasion of the grass-
hoppers occurred. The grasshoppers, or Colorado locusts, as some called them,
lit down in myriads and destroyed the growing crops. This calamity, for calamity
it was, destroyed the hopes not only of the farmers, but men of other lines of
business as well. So complete was the destruction of the crops and so serious
was the loss to the farmers, that it became necessary to seek aid from the more
fortunate friends to the south and east. It was also thought best to petition
the state legislature for an appropriation, with which to buy seed-grain for the
unfortunate farmers of the northwestern part of the state. Representatives and
state senators from this part of the state brought the matter to the attention
of the general assembly, and that body appropriated the sum of $50,000 with
which to purchase seed-grain for such farmers in the stricken region as w^ere
unable to purchase it for themselves. This aid enabled the farmers to make a
new start, and for the next two years there was a gleam of hope ; but the summer
of 1876, just as the crops were ripening for the harvest, the second grasshopper
invasion occurred, when corn, wheat, oats, garden crops, and everything in the
line of vegetables excepting the prairie grass, were destroyed. The second
calamity so discouraged the farmers that many of them decided to abandon then
homes and seek places in more favored lands. Many of the farmers' teams
were mortgaged, but the incumbrance did not deter them from loading their
household goods into their wagons, to which they hitched their horses and
drove away, generally leaving at night. This exodus cost the News, perhaps,
one-third of its subscribers. Were it not for the fact that both members of the
firm were practical printers, did about all the work, and were fortunate enough
to own their ofifice building and printing material, free of debt, it is difficult to
understand how they could have survived the trying ordeal.
Soon after the second grasshopper invasion an opportunity to sell the prop-
erty occurred, and the junior member of the firm being in very poor health at
that time, it was decided to make the sale. A. T. McCarger. a practical and
successful journalist, was the purchaser. He conducted the business successfully
174 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
vmtil the spring of 1878, when he sold to ^McAllister & Albee. These gentlemen,
after managing the paper a couple of years, sold it to W. C. Gilbreath, who
conducted it about a year, and sold to C. M. Whitman. Mr. Whitman sold a
half interest to Jacob ]\Ierritt, and a little later disposed of his remaining interest
to his partner. Mr. Merritt continued to conduct the business until the spring
of 1884, when W. C. Gilbreath again bought the property. Mr. Gilbreath, after
a period of two and one-half years, sold to P. E. Randall, who about a year
later, sold to M. H. Richards, who continued the publication up to September i,
1895, when the present proprietors, Randall & Gillespie, acquired the property
and have continued in control slightly more than thirteen years. During its
almost thirty-eight years of existence, the News has encountered and survived
many severe storms, has seen many of its neighbors and some of its rivals go
•down to early deaths, and has itself been taxed about to the limit, yet it still
lives. The paper is a six-column quarto, republican in politics and is issued
weekly.
LODGES AND ASSOCI.XTIGNS.
These organizations in this county arc in a most prosperous condition and
have not only a large membership but a goodly attendance at each of their
regular stated meetings. Good fellowship and a fraternal feeling prevails among
the members. Each lodge is well ofificered and equipped and has its rooms well
furnished. \'isiting members will always receive a warm welcome when they
visit any of these lodges in Clay county. The following is a list of the lodges,
together with a complete roster of the first officers :
Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312. — A. F. and A. ^L Was organized Januar\
24, 1872. The charter was granted June 8, 1872. The charter members
included S. Lacove, S. F. McDonald, A. Wright, J. W. Christ, S. B. Christ,
E. J. Marvine, H. H. Wilber and William Flarvey, none of whom reside in
Spencer. The membership of the lodge now numbers about one hundred and
fifty and is gradually growing. Its hall is handsomely furnished, and everything
is done to make the gatherings pleasant and agreeable to the members. The
monthly meetings are held on Monday evening on or before the full moon.
Spencer Lodge, No. 247, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 17, 1872,
and has sustained a prosperous growth since its first organization. Its members
have proven themselves faithful and fervent to their vows and have helped their
needy, cared for their sick and attended their dead with such fidelity and sin-
cerity that it has grown and developed into a lodge of prominence and power.
Their good works will live and be remembered after the members have passed
to "that bourne from whence no traveler returneth." The good deeds of this
lodge and its individual members will not be soon forgotten. Its charter mem-
bers were H. N. Smith, A. B. Kline, J. F. Ford, A. G. Hardin 'and W. I. Rood.
Its first officers were A. S. Kline, N. G. ; H. N. Smith, V. G; W I. Rood, R. S.
The lodge has all the necessary paraphernalia and lodge furniture to make its
meetings pleasant and entertaining. The right hand of warm fellowship is
always extended to those who visit this noble order of men. The present
membership is quite large.
A. O. V. W., No. 201. — Came into existence in 1879, and was organized
with a large membership. Its object is to combine mutual as well as individual
HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY 175
benefits. The great and permanent good it has done is attested by hundreds
of widows and orphans, who, by this noble and beneficent organization, were
kept from want and privation. Its first officers were : W. C. Gilbreath, P. M. W. ;
A. T. AlcCargar, M. W. ; M. P. W. Albee, Foreman; C. P. Buckey, Recorder;
I. F. Constant, Financier; \V. L. Bender, Receiver; J. P. Evans, Guide; E.
Pickering, G. W. : J. M. Hagerty, I W. ; T. P. Bender, M. E. Griffin and M. S.
Green. Trustees.
Spencer Lodge. Xo. 282, A. O. U. W. — Known among the workmen as
belonging to and under the jurisdiction of the "Loyal Grand Lodge," was
organized in 1887. Like its namesake, or "Dissenters," it has for its purpose a
noble object. Its first officers were: Ackley Hubbard, P. M. W. ; B. F. Horner,
M. W. ; W. S. Bemis, Foreman; T. C. iNIeyer, Overseer; Guide, Frank Gilford;
Recorder, J. Bochm ; Financier, C. E. Taylor; Receiver, J. M. Holmes; I. G.
David Metts.
Harmony Lodge, Xo. 188, K. of P. — This organization dates its existence
from February 16, 1888, and from the very first start has rapidly grown and
increased in members. It was a worthy organization and deserved the pros-
perity that attended it. Its first official list was constituted as follows : P. C.,
H. Kunath : C. C, John Andrews ; \". C, Williaiu Clopper ; Prelate, P. W.
Madden: K. of R. and S.. L. M. Cummock ; M. at A., J. B. Stamp; M. of E.,
M. H. Wearer; M of F., G. B. Bender: I. G., Dr. Charles McAllister; O. G.,
John Watts. This lodge has been out of existence for some time past.
The Spencer Building and Loan Association — Is one among the most benefi-
cial organizations in the place, pecuniarly speaking. It has been the means
of assisting many persons to obtain homes who would otherwise have been
deterred from so doing. Like other institutions of a similar character, the
funds are raised on the assessment plan and the profits are shared.
THE woman's club OF SPENCER.
Spencer women have all shown themselves progressive and, when the wave
of club organization swept over the west in the early '90s, they were quick to
grasp the meaning of the movement and its significance to the community.
In the fall of 1894 the Spencer Woman's Club was organized, having for
its avowed aim, culture and mutual helpfulness. Its first officers were : Presi-
dent, Mrs. Ackley Hubbard: secretary, Mrs. Dr. Bois ; treasurer, Miss Mattie
r)Owman.
In pursuit of its first aim, the club has successively taken up the study of
many nations and has embraced a wide range of subjects, including child study
and household economics ; some of the most successful seasons having been
devoted to literary programs. In the year 1896 the club joined the Iowa State
Federation of Women's Clubs, and in 1901, became a member of the General
Federation. Throughout its history loyalty to the federation idea has been a
marked feature of the Spencer Woman's Club ; delegates have been sent to ah
district meetings, to five state biennials and to three national conventions. The
club has furnished to the state a district chairman, a vice president and, for two
terms, chairman of the household economics committee.
17(3 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
In 1903 the clubs of the eleventh district were entertained by the Woman's
Club and a successful convention held here. The invitation recently extended,
to meet again in Spencer in 1909, met with an enthusiastic acceptance.
The social element has entered largely into the club life, picnics, receptions
and suppers have all had their turn ; one pleasant feature has been the annual
reception offered to the ladies attending the Farmers' Institute. In connection
with the latter the club has, on three successive years, given a silver spoon, as a
prize for the best essay on some household topic written by a girl under fifteen
years of age.
When the Carnegie library was built, the Woman's Club furnished the
assembly room and, on two occasions since that time, two book showers have
been given, resulting in the addition of eighty volumes to the library. Two art
exhibits have been held, and on several occasions lecturers have been engaged
to address the club and invited friends.
State-wide movements for the benefit of the home, such as the state library
commission, the compulsory education, child labor and pure food bills, have
received the hearty support of the club by means of petitions and letters to
legislators and persons of influence. Through its committee on civic improve-
ment some untidy corners have been cleaned up.
In 1905 the management of the M. G. M. lecture course was tendered to
the Woman's Club and accepted. Since that time six high-class entertainments
have been given each winter with good "iiiccess
Undoubtedly this organization, whose members at one time numbered seventy-
five, has had its silent influence in the development of the home. The breadth
of thought, purity of aim, deep interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare
of the home, have been felt in the community and which has been bettered for
what was in the hearts and in the discussions of its women.
The officers for the present year are as follows :
President, Mrs. Kirkpatrick ; vice president, Mrs. Steele ; second vice presi-
dent, Mrs. Horner; recording secretary, Mrs. Gillespie; corresponding secretary.
Mrs. Cruver ; treasurer, Mrs. Leach ; librarian, Mrs. Fee. These officers, ablv sup-
ported by the following standing committees: program, social, printing, room,
special study and educational, will carry out the high aims and the earnest
purposes of the founders of the club.
THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE OF SPENCER.
The Grand Opera House is the piece de resistance in the general make-up
of the business center of Spencer. The building was erected in the summer of
1900 by John Copper. It is three stories in height and has a frontage on IMain
street of seventy -five feet. The structure is • made of Twin City buff brick,
trimmed with red stone, which gives it a substantial and imposing appearance.
The ground floor is given over to business rooms. The second floor front has
office rooms, while the rear of this story and the rear of the third story make
the auditorium, gallery and stage of the theater. The seating capacity is about
eight hundred. The people of Spencer are proud of their place of amusement
and, from the fact it is suited to the requirements of traveling artists of the
stage, it has made Spencer what is called by "professionals," a good show town.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 177
ANNETT POST.
Annett Post, G. A. R., No. 124. — Was duly organized at Spencer and
officers installed February 10, 1883. They were: Commander, Cyrus McKay;
S. V. C, E. Boyer; J. \'. C, B. .P. Huff; Adjutant, J. N. Andrew; Sergeant
Major, G. H. Deggins ; Chaplain, L L. Foster; O. M., A. T McConnell; Officer
of the Day, W. B. Davidson; Guard, J. P. Evans. It has a membership of about
seventy-seven.
The Post was organized with forty-three charter members, as follows :
W. R. Davidson, E. Boyer, B. P. Hough, Henry Green, D. C. Gillespie, William
T. Fizell, M. H. Marshell, Edward Files, \\\ J. Salisbery, C. W. Hoxie, C. B.
Fairbanks, A. FI. Miner, J. J. G. Knowles, T. H. Jones, J. N. Andrews, Perry
Hodge, James B. Barry, James Fred, G. M. Smith, E. Pickering, Cyrus McKay,
T. O. Phelps, H. J. Goodell, J. P. Evans, FI. K. Frain, A. B. Walters, George H.
Diggins, C. E. Case, A. F. McConnell, Charles Goold, Peter Kress, A. H.
Cheney, H. C. Crary, Scott Case, L. M. Rood, Walter Bedford, \N. A. Stone,
J. C. Tabor, John Andrews, P. E. Randall, R. A. Coats, I. L. Foster and George
Andrews.
The following are the names of the deceased soldiers interred in Riverside
cemetery, Spencer, Iowa.
W. H. Roth, G. W. Stephenson. A. Fuhr, Peter Bergeman, D. Faulkner,
S. C. Bascome, J. M. Carr, Walter Bedford. J. Wade, C. E. W\iste, U. S. Waste,
H. S. Bender, Charles Carver. S. J. Reynolds, J. B. Annett, S. A. Haines,
S. K. Purdy, C. Dalley. A. W. Miller, W. C. Savage, R. B. Jones, A. Woodruf,
J. N. Andrews, C. D. Hendershot, A. S. Hatch, H. S. W^oodard, R. Roberts,
J. Hovey, A. Hovey, \\\ M. Deane, L. M. .Marr, J. Cottrell. FI. D. Parsons,
W. W. Been, S. Wilson, W. J. Dailey, J. W. Stebbins, D. T. Jaynes, J. P.
Evans, Delos Secor, A. M. Dye. M. M. Smith, D. F. Janes, T. P. Doty. \\\ R.
Tubs, zMphius Adams, Ashley Smith, P. E. Randall, Chris Green, Thomas Smock.
M. L. Marshall, F. P. Kress, C. G. Tinkham, Adam R. Wheeler, W. H. Austin.
T. C. Dood, George Bassett. P. F. Marker, Jasper Messenger. J. C. Barrv,
John McConnell and Henry Thurier ; making a total of sixty-two.
PAST POST COMMANDERS.
Now liviriR Time of Service Now living" Time of service
E. Boyer 1885 T. H. Jones 1893
J. P. Evans 1886 L. Whitney 1894
A. F. McConnell 1887 N- T. Wilcox. .! 1899
W. T. Fizell 1888 J. C. McCoy : 1901
W. P. Bowman 1889 J. S. Ade 1904
A. H. Cheney 1890 J. P. Mills 1906
Thomas McQueen 1891
LIST OF MEMBERS OF ANNETT POST, NO. I24, G. A. R., DEPARTMENT OF IOWA.
W. T. Fitzell — Enlisted Aug. 21, 1862; Co. K, 29th Wis. inf. Discharged
June 22, 1865. Close war.
T. H. Jones, Priv. — Enlisted Aug. 14, 1862; Co. H, 22d Wis. inf. Discharged
Sept. 7. 1863. Disability.
178 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
A. F. :\IcConnell, Sergt.— Enlisted Aug. 21, 1862; Co. B, 23d Wis. inf. Dis-
charged July 14, 1865. Disability.
W. E. Rose, Priv. — Enlisted Jan. 4, 1863; Co. F, 34th Iowa inf. Discharged
August, 1865. Corp.
W. H. H. Clark— Enlisted 1861 ; 3rd Iowa battery. Discharged Oct. 2t^, 1864.
Disability.
James Ashborn — Enlisted Aug. 17. 1862; Co. G. 6th Iowa cavalry. Discharged
Oct. 17, 1866. G. O.
T. Tindall — Enlisted ]\Iay 7, 1864; Co. C, 145th 111. inf. Discharged May 20,
1866. Close.
X. C. Harvey — Enlisted Dec. 24, 1803; Co. H. 2nd Wis. Discharged July 16,
1865. Corporal.
J. H. Peck. Priv. — Enlisted May, 1864: Co. D, 45th Wis. inf. Discharged Sept.,
1864. Exp. of term.
Scott Case, Priv. — Enlisted Aug. 26, 1861 ; Co. C. iith Wis. inf. Discharged
Aug. 19, 1863. Loss of left leg.
E. Ijoyer. Priv. — Enlisted Oct. 11. 1864; Co. E. 52nd Ind. inf. Discharged July
21, 1865. Close.
A. Seibel, Corp. — Enlisted Sept., 1861 : Co. F. 8th Iowa vol. Discharged June
18, 1865. G. O. No. 19.
C. W. Hoxie, Priv. — Enlisted Oct. 7, 1864; Co. 1, 13th Wis. inf. Discharged
July 25, 1865. Close.
J. O. Jackson — Enlisted Sept. 7. 1861 ; Co. D. 12th Wis. inf. Discharged June 3,
1865. Close.
N. T. Wilcox. Priv.— Enlisted Oct. 20, 1861; Co. D. 102nd X. ^'. inf. Dis-
cliargcd Dec. 24, 1864. Exp. of term.
11. 1'.. Paige — I'jilisted Xov. 27. 1861: Co. K. 7lh Xew Hampshire. Discharged
June 5. 1863. Serg. Cirt.
J. C. McCoy, Priv.— Enlisted Sept.. 18O1 ; i'.al. 1, Wis. L. A. Discharged Oct.
22, 1864. Sergt.
John Andrews, Priv. — Enlisted May 9, 1864; Co. A, 46th Iowa inf. Discharged
Sept. 27,, 1864. 100 days.
D. C. Palmer, Priv. — Enlisted 1864; Co. D, 35th Wis. Discharged 1866. Corp.
C. L. Hayes, Sergt. — Enlisted Aug. 26, 1862; Co. F, 157th N. Y. inf. Dis-
charged June 20, 1865. Wounds.
Dr. J. C. Collister— Enlisted ^lay 7, 1864; Co. F, 138th 111. inf. Discharged
July 14. 1865. Close.
L. \\hitney — Enlisted Aug. 30, 1864; Co. C. 146th 111. inf. Discharged July 7,
1865. Close.
J. T. Ade — Enlisted July 4, 1863; Co. A, 43d Ohio. Discharged May 16, 1866.
Close.
D. L. Ryder — Enlisted Sept. 3. 1864: LT. S. N. Discharged Aug. 26, 1865.
Close.
John Watts. Priv. — Enlisted July 4. 1862; Co. H. 21st Iowa inf. Discharged
Tnly I =,, T865. Close.
D. '\\. Green — Enlisted ^lay. 1861 ; Co. E. 3_|th X. Y. Discharged Sept. 20.
1865. Close.
THE NEW YORK
IPUBLIC LIBRARY
I xiLD"^ N FOU'-DA IONS _
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 181
J. W. Phelps — Enlisted 1863; Co. I, 20th Iowa inft. Discharged July 15, 1866.
Close of term.
A. Paddock — Enlisted Aug., 1862; Co. D, 96th Iowa inf. Discharged May 12,
1865. Close of term.
J. W. Hartman — Enlisted Jan., 1864; Co. B, 46th 111. inf. Discharged 1865.
Close of term.
Alex. Hayman, Priv. — Enlisted Aug. 30, 1862; Co. K, 105th 111. inf. Discharged
May 12, 1865. Close of term.
D. F. O. Cuttell, Priv. — Enlisted Aug. 9. 1862; Co. A. 24th Iowa inf. Dis-
charged Nov. 7, 1863. G. S. wounds.
George Kindelspire, Priv. — Enlisted June 24, 1861 ; Co. H, 7th Mo. inf. Dis-
charged June 16, 1863. G. S. wounds.
J. Wamsley, Priv. — Enlisted Aug., 1862; Co. B, 94th 111. inf. Discharged Sept.,
1864. Disability.
E. D. Chamberlin — Enlisted Sept. 2, 1864; Co. H, I. H. art. Discharged June 15,
1865. G. O. 53.
P. W. Madden — No description.
S. L. Cutshall, Priv.— Enlisted Oct. i, 1863; Co. B, 4th Iowa cav. Discharged
Aug. 8, 1865. Close.
A. M. Jones, Corp. — Enlisted Sept. 3. 1864; Co. G, 211th Pa. inf. Discharged
June 2, 1865. Close.
E.'Wetherby, Priv. Enhsted May 10, 1864; Co. D, 47th 111. inf. Discharged
Sept. 24, 1864. Close of term.
W. W. Culver, Corp. — Enlisted Aug. 2, 1862; Co. A, 33d Wis. inf. Discharged
Aug. 9, 1865. Close of term.
John Riley, Priv. — Enlisted Feb., 1862; Co. C, 12th 111. cav. Discharged Sept.,
1865. Close of term.
William Steel. Priv. — Enlisted Dec. 3, 1863; Co. A. ist Wis. cav. Discharged
July 19. 1865. Close of term.
M. E. Grififin. Priv. — Enlisted Aug.. 1862; Co. F, 21st Iowa inf. Discharged
June, 1865. Close.
Jos. O'Brien, Priv. — Enlisted Aug. 6, 1862; Co. K, 187th Pa. inf. Discharged
Aug. 3, 1865. Special Order.
Ira Sargent, Priv. — Enlisted Oct. 17, 1864; Co. D, 4th Iowa inf. Discharged
July 24, 1865. Close.
J. A. Alexander, Priv. — Enlisted Aug., 1862; Co. K, 22nd W^is. inf. Discharged
June, 1865. Close.
Luke Becket, Priv. — Enlisted June 16, 1865; Co. D, loth Iowa inf. Discharged
Sept., 1865. Close.
Charles O. Harriss — Enlisted Nov.. 1861 ; Co. I, i6th Wis. inf. Discharged
Dec. 25, 1865. Close.
B. F. Lowrie, Priv. — Enlisted Oct.. 1862 ; Co. K, 56th N. Y. inf. Discharged
Oct. 16, 1865. Exp. of term.
Edgar Miner — No description.
A. H. Cheney. First Lieut. — Enlisted Sept. 1. 1862; Co. E, loth \'ermont. Dis-
charged Sept. 30, 1865. Major.
CLAY 11. .
182 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
«
D. C. Gillespie, Priv. — Enlisted June i6, 1864; Co. E, 12th Wis. Discharged
July 16, 1865.
G. AI. Bisbee, Priv. — Enlisted July 21, 186 1 ; Co. A, 6th Kan. vol. Discharged
t July, 1865. Close.
^^^ W. Claypool, Priv. — Enlisted Sept. 4, 1861 ; Co. G, 5th Mo. cav. Discharged
Nov. II, 1864. Exp. of term.
Thomas McQueen, Priv. — Enlisted Aug. 27, 1862: Co. A, looth 111. inf. Dis-
charged June 16, 1864. G. S. wounds.
George W. Wright, Priv. — Enlisted May 7, 1864; Co. H. 132nd 111. inf. Dis-
charged Oct. 17, 1864. TOO days.
W. P. Bowman, Priv. — Enlisted Oct. 19, 1864; Cos. K, I, II, Wis. art. Dis-
charged June 28, 1864. G. O. 28.
John Patton, Priv. — Enlisted Jan. 4, 1864; Co. W, 6th X. \'. II. A. Discharged
Jan. 22, 1865. W^ounds.
D. 11. King, Priv. Enlisted Dec. 19, 1862; Co H. 3,vl Wis. int. Discharged
Sept. 4, 1865. Close.
II. ( iroen, Second Lieut. — Enlisted May 19, 1861; Co. F, 49th Wis. inf. Dis-
charged Oct., 1865. Close.
Willi;ini \'ates — Enlisted May 9. 1864: Co. E, 40th Wis. reg. Discharged .Sept.
16, 1864. Close of term.
J. S. I'addcn. Vn\. — Enlisted Sept., 1861; Co. P>, loth Wis. inf. Discharged
Dec. 1864.
j. II. .Morgan — No description.
John .'Xdams, Priv. — Enlisted Jinio 10, 1864; Co. A, (jth Iowa inf. Discharged
July 18. 1865. Close.
J. D. 11. Wright. Priv. — Enlisted Aug. 6, 1862; Co. I, isl Drag. Discharged
Jan. 30. 1865. G. O. 83.
L. E. LaBrant. I'riv. — Enlisted June 16, 1864; Co. C, 17th 111. cav. Discharged
Nov. 24, 1865. Sergt.
J. S. Ada — Enlisted Sci)t. i, i8hi ; Co. II. 17th Ohio inf. Di>c]iarge(l July 20,
1865. Sergt.
Frank Wright, Priv. — Enlisted Feb. i, 1865; Co. F, I47tli 111. inf. Discharged
1866. Close.
D. J. Logan — Enlisted March i. 1864; Co. G, 145th Pa. inf. Discharged 1865.
Close.
J. P. i\Iills. Priv. — Enlisted .Vug. 2J, 1864; Co. E, 43(1 Wis. inf. Discharged
July 6, 1865. Close of war.
J. II. Doty — Enlisted Feb. 22, 1S64; Co. C, 12th Reg. Wis. inf. Discharged
July 15, 1866. G. O.
J. B. A\'alters, Wagoner — Enlisted Oct. 22, 1861 ; Co. M, 4th Iowa cav. Dis-
charged Aug. 8, 1865. G. O. 3.
George Tercy, Priv. — Enlisted July 4, 1861 : Co. C, 17th Iowa inf. Discharged
Jan. 25, 1865. Close.
T. P. Powell — Enlisted March i, 1865; Co. K, 55th Wis. inf. Discharged July i,
1866. Close.
B. B. Offine— Enlisted March 2, 1864: Co. G, N. Y. inf. Discharged Jan. 18,
1865. Close.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 183
G. R. W'arde. Priv. — Enlisted Feb. 24, 1864 ; Co. B, 29th Iowa inf. Discharged
Aug. I, 1865. Close.
D. C. Gillespie, Priv. — Enlisted June 6, 1864; Co. E, 12th Wis. inf. Discharged
July 16, 1865. Close.
A. J. Goodell, Priv. — Enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; Co. E, 113th Iowa inf. Dis-
charged June 20, 1865. Close.
THE PRESENT OFFICERS OF ANNETT POST.
J. S. Fadden, Commander ; L. F. LaBrant, Sen. Vice Commander ; T. H.
Jones, Jun. \'ice Commander; T. P. Powell, Chaplain; Dr. J. C. Collister, Sur-
geon; George W. Tercy, Officer of the Day; J. B. Walters, Officer of the
Guard; J. P. Mills, Quartermaster; George Kindelspire, Quartermaster Sarg'. ;
D. F. O. Cuttell. Adjutant; Thomas McQueen, Sergt. Major; Thomas
McQueen, Patriotic Instructor. There is a total of seventy-seven members.
THE SPENCER FREE E.XPTIST CHURCH.
The Spencer Free Baptist church was organized August 10, 1867. The
charter members were as follows : Solomon Wells and wife, Caroline Wells,
David Nelson Coats and wife, Betsy E. Coats, Romanzo A. Coats, who afterward
l)ecanie the pastor. Also his wife, Lephy Coats, Frank M. Wells and wife,
.Susan; John !•'. Calkins and the wife of Stephen Calkins.
Rev. David Nelson Coats was the first regular pastor, who was here a little
over five years. His son, R. A. Coats, who succeeded him, remained seven
years. The charge was supplied by J. H. Moxom, three months, and by E. L.
Tibbets four months. F. P. Augir was pastor from 1880 to 1882; R. A. Coats,
May 5, 1883, to May 7, 1887; H. J. Brown, October 2, 1887, to December 13,
1892. He died while pastor of this charge. Fie was succeeded by G. B. Hopkins,
who remained for two years; J. E. Abramson, April, 1895, to October, 1898.
He was succeeded by Rev. T. O. Comstock, October 23, 1898, who remained
until 1903. Rev. E. E. Evans became pastor in April, 1904, and is serving the
charge at the present time.
June 3, 1882, they held the first meeting in their new church, with fourteen
members present; they were as follows: Rev. F. 1'. Augir, H. D. Parsons and
wife and May and Edward Parsons ; F. Vanauken, G. D. Marcellus, Mrs.
Caroline Tuttle and daughter, Anna ; Deacon Britton, Carrie Baker, R. A. Coats
and wife and Kate ]M. Crary. Out of this nucleus formed in the early days grew
the present flourishing church of about one hundred and thirty members.
The organization consisted of ten original members, who met for covenant
and business and religious meetings in private houses, until August 7, 1869,
when they met for the first time in the new schoolhouse, the first frame building
put up in Spencer.
In x\pril, 1 87 1, the membership had increased to fifty-three.
In February, 1872, Rev. D. N. Coats resigned as pastor and Rev. R. A.
Coats, his son, was elected pastor, and the church was moved from the school-
house to the courthouse hall.
June 7, 1873, the church took out papers of incorporation under the name
of the "First Free Will Baptist Church of Spencer, Clay County, Iowa." with
184 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
G. D. Marcellus, J- F. Calkins, Wales Lamberton, J. E. Robbins and D. X.
Coats as trustees. (Said papers are recorded on page 43 of Book of Incorpo-
ration among the county records).
At the same time it was agreed to move their meetings from the courthouse
hall to the new Methodist Episcopal church that they had assisted to build with
the ultimate understanding that they should occupy it alternately with the Meth-
odists. In May, 1875. the church again returned to the courthouse hall, and
February i, 1879, moved to Merritt's Hall and thence to the courthouse hall
again in October, 1881, and from there to their own church on the corner of
Fifth and streets, June 3, 1882, whore they now worship in a commodious,
nicely finished church edifice.
SPENCER CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Church of Christ was organized January, 1881, by a small body of
earnest Christian men and women, numbering twelve. The meetings were held
in the courthouse for quite a period and afterwards for a time in the Baptist
church. Among the first members can be remembered Mrs. Eliza Carver, Addie
McCormick, and Mrs. Kate Page, wife of H. B. Page. Rev. H. H. Hawley
was the first pastor and remained with tlie charge about two years, when he
retired and went to California. Rev. Summers followed Rev. Flawley and was
the pastor about one year. He was followed by F. i). h^annon, who remained
two years and after an absence of six months returned and remained another
year. Then came Rev. R. A. Thompson from Missouri. He was pastor one
year and then returned to the border state. John \'an Kirk succeeded Rev.
Thompson, coming to Spencer from Ruthven. He remained with the charge one
year and was followed by J. Will Walters, a divinity student of Drake university.
Mr. W'^alters remained in Spencer two years and then returned to the university.
Granville Snell was tlie next pastor. After administering to the tlock eighteen
months he returned to Missouri. J. R. Mclntire was the pastor in charge the
following three years, coming from Oskaloosa, and his successor was Rev. E. T.
Jeffries, who only remained three months. He came from Rock Rapids. Then
Samuel ]\Iagee came in response to a call and was the pastor for one year. He
then left for ^Missouri. His successor was J. AI. Hoffman, who filled the pulpit
acceptably for two years and then went to Des Moines. Then came J. E. Seaton
from South Dakota, who stayed two years and was followed by Fred D. Macey,
from Drake university. Three years was the duration of his pastorate. Loren
Flowe followed Mr. Macey, and he was succeeded by B. L. Kline. The former
remained one year and the latter eighteen months. Edward Weight was the
next pastor, and his incumbency lasted one year, as did also that of his suc-
cessor, Gerald Bohannon, who came from Osceola. The present pastor is E. X.
Spafford, who took up his labors in Spencer the fall of igo8.
In May, 1883, the present church was erected. October 3, 1883. it was
dedicated by Rev. D. R. Dungan, of University place, Des Moines. In 1900 the
interior of the church was remodeled. During the pastorate of F. O. Fannon,
in 1898, the parsonage was built. The present value of the church property
is $10,000. j\Iembership, one hundred and forty-two ; membership of Sunday
school, one hundred.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 185
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Was organized January 7, 1874, with David Skinner, Catherine Skinner,
J. A. Bowman, W. ]\1. Davis, S. Hayes, L. Chapin, J. J. Ayers and L. F. Miller.
The first officers were: D. Skinner, deacon; L. F. Miller, clerk; J. A. Bowman,
treasurer; D. Skinner, J. A. Bowman and \\\ AT Davis, trustees. The first
pastor was T. H. Judson.
This society eventually ceased its organization and sold its property to the
Seventh Day Adventists, who now conduct services there regularly.
FRIENDS CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1890, by Rev. Jacob Hinshaw, who at the time
lived at Lake Okoboji. Among the earlier members of the society mav be
mentioned Airs. Nellie Osborn, L. C. Ford and famil}-. and Airs. Bettie Davis.
In the summer of 189 1 the old Congregational church building was purchased
and moved to the east part of the town ; subsequently it was again disturbed and
now rests upon its foundation on the corner of Fourth and Alill streets. After
some improvements and remodeling, the society now has a very comfortable
and pretty little place of worship, which, with the building site, cost the modest
sum of $2,000.
For a time the Friends church had a large membership. It is said the mem-
bership in 1903 was all of three hundred. This has now dwindled down to
ninety, many of the communicants moving away and being scattered all over the
United States.
The first pastor of the church was Jacob Hinshaw. He remained with this
charge until the fall of 1893, and was succeeded by Airs. Emma Coffin, who
came to Spencer from Alinneapolis. Airs. Coffin was pastor of the church
about five years and was followed .by Aliss Alary Barrett and Wager,
both of Cleveland, Ohio. They were succeeded by Ellis Wells in about one
year. Air. Wells came from Carmel, Indiana, and remained in Spencer about
two years. His successor was Alexander Anderson, who came from Oskaloosa,
and was succeeded b}- William I. Kent, of Alarshalltown, Iowa. Air. Kent
remained three years, and in the fall of 1908 Air. and Mrs. Chester Harris came
on from Collins, New York, and the latter took up the pastorate where Air.
Kent left ofl:".
THE GERM.AX METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The German Alethodist Episcopal church was built in 1901, and dedicated
June 26. of that year. The building was erected at a cost of $1,600, and not a
penny of debt remains unpaid. It is a pretty little house of worship and is a
satisfaction to those who made the donations towards its completion.
The German Alethodist Episcopal church of Spencer was organized by
H. B. Fiegenbaum in 1868. Prominent among the first members were Adam
Fuhr, William Gaulke and August Hein. Rev. Fiegenbaum remained as pastor
of the church until 1870; he was succeeded by the following: H. Achenbach,
70-71; E. W. Henke, 71-72; Gottlieb Haefner, 72-72; August Westphal, 73-74;
A. W. F. Krienke. 74-75; C. Alauer, 75-78; John Kruse, 78-79; J. A. Lempke,
79-81; William Kopp, 81-82; H. Zimmerman, 82-83; W. J. Suckow, 83-84;
186 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Henry J. Schmidt, 84-87; John A. Lempke, 87-89; F. Rohrich, 89-91; H. W.
Ballert, 91-92; H. R. Schmidt, 92-94; W. H. Klaus, 94-95 5 W. J. Loeck, 95-97;
F. W. Schaefer, 97-1900; WilUam Hein, 1900-04; G. E. Kienly, 04-06; John
A. Lempke, 06, the present pastor, who is now serving his charge for the
third time. The parsonage was buik in 1897, during the pastorate of Rev.
WiUiam Loeck. The church has a membership of fifty; there are thirty-two
children in the Sunday school.
SACRED HEART CHURCH.
This parish began holding services in Spencer in 1879. The society was
ministered to by Father Smith, of Emmetsburg. In 1882 Father Norton assumed
the pastorate. For a number of years the society held services in Merritt's
hall. In 1883 ground was broken for the new church, which w^as completed and
dedicated in 1884. It is a pleasant and comfortable frame building and is
located on Fifth street. This society has a good membership and is gradually
growing under the present ministrations of Rev. Father B. A. Hunt.
The church was first served from Spirit Lake, and among the early priests
who officiated was Father Tierney. His predecessor took up his residence here
and also served the missions of Milford and Everly. The successors of Father
Tierney were Revs. J. L. Kirby, M. J. Quirk and J. lietherington.
The present priest of this church was appointed to the charge and took up
residence in Spencer September i, 1908, coming to Spencer from Sac City.
The church is in a very prosperous condition and the parish innnbers forty-
four families members of the church. In 1897 a rectory was built on ground
adjoining the church building at a cost of $4,000. It is one of the most sub-
stantial and architecturally pleasing residences of Spencer.
ST. Stephen's episcopal church, spencer.
About the year 1880 Rev. Hale Townsend, rector or missionary at Trinity
church, Emmetsburg, began to pay visits to Spencer and held church services.
Occasional services may have been held a few years before this, but of such
services nothing definite can be learned at this time. After a year or so of
these visits by Mr. Townsend the Rev. Mr. Johnston was appointed resident
missionary at Spencer. Service was held in what is now the old rectory, the
house then serving for a chapel and rectory, and located on West Third street,
about one block west of Main. Mr. Johnston appears to have remained about
two years. No records have been made of these services, nor of any official acts
of his, such as confirmations, marriages, etc. After Mr. Johnston's removal
there were occasional services for a short time, followed by a long interval
of many years during which few, if any, services were held. The property
fell into decay and the mission was practically defunct. During this period
some of the communicants removed from the town, some died, and others united
with other religious bodies.
By the year 1894 several church families had come to Spencer, among
them Dr. William P. Woodcock, a retired physicain, a gentleman of considerable
wealth and a very devout churchman. The revival of the services was deter-
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 187
mined on and the services of a missionary were procured. The Rev. R. M.
Doherty removed to Spencer and began the work February, 1885. The services
were held in the Baptist church, on West Third street, adjoining the parsonage
property. Mr. Doherty remained fifteen months.
A worship guild was organized and good congregations attended the serv-
ices. Twenty-six baptisms were administered and eleven persons confirmed
during Mr. Doherty's ministry here.
In May, 1896, Rev. F. F. Bowen, of Estherville, was appointed missionary.
Services were then held in the A. O. U. W. hall, Crawford's hall and in the
Baptist church.
On September 28, 1896, the Right Rev. Bishop Walker, of North Dakota,
made a visit and confirmed six persons. During the summer of 1897 steps
were taken looking toward the building of a church. Plans were prepared by
E. S. Hammett, of Davenport, Iowa, for a church to cost about $3,500, exclusive
of furniture. The contract for the building was let to S. B. Taylor, contractor
and builder, and that year warden of the mission. The first stone for the
foundation was laid on the Feast of St. Bartholomew, August 24th. The
corner stone was laid by the Rev. S. H. Cornell, of the Sioux City convocation
on September ■14th, assisted by the local lodge of the Free Masons and by the
Rev. W. T. Jackson, Ph. D., of Emmetsburg; R. A. Crickmer, Spirit Lake, and
Rev. F. F. Bowen, missionary at Spencer. The cost of the church, including
the furnishings, was $4,700. Of this amount, $2,834.43, including the lot on
which the church stands, was donated by Dr. and Mrs. W. P. Woodcock.
The money for the windows was furnished by Mary A. Astor Woodcock, of
Bedford, New York, a sister of Dr. W^. P. Woodcock. The American Church
Building Fund of New York gave $150, and the balance was given by church
families and the citizens of Spencer. The bishop's chair, the prayer desk, were
bought with money obtained at a concert given by the boys of the Sunday
school. The cottas and cassocks for a choir of thirty voices were made by the
Woman's Guild.
The church was used for the first time on Christmas day, 1897, and on
St. Stephen's day following.
The church was dedicated to St. Stephen, the martyr, and is known as
St. Stephen's parish.
The consecration services were held on the Monday following, or April
II, 1898, Bishop Perry being the consecrator. A class of eight persons was
confirmed.
In May, 1898, the mission asked permission from the ecclesiastical authority
to organize as a parish, which was granted and the necessary steps thereto were
taken. At a meeting held on June ist the organization was effected. The
following persons were elected vestrymen: Dr. William P. Woodcock, H. N.
Smith, John W. Cory, Ackley Hubbard and W. L. Schultz. At the first
meeting of the vestrymen they elected Dr. W. P. Woodcock and H. N. Smith
wardens; John W. Cory, treasurer; W. L. Schultz, secretary. The missionary,
F. F. Bowen, was elected as rector, on a salary of $800 and the use of the
rectory.
188 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
The parish was admitted to union with the Convention November 30, 1898.
On Easter day, 1901, the women of the Guild placed an oak pulpit in the church.
Easter day, 1902, Henry F. L. Brooks placed a brass lecturn in the church,
in memory of his wife, Margaret Robertson Brooks.
In 1905 a large altar rail, built by Spaulding & Company, Chicago, was
placed in the sanctuary. The plate thereon reads, "Erected to the glory of
God and in loving memory of W. P. \\^oodcock, New York, by ]\Iary A. Astor
Woodcock and Dr. W. P. Woodcock, Spencer, Iowa." \^ery soon afterwards
a large altar cross was placed on the altar, made by the same company, with
the following beautifully engraven: "Bessie Lenore Free. Born 1874. Died
1906."
Dr. and Mrs. Woodcock, September of this year (1908) ordered from the
Burlington Pipe Organ Company, of Burlington. Iowa, a pipe organ, which is
now in process of construction. When placed in the church, which will be
Christmas, 1908, it will bear this plate: "Erected to the glory of God and in
loving memory of Mary Anita Astor Woodcock, of Bedford, New York."
The present rector. W. D. Morrow, D. C. L.. was appointed November 16.
1903. On Easter Monday of each year the vestry and officers of the church
are elected by the parish. The present officers are as follows : Secretary,
Dwight L. Dickey ; treasurer, Clarence P. Buckey ; wardens. Dr. W. P.
Woodcock. M. D.. and C. P. Buckey; vestrymen. J. O. Birdsall, D. R. Dickey,
E. L. Dickey and Dr. A. W. Leard.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Spencer circuit was formed in September, 187 1. At first the membership
was quite small, but under the ministrations of Rev. Charles B. Winter, the
pastor, the congregation grew and the number of members increased. The
first services were held in the courthouse hall, but as the church in time increased
so rapidly numerically, it was decided to build a place of worship. Subscriptions
were solicited and in 1872 a sufficient amount had been subscribed to justify the
tr-ustees in letting the contract for building the church. The trustees at this
time were John Hood, president; M. M. Peeso, secretary; J. H. Hale, treasurer;
A. M. Calkins, W. W. Scott, R. Hough and H. B. Wood. The building pro-
gressed rapidly and by June was ready for occupancy. On the i8th of June,
1873, it was formally dedicated by Rev. J. W. Clinton. It was a neat and con-
venient church and an ornament to the town. The zeal and earnestness dis-
played by Rev. Winter, ably assisted by the trustees and others, was untiring,
and it was a source of pride and rejoicing when the church was completed and
ready for divine worship. It was well seated, provided with an organ, and was
in every way a model church edifice. It was, unfortunately, destroyed by fire.
The cause of the fire has never vet been ascertained. The church was therefore
without a place of worship, but in time the members went back to the courthouse
hall, where services were conducted until 1880. Under the ministrations of
Rev. E. C. Warren the society succeeded in raising $2,000. and built a good
frame church on the corner of Fourth and State streets. It was dedicated in
1880 by Bishop Warren, and its entire indebtedness was provided for on tlic
day of its dedication. In 1881 a parsonage was built, sixteen by twenty-four.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH. SPENXER
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 189
at a cost of $700. This was given several additions and was a comfortable and
cosy dwelling. In 1903 a new parsonage was built at a cost of $4,000. The
church building was a substantial frame structure of sufficient seating capacity
and one of the best constructed church buildings in Spencer. The membership
of this society, when first organized, was forty-six, but it has grown until its
membership is now three hundred and fifty. It has a well organized Sabbath
school, numbering at least two hundred pupils. The present pastor is Orville
M. Bond.
METHODIST CHURCH HISTORY.
B}- a Pioneer.
Dr. S. Snyder, if the writer is correctlv informed, was the first minister
to carry the glad tidings to the people of Clay county. That was back in the
later "50's. Air. Snyder's home at that time, we believe, was at Boone, Iowa.
From the settlements along the Des Moines river at and near Boone he crossed
the great waste of uninhabited prairie until he struck the settlement on the
Little Sioux at Sutherland, where he preached the first sermon ever delivered
in that section of Iowa. Working his w'ay up the Little Sioux, he afterward
preached at Correctionville, Cherokee, Peterson and Sioux Rapids. Spencer was
not in existence at that time, the only settlements in the county being near the
southern border, along the Little Sioux. So few and so scattering were the
settlers that there were no organized churches with regular services until about
1869 or 1870. The first church building in the county was erected by the
Welsh Baptists in Douglas township in 1869, and was known as "Pioneer"
church. About that time a Methodist Episcopal church was organized in
Peterson and Rev. C. W. Clifton, a zealous, earnest young man, placed in
charge. Mr. Clifton preached in Peterson each alternate Sunday morning, and
devoted the remainder of his time to outlying settlements, as homesteaders bv
that time had begun to come in and occupy the land.
In 1866 the first settlement in this part of the county was made, when the
Calkinses, Coatses, Wellses and others settled near what is now Spencer. Among
these settlers was D. X. Coats, a Free Baptist minister. The settlers soon
organized themselves into a church society and Mr. Coats preached to them,
the meetings being held in the settlers' cabins. From the nucleus then formed
grew the present Free Baptist church of Spencer.
Soon after the establishment of religious services by the Free Baptists the
[Methodists began work in the same field. Among the pioneer Methodists to
preach here was Rev. John Webb, a man of much energy and considerable
ability. A little later a couple of young men named Todd preached here.
Although having the same name, the two Todds were not related. One of the
Todds was a very tall man and was commonly designated as "Long Todd" ;
the other w^as a rather short man and was generally alluded to as "Short Todd."
Each of the Todds had ability and each became a presiding elder before drifting
from this conference. "Long Todd" was an eloquent, forceful speaker, who
could almost hypnotize his audience. He was a master at storv telling, and
could be somewhat "sporty" when out with the "boys." "Short Todd," on
the other hand, was a quiet, serious man, who indulged in no levitv. He was
190 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
scholarly, and. a ready, pleasing speaker. His sermons were characterized more
by their careful preparation and good thought than by their eloquence.
Other prominent pioneers in this part of Io\Ya were Rev. Bennett Mitchell,
now retired and living at ^lorningside, a suburb of Sioux City, and Elder
Brown, often called "Big Brown," to designate him from another minister of
the same name, but smaller of stature. Both these men had splendid ability,
coupled with energy and persistence.
In ]May, 1871, the village of Spencer was platted, and by fall quite a little
group of homes had been built. Up to that time a sixteen by twenty-four
schoolhouse, standing on the present high school site, was the only place available
for a house of worship, and was used on alternate Sundays by Free Baptists
and Methodists. That same fall Spencer charge was established by the Meth-
odist Episcopal annual conference, and Rev. C B. Winter was sent here as
pastor. In addition to Spencer, he was given two country appointments — one
in Riverton and one in Meadow — and known as Spencer circuit. The new
minister thus became both pastor and circuit rider. Mr. Winter had never seen
the inside of a theological school, practically his entire education having been
acquired in the Register office, Des Moines, where he earned the well-merited
reputation of being a first class printer. He was a sincere, earnest man, and
prepared plain, practical sermons, well adapted to conditions at that time. He
could see humor where the average person would never suspect any existed,
and his talent for seeing funny things was present in the pulpit as well as out
of it. Fie rode on horseback to his country appointments on an antiquated
equine which he called "Socrates," and when mounted, the "boys," all of whom
were his friends, would refer to him as the circus rider; and in truth it was
little less entertaining than a real circus to see him on horseback. He was
very timid of horses and soon disposed of his old steed, after wdiich he made
his country appointments on foot, unless some thoughtful brother furnished
transportation. He was popular and drew large audiences. Soon after coming
to Spencer the old courthouse — still standing on lower Main street — was fin-
ished, and he held his services in the court room until the first IMethodist
Episcopal church building in Clay county was completed, which was in June,
1873. It stood where Frank Smith's residence now stands, on East Second
street, and was a modest frame structure, thirty by forty-five feet, and in those
days made quite an imposing appearance. The dedicatory sermon was preached
by Rev. J. \\'. Clinton, of Cedar Rapids, who delivered an able discourse. Mr.
Clinton was a fine stor)^ teller, and after the sermon proceeded to prepare his
audience for the money raising event to follow. The deficit was large, but
things looked prosperous, and pledges enough to cover all indebtedness were
secured. But soon after the dedication the grasshoppers, in untold millions,
descended upon the country and destroyed the farmers' crops, and instead of the
liberal surplus expected, a large part of the settlers were compelled to accept
aid from their friends, while the state donated grain for seed for the following
year's crop. Owing to this calamity, a large part of the church pledges were
never paid, and eventually the building was sold at sheriff's sale to satisfy the
claims of a number of dealers for material furnished. During the year follow-
ing the sale the church trustees made a loan and paid the lumber dealers" claims.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 191
and the building continued available for services. In February, 1877, the final
blow came, when the building took fire one Sunday night after services and was'
completely consumed.
From then until 1880, when a part of the building just moved to the corner
of Main and East Second streets was erected, where the new' fine church now
stands, services were held in rented rooms in different parts of the town. Those
who are enjoying the comforts and luxuries of the church as they abound todav
little realize the tribulations through which the church people of early davs
here passed. .
The new Grace ]\Iethodist Episcopal church was dedicated on April 5, 1901,
with all costs for the same provided for. The structure cost $25,000, and the pipe
organ, which was installed later, cost $2,100. It is an Estey organ.
At the dedicatory exercises it was expected that Bishop McDowell, of
Chicago, would be present ; but at the last moment he Avas taken sick and sent
as a substitute Dr. James Roe, superintendent of the mission and church exten-
sion work of that city. At first the people were much disappointed, but this
disappointment was only temporary. Dr. Roe certainly preached a most excel-
lent sermon and the people were greatly pleased with him. After this Dr.
Trimble, a former pastor, took the platform and announced that it would be
necessary to raise $8,000 to provide for the church debt. It took only a few-
minutes to raise $2,500 by $500 contributions, and in less than an hour $7,000
was raised.
At the evening meeting Dr. Trimble informed the people that there was
some money yet to raise, and he proceeded by asking Dr. Lewis (now bishop),
president of Morningside college, to do it. It only took a short time to raise the
rest of this money.
The dedicatory services were conducted by Dr. Gillies, district superin-
tendent. The ministers in attendance were Rev. Gillies, of Sheldon ; Rev.
Seward, of Sanborn ; Rev. Alber.son, of Sioux Rapids, and Rev. Batho, of
Fostoria.
Rev. Gillies paid the following high tribute to the work of Rev. O. M.
Bond, pastor of the church: 'Tn the completion of this handsome edifice and the
management of the finances and of all details incident to the dedication, the
pastor. Rev. O. M. Bond, has proven himself to be perfectly fitted for the
work and to my mind I have never found a more competent, unselfish and
consecrated pastor."
The building just completed is undoubtedly one of the most convenient
and most beautiful houses of worship in Iowa. Others are larger and more
costly, but none is more beautiful or better adapted to the needs of the people.
The building is sixty-one by ninety-three feet in dimensions and is composed
of pressed brick and stone, and it is built in a workmanlike manner.
The basement contains a spacious ladies' parlor, gentlemen's class room,
large dining room and a large kitchen, provided with a range and many cup-
boards, shelves and both hot and cold water, in fact all the comforts of an
up-to-date kitchen.
The main floor is divided into two principal parts — the main auditorium and
the Sunday school room. The auditorium occupies the front and is fifty bv
192 HISTORY OF CLAY COLWTY
sixty feet, and with the balcony, will seat eight hundred people. The floor,
which is on a slight incline, is of polished hard maple. The pews are of antique
oak and are very comfortable.
The charm of the auditorium is in the splendid decorations, which are
exceedingly beautiful. The decorators drew largely from nature, and the
harmony and beauty displayed show that they were w'orkmen of no mean order.
At the rear of the main auditorium is the Sunday school room, which
embraces the greater part of the remainder of the main floor. It is connected
with the main room by a hoisting partition, so that these two rooms can be
thrown together when necessary to accommodate a large crowd. There are
ten separate Sunday school rooms, and these are separated from the main
Svmday school room by means of folding partitions. The Sunday school deco-
rations are but little less artistic than those in the main auditorium. The pastor's
study is also on the main floor, just to t\\c rear of the pulpit platform.
A splendid feature of the building is the lighting, which is by numerous
large windows of the very highest class of art glass. Among these windows is
an immense memorial window on the west side of the main auditorium, a gift
of ^irs. Xoll, in honor of her husband, the late Adam Xoll. Another window
is in memory of Anton Hanson, an earnest and devoted member of the church,
who i)assed away a few years ago. Another feature of the building deserving
mention is the elegant and fine electrical fixtures which, at night, when the
current is on, illuminate every comer and part of the entire edifice. The whole
building is heated by steam. In designing and constructing this building nothing
which could contribute to the comforts, convenience and beautv of the same
appears to have been overlooked.
I'IRST C:0XGREG.\T10X.\I, CHURCH OF SPEXCER.
The first Congregational church of Spencer was organized March 17, 1872,
with a membership of eleven. At this time Spencer had a population of about
two hundred people. The Free Will Baptist and j\Iethodist Episcopal churches,
each having about fift\- members throughout the county, were the only church
organizations in the place at that time. The village was rapidly increasing in pop-
ulation and the need was felt by some earnest souls of a church of the Congre-
gational faith.
The first recorded step in the formation of the church was a written
covenant of eighteen members, entered into under date of January 13, 1872.
They agreed to work and assist each other in securing the regular preaching of
the gospel and the establishment of a Congregational church society, to the
end, as stated in their covenant and agreement, that intelligence, morality,
good order and happiness be promoted in the community, and to advance
the interests of true religion. Nearly all of these persons subsequently became
charter members of the church.
On the written invitation of thirteen residents of Spencer, the Rev. David
Wirt, a Congregational minister, of Fort Dodge. Iowa, came and held services
in the courthouse hall, on the evening of i\Iarch 14, 1872. At the close of the
services those interested in the establishment of the church remained and took
steps to efifect an organization. A committee of three, consisting of A. \\'.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 193
^Miller, L. C. Burgin and E. Pruyn, was appointed to draft a constitution and
articles of faith and covenant and present the same at a meeting to be held on
the following day. The report of this committee was presented at the appointed
time and was accepted and adopted. It was also voted to organize into a Con-
gregational Church of Christ.
After the regular services of Sunday, March 17, 1872, eleven persons united
to constitute the church, signing the constitution and assenting to the articles
of faith and the covenant.
The following names ap]:»ear as signers of the original constitution and as
charter members: L. C. Burgin, Edward Pruyn, A. ^^^ ]\Iiller, P. ^I. Moore,
Mary S. Moore, H. B. Coryell. Clarissa ^'an Epps, Clarissa Snyder, Ira Laughlin,
P. L. Graves and Helen M. Graves. Of these original members, only L. C
Burgin, P. M. Moore and Clarissa \'an Epps remain with the church, the others
having died or removed from Spencer.
If there is any class of people in the history of the church who deserve
to have their names perpetuated and revered, it is these early pioneers wdio
banded themselves together to organize and build up the church. Their sacrifices,
struggles and final achievements redound to their credit and ' to the glory of
God. To their faith and efforts is due in a large part the church organization
and the influence it has exerted upon the life of the communitv in promotion of
morality and true religion. We cannot too much appreciate the work of these
sQwers of the seed who have made possible the bounteous harvests.
June 29, 1872, Rev. \\'. L. Coleman w^as elected pastor of the church. He
came under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society, which bore a part
of his expenses. Services were held in the court room of the old courthouse
building on South ]\Iain street, the pulpit being occupied during the forenoon
of each Sabbath by the Baptist and ^Methodist ministers alternately, and in the
evening by the Congregational pastor. All of the services, however, were prac-
tically union services, and all church people attended without reference to
denominational preferences. After the arrival of ^Ir. Coleman the church and
Sunday school became fully organized, elected its otificers, and the church pro-
ceeded to incorporate. One of the present members — L. C. Burgin — was one of
the first deacons of the new church. P. AI. Moore was the other deacon.
In September, 1874, the church determined to build a house of worship.
Messrs. Charles McAllister, L. C. Burgin and A. W. Miller were appointed a
building committee. The committee purchased the lot at the corner of Third
and Mill streets, lying directly west of the present parsonage building, and in the
fall of 1875 the church building was completed.
The American Congregational Union gave $400 towards the cost of the
building. The entire cost amounted to about $2,400. The lumber for the church
was hauled from Sibley, Iowa, that being the most convenient railroad point,
a distance of about fifty miles. Considering the small membership of the church,
the difficulties encountered and the general hard times of this period, the building
of such a church was no light task.
After a pastorate of seven years, owing to feeble health Rev. Coleman
resigned. During these years the growth of the town and country adjacent was
not rapid, and accessions to the church were not numerous. The foundation.
194 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
however, was laid for fature growth. Twenty-seven were received into mem-
bership during Mr. Coleman's pastorate.
In August. 1879, Rev. J. AI. Cumings accepted the pastorate, and con-
tinued with the church for three years. During this time forty-six were received
into membership, and quite extensive improvements were made on the parsonage
and church building. Aluch work of a foundation character was wrought, and
the church experienced a period of rapid growth and increasing influence in the
community.
In September, 1883, Rev. G. G. Perkins accepted the call of the church
and entered upon a pastorate of about seven years. During this period ninety-
eight were received into membership, and baptism administered to forty adults
and children, the parsonage enlarged, two lots diagonally across the street from
the present site of the church building were purchased, and all indebtedness
against the parsonage building was paid. The membership of the church at the
close of Mr. Perkins' pastorate was ninety-seven.
April 9, 1891, Rev. J. O. Thrush accepted the call of the church and
entered upon its pastorate. May 7, 1891, the erection of a new church building
was decided upon, to cost not less than $6,000 and not more than $10,000. A.
\V. Miller, ]\I. C. Stephenson and A. C. Perine were elected as a building com-
mittee and the work of construction proceeded with. The total anpunt paid
on account of the new church building, as shown by the treasurer's report of
June 8. 1893. was $6,466.09. The amount of the loan from the Congregational
Church Ihiilding Society on account of the building was $1,500. The old
church building was sold to the Friends church society and was removed to a
site on Fast Second street; from there it was later moved to the corner of
l-'ourth and Prairie streets, where it now stands with but little change in its
exterior appearance.
March 11. 1899, Rev. Thrush resigned, to accept a pastorate at Webster
City. Iowa. During his pastorate of nearly seven years the membership of the
church increased to one hundred and eighty-two in number, and the beautiful
church home was erected and largely paid for. The church appears to have
been remarkably blessed in a material way and to have experienced in a special
manner the grace and favor of God.
Rev. Thrush was succeeded by Rev. Glen A. Taylor, who continued in the
ministry of the church until August, 1902. During his pastorate the church
debt was reduced to $1,100, and the church maintained a healthful and pros-
perous condition. During Mr. Taylor's pastorate a furnace was put into the
parsonage and other repairs and improvements made. The membership of the
church at the close of this term was one hundred and eighty-three.
Rev. Earnest E. Day was called from Open Door Congregational church, of
Alinneapolis, Alinnesota, to the pastorate of the church September 26, 1902, and
entered upon the ministry October ist of that year. ■ Eighty persons have united
with the church during Mr. Day's pastorate. In 1903 the old standing debt
of the church, amounting to the sum of $1,100, was wiped out completely. In
1904 the rooms in the basement of the church were finished and completed at
a cost of $1,566.16. All of these expenses have been paid. At the present
time cement walks have been completed at a cost of $110 at the parsonage and at
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 195
the east side of the church, and the same have been paid for by voluntary
subscriptions.
The present membership of the church is two hundred and thirty. Its
Sunday school numbers about two hundred. It also has auxiliary aids, a
Woman's Missionary Society, the Christian Endeavor Society, and a Ladies'
Aid Society, the latter of which has been very helpful in the financial work of
the church.
In this brief sketch- mention should have been made of many choice spirits
who have labored in the upbuilding of the church, but space has not permitted.
They will, however, receive their rewards according to their works, and though
their memories fade, their works will live and honor them for all time. The
present pastor of the church is Rev. Earnest Elsworth Day.
THIC NEW CHURCH EDIFICE.
The new church edifice was ct)nimenced in 1892 and dedicated June, 1893.
It stands diagonally across the street from the first site of the other church.
It is composed of pressed brick and the greater part of the building is
of frame.
The main floor contains the auditorium, lecture room, study (which is used
by the infant class in Sabbath school), the lower room, where stairs lead to
the floor below.
The auditorium is nearly octagonal in shape.
There are four beautiful memorial windows in the church, bearing the
names of J. K. Andrew, A. W. Miller, Laura McAllister and Adelia West.
In the upper part of the north wall a handsome window was placed by the
King's Daughters.
The seating capacity of the main floor, including -the lecture room, is about
four hundred.
On the lower floor are found a kitchen, two cloak rooms, a spacious dining
room, and a social room. These rooms w^ere furnished and finished in 1904 at a
cost of $1,600. The cost of the entire church was about $6,500.
THE ladies' aid SOCIETY.
In 1874, thirty-four years ago, the women of the church and congregation
met at the home of Mrs. Snyder, a widow living on East Third street, just
east of where Dr. ^vIcAllister's residence now stands, and organized the Ladies'
Aid Society. About fifteen women were present, among them being Airs. \"an
Epp and Airs. A. W. Aliller, now residents of Spencer. There Avere also present
Alesdames Hubbard, Garfield, McCoy, Davis, Eggleston, Sands, McAllister and
Miss Mattie Bowman. A membership fee of one dollar was collected, and the
dues were fixed at twenty-five cents per year. The new church, which is the one
now owned by the Friends society, was built that fall and winter, and the ladies
held a bazaar and gave a supper in it before it was completed. They had given
one supper before this one, on the second floor of the Thorine building on
Alain street.
193 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
There was no parsonage at this time, but ^Ir. Coleman Hved on Grove
street.
When Air. Cumings' pastorate began the aid society was reorganized. This
was in the fall of 1879. As now recollected by the older members, the meeting
for this purpose was held with Mrs. T. P. Bender on \\'est Third street. A
large number of the ladies were present, among them being Mesdames Allen,
Verharen, Andrews, Cumings, Alorrison, Purdy and Secor, besides most of
those present at the first organization. Mrs. Cumings was made president. The
society at this time met from house to house, and often did sewing for charitable
purposes. They also furnished supper, to which the gentlemen were also
invited.
Mrs. Theodore Secor succeeded Mrs. Cumings as president. She was the
wife of Dr. Secor, who recently moved to Minneapolis.
Beginning in June, 1887, and continuing for several years, the society held
its business meetings and gave its sup])ers in the library rooms on Main street.
When the present house of worship was erected the society furnished
$1,500. The total amount turned over to the church building account since
1892 is $4,673.46, and the total receipts of the society since 1887 amounts to
$8,457.53. -^ list of the presidents of the society since the administration of
Mrs. Secor, as disclosed by the records, is as follows: Mrs. Secor. Mrs. J. G.
West. Mrs. C. E. Adams, .Mrs. G. G. Perkins. Mrs. A. C Parker, Mrs. C. E.
Blondel, Mrs. M. C. Stevenson. Mrs. W. P. Ward, :\lrs. J. X. Andrew, Mrs.
C. E. Leach, Mrs. Emma Ingalls. ]^lrs. Charles McAllister. ]\Irs. B. F. Felt,
Mrs. B. W. Doty and Mrs. G. H. :\Iartin.
HISTORY OF woman's MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
At a meeting held A larch 2, 1888, at the parsonage, a missionary society
to be called the Woman's Missionary Society of Spencer Congregational Church
was organized.
Mrs. Perkins, wife of the pastor, was elected as president of the society ;
Mrs. Verharen, vice president ; Mrs. A. A. Flint, secretary ; ]\Irs. C. E. Taylor,
treasurer.
The names of the seventeen charter members are as follows: Mrs. A. C.
Ferine, Mrs. Charles McAllister, Mrs. \Mlliam Morrison. Mrs. M. C. Stephenson,
Mrs. Frank Barnard. Mrs. L. M. Snow, Mrs. J. N. Andrew, Mrs. John Francis,
Mrs. C. E. Adams, ]\Irs. S. S. Snow, ]\Irs. Frank Kimball, !Mrs. J. G. West,
Airs. Clarissa \'an Epps, Airs. A. C. Parker, Alisses Alinnie Perkins and Hattie
Goodell. It was provided that each lady should pay not less than $1 per year
or ten cents a month. Gentlemen were to be made honorary members by the
payment of $1.
The meetings were held the first Friday of each month, at 2 :30 p. m., until
October 10, 1890, when it was voted to hold them the last Friday of the month,
on account of the publications used for help, they coming in*from the first to
the middle of the month. The annual thanksgiving was collected by members
of the society, as Mrs. J. I. Adams could testify. Mrs. Perkins held the office
of president until the fall of 1890.
SPEXXER HIGH SCHOOL
'^h^^^
.s--;»t^
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 199
Officers elected April, 1891, were: President, Mrs. Verharen ; vice presi-
dent, Mrs. E. H. Crandall; secretary, Mrs. J. O. Thrush; treasurer, Miss Flora
Oliver; collector, Mrs. L. M. Snow. These held office until 1893, with the
exception of Mrs. A. C. Parker, who was chosen vice president.
In 1894 Miss Hattie Goodell was made president; Mrs. C. E. Adams, vice
president; Mrs. J. O. Thrush, secretary; Miss Flora Oliver, treasurer; for five
months, making the Thanksgiving meeting the last meeting of the year. At this
meeting Mrs. Andrew was elected president.
The society was held together by the earnest and faithful persistence of
these few women until 1895, when Mrs. Thrush was made president. She
established a new method of raising money and of increasing interest in the
missionary work. A committee of three was appointed to furnish and serve
a ten-cent supper each month, at the different homes. This proved very satis-
factory, from $3 to $9 being added to the treasury at each meeting. She
also outlined a plan of study for each meeting during the year, having programs
printed. Mrs. Thrush held the office of president during her stay in Spencer,
until March, 1899, when, to the regret of all, Mr. and Mrs. Thrush moved to
Webster City. By her strong personality and intense interest the standard
of the missionary work was raised beyond the expectation of the most hopeful,
the membership being three times as large as at its beginning.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Historical Sketch.
The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized March
10, 1889. The following officers were elected to serve the society: President,
Miss Minnie Perkins ; vice president, Miss Fannie M. Baldy ; secretary Miss
Hattie Goodell; treasurer. Miss M. A. Albee. These, with Misses Mary Garfield
and Maggie Henry, were the charter members of the organization.
June 2d of the same year the first of a series of joint meetings with the
Young Ladies' Missionary Society was held.
April 20, 1891, the society was reorganized, a new constitution adopted, and
growth in numbers followed.
October 30, 1892, the society had on its roll the names of thirty-seven active
members and thirty-two associate members. The society since that time has had
a somewhat checkered career.
It has been on the whole a means of promoting the interests of the kingdom
in our church work. At present it has some thirty members, maintains a prayer
meeting which meets every Sunday evening, and contributes yearly to the
benevolent societies of our church.
WILLIAM LEWIS COLEMAN.
In the early summer of 1872, Rev. W. L. Coleman entered upon his labors
as the first pastor of the church. The church was fortunate in securing a
man of good education and wide experience as its first pastor.
Mr. Coleman was a native of New York, born in Mt. Hope, November 14,
1817, and received both his college and professional training at Oberlin. Shortly
CLAY 12.
200 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
after his graduation from Oberlin Theological Seminary, in 1846, he married
Temperance Little, at Middletown, New York.
The following spring he came to Bellevue, Iowa. Here he remained nine
years as pastor of the Congregational church. In 1856 he took charge of the
Congregational church at Stacyville, Iowa. After seven years of service he
was called, in 1863, to the Congregational church at Mitchell. It was nine
years after this that he occupied the pastorate at Spencer. Three years before
his departure from Mitchell his wife died, leaving three sons.
The first son died in infancy at Bellevue. In 1871 Mr. Coleman married
Electa Abernathy. A year later he began his work in Spencer, with a church
of eleven members. His was the task of laying the foundation — of working
and waiting.
After leaving Spencer Mr. Coleman was pastor of the Congregational
church at Big Rock for one year. In 1881 he moved to Grinnell to enjoy the
advantages of a college town. After eleven years' residence in Grinnell he
went to Portland, Oregon. Here he spent the remainder of his life. His death
occurred at Portland, November 10, 1900. Mrs. Coleman died three years
later. Mr. Coleman was the father of eight children, four of whom survive him.
W. G. Coleman, Terrill, Iowa ; Charles H. Coleman, White Bear, Minnesota ;
Fred a Coleman, London, England, and Lewis C. Coleman, Portland, Oregon.
REV. J. M. CUMINGS.
Rev. J. M. Cumings was called to succeed Mr. Coleman as pastor of the
church. Like his predecessor, he was educated at Oberlin college and Theo-
logical Seminary.
In his childhood his parents moved from South Amherst, Ohio, where he
was born in 1848, to Tabor, Iowa. Here he later prepared for college.
Shortly after graduating from Oberlin Theological Seminary he began the
work of the first pastorate at Exira, Iowa. Two and a half years later he
accepted a call to become the pastor of the Congregational church at Spencer.
He came to this field with his wife, Carrie Briggs Cumings, in November, 1879,
and remained three years.
For a few years the growth of the town was rapid and the church doubled
its membership. The west half of the parsonage was built, the church assumed
self-support and a bell was purchased. These were prosperous years for the
Spencer church. The success was due in great measure to the painstaking efforts
of a consecrated pastor and his energetic wife. During the first year at Spencer
Mr. Cumings spent one Sunday at Emmetsburg. The church was reorganized,
a frame building erected and the membership increased to twenty new members.
Mr. Cumings' subsequent pastorates were at Anita, serving for five years,
at Dunlap for six years, at Baxter for one year, and at Denmark for four years.
In December, 1903, Mr. and Mrs. Cumings were called upon to mourn the
loss of their elder daughter, Edith Louise, who died at Grinnell. She was a
member of the senior class of Iowa college, and her life was full of hope and
promise. A second daughter, Irene, born at Anita, Iowa, April 16, 1885, is
living at home in Denmark.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 201
GEORGE GOODWIN PERKINS.
George Goodwin Perkins, the third pastor of the church, was born in
Pitsfield, New Hampshire, from which place his parents removed when he was
a child, to Exeter, New Hampshire. Here for more than a half a century his
parents resided. This was his home until he became of age and went into
Massachusetts for study and work.
He was educated in the schools and in an academy of his native state.
Later he pursued literary and scientific studies in Middleboro, Massachusetts.
He also studied theology in Massachusetts. His first ministerial work was of a
home missionary character in the counties of Worcester and Franklin, in
Massachusetts. He was ordained at East Douglas, Massachusetts, March 27,
1857, by the Wesleyan Methodist Conference. In i860, he united with the
Massachusetts Plymouth Association of Congregational Ministers. The follow-
ing is the record of his time and place of ministry :
Pastor at Lakeville, Massachusetts, 1861-63; pastor at East Taunton, Massa-
chusetts, 1863-66; pastor at Kidder, Missouri, 1866-71; pastor at Hamilton,
Missouri, 1871-75; pastor at Ames, Iowa, 1875-80; pastor at Avoca, Iowa,
1880-83; pastor at Spencer, Iowa, 1883-90; pastor at Rock Rapids, Iowa,
1890-93; pastor at Blair, Nebraska, 1893-97; pastor at Rodney, Iowa, 1897-99;
pastor at Rogers, Arkansas, 1899-1902.
At the beginning of Mr. Perkins' pastorate in Spencer the parsonage was
enlarged to about double its original size. The house of worship was too small,
especially for the Sunday school. At this time the planning, toiling and sac-
rificing for the new building began. No definite action was taken except to
secure lots upon which the church now stands.
Before the close of Mr. Perkins' work the debt upon the parsonage was
removed, and improvements were made of the parsonage property. During the
latter part of his ministry Mr. Perkins preached occasionally at the Harmony
schoolhouse.
Since leaving Rogers, Arkansas, his last charge, Mr. Perkins has lived at
Moline. Illinois, having completed nearly half a century in active work of the
ministry. Such as he can look back upon an active, useful life, spent in faithful,
loving service.
In ]\Iarch, 1856, Mr. Perkins married Emily A. Cleveland at Princeton,
Massachusetts. There have been eight children, six of whom are living : Mrs.
William Kimball, Lincoln, Nebraska ; Mrs. W. H. Kennedy, Chicago, Illinois ;
Mrs. C. H. Ainsworth, Moline, Illinois; Mr. S. A. Perkins, Tacoma, Wash-
ington, Emily M. Perkins, Moline, Illinois ; Mrs. C. C. St. Clair, Marshalltown,
Iowa.
JOHN OLIVER THRUSH.
Rev. John Oliver Thrush, the fourth pastor of the church, was born on
a farm near Keyser, Mineral county. West Virginia. At the age of sixteen
years he began his studies in normal school at Fairmont, where he graduated
two years later. He then entered Lebanon Valley college, taking and complet-
ing the classical course. In the fall of 1885 he entered the divinity school at
Yale, graduating at the end of three years.
202 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
He then became pastor of the Congregational church at Postville, Iowa,
where he was ordained September 20, 1888. He was pastor of the Congrega-
tional church at Postville for a little more than two years, when he resigned
to take a year of post-graduate study at Johns Hopkins university.
In February, 1891, Mr. Thrush accepted a call to become pastor of the
Congregational church i-n Spencer, which position he filled for a little over eight
years. In April, 1889, he accepted a call to the First Congregational church of
Webster City, where he is still pastor.
In the early years of Mr. Thrush's ministry in Spencer a new church was
built at a cost of about $6,ocx). The work of the church building was com-
menced in 1892. A year later came the completion of a beautiful and commodious
house of worship, which was dedicated early in June.
Then followed the era of large congregations, a flourishing Sabbath school
and general prosperity. During Mr. Thrush's pastorate one hundred and seventy
names were added to the church roll. The church found in him an impressive
speaker, an able leader, and an earnest Christian. In 1899 his resignation was
reluctantly accepted.
Shortly after coming to Spencer Mr. Thrush was united in marriage with
Ada E. Brown, of Rockford, Iowa. Their three children are Waldo Brown,
Carol and Marion.
GLEN A. TAYLOR.
Glen A. Taylor, who succeeded Mr. Thrush as pastor of the church, was
born in Denmark, Iowa, July 7, i860. He united with the Denmark church — the
first Congregational church in Iowa — at the age of twelve years.
His preparation for college was made at Denmark academy, and he entered
Williams college in the fall of 1881, graduating with the class of 1885. Following
his graduation from Williams, he spent one year at Chicago theological seminary.
He later entered Yale divinity school, from which he graduated in 1889. After
a year of post-graduate work at Andover Mr. Taylor began his first pastorate in
Stuart, Iowa. Previous to this time he did several years of home missionary
work in Nebraska.
He was ordained in Stuart, Iowa, November 19, 1890. Here he remained
as pastor, for nine years, when he received a call from the Congregational church
at Spencer. Three years later he was called to the Congregational church at
Emmetsburg. Here he remained two years. Failing health compelled him to
close his work in October, 1904, much to the regret of his entire church. He is
now living on a farm in Denmark.
During Mr. Taylor's pastorate in Spencer needed improvements were made
on the church property. The interior of the church was beautifully frescoed
and the exterior repainted. Cement walks were laid in front of the church and
the parsonage repaired. In three years sixty-nine members were received into
the church.
Mr. Taylor is a scholarly man of great ability, who is thoroughly devoted
to his work. He has spent a number of vacations studying at Chicago university
and Harvard divinity school.
In 1890 Mr. Taylor married Flora Wetmore, a graduate of Iowa college and
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 203
of Wesley college in music and languages. They have two daughters, Miriam,
born in 1891, and Esther, born in 1898.
ERNEST ELLSWORTH DAY.
Ernest Ellsworth Day was born at Mazeppa, Wabash county, Minnesota.
He prepared for college at the preparatory department of Carleton college, at
Northfield, jMinnesota, entering the fall of 1888. He spent his freshman year at
Carleton, after which he spent a few months at Williams college, at Williams-
town, Masachusetts, Returning to Minnesota, he entered the state university,
graduating in 1895. After a year spent in the pastorate at Lyle, Minnesota, h^
entered Yale divinity school, graduating from that institution in 1899. August
1st the same year he began work as pastor of the Open Door Congregational
church in Minneapolis. He had supplied a number of various pulpits in Minnesota
during his vacations.
He was ordained to the gospel ministry October 24, 1889.
September 20, 1900, Mr. Day married, at Denver, Colorado, Miss Florence
M. Coleman.
In the fall of 1902 he accepted a call to the Congregational church of
Spencer, beginning work October ist of that year. Since that time the Congre-
gational rooms have been finished and furnished, the kitchen equipped with all
modern improvements, the parsonage and grounds improved, and the sidewalk
enterprise of 1905 carried out. Mr. Day is an inspiration to the church in all
its departments, and is maintaining the high ideals of Christian living.
spencer's sewerage system.
No community can have a perfect system of water works without sewerage,
and this fact became apparent to the citizens of Spencer within the past few
years. Sanitation alone demanded sewerage, if for no other reason; but there
were many other reasons for the improvement, and today Spencer has a splendid
system of twenty-two. thousand one hundred and thirty-one feet, not including
laterals, which cost the taxpayers $32,352.56. The money has been well spent,
and as the demand arises more will be constructed. The sewerage system, with
the splendid waterworks system of the city, gives to Spencer a character abroad
that tends to her ultimate benefit. Those looking for a residence city always
make inquiries in regard to these things. The city that has a good waterworks
and sewerage system, first class schools and a moral, intelligent, progressive
people is the place the most sought after by the parents who have children to
rear properly, and wdio not only enjoy but demand these modern blessings.. Such
a place is Spencer, and her citizens are proud of it.
streets and sidewalks of spencer.
The citizens of Spencer are proud of their town and there is a spirit abroad
among them to build wisely and well. This is shown by the number of substantial
modern and costly business blocks, the handsome new courthouse, beautiful resi-
dences and well kept streets. In the matter of sidewalks the city excels. There
are now laid in Spencer two hundred and thirty blocks of cement walks, and so
204 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
well laid and constructed that no expense need be expected on them for many
years to come. Added to the walks should be the one hundred and twenty-three
crossings, made of cement and substantially laid.
SPENCER ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT.
To be up with the times and meet the urgent demands of business men and
residents of Spencer, an electric light plant was deemed not only essential but
an imperative necessity. Oil lamps at the street corners did not fill the bill, nor
did the people want gas. Electric lights were considered the only modern
illuminant, and a number of public-spirited citizens determined to make a move
for the attainment of their desire. Chief among these was A. W. Miller, at
the time president of the First National bank. In 1891, with Franklin Floete,
Ackley Hubbard, Dr. Charles McAllister, T. P. Bender, W. L. Bender and
eighty-eight others, a stock company was organized and incorporated for the
purpose of building and conducting an electric light and power plant. At the
time of the incorporation the capital stock was set at $8,000; in 1894 this was
increased to $14,000, and later further increased to $25,000. The officers of
the company were as follows : President, Ackley Hubbard ; vice president, A.
W. Miller; secretary, S. S. Snow; treasurer, H. N. Smith.
The work of building the plant was at once commenced. The powerhouse,
constructed of brick, was located just north of and along the track of the Chicago,
Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad and facing on Main street. Engines and other
machinery, of the best modern construction, were installed, and one arc and one
incandescent dynamo set up in their places. Poles were erected and wires
strung, and before the end of the year the people of Spencer were no longer in
darkness, but were supplied with a light equal to the best.
While the lights gave eminent satisfaction to the patrons of the company,
the latter, or the stockholders, reaped no benefit. For them there was no profit
and, it is said, wdnen the property was eventually disposed of to the city, the
stockholders lost all they had invested in the enterprise. In 190 1 the electric
light plant w^ent into the possession of the city of Spencer, the remuneration
therefor being $16,698.63. Since then a number of improvements have been
made, new dynamos installed and many new patrons of the utility secured.
Today the concern is more than self-sustaining and the product of the plant
is second to none in the state. In 1908 a continuous service was inaugurated, so
that the light is obtainable at any time, day or night.
WATERWORKS.
After an expenditure of several thousands of dollars Spencer has suc-
ceeded in securing good water supply and is well protected in this respect in case
of fires. At first a well of large dimensions was sunk to a great depth. A wind
pump of commodious size and strength was placed over the well and a large
reservoir of the most substantial character, fully enclosed with large wooden
timbers, was constructed, capable of holding thousands of gallons of water. The
connection was made by a large w^ater main leading through the principal streets,
placed at such a depth that sufficient pressure was given to aiiford good fire
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 205
service and throw a stream of good size a distance of over a hundred feet.
Smaller mains were laid and a number of patrons used the water in their
buildings, drawn from the mammoth well. It was of sufficient capacity to meet
all the needed requirements and was regarded as a good protection against any
ordinary fire.
As the city increased in population, the demand for water kept pace with
its growth. This necessitated the laying of new mains and many connections.
It became apparent that the capacity of the works was not sufficient to meet the
demands made upon them. New wells were dug, and in 1907 a steel tank of
sufficient capacity was erected on high steel supports. The height of the tank
gives sufficient pressure to the water to more than reach the top of any building
in the city. For emergency purposes a large reservoir has been constructed.
The water is pumped into the tank and the reservoir at the electric light station.
The Spencer waterworks as now constructed and completed afifords to the city
splendid fire protection.
COMPARATIVE PROPERTY LIST.
The following list shows the property owned by the city of Spencer, with
the actual values April i, 1906, and also April i, 1907, after deducting reasonable
depreciation and including all repairs and additions for the year:
April I, 1906. April i, 1907
Electric light plant (not including cash on hand or
bills receivable) $16,552.96 $16,976.72
Waterworks :
Pipe $10,215.02 $10,210.80
Tank 4,800.00 . :
Wells 1,500.00 1,500.00
Cover on wells 665.00 631.75
Building 500.00 500.00 I
Pump 1,056.00 960.00
Hydrants 441.00 409.50
14,377.02 19,012.05
Lot 12, blk. 32, C, M. & St. P. Ry. Add. (City Hall) . . 1,300.00 1,300.00
Lots 3-4, block 18, College Add. (Pest House) 600.00 550.00
Lots 14-15-16, blk. B., Orig. Plat (Public Library, in-
cluding fixtures) 12,890.88 13,019.88
Lots 4-5, blk. I.. Harrisburg (Gravel Pit) 250.00 200.00
South hose cart house 105.00 100.00
City Scales, including building 300.00 300.00
Riverside Cemetery (unsold lots) 11,133.00 10.569.00
Riverside Cemetery (tools and improvements) 840.00 798.00
Fire apparatus 2,000.25 2,004.64
Street Commissioner's tools 200.00 180.00
Books in Library 2,668.92 2,668.92
Total $63,218.03 $67,672.51
206 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
STATISTICAL INFORMATION.
The city had, on April i, 1907, 4748 feet of 4-inch, 9,045 feet of 6-inch, 400
feet of 8-inch and 14,613 feet of lo-inch water mains and twenty-one fire hydrants.
Out of a total of 2},^ blocks of walk in the city, 209 are already cement and
about one-half of the balance have been condemned and will be put in during
the summer.
There are forty-six cement alley crossings and seventy-seven cement street
crossings (including approaches), already laid, and arrangements have been
made to lay fifty more street crossings with approaches this season.
The city had 418 electric lights and 162 water consumers, with prospects for
several more the coming season.
There is 18,681 feet of sewer system valued at $28,948.16, with about 1,700
feet to be put in this season.
The public library contains 2,901 volumes besides 500 state and government
books and innumerable magazines and periodicals.
farmers' elev.^tor company.
The farmers of Clay county had long been satisfied in their own minds that
the grain buyers were not giving them a "square deal" in handling their grain.
They felt positive the elevator companies were making profits to the loss of the
producer and it was concluded, after a number of meetings had been held, to
form a cooperative company, the members to be farmers of the county, for their
mutual benefit and protection. Hence, in 1907, the Farmers' Elevator Company
was organized and incorporated at Spencer and capitalized at $25,000. The
purpose of the company was the buying and selling of grain, coal, binding twine
and hogs ; the profits, after all expenses were paid, to be credited pro rata to the
members of the company. About one hundred and seventy entered the enterprise
as stockholders and the following officers were selected : President, F. H.
Black, of Summit Township ; vice president, L. E. LaBrant, of Spencer, a retired
farmer ; secretary, P. N. Larson, of Meadow Township ; treasurer, William F.
Torbett, of Riverton Township; Andrew Anderson, of Spencer, manager.
July I, 1907, business commenced by the new cooperative concern in the
elevator standing near the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul depot at Spencer,
which the company had purchased of the Hunting Elevator Company, of
McGregor, Iowa, and from the start the concern has been encouraged to continue
its endeavors to save for its members the profits on corn, wheat and hogs that
would otherwise go into the pockets of the elevator companies. The start has
been a good one and the manager in plain terms gave the writer to understand
that the business of the company is bringing in a satisfactory return, both to its
officers and members.
SPENCER mills.
The JMarcellus mill, built by Garrett D. Marcellus, stood on the bank of the
Little Sioux River and was run by w'ater power. A large dam was built across
the river, but it finally became untenable owing to quicksand. And then, also,
the city began thinking of and planning a sewage system and this dam was a
GRACE M. E. CHURCH. SPENCER
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 207
menace to the proper drainage of the city so, after E. H. Tryon and James
Bruntlett had purchased the mill and dam, the city authorities bought of them
the dam and destroyed it. At this time the Bender Bros. Company was conducting
a milling and elevator business, in a mill just south of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul railroad track, on the east side of Main street. The Benders and the
other members of the company, which included Tryon and Bruntlett, then
organized the Spencer Grain Company, This company continued business in the
new mill, to which part of the machinery of the Marcellus mill had been taken,
for some time, w^hen the Benders retired, and the members of the concern
continued the business under the name of the Spencer Milling Company, which
w'as organized in 1891. Before this, part of the members separated from the
concern, and went to Minneapolis, taking with them all interests the grain
company had in the elevators belonging to it. Those prominent in the organiza-
tion of the Spencer jMilling Company were James Bruntlett, A. W. Miller, Jr.,
Mrs. J. P.' Evans, and others, members of the former company. The Spencer
Milling Company was capitalized at $25,000. Wirt Bronson is the manager.
The Spencer Milling Company also built a sixty-barrel mill at White Lake, South
Dakota. The main purpose of this mill is to secure the best quality of hard,
winter wheat for the Spencer mill.
The mill of this company is a large four-story frame building, 32x64 feet.
The capacity is 150 barrels per day. The mill is equipped with good machinery
and seven double stands of rollers. The popular local brand of flour turned out
is "The Royal." The company has two representatives on the road and sends its
product over the states of Iowa and Wisconsin.
SPENCER ELEVATORS.
Clay county has been and is today one of the banner grain counties of the
state and Spencer, consequently, for years past has been a splendid market for
cereals. This is evidenced by five large elevators, three on the M. & St. L. rail-
road and two on the C, M. & St. P. railroad. At the latter road is the Farmers'
Cooperative Elevator and that of the Reliance Elevator Company. At the M. &
St. L. are the elevators belonging to the DeWolf & Wells Elevator Company,
Skewis & ]\Ioen Elevator Company, and the third one is conducted by F. M.
Tuttle.
For the past few years these elevators have not been doing the business of
former times. The amount of grain brought to them has decreased from year to
year and it is now asserted two elevators are all that are necessary. One reason
for this is given in the statement that a great amount of grain is now fed on the
farms and used in dairying.
SPENCER FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
The Iowa Mercantile Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized in
Spencer in 1895 by A. W. Green, Ackley Hubbard, William Flindt, F. A. Hiser,
D. E. Knight and others, and the following officers were selected : A. W
Green, president ; C. W. Coffin, secretary ; William Flindt, treasurer. The present
208 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
officers are: A. W. Green, president; W. H. Golly, of Zearing, Iowa, vice
president ; D. L. Ryder, secretary ; William Flindt, treasurer.
This is one of the flourishing concerns of Clay county. It now has about
$4,000,000 in risks on a purely mutual plan. The concern insures nothing but
mercantile risks and town dwellings and makes a saving, according to its statement,
on mercantile risks of 25 per cent, and on dwellings of 50 per cent.
EARLING HOTEL.
In 1887 a stock company was organized for the purpose of erecting a hotel
building which would be in keeping with the general prosperity and growth of
Spencer, and as a result the present handsome and commodious Earling hotel was
completed, at a cost of something less than $20,000, including furniture. The
Earling is the leading hotel and is thoroughly furnished throughout, and is an
ornament and great advantage to Spencer. There are many reasons why a
first-class hotel is a benefit to a town. The first thing a stranger or traveling man
wishes to know on entering a place, is the name and locality of a good hotel,
whether he wants simply a meal or intends to stay a day or a week or even longer.
And in many cases a stranger is either favorably impressed with a town by the
class and character of its hotels, or unfavorably impressed with them. Fortunately,
Spencer is well provided in this respect. The Earling was built to supply the
wants and demands of the traveling public. It is a commodious three-story
building with basement, most admirably and conveniently arranged with the latest
and most modern improvements. It is heated with steam, provided with electric
bells in every room, and supplied with new furniture, carpets and dining room
essentials. It is pronounced by the traveling public to be one of the neatest, most
substantially constructed and best arranged hotels in the northwest. The first
manager and principal stockholder, J. B. Stamp, had, from many years' experience
in the hotel business, acquired the faculty of making the guests feel as if they
were friends rather than strangers, and at home rather than in a public house. He
was one of the most hospitable of hosts, his pleasant manner and general agreeable-
ness making him many warm and lasting friends.
The Earling Hotel is now in the possession of E. B. Stoufifer & Co. — the
Misses Lulu and E. B. Stoufifer, and J. A. Beck, nonresidents of Spencer.
INSURANCE.
Clay county has two organized insurance companies, which are doing a most
excellent business, and are greeted with favor in all parts of the county. We
herewith give a somewhat lengthy detailed account of what they are and what
they are doing, in order that the readers may have an idea of their general plan
of doing business.
The Farmers' Fire and Lightning Insurance Association was organized Decem-
ber 3, 1888, and began business February i, 1889. It is conducted on the mutual
plan, and is more economical than the old line insurance. Only small fees are
allowed the officers and agents, and the greatest of care is taken in the risks they
insure. A brief comparison of the record of the "stock companies," and the
expense entailed, with that of the "mutual companies," will demonstrate very
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 209
clearly that the latter costs far less. For the year 1888 the average cost to the
farmers of Iowa who were members of the "mutual company" was 16 cents on
every $100 covered by their policies. During that same time the "stock companies"
received from the people of Iowa $4,279,023.34, and returned as payment for
losses $1,109,555.77. Another feature of the mutual is that it is prompt. The
adjuster can be on the ground soon after the fire, and at once ascertain the loss,
if any. So far, this company has not had many losses by fire since its organization.
The first loss by lightning occurred June 19, 1899, when five head of steers were
killed. They were valued at $90, and within ten hours the adjustor was notified of
the loss, and it was paid in full.
Another most satisfactory feature of this company is that it is secure. It is
secure because every man who becomes a member is personally responsible for the
losses, and every policy issued has, for a faithful performance of what it claims it
will do, the backing of the real estate and personal property of the aggregation of
farmers who belong to the association. Experience has clearly demonstrated that
the farmers who belong to the mutual are prompt and honorable in the payment
of their assessment.
There is another commendable and important factor in the composition of this
organization, and that is it is equitable. Their motto is even-handed justice to all.
No quibbling, but promptness in the payment of a just and honest debt. The
farmers of Clay county should avail themselves of the easy terms of the company,
and insure in it and thus keep their money at home.
The association is ably officered by strong, substantial and wealthy farmers,
who are noted for probity and judgment. The following list of officers is for the
year 1889: President, A. W. Green; secretary, E. H. Crandall ; treasurer, Fred
Lachner ; directors, J. L. Eckley, J. C. Winset, R. J. Archer, James Goodwin,
F. A. Hiser and A. J. Livingston.
The present officers are as follows : J. P. Mills, president ; J. H. Graham, vice
president; A. W. Green, secretary; W. H. Mincer, treasurer. Including the
officers the board of directors consists of J. L. Lowe, J. B. Wilson, G. W. Moehller,
C. L. Halthoues, and G. H. Schuneman.
The risks for this company for 1908 were $2,420,574. The average cost to the
insured per $1,000 each year for the past five years was $1.98. Which is about the
general average for the twenty years of existence.
The company completed its chartered life December 3, 1908, and was again
reorganized with practically the same list of officers.
CLAY COUNTY ABSTRACT COMPANY.
The Clay County Abstract Company was organized in 1906 by J. W. Cory,
W. S. Bemis, J. E. Steele, Harlan J. Buck, Fred Kirkpatrick, W. E. Barnhart and
Guy H. Martin, all of whom, prior to the consolidation, owned sets of abstract
books of the county. The gentlemen named, all members of the bar, entered into
an agreement to turn all abstract records over to the company, at a certain price
for each set, and it was agreed that the capitalization of the company should be
$8,000. The firm of Buck & Kirkpatrick undertook to do the abstract business
for the company, at a fixed percentage, and the balance of all fees to go into the
company treasury. J. W. Cory was selected for president ; H. J. Buck, secretary ;
210 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
J. M. Oliver, assistant secretary and stenographer ; J. H. McCord, treasurer. The
official title of the concern is the Clay County Abstract Company.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SPENCER.
The First National Bank is regarded as one of the leading banking institu-
tions of the northwest and has become a useful and important factor in promoting
and fostering the interests of the community. That it has attained a degree of
prominence and the confidence of the public is evidenced by the fact of its immense
and increasing business. It began business August 23, 1888, and in its sworn
report to the comptroller of the treasury July 12, 1889, showed that its deposits had
reached $44,271.79, and its resources aggregated $122,275.90, a most creditable
and healthful state of financial prominence and prosperity. Its first officers were
the following: President, A. W. Miller; vice president, T. P. Bender; cashier,
P. E. Randall ; directors, A. C. Ferine, David Painter, E. C. Hughes, T. P. Bender
and A. W. Miller. Its paid up capital was $50,000. When the First National
consolidated with the Clay County Bank, its capital stock was increased to $100,000.
The present officers are : President, Charles McAllister ; vice president, H. N.
Smith; cashier, C. P. Buckey. This bank has a surplus fund of $20,000; deposits
of $280,000.
THE people's SAVINGS BANK OF SPENCER.
The People's Savings Bank was organized in 1891, and has a paid up capital
of $25,000, although its authorized capital is $50,000. Its deposits amount to
$230,000. The bank was organized by J. L. Nicodemus, Edward Nicodemus,
Franklin Floete, W. L. Bender, S. S. Snow, J. W. Cory, W. S. Bemis, and S. E.
Burley. Its first officers were : President, J. W. Cory ; vice president, Edward
Nicodemus; cashier, S. S. Snow. Board of directors: Edward Nicodemus,
Franklin Floete, W. L. Bender, S. S. Snow and J. W. Cory. Its present officers :
H. N. Smith, president ; J. L. Nicodemus, vice president ; Charles L. Howe,
cashier.
M. E. griffin's BANK OF SPENCER.
This bank was established in 1880, by M. E. Griffin and J. Q. Adams, both
of whom were large land dealers. Some years ago Mr. Adams retired from the
firm. Mr. Griffin does a general banking business. For an extended sketch of
Mr. Griffin see another page of this work.
Connected with the Griffin bank is E. G. Morgan, who has been the
general manager and right hand man of Mr, Griffin for the past twenty-six
years. E. Taggart has been bookkeeper for some time.
THE citizens' NATIONAL BANK OF SPENCER.
The Citizens' National Bank of Spencer is an ofifshoot of the Citizens' State
Bank of Spencer. The State Bank was organized in March, 1897, and capitalized
at $50,000.
The Citizens' National Bank was organized in September, 1903, and capital-
ized at $50,000. Franklin Floete was the first president ; Andrew R. Smith, vice
president, and Ackley Hubbard, cashier. The present officers of the bank are as
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 211
follows : Franklin Floete, president ; A. R. Smith, vice president ; J. H. McCord,
cashier.; P. J. Cilley, assistant cashier. The bank's deposits will reach $200,000.
THE citizens' SAVINGS BANK OF SPENCER.
The above named bank was organized in 1900. Capitalized at $10,000 and
deposits $75,000. The first president was Ackley Hubbard ; vice president, W. L.
Bender; cashier, Alice Hubbard. The present officers are: President, J. H,
McCord ; vice president, W. L. Bender ; cashier, P. J. Cilley.
CLAY COUNTY BANK.
This was one of the first banks in the county, having been established in the
spring of 1876 in Spencer. It had been so long and prominently identified with
the county and had been so liberal in its dealings with its depositors and patrons
that it was regarded as one of the solidest institutions in the northwest. It was
noted for the helping hand it extended, not alone to the people but to the county,
whose credit it was largely instrumental in maintaining, at a period when it was
necessary that the county's warrants should be received and passed for one hundred
cents on the dollar.
The bank was organized in 1876, with J. L. Nicodemus as president and A. W.
Miller as cashier. A small frame building was erected on Main street, near the
old courthouse building, where they transacted its business until 1882, when they
moved in their handsome two-story, double brick building on the corner of Main
and Fourth streets. Mr. Nicodemus, who was a heavy capitalist of Alaryland,
who had previous to opening the bank made a number of loans in the county, came
west and after looking over the country decided to open a bank at Spencer.
In company with A. W. Miller, who had been a resident of the county several
years, he established the Clay County Bank. From a small beginning its growth
was steady and substantial, until it was not only the oldest but the strongest
financial banking institution in this section of Iowa. Its capital and surplus
aggregated $175,000. The loans amounted to an immense sum and its exchange
business was proportionately large. In 1901, it was consolidated with the First
National Bank.
FOSTORIA BANK.
The Citizens' Savings Bank of Fostoria was organized in 1902. It is a private
bank, and was organized by Ackley Hubbard and others. They have a capital of
$10,000, and deposits of $77,500. Ackley Hubbard was its first president, but he
was afterwards succeeded by Franklin Floete ; A. R. Smith is the vice president
and the cashier is George W. Anderson.
GREENVILLE BANK.
The bank at Greenville was established in 1901 by J. P. Farmer, F. H. Helsell
and H. L. Farmer. These gentlemen are the present officers of the bank.
GILLETT's GROVE SAVINGS BANK.
This bank was established in 1908. S. Ferguson is president; Anton Barglofif,
vice president, and Frank A. Lahr, cashier. They have a capital of $10,000.
212 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
WEBB BANK.
The Citizens' Savings Bank of Webb was organized in 1902. The first
officers were Ackley Hubbard, president ; FrankHn Floete, vice president ; R. S.
Davis, cashier. They have a capital of $10,000. deposits of $45,000. x\ckley Hub-
bard was succeeded by J. H. McCord as president.
ROYAL BANK.
The Citizens' Savings Bank of Royal was organized out of a private bank,
owned by Ackley Hubbard and others, which was called the Citizens' Bank. The
Citizens' Savings Bank was organized in 1902, with Ackley Hubbard, president;
William Flindt, vice president; O. B. Scott, cashier. Its capital is $10,000, and
deposits $80,000. J. H. McCord succeeded Mr. Hubbard as president.
BANK OF DICKENS.
The Exchange Bank of Dickens was organized January. 1892, by F. M. Tuttle
and P. E. Randall. It is a private concern. The present officers are Charles
McAllister, president ; A. C. Ferine, vice president ; E. P. Flint, cashier ; C. H.
Walsh, assistant cashier.
BIOGRAPHICAL
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BIOGRAPHICAL
CHARLES McAllister, m. d.
The name of Dr. Charles McAllister has come to be regarded as synonymous
with business development and progress in Clay county, for he is not only a most
able and successful physician and surgeon, but is also president of the First
National Bank of Spencer, president of the Exchange Bank at Dickens and presi-
dent of the Everly Bank. He thus figures prominently in financial circles and
throughout his entire life has directed his efforts where mature judgment and
sound discrimination have led the way. Among those who have achieved promi-
nence as men of marked ability and substantial worth in this section of the state
Dr. McAllister occupies a prominent position.
A native of New England, he was born at South Lee, Massachusetts, on the
1st of February, 1840, and is of Scotch lineage. His grandfather, Alexander
McAllister, was born in the land of hills and heather,- of crag and plain, of
lowland heath and highland. He was of the Presbyterian faith and both he and
his wife lived to a ripe old age, the latter being more than ninety years when
called to her final rest. Their children were Daniel, Archibald, Alexander,
Charles. Mary and John McAllister.
The last named became the father of Dr. McAllister. He was born in
Columbia. New York, and gave his attention to general farming in South Lee,
Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He wedded Cynthia Heath, a daughter of
George Heath and a representative of one of the old Puritan families of the Bay
state. Her father was a native of Massachusetts and was a farmer by occupa-
tion. He died at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife passed away when
about seventy 3-ears of age. Their family numbered one son and eleven daughters.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. John McAllister was blessed with three sons and one
daughter : George, deceased, who Avas a surgeon of the Civil war ; Mary, who
died when about sixteen years of age ; Charles, of this review ; and Henry,
deceased. The parents have also passed away, the father's death occurring, in
1874 when he was seventy-four years of age, while his wife died in 1875 ^^ the
age of seventy-four. The former was of the Scotch Presbyterian faith, while
the mother was a member of the Methodist church.
CLAY 13. 215
216 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Dr. Charles McAllister, now the only living representative of the family,
v^as reared upon the home farm in Massachusetts and supplemented his prelimi-
nary education by a course in Williams College, which he completed as a member
of the class of 1863. He had engaged in teaching for two winter seasons prior
to that time and after finishing his literary course he took up the study of
medicine and was graduated from the Berkshire Medical College in 1865. He
then located for practice in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where he was accorded
an enviable patronage. In 1870 and 1871 he resided at Dixon, Illinois, after
which he traveled through the northwest and in 1872 took u]) his abode in
Spencer, where he has since remained as an active representative of the profession.
He did not regard his professional education completed when he finished his
course in medical college but has always remained a student of the principles of
the medical science and through his perusal of the latest medical literature has
kept in touch with what the world is doing in the line of his profession. He is
quick to adopt any new idea or method which he believes will have real value,
in ]jrofessional service and yet he does not hastily discard old and time-tried
methods of practice, the worth of which has been proven in years of experience.
He is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and his ability is demonstrated in
a large practice. His brethren of the medical fraternity have accorded him
prominence in electing him for several "terms to the office of president of the
Clay County Medical Society. He is also a member of the Upper Dcs Moines
Medical Association, the State Medical Association, the American Medical Asso-
ciation and the Association of American Railway Surgeons. At the present
writing he is president of the pension board of examiners and he has been sur-
geon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad for thirty years.
Aside from his professional interests Dr. ^IcAllister has figured prominently
in the public life of Spencer and Clay county. He is the owner of a valuable farm
of six hundred and forty acres in Riverton township and has other desirable
real estate. In 1887 he built the McAllister block in Spencer and has always
taken an active interest in encouraging the development of various business indus-
tries and the general improvement of Spencer. Since 1897 he has been president
of the First X'ational Bank and has gained a notable place in banking circles in
this part of the state, being also president of the Exchange Bank at Dickens and
of the Everly Bank. His knowledge of the banking business is comprehensive
and exact and to the solution of difficult financial problems he has brought keen
discernment and penetrating sagacity.
On the 1st of January, 1869, Dr. ]^IcAllister was married to Miss Laura
McAllister, the adopted daughter of his uncle, Charles McAllister. Three sons
were born unto them : Charles, who died in 1878 at the age of two years ;
Charles, the second of the name, who passed away at the age of fifteen years ; and
Alexander, who is a graduate of Williams College of the class of 1906 and is
now living in Los Angeles, California. The wife and mother passed away in
April, 1892, at the age of forty years. She was a member of the Congregational
church and her many excellent traits of character endeared her to those with
whom she came in contact. On the 28th of December, 1898, Dr. McAllister was
married to Aliss Fannie E. Spencer, a graduate of Grinnell College and a daugh-
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 217
ler of T- A. Spencer, of Alden, Iowa. Both Dr. and Mrs. McAllister hold mem-
bership in the Congregational church and are greatly interested in its work and
the extension of its influence. He is now serving as church trustee and has been
chairman of the board for many years.
In fraternal lines Dr. McAllister is connected with Evening Shade Lodge,
Xo. 312, A. F. & A. M., Clay Chapter, R. A. M., Esdraelon Commandery, K. T.,
and the Mystic Shrine. His name is also on the membership rolls of the Spencer
lodge of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Encampment and Estherville
Lodge, Xo. 528, B. P. O. E. Recognized as one of the leaders in republican cir-
cles, he has ever given stalwart allegiance to the principles in which he believes
and represented his district in the seventeenth general assembly in 1877-8. His
is a well rounded character, not so abnormally developed in any direction as to
become a genius and yet with that strength of purpose and ability that has
enabled him to accomplish what he has vindertaken. Broad-minded and liberal in
his views, he has wrought along the lines of the greatest good to the greatest
number and Clay county has profited by his efforts in various fields of endeavor.
His unbending^ integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of duty in
every relation in which he has been found and his appreciation of the responsibili-
ties that have rested upon him have made him a citizen whose worth is widely
acknowledged.
ARCHIE HILLIARD.
The home of Archie Hilliard is just outside the city limits of Spencer in
Section i, Riverton township, and the opportunities and advantages of the city
are therefore easily obtainable while the comforts of country life are also to be
enjoyed. The life of Mr. Hilliard has been a most busy and useful one and
various commercial interests have been promoted and successfully conducted by
him. He is now extensively engaged in the manufacture of tile, brick and cement
blocks, his factory being near Spencer. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his
birth having occurred in Webster City, July 17, 1863. His father, Ira Hilliard,
was a native of Xew Hampshire, born at Colebrook, where he remained until
twentv-five vears of age. He then removed to Pennsylvania and in the meantime
had iDecome familiar with the business of manufacturing brick. At Wilkesbarre
Pennsylvania, he was married to Emily Carr, a native of that city. While resid-
ing in Pennsylvania he engaged in the manufacture of brick, but believing that
still better opportunities might be enjoyed in the new but rapidly growing west,
he made his way to Iowa and became one of the pioneer residents of Webster
City. There he established a brick yard and engaged in the manufacture of brick
for a quarter of a century. He was very successful in his undertaking, for he
placed before the public a very marketable commodity, the excellence of his out-
put and his fair dealing securing to him an extensive and lucrative patronage.
In 1882 he removed to Clay county and established a brick yard here. He also
carried on business in this county for twenty-five years and made brick for all
the public buildings and for many of the private residences of Spencer and this
218 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
part of the state. His enterprise and business activity constituted forces in the
commercial development here of different locations in which he lived, while his
energy and industry brought to him merited success. He died here in 1906 and
is still survived by his wnfe. While in Webster City he owned and operated a
machine shop and also invested extensively in land near that place. In Clay
county he owned two hundred and forty acres and upon his farm erected a good
brick .residence and substantial outbuildings.
Archie Hilliard, whose name introduces this review, was reared in Iowa
and pursued his education in the schools of Webster City, passing through con-
secutive grades until he became a high school student. After completing his
studies he joined his father in Clay county, and for two years was his assistant
in the operation of the brick yard. Later he went to South Dakota and estab-
lished a brick yard at Mitchell, where he carried on a successful business for four
years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Iowa and was here mar-
ried, in 1887. to Miss Lelia S. J. Horner, a native of Oswego county, New York,
where her girlhood was largely passed. The young couple began their domestic
life at Mitchell, South Dakota, where they remained until about 1889, after which
Mr. Hilliard disposed of his place there and removed his machinery to Spencer.
Here he joined his father as a partner but assumed the entire management of the
business, which he carefully conducted. For a number of years he was here en-
gaged in brick-making and in 1894 removed to Michigan, where he pursued a
course in a school for training nurses at Battle Creek. For about two years he
followed the profession and was then obliged to give it up on account of ill health.
At that time he removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he established a bakery business
which he conducted for two or three years, and then sold out and returned to
Battle Creek, Michigan, where he engaged in the manufacture of cereal coft'ee.
He devoted three years to that business, at the end of which time he disposed of
his interest in Michigan and again came to Spencer in 1900. Hefe he bought out
his father's business and for about three or four years engaged in the manu-
facture of brick. He then extended the scope of his undertaking by beginning
the manufacture of tile. He has been manufacturing and shipping on an average
of from two to three carloads of tile per day. He has erected a large four-story
brick building for the conduct of the business, has four large kilns and his fac-
tory is thoroughly modern and up-to-date in every particular. He has installed
the latest improved machinery and in addition to the manufacture of brick and
tile his output also includes building blocks. His industrial interests are of an'
important nature and constitute one of the chief features among the productive
industries of Spencer. Mr. Hilliard also conducts farming interests, owning
and operating eighty acres of rich and productive land that constitute one of the
well improved farms of the neighborhood. It is situated on section i, Riverton
township, and upon the farm are found all modern accessories while the home is
a commodious and attractive brick residence.
L^nto Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard have ben born eight children : William I. and
Harry E., who are students in Union College, at College View, Nebraska: Isa-
belle, who is a student in a private school in Spencer ; Blanche ; Edith ; Calleen ;
Leona ; and Corliss. The parents are members of the Seventh Day Adventist
church of Spencer. Mr. Hilliard is acting on the official board and both he and
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 219
his wife take a helpful interest in the church and sabbath school work, he having
served for several years as sabbath school superintendent. His political alle-
giance is given to the republican party. He is active in advancing the interests of
the county along many lines of development and upbuilding, gives his hearty
cooperation to many movements for the good of Spencer and is now at the head
of one of its leading productive industries, while his enterprise, indefatigable
energy and business probity are the salient features of his career.
ALBERT GRUCHOW.
When pioneers make their way into a new and hitherto undeveloped region,
necessarily the first step which they take is the development of farms, for the
production of those crops which are useful as foods. Gradually, as the country
becomes more thickly settled, so that markets supply almost everything, demanded
by the people, the farmer's work becomes somewhat more diversified and today
those who are occupying homes on the best farms of Clay county are busily,
extensively and successfully engaged in raising stock. It is to this work that
Albert Gruchow gives much of his attention, being w'ell known as a dealer in
Aberdeen Angus cattle. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land
adjoining the corporation limits of Spencer, and this constitutes a neat and well-
improved farm, upon which he has resided since 1881. Germany numbers him
among her native sons, his birth having occurred on the 15th of August, 1864.
When a little lad of five summers he was brought by his parents to the new
world, the family home being established in La Salle county, Illinois. His
father, John Gruchow, was also a native of Germany, where he was reared and
educated. In that country he married Hannah Westfall, who was likewise born
in the fatherland, and they became parents of four children ere they came to
the L'nited States. On reaching La Salle county, Illinois, the father secured a
farm, which he cultivated and improved for twenty-two years. In 1881 he
removed from that state to Iowa and purchased land in Riverton township, becom-
ing the owner of two hundred acres, on which he resided until his death in 1903.
His wife still survives him and is a resident of Clay county. Their family num-
bered nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom have reached
mature years and married with the exception of the two youngest. The others
are all residents of this county.
Albert Gruchow was reared in La Salle county, Illinois, upon the old home
farm and, after attaining his majority, started out in life on his own account,
choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. The year
1881 witnessed his arrival in Iowa and, selecting Clay county as the place of his
residence, he here engaged in farming, on a tract of rented land. For some years
he continued to rent the place and then purchased it and it remains his present
place of residence. He has since erected a new dwelling, has built two barns and
has also erected very substantial outbuildings, while a grove of forest trees and
an orchard of fruit trees have been set out by him, adding to the value and at-
tractive appearance of the place. He employs the most modern methods in car-
•220 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
lying on his farm work, uses the latest improved machinery, practices the rota-
tion of crops and makes a close stndy of the properties of the soil and the food
demands of the different crops he raises. He is also raising and feeding stock
and is today the owner of some fine Aberdeen Angus cattle and high-grade hogs.
He breeds and deals in Aberdeen Angus cattle and has a herd of fifty-two head
of pure-blooded and high-grade stock.
On Thanksgiving Day, in 1888, Mr. Gruchow was married in this county to
Miss Anna Reamer, who was born in Germany but spent her girlhood days in
La Salle-county, Illinois. This union has been blessed wdth four children, George,
Wester and Harry, all yet at home, and Mabel, who died at the age of five years.
The parents are members of the German ^Methodist Episcopal church and Mr.
Gruchow is serving on the official board. He exercises his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the republican party, but while he is public-
spirited in citizenship, he does not seek office as a reward for party fealty. He is
interested in everything pertaining to the town's progress in the material, intel-
lectual and moral lines and movements for the public good never seek his aid in
vain. Moreover, in his business career, he has demonstrated the value and worth
of unflagging perseverance, unfaltering determination and unsullied business
integrity, and he enjoys in full measure the trust and confidence of those with
whom he has been associated through business or social relations.
JAMES PETER HENDRICKSEN.
James Peter Hendricksen. a well-to-do and progressive agriculturist of
Royal, this county, was born in Zeeland, Denmark, March 4, 1853, ^ son of Hans
and ]\Iary Hendricksen. His father, also a native of Denmark, came to Waushara
county, Wisconsin, in 1863, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, clearing
the timber on eighty acres of land, upon which he constructed a small log cabin,
and here resided until the spring of 1870, when he located in Clay county, Iowa..
He took up a claim of eighty acres on section 24 in Clay township, later selling his
claim and removing to Lincoln township, where he remained ilntil eighteen vears
ago, when he removed to Spencer, where he still resides. His career has been one
of remarkable success and he is known throughout the community on account of
his financial worth and is in every sense a substantial and representative citizen.
The mother, who w^as also a native of Zeeland, Denmark, was married there but
departed this life in Lincoln township in June, 1889, and her remains were
interred in the Spencer cemetery. She was the mother of five children, namelv :
James Peter, our subject ; ]\Iary, wife of ]\Iartin Johnson, of Royal ; Stina, who
became the wife of Peter Christensen, an agriculturist of Clav township ; Hans,
deceased ; and Lars, farmer of Lincoln township.
James Peter Hendricksen attended the common schools of his native countrv
until he was ten years of age, when he was brought to the United States and. his
parents having located in Wisconsin, he worked there with his father clearing
ofif land and making it ready for cultivation. He remained in Wisconsin until
he was seventeen years of age, when his parents removed to Clay countv, Iowa.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY 221
and he continued to work for his father until he was united in marriage, when
he rented a farm, but the first year met with the misfortune of having his crops
eaten by grasshoppers. He has since resided in this county and part of the time
has worked out to secure means to pay for his small farm, but he finally suc-
ceeded in clearing the land of debt and built a comfortable dwelling, after which
he gradually met with success sufficient to enable him to supplant the old dwelling
with his present beautiful residence. His farm consists of two hundred and forty
acres which at the time of his purchase was in a wild state without a tree and
with the ground all untilled, but by his untiring efforts he soon transformed the
raw soil into fertile fields from which he has since been reaping lucrative harvests.
His land is highly improved, being not only provided with an excellent residence
but also with barns, outbuildings, machinery and all conveniences which are used
in farming by modern methods. He engages in general agricultural pursuits and
stock raising, and before the railroad passed through the county did teaming in
connection with his other interests. His farm lies in Lincoln and Clay townships
and the attention which Mr. Hendricksen has devoted to it has made it one of the
finest and most desirable in the county.
In 1876 Mr. Hendricksen was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Hannah Elleston,
a native of Jutland, Denmark, and to this union have been born four children,
namely : W. H., a lumber dealer of Royal ; Cena, who became the wife of Hans
Hagadorn, an agriculturist of Lincoln township; Mary, and Louie Albert. Mr.
Hendricksen gives his political support to the republican party, to which he has
always been loyal, and he has served the township efficiently as school director
and road supervisor. He takes a deep interest in religious affairs and is a member
of the Danish Lutheran church, in which he is an ardent worker and a large con-
tributor and of which his wife is also a member. He is well known throughout
the county and his straightforwardness and enterprising spirit have gained him
the respect of the entire community.
JULIUS LAMMERS.
Land is constantly rising in value as the country becomes more thickly set-
tled and there is greater demand for property in this part of the state. Moreover,
the advancement in price is also largely due to the substantial improvements
which are being made by the farmers. The agriculturists of Clay county largely
constitute a class of progressive business men, who see and utilize the opportuni-
ties for advancement, and are thus contributing to general prosperity as well as
to individual success. Julius Lammers is a worthy representative of the type of
men who are not content to accept things as they are but realize that from every
vantage point a forward step can be made. He is now the owner of four hundred
and forty acres, constituting a valuable farm on section 23, Lone Tree township.
A native of Iowa, he was born in Scott county on the 15th of June, 1869, a son
of Hans Lammers, who was a native of Germany, where he spent his youthful
davs. As a voung man he came to the new world and established his home in
Scott countv, Iowa. There he married Christina Hansen, also a native of Ger-
222 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
many, who had been brought to the United States when thirteen years of age.
Their son, JuHus Lammers, was reared in Scott and in Tama counties, earlv
becoming famiHar with the duties and labors that usually fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. The district schools afforded him his early educational privileges
and later he attended the Vinton high school. On the 27th of February, 1895, he
made preparations for having a home of his own through his marriage in Tama
county to Miss Ella Ruge, who was born in Muscatine, Iowa, but obtained her
education in Tama county.
Soon after their marriage the young couple took up their abode upon the farm
on section 23, Lone Tree township, where they still reside. Mr. Lammers has
added to and remodeled the house and has put up a number of buildings upon
the place. A good barn, sheds, a corn-crib, granary, wind-pump and waterworks
are among the modern features of the place, which indicate'his progressive spirit
and practical, eft'ective methods. He began here with two hundred and forty
acres of land, but subsequently purchased more property from his father, and
his place now comprises four hundred and forty acres. With farming he raises
and feeds stock, shipping from two to three carloads of fat cattle each year and
one hundred and twenty-five head of fat hogs. He is a stockholder in the First
National Bank of Everly and also owns stock in the Farmers' Elevator at IMoneta,
of which he is one of the directors.
'Sir. and Mrs. Lammers have one son, Elmer, who is now under the parental
roof. The parents belong to the German Lutheran church and Mr. Lammers
holds membership in Everly Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is a worthy exemplar of
the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. His
political support is given to the democracy and he desires its success, although
he never seeks office for himself. Indefatigable energy is perhaps his strongest
characteristic and it has led him forward in his business relations to a prominent
place among the successful farmers of the township.
CHANDLER AUGUSTUS DUNWELL.
Chandler Augustus Dunwell, at the age of eighty-five years, is still an active
factor in the w^orld's work. He makes his home in Spencer, where he is engaged
in making chattel mortgage loans, and furthermore, has personal supervision
over his extended landed interests. He is one of the largest landholders of the
county, his farm property comprising eleven hundred acres, while realty in
Spencer also returns him a substantial annual income. His record may well
serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement, showing what may be
accomplished by individual effort when intelligently directed, for it has been
through his own labors that Mr. Dunwell has gained the prominent position
which he now occupies as a busines man in Clay county. He was born in the
town of Arcadia, Wayne county. New York, February 11, 1824, and comes of
New England ancestry, traced in a more remote generation to England. His
grandfather, Stephen Dunwell, was born in England and became a sailor. Arriv-
THE Nl-V YGPK I
PUBLIC LIBRARY
A8TOR. LFNOX
TILDEW FOQSCA'IONS \
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 225
ing in America in colonial days, he espoused the cause of the colonies at the out-
break of the Revolutionary war and did active military duty under General Wash-
ington. His wife was Deborah Dunwell, and both lived to a good old age, rear-
ing a large family.
\Villiam Schuyler Dunwell, father of C. A. Dunwell, was born in Massa-
chusetts and was a carpenter by trade. Early in the nineteenth century he
removed to New York and was engaged on the construction of the Erie canal.
He first located at Arcadia, where he lived for a number of years and in 1831
removed to Solon, Ohio, where he made his home for twenty years. In 1855 ^^
became a resident of Illinois and settled in Cherry Valley, Winnebago county,
where his remaining days were passed. His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Sophronia Catlin, was also a native of IVIassachusetts, as w'as her father. The
death of the father occurred in Winnebago county, Illinois, when he was seventy-
eight years of age, and his wife, surviving him for some years, died at the age
of eighty-five. Both were loyal to the teachings of the Methodist church, in which
they held membership. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William S. Dunwell were born
twelve children, but only four are now living, namely: Chandler A., of this
review ; Sophia, the widow of James White, and now residing at Champaign,
Illinois ; Frances, the widow of James Sutherland, of Fairdale, Illinois ; and
Emma, the wafe of Thomas Norman, also of that state.
Chandler A. Dunw^ell was a young lad at the time of the removal from New
York to Ohio and in the latter state he was reared, aiding his father in clearing
several farms there. His youth was passed in a pioneer district where there were
few advantages, but he made the most of his opportunities in the district schools,
and when nineteen years of age began teaching, which profession he followed for
a number of terms. He was one of three of that locality who voted for the old
Liberty party in the spring of 1845 at a time when such a course was unpopular.
In the spring of 185 1 he became a resident of Cherry Valley, Illinois, and con-
tinued to follow general agricultural pursuits through the summer seasons, while
in the winter months he engaged in teaching. His fellow townsmen called him
to the office of justice of the peace and he acted in that capacity for twelve years,
his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He was next called to the position
of supervisor and continued in that office by reelection for twelve years. He
was likewise proprietor of a hotel and owner of a livery stable, and was thus
actively connected with the business interests of the community. During the
twelve years in w^hich he presided over the justice court he read law, was admitted
to the bar and engaged in practice for a long, period. In 1878 he came to Spencer
and was admitted to practice in the Iowa courts. However, he did not follow the
profession but turned his attention to farming and the chattel mortgage loan busi-
ness. These interests have since claimed his attention and through the improve-
ment of opportunity for judicious investment he has become the owner of eleven
hundred acres of rich and valuable land in Clay county and also a number of
houses and lots in Spencer. His realty holdi'ngs are very extensive and consti-
tute him one of the prosperous residents of Clay county.
In 1847 Mr. Dunwell w^as married to Miss Cordelia Richmond, a daughter
of Edmund Richmond. Unto them was born a daughter, Emily x^nn, who became
the wife of Rufus Ingalls, of Spencer, by whom she has two daughters, Clara and
226 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Gertrude. Mrs. Ingalls is somewhat prominent in community affairs and was
president of the board of Hbrary trustees. The death of Airs. Cordelia Dunwell
occurred in the spring of 1852, and in 1853 Mr. Dunwell wedded Aliss Eliza
Hannaford, a daughter of Reuben Hannaford. She passed away in i860, and in
1863 Mr. Dunwell married Mrs. Elizabeth Hanson, nee Pike. She was a widow
and was a representative of an old family of Maine. By this marriage there
were born two sons, James and Augustus, both now deceased, and a daughter,
Lizzie M., who is the wife of Robert Koch, and has two children. Gladys Olive
and Marguerite. Mrs. Koch is also well known in the social circles of the city
and is leader of the choir in the Congregational church.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Dunwell are Baptists in religious faith. Politically he
has always been a republican, unfaltering in support of the principles of the partv
since its organization, and in addition to the offices which he filled in Illinois he
has served as justice of the peace in Spencer for two terms. He has ever been
a busy man and his active, useful life has gained him notable and enviable suc-
cess, while at the same time he has won the confidence and good will of his fellow-
men by reason of the honorable, straightforward policy he has ever followed.
ED WIN F. MARKER.
Edwin F. Marker has been a resident of Clay county since 1887. and after
acceptably filling the position of county auditor, retired therefrom in January,
1909. He has also been the incumbent in other offices and at all times has been
taithful, prompt and efficient in the discharge of his duties. His birth occurred
in Grundy county, Iowa. May 28. 1870. so that he is a western man by birth as
well as training and preference. His parents are Peter F. and Charlotte (Scott)
Alarker, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of England. The paternal
grandfather of our subject was born in Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather.
Darius Scott, was a native of England and engaged in merchandising in that
country. Coming to America he located in Ohio and his death occurred in 1906,
when he reached the very venerable age of ninety-two years. He was married
three times.
Peter F. Marker, father of Edwin F. Marker, devoted his entire life to the
occupation of farming. On leaving Ohio he removed westward to Grundy
county, Iowa, becoming one of its early settlers. Here he purchased a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres, making his home thereon until March, 1887, when
he came to Clay county and secured a farm in Herdland township. With charac-
teristic energy he began its cultivation and development, making it his home until
1894. when he was called to his final rest at the age of fifty-seven years and six
months. His wife still survives him and lives in Spencer. She is a member of
the Methodist church and a most estimable lady, having manv warm friends in
this city. At the time of the Civil war Mr. Marker responded to the country's call
for aid and enlisted as a member of Company F. Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, with which he served for six months as a private. Unto him and his
wife were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters : Emery H.. who is
HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY 227
now living in Seattle, Washington ; Clara M., the deceased wife of C. S. Forrest,
of Enid, Oklahoma ; Alvin D., also living in Seattle, Washington ; Cora B., the
wife of G. S. Streeter, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa ; Edwin F., whose name introduces
this record; Leland L., who is living in Duel county, South Dakota; Joseph M.,
also a resident of that county ; Charles F., who is located in Spencer ; Lillie B., the
wife of William Ruby, of Duel, South Dakota ; and Dell S., who is also living in
Spencer.
Edwin F. Marker was reared in Grundy county, Iowa, to the age of seven-
teen years, spending his boyhood and youth on the home farm, where he early
became familiar with the task of tilling the soil. He also attended the district
schools and supplemented his early educational privileges studying, in the Nora
Springs Seminary. At the age of seventeen years he came to Clay county, where
he carried on farming until 1901. He was then appointed deputy sheriff and
filled that position for three years, on the expiration of which period he was
elected county auditor in November, 1904, and entered upon the duties of the
position in January, 1905. He was reelected in 1906 but in 1908 failed of renomi-
nation at the primaries. As a public officer he made an excellent record, char-
acterized by the utmost loyalty to duty, while the work of the office was dis-
charged in a systematic, methodical manner.
On the 30th of November, 1892, Mr. Marker was married to Miss Jennie E.
-Allebaugh, a daughter of Daniel and Amanda (Bender) Allebaugh. Mrs. Mar-
ker was born six miles south of Spencer, her parents having been early settlers
of Clay county. They are now residents of Delta county, Colorado. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Marker have been born two sons, Rush L. and Darrel A. In addition
to his home in Spencer Mr. Marker owns one hundred and sixty acres of rich
and productive land on section 10, Herdland township, while his mother owns
the other three-quarters of that section. Socially he is connected with Harmony
Lodge, No. 188, K. of P., and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. His
political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and he
served for two terms as assessor of Herdland township and one term as trustee.
Over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion
of evil, for he has always been most loyal to the interests of the county in dis-
charging public duties.
WILLIAM THOMAS NEY.
W'illiam Thomas Ney, who is identified with the hardware business in W^ebb.
Qay county, Iowa, was born in Wellington. Ontario, July i, 1871, a son of
Mathew and Elizabeth (Lytic) Ney, natives of Canada and Ireland, respectively.
The father was born in Simcoe county, Ontario, in 1847, a son of Robert and
Margaret (Armstrong) Ney, natives of the Emerald isle, who located in Canada
in 1809. Robert Ney was a soldier in the British army who participated in the
battle of Waterloo, in which he was wounded, carrying throughout his life the
marks of seven bullet wounds and a sword thrust received in that conflict. He
had formerly served in the French army, but left it to enter the British service
228 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
under General Wellington, in which he later became a commander, being subse-
quently sent to Ireland to assist in quelling a rebellion, from whence he went
to Canada. He descended from a distinguished military family, the Neys being
direct in line from Marshal Ney, who was a prominent figure in French^nilitary
circles. In the family of Robert and Margaret Ney were the following children :
Ann Jane, widow of J. C. Robinson, who resides in Irene, South Dakota; Mar-
garet, the wife of S. Lytle, a resident of Tralee, Canada; Mathew, the father of
our subject; Thomas, who wedded Sarah Ross and resides in Fairview, Wash-
ington ; William, who lives in Pueblo, Colorado ; John, who is married and lives
in Vancouver, British Columbia ; George, married, and practicing medicine in
Port Huron, Michigan ; Mary, whose husband is Henry Bird, and lives in Bram-
bridge. Canada ; and Sarah, the wife of John Plewes, residing in Moni-oe, ]\Iichi-
gan. Robert Ney departed this life in 1887, when seventy-seven years of age, and
his wife died in 1856 in her thirty-eighth year.
]\Iathew Ney, father of the subject of this review, came to this state in 1886
and purchased a tract of land containing one hundred and six acres in Buena Vista
county, for which he paid eleven dollars an acre, the farm lying a short distance
northeast of Sioux Rapids. On his first visit to this place he did not bring his
family but waited until he had built a house and made everything comfortable for
their reception, this work requiring about one year, and consequently his family
did not arrive on the scene until the spring of 1888. He developed the land to a
high state of cultivation and remained upon it for sixteen years, at the termination
of which period, in 1904, he rented the farm and removed to Webb, where he has
since resided, engaged in the hardware business. He owns two hundred and forty
acres of land in Buena Vista county, Iowa, and three hundred and twenty acres
in Alberta, Canada, both of which tracts constitute excellent farms. He, with his
son, W. T., compose the Webb Hardware Company and, being a shrewd busi-
ness man, an economical and excellent manager, he has gradually increased his
volume of trade until at present the enterprise is one of the most prosperous in
the city. He is a democrat in politics, always loyal to the candidates of his party,
and a faithful adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is of an unassum-
ing and retiring nature, happy and generous, and possesses a clean, honest, up-
right character. In his family are the following children : Maggie, the wife of
W. H. Scarborough, residing in Sioux Rapids, Iowa ; Lizzie, the wife of R. G.
Merrill, living at INIarathon, Iowa; R. J., who still lives in Canada; William
Thomas, our subject; Mary, whose husband is W. H. Phipps, living near Sioux
Rapids, this state; and Sarah, the wife of .C. B. Truesdale, residing in Sac City.
Iowa.
\\'illiam Thomas Ney was reared and received his preliminary education
while on his father's farm in Canada, where he remained until he was fifteen years
of age, when he came to Iowa with the family. He was given the advantage of
several years' schooling in this state and worked wnth his father on the old home
place until the farm was sold, when the family repaired to this city, and during
the years 1901 to 1905 inclusive he was interested in the drug business, but subse-
quently gave up that occupation and associated himself with his father in the
hardware business. He is a shrewd young business man and his business ability
and untiring efforts have added much to the growth of trade. On November 18,
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 229
1903, Mr. Ney wedded Josephine M. Phelps, daughter of Lymon E. and Alice
(Ward) Phelps, natives of DeKalb county, Illinois. Mr. Ney belongs to Uni-
versal Lodge, No. 587, A. F. & A. M., of Marathon and also to Sioux Rapids
Chapter, No. 129, and is a member of the Methodist church. In politics he is a
loyal supporter of the principles of the democratic party. He is a man of excep-
tional enterprise and keen business insight and his progressive spirit will un-
doubtedly build for him an enviable position in the commercial and financial
circles of this community.
J. W. BATCHELER.
After a long and useful career as an agriculturist, J. W. Batcheler, who is
influential in the financial circles of Sutherland, is now living in retirement, enjoy-
ing the comforts earned during his many years of honest and zealous labor.
He was born in Bristol county. Massachusetts, January 27, 1848, a son of T. H.
and Clarissa (Holdbrook) Batcheler. His father came from New Hampshire
to Massachusetts when a young man, and lived there until 1855, when he located
in Clinton county, Iowa, where he spent ten years, then removing to Jones county,
Iowa, where he remained twelve years, and thence to Linn county, where
he departed this life in 1884. He was of English extraction, a minister of
the Free Baptist church, and during his life he preached throughout
many of the counties adjoining his home, where his influence for good will long
remain as an evidence of his useful and zealous Christian character. His mother
was a native of Massachusetts, where she was married, and she died in Linn
county in 1880, preceding her husband into eternity by four years. She was the
mother of: Amy N., residing in Linn county; F. A., a retired farmer of Inde-
pendence, Iowa ; Harriett, the wife of John French, who lives in retirement on a
farm in Peterson, Iowa ; Julia, who became the wife of Alonzo Lynde, also a
retired farmer of Peterson; M. C, deceased; and J. W., our subject.
In the common schools of Massachusetts and of Clinton and Jones counties,
Iowa, J. W. Batcheler acquired his education, engaging in the routine of their
farm life until he was twenty-one years of age, when he removed to Linn county,
renting his father's land, which he cultivated for a period of four years, and then
worked a farm in Clay county for one year. The returns of his harvest were
found sufficient to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land on
section 19, at that time in an uncultivated condition, but this was soon cleared
oflf and made arable and productive of an excellent quality of crops. From year
to year, being successful in his undertakings, he was soon in a position to add to
that farm, and now owns two hundred and eighty acres of highly improved and
fertile farming land, upon which there is a fine residence, ample barn room and
all the necessary conveniences for carrying on agricultural pursuits and stock
raising.
In 1872 Mr. Batcheler wedded Miss Ella Carpenter, a daughter of W. A.
and Clara (Shelden) Carpenter, born in Rhode Island, her father, who died in
i860, being a jeweler of Providence, that state. They had the following chil-
280 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
dren : Clara, wife of William Mason, of Providence, Rhode Island ; VV. M., who
is in the creamery business at Grand Island, Nebraska ; Andrew, who is proprietor
of a fruit ranch in California ; A. R., deceased ; Florence, of Providence. Rhode
Island; Eugene, deceased; and Ella, now Mrs. Batcheler. Mr. and Mrs. Batch-
eler are the parents of : Alfred, an agriculturist of Peterson township. Clay
county; !M. Gilbert, who is proprietor of a farm near Uickens, Iowa; Julia, wife
of Elmer Lane, also an agriculturist of Peterson township ; Lewis, who operates
a farm in that township ; Everett, who also has large farming interests in Peter-
son township ; Clarence, who owns a farm near that of his father ; Nathan, who
attends school at Cedar Falls, Iowa; Clara and Cora, twins; Florence; and
Joseph D. and Josie, twins. Mr. Batcheler is a loyal sup])orter of the republican
party, the principles of which he asserts contain the best policy by which to pre-
serve the financial integrity of the nation and maintain its permanent prosperity.
Among the services which he has rendered the township is that of school director,
in which ofiice he has officiated for a number of years. Me is a member of the
Church of God, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows meeting at Royal, Iowa,
and the Daughters of Rebekah, convening ai the same place. Mr. Batcheler
stands high in the financial circles of the community, and his progressive spirit
and the noble qualities of his character have won him the confidence and respect
of the communitv.
JOHN HOPKINS.
Joini Hopkins is conducting business in Langdon and his efforts have been
a factor in the commercial development of the town. He is now operating an
elevator here and in addition is well known as a dealer in coal, hides and other
commodities. For seven years he has lived in the village and previously was
identified with agricultural interests in Meadow township for fifteen years.
Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Scott
county on the 6th of December, 1864. His father, James H. Hopkins, was a
native of Rhode Island but. leaving New England, came to the middle west as a
young man and settled upon a farm in Scott county, Iowa. He found this a
frontier state but the resolute spirit of a New England ancestry prompted him
to put forth determined and indefatigable effort in developing for himself a pro-
ductive and valuable farm. He married Miss Elmira Miller, a native of Cincin-
nati, Ohio, where her girlhood days were passed, while later she came to Iowa
with her parents, who established their home in Scott county. Following their
marriage Mr. Hopkins removed to Jasper county, where he opened up a farm and
carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1886, when he came to Clay county.
Here he also developed a tract of new land and made it his home for several
years, after which he removed to Colorado and located upon a farm in that
state. He still lives there and is now seventy-four years of age.
John Hopkins of this review was largely reared to manhood in Jasper county,
Iowa, acquiring, his early education in the common schools. In 1886 he came to
Clay county and assisted his father in developing a new tract of land. He carried
HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY 231
on that farm until thirty years of age, working cliHgently and gaining the broad
experience which has proven the foundation for his later success, lie has dis-
played sound judgment in all he has undertaken and his energy has been one
of the potent features in his progress.
On the nth of ]^Iarch, 1895, ]\lr. Hopkins was married to Miss Pauline
Bernhagen, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Michael Bernhagen, one of
the early settlers of Clay county, who in pioneer times secured a homestead in
Lake township. Mrs. Hopkins was reared and educated here and before her
•marriage engaged in teaching school, thus forwarding the educational interests
of the community in an early day. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hop-
kins took up their abode upon a rented farm, where they lived for two years and
then removed to a tract of eighty acres which he had purchased prior to their
marriage. He bought an old homestead and began to develop and further im-
prove the place, carefully conducting it for ten years. It was situated in Meadow
township and his labors were attended with success. In 1902, however, he
located in Langdon, where he took charge of an elevator and engaged in buying
grain for P. M. Ingo. Subsequently he engaged in business on his own account
as a dealer in coal and has since continued in this line. He likewise buys and
sells poultry and is a dealer in hides. He built up a good business in this connec-
tion and has further extended his efiforts to include the grain trade, for in 1904 he
took charge of an elevator, which he still operates. He also bought eight lots
and built two residences and a blacksmith shop. His labors and enterprise have
been important factors in the upbuilding and development of the town, and while
Mr. Hopkins carefully conducts his commercial interests, his wife is carrying on
a hotel and thus accommodates the traveling public. Mr. Hopkins is also secre-
tary of the Cooperative Creamery Company and in all business matters displays
energy and sound judgment.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have been born two children, Roy L. and Mary
A. ]\Ir. Hopkins has served as a member of the school board but has never been
an office seeker and is independent in his political relations. Socially he is a
Master Mason, belonging to the blue lodge of Spencer. He is a prominent busi-
ness man of Langdon, identified with its growth and development, and is well
known in Clay county as one of its public-spirited citizens.
WALTER J. MARR.
Summit township contains many beautiful country homes and well devel-
oped farms. A neat and well improved property is that of W^alter J. Marr,
who is living in section 15, where he owhs and cultivates a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres. He has lived in the county since 1892 and in the intervening
years has become widely known as an industrious, energetic man, who keeps in
touch with the spirit of progress that has been manifest in agricultural lines as
wxll as in other departments of business activity. He started upon the journey of
life January 3, 1876, the place of his nativity being Waushara county, W'isconsin.
His father, Lucien Marr, was a native of New York, and on leaving that state in
232 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
his childhood days accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where he was reared
to manhood among the wild scenes and environment of frontier life. Having
reached adult age he was there married to Miss Kate McLaughlan, a native of
Wisconsin, and in order to provide a home he carried on husbandry and devel-
oped a new farm, which he cultivated for seven years. In 1892 he removed to
Iowa, settling, first in Summit township, Clay county, where he devoted his ener-
gies to general agricultural pursuits for two years when, in 1894, he was called
to his final rest at the age of fifty-two years. His wife survived him and resides
on a farm in Summit township. People of the highest respectability, they
enjoyed in large measure the confidence and good will of all who knew them.
Walter J. Marr came to Clay county when a youth of sixteen years. His
early education was acquired in the district schools and later he attended the
Dickens school. He started out in business life on his own account in 1897,
when he began operating his father's place. The same year he purchased an
improved farm, upon which he now resides, and to its further development and
cultivation has since given his energies. The residence which now stands upon
the place was erected by him and he has also put up a substantial barn, has fenced
his fields and added many modern improvements. He has a wind-pump and
feed-mill and owns and operates a corn-sheller, feed-grinder and wood-saw. A
gasoline engine furnishes motive power to shell the corn and grind the feed.
Another element of his success is his stock-raising. He annually feeds a large
number of hogs and in the year 1908 his sales amounted to nearly one thousand
dollars. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator and also in the Tele-
phone Company at Fostoria. He believes in progress at all times and this is
manifest in his business connections and in the manner in which he conducts his
farming interests.
On the loth of April. 1907. Mr. Marr was united in marriage to Aliss Ella
O'Brien, a daughter of Joseph O'Brien, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this
work. He was one of the pioneer residents of the county, arriving here at a
date early enough to secure a homestead claim. Mrs. Marr was born and reared
and educated in this county. She attended school in Spencer for a time and prior
to her marriage successfully engaged in teaching in the county for two years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marr has been born a daughter, ]\Iarian.
In his political views Mr. Marr has always been a republican, for he believes
firmly in the principles of the party, but the honors and emoluments of office
have no attraction for him. He is well known in his home locality as a man of
good business ability, kind and obliging nature, while his home is a most hos-
pitable one. in which good cheer and good will are characteristic features.
JOHN ADAMS.
The real builders and promoters of Clay county have largelv been the men
who came into this region when it was an unimproved tract and utilized its
natural resources, transforming the wild prairie into rich and productive fields,
the products of which constitute the chief source of the county's prosperity.
Iowa is pre-eminently an agricultural state and may well be proud of her emi-
JOHN ADAMS
THE NEW ynpK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX
TILD'' N FOUNDATIONS
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 235
nence in this regard, for in many ways she leads the other states of the Union.
John Adams, now residing in Everly, is one of those w'ho have contributed in
substantial measure to the county's development and advancement, for in Water-
ford township he opened up and improved a new farm of four hundred and
forty acres, which prior to his occupancy was largely wild land, undeveloped in
accordance with modern ideas of agricultural progress. Mr. Adams has been a
resident of Iowa for mvich more than half a century, having arrived in Clinton
county in 1852, while his residence in Clay county dates from 1884. He was
born in New York city, March 25, 1837. His father, William Adams, was a
native of Ireland, where he remained until seventeen years of age, when he
crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of New York city. He learned and
followed the trade of stone and marble cutting, being thus busily
engaged for soni/e years in the eastern metropolis. While there he
married Sarah Maloy, also a native of Ireland, w^hence she was brought to the
new world, when a maiden of six summers, by her brother, who also settled in
New York city. In 1840 William Adams removed to Tioga county, Pennsyl-
vania, where he purchased a farm and soon afterward met death by accident.
His wife survived him for many years, married again and reared her family.
John Adams was but four years of age at the time of the removal to the
Keystone state and in Tioga county spent a portion of his minority, acquiring his
preliminary education in the schools there. He w'as fifteen years of age when in
1852 he came to Iowa with his mother and stepfather, the family home being
established in Clinton county. Here he continued his education as a pupil in the
Dewitt schools and was identified with agricultural interests in the state until the
outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and, feeling that
his country needed his aid, he enlisted in Jackson county on the 20th of August,
1861, as a member of Company A, Ninth Iowa \'olnnteer Infantry, under com-
mand of Captain Grips. As a private he went to the front, the regiment being,
attached to the Western Army and was first under fire at Pea Ridge, Arkansas.
He participated in numerous skirmishes and in the battles of Haynes Blufif, Ray-
mond, Mississippi, and the siege of \^icksburg. He was there taken prisoner and
was incarcerated in Vicksburg for thirty-eight days previous to the surrender of
the city. He afterward took part in the battle of Black River Bridge, in the
engagements at Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain and later went into Ala-
bama. His term expired when he was at Woodville but he reenlisted as a vet-
eran and returned home for a thirty days' furlough with his regiment. In March,
however, he rejoined his command at Davenport, Iowa, and returned with his
comrades to Woodville, Alabama, after which they joined Sherman on the Atlanta
campaign, participating in the battle of Resaca, fighting every day until Atlanta
was reached. ]\Ir. Adams assisted in the capture of the city and subsequently
went with Sherman as he marched from that place to the sea and proved how
weak were the interior defenses of the Confederacy. He also participated in the
capture of Savannah, where the troop.s remained for about a week and then went
to Hiltonhead. Later they joined another branch of the army and on their way
northward participated in various skirmishes and the battle at Goldsboro, South
Carolina. He also assisted in the taking, of Columbus, South Carolina. Mr.
Adams, although often in the thickest of the fight, meeting the enemy on many
CLAY 14.
236 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
a hotly contested battlefield, was never wounded nor did he lose time from sick-
ness or other cause. From Goldsboro the troops marched to Petersburg and on
to Richmond, thence to Washington, where he participated in the grand review,
the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. It
was a gala day in the history of the nation. Over Pennsylvania avenue was a
broad banner bearing the words, "The only debt which our country cannot pay is
the debt which she owes to her soldiers." Thousands of people lined the streets
of the city as the victorious army marched in parade down the avenue and passed
the stand on which stood the President reviewing the troops. After three or
four weeks spent in Washington the regiment to which Mr. Adams belonged was
sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and was there mustered out in August, being hon-
orably discharged at Clinton, Iowa, on the 25th of the same month.
'Mr. Adams had participated in the long, hard marches, the arduous cam-
paigns and the hotly contested battles, and now with a most creditable military
record he returned to his home and resumed the work of the farm. Prior to the
war he had purchased a farm in Clinton county nine miles north of Dewitt. where
he had one hundred and sixty acres of land. He brought as a bride to his home
Miss Kate Varner, whom he wedded in Clinton county on the 19th of November,
1865. She was born in Spencer county, Indiana, but was brought to Iowa when
a little girl of three years by her father, Conrad \ arner, who was one of the early
settlers of the state. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Adams continued
to reside for sixteen years on the Clinton county farm, during which time he
transformed the raw prairie into productive fields and developed an excellent
property. In i88r he came to Clay county and purchased four hundred and
forty acres of land that was still in its primitive condition. Later he sold his
Clinton county property and in 1884 took up his abode upon his purchase in this
county, bending his energies to the development and improvement of the fields.
Later he sold two hundred and forty acres of this and retired to private life. In
the meantime he had cultivated and improved two new farms, had placed thereon
two sets of good farm buildings and with characteristic energy had continued to
till the soil. At length, however, his unremitting diligence brought to him success
that enabled him to put aside further business cares and in 1901 he left the farm
and removed to Everly, where he purchased a home, which is comfortable, at-
tractively furnished and most hospitable. His farm is rented and he receives
therefrom a substantial annual income.
L'nto yir. and Mrs. Adams have been born five children, who are yet living,
two sons and three daughters: Carl, who is engaged in the lumber business at
Steele, North Dakota; John, of Cleveland, North Dakota, who, in partnership
with his brother Carl, is a member of the Winnor & Adams Lumber Company,
owning and operating five lumber yards ; May, the wife of H. E. Barto, a drug-
gist of Fairmont, ^Minnesota : Pearl, the wife of A. R. Ogilvie, a dentist of
Edmore. North Dakota; and Efiie. the wife of George H. Mumm, living at Good-
rich, North Dakota. Mr. and "Sirs. Adams also lost two children — their first
born, William, who died at the age of one year and three months, and Maud, who
became the wife of E. L. Clark. For a niunber of years they resided in this
county and then removed to ^^'heaton, Minnesota, where ]\Irs. Clark died in
August, 1905, at the age of thirty-five years, leaving two sons.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 237
Mr. Adams is a member of Everly Lodge, A. F. & A. M., while his wife holds
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His political views are in har-
mony with the principles of the repviblican party and he cast his first presidential
ballot for Abraham Lincoln in i860, since which time he has supported all of the
standard bearers of the party. While on the farm he served for six consecutive
years as assessor, was also township trustee for a number of years, township
treasurer for several years and since removing to Everly has been elected and
reelected supervisor until his incumbency will have covered nine years in Jan-
uary, 1910. He has served on all the committees of the board, has also been a
member of the drainage board and was the prime mover in organizing drainage
district No. 2. At all times he has been interested in the welfare of the county
and has given active cooperation to many movements for the public good, while
his efforts in behalf of general improvement have been effective and far-reaching.
Living in Iowa for fifty-seven years and in Clay county for twenty-four years, he
is one of the best known citizens of this locality, being widely recognized as a
man of tried integrity and worth, of business enterprise and of unfaltering dili-
gence. Now that he has passed the seventieth milestone on life's journey he is
enjoying a well earned rest, for it is fitting that his former business career should
give to him this period of leisure in which to enjoy the fruits of his previous toil.
His fellow townsmen honor and respect him and wherever he is known he has an
extensive circle of friends. Moreover, he deserves mention in this volume as
one of the veterans of the Civil war to whom the country owes a debt of grati-
tude that can never be repaid.
WIRT BRONSON.
W^irt Bronscn. a man of enterprise and marked force of character, who
throughout his business life has made good use of his opportunities, is now
manager of the Spencer City Mills and thus figures prominently in industrial
circles in Clay county. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having
occurred in Manchester on the i6th of January, 1871, his parents being Charles
E. and Jennie (Sheldon) Bronson, natives of New York and Ohio respectively.
The former was a son of Clark M. and Abigail (Cornish) Bronson. The
grandfather, also a native of the Empire state, conducted business as merchant
tailor there and after making and losing one fortune he retrieved his lost pos-
sessions, again becoming financially independent. Both he and his wife lived to
an advanced age, his death occurring when he was more than seventy years of
age, while his wife was in the eighties. They were the parents of two sons and
a daughter who reached years of maturity : Charles E. ; Clark Henry, of Chi-
cago ; and Nellie E.. the wife of Frank E. Merriam. Comparatively little is
known concerning the maternal grandparents of Wirt Bronson, save that the
grandfather was a farmer and trader and lived to an advanced age, as did his
wife. They reared a large family.
Charles E. Bronson, who died in November, 1908, was well known as a
practitioner of the Iowa bar. He was an early settler of Manchester, Delaware
county, this state, where he was engaged in law practice for more than forty
238 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
years. ^Moreover he gained distinction in democratic circles as a leader of the
party and for one term represented his district in the state senate. Both he
and his wife were of the Universalist faith. Their family numbered five chil-
dren : Earl, of Spencer ; Wirt, of this review ; Lee, who is located at Craik,
Canada; Byron, of ^Muskogee, Oklahoma: and Henry, a resident of Manchester,
Iowa.
Wirt Bronson remained a resident of his native town until nineteen years
of age and was a pupil in the public and high schools of that place. At the age
of sixteen years he began working in the postoffice there, acting, as assistant
under his father during President Cleveland's first administration and also con-
tinuing for one year under the Harrison administration. Later he took u]) the
printer's trade and in 1891 came to Spencer, where in partnership with his brother
Earl he established the Spencer Herald. They were associated in its publication
and conduct until 1892, when Wirt P.ronson sold his interest to his brother and
purchased an interest in the Spencer City Mills, at which time he assumed the
management and has since been in charge. This is a well equipped plant, thor-
oughly supplied with all modern improved machinery, and has a capacity of one
hundred and fifty barrels per day. That the output is of excellent quality is
indicated by the ready sale on the market. The Spencer Milling Company also
owns the mill at White Lake^, South Dakota, which has a capacity of si.xty barrels
per day and the business interests of the two plants are proving most profitable.
On- the 3d of June, 1896, Mr. Bronson was married to Miss Nellie Evans,
a daughter of Joseph P. and Mary M. ( ^loore ) Evans. Mrs. Bronson was
born near Belleville. Illinois, and by her marriage has become the mother of
five children: Kathleen, Carl, Joseph, \'irginia and ^NFary. ^Ir. Bronson belongs
to the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.
His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is loyal in its
support and devoted to its welfare. As a citizen he is public spirited and what-
ever tends to promote the best interests of the community receives his endorse-
ment and hearty support.
JOSEPH O'BRIEN.
Joseph O'Brien has been a resident of Clay county since 1870 and has there-
fore witnessed almost its entire growth and development, for few settlements had
been made within its borders at the time of his arrival and all of the evidences of
frontier life were to be seen, while the hardships and trials incident to a pioneer
existence were to be met. 'Sir. O'Brien was born in the year 1837 and has there-
fore reached the seventy-second milestone on life's journey. Moreover, he
deserves mention in this volume, from the fact that he is a self-made man, who
owes his prosperity and progress entirely to his own well-directed labors and
unfaltering determination. His farm of one hundred and sixty acres is the
visible evidence of a well-spent life. His birth occurred in Wilkesbarre, Penn-
sylvania, on the 19th of Alarch, 1837, and there he w^as reared to manhood, but
when a lad of only seven years began earning his own livelihood by working on
JOSEPH OBRIEX
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 241
the canal. He was thus employed for about twenty years, being at first a driver
on the tow-path, while later he had charg.e of a boat. He continued in active
canal service until the 31st of March, 1864, when he offered his services to the
government and was assigned to duty with Company K of the One Hundred
and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was
assigned to the First Brigade, Fifth Corps, under General Warren, and Mr.
O'Brien participated in the charge at Fort Hell, June 18, 1864, and also in the
fight which resulted in the capture of the Weldon railroad. He served until the
close of the war, making a most creditable military record, for he never faltered
in the performance of any task and thus gave proof of his loyalty to the Union.
He was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, following the close
of hostilities.
\\'hen the war was over Mr. O'Brien returned home and afterward made
two trips on the canal, but he had become convinced that the middle west offered
better business opportunities for those who were ambitious for advancement and
in December, 1865, he arrived in Dane county, Wisconsin. There he worked for
his brother and soon became convinced that the step taken when he removed to
the Mississippi valley was a wise one. While living in Dane county he was
married, an the 30th of September, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Emily
B. Ames, a native of Toledo, Ohio, who was reared in Wisconsin and was a
teacher prior to her marriage.
In 1870 ]\Ir. O'Brien brought his young wife to Iowa, establishing his home
in Clay county. It was still a frontier district and much of the land was yet in
possession of the government, so that he secured a homestead claim of one hun-
dred and sixty acres. All around him stretched the unbroken prairie, the native
grasses growing to great height. There were no buildings or forests to break the
force of the wind, which swept over the treeless tract at times with almost the
force of a tornado. In the winter the ground was covered with one unbroken
sheet of snow, but with returning summer the work of the farm was resolutely
carried on and the rich soil soon responded in bounteous harvests. Mr. O'Brien
not only developed his fields and fenced his place, but also put up substantial
buildings, set out a beautiful grove of elms and maples and also planted an
orchard. In 1896 he erected his present neat and attractive residence and also
built a big barn and other outbuildings for the shelter of corn and other grain and
farm machinery and stock. He has today a well-improved property, indicating
in its neat and attractive appearance the careful supervision of the owner.
In 1894 ]\Ir. O'Brien was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who
died on the 19th of May of that year, leaving three living children. Frank, who
is a graduate of the Spencer high school, owns one hundred and sixty acres of
land adjoining his father's place and is in partnership with his father in their
farming operations. Ellen is the wife of Walter J. Marr, a resident farmer, who
owns a place adjoining the O'Brien home and who is mentioned elsewhere in
this volume. Gertrude is a graduate of the Spencer high school and is now acting
as her father's housekeeper. They also lost one son, Charles, who died in
infancy. Mr. O'Brien looked upon the remains of the martyred Lincoln as they
lay in their casket at Independence Hall. Philadelphia, while on the way to
Springfield, Illinois. His regiment was placed on duty there at the time to pre-
242 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
serve order. He is recogjiized as one of the stalwart advocates of the repubhcan
party in his locahty and was here elected the first sub-director in Summit town-
ship. Subsequently he was chosen assessor and filled that position for three or
four terms, while for some years he was township treasurer. Xo trust reposed
in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. He has been a delegate to
various county conventions and his son, Frank, has been township clerk and also
secretary of the school board. He is likewise a stockholder and president of the
Fostoria Creamery Company. Mr. O'Brien gives his support to various churches
and attends their services. His son is a member of the Masonic lodge of Spencer
and is also a Royal Arch Mason. For thirty-nine years Joseph O'Brien has lived
in Clay county and is one of the few who have so long witnessed its growth and
development. Throughout the entire period he has made his home on the farm
which is yet his place of residence, but has not confined his attention and efforts
alone to this property, although he has made it a valuable property. From time to
time he has given hearty cooperation to many movements for the public good and
Clay county owes her development to such men, who dared to face the hardships
of pioneer life and have reclaimed this region for the purposes of civilization.
DAVID J. LOGAN, SR.
Among the respected and valued residents of Spencer is numbered David
J. Logan, Sr., who for forty years has been a resident of Iowa. This has cov-
ered the period of the state's greatest growth and progress, and in the work of
general improvement he has borne his full share as the years have gone by. He
has lived in Clay county since 1871 and in recent years has been retired from
business cares, although for a long time he gave his time and energies to general
agricultural pursuits. He was born near Meadville, Crawford county, Pennsyl-
vania, June 14, 1836, his parents, Thomas and Martha (Phillips) Logan being
also natives of the Keystone state. The Logan family, however, is of Irish
lineage and was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject, who w'as
born in the north of Ireland. Crossing the briny deep to the new world he
established his home in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the
occupation of farming. He not only made a creditable position for himself in
agricultural circles but was also regarded as one of the valued residents of the
community and was called to fill various offices. For fourteen years he served as
justice of the peace and in the. War of 1812 served as a soldier. His death
occurred in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, when he had reached the venerable
age of eighty years. In the maternal line David J. Logan came of Welch ances-
try, for his mother's father was a native of the little rock-ribbed country of Wales.
He had located in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, when he sought a home on this
side of the Atlantic, giving his attention there to general agricultural pursuits.
Thomas Logan, after attaining his majority, became a clothier of Crawford
county, Pennsylvania. By trade he was a carder of cloth and throughout his
entire life his business interests were in that line and its kindred enterprises. He
died in Pennsylvania at the age of seventy-seven years in the faith of the Free
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 243
Will Baptist church, to which his wife also belonged. She was seventy-four years
of age at the time of her demise. Of their family of three sons and eight daugh-
ters only five are now living : Sarah, the widow of Edwin Brown of Indianola,
Iowa ; David J., of this review ; Elmira P., the widow of W. W. Harrison, of
Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Jennie, wife of W. W. Campbell, of Jamestown, New
York ; and Thomas Gaylord, of Linesville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania.
David J. Logan spent his youthful days in his parents' home in Crawford
county, Pennsylvania, and the work of the farm early became familiar to him,
for through the summer months he assisted in the labors of the fields. His early
education was acquired in the district schools, while later he enjoyed the benefit
of instruction in Austinburg Seminary of Ohio. For seven years during his
early manhood he did railroad contracting work. During the period of the Civil
war, no longer content to remain at home while the issue of the struggle was still
a doubtful one, he offered his services to the government in March, 1864, and
joined the boys in blue of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsyl-
vania Volunteer Infantry, serving with that command until the close of the war.
He participated in the hotly contested battle of the Wilderness, the engagements
of Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania Court House, Petersburg and a number of others,
and on the field of battle gave unmistakable proof of his valor and loyalty.
When the war was over Mr. Logan returned to his native state and soon
went to Pithole City, Pennsylvania, where he erected a store building and in it
opened a stock of groceries and provisions. On the 9th of March, 1868, he was
married to Miss Eunice Luke, who was born in Linesville, Crawford county,
Pennsylvania, in 1843, and is a daughter of John and Martha (Reamer) Luke,
who were natives of Albany county. New York. Her father was a son of Henry
and Martha (Phillips) Luke, who were also born in the Empire state. Henry
Luke served his country as a soldier in the War of 18 12, and in days of peace
devoted his energies to agricultural interests. John Luke, the father of Mrs.
Logan, passed away in 1865, while his wife died some years later at the age of
eighty-four years. They were the parents of nine daughters and three sons.
The surviving members of the family are : Henry ; Mrs. Sarah Van Tassell, a
widow ; Phoebe, the wife of Dewey Connick, of Springboro, Pennsylvania ;
Solomon ; Eunice, the wife of David J. Logan ; and Maria, the wife of Newton
Thayer of Crawford county, Pennsylvania.
David J. Logan and his wife began their domestic life at Linesville. Penn-
sylvania, but in October, 1869, left the east and remove4 to Sioux Rapids, Iowa,
where they resided for a year and a half. During that time Mr. Logan took up
a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved and still
owns. In 1871 they came to Clay county and he purchased two eighty-acre tracts
of land in Riverton township. To this he has since added until the farm now
comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land, which an-
nually returns to him a gratifying income. Year after year he tilled the soil,
bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation and adding modern equip-
ments and accessories to his place. At length, feeling that his financial resources
were sufficient to cover all of his expenses throughout his remaining days, he
removed to Spencer in 1903 and has since made his home in the city, living, a
retired life. Mr. and Mrs. Logan reared their family on the farm. They became
244 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the parents of six sons and three daughters : Ralph E., a farmer, who married
Minnie Hein and has one son. Leland ; Clara AL, the wife of Lafayette Hines, by
whom she has five children, Harry, x\rchie, Milton, Roy and Doris ; Fred \V., a
practicing physician of Fenton, Iowa, who married Emma Heis of Algona, Iowa,
and who has one son, Donald; Minnie, who is the wife of W. B. Johnson of
Riverton township and has two daughters, Edna and Lyle ; Herbert, who was
killed by a horse when twelve years of age ; David J., Jr., who married Josie
Seible and is living on the home farm ; Charles, who wedded Maud Jones and
is now a resident of Spencer; Benjamin F.. who is at home with his parents;
and Grace, a student in the high school. Mr. and Airs. Logan are members of
the ATethodist church and he belongs to Annett Post, G. A. R., delighting there
to meet his old army comrades and recall the events which occurred upon south-
ern battlefields. He is always stanch in his support of the re])ublican party and
has served as township clerk, supervisor and school director. He has never been
remiss in the duties of citizenship, but has always been watchful of the interests
pertaining to its progress and has given his cooperation to many movements for
the public good. In his seventy-third year Air. Logan is still a well preserved
man, his age resting lightly upon him. L'nflagging industry and unfaltering
determination have constituted the basis of his success, enabling him, as the
years have passed, to so conduct his farming interests that he is now one of the
prosperous residents of the county. Aloreover, he deserves mention among its
pioneer settlers, for Clay county was still regarded as a frontier district when
he located within its borders. It had little railroad connection with the outside
world, there were many uncultivated tracts of land, and the settlers were still
obliged to suffer many of the hardships and difficulties incident to improving the
new locality. Air. Logan did not hesitate to perform his part of this work, and
now rejoices in what the county has accomplished, as it is today numbered air'^ng
the leading counties of this great commonwealth.
FRANK P. RILEY
Frank P. Riley is an active business man of Fostoria, where for thirteen
years he has been connected with various enterprises that have been factors in
the business development and progress of the town as well as a source of grati-
fying individual income. Clay county has numbered him among her citizens
since 1878 and regards him as a valuable addition to the ranks of her progressive
men. He has always lived in the middle w^est, however, and seems imbued with
the spirit of energy that has been the most forceful feature in the growth and
development of this section of the country. He was born at Turner Junction,
now West Chicago, in Dupage county, Illinois, November 26, 1859. His father,
John Riley, w^as a native of New York city, where his boyhood was passed and
in the eastern metropolis he wedded Ellen Donlin, a native of Ireland. Removing
w^estward, they established their home in Dupage county, Illinois, where Air.
Riley lived until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In 1862 he joined the
Twelfth Illinois Cavalry and served throughout the period of hostilities between
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 245
the north and the south. On one occasion he was captured and was taken to
Libby Prison, where he remained for some time. He participated in a number
of battles and was always most loyal to the old flag. When the war was over
Mr. Riley removed westward to Iowa, becoming a resident of Meadow township,
Clay county, where he lived several years. He then sold out and went to Spencer,
and is now living a retired life, the fruits of his former toil being sufficient to
permit him to rest without further recourse to labor.
Frank P. Riley was reared and educated in Dupage county, Illinois, and
as a young man of nineteen years came to Iowa, settling in Clay county in 1878.
Here he became identified with farming interests and so continued for several
rears, or until 1895. He was one of the promoters of the Fostoria Creamery and
was its secretary for ten years, during which time he contributed largely to the
success and capable management of the enterprise. He also became one of the
promoters of the Farmers' Elevator at Fostoria and acted as its secretary for a
decade. In 1907 he became actively engaged in the live-stock business, buying
and shipping, and each month sends out from this point about eight or ten car-
loads of fat stock. His business interests are very carefully conducted and his
sound judgment and unflagging industry are manifest in the prosperity which
has come to him.
In March, 1883, in Fostoria, Mr. Riley was married to Miss Sarah Hutchin-
son, who was born in the state of New York but was reared in Winneshiek
county, Iowa, and engaged in teaching school in Clay county prior to her mar-
riage. Two children have blessed this union, Wilfred and Nellie.
Mr. Riley is independent politically, casting his ballot for candidates rather
than for party. He has never been an officeseeker nor desired political prefer-
ment, yet he acceded to the request of his fellow townsmen that he should serve
as trustee of Meadow township and filled that position for a few years. He was
for some years the owner of a farm in that township, which he cultivated and
improved, making it a valuable property of one hundred and sixty acres. This
he still owns but rented the place when he removed to Fostoria to engage in
business there. He is a man of determination and force of character, who carries
forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. In manner he is
modest and unostentatious and those who know him speak of him in terms of
praise. Air. Riley is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
WTLLIAM PALMER WOODCOCK, M. D.
For forty-three years Dr. William Palmer Woodcock remained an active,
successful and honored member of the medical profession, but is now living
retired in Spencer, devoting his time and attention to such interests as afiford
him pleasure and promote his progress in lines of intellectual and moral develop-
ment. He has now passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey, and a
review of his record shows that at all times his career has been characterized by
honorable, manly principles, as well as successful professional attainment. He
was born in New York city March 6, 1827, and is of English lineage, being
24(3 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
descended from a noted family of that country. His grandfather, John Higgen-
bottoni Woodcock, was born on the "Merrie Isle," and crossed the Atlantic to
America, making his home for a time in New York, while subsequently he
removed to Nashville, Tennessee. He married a Miss Beck, of Philadelphia,
and they became the parents of two sons, William P. and Thomas Woodcock.
The former, when a boy of twelve years, was thrown upon his own resources,
and not only provided for himself but also supported his mother, following
various pursuits which would yield him an honest living. He was energetic, dili-
gent and persevering, and his economy enabled him in later years to make invest-
ments in property. Through his speculations in real estate and his capable con-
duct of other business interests, he became a wealthy man, being, worth about two
million dollars at the time of his demise. A\'hile residing in the city of New
York he served as captain of a company of militia, and did service at the time of
the flour and negro riots of New York city. His history was a notable one from
the fact that he started out empty-handed and gained classification among the
millionaire residents of the county. Nor was his path at any time strewn with
the wreck of other men's fortunes. He wedded ]\Iary Ann Astor Cook, also
a native of New York, and a daughter of Peter Cook. Her father was a native
of Germany, and after coming to the United States established his home in New
York. There he wedded a sister of John Jacob Astor, and both lived to an
advanced age. Their daughter, Mrs. A. A. Cook, was their only child. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock were born seven children, but five of the number have
passed away, the surviving ones being William P. and John, the latter of New
York.
Dr. Woodcock was reared in New York city, and supplemented his literary
education by a course in the medical department of the New York University,
from which he was graduated with the class of 1850. In that year he located for
practice in the eastern metropolis, and remained as an active member of the pro-
fession in the city and vicinity for a number of years. Subsequently he removed
to Bedford. Westchester county. New York, where he followed his profession for
several years, and then went to Ossining, formerly called Sing Sing. His
untiring devotion to his professional duties at length undermined his health, and
in 1879 he came to Spencer, Iowa, for needed rest and recreation. Here he
devoted his attention to hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports and interests
and recovered his health, eventually resuming the active practice of medicine, in
which he continued until the period of his connection with the profession cov-
ered forty-three years, when he retired, giving his supervision at the present time
to his invested interests. By his father's death he came into possession of con-
siderable property, and is now the owner of about five hundred and fifty-four
acres of valuable and productive land, together with a beautiful home on the
southern edge of Spencer, and twenty-four dwellings in the city, from which
he derives a substantial rental.
In 1854 Dr. Woodcock was married to ]\Iiss jNIary Wiltse, who died, leav-
ing three daughters. Flora, the eldest, became the wife of William Casey, and
since his death has married Frank Hunter Potter, a brother of the late Bishop
Potter of New York. Matilda died in early womanhood, after spending two or
three years in Rome, where she became ill with Roman fever, passing away after
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 247
her return home. Hattie, the youngest daughter, is now the wife of Hon. Her-
bert G. Squires, minister to Panama. He is a West Point graduate, and was
miUtary attache to the Chinese embassy during the Boxer war. They have three
sons, Herbert, Bard and Jack.
On the 22d of May, 1894, Dr. Woodcock was again married, his second
wife being Miss Adelaide Tracy, a daughter of Albert G. and Angeline (Starkey)
Tracy. There are six children of this marriage, Adelaide, William P., Jr.,
Annita, Thursia, Fletcher Howard and Gertrude. The mother was born in
Jessup, Buchanan county, Iowa, while her parents were natives of Ohio. They
had four children, the eldest being Mrs. Woodcock, while the others are George,
Albert and Minnie, the wife of A. J. Cuttell of Spokane, Washington. ]\Ir. and
Mrs. Tracy were early settlers of Buchanan county, Iowa, where the father
engaged as a produce dealer. He was killed by lightning July 21, 189 1, when
fifty-eight years of age. His wife survived him for six years, but never recov-
ered from the effects of the shock of her husband's death. Both Dr. and j\Irs.
Woodcock are members of the Episcopal church, in which he is serving as senior
warden, and in the support of which he has been a most liberal contributor.
His political allegiance is given to "the democracy. A lover of flowers and plants,
he. has a large greenhouse at his home which he established some years ago for
his own pleasure. He has made additions to this from time to time, and now has
many rare and beautiful flowers in which his wife also takes great delight. He
has been an extensive traveler and is a lover of the beautiful, having a collection
of rare pictures, some of which are very valuable. Beauty in any form makes
strong appeal to him, and in later years he has had opportunity to indulge his
taste in this direction and cultivate those graces of character which are developed
through the intellectual and aesthetic. As a resident of Spencer he has been
loyal in his advocacy of everything pertaining to the welfare of the city, and has
made some substantial contributions to its development and progress.
J. w. McDowell.
Perhaps no one is better known throughout Clay county as a breeder of a
high grade of draft horses than J. W. McDowell, who operates a large farm
near Greenville and who is a native of the state of Ohio, his birth having occurred
in Pickaway county, September 5, 1845. He is a son of Robert T. and ]\Iary
(Wolf) McDowell, his great-grandfather having, been a native of Scotland. His
father was a native of Fairfield county, that state, where he resided until 1854,
when he located in Livingston county, Illinois, and lived there until he departed
this life in 1885, his remains being interred at Streator, that state. He followed
general agriculture all his days, and was ranked among the substantial and finan-
cial factors of the township. In politics he was a whig, at the dissolution of which
party he naturally allied himself with the republican party to which he was there-
after loyal. He was known throughout the community as a Christian character
and was throughout his life an earnest worker in the United Brethren church.
His mother, now in her eighty-eighth year, is also a native of Fairfield countv.
248 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Ohio. She was united in marriage there and now resides with her son, J. W.
2\IcDowell. In their family were eight children, nameh- : Noah, a resident of
California; J. W. ; Susanna, who became the wife of J. W. Shropshire, a farmer
and stockman of Alvarado, Texas ; Louisa, who is wedded to F. P. Giles, now
residing in Streator, lUinois ; Lewis, an agriculturist of Forest City, this state ;
and Albert, Alice and ]^Iattie, deceased.
In the common schools of Livingston county, Illinois, J. W. McDowell
acquired his education and remained inider the parental roof until he was seven-
teen years of age, when he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-
fourth Illinois \'olunteer Infantry, in the one hundred day service, and received
an honorable discharge six months later. Upon returning home he began to
farm in Livingston county and remained there until 1895, during which year
he removed to the place on which he now resides, his farm consisting of five
hundred acres of land located in Lincoln and ]\Ieadow townships. His property
is highly improved, being provided with an elegant dwelling house and substan-
tial barns ; is well fenced and drained and one of the most desirable pieces of
property for agricultural purposes in the county. Fie deals largely in corn and
oats and in addition pays attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of breed-
ing draft and road horses with particular attention to the Percheron and Ham-
bletonian breeds. He has the reputation of having, the best horses in the county.
He began the breeding of this class of animals when thirty-five years of age
and his long experience together with the profound study he has given to the
business has made him a recognized authority. His horses are all graded and
registered and upon the whole Mr. McDowell is without a peer in the state as a
judge of their points and qualities. He does quite a shipping business in graded
cattle, raising the shorthorn class in particular, and has also gained quite a repu-
tation as a breeder of Poland China hogs.
In 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Brooker, of Livingston
county, Illinois, by whom he has had three children, namely: Frank, who is
engaged in agriculture north of Spencer, in Meadow township ; Harley A.,
deceased ; and Alta, wife of C. L. West, a real estate operator of St. Cloud, Minne-
sota, yir. ^IcDowell is a republican in politics but has not found time to actively
engage in public affairs, as his business interests demand his undivided atten-
tion. He attends the IMethodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a mem-
ber. He is a man well known throughout the county not only as one of its fore-
most stockmen, but also as a straightforward and upright character. He merits
the confidence and respect of all who know him, and is numbered among the
most substantial citizens of the countv.
HENRY NYMAN SMITH.
Honored and respected by all. there is no man who occupies a more enviable
position in financial circles than Henry Nyman Smith, not alone by reason of
the success he has achieved but also owing to the fact that his business methods
have been straightforward and honorable. He is a dependable man under all
H. N. SMITH
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX
TILD'N FOUNDATIONS
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 251
circumstances and the simple weight of his character and ability have carried
him into important business relations. He has ever utilized his opportunities to
the best advantage and, making steady progress in the business world, has today
reached a position of prominence and influence, being president of the People's
Savings Bank and vice president of the First National Bank of Spencer.
Mr. Smith is a native of Maryland, his birth having occurred in Boonsboro,
on the 2d of September, 1844. He is a son of Samuel H. and Elizabeth (Nyman)
Smith, who were natives of Maryland. The former was a son of John Smith,
who was of German descent, and a shoemaker by trade. Leaving Maryland,
he removed westward with his family and became a resident of Boonsboro,
Maryland, where his death was occasioned by an accident, being thrown from
a horse. His widow survived him and lived to an advanced age. They had a
large family, including David, Jacob, John, William, Samuel and Sarah. The
maternal grandfather of H. N. Smith was Henry Nyman, who was born in
Hanover, Pennsylvania, in 1782, his death occurring in 1876, when he was 94
years old. He, too, was of German lineage and followed the blacksmith's trade
in early manhood but spent the later years of his life retired. He married Miss
Susana Brantner, who was born in Boonsboro in 1788, entering into rest in 1836.
Their family included the following children : Daniel, Henry, George, Lewis,
Joseph, Elizabeth, Sarah, Maria, Susan, IVIary, Michael and Rebecca.
Samuel H. Smith, in his youthful days, learned the shoemaker's trade and
later became a shoe merchant of Boonsboro, Maryland, where he carried on
business for a number of years, becoming well known in the commercial circles
of the city. He also served as postmaster for one term. Both he and his wife
were members of the Lutheran church and were loyal to its teachings and their
faith. His death occurred in 1876, when he had reached the age of sixty-five
years, while Mrs. Smith lived until 1896 and passed away at the advanced age
of eighty-three years. They were the parents of ten children but only two are
now living: Henry N., of this review; and J. Harland Smith, who is a resident
of Hagerstown, Maryland.
Henry N. Smith was reared in Boonsboro and acquired his education in
the schools of that city. Later he became a resident of Hagerstown, ^Maryland,
where he remained for two years and afterward removed to Hancock, jNIaryland,
where he resided until January, 1883. At that date he came to Spencer, where
he has since made his home. When a boy he learned the jeweler's trade but
gave up work in that line and turned his attention to clerking, being thus
employed until coming west. On arriving at Spencer he entered the Clay County
Bank in the capacity of bookkeeper and since that time has been continuously
connected with financial interests of the county. After three years' service as
bookkeeper he was promoted in January, 1886, to the position of cashier and so
continued until July, 1901, when the Clay County Bank was consolidated with
the First National Bank and the People's Savings Bank. At that date he became
president of the latter and vice president of the former and in those business
relations still continues. The First National Bank is capitalized for one hundred
thousand dollars and has a surplus of twenty thousand dollars, while the People's
Savings Bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and has a surplus
of five thousand dollars, making a combined capital and surplus of one hundred
252 . HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
and fifty thousand dollars. These are two of the substantial money concerns of
the county, capably controlled along conservative lines, every means being-
employed to protect the depositors and at the same time give them the benefit
of a progressive business policy.
On the i8th of December, 1873, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Lillie
Brosius, a daughter of Daniel and Eleanor (Johnson) Brosius, and a native of
Washington county, Maryland. Two children have been born to them. The
elder, Bessie L., became the wife of G. Ralph Free and died May 19, 1906,
leaving one daughter, Margaret. Sue Meta is the wife of Dr. A. W. Leard, of
Spencer. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are prominent socially and members of the
Episcopal church. His membership relations extend also to Evening Shade
Lodge, Xo. 312, A. F. & A. M., and Spencer Lodge, No. 247, L O. O. F.
In both of these he is now treasurer and he became one of the charter members
of the Rebekah Lodge of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a democrat, his study
of the questions and issues of the day leading him to the opinion that the
principles of that party are best calculated to conserve the general good. He
has served two terms as school trustee and was mayor of Spencer for one term,
giving to the city a business-like and progressive administration. He is a
dignified, courteous gentleman, of kindly spirit and strongly marked principles,
who through his marked individuality has left the impress for good upon his
community.
SAMUEL FISK.
Samuel Fisk, carrying on general farming, on section 26. Summit township,
was born in Lee county, Illinois, October 24, 1869. His father, John M. Fisk,
was a native of Canada, but when a young man crossed the border into the
United States, desiring to enjoy the advantages of a covmtry where competition
is greater but where advancement is more quickly secured. Making his way to
Illinois, he took up his abode in Lee county and there met and married Miss
Mary E. Abell, a native of Pennsylvania. He followed farming in Lee county
for a number of years or until after eight children were born unto him and his
wife in that locality. In 1876 he removed with his family to Iowa, settling first
near Ames, in Story county, while subsequently he became a resident of Palo
Alto county and made his home at Curlew. He was a noted inventor and among
the works of his inventive genius was a car-mover, which is now patented. He
also secured patents on other valuable devices, which were the result of his
mechanical skill and ability. His last years were spent at Curlew, where his
widow still resides.
Samuel Fisk was a lad of seven years when he accompanied his parents on
their removal from Illinois to Iowa. He largely acquired his education in the
schools of Story county and when a young man came to Clay county, where he
secured work as a farm hand. Here he was employed for several years in that
capacity, during which time he saved his earnings and was thus enabled to make
a start in business life.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 253
On the i6th of December, 1891, in this county, Mr. Fisk was united in mar-
riage to Miss Augusta Muetzel, a daughter of Fred Muetzel, who, arriving in
Clay county during the pioneer epoch in its history, was enabled to secure a
homestead claim here. Mrs. Fisk was born in Wisconsin but was reared in this
county. After their marriage Mr. Fisk rented a tract of land and thus carried
on farming for a number of years or until 1899. when his savings justified him
in becoming owner of a farm. He therefore invested in eighty acres in Lincoln
township. This was an improved farm, which he cultivated for two years, while
later he traded that property for his present farm, on which he took up his abode
in 1900. He has here a tract of one hundred and sixty-five acres on section 26,
Summit township. With characteristic energy he began to develop and improve
the property and his labors are today seen in its excellent and attractive appear-
ance. He erected a new house and barn, two corn cribs, a granary and a hog
house. He has divided his place into fields of convenient size, with woven wire
and barbed wire fence, has put out a grove and has set out much fruit. In fact
he has made the farm what it is today and the work of development is Jaeing
carried farther forward year by year. He annually harvests good crops and he
also raises, feeds and fattens hogs and cattle. His live-stock interests constitute
an important source of revenue to him. He is one of the stockholders in the
Farmers' Elevator at Fostoria and also in the Farmers" Elevator at Spencer.
Unto jNIr. and Mrs. Fisk have been born five children, two sons and three
daughters : ]\Ierril Leo, Esther Anna, Lester Floyd, Helen Mary and Mabel
Irene. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death and all are
still under the parental roof. Politically ]Mr. Fisk is a stanch republican with
firm faith in the principles of the party. He is now serving as township trustee,
filling the position for two years and he has also acted as a school officer and
by his efforts has promoted the interests of education in this locality. He is
frequently chosen as a delegate to the county conventions of his party and is
known as an earnest local worker in its ranks. His wife is a member of the
Lutheran church and both are highly esteemed socially. Mr. Fisk started out in
life for himself a poor young man and worked by the month as a farm hand for
several years. He then rented for some time until he could save from his earn-
ings a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase land. Through his own labor,
enterprise and good management, he has become the owner of a valuable prop-
erty and is widely and favorably known in this part of the county for his many
sterling traits of character and his business progressiveness.
ERNEST PARKER FLINT.
Ernest Parker Flint, cashier of the Exchange Bank at Dickens, was born at
Stoughton, Dane countv. Wisconsin, July 23. 1869, and is a son of Angelo A.
and Emma (Parker) Flint, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr.
Flint lived in Stoughton, Wisconsin, until ten years of age and began his educa-
tion in the public schools there. Later he removed to northern Michigan and
subsequently became a resident of Spencer as his parents established their home
254 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
in these different localities. He was graduated from the high school at Florence,
Wisconsin, and later from the Beloit College Academy, where he completed his
course in 1892. He then took a position as assistant cashier in the Exchange
Bank of Dickens and since 1899 has been the cashier. He is now thoroughly
conversant with the banking business in principle and detail and his capable
control of the Exchange Bank is manifested in its growing success. It is one of
the reliable financial institutions of this part of the state and conducts all kinds
of banking business.
' On the 15th of November, 1894, Mr. Flint was united in marriage to ]Miss
Lorena \'arney, a daughter of James O. and Jennie (Holt) \'arney. ]\Irs. Flint
was born in this county, near Spencer, and by her marriage has become the
mother of one daughter, Mariam. Mr. Flint exercises his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the republican party and has served as school
treasurer for a number of years. He belongs to Dickens Lodge. No. 583. I. O.
O. F., and both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. They
are well known in the community and their home is the center of a cultured
society circle. Mr. Flint always gives his influence and aid to progressive public
measures and stands as a stalwart defender of justice, truth and right, in public
as well as private relations.
H. E. JONES.
I
H. E. Jones needs no introduction to the readers of this vohuue for he is
well known in the western part of the county where his nvnnerous friends call him
Ed. He is one of the active business men and public-spirited citizens of Lone
Tree township, making his home in Everly, where for the past seven years, he has
been engaged in business. Fie was a little lad of less than four years when
brought to Clay county and has since remained within its borders. His birth
occurred near Stoughton, Wisconsin, on the i8th of December, 1863, his father
being Evan Jones while his brother is A. T. Jones, mentioned elsewhere in this
work. On the old home farm in this county H. E. Jones was reared and in the
common schools pursued his education. He herded cattle on the open prairie
when a lad, for at that time the prairie had not been converted into farms and
was still in possession of the government, and the settlers could turn their cattle
and stock loose upon it that they might graze on the native grasses. With all
of the farm work H. E. Jones early became familiar, as his father believed in
practical training, for his boys, that they might have experience to aid them
when they reached manhood. He continued with his father until twenty-two
years of age when, thinking that other fields would prove more congenial and
profitable than agricultural life, he turned his attention to railroad construction
and for three years was employed on various roads in six different states. In
1888, however, he returned to Clay county with the capital he had saved through
his earnings and purchased land, becoming the owner of two hundred and forty
acres in Waterford township. Here he began the arduous task of cultivating land
that was still in its primitive condition. It is no sinecure to open up a new farm.
H. E. JONES
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LFNCX
TILDEN FOUinDA- ION5-
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 2o7
Years had made the ground hard and it was therefore difficult to break the sod
and prepare the soil for planting. But with persistent energy Mr. Jones pursued
his task and made a good start in the farm work. Later he bought another tract
of three hundred and twenty acres which was partially improved. He continued
its further development and thus engaged in farming, for twelve years, after
v/hich he rented his land and removed to Everly, where he turned his attention to
the live-stock business, also selling farm machinery. He continued in live-stock
business three or four years and then withdrew from that field of industry but
continued to engage in the implement business until January, 1909. At that date
he purchased the stock of A. W. Sleepers in the First National Bank and suc-
ceeded him as president of this strong financial institution of Everly. He is at
the head of the business and is giving close attention to its control and manage-
ment. He is, moreover, a stockholder in the Everly Grain & Lumber Company
and in all of his commercial as well as agricultural relations he has show'n himself
to be a man of good business ability, of strong and determined purpose and
undaunted energy. He forms his plans readily and is determined in their execu-
tion. His business judgment is rarely, if ever, at fault.
The home life of Mr. Jones had its beginning in his marriage in Spencer in
March, 1887, to Miss Iva McCabe, who was born in New York. They are now
the parents of three children, Edith, Ella and Ruth. The eldest daughter is now.
attending school in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Politically Mr. Jones is independent. He
was elected county supervisor by a large majority in 1908, and is now filling the
office in a manner creditable to himself arid satisfactory to his constituents. He
belongs to Everly Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also to the Odd Fellows Lodge of
this place. There are few citizens of the county more widely and more favorably
known than H. E. Jones, whose business enterprise has carried him into important
commercial and financial relations, while his genial manner, his unfailing courtesy
and his spirit of friendliness have gained him the warm and lasting regard of
those with whom he has been brought in contact.
JULIUS AUGUSTUS SMITH.
Deeds of battle have been the theme of story and song since the earliest
ages and will continue to awaken interest and patriotism through all the coming
years. No one is more deserving of representation in the history of a country
than a soldier who went forth to its defense in the hour of peril ; no one more
deserves mention in the record of a community than he who risked his life for
the cause of freedom. Julius Augustus Smith, as a veteran of the Civil war. is
entitled to that gratitude which the country owes to those who defended the
Union during the darkest hours in our country's history. Moreover, he comes
of a patriotic family, for his grandfather in the paternal line was a valiant soldier
of the Revolutionary war, and was killed in the battle of Lundy's Lane.
The parents of Mr. Smith were Julius and Elenore (Wendler) Smith,
natives of Kentucky and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, respectively. They were
married, however, in Ohio, and soon afterward removed westward to Indiana,
CLAY 15.
258 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
where they remained for a short time and then went to Stephenson county,
IlHnois, settHng in the town of Freeport. There the father worked at his trade
of carpentering and was long associated with the building interests of the locality.
He died there in June, 1878, at the age of eighty-five years, while the mother
passed away in 1850, at the age of forty-six years, her death being occasioned
by cholera. There were eleven children in the family, only three of whom are
now living. Nearly all of the others died of the same disease during the terrible
cholera epidemic of that year.
Julius A. Smith was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 24, 1833, ^"d
was but a young child when his parents removed to Illinois. He was only six-
teen years of age at the time of his mother's death and afterward he started out
in life on his own account, for the family was largely broken up, as death had
claimed most of its members. To provide for his own maintenance he began
breaking prairie in the vicinity of Freeport, Illinois, and after being employed in
that way for a time started for California in 1853. Gold had been discovered
about five years before and interesting reports were still received of new "finds"
in the rich mining districts of the Pacific coast. Going by way of the isthmus,
he followed mining in California until 1858 and then returned to Freeport, Illi-
nois, where he again resided until after the outbreak of the Civil war.
In 1862, imbued with the spirit of patriotism, Mr. Smith oflfered his services
to the government and was placed in Company E, Seventy-fourth Regiment of
Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the Second Division of the First Brigade,
Fourth Army Corps. He was mustered in at Rockford and was immediately
sent to the front, his first engagement being the battle of Perryville. Bragg was
drawing his army there but, after some fighting, withdrew to Nashville and was
driven thence to Murfreesboro and Stone River. The Union troops followed
Braggs army, fighting all the way to Atlanta. Mr. Smith likewise participated
in the battles of Atlanta and Jonesboro and, in fact, took part in all of the Atlanta
campaign. After the fall of the city of Atlanta the division to which he belonged
was ordered back to Nashville and he participated in the severe engagement at
Franklin, which he regards as one of the most hotly contested battles of all the
Civil war. He was there wounded in the right leg and when the regiment left for
Nashville, an officer tendered him the use of his horse. The distance between the
two points was eighteen miles and this was the only ride ]\Ir. Smith had during
his service while under marching orders. He was in the hospital at Nashville
from the last of November until the 15th of December and then rejoined his
regiment, after which he engaged in the battle of Nashville, which was waged
for two days. This battle practically broke up the rebel army, the Confederates
retreating to Tennessee, followed by the Union troops. Later they were ordered
back to Nashville and there, on the 30th of June, 1865, the war having closed,
Mr. Smith was mustered out. He saw much arduous duty, experiencing all the
hardships of war. In the twenty-seven days' fighting in front of Atlanta, his
regiment lost four captains, one lieutenant colonel and sixty-five men. Mr. Smith
was wounded twice, the first time being shot in the elbow joint, at Missioniiy
Ridge. From these wounds he has suffered greatly and although several opera-
tions have been performed on his leg, the old wound will probably never heal and
will occasion him trouble throughout his entire life. The younger generation
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 259
cannot understand what were the hardships experienced by the old soldiers — such
men as ]\lr. Smith — who really sacrificed the best strength and energies of their
lives for their country's cause. Their suffering extended not only through the
time of their service on southern battlefields but through the years that have
followed, and the country owes to them a debt of gratitude which can never be
paid. But the tale of their bravery will remain a theme of song and story through
all ages, while this country exists as an indivisible Union.
\\'hen the war was over Mr. Smith returned to his family in Illinois. He
had been married on the 23d of December, 1858. to Miss Emeline Schonmaker,
a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Lowen) Schonmaker, both of whom were
natives of Xorth Carolina, whence they had removed westward at an early day
and located near Rockford, Illinois. Three children were born unto Mr. and
Mrs. Smith : David, at home ; Ella Frances, who married Oscar Hill and resides
at Freeport, Illinois ; and Henry, who wedded Luda Cook and is living in Mason
City, Iowa.
Following the war ?;Ir. Smith lived for about fifteen years in Illinois, resid-
ing in Freeport until 1880, Avhen he removed to Little Rock, Lyon county, Iowa.
He retained his residence there for about eight years and then came to Clay
county, where he has since resided. At that time he purchased his present farm
for twenty-three dollars per acre. Today it is a valuable tract of land, worth
more than four-fold the original price which he paid. He brought his fields to a
high state of cultivation, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and
adding to the farm many modern equipments and improvements. At the present
time, however, he is renting his land, while he is living, in honorable retirement
from labor, his previous success being sufficient to supply him with the comforts
of life. He has voted the republican ticket since the organization of the party,
being a loyal defender of that political organization which stood as the defense
of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. His life record has at all
times been a creditable one and, in matters of citizenship, he has displayed the
same patriotic spirit which he manifested as a soldier on the battlefields of the
south.
E. F. TURNER.
E. F. Turner, the oldest railroad station agent in Clay county, now perform-
ing the duties of that office for the North- Western Railroad Company, at Peter-
son, was born in Buffalo, New York, November 13. 1842, a son of Orin A. and
Thuda (Frary) Turner, both of whom were natives of Chattanooga county,
that state. The father, who was reared there',' went to Illinois in 1852, locating
in Geneseo, Henry county, where he resided until the year 1866. During that
year he repaired to Ottawa, La Salle county, where he took charge of a glass-
ware establishment, continuing its management five years, at the expiration of
which time he went to Chicago and began to work for the North- Western Rail-
road, remaining in the general offices of that company until September 21, 1897,
when he departed this life in his eighty-seventh year, his remains being interred
260 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
in that city. The mother, who was born in the year 1816, was united in marriage
at her home in her native state and passed away in Chicago in the year 1889.
In the family were two children, namely: Fanny, wife of Isaac. Esmay, who is
living, a retired life in Chicago, Illinois ; and E. F.
At the usual age E. F. Turner was enrolled as a pupil in the common
schools of Geneseo, Illinois, and subsequently completed a course of study in the
high school and also pursued a business course in the Eastman Commercial
College, of Chicago, Illinois, from which institution he was graduated in the
year 1861. He then went to Geneseo, that state, where he secured employment
as a clerk in a drug store, which position he held until April of the year 1862,
when he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois \'olun-
teer Infantry, and served with his regiment until he received his discharge, which
was granted him, after he had served two years and eight months, on account of
injuries received by an explosion while in the ranks. He participated in many
battles and skirmishes and was sent to Cairo, Illinois, on guard duty, thence to
St. Louis and then to Jefferson City, Missouri, where his regiment met General
Price and a hot engagement ensued, and, upon returning to St. Louis, was con-
fined in a hospital for four months. Joining his regiment again at Paducah,
Kentucky, he took part in a number of skirmishes within the southern lines
and was finally, owing to his disability, detailed as a member of the brigade band,
in which he remained until the close of the war.
Upon leaving the military ranks he returned to Geneseo, Illinois, where he
started in the drug business for himself, conducting the enterprise until the j^ear
1866, when he went to Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois, as bookkeeper for a
glass manufacturing concern then under the management of his father and, in
this capacity, served for something over four years, when he repaired to Colo-
rado, locating in Boulder county, and there engaged in general farming until the
year 1875, during, which year he went to Chicago and entered the employ of
the North-Western Railroad as clerk in the freight offices. There he remained
until October of the year 1880, when he went to Hardin county, Illinois, which
was then known as Xew Providence, but now as Lawn Hill, and was station
agent there until July 25, 1882, when he came to Peterson and was given charge
of the company's interests here, where he has since resided, performing the
duties of his ofifice. He took charge of the station here shortly after the rail-
road had extended its line to this place and about three weeks after he had taken
hold of the affairs of the office the company began to extend the road to Suther-
land, but still used Peterson as the terminal until the road had been completed
as far as Paullina. Mr. Turner was the first station agent in this place and the
building he first occupied in which to transact the affairs of his office was a box-
car, which he occupied about four weeks, when the company erected a suitable
building.
In 1866 Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Deem, a resi-
dent of Geneseo, Illinois, and the couple have one child, Lullu, who resides with
her parents. Mr. Turner's political views are with the republican party, to
which he has been loyal since he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and,
being a man who is thoroughly reliable and who has a marked degree of execu-
tive ability, he has been chosen to fill a number of town offices, among which is
HISTORY OF CLAY COUx\TY 2(31
that of treasurer, in which responsible position he is now acting. He belongs to
Peterson Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been treasurer for eleven terms ;
the Knights of Pythias, American Order of United Workmen and the Brother-
hood of American Yeomen. Mr. Turner has always been influentially associated
with the business and financial affairs of this place and is a man whose high
moral character and uprightness have always merited him the respect and confi-
dence of his fellow citizens.
ALBERT C. PERINE.
Through successive stages of business development and progress Albert C.
Perine has worked his way upward to a prominent place in commercial circles
in Spencer, where he now conducts a lumber yard, having an extensive and grow-
ing patronage. His life record began in Racine, Wisconsin, on the i8th of Sep-
tember, 1850, his parents being William J\L and Margaret S. (Welch) Perine,
who were natives of the state of New York. The paternal grandfather was also
born in the Empire state and both he and his wife lived to an advanced age and
reared a large family. Their son, William M. Perine, removing westward at a
very early day, settled in Racine, Wisconsin, and became treasurer and general
freight agent for the Racine & Mississippi Railroad Company at that place. He
continued to reside there until his life's labors were ended in death in 1864, when
he was lifty-four years of age. His widow survived him for a long period and
died in 1903 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. They were both Presby-
terians in religious faith and were loyal in their devotion "to the church. Their
family numbered six children, of whom three died in infancy. Those still living
are : Josiah W., who is now living in Chicago ; Helen, the wife of H. H. Mun-
ger, of the same city ; and Albert C.
The last named spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the city of his
nativity and at the usual age was sent to the public schools, where he continued
his studies through successive grades, eventually becoming a high school pupil.
When seventeen years of age he left home and went to Chicago, where he was
employed in the car works of the Wells & French Company, occupying a position
in the office for ten years. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings and
in 1878 came to Spencer, where he invested his capital in a lumber yard. For
thirty-one years he has now continued in this business, being one of the oldest as
well as one of the most reliable lumber merchants of the county. He has a liberal
patronage and in all of his dealings is strictly fair and reliable, his commercial
probity standing as an unquestioned fact in his career. He is also known in
financial circles as a director of the First National Bank of Spencer.
Air. Perine was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Wood, a daughter of
Henry B. W^ood. and unto them have been born three daughters. Margaret, the
eldest, is now the wife of Crowley E. Cole, a resident of Atlantic, Iowa, and they
have one son, Edward Perine Cole. Mary, the second daughter, is a teacher in
the public schools of Hartley,. Iowa, while Helen, the youngest, is attending the
Spencer high school.
262 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Ferine hold membership in the Congregational church and he
is a prominent Mason, belonging to Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312, A. F. &
A. M.; Clay Chapter, No. 112, R. A. M.; Esdraelon Cojnmandery, No. 52, K. T.,
and Za-Ga-Zig Temple of the nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Des Moines. He is
an exemplary representative of the craft, being in hearty sympathy with its
humanitarian purposes. His political views are in accord with the principles of
the republican party and he has served as school director and as a member of the
city council for several terms, discharging his duties in that position in a manner
to further the welfare and progress of the city. He is widely known in Spencer
and his substantial characteristics have gained him the warm regard and unquali-
fied trust of his fellow townsmen.
CHARLES M. PINNEO.
Charles M. Pinneo, a well known resident of Spencer, is numbered among
those who have contributed to the upbuilding of the great west and his experiences
have been of a varied and interesting character. He has always resided on this
side of the Mississippi and in various localities has proved his worth as a loyal
and progressive citizen.
A native of IMissouri, he was born in Stewartsville, De Kalb county, on the
2ist of August, 1857, and is a son of William W. and Eunice (Eaton) Pinneo,
both of whom were natives of Nova Scotia. The father was a merchant, who,
when a young man, crossed the border into the United States and after living
for a time in Stewartsville, Missouri, removed to Paola, Kansas, where he
engaged in merchandising from a period just prior to the Civil war until his
death, which occurred when he was forty-six years of age. His widow long
survived him and died in 1897 at the age of sixty-five years. Both were consistent
members of the Methodist church and, in every community in which they resided,
enjoyed the warm regard and respect of those who knew them. They were the
parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely : Anna, the
wife of Dolph Edwards, of Chicago ; Minnie, the wife of William Wharton, of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; William, a resident of Chicago ; Edward ^^^, who
makes his home in Colorado ; Charles M., of this review ; Frank, who is deceased;
and May, the wife of David Smythe, of Rooks county, Kansas.
In taking up the personal history of Charles M. Pinneo we present to our
readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this county.
He resided in Paola, Kansas, between the ages of two and seventeen years, and
there acquired his education in attending the public schools. In 1873 he came to
Spencer and has followed various pursuits during his residence in this countv,
covering a period of thirty-six years. During this time the county has been
converted from a pioneer district into one of the thriving and growing districts
of this great commonwealth. In the early days there was no railroad and he drove
stage to Storm Lake, Sibley and Spirit Lake for seven or eight years. He also
had the first express wagon in Spencer and at another time he worked for the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company for a brief period. During
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 263
the past fifteen years he has been engaged in auctioneering and has done a good
business in this regard, being a popular crier of sales. In November, 1906, he
was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of county sheriff and entered
upon the duties of the position in 1907, completing his term of service in Decem-
ber, 1908. He was fearless and impartial in discharging the duties of the office
and has thus won the approval and support of all law-abiding citizens.
In 1882 Mr. Pinneo was united in marriage to Miss Emma Wolf, a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Wolf. There was but one child born of that marriage,
Minnie, who is now the wife of Paul Miller and a resident of Badger, Iowa.
They have two children, Vernon and Donald. Mrs. Emma Pinneo died in 1887
at the age of twenty-nine years and her death was deeply regretted by many
friends, who esteemed her for her genuine personal worth. In 1889 Mr. Pinneo
was again married, his second union being with Miss Nettie McCauUey, a daugh-
ter of Isaac McCaulley. She was born in Rock Grove, Illinois, and by this mar-
riage has become the mother of three children, Harry, Carroll and Audrey.
Both Mr. and Airs. Pinneo hold membership in the Friends church and are
earnest Christian people, closely following the teachings of their denomination.
Mr. Pinneo belongs to Spencer Lodge, No. 247, I. O. O. F., and his wife is con-
nected with the Rebekahs — the auxiliary degree of that order. Mr. Pinneo is
likewise a member of the Maccabees and his political allegiance has always been
given to the democratic party. Something of his personal popularity and the
confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen is indicated in the fact that
he was the only democratic county officer during his incumbency and in securing
his election overcame a normal republican majority of seventeen hundred. He
is genial and courteous in manner, wins friends wherever he goes and receives
and merits the trust and good will of his associates.
MALARIAS WAHLSTROM.
Malakias Wahlstrom, one of Sweden's industrious sons who settled in this
country with little more than his health and strength, was born January 9, 1855,
a son of Andrew and Anna Wahlstrom, his father and mother both having been
natives of Sweden, where they resided on a farm until their death. In their fam-
ily were four children, namely : Christina, who resides in her native land : Mala-
kias, our subject ; Charlie, who is an agriculturist of Lincoln township, this
county ; and Matilda, who resides in Spencer, Iowa.
Malakias Wahlstrom was reared on his father's farm in Sweden, where he
learned the various phases of this occupation, and in the village schools he
acquired his education, remaining on the home farm until 1880. when he came
to the United States and located in Lincoln township. Clay county, Iowa. Shortly
after his arrival he bought a tract of land, and meeting with splendid success in
its cultivation, was soon able to increase his holdings to two hundred and forty
acres, his land being located pn sections 18 and 20. The land is now highly
improved, Mr. Wahlstrom having himself built all the buildings and fences upon
it, including a fine residence, barns and outbuildings, and the attention which he
254 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
has given his property has made his farm one of the finest in tne township. He
engages in general agricultural pursuits, raising hay and the various kinds of
grain, and also pays some attention to stock breeding, and the shipping of cattle,
sheep and hogs.
In the year 1880 he was united in marriage to Aliss Lottie Goothblad. a
native of Sweden, who came to this country during that year. Mr. and Mrs.
\\ ahlstrom have been blessed with the following children : Ellen Amelia, who
became the wife of Albert Barglof, an agriculturist of Greenville, Iowa ; Carl
Harry, who wedded Hilma Johnson, and is a farmer of this township ; Alfred
Rudolph, who wedded Esther Johnson, and also resides in Lincoln township;
Anna Matilda, wife of Peter ]\Iathison, who is engaged in blacksmithing in
Moneta, Iowa ; and Ernest Gerald ; Gustave Edwin ; Walter Edward ; Edith
Elizabeth ; Olga Sylvia ; and Julia X'ictoria, all at home. In politics Mr. Wahl-
strom is a republican and while he is not an active politician he takes considerable
interest in public afifairs. As to his religious faith, he is a Lutheran and with his
wife attends divine services at the Swedish Lutheran church in Lincoln township.
He is one of the most enterprising men in the vicinity, always ready and willing
to do what he can for the general improvement of the township, and is held in
high respect as a congenial and progressive neighbor.
F. J. COLEMAX. ^I. D.
A history of the medical fraternity of Clay county would be incomplete
and unsatisfactory were there failure to make prominent reference to Dr. F. J.
Coleman, who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Everly.
Throughout the years of his connection with the profession he has made steady
progress through his reading and research and has proven his knowledge and
capability in the excellent results which have attended his labors. He came to
Everly in 1897 and has since devoted his attention to the conscientious
performance of the duties that devolve upon him in his professional capacity.
A native of Illinois, his birth occurred in La Salle county, January i, 1868, and
he resided there until twelve years of age, when in 1880 he became a resident
of Nebraska. His education, which was begun in Illinois, was continued in
Nebraska, and later he completed the work of the junior year in the college at
\^ermillion. South Dakota. Determining upon the practice of medicine and
surgery as his life work, he then began reading toward that end and completed
his studies in Sioux City in 1897. The same year he came to Everly, where he
practiced for a year and then in order to still further perfect himself in the
line of his chosen calling he made his way to Buffalo, New York, where he
pursued a course in the medical department of the university in that city, and
was graduated with the class of 1899. Returning to Everly well equipped
for the onerous duties of the profession, he has since built up an extensive
business here. The consensus of public opinion regarding his professional skill
is altogether favorable for it is well known that he is most careful in the
diagnosis of a case and never neglects anything that he believes will prove of
F. J. COLEMAN
THE NEWYOPK
PaBLICUBRA^^
ASTOR- Lf N©M
TILDcN FOUN0A1I0N6
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 267
value in checking the ravages of disease and promoting health. He keeps in
touch with the advanced thought of the profession through his membership in
the County, State and National Aledical Societies, and his ability is widely
recognized in the profession.
His office is well equipped with all modern apparatus, including the latest
improved surgical instruments, and he has performed critical operations most
successfully.
Dr. Coleman was married in Everly, in June, 1901, to Miss Mary Tyndall,
of Spencer, who was born in Illinois but was reared in the county seat of Clay
county, her education being largely acquired in the schools of Spencer. There
is one child of this marriage, a son, Francis Tyndall Coleman. Dr. Coleman is
a member of Everly Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Spencer Chapter, R. A. M.
He has filled all of the offices in the former and is now a past Master, while
both he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. Dr.
Coleman also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Everly and
to the Elks' lodge at Estherville. He is a gentleman of genial manner and
hopeful spirit and his presence is like a ray of sunshine in the sick room where
an air of hopefulness and encouragement constitute a valuable factor for health.
He has made an excellent professional record, as is indicated by the lucrative
practice now accorded him, and is, moreover, known as a progressive and
public-spirited citizen.
CALVIN CAUVEL.
Calvin Cauvel, carrying on general farming, is one of the self-made men of
Clay county who through his own labors has reached a creditable financial posi-
tion, being now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and pro-
ductive farming land. He was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, September
13, 1832, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Malory) Cauvel. His father was
also a native of the Keystone state and there spent his entire life, devoting his
time and energies to farming. His father was a native of Germany and the
founder of the family in the new world. The mother of our subject was prob-
ably born in the state of New York but was married in Pennsylvania, where her
remaining days were passed. In the family were twelve children : John, a
carpenter and farmer living in Venango county, Pennsylvania ; Elizabeth,
deceased ; Calvin, of this review ; Harriet, who is the widow of David Ketner
and lives in Saegerstown, Pennsylvania ; Russel, who makes his home in Titus-
ville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania ; Wesley, Hamilton, Wilson, Louisa, Will-
iam and Jonas, all now deceased ; and one child who died in infancy.
To the public-school system of his native state Calvin Cauvel is indebted
for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youthful days. He worked
with his father on the farm and remained at home until twenty-two years of age,
when in the hope of bettering, his financial condition he started to Illinois and
established his home in Stephenson county near Freeport. He learned the car-
penter's trade in Pennsylvania, and followed building pursuits as well as farming
268 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
for eighteen years. On the expiration of that period he came to Clay county,
Iowa, and here purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. It
was entirely destitute of improvements but with characteristic energy he began
its development and there matured a well improved farm, on which is a good
residence, together with substantial outbuildings and all the equipments of a model
farm property. This model farm has lately been turned over to his son C. W.
Both grain and stock are raised on this place. Mr. Cauvel has also worked to
some extent at the carpenter's trade since coming to Iowa.
It was on the nth of March, 1859, that Mr. Cauvel was married to Miss
Elizabeth Bordner, of Illinois. Unto them were born eight children : Milton,
now deceased ;• Clara, the wife of Jacob Croskrey, a farmer at Gould, Minnesota ;
Grant, at home ; Daniel Lincoln, deceased ; Charles Wilson, at home ; Adelaide,
who has also passed away ; Mary, at home ; and Rella, the deceased wife of Wal-
ter Biggs, of Hankinson, North Dakota. The wife and mother passed away
June 3, 1905, a firm believer in the doctrine of the Methodist Episcopal church,
to which denomination both she and her husband belonged.
The farm of Mr. Cauvel lies near Rossie. He has been a very busy man
and though he has had to depend entirely upon his own resources from early
boyhood, he has been quite successful. Year after year he has persistently car-
ried on his business affairs, save that at the time of the Civil war he enlisted as a
member of Company K, Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and was at the front for
one year, at the end of which time he was honorably discharged. He participated
in the charge of Fort Blakelc}- and throughout his entire life he has suffered from
diseases brought on by exposure and hardships while at the front. It is said
that the regiment marched farther that year than any other year of the service
and many privations and hardships were to be borne. Mr. Cauvel, however, did
his full duty and in fact has always been loyal and progressive in his citizenship.
In politics he has always been a republican, having served as township trustee
for several vears.
EDWARD M. DERRY.
Edward M. Derry is closely associated with the commercial interests of Clay
county as a successful general merchant of Dickens. He first came to the county
in 1877, although he did not permanently take up his abode here at that time.
He was born in Pomeroy, Meigs county, Ohio, February 11, 1869, and is a rep-
resentative of an old Pennsylvania family, his paternal grandfather, a native of
that state, dying there when well advanced in years. His father, William Derrv,
was a shoemaker by trade and on removing from Pennsylvania to Ohio settled in
Pomeroy, where he still makes his home. He wedded Ellen Mclntyre. who was
born in West Virginia and was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Williams)
Mclntyre, who were also natives of that state. At an early day they became resi-
dents of Ohio, settling in Pomeroy, where Mr. Mclntyre passed awav at an
advanced age, while his wife reached the ripe old age of ninety-two years. They
reared a large family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Derry have been born five
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 269
children, four sons and a daughter: William, a resident of Clay county, Iowa;
John, who is deceased ; Thomas, of Dickens ; Cora, the wife of Arthur Curtis, of
Middleport, Ohio ; and Edward M., of this review. The parents hold membership
in the Alethodist church and are people of the highest respectability, widely and
favorably known in the county where they reside.
Edward M. Derry lived in Pomeroy until eighteen years of age and was a
pupil in the public schools there. In 1877 he came to Clay county, Iowa, and
worked for his brother John at railroad grading in Nebraska and in this state.
Later he went to Colorado, where he took up a preemption claim one hundred
miles east of Denver. In the fall of that year he returned to Ohio on a visit and
in the following spring started again for Colorado, but while en route stopped at
Dickens to visit his brother John and has remained here continuously since.
Later he entered into partnership with his brother in a mercantile line and they
were together for a short time, after which E. M. Derry sold out and began farm-
ing on a tract of rented land in Freeman and Lake townships. In October, 1907,
with the capital he had saved from his earnings, he purchased a stock of general
merchandise and began business in Dickins, carrying now a fine line of goods and
conducting a business which is constantly growing in volume and importance.
He has now a liberal patronage and his trade is increasing, owing, to his straight-
forward business methods, his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please
his customers.
The marriage of Mr. Derry was celebrated on the 23d of May, 1894, when
Miss Blanche S. Perkins became his wife. She was born in Salem. Lawrence
county, Ohio, a daughter of George and Eliza (Beasley) Perkins and a grand-
daughter of Eliphaz Perkins, who was a native of Connecticut. In his early boy-
hood, however, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Vermont. He
married Zipporah Porter and both lived to an advanced ag.e. Eliphaz Perkins
was a fifer in the war of 1812. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Derry was
John Beasley, who was a native of Ohio and a carpenter by trade. He wedded
Harriet Mathena and died in the Buckeye state when more than seventy years
of age. They were the parents of three children, Moses, Eliza B. and ]\Iary
Albertine, the last named being the widow of Silas P. Austin and now a resident
of Greeley, Nebraska.
The Rev. George Perkins, father of Mrs. Derry, is a minister of the United
Brethren church, who has been connected with that denomination as a preacher
for forty-five years. He was a missionary for four years among the Indians and
early settlers, and can relate many interesting and thrilling reminiscences. He
volunteered for service twice in the cause of the Union, but on account of the
legiments being, full was each time refused. He made many enemies among the
people with whom he worked in Kansas on account of his views. . Mr. Perkins,
though near his eightieth year, is still bright and pleasant in his conversation.
Unto him and his wife have been born six children : Harriet Z., the wife of A. D.
Evans ; Edward H. Perkins ; Lelia C, the wife of N. Gorsuch ; George E. Per-
kins ; Blanche S. ; and one who died in infancy.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Derry has been blessed with four children, two
sons and two daughters: Bruce Edw^ard, George Perkins, Harriet May and
Cora Feme.
270 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Aside from his mercantile interests ]\Ir. Derry is a stockholder in the Dickens
Cooperative Creamery Company. He votes with the republican party and is
public-spirited in his citizenship. His wife is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and they are well known in social circles, where many excellent
traits of character have won for them the good will and friendship of those with
whom they have come in contact. ]\Ir. Derry is a progressive business man who
seems to recognize the value of every situation and to make the most of his oppor-
tunities. Through the legitimate lines of trade he is now building up a growing
business that is indicative of his spirit of enterprise and determination.
LESTER L. ATWOOD.
The Sunnyside Stock Farm, situated on section i6, Meadow township, is
one of the valuable properties of Clay county. Within its borders lie four hun-
dred and eighty acres and the rich alluvial soil, when carefully cultivated, brings
forth abundant crops. As the name of the place indicates, stock raising is one of
its principal features and in both branches of his business Mr. Atwood shows
keen discernment and careful management. Illinois numbers him among, her
native sons, his birth having occurred in Ogle county, that state, on the 9th of
July, 1859. * No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of
farm life for him in his boyhood and youth. He worked in the fields from the
time that he was old enough to handle the plow and to a limited extent attended
the public schools, but is largely self educated, and through reading, observation
and experience he has made himself a well informed man. Thinking that he pre-
ferred an industrial to an agricultural life, he learned the tinner's trade in early
manhood and followed it for several years in different places.
yir. Atwood was a }'oung man of twenty-three years when in Ogle county,
Illinois, on the 30th of March, 1882, he wedded Miss Winnifred Van Patten, a
native of that county. She spent her girlhood days there, is indebted to its pub-
lic school system for her education, and prior to her marriage followed the pro-
fession of teaching in that county. Mr. Atwood subsequent to his marriage
turned his attention to the dairy business, purchasing an enterprise of that char-
acter in Rockford. There he engaged in selling milk and dairy products for four
years, supplying two hundred families with milk. His business there prospered
and after some time he traded it for a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in
Boone county, Illinois, to which he removed, giving his time and attention to its
cultivation for three years. He then sold out in 1895 ^^^ came to Clay county,
trading for the property on which he now resides. He at once began its further
development, carrying on his work along the lines of modern agricultural prog-
ress. He has added to and remodeled his residence, has erected a barn, has built
a tenant house and has added to his property many evidences of modern farm life.
He has used woven wire in fencing his place and dividing it into fields of conven-
ient size and he has greatly augmented the productiveness of his fields by the
expenditure of three thousand dollars in tiling the farm. He has a wind pump
and water works and several elevated tanks in order to supply his stock with
THE NEW YORK
[PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX
TILDtN FOUNOATIONa
MRS. L. L. ATWOOD
L. L. ATWOOD
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 275
vvaier on the different parts of the farm. For several years he has made a spe-
cialty of feeding sheep. For some years he bought sheep by the train load in
the west, shipping thousands of head to the eastern markets. Later he has given
his attention largely to feeding and fattening cattle and hogs and in 1900 he took
up the task of breeding and raising fine cattle, keeping Aberdeen Angus stock.
He has since added to the herd from time to time and now has nearlv one hun-
dred head of fine registered stock and also some high grade stock. He has sold
some of the finest animals produced in this part of the state, one male in 1907
bringing him twenty-seven hundred dollars. He is now the owner of Evan Lad,
from an imported bull. He has four head from the leading, families of the Aber-
deen cattle and has held two mammoth sales, selling some of his own raising and
some raised by others. He has won both second and first premiums at the state
fairs and is justly classed today among the most prominent stock-raisers of this
portion of the state. Mr. Atwood was also one of the promoters of the Co-oper-
ative Creamery and was president of the company for some time.
Mr. and Mrs. Atwood are the parents of three daughters : Edna, the wife
of Carl Fee, a merchant at Langdon ; Grace, a graduate of a business college, now
occupying a position in Spencer ; and Rowena, a student in Spencer. They also
lost a son, Ira Lester, who died when about two years of age, and a daughter,
Lois, who died at the age of one. Mr, and Mrs. Atwood are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church of Fostoria. He belongs to Spencer Lodge, I. O.
O. F., and to the Modern Woodmen, and is in thorough sympathy with the prin-
ciples of those organizations, which are based upon mutual helpfulness and broth-
erly kindness. Politically a stalwart republican, he has served as justice of the
peace for five years and his decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being based
upon the law and the equity of the case. He has also been notary public for
some years and has frequently served as a delegate to state and county conven-
tions of his party. He bears an unsullied reputation for business integrity as
well as enterprising spirit. He has been closely identified with Clay county, its
upbuilding and its prosperity for a number of years and is justly accounted one
of its most active and progressive farmers and stock breeders. His labors have
done much to improve the grade of stock raised in this portion of the state and
no finer farm animals can be found than his Duroc Jersey hogs and his Aberdeen
Angus cattle. His business success is well merited, for he is capable in manage-
ment and displays untiring industry in carrying forward his interests.
JOHN J. LAWLER.
I
John J. Lawler, who is conducting a successful grain business in Dickens as
manager for the Reliance Elevator Company, is a western man by birth and
training and the spirit of progress characteristic of this section of the country
has been manifest throughout his entire connection with business interests.
He was born in Atchison, Kansas, February 18, 1875, ^"d is a son of Timothy
and Celia (Potter) Lawler, who were natives of Canada and Missouri, respec-
tively. In the paternal line, however, he comes of Irish ancestry. His grand-
276 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
father was born on the Emerald Isle and became a foundryman at Dundas, Can-
ada, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. In the maternal line Mr.
Lawler is of English lineage and his grandfather, Joseph Potter, was born in
Kentucky and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He served his
country as a soldier of the Mexican war and following his removal to the west
represented his district in the Kansas legislature. He married a Miss Wiley
and they are still residents of Atchison, Kansas.
Timothy Lawler, father of John J. Lawler, devoted his early manhood to
teaching school and subsequently turned his attention to general farming.
Crossing the border into the United States he lived for some time at White-
water, Wisconsin, and in fact spent his boyhood days in acquiring his education
there. Later he went to Atchison, Kansas, where he engaged in teaching school
for several years, after which he removed to Webster county, Nebraska, secured
a homestead claim and engaged in farming near Cowles. There he owned two
hundred acres of land, which he still cultivates, having transformed the tract
into rich and productive fields. His people were of the Catholic faith, but he is
not now associated with any church, while his wife belongs to the Christian
church. Their family numbered four children : John J., of Dickens, Iowa ;
Albert J., a resident of Los Angeles, California; Emery L., of Cowles, Nebraska;
and one who died in early childhood.
John J. Lawler was but a young lad when his parents removed to Webster
county, Nebraska, and there he was reared on his father's farm, attending the
public schools of Cowles and also the Territorial Normal School in Oklahoma
for one year. He started in business life as a clerk in a general store in Cowles,
w'here he was employed for three years, and on the ist of September, 1894, came
to Dickens, where he clerked in the store of his uncle, John Lawler, for two
years. On the expiration of that period he began learning the carpenter's trade,
which he followed for seven years and then accepted the position of manager
for the Reliance Elevator Company at Dickens, and is now in control of an
important and growing, grain trade at this point.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Lawler was married December 16,
1896, to Aliss Mertie E. Simington, who was born at Corfu, New York, a
daughter of William and Emma (Van Buren) Simington. Mr. and AJ^rs. Law-
ler became the parents of four children : Louise, Gladys, Celia and Mildred.
The parents hold membership in the Congregational church, are loyal to its
teachings and take an active interest in the extension of its influence. Mr. Law-
ler votes with the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have
little attraction for him, as his time has always been fully occupied with his
business cares, and through his industry and perseverance is steadily working
his way upward.
It will be interesting in this connection to record something of the history
of Mr.- Lawler's uncle, John Lawler, who was one of the old settlers of Dickens
and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. At an early date he secured
a homestead claim in Sioux township, Clay county, where he resided many
years, during which period he converted the tract of wild land into productive
fields, developing an excellent farm. In 1882 he went to Canada after the death
of his sister, Mrs. Cairns, and returned to this countv with his mother and his
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 277
nephew, James J. Cairns. After working in Spencer at the butcher business
some time he came to Dickens and was employed by Smith, Green & Company,
who built the first store in this place. After working two years in that estab-
lishment he bought out his employers and then conducted a general mercantile
establishment for about five years prior to his death, when he sold out to his
nephew, James J. Cairns. He passed away in the spring of 1907, at the age of
sixty-five years. He enjoyed an unassailable reputation for honesty and integ-
rity of character, was kindly in spirit, generous in disposition and faithful to
every trust. All who knew him loved him, and his death was the source of
deep and widespread regret throughout the community.
GEORGE E. McHUGH.
Many tiicories have been advanced concerning success and the best way to
win it. Centuries ago a Greek philosopher said, "Earn thy reward : the gods give
naught to sloth." In that is found the only real source of success. The man
who would achieve must work persistently and earnestly and give careful heed
to every advantage that comes to him. Such is the life record of George E.
McHugh, who is located on section 30, Meadow township, his time and attention
being, given to the cultivation of cereals and raising stock. His home farm com-
prises two hundred and forty acres and he also owns two other tracts of one
hundred and sixty acres each, both well improved. His life record began in Jef-
ferson county, Ohio, on the 2d of November, 1858. His father, James McHugh,
was a native of West Virginia, where he spent his boyhood and youth. He
afterward went to Jefiferson county, Ohio, and was there married, the lady of his
choice being Miss Sarah Fowler, a native of the Buckeye state. Subsequently
Mr. McHugh removed from Ohio to Illinois and settled in McLean county near
the city of Bloomington. He owned and cultivated a farm near Heyworth, mak-
ing a specialty of the production of fruit. His fields, too, were well tilled and in
fact everything about his place was kept in excellent condition and indicated his
practical, progressive methods. There he died in the year 1886. His wife sur-
vives him and resides on the old homestead.
George E. McHugh is one of a family of three sons and a daughter, all of
whom are yet living. The days of his boyhood and youth were largely passed in
McLean county, Illinois, and no event of special importance occurred to vary
the routine of farm life for him during that period. As his years and strength
increased he assisted more and more largely in the work of the fields, aiding
his father until he had attained man's estate. His thorough training in the farm
work well qualified him to engage in farming on his own account after his mar-
riage. It was on Christmas day of i88q that he was joined in wedlock to Miss
Georgie C. Brown, who was born in New York city but reared in McLean
county, Illinois. For a year after their marriage thev resided upon the old home
farm in Illinois, but in September. iSgo. came to Iowa. Here Mr. McHugh
purchased eig^hty acres of l^nd in Meadow township. It was raw prairie, upon
which not a furrow had been turned, a rod of fence built or other improvement
278 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
made. Mr. IMcHugh, however, at once began to break the sod, fenced the place
and carried on the work of general agriculture until the original tract was trans-
formed into a productive one. He also bought an adjoining eighty acres and
when his financial resources permitted he replaced his original dwelling with a
more commodious and attractive home. Barns and outbuildings were also added
and for eleven years he farmed there. He later bought eighty acres on section
30, Meadow township, and bent every energy toward developing and improving
that tract. He remodeled the house, put up buildings in which to protect his
grain, farm machinery and stock from the weather, fenced and tiled the place and
later, after purchasing an adjoining tract of one hundred and sixty acres, also
tiled that and thus added much to its productiveness, for originally it was too wet
to be cultivated profitably. Now the fields respond readily to the care and labor
he bestows upon them and he annually gathers good crops. He also raises and
feeds stock and his annual sales add materially to his income.
Mr. and Mrs. McHugh have three sons and two daughters living : Porter.
Tressie, Leonard, Howard and Edith. They lost their first born, \'ere. who died
when eleven months old, while another child, Doris, died when about eight
months old. Mr. and Mrs. McHugh were reared in the Presbvterian faith and
were members of that church when in' Illinois. Politically he is independent but
is a temperance man and a prohibitionist in principle. As there is no hope of the
prohibition candidates being elected and as there is often no prohibition candi-
date in the local field, he casts his ballot for the men whom, he regards as best
qualified for office. He has been a resident of the county for eighteen years, is
regarded as a substantial and progressive business man and in all of his under-
takings displays dauntless energy that has enabled him to overcome many diffi-
culties and obstacles that have arisen. During his residence here he has helped
to improve and make three farms and is justly accounted one of the progressive
agriculturists of Meadow township. No measure for the general good seeks his
aid in vain. His labors have been a cooperant factor in many movements which
have been of value to the community, bringing Clay county from its position as a
frontier district into a leading place among the counties of this great common-
wealth.
JOHN SUMNER GREEN, M. D.
John Sumner Green, now living in Spencer, is one of the pioneer physicians
of Iowa who for more than a half century has engaged in the practice of medicine
in this state, devoting the years of an active and honorable manhood to service
for his fellowmen. In all of his professional duties he has been conscientious,
utilizing every possible means to accomplish the important tasks entrusted to him.
For many years he has figured as the family physician in numerous households,
and although he is not as active in the profession as formerly, he has not alto-
gether retired for he frequently responds to the call of some one who is loath to
give up his services. Dr. Green was born in Saratoga county. New York, October
30, 1828, his father being Simon Green, also a native of New York. He became
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 279
a tanner, and operated a tannery at Luzerne Falls, Warren county, Xew York.
He and his wife were w'ell advanced in years when they died. Dr. Green when a
boy accompanied his parents upon their removal to Warren county, Xew York,
where he grew to manhood and was educated, supplementing the common school
course by study in seminaries. He afterward took up the study of medicine, for
he had determined to make its practice his life work, and in preparation for the
profession attended a medical college in Castleton, \ermont, from which he was
graduated. Soon afterward he located for practice in Warren county and became
associated with Dr. McNut, under whose direction he also further continued his
studies and reading. Throughout his professional career he was imbued with the
laudable ambition for advancement, knowing how important is the duty that
devolves upon the physician. Because of this he pursued a post-graduate course
in Bellevue Hospital in 1863-64. In the meantime — in 1855 — he had removed
westward to Iowa, settling in Hardin, where he resumed practice and continued
an active member of the profession until 1902. He was accorded a liberal patron-
age and throughout the years he kept in touch with the advanced ideas of the pro-
fession through his wide reading. Experience also brought to him broad and
accurate knowledge, and anything which tended to prove a key to the complex
mystery which we call life was of interest to him.
On the 30th of May, 1852, in Warren county, Xew York, Dr. Green was
united in marriage to ]\Irs. ]\Iary A. Kathan, a widow, and the daughter of Rev.
John H. Cameron, also a native of the Empire state. Rev. Cameron was of
Scotch descent, devoting his life to preaching the gospel as a minister of the
Presbyterian church. He was twice married and by the first union had five
children, while by the second marriage there were born eight children. Mrs. Green
was born and reared in Warren county and there in early womanhood gave her
hand in marriage to Alva Kathan. an architect, who followed his profession in that
locality until his death. By that marriage there was one daughter, Mrs. Mar-
garet K. Stiles, now living in Saratoga, New York. Dr. and Mrs. Green became
the parents of four children: Mrs. Dr. Coldren, of Milford. Iowa; Dr. H. O.
Green, a prominent practitioner of Spencer who is mentioned elsewhere in this
volume ; Dr. J. E. Green, deceased ; and Carrie, who died in infancy. The son
who had passed away died in Spencer in 1899. He was a prominent member of
the medical profession in the county for a number of years. He married and
located in Milford, where he practiced for a number of years, and during his
residence there he lost his wife. Subsequently he moved to Spencer, where he
was in active practice until his death. He left one daughter, Ethel Mary, who
is now a young lady and since her mother's death has made her home with her
grandparents. She has been liberally educated and was graduated from the
Woman's College, Baltimore, Maryland, with the class of 1908. She had pre-
viously had the benefit of a high school course and a course in a convent.
Since coming to Spencer Dr. John S. Green has given up active practice
save that he sometimes assists his son, Dr. H. O. Green. He possesses a large
and valuable medical library and his reading has always kept him abreast with
the progress of the profession. For some years he was a member of the exam-
ining board of the X^orthw^estern Medical Association. In 1881 he returned to
New York city with his son, J. E. Green, and the latter there pursued a post-
CLAY 1 0.
280 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
graduate course in the same school in which his father had taken a post-graduate
course in 1863-64. Dr. Green is well known to many of the older physicians of
the state and at all times has enjoyed the highest regard of his brethren in the
medical fraternity because of his close conformity to high standards of profeg •
sional ethics. Moreover he ever displayed the qualities of honorable and upright
manhood and now in the evening of his life his is a useful old age, giving of its
rich store of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. His name is hon-
ored wherever he is known and most of all where he is best known.
CHARLES WESLEY BELKNAP.
As each year is added to the cycle of the centuries the ranks of the pioneers
are fast becoming thin and Clay county numbers less of those sturdy and substan-
tial citizens who were the vanguard in making their way into the rich and fertile
region of rolling prairie land comprised within the borders of what is now Clay
county. It is meet, therefore, that the history of the early settlers should be writ-
ten down ere they go to their long sleep so that the authentic record shall not
perish. While they came to the west to secure homes and, if possible, win a sub-
stantial little fortune, they built better than they knew for they established here a
commonwealth and a civilization which shall endure for all time.
One of the oldest residents of Clay county is Charles Wesley Belknap, who,
since 1869, has made his home in Iowa. He was born December 3, 1837, in
Renssalaer county, New York, a son of Martin Seymour and Betsey Ann (Bris-
tol) Belknap, who were also natives of Renssalaer county, the former born Feb-
ruary 18, 1807, and the latjer November 16. 1814. About 1840 the family
removed to Lewis county, New York, locating near Port Leyden, where they
lived until 1855, when they left the Empire state, having decided to venture into
that section of the country then known as the "far west." They had heard many
glowing descriptions of the section in the region of the "father of waters," of
beautiful rolling prairies covered with rich grasses and beautiful flowers, while
rivers meandered across the wide plains or were bordered by groves of timber.
The story came, too, that the streams abounded in fish and the forests in game,
including deer, elk, wild turkeys, quails and prairie chickens. It is no wonder
that the people of the east were tempted by the charm of the west and in response
to this call the Belknap family set out for the new country.
They located first near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1855, and there remained
for about thirteen years, or until 1868, when they removed to Tama county,
Iowa, where they made their home until about 1872. Later they became resi-
dents of Nobles county, Minnesota, but after a short time returned to Tama
county, where the father owned a farm. A year later he removed to Hardin
county, where he remained for about two years and then again went to Nobles
county, ^Minnesota. The father died February 11, 1893, at the age of eighty-five
years, ten months and twenty-three days, while the mother passed away April 14,
1899, at the age of eighty-four years, five months and two days. They died near
Bigelow, Minnesota.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 281
Charles Wesley Belknap, spending his boyhood days in his parents' home,
was a youth of seventeen at the time of the removal westward to Wisconsin and
he remained at home until twenty-three years of age, assisting in the work of the
farm. He had previously acquired a considerable knowledge of carpentering
and for a time was engaged in that line of work, but after the Civil war broke
out he put aside all business and personal considerations and responded to the
country's call for aid, enlisting on the 15th of August, 1862, as a member of
Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Regiment of Volunteers
under Colonel Willard, who was afterward killed at Gettysburg. The regiment
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and on the ist of September left for
the front. The first engagement in which he participated was at Harper's Ferry
and from that time until the close of the war Mr. Belknap was in active service,
marching and fighting amid the greatest dangers and enduring, all of the hard-
ships and privations incident to a soldier's life. He participated in the battles of
Gettysburg, Auburn, Morton's Ford, Bristow Station, Mine Run, in front of
Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Ream's Station, South Side Railroad, and all of the
engagements leading up to the battle of the Wilderness. In the battle of Peters-
burg which occurred in the last of March, 1864, he was made color sergeant of
the regiment. At the first charge on the South Side Railroad he was wounded
but gave up the color standard just before he fell. After being thus injured he
walked eleven miles before his wounds were cared for. He went back to the
regiment and soon afterward he marched to Washington and in the capital city
participated in the grand review. From there he returned to New York and was
mustered out on the 5th of June, 1865, after which he at once went to his home.
On the 22d of October, 1865, soon after his return from the army, Charles
W. Belknap was married to Miss Ellen R. Warner, a daughter of S. S. and
Bethiah (Schoonover) Warner, both of whom were natives of Tioga county,
New York. In 1868 her family came to Iowa, settling in Tama county. A
brother of ]\Irs. Belknap, Orange Pemberton Warner, had previously removed
westward and was employed for some years as a mail clerk on the Chicago &
Northwestern railway. He, too, served as a soldier of the Civil war. Eventually
he settled in Cherry county, Nebraska, where he successfully engaged in the prac-
tice of law and was also prominent in county afifairs. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bel-
knap were born eight children, of whom four are now living. Ernest E., born
in Wisconsin, September 20, 1866, married Martha A. Norris on the 9th of June,
1889. and now resides in Herdland township. His wife died July 5, 1895, and on
the I St of July, 1908, he wedded Lovisa May Norris. Addie E., the second of
the family, born September 25, 1870, is now the wife of C. S. Davis, who resides
near Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Ada A,, born June 29, 1879, "and Charles Rockwell,
born June 13, 1884, are both at home. Mr. Belknap owns one hundred and sixty
acres of well improved land and also holds other interests and has other invest-
ments outside of the county. He had long been interested in religious matters
and soon after his return from the war he entered the ministry of the United
Brethren church. Mrs. Belknap's people were charter members of the Congre-
gational church at Sioux Rapids, assisted in building the house of worship and
were prominent in the church history of that place, the father having been a
lifelong, deacon. Mr. Belknap of this review has been a factor in the moral
282 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
progress of the community, both through his active labors and his influence, and
his religious teachings have sunk deep into the hearts of many and in time have
ijrought forth rich fruit. In community afifairs he has also been otherwise active,
holding many different offices in his township, including that of town clerk, justice
of the peace and school director. In politics he has ever been a stalwart repub-
lican and at one time was delegate to the county convention. He belongs to the
Grand Army of the Republic and to the Good Templars Lodge, the latter indicat-
ing his position on the temperance question. For many years he has been corre-
spondent for the press at Spencer, Sioux Rapids and Marathon. Mrs. Belknap
deserves more than passing notice in this connection from the fact that she suc-
cessfully engaged in teaching several terms of school after their arrival in Clay
county. She had also taught in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and proved a most
capable educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that she
had acquired. She has also been of great help to her husband in the work of the
ministry. She possesses keen intellectuality with a strong interest in the questions
of the day which are of vital moment, and for many years she was a valued
correspondent for the Sioux Rapids and Marathon papers.
During his long, busy and useful career Mr. Belknap has faithfully per-
formed his duties of citizenship and met all of his obligations to mankind. He
has been an eye witness to the many changes which have taken place through the
growth and development of the county as it has been transformed from a wild
unsettled region into a district of fertile fields and happy homes. He is esteemed
and honored by all men.. His name is not only inscribed upon the list of those
who went valiantly forth at the time of the nation's peril and faced the dangers
of warfare but, as a worthy and upright citizen and Christian gentleman, he will
be remembered throughout the coming years.
WILBURX R. RICE.
There is an old Greek saying, "Earn thy reward ; the gods give naught to
sloth." The truth of this has been manifest in all of the ages since the words were
first uttered. It has been a realiziition of this truth that has prompted ^Ir. Rice
to put forth earnest and indefatigable effort in his business affairs. He is well
known as a farmer, butcher and stockman and also as an auctioneer, and these
various lines of business have contributed to his substantial success. Moreover,
he is now filling the position of sheriff and is proving as faithful in official service
as he has been in business connections.
Mr. Rice is a native of Hardin county, lojva, born June 3, 1858. His parents
were James and Mary (Williams) Rice, both natives of Indiana. The former
was a son of Nicholas Rice, who married Delilah Samuels, and after living for
some years in Indiana he came to Iowa, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers
of Hardin county. There he owned and operated a sawmill until his life's labors
were ended in middle age. His wife, however, reached advanced years ere called
to her final rest and reared a large family. The maternal grandfather of Wilburn
R. Rice was John W'illiams, a native of North Carolina, who was well fitted to
cope with the hardships and difficulties of the frontier, for he became an early
W. R. RICE
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TluDtNfOUNOATjONb,
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 285
settler of Indiana and removing westward with the advancing civiHzation, was
also one of the pioneer settlers of Iowa in the vicinity of Oskaloosa. Afterward
he took up his abode in Hardin county, where he made a permanent location and
lived to a ripe old age.
James Rice, although born in Indiana, was reared 'in Iowa, coming to this
state in 1846 in his boyhood days with his parents, who settled in Hardin county.
Here amid the conditions and environments that always confront the pioneer
settler he spent his youth and was trained to habits of industry, economy and
perseverance by his father, whom he assisted in operating a sawmill and
eventually engaged in the manufacture of lumber on his own account. In early
days here he was a great hunter, becoming noted for his skill with the rifle. He
caught elk calves, which he shipped to Europe and to Xew York, for elk were
numerous at that time. There was also much smaller game to be had and 'Sir.
Rice was able to keep the table well supplied with meat. In his later years he
followed farming and the rich soil of Iowa responded generously to his efiforts in
this direction. In 1868 he removed to Cherokee county, where he secured a home-
stead claim and with characteristic energy .broke the sod and planted the crops.
In due time rich harvests were gathered and he is still cultivating that farm with
good success. In the community he was prominent in local affairs and held a
number of township offices. His religious faith is that of the Universalist church,
while his wife, a lady of earnest Christian spirit, belongs to the Methodist church.
They became the parents of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters :
Wilburn R., of this review; William; Henry; Grant; Rhoda. the wife of Frank
Finch, a resident of Three Rivers, California; Knelon ; Edwin; Frank; Charles;
Elva, who has departed this life ; and Opal.
Throughout the entire period of his life Wilburn R. Rice has lived in Iowa
save for a brief period which he spent in the neighboring state of Nebraska. He
lived in Hardin county to the age of ten years and then accompanied his parents
on their removal to Cherokee county, where he was reared on the home farm,
doing his share of the work in plowing, planting and harvesting. In the winter
months he pursued his education in the district schools and afterward had the
benefit of one term's instruction in the academy at Given, Nebraska. He then
rented land and farmed in Nebraska until the fall of 1881, when he returned to
Cherokee county, Iowa, where he carried on general farming until 1888. That
year witnessed his arrival in Clay county and he purchased eighty acres of land
on section 16, Freeman township, where he lived for nearly three years. On
selling his property he removed to Dickens, where he conducted a butchering
business for nearly seventeen years and at the same time dealt in live stock, but
in 1907 he disposed of his interests in those connections. He owns some town
property in International Falls, Minnesota, and one hundred and twenty acres of
timber land in the same state. He has also done auctioneering, crying a number
of sales, and becoming popular in that field of labor. In November, 1908, how-
ever, he was elected sherifif of Clay county and in the winter moved to Spencer
in order to enter upon the duties of the office there. Although he has been the
incumbent for only a short period, his well known characteristics are proof that
he will be a faithful and fearless official.
286 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
On the 5th of December, 1880, Mr. Rice wedded Miss Amanda Kinsf, who
was born in Hancock county, Indiana. Her father, Isaac King, was a native of
Kentucky and having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Miss Charlotte
Moore, who was born in Indiana. They became the parents of eight children, as
follows: Oscar King; Henry; Amanda, now Mrs. Rice; Ella, the wife of W.
Tecumseh Gibbons ; Rollin ; Claude ; and two who died in infancy.
The marriage of Mr. and ]\Irs. Rice has been blessed with two children. Lulu
and Goldie. The elder is now the wife x>f J. J. Cairns, and they have one son,
Gerald. Mr. and Mrs. Rice belong to the Congregational church, are loyal to its
teachings and generous in its support. Mr. Rice holds membership in Dickens
Lodge, No. 583, I. O. O. F., and also with the Fraternal Pjankers Reserve of
Cedar Rapids. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican
partv and he is an active w^orker in its ranks in Clay county. He has served as
road supervisor, as constable and township assessor, and further well merited
honors came to him in his election to his present office. He is the owner of three
hundred and twenty acres of land in Burleigh county. North Dakota, and alto-
gether his has been a successful and progressive career marked by the faithful
performance of his daily duties.
WILLIAM B. BAILEY.
William B. Bailey, an agriculturist of note of Clay township, this county,
came here in the early '60s and settled on a raw prairie land. Since that time,
through hard work, he has transformed the crude and primitive ground into fer-
tile fields, from which he is deriving abundant and lucrative harvests, and now in
his seventy-eighth year he may rest from active labor and enjoy the fruits of his
many years of toil. His birth occurred in Berlin, Washington county, \'ermont,
on January 22, 183 1, a son of Ebenezer and Sallie (Benjamin) Bailey. His father
was also a native of that place, w^here he was born May 10, 1796, and where he
spent his life in general farming, passing away in the year 1867. In politics he
was a democrat and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was
well known throughout the community as a substantial citizen and did much dur-
ing his life toward improving the place in which he resided. His mother, also a
native of the state of Vermont, spent her entire life there and was laid to rest
with her husband. They reared a family of ten children, namely : Abigail, Ozas,
Alsina, Frederick and Emory, all deceased ; William B., whose name introduces
this sketch ; Eliza and Sommers, deceased ; Eben, an agriculturist of this town-
ship ; and Joshua, a retired farmer residing in Williamstown, Vermont.
The early days of William B. Bailey were spent on his father's farm where
he passed through the usual experiences common to the country lad, engaging in
agricultural duties during the summer months and in the winter attending the
district school. Having completed his studies in the common schools he remained
at home for awhile, and was then given the advantages of two terms of study in
the high school. At the age of twenty years he applied himself to farm work,
which he followed for a few years, wdien, upon becoming confident of his own
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 287
ability to conduct an agricultural business independently, he repaired to Iowa, in
company with a brother and a nephew. He settled on section 14, the land at that
time being in a crude state, obviously requiring hard work and constant applica-
tion before it was put in a condition for the production of crops. But Mr. Bailey
was equal to the task, and being then a young man full of vigor and inspired with
ambition, he was not balked by difficulties nor retarded by discouragements, and
in the course of time had this land in the finest possible shape for raising general
crops. In addition to growing hay and grain crops he also paid some attention
to stock-raising, but in recent years he has given up the active duties of his place,
and, resigning, the management of the farm to his son, he is now living in retire-
ment.
In the year 1852 Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Jane Alexander,
and to them were born the following children : Lizzie, deceased ; Henry, who is
an agriculturist residing near Savannah ; and Emma, deceased. The mother de-
parted this life in the year 1858, and later Mr. Bailey wedded Alma Wells, who
departed this life in 1908, and by whom he had five children, namely : Willy and
Gertie, deceased ; Charles B., a lumber dealer of Dickens, this state ; Edwin H.,
who resides in Spencer, this state ; and Wels, at home. Mr. Bailey has always
given his political support to the democratic party and during his years of activity
served a number of terms as school director. His religious convictions are on the
side of that denomination known as the Disciples of Christ, in which he serves in
the capacity of deacon, and is also a liberal supporter. Mr. Bailey's life has been
such as to give him high standing in the eyes of the community and he is generally
recognized as a man whose long years of earnest labor in this township have not
only contributed to his own prosperity but have also been a boon to the community
at large.
EBEN BAILEY.
Eben Bailey, who for many years has been influentially associated with the
farming and stock-raising, interests of Clay township, this county, and who is a
veteran of the Civil war, was born in Berlin, Vermont, August 23, 1837, a son of
Ebenezer and Sallie (Benjamin) Bailey, both natives of Vermont, where they
spent their entire lives, the mother passing away in 1867. Eben Bailey acquired
his preliminary education at the district schools of his native village and was sub-
sequently given the added advantage of a course of study in a well known academy
at Berry, Vermont. He remained at home with his parents until he was nine-
teen years of age, when he removed to Mount Holly, Vermont, where he was
engaged in business at the breaking out of the Civil war. In 1862 he enlisted in
the Union army, joining Company H, Fourteenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry,
and served until July 13, 1863, during his military career participating in the bat-
tle of Gettysburg. After the war he returned to Mount Holly, Vermont, where
he engaged in business until the year 1869, when he went to Des Moines, Iowa,
remaining there until 1870, when he located in Clay township, taking, up a claim
of eighty acres in section 14, in which section his brother, William B. Bailey, also
288 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
took up a claim. The land being in a primitive state when Mr. Bailey settled
upon it, he was required to make all of the necessary improvements in order to
transform it into a fit state for cultivation. This he succeeded in doing and the
property is provided with a comfortable home, commodious barn, outbuildings and
all conveniences necessary to successfully pursue general farming and stock rais-
ing. From the onset Mr. Bailey met with success in his farming venture, his fields
from year to year proving fruitful, which enabled him to add to his tract from
time to time vmtil now he owns one hundred and sixty acres, constituting one of
the finest farms in the township.
On October 17, 1859. he was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Alary J. Jackson, a
native of Berlin, X'ermont, who became the mother of the following children:
Bertie R., who was born November 17. i860, and departed this life on February
10, three years later; Percy, born April 23, 1866, and passed away February 7,
1873 ; and Mnnie B., whose birth occurred April 3, 1874, and who died when
fourteen years of age. The wife and mother passed away on April i, 1888. On
June 28, 1890, Mr. Bailey wedded Miss Hattie Nichelson, who was born in Craw-
ford county, Pennsylvania. December 15, 1862, and they have had the following
children: Nina E., torn June 26, 1891 ; Marshall H., born February 16, 1893;
Lloyd E., whose birth occurred June 19, 1894; Grace E., who was born November
14, one year later; Ester E., whose birth occurred February 10, 1898; Dwight L,
born November 25, 1899; Morris J., who is in his eighth year; and Mainard W.,
who is three years of age. Mr. Piailey is a member of Royal Lodge, A. F. & A.
M., having affiliated himself with the order at Wallingford, Vermont, in the year
1863, and is also a member of Clay Chapter No. 112. Mr. Bailey is one of the
fmancial supports of the community whose success and prosperity are due to his
own exertion and he entertains the respect of the entire community.
F. G. ALVORD.
For the vast majority the term good citizenship does not mean faithful
performance of official duty, Ixit indicates, rather, industry and reliability in busi-
ness, with a spirit more or less active in the measures which are calculated to
promote general prosperity and to uphold the social and political status of the
community. Mr. Alvord is generously endowed with all the qualities which the
term, good citizenship, indicates, and his life is busily passed in the work of the
farm, his landed interests comprising one hundred and seventy acres on section
8, Riverton township. This is a neat and well-improved farm which, in its
attractive appearance, gives every evidence of a life of industry and thrift on the
part of its owner.
Mr. Alvord has lived in Clay county since 1884. He was born in Cortland
county, New York, July 20, 1834, and was reared to manhood there upon a farm.
His father, Martin Alvord, was born in 1800, on the same farm on which his son
was born, and his father was Charles Alvord, who located on the same farm fol-
lowing his removal from Connecticut. This farm was part and parcel of a tract
of military land belonging to General Alvord, the great-grandfather of our sub-
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
MRS. F. G. ALVORD
F. G. ALVORD
'HE ^^'
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 293
ject. Charles Alvord removed to the Empire state with an ox-cart and sled,
making the journey through the wilderness from Connecticut. There, in the
midst of the forest, he cleared a tract of land and opened up a farm, coping with
the hardships and privations of pioneer life in his efforts to transform the land
into productive property. It was upon this farm that Martin Alvord was reared
to manhood and was early trained to the work of the fields, while lessons of
industry and integrity were impressed upon his mind. When he had reached
adult age he married Louise L. Frisbie, a native of the state of New York. He
became a prominent and influential citizen, reared his family on the old homestead
and, after a life of usefulness and activity, passed to his final rest at the age of
eighty-four years.
The boyhood surroundings of F. G. Alvord were the same in which his
father's youth were passed and he, too, was trained to the work of the farm when
not busy with his text books. He had good school advantages, for he acquired
his literary education in the public schools and later attended Homer Academy,
where he completed his course. The call of the west proved to him irresistible
and leaving the Empire state he made his way to the territory of Nebraska,
where he engaged in prospecting for about two years. On the expiration of that
period he returned to Cortland county. New York, and was married on the 23d
of December, i860, to Miss Elizabeth M. Babcock, who was born, reared and
educated in Cortland county. Following his marriage he began farming there
and was busily occupied with the work of the fields until 1862, when he could no
longer content himself to follow the plow while the stability of the Union was
endangered by the rebellion in the south. Therefore, putting aside all business
and personal considerations, he offered his services to the government and was
enrolled among the boys in blue of Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-seventh
New York Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the
Potomac and he participated in nvimerous skirmishes. He was also on duty at
Manassas Gap. Later he became ill and was sent to the hospital at Washington,
D. C, where he remained four weeks, from where he was transferred to Bedloe's
Island. New York harbor. He afterward had a relapse and for some time was
down with fever. At length he was honorably discharged, on account of disabil-
ity, and as soon as he was able was sent home. It took him from two to three
years to recuperate and at the end of that time he sold his farm and removed to
Homer, New York, where he engaged in buying and dealing in horses, making
shipments to New York city. Later he purchased another farm, which he contin- '
ued to cultivate for several years, after which he sold out and removed to Clay
county, Iowa.
The year 1884 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Alvord in this state and in the
intervening period, covering a quarter of a century, he has made substantial
progress, contributing to the general prosperity. He has advanced his individual
interests through his efforts to cultivate and develop his farm. Taking up his
abode on section 8, Riverton township, he has given his undivided attention to
the improvement of his property. He has built a good, substantial residence,
which stands on a natural building site and commands a fine view of the sur-
rounding country. Barns, sheds and cribs furnish ample shelter to grain and
stock. Many fruit trees -have been planted and an orchard is now in good bear-
294 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
\ng condition. Ornamental trees add to the attractive appearance of the place
and an air of neatness and thrift pervades the entire surroundings. In the pas-
tures and feed-lots are found g.ood grades of cattle, horses and hogs, and his
stock-raising interests are an important source of revenue. He is, moreover, a
stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator, at Spencer, and also in the telephone com-
pany. He has carefully watched his business interests, noting the opportunities
for success, and the years have brought him gratifying prosperity as the reward
of his earnest, persistent labor.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvord have one son, Fred H., who is married and resides in
Homer, New York, where he is occupying the position of cashier of the Homer
National Bank. While a resident of that place Mr. Alvord filled several local
positions of honor and trust. During his residence here he has served for seven-
teen years as township trustee, and no better testimonial of faithfulness and
capability could be given than the fact that he has been so long retained in the
office. Politically, he is a democrat at state and national elections, but at local
elections, where no issue is involved, he casts an independent ballot, considering
only the capability of the candidate. His life has been one of intense and well-
directed activity crowned with success. In 1893 he removed to Spencer, where
he lived retired, but indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature and
he returned to the farm. While his success enables him to leave the active life of
the fields to others, he gives careful supervision to the place. He now rents the
land but carefully watches over the interests of his farm and in all things displays
good business management as well as strict integrity and general personal worth.
While in Homer, New York, he became a member of the Masonic fraternity,
filling all of the chairs and becoming past master. He and his wife are likewise
members of the Eastern Star. For almost a quarter of a century they have lived
in the county and witnessed the vast transformation as it has taken on all of the
evidences of a progressive civilization. Mr. Alvord is now seventy-five years of
age and his life has been one in which fidelity to principle has combined with
business enterprise in making him a valued and worthy citizen.
W. ERNEST BARNHART.
W. Ernest Barnhart is an attorney at law of Spencer, with a large clientage,
ahd in his chosen profession he has made that steady advance which results only
from merit in handling important litigated interests. He is still a young man,
with opportunity before him to attain still greater success, and his friends do not
hesitate to predict for him continued progress in the field of his chosen profession.
He was born near Pen Mar, July 16, 1877, his parents being David G. and Mar-
garet Virginia (Frye) Barnhart, also natives of the Keystone state. The father
was a son of Henry Barnhart, w^ho with two brothers came from Germany, his
native land, to America. Henry Barnhart settled in Pennsylvania, while one of
his brothers became a resident of Ohio and the other of the 'west. He died in
Pennsylvania in middle life, while his wife passed away in Mount Morris, Illinois,
at an advanced age. They were the patents of three daughters : Susan, the wife
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 295
of Joseph Boward; Barbara, the wife of Joseph Kale; and Peggy. David G. was
their only son. In early life David G. Barnhart learned the wagon maker's trade,
which he has followed many years. For some time he has been a resident of
Cavetown, Maryland, and is well known as a representative of industrial interests
in that city. He wedded Margaret Virginia Frye, who was also born in Penn-
sylvania and was a daughter of David and Susan (Ridenour) Frye. Her father
was a native of Maryland and was a carpenter by trade. He passed away when
about sixty years of age and his wife was sixty-five years of age at the time of
her demise. They had a large family, numbering seven sons and one daughter.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. David G. Barnhart was blessed with eleven children,
seven sons and four daughters, and their record is exceptional in that all are yet
living, namely: Margaret, the wife of George Claybourne, a resident of Hagers-
town, Maryland; Anne, the wife of Charles Reynolds, whose home is in Cam-
bridge, Iowa; Edward, a member of the United States navy on the battleship
Minnesota ; George O., living in Champaign county, Illinois ; W. Ernest, of this
review; Harry C, who is located at Hagerstown, Maryland; Gertrude M., the
wife of Harry Burger, of Baltimore, Maryland ; William R., who is a soldier of
the regular army stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Lester H., of Cave-
town, Maryland; and Ura K. and Benjamin Franklin, who are also residents of
Cavetow'n.
W. Ernest Barnhart resided in Funkstown, Maryland, between the ages of
three and nine years and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Cave-
town, where he spent seven years. On the expiration of that period the family
went to Mount Aetna, Maryland, where W. Ernest Barnhart continued to reside
until twenty-one years of age. In the meantime he acquired his education in the
public schools, passing through consecutive grades and supplementing his gram-
mar school training by the high school course. On the 4th of September, 1898,
he left home and sought the broader business opportunities of the middle west,
first making his way to Ogle county, Illinois, w-here he worked on a farm until the
fall of 1900. Feeling the necessity of further educational training, if he would
attain success in life, he then became a student in the Northern Indiana Law
College, at Valparaiso, Indiana. While on the farm in Ogle county, Illinois, he
had read law two years and continued his law studies in Valparaiso, being grad-
uated from the law department of that school with the class of 1902. However,
he practiced for a year before his graduation, having been admitted to the bar in
1901. There he remained until May, 1903, practicing with T. H. Hurd, at one
time prosecuting attorney there. Later he returned to Ogle county, Illinois.
where he remained until August, 1903, when he came to Spencer and entered
into partnership with O. A. Thomas, a relation that was maintained until August
I, 1905. Since that time Mr. Barnhart has been alone and has secured a good
clientage, connecting him with much important litigation tried in the courts of the
district. He also does a collecting and insurance business.
On the 4th of April, 1906, occurred the marriage of Mr. Barnhart and Miss
Berta M. Roybar, a daughter of Frank and Lucretia (Lee) Roybar. They have
two children, Harold Ernest and Margaret Helen. The parents are well known
in the social circles of the city and their home is most attractive by reason of their
warm-hearted hospitality. Mr. Barnhart holds membership in the Christian
296' HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
church while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. He also belongs
to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Spencer, in which he is serving as chancellor
commander, and is also a member of the Modern XN'oodmen camp. His political
views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and in 1904 he
was elected on its ticket to the office of city attorney. His first term received
public indorsement in his reelection in 1906 and in 1908 he was elected to the
office of county attorney. He is recognized as a strong and able lawyer, with
thorough understanding of legal principles, while his application of the points of
law is always correct and logical.
benja:mix pitcher.
Among the residents of Spencer who at one time were closely associated with
the agricultural interests of the county and are now enjoying the fruits of their
former toil, is numbered Benjamin Pitcher. He is in his seventy-third year, his
birth having occurred in Cambridgeshire, England, August 29, 1836. The family
is an old one in that country and the grandfather. John Pitcher, spent his entire
life there, meeting his death through the kick of a horse. He always followed
farming as a source of livelihood. One of his children was Benjamin Pitcher,
who was reared in his native land and became a butcher, following the trade in
early manhood. Subsequently he turned his attention to farming. He was mar-
ried in England to Miss Ann Hall, a native of that country and a daughter of
Thomas and Ann Hall, who also remained residents of England, passing their
lives on farms in that country. The death of Mr. Hall occurred when he had
reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. Following their marriage Mr.
and ]\Irs. Benjamin began their domestic life in England, remaining residents of
Cambridgeshire until September, 1846, when the father with his family sailed
to the new world and took up his abode in Rensselaer county, New York. There
Mr. Pitcher again engaged in farming until 1863, when he removed westward
to Illinois, locating in Winnebago county, about eight miles from Rockford. His
remaining days were given to general agricultural pursuits in that locality, where
he died in 1881 at the age of seventy-nine years. He had long survived his wife,
who died in England in 1844. They were both members of the established church
of England. Of their family of three sons and two daughters only three are now
living : Frances Ellen, the widow of George Warren, of Seattle, Washington ;
Benjamin, of this review; and William, of Port Townsend, Washington.
Benjamin Pitcher spent the first ten years of his life in the land of his birth
and then came with his father to the United States, living in New York until
1855. In that year he became a resident of Winnebago county, Illinois, where
he lived for several years and later removed to Green county, Wisconsin, in
which locality he followed farming. A few years later he returned to Winnebago
county and on the 7th of August, 1862, offered his services to the government in
defense of the Union army, becoming a member of Company H, Seventy-fourth
Illinois A^olunteer Infantry, with which he did active duty until mustered out on
June 10, 1865. He was wounded in the leg at the battle of Missionary Ridge
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 297
and had a part of his heel shot, away at Kenesaw Mountain, while at Dallas he
was slightly wounded in the hand. He participated in eighteen hard-fought bat-
tles, including the engagements at Perryville, Stone River, Tallahassee, Dalton,
Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Spring Hill,
Franklin and Nashville. He was first a private but was mustered out with the
rank of sergeant. After the war he returned to Winnebago county. Illinois, where
he had engaged in farming and teaming. He dates his residence in Iowa from
the 5th of September, 1872, on which day he arrived in Spencer and soon after-
ward took up a homestead of eighty acres in Dickinson county, while later he
secured eighty acres in Clay county. He still owns the original tract together
with eighty acres in Meadow township. Clay county, where he lived until 1893,
and during that period transformed his land into a rich and productive farm,
supplied with modern equipment and accessories. The place in all of its appoint-
ments is neat and well ordered, and ]\Ir. Pitcher continued his personal supervi-
sion and practical work upon the place until 1893, when he removed to Spencer,
where he has since made his home.
On the 29th of November, 1857, Mr. Pitcher was married to ]^Iiss Mary
W. Barnard, who was born in North Beckett, Massachusetts. Her father. John
Barnard, wedded a Miss McClure, and their family included Mrs. Pitcher, who,
by her marriage, has become the mother of six children. John L., the eldest, a
resident of Milford, Iowa, wedded Elizabeth James and has five children, Anna,
John, Olive, Mary and Walter B. Mary A. is a bookkeeper and stenographer in
Spencer. Homer E. conducts an agricultural implement business in Spencer, and
married Tirza Waldo, who has become the mother of two children. Dolly is the
wife of George Walker, of Spencer, and has three children, Lou. Leslie and
Francell. Agnes is the wife of C. A. Claypole, of Fort Dodge. Iowa, and has
two children, Agnes and Keith. Benjamin completes the family.
Mr. and Mrs. Pitcher attend the Congregational church, of which she is a
member. Mr. Pitcher's membership relations are with Evening Shade Lodge,
No. 312, A. F. & A. M., and Waller Post, G. A. R., of Milford. In politics he
is a republican and has always voted for the men and measures of the party.
There is no more loyal American citizen in Clay county than this adopted son
who, though born across the water, has spent almost his entire life in the L^nited
States and has deep attachment for the institutions of this free land. He cer-
tainly proved his loyalty by his service in the Civil, war and in days of peace he
has been as faithful to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes on
the battlefields of the south.
WILLIAM I. ROOD.
William I. Rood, a photographer of Spencer, whose artistic skill is evidenced
in the excellent work which he turns out, is now accorded a liberal patronage
by reason of the ability which he manifests. New York numbers him among
her native sons, his birth having occurred in Cayuga county, August 8, 1842.
He is a son of Jacob Rood and a grandson of Augustus Rood, both natives of the
298 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Empire state. The latter learned and followed the shoemaker's trade in early
life but afterward gave his energies and attention to farming. He was for a
short time a soldier of the war of 1812. Both he and his wife died when well
advanced in years, after rearing a family of five children : John, Augustus,
Jacob, Eliza and Eorena.
Jacob Rood, reared in his father's home, began learning the harness-maker's
trade when thirteen years of age and was thus connected with industrial interests
for some time. After arriving to years of maturity he wedded Caroline Smith,
w^ho was also born in the Empire state, and they made their home in Cayuga
county, Xew York, until 1844, when they came westward to the Mississippi
valley. Mr. Rood established his home near Green Lake, Wisconsin, and became
prominently identified with agricultural interests in that locality. He afterward
owned five different farms in Columbia county, near Portage City, Wisconsin,
and improved them. He was in business association with his two brothers and
father while at Green Lake. In 1856 he again started in the harness business,
opening a shop at Marcellon, where he remained for a year. In 1858, however,
he took up his abode on a farm in Monroe county, Wisconsin, where ho lived
for about fourteen years, or until 1872, when he came to Clay county, Iowa,
where he practiced veterinary surgery. He lacked but twenty days of being
eight}- years of age when he passed away toward the opening of the Twentieth
century. His wife survived him and died at the age of eighty-three years, six
months and eighteen days. ]\Ir. Rood always gave his political allegiance to
the republican party from Lincoln's time until his death and while living in
Wisconsin held the office of clerk of the court, while in Clay county he served
as county coroner. W'herever he was known he was highly esteemed, for he
was loyal and progressive in all matters of citizenship, and in business affairs
showed determination, purpose, careful management and keen sagacity.
William I. Rood was the oldest in a family of three sons and four daughters
and is the only one now living. He was less than two years of age at the time
of his parents' removal to W'isconsin and there he was largely reared to farm
life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of
the agriculturist. He was nineteen years of age when in August, 1862, he
offered his services to the government and with patriotic ardor went to the
front as a member of Company D, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
He served as a private until the close of the war and participated in a number
of smaller engagements although he was not in any heavy battle. However, he
went with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea and met with most of the
experiences and hardships of a rigorous warfare.
\Mien hostilities were over and peace again reigned in the land William I.
Rood returned to the farm in Wisconsin but, as his health was impaired, he
could not stand the hard manual labor and took up photography, to which he
has since given his attention, following the profession for about forty years.
In 1 87 1 he came to Spencer and for thirty-seven years has conducted his gallery
at this place. In all this time he has kept informed concerning the progress made
in the process of photography, has been quick to adopt any new and practical
improvement and with ready appreciation of the value of light, shade and pose,
he has done good work and has enjoyed a liberal patronage.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 299
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Rood laid the foundation for his
domestic happiness in his marriage on the 21st of October, 1872, to Miss Belle
Brown, of A'ermont. There were seven children born unto them but only two
are now living: Edna and Abbie. The former is the wife of W. F. Conley, of
Easton, Minnesota, and has two children, Kenneth and Beatrice. Abbie is
conducting a kindergarten in Chicago. Mr. Rood is a member of the Christian
Science church, of Boston. Mrs. Rood was a member of the Congregational
church from the age of twelve years until recently, when she, too , became
identified with the Christian Science movement. Politically Mr. Rood is a
republican and served as town clerk in Wisconsin for one term, but has never
been eager for office, preferring to do his public service in other ways. He is
interested in the welfare of Spencer and as the years have gone by he has won
for himself a creditable position as a valued citizen and business man.
GEORGE F. SOEHREN.
George F. Soehren, now living in Everly, was formerly closely associated
with the agricultural interests of Lone Tree township. He possessed a spirit of
perseverance that enabled him to carry forward to successful completion what-
ever he undertook and thus he developed a good farm of one hundred and forty
acres, from which he annually derived a substantial income as the result of his
industry and diligence. A native of Iowa, he was born in Benton county, on the
i8th of January, 1871. His father, George D. Soehren, w^as born in Germany,
where he remained to the age of seventeen years, when he came to the new world,
first locating in Indiana. There he worked for a year or more, after which he
made his way to Davenport, Iowa, and soon took up farm work in Scott county.
It was in that county that he wedded Miss Lena Miller, also a native of Germany,
in which country her girlhood days were passed. They lived for some time in
Benton county and in 1884 came to Clay county, Mr. Soehren purchasing three
hundred and sixty acres of land in Lone Tree township. At that time it was
entirely destitute of improvements and not a furrow had been turned upon the
place, but he broke the sod, fenced the fields and converted the land into an arable
and productive tract. He continued to engage actively in farming until 1898,
when he lost his wife, since which time he has resided in Everly with his son,
George. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George D. Soehren were born four sons and four
daughters : John, a carpenter, who resides at Dayton, Montana ; Emma, the wife
of Henry Xagle, of Guthrie Center, Iowa ; Minnie, the wife of George Lambin,
of Waubay, South Dakota ; George F. ; Anna, the wife of Egbert Emmertsen, of
St. Paul. ^Minnesota ; Daniel D.. a farmer of Lone Tree township, who owns the
old homestead ; Louisa, the wife of A. T. Rohlf, of Bowman, North Dakota ; and
F. C, who is engaged in farming with his brother Daniel on the old homestead.
When a lad of fourteen years George F. Soehren came to Clay county and
was here reared to manhood, w'hile the common schools afiforded him his educa-
tional privileges. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he assisted in
the work of the fields and, after attaining his majority, carried on the home farm
300 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
for a time. In 1903 he went to South Dakota and purchased land at White Rock,
Roberts county, becoming owner of three hundred and five acres. There he
opened up a new farm, which he cultivated for three years, after which he sold
out and returned to Clay county, here purchasing one hundred and forty acres
from his father. Carefully, systematically and energetically he continued the
work of the farm until the fall of 1908, when he sold the place and bought a neat
home in Everly, where he now resides. He has here eight acres of land and his
place is one of the attractive homes of the town, because of its neat and well kept
appearance. While on the farm he conducted a dairy business in connection
with the tilling of the soil. For some thirty years he has been engaged in raising
fine poultry, making a specialty of Barred Plymouth Rocks. He has always had
a large flock, has bred the finest chickens and has sold perhaps more poultry than
any other man in this part of the county. He is now also engaged in raising
squabs, starting with one hundred and four pairs of mated pigeons. His place is
well equipped for the conduct of the business and he now devotes his time to this
task, being the only man in Clay county engaged in raising squabs. For the birds
he finds a ready market and receives good prices for all he sells.
On the 19th of December, 1907. Mr. Soehren was married to Miss Dorothy
Schoenewe, a native of Germany, who was here reared and educated. Both are
members of the German Lutheran church, in which faith they were reared. Mr.
Soehren gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a firm believer
in its principles, but has never sought nor desired public office. His life has been
a very busy, active and useful one. He has helped to improve and make two
farms and has been closely associated with the progress and upbuilding of Lone
Tree township. He is now conducting a successful and growing business in
Everly and is one of the representative residents of the town.
WILLIAM F. TORBERT.
William F. Torbert, living on section 24, Riverton township, is one of the
few remaining, residents who 'secured homestead claims in this townsliip in the
early period of the county's development. He owns one hundred and seventy-
four acres in the place on which he now resides — a well improved and valuable
farm — pleasantly situated about two miles from Spencer. In the spring of 1871
he arrived in Clay county but has always been a resident of the middle west and
is imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant
factor in the upbuilding of the Mississippi valley. His birth occurred in Dodge
county, Wisconsin, February 21, 1847. His father, S. S. Torbert, was a native
of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he w'as reared and married, the lady
of his choice being Miss Nancy Long, also a native of Lycoming county. They
began their domestic life in that commonwealth and lived there until after the
birth of two of their children, when they removed westward and established a
home in Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1846. There Mr. Torbert opened up a
new farm, clearing the land of the timber, turning the first furrows and making
his place an arable tract, on which he reared his familv. Later, however, he
>
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c
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THE NEV/ VC K
PUBLIC L1BRAR\
ASTOR. LFNOX
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 303
came to Clay county, Iowa, and spent his last years. He had lost his wife in
Wisconsin in 1873, while his death occurred in Clay county, November 15, 1897.
Their family numbered two sons and three daughters : Samuel, who became a
Union soldier in the Civil war and died in the service; Susan, who was married
and died in Chicago ; W. F., of this review ; Maggie, the wife of W. H. Cook,
living in Dodge county, Wisconsin ; and Clementine, who was married and died
in California.
William F. Torbert was reared on the old home farm in Dodge county,
Wisconsin, and as a public-school student gained a knowledge of the elementary
branches of English learning. Observation, study and reading have since greatly
broadened his knowledge and in the school of experience he has also learned
valuable lessons. He remained with his father until he attained his majority and
then became a teacher, following the profession through a number of winter
terms, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm work. In 1871 he came
to Clay county and secured a homestead on section 18, Riverton township,
obtaining eighty acres, on which he turned the first furrows. He also built a
sod house immediately after his arrival and occupied it until he could erect a
good frame dwelling, for which he hauled the lumber from Algona. He used
oxen in turning the first furrows and in cultivating, his farm for a time. He
fenced his land and for four years kept bachelor's hall while putting the first
improvements on his place. He continued to engage in teaching through nineteen
winter seasons and in the summer months continued to till the soil, purchasing
more land as his financial resources increased, until the old home place now
comprises two hundred and eighty acres. For thirty-two years he there engaged
in farming and then purchased his present home. In connection with his agri-
cultural interests he has been carrying on a dairy business for the past fifteen
years. His stock is pure-blooded shorthorn and this branch of his business is
proving quite profitable.
In November, 1875, in Riverton township, Mr. Torbert wedded Miss Maria
McArdle. who was born in Pennsylvania but was largely reared in Iowa and was
one of her husband's pupils before her marriage. Her father was James McArdle,
also one of the early settlers of the county, who secured a homestead here in
pioneer times. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Torbert.
Nellie is now the wife of O. M. Peterson, a farmer of Russell, Minnesota, and
they have two sons, Ervin and Harold. Samuel A., who has been cultivating the
old home farm, is married and has two children, Mildred and Anna May. Maggie
is the wife of T. C. Hanna, a farmer of Riverton township.
Politically. Mr. Torbert has been a life-long republican, supporting each
presidential nominee of the party since casting his first vote for General U. S.
Grant. He has taken an active interest in local elections and has been called to
fill several township offices, serving for some years as township clerk and later
as trustee. He has also been township treasurer and school treasurer for a
number of years and has been identified with the schools almost continuously since
locating here, and is at the present time acting as president of the school board.
He has always been deeply interested in the cause of education, regarding it as
one of the bulwarks of the nation and he has done much to further the school
system in this part of the state. He likewise capably served as assessor for ten
CLAY 17.
304 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
consecutive years and has been a delegate to almost every county and state con-
vention. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and
take an active and helpful part in church and Sunday school work, acting as
Sunday school teacher and as church trustee. Great changes have occurred since
Mr. Torbert came to Clay county thirty-seven years ago. He has seen the towns
built up, railroads established and the whole county transformed from a wilder-
ness and swamp. He has broken several hundred acres of the virgin soil and
has thus borne an active and helpful part in the work of general improvement and
progress. His influence has always been found on the side of material, intellectual
and moral development and his work has been an element in the county's
advancement.
CEORGE W. MOELLER.
There is no movement formulated in W'aterford township for the benefit
of the community along lines of substantial upbuilding that does not receive the
endorsement of George W. Moeller, and his labors have always been a cooperant
factor in the work of general improvement. A quarter of a century has passed
since he. came to Clay county and throughout this period he has given proof of
the fact that the term citizenship is to him no mere idle" word. He is now busily
engaged in the conduct of his farming interests for he has a good property on
section 21. Born in Towa. the place of his nativity was in P.enton county and his
natal day the 6th of July. 1875. -'^^ the name indicates, he comes of German
ancestry. 'His father, Fritz Moeller, was a native of Germany, where he remained
until earl}- manhood, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. After
living for a time in Scott county, Iowa, he removed to Benton county, where he
carried on general farming. He was married in the former county to Miss Dora
Strohbeen, also a native of Germany, and after living for a considerable period
in Benton county they removed to Clay county in 1884, Mr. Moeller becoming
identified with agricultural pursuits here thf-ough his investment in a farm of four
hundred acres. The land was largely in its primitive condition when he came into
its possession, but he bent his energies toward transforming the wild prairie into
cultivated fields and continued actively in business up to the time of his death,
which occurred in 1887. His wife still survives and is now a resident of Everly.
George W. Moeller was only eight years of age at the time of the removal
to the farm in Clay county, so that his youthful days were here passed and to the
public school system he is indebted for the educational advantages he enjoyed in
his youth. Later he attended a business college at Davenport, Iowa, and through
the periods of vacation worked on the home farm so that broad practical experi-
ence qualified him to carry on farming when he started out in life on hi^ own
account. Subsequent to attaining his majority he worked as a farm hand by the
month for a year and was also employed in a creamery one summer. He then
returned to the home place and took charge of the farm and in its control has dis-
played good business ability and unfaltering energy. He now owns two hundred
acres of the old homestead, which is attractively and appropriately called the
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 305
"Cedar Lawn Farm." Since coming into possession he has erected a large barn
and a silo, which was the first in the connty. In connection with farming he
has engaged in raising and feeding stock. A good grade of cattle, horses and
hogs are found in his pastures. He believes in progress in all things and there-
fore uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. His
farming he has carried on along modern scientific lines and his labors are brinp"-
ing excellent results. He has also extended his efforts into other fields of busi-
ness activity, for he is now a member of the board of directors, Clay County
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company.
On Christmas day of 1901 Mr. Moeller was married to Miss Maggie Zentner,
who was born, reared and educated in this state. They now have one son, Leslie.
The parents are prominent socially and the hospitality of the best homes of the
community is freely accorded them. They were reared in the Lutheran faith and
attend that church. Mr. Moeller is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at
Everly, while his political allegiance is given to the democracy. He was elected
secretary of the school board and after serving eight consecutive years was
reelected in 1908, so that he is the present incumbent. In the same year he was
elected assessor. Young, determined and vigorous, a successful farmer and an
enterprising business man. Waterford township numbers him among her valued
residents, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have
known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indication that his life
has at all times been honorable and upright — worthy of the high esteem in which
he is uniformlv held
JOHN J. KRAEMER.
Every man who enters business life does so with the hope of winning success,
but there are many who are not willing to pay the price of it. The price is unfal-
tering industry, intelligently directed, and when the individual is not afraid to put
forth continuous and persistent effort he will eventually attain prosperity. This
is proven in the record of John J. Kraemer, now numbered among the leading
farmers of Lone Tree township. His home is on section 33 and he owns four
hundred and eighty acres in two well improved farms. He dates his residence
in the county from the fall of 1879, coming here when a young man of about
twenty-eight years. He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, October 17, 1851,
and there remained to the age of nineteen years, when he sought the business
opportunities of the new world, arriving, in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1870. As
he had no capital to enable him to start in an independent business venture, he
worked by the month as a farm hand for a few years, until he felt that his capital
and experience justified him in renting land and farming on his own account.
He was thus identified with the agricultural interests of Illinois until 1879, when
he removed to western Iowa, establishing his home in Clay county. During the
year following his arrival he cultivated a rented farm in Riverton township, not
far from the county farm. He then purchased eighty acres of land west of
Spencer, where he carried on farming for six years, when he sold that property
303 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
and again rented land for five years in the vicinity of the county seat. In the
meantime he continued to carefully save his earnings and during that period he
invested in three hundred and twenty acres of land, which is the farm on section
33, Lone Tree township, upon which he now resides. He has since made another
purchase of one hundred and sixty acres, so that his landed holdings now embrace
four hundred and eighty acres. He has remained on his present farm since 1893,
in which year he began to further improve it and the excellence and effectiveness
of his labors are indicated in the splendid appearance of his place. The plowing,
planting and harvesting, are carried on year by year and his industry is rewarded
by large crops. He has set out an orchard and some forest trees and in the midst
of a well kept lawn stands a large house which he erected. He has also built a
good barn and he likewise has good buildings upon his other place. He has tiled
most of his home farm, thus greatly enhancing the productiveness of the fields.
In addition to his farming he raises high-grade stock and both branches of his
business are proving sources of gratifying, remuneration.
Mr. Kracmer has been married twice. W'hen in La Salle county, Illinois, he
wedded Fredericka \'onesse, a native of Germany, who died in Clay county in
1900. There were nine children by that marriage : Rev. Wilhelm Paul Kraemer,
who is now minister of the German and American Methodist Episcopal church ;
Henry, who is cultivating one of his father's farms ; Lena, who is acting as house-
keeper for her brother; Paul, who is with liis brother and sister on the firm;
Arthur, who is now doing for himself; Frank, who has also started in life on his
own account ; Martha, a student in the Everly high school ; and Lydia and Walter,
at home. On the 27th of ]\Iarch, 1901, Mr. Kraemer was again married and the
wedding, which was celebrated in Xew York city, made Miss Mary Pflugfelter
his wife. There are three children by this marriage: John F., Albert and
Florence.
Mr. Kraemer votes with the republican party, but his business cares make
too extensive demand upon his time and energies to allow him to participate to
any extent in political activity. He is justly accounted one of the good business
men of the community and certainly deserves much credit for what he has accom-
plished, as he started out in life with no capital save his natural qualities of indus-
try and determination. The years have marked his successive progress until he
is today one of the substantial citizens of Clay county. Mr. and Mrs. Kraemer
both are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church of Spencer.
JOHN J. BICKNELL.
John J. Bicknell, who is now living in retirement after having spent upwards
of three-quarters of a century in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising in Peter-
son, this county, was born in Hampshire county, ^Massachusetts, January 24. 1825,
a son of James and Lucy A. (Cady) Bicknell, his father also having been a native
of that state, who came west in 184 1. locating, in Ohio, and remained there until
1848. Before the expiration of the year he went to Illinois, where he spent three
years, and then repaired to Waterloo, remaining there until 1856 during which
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 309
year he came to Peterson, or rather where the village of Peterson now stands.
Here he pursued agricultural and general stock-raising until he departed this life.
He was united in marriage in his native state, where his wife also was born. The
latter passed away at her home here, and her remains were interred with those of
her husband. In the family were four children, namely : John J, ; Lucy, wife of
Charles Oldiield, the couple residing in Alichigan : Chester C. deceased; and Mary
Jane, deceased.
The common schools of Massachusetts and Ohio ati'orded John J. Bicknell
his preliminary education and subsequent!}- he pursued a course of study in
Oberlin College, from which he was graduated. He remained with his parents
until twenty-one years of age, when he started out in the world for himself, his
first occupation being that of a timber chopper, which he followed a few years and
then went back to his native state, "and remained there some time. Upon his return
to Ohio he purchased his father's farm upon wliich he lived, actively engaged in
agricultural pursuits for a period of seven years, and then located near Batavia,
Kane county. Illinois, where he spent two years. He then removed to Cedar Falls,
Black Hawk county, this state, and there remained until the year 1856, when he
repaired to this county and took up a claim. He was accompanied by J. A. Kirch-
ner and his neighbor Meed and his son, and they were the first settlers in Clay
county. Returning to Cedar Falls in the fall of the same year he remained there
but a brief period when, in the year 1857, he returned to this county and remained
here until after the Spirit Lake Massacre, when he w'ent l^ack to the former place
and stayed there three years, for the hostility of the Indians at that time was so
bitter that it was unsafe to take up a residence in Clay county. Later, however,
he returned to this county, where for a number of years he pursued general farm-
ing which he abandoned about three years ago and removed to the village of
Peterson, w'here he is now living a retired life. He owns a forty-acre farm upon
which he has made all the necessary improvements and to which, during his days
of activity, he had given every attention and the piece of land, although it is
small, is one of the most arable and desirable in the township. In addition to this
he owns a comfortable residence in the village of Peterson, where he resides, and
also some valuable town property.
In 1850 Mr. Bicknell was united in marriage at Pittsfield, Ohio, to Miss
Caroline Chisley, a native of New York state, by whom he lias had four children,
namely : Otis Chester, an agriculturist of Livingston county, Missouri ; Milo. who
operates a large farm in O'Brien county, this state ; Lucy Jane, wife of Charles
McCormick, a farmer of this township ; and ^linnie C, who became the wife oi
Arthur Hulbert, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising
in Missouri. During his life Mr. Bicknell has taken considerable interest in
politics, always voting the republican ticket and served two terms as county treas-
urer, and for the same length of time as county recorder. He was county judge
four years and, aside from having served the township as justice of the peace,
has officiated in several other local public offices. He has always been deeply
interested in church work and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal denomination,
with which his wife is also affiliated, and for twenty-two years he has been super-
intendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Bicknell is well known throughout the
county in which he is. highly respected and now, in his eighty- fourth year, after
310 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
a long career which in every particular has been well spent, he need have no
regrets in looking backward, and noting that his purposes have always been noble
and that his life is such as to contribute toward the moral and spiritual uplift of
all with whom he has come in contact, he can look forward with the consciousness
that inasmuch as he has been dutiful in the vineyard of his Master, whom he has
for so many vears endeavored to serve acceptably in leading others into a knowl-
edge of the faith, there awaits him a glorious immortality.
FRED STRUCK.
Xo farmer in Clay county has achieved greater success in agricultural
pursuits that has Fred Struck, whose attractive homestead lies on section 13,
Garfield township, and comprises one hundred and sixty acres. Through his
own industry and enterprise he has risen to prominence as a farmer. Nothing
aided him in his struggle except the fact that he was born of worthy parents
and inherited the splendid traits which have characterized the men who have
developed our great western country. His birth occurred in Clinton, Clinton
county, Iowa, on the 19th of September, 1871. his parents being Jacob and Sophia
(Kock) Struck, both of whom were natives of Germany. Both came to America
in childhood days but were unacquainted in their native land. They did not
meet until they became residents of Clinton county, Iowa, and their marriage
was celebrated near Davenport. After residing for a few years in Clinton
county they removed to Marshall countv and a few years later became residents of
Grundy couny, Iowa, preceding their removal to Tama county, whence they came
to Clay county in 1882. Their family numbered six children, the eldest being
Fred Struck, of this review. The others are : Henry, who makes his home in
North Dakota ; Emma, the wife of John Starr, who resides in Douglas township.
Clay county, by whom she has one child. Orland ; Kate, the wife of Steve Crick,
a resident of Clay county ; and George and Rosie, both still under the parental
roof.
Spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, Fred Struck was reared
to the work of the home farm and in the district schools pursued his education,
becoming thus qualified for the practical duties of life. He started out for
himself at the age of twenty years, being possessed of a laudable ambition to
one day become the owner of a farm. He, therefore, carefully saved his earn-
ings and when he was in possession of a small sum of money he arranged for
the purchase of his present place, making a small payment and agreeing to pay
the remainder at stated intervals. The purchase price was two thousand dollars,
or a little more than twelve dollars per acre, and today the farm is valued at
about one hundred dollars per acre, being one of the best in the county. For
several years Mr. Struck had a hard struggle to keep up his payments. Some
years he could not make enough to pay even the taxes, owing to the hard times,
poor crops and low prices for all farm products. Corn in those days sold for
eight cents per bushel and oats brought only eleven cents. It required two big
loads of corn, hauled to market, to buy one pair of boots. The conditions were
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 311
so discouraging to the farmers in the northwest at that time that scores of
settlers abandoned their homesteads and gave up the battle; but Mr. Struck
possessed a determination, that would not permit his surrender, and he hoped
and toiled bravely on and in course of time success rewarded his labors. Tireless
energy will always win prosperity and it was through this means that Mr. Struck
gained his place among the substantial agriculturists of the community.
On the 26th of June, 1901, Mr. Struck was united in marriage to Miss Mary
R. Milligan, a daughter of John and Diana (Scott) Milligan, both of whom
were natives of Canada. In the year 1890 they came to the United States,
settling near Independence, Iowa, and are now residents of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mrs. Struck is the younger of two children, her brother, John Milligan, residing
with his parents in St. Paul. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Struck has been born a
daughter, Ida B. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and are
interested in its work and in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the
community. Their good qualities of heart and mind have gained for them the
friendship of many and the high regard of all who know them, while the business
record of ]\Ir. Struck commends him to the confidence of his fellowmen, for at
all times he is reliable and straightforward.
FRANK L. ZISHKA.
Frank L. Zishka, living on section 9, Summit township, has for twenty-eight
years been well 'known in Clay county. He was but a little lad at the time of his
arrival here and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have
known him from his boyhood days is an indication that his life has been
honorable and upright. His birth occurred in Illinois. October 25, 1873, and
in his early childhood his parents removed to Iowa, settling in Franklin county,
where he remained until 1882. The family home w^as then established in Clay
county and here he continued his education as a public-school pupil. His
training at farm labor was not meager for as soon as old enough to handle the
plow he began work in the fields and continued to assist in the cultivation of the
crops from the time of early spring planting until the harvests were gathered in
the late autumn. His thorough training thus well qualified him to carry on
business on his own account when he was married and started out for himself.
It was in 1899, in Spencer, that Mr. Zishka was joined in wedlock to Miss
Ida Doeling, a native of Germany, in which land her girlhood days were passed,
coming to America in early womanhood. Following his marriage Mr. Zishka
took his bride to the farm upon which they have since resided. He has purchased
one hundred and sixty acres here and in addition to that tract he also cultivates
another quarter section, so that his time is now busily occupied with the care and
improvement of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land.
He gives much of his attention to the cultivation of corn but also raises other
crops, and livestock interests claim a part of his attention. He raises and feeds
hogs and this proves a profitable branch of his business. In all of his work
he is energetic and determined, brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by
312 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
persistent and honorable effort. Year after year he carefully tills his fields
and raises hogs and there are few leisure moments in his life. Mr. Zishka and
his brother, Carl, have owned and operated a steam thresher and corn sheller
for seventeen years. Their first thresher was operated with horse power but for
fourteen years they have used a steam traction engine and have also employed
steam in the operation of the corn sheller for about nine years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Zishka have been born three children. Alma, Erna and
Louis. The parents are both consistent and faithful members of the German
Lutheran church. Mr. Zishka has been identified with the schools in an official
capacity and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. Well
known in Clay and adjacent counties by reason of his business aft'airs. Mr.
Zishka is accounted one of the active workers and progressive farmers of Summit
township and has the unqualified confidence and esteem of the entire community.
MARTIN JOHNSON.
Martin Johnson, now retired after many years of unwearied efforts as an
agriculturist and carriage maker, a man held in high respect for his industry
and excellent qualities of character, was bom in Denmark, February 13, 1844,
a son of Johannes and Carrie Mary (Tidman) Johnson. His father was a car-
penter and cabinet maker, who spent his- entire life in his native land, where he
■passed away in 1908. His mother, also a native of Denmark, there departed
this life when Martin Johnson was but thirteen years of age. In the family
were but two children, namely, Martin and Hans Peter, the latter now residing in
Minnesota. The elder Mr. Johnson was twice united in marriage, the second
time to Dorothy Nelson, by whom he reared four children, only two surviving,
namely, James, who is an agriculturist, operating a large farm near Enwood,
this state, and Christ, who is living on a farm east of Spencer.
In the common schools of his native land Martin Johnson acquired his
early education and when fourteen years of age was apprenticed for a period
of four and a half years to a carriage maker. Having learned that trade, he
followed the occupation as a journeyman until he was twenty-one years of age,
and in the year 1867 came to the United States, locating in Waupun, Wisconsin,
where he became employed in a carriage shop. He remained at Waupun four
years, at the expiration of which time he came to this county. Upon his arrival
here he found it very difficult to get a start, as at that time he had but one
horse. But eventually, having raised a colt, he traded same for a cow and one
year later traded his horses for a yoke of oxen, and with this team he at once
began to break the raw prairie and put it into a fit state for cultivation. He
was handicapped in many ways, as there was a great deal of sickness in the
family as well as other reverses, which made it seem almost impossible to attain
any headway. However, he plodded along with perseverance and patience,
applying his energies to hard work, and finally succeeded in overcoming all
difficulties, mounting above discouragements and transforming the raw prairie
country into an excellent state of cultivation, from which he has since reaped
. HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 313
harvests which have grandly repaid him for the labors of his earlier years.
He owns the eastern half of section i8 and also eighty acres of section 17, all
of which is highly improved property, and his farm is provided with an elegant
residence,, outbuildings, machinery and all conveniences necessary to make
agriculture a paying business. Aside from engaging in general husbandry, he
also pays some attention to stock raising and does quite a shipping business in
the better breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs. While Mr. Johnson takes a deep
interest in every department of his farm, being careful to always keep his build-
ings in excellent condition and his property neatly and substantially fenced, yet
he takes particular pride in his town residence, to which he has given much
thought and attention and which is considered one of the finest and most com-
fortable dwelling houses in Royal.
In 1873 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hendrickson, a resident
of this county, by whom he has had two children, namely, Emma, wife of Peter
Sondergarth. who owns a fine farm on section 17 in Lincoln township, and
William, who is an agriculturist, owning section 18 in that place. In politics
Mr. Johnson is a republican and although he is not an active politician, he keeps
abreast of the times regarding the paramount issues before the country and is
always ready with his vote and influence to do what he can to secure the election
of the candidates of his party. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows in Wisconsin, and belongs to the Lutheran church, where he regu-
larly attends divine services. Mr. Johnson is well known throughout the town-
ship as a good and industrious man, enjoying the confidence and respect of his
neighbors, and for the past two years he has been living in retirement in his
elegant residence in the village of Royal, where he is spending his declining
years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his long season of honest and successful
labor.
JOHN JELDEN.
A valuable farm of four hundred and eighty-four acres is the property of John
Jelden, whose home is on section 9, Lone Tree township. There he raises grain
and stock and is well known as one of the leading stock feeders of this locality.
Germany has furnished a considerable portion of citizens to this part of the county
and the Teutonic element in our civilization has proved an important one. Mr.
Jelden was born in Germany, March 22, 1870, and his early training was that of a
German home, in which lessons of industry, thrift and uprightness were strongly
impressed upon his mind. As a young man of seventeen years he bade adieu to
friends and native land and crossed the Atlantic, after which he traveled west-
ward from New York to Iowa, joining friends in Grundy county. For a year he
was employed as a farm hand by the month. His financial resources were limited
and rendered immediate employment a necessity. After working in that manner
for a year in Grundy county he came to Clay county in 1888 and was again em-
ployed at farm labor for two years, but he was ambitious that his efiforts should
prove more directly beneficial to himself and he therefore rented land and began
314 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
farming on his own accoimt. He also fitted out a heavy team and engaged in
breaking prairies for two seasons. Carefully saving his earnings during this
period, he then invested in land^ becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres
in Waterford township, upon which he carried on general agricultural pursuits.
For several years his time and energies were devoted to the further improvement
of that property but at length he sold out and for two or three years again rented
land. He next bought eighty acres, constituting a part of his present place, and
as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm from
time to time until he now has a rich and valuable property of four hundred and
eighty-four acres. It is one of the large farms of the county and everything about
it is indicative of his careful supervision, his practical methods and his progressive
spirit. He has built some outbuildings and a cattle shed, stock-scales, feed-mill
and wind-pump are among, the features of his place that indicate his progressive
spirit and practical methods. He has become widely known as one of the most
extensive stock-raisers and feeders of the locality, having now about thirteen hun-
dred head of sheep, while one year he fed five thousand head. He also feeds
and fattens from one hundred to two hundred head of cattle yearly and from
three to four carloads of hogs. His business interests in this direction exceed the
efforts of almost any other feeder and shipper of this part of the state.
On the 6th of June, 1900, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Jelden and
Miss Sophia Moeller, who was born and reared in Tama county, Iowa. They
have two children, John and Mabel. Mr. Jelden votes independently, nor has he
ever been an aspirant for office. He has always preferred to give his undivided
attention to his business affairs, for he commenced life empty-handed and knew
that he must depend solely upon his labors for advancement. He started out a
poor boy in a strange land and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is
attributable entirely to his own perseverance and capable control of business
affairs. In all of his dealings he has been strictly honorable and is today one of
the large landowners of the county, who has accumulated a comfortable and grati-
fying fortune. His life record in many respects may well serve to encourage and
inspire others, showing what may be achieved when one has the will to dare
and to do.
JOHN L. ADDINGTON.
John L. Addington, editor of the Webb Record and postmaster of the town,
was born in eastern Indiana, October 8, 1856, a son of John L. and Nancv E.
(Fancher) Addington, who were natives of Indiana and Tennessee, respectivelv.
The father was a Methodist minister, whose labors in behalf of Christianity were
a potent influence in the moral development of the localities in which he lived.
He came to Iowa in 1864 and for a time was located in Davenport but in 1867
removed to Hardin county, where he remained for a number of years or until
his death, which occurred in 1879. His wife died March 15, 1879. The first
representative of the family in America was Henry Addington, whose birth oc-
curred in England about 1727 and who, on emigrating to the United States, took
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 315
up his abode near Philadelphia. He became separated from a younger brother,
from whom he never afterward heard. Henry Addington married EHzabeth
Buson, by whom he had three sons : John, WiUiam and James. About the year
1755 the family removed to South Carolina, where the eldest son, John, wedded
a Miss Lamb, by whom he had two children, William and Alsie. After losing his
first wife he married Elizabeth Heaton and unto them were born seven children,
namely : Mary, Joseph, John, Sarah, Thomas, Elizabeth and James. The year
1806 witnessed the arrival of the family in Wayne county, Indiana, near the pres-
ent site of Richmond. James, the youngest child, was married in 1809 to Nancy
Llewellyn, by whom he had the following children : John L., William L., Rachel,
Benjamin L., Thomas L., Isaac L. and Mary. John L. Addington, the eldest, was
married on the 8th of November, 1832, to Sallie Stephens and they became the
parents of eight children : James A., Matilda A., Francis S., Nathan, Alice,
Mary, William B. and George. Subsequent to the death of his first wife he was
again married, on the 5th of May, 1848, his second union being with Nancy
Fancher, by whom he had three sons : Samuel ; Thomas F. ; and John La Salle
Addington, of this review.
John L. Addington was educated in the common schools and in the high
school at Ackley, Iowa. In 1875 he took up the profession of teaching, which he
followed in Grundy county, this state, for three years, and in 1878 he became the
teacher of what was then known as the Park Avenue school at Des Moines, Iowa,
and later was principal of the schools at Alton, Iowa. Later he accepted a like
position at Mitchellville, where he continued for two years and then resigned to
remove to Filley, Nebraska, having been appointed as one of the teachers in the
public schools of that place, where he remained for six years. He next accepted
a position at Narka, Kansas, and when he had taught there for six years his
services as a public-school teacher aggregated a period of over twenty-two years.
For more than fifteen years of that time, covering the period of his residence at
Alton, Iowa, Filley, Nebraska, and Narka, Kansas, he was also engaged in the
newspaper field.
In Septemebr, 1900, Mr. Addington came to Webb, Iowa, and established the
Webb Record, a weekly newspaper which has an extensive circulation in the
town and county. Not only in journalistic lines is he connected with the inter-
ests of this citv but is also serving as postmaster under presidential appointment,
to July 9, 1908.
On the 6th of April. 1881. Mr. Addington was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Crist, a daughter of John and Mary (Sellen) Crist, who were natives of
Wisconsin, in which state they remained until called to their final rest. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Addington have been born eight children : Marion H., at home ;
Grace L., the wife of Albert C. Ringbloom. a resident of Minneapolis. Minne-
sota; Doris C, a stenographer in Des Moines, Iowa; John L., living in Salt Lake
Cit}^ where he is attending school ; Roy S. ; and Charley T., at home : and two
who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away January 25. 190 1.
Aside from his service as postmaster he has been called to every office, hav-
ing served as mayor of Webb for four years— from 1902 until 1906— his admin-
istration being characterized by a progressive spirit and by practical reform and
municipal advancement. For seven years he has been justice of the peace and
316 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
is still the incumbent in the office, and also a member of the city council. He
was also president of the school board for four years and the cause of education
found in him a stalwart friend. He holds membership relations with the Masonic
fraternity, having- become a charter member of Temple Lodge, No. 175. of Filley,
Nebraska.
J. H. DOTY.
Through well directed business activity and enterprise J. H. Doty has gained
recognition as one of the prosperous farmers of Clay county. He owns a highly
improved tract of land near Spencer and since 1881 has lived in the county, dur-
ing w^hich time his labors have not only contributed to his own prosperity but have
proven effective forces in advancing the general welfare. A native of Michigan,
his birth occurred in St. Joseph county, March 5, 1844. There he was reared to
manhood but had no special advantages in his youthful days. His opportunities
for securing an education were somewhat limited and it has been in the school of
experience that he has learned many valuable lessons, while observation and
reading have also added materially to his knowledge. He was a young man of
but eighteen years when in the spring of 1864 he responded to the country's call
for troops, joining Company C of the Twelfth Michigan Infantry. This com-
mand was assigned to the First Brigade of the Second Division of the Seventh
Army Corps and went to Arkansas, where they participated in the battle of
Duval's Bluff. They were also in a number of skirmishes and Mr. Doty thus
served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Camden, Arkansas, in the
spring of 1866. He was then honorably discharged at Jackson, Michigan, and
with a creditable military record returned to his home. He had always been faith-
ful to his duty whether on the lonely picket line or the firing line and manifested
loyalty equal to that of many a veteran of twice his years.
Following his return to St. Joseph county Mr. Doty engaged in farming as
foreman on a place there. He afterward took up his abode in Constantine, Michi-
gan, where he was employed in a foundry and machine shop for two or three
years and later worked in a lumber business.
It was while living in Constantine that Mr. Doty was first married on the 5th
of March, 1868, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah A. Curtis, a native of
St. Joseph county, Michigan, where her girlhood days were passed. The young
couple lived happily together for about seven years and were then separated by
the death of the wife, who passed away October 8, 1873, leaving three children.
Mr. Doty continued to reside in Constantine and was ag.ain married there,
his second union being with Augusta A. Anderson, who came to Iowa with her
husband in 1881. Attracted by the better opportunities of the new^ but rapidly
growing west Mr. Doty came to this state and located in Riverton township, Clay
county. Here he secured one hundred and sixty acres, on which he built a place
and began the development of his farm. He worked resolutely and diligently to
achieve success and in course of time the capital which he acquired from the sale
of his crops enabled him to purchase more land until he became owner of three
THE NEV/ YGPK
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.MRS. J. H. DOTY
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 321
hundred and thirty-four acres. Subsequently he bought forty-two acres in an-
other tract. Upon the home place he continued to carry on farming until 1902.
He was also superintendent of the county farm, cared for, cultivated it, improved
it and there lived for seven years. In 1903, however, he took up his abode in
Spencer, where he purchased residence property. It was in that year that he lost
his wife. Later he bought and owned several places in the town and eventually
he sold his farm and invested in land in Summit township, securing four hundred
and six acres. The two sons took up their abode there and cultivated and further
improved that place. They erected another dwelling, put up outbuildings and con-
tinued farming there until the spring, of 1908, when Mr. Doty sold the property
and bought the Peso farm near Spencer. This comprises a half section, .on which
is a good set of farm buildings and he is now erecting another set and making
" fine improvements.
Returning to Michigan about four years after losing his second wife, Mr.
Doty was again married in Constantine. on the 20th of February, 1907. On that
date he wedded Mrs. S. J. Shellenberger, a native of Elkhart county, Indiana,
who was reared and educated in Alichigan. She was a daughter of T. I. Jones,
who for some years was a successful farmer of St. Joseph county, ^Michigan,
where he died in 1907 at the advanced age of ninety years. His wife survives
him and spent the winter of 1907-8 with Mrs. Doty in Spencer. Their daughter
was a young, girl when she went with her parents to Michigan. She was married
there in 1874 to Clark W. Shellenberger, a farmer of St. Joseph county, who later
died there, leaving one son, Howard J. Shellenberger. who is now a resident of
Elkhart county, Indiana.
Following his marriage ]\Ir. Doty returned to Spencer, where he has since
resided. He has been a very busy man, has improved three farms on his own
account and also the county farm and has thus contributed in substantial measure
to the progress and development of this section. As the architect of his own for-
tunes he has builded wisely and well. He h^s depended upon no outside aid or
influence but has wrought out his success along the well defined lines of labor
and has achieved his prosperity by his industry and perseverance.
Mr. Doty now has three sons : Carleton L. is married and resides in Fresno,
California, where he is engaged in the jewelry business. He served three years
in the First United States Cavalry at Fort Grant, New Mexico, being honorably
discharged. Another son, Bertrand W., for thirteen years was engaged in busi-
ness in Spencer but is now on the farm. Clyde A. is also living on the farm.
Both are enterprising agriculturists, are also breeding and dealing in Shorthorn
cattle and are well known as stock raisers and feeders. Mr. Doty and his sons
are members of the Masonic fraternity, as is his stepson, and he and his wife are
both members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Doty belongs to the blue
lodge at Spencer but first became a Master Mason in Constantine, Michigan, in
1867. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church at Spencer
and he assisted materially in erecting the new house of worship there. In his
political views he is an earnest republican. He cast his first ballot for General
U. S. Grant and has never failed to endorse the presidential nominees of the party
since that time. In Riverton township he is regarded as one of the stanch advo-
cates of the party and has been elected to several local offices, serving as justice
322 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
of the peace, as township trustee and also on the school board. He has been
chairman of the board of township trustees and chairman of the school board
and in the different positions has been most loyal to the pubhc welfare. He has
served as a delegate to county and state conventions and has never faltered in his
allegiance to the party which w'as the defense of the Union during the dark days
of the Civil war. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and thus main-
tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. His life has been well spent.
In all of its relations he has been true to high and honorable principles and has
never faltered in a choice between right and wrong but has always endeavored
to follow a course that his judgment and his conscience have sanctioned.
PETER MONROE MOORE.
On the roster of county officials in Clay county appears the name of Peter
Monroe Moore, who is now serving as surveyor. Moreover, he is the owner of
valuable farming property, his holdings comprising five hundred acres of rich
and productive land. His record both as a business man and citizen is com-
mendable and he enjoys in large measure the confidence, good will and friend-
ship of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He was born near Con-
cord, Ohio, October 13, 1841. and is a son of William W. and Naomi (Monroe)
Moore, natives of Delaware and Ohio respectively. The latter was a daughter of
Peter Monroe, native of Virginia, who followed the occupation of farming as
a life work. He wedded a ]\Iiss Lyons and they reared several children, namely-:
Margaret, Ann, Mary, Naomi, Matilda, Elijah and William.
William W^ Moore became a house builder. He was a lad of about twelve
years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio and in Muskin-
gum county, that state, he was reared to manhood amid the environments and
conditions of frontier life. When a young man he went to Rock Island, Illinois,
with his brother, Amos L., the year of his removal being 1835. He lived there
for five years and during that time was married, after which he returned to his
old home in Ohio. In the fall of 1857 ^^ went with his family to Wisconsin,
taking up his abode at Point Bluff, Adams county, on the Wisconsin river, where
he lived for nine years, being engaged in carpentering and in the lumber business.
In the spring, of 1863, in company with his son, Peter M., he made an overland
trip to Montana, where he was engaged in the mines for eighteen months. At the
time of his arrival that district was all known as Idaho and during the period of
his residence there the new territory of Montana was organized, he being a mem-
ber of the convention that met for this purpose. The return trip was made over
the divide to the headwaters of the Yellowstone river. He and his son bifilt
boats and floated down the river to Yankton, South Dakota, and were nearly ice-
bound in the vicinity of Fort Sully and saw no white men save the soldiers at
Fort Union, Berthold, Fort Rice, Sully, Riley and Yankton. In September, 1866,
William W. IVIoore arrived in Clay county, Iowa, and here in connection with his
son, Peter Moore, he purchased a farm of eight hundred acres at Gillett's Grove
and turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. They afterward divided
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 323
the land and continued their farming interests independently. Mr. Moore was
long- a witness of the development and progress of the middle west and in the
communities where he lived bore his full share in the work of public advance-
ment. While residing at Rock Island. Fort x-\.rmstrong was garrisoned and
Dred Scott was there acting as a servant to the &rmy surgeon. Mr. Moore was
also present at the time the treaty was made with Black Hawk and saw the whole
assembly of Indians who were there to make peace with the government. He
spent his last days upon the home farm in Clay county, Iowa, where he departed
this life October 2, 1890, when nearly seventy-eight years of age. His wife sur-
vived him for about sixteen years and died on the i8th of April. 1906, lacking but
ten days of being ninety-seven years of age. They were both members of the
Methodist church in early life but later united with the Friends society. They
were always earnest Christian people, never neglectful of their duties to their
fellowmen and in all business relations Mr. Moore wa$ strictly reliable as well as
enterprising. In their family were four children : Peter M. ; Matilda H., the wife
of Lewis Kidder, of Pittsburg, Kansas ; Emeline, the wife of W. T. Prescott, of
Seattle, Washington ; and Wilson H., a resident of Gillett's Grove, Clay county.
Miles C. Moore, a cousin of Peter Monroe Moore, was the last territorial gov-
ernor of Washington and now resides in Walla Walla.
Peter Monroe Moore spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native
state and during that period attended the common schools and also spent one year
in Muskingum College. He accompanied his parents on their westward removal
and afterward attended the Bronson Institute at Point Bluff, Wisconsin. Sub-
sequently he engaged in teaching school for several terms and proved a capable
educator, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had ac-
quired. In 1866 he came with his parents to Iowa and has since been a resident
of Clay county, witnessing almost its entire growth as it has emerged from pio-
neer conditions and taken on all of the evidences of a modern and progressive
civilization. He was continuously connected with farming interests for thirty-
two years, or until 1898, and prospered in his undertakings. To his original
holdings he added from time to time as his financial resources increased until
his property now embraces five hundred acres at Gillett's Grove. He improved
that land, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation through the use of
modern machinery and the employment of progressive methods in tilling the soil
and caring for the crops. He has ever been known as a diligent, enterprising
man, accomplishing what he has undertaken and his present rest from business
cares is well merited. In 1898 he removed to Spencer, where he purchased a
home and now resides.
On the 19th of August, 1865, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Mary S. Rowe,
a daughter of Dan and Eliza fNoyes) Rowe. They became parents of two chil-
dren : Arthur Rowe, a farmer who is now living in Seattle, Washington, and
married Esta M. Daugherty, by whom he has two children, Ralph W. and Fern
M. ; and Minnie Lynn Moore, now the wife of Vernon W. Buck, of Seattle,
Washington. They have four children, Mary Verna. Estelle Naomi, Orris Ken-
dall and Laurice Lucile. Mrs. Mary S. Moore passed away in 1873 ^"^ her
death was deeply regretted not only by her immediate family but also by many
friends who esteemed her highlv for her good qualities of heart and mind. On
324 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the 28th of November, 1878, Mr. Moore was again married, his second union
being with Mrs. Lizzie F. Adams, the widow of Theodore D. Adams, and a
daughter of W. G. W. and Frances E. (Weaver) Sawyer. Mrs. Moore was bom
in ]\Iogadore, Ohio, on the 29th of March, 1844. Her parents were natives of
Pennsylvania and at an early period in the development of the Buckeye state,
removed to Summit county, Ohio, where they resided until 1855. In that year
they became residents of Decorah, Iowa, where her father owned a farm. How-
ever, he was a tanner by trade. He is still living at the venerable age of eighty-
seven years but his wife passed away in 1849. when their daughter Mrs. Moore
was but five years of age. There were only two children in the family, her sister
being Mrs. Anna Riley, the wife of E. J. Riley. After losing his first wife Mr.
Sawyer married again, his second union being with Martha Weaver and they
had three children, who are now living: Hattie E., the wife of J. M. Pecken-
paugh ; Allie, the wafe of J. H. Williams ; and William H. Sawyer.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Congregational church, in
which he is serving as deacon and in the work of the church they take an active
and helpful part. He was one of the organizers of the first Methodist Episcopal
church in IMontana and a charter member of the Congregational church of Spen-
cer. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is always
loyal to its best interests. For one term he served as county auditor and was also
justice of the peace for a number of years. He has likewise been township
trustee, was school treasurer for some time and has been school director. In all
of these positions he discharged his duties ably, capably and conscientiously and
the record which he made as a public official in township offices led to his election
to the office of county surveyor, in which he served for two terms prior to 1872.
In 1893 he was again elected to that office and with the exception of one term
has been continuously the incumbent. Before serving as county auditor he was
county judge, filling that position until the office was abolished by act of the leg-
islature. He is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of the
county, where he has long, made his home. His record is indeed a commendable
one and the most malevolent utter no word of reproach against his official service.
In business, too. his course has been characterized by the strictest fidelity to prin-
ciple and in social relations he displays an unfailing courtesy and a genial cor-
diality that have w"on for him manv friends.
H. W. HENDRICKSEN.
H. W. Hendricksen, although a young man, has alreadv attained an enviable
position in commercial circles, being a member of the Jones-Hendricksen Lumber
Company. He now occupies the position of secretary in that commercial organi-
zation and is active in the management of the business at Roval. giving close
attention to every detail pointing to success. He was born on a farm in Lincoln
township, this county. May 31. 1881. and is a son of J. P. Hendricksen. of whom
mention is made on another page of this work. The district schools afforded
him his early educational privileges and hter he attended the Elkhorn Commer-
^
n
,^ ^HE l^E'.'f ynpK- ,
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 327
cial College at Elkhorn, Iowa, and also the Capital City Commercial College at
Des Moines, Iowa. He was graduated from the latter in the class of 1901. Prior
to that time he was associated with the Royal Lumber Company for two years
and following his graduation he was with a sash and door firm in Des Moines.
Later he returned to the Royal Lumber Company, with which he was connected
for three years, at the end of which time the Jones-Hendricksen Lumber Company
was organized and incorporated with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand
dollars. This company operates at both Royal and Rossie, owning a hardware
store in the latter place. The officers of the company are: D. S. Jones, presi-
dent ; Lars Hendricksen, vice president ; C. S. Hagedorn, treasurer ; and H. W.
Hendricksen, secretary and general manager. Following the organization of the
company they purchased the business of the Superior Lumber Company at Royal
and of the Branden Brothers at Rossie. H. W. Hendricksen has thus been in
charge of the enterprise at Royal since the ist of November, 1907, and under his
control the enterprise is meeting with good success. The company owns a well
equipped lumberyard and deals in all kinds of building materials and the trade
is constantly growing, their liberal patronage now bringing to them a gratifying
financial return.
On the nth of November, 1903. Mr. Hendricksen was married to Miss
Johanna Hagedorn, a daughter of Chris Hagedorn. the treasurer of the Jones-
Hendricksen Lumber Company. The marriage has been blessed with two chil-
dren, James and Lorene. The family residence is a most hospitable one and is
the center of a cultured society circle.
In his political views Mr. Hendricksen is a stalwart republican, giving earnest
support to the party and is now serving as clerk of the school board in Royal.
He has never been an office seeker, however, preferring to concentrate his energies
upon his business afifairs. He holds membership in Sunset Lodge, A. F. & A. M.,
of Royal and is serving as its secretary. He also belongs to Clay Chapter, No.
112, R. A. M., at Spencer and to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 7038, at Royal,
of which he is serving as clerk. Both he and his wife are members of the
Lutheran church and are held in high esteem in the community in which they
reside.
JAMES FRENCH.
James French is now living in retirement in the village of Peterson, this
county, after having for many years been influentially identified with the agri-
cultural and stock raising interests of the community. He is a native of Licking
county, Ohio, his birth having occurred near Columbus, August 24, 1844, and
a son of Bethuel and Sarah (Sinkey) French, his father having been a native
of the Keystone state, where he was reared, and early in life removed to Ohio,
stopping for a brief period near Columbus, from which place he repaired to
Jones county, Iowa, in the year 1845. where he remained engaged in general
farming pursuits until the year 1872, and then settled on a farm in Clay county,
where he departed this life in 1903. His mother was united in marriage in Ohio,
but entered into her eternal rest in Peterson. In the family were eight children,
CLAY IS.
328 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
namely : James ; J. W., who is engaged in farming in this township ; Annie,
wife of William Johnston, the couple residing on a farm near Dickens, this
county ; the next two children born died in infancy ; Sarah, wife of Jesse
Lemaster, an agriculturist of Clay township ; Mary, deceased ; and Albert C,
who resides four miles north of the village of Peterson.
In an old log schoolhouse which stood near his father's farm in Jones
county, James French acquired his education, in the meantime assisting his
father in the duties of the farm, and after completing his studies remained under
the parental roof until he was twenty-five years of age, when, desirous of
launching out into the world for himself and becoming independent, he engaged
in agricultural pursuits on a rented farm in Jones county for a time, and in
1872 settled in this county, where he took up a claim in Clay township. He
had a difficult time getting a start here, since none of the land was in a fit
condition for cultivation, and it fell upon him to clear it off so that he might
plant seed and derive sufficient crops to enable him to subsist. During the first
three years of his occupancy of the land prosperity did not seem to accompany
him, and among his few possessions was one cow, and, unfortunately, it turned
out to be a poor one, as it did not give milk. Deciding it was of no advantage
to keep the animal, he concluded to dispose of it, and about three o'clock
one morning, long before daybreak, he tied the cow behind his dilapidated wagon
and started on the long journey to Cherokee, where he proposed to put the cow
up for sale. After an all-day's wearisome journey he arrived in that town in
the evening, about five o'clock, and the first thought which struck him was where
he should put up for the night. His decision was not long in forming, since,
as he had no money, he could not stop in a hotel or lodging house, and he finally
decided to do the next best thing and spend the night in his wagon. The next
morning he put the cow up at a public sale and succeeded in getting only one
bidder, who oft'ered him twenty-five dollars for the animal, on condition that
he might have two weeks to make payment. This being granted, the deal was
clinched, and at five o'clock the next morning our subject started back to his
farm behind his old team and finallv reached home at twelve o'clock, midnidit.
The two weeks which he had given the man to reimburse him for the purchase
of the cow having elapsed, the debt was cleared off, and Mr. French was the
possessor of twenty-five dollars, but this sum was far beneath what would enable
him to meet his outstanding obligations and he did not hold it long until he
was forced to pay ten dollars to the store keeper, and in a short time the
remaining fifteen was paid out, so that Mr. French was not much better off
than before he parted with his cow. After a while, however, prosperity began
to look his way, when he traded a team of horses for a poorer team and in
addition received also a cow and heifer as part of the barter. It was not only
with his stock that he was unfortunate, but also with his log cabin, which was
a poorly constructed shanty, the only redeeming feature about the building being
a first-class floor, while the roof was in bad condition and leaked, but in the
course of time Mr. French succeeded in so cultivating his farm as to derive
bountiful harvests and presently was able to remove the incommodious cabin
and replace it with a comfortable dwelling house. Although his reverses were
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 329
many and the difficulties with which he had to contend great and discouraging,
yet he overcame them all and year by year, applying himself diligently to his
tasks, transformed his raw prairie land into as fine fields as there are in the
township, and so improved his farm that it is now one of the most desirable in
the county. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is under
a high state of cultivation and upon which during his career he has met with
splendid success in general agriculture and stock raising. Aside from this
excellent tract of land he also possesses a first-class residence in the village of
Peterson, and five years ago retired from active life and is now living there.
November 29, 1869, Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Cora
Tinker, by whom he has had two children, namely : Alice, wife of M. C.
Remington, an agriculturist of Clay township, this county ; and Irwin, who is
engaged in agricultural pursuits in this township. Mr. French in the early
days was affiliated with the democratic party, but later changed his political
views, and now votes with the republican party. He has been prominent in
political circles in the county and has officiated in a number of local offices,
having served as trustee of the township and also for a number of years as
justice of the peace, in which office he acquitted himself with much distinction
and executive ability. He is well known throughout the county for his noble
traits of character, and being a man who has always been in favor of public
improvements, ready at all times to further any movements which might add to
the benefit of the community, and at the same time maintaining an upright walk
among his neighbors, he has always entertained their respect and confidence.
WILLIAM E. ROSE.
\\'illiam E. Rose is a retired farmer, who since 1904 has lived in Spencer,
enjoying the fruits of his former toil in a well earned rest. Success — the thing
for which all men strive — is not so difficult of attainment, but means continuous
efifort day by day and a neglect of no opportunity. A life of continuous industry
brought to Mr. Rose his present position as a substantial citizen, who depends
upon good investments for the income which now supplies him with all of the
comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He was born in Newcastle county,
Delaware, August 3, 1839, and was a son of Henry L. and Mary A. (Marvel)
Rose, who were likewise natives of Delaware, their birthplace being near Dover.
The father was a sailor in early life, . afterward became a ship builder and sub-
sequently was a carpenter and joiner. As the west was opened up to civilization
and business interests of all character established in the Mississippi valley, he
felt that it might be a wise step for him to take advantage of the opportunities
here offered. Accordingly he made his way to Illinois and established his home
in Belvidere. where he lived for four years. On the expiration of that period
he removed to Iowa and became one of the early residents of Waverly, where
he followed the carpenter's trade. He was thus identified with the substantial
improvement and development of the town and county and continued a factor
in the life of that community until he passed aw-ay when about eighty years of
age. His wife died in 1866 at the age of forty-five years. She was a member
330 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
of the Methodist church, loyal to its teachings, and Mr. Rose also belonged to
the same denomination and was faithful to its precepts. This worthy couple
were the parents of three sons and four daughters, of whom three are now
living : William E., a resident of Spencer ; Angle, wife of Jayman St. John, of
Waverly, Iowa; and Arenna, the wife of Abner Baskins, also of Waverly.
William E. Rose was a youth of sixteen years when the father removed
with his family to Belvidere, Illinois, and a young man of twenty when they
came to Iowa. His education was acquired in the schools of Delaware, and
when fifteen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he
followed continuously until 1862, when, putting aside all business and personal
considerations, he joined the Union army as a member of Company B, Thirty-
eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war,
or for a little more than three years. He was a non-commissioned officer and
was mustered out at Houston, Texas. In the meantime he participated in the
siege and capture of Vicksburg, in the battle of Mobile and in numerous
skirmishes. After the war he returned home to Waverly, Iowa, and followed
his trade for a year. On the expiration of that period he began farming on
his mother-in-law's place. He had been married in the meantime, having on the
loth of May, 1866, wedded Miss Hannah L. Baskins, a daughter of Abner B.
and Mary (Kerr) Baskins, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Her father
was a farmer and came to Iowa in 1851, settling near Waverly. He spent his
remaining days on the farm upon which he first located, his death there
occurring in 1864, when he was sixty-four years of age. His wife died in
1889, at the age of seventy-two years. Their family numbered six sons and
five daughters, of whom five are still living: William, who makes his home at
Waverly ; Abner K., also of that place ; Rachel, the wife of Farnum Dudgeon,
of East Grand Forks, Minnesota; Bethsheba, the wife of Ezra Williams; and
Hannah, who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 3, 1846, and when
twenty years of age became the wife of W'illiam E. Rose.
As stated, they soon afterward took up their abode on her mother's farm,
which Mr. Rose cultivated and improved, but, thinking to find still better
business opportunities in Clay county, he removed there in 1870, finding it a
frontier district in which the work of improvement and development had scarcely
been begun. He secured as a homestead claim the northwest quarter of section
18 in Riverton township, and with characteristic energy transformed the raw
prairie into arable fields. He turned the first furrows upon the place, planted
his crops and in due course of time he gathered rich harvests. There he lived
continuously until December. 1904, when he removed to Spencer and purchased
the present home, which he now occupies. He still owns the farm, however,
which lies in Riverton township and is a valuable property, which annually
returns to him a good income.
Upon the farm Mr. and Mrs. Rose reared their two children. Flora and
William Henry. The daughter is now the wife of Frank Babcock, of Spencer,
and they have one child. Bertha. William Henry, who operates the home farm,
wedded Sarah Rino and they have two children, Edna Marie and William
Francis-. Mr. Rose votes with the republican party and belongs to Annett Post,
G. A. R. This brings him into close connection with his old army comrades,
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 331
and around the campfires they recall many interesting incidents of the tented
fields. Mr. Rose is now in the seventieth year of his age and in the review of
the past it is seen that his life record has been an honorable and useful one,
characterized by thorough and progressive business activity that has resulted in
bringing to him a comfortable and well merited competence. Moreover, he has
borne his full share in the work of general development and improvement here
since he took up his abode in this county, which was then a frontier district,
giving little evidence of what the future had in store for It. It was rich in its
natural resources, but its opportunities had not yet been utilized. Mr. Rose
is numbered among those who believed in the value of the land and its possi-
bilities — the wisdom of this opportunity being evidenced as the years have
gone by.
FRANK H. BLACK.
Iowa derives her wealth largely from her agricultural interests. The great
broad prairies of the state offer excellent opportunities to the farmer and stock
raiser. The soil requires none of that previous laboriou.s preparation necessary in
a district of native forest growth, but responds readily to the care and labor
which is bestowed upon it as the furrows are turned and the fields are culti-
vated. To this work of tilling the soil Mr. Black gives his time and energies,
but does not confine his efforts entirely to one line. He raises pure blooded
registered shorthorn cattle and in commercial circles has won for himself a cred-
itable place, being now the president of the Farmers Elevator of Spencer. His
home is known as the Acadia Stock Farm and comprises two hundred acres,
constituting one of the best improved farms of the county.
Mr. Black is a native of Nova Scotia, his birth having there occurred in
Acadia, September 17, 1867, in a region made famous through Longfellow's
beautiful poem, Evangeline. On the home farm he was reared to manhood,
spending his boyhood days with his father, Rev. A. B. Black, a minister of the
Methodist Episcopal church, who for twenty-five years lived in Nova Scotia.
He was of Scotch and English lineage. There Frank H. Black passed his
youthful days, and after mastering the elementary branches of education he
continued his study in Amherst Academy. Arriving at years of maturity, he
took up farming on his own account in the land of his nativity, and also engaged
in raising shorthorn cattle, carrying on the business there for several years.
At Amherst, Nova Scotia, on the i8th of October, 1886, Mr. Black won
his companion and helpmate for the journey of life, for it was on that date that
he wedded Anna E. Lusby, who was there born and reared, a daughter of
George Lusby, also a native of Nova Scotia. In 1893 he sought a home in
Iowa, locating in Humboldt county, where he purchased one hundred and
sixtv acres of farm land. To the further development and improvement of the
property he directed his energies and also began breeding and dealing in short-
horn cattle there. For eight years he resided upon that farm, but in 1901 sold
the place and came to Clay county, purchasing the farm upon section ^^, Summit
332 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
township, on which he now resides. He has called it the Acadia Stock Farm
in honor of his old home in Xova Scotia. It contains two hundred acres of
valuable and productive land, in the midst of which stands a large frame resi-
dence, while in the rear are found good barns and substantial outbuildings. In
fact this is one of the best improved places in the county, on \vhich none of the
accessories and equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century are lacking.
In all of his work he is progressive, employing the latest improved machinery to
facilitate the work of the fields, while his close study has given him progressive
and accurate knowledge concerning the best methods of raising stock. He
has some sixty head of registered shorthorn cattle, including some very fine
animals, with an imported male at the head of the herd. He has bred and sold
some very fine shorthorns in Clay and adjoining counties and his live-stock
interests constitute an important and lucrative branch of his business. More-
over, he is a stockholder and president of the Farmers Elevator of Spencer.
The home of Mr. and Airs. Black has been blessed with three children:
Helen, now a junior in Cornell University of Iowa; Leroy, who assists in the
operation of the home farm ; and ]\Iargery C, who completes the family. The
parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Spencer and take
an active and helpful part in the work of the church and of the Sunday school,
Mr. Black now serving for the second year as Sunday school superintendent.
He is also a member of the official board and he does all in his power to promote
the growth and extend the influence of the church. His political allegiance is
given to the republican party at state and national elections, but at local elections
where no issue is involved he votes independently of party ties, nor has he ever
consented to become a candidate for office. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen
camp, and in the community is known as a reliable and public-spirited citizen.
He cooperates in many movements for the general good and is particularly
interested in everything piertaining to the agricultural development of the county.
His activity in this direction is shown in the fact that he is president of the
Farmers Institute. He is an active and willing worker for the upbuilding and
advancement of the countv in manv lines and stands high in the regard of all
who know him, while his acquaintance covers a wide territory because of the
extent of his business interests.
ADOLPH SEIBEL.
Adolph Seibel, the owner of a farm of four hundred and twentv-five acres
in Lincoln and Gillett Grove townships, where he is also engaged in raising high
grade stock, is moreover entitled to representation in this volume from the fact
that he is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He was born at Linbersr,
Germany, May 15, 1838, a son of Franz Joseph and Frances (Petmeky) Seibel.
His father engaged in the manufacture of buttons, trimmings and official insignia
in Germany. He came to the United States in 1853 as a passenger on a sailing
vessel which was thirty days in completing the voyage to New York citv. From
that point he proceeded up the Hudson river to a place where he could
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 333
get a train and by rail continued his journey westward to Chicago and to La Salle,
Illinois, which was then the railroad terminus. By boat he went down the
Illinois river and up the Mississippi to Burlington, from which point he proceeded
with ox teams to Keokuk county, Iowa. There he resided from 1853 until his
removal to Burlington in 1865, continuing his residence in the latter city until
his demise. His wife, who was born in Germany, died in Keokuk county. They
were the parents of four children : Sebastian, now deceased ; Nannie, the widow
of Carl Mahlinger, who died in Denver, Colorado ; Adolph ; and Francis, now
dead.
In the schools of Germany, Adolph Seibel pursued his education, his train-
ing being equivalent to a high school education in this country. When fifteen
years of age he came to the United States with his father and remained at home
until 1858, when he went to Kansas, where he secured a claim. Later he gave
up that tract, however, and removed to Nebraska, driving from Winterset to
Weston, about seven miles from Council Blufifs, without seeing a single house.
In the fall of 1859 he returned to his Iowa home and was identified with farm-
ing interests in this state until the fall of 1861, when he felt that his country
needed his aid and he enlisted as a member of Company F, Eighth Iowa
Infantry, to serve for three years or during the war. When his term had
almost expired he reenlisted and was with the army altogether for four years
and eight months. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the right arm by
a minie ball and lay for nine months in the hospital. He was then discharged
from the hospital, but the arm has never been entirely well. Early in his
militarv experience he participated in a number of battles in Missouri, and when
he rejoined his regiment after being wounded he took an active part in the
Vicksburg campaign and was for nine months on provost guard duty at
Memphis. There he took part in a hard fight, after which he proceeded
with his command to New Orleans and to Mobile. The troops were just ten
miles from Montgomery, Alabama, when the news reached them that Lee had
surrendered. About this time they lived for three weeks on one pint of corn
meal per day to each soldier and the meal was made by grinding the cob as
well as the kernels. Mr. Seibel participated in all of the hardships that are
meted out to the soldier and was holding the rank of corporal when at the
close of the war he was honorably discharged.
When the country no longer needed his militai-y aid, Mr. Seibel went to
Burlington, Iowa, where he engaged in clerking in a wholesale house for a
short time, but his health was still so poor that he was obliged to give up the
position. Later he was a shipping clerk in a store for a year and then went to
Keokuk county, Iowa, where he began teaming, hauling freight until the build-
ing of the railroad, which drove him out of business. He next bought a sawmill,
which he operated for seven years, and then turned his attention to farming.
In 1882 he removed to Clay county and now owns four hundred and twenty-
five acres of land in Lincoln and Gillett Grove townships. Here, in addition
to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he is raising high
grade stock, which proves to him a profitable source of income. That he pro-
duces fine crops is shown by the fact that in one year he raised four thousand
bushels of oats, twenty-five hundred bushels of barley, seven hundred bushels of
334 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
wheat, six thousand bushels of corn and one hundred and fifty tons of hay, in
addition to smaller crops. He has improved his land and now has a good home
and buildings, the place presenting a neat and attractive appearance.
Mr. Seibel was married in 1867 to Miss Tina Alohme, who was born in
Germany. They have become the parents of ten children: Anna, the wife of
Lewis Boylen, of Almont, North Dakota ; Frank, who is proprietor of a hard-
ware and implement store at Sigourney, Iowa ; Nannie, deceased ; Josephine, the
wife, of David Logan, a farmer of this county; Clara, the wife of William
Maurer, of Spencer; Mary, Henry, Minnie, Carl and Florence, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Seibel is a republican and has been honored with
a number of local offices, serving as township justice of the peace, clerk and
trustee. He has also been treasurer of the school board for twelve years, belongs
to the Catholic church and is a member of Spencer Post, G. A. R., thus main-
taining pleasant relations Avith his old army comrades. No native born son of
America was more loyal to the interests of the Union during the dark days of
the Civil war, and in times of peace he has been equally faithful to his adopted
countrv.
LEWIS LAHMON.
Lewis Lahmon is now living retired at Gilletts Grove after many years of
close application in cultivating the soil in Clay county, his industry and enterprise
having remunerated him with such a competence as now enables him to put aside
the active duties of life and enjoy somewhat of its rest and pleasures. He was
born in Knox county, Ohio, September 8, 1854, a son of James and Margaret
(Humphrey) Lahmon, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio.
They went to Cedar county, this state, in 1868 and in the spring of 1872 removed
to Logan township. Clay county, where they spent their remaining davs, the
father, who was born August 20, 1814, having passed away January 6, 1893, while
the mother, who was born November 7, 1822, entered into rest October 8, 1894.
In their family were the following children: Jonathan, born October 6, 1840;
Eliza Ann, born August 15, 1842; James, Jr., who was born January 14, 1845,
and died December 30, 1869; Margaret Elizabeth, born July 4, 1847; Abraham,
born June 26, 1851, who died in infancy; Henry, whose birth occurred September
21, 1852; Lewis, of this review; and Mary Ellen, born March 28, i860.
Lewis Lahmon acquired his education in the common schools of his native
county, and being fourteen years of age when his father settled upon a farm in
Cedar county he there assisted him in the duties of the fields. In 1872 he removed
with his parents to the farm he now has under cultivation in this county, on which
he worked with his father until the death of the latter, when he assumed the
management of the place on which he engaged in general farming and stock-rais-
ing until the year 1904 when he left the old homestead and removed to Gillett'
Grove, where he is now living in the enjoyment of his well earned rest. Mr.
Lahmon has practically grown up with this district, having witnessed its devel-
opment through its several stages until it now presents a far different aspect from
LEWIS LAHMON
THE NEW YO^K
PUBLIC LlBRARv
ASTOR. LFNOX
TILD£N FOUNIJA T lON8
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 337
what it did when he first came here with his parents thirty-seven years ago. At
that time their nearest market was either Storm Lake or Newell, and for many
miles in all directions from their dwelling the prairies extended. Wild geese,
ducks, deer, elk and other game were in abundance, and the feathered denizens of
the forest were so numerous that they would often destroy the grain crops, thereby
causing the farmers considerable loss. Now all wears a changed appearance,
primitive conditions having passed, and instead of wide and vacant prairie region
the locality in which his farm is situated is a settlement having many inhabitants
and bearing every evidence of civilization and progress.
Mr. Lahmon has always been an ardent supporter of the principles of the
democratic party, ever loyal to its candidates. In local affairs he has taken con-
siderable interest, and for many terms served as a member of the school board.
He is now in the prime of life and enjoys to the fullest measure the many advan-
tages afforded by the present day, and being progressive, and a man whose life
has always been in keeping with high standards, he justly deserves the full meas-
ure of confidence and respect now entertained for him by all who know him.
CHARLTON B. BAILEY.
In a history of the business development of Dickens it is imperative that
mention be made of Charlton B. Bailey, who is well known in the town as a lum-
ber merchant and although his connection with commercial interests here has
covered only a comparatively brief period, he had in his farming operations
demonstrated his business worth and reliability. He was born in Montpelier,
Vermont, August 20, 1869, and was a son of William and Alma (Wells) Bailey,
both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state. The father was a son
of Eben Bailey, who was likewise born in Vermont, and followed the occupation
of farming for many years. He was nearly ninety years of age at the time of
his death. The maternal grandfather of our subject was also born in the Green
Mountain state and devoted his energies to the shoemaker's trade. William
Bailey has always been an agriculturist. He continued his residence in New
England until 1870, when he removed westward with his family to Fort Dodge,
Iowa, and then continued his journey by team to Royal, Clay county. In this
county he homesteaded eighty acres of land and with characteristic energy began
to cultivate and improve that farm, upon which he still makes his home. In 1908
he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in the summer
of that year. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
while Mr. Bailey belongs to the Christian church. Unto them were born five
children : Charlton B., of this review ; Edwin H., a resident of Spencer, Iowa ;
Thomas W., of Royal, Iowa ; and two who died in early life.
Charlton B. Bailey was only about a year old when his parents left Vermont
and therefore he was reared on the home farm in Clay county, where he early be-
came familiar with various tasks which claim the time and energies of the farm
boy. He attended the district schools until he had mastered the elementary
branches of learning and later continued his studies in the Spencer high school.
338 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
He pursued a business course in the Western Normal School at Shenandoah,
Iowa. Following his graduation from that institution he engaged in teaching to
the age of twenty-eight years, when he began farming on his own account and
tilled the soil for two years. He had a farm of one hundred and thirty acres,
which he later sold, for he found commercial pursuits more congenial. He then
became manager of a lumberyard for the Superior Lumber Company at Royal,
where he remained several years and for a brief period was also manager for
the Royal Lumber Company at the same place. He then exchanged his farm
for the lumberyard at Dickens, formerly owned by Somers Brothers, and on the
23d of April, 1908, came to this town, where he has since conducted business on
his own account. He has a well equipped lumberyard and his interests are now
carefully conducted, his previous experience in the trade well qualifying him for
the duties which now devolve upon him.
On the 15th of March, 1897, Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Dora M.
Dumkrieger, a daughter of Fred and Mary Dumkrieger. She was born near
Sigourney, Iowa, and her parents were natives of Germany. On coming to
America they settled in New York and afterward removed to Iowa, casting in
their lot with the early residents in the vicinity of Sigourney, where the death of
Mrs. Dumkrieger occurred in January, 1907. The father is still living.
In matters of citizenship Mr. Bailey manifests a spirit of helpfulness and
progress. He votes with the republican party, while fraternally he is connected
with Sunset Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Royal, Clay Chapter, No. 112. R. A. M.,
and Dickens Lodge, No. 583, I. O. O. F. His business interests are well con-
trolled and his laudable ambition is leading him into important trade relations.
C. L. THUIRER.
C. L. Thuirer, active and progressive, his attention being given to farming
and the breeding of shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, has a tract of land
of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Summit township. He has lived
in Clay county since the spring of 1882 and is a western man by birth, training
and preference. His natal day was August 16, 1872, and the place of his nativity
Greenleaf, Kansas. His father, Henry Thuirer, was born at Grant, Wisconsin,
and removed with his parents to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he was reared
to manhood. Following the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the
south, he offered his services to the government and enlisted as a member of
Company I, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, serving throughout the war. At its close
he received an honorable discharge and returned home. He was married in Jo
Daviess county, Illinois, to Miss Margaret Livingston, a native of that county, and
subsequently they became residents of Kansas, securing a homestead claim in
Washington county, where Mr. Thuirer engaged in farming for several years.
In 1882, however, he sold his property in the Sunflower state and came to Iowa,
purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which his son, C. L.
Thuirer, now resides. With characteristic energy he began to till the soil and
develop the place, added to and remodeled the house, which was standing on the
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 339
farm, built a barn, set out fruit, fenced his fields and continued the work of gen-
eral improvement and development throughout his remaining days. His death
occurred September 2^, 1908. His widow still survives and yet remains on the
old home farm.
C. L. Thuirer, the only heir, was a lad of ten years when the parents came
to Clay county and here he was reared to manhood, while in the district schools
he acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by a course of
study in the Conservatory of Music at Minneapolis, and afterward engaged in
teaching music in Spencer for eight years. His well developed musical talent is
a source of much enjoyment to his many friends as well as comfort and enter-
tainment to himself.
On the 23d of May, 1901, in Spencer, Mr. Thuirer was united in marriage to
Miss Elenora Green, who was born and reared in Clay county and pursued her
education in the school of Spencer. She is a daughter of A. W. Green, who is
mentioned elsewhere in this work. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs.
Thuirer resided in Spencer two years and then removed to the farm, of which he
took charge. After a time he engaged in raising pure blooded registered short-
horn cattle and has recently closed out a herd of thirty head. He now has five
head of registered shorthorns and at least one hundred and sixty head of Poland
China hogs. He holds a public sale of hogs each year and his stock command
good prices. He is an excellent judge of domestic animals and his keen dis-
crimination constitutes an important feature in his growing success. In addition
to his farming and live-stock interests he is a stockholder in the Fostoria Farmers
Elevator.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Thuirer has been blessed with two children,
Leland C. and Merrill F. They also lost one son, Ralph, who died in the spring
of 1907 at the age of fourteen months. Politically Mr. Thuirer is a republican,
where national issues are involved, but at local elections casts an independent bal-
lot, nor has he ever sought or desired office. He and his wife are members of
the Spencer Methodist Episcopal church and are greatly esteemed in the com-
munity, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded them, while their
own home is the center of a cultured society circle. Mr. Thuirer is widely recog-
nized as an enterprising business man and as a successful dealer in pure blooded
stock and his opinions, have largely come to be received as authority on matters
pertaining to the raising of Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle. He stands
high in both a business and social sense and well deserves mention as one of
the representative agriculturists of Clay county.
HENRY JOHNSON.
Henry Johnson is the owner of an excellent farm in Lincoln township and
also considerable property in Royal, where he makes his home. He was born in
Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, October 13, 1868, and is a son of Frank and
Caroline (Hanson) Johnson. The parents were natives of Denmark and, crossing
the Atlantic, became residents of Wisconsin at an early period in the develop-
340 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
ment of that state. Twenty-four years ago they removed to Iowa and have since
been residents of Clay county, where for a long period the father followed farm-
ing. He is now living retired, and his wife also survives. They were the par-
ents of seven children : Peter, who died in 1888 ; Henry, of this review ; Emma ;
William B., living on the old homestead in Lincoln township ; Martin, who is en-
gaged in the hardware business in Montana ; Martha, now in Chicago, Illinois ;
and Frank, a grain merchant at Tolley, North Dakota.
At the usual age Henry Johnson- began his education by becoming a student
in the district schools of Wisconsin. His training at farm labor was not meager,
for at an early age he began work in the fields and soon became familiar with
the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He remained on the
home farm with his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years and then
began farming on his own account in Lincoln township. He still owns a valuable
tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres on sections 5, 7 and 8, Lincoln
township. This was partially improved when it came into his possession and he
continued the work of further development and progress, making it an attractive
property, from which he annually derives a substantial income. He owns his
residence and one adjoining in Royal, also the business block now occupied by the
Wilson Drug Company, the firm of Jones & Anderson and the opera house. He
is a man of resourceful business ability, who carefully formulates his plans and
is determined and resolute in their execution. His business methods will bear
the closest scrutiny and investigation and his well known business probity has
gained for him the respect of all.
]Mr. Johnson was married in 1902 to Miss Anna Sherman, a resident of Clay
county, and they have many friends in Royal and this part of the state. His
political views are in harmony with the principles of democracy, while fraternally
he is connected with the Yeomen. ]\Iuch of his life has been spent in Clay
county, where he has a wide acquaintance and is favorably known.
JOHN A. KIRCHNER.
John A. Kirchner, a retired farmer, who. was the first settler in Clay county
and for many years identified with agricultural and other interests of Peterson
township, and who has contributed largely to the general improvement and finan-
cial worth of the vicinity, was born in Germany, May 24, 1829, a son of Christian
and Magdalena (Knipchen) Kirchner. His father, also a native of Germany,
came to the United States in 1841. making the voyage in a sailing vessel, and
upon arriving in the new world went immediately to Albany, New York, where
he remained for three years and then removed to a farm located about twentv-eight
miles from that city where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1856 when
he came to Peterson township, this county, and here spent his remaining years.
The mother was born and married in Germany, and after a long and useful life
also died in Peterson township. They had a family of eleven children, namely:
John A., of this record ; Dorothy, deceased ; Mary, widow of C. H. Brokschink, of
Webster City, Iowa ; Barbara, who became the wife of Michael Spinger, of
t
THE NEW YORK
UBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR- LENOX
TILDE.N FOUNDATIONS
MRS. J. A. KIRCH XKR
J. A. KIRCH NER
. THE NEV/ YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
^STOR. LENOX
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 345
Fort Doclg.e, Iowa ; Jacob, a miller of that place ; Christian and Philip, deceased ,
Charlotta, widow of Dr. Butler ; Magdalena, who is united in marriage with
Walter French, a clothier of Sioux City, Iowa ; Julia, deceased ; and William, a
farmer of this township.
In the common schools of his native land John A. Kirchner acquired his
education and when twelve years of age left Germany with his parents for Albany,
New York, where he was confirmed in the Lutheran church, remaining under
the parental roof until he was nineteen years of ^e. He then started out in the
world for himself, working out until 1852, when he went to California and
located in Downieville, where he followed carpentering and mining for four
years, and then returned to Peterson, this county, or rather where that town is
now located. At that time there were few evidences of civilization in the vicinity
and Mr. Kirchner squatted on the land which is now the site of Peterson, this
being before the homestead law went into practice, and later he bought the
property from the county as swamp land. Shortly after he made the purchase
the railroad company laid claim to the same property, but he succeeded in buying
it from the railroad corporation, though they failed to give him a bona fide deed.
He was then obliged to purchase the land from the state and by appealing to the
state legislature he had a special bill passed to the effect that one who had occu-
pied land for a certain period of time could become its owner by paying two dollars
and fifty cents an acre. Mr. Kirchner bought a half section in Peterson town-
ship and was the first pioneer in this part of the state. In company with him
was A. S. Mead, and they started to walk from Dubuque, Iowa, crossing the
river on the ice and then westward. Upon coming to Cedar Falls they were
overtaken by a severe storm and thinking, they had better stop over for a while,
they applied at a hotel for lodging, but found it too expensive, so they decided
to go on and were iust leaving the building when the proprietor told them it
would not be safe to make the venture in the terrible tempest, — that they had
better remain until springtime inasmuch as they would be unable to cross the
country against the odds of winter. Taking his advice they desisted from jour-
neying farther until the weather had broken when they again started out to
explore the surrounding county in search of desirable property and were finally
directed to the Little Sioux, which they followed until they finally reached some
land upon which Mr. Kirchner deemed it advisable to locate. Here he remained
long enough to put a portion of this acreage into shape for cultivation and he
went east to visit his family, bringing them back with him to the new country.
Through their combined efforts a cabin was built, and he at once engaged in
farming and he has followed this vocation more or less ever since. Mr. Kirchner's
mother would often facetiously remark that they had the largest door-yard in
existence, extending from Sioux City to Fort Dodge, and that her chickens did
not cause any trouble with the neighbors. He engaged somewhat in other enter-
prises, however, having built the first sawmill in Peterson township in 1872,
which he has kept running constantly since its establishment. In addition to a
tract of land consisting of four- hundred and twenty acres in Clay township,
Clay county, Mr. Kirchner owns two hundred and forty acres in Buena Arista
county, eighty acres in Waterford township. Clay county, and five modern
dwellings and one large store building in town.
346 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
In 1859 ]\Ir. Kirchner was united in marriage to ATiss Mary Jane Bicknell,
bv whom were born four children, namely: Ella, who became the wife of
Edward Sitz, a miller of this township ; Charles E., a farmer of Clay township ;
Rosa, wife of John Parker, of jMontana; and one child who is deceased. Mrs.
Kirchner having departed this life, J\Ir. Kirchner was again united in marriage
to Rachael Williams, by whom he had four children, namely : F. W., a hardware
merchant of this township ; John A., who resides in Oklahoma ; Clyde, a farmer
of Buena Vista county; and May, a foreign missionary in Chili, South America.
Politically Mr. Kirchner has voted with the republican party since its organiza-
tion and probably cast the first vote polled on that ticket in Clay county. He
was the first postmaster of Peterson, officiating in that capacity for fifteen years,
was also township clerk of the district court and county supervisor. Mr. and
Mrs. Kirchner are members of the Lutheran and ^Methodist Episcopal churches,
respectively, each being dutiful in the observance of religious obligations and
faithful in attendance upon divine services with the respective congregations.
Mr. Kirchner belongs to Peterson Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in which he takes a
profound interest. Being a man of considerable business ability and executive
judgment, he has contributed much to the general w'elfare of the community,
being instrumental in getting the railroad through this place. During his days
of activity his energy was untiring and it was through his zealous application to
business and his straightforward dealing that he met with such rapid success and
is now able to retire, maintaining the respect and praise of his fellow citizens and
enjoying the comforts and contentment of a well spent and useful life.
JAMES R. GLOYD.
James R. Gloyd devotes his time and energies to tilling the soil, to raising
stock and to the conduct of a dairy business. His life is a busy and useful one,
his energies being well directed along carefully defined lines of labor. His home
is on section 20, Meadow township, and he is one of the early settlers who arrived
here at a period when comparatively few homes had been established within the
borders of the county. In fact much of the land was still in possession of the
government and Mr. Gloyd secured a homestead claim. He now owns one hun-
dred and twenty acres of land, constituting one of the neat and well improved
farms of the locality. He was closely associated with the growth and improve-
ment of his part of the county and his memory forms a connecting link between
the primitive past and the progressive present, for he has witnessed its trans-
formation since the spring of 1872.
]\Ir. Gloyd is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Delevan,
May 25, 1852. His father, Levi Gloyd, was born in Massachusetts, in which state
his youthful days were spent. He was married in New York, however, to Miss
Clarissa Parsons, a native of the Empire state and then living near Rochester.
On removing to the middle west Mr. Gloyd took up his abode in Walworth county,
Wisconsin, in 1840, and began merchandising in Delevan, being one of the pio-
neer business men of that place. He conducted his store there for some years
OLD KIRCHNER HOMESTEAD,
I-'irst Modern House in Clav Countv
THE NEW YORK
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yiLDtN FOUNDATIONS
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 349
and then removed to Dalton, where he carried on business for a time. Subse-
quently he sold out there and went to Rockford, Illinois, where he purchased a
farm. He also owaied a store and was associated with commercial as well as
agricultural interests in that locality. In 1872 he came to Clay county and took
a homestead, setting himself resolutely to the arduous task of developing, and
improving a new farm. For some years he was thus busily occupied and then
removed to Lawrence county, Kansas, establishing, his home near Council Grove.
His life was one of intense and well-directed activity. He owned and operated
twenty-four different farms in various states and his landed possessions in Clay
county aggregated one thousand acres. He was seldom if ever at error in mat-
ters of business judgment and his investments were so judiciously made as to
bring him a gratifying financial return,
James R. Gloyd grew to manhood in the Badger state and to the public-
school system of Wisconsin is indebted for the early educational privileges he
enjoyed. He afterwards attended high school in Rockford, Illinois, and in 1870
came to Iowa, settling first in Cerro Gordo county. He there followed farming
for two years and also worked on railroad construction in the employ of the
Milwaukee Railway Company. The year 1872 witnessed his arrival in Clay
county, where he secured a homestead claim of eighty acres, that constituted the
nucleus of the farm upon which he is now living. Thirty-seven years have since
come and gone and the county today bears little resemblance save in its general
outlines to the region in which he settled. At that time much of the land was
wild prairie, covered with its native grasses, while there were no graded roads
anci but few evidences of an advancing civilization. The pioneers were confronted
by the difficult task of making -homes in a region where their nearest neighbors
were sometimes miles away. Oxen were often used in breaking the prairie and'
the sod house was not an unusual feature of the landscape, but long since these
evidences of frontier life have been replaced by conditions w^hich show that the
pioneer settlers have worked earnestly and persistently. Today the Iowa farms
equal if not surpass in their improvements any to be found in other parts of the
country. The soil is naturally rich and productive and the state leads all others
in it? corn crop and in many other ways.
On the 17th of July, 1872, the year of his arrival in the county, Mr. Gloyd
was married at Clear Lake, Iowa, to Miss Josephine M. Case, a native of Chau-
tauqua county. New York, and a daughter of J. A. Case, an own cousin of the
renowned J. I. Case, of Racine, Wisconsin, who is now deceased. Mrs. Gloyd
came to Iowa with her father when a young lady of sixteen years. She was edu-
cated in the schools of New York and of this state and for some years prior to
her marriage successfully engaged in teaching.
Mr. and Mrs. Gloyd began their domestic life upon the farm in Clay county,
on which they now reside. Mr. Gloyd first built a small house and began break-
ing the prairie. As the years passed he opened up a farm and the wild prairie
grasses were replaced by fine crops of corn and other cereals best adapted to
soil and climatic conditions here. He put out a grove and also planted an orchard
and as his financial resources permitted he purchased an additional tract of forty
acres. He has erected a neat and pleasant residence on his farm and recently
built a silo which is one of the first in the countv. He raises stock and for some
350 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
vears has been engaged in the dairy business, his dairy products commanding a
ready sale and high price on the market. He is also one of the stockholders, di-
rectors and the treasurer of the Cooperative Creamery Company, at Langdon, and
his business interests make him a most active man.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gloyd has been born one son, Frank P., who married
Miss Maud Wilson, a native of Wisconsin. They, too, have one child. James
Leslie, a bright little lad of seven years. Frank P. Gloyd is now in partnership
with his father in farming, stock raising and dairying.
In his political views James R. Gloyd is a republican, having given stalwart
support to the party since casting his first presidential ballot for General U. S,
Grant. He has since voted for every standard bearer of the party and is regarded
as one of the leaders in its local ranks. He was elected and served as road super-
visor here, filling the office for several years and for about twenty years alto-
gether has been a member of the board of township trustees. He has continued
in office for twelve consecutive years and has recently been elected for two years
more, so that his continuous incumbency will cover at least fourteen years. In
this capacity he discharges his duties with promptness and fidelity, his labors
being of a practical character, beneficial to the community at large. He has also
been officially identified with the schools, acting as a member and president of
the school board for a number of years. He has frequently been chosen as a
delegate to the state and county conventions of his party and has also served on
the grand and petit juries. His wife is a member of the Christian church and is
a lady of many excellent traits of character. Mr. Gloyd belongs to the Alasonic
lodge at Spencer, in which he has filled all of the chairs, serving two terms as
master. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and at all
times is loyal to the fraternal and beneficent spirit which imderlines these organiza-
tions. He is well known in Clay and adjacent counties as a man of tried integrity
and worth and he and his family stand high in the estimation of the community.
He is justly accounted one of the self-made men, for he started out in life empty-
handed and has worked his way steadily upward, his diligence and industry con-
stituting, the rounds of the ladder on which he has climbed to the plane of afflu-
ence.
A. T. KNIGHT.
A spirit of enterprise and progress actuates A. T. Knight in all that he does.
He has worked diligently and persistently to develop and improve his farm, which
is today a good property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 31, ]\Ieadow
township. It constitutes one of the important features in the landscape and is
pleasantly and conveniently located within two miles of Spencer, so that all of
the advantages of city life are easily obtainable, while at the same time he enjoys
the freedom and independence of country life. Although one of the more recent
arrivals in the county, dating his residence here from 1902, he has become widely
known and has made for himself an enviable place in the regard of his fellow
townsmen. He comes from far ofif New England, his birth having occurred in
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 351
Vermont on the 14th of June, 1858. His father, Wilham Knight, also a native
of the Green ^Mountain state, was there reared and married, the lady of his choice
being Miss Harriet Cook, who was also born in Vermont. Following his mar-
riage the father carried on farming in his native state for several years or until
after three children were born unto them there. About 1861 he removed west-
ward with his family and took up his abode in Woodford county, Illinois, where
he lived for about ten years. On the expiration of that period he established his
home in McLean county. Illinois, where he also followed farming for ten years
and then went to Dallas county, Missouri, where he resided until his death, which
occurred in January, 1907. He had survived his wife for about ten years.
A. T. Knight was but a young lad at the time of the removal from New Eng-
land to the middle west and was reared in AIcLean county, Illinois. The com-
mon schools of that state afforded him his educational privileges and he remained
with his father until he had attained his majority, early becoming familiar with all
the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When he started out
in life on his own account he worked by the month as a farm hand and was thus
employed for a few years.
On the loth of August, 1882, Mr. Knight was married to Miss Amanda
Center, who was born in. Sangamon county, Illinois, and was there reared. For
a few years prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching school and did capable
work in the schoolroom in maintaining discipline and in imparting to others the
knowledge that she had acquired. Following their marriage they lived upon a
rented farm for a few years and in 1892 came to Iowa, locating in Story county,
near Nevada, upon a tract of land which Mr. Knight had purchased the previous
year. It was an improved tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, upon
which they made their home for seven years and then sold the property, investing
in a farm of two hundred acres, which was their place of residence until 1902.
In that year the property was sold and they came to Clay county, where Mr.
Knight purchased the farm upon which he now^ resides. He has used woven
wire in fencing the place, has tiled the land, investing eight hundred dollars in
tile, and has made a good home equipped with the accessories and conveniences of
a model farm property. There is an orchard and grove upon his place, a pleasant
dwelling and substantial barns and outbuildings. The latest improved machinery
is used to facilitate the work of the fields and the farm equipments include a wind
pump, a feed grinder and corn sheller. Mr. Knight also raises and, feeds stock,
making a specialty of hogs. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator
at Spencer and his business interests are carefully controlled, so that he has now
reached the plane of affluence, being numbered among the substantial citizens of
the community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knight have been born seven children : Luella, the wife
of Walter Dickison, who resides in Spencer, where he is conducting a meat mar-
ket ; Ira, who assists in the operation of the home farm ; Hattie, who is attending
the Spencer high school, and Alta, at home. They also lost three children: Viola,
who died in Story countv at thg age of sixteen years ; Jessie, who died at the
age of eleven- years ; and Guy. Avho died of diphtheria at the age of five
years. All the three children died within a week of the same disease. Politically
Mr. Knight is a republican with considerable interest in the prohibition party, for
CI.AY 19.
352 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
he is an advocate of the temperance movement. He has served as road boss and
has been officially connected with the schools. From his youth he has been a
member of the Christian church and his entire life has been characterized by de-
votion to manly purpose and honorable principles. In al-l of his business dealings
he is straightforward and reliable and enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence
and good will of those who know him.
X. J. HENNINGS.
Everly numbers among its worthy and valued citizens the gentleman whose
name introduces this review. For a long, period he was an active and energetic
farmer of Summit township where he owned three hundred and twenty acres of
land. Although he has disposed of this property his landed possessions include
three hundred and twenty acres lying near IMitchell. South Dakota, Mr, Hennings
was born in Holstein, Germany, October 2, 1850. When a young man he sought
the opportunities and business advantages of the new world and, crossing the At-
lantic, joined some friends at Davenport, Iowa. Soon afterward he began work
as a farm hand in Scott county, for his financial resources were limited and he
faced the necessity of providing for his own support. Later he went to Benton
county where he again worked at farm labor, and his industry and economy in
the course of years brought him a capital that enabled him to purchase a farm.
Air. Hennings was living in Benton county when he was married, in 1872, to
Miss Margaret Kromhke, also a native of Holstein. I-'ollowing their marriage
they took up their abode upon a rented farm, which Mr. Hennings cultivated for
about twelve years, or until 1884. He then removed to Clay county, after having
previously visited this district, and invested in one hundred and sixty acres of
land in Summit township. On this farm he took up his abode, imbued with a
determination to transform the tract into valuable property that should yield him
a substantial living. He built a little home and soon wrought a change in the
appearance of the place, bringing the unimproved land under cultivation and
adding many modern equipments and accessories to the place. Year by year he
gathered in the crops, for which he found a ready market, and as he carefully
saved his earnings he was at length able to purchase an additional tract of one
hundred and sixty acres. On the first quarter-section he built a good home, also
two barns and all the outbuildings "which were necessary to shield his grain, hay
and farm implements from the storms of winter. Iowa was originally termed a
treeless prairie and it was only along the streams that any natural forest growth
was found. But Mr. Henning, like many of his neighbors, set out trees and
today has a beautiful growth of ash, box-elder and maple. He took up the task
of cultivating fruit, with the result, that he soon had a good orchard in bearing.
Thus year after year he carried on his farm work with good results until 1894,
when he sold one hundred and sixty acres of the home place and removed to
Everly, where he purchased a residence. Two years later, not being content to
remain idle, he opened a hotel which he conducted four years. On the expira-
tion of that period he disposed of the hotel and also sold the other quarter section
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 353
of his home farm in Summit township. He then bought land in South Dakota,
near Mitchell, where he now has an improved and valuable farm of three hundred
and twenty acres. For a number of years he has practically lived retired, his
realty and other investments being sufficient to bring to him a substantial income,
supplying him with all of the necessities and comforts, and some of the luxuries
of life.
As the years passed several children made their appearance into the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Hennings, and two sons and two daughters are yet living,
namely : Dr. A. J. Hennings, who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Tay-
lor, North Dakota ; O. F. Hennings, who is a bookkeeper in the First National
Bank at Dickerson, North Dakota ; Alma, the wife of Henry Teeson, of Everly ;
and Lillie, who is postmistress at Taylor, North Dakota. They also lost a son,
Otto, who died in Benton county in his third year.
Mr. and Airs. Hennings were reared in the Lutheran faith, but are not mem-
bers of any church at the present time. Politically, ]\Ir. Hennings is a stanch
democrat, and in Summit township he served as road supervisor and as a mem-
ber of the school board. Since taking up his abode in Everly he has been a mem-
ber of the village board, was also elected township trustee and by reelection has
served for nine consecutive years. In 1908 he was again reelected, so that his
incumbency will continue until 1910. He has been chairman of the town board
since his first election. He belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge of Everly, in which
he has served as an official. His interest in all that pertains to the general wel-
fare is that of a public-spirited citizen, who finds time and inclination to cooperate
in movements for the public good. He has witnessed the entire growth and de-
velopment of Everly and of the western part of Clay county. In all the relations
of life he has been honorable and straightforward and his example is well
worthy of emulation. Prosperous in his business connections, he proves what
may be accomplished by determined and persistent labor. Starting out without
capital, he has worked his way steadily upward, improving every opportunity and
utilizing every chance that has led to honorable advancement.
ALEXANDER MORROW.
Alexander Morrow^ is a prosperous farmer of Royal, Clay county, whose
successful life merits exceptional praise owing to the fact that when scarcely
out of boyhood, at a time when children of his age were going from comfortable
homes to acquire their education, he was practically homeless, cast out into the
world with strangers and compelled to get along as best he could. But he
possessed the possibilities of a successful career and little by little they evidenced
themselves. He accepted any employment offered him and applied himself
diligently, day by day becoming stronger for life's battles, and thus gradually
bettered his condition, at the same time strengthening his self-reliance, so that
finally, through industry, thrift and economy, he saved sufficient means to
purchase some land, and has since prospered, until he is today one of the most
successful and enterprising farmers in this county.
354 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
He was born in Canada. September 15, 1842, a son of ^l. and Abioail
(Yew) Morrow, the father being a native of that place who came to the United
States and located in Kankakee county, Illinois, where he died in May, 1852,
his wife passing away there December 5, 1879. They were the parents of six
children, one of whom is Alexander Alorrow, our subject. He was but nine
years of age when his father died, but was relegated to strangers upon the
remarriage of his mother, and consequently received no education. At that
tender age he was compelled to seek employment for himself, and worked
at whatever he could get until he was forty-one years old. when he came to
this county and eventually located in Clay township. His life thus far had been
modest, and of his scant earnings he laid by the greater portion, and conse-
quentlv upon arriving in this township he had sufficient means to purchase a
small farm, upon which he worked early and late, meeting with splendid success
and annually adding to his landed holdings, until he now owns three-quarters
of section 21, composed of the best soil and as fine a farm upon which to
produce general crops as there is in the county. His land is highly improved,
with drainage, buildings, and machinery, and he possesses every convenience
with which to follow farming by modern methods. Notwithstanding that his
life was a busy one, he laid aside his interests for the honor of his country and
served during the Civil war in Company K. One Hundred and Forty-seventh
Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
In 1866 he wedded Odella Buckrow, to which union were born: William;
Fdward, an agriculturist of Clay township ; Lucinda ; Clara, wlio lives in Clay
township ; Hattie, a resident of Royal, Iowa ; Walter ; and Lilly. After their
mother departed this life, Mr. Morrow was united in marriage to Mrs. Rosalie
Trumbler, and they are the parents of : Dclor, of Royal, Iowa ; Pearl, of Clay
township ; Laura ; Agnes ; and Paul. Politically Wr. Morrow is loyal to the
republican party and has served the townshi]) in a profitable manner as a member
of the school board. He belongs to .the Grand Army of the Republic, where he
meets his old army comrades. Flis career is a commendable one and is one of
the many evidences of what patience and perseverance will do in overcoming
difficulties, surmounting discouragements and achieving success. Mr. Morrow
is an upright man, interested not only in the financial but also in the moral
standing of the community, and has acquired the confidence and respect of his
neighbors, both as a substantial farmer and a useful citizen.
THOMAS L. ROBERTS
Thomas L. Roberts is living retired in Spencer, having reached the seventy-
first milestone on the journey of life. At dififerent times he has been connected
with the machinist's trade and with farming, and during the period of the Civil
war he espoused the Union cause and followed the old flag on southern battle-
fields. The success he has attained in business and the respect everywhere ten-
dered him marks him as one of the representative citizens of Spencer, and it is
therefore with pleasure that we present his history to our readers. His birth
MR. AND MRS. T. L. ROBERTS
^THENEWyoni. ,
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTot). LENOX
TILOEN FOUNDA7IOMQ
• HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 357
occurred in South Wales, June 13, 1837, his parents being Phihp and Mary
(Lewis) Roberts, also natives of Wales. Little is known concerning the ancestral
history of the family. The paternal grandmother was Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts,
and her children were two in number — a son and daughter. The maternal
grandfather, Louis Lewis, was a native of Wales, in which country he spent his
entire life, passing away there at an advanced age, while his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth
Lewis, lived to the remarkable old age of one hundred and eleven years. Their
family of three daughters and one son included ]\lary Lewis, who became the
wife of Philip Roberts. For many years Philip Roberts followed farming in his
native country, and later engaged in the hotel business there until he came to
America in 1840, establishing his home in Minersville, Schuylkill county, Penn-
sylvania. Subsequently he removed westward to Columbus county, Wisconsin,
where he died at the age of eighty years. His wife survived him two years,
and had reached the age of seventy-nine years, at the time of her demise. Both
were consistent christian people, holding membership in the Baptist church, and
]\lr. Roberts had military experience as a member of the Welsh militia. Their
lamil\- numbered six sons and six daughters, of whom the youngest three are
now living : Sarah, the w'idow of Hugh Jones, of O'Brien county, Ohio ; ]\Irs.
Robert Roberts, of Spencer, Iowa, and Thomas L. Two uncles of the family,
Richard Lewis and Rev. Morgan Howells, attained more than local distinction,
the former having charge of the Welsh army during the riots in Wales, while the
latter was one of the most celebrated ministers of the Calvin Methodist church of
that country.
Thomas L. Roberts, the youngest of the family, was only three years of age
when brought b}' his parents to America. He was reared to manhood at Miners-
ville, Pennsylvania, where he acquired a public-school education, and learned the
machinist's trade, with which he has been identified during the greater part of
his life. In i860 he removed to Columbus county, W^isconsin, and the following
year, aroused by a spirit of patriotism, when the Union was endangered by
rebellion in the south, he joined Company C of the Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry, and went to the front. While in the pits at Vicksburg he reenlisted
and served for four years, giving valiant aid to his country during the darkest
hour in her history. He was a drummer during the first three years of his
service, and then reenlisted as a private, after which he was appointed to the
quartermaster's department, doing much work there of a clerical nature. How-
ever he know's the experience of facing the line of battle, for he took part in
the engagement of Kenesaw Mountain, Big Shanty, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek,
the charge on Atlanta, the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, and New Hope Church.
He also went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, wdiich proved
that the strength of the Confederacy was almost exhausted.
When the war was over and victory crowned the Union army, Mr. Roberts
returned to his home in Wisconsin, and for two years engaged in clerking, in a
department store in Columbus. He afterward removed to Omaha, Nebraska,
where he again took up the machinist's trade, and installed. the first air pump on
an engine that was ever put on west of the Missouri river. He worked on the
construction of the Union Pacific Railroad in putting on the line shafting, and
was employed liy the company for fifteen years. On the expiration of that period
358 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
he made his way to Colorado in 1S79,, and was employed hy the Rio Grande^
Railroad Company. Later, however, he returned to Iowa, where, in 1870, he
had taken up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres. This he culti-
vated for a few years, and then returned to his trade, but he still owns the farm,
which he secured through a soldier's claim, and which cost him only sixteen
dollars, although it is today worth twelve thousand dollars. It is situated on
section 6, Clay township, and is a well improved and valuable property. Mr.
Roberts is now largely living retired, for his life of activity and enterprise has
brought to him a substantial competence which now supplies him with all of the
comforts and some of the luxuries of life without recourse to further labor.
On the 6th of September, 1867, Mr. Roberts was married to ^liss Mary Ann
Richards, a daughter of Hugh and Anna Richards. Five children were born
unto them: Adelbert Studer, of ^^linneapolis, Minnesota, who married Julia
Ann Richards and has two daughters, Patrina and May ; May, the second of
the family, who died at the age of three and a half years; Thomas Lynn, who
was killed in a railroad wreck on the Omaha road at Windoni, Minnesota, and
left a wife. Mrs. Haidee (Xewkirk) Roberts, and one son, Maryan ; Patrina
May, who died in Leadville, Colorado, at the age of eleven years ; and Earl
Joyful, who is living, in Spencer with his aunt, ]\Iary Roberts. Of this family
the daughter-in-law, Mrs. Haidee (Xewkirk) Roberts, was a daughter of Dr.
Newkirk, a surgeon of the Confederate army, who held the rank of major. The
death of Mrs. ]\Iary Ann Roberts occurred ]\Iarch 18, 1898, when she was
fifty-two years of age. She was a devoted christian woman, holding membership
in the Baptist church, and in her family was a loving wife and mother.
r\Ir. Roberts is well known in fraternal circles, being a prominent Alason,
holding membership in Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M., of
Spencer ; Welcome Chapter, No. 44, R. A. M., of Somerville, Tennessee ; Fayette
Council, No. 84, R. & S. ]\I., of Somerville ; and the Valley of Memphis Consistory,
S. P. R. S. He likewise belongs to Salida Lodge, No. 57, I. O. O. F., of Salida,
Colorado, and Garfield Post, No. 9, G. A. R., of Leadville, Colorado. His political
allegiance has always been given to the republican party which stood as the
defense of the L^nion during the dark days of the Civil war, and has ever been
the party of reform, progress and advancement. His life has been one of well
directed activity and intelligent effort, resulting in the attainment of a fair
measure of success, and wherever he is known he is honored, by reason of his
genuine worth.
A. T. TONES.
In every town and city there are men w^io by the consensus of public opinion
are placed in the front ranks of the enterprising citizens. To this class belongs
A. T. Jones, who for fifteen years has been actively and successfully engaged in
the five stock business in Everly, while previous to this time he was one of the
prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of the county. There is little concerning
the history of actual progress and improvement in Clay county that Mr. Jones
does not know. Events which are to others matters of record are familiar to
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 359
him through actual experience, for he has lived in the county since 1867. At
that time it was just being reclaimed for the purposes of civilization, for although
the district had been visited by white men for many years, comparatively few
permanent settlements had been made within its borders. Air. Jones was less
than a year old at the time of his arrival, his birth having occurred in Stoughton,
Wisconsin, August 30, 1866. He is a son of Evan Jones, who brought the
family to Iowa in 1867. Of the father further mention is made elsewhere in
this volume. A. T. Jones was reared amid the wild scenes and environments
of frontier life and shared with the family in all of the experiences and hardships
incident to the establishment of a home amid pioneer conditions. He was reared
in the county and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges.
When not busy with his text-books he gave his father the benefit of .his services
and then engaged in farming on the old homestead for four years after he had
attained his majority.
Mr. Jones was married when twenty-one years of age, the wedding being
celebrated in Spencer on the 14th of Alarch, 1888, the lady of his choice being
Miss ]\Iae Harvey, who was born in Clayton county, Iowa, and reared and
educated in this state. Her father, William Harvey, was one of the early
settlers who came from Illinois to Iowa in pioneer times but was a native of the
state of New York. For four years after his marriage Mr. Jones continued
the cultivation of the old home farm and about 1892 removed to a farm north
of Everly, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land that was still in its
primitive condition. The breaking plow was soon at work and after the sod
was turned the work of cultivation was continued until the seed was planted and
in due time harvests were gathered. Mr. Jones fenced the place and separated
the farm into fields of convenient size. He purchased improved machinery to
carry on the work and used every means to make the property productive and
valuable. As his financial resources increased he added to the farm from time
to time until he became the owner of six hundred and forty acres, but afterward
sold one-half of this. He built a good farm house and barn and during the ten
years in which he resided on that place wrought a marked transformation in its
appearance. In his feed lots and pastures were found good grades of cattle,
for he raised and fed stock and later bought and shipped stock. In 1904 he
rented his farm and removed to Everly, where he has since devoted his energies
to buying and shipping stock, shipping on an average of one hundred carloads
of live stock annually. He is today the largest buyer in the w^estern part of
Clay county. His business is capably conducted and bringing to him gratifying
prosperity.
Four children have graced the marriage of Air. and Mrs. Jones : Theodore,
Leslie, Grace and Alamie. The family is prominent socially and the members
of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they
move. Air. Jones is a valued representative of the Masonic lodge of Everly
and his wife is a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His political
endorsement is given to the republican party and for three years he served as
assessor of Waterford township. He has also been mayor of Everly for two
years and gave to the town a public-spirited, businesslike and progressive
360 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
administration, working for needed reform and improvement. He has been
a member of the school board and has served as a delegate to the connty
conventions. While yet comparatively a young man, he has witnessed almost the
entire growth and progress of the county and has been closely associated with
its improvement, cooperating in many movements that have been of material
benefit to the county.
JAMES E. ^HLLS.
There is no record which the American citizen holds in higher honor than
that of the man whose strength of character, determination of purpose and inde-
fatigable energ.}' have enabled him to work his way upward from a humble
position to one of atliuence, and who throughout his business career has followed
a straightforward, honorable course, that neither seeks nor requires disguise.
Such has been the history of James E. !\Iills who. when a little lad of but ten
years, began to earn his own living and has since been dependent upon his own
resources. He is now well known as a grain dealer and farmer of Dickens and
has gained a place among the substantial citizens of tlic county. He was born
in Eaton, Carroll county, Xew Hampshire, November 9, 1840. his parents being
John and Betsy T. (Giles) ]\Iills. both of whom were natives of New Hampshire.
The family is of English lineage, but was established in America in early colonial
days, and John ]\Iills, the grandfather of James E. !Mills, was likewise born in
the old Granite state. He became a ship carpenter and farmer and died in New
Orleans, while on his way from Galveston, Texas. His family numbered thirteen
children, including John Alills, Jr., who learned and followed the carpenter's
trade, spending the greater part of his life at Eaton, New Hampshire. He also
'cultivated a small farm. In 1861 he proved his loyalty to his country in the
hour of need, by enlisting, as a member of the Fourteenth Regiment of Maine
Volunteers, serving for three years. He was wounded in the battle of Baton
Rouge in 1863, and died from his injuries in 1864, when about forty-five years
of age. In early manhood he had wedded Betsy T. Giles, a daughter of David
Giles, also a native of New Hamphsire, where he followed the occupation of
farming for many years. His wife died in that state but his last years were
spent in Illinois. As stated, his daughter became the wife of John Mills, and
long surviving her husband, reached the age of eighty-three years, passing away
in 1891. Both were members of the Freewill Baptist Church and were earnest
Christian people, who enjoyed the warm regard of those with whom they came
in contact. Their family numbered four children : ]\Irs. ]\Iarv J. Peary, of
Conway, New Hampshire ; James E., of this review ; Lorenzo D., also of Conway,
New Hampshire ; and Lozira F., who became the wife of Ephraim Brvant. but
is now deceased.
James E. Mills resided in Eaton, New Hampshire, until about ten vears of
age and attended the public schools there. He then started out to fight life's
battles and has come off conqueror in the strife. For a numbei of vears he
lived with Carl Drew at Eaton and during that time continued to attend school.
^S^v^
m
JAMES E. MILLS
MRS. JAMES E. MILLS
PUBLIC UBRAR^l
T\L'5
FO<-
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 365
until he was qualified to take up the profession of teaching, which he followed
for ahout ten years. He afterward spent one summer as a fisherman at sea and
following-, his return home again engaged in teaching. He also worked in a
cotton factory for two vears or more and then went to the south, conductins" a
plantation on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, for A. B. Cook, for one
year. He then returned to the old Granite state and in 1866 became a resident
of Monmouth, Illinois, where he engaged in teaching for a year, going thence
to Roscoe, Minnesota.
It was during his residence in that place that INIr. Mills was married on
the 20th of September, 1868, to Miss Ellen \'. Smith, a native of New York,
and a daughter of William P. and Elsie J. (Andrews) Smith. Unto them was
born a son, Jesse John, who was killed by the kick of a horse.
Soon after their marriage Mr. Mills drove an ox team to Iowa and located
on a farm of one hundred acres in Freeman township, then Spencer township.
Clay county. He cast in his lot with the frontier settlers, for this was still a
frontier district, in which the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely
begun. Aluch of the land was still uncultivated and the towns were of little
industrial or commercial importance, l,ut a class of men were establishing their
homes in the county and their labors were converting it into a most attractive
place of residence. Mr. Mills continued to improve his farm for twenty years
and still owns the property, the boundaries of which he has increased by the.
additional purchase of eighty acres. In 1888 he went south and conducted a
newspaper at Enterprise, Mississippi, for five years, but he felt that Clay county
was a much more congenial place of residence, and returning, he located at
Dickens, where he purchased a house and lot and has since operated a grain
elevator, at the same time giving his attention to his farming interests.
Mr. Mills exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures
of the republican party and for many years has been justice of the peace, his
decisions being strictly fair and impartial, so that his official record has won him
high encomiums. He belongs to Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M.,
at Spencer, Clay Chapter, No. 112, R. A. AI. ; Dickens Lodge, No. 583, I. O.
O. F., Spencer Encampment, I. O. O. F., while both he and his wife hold mem-
bership with the Rebekah lodge. They are people of the highest respectability,
enjoying in large measure the friendship of those with whom they have been
brought in contact and a life of well directed activity has gained Mr. Mills a
creditable place in business circles.
L. J. HJELM.
The welfare and growth of every town or city depends upon the character
of its business men. It is always the merchants and representatives of other
business life who are the promoters of all plans of progress and improvement.
Among the enterprising citizens of Royal is L. J. Hjelm, proprietor of a hardware
and furniture store. His line also includes sewing machines, bic3^cles and
sporting goods and in the conduct of his store he studies the tastes and demands
366 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
of the general public and as the result of his efTfor:s to please his patrons is now-
accorded a liberal and growing trade. He was born in Clinton, Iowa, October i,
1873, and is a son of Jens and Carrie (Hagadorn) Hjelm. The father, a native
of Denmark, came to the United States in 1870 and located in Clinton, Iowa,
where he made his home for a time, while subsequently he removed to Cedar
Falls and thence came to Clay township, where he still resides. He has devoted
his entire life to general agricultural pursuits and is still busily employed at that
labor. His wife was a native of Germany and they were married in Denmark.
Unto them have been born eight children : L. J. ; Anna, the wife of Martin
Nelson, a farmer of Lincoln township, this county; Simon, who follows farming
in Clay township; ^larus, who is with his brother, L. T-. iu the store; Hans,
Mary, Nels and Alartha, all yet at home.
In the public schools of Cedar Falls, Iowa, L. J. Hjelm pursued his education
and remained at home until seventeen years of age, during which time he spent
his vacation months in farm labor. He afterward went to Peterson, Iowa, and
was subsequently employed at differeni times at J. F. Clagg's hardware store,
Webster City, and at Spencer and Sioux Rapids. Throughout this period he was
actuated by the laudable desire of one da\ engaging in business on his own
account. In 1900 he came to Royal and saw the fulfillment of his hopes, for
from his earnings he had saved sufficient capital to enable him to establish a
business of his own. He owns a well appointed stock, keeps everything up-to-date
and has a good business. His propert}- interests include the building which he
occupies and a residence in Royal.
In 1899 Mr. Hjelm was married to ^liss Abbie Hullgaard, a resident of
Lincoln township, this comity, and unto them liave been born four children ;
Nina, Beuna, Alice and Ruby, all }et at home. The parents are members of the
Danish Lutheran church and higlily esteemed in the community where they
reside, their many good qualities having won for them the friendship and
confidence of those who know them. ^Ir. Hjelm is a republican in his political
vaews. His business career has been marked by that consecutive progress which
follows persistent labor intelligently directed. Though he started with nothing,
he has made consecutive advancement and his success is undoubtedly due in
large measure to the fact that he is a first-class tinner and mechanic and able to
handle any work that may arise in connection with his business. His store is
attractively arranged and he carries a pleasing line of furniture, hardware and
other goods and from the public receives a liberal patronage.
JAMES WALTON COOK.
James Walton Cook has been engaged in agjicultural pursuits in Herdland
township for many years. Although he w'as not among the earliest settlers of the
county he came here when there were still many evidences of the pioneer days,
thousands of acres of wild, unbroken prairie land surrounding his residence,
which is located on section 11. During the twenty-six years he has been here he
has witnessed many changes wrought by the growth and development of the
I
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 367
country. He has seen the ox team and prairie schooner supplanted by a net-
work of railroads and the log cabin and dugout give place to the modern home.
The days of privation have long since passed and Clay county today is the home
of a prosperous and contented people and where once the wild prairie stretched
upon all sides are now to be seen fruitful fields and orchards and pastures. Mr.
Cook has done much to bring about these improvements and this prosperity and
is to be numbered among the many who have devoted their energies to making this
part of the state one of the finest for farming purposes in the country.
Mr. Cook is a native of Hancock county, Illinois, born November 20, 1862.
His parents were James and Margaret (Yater) Cook, natives of New Brunswick
and Kentucky, respectively, but little is known about their ancestors. However,
it is supposed that the founders of the Cook family came from Germany, in which
country the name was known as Koch, and records show that several centuries ago
two brothers emigrated to England and there established what is known as the
English branch of the Cook family. From this source the ancestry of James
Walton Cook is supposed to have descended. James Cook resided in Hancock
county, Illinois, for about twenty }ears and in 1883 came to Clay county, locating
on section 11, Herdland township, paying four thousand dollars for his farm.
Here he spent his life in the pursuit of agriculture and stock-raising until he
passed away in June, 1906. in his seventy-fifth year. His wife resides in Spencer.
In the family were two children : James W. and W. C, who with his wafe,
Nellie (Price) Cook, resides in Spencer.
On his father's farm James Walton Cook was reared. He acquired his edu-
cation in the district school and assisted in the work of the fields until he was
twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life on his own responsibility and
engaged in farming for himself. He has one of the finest farms in the township,
provided with all the necessary improvements and conveniences w'ith which to
carry on the work to the greatest advantage, and everything about his place is
indicative of thrift and prosperity. He owns two hundred and forty acres of
land in Herdland township and has an undivided interest in three hundred acres
in Woodford county. Illinois, both farms being under a high state of cultivation.
Aside from producing general crops, such as hay and the various kinds of grain,
he also pays attention to stock-raising and ships cattle, sheep and hogs quite ex-
tensively. He is very attentive to his farm interests and has everything on hand
with which to pursue agriculture by modern methods.
On January i, 1890. ^Ir. Cook wedded !Miss Eldora Richardson, daughter
of W. R. and Nancy (Butler) Richardson, natives of Woodford county, Illinois,
and Floyd county, Indiana, respectively. Her father was an extensive farmer
and stock-raiser of Woodford county and passed his entire life on the old home-
stead on which his father had lived, his long and useful career having closed
May 15, 1907, when he was in his seventy-first year. He survived his wife one
year, her death having occurred in 1906, when she was seventy-three years old.
In their family were three children : ]\Iary, w'ife of H. !M. St. Clair, of Kearney.
Nebraska ; Eldora : and Eva C, who resides in Secor, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs.
Cook have been born three children, namely : Edna, Ada and Russell.
Politically ]\Ir. Cook for a long time was identified with the democratic party
although of late years he has been taking, the stand of an independent, reserving
368 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
his right to vote for such candidates as he deems best quahfied to conserve the
interests of the commonweahh, irrespective of their party ties. He has served the
towhship in a number of useful offices, among which are assessor and trustee
and for the past fifteen years he has been either judge or clerk of election. In
all positions of public trust he has proven himself worthy of the confidence reposed
in him, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. Being as faithful
in the performance of his religious obligations as he is in attending to his busi-
ness affairs Mr. Cook, together with the members of his family, attends divine
services at the Methodist church, of which they are all liberal supporters. He
is also affiliated with the Court of Honor, in the attairs of which he is quite
prominent.
During his life ]\Ir. Cook has lived close to high ideals and his citizenship
is such that it has inspired strength and permanence to every undertaking, in
which his cooperation has been enlisted. Companionable and well informed, ob-
serving the world from a wide range, he has an abiding faith in the goodness of
mankind and in the existence of opportunity for all who seek it. He is a man
of noble qualities of character, of strong and resolute purpose, industrious and
enterprising, and well known throughout the community for his uprightness and
honesty, he merits and enjoys the respect and confidence of his neighbors and
manv friends.
HERBERT T- TREEBY,
Herbert J. Treeby, a well known livery man and rural mail carrier of Royal,
this county, is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Plymouth county,
January 4, 1876, a son of ^^'illiam and Elizabeth E. (Graham) Treeby. His
father, a native of England, came to the United States in 1852, locating in Stark
county, Illinois, but later removed to Plymouth county, near Merrill, this state,
where he located claims on which he remained for several years. He then went
to Lyon county but after a brief period returned t^ Plymouth county, where he
lived until fourteen years ago when he located in this county on section 21
of Clay township, engaged in general agriculture and stock-raising until five
years ago, since which time he has been living a retired life. He is a supporter of
the republican party, has held several public offices in the township and is a
member and a liberal supporter of the United Brethren church. He was married
in Illinois to Elizabeth E. Graham, a native of Ohio, who depaited this life in
Plymouth county, this state, in 1905. In their family were twelve children,
namely: Sarah, wife of H. W. Bristow, an agriculturist of Merrill, this state;
one, not named, who died in infancy ; Alvira, w'lie of J. P. Weeks, a lumber mer-
chant, who resides near Cottage Grove, Oregon ; Mattie B., who became the wife
of Peter Leforge. an agriculturist and fruit grower whose farms lie near Lebanon.
Oregon ; Anna, deceased ; Nora, deceased ; the next born were twins, who died in
infancy; W. F., an agriculturist, who resides near Willow Lake, South Dakota;
Herbert J., our subject; Luella A., wife of J. W. Houghton, who is engaged in
farming in Henly, North Dakota ; and Aland, who passed awav in her tenth vear.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 361)
In the common schools of Plymouth county, Iowa, Herbert J. Treeby acquired
his education and remained at home engaged in the general routine of farming
until twenty-three years of ag.e when he came to this county, operating a small
plat for six years, at the expiration of which time he located in the village of Royal
and established himself in the livery business which he has since been successfully
conducting. Since initiating this venture he has api)lied himself with unremit-
ting energy to increasing the business, and it is now one of the most prosperous
enterprises in the city. He owns several first class teams, an imported Percheron
horse known as "Pekin," one Winton automobile and also the building in which
he conducts his bvisiness. In 1904 he established a mail route over which he has
since been carrying mails, and this is not only a lucrative business to himself
but also one of the most useful improvements enjoyed by the residents of the
rural districts.
In 1907 Mr. Treeby was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Marion Erickson, a
native of Royal and they have one son, Herbert Durand. Mrs. Treeby is a grad-
uate of Toland Business College at Spencer, and before her marriage was a
stenographer. She also taught school for several terms in Clay county. Mr.
Treeby is a republican and, although he is not an active politician, he is always
pleased with the success of his party and does all he can during, elections to place
their candidates in the offices sought. One of the useful services which he has
rendered the township is that of school director, and in this capacity he has been
serving efficiently for several years. He belongs to Royal lodge, A. F. & A. M.
and also to the Yeomen, being corresponding secretary and treasurer of the lat-
ter society. For a number of years he was affiliated with the Good Templars
and is faithful to his religious obligations in his attendance at the Methodist Epis-
copal church, of which he and his w'ife are members and liberal supporters.
Mr. Treeby is an enterprising and energetic business man and being still a young
man, the progressive spirit which he shows and which has brought him success
w^ill no doubt make him a still more influential factor in the financial affairs of
the countv.
WILLIAM W. CULVER.
Iowa draws its wealth from the soil. The boundless prairies of this state
ofifer excellent opportunities to the agriculturist and the farmer who resolutely
tills his fields and carefully cultivates his crops may in the course of time attain
enviable success, acquiring as a result of his labors a handsome competence, that
will relieve him in his later years from the necessity of arduous toil. Realizing
these facts, Mr. Culver, while identified with farming interests, carefully con-
trolled his business and through his industry, econoni}' and perseverance won the
prosperity which now classes him with the substantial citizens of Dickens. His
life record began in Iowa county, Wisconsin, January 22, 1843. Back of him
is a Scotch ancestry, with the typical characteristics of that nation, noted for
its thrift and industry. His grandfather, John CuK-er, was born in the land of
hills and heather and became the founder of the familv in the new world. He
370 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
was a farmer by occupation and throughout his entire life gave his attention to
the raising of crops. He wedded Aliss :\Iary Sleter, and to both were allotted a
ripe old age, Mr. Culver being seventy-eight when called to the home beyond,
while his wife survived him but two years. They had a large family, namely:
Alvah, Alanson, William, Fannie, deceased; Wilson, Melinda, Walter, John,
Joshua and Alphonso.
Alvah Culver, the father of William A\'. Culver, was born in Xew York
and was reared under the parental roof to the duties of the farm. He turned
his attention, however, to the carpenter's trade, and thinking that the new and
growing west offered better business opportunities, he made his way to Green
Bay, Wisconsin, in 1836. There he spent one winter and one summer, after
which he removed to Helena. Wisconsin, where he resided until his death.
He worked most of the time for the American Shot Company, but also became
proprietor of a hotel and proved a popular host. His life span covered .seventy-
three years and was ended in 1885. His wife survived him for only thirty days,
and died at the age of seventy-one years. They were members of the Seventh
Day Adventists church. Their family numbered ten children, seven sons and
three daughters: David W.. who makes his home in Spring Green* Wisconsin;
DeWitt C. also a resident of that place; Fannie, who died in infancy; Abigail,
who became the wife of A. C. Bedell, but is now deceased ; William W., of this
review ; Alvah, Jr., who resides in Lone Rock, Wisconsin ; George W., a resident
of Dickens ; John F., of Lone Rock, Wisconsin ; Joshua B., who is deceased ; and
Sophronia M., who has also departed this life.
William W. Culver lived in Iowa county, A\'isconsin, until seventeen years
of age, and the public schools of Helena afforded him liis educational privileges
and prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties. He was reared as
a farm boy. working in the fields when not attending school and at times enjoying
such sports as the youth of the locality indulged in. At the age of eighteen
years, thrilled by the spirit of patriotism, he joined the Union army, enlisting
in 1862 as a member of Company A, Thirty-third Wisconsin \"olunteer Infantry.
He served for three years and held the rank of corporal. In many important
engagements he proved his loyalty and valor, participating in the entire siege
of Vicksburg, also the siege of Fort Blakeley and Spanish hort. He was
likewise in the battles of Marksville Prairie, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Pleasant
Hill, Nashville, the second battle of Corinth and numerous skirmishes, and
never faltered in the performance of his duty, whether on the firing line or the
lonely picket line. He was twice wounded, in the siege of Vicksburg and again
at Tupelo, but as soon as his injuries permitted he took his place again in the
ranks and continued to defend the old flag until it was planted victoriously in
the capital of the southern Confederacy.
When the war was over ]\Ir. Culver gladly returned to his home and
resumed the pursuits of peace in his native town, where he engaged in farming
for a year. He then went into the pineries, where he spent three years, and in
1874 he came to Iowa. For a year he resided in Dickinson county and then
returned to Clay county, where he has now lived continuously for a third of
a century. He is, therefore, numbered among the early settlers and has been an
interested witness of the changes that the vears have brought, as the countv has
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 371
been transformed from a frontier district into one of the leading counties of
the commonwealth. [Mr. Culver secured a homestead claim of eighty acres in
Freeman township, about a mile and a quarter north of Dickens, and improved
this property, living thereon until 1890. In tlie meantime he added a tract of
forty acres, but eventually sold the entire farm and removed to Dickens, where
he has now made his home for nineteen years. On taking up his abode in
the town he turned his attention to the carpenter's trade and has been associated
to a considerable extent with its building interests, although for nine and a half
years he filled the office of postmaster. His administration of the duties of that
office were entirely satisfactory to the general public, for he was always prompt
and capable.
On the 7th of April, 1870, IMr. Culver was united in marriage to [\Iiss
Susan A. Jewell, a daughter of William and Annie (Cornelius) Jewell. She
was born in Catabranca, Brazil, on the 4th of November, 1843, ^vhile her parents
w'ere natives of England. Her father was killed in the mines of Catabranca,
wdiile his wife survived him for some time and married again, her second
husband being James Cox. By her first marriage there were born two children,
Jane and Susan A. By the second marriage there were five children, James,
Emma, Lizzie, Kate and Louisa Cox.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Culver was blessed with two daughters and
a son : Maude E., who is now the wife of Anton Anderson, a station agent
at Garner ; Fred A., who married Belle Marchant, and is station agent at
Castalia; and Mabel, who is the wife of Fred Cederholm and resides in Freeman
township. Mr. and Mrs. Culver are members of the Congregational church and
are earnest Christian people, whose influence is always on the side of right,
progress and improvement. He votes with the republican party and is much
interested in its success, giving to it loyal allegiance. He also belongs to Annett
Post, G. A. R.. and thus keeps in touch with those who wore the blue tmiform
when he, too, was a soldier on southern battlefields. While his life has been
quietly passed in some ways, it has nevertheless been fruitful of good, in that
he has always been faithful to every trust reposed in him, progressive in his
citizenship and reliable in his business connections.
ALFRED ANDERSON.
While one of the more recent additions to business circles in Royal, Alfred
Anderson has already made for himself an enviable position in public regard and
is numbered among the progressive and valued merchants of the town. He is as-
sociated with C. P. Jones in a general mercantile store which was established on
the 15th of March, 1908, and which they are conducting under the firm name of
Jones & Anderson.
The junior partner was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on the 12th of j\Ia}-.
1880, and is a son of Olaf and Lottie (Olson) Anderson. The father was also
born in Stockholm and in the year 1882 he came to the United States. As he
looked over the country and saw the opportunities which it ofifered he believed
that he might wisely establish his home on this side the Atlantic and in 1884 he
372 HISTORY OF CLAY COUXTY
brought his family to the new world, settling at Peterson, Iowa. In his native
country he had learned the carpenter's trade in early life and had become a con-
tractor and builder. After crossing the Atlantic he still continued in that field of
labor for a time. His wife was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and they were mar-
ried there. She still survives and is living at Royal. In their family were seven
children : Elmer E., deceased ; Charles W., a farmer residing in Montana ; Anna.
the wife of John Switzer, a butcher and stock buyer of Sioux Rapids, Iowa ; Lottie,
who is the twin sister of Anna and the widow of Ed Colby, of Sioux Rapids;
Alfred, of this review ; Ellen, deceased ; and Olaf. a farmer of Glendive, Montana.
Alfred Anderson was but four years of age when he can:c to the United
States and has since been a resident of Iowa. He pursued his education in the
common schools of Peterson and after leaving school started to work as a farm
hand, in which manner he was employed for five years. He was always industri-
ous and determined and his labors were therefore valuable to his employers.
After five vears devoted to work in the fields he began clerking in a general store
in Roval and in that way gained a good knowledge of business methods, so that
experience well qualified him to engage in business on his own account when on
the 15th of March, 1908, he opened a general store in Royal in partnership with
C. P. Jones. They have already secured a good trade and are building u]) a
substantial business. They are young men of well known enterprise and of reso-
late purpose, who carry forward to successful completion whatever they undertake.
In his political views Mr. Anderson is a democrat and keeps well informed on
the questions and issues of the day, as every true .American citizen should do. He
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and his life is in harmony with his
professions. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America
and with the Yeomen. He is popular with a large circle of friends and the trad-
ing public know him as a reliable and enterprising merchant.
JOSEPH H. ALEXANDER.
Joseph H. Alexander, a veteran of the Civil war, who is now living in
retirement in the village of Royal, after having for many years been prominently
identified with the agricultural and stock-raising interests here, is a native of
Warren county, Indiana. He was born December 16, 1843. a son of G. W. and
Ruth (Little) Alexander. His father was a native of Springfield, Ohio, where
he lived until he was twenty years of age, at which period of his life he went to
Indiana w'ith his mother, remaining there until 1847, during which year he
located in Green county, Wisconsin. Twenty years were there passed anfl in
1867 he removed to Jasper county, Iowa. He afterward lived for one year in
Cherokee county and thence went to O'Brien county, where he was well known
as a general merchant and farmer and where he departed this life in June, 1894.
In Indiana he was united in marriage to Ruth Little, w^ho was also born in Ohio,
and departed this life in' Cherokee county, Iowa, in the year 1873. They were
the parents of the following children : Rebecca, Fannie, Mattie, ^Marguerite A.,
Clara P... Ada R., Emma, Lincoln and Joseph H.
J. H. ALEXANDER
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 375
In the common schools of Green county, Wisconsin, Joseph H. Alexander
acquired his preliminary education and subsequently pursued a course of study
in the university at Evansville, that state, upon completin;^; which he returned
home and lived with his parents until August ii, 1862, when he enlisted in
Company K, Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which he served
for three years and was honorably discharged on June 29, 1865. He witnessed
much hard fighting and was with his regiment in the battles at Resaca, Georgia,
Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and the siege of Atlanta.
During his military career j\Ir. Alexander was on the scouting force and served
in the capacity of scout throughout the Georgia campaign and until the close of
the war. His duty w^as often arduous and dangerous, but he never faltered
when the interests of his country were at stake. After receiving his discharge
he returned home and in 1867 removed to the southern part of this state, while
subsequently he went to O'Brien county, where for a period he followed farming,
and in 1898 came to this county, where he is now retired.
In 1866 Mr. Alexander wedded Miss Annie J. Dawson, and unto them have
been born eight children, namely: J. S., an agriculturist of Sully county. South
Dakota ; Ada, deceased ; George Jesse, who is in the real-estate business at Heron
Lake, Minnesota ; Wilfred G., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cherokee
county, this state ; Effie, wife of Solomon Brefifle, who is connected with an
elevator at Osgood, this state ; Nellie P., wife of Fred Readle, who is in the
restaurant business in Miloma, Minnesota ; Frank C, a solicitor for a creamery
in Cherokee county, this state ; and Verne, of that county. Mr. Alexander has
taken considerable interest in politics, his political faith being in accord with
the principles of the democratic party. He served for three years as justice
of the peace in Cherokee county, Iowa, for fifteen years in the same office in
O'Brien county and in this county he has been justice of the peace for the past
eight years. In the office he has gained considerable distinction for his fairness
and administrative ability and at all times he is loyal in citizenship. He is a
comrade of Spencer Post, G. A. R., and, being a man of sterling character, he
has always merited and received the confidence and respect of all with whom
business, official or social relations have brought him in contact.
LESLIE M. HURD.
Leslie M. Hurd, whose activity in business has not only contributed to his
individual success but has also been an active factor in the development of the
countv, is now conducting a general mercantile store in Everly and is also finan-
cially interested in a similar enterprise in Spencer. However, he makes his home
in the former place and the town is glad to number him among its business men
whose energy and enterprise are factors in its upbuilding. Mr. Hurd was born
in Racine, Wisconsin, on the 13th of April, 1852, and afterward removed to
Grant county, Wisconsin, with his parents. Jabez and Elizabeth (Gordon) Hurd.
The father was a native of Connecticut and in that state was reared. In early
manhood he was for some years a traveling salesman and in Canton, Ohio, he
rr.AY 211.
376 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
married ]\Iiss Gordon, who was born and reared in that city, since famous as the
home of WilHam McKinley. Following his marriage Mr. Hurd removed to Wis-
consin and for a few years was engaged in business in Racine. He afterward be-
came a factor in the business Hfe of Huntington, Indiana, where he remained for
a number of years and afterward became a resident of Grant county, Wisconsin.
There he was engaged in deahng in land and making loans and was a successful
business man. whose sound judgment enabled him to make judicious investments
and to gain a substantial profit from his labors. Subsequently he removed to
Charles City, where both he and his wife died. Their family, which numbered two
sons and seven daughters, all of whom arrived at years of m^iturity, are still living
and are now heads of families. A brother of our subject. Wilson Hurd, is well
known in Hawkeye, Iowa, where for twenty-seven years he has engaged in the
hardware business.
The youth of L. M. Hurd was largely passed in Grant county. Wisconsin,
where he was provided with good educational privileges. After attending the
common schools he had the advantage of a course in higher schools and upon the
home farm he was trained in the work of the fields. Lessons of industry, dili-
gence and integrity were early impressed upon his mind and have borne fruit in
later years.
On the i6th of March, 1880, in Grant county, Wisconsin, Mr. Hurd was mar-
ried to Miss Ella Sprague, who was there born and remained throughout the
period of her girlhood. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm
in Buena \'^ista county, where they continued until 1884. Mr. Hurd bought a
farm in Nokomis township near Alta. the place containing one hundred and sixty
acres, to the development of which he gave his energies and attention. For four
vears he carried on farming there and then sold out. after which he removed to
Fayette county, Iowa, and bought eighty acres, which he cultivated for six vears.
On the expiration of that period he once more sold and removed to Hancock
county. Iowa, where he rented land for six years. He next became a resident of
Pocahontas county, where he resided until 1905. Throughout his life he has
largely traded in farms and bought and sold farm property and on these deals
has usually realized a good profit. He has owned two farms since coming to
Everly in the year 1905. Here he became a factor in commercial circles, putting
in a stock of genera! merchandise and has since actively managed the store, while
his wife acts as bookkeeper and saleslady. In the fall of 1898 he established a
general mercantile store in Spencer, which is now under the management of his
sons, G. L. and Jay Hurd.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hurd were born four children who are yet living. As
stated, G. L. and Jay are conducting a well established general store in Soencer ;
Harry is in the store at Everly and Sadie completes the familv. Thev also lost
a son, Harvey, who died in infancy. The children have been provided with good
educational privileges and thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible
duties. The members of the family are' prominent socially and have many warm
friends in the county. Mrs. Hurd, the two oldest sons and the daughter are
members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Hurd also attends the church and
contributes to its support. His membership relations are with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and his political allegiance is given to the republican partv
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 377
without desire for office. He stands as a representative of our best type of Ameri-
can manhood and chivalry. By perseverance, determination and honorable effort
he has overthrown the obstacles which, barred his path to success and has reached
the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit
have made him a director of public thought and action.
WILLIAM J. CROW.
Xo man can be said to have lived in vain whose work has in any way con-
tributed to the world's progress. Carlyle has said, "The story of any man's life
would have interest and value if truly told.'' There is much in the history of
William J. Crow that is of interest, for he has attained w^orld-wide fame as one
of the most successful breeders of Poland China hogs. If the person who causes
two blades of grass to grow where only one grew before has wrought some good
in the world, then the one who has, by careful study and experiment, improved
the quality and value of stock breeding animals and caused the weight and size
to double, then he also has certainly accomplished something of benefit to man-
kind.
^Ir. Crow is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Hop-
kinton. Delaware county, Iowa, October 4, 1862. He is of English and Irish
lineage and is a son of J. H. and Elizabeth (Johnston) Crow, who were natives of
Canada and Kentucky respectively. The former was a farmer in early life but
afterward directed his attention to mining. There were five children in his
family : Alamie, the wife of Oliver Byan, residing in Buena V^ista county, Iowa ;
William J., of this review ; Charles, residing in Houston, Texas ; Annie, the wife
of E. D. Smith, residing also in Houston, Texas ; and Jesse, who lives in Idaho.
There was no vent of especial importance to vary the routine of farm life for
William J. Crow in his boyhood and youth. He attended the district schools and
work in the fields on the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties
and labors incident to developing the farm. In the spring, of 1882 he arrived in
Clay county and settled first about eight miles north of Peterson, on section twenty-
one, Peterson township. There, for one year, he performed the arduous task of
breaking the sod and then moved to Herdland township where he continued farm-
ing until the fields were brought into a rich state of fertility. For eight years Mr.
Crow continued on the farm and then removed to Spencer, where he lived for
two years. Again he took up agricultural, work, and then took up his abode in
Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Three years later he removed to Marathon, Iowa, and after
a brief stay returned to Sioux Rapids. Two more years passed and he then lo-
cated upon the farm upon which he now resides, on section fourteen, Herdland
township. Mr. Crow has been engaged in the stock business for many years
and has been highly successful, and about a year ago he held the second highest
sale in the United States. He is today considered authority on everything con-
nected with the breeding, raising and improvement of Poland China hogs. The
popularity of the "Crow Type" of hog today is enough to verify that fact. Mr.
Crow started in some years ago wath the plan and purpose to improve by
378 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
careful breeding the size of bone and meat producing qualities of the Poland
China. He started in a;lmost alone with that idea and every step of the road he
has had to prove the correctness of his theory by producing the goods. He has
sought to produce a size in as high a degree as possible and at the same time
to keep the bounds of feeding qualities at the highest limit and with sutiticient
bone to, enable the animal to grow the largest amount of meat, also the finest
quality without excessive fat. The results of his study and experiments have
made possible what is known as the "Crow Type" of Poland China hogs. This
type is remarkable for large growth, heavy bone and well finished, — the kind
that has made good in the breeding pen and feed lot, the farmer's friend, the
shipper's favorite. During the past few years he has made every animal of the
Poland China breed which he has raised bring an average price of forty-five
dollars.
While Mr. Crow has gained a world-wide reputation by reason of his devel-
opment of the "Crow Type" of Poland China hogs, he has also been very success-
ful in the raising and sale of horses and of Plymouth chickens. During most of
his residence in Sioux Rapids he was the general agent for the Kirk stock food
manufactured by the National Veterinary Medicine Company, and acted as gen-
eral agent for the state of Iowa. He is now the owner of one hundred and fifty
acres of valuable land in Clay county and his farm is well cultivated, presenting, a
most attractive appearance in its well tilled fields and substantial improvements.
On the 28th of September, 1886, Mr. Crow was married to Miss Emma
Kaufifold and they have five children : Vivian, born March 26, 1889 ; Adrian, born
June 2"], 1894; Minnie, born January 23, 1899; Vera, born December 11. 1904;
and Jessie Marie, born August 4, 1907. In politics Mr. Crow is independent,
voting for men and measures rather than party. He is a valued and popular mem-
ber of Sioux Rapids Camp No. 3228, M. W. A., which he joined on its organiza-
tion on the nth of September, 1895. He h^s held all of the important offices of
the lodge and enjoys in the highest degree the confidence and good will of his
brethren in the fraternity. He is a man of alert and enterprising spirit, possess-
ing the resolute will that enables him to carry forward to completion whatever he
undertakes, and at all times his methods are practical and progressive.
J. W. HARTMAN.
J. W. Hartman. proprietor of a hotel in Royal, this county, at one time a
traveling salesman for a prominent Chicago firm, is well known in business circles
here. Moreover, he is entitled to mention in this volume from the fact that he
is a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Union county, Pennsylvania. ]\Iarch
8, 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Mottern) Hartman. His father,
who was a native of the Keystone state and a well known furniture dealer there,
left Pennsylvania in 1847 and located in Freeport, Illinois, where he remained
until the year 1869, when he removed to Boonesboro, Boone county. Iowa, where
he resided until he departed this life in 1902, his remains being interred in the
cemetery at Boonesboro. He was a cabinetmaker bv trade and throughout his
►s
^\\^
t^
fO^
HISTORY OF CLAY COL^XTY 381
entire life was connected with the furniture business, estabhshing a reputation for
excellent workmanship and straightforward dealing. Politically he was a demo-
crat and being quite influential in his party he served in a number of public
offices. He was highly respected for his good character and throughout his life
was a consistent member of and worker in the Lutheran church. His wife, also
a native of the Keystone state, departed this life in Boone county, in 1903, and
w'as laid to rest beside her husband in Boonesboro. In the family were nine chil-
dren, namely : Henry, a retired policeman of Boonesboro ; x\nianda, wife of Jess
Shull, who is engaged in the windmill business ; Helen, who departed this life in
1908 ; J. W. ; Albert, a railroad engineer, residing in Alaska ; Perry, a retired
blacksmith of Boonesboro ; Eliza, wife of Albert Scott, who is living in retire-
ment in Des ]Moines, Iowa ; Ella, deceased, who was the wife of Shepard Rick-
ard, a well known clothier of Freeport, Illinois ; and Emma, the wife of John
Akeman, a potter of Des Moines. Iowa.
In the common schools of Cedarville, Illinois, J. W. Hartman acquired his
preliminary education and subsequently pursued a course of study at the high
school. He remained at home with his parents until he was sixteen years of age,
when, in 1863, he enlisted at Freeport, Illinois, in Company B, Forty-sixth Illi-
nois \'olunteer Infantry. He served for three years and was honorably dis-
charged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, January 18, 1866. During his military
experience he participated in a number of skirmishes and battles, among which
were : The Wilderness ; Mobile. Alabama, where he fought continuously for
seven and a half days ; Blakeley, where he participated in two charges ; Macon,
INIississippi, from which place he went to New Orleans and then with the troops
was sent up the Red river to reinforce General Banks, under whom he served in
the Red river campaign. At the battle of Pine Ridge Mr. Hartman was severely
wounded in the hip, which injury has since caused him much suffering.
At the termination of his military service Mr. Hartman went to Illinois and
rented a farm fifteen miles from the city of Freeport, on which he remained for
two years. At the termination of that time, in 1870, he came to this county, locat-
ing in Lincoln township. He operated these farms for fifteen years and then
disposed of his interests and removed to section 17, Riverton township, where he
actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising until fourteen years
ago. when he retired and took up residence in the village of Spencer. In Spencer
he lived for a brief period and then went to Webb, where he engaged in the hotel
business for a pastime, in the meantime traveling on the road for Farr & Wheeler,
a well known Chicago firm. Later he returned to Spencer, where he remained
until 1907. during which year he located in Royal, where he established a hotel,
of which he is still proprietor. Mr. Hartman is a man of considerable means and
he pursues this occupation not that he might obtain a livelihood, but simply be-
cause the hotel business has a fascination for him and he follows it for the pleas-
ure and recreation he derives and for the same reason as one spends his time
in auto riding, or yacht cruising. While Mr. Hartman has prospered and is now-
numbered among the substantial citizens of the county, all days in his life have
not been equally bright. In fact, he has met discouragements and difficulties,
especially in the early days, when he experienced the grasshopper plague and
for five seasons raised nothing on his farm, the insects taking every living thing.
382 HISTORY OF CLAY COL'XTY
However, as the years have gone by his capable management and energy have
brought to him well earned and justly merited success. In addition to his other
interests he now owns two good residences in Spencer, a business block and other
valuable real estate.
On March 14, 1867, Mr. Hartman was united in marriage in Oneco. Illinois,
to Miss Amelia Runkle, by whom he had four children, namely : John, a general
merchant of Spirit Lake, Iowa ; Jacob Samuel, an expressman, of Spencer ; Bert,
a land promoter of Milestone, Canada ; and Libbie, who became the wife of Els-
worth Hagarty, who has a barber shop in Spencer. Mr. Hartman's political
views were in accord with the democratic party before he enlisted in the army
but after he was discharged he changed his opinions and has since been loyal
to the republican party. He has served the township as school director, and for
the past three years has been secretary of the school board. He is a comrade
of Spencer Post, G. A. R., and always finding time to devote to religious duties,
he and his wife attend services at the Friends church. Mr. Hartman's record is
a telling evidence of what industry and perseverance will do if reinforced by
intelligence, for when he began his business career he had neither means nor
influence to aid him, but he possessed rpsolute purpose and unfaltering courage
and gradually reached his present position as one of the men of affluence in
the county. In all of his dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and in matters
of citizenship he is helpful and progressive, giving his aid and influence to many
measures for the public good.
GEORGE W. RYXO, Sr.
George W. Ryno, one of the public-spirited men of Lone Tree township,
whose labors have been of material and substantial value to the community in the
line of general progress, makes his home on a farm on section 27, where he
owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land. He is also operating
other land, in connection with his sons, and is classed with the prosperous and
progressive farmers and stock raisers of the county. Here he has lived since
the spring of 1883. His birth occurred in L^nion county. New Jersey, across
the river from New York city, April 9, 1848. His father, Hugh D. Ryno,
was a native of England, and in early life became a resident of New Jersey,
where he was married to Miss Sarah Graves, also of English birth. " She died
in New Jersey in 1854, when her son George was a lad of six years.
On the home farm in tlie state of his nativity, George W. Ryno spent the
first twenty years of his life, and theie learned the tinsmith's trade, which he
followed for four years. He was afforded good common school advantages,
but is wholly a self-made man, being dependent upon his own labors from
the early age of six years. The struggle for an existence was a hard one, but
he soon became self-reliant and early learned the lessons of industrv, perse-
verance and integrity. Upon these qualities he has builded his success. Hoping
to better his financial conditions in the middle west, when a young man of twenty
years he made his way to Will county, Illinois, where he worked in a rolling
mill, being first employed as fireman and later as engineer. He has neglected
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 383
no opportunity that would promote his l:rsiness advancement throughout his
entire life, and his success has been gained in legitimate lines of business.
In Joliet, Illinois, on the I2th of July, 1871, Mr. Ryno was united in
marriage to Miss Mary Gorman, a native of Queens county, Ireland, who came
to the new world when a young lady of sixteen years. Following their marriage
they established their home in Joliet, where they lived for a few years, and later
Air. Rvno worked by the month as a farm hand until he could make arrange-
ments to rent land and begin farming on his own account. For a few years
he carried on general agricultural pursuits in Illinois, and in 1883 came to Iowa,
locating in Clay county, where he has since lived. He first rented a farm for
three years, during which time his industry and careful expenditure brought him
capital sufificient to enable him to purchase the tract of one hundred and sixty
acres on section 27, Lone Tree township, on which he now resides. It was at
that time raw, open prairie, on which he built a small frame house, while with
characteristic energy he turned his attention to the development of the fields.
Persistently and energetically he has continued his work year after year, until
he now has a well improved property, classed with the model farms of the
twentieth century. He has added to his house until he now has a large, sub-
stantial residence, which is comfortably furnished. A commodious barn and
granary furnish shelter to grain and stock. He also has stock scales upon his
place, and many modern equipments, while the latest improved machinery is
used to facilitate the work of the fields. The place is well fenced and divided
into fields of convenient size, and although the farm was a treeless prairie when
it came into his possession, he now has a nice grove of maple, willow and
box-elder trees. An orchard of his own planting yields its fruits in season,
and the farm is in every way a well developed property. He likewise raises and
feeds stock, having a large number of hogs each year. He also has carried on
a dairy business for several years and furnishes supplies to the creameries.
Moreover, he is interested in the North Rural Telephone Company, as one of its
stockholders and directors, and is justly accounted one of the active and pro-
gressive business men of this part of the state.
As the years have gone by nine children, five sons and four daughters,
have been added to the household, namely : George W., Jr., who is the owner
of land in Minnesota and is engaged in farming on his own account; John E.,
who follows farming in South Dakota ; Jary G., who is in partnership with his
father in his farming and stock raising interests ; William H., who is a student
in Humboldt College, at Humboldt, Iowa, but is interested with his father and
brother in farming and stock raising interests ; Charles P., who is a student in the
Everly high school ; Catharine P., the wife of Andrew Griffith, a farmer of
Dickinson county, Iowa ; Sarah E., the wife of William H. Rose, a farmer of
Riverton township. Clay county; Mary M., the wife of Victor LeClaire, a
farmer of Roberts county, South Dakota ; and Anna L.., the wife of R. Elmer
Dake, a business man of Peterson, Iowa.
In the year 1872 Mr. Ryno proudly cast his first presidential vote, supporting
Horace Greeley, and since that time he has given his allegiance to the standard
bearers of the democratic party. The public school system has found in him a
warm friend, and he has, moreover, proved loyal in different local offices, serving
384 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
as highway commissioner, while at the present time he is acting for the ninth
consecutive year as township trustee, and his incumbency will continue until
19 lo. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is still a communicant of the
church. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he has
confronted many difficulties and obstacles in his life, but through persistency
of purpose and undaunted energy, he has worked his way steadily upward in
a line where labor is unhampered by caste or class.
ALFRED JAMES LIMXGSTOX.
From the rich farming district of Iowa there have come many men who
have won success in agricultural lines and are now enjoying the fruits of their
labor. To this class belong Alfred James Livingston, and as he is widely and
favorably known in this part of the state, his record cannot fail to prove of
interest to many of our readers. He is yet in the prime of life and his well
directed energy in former years has brought to him a competence that supplies
him with all the necessities and many of the comforts of living, without recourse
to other labor. He was born in Council Hill, Jo Daviess county, Illinois,
November i, 1852, and is of Irish descent, his parents, William and Jane
(McKnight) Livingston, having both been natives of County Monahan, Ireland.
The grandfather, Alexander Livingston, spent his entire life on the Emerald
Isle, and there married, and reared his famil}' of three children, William, Henry
and ^Margaret, all of whom came to the United States.
William Livingston was reared to the occupation of farming and when
he became convinced in his own mind that he would have better advantages in
the United States, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for
New York. Continuing his journey into the interior of the country, he settled
first at Council Hill, Illinois, where he followed teaming for a time, and when
his capital permitted, took up the occupation of farming. For a long period
he resided in that state, but in the spring of 1892 came to Iowa, spending his
last days in Spencer, where he passed away April 13, 1904. Had he lived a day
longer he would have reached the age of ninety years. For only a year had he
survived his wife, who died On the 6th of April, 1903, a devoted member of
the J\Iethodist church, to which Mr. Livingston also belonged. While in Jo
Daviess county, Illinois, he held various township offices and at all times his
cooperation could be counted upon to further progressive public improvement.
This worthy couple were the parents of three sons and three daughters, of
whom four are living, as follows: Eliza Jane, the wife of W. W. Claypool, of
Spencer, Iowa; Margaret, widow of Henry Thuirer, of Summit township;
Alfred J., of this review; and Mary Ann, wife of Edward Claypool, of Sioux
township.
F"arm work in all of its various phases early became familiar to Alfred J.
Livingston, as his youthful days were passed on his father's farm in Jo Daviess
county, \vhere he soon came to understand the best times for planting his fields
and the best methods of caring for his crops. His intellectual training- was
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 885
received in the district schools, and when his age and experience justified, he
rented his father's farm, which he cultivated for one year. In the fall of 1876
he came to Iowa, settling near Hampton, again engaging in farming, in part-
nership with his brother-in-law. W. \\'. Claypool, with whom he was thus
connected for five years. In the spring of 1881 he came to Clay county, arriving
on the 9th of April. His partnership with Mr. Claypool continued, and together
they bought a section of land in Summit township, but the second year divided
their interests, each retaining three hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Livingston
bent his energies to the ardvious task of developing and cultivating his farm.
The land was plowed, crops were put in and as the months ran their course the
harvest ripened and was gathered. His produce always found a ready sale on
the market, and as he prospered in his undertakings he added to his place all
of the modern equipment and accessories of a model farm of the nineteenth
century. He was thus actively associated with general agricultural pursuits
until ]\Iarch, 1907, save for a period of three years, which he spent in the
machinery business in Spencer, during which time he rented his farm. He
is now living retired, but he still owns his country place, which is finely
improved and indicates in its splendid appearance his careful supervision and
practical methods.
On the 28th of March, 1883, Mr. Livingston was married to Miss Kate B.
Riley, a daughter of John and Ellen (Donlan) Riley. Their children are four
in number: Audrey E., wife of Roy La Brant; Edna May, Marion Rebecca
and Kennith James. Mrs. Livington belongs to the Catholic church and Mr.
Livingston to the Yeomen of America. He always votes with the democracy
in all matters of public moment, displaying a spirit of marked devotion to the
general good. In analyzing his life record it will be seen that persistent, earnest
work has constituted the foundation upon which he has builded his prosperity,
and his diligence may well serve as an example for others to emulate.
D. E. BEVING.
D. E. Beving, living on section 3, Summit township, devotes his time and
energies to general agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He is one of the
extensive land owners of the county and deserves much credit for the position
to which he has attained in business circles, as it is the result of his close
application and indefatigable industry. In his home farm he now has three
hundred acres, and four hundred acres in another farm in Clay county likewise
contributes to his success, tlis holdings also include one hundred and sixty
acres in Dickinson county and two hundred and forty acres in Osceola county.
Thus he is numbered among the large land owners of this part of the state.
He also owns a half interest in another three hundred and twenty acres in this
county.
Mr. Beving was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, February 5, 1866,
and came to Iowa with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ubbe Beving, in 1873, settling
in Grundy county. There the subject of this review was reared to manhood.
386 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
No event of especial importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life
for hini in bovhood and youth. He worked in the fields through the summer
months or in fact until harvests were gathered in the late autumn, and in winter
seasons he attended school, thus gaining knowledge that has prepared him for
life's practical and responsible duties.
After arriving at years of maturity, D. E. Beving sought a companion
and helpmate for life's journey, and while living in Grundy county was married
on the 1st of November, 1888, to Miss Tena Heikens, who was born and reared
in Grundy county. Following their marriage he removed to Cla}- county and
took up their abode in Summit township, where Air. Beving purchased the farm
upon which he now resides. He first bought one hundred and thirty-eight acres
of land, and with characteristic energy began to till and improve the place.
The crops which he raised brought to him good financial returns and he saved
his earnmgs until his careful expenditure and industry brought him sufticient
capital to make further purchases. Thus from time to time he has added to his
property, until he now owns seven hundred acres in Summit township in one
body, while other realty holdings bring his landed possessions to an aggregate
amount of twelve hundred and fift}' acres. All of this is good land, and in
connection with his farming, which is carefully conducted along the most modern
lines of agricultural progress, he raises and feeds stock, shipping about fourteen
carloads of hogs and cattle each year. His business interests are thus very
extensive, and, moreover, at the present time he is manager of the Fostoria
Elevator Company and also of the Telephone Company of Fostoria. In all of
his business interests he shows keen discrimination and his judgment is seldom
if ever at fault in placing the value upon a business situation or its possible
outcome. What he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion and
unfaltering integrity is numbered among his salient characteristics.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beving have been born five children, Ubbe, George,
John, Anna and Harry. The family circle yet remains unbroken Ijy the hand
of death and all are still under the parental roof. The parents are members of
the Reform church. Air. Beving has been one of the active and progressive
farmers of the county for a long period. In connection with the development
of his own property he buys and deals in land, and his judicious investments and
profitable sales have added materially to his property.
NATHAN T. WILCOX.
It is fitting that men in the evening of life should enjoy a season of rest.
Nature seems to have intended that this should be so, for in youth he is full of
energy and hope and in later years these qualities are directed by mature judg-
ment and keen discrimination, resulting in the attainment of success. Such has
been the record of Nathan T. Wilcox, whose years of activity are now crowned
with an age of ease. He has. lived in the county since 1880 and for many years
was identified with its agricultural interests. Aloreover. he is entitled to men-
tion in this volume from the fact that he is a veteran o^ the Civil war.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 387
Air. Wilcox was born in the town of Richmond, Ontario county, New York,
January 26, 1838, and is a son of Harvey G. and Zina (Straight) Wilcox, both
of whom were natives of Rhode Island. The father always followed the occupa-
tion of farming and on leaving the east became a resident of Wisconsin in 1853,
at which time he settled in Wheatland township, Kenosha county. Four years
later he removed to Effingham county, Illinois. Air. Wilcox afterward returned
to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he passed away August 31, i860, having
been born September 20, 1799. His wife died October 10, 1854. She was born
March 7, 1797. They were the parents of eleven children, but only
three are now living. The brother of our subject is William H. Wilcox, of Webb,
Iowa, and the sister, Lucy L., is the wife of E. W. Alger, of the town of Rich-
mond, C^ntario county. New York.
Nathan T. Wilcox, the youngest of the surviving members of the family,
lived in Ontario county, New York, until fifteen years of age, spending that period
on his father's farm and in attending the district school, where he gained the
knowledge that fitted him for the early duties of life. After removing to Wiscon-
sin with his father he began working by the month as a farm hand and also cul-
tivated land on the shares with his father. His life has always been rone of
unremitting industry and enterprise until his recent removal to Spencer to
enjoy here a well merited rest. In November, 1859, he returned to the state of
New York, driving a team all the way, and in the- year of 1861, having watched
the progress of events until feeling that his duty to his country was paramount to
all else, he offered his services to the government on the 20th of October and was
enrolled as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Second New York Vol-
unteer Infantry. He served for over three years and was mustered out December
24. 1864, at Savannah, Georgia, having in the meantime participated in the bat-
tles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, the Atlanta campaign and
the march to the sea. He served for nearly two years in the artillery and never
faltered in the performance of any duty.
After the war Air. Wilcox returned to New York, and in January, 1866,
removed westward to Kenosha. Wisconsin, where he resided until the spring
of 1880. That date witnessed his arrival in Clay county, and here he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of land in Gillett's Grove township, which he
improved and cultivated for thirteen years, or until January, 1893, when he
rented his farm and took up his abode in Spencer in a nice home at No. 909
Prairie avenue, at the corner of East Ninth street. He still owns his farm and
it returns him a substantial income. He has made good improvements upon
it and throughout his entire connection with agricultural pursuits he utilized
modern methods of farming and by his unremitting industry won his success.
Air. Wilcox being a carpenter and wagon-maker by trade, he was enabled to
save considerable money by doing his own work in these lines.
On the 1st of Alarch, 1869, Air. Wilcox was united in marriage to Aliss
Alary L. Fay, who was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in the city of Cleveland,
a daughter of Joseph M. and Sophronia (Brainard) Fay. Her father was born
July 31, 1804, in Fulton county, New York, and was a cooper by trade. Having
arrived at years of maturity, he was married on the 7th of February, 1828. to
Aliss Sophronia Brainard, whose birth occurred in Connecticut, Alay 27, 1805.
388
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
In their childhood days they had removed to Ohio and it was in that state that
their marriage was celebrated. In 1841 they became residents of Wheatland,
Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where the death of ^Irs. Fay occurred March 14,
1885, while :^Ir. Fay died on the 24th of July, 1889. Mrs. Wilcox is a member
of the Congregational church and a most estimable lady, whose good qualities
of heart and mind have endeared her to many friends. Mr. Wilcox is a valued
representative of several fraternal organizations. He belongs to Spencer Lodge,
Xo. 247. I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the offices and is a past grand.
He is likewise connected with Annett Post, G. A. R., in which he has served as
commander. He is a believer in republican principles and therefore gives to the
partv stalwart support. For six years he served as trustee of Gillett's Grove
township, but whether in office or out of it, is always loyal to the best interests
of the community, manifesting the same fidelity to his country and her welfare
as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields of the south. His
has been a creditable record as a soldier, as a citizen and a business man, and
he is now highly esteemed in Spencer, where he expects to spend his remaining
days.
THOMAS GADSBY.
Thomas Gadsby is engaged in general farming in Freeman township, owning
and cultivating four hundred acres of land. He has brought his fields under a
high state of cultivation and his place presents an attractive appearance, con-
stituting one of the pleasing pictures in the landscape. Mr. Gadsby is now in
the fifty-fifth year of his age, his birth having occurred in Yeavley, Derbyshire,
England, November 18, 1854. His parents and his grandparents were also
natives of that country. His grandfather, James Gadsby, followed the occupation
of farming there but died in early manhood. The maternal grandfather did fancy
gardening. Both he and his wife lived to old age and reared a family of three
children. The parents of Thomas Gadsby were William and Emma (Johnston)
Gadsby, both natives of England. The former engaged in tilling the soil. He
died in England in 1888 at the age of sixty-three years and is still survived by
his wife, who yet lives in that country. He was a member of the Established
Church of England and his widow is also of that faith. Unto them were born five
sons and five daughters, of whom four are now living: Thomas; William, who is
located at Radgleywood, England ; Elizabeth, the wife of William H. Hargrave,
of Sioux township ; and Samuel, whose home is in Yeavley, England.
Only two of the family have become residents of the United States. Thomas
Gadsby, of this review, was reared in the land of his birth and in his youth he had
few leisure moments. He worked at farm labor and when still but a boy worked
for two years at the mieager salary of four cents per day. He remained in his
native country until twenty-five years of age, when he felt that he had little
opportunity to secure success in business there and determined to test the truth
of the favorable reports which he heard concerning business conditions in the
United States. Accordingly, he sailed for America in 1880 and, making his
THOMAS GADSBY
THE j\fE^ YQp
T.I /^^O"- LENOX
-L!i£iiLFOUNOAT,ON8
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 391
way westward to Clay county, rented a farm of J. E. Mills, in Freeman township,
south of Dickens. There he lived for six years until his industry and economy
enabled him to purchase a farm for himself. He at first bought eighty acres but
later sold that and invested in three eighty-acre tracts in Freeman township.
He today owns four hundred acres of finely improved land and is busily
employed in tilling the soil, raising the crops best suited to climatic conditions
here. He keeps his fields rich and arable through the rotation of crops and has
studied, too, the best time and methods of planting, and the best means of culti-
vating the soil. That his labors have been practical is indicated by the results
which he has achieved, owning now one of the best farms of the community.
On the 14th of April, 1904, Mr. Gadsby was married to Miss Ethel Goff,
a daughter of Dwight and Melissa (Brayton) Gofif. There are two children of
that marriage, William Maxon and Thomas Eldon. Mrs. Gadsby was born in
Ruthven, Palo Alto county, Iowa, April 16, 1874. Her father was a native of
Sherland, Illinois, and was a son of Orrin Dowd and Nancy (Fassett) Goff, both
of whom were natives of New York. He became an early settler of Iowa, and
lived upon one farm in Palo Alto county thirty-five years. He wedded Melissa
Brayton, a daughter of Joseph and Permilia (Spencer) Brayton. Her father
was a native of Indiana and served as a soldier in the Civil war. For many years
Mr. and Mrs. Gofif continued their residence in Palo Alto county, but now live
in Freeman township. Clay county, and are among the respected citizens of that
community. They were the parents of three sons and a daughter, Ethel, now
Mrs. Gadsby ; Elrrier, deceased ; Wilmer ; and Le Grand.
Mrs. Gadsby belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is interested in
its work and loyal to its teachings. Mr. Gadsby holds membership relations in
Dickens Lodge, No. 583, I. O. O. F. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen
and is in harmony with the spirit of these fraternal organizations. His life has
been a busy, useful and active one and his success is indicated in the fact of his
ownership of one of the valuable farming properties of the county.
JOHN FELL.
John Fell, actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising, is one of
the extensive land owners of the county, his possessions aggregating eight
hundred acres. In the management and conduct of his property he displays
excellent business ability and his enterprise, careful control and keen discernment
are the factors which have gained him the substantial place which he is filling
as one of the leading business men of Lone Tree township. A native of Germany,
he was born in Prussia, on the 14th of February, 1858, and there remained until
nine years of age when, in 1867, he crossed the Atlantic with the other members
of the family. Landing on the eastern coast, they ccmtinued their journey across
the country to Keokuk county, Iowa, and there John Fell was reared to manhood
upon the home farm. He remained with his father, Matthew Fell, until he had
attained his majority and the events of his youthful days were those which
usually fall to the farm lad of the central Mississippi valley. He worked in
392 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the fields, and in the common schools acquired his education and after he had
reached manhood he determined to follow as a life work the occupation to which
he had been reared. He was thereafter connected with general agricultural
pursuits in Keokuk county until 1888, when he came to Clay county and first
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which constituted the nucleus of
his present extensive possessions. At that time only forty acres had been
broken and there were no buildings upon the place, but he resolutely set
himself to the task of developing a fine farm and soon brought
the remainder of the tract under a high state of cultivation. The necessary
buildings were also put up and the farm work was conducted along progressive
(ind practical lines. As he gathered good harvests, for which he found a ready
sale on the market, and his financial resources were thus increased, he added to
his property from time to time until he now owns over eight hundred acres of
/aluable farm land in Clay county. He has also erected a two-story frame
residence, which forms one of the attractive features of the landscape. It is
supplied with many modern conveniences and is tastefully furnished. He has
also built good barns and large cattle sheds and the outbuildings show care in
their neat and thrifty appearance. There was not a rod of fence on the place
when he took possession but it is all now enclosed with barbed wire and is thus
divided into fields of convenient size. He raises corn and other cereals and he
likewise raises, feeds and fattens stock, selling on an average of one carload of
cattle and one of hogs each year.
On the ist of January, 1896, Mr. Fell was married to Miss Mary Grendler,
a native of Germany, in which land she was reared. There are eight children in
the family, Peter, John, Edward, Bessie. Alice. May. Clara and Susie, all of
whom are yet under the parental roof, the family circle being still unbroken by
the hand of death. In politics Mr. Fell is a democrat aiid while he votes for the
men and measures of the party the honors and emoluments of office have no
attraction for him. The only official position that he has filled has been that of
member of the school board for several vears. during wiiich time he has labored
efifectively to promote the cause of public education. As one of the land owners
and successful farmers and business men of Lone Tree township he is well known
in Spencer and throughout Clay county. His life record shows what may be
accomplished by a determined spirit and by tm faltering enterprise. He has
carefully noted and utilized his opportunities, making each moment count and
his example of vmremitting industry and perseverance is one well worthy of
emulation.
WILLIAM WARREX,
Comparatively few of the men who came to Clay county in the period of
its pioneer development early enough to secure a homestead claim from the
government are now living. William Warren, however, is among the number
who have been identified with the progress and upbuilding of this portion of the
state for many years. He dates his residence in Clay county since 1872 and.
securing a government claim, he developed from the wild prairie a good farm of
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 893
one hundred and sixty acres. He was born in Stephenson county, lUinois, April
lo, 1840, a son of James Warren, who was born and reared in New York. The
father married Ehnira Yarrington^ also a native of the Empire state, and removed
to the west and cast his lot in with the pioneer settlers of Stephenson county,
Illinois, where he died when his son William was a little child of but three months.
His wife survived him and later married again. By the first marriage there were
four children, two of whom survived, the sister of Mr. Warren being Mrs. Marie
Hill, who lives in Illinois.
Because of his father's early death Mr. Warren was thrown upon his own
resources at a tender age. His youthful days were passed in Winnebago county,
Illinois, on a farm where he received thorough training in the work of the fields,
although his opportunities for obtaining mental discipline in public schools were
very limited. However, he early learned the lessons concerning industry, perse-
verance and integrity, and these have constituted important features in his success
as the years have gone by. On the loth of November, 1861, he oflfered his serv-
ices to the government, for the country had become involved in Civil war, and he
was resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union. He therefore joined the
Fourth Battery of the Wisconsin Light Artillery and the command was assigned
to the army of the Potomac under General Butler. He participated in numerous
engagements, was with several reconnoitering parties and was wounded in the
defense of Richmond by a piece of shell which struck him in the right leg. Being
thus disabled he was forced to remain in the hospital at Philadelphia throughout
the winter of 1864 and 1865, and was then honorably discharged on the 14th of
April of the latter year, after which he was mustered out in that city.
Returning to his home in Winnebago county Mr. Warren spent several
months in recuperating his lost health. He was married there on the 25th of
February, 1866, to Miss Amanda Chamberlain, a native of Vermont, who spent
her early girlhood in New England and at the age of nine years became a resident
of Winnebago county, Illinois. She is a sister of Harry Chamberlain, of Spencer.
Following his marriage Mr. Warren engaged in farming until the fall of 1882
and then removed to Clay county, Iowa, securing a homestead claim of eighty
acres in Clay township. Good health and willing hands largely constituted his
capital. He did not fear earnest and persistent work, however, and broke his
eighty acres, making some improvements upon it, including the building of a
small house. Later he bought eighty acres more and continued the work of
development along modern lines, replacing his early dwelling with a commodious
and substantial house, while barns and outbuildings were also put up and the
farm thus became a model property of the twentieth century. The fields were
carefully tilled and from time to time he secured the latest improved farm ma-
chinery to facilitate his work. As the years passed the sale of his crops added
materially to his income and he is now numbered among the men of affluence
in the county. He continued in active farm work until 1904, when he removed to
Everly and purchased a residence and thirteen lots. He has since built a good
barn on one of these lots, for he always keeps a carriage and horses, and is now
comfortably situated in life, his income being sufficient to supply him with all of
the necessities and nianv of the luxuries that make life worth living.
394 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
As the years have passed seven children have been added to the Warren
household: Nora, now the wife of Lyman French, a resident farmer of Lone
Tree township; Florence, the wife of William French, who is living in Clay
township; Clara, the wife of Charles Stone, a resident of Dickens; Bettie, the
wife of William Edwards, also living in Dickens; Arthur, who is married and
now owns and cultivates the old home place; William R., who follows farming
in Clay township ; and Nellie, the wife of Norman Doolittle of Everly.
When age conferred upon him- the right of franchise William Warren
proudly cast his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant in 1868. Each
nominee at the head of the party since that time has received his loyal support
and he has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and
gives his cooperation to many movements for the public good. In Clay town-
ship he served on the school board for a number of years, was also assessor for
three consecutive terms, was school treasurer for eleven years and postmaster at
Yankee Postofifice for seventeen years. He likewise served as justice of the peace,
being appointed to fill a vacancy, and has acted as delegate to numerous county
conventions, his opinions carrying weight in local councils of his party. His
wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Warren is a mem-
ber of the Grand Army post at Peterson. In days of peace he has been as loyal
to his country as he was in times of war, when he followed the old flag on south-
ern battlefields. While his life has been quietly passed, his life record, neverthe-
less, contains lessons of value, for it shows what can be accomplished by deter-
mined and persistent spirit and honorable dealing. He now occupies a position
among the prosperous citizens of Clay county and the most envious cannot grudge
him his success, so worthily has it been won.
GEORGE H. PARKER.
George H. Parker owns and cultivates a large farm in Herdland township,
and by constant application has surrounded himself with an enviable degree of
prosperity. He was born in Manchester township, Boone county. Illinois, July
20, 1862. Little is known of the grandparents of the subject of this review, aside
from the fact that his paternal grandparents were Isaac and Mary Jane (Poor)
Parker, and his maternal grandfather was Isaac Stockwell, both sides of the
house having been natives of England, while an uncle, John Parker, was a soldier
in the Revolutionary war. His ancestors are said to have been remarkable for
their longevity. Edward and Elizabeth (Stockwell) Parker, the parents of
George H. Parker, were natives of New Hampshire and Canada, respectively, and
settled in Boone county, Illinois, in the early '40s. There his father engaged in
agricultural pursuits until 1852, when becoming inspired by the news of wealth
gleaned in the California gold fields he made the journey across the plains with an
ox-team to that state, where for three years he successfully engaged in mining.
At the expiration of that period he returned to Boone county with a neat little
fortune and there remained until his death, which occurred in September, 1899,
when he w^as in his seventy-sixth year, while his wife still resides on the old
"'""iisr'
.'^T,
^«
MRS. G. H. PARKER
G. H. PARKER
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 399
homestead. To them were born the following children : William, who passed
away in his ninth year ; Byron L., a resident of Sioux Rapids, Iowa ; Ellen, who
entered into rest in her twcnty-tirst year ; ]\Iaria. who lives in Beloit, Wisconsin ;
Charles H., a resident of Okoboji Lake, I^owa ; George H. ; Perry, who lives in
Boone county, Illinois ; Ed, on the old homestead with his mother.
George H. Parker acquired his knowledge of agriculture on the home farm
and obtained his education during his boyhood days in the district schools.
When in his nineteenth year he left home to enter the business world and for
about three years in various localities he hired out as a farm hand by the month.
Presently he returned to Boone county, Illinois, locating near Belvidere, where he
remained until 1886, when he came to this state and entered land. He now owns
one of the finest and most highly improved farms in Herdland township, consist-
ing of three hundred and twenty acres, all of which is under cultivation. It is
provided with an attractive home, large barns and outbuildings and at the same
time is excellently situated for farming purposes so that his premises are among
the most desirable in the county. Aside from general agriculture he also engages
in stock feeding, luaking this a remunerative department of his business and,
giving undivided attention to the enterprise, he enjoys the reputation of being one
of the most progressive farmers in the vicinity.
In April, 1891, Mr. Parker wedded Miss Caroline McKenzie, a daughter of
Ennis and Sarah (Nickelson) McKenzie, natives of Canada, who settled in
McLean county, Illinois, at an early date, afterward removing to Sac county,
Iowa, where they remained for several years, finally locating in Sioux Rapids
about 1880. There the father died in 1904, in his seventy-sixth year, while his
wife passed away in ^Nlarch, 1908, in her sixty-third year. To Mr. and Mrs.
Parker have been born four children: Lillian E., wdiose birth occurred January
31, 1892: Ellen P., born November 2, 1894; George E., born August 8, 1902; and
Gladys M., wdiose birth occurred September 20, 1904. Two of the children attend
the Central school at Webb, Iowa. Mr. Parker belongs to Enterprise Lodge, No.
332, A. F. & A. yi., at Sioux Rapids, and is also affiliated with the Modern
Woodmen of America. Politically he is a republican, believing firmly in the
policies set forth in the principles of the party, and he is always a loyal supporter
of its candidates. Locally he is interested in the betterment of the community and
for a number of years rendered the township excellent service as a trustee and a
member of the school board. He is a man of many sterling tr.aits of character,
reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and at all times trustworthy and
reliable.
T. L. BAILEY.
T. L. Bailey, now living retired, is numbered among the veterans of the
Civil war and for a long time was actively and successfully engaged in business,
the energy which he displayed therein bringing to him the success that now
enables him to rest from further labor save for the supervision of his investments.
He was born in Waitfield, Vermont, June 24, 1848, and is a representative of an
old New England family, his parents being Andrew C. and x-\resina (Bailey)
CLAY 2'.
400 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Bailey. The father was born in BerHn, \'ermont, in which state he always resided,
devoting his attention to general farming. His death occurred in 1898. The
family, probably, springs from English ancestry. The mother, also a native of
the Green :\Iountain state, died there in 1863, T. L. Bailey being their only child.
After the death of his first wife the father married again, his second union being
with :Mrs. Emma Eddy, and unto them were born four children ; Ida. the wife of
E. O. Macintosh, of \^ermont : Susie, the wife of Elmer Scott ; May, the wife of
Arthur Bailey; and Myrtle, the wife of Edgar McNichol. .-Ml are residents of
Yermont.
In the graded schools of Montpelier, X'ermont, T. L. Bailey acquired his
education. He remained at home until sixteen years of age and then enlisted as
a member of Company E, of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, on the 14th
of August, 1864. Although but a boy in years, he did valiant duty and was hon-
orably discharged in June, 1865, the war having been brought to a close. He had
participated in the three days" fight at Petersburg, in the battle of Hatchers Run
and Welden Raid, and had followed Lee to Poplar Grove, in a six days' running
fight. In the ten months of his service he saw active duty, becoming familiar
with all of the experiences meted out to the soldier. On his return from the war
he again took up his abode at Montpelier. where he remained a short time, and
then removed to Rutland, Yermont, where, for four years, he acted as salesman
in the store of Mr. \V. H. B. Owens. The opportunities of the west, however,
attracted him and, believing that he would have a better chance to improve his
financial condition beyond the Mississippi, he made his way to Clay county and
secured as a homestead claim the northeast corner of section 22, Clay township,
in 1870. Upon the farm which he there developed he remained thirty years.
During that period he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and
made many substantial improvements and he still owns that land. Year after
year he carefully tilled the soil and his farming operations brought him creditable
success. In 1901 he removed to Royal and as indolence and idleness are utterly
foreign to his nature, he felt that he could not be content to have no business
pursuit, so devoted three years to clerking in a store. Since that time he has
lived retired, in the enjoyment of well-earned rest. In addition to the home place
he owns eighty acres of land on section 13, Clay township, and his wife has some
property in the town, including a store building. Starting out empty-handed, Mr.
Bailey has accumulated a comfortable competence. He deserves much credit for
what he has done. He has witnessed many changes since coming to the county,
which was a pioneer district at the time of his arrival. He had made the journey
westward with two other farmers and together they owned but the one team
of horses, their financial resources being too limited to enable each to own a team.
It was in 1868 that Mr. Bailey was married to ^liss Julia A. Smith, who was
born in Roxbury, Yermont, in 1849. ^'^e was a daughter of"Alvin and Susan
(Lewis) Smith. Her father is now living in Barre, \>rmont, while the mother
died in January, 1854. In their family were six children, Emery L., Gilbert O.,
Sanford S., Amelia, Mrs. Bailey and Edwin F. After losing his first wife ]\Ir.
Smith was again married, the second union being with ]\Iiss \'ienna Williams,
whom he wedded in 1861. They had one son, Alvin J., now of Massachusetts.
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 401
The Smith family came of Welsh and English ancestry. Unto ]Mr. and Mrs.
Bailey have been born two children. Ozias T., b.orn in February, 1873, is
now a member of the firm of Bailey Brothers & Albers, dealers in implements at
Royal. George L., born in Xovember, 1878, is also a member of the firm.
The elder son married IMiss Laura L. Thomas and has two children, Wendell
L., born in 1900, and Blanch L., in 1903. George L. Bailey wedded Miss Marie
Albers, of Royal.
In his political views Mr. Bailey has long been a stalwart democrat and,
though he has not been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he is very loyal
to the best interests of the community and has served as both secretary and treas-
urer of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend.
He belongs to Peterson Post of the G. A. R., in which he has passed through all
of the chairs, and he has likewise filled the various offices in the Odd Fellows
Lodge at Royal. Both he and his wife are connected with Rebekah Lodge and
Mrs. Bailey belongs also to the W'oman's Relief Corps, of Peterson. They fre-
quently attend the Willow Creek Methodist Episcopal church and have assisted in
building several churches. Well known in this county, where they have resided
from pioneer times, they well deserve representation in this volume, for their
social qualities have made them many friends, while the business record of Mr.
Bailev is most creditable and enviable.
CHRIS PETERSEN,
Chris Petersen, living on a farm on section 27, Lone Tree township, has a
place of one hundred and sixty acres which presents a neat and attractive appear-
ance. In his life he has manifested many of the sterling characteristics of his
Germany ancestry and his record is another proof of the fact that the sons of
Germany have usually been recognized as valued citizens wherever they have
cast in their lot in America, employing its advantages and its opportunities for
their own welfare and the good of the community at large.
Mr. Petersen was born in Schleswig, Germany, February 13, 1871. His
father. Julius Petersen, was also a native of that province and there passed his
youthful days and married. Fie became well known as a business man of the lo-
cality and also held various official positions of honor anl trust. He is now post-
master at Hattstedt, which position he has filled for many years, although he has
reached the age of seventy-two.
Chris Petersen spent his youthful days under the parental roof and was
afforded good educational privileges, being instructed in both the German and
English languages. He came to the new world in 1887 when a youth of sixteen
years, sailing from Hamburg to New York. He did not tarry in the east, however,
but made his way direct to Iowa and settled in Jones county, w^here he had rela-
tives living. It was this that influenced him to become a resident of the Hawkeye
state. For a year he worked as a farm hand in Jones county and in 1890 came to
Clay county, where he was again employed at farm labor for a year. On the ex-
piration of that period he took charge of the Everly creamery, which he capably
402 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
and successfully controlled for six years. During that period he carefully saved
his earnings until his industry and economy brought him sufficient capital to
enable him to purchase a farm. He then invested in one hundred and sixty acres
in Clav township and removed to this farm, which he cultivated for two years.
In 1902 he bought his present place of residence on section 27, Lone Tree town-
ship. Here he has one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting a neat and
well improved place. In all of his farm work he is energetic and diligent, over-
coming all difficulties and obstacles by his perseverance and determination. The
improvements which he has placed upon his farm are of a modern character. He
has fenced his land and divided it into fields of convenient size and promoted its
arability through the judicious use of tiling. He has a good barn upon the place,
has built a corn crib, a granary and hog house. The farm is today neat and well
improved and he annually gathers considerable fruit from an orchard he had .
planted. He also has a nice grove upon the place and with his farming raises,
feeds and fattens stock, shipping about two carloads of fat hogs and cattle each
year.
While living in Everly ]\Ir. Petersen was married, on Thanksgiving day of
1895, to Miss Martha Brugman. a native of Iowa, who was born in Davenport
but was of German parentage. They now have four children: Helen, Alice,
Julius and Florence. In politics Mr. Petersen is recognized as one of the leading
supporters of the democracy in this locality and his fellow townsmen, appreciat-
ing his genuine personal worth, have several times called him to office. He was
elected and served as township clerk for one year, after which he resigned. He
was next elected assessor and, being continued in the office through successive
elections, has been the incumbent for nine successive years, being again chosen in
the fall of 1908 for a few years' term. He believes thoroughly in good schools
and competent tea
