Full text of "History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the Governors of Iowa, and of the Presidents of the United States"

m 2 7 ^96^

\ ^\

H ISTORY

—OF

MONONA COUNTY,

IOWA.

Containing Full-page Portraits and BiograpFiical Sketches of Prominent
and Representative Citizens of tine County.

TOGETHER WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS

OF IOWA, AND OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE

UNITED STATES.

CHICAGO :

NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1890.

T!'^

»V YC^K

4^51331

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN roUND'-TIO 'S.

R isoa i-_

^ N this age of culture and progress people are but just waking up to the fact that we are every day
Jl making history — working out problems of life and carving out fortunes — all to be forgotten by the
next generation, unless we enter more carefully upon the task of recording and preserving the details
of our local and personal history. These annals, thus written, will be duly appreciated for their truth-
fulness and completeness by those who come after us, for it is well known that the lapse of time makes
the best of memories imperfect, and tradition is totally unreliable.

Thus it is that in most every section of the Union efforts are being put forth to perpetuate local
history and biography. Surelj' no cause can be more worthj' of popular attention. In no county in
Iowa should the citizens feel greater interest in recording, in some convenient form, the most important
events in the history of the county and the lives of its citizens.

With the laudable purpose of gathering up the history of Monona County and its citizens this vol-
ume was commenced and carried to a finish. Our work is done; and we now present it to our patrons
witli the wish that it will meet the satisfaction that the care used in its preparation warrants.

Vours very trul\-.

Tiiii Natioxal Fuhlisiiinc: Co.

ap^^lii®^.

I^?¥^iif©;ir

eERTIFISATE OF COMMITTEES,

We, the undersigned, members of the committees appointed to revise the histories of our respective town-
ships or villages for tlie history of Monona County, now being compiled by the National Publishing Co., do
hereby certify that the manuscript of the same was duly submitted to us, and that we revised and corrected
the same, making such additions and corrections as we, in our judgment, deemed necessary, and as so cor-
rected do approve of the same:

T. Elliott,
J. K. McCaskey,
William Burton,
Addison Oliver,
B. D. Holbrook,

Village of Onaioa.

Cliarles I. Wiiiting,
G. W. Carliart,
F. GrifBn,
J. D. Kice,
15. D. Butler,

Villarjp. of Mapleton.

E. M. Cassady,
B r. Morris,
Lyman Whittier,
W. C. Wiiiting,

VilllUJP of Wllitl/Kj.

R. G. Eairchikl,
U. U. Comfort,
r. G. Oliver,

Neal MciSreill,

Franklin.

John S. Eggleston,
T. ir. Peabody,

Liivoln.

F. F. Koe,

T. T. Bouslaugh,
D. T. Hawthorn,

Cenlpr,

Thomas Cover,

Wiltol,-.

R. T. Eeese,
C. W. Bisbee,
S. S. Dorward,

Bel Ciller e.

George R. Outhouse,
James Ballantyne,

Jordan.

J.J. Peck,

Siovx.

W. G. Kennedy,
W. VanDoru,

Grant.

O. E. Slrand,
R. R. Porter,
Kiigebret Evenson,
M.J. Riddle,
Soldier.

Lewis Pike,
C. E. Whiting,
Peter Inman,
M. F. Briuk,
.1. R. Folwell,

West Fork.

W. W. Ordway,
J.B. P.Day,
Socrates Smith,
A. J. Lynch,

Kennebec.

Petei; Reily,
William McFarlaue,
N. C. Harlow,

Slierinan.

Q. A. Wooster.
C. H. Simmons,
N. A. Willsey,
J. A. Heisler,

Maple.

Victor Dubois,
N.B.Olson,
J P. Olson,

Fairvieie.

P.i trick G. Dundon,
A. F. Gray,
J. R. Murphy,
Ashton.

Tobias Pegenbush,
W. Jj. Coones,
Joseph Robinson,

Lake.

J. L. Bartholomew.
J. B. Moorhead,
S. M. Blackman,
James Graham,

Spring Valh'ij.

S. D. Depue,
A. J. Patrick,
J. L^ Smith,
William G. Dorothy,

St. Clair.

J. A. Heisler,
J. E. Homan,

Cooper.

BIOGFJp^I^I^P^-

Adams, Almon L 475

Adams, John 23

Adams, John Qiiincy 39

Adams, Joseph A 570

Adams, Moses 52S

Agens, William 581

Alexander. Peter. 572

Allen, Perry 487

Amundsen, John.... 6:* 7

Anderson, William ao\

Arthur, Chester A 99

Ashton, Isaac 361

Atherton, Edward A 628

Caghy. John 532

IJailey, W. B 415

Bakke, Edward E., 542

Bakke, Severt E 650

Ballanlyne, Andrew 602

Ballantyne, James 551

liallantyne, John 485

Barcus, John 641

Barcus, Wesley 590

Bard. Henry E 638

Barney , Loren 647

Bartholomew, James h 377

Bassett, William D 646

Beers, fohn F 4g8

Bearce, Lorenzo D .494

Beall, Nelson D ^65

Bisbee, Hon. Charles C... tot

Bisbee, Charles W 624

Blackman. Stephen M fog

Blanchard, John,Jr 5^0

Boies, Horace 159

Bouslaugh, Jasper 616

Bouslaugh, Joseph R 567

Bouslaugh. Theodore T... . 577

Bowers, David W . . . 584

Bridges, John T 637

Briggs, Ansel 111

Brink, Milan F 499

Brooks, George H 379

Brooks, Jolin W 416

Brown. Anthony 640

Bryant, Colby M 562

Bryant, Capt. G. H .478

Buchanan, James 75

Burton, William 389

Butcher, Ldmond 563

Butcher, Frederick 505

Butt, Joseph D 658

Butts, Mrs. Mary A 401

Caldwell, Joseph A 369

Cameron, Lieut. S. T 604

Carlson, Ole B 597

Carpenter, Cyrus Clay 139

Carritt, John C 451

Carritt, Thomas R. 445

Case, Francis C, Sr 558

Case, James M 468

Cassady, Charles M 588

Cassady, Edward M ^ib

Chamberlain, Eber B 597

Chapman, Edward A 558

Chapman, Edward H 403

Christianson, Christian L. . . .532

Christie, Lawrence E 6f-o

Christman, David 629

Clark, Edward 455

C lemon. Martin 553

Cleveland, Grover S 10 j

Cofl'man, Col u mi) us 370

Colby, Frank E 596

Colby, Harry E 589

Colby, Harry E., Jr 603

Collison, Edward 633

Comfort, Uriah U .4^4

Comly, John B., M . D ... . .529

Conyers, John J .... 507

Coones. William L 522

Cook, Aaron W 362

Cook, David C 481

Cojk, James 365

Cook, William 623

Cooper, Robert W 433

Cope, Charles W 564

Copeland, Elijah W 383

Cork, George W 421

Counts, Joseph D 584

Cox, Julius Warren, M. D , . .613

Crawford, Thomas M 561

Crossley, John 461

Crow, Williard D 645

Cummings, Albert 647

Cunningham, Henry W. . .384
Cunningham, Samuel. -. . .. 473

Gushing, Caleb. --579

Gushing, Ervin 490

Cutler, David T 428

Cutter, Julius T 386

Dailey, Andrew T 458

Dalev, Chester W . . .495

Daley, William H 450

Danjorth, Benjamin F 456

Davidson, William H 387

Davis, Aaron A 437

Davis, Isaac 372

Davis, Oliver 390

Day, Franklin Augustus. ... 517

Day, Frank L 536

Day, J. B. P 467

Day, William T 505

Delashmntt, E. N 4^2

Denton, Thomas A 542

Depue, S. D 659

De Wolf, Ezra 613

Diddy, George 511

Dingman,John 573

Donner. Johan 525

Douglas, George A 369

Dorothy, James R 403

Dorothy, William G 361

Dorward, Frank M 622

Dorward, Samuel Stephens . .476

Driggs, Lorenzo 511

Driggs, Lorenzo D 509

Drummond, John R 486

D ubois, Victor 570

Dubois, Victor P. . - 601

Duffy, Til mas 578

Dundon, Patrick G 491

Dungan, Francis 643

East, John '1' 521

Eggleston, Charles F 391

Eggleston, John S 474

Elliott, Timothy 390

Elwell, John €04

Engen, Ole 471

English, James W 389

Erb, John George 372

Erickson, Gilbert E 504

Erskine, L. D 651

Ertel, Wcntel F 546

Eva,Wil!!amJ 644

Evansou, Engebret 496

Evenson, Christian 624

Fairchild, Robert G 413

Fegenbush, Tobias 654

Fegenbush, William D 397

Fessen de n , A Ibert T 42^

Fillmore, Millard 67

Fischer, George 508

Fleming, James C 487

Foick, Mrs. Catherine 390

Folvvell, Jacob R 381

Frazier, John E., M. D 555

Freeland, Isaac 510

Freeland, Maj. Martin A 506

Gard, John Brookfield 612

Garfield, James -A.. 95

Gantz. Charles 426

Gantz, Christian - .410

Gantz, Ernst 4,8

INDEX.

< .Mill/ , N^ illi'-'lin 17

i;c-.->r, John H '47

Gillilan, Frank M 631

(liliiiorc, Henry I, 3-4

Ciiiglc'i. J. J-, M- T) 4,0

(;ienn. Jolin •'"

Ohnn, Mrs. M.irtlin' <i'6

Oodsey, l,ycur,.;iis 53'

Graham, James 5^-7

Grant, U.S «'

Gray, A. F 4')'!

Giay,AngusO 5'S

Gray, John /->'>

Greene, Winslow ..\ 5.i'*

C'.rinin, Joseph W 3S8

Grimes, James W "9

Groom, Charles H <>45

Crow. Wallace 1> 44'

( ; ullikson, ficorge SO*

llamie. John 47*

HamUton, William H 63I

llamman. Henry W. C S»3

llanscom, Alfrcl U 597

II an scorn, George U S'^

llanscom, Horace A 595

Hansen, John 6.3t>

ll.inson, Anton 658

Harlow, Hiram 477

• Harlow, Jerome H 367

H arlow, Nathaniel C 477

Harris, John F, f>S*

Harris, William 400

Harrison, lienjamin 107

Harrison, Sanuiel 410

Harrison, William Henry 51

Harvy. Henry foi

Hathaway, William N 407

Hatt, William ..588

Hawkins, F ("z

Hawthorn, David T 593

Hayes, R. H 9'

llazlitt, James E 4ei

Heisler, Henry... 4<o

Heislcr, John Adams 5i'7

Heisler, Samuel 617

Hempstead, Stephen 115

Henderson, -Milo J 5'5

Hickel, Asa V (01

Hinsdale, Samuel Dexter... 550

Hittle. Michael 395

Hoadky, Sidney C 632

llolbrook, Bernard D 539

Holhrook, Charles H 591

Holdcn, Francis Marion 616

HcUandsworth, George H. ..452

HoUister, Hiram 419

Hong, E. N 594

Howard, Seth .^ 402

Hubbard, I'endleton 655

Hudgel, William J 630

Huff, John 499

Hull, Edwin J 61(0

Hurst, James 48 s

11 uston, David G 41 i

iddings, Lewis 656

Innian, Peter. *'>9

Irish, Samuel G 5^4

Jackson. .'Xndrcw 43

Jacohsen. Laurence 643

Jefferson, Thomas '7

Jennewein, John - 42^

Jensen, Sercn 5'S

Johnson. Andrew 83

Johnson, John O 55^

Johnson, Xels 493

Johnson. Peter 492

Jones, John F 3''"

Joslin, George R 371

Keller, Jacob ^51

Kelscy, John 41'S

Kennedy, 'Ihoinas f>i7

Kessle'r, I'erdinand 363

Kesterson. Samuel I 489

Kilborne, Kev. Ira B 62q

Kimball, Parker J 47'

Kirkwood, Sanuiel J 127

Kittle, Levi D 437

Konkle, John W -j'o

Koontz, \\'il!iam 603

Kn.^tnss, WiMiam Wesley 592

Knndsoii, Kn^jebret ... ,. 402
Kralz. Henry 614

Lane. J. W (1.5

Larrabee, William 155

Larson , J aiiies 594

Leach, Ivory 621

Leathers, William Hudson ..581

Leathers, William M .... .405

Lee, Erick K 524

Lee, Ole Knutson 5^5

Lefr, Olof . 657

Lewis, Dorman 626

Lincoln, Abraham 7y

Lindley, Robert E 459

I.indley, Robert, Sr., 458

Linville, Ciranville P 453

Lohmaiin. Gottlieb C 374

Lolspeich. David W. 545

Lowe, Ralph P 123

Loyd, George E 368

Loyd, John T 3S7

l.iitz, 'Jhonias V' ...(48

Lyman, Rev. Charles N 53s

Lynch, Andrev/ J 494

Lytle, Hugh 384

Mad.k-n. .John F ^:^3

Madison, James ;?!

Mann, Samuel H 582

Maple, Mrs. Mary A . ...5N

M;irr, Hervcy F. , . M. I> 573

Marr. John H... -(43

Marr, Nahuin C 4f">

M^rr, William C 460

Marr, WiH O 44'

Martii>, James 5^^

Manghlin, Joseph S 488

Maughlin, William J 362

Mc Heath, John H -399

McP.eath, Wilson M 4SS

McCandlcS!i, William , . .650

McCaskey. John K 388

McClain, James M 44©

McCleerey, Aaron 417

McCleercy, William K 439

McDor.ald, James 636

McKarlanc, William 462

Mclntyre, John R •.-4M

McM aster. Irving C 5S0

McMillan, Griffith W 371

McNeill, Kdwin R 4^9

McNeill, James 4 54

McNein. Neal 44 1

Mean?, Thomas , 454

Merrill. Samuel 135

Miller. Keiijamin L "52

Miller, Chalmers A 53 ?

.Mocn, Ola us O 600

Monk, Edward 423

Monroe, James 85

Moorhead, John E 482

Moore, William F 6it

Moiehead, Hardy 649

Morehead, John C 406

Morris, Benjamin K 55S

Morrison, Herbert li .120

Morrison, J. E to8

Morrison, Jonathan F, ... ^85

Mosher, Harry C 543

Mountain, John M 552

Murdick, W. M 6,1

Murphy, John R -;=■'

Myers. George J 5^9

Neff, Hiram E 459

Newbold, Joshua G 143

Newman, Alexander 642

Newton. H. N 660

Nodle, Jacob 36y

Norcross, Edward J 656

Norris, Charles T 383

Norton, George R 2S<^

Norwood, Francis M 528

Oliver, Hon. Adilisoii i;i

(Miver, Franklin (i 4'^

Oliver, George A 4^0

Oliver, George W 396

Oliver, John F 570

Olsen, John A 620

Olsen, Peder ..655

Olson, Hans 133

Olson, Hans .5S0

Olson. JobnP 543

Olson, Mels B... ftp

Ordway, William W., M. D..503

Otto, Carl (Ob

Otto, William H 550

Outhouse, George R 544

Outhouse, John &48

Barks, William -A 59^

Patrick, Andrew J 391

P.itrick, George 406

Patrick, Robert 380

Pay ne, William .635

Peabody, Thomas H 425

Peake, Hon. Elijah 599

Peake, Warner H 599

Peck, J esse J 498

Peterson, Gust 5 54

Peterson, John 55»

Perkins, Capt Charles G 43^

Perrin, John 40i

Perrin, 'J'lionias J .iQ2

Pierce, Franklin 7'

Pike, James C ■■■ -398

Pike, Lewis f'50

Pixler, George W 428

Polk, JamesK 59

Polly, Curtis C 588

Polly, James W £00

Polly, Samuel, M. D... 614

Polly, William U. S. G 616

Porter, Robert R S'3

Prichard, Edwin 472

Pull..-n, Maiden B 40S

Qiiatter, William

Rains, W.J 512

Rawlings, John T fi.iO

Rawlings, William T 531

Reed, John W 385

Reese, Richard T 583

Reily, Peter --. 598

Reily, Thomas 555

INDEX.

Reynolds, Joseph J 536

Rli odes, John R 633

Ritidle, Isaac U 526

Uiddl';, Moses Jackson 446

Rilcy, Beiiiamin F 578

Riley, William 373

Rinehart, Lewis W 593

RinJi, Wjlliani L 634

Robbins, We- ley - 419

Roberts,' Fretl J 370

Roberts, William E 527

Robinson, Stephen 409

Roe, Hon. Ferguson F 641

Ross, B. F 559

Ross, Charles E 6^4

Ross, George 364

Rounds, William V 552

Rude, Andrew -422

Schelm, George 62.1

Schurdeviu, Germain 423

Searle, Constant R 443

Sears, Judge Leonard 449

Sears, Leonard C 442

Sears, Siillman Koote 443

Se verso n, Cornelius S 497

Severson, George 59^

Severson, James 639

Severson, Die, ... 628

Sherman , Buren R 151

Simmons, Charles H... ..625

Skid more, Horatio 415

Skidmore, Tertius I! 414

Skow, Arne 366

Slater, JohnM 509

Smith, Charles. .453

Smith, Edmund J 404

Smith, John W to?

Smith, John (^' 395

Smith, John I - -474

Smith, Seth, Jr 435

Smith, Seth,Sr 415

Smith, Socratc? . .382

Solien, Anton ... . - .563

Sooy, James K - .554

Spaulding, John . . 582

Spencer, Frank '1' 496

Stanley. William II 540

Stapleton, Ephraiin .V 561

Stcbbins, Richard. M . D 402

Steel, James W-. 396

Stephenson. Frank 644

St. John. Louis E., M. D 438

Stone, William M 131

Strand, Alfred II 615

Strand, Ole E 500

Strantz, Ernst 424

Straub, Eli S 5S9

Strubel, Charl-s O41

Sudduth. J. Will 373

Swenson, Andrew 625

Swenson, George - 559

Talboy, J. Henry, M. D 4^6

Ta^'lor, John G 408

Taylor, Zachary 63

Templeton, John N 4.59

Thomas, John .618

Thompson, Mrs. Sarah 489

Thoreson, Filing .605

Thoreson, Kniid 564

Thoreson, Nc!s 366

TiUson, Esther R 557

Tillson, Hon, Steplicn, Sr. ..557

Tillson, Stephen, Jr 368

Tisdale, Lovead J 515

Torrison, Torges C 402

Townly, William, Jr 468

Trego, Alexander J 507

Triml)le, John 417

Tyler, John 55

Underhill, George , . .63S

Uhl, Joseph 486

Utteiback, James P 611

V;ui 15uren, Martin 47

Van Dorn, Cornelius 522

Van Dorn, S. Livingston — .534

Van Dorn, Virgil 527

Van Dorn, Washington 461

Vandover, Grason ... ^S6

Warner, Major George E. ... .371

Washington, George 19

Wells, (Jideon M 574

Welsh, George A ^97

Wheeler, H A., M. 653

Whiting, Charles I 518

Whiting, Hon. Charles E ... .5^

Whiting, NewcU A 617

Wiley, Clinton M 513

Wiley, George P 4:0

Wiley, Hon. WiUiam F 434

Wiley, William Henry 632

Wiley, William L 379

Wilkins, Christian 652

Williamson, Joshua G- 533

Willits, Sanford F 400

Willsey, Nelson A 546

Wilsey, W. H 577

Winegar, Edward 398

Winegar, Frederick D 404

Winegar, Frederick D., Jr . .40^

Winegar, Moroni 578

Wingate, Hans L 590

Wininger, Williaii 610

Wood, William G 45-'

Woodward, Joseph D 549

Woodward, Lewis :--444

Wonder, W. H 3S1

Wooster, Alfred Quincy 435

Wooster, Quincy A ^6;^,

Wright. William T., M. D. .367

>^»^^

Adams, John 22

Adams, John Q ^3

Arthur, Chester A 08

Ashton, Isaac 3^0

Bartholomew, J. L 376

Boies, Horace ... . 15S

Houslaugh, J. R 56tj

Briggs, Ansel no

Bryant, G.W 478

I'uchanan, James 74

Carpenter, C. C 138

Cleveland, G rover S ics

D;.y. J. B. P. 465

Fairchild, R. G 412

Fillmore, Millard 66

Grant, Ulysses S 86

Garfield, Tames A 94

Gear, J, H 146

Grimes, J. W ...118

Harrison, Benjamin lo*

Harrison, William H 50

Hayes, Rutherford B 90

Heisler, J. A 586

Hcmpfitcad, Stephen 114

Holbrook, B. D 538

Jackson, Andrew 42

Jefferson, Thomas 26

Johnson, Andrew 82

Kirkwood, S. J ne

Larrabee, William 154

Lincoln,-Abraham 78

Lowe, R. P i22

Madison, James 30

Merrill, Samuel 134

Monroe. James 34

NewboId.J, G 142

Oliver, Addis. in 4jO

Ordvvay, W. W., M, U 502

Pierce, Franklin 70

Polk. James R 58

Sherman. B. R I50

Stone, W.M 130

Taylor Zachary. : 62

Tyler, John 54

Van Buren, Martin 46

Washington, George. 18

Wilsey, W. H 576

leW.

Fairchild, R,G 3.,j

Graham, James 594

Moorhead,
Pcrrin, T.

I . E

■4 J
•313

Riddle, M. J

Whiting. Charles 1

.447 I WilUey, N.A
•i'9 '

INDEX.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY Ifj3

CHAPTER II.

ORGANIZATION AND
GOVERNMENT 166

CHAPTER III.

NATIONAL, STATE AND
COUNTY REPRESENTA-
TION 170

Congressional 170

General Assembly 170

County Judge 172

County Auditor 172

Treasurer and Recorder. .172

County Tre.isurer 172

County Recorder 173

Clerk of the Courts 173

Sheriff 174

County Superintendent of

Common Scliools 174

County Surveyor 174

Drninaoe Commissioner. .175

County Coroner 1 75

County Attorney' 175

chapter iv.

otih<:r officiai- mat-
ters 176

Population 176

Marri.age Record 176

CHAPTER V.

Political 180

CHAPTER VI.

MISCELLANEOUS 201

Swamp Lands 201

Homestead Cases 202

Storms and Tornadoes. ..203
A Remiuiscence of War

Times 207

Pjxperience of D. T. Haw-
thorn in the Winlei-of the
Deep Snow 209

The first Railroad in Mon-
ona 209

How we Came to ]Mon-
ona in 1855 210

CHAPTER \'II.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.. . 214

Early Settlement 214

First Items 218

Organic 219

CHAPTER \ HI.

ASHTON TOWNSHIP 220

First Items 222

Village of Asliton 222

CHAPTER IX.

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP 224

First Items 227

Maple Landing 227

Organic 228

CHAPTER X.

JORDAN TOWNSHIP. .. 229

Organic 231

First Items 231

CHAPTER XI.

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP.. .232

First Items 233

Organic 234

Albaton 234

CHAPTER XII.

WEST FORK TOWNSHIP. . 235

Historic Crumbs 236

Organic 237

CHAPTER XIII.

LAKE TOWNSHIP 238

Historical Items 240

Organic 241

CHAPTER XIV.

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP. . 242
First Events 244

Organic 244

The Village of Belvidere. 245

Village of Turin 245

Post-office 246

Societies 246

Rek'gions 246

School 247

CHAPTER XV.

SIOUX TOWNSHIP -2 18

Organic 250

CHAPTER XVI.

WILLOW TOWNSHIP 251

First Items 252

Organization 252

CHAPTER X\ II.

CENTER TOWNSHIP 253

Early Settlement 253

First Tilings 255

CHAPTER XVIII.

GRANT TOWNSHIP 257

Tom King Holhiw 260

Organic 260

First Items 260

Rodney 261

Ticonic 261

Grant Center 262

CHAPTER XIX.

St. CLAIR TOWNSHIP . . . .263

First Items 266

Ute 267

CHAPTER XX.

SPRING A^ALLEY TOWN-
SHIP 270

Preparation 270

Other parts of the Town-
ship 274

Moorhead 276

CHAPTER XXI.

SOLDIER TOWNSHIP 277

First Items 279

INDEX.

Organic 279

School Matters 280

Soldier Post-office 280

An Experience 281

CHAPTER XXII.

KENNEBEC TOWNSHIP.. . 283

Castana Mill 288

Old Castann 288

Castana 289

Religious 290

Business Men's Associa-
tion 290

Castana Creamery 291

CHAPTER XXIII.

SHERMAN TOWNSHIP.. ..292

First Items 294

Educational 295

Organization 295

Grange Hall 295

Good Templar's Haii 295

Blencoe 295

Hotels 296

Depot 297

Educational 297

Churches 297

CHAPTER XXIV.
MAPLE TOWNSHIP 298

Educational 301

First Items 302

Organic 302

Majileton 303

St. George 303

CHAPTER XX \.

COOPER TOWNSHIP 305

Tlie Firstlings 307

Organization 307

CHAPTER XXVI.

ONAWA .308

County Seat 314

Early Business Houses. . .315

Present Business 316

Banks 319

Gristmill 319

Hotels 320

Post-office 322

Press 322

Educational 324

Municipal 327

Fire Department 328

Fires 329

Pioneer Literary Sucii-ty.330
Old Time Militia Com-
pany .330

Societies 331

First Items 336

Band 337

Creamery 337

Railroad History 337

CHAPTER XXVII.

VILLAGE OF WHITING. . . 339

Hotels 340

Elevator 341

Post-office 341

Press 341

Educational 341

Religious 342

Fire Department 342

Telephone 343

Band 343

Opera Hall 343

CHAPTER XXVIII.

EAST MAPLETON 344

Business History 344

The aiapleton Bank 348

Hotels 348

Journalism 349

Post-otBce 349

Incorporation 349

Societies 350

Churches 353

HISTORY OF THE STATE
OF IOWA 354

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PUBLIC LIBRARY.

ASTOR, LENOX A\'D
TltDEN FOUNDATIONS.

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FIRST }= RESIDE NT.

vm »

;| HE Father of our Country was
# born in Westmorland Co., Va.,
■^' Feb. 22, 1732. His parents
were Augustine and Mary
(Ball) Washington. The family
to which he belonged hns not
been satisfactorily traced in
England. His great-grand-
father, John Washington, em-
igrated to Virginia about 1657,
and became a prosperous
planter. He had two sons,
Lawrence and John. The
former married Mildred Warner
and had three children, John,
Augustine and Mildred. Augus-
tine, the father of George, fiist
married Jane Butler, who bore
him four children, two of whom,
Lawrence and Augustine, reached
maturity. Of six children by his
second marriage, George was the
eldest, the others being Betty,
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles
and Mildred.
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon,
and to George he left the parental residence. George
received only such education as the neighborliood
schools afforded, save' for a short time after he left
- .liool, when he received private instruction in
mathematxs. His spelling v/as rather defective.

Remarkable stories are told of his great ))hysica.
strength and development at an early age. He wa.s
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair-
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life.

When George was 14 years old he had a desire to go to
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him,
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was
abandon«d. Two years later he was appointed
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. \n
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very
essential to him. Li 1751, though only 19 years of
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for
active service against the French and Lidians. Soon
after this he sailed to the West Lidies with his brother
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health They
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence
died, leaving a large fortune to an infarit daughter
who did not long survive him. On her demise the
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle, as Lieuten-
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili-
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac-
ce[)ted, which others had refused. This was to pro-
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North-
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand,
and the journey was to be made without military
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

\x\\) was a perilous one, and several limes he came near
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com-
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was
then begun against the French and Indians, in which
Washington took a most important part. In the
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad-
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock
were disabled early in the action, and Washington
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter
to his brother he says : "I had four bullets through
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped
unhurt, though death was leveling, my companions
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit
him.

After having been five years in the military service,
and vainly sought ijromotion in the royal army, he
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesnc and the
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio,
to resign his commissioh. Soon after he entered the
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy
widow of John Parke Custis.

When the British Parliament had closed the port
-jf Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all."
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con-
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Piiila-
del[)hia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties,
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash-
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con-
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com-
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and
responsible office was conferred upon Washington,
who was still a memberof the Congress. He accepted
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country
were so long confided. The war was conducted by
him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every
ol>stacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in
a paiting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his

commission as commander-in-chief of the army to
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He
retired immediately tj Mount Vernon and resumed
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all
connection with public life.

In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously
elected President. In his piesidential career he was
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part
of other governments ; trials from want of harmony
between the different sections of our own country;
trials from the impoverished condition of the country,
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and
wliile perhaps this alone kept our government from
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and
very annoying.

At the expiration of his first term he was unani-
mously re-elected. At the end of this tenn many
were anxious that he be- re-elected, but he absolutely
refused a third nomination* On the fourth of March,
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi-
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France.
.A.t the prospect of such a war he was again urged to
take command of the armies. He chose his sub-
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat-
ters in the field, which he superintended from his
home. In accepting the command he made the
reservation that he was not to be in the field until
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations
his life was suddenly cut oft". December 12, he took
a seveie cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling
ill his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh-
teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at
Mount Vernon.

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad-
miration. The more we see of the operations of
our government, and the more deeply we feel the
difficulty of uniting all oiiinions in a common interest,
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal-
ent and character, which have been able to challenge
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na-
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will
be as lasting as the existence of man.

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetrv.
He commanded respect without any appearance of
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull.

[PUBLIC library'

ASTon, LENOX A^•D

,.^i.

SECOND PRESIDENT.

t-^aalSti^^

©fflH ABAMSa -w. ^^

OHN ADAMS, the second
tj)_^ President and the first Vice-
t^«" President of the United States,
was born in Braintree ( now
Quincy),Mass., and about ten
^^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19,
-.'9 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry
Adams, emigrated from England
about 1640, with a family of eight
sons, and settled at Braiutree. The
parents of John were John and
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His
father was a farmer of limited
means, to which he added the bus-
iness of shoemaking. He gave his
eldest son, John, a classical educa-
tion at Harvard College. John
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a
'school of affliction," from which he endeavored to
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He
had thought seriously of the clerical profession
but seems to have been turned from this by what he
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun-
cils, cf diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,"
of the operations of which he had been a witness in
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep-
tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister,
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his
marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa-
♦jon turned him from law to politics. He took initial
steps toward holdin., a town meeting, and the resolu-

tions he offered on the subject became very populai
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos-
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and
was chosen a member of the General Couit (the Leg-
lislature) in 1770.

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress,
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad-
vocated the movement for independence against th?
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he mcved
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies
should assume the duties of self-government. He
was a prominent member of the committee of ave
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde-
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through
Congress in a three days debate.

On the day after the Declaration of Independence
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with th'j
glow of e.xcited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated,
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the
greatest question was decided that ever was debated
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wil
be decided among men. A resolution was passed
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde-
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of
July, 1776, will be a memorable e: och in the history
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of
deliverance by solemn acts cf devotion to Almighty
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows-

JOHN ADAMS.

games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations,
from one end of the continent to the other, from this
time forward for ever. You will think me transported
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of
the toil, and blood and treasure, tliut it will cost to
maintain this declaration, and support and defend
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is
worth more than all the means; and that posterity
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I
hope we shall not."

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a
delegate to France, and to co-operate with Bemjamin
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money
from the French Government. This was a severe trial
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home,
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex-
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis-
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17,
1779. In September of the same year he was again
clTOsen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi-
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet
might be found willing to listen to such pioposels. He
sailed for France in November, from there he went to
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and
formed important commercial treaties

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement,
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con-
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he
was advised to goto England to drink the waters of
B.ith. 'While in England, still droo[)inganddespond-
ing, he received dispatches from his own government
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to
ne.gotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was
deiicate, yet he immediately set out, and through
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,hemade the trip.

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face
to face the King of England, who had so long re-
garded him as a traitor. As England did not
condescend to appoint a minister to the United
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom-
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788.

When Washington was first chosen President, John
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President, .\gain
at the second election of Washington as President,
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash-
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was
elected President,though not without much oi)position.
Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics.

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great

French Revolution shook the continent of Europe,
and it was upon this point which he was at issue with
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson.
Mr. Adains felt no sympathy with the French people
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it.
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or-
iginated the alienation between these distinguished
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ-
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies
were witli England and Jefferson led the other in
sympathy with France.

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till
after death. No one could look upon his venerable
form, and think of what he had done and suffered,
and .how he had given up all the prime and strength
of his life to the public good, without the deepest
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar
good fortune to witness the complete success of the
institution which he had been so active in creating and
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest
station in the gift of the people.

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is
well known, on that day two of these finished their
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr.
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In-
dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons,
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor-
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all."
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and
glorious day." The last words he uttered were,
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re-
signed his spirit into the hands of his God.

The personal appearance and manners of Mr.
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face,
as his portrait manifests,was intellectual ard expres-
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous.
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor
tlie engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked
the manners and address of Jefferson,

JUNDATIONS. [

^y'TTTl^

THIRD PRESIDENT.

JEFFI

HOMAS JEFFERSON was

born April 2, 1743, ^t Shad-
^vell, AUjermaile county, Va.
His parents were Peter and
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson,
the former a native of Wales,
and the latter born in Lon-
don. To them were born six
daughters and two sons, of
whom Thomas was the elder.
Wiien 14 years of age his
father died. He received a
most liberal education, hav-
ing been kept diligently at school
from the time he was five years of
age. In 1760 he entered William
rnd Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion
a. id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha-
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under
such influences,that he was not ruined. In the sec-
ond year of his college course, moved by some un-
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses,
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex-
orcise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out
of the city and back again. He thus attained very
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso-
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished
scholur has seldom gone forth from college halls; and

there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man.

Immediately upon leaving college he began the
study of law. For the short time he continued in the
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin-
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a
lawyer. f!ut the times called for greater action.
1 he policy of England had awakened the spirit of
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, Ie
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti-
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, th^rc
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye^
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon
became the most distinguished resort in our land.

In 1775 he was sent to the Cclonial Congress
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he
was placed upon a number of important conimitteeO;
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw-
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com-
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams.
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R.
Livingston. Jeferson, as chairman, was appointed
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested
a kw verbal changes before it was submitted to Con-
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July
4, 1776 What must have been the feelings of that

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

man — what the emotions that swelled his breast —
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec-
laration, which, while it made known tiie wrongs of
America, was also to publish her to the world, free,
iiovcrign and independent. It is one of the most re-
markable papers ever wntten ; and did no other effort
\A the mind of its author exist, that alone would be
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality.

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five
minutes elaiised after the harried escape of Mr. Jef-
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses-
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and
in the summer of 1782 slie died.

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783.
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo-
tendary to France. Returning to the United States
in September, 1789, .he became Secretary of State
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned
Jan. I, 1794- In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi-
dent, and four years later was elected President over
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity,
and George Clinton, Vice President.

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra-
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con-
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there
a new republic. This has been generally supposed
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been
generally known what his real plans were, there is no
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous
character.

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly
forty years, he had been continually before the pub-
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de-
voted the best part of his life to the service of his
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his
declining years required, and upon the organization of
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare-
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticelio.

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole
families came in their coaches with their horses, —
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, Itabies and
nurses, — and remained three and even six months.
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at n
fashionable watering-place.

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver-

sary of the Declaration of American Independence,
great preparations were made in every part of th'.
Union for its celebration, as tlie nation's jubilee, and
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer.
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara-
tion, to iKirticipate in their lestivities. But an ill-
ness, wliich had been of several weeks duration, and
had been continually increasing, compelled him to
decline the invitation.

On the second of July, the disease under which
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced
state that his medical attendants, entertained nc
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the ne.\*.
day, which was Monday, he asked of those around
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha.
he might be permitted lo breathe the air of the fit"iieth
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land,
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for-
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble
life ! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- -
the day which his own name and his own act had
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him,
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings,
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life.

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin-
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear
hiin company, left the scene of his earthly honors.
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper-
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a
century they had labored together for tiie good of
the country; and now hand in hand they depart.
In their lives they had been united in the same great
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not
divided.

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became
white and silvery ; his complexion was fnir, his fore-
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as
well as personal courage; and his command of tem-
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends
never recollected to have seen him in a passion.
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un-
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver-
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is
discernable the care with which he formed his style
upon the best models of antiquity.

\PUBUC LIBRARY

r (Zyo<^^^^ .^^ itt-^^-^-^l ^'"V

FOURTH PRESIDENT.

prriEs n];5Disoi].

AMES MADISON, "Father
of the Constitution," and fourth
President of the United States,
was born March i6, 1757, and
died at his home in Virginia,
,y^^ jiine 28, 1836. The name of
James Madison is inseparably con-
nected with most of the important
events in that heroic period of our
country during which the founda-
tions of this great repubhc were
laid. He was the last of the founders
of the Constitution of the United
States to be called to his eternal
reward.

The Madison family were among
the early emigrants to the New World,
landing upon the shores of the Chesa-
peake but 15 years after the settle-
ment of Jamestown. The father of
James Madison was an opulent
planter, residing upon a very fine es-
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co.,
Va. The mansion was situated in
the midst of scenery highly pictur-
esque and romantic, on the west side
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of
It was but 25 miles from the home of
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest jjersonal and
[lolitical attachment existed between the?e illustrious
men, from their early youth until death.

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey.
Here he applied himself to study with the most im-

Blue Ridge.

prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsr'
quent career.

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of
law and a course of extensive an.d systematic reading.
This educational coarse, the spirit of the times in
which he lived, and the society with which he asso-
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-wovk of
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten-
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mmd
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed
all the arguments for and against revealed religion,
until his faith became so established as never to
be shaken.

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to
frame the constitution of the State. The next year
(1777)) hfi "*^3S a candidate for the General Assembh'.
He refused to treat the whisky-lovirg voters, and
consequent!}' l.jst his election ; but those who had
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of tlie
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf,
and he was appointed to the E.xeculive Council.

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of liis

JAMES MADISON.

intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of
the most conspicuous positions among them.

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con-
gress, one of its most active and influential members.
In the year 17S4, his term having expired, he was
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature.

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na-
tional government, with no power to form treaties
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There
was not any .Stale more prominent than Virginia in
the declaration, that an efficient national government
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of
Virginia, inviting the other States to apjioint commis-
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss
this subject. Five States only were represented. The
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up
by Mr. Madison, urging all the Slates to send their
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft
a Constitution for the United -States, to take the place
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at
the time appointed. Every Stale but Rhode Island
was represented. George Washington was chosen
president of the convention; and the present Consti-
tution of the United States was then and there formed.
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac-
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind
and the pen of James Madison.

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was
to be presented to the several States for acceptance.
But grave solicitude was felt. .Should it be rejected
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent
States, with but little power at home and little respect
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by tne conven-
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution,
and urging its adopition. There was great opposition
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and
went into effect in 1789.

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre-
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the
avowed leader of the Repniblican party. While in
New York attendmg Congress, he met Mrs Todd, a
young widow of remarkable power of fascination,
whom he married. She was in person and character
(jueenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied
so prominent a (losition in the very peculiar society
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs.
Madison.

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under
Jefferson, and at the close of his administiaiion
was chosen President. At this time the encroach-
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war.

British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But ihe
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood
boil, even -now, to think of an American ship brought
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser.
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal-
ance he selects any number whom he may please to
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun-
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the
battles of Fingland. This right of search and im-
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce
the British cabinet to relinquish.

On the 1 8th of June, 181 2, President Madison gave
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter
hostility of the Federal parly to the war, the country
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th
of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority,
and entered upon his second term of office. This is
not the place to describe the various adventures of
this war on the land and on the water. Our infan.
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap-
pling with the most formidable power which ever
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February,
18 13, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole
coast of the United Slates under blockade.

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me
dilator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit-
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa-
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens-
burg, upon Washington.

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict
at BLadensburg echoed through the streets of the
metropolis. The whole iiopiilaticn fled from the city.
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer to
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed,
and he could not go back without danger of being
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in
Washington were in flames.

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on
Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.

On the 4th of March, 1S17, his second lerm of
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau-
tiful home at Monlpelier, and there passed the re-
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi-
son died July 12, 1849.

, :x AND

TILDEN FOUNDATrONS.

^A-^

^c^^_

FIFTH PRESIDENT.

AMES MONROE, the fifth
Presidentof The United States,
was born in ^Vestmoreland Co.,
Va., April 28, 1758. His early
life was passed at the place of
nativity. His ancestors had for
. s) many years resided in the prov-
ince in which he was born. When,
i, at 17 years of age, in the process
f »V of completing his education at
William and Mary College, the Co-
lonial Congress assembled at Phila-
delphia to deliberate upon the un-
just and manifold oppressions of
Great Britian, declared the separa-
tion of the Colonies, and promul-
gated the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly
(irobable that he would have been one of the signers
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left
school and enlisted among the patriots.

He joined the army when everything looked hope-
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits,
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con-
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country,
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife

for liberty. Firmly yet sadly lie shared in the mel-
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White"
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots
had" been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg-
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left
shoulder.

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro-
moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however,
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam-
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy
wine, .Germantown and Monmouth, he continued
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however,
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag;
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits.

In 1782, he was elected from King George county,
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having
at this early period displayed some of that ability
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards
employed with unremitting energy for the public good,

JAMES MONROE.

he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of
the Congress i)f the Uiiiicd States.
Deeplyas Mr. Monroefelt the imperfections of the old
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution,
ihinking, with many others of the Republican party,
that it gave too much power to the Central Government,
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re-
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition
secured its adoption. In 17S9, he became a member
of the United States Senate ; which office he held for
four years. Every month the line of distinction be-
tween the two great parties which divided the nation,
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more
distinct. The two prominent iaeas which now sep-
arated them were, that the Republican party was in
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the
Central Government as little power, and the State
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England,
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con-
stitution, which would give as much power to the
Central Government as that document could possibly
authorize.

The leading Federalists and Republicans were
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In
building up this majestic nation, which is destined
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com-
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de-
nounced as almost a demon.

Washington was then President. England had es-
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi-
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away.
AVashington issued a proclamation of neutrality be-
tween these contending powers. France had helped
us in the struggle for our liherties. All the despotisms
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse
than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres-
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimity.

Washington, who could appreciate such a character,
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness,
by ajjpointing that very James Monroe, who was de-
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr.
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations-

Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon-
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the
office for three yeais. He was again sent to France to
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining
the vast territory then known as the Province of
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob-
tained from Spain. Tlieir united efforts were suc-
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and
district of Louisiana were added to the United States.
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate
which was ever made in all the history of the world.

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob-
tain from that country some recognition of our
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng-
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng-
land on the same mission, but could receive no
redress. He returned to his home and was again
cliusen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned
to accept the position of Secretary of State under
Madison. While in this office war with England was
declared, the Secretary of" War resigned, and during
these trying times, the duties of the War Department
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor-
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return oi
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con-
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex-
piration of Mr. iNIadison's adminstration. At the elec
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had
been chosen President with but little opposition, and
upon March 4, 18 17, was inaugurated. Four years
later he was elected for a second term.

Among the important measures of his Presidency
were the cession of Florida to the United States ; the
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.''

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that
tinae the United States had recognized the independ-
ence of the South American states, and did not ^\ish
to have European powers longer attempting to sub-
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt
on the part of European powers to extend their sys-
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing
or controlling American governments or provinces in
any other light than as a manifestation by European
)iowers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course
of foreign governments, and has become the approved
sentiment of the Ll^nited States.

At the end of his f econd term Mr. Monroe retired
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830,
when he went to New Vork to live with his son-in-
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831

jT^HE NEW YoaKl

[f'UBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AVD

.Ili^ffl^OUNOATIONs.

J. $, Ai

<i>o>u5

SIXTH PRESIDENT.

Wr^

OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the
sixth President of the United
^States, was born in the rural
lonie of his honored father,
John Adams, in Quincy, Mass.,
,.^ on the I ith cf July, 1767. His
mother, a woman of exalted
worth, watched over his childhood
during the almost constant ab-
sence of his father. When but
eight years of age, he stood with
his mother on an eminence, listen-
ing to the booming of the great bat-
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on
upon the smoke and flames billow-
ing up from the conflagration of
Charlestown.

When but eleven years old he
took a tearful adieu of his mother,
to sail with his fainer for Europe,
through a fleet oi hostile British cruisers. The bright,
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paiis, where
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted
the notice of these distinguisiied men, and he received
from them flattering marks of attention.

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this
cou/.try, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again
I'ohn Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he
applied himself with great diligence, for si.\ months,
to jtudy; then accompained his father to Holland,
v/here he entered, first a school in .Amsterdam, then
the University at Leyden. About a year from this
time, in 178 1, when the manly boy was but fourteen
yea-s of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min-
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary.

Tn this school of incessant labor and of enobling
culture he silent fourteen months, and then returned
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the
winter, when in his si.xteenth year. Again he resumed
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence,

^;>^«^

ni the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance
with the most distinguished men on the Continent-
e.xaminingarcliitectuial remains, galleries of paintings
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he agair.
became associated with the most illustrious men of
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal
themes which can engross the human mind. Afte-
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785,
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world,
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a
residence with his father in London, under such cir-
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre-
ferred to return to America to complete his education
in an American college. He wished then to study
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be
able to obtain an independent support.

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be-
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap-
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached
London in October, where he was immediately admit-
ted^ to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney,
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with
Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight ir,
London, he proceeded to the Hague.

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal,
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches
directing him to the court of Beiiin, but requesting
him to remain in London until he should receive his
instructions. While wr.iting he was mairied to a:i
American lady to whom he had been previously en-
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London;
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom-
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the
elevated sphere for which she w?s destined.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ;
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful-
filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his
recall.

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then
was elected Senator of the United States for six years,
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his
ability and his experience, placed him immediately
among the most prominent and influential members
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern-
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach-
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in-
sidtingour flag. There was no man in America more
familiar with the arrogance of the British court ujion
these points, and no one more resolved to present
a firm resistance.

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres-
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign-
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked
at Boston, in August, 1809.

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu-
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a
more accomijlished scholar could scarcely be found.
All through life the Bible constituted an important
part of his studies. ' It was his rule to read five
chapters every day.

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr.
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num-
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he
sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the
1 8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon-
roe's administration, Mr, Adams conti<iued Secretary
of State.

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second
term of office, new candidates liegan to be presented
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign.
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re-
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four;
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty-
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr.
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and
he was elected.

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in
*he past history of our country than the abuse which

was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was
an administration more pure in principles, more con-
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun-
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per-
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu-
lously and outrageously assailed.

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab-
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising
early, and taking much exercise. ^V'hen at his home in
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast,
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his
own fire and applying himself to work in his library
often long before dawn.

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew-
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi-
dent. The slavery question now begarr to assume
ixjrtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to
Quincy and. to his studies, which he pursued with un-
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re-
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre-
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of
" the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in
the House, he announced that he should hold him-
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime
in Its moral daring and heroisin. For persisting in
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury,
with expulsion from the House, with assassination;
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final
triumph was complete.

It has been said of President Adams, that when his
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before
he slept, the prajer which his mother taught him in
his infant years.

On the 2 rst of February, 1848, he rose on the floor
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly-
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him.
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving "conscious-
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and
said " This is the end of earth .-"then after a moment's
pause he added, "/ am content" These were the
last words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent^"

^W YORK

^'BRARY.

<»yS'S't

A' '^■'-,

S£ VENTH PRESIDENT.

l:tti2^

^jj5,aa.s)><^^^y;Zr2r<r»v. a'tSj

NDREW JACKSON, the
seventh Presider.t of the
' United States, was born in
Waxhaw settlement, N. C,
March 15, 1767, a few days
after his father's death. His
parents were poor emigrants
from Ireland, and took up
their abode in Waxhaw set-
tlement, where they lived in
deepest poverty.
Andrew, or Andy, as he was
universally called, grew up a very
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His
features were coarse, his form un-
gainly; and there was but veiy
tittle in his character, made visible, which was at-
tuntive.

\V!ien,only thirteen years old he joined the volun-
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In
17S1, he and his brother Robert were captured and
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of
the dauntless boy.

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate
Dlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner.
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear-
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert
with the same demand. He also refused, and re-
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which qiiite
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their
mother was successful lo- obtaining their exchange,

and took her sick boys home. After a long illn^SL
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother ^oon
left him entirely friendless.

Andrew supported himself in various ways, s i;h as
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however,
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear,
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish
with the Sharp Knife.

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who
supposed herself divorced from her former husband.
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later,
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur-
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr.
Jackson into disfavor.

During these years he worked hard at his profes-
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand,
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec-
ially disgraceful.

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con-
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates.
The new State was entitled to but one member in,
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack-
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its

ANDRE W JACKSON.

sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles.

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo-
cratic party. Jefferson was his idoh He admired
iionaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr.
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose
second term of office was then expiring, delivered his
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson
did not approve of the address, and was one of the
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been
" wise, firm and patriotic."

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home.
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the .Supreme Court
of his State, which position he held fjr six years.

When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com-
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair.
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was
an unknown man in the West, Andrew [ackson, who
.>ould do credit to a commission if one were con-
ferred uix)n him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson
uffeied his services and those of twenty-five hundred
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops
were assembled at Nashville.

As the British were hourly e.xpected to make an at-
tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was
in command, he was ordered to descend the river
with fifteen hundred troops to aid \Vilkinson. The
expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev-
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything,
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him
golden opinions; and he became the most popular
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory."

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col.
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged,
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was
lingering iipon a bed of suffering news came that the
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set-
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De-
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis-
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama.

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on
one of the bendsof the Tallapoosa River, near the cen-
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother.
With an army of two thousand men. Gen. Jackson
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend

of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast-
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors,
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled.

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des-
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en-
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn-
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war-
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold
plunge into the wilderness, with its terrifrtc slaughter,
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants
of the bands caiue to the camp, begging for peace.

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con-
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the
allies of the Indians No. man of less resolute will
than Gen/ Jackson could have conducted this Indian
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he
was appointed major-general.

Late in August, with an army of two thousand
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little foil,
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious
assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired.

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his litll"
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans,
And, the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued,
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his
troops, which numbered about four thousand men,
won a signal victory over the British army of about
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred.

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men-
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824,
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however,
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he
assumed the reins of the government, he met with
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of
her deatli he never recovered.

His administration was one of the most memorable
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party,
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack-
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man.

THE NEW YORK

JPUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX A'O
TILOEN FOUNOATIOWS

O 7 ^U^ ^^z^? U^-.^.^^-^

EIGHTH PRESIDENT.

TQM'M V^l] Ba^El].

•^^^'Q)^)^r^W:§)\^^^€3^^^^^^^^/^'^'^\^

ARTIN VAN BUREN, the
eighth President of the
United States, was born at
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5,
17S2. He died at the same
place, July 24, 1862. His
body rests in the cemetery
at Kinderhook. Above it is
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet
high, bearing a simple inscription
about halt way up on one face.
w The lot is unfenced, uvibordeved
or unbounded by shrub or flower.

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Burea
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged
in no wild adventures. Though his life was s-tormy in
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those
incidents which give zest to biography. His an-
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin,
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer,
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother,
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel-
ligence and exemplary piety.

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un-
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies
in his native village, and commenced the study of
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven
years of study in a law-office were required of him
. before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with
a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, lie pur-
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After
spending six years in an office in his native village,

he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his
studies for the seventh year.

In 1803, Mr. Van Baren, then twenty-one years of
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil-
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had,
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listenkig to the
many discussions which had been carried on in his
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the
cause of State Rights ; though at that time the Fed-
eral party held the supremacy both in his town
and State.

His success and increasing ruputation led him
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th{
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years
constantly gaining strength by contending in tht.
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned
the bar of his State.

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi.
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short
years she sank, into the grave, the victim of consump-
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record
of those years is barren in items of public interest.
In 181 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap-
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved
to Albany, the capital of the State.

While he was acknowledged as one of the most
piominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had

Martin van buren.

the moral courage to avow that true democracy did
not retjuire that " universal suffrage" which admits
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of
governing the State. In true consistency with his
democratic principles, he contended that, while the
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open
lu every man without distinction, no one should be
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue
and some property interests in the welfare of the
Stale.

In 1S21 he was elected a member of the United
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat
in the convention to revise the constitution of his
native State. His course in this convention secured
ihe approval of men of all parties. No one could
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the
interests of all classes in the community. In the
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator.

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to
.he Senate. He had been from the beginning a de-
termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the
"State Rights" view in opposition to what was
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams.

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q.
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whetiier
entitled to the reputation or not, be certainly was re-
garded throughout the United States as one of the
most skilltui, sagacious and cunning of politicians.
It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how
Jo touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all
ihe wires to put his machinery in motioij; and how to
organize a political army which would, secredy and
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By
these powers it is said that he outv*-itted Mr. Adams,
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which
few thought then could be accomplished.

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This
position he resigned in i83r, and was immediately
appointed Minister to England, where he went the
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met,
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned

home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election
of President Jackson; and with smiles for all and
fiowns for none, he look his place at tiie head of that
Senate which hjd refused to confirm his nomination
as ambassador.

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of
President Jackson in behalf of his rejjudiated favor
ilc; and this, probably more than any other cause
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu-
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re-
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen.
Jackson as President of the United States He was
elected by a handsome majority, to the dehglit of the
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen.
Jackson as though -the Constitution had 'jonferred
upon him the power to'appoint a successor."

His administration was filled with exciting events.
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in
volve this country in war with England, the agitation
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer-
cial panic which spread over the country, all were
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at-
tributed to the management of the Democratic party,
and brought the President into such disfavor that he
failed of re election.

Wiih the exception of being nominated for the
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848,
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until
his death.

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits,
and living within his income, had now fortunately a
competence for his declining years. His unblemished
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he
had occupied in the government of our country, se-
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics
of the country. From this time until his death, on
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old
age, probably far more happiness than he had before
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life.

/(x^. //r)9t^yiyi^^U^

NINTH PRESIDENT.

H0k

Wl^iMM WK^NiH m^M^ii.

ILLIAM HENRY HARRI-
SON, the ninth President of
the United States, was bora
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. g, 1773.
His father, Benjamin Harri-
son, was in comparatively op-
ulent circumstances, and was
one of the most distinguished
men of his day. He was an
intimate friend of George
Washington, w as early elected
a member of the Continental
Congress, and was conspicuous
among the patriots of Virginia in-
resisting the encroachments of the
British crown. In the celebrated
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har-
rison and John Hancock were
both candidates for the office of
speaker.

Mr Harrison was subsequently
chosen Governor of Virginia, and
was twice re-elected. His son,
William Henry, of course enjoyed
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav-
ing received a thorough comuion-school education, he
entered Hampden Sidney College, where lie graduated
with honor soon after the death of his father. He
shen repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father,
signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Ulion the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not-
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he
ai)ar.doned his medical studies and entered the army,
having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi-

dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old.
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap-
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This
Territory was then entitled to but one member in
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that
position.

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory
was divided by Congress into two portions. The
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil-
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was a])-
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in-
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible
dutiesniay be inferred from the fact that he was four
rimes appointed to this office — first by John Adams,
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi-
dent Madison.

When he began his adminstration there were but
three white settlementsin that almost boundless region,
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite I-ouisville; one at
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French
settlement.

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisoi.
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indian.s. Abou'

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers,
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching
Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or "The Prophet."
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit-
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm,
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting-
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which
they dwelt.

But the Prophet was not merely anorator: he was,
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent
by the Great Spirit.

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe-
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter.
October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet-
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace.

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes-
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en-
campment, he took every precaution against surprise.
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept
upon their arms.

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa-
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi-
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all
the desperation which superstition and passion most
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the
little army. The savages had been amply provided
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets.

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide-
sas yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be-
fore them, and completely routing the foe.

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can -
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn-
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier
was plunged into a state of consternation which even
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive.
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra-
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit.
Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison
was appointed by President Madison commander-in-
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers.

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but
General Harrison was found er[ual to the position,
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re-
sponsibilities.

He won the love ofhis soldiers by always sharing
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers,
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle.
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted
before the fire, without bread or salt.

In 1S16, Gen. Harrison was chosen a niember of
the National House of Representatives, to represent
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested
the attention of all the members.

In iSig, Harrison was elected to the Senate of
Ohio; and in 1S24, as one of the presidential electors
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate.

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nomirated by his
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presidency.
The contest was very animated. Gen, Jackson gave
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but
his triumph was signal.

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most
brilliant with which any President had ever been
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin-
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick-
ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after
his inauguration as President of the United States.

THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX A !D
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

zo^

TENTH PRESIDENT.

^■1 OHN TYLER, the tenth
^',a Piesidentof the United States.
He was born in Charles-city
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He
was the favored child of af-
fluence and higli social po-
sition. At the earl}' age of
twelve, John entered \V'ilHam
and Mary College and grad-
uated with much honor when
but seventeen years old. After
graduating, he devoted him-
self with great assiduity to the
study of law, partly with his
father and partly with Edmund
Randolph, one of the most distin-
guished lawyers of Virginia.
At nineteen years of age, ne
J|i commenced the practice of law.
ijj» His success was rapid and aston-
ishing. It is said that three
months had not elapsed ere there
was scarcely a case on the dock-
1 et of the court in which he was

iiot retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo-
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of
TefTerson and Madison. For five successive years he
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the
unanimous vote or his county.

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national
bank, internal improvements by the General <^overn-

ment, a protective tariff, and advocatmg a strict con-
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress
were so arduous that before the close of his second
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to lijs
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He,
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful
in promoting public works of great utility. With a
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his
native State. His administration was signally a suc-
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election.

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the
United States. A portion of the Democratic party
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course,
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent,
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the A'ictor.

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his
seat in the Senate, lie joined the ranks of the opposi-
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren-
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist-
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen-
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr.
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen.
Jackson, by his opposition to the nuUifiers, had
abandoned the piinciples of the Democratic party.
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record
in perfect accordance with the principles which he
had always avowed.

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of
his profession. There was a :pl:t 'v.\ the Democratic

JOHN TYLER.

party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jet-
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli-
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con-
secpience of his devotion to public business, his pri-
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan-
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg,
for the better education of his children ; and he again
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia.

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in
1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har-
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili-
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres-
ident. It was well known that he vvas not in symi)a-
thy with the Whig party in the No;th: but the Vice
President has but very little power in the Govern-
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre-
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap-
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a
Democratic Vice President were chosen.

In r84r, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi-
dent of the United States. In one short month from
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler
thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the
une.xpected tidings of the death of President Harri-
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding
delicacy and difficulty. All his longlife he had been
opposed to the main principles of the party which had
brought him into power. He had ever been a con-
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record.
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun-
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own.'' or,
on the other hand, should he turn against the party
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har-
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub-
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in-
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and
bless us.

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States.
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with
his veto. He "suggested, however, that he would

approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval.
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture.
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas-
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M.
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely
touched the pride of the President.

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi-
dent into tlieir arms. The party which elected him
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a
meeting and issued an address to the people of the
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at
an end.

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign,
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus
the four years of iVIr. Tyler's unfortunate administra-
tion ]3assed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs
and Democrats alike assailed him. ■ More and more,
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his
old friends, the Democrats, until atthe close of his term,
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr.
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor.

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the
harassments of office, tothe regret of neitherparty, and
probably to his own unspeakable lelief. His first wife,
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842;
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married,
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of
many personal and intellectual accomplishments.

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For-
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in
his manners, richly furnished with information from
books and experience in the world, and possessing
lirilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the
storms of civil war which his own principles and
policy had helped to introduce.

When the great Rebelhon rose, which the State-
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal-
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed-
erates. He was chosen a memljer of their Congress;
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by
force of arms, the Government over which he had
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died.

ELEVENTH PRESIDENT.

m^^^S^:.

"•^Jp^-"

AMES K. POLK, the eleventh
^President of the United States,
was born in Mecklenburg Co.,
N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par-
ents were Samuel and Jane
(Knox) Polk, the former a son
of Col. Thomas Polk, who located
at the above place, as one of the
first pioneers, in 1735.

In the year i3o6, with his wile
and children, and soon after fol-
lowed by most of the members of
the Polk fatnly, Samuel Polk emi-
grated some two or three hundred
miles farther west, to the rich valley
of the Duck River. Here in the
midst of the wilderness, in a region
which was subsequently called Mau-
ry Co., they reared their log huts,
and established their homes. In tlie
hard toil of a new farm in the wil-
derness, James K. Polk spent the
early years of his childhood and
youth. His father, adding the pur-
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer,
gradually increased in wealth until
he became one of the leading men of the region. Mis
mother was a superior woman, of strong comir.on
sense and earnest piety.

Very early in life, James developed a taste for
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain
a liberal education. His mother's training had made
iiim methodical in his habits, had taught him punct-
uality and industry, and had inspired liim with lofty
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a

sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits.

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, wlien at his
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half
years, in the autumn of 181 5, entered the sophomore
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious
service.

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honoiSjbe-
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- '
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few
miles from Nashville. They had probably been
sligli'.ly acquainted before.

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican,
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi-
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was
constantly called upon to address the meetings of hi,3
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump.
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial nrd

JAMES K. POLK.

tourterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic
nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his
strong influence towards the election of his friend,
Mr. Jacksoii, to the Presidency of the United States.

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul-
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con-
tinuec' in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew,
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair
of li^nnessee. In Congress he was a laborious
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was
always in his seat, always courteous; and whenever
he spoke it wag always to the point, and without any
ambitious rhetorical display.

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused,
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per-
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac-
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was
passed by the House as he withdrew on tlie 4th of
March, 1839.

In accordance with .Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo-
ber, 1039, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1S41,
his term of office expired, and he was again the can-
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated.

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur-
ated President of the United States. The verdict of
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig-
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister,
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation
to be an act hostile to Mexico.

In his first message. President Polk urged that
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re-
ceived into the Union on the same" footing with the
other States. In the meantime. Gen. Taylor was sent

with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande,
where he erected batteries which commanded the
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on
the western banks.

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first
called one of "observation,"' then of "occupation,"
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused.
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration
that the war was brought on.

'To the victors beleng the spoils.'" Mexico was
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands.
We now consented to peace upon the condition that
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas,
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal-
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were
some Americans who thought it all right : there were
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico.

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from
office, having served one term. The next day was
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even-
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age.
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits,
and his health was good. With an ample fortune,
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted,
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen,

-.';ox a;.'D
;ndations.

TWELFTH PRESIDENT.

^lA-

ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth
® President of the United States,
-*^vvas born on the 24th of Nov.,
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His
JO father. Colonel Taylor, was
a Virginian of note, and a dis-
tinguished patriot and soldier of
the Revolution. When Zachary
was an infant, his father with his
wife and two children, emigrated
to Kentucky, where he settled in
the pathless wilderness, "vi. few
miles from Louisville. In this front-
ier home, away from civilization and
all its refinements, yaung Zachary
could enjoy but few social and educational advan-
tages. A\'hen six years of age he attended a common
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy,
rather remarkable for bhnitness and decision of char-
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and
iianifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight
die Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his
^childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation.
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him
the commission of lieutenant in the United States
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady
from one of the first families of Maryland.

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng-
land, in 1S12, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder-
ness by Gen. Harrison.on his march to Tippecanoe.
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians,
rid by Tecumseh, Its garrison consisted of a broken

company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of
whom were sick.

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily,
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. TliL.r
approach was first indicated by the murder of two
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. TayLr
made every possible preparation to meet the antici-
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort,
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk
with him. It was evident that their object was merely
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt.
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept
them at a distance.

The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before
midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap-
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor-
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc-
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses-
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict
continued. The savages then, baffled at eveiy point,
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt.
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to tlie
rank of major liy brevet.

Until the close of the war. Major Taylor was placed
in such situations that he saw but little more of active
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little
to be done Init to wear away the tedious hours as one
best could. There were no books, no society, no in-

ZACHARY TAYLOR.

tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful
years rolled ou Gradually he rose to the rank of
colonel. In the Black- Hawk war, which resulted in
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part.

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance.
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to com|iel
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re-
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty,
hac^ promised they should do. The services rendered
heie secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated
tc Jie rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com-
mand of the United States troops in Florida.

After two years of such wearisome employment
amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor
obtained, at his own request, a change of command,
and was stationed over the Department of the South-
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue.
Here he remained for five years, Iniried, as it were,
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty
imposed upon him.

\x\ 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river
licing the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over
forces much larger than he commanded.

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops,
\\\s. sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.'

Tiie tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista
•pread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. 'I"he
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder-
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un-
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an-
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de-
claring that he was not at all qualified for such an
office. So little interest had Ire taken in politics that,
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It wa.s not
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen
v/ho had been long years in the public service found
«Liir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name

had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena
Vista. It Is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re-
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made."

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre-
pared such few communications as it was needful
should be presented to the public. The popularity of
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri-
umijhantly elected over two opposing candidates, —
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren.
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good
old man found himself in a veiy uncongenial position,
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed.
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi-
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was
pleading for admission to the Union, wliile slavery
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or
Indians.

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor,
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850.
His last woids were, " I am not afraid to die. I am
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un-
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the
affections of the people ; and the Nation bitterly la-
mented his death.

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful
description of his character: — " With a good store of
common sense. Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en-
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse-
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his _
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim-
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju-
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable,
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out-
side pocket, — in any such case, this 'critic held the
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse),
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase,
'touch with a pair of tongs.'

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil-
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short,
few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor-
saving contempt for learnirg of every kind."

"S'^Tio:

Ano

WS.

»fA«f^»

t-c-^^ Ji

THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT.

-fe-?

^Hr

jg_^

■^

ILLARD FILLMORE, thir-
teenth President of the United
^j'' States, vv'iis born at Summer
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on
the 7th of January, 1800. His
father was a farmer, and ow-
ing to misfortune, in humble cir-
cumstances. Of his mother, the
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard,
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been
said liiat she possessed an intellect
ofveryliigh order, united with much
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis-
position, graceful manners and ex-
quisite sensibilities. She died in
1831 ; having lived to see her son a
young man of distinguished prom-
jbe, though she was not permitted to witness the high
dignity which he finally attained.

In consequence of the secluded home and limited
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad-
vantages for education in his early years. The com-
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce
^nd expensive. There was nothing then in his char-
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy;
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible,
and had laid the foundations of an upright character.
AVhen fourteen years of age, his father sent him
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier.
Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some

enterprising man had commenced the collection of a
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read-
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied \\ith
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate
and the selections which he made were continually
more elevating and instructive. He read history,
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en-
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be-
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed,
educated man.

The young clothier had now attained the dge of
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha',
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter
Wood, — who was struck witli the prepossessing ao-
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint-
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and
attainments that he advised him to abandon his
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The
young man replied, that he had no means of hrs own,
no friends to help him and that his previous educa-
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to
take him into his own office, and to loan him such
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous
offer was accepted.

There is in many minds a strange delusion abou';
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed ti
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col-
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hal' •;
«nd then enters a law office, who is by no means as

(>A

MILLARD FILLMORE.

well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing-
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in-
tense mental culture.

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region,
his practice of course was limited, and there was no
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortuire or in fame.
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers.

His elevation of character, his untiring industry,
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate,
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to
enter into partnership under highly advantageous
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in
P.uffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829,
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the
.State of New York, as a representative from Erie
County. Though he had never taken a very active
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with
tlie Whig party. The State was then Democratic,
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parlies,
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very
unusual degrt e the respect of his associates.

In the autiHiin of 1832, he was elected to a seat in
the United States Congress. He entered that troubled
irena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our
national history. The great conflict respecting the
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was
then raging.

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to
!iis profession, which he pursued with increasing rep-
utation and success. After' a lapse of two years
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re-
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe-
rience as a representative gave hmi stiength and
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to
any man can be but little more than an introduction.
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener-
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every
measure received his impress.

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847,
he was elected Comptroller of the State.

Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con-
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi-
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But
it was necessary to associate with him on the same
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman.

Under the influence of these considerations, the
namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849,
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard
Fillmore Vice-President,'of the United States.

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but
about one year and four months after his inaugura-
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con-
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi-
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State.

Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend
with, since the opposition had a majority in both
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation.
The population of the free States was so rapidly in-
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in-
evitable that the power of the Government should
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr.
Fillmore's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill-
more, having served one term, retired.

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres-
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war,
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that
his sympathies were rather with those who were en-
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other.
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874.

ASTOF , .fc
TILDEtj FOU.

FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT,

€=^-

^"FRMKLIN PIEREE.

RANKLIN PIERCE, the
fourteenth President of the
^*"' United States, was born in
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov.
23, 1804. His father was a
Revolutionary soldier, who,
with his own strong arm,
hewed out a home in the
wilderness. He was a man
of inflexible integrity; of
strong, though uncultivated
mind, and an uncompromis-
ing Democrat. The mother of
Franklin Pierce was all that a son
could desire, — an intelligent, pru-
dent, affectionate, Christian wom-
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children.

Franklin was a very bright and liandsonieboy, gen-
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors
looked upon him with pride and affection^ He was
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words,
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de-
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural-
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body,
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy.

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was
one of the most popular young men in the college.
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and

genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite.
There was something very peculiarly winning in his
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de-
gree studied: it was the simple outgushing of his
own magnanimous and loving nature.

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of
the State, and a man of great private worth. The
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en-
tering, all tended to entice .Mr. Pierce into the faci-
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen.
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote.
■ In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected
a member of Congress. Without taking an active
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty,
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom
he was associatad.

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age,
he was elected to the Senate of the United States;
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced
his administration. He was the youngest m^mberin
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom-
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every
station with wiiich her husband was honoied. Of the

FRANKLIN PIERCE.

three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with
their parents in the grave.

In the \'ear 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire.
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the
same time declined the nomination for governor by the
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr.
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847.
He took an important part in this war, proving him-
self a brave and true soldier.

When Gen. Pierce. reached his home in his native
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo-
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo-
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession,
very frequently taking an active part in political ques-
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise
measures met cordially with his approval; and he
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa-
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin-
guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.''
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse-
quently regarded him as a man whom they could
safely trust in office to carry out their plans.

On the i2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven-
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the
Presidency. For four days they continued in session,
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation
brought forward his name. There were fourteen
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas-
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce
was therefore inaugurated President of the United
States on the 4th of March, 1853.

His administration proved one of the most stormy our
country had ever experienced. The controversy be-
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its
culminating point. It became evident that there was
an "irrepressible conflict" between them, and that
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad-
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution
of the Union were borne to the North on every South-
ern l>reeze.

Such was the condition of affairs when President
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien-
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all
the intellectual ability and social worth of President
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad-
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also,
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo-
cated those measures of Government which they ap-
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him.

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re-
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two
had died, and his only surviving child had been
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left
alone in the world, without wife or child.

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di-
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr.
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov-
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until
the time of his death, which occurred in October,
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen-
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al-
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns-
people were often gladened by his material bounty.

ASTOR, LENOX AND
r" <!_-: FOUNDATIONS.

-^-^w^^j

zly/Tze^ ^auo-/is^y7Z€^/?7/y

I'lFTEENTH PRESIDENT.

7.S

-"««e-

IfliPF <iT^ Wf «?% 1Mf

AMES BUCHANAN, the fif-
teenth President of the United
States, was born in a small
frontier town, at tlie foot of the
eastern ridge of the Allegha-
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on
the 2-3d of April, 1791. The place
where the humble cabin of his
father stood was called Stony
Batter. It was a wild and ro-
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun-
tains, with towering summits rising
grandly all around. His father
was a native of the north of Ireland ;
tojiji; a poor man, who had emigrated in
i 1 7 S3, with little property save his

own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer,
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder-
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per-
form his ol)Scure part in the drama of life. In this se-
cluded home, where James was born, he remained
ior eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where
his son was placed at school, and commenced a
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de-
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among
the first scholars in the institution. His application
t.o study was intense, and yet his native powers en-

abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with
facility.

In the year 1809, he graduated with the highest
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in liealth, fond of
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster,
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc-
cessfully defended before the State Senate one of the
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu-
crative practice.

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for
ten years he remained amember of the Lower House.
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally
tried some important case. In 1S31, he retired
altogether from the toils of his jirofession, having ac-
quired an ample fortune.

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency,
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster,
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated t!ie meas-
ures proposed by President Jackson, of m ilijng repri-

JAMES BUCHANAN.

■ials against France, to enforce the payment of our
ilaiuis against that country; and defended the course
of the ['resident in his unprecedented and wholesale
removal from office of those who were not the suj)-
porters of Iris administration. Upon this question he
was brought into direct collision with Henry Chiy.
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging
trom the journal of the Senate the vote of censure
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits.
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the
circulation of anti-slavery documents liy the United
States mails.

As to petitions on the sui)ject of slavery, he advo-
cated that they should be respectfully received; and
that the re[)ly should be returned, that Congress had
no power to legislate upon the suliject. " Congress,"
said he, " miglit as well undertake to interfere with
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the
States where it now exists."

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr.
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such,
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the
account of the course our Government pursued in that
movement.

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050,
which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce,
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr.
Buchanan with the mission to England.

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven-
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The
liolitical conflict was one of the most severe in which
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re-
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre-
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re-
veived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received
174, and was elected. The popular vote stood
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated.

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four
years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been
allied in political principles and action for years, were
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery.
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be-
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin-

ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in
their assumptions. As President of the United States,
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws,
he could not, witliout perjury of the grossest kind,
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub-
lic. He therefore did nothing.

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con-
trol of the Government were thus taken from their
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at
Wasiiington, and the lion's share of the territory of
the United States.

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the
South had professed to ask of the North was non-
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu-
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co-
operation of the Governiiient to defend and extend
tlie institution.

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow-
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of
the most i)itiable "exhibitions of governmental im-
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its
laws \\\'- any State which had withdrawn, or which
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with
his hand upon his sworddiilt, he exclaimed. " The
Union must and shall be preserved!"

South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly
three months before the inauguration of President
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair.
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston: Fort Sumpter
was be.'ieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals
were seized ; our depots of military stoies were [ilun-
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were
appropriated by the reliels.

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away,
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak-
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver-
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the
scepter.

The administration of President Buchanan was
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex-
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame,
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion.
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868.

THE NEW Y3RK

PUBUC UBiAIiY

ASTOR, LENOX A-!D
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

/t.

(^y^^'^^-^^^

SIXTEENTH FRESIBENT.

^ < ABRAHAM > ^l)*^--^^ < LINCOLN. > ^

^*/

BRAHAM LINCOLN, the
sixteenth President of tlie
[^United States, was born in
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12,
1809. About the year 1780, a
"JS man by the name of Abraham
Lincohi left Virginia with liis
fimily and moved into the tlien
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years
after this emigration, still a young
man, while working one day in a
field, was stealthily approached by
an Lidian and shot dead. His widow
was left in extreme poverty with five
little children, three boys and two
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the
boys, was four years of age at his
father's death. This Thomas was
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the
President of the United States
whose name must henceforth fcever be enrolled
with the mijst prominent in the annals of our world.
Of course no record has been kept of the life
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched
log-cabin ; his food rhe coarsest and the meanest.
Education he had none; he could never either read
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend-
.ess., wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him-
self out, and tiius spent the whole of his youth as a
'aborer jn the fields of others.

When twenty-eight years of age he buill a log-
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi-
grants, who had also come frqm Virginia. Their
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and .die in a hovel.
" All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate-
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother.

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his

cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana Where
two years later his mother died.

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated
community around him. He could not have had a
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts
into words. He also became an eager reader. The
books he could obtain were few ; but these he read
and re-read until they were almost conmiitted to
memory.

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar-
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and
soon died. The family w^as gradually scattered. Mr.
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830,
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111.

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age.
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when
he announced to his father his intention to leave
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for-
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril-
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of
education and was intensely earnest to improve his
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin
wliich ardent spirits were causing, and lietame
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi-
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in
God's word, " Thou shalt not take the name of the
Lord thy God in vain ;" and a profane expression he
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a
single vice.

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield,
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat.
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis-
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin-
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven-

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

tare his employers were so well pleased, that upon
his retura tiiey placed a store and mill under liis care.

In 1S32, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He
returned to Sangamon County, and altliough only 23
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew
Jackson the appointmentof Postmaster of New Salem,
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he
received he carried there ready to deliver to those
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and .soon
made this his Ixisiness. In 1834 he again became a
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr.
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of
i\Ir. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as-
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In
r836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re-
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law.
His success with the jury was so great that he was
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit.

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr.
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question.
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois,
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con-
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most
notable part of his history. The issue was on the
;lavery question, and he took the broad ground of
.he Declaration of Independence, that all men are
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con-
test, but won a far higher prize.

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago
on the i6th of June, i860. The delegates and
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty-
five thousand. An immense building called "The
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven-
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most
urominent. It was generally supposed he would be
the nominee, Abraham Lincoln, however, received
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him:
and aslittle did he dream that he was to render services
to his country, which would fi.x upon him the eyes of
the whole civilized world, and which would give him
a place in tlie affections of his countrymen, second
cnly, if second, to that of Washington.

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore,
constitutionally elected President of the United States.
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good

and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this
high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought
vyith much danger. Many of the Southern States had
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti-
more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row,"
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to
take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi-
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con-
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated,
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people.

In tlie selection of Ijis cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other
prominent opponents before the convention he gave
important positions.

During no other administration have the duties
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all iiis
trials, bo^h personal and national. Contrary to his
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the
most courageous of men. He went directly into the
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving,
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been
made fjr his assassination, and he at last fell a victim
to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant,
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It
was announced that they would be present. (jen.
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel-
ing, witn his cliaracteristic kindliness of heart, that
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them,
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth
entered the box where the President and farnily were
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the
next morning at seven o'clock.

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler.
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a
model. His name as the savior of his country w:!!
live with that of Washington's, its father; his co'::ntry-
men being unable to decide whii h is the greater.

[the new york|
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

'K^-^-7:2i:^^';yt^

.'iE VENTEENTH PRESIDENT.

'm^w.^'iym

NDREW JOHNSON, seven-
teenth President of the United
States. The early Ufe of
Andrew Johnson contains but
the record of poverty, destitu-
tion and friendlessness. He
was born December 29, 180S,
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents,
belonging to the class of the
"poor whites " of the South, -were
in such circumstances, that they
could not confer even the slight-
est advantages of education upon
their child. When Andrew was five
years of age, his father accidentally
iost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with
her own hands.

He then, having never attended a school one day,
and being unable either to read or write, was ap-
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion-
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often
read from the speeches of distinguished British states-
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more
than ordinary native ability, became much interested
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read.

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and
with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen,
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle-
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner,

pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the booii.
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed oi-
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest
and recreation to devote such time as he could to
reading.

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos
sessed some education. Under her instructions he
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent
in the village debating society, and a favorite with
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or-
ganized a working man's party, which elected him
alderm.an, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which
position he held three years.

He now began to take a lively interest in political
affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes,
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes-
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age.
He became a very active member of the legislature,
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in
1S40 "stumped the State," advocating Martin V;in
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to thosv
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired mucl;
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased
his reputation.

In 1841, he was elected Stale Senator; in 1843, he
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive
elections, held that important post for ten years. In
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resiwnsible posi
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abi.

ANDRE ir JOHNSON.

ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work-
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected
United States Senator.

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob-
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom,
and become merged in a population congenial to
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com-
promise measures, the two essential features of which
were, that the white people of the Territories should
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they
would enslave the colored people or net, and that
the ""ree States of the North should return to the
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery.

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin:
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir,"
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav-
ior was the son of a carpenter."

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of iSbo, ne
ivas the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the
Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the South-
ixw Democracy became apparent, he took a decided
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap-
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and lie
established the most stringent military rule. His
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15,

1865, became President. In a speech two days later
he said, " The American people must be taught, if
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and
must be punished ; that the Government will not
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not
only to protect, but to punish. * ^ The people
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole
administration, the history of which is so well known,
was in utter iiw;onsistency with, and the most violent

opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech.

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char-
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In
the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten-
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre-
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23.

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three
months. A test article of the impeachment was at
length submitted to the court for its action. It was
certain that as the court voted upon that article so |
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- ,
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- i
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against
him. The change of one vote from the not ginlty
side would have sustained the impeachment.

The President, for the remainder of his term, was i
but little regarded. He continued, though impotent!--,
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi-
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar-
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name j
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. r
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the ^
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im-
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in (
politics until 1S75. O''^ J'^"- ~^i 'ifter an exciting j
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten-
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con-
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special ,
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of I
March. On the 27th of July, 1S75, the ex-President
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach-
ing the residence of his child the following day, was
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious.
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at I
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun-
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August,
with every demonstration of respect.

::f

EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT.

^/^®)®(®VeX2^^f<^

11 eighteenth President of the
^■••'United States, was bom on
the 29th of April, 1822, of
Christian parents, in a humble
f'j ^'1 home, at Point Pleasant, on the
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after
his father moved to George-
town, Brown Co., O. In this re-
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses
received a common-school edu-
cation. At the age of seven-
teen, in the year 1839, he entered
the Military Academy at West
Point. Here he was regarded as a
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in-
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis-
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating
Indians.

The war with Mexico came, Lieut. Grant was
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am-
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut.
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians,
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one
side of the anir»al, ran the gauntlet in entire safety.

From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry,
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha-
pultepec.

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re-
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The
discovery of gold in California causing an immense
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt.
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im-
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt.
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva-
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re-
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga-
lena, III. This was in the year i860. As the tidings
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, —
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword
and see Uncle Sam through this war too."

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol-
unteers, and led them .as their captain to Springfield,
the capital of the State, where their services were
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt.
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the
volunteer organization that was being formed in the
State in behalf of the Government. On the isth of

UL YSSES S. GRA NT.

luiie, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol-
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier-
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap-
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and
stripes were unfurled in its stead.

He entered the service with great determination
and immediately began active duty. This was the be-
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur-
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was
immediately made a Major-General, and the military
iistrict of Tennessee was assigned to him.

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how
to secure the results of victory. He immediately
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can-
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most
severe blow which the reljels had thus far encountered,
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf.

Gen. frrant was next ordered to co-operate with
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro-
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he
was laid up for montlis. He then rushed to the aid
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Cliattancoga, and
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas-
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels
were routed with great loss. This won for him un-
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru-
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant-
general, and the rank was conferred on Geii. Grant.
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials
and entei- upon tlif duties of his new office.

Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of
die army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de-
stroy the rebel armies which'^would be promptly as-
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field.
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en-
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur-
render of Lee, April 9, 1865.

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen.
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal-
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair.

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago.
May 21, 1 868, he was unanimously nominated for the
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294
electoral votes.

The National Convention of the Republican party
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1S72,
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati-
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292
electoral votes being cast for him.

Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant
started upon his famous trip around the world. He
visited almost every country of the civilized world,
and was everywhere received with such ovations
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private
as well as public and official, as were never before
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States.

He was the most prominent candidate before the
Republican National Convention in 18S0 for a re-
nomination for President. He went to New York and
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain,
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23,
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of
the illustrious General.

^-^Z^ '

S.:

'^^J^

-J

NINETEENTH VRESIDKNT.

.^es

— ■ ' — ■ — — — — — — — — /j

UTHERFORD B. HAYES,

tSi the nineteenth President of
*' the United States, was bora in
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al-
most three months after the
'['/""^ death of his father, Rutherford
Hayes. His ancestry on both
the paternal and niaternal sides,
was of the most honorable char-
acter. It can be traced, it is said,
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and
Rutherford were two Scottish chief-
tains, fighting side by side with
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert
Bruce. Both families belonged to the
nobility, owned extensive estates,
and had a large following. Misfor-
tune ovt:f caking the family, George Hayes left Scot-
land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son
George way born in Windsor, and remained there
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar-
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar-
riage until h^s death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel,
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac-
turer of scytheijat Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes,
son of Ezekiel at^d grandfather of President Hayes, was
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a fanner,
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to
Vermont at an unknown date, settling inBrattleboro,
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth-
erford Hayes the, father of President Hayes, was

born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi-
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich.
Her ancestry on' the male side are traced back to
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers
in the Revolutionaiy War.

The father of President Hayes was an industrious
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me-
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock-
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active
in all the benevolent enterprises of the tcrwn, and con-
ducted his business on Christian principles. After
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio.

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day.
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways,
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter-
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial
fever, less than three months before the birth of the
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be-
reavement, found the support she so much needed in
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the
household from the day of its departure from Ver-
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted
some time before as an act of charity.

Mrs. TTaycs at this period was very weak, and the

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.

subject of this sketch was so feeble at birtli that he
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in-
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died
iast night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of
nim, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't
wonder if he would really come to something yet."

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him
President of the United States yet." The boy lived,
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to h.is
mother.

The boy was seven yeais old before he went to
school. His education, however, was not neglected.
He probably learned as much from his mother and
sister as he would have done at school. His sports
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being
his sister and her associates. These circumstances
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo-
sition, and that delicate consideratign for the feelings
of others, which are marked traits of his character.

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest
in his education ; and as the boy's health had im-
proved, and he was making good progress in his
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre-
paration commenced with a tutor at home; bat he
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en-
tered Kenyon College in iS^S.at the age of sixteen,
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842.

Innnediately after his graduation he began the
study of law in the office of Thonias Sparrow, Esq.,
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re-
mained two years.

In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re-
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice,
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro-
fession.

In 1849 he moved to Cincmnati, where his ambi-
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how-
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse-
quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of
Chilicotlie; the other' was his introduction to the Cin-
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its
members such men as'^hief Jnstice Salmon P. Chase,

Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did
nvore than she to reflect honor upon American woman
hood. The Literary Cluo brought Mr. Hayes into
constant association with young men of high char-
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulne^s and
modesty.

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judg; of
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ar-
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office o'
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Co\!nciL
elecled hiui for the unexpired term.

In 1S61, when the Rebellion broke out, he was a;
the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the
bar was among the the first. But the news of the
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take nn
arms for the defense o'f his country.

His military record was bright and illustrious. In
October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle

South Mountain he received a wound, and while

faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude
that won admiration from all.

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed
in command of the celebrated Kanavdia division,
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted
Major-General, "forgallant and distirguishcd fcrvices
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In
the course of his arduous services, four horses were
shot from under liim, and he was wounded four times

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem-
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign,
and after his election was importuned to resign liis
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, "I
shall never come to Washington until I can come by
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866.

Ir. 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio,
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat.
In r869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton.
He was elected Governor for the third term in 187 1;.

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub-
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his
full term, not, however, with satisfaction to his party,
b'lt his administration was an average on=

f^UfiUC LIBRA RV

TiVENTIETH PRESIDENT.

AMES A. GARFIELD, twen-
tieth President of the United
States, was born Nov. 19,
I S3 1, in the woods of Orange,
Cuyahoga Co., O His par-
ents were Abram and EHza
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New
England ancestry and from fami-
lies well known in the early his-
tory of that section of our coun-
try, but had moved to the Western.
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle-
ment.

The house in which James A. was
born was not unlike the houses of
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It
.V as about 20x30 feet, builtof logs, with the spaces 'be-
tween the logs filled with clay. His father was a
nard working farmer, and he soon had his fields
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built.
The household comprised the father and mother and
dieir four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and
Tames. In May, 1S23, the father, from a cold con-
.racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At
this time James was about eighteen months old, and
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can
tell how much James was indebted to his brother's
toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc-
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis-
ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace.

The early educational advantages young Garfield
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car-
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that
would living in a few dollars to aid his widowed
mother in hf struggles to keep the little family to-

gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug-
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they
ever forget him. Wlien in the highest seats of honor
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sureof the
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain,
modest gentleman.

The highest ambition of young Garfield until hi
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of
a vessel on Lake Eiie. He was anxious to go aboard
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the
imderstanding, however, that he should try to obtain
some other kind of employment. He walked all the
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city
After making many applications for work, and trying
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re-
mained at this work but a short time when he wen':
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in
tlie meantime, and doing other work. This school
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of
which church he was then a member. He became
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way.
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon
" exiiausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon-
ors of his class. He aftenvards returned to Hiram
College as its President. As above slated, he early
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem-
ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of
Yale College, says of iiim in reference to his religion :

JAMES A. GARFIELD.

" President Garfield was more than a man of
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole
history, from boyhood to the last, sliovvs that duty to
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs
of his beitig, and to a more than usual degree. In
my judgment: there is no more interesting feature of
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of
Cliristians in which he was trained, and the fervent
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to
the less stately and cultured Christian comnmnions
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true
that as they step upward in social and political sig-
nificance they step upward from one degree to
another in some of the many types of fashionable
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the
church of his mother, -tlie church in which he was
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec-
larian charity for all 'who love our Lord in sincerity.'"

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. ii, 1858, who proved herself
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of
whom are still living, four boys and one girl.

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856,
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet-
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland,
and in i86i was admitted to the bar. The great
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year,
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re-
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty-
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Lifantry, Aug.
14, 1861. He was immediately pat into active ser-
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action,
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry
and eight companies of cavalry, 'charged with the
work of driving out of his native State the officer
(Humphrey M•^rshall) reputed to be the ablest of
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed-
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres-
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years
before, so now he was the youngest General in the
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh,
in its operations around Corinth and its march through
Alabama. He was then detailed as a memberof the
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John
Porter. He w.as then ordered to report to Gen. Rose-
crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of Staff."

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with

his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won
the stars of the Major-General.

Without an effort on his part Get? Garfield wa»
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio
had been represented in Congress for sixty years
mainly by two men — Elisha ^Vhittlesey and Joshua
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en-
tered Congress he was the youngest member in thai
body. Ther^i he remained by successive re-
elections until he was elected President in 18S0.
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which
you will not find, if you wish nistruction, the argu-
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by
Mr. Garfield."

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his
party for President at the great Chicago Convention.
He was elected in the following November, and on
March 4, 188 r, was inaugurated. Probably no ad-
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre-
liminary work of his administration and was prepar-
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com-
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his l.)ack.
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the
left coat sleeve of his victim, but infhcting no farther
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc-
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the peop!°
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit-
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty
days, all during the hot months of July and August,
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent
bearing was teaching the country and the world the
noblest of hmnan lessons — how to live grandly in the
very clutch of death. Gre.at in life, he was surpass-
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept.
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J, on the very bank of the
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The
world wejit at his death, as it never had done on the
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it.
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe-
cuted, in one year after he committed the foui deed.

THE N£w

ASTOB. LENC

■^-

TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT.

HESTER A. ARTHUR,

twenty-first Presi'^.v.iu of the

fef'United States, was born in

Franklin Courty, Averment, on

thefifthofOdober, 1830, and is

the oldest of a family of two

sons and five daughters. His

father was the Rev. Dr. William

Arthur, a Baptist d'.rgyman, who

emigrated to tb'.s countrj' from

the county Ant.-im, Ireland, in

j'li his 18th year, and died in 1875, in

Newtonville, neai Albany, after a

long and successful ministry.

Young Arthur was educated at
Union College, S( henectady, where
he excelled in all his studies. Af-
ter his graduation he taught school
in Vermont for two years, and at
the expiration cf that time came to
New York, with $500 in his pocket,
and entered the office of ex- Judge
E. D. Culver as student. After
being admitted to the bar he formed
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate,
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing
in the West, and for three months they roamed about
in the Western States in search of an eligible site,
but in the end returned to New York, where they
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success-
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur
soon afterward nv>j-rpd the daughter of Lieutenant

Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa-
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two
children.

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit,
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon,
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided
that they could not be held by the owner under the
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal.
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed
to represent the People, and they won their case,
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward
the emancipation of the black race.

Another great service was rendered by General
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings,
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare.
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa-
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly

lOO

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave-
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored jier-
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all.

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party.
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov-
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer-
in-Chief of his staff In 1861, he was made Inspec-
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas-
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered
great service to the Government during the war. At
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr.
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac-
tice of thi's well-known firm was very large and lucra-
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if
not indeed one of national extent.

He always took a leading part in State and city
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of
New York by President Grant, Nov. .21 1872, to suc-
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July,
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt.

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in
June, t8So. This was perhaps the greatest political
convention that ever assembled on thecontinent. It
was composed of the Jsading politicians of the Re-
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their
respective candidates that were before the conven-
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re-
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed
was one of the most animated known in the history of
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his
party made a valiant fight for his election.

Finally the election came and the country's choice
.vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated
March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President.
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moment* of
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na-

tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re-
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark-
able patience that he manifested during those hours
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf-
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God-
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr.
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi-
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested
in deed or look of this man, even though the most
honored position in the world was at any moment
likely to fall to him.

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar-
field from further suffering, and the wodd, as never
before in its history .over the death of any other
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of
the high office, and he took the oath in New York,
Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do,
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se-
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been
greatly neglected during the President's long illness,
and many important measures were to be immediately
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he
became President, and knew the feelings of many on
this point. Under these trying circumstances President
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so
wisely that but few criticised his administration.
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was
a popular candidate before his party for a second
term. His name was ably presented before the con-
vention at Chicago, and was received with great
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party
for another campaign. He retired to private life car-
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo-
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory
to them and with credit to himself.

-^C LIBRARY

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TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT.

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TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE-

lAND, the twenty-second Pres-
ident of the United States, was
born in 1837, in the obscure
town of Caldwell, Essex Co.,
N. J., and in a little two-and-a-
half-story white house which is still
standing, characteristically to mark
the humble birth-place of one of
America's great men in striking con-
trast with the Old World, where all
men high in office must be high in
origin and born in the cradle of
wealth. When the subject of this
sketch was three years of age, his
father, who was a Presbyterian min-
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved,
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most
straggling of country villages, about five miles from
Porapey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born.

At the last mentioned place young Grover com-
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the
capacity of the village school and expressed a most

emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to
become self-supporting by the quickest possible
means, and this at that time in Fayette. 'ille seemed
to be a position in a country store, where his father
and the large family on his hands had considerable
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy lie was to
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com-
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness
that his employers desired to retain him for an in-
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex-
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy.
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette-
ville, he went with the family in their removal to
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a
high school. Here he industriously pursued his
studies until the family removed with him to a point
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica,
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family,
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a
small salary, the position of " under-teacher." in an
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his

104

S. GROVER CLEVELAND.

calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order,
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as
there was some charm in that name for him; but
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to
isk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not
speak enthusiastically. " What is it you want to do,
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study
law," was the reply. " Good gracious ! " remarked
ihe old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put
that into your head? How much money have you
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got
any."

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a
year, while he could "look around." One day soon
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers,
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Uiem what he
wanted. A number of young men vi^ere already en-
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for
his board and washing. The walk to and from his
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular.
On the first day of his service here, his senior em-
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's
tv-here they all begin." A titter ran around the little
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ;
but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume.
Then, as ever afterward, however, ]\Ir. Cleveland
exhibited a talent for e.xecutiveness rather than for
chasing principles through all their metaphysical
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do
';t," was practically his motto.

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in
'which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell
to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two
criminals. In iSSi he was elected Mayor of the
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es-
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms

in the administration of the municipal affairs of that
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his
performance of duty has generally been considered
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer-
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in
a veto message, we quote fiom one vetoing an iniqui-
tous street-cleaning contract : " This is a time for
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of
a mos' bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme
to betray the interests of the people and to worse
than squander the people's money." The New York
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve-
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there-
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire
State. To the latter office he was elected in rSSz,
and his administration* of the affairs of State was
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if
any, were made very public throughout the nation
after he was nominated for President of the United
States. For this high office he was nominated July
ir, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F.
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks,
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub-
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve-
land resigned his office as Governor of Ntfw York in
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State,
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ;
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New
York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas,
of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of
Arkansas.

The silver question precipitated a controversy be-
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr.
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his
inauguration.

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TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT.

107

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■ENJAMIN HARRISON, the

twenty-third President, is
the descendant of one of the
historical families of this
country. The head of the
family was a Major General
Harrison, one of Oliver
Cromwell's trusted follow-
ers and fighters. In the zenith of Crom-
well's power it became the duty of this
Harrison to participate in the trial of
Charles I, and afterward to sign the
death warrant of the king. He subse-
quently paid for this with his life, being
hung Oct. 13, 1660. His descendants
came to America, and the next of the
family that appears in history Is Benja-
r.;in Harrison, of Virginia, great-grand-
father of the subject of this sketch, and
after wbom he was named. Benjamin Harrison
was a member of the Continental Congress during
the years 1774-5-6, and was one of the original
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He
was three times elected Governor of Virginia.
Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the

distinguished patriot of the Eevolution, after a suc-
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812,
and with -a clean record as Governor of the North-
western Territory, was elected President of the
United States in 1840. His career was cut short
by death within one month after his inauguration.
President Harrison was born at North Bend,
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1833. His life up to
the time of his graduation by the Miami University,
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun-
try lad of a family of small means. His father was
able to give him a good education, and nothing
more. He became engaged while at college to the
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo"
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en-
ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin
oiunati and then read law for two years. At tht
expiration of that time young Harrison receiv, d t'c .
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left uia
a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as ;
fortune, and decided to get married at once, 'ak-
this money and go to some Eastern town an . be-
gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with
the money in his pocket, he started out wita his
young wife to fight for a place in the world. Ee

108

liEiN.iAMjlSr HARRISON.

decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at
that time a town of promise. IIo met with slight
encouragement at first, making scarcely anything
the first year. He worked diligently, applj-ing him-
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive
|)ractice and took a leading rank in the legal pro-
i'ession. He is the father of two children.

In 18C0 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be-
gan his cxiieriencc as a stump speake- He can-
vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a
handsome majority. In 18G2 he raised the 17th
Indiana Infantry-, and was chosen its Colonel. His
regiment was composed of the rawest of material,
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first
mastering military tactics and drilling his men,
when he therefore came to move toward the East
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best
drilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery
at Peachtree Cieck he was made a Brigadier Gen-
eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in tlie most
complimentary terms.

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field
ihe Supreme Court declared the olHce of the Su-
preme Court Reporter vacant, and another person
was elected to the i)osition. From the time of leav-
ing Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 1 8G4
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been
nominated that year for the same office, he got a
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected
for another terra. He then started to rejoin Sher-
ican, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet
iever, and after a most tr^ying siege made his way
to the front in time to participate in the closing
incidents of the war.

In 18G8 Gen. Harrison declined z re-election as
;€porter, and resumed the practice of law. In 1876
iie was a candidate for Governor. Although de-
eated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him
a National reputation, and he was much sought, es-
peciaLy in the East, to make speeches. In 1880,
as usua!, he took an active part in the campaign,
and wa-: elected to the United States Senate. Here
he served six years, and was known as one of the
ablest men, best lawyers and strongest debaters in

that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial
term he returned to the practice of his profession,
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in
the State.

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the
most memorable in the history of our country. The
convention which assembled in Chicago in June and
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer
of the Republican part3', was great in everj' partic-
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as-
sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief
among which w.as the tariff, awoke a deep interest
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly
after the nomination delegations began to visit Blr.
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move-
ment became popular, and from all sections of the
country societies, cl\il),s and delegations journeyed
thither to p.ay their respects to the distinguished
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly
increased on account of tiie remarkable speeches
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through
the summer and autumn to tliese visiting delega-
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were
his speeches that they at once placed him in the
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen.

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his
power as a debater, he was called upon at an un-
commonly early age to take part in tlie discussion
of the great questions that then began to agitate
tlie countiy. He was an uncompromising ant:
slavery man, and was matched against some of tl:e
most eminent Dem(,cratic si)eakers of his State.
No man who felt the touch of his blade desired to
be pitted with him .again. With all his eloq-'ence
as an orator he never si)ol<e for oratorical etfect.
but his words always went like bullets to the mark
He is purely American in his ideas and is a splec
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witli
quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue,
he is one of the most distinguished impromptu
speakers in the Nation. Many of these si:>eeches
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse
statements have already become aphorisms. Origi-
nal in tliought, precise in logic, terse in statement,
jet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as
the sound statesman and brilliant or.ator o^ the day

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GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

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NSP:L BRIGGS, the first

®) o'ciitlcmiin cIhisch to fill the

r-a "

;iv gubernatorial chair of Iowa

M after its organization as a
State, was a native of \'er-
mont, and was born Feb. 3,
l.SOG. His parents, who likewise
were New P^nglanders, were Ben-
jamin and Electa Briggs. The
boyhood of our subject was
passed in his native State, and in at-
tendance upon the common schools
he received a fair education which
was subsequently improved by a
term at Norwich Academy. ^Mien
a young man he removed with his
parents to Cambridge, Guernsey Co., Ohio, where
young Briggs engaged in the work of establishing
stage lines. He also here embarked in political
affairs and as a Whig run for the office of County
Auditor but was defeated by John Ferguson, a
Jackson l^emocrat.

After remaining in Ohio for six years, the glow-
ing accounts of the fair fields and the fertile prairies
of the Territory of Iowa, led him westward across
the Father of Waters. He had previouslj' united
hi^■ fortunes in life with Nancy JNI. Dunlap, daugh-
ter (,f Major Dunlap, an officer in the War of 1812.
J'^\'en prior to this marriage he had chosen a wife,
■• lady who was born on the same day and year as
iiimself. but of whom he was soon bereft. He
iirought with him to Iowa his little family and lo-
cated at Andrew, in Jo<jkson Countv. Seeiiia: the

opportunity here for resuming his former business,
he began opening up stage lines, frequently driving
the old stage coach himself. He made several eon-
tracts with the Postoffice Department for carrying
the United States mails weekly between Duljuque
and Davenport, Dubuque and Iowa CUty and other
routes, thus opening up and carrying on a very im-
portant enterprise. Politically, Gov. Briggs was a
Democrat, and on coming to Iowa identified him-
self with that party. In 1842 he was chosen a
member of the Territorial House of Representatives
from Jackson County, and sidjsequently was elected
Sheriff of the same county. He had taken a lead-
ing Y>avt in public affairs, and upon the formation of
the State Government in 1846, he became a prom-
inent candidate for Governor, and though his com-
petitors in hi,; own part}' were distinguished and
well-known citizens, INIr. Briggs received the nom-
ination. The convention was held in Iowa City,
on Thursday, Sept. 24, 1846, and assembled to
nominate State officers and two Congressmen. It
was called to order by F. D. Mills, of Des Moines
County. William Thompson, of Ilemy County,
presided, and J. T. Fales, of Dubuque, was Secre-
tary. The vote for Governor in the convention
stood: Briggs, sixty -two; Jesse AVilliams, thirty-
two, and "William Thompson, thirty-one. Tho two
latter withdrew, and Briggs was then chosen by ac-
clamation., Elisha Cutler, Jr., of Van Buren Coun-
ty, was nominated for Secretary of State; Joseph
T. Fales, of Lmn, for Auditor, and Morgan Reno,
of Johnson, for Treasurer. S. C. Hastings and
Sheperd LefSer were nominated for Congress. The

112

ANSEL BRIGGS.

I'lecciiin was held Oet. 28, 1S4G, the entire Demo-
cvntip ticket being successful. Briggs received
7,i'i-2t'i votes an'] his competitor, Thomas McKnight,
the Whig candidate, 7,37'J, giving Briggs a major-
ity of 247.

The principal (piestion l)etween the two leading
parties, the Democratic and the ^Vhig, at this period,
was that of the banking system. It is related that
I short time prior to the meeting of the eonven-
iion which ncmiinated Mr. Briggs, that in offering
I te)ast at a banquet, he struck the key-note which
made him the popular man of the hour. He said,
"No banks but earth- and they well tilled." This
was at once caught up by his party and it did more
to secure him the nomination than anj'thing else.
His administration was one void of any special in-
terest. He labored in harmonious accord with his
party, yet frequently exhibited an independence of
principle, characteristic of his nature. The Mis-
souri boundary question which caused a great deal
of excited controversy at this period, and even a
determination to resort to arms, was handleil li_v
liim with great ability.

On liis election as Executive of the State, G(.)V.
Briggs sold out his mail contract, but after the ex-
piration of his term of service he c<>iitinued his
residence in Jackson Countj'. In l.s7o lie removed
to Council Bluffs. He had visited the western
part of the State before the day (_)f railroads in that
section, making the trip bj' carriage, (jn tiie occa-
sion he enrolled himself as one of the founders of
the town of Florence on the Nebraska side of the
river and six miles above Council Bluffs, and which
for a time was a vigorous rival of Omaha. Dur-
ing the mining excitement, in 1860, he made a trij)
to Colorado, and three years later, in company
with his son John and a large party, went to
Montana, where he remained until the year

ISC'), when he returned to his home in Iowa.

As above stated, Gov. Briggs was twice married,
his first wife being his compaiuon for :■. brief time
only, llis second wife bore him eight children, all
of whom died in infancy save two, and of these lat-
ter, Ansel, Jr.. died ^lay 15, 18G7, aged twenty-
five years. John S. Briggs, the onlj' survivor of
the family, is editor of the Idaho Herald, published
at Blackfoot, Idaho Territory.. Mrs. Briggs died
Dec. 30, 1847, while her hu.sband M-as Governor of
the State. She was a devoted Christian lady, a
strict member of tlie Presbyterian Church, and a
woman of strong domestic tastes. She was liighly
educated, and endowed by nature with that
womanlj' tact and grace which enabled her to adorn
the high position her husband had attained.
She dispensed a bounteous hospitality, though her
home was in a log house, and was highly esteemed
and admired liy all who met her.

Gov. Briggs went in and out among his people
for many years after his retirement from the execu-
tive olHce, and even after his return from the Mon
tana exj)edition. He was admired for his able
services rendered so unselfishly during the pioneer
period of the now gi-eat and populous State. His
last illness, ulceration of the stomach, was of brief
duration, lasting only five weeks, indeed only three
days before his death "he was able to be out. His
demise occurred at the residence of his son, John
S. Briggs, in Omaha, Neb., at half-past three of the
morning of May .'>. 1881. His death was greatly-
mourned all over the State. Upon the following
day, (^lov. Gear issued a proclamation reciting his
services to the State, ordering half-hour guns to be
fired and the national flag on the State capitol to
be put at half-mast during the day u\Km which
the funeral was held, which was the following Suu-
d.ay succeeding his death.

,y/ ^^^o^/^-^^^ '

GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

li.'i

s%paiQad,

'-^■^^^¥^f^^^<

f TEPHEN HEMPSTEAD, sec
oiul Governor of Iowa, is a
native of Connecticut, where,
at New London, lie was bom
Oct. 1, 181-2. He resided in
that State with his parents
until 1828, when the family
came West, locating upon a farm
near Saint Louis. This was the
home of young Stephen until 1 830,
when he went to Galena, 111., where
he served in the capacity- of a clerk
in a commission house for a time.
He was there during the exciting
period of the Black Hawk troubles,
and was an officer in an artillery
company which had been organized for the protec-
tion of Galena. After the defeat of Black Hawk
and the consequent tfi'mination of Indian troubles,
he entered the Illinois College at Jacksonville,
where he remained for about two years. On ac-
cour.'; of difficulties which he got into about
sectPTiaiiioiiQ and abolitionism, he left the college
and rcf. !'ned to IMissoiu-i. He shortly afterward
entered the office of Cliarles S. Hempstead, a prom-
inent lawyer of (iak'na, and began the study of the
profession iu which he afterward became quite jjro-

flcient. In 183G he was admitted to practice in all
the courts of the Territory of Wisconsin, which at
the time embraced the Territory of Iowa, and the
same year located at Dubuque, being the first law-
yer who began the practice of his profession at that
place.

As might be expected in a territory Init thinly
populated, but one which was rapidly settling up,
the services of an al)le attorney would be in de-
mand in order to draft the laws. Upon the organ-
ization of the Territorial Government of Iowa in
1838, he w-as, with Gen. Warner Lewis, elected to
represent the northern portion of the Territory in
the Legislative Council, which assembled in Bur-
lington that year. He was Chairman of the Com-
mittee Judiciary, and at the second session of that
body was elected its President. He was "again
elected a member of the Council, in 1845, over
which he also presided. In 184-1 he was elected
one of the delegates of Dubuque Countj', for the
first convention to frame a constitution for the
State. In 1848, in company with Judge Cnarles
Mason and W. (i. Woodward, he was appointed
by the Legislature Commissioner to revise the laws
of the State, which revision, with a few amend-
ments, was adopted as the code of Iowa in 1851.

In 1850 Mr. Hempstead was elected C-overuor of

STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD.

the State, and serverl with ability for four years,
tiuit being the full term under the Constitution at
the time. He received 13,480 votes against 11,-
403 east for his opponent, .James L. Thompson.
After the vote had been canvassed a committee
was appointed to inform the Governor-elect that
the two Houses of the Legislature were ready to re-
ceive him in joint convention, in order that he
might receive the oath prescribed by the Constitu-
tion. Gov. Hempstead, accompanied bj' the retir-
'ng Executive, Gov. Briggs, the Judges of the Su-
preme Court and the officers of State, entered the
hall of the House where the Governor-elect deliv-
ered his inaugural message, after which the oath
was administered by the Chief .Justice of the Su-
preme Court. Tills was an important period in the
history of the State, being at a time when the pub-
lic affairs were assuming definite shape, and indeed
it was what might be termed the formative period.
The session of the Legislature passed many import-
ant acts which were approved by the Governor, and
during his term there were fifty-two now counties
formed. Gov. Hempstead in his message to the
Fourth General Assembly in December, " 18.52,
stated that among other things, the population of
the State according to the Federal census was 192,-
214, and that the State census showed an increase
for one year of 37,786. He also stated that the re-
sources of the State for the coming two years
■would be sufHcient to cancel all that part of funded
debt which w.as payable at its option.

Among the numerous counties organized was one
■^(amed Buncombe, which received its name in the
.'ollowing way : The Legislature was composed of a
>arge majority favoring stringent corjioration laws
and the liability of individual stockholders for cor-
7>ara!;e debts. This sentiment, on account of the
agitation of railroad enterprises then being inaugu-
rr.ted, brought a large number of prominent men
■jO the capital. To have an effect upon the Legis-
lature, they organized a " lobby Legislature " and
Elected as Governor, Yerplanlv Van Antwerp, who
delivered to the self-constituted body a lengthy
message in wJiich he sharply criticized the regular
General Assemblj'. Some of the members of the
latter were in the habit of making long and useful
speeches much to the hindrance of business. To

these he especially referred, charging them with
speaking for ■' Buncombe," and recommended that
as a lasting memorial a county should be called by
that name. Tliis suggestion was readily seized on
by the Legislature, and the county of Buncombe |
was created with few dissenting voices. However,
the General Assembl>', in 1802, changed the name
to L3'on, in honor of Gen. Nathaniel Lyon wiio was
killed in the early part of the Civil War.

The season of 1851 was one of great disappoint- j
ment to the pioneers of Iowa, and much suffering j
was the result of the bad season of that year. By
the year 1854, the State had fully recovered from
the depression thus produced, and that year as well i
as the following, the enugration from the East was
unprecedented. The [)rairies of Illinois were lined
day after day with Ti continuous caravan of emi-
grants pushing on toward Iowa. During a single
month 1743 wagons bound for Iowa passed through
Peoria. So remarkaljle had been the influx of peo-
ple into the State, that in an issue of the Bui ling-
ton Telegraph appeared the following statement:
" Twenty thousand emigrants have passed through j
the city within the last thirty days, and they are ^
still crossing the Mississippi at the rate of (iOO a day." i

At the expiration of his term of service, which
occurred in the latter part of the year 1854, Gov.
Hempstead returned to his old home at Dubuque. 1
In 1855 he was elected County Judge of Dubuque
County, and so acceptably did he serve the people
that for twelve years he was chosen to fill that posi-
tion. Under his administration the principal
county building, including the jail, poorhouse, as \
w^ell as some valuable bridges, were erected.
Owing to ill-health he was compelled to retire from
public life, passing the remainder of his days in
quietude and repose at Dubuque. There he lived
until Feb. 16, 1883, when, at his home, ths light o"!
his long and eventful life went out. The record
lie has made, which was an honorable and distin-
guished one, was closed, and Iowa was called u;:on a
to mourn the loss of one of iier most distinguished *'
pioneer citizens. He had been an unusually useful
man of the State and his services, which were able
and wise, were rendered in that unselfish spirit
which distinguished so many of the early residents
of this now prosperous State.

.;EW YORK

C»-> p

GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

Hit

_ ,-^«.^n» K's?-f-

^^__x#^^^^^^ ^"

AMES W. GRIMES, the
third gentleinaii tu fill the
Elxocutive Chair of the State
<>f Iowa, was born in tlie
town of Deering, Hillsbor-
ough Co., N. H., Oct. 20,
1816. His parents, John and
P^lizabeth (Wilson) Grimes, were
5, also natives of the same town.
I t' The former was born on the 11th
of August, 1772, and the mother
March 19, 1773. They became the
parents of eight children, of whom
James was the youngest and be-
came one of the most distinguished
citizens of Iowa. He attended the
district schools, and in earlj^ childhood evinced an
anusual taste for learning. Besides attending the
district schools, the village pastor instructed him
in Greek and Latin. After completing his prepar-
ations for college, which he did at Hampton Acad-
emy, he entered Dartmouth College, in August,
1 83-2, which was in the sixteenth year of his age.
lie was a hard student, advanced rapidly, and in
Feliruary, 1835, bid adieu to the college halls, and
with James Walker, of Peterborough, N. H., he be-
gan th° study of his chosen profession.

Feeling that his native State afforded too limited
advantages, and, in fact, being of a rather advent-
urous disposition, as well as ambitious, he desired
broader fields in which to carve for himself a tort-
une. He accordingly left the home that bad
sheltered him during his boyhood days, and turn-
ing his face Westward proceeded until he had
crossed the great Father of Waters. It was m
183G, and young Grimes was indeed young to thus
take upon himself such responsibilities; but pos-
sessing business tact, determination and tenacity,
as well as an excellent professional training, he de-
termined to open an office in the then new town of
Burlington, Iowa. Here he hung out his shingle,
and ere, long had established a reputation which
extended far beyond the confines of the little city.

In April, 1837, he was appiointed City Solicitor,
and entering upon the duties of that office he
assisted in drawing up the first police laws of that
town. In 1838 he was appointed Justice of the
Peace, and became a law partner of William W.
Chapman, United States District Attorney for
AVisconsin Territory. In the early part of the year
1841 he formed a, partnership with Henry W. Starr,
Esq., which continued twelve years. This firm
stood at tiie head of the legal professif>n in Iowa.
Mr. Grimes was widely luiown as a counselor with

J 20

JAMES W. GRIMES.

superior kr,o-o-led,<je of the law, and with a clear
sense of ti'iilli :iii<l justice. lie was chosen one of
the Representatives of Des Moines County in the
first Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa,
wliich convened at Burlington, Nov. 12, 1!S3S; in
the sixth, at Iowa City, Dec. 4, ISI.'i; and in the
fr,-,;; th (ieneral Assemlily of the State, at Iowa City,
Dec. (i, l*^."!".*. He early tiiok fi-unt ranlc among the
public men of Iowa. He was Chairman of the
Judiciary Committee in the House of Representa-
tives of the lirst Legislative Assembly of the Ter-
rit<jry. and all laws for the new Tcrrittiry passed
through his hands.

Mr. (Trinics had become prominently identified
with the Whig party, and being distinguished as an
aiile lawyer, as well as a fair-minded, conscientious
UKin, he was a prominent candidate for (iovermir
before the convention which met in February, 1854.
It was tlie largest ct>nveiition of that party e\'er
licld in Iowa and the last. He was chosen as a nom-
inee for Governor, was duly elected, and in Decem-
ber, 18.54, assumed the duties of the otlice. Shortly
after liis election it was proposed that he should go
to the United States Sen.ate, but he gave his ad-
mirers to luiderstand that he was determined to fill
the term of office for which he had licen chosen.
This he did, serving the full term to the entire .sat-
isfaction of all p.arties. He was a faithful i)arty
leadei-, and so .able were his services that, while at
the time of his election as Governor Deunjci'aey
reigned supreme in the State and its rein-esentatives
in Congress were allied to the slave ])ower, he
turned tlie State over to the Repulilican party.

His term of office expired Jan. 14, ls.")S, when
lie retired from the Executive Chair, only, how-
ever, to assume the responsibilities of a. United
States Senator. Upon the 4tii of 3Iarch of the f(.il-
lowmg year he took his seat in the Senate and was
placed upon the Committee on Naval Affairs, upon
which he remained dining his Senatorial career,
serving as Chairman of that important committee
from December, 18G4. Jan. KJ, ISfM, Mr. Grimes
was again chosen to represent Iowa in t!ie Senate
of the United States, receiving all but six of the
votes of the General Assembly in joint convention.

His counsel was often sought in matters of gre.at
moment, and in cases of peculiar difficulty. Al-

ways ready to promote the welfare of the State, he
gave, unsolicited, land worth $G,000 to the Congre-
gational College, at Grinnell. It t'onstitutes the
'• Grimes foundation," and " is to be applied to the
establishment and maintenance in Iowa College,
f(_)rever, of four scholarships, to lie awarded by the
Trustees, on the recommendation of the faculty, to
the best scholars, and the most [)romising, in .any
department, who may need and seek such aid, and
without any regard to the religious tenets or opin-
i(jns entertaineil by any person seeking cither of
said scholarships." These terms were imposed by
Mr. Grimes, and .assumed Jul}' 20, 180.5, by the
Trustees. He received the honorary degree of
LL.D. in 18G5 from Dartmouth College, and also
from Iowa College. He also aided in founding a
public library in Burlington, donating $5,000, which
was expended in tl:e purchase of costly books, anil
subsequently sent from Euroijc 250 volumes in the
German language, and also contributed GOO vol-
umes of public documents.

In January, 1809, he made a (hmation of §5,000
to Dartmouth College, and rii< 1,000 to the "Social
Friend," a literary society of which he was a mem-
ber when in college.

His health failing, Mr. Grimes sailed for Europe.
April 14, 1809, remaining abroad two years,
reaching home Sept. 22, 1871, apparently in im-
proved health and sini'its. In November he cele-
brated his silver wedding, and spent the closing
months of his life with his f.amily. He voted at
the city electi<m, Feb. 5. 1872, and was suddenly
attacked with severe pains in the region of the
heart, and died after a few short hours of intense
suffering.

Senator Grimes w.as united in marri.age at liur-
lington, la., Nov. 9, 1.S40. with IMiss Sarah Elizabeth
Neally. Mr. Grimes st(.iod in the foremost r.anks
among the men of his time, not only in the State
but of the nation. The young attorney who left
the granite hills of New Hampshire for the fertile
prairies of the West, distinguished himself Ijoth as
an attorney and a statesman. His personal history
is so inseparably interwoven in that of the history
I of the State that a .sketch of his life is indeed but a
record of the history of his adopted State during
the years of his manhood and vigor.

THE NEW YORK

POBLIC LIBi AaY

AOTOR, LENOX A ?
TilOEN fou..d»i: ■

^(f^^L..^

GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

12.3

^m^_^

-v-S-

■•o*o-@^><^-o4o..

ALPH P. LOWE, the fourth
Governor of the State of
Iowa, was bom in Ohio in
the year 1808, and liice many
others of the distinguished
men of Iowa, eame within her
borders in early pioneer
times. He was a young man
but a little over thirty years
of age when he crossed the great
Father of Waters, settling upon its
western baiilv at the then small vill-
age of Muscatine. He at once
identified himself with the interests
of the growing city, and ere long-
became quite prominent in local
affairs and of recogiiized ability in
questions of public policy. He was shortly after-
ward chosen as a representative from Muscatine
County to the Constitutional Convention of 184-1:,
which framed the Constitution which was rejected
by the people.

After this constitutional convention, Mr. Lowe
took no further part in public matters for a num-
ber of years. Ho removed to Lee County about
1 849 or '50, where he became District Judge as a
successor to George H. Williams, who was after-
ward famous as President Grant's Attorney Gen-
eral. He was District Judge five years, from 1852
to 1857, being succeeded by Judge Claggett. In
the summer of 1857 he was nominated by the Re-
publicans for Governor of Iowa, with Oran Faville
for Lieutenant-Governor. The Democracy put in

the field Benjamin M. Samuels for Governor and
George Gillasi)y for Lieutenant-Governor. There
was a third ticket in the field, supported by the
American or "Know-Nothing" part}', and bearing
the names of T. F. Henr^- and Easton Morris.
The election was held in October, 1857, and gave
Mr. Lowe 38,498 votes, against 30,088 for Mr
Samuels, and 1,006 for Mr. IIenrj\

Hitherto the term of ofHce had been four years
but by an amendment to the Constitution this was
now reduced to two. Gov. Lowe was inaug-
urated Jan. 14, 1858, and at once sent his first
message to the Legislature. Among the measures
passed by this Legislature were bills to incorijorate
the State Bank of Iowa; to provide for an agricult-
ural coUege; to authorize the business of banking;
disposing of the land grant made by Congress to
the Des Moines Valley Railroad; to provide for
the erection of an institution for the education of
the blind, and to provide for taking a State census.

No events of importance occurred during the
administration of Gov. Lowe, but it was not a
period of uninterrupted prosperity. The Governor
said in his biennial message of Jan. 10, 1860,
reviewing the preceeding two j^ears : " The period
that has elapsed since the last biennial session has
been one of great disturbing causes, and of anxious
solicitude to all classes of our fellow-citizens. The
first year of this period was visited with heavy and
continuous rains, which reduced the measure of
our field crops below one-half of the usual product,
whilst the financial revulsion which commenced
upon the Atlantic coast in the autumn of 1857, did

RALPH P. LOWE.

nut reach its cliiuax fur evil in our borders until
the year just past."

He referred at length to the claim of the State
against the Federal Government, and saiil that he
iiad appealed in vain to the Secretary of the Inte-
rior for tlie payment of the ;"> per cent upon the
military land warrants that the State is justly en-
titled to, which then apiMMjximated to a million of
(Ujllars. The payment <:)f this fund, he said, "is
not a mere favcir wliich is asked of the General
Government, but a subsisting right which could be
enforced in a court of justice, were there a tribunal
of this Icind clothed with the recpiisite jurisdiction."

The subject of the ])es Moines River grant re-
ceived from the Governor special attention, and he
gave a history eif the (.)peratiiins of the State author-
ities in reference to obtaining the residue of the
lands to which the State was entitled, and other in-
loruiation !!s to the progress of the work. He also
j-emarked "that under the act authorizing the Gov-
ernor to raise a company of mounted men for de-
fense and protection of our frontier, appro\'cd
Feb. 9, 1858, a company of thirty such men, known
as the Frontier Guards, armed and equipped as re-
quired, wore organized and mustered into service
under the command of Capt. Henry B. INIartin, of
"Webster City, aljout the 1st of INIarch then follow-
ing, and were divided into two companies, one
stationed on tlie Little Sioux River, the other at
Spirit Lake. Their presence afforded security and
gave qiuet to the settlements in that region, and
after a service f)f four months f hey were disljanded.

" Late iu the fall of the year, however, great

alarm and consternation was again felt in the
region of Spirit Lake and Sioux River settlements,
produced by tlie aitpearance of large numljers of
Indians <.in the border, wiiose bearing was insolent
and menacing, and who were charged with clan-
destinely running off the stock of the settlers.
1"hu most urgent appeals came from these settlers,
invoking again the protection of the State. From
reiiresentations made of the imminence of their
danger and the losses already sustained, tlie Gov-
ernor summoned into the field once more the
frontier guards. After a service of four or five
months they were again discharged, and paid in the
manner prescribed in the act under which they were
called out."

Gov. Lowe was beaten for the renoniination
by Hon. S. J. Kirkwood, who was considered
much the stronger man. To compensate him for
his defeat for the second term. Gov. Lowe
was appointed one of the three Judges under the
new Constitution. He drew the short term, whicli
expired in 18Cl,but was returned and served, all
told, eight years. He then returned to the prac-
tice of law, graduall_y working into a claim busi-
ness at Washington, to which city he removecl
about 1871. Li that city he died, (m. Saturday,
Dec. 22, 1883. He had a large family. Carleton,
one of his sons, was an officer in the Third Iowa
Cavalry during the war.

Gov. Lo\\'e w-as a, man of detail, accurate and
industrious. In private and pulilic life he was
pure, ujiright aiul honest. In religious faith he
was inclined to be a Spiritualist.

' LIBRARY.

"■Oft, LENOX A-D

Oi^O^y^-^t-Jt-JZ.

cp(y<^^^^^^^-'^:^

GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

«~5i;

HE fifth Governor of Iowa
was Samuel J. Kirkwood.
He was born in Hartford
County, Md,, on his father's
farm, Dec. 20, 1813. His
father was twice married,
first to a lady named Coulson,
who became the mother of two
sons. After tlie death of this
companion, the elder Kirkwood
was united in marriage with
Mary Alexander, who bore him
three children, all of whom were
sons. Of this little family Samuel
was the youngest, and when ten
years of age was sent to Washington City to at-
tend a school taught b}^ John McLeod, a relative of
the familj-. Here he remained for four 3'ears, giv-
ing diligent attention to his studies, at the close of
which time he entered a drug store at Washington
as clerk. In this capacity he continued with the
exception of eighteen months, until he reached his
majority. During the interval referred to, young
Kirkwood was living the life of a pedagogue in
York County, Pa.

In the year 1835, Samuel quit Washington and
came westward to Richland County, Ohio. His
father and brother had preceded him from Mary-
land, locating upon a timbered farm in the Buckeye
State. Here Samuel lent them valuable assistance
in clearing the farm. He was ambitious to enter
the legal profession, and in the year 1841, an oppor-

tunity was afforded him to enter the office of
Thomas W. Bartley, afterward Governor of Ohio.
The following two years he gave diligent applica-
tion to his books, and in 1843, was admitted to
practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He was
then fortunate enough to form an association in
the practice of his profession with his former pre-
ceptor, which relations continued for eight 3^ears.

From 1845 to 1849 he served as Prosecuting
Attorney of his county. In 1849 he was elected
as a Democrat to represent his county and district
in the Constitutional Convention. In 1851 Mr.
Bartley, his partner, having been elected to the
Supreme Judiciarj^ C)f the State, Kirkwood formed
a partnership with Barnal)as Barns, with whom he
continued to practice until the spring of 1855,
when he removed to the AV'est.

Up to 1854 Mr. Kirkwood had acted with the
Democratic party. But the measures proposed and
sustained that year by the Democracy in Congress,
concentrated in what was known as the Kansas-
Nebraska Act, drove him with hosts of anti-slavery
Democrats out of the partJ^ He was besought by
the opposition in the "Richland District" to be-
come their candidate for Congress, but declined
In 1855 he came to Iowa and settled two miles
northwest of Iowa City, entering into a partnership
with his brother-in-law, Ezekiel Clark, in the mill-
ing business, and kept aloof from public affairs.
He could not long conceal his record and abilities
from his neighbors, however, and in 1856 he was
elected to the State Senate from the district com-

128

SAMUKL J. KIRK WOOD.

posed of tlie counties of Iowa and .Tdliiisdii, and
served in the last session of the Legislature held at
Iowa City and the first one held at Des Moines.

In 1 «,"(;) Mr. Kirii\v(.K_id was UKule the standard-
bearer of tlic Republicans of Iowa, and though he
bad as alile and pojiular a competitor as Gen. A.
C. Dodge, he was elected Govcrn<ir of Iowa b_v a
majority nf over 3,000. He was inaugurated Jan.
11, IHGO. Befi.ire the expiration of liis first term
came the great Civil War. As (.;(.ivernor. during
the darkest days of tlic Rebelli(.>n, he perfiirmed an
exceedingly important duty. He secured a prompt
response liy volunteers to all requisitions by the
Federal G(jvernment on the State for troops, so
that during his ( iovernorship no " draft " took
[)lace in Iowa, and no regiment, exeeiJt the first,
enlisted for less tlian three years. At tlie same
time he maintained tlie State's financial credit.
The Legislature, at its extra session in 18G1,
autliorized the sale of §800,000 in bonds, to assist
in arming and equij^ping troops. So frugally was
this work dune, tliat Imt 1300,000 of the bonds
were sold, and tlie remaining !¥r)00,000 not having
been required, the bonds representing this amount
^^■ere destroyeil liy <_irder of the succeeding Legis-
i.ature.

In October, lS(ll,(i;ov. Kirkwood was, with coin-
pi'rativel^' little oiipositii>ii, re-elected — an lionor
accorded for the first time in the history of the
State. His majority was about 18,000. During
his second term he was appointed liy President
Lincoln to lie Minister to Denmark, but he declined
to enter upon his diiilomatic duties until the expir-
■;dioii of his ti-riii as Governi.ir. The pc.isition was
kept open for him until that time, but, when it
came, pressing private business compelled a declin-
ati(jn of the ollice altogether.

In Jainiary, 180(1, he was a prominent candidate
before the Legislature for United States Senator.
Senator Harlan had resigned the Senat(.)rshii) upon

his aiiixunfuicnt to the office of Secretary of the
Interior by President Lincoln, just before his
death, but had withdrawn from the cabinet soon
after the accession of Mr. Johns<.in to the Presi-
denc.y. In this way it hai)pened tl;at tha Legisla-
ture had two terms of United States Senator to fill,
a short term of two years, to lill Harlan's unexpired
term, and a long term of si.x years to immediately
succeed this ; and Harlan had now become a candi-
date for his own siiccessorship, to which Kirkwood
also aspired. L'ltimately, Kirkwood was elected
for the first and Harlan for the second term. Dur-
ing his brief Senatorial service, Kirkwood did not
hesitate to measure swords with Senator Sumner,
whose natural egotism had liegotten in him an ar-
rogant and dictatOryil manner, borne with humlily
until then by his colleagues, in deference to his
long experience ami eminent ability, but unpalata-
ble to an iiideiiendent Western Senator like Kirk-
wood.

At the close of his Senatorial term, March 4,
1807. he resumed the practice of law, which a few
years later he relinquished to accejit the Presidency
of the Iowa City Savings Pank. In 1875 he was
again elected Governor, and was inaugurated Jan.
13, 1876. He served but little over a year, as
early in 1877 he was chosen United States Senator.
He filled this iiosition four yeai's, resigning to be-
come Secretary of the Interior in President Gar-
field's Cabinet. Tn this office he was succeeded,
April 17, 1882, liy Henry ]\L Teller, of Colorado.

(iov. Kirkwood returned to Iowa City, his home,
where he still resides, being now advanced in years.
He was married in 18-13, to Miss Jane Clark, a na-
tive of Oliio.

In 1880 Jlr. Kirkwood was nominated for Con-
gress by the Re[uililicaiis of his district. Coiisider-
alile interest was manifested in the contest, as lioth
the Labor and Democratic parties had popular can-
didates in the field.

■«i <~

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY.

ASTOR, LENOX A\D

tiLOEN FOU..OATIO-;S.

J/fe,, yfe2>^

GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

1 •■; I

^V'^

••o*o.-@^<^^-.o*o..

year old.

ILLIAM M. STONE, tlie

sixth Governor of Iowa, was

bora Oct. 14, 1827. His

jga parents, Truman and La-

f' vina (Ncjrtli) Stone, who
were of EngHsli aneestiy,
moved to Lewis Country, N.
Y., when William was but a
William's grandfather, Aaron
Stone, was in the second war with En-
gland. A\'lien our subject was six 3'ears
of age his i)arents moved into Ohio, lo-
cating in Coshocton County. Like man^^
other self-made men, William IM. had few
advantages. He never attended a school
of any kind more than twelve months.
In boyhood he was f<-)r two seasons a team-driver
on the Ohio Canal. At seventeen he was apfiren-
ticed to the chnirmaker's trade, and he followed
tliat business until he was twenty-three years of
age, reading law meantime during his spare hours,
wherever he happened to be. He commenced at
Coshocton, with .Tames Mathews, who afterward
became his father-in-law; continued his reading
with Gen. Lucius V. Pierce, of Akron, and finished
with Ezra 15. Taylor, of Ravenna. He was admitted
t(i the bar in August, 1851, by Peter Hitchcock
and Rufus P. Ranney. Suineme .Judges, holding a
term of court at Ra\enua.

After practicing three years at Coshocton with
his okl preceptor, James Mathews, he, in November,
1854, settled in Knoxville, which has remained his
home since. The year after locating here Mr.
Stone purchased the Knoxville Journal, and waf
one of the prime movers in forming the Republican
party in Iowa, being the first edit(.ir to suggest a
State Convention, wliich met Feb. 22, 185G, and
completed tiie organization. In the autumn of the
same year he was a Presidential elector on the Re-
l)ublican ticlvct.

In April, 1857, Mr. Stone was chosen .Judge of
the Eleventh Judicial District. He was elected
.Judge of the .Sixth Judicial District wlieu the new
Constitution went into operation in 1858, and was
ser\'ing' on the l)ench when the American flag was
stricken down at Fort Sumter. At that time,
April, 1861, he was holding court in Fairfield,
Jefferson County, and when the news came of the
insult to the old flag he immediately adjourned
court and prepared for what he believed to be more
important duties — duties to his conntry.

In May he enlisted as a private ; was made Cap
tain of Co. B, Third Iowa Inf., and was snbse.
quently promoted to Major. With that regiment
lie was at the battle of Blue Mill, Mo., in Septem-
ber, 1861, where he was wounded. At Sliiloh, the
following spring, he commanded the regiment and
was taken prisoner, By order of Jeft'eraou Davis

132

WILLIAM M. STONH

he was paroled for the time of fortj^ days, with
orders to rejjair to AVasliiugtoii. and if ijossible
secure an agreement f(jr a cartel for a general ex-
change of ijrisoners, and to return as a prisoner if
he did not succeed. Failing to secure that result
within the period specified, he returned to Rich-
mond and had his parole extended fifteen days; re-
jiairing again to Washington, he effected his pur-
pose and was exchanged.

In Angust, 1802, lie was appointed by Gov.
Kirkwood Colonel of the Twenty-second Iowa
Infantrj', which rendezvoused and organized at
Camp Poix', Iowa City, the same month. The
regiment was occupieil for several months in guard-
ing sni)j)ly stores and the railroad, and escorting
supi)]y trains to the Army of the Sontheast Mis-
souri until Jan. 27, IKlj;], when it received orders
to join the army under Gen. Davidson, at West
Plains, Mo. After a. march of five days it readied
its destination, and was brigaded with the Twenty-
first and Twenty-third Iowa regiments. Col. Stone
commandiug, ami was designated the First Brigade,
First Division. Army of Southeast Missouri. April
I foLuid Col. Stone at Milliken's Bend, La., to assist
Ch-autinthe capture of A'icksliurg. lie was now
in immediate command of his regiment, wliich
formed a part of a brigade under Col. C. L. Harris,
of the lOleventh Wisconsin. In the advance upon
Poi't (iilwon Col. Harris was taken sick, and Col.
Stone was again in charge of a brigade. In the
l)a,ttle of Port Cribson the Colonel and his com-
mand distinguished thpiaselves, and were successful.

The brigade was in the reserve at Champion Hills,
and in active skirmish at Black River.

On the evening of JMay 21 Col. Stone received
Gen. (irant's order for a general assault on the
enemy's lines at 10 A. M. on the 22d. In this
charge, which was unsuccessful, Col. Stone was
again wounded, receiving a gunshot in the left
forearm. Col. Stone commanded a Ijrigade until
the last of August, when, being ordered to the Gulf
Department, he resigned. He had liecomc very
popular with the people of Iowa.

Pic was nominated in a Republican convention,
held at Des Moines in June, 18G0, and was elected
by a very large majority, lie was l)revcted Brig-
adier-General in ISGl, during his first j-ear as Gov-
ernor. He was inaugurated Jan. 14, 18(U, and was
re-elected in 18G.5,'liis four years in office closing-
Jan. IG, 18C8. His majority in 1,SG3 was nearly
30,000, and in 18G5 about 1G,.J00. His diminished
vote in 18Gr> was due to the fact that he was very
strong!}' C(.)mmitted in favor of negro suffrage.

Gov. Stone made a very energetic and efficient
Kxecutive. Since the expiration of his gubernatorial
term lie has sought to-escape the public notice, and
has given his time to his jn-ivate business interests.
He is in partnership witli Hon. U. B. Ayres, of
Knoxville, in legal practice.

He was elected to the General Assembly in 1877.
and served one term.

In May, 1857, he married Miss Carloaet Mathews,
a native of Ohio, then residing in Knoxville. They
have one sou — William A

TILDEN f-OU.<J.,riJ.-.i, !

GOVERNORiS OF IOWA.

135

':->J.^'^'^X^'^^X^'^^X^^¥}^^^{^'

••'♦"•■©V^V®-"*""

AMUEL MERRILL, Governor
fnim l.SGS to 1872, was born
in Oxford County, Maine,
Aug. 7, 1<S22. lie is a de-
scendant on his mother's side
of Peter Hill, who came from
England and settled in Maine
in 1(153. From this ancestry have
sprung most of the Hills in Ameri-
ca. On his father's side he is a de-
cendant of Nathaniel Merrill, who
came from England in 1636, and lo-
cated in jMassachusetts. Nathaniel
had a son, Daniel, who in turn had
a son named John, and ho in turn
liegat a son called Thomas. Tlie
)orn Dec. 18, 1708. On the 4th of Aug-
was horn to him a son, Samuel, who was
married and had a family of twelve children, one of
■.vliom, Abel, was taken by his father to Boston in
1751). Abel was married to Elizabeth Page, who
h:id five children, one of whom, Abel, Jr., was the
father of our subject. lie married Abigail Hill
June 25, 1809, and to them were born eight chil-
dren, Samuel licing the j'oungest but one. At the
age of sixteen Samuel moved with his parents to
liuxton, Maine, the native place of his mother,
vlicre his time was employed in turns in teaching
and attending school until he attained his majority.
Having determined to make teaching a profession,
;ui<l feeling that the South offered better opportu-
nities, he immediatelj' set out for that section. He

remamed, however, but a short time, as he says " he
was born too far North." Suspicion having been
raised as to his abolition principles and finding tlie
element not altogether congenial, he soon abandoned
the sunny South and went to the old. Granite State,
where the next several years were spent in farming.
In 1847 he moved to Tam worth, N. H., wliere \w
engaged in the mercantile business in company- with
a brotlier, in which he was quite successful. Not
being satisfied with the limited resources of North-
ern New England he determined to trj' his good
fortune on the broad prairies of the fertile 'West.

It was in the year 1856 that Mr. Merrill turned
liis face toward the setting sun, finding a desirable
location near McGregor, Iowa, where he estal)lislied
a branch house of the old Arm. The population in-
creased, as also did their trade, and their house be-
came one of the most extensive wholesale estalilish-
ments on the Upper Mississippi. During all these
years of business Mr. Merrill took an active part in
politics. In 1854 he was chosen on the abolition
ticket to the Legislature of New Hampshire. The
following year he was again returned to the I^egis-
lature, and doubtless had he remained in that State
would have risen still higher. In coming to Iowa
his experience and ability were demanded by his
neighbors, and he was hei"e called into public serv-
ice. He was sent to the Legislature, and though
assembled with the most distinguished men of his
time, took a leading part in the important services
demanded of that bod}'. The Legislature was con-
vened in an extra session of 1861, to provide for

130

SAMUEL :merrill.

the exigencies of the Rebellion, and in its ileliber-
atiiins Mr. Merrill took an active pai't.

In tlie summer of 18G2, Mr. Merrill wascommis-
sidncil Colonel of the 21st Iowa Infantry, and im-
mediately went to the front. At tlic time Manna-
duke was menacing the Union fori-cs in Missouri,
whicli called for prompt action on tlie i)art of tlie
Union (xenerals. Col. Merrill was placed in com-
mand, with detachments of the 21st Iowa and 9'.)th
Illinois, a portion of the 3d Iowa Cavalry and two
pieces of artillery, with orders to make a forced
march to Springfield, he being at the time eighty
miles distant. On the morning of Jan. 11, 1803,
he came across a body of Confederates who were
advancing in heavy force. Immediate preparations
for l)attle were made liy Col. Merrill, and after brisk-
ly firing for an hour, the enemy fell back. Merrill
then moved in the direction of Ilartvillc. where he
found the enemy in force under Marmaduke, being-
about eight thousand str(_>ng, while Merrill had but
one-tenth of that number. A hot struggle ensued
in which the Twenty-first distinguished itself. The
Confederate l(_)ss was several (.ifHcers and three hun-
dred men killed and wounded, while the Union loss
was but seven killed and sixty-four wounded. The
following winter the regiment performed active
service, taking part in the campaign of Viclvsburg.
It fought under McClernand at Port (xibson, and
while making the famous charge of Black River
Bridge, Col. Merrill was severely wounded through
the liip. He was laid n\) from the 17th of May to
.bniuarv. when he again joined his regiment in
Texas, and in June, 1804, on account of suffering
from his wound, resigned and returned to Mc-
Gregor. In IsdT Mr. Merrill was chosen Gov-
ernor of the State, being elected upon the Repub-
lican ticket. He served with such satisfaction, that
in 1809 he was re-nominated and accordingly
elected.

Under the administration of Gov. Merrill,
the movement for the erection of the new State
House was inaugurated. The Thirteenth General
Assembly provided for the building at a cost of
§1,500,000, and made an appropriation with which
to begin the work of $150,000. With this sum the
work was begun, and Nov. 23, 1871, the corner
stone was laid iu the presence of citizens from all

parts of the State. On this occasion the Governor
delivered the address. It was an historical view of
the incidents culminating in the laliors of the day.
It was reiilete with historical facts, showed patient
research, was h.igicaland argumentative, and at times
elocpient with Die fire and genius of American pa-
triotism. It is a i)ai)er worthy of the c)Ccasion,
and iloes justice to the head and heart that con-
ceived it.

During the gubernatorial career of (_rov. Mer-
rill, extending through two terms, from Janu-
ary, 1808, to January, 1872, he was actively en-
gaged in the discliarge of his official duties, and
prolialily no iucunilient of that office ever devoted
himself more earnestly to the pulJic good, stand-
ing Ijy the side of Gov. Fairchild, of Wisconsin.
The two were insk'umental in placing the slack-
water navigation between the Mississippi and tht-
Lakes in the way of ultimate and certain success.
The Governor treated this subject to great length
and with marked ability in his message to the Thir-
teenth General Assembly, and so earnest was he in
liehalf of this imi)rovement, that he again discussed
it in his message to the Fourteenth General Assem-
bly. In the instigation of the wtirk the Governors
of the different States interested, called conventi(.)ns,
and tin'ough the deliberations of these assenililies
the aid of the (ieneral Government was secured.

Samuel Merrill was first married to Catherine
Thom.as, who died in 1.S47, tVnirteen months after
their marriage. In January, 1851, he was united
in marriage with a Miss Hill, of Buxton, Maine.
S!u' became the mother of four children, three of
whom died young, the eldest living to be onlj'^ two
and a half years old.

After the expiration of his public service he re-
turned to ]\IcGregor, but shortly afterward removed
to Des Moines, where he is now residing, and is
President of the Citizens' Xational Bank.

Thus briefly have been pointed out the leading
features in the life of one of Iowa's most promi-
nent citizens, and one who has made an honorable
record lioth in public positions am'i private enter-
prises. He is highly esteemed in the city where lie ,
resides and is regarded as one of the faithful rep-
resentatives of the sons of New England. In stac-
tire he is fully six feet high and finely proportioned.

fTRE new" York]

ASTOH, LENOX ADD
_J[[U^rJFOU,JDATIO.NS.

,.!®!V

GO^'ERNOR.S OF IOWA.

139

YRUS CLAY CARPENTER,

Ji Governor of Iowa from 1872
I to 1875, inclusive, was born
in Susquehanna County, Pa.,
Nov. 24, 1829. He was left
an orphan at an carl>' age, his
mother dying when he was at
the age of ten j'ears, and liis fatlier two
years later. He was left in destitute
circumstances, and went first to learn
WfjMb^ the trade of a clothier, which, however,
he abandoned after a few months, and
engaged with a farmer, giving a term
in the winter, however, to attendance
upon the district school. When eighteen
he began teaching school, and the fol-
lowing four years divided his time between teach-
ing and attending the academy at Hartford. At
the conclusion of this period he went to Ohio,
where he engaged as a teacher for a year and a
half, spending the summer at farm work.

In the year 1854 Mr. Carpenter came further
westward, visiting many points in Illinois and
Iowa, arriving at Des Moines, then a village of
some 1,200 inhabitants. This place, however, not
offering a favorable location, he proceeded on his
journey, arriving in Fort Dodge June 28, 1854.
Owing to his being without funds he was compelled
to travel on foot, in which way the journey to Fort
Dodge was made, with his entire worldly posses-
sions in a carpet-sack which he carried in his hand.
He soon found employment at Fort Dodge, as as-
sistant to a Goverumeut surveyor. This work be-

ing completed, young Carpenter assisted his land-
loi'd in cutting hay, but soon secured another
IKjsition as a surveyor's assistant. In the early
part of the following January he engaged in teach-
ing school at Fort Dodge, but in the spring was
employed to take charge of a set of surveyors in
surveying the counties of Emmet and Kossuth.

On his return to Fort Dodge he fijund the land-
ofBce, which had been established at that place,
was about to open Un- the sale of land. Being
familiar with the country and the location of the
best land, he opened a private land-office, and
fi>und constant .and profitable emplo.yment for the
following three j'cars, in i)latting and surveying
lands for those seeking homes. During this period
he became extensivelj' known, and, being an active
Republican, he was chosen as a standard-bearer for
his section of the State. He was elected to the
Legislature in the autumn of 1857. In 18G1, on
the lireaking out of the Rebellion, he volunteered
and was assigned to duty as Commissary of Sub-
sistence, much of the time being Chief Commissar}'
of the left wing of the IGth Army Corps. In 18G1
he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and assigned
to duty on the staff of Gen. Logan, as Chief Com-
missary of the 15th Army Corps. He continued in
the service until the close of the war, and in
August, 1865, was mustered out.

Upon the close of his service to his country he
returned to his home at Fort Dodge, but, owing to
so many changes which had taken place, and suck
an influx of enterprising men into the city, he
found his once prosperous business in the hands of

CiKL'S ULAY CARPENTER.

others. Ho tiinicd his attention to the iinprovc-
i.ieut of a piece (if land, where he remained until
'lis election, in the autumn of 186G, as Register of
the State Land-OlHec. He was re-elected in 18G8,
and refused the nomination in 1870. This position
took him to Des Moines, Init in 1870 he returned
to Fort Dodge. During the summer of the follow-
ing year he was nominated liy the Republican party
for (iovernor. lie was elected, and inaugurated as
Cliirf Executive of Iowa Jan. 11, 1.S7-2. In 1873
he was renominated by his part}', and October 14
jf that year was re-elected, his inauguration taking
place Jan. ^7, 1874. Gov. Carpenter was an able,
popidar and faithful Executive, and was regarded
as one of the most honest, prominent and imselfish
olllcials the State ever had. Plain, unassuming,
modest, he won his public position more thr(jugh
.he enthusiasm of his friends than by anj^ personal
efl'ort or desire of his own. J;ver3'wliere, at all
times and upon all occasions, he demonstrated that
the confidence of his friends was justified. He took
an active part in the great question t>f monopolies
and transportation evils, which during his adminis-
tration were so prominent, doing much to secure
wise legislation in these respects.

Gov. Carpenter has been regarded as- a jniblic
speaker of more than ordinary ability-, and has
apon many occasions been the orator, and always
appreciated by tlie people.

At the expiration of his second term as Governor
Mr. Caipenter was a[)pointed Second Comptroller
of the United States Treasury, which position he
resigned after a service of fifteen months. This
step was an evidence of his u.nselfishness, as it was
taken because another Bureau officer was to be dis-
missed, as it was held that Iowa had moi'e heads of
Enreans than she was entitled to, and his resigning
in oflice of the higher grade saved the position to
.xnotLsr. In 1881 he was elected to Congress, and
served with aliilit_y, and in the Twentieth General
Assembly of Iowa he represented Webster County.

Gov. Carpenter was married, in March, 18G4, to
Miss Susan Burkholder, of Fort Dodge. No chil-
dren have 1_)een born to them, l.)ut they have reared
a niece of Mrs. Carpenter's.

During his entire life Mr. Carpenter has been de-
moted to the principles of Reform and the best

interests of all classes of citizens who, by adoDtion I
or by liirth-right, are entitled to a home upon our I
soil and the protection of our laws, under the gi-eat |
charter of " Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Ilap- i
piness." In an address in 18.52 he took advanced ■
views upon the leading subjects of public interest.
He ha<l already laid the foundation for that love of
freedom which afterwards fonnd an ample field of
labor with the Republican party. There was noth-
ing chimerical in his views. He looked at every
strata of human society, and, from the wants of the I
iTiasses, wisely devined duty and prophesied destiny.
He would have the people of a free Republic edu-
cated in the spirit of the civilization of the age.
Instead of cultivating a taste ft : a species of liter-
ature tending direetlj^ to degrade the mind and
deprave the heart, thereby leading back to a state i
of superstition anc^ consequent barbarism, he would ^
cultivate principles of temperance, industry and i
economy in every youthful mind, as the indispens-
able ingredients of good citizens, or subjects upon
whose banner will be inscribed Liberty, Equality. '
Fraternity.

Thus earl}^ in life Jlr. Carpenter saw the destined j
tendency of our American institutions, and the ad- t
vancing civilization of the age. He saw it in the '
l)eace congress, whose deliberations have made the i
Rhine thrice immortal. He saw it iu the prospect-
ive railway, which he Ijelieved would one day j
unite the shores of the Atlantic with those of the
Pacific — a fact realized by the construction of the |
great continental railwa}'.

It was thus early that he began to stud\- the i
wants of the world, and with what (.'learness and
directness may be seen by the correctness of his !
vision and the accomplishment of what he consid- >'
ered an inevitable necessity. ^

Thus, growing up into manhood, and passing on-
ward in the rugged jiathway of time, disciplined iu
political economy and civil ethics iu the
school of experience, he was jirepared to meet every
emergency with a steady hand ; to bring order out
of iliscord, and insure harmony and prosperity.

Gov. Carpenter is now engaged in the quiet pur-
suits of farm life, residing at Fort Dodge, where
he is highly esteemed as one of her purest minded
and most upright citizens.

stern j

. A,\D
ATIONS.

■%

GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

143

-»~> ^ ' r=: » I

OSHUA G. NEWBOLD, the
ninth Governor of Iowa, is
'^ a native of Pennsylvania.
He comes from that oxeellent
stoek known as the Friends,
who verj^ early settled in
yi New Jersej-. Joshua G. is the
! son of Barzilla and Catherine
I (House) Newhold, and was born
' in Fa3^ette County, May 12,
1830. He was born a farmer's
boy and was reared in the \ii>'<)r-
ous emi>lo.ynient of farm work.
"When he was eight years of age the
famil}' moved to "Westmoreland
County, Pa., where, in tiie common
schools and in a select school or academy, young
Newbold received his education. When sixteen
years of age he accompanied the family on their re-
turn to Fayette County. Here for the f(_)llowing
eight years he assisted his father in running a llour-
ing-mill as well as devoting much of his time to
teaching school. When a1)0ut nineteen years of
age our subject liegan the stud3' of medicine, de-
votir.g much of his time while teaching to his med-
:eal books. He, however, abandoned the idea of
iiecoming a physician and turned his attention to
different walks in life.

In the month of March, 1854, Mr. Newbold re-
moved to I(_>wa, locating on a farm, now partly in
the corporation of Mount Pleasant, Henry County.

At the end of one year he removed to Cedar
Township, Van Buren County, there merchandising
and farming till aljout 18C0, when lie removed to
Hillsboro, Henry County, and pursued the same
callings.

In 1802, when the call was made for 000,000 men
to flnish the work of crushing the Rebellion, Mr.
Newbold left his farm in the hands of his family
and his store in charge of his partner, and went into
the army as Captain of Company C, 25th Regiment
of Iowa Infantr^^ He served nearly three years,
resigning just before the war closed, on account of
disability. During the last two or three months he
served at the .Snuth lie filled the position of Judge
Advocate, with headtpiarters at Woodville, Ala.

His regiment was one of those that made Iowa
troops famous. It arrived at Helena, Ark., in
November, 1SC2, and sailed in December following
on tlie expedition against Viclvsl:iurg by w.ay of
Chickasaw Bayou. At the latter place was its first
cno-aafement. Its seeoml was at Arliansas Post, and
tliere it suffered severely, losing in Ivilled and
wounded more than sixt}'.

After Lookout JMountain it joined in the pursuit
of Bragg's flying forces to Ringgold, where it en-
gaged the enemy in their strong works, November
27, losing twenty-nine wounded. The following
year it joined Sherman in liis Atlanta Campaign,
then on the famous march to the sea and through
the Carolinas.

Oil returning to Iowa he continued in the mer-

144

JOSHUA G. NEAVBOLD.

rantik' tnidc at Ilillsboro fur three or four years,
and then sol<l out, giving thereafter his whole at-
tention to agriculture, stock raising and stoelv-deal-
ing, malting the stock department an important
factor in liis liusiness for several years. Mr. New-
l)old was a member of the 13th, 14th and 15th Gen-
eral Assemlilies, representing Henry County, and
was Cliairman of the ScIkjoI Committee in the 14th,
and of the committee on appropriations in the loth
General Assembly. In the loth (l.s74) he was tem-
porary Siieaker during the deadlock in organizing,
the House. In l.sTo he was elected Lieutenant
Governor on the Republican ticket with Sanuiel J.
Kirkwi)od.

His Democratic compeiitor was E. D. Woodward,
who received i.);),000 votes. Mr. Newbold received
1;54,1GG, or a majority of 31,106. Governor Kirk-
wood being elected United States Senator diu'ing
that session, Mr. Newbold l)ecame Governor, taking
the chair Feb. 1, 1877, and vacating it for Gov.
Gear in January, 1878.

Gov. Newbold's message to the Legislature
In 1878, shows painstaking care and a clear, busi-
ness-like view of the interests of the State. His
recommendations were cart fully considered and
largely adopted. The State's finances were then in
a less creditable conditicm than ever before or
since, as there was an increasing floating debt, then
amounting to ^340, ,Sl>(J.. ')(',, more than $00,0(10 in
excess of the Constitutional limitation. Said Gov.
Newbold in his message: ''The commonwealth
ought not to set an example of dilatoriness
in meeting its obligations. Of all forms of indebt-
edness, that of a floating character is the most ob-
jectionable. The uncertainty as to its amount will

invariably enter into any computation made by per-
sons contracting with the State for siipi)lies, mater-
ial or labor. To remove the present difficult}', and .
t(.) avert its recurrence, 1 look ni)on as the most im-
portant work that will demand your attention."

One of the .greatest problems before statesmen is
that of equal and just tax.ation. The following
recommendation shows that C4ov. Newbold was
abreast with foremost thinkers, for it proposes a
step which yearly finds more favor with the i)eople:
" The inequalities of the [)ersonal-proi)erty valu-
ations of the several counties suggest to my mind
the proprietj^ of so adjusting the State's levy as to
require the counties to pay into the State treasury
only the tax on realty, leaving the corresponding
tax on jjersonalt}' in the county treasury. This
would rest with each count}' the adjustment of its
own personal property valuations, without fear that
they might be so high as to work injustice to itself
in comparison with other counties."

Gov. Newbold has always affiliated with the
Repuljlican party, and holds to its great cardinal
doctrines, having once embraced them, with the
same sincerity and honestj' that he cherishes his re-
ligious sentiments. He has been a Christian for
something like twenty-five years, his connection be-
ing with the Free-Will Baptist Church. He found
his wife, Rachel Farquhar, in Fayette County, Pa.,
their union taking place on the :id of May, 1850.
They have had five children and lost two. The
names of the living are Mary Allene, Emma
Irene and George C.

The Governor is not yet an old man, and may
serve his State or county in otlier capacities in the
coming years.

THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

ASTOn, LENOX A-JO
TILOEN FOJ., CATIONS.

-— srww'Sis,'

^^^yf-^i

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GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

147

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OHN 11. GEAR, the tontli
vk geiitleiuau to occupy the
Executive Chair of Iowa, is
still a resident of Burlington.
~',^ He is a native of the Empire
State, Ti'hcre in the city of
Ithica, April 7, 1 82,5, he v.'as Ijorn.
Rev. E. G. Gear, his father, was
born in New London, Conn., in
1792, and became a distinguished
clergjinan of the Protestant
Episcopal Church. His family had
removed with him, while he was
still 3'oung, to Pittsfield, Mass., and
in the 3'ear 181G, after his ordina-
tion as a clergyman of the Episco-
pal Churcli, he wont to New York
and located at Onondaga Hill near
\%\[\] the city of Syracuse. Shortly after
this settlement, the young minister
was united in marriage with Jliss
Miranda E. Cook. After serving
various congregations in Western
New Yiirk f<n' many years, he de-
termined to become a pioneer in
Northern Illinois, whicli at the time, in the j"car
IS.jfi, was being rapidly settled up. He found a
desiralile location at Galena where he remained mi-
til 1808, when he received the appointment as
Chaplain in the United States army while located
at Fort Snelling, Minn. He lived a long and act-
ive life, doing much good, quitting his labors in

the year 1874. at the advanced .age f>f eighty-two
\'ears.

The only s<m born to Mr. and :\Irs. E. G. Gear
was J. H., afterward the distinguished Governor of
Iowa. As al)ove stated the birth occurred in 1825.
In 184.3, when still a 3'oung man, he came West to
Burlington, where he has since continued to reside,
her most distinguished citizen. Shortly after his
arrival in the young city, he embarked in his mer-
cantile career, engaging at the time with the firm
of Bridgman & Bros., in the capacity of a clerk.
Remaining with this Arm for a little over a year,
ha left them for an engagement with W. F. Cool-
bangh, who at one time was President of the
Union National Bank, of Chicago, and who at that
early period was the leading merchant of Eastern
Iowa. He served Mr. Coolbaugh so faithfully, and
with such marked ability for the f')llowing five
years, that, when desirous of a partner in his busi-
ness, the wealthy merchant could find no one in
whom he could iilaee greater confidence and with
whom he could trust his extensive business rela-
tions that pleased him Ijetter than the young clerk.
Accordingly he was associated as a partner under
the firm name of W. F. Coolbaugh <fe Co. Under
this arrangement the firm did a prosperous busi-
ness for the following five years-, when Mr. Gear
purchased the entire business, which he carried on
A\ith marked success until he became kno^^•n as the
oldest wholesale grocer in the State. He is at present,
besides filling other prominent business relations,
President of the Rolling Mill Co., of Galesburg

148

.JOHN H. OKAK.

Mr. Gear has been honored by his fcilow-citizon?
wiih many iiositions of trust. In ISo'i he was
elected Alderman; in 18G3 was elected Mayor
over A. W. Carpenter, being the first Repnblican
up to that time who had been elected in Burlington
on a party issue. In 18G7 the Burlington, Cedar
Rapids & Minnesota Railroad Company was organ-
ized, and he was chosen as its President. His ef-
forts highly contributed to the success of the enter-
jjrise, which did much for Burlington. He was
also active in promoting the Burlington & South-
western Railway, as well as the Burlington & North-
western narrow-gauge road.

He has always acted with the Republican party,
and in 1871 was nominated and elected a member
of the House of Representatives of the 14th
General Assembly. In 1873 he was elected to the
15th Gener.al Assembly. The Republican cau-
cus of the House nominated him for Speaker liy
acclamation, and after a contest of two weeks he
wa^ chosen over his opponent, J. W. Dixon. He
filled the position of Speaker very acceptably, and
at the close of the session all the members of the
House, independent of party affiliations, joined in
■■signing their names to a resolution of thanks, which
was engraved and presented to him. In 1875 he
was the third time nominated to the Assemblj' by
the Republican party, and while liis county gave a
large Democratic vote he was again elected. He
was also again nominated for Spealcer by the Re-
publican caucus, and was elected liy a handsome
majority over his competitor, Hon. John Y. Stone.
He is the only man in the State who ever Iiad the
honor of being chosen to this high position a sec-
ond time. He enjoys the reputation of being an
able parliamentarian, his rulings never having been
appealed from. At the close of the session he
again received the iniauimous thanks of the House
of Representatives for his courtesy and impartiality,
and for the able and satisfactory manner in which
he had presided over that body.

In 1877 he was nominated f<n' Governor by the
Republican convention which met at Des Moines,
June 28, and at the election held the following
October he received 121,546 votes, against 79,353
for John P. Irish, 10,639 for Elias Jessup and 38,-
126 for D. P. Stubbs. His plurality over Irish

was 42,193. He was inaugurated Jan. 17, 1878.,
and served four years, being re-elected in 1879 bv
tlic following handsome vote: Gear, 157,571
Trimble, 85,056 ; Campbell, 45,439 ; Dungan, 3,258,
Gear's majority over all competitors, 23,828. His
second inauguration occurred in January of the
year 1880.

Gov. Gear's business habits enabled him to dis
charge the duties of his office with marked abill'.y
He fdund the financial condition of the State at ;
low ebb, Init raised Iowa's credit to that of the
best of our States. In his last biennial message he
was able to report : " The warrants out-standing,
liut not bearing interest, Sept. 30, 1881, amounted
to §22,093.74, and there are now in the treasury
ample funds to meet the current expenses of the
State. The war find defense debt has been paid,
except the w.arranti? for $125,000 negotiated by the
Executive, Auditor and Treasurer, under the law
of the 18th General Assembly, and §2,500 of
the original bonds not yet presented for pay-
ment. The onljr other delit owing by the State
amounts to #245,435. 19, due to the permanen;
school fund, a portion of which is made irredeem
able by the Constitution. These facts place Iowa
practically among the States which have no debt,
a consideration which must add much to her repu
tation. The expenses of the State fur the last two
years are less than those of any other period since
1869, and this notwithstanding tlie fact that the
State is to-day sustaining several institutions not
then in existence; namely, the hospital at Inde-
pendence, the additional penitentiarj^ the Normal
School and the as3'lum for the feeble-minded chil-
dren, besides the girl's department of the reform
school. The State also, at present, makes provi;>ioii
for fish culture, for a useful weather service, fo
sanitary supervision by a Board of Health, for en
couraging immigration to the State, for the inspec
tion of coal mines by a State Inspector, and liber-
ally for the military arm of the Government."

Gov. Gear is now in the sixty-first year of his
age, and is in the full vigor of both his mental and
physical faculties. He was married in 1852 to
Harriet S. Foot, formerly of the town of IMiddle-
bury, Vermont, by whom be has had four children
two of whom are living.

THE NE

PUBLIC ;

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GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

151

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Sp^W^'*"^'

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<-NE of the most distinguished
gentlemen who was ever
honored with the position
of Chief Executive of the
rv^^T**— «^?. V?i State is Buren R. Slicrman,
^-i^Mi< r~^ i^\>\i the eleventh Governor of
Iowa, who is a native of New York.
It was in the town of Phelps, in On-
tario County, that he was born to his
parents, Phineas L. and P^veline
(Robinson) Sherman, on the 2sth of
May, 1836, and was the third S(.)u of
a distinguished family of children.
Ilis parents were likewise natives of
the Empire State. Buren R. attended the public
schools of his neighborhood, but was subsequently
given advantages of the schools at Almira, N. Y.,
where he acquired a ver}'^ thorough knowledge of
the English branches. His father, who w-as a me-
chanic, advised him at the close of his studies to
apprentice himself to learn some trade. He ac-
cordingly^ made such arrangements with S. Ayers, of
Almira, to learn the trade of a watchmalcer. In
]8rj5, however, he left this jjosition and joined his
fiimily on their removal to the then new State of
Iowa. They settled upon a piece of unbroken prai-
rie land on what is now Geneseo Township, Tama

County, his father having previously purchased
land from the Government. Here Bureii R. laljored
diligently in developing his father's fields, devoting,
however, leisure hours Avhich he was granted, to the
studj' of law. Before leaving his Eastern 'lonie he
had decided upon that profcssicjn and began its
study while yet in Almira. He soon secured a po-
sition as a book-keeper in a neighboring town, and
with the wages earned there, materially assisted his
father in the development of their home farm. In
the meantime he had applied himself diligently tc
the study of his books, and so studious had he
been that in the summer of 1859, he was enabled
to pass a creditable examination arid to bo admitted
to the bar. The following spring the j'oimg attor-
ney moved to Yinton, hung out his shingle and be--
gan the practice of his profession. He was associated
with Hon. "William Smyth, formerly District Judge,
and J. C. Traer, inider the firm name of Smyth
Traer & Sherman. The new firm rapidly grew into
lirominence, building uj) a prosperous practice,
when Mr. Sherman withdrew to tender his services
to the Government iji defense of iier integrity and
honor.

It was early in 18H1, directly after the enemy had
assaidted the American flag on Sumter, that the
young attorney enlisted in Co. G, loth Iowa Yol.

f52

BUREN R. SHERMAN.

Inf., and immediately went to the front. He
entered the service as Second Sergeant, and in
Februai-js 18()2, was made Second l^ieutenant of
Company E. On the Gth of April following he was
very severely wounded at the battle of Pittsburgh
Landing, and while in the hospital was promoted to
the rank of Captain. He returned to his company
while yet obliged to use his crutches, and remained
on duty till the summer of l.s(j;3, when, by reason of
his wound, he was eomiielled to resign and return
home. Soon after returning from the army he was
elected County .Judge of Benton County, and re^
elected without opposition in l.sil,). In the autumn
of 18G6 he resigned liis judgeship and accepted the
offlce of Cleric of the IJistrict Court, to which he
was re-elected in 18G8, 1870 and 1872, and in
Dcccmlier, 1 fs71. resigned in order to accept the
office of Auditor of State, to which office he had
been elected bj' a majm-ity of 28,425 over .J. M.
King, the "anti-monopoly" candidate. In 187G he
was renominated and received 50,272 more votes
than W. Growneweg (Democrat) and Leonard
l>r(.iwne ((ircenback) together. In 1.S78 he was
again chiiscn to represent the Kepiililican party
in that office, and this time recei\-ed a major-
ity of 7,1 G-t over the combined votes of Col.
I'^iboeck (Democrat) and G. V. Swearenger ((ireen-
l»ack). In the six years that he held this office, he
was untiring in his faithful application to routine
work and devotion to his special share of the State's
business. He retired with such an enviable record
that it was with no sur^irise the peoiile learned,
June 27, 1881, that ho was the nominee of the Re-
j)ublican party for Governor.

Tlic campaign was an exciting one. The General
Assembly had submitted to the people the prohibi-
tory amendment to the Constitution. This, while
not a partisan question, liecame uiipermost in the
mind of the pulilic. Mr. Sherman received 133,-
330 votes, against 83,244 for Kinne and 28,112 for
i). M. Clai'k, or a phu-ality of aO.OsG and a major-
ity of 21,974. In liSS3 he was re-nominated by
the Republicans, as well as 'L. G. Kinne by the
Democrats. The National party offered J. B.
Weaver. During the campaign these candidates
iield a number of joint discussions at different
points in the State. At the election the vote was:

Sherman, 104,182; Kinne, 139,093- Weaver, 23,.
089; Sherman's plurality, 2.5,089; majority, 2,000
In his second inaugural Gov. Sherman said :

" In assuming, for the second time, the office ol
Chief Magistrate for the State, I fully realize my
grateful oliligations to the people of Iowa, through
whose generous confidence I am here. I ran aware
of the duties and grave responsibilities of this ex-
alted position, and as well what is expected of me
therein. As in the past I have given my undivided
time and serious attention thereto, so in the future'
I promise the most earnest devotion and untiring
effort in the faithful performance of my official re-
quirements. I have seen the State grow from in-
fancy to mature manhood, and each 3'ear one of
substantial betterment of its previous position.

" With more railroads than any State, save two;
with a school interi?st the grandest and strongest,
which commands the support and confidence of all
the people, and a population, which in its entirety
is superior to any other in the sisterhood, it is
not strange the pride which attaches to our people.
When we remember that the results of our efforts in
the direction of good government have been
crowned with such magnificent success, and to-day
we have a State in most perfect ])hysicai and finan
cial condition, no wonder our hearts swell in honest
pride as we contemplate the past and so coiifidentlj'
hope for tiie future. \Miat we may iiecome de-
pends on our own efforts, and to that future 1 look
with earnest and abiding confidence."

Gov. Sherman's term of office continued until .Tan.
14, 188G, when he was succeeded b}' William Larr:i-
bee, and ho is now, temi)orarily, perhaps, enjuyiim
a well-earned rest. He has been a Reiiuiilican sine
the organizati<.)n of that party, and his services as a
campaign speaker have been for many years in
great demand. As an officer he has lieen able tn
make an enviai)le record. Himself honoral)le and
thorongli, his management of puljlic business has
l;>een of the same character, and such as has com-
mended him to the approval of his fellow-citizens.

He was married, Aug. 20, 18G2, to JNIi.ss Lena
Kendall, of Vinton, Iowa, a young lady of rare ac-
coniidishments and strength of character. Their
union has been happy in every respect. They have
two children — Lena Kendall and (_)scar Eugene.

TVi/ YdFiK

-iBRARY.

a6T0R; LENOX ANb
IILOeri FOUNDATIONS.

V--'

^^^>-^.

GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

loii

<xi5o~

ILLIAIM LARRABEE, the
present able Govenior of
Iowa, and the twelfth gen-
jjj»:3 tleiiian selected by the
■ peoi")le as the Chief Magis-
trate of the great Com-
monwealth, is a native of
Connecticut. His ancestors
the French Huguenots who
ica early in the seventeenth
located in Connecticut. At
that time tliej' bore the name of d'Larra-
liee. Adam Larrabee, the father of Will-
iam, w;:s born March 14, 1787, and was
one of the earl}^ graduates of the West
Point Military Academy. He .served his
country during the W.ar of 1812, with distinction,
holding the position of Second Lieutenant, to which
he was commissioned March 1, 1811. lie was pro-
moted to the Captaincy of his company Feb. 1,
1814, and on the 30tli of the following INIarch. at
the battle of Lacole Mills, during Gen. Wilkinson's
campaign on tlie Saint Lawrence River, he was
severely wounded in tlie lung. He eventually re-
covered from the injury and was united in mar-
riage to Hannah G. Lester. This much esteemed
lady was born June ?., 1798, and died on the loth of
March, 1837. Capt. Larrabee lived to an ad-
vanced age, dying in 1869, at the age of eighty-
two j'cars.

As above mentioned, William, our subject, was

born in Connecticut, the town of Ledyanl being
the place of his birth and Jan. 20,1832, the date.
He was the seventh child in a family of nine chil-
dren, and passed the early years of his life up(jn a
rugged New England farm, enjo3riiig very meager
educational advantages. He attende<l, during the
winter seasons, the neighboring district schools
until lie reached the age of nineteen years, when,
during the following two ^^•inters, he filled the posi-
tion of schoolmaster. He was amliitious to do
something in life for himself that would bring fort-
une and distinction, but in making his plans for tlu'
future he was embarrassed by a misfortune which
Itofell him when fourteen j'ears of age. In being
trained to the use of firearms under liis father's
direction, an accidental discharge resulted in the
loss of the sight in the right eye. This conse-
quently unfitted him for many emjihtyments usuallj''
sought by ambitious J'oung men. The family
li\ed near the seashore, only two miles away, and
in that neighborhood it was the custom for at least
one son in each family to go upon the sea as a
sailor. The two eldest brothers of our subject had
chosen this occupation while the third remained in
charge of the home farm. William was thus left
free to chose for himself and, like many of the
youths of that day, he wisely turned his face West-
ward. The year 1853 found him on this journey
toward the setting sun, stopping only when he
came to the broad and fertile jirairies of the new
State of Iowa. He first joined his elder sister, Mrs

156

WILLIAM LARRABEE.

E. II. Williams, wIki was at that time living- at
GarmiviUu, C'laytnu t'ouuty. It was tiiis circum-
stanee whirli led the ydiuig- hoy from Coiineeticiit
U) select his future liome iu the northeastern por-
tion uf Iowa. He resumed his oecujiation as a
l>edagogue, teaehing. however, hut one winter,
which was passed at Ilardin. The following three
years he was employed in the capacity of foreman
on the firand ]\Ieadow farm of his brother- in-law,
Judge Williams.

In IS.jT he bought a one-third interest in the
Clermont JM ills, and located at Clermont, Fayette '
County. He soon was able to buy the other two-
thirds, and within a year found himself sole owner.
He o[)erate<l this mill until isTiwhen he sold to
S. i\I. Leach. On the breaking out of the war lie
offered to enlist, but was rejected on account of
the loss of his i-jght eye. Being informed he might
possibly be admitted as a commissioned officer, he
raised a eom[iany and received a commission as
First Lieutenant, but was again rejected for the
same disability.

After selling the mill Mr. Larrabee devoted him-
self to farming, and started a private bank at Cler-
mont. He also, experimentally, started a large
nursery, but this resulted only in confirming the
belief th;it Northern Iowa has too rigorous a cli-
mate for fruit-raising.

Mr. Larrabee did not begin his political career
until 18G7. He was reared as a Whig and became
a Republican on the organization of that part.y.
While interested in polities he generally refused
local offices, serving only as Treasurer of the
School Board prior to 1.SG7. In the autumn of
that year, on the Republican ticket, he was elected
to represent his county in the State Senate. To
this high position he was re-elected from time to
time, so that he served as Senator continuously for
eighteen j-ears before being promoted to the high-
est office in the State. He was so popular at home
that he was generall}' re-nominated by acclamation,
and for some years the Democrats did not even

make nominations. During the whole eighteen
j-e.'irs Senator Larrabee was a member of the prin-
cipal committee, that on Ways" and Means, of which
he was generally Chairman, and was also a member
of other committees. In the pursuit of the duties
thus devolving ujion him, he was indefatigable.
It is .said that he never missed a committee meet-
ing. Not alone in this, but in private and j)u1)lic
business i>f all kinds, his uniform habit is that of
close application to work. Many of the important
measures passed l:i_y the Li'gislature owe their ex-
istence or present form to him.

He was a candidate for the gubernatorial nomina-
tion in 1881, but entered the contest too late, as
Gov. Sherman's following had been successfully
organized. In 1.S8.") it was generallv conceded be-
fore the meeting rif ^ the convention that he would
be nominate<l, which he was, and his election fol-
lowed as a matter of course. He was inaugurated
Jan. 1 4, 1 88(5, and so far has made an excellent
(lovernor. His position in regard to the liipior
question, that on which i)olitical fortunes are made
and lost in I(_)wa, is that the majority should rule.
He was personall3' in favor of high license, but
having been elected (iovernor, and sworn t<» up.
hold the Constitution and execute the laws, he pro-
poses to do so.

A Senator who sat beside him in the Senate de
clares him to be ''a man of the broadest compre-
hension an<l information, an extraordinarily clear
reasoner, fair and conscientious in his conclusions,
and of Spartan firmness in his matured judgment,"
and says that '• he brings the practical facts and
philosi>phy of human nature, the science and his-
ti,)ry t>f law, to aid iu his decisions, and adheres with
the earnestness of Jefferson and Sumner to the
fundamental principles of the people's rights."

Gov. Larrabee was married Sept. 1 2, 1 8G 1 , at Cler-
mont, to Anna M. Appelman, daughter of Capt.
G. A. Appelman. Gov. Larrabee has seven chil-
dren — Charles, Augusta, Julia, Amia, W^illiam,
Frederic and Helen.

I PUBLIC LIBRARV.

ASTOR, LENOJC ^N0

# -

f/<

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GOVERNORS OF IOWA.

159

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»»

*3=«r»^

iACK BOIES, Governor
of loi'va, is .1 Iaw3-er b}'
profession, and a resident
of tlie city of Waterloo,
of this State, where be
has been in active prac-
^5y3 tice since April, 1867. Governor
Boies is a son of P>ber and Ilettie
ij2p (Ilenshaw) Boies, and was born in
Aurora, Erie County, N. Y.,on the
7tii day of December, 1827. His
father was a farmer bj' ocenpation,
and in moderate circumstances, and
Horace was reared under the
healthfnl and moral influences of
He attended the public schools, as op-
portunit}' afforded, until sixteen j-ears of age, when
being inspired with an ambition to see more of the
world than had been possible for liira within the
narrow limits of his native town, with the added
variety of an occasional visit to Buffalo, he per-
suaded his parents to consent to his departure for
the West. Passage was secured on a steamer at
Buffalo, wiiieh was bound up the lakes, and in due
time he landed at the little hamlet of Racine, Wis.
This was in the s|)ring of 1813, while Wisconsin

farm life.

was a Territory and butsparsel}' settled. The total
cash assets of the 3'outhful emigrant amounted to
but seventy-five cents, which necessitated strict
economy and immediate eraplo.yment. Not finding
a favorable opening at Racine he struck out on
foot in search of work among tlie farmers, which
he secured witii a settler near Rochester, and some
twenty miles from Racine. His empU)yer proved
a hard task-master and kept the Iioy hard at the la-
borious work of ditch digging, while he stinted
him at meals. After a month spent in a half-
starved condition, and over-worked, the subject of
our sketch received the sum of -SlO for his services,
and broken down in healtii, moved on a few miles,
where he luckily fell in with a family that had
moved from the neighborhood of his home. They
proved true friends and kindly- cared for him
through a long illness, that was the legitimate con-
sequence of his previous inontii of hardshi[) and
starvation.

On recovering his health, young Boies continued
at farm work until a year had elapsed since he had
left his home. He then returned to his native
town, having learned the useful lesson of self-re-
liance, which in after years enabled him to more
easily overcome the difficulties that beset the n-ay

160

IIOUACK BOIES.

iif him who has to hew out his own road to success.

On his return to Aurora, Mr. Boies pursued a .
course of study at tlie Aurora Academy, and later
spent one winter in teaching seliool in Boone i
County, 111. lietnrning to Nevv York, he was mar-
ried ill Aurora, on the 1 ><th of A|iril. l<sl,S, to Miss
Adela King', a daughter of Darius and Hannah
King. Mrs. Boies was horn in Erie County, N. Y.
Three children vvere horn of llicir union, nf wIidui
only one is now living, a daughter, Adehi, wlio was
the wife of .lidm W. Carson, novv deceased. Mrs.
Carson resides at .Mt. N'ornon. Iowa.

In 1850 Mr. Boies liegan the study of law in Au-
rora and pursued it in that place and also in Bos-
ton, of Erie County: and was admitted to the bar
at Buffalo, at the general term of the Supreme
Court in November, liS.j'i. He pursueil the prac-
tice of his [irofession in Buffalo and vicinity with
marked success, and in the fall of I8.J7 was chosen
to re[)rescnt his district in the New York ll<nise of
Representatives, for the session (_)f 1858.

In the autumn of 1855 Mr. l>oies was called to
mourn the loss of his wife, who died in November,
of that year. He was niai'ried again in December,
185i-'. in Waterloo, Iowa, to Miss N'ersalia M. Bar-
ber, a daughter of Dr. P. .1. Barber. Mrs. Boies
was born in Boston. Erie County, N. Y., ami liad
removed to Iowa six months prior to her marriage.
She died in Apiil, 1877, leaving thi'ce children, a
daughter and two sons. Eail L., the eldest, was
graduateil at Cornell College, studied law with his
father, was admitted to the bar in 188G,and is now
his father's partner, .lessie, the only daughter, is
her father's companion anii housekeeper. Herbert
B., the youngest, is a law student, reading law in
his father's oltice.

Mr. Boies after pursuing the practice of his pro-
fession at 15uffalo and \dcinitj' for fifteen years, re-
moved to Iowa, and settled at ^Vaterloo, in April,
1867. He at once formed a law partnershi|) with II.
B. Allen, and for a time the firm was Boies it Allen,
then Carlton E. Couch, the |)resent district judge,
was admitted to membership, and the firm name lie-
came Boies, Allen ife Conch. That connection was
continued until 1878, wdien Mr. Allen, on account of
failing health, was obliged to withdraw. The firm
continued under the st\'le of Boies & Couch until

1884, when Mr. Coucii was elected Judge of the
Ninth Judicial District. j\Ir. Boies wastlien alone
in business for a short time, until joineil by his
eldest son, E. L. In 1886 Mr. James L. Husted
was.admitted to membershii) in the firm, which has
since continued u.nder the name of Boies, Husted
& Boies, and wliich is widel3' known as a le.ading
law (irm of Eastern Iowa.

(!ov. Boies was a Whig in early life, and on the
disruption of that party and the formation of the
Kc|)ubliean party, he joined the latter. But he was
never ambitious to serve in official jjositions, an<l
with the exception of one term in the New York
Legislature and one term as City Attorney .at Wa-
terloo, he held no office of consequence until elected
Oovemorof Iowa in the fall of 1889. Ho main-
tained his connection with the Republican party
until 188:^, since wdiieh time he has aifilialed with
the Democrats. Gov. Boies enjoys the distinction
of being the first Governor of Iowa elected liy the
Democratic party for a [leriod of thirty-live years,
and was the onl3' successful candidate of his parly
on the State ticket at the late election. Consider-
ing the fact that the State was carried the j'ear [)re-
vious in the Presidential election, by a majority of
thirty'-live thousand in favor of the Re[iul.)licans,
the success of tjov. Boies may be said to liave been
a marked compliment to him as a man and a leader,
without disparaging the splendid canijiaign work of
his party managers, or ignoring the effect of the evi-
dent change in popular [lolitical sentiment in Iowa.

As a lawyer, (iov. ISoies has won prominence by
his ability and utll-gr(.iunded knowledge of law,
an earnest an<l conscientious regaid for the inter-
ests of his clients, and the confidence and respect
he never fails to command in addressing the court
or jury. His life has been a busy' one, and success
has been achieved by indefatigable industry, close
study, and strict integrity of character. He is not
a politician in the common acceptation of the term,
and the nominatic>n for Governor came to him un-
sought and was only accepted through a sense of
duty to the party with whose principles he was in
close sympathy. He enters upon the discharge of
his ofticial duties under peculiar circumstances, but
with the confidence of all parlies that his adminis-
tration will be able, honest and fair.

clv-^ — a>-

INTRODU0TOP{Y,

CHAPTER I.

ijj N Ihe annals of Monona Couuly, as the changes
|{ of but four decades are contemplated, one can
l\ scarcely realize O"- comprehend that these won-
derful results of Time's marvel-working hand are
the achievements of a period so brief and so recent
as to be within the remembrance of the present
generation.

Let us turn back, as it were, the leaves of Time's
great book, to about forty years ago, and the
stranger lingering in this portion of our beautiful
State, would have gazed upon a lovel}' landscape,
ground oft selected as a camping ground by the
Omahas or the Sioux, with that singular apprecia-
tion of the beautiful implanted by Nature in the
breast of nearly every savage. The wide-spread,
level bottom lands, the alluvi.al deposit of the tur-
gid Missouri River, and the strange -shaped angular
bluffs or rounded knolls, whose formation has puz-
zled the intelligent and thinking geologist, all clad
in their garb of verdure; wide stretches of wav-
ing grass, groves and masses of timb r, and through
the latter streaming the lovely creeks and rivers
that marked their devious courses, as with a silver
ribbon throughout its length and breadth; tall
waving grass, green as the emerald, dotted with
myriads of prairie blooms, meets the eye, but no
sign of civilization, no token of the white man's
presence is visible on either hand. All is in
its pristine state, fresh from the hand of Nature.
But what a contrast with the present! Now all
traces of the primitive are obliterated; in place of

the tall, reedy grass and spreading forest, one be-
holds the rich waving fields of golden grain; the
home of the deer, wolf and Indian has become the
head of tlie corn belt of Iowa. In place of the
dusky warrior's rude tepee are the substantial and
many times elegant dwellings of the thrifty farmers,
and the iron horse, swifter than the agile deer,
treads the pathway so recently the trail of the red
man. Then the sickle of fire annually cut away
the wild herbage, and drove to death the stag, the
elk and the bison ; now it is the home of the cereals
and nourishes upon its broad bosom millions of
bushels of the staple products of the great Hawkeye
State. Then the storm drove the wild wolf to his
lurking place; now the blast forces the herds of the
husbandman to the comfortable shelter piovided 1)3'
patient industry for their use. The transformation
could not be more complete.

It now becomes the pleasant task of the historian
to note down upon the pages of history the trials,
the troubles, the conquests of the hardy pioneers
who laid the foundation for these metamorphoses.
Lessening each year under the relentless hand of
death, the early settlers, who first broke the wa3' for
civilization, and planted the broad banner of pro-
gress on tlie virgin prairie and among the fertile
hills of Monona County, are fast passing awaj-.
Therefore it behooves us to gather from their lips
the tales of by-gone days which they alone can tell ;
tales of liow they, bold, adventurous pioneers, botli
men and women, leaving the friendly' shelter of the

164

MONONA COUNTY.

parental roof-tree, pushed out into this domain of
the wild beast and his scarcely less wild brother,
the red Indian, and here carved out for themselves
new homes and founded the new settlements on the
border of civilization.

In many cases their bent forms, furrowed brows
and hoary hair tell of the battle with trial and
hardship, the fight for life against want and peuui-y ;
hut the bright eye, the firm glance, tell that they
have conquered after a long strnggle, as only a
noble band of heroes could conquer. They, the
victors in the struggle, seem spared to sanctify the
homes that the}' have founded in this domain of
nature.

Their deeds deserve a niche in history, a tablet
that will long outlast the stately monuments of
stone or bronze that will sooner or later mark the
place where they will "sleep the sleep that knows
no waking," and to this end, their words have been
gathered from their lips, ere it is too late, that
future generations may have the advantages of
their example and life.

But forty years ago these now productive acres,
these rich grazing lands, these fertile and well-tilled
farms, were lying an unbroken wilderness, the hunt-
ing, and often the batile grounds of the wild abo-
rigine. But with the coming of the white man the
sun of progress dawned upou Monanu County, and
like the advance of day, its light has grown brighter
and lighter and stronger, until the broad noontide
of prosperit}- seems close at hand. As in the life
of man, the county had but a feeble existence in
its early daj's, but now, in the bright and lusty
strength of young manhood, it rejoices in its
might.

The soil vvas rich and productive, but what ster-
ling nerve and determination w.as required to make
this a suitable habitation for man, and to reclaim
to the uses of civilization its unbroken sod! To
turn their backs upon the older homes of their
race, with slender resources, as did most of these
heroic adventurers, w.as no light t.ask, and to them
belongs the crown of victory, for they have con-
quered Dame Nature in her wildest mood. The
present and future generations can hardly repay
them for their courage and for their trials and for-
titude in opening up this splendid section of

countr}', but they should be honored above men for
their acts and deeds of the olden time.

When the Sttitesman saves the Nation; soldier

stands the burning test;
Then the Nation p.a3's them proudly, with a medal

at] the breast;
But the pioneer with axe and jilow clears the way

for coming race —
Shall he then be forgotten, dying leave] nojasting

trace ?
Ills reward .^ Nor cross nor medal, but all others

high above.
They may wear more splendid symbols — they have

gained a |)eoi)le'3 love.

The study of the annals of the p.ast has, at all
limes and in all climes, claimed a large share of the
attention of the Intelligent] people.f To the sage
and scholar, poribg^over some vast and ponderous
tome, dusty with age and in .an almost forgotten
tongue, tothejnew beginner with his new and com-
prehensive comjiilation suited to his e.arlier 3'ears,
the pleasure drawn from its perus.al is perenni.al.
Men eminent in the domain of letters have divided
history into several classes, the most prominent of
which are, first, that which treats only of events;
the second, that which recognizes men, the living
actors in the world's great drama. The former of
these is but the dry bones of a fossil age, reft of all
life, and is, at best, but a synopsis of the more im-
portant actions that have crowded upon the stage
of the p.ast, a list of kings, rulers, dynasties .and
their various parts, and in which the people pl.ay
but a secondary role. The latter recognizes the
people, men in their broad humanity, clothed in the
flesh ; and the story of their deeds, has, in its re-
lation, all the fascination of romance, enchaining
the reader to its pages until the volume is finished
.and laid aside with a sigh. This form of history,
warm and p.alpitating as it is with the busy lives of
men who, like ourselves, have lived and moved
upon the world's broad surface, is the model after
which it has been the endeavor to compile these
pages. No narrow attempt to paint with partis.<in
pen the working of any party or creed, but setting
out in broad and comprehensive detail the actions
of those brave men and heroic women, who in the
early stages of this county's existence, played so
well " their parts upon the mighty stage."

MONONA COUNTY.

165

But before entering upon a history of man and
liis doings here, it were well to delineate the stage
and its setting that the scene may be familiar to
the stranger, as well as liira who dwells within the
hallowed precinct.

Jlonona County lies upon the widely-known
Missouri River in the western part of the great
State of Iowa, being in the fifth tier of counties
from both northern and southern boundaries. It
is twenty-four miles in breadth, north and south,
and an average of thirty miles in length east and
west. It embraces fifteen full congressional town-
ships and five that are fractional, containing in all
682 square miles, or 438,480 acres. A large por-
tion of the land lies in the great Missouri River
bottom, upwards of 165.000 acres being in the
valley in the western part, but a small portion of
which is subject to overflow during the periodical
high water seasons, and the most of it is suscepti-
ble of easy and high culture.

The eastern portion of .the county is a high, rolling
prairie, well watered and drained by the Maple and
Soldier Rivers, AVillow Creek and their numerous
affluents and tributaries, which meander with sil-
very course through wide, beautiful and extremely
fertile vaile}'s. These uplands end in abrupt
bluffs along the Little Sioux River, which traverses
the center of the county from north to south, and
which display the same uniform height and gen-
eral characteristics of tlie Missouri River bluffs.
Broken and uneven lands, cut up by ravines, are
found among these hills which are of little utility
for agricultural purposes, but are used as pasture by
the owners, with considerable profit. A more de-
tailed account of the topography and resources of
each township in the county is given in this vol-
ume further on, in connection with the history
thereof, to which the reader is referred.

Generally speaking the soil in llie vallej's is a
deep, black mould or a fine loam. In the Missouri
bottoms, low sand ridges are not uufrequently met

witii, which are the remains of bars formed l)y the
currents when the river occupied the whole width
of the valley fi'om bluff to bluff, in prc-historic
times. The bottom deposits are quite variable in
the character of their component materials, though
a fine, dark loam constitutes the gre.ater portion of
the surface soil. This is underlaid by sand and
gravel, and sometimes by silt and clay containing
large quantities of partially decayed wood and other
vegetable matter. The uplands are covered with a
brown humus-charged soil, with a sub-soil of the
light colored bluff deposit. Dr. Charles A. White,
the State Geologist, in his report thus speaks of the
geology of the country:

" The geological formations thus far known to oc-
cur at the surface in Monona County, belong to the
post tertiary period. The lower formations of the
cretaceous period doubtless once overspread the
entire area of Monona and adjacent counties, and
may, indeed, still underlie a considerable portion
of its area. At Blackburn's, below the mouth of
the west fork of the Little Sioux, in digging a
well, red clays were found at a depth of about
forty-five feet below the bottoms, which possibly
belong to the rocks of this series. Of the earlier
geological deposits not a vestige is exposed to view
within the limits of the count}'.

" The drift deposits outcrop at irregular eleva-
tions in the base of the bliiffs on the Missouri bot-
toms, gradually increasing! in elevation from the
south northward where they reach the heighth of
one hundred feet above the Missouri. These de-
posits include the blue clay and hard-pan Layers, and
above these are found the sandy claj's and gravel
beds of modified drift material.

'• No quarries of stone are found in the countj\
The material for brick making is abundantly sup-
plied by the surface deposit^. The local supply of
fuel is entirely dependent ion the forests, which,
thougii of comparatively limited extent, are amply
adequate for the present wants."

ORGANIZATION ACD GOYEf{NMENT,

CHAPTER II.

!h.'^ ONONA county was set off .ind estalDlisLed
as a separate county I)}' an act of tho legis-
lature in 1851, prior to which it had
formed a part of the county of Benton.
In the j'ear mentioned it was joined to tiie county
of Polk, with several others, for judicial election and
revenue purposes, and so remained until 1853.
when it was similarity attached to Harrison County.
The name o'iven it by the General Assembly is of
Indian origin.

In the spring of 1854, by order of the county
court of Harrison County, steps were taken toward
the organization of Monona County. An election
was held on the 3d of A()ril, of that vear, at which
the following named parties were chosen the first
officers of the new county, that then started on its
brilliant career. Charles B. Thomjison, County
Judge; George riinkeiilooper. Clerk of the Distiict
Court; Joiinson F. Lane, Siieriff; Hugh Lytic,
Treasurer and Recorder; Guy C. Barnum, Drain-
age Commissioner; Isaac Ashton, Prosecuting At-
torney; and Aaron Cook, Coroner. About twenty
b.allots were cast at this election. At that time the
county embraced one range of townships on tiie
eastward of its present territory, which now forms
a part of Crawford County. The result of the
first election was canvassed by Richard Humphreys,
Horatio Cnywood and G. A. Hart, residents of
Magnolia Township, Harrison County, appointed
for tlie purpose.

At that period the government of the county,

under the State law, was vested in a county court
composed of the county judge, clerk of the dis-
trict court and sheriff, and had most of the au-
thority and stood in the stead of the present Board
of Supervisors. Judge Thompson remained in
office until the fall of 1855. Of the proceedings
of his administration there is no record extant
among the books and papers of the county.

John Craig, the second County Judge w.as elected
in August, 1855, and the first term of his court
was held in September, of the same year. tSeveral
new precincts were organized during his term of
office. The first road in the county was laid out
in the fall of 1855, W. H. Wiley, being the com-
missioner to view and locate the same; the second
was laid out in the spring of 1S5G, James H. Siiaron
acting as commissioner. At the August term of
court, 1856, license to conduct a ferry across the
Missouri River, was granted to T. H. Ilinman, and
the rates or tolls fixed by the county judge.
Twenty-five cents conld be charged a foot passen-
ger; a man and a horse, fifty cents, and a two horse
team one dollar and fifty cents.

On the 17th of November, 185G, John Craig
resigned the office of county ju<lge, and the office
was under the charge of L. Sears until the election
and qualification of a successor at the regular
spring election.

D. E. Whiting was elected to fill this important po-
sition in April, 1857, and at once assumed charge of
the county's .affairs. During his administration the

MONONA COUNTY.

167

county seat was removed to Onawa, from Ashton,
as detailed in the annals of the former city, and an
attempt made to remove it to Belvidere which
proved abortive. At the term of court held on
the 5th of October, 1857, a general re-organization
of the various townships of the county was effected,
at which term there were made eight civil townships :
Boyer, Maple, Kennebec, West Fork, Ashton,
Franklin, Preparation and Belvidere'. The tirst
bridge was built during the fall of the same year
by F. A. L. Day for $750, and accepted by the
county judge and paid for by a warrant on the
Swamp Land Fund Jan. 4, 1858, (at same place
now called Stone Bridge, named after Almon Stone).

In the fall of 1859, J. C. Hazlelt was duly elected
to the office of county judge, and filled that office
until the 1st of .January, 1861. when the reins of
government were transferred to the Board of Super-
visors, in accordance with a law of the Eighth Gen-
eral Assembly. The county judge from that time
assumed a secondary place in the affairs of the
county, all powers being granted to the newly cre-
ated board then consisting of one member from
each election precinct or township.

The first session of the Board of Supervisors of
Monona County, was held at Onawa, commencing
Jan. 7, 1861. The following gentlemen were duly
qualified as represent.atives from their respective
townships: Alexander Allison, from West Fork; J.
R. Bouslangh, Maple; Addison Dimmick, Franklin ;
F. A. Day, Kennebec; T. II. Flowers, Belvidere; J.
A. Goodrich, Achton, and W. G. Myers, Boyer.
D. W. Butts was chosen to represent the township
of Preparation, but removing from the county,
prior to the organization of the board. Charles
Perrin was chosen to fill liis place. On taking their
seats, the fir.st action of the board was to elect J.
R. Bouslangh chairman of their meetings for the
ensuing year. On the 3d of April following T. II.
Flowers resigned his position as one of the supervis-
ors and Elijah Walker was chosen to fill the vacancy
and represent the townslnp of Belvidere. The
latter qualified June 3, 1861. During the fall of
the same year the removal of the county seat fi'om
Onawi^, to Belvidere was agitated, and ScptL'raber 3,
the Board of Supervisors passed an order submit-
ting the question to the qualified electors of the

county, but the measure of re-location was defeated
at the polls that fall.

The Board of Supervisors for the year 1862,
met on the 6th of January, when the following
gentleman appeared and answered roll call : Alexan-
der Allison, of West Fork; J. R. Bouslangh, Maple;

F. A. Day, Kennebec; Thomas H.ayes, Ashton; W.

G. Myers, Boyer; Elijah Walker, Belvidere; Row-
land Cobb, Preparation, and Addison Dimmick, of
Franklin. Mr. Bouslaugh w.as again chosen chair-
man. January 7, A. Dimmick resigned his seat on
the board and was succeeded by Addison Oliver.
During the summer of that eventful year, the board
in view of the Pike's Peak excitement and the
absence of some thirty of the citizens of the county
in the Union Army, both of which had drawn from
the defense of this section of the State nearly all
of the single and many of the married men, and
the country being justl}' alarmed by the accounts
of the horrid butcheries perpetrated by the Sioux
Indians in Minnesota, the Board of Supervisors of
Monona County memorialized the Governor of
Iowa, Samuel J. Kirkwood. This document de-
manded in a conciliatory manner, tiiat " the men
drafted in this county .and vicinity be either dis-
charged or stationed at a suitable point for the de-
fense of this county, or otherwise used for the defense
of the Northwest." Tiie next day a petition was
likewise sent to Lieutenant-Colonel H. C. Nutt for
arms .and equipments for two hundred men to arm
the militia.

January 5, 1863. the new board met for the first
time, and consisted of the following named indi-
viduals: J. R. Bouslaugh, F. A. Day, Thomas
Hayes, Rowland Cobb, C. Dunham, Addison
Oliver, James C. Crabb and Alexander Allison.
Mr. Bouslaugh was chosen Chairman for the en-
suing year. Several changes occurred in this board
b}- resignation — C. E. Whiting taking the place
of Mr. Allison, January 6; Adam Myers that of
Mr. Crabb, June 1st, and W. L. Erskine that of
Mr. Day, in October.

The road from Onawa to the bluffs on the
Little Sioux River was first agitated at a meeting
of this board and a committee appointed to look
into its fe.asibility and desirability, and it was
finally established in October, 1863. In November,

168

MONONA COUNTY.

by a resolution the board declared: " That in the
opinion of this board this comity ought to raise its
quota of troops, under the late call, by voluntary
enlistments and that to this end they deem it expe-
dient to offer a suitable county bounty, and there-
fore call for a mass meeting of tlie citizens to be
held Dec. 14, 1803, to take the matter into con-
sideration." At the meeting it was determined to
offer a bounty of «300, $60 on the acceptance of
the recruit and $20 per quarter tliereafter until
paid, and at the next meetino; of the board a
special tax of five mills was levied for tlio bounty
fund.

The board that came together Jan. 4, 1864, was
com[)osed of the following named gentlemen: J. K.
Bouslaugh, II. Erskine, Addison Oliver, F. A. Day,
Isaac Ashton, C. E. Wliiting, K. Cobli and C.
Dunham. Rowland Cobb was elected to the Chair.
On organization Mr. Oliver resigned his seat and
was succeeded by B. D. Holbrook, as supervisor
from Franklin. At the July terra of the board it
was determined to pay a bounty of $200 for tiie
enlistment of men in the service of the general
government engaged in the suppression of the
the rebellion, and Messrs. Holbrook and Whiting
were made a committee to engage some of the
Omaha Indians to take their place in the regiments
of the State.

Isaac Ashton, of Ashton; F. A. Day, of Belvi-
dere; II. B. Ernest, Boyer; A. Oliver, Franklin; J.
D. Woodward, Kennebec, J. R. Bouslaugh, Maple:
R. Cobb, Spring Valley; and C. E. Whiting, of
West Fork, foi'med the board that met for the first
time, Jan. 3, 186.5. The last named gentleman v.'as
chosen chairman. J. D. Woodward resigned his
place among the supervisors September 5, and A.
Oliver, upon the IGth of October, and were suc-
ceeded, the former liy H. D. Erskine and the latter
by H. E. Colby.

On the 1st of January, 1860, the board that con-
Tened consisted of C. E. Whiting, of West Fork;
H. E. Colby. Franklin; Rowland Cobb, Spring
Valley ; J. R. Bouslaugh, Maple; Addison Dim-
mick, Belvidcre; Abraham N. Bullock, Kennebec;
and Isaac Ashton, of Ashton. C E. Whiting was
the chairman for the year. During this adminis-
tr.\ti(ui the count}' was reorganized into townships

and several new ones formed, so that at the close
of the year there were the civil townships of Spring
Valley, Sherman, St. Clair. Belvidere, Franklin
Center, Kennebec, Ashton, Lincoln, Maple, Grant,
West Fork and Lake.

The first meeting of the board of Supervisors
with the representatives of the new townships in its
body was convened Jan. 4, 1867, when the follow-
ing answered to their names: Isaac Ashton of Ash-
ton: A. Dimraick, of Belvidere; J. R. Bouslaugh,
Center; B. D. Holbrook, Franklin; J. D. Wood-
ward, Grant; F. A. Day, Kennebec; Joseph Robin-
son, Lake; Benjamin Herring, Lincoln; W. L.
Ring, Maple ; Peter Reiley, Sherman ; D. W. Butts,
Spring Valley; J. L. Swinburne, St. Clair, and C.

E. Whiting, of West Fork. The last named was
placed in the Chair. The towns of Jordan and
Fairview wore organized by this board and the
name of St. Clair changed to that of Soldier. At
the October session J. A. Goodrich succeeded to
the place of Isaac Ashton, on the board, tlie latter
gentleman removing from the county that sum-
mer.

Jan. 6, 1868, the new board met and contained
the following gentlemen: J. T. Baggs, E. H. Bakke,
T. H. Flowers, J. A. Goodrich, B. D. Holbrook,
Benjamin Herring, J. K. Myers, Joseph Robinson,
J. L. Swinburne, J. D. Woodward, C. E. Whiting,
Peter Reiley, W. L. Ring, D. W. Butts, and J. R.
Bouslaugh. Judge Whiting was again elected
Chairman for the ensuing year.

The various Boards of Supervisors for the en-
suing years were composed of the following well
known gentlemen :

1869— B. D. Holbrook, J. K. Myers, Q. A.
Wooster, D. W. Butts, N. W. Harlow, D. T. Cutler,

F. F. Roe, J. A. Goodrich, J. T. Baggs, C. E.
Whiting, J. L. Swinburne, W. H. Stanley, Joseph
Robinson, and B. D. Holbrook. Mr. Goodrich
was elected to the Chair Jan. 4. Mr. Swinburne
died in October and was succeeded by W. F.
Burke.

1870 — J. A. Goodrich, James H. Cork, F. F.
Roe, B. D. Holbrook, W. H. Stanley, W. G. Ken-
nedy, J. K. Myers, Joseph Robinson, D. T. Cutler,
Q. A. Wooster, N. C. Harlow, W. F. Burke. D. W.
Butts, and C. E. Whiting. Mr. Wooster was

MONONA COUNTY.

169

chosen Chairman for tlie year. W. F. Burke
resigning June 6th, was succeeded on the board by
Junius Bionn.

1871 — The General Assembly had changed the
number and mode of election of the mcmbeis of
the Board of Supervisors, from one member from
each township to three cliosen at large by all the
county; the new board that convened, .Tan. 2,
1871, was formed of Collins A. Burnham, Willard
G. Kennedy and William Pclan. Mr. Kennedy
was elected Chairman for the year. At the April
session Mr. Pelan, having handed in his resignation
as a member of the Board, was succeeded by E. D.
Dimmick.

1872 — W. G. Kennedy, Chairman; E. D. Dim-
mick and John Patrick.

1873 — The same individuals.

1874 — W. G. Kennedy, Chairman; John Patrick
and N. B. Olson.

1875— W. G. Kennedy, Chairm.nn; N. B. Olson
and George M. Scott.

1876 — G. M. Scott, Chairman; N. B. Olson and
H. E. Colby.

1877— G. M. Scott, Chairman; II. E. Colby and

E. Wilber.

1878 — Same board; H. E. Colby, Chairman.

1879— G. M.Scott, Chairman; E. Wilber and S.
G. Irish.

1880— E. AVilber, Chairman; G. M. Scott and S.
G. Irish.

1881 — The same members, G. M. Scott in the
Chair.

1882— G. M. Scott, Chairman; E. Wilber, a.^d

F. McCausland.

1883— Fred. McCausland, Chairman; G. M.
Scott and J. D. Rice.

1884— J. D. Rice, Chairman; F. McCausland
and I. U. Riddle.

1 885— J. D. Rice, Chairman; I. U. Riddle and
J. K. McCaskey.

1886— J. K. McCaskey, Chairman; I. U. Riddle
and W. D. Crow.

1887 — The same as the preceding year.

1888—1. U. Riddle, Chairman; W. D. Crow and
D. A. Pember.

1889— W. D. Crow, Chairman; D. A. Pember
and I. U. Riddle.

National, State and County Representation.

CHAPTER III.

yHILE unwortlu' luen, at times, may force
themselves into office, it cannot but be
ly ^'J acknowledged that the great body of the
ofHceholders of the country are truly representative
men — men of positive force and character. They
are of the nuralier that build up and strengthen a
town, a county, or a State. In this chapter it is
designed to show wlio among the inhabitants of
tlie county have represented the people in National,
State or county office. First to begin with is:

CONfiRESSIONAL.

Wluni iMoiiona County was organized it became
a portion of the Second Congressional District, and
was represented in the National Council by John P.
Cook, in tlie 33d Congress. He was one of the
ablest lawyers in the State, and died at Davenport,
in April, 1872. He was succeeded by James Thor-
ington in the 34th Congress, and by Timothy
Davis, of Clayton County, in the 35tii Congress,
from 1857 to 1859.

In the 35th and 36th Congresses, from 1859 to
1862, William Vandever, of Dubuque, represented
this, the Second District, in the National Assembly,
arid gave eminent satisfaction to his constituents.

In 1862, Asahel W. Hubbard, of Sioux City, was
elected to Congress. He was a native of Connec-
ticut, born in 1817, who came from Indiana in
1857, and settled in wirit is now the " Corn Palace
City." He served through the38t]i, li'Jth and 40th
Congresses, and was succeeded in 186;! by (.'harles

Pomeroy, of Ft. Dodge. The latter served one
term.

The next representative in the National Assem-
bly was Jackson Orr, of Boonsboro, who was
elected in 1870. He filled the position with great
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his sup-
porters in the 41st, 42d and 43d Congresses, the
last term of the newly created Ninth District.

The successor of Mr. Orr in Congress was Judge
Addison Oliver, one of the early settlers and lead-
ing citizens of Monona County, a man whose inter-
ests have grown up with the development of this,
his home. A sketch of this prominent citizen is
given further on, giving in detail his life work in
this community. Mr. Oliver represented the Ninth
District of Iowa in Congress for four years, and
was succeeded by ex-Governor Cyrus C. Carpenter,
of Ft. Dodge. He held the office through the 46th
and 47th Congresses.

Isaac Struble, of Lemars, the present able repre-
sentative of this section of the State in the halls of
onr National Assembly', was elected in 1882, to
represent the newlj' formed Eleventh District, and
has been chosen his own successor at each succeed-
ing election.

GENEK.\L ASSEMBLY.

When this county was first organized, in 1854, it
became a part of llie Forty second Representative
District, and was represented in the Fifth General
Assembly, first by Thomas 15. Neely, of ILirrison

MONONA COUNTY.

171

County, but his seat was contested bj^ Green T.
Clark, to whom it was adjudged Jan. 4, 1855.
This assembly was first convened, Dec. 4, 1854.

The Sixth General Assembly met at Iowa City,
Dec. 1, 1856, and adjourned Jan. 29, 1857. Monona
County, as a part of the Twelfth Senatorial Dis-
trict, was represented in the upper house by James
I). Test; in the lower house by N. G. Wyatt. This
with the counties of Harrison, Shelb}', Woodbury
and eighteen others composed the Sixteenth Repre
sentative District.

In the constitutional convention which met at
Iowa City Jan. 19, 1857, and adjourned March 5,
1857, this district was represented by Daniel W.
Price.

On the lltlrof January, 1858, the Seventh Gen-
eral Assembly met at Des Moines, and adjourned
March 22 following. Tiiis county, then a portion
of the Twelfth District, was represented in the Sen-
ate by W. H. M. Pusey, of Council Bluffs. The
Fourteenth Representative District was represented
by Samuel H. Casady.

Tlie Eighth General Assembly met on the 8th of
Januar3", 1860, and contained in the Senate W. H.
M. Pusey as Senator, and J. W. Dennison as Rep-
resentat ve from this district. The members of
tlie legislative district had changed its number to
that of Forty-fifth.

John F. Duncombc, of Ft. Dodge, in the Senate
and William W. Fuller, in the House, represented
this district in the Ninth General Assembly, which
was convened for the first time Jan. 13, 1862. The
senatorial district was then known as the Tliirtj'-
second, and the representative as the Sisty-fourtli.

The Tenth General Assembl3-, which convened
at Des Moines, Jan. 11, 1864, and continued in
session until Marcli 29, following, contained among
its members George W. Bassett, in the Senate', and
Addison Oliver, of Onawa, in the House, as rep-
resentatives of this district.

Addison Oliver, of Monona County, in the Sen-
ate, and S. J. Comfort, in the House, represented
the interests of this district in the Eleventh Gene-
ral Assembly, which raet_ in conclave at Des
Moines, Jan. 8, 1866, and adjourned April 3, the
same year.

The Twelfth General Assembly, which convened

in Des Moines Jan. 13, 1868, and remained in sess-
ion until April 8 following, found Addison Oliver
stdl representing the Forty-sixth District, of which
Monona County formed a part, and Stephen Till-
son the member of the Sixty-tliird District in the
Chamber of Representatives.

Jan. 10, 1870, witnessed the assembling of the
Thirteenth General Assembly, and among the dele-
gates Charles Atkins, of Onawa, in the Senate, and
J. D. Miracle, in the Lower House, represented the
interests of the district of wiiich Monona County
formed a part.

The Fourteenth General Assembly which con-
vened Jan. 8, 1872, remained in session until
April 23. 1872. Charles Atkins continued to fill
the post of Senator from this district, the Forty-
eightli, and Charles G. Perkins, of Onawa, was the
Representative from the Fortieth Legislative Dis-
trict, composed of the counties of Monona, Audu-
bon, Shelby and Crawford.

The Fifteenth General Assembly met on the 12th
of January-, 1874, and adjourned March 18 follow-
ing. Monona County was represented in the Senate
by George D. Perkins, the editor of the Sioux City
Journal, and in the Lower House bj^ Edmund B.
Baird.

George D. Perkins in the Senate and George Rae
in the House, represented this district in the Six-
teenth General Assembly, which convened Jan. 10,
1876, and adjourned INIarch 16 following.

Jan. 10, 1878, the Seventeenth General Assembly
met, and Monona Countj^ was duly represented by
A. W. Ford in the Senate and Elijah Peake, of
Onawa, in the House of Representatives.

The Eighteenth General Assembly which con-
vened at Des Moines, Jan. 12, 1880, contained as
the representatives of the district of which Monona
County formed a part, A. W. Ford in the Senate and
Henry C. Laub in the House.

The Nineteenth General Assembly that con-
vened in January, 1882, contained as the repre-
sentatives of this district, T. M. C. Logan in the
Senate and Robert T. Shearer in the lower chamber.

Charles E. I Whiting, of Monona County, repre-
sented the interests of the district in the Senate and
Daniel Campbell in the House, in the Twentieth
General Assembly, which convened Jan. 18, 1884,

172

MONONA COUNTY.

and continued in session until April 2 of the same
3'ear. The Senatorial district, which was known
as the Forty-sixth, consisted of the counties of
Monona, Woodbury and Crawford, Monona County
alone constituted the Seventy-tliird Representative
District.

The Twonty-lirst General Assembly convened in
January, 1886, and contained as Senator from tliis
district C. E. Whiting, and in the House, W. F.
Wiley.

The Twenty-second General Assembly of the
State of Iowa convened at Des Moines in January,
1888, and this district was represented therein b}-
C. M. Whiting in the Senate and Ijy F. F. Roe
in the House of Representatives.

COUNTY JUDGE.

This office was the most important in tlie gift of
the people of the county, in an early day, it em-
bracing the duties now devolving to a great extent
upon the Board of Supervisors, Auditor and Court
of Proljate, together with the granting of marriage
licenses and other business.

The first to occupy this responsible position was
Charles B. Thompson, of Preparation, a history of
whom appears in the annals of that township. It
would seem that he kept no record of the transactions
of his court, for notlung of the kind is among the
county records. He was succeeded in August, 1854,
bi' John Craig, who occupied the office until Nov.
1856, when he resigned, and the place was filled by
L. Sears until the election, in April, 1857, of Charles
E. Whiting. Judge Whiting assumed the control
of the affairs of the county immediately after his
election, and found the matters of the county in
considerable confusion, but soon straightened them
out. He continued at the helm of government until
the fall of 1859, when he was succeeded by John C.
II.Mzlett. The latter was the last county judge un-
der the law that made him the head of tlie local
government, the office being shorn of many of its
duties, and superseded, Jan. 1, 1861, by the Board
of Supervisors. For some time after this the office
continued, and had jurisdiction in all probate mat-
ters and some kindred business.

The first under this law was J. R. Bouslaugh, who
fulfilled its duties until, at the end of his two years'

term, he was succeeded by Stephen Tillson, after-
wards one of the leading men of the district. In
1865 C. C. Bisbee was elected to this office, and
served for two j'cars. Elijah Peake was eliosen to
fill this position in 1867, and performed its duties
until Nov. 10, 1868, when, resigning, he was re-
placed by Herbert E. Morrison. The latter gen-
tlemen, appointed by the board Nov. 28, filled the
position until the 1st of January, 1869, when the
probate matters having been transferred to the cir-
cuit court, the office was abolished. The county
judge at the time of tlie change in the law was
made ex officio

COUNTY AUDITOR,

And thus H. E. Morrison became the first to occupy
that responsible'offlce. He remained in this capacity
until the 1st of January, 1870, when he was suc-
ceeded by John K. McCaskey, who was re-elected
his own successor in 1871, 1873, 1875, 1877, 1879
and 1881, occupying the office for fourteen con-
secutive years, well ,and faithfully performing all
the multifarious duties pertaining thereto. On the
1st of January, 1884, George A. Douglas, the pres-
ent Auditor, was inducted into the office, and was
re-elected to the same position in 1885 and 1887,

TREASURER AND RECORDER.

At the time that the county was organized, by a
law of tbe State these two offices were discharged
by one and the same person, and so continued for
several years. The first to occupj^ the dual office
was Hugh Lytle, who was chosen at the first elec-
tion in the spring of 1854, and re-elected at the
regular clecticm in August, 1855. He evidently re-
signed the office, for in April, 1856, William Bur-
ton was elected to fill the vacancy, and in August,
1857, was re elected for a full term.

C. H. Ilolbrook was Mr. Burton's successor,
having been cho.sen in the fall of 1859, and being
re-elected his own successor in 1861, served four.
years. .Tames Armstrong was elected to the double
office in 1863, and held it for about a year, when
the two offices became separated, after which he
served out the term in the most responsible and im-
portant of the two, that of

COUNTY TKEASUREK.

John E. Selleck was chosen by the qualified

MONONA COUNTY.

173

voters of the county to fill the position of Treasurer
ill 1865, and assumed the duties of the same at the
beginning of the following year. He served four
yeara. James Armstrong, in 1869, was again
elected to this office, and being re-elected in 1871,
was in office for a term of four years. W. L. Ring,
elected in 1873, next served one term, and was suc-
ceeded Jan. 1, 1876, by G. H. Br3'ant. The lalter
gentleman, a great favorite with the people, was
chosen his own successor in 1877, 1879 and 1881,
thus serving them iu this office for eight years.

H. N. Scott filled the office of Treasurer of
Monona County for two years from January, 1884,
and was succeeded in 1886 hy George E. Warner,
the present incumbent, who has continued to man-
age the finances of the count}- with ability and to
the satisfaction of the people ever since.

COUNTY RECORDER.

On the separation of this office from that of
treasurer in 1864, the people of Monona County
chose E. D. Dimmick to fill the position, and that
gentleman fulfilled the official duties of the place
for two years. John E. Selleck, at that time County
Treasurer, was elected to fill the office in 1866, and
again in 1868, and filled both positions at the same
time. In 1870 C. G. Perkins was elected to this
office and filled it until January 4, 1872. or one
year, when he resigned it, and the board of super-
visors placed it in the hands of James Armstrong,
then serving as treasurer. June 4, the same year,
tlie latter gentleman in turn handed in his resigna-
tion and C. G. Perkins was reinstalled in the office
I13' appointment of the board.

M. W. Bacon was chosen bj' the peoitle of the
county at the regular election in the fall of 1872
and entered upon his official duties January 1,
1873. In 1874, 1876, 1878 and 1880 the qualified
electors endorsed his action in this onerous office
by re-electing him thereunto, he thns serving in
this capacity for ten j'ears.

At the annual election in the fall of 1 882, L. D.
Bearce was chosen bj' the people to fill the vacancj'
then existing in the office of County Recorder, and
for the succeeding full term. Faithful in the dis-
charge of every duty devolving upon him, Mr.
Befirce has been chosen at the expiration of every

term of his office his own successor and is the pres-
ent incumbent of the position.

CLERK OF THE COURTS.

The first Clerk of the Courts, of Monona County,
was George Hinkenlooper, as appears by the rec-
ords, who was elected at the organization of; the
count}' in April, 1854. He seems never to have
served, or at least transacted but little l)usiness,'as
his successor, Andrew H.ail, vTas elected in August
of the same year. Of neither of them is there much
in the records, which are incomplete and unsatis-
factory for that period. In April, 1865, Andrew
G. Jackson was elected to this office and apparently
continued therein until the spring of 1857, when
he was succeeded by H. J. Hawley. The latter gen-
tleman remained in this position for three years
and was succeeded in the fall of 1859 by Charles
Atkins, who was elected to fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Mr. Hawle}-. Mr. Atkins,
one of Onawa's first and leading merchants, was
re-elected to the same official dignity in November,
1860, and served in all some three years.

W. H. AViley, elected Clerk of the Courts in the
autumn of 1862, served one term of two years and
was succeeded by T. Elliott. At the general elec-
tion of 1866 Mr. Elliott and H. E. Morrison eacii
received the same number of votes, and according
to the law for such cases made and provided, drevv
lots before the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Morri-
son won and was duly inducted into the office, but
onl}' served two years.

J. K. BIcCaskey was elected to fill the office in
1868, and in 1870. and 1872, although at the time
discharging the duties of the office of County Aud-
itor, was re-elected to the position of Clerk of the
Courts. At the annual fall election in the year 1 874,
W. R. Hanscom was elected to this office a.nd was
re-elected to the same in 1878. On the 2nd of
August, 1879, whila still in the discharge of his
duties, he was called away to "the land from whose
bourne no traveler ever returns," carrying with
him the regrets of the whole communit}-. The
Board of Supervisors appointed Charles H. Ald-
ridge to fill the vacancy, a choice which was in-
dorsed by the people of the county at the fall elec-
tion. Mr. AUlridge continued in this office by the

174

MONONA COUNTY.

will of his fellow-citizens for over seven 3'ears, but
in Januaiy, 1887, was succeeded by W. J. Maugh-
lin, the present Clerk, a younj^ man of remarkable
ability and promise.

SIIERIKK

At the primary election, on the organization of
the county, in April, 1854, the records disclose the
fact that Johnson F. Lane was chosen Sheriff of the
infant county. In August, 1855, Guy C. Baruura,
a well-known character of those days, was placed
in this oflice but did not occupy it long. At the
election in April, 1858, Francis C. Case was chosen
Sheriff, but in the few days intervening between
that time and the installation of officers, died, and
E. R. Pierce was appointed to fill the vacancy, and
held tlie ollice until the election, in October follow-
ing;, of John A. Hittle, his successor. The latter
named gentleman continued in office until i 8G6,
when he in turn gave way to E. R. Pierce, who was
succeeded two years later by W. A. Grow. lu
1869 Mr. Pierce was again elected Shei'iff and
served another term of two years. J. K. ]\Jyers,
elected Sheriff in 1871, filled the ofHce until Octo-
ber 20, 1871, when he resigned and was succeeded
by James Walker, who was appointed by tlie board
to nil the vacancy. At the election of 1875 this
choice was justified by the people, who re-elected
Mr. Walker to the same oflice in 1877. 1879, 1881
and 1883.

L. D. Kittle, the present Sheriff of Monona
County, was first chosen to fill that office in 1885,
and again in 1887.

COUNTY SDPEllINTENDENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

Prior to the institution of County Superintend-
ents some of the affairs of the educational depart-
ment of the Government were entrusted to an offi-
cer known as the School Fund Commissioner.
The first to fill this position in the county was
Isaac Davis, who was elected in 1856. Timothj^
Elliott was chosen to discharge the duties of the
office in 1857.

The office of Superintendent was created in 1858,
and the work and duties made the same as at the
present day, visiting schools, holding examinations
and looking after educational matters generally.

The first to fulfill the functions of the office was
C. C. Bisbee, whose term commenced in April,
1858. Hugh Lytle was elected the successor of
Mr. Bisbee and served two years from the fall
of 1859. Richard Stebbins was the nest incum-
bent of the office, then of more honor than profit,
serving from 1861 to 1864. At the election of
1863 W. L. Ring was elected Superintendent, but
not qualifying, the Board of Supervisors appointed
H. L. Erskine to till the vacancy, which he did until
the following January, when he was succeeded by
C. C. Bisbee. This gentleman served three years.
W. A. Dorward was chosen at the election of 1865,
but he not having been fully naturalized at the
time was incapacitated from holding the office, and
J. S. Maughlin was appointed to fill the vacancy.
In 1867 Elder Maughlin was duly elected to fill
the same office by the people of the countj-, and
advanced the cause of education perceptibly dur-
ing his four years' occupancy of the position. W.
A. Greene, now the senior editor of the Sentinel,
was elected to this office in 1869 and served two
years. His successor was Miss Sarah Fulton, who
was first elected in 1871 and re-elected in 1873,
and filled the office acceptably for four years. Rv.v.
C. N. Lyman, the Pastor then as now of the Onawa
Congregational Church, was the next incumbent
of this very important office, being first elected in
1875 and again in 1877. J. G. Iddings, elected in
1879 and in 1881, served four years as Superinten-
dent and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Lj-man.
F. P. Fisher was chosen by the people to fill this
office in 1885 and after two years of service was
succeeded Jan. 1, 1888, by B. F. Ross, the present
efficient and energetic Superintendent of the Com-
mon Schools of Monona County.

COUNTY SURVEYOR.

J. H. Wagner was elected county surveyor in Au-
gust, 1854, thus being the first to fill that office in
this county. He was succeeded b^- Samuel Scott,
who served for two years. J, H. Sharon was elected
in 1857, and two years later was followed by Jo-
seph Dungan. 1861 witnessed the election of Levi
Smith, who was followed the next year by C. C.
Bisbee. C. H. Holbrook was the next incumbent
of this office, first being elected in 1863, and re-

MONONA COUNTY.

175

elected in 1865 and 1867. Joseph Diingan served
during the year 1870 and 1871. George Atldns
was chosen in the fall of 1871 to fill this position,
and held it until September 3, 1873, when he re-
signed and was succeeded by J. B. P. Day. At the
fall election following C. H. Holbrook was elected
to this office again, but was succeeded Jan. 1, 1876,
by Mr. Day. George Atkins was again the occu-
pant of the office in 1878 and 1879, and J. B. P.
Day of the j'ears 1880, 1881 and 1882, resigning
the latter part of the last named year. George At-
kins was chosen to fill the vacancy. C. W. Bisbee
was Surveyor for 1884 and 1885, and F. E. Colby
during the years 1886 and 1887. C. W. Bisbee,
the present County Surveyor, was elected this time
in the fall of 1887.

DRAINAGE COMMISSIONER.

The following named gentlemen have filled the
office of drainage commissioner — an office abol-
ished in 1871 ; Guy C. Barnum, from 1854 to 1857 ;

James H. Sharon, two years; James Armstrong,
four years; J. A. Scott, in 1 864^'andjl 865 ;" James
Armstrong in 1866 and 1867; D. M. Dimmick,
two years; and John Jeffcoat, two years.

COUNTY CORONER.

The first to be elected to this office, important in
many respects, was Aaron Cook, in April, 1854;
H. C. Moyt, chosen in 1854, served 'two years;
George Erb, one year; N. G. Wyatt, one year; J.
A. Scott, several years, and F. F. lloe. two years.
In the fall of 1867 Dr. R. Stebbins was elected to
this ollice and continued to hold it by the will of
the people for ten years. D. Handel, D. H. Mc-
Kown, H. Noble, D. H. McKown, and D. Rust,
each served one terra, and were succeeded in 1886
by C. M. Smith, the present incumbent of the (iflice.

COUNTY ATTORNEY,

An office created in 1886, h.as been filled — first, by
H. Crissman, and at the present by C. E. Under-
hill, the latter elected in 1888.

OTHER OFFICIAL MATTERS.

CHAPTER IV.

.^^ROUPED together in this chapter will be
ill ^— , found various items of information and
^^[l interest gathered from tlie count}' records,
and from other widely scattered sources, that seem
to fill no special niche in history, but which left un-
told would sadlj' mar the completeness of the
whole.

POPULATION.

In 1854, the first year* of this county's exist-
ence, there were 202 inhabitants credited to it in
the State census, as then constituted, of whom 109
were males and ninety-three of the gentler sex. In
1860 there were 832; in 1865, 1,09G; in 1870,
3,654; in 1875,5,967; in 1880, 9,055, and in 1885
there were no less than 12,147 inhabitants in the
county, by the State censu.s. If the same percent-
age of increase has been made in the five years
succeeding the last enumeration, which is not un-
reasonable, Monona County has at the present
writing upward of 18,000 people, an extremely
large portion of whom are American born, only
657 being of foreign birth at the time of the enu-
meration of the census of 1885, while 10,521 were
native born.

MARRIAGE RECORD.

By the laws of this State a license to marry has
always been required, and a record kept of the
contracting parties. Probably some within the
limits of the county were united i'.i matrimonj'
previous to the organization of the county, but

such will be found tp have been mentioned in the
proper connection.

In those early days young men and maidens
were not married in the grand style that character-
izes the marriages of the present time. Times
were different, and there was no waiting for the
arrival of riches before assnming^the matrimonial
responsibilities. Old folks were plain, economical
and hospitable, and the young people were imbued
with the same spirit as their parents. They were
willing to go to housekeeping in a style correspond-
ing with their means, trusting to the future for
larger houses and more expensive furniture.

There are many amusing q,necdotes connected
with some of the earlier weddings; one of these,
which has been called to mind by an old resident
of the county, is worthy of recital. It is said that
upon one occasion, in the "early fifties," a .young
and unsophisticated couple sought out, in one of
the incipient villages of this locality, the party au-
thorized to tie the hymeneal knot. A well known
citizen, a wag, by way of a practical joke, referred
them to the Postmaster, saying that the govern-
ment authorized that official to act upon such oc-
casions. When the custodian of the mails was in-
terviewed by the embarrassed pair, he disclaimed
any knowledge of such authority, but added, that
as he had not been loQg in the employment of the
government, was not quite " up to snuff'; but if
the gentleman who sent them there said that he
could, he supposed it was true. Accordingly the

MONONA COUNTY.

177

blushing couple were ranged up in front of the
Postmaster, a young and gay bachelor, who in the
most approved style impressed them with the so-
lemnity of the occasion, warned them to " let no
man put asunder what he had j'ined," and in
closing pronounced them Mr. and Mrs., etc., ac-
cording to the postal laws of the United States.
"And you may now go in peace — only $1 apiece,
please."

The first marriage of which there is any record
is found in the journal of the county court. The
license was issued Nov. 6, 1855, to Gabriel Lang
and Hannah Isabel Van Dorn, and the parties
were united in marriage the same day by John
Craig, the county judge.

The second license was issued Nov. 13, 1855, to
Robert Jamison and Emily Folck, and the cere-
mony performed the same day by the county
judge.

Next followed licenses granted to the following
parties:

Charles Cobb and Louisa Smith, Dec. 5, 1855,
married the same day by "his honor."

Alhert Clemmons and Matilda Lane, Jan. 9, 1856 ;
united the same day by the judge.

Thomas Gwin and Catherine Sumner, Jan. 9,
1856; married the same day by Judge Craig.

Franklin W. Brooks and Martha Roberts, Jan. 9,
1856, the ceremony being performed by the same
official.

Ivan Lytle and Nancy E. Younger; marriage
ceremony performed Jan. 11, 1856, by W. II. Wil-
sey, Justice of the Peace.

Samuel King and Louisa Morrell, May 4, 1856;
married the same day by W. H. Wilsey, Justice- of
the Peace.

Francis C. Case and Esther Davis, Dec. 22, 1856 ;
ceremony performed Christmas day, by L. Sears,
Justice of the Peace.

William Bower and Maria Craney, July 10, 1856 ;
married the same day by John Craig, Count}'
Judge.

L. D. Wellington and F^lizabeth Lee, Dec. 24,
1856; married the same day by Timothy Elliott.

William Burton and S. M. Van Dorn, Dec. 30,
1856.

Licenses for the year 1857 were granted to the

following named couples upon the dates mentioned:

J. B. Gard and M. A. Kratz, Jan. 26. |

Abel Perry and Nancy Porter, March 2.

John C. Watts and Rachel Vanzant, Sept. 1 7.

Homer G. Kelsey and Mary A. Goodhue, Dec. 26.

This comprises all the marriages for that year, j
and the number rather decreased the next year, for
we find that in 1858 the following only were licensed
to wed :

John A. Hittle and Caroline Ashton, April 9, the J
ceremony being performed by C. E. Whiting,
County Judge, April 11.

Jolui Jones and Sarah J. Cook, June 21, the
same party officiating, on the 22nd.

Conrad Engleman and Virginia C. Williams,
August 5, married on the same daj^ by the Judge.

James H. Sharon and Amanda VanDorn, married
by Otis Warren, August 21, the license being dated
the same daj'.

Thomas Chapman and Nellie A. Billings and
Richard Stebbins and Mary I. Billings were united
in marriage, at the court-house, Januar}' 17, 1859.
by George G. Rice, the license being granted the
same day.

The only other license issued that j'ear was one
to Stephen Tillson and Esther R. Case, January 4,
the ceremony being performed on the 5th, Timoth}'
Elliott officiating.

The licenses for the year 1860 were granted on
the dates mentioned to the following-mentioned
candidates for matrimony:

Edwin Berge and Frances Burgot, .laniiary 24.

Jo.';oph l>unganand Ruth Morgan, March 3.

James C. Crabb and Anna C. Lytle, May 5.

Daniel W. Sampson and Hannah F. Oliver,
May 24.

C.W. Metcalf and Helen L. Hathaway, August 18.

George M. Scott and Maria II. Cobb, Septem-
ber 14. :

Samuel Heisler and Mary Merrill, November 16.

John Rounds, Jr., and Amy W.Jordan, Novem-
ber 24.

Charles Atkins and Mary R. Sears, December 1.

James Armstrong and Margaret L. Cleghorn,

December 1.

178

MONONA COUNTY.

Seth Smith and Hannah Bayliss, December 8.

Licenses were granted in 18G1 to

Dennis Butts and Julia Nutt, January 5.

Joseph Robinson and Margaret Fegenbusli, Jan-
uary 7.

Henry Heisler and Mary Elizabeth Maynard, Jan-
uary 7.

EiUvard Winegar and Mary Jane Anderson, Feb-
ruary 19.

Mosiah Winegar and Martha D. Outhouse,
Marcii 7.

Roclvwell Jewell and Mahala Folck, May 15.

C. H. Holbrook and Jane Fairchild. June 12.

John A. Heisler and Clarissa Wilsoy, June 15.

Jacob (Chopper and Caroline Cooley, July 16.

John Q. AdamsandP]liza J. McCleery, August 13.

M. V. B. Nute and Margaret Boiislaugh, Septem-
ber 9.

Joshua Lane and Emma M. Younger, October 1 7.

Hart D. Warren and Mary J. Ayers, October 18.

Hiram B. Ernst and Hannah Jordan, Novem-
ber 9.

Joseph B. P. Day and Sophia E. Thomas, No-
vember 20.

But five licenses were granted during the year
1862, the absence of the younger men from the
county serving with the Union Army, and the gen-
eral depressed state of everything, affecting the
matrimonial market. The following is the record
of that 3'ear :

Robert McCleery and Elizabeth F. Doud ; Daniel
Folck and Eliza A. Case; Mosiah Winegar and
Catherine Gwinn; Omer Lytle and Frances Lane,
and Luther 'M. Morton and Tempty A. Folck. The
marriage of Mosiah Winegar and Catherine Gwinn
■was performed January 21, 1863, by John Thomas,
who signed himself "Elder of the Church of Jesus
Christ of the Latter Day Saints," the only time
this denomination is so recognized upon the reeoi'ds.

These names are suflicient. Most of them will be
recognized as those of prominent early settlers, and
those who have taken a considerable part in the
developement of Monona County. Herewith is ap-
pended a table showing the number of marriages
during each year that has elapsed since the begin-
ning of the record:

1 855 .

1 856 .

1857 .

1858.

1859.

1860 ,

1861.

1862.

1863

1861.

1865

1866.

1867.

1868.

1869

1870.

1871

■1

19
41
37

1872 40

1873 52

1874 49

1875 68

1876 81

1877 68

1878 82

1879 75

1880 107

1881 87

1882 110

1883 114

1884 Ill

1885 113

1886 131

1887 127

1888 133

Total 1,810

CIVIL TOWNSHIPS.

Monona County is divided into twenty civil
townships, bearing the following names: Ashton,
Bolvidi're, Center, Cooper, Fairview, Franklin,
Grant, .lordan, Kennebec, Lake, Lincoln, Maple,
Onawa City, St. Clair, Sherman, Sioux, Soldier,
Spring Valley, West Fork and AVillow. A detailed
history of each of these, together with the town and
village therein contained, will be given further on
in this volume.

SURVEYS.

As an item of little known interest, the date of
the various Government surveys made in the county
are here given, and are authoritative and authentic.

The south Hue of the county was surveyed July
11, 12 and 13, 1851.

Townships 82, 83, 84 and 85, ranges 42 and 43,
had their outer lines run from July 13, to Aug. 7,
1 85 1 .

Townships 82, 83, 84 and 85, ranges 44, 45, 46
and 47, were laid out as such by surveys between
Nov. 13 and 30, 1851.

Between Oct. 19 and Nov. 13, 1852, the section
lines in townships 83, 84 and 85, range 45 were
surveyed. From March 29 to April 5, 1853, the
surveyors were busy running the section lines
in township 85, range 45, township 82, range 42,
and townshii)s 82, 83 and 84. range 43, had the sec-
tion lines run between May 9 and June 12, 1853.
Township 85, range 43, and townships 83, 84 and

MONONA COUNTY.

179

85, range 44 were surveyed into sections between
Deo. 14, 1852, and Feb. 3, 1853. The section lines
of township 82, ranges 44 and 45, were run between
the 27th of January, and the 17tli of February,
1853. 82, 83, 84 and 85, range 46, and 84 and 85,
range 47, were divided into sections between Oct.
28, and Dec. 16, 1852. And the section lines that
divide townships 83, 84 and 85, range 42, were run
between iSept. 20. and Oct. 20, 1855.

Through some error in the survey of townships
83 and 84, range 44, they had to be surveyed over.

and are known as the "Lost Townships." B3' this
means, when the balance of the county, except
Cooper, Soldier and .St. Clair, were placed on the
market, the Lost Townsiiip settlers could not pur-
chase at private sale, and could only be reache<l
through pre-emptions until June, 1858, when they
were at last opened for sale. At the same time the
towns of Soldier, St. Clair and Cooper were opened
for settlement. The land ofHce was at Council
Bluffs, and thither the pioneers were compelled to
go to file and prove up their claims.

POLITICAL.

CHAPTER V.

SI N no way can the political history of Monona
County be more fully and authentically laid
before the reader, than by the presentation of a
full and complete abstract of the vote of the peo-
ple for the various years since the organization of
the county up to and including the present one.
These are each taken froQi the various official rec-
ords of the county, and are therefore correct, and
their arrangement for convenience of reference will,
no doubt, be appreciated.

On the 3d of April, 1854, an election was held
for the purpose of organizing the county, of which
there is no olHcial record of the vote, which was,
doubtless quite small. The following were elected
county officers: Charles B. Thompson, County
Judge; George Ilickenlooper, Clerk of the District
Court; Johnson F. Lane, Sheriff; Hugh Lytle,
Treasurer and Kecorder; Guy C. Barnura, Drain-
age Commissioner; Isaac Ashton, Prosecuting At-
torney; and Aaron Cook, Coronqr. In Ashton
Township, Josiah .Sumner, Isaac Ashton and J. B.
Gard were chosen as Trustees; L. D. Driggs and J.
B. Gard, Justices of the Peace; Aaron Cook, Clerk;
L. D. Driggs, Assessor; and Josiah Sumner and
Marion Owens, Constables. Andrew Hall and
Nelson Messenger, were at the same time elected
Justices of the Peace in and for the precinct of
Preparation.

KLEOTION, AU(4UST 7. 1854.

Clerk District, Court.
Andrew Hall, no opposition. . . .26 — 26

Prosecuting Attorney.,

Amos S. Chase 24 — 22

Jehial Savage, 2

County Sarfpyor,

J. H. Wagner 33— 33

Coroner,
U. C. Hoyt 25— 25

ELECTION, APIill, 2, 1855.

Clerk District Coitrt,

Andrew G. Jackson, no opposition
37— 37

Prosecuting Attorney,

Jehial Savage 25 — 6

Horace J. Hawley, 18

H. B. Hawley 1

ELECTION, AUGDST, 1855.

County Judge,

John Craig 31 — 7

Isaac Ashton 24

Sheriff,

Guy C. Barnum 31 — 7

John Thomas 1

Francis S. Case 13

Treasurer and Recorder,

Hugh Lytle 31— 7

Lorenzo D. Driggs 24

MONONA COUNTY.

181

Coroner,

Homer C. Hoyt 31— 7

Josiah Sumner 24

County Surveyor,

Samuel Scott 31— 10

H. J. Ilawley 21

ELECTIOX, APRIL, 1856.

Treasurer and liecorder,

William Burton 53 — 28

J. H. Pearce 24

Daniel Lalaud 1

School Fund Commissioner,

Isaac Davis 48— 19

C. B. Thompson 29

ELECTION, NOVEIIBER 4, 1856.

This was the first presidential election held. The
voting place was a little log cabin, southwest quar-
ter section 7, 84, 44. The ballots were cist in a
tin match box.

Fremont 47

Buclianan 58 — 1 1

Fillmore 13

ELECTION, APRIL 6, 1857.

County Judge,

C. E. Whiting, no opposition. 134 — 13;4

Drainage Commissioner.

J. B. P. Day 40

James H. Sharon 80— 31

J. H. Kelsey 9

School Fund Commissioner,

Timothy Elliott 109— 86

J. Wiley 21

Daniel Laland 1

More 1

Assessor,

S. S. Pearce 48

Joseph Dungan 86 — 38

On the question of passing the Hog Law :

For the Hog Law 82— 76

Against the Hog Law 6

ELECTION, AUGUST 3, 1857.

County Judc/e,

Leonard Sears 60

C. E. Whiting 73— 13

N. G. Wyatt 45

N. G. Weyatt 1

Treasurer and Recorder,
William Burton 96— 27

D. G. Banner C7

John A. Hittle 2

Sheriff',

Hugh Lytle 105— 32

John A. Hittle 73

Coroner,

George Erb 102— 32

Isaac Ashton 34

Hugh Lytle 31

Timothy Elliott 1

Theodore Smith 4

County Surveyor,

James H. Siiaron 167 — 166

M. Olmsted 1

ELECTION, OCTOBER 13, 1857.

Governor.

Ralph P. Lowe 102—30

Ben M. Samuels 72

Lieutenant Governor.

Orrin Faville 103—29 ■

George Gillaspy 74

On the question of increasing salary of Treas-
urer:

For such increase 73 — 48

Against 25

ELECTION, APRIL 5, 1858.

On the question of relocating the county seat:

For Onawa 130—31

For Ashton 99

Sheriff.

Francis C. Case 134—41

.John A. Hittle 93

For Superintendent of Schools.
Chas. H. Bisbee 215

182 MONONA

Coroner.

N. G. Wyatt 203—201

Dauiel Lalaud 1

II. E. Colby 1

ELECTION, JUNE 28, 1858.

On the adoption of a general State I'.anking law:

For the afloi)tion of the law 39 — 14

Against 25

On the question- of establishing the State Bank
of Iowa:

In favor of tlie bank 61—49

Against 12

On the question of appropriating 13,000 of the
Swamp Land Fund for building roads and bridges:
In favor of the appropriation .... 44 — 22
Against 22

ELECTION, OCTOBER 12, 1858.

Secretary of State.

Elijah Sells, R 77—

Samuel Douglas, D 79 — 2

State Treasurer.

John W. Jones, R 77 — 17

Samuel L. Lorah, D 60

State Auditor.

J. W. Cattell, R 77—1 1

T. S. I'arvin, D 66

Commissioner, Des Moines River Improvement.

William E. Deake, R 77

Charles Baldwin, D 80— 3

Amos B. Miller, R 78

James M. Reid, D 79 — 1

Attorney General.

Samuel A. Rice, R 81 — 20

J. M. Elwood, D 61

Representative in Congress.

W. E. Leffingwell, D 81— 3

Wm. Vaiidevecr, R 78

Judge, District Court.

A. W. Hubbard, R 66

N. G. Wyatt, D 88—22

COUNTY.

District Attorney.

O. C. Howe 79—

E. D. Thompson 79

Member Board of Education.

J. S. Cole 106—54

D. E. Brainard 52

Clerk <if District Court.

H. J. Hawley 95—44

Charles Atkins 46

Theodore Smith 4

F. A. Day . . 1

Sheriff.

John A. Hittle 70—27 pi.

E. R. Pierce 43

F. W. Snow 41

F. A. Day 1

On the question of increasing salaries of County
Judge, Clerk of the Court and Treasurer:

For the increase 95 — 39

Against 56

On question of re-deeding to Isaac Asliton un-
sold lots in Ashton ;

For re-deeding 151 — 151

Against

ELECTION, OCTOBER 11, 1859.

Governor.

Samuel J. Kirkwood, R 99

Augustus C. Dodge, D 113 — 14

Lieutenant Governor.

N. J. Rusch, R 99

L. W. Babbitt, D 113—14

Representative, Legislative.

V. B. Crooks 98

J. W. Dennison 112—13

Scattering 1

Clerk of District Court.

Charles Atkins 150—97

John A. Forgens 52

Kratz 1

Sheriff.

John A. Hittle 11 7—37

T. II. Flowers 72

Scattering 8

MONONA COUNTY.

183

Count u Jurjge.

C. E. WhiUng 99

J. C. Hazlett 111—12

Drainage Comm issioner.

J. Armstrong 156 — 103

F. W.Day 51

J. C. Armstrong 1

J. C. Hazlett 1

County Surveyor.

Joseph Dnngaii 131 — 52

C. C. Bisliee 77

Thomas Duugan 1

H. Lytle 1

ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1859.

Coroner.

James A. Scott 185 — 171

Amasa Briggs 11

Scattering 3

Treasurer and Recorder.

C. H. Holbrook 117—27

S. Tillson 48

William Wing 8

W. Wing 3

W. S. Wing 2

William L. Wing 24

C. Holbrook 3

C. C. Holbrook 1

Tillson 1

Superintendent of Common Schools.

Hugh Lytle 1 14—27

A. R. Wright 82

Scattering 5

On the question of the repeal of the hog law:

For repeal 31

Against 45 — 14

ELECTION NOVEMBER (5, 1860.

President.

Abraham Lincoln, R 109— 18

Stephen A Douglas, U. D 89

John C. Breckenridge, S. D. . . 2
Secretary of State.

Elijah Sells, R 109— 18

John M. Corse, D 91

Auditor of State.

J. W. Cattell, R 109— 18

George W. Maxfield, D 91

Treasurer of State.

John W. Jones. R 109— 1»

John M. Ellis, D 91

Attorney General.

C. C. Nourse, R 1 09— 1 8

William McClintock, D 91

A. B. Miller, R 98

Patrick Robb, D 1 02— 4

Judge of Supreiue Court.

G. G. Wright, R 109— 18

Daniel F. Miller, D 91

Member of Congress.

William Vandeveer, R 109— 20

Ben M. Samuels, D 89

Clei-k District Court.

Charles Atkins 155 — 111

James C. Crabb 38

Scattering 6

On the Question of Repealing the Hog Law,

For repeal .' 74

Against 7 7 — 3

For repeal in twelve months. . . 16

ELECTION, OCTOBER 8, 1861.

For Governor.

S. J. Kirkwood, R 135— 49

W. H. Merritt, D 80

Scattering 6

Lieutenant Governor.

J. R. Needham, R 136— 50

Lauren Dewey, D 86

Judge Supreme Court.

Ralph P. Lowe, R 136— r

J. M. Elwood, D 83

Reuben Noble D

J. M. Merrill 1

Member Legislature.

J. C. Hazlett 102— 1

W. W. Fuller 101

C. Dunham 13

184

MONONA COUNTY.

On tlic (Question of Relocating the County Seat at
Belvidere.

In favor of locating it at Belvidere . 104
In favor of leaving it at Onawa. . . .119 — 15
Counhj Judge.

J. R. Bouslaugh 112-

C. C. Bisbee 96

Scattering 4

Treasurer and Recorder.

C. H. Ilolbrook 149-

J. B. P. Day 62

J. Crabb 12

J. P. Day 5

Drainage Cornm issioner.

James Armstrong 139 — 52

A. A. Davis 87

tSheriff.

J. A. Ilittle 120-

J. M. Kelsey 8.5

Scattering 11

Cou)ity Surveyor.

Levi Smith 87-

J. Dungan 60

Scattering 16

Coroner.

James A. Scott, no opposition . . 204 — 204

Superintendent Common Schools.

Richard Stebbins 106—

F. F. Roe 103

Scattering 2

On Question of Repealing the Hog Law.

For repeal 107-

Aguingt 92

ELECTION, OCTOBER 14, 1862.

Secretary of State.

R. H. Sylvester, D 101

James Wright, R 126-

Auditor of State.

John Brown. D 103

J. W. Catiell, R 125— 22

Treasurer of State.

Samuel L. Lorah, D 1 03

W. H. Holmes, R 125— 22

Attorney General.

Benton J. Hall, D 103

C. C. Nourse, R 125— 22

Jieyister State Land Office.

Fred. Gottschallc, D 102

J. A. Harvey, R 125— 23

Member of Congress.

John F. Duncomlie, D 71

A. W. Hubbard 155— 84

Jrahje of District Court.

-lohn Currier, D 100

Isaac Pendleton, R 128— 28

District Attorney.

H. C. Crautoj-d 38

Henry Ford 148—106 •

Jacob Smith 4

Member of Board of Education.

W. J. Wagoner 102_101

Cornelius Dunham 1

Clerk of District Court.

W. H. Wiley 168—140

Jno. Craig , 13

George P>rb 1

Chas. Atliins 1

J. A. Ileisler 13

County Surveyor.

C. C. Bisliee. 68— 67

Joseph Dungan 1

On the Question of Removing the County Seat to
Areola.

For remov.al 100

Against Removal! 123 — 23

On tlie Question of Making a Hog Law.

For tlie law 135 — 57

Against the law 88

On Ratification of Swamp Land Contract.

For ratification 162—106

Against 56

On Question of Increase of County Tax.

For increase 13

Against increase 1C6 — 153

MONONA

COUNTY.

B. D. Ilolbrook, D 95

Attorney General.
I. L. Allen, R 123—34

C. M. Dunbar, D 89

Judge Suprpmc dimrt.

C. C. Cole, R 123—34

T. M. Monroe, D 89

Member of Congre.ss.

Asahel W. Hubbard, R 125—39

Leander Chapman, D 86

Clerk of District Court.

Timothy Elliott 116—16

W. H. Wiley 96

diaries Atkins 4

County Recorder.

E. D. Dimmick 121—26

J. B. Ira - 95

SuperintemJent of Schools.

C. C. Bisbee 1 30—1 1

John Elwell 2

W. L. Phillips 2

J. A. Goodrich 16

ELECTION OCTOBER 10, 1865.

Coronei-.

William M. Stone, R 115

Thomas H. Benton, D 138—22

G. S. Baily 1

Lieutenant Governor.

B. F. Gue, R 130—8

W. W, Hamilton, D 121

L. W. Babbitt 1

Judge Supreme Court.

George G. AVright, R 131—9

H. H. Tnmble, D 122

State Senator.

Addison Oliver (no opposition)205 — 205

Representative, General Assembly.

W. .J. Waggoner 98

8. J. Comfort 143—45

185

ELECTION OCTOBER 11, 1863.

Coroner.

W. M. Stone, K 99— 4

James M. Tuttle, D 95

Lieutenant (Jr'iicral.

E. W. Eastman, K 102- 14

John F. Duncombe, U 88

Judge Supnonc Court.

John F. Dillon, R 96— 11

Charles Mason, D 85

Slide Senator.

George W. Basset, R 94

Chas. E. Whiting, D 99— 5

Representative, State Legislature.

S. E. Dow, D 84

Addison Oliver, R 105— 21

County Judge.

Stephen Tillson, R

bhcriff.

J. A. Hittle

County Superintendent Schools.

W. L. Ring

County Surveyor.

C. H. Holbrook

Treasurer <(nd Recorder.

James Armstrong

Drainage Commissioner.
James A. Scott

ELECTION NOVEMBER 8, 1864.

P7-esident.

Abraham Lincoln, R 122 — 34

George B. McClellan, I) 88

Secretary of State.

James. Wright, R 123 — 34

John H. Wallace, D 89

Treasurer of Slate.

William H. Hohm s. R 123—34

J. B. Lash, D 89

Auditor of State.

E. C. Hendersliott, R 123—34

John A. Elliott, D 89

18G

MONONA COUNTY.

Siiperintendrnt of Public Liati-uction.

Grin Faville, R 131 — 10

J. W. Seiinett, 1) .121

('innihi Judge.

A. Dimmick 112

C. C. Bisbee 1 24—1 1

M. Adams 1

Treiixurci'.

.loliii E. SL-llock 221—230

Adijison Dimmick 1

Sheriff.
John A. Ilittle 102

E. R. Pierce 120—18

County Survei/or.

C. II. Holbiouk 1 17— 48

.T. r.. P. Day 99

iSii/icriiiteudciit of Common Sc/iool.'i.

W. A. Dorwaid 122 — 4

.1. 15. Goodrieii 118

Corojn'i\
W. A. Dorward 1

F. F. Roe 1 79—178

Drainage Coiiimis.iioner.

James Armstrong 177 — 176

W. A. Dorward 1

On the question of the division of the count}'
by detaching the eastern range of townships:

For Division 1 29 — 10

Against 119

ELECTION, OCTOUER 8, 1867.

Governor.

.Samuel Merrill, R 266 — 129

Charles Mason, D 1 37

Ijiei/ieiiaiit Governor.
John Scott, R 267 — 132

D. M. Harris, D i 35

Judge, Supreme Court.

Joseph M. Beck, R 268 — 134

John II. Craig, I) 134

Attorney General.

Henry O'Connor, R 268 — 134

W. P. Barker. D 134

State Superintendent. Public Instruction.

D. Franklin Wells, R 269—136

Maturin L. Fisher. D 133

Representative^ Legislature.

Stephen Tillson, R 269 — 138

J. M. Butler, D 131

County Judge.

Elijah Peake 187 — 2

C. E. Whiting 185

County Treasurer.

John E. Selleck 303—208

W. L. Eing 95

Sliei'iff'.

William A. Grow 206—17

I. A. Hittle. .'. » 188

E. R. Pierce 1

County Surveyor.

C. II. Holbrook 205 — 14

J. L. Swinburne 179

Jas. Armstrong 2

Drainage (Commissioner.

D. M. Dimmick 254 — 139

T. II. Flowers 115

Superintendent cf Schools.

Joseph S. Maughlin 296 — 194

D.W.Butts ;_102

Coroner.

Richard Stebbins 290 — 178

J. Butts Ill

T. H. Flowers 1

ELECTION, NOV. 3, 1868.

President.

Ulysses Grant, R 372 — 207

Horatio Seymour, D 165

On the adoption of the first, second, third, fiiurtl
and fifth amendments to the State Constitution:

For adoption 300 — 78

Against adoption 222

Secretary of State.

Ed.-AVright, R 369—202

David Hammer. D 167

MONONA

Troasvrer of State.

S. E. Rankin, U 369—202

L. McCarty, 1) 167

Auditor of State.

John A. Elliott, K 369—202

H. Duniavey, D 167

Cyrus C. Carpenter, R 368—201

A. D. Anderson, D 167

Atterney -General.

Henry O'Connor, R .. ... 368—200

J. E. Williamson, D 168

Representative in Congress.

Charles Pomeroy, R 370 — 205

C. A. L. Rozell, D 1G5

State Senator.

,1. W. Moorhead, R 457_405

S. T. Davis, D 51

R. McGovern 1

Judge, Circuit Court.

Addison Oil ver.R 365—1 99

S. J. Comfort, D 166

Clerk of Court.

J. K. McCaskcy 371—206

P. J.Kimball 165

County Recorder.

John l\. Selleck 386—240

W. S. Lacy 146

ELECTION, OCTOBER 12, 1869.

Governor.

Samuel Merrill, R .364—211

George Gillasi)y I) ! 53

Lieutenant Governor.

Madison M. Walden, R 364—211

A. P. Richardson, D 153

Judge, Supreme Court.

John F. Dillon, R 364— 21 1

W. F. Bauman, D 153

Superintendent Public Instruction.
(to All vacancy.)

A. S. Kissell, R 364—253

Edmund Jaeger, D Ill

COUNTY.

Superintendent Public Listruction.
(full term.)

A. S. Kissell, R 364—224

Edmund Jaeger, D 140

State Senator.

Charles Atkins 394 — 203

L. R. Bolter 88

Scattering 3

Member of Legislature.

J. D. Miricle 290—76

II. C. Laub 214

County Auditor.

John K. MeCaskey, R 390 — 311

C. A. Burnli.iiu 79

Sheriff.

E. R. Pierce 254—8

William Burton 246

County Treasurer.

James Arinslrong 350 — 224

P. J. Kimball 103

John E. Selleck 23

Superintendent of Schools.

W. A. Greene, R '. . . .261 — 28

William Pelan 233

County Surveyor.

Joseph Dungan 456 — 448

C. H. Ilolbrook 6

G. A. Douglas 1

Charles Campbell 1

Coroner.

Richard Stebbins 385 — 297

J. D. Butts 88

Drainage Commissioner.

John Jeffcoat 361 — 289

Peter Reiley 72

For the adoption of the Hog Law.

For restraint 271 — 162

Against 109

ELECTION. OCTOBER 11, 1870.

Judge, Supreme Court.
(full term.)

Chester C. Cole, R 451 — 326

J. C. Knapp, D 125

187

188

MONONA

COUNTY.

District Attorney.

C. H. Lewis, R 455—333

T. E. Braiiiicn, I) 1 22

Jwhiey Ciixuil Court.

Addison Oliver 471 — 468

Scattering 3

Clerk of Cuurts.

J. K. McCaskey 537—535

Josiah Morgan 2 !

Rpcorder.

Charles G. Perkins 4')3— 358

Scattering 35

Co a nty Siijicr i:/$ors.

W. G. Kennedy 390—236

William Pelan 370—119

F. B^^Smitii.-. 154 i

C. E. Whiting 275 '

G. P. Morehead 251

C. A. Biirnham 358 — 83

Scattering 4

On the question. "Shall the road be completed:"

For completion 267

Against 324 — 57

(_)n the question, "Shall the number of Super-
visors be increased to five:"

For increase 51

Against 542—491

On the question, "Shall stock be restrained from
running at large :"

For restraint 43

Against 562—519 ;

ELECTION, OCTOBER 10, 1871.

Governor.

Cyrus C. Carpenter, K 177 — 452

J. C. Knapp, D 17

Scattering 8

Lieuten a n I Gorenior.

II. C. lUilis. R 474—450

M. M. Ham, D 17

.Idc Smith, 7

Juil(je, Siipri'iiic Cinirt.

.]. (4.IJay,R, 170-449

.Idhn F. Duncombe. 1) 14

William Gray 6

Waller Pulsifer 1

Judge. Sttpreme Court.
(to fill vacancy.)

W. E. Millcr.i; 452—328

Reuben Noble. D 124

Judge, ISuitreiue Court.
(to fill vacancy.)

James G. Day, R 403—231

P.H.Smyth, D 123

James F]. Day 49

Secretanj nf Stale.

Ed Wright, R 452—328

Charles Doerr, D 124

State Auditor.

John Russell, R 452—328

W. AV. Garner. D 124

State Treasurer.

Samuel E. Rankin, R 452—328

W. C. J.ames, D 124

D. F. Ellsworth, 1) 102

F. D. Ellsworth 22

Attorney General.

Henry O'Connor, R 452—328

Hugh M. Martin, D 124

Reporter of iSi(jo'cua' Court.

E. W. Stiles, R 452—330

C. H. Bane, D 122

Clerk of Supreme Court.

Charles Lindermann, R 452 — 328

William McLellan, D 124

On the proposition "Shall there be a Conventiun
to revise the Constitution ami revise the same":

F^or Convention 132

Against 175 — 43

Member of Congress.

Jackson Orr, R. . . . .452 — 328

C. C. Smetzer, I) 112

Scattering 12

Judge. District Court.
Henry Ford, (no oi)posiliou.) . . 483 — 483

MONONA

COUNTY. 189

Treasurer of State.

William C'hrisiic, R 575— 3G1

M. J. Rohlfs 179

D. B. Beers 35

Aaron Brown, R 576 — 351

Jacob Butler, D 1 80

David Sherwood 35

Attorney Oeneral.

M. E. Cutts. R 575—371

A. G; Case, D 201

Attorney General, (to fill vacancy)

M. E. Cutts, R 318—117

A.G. Case, D 201

Representoiive in Congress.

Jackson Orr, R 575 — 349

John F. Duncombe, J) 226

Judge Circuit Court.
Addison Oliver 615—613

Clerk of the Courts.

John K. McCaskey 469—133

James Walker 195

D. E. Kinney 1 37

Scattering 4

Recorder.

M. W. Bacon 386— 1 10 pi

W. R. Ilanscom 276

C. H. Holbrook 138

Scattering 4

Counly Supervisor.

W. G. Kennedy 377—160 pi

C. E. Whiting 217

Benjamin Herring 205

Scattering 2

Coroner.
Richard Stebbins 326—326

ON THE QUESTION OF AN EXTRA TAX,

For the tax 22

Against 597 — 575

ELECTION, OCTOUEK 14, 1873.

Governor.
Cyrus C. Carpenter, R 459 — 1 16

Superintendent, Public Instruction.

Alonzo Aberiiathy, R 475 — 454

E. M. Muinm, I) 14

Walter Pulsifer 6

V/illiam Gray 1

Representative Legislature.

C. G. Perkins, R 455—448

Asa Landon, D 7

County Auditor.

J. R. McCaskey 550—549

Miss Sarah Fulton 1

County Treasurer.

James Armstrong 546 — 546

Sheriff.

J. K. Myers 323— 1 06

E. R. Pierce 217

Superintendent of Schools.

Miss Sarah Fulton 387—69

A. S. Condon 218

County Surveyor.

George Atkins 542 — 536

Scattering 6

Coroner.

Richard Stebbins 551 — 551

County Supervisor, (to fill vacancy)

E. D. Dimraick 542

County Supervisor, (full term)
John Patrick 541_540

ELECTION, NOVEMBER 5, 1872.

President.

Ulysses Grant, R 570—355

Horace Greeley, L D 176

Charles O'Connor S D, 39

Secretary of State.

Josiah T. Young, R 575—360

E. A. Guilbert, D 179

T. S. Parvin 36

Auditor of State.

John Russell, R 575 — 361

J. P. Cassadv, D 214

190

MONONA

Jneob Vale, 1) 334

Jacol) G. A\'il(! 8

Whiting 1

Lieutenant Ooeernor.
Joseph Dyssirt, R. ...,,.... . .354

C. E. Whiting, I) .)37_82

.Tolm Elwell 1

Judge Supreme Court.

J. M. Beck, R 45i; — 109

B.J. Hall,D 34

Superintemh^nt, Public Instruction.
Alonzo Abeinathy, R 457 — 110

D. W. riiiiclie, D 347

State Senator.

George I). Feiliins, R 353

L Kellogg, D. and G. B 430—77

Representative to the Legislature.
G. W. McMillan 340

E. B. Baird 457—1 1 2

Scattering 5

Counti) Audi tar.

J. K. MuCaskey 347 — 88

L. D. Kittle 352

McCasky 7

County Treasurer.

James Armstrong 340

W. L. Ring 4G4— 120

Scattering 4

Sheriff.

J. K. Myers 423—37

C. S. Robbing 382

Myers 4

Supervisor.

B. Ingersoll 378

N. B. Olson 425 — 41

Ingersoll G

Giunt'j Suroeyor.

George Atkins 397

C. II. Holbrook 399 — 2 pi.

Scattering 2

Superintendent of Common Schools.

S. B. Martin 312

Miss Sarah Fulton. SCI — 141

Scattering 8

COUNTY.

Coroner.

R. Stebl)ins '. . . 381

Omar Iri.sli 4 18 37

ELECTION, OCTOIiER 13, 1874.

Secretary of State.

Josiah T. Young, R IC;)

Daniel Morgan, D .■) 1 5 4c

Auditor of State.

Buren R. Sherman, R 4G8

James M. King, ]) ,-)iG 48

Treasurer of Slate.

William Christy, R 4G9

II. C. Harges, D 5 i.-,_46

David Sec5r, R 4G7

R. H. Roderamel, D 517 50

Attorney General.

M. E. Cutts, R 470

Jolin II. Keatley, D 513 43

Clerk of Supreme Court.

E. J. Holmes, R 4G8

G. W. Ball, D 510—48

Representatire in Congress.

Addison Oliver, R 448

C. E. Whiting, D 511— 03

Judge of District Court.

C. H. Lewis, R 481

P. D. Mickel, D 501—20

Judge Circuit Court.

J. R. Zuver 473

J. E. Chamberlain 51 1 — 38

District Attorney.

George B. McCarthy 471

M. Wakefield 515 — 44

Clerk of the Courts.

E. M. Cassady 465

W. R. Hanscom 527 — G2

Recorder.

M. W. Bacon 520 — 54

C. A. Danforth 46G

County Supervisor.

E. Wilbur . 456

Geo. M. Scott 536 — 80

MONONA

On the question of restraining stock from run-
ning at large fiom December 1 to May 1.

For restraint 301

Against 450_14<)

On the question of restraining stock from run-
ning at large between sunset and sunrise, from
May 1 to December 1 .

For restrai.it 258

Against 509 — 25 1

ELECTION OCTOBER 12, 1875.

Governor.

Samuel J. Kirk wood R 566 — 194

Shepherd Leffler, D 263

J. H. Lozier 9

Lieutenant Governor.

Joshua G. Nenbold. R 565— I 94

E. B. Woodward. D 371

Judge of Supreme Court.

Austin Adams, R 569 — 201

William J. Knight, D 368

Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Alonzo Abernathy. R 570 — 203

Isaiah Doane, D 367

Representative, State Legislature.

George Rac, R 508 — 71

R. W. Luther, D 438

Coiiniy Auditor.

John K. McCaskey G16 — 279

S. R. Bassett 337

County Treasurer.

G. H. Bryant .' . . . 49 1—32

W. L. Ring 459

Sheriff.

James Walker 627 — 302

Neal McNeill 325

Coroner.

Dr. D.Handel 511—51(1

D. D. Handel 1

Superintendent of Schools.

J. E. Sanders 407

Rev. V. iN. LyniMii 0(j4 — 65

Scatterini;- 32

COUNTY.

Surveyor.

J. P. B. D.ay. R 492—44

C. H. lloll)!,. ,_,!<, D 458

Sujiervisor.

H. E. Colby 536—1 19

Peter Reily 411

Scattering 6

ELECTION, XOVEMBEK 7, 1876.

President.

Rutherford B. Hayes, R 713 — 109

Samuel J. Tilden, i) 304

Peter Cooper, <!. B 300

Member of Congress.

Addison Oliver 745 — 159

Samuel Rees 294

H. A. Pierce 291

B. D. Holbrook 1

Judge of Supreme Court {full term).

W. H. Seevers, R 633

Walter I. Hayes. D 263

Charles Negus, G. B 281

Judge, Supreme Court.
(to fill vacancy.)

James H. Rothrock, R 707 — 100

AVilliam Graham, D 292

O. R. Jones, G. B 313

Judge. Supreme Court.
(to fill vacancy.)

W. H. .Seevers, R 707—312

W. I. Hayes, D 293

Charles Negus, G. B .,202

Secretary of State.

Josiah T. Young. R 706—193

J. H. Stuhenraucli, 1) 289

' A. McCieady, G. B 324

Auditor of State.

Buren R. Sherman, R 708—198

William Gronewig, D 293

Leonard Brown, G. B 317

Treasurer of State.

George W. Bemis, R 707—196

Wesley Jones, D 294

George C. Fry, G. B 31 7

191

192

MONONA COUNTY.

David Secor. R 708—197

N. C. Kidi'iiour, 1) 294

G. M. Walker, G. li ;il7

Attoniey General.

John F. Me.Tiinkin. R 708—415

J. S. Cook 293

Superintendent Pnbiir Instruction.
(to fill vacancy).

Carl W. von Coelln, R 70,5—386

J. A. Nash 319

Judtje, Circuit Court.

J. R. Zuver. R 709—422

M. B. Davi^ 287

Clerk of CouriA.

W. R. Ilanscom 604-36

W. Mack Enston 279

B. F. Ro.ss 342

— Marr G

— McCaskey 1

(Jouiitji Kecorcler.

M. W. Bacon, R 1041—78.5

George Un^hihill 1) 253

Scattering 3

Supervisor.

E. Wilber 704—136

Joseph Robinson 1 46

Q. A. Wooster 420

— Easton 1

ELECTION', OCTOBER 9, 1877.

Governor.

John II. Gear, R 580 — 21

John F. Irish, 1) 119

Daniel P. Stubbs, G. B 431

Elias Jessup, P 9

Lieutenant Governor.

Frank T. Campbell, R 590—141

W. C. James, D 117

A. McCready, G. B 432

Judge, Supreme Court.

James G. Day, R 594 — 48

II. E. J. Boardman, D 118

John Porter, G. B 428

Superintendent Public Instruction.

Carl W. von Coelln, R 596—52

G. D. Collison, D 116

S. T. Ballard, G. B 428

State .Senator.

A. W. Ford G02— 109

Phine.as Cad .^ t'll 487

Scattering 4

Representative.^ State Legislature.

Elijah Pi'ake 520

D. D. Ilarkness 522 — pi. 2

Scattering 14

Count II Auditor.

John Iv. McCaskey. R 712—91

W. L. Ring" .^ 418

Scattering 3

County Treasurer.

G. H. Bryant 714—295

John Jeffeoat 416

Scattering 3

Sheriff.

James Walker 838—536

Om.ar Irish 296

Scattering 6

Coroner.

D. H. McKovvn 585 — 93

F:. H. Banks 483

Scattering 9

Superintendent of Schools.

J. E. Sanders 402

Rev. C. N. Lyman 422 — pi. 20

Peter Inman .• 292

County Surveyor.

George Atkins 688 — 249

C. W. Bisbee 430

Scattering 9

Surveyor.

Joseph Robinson 526

G. M. Scott 595—63

Scattering 6

ELECTION, OCTOBER 8, 1 878.

Secretary of State.
.]. A. T. Hull. R 553

MO^SIONA COUNTY.

193

E. M. Faniswoitli, F o90— 36

T. E. Walker, D 1

Auditor of State.

Buren R. Shcnnan, R 553

Joseph Eiboeck, F 586 — 23

Rev. G. V. Swcaringen, G. 15. . 10
Treasurer of State.

George W. Bemis, R 554

M. L. Devine, F 592—37

E. D. Ferris. \> 1

J. K. Powers, R 554

M. Farringtou. F. 592 — 37

T. S. Bardwell. I) 1

Attorney General.

John F. McJunkin. R 554

John Gibbons, F 585—21

C. H.Jackson. 10

fudge. Supreme Court.

James H. Rothrock. R . 554

J. C. Knapp, F 594—40

Clerk Supreme Court.

E. J. Holmes, R 554

N. V. Gammuii. 1) 1

A. Runyoi). F 595—40

Reporter Supreme Court.

J. S.Runnells, R 554

J. B. Elliott, F 584—20

G. W. Rutherford, 1) 10

Judge, District Court.

C. H. Lewis 563

J. C. Rhodal)i.ck 587—24

District Attorney.

(to fill vacanc3-.)
S. M. Marsh, no opposition. . . .560 — 5(50

District Attorney.
(full term.)

■S. M. Mavsb 560—560

Member oj Congress.

C. C. Carpenter, R 556

L. Q. Hoggatt, !:) 589—32

\V. H. Brown 1

Clerk of the Courts.

W. R. Ilanscom 601 — 44

W. E. Cody 557

Couii/y Piecorder.

M. W. Bacon 598 — 33

George S. Bisboe 564

Charles Bisbec ' 1

Supe) visor.

Samuel Harrison 568

S. G. Irish 588 — 18

H.E.Colby 2

ELECTION, OCTOliEK 14, 1879.

Goiiernor.

John H. Gear, R 831 — 133

H. H. Trimble, II 209

Daniel Campbell, G. 15 489

Lieutenant Governor.

Frank T. Campbell, R 834 — 140

J. A. O. Yeoman, D 205

M. H. Moore, G. B 489

Judge Supreme Court.

Joseph M. Beck, R 830 — 132

Reuben Noble, D 207

M. H. Jones, G. B 491

Superintendent Public Instruction.

Carl AY. von Coelln. R 834—139

Erwin Baker, D 204

J. A. Nash, G. B 491

Representative State Legislature.

H. C. Laub, R 741—124 pi.

L. E. Dow, D 142

Q. A. Wooster, G. B 617

County Auditor.

John K. McCaskey 940 — 350

H. B.Sooy 154

F. F. Roe 435

W. L. Ring 1

County Treasurer.

G. H. Bryant 897—265

P.J.Kimball 143

W. L. Ring 489

Clerk ofi/ie Courts.
C. H. Aklridgc .882—242

194

MONONA COUNTY.

W. E. Cody -...639

J. T. Baggs 1

She f iff.

James Walker 963—397

Peter Reily 110

J. T. Burke 456

Superintendent cj Sehoois.

Rev. C. N. Lyman 724

J. G. Iddings 764— 39

Joseph Carlwright 1

County Surveyor.

J. B. P. Day 863— 20r>

C. n. )Ioll)nH,k 207

C. R. Searle 447

George Atkins 3

Burke 1

Coi oner.

H. Noble 837—1.51

J. Butts 194

W. ¥. Davis 491

D. Handel 1

Super2<iso/ .

E. Wilber 794— 74

S. A. McJIasler 290

John Jeffcoat 430

ELECTION. XOVEJIBER 2, 1880.

Pi esiiifiit.

Winfield .Scott Hancock, D 331

James Abram C4arfield, R 943 — 252

James B. Weaver, G. B 360

Secretary of State.

J. A. T. Hull, R 942—245

A. B. Keitli, D 324

G. M. Walker, G. IS 373

Auditor of Slate.

W. V. Lucas, R 943—261

Charles Barker, ] ) 320

Rev. G. V. fSweariiigeu, G. B. .362

Treasurer oj State.

E. H. Conger, R 943—260

Martin Blum, D 322

Mathew Farrington, G. B 361

James K. Powers, R 943 — 260

Daniel Dougheity. I) 322

Thomas Hooker. G. B 361

Attorney General.

Smith McPherson. R 943 — 259

C. A. Clark, D 322

W. A. Spurri.T 362

Judge Circuit Court.

J. R. Zuver 946—572

Pendleton Ilulibaid. 368

.Scattering 6

Member of Congress.

Cyrus C. Carpenter, R 936—250

P. M. Guthrie, D 305

D.aniel Campbell 381

On the proposition, '-Sliall there be a Conven-
tion to revise the State Constitution and amend
the same;"

In favor of Convention 463

Against 509— 46

On the proposition to amend the Constitution as
follows: "Strike out the words "Free White"
from the third line of section 4, of article 3, of the '
State Constitution."

In favor of the amendment. . . . 515 — 204

Against 311

Clerk of Courts.

C. H. Aldridgo 983—343

George Undeihil! 296

William Hawlhdni 342

Bacon 2

County Recorder.

M. W. Bacon 965—307

G. M, Wells 291

Miss A. M. Niirw(jud 365

C. H. Aldridgc 2 i

Supervisor. \

George M. Scott 934—271 j

Benjamin ChamhiTl.Tin 663 '

ELECTION, 0CT(JliEl; 11, 1881.

Goveriior.

Buren R. Sherman, R 640—178

Linus G. Kinne. D 176

D. M. Clark, G. B 286

MONONA COUNTY.

196

Lieutenant Governor.

O. H. Manning, R G42— 180

,]. M. Walker, D 17.S

J. M. Holland, G. B 281

Judge Supreme Court.

Austin Adams. R 6! 2— 180

II. B. Hender.shott,' U 178

W. W. Williamson, G. R 284

Superintendent, Publif Instruction.

John W. Akers, R G46— 194

W. H. Butler, D IT'.)

Mrs. A. M. Swain, G.iB 272

John W. Swain '

State _Senator.

T. M. C. Logan, R 427

C. K. Whiting 42',)— pi 2

I'bineas Cad well 212

Abner^Graves 1-J

A. Oliver 1

Representative, Slate Legislature.

R. T. Shearin, R 618—138

Charles Bullock, D 221

F. F. Roe, G. B 259

County Auditor.

John K. McCaskey, R 705—338

L. D. Kittle 367

County Treasurer.

G. H. Bryant 726—385

Ivory Leach 338

Scattering 3

Sheriff.

James Walker 808—550

Frank Leet 255

Scattering 3

Superintendent of Schools.

W. H. Dorward, R 449

J. G. Iddings 611 — 158

Scattering 4

Coroner.

D. H. McKown 689—342

D. Backus 346

John Doualas 1

County Surveyor.

J. P. B. Day 663—291

C. W. Bisbce 369

Scattering 3

Supervisor.

Fred McCausland 728—409

J. H. Penny 317

Scattering 2

SPECIAL ELECTION, JDNE 27, 1882.

Upon amending the State Constitution by adding
the clause, prohibiting tlie manufacture, sale, etc.,
of all intoxicating beverages.

For the amendment 853 — 452

Against 399

Blank 2

ELECTION, NOVEMBER 7, 1882.

Member of Congress.

Isaac S. Strubel, R 727 — 137

John P. Allison, D 258

J. R. Sovereign, G. B 331

Addison Oliver 1

Secretary of State.

J. A. T. Hull, R 748—177

T. O. Walker, U 237

William Gaston, G. B 334

Auditor of State.

John L. Brown, R 721—123

William Thompson, D 237

G. A. Wyant, G. B 336

Edwin H. Conger 25

Attorney General.

Smith McPherson, R 748—177

J. H. Bremerman, D 237

James A. Rice, G. B 334

Judge Supreme Court.

William H. Seevers, R 748—177

Charles E. Brunson, D 237

W. A. Jones, G. B 335

Clerk of Supreme Court.

Gilbert B. Pray, R 748—177

H. F\ B., D 237

E. G. Clark 334

196

MONONA COUNTY.

Rpporter of Supreme Court.

K. C. Ebersole, R 747 — 170

L. A. Palmer,!) •2:57

E. A. Clark 10

J. II. Williamson .iil

Judge. District Court.

C. II. Lewis, R 77G — 776

District Attorney.

S. M. Marsh, no opposition. . . .761 — 76-1

Clerli of Courts.

C. II. Aldridge, K 710—162

W. F. Davis 2\\

B. F. Roe 3;!;3

J. Easton 1

County Recorder — (full term.)

L. D. Bearce, R 6;j.') — \A 235

Cx. A. Douglas, D 239

James Easton, G. B 4 20

W. F. Davis 1

County Recorder — (to fill vacancy.)

L. D. Bearee, R 63.5—336

O. A. Douglas, D 21,5

James Easton, G. B 84

iSupervisor.

J. D. Rice 6sn. — .50

G. M. Wells 20,5

Lewis Iddings 422

Scattering ;!

Supervisor — (To fill vacancy.)

J. D. Rice 061—39,5

G. M. Wells 211

Lewis Iddings 55

County Surveyor — (To fill vacancy.)

George Atkins 722 — 149

C. II. Ilolbrook 218

C. W. Bisbee 355

On the question of a Poor farm and levy of tax
to pay for the same.

For the poor farm 372

Against 652 — 280

ELKCTION, OCTOBER 9, 1883.

Gorernor.

Buren R. .Sherman R 1073 — 390 pi,

Linus G. Kinne, D 683

James B. Weaver, G. B 464

Lieutenant Gorernor.

O. H. M.anuing, R 1084—393 pi.

Justus Clark, D 691

Sanford Kirkpatrick, G. B. . . 447

Judge, Supyreme Court.

Joseph R. Reed, R 1083—389 pi.

Walter I. Hayes, D 694

Daniel W. Church, G. B 441

Superintendent Public Instruction.

John W. Akers, R 1 082 — 389 pi.

Edgar P. Farr, D 693

Abbie G. Canfield, G. B 445

State Senator.

Addison Oliver, R 1 TOO

C. E. Whiting, F iii»6— 196

Representative, Legislature.

G. H. Bryant, R 1054

Daniel Campbell, F 11 70 — 1 16

County Auditor.

John K. McCaskey, R 964

George A. Douglas, F 1 258 — 294

County Treasurer.

H. N. Scott, R 11 16 — 100

(l A. Wooster, F 1015

G. A. Douglas 1

Sheriff.

James Walker, R 1 182 — 162

S. F. Sears, F 1020

Superintendent of Schools.

Rev. C. N. Lyman, R Ill 2 — 33

J. G. Iddings, F 1078

H. N. Scott 1

Suptrvispr.

James L. Bartholemew 1095

L U. Riddle 1121 — 26

Coroner. '

J. M. Oliver 1035

D. Rust 1178—143

County Surveyor.

J. B. P. Day 1048

C. W. Bisbee. .• 1079—31

MONONA COUNTY.

197

ELECTION, NOVEMBER 4, 1884.

President.

James G. Blaine, R 1331—103

Grover Cleveland, D 1218

Jolin P. St. John, P 10

Representative in Congress.

Isaac S. Struble, R 1338—135

Thomas Fs Burbee 1203

Secretary of State.

Frank D. Jackson, R 1332—121

James Dooley, D 1211

Auditor of State.

John L. Brown 1331—110

J. E. Henriques 1221

Treasurer oj State.

V. P. Twombly, R 1332—120

George Derr, D 1212

Attorney-General.

A.J.Baker, R 1332—110

M. V. Gannon,!) 1222

Judge, Siqjreme Court.

James Rothrock, R 1 330—105

E. L. Benton, D 1 225

On the amendment No. 1.

For the amendment 547 — 499

Against " 48

On the amendment No. 2.

For the amendment 246

Against " 348—102

On the amendment No. 3.

For the amendment 439 — 285

Against " 154

On the amendment No. 4.

For the amendment 222

Against " 391—169

Clerk of the Courts.

C. H. AJdridge 1497—367

John R. Rhodes 1028

Scattering 2

County Recorder.
L. D. Bearce 1483—331

B. F. Roe ." .1051

C. H. Aldridge 1

Supervisor.

John K. McCaskey 1425—309

W. A. Gray 1115

L. D. Bearce 1

ELECTION, NOVEMBER 3, 1885.

Qovernor.

William Larabee, R 1178

C. E. Whiting, F 1275—94

James G. Mickelwait. ........ 3

Lieutenant Governor.

John A. T. Hull, R 1230

E. H. Gillette, F 1237—4

W. H. Steen 3

Judge, Supreme Court.

W. F. Brannan, F 1237—2

J. M. Beck, R 1232

Jacob Rogers 3

Representative State Legislature.

Daniel Campbell, F 1 225

W. F. Wiley, R 1246—21

Superintendent of Public Instruction.

F. W. Moore, F 1236— pi. 1.

John W. Akers, R 1235

W. H. Taft 2

T. F. Thickstine 1

County Auditor.

George A. Douglas, D 1393—317

C. H. Cobleigh, R 1075

B. Chamberlain 1

Treasurer.

George E. Warner, R 1180— pi. 7 8.

B. Chamberlain, D 1102

John Jeffcoat, G. B 184

Sheriff.

L. D. Kittle 1297—126

E. D. French 1165

Scattering 6

Superintendent of Oommon Schools.

F.P.Fisher 1247— 42

J. G. Iddings 1203

Scattering 2

198

MONONA COUNTY.

Supervisor.

W. D. Crow 1304_145

F. W. Elmore 1 158

J. G. I<lclin,!?.s 1

CoKiity Surecyor.

F. PI Colby 1 252 — 45

C. W. Bisbee 1207

Corotier.
C. M. Smith 1274— 78

L. E. St. .Tobii 11 ye

On the proposition, "Shall a tax of ^7,500 be
levied on the tax.able property of Monona County,
to buy a poor farm and erect buildings thereon.''

P'or the Tax 524

Against 1734-1210

On the question of restraining stock from run-
ning at large.

For Restraint 533

Against" ; .1713-1180

ELECTION, NOVKSIUEK 2, 1886.

Secreiary nf State.

Frank D. Jackson, R 1027— 95

Cato Sells. D 932

Treasuer of State.

Voltaire P. Twombly, R 1013— 02

Daniel Campbell, D 951

Auditor of Slate.

James A. Lyon, R 1031— 99

Paul Guelich, D 932

Clerk of Supreme Court.

Gilbert B. Pray, R 1031— 97

William Theophilus, D 934

Reporter of Supjreme Court.

Ezra C. Ebersolo, R .1030—97

Frank P. Bradley, D 933

Attorney General.

A. J. Baker, R 1032—

C. H. Mackey, D 930

Representative in Congress.

Isaac S. Struble, R 1030— 97

E. C. Palmer, D 933

Judges, District Court.

C. H. Lewis- • • • 1080 — 175

G. W. Wakefield 1030 — 113

Scott M. Ladd I02l — 100

M. B. Davis 905

J. D. F. Smith 917

D. D. McCalUim 921

Henry Ford 3

Cleri: of Courts.

W. J. iNIaughlin 747- pi. 44

Geoi'ge Lnderhill 703

B. F. Ross 512

County Recorder.

L. D. Bearce 1754- 1751

Scattering, 3

County Attorney.

H. Chrissman 1082 — 224

A. E. Wheeler 858

Supervisor.

I. U. Riddle 982— 26

J. L. Bartholemew 956

ELECTION, NOVEMBER 8, 1887.

Governor.

William Larabee, R ..1100— 36

Thomas J. Anderson, D 719

M. J. Cain, G. B 351

Lieutenant Governor.

John A. T. Hull, R 1113— 55

James M. Elder, D 707

J. M. Sovereign, G. B 351

Judge, Supreme Court.

Gifford S. Robinson, R 1113— 50

Charles S. Fogg, D 710

M. H. Jones, G. B 353

Superintendent Public Instruction.

Henry Sabin, R 11 24— 89

H. W. Sawyer, D 709

S. L. Tii)ton, G. B 326

Representative State Legislature.

James L. Bartholemew 1083

F. F. Roc 1089— G

County Auditor.

Ned Jenness 965

George A. Douglas 1205— 240

MONONA COUNTY.

199

County Treasurer.

George E. Warner, R 1099— 37

W. II. Leathers, D 106 1

G. A. Douglas. ...•••• 1

Sheriff.

S. Ary 1006

L. D. Kittle 1157— 157

Coroner.

C. M. Smith 1141— 109

T. W. John .1032

Superintendent of Common Schools.
F. P. Fisher 1066

B. F. Ross 1081— 18

Count!/ Surveyor.
F. E. Colby 1082

C. W. Bisben 1086— 4

Supervisor.

D. A. Pember 1137— 101

T. B. Skidmore 1036

ELECTION, NOVEMBER 6, 1888.

President.

Benjamin Harrison, R 1590 — 193

Grover Cleveland, D 1088

Secretary of State.

F. D. Jackson, R '. 1590— 209

Walter McHenry, D 1085

J. B. Van Court, U. L 293

.lames Micklewait, P 3

Auditor of State.

James A. Lyons, R 1590— 211

Daniel J. Ockerson, D 1086

E. M. Furnsworth, V.L 293

Treasurer of State.

V. P. Twombly, R 1590— 211

Amos Case, D 1086

James Rice, U. L 293

Judge, Supreme Court.

C. T. Granger, R 1585— 201

P. A. Smythe, D 1091

M. IL Jones, U. L 293

Attorney General.

John Y. Stone, R 1596— 216

J. C. Mitchell, D 1088

J. H. Williamson, U. L 292

Railroad Commissioners.

Spencer Smith 1982 —

John Mahin 1441

Frank T. Campbell 1977—

Peter A. Day 1514—

C. L. Lund 920

H. E. Wills 926

Member of Congress.

Isaac S. Struble, R 1591—200

M. A. Kelso, D 1063

G. W. Lee 304

Wilmot Whitfield 24

County Attorney.

C. E. Underhill 1506— 83

H. Chrissman 1423

County Recorder.

L. D. Bearce, R 1820—1134

W. S. Pershing, U. L 686

Clerk, District Court.

W. H. Maughlin, R 1507— 46

H. W. Cunningham, D 1121

Jerome Lawrence, U. L 340

Superz'isi^r.

W. D. Crow 1539—103

C. A.Miller 1436

On tiie proposition '-Shall stock be restrained
from running at large."

For restraint 990

Against 1 195— 205

ELECTION, NOVEMBER 3, 1889.

Governor.

J. G. Hutchison, R 1605 — 35

Horace Boies, D 1321

S. B. Downing, U. L 238

P 11

Railroad Commissioner.

Spencer Smith 1880 — 761

Morgan 1119

200

MONONA COUNTY.

State Senator.

Romans, R 1713—283

L. R. Bolter, D 1430

Representatice, General Assembly.
James L. Bartholemew, R. . . .1574

F. F. Roe, D 157,-)— 1

County Treasurer.

Frank Doiwaid, R 1885 — 6 15

H. E. Morrison, D 1240

County Auditor.

Kzvsi Mason, R 1540

George A. Douglas, D 161 1 — 74

Sheriff.

Dell How.ard, R 1485

L. D. Kittle, D 1670—186

County Sujyervisor.

Peter Reily, R 1414

I. U. Riddle, D 1724—310

, County Superintendent of Schools.

B. F. Ross 1682—218

F. B. Kessling 1464

County Surveyor.

C. C. Bisbee 1577— 25

J. B. P. Day 1552

Coroner.

L. E. .St. John 1448

Wright 1710—462

On the question "Shall the county-seat be remove
to East Mapleton."

In favor, of removal to East

Mapleton 1 427 j

In favor of retaining it at

Onawa 1682—255

«-^

MIS0ELLANEOUS.

CHAPTER VI.

=^ROUPED together in this chapter will be
found many items of interest that do not fit in
any where in particular, but which properly
hold a very important place iu tlie annals of the
count}'. Among the most prominent, and one that
has produced the most excitement and discussion
is that known as the disposal of the

SWAM1> LANDS.

The Congress of the United States, by an act on
the 28th of September, 1 850, gave to the various
States, with some few exceptions, all the swamp
or overflowed land lying within tlieir limits, .ind
after the usual preliminaries patented to them the
same for the purpose of reclaiming or draining them
and for public improvements. The State of lowa^
in furtherance of this object deeded the land in
each county to the same, commissioners being ap-
pointed to select the said swamp lands. By this
time the county of Monona became the owner of a
large tract of land. Some of it was sold to private
parties and the proceeds, forming the Swamp Land
Fund, used for the construction of bridges, roads,
and other public improvements. In the summer
of 1862 the American Plmigrant Company, by their
agent, T. E. Brown, made a proposition to the
Board of Supervisors of Monona County, to pur-
chase all the remaining swamp lands and overflowed
lands belonging to the county, and all of the claims
against the United States Government for the un-
patented lands of that character, agreeing in con-

sideration thereof to construct at the company's
cost any building or public improvement that the
said swamp lands could be devoted to, the same to
be designated by the Board of Supervisors, the
cost of which was not to exceed $2,000, the work
to be finished within two years from Augus.t 1, 1863.
The company further agreed to take the land subject
to the provisions of the Act of Congress, of Sept.
28, 1850, and to construct ditches to drain the
land and to bind all purchasers of the land to
make settlement in good faith. They, as a further
incentive to the board agreed to bring here and
locate two hundred persons, young and old,one-third
of whom were to be of American birth and all of
them white. This they were also to do within the
two years. The closing agreement was that the
American Emigrant Company should also, take
up and pay all warrants outstanding on the Swamp
Land Fund.

After discussion it was agreed to enter into the
contract with the comjian}', subject to the ratifica-
tion of the grateful electors of the county at the
next general election, without which it was to be
null and void. As so much has been said in re-
gard to this matter it would be well to mention
that the board (all of whom with the exception of
the last named, voted to submit this question to the
people of the county, the real owners of the lands
in question) was composed of the following named
gentlemen: J. R. Bouslaugh, Chairman; Alexander

202

MONONA COUNTY.

Allison, F. A. Da.y. Thomas Il.ayes, W. G. Myers,
Elijah Walker, Rowland Cobb, and Addison Oli-
ver.

At the general election, held on the 14th of Oct-
ober, 1862, the question of ratifying the contract
made between the board and the American Emi-
grant C'omiiany, came before the people, and the vote
stood as follows: In favor of the ratification of the
contract, 162; against the measure, 56; a clear ma-
jority of 106 in its favor.

In accordance with this resolution thus ratified,
the Board of Supervisors had a contract drawn up
and signed by all of the members of the board
with the exception of C. E. Whiting, and b}' T.
E. Brown for the American Emigrant Company.
The company, in 1865, or about that time,
sent to this county, J. S. Maughlin to settle
the contracted settlers, which he faithfully did,
and to attend to the other business of the com-
pany. Between *8,000 and $10,000 worth of the
Swamp Land warrants which were outstanding
were taken up by them, paid for and cancelled,
and the honorable Board of Supervisors, deeming
it best for the material interests of the count}', in-
stead of having the company expend the 5!2,000 in
the stipulated improvements, asked for and received
the same in money.

In the summer of 1874, the American Ii^migrant
Company, having failed to comply with some of the
other parts of the contract the board ordered a suit
brought against the company for the cancellation of
the contract, which was done, November 1 2, of
that year. The contest was carried on for about
two years, when, while the case was in the United
States Circuit Court, on the 6th of January, 1876,
George H. Warner, the Secretary and Vice Presi-
dent of the company appeared before the board to
to effect a compromise. The supervisors sub-
mitted a proposition that was not accepted bj'
the company, who in their turn offered the follow-
ing terms: The American Emigrant Company, for
the sake of quieting their title and settling the suit
■would pay to Monona County the sum of $5,250
and all taxalile co.sts, if the hitter woidd agree to
the entering of a decree on the company's cross bill
establishing its right and title to all lands interested
and that the county would, also, transfer all the so-

called Scrip Lands, and other swamp lands not here-
tofore dceiled, according to the terms of the origi-
nal contract. On this being submitted a vote was
taken on the pro|)Osition and N. B. Olson, G. M.
Sciitt and II. E. Colby voted in the atlirmative; ne-
gative there were none. With the fulfillment of
this new agreement ended the complications that had
arisen over this matter, and the county received a
fair price for the lands besides bringing them under
the operation of tlie tax law of the county.

HOMESTEAD CASES.

It has ever been the policy of our Government
to foster the building of railroads throughout the
country, at tlie expense of the public lands that
should have been reserved for actual settlers.
Under the act of May 15, 1856, Congress granted
certain lands, part of which lay within the limits
of IMonona County, to the Iowa Central Air-Line
Railroad, a paper road, later the Cedar Rapids &
Missouri River Railway Company. This grant
was modified and increased by Congress June 2,
1864. Many actual settlers came here, took up
their homesteads upon land that appeared to belong
to the Government, made the proper entry, broke
the land and made such impr(.)vements as their
means afforded, and proving up their claim under
the law, receiving their patents. In 1876 the an-
nouncement was made to them that their claim w.as
held for cancellation, and suit was brought by the
railroad eonipany for possession of the land. In
most parts of the countr}' those similarly jilaced
gave up the property quieth', or were worsted in
the courts on attempting to obtain redress, but the
settlers of Monona County were made of sterner
stuff. JNIeetings were held to determine upon their
course, and finally, Jan. 19, 1877, a number of the
defendants in the homestead cases, and others
interested in the matter, met at the court house in
Onawa to organize an association to fight the mat-
ter in tiie courts. The meeting organized liy elect-
ing Benjamin Herring chairman, and G. II. Bryant
secretary. Q. A. Wooster reported the proceed-
ings of a similar meeting in Mapleton, held the
17th of the same month, at which it was resolved
to contest the railway suits. A committee, con-
sisting of B. D. Ilolbrook, J. P. B. Day, D. Greeu-

MONONA COUNTY.

203

street, W.T. Bo3'd and Q. A. Wooster was appointed
to prepare a plan of action, who reported immedi-
ately the following recommendations:

" That the defendants in the suits brought by
the Cedar Rapid? <fe Missouri River Railroad form
an association for mutual defense and assistance, of
which all persons paying the required suras shall be
members.

"That an executive committee, consisting of
five persons, shall be authorized to procure counsel
to conduct the suits on the part of the defendants,
and this committee shall have full power in the
management of the suits.

" That for the purpose of raising the funds nec-
essary to carry on the defense of said suits, the
executive committee shall be authorized to assess
the defendants in each suit to a sum not exceeding
$50, of which $5 shall be paid before an appear-
ance is made by this organization; and that the
balance, in such sums not exceeding $10 at any
one time, as may be deemed necessarj' by said
committee. And the said committee shall be
authorized to abandon the defense of any suit in
which the amount assessed shall not be paid within
thirty daj's after an assessment.

" Assessments shall not be made by the execu-
tive committee ofteuer than once in sixty daj's.

" The executive committee are requested to pro-
cure assistance from persons not members of this
association, but interested in the questions in-
volved.

" The executive committee ma3' be changed at
any meeting of the association, on a vote of a ma-
jority of all members who shall have paid, at the
time of voting, all assessments made against them."
Under the rules which were adopted, the follow-
ing named gentlemen were chosen as the executive
committee: B. D. Holbrook, Chairman; Q. A.
Wooster, Benjamin Herring, A. J. flathaway and
Lewis Iddings. The chair also appointed the fol-
lowing individuals to solicit membership and sub-
scriptions in their respective townships: J. Smith,
Ashton; Victor Dubois, Fairview; Anderson Jewell,
Franklin; M. Miller, Grant; A. .J. Hathaway, Ken-
nebec ; W. T. Boyd, Lincoln; David Chapman,
i\I«ple;. and J. H. Morris, Sherman. On the
adjournment of the meeting the e.\.ccutivc commit-

tee organized the same day, all being present,
appointing Q. A. Wooster secretary, and A. J.
Hathaway treasurer, and enacted a set of rules for
their guidance. Piatt Smith, of Dubuque, and
John S. Monk were retained asattornej's in the case.
A bitter fight in the courts ensued, and, to use the
words of the committee, it was "no boy's play to
defeat a wealthy corporation, who, with almost
every apparent advantage, felt confident of success."
Piatt Smith, who was to carry on the cases to a
finish for some $l,800,on account of ill heal th,threw
the burden of the work upon John S. Monk, of
Onawa, and after a time dropped out of the con-
test entirely, but the suits were carried on for near
eight years, up to the Supreme Court of the United
States, who finally decided in favor of the settlers
in January, 1884, and the same committee appointed
at the above meeting carried on the management
to the end. This is said to have been the first
victory ever gained by the settlers under similar
circumstances, and reflected great credit upon Mr.
Monk's energ3' and ability. Some eighty suits
were defended. From the defendants, their friends
and from other sources was gathered the sum of
$2,825, and from the plaintiffs as costs $380.70
m.aking a total of $3,205.70. Of this money
there was paid out $22.05 for postage, printing,
etc.; traveling expenses of comuiittee, $13.90;
legal services. Plait Smith $800, Monk <fe Selleck
$1,000; attorney's expenses, $1,025.46; transcripts,
etc., $72.25; making a total expenditure of
$3,058.86.

STORMS .\N1> TORNADOES.

While singularly free from the gyrating,
deadly cyclone, the bewildering numbing bliz-
zard or destroying tornado, still Monona County
has had some experience with the fiercer ele-
ments in their Homeric strife. The first of
these was in the winter of 1856-7. The early
part of the season had been warm and pleasant
and the ground was still unfrozen on the morning
of December 1, and the wind blew a gentle zephyr
frum the south. Calm and peaceful as the summer
morn was that most beautiful daj', but with dark-
ness came another scene. The wind veering into
the north blew strongly, banking up the heavy

204

MONONA COUNTY.

gray clouds in the northern horizon, and these soon
on the baolis of hurricane steeds swept down the
vaUey, a nii.uhty invincible army flinging wide
over the landscape their white and flasliing banners
of snow. About half-i)ast eight o'clock the flakes,
large and heavy, began to fall, while the tempera-
ture grew colder and colder. Harder blew the gale
and harder and finer and finer grew the white drift-
ing snow that soon wreathed ever3-thing in an im-
mense winding sheet, until about midnight when
the storm liad reached its height. Aliove shrieked
and wailed the wind, "as if liends fought in upi)er
air" while upon the earth with many an eddy and
manv a whirl played the soft covering loaned by
the Arctic shores, and brought to our doors by
Boreas, the rude. For eight and forty hours the
storm raged and when it had ceased the few settlers,
nestling down in their cabins beheld stretching
around them a vast sea of bright, sheeny snow
three or four feet deep, while here and there, over
some little obstruction, were scattered huge and
impassable drifts, that towered up above the sur-
rounding desolation. The darkness of the storm,
when one could not see six feet from him through
the thick of the snow, had cleared off, and the sun
shown with resplendent magnificence on the snowy
expanse, fairly blinding the onlooker. Says Hon.
C. E. Whiting, in writing of this elemental strife,
in the Gazette of January 5, 1877:

"When the citizens of to-day are told that there
■was not a plastered or papered house in the county;
that a dreary waste of snow from four to five feet
deep, with impassable drifts, and so crusted over
that a team could not move a single foot until the
crust was broken with spades and shovels, lay for
seventy-five miles between us and Council Blulis,
our nearest depot of su|iplies, they may^ form some
little idea of the hardships endured by the men and
women of that time."

Nor was this all, from that time on, all that win-
ter the snow clouds cast their burden continually
upon the earth, until among the pioneers of the en-
tire State it is known as "the winter of the deep
snow." In the spring, in consequence of the pres-
ence of so much snow, which melted beneath the
fervid beams of the sun and poured its waters
into the streams, the Missouri Kiver attained a

height never known before or since, running
through Badger Lake, the western part of the
Whiting settlement, Ashton Grove,'west and south
of Onawa, and north of William Jewell's and
soiitlieast to the Little Sioux country.

The Gazette of Jul3' 27, 1872, has an account
of the great hail and wind storm ttiat swept over
a portion of this county on the 19th of that month.
The following is from the columns of that sheet:

"The severest part of the storm could not have
lasted over fifteen or twenty minutes and came
mainly from the northwest. As far as we can learn
it started near the neigh l)orliood of Ingham &
Anderson's mill, some nine miles northwest of
Onawa, in Lincoln Township, and was confined to
a belt of countryflve or sis miles wide extending
as far south of the tfonnl}' seat as the Jewell settle-
ment. It blew down some houses and moved
others off the foundation, tore down fences, and
worst of all, utterl}' ruined hundreds of acres of
as fine wheat, oats and corn as ever grew. Many of
our farmers lost their entire crop, thus placing some
of them in a most embarrassing condition, finan-
cially, as well as in point of obtaining something
to eat during the coming winter. In many fields
there is nothing left but stubble and corn stalks,
the wheat heads having been beaten off into the
ground and that which before the storm gave such
abundant promise of a glorious yield of fine largo
corn, was .entirely stripped and broken down. The
hailstones ranged from the proportion of a com-
mon sized buckshot to those of a hen's egg and
larger. The windows of almost every house in
Onawa, except those which were protected by
blinds, were smashed from nearly every direction,
the storm being at times more of a whirlwind than
anything else, and driving the hail in from all
points of the compass.

"John S. Monk's house in the south part of town
was blown from its foundation. His wife and baby
were in it at the time but fortunately were unin-
jured. The floral hall on the Fair Ground, north
of town, was blown over and mashed and twisted
up considerably. The high board fence on the
west side of the same was also flattened to the
ground.

"Of the real damage sustained on account of

MONONA COUNTY.

205

tlie storm, we presume it would be a ditHcuIt matter
to make anjahing like a correct estimate. Many of
the wheat fields would have averaged twenty-five
bushels to the acre, while otliers would have
yielded more, and yet others not so much. And so
with corn, fifty bushels, frequentlj' more, being
the common average. The yield of oats also varies.
We present below the names of many of the farm-
ers who, unfortunatel3', came within the range of
the storm and suffered loss more or less, however
we are quite sure that we have not been able to
procure all the names of those who suffered from
the storm.

"S. D. Hinsdale, Addison Oliver, G. and F. G.
Oliver, .Tames Merrill, C. Town, John Kelsey,
H. W. Cunningham, D. W. Sampson, .1. White,
D. M. Dimmick, E. D. Dimmick, L. Swetfair,
J. E. Morrison, John Donner, W. B. Bailej',
William Gautz, Lewis Gantz, P. J. Kimball, J. B.
Walworth, H. E. Colby, G. W. Chapman, C. H.
Campbell, Dingman <fe Mosher, Thomas Cody, R.
G. Fairchild, William Tone, B. lugersoll, Neal
McNeil, Delia Sears, S. F. Sears, T. Murphy, S.
Tillson, Elijah Peake, L. Morton, E. E. Pierce, A.
T. Fessenden, Mrs. Grow, A. J. P^rb, William Bur-
ton, G. Reed, G. W. Riggs, Fred McCausland, Isaac
Riggs, E. J. Selleck, H. W. Cowles, Johnson Cleg-
horn, John Hague, John R. Murphy, E. R. McNeil,
Moses Adams, Andrew Adams, Walter Burgess,
Henry Kramer, D. T. Cutler, Frank Brooks, G. W.
Ballard, Benjamin Herring, G. W. Boyd, Captain
Burnham,and Messrs. Joijlin, Smith, .Jepson, Bishop,
Rablin, Duncan and Ellison.

Another storm in later years was much njore
destructive in the county, and should be mentioned
in this connection.

On the afternoon of Sunday, April 21, 1878, a
tornado entered Monona County at the southwest
corner, and after traversing it diagonally, swept on
over the county line near Mapleton. The path of
the cyclone was but narrow, varying from ten to
three hundred rods in width, but within its way it
spared nothing. In appearance it seemed a gigantic
cloud rolling with corkscrew motion along, one end
resting upon the ground, and was accompanied by
rain and the fall of hail. In Sherman Township,
where it first struck the county, it passed over

the farm of James Cook and then between the
farms of J. R. Thurston and Mrs. Reiley, tearing
aw.ay the kitchen at tiie latter place, and demolish-
ing the stables, fences, etc. At Mr. Thurston's the
kitchen was torn from tlie main building and de-
molished, wiiile the rest of the house was moved
from the foundation and turned one-third round.
William Thurston, then a young man of twenty
years, with two of his smaller brothers and two
Morris boys, who were standing watching the on-
coming storm, ran into the kitclieu which in a few
seconds was torn from around them and although
thrown away from it escaped without injury of
moment. It next tore the log house on the Hughes
pl.ice to pieces, but the family were absent from
home. The Davis school-house was lifted from its
foundation and b.adly racked, and from there the
storm swept on, bearing wreck and ruin to fence,
stable or crib in its path until it reached the house
of John White, about two miles southeast of Onawa,
where the havoc was complete. Seeing the ap-
proach of the storm the family took refuge in a
cyclone cellar, and from that haven of safety, saw
the miglity whirlwind first tear off the roof of their
house and then pick it up and utterly demolish it.
The furniture was all utterly destroyed or carried
away, pieces from the wreck being afterwards
found miles away. The trees of the grove were
twisted and denuded of leaves and the havoc
wrought was complete. On swept the storm-king
and in his path soon found the little hamlet of
Areola, where considerable damage was done, and
thence scattering destruction in its path, crashed
through the timlier into the Maple Valley, pausing
only long enough to wreck the Jones and Updike
mill. The dwelliiig of W. R. Harris, four miles
from Day's store, was utterly destroyed, as were
barns, stables, sheds, fences, etc., on his place.
Nothing was left. On reaching Mapleton, by one
of those vagaries that seem to possess these storms,
it leaped, so to speak, entirely over the town, doing
but little damage. A small dwelling occupied b3'
a Mr. Harney was overturned, and the contents of
a large kettle of boiling water thrown on his child,
from the effects of which it died. A Mr. Klingen-
fleld had all the trees in his orchard twisted off
close to the ground.

206

MONONA COUNTY.

On the evening of Fridaj' June 12, 1885, another
storm swept over tills county, doing a large amount
of damage. From eyewitnesses and from tlie
newsi)aper reports of the time is gathered tlie fol-
lowing account of its horrors:

The day iiad been intensely hot, the thermometer
attaining a height of 102" in the shade in the
afternoon. About 5 o'clock dark clouds com-
menced to form on the western horizon. Darker
and darker yet piled up the fearful forces of the
storm cloud until the entire heavens were com-
pletely overcast with their sable covering. About
6:30 a black and somber column of heavy clouds
was hurled athwart the cloudy exiianse and from
this ])roceeded the death and destruction so un-
paralleled in the annals of this county.

Rolling along like an immense tidal wave, witliin
a few feet of the ground it first struck the ground
in Fairview Township, and when it had lifted, left
behind it devastation and ruin. Victor Dubois
had a large barn torn to pieces ami two wind-mills
destroyed and one mule killed. His son lost a
wind-mill also, .lames Barley had his house and
its contents, barns, fences and everything swept
away but himself, his famil}- and live stock. AV. -1.
Hudgel had his cattle sheds destroyed, wind-mill
blown down, and barn wrecked. Dr. Samuel Polly's
two barns were scattered to the four quarters of the
section and he sustained other damage. George
Gullickson had part of his house wrested away and
Nels Solen had his blacksmith shop twisted out of
shape and his barn unroofed. Other losses would
make the storm a destroyer of several thousand
dollars in Fairview Township.

South of there it was still worse. C. M. Dean's
horse barn was the first to suffer from the billowy,
funnel-shaped mass, that with long-hanging rope-
like appendages swejit over the land, it being blown
down upon his three horses. James Larkiii's next
felt its fury his house being completely wrecked, j
John Crossley's residence was the next to go. The
family were at supper when their attention was
called to the coming cyclone, and all started for
the cave. A young man living with Mr. Larkiu
was the first to reach the door, to whom that gen-
tleman handed the child and lunied to help his
wife, but at that moment the full fur^' of the storm

struck the house and in an instant it was demol-
ished. The woman, thrown among the debris, was
seriously hurt. '

Nicholas Hite, two miles northeast of the last
place was the next to feel its fury and here the
destruction was more complete than anj'where in
the county. His l)arn, 34x18, with the shed, 14x32
attached was so badly demolished that only about
one-third of the lumber was left on the place;
buggy house, 14x18, nothing left; outhouse, 14x18,
only a few boards left to mark the spot. The
dwelling house, a handsome two-story building,
torn from its foundation, twisted around Jind
wrecked badl_y, while cultivators, plows and other
agricultural tools were hurled through the air
wounding stock and ^scattered promiscuously over
the farm. Fortunatel/no one here was injured.

Andrew Paekwood's house was next demolished,
his wife's arm broken and the gentleman himself
caught under some of the fallen timbers and badly
crushed, and an infant child, but ten days old,
carried through the air some fifty yards and de-
posited in the mud, all right. Bridges and groves
all through that part of the county wire de-
molished.

At Maple Landing several of the citizens lost
jiarts of their houses, and some stock was killed.

In West Fork the storm lost none of its fur^'.
J. L. Davenport's house was torn to pieces, he and
his family, consisting of his wife and six children
and liis hired man, being carried along in the
debris. His eldest girl, a young lady of seventeen,
and a boy three years old were badly hurt. The
loss here will foot up some $800. The Dailey
school-house was blown from its foundation and
badly demoralized. Ira Brown's house was lifted
from its foundation, his outbuildings demolisheil
and things generally about the place shaken up.
Theodore Sanderson, Ole Eberson, A. Gunsolly,
E. M. Casady, Frank and W. Konkle and the Slater
school-house also came in for damages more or
less, and a vacant house near the river utterly de-
destroyed. AH through the path swept by the
destroi'er, its trace is plainly discernable, wreck
and ruin, trees twisted off and turned over, fences
and crops laid low or whirled rods away and few,
if any structures left standing, and those only in a

MONONA COUNTY.

207

dismantled condition. The loss was put at some
$15,000 in this county, by conservative men.

Tlie Sunday night succeeding the countr3' was
again shaken up Ijy anotlier storm, but which did
not here develop any cyclonic tendencies, but did
much damage to the crops gencrailj^ throughout
the county. Several houses were twisted from
their foundations and cliimneys demolished, but
the count}' escaped the destruction that was so
wrought by the storm which occasioned the loss
of millions of dollars through Western and North-
western Iowa.

While but few crimes of any magnitude have
been enacted in Monona County in all the years
since its first settlement, still it is to be expected
there are some, and one of the most dastardly oc-
curred within tlie limits of this precinct.

It was upon the night of Jan. 2, 1885, about a
quarter before midnight, that three men approached
the house of Dr. W. W. Ordway, on section 13,
and rapping upon the door, attracted that gentle-
man's attention. On being asked what they wanted
one of them replied tliat he wanted some medicine
for a child of John Potts, whom they represented
to have an attack of the croup. Ever ready to at-
tend to calls of that nature, the doctor arose and
let one of them in and invited him to take a chair,
while he proceeded to put on his pants. Having
done so he prepared to light a lamp. He struck a
match and lit the wick, but before he could get the
globe on a shot was flred through the north win-
dow, and a load of buckshot hurtled through the
air, five of the missiles striking the doctor in the
face. As he half fell he grasped the stove with one
hand and held on to it until it was blistered. B3' al-
most superhuman exertions he raised up and stag-
gered through the door, and passing through another
room, hardly realizing what he was doing, but
blindly trying to get his gun. As he passed
through the door the man who had come in the
house picked u|) a trunk containing very valuable
papers, and as he passed out of the house called
for the fellow outside to '• finish him," meaning
the doctor. The latter by this time had reached a
ball that still separated him from his weapon, and
just as he crossed it the miscreant fired another
shot, but fortunately missed his aim. The plucky

doctor then made a rush for him, when the fellow
again essayed to fire his piece but it missed fire,
and closing with him the two had a desperate bat-
tle clear out of the house and three or four rods
from the door; and had Dr. Ordway had his boots
on it is his opinion that he could have made a sad
looking corpse of the rascal, as the follow did noi
find so easy a man to handle as he supposed, even
if he was sorel}' wounded. The men got away,
however, but the doctor secured the man's gun,
mitten and cap, and returned to the house and had
Dr. Harman, of Onawa, brought out in the morn-
ing to dress the painful wound that he had re-
ceiveil. This laid the doctor up for some ten weeks,
and left a scar that will last for life. The miscre-
ants broke open the trunk, which contained about
$100,000 worth of valuable papers, which they
attempted to burn, but the blast was so strong that
man}' of them were strewn around over the snow.

A Reminiscence of War Times.

BY AN OLD SETTLER.

ATTENTION, COMPANY!

The Monona Union Guards will meet for drill
on Saturday, the 8th of June, 18C1. By order of
the Captain. J. A. Scoil, Sergeant.

Such was tlie notice that appeared in The Mo-
nona Cordon, Onawa's weekly paper, edited by A.
Dimmick.

On Saturday, April 30, the Cordon came out in
heavy black lines of mourning, announcing that
civil war had commenced. A column of editorial
matter gave a summary of the awful state of afifairs
in the nation. A pargr.iph in the same issue said:
"Don't forget the military company meeting to
organize next Saturday. Let us have a full turn-
out; War is upon us." Another item read as
follows: "It is rumored that some white men,
somewhere above Smithland, shot an Indian, and
after lodging seven or eight balls in his body, he
ran away with the swiftness of a deer." Who can
blame the Indian for retiring as rapidly as possible
under the circnmstances?

President Lincoln's Proclamation calling for
75,0C0 men appeared in the same issue, causing the

208

MONONA COUNTY.

greatest excitement and rousing the patriotism of
the North to fever heat. The first man in Onawa,
if ray memory serves me right, that left his home
to join the United States army, was Albert Fair-
ehild. He went to Counoil Bhiffs early in .Tuly,
18G1, to enroll himself among the nation's de-
fenders. His body now lies in tlie Onawa cemetery
— buried before the war closed.

In July fifty United States cavalrymen passed
through the town on their way to the northern
frontier, and fifty more were reported as following.
A courier arrived one day at noon about that time
who had ridden from Sioux City, forty miles in
three hours, with the exciting news that a massacre
li.ad taken place at Sioux City; tvvo soldiers of the
local comiiany had been killed by the Indians in a
field while peaceably engaged in hoeing potatoes.
After dinner, inounted on a fresh horse, he set out
in hot haste for Council Bluffs, where he arrived at
midnight — 100 miles from Sioux City in fifteen
hours over bad roads. The courier had been dis-
patched from Sioux City by Judge Hubbard, and
the result was a company of volunteer infantry
from Harrison County that reached Onawa at mid-
night, rousing the citizens from their slumbers bj'
tiioir sudden and noisy invasion, and causing a
panic in many a household under the impression
that the Indians had come to kill, and burn the
town. As soon as it was known that they were
friends instead of foes, the ladies began to prepare
coffee and otlier refreshments and gave them a roj'al
welcome. The company bivouacked in and around
the court house. At early bugle call they took up
their onward march toward Sioux City, where thej-
fraternized with the local volunteers in the protec-
tion of the pe iple from savage foes.

On the day following the arrival of the courier
from Sioux City, a meeting of citizens was called
at the school house to consider the propriety of
forming a military company for home protection.
The meeting was organized by calling T. Elliott to
l;:ke the chair, and T. R. Chapman to act as secre-
tary. After considerable discussion A. Oliver was
apixiinted a committee to confer with Judge Hub-
bard, whereupon the meeting adjourned. This was
on "\\'eduesday. On the following Sunday sixteen
good and true men of Monona Countv left Onawa

on horseback for the frontier. The best way to
[)rotect the town was to send men to the front.

I majr saj' by way of exiflanation that the re-
redoubtable Monona Union Guards had quietly
melted away in the hot July sun to come to life
again, however, in 18Gt under the head of Capt.
Charles Atkins, and armed with real muskets. Of
their valiant deeds in keeping the hostile Sioux
Indians at bay, I may have a word to say at the
proper time. The last drill of the Guards of 180 1
took place in the shade of a small building on
Iowa avenue, where Mr. Stark's store now stands.
It was a limp affair. The heat was too great to
permit a promenade as far as the Court House,
where the Guards usually assembled for the dis-
|)lay of their marvetous serpentine line of beauty
and the execution of their eccentric evolutions.

The roll-call of the names of the immortal six-
teen heroes that left Onawa on the first day of the
week in July, 18G1, is as follows:

T. R. Chapman, B. D. Ilolbrook,

Seneca Morgan, Frank Milam,
Thomas M. Flowers, Thos. Powers,

Marion Perr}^ W. C. Lanyon,

Wm. Haley, Adam Miers,

John Craig, J. H. Overacker,

"Wm. Sherman, Omer Lytle,

Daniel Howard, 0. J. Goodenough.

A large crowd assembled to witness their de-
parture from the Onawa House and showered
blessings upon them. Three rousing cheers were
given them as mounted .upon spirited horses of
their own they wheeled and shot out of town at a
rattling gait. By noon they reached Shipman's
tavern where they took dinner, and a little after
dark entered Sioux City. The next day they were
enrolled in Capt. Tripp's company and went into
camp. The first week in August some members
returned on furlough and reported seeing more elk
than Indians — in fact they hadn't caught sight of
a "single red." All were in good health. T. R.
Chapman, after several weeks' service in Capt.
Tripp's company, returned home and reported with
military brevity, "'llnrd work, poor pay and no
Indians."

MONONA COUNTY.

209

EXPERIENCE OP D. T. HAWTHORNE IN THE WINTER
OF THE DEEP SNOW.

In the fall of 1856, prairie fires destroyed a
large amount of hay in this and adjoining counties,
and Elijah Adams, Bayliss of Woodbury, Thomas
Flowers, John Truman and Frederick D. Winegar
hired Edward Young and D. T. Hawthorne to herd
their cattle on the rush-beds on the banks of the
Missouri River in Franklin township. This w.as
the "winter of the deep snow," as it is known
throughout the whole West. December, 1, 2 and 3,
witnessed the first great fall of snow, that laid the
earth under a snowy mantle some four feet deep,
with drifts and hillocks twice as high. Being hem-
med in and storm-bound, and provisions running
short for both man and beast, the snow covering
the forage of the rush-beds, the two men sat down
and played a game of eucher to decide which of
them should struggle through to make their condi-
tion known, and the fates, luck or skill decided
that Young should make the attempt. With an
early start he succeeded, after a hard and desperate
struggle, in reaching the cabin of Mr. Hays, some
four miles distant, by nightfall. Resting there
that night, he reached Ashton the next day and
notified Mr. Flowers. It was some two weeks be-
fore the latter could get back to Hawthorne on
horseback, .and had at that time a hard and desperate
battle with the drifts ere he reached him. Getting
word to the other parlies who owned the cattle,
they started to drive out what had not died of
cold, exposure and hunger, or had been killed by
wolves, and succeeded in rounding up all but nine
head that had sheltered themselves in some willows,
in an out-of-the-way place, and succeeded in driv-
ing them through to food and shelter. Hawthorne
returned for the balance, shortly after, between
Christmas and New Years, being storm-stayed at
Ashton one day on the way. The next day he
found the kine he sought and started them though
the huge drifts in the right direction, intending to
make a camp where the main herd had been, that
night, but in wading through the snow the matches
in his pocket had become wet, so he was forced to
go on. About 2 o'clock in the morning, after in-
credible hardship he reached the cabin of a

man by the name of Miller, where he sought and
found shelter. Next morning he hired a boy to
help him drive the cattle, and being unable in that
neigliborhood to get any hay, drove tliem through
to Ashton. There, he paid 12.50 for a bushel of corn
to feed the animals, and as there was no hay to be
bought, to use the expression of the pioneer, "he
came Indian on it" for that necessary article.
Early the next morning, with the thermometer
standing some 40 ^ below zero he started the cat-
tle for Smitliland, but another storm coming up lie
was compelled to leave them at Fairchild's ha}'-
stack, on the West Fork of the Little Sioux River,
and go on to his destination alone. The next
morning in company with a man by the name of
Allison he started back to look for the cattle.
Being nearly frozen with the cold and exhausted
with fatigue, Allison gave up several times and
laid down in the snow vowing that he could go no
further. Hawthorne by persuasion and sometimes
by gentle force, urged him on however, knowing it
was death for him if he was left there, and
after incredible hardships finally about midnight
reached the cabin of F. D. Winegar, who with the
hearty hospitality of the time took in the perish-
ing men. There being- but enough beds in the
house to supply the famUy, Allison was put into
two of the boys' bed, while they and Hawthorne
sat up the balance of the night and told stories and
ate corn bread until the dawn, Allison who was
completely- worn out was, also, badly frost bitten
about the face. The next morning, finding the
cattle they were driven through to Smitliland.
Allison followed along in the track broken by the
herd. Mr. Hawthorne is still a resident of Mon-
ona County, living on section 8, Center Township.

THE FIRST RAILROAD IN MONONA.

During the winter of 1858-9 parties in Council
Bluffs, Sioux City, and towns between, organized
the Council Bluffs & Sioux City Railroad Company.
Monona County was represented by A. Dimmick,
Director, and J. C. Hazelett, Engineer. The scheme
was well talked up and plans concocted until on
January 22, 1859, a mass convention was held at
Onawa to consider the subject, and it was resolved
by a large majority to have an election ordered on

210

MONONA COUNTY.

the quusUon of issuing $75,000 in lj(jnds guaran-
teed iiy 140,000 acres of swamp lands, the idea
being that the lands would meet the interest for the
time placed, and eventually i>ay off the bonds.
Although the day was stormy and cold people
came out and a decided opposition led by Leonard
Sears, F. A. Day and C V. Risbee, grew into such a
cloud that the proiectors of this plan to place
$75,000 bonds to the crc<lit of an irresponsil)le com-
pan}' deemed it wise to back down and out of the
first bonding job of JNIonona and no election was
ordered.

now WE CAME TO MONONA IN '55.

By J, I). P. Dny.

On tiic 25th of October, 1855, Preston Day and
his brother Joe started to navigate two yoke of
oxeu and a heavily loaded wagon from St. Charles,
III., to Monona, a distance of over 500 miles by the
routes then traveled. Neither of the boys had ever
yoked up or drove cattle and it was only a matter
of course that the Qrst hard pull found them stu(;k.
A kind carpenter going their way helped diive a
mile or two until a hill was reached tliat proved
too much for the team and tliey were "stuck" for
good. A snow storm two days before had wet the
ground thoroughl3' and it was soft and nasty as
Illinois mud can be at short notice. The cariicnter
■went ahead a mile and sent a farmer's boj' back
with a yoke of steers, with which help the outfit
soon reached the farmer's yard and it was determ-
ined to buy the steers and hire the boy to drive to
Davenjiort and instruct his employers in the science
of handling oxen. The next day they went off
nicely until about four o'clock the wheels went
down to the hubs in a slough and the load had to
come off which job was repealed four times on the
tri|). The boys lived wholly out of doors, having
an old cow hitched on behind that furnished a good
share of the living. During some 3,000 miles trav-
eled in the ensuing year they never slept in a house
but once and had good reason to repent of that rash
act. The trip down the Rock River and to Daven-
port was over good roads and the boys had learned
how to swing the long whip in artistic style. At
the Mississippi River the boy Dan started back.
He had written instructions how to reach home by

the railroads but it was afterward learned that he
footed it back over the old trail and saved his
fare; not going to trust himself on the roundabout
railroads. On Novemlier 4, just as they ajiproached
the Cedar River at Moscow, then the terminus of
the Ro(;k Island Road, the only railroad in Iowa,
tiiey were overtaken by F. A. Day, Frank L. Day
and wife, who were traveling with horses. Iowa
City was passed November 7, and on November
14 the wagon was capsized in the timber in East
DesMoines and made a diversion for awhile. The
river at DesMoines was forded and it did not take
many minutes to |)ass througii the little village
which has since developed into tiie beautiful Capi-
tal City of Iowa. The gate posts of old Ft. Des-
Moines were still stajiding in what is now the heart
of the city. On the IGth they camped about five
miles west of Adel and woke next morning to find
eight inches of snow on the ground. They were
camped near a widow's cabin, an old lady, a native
of Virginia, who saw Alexandria burned by the
British. At first she did not like the looks of these
moustached fellow^s, but as they sat around her big
open fireplace and told stories, her heart seemed to
warm up and she tendered some of her good things
to help out the supper. Before the snow storm was
over she was earnestly persuading the whole crowd
to winter with her and go on in the spring. It was
rather a blue outlook when they started out with
over a foot of snow and took up the trail anew. At
the ford of the Coon, near Wiscotta, the leaders of
the team balked iu raid-stream and Joe off with his
boots and waded in to straighteji them out. This
cool bath with rock}- bottom was a tough job es-
psciall}' on coming out into the snow, resulting af-
terward in an ugly stone bruise. The 21st was a se-
vere cold day and they made the drive from Bear
Grove to Turkey Creek at Morrison's, now the site of
the village of Anita. This drive of twent3'-five miles
without a house was^the hardest clay of the entire trip
having to dine on frozen bread and milk and when
they came into the stage station the\' found people
waiting for them and a good supper ready, it being
half-past ten. As the night before thej- had stayed
with the ugliest woman met on the road, this unex-
pected reception was all the more appreciated, and
the kindness of the Morrisons will never be forgot-

MONONA COUNTY.

211

ten. The next day being Thanksgiving they laid
by and celebrated their fiist one on the Missouri
Slope, having crossed the divide the day before.
This vvas a stormy day and our host went out in
the afternoon hunting for deer, killing three before
night. As there were lots of passengers on the
route that da}^ the good people were kept busy
getting up corn cakes and venison steaks which
were duly appreciated. Frotn this point westward
the snow grew less and the weather milder until on
the 'iSth they went out of the snow and came in
sight of the Missouri Valle3', camping at noon at
the mouth of Mosquito "N'alley and reaching Coun-
cil Bluffs in the afternoon. The warm weather and
dusty roads seemed to welcome them to the Big
Valley of the West that was to be their home. On
December 1 passed where Missouri Valley now is,
and were overtaken that afternoon by Uncle Sammy
King and his family on tlieir way out from Indi-
ana. On the eve of December 2, camped at Lar-
penteurs and the next morning crossed the Sioux
and were in Monona at noon, camping that night
with John B. Gard, whore they met a hearty wel-
come. On December 11, F. A. Day, Frank L. and
Joe B. P. went to Smithland, where they met Dr.
Ordway who had lately been robbed of a large
sum of monej' and some notes and everybody was
talking about it. On the 13tli Frank L. and Joe B. P.
pitched a tent just in the bend above the Kennebec
bridge, where they were joined by the rest of the
party on the 15th and they settled down for the
winter in two nine foot tents joined at the ends. A
big camp fire was built that was not allowed to go
out for over a month, as the weather was the cold-
est ever known in the West — snow never melted
on the sunny side of a tree from December 17 until
the middle of January and several mornings the
mercury was chilled. Yet in spite of the weather
the emigrants kept at work on a cabin until they
moved on March 1, and camp life was ended. The
old cabin in which the Days lived nine years was a
familiar [)lace with many old settlers who have
often tripped the light fantastic to the music
of the first piano in Northwestern Iowa, brought
across from Iowa City in the summer of '56. The
cabin was divided in '65, and Edwin Pritchard took
one-half to his homestead at Ticouia where it was

burnt, 8nd the other half was moved to J. B. P.
Day's farm near Castana, where it was occupied
until the fall of '89. when it was torn down.

The writer hereof visited O. B. Smith one day in
order to save some items of history in which
Monona County people will be interested and which
are herein noted.

O. B. Smith, founder of Smithland, Woodbury
County, Iowa, and known to the old settlers as
Buckskin Smitli (in consequence of his always
wearing buckskin suits in the pioneer days, like his
brother pioneers Boone, Crockett and others), was
born in Preston, Chenango Co., N. Y., and had lots
of brothers and sisters. At .sixteen he went to
Cincinnati, Ohio, and drifted down the Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, then to Texas
and back to Natchez, then a noted gambling town
and there Smith lost in some game, all he had, then
worked up the river and settled in Ogle County,
111., at Kilbuck. He joined the California emigra-
tion in 1851, coming to Council Bluffs where he
rested and when tlie city was organized, took out a
license as auctioneer. In 1851 52 the place was
full of people bound for Salt Lake or California.
As this was the last of settlements and steamer
communications, many found themselves overloaded
with goods and the surplus was generally sold for a
song. Many a good English- woman bound for
Zion or Utah, saw her nice feather beds sold at auc-
tion for one dollar and other things at similar
prices. Smith made the first entry in the Blutls'
Land Offlee on April 22, 1853. He had to buy out
eleven Mormon cabins that were on the tract wliich
was after occupied by L. W. Babbitt. In the fall
of 1852 in company with Ed. M. Smith and John
Hurley he came up into Monona, crossing the
Sioux at Larpenteurs' Ford and camping that night
on the Missouri below Cooks. As they drove up
to the timbers a big flock of turkeys surrounded
them and Smith shot fourteen without getting off
the wagon. They went thence by Oliver Lake's to
a bridge on West Fork, built b}' Curtis Lamb and
William White, who lived up the Sioux and traded
with the Indians. They found Wm. While at
Smithland Grove where he lived several years and ;
had a ferry on the Sioux until a bridge was built

212

MONONA COUNTY.

when lie moved lo Silvef Lnke near WliitJng, where
he wns drowned 3'ears ago. Lamb lived above
Smithland and went to Newport, Neb.

On this trip Smith purchased of Josiah Sumner
his claim in tlie Smithland Grove for $100 in gold
anil in P'ebniary, 1853, he moved Eli Lee up to
his claim. In June he canio up with some goods as
far as Larpentenr's and found the bottoms under
water, so hired Wm. Townslej', who was tenting
near by, to go and help haul his load through the
hills, and paid him fifty cents per day and all the
whiskey he could drink, and had whiskey been the
present prices it would have been a dear bargain.
He crossed over to the Soldier and went up between
Jordan and Beaver Creeks, crossing the Maple
near Norcross Bridge heading the Wiley Creek.
While building a bridge over the Maple the cattle
ran off and Townsley had to go back to the Beaver
being gone all day. Smith left his cattle at Smith-
land and returned to the Bluffs and in July with
five teams moved his family, Seth Smith helping
him this trip. As they came up the Soldier Valley
they found two wagons in camp at Preparation and
tills was the advance location committee of the col-
ony that settled there, Barnum, Condit and three
others. From the Soldier,;Smith came over the
trail to the Beaver at mouth of Miers Creek, crossed
near Howe's Bridge on a beaver dam and named
the creek Beaver. They bridged the Maple in
Lake Park just below Castana. While building
this bridge Smith noticed an ox track in the bend
and after getting over he started the teams up the
bluff near Old Castana and he followed that ox
trail up the valley to the Wiley Creek near Nor-
cross Bridge, where be met an old white ox he had
left at Smithland in June. The fellow had been
tormented by flies, mosquitoes and solitude until
he was well worn out and he capered around
Smith, bellowed and tore up the ground in his joj',
following Smith like a dog, licking his hands in his
glee. In the meantime the teams had tried the
divide back of the valley and found it so rough
they came back to the valley and Smith met them
near the King Place; they went up that creek just
before sunset and Smith shot three deer before sup-
per. The next day they went over the divide to
the Sioux. While on the divide they saw the bones

of a man bleached and old, and Seth Smith always
insisted that this was the remains of Moses who
stood where he could look over into the Maple Val-
ley — "The Promised Land." Seth Smith after-
ward located on the site of Rodney, and lived
in Monona until his death.

In 1855, Smith with Eli Lee, Ed. M.Smith, Wm.
Townsley and Joe Bowers built a bridge at Ida
Grove, completing the trail to Ft. Dodge that was
used for years by the Ft. Dodge & Sioux City
stage line and was the road to the Northwest, and
it is fitting that those pioneers have credit for their
gratuitous work in opening this trail. Ed. Smith
built a cabin on the old town site of Ida that sum-
mer and here his daughter Ida was born, the first
white child of Ida County. William Townsley put
up a cabin just south of the grove at Ida in 1855.
This bridge party shot a wagon load of wild hogs,
deer and turkeys about the grove, and elk were
plenty all around that vicinity at that time.

During the summer of 1855, Smith conceived
the idea of building a town in Monona County, and
made arrangements with some of the Preparation
settlers (who were getting uneasy under Thomp-
son's 3-oke) to pre-empt and purchase the location
known as Belvidere Beach and a number of families
left Preparation in August and located at Belvidere,
which at one time was quite a little village, with
store, blacksmith, shoemaker, cooper-shop and saw
mill. The parties who were in possession finally
froze Smith out of the job and others took a hand
in it; but in the count}^ seat election of 18G1, Smith
worked hard for Onawa and claims his influence
turned the scale and gave him his revenge.

In the summer of 1859, J. B. Gard, William
Townsley, John Dingman, Abe Mosher, Doe. Conk-
lin, A. J. Hathaway, James Roberts and 0. B.
Smith, went over the plains and located on head of
Cherry Creek, Colo., building a cabin on the Sante
Fe Trail, where they spent the winter of I859-G0,
and after laying in a supply of game secured on a
trip to Pikes Peak, Smith hauled timber and
built. a larger double log cabin on the site of West
Denver, being the first house in Denver. The next
season Col. Laramie laid out Denver on the other
side of the creek and Smith built a store on Blake
street.

MONONA COUNTY.

213

Mr. Smith is one of the most entertaining old
settlers in the county to meet and is full of stories
coverino- fifty years of the histor}' of tlie West.
He was a splendid specimen of athletic manhood,
has heeu a great huuter and counts deer-slaying

up into the thousands, was a match for any Indian
in trailing and scouting and has been tlie indirect
means of locating iuindreds of Monona's settlers.
He is now settled at Smithland and bids fair to be
with us for many years.

Blue Grass.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTEK VII.

(f^^HIS beautiful sub-division of the county in
(jm^ whieii is situated the count^^ seat, embraces
W^ all of Congressional Township 83, range 45,
and the fractional town 83. range 46. The sur-
face is extremely level, and is, to a large extent,
brought under cultivation. The soil is a dark, rich,
alluvial loam, with just the right admixture of sand
to make crops spring up quickly and mature early.
Franklin lies in the western part of the county,
its western boundary being washed by the rapid
Missouri, that separates it from Nebraska. It is
bounded on the north bj' the town of Ashton and
Lincoln; on the south by Sherman, and on the east
by Belvidere. Tlie population is about 1,000, the
census of 1885 showing it to have then 809 inhabi-
tants, 677 of whom were of American birth.

EAKLY SETTLEMKNT.

The first settlement in the county was made in
what is now the township of Franklin, in the sum-
mer of 1851. Aaron W. Cook, and his son, James,
a lad of fourteen years, and .losiah Sumner, resid-
inf at the time in Pottawattamie County, this State,
started from their home with a wagon and ox-
team, up the Missouri bottom in search of bee trees.
In the course of time they arrived in the timber on
the bank of the river west of where Onawa now
stands, and there found three shanties, on what is
.now section 30, town 83, range 45, deserted by
their former occu|)ants, probably Indian traders,
standing in a triangle, about eight rods apart.

Here they took up their lodgiug and remained
three weeks or tliereabouts prosecuting their searcli
for honey, and then returned to their homes with
some twenty-five or lliirty gallons of the sweets of
the woodland grove.

While here tliey discussed the question as to
their returning here and making a permanent set-
tlement, the timber being so handy to the river,
that they could supply all boats passing up and
down the river. Besides this, they observed that
there were large beds of rushes along the river
bottom, where cattle could feed all winter long.
Filled with these ideas, they reached their homes.
Collecting a herd of some 150 head of cattle from
their neighbors, which the}' agreed to winter for
twenty-five cents a head per month, in the latter
part of October, 1851, again came to their old
camping place. On their arrival at the shanties,
they found one of them occupied by an Inilian
trader by the name of Rose, who had filled up the
cabin with a lot of supplies to sell to the Indians,
and presumablj' a quantity of whisky, that being
the most saleable article. Mr. Cook settled his
family, whom he had brought with him in the
shanty toward the south, and Jlr. Sumner's family
occupied the northern one. Rose, the trader, hav-
ing the cows, wliich he used to draw his outfit, stolen
by Indians, during the winter, sold out to Messrs.
Cook and Sumner, for forty cords of wood to be
delivered on the river bank in the spring, and
finally left heie in February, 1852. On the open-

MONONA COUNTY.

215

iug of navigation the following sjiring he returned
on tlie boat of the American Fur Company, to
whom he had sold the wood, and Cook and Sum-
ner, in performance of their part of the contract,
delivered the forty cords. This boat was sent up
the Missouri River every si)ring with supplies for
the French and Indian employes of that great cor-
poration, and to bring back to St. Louis, the furs,
the residt of their winter's work. These latter
were usually brought down in a Mackinaw boat, a
craft .30x10 feet in size built of planks, that was
dismantled on arrival at its destination. The wood
cut by Cook and Sumner could alwa3S be disposed
of to these traders, and a short time afterward
other boats ran up the river to Sergeants Bluffs, and
later to Sioux City, and these, also, became custom-
ers for wood. Tlie partnership between the two
men, Cook and Sumner, existed for two years, dur-
ing which, in addition to the wood business, they
brought up herds of cattle to winter here, the care
of which devolved upon the boy, James Cook, as
well as much of the hard work, his fatlier not be-
ing a very robust man. In the summer of 1852,
the families of Cook and Sumner removed to two
hewn log cabins which they had built about half
a mile further south.

In 1853 Mr, Sumner removed to the vicinity of
Smithland, Woodbury Countj', but after remain-
ing there for about a .year, returned to Franklin
Tovrnship, Monona County, and settled aliout a
mile west of the present site of Onawa, and opened
a farm. There he resided until his death. In the
summer of 1853, Mr. Cook lived so close to the
river that three different times he was compelled to
move his house to keep it from being engulfed in
the Missouri, that then, as now, kept eating away
the banks, and which took all of his little clearing
of ten acres and the crops therein. In the spring
of 1854, Mr. Cook moved to what is now known
as the '-Sears' place", on section 17, which he sold
to Leonard Sears the following year, when he re-
moved to Sherman Township, to a place that he
had opened in 1854, and there he died, Jan. 1,
1856. James Cook, his son, is a resident of the
county still, the oldest living settler.

At the time thej' came here, all this Territory
was claimed by the Yanktouais Sioux Indians, who,

by threats, tried to intimidate all white people from
settling on the bottom. These tiireats they never
carried out, their only depredations being confined
to stealing horses, which the first settlers obviated
by only using cattle.

The next to make a settlement, was John Brook-
field Gard, who came here with his family in Feb-
ruarj-, 1853. He located on section 20, in what is
now Franklin Township, where he afterward en-
tered a large tract of land. He had with him his
wife and eight children, and erected a log cabin on
his place, in which he installed his family. Here
he remained until 1858, when he removed to On-
awa, having erected the dwelling in which J. E.
vSelleck now lives, but the next year returned to
his farm. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak, and is
now a resident of the State of Colorado.

AVilh him came Jolin Dingman, who helped put
up his house, and who remained here until the fol-
lowing April. He returned to tiiis county in 1857,
and is a resident of Onawa.

Francis C. Case, Sr., came to Jlonona County in
1853, and settled in Franklin Township on section
5, where he lived until his death in April, 1858.
He was one of the prominent citizens of those
early times, and was elected to fill the olHce of
Slieriff, but died previous to qualification for that
position.

Robert Jamison made a settlement in this town
in the fall of 1854, and made his home on a claim
until about 1862, when, his wife having died several
years before, he removed to somewhere in this State
between this and Des Moines.

On the 1st of November, 1854, Mrs. Catherine
(Hoak) Folck. a native of Switzerland, came to
Monona County, and located on forty acres of land
which is now included in the town site of Onawa,
and which she sold in 1857 to the Monona Land
Companj'. Her house, a small log cabin, was stand-
ing on tlie ground when the town was laid out. For
several years thereafter she made her home in the
little village^ but spent the last days of her life with
her daughter, Mrs. R. Jewell, in this township, dy-
ing July 23, 1884. She was a widow at the time of
coming here, with a famil}' of children. A sketch
of her life appears in the biographical department
of this work further on.

216

MONONA COUNTY.

George Erb, with lis famil}' came to this county
during tliis same year, and settled in what is now
Franklin Township, east of the city of Onawa.
Here the head of the family made iiis home until
Sept. 1:5, 1«05, wlien he died. Two sons, Pliilip
and George, are still residents of the county, tlic
former living near Onawa, and the latter at the vil-
lage of Moorhead.

William .Tewell, a native of the " Empire State,"
settled in Monona County in the summer of 1855,
locating on section 28, this town, wliere lie died
Dec. 2, 1880. Ihs son, Rockwell Jewell, a 1103- of
fifteen when he came here witli liis parents, is still
a resident of tlie township. Witli tlie Jewell family
came Frank Richardson, who for several j^ears made
his home on the Davis place. He is still a resident
of tlie county.

Isaac and Mahlon Davis and their sister Esther,
were the next to make a settlement in this locality,
coming from Lee County, this State, in April, 185.'>.
Isaac purchased a piece of governmeut hand, on
section 34, Franklin Township, where he is still
living. His sister Esther, now the widow of Hon.
■Stephen Tillson, is a resident also, living near
Onawa. Mahlon located on section 33, now owned
by U. U. Comfort, upon which he made improve-
ments, and there resided until 1859, when, during
the excitement at that time prevalent, he removed
to Pike's Peak.

Leonard Sears came to the county in 1855, and
entered some 1,300 acres of land, building his house
on section 8, of this township. Here he made his
home until called hence by death, Feb. 2, 1859. He
held several important positions in political circles,
among others that of County Judge.

Stephen Tillson, afterward one of the prominent
political leaders of the countjs made a settlement
on section 5, in February, 1856. He died in this
county, one of its most prominent citizens.

Another of the settlers of this year was Thomas
Gwinn. In 1859 he started for Pike's Peak, but
died on the way thither.

Lewis Partridge settled on section 25, in the year
1856. The following year he sold out to Franklin
Oliver, and after two or three years more residence
in the county returned to his former liorae in
Geneva, Kane Co., 111.

About the same time the farm now known as the
Butcher place was taken up by Frank Mosier, who
remained in this town until the spring of 1859,
when, during the Pike's Peak excitement, he moved
to that new p]ldorado, with others from this locality.

John Philip Kratz, one of the early pioneers of
the county, came to this town in 1856, and made a
settlement on section 20, where he made his liome
until tlie Angel of Death carried him over the dark
river, an event that took place in Januar3', 1866.

Hariy E. Colby ma le his appearance here on the
1st of June, 1856, and settled on a farm on section
24, this town. About eighteen months later he re-
moved to Onawa, but in 1861 returned to a farm
on section 16 where he resided until 1888. He
now lives in Onawa^ With him came George P.
ButKngton, who was so identified with the earl^'
history of the county, and who also settled on a
farm in this town.

James and David McWilliams came to this
county in the spring of 1857, and settled, the first
just east of tlie young village of Onawa, the latter
on the southwest quarter of section 31. James is
still a resident of the county, hut David makes his
home in Dennison.

George W. Oliver, who had been living in Ash-
ton and Onawa, since July, 1857, moved on his
farm in section 25, this township in April, 1858,
where he has since made his home.

Timothy Murphy, and his son, John R., came
here in October, 1857, and settled on a farm on
section 20 ; from there he removed to section 12,
where the elder Mr. Murphy died in 1879. Joiin
R. is a prominent resident of Ashton Township at
the present writing.

A. R. Wright came to this county during this
same year and taught the first school in Onawa,
living on what is now the Miller farm. Five or six
years later he removed to Sergeant's Bluff, Wood-
bury County, where he is still living.

P.arker J. Kimball came to Monana County in
April, 1858, and remained until the following
spring, when he started for Pike's Peak. On the
road he changed his mind and went to California.
In the spring of 1864, after serving in the army,
he returned to this county and settled on a farm on
section 16, where he now lives.

MONONA COUNTY.

217

Moses Adams was another pioneer of the year
1858, coming liere in April of that year. Later
on he settled on a farm on section 16, in this town,
upon wliich lie made his liorae until 1882, at which
date he retired to Onawa, and there is taking his
rest after an active and useful life.

Uriah U. Comfort, one of the leading citizens of
the town at the present time came to this town from
Steuben County, N. Y., in the year 1859, and
located upon a piece of land on section 32. He
has materially added to his farm but still makes
his home on the old homestead. This was not his
first experience as a pioneer, he having resided for
some four years in Michigan previous to coming
here.

Neal McNeill, one of tlie largest landowners and
most extensive farmers of the count}-, settled on
the southwest quarter of section 16, in the summer
of 1859, having come to the county about June 1,
of the previous year. On his place he put up, the
same year, the first brick residence in the count}-,
as shown elsewhere.

D. W. Sampson came to this town in 1860, and
settled down to farm life during the year 1860.
Here he continued to live until about 1884, when he
removed to the city of Onawa. where he now re-
sides.

Frank G. Oliver, a carpenter who had been work-
ing at his trade at Onawa, and a settler of the
year 1857, removed to his farm on section 25, in
July, 18G1, and is still residing on the same.

John Dingman and A. Z. Blosher, came to Frank-
lin Township in 1862 for the second time and set-
tled on some two hundred acres of the '-Gard Farm,"
and have remained in the county ever since.

Larkin Packwood. now of Lake Township, settled
herein 1862, working a part of the J. B. Gard farm.
Two years later he settled on section 17, but in
1867 removed to his present location in the north
part of the county.

Jonathan E. Morrison located on his farm on
section 16, this township, in the year 1864, having
been engaged in hotel-keeping in Ashton and
Onawa, previously, and remained on it ui'til 1874,
when he retired to Onawa.

Charles Gantz came to this town in the si)ring of
lSi;4, from Powesheik County, Iowa, and rented a

farm. The next year he purchased a place on sec-
tion 11, where he lived until killed l)y a team run-
ning away, Dec. 24, 1879. His son, William, lives
on the old liomestead in township 8:5, range 46.

Louis Schwardfaher located here about the same
period and took up his home upon a farm. Three
or four years ago he rented his place and removed
to Onawa, where he now lives.

S. D. Hinsdale, who has a line farm on section 21.
settled in the county in 1865, iKirchasing his place
the same year. He made his liome in Onawa until
1867, working his land in the meantime, and then
removed to his farm, where he has since lived.

William Gentz, a prominent German citizen of
this township, settled here in 1865.

Alfred Hanscom came here from Lake Township
this same year and made his home until 1877, dur-
ing which time he removed to the town of Sioux.

Edmund Butcher and his young wife came to
Monona County, February 17, 1865, and settled
on a farm in section 32. He is still a resident of
Franklin.

W. B. Bailey came to Monona County in Febru-
ary, 1866, and went to work in the Watts & Van-
Dorn sawmill. He is now one of the prosperous
farmers of this township, living on section 11.

John Donner, one of the prominent German cit-
izens of this township, located here in the fall of
1866.

John Butler settled in tliis part of the county
Dec. 28, 1867, on section 29, where he died July
29, 1870. His two sons, Richard J. and John M.,
came with their parents and now carry on the old
homestead.

Ilenr}- W. Cunningham, now of Onawa, moved
on his farm on section 11, in 1868, where he made
his home for many years.

Thomas Cody, one of the leading farmers of
Franklin Township, living on section 21, made a
settlement there in 1868.

William Kraft, now residing on his farm on sec-
tion 14, came to the county the same 3'ear, al-
though he did not take up farming until 1876.

John C. Moorhead located upon his farm witli
Ills brother. Hardy, in the fall of 1869, coming
from Onawa, where they had been engaged in bus-

218

MONONA COUNTY.

iness since the spring of tlie previous year. Tliey
still reside on sectioti 29, wliere tliey first settled.

Robert Scholes the same ye.ar made a settlement
upon section 28, where he still makes his home.

.John Kelsey, also, settled on the farm on section
35, where lie now lives, in the spiing of 18C9.

John Gray came to Monona Count\', from the
environs of London, Canada, May 13, 1871, and
located on a farm on sections 12 and 13, in what is
known as the "Blue Lake Circle," in this township,
and is still a resident.

R. W. Cooper settled on his farm in this town-
ship in 1871. He came here first in 1867 and re-
mained al.iout eight months.

Christian Gantz settled in Franklin Township ia
the summer of 1872, working for three years there-
after in the sawmill. In 1882 he located where he
now lives on section 13, town 83, range 46.

Ernest Gantz located here the same year. He,
too, went to work in a sawmill and followed that
business for a livelihood for two years and then
devoted himself to farming. He is still a resident
of the township.

Almon L. Adams, one of the settlers of this year,
is still a resident of the town, living on section 28.

Harvey M. Chapman, living on section 35, set-
tled in this township the same j'ear.

The same year Charles Otto, now residing on sec-
tion 15, came to this township, where he has since
made his home.

Ernest Strautz also settled here the same time.

Robert G. Fairchild, one of the earliest settlers
in the county, located on his farm on section 17 in
the spring of 1873. He ha 1 been in the county
since 1856, settling first at Ashton, in the history
of which will be found an account of his business
transactions at the old county-seat.

W. F. Rice now living on section 12, first settled
on section 14, this township, on the 4th of Decem-
ber, 1875.

William Hatt, now living on section 14, settled
here in April, 1877. His father, Frederick PLatt,
came to the township in the fall following, and
here still makes his home.

Christian Wilkens settled in this township in the
spring of 1878, coming here from the state of New
York. ;ind still makes this his home,

Edward Monk, an enterprising farmer, living on
section 32, came here the same year, and for
several years earned his living by working for
others.

Terry Allen settled on section 21, in 187U and has
since then made it his home. He came to the
county in March, 1870, and settled in Kennebec;
from there went to Onawa, where he worked at
the carpenter's trade. In 1874 he returned to Illi-
nois, but came Ixack to the county- as above stated.

Francis Dungan came to the township tiie same
year and found a home on section 29, the -old Cook
farm, where he has lived ever since.

With the latter came Francis M. Barnett, his
sLep-son, who has made this town his home from
that date. He is^now a resident of section 20.

The same year saw the settlement of William
Miller, now living on section 14.

Lawrence Jacobson. a native of Norway, settled
in this [lart of the county in Septemlier, 1881, and
is still a resident.

In April, 1885, Horace A. Hanscom. the first
white child born in Onawa, came to this township
from that village and settled on a farm on section
35, wliere he now lives.

Wentworth Baruum, was one of the settlers of
the year 1886.

I'lEST ITEMS.

The first birth in what is now Franklin township
was that of David C, the son of Aaron W. and
Nancy Cook, who was born November 1, 1853, and
was the second event of that character in the
county.

The first death was that of a man bj' the name of
Carr, who was burned to death early in the spring
of 1856.

The first marriage was that of Robert .Jamison
and Emily Folck, which took place in the office of
the county judge, November 13, 1855.

The first school district in the township, outside of
Onawa, known as District No. 1, was organized in
JNIarch, 1862, the first meeting being held in the
residence of U. U. Comfort. At that time, owing
to the i):uicity of settlers in the townships outside
of the county seat, school facilities were but poor
and the prospect of bettering them but faint.
Many of the people living here determined to re-

MONOOA COUNTY.

219

turn East that their children might have the ad-
vantages of education, but Messrs. Comfort,
William Jewell, and others interviewed the inhab-
itants of Onawa, and that comrsuuity donated to
the newly formed district the school house then
standing at Ashton. whicli tiiey had purchased. The
building was accepted and removed to the south-
west corner of the southeast quarter of the south-
west quarter of section 28, where the first term of
school was taught by Mrs. Martha Pearee, the wife
of Darius Pearee, of Onawa. This building was
used for school purposes for many years, until
replaced by the present structure, and then turned
into a dwelling house.

The first religious services held iu the southern
part of the township were conducted b^' tlie Mor-
mons, Elder Jehial Savage, presiding. Tiiey were
held in the school house mentioned above, in June,
18G2, and continued for some time, preaching
being had every alternate Sunday.

The first school in the Oliver neighborhood was
taught by Mrs. Hannah Sampson at the residence of
her husband, I). W. Sampson, on section 2.5, in the
summer of lSG;j. The school liouse was erected
the next year in whicli Miss Susan Smith taught
some eight scholars. Henry W. Cunningham
taught the first term in the present building in
1875.

ORGANIC.

On the 1st of February, 1856, in response to a
petition signed by Francis C. Case and others,

whicli was presented to the court. County Judge
John Craig issued the warrant for the organization
of a new civil township to be known then as
Franklin. It was to embrace all the territory com-
prised in Congressional Townships 82 and 83, range
45, and a fractional part of township 83, range 46.
The first election was held .at the house of Jolin
Brookfleld Gard, in April of that year. The
officers elected were: J. B. Gard, Assessor.

At the time of the first reorganization of the
various townships, ordered October 5, 1857, the
town of Franklin was made to consist of townships
82 and 83, ranges 45 and 46, and sections 5, 6. 7.

8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 3U, 31. 32 and 33 of
township 83, range 44, and sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8>

9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30 and 31. of township 82,
range 44. No change was made in its boundaries
until at the second reorganization of the precincts
by the Board of Supervisors, April 3, 1866, when
the following was marked out as the territory
under its jurisdiction: All of Congressional Town-
ship 83, range 4o; sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19,
20, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and the west half of .sec-
tions 4 and 9, in town 83, range 44; and sections
1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35
and 36, of township 83, range 46. At this last
time Fred W. Snow was designated to act as judge
of the first election and Delos Dimmick as clerk.
The west half of section 4, township 83, range 44,
was cut off from Franklin, June 5, 1867; section 5,
83, 44, September 4, 1864; the other parts of the
township and range, later.

ASHTON TOWNSHIP,

CHAPTEE VIII.

illE civil town of Asliton, lying in tlie
western part of the county, embraces all of
Congressional Township 84, range 45, and
the eastern tier of sections in town 84, range 46,
Comprising some 26,880 acres. The surface, it
lying entirely in the bottoms of the Missouri
anil Little Sioux Rivers, is perfectly level, and
throughout its whole extent is covered to a great
deptli with the rich, warm, dark, sandy loam,
filled with finely comminuted organic matter that
is so conducive to fertility and productiveness.
For the raising of corn and for pasturing it has no
superior in the world. The little Sioux River and
its principal afHuent, Wolf Creek, in the eastern
part of the township, afford ample drainage, and a
fine su)3ply of pure running w-atcr for all stock
purposes.

The Sioux City & Pacific Raihoad crosses the
township in a northwesterly direction, and one of
the inincipal stations upon that road, Whiting, is
located on section 1, town 81, range 46, in this
civil sub-division of the county. The population
in 1885 was set down at 606, of whom 531 were of
native birth, a number which has largely increaseil
since then.

The honor of being the first settler within the
limits of wliat is now Ashton Township belongs to
Isaac Ashton. Dec. 31, 1851, he came to this lo-
cality witi) a Frenchman, Charles Rulo , carrying a
lond of [irovisions to Sergeant's Bluff, and on his
arri\':d at the grove on section 32. that now bears

his name, he thouglit it the loveliest spot he had
ever seen, although it was in the depth of winter,
and determined that here he would make a claim.
Ills companion went on, but the next day, Jan. 1,
1852, Mr. Ashton cut four logs and with them laid
the foundation for a cabin. He then went back to
Harrison County, where he iiad been living, but in
the latter part of the same monlli returned here
with his brother-in-law, Levando White, and with
his assistance erected a comfortable log cabin,
which was finished the same month. Here he
lirought his family about the middle of February,
his brother-in-law returning to Harrison County.
This house stood on the northeast quarter of section
32. Mr. Ashton broke up some ten acres of land,
which he planted with corn the following spring,
fenced the place in with rails and set out the first
orchard in the county.

Lorenzo D. Driggs settled four miles north of
Onawa, near Silver Lake, in 1854, and there made
a home until 1861, during which year he removed
to Harrison County. In 1869 he returned to Monona
County, locating at the county seat, where for a year
he lived. He then removed to Spring Valley Town-
ship, and later to Sioux, and while a resident of
the latter paid the debt of nature, .Jan. 27, 1880.
His son, Lorenzo, who accompanied his father on
his first settlement in the county, and in Sioux
Township, is still a resident of the latter. When
Mr. Driggs first came here he built a sod or dirt
house that has become historical, being the first

MONONA COUNTY.

221

home of his family, those of C. E. Whiting, Ed-
ward Clark, Alfred Ilanscoin aud others, in this
county. The building was made of some kind of
cheap lumber, and covered with sod from the sur-
rounding prairie.

James Roberts, an Englishman, settled at the
county Beat about the same time and made his
home, following carpentering for some three or
four years, when he went West. He is now a pros-
perous farmer of Harrison County.

William Burton came to Monona County in
1855, arriving here on the 5th of October. He
located at the then county seat, Ashton, entering
at the same time some 480 acres of^ land. In 1858
he removed to the new seat of justice of the couutj',
Onawa, where he now makes his home.

James Armstrong and James H. Sharon came to
Monona County in the fall of 1855 and put up a
sawmill south of Ashton Grove, one of the first in
the county. He is now engaged iu business in
Onawa.

Tobias Fegenbush, cow living in Lake Town-
ship, came to tliis county in November, 1855, on a
prospecting tour and remained about three weeks,
returning to Tama County, this State.

In April, 1856, he brought his family here, and
settled in the dirt house on the shore of Silver
Lake. In the fall of 1857 he removed to Lake
Township.

Charles Cleghorn and his two sons, John and
Johnston, appeared in Ashton Township in Octo-
ber, 1856, and took up land on section 30. There
the father died in 1871, his wife following him
some three years after. John is now a resident of
Onawa. Johnston Cleghorn died at Whiting in
1885.

John Hagur came to Monona County in May,
1861, aud settled on a part of section 25, where he
still makes his home.

The same year John T. Smith and James Will-
iams came here. The former settled on section 12,
where he still lives, the latter, soon growing dis-
couraged, left the county, going back to Dubuque.

Patrick G. Dundon came to the county in 1861,
locating in Fairview Township, and two years later
settled on section 6, this township, where he still
lives.

James McWilliams, now a resident of this town-
ship, settled in the town of Franklin in 1857,
whence he came here in 18G7, and settled on sec-
tion 19, wiiere he now lives.

E. K. McNeill located on section 20, this town-
ship, where he now lives, on coming to the county
in August, 1868.

Fred. McCausland, who had been living in On-
awa for some two years, came to this township in
the spring of 1869, locating on a farm on sections
13 and 24. There he remained until 1879. In
1882 he removed to Whiting, where he now lives.

William Riggs came to this township in Novem-
ber, 1869, and made his home here on rented land
until 1881, when he removed to Lincoln.

John R. Murphy, a veteran of our Civil War,
and a settler in the county of 1857, came to this
township in January, 1870, and located on section
29, where he still lives.

Alexander F. Gray ma:le his first appearance in
the county in 1871, and located on section 28,
where he now lives, in 1874.

Charles E. Ross made his appearance here about
the same time, and lived on a rented farm for
about a year, after which he removed to the town
of Lincoln.

The settlement of James McNeill in this town-
ship was made in 1872, and since tiiat time he has
made his home here.

George R. Chapman located here the same year,
and made this his home until 1887, when he
sold out and returned to New York Cit}', where
he is now living.

John Terapleton, who settled on the farm on
section 21, where he now lives, in May, 1883, came
to Monona County in the year 1874, and for sev-
eral years was engaged in school teaching.

W. C. Carmichael settled in this township in
1875, on section 32, and moved to his present resi-
dence on section 22 in 1885.

The settlement of William A . Parks in this
county was made in the fall of 1877.

In March, 1878, John R. Druramond ('ame to
this county, and after working on rented land for
about five years settled where his present home is
located on section 21.

James Martin located on the farm on section 22,

222.

MONONA COUNTY.

where lie now lives, in 1870, and has since that
lime made his home theie.

W. J. Rains settled in this town in March, 1887.

FlUST ITEMS.

The first child I)orn in the township, and in fact
the county, was Molinda, tlie danghtcr of Isaac
Ashton, whose birth look place Jnnc 11, 18.52.

The lirst marriage was that of Gabriel Lang and
Isabel Van J)orn, which took place Nov. G, ISo'i,
Judge Craig performing tlie ccremonj'.

The first mass or celebration of the religions ser-
vices of the Roman Catholic Church was held at
the lesidence of I'atrick Dnndon, on section C, in
August, 1883. the Rev. Father Barron, of Salix,
lieing the celebrant.

The first school was that taught in the village
of Ashton in the summer of 18.')6, by JMiss Mary
Neeley.

The first term of the District Court held in the
county commenced its session on the 17th of No-
vember, 18.tG, at Ashton, with Hon. Samuel II.
Riddle on the bench. A grand jury was empan-
nelled consisting of the following named gentle-
men: Franklin Mosher, Rowland Cobb, Albert
Clemmens, R. G. FaircliiLI, William A. Rigg,
George Erh, William Bayliss, F. C. Case, Franklin
A. Day, .Tames II. Sharon. James Armstrong, Rob-
ert Manett, John Southers, Robert Jamison and L.
D.. Driggs. The record of the court does not show
auj' indictments returned by this jury nor any im-
portant action taken by it. R. G. Fairchild was
the foreman.

VILLAGE OF ASHTON.

In the summer of 1-354, the commissiouers ap-
pointed for the pnrpo.se, located the seat of justice
in and for the county, at a point on sections 28 and
29, in this townshii), to which was given the name
of nioomfield. Shortly after, another place in the
State bearing that name, it was changed to that of
Ashton. Although the county seat was established
here that season, still no efforts looking to the sur-
vey of a town were made until the following spring.
James D. Test, Enos Lowe, Joseph D. Bayliss,
Addison Cochrane, Joseph H. Wagoner and Tru-
man H. Hinman, of Pottawattamie County, and
Isaac Ashton, of this, the owners of the land in

question, on sections 28, 29, 32 and 33, in township
8-i, range 45, was laid out and dedicated by deed.
May 18, 1855, the plat of which was filed for record,
with its several additions. July 10, 1856.

The proprietor of that portion of the town site,
Mr. Ashton, for they seemed to have divided it at
once, donated to Monona County, for Court House
and other purposes, all of blocks 23 to 28 inclusive,
and portions of blocks 3, 4, 5, 19, 20 and 21. Por-
tions of tiiese blocks were sold b^' the County
Court, but when the seat of Government was trans-
ferred to Onawa, by the unanimous vote of the
people of the count}^ all the unsold lots were deeded
back to Isaac Ashton, who turned the town site into
a farm.

The new count}', oflicers came to the infant
village the summer of 1855, and took uptheirresi-
dence. Andrew Jackson, Cleik of the Court; John
Craig, County Judge; Hugh Lytle, Treasurer and
Recorder; and Samuel Scott, Surveyor, were the
principal ones. AVilliam Burton, now of Onawa,
located litre about the same time as did the others,
putting up a dwelling, and the place began to seem
as if it would grow to be atown of some importance.
But alas for the dreams of its founders; the city
that they, in future saw, with busy crowds, and
large and palatial stores and manufacturing estab-
lishments, has come to naught. The streets that
were to be lined with stately structures, are cov-
ered with nodding corn and golden grain, and in-
stead of the hum of busy industry, re-echoes to the
low of homing cattle, or the whistle of the cheery
plow boy. But one store graced the place during
its brief existence. In April, 185G, Robert G.
Fairchild came here and commenced the erection
of a building in which, on the 6th of June follow-
ing, he opened a small stock of general merchan-
dise, suited to the wants of the pioneers. He con-
tinued to represent the mercantile circles of the
village, until the spring of 1858, when he removed,
building, stock and all, to Onawa.

John Sauhers about the same time started a
blacksmith shop and carried on that business until
1858, when he, too, removed to Onawa, whose
rising glories, as the new county seat, overshadowed
its late rival.

Jtimes Armstrong, James H. Sharon, and a man

MONONA COUNTY.

223

by the name of Olmsted put up a steam saw-mill
wliicli was operuterl for about two 3-oars and then
removed to Franklin Township on the river.

Timothy Elliott located here on first coming to
the county in 1856. He had been to this place the
previous year, and brought his family with him on
his second trip and still resides in the county.

J. S. Merrill, now living near Whiting, settled
here in 1865, also.

Among the others that settled here previous to
the removal ot the county seat, the most prominent
were: T. H. Ilinman, .T. D. Bayliss, J. H. Wagner,
Leonard Sears, John Bustard, John Craig, William
Craig, John A. Hittle, Philip Ashton, Thomas
Driggs, Lorenzo D. Driggs. Henry Allen, Nicholas
Murray, Andrew G. Jackson, Israel May, James A.
Scott, H. J. Hawley, Thomas Smith, L. B. Fletcher,
W. L. Philips, W. S. Burke, Charles and George
Atkins, George W. Oliver, C. H. Holbrook, Frank-
lin Oliver, B. D. Holbrook, C. E. AVhiting, J. E.
Morrison, and many others, who, for a shorter or
longer time, made their homo in the little hamlet,
but^eventually moved away, the buildings either
being torn down or removed to Onawa.

A good school house was built here the summer
of 1S56, the first session of school in which was
taught by Miss Mary Neeley. This building, at a
late° date, was purchased by some of the citizens

of Onawa, and presented to the people of School
District No. 1, Franklin, who removed it to their
neighborhood, and used it for school purposes for
several years.

A hotel was i)Mt up by Isaac Ashton in the ncwlj'
started village in 1853 and run by him. He carried
on the house until about 1862, when the building
was cut into two itieces. and l)rought to Onawa, and
still serves as dwelling houses. In this hotel, the
Ashton House, w.as held the first religious services
in the town or township, in the fall of 1850, by a
Rev. JNIr. ]51ack, an itinerant Methodist clergyman.
A court house w.as started also, which was never
completed, being neither plastered within or sheeted
without, which, when the county seat was removed
to Onawa, was given to Mr. Ashton, who used it
for a dwelling house.

Joliu A. Hittle put up a building and ran a gro-
cery and saloon which he carried on for some time.
The first election in the western part of the
county was held in the spring of 1853, at the tavern
kept by Isaac Ashton, in what was the village of
Ashton, at which there were present the following
named: Isaac Ashton, Aaron Cook, John Brook-
field Gard, Marion Owens and Mr. Bowles. Isaac
Ashton was chairman of the meeting, and Aaron
W. Cook, Clerk.

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER IX.

^HIS forms one of Monona County's western
tier of townships, and is bounded on the north
b^' the towns of Fairview and Lake; on the
east by Ashton and F'ranklin ; on the soutii by Sher-
man and the State of Nebraska, the latter also bound-
ing it on the west, from which it is separated by the
Missouri River. It embraces the fractional town-
ships of 83 and 84, range 46, and the small fractional
part of town 84, range 47. The surface is level and
beautiful, and along the river and covering a great
part of its western territory, where not cleared by
ohe hand of man, is clothed in heavy timber. In
early days this part of the county was the paradise
of sawmills and lumbermen, but although mucli has
been cut off, still much remains. Part of Blue
Lake is in tliis town, and with other smaller bodies
of water, the great Missouri along its side, the
fields of bending corn, or deeply green with indig-
enous grasses, and the deep and shady forest in.ake
up a beauty of landscape, often sought but seldom
found, and seem to lie "l)ut just touches of har-
mony."

Lincoln has no railroad passing through it, but
its close proximity to Onawa and Whiting affords
to all a ready market and e.^cellent trading places.
In 1867 it had a population of but 170, and in
1S85 this had increased to 1,064, being the largest
populated of any of the towns outside of the vil-
lage of Onawa.

The first to settle within the limits of what is
Lincoln Township and open up a farm therein was

a Mr. Hayes, who located al the head of Blue Lake
about 1860, and resided there until 1867.

In the spring of 1865, Benjamin Herring, a vet-
eran of tlie late war, came to Monona County and
settled on section 20, this township. Here he lived
until the spring of 1889, when lie left the county
on a long visit.

The same spring William Cook located on sec-
tion 28, 84, 46, where he now lives. Thomas -lep-
son settled here about the same time.

In May of this year Ellijah W. Brooks made a
settlement on section 20, 84, 46, where he resided
until 1876, at which time he removed to Maple
Landing and purchased the store of George Case,
wlio had opened the first store in the place. This
he ran about a year and then returned to his farm
where he now lives.

In the fall of 1866 Conr.ad Kramer and his son
Henry came from their home in Germany and set-
tled on section 10, 83, 46, where they still make
their home.

Lorenzo Grow came to Monona County in July,
1865, and after remaining in Onawa until the fall
removed to a farm he had purchased on section 16,
town 84, range 46. In 186l> he removed to Frank-
lin Township, and in 1871 to Onawa. He made
his home there for a time, and for a few years again
in liincoln, but is now in San Bernardino County,
Cal. His son, Wallace, now resides on the old
homestead on section 16.

Robert Moore, in 1865, came to this town from

MONONA COUNTY.

225

Springfield, HI., bringing witli him tlie machinery
for a sawmill, having a contract with the Union
Pacific Railroarl to saw ties for them from the
Cottonwood timber that abounds here, the company
furnishing the raw material. Around the mill,
which gave employment to a number of liancJs,
grew up quite a settlement, which was known as
Tieville. Most of tlie inhabitants were homestead-
ers from Nebraska, who eked out their income by
work a part of the year at the mill. The latter
was run for about three years by Mr. Moore and
then sold to a man by the name of Crewel, of De-
catur, who ran it for a time but finally abandoned
it and it rotted down. Mr. Moore engaged in the
stock business here for twelve years, and then re-
moved East, to the Atlantic Coast, where he died.
At one time there were as many as forty families
at Tieville, but now there is nothing; at one time
there was a post-oflice here and William Bell had a
store.

Jacob Robinetand a man by the name of Milligan
and a boy, Lucien L. Garrett, came here about the
same time. Mr. Ganett, a prominent farmer of
Lincoln Township, is still living here.

Guilford Dudley and his son Alton made a set-
tlement on section 9 in 1865, also.

John D. Robbins and his family located at what
is called Tieville, in September, 1865. Two years
later they removed to section 17, 84, 46, where
Mr. and Mrs. Robbins died, the former Sept. 28,
1869. J. Wesley Robbins, his son, is still a resi-
dent of the township.

W. T. Boyd settled at the head of Blue Lake, on
what is now the Rablin farm, in 1866. Some time
after he took up a homestead on the north half of the
northwest quarter of section 28, which he sold to
JamesEnglish in 1884 and removed to Cass County,
Neb.

James M. Jividen, now living on section 15, 83,
46, first settled in the town in May, 1866, and
worked at the sawmill at Tieville for Mr. Moore
for about three years. He then purchased a farm
on section 18 where he now resides.

Augustus Christie came here in 1867, and ran a
sawmill about a mile and a quarter southwest of
Maple Landing. He is now living near Grant Cen-
ter, this county.

About the same time C. A. Burnhara, now of
Wymore, Nob., settled here and remained here un-
til about 1882.

Daniel F. and Charles W. Cutler, came to Mo-
nona County in August, 1 866, on a prospecting
tour. After looking around a short lime, Daniel
took a homestead on section 10, 84, 46, where lie
now lives. His brother returned to Wisconsin the
same fall.

John S. Eggleston, the merchant of Maple Land-
ing, a war-worn veteran of the late Civil Conflict,
made a settlement. May 12, the same year, in this
town at Tieville, and found employment for a time
in the mill run by Robert Moore.

Welcome Joslin and his son, George R., in the
spring of 1868, made their appearance in this
township, the elder Mr. Joslin settling upon section
16, 84, 46. George R., a member of the firm of
Joslin, Eggleston (fe Son, is a resident of the vil-
lage of Maple Landing, where he has lived some
five years.

Tertius B. Skidmore and his brother, Horatio, in
the fall of 1867 came to this county. T. B. pur-
chased a farm on section 8, 84, 46, on which he re-
moved the following spring, where he now resides.
Horatio made his home in this town until 1874,
when he removed to Lake Townsliip where he died
May 15, 1882.

In July, 1867, William Anderson took up a farm
under the homestead act, on section 28, 84, 46, and
there is living to this day.

Lafayette Crank made his appearance in the
township in 1865, coming here with Mr. Moore,
but did not remain permanently. In 1867 he re-
turned here and settled. He worked for years
in the sawmills and other works, but in 1871 en-
gaged in farming, a business he has followed ever
since.

AmoujT; several other families who resided at Tie-
ville in its earlier days the best remembered were
the Kanes, Kings, W^eidners, Waldrons and the
Hart brothers.

Jacob R. Folwell, now of West Fork Township,
came here in June 1868, and made this his home
until the spring of 1870.

George H. Brooks, who had been here in the fall
of 1865 and purchased a farm on section 9, came

■2-2C,

MONONA COUNTY.

here anil peniianently located Noveniljer 14, 1868.
He now lives on section 7.

Jaspar B. Walworth, who resides on section 16,
settled on that spot March 29, 1868.

Alfred P. Thorp, still a resident of the town, set-
tled where he now lives on section 5, 84, 46, in
August, ]86y.

Ellverton Bigelow was, also, a settler of tlie same
year, locating in September, on section 9, 84, 40,
where his home still is.

Thomas Orr, now living on section 10, 83, 40,
made his settlement in the town in the fall of
1809.

Thom.as H. Peabody came to Monona County in
the fall of 1870, riding horseback from Oshkosh,
Wis., his family following by rail, and in the fall
of the following year settled down on his farm on
section 10, 84, 46, which has been his home ever
since. He was one of the earliest postmasters in
the township.

George A. Harkuess, one of the farming com-
munity of the township at the present, dates liis set-
tlement from the same year, 1870.

James K. and George F. Anderson came to the
county and settled in this township iu the spring of
1870, and are here yet.

George R. Boulden located in this township on
coming to the county in June, 1871, and this has
been his home since. John Jenneweiu, another
settler of the same j'e.ar, bought bis land and
settled with his family the following spring on sec-
tion 17, where he may be found at the present writ-
ing.

James M. McClain, now a prosperous farmer of
Lake Township, came here in the spring of 1872,
and until 1876 made this his home.

Ferdinand C. Ross settled on section 4, this
township in 1872, where he still makes his home.

Thomas M. Crawford, moved to this county
from Clinton County, this State, in the fall of
1872, and settled on sections 4. 84 and 46, where
he now lives.

Among the settlers of the year 1873, in this
township was James P. Utterb.ack, Sr., now of the
town of Lake, who made his home here for some
two years.

Thomas W. Griflin, located upon a farm on sec-

tion 17, in October, 1873, and there remained until
1878, when he removed to Nebraska. One year
later he returned here but is now a resident of
Whiting and runs a livery barn.

Jacob Keller came to this county in October,
1874, and after working in the sawmill all winter
moved to the farm he had bought on section 10,
84, and 40, where he still lives.

Milton Jividen came to the county in 1808, but
worked at various businesses, chiefly railroad sec-
tion work until about 1874, when he moved to
this town, his present home.

Samuel Harrison settled on the farm on section 4,
on which he now lives, Jan. 28, 1875, at that time
entirely unimproved, but he has brought it under a
high state of culture.

E. N. Delashmutt'settled on section 22, where
he now lives in November, 1875. He had been
here, off and on, from 1870, living here part of the
time and part of it in Mills County.

William H. Bigelow made his settlement on sec-
tion 17, in the spring of 1870, and has lived there
ever since.

Charles Smith purchased a farm on section 1 0,
on which was an unfinished house, in December,

1876, and moved into it, completing it afterwards.
Seven j'ears he resided on this spot, moving to
Whiting at the end of that time.

Patrick II. Rodgers came here from Indiana and
settled on section 5, 84 and 46, in the autumn of

1877, and has lived here since that date.

John G. Taylor, proprietor of the livery stable
at Onavva was a settler here of 1879, locating on
section 28. Here he remained until the fall of
1884.

John P. Nelson, also settled in the town the
same j'car, where he now lives.

Albert Cummings, now living on section 5, 84,
46, settled there in 1880, after being a resident of
the county since the spring of 1872.

William Riggs, who had been a resideut of the
county since the fall of 1869, removed to this town
in March, 1881, settling on section 5, 83, 40, where
he now lives.

Frank Stephenson, now living on section 11, 84,
40, settled on his farm in the fall of 1881.

In December, 1881, Edward Collison, who had

MONONA COUNTY.

2-27

been living in Fairview, removed to this town,
where he now lives.

Stephen Seward settled ou section 12, in Febru-
ary, 1882, he having been here and purchased the
farm the year before. In 1889 lie removed to
Whiting, where he now lives.

The same year RoUin Austin c?.me to this town-
ship, where he has since resided. Samuel I. Kes-
terson, another citizen of the town made a settle-
ment the same year, on section 9, 84, 46.

Charles E. Ross first came to Lincoln Township
in 1883. lie is now living on section 9, 84, 40.

James W. English located on the place where he
now lives, on section 28, in January, 1885.

The spring of 1886 W. H. Davidson came to this
town, and has made it liis home ever since.

FIRST ITEMS.

The fust marriage in the township is believed to
have been that of D. T. Cutler and Miss Myra T.
Dudley, which took place January 1, 18C7.

The first death was most probably that of J. D.
Robbins, which occurred in 18G9.

The first birth was that of Rhoda Fagenbush,
who was born in 1856, in llie cabin on the shore of
Silver Laive.

The first mill in this part of the county was tliat
erected by Robert Moore, in 1865, at Tievilie.

The first school in the town was taught at Tie-
vilie, in 1866, a simple slab house being erected by
the voluntary subscription of the people there.
The first term of three months it was taught by
Miss Mattie Fiscus, and the second by Miss Jane
Hcrrick.

The fii'st school house in town 84, range 46, was
erected in the spring of 1867, on the southwest
corner of section 16, and the first school was taught
therein in the summer of that year by Miss Ella
Jcpson. This building was used for school and
church purposes until the spring of 1871, when it
was destroyed by lire.

The first district school in township 83, range
46, was taught during the winter of 1872-3 by
Miss Carrie Robbins, the building having been
erected during the summer of 1872, on section 15.

The first church erected in the county, outside of
the villages, was put up on the northwest corner of

section 21, town 84, 46, in the summer of 1876, by
the Metho<Hst denomination, and is still used by
them. The first religious services in the town were
held in 1868 by Rev. Mr. Rusi.

MAri.E LANDING.

A little post hamlet of but thirty or forty inhab-
itants, lying on the line between sections 17 and 18.
in township 84, range 46, has been cliristened by
the euphonious name of Maple Landir.g. It is not
regularly platted as a village, but has seemed to
have sprung up out of the necessit}' of having a
trading place in the vicinity ,and the location of the
post-office at this point.

The first store building here was erected in 1870,
and in it George Case opened a stock of sjeneral
merchandise. He carried on Ihe trade here until
1876, when ho disposed of it to Elijah Brooks. One
3'e.ar later the latter gentleman sold out to Porter
McKlnstry, who carried on business here until
about seven or eight j-ears ago, when he died, when
the stock was closed out. The building has since
that date been used .as a dwelling house.

In the fall of 1874, a second builrling was put
up and occupied .as a store by Frederick Greno.
Sever.al years later he sold out to the Ingham
Bros., but in 1880, L. E. Christie purchased the in-
terest of F. E. Ingham, and in company with the
remaining partner, E. D. Ingham, formed the firm
of Ingham & Christie. They carried on the busi-
ness for three years, at the expiration of which time,
George R. Joslin buying the interest of Mr. Ing-
ham, the firm became Christie & Joslin. In Feb-
ruary, 1 885, John S. Eggleston became a member
of the firm acquiring the interest of Mr. Christie,
and by the admission of Ciiarles F. Eggleston, the
present firm of Joslin, Eggleston & Son was
formed.

The blacksmith shop was built in 1875, by An-
drew Dailey. He continued to carry on this busi-
ness until 1881, when he sold out and was succeeded
by John llorr. F. E. Ingham was the next to ply
the trade in this place, and continued at the forge
and anvil until the si)ring of 1884, when George
R. Joslin, the present proprietor, bought the shop
and business.

The post-office was first established in 1869, at

228

IMONONA COUNTY.

the house of Charles Cutler, on section 16, 84, 46,
with that gentleman as postmaster. The salary,
wliich was placed at the insignificant sum of ^12
per year, was not sufficient inducement for him to
hold it, and on going to California he turned
over the post-office to Thomas H. Peabod}'. This
was in April 1871. For seven or eight years the
latter held tlie office until, growing tired of it in
turn, he resigned it in favor of Frederick Greno,
who removed it to his store in what is now Maple
Landing. He was succeeded by E. D. Ingham, who
remained in charge of the same until 1884, when
he was succeeded by tlie present postmaster,
George R. Josliu.

ORGANIC.

The town of Lincoln was organized in accor-
dance with an order of the Board of County Super-
visors, made April 3, 1866, the election being held

at tlie school bouse on section 16, township 84,
range 16. Thomas Jepson, Benjamin Herring and
Alonzo Grow were the Judges of Election, and Cyrus
Fuller and Lorenzo Grow, Clerks. The first officers
chosen were: Benjamin Herring, Supervisor; M. D.
Clark, William Hendrickson and W. A. Grow,
Trustees; S. L. Grow, Clerk; F. B. Smith, Assessor;
S. W. Jepson, Road Supervisor; J. A. Vail and N,
S. Grow, Justices. Tiiis eleetioa was held Oct. 9,
1866. M. D. Clark removing from the town and
William Hendrickson failing to qualify, tlie vacan-
cies were filled by W. T. Boyd and J. C. Jepson.

The present township officers are: G. R. Joslin,
J. M. Jividen, and N. Benjamin, Trustees; T. H.
Peabody, Clerk and Treasurer; E. D. Ingham, As-
sessor ;W.D. Grow,, Justice: and Clark Robbins,
Constable. Mr. Peabody has held the office of
Town Clerk consecutively since 1 878.

JO!(DAN TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTEE X.

Vfl ORDAN TOWNSHIP, which takes its name
from a creek of the same name that takes its
rise within its limits, embraces all of Con-
gressional Township 83, range 43, and con-
tains the usual 23,040 acres of land. The surface
is generally of a rolling character, sometimes rising
into hills and bluffs, altiiough there is but a smaller
part of it that is not susceptible of cultivation. It
is excelleutl3' well drained, and has an abundance
of natural running water, Battle, Jordan and
Beaver creeks, with their numerous affluents and
branches, extending over the most of its territory.
There is at present no railroad or village within
the limits of this subdivision of the county, but it
has excellent facilities for market and trade within
easy reach of most of its inhabitants in the neigh-
boring villages. According to the census of 1885,
the latest we have, it seems that Jordan had then
a population of 442, of whom some 396 were of
American birth, the greater part of the balance be-
ing Scandinavians. Most of the land is under cul-
tivation or in meadows, stock-raising forming a
considerable portion of the business of its people.
Along the streams are beautiful fringes of native
timber, which lend additional beauty to the land-
scape and furnish a constant source of the supply
of fuel to its inhabitants.

Owing to many causes the settlement in Jordan
Township was later than in most of the others,
much of the land being more fltted for stock-rais-

ing than for purely agricultural purposes, and that
was one of tlie many reasons that this beautiful
part of the county was seemingly neglected so long.

The first settler within the boundaries of this
precinct was William Jordan, after whom the creek
and township was named. In 1855 he located on
the banks of the stream, and opened up a farm,
where he made his home for several years, about
1859 removing to the valley of the Boyer.

Adam Miers was one. of the earliest settlers of
this portion of the count}-, locating here in the
fall of 1856, on section 19, where he made his
home for many years. A short time ago, after an
absence from the county, Mv. Miers returned to this
town, and has again taken up his residence herein.
He is a native of the " Bnckej'e State," and a son
of one of the brave soldiers of the Kevolutionary
army.

In 1859 or '60 John, .Sidney and Frank Rudd
settled here and engaged in farming. John moved
over into the Boyer Vallej', and is believed to be
dead; the other brothers are in Dow City. About
the same time came the Woodfork family, who re-
mained for several years.

Mr. Burbank and his son Amos made a settle-
ment here in 1867. The former died while living
on his farm here, about 1885. Amos Burbaik,
who was about flftecn on coming to this town, is
•still a resident.

Daniel Rickman and his sons, Thomas, Samuel,

230

MONONA COUNTY.

Corneliiis and John, came liere in 1867, and took
lip their residence shortly after tlie above men-
tioned. The fatlier died liere about 1871; John
is living in Harrison County; Samuel and Cor-
nelius are residents of Nebraska, and Tliomas is
still a citizen of this count}'.

Hans Seversonand Sever Julson, two well-known
residents of llie town at the present time, settled
here at the time of the location of the Norwegian
colony, in 18G8, and have founded homes liere.

James P>allantyne. a native of Scotland, came to
Monona County in tlie spring of 18G9, and located
in this township, with whose development he has
been identified ever since, and is one of its leading
citizens. In the spring of 1861 he came to Iowa,
and settled at Gallon's Grove. Shelliy County,
where he remained one year. From there he
removed to Crawforil County. In the spring of
186'J, having purchased some land here, he brought
his widowed sister, Mrs. Margaret Wight, here, who
lived on his place one j'ear, afterwards removing to
Spring Valley, where she died.

Thomas Henderson came here in the spring of
186'.), also, and settled on what is novv the Hattery
place, buying it of J. W. Clark, a non-resident land-
owner. Two or three j'ears later he sold out to Mr.
Hattery, and removed to Moorhead, but in a short
time left the county.

Martin Cleinon, a leading citizen, made his settle-
ment in this town in Jul}', 1872, and has resided
here ever since. He is a native of Norway, and
came to the United States in 1868.

Levi Wilson and James Meeker settled in this
township in the year 1872. The former in about
a year after sold out his land to (J. R. Outhouse
and removed to Belvidere Township. He is now
residing in the vill.age of Turin. The latter dis-
posed of his property and removed to Lincoln
Township. lie is a son-in-law of Adam Miers, of
this town, and lived for some years on the Clinsing
place.

The same year George Montague came here and
settled on land now owned by J. M. Ballantj'ne.
He is now living on the McDonald property on the
Jordan Creek.

Thomas Hutchison about 1872 located upon the
west half of the northeast quarter of section 22,

where he resided until taken from this world by
death, which event took place in 1882. His sons,
Andrew, William and John are still living.

George R. (Juthouse, one of the original pioneers
of the vilageof Preparation, came to .Jordan Town-
ship, in 1873, from Belvidere, whither he had re-
moved on seceding from KIder Thompson's flock
in 1855. He has been a resident of the county
since 1854.

J. T. Adair, who married a daughter of T. Rick-
man, came to this township about the same time,
and lived here for some years, but, concluding that
this country was not good for his health, left.

Henry and William II. H. Ashe, the latter known
chiefly liy his nickname of "Tip" for Tippecanoe,
located on farms in this township in the year 1872.
With them came tfieir cousin, Jason Ashe. Henry
resided here until about 1886, when he removed
to Maiileton, where he now lives. "Tip" moved to
Missouri and there died, and Jason, after an ab-
sence from the county, is now back in this town.

Charles Fessenden also located here the same
year, but a few years later returned to Kossuth
County, this State, from which he came.

Charles Strubel d.ates his residence here from
May, 1874, when he located where he now lives on
section 17.

James Hattery, still a resident of the township,
came here and settled in 1874.

Among others who located in the town the same
year w.as .John Rae, who made his first appearance
in July, and is still living here.

David W. McDonald came to Jordan Township
in 1876, and on a piece of land, a part of the Wil-
son farm, settled down to farm life. In 1883 he
removed to Moorhead, in Spring Valley Township,
and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He is now a
resident of Soldier Township.

James McDonald made a settlement on section
18 in the year 1877, and has continued a resident
of the township ever since. He is a native of Ire-
land, who came to the United States in 1844, when
about fifteen years of age.

Eric K. Lee came to Monona County the same
year, from Webster County, where he had been
living, and located on section 25, where he is now
residing. He is a native of Norway, who was

MONONA COUNTY.

231

brought to this country by his parents at the age
of five years.

William Craik settled here in 1878, and is still a
citizen.

W. W. Knauss came to this county in 1882, and
located in Jordan Township on section 35, where
he now lives.

John Spaulding also settled here the same year,
and makes this his home yet.

Thomas Means, who had made a settlement in
St. Clair Township in 1875, came to Jordan Town-
ship from Oregon, whither he had gone, and made
a settlement on section 2, where he now lives.

About the same time John 0. Johnson and his
father, Ole E. Johnson, located in this part of the
connt3'.

Tliomas L. Denton was among the most promi
nent who founded a home in this part of Monona
County in 1884, coming here in February, and has
since resided on section 2.

Frank M. Holden made a settlement, in 1885, in
Jordan, having been a resident of the county since
1873.

ORGANIC.

At a meeting of the board of sui;ervisors, held
September 3, 1867, township 83, range 43, which
had iiitherto formed a part of Belvidere, was au-
thorized to organize as a separate civil sub-divi-
sion of the county under the name of Joidan
Township, and the warrant for holding the elec-
tion, was placed in the hands of Adam Miers.
The election took place on October 8, 1867,
and J. K. Myers was chosen to represent the new
township on the county board, which then con-
sisted of one delegate from each town. The town.

however, did not sever its connection with Belvi-
dere until much later. It seems that the county
board for some reason or other, re-attached the
town to Belvidere on the 9th of January, 1868,
and it so remained. Nov. 12, 1872, the board au-
thorized the organization of the town, the election
for officers being deferred until next election, a
year hence, which was finally done, the primary
election taking place Oct. 14, 1873.

In 1873 the district township was formed with
the following officers: George Montague, Presi-
dent; J. T. Adair, Clerk; Samuel Rickman and
Thomas Rickman, Directors ; and J. M. Ballantyne,
Treasurer. The latter gentleman has held that
office continuously ever since, and is the present
incumbent.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first marriage in the town of Jordan, was
that of Daniel Butler, sometimes known as Daniel
Rickman, and Miss Eunice Allen.

The first school was taught in the Miers' neigh-
borhood in 18G;). This was before the district was
organized, and was tauglit by S. M. Condit.

After the organization of tlie township, a school
was tauglit in the s|)ring of 1874, by Nathan Lind-
sey, which was the first in the same.

The first school on the Jordan Creek was in what
is now District No. 4, on the land now owned by
G. R. Outhouse. The building used vvai a small
log cabin loaned for the purpose by Mr. Outhouse,
and in it the school was taught by Leonard Con-
dit, in the summer of 1874. A frame building
was put up the previous spring, but before it was
used, it was destroyed by fire, and the above log
cabin used for the purpose.

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XL

jOUNDED on tbe north by the county of
i^, Woodbury, on the east b}' Lake Township
l'f^)]tj on the south by that of Lincohi, and on
the west by the .State of Nebraska, from
which it is separated by tlie Missouri River, in the
extreme northwestern corner of the county is the
township of Fair view. It embraces all of frac-
tional Congressional Township 85, range 47, and
contains aliout twenty-two sections of land. The
surface is level and quite low, and somewhat
marshy in places, and is liable to overflow b}' the
waters of the unstable Missouri. The soil, the rich
silt or river deposit, is excellently adapted for
all kinds of grass and for the pasturage of cattle,
although a large part of it is under a high state of
cultivation and yields an abundant harvest of all
kinds of grain. By the census of 1885 it appears
that at that time there were within its limits a
population of G05 inhabitants, 413 of whom were
of American birth, and the majority of the balance
of tiie Scandinavian nationalities.

The first settlers in this township were Jacob
Van Order, J. D. Torrey, and a man b}^ the name
of Detry, who founded homes here in the year
1861. The former of these is now a resident of
the new State of Washington ; Torrey, of Minne-
sota, but the whereabouts of the last named is not
known.

John H. Davis was the next to make a settle-
ment here, coming on tlie 10th of November, 1803,
with his mother and child. In 1864 he home-

steaded his present farm, and has lived here ever i
since.

Victor Dubois, one of the leading citizens of
Fairview Tovvnship, fame here in May, 1864, and '
took up a homestead which forms a part of his pres-
ent farm.

1. Bridget was also one of the earliest settlers and
still makes his honje in this town.

William II. Stanley, now living on his farm on
section '.I, came to this county in the fall of 1865,
and settled in this town. Here he remained until
1872, when he removed to O'Brien Count}', this
State, but returned here in July, 1882.

George Hunter, still a resident of the town, set-
tled here on the 15th of December, 1865.

The pioneers of the Scandinavians were: Even
II. Bakke and Ole Delrud, who came here on a
tour of investigation in the year 1865, from La
Crosse County, Wis. Returning to their homes,
tliey made preparations, and the following spring
came to ilonona County, and made settlement
here.

Hans Bakke and his son, Isaac II., made their
appearance here in the spring of 1867. The elder !
Mr. Bakke died a resident of this town, July, 1882; j
his son is still a citizen.

John Amuuson, now living on section 10, came
to this town from Dane County, Wis., in July, I
1867. '

Hans Olson, a resident of section 3, located here
with his family in June, 1867.

MONONA doUNTY.

233

Andrew Liiiksfiler about the same time settled in
this township. Some time later he removed to
Woodbury County, where he died.

O. C. Olson, another of the early .settlers, lived
here until about 1882, when he went to Dakota,
and took np a homestead. After livino- there for
five years he returned to this county and is again a
resident of Fairview Township. He was town
clerk for ten or twelve years here.

N. B. Olson came to the count3' in April, 18G7,
and purchased, in company with L. L. Strand,
some 300 acres of land, and settled on his portion
the following April, where he now lives.

George Gullickson, came to Fairview Township
the summer of 1868, a boy of fifteen years, with
his father, Knud Gullickson. and has made his
home here ever since with the exception of two
years spent in Dakota.

Jonas Johnson with his family settled here in
June, 1868, and lived in their covered wagons
until they could get their cabin built. Olaf F.,
one of the sons, lives on section 9,' at the present.
Jonas Johnson moved from here to Climbing Ilill,
Woodbiuy County, where he is now living.

Martin Olson came to Monona County in the sum-
mer of 1868, and purchased some land in Fairview.
In June, 1869, his brother, John P. Olson, now one
of the leading citizens of that part of the count}',
came here and in a short time purckased the farm
of his brother, on section 8, whereupon Martin re-
moved to Polk County, Wis., where he now resides.
John P. made his home on the land, where he first
settled until 1875, when he removed to his present
residence, where he has some of the finest improve-
ments in that section of the county.

Christian Christiansen, made a settlement, also,
in 1869, and is still a resident of the township.

Eric Hennum located in this town on section 16,
in the spring of 1870, and has lived in Fairview
ever since. He has his present home on section 9,
his former place having been devoured by the
waters of the untrustworthy, shifting Missouri
River.

Peter Olson located in this part of the county in
1871, and has lived here ever since, making his
home, where he first settled on section l.'>.

Dr. Samuel Polly, a practicing physician, located

in Fairview on the 4th of June, 1872, on a farm on
section 25, and carried it on in connection wilh his
practice. He is still living here, having moved to
section 26, in 1881.

William J. Iludget, a prominent citizen, settled
here in the siiring of the same year.

Curtis C. Polly came to this county Sept. 9, 1872,
and settled on section 26. He remained ' a citizen
of the town until July, 1882, when he moved into
the village of Whiting.

Ilalvor H. Strand, a descendant of the warrior
vikings of Norway, came to this county in the fall
of 1873, and settled on section 10 in this town. He
remained a citizen here until the spring of 1889,
when he leased his land and returned to La Crosse
Count}', Wis.

Sven Nelson located here in 1874, coming from
Sioux City, and remains a resident upon his farm
on sections 15 and 16.

(ieorge J. Myers settled in the county in March,
1874, and is now living on section 29, this town-
ship.

L. E. Christie, now of Whiting, came here in
July, 1876, and settled on section 36. Three years
later he removed to Omaha, Neb.

John Peterson, led by Cupid, came to this county
in 1878, and a short time after was married and
settled down to farm life. He is now living on
section 16.

Anton Sollen dates his settlement in the county
from the 23d of July, 1878, he having arrived in
this town upon that date, and is one of the pros-
perous farmers of to-day.

Edward CoUison now a resident of Lincoln
Township came here in 1879, and remained about
two years.

FIRST ITE.VIS.

The first birth in the township, among the Nor-
wegian settlers, was that of Lawrence, the son of
N. B. Olson, born in 1868.

The first marriage was that of Miss Emily Dubois
and Hans Solberg, which took place in February,
1869.

The first school was taught in a small log cabin in
the Davis district, in the winter of 1865-6. The
first school near GuUickson's was taught in 1868.

The first frame houses were put up by Knud

23i

MONONA COUNTY.

Gullickson and N. B. Olson, in the summer of
1868, the first named coinmenc-ing a few days the
earlier. The first barns were put up by Mr. Gul-
lickson and Victor Dubois, Sr.

ORGANIC.

Tliis township was or<lered to separate from that
of Lake and to be organized as a civil township
bj' the board of supervisors of the county at their
meeting held on the 1st of January, 18G8, and the
residence of J. H. Davis designated as the place of
holding the election.

AI.BATON.

The post village of Albaton, is a little hamlot of
about twenty-five inhabitants.

It has two stores, kept respectively by Jonathan
Polly and P. M. Dubois. The olbev business men
of the place are: Victor Dubois, live stock dealer
and Postmaster; Samuel Polly, pliysicia.n; Nels
Sollen, blacksmith; Nels Brenden, carpenter; W.
M. Stanley and C.- A. AVeinder, Justices of the
Peace; and A. H. Strand, Notary Public.

Johnathan Polly, engaged In the general mer-
chandise trade in the little hamlet, first came to
the county in the fall of 1871, but did not make
any extended stay, going on West. In December,
1873, he returned here and engaged in farming.
In October, 1881, he embarked in his present

business in a small building near the one he now
occupies, and was the pioneer merchant of the
place.

P. M. Dubois, dealer in general merchandise at
Albaton, this township, made his first settlement in
the county in West Fork Town in 1864, where he
was engaged in farming. He came to this sub-
division of the county in June, 1877, and carried
on agricultural pursuits until February 11, 1889,
when he embarked in his present business. He is a
veteran of the late war.

The Lutheran Church at Albaton was organized
in the fall of 1868, with the following among its
members: John P. Olson, Knud Gullickson, E. H.
Bakke, Isaac Bakke, C. Christiansen, C. L. Olson,
O. Anderson, J. Amundson, Amund Amundson,
and others. For ytars they iield services in the
school house, but in the summer of 1885, the con-
gregation erected the neat and handsome church
edifice which they own, located on section 11, in
the little hamlet of Albaton.

The Fairview Lutheran Congregation was or-
ganized in 1875 with the following among its
•members: H. Strand, N. B. Olson, L. L. Strand,
P. Olson, F. Sadig, Nels Brown, and others. The
society was organized under the auspices of Kev.
L. Lund, of Cottonwood Countj', Minn. This
congregation hold services in the school house.

WEST FORK TOWNSHIP,

CHAPTER XII.

&HE town of West Fork comprises all of Con-
gressional Township 85, range 45, and see-

tions 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 24, 25, 36, and the

east half of 10 and 14 of township 85, range 46. It
is bounded on the north by Woodbury County, on
tlie east by the township of Grant, on the south by
Asliton, and on the west by Lake. Some of the
finest land in the county is comprised within its
limits. The surface is comparatively level, all of
it lyin!< on the well known Missouri River bottom,
and the soil is a deep, rich, warm alluvial loam, so
boundless in its fertility. The township is watered
liy the West Fork of the Little Sioux River that
traverses its entire length from north to south, and
in the southeast portion by Wolf Creek. Much of
the territory is still unsettled, owing to the large
farms and tracts of grass lands held by parties, the
Whiting family owning over 6.000 acres, and the
American Emigrant Company a large amount. The
population, as given by the census of 1885, was
200, of whom only nineteen were of foreign birth.
The first settler within the limits of what now
constitutes the town of West Fork was Charles E.
Whiting, who came here in August, 1855, and for
himself and brothers, and others in the family, en-
tered some 13,000 acres of land. From that date
Judge Whiting has been fully and closely identified
with the growth, development and political life of
the county and State. He has filled many posi-
tions of honor and trust, county judge, supervisor,
msmbers of both houses of the Legislature, and

was the candidate of the Democratic party for
Governor of Iowa, and was defeated by but a small
majority.

Three young men, C. and W. Randall and
Loorais, came here from Ohio in 1856, and pre-
empted claims. They did not engage in agricul-
ture on their own account, but worked in the saw-
mill and hotel at Ashton. After proving up on
their claims they left here.

In the latter part of July. 1856, three brothers
of Judge Whiting came here and made settlement.
These were William B., Myrick E. and Baxter.
William located on a piece of land on section 24,
on which he made his home for a year, and then
removed to Franklin Township to take charge of
the sawmill belonging to his brothers, Charles E.
and Newell A. Two years later he returned to
West Fork, which continued his residence until the
fall of 1886. when he removed to the village of
Whiting, where he now is living. Myrick E.
Whiting was engaged in agriculture here until re-
moved " to the cold realms of King Death," in
tha spring of 1869. Baxter Wliiting, after making
his home here for a time, removed to Onawa,
whe e he ran the gristmill for awhile. Moving to
Mapleton, he there engaged in the hardware trade,
and a little later established the bank. He died
in the latter city in March, 1885.

James McWilliams came to the county in June,
1857, and settled in what is now the township of

236

MONONA COUNTY.

West Fork. Three years later he removed to
Franklin, but is now a resident of Ashton.

The financial crisis of 1 857 that broke over our
country stopped the tide of emigration, and owing
to subsequent Indian troubles and the terrible civil
war, when everything seemed paralyzed, there was
an almost absolute cessation of settlement in this
part of the State until after the close of the war,
and there are none tliat came to West Fork for
several years.

The first of these was George W. I'ixler, now of
the town of Lake, wlio settled here Feb. 22, 1866,
but two 3'ears later removed to iiis present residence.

On the 23d of August, 1867, F. M.Norwood,
who had purchased a farm on section 2.5, 85, 46,
the previous spring, settled in the county, and has
resided on that piece of land ever since.

E. M. and Charles Cassady settled here in Feb-
ruarj', 1868, locating on section 26. There Charles
has remained ever since, with the exception of two
years, when he was engaged in the saddlery and
harness business at Whiting. E. M. Cassad}^ soon
took up his residence on section 35, where he made
his home most of the time until 1880, when he re-
moved to Whiting and is engaged in the mercan-
tile trade.

Jacob R. Folwell settled on section 25, 85, 45,
West Fork, in the spring of 1870, but two years
later moved to section 31, where he now lives. He
came to the county in 1868.

William Payne, a native of " white-cliffed Al-
bion," came to Monona County in the spring of
1870, and settled on section 3, 85, 46, where he is
still living.

Lewis A. Morley, one of the business men of
Whiting, came to Monona County in the fall of
1870, and made a settlement on a farm in this
township, and remained a citizen here until 1880,
when he removed to the village.

Benjamin N. Danforth came to this town in 1872
and made a .settlement on section 2, township 85,
range 46, where he has his home still.

Lewis Pike came here from Onawa in March,
1874, and settled on section 24. town 85, range
46, carrying on the stock business of Pike &
Co.. one of the largest and best ranches in the
county, containing over 2,000 acres,

Patrick Dunn, still a resident of the township,
settled on section 1. township 85, range 46 in May,
1875.

Gust. Peterson came to the county in the fall of
1877, but did not locate in the township until 1881.

Prior to 1881 there were no settlers on the West
Fork of the Little Sioux River, the land being
considered of too wet a nature for agriculture, but
in that year Joshua Bishop took a claim on sec-
tion 16, where he still lives. He was the first to
locate in that vicinity.

Shortly after F. M. Rains and Alfred Ken-
worthy made settlement in the same locality, and
proved the land much better than was believed by
the earlier settlers of the county.

March 22, 1883. Tiiomas Crum settled on a farm
on section 5, which he had purchased the year pre-
vious, where he still makes his home.

Peter Inman made a settlement in this township
in 1883 on section 21, although he had been a resi-
dent of the county nearly all the time since Sep-
tember, 1871.

M. F. Brink dates his settlement in West Fork
township from March, 1884. although he had come
to the county in 1880, and had made his home in
Grant until coming here.

About the same time Philip Benner made a set-
tlement on the West Fork on section 9, where he
lived until 1887, when he sold out and moved to
AVoodbury Count}'.

HISTORIC CRUMBS.

The first child born in what is now West Fork
Township was Will C, the son of Hon. Charles
E. and Nancy Whiting, whose birth took place.

The first death was that of Frank, the son of
M3'rick E. and Elizabeth AVhiting, whose demise
occurred in 1861.

The pioneer school building was erected in 1863,
and in this the first school was taught the same
year by Miss Emilj' Morley, the sister of Lew Mor-
ley of this county, and Mrs. C. M. Whiting, who
had come here from Lake County, Ohio, about that
time.

The first religious services were held in the
school house in 1863.

Services of a union character are held at school

MONONA COUNTY.

237

house No. 3, but not regularly, .altliough the
Sabb.'itli-sehool organized at that place about 1885
by Peter Intiian, is in a flourishing condition.

The officers of the present School Board are
Lewis Pike, president; E. JM, AVhiting, secretary;
C. E, Wliiting, treasurer; and J. M. Slater and M.
F, Brink, directors.

The West Fork post-offlce was est.ablished in 18G3
M'ith M. E. Whiting as Postmaster. He continued
to have charge of the mails until the spring of
1869, when he died and was succeeded by E. M.
C.assady. The latter remained in the oflice until
Jan. 27, 1873, when the ofliee was removed to the
new village of Wliiting, Lyman Whittier succeed-
ing to the duties of the same.

ORGANIC.

The first organization of the town was decreed by
the county court, October 5, 1857, and then con-

stituted all of township 85, ranuc- I.'j, 46 and 47,
or the present precincts of West Fork, Lake and
Fairview. By the same order, as the population
was so sparse, the town was attached to that of
Asliton until the election for officers would be de-
creed. Tlie first election took place in the spring
of 1858.

The first supervisor on the connty board to
represent this town was Alex. Allison, who was one
of the first board that met at Onawa, .January 7,
1861.

At the time of the reorganization of tlie vari-
ous towns in the count}', made April 3, 18CC, West
Fork was given its |)reseut boundaries, and the
first election of the reconstructed town was ordered
to be held at the school house, with M. E. Whiting
and .Joseph Allen as judges, and Victor Dubois
and AV. B. Whiting as clerks of election.

LAKE TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTEE XIII.

tillK civil towiishii) of L.akfi is one of tiie
smallest in area of an^- in the county, era-
bracing only a part of Congressional Town-
ship 85, .range 46, sections 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 24, 25,
3(5, and the east half of sections 10 and 14, being
cut off to add to that of West Fork, and therefore
embraces only some twenty -six sections. It de-
rives its name from the beautiful Badger Lake that
lies entirely within its borders. This forms nearlj^
a complete cii'cle lying in sections 20, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32 and 33.

The surface of the township, which is quite as
level as is common to that part of the county, ly-
ing in the celebrated Mi.ssouri Eiver bottom, is
covered willi a rich sandy loam, the silt or deposit
of the ancient river, which returns an abundant re-
com|)ense for the labor of the husbandman. The
in'incii)al cereal raised is corn, and this with tlie
pasturage of a large number of horses cattle, etc.,
forms the principal business of its population. By
the census of 1885, it is shown that the inhabitants
of this subdivision of the county numbered 466,
cliiefly of American birth, a number which has
grown since that date. It contains a fair ]H-opor-
tioii of nstivc timber, that fully supplies the in-
habitants with fuel and building m.aterial, besides
many handsome artiticial groves that surround the
residences of its people.

Tliere is no vill.age within the limits of the town-
ship, but the j'oung city of Whiting l\ ing just
without its borders, in the adjoining town of Ash-

ton, affords ample market*facilities. The Sioux City
& Pacific Railroad crosses the town in a diagonal
line from north to south, lint, as mentioned above,
has no station in Lake.

The first to make any settlement within tlie lim-
its of this township, was James Stillwell. He came
to tlie county in companj' with the surveyors in
in 1852, and built the dirt cabin so often spoken of
in these pages, on the southeast quarter of the
southeast quarter of section 2, town 84, range 46.
In 1854 he removed to section 22, Lake Township,
where he made his home until 1858, and then de-
parted for California.

Edward Clark was tlie next to make a settlement
here. He had come to the coiinty in October, 1855,
and with his family spent the winter in what is
now Lincoln Township. March 20, 1856, he re-
moved to a claim which he had pre-empted on sec-
tion 34, the west half of the southeast quarter, and
the east half of the southwest quarter, upon which
lie resided for many years, only recently removing
to the village of Whiting, where he is now living.

With Mr. Clark came Frank W. Brooks, a single
man, who made his home with Mr. Clark's family,
in Lincoln, until the spring they came here, when,
having been just married, he settled on a piece of
lan<l of his own. He remained here a year or two,
and then removed to the Soldier Valley.

The next permanent white settler to locate in the
township, was Tobias Fegenbush. In 1S56. lie
came to the county, while yet the earth was clad in

MONONA COUNTY.

239

vernal verdure, and housed his family for that and
part of the succeeding year in a log cabin in the
township of Lincoln. In the fall of 1857, he set-
tled on his farm on section 28, in what is now Lalte
Township, whore he has remained, watching the
growth and development of this his adopted home,'
and engao;ed in the improvement of his place.

I. Nicholas Ilitc and his family located on sec-
tion 28, on coming to this county' and township in
the autumn of 1858. Some j^ears after he removed
to section 18, and there he made his home until
June, 1886, when he was called away by death.
His family are still residents of the town.

William L. Cooues came to IMonona Countj' with
the early pioneers in 1856, and settled on the land
owned by Philip Fegenbush, on section 32, this
townsliii). He remained there the following win-
ter, and until Maj- 19, when he returned to War-
ren County, III. In March, 1872, he came again,
to this town, and located on section 17, where )ie
made his home for a year, and then moved to an-
other place, but soon returned to the old home-
stead. Here he has remained ever since.

George Harris, who had located at Onawa the
previous 3'ear on coming to the county, came to
Lake Township in 1857, and made a settlement.
About 1862 he left this county, going to Denver,
Colo.

Alfred LT. Hanscom settled in this part of the
county in 1859. He had located at Onawa two
years before', whence he had come to Lake. In
1865 he removed to Franklin Township, and died
in Sioux, May 29, 1887.

Alexander Allison, at one time one of the promi-
nent citizens of this county, located in Lake Town-
ship, on section 20, this same year. He represented
this part of the county, then West Fork Township,
in the first Board of County Supervisors. About
1863, he too, went to Colorado.

J. W. Sudduth settled in this township in May,
1861, on a piece of rented land, but the following
spring removed to his own farm on section 31,
where he now lives.

In the fall of 1861, Thomas A. Dunagan came
here and located on section 5. In 1865, he enlisted
in the 7th Iowa Cavalry, and returned here at the
expiration of his service, making this his home un-

til 1872. In the spring of 1882 he came back to
Lake, and has since resided here.

John N. Combs settled in this township in Sep-
tember, 1861, on a rented farm, where he died,
April 28, 1864. His family, the following year re-
moved to their own place, where the widow, now
Mrs. Paul M. Dubois, is still living.

Joseph Robinson appeared in tliis township in
the fall of 18G2, and located on section 17, where
he still lives. He came to the county in 1857. but
first settled at Onawa, where he engaged in carpen-
tering.

S. G. Irish, now a resident of the village of
Whiting, is among tiie settlers of the year 1863.
He came through here on his way to Dakota in
1860, and on being driven from there through fear
of the Indians during the dark daj's of the Sioux
uprising, in the fall of 1863, came to Monona
County and settled on section 35, Lake Township,
where he lived some twenty years.

Oliver L. Davis, who had settled in the county
in 1865, located in this township in 1880, where he
now lives, on section 6.

Ilalvor Rye and family came to this town in July,
1S67, and settled on section 21, where he died
Jan. 19, 1870. His widow, who afterward married
T. H. Skidmore, still resides on the homestead.

Larkin Packwood, residing on section 20, settled
on that spot in 1867, having been a resident of
Franklin Township for the five years previous.

William P. Drown was also a settler of the year
1867, and since 1870 has made his home on sec-
tion 31.

George W. Pixler. who had been living, for the
past two years in the town of West Fork, removed
here in the fall of 1868, and has remained here
since that time.

John Huff, the first settler in the Lake circle,
came here in September, 1869, and found the home
he was seeking on section 32, 85,46. He brought
with him a sawmill, which he ran for about ten
years.

Germain Schurdevin came to Lake Township in
October, 1869, locating on section 32. Seven
years later he reriioved to another place, and finally
in 1879, settled where lie now lives, on section 31.

David W. Bowers, now living on section 32,

240

MONONA COUNTY.

made his first settlement in the townsiiip in March,
1871, in what is known !»s Badger Lake Circle.
Four years later he left the count}', but returnerl
in two 3'ears' time, and for four years more was a
resident of this town. After spending the succeed-
ing six years in Nebraska, he finally came back
here in June, 1887, and has since that time made
this his home.

Albert Cummings, now of Lincoln Township,
came here in the spring of 1872, and was engaged
at farm work by several parties here.

James P. Utterback, Sr., came to Monona County
in September, 1873, and settled at first in Lincoln
Township, whence, in the spfing of 1875, he re-
moved to Lake, locating on section 29. In 1884
he removed to his present residence on section 28.

David Backer, residing upon section 8, made a
settlement on that place in the spring of J 874.

The same year witnessed the settlement of Will-
iam McCandless, who is living on section 9, where
he first located.

Joshua Williamson, who had been living for a
short time in Maple, came to this township the same
year and settled on section 5, where he now resides.

A. P. Gnnsolly came the same year and settled
in the "Lake Circle." A few years after he ran
the sawmill. He now lives on section 23.

Thomas H. Skidmore was another settler of this
3ear, and resided on section 21 until his death,
May 15, 1882.

William Polly settled in Lake Township in the
fall of 1875.

Wilson M. McBeath settled on section 34, in
February, 1876, on coming to the county, and has
there made his home ever since.

In the spring of 1 870, James M. McClain, who for
four years had been a resident of Lincoln Town-
ship, removed here, and lived among these people
until the fall of 1878. He then returned to Lin-
coln. In the autumn of 1884 he came back to Lake,
settling on section 31, where he now resides.

James W. PoUey first settled in this township in
this 3-ear, and although he has been absent from it
at times, is now a resident.

In the fall of 1880 Lycurgus Godsey, a promi-
nent stock-raiser living on section 2, located on
that place, where he has since made his home.

Bain B. Stillman settled in the township in 1881,
and has made this his home ever since.

Thomas G. Davis, also, located a home here in the
fall of 1881, and has been a resident here or in
Whiting ever since.

Axel Christopherson made a settlement on sec-
tion 23, where he now lives, in 1882. He first
came to the county in September, 1874.

John W. Konkle came here the same year, set-
ling on section 22, where he now lives.

John Crosley, also, settled here the s.arae year, on
section 19, where he still makes his home.

Silas Dean came to Lake Township in 1883 and
settled on the farm on section 18, where he now
lives.

John M. Slater, still a resident of the town, set-
tled here in the spring of 1883.

David F. Conkle, living on his f.arm on section
11, made his settlement in October, 1884.

William Murdick, at present living on his farm
on section 27, came here and settled in July, 1885.

John McBeath settled here the same year, and
now lives upon a part of section 34.

Andrew T. Dailey, who settled in Lincoln Town-
ship in 1875, removed to Lake, where he now lives,
on section 22, in May, 1885.

John Henrj', a native of Sweden and a resident
of this civil subdivision of the county, settled here
on the 5th of August, 1886, although he first came
to the county in 1869.

Henry H. Harvey made a settlement here in
1887, on section 20. He came to the countj' in
1882, but made his home in Fairview and Lincoln
Townships until coming here.

Oliver J. Howk, residing on section 6, came here
in the spring of 1887.

HISTORICAL ITEMS.

The first child born was Polly Stillwell, the
daughter of James Stillwell, the pioneer settler of
this town, whose birth occurred in the summer of
1857.

James Clark, a son of Edward and Rachel Clark,
was most likely the first death. He was accidentally
poisoned with strychnine, kept to kill gophers.
This was in 1860.

The first marriage of residents of the township

MONONA COUNTY.

241

was that of Franklin W. Brooks and Miss Martha
Roberts, which took place Jan. 10, 1856. The first
celebrated in the township (the others going to the
county-seat) was that of Joseph Robinson and Miss
Margaret Fegenbusli, the ceremony taking place
Jan. 26, 1861.

The first school was taught in the fall of 1860,
in a building erected for the purpose near the cen-
ter of section 28, by Mrs. Chapman, of Onawa.
This building was afterwards removed and used
for church services.

ORGANIC.

Lake Township was organized as a separate civil
subdivision of the county in accordance with an

order of the Board of Supervisors re-organizing all
the old and marking out the lines of new town-
siiips, passed by that body April 3, 1866. The first
election took place and was held at the school house
in district No. 1, and ']'. Fegenbush was Judge and
Joseph Robinson, Clerk. At that time the town
was to include all the territory Ij'ing west of West
Fork in town 85, ranges 46 and 47. Joseph Rob-
inson was elected Supervisor; T. Fegenbush and J.
N. Hite, Trustees; and A. U. Hanscom, Clerk.

The present officers are: W. L. Coones, Silas
Deane, and Wilson McBeath, Trustees; James Mc-
Clain, Clerk; J. P. Utterback, Treasurer; G. W.
Stevenson, Assessor; Thomas Dunnagan, Justice;
and S. L. Packwood, Constable.

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XIV.

^'HIS subdivision of Monona County em-
braces all of Congressional Township 83,
range 44, and contains some 23,040 acres of
excellent land. The surface is considerably diver-
siQed, consisting, in the western part to the Little
Sioux River, of the flat level of the Missouri bot-
tom, with its rich alluvial silt soil,an<l in the west-
ern portion of the knobb3^ rounded bluffs of the
well known western formation, composed of finely'
comminuted' clay and the famous loess, or drift
deposit. Unusual fertility and rare productiveness
marks the soil where cultivated, but some it is so
abrupt and steep as to be practically unfitted for
the plow. A considerable amount of valuable
native timber fringes the rivers and streams, and
adds materially to the beauty of tlic landscape and
the wealth of the jieople of the town.

The railroad facilities are excellent, the Maple
Vallej' branch of the Chicago cfe Northwestern
Railway Company entering it on the north line of
section 2, and thence southwesterly to the young
village of Turin, the only station within the limits
of the town, and thence straigiit west through
sections 9, 8 and 7.

Formerly there were two post-offices, in Belvi-
dere and Hiawatha, but which on the springing up
of the new village of Turin, .were discontinued.
The postmaster at the first mentioned office was
8. C. Hoadley, the same being located on section

25; it ceased in 1885. Tlie township is well
watered and drained by the Little Sioux and Maple
Rivers, Beaver, Hiawatha and Cottonwood Creeks.
The beautiful valley of the Maple begins in this
town, a short distance above the junction of the
Maple with its parent stream, the Little Sioux, the
junction taking place on section 28.

The first to make a settlement within the limits
O' what is now Belvidere Township was Philip
Ashton, who located upon what was aftervvards the
Judge Craig land, in 1852. During the winter of
1852-3 he started for Asiiton Grove, and being
overcome by the cold, laid down and was frozen to
death while yet in tliis town. This was the first
death in the county.

William Brooks came to tiiis part of the country
about 1854 and settled in the northern part of the
tovvn. His wife died here in the winter of 1856-7,
during "the time of the big snow," and was tlie
first one buried where the Belvidere Cemetery is
now located.

George Ilartwell came here from Missouri in the
spring of 1855 and making a claim on section 28
put up a cabin. The following year he sold out to
A. J. Hathaway and returned to Missouri.

Next came Hugh Lytic and John Thomas, who
had seceded from the community at Preparation
and settled within the limits of this town .in 1855.
The former held an important place in tlie county,

MONONA COUNTY.

243

being one of its first officers, and died a resident of
tiie county. Both he and Mr. Thomas settled on
section 13. The latter gentleman is now living in
Kennebec Township.

About the same time John and James Crabb
made settlements in the township. Both made their
home here for some 3'ears. James removed years
ago to Harrison County, and Jolm in 1887 to Little
Sioux, the same county, where they still reside.

John Craig, afterwards county judge, came to
this county in 1855 and made a settlement in this
town. With the exceptii>n of the period when in
offici.al position, he here made his home until 1863,
when he removed to California with W. N. Hatha-
way, Thomas and William Flowers. On their re-
turn trip, a year later. Judge Craig was killed by
lieing run over by a loaded wagon, when near Fort
Kearney, and his body is buried in that vicinitj'.

Albert J. Hathaway came to what is now Belvi-
dere Township in June, 1856, and purchased a
claim at the mouth of tlie Maple River, on section
28, where he intended to erect a mill. His father,
Wilber Hathaway, who had come with him to help
put up the same, dying two months after their
arrival, August 20, the project was abandoned and
in 1858, Mr. Hathaway started for Pike's Peak,
returning to this county a year later. He is now a
resident of Kennebec Township.

At the same time Charles Hatliawa^^ made a settle-
ment in this town and remained a resident here
until 1881, when he went to Florida. He is now
living near .Springfield, Mo.

Hiram Harmon, a settler of the year 1S5G, lo-
cated upon section 3, and remained upon his farm
until the fall of 1859, when he died. His widow
disposed of the land to R. T. Reese and removed
to Michigan.

John and James Porter made a settlement about
the same time, on section 9. The former about
1862, removed from here to Harrison County, but
is now a resident of Oregon. The latter removed
to Nebraska.

Thomas J. Bryson, now a resilient of Harrison
County, located here on coming to this countj', in
1857, and was identified with Belvidere's interests
for several years.

Lycurgus Shields and Bay lis were also old set-

tlers of the same year. Bay lis, about 1856, re-
moved to Kennebec where he died a few years
later, his widow marrying Scth Smith, Sr.

In the spring of 1856 Richard T. Reese came to
this county on a tour of investigation, and after
viewing the country in a short time returned to
Council Bluffs well pleased. In the spring of 1860,
in company with his father, Edward Reese, he
came here and made his first settlement on section
5, this townsliip. Later he removed to section 4,
where he is now residing, although engaged in the
general merchandis* trade at the young village of
Turin. Edward Reese died here Sept. 19, 1860.

A man by the name of Jones, more trapper and
hunter than agriculturist, came hereabout 1856-'57
and remained a resident on section 16, for some
years.

Charles C. Bisbee, who afterward occupied the
important positions of County Judge, County
Superintendent, etc., with his son, Charles W., the
present County Surveyor, came to Belvidere Town-
ship in May, 1857. The father died here June 21,
1871; the son still makes his residence here, and is
one of the leading agriculturists of this part of
Monona County.

Frederick D. Winegar, Sr., came to Belvidere in
1857, from Spring Valley, where he had settled
two j'cars before, but the same year removed to
Kennebec, where he lived until his death, in 1881.

Edward Winegar made a settlement on section
18, in September, 1857, pre-empting eighty acres
of land. The following spring he broke about
twenty-five acres, and made other improvements,
and there lived until 1861, when he removed to
Kennebec Township, where he is still residing.

John Wood, who had been living in Kennebec
Township for about two years, came to this town
in 1863, and has been a resident ever since, having
his home in Turin at the present time.

George Bell, still a resident of the town, is one
of the settlers of the year 1862.

Miles S. Outhouse came to Monona County in
1864, and settled in Belvidere Township on a
rented farm, and in a few j-ears purchased a place
on section 36. He died in Dawes County, Neb.,
' April 17, 1889, he having removed to that State
in 1883.

244

MONONA COUNTY.

Sidney C. Hoadley located in this section of the
county in the fall of 1867, and is still one of its
honored citizens.

During the year 18fi4, S. S. Dorward, a veteran
of the Union arraj', during the late Civil War,
came to this county and opened up a farm on sec-
tion 13, where he has since made his home, which
is a pleasant one.

About the same time J. M. Mountain came to
this county and engaged in teaching school, which
profession he followed until 1874, when he adopted
agriculture as a calling, and is still a resident of
this town, engaged in that line of business.

Rev. William M. Dorward and his sons, Frank
M. and William M., Jr., made their appearance in
this town in the spring of 1865, and opened up
farms on Beaver Creek. The father, one of
Monona county's best citizens, died here June 14,

1888. Frank M., at the election in November,

1889, was chosen treasurer of the county by a
handsome majority. William is also a resident of
the town at the present writing.

George W. Cork made a settlement on section
10, this township, in the spring of 1869, where he
resided until March, 1887, when he removed to
Onawa, and there makes his home.

William T. and Charles T. Seaton came to the
county and took up their residence in 1869 in this
township, and both of them are residents here still.

William Townley, now living in Sioux Township,
located on a farm here on first coming to the
county, in 1870, and made this his home for four
years.

Lewis L. Rinehart came to Eelvidere from liar-
rison County in 1871, and made a settlement. He
lived here for mauj' j'ears, and died here not many
years ago.

German Brown settled in 1873, on section 34.
where he still lives.

Clinton M. Wiley and George Diddy, still rep-
resentative citizens of the township, located here
in the fall of 1875, both on section 1.

Charles Smith, one of the residents of the town
the present day, living on section 1, came here
from Grant Township, where he had been living,
and opened a farm where his home is at present in
1874.

Benjamin Garder, now a resident of Spring Val-
ley, to which he removed in 1877, came to this
county in 1 875, and made a settlement in this town.

Thomas Moore settled where he now lives in the
spring of 1876, coming from the town of Galva,
111., although born in the Isle of Man, a de-
pendency of the British Empire.

John Hanson dates his settlement here from
the spring of 1879.

David W. Lotspeich, one of the prominent citi-
zens of the town, came here and founded his home
in 1881.

William H. Case, a leading citizen of the town-
ship, came to Monona County with his father,
Francis C. Case, in 1853. He came to Belvidere
Township in 1882, and settled on section 36, where
he now lives.

Olaf Leff also made a settlement in Belvidere in
the spring of 1882, and is still a resident.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first death in what is novv Belvidere was
tliat of Philip Ashton, who was frozen to death
while trying to reach the village of Ashton, during
the winter of 1852-3. Mrs. W. Brooks was the
first to die a natural death, her demise taking place
in the winter of 185G-7.

The first marriage was that of Ivan Lytle and
Nancy E. Younger, which took place Jan. 11.
1856.

The first school was taught by G. Goodenougii,
in the fall of 1857.

ORGANIC.

At a meeting of the county court, that then
took the place of the board of supervisors in the
C(Hinty Government in that day, held in January,
1856, it was ordered that townships 82, 83 and 84,
ranges 43 and 44, be organized in one civil town-
ship under the name of Belvidere. This was evi-
dently done, and as thus constituted remained until
the spring election of 1857, when town 84, range
41, was detached to form a new township.

On the 5th of October, 1857, in the county
court, Hon. C. E. Whiting, County Judge, presid-
ing, a general re-organization of the various towns
uf the county, took place. Belvidere had her
boundaries changed so that it then w.as made to em-

MONONA COUNTY.

245

brace all of township 83, ranges 42 and 43; sec-
tions 25, 26, 35 and 36, of town 84, range 44; the
south two tiers of sections of town 84, ranges 42
and 43; and tlie east half and sections 4, 9, 16, and
21, of township 83, range 44.

Changes took place from time to time in its
boundaries, more or less unimportant between lliat
period anil April 3, 1866, when the county was
again subdivided. Under this the town of Belvi-
dere was made to consist of all of township 83,
range 43, and sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36,
and the east half of sections 4, and 9„ of town 83,
range 44. At the time of this organization the
board ordered the election to take place at school-
house No. 1, and appointed C. C. Bisbee and John
Wood judges of election, and W. A. Dorward and
Thomas J. Bryson, clerks. In June of the next
year town 83, 43, was detached to form a new
township and subsequently the other territory in
Congressional Township 83, range 44, was added to
Belvidere which then took its present form.

THE VILLAGE OF BELVIDEKE.

On the lOtli of May, 1857, Samuel Scott, then
Count}' Surve3'or, laid out and platted a town site
on the south half of section 11, and the north half
of section 14, to which was given the name of Bel-
videre, by Judge Craig. George Bacon and Hugh
Lytle -were the proprietors and they went to work
with a will to build up a town but met with no
success.

George Bacon immediately opened a gener.al
merchandise store, wliicli was quite extensive for
that daj', and did considerable business. Previous
to this Brainerd of Magnolia had had a small
branch store at this point and the two were in opera-
tion at the same time.

N. C. Wyatt opened a law office, John Craig, a
justice office, and Dr. John Hazlett an office for
the practice of medicine.

A blacksmith sliop and some dozen or flfttcn
dwellings and a school-house completed the little
settlement. Aliout the time of the laying out of
the village the postoffice of Belvidere was estab-
lished with Hugh Lytle as Postmaster, and contin
ued in that office until the hoi)es of the founders of

the town had withered and the place ceased to
grow.

A steam saw-mill was erected on Beaver Creek,
near the vill.-ige on section 14, and run for some
years.

In the summer of 1861, a movement was put on
foot to remove the seat of justice of Monona
County, from Onawa to the village of Belvi<lere,
and a numerously signed petition presented to the
county board [U'aying that the question be sub-
mitted to the legal voters of the county. The
prayer was granted, and at the- general election
held Oct. 8, 1861, the qualified electors of the
county to the number of 104, gave their assent to
the location of the county seat at Belvidere, but
119 were in favor of retaining it at Onawa.

From this time onward tlie village seemed to go
down. The mill machinery was taken to Pike's
Peak; the stores after a time were closed, and even
the post-office removed. C. C. Bisbee who suc-
ceeded Mr. Lytle, as Postmaster, took the office to
his residence on the north part of section 11, and
held it for years. He was succeeded by Addison
Dimmick, W. A. Dorward, S. C. Iloadley, (). M.
Morse and G. S. Bisbee. On the laying out of the
village of Turin, the post-office was moved to that
place.

VILLAGE OF TURIN.

Lying on the northwest quarter of the northeast
quarter of section 9, Belvidere Township, lies the
village of Turin, one of the youngest of the chil-
dren of Monona County, it having been born in
1887. Tlie railroad placed a station here in the
fall of 1886, and the following summer a town-site
was surveyed and jjlattcd bj- the Western Town
Lot Company and the Maple Valley Railway Com-
pany, on the northeast quarter of section 9, and the
plat of this was filed for record August 27, 1887.

West Turin which is situated upon the east side
of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter
of section 9, was laid out by the Trinity Metho-
dist Church Association and the plat filed for re-
cord September 14, 1887.

The railroad company were the pioneers in the
building line in the new village, erecting the depot
and the agent's residence here during the summer,
and close behind them came Wolf Bros., who put

246

MONONA COUNTY.

up a small Imililinj' iind opened the first store in
the place; they, also, were the builders of the sec-
ond dwelling; house. Their business venture did
not prove a success and thej' discontinued the trade
shortly after. H. (i. Davis succeeded them in the
fall or winter of 1H.S7, but met with disastei' the
following spring.

The first general merchandise store was opened
by K. T. Keese and George S. Bisbee, trading un-
der the firm name of Reese & Uisbee, Sept. 1, 1887.
On the 15th of December, 1888, Mr. Reese pur-
chased the interest of his partner, wlio left for Cal-
ifornia, and is now engaged in carrying that bus-
iness alone.

The next to open up in that line w.as the firm of
Perkins & Barnard, in the spring of 1888. They
failed, iiowevev, the next spring, and closed out
their business.

Horatio Rawlings opened a hardware store in the
village in the same spring of 1888, and after run-
ning it for a short time, closed it out. In the same
building II. E. Colby & Co., established a general
merchandise store, about the middle of June, 1889,
and assumed a prominent position in the mercan-
tile life of the little village.

The first and only hotel was erected by Levi
Wilson, during the winter of 1888, who gave it the
name of "Farmers' Hotel," a name that it still re-
tains. It was operated by Mr Wilson until June,
188'J, when he leased it to Mrs. Alfred Edwards,
the present proprietress.

The livery barn w.as erected in the spring of
1887, by F. M. Cork, who carried on business
therein until December, 1888, when be sold out to
Levi Wilson. The latter after running it until
June, 1889, leased it to the present proprietor,
J. Duff Butt.

The pioneer blacksmith in the village was Lon.
Ilolbrook, who put up a smithy and erected his
forge in the fall of 188G. In the spring of 1888,
he left here and the building was torn down.

A second blacksmith shop was opened in the
spring of 1887, by Jens Cleminson.

The lumber yard was established in the spring
of 1887, by G. W. Cork, Jr.. who operated it until
the following fall when it was purchased by its
present proprietors, the Bowman Lumber Co.

W. E. Roberts was;the first station agent of the
railroad at this point, coming here in 1886, and
still occupies that responsible position.

I'OST-OFFICK.

The Turin post-oflleu is the successor of the old
Bolvidere one, and was brought to the village by
(ieorge S. Bisbee, the Postmaster in the winter of
1887. That gentleman .-ind his assistant. Miss Nel-
lie Reese, continued to handle the mail until May
9, 1889, when Mi'. Bisbee selling out his interest in
tlie store left here for California, and W. E. Rob-
erts, the station agent was appointed to fill the of-
fice and is the jiresent incumbent.

, SOCIETIES.

Hiawatha Assembly. No. 11,067, K. of L., a
ttourishing and popular secret organization, in the
interest of the working men and producers of the
countrj', has been estnblislied in Turin and has a
fair membership.

RELIGIOUS.

Rev. Mr. Rice from Jlagnolia, was wont in an
early day to come to Belvidere and hold religious
services occasionally, which, although known as
Methodist, were really Union, all sects of Chris-
tians attending. Early in 1871 or 1872, a class
was formed with George W. Cork, Sr., as Leader.

In 1886, after the station was put in at this
point it was made a point on what is known as the
Turin Circuit of theMethodist Episcopal Church,
and J. L. Stanton made Class-Leader, and that
gentleman still holds that position. The first Pas-
tor in the village was Rev. J. A. Goodburn, who
remained two years, having classes at Turin, Ashe,
Star and Williams. Next came Rev. Edgar D.
Fisher who had charge of Turin, Hiawatha, Wil-
liams, Blencoe, Ashe and Center. No church edifice
lias yet been erected, services being held in the
schoolhouse. The church numbers twenty-two
fidl members and twenty probationers.

A SabbatK-school in connection with the church
was established in December,, 1887, with W. E.
Roberts as Superintendent, and has i-emained un-
der his fostering care ever since.

Ihe church was incorporated as an association

MONONA COUNTY.

247

under the general laws of the State in 1887; the
articles of incorporation being filed for record
Marcli 12. 1887, W. E. Roberts, being the first
President; D. W. Lotspeich, Secretary, and the
third incorporator. Elmer Wolfe. The first Trus-
tees were the following named: S. S. Dorward,
Dr. J. H. Talboy, Williini Wolfe, (x. W. Cork. Sr.,
J. L. Stanton, W. E. Roberts, and I). VV. Lotspeich,
The present Tru'^tees are: S. S. Dorward, W. E.
Roberts, D. W. Lotspeich, ,]. L. Stanton and Dr.
.7. II. Talboy.

SCHOOL.

Tlie fiist scliool on the site of the vill.-ige w.as
opened in a building that was erected by the dis-
trict, in the summer of 1859, with Miss Cynthia
ScoHcld as teacher. This historic building, having
grown too srn.'dl for the increasing population, it
was sold and removed to R. T. Reese's farm,
where it is still in use as a buggy house.

Aliont 1881, the above building was replaced by
the one in use at the present and in this Mr. Noble
was the first teacher.

SIOUX TO\AANSHIP,

CHAPTER XV.

^HE civil subdivision of Monona County
tliat takes the name from the tribe of In-
^' dians tliat once roamed tiiese wil<ls, em-
braces all of Congressional Township 82, range H,
west of the 5th principal meridian, and lies in the
southern tier of tovvnshii)S in the county. It is
bounded on the north by Belvidere Township, on
the east l)y that of Spring Valley, on the west by
Sherman, while Harrison County forms its southern
boiuidary. The river, Little Sious, crosses it from
north to south, slightly inclining to the westward
in its course, entering the township at the north-
west corner of section 3 and leaving it about the
center of section .32. This stream with its afflu-
ents and tributaries, forms its only drainage sj's-
tcm. West of the river the land lies in the famous
Missouri River bottoms, and the soil is the rich,
dark, sandy loam so characteristic of that favored
part of the State whose fertility is beyond compare.
On the west bank of the river the land gently
slopes up to the bluff.s that stand like giant senti-
nels to guard its course, and the land attains a
rolling character. Here the soil, the warm, fecund,
drift deposit, is susceptible of the highest culture,
and produces, under the hands of the thrifty hus
bandmau, large and lucrative crops of all the ce-
reals and vegetables. Some of the lands in the more
hilly portion are best fitted for pasturage and as
such furnish succulent feed for numerous herds of
cattle.

Along the course of the Little Sioux is fringed
a heavy growth of native forest timber that mar-

shalled along its silvery banks, seems placed there
like pickets to keep off the intruder — man — from the
paradise beyond. The beauty of the river valley
is entrancing. Cool, leafy bowers of sylvan shade
hang over the mirror-like pools of the I'iver, that
dimples along, lingering lovingly in each sheltered
spot, or playing in the broad sunlight in some
grassy opening. The population is made up prin-
cipally of Americans and natives of the tln-ee king-
doms of Scandiavia — Sweden, Norway and Den-
mark.

C. C. Perrin, one of the most honored pioneers
of tlie county, made a settlement upon section 30,
during the year 1854, and here, after performing
faithfully all of life's duties, he peacefully passed
away to his reward in April, 1889. His family
•are still residents of this part of the county.

An old gentleman by the name of Nickerson
made a settlement upon sections 10 and 15, during
the year 1863, but a 3'ear or so later sold out his
(hum to Hamlin, and removed to Missouri where
he died.

.lohn S. Porter came to this township in the
spring of 1855 and remained a resident until 1862,
when he removed to Nebraska. In 1874 he re-
turned to this county and lived here until 1888,
when he removed to Oregon, where he now lives.
John W. Porter, the well known citizen of the
thriving village of Mapleton, is a son of this old
pioneer.

Early in the year 1855, came Jesse Whitzel, who
located near Mr. Porter. For a few years he here

MONONA COUNTY,

249

carried on farming nnd then removed across the
line into Little Sioux Township, Harrison County,
on section 5, where he died.

A pioneer who bore the name of Turle>', made a
claim to a piece of land on section 10, as early :is
1856, and improved and opened up a farm. A
few j'ears later he gave it up and removed to the
southern part of this State.

During the summer of ISfi-l, a man b}^ the name
of Hamlin located upon a claim which he made on
parts of sections 10 and 15, and there remained
but until the spring of the following year when he
sold out his interest and removed to Missouri. Ed-
ward Nickerson, who purchased this place, im-
proved it and made it his residence until 1878,
when he sold out and removed to Independence,
Mo., where, the next fall, lie was elected to till
the o/Hce of Clerk of the Court, and still fills that
position.

Richard M. Mann made a settlement in this part
of the county in 1867, with his family among
whom were his sons, Richard O., now living on
section 15; and John T. a resident of section 10.
The elder Mr. Mann, made his home among these
people until called upon "to join the great major-
ity," in September, 1874.

Daniel Moad, about 1869, settled upon section
15, and there made his home until 1874 or 1875,
when he removed to Sherman Township.

Lorenzo D. Driggs, one of the earliest settlers of
the count}', removed to Sioux Township in 1872,
and made a settlement on sections 32 and 33.
Here he resided until called to cross the shining
river to enter into his reward, Jan. 27, 1880. Lo-
renzo, his son, still resides in this town, as does the
widow.

George and A. J. Erb, in 1872, came to this
part of the county from Franklin Township where
their father settled at a very early day, and took up
farms on sections 32 and 33. In 1878 they re-
moved hence, selling their places to L. D. Driggs.

Joseph W. Lane, the son of the first Sheriff of
Monona County, and one of the earliest settlers,
moved into this township in the spring of 1872,
where he has since made his home. In 1882, he
moved to his present farm on section 34.

James R. Jepsou, a native of Denmark, now a

resident of this township, settled in 1873, with his
grandfather, on section 2 where he has since re-
mained.

In the fall of 1875, William Townley settled in
this town, on section 12, where he has remained
ever since.

John Johnson located in this town in the fall of
1875 and here remains, on section 11, where he
first " stuck his stakes."

John W. Wills, a veteran of the late War, came
to Monona County in 1876, and settled on section
3, this township, where he has resided ever since.

Jesse J. Peck made a settlement in the town of
Sioux in the spring of 1876, removing here from
Harrison County. He remained here one j'ear and
then returned to his old home, but in February,
1880, came again to ]\Ionona County and settled on
the farm in section 36, where he now lives. Mr.
Peck was Sheriff of Harrison Count}' for several
years.

Rasmus Mikkleson came to the county in 1875,
and in the following year settled on a portion of
section 11, this town, whete he now lives.

Alfred Hanscom, a settler in the county of 1857,
came to this township in 1877, and died here Ma)-
29, 1887. His sons, George, Frank and Daniel,
still make their home in this township.

Nels Johnson, a descendant of the bold vikings
of Denmark, found a home in this part of Monona
County, in 1877, and has remained in it ever since.

Peter Johnson, a brother of Nels, mentioned be-
fore, came here in the spring of 1881, and is still a
resident of the town.

In August, 1881, James M. Case came to this
town and settled on section 23, where he has since
made his home.

William S. Lonigan, now living on section 35,
settled there in 1881.

In 1882, Lewis Woodward settled on section 35,
where he is still residing.

William F. Williams came to this section of the
county in the fall of 1 883, and from that date has
had a continuous residence.

John Washington Scherer made a settlement on
section 34, this town, in the spring of 1 884. and now
has a fine farm of 200 acres of land in this and Har-
rison County,

250

MONONA COUNTY.

Tlie (late of the settlement of Henry L. Gilmore
was January, 1884.

Georg'e U. Hancom came to this township in
1886, from Lake, where he was born in 1860, and
has been a resident ever since.

John J. Conyers, whose fatlier settled In Spring
Valley in 1863, came to Sioux Township in 1887
and located on his farm on sections 3 and 4, where
he has remained.

Fred F. McCloud located here in February,
1888.

ORGANIC.

Tlie town of Sioux, wliich uji to that time, had
formed parts of the two towns of Sherman and

Spring Valley, were,j'by order of the board of
supervisors, passed at their session on the 4th of
September, 1879, cut off and permitted to form a
separate political subdivision of^the county. Tlie
first election was held at the^Moad Schoolhouse, Oc-
tober 14, following the'day of the general election.
The ^Ingemau ..Danisli Evangelical Lutheran
Cliurcli was incorporated under the general laws^of
Iowa in 1889, the articles of incorporation being
placed with the county recorder for filing Oct. 31,
1889. Appended to this are the names of John
Johnson, president; Nels Johnson, secretary, both
of whom were elected to fill those offices. Oct. 19,
1889.

WILLOW fOWlSMIf c

CHAPTER XVI.

<Si l^'ILLOW, embracing all of Congressional
\ss/// Township 82 nortii, range 42 west lies in
W^ the extreme southwestern corner of Mo-
nona County, and is bounrled on the north by
Soldier Township; on the east by Crawford County;
on the south by Harrison County ; and on the west
by Spring Valley Township. The surface, a con-
stant succession of hills and valleys, is much
diversified and is much mor.e suitable for stock
purposes than for agriculture, although the highly
fertile valleys of its creeks and rivers are dotted
with pleasant productive farms. The soil has the
same general cliaracteristies that mark this part of
the State, and except on the hill tops is of the
light mulatto colored bluff deposit. Much of the
land is uncultivated being used as ranges for cattle.

An abundance of running water and ample
drainage facilities are afforded by the Willow, East
and West Willow, Norway and Crow Creeks and
their tributaries. By the census of 1885 it is
shown that the population of the town.ship was
476, about equally divided among Americans, Nor-
wegians and Germans, all industrious and fairl}'
prosperous. Owing to many circumstances the
settlement of this town was delayed for some years
after the other parts of the county, but when once
it begun it filled up rai)idly.

There is no town or post-office within its limits,
most of the inhabitants depending on Dunlap,
Miirrison County, for a market.

The pioneer settlers here were of Norwegian

birth, frugal, industrious people, who have made
both themselves and the town prosjierous.

The first of these was Elling Thoreson, who
came to Monona County in March, 1867, on a tour
of inspection and returned to La Crosse County,
Wis. In July of the same year he brought his
family here and m.ade a permanent settlement
and is one of the citizens of to-day.

In August, 18G7, James Severson settled on sec-
tion 6, this townstiip, among the first settlers, and
one of the first Norwegians to locate here. He
has remained ever since and is one of the leading
citizens of the town. His son Cornelius is engaged
in the mercantile business in the village of Ute.

01c Severson made a settlement in December,
1869, on section 6. this township, wliere he has re-
sided ever since.

Ole Engun, a resident at this time of Spring
Valley, came to this county in 1.S71, and lived in
Willow until 1877.

William Wininger made his appearance in what
is Willow Township in the fall of 1871, the fall of
the great Chicago fire, and settled where he now
lives on section 1.5. At that time there was only
about six families in the township, and three j-ears
later thei'e weie but nine voters.

David Hull, now a resident of Dunlap. came to
tliis part of the county and "pitched his tent" in
1871. Here he opened up a farm and made his
home until about 1881, when he removed to iiis
present place of residence.

252

MONONA COUNTY.

E. N. Hong, a native of Norway, in tiie autumn
of 1873 found his way to tliis part of tlie oounty,
and tlie following winter was employed in teaching
a Norwegian school. In tlie spring lie took up a
claim and constructed a "dug-out" in which he
lived, and not l^eing in circumstances to make
much improvements, taught school for five years.

Frank Schlensig made liis settlement in the town-
ship in Ai)ril, 1875, and worked out for about four
years. lie is living here now on section 35,
altliough for many years he has been a resident of
Soldier.

Edwin J. Hull came to this county and settled
on a piece of rented land in Decemlier, 1877, and
for tlu-ee years in this town was engaged in carry-
ing on that. In 1880 he iiurchased his present
place on section 9, which he lias greatly improved
and bought the farm where he lives on section 1 6
in 1884.

■Section 27 received a settler in the early spring
of 1880, in the person of Frank A. Kessler, who
has remained a resident there ever since.

About the same time E. A. Atherton made a
settlement on the adjoining section, 2G, and has
there made liis home to this day.

During the same season a settlement was made
on section 14, by Thomas Cover, who resides there
still. He came here from Keokuk County, this
State, and is largel}' engaged in general stock-
raising.

Olans 0. Moen came to this count}' in 1879, and
after working around for a year settled down in
the town of Willow on a farm.

In June of the same year Charles Atherton pur-
chased a farm in this town, and is still a resident of
this locality.

Pearly in the spring of 1882 John A. Olsen and
Peter Peterson bought a farm on section 17, and
settled here. The former now lives on the place,
having bought his partner's interest therein.

A. B. Felts settled on the farm where he now
lives, on section 10, in the spring of 1883.

FIRST ITEjrS.

The Qrst schoolhouse was a -'dug-out" located
on section 6, which was constructed in the fall of
1869, and in this R. V. Ransome tauglit the first
school the following winter.

The first religious services held in the Norwegian
settlement were really held in Spring Valley Town-
ship in the fall of 1870, at the residence of H. E.
Strand, by a Rev. Mr. Christianson.

The first frame schoolhouse was built in Ihe fall
of 1874, on section 15, and the first teacher therein
was Miss Eliza Bailey, who presided over the
youthful scholars in the winter term of 1874-75.

OECANIZATION.

Willow Township, which up to that time from
its first settlement had remained a part of the town
of Spring Valley, was authorized liy the county
board of supervisors to organize as a separate and
civil subdivision of the county at a meeting held
by that body April 7, 1873, the first election to be
held at the next general election, in the fall of that
year.

GENTEl^ TOWNSHIP,

CHAPTEE XVII.

HE subdivision of the county that bears tlie
name of Center, embraces all of Congres-
sional Township 84, range 43, except sec-
tions 30, 31, 32, 33 and the south half of section
29, which has been set off and added to Kennebec
Township, in lieu of which Center Township has
had added to it sections 1 and 2, the north half of 1 1,
and the north half and southeast quarter of section
12, town 84, range 44, which give it an area of
thirty-four and a quarter sections, or 21,920 acres.
The surface is beautifully diversified, being in
the southern part quite liill}', in the centre and
northeastern portions rich rolling prairie, while the
northwestern part lies in the beautiful Maple Val-
ley, one of the most beautiful in the State. Ample
drainage and an abundant supply of running water
is afforded by the silvery Maple River and the
Jordan Creek, which, with their tributaries and
affluents, reach out throughout its entire length
and breadth, and whose banks are lined with na-
tive timber, to a large extent.

The soil, either the rich, dark, warm loam of the
bottom land, or the mulatto brown of the loess of
the bluff deposit is wonderfully fertile, and re-
turns, under all circumstances, an abundant reward
to the industrious husbandman or enterprising
fruit grower. To the stock grower it offers particu-
lar inducements, the rich indigenous grasses of the
bluffs, the abundance of water and the shady
groves that fringe the streams, affording the finest

of grazing and pasture grounds. The Maple Val-
ley branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail-
road crosses the northwestern part of the township,
the station of Castana, a flourishing village, being
just across the line, west, in the town of Kennebee.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

It is well known that the pioneer settler of this
subdivision of the county was William Hamilton
Wiley, who, with his wife and family, came here in
the fall of 185.5 and took up a claim on section 5,
where he put up a log cabin, the first in what is now-
Center Township. He became one of the most promi-
nent figures in tlie early history of the town and
county ,and filled several responsible offices, l^pright,
honest, and of modest demeanor, he could have
had many more important places had he so desired.
At the time of the Pike's Peak excitement he made
a trip to that region, but was badly hurt in a mine
cave, and returned to this, his home, a hopeless
cripple. In 1875 he departed from this world
to another world, where he, doubtless, has reaped
his reward.

Jesse C. Melton, about the same time, came to
this locality and settled upon the northwest quar-
ter of section 4. He remained a resident here until
1875, when he removed to California, and is now
living at Modesta, Stanislaus Count3-, that State.

James Beatlcy and liis son, Augustus, came here
in the summer of 1855 and took up claims.

254

MONONA COUNTY.

James brought out his family here in 1857, and
died here about 1873, upon section 8, where he
first located. Augustus Beatley passed to ''tiiat
land from whose bourne no traveler ever returns,"
in the sprino; of 1860.

Ferguson F. Roe came to tiie county in Sep-
ember, 1855, and bought the east half of section
18, this township, where he resided until Decem-
ber, 1856, when he went to Story County and
taught scliool. This he did until 1859, wlien he
moved his family here, working on the farm in
summer and wielding the ferule in the various
schools in the winter months. In the winter of
1861 he taught the first scliool in Center Town-
ship. Mr. Roe has been closely identified with
the interests of the county all these many years,
and is the present representative of the district in
the State Legislature.

With Mr. Roe came J. J. A\'oods,tlie3' driving
their team tiirougli from Western Ohio. Mr.
Woods located a claim on the northeast quar-
ter of section 19, 81, 43. A short time after he
went back for his family, but on the road hither
halted in the neighborhood of Peoria, 111., where
he remained until the fall of 1864, when he re-
sumed his journey, and on his arrival here settled
on his land, where he lived until called hence liy
death, about the j'ear 1880.

Samuel King came to Monona County in No-
vember, 1855, from his former home in Indiana,
and made a settlement in Center Township. He
made his home here until called to "pass the dark
river," Jan. 19, 1880, when he had attained his
ninety-first year. His wife, Louisa C. King, a
native of Ohio, died in this county, March 2,
1888, at the age of sixty-nine j'ears.

William Bayliss. Sr., came to this section of the
county in the fall of 1856,and finally died here,
many years ago, in the spring of 1 860. His son,
William, is a present resident of Holt County,
Neh.

In the fall of 1858 James Nutt caihe here from
Polk County and made -i settlement upon a part of
section 18. In 1864 he removed to Boone County,
this State, locating four miles east of Boonsboro,
■where he died. His wiilow returned here, and is
living in this town,

•loseph R. Bouslaugh, a native of the Kej'stone
State, came to Monona County in the fall of 1858,
with his famil3% and settled on section 9, Center
Township. He was County Judge for one term,
and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for ten
years, and was identified with the development of
the county in a large degree. He is still a resident
of the townshi[).

With him came Theodore T. Br)uslaugh, his son,
who is still living where he settled, on section 8.
he liaving been here first in 1855, with Melton, to
pick out land for the entire family. Jasper Bous-
laugh, another son, came at the same time, and is a
resident of the town at the present time, settling
on section 18, but now lives on section 17; Marion,
another son, took up a claim on section 9, where
he still m.akes his home. The Bouslaughs have al-
ways occupied a very prominent position, in the
county, and are among its most proi)erous and
leading farmers.

Martin Van B. Nutt, who had been here, off and
and on, for some four years, in 1861 settled down
upon a farm and married. He is still a resident of
the town, having his home on section 21 at the
present.

D. T. Hawthorne, who had been one of the earli-
est settlers of Woodbury County, and well ks.own
to the earlier pioneers of this, came here in the fall
of 1861 and settled where he is at present living.

A man by the name of Powers settled on what
is known as the Bayliss place in 1861. The fol-
lowing year he enlisted in a cavalry regiment, and
was with Gen. Sully in his Northwestern expedi-
tion. He afterwards died in the mountains, where
he removed.

In the year 1862 John Beatley, the bachelor
brother of James, came to this part of the county
and settled on section 8, with his brother. He is
now living upon section 2, 84, 44. He married the
widow of Augustus Beatley for his first wife, who
died some years ago.

Samuel Connell King, the son of Samuel King,
spoken of as one of the earliest pioneers, came
here in 1863 and took up a claim on sections 7 and
18, upon which he is still living.

John Burns, a brother- in-law of W. Hamilton
Wiley, made a settlement upon the southeast quar-

MONONA COUNTY.

2.').5

ter of section 5, on coming to tlie county, in I8G3.
Two or tliree years later he removed to Maple
Township, and from there, in 1872, luick to Polk
County, this State.

Allan Keller took up his residence here in 18(')4,
but only remained about a year, returning East at
the expiration of that time.

Robert and John Carroll located on section 7,
in 18G5, and are still residents of the county.

About the same time that well-known prosperous
farmer, "Wintel F. Ertel, settled upon section 1,
84, 44, where he still resides.

Henry Dirst, the same year, took up a claim upon
section 17, which proved to be railroad land, so he
removed to section 9, where he lived nine or ten
j'ears, and then emigrated to Kansas.

Joseph Jackson located on what is known as the
Bayliss place in the spring of 1865, and lived there
until the following autumn. He lived with D. T.
Hawthorne until spring and then removed to Mon-
tana, where he now lives. Lewis Castle, one of the
early settlers of Cooper, lived the next year on this
same farm.

Chalmers A. Miller made a settlement in Cen-
ter Township in October, 1869, coming here from
Story County, locating on section 17. In 1873 ho
removed to his present residence on section 3.

I'^dward J. Norcross came to Monona Count}' in
April, 1872, from Rock Count}', "Wis., and settled
on the southeast quarter of section 8, in this town-
ship. Two years later he built a residence on the
northeast quarter of the same section, and in the
spring of 1 883 erected the handsome villa on sec-
tion 5, in which he now makes his home, which is
one of the best in the county.

William T. Rawlings, a prominent citizen of this
township, came here in 1872, from Kennebec, where
he had settled four years before. His residence is
on section 9.

In the early summer of 1874, Joseph Evans and
his wife, then residents of Mills County, this State,
came through this region on a pleasure trip, camp-
ing out in the tent they had brought with them.
Ten days spent here decided them to make their
future home here, and accordingly in the spring of
1875, the}' came to this township and made a set-
tlement on section 29.

Alexander Newman came to this county in 1876,
and settled in Center Townshiii, where he has since
resided.

The same year witnessed the .settlement on sec-
tion 17, of William I). Rounds, the owner of the
Riverside Stock Farm.

Joseph D. Counts, also locateil here the same
year, as did William Henry Wiley. Both are still
residents of the township.

Franklin A. L. Day, an old settler of Kennebec
Township, and one of the early merchants of the
old town of Castana, located in this town in 1878,
where he now lives, on section 5.

George W. Perrin came to this township in 1878,
and located on the farm on section 9, wliere he now
lives. He came to the county two years previous
and made his home in Kennebec.

Alfred M. Morrison, also, dates his residence
fr/jm the same year.

Samuel II. Mann, who had been keeping a hotel
in the village of Mapleton, moved into this town-
ship in the spring of 1880, and took up his resi-
dence where he now lives on section 7.

The Day Mill, located on section 5, was erected
by the present proprietor, F. A. L. Day, in the
summer of 1874, with two run of buhrs, and was
at that time some 30x40 feet in size. To this has
been added an L, 20x24 feet in dimensions and two
setts of buhrs, additional, put in.

FIRST THINGS.

The first schoolhouse in the town was erected in
August. 1861, on the southwest quarter of section
4, 84, 43, and was a dwelling-house in the village
of Belvidere, formerly. It was built of logs and
being taken down, re-erected as above. It was
used for some years, when it was removed about a
quarter of a mile by its purchaser, John Burns,
and was used as a dvvelling by that gentleman.
Later in its history it was again moved, this time
to section 32, Maple Township, and the material
used in the construction of stables, etc. In this
historic building, F. F. Roe taught the first school
in the winter of 1861-2.

The first frame schoolhouse was built in 1864,
and stood about eighty rods west of and across the
road from the log one above, or on the northeast
corner of section 8. Two years later this was de-

256

MONONA COUNTY.

stroyed by fire, and a new building erected on the
site of the log one, A. Davis and I). T. Haw-
thorne doing the carpenter work. This was used
for school purposes until 1884. when it was dedi
cated as a church, the first in the township, having
been purchased by subscription, for some 850, and
is used for union services.

Mrs. W. Hamilton Wiley and her sister. Miss
Sarah Beatle3', were the first white women in the
township.

The first birth in the town was a child of W. H,
Wiley.

The first marriage eei'emony was that uniting
Samuel and Louisa King, which took place in the
winter of 1855-'56, 'Squire Wiley ofllciating.

The first death was that of a child of Augustus
and Elizabeth Beatley,who w.as taken by the Death
Angel in 1859. and was buried in the Wiley Ceme-
tery on section 5, which was the first burial place
in the township.

The cemetery above was the property of Will-
iam H. Wiley. In 1884 a new, public cemetery
was dedicated on section 1 7, to which most of the
bodies in the old one have been transferred.

GRANT TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTEE XVIII.

!)HE subdivision of tlie county that bears the
name of the " Great Commander," embraces
all of Congressional Township 85, range 44,
and is bounded on tlie north by Woodbury County;
on the south by the town of Kennebec; on the east
by Maple Township, while West Fori? forms its
western boundary. Although rolling in character
in some portions and rough in others, the surface
is among the handsomest and best in the count\'.
The soil, a rich, warm loam, has a wonderful fer-
tility. The Little Sioux Valley traverses it from
northeast to southwest, following the source of that
stream, and this is known far and wide as one of
the greatest stock-raising sections of Western Iowa.
The river with its many smaller branches affords
ample drainage and an abundant supply of running
water. Timber in plenty lines the Little Sioux, and
affords fuel for the neighborhood. Both the Chi-
cago, Milwaukee ik St. Paul and Illinois Central
Railroads cross Grant Township and witliin its
limits lie the little villages of Rodney, Grant Cen-
tei' and Ticonic. Grant had a population of 440 in
1885 nearly all of whom were of American birth,
and there is no doubt but that the number has been
considerably increased since then. It has excellent
scliool facilities and three post-olHces.

The honor of being the first settler in this town-
ship is accorded to Seth Smith, who located on sec-
tion 3, in tlie spring of 1853. He came to Council

Bluffs, or as it was then called, Kanesville, the year
previous, and made a trip up here and picked out
his land. He built a house on this place in whicli
he moved his family, and here made his residence
until September, 1855, when selling out to Corne-
lius Van Dorn, he removed to Kennebec Townsliip,
where he remained until his death which took place
in 1876. Cornelius and Washington Van Porn, in
the spring of 185G, bouglit trees of J. B. Gard, and
set out the first orchard in the town and probabl}'
in the countj'.

A man, known tliroughout this region as Petty,
made a claim on land now owned Ijy J. D. Wood-
ward, on coming here in the summer of 1855. Hj
was more of a trapper and hunter than farmer and
remained here until 1850 when he drifted to Pike's
Peak.

About the same time Albert Lumm, after whom
Lummes Hollow, in Woodbury County, is named,
came here and hunted, fished and trapped through-
out this region. After living here for some
tinio he went to the above locality and made a
claim.

The next to make a settlement within the limits
of what is now Grant, was Cornelius Van Dorn,
who came here in October, 1855, and located on
section 3, purchasing tlie Seth Smith farm, and fin-
ishing the house commenced by that gentleman.
He resided here until h!s death wiiich occurred Oc-

258

MONONA COUNTY.

tober 13, 18V6. With liim came his sons Washing-
ton, Lutlier, James and Livingston Van Dorn.

Next came J. D. Woodward and his family anil
made a settlement locating here in tlie summer of
1856. He liad l)een liere in .lune, the previous
year, but returned to liis ohl home in Oiiio, from
which he came a year from that (late and made a
permanent settlement on section 17, and is still a
resident of the coiint\'.

Abram Bullock who had settled in Kennebec in
the summer of 18.j(j, came to this town and settled
on what is now known as the JNIcDonald farm just
north of Grant Center, lie removed at a later
date to Smithland, where he died. His (laughter
Helen married W. W. McDonald, and his son, Milo
S. was well known as a merchant at Smithland and
later at Mapleton.

John and Edward Howe, two brothers, located
where W. G. Kennedy now lives, al)out the year
185G. They did a little farming there, living most
of the time in .Smithland, until the Pike's Peak ex-
citement, when they made the trip to that region
and from there to California.

About 18G0, an enterprising and valuable citizen
was added to the people of this county, in the per-
son of Edward Birge. He took up his residence
here and resided in this town until the Indian scare
of 1862, at the time of the Minnesota massacre,
when he left here never to return.

Wentel F. Ertel made a settlement here Septem-
ber 22, 1863, on a homestead on section 24. Three
years later he sold this land to William Johnson
and moved to Center Townshi|i, where he is now
living.

G. M. Wells made his appearance in this township
in June, 1865, and founded a home here and has
here resided ever since.

David Greenstreet, still a citizen of this section
of ths count}', located here in August, 1866, on sec-
tion 24. Tlie same year witnessed the settlement
of another old resident of the town, Colb}' M.
Bryant, and Capt. G. H. Bryant, two veterans of
the late W^ar. Capt. Bryant became quite a promi-
nent man here, filling the position of County Treas-
urer for many years, and died ii the Black Hills,
August 29, 1885; his brother, Colby, has made his

residence here nearly all the time since their first
coming.

William G. Johnson came to Grant in 1866,
from the Boyer Valley, with a lot of blooded stock
of all kinds, belonging to a man by the name of
Olmstead. He had come from Connecticut some
years previous to the Boyer,and on locating he'reset-
tlc(l upon section 22. In about 1.S69 lie removed
to Buit County, Neb., where he died about
1878. A short time after his settlement in Boyer
he entered the employ of the Northwestern Stage.
Company, where he remained several 3'ears, during
wliich time he had many experiences, which no one
could tell ah(jut so well as Mr. Johnson, who be-
came famous as a story-teller of considerable mag-
nitude. It is, also, noted of him that he was a
most excellent hand to tend the baby, and his one
endless song became as well known throughout the
country as himself and his wonderful stories.

W. G. Kenned}', still a resident of the town liv-
ing in Rodney, made his se'..tlement here in Aug-
ust, 1867, opening up a farm on section 11. In
March, 1888, he removed to the rising village of
Rodney where he now is living.

Charles Pinckney and family settled in this town
in 1865, on section 16, where he opened up a farm.
He has lived there, with his children ever sinee,and
was quite extensively engaged in stock-raising. He
was a noted trapper, and in one winter took as
high as three thousand eight hundred muskrat
skins.

In the spring of 1866, Edwin Prichard, who had
been living in Slielby County for several years,
came to Grant and settling upon section 22, has
there made his home ever since. He came to this
the western part of the vState from Clayton County,
and is among the leading citizens of this county.

An old bachelor, by the name of Mills, made his
home upon the Bryant place in 1866 and 1867, and
there died.

L.D.Erskine,canie to Grant Township in 1866,and
located on section 32. He opened up an extensive
farm and engaged in stock-raising on a large scale,
and has become one of the prominent citizens of the
county. He is extensively engaged in the grain
and stock business, and has a store in the village of
Ute, which is carried on by his son Charles.

MONONA COUNTY.

259

Martin Landen c-ame in 1867, and remained a res-
ident of 1 liis town for al30ut ten years. He divided
liis time between hunting, trapping and preaching.
Finally he removed to what was known as the
lost lands, southwest of Onawa, where he is en-
gaged in bee culture.

About the same time E. A. Miller came herc,and
for two years made his home on section 12. At the
expiration of that time he removed to Woodbury
County, wliere he now lives.

Charles Smith came to this township about
1867, and in November of that year settled down
upon a rented farm. He had but fair success in his
agricultural labors, his crops being mostly eaten up
by the grasshoppers, and in 1809 he removed to
the town of Kennebec.

Ivory Leach, who was one of the prominent citi-
zens of this town for many years, came here early in
1867, and located on section 23. He was a native
of the State of Maine, a veteran of the Civil War,
serving with the Army of the Potomac, and died
here Oct. 5, 1889.

In September of the same year section 33 received
a settler in the person of Edward Erskine. who
opened up a farm there and ma<le his home upon the
old homestead until the fall of 1889, when he
died.

Calvin J. Barber and Jesse Edgar both located
liere the same j'ear, the former on section 12, and
the latter on section 24.

Benjamin L. Thomas, a native of Jefferson
County, N. Y., settled in this town in the spring
of 1868, and lived here until his death, which oc-
curred in tlie fall of 1889.

Charles Johnson made his first appearance in
Grant I'ownship in 1868, and here remained until
his death, which occurred about 1 872.

Hiram Harding, and his son Frank, settled here
about the same time. The former made his home
here on section 14, until the fall of 1889, when he
removed to the viciuitj' of Hay Springs, Neb.
Frank Harding, also, opened ui) a farm on section
14, where he is now living. He has been to Califor-
nia since locating here, and, also, ran a hardware
store in Ida Grove for a short time, but concluded
that Monona County was his choice for a home.

The same j'ear witnessed the settlement of Na

thaniel Edgar, who came here from Maquoketa,
Jackson County, and settled on section 12.

lienjamin L. Miller came here in the spring of
1869, and settling on section 26, opened up a farm
and founded a home, where he is still living.

Walter R. Phillips came to Grant Township in
1869, and settled on section 30, where he still lives.

John McGarr with his family settled in Grant
about the year 1870, on section 19, where he is Still
living His wife died here in 1887, and his son Frank
and his family now reside on the ol<l hoim^stead
with the old gentleman. His son, William, also a
a resident of the town, located on section 7.

Philip O'Neal came to this section of the county
in the same year, from Auburn, N. Y., and super-
intended a dairy farm for Judge Elijah Peake, now
of Blencoe. About three years later he purchased
a farm on section 7, where he remained until 1878,
when he was called away much to the regret of bis
numerous creditors.

Capt. C. L. Hewitt came to Grant Township
in 1866-67, and opened up a farm on the
southeast quarter of section 26. He came here
from Wisconsin and was quite an active worker in
church, Sunday-school and temperance matters.
He was a veteran of the late war and a member of
the cavalr}' force that captured Jefferson Davis.

Samuel Alden McMaster came to the town of
Grant in 1872 and founded a home, purch.asing a
half interest in some 800 or 900 acres of land on
sections 10, 21 and 22, and engaged extensively in
raising cattle and hogs. He became one of tlie
most prosperous and wealthy farmers of the counts,
and died here Feb. 24, 1880.

AVilliam U. Otto, another of the " Boys in Blue"
made his appearance in this part of the county in
March, 1876, and settled on land upon which he
still lives.

In 1873, William W. McDonald, now one of the
leading merchants of Rodney, came to the county
and settled on section 20. He is a native of Scot-
land l)ut was reared in Woodbury Count}-, where
his father, James McDonald settled in 1855.

Henry E. Bard, who had come to the county in
1869 and engaged in farm work in Kennebec
Township, came to Grant about 1873, and settled
on section 20, where he now lives.

260

MONONA COUNTY.

About 1875 Charles II. Cook opened up one of
the largest farms in the county and erected a large
stone residence, probably the onlj' one in the
county. In a few years he dis|)Osed of his interests
here and moved to California.

F. L. Smith, in 1876 came from Woodbury
County, where he was an early settler, and took uj)
his liome in this town. He was a very talented
and well educated man and he became quite prom-
inent. About 1884 he removed to Amesworth,
Neb.

Henry N. Newton, a native of London. Eng-
land, made a settlement in Grant in the year 1876,
and is residing there at the present, one of its most
prosperous citizens.

M. F. Brink, now a resident of West Fork, came
to Grant in March, 1880, and settled on what is
now the Needles' farm, wiiere he resided until
March, 1884, when he removed to his present
home.

TOM KINi: 'lIOLI.OW.

A deep gulch crossing sections IC. 17 and 18,
running from the West Fork Valley to the Little
Sioux, received its name from having been the
locality where a well-known character of this part
of the county was last seen. It seems that this
Tom King, although of excellent connections, was
filled with the spirit of deviltry, and was in the
habit of appropriating tlie horses and cattle of his
neighbors, and no road passing through the gulch,
used it as a place in wiiich to hide his stolen i)lun-
der. In the course of events the crimes were
traced to him and the officers of the law started on
his trail. Abe Smith, then Deputy Sheriff of
Woodbury County, and John Turman, of Smith-
land, followed him up closcl_vand finally succeeded
in cai)turing him. Placing him in their buggy,
well handcuffed, they turned their faces toward
Smithland. While listening to a history of some
of his former cxi)loils, which he was giving them,
in illustration of his meaning, he raised his clasped
han'ls in the air and throwing them down, suddenly,
struck the Sheriff and succeeded in knocking him
out of the wagon and fell on him. In the tussle
which ensued. King managed to secure'the revolver
of the officer and by its means persuaded Mr.

Turman that it was highly essential for his health
tliat he should get down nnd unhitch the horse that
he was driving which that gentleman, appreciating
the force of the argument, immediately did. By
the same logic, Mr. Turman was induced to take
the key from the Sheriff and unlock the handcuffs,
whereupon King leaped upon the horse and scoured
away, and the last that was ever seen of him by
the people of this section of country was as he was
descending into tlie gulch that still bears his name.

OUGAXIC.

At a meeting of the count}- board of supervisors
held Aprils, 1866, a re-dirision of the county into
townships was made, and toivnship 85, range 44
was ordered to organize under the name of Grant.
The polling place fpr the first election was fixed at
the Woodward schoolhouse, and J. D. Woodward
and George Pinkney were appointed judges. L.
Van Dorn and L. Lewis were the clerks. At this
election the vote for supervisor was a tie between
J. D. Woodward and A. N. Bullock, and on cast-
ing lots the former won, thus being the first to fill
that important position.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first birth in the township was that of Plinn
H. the son of J. D. AVoodward, born February 10,
1858, now living in Wells County, Dak.

The first marriage was that of Gabriel Lang and
Miss Hannah Isabel Van Dorn, which took place
Nov vember 6, 1 855. After their marriage the j'oung
couple moved to Cass County, this State, but now
I'eside in California.

The first death was that of Miss Mary F. \an
Dorn, tlie daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Van
Dorn, which occurred June 18, 1861, an<l whose
body was interred in Little Sioux Township, Wood-
bury- County.

The first house was erected in 1853, by Seth
Smith but finished by Cornelius Van Dorn in 1855.
This dwelling was 20x22 feet in size, built of hewn
elm logs, with puncheon floors and roof, and was
put up without the use of a nail except in the door,
windows and crossings. It was used as a residence
until 18G7, and is the granary of Livingston Van
Dorn, upon whose farm it now stands. This was
on section ;i, and in it was celebrated the first
wcddin"'.

MONONA COUNTY.

261

The first breakiug was clone by Seth Smith in
1853, on the site of the present village of Rodney.

The first school was taught on the second floor
of the residence of J. D. Woodward, and Miss
Helen Bullock, now Mrs. William McDonald, was
the teacher.

The pioneer schoolhouse was erected wear the
residence of J. D. Woodward, and was known as
the Woodward Schoolhouse.

The first post-ofHce was that of Ticonic, which
was established in the fall of 1868, with Gideon
M. Wells as Postmaster. The second office was that
at Grant Center which was established in 1871, with
W; R. Piiillips as Postmaster. The latter continued
in charge until 1887, when he was succeeded b^' J.
A. Norton, the present incumbent.

RODNEY.

The most thriving and promising village in the
township was laid out and platted early in 1887 by
the Milwaukee Land Company, on the building of
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad through
this township and the location of a station at that
point. It lies on the northwest quarter of the
southwest quarter of section 3, and the plat thereof
was filed for record Juno 6, 1887.

The first building erected in the new village was
built by James McKinstry as a livery barn, in the
autumn of 1887.

In the same fall Washington Van Dorn put up a
building in the new village. This was two stories
in height, 22x.50 feet in size, the ground floor fitted
up for mercantile purposes and the second stor3'
for a public hall, which is known throughout this
locality as Van Dorn's Hall. In this building in
the spring of 1888, AV. Van Dorn and Son opened
a general merchandise store which they still carrj-
on, Arthur Van Dorn being the junior partner.

In the spring of 1888 William W. McDonald
erected a store building in which, in company with
his son, he opened with a stock of general merchan-
dise, the younger partner being his son — Chester
W. They still carry on the business.

In April, 1888, W. II. Edgar erected a building
in which he opened a stock of hardware, in connec-
tion with F. D. and G. W. Edgar under the firm
name of Edgar Bros. In February, 1889, by the

retirement of his brothers, Vi. H. Edgar became
the proprietor, which he carries on under tlie firm
name of W. II. Edgar & Co.

The lumber yard of W. G. Kennedy & Son was
established by them in April, 1888, and has been
carried on by them ever since.

A drug-store was established at this point during
the summer of 1889 by C. H. Chandler and Dr.
C. G. Lass, who still carry on that business.

In the spring of 1887 Leonard Needhani put up a
neat store building and opened a stock of goods
therein. In the following spring he was succeeded
by II. B. Martin, who only carried on the same un-
til November following when he, in turn, was suc-
ceeded by the present proprietor, E. Rumbaugh.

The first blacksmith in the village was David
Hollister, who opened a forge in 1887. He was
succeeded by John Mears, but in the fall of 1889,
it was again purchased by Mr. IloUister and is car-
ried on by him now.

In 1887 a hotel building was put up by Levi
Harrington. This was run for a time hy James
lillsworth, and was finally bought by C. D. Barber
and used as a dwelling.

The St. Paul House was erected in the spring of
1888 by E. R. Wellington, who ran it for a short time
to be succeeded by Browning & Austin; Gilbert
Browning, then E. R. Wellington took it again.
The present proprietor is "Doc Henderson."

Tlie meat markets were started in 1887, (me by
Browning & Austin, who were succeeded by Ers-
kine & Austin, and thoj- by the present firm, Leggett
ife Austin; the other originated by Shreckengaust
& Henderson is now under the control of the senior
partner.

William H. Edgar was appointed Postmaster of
the new village June 1, 1889.

The handsome schoolhouse was erected by a stock
companj' consisting of W. G. Kenned^', W. W. Mc-
Donald, C. H. Chandler, and others, as a town hall,
and on its completion was rented by the district
for school purposes. Mrs. Kenned}' taught the
first term therein.

TICONIC.

In 1887 the Illinois Central Railroad built the
Cherokee & Onawa branch of their road through

262

MONONA COUNTY.

tills section and located a de|)o'b on the west lialf of
the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of
section 22, and ujion the same piece of land in
October, the same year, V. K. Baldwin, a Sioux
City engineer, surveyed and platted a town for the
Cherokee and Western Town Lot Compan3-, to
which was given the name of Morton. This was
filed in the ofiice of the county recorder Ma\' 28.
1888, although the deed of dedication was executed
February 8, preceding. The name was changed t(_)
Ticonic soon after, on account of tlie post-oflicc
which was removed here from the old hamlet of
that name a shurt distance away.

The pioneer store building in the village was
erected by W. M. CoiJehmd in July, 1888, and in
it that gentleman Ojicned with a stock of hardware
and groceries. lie continued to carry on the busi-
ness alone until October of the same year, when
forming a partnership with John Prichard, the firm
name and stjde was changed to that of I'ricliard &
Copeland.

Tlie' second building of that character was i)ut
up bj' B. J. Liiidsey & .Son during the same sum-
mer, and in it that Brm oi)ened business about Sep-
tember 15, with a stock of merchandise. Tiiey
carried on their liusiness for about two months,
when, meeting with financial embarrassment, busi-

ness was discontinued, and the building is now used
by them as a residence.

The third business building was erected by
Prichard I>ro.s., William and .lohn, who commenced
business as general merchants some time in .Septem-
ber, 1888. October 23, the same year, William
Prichard retired from the lii'in, and the two liusi-
ness houses of Messrs. Cojieland and Prichard
consolidated, removing all the stock tu this last
m ■ntioned Iniilding, whieli was larger, and using
the other as a store room.

The first dwelling house put up in the new vil-
lage was erected liy M. J. Henderson in October,
1888.

The post-office was located at this point Oct. 5,
1888, with John Prichard as Deputy Postmaster.
That gentleman received the appointment as Post-
master June 21, 1889, and is the present incumbent.
(tKAnt Ckntkr.

A post-office was located on the northeast quarter
of section 30, in 1871, to which w,as given the name
of Grant Center. It never was anything of a vil-
age nor was there any mercantile establishment in
the i)lace. In 1881, on a part of the southwest quar-
ter of section 20 and of the southeast quarter of
section 19, was laid ovit a little hamlet which is on
the Chicago, Milwaukee & ,St. Paul Railroad.

ST, GLAIR TOWNSHIP,

CHAPTEK XIX.

.^^-5! O W N S H 1 P 84, north range 42 west, is organ-
izpd into a separate civil subdivision of tlie
count}', and is known as St. Clair. The
greater part of it lies in tlie far famed Soldier Valley,
llie richest and best part of Western Iowa, and tlie
most noted for its lovely lan<lscapes. The rich
bottom lands, the fertile rolling prairie, whose
warm, dark, loamy soil has no superior for fecun-
dity and productivenes?^, forms the entire township,
which has less waste land than an}- iu the county.
Tlie beautiful West Soldier River meanders like a
ribluju of silver through its verdant meadows and
cultivated fields, crossing in its devious way the
entii'e town from north to south, while the main
stream traverses sections 2.5, 36, 35, and 34, on its
way to the mighty Missouri, to mingle its waters
in the Gulf of Mexico. The Manilla branch of
the Chicago. IMilwaukee & St. Paul Railroad
crosses the town in a general southeasterly direction
and has one station witiiin its limits, the village of
Ute.

The township, whicii lies on the eastei'u line of
the county, the second from its north line, is
bounded on the north by Cooper Township; on
the oast by Crawford County; on the south by the
town of .Soldier; while on the west lies Center
Township.

Owing to the slowness of its settlement, and the
sparseness of its population, the town of .St. Clair
was not organized until a late date. April 3, 1872,
however, the county bo-ird authorized Congres-

sional Township 84, range 42, to organize as a civi[
subdivision of the county under tiie name of St.
Clair, wliich was accordingly done at the general
election of that year.

The first to make a settlement within the boun-
daries of what is now St. Clair Township was
Thomas Spillinan, who located on a piece of laud
on section 30, in the month of August, 1865. He
improved liis [ilace and made his home here for
some eiglit years, and then entering into a contract
to carry the mail between C'liarter Oak and Onawa,
removed to the latter city. The farm is now
owned by Stephen Depue.

Early in the fall of 1865 a little knot of emi-
grants located at what is known as Ward's Grove,
on section 22. This included Robert Patrick and
his famil}', James, Warren, John F., Andrew J.,
William W. and Susan, then young single people, and
his son Cxeorge and his familj'. These were the
second settlers. Robert Patrick died here Jan. 2'J,
1883. George, William and Andrew J. have be-
come prosperous and influential men in the com-
munity, and are the oldest resident settlers iu the
townshi|). James and Warren are living in Boone
County; John F., in Nebraska; Susan, now Mrs.
Davis, is living in the village of Ute, as docs Mrs.
Patrick, the mother.

John and William F. Burke c.ime to this lo-
cality during the winter of 18G7, and made settle-
ments. John located on section 36. where he lived
until about 1879, when he removed to Harlan,

264

MONONA COUNTY.

Shelby County, and engajferl in the stock business
whicli lie still carries on. William Burke is now a
clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal denomina-
tion. Their father, Smith Burke, came here in the
sprinjj of 1876, and made his home with his son
.Tolm, with whom he renioved to Harlan.

Isaac Cummins, another of the pioneers of St.
Clair, came to this locality in the spring of 1868,
in search of a home, and found it on section 22,
and he still makes his home in this \)avt of the
county.

J. R. Sumner came here with Mr. Cummins, but
made no extended stay at that time, retuniina; to
Appanoose County. In 1S70, however, he came
here and made a permanent settlement on section
22, moving to his present location on section 16 at
a later date.

Edward Davis came here in November, 18G8,
and for a time made his home here. After spend-
ing some time in Maple Township he returned to
this town and made iiis home on the farm of Robert
Patrick, whose son-in-law he w.as. In the spring of
1888 he removed to Banbury, Woodbury' County,
where he died .Tuly 23, 1888.

Ephraim A. Staplelon located in this tow.'iship in
July, 1869, settling on section 27, and built a dug-
out, in which he lived some four years, working in
the sawmills, etc., around the country. He is still
a resident of the township on the old homestead
where he first located.

With him came F. M. Dyson, who located on
section 2. IIo there resided for some twelve or
thirteen fyears, aftei' which he removed to Pawnee
County, Neb.

John Baker came to this locality and cast in his
lot with the pioneers liere in the spring of 1869.
He made a settlement on section 22, and there has
made his home ever since.

William Riley ,'now living in the township, made
a settlement here in April, 1870, at a time when
there were but veiy few inhabitants within its
limits.

During the same year John W. Reed, now a
leading citizen, came here and made a settlement.
He had come to Monona County in 1856, and had
been in the em|)loy of C. F. Buss, of Boyer Town-
siiip, then a part of this county, until his enlist-

ment, when he entered the 20th Iowa Infantry.
After his discharge he returned to !Mr. Buss", where
he remained until the above year, since which time
he has been a resident of St. Clair Township.

About the same time J. L. Smith came here and
located upon a portion of section 27. He is still a
resident of the town.

James R. Dorothy and Ephraim Vandover,
brothers in-law, in thespringof 1871, took up their
residence on section 2, where the latter named pur-
chased a farm. The following year Mr. Dorothy
liought a tract of land on section 14, where he
now resides. In the spring of 1872 he put up a
sod house, in which for about a 3'ear he kept bach-
elor's hall. Mr. Vandover died here November
24, 1873, his wifci who after his death married
C. H. Groom, dying *Dec. 29, 1879. All of their
children are still living, having been reared by
their openhearted uncles, two in this county, one
in Harrison County and one in Kansas.

In the fall of 1871, Joseph A. Caldwell, then a
resident of Marion County, Iowa, came here on a
tour of inspection and remained a short time. In
I the spring of 1872 he removed here by team, and
building a dug-oat on a piece of rented land, set up
bachelor's hall, and finally purchased the land on
section 10, where he now lives. Darius Amsberry
came here at the same time, and remained here
about a year. He removed to Nebraska and is the
present Superintendent of Schools of Custer
County, that State.

J. B. Brigham settled on a farm on section 34,
in the spring of 1871, coming from New York, and
brought his family here several years later, he cul-
tivating his land here during the summer months,
and returning home for the winters. He is cred-
ited with putting up the third frame residence in the
town. William Chedester, now living here, came
the fall following.

R. E. Perkins and Rufus Brunton cast in their lot
with the citizens of this town during the year 1872.
The former, who first settled on the Bingham place,
is now living on the edge of the village of Ute; the
latter, who located upon section 27, finally sold out
the following 3'ear to Columbus Coffm,an and
moved back to Indiana.

Oliver B. Reynolds and Grayson Vandover came

MONONA COUNTY.

2tji>

to this section the same spring of 1872, and settled
down to farm life. In the fall of the same year
Gordon Reynolds and James A. Reynolds, the
father and brother of Oliver, followed, and all, with
the exception of the father, are still living here.
Gordon Reynolds, about 1881, removed to the
neighborhood of Castana where, two j'ears laier, he
died.

Frank M. Holdcn, now of .Tordan Township,
made a settlement in this part of the connty in
1873.

Columbus Coffman, still a resident of the town,
settled in the spring of 1873, on his present farm
on section 27. With him came his father, Zaeh-
ariah, and brother, ZachariaU, Jr. ; the father re-
sided here until July 3, 1889, when he passed
'•Death's shining shore." Zachariah, Jr., is still
living on section 3.

About the same time William and George Leach
came to this locality, and have made this their
home ever since.

In the spring of 1873, W. G. Dorothy, B. F.
Bovher, Wesley Jones, Christopher Wilson and
John Q. Dorothy left Wapello County, Iowa, and
about June 6, arrived in St. Clair Township. W. G.
Doroshy settled on section 10, where he now lives.
Bovher, one of the leading farmers of the town,
settled on section 2, where he now lives; Wesley
Jones still lives upon section 1, and is well-to-do.
Christopher Wilson and J. Q. Dorothy returned to
Wapello County on the death of the former's wife,
and still reside in that section of the State.

About the same time Edwin Ferry Dorothy
came to the county and located, and is now a resi-
dent and business man of the village of Ute. Adal-
bert Nathlich, still living on section 22, came
about the fame time.

John J. Miller, still a resident of the township,
settled on section 34, during the year 1873. AVith
liim came J. P. Wells, now living in Mapleton.

David Christman, one of the leading citizens of
to-day, founded his home on section 36, the same
year, and spent the following winter in a dug-out.

George E. Loyd dates his settlement in .St. Clair
from the year 1874, when he located on section 14.
He still lives on the old homestead that he pur-
cIkisi'I at that time.

Emmet F. Dorothy, a prominent business man of
rte, settled in the township in 1874, making his
home for three years thereafter with his brother
James.

During the same year of 1874, came G. C. Loh-
mann, who located on section 23, whore he still
rnakes his home.

Charles II. Groom, one of the prominent farmers
of the present day, also ma<le a settlement the same
year, purchasing his farm in August, 1 878. pre-
vious to which he had been engaged in laI)oring
for others.

In February, of the same year, Josiah Bovher
m.ade his appearance here, and for a short time
made his home with his brother, B. F., but during
the following summer his father, Peter Bovher,
moved here, and with the latter he took up h^s
residence. In 1884 Peter Bovher moved to another
farm on section 4, and Josiah still has his home on
the old place on section 1.5.

William and Diedrich Bruns made their appear-
ance here early in 1875, and made themselves nice
farms. Here they resided until 1885, when they
removed with their families to Kansas.

Joseph Turpin came here in 1876, and started a
blacksmith-shop upon a part of section 27, as
shown elsewhere.

Thomas Means settled in St. Clair Township in
1875, and lived here for three years, going from
here to Oregon. He is now a resident of Jordan
Towiishi|), this county, where he returned in 1882.

Hiram C. Vandover settled on the farm on sec-
tion 1 5. where he is at [)resent a resident, in the fall
1877.

Mathew Kee, still living here, dates his settle-
ment from the spring of 1877, when he located
upon section 9, his present farm.

Arthur Halley purchased the land upon which tlie
present village of Ute is laid out, on coming here,
the same summer, and broke up a part of it. He
afterward disposed of this farm to Blubaker and
Crisman, who, in turn, sold to Stephen Depue.

Robert Briggs and Jules J.aqnes. both living
here yet, came to this locality from Harrison
I County, also in 1877; Briggs settling on section
I 26, and his son-in-law Jaques, on section 25.

266

MONONA COUNTY.

Heiir3' Blubaker and George Cvismau came berr
about the same time.

Aug-ust Natliiich, now a resident of the town of
Cooper, made a settlement here in 1878.

July, 1878, another settler in the person of John
T. Loyd located on section IC, where he still has
his home.

The same year witnessed the settlement of llenr^'
Juuk^and Schuyler C. Parker, who located on sec-
tions 35 and 26, respectively. A few years later
they both returned to Illinois.

B. R. Perkins came here about the same time,
and settled on section 34. He opened the first store
in the townshij), upon ids farm, about the same
time, and ran it about eighteen months, selling out
to Smith W. Grooms, who came here about 1880.
The latter in a short time disposed of the stock to
Henry Blubaker, who finally closed it out.

In the fall of 1878 James H. Groom located on
section 27, and is still a resident of the town, hav-
ing his home on section 24.

Benjamin F. Riley came here in June, 1870, and
for a time was engaged at farm labor for others.
He is still a resident farmer of the town.

Ste)jhen D. Depue came to Monona County in
the spring of 1880, and settled on a portion of sec-
tion 36, St. Clair, and is one of the leading citizens
and most progressive farmers of this locality.

Washington Maginnis located on the John Pat-
rick farm on section 34, on coming to the county in
1881. Five j'ears later he removed to Tekaraah,
Neb., where he died about a year later.

In 1881, William Rogers also made a settlement
upon section 25. He is now a prominent citizen of
Jlhc village of Dunlap.

John R. Rhodes, now living on section 28, made
his settlement in the town in 1881, although he had
been in the neighborhood since 1878.

E. C. McLaughlin was also a settler of the same
year. He made his home here until 1887, when he
died.

February, 1882, early as it was, Charles P.
Norris came from Harrison County, and made .h
settlement on section 14, where he is still a resident.

Ferdinand Kessler, now living on section 21,
came here in the fall of 1882.

Section 25 received another settlor in 1882, in

the person of Edward Gooch, who still resides on
that spot.

Carolus Riddle, still a citizen here, arrived here
about the same time.

Martin Merton, coming to this town in 1882,
settled upon section 12. Three years later he sold
out to George Sciielm, and removed to Nebraska.
August Stickelberg, now in Dakota, came here at
the same time. Simon Reinbold, at present a resi-
dent of Center Township, came about the same
time.

John Kelley, now living on section 19, came here
about 1883, as did Caleb and Ervin Gushing.

Mrs. Bra}', a widow, settled upon section 5 about
the same time, and is still a resident thereon.

George Schelm, at present one of the prosperous
farmers of the township, came here and took up his
home in the spring of 1885, on section 12.

John G. Smith, a leading citizen of the township,
came here to locate in the spring of 1886, having
purchased a farm on section 35, in the summer of
1884, when here on a visit. Later he sold a por-
tion of his farm, some 120 acres, to the IVIilwaukee
Land Compan}', u|)on whicli they laid out the
village of IJte.

FIKST ITKMS.

The first child born within the limits of what is
now St. Clair Township, was James, the son of
John and Delia Patrick, born in November, 1866.

Tlie first marriage was that of Edward Davis and
Miss Susan A. Patrick, which occurred in Decem-
ber, 1866.

The first death was that of a colored man by the
name of King Bctts, who died here, March 1 1, 1873.
The second death was that of Mrs. Christopher
Wilson, who died in November, 1873.

The first school house in the town was con-
structed b}' George Patrick, in the fall of 1867. It
was a "dug-out," and stood on section 35, on the
site of the present village of Ute. The first term
of school was taught by Mrs. Mary R. Craig, the
sister of M. J. and I. U. Riddle, of this county.
This was used for about two years, when a better
structure was erected across the road on section 26.
In 1869 also, another schoolhouse was put up on
section 15,

MONONA COUNTY.

267

The first religious services were held by a Rev.
Mr. Collins, a Methodist clergYraan, .at the resi-
dence of Robert Patrick, in February, 1866.

The first Christian organization in the town of
St. Clair, was the Mission.iry Baptist Society, or-
ganized in 1870, at a meeting held at the residence
of Robert Patrick. Services were held at the
dwellings of various citizens until the building of
the two school houses, after which the society wor-
shiped in that one on section 26.

The first church edifice in the township was a
Union one, and was erected on section 10, during
the summer of 1884.

The pioneer post-office was established in the
summer of 187o, on section 22, under the name of
Ute, witii Isaac Cummins as Postmaster. In 1885
it was moved to the southeast corner of section
27, and p]nimet Doroth}' appointed Postmaster,
Mr. Cummins then resigning. After the establish-
ment of the village of Ute. in 1887, the post-office
was removed to that place.

The pioneer bl.acksmith shop of the township
was erected and opened in 1874, by C. C. Stanley,
on section 27. He ran it about a year, when he
removed from here with his tools, selling the
building. In 1876, Joseph Turpin came liere, and
purchasing the old stand, opened a forge.

In 1881, a young man by the name of Dunton
came to this town from the neighborhood of Whit-
ing, and opened a store in the immediate vicinity
of where the present village is laid out. After a
short time he sold out to Dr. E. II. Banks. It.
passed, in turn, througli the hands of J. G. Engle-
horn, Charles Nourse, Dudley & French and I. C.
McMaster. The latter, in 1885, sold it to Emmet
Dorothy, who removed it to the new village on its
establishment in 1887.

Tiie building of t!ie Chicago, Milwaukee &, St.
Paul Railroad through this section of the county in
1887. and tlie location of a depot on section 85,
was the cause of the birtli of the village of I'te.
Early in 1887, .1. G. Smith sold a tract of land on
the northwest quarter of that section to the Mil-
waukee Land Companj', and the latter, in the sum-
nicr I if that year, laid out and platteil a town site,

which was filed for record .Tune 6. 1887, and llie
lots placed on sale. Almost with the rapidity of
magic, a thriving and prosjierous village sprang up,
which h.as taken a foremost place as a business
point in the county, and is noted for shipping the
largest amount of farm produce of any station on
that branch of the Milwaukee Road.

The first building in the new village was located
just north of the present town i)lat, and was moved
here by Fred J. Roberts, who had been running a
drug store at Soldier, in September, 1886. As the
village was not j- et surveyed, he located as above,
and is credited with making the first sale in the
place. In June, 1887, he removed the building
and contents to the main street of the village,
where he still carries on the business.

On the southeast corner of section 27, about
tlie year 1880, a man by the name of Dunton
started a small grocery store as already related.
In a short time he sold out to Dr. E. 11. B.anks,
who, however, soon disposed of it to J. G. E^ngle-
horn wiio carried it on a year and then it was
purchased by C. T. Norris. The following fall it
was bought by Dudley & French, who carried on
llie business about six mouths when they, in turn,
sold out to I. C. McMaster. During the last three
years, while tliese gentlemen were running the
store, tins point was called Ute, Mr. Cummins, the
Postmaster, having his office in liie store. About
1885 Emmet F. Dorothy bought the building and
stock and was appointed Postmaster. In June,
1887, in company with liis brother Edwin P., Mr.
Dorothy erected a store building on the new town
site into which the3' moved the above stock and
the goods that Eilwin h.ad in his store at Mapleton.
This latter was the first edifice erected on the town
plat and was opened for business about July 10,
1887. In October, 1889, the firm of Dorothy
Bros, was succeeded by Emmet Dorothy.

On the establishment of a station at the newlj^
laid out village, L. D. Erskine, one of the early
settlers of Grant Township, put in stock yards here
an'l elsewhere, and erected a grain warehouse,
entering into the grain and live-stock business at
at this place. This was in June, 1887. He also
erected the barber shop building.

In the spring of 1887, before the village was

2G8

MOXOXA COUNTY.

started, Jacob Noille, who had been engaged in
the stock business in Sohlier Township, came here
and in company with Heuiy Liencman put np a
small building on section 20, just north of the
present town site, where they opened a hardware
store. In June, of the same year, the lots coming
into market, they purchased the ground and com-
menced the erection of a new building. Into this
latter they removed the same fall and opened the
pioneer hardware store of the " burgh," vvhieh they
still carry on.

About tlie same time Ernest F^. Richards came
here and put up a small building on the
northwest corner of section 35. On the town
being laid out he. purchased a lot and moving this
structure on it commenced the sale of agricultural
implements, July 1, 1888. Jamca K, Ilarker became
.associated with him in the business and the firm
of Richards & Harker. building a larger store
added hardware to their stock, opening up in the
latter branch in July. They deal in hardware, fur-
niture, farm machinery, wagons, barbed wire, etc.,
and carry on the undertaking business.

John F. and Stephen Jones came to Ute in the
spring of 1887, and during that summer put up a
livery stable and opened business. In November,
1888, the former bought out the interest of his
brother and now is the sole proprietor.

The general merchandise store of Barrett &
Sons was opened October 11, 1887, liy Martin J.
Barrett, the junior partner in the firm, which is a
well known one in Dunlap and is still carrying
it on.

G. E. Spotswood, dealer in watches, jewelery,
silverware, etc., established his business in Ute in
1887.

The First Ute bank was established here in Octo-
ber, 1887, about the time the building which they
occupy was completed. It is a branch of the Dunlaj)
Bank, an institution of stability and known sound-
ness, being backed by some ^300,000 ca[iital. It
is owned and operated by G. P. Moorhead, Presi-
dent; S. J. Piilterson, Vice President; J. W. Bick-
ford. Cashier; and Lorenzo Kellogg and Dr. D.
Satterlee, most of whom are well known wealthy
ca|)italists of Harrison County.

W. II. Hauser was the pioneer wagon-maker

and repairer as Joseph Turinn was the first black-
smith. Both of these gentlemen opened plates of
business here in the early days of the village in
1887.

The first hotel in the new town was put up and
run b3' Henry Koonts, in 1887, and is still known
as the Ute Hotel, and is carried on by the fouudei'.

The Star Lumber Company started in business
with the town, opening for trade in 1887. For
aliout two years they carried on this line when
they were succeeded by the present representatives
of trade, Schrivcr & Co.

David F. Carmack, blacksmith and machinist
settled in the village in 1887 and was the second in
the place, as did Miss D. Rundell, milliner.

About the 1st of May, 1888, Cornelius and 0.
B. Severson erected .-t building and put in a stock
of general merchandise and opened for the pur-
pose of trade in the latter part of June, that 3'ear,
April 3, 4889. 0. 15. Severson disposed of his
interest to Torgus C. Torrison and the present firm
of Severson & Torrison was formed.

Dr. Cja'us M. Smith, a promising young physic-
ian came to this vicinity in 1883, and engaging in
the practice of medicine, soon had a large and suc-
cessful business. He became a citizen of the little
village when ifc started and remained a resident
until his death which occurred January 12, 1889,
when he had not yet attained his thirty-fifth birth-
day.

Dr. W. T. Wright came to Ute, Jan. 18, 1889,
and entered upon his professional duties.

The Home hotel was built by its present i)ro-
prietor, Edward H. Chapman, in the fall and winter
of 1888, finishing it and opening it for business
in February, 1889.

The drug firm of Kinney, Moad & Co. was
formed in March, 1889, and established their present
business. John W. Kinney came to the vill.age in
February, 1889. Charles Moad made his appear-
ance at the same time. Dr. J. J. Gingles, the
junior partner who had previously lived at Soldier,
Mapleton and Imogene. in the practice of his pro-
fession, came to the new village Feb. 15, 1889, and
has been here since.

In March, 1889, L. D. Erskine purchased the
building put up by H. C. Sawyer and in company

MONONA COL NT r.

209

with his son, Charles E., opened the meat market
which they still cany on. Mr. Sawyer opened tlio
pioneer meat market in 1887.

Oleson Dros. dealers in groceries, both fancy and
staple establislied their business in Septembei, 1881).

The post-ollice was removed here from the old
locality on the establishment of the village in 1887,
with Emmet IJorothy as Postmaster. That gentle-
man retained possession of the office until October
1, 1889, when he was succeeded by A. J. Patrick,
the present incumbent.

Silver Lodge, No. 224, K. of P., was organ-
ized March G, 1889, with the following charter
members: J. C. Johnson, E. E. Richards, G. E.
Spolswood, H. A. Tinker, J. L. Agens, J. R. Mar-
ker, L. Baker, E. Brown, J. F. Jones, S. Jones,
W. T. Wright, J. J. Gingles, J. AV. Kinney, C.

L. Moad, S. Chedester, S. Depue, L. Iloadley, A.
L. Evans, E. C. llildreth and G. Olson.

The following were chosen the first officers of the
lodge which started off with such bright prospects:
E. E.Richards, C. C; G. E. Spotswood, V. C;
W. T. Wrigbl, P. C; J. J. Gingles, P.; H. A.
Tinker, K. of R. and S.; J. R. Marker, M. of E.:
J. C. Johnson, M. of F.; and J. L. Agen, M.of A.;
E. Brown, I. (4., and L. Baker, O. G.

The lodge has now some, thirty-one members and
is one of the most flourishing in tlie count}-.

Vandover Post, No. 1 19, G. A. R., was organized
at the Brigham School- house on section 34.

In June, 1888, they removed their quarters to
Dorothy's Hall in the village where they now hold
regular meetings.

SPRING VALLEY TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTEE XX.

(^^^HE civil subdivision of Monona, County,
fffrSiV ^'''''^■'' '* known as Spring Valle}', lies on the
south line of the same, and is the second
from its eastern border. It is bounded on the
north by the town of Jordan: on the east by Wil-
low, on the west b\' .Sioux, and on the south b}'
Harrison County, and embraces all of Congress-
ional Township 82, range 43. Tlie surface is richly
diversified, being part rolling prairie, part level
bottom land and part quite hill}'. Timber, savanna,
valley, hill and lovely stre.ims of water are spread
out in beautiful diffusion and the landscape is one
of the most entrancing of any in the count3^ The
Soldier River which traverses it in a diagonal line
ffom northeast to southwest, meanders with sil-
very flood through one of the finest pieces of farm-
ing land in "Western Iowa. Jordan Creek, a
considerable tributary' entering the township from
tlie north, on section 6, makes a coii^uenee with
the parent stream near the center of section 16.
j;ik, Hull, and small creeks cross the territor}' in
all directions, trending ever to the main river in
the center, and all afford ample drainage, and an
abundant supply of the life-giving water. There is
no railroad within the limits of the town, but quite a
little hamlet has sprang up at Moorhead, where
there is a good store. post-office and blacksmith-shop.
At I'l eparation there is, also, a .stoi-e, post-ofHce
and smithy. Aceor(ling to the State census of
1885. ilic town at that time had a total population
of 588, all of American birth with the exception of

some ninety-seven, who are nearly all Scandina-
vians.

I'REPARATION.

It was at the village of Preparation that the first
settlements in this township were made and a
sketch of its histor}' is in its proper place at this
point.

After the assassination of Joseph Smith, the
prophet and leader of the Mormons. July 27, 1844,
and the subsequent dispersion of his people, while
the main body, who accepted the leadership of
Brigham Young and his new doctrine of polygamy
turned their steps toward the West, to the founda-
tion of Deseret or Salt Lake City, many of their
CO religionists, who dissented from them on that one
point of faith, scattered to different parts of the
country, some going to Texas, some to the Indian
Territory, others to Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa and
Beaver Island, Lake Michigan.

Among a band of those who had congregated at
St. Louis, was Charles B. Thompson, an elder of
the church, who was stronglj' tinctured with the
doctrines of Fourier and Owen. Under his lead-
ership a society of some fifty or sixtj' families
was formed in 1852. This was regulated to a
certain extent by the rules of modern commun-
ism, everything being held in common, but Thomp-
son, by tlie assumption of a special commission
from the Lord, and the ministrations of a familiar
spirit, the intermediary, whom he called Banecmy,
became the spiritual head of the new church, and

MONONA COUNTY.

271

perforce of their temporal matters. All the mem-
bers deeded whatsoever propertj' they had to him
to hold for the good of the community, at the in-
vestigation of tills leader, prompted by the spirit.
He pretended to be the re-incarnation of the
liphr.aim of Scriptures and was called by his flock.
Father Ephi'aim. Under the teaching of this man a
committee was appointed to looic up and clioose a
location for the colon}', and Amos S. Chase, Orrin
Butts and Guy C. Barnum were chosen to make the
selection of lands, as they needed considerable
territory. Chase and Barnum had been through
this country, while living in Pottawattamie County,
in 18.31, and when they started had tliree lo-
calities in their mind, Smithland, the vicinity of
Yankton, Dak., and this county. On their arrival
here tliej- decided to locate on the Soldier River,
in what is now Spring Valle\', and returned to their
associates and so reported. In the spring of 1853,
Samuel Scutt and Edwin Mitchell came to what was
afterward Preparation and put up two log cabins
and a frame house two-stories high, and in Septem-
bei', of the same year, Charles B. Tliom[)son. Orrin
Butts, Gu}' C. Barunm, D. W. Butts, and Job Bar-
num came to the place and settled. Tiie same fall
witnessed the arrival of many others, for the infant
settlement throve finely for a time, among whom
were the following: Johnson F. Lane, who was,
afterward, the first sheriff of Monona County;
John Outhouse and his son, George, the former of
whom died in Belvidere Township, this county,
Sept. 15, 1864, the latter still a resident of the
county ; Thomas Lewis, a prominent elder in the
church, Dorraan Lewis, then a boy, William Mc-
Ilenry now of Harrison County; Charles C. Perriii.
a soldier of the Mexican Wac, who died here March
25, 1889; Stephen Blacknian, who died in the little
village. Frederick D. Winegar and his sons, wlio
became quite prominent in the county, the father
died in Kennebec, in 1881. Milton Stow. L. C.
Cottingham, Hugh Lytle, afterward prominently
identified with the official life of the coiintj'; Ed-
ward Johnson, John H. Thomas, now in Tennessee;
Jacob Peyton, at present living in Idaho; Homer
C. Hoyt, living in Mills or Fremont County; Silas
A'\'i!cox, who died near Moorhead; Andrew Hall,
liijw one of the bishops of the church, residing in

Council Bluffs; George Rearick, who moved away
from the county and died; Nelson Messenger, who
returned to Illinois; James Williams, who left hero
a long time ago and has since died; John S. Can-
field, who died at Preparation; (ieorge Warner,
who removed from the_ county ; Jehial Savage, who
moved into Cooper Township'and there died; and
Daniel Sav.age, who is, also, numbered with "the
great majority." Edward Johnson and his son,
Orson; Rowland Cobb, at one time a member of
the county board, but now removed from the
county; John Durfee, a ward.of Guy Barnum's;
William C. Wilcox, Dennis Butts and others.

Thompson and Butts, on their arrival September,
11, took up their residence in tlie frame house, the
frame of which was gotten out at Honey Creek
Pottawattamie County .and brought up and erected
with great labor and expense. The second-story
of this was devoted to the printing outfit they had
brought with them. This paper, a religious
monthly, the first paper issued in the county,
was known as Zion's Harbinger and Baneemy's
Organ. The journal had been previously pub-
lished in St. Louis, and the paper which should
have been issued in August, of that year, came out
on the loth of September, 185.3, the first paper
printed in Monona County. This was principally
theological in' its ■ matter and w.as the particular-
instrument for the dissemination of the doctrine
of the order of whicli Elder Tliompson claimed to
be the head. The latter wus the sole editor, and
D. W. Butts, the printer, the latter being hired by
the society. This paper was known as the Prepara-
tion jSfeics and Ephraim's Messenger. The first
weekly paper was issued March 24, 1854\inder
the name of the Western Nucleus and Democratic
Echo, and was edited and publislied by Thompson
and Butts. It would seem from a glance at its
columns that tRe entire business of the community
was lodged in the hands of Thompson, which was
about the plain fact. In it were found advertise-
ments of Cliarles B. Thompson, Justice of the Peace
and land agent; House of Ephriam, a hotel kept
by Charles B. Thompson; pork, beef and cows for
sale by Charles B. Thompson; cheese in large
quantities for sale by Charles B. Thompson, and so
on. The only advertisement to which that name

272

MONONA COUNTY.

is not appended is that of the cooper shoi) of L.
C. Cotlingham. In this historic slieet also appears
an aniiouncernenl tliat on and after April IT), ISo-t,
the paper would be combined willi the Prepara-
tion News and Ephmim's Mcsscinjer, and the jour-
nal issued un(ier tiie name of Pre|)aration Nucleus
and Zioii's Echo, and was to be partly tiieological
and partly political. In IS'iG, this was succeeded
by a larger sheet, a six-c<-ilumn folio, which bore
the name of The Werlcly News and Messenger,
partly religions, a depirlment presided over by
Mr. Thompson, the news and [lolitical branch
being under tiie control of D. W. Butts. The
county filling up now with peoi)le, and the Demo-
cratic [jrinciples being a losing card the name was
changed after the fall electioii and the word "demo-
cratic" dropped out. At the time of tlie county-
seat contest between Ashton and Onawa, the paper
took two sides, it being the onl}' journal in the
county, and it is somewhat laughable to see
Thompson siii)porting the claims of Ashton on one
page and the junior editor, Mr. Butts, as strongly
championing the cause of Onawa, on the other.

This paper continued in existence until 18.58,
when the Monona Land Comiiauy made a contract
with Thompson & Butts to bring over the outQt to
tlie new county-seat and publish a [laper, to be en-
tirely devoid of religious matters and to be edited
solely by Mr. Butts. This was entitled the Onawa
Adventure. It died out after about six weeks.
Thompson, who could not resist the opportunity
for proselyting, violated the contract, and on his
being notified to quit-, Butts left and the outfit was
brought to Preparation and the paper run a short
time, but at the time of the trouble that overtook
the leader, the material was taken to Magnolia by
Guy C. Barnura and traded for a stock of goods.

In 185.J a .sawmill was brought from Shabbona
drove, 111, l)y the society, and put up and operated
by them, Amos S. Chase, acting as Superintendent
and foreman. This was run by horse [jower arid
was operated for some three years.

The hotel, or place of entertainment was known
as til ■ House of Ephraiui, and w.as presided over
by Charles B. Thompson, who conducted this as
he di I everything else in the settlement.

. The first school in the township was opened in

the village in the summer of 1854, in a dwelling-
house, and was taught by Thomas J. Lewis. This
was a subscription school and commenced with
evening sessions only. It had Ijetween thirty and
forty scholars, and was conducted for some two
3'ears.

The first death in the little settlement was that
of the county's first sheriff, .lohnston F. Lane, who
died in April. 1855. The second was that of John S.
Canfleld, who passed away the following winter.

The first l)urial in the cemetery' was that of a
daughter of Mr. Messenger, brought from Honey
Creek, Pottaw.attamie County, and was buried in
1854.

Thompson carried on the business as the "Stew-
ard of the Lord," and with the assistance of Guy
C. Barnum, whom Ire designated as the assistant
steward, acted for the comnumity for several years,
and had a large number of followers, who firmly
believed in his God-given mission, for he was a
man that could carry out his plans admirably, and
impose on the credulous. All went swimmingly
until the people lost faith in him. On coming
here he had entered for the society some [\\e or six
thousand acres of land, and on this he founded the
village of Preparation, so called because here they
were to be "prepared" for the "Hereafter." One
of the essential points of his creed and teaching
was kindred to that of the Jesuits, total self-abne-
gation and the divesting themselves entirely' of all
w(u-ldly goods and cares. He brought them to the
point recommended b}' Jesus when he replied to
the rich man who inquired what he might do to be
saved: "Sell (or give away) thy earthly goods and
follow me," conveying the idea that only by divest-
ing themselves of everj-thlng could they achieve
the Kingdom of Heaven. Under the influence of
this teaching, his followers conveyed to him all
their property, real and personal, even their wear-
ing apparel.

But dissensions began to break out in the little
community, and dissatisfactic)n with the course of
their leader, and in the fall of 1855 a number of
the members called on Elder Thompson for an
accounting and a division of the property in sev-
eralty. At a meeting held for the purpose of dis-
cussing the subject, after a powerful appeal from

MONONA COUNTY.

273

the leader, he called for a division, requesting '-the
sheep," those wlio still wanted to abide by the
original agreement, to draw to tlie riglit, and was
astonished to find that the dissentients, '"the goats,"
numbered some sixty-three out of about one hun-
dred and sixteen present. Nothing was done, how-
ever, in regard to a division of the property, and
about the same time some twenty families witli-
drew, under the leaderslii[) of Hugh Lytle, also an
elder in the cliurcli, and settled elsewliere in the
county. The}' instituted a suit for tlie recovery of
their property, but after considerable litigation
were finally worsted, and it is reported on good
autliorit}' that they never did secure redress, even
being unrecognized in the final distribution as the
result of the big law suit that wound up the
existence of the colony.

During the fall of 1858 when most of the male
adults of the colony were absent preaching the doc-
trine of Baneemyisra, Thompson, taking advantage
of their being aw.iy, conveyed all the property to
his wife, Catherine Thompson, and Guy C. Bar-
num, only reserving a foitv acre tract for liiinself.
This opened the eyes of his deluded victims, on
hearing of which they returned to tlieir homes.
Demanding an explanation, they received notiiing
satisfactory in the shape of an adjustment.

A meeting was held at the village during the ab-
sence of the elder and Barnum, who had gone to
Onawa on business, in which the people of the
community had the assistance of some of the
seceders and several of the outside farmers of the
township, and it^ was decided to force Klder Thomp-
son, on his return, to re-deed to the people their
share of the property, with the exception of a rea-
sonable amount, which he .should retain as his
share. Guards were posted at the entrance of the
village to keep any of Thompson's friends from
warning him of tiie movement, the intention being
to surprise him into acceding to their wishes. By
some means, a woman, whose faith, like the gener-
ality of her sex, had not weakened in the time of
their fall, eluded tiie vigilance of the sentry, and
passing round the point of the bluff, met the elder
and Barnum on their return, and informed them of
the state of affairs in the village. Perceiving their
peril, which their unjustifiable course and a guilty

conscience exaggeiaied, thc\ turned llieir team,
drove some three miles on tlie Belvidere road, then
they leaped from the vvagon and hastily unhar-
nessed the horses, and as horsemen appeared, fled
across the bottom to Onawa, pursued by several of
the people, but on reaching the county seat were
protected by the citizens. About December 1 they
were smuggled out of the county. Thompson went
to St. Louis, and from there, three or four j'e.ars
later, to the vicinity of Philadelphia," where his
wife's people live, and is there engaged in running
a society, having a few followers yet. He is a tailor
by trade, and is credited with having been in his
younger days a powerful speaker, and one well cal-
culated to mislead the people. He left here with
the intention of settling among the Indians but.
thought better of it. He left here with but little
property, most of his personal effects falling into
the hands of his victims, who divided them up among
themselves, everyone claiming as much of Ijis own
as he could fnd. An action in chancery vv.as com-
menced in the courts to set aside the conveyance
of the real estate, and after dragging a weary
length for eight years through the various courts,
the matter was straightened up, the Supreme Court
holding that Thompson only held the i)roperty in
trust, and the real (istate was sold under an order of
the court, ami the proceeds divided among the par-
ties who had remained faithful to the end.

Gu3' C. Barnum lingin-ed here a short time, and
seizing without much opposition whatever he could
lay his hands on legally, went across the river, and
became quite a prosperous and prominent citizen of
Nebraska,now living near Columbus, Platte Count}'.

The postofHce at Preparation was established in
1851, and George iSI. Scott commissioned Post-
master. He remained in that capacity until the
dissolution of the colony, and many of its members
moving away, the oflfice was discontinued. In 1875
the office was restored, and G. P. Benjamin made
custodian of the mails. He was succeeded by D.
Englehorn, and he, a few years later, by G. M.
Scott, the old postmaster. Henry M. .Johnson was
the next to occupy the office, and was followed by
James Graham. Six months later J. T. Rawlings
was appointed Postmaster, and is the present in-
cumbent.

27 1

MONONA COUNTY.

The Spring Valley branch of the Church of Jesus
Christ of the Latter Day Saints was organized in
1861 or 1862 by Elder W. W. Blair and E. C.
Briggs, and held meetings for a time at the school-
house at Preparation. Owing to many of its mem-
bers being but transient in their stay here, in 1875,
after lingering along for a time, it was dissolved,
and services discontinued.

The Union Center branch of the Reorganized
Church of the Latter Day Saints, came into exis-
tence April 9, 1876, the meeting being held at the
Wight schoolhouse. Elder J. M. Putney, an ordained
member of the hierarchy, presiding and directing.
Twenty-two members were enrolled as the com-
mencement of the new society. The following
were chosen the first officers: Elder George Mon-
tague, iiresiding elder; Elder James Bnllantyne,
priest; Elder John Conyers, teacher, and Elder J.
M. Pntney, clerk. The church has a present mem-
bership of one hundred and tliirteen, and hold tlieir
meetings in the Moorhead schoolhouse every Sab-
bath. iV Sunday-school is held in connection. The
present otlicers are as follows: Elder J. M. Putney,
presiding elder; Elder James Ballantyne, priest;
Elder John Conyers, teacher, and Ellder J. W.
Steel, clerk.

Moroni Winegar, one of the county's leading
citizens, made a settlement in the township in 1854,
at Preparation, but shortly after took up an inde-
pendent claim, where he has ever since resided.

John T. Rawlings, the present Postmaster and
onl}' merchant at Preparation, came to Monona
County in 1873, and settled in Center Township
with his pirents. He came to Preparation in
March, 1886, and embarked in his present busi-
ness, carrying a stock of general merchandise.

A blacksmith shop is also located here, which is
carried on by Philip Johnson. The (irst to (ill
this business here was Lars Jensen, who was fol-
lowed by J. "Willfong; he by E. J. Severence, wlio
was followed hy the present iiroprietor.

OTHER PARTS OF THE TOWNSHIP.

John Conyers, one of the earliest pioneers of the
adjoining county of Harrison, came to Spring Val-
ley, or, as it was then called, Preparation, in 1863,
and rented the old farm near the site of the \il-

lage, forty acres of which he subsequently pur-
chased, and where he still lives.

Joseph Duff Butts came to Spring Valley Town-
ship in the spring of 1865, and settled on a part of
section 15. There he remained for twenty years,
at the end of which he removed to Turin, where he
is engaged in the livery business.

Thomas J. Perrine, the son of Charles Perrine,

who had settled at Preparation in 1854, on coming

out of the army in 1865, settled down in this town-

■ ship, where he still resides, one of the wealthy,

prominent farmers of the county.

Freeman and Henry Bowerman, quite influential
citizens in their day, made a settlement about the
same time. After j-ears Henry removed to Wis-
consin, and Freeman,, after living in Salix, to Ne-
braska.

Halvor E. Strand came to Monona County in
1867 and settled in Spring Valley Townsliip and
opened up a farm. He resided here until the spring
of 1884, when he removed to LaCrosse County,
Wis.

John B. Moorhead, one of the prominent citizens
of Spring Valley, and one of its largest land-own-
ers, came here about May 1st, 1867, and made a
settlement. He had come to Boyer Township, then
a part of Monona County, in 1854, and was one of
the pioneers of that region. With him came his
brother, George P., one of the best business men
of the count^'. Being quite successful here he, in
1877, sold out to J. B. Moorhead and removed to
Duidap, where he is engaged in the banking business.

Knud Thorcson, a present resident of the town,
came here in September, 1867, and made a settle-
ment. The following year his brother, Nels Thore-
son, located here and remained a resident until his
death, which took place May 13, 1885.

James Graham, one of the leading citizens of
Spring Valley, made his settlement in the town in
the fall of 1867, since which time he has been iden-
tifled with its growth and development.

John Dunlop in 1868 settled upon the southwest
quarter of section 2, where he died some eioht
years later.

Shortljr after him came his brother, Peter, who
remained here some years and then returned to
"Bonnie Scotland."

MONONA COUNTY.

275

James L. Baitholeroew, one of the most promi-
nent citizens of tlie townsliip, first came to Monona
County, Octol)er 25, 1869, and rented a farm on
section 29, where he toiled for some three years, and
then, in company' with his brother, Samuel C,
rented the Graham farm. In 1875 he commenced
the purchase of land here and h.as kept adding
to his farm until it is one of the largest and best in
the township.

Mrs. Mary A. Butts, a sister of .1. B. Moorhead,
settled in this township in 1869, and is a resident
here at present.

Joseph Adams and D wight Smith came from Big-
ler's Grove, Harrison County, where they had been
early settlers, in 1870, and located here. Mr. Ad-
ams still lives on the west half of section 24; but
INIr. Smith removed back to Harrison Count}',
where he now resides.

Among others thiit settled here in 1870 m.ay be
meutioned Mrs. Margaret Wright, a widow, who
died here. Of her family, J. Wherimerion is in
Australia, preaching the Mormon doctrine; Sonar-
moni is still living here engaged in farming; Ro-
lando is in California; and Aniasa lives at Little
Sioux.

Jolm Welliver, still living here, settled about the
same time.

Jerome B. Harlow settled in this township in
October, 1870, and is still living here.

J. M. Putney, a leading agriculturalist of the
town, located here, where he lives, in the spring of
1871.

Ole Engun, one of the Norwegian citizens of
Spring Valley Township, came to Monona County
In 1871, and settled first in Willow Township. In
1877 he came to this town and settled on section
22, where he now lives.

Joseph A. Adams, now engaged in the mercan-
tile trade at Moorhead, settled on a farm on section
24, in 1871, on coming to the county, and made
his home there until 1888, when he entered upon
his present business, which he established October
15 of that year.

John Conyers, one of the pioneers of Harrison
County, came to Spring Valley Township in 1871,
and here makes his residence. John J. Conyers,
his son, is also a resident of the town.

James Larson, now of Willow, came here in the
spring of 1872 and worked for Jolin and George
Moorhead for three years, after which he removed
to the Boyer Valley.

Stephen M. Bkckman, still a resident of the
town, a son of one of the early settlers of Harrison
County, came here in the spring of 1873 and was
engaged in teaching and farming. In 1877 he
n^oved to his present residence on section 15.

John R. Mclntyre and Elias Trimble came here
in 1873, and commenced the hom«s where they now
live.

Andrew Ballantyne, one of the earliest settlers
of Harrison County, where he located in 1855, came
to Spring Valley Township in April, 1875, since
which time he has made his home on section 2.

Abraham Condit and Samuel Rice made a settle-
ment here in 1871. Neither remained here for any
extended term, moving away about 1875 to
Kansas.

Joseph Bird and Peter Fritz made settlements
within the limits of Spring Valley Township. Mr.
Bird is still a resident of this county, but Fritz has
removed to Nebraska.

William Conyers came here from Kennebec
Township in I 876, and is still a resident of this part
of the county.

Benjamin (border, who had been living in Belvi-
dere since 1875, came to this township in 1877 and
made a settlement and is still a citizen.

Andrew Larson, still a citizen of the town, lo-
cated on the farm where he now lives in 1877.

John R. Mclntyre, a member of the farming com-
munity of Spring Valley Township to-day, came
herein 1878, and made his settlement on sectio'j 24.

Andrew Rude settled in the town of .Spring Val-
ley on section 11, where he now lives, in 1878.

Poter .Johnson settled in this town in the spring
of 1879, but two years later removed to Sioux,
where he now lives.

Kiuid Knudson came to Monona County in 1871,
on coming from his native land, Norw.ay, and in
1879 bought the pl.ace on section 14, where he now
lives.

Charles W. Blackman came to Monona County
in 1875, and settled on the farm on section 22,
this township, where he now lives.

27G

MONONA COUNTY.

Jnines W. Steel dates liis seltlement from the aii-
tiinin of 1881, and since that liiue has been a resi-
dent of the township.

Nelson D. Beall, a native of the Hawkeye State,
made liis settlement in liiis county and lownshi]) in
March, 1882.

MOOKIIF.AI).

Located on the southwest quarter of section 9,
lies the little hamlet known by the name of its
founder, .T. B, Moorliead. Although never jilalted
as a town site, the necessities of trade have caused
the springing up of one of the busiest of small
business centers in the county. In 1883 James
Calkins erected a frame building lGx40 feet in size
which was used as a hall and i)lace of holding meet-
ings until 1884, when it was rented l)y I. T. Hen-
derson, who put into it a small stock of goods.
Not meeting with the success liis effort deserved, in
a short time the place was closed and the building
used as a repair shop and later as a dwelling house.
Previous to this, however, William Ilorton, in
1880, erected a st'ire building 14x22 feet in size,
one story high, and carried on the general mer-
chandise trade in a small way until 1881, when he
was succeeded by O. !>. Johnson & Co., and they
by William and Thomas Dryden under the lirni
name of Dryden Bros., who enlarged the building
and incre.ased the stock. The following year they
sold out to D. W. McDonald, who carried it on for
two years, and then sold to George Stees. This
was in 1884. The latter ran the business until
Jan. 1, 188G, when he found a purchaser for the
stock and good will in the person of G. P. Benja-
min. In October, 188(7, after making some addi-
tions to the building the hitter sold a half interest
in the business to CJ. E. Erickson, and as Benjamin
ife Erickson they continued to hold the trade until

April 1, 1889, when the latter pui'chased the re-
maining interest, and is now carrying on an exten-
sive trade. He has made additions to tiie store room
until it is now 22x64 feet in size. i\Ir. Erickson is
the present Postmaster and the office is located in
his store. He deals in drj' goods exclusivelj' at
the present, having sold his grocery department to
Joseph A. Adams.

The grocery business of Joseph A. Adams was
established Oct. 15, 1 a«8. by the present proprie-
tor, who has vvorked u[) a liberal [latronage and lu-
crative business, dealing in groceries exclusivel3'.

The blacksmith shop here is in the hands of An-
drew Jackson Erb, who established the first forge
here. N. A. Merritt is also engaged in the same
line of trade.

John E. Frazier, IVf. D.. a practicing physician
and surgeon, a voung man of culture and ability,
located at Moorliead August 20, 1885, and has been
engaged in tlie duties of his profession there ever
since.

Hall Creek post-offlce was established assuch June
1. 1872. and James L. Bartholomew commissioned
as its lirst Postmaster, having the office on section
29. He was succeeded by Thomas Lewis, and he
by John B. Moorhead, who removed it to Moor-
liead, where it has ever since remained, and is
known by the name of that village.

The post-office at Moorhead was established in
1871, with Thomas Lewis as Postmaster. The office
was ke|it at his residence on section 17, for a short
time when he was succeeded by J. B. Moorhead,
who removed the same to his dwelling. S. M.
Blackinan succeeded liim, and the office was re-
moved to the store in the little village of Moor-
head, where it has since remained. The present
Postmaster is G. E. Erickson.

m©B

CHAPTER XXI.

(fe^^HE subdivision of the county to whicli lias
f^^^ been given the name of Soldier, embraces
^^^ all of Congressional Township 83, range
42, and contains the usual thirty-six sections, or
about 23,040 acres of laud. It is bounded on the
north by the town of St. Clair; on the east b_v
Crawford County; on the south by Willow Town-
ship, and on the west by th.at of Jordan.

The surface of tliis township is a beautiful roll-
ing prairie, swtUing and rounding u|) from the
plane like the waves of the ocean suddenly con-
verted into solid material. The soil, the rich,
warm and productive bluff deposit, or loess, of the
geologist, is the equal of any to be found in Western
Iowa and is wonderfully fertile. Crossing tlie
Northwest center of the town runs the Soldier River,
and this with its tributaries and affluents affords
ample drainage and an abundant supply of run
ning water. There is no railroad or station within
its limits, the only village being tiie little hamlet
of Soldier, most of the marketing of produce
being done at the village of Ute, in St. Clair
Township.

The first settler in what is now Soldier Town-
ship, ahd in fact the first white man to locate on
the Soldier River between Preparation and Ida
Grove, was H. A. Agens, who came here iu March,
1858, and settled on the southe.ast quarter of sec-
tion 4, and during the early summer put up a log
cabin and broke about fifteen acres of ground.
Here he was followed l)^' his family, his wife and

seven children, in Jnne of the same year, lie liad
come here from St. Clair County, Mich. He
entered 320 acres of land here, and made this his
home until liis death, which took place September
;», 1888, his wife following him to tlie great "here-
after" in June, 1889. Their ciiildren are still resi-
dents of the township, William and Henry carr3'-
ing on farming operations.

In tlie fall of 18G0 John Ward and J. L. Swin-
burne made settlements in this town. Mr. AVard,
who was a trapper and hunter, did not remain
many years, removing from the county. i\Ir. Swin-
burne taught the first school and was the first to
represent the town of St. Clair, then embracing
this town and the one south of it on the b lard of
ci)unt3' supervisors. He died while in olHce in
October, 1869.

Next came Moses Jackson and Isaac U. Riddle,
two brave veterans of the famous Tiiird Iowa In-
fantr\', who in the spring of 1865 walked nearlj' the
entire distance from their home in Story County
to this region, arriving in what is now Soldier
Township April 6. After remaining over night
with Mr. Agen, that evening they traveled over
the county, but about the middle of the month
settled down in this town on section 4, where both
still make their home. There was a cabin on the
land of M. J. Riddle in vvhich the two 3'oung men
took up their quarters, although the first summer
they took their meals with Mr. Agen's family.
Shortly after this in the fall their sister, Martha A.

278

MONONA COUNTY.

Riddle, came out to keep house for them, and in
1867 their father. Matthew B. Riddle, came here
with the balance of their family and stayed until
tlie followin-;- fall. Both the brothers are still citi-
zens of the town, grown attiuent and prominent,
Isaac filling most acceptably a place on the connty
boanl at the [U'esent.

About the same time or shortly after. R. B. Ran-
some settled in this town and remained a prominent
citizen of the same until the spring of 1889, when
he removed to Dakota.

Junius Brown came to this part of Monona
County in July, ISGC, and took up his residence in
a "dug-out" which he constructed on section 16.
The next spring he built a log cabin and broke up
some land, and has lived here from that time
until the present. With him came Orson Good-
rich, who lived here about five 3'ears and then re-
moved to Nebraska.

Peter and Jacob Z. Koontz came to this" county
in June, 1866, and settled on section 17. The
former resided here until about 1879, when he re-
moved to Washington Territory and was followed
by his brother, Jacob, in 1882, and both make
their home in that region still.

Michael O'Uonnell made a settlement within the
limits of this town on section 17, in the summer of
1867, and made his home here until the spring of
1884, at which date he removed to the town of
Cooper where he now resides.

In 1867 Chauncey Goodrich and his sons. Ward
and Milo, came to Monona County and located.
The father died here in ^the fall of 1888, but the
boys after four or live years removed to Nebraska.

The same year Henry Koontz made a settlement
in the town. He lived here for a while and moved
back to Pennsylvania. Returning here at a later
date he went West from here to Washington Ter-
ritory.

Engbret Evenson, a leading citizen of the town
now, came here in the spring of 1868 and settled
on section 30,3 but later removed to 31 where he
now lives. For some years, like the balance of the
residents, he lived in a "dug-out," but now has a
fine house and many broad acres.

Engbret Kuudson and George Svvenson came
with Mr. Evenson. Mr. Knudson settled on a part

of section 33, where he is living in easy circum-
stances to-day. George Swenson located on sec-
tion 33, where he is still a resident owning a beau-
tiful farm. Andrew Swenson, a brother of George,
came with him and also settled here.

A. Steece Kinzer made a settlement in 1868 on
section 8, on what is now known as the Linville
farm, and there made his home until 1881, when he
went to Oregon and is residing in that j'oung
State.

Charles Goodrich, still a resident of the town,
dates his settlement here from 1868.

In 1869 Norman Sterling and a colored man by
the name of King Betts came to this part of the
county and made a settlement. Sterling resided
here for a few years'aijd then returned to Illinois.
Betts died in St. Clair Township.

Robert R. Porter, a prominent settler of] the
year 1869, located in the spring of that year on a
piece of rented land. Two j'ears later he located
on the place where he now resides on section 8.
He first came to the county in 1866 on a tour of
investigation, but made no extended stay here.

Ole E. Strand, one of the prominent Norwegian
citizens of tlie township at the i:)resent came to
Monona County with others in 1867, and after liv-
ing with his brother, Halvor, in Spring Valley for
about two years, came to Soldier Township in 1869
and made a permanent settlement on section 30
where he now lives.

Jerome Lawrence, still a citizen of this section
of the county, settled here April 1, 1869.

William Koontz. .also a resident of the town at
the present, settled here in 1870, and renting a
piece of land on section 17, resided there for several
years. He is still a resident of the town living on
section 19.

Christian Evenson made his appearance in Mo-
nona County in the fall of 1873 and settling on a
piece of land on section 34, constructed a "dug-
out" in which he took up his residence. The land
belonged to Eastern siieeulators who would only
sell the whole, so he could not buy it, but made his
home on it until 1881, when he removed to the
farm where he now lives on section 35.

Hans L. Wingate, now living on section 20,
settled in the township in 1874,coming here in April.

MONONA COUNTY.

279

James K. Sooy located in the town of Soldier in
187G. He had first como to the county in the fall
of 1868, but after a short time here went to .Smith-
land and worked at carpentering. In February,
1870, after a visit to Ohio, with his brother Henry,
he settled in Kennebec Townsiiip, whence he re-
turned to Ohio and from the latter here. He
remained a resident here until 1881, wiien he went
to Washington Territor}', but returned here in
1882 and has his home on section 7.

In the fall of the same year Eriii Olson made a
settlement here on section 29, where he now re-
sides.

In the spring of 1878 Fa-'ic K. Lee took np his
residence on a rented farm in this section of the
county. Two years later he purchased land on
section 3-1, where he now lives.

About the same time C. II. Nordby located on a
rented piece of land from which he removed six
months later to the farm on section 29 where
he now lives.

Martin Barrett, located in Soldier Township, on
coming to the county in tlie fall of 1878, on the
farm on section .36, where he is siill living.

Christian Christianson joined the citizens of this
township in the spring of 1879, settling on section
31, where he now lives.

George Steece came here in 1880 and for about
two years was engaged in farming. In 1882 he
bought the store at Soldier which he operated for
some two years. He is now living in Harrison
County.

Irving C. McMaster, who had come to this
county with his parents in the fall of 1873 and
made his home in Grant Township, in the spring of
1881, came to Soldier and located upon a farm on
section 17. In 1884 he sold out and entered into
mercantile pursuits in Soldier and Castana. In
1888, he sold out his business and retired to a farm
on section 19, where he now lives. This was the
old Ransome place.

Granville P. Linville settled here in the spring of
1881, and is still a resident of the township, mak-
ing his home on section 8.

In the spring of 1882 came William Quatter, a
native of the "Fatherland" and made a settlement
on section 26. He is now living on section 27.

I. C. Jensen, a Norwegian, located on section 35
in 1882, and has made this his home ever since.

Anton Hanson located here in the fall of 1883
and engaged ill blacksmithing which he carries on
at Soldier, at the present.

FlIiST ITE.MS.

The first marriage of residents of the townships
was that of Moses J. Riddle and Miss Mary L.
Agens which took place Oct. 19, 1866.

The first birth was that of Dora, the daughter of
H. A. Agens, who was born in 1860. She is now
the wife of Emmet Dorothy, of Ute.

The first death was that of Mathew Shannon
Riddle, the son of M. J. and Mary L. Riddle, who
died September 30, 1869.

The first election held in the precinct of St. Clair,
that then included both townships now known as
St. Clair and Soldier, occurred in the fall of 1866,
at which time there were but tiiirteen votes cast.

The first breaking was done by H. A. Agens in
May, 1858, on section 4.

The first fence in the township was laid up in
1866, on section 4, by Moses J. and Isaac U. Rid-
dle, who built about 280 rods of it at that time.

The first school was taught by J. L. Swinburne
in a cabin that stood on the present farm of JI. J.
Riddle, in the winter of 1862-3.

The first schoolhouse was built in the fall of
1865, on section 4, Aaron Davis being the con-
tractor.

ORGANIC.

At a session of the board of count}' supervisors
held April 3, 1866, a general re division of the
county was made, and townshi|)s 83 and 84, range
42, were authorized to organize as one civil town-
ship under the name of St. Clair. The first election
was held at the schoolhouse, for it seems th.-it tliere
was but one and H. A. Agens, J. P. Spillman and
J. L. Swinburne acted as judges, and R. 15. Ran-
some and William Agens, clerks. But thirteen
votes were cast and J. L. Swinlmrne was chosen to
represent the town on the county board. October
14, 1867, a petition was presented to that honorable
body, praj'ing that the name of the town nnght be
changed to that of Soldier, which pia3-er was
granted by the board October 15, following.

•280

MONONA COUNTY.

April 3, 1872. the supervisors separated town-
ship 84, range 42, from Soldier ,ind ordered its^re--
organization as a separate civil subdivision and
Soldier assumed nearly its present form, a small
part of what is now Jordan forming part of its ter-
ritory until Novemlier 12, 1872.

SCHOOL MATTERS.

The district township of Soldier, then embracing
two Congressional towns, was organized at a meet-
ing held on the first Saturday in March, 1867, of
wliich T. F. Spellman was Chairman and M. .T.
Riddle, Secretary. Among other business trans-
acted was the adoption of a resolution offered by
R. B. Ransome levying a tax of $125 for the school
house fund; another by H. A. Agens levying a tax
of 125 for contingent and $100 for teacher's funds.
On the third Monday in the same month the di-
rectors held a meeting and elected John Patrick
President, Junius Brown, Member of the Boaid,
and M. J. Riddle, Secretary.

After the separation of the two towns, in March,
1873, the school district was also divided, the first
meeting being held that month. William Agens
was chosen Chairman jvo tern of the meeting, and
O. E. Strand, Secretary jjj-o tern. On organization
Peter Koontz was chosen President of the district
Township Board; Junius Brown, Secretary; and O.
¥j. Strand, Treasurer. I. Cummins, of St. Clair, and
M. J. Riddle, of Soldier, were appointed a commit-
tee to divide the funds on hand.

The Norwegian Lutheran Church, which stands
on the soutli part of the southeast quarter of the
southwest quarter of section 31, this township, was
organized by Rev. J. A. Hellestradt, who became
its first pastor, in 1879, and he continued in charge
of the little flock until 1884, when he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Oscar Skeberg, the present pastor,
who resides at Sioux City. Services are held here
about once a month.

The fouQdation for a church edifice w,is laid in
the fall of 1882, and the frame raised the follow-
ing spring and the building enclosed so that meet-
ings were held in it, althougii it was cold in the
winter time, not being finished. During the sum-
of 1887 the building was completed and dedicated
in October of that year. Nils Tlioreson was one

of its most active supporters but died before the
building was finished. Even Evenson is one of
the oldest members of the congregation or For-
semling and one of its most liberal sup|)orters, as
is Knudt Thoreson, Ole Syverson, Martin Clemon
and others. The first subscription for the building
of the church was taken up l)y Erik Lee and the
building committee consisted of Nils Thoreson, E.
Evenson, Ole Ulven, Martin Clemon and E. Hong.
A Ladies' Aid Society was organized in support
of the church in 1880 under the presidency of Mrs.
Inga Thoreson, which has contributed since that
time some $650 toward the church, and is still
working for a good and laudable cause, having at
the present the object of assisting the Infants' and
Old Folks" Home, af \Yittenberg, Wis. Mrs. Olava
Anderson is the present president.

SOLDIER rOST-OFFICE.

Owing to the location of a post-otBce at this
point, a little hamlet has sprung into existence on
sections 29 and 30, which contains a general mer-
chandise store, post-office and blacksmith shop, and
a small number of dwelling houses.

The first store in Soldier was erected in Novem-
ber, 1877, by 0. E. .Strand, wlio was engaged in
mercantile pursuits at that point until July, 1878,
when the edifice and stock were destroyed by fire.
T. R. Brader, who became Postmaster about that
time, erected a store building, and therein opened
a stock of goods. He carried on the business until
November, 1882, when he sold out to George
Steece, who run the store about a year, and was
succeeded by L C. McMaster. The latter gentle-
man, after operating alone for a time, took in a
partner, W. H. Dryden, and in June, 1888, the firm
of McJNLaster & Dryden sold out to J. V. Lamson.
James Wells purchased the store in October. 1888,
only to sell out again in the following December,
to Richard Palmer, the present proprietor.

In the spring of 1881, Dr. Banks located at this
point and remained in the practice of medicine here
about a year, removing to Kingsley, Woodbury
County. Dr. Ramaley, in thespwng of 1884, came
here but a short time, and in February, 1885, was
succeeded by Dr. J. J. Gingles, now of Lite, who
remained here about a year.

MONONA COUNTY.

281

Cbris. Johnsun opened tlie first blacksmith shop
in this vicinity in 1877, on O. E. Strand's land,
near the bridye. From tliere he removed to the
foot of the bill south, and later to his place on sec-
tion 32, where he still carries on the trade. In
1882, Joseph Turpin started a smithy in the village
and carried on the blacksmith's trade there until
1887, when lie removed to Ute, where lie is still
engaged in the same line. Nels Solen, at one time
ran a rival blacksmith shop, Init is now at Albaton.
Anton Hanson, theprcsentrsmitli, commenced busi-
ness here in 1883.

Another general merchandise store was started
in the fall of 1883, by Bohn & Holdcn. In the
summer of 1884, Mr. Holden disposed of his inter-
est in the business, to Junius Brown, and the new
firm of Bohn & Brown carried on business until the
summer of 1885, when they sold their stock to I. C.
McMaster.

Fred J. Roberts openeii a drug-store in the
building formerly occui)ied by Bohn & Bro.wn, in
April, 1884, and was in that business here until
September, 1886, when lie moved the building and
stock to Ute, where he is engaged in the same line
of trade at present.

About 188G, C. L. True opened a small grocery
store here, and after carrying on the business about
a year, sold out the stock, and removed to Ute,
where he -now lives.

Soldier post-office was established July 1, 1871,
and Ole E. Strand was commissioned its first Post-
master, and remained in that ofHce until September,
1878. He was succeeded by T. R. Brader, who, in
1882 turned over the office to his successor, George
Steece, who remained in charge for about two years,
when he sold out his store and gave up the office.
Feb. 24, 1884, I. C. McMaster was appointed Post-
master, and held the same until Nov. 1, 1889, when
he was succeeded by Richard Palmer, the present
incumbent. The latter received his appointment
October 9.

Jerome Lawrence, in Jaiuiarj', 1889. opened a
restaurant and place of entertainment for man and
lieast, and is carrying on the business at the present.
The following reminiscence of an eaily day in
.'^oldier, by one of the oldest settlers in the county,
is of interest iu this connection.

.\N EXPEIUEiNCE.

BY .JOE B. P. DAY.

In M.ay, 1858, F. A.- Day was engaged in build-
ing a pre-emption house on the southwest quar-
ter of section 4, 83, 42, since owned by I. U.
Riddle. His sons Joe B. P. and Preston, and
daughter Lizzie, were with him, all enjoying them-
selves in a tent on the banks of the Soldier, on the
southeast corner of the tract mentioned, on the
evening of May 22. It began raining about eight
o'clock, and just poured until iieaily morning.
Just a little before day-break, Mr. Day happened
to put out his hand beside the bed, and felt water.
He then heard tlie rush of waters all around, and
alarmed the camp. By the time they were up and
dressed, the water was getting six inches deep, and
when they had loaded their camping outfit on the
wagons, it was 'knee deep. They then started for
the bluff west, the boys walking beside the cattle,
two yoke hitched to a heavy wagon, and a lighter
wagon towing behind. Mr. Day was in the
wagon, and Lizzie on the forward one, iiold-
ing the lantern. As they neared the bluff, the
water grew deeper and swifter until the oxen had
to swim and the boys had to hold on to the yokes
to keep up. When still quite a distance from shore,
the wagons began to tilt, and first thing the boys
knew, Mr. Da^* called out that he was gone, as his
wagon had capsized. Joe yelled to him to keep
with the tide, and make the point below, which he
did all right, and at the same time the big wagon
rolled over, and as it turned, Lizzie obeying the
directions of Joe, clambered over, and as the box
floated avva}', she caught hold of one of the hind
wheels, and when the wagon turned over again, she
let go one wheel and caught the other, doing this
several times before reaching the shore. Had she
missed catching hold of the wheel, or had the wagon
uncoupled, she would have drowned, as she had on
too many wraps to have swam ashore. While this
was going on, Joe had let go of the yoke, and while
swimming, was directing his sister in her move-
ments. When she was safe he began to realize that
he had a heav}- job on hand to make tlie shore with
his overcoat and .boots. Slowly he struggled unlil

2S2

MONONA COUNTY.

be wont under, and then came up for another pull.
With Ills cap in his mouth, he kept on until he felt
the fii'ound under his feet, when he was too far
gone to go further, and was pulled out l)y Preston.
It was a long while liefore he could breathe with
comfort, having filled his lungs with water. Day-
light broke .IS they went ashore nearly a quarter of
a mile below their starting point; they had only
what they stood in ; were wet, cold, anil hungry,
and yet a more grateful set of beings never looked
b.ack on the gates of death. There were no roads
and bridges, and with thfeir oxen and running gears,
they took up the divide past Palmer's place. When
they reached the summit, the Soldier valleys were
a beautiful sight, they were all full from bluff to
bluff with the rushing waters, that glistened in the
rising sun like a mirror. From Charter Oak on
the east, and Rush Creek on the north, to tlie bench
opposite Soldier post -ofBee, the vallej's were a sheet
of water broken only by the fringe of timber. As
the party had to go around by the head of Jordan
Creek, they found no rest until they reached the
Kelsey place, now Copelands" on west side of Maple
at one o'clock, when Mrs. Homer Kelsey (now Mrs.
Maple), welcomed them to rest, and furnished a
bountii'ul dinner. After resting a da}', the boys
went back and found their camping outfit scattered

for five miles, the gun and heavy articles were
where the wagons capsized, but the bedding and
lighter goods were all along the valley, the wagon-
box was on a mound out east of Porter's, and Joe
found one of his boots on the point below the Ran-
som place. A thorough search found everything
but a blanket and quilt. Dan Sampson of Onawa
was camped with other parties on the creek near the
Brown bridge, but took the alarm and golasliore a
little sooner. It is hard work to convince settlers
now, that the valley ever gets under water, but those
who were on the .Soldier that night, would not live on
the bottom then, for any money, and they trust no
one will ever see the like again. That year was the
wettest year ever known in the settlement of Mon-
ona. The West was flooded everywhere. The bot-
toms were ponds all sirmmer, and there was no end
of web-footed folks. The year 18.59 was not much
better, tins was the year of frogs. Frogs, like those
of Egypt. As one walked on low ground, they
scattered like grasshoppers, and after awhile they
migrated to the east, and we never heard how far
they travelled. Mr. Blackburn had a piece of
ditch dug east of the Sioux, and in passing over it,
thousands were caught and died there in company
with snakes, who shared their prison, so one sees
that some of the olden plagues have been met in
this beautiful land.

KENNEBE0 TOWNSHIP,

CHAPTEE XXII.

^HE civil siilidivision of the county known as
Kennebec Townsbiip is geographically lo-
cated in the center of the county east and
west, and is in the second tier of townships from
the north line. Its topography is exceedingly
beautiful, lying principally in the valleys of the
Little vSioux and Maple Rivers. The surface is gen-
erally quite rolling, affording a most lovelj- land-
scape, verdant meadows, rich fields of corn and
small grain, and meandering through them the
ever silvery threads of those pellucid streams, with
their fringes of leafy forests. Drainage and water
supply are amply afforded b}- the Little Sioux and
Maple Rivers and their affluents, and the soil is of a
warm, (iroductive and easily cultivated character.

The Maple Rivei: branch of the Chicago and
Northwestern Railwaj' crosses the southeastern
part of the town, the station of Castana, a young
and thriving village lying within its limits. In
1885, by the State census, Kennebec had a popula-
tion of 499, nearly all of whom were of American
birth, the balance being made up of the best class
of foreign born citizens.

In August, 1855. T. Elliott, J. E. Morrison and
a Mr. Childs, of St. Chnrles, 111., and J. B. P. D.ay,
of Hallowell, Me., left St. Charles on a prospecting
tour, the first three looking for a village location
and the latter for a farm and home. They entered
Iowa at Lyons, and thence proceeded, by way of
Cedar Rapids, up the Cedar Valley to Cedar Falls;

thence west to Iowa Falls, which then consisted of
two cabins; from there to Webster City, which con-
tained three or four cabins, and to Ft. Dodge, that
had the old fort, some improvements and lots of
prospects. From there on was open prairie, fifty
miles to Sac City (three cabins in a grove on
east side of river), and thence on a blind trail to
Ida Grove, where was but one cabin. After cross-
ing the monotonous prairies of Central Iowa, the
view of the Maple Valley from the hills east of Ida
was a vision of delight. The}' went down the val-
lej', then without a settler, to Mapleton and across
to Smithland, where they found " IJuckskiu "Smith,
who made them welcome, and invited them to
come back and look at a claim of his in Monona
County. That name — Monona — sounded musical —
like home. On the eve of August 21, just at sun-
set, they struck the Missouri Valley, at the mouth
of Wolf Creek, and that first view of the greatest
valle}' of the world, then in its holida}' garb, was a
picture never to be forgotten ; it captured the
crowd. They camped at Sargeant's P>luff, and vis-
ited Sioux City, with its one cabin; crossed over
the river to Omadi — nobody there — and started
for Council Bluffs on the afternoon of the 24th,
as they were getting short of provisions and some
of the crowd were homesick. AVhen thej' reached
the vicinity of Salix there occurred one of those
little incidents that" change the currents of many
lives. Dav took it into his head to leave the

284

MONONA COUNTY.

party and go back to Sniitliland, and jireiiared his
grip. The otiiers began to debate, and the}- finally
concluded to go his way, and they all went to
Sniitliland, where they were joined by O. B. Smith
and John B. Gard, two of the "pioneers of the
jirairies" seldom equalled in the best of pioneer
(lualities. That night they camped on the east
bank of the Sioux, at the edge of the timber, iialf
a mile northeast of Kennebec bridge. The next
morning they purchased Smith's claim and left
for home, via Ida Grove. The next day. as thej'
left Ida and went up the Odcbolt Creek, they were
told by Smith to cross at the first little timber and
keep the divide, but after crossing the creek the
trail was lost, and a confab was held over wiiat a
divide was, and it was settled b}' the majority to
be a side creek; so up a creek they went, met a
naked Indian, and he knew "nary" a "divide"
nor trail, <.>nly " me tribe." pointing northeast. As
the creek furnished no signs of a trail. Day struck
out on foot to the ridge west and found a trail, and
all hands took to tlie divide, which they followed
to Masoii's Grove, where "Uncle" Dobson sup-
l)lied meal and otiier wants, their larder being
nearly empty. ]\Iost of those day stretches were
twenty-five or fifty miles between settlers. 'I hey
went b}' Panora and Adel to Des Moines. When
nearing Skunk River, on inquiring the way of a
boy lie said, "Go up yon hill and you will see the
road, and when you get into it you want to keep in
it," which injunction was followed. The next man
met, in response to an inquiry said, " It is seven-
teen miles to Skunk," and as they started along he

added, " And 3'ou'll find them d d long ones,

too." They were the kind of miles that are found
between the Sioux and Onawa when the mud is
plenty. The party crossed the river at Davenport
and were soon on the trail home. In October a
company called Monona Mills Company was formed
for the purpose of opening a village settlement in
Monona County, and that fall F. A. Day, Frank L.
Day and wife, .J. B. P. D.ay and Preston Day, W.
G. Cliambeihiin and family, and John L. Lay and
wile drove out to Monona Count}-. Chainbei'lain
:nd La}' wintered in Smitliland, and the Days on
the claim bought of Smith in August. As a man
had jumped the claim iu the meanlinie, J. B. P. Day

had to file a pre-emjition on it to hold it down. In
April and May, 1856, Chamberlain and Lay moved
down near by, and T. Elliott, I. E. Morrison, N. E.
Colby, J. S. Merrill, Partridge, S. S. Pearce, Darius
Pearce, Benedict, Brogden, Pond, J. A. Nevins.
H. G. Ilcwins and others were camped in the bend
around the west end of the Kennebec bridge until
it looked' like a village. Some planted gardens
along the Sioux, and some selected farms and did
some breaking, but it was finally decided to go
farther west, and most of them went to Ashton and
wintered there. The next spring the Monona Land
Company was organized, Onawa laid out, and most
of the parties settled in the village.

In the fall of 1855, William N. Hathawa}' came
here from Pottawattamie County and purchased
the claim that a man 'had on section 20, paying
him $250 for it. In March, 185C, Mr. Hathaway
settled on this claim and commenced tlie improve-
ments on it. Here lie has made his residence ever
since. While he and his wife were absent from
home, March 10, 1857, tlieir log cabin burned down,
and their little daughter, Laura, then about four
years of age, was burned to death.

In August, 1855. Dr. W. W. Ordway, one of this
county's best known and most prominent citizens
came to the county and purchased some 1,280
acres of land, but spent the following winter in
Woodbury County, at Smitliland. The next spring
he put a rough log house on the place where S.
Livingood now lives on section 34, and in that
took up his residence. A few years later, having
erected another house where W. S. Everett resides,
he removed thither. After selling out to the latter-
named, the Doctor put up his present residence on
section 13, where he has since lived.

Seth Smith, who had settled iu Grant Township
in 1853, came to this township in 1855 and built a
log cabin. In August, 1856, he erected a frame
house on section 13, which forms a portion of the
present residence of Soc. Smith. This was one of
the first frame buildings in this part of the count}'.
Mr. Smith lived here until November 6, 1876, when
he was called upou to pay the debt of nature.

Elkanah T. Bullock came to Kennebec Township
in the winter of 1855-56, an<l put up a cabin on the
northeast quarter of section 1 8, into which he re-

MONONA COUNTY.

285

moved with bis family early in tlie following
spring. Here be reside<i for several years but finallj-
emigrated to Kansas, settling on Solomon's Fork.
Ilis sons, Lyman, William and Charles, entered the
United States army during the late war, and finally
located in Kansas. The land owned by J. K. Myers
and James Walker in succession is now the prop-
erty of C. A. Fisber.

WMth Mr. Bullock came Joiiu N. Sanderson, who
pre-empted the southeast quarter of section 7, and
whi-jh he sold, after living here, in 1858, and
sometime thereafter removed to California, where
be is now living.

James M. Kelsey also made bis settlement here
in the same winter, although he spent much of tlie
time until spring at Sinilbland, Woodbury Countj'.
He located on section 2, 84, 41, where be became
quite an extensive farmer. In 1865 be married
Emma J. Dorward, of Belvidere. He si)ent a few
years in California previous to coming here, where
be made considerable money. Shortly- after the
death of bis wife be committed suicide, being of
unsound mind. His daughter Hattie still owns the
farm, some five hundred acres just south of Cas-
tana.

In the spring of 1856, Barnabas Martin, a
brother-in-law of Dr. Ordway came to Monona
Countj' and settled on a farm here, but his wife
dying shortly after, in the following August, be
removed to Colorado.

In March of the same j-ear three men,, Abel
Perry, Lycnrgus Shields and William Ewing came
here from Jackson County, Ind., with the intention
of settling. Ewing, after about thirty days, re-
turned to Indiana; Shields remained about a year,
but Perry bought out a claim of John Peirce, who
had come here the previous autumn, on section 30,
and has remained a resident of the county ever
since.

In the summer of 1856 Abrani N. Bullock came
to Kennebec and occupied the southeast quarter of
the northeast quarter of section 7, where he re-
sided several years. He then went on the place
now known as the McDonald farm in Grant. He
traded places with Seth Smith, who died there and
his widow sold the farm to J. B. P. Day in [1886.
Henry W. Hathaway, a native of New York,

came to the township in 1856, and built a cabin on
the west bank of the Sioux River, a little north of
the bridge near Winegars, on section 18. They
lost their boy Willie by drowning in the Sioux.
Hathaway died there and his widow married Calvin
Metcalf, and died in 1 888, in Maple Township.

Thomas H. and Willliam D. Flowers settled on
section 8, in 1856, and opened a large stock farm.
In 1862 Thomas christened bis place '-Areola," and
procured an election for the removal of the county-
seat to that prospective village. At the election
which took place October 14, 1862. 100 citizen
electors of the county were in favor of the location
of the seat of justice at that point, and 123 voted
in favor of its retention at Onawa. The Flowers
were natives of Kentucky, and married daughters
of Judge John Craig. In 1863 they went to Cali-
fornia with W. N. Hathaway but returned here the
next season. Thomas P'lowers afterward turned
his attention to railroad contracting both in Texas
and elsewhere, and died in this county. William
was engaged in farming for many years, and also
died here. His farm is now owned by R. T. Reese,
of Turin, and Thomas' land is occupied by George
Fischer.

John L. Lay, a native of Buffalo, came to Smith-
land in December 1855, and in the spring of 1856
built a cabin on the banks of the Sioux a little
northwest of the Kennebec switch. In 1857 Mr. La3'
went East to engage in his business as machinist,
and afterward became world renowned as the in-
ventor of the Lay torpedo, which brought him a for-
tune, and be was actively engaged in the service
during the war and was last heard of as Major of
Engineers. His place was purchased by F. A. Day,
and bis cabin was moved and put up on the south-
west quarter of the northwest quarter of section
8, as a schoolhouse in June, 1858, and there was
taught the Qrst public school in the township that
summer by Miss Nellie Billings, now Mrs. Chap-
man, of Onawa. The first school taught in the
township was a private one in the summer of 1857
in a log cabin on the southeast quarter of the
southwest quarter of section 7, on land held by I. S.
Peace, it being the cabin where was held the first
election, in November, 1856, and subsequent elec-
tions in 1857. Tlie Lay cabin was also the church

286

MONONA COUNTY.

until a new schoolhouse was built, and the Rev.
George S. Rice used to come over from Onawa and
preach. It seemed odd to Eastern settlers to see a
preacher with his pants tucked in his boots.

A new schoolhouse was built in the northeast
corner of section 7, in 1859, which was at that time
the largest and best schoolhouse in the county.
The Laj' cabin was then used by Day & Co., as a
stable until April, 1864, when Joe B. P. Day moved
it to the hill top near Castana, on his homestead,
and it was his entire mansion until he added on
either side of it, and it is still there — barring what
is gone. Many an old settler has been sheltered
within its walls, and probably no other building in
the county has had so many locations.

W. G. Chamberlain, who came out, in 1855, in
company with John L. Lay, built a cabin just
north of Lay's on the north side of the drain of the
small lake near the Kenneljec switch on the banks
of the Sionx in the spring of 1856. lie opened up
quite a farm and lived there about three years
when he went to Denver, and for years was a
photographer tliere, having jnirsued that business
in Chicago prior to 185G. Chamberlain and Lay
married daughters of Jabez Allen, a native of
London and an engineer, Chamberlain meeting tiie
family in Peru, South America. Mr. Allen built
a house on the west half of the northeast quarter of
section 8, on the edge of the prairie just uortii of
the timber above the Kennebec bridge in 1857, but
moved thence to Onawa at a subsequent date.

Miss Mary A. Goodhue came to this county in
May, 1856, from Iowa County, this State, and pur-
chased a farm on section 34, January 2, 1858; she
married Homer Kelsey, who died June 4, following.
May 1.3. 1860, the widow married Isaiah Maple,
and is a resident on the farm, where she first settled,
about half of her time.

Aaron A. Davis settled on section 8, this town-
ship, April 24, 1857, coming from Hollowell, Me.
In the spring of the following j'ear he purchased
a farm on section 19, buying it as swampland from
the county at $1.25 per acre. Here he resided un-
til 1SG4, when he removed to his present place of
residence on section 28.

L. L. Ward, in 1857, settled in this township
where he made his home until the breaking out of

the war, wiien he enlisted in the Union army and
died while in the service.

Frederick D. Winegar, Sr., located on section 19>
tliis town, in the fall of 1856, coming from Prepa-
tion, where he settled in 1853-54, where he made
his home until called to " the silent chambers of
death," January 16, 1881. He settled in the county
in 1855, locating at first in Spring Valley Township.

He was a native of Steuben County, N. Y. He
joined the Mormons at Kirtland, Ohio, and was
with them in their wanderings toward Nauvoo.
Crossing Iowa, in 1847, with the rest to Council
Bluffs, he joined the Preparation Colony, but left
them with tlic Belvidere emigrants in August, 1855.
His son, Frederick D., Jr., is still living on the old
homestead.

Frank L. Day, who-liad come to Monona County
witli his fatlier one year previous, made a settle-
ment in 1856 on section 8, this township, where he
resided until 1863. He is now living in Center.

J. S. Blackburn settled in this town in the spring
of 1857, coming to tiiis place from Oskaloosa, this
State, and from Pennsylvania originally. He put
up a mill on his farm on the Little Sioux River,
which was the first gristmill in the county and was
known far and wide. It received custom for some
sixty miles around, and was run for about fif-
teen years and tlien was abandoned and rotted down.
Mr. Blackburn remained here until 1881, when he
removed to Floi'ida, and in 1887 disposed of his
property here. He is quite an extensive grower of
oranges in Florida at the present time.

Albert Bealty settled in this township near Black-
burn in 1858, and opened up a farm. During the
war lie fled to tlie mountains to avoid the draft,
and it is currently reported and believed, sutTered
at the hands of the vigilance committee in W3'o-
ming.

John F. Beers, and his brotlier .lesse, came to
this town in August, 1858, accompanied by their
aged mother, a native of Belfast, Ireland, and a
most capable and ambitious woman. John located
on section 7, where he still lives._ Jesse died here
about 1865. The mother died here, also. Mr.
Beers was the owner of the first mowing machine
owned in the town of Kennebec.

Samuel Swanner, one of the Mormons who ac-

MONONA COUNTY.

2H7

ceptefl the later doctrines of Young, settled here
in 1859, but a few3'ears later removed to Salt Lake
City, or Deseret.

Thomas R. Carritt, a native of England, who had
been living in Walworth County, Wis., came here
with his wife and family, in the fall of 1860. For
aliout two years he farmed on the land of J. M.
Kelsey, but at the end of that time pre-empted an
eighty on section 26, where he still lives. After the
passage of the homestead bill he changed his pre-
emption to a homestead, his being the twenty-
seventh claim of that character at the Council
Bluffs Land Office, and under it acquired his title
to the land.

Early in the year 1861 Edward Winegar came
to this township, and took up a claim on section 28,
where he now lives. He came through this county
in 1854, with the surveying party, and was much
pleased with its appearance. In the fall of 1857 he
returned and made a settlement in what is nowBel-
videre Township, where he remained until locating
here.

In May, 1861, Socrates Smith came to Blouona
County from Montgomery County, Ala., and after
a time settled on section 13, where he still lives.

Jolin Wood, now of Turin, came to this county
in 1801, and took up his residence in this town-
ship. Two years later he removed to Belvidere.

Washington Dirst, in the spring of 1862, came
to this section of the county, and made a. settle-
ment on the eastern part of section 24. Here he
lived for some years when he sold out and removed
to California.

Constant R. Searle come to this county in Octo-
ber, 1863, and took up a homestead, where W. H.
Waples now resides, in Kennebec Township. Some
years later he removed to Sac County, this State,
and later to Barton County, Kan. In the summer
of 1889 he returned to Monona Countj^, and is now
in Onawa.

Oliver L. Davis came to the town of Kennebec
in the year 1865, and remained a resident until
1880, when he removed to his present farm in
Lake.

William S. Everett, now residing on section 35,
came here from the eastern part of the State, in
August. 1866, and that fall bought a farm of Dr.

W. W. Ordway, and has been a resident ever since.

Among the settlers of the year 1867 was L. D.
Bearce, the present County Recorder, who located
on a farm in Kenne))co Township, where he remained
until 1882, and then removed to Onawa, the county
seat, his home at the present.

W^illiam T. Rawlings made a settlement where
the village of Castana now stands, in 1868. Four
years later he removed to Center Townsiiip, where
he is now living. This claim was first taken in
1863 by Walter Pulsifcr and by him sold to John
Rawlings, and William worked for John.

Elbridge Wilber settled in this part of the county
in 1867, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until
1882, when he removed to Onawa. In 1884 he re-
moved to Mapleton where he now is living.

William Conyers came to Monona County from
Little Sioux. Harrison County, where he was reared,
in 1868, and located near Castana. In 1876 he re-
moved to Spring Valley, where he now lives.

George Fischer came to this county in the fall
of 1869, and after living on a piece of rented land
for three years, settled on a farm of his own on
section 30, 84, 43. There he resided until 1878,
when he removed to his present home.

Ferry Allen, at the present writing one of the
prominent farmers of Franklin Township, came to
Monona County in March, 1870, and for two j'ears
was a resident of this town. From here he re-
moved to Onawa.

E. W. Copeland, in April, 1874, located on a farm
on section 26, where he resided at the time of his
death.

Solomon Livengood located on section 34, in
October, 1875, and still resides there.

William II. Waples. now in trade in Castana was
among the settlers of this town in the year 1875.
He rented land until 1881, when he settled on sec-
tion 26.

In the spring of 1880, William F. Wiley, one of
the prominent citizens of Kennebec, settled on sec-
tion 36, where he still resides. He represented
this district in the Twenty-first General Assembly
of the State.

D. G. Huston settled on a farm in this town,
renting land, March 25, 1884. He is now in Cas-
tana in business.

238

MONONA COUNTY.

CASTANA MILL.

This well known establishment was commenced
in the summer of 1861, by A. .1. Hathawa^^. But
little was done on it that season. The next year
timbers were gotten out and some work done on
the dam. In 1863, on account of not getting the
lumber, work progressed but slowly. He had a lot
of logs on the Missouri bottom which he had sawed
into the requisite lumber, but on going for the
latter found that some one had been there ahead of
him as no lumber 'could be found. He then de-
cided to fix up a sawmill of his own which he did,
the first sawing being done there in the fall of
1864. All his spare time was put in on the grist
mill and he hired all the help his limited m.eans
would permit. Finally the gristmill was completed
and January 8, 1866, he ground some corn, the
first grist, and the meal he hauled to Sioux City
and disposed of, but was unfortunate as to getting
pay for it, the man beating him out of it.

Mr. Hathaway had purchased the buhrs Septem-
ber 7, 1861, and commenced grinding wheat some
time in April, 1866. These stones cost 1224, and
the furrowing was done by Mr. Hathaway and the
same buhrs are still in use on feed. During the
winter of 1886-87, roller machinery was sul.istituted
for the old-fashioned stones, purifiers, etc.. having
been added to the equipment of the mill in 1879.
Mr. Hathaway carried on the mill until 1881, when
he removed to Florida, and rented the same to
Frank E. Cheever, who had been his miller for two
years. In the fall of 1884, Mr. Hathaway returned
and again assumed his old place in the mill and run
it for four years. In the fall of 1888, he leased it
to F. II. Turner and E. M. Jones, who ran it until
October, 1889, when E. M. Jones became sole les-
see. The sawmill ran for several years after the
pletion of the gristmill.

The first cabin built in Kennebec Township was
bj' one Morgan at the Blackburn mill site where
was located the ford used in the early days by
yoyageurs. As nearly as can be learned this cabin
was built in the fall of 1853, as Morgan and his
wife and two small children were scared out b}' the
Indians in the early winter of 1853 or 1854, leaving
in the morning and footing it through the snow to
Preparation, which place they reached about the

middle of the afternoon well nigh exhausted. Mor-
gan was a trapper and bee hunter making no im-
provements. A man b3' name of Blankenship was
in the cabin in 1855 and W. N. Hathaway occupied
the place in 1856. It was in this cabin that the
latter's little girl set fire to her dress and was
burned to death. John S. Blackburn bought the
place and added to the cabin making it his home
for 3'ears.

OLD CASTANA.

In the summer of 1 866 A. G. Hammond, of Hart-
ford, Conn., purchased two hundred acres of land,
on sections 23 and 24, of James M. Kelsey, and en-
gaged J. B. P. Day to build thereon a store build-
ing and a hotel in the following spring. During
the winter, howevtsr, he died and Messrs. Day &
Co. (F. A. & J. B. P.) purchased the land and lum-
ber, and in the summer of 1867 built the store and
dwelling combined which was the old Castana
headquarters. The building was well nigh com-
pleted by July 4, and a big crowd gathered there
and had a glorious time on that day. A first-class
violinist traveling west in company with S. C.
Iloadley coukl play the tune of the "Arkansas
Traveler," or anything else and the party held out
until morning. The same day Frank L. Day
opened some of his new stock of goods and began
ar trade that reached out all over the country and
proved a bonanza in his hands.

The Castana post-office was established Septem-
ber 11, 1865, with A. J. Hathaway as Postmaster
It was moved to the store in 1867 and F. L. Day
appointed Postmaster, who was succeeded in 1869
by F. A. Day. In 1872 there were at the old place
a blacksmith-shop, two stores, one carried on by
Peuu Bros. & Co., an agricultural implement depot
run by tlie last mentioned firm and a Methodist
parsonage with Hathaway's mill close by. The
first base ball club was organized here by Geo. W.
Penn in 1872. On July 4. 1873, the " Grange"
had a big gathering here. A six-pound cannon
was bought for tlie occasion and the day opened
big but a heavy shower about 1 o'clock broke up
the meeting.

In connection with the A. G. Hammond pur-
chase, the American Emigrant Company had made

MONONA COUNTY.

289

a donation to the county of $2,000 for school pur-
poses and the board of supervisors selected the
bench on section 23, as a site for an academy, and
a beautiful one it was.

Tliis movepient at this point awoke the jealousy
of parties interested in Belvidere and other points
and the result was the abandonment of the whole
matter and the funds diverted to other objects.

OASTANA.

The beautiful village of Castana, one of the com-
ing- cities of tills part of the county was laid out on
the north half of the southeast quarter of section
24, township 84, range 44, on land purchased by
the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company
by the Western Town Lot Company in the early
summer of 1886, the survey being completed by
,Tuly 1.5, tlie deed of dedication and the plat bear-
ing date of Juljf 24, and were filed for record .July
29, 1886.

The first building erected was the warehouse of
Day & Co., which stands just bacli of their store.
This was put up in -luly, 1886, .being completed by
tlie 28th of that month. It is located on the rear
of lot I. block 6, and was put up Ijy .T. B. P.
Da}-. The railroad track was laid past the depot
grounds April 12.

In the fall of 1886, the firm of W. T. Day & Co., '
dealers in general merchandise, at what is called Old
Castana, put up a builduig in the new village, com-
mencing the foundation August 12, and on its com-
pletion moved thither their stock which they
largely increased to meet the wants of a growing
trade, and are still carrying on the business in the
same place.

S. L. Willetts, who had been carrying on the
blacksmith's trade in old Castana, put up a smithy
in the new town during the summer, and about the
1.5th of October, 1886, moved to the place. .Since
then he has been adding to his shop until he h.as
now a smithy 20x60 feet in size, a wagon and paint
shop 16x24 feet, and furnishes employment for two
men besides himself.

The same fall .John C. Carritt, who was living
south of old Castana, came to the rising village
and began the erection of a store building. Early
in December he opened therein a grocery stock and

is carrying on the same at the present writing. He
was appointed Postmaster May 18, 188G, and took
possession of the office June 10. The office was at
that time located on his father's farm a mile south
of the old village, but on the springing up of the
New Castana, he removed it to tliat village, where
he still remains custodian of the mails.

In the fall of 1886, A. J. Lynch came to the vil-
lage and commenced the erection of a suitable store-
building, 22x50 feet in size. Before this was en-
tirely completed, about December 1, he commenced
the hardware business vvhich he now carries on.
During that winter, the first snow storms were
blown through the still unfinished building, filling
up corners and nooks, and it was a very uncomfor-
table pLace to transact business in. All this is
changed now. Mr. Lynch carries a general line
of hardware and farm machinery.

In the same autumn R. II. Loucks put up a
building and in it opened a drug store. This he
continued to carry on until May 1, 1888, when the
building, stock and business were purchased l)y the
present proprietor, Dr. J. H. Talboy, who came
here from Belvidere Township. Dr. Taibo^' is,
also, a practicing physician and surgeon.

Shortly after this a small building, now occupied
by Mrs. Bigelow, as a millinery establislimout, was
built b}^ Colis S. Penor. and occupied by him as a
barber shop and billiard hall. In the spring of
1889 he removed into the building where he now
is. The latter was built by Deman Bros., of Modale,
in the spring of 1887, who carried on the gen-
er.al merchandise trade therein until that fall. Sell-
ing the building to R. D. Silsby, he put in a stock
of furniture and a photograph gallery, remaining
therein until the spring of 1889, when he rented
the building to C. S. Penor, as before stated.

Among the first business places in the new vil-
lage were the lumber yards. August 16, the
ground was leased for 3-ards by the Green Baj'
Lumber Co., north of the track, and the lot south
of the track by tlie S. H. Bowman. Both of these
yards were soon after opened, the former uuder the
management of F. W. Hoy t and the latter in charge
of George Ilollandsworth.

In the following December the firm of Waplcs
& Copeland, composed of William H. Waples and

290

MONONA COUNTY.

E. W. Copclaiid, put up a buiMiiig on the vvestside
of tlie track, and opened up a depot for the sale of
agricultural implements. They carried on the busi-
ness until October 3, 1887, when Mr. Waples pur-
chased the interest of his partner, and has continued
in the same line of trade ever since. In June, 1888,
he removed the building to the east side of the
track, making some .additions shortly after.

The Castana house was erected and fitted up as a
hotel by Jane Winstanley, in September and Oct-
tober, 1886, a^^l was under her control until May
12, 1888, when she disposed of it to the present
proprietors, Mrs. AV. II. and Julia C. Uryden.

In December, 1886, John R. Oldis Iniilt a livery
barn 2.Sx60 feet on the ground, with 12-foot posts
and an annex 16x20, in which he, in company with
Julius T. Cutter, opened a livery stable. About a
month latter Mr. Oldis purchased the interest of his
partner and carried it on until September, 1887,
when Julius T. Cutter again became the proprietor
and is engaged in that line .at the present.

The building now occui)ied by A. A. Davis &
Co., as a grocery store and meat market, was
erected in the winter of 1886, by F. M. Dove, and
was then but fourteen feet square. The latter ran
a butcher shop therein for some time and then sold
it to McMaster & Diydeu, ami on the dissolution
of that firm the stock |j.<issed into the hands of the
present proprietors. The building has been added
to from time to time until it is now 25x40 feet in
size.

In the spring of 1887, J. A. Evans erected a store
building in which, in September, 1888, the firm of
McMaster & Drydeu, composed of I. C. McMaster,
and Will 11. Diyden, opened a stock of diy goods.
About three months later they closed out. In Feb-
ruary, 1889, C. W. Ostrander rented this building
and March .31, 1889, placed in it part of his stock,
which he brought from Prinsghar, O'Brien County,
this State, and opened up for business about the
10th of April, following. Ho carries a full line of
dry goods, boots and shoes, etc.

D. G. Huston in the spring of 1888, came to
Castana, and putting up a building commenced" the
ti-ade of harness-making, and has successfull}' car
ried on the business ever since.

The back commenced business here September

4, 1888. George P. Wile}' came to this place and
began the erection of the building in July, pre-
vious, and carries on a general banking and insur-
ance business.

The depot was erected in the fall of 1886, and
the first station agent was C. W. Gould, who was
succeeded by Ben. Sniythe, the present incumbent.
Castana people feel that they have been fortunate
in having such gentlcmanl}' agents.

The first and only attorne}' in the town hung
out his shingle here in what was the office of the
Gieen Bay Lumber Co., about October 1, 1889.
His name is W. S. Morton.

The fine, large school building is the property
of J. P. B. Day, who built it in the fall of 1888.
Down stairs is used as school rooms and the sec-
ond story as a hall.

Rrj.IGIOUS.

Scarcely was the town laid out before cluirch
matters came up, and the same fall and winter the
Congregational society put up the first church edi-
fice in the village, on lot 9, block 16, which was
dedicated to the worship of the Master, in January,
1887, li}' Rev. C'. N. Lyman. This was erected at
a cost of about $1,200 and is a credit to the town.
It has a seating capacity of between two and three
hundred. In the spring of 1888, the first perma-
nent pastor in the church. Rev. S. D. tlorine, took
charge.

In the fall of 1887 the Adventists put up a
church, both neat and tasty, which was dedicated
February )2, 1888, the Rev. J. H. Morrison of
Knoxville, Iowa, having charge of the services on
that day.

BUSINESS men's association.

In July, 1889, the business men of Castana or-
ganized a local branch of the State Business Men's
Association of lovva, electing the following ofiicers
for the ensuing year: W. II. Waples, President; A.
J. Lynch and C W. Ostrander Vice Presidents; W.
T. Day, Secretary; A. A. Davis, Treasurer; and J.
H. Talboy, W. H. Waples, J. B. P. D.ay, A. J.
Lynch and W. T. Day, Executive Committee. At
the first monthly meeting, held the last Tuesday of
the same month, the follow. ng committees wereap-
|)ointed : On Legislation— G. P. Wiley. J. H. Tal-

MONONA COUNTY.

231

boy and J. C. Carritt; On Trade Interests — A. J.
Lynch, C. W. Ostrander and G. P. Wiley; On Mem-
bership— W. II. Waples, II. G. Davis and J. B. F
Day.

CASTANA CKEAMEKY.

In the summer of 1889,J.M.Rrent.with J. M. Brent
& Cc'caraeto Castanaand assisted in the organiza-
tion of a co-operative companyjaiown as theCastana
Cre.nmery Company, wliich started with tlie follow-
ing members and stockholders: W. T. Day & Co.,
S. L. Willits, A. J. Lynch, J. H. Talboy, J. C. Car-
ritt, W. H. Waples, GeorgeT. Wiley, J. T. Cutter,
Moses Archer, Thomas Cook, J. R. Riddle, L. W.
Perkins, F. F. Roe, T. T. Bouslaugh, Thomas Hun-
ter, W. T. Rawlings, W. L. Wiley, A. McCleery,
George Fischer, C. A. 11. Fischer, J. N. Sooy, H.
R. Walter, Edward Winegar, D. O. Newman, Carl
Olson, J.^W. Kassing, Daniel Beaton, M. M. Cope-
land, J.O. Johnson, William Moss, William Craik,
C. F. Gray.jJ. M. Hathaway, James Hurst, Green
Bay Lumber Co., W. H. Payne, H. G. Davis, W. T.
Wiley, George Diddy, A. M. Morrison, Robert
Carroll, Bennett Bros.,E. J. Norcross, C. C. Brewer,
William Harris, C. W. Bisbee, M. F. Cook, F. M.
Dorward, Charles Smith, L. B. Howe, Charles

Struble, J. H. Cork. W. D. Rounds, J. A. Evans, J.
Rae, R. B. McGrew. W. F. Ertel. Ellen Smith,' W.
A. Dryden, C. S. Penor, K. Sorensen, Howe &
Winegar, C. W. 'Ostrander, A. Hawthorne, R. H.
McCall, II. E. Neff, W. H. Wiley, Aaron Stein-
berg and W. H. Struble. At^thc first election tlie
following officers were]chosen]for the ensuing year:
J. H. Talboy, President; J. M. Hathaway ,'^Secre-
tary; C. W. Bisbee, W. L. Wiley and John Rao.
Directors.

A contract was closed with J. M. Brent & Co.,
to erect and equip a model creamery and cheese
factory, which was executed July 22, and the
building was put up and ready for business, Sep-
tember 16, follovving. It was opened'Septomber
24, 1889, and is taking in now (November, 1889,)
about three thousand five hundred pounds of milk
dail}'. Tlie structure is 30x52, two stories high
with an engine room annex sixteen feet square,
twelve feet high, and contains seven rooms — receiv-
ing room, office, manufacturing room, ice room,
cold storage apartuieiit,i,cheese curing room and
a store room. The niaehiner3'{Consists of a twelve
horse power engine, centrifugal separator, cheese
and milk vats, churn, cheese press, scales, etc., and
tlie entire plant C03tlf6,600.

7^3

SHERMAN TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTEE XXIII.

i^^^HE subdivision of the county that bears tiie
f([^^ bonorcil name of tlie matchless general that
^f^^ led our victorious liosts from Atlanta
to the soa, through the heart of the so called con-
federacy, embraces all of Congressional Township
82, range 45, and the fractional parts of sections
13, 24, 25 and 36, of township 82, range 46, that
lie along the eastern bank of the INIissonri liiver
that washes the western boundar}' of the townshii).
It is bounded on the north by Franklin Township,
on the east by Sioux and on tiie soutli by the
county of Harrison, and is located in the south-
western extremity of the county. Lying in the
far-famed Missouri bottoms it contains some 24,000
acres of a ricii sandy loam that is susceptible of the
highest culture in most instances, while that por-
tion that is not yet brought under subjection af-
fords most succulent and nutricious pasturage for
numerous herds of sleek and well rounded cattle. In
1885 the township contained a population of six
hundrc(l and nineteen inhabitants, since which time
it has increased largely.

Sherman Township has a fair amount of native
timber, the bank of the Missouri for a couple of
miles in width being covered with a thick growth,
a large part of which is valuable black walnut. In
addition to this the settlers have, with arlmirable
foresight and taste, set out numbers of groves and
plantations of trees that have throve and grown

with the years and now form spots of leafy beautj'
dotting the landscape.

The Sioux City & Pacific Railroad crosses the
township from north to south, traversing sections
4,9, 16.21, 22, 27 and 34, while the village of
Blencoe, on section 9, a station on this road, af-
fords ample facilities for shipping and marketing
the produce of the town.

The first settlement was made in this township in
1855, by Aaron W. Cook and his family, among
whom was his son James, then a young man of
seventeen years. Mr. Cook and his son, with Josiah
Summer, were the first white settlers within the
limits of Monona County, coming here in the fall
of 1851, and settling in what is now Franklin, as
detailed in the history' of that part of the county.
There Mr. Cook and his son resided until tlie date
above given, when they removed to Sherman
Township, locating on section 7. The elder Mr.
Cook remained on this latter place engaged in
getting out wood to sell to passing steamboats on
the river, until January 1, 1856, when he died of
liver complaint. His son, James Cook, is now
living on the old homestead and is the oldest liv-
ing settler.

The second pioneer to make a settlement within
what is now Shsrmau Township, was Robert Lind-
le3', Sr., who, in 1855, came to this county with
Messrs. lloUrook, Whiting and others, and entered

MONONA COUNTY.

293

large quantities of land. He lookup his residence
here building the second log cabin herein and
opened up a splendid farm, and died here in 1886.
His family are still residents of the county.

James R. Thurston came to Sherman Township
in February, 1861, and bought a farm on section 8
On this piece of land he erected the third building
in the town, a rough hewed log cabin, the only one
between Gard Lake and Little Sioux. This was
used as a st.age station and as an eating house.

The same year witnessed the arrival and settle-
ment of N. B. Morris and his family. They are
still residents of the county where they pitched
their tents twenty-eight years ago.

John Barcus and his son|Samuel, and their fami-
lies came from Ohio in April, 1863, in search of a
home, and found In this township, on section 8,
the long looked for location. Here they commenced
to open up a farm, and here still lives the younger
Mr. Btireus, his father dying about the latter part
of 1888. With them came Mrs. Mary Kelly and
her son .Tackson, who, also, found here a home.
Mrs. Kelly was called away from eartli in the sum-
mer of 1864 but her son has continued to reside
here ever since.

Shortly after this, in 1864, William Stevens came
hei-e and took up a claim upon section 7. which he
commenced to develop. In 1868 lie gave It up
and removed to Fremont County, Iowa.

Lorenzo Pate, about the same time made a set
tlement here but only remained some two years,
removing to Harrison County.

Peter Relly settled in Sherman Township, on
section 8, March 25, 1865, coming from Webster
City, Hamilton Co., Iowa. He Is, at tiie present,
a resident and prominent merchant of the village
of Blencoe, and one of the county's leading citizens.
With jSIr. Reily came his father Patrick Relly, who
died here in 1866; Alva Jones and famil3-, who re
moved to Oregon in 1879; John Martin, who went
to Kansas In 1870; DeWitt Wilson,who emigrated to
the Southern States about the year 1879; and Orlln
Wright, who has been a resident of the State of
Washington since 1877.

Lewis Teeters came to this locality from Ohio
in February, 1865 , and settled upon section 4, 82,

45, where he resided until the year 1872, at which
date he emigrated to Missouri.

Thomas Reily in 1865, settled in IMonona County
engaging in rallro.ad work, farming, rafting on the
river, etc., making his home here. He has been
farming in Sherman Township on section 5, since
1 877, and Is one of the leading agriculturists of that
section of the State.

Nathaniel C. Ilarlow, still a resident of Sherman,
made a settlement iu 1865, coming here from Burt
'Jounty, Neb.

J.ason H. Morris came to the county the same
year and settled In Sherman Township, where he
lesided for some years. He Is now living in the
village of ^AVhltlng, where he Is engaged in the
hotel business. His son, Charles F., who came
with him. Is still a resident of the town.

James Carmody settled In Sherman Township, on
section IG, in April, 1866. He is a resident of the
town, at the present writing. With him came his fa-
ther-in-law, Lewis Shiney and his famil3' ; Augustus
Shiney, Sr.: J. S. Richardson and family, Ira Mil-
ler and famil}'; and Robert Crego and family.
Lewis Shiney removed to Cook County, Dak.,
about 1876; Robert Crego, went to Kansas about
1872, as did Mr. Richardson; and Ira Miller left
for California In 1874 or 1875.

William Hopkins came to Monona County in
1866, and made a home on section 21, where he is
still living, engaged In agricultural pursuits, having
developed a fine farm.

William Silvers made his appearance in this
county about the same time and for about two
years was engaged in farming and school teaching,
after which he returned to his home in Ohio.

Iliram Ilarlow came from Nebraska in 1867, and
made a settlement in Monona County, in the Iovtu
of Sherman, where he died March 9, 1888.

John Blanchard, also the same year located in
this township on his fine farm and has made it his
home ever since.

S. Cunningham, a native of the North of Ire-
land, came to Sherman Township in 1867 and
settled on section 17. He is, at present, engaged
in the hardware business in the village of Blencoe.

John Tryon, still a resident of the town, came
here In October, 1867, from Oswego, N. Y., and

294

MONONA COUNTY.

purchased ;i farm on sections 5 and 7. In Octo-
ber, 186(S, he removed thither with liis family', a
wife and tliree children, and has since made his
lionie tliere.

John Glenn made a settlement in May. 18C8. on
section 8, where he now lives, and is engaged in
(••irrying on the fine farm that he has opened np.

Thomas Kennedy, a worthy son of the •'Emerald
Isle." located in this township on the 6th of Febru-
ar3', 1870, on section lit. Here he made his home
iintil summoned to •■ his chamber" in the silent
halls of death, whicli took place Dec. 3, 1882. Mrs.
Robert Glenn, nee Alartha Kennedy, still a resident
of the township, is his daughter.

William Tees, a resident of Sherman Township,
dates his residence here from the fall of 1871, when
having sought the shores of America he came a1
once to Monona County.

James Fleming, Jr., also made his appearance in
in the town in the same year, and has lived there
ever since.

Joseph J. Reynolds, arrived on the 22d day of
July, the same year, settling on sections 3 and 4,
where he now lives.

Thomas Duffy, in 1873, came to .Sherman Town
ship, where he settled on section 29, where he has
remained most of the time since.

The same year James Nichols, who had been
living just across the line in Harrison County since
ISoO, came to this township and made a home
where he now resides.

Chester W. Daley located in Sherman Township
during the year 1875, where he now lives.

Wainer H. Pcake came from Onawa to the town
of Sherman in the spring of 1870 and engaged in
the .agricultural pursuits which he still follows.

The settlement of Benjamin F. Boutwell, a resi-
dent of Sherman Township, was m.ade in 1877.

Among the arrivals of the year 1878 in this town
was Anthon^r Brown, who was for a time engaged
in railroad work, but now keeps the leading hotel
in Blencoe.

Daniel Campbell, one of the county's best known
citizens came here in 1880 and located in Sherman
Township, where he still resides. He has been the
representative of this district in the State Legisla-
ture and the canilidate for yubernatorial honors

on the Greenback Labor ticket, and is one of the
most inlluenfial and honored citizens of the county.
Thomas Bruen, now living upon section 31, also
settled here the same year.

Charles II. Cobleigh came to this town and made
a settlement in 1880 on his farm on sections 17 and
18, where he still lives.

The settlement of Byron D. Persons, one of the
leading stock-raisers of the township, dated only
from the year 1881. He was the manager of the
Car3' & Yeoman's Round Grove Stock farm, and
died here May 14, 1889, his son, Robert H., taking
his place.

William H. Bassett and his son, William D., set-
tled in this subdivision of the count}' in 1884. The
elder moved to Cojorado in 1888, and the younger
in 1889 bought the farm where he now lives.

Among the settlers in the count}' of the year
1885, was Sanford L. Welsh, who located on sec-
tion 28, where he now lives.

Elijah Peake removed from Onawa, where he
had been living for some years, to this township in
1888, and has since made his home here.

Isaac Freeland came to Sherman Townshii) and
located on a farm in 1884. Two years later he
removed to Onawa, where he now resides.

George A. Welsh is mentioned as one of the
settlers of the year 1885.

•John Bagb}', now living on section 25, wss one
of the earliest settlers of Harrison County, from
which he removed to .Sherman Townshi|) in 1885.

FIRST ITEMS.

I'he first religious services were held in an old
log schoolhouse in district No. 1, in the winter of
1866, at which time a religious revival was held
under the administration of Elder Collins.

The first frame schoolhouse in the township was
erected by Peter Reily and Alva Jones, in the fall
of 1866.

The first sod was broken by Aaron W. Cook in
1854, he ploughing up some nine acres. Robert
Lindley was the next to break ground, opening
some twenty acres. J. R. Thurston and Frank
Ri'ihardson, were the third and fourth to open up
the land in this township.

The first log house was that of Aaron W. Cook

MONONA COUNTY.

•295

ou section 7, erected in 1854. The second was put
up by Robert Lindley and the third by James R.
Thurston.

The first post-office was called jBottom, and James
R. Thurston was the first Postmaster. In the sum-
mer of 1866, a petition was forwarded to the Gov-
ernment asking for the location of an office. This
boretlie signatures of James Carmody, J. R. Tliurs-
ton, N. B. Morris, Jason Morris, J. R. Richaidson,
Lewis Shiney, D. W. Wilson, Robert Lindley, Ira
Miller, Isaac Davis, U. U. Comfort, John Barcus,
Samuel Barcus, John Harris, Peter Reily, Rev. Mr.
Grimes, and others. This office was continued un-
til the village of Blencoe was founded, when it was
removed to that place and the name changed

EDUCATIONAL.

Tlie first school board in tiie district township
was organized in the fall of 1866, at the iiouse of
James R. Thurston, the first directors being .'^amuel
Barcus, J. S. Richardson, and Robert Lindley J.
R. Thurston was chosen treasurer and James Car-
mody, clerk.

The first school liouse was erected that fall on
section 7, in District No. 1, and in this William
Marsh was the first teacher. He did not remain all
the term, so the time was filled out by J. Funk.
The latter was succeeded by William Silvers.

The first school in District No. 3, was lield in a
small emigrant house planted on the sand knolls on
section 9, in 1866, Mrs, McCann being the teacher.

ORGANIZATION.

At the time of the reorganization of the county-
by the board of supervisors, April 3, 1866, a new
township called Sherman was formed, embracing all
of township 82, ranges 45 and 46, and a portion of
range 44. By the same order Robert Lindley and
John Barcus were made the judges of election in
the new precinct, and D. Wilson and J. Morris, Jr.,
clerks. The first election was held at the school-
house in District No. 3, at which Peter Reily was
chosen supervisor.

ORANGE HALL.

In the spring of 1877 there was organized in
Sherman Townsliip a society known as L^nion
Grange, No. 1949. Patrons of Husbandry. The

next spring, under the inspiration of Ira Miller,
one of its leading spirits, now in California, a pro-
ject was set on foot for the erection of a hall. As
the funds of the grange could not be diverted to
this purpose, voluntary contributions were solicited
and obtained and the building commenced. Bo-
foie its completion the cyclone of 1878 laid it in
ruins upon the ground, but it was immediately re-
erected and completed. In this building David
Rees opened a general merchandise store, but as he
did not operate it in accordance with the principles
of the grange it was not taken under the auspices
of that order. It was operated in principle with
the grange but was not under the order. For some
five years Mr. Rees carried on the business therein,
at the expiration of which time the building was
purchased by Peter Reily, who disposed of it to
W. J. Davis. The latter named sold it in turn to
T. M. C. Logan and M. Murray, who converted it
into an elevator and still own and operate it »s
such.

GOOD templars' HALL.

In the fall of 1877 a Good Templar's organiza-
tion was effected in the townsliii), which had at one
time some 125 members, and which continued in
operation for about two years. In the spring of
1878 they commenced the erection of a hall in
which to hold their meetings, but just as they had
the building enclosed the tornado of that year
wrecked it completely, but it was soon re-qrected.
Tliis stood on the nortliwcst corner of section 16,
about a mile and a half southwest of where IJlen-
coe is now located, and* was erected by a stock
company within the order. Some malicious boys
broke into the luiilding and carried off all the reg.a-
lia and paraphernalia of the lodge, which discour-
a<Ted the organization and it soon ceased to exist.
The building was finally sold to the Congregational
Church society, who fitted it up for religious pur-
poses. Late in the fall of 1879 a church festival
was held therein, and fire being left in the stove,
by some means the building was set on fire and
totally destroyed.

BLENCOE.

The village of Blencoe is situated upon the
southeast quarter of the northeast quarter and the

296

MONONA COUNTY.

northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of sec-
tion 9, township 82, range 4.5. and was laid out in
tlie summer of 1881 by the Missouri Valley Land
Com pan}'. The plat of the same was Bled for record
September 23, 1881.

Previous to this, however, business had been
tran.sacted at this point, Robert Crego opening a
store on the site of the elevator in the fall of 1869,
where the post-oflice was located.

David Rees opened a store in what was then the
Grange Hall in June, 1878, and carried on the bus-
iness until 1882, when he sold out to Peter Reily.

James McP^arlane opened a store heie in 1879,
west of the track.

The first store erected and opened in the newly
laid out village after its survey, was put up by
James McFarlane & Bro., a firm formed shortly be-
fore by the .admission of William McFarlane. This
was in the spring of 1882. They opened in tins
building with a stock of general merchandise
James was tiie first station and express agent and
Postmaster. In 1888 the firm sold tJie building,
stock and good will to E. JM. Calef, who carried on
the business until the spring of 1889, when he dis-
|)osed of it to J. ]\I.Carmody. The latter gentle-
man occupied the building until late in the summei,
when ho removed to another room, and the old
structure was and is occupied by Dr. L. E. St. John
as a drug store.

The second store building was erected in the
summer of 1883 by Cunningham tt Grey, who,
during that season opened therein a hardware, lum-
l)rr and agricultural imjilement business, whicli
they still carry on at the old stand.

Dr. L. E. St. John erected the next store build
ing in the fall of 1884. He had come here the pre
ceding spring and opened a drug store in a part of
what is now the bank building, but on the comple-
tion of his own quarters moved therein. In Januaiy,
1887, this edifice, together with the residences of
C. A. Danforlli and II. Harlow, was destroyed b}-
lire. In tbe spring following the Doctor put up a
temporary building, and, having saved considera-
ble of his stock, recommenced business, taking in
as partner C. A. Danforth. They put up at once
a building 32x56 feet in size, two stories high, in
which the firm carried on their business until the

spring of 1889, when they dissolved partnership,
and the Doctor left the place, onl}' to return later
in the season. Mr. Danforth is still occupying the
store room, engaged in the grocery business, a -part
of the room being rented to C. H. Wheeler, who
carries on the drug trade.

In March, 1885, H. C. Mosher and A. M. Noble,
trading as Mosher & Noble, erected a building in
which they opened ui) a full line of groceries, car-
rying on in connection therewith a first-class meat
market. In February of the following year Mr.
Mosher purchased the interest of his partner, but
two months later disposed of a half interest to R.
H. Persons. They ran the business for about a
year together, when Mr. Persons sold out to Mr.
Mosher, and the grocery business is carried on by
the latter gentleman alone, the meat market branch
of the business having been dropped after the first
year ()f their business life.

Peter Reily, wlio had purchased the old Grange
Hall and the stock of David Rees, put up a new
building in the village in August, 1885, and started
out in the general merchandise business in which
he is still successfully engaged.

The next building put up was the St. Jolin and
Danforth one spoken of above.

Logan & Murry, who had purchased and fitted
up the old Grange Hall, turning it int(.)an eleyator,
in 1887, commenced their business the same year.
They put up an office and corn-cribs, also about
the same time, the latter having a holding capacity
of 150,000 bushels of corn. In 1888 the same firm
put up their agricultural implement warehouse,
which is 30x60 feet in size and well stocked.

In the summer of 1888 William Hoenstcin com-
menced the erection of a store building, but which,
before completion was sold to F, Michealis, who,
after finishing it, opened up therein with a stock of
lioots and shoes and groceries. He is still engaged
in the same line of trade.

G. W. McEwen opened a meat market in the
summer of 1888, but the following spring sold
out to Reynolds & Odell, who have removed the
building, have added to it and opened a lunch
counter also in addition to their other business.

HOTELS.

The first hotel in the place was opened in the fall

MONONA COUNTY.

297

of 1882, bj- Anthony Brown, who moved a small
building to the site of his present edifice niid therein
cared for the wants of the weary traveler. In the
spring of 1884, the necessities of the business de-
manding an increase in the facilities for carrying it
on, the proprietor moved the old building back on
his lots, and erected the present structure in the
front, -using the old one as a kitchen. This has.
ever since its inception, been under the charge of
its founder, Anthony Brown, who is still the owner
and landlord.

The Commercial House, the building now used
by William McFarlane as a bank, was erected in the
fall of 1883, and opened as a hostelry by R. Wil-
kinson. It was carried on as a boarding house and
as a hotel until August, 1888, when it was purchased
by Mr. McFarlane.

The Blencoe Bank was established in August,
1888, by the present owner, William McFarlane.
It does a general banking business, deals in real
estate and steamship tickets, makes abstracts of title,
acts as agent for fire and tornado insurance, and as
Notary Public.

'I'he pioneer blacksmith shop was built and
opened in 1883 by .Jeremiah Belt, and was carried
on by "that sturdy son of Vulcan" for about a
jcar. After him it was run by F'rank Cay wood for
a year. The latter moving away, the shop was
purchased by Peter Reil}', who hired a smith and
in this way ran it for about twelve or thirteen
months. The next proprietor was J. O. McElroy,
who purchased it of JNIr. Reily, and carried it on
for about a year and a half, and then sold out to
the present proprietor, E. J. Severance.

DEPOT.

As early as 1878, the railroad placed a station
here, bringing a small building on wheels from
Whiting, for use as a depot. In 1884, after the
com[)any was solicited in vain for more suitable
depot accomodations, William McFarlane and
others got up a petition to the State railway com-
missioners, praying for their interference. The
latter, on investigation, finding that there was bu.si-

ness enough to warrant the same, ordered the erec-
tion of a new depot, whicli was accordingly built
the same year. This is 2 IxGO feet in size, and is a
neat and comforlable building, one of the best on
the line of railroad.

EDUCATIONAr,.

For some years the education of the rising gen-
eration was confined to the usual country school.
but in the summer of 1885, the present building
was erected, D. Grant, of Onawa, being the con-
tractor. The edifice is 34x56 feet in size on the
ground, 16 foot studding, and is surmounted with
a neat cupola, in which hangs a mellow-toned bell,
that calls the laggard each morning to his daily
lessons.

CHURCHES.

The Congregational Church was organized under
the influence of Rev. C. N. Lyman of Onawa, in
1879, in the old Good Templars' Hall, and after-
ward, for a time, held services in the schoolhouse.
In 1880, they erected their church edifice west of
the village, which was moved to the town site at
a later date.

A Roman Catholic church was organized here in
1886 by Rev. Father Daly, and work on the build-
ing in which they worship was comraenctd in the
spring of the same year, and completed about the
1st of August following, William Marsh having
charge of the work. This building is a neat one,
and is 22x32 feet in size. Rev. Father Griffin, of
Salix has charge of the church at the present
writing. The first mass celebrated in the town was
at the house of Peter Reily, by the Rev. Father
JIcLaughlin, a missionary priest, in 1866.

One of the industries of the town that deserves
special mention, is the large dairy and cheese fac-
tory belonging to Messrs. Yeomans & Gary, which
is located about three miles southeast of the villao-e.
They carry some two to three hundred head of
blooded cattle, and besides carrjing large quantities
of milk to supply the Sioux City market, manufac
ture many hundred weight of cheese per month.

MAPLE TOWNSHIP,

CHAPTER XXIV.

^f? YING on the norlh line of the county and
I (® ^^^ second from its eastern boundary is the
JLA'^ town of Maple. It embraces all of Con-
gressional Township 85 north, range 43, and is
bounded on the north by Woodburj^ County; on
the east by Cooper Townsiiip, on tiie south b}' the
town of Center, while West Fork lies on the west.
Having the full thirty-six sections it contains
about 23,040 acres.

The surface is generally of a rolling character,
slightly more so than some of the others in the
eastern part of the county, but just enough so as
to need no irrigation and to properly drain off any
superabundance of water. In fertility and produc-
tiveness it is second to none in the county, the soil
being a rich, warm loam, of the bluff deposit or
loess, and contains a large percentage of decora-
jjosed organic matter.

The Maple River, from which it derives its name,
traverses its eastern portion, forming the far famed
and beautiful valley that is the garden spot of
"Western Iowa, both for loveliness of view and
agricultural wealth. This stream and sever.al
smaller affluents afford an ample drainage system
and supply an abundance of running water for
stock purposes.

The Manilla branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee
<fe St. Paul Railroad and the Maple Valley division
of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad traverse
il-j territory, crcssing one another at the enterpris-
ing village of East Mapleton which lies on section
24, of this township.

The first to raaive, a settlement in the township
was William II. Wilsey, who came here August 1,
1855, and located on sections 14 imd 23, where he
pre-empted a tract of 160 acres of land. Here he
resided until the spring of 1876, when after a
visit to Colorado he located in Harrison County.
Four 3'ears later he came and made his home until
1882, when he removed to Little Sioux, Harri-
son County', where he is now residing. He was
one of the largest land owners of the county
in his d.a}' and an important factor in the
political life of the count3'. He was the pro-
prietor of the town-site of "Old Mapleton," as it is
called, was its postmaster and at one time mer-
chant. His son Nelson A. Wilsey. still a resident
of the township, came with his father and has
resided on the old homestead ever since.

William McCleery, one of the prominent men
of to-day, came here in September, 1855, and set-
tled on some land that he had entered the previous
month. This was on section 34, and on it he has
resided ever since. With him came his family,
among whom was Aaron McCleery now an influ-
ential farmer living on section 34, who was then a
young man of sixteen years of age. .Silas, John
William and Frank, the other sons, are still resi-
dents of this county.

During the same year Newton Mahaffy located on
a piece of land on section 22, on coming to this
county, and commenced to open up a farm.
Shortly after he sold out his claim and, in comi)any

MONONA COUNTY.

299

with W. H. Wilsey, started a saw mill. In 1858,
he sold out ag.iin and left the county.

Witli Mr. Mahnffy came his brother-in-law,
Marvin Allison, who also took up a claim upon sec-
tion 22. He was a young, unmarried man at this
time. About a year later he removed from here,
going to Pilot Rock, Cherokee County.

The next to make a settlement in tliis township
was Tliomas Maynard and his family and Pjenjamin
Wiggins, his nephew, who came here from Gutlirie
County, in the fall of 1855. After remaining at
"Old Mapleton" all winter they settled on land
they bought on section 2.3, where he lived until
1865, at which date Mr. Maynard sold his farm
and moved to Cooper Township. In 1884 lie re-
moved to the Pacific Slope, and died in Union
County, Ore., February 6, 188G.

At the same time came Esom Lee, who settled
on the southern part of section 34, and opened up
a fine farm. Here he remained, actively engaged in
agricultural labors until about 1883, when he sold
out his interests liere, removing to Nebraska. Witli
him came his brother, William Lee, familiarly
known as "Jack-knife." He remained here but a
short time and tlien removed to Camp Creek,
Woodbury County, where he and his son froze to
death in a blrzzard while going after wood.

In 1856, also, James A. Scott, a well-known
pioneer of those early days, came to this vicinity
and, taking a liking to the look of the country,
made a settlement here and was engaged in various
avocations — farming, merchandising, etc., until the
spring of 1866, when he removed to Missouri.

About the same time Theodore D. Kellogg made
a settlement upon section 13 and essayed farming,
a vocation to which he had not been trained nor
was fitted. Having some means, not a common
thing with the pioneers, he laid out a village upon
his farm, to which he gave the name of .St. George,
a sketch of which is given later on. About 1859,
after running through with the money he Isad
brought with him and his pet scheme, the town of
St. George dying, he returned to New York City
where he is engaged in the grain and seed commis-
sion business.

Henry and Abrara Carter, two brothers from
Ohio, settled here also in 1856. Tlie latter died In

the county, at the residence of Dr. Ordway, in the
spring of 1857. Henry sold out liis interest here
to W. II. Wilsey in 1861, and migrated to Colo-
rado.

Bushrod Warren came t(j Monona County in
1856 and made a settlement on a [jiece of land on
section 14, tliis townsliip, where he took up a home
and resided until cut down by deatli in tlie fall of
1864. He was tiie first Postmaster in the town.

David Harris, a native of (lates County, Ohio,
was another of the pioneers of the year 1856. He
came here with his family and died in this town in
July, 1869. Of his children Thomas P. is a
wagon-maker at Smithland ; William Iteturn is a
farmer of Kennebec Township; Henry is residing
on tlie Pacific Slope and Frank in Northwestern
Nebraska. An adopted son, Daniel Sears, enlisted
during the Rebellion in the Union arm^' and is re-
ported missing, his bones doubtless bleaching upon
Southern soil.

In 1857 came Hoyt .Sessions, who journeyed to
this countj' from Jackson County, this State. He
took up a claim on the site of East Mapleton,
where he built a house and established his home.
Some four or live years later he returned to the
eastern part of the State. With him to this county
came Moses Sessions, his brother. The latter went
to the mountains, subsequently, where he died.

An old gentleman by the name of Foote settled
here, also, in 1857, and lived here about two years
and then removed to Gutlirie County, this State.
His son Charles, "the black sheep" in the family,
drifted to Montana where he dred suddenly.

Benjamin Davis, a carpenter bj' trade, located at
St. George in 1858, and after living there for some
three or four years moved to Estherville, Emmet
County, this State.

Amasa Briggs came to the valley of Mapleton
in 1858 and remained a resident here until 1869 or
1870, when he removed to Missouri.

David French, another pioneer, came here
about 1859 and put upaliouse in "Old Mapleton."
having purchased four lots in that village.
AHliough he entered land in Cooper Township he
resided here, working for W. H. Wilsey. In 1860
he removed to Colorado, but later returned to
Iowa, and while a resident of the eastern part of

300

MONONA COUNTY.

llip State enlisted in tlie arm}- and fell a victim to
the deadly bullet in 1865.

Among the early settlers of this portion of Mo-
nona County, was Alexander J. Trego. Being in
the employ of Martin & Davis of Panora, Guthrie
County, contractors for the carrying of mail
til rough various parts of the country, he came to
]\Iapletou to live, in June, 1859, this being the
most convenient point on the route he had given
to I'.ira, viz: that from Dennison to Sioux City.
Here he remained until the outbreak of the rebel-
lion when he enlisted. About 1868, he returned
here and taking up his residence has made this his
home ever since.

About 185'J, Jesse Melton, one of the earliest
settlers of Center, removed across the line into
uhat is now Maple Township. For about three
years he made his home in the village of Mapleton,
and then removed to his farm in the south part of
the town. There he resided until 1875, when he
went to Califoruia.

In 1860, Andrew Smith, the son of Seth Smith,
made a settlement in this town on section 32, com-
ing from Kennebec, where he had been living. He
was farmer, gunsmith, blacksmith, surveyor and
general mechanic. He married Miss Sarah Porter,
and died here in the spring of 1875.

Joseph Muckey made a settlement in Maple Town-
ship, in the fall of 1862, on section 24, where his
willow still lives, he dying here October 15, 1869.

Calvin Metcalf with his family came here in
1865, and put up the first mill in the town. He
remained a resi<lent of this part of the county until
December, 1888, when he paid the debt of nature.
Thomas Hathaway, now living upon section 14, a
native of this county, and the step-son of Mr. Met-
calf, was brought here by him at the time of his
settlement, and has been a resident ever since.

William Turner, who came to this county in
1865, purchased a farm on section 6, now llie
Priester place, and here resided until 1868, when
he removed to Colorado.

Quinc.v A. Wooster made his appearance in the
county in the spring of 1865, and took a claim on
(iovernment land on section 6, Cooper Township.
Two years later he removed to this town and settled
on a f:irm on section 12, upon which he is still living.

He has alwaj-s been prominently identified with the
growth and development of the county and a
leader in all the political movements in the commu-
nity, having been the candidate of this district sev-
eral times for legislative honors, and has served as
a member of the county board.

John C. Priester now living on section 12, where
he is engaged in farming, came to this locality in
the fall of 1866, and purchased the claim of Wil-
liam Turner to a homestead on that place, has
lived on it ever since with the exception of a year
spent in Mapleton.

N. B. Butler and his family, came here in 1867,
from Des Moines, and settled upon a farm on sec-
tion 10. There they resided until 1883, when the
father died. N. B; Butler, Jr., the previous year
had removed to Clarion, Wright County, this
State, where he is engaged in the jewelry business.
Green Butler, another son, went to Oregon in
1884.

About the same time William Kegge located
here on section 10, where he still lives.

Frank O'Niell, now of Mapleton, located in this
town in 1867.

M. J. P. Jenness entered a homestead on a part
of section 6, in 1868, and resided upon it until
1880, when the farm was bought by Frank Hills,
when lie removed to Smithland and assists his son
in getting up the newspaper at that point.

John Marsh, now a resident of the township
came to this locality in 1870, and commenced
opening up a farm and improving it on section 18.

About the same time D. R. Frary made a settle-
nent on the same section. He was engaged here
in the cultivation of the soil until some four or
five years ago when he removed from the county.

Simon E. Lewis, a veteran of the late war, and a
resident of the town at the present located here the
same year.

Charles H. Simmons came to Monona County in
the early spring of 1871, and settled on the farm
on section 14, where he now lives. He has been
connected with the mercantile circles of Old Maple-
ton and the present village and filled the office of
postmaster from 1874 until the close of 1881.
Joseph Earnst put in an appearance in this town

MONONA COUNTY.

301

for the first time, September, 1, 1871, and is now
living on section 4.

Joseph Uhl, still a re,«i(lent of the town located
therein about the same time.

In A|iril, 1872, Hiram Iloliister took a home-
stead on the east half of the soullieast quarter of
section 18, wliore he lived for several years. In
1876 he sold out .and removed to Woodbury
County, but in March, 1879, returned and here
died November 4, 188G.

Casper Uhl cast in his lot with the citizens of
Maple, in March, 1872, and locating on section 8,
remained here until taken away by death, Decem-
ber 1, 1886. He was a native of German}' who had
come to this country a few years previous, and was
a hisihly resi)ected member of the community.

L. J. Tisdale came to Monona County in the
spring of 1874, and lived here for a short time
when he went to Kansas. Two years later he re-
turned here and purchased a farm in company
with his brother, William E.. on section 26, upon
which he is still living.

S. H Blades, now residing in the townsliip came
here and took up his residence in 1875, and has
followed farming ever since.

Allen Clingenpeel, who two years before had lo-
cated in Cooper Township, came to Maple in
1876, and settled on section 26, whei-e he lived un-
til 1881. In the summer of the latter j'ear he re-
moved to Danbury, Woodbury County, where he
still lives. With him came his son .lohn, now the
owner of the Mapleton gristmill. George Clin-
genpeel, another son, now living on section 35,
settled in this town two years before his father
came bere. He has spent some years in Nebraska
but returned here in 1889.

Frederick W. Elmore came to this township in
1878, and lias here made his home ever since.

Frank L. Hills purchased the Jenness land on
section 6, and located there in 1880.

Ezra DeWolf and John C. Nolen both made
settlements in the town in the year 1882, and are
still residents.

Soren Jensen, another well-known citizen of the
township located here, on the farm where he now
lives in the fall of 1882. He had been in the

count}' since the spring of 1879, and had been liv-
ing in Center Township.

Abijah Lamb came to Slaple Township in 1882,
■and took up his residence and is here still. Clar-
ence Jj. Chapman dates his settlement from the
same year. Sidney .S. Scott located where he now
lives about the same time.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school meeting of district No. 1 , was
held January 9, 1 858. This was a special session
and T. D. Kellogg was appointed Chairman and
James A. Scott, Secretary, and the business of elect-
ing the officers of the new school district com-
menced. William H. Wilsey was chosen President;
J. A. Scott, Secretary; and David Harris, Treas-
urer. At the same time it was voted to levy a tax
of one per cent, on all property in the district for
the purpose of building a sclioolhousc. A school
was taught previous to the building of this struc-
ture, in the summer of 1858, in a small cabin at
St. George, by Miss Martha Foote. The next
term was taught [.by Miss Sarah Porter, at the
house of J. C. Melton, at Mapleton, in the summer
of 1859.

The' next school in the township was conducted
by Amasa Briggs, in the winter of 1858-59, in a
log cabin that stood on section 14. The attend-
ance of scholars was quite large. The district was
at that time unorganized, but became afterwards
district No. 1.

The first schoolhouse in the above district was
erected on the southwest quarter of the southeast
quarter of section 14, in the summer of 1859. It
was a frame building, 16x24 feet in size, and was
put up by W. H. Wilsey out of native lumber.
That gentleman drew tbe logs to Smithland where
he had them sawed into plank, boards, studding,
siding and flooring and put up a good, substantial
building, for wLich he received $215. This was
used for educational purposes until the following
winter when it was accidentally destroyed by fire.
The first term of school herein was taught by
Amasa Briggs, but was not finished in that build-
ing. The country being new, and matches, as well
as other necessaries scarce. Nelson A. Wilsey, then
a boy, in order to build a flre in the schoolhouse

302

MONONA COUNTY.

would cany a shovelful of cjals from liis father's
house, but a short distance awa>', and probably
dropped one of the flaming embers into the straw
and stuff with which it was banked up, thus setting
it afire.

The building was replaced the next spring by
another the same size which was in use until the
formation of the independent S(^hool district of
:Mapleton, vvhen it was sold and now forms a [jart
of tlie farm residence of Clhristiiin Steinnian, on
section 14.

The first religious services were held at the house
of W. II. Wilsey, by Elder Clark and another
clergyman, about 1858 or 1859. A Sabbath-school
and class were formed at that time which were car-
ried on for some time.

The next sermon was preached in the township
in 1865 by the Rev. Mr. Havens, a Methodist
clergyman, who assisted at the organization of a
class of that denomination. In 18G6 the iMa[>le
Valley Ba[)tist Church was organized through the
efforts of I?ev. James Patrick, with seven mem-
bers. The first baptism was that of L. N. Castle.

The first Sabbath-school was organized in 18G9,
at the residence of James Scott, with Mrs. Briggs
as Superintendent.

The first liridge in tlie township was erected in
1858 across the Maple River, William H. Wilsey
building the same, and was paid $230 out of the
Swamp Land Fund years afterward.

The first wheat was sown by William SIcCleery
in 185G, but the crop proved a failure on account
of the dry season.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first birth was that of a son of Esora and
Elizabeth Lee, who was born in Januar}-, 1857.

The ceremonjr that united Miss Elizabeth May-
nard and Henry Ileisler was the first event of that
character that was solemnized within the limits of
the township. The next marriage was that of Miss
Clarissa Wilsey and John A. Ileisler, which took
place June 16, 1861, and the third that of John Q.
Adams and Miss Eliza J. McCleery, which occurred
August 14, the same j-ear.

The first death was that of Adell>ert, the son of
Bushrod Warren, who died in the winter of 1856,
when about six years of age. The body was in-

terred in the pasture of N. A. Wilsey. where it still
lies.

Metcalf's flouring-mill, tlie first in the township,
was located on section 14, on Wilsey's Creek, was
built about 1865 by Calvin Metcalf, with one set
of buhrs. That gentlemen operated it until 1870,
when he sobl a half interest in the business to
Benjamin Taylor. Milton Pinkney some time
thereafter bought Mr. Metcalf's remaining interest,
and the firm of Pinkney & Taylor carried on the
business until they met with financial embarass-
ment, when the Iiuilding came under the hands of
the sheriff, .who sold it to W. H. Wilsey, who held
a judgment against Taylor, who was drowned in
the Missouri. The buhrs and most of the machinery
were stolen out of th,e mill and were found some
time afterwards off on 'the .Missouri River bottoms.

The iSIapleton mill, on the m^rtheast corner of
section 34, on the Maple River, was erected in the
fall of 187G by T. B. Jones and Monroe Updyke.
They 0|)erated it but a short time in company,
Mr. Jones buying his partner's interest. The lat-
ter gentleman carried on business until March,
1881, when it was purchased by George D. Moad,
who ran the mill until the S|n-ino; of 1886, when he
disposed of it to John Clingenpeel, the present
pro|)i'ietor and opera'^or. The building is a frame
one, 22x48 feet in size, two stories high, with a
basement beneath, ami contains three run of buhrs
and other necessary machinery. The motive
power is furnished by the river.

ORGANIC.

The town of Maple, that then embraced consid-
erable more territory than now. was organized in
the fall of 1856, the first election taking place in
November of that year. At that time there were
but twelve votes cast, and the following were
elected officers of the new township:
James Scott, Justice of the Peace; W. H. Wilsey,
Assessor; Hart Warren, Clerk; B. Davis, D. Harris
and J. C. Melton, Trustees; and William H. Wil-
sey, Road Su|)ervisor. The latter was also the first
Supervisor on the count}' board froui this town
after its organization.

In April, 18G6, on a new subdivision of the
county, town 85, ranges 42 and 43, was reorgan-

MONONA COUNTY.

303

ized as Maple Township, and so remained until
June 3, 1879, when town 85, range 42, was sepa-
rated from it and formed into the present tovrn of
Cooper.

JIAPI.ETON.

"Old Mapleton," as it is usually called to dis-
tinguish it from its younger and noore successful
rival, was laid out in 18,57 by W. H. Wilsey, witli
tlic hope that it might heeome a town of consider-
able size. The situation was most eligible and
beautiful, and everything was in its favor, but the
stringent times consequent upon the financial crisis
of 1857 and the Civil War, nipped it in the bud.
Before it could rise again the railroads came into
the western part of the county and until there was
one located and built in the eastern portion, no
village there would grow up, and when the Maple
Valley branch of the Northwestern Railroad
located its depot where East Mapleton is now situ-
ated, the older village was doomed.

The pioneer store was opened in 18C6 by Ira
Price, who put in a small stock of dry-goods, drugs
and groceries in his house, on section 14, and car-
ried on the business at that point until 1868, when
he removed tlie stock to Smithland. From that
time until the spring of 1 870 there n'as nothing in
the way of a mercantile establishment here, but on
tiie latter date R. L. Ingles put a stock of goods
into a log building on the hill and again was the
store opened for business. After three years he
closed out the business and is now a resident of
Cooper Township whither he removed. In the
fall of 1874 AY. H. Wilsey and L. H. Monroe put
in a stock of gener.al merchandise and carried on
the business for about two years. At the end of
that time Mr. Wilsey sold out his interest to C. H.
Simmons, and tlie new firm of Jlonroe and Sim-
mons ran the store about a 3'ear when anotiier
change took place, Mr. Wilsey purchasing the in-
terest of Mr. Monroe. Under the tirm name and
style of Wilsey & Simmons, the business was con-
tined until tlie summer of 1877, during which N.
A. Wilsey bought out W. H. Wilsey, and carried
OTl the store until the fall of the same year when
they removed the stock to Mapleton.

The pioneer blaeksmitli was J. K. Baxter, who

carried on the business in the old shanty where the
school was taught, commencing in 1868.

He was succeeded by Levi JNIonroe, and lie by
Charles Penn. Later on Mr. Mgnroe again car-
ried it on, and in 1877 removed it to Mapleton, sell-
ing the building to N. A. AVilsey who uses it .as a
barn, having moved it to his place.

A brickyard was opened in 1859 by James A.
Scott, who was succeeded by John Holiday. Isaac
Billings, David Beck and John B. Webb were eacii
engaged in the same .business at a later date, the lat-
ter making the brick of wliich the Methodist Churcli
at East Mapleton is constructed. Tlie business was
afterwards conducted by L. H. Monroe and N. A.
Wilsey, and these gentlemen burned the brick of
which the Mapleton bank building is built. N. A.
Tyler was another who ran the business and at
various times quite an extensive manfacture was
carried on. The business is now in the hands of
William Earlewine.

Mapleton post-offlee was established in 1857
with Bushrod Warren as Postmaster. That gentle-
man held the position, having the office at his resi-
dence on section 14, untilliis death, which occurred
in the fall of 1 864. He was succeeded by James
A. Scott. On the latter leaving in the spring of
1866 the office was carried on for a time by his
•deputy, Mr. Siebold, and later by Q. A. Wooster.
In the winter of 1806-7 W. II. Wilsey was ap-
pointed Postmaster and held the commission for
several years. In 1874 he wassucceded by Charles
Simmons, who was still Postmaster when he re-
moved with the office to the new vill.age of Ma-
pleton, a history of which appears elsewhere.

ST. GEORGE.

As has been already mentioned, the village with
the above name was laid out by Theodore D. Kel-
logg in July, 1857, the plat and deed of the same
being filed for record upon the 27th of that month.
About the same time a store building was erected
and a stock of goods opened therein by George
Massett, a relative of the town proprietor. In
June, 1858, a cyclone tore the building to pieces
and scattered the goods all over ten miles of
country. However, the store was rebuilt and
business resumed, but on the expiration of the in-

304

MONONA COUNTY.

ciinent village the stock was closed out by Mr.
Massett, who removefl from tin's vicinity. This
was the 011I3' business in the plaee. except the car-
penter shop of Benjamin Davis. Septera})er 4,
1865, by deed the town plat of St. George was

vacated by the owner, "W. IT. AVilsey, and its site
turned into a cornfield. The store building was
hauled away by (J. A. Wooster, to his place in
Cooper Township about 1865, and there stood until
1884, when it was destroj'ed by fire.

600PE!^ TOWNSHIP,

CHAPTER XXV.

\f7 YING in the extreme northeastern corner
ll (^ '^^ Monona Country lies the civil subdivision
|IJ — ^^ known as Cooper Township. It is bounded
on the north by Woodbury County; on the east by
Crawford County ; on the south by the town of
St. Clair; while Maple Township forms its western
boundary. It embraces all of Congressional Town-
ship 85, range 42, and contains about 23,040 acres
of land. The surface is a high, rolling prairie
for the most part, altliougli a [lortion in the nortli-
western part lies in the famed Maple Valley. Tlie
soil is the rich, warm loam of the bluff deposit, so
noted the State over for its wonderful fertility
and ease of culture. It is amply watered by the
west fork of the Soldier River in tlie southeastern
portion; by the Maple River in tlie northwestern
part; and by their tributaries. Rush, Heisler,
Mucky, SkunK, and other creeks, which afford
most excellent drainage. It is noted for its many
progressive citizens and fine soil, and will one day
lead in stock-raising, for which, it seems peculiarly
well fitted. The Maple River branch of the Chi-
cago & Northwestern Railroad traverses the north-
eastern corner, crossing sections 5, 7 and 18, on a
diagonal line, but there is no station within its
limits, the country being, for the most part, tribu-
tary to Mapleton and Ute,

Samuel Heisler made a settlement on the south-
west quarter of section 18, this township, in the fail
of 1856, and since tliat time has been a constant

resident and one fully identified with its growth
and development.

In October, of the same year, William L. Ring
made his appearance in this section of the county,
and on the 1 0th of that month located on sect ion
G, where he pre-empted one hundred and sixty
acres of land, lie became one of the county's
most [iromineut citizens and served for two years
in the office of County Treasurer and as County
Superintendent o( schools and Supervisor, and is
to-day still a citizen of Cooper.

Kenry Carter, wlio also came to this region the
same fall, did the first breaking on his farm upon
section 18. His brother, Albert, died at Old Ma-
pleton shortly after this, as shown in the annals of
the town of Maple.

John A. Heisler and Peter W. Herman came to
this county, in company, from Pottawattamie
County, where they had been engaged in farming,
reaching this townsliip in the latter part of Octo-
ber, 185G. They took up a claim of one hundred
and sixty acres each of land under the pre-emption
laws, Mr. Heisler the southeast quarter of section
7, this town, and Mr. Herman the northeast quar-
ter of section 18, and the same winter spent their
time in Mills County, whither they went from
here. In the spring they returned here and made
some improvements, and in the fall of 1857 took
up a permanent residence here. Mr. Heisler has
opened one of the finest farms in the township, and

30G

MONONA COUNTY.

has iiUnined a high ixisitiou in the cslimalion of
his follow-citizeus.

Henry Heisler made a settlement in Cooper
Township, then a part of Maple, in tlie full of
1858, on section 7, and on it made liis home until
July, 1885, when he removed to section 12, Maple
Township, where lie ncjw lives, one of the county's
leading citizens.

William Kerry came to Monona County in 18(30
with his young wife, and settled on section 7.
There he was engaged in farming until JMarch,
1888, when he sold out and removed to Benton
County, this State, where he makes his home at pres-
ent. Mr. Berry, who was a, native of New York,
came to this county in 1850 and pre-empted the
tract of land he picked out. The next ye.ir he
went to Missouri, where he married, and at the end
of three years came here and made a settlement, as
above stated.

Samuel Leo, now a resident of Mapleton, in 1861
took up his claim in this township, and threw in
his lot with its earliest pioneers. He opened a fine
farm here, and made this his home for many years.

Barnes Dowd took up a claim in September,
1861, in this township. He owned a claim on the
Soldier River, in Crawford County, but, coming
over to view this territory, camped on Heisler
Creek, and being charmed with the country, re-
moved here.

Moses aiid John Q. Adams came to this town in
1864, and about Jvily took up one of the finest
homestead claims in the township. John Q. Adams,
a veteran of the late Civil War, is living in the
village of Mapleton, where he is engaged in the
drayage and transfer business.

About the same time William and Benjamin
Smith and G. W. Johns came to tins county in
search of homesteads. In this town they found
what they sought, and filing their claims, settled
down to the improvement of their farms. Benja-
min Smith removed to Oregon in 1889, but the
others still remain here. Adam Trieber, another
resident of the town, came here in those early
days.

Lewis Iddings came to Monona County, Sep-
tember 1, 1865, and settled on the north half of
the northeast quarter of section 6, in what is now

Cooper Township, where he has since made his
home.

About 1866, Lewis Castle came to this town-
ship, and locating upon a portion of section 4,
commenced the development of liis farm. Here he
remained a resident until his death, which took
place in October, 1870, while coming home from
Dunlap with a load of sHingles. Getting out of
the road, or trail, and meeting some olistruction,
he tipped over his wagon, and a buncli of shingles
falling from the load, striking him, broke his neck-
Samuel T. Cameron, now residing on section 4,
came here in the fall of 1867 and took up a home-
stead, the nucleus of his present large and fertile
farm, and luis remained here ever since.

David Cliapman, -one of the old settlers of this
township, lived here for many years, accumulating
some of this world's gear, and making many
friends. Far away Washington, on the great Pa-
ciBc Slope, finally drew him away, and in that in-
fant State he now makes his home.

George Castle, now of Maple Township, was also
one of the early settlers of this part of the county.

Joshua G. Williamson settled in this township in
1873, but a short time after removed to the town
of Lake, where he now lives.

li. L. Ingles, who had been running a store at
Old Mapleton, came to this township in 1873, and
made a settlement on a farm on section 6, where
he is still living.

Allen Clingenpeel settled in this tovvnship, on
coming to the county, in 1874. Two j'ears later
he removed to Maple Township.

Charles and Edward Carpenter located here
about the same time on section 8. The former
committed suicide here, and the latter is living
in California.

George Quigley came here about 1879, and
opened up a farm. A few 3'ear3 later he removed
to Crawford County, where he is at present living.

Prof. White, a very talented man, from Peoria,
111., having injured his herilth by over-attention to
stud3', in 1880 came to this locality and commenced
farm life. In 1882, his declining health receiving
no benefit, he returned to Illinois, and shortly
afterward died.

W. D. Crow, the present Cliairnian of the Ijoard

MONONA COUNTY.

307

of county supervisors, and one of the township's
leading citizens, came to Monona County in the
spring of 1882, and settled on a farm in this
township, where he made his home until 1887. He
then removed to the village of Mapleton, in which
place he has continueil to make his home ever
since.

J. R. Human, now residing on the southwest
quarter of section 14, came to this county in Octo-
ber, 1882, from Tama County, this State. He has
remained here ever since, and has made here a
handsome and valuable home, opening up one of
tiio best farms in the township.

THE FIRSTLINGS.

The first marriage of a resident was that of
Samuel Ileisler and Miss Mary Merrill, which took
place Nov. 18, 1860.

The first birth in what is now Cooper Township
was that of Frank A., the son of William and
Rachel Berry, who was horn April C, 18G1. The

second was that of George F., the son of Samuel
and Mary Heisler, born November 1, 1861.

The first burial within the limits of wiial is now
Cooper Township, look place March 4, 1870, when
the body of William Henry, the son of Henry
Heisler, was committed to the earth. This was,
probably, the first death in the township. The
second burial was that of Lewis Castle, on tiie 6th
of October, 1870.

OKGANIZATION.

Cooper Townsliip, owing to the sparseness of its
population, was one of the last in the county to be
org,anized as a political subdivision of the county.
It had been a portion of the township of Maple for
many years, but June 3, 1879, at a meeting of tiie
board of supervisors, that body decreed that all of
town 8o, range 42, except sections 35 and 36, be
authorized to organize as a separate civil township,
which was, accordingly, done at the following gen-
eral election. The two sections mentioned above,
then forming a part of St. Clair, were taken from
the latter and restored to Cooper b}' a resolution
of thelioard, January 1, 1881.

ONAWA.

CHAPTEE XXVI.

^HE lovel3' and eiitorprising cit}' that bears the
above euphonious n:ime, the seat of the
county government, is the largest as well as
one of the ohlest in Monona County. In the
thirty years of its existence the changes froui
the primitive condition of the land to that of
a developed state have been constant and pro-
gressive. While there may liave been notii-
ing really remarkable in the growth in the past
or peculiarly striking in the present, still there
is much tliat cannot fail to he of interest to
those who have been closely connected and
identified with the interests of the city in all the
various changes that have marked its progress. To
those wlio have watched its development from its
inception, when Monona County was a compara-
tively unsettled wilderness, until tiie present time,
the accomplishment of so much in so short a time
would seem marvelous, but it is the result of an
advanced state of civilization and a higher degree
of culture than ordinary that w.as the lot of the
pioneers of this favored region. Endowed with
many natural advantages, both of soil and location.
and aideil by the strong arm of enterprising hus-
bandry, Monona County has assumed a prominent
place in the glorious sisterhood of wealthy counties
that make up our noble young State, and Onawa,
the leading town witliin its limits, with its many
enterprising citizens, has kept pace with its im-
provements and development.

Onawa is situated on sections 4, 5, 8 and i), of

township 83 north, range 45 west, in the northwest-
ern part of the civil township of Franklin, and is
about three miles from the Missouri River at its
nearest point, and is surrounded by the rich farm-
ing land of the far-famed Missouri bottom. Three
railroads connect it with the markets of the world:
the Sioux City & Pacific division of the Chicago &
Northwestern which passes through it north and
south; the Carroll & Onawa branch of the same
corporation and the Cherokee & Dakota division of
the Illinois Central Railroad. It was laid out with
great judgment and foresight by its founders, with
beautiful wide streets, and the inhabitants have
lined its highways with a large number of trees
and it presents to the beholder a lovely view as it
npiicars deeply embosomed in its summer clothing
of magnificent verdure. The main streets, some
hundred and twenty feet in width, possess an attrac-
tion for the stranger and add materially to the
health of the communitj'.

The city was laid out in the summer of 1857 by
the Monona Land Company, C. H. and B. D. IIol-
brook being the survej'ors, with all the streets some
eight}- feet wide, with the exception of Fiast, AV^est
and Central Broadway and Iowa Avenue, which
aio each one hundred and fifty feet wide. The plat
wns filed for record October 19, 1858.

The Monona Land Companj- was organized about
this time for the purpose, to quote from their pros-
jiectus, '-of promoting the growth of Onawa, Mo-
nona County, Iowa, and establishing a ferry on the

MONONA COUNTY.

309

Missouri River." Tlie articles under whicli lliis
company was incorporated were as follows:

Article 1. This company is Ivnown as the Mo-
nona Land Company, and the principal place of
doing the business of said company shall be at the
town of Onawa.

Article 2. The minimum capital stock of this
corporation is one liundred and twenty-five thous-
and dollars (all paid in) which may be increased
to double that amount by a majorit}' vote of the
stoclvholders.

Article 3. Said capital stock is divided into
two hundred and fifty shares of $500 each.

Article 4. The indebtedness of this corpora-
tion siiall not at any one time exceed two and a
half per cent, on the capital stock.

Article 5. The business of tliis corporation
shall be conducted by a board of directors, nine in
number, five of whom shall be residents of Monona
County, who are elected by ballot, annually on the
second Mond.ay in October; but said board shall
continue in office until a new board is elected and
qualified. In the election of officers each stock-
liolder shall be entitled to one vote for every share
by liim owned: Provided, that no stockholder sliall
cast at any one election more than one-tenth of the
whole numljer of the votes of the corporation. The
secretary shall give tiiirt}- days' notice in at least
one newspaper published in the county, of tlie an-
nual electic)n of said board. In case of a vacancy
occurring in said board, the members shall proceed
to fill it by the aiipointment of another stockholder
as director. All officers shall be shareholders.
Sliarciioklers may vote by proxy: Provided, swcli
proxy be made in writing to the president of the
company.

Article 6. Within ten days after tlie election
of a board of directors, the members shall assemble
and elect a president, secretary and treasurer. The
secretary and treasurer shall not be members of
the board of directors.

Article 7 The president and secretary shall
sign all conveyances, assignments and all bills of
sale. They shall sign, and the treasurer counter-
sign, all issues of stock. No issue, sale, conveyance
or assignment of stock is binding upon the corpor-
ation, nor recognized as such, unless duo record is

made by the secretary in a book kept for that pur-
pose. It shall be the duty of the president, or, in
his absence, the secretary, at the request of ten
stockholders, made in writing, to call a meeting of
the stockholders of said corporation.

Article 8. The secretary shall keep a minute of
all meetings of the board of directors and of the
stockholders and perform all other duties usually
pertaining to said office.

Article 9. The treasurer shall disburse moneys
only upon written orders of the president, signed
by the secretary. Ho shall keep a full account of
the finances and report the same to the board of
directors annually and as often as bj* them re-
quested. He shall give a bond, with good security,
in such sum as the directors may from time to
time deem necessary.

Article 10. By a vote of two-thirds of the
stockholders present, there may be assessed upon
each share a tax of two per ce it. upon its issued
value; but if such assessment is made at a special
meeting, the notice calling such meeting shall state
the object of the call.

Article 11. All deeds, bonds and other writ-
ings conve^'ing a title to land belonging to the
company shall be held by the president in trust for
the company.

Article 12. Every shareholder shall build a
iiouse or store with not less than three windows
and a shingle roof. No house or building to be
built of poles or logs.

One share, not less than 14xlG and not less than
tight-foot posts.

Two shares, not less than 14x1 S and not less
than nine-foot posts.

Three shares, not loss than 15x20 and not less
than ten-foot posts.

Four shares, not less than 15x22 and not less
than twelve-foot posts.

Five shares, not less than 16x24 and not less
than twelve- foot posts.

Six shares, not less than lflx26 and not less than
sixteen foot, two stories.

Seven shares, not less than 18x28 and not less
than sixteen foot, two stories.

Kiglit shares, not less than 20x30 and not less
than seventeen foot, two stories.

•MO

MONONA COUNTY.

Nine shares, not less tlimi 2"2x32 and niit less
than seventeen foot, two sttjries.

Ten shares, not less than 24x34 ami not less than
eighteen foot, two stories.

Half of the above iinproveineiits to be done l)efore
the Isl of December next, and all completed be-
fore the 1st of Jnl\', 185S, or the share or shares
shall l)e forfeited. Ail forfeited sliares go lo the
company.

Articlk 13. On the lirst Monday of July, A.
D. 1868, this corporation shall cease to exist. Do-
nations of lots will be ni.ade by the directors as
they deem it advisable for the best interests of the
company.

The first oflieers of the company' were as follows:
Charles E. Whiting, i)resident; Leonard Sears,
treasurer; Samuel S. Pearse, secretary, C. E. Whit-
ing, J. S. Merrill, J. E. Morrison, M. F. Moore,
Timothy Elliott, William Burton. T. H. Benton,
Gouvenor Morris and E. D. V. Mason, directors.

At the time of the survey there stood upon
what is now lot 11, of lilock (i.'i, a small log cabin,
tlie pioneer building of Onawa, owned and occu-
pied by tlie family of Mrs. Catherine Folck. On
the 2nd of July. 1857, S. S. Pearse, the secretary
of the Land Company, raised the framework of his
dwelling house on lot 6, block 49; and two days
later, upon the 4tli, J. E. M(.)rrison commenced the
erection of the Onawa House, the pioneer hotel of
the town. This structure forms a [lart of the pres-
ent edifice, lately moved by the Improvement
Company to make I'oom for the new hotel.

S. S. Pearse (njmmenced the erection of the first
residence July 2, 1857, and soon had the bu'lding
finished. He was the lirst Recorder of the village,
one of its earliest merchants and Postmasters, and
remained a resident here until about the summer
of 1862, when he returned to Maine and later re-
moved to Florida, wheie he died.

With him came his brothers, Darius and Thomas
Pearse. The former made his home here until
1864, when he removed away; the latter returned
to Maine in a short time after settling here.

Jonathan E. Morrison removed to the new vil-
lage in the summer of 1857, from Ashton, and put
up the first hotel in the place, the old Onawa
House, and was [Jrominently identified, as these

[)ages vvill show, with the development of the
coilnty-seat. He remained here until 1864, when
he moved to his farm on section 16, Franklin
Townshiii. In 1874 he returned to Onawa and
made that i)lace his home until the fall of 18S7.
when he went to California where he is now living.
His two children, Herbert E.. one of the prominent
citizens of Onawa, and MoUie E., the wife of George
E. Warner, are still residents of the county seat.

.loseph liobinson, now a resident of Lake Town-
ship, came to the new village this same summer and
worked at the carpenter's trade, beginning on the
Onawa House. He remained here"until 1862, when
he removed- to his present abode.

George W. and Franklin Oliver, both carpenters
b3' trade, cann; here fi-om Ashton in September,
1857, having built a house here. G. W. Oliver
moved on his farm the same fall, and Franklin
remained in the village until 1861, when he, too,
went on the farm they still own in Franklin Town-
shi|).

Timothy Elliott came to Slonona County, in
1855, on a tour of investigation and liking the
country, retnrned here in October, 1856, with his
family, and located at Ashton. In the following
spring he assisted in tlie organization of the Mon-
ona Land Company, which laid out the town of
Onawa, an<l to that vill.age removed the same
year. He has since that period been a resident of
the village. With him came quite a colony to the
county.

James Armstrong, also, erected a small frame
house on lot 1, block 77, during the summer of
1857, which he shortly after disposed of to Mrs.
Louisa Dimmick. Mr. Armstrong', then erected
another residence and has remained a citizen of the
\ illage ever since.

The other settlers that came in at once com-
menced the erection of dwelling-houses, and the
noise of the saw, hammer and plane was the i)ro-
vailing sound in the little village that had sprung
up as if by magic.

Of the (.thei' pioneers that came to the new vil-
lage the following is as near a complete recoid as
tlie memories of the oldest inhabitants can call to
mind :

C. H. and B. 1). Holbrook located at Onawa in

MONONA COUNTY.

311

the spring of 1857, helping to organize the Monona
Land Company, an'd were awarded the contract for
the surveying of the village and platting the same.
They have been identilied with its growth since
that time, and are among its leading citizens, .as
shown further on in these pages.

Alfred Hanscom settled in the young village in
1857. He liad lieen in the county the previous
year, but returned to Illinois, to again come back
as noted. lie remained here two years, and then
removed to Lake Township, and died a resident of
the county.

The other settlors of the year 1857 were the fol-
lowing n.amed: A. R. Wright, who taught the first
school; Walter Stark, still a resident of the village;
James Roberts, who left here in 1859 for Pike's
Peak, but now resides in Harrison County ; George,
James and Charles Atkins; Fred W. Snow, now of
Omaha; C. G. Stutzman, who after living here
until the spring of 1859 went to California, and
from there to his home in Pennsylvania; Addison
Dimniick, wlio removed buck to Pennsylvania in
1861, and after serving a year in the army returned
and settled near Belvidcre; E. R. Pierce, acarpen-
ter now living in Warren, Pa. ; Thomas Cross, a
carpenter; E. W. Ilolbrook, who came in October
and is now living in Onawa; A. G. Hurst, who
had settled in Ashton in 1S56; George T. Cox, a
carpenter; W. C. Dickey, one of the original pro-
prietors of the town site; P. C. Latimer, the tirat
merchant of the village; William Springer, who
put up one of the first houses, the one in which
John (_)liver now resides; C. E. Whiting, who put
up what was afterward converted into a part of the
"O. K. Hotel;" Rev. Mr. Warren and his son,
Henry C; Francis C. Brooks, who moved away
the next year; George Harris and Samuel Bowen.
The latter two put up a part of the building in
which Judge Oliver now resides.

Among the first settlers in the new village was
William Burton, who came in the spring of 1858.
He had built, at Ashton, the first frame house that
was lathed and [ilastered in the county, in f.act the
tirst on the bottom above Council Bluffs. This
he removed to this town on coming here. The old
house served as his home for some ^ears, when it
was sold to .himes Sharon, he to Seneca Morgan,

and he to Timothy Elliott. It has since been torn
down, and used in the construction of another
building.

H. E. Colby, who had been eug;igcd in farming
on section 16, Franklin Township, moved into the
incipient village in 1858, and there made iiis home
until 1861 , when he returned to agricultural pur-
suits. In 1888 he again moved into the city, and
is a resident now.

AInion S. Dunham made his first appearance in
this place on the 5th of M.ay, 1858, and is still a
citizen of Onawa.

Addison Oliver came to Monona County in 1858
and located at the infant village of Onawa, and has
made his home here ever since. He has been one
of the leaders in all movements that go to the
upbuilding of the countj', and has been honored
with several high offices.

In April of the same year Richard Stebbins,
M. D., located in the new town. He remained
engaged in the practice of his profession and in the
drug business until 1885, when he removed to
Omaha, where he is now living.

John Brookfield Gard, a well-known citizen of
the county, erected a dwelling-house in the village
in 1858, but did not take up his residence there.

Among the other prominent settlers of the year
1858 were the following named gentlemen, who
.assisted in building up the little village: Moses
Adams. John Southers, R. G. Fairchild, one of the
first merchants; Homer Fairchild, also one of the
pioneer merchants; C. B. Thompson and D. W.
Butts, tlie editors of the first newsp.nper; Guy C.
Barnum, Stephen Tillson, Elijah AValker; J. S.
Merrill; G. R. Bufflngton, an early merchant;
H. W. Cole, T. R. Chapman, one of the prominent
men of his da}; James H. .Sharon, H. .J. liawley,
Newell A. Whiting, now one of the city's leading
merchants; D. W. Sampson, W. L. Phillips, Almoii
S. Dunham, Moses Sessions, E. L. Eaton, J. H.
Over.acker, Gilbert B. Weeks, a carpenter; ami
Seneca Morgan. Rev. George C. Rice, a Congre-
gational minister, located here the same year and
made this his residence for about a year.

John Elwell came to the little liamk-t and en-
gaged in mercantile pursuits in the fall of 1859.

312

MONONA COUNTY.

He died here in 1883, having been connected with
its business circles for some years.

Dr. John C. Ilazlett, County .ludge and prac-
ticing physician, settled indie village in 1859. lie
remained here until 1861.

With the financial crisis of IS.'j/ the tide of West-
ern emigration came to a stand-still, and upon the
heels of it came the Civil War and the Indian
scare at the time of the Minnesota massacre, and
instead of tlie village growing it rather diminished
in population throughout these years. On the
close of the war, liowever, home-seekers again
sought out the Wcsl, and from that time on Onawa
has been progressing and inci'casing in population
and wealth.

Charles (t. Perkins settled in Monona County on
a farm in the fall of 1865, Luit four years later
removed to Onawa, where he has since remained.

Joseph S. Mauglin also located in the city the
same year of 1865, and has been an important fac-
tor in its business and social life, and still resides
there,

Cliarles U. Aldridge, for many years editor of
the Gn:c<4l<'. settled in the town in C)etober. 1865.

Jolm Youngquist, about the first of the Scandi-
navian citizens to locate in this county, made his
a|)pearance in Onawa in the same year.

J(ilin K. McCaskey came to Onawa in 1866, and
since that time has been a resident of the city, and
largely connected with its mercantile life and with
the official affairs of the county.

The same 3'ear Dr. James Butts, still a resident
))ractitioner, located in the little city.

Henry W. Cunningham, the present marshal of
the place, has made his home there since bis first
coming in this year.

Elijah Feake made liis appearance in the city of
Onawa in 1866.

Rev. George T. Woodhull, a Congregationalist
minister, located in Onawa in 1866, and carried on
his labors in this part of the Lord's vineyard until
the summons came for him to

"Join that innumerable caravan that moves
To the pale realms of the shades of death,"

and who passed away to his reward October I,
1870.

Gleorge A. Douglas came to Monona Coniity in

I.S67, and entered its business circles as one of the
mercantile firm of Fairchild & Douglas, and since
that time has been a resident of the village. He is
the i)resent County Auditor.

George K. Warner came to Onawa in this same
year, and has been one of its leading merchants
ever since, until a short time ago. when he retired.
He is the Counly Treasurer.

M. A. Freeland came the same time, and is one
of the leading business men of the present.

Others that located here this same year were:
Severt Bakke, Amos J. Heilman.

Levi D. Kittle, the Sheriff of Monona County,
dates his citizenshii) of the lieautiful city of Onawa
from this same year.

Albert T. Fessefid^en was another of the [n'onii-
nent arrivals of the year 1867, and is still one of
the active busine.ss men of the ''(Tem City."

Fred McCausland located in Monona County on
the nth of March, 1867, settling in Onawa, where
for a time he was engaged in the general merchan-
dise trade in company with Charles Atkins, and
after waid in the butchering business. In 1869 he
sold out to George P. Buffington, and moved to
Ashton Township.

W. A. Greene, the editor of the Sentinel, at
Onawa, dates his settlement at that place from the
year 1868, and has for most of the time since been
engaged in journalism.

John C. Moorhead came to the citj- this same
year, and engaged in the liquor business, but in
the following year moved to his farm in Franklin
Township. With him came his brother Hardy.

Edward E. Bakke, one of the leading shoe
dealei's of the city, came here in July, 1868, and
has been a resident ever since.

Among those who settled in the county in 1869,
was H. C. Mosher, now of Sherman Tovvfuship, wdio
landed in Onawa about the 1st of October, and
engaged in the stock business.

Samuel B. Martin came to the city of (»nawa in
IHd'.i, and ''or several years was at the head of the
excellent school of that |)lace. He is still a resi-
dent.

I'jdward A. Chapman located in this [jlace in
lS(;i), and remained here, actively engaged in busi-

MONONA COUNTY.

313

ness, until August, 1875, when lie returned to
Connecticut, where he is now living.

Others who came to Onawa tlie same year were .
(.)lo IJ. Carlson, now in tlie blacicsinith business;
.lohn Henry, a resident of Lal<o Townsliip; and
T. C. Walton, long ideiilitit'd with the hotel interests
of the city.

In 1870 George Unrterhill came to Onawa and
has been engaged in business there ever since, lie
is the present Postmaster.

W. L. Holmes removed to Onawa this same
year, having settled in the county in 1867. He is
still there, engaged in mercantile pursuits.

G. W. McMillan, one of the resident lawyer.? of
farm the [ilace, also dates his settlement this year.
With him came also J. Evans, an attorney.

James C. Pike came here in September, 1870,
and has been in the butchering business in the place
ever since.

William C. MaiT settled in Onawa in .luly, 1870,
and has been an active business man of the city
from that date.

George R. Norton also came to the county the
same year.

William G. Wood located here in 1871, and has
since that time been identified with the business
history of Onawa.

Maiden 15. Pullen, a carpenter and undertaker,
settled at Onawa in this jcar, coming from Omaha,
Neb.

In 1871 Rev. Charles N. Lj-mancame to Onawa,
and has remained pastor of the Congregational
Church to this date.

Benjamin F. Ross, the present Superintendent of
County Schools, located in this city in March,
1871.

.lohn Cleghorn, one of the pioneers of the county,
came here from Ashton, the same year, and entered
into business. He is still a resident of the city.

In 1872 Dudley B. Kenyon came here and lo-
cated, entering the business circles of the place,
and made this his home until his death, which
occurred October o, 1889. The same year wit-
nessed the arrival of J. H. jMarr, who has plied at
tlie forge there ever since.

Perry Allen, a carpenter, worked at his trade in

the village for two years, coming here the same
year.

Frank Hawkins cast in his lot with the citizens
of Onawa in October, 1874, and has remained there
ever since.

William J. Eva, a present dwelh'r in Onawa.
made his appearance there in December, 1870.

.lames R. Thurston also located in Onawa the
centennial 3'ear of our countr}-, removing thither
from Sherman Township.

.1. C. Depuc settled here the same year, and
made this city his home until 1881, when he re-
moved to Ashton Township.

Among tliose who came to the city in 1877 was
the thriving merchant, Henry W. Cady, who still
resides there.

Stillman F. Sears, then a Iniy of fourteen years,
came to Jlonona County' with his parent.^ in 1856.
He remained engaged in farming until 1878, when
he moved into town, since whicli time he has there
been engaged in business.

Among those who made settlements in the city in
1879, and are now still residents therein, are: Seth
A. Howard, .John Brandin. G. M. Chick and John
E. Harris.

Among those who located in Onawa in 1882,
were L. D. Bearce and others.

Dr. II. A. Wheeler came to Onawa in 1883,
although he had been in the county previously,
and engaged in the practice of medicine. Here he
has remained ever since.

Pendleton Hubbard came to Onawa in 1884,
and engaged in the practice of law, which he still
follows.

William F. Moore located in this his future
home in July, 1885, and is engaged in blacksmith-
ing.

Isaac Freeland located in tlie city in 1886, com-
ing here from Sherman Toivnship, where he had
been engaged in farming.

A. W. Mann, one of the druggists of Onawa,
lirst located here in Blarch, 1886.

Chai-les E. Underhill, the present County Attor-
ney, located in Onawa in 1887.

Others that located here during the year 1887,
were George W. Cook and Eugene E. Egli.

Dr. S. D. Angle came to Onawa and settled in

314

MONONA COUNTY.

1888, liaving lived for a short time previously at
Blencoe.

Rev. Ira B. Kilbourn came to the place in Octo-
ber, 1888, and has had charge of the Methodist
Church there since.

Amony those who located in the city this same
year, may be mentionecl : Charles W. Cope, U.D.S. ;
Charles II. Huntington.

COUNTY SEAT.

In tlie spring of 18,18 the question of relocation
of the county scat became the leading topic of in-
terest. Efforts were put forth by both the friends
of Onawa and those of Ashton, the one to obtain,
the other to hold, the coveted distinction of being
the county seat. After considerable discussion,
]iro and con, on the 1st of Marcli, 1858, a petition
was presented to the county court by Addison
Dimuiick, which bore the signatures of J. B. Gard
and others, and was sworn to by W. L. Phillips,
IM'aying for an order submitting to the qualified
electors of the county the question of the location
of the seat of justice of the county at Onawa. At
the same time Isaac Ashton presented a remon-
strance against the submission of the question of
relocation, which bore the names of George R. Out-
house and olliers. <_)n reviewing the matter, C. K.
Whiting, then County Judge, ordered that the fol-
lowing notice be published in the IVesteni Nuclevs
and Democratic Echo, published at Preparation, the
only journal in the county at that time, from whose
columns it is copied :

•• Notice is hereby given tluit a special election
will be held in the several election precincts of
Monona County, Iowa, on the first Monday in
April next, for the relocation of the county-seat at
Onawa, in said county. The ballot to read : 'For
the county -seat at Onawa,' or 'For the county seat
at Ashton.'

"C. E. Whiting. County Judge.

"County Judge's Office, )
"Ashton, March 1, 1858." f

In the columns of the same paper, of the same
date, appears the following notice, showing that the
county officers were not united on their views upon
tie subject:

••^[r. Editor: In making a record of the follow-
ing named petition and remonstrance I wanted to

set forth on the record the number of names at-
tached to each, but the judge refused to have it so
set forth.

"I liereliy certify that there were 109 names, all
told, on the petition i)resented to tbe County Judge
of Blonona County', praying for the relocation of
the county-seat at Onawa, and I further certif}' that
there was 1 .39 names on the remonstrance against
said petition presented to the County Judge of
Monona County.

"(Signed) H. J. IIawley,

"Clerk of Monona County.''

Considerable excitement was iiroduced and some
bad feeling engendered during the campaign, in the
short time previous to the actual movement, but
this proved but evanescent, disappearing after a
few years.

On the 5th of April, 1858, was held the mo-
mentous election that carried the county seat to the
new vilLage, and which decided the question for
many 3-ears.

At that time there were cast 229 ballots, 130 of
which were in favor of the removal of the county-
seat to Onawa, and 99 in favor of its retention at
Ashton, and upon the 8th of the same month, in an
official canvass of the votes, the County Judge, C, E.
Whiting declared the seat (>f justice for the county
to be at Onawa, an<l ordered the removal of the
records, etc., to that place, which was done.

At the meeting of the court, held on the 1st of
September following, a movement was placed on
foot to again remove the count3seat, and a peti-
tion was presented by N. G. Wyatt for the submis-
sion of the question of transferring the seat of gov-
ernment of the county to Belvidere, but the judge
gave an adverse decision to the matter, and it was
dropped for the time being, A movement to the
same purpose in 1861 had more success at first, be-
ing submitted to the vote of the people of the
count}"^ as to their desire to move the seat of justice
to Belvidere, but the motion w.as defeated b3' a
majority of 15, out of a total vote of 223. In
1862 a like attempt to remove it to Areola was de-
feated at the pol Is by a vote of 1 23 to 1 00. At a meet-
ing of the board of county supervisors, held June
6, 1889, a petition was presented to that body pray-
ing for the submission to.the people of the county
of the relocation of the county seat at East Mapleton,

MONONA COUNTY.

815

accompanied bj- a bond of a number of that vil-
lage's leading citizens to pay to the county tliesnm
of $'25,000 in case that the seat of governniunt of
the county was located at that point. 'The board
ordered the election to be held at the time of the
general election in November, 1889, to decide the
(jLiestion. The citizens of Onawa, ever awake to
their own interests, raised a fund of $12,500,
placing a certificate of deposit for tiic same in the
hands of tiie auditor, to be given toward the erec-
tion of a new court-house provided the county
scat question was decided in their favor. At the
general election, however, held in November, 1880.
the citizens with a majority of 225 decided that it
was not for the best interests of the county that
tlie seat of justice should be removed, so the
county seat still remains with Onawa. This was
one of the hardest campaigns ever fought within
the county, but developed but little animosity
among the more intelligent, thinking people, nearly
all being willing to abide by the wish of the ma-
jority.

The court-house noiv in use was erected in the
summer of 1858, by the owners of the town, the
Monona Land Companjs and with the block of
ground on which it stands was valued at $7,000 at
that time. November 8, 1858, this was deeded to
the county for courtdiouse purposes, and has been
used as such ever since. It stands on block 62 of
the original town site, on the main street, or Iowa
Avenue. Thebuihling was a neat frame structure,
but througii the lapse of years has suffered consid-
erably, and has passed its days of usefulness and
beauty. The County Board have at various times
had the grounds set out with trees, and the build-
ing is now surrounded by a handsome and thrift_v
grove.

Until this building was finished the county of-
fices were held in a smiill edifice that then stood on
the site of Ilolbrook & Bros, bank, which was
moved away on the erection of the latter building,
and is now used as a salt shed by M. A. Freeland.
This was known as Mechanics' Hall at the time.

EARLY BUSINESS HOUSES.

Scarcely was tlie town laid out before R. G. Fair-
chilil, who was then the oidy merciiant at Ashton,

put up a store building in Onawa, in which, in the
fall of 1857, P. C. Latimer opened a stock of mei-
chandiso. This building stood just east of where
the railroad crosses Iowa Avenue, on the south
side of the street, just west of where Joseph Fulir-
man's store now stands. Mr. Latimer carried on
the trade in that and another building until the
fall of 1858.

Early in tlie summer of 1858 R. G. Fairchild
removed his stock from Ashton to Onawa, and
commenced business in the latter village, where he
sold everything in the way of dry -goods, groceries,
boots and shoes, etc. He carried on this business
alone until the spring of 1867. when the firm <>(
Fairchild & Douglas was formed by tlie admission.
of George A. Douglas. May 1, 1869, the latter
bought out his partner, and after carrying on the
business alone until late in 1872, admitted his
brother Henry. May 7, 1882, the firm of Doug-
las Bros, sold out to C. S. Pike.

Walter Stark came to the new town in the fall
t>f 1857, and established a small shop where he did
merchant tailoring. From this small beginning
has grown his present large business, known us the
Onawa Clothing Store.

Thomas R. Chapman opened a grocery store
about the beginning of 1858, and carried it on un-
til about 1862, when the stock was closed out and
Mr. Chapman removed from the village. He was
afterward engaged here in business on returning to
the place in 1869, and then sold out in 1874 to A.
S. Dunham.

The spring of 1858 witnessed the establishment
of the real estate, loan, conve^'ancing and abstract
office of Ilolbrook & Bro., a firm composed of
Charles H. and Bernard D. Holbrook. This bus-
iness they have carried on ever since, their bank
growing out of it in 1865.

In the month of April, 1858, Richard Stebbinf,
a physician of culture, came to the infant village
and putting up a small building on the site of the
building now occupied by James Armstrong,
opened the pioneer drug store and commenced the
practice of medicine. His store was burned to the
ground in the spring of 1865, and he purchased
another building and removed it to his lot, in
which he carried ou his business until December,

316

MONONA COUNTY.

1878. He then erected n U.aiulsome brick structure
into which he removed. Tliere he remained until
1885, when he sold out to Joseph Jennings,
althougli he still continues to own tlie ])uilding.
Mr. Jennings carried on the business for two years
but in 1 887 disposed of it to Wheeler & Egli, who
are the present representatives of the business.

The pioneer blacksmith-sliop in the j'oung village
was put up and run by John Southers, who had
moved hither in the summer of 1858, from the
village of Ashton, wliere he had been engaged in a
like business. He was one of the well known char-
acters of his day and was depended upon to furnish
the music when "ye pioneer fathers and mothers"
indulged in the dance. A wagon sliop was estab-
lished in 1860, by N. A. Whiting, the first of its
kind in the vihage or county.

Whiting & Bro., a firm composed of Charles E.
and Newell A. Wliiting, 0|)ened a general mer-
chandise store in 1868. which they sold out to
Charles Atkins in 18G2, after carrying on the bus-
iness until that time.

John Elwell opened a variety store in the village
in 1859, selling a stock of goods belonging to Kirk
& Sawyer, of .Sioux City, at first, soon purchasing
the interest of those parties, with tlie money made
out of his commissions, and carried on the business
for many years, in fact until his death, wliicli took
place August 16, 1883. His establishment known
as the "Beehive," was one of the landmarks of the
village.

S. S. Pearse, on receiving tlie appointment as
Postmaster at Onawa, opened a small store which
he carried on until leaving this locality.

J. A. Scott opened a brickyard at Onawa in
1860, and burned the brick with which the old
schoolhouse was built.

The next addition to the mercantile circles of the
place was the well known. "Headquarters' Store"
of Charles Atkins, whicli commenced business in
1862, he purchasing the stock, etc., of Whiting &
Bro., and making additions thereto. He carried on
the business until September, 1872, acting most of
the time as Postmaster and cxpre.'s agent, then sold
out to Timothy Elliott. He is now a resident of
Omaha.

Timothy Elliott commenced his career in the

mercantile circles of Onawa in 1863, as the senior
member of the firm of Elliott cVr Bufflngton, dealers
in general merchandize. A few months later,
purchasing the interest of his partner Mr. Elliott
assumed the sole control and thus carried on the
business until quite lately, when the firm was
changed to that of Elliott & Son.

During the year 1862 Elijah Walker came to
the place and engaged in repairing shoes and at-
tending to the soles of the people. From this
small beginning, as times prospered him, grew up
quite a shoe store, for sometime without a competi-
tor devoted totliatline exclusively. This business
lie carried on until March, 1872, but he then sold
out to Edward Bakke, who had been in his employ
and who has carried, on tlie business ever since, and
ranks among the successful and leading business
men of the community.

The pioneer attorneys of the village were: first,
B. D. Holbrook; second, Addison Oliver; third,
Addison Dimmick. After them came John Cary,
John S. Monk, Evans & McJIillan. John E. Selleck,
Robert Lucas, and C. E. L'nderliill.

The first pliysican w.as Dr. Richard Stelibins, in
1858, who was followed tlie next winter by Dr. C.
G. Stutzman, he by Dr. C. John Hazlett. Since then
there have resided here the following named: Drs.
J. B. Ii-p,, L. H. Cary, James Butts, H. Noble, C.
L. Hart, Holbrook, G. A. Siddons, George Liver-
more, D. Handel, James M. Oliver, H. A. Wheeler,
H. E. Marr, S. D. Angle and R. Harmon.

For several years these were about the only
merchants and tradesmen in the little village. But
with the close of the war and the tide of a new
emigration that set this way, new business enter-
prises sprang up, and the village of Onawa began
its true growth. The following is a sketch of the
rise and progress of the various business houses of
the cit}'^, together with other notes of interest. Bio-
graphical epitomes of the various business men of
the place are given in another department of this
volume, wherein the particular history of their
struggles and life work is shown in detail.

PllESENT BUSINESS.

The hardware business of Newell A. Whiting was
established by that gentleman in the fall of 1867,

MONONA COUNTY,

317

forming a partnership with Henry Gcrar<l,[formerly
of the firm of Gerard & Oldenburg and the business
carried on for a couple of years under the firm
name of Gerard & Whiting. After Mr. Gerard's
death his interest was purchased by his partner,
who has successfully carried on the^.business ever
since.

The hardware establishment of Henry W. Cady
was established by that gentleman in April, 1883,
and has been carried on by him ever since.

The hardware firm of Cleghorn & Fludo was es-
tablished in April, 188'J, John Cleghorn and C. W.
Flude composing the firm.

McCaskey, Walker & Co., engaged in the gen-
eral merchandise trade in Marcli, 1867. The firm
was composed of those well knovvn-gentleiuen,
John K. McCaskey, James Walker and J. S. Maugh-
liii. The first named sold out his interest in 1869,
on his election to the office of County Auditor, to
J. S. Maughlin. Shortly after the firm was further
strengthened by the admission of W. L. Holmes
and the business from that time was carried on
under the firm name and style of Walter, Holmes
it Co. In 1874 S. L. Grow was added to tlie firm.
In 1875 Mr. Walker disposed of his interest to his
partners and the firm assumed its present title,
Holmes & Co. In 1873 J.K. McCaskey had again
become a member of the firm, and in 1877 Mr.
Maughlin dropped out, and in 1881 Mr. Grow re-
tired from the firm and C. AV. Willev liecame a
member of the firm since 1882.

The firm of Warner & Freeland. composed of
George E. Warner and M. A. Freeland, commenced
business in the sjjring of 1867 and handled general
merchandise, lumber and grain, under that style
until 1869, when E. A. Chapman was added to the
firm. In 1874 the business was divided, Mr. Free-
land taking the agricultural implement and lumber
branches and Messrs. Warner and Chapman the
general merchandise part. One year later Mr.
Warner purchased the interest of his partner and
continued the business until April, 1889, when he
closed out the stock and wound up the business.

In 1869 Ezra Mason established a drug store in
a small building now occupied as a restaurant, west
of the post-oflice, where he carried on business for
several months, when having erected the building

now occupied by A. \V. Mann, he removed thither.
He sold out to Dr. J. Butts in 1873, who remained
in the business until 1877, when he disposed of the
stock and fixtures to R. Stebbins, his competitor,
who sold it to John Somers in 1879. In 1881 the
latter gentleman sold out to Daniel Handel who
continued to carry it on until March 14, 1886,
when it was purchased by the piesent proprietor,
A. AV. Mann.

About the year 1868, George Davis, now of
\Vashington, established a furniture store in Onawa,
which some years after he sold to Giddiiigs A:
Stearns. The latter gentlemen erected a l)uilding
into whicii he removed the stock, where it is at the
present writing. Mr. Giddiiigs disposed of the
business to John Brandin in Februarj-, 1879, and it
has been under the control of that individual ever
since. This was the pioneer store in this line and
is the only one in the city at the present.

The boot and shoe establishment of George Un-
derhiU was instituted by that gentleman in 1870,
and has been under his control ever since.

Tlie firm of C. AV'. Perkins & Co., dealers in
books, stationery, fancy goods and confectionery,
was formed in the spring of 1874, and opened up
business in a portion of the Elliott building. In
the summer of 1877 they erected the substantial
brick structure now occupied by them, into which
they removed that fall.

The grocery house of J. R. Thurston & Son was
established in 1881 by W. AA^. Thurston. The
business was purchased liy his father, James R.
Thurston, in 1882. The latter gentleman carried
on the concern until 1887, when he associated his
son with himself, and tlie present firm was formed.
In Ot-tober, 1888. they had the misfortune to have
the building in which they were located destroyed
by fire, and the next day removed to their present
quarters.

D. B. Kenyou engaged in the grocery business
in Onawa in August, 1887, and continued in that
line until removed from this world by the hand of
death, October 5, 1889.

Rundlett's restaurant was established b3' the
present proprietor, Septemlier 20, 1887, and has
been under his control ever since.

Morton H. Kendall, who is engaged in the gro-

■MS

MONONA COUNTY.

eery and bakery business, established his stand in
Onawa on coming lierc, in April, 1889.

AVilliam J. Eiva, who is engaged in the harness
making trade, commenced business in 1878, since
which time he has carried it on, the only institution
of the kind in tlie cit}'.

M. A. Freeland. wiiu is largely engaged in the
sale of lumber and agricuUural implements, com-
menced the latter brancli of his business, as one of
the firm of Warner & Freehmd, in 18(58. In 1874
the firm was dissolved and Mr. Freeland succeeded
to -this part of their business and the farm ma-
chinery branch. In 1871, in connection with John
C'leghorn, he formed the firm of Freeland Cleghorn,
and carried on the business under that style until
February, 1888, when the latter gentleman retired
lo engage in another branch of trade. Since that
lime Mr. Freeland has operated the business alone.

The lumber and coal business of F. E. Colby &
Co. was originated in the spring of 1887, by Frank
F. Colby. In August. 1888, the firm was strength-
ened by the admission of the father of the founder
and the present firm name and style adoj)ted. They
carry on the business near the Illinois Central depot,
and are one of the leading firms in that line in the
city.

Maiden B. Pullen, who is engaged in carpenter-
ing and in the undertaking business, commenced
his trade in Onawa in 1809, in the former branch.
In the summer of 1880 lie established the latter de-
partment, and has carried on the two in conjunction
ever since.

S. F. Sears engaged in the business of meat mar-
ket and i)rovision store in the spring of 1878, and
has been in that line of trade ever since.

The meat market presided over by Frank Haw-
kins vvas established by F. C. Case in December,
1887, and run by him until February, 1888, when
it was purchased by the present proprietor.

The meat market now operated by Pike & How-
ard was established by Fred McCausland, who was
succeeded by G. P. Buflington. The firm of Pike
Bros, became the owners by purchase, and carried
on the business until the fall of 1877, when the co-
partnership was dissolved by the death of B. F.
Pike, after which the place was under the entire !

control of J. C. Pike, the surviving partner until
1880, when, by the admission of S. A. Howard, the
present firm was formed.

Olson & Hammer are engaged in the meri'liant
tailoring trade in Onawa, a business they inaugu-
rated in April, 1889.

The first livery stable in the village of Onawa
was established by Levi I). Kiltie in the fall of
1867 and was run by him until August, 18G.S,
when he sold out to Elijah Peake. The old build-
ing was destroyed by fire in 1874, after which the
latter erected the one now standing. This edifice,
which is G0x70 feet in size, has a storage capacity
of ninety tons of hay besides room for a large
number of horses. It was continued under the
control of Mr. Peake'uptil the fall of 1883, when
he disposed of it to Thomas Flowers. That gentle-
man ran it for one year, but in the fall of 1884, it
was i)urchased by the present owner, J. G. Taylor.
He keei)s on hand some seven teams, and runs a
dray, 'bus and transfer line in connection.

In the summer of 1873, W. C. Marr and J. S.
Maughlin entered into a copartnership and inaugu-
rated the Onawa Manufacturing Company, an in-
stitution for the manufacture of carriages, wagons,
door and window frames, mouldings, staircases,
balconies, etc. A short time thereafter, M. B.
Pullen was admitted to a full partnership and the
business carried on under the same title until 1875,
when it was closed out, Mr. Maughlin closing up
the concern.

Sharpneck& Co., a firm composed of James Arm-
strong and W. S. Sharpneck, established what was
known as the Onawa Iron Works, for the manu-
facture of all kinds of engines, boilers, cane mills.
and as a foundr}'. This firm carried on the busi-
ness from the spring of 1875 until in July of the
same year, when the plant was ti-ansferred to a
corporation then formed under the name formerly
borne by the company. The incorporators were:
Addison Oliver. James Armstrong, H. E. Colby,
Freeland & Cleghorn and Holbrook & Bro., and
had a capital of $3,000, divided intosixty shares of
$50 each. The first officers were: A. Oliver, Presi-
dent; M. A. Freeland, Vice-President; B. D. Hol-
brook, Secretary ; and James Armstrong, Superin-
tendent. After about two 3ears of operation, it

MONO^'A COUxXTY.

319

not paying, the enteipn'se^wasabandonerl, and the
company quit business.

~ The Marr Novelty Works, one of the institutions
of Onawa, was established in 1883 by William C.
Marr, in a building on lot 10, block 122. The
gentleman in question and his son,Nahum, engaged
in carpentering, repairing, and in the manufacture
of W. C. Marr & Son's "Economy Flour Chest"
and inventors' models. A blacksmith forge was
put up in the same building by J. H. Marr, who
does all the work in that line.

In March, 1872, Amos J.'Heitman erected a
blaeksmith~shop, rnnningia "smithy here^for some
time, when he was succeeded by a Mr. Brown.
After a shortj time the latter was succeeded by
Philip L. Sawyer, and he in turn, by Garrett Inger-
soll. The latter sold a half interest to AV'illiam F.
Moore, who, in tlie fall of 1887, purchased the re-
maining half, and has conducted the business ever
since.

Severt Bakke commenced the wagon making
Inisiness for himself in 1879, and is still engaged in
that line. The shop that he occupies was erected
b^- him in 1886, and is situated on West Broadway.

The profession of medicine is lepresented in
Onawa at the present writing (1889) by the follow-
ing gentlemen : Dr. James Butts, Dr. H. A. Wheeler.
Dr. II. E. Marr. Dr. R. Harmon and Dr. S. D.
Angle.

Charles W. Cope represents the profession of
dentistry in the city, having established his office
here in March. 1888.

The legal fraternity of Onawa is fully represented
by the following gentlemen: Oliver Bros. <fe Tillson,
J. E. Selleck, C. E. Underbill, McMillan & Kindall
and Pendleton Hubbard. Most of these parties are
also engaged in the real-estate business in connec
tion with their law business, and manj' of them
have sets of abstracts.

W. G. Wood & Co., dealers in cattle and exten-
sive feeders and shippers of live stock, commenced
business in that line in the spring of 1887, and have
taken a foremost position in that business from the
start.

Albert S. Fessenden opened a brickyard here in
1867, which he carried on for several }'ears.

The agricultural depot of William Burton, was

established by that gentleman, one of the oldest set-
tlers^in the county, in the year 1878, and has been
in his bands ever since.

BANKS.

The banking house of Hoi brook & Bro. was es-
tablished by Charles H. and Bernard D. Hoi brook,
in 1865, being the outgrowth of the real-estate busi-
ness inaugurated by ilicni in 18r)7. on the inception
of the village. The business was commenced in
the court-house, in the rooms now occupied by the
county auditor and superintendent of sciiools, and
was carried on there nniil the summer of 1871,
when the bank was removed to the neat and tasty
brick building, which they had just erected, in
which it is now locMted. They do a general bank-
ing and real-estate business ;~arc the oldest bank in
the county, and one of the soundest and wealth-
iest institutions of the kind in this part of the State,
being rated at nearly three-quarters of a million
dollars capital by the commercial agencies.

The Onawa State Bank was organized in April,
1888, under the State laws, with a capital of -*;50,-
000. The officers are: B. B. Richards, of Dubuque,
President; Addison Oliver, Vice President; Charles
H. Huntington, Cashier; B. B. Richards, W. H.
Day and George Burden, of Dubuque; J. N. Rich-
ards, of New York; Addison Oliver, John Cleg-
horn, George E. Warner, N. A. Whiting, and C. H.
Huntington, of Onawa, Directors. Business was
commenced May 15, 1888, moving November fol-
lowing to their present quarters, in the handsome
building that the corporation had just erected.
This edifice, the finest one in the city, is built of
Sioux Falls granite and brick, and, architecturally
is a credit to the taste of the builder, and the lib-
erality of the bank, and adds materially to the im-
provement of the place. The interior fittings are
in consonance with the ornate exterior, and are
suited to the convenience of the officers and em-
ploj'ees.

ORISTMILL.

In the spring of 1872, T. Reder put up and com-
menced tiie operation of a steam saw and grist mill
on the site now occupied by the Onawa roller mill.
He carried on the business for some time. In Jan-
uary, 1874, the gristmill portion was sold to Bax-

320

MONONA COUNTY.

ter Whiting, wlio lemodeletl it and litled it uj)
anew with more modern maehinery. It was at that
time equipped witli tliree sets of linhrs, and usual
auxiliaries. Mr. W.hiting carried on this business
until January, 1878, when it was purchased In-
Wood & Kenyon, for $8,000, who made additions '
to tiie machinery to the amount of -^2,000 more,
making it one of the most complete in the county
at that lime. Early in the morning of Sunday,
January 5, 1879, the mill witii its contents, some
thirty thousand pounds of Hour, and ahout thirty
tons of bran, middlings and feed, was destroyed by
fire, making a loss, including wheat in the elevator,
of over $15,000, on which there was an insurance
of only 84,1)00. The following spring tiie late
owners erected the present mill, on the site of the
old one, four stories in height, and put in four sets
of buhrs, and all the necessary machinery. In
1884, the roller system was adopted, and rolls and
all other new and im|)roved m.aehinery added. The
motive power is furnished by a fine sixty-five horse-
power engine. JX B. Ken3'on, th(; late proprietor,
bought out his i)artner"s interest in February, 1887.
Ilolbrook A' Ijro. are the present owners, taking
possession of the same in the summer of 1889.

Onavva Mouse, the pioneer hotel of the beautiful
city of Onawa, has quite a history, and around its
time-worn walls cluster many fond recollections,
endeared through the glamor of memory in the i
minds and hearts of the old settlers. Work on
this building was commenced in the latter part of
June, and the frame, as has been said, was raised
on the Fourth of Jul\', 1857, and was the occasion
of considerable jollification. 'Ihe carpenters who
were engaged in putting it up were F. W. Snow,
Cliarles and George Atkins, E. K. Pierce, James
Armstrong, S. S. Pearse, George Oliver, Thomas
arid Darius Pearee and others, most of whom were
staying with J. E. Morrison, who kept the hotel
at Ashton, and came over every day to their work
on Mv. Morrison's new hotel. Says a local writer
in .^peaking of this old landmark, in the Sentinel
of June 22, 1889:

" A Cottonwood tree was one day gi-owlng in tlie
limber and the next day it was a part of the

Onawa House. One of the steam sawmills which
so rapidly transformed trees into a hotel was owned
by Armstrong, Sharron it Cox., situated about a
half-mile southwest of the Ashton tavern. The
other mill was situated on the farm now owneii by
R. G. Fairchild, two miles south of (Jnaw-a, and
was owned by C E. and Newell Whiting. In No-
vember of 1857 Mr. Morrison moved from his
Asiiton hotel into tiic Onawa House, and from that
time on to the present it has been a center around
which cluster many interesting and long to be re-
membered associations and scenes. At first the
upjjer floor or garret was unplastered, and was
called the '• School Section," and sometimes the
"Ram Pasture," where all the single young men
gathered, and if the married men will be honest
they will confess that they occasionally were found
in the same pasture, and often had lively times
with tlie fun-loving bachelors. Oftentimes the
head of Landlord Morrison would appear near the
top of the stairs for the purpose of quelling the dis-
turbance. Frequently his good ofHces were highly
unappreciated by the young bucks, and a perfect
shower of boots, shoes, bootjacks and other chance
missiles were fired at him, causing him to beat a
hasty retreat and report, 'By lightning, those are
the toughest boys I ever saw.'

* •• Mr. Morrison was proprietor of the house nntil
18G5, when he sold it to A. T. lligelow. In 18G6
Mr. Bigelow sold it to Elijah Peake, who. with his
son-in-law, D. J. Rockwell, conducted it about ten
years, when Mr. Peake transferred his interest to
Mr. Rockwell, who ran it alone two or three years,
when in 1880 he sold it to J. R. Thnrston, who was
proprietor jnst one year, when J. E. Morrison again
became the jn-oprietor."

The latter gentleman, being warned by feeble
health that he must give up his active employment,
in 1887 sold out to a company of gentlemen of the
city and removed to the more congenial climate of
California. E. H. Chapman leased the property,
and was the landlord of the house for about a j'ear
and was succeeded by the present lessee, R. G.
Brown. In July, 1889, the buililing was removed
to its present location from the one it occupied on
the corner of Iowa Avenue, jnst south of where it
now stands, bj- tlie Onawa Improvement Company-,

MONONA COUNTY.

321

by whom it was purchased a short time previous.
To quote again from the old settler correspondent
mentioned above:

" As the old settlers of Onawa rather reluctantly
see the building going slowl}* from its original
foundation, many forms and faces tlit before the
mind's eye, but none is more distinct than tlie first
[iroprietor and landlord of ths famous old Onawa
House, J. E. Morrison, whose enterprise and faith
in the future destiny of the town led him to erect,
in 1857, what for that period was a most commo-
dious and expensive building. Onawa was in em-
bryo then. The substantial walls of the hotel, with
its well painted exterior, w.as a most conspicuous
object in the wide landscape of waving prairie-
grass, towering aloft in almost solitary grandeur,
a beacon-light to the wearj' traveler in search of
rest, food and comfort.

"• Many notables of national reputation, civil and
military, crossed the threshold of the Onawa House
in early days as transient guests, and broke bread
at the table of ' Mine Host' Morrison. The arrival
of the stage each d.ay from Council Bluffs was one
of the exciting events. Curiosity and expectation
were on tip-toe as a span of jaded horses with the
Western Stage Company's mail-coach pulled up at
early candle-light alongside the spacious platform
in front of the hotel. The faces of the emerging-
passengers were scanned with a view to a chance of
extracting some news of the outside world. A
little gossip with a stranger was a godsend. The
Onawa House was in its greatest glory, however,
during court week. It was the rendezvous of town
and county. Couit week was a gala time for
everybody. People swarmed in and around the
hotel, filling every cranny. A bed on the floor
was at a jjremium. Orave judges, jostled with
jovial grangers clad in homespun. Sharp lawyers
from Council Bluffs and Sioux City enveloped
themselves in tobacco smoke, cracked venerable
jokes and told stories for the amusement of their
clients. Sheriff, jurymen, prisoners and witnesses
hobnobbeil together in the most free and easj' man-
ner in the office, hall and parlor. The resources
of the establishment were severely tried. A pio-
neer appetite was not to be trilled with, but Mr.
Morrison never allowed short rations in his house

and the host of hungry men put solid food where
it would do the most good.

"A supper and ball, December -21, ISfiO, Virought
out the beauty and the chivalry of the count}'. No
tickets were issued, and consequently everybody
w,as considered invited to attend and keep step to
the violin. The power behind the throne, Mrs. I
Morrison, attended to the cooking, and the old set- I
tiers know the significance of that fact. Well '

cooked, tender fat turkei's were a jirominent feature
of that feast. Rut I must cease my babbling; the
light of other days is extinguished, the mirth of
old has ceased. The boom of public improvement
has come to sweep away the mute witness of events
in Onawa for the past thirty-two years. Farewell,
old Onawa House.

" The Cottonwood grove which a few 3'ears ago
stood north of the hotel, was a spontaneous growth
from seed brought on the ground by a heavy wind
storm which occurred in August, 1858.

"In August, 18G2, a strong straight wind blew
the hotel off its foundation and about two feet to
the southeast."

The hotel now known as the Spencer House has
had a varied experience. A portion of it was
built as a residence on the block on which the
schoolhouse now stands in 1857, by the County
.ludge, Charles E. Whiting, who made it his home
for sever.al years. In the same dwelling afterward
in turn lived the families of Charles Atkins,
James Armstrong, Charles II. Holbrook, and E. D.
Dimmick, the latter of whom bought it. In 1863,
Abel Smith purchased the building, and making
some additions tu it and opened it as a hotel
under the name of the "O. K. House." He con- i
tinned to carry it on until December, 1866, when
it was purchased by John A. Ilittle, who changed
the name to that of the Western House, and re-
mained its landlord until 1869. In the latter ye.Tr
he disposed of it to T. C. Walton, who removed it
to the location it now C)ccupies and enlarged it.
giving it the name of the Walton House, and ad-
vertising it as "the only second-class hotel in the
West." In 1873 he rented it for a 3ear to J. Ilil- \
ton, but on the expiration of that [)eriod .again as-
sumed the charge of it and continued to preside
therein for years. In the winter of 1882 a portion

.1:22

MONONA COUNTY.

of it was ilesti-oyod by fire, l)ut the damage was
speedily repaired and additions made to the origi-
nal Iniilding. May 31, 1888, it was purchased by
Frank T. Spencer, who assumed charge of it, chang-
ing the name tu its present one, ''The Spencer
House." August 7. 1888, he formed a partnership
with Clinton Prouse, whicli only lasted until March
28, 1889, since wiiichtime Mr. Spencer has carried
on the business alone.

The Onawa Improvement Company, one of the
prominent business associations of Monona County,
and one that is bound to further the interests of
both city and country, was organized April .30,
1889. It has for its object the bu3'ing, improving,
leasing or selling real estate in the town of Onawa,
Iowa, and its vicinity; to establish, operate, lease or
assist manfacturing and other lawful business en-
terprises in the same, and to eiect, furnish or lease
power therefor; to furnish and operate for the town
and its environs street railways, electric lights and
water works that maj' in the future be authorized
by Onawa municipal government; to survey,
acquire right-of-way and depot grounds for, and
construct and operate, or assist in constructing and
operating lines of railwaj' to, through and from
the town and surrounding country'.

The capital stock of the .association is $2.50,000,
divided into shares of llOO each. The company
has its |n-incipal place of business in Onawa, and
the incorporation is for twenty years. The first
and present officers are as follows: Hon. Addison
Oliver, President; (t. W. McMillan, Vice President;
B. D. Holbrook, Treasurer; P. K. Holbrook, Secre-
tary; Hon. Addison Oliver, IJ. D. Holbrook, S. F.
Sears, Ci. W. McMillan, and M. A. Freeland, Di-
rectors. One of the first moves made b}' the com-
panj- was the purchase of the old Onawa House,
the pi(meer hotel of the town, and removing it to
the northeast corner of the block upon vvhich it
stood, erected in its stead a new, two-story brick
hotel.

I'0ST-0F1'"I('H.

The Onawa post-oflice was established in 1858,
being removed to this point by Robert G. Fair-
child, the Postmaster, on his coming to Onawa from
Ashton. In 1861 he was succeeded by S. S. Pearse,
who after two or three years gave way for Charles

Atkins. The latter continued custodian of the
mails until 1873, when removing from the village
he was succeeded by Capt. C. G. Perkins, who was
Postmaster continuously until March 17, 1887, at
which date he was succeeded by the present in-
cumbent of tiie office, George Underhill. This was
made a money order office April 28, 1871.

PKESS.

The pioneer newspaper w.as the Onawa Adventure
commenced in 1858, by Charles B. Thompson,
which only had a short life, ceasing on the removal
from the county of the editor and proprietor, as re-
lated elsewhere.

On the 19th of December, 1860, a new paper
made its appearance^, under the title of the Monana
Cordon, l)ublished by'Dimmick & Butts. It was
a neat six-column folio, with Addison Dlmmick in
charge of the editorial columns, .and for a time ob-
tained considerable influence in the community. In
November, 1861, D. W. Butts became sole propri-
etor and editor, and carried on the journal for a
short time when it ceased to exist.

Not disiieartened however, in the beginning of
the year, 1863, Mr. Butts started a new paper, the
West Iowa Gazette, a five column folio, which he
carried on until the fail of 1865, when it in turn
gave way to a successor, the Gazette. Mv. Butts
removed from the county and is, at the present
writing, the editor .and proprietor of tlie Little
Sioux Independent of Harrison County.

The Monona County Gazette was founded in the
early winter of 1865, by Howendobler & Aldridge,
the initial number being issued under the date of
December 2, of that year. The paper was at the
time a small, five column folio, with but a limited
advertising patronage. In it are display advertise-
ments and cards of the Onawa House, under the
proprietorship of A. T. Bigelow; R. .Stebbins,
druggist; Holbrook & Bro., general land agents;
shoe store, E. Walker; C. H. Holbrook, Survej^or
and B. D. Holbrook, attorney -at-law; Addison Oli-
ver, attorney; J. B. Ira, physician and surgeon; J.
Allen, new butcher shop, and Charles Atkins,
"Headquarters store" for the sale of general mer-
chandise; the O. K. House, Abel Smith, |)roprietor,
and some few fi'om other points.

MONONA COUNT r.

.3-23

The propricters of this journal were F. M'
Howendobler and C. H. Aldridge until May, 1868,
when the interest of Mr. Howendobler, wiio liad
died shortly before, was purchased 1)3' W. A. Greene,
and tlie tirm thus formed carried on this paper for
about a year. At the expiration of that period,
Mr. Greene became the sole proprietor and occu-
pied the editorial tripod in solitar_y glory for a
twelvemonth when he disposed of the outfit and
business to a syndicate of gentlemen of Onawa,
prominent among whom were Holbrook & Bro., J.
K. McCaskey, J. S. Maughlin, and James Arm-
strong. S. R. Bassett leased the office and operated
it until April 13, 1872, when, on account of some
matters of disagreement arisir.g between Mr. Bas-
sett and the owners of tlie sheet, he stepped down
and out and was succeeded by H. E. Morrison and
Charles H. Aldridge under the firm name of Mor-
rison & Aldridge, tlieir salutatory appearing in the
issue of that date. These gentleman presided over
the journal until April 1873, when the stock of the
other holders being purchased by J. K. McCaskey,
he assumed editorial charge of the Gazette, the old
firm resigning their place, in a few well chosen, fit
words on the 5th of that month. Shortly after
this the name of C. H. Aldridge appears in partner-
ship with Mr. McCaskey and at the head of the
editorial page. The firm thus formed remained in
existence until May 8, 1875, when Mr. McCaskey
disposed of his interest to C. E. Sain, and he and
Mr. Aldridge carried on the Gazette until the 1st of
September, 1875, at which time they were succeeded
by J. U. Ainsworth, one of the raciest newspaper
men of the western part of the State. In spile of
drawbacks this gentleman carried on tbe paper
alone through good and bad times until about
October, 1887, when Cooley and Zollinger assumed
the control, to be succeeded within the y-ear by J. J.
Cooley, alone. In October, 1888, the entire office
was purcliased by H. C. Laub, of Dennison, Iowa,
by whom it was leased to Thatcher & Sims. Two
or three months later the firm engaged in running
this pioneer sheet was changed to Baxter & Sims,
and a month later it was leased by the owner, Mrs.
J. D. Ainsworth to H. Fayette Sims, a good practical
printer and able news gatherer, who is making an
excellent home local paper. The journal is a nine

column folio, and well filled with good home ad-
vertisements. The oflico is well equipped and lil-
ted out for the purpose for which it is intended, and
has its sliare of the jol) and advertising work of the
community.

The People's Press was established in 1870, by
W. A. Greene, on a •S5-d()llar Army press, with but
a few handsful of type. It was but one column,
and that but three or four inches long, but wilii
each issue he kept enlarging it, soon buying a new
press and more material, until May, 1872, when he
had quite a neat little sheet, and some four hundred
subscribers, he formed a partnership with S. U.
Bassatt, and under the firm name and style of
Greene ik Bassatt, the paper was further enlaro-cd
and carried on for about a year. Mr. Greene then
retiring, Mr. Bassatt continued sole proprietor and
at the head of the editorial department until 1877,
when he disposed of it to G. F. Crouch, who re-
moved the material to Mapleton, with which city
its history has been connected ever since.

The Onawa Enquirer was the title of a newspa-
per inaugurated in the summer of 1880, the first
issue bearing the date of June 10. This journal
was edited and published by George S. Witters,
and was the exponent of the principles of the
Democratic party. A few months it was carried
on by the originator, and was a lively local sheet,
but owing to mismanagement and want of stability
in the editor, it soon came to an untimely death.

The Monona County Tribune, a six-column folio,
was born on the 22d of September, 1883, and was
the organ for the campaign then waging. It was
the advocate and organ of the Peoples' party, and
was issued in the interest of the opposition to Re-
publican rule. It appeared without the name of
either editors or publishers, but it is credited with
having many of the prominent gentlemen of the
county in the editorial chair. It was published in
Sioux City. Its life was of short duration, it ce.is-
ing to exist on the close of the campaign, but dur-
ing the time that it was carried on was a wide-
awake, caustic, and well-edited paper, and had
some influence in the work of that autumn.

The Onawa Sentinel was established in March,
1885, by W. A. Greene, who liad been running the
Whiting Sentinel. The first issue of the paper was

321

MONONA COUNTY.

II bri.u'lit :iii(l clever specimen of lypograpliic art.,
and well editeil. Mv. Greene continued in the sole
management of the journal until the 1st of Jan-
nary, 1887, when he associated with himself John
11. Jones, and the present firm of Greene & Jones
came into existence. On its institution the paper
was issued as a six-column folio, but shortly after-
ward it was chanoed to the form it now has, that
of a folio of the same size. It is interesting to
note thp growth of this office in the short time of
its existence, Mr. Greene starting with but material
enough to print one page, and a cheap Army press,
and at the present the office is as well equipped as
the majority of weekly papers, with a good press
and full amount of type and material, Ijesides the
usual outfit for .all classes of job work.

The editorial columns are such as the public ex-
pect to receive at the hands of such a veteran
journalist as Mr. fheene, while the local department
sliows the raciness and spice' of the junior editor,
whose initiation into the "art [ireservatlve" is of a
later date.

EDUCATIONAL.

On the sterile shores of jM.assacliussetts, the stern
and rigid I'uritan planted the first seeds of a grand
system of educational facilities, and their descend-
ants brought to the Great West with them slips
from the ancient tree. Many of the ])ioneeis of
this county were New Englanders. or of New Eng-
land ancestry, and true to their early training their
first thoughts were given to tlie institution of the
common or public scliool. Scarce was the village
laid out when the attention of the community turned
in that direction, and during the winter of 1857-8
A. R. Wright taught a school in a frame building
tiiat had been erected on the site now occupied by
the shoe store of E. E. Bakke, on Iowa Avenue.
The following year the school was held in the
flame dwelling-house erected by Airs. Catherine
Folck on her lot.

In 1800, the quarters having grown too circum-
scribed in accommodation for the number of pupils,
a one-story lii'ick building was erected, which w^as
28x50 feet in size (which is now a part of the resi-
dence of James Thurston), in which Timotliy El-
liott was the first teacher. This liuildina; continued

in use until the completion of the present handsome
edifice on West Broadway, in 1874.

From the settlement of Onawa until 18G8, it had
been a sub-district of the Franklin Township Dis-
trict, Ijut in that year it was separ.ited from the
latter by a vote of the people, and made an inde-
pendent district. The organization was effected
February, 22, 1868, and the first board of edu-
cation chosen consisted of the following named:
Charles Atkins, President; James Armstrong, Vice-
President; F. W. Snow, Secretar}' ; N. A. Whiting,
Treasurer; and R. 6. Faircliild, L. D. Kittle, and
J. E. Selleck, Directors.

In 1872 the board submitted to the fpialified
electors the question of issuing the bonds of the
district in the sura, of $9,000, to help pay for the
erection of a more commodious and proper scliool
building. Upon the election, which took place on
the 20th of Blay, of that year, there were sixty-five
votes cast, only six of which were against the
issuance c>f the bonds. Accordingly J. S. Mangh-
lin, who was then President of the board, and S. B.
M.-trtin, its Secretar3', published a proposal for bids
in accordance with specifications and plan which
had been prepared by W. Angelo Powell, an archi-
tect of St. Joseph, Mo. The bids not proving
satisfactory they were rejected, and the whole mat-
ter laid over for another year.

In January, 1873, a contract for the erection of
the school building was awarded to M. B. Pullen,
of Onawa, who agreed to finish the same that
fall, for -tl 0,000, but circumstances rendered it im-
possible to fulfill the contract at the given time, the
board extended the same, and the structure was not
comi)leted until the fall of 1874.

The edifice is of brick manufactured near Onawa,
by the contractor, and stands on a block bought
several years previous of Abel Smith, for the pur-
[)()se, and faces to the east. The size of the main
))uilding is 72x40 feet on the ground, the L being
41x44 feet. The i first or basement story is nine
feet in height; the second, third and mansard
stories each fourteen feet. In the main building
there are four rooms, two each on the second and
third floors, respectively 25x37 feet in size; two
rooms in the L. and (uie in the third story under
the tower, and a largo hall roou) in the third storv

MONONA COUNTY.

325

of the annex make up the complement of rooms.
The inside of the buihling is generally wainscoted
witii ash, which is well finished and varnislied.
From the top of the building rises a liandsome
cupola; in tlie front of tlie main structure, which is
twenty-seven feet above the top of the mansard
roof, or eighty -seven feet from the bottom of the
basement. The style of architecture is a modern-
ized specimen of the French-Renaissance or man-
sard order; the mansard roof rising from a plain
base to a rounded top. with ornamental rail upon
the crest. The sides of the cupola and roof are
covered with octagon-shaped sliingles, painted stone
color. The trimmings of the building are generally
of a smooth, light stone.

All the brick, wainscoting, moulding and other
machine work, was done in this city, the latter
items by the Onawa Manufacturing Company, of
which the contractor was a member. The brick
work was done under the immediate sujjervision
of A. Nichols, of Onawa. There were used in the
construction of tiio building some 800,000 bricks,
400 barrels of lime, 5 carloads of pine lumber, and
75,000 feet of coltonwood lumber. Owing to many
changes made in the plan from the original con-
ception, the buihling cost when finished about
$20,000, and is one of the finest in the State, one,
as was said at the time of its completion, "that any
city of 10,000 inhabitants might feel proud of."
In regard to the bell that hangs in the turret, therein
lies quite a history, that is in place in this connec-
tion.

In the year 1860, "The Onawa Educational Sew-
ing Society," embracing a number of the most
active and public-spirited ladies of the incipient
city, resolved to devote from their treasury' funds
sulticient to purchase a bell for the use of the town.
Making this liberal offer to the city council thej-
received the following reply:

Common Council, Onaiva, July 0, 1860.

"To the Onawa Educational Sewing Society: —
At a meeting of the common council of Onawa,
held last evening, it was voted to accept the bell so
kindly presented by you (through your secretary)
to the town of Onawa, as a sciiool bell. Trusting
that the labors of the society for the advancement

of education in our midst may continue U) meet
with success, we are most respectfully yours, etc.
In behalf of the council.
S. S. Pi;,\KSK, Kecorder."

Negotiations by letter had been opened in April,
with the firm of Meneely & Sons, of West Troy,
N. Y., concerning the proposed purcliasc, and the
offer of that well-known firm to furnish a bell of
414 pounds, with joke and wheel complete for
$164.90, was duly accepted, l)ut the firm still fur-
ther reduced their figure to §103,00. which sum was
sent them. During the month of June the bell
arrived via .St. Louis, and was hung in a temporary
belfry in the center of the block west of the court-
house. While there it was rung regularly every
day, by S. S. Pearse, the Recorder, who volun-
teered for the duty, at seven in the morning and
nine at night.

This was the first bell brought into the county,
and its arrival among the little band of citizens
that then made up the city of Onawa, was cele-
brated with great rejoicing and festivities. Late
in the fall of 1860 the bell was removed to the
then new schoolhouse, where it continued to hang,
calling the tardy steps of the laggard to hasten
schoolward, until 1874, when it was removed to its
present quarters in the handsome new building put
up for educational purposes that yesir.

The teachers in the old building for five years pre-
vious to the removal into the new one, were presided
over by- S. B. Martin, as Principal; and consisted
of Miss Eva Whiting and Miss Annie Elliott. At
the expiration of that time, and on going into the
new house, Mr. Martin resigned, nor could he be
induced to accept another engagement as teacher,
so the board remodeled the faculty of the school.
Prof. C. II. G. Fry was appointed Principal, and
Misses Eva M. Whiting and E. Fletcher, Assistants.

The present faculty is composed of the following
individuals, all of whom have an acknowledged
place in the world of education; Prof. Dye, Su-
perintendent and Principal; Miss Nora M. Barn-
ard, Assistant Principal; .and Misses Maud E.
Oliver, Minnie I\Iummey, Hattie Holbrook, Emily
Fletcher, Flora J. JMauglilin and Eva Kendall.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

The Congregational Church society w.is organ-

326

MONONA COUNTY.

ized June 27, 1858 by Rev. G. G. Rice, now of
Council Bluffs, Iowa, with llie following memliei's:
A. R. Wii<;ht, Mrs. E. S. Wright, Mrs. Louisa
Dimmick, Mrs. Caroline riiillips, Mrs. Julia 1*.
Merrill, George G. liice and Mrs. M. C. Rice. In
October of the same year David and James Mc-
Williams and their wives, Walter Stark and his wife
united with the cliurch as did Mrs. P. J. Weeks
and C'harles Cleghorn and wife, in February, 18.59.

Mr. Rice became tlie first pastor of the infant
church which held its meetings in the court-house
and administered si)iritual consolation to this (lock
until the spring of 18.5'.i. Me was an excellent
man and did much good work in the community.
The first offlccrs of the church were elected in April
1859 and were the following named: Walter Stark,
Secretary and Treasurer, and Charles Cleghorn,
Walter Stark and A. R. Wright, Trustees. On the
18th of April, 1859, Mr. Rice asked for and re-
ceived his dismissal from the church, and from
that date until 1866, there appears to have been no
regular pastor, services being oecasi(.)nally held liy
Revs. Tingiey of Sioux City, and Reulien Gay lord,
Home Missionary of Omaha, Neb.

On M.iy 13, 1866, Rev. George L. WoodhuU
preached to this congregation for the first time,
and receiving a call to the pastorate, accepted its
duties. Under his influence the movement toward
erecting a suitable church edifice began in the early
part of his niinistrj-. With rare energy and self-
sacrifice, this gifted gentleman went into the woods
and got out most of the timbers and drew them to
the ground with his own team and when work was
commenced on the structure took ofl' his coat and
assisted the cai'pcnters every day, he having a
ki;owledgeof the craft. But delicate health could
not stand the strain and ere the building was en-
tirely finished this ti'uly Christian gentleman was
called from his labors on earth to his reward, pass-
ing to his heavenly home C)etober 1 , 1 870, at
the early age of twenty-eight years. The church ed-
ifice was finished and dedicated in December, 1870,
at a cost of $6,000. and is the monument and
memorial of its truly God-serving ptojector, and
the matter of erecting a tablet in the church to
his memory has been recently mooted, and will no
doubt bo carried out in the near future.

On the 1st of January, 1871, the present pastor
of the church. Rev. Charles N, Lyman assumed the
cliarge of the congregation, and has occupied ^that
jjosition continuously since. The present officer.s
of the church are W. A. Greene, H. A. AVheeler
and B. D. Holbnjok, Trustees; George^Underhill.
Treasurer, and Mrs. W. A. Greene, Secretary. A
Sabbath-school which was originated in 1858, as a
union one h.as been carried on in connection with
the church ever since its foundation.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Onawa
was organized Octolier 9, 1870. For many years
previous to this there had been held^class-raeetings
in the village but no permanent organization seems
to have been effected. At the time of the forma-
tion of the present 'church there were some twelve
who allied themselves with it, the following nameil
mendiers: William C. Marr, Mrs. M. T. Marr,
Alexander Mnmmey, Mrs. Lucinda Mummey, Mrs.
Craig, Sarah M. Burton, A. P. Moore, Mrs. Ann
Moore, Agnes Landsdale, J. 0. Fames, Abbie
Laiulsdale and Mrs. E. A. Kittle. For some time
they held religious services in the schoolhouse.
ami in the court-house, under the pastorate of
Rev. J. T. Walker. Under the inspiration of his
successor. Rev. L. IL Woodworth, the movement
toward erecting a church edifice was commenced in
the spring of 1872, and the cornerstone of that
structure laid July 27, 1872, the pastor being as-
sisted by B. Mitchell, the presiding elder. Rev. B.

F. W. Cozier and Rev. C. N. Lyuiau, the Con-
gregational minister. Rev. A. T. Mattison, in the
fall of 1872 assumed charge of the little flock, and
under his administration the building was com-
pleted and dedicated to the service of God, June
22, 1873. The succeeding pastors of the church
have been Rev. O. S. Br3'an, in the fall of 1873;
Rev. J. B. Starkey, in October, 1874; Revs. Joel
Warner, Henry W". Jones, S. W. Owen, C. E.
Chase, F. A. Burdick, J. R. Fans, F. J. McCaffree,

G. M. Pcndell, W. W. Cook, I. N. Kilbourne and
the present pastor Rev. William Flint, who took
charge of the church in October, 1889.

A parsonage was erected during the incum-
bency of the Rev. J. B. Starkey in the fall of 1874,
but becoming (lid and dilapidated the congregation
in 1887 put up the neat and handsome parsonage

MONONA COUNTY.

327

uow occupied by tlicir pastor, at an expense of
some ij;l,400.

Tlie Onawa Norwegian Lutheran Churcli was
orgaiiized as a society in March, 1876, and has been
in a very flourishing cordition ever since. Among
its most conspicuous members may be mentioned
Edward Bakke, Carl Moen, and other business men
of the village.

The Roman Catholic Church was organized by the
Rev. Father Linehan, of Sioux City, in 1872, and
an effort toward the building of a church building
made. The latter 'was aecomplislied and is one of
the neatest and prettiest church buildings of that
denomination in the county.

MCNIClrAL.

Early realizing the importance of local self-
government and the institution of law and order,
almost as soon as the town was laid out a move-
ment was placed on foot to incorporate the rising
village. On the 31st of January, 1859, the follow-
ing petition was presented to the county court, by
S. S. Pearce:
"To the Honorable Countv Court of Monona

County, Iowa:

"The undersigned would respectfull}' ask to be
organized into an incorporated town to be known as
Onawa, the limits of which shall be as follows: All
of section 4, except one liundred acres in square
form in the northwest corner; all the southeast
quarter and the south eighty acres in the northeast
quarter of section 5; the northeast quarter of the
norih(>a!:t quarter of section 8; the north half of
the noith half of section 9; the north half of the
northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 10 ; and the west half cf the southwest quar
ter and the southwest quarter of the northwest
quarter of section 3, in township 83, range 45,
(being the land owned by the Monona Land Com-
pany) and would authorize Addison Dimmick and
B. D. Llolbrook to act in behalf of your petitioners,
and as in duty bound your petitioners will ever
pray, etc."

To this document were appended the signatures
of the following land owners and business' men of
the village: William Burton, S. S. Pearce, H. E.
Colby, E. W. llolbrook, Joseph Robinson, Hiram

Bowen, J. E. Morrison, A. S. Dunham, C. G. Stutz-
man, B. D. llolbrook, R. G. Fairehild, George At-
kins, Johnston Cleghorn, G. R. Buffington, II. W.
Cole, Thomas R. Chapman, John Cleghorn, A.
Dimmick, J. II. Sharon, Darius Pearce, H. J. Haw-
ley, N. A. Wiiiling, .\. R. Wright, T. A. Pearce,
Richard Stebbins, D. W. Sampson, Thos. Cross, F.
W. Snow, Walter Stark, C. H. llolbrook, Charles
Atkins, Addison Oliver, A. G. Hurst and George
T. Cox.

Under the rules. Judge C. E. Whiting, then fill-
ing the office of County Judge, set the time for
hearing on the question of incorporation for the
22nd of March. 1859, and on that day it was taken
u|), the prayer of the petitioners granted and the
organization or incorporation ordered.

The first officers of the 3'oung town, chosen at
that spring election, were Richard Stebbins, Ma3-or;
8. S. Pearce, Recorder.

The records of the succeeding administrations
are entirely wanting for some succeeding years and
it has been found impossible to give the list of
officers in anjthing like a com[)lete or correct
manner up to 1872, from which lime they are how-
ever given :

1872 — George Underhill, Mayor; Ja)nes Walker,
Recorder; William Burton, Assessor; D. W. Clark,
Marshal; D.J. Rockwell, E. Merrill, B. F.Pike,
B. D. llolbrook and J. D. McChesne^-, Councilmen.

1873 — E. A. Chapman, Mayor; John Cleghorn,
Recorder; William Burton, Assessor; D. W. Clark,
Marshal; D. J. Rockwell, B. F. Pike, B. D. Hol-
brook, George Underbill and G. W, McMillan,
Councilmen.

lH74_Dr. H. Noble, Mayor; G. W. McMillan.
Recorder; George Atkins, Assessor; D W. Clark,
Marshal; B. D. Holbrook, D. J. Rockwell, M. A.
Freeland, G. M. Warner and W. C. Marr, Council-
men.

1875 — N. A. Whiting, Mayor; G. W. McMillan,
Recorder; A. Munimey, Assessor; D. J. Rockwell,
R. vSte'bhins, B. F. Pike, A. T. Fessenden and T. C.
Walton, Councilmen.

1876— N. A. Whiting. Mayor; G. W. McMillan,
Recorder; Alex. Mummey, Assessor; A. T. Fessen-
den, R. Stebbins, D. J. Rockwell, T. C. Walton and
B. F. Pike, Councilmen.

328

MONONA COUNTY.

1877— N. A. Whilins, Muyor; O. W. McMillan,
Recorder; Alex. Muminey, Assessor ;. John Williams,
Street Coratnissioner;C'. Cr. Perivins, H. E. Morrison,
R. Stebbins, D. J. Rockwell and George Under-
liill, Conncihneii.

1878_B. JX Holbroolv, Mayor; ii. W. McMillan,
Recorder; George Atkins, Assessor; Elijah Walker,
Street Coniniissioiier; D. J. Rockwell, C. G. Perkins,
U. Stebbins, T. C. Walton and George Undcrhiil,
Conncilnicn.

1879 — H. E. Morrison, Mayor; Robert Lucas,
Recorder; T. C. Walton, Assessor; Elijah Walker,
Street Commissioner; T. C. Walton, John Cleghorn,
D. B. Kenyon, J. ('. Pike, J. R. Tiiurston and .T. S.
Monk, Councilmen.

1880 — H. E. Blorrison, Mayor; Robert Lucas,
Recorder; S. F. Sears, Assessor; -Tolni Cleghorn, D.
B. Kenyon, Ed. Bakke, T. C. Walton, J. R. Thur-
ston and J. C. Pike, Conncilnien.

1881— H.E. Morrison, Mayor; T. Park Moble, Re-
corder, afterward J. D. Ainsworth, Recorder; M. B.
Pnlleu, Assessor; .John Cleghorn, .1. C. Pike, .1. R.
Thurston, T. C. Walton, D. B. Kenyon, E<1. Bakke,
and William Christiansen, Councilmen.

1882 — II. E. Morrison, Mayor; .J. I). Ainsworth,
Recorder; M. W. Bacon, Assessor; D. B. Kenyon,
.J. C. Pike, John Cleghorn, William Christianson,
George A. Douglas and D. Handel, Councilmen ; O.
P. Bishop, Marshal and Street Commissioner.

1883 — H.E. Morrison, Mayor; J. D. Ainsworth,
Recorder; iNIitchell Vincent and .lobn Cleghorn,
the new Trustees; and John Brandin, Assessor.

1884— B. D. Holbrook, Mayor: George Under-
liill, Recorder; (ieorge E. Warner and James
Walker, the new Trustees.

188;") — Herbert E. Morrison, Mayor; George Un-
derhill. Recorder; S. A. Howard and W. W. Taylor,
the new Trustees; and L. D. Kittle, Assessor.

1886 — H. E. Morrison, Mayor; George Under-
liill, Recorder; C. G. Perkins and W. T. Holmes,
the new Trustees; and L. D. Kittle, Assessor.

1887— S. B. Martin, Mayor; P. K. Holbrook,
Recorder; John H. Jones, L. D. Kittle and W. S.
Wade, new Councilmen; and Ilenrj' Cunnuigham,
Assessor.

1888— H. E. Morrison. M.ayor; P. K. Holbrook,
Recorder; W. W. Taylor and S. A. Howard, the

new Trustees; Henry Cunningham, Assessor and
IMarshal.

1889 — The present officers of tlie city govern-
ment are the following named: Addison Oliver,
Mayor; P. K. Holbrook, Recorder; S. A. Howard,
W. W. Taylor. John H. Jones, W. T. Holmes, L.
D. Ivittle and W. J. Maughlin, members of the
Council; C. II. Holbrook, Treasurer; Henry Cun-
ningham, Assessor and Marshal.

Fn;E DKPAKTJIEXT.

In tlie first 3'ears of its existence the tovvu of
Onawa, in common with nearly all small places was
without auy organized means of extinguisliing the
fires that will now and then break out in a village,
but depended uponHlje active exertions of its citi-
zens. However, iu the spring of 1871, the project
of forming a fire company was agitated, and on the
10th of April of that year Excelsior Hook and Lad-
der Company, No. 1 , of Onawa. was organized.

The company did little but perfect their organ-
ization, acting as an axe and bucket brigade until,
at a meeting held at the office of Monk & Selleck,
A|)ril 17, 1872, a year after their first formation, it
was resolved to purch.ase a hook and ladder truck,
which was not to exceed in cost the sum of §175.
To solicit the citizens of the place to help contri-
bute to this worthy object, E. Merrill was appointed
a committee to interview them. Just previous to
this, March 26, 1872, the company had beeri reg-
ularly incorporated. The truck was bought ami
housed and helped to do good and efficient work in
fighting the devouring element in its inroads in
the village.

In February, 1874, the city authorities, perceiv-
ing the vast usefulness of the fire company, and
wishing to extend the facilities for extinguishing the
flames, luirchased a hand fire engine, hose cart ami
a quantity of hose. The apparatus arrived in the
city and was given a trial February 27, which re-
sulted in a satisfactory manner. The fire company
was now redistributed or reorganized to meet the
wants of the more fully equipped department by a
committee api)ointed for that purpose, with the fol-
' lowing members:

Engine Companii: — George Atkins, foreman; J.
D. (iiddings, assistant foreman; B. F. Pike, John

MONONA COUNTY.

329

Cleghoni, E. A. Chapman. G. W. McMillan, M.
A. Fi-ecland. J. E. Selleck, F. W. Snow, S. B. Mar-
tin. J. M. Moody, J. S. Monk. J. D. McChesnejs S.
W. Tallman and G. C. White.

Hose Gompany: — H. R. Iladley, foi-eiiian; E. B.
Christian and T. F. Skeede, pipemcn; L. D. Kittle,
8. R. Bassatt, H. C. Morter and W. G. Wood.

Hook and Ladder Company: — D. J. Rockwell,
foreman; James Walker, A. Nichols, .1. C. Pike, E.
Meriill, G. E. Warner, S. F. Sears, E. Paine, Amos
Hiteman, C. H. Parkins and E. S. Noble.

George Uudevhill was made chief engineer of the
department at the same time, and filled that posi-
tion in a most able manner for many years.

The present officers of the department are the
following named: Frank Hawkins, Chief Engineer;
11. ¥j. Morrison, President; S. A. Howard, Vice-
President; Eugene Vj. Egli, Secretary; W. L. Hol-
mes, Treasurer; James Draney, foreman Engine
Corapanj'; George A. Oliver, assistant foreman;
Fred AValker, foreman Hose Companj-, and Henry
Cunningham, foreman of Hook and Ladder Com-
pany. The membership of the department is about
thirty-six, divided as follows: Engine Company,
fourteen; Hose Company, twelve; and Hook and
Ladder Company, ten. ,

FIRES.

In regard to losses by fires, the city of Onawa has
not been entirely exempt from the fate of other
places, although in this respect it has suffered less
than many otiier towns of its size and age. Besides
the usual amount of ordinary conflagrations, there
have been several that arc worthy of mention in
this connection. The first of these of which there
is a record occurred on the 4th of January, 1874, a
little after six o'clock, p.m. The fire broke out
between the large stores of Warner & Chapman
and Freeland & Cleghorn, and was from its discov-
ery beyond control. In a very short space of time
the df}- goods establishment of Warner & Chapman
was wrapped in flames, making it difficult to save
tiie stock but in spite of the blinding smoke and the
lurid flames, swept forward by a higli wind, about
three-fourths of the goods in the building were car-
ried into the street in a somewhat damaged condi-
tion The agricultural implements and house

finisiiing lumber in the building of Freeland &
Cleghorn, with tlie exception of a few plows and
several bundles of sash, were consumed, the flames
being too fierce for men to enter the burning build-
ing. The books were only saved through the
medium of a good safe. In a little time the next
building, belonging to A. G. Hurst, and occupied
by Miss B. Cunningham as a millinery shop, was
wrapped in the devouring element and was soon a
blackened ruin. The fire department, cutting awa3'
the studding of the latter building, pulled the
burning timbers over into the seething flames. By
hard work of the firemen and the citizens the fire
was confined to these three buildings. The loss
was about $15,000, divided .about .as follows:
Freeland & Cleghorn $7,000; Warner & Chapman
$7,000; and Mr. Hurst about §1,500. The Onawa
House and several other buildings caught fire sev-
eral times from the wind swept flames but were
preserved by the activity of the citizens and an
ever energetic hook and ladder company.

"Fire! Fire! Fire!" rang out upon the cold
and frosty air in the early morning of January 5,
1879, and the startled sleepers hurriedly hastened
to the scene of the conflagration. About 12:30 in
the morning F. W. Snow, looking tovvard the grist-
mill of Wood & Kenyon, was astonished to find it
in flames. Starting for l.i,' n.ill, crying •' fire!" to
arouse the neigborhood, he w.as the first .at the burn-
ing building. He discovered that the annex on
the south side of the mill, containing the boilers,
engines, etc , was in a light blaze, while the fier}'
pennons of the fire king's reddening host, played
triumphantly along the wall of the main building.
All was done that could be done, both b}' the citi-
zens and the fire department under their efficient
chief, George Underbill, but the doomed building
could not be saved. The engine was perfectly
useless, owing to the fact of there being no water
in the vicinity of the burning building, but all
labored to get the fire under control and to try and
save what property they could. The intense cold,
twenty degrees below zero, kept many from the
scene of conflagration, but little could be accom-
plished. The mill building, valued as some $10,000
witli flour, wheat, etc., to the amount of §5,000 more
fell a prey to the devouring element, the loss fa!-

330

MONONA COUNTY.

ling mostly on the owners, the insurance being but
$4,000. Tlie Tiiesiltvy following, the new school-
house caught fire but the fl.ames were extinguished
before much damage was done.

PIONEER LITERARY SOCIETY.

In the early days of the village, the inhabitants
took a larger interest in matters of culture than
was common to towns in their pioneer da3-s. Mat-
ters relating to advancement in intellectual life
met their hearty approval and co-operation. The
outgrowth of this feeling led to the organization of
the Onawa Literary Club, at a meeting held at the
Onawa House, then kept by .T. E. iNIorrison, No-
vember 9, 1857, Addison Dimmick being eliosen
chairman of the meeting and W. S. Burke the
secretary. To quote from the minutes:

" On motion of Bruce Ilolbrook. it was resolved
that we organize a Literaiy Society.

•'Whereupon S. S. Pearce, B. Holbrook and W.
S. Burke were appointed a committee to draft a
constitution to be reported at the ne.xt meeting.
The society next proceeded to election of officers
to serve the first term. The result was as follows:
President, C. H. Holbrook; Secretary W. S. Burke;
Treasurer, Henry C. Warren.

"The question 'Women's Rights' was then dis-
cussed.

" The judges appointed by the president to de-
cide the question gave their decision in the nega-
tive.

"On motion, the following question was adopted
for discussion next Thursday evening: ' Resolved
That Washington deserves more praise than Co-
lumbus.' Aflirmative: Burk, Elliott and Robin-
son. Negative: B. Holbrook, Merrill and Warren.

"H.C.Warren was authorized to secure names
of all persons desiring to become members of this
society.

" On motion adjourned, to meet on Thursday
evening at 7 o'clock."

The following is a list of the original meraljors.
as given by the minute book: W. S. Burke. N. B.
Holbrook, F. C. Brooks, E. W. Holbrook, H. E.
Morrison, A. R. AVrigbt, J. A. Hewins, Thomas
Cross. A. Dimmick, W. L. Phillips, Lyman Bul-
lock, Lucy E. Baker, Darius Pearce. J. H. Hudson,

C. H. Holbrook, J. S. Merrill, Marcellas Olmstead,
J. H. Overacker, G. H. Chapman, T. Elliott. C. E.
Whiting, S. S. Pearce, Martha H. Pearce, Catha-
rina Allen, Mollie E. Morrison.

The club met at the Onawa House twice each
week for debate and the discussion of various liter-
ary topics and items of intr-rest. The Transcript, a
manuscript paper, edited by the ladies of the asso-
ciation was read at these meetings much to the
imi)rovement and often amusement of the club.

But tliere was a festive feeling manifest in the
club. At the meeting held November 26, 1857,
Addison Dimmick made a motion as follows:
" That a direct tax of twenty-five cents be levied
on each member for tlie purpose of getting up a
Christmas supper." ' A committee of five was ap-
pointed to make arrangements for the supper. At
the meeting held November 30, it was voted to
levy an additional tax of twenty-five cents on each
member for the Christmas supper. Evidently the
vision of a coming feast was producing a keen ap-
petite in the club, as on December 7 it was voted
" tliat the male members of the soeiet}' pay a tax
of ^2 to defray the expenses of the supper." On
the 24th of December the sup[)er was eaten; two
tables, each fort}' feet longj were loaded down with
luxuries. Dancing, vocal music, and whist followed
the feast. A. Dimmick was master of ceremonies
on this festive occasion. Thus merrily passed the
first Christmas eve in Onawa, at the Onawa House.

OLD TIME MILITIA COJII'AXY.

In April, 1861, while the war spirit was strong
throughout our distracted countrj', the proper
quota of men for the active array having been
made up, it was proposed to raise a company of
militia for defense against the Indians, and general
border use. Aceordingl}' a meeting was held at
the Court House and an organization perfected,
known as the Jlonona Union Guards, and the fol-
lov/ing officers chosen: Setli Smith, of Kennebec
Township, Captain; Addison Dimmick, of Onawa,
First Lieutenant; Adam Sl^-ers, of Belvidere, Sec-
ond Lieutenant; Joseph Robinson, of Onawa, Third
Lieutenant. This company, however, does not
seem to have been fairly organized ere it was neces-
sary to reorganize it. The occasion of this was at

MONONA COUNTY.

.•5 .".I

a meeting held by the citizens of Onawa for the
l)uri)ose of a flag-pole raising on the 18th of Mu}',
18G1. The pole was erected in the center of the
intersection of Central Broadway and Iowa Avenue.
A beautiful flag, made by the ladies of Onawa, was
run up, and the stars and stripes flung to the breeze,
with most entliusiastic cheers from the spectators.

One of the old settlers of the county in writing
concerning those early days has an account of what
followed, wliich is quoted at length to preserve the
comments and remarks of one of the participants:

" Immedi.ntely after dinner the Monona Union
Guards were called out by Capt. Smith, and reor-
ganized by electing the following ofHcers:

'■ J. A. Scott, First Lieutenant; Albert Faircliild,
Second Sergeant; Levi Smitli, Third Sergeant; J.
Duncan, Fourth Sergeant; Mr. Duepper, First Cor-
poral; William Bullock, Second Corporal; Seth
Smith, Jr., Third Corporal; John Quincy xidams,
Fourth Corporal. After being drilled a shoft time
by the captain and orderly the company was dis-
missed, under orders to meet for drill in one week.
As the writer participated as a private in the weekly
drills M.ay, June and July, he can trutlifully s.ay,
that without arms or uniforms, the Guards did not
m.ake a very imposing appearance. Capt. Smith
however looked quite martial and very conspicuous
in cocked hat and plume, sword and gaudy uniform
that had seen service in a military company in
Ohio. Notwithstanding the arduous efforts of
Capt. Smith and the orderly Sergeant Scott, and a
diligent perusal of " Hardees' Tactics" by the mem-
bers, the company never became verj' perfect in
tiieir drill. Tiiere was a lack of military precision
in. their movements, almost painful to behold.
Owing perhaps to the absence of any music the
marching and evolutions were detieient in harmony
of action. The Guards were union in name but
not in step."

SOCIETIES.

Vesper Lodge, No. 223, A. F. & A. RL, was or-
ganized September 12, 1867, under a dispensation
granted on the 28th of August, the same year.
The charter members and first officers were the
following named : — F. W. Snow, W. M. ; James
Butts, S. W.; Thomas Bierce, J. W. ; Frederick

McCausland, T.; Charles Atkins, S.; W. A. Grow,
S. D.; M. A. Freeland, J. D.; and John Baggs,
Tyler. The lodge carried on its workings under
the dispensation until June 3, 1868, when it was
granted its charter and the following officers dul^-
installed :—F. W. Snow, W. M.; Jolin K. Selleek.
S. W.; Charles Atkins, J. W. ; F. M. McCausland,
T.; O. D. Palmer, S. ; W. A. Grow, S. D.; M. A.
Freeland, J. D.; J. T. Baggs, Tyler. The lodge
has prospered and is in a very flourishing condi-
tion, both financially and in the material of which
it is composed, consisting of the leading business
men in the community. They have a neatly and
tastily fitted up hall over Holbrook & Bro's. bank.
The membership embraces some fort}' six individ-
uals at the present writing, (1889).

The following is a complete record of the officers
of the lodge from its organization, with the ex-
ception of those given above:

1869— Truman Pierce, W. M.; S. F. Sears, S.W.;
T. R. Chapman, J. W.; J. E. Selleek, T.; George
A. Douglas, S.; C. H. Aldridge, S. D.; William
Burton, J. D.; and F. O'Connor, Tyler.

1870— J. E. Selleek, W. M.; G. A. Douglas, S.W.;
E. A. Chapman, J. W.; R. Stebbins, T.; J. A.
Goodrich, S.; B. D. Holbrook, S. D.; F. O'Conner,
J. D.; and J. W. Zemhro, Tyler.

1871— George A. Douglas, W. M. ; B. D. Hol-
brook, S. D. ; J. D. Giddings, J. W.; R. Stebbins,
T. ; T. R. Chapman, S. ; S. F. Sears, S. D.; W. Bur-
ton, J. 1)., and B. F. Pike, Tyler.

1872— S. F. Sears, W. M.; J. D. Giddings, S.W. ;
William Burton, J. W.; R. Stebbins, T.; James
Walker. S.; John E. Selleek, S. D.; F. W. Snow,
J. AV. ; Bradshaw Stearns, Tyler.

1873— B. D. Holbrook. W. M. ; J. D. Giddings,
S. W. ; A. T. Fessenden, J. W.; R. Stebbins, T. ;
James Walker, S. ; J. E. Selleek, S. D.; W. G.Wood.
J. D.; S. F. Sears, S. S. ; B. F. Pike, J. S. ; and B.
Stearns, Tj'ler.

1874— B. D. Holbrook, W. M.; J. D. Giddings.
S. W.; A. T. Fessenden, J. W.; Richard Stebbins,
T.; James W.alker. S. ; W. G. Wood, S. D.; B. F.
Pike, J. D.; S. F. Sears, S. S.; S. L. Grove, J. S. ;
and B. Stearns, Tyler.

1875— B. D. Holbrook, W. M.; J. D. Giddings,
S. W.; A. T. Fessenden, J. W. ; R. Stebbins, T. ;

332

MONONA COUNTY.

W. (;. Wood, S.; S. F. Sears, S. D.; E. B. Christian,
J. D.; J. E. Selleck, S. 8.; .lames Walker, J. S. ;
and B. Stearns, T.yler.

187G — T. D. Giddings, W. M.; A. T. Fessendon,
S. W.; James Walker, J. W.; R. Stehbins, T. ; S. B.
Martin, S. ; S. F. Sears. S. D. ; E. B. Christian, J. I).;
F. W. Snow, S. S.; ,1. E. Selleek. J. S. ; and William
Burton. Tyler.

1877 — James Walker, W. M.; G. A. Douglas,
S. W. ; W. R. Hauseom, J. W. ; R. Stehbins, T. ;
S. B. Martin, S. ; J. E. Selleck, S. D.; D. Handel,
J. D.; E. B. Christian, S. S.; J. D. Ainsworth, J. S. ;
and W. Burton, Tyler.

1878— James Walker, W. M.; D. Handel, S. AV.;
W. R. Hanscom, J. W. ; R. Slebbins, T.; C. A.
Robertson, S.; J. E. Selleck, S. D.; J. D. Ainswoith,
J. D.; J. D. Giddings, S. S. ; W. G. Wood, J. S. ;
and F. W. Snow, Tyler.

1879.— Daniel Handel, W. M. ; W. R. Hanscom,
S. D.; Henry Douglas, J. ]). Richard Stebbins, T. ;
James Bryan, S.; J. D. Giddings, S. D.: M. A.
Freeland, J. D.; F. W. Snow, S. S.; S. F. Sears, J.
S. ; and Chas. H. Aldridge, Tyler.

1880.— D. Handel, W. M.; H. Douglas, S. W.;
F. W. Snow, J. W.; R. Stebbins, T. ; J. D. Ains-
worth, S.; J. E. Selleck, S. D.; James Walker, J.
D.; J. D. Gidding, S. S. ; E. B. Christian, J. S.;
and S. F. Sears, Tyler.

1881. — Tames Walker, W. M.; Henry Douglas,
S. W.; George E. Warner, J. W. ; R. Stebbins, T.:
J. D. Ainsworth, S.; B. 1). Ilolbrook, S. D. ; D.
Handel, J. D.; J. D. Giddings, S. S.; O. P. Bisliop,
J. S. ; and F. W. Snow, Tyler.

1882.— James Walker, W. M.; George E. War-
ner, S. W.; E. B. Christian, J. W.; R. Stebbins. T.;
J. D. Ainsworth, S. ; J. D. Giddings, S. D. ; John
Douglas, J. D.; A. T. Fessenden, S. S.; E. L. Rad-
cliffe, J. S.; and F. W. Snow, Tyler.

1883.— G. E. Warner, W. M.; J. 1). Ainsworth,
S. W. ; W. G. Wood, J. W.; R. Stebbins, T.; £. U.
Aldridge, S.; J. Douglas, S. D.; F. Howard, J. D. ;
S. F\ Sears. S. S.; A. T. Fessenden, J. S.; and O. P.
Bishop, Tyler.

1884.— G. E. Warner, W. M.; J. D. Ainsworlh,
S. D.; W. G. Wood, J. W.; G. A. Douglas, T. ;
James Walker, S.; John Douglas, S. D.; F. W.

Snow, J. D. ; John Brandon, S. S. ; S. F. Sears, J.
S. ; A. T. Fessenden, T^yler.

1884.— G. E. Warner, W. M. ; J. D. Ainsworth,
S. D.; W. G. Wood, J. W.; G. A. Douglas, T. ;
James Walker, S.; John Douglas, S. D. ; F. W.
Snow, J. D.; John Brandon, S. S.; S. F. Sears, J.
S. ; A. T. Fessenden, Tyler.

1 885.— George A. Douglas, W. M.; W. (t. Wood,
S. W.; George Houghmaster, J. W.; G.E.Warner,
T.; J. D. Ainsworth, S. ; John E. Selleck, S. D.;
John Douglas, J. D.; F. W. Snow, S. S. ; W. L.
Farrington, J. S. ; John Brandon, Tyler.

1886.— J. D. Ainsworth, W. M. ; John Douglas,
S. W.; G. A. Siddons, J. W. ; G. E. Warner, T.;
G. A. Dougl.is, S.; S. F. Sears, S. D. ; John Bran-
don, J. D.; J. E. Sdleck, S. S.; A. T. Fessenden,
J. S. ; William Burton, Tyler.

1887.— John Douglas, W. M. ; S. F. Sears, S.W.;
J. E. Selleck, J. W. ; George A. Douglas, S.; George
E. Warner, T. ; John Brandon, J. D. ; and E. B.
Christian, Tyler.

1888.— George E. Warner, W. M. ; A. T. Fessen-
den, S. W.; John Brandon. J. W.; B. D. Holbiook,
T.; C. M. Ross, S. ; J. E. Selleck, S. D.; C. E. Alls-
brow, J. D.; Juo. Douglas, S. S. ; William Burton,
J. S.; J. P. ^'incent, Tyler.

1889 and present.— B. D. Holln'ook, W, M.; P.
K. Holbrook, S. W. ; L. C. Sears. J. W.; John liran-
don, T. ; C. M. Ross, S.; S. F. Sears, S. D.; Peter
Rcily, J. D.; J. E. Selleck, S. S.; D. A. Pember,
J. S. ; and William Bui'ton, Tyler.

[lanscom Post, No. 97, G. A. R., was organized
September 21, 1882, with the following charter
members: John E. Selleck, A. G. Hurst, W. S.
Wade, J. K. McCaskey, E. M. Cassady, O. M.
Morse, S. Horner, C. N. Lyman, M. A. Freeland,
P. L. Sawyer, George E. Warner, William Kelsey,
C. II. Waldron, John R. Murphy, W. B. Bailey, G.
H. Bryant, John Cleghorn, Bradshaw Stearns, J. H.
Searles, S. B. Myers, John Eva, W. G. Wood,
Charles A. Rutledge, and J. D. Giddings. The
post was named after Capt. Watson R. Hanscom, of
the r2th Iowa Infantry, who died in this county in
1879, while clerk of the courts. The first officers
of the post were: George E. Warner, C; M. A.
Freeland, S. V. C; O. M. Morse, J. V. C; J. R.
Murphy, Q. M.; A. T. Fessenden, S.; Rev. C. N.

MONONA COUNTY.

333

Lyman, Chap.; G. H. Bryant, O. D.; E. M. Cas-
sady, O. G. ; S. B. Myers, Adjt.; C. H. Waldron,
S. M.; and W. B. Bailey, Q. M S. Since that date
the position of commander has been filled by com-
rades John E. Selleck, C. G. Perkins, and O. M.
Morse. Tlie present officers are the following-
named: C. G. Perkins, C; W. S. Wade, S. V. d-
P. L. Sawyer, J. V. C; J. K. McCaskey, Q. M.;
A. T. Fessendcn, Surg.; Rev. C. N. Lyman, Chap.;
John Cleghorn, O. D.; BIyron Hyatt, 0. G. ; George
E. Warner, Adjt.; L. D. Bearee, Q. M.S., and
John O'Conner, S. M. Tlie post is in an excellent
condition, both morally and flnanoially, in the lat-
ter respect having some eight or nine hundred
dollars in its treasurj' or fund, besides the other
property which it owns. It has a full and large
membership, of which the following is the roster:

John K. Selleck, Adjutant, 87th Illinois Infantry.

A. M. Hurst, Company K, 17th Iowa Infantr}-.

W. S. Wade, Sergeant, Company H, 5th Illinois
Cavalry.

J. K. McCaskey, Lieutenant, Company I, "27th
Indiana Infantry.

E. M. Cassady, Citmpany A, 10th United States
Infantry.

O. M. Morse, Sergeant, (Jompany I, 113tlj Illi-
nois Infantry.

C. N. Lyman, Chaplain, 20th Connecticut In-
fantry.

M. A. Freelund, Captain Company B, lOtli
United States Heavy Artillery.

George E. Warner, Captain, Company I, 10th
United States Heavy Artillery.

P. L. Sawyer, Company D, 28th Maine Infantry.

AYilliam Kelsey, Company K, 6th New York
Heavy Artillery.

John R. Murph}-.

John Cleghorn, Coraitany I, 15th Iowa Infantrj'

Bradshaw Stearns, Sergeant, Company H, 11th
Wisconsin Infantry.

E. H. Searles, Corporal, Company K, 13th West
Virginia Infantry.

S. B. Myers, Midshipman United States Navj%
and Sergeant, Company C, 2d United States In-
fantry.

John Eva,, Company F, 3rd Wisconsin Infantr3^

W. G. Wood, Company E, 48th Wisconsin In-
fan try.

Charles Rutledge, Sergeant. 5th Wisconsin Bat-
tery.

W. R. McCuUoch, Company H, 81th Illinois In-
fantry.

Walter Burgess, Company I, 7th Iowa, Cavalry.

A. T. Fessenden, Company I), 3d Wisconsin In-
fantry.

C. G. Perkins, First Lieutenant Company G.
19th Wisconsin Infantry.

Rockwell, Jewell, Company II, 15th Iowa Infan-
try.

Perry Allen, Company D, 7th Kansas Infantry.

John O'Conner, Company F, SGtli New York In-
fantry.

George Fischer, Corporal, Company D, 190th
Pennsylvania Infantry.

S. S. Dorwood. Company E, 2l)th Wisconsin In-
fantry.

John S. Eggleston, Sergeant, Company I, 54th
Illinois Infantry.

L. D. Bearee, Corporal, Company B, 12th Iowa
Infantry.

Thomas Peabo^ly, Company B, 23d Ohio Infan-
try.

John Y'others, Companj- F, 30th Pennsylvania
Infantr}-.

D. T. Cutler, Company D, 22d Wisconsin In-
fan'^ry.

Thomas Butcher, Company D, 13th Michigan
Infantry.

J. J. Reynolds, Company I, 1st Minnesota In-
fantry.

Martin L. Rice, Company A, 140th Illinois In-
fantry.

Peter Reiley, First Lieutenant, Company F, 2d
Iowa Cavalry.

James Fulton, Company I, 10th Illinois Cavahy.

James Easton, First Lieutenant. Company G.
135th Illinois Infantry.

Nelson Benjamin, Sergeant, C'ompanj' C. 12lh
New Y^ork Cavalry.

Charles Struble, Company C, 7th Illinois Infan-
try.

Thomas Rickman, Company L, 4th Iowa Cavalry.

334

MONONA roiNTY,

W. H. Bigelow, Company A, 1st Wisconsin
Heavy Aitilleiy.

W. B. Arnold, Company C, 152d Indiana Infan-
try.

Even Robbins, Company I, IGth Illinois Infan-
try.

L. A. Morley, Corporal, I'olli Oliio Battffry.

Frank McClosiie.y, Company C, .'itlj ISIissonri
Mounted Infantr}'.

Andrew J. Erb, Company Ia Hli Iowa Cavaly.

Henry Himes, Corporal, Corci[>any C, lUOtli In-
diana Inf<intr3'.

J. Y. Nance, Corporal, Company C, 2d Kansas
Cavalry.

A. W. Rnllcdge, Company- D, 3rd Wisconsin In-
fantry.

J. M. Case, Company L. 4th Iowa Cavalr}'.

Daniel Kilbin, Farrier, Company D, 12th Illinois
Cavalry.

M. V; Stuekei-, Company C, 5th Missouri Cav-
alry.

Henry Ivratz, Company I, loth Iowa Infantry.

E. Stucker, Company C, 51st Missouri Infantry.
T. D. Sanderson, Sergeant, Company B, -tth Iowa

Infantry.

Humphry Mount, Comjiany D, '.Hh iMinnesota
Infantry.

John N. Wills, Company C, 29th Iowa Infantry.

.lames Cook, Company I, Tth California Infan-
try.

Benjamin Herring, Company B, 22d Wisconsin
Infantry.

W. H. Strain, Company B, 3rd Colorado Infan-
try.

A. .1. Moorliead, Corporal, Company H, 84th Illi-
nois Infantry.

John E. Harris, Corporal, Company C, 2d Mary-
land Infantry.

J. B. Jeffrey, Sergeant, Company K, lltli Min-
nesota Infanti-y.

F. E. Dungan, Company E, 6th Iowa Cavalrj'.
I\T. V. Landon, Company A, 39th Iowa Infantry.
Elverton Bigelow, First Lieutenant, Company E,

1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery.

Nathan Watson, Company I. 29th Irdiana In-
fantry.

W. II. Hogeboom, Company K, 57th Illinois In-
fantry.

W. B. Ilegwood. Company B, 29th Illinois In-
fantry.

T. G. Davis, Corporal, Company B, 29th Iowa
Infantrj-.

John Bell, Company E, 8th Wisconsin Infantry.
John Belt, Company C, 12th United States In-
fantry.

.1. W. I'iokman, Company L, 4tli Iowa Cavalry.
T. R. Chapman, Q. M. S., 17th Iowa Infantry.
Isaac Ray, Companj- F, 4th Iowa Infantry.
Joseph Baird, Company E, 93rd Pennsylvania
Infantry.

Henry Cameron, Company I. 37th Iowa Infan-
try.

J. O. Davis. Company A, 7th Illinois Cavalry.
John Ratledge, Company B, 10th Minnesota In-
fantry.

F. M. Rich, Company K, 120th Illinois Infantry.
Henry Brown, Company C, 17th A'ermont In-
fantry.

Alfred Smith, Company D, 9th Maine Infantry.
Jno. Cameron, Company D, 45th Iowa Infantry.
S. J. Atwood, Company C. 19th Iowa Infantry.
C. F. Ropes, Company II, 38th Iowa Infantry.
Myron Hyatt, Company D, 28th Illinois Infan-
try.

1". S. Wright, Company G, 27th Iowa Infantry.
Theodore Pangborn, Company M, Uth Missouri
Infantry.

R. D. Silsby, Sergeant, Company B, 13th Ver-
mont Infantrj'.

William Clark, Company M, 11th Missouri In-
fantry.

Edward Taylor, Company E, Harris Light Cav-
alry.

John Pursinger, Comjiany F, (ith Missouri In-
fantry.

H. Bordner. Company D, 11th Michigan Infan-
try.

Nelson Earse, Corporal, Company F, lOtli Wis-
consin Infantry.

Herman Sehurdevin, Company C, 152d Indiana
Infantry.

Capt. Perkins Camp, No. 124, Sons of Veterans,
was mustered in as such August 26, 1887 by Lient.-

MONONA COUNTY.

335

Col. A. E. Mathews, of Odebolt. The charter
members were as follows: C. W. Willey, J. S. Ma-
ginnis, Frank Stiicker, J. E. Searls, Frank Bishop,

E. O. Morse, Willard Wliitney, Alfred D. Smith,
Harry Moorliead, Horace Horner, J. N. Searls,
Charles Smith, Will Burgess, W. C. Willey, George
Butcher, T. N. Lyman, E. E. Morse, H. J. Seitzin-
ger, E. G. Mason, George Hurst, C. F. Fggleston,
W. H. Davis, H. B. Fessenden, J. W. Powers, J. W.
Butcher, George H. Chapman, A. G. Hurst, Jr.,
and E. D. Mason. The first officers were the fol-
lowing named: J. S. Maginnis, Captain; E. E.
Morse. First Lieutenant; George H. Chapman,
Second Lieutenant; C. W. Willey, H. B. Fes-
senden and J. S. Maginnis, Camp Council; J.N.
Searls, Cljaplain; E. G. Mason, First Sergeant;

C. W. Willey, Quartermaster; Horace Horner,
Color Sergeant; H. B. Fessenden, Sergeant of the
Guard; A. G. Hurst, Jr., Corporal of the Guard;
J. E. Searls, Camp Guard; Will Burgess, Picket
Guard; T. N. I>yman, C. W. Willey and J.N.
Searls, Committee on By-Laws. The camp bas now
some forty-two members, with some ten or twelve
applications in. The present officers are: N. J.
Bristow, Captain ; G. H. Bordner, First Lieutenant;
and E. G. Mason, Second Lieutenant.

Monona Lodge, No. 380, L O. O. F., was institu-
ted under dispensation, June 7, 1878, by District
Deputy Grand Master G. W. Wakefield, of Sioux
City, assisted by Brothers Charles B. Stedman, John

F. Lewis, and L. M. Rogers, of the same place, with
the following charter members: E. W. Holbrook,
H. W. Cody, L. H. Belknap, John Douglas. C. M.
Ross, John T. Baggs, D. L. Utterback, James Car-
mody, G. R. Hornung and John K. McCaskey.
Nine new members were initiated, and the election
for officers resulted in the choice of the following
gentleman to the offices named: John K. McCaskey,
N. G.; James Carmody, V. G. ; John Douglas, S.;
E. W. Holbrook, T.; C. M. Ross, R. S. N. G.;
Charles A. Robertson, L. S. N. G.; G. R. Hornung,
W.; L. H. Belknap, C. ; John T. Baggs, L. S. V.G.;

D. L. Utterback. R. S. V. G. ; G. R. Norton, R. S. S. ;
Philip Sawyer, L. S. S. C. W. Perkins, I. G.; and
H. W. Cady, O. G.

Meetings were held in the Masonic lodge room
until November 1, 1888, when, in conjunction with

the Knights of Pythias, they rented a hall in tiie new
Bakke Block, and fitting it up in a handsome man-
ner, moved into their own quarters. The lodge is
in a very flourishing condition both in membership
and in finances. Meetings are held every Saturday
evening, and a full attendance is the usual thing.
The following is a list of the membershii) at tiio
present meeting (1889) : James Carmody, H. W.
Cady, John T. Baggs, A. J. Heitman, P. I^. Sawyer,
G. R. Norton, W. J. Eva, Ole Johnson, William
Christiauson, G, Messing, Charles Burton, C. A. H.
Fisher, M. T. Pember, J. N. Hite, S. A. Howard,
J. B. McLear, E. S. Moore, E. Paine, John C.
Potts, G.W. Cork, Jr., A. L. Davis. C. A. Thurston,
J. A. Yetta, L.Allen, J. D. Lyons, G.W. Hunt.W. A.
P;)rks. F. M. Cork, J. C. Mcndhan, J. Y. Ross, T.
Potts, A. R. Harrington, J. G. Taylor, J. B. Young,
W. H. Martin, J. M. Draney, Walter Burgess, H. A.
Wheeler, and Horace Horner. The following are
the officers for the last half of the year 1889 : L. D.
Kittle, N. G.; H. Horner, V. G.; G. B. Norton, S. ;
S. A.Howard, P. S. ; William Cbristianson, T. ; C. A.
Thurston, R. S.; A. Harrington, L. S. ; G. Messing,
W.; H. W. Cady, C. ; J. M. Ross, R. S. S.; M. T.
Pember, L. S. S. : L. Allen, I. G. ; W. Burgess. R. S.,
J. Draney, L. S.; Charles -Thurston, S. A. Howard,
and L. D. Kittle, trustees of general fund; P. L.
Sawyer, W. Christiansen and Charles Burton, trus-
tees of widow and orphans' fund ; M. T. Pember,
H. Horner and G. R. Norton, finance committee,
and S. A. Howard, J. G. Taylor and E. S. Moore,
trustees strangers' relief fund.

Monona Lodge, No. 184, Knights of Pythias, was
organized at a preliminary meeting called at the in-
stance and through the instrumentality of John F.
Oliver then a member of Pleiades Lodge No. 15, of
Eddyville, this State,butnow District Deputy Grand
Chancellor of this lodge. The meeting was held at
the town hall on the 24th of September, 1887, and
was presided over by Chairman A. Kindall. J. S.
Maginnis acted as Secretary. In accordance with
the action of the meeting, on the 29th of the
same month, the lodge vras instituted and the
officers installed by Grand Chancellor, M. Hilbert,
assisted by members] of Zeus Lodge, No. 103. of
Lemars, and of Sioux Lodge No. 14, Sioux City.
The charter members were the following named

:36

MONONA COUNTY.

gentleman: A. E. Wheeler. G. A. Oliver. Stephen
Tillson, J. S. Maginnis, E. P.iyne, S. A. Howard,
C.S. Pike, H. F. Sims, J. L. Wcidner, .1. .T. Elliott, A.
Kindall. E. E. Egli. A. W. Mann, II. E. Colby,
Jr., John 11. Jones, j\l. L. Sears, F. E. Colby, F. P.
Fisher, 1). A. Replogle, J. E. Selleck, G. W. Me
Blillan, F. C. Case, C. A. Jones and S. F. Sears.

The first officers of the lodge, who were elected
for the fractional term ending January 1, 1888,
were as follows: A. W. Mann, (xran I Lodge- Rep-
resentative; A. Kindall, V. V. ; S. A. Howard, V. C. ;
A. E. Wheeler, P.; G. A. Oliver, M. of F.; S. Till-
son, M. of E ; F. P. Fi.sher, K. of R. and S. ; F. E.
Colby, M. at A. ; J. L. Weidner, 1. G.; H. F. Simms,

0. G.; F. P. Fisher, S. F. Seans and A. W. M.inn
committe on finance.

Tlie officers elected at the semi-annual election
in January, 1888, were: S. A. Howard, C. C: G.
A Oliver, A^ C. ; J. S. Maginnis, P.; S. Tillson,
M. of E.; E. Paine, M. of F.; John H. Jones, K. of
R. and S.; F. E. Colby, M. at A.; J. L. Weidner,

1. G., and C. A. Jones, O. G. On the 1st of July,
1888, the following new officers were elected to fill
the various positions named: G. A. Oliver, C. C. ;
J. S. Maginnis, V. C; F. E. Colby, P.; L. C. Sears,
M. .at A.; F. C. Case, I. G.; D. A. Replogle, O. G. ;
the other officers holding over. On account of ill
health Mr. Maginnis did not qualify for the office
of Vice Chancellor and J. L. Weidner was installed
in his stead.

Upon the 1st of Januaiy, 1889 tlie following
named became the officers of the lodge: J. L.
Weidner, C. C. ; John H. .Jones, V. C; D. A. Rep-
logle, P.; P. K. Holbrook, M. of E. ; C. W. Flude,
M. of F.; F. E. Colby, M. at A:; L. C. Sears, K. of
R. and S.; II. F. Sims, I. G.; S. Tillson, O. G.
During the term Jlr. Flude resigned the office of
Master of Finance, and L. C. Sears that of Keeper
of Records and Seals, and Eugene E. Egli was
elected to fill the first and J. S. Maginnis to fill the
latter office.

The present officers of this flourishing and active
loilge are the following named: John II. Jones. C.
C; J. S. Maginnis, V. C. ; E. E. Egli, M. of F. ; P.K.
Holbrook, M. of E. ; F. E. Colby, K. of R. and S. ; C.
A. .Jones, M. at A.; E. Paine, I. G.; G. A. Oliver,
0. G. Since the organization there have been added

to their number some fourteen members as follows;

C. W. Flude, W. W. Sims, H. E. Marr, L. C. Sears,

D. G. Martin, Will H. Crouch, C. G. Oliver, C. A.
Thurston. P. K. Holbrook, J. D. Hawkins, J- F.
Oliver, Winter Madison, John I\jtts, and John Mc-
Neil.

Meetings of the lodge were, until the first part of
October, 1888, held in the Masonic lodge room,
but at the time named, in conjunction with the
Odd Fellows J.,odge, they rented a room in the
Bakke brick block, on the north side of Iowa Ave-
nue, where they have established their Castle Hall
and fitted it u\) in a most handsome manner with
fine carpet, walnut furniture ui)holstered with bro-
cade plush, .and with t.ast^' and beautiful decora-
tions, m.aking it oiie.of the finest halls for lodge
purposes in this part of the State, and one in which
the Knights are justified in feeling a commendable
pride.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first birth in the new village was that of
Horace A., the son of Alfred Hanscom, born Oc-
tober -20, 18.57. The next that of Frank E. Colby,
born November 29, 1857.

The first marriage in the little village, where the
p.articipants were residents, took place August 21,
1858, when .James H. Sharon and Miss Amanda
Van Dorn were united in the bonds of matrimonj',
Otis Warren performing the ceremony.

The first funer.al services held in the village ivas
that over the remains of Francis C. Case in April,
) 858, Timoth3' Elliott being the conductor.

The first school-teacher was A. R. Wright, who
taught during the winter of 1857-58, for the first
time.

As an item of interest and to show the vast diff-
erence of prices between the pioneer and war days
and the present, the following bill of goods, pur-
chased by William .Jewell of R, 04. Fairchild is
given. It bears the date of March 10, 18G6:

To 6 yards domestic, @ $0.85 .. .15.10

" 1 ball candle wick, " .20

'• 5 yards red twilled flannel, " 1.25... 6.25

'• 3 pounds nails, *,; .16|.. .50

" i " tea, " 3.00.. . 1.50

" 3^ yards hickor_y shirting, '' .75... 2.G3

" 1 pound plug tobacco, " 1.20

" 19 yards calico, " .45... 8.55

MONONA COUNTY.

337

BAND.

The cornet band was organized in May, 1872,
with the following members: T. R. Chapman, T.
F. Slxeede, G. AV. McMillan, E. J. Smitli, Theodore
Danforth, George Atkins, M. B. Pullen,C. A. Dan-
forth, .T. D. McChesney, and D. K. Morley. About
the 1st of June of the same year, a set of instru- j
meiits were purchased l)y subscription of the peo-
ple of the commuuily, and the band began prac-
ticing. G. W. McMillan was chosen leader and
president, and took the Eb cornet; T. R. Chapman j
was elected secretary, and took the first alto; Theo- {
dore Danforih, was made treasurer, and played the
Bb. The otlier instruments were distributed as
follows: T. F. Skeede, 2d alto; E. .T.Smith, tenor;
George Atkins, baritone; C. A. Danfortli, 2d Eb;
M. B. Pullen, tuba; .J. D. McChesnej', bass-drum,
and D. E. Morley, snare-drum.

Shortly after its formation, D. J. Rockwell, C.
W. Dudley, and W. J. Maughlin were admitted as
members, the latter of whom, then but a boy,
played the cymbals. Since that time (lie following
have been prominent members of tiie band: E.
Sleeper, Nels Anderson, E. Paine, Bert Snow, D.
M. Dimmick, F. E. Colby, G. A. Douglas, D. Han-
del, H. B. Hadley, C. I. Whiting, E. B. Christian,
Ambrose Noble, S. R. Bassett, Peter Reder, Robert
Lucas and Fred. Sykes.

The band has had many changes in its member-
ship, some going out and others coming in, and h.as
tlie usual experience of such organizations, at one
time quite flourishing, and at others languishing,
but tiiey have triumphed over all difficulties, and
it is to-day, one of the best bands of AVestern Iowa.

The officers of the band at the present (1889),
are as follows: Albert Fairchild, President; and
Albert J. Maughlin, Secretary and Treasurer. The
following is a roll of tlie membership: Will J.
Maugiilin, leader and solo Bb cornetist; Albert
Eairchild, 1st Bb cornet; Dr. II. E. Marr, Ebclari-
nette; L. C. vSears, solo alto; Andrew Olson, 1st
alto; Deane Fairchild, 2d alto; Harry Morrison,
1st tenor; A. J. Maugiilin, baritone; Horace Arm-
strong, tuba; Page E. Morrison, bass-drum, and
F. E. Colby, snare-drum.

CRUAJIERY.

Pearly in .lune, 1889, the project of erecting

and operating a creamery and cheese factory was
broached, and steps taken to the organization of a
stock company. A representative of the firm of
Davis & Rankin was consulted, and assisted in the
formation of a company which was organized and
incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa.
July 13, 1889, under the name of- the Onawa
Creamery Company, with an authorized capital of
150,000 in shares of $100 each. The first board of
direction was composed of the following named
gentlemen: F. G. Oliver, Addison Oliver, D. A.
Pember, J. K. Craford, and .7. M. Jividen. Addi-
son Oliver was chosen president, and F. E. Colby,
secretary.

Steps were at once taken for the erection of a
suitable building which was finished and accepted
in October, following. The main structure is
28x.52 feet in size, two stories in height, with an
engine-room annex 16 feet square, one story in
height. It is fitted up in the most complete man-
ner, and with the most improved and modern
machinery. Tliree clieese and one cream vats, a
butter worker run by steam-power, a three hun-
dred-gallon churn, a ciieese press capable of hold-
ing twenty large, and twelve small cheeses, and the
Turbine cream separator, which, when in opera-
tion, revolves at the rate of eight thousand revolu-
tions per minute, occupy most of the floor space,
while overhead stretch the various shaftings and
belts. A cold storage room having the capacity of
holding about five hundred sixty pound tubs of
butter, is an important adjunct of the building, as
is the cheese-curing' room which occupies the entire
second story. The engine, an upright one of eight
horse-power, manufactured by Davis & Rankin, of
Chicago, is driven by a ten horse-power boiler. The
creamery when in full operation, has a capacity of
utilizing fifteen thousand pounds of milk, or mak-
ing about six hundred pounds of butter, and nine
hundred pounds of cheese per diem, and is one of
the most complete in this part of the country.

RAILROAD HISTORY.

One object its founders had in locating the town
of Onawa where tliej' did, was that it might be a
station on the Iowa Central Air Line Railroad pro-
jected about that time, and about which there was

338

MONONA COUNTY.

a great exoitenient in its day. For years tlie citi-
zens of Onawa and of Western Iowa looked for its
coming, the illusive hope of its being built, '-that
season," being hold out that year, until finally the
company, which was a merely speculative one, suc-
cumbed, and the hope of its coming passed away.
■So matters continued until 1867, with occasional
excitements arising from reports of railroads build-
ing, and out of which there grew an unbelief in all
railroad schemes. Hut in the year above menticmed,
the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was built
through the length of the Missouri bottom from
Missouri valley, north, and was welcomed at On-
avYa with enthusiasm, the first train running in here
in October of that year.

For man^' years after this, the citizens of Onawa
were interested observers of the development of
the various railroads of the State, but none came to
this quarter, notwithstanding the easy grade of the
Missouri Valley. Tiie Northwestern Railroad con-
trolled the situation, having the Sioux City and
Pacific as a feeder, and in 1877 built a branch down
the Maple River as far as Mai^leton, and a little
later, a branch to Correetionville on the Little
Sioux. It was thus enabled to secure all the traffic
of an immense territorj^, reaching from the Illinois
Central on the north, to the Rock Island on the
south, and eastward nearly to the Des Moines River.
Until some rival company should show some signs
of wresting this territory from them, there was but
Utile hope of their extending their lines any through
the great scope of country thus tributary to them.
Thus tlie situation remained until in April, 188G,
when the Milwaukee, having been awakened to its
interests, inaugurated the work on its Defiance line
that passes througli the east part of the county.

About the same time the Northwestern Railroad
company awakened to their interests, and April 21,
188C, D. B. Waterman, right of way agent of that
road made his appearance in Onawa, and at once
commenced negotiations for the necessary land on
which to build Ihe extension of their Maple Valley
branch. A survey was at once made, and early in

May of that year, the contract for grading the road-
bed let, the immediate corporation being known as
the Maple Valley Railway Com pan}'. Work was
at once commenced and pushed with energ}'. The
first rail was laid at Mapleton, Ma}' 31, Mark Wrig-
ley, of the l^ress bolting the same to the old track
of which this was to be the extension. Work com-
menced at Onawa about the 25th of July, and was
prosecuted vigorously, for some time, and Tues-
day, September 21 , 188G, the last rail was laid, the
last spike was driven, and Onawa had a new con-
nection with the great markets of the world, and
soon the iron horse thundered into the town from a
new direction, regular trains being put on about
the 1st of October.

In 1883, a local railroad compan}' was organized
at Onawa, of which Hon. Addison Oliver and
Mitchell Vincent, with other leading citizens, were
prominent members, and made a survey, locating a
line of road up the Little Sioux Valley, all the pro-
files being taken, .and estimates made. In a contest
for the territory between the Illinois Central, and
the Milwaukee, this survey and any rights which
the local company had, were in June, 1887, trans-
ferred to the Illinois Central, and hereupon the lat-
ter commenced a survey of the entire road from
Cherokee, the engineers arriving in Onawa, Jul}' 3,
! of that year, and establishing the line through the
town on the Nation's birthday. The contract for
the grading was at once let, Mitchell Vincent, of
Onawa, obtaining the contract covering the line
from Correetionville to Onawa, a distance of thirty-
six miles, and work began in this county Monday,
July IH, on the John Beers' farm in Kennebec
Townshij). Some differences of opinion arose as to
the location of the depot, which were amicably set-
tled, and the same located at Ruby and West
Broadw.ay, and by the i)ublic-spirited course of
Onawa's citizens, a liberal purse was raised to pay
for depot ground to donate the company. During
the summer the work continued, and before snow
fell, the trains were running into the city, connec-
ting them with the great Illinois Central system.

VILLAGE OF WHITING.

CHAPTER XXVII.

SiIIE village of Wliiting, the thirtl in point of
S;^ size and importance in the county, is loca-

^^ ted upon the north part of section 1, town-
ship 84, range 46, and section 36, township 85,
range 46. The original town site was laid out by
the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad Company in
June. 1873, the plat being filed with the county re-
corder, July 5. that year. Since that time the fol-
lowing additions liave been filed on the (Lay and
date mentioned: First Addition, by the Missouri
Valley Land Company, May 25, 1880; Second Ad-
dition, by the same party, April 22, 1882; Third
and Fourth Additions by the same, June 26, 1884;
East Whiting, b}' George H. and Lucy Ann But-
ler, September 6, 1879; and Blair's Adtlition to
East Whiting, by John R. Blair, July 15, 1882.

It is beautifully situated in the ricli farming
country on the ^Missouri River bottoms, and is one
of the leading business stations on the Sioux City
ife Pacific Railroad. In the way of society, churches
and schools it is every way a desirable place to
build up a home in, and as a shipping and l)usiness
point is lapidly coming to the front rank.

The pioneer store of the new town was opened
by Lyman Whittier. He came here April 25, 1873,
and erected a frame building, 20x40 feet in size,
part of his present structure, in which he opened a
stock of general merchandise. This was the first
building on the site.

The second building was put up by Leonard

Jennewein, which was used for the entertainment
of the traveling public. This is a part of the pres-
ent Wliiting House.

The third building in the little hamlet was a
blacksmith-shop erected by E. J. Smitli, the same
summer, and in August, Lyman Whittier upagrain
warehouse.

The same summer the old depot at Sloan, a small
affair, was moved here and in this the railroad did
business until 1 873, when it was removed to Blencoe.
They in the month of March of that year, brought
another old building from Sioux City, and enlarged
and refitted it, opening it for general business July
21, 1878.

A small building was put up by Boyd Bros., and
after various uses is now occupied as a storeroom
and warehouse by Gassady & Whiting.

About the sixth or seventh building put up was
erected by A. G. Wight. This was afterward used
by Dr. Rust as a drug store, and now by II. M.
Watson as a barber-shop.

I-eonard Jennewein and A. G. Wight also run
small stores in 1877.

The next building was that of the Silver Lake
Hotel, kept first by the Godse}' Bros., in 1879.

An agricultural warehouse was erected by Mor-
ris & Bailej' in 1882, and that business opened b}'
them.

The first meat market opened in 1879, by George
Kron, on lot 6, block 3.

310

MONONA COUNTY.

Koon (t Dimmic-k put up a building and opened
the first hardware store, in the fall of 1882.

In the fall of 1879 Rust & Morle^' opened the
first drug store, in a building formerly put up by
A. G. Winfht, but the following year moved int(_)
a building which they had just erected. TLe^- still
carry on the business.

Russell A MeClain opened a hardware store, and
I. N. Russell a furniture store in 1881.

The first millinery establishment was opened
about April 1, 1881, by Mrs. B. F. Morris, who still
carries on the business.

Cassaday & Whiting cunimenced business as
dealers in general merchandise in 1880, and have
continued in that line ever since without change.
The firm is comiwsed of E. M. C'assa<lv and AViU
C. Whiting.

On .January 2, 1882, Dimniiek cfe Koon oi)ened a
hardware stoi'e. The firm carried on the business
until a few years ago, when the name and style was
changed to its present one of Dininiick & Fatter-
son.

The j^ener.al merchandise firm of lUair & VoWy
originated with Curtis C. Polly and J. <.^). Wiles,
under the firm name of Wiles &: I'olly, in .hily,
1882. Fifteen months later the present firm was
formed, J. R. Blair purchasing the interest of Mr.
Wiles.

The growth of the town was slow for a time, in
1885 the place containing only three general mer-
chandise, one hardware store, one drug store, one
blacksmith-shop, two hotels, a grain warehouse or
two, schoolhouse, post-office, two livery barns and
two churches.

The business of the village is represented at the
present writing (1889) by the foUovving individ-
uals or firms:

Lyman Wliittier, Cassaday & Whiti.ig, Blair &
Polly, general merchandise; W. N. Benedict, gro-
cerferies; William. Stacy, boots and shoes; Rust &
Morley, drugs; two temperance saloons, B. IT.;
one newspa|)er; Ned Sudduth,Koon Bros., H. M.
Watson, barber shops; W. C. Whiting & Co., lum-
ber and imi)lements; E. .1. Smith, blacksmith and
carriage-builder; John Peterson, butcher; J. R.
Blair, elevator; C. Watkins & Co., harness; T.
Handilin, furniture and undertaker; Whiting Bros ,

hardware; IMrs. W. N. Benedict, Mrs. B. F. Mor-
ris, millinery; two hotels; two livery-stables; one
bank; W. B. Arnold, groceries and boarding-house.

Asa V. Ilickle came to Whiting in March, 1888,
and eng.aged in the grocery trade, a business in
which he was succeeded b3' VV. N. Benedict in the
summer of 1889.

Hans Olson located in the town of Whiting in
September, 1875, being engaged in railroad work,
and for the most of the time since has been a resi-
dent here.

E. J. Smith came here, as has been mentioned, in
the fall (jf 1873, and put up the first bla ksmith-
shop, and in ,'piLe of misfortunes has remained a
resident ever since.

The Bank of Whiting was organized March 10,
1884, with Fred McCansland as president, and
George Stevens, cashier. Mr. McCausland came to
the village in 1882, and carried on the real estate,
loan and other business in that line, but in Octo-
ber, 1883, commenced the erection of the building
in which the bank is located, and established that
institution the following spring.

HOTELS.

A part of what is now the Whiting House was
erected in the summer of 1873 by L. Jennewein,
and run by him as a hotel until 1877, when it
pa.ssed into the hands of Daniel O'Neill, who en-
larged it and gave it its present name. Mr. O'Neill
acted as landlord of the hostelry until September
14, 188G, when he w^as succeeded by R. A. Eldgar,
who remained at the head of affairs until 1st of
October, 1887. when Mr. O'Neill again became the
landlord. A mtinth later, that gentleman having
other business, Worley Bros, assumed its manage-
ment, and presided over the destinies of this pio-
neer hotel until 1888, when they in turn were
succeeded by Joseph Bennett. . In the spring of
1889 Stephen Seward, the present landlord, com-
menced the entertainment of the travelling public.

The Silver Lake House, now the Commercial,
was built in 1879. and operated for about two years
by Godsey Bros. It was then sold to Ral[)h Bailey
who acted as landlord for about six months, at the
end of Nvliich time it was rented ami I'un by W. I).
Dimmick, who soon purchased the same. One year

MONONA COUNTY.

341

later it passed into the hands of W. G Ballard, who
presided over it a year and a half, and its manage-
ment was then transferred to B. Polly. In August,
1885, the house i)assed into the hands of Thomas
Griffin, who commenced to enact the role of host.
About the first of the following year it came into
the hands of R. T. Cummings, but shortlj' after he
was succeeded by Thomas Combs. In July, 1886,
the latter gentleman closed the house for a short
time and then sold it to the present proprietors,
Morris & Smith, who changed the name, and re-
opened it for business.

ELEVATOR.

Two warehouses were erected at this point in the
summer of 1873, one by the Grange, and the other
by Lyman jWhitlier. The former of tliese, injured
by the train running into it, was"removed and de-
voted to other uses; the latter was altered into a
dwelling-house. The elevator was built b}' John
R. Blair in 1884.

rOST-OFt'ICE.

The post-office of Whiting was brought from
West Fork on the'i 27th of June, 1873. and.estab-
lished in'the "store of Lyman Whittier, with that
gentleman as Postmaster. He remained in charge
of the mails at this point until January 12, 1886,
when he was succeeded bj' W. H. Wonder in the
office. The latter removed the same to his office
and fitted it up with new boxes and other appliances
until it is one of the best in the county. Novem-
ber 22, 1889, the present incumbent, C. A. Thomas,
took charge of the office.

PBESS.

The Sentinel, the pioneer paper of Whiting, was
established by W. A. Greene, now of Onawa, in
May, 1883, and carried on by that gentleman as an
exponent of the Republican faith and local inter-
ests, until February, 1885, when it was sold to W.
H. Wonder, formerl}' the editor of the Mondamin
Independent, who changed the name to that of the
Whiting fieraZd, and its political complexion to the
Democratic side of the house. The first number
issued bears the date of February 21, 1885, and is
a neatly printeil, well edited, seven-column fo-

lio. Mr. Wonder successfully carried on this, the
only Democratic paper in the county, until he
disposed of it, increasing the influence and effi-
ciency of the paper wonderfully, and enlarging it
from time to time as necessity demanded, until it
stood high in the estimation the of people.

On the 22d of November. 1889, Mr. Wonder
disposed of the paper to C. A. Thomas and Frank
Stevenson, who, under the firm name of Thomas <fc
Stevenson, changed it from a five-column quarto
to an eight-column folio, and its politics to that of
the Republican party.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first schoolhouse was put up early in the
town's history, in that part of the town east of the
track, and in this Miss Ella Holmes taught the first
school. This building is now used by E. J. Smith
as a paint-shop. The Independent school district
was formed in 1882. In 1883 a new schoolhouse
was erected in the village and used by the Inde-
pendent district for aboui two years, but the room
proving too limited for the growing town, on the
6th of April, 1885, the question of bonding the
district for $5,000 to raise the funds necessary to
the erection of a new building, was submitted to
the qualified electors and received an almost unan-
imous endorsement, there being but six dissenting
votes. On the 23d of May, the same year, a con-
tract for the erection of the new building was let
by the school board to Wakefield & Moir, of Sioux
City, the plan being furnished by M. B. Pullen, of
Onawa, and the structure commenced. On its
completion, an able architect of Omaha was con-
sulted, who, on close investigation, declared that
the work was complete and well executed, on which
the contractors were paid the sum of $5,603. The
building Is of brick, and is divided into four large
class-rooms, each 24x37 feet in size, one recitation
room 12x18 feet, and halls, cloak rooms, etc., and
is one of the best in the county. The first teachers
in tiiis new building were as follows: Prof. C. A.
Love, F. B. Kessling, Miss Marion Ramsdell, Miss
Marjf McWilliaras and Miss Martin. The present
faculty is composed of the following named: Prof.
Weaver; and Misses Martha Elliott, Sadie Hague
and Marion Ramsdell.

342

MONONA COUNTY.

inci.icioLis.

'I'lio MeUioilisI, Kpiscopal ("liurcli. in 1880 the
Rev. J. ^V. I'':nv(H'tt ciinic here aiid organized a
a class, and coumienred liie erection of the cluu'cb
Ijuilding, coUeclinji; the !naterial for the same. In
September. 1882, Nathan Watson. J. W. Hoar,
William Anderson and Porter McKinstre.y, the first
trustees, purcliased a lot on which to put np the
ihurcii edifice, which was soon after lliis erected.
The various [wistors iiaving cliarne here have been,
tlie Revs. P. Billings, Tlionias. Samuel Snyder, Ct.
M. Pendell, W. M. Edgar, .1. Rin-ns and E. I). Ben-
edict, the [jrcscnt incumbent.

The Congrrgational Church was instituted about
the same time, throngli the instrumentality of the
Rev. C. N. Lyman, of Onawa, who acts as pastor
of this church also.

The Christian Church of Whiting was organized
in the fall of 188», and the society purchased the
old schooliioiise, and removing it more to tlie cen-
ter of the village, south of tlie elevator, remodeled
it. As it had been in use but about two years and
was 24x40 feet in size, some eight feet were added
to the front of it, and the interior changed so as to
tit it for its new purpose. 'J'his church was used
for tlie first time for Divine worship F'ebniary 1,
1886, Elder Poston, presiding. On the same day
a Sabbath-school was organized, and the following
offlcers chosen: W. II. Wonder, Superintendent;
J. R. Harlan, Assistant Superintendent; Henry
Cormany, Secretary; E. .lames. Assistant Secretary ;
L. Norwood, Treasurer; Giles Cormany, Assistant
Treasurer; .lames Nance, Liljiarian, and Belle
Poll}', Assistant Librarian. The school opened
with some eighty-seven members, eight of whom
were teachers. In tlie summer of 188'.), through
the instrumentality of tlie ladies of the congrega-
tion, a new lielfry some fifty feet in height was
erected, and tlie entire church remodeled, repa-
pered and repainted, making it one of the neatest
in the county.

St. John's Roman Catholic Church was organized
through the instrumentality of the Rev. Father
Daley, in the summer of 1886. In the spring of
1887 a movement was jnit on foot by the pastor,
to purchase the church building owned by the Uni-
ted Brethren, built in 1882, that denominatiou

having lost most of its members bj' removals, which
culminated in the transfer of the property to the
Catholics, June 17,1887. An altar was at once
erected, and the house fitted up for the services
of the church. Father Daley remained in charge
of the church until August, 1887, when he was
transferred to Sioux City, and succeeded by the
Rev. Father Reynolds. The charge includes Cor-
rectionville, Onawa and Blencoe. The Rev. Father
Bowcn is tlie present pastor.

FIRK DErART.MENT.

Like -most of new towns the majority of the
buildings in Whiting are frame, and hence are
more suceptible of ,d am age by fire than if of more
substantial material. Attention was drawn to tiiese
facts quite frequently in the columns of the [laper,
and resulted in the formation of a lK)ok and ladder
company among the younger members of tlie com-
munity M.ay 7, 1885. The following were elected
officers: W. D. Dimmick, President; O. J. Easton,
Secretary; George H. Stevens, Treasurer; A. M.
Patterson, Chief; E. E. Egli, foreman, and Fiank
Minard, assistant.

In the early part of 1886 the question of a more
efficient protection against the devastations of the
.Ire fiend, became agitated, and at a meeting of the
city council. May 4, a representative of the firm of
C. G. Carleton & Co., of Chicago, 111., made a
proposition to sell the town a hand engine, hose
reel, four liundred feet of hose and all the necessary
appurtenances to make them thoroughly efficient,
for the sum of $925, taking their pay in town war-
rants, drawing seven per cent, interest. After some
discussion the contract was closed with him, and in
due time the apparatus received. Steps were taken
for the organization of a fire department, and the
following officers were chosen : A.M.Patterson,
Chief: Ora J. Easton, foreman of the hose com-
pany; Charles Koon, foreman of the engine com-
pany, and Thomas Ilamlilen, assistant; Frank
Minard, foreman of the book and ladder company;
Ora J. Easton and Eugene E. Egli, pipeuien.

A new brick building for their headquarters was
erected by the village board on Blair Street, during
the summer of 1889, which was opened with a
grand ball, on the evening of October 10. The

MONONA COUNTY.

343

present officers of the departiuent are: W. C.
Whiting, President; Ora J. Eastoii, Secretary and
Chief; George Mickelwait, foreman of the engine
company ; John Mickelwait, foreman of the hose
company; and G. H. Stevens, Treasurer.

TELEPHONE.

Wiiiting is coiinected vvith the balance of the
world b^- the Western I'nioii Telegraph line, and
with Sioux City, Onawa, Storm Lake, and interme-
diate points, by the ever handy telephone. The
latter was brought into the village in November,
1S8G. It is now located in Cassaday ife Whiting's
store.

BAND.

This band, wliich has had the reputation of being
onetiie best in the county, was organized in March,
1883, with the following members: F. W. S. For-
est. K flat and leader; H. Davidson, E flat; L. P.
Norwood, B flat; F. W. Thorp, solo alto; II. M.
Watson, alto; B. F. Morris, solo tenor; J. Q. Wiles.

tenor; J. W. Kesterson, tuba; Mons Axelson, clar-
ionet; Harley Iloogeboom, snare drum, and D. G.
Millet, bass drum.

This band has been carried on ever since, with
more or less success from that time to the present,
but in the last year has not been held up to the
high standard it formerly held. The following is
the list of the officers and members: Charles Koon,
E flat and leader; C. A. Thomas, solo E flat; Shir-
ley Skidmore, B flat; F. W. Thorp, solo alto; Will
G. Brown, baritone; Samuel Gillis, alto; M. J.
Rose, alto; B. F. Morris, tenor; C. L. A^atkins,
tenor; Harley Hoogeboom, snare drum ; D. G. Mil-
lett, bass drum, and J. W. Kesterson, tuba.

OPERA HALL.

This edifice was erected by a stock company
composed of W. C. Whiting & Co., J. Q. Wiles,
E. M. Whiting and Gray & Allison, in the spring
of 1883. The present proprietors are W. C. Whit-
ing- & Co. and Ilolbrook &. Bro.

EAST MAPLETON.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

(^p^HE village usually called Mapleton, is a
(f^i^\ beautiful and enterprising one in the nortli-
^^^ eastern part of the county, situated on sec-
tion 24, township 85, range 43, or the township of
Maple. Its lovely location on the banks of the
Maple River, in the far-famed valley named after
that stream, singles it out as a most desirable place
of residence, wiiile as a business center it is fully the
peer of any town of its size in this locality. The
original town was laid out by the Blair Town Lot
and Land Company, an organization for the crea-
tion of new towns, in the early fall or summer of
1877, the plat of the same being filed for record
October 6, of that year. Four additions have been
laid out by the same parties, the plats being tiled
upon the following dates: First addition, June 10,
1881; Second addition, August 31, 1882; Third
addition, July 7, 1884; and Fourth addition, April
2, 1887. It lies about a mile east of the old vil-
lage of Mapleton, and owes its birth to the location
of the depot and terminus of the Maple Valley
branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad,
at this point, in 1877.

BUSINESS HISTOKr.

Aljout September 1, 1877, the first business house
was opened in the new village. James Garrison,
one of Mapleton's prominent citizens of today,
came here about that date and opened a grocery-

store in a small temporary building, 10x12 feet
in size, that was hastily built in front of the Cam-
eron elevator. The lumber for this structure was
hauled here by one team and the stock by another.
In this Mr. Garrison carried on business, dealing out
goods over a counter made of a (by-goods box, about
one hundred da^'S, when having completed a more
commodious and convenient quarters on the south-
east corner of Fourth and Main Streets he moved to
that locality. Sir. Garrison continued in this line
of trade until May 1, 1881, when he sold out to
M. S. LuUock and purchased the hardware stand
of Whiting & Co., which he carried on until De-
cember 1, 1889, on which date he sold out to
Alfred Morrison.

M. S. Bullock after purchasing the business
added general merchandise and carried it on until
tlie early part of 1885, when he sold out to Car-
penter Bros. The\- were succeeded by M. S. Bul-
lock again, in July of the same year. He was
succeeded by John Blough in 1887. The latter
carried on the store until the fall of 1888, when he
was succeeded by "VV. C. Page, the present proprie-
tor.

About the same time Wilsey & Simmons, who
had been in trade at the old town, moyed their
stock to the new town and carried on the general
merchandise trade there as a firm for about a year,
when they sold out to S. B. Gilmore & Co.,

MONONA COUNTY.

34;3

who continued in the trade, under that name,
with some changes of partners until 188-1, when
tiiey closed out the stock and quit business.

In October, of the sarae year, a drug business
was initiated by W. H. McIIenry and A. Barrett,
under the firm name of AIcHenry A Barrett, the}'
erected a frame building on lot 6, block 2, on the
main street. They continued to operate the busi-
ness together until April, 1878, when IJr. F. Griffin
purchased the interest of Mr. Barrett and the firm
of McHenry & (iriffin was formed. November,
1878, Mr. McIIenry disposed of his share in the
business to E. J. Williams and the firm name was
changed to that of Oriflin & Williams and these
gentleman carried on the store until April 22, 1881,
when Dr. Griffin became the sole proprietor, and
has continued in the trade ever since. The busi-
ness was located in a neat frame building ]Gx24
feet in size, a story and a half high, in which it
was established, until the summer of 1887, when the
building in which it is now kept was erected on the
site of the old one. This is a handsome brick
structure, 25x6.5 feet ui size and neatly fitted up.

In the fall of 1877, the pioneer hardware estab-
ment of the village was established by Baxter
Whiting and his nephew, Charles I. Whiting,
under the firm name of Whiting & Co., car-
ried on by them until Ma}' 1. 1881, when it was
purchased by James Garrison, the late proprietor,
as noticed elsewhere. The building which stands
on the northeast corner of JIain and Fourth Streets,
is a two-story frame, 22x100 feet on the ground
and was erected by Whiting & Co.

About the same time Hamilton Bros, opened an
.agricultural implement depot which thev still carry
on in connection with their hardware establish-
ment.

The firm of Scott Bros, consisting of W. T., II.
N. and J. E. Scott, came to Mapleton the same fall
and erected a frame building, 20x100 feet on the
ground, in which thej' opened for business with a
stock of hardware. They remained in this liouse
for about two years and then selling out their
stock to Whiting & Co., embarked in llie general
merchandise trade. This, they continued to re-
main at the head of until May 1, 1 880, when they
disi>03ed of it to Charles Anderson, the present

proprietor. II. N. and .7. K. Scott then entered
into the real-estate, insurance and money-loaning
business, which they hare followed from that
date.

Martin <fe Williams establisiied a blacksmith-
shop, in 1877, which they continued until 1882, '
when they sold out to David MoUister. The latter 1
transacted that class of business, at this place until I
March, 1880, when he disposed of it to Reuben
Whiting, the present proprietor.

Mr. Martin, wlio went to Sioux City, returned
to Mapleton in the fall of 1880, and has again en-
gaged in the blacksmith business at this point.

John D. Rice, an attoruey-at-law, came to the new
village in the spring of 1878, and opened an oflfice
for the practice of his profession and is still en-
gaged in that business. In the spring of 1879 he
formed a partnershi[) with J.- G. Lockwood in the
drug business, as given elsewhere.

Dr. Francis Griffin, a practicing physician came
here in April, 1878, and entering upon the duties of
his profession, has remained here ever since.

Loreu Barney came to Mapleton January 8,
1878, and erecting a building on the south side of
Main Street, between Third and E"ourth, opened
a harness-shop. December 1, 1880, he sold out to
Henry Haynungs, who carries on the same busi-
ness at present.

On the 10th of the same month, Mr. Barney
bought out the furniture stock of J. 1). Giddings,
which was established by J. D. Giddings & Co.,
in 1883, and removed it across the street to his
present quarters and .still carries on the business.
He carries a stock of about $3,000, quite a large one
for the size of the place.

Early in 1878, Levi Monroe and Frank Leet,
under the firm name of Monroe & Leet opened
a grocery store in a building which they had
erected, and which was 20 x 40 feet in size.
They carried on the business until September 5,
1878, wlien B. D. Butler became the proprietor,
purchasing the interests of both partners. Butler
& Morgan carried on the business about eighteen
months, when Mr. Butler bought out his partner
and carried on the store alone for a short time. Mr. |
Butler, in the fall of 1882, disposed of the same to
Frank Martin, and the following January, James B.

346

MONONA COUNTY.

Hawthorne bought aii interest therein, and the Ann
of Martin & Hawthorne came into existence. May
4, of the same year, the stand and stock were piir-
cliased by S. H. & G. W. Carhart, who carried on
tlie business until the fall of 1889, when they sold
to R. D. Harper & Co., the present proprietors.

John W. Smith came to the village in August,
1878, and engaged in dealing in stock, a business
he still carries on.

In .luly or August, 1878, Lewis Robinson opened
a general merchandise store, which he carried on
until the spring of the following year, when he
failed, and his grocery stock was purchased by J.
D. Rice, the drj'-goods, etc., being sold out at auc-
tion. From this stock grew the drug store of J.
I). Rice. In the spring of 1879 a drug business
was established by J. D. Rice and J. D. Lockwood,
under the firm name of .1. D. Rice & Co., and car-
I'ied on by them until 1882, wlien Mr. Rice sold out
his interest therein to his partner. Mr. Lockwood
continued to dispense drugs, medicines, etc., both
alone and as a member of the firm of Lockwood .,fe
Conner until the fall of 1889, when the business,
stock and good will, was purchased by J. H. ]'utzer,
the present proprietor.

Lamb & Chamberlain entered into the livery
stable business in 1879, and were thus engaged un-'
til March, 1883, when the stock and good will were
purchased 1)3' John T. Bridges who is leading in
that line in the village at the present time.

The first furniture store was established by G. H.
Butler and A. I. Lenterman in 1879. They carried
it on for three or four years and were succeeded by
J. W. Ling, who closed out the same in 1883.

Dr. William Davis, a prominent physician and
surgeon came to this village June 1. 1879^ fnd has
been here, in practice, ever since.

M. L. Dudley and E. D. French came to Maple-
ton in the winter of 1882-3, and embarked in the
land, loan and insurance business under the firm
name of Dudley & French. This they carried on
until some time early in 1884, when, by the ad-
mission of J. W. Wakefield the firm name was
changed to Dudley, French & Wakefield. A short
time afterwards D. W. Corley purchasing the in-
te:-ests of Dudley and French, the business passed
into the hands of Wakefield and Corley. Dudley

ife French then engaged in the grain business, for a
short time, but August 24, 1884, they embarked in
the general merchandise trade, having, also, a
blanch at I'te. They carried on this business in
the old S. R. Gilmore stand, doing an extensive
business until January 28, 1885, when they were
forced to make an assignment, although they had a
surplus of assets, and paid every dollar of indebt-
edness, and the stock was closed out by D. W. Cor-
ley the assignee, to JMr. Dudley', who sold the stock
to E. T. Dorothy. In the fall of 188."., Mr. French
was defeated for the office of Sheriff and went to
Minnesota. Mr. Dudley is still here, engaged in
the iusui-ance business.

Herrinu^ Chrisman, an attorney came to Maple-
ton in March. 1 8S"2,, and engaged in practice in
1884, and after carrying on business alone until
June 24, 1889, took in as partners his sons Charles E.
and Will, and the firm of Chrisman & Chrisman
was formed.

The S. H. Bowman Lumber Company, established
a branch of their lumber business at Mapleton in the
fall of 1882, with C. Cunningham as manager. In
1884, the latter was succeeded by Alexander White
who w.as followed in 1886, by G. H. Hollands-
worth, the present manager and superintendent.
They carry a stock of s(>me $10,000 worth, consist-
ing of lumber, coal, lime, grass seeds, etc., and do
an immense business. The pioneers in this line
were Hamilton Bros., and G. H. Chapman. The
former are still engaged in the same line. Mr.
Chapman, who began in 1877, carried on the bus-
iness until his death when it was sold to James
Chapman, who later on disposed of it to J. P.
Wells, who closed it out to the Bowman Lumber
Company.

Cyrus Greek and John W. Smith, grain and cat-
tle dealers commenced business here in 1883, in co-
partnership which the^' still carry on.

Thomas B..Lutz locateci at this village August
1, 1883, and entered upon the practice of law.
January 1, 1886, he entered into a partnership
with J. 1). Rice, which lasted just one year, since
which time he has carried on his profession alone.

James Garrison established a depot for the sale of
farm machinery in 1883, and carried it on until
1888. In February of that year he disposed of it

MONONA COUNTY.

to M. A. Burns who is operating in that line at the
present.

KIbridge Willjer cainc to the vill.age in 1884,
;uul embarked in the hardware business which he
carried on about a year and then sold out to J. W.
Harris & Co., who sold to Hamilton Bros., and en-
gaged in the grain and cattle business. Since
1887, he has been in partnership with Cyrus Greek.

Dr. Julius Warren Cox, coinmenced the prac-
tice of medicine in Mapleton, on coming here in
May, 1884, and is numbered among the leading
physicians of that place at the present.

The clothing and gents' furnishing goods store
of W. M. Leathers & Co., was established April 1.
1884, b}^ that firm on the northwest corner of
Fifth and Main Streets, and they still carry on the
business.

The same year witnessed the establislunent of thr
dry-good.s and shoe house of Friedman <fe Gold-
berger, who still carry on that business. In 1887,
they removed to their present commodious quarters
on the corner of Fourth and Main Streets.

Albert E. Roach opened a barbershop in the
young city in August, 1885, and in July, 1887,
added photography to his business, and carries on
both lines at tlie present.

Cyrus E. Cooper, Justice of the Peace dates his
settlement in the village from 1885.

Potter & Lucas engaged in the grocery bus-
ness in the village in 1885, but ran it but a short
time before they sold out to E. J. Williams. The
latter carried on business until 1887, when ho
closed out the stock and removed to Sioux City,
where as a member of the firm of Hansen & Wil-
liams, he is engaged in the commission business.

O. K. Curtis, who is still here, engaged in the
practice of law, came to Mapleton August 18,
1886, and opened an office.

Early in the spring of 1887, Joiin Hansen
opened a cigar factory in the place which he is still
carr3Mng on, and has built up quite a business.
He runs a retail department in connection with his
manufactory. The latter bears the Internal Rev-
enue number of 238.

The present business stand of Berr^- & Fry, was
estaljlished in April, 1887, by C. S. Snyder and
N. Gallup, under the firm name of Snyder & Gal-

lup. December 1, 1887, by the admission of J. A.
Berry, who had purchased the interest of Mr. Gal-
lup, they were succeeded by tlie firm of Snyder <k
Berry, and in the fall of 1889, the present firm was
formed. They carry an exclusively grocery stock
of considerable size and are doing a large business.

(Jreek & AVilber, grain and feed dealers, estab-
lished their present lousiness in 1887.

Frank Gilliiian commenced the liver>' stable busi-
ness in 1888.

E. V. Fuller ojicned his variety store April 15,
1889.

Eli Straub the only dentist of Mapleton came to
tliat village in March, 1888, and opened his pleas-
ant rooms, and has since then built up quite a pat-
ronage.

Valentine Smith dealer in to\'s, fancy goods, etc.,
opened business here in April, 1888.

Dr. John B. Comle}' came to the village in Jan-
uary, 1889, and engaged in the practice of medi-
cine and surger}', and is engaged in that profession
at the present writing.

The Mapleton Nurser}- was established in 1880,
b}' Christian Steinuian who is still earr^'ing it on.

In the first number of the enlarged Honv^ Ad-
vocate, issued January 16, 1884, there is a business
directory, the following parlies and firms being
mentioned as doing business at that point, and at
that time: Luther Johnson, dryguods; S. B. Gil-
more & Co., general merchandise; M. S. Bullock,
general store; Scott Bros., general merchandise and
jewelry ; Mrs. A. M. Bigelow and Mrs. J. W. Bunt-
ing, millinery and dressmaking; Jennie McCul-
lough, dressmaking; Garrison & Burkitt, hardware
and machinery ; E. A. Hemphill, hardware; J. D.
Giddings <fe Co., furniture and undertaking; G.
H. Butler & Co., furniture; Dr. F. Griffin, drugs
and books: J. D. Lockvvood, drugs; Frank Durand,
restaurant and bakery; Hammond & Snyder, res-
taurant and confectionery; Hamilton Bros., hard-
ware and machinery; J. R. Chapman, lumber and
coal; S. H. Bowman Lumber Com pan3-, lumber and
coal; W. P. Clark and Joseph Roberts, black-
smiths; Art. Bishton and W. J. Freed, meat mar-
kets; Carhart Bros., groceries; L. Barney, harness-
making; William Thompson, barber; J. F. Baker,
barber, photographer and news stanql; Nels Han-

318

MONONA COUNTY.

sen and Ole Olson, boots and shoes; Mapleton
Bank; Theodore Hilton, stage-line barn; T. B.
Lulz, J. D. Rice and J. A. AVakefiekl, attornejs;
Dudley & Freneh. abstracts; Friester & Snyder and
Chamberlain & Bridges, livery stables; J. A. Wil-
cox, N. S. Joseph, J. W. ( iallant, L. E. Bruner and
W. Bradfield, cai'penters; F. M. Thayer, plasterer
and brickraason; Mapleton House, F. O'Neill, pro-
prietor; Commercial House, Roach Bros.; Stowell
House. L. L. Scott; J. C^. Adani.s and R. S. Paremer,
dray lines; J. R. Cameron, E. .1. Williams, John
W. Smith and Cyrus Greek, dealers in live stock;
and the Ma|)leton Nursery, C. .Steinmau.

THE MAPLETON BANK

was organized September 1, 1878, with Baxter
Whiting as President, and W. H. Bliss, now of Sa-
lem. Iowa, as Cashier. In iNIareh. 1881, Mr. Bliss
retired, and C. I. Whiting liecame Cashier. Bax-
ter Whiting, one of the pioneers of the county, re-
mained at the head of this institution until his death,
which occurred in March, 1S85, and was succeeded
by John W. Smith, the present President. The
business was commenced in the hardware store of
Whiting & Co., and occupied one corner of that
building, the one now owned by Al Morrison. In
the si)ring of 1881, having erected their present
quarters, the bank was removed thither. This is a
brick structure, 22x50 feet in size, two stories in
height, and the lower story is neatly and hand-
somely fitted up for their business. The second
story is occupied as a hall bj' the C)dd Fellow and
Knights of Pytliias lodges. The bank has a capi-
tal of $50,000, and is rated as among the safest and
soundest of the monetary institutions of this part
of Iowa.

The Monona County State Bank was organized
and incorporated under the laws of Iowa, July IV,
1889, with a capital of $25,000, by James Garrison,
Jane M. Davis, Stephen II. Carhart, Porter Hamil-
ton, L. H. Gordon, F. Grittin and John A. Ileisier.
The lirst oflicers were the following named : Porter
Haniilton, President; S. II. Carhart, Vice Presi-
dent; L. H. Gordon, Cashier; Jane Moe Davis,
Francis (irilHn, James Garrison, and John A. Heis-
L'r. Directors. John Pulzer was made Assistant
Cashier. These officers still remain in office, with the

exception of James Garrison, who has retired from
the board of directors, and has been succeeded by
W. W. Hamilton. The bank does a regular bank-
ing business in .all its branches, and has alread}^
won a place in the village and surrounding country.

HOTELS.

On the com|(letion of the railroad to this point in
1877, an hotel building was erected, b_v 10. P. Ken-
nedy, to wliich was given the name of the Hall
House, and which was opened by R. Thompson. He
acted as "mine host" for about a vear, and was
succeeded by William Prouse, who carried it on for
some three years and a half. James Crawford and
C. Vradenburg were the next landlords, and the
latter, in the fall of, 1884, was succeeded by C. W.
Bruner. A short tini'fe thereafter, in the spring of
1885, C. Welton became the landlord, and the
name was changed to that of the Welton House.
He ran it for a time, and was succeeded by A. D.
Welton, his son, in February, 1889. In the sum-
mer of 1889, T. W. Johns became the host of this
pioneer hotel and ran it some three months, at the
end of which time he was succeeded by W. W.
Williams, the present proprietor.

The Stowell House was erected in 1879 liy A. L.
Stowell, a carpenter and builder, who carried it on.
He was succeeded by E. B. Chamberlain ai;d L. B.
Snyder, but May 1, 1883, it passed into the hands
of L. L. Scott. Tlie latter continued at the head
of the establishment until August, 1884, when
William Prouse became the landlord. He was fol-
lowed about two years later by Bennet, and he by
C. Welton, who carried on the business until the
summer of 1889, when F. G. Smith 4ook it, and
for three months carried it on. Late in the sum-
mer he quit, and the building remained idle for a
short time. Jacob Madison opened the refitted
house, Monday, November 25, 1889.

The Commercial Hotel was built in tlie fall of
1878 by Samuel H. JIann, who ran it for about
eighteen months, when it was sold to John Jones.
It was carried on by Francis O'Neill for years, and
it was then moved by Albert Roach up town, and
its days as an hotel ceased, it being now used as a
dwelling and lodging-house.

The Mapleton House was built by Francis

MONONA COUNT r.

349

O'Neill about 1878, and was run by him until
1887, vviien lie sold out to Henry Ash, tlie present
proprietor.

JOIIRXAI.IS.M.

Tiie pioneer newspaper in tiie nevv village was
the Standard, which was established in the fall of
1877, bj- George F. Croneb, who had the paper
jirinted at Ida Grove, ho not having the material.
But a few issues were made, when the outfit of the
Freas, being brought here from Onawa, was pur-
chased by Mr. Crouch, and the Standard was merged
into the Press.

The People's Press was brought to Mapleton
from Onawa, where it was first established, and
where its previous history will be found, in the fall
of 1877, and passed into the hands of George F.
Crouch, who had just started the Standard, who
combined the two and issued the journal with the
double title of Press and Standard. A most able
editor, he made it a good local newspaper, and
carried it on until June, 1878, when it became the
|)ropert3r of Q. A. Wooster. The latter gentleman,
who, however, had no previous training at the busi-
ness, continued to occupy the editorial tripod most
ably, until September, 1879, when the journal was
sold to Charles A. Robertson, a born editor, now
of the Hull Advance, who continued to carry it on
until 1883. when it was purchased by Charles K.
and J. Fred Meyers, and was carried on by these
latter gentlemen for one year. In 1884 the Wrig-
ley Bros., now of the Boone Republican, purchased
the business and outfit, and were the editors and
publishers until July, 1888, when they disposed of
it to the present able editor and proprietor, James
K. Ilazlett, who is making it a bright, newsy and
poi)ular local pa|)er.

The Home Advocate, a paper devoted to the in-
terests of the an ti- monopoly and union labor par-
ties, was established October 18, 1883, by Alf.
Wooster, its present proprietor and editor. The
first five issues of this popular sheet, which were
but three-column folios, were printed on a job
press, at his father's residence, on section 13.
January 16, 1884, he enlarged the sheet to a six-
column folio, printing four pages, and advanced
the price to $2 per year, and carried on in this
form, after removing to the village, until October

15, 1887, when the paper was made a seven column
folio, but in July, 1888, was changed again to a
six-column quarto. At the same time a Fairhaven
power press was put in. Seeking to devote the
entire journal to homo interests, in the latter part
of December, 1888, Mr. Wooster reduced the pai)er
to a seven-colunin folio, but printed the entire
sheet at home, at the same time reducing the price
to $1 a year. It has this year (1889) a circulation
of 2,500, and is an ably edited, cleanly printed and
tastily dressed journal, a credit to the owner and
the town. The building in which it is located
was erected by Mr. Wooster in the fall of 1883,
and he added an annex in the summer of 1886.
The office, whieh^is located on the ground floor, is
neatly and conveniently fitted up with a full equip-
ineuD for news or job work, the motive power for
his machinery being produced by a handsome en-
gine, put in in February, 1889.

POST-OFFICE.

Charles 11. Simmons, who had been Postmaster at
Old Mapleton since' 1874, [removed the office to the
new village, in the fall of 1877,'^and was the first
Postmaster of the latter place. He remained in
office until .December 6, 1881, when he was suc-
ceeded by W. F. Scott, September 15, 1888. Porter
Hamilton, the present incumbent of^the office, suc-
ceeded Mr. Scott. It was created a money order
office Jul^- 1, 1881, and the first order cashed over
its counter was one issued at Onawa to F. A. Bur-
ton, amounting to $2.50, on August 23, 1881, and
paid to Miss Lulu Burton, August 24. The office
was made a Presidential one July 1, 1884, and the
salary increased to -$1,100 per annum, July 1,
1887. It is located in the hardware establishment
of Hamilton Bros., of which firm the present post-
master is ft member.

INCORPORATION.

On the 10th of May, 1878, an election was held
in the village to determine the question of the in-
corporation of the same, the notice of which bore the
names of the following, named as the committee:
J. R. Thompson, G. H. Chapman, G. F. Crouch.
Porter Hamilton and D. H. McKown. A mnjoritj-
being- in favor of the measure, the following were

35')

MONONA COUNTY,

duly elected llie first ollicers of the rising city:
J. F. Scott, Mayor; J. A. Hiitton, Recorder, and
O. II. Chapman, Porter Hamilton, W. F. Scott,
J. Tost and O. O. Harris, ('(nincilmon. .I.'U.
Tiioinpson was api)ointed Marshal and C. I. Whit-
ing Treasurer. The first meeting of ilie council
w.is held the same month. The following is a list
of the city's officers by years:

\ii7d. — Porter Hamilton, Mayt)r; Geoi-ge Coe,
Hecorder; W. II. I51iss, Treasurer; H. N. Scott,
Assessor; and O. O. Harris, B.axter Whiting, G. II.
Butler, W. F. Davis, S. B. (iilmore and J. D. Rice,
Councilmen.

1880.— H. N. Scott, M.'iyor; W. H. Adams, Re-
corder; W. H. Bliss, Treasurer; F. Leet, Assessor;
A. C. Miller, Marshal; and B. Whiting, G. II. But-
ler, O. O. Harris, W. F. Davis, D. Phillips and L.
Barney, Councilmen.

1881. — O. O. Harris, Mayor; F. Richardson,
Recorder; W. H. Bliss, Tieasurer; H. N. Scott,
Assessor; S. B. Gilmore. E. J. AVilliams, J. R. Cam-
eron, L. II. Monroe, C'. A. Robertson, B. Whiting
and L. Barney, members of the Council. During
the term, the mayor resigned, and at a special elec-
tion .T. F. Scott was chosen to fill the vacancy'.

1882. — S. B. Gilmore, Mayor; L. Barney, E. J.
Williams, G. H. Butler, B. Whiting, W. G. Ken-
nedy, J. l^ Adams, B'. D. Butler and H. McLane,
Councilmen; W. S. Pershing, Recorder, and C. I.
Whiting, Treasurer.

1883.— S. B. Gilmore, Mayor; .J. (^), Adams, B.
D. Butler. G. II. Butler, H. McLane and J. R. Ciim-
eron. Council; W. S. Pershing, Recorder, and C. 1.
AVhiting, Treasurer. This was the administration
that built the town hall.

1884.— S. H. Carhart, Mayor; L. L. Scott, E. D.
P'rcnch, S. A. D. Hamilton, J. Q. Adams, II. Mc-
Lane and B. D. Butler, Council; T. B. Lutz, Re-
corder; C. I. Whiting, Treasurer.

188n.— W. J. Harris, M.ayor; ,]. Q. Adams, S.
Ary, B. D. Butler, E. D. French, W. W. Hamilton
and George II. Leathers, Council; AV. H. Wrigley,
Recorder; C. I. AVhiting, Treasurer. The latter
re.signeil his office in November and was succeeded
b^-. S. B. Gilmore.

188G.— Cyrus G'-eek, M.ayor; S. Ary, F. Griffin,
W. W. Hamilton. W^ II. Leathers, J, W^ Smith and

Alexander White, Council; Edward Quick, Treas-
urer; M. H. Wrigley, Recorder; D. A. Hall, Mar-
shal; C. I. Wliiting, Park Commissioner.

1887.— Cyrus Greek, Mayor; F. Griffin, W. W.
Hamilton, W. II. Leathers, Alexander White, S. Ary
and J. W. Smith, Council; M. II. Wrigley, Recorder;
Edward Q)uick, Treasurer; C. I. AVhiting, Park
Commissioner; W. S. Pershing, Assessor.

1888. — Cyrus Greek, Mayor; W. W. Hamilton,
W. C. Wilbur, H. McLane, F. Griffin, W. II. Leath-
ers and .1. W. Smith, Councilmen; G. W. Carhart,
Recorder; Edward (Juick, Treasurer; W. W.Jones,
Marshal; ('. I. Wiiiting, Park Commissioner.

188J. — 1. A. Berry, Mayor; F. Griffin. W. H.
Leathers, II. McLane, E. L. Crow, C. Butler and
W. W. Hamilton,, Councilmen; G. W. Carhart.
Recorder; E. (^uick, Treasurer; C. I. Whiting, Park
Comraissionei'.

SOCIETIES.

•'Quarry Lodge, No. 404, A. F. & A. M., was or-
ganized under dispensation, Jul}' 19, 1880, with
the following members: C. A. Robertson, F. Griffin,
J. D. Rice. J. R. Cameron, C. T. Torrey, 0. Harris,
W. A. Bishton, L. H. Monroe, J. F. .Scott, D. F.
Kinney. N. T. Wood and D. Sauford. The first
olficers of the organization were: J. D. Rice, W. M.;
C. T. Torrey, S. W. ; C. A. Robertson, J. W.; F.
Griffin, S. ; J. R. Cameron, T. ; O. Harris, S. D.;
J. F. Scott, J. D.; D. Sanford, S. S. ; D. F. Kinney,
J. S. ; and L. H. jMonroe. Tyler. A charter was
granted the lodge which bore the date of June 9,
1881, and the dame officers were chosen to fill the
various chairs, with the exception that M. S. Bul-
lock w.as made S. S. and W. H. Edgar, J. S.

In June, 1 882, the following officers weve chosen :
J. I). Rice, W. M.; M. S. Bullock, S. W. ; W. F.
Scott, J. W. ; F. GritHn, S.; J. R. Cameron, T, ; O.
Harris, S. D. ; J. F. Scott, J. D. ; L. H. Monroe, S. S. ;
C. T. Torrey. J. S.; and W. A. Bishton, Tyler.

In 1883 tlie offlers were the same, except that
W. M. Burkitt was S. S.; W. Jones, J. S., and
James Sumner, Tyler.

1884. — I. D. (nddings, W. M.; F. Griffin, S. W. ;
J. E. Scott, J. W.; C. I. Whiting, S. ; M. S. Bul-
lock. T.; J. D. Rice, S. D.; J. G. Martin, J. D.;
J. R. Webster, S. S.; II. K. Barbec, J. S.; T. W.
Curtis, Tyler.

MONONA COUNTY.

3:.i

1885.— W. J. Harris, W.M.; J. D. Gicldings, S.
W.; S. Ary, J. W.; F. Griffin, S. ; C. I. Whiting.T.;
J. 1). Rice, S. D.; J. G.. Martin, J. ]).; S. Stevens,
S. S.; J. W. Curtis, J. S,; J. G. Kngleliorn, Tyler.

1886.— J. D. Rice, W. M.; S. Ary, S. W.; J. G.
Martin. J. W.; F. Griffin, S, ; C. I. Whiting.T.;
J. D. Giddings, S. D.; P. C. Dorothy. J. D. ; J. W.
Curtis, S. S. ; E. L. Crow, J. S. ; J. G. Englehorn,
Tyler.

1887. — The officers were the same, except: J. E.
Scott, S. D.; J. G. Englehorn, S. S. : W. D. Crow,
J. S., and J. D. Giddings, Tyler.

1888.— J. E. Scott, W, M.; C. E. Cooper, S. W. ;
(i. H. Hollaudsworth, J. W. ; F. Griffin, S. ; W. W.
Hamilton. T.; J. D. Rice, S. D.; J. E. Duschl, J. D.;
W. J. Harris, S. S.; E. L. Crow, J. S.; L. L. Scott,
Tyler.

The present officers, (1889) are: J. I). Giddings,
W. M.; S. Ary, S. W.; G. H. Hoilandswor.th. J. W.;

F. Griffin, S.; W. H. Leathers, T.; J. D. Rice, S. D. ;
J. E. Duschl, J. D.; J. E. Scott, S. S.; C.E. Cooper.
J. S. ; L. L. Scott, Tyler.

The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and has a
membershii) of between forty and fifty. November
28, 1887, they removed into their new hall, having
been organized and held their meetings in what
w'as linown as Rice's Hall up to that time. Tiieir
present quarters are handsomely fitted up and fur-
nished, and the members take great interest in the
work of the order.

Maple Valley Lodge, No. 399, I. O. O. F., was
organized September 15, 1879, by F. J. Kincaid,
D. D. G. M., of Sioux City, with the following
named charter members: James A. Hutton, Loren
Barney, L. S. Chandler, A. R. Wight and C. A.
Robertson. The first officers were: J. A. Hutton,
N. G.; Loren Barney, V. G.; C. A. Robertson, S.,
and L. S. Chandler, T. The following named have
occupied the office of Noble Grand for the years
mentioned: L. Barney, 1880; C. A. Robertson,
1880; D. Harris, 1881; C. A. Robertson, 1881;
William Bruns, 1882; L. Barney, 1883; Charles I.
Whiting and E. A. Hemphill, 1883; E. A. Hemp-
hill and Edward Quick, 1884; J. G. Iddings and

G. W. Johns, 1885; C. I. Whiting and G. W. Car-
hart, 1886; G. W. Carhart and T. E. S. Lapham,
1887; L. Barney and Edward Quick, 1888; G. W.

Carhart, the lirst;;;,half of_^ 1889; and the following
is aMist of the officers^of the lodge for the present
term, the last half of 1889: J. A. Berry, N.G.; H.U'.
Groves, V. G.; Edward]Quick, S.;;J. G. Iddings, T.

Monto Cristo Lodge. No. 205, Knights of Pyth-
ias, was organized July 20, 1888. several prelimi-
nary meetings having been held. The charter
members were the following named: William Davis,
B. F. Roe, John Blough, L. E. Bruner, W. D. Val-
entine, F. W. Brooks, W. W. Jones, J. C. Ham-
mond, Alf. Wooster, J. W. Cox, G. W. Carhart.
L. Wilhelm, A. D. Welton, S.^L Carhart, T. W.
John, W. D. Crow, ThomasjMartiu, E. IL Rapier,
L. D. Pierson, E. L. Crow, N. T. Wood.

The ttrst officers were the following named:
AVilliam Davis, C. C.;,,W. D. Valentine, P. C. C;
G. W. Carhart, V. C; John Blough, P.; L. E. Bru-
ner, M. of F.; \Y. D. Crow, M. of E.; B. F. Roe,
K. of R. and S.; Alf. Wooster, M. of A.; A. E.
Roach, r. G.; W. W. Jones, 0..G.; A. D. Welton,
L. Wilhelm and Thoma«'Martin, Trustees.

This lodge has a handsomely fitted up Castle
Hall, and is highly prosperous, both flnanciallj' and
otherwise. The present officers are : G. W. Car-
hart, C. C. ; W. Davis, P. C. C; John Blough, V. C. ;
J. W. Cox, P.; J. C. Hammond, K. of R. and S.;
L. E. Bruner, M. of F.; W. D. Crow, M. of E. ;
W. W.-Hamilton, M. at A.; L. Barney, I. G.;
W. W. Jones, O. G.; W. D. Valentine, D. D. G. C.
The present membership is about sixty-five.

Mapleton Division, No. 33, U. R. K. of P., was
I instituted January 21, 1889, with the following
cluirter members: J. C. Carritt, B. D. Butler, W. C.
Roe, W. W. Hamilton, A.' J. Lynch, J. W. Cox,
G. E. Spotswood, E. L. Crow, W. D. Crow, W. W.
Jones, A. D, Welton, N. T. Wood, G. W. Johns,
J. C. Hammond, L. Barnej', C. H. Beam, G. W.
Carhart, C. W. Gould, C. R. Nixon, W. W. Maple,
E. E. Richards, Alf. Wooster, J. P. Wells, Thomas
Martin, N. A. Wilsey, M. L. Dudley, E. H. Rapier,
I. A. Maines.

The following officers were installed as the first
to fill those places, and still hold the same positions:
W. W. Hamilton, Sir Kt. Com.; J. W. Cox, Sir Kt.
Lieut, Com.; E. L. Crow. Sir Kt. Herald; W. W.
Jones, Sir Kt, Guard; G. W. Johns, Sir Kt. SenlU

352

MONONA COUNTY.

iiel; L. Barney, Sir Kt. Recorder; and B. D. But-
ler. Sir Kt. Treas.

Iloskins Post, No. 87, (J. A. R. was organize 1
.June 22, 1882, and the following officers chosen:
C. A. Robertson, C. ; William Keaggy, 8. ^'. C. ;
M. Morgan, J. A'. C; .1. Q. Adams, q. M.; II. W.
Scribner, A.; George Du(irick, Chap.; II. T. Jonas,
O. D. ; Harvey Huffman, O. (;. Since tiien B. F.
Cutter, W. H. Budd ami .1. (,>. Adams liave filled
the position of Commander. The follovving is a
comi)lete roster of the officers and memiiers as at
present constituted, witli company and regiment of
each taken from the books of the adjutant:

Com. — John (^). Adams, Company L, Fourth
Iowa Cavalr3-.

S. V. C. — William Smith. Company A, Thirty-
fifth Iowa Infantiy.

J. V. C. — Henry Ash, Com|iany E, Eighth Wis-
consin Infantry.

Adj't. — Theodore F. Wooster, Company D, Thir-
teenth New Hampshire Infantry.

Q. M.— Dexter A. Hall. Company A, Ninety-fifth
Illinois Infantr}'.

Surgeon — II. I). Nourse, Company L, Twelfth
Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Chap. — I. '5. Kelley, Company jM, Eighth Iowa
Cav.ahy.

O. D. — W. S. Pershing, Company G, Second
Kansas Cavalry.

O. G. — Hugh Nealey, Comjjany C, Twenty-ninth
Iowa Infantry'.

Q. M. S. — Jesse Kesling, Company D, Eleventh
Oliio Cavalry.

S. M. — George Dcdrick, Company A. Fourth
Iowa Cavalry.

W. L. Keaggy, Company I, Thirty-ninth Iowa
Infantry.

Harvey Hoffman, Company F, Twelfth and Thir-
teenth Illinois Cavalry.

E. I. Nourse, Company F, Eighty-third Penn-
sylvania Infantry.

B. F. Cutter, Company L, Fourth Iowa Cavalry.

Alfred Robins, Company E, Thirty-second Ljwa
Infantry'.

Elias HoUiday, Company I, Tliirty-ninth Iowa
Infantry.

M. J. P. Jenness, Company D, Third Vermont
Infantry.

Joseph Ernst. Company E, Sixteenth Iowa In-
fantry.

John A. Carroll. Comi)an_\' F, Eleventh Indiana
Infantry.

Robert Cairoll, Company K, P'orty-seventli In-
diana Infantry.

Park G. Ordway, Company L, Fourth Iowa Cav-
alry.

Samuel Ileisler, Company E, Sixth Iowa Cavalry.

Abram Ledani, Com|)auy H, Forty-fifth Illinois
Infantry.

Peter Ilawley, Company A, Twenty-ninth Indi-
ana Infantry.

A. J. Powell, Co.mpany A, Ninly-oighth Illinois
Volunteers.

C. A. Miller, Company G, Seventh Iowa Cav-
alry.

James T. (irass, Company G, Thirt^'-sixth Iowa
Vohmteers.

James D. Giddings, Company E, Eleventh Pcnn-
s^dvania Infantry.

Miles W. Richmond, Company K, Ninth Iowa
Infantrj'.

J. W. McPherson, Company (!, Thirty-ninth In-
liana.

E. E. Scott, Thirty-third Illinois.

Myron Booth, Company I, Second Iowa Cavahy.

Gem City Asseml)ly. No. 10,029, Knights of La-
bor, was organized at Mapleton, April 19, 1887, ly
M. L. Wheat, S. M. A, and is to-d.-xy in fair work-
ing order, with a good membership of earnest
workers. J. A. Wilcox was delegate to the State
assembly in 1887. and Alf. Wooster in 1888.

The Mapleton Business Men's Association was
organized June 28, 1889, with the following officers:
J. W. Cox, President; H. A. Hayungs, First Vice-
President; J. B. Comly, Second Vice-President;
G. H. IloUandsworth, Treasurer; Alf. Wooster,
Secretary ; and J. W. Cox, Alf. Wooster, William
Leathers, William Davis and H. A. Hayungs, Ex-
ecutive Committee. Meetings are held monthly,
on the second Wednesdaj' of each month.

The Maple ^'alle_y Driving Park was laid out by
a joint stock compan\' in the summer of 1886. The
association, which was formed about that time.

jiHE NEW yoRKJ

IPUbLlC LIBRARY

*«TOft, LEMOX A-JD
TILDEW FOUNDATIOWS

ISAAC ASHTON.

BIOGRAPHIGALJf

-«»»ie*»-

r? SAAC ASHTON. This lionored pioneer, tlie
, tliircl settler within the limits of what is now

/ll Monona County, and who for many years was
a resident of the townshi[) that risjhtly bears his
name, will long be held in remembrance by the
jieople of this section of the State. From the time
that he came here, when the county contained the
families of Aaron W. Cook and Josiah Sumnei', he
has seen it grow, develop and fill up with an in-
dustrious, thriving people, until it is what it is
to-day.

Mr. Ashton was born in Hampshire Countj-, Va.,
July 4, 1811, and is the son of Joseph and Mary
Ashton, both of whom were, also, natives of the
Old Dominion. When Isaac was yet a child the
family removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, then
in the wilderness, where, sometime thereafter, the
father died. F'our 3'ears after the latter event the
widow and her family removed to Licking County,
in the same State, where she, eventually, died. In
the fall of 1832, Isaac Ashton was united in mar-
riage, in Licking County, Ohio, with Miss Ruth
Driggs and made his home in that locality until
the fall of 1842, when he removed to Hancock
County, 111. In the spring of 1846 he came to
Iowa and located in Farmington, aud went to
work in a sawmill. Soon sending for his family,
he there made his h<jme about a year, after which
he removed to Kanesville, now Council Bluffs,
Pottawattamie County, where he took up his resi-

dence with his family. In the spring of 1848 Mr.
Ashton entered into the service of the general
Government, assisting in the removal of Ft. Kear-
nej' to Grand Island, in the Platte River, and was
thus engaged for five months. Returning to his
home, he was engaged in farming in Pottawattamie
County the following year, but in the fall of 1860,
reports of the countrj' north of that point pleasing
him, he came to what is now Harrison Count}', aud
located at-what is now Little Sioux, with the in-
tention of making it his home.

In December, 1851, a Frenchman, by the name
of Charles Rulo, drove by his cabin with a load
of provisions, bound for Sergeant's Bluffs, and
hired Mr. Ashton to assist him with an extra team.
The trail led them through this county, and when
they arrived at the beautiful grove on what is now
section 32, Ashton Township, which has since been
known as Ashton's Grove, he was struck with it
although it was dreary winter and thought it the
loveliest spot that he had seen, notwithstanding tiie
ground was covered with snow. He said to him-
self, "Here I shall )nake my claim." Leaving the
Frenchman to proceed alone, from this point, thd
nest day, January 1, 1852, Mr. Ashton cut four
logs and laid the foundation of a cabin. Here he
removed his family in February following, as shown
by the history of Ashton Township in this work.
Here Mr. Ashton made his home for many years,
and as settlers located around him became one of

362

MONONA COUNTY.

the prominent men of the county. In 1856 he
erecterl, at the once promising village of Ashton, an
hotel, which he carried on for some years. Having
ilisposed of all his lamleil interests in Monona
County, Mr. Ashton i.s now passing his Latter days
in Little .Sioux, Harrison County.

Mr. and Mrs. Ashton are the parents of eight
chililren, as follows: Caroline, who was born in
Illinois, July 2, 1843; Henry, who was born in the
same State, in 1845; Mar}', dece.ased, who was born
in Kanesville in 1817; Stephen, who was born
in Pottawattamie County in the fall of 1849; Mo-
linda. who was the first wliite child born in Monona
County, born .Tune 11, 1852; Ella, who was born
in Monona County in 1854; Isaac, deceased, who
was born in 1856; and Bion. deceased, born in
1858. A portrait of this old pioneer adorns one
of the p.ages of this Album.

*-S*^w^»t^

><S?«^<^^itf-.

I WILLIAM J. MAUC4IILIN.

\qJ// Clerk of the District Cour

W^J County, was born in Page

,)^ILLIAM J. MAUC4IILIN, the present

irt of Monona
County, Iowa,
September 12, 1858, and is the son of Joseph S.
and Mary (McCaskey) Maughlin, who are men-
tioned at length elsewhere. He was brought to
Monona County by his parents and here grew to
manhood and received his education. Entering
the Iowa State University, at Iowa Citj', he was
grwluated therefrom in 1885, and entered into the
real-estate business at Onawa. In the fall of 1886
lie was elected to his present position. April 25,
1888, Mr. Maughlin was united in marriage with
Certrude C. Chapman, and is the parent of one
child, Edward K.

^1 OHN F. JONES, who is engaged in carrrying
on the livery and sale stable in the village
of Ute, was born in Mills County, Iowa.
i«^// M.arch 27, 1853, and is the son of Robert
and Olive (Dodge) Jones. He remained at home
with his parents until he had attained his twentieth

year, when striking out in life for himself, he went
to F'remont County, where in company with his
brother, Stephen, for two years he was engaged in
farming. Removing to Jewell County, Kan., about
that time, he purchased some land which he made
and imi)roved into a good farm. Two years later
he returned to Mills County, wliere he remained
until the spring of 1882, at which date he came to
INIonona County. On section 26, in Center Town-
ship, he bought a farm upon which he resided, cul-
tivating its soil, until August, 1887, when on the
laying out of the village he removed to Ute, and in
partnership with his brother Stephen, he erected
one of the best liver}' barns in the county and em-
barked in his present business. Early in 1888 he
purchased the interest'of his partner and now man-
ages the business alone. Of an accommodating
disposition and having ample facilities for the
transaction of his Inisiness and good and new stock,
he is building up for himself a large and increasing-
trade.

Mr. Jones, in March, 1880, in .Jewell County,
Kan., was united in marriage witli Miss Lennie
Maganety, and they are the parents of two children,
to whom they have given the names of Cleota and
Pollv.

ARON W. COOIv, deceased, the first settler
in Monona County, was born in Otsego .
County, N. Y., September 25, 1807. His
father was a farmer and ran a sugar bush
at the foot of the Allegany mountains in that por-
tion of the "Empire State." In his youth Aaron
received a good education, and early in life learned
the trade of a miller and millwright. At the age of
twenty-one years ho removed to Delaware, Dela-
ware County, Ohio, where he found employment
at his trade, and eight years later was engaged in
running the engine in a paper mill at that place.
While there thus employed, he married Miss Mar-
tha Ilursher, in about the year 1832, and she be-
came the mother of four children: Barbara Ann,
James, Joseph and Jacob. When the last named
was about two or three months old, about the 3-ear
1842, Mks. Cook died, and some tw.o years subse-

MONONA COUNTY.

363

quent, Aaron Cook was again mariied, the lady on
tliis ocoasion being INIrs. Louisa Leggett, the wed-
ding talcing place near Delaware. By this union
were born two ciiildren: Sarah Jane and Mary El-
len. In the fall of 1847 Mrs. Cook w.asalso called
away by death. The same se.ason Mr. Cook came
to Iowa, stopping for a lime at C'ouncil Bluffs, but
spent the follovving winter at what is now Florence,
Neb., then "Winter Quarters." In tlie fall of 1848,
he located at Council Bluffs, where the following
fall he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy
Moore, who became the mother of three childi'en :
Elmira, David, Elizabeth. She is still living, mak-
i,ng her residence with her son-in-law, .John Jones
in Colorado.

In September, 1851, in company witii his son
James, and Josiali Sumner, Mr. Cook made a trip
to this county in search of bee trees, and seeing the
advantages of the country, they returned here the last
of October of the same year with their families, and
made a permanent settlement as already detailed in
these pages. He made his home m tliis county
from that time until January 1, 1856, when he siic-
cumiied to an attack of liver complaint — and
passed to his rest beyond tlie grave. His sons,
James and David, are still residents of the county.

?-*-^ ^

rt^'ERDINAND KESSLER. One of the best
|l~j(gj situated and most productive farms in St.
cl\ Clair Township is tliat of Mr. Kessler, who,

in 1882, entered on section 22 the land which now
forms his farm, and Avliich was then some one hun-
dred and twenty acres in extent. Since then, when
it was in nowise different from the prairies around
it, he has, b.y diligent, persevering and intelligent
effort, transformed it from a grassy wilderness into
a model of productiveness, utilizing every part
and making it of use. He has now a farm of some
two hundred acres, a neat, handsome and commodi-
ous residence and good barn, and ranks with the
well-to-do farmers of the communitj-.

On the soil of the German Empire, at Reggen-
beuren, in the Kingdom of Baden, Mr. Kessler was
1)1 'rn, January 28, 1849, and was reared in the

home of his parents, Mattaus and Tlieresa I. Kess-
ler. As is customary in that land, he received an
excellent education in his native tongue, and there
made his home until April 26, 1874, learning early
in life the blacksmith's trade. On the date above
given he sought in a freer land, and among more
liiieral institutions, llie cliancc for wealth and social
position denied him in the land of his birth, and
crossed the ocean to America, settling at Kingston,
N. Y. He followed the blacksmith's trade there for
a few months, and thence removed to St. Joseph,
Berrien County, Mich., where he spent some two
years. After another year p.assed in Muskegon,
the same State, lie went to the Black Hills, Dak.,
but being run out by the Indians, went to Chey-
enne, Wyo., and from there to Denver, Colo.
After a short time spent in the latter city, being
entirely out of money, lie was compelled to cross the
plains on foot, walking from the mountains to
Shelby' County, Iowa, and in the latter village was
employed for a short time as a journeyman black-
smith. Entering into partnership with his em-
ployer, he carried on the business, and finally
bought out the latter and remained there until
1882, when, selling the business, he came to Mo-
nona County, where he has since resided.

Mr. Kessler, January 22, 1876, at Muskegon,
Mich., was united in marriage with Miss Anna M.
Fundinger, a native of Penkingen, Baden, Germany.
Unto them has been born a family- of nine chil-
dren, as follows: Lonisie Amalie, born October 1,
1876; Franz Joseph, Seiitember 12, 1878; F>i-
derik Wilhelm, who was born February 10, 1880,
and died August 17, 1880; Mary Theresia, born
February 25, 1881 ; Ferdinand Leo, August 1, 1882 ;
Henry Wilhelm, September 6, 1884; Anna Katha-
rina, March 18, 1886; Sovia Karlina, October 15,
1887; and John Anthon, July 11, 1889.

-S ^-^ i^

ILLIAM G. DOROTHY, one of the most

lUAv/ l"0™'"cnt citizens in St. Clair Township

W^ and one of its earliest settlers, came to

Monona County June 6, 1873, from Wapello

County, by team, in compan}- with B. F. Boohcr,

364

MONONA COUNTY.

Wesley Jones, Christopher Wilson and John Q.
DoroUiy. After remaining a few days with his
jjrotlier, J. R., and with E. Vandover. who had
botli been here about two years, he purchased the
tract of land on section 10. where he now resides,
then totally unimproved and the same summer
commenced its cultivation, breaking about thirty
acres and put up a small one-story house 14xlG
feet in size. When he settled here people were
••fcA' and far between," there being but about
twenty-eight voters in St. Clair Township. Here
he has resided ever since and having built him a
new house in the summer of 1881, is enjoying life
as ho should.

Wr. Dorothy was born in Hancock County, 111.,
May 22. 1843, and is the son of Archibald and
Jemima (Bullington) Dorothy. Ilis father was
born in Washington County, Ky., October 2.3, 1821,
and with his parents removed to Edwards Countj',
111., when still a small boy. There Archibald was
reared and received his education and attained to
man's estate, after which he removed to Hancock
County, and to Wapello County, Iowa, in 1844,
where he is still living. He has in his possession
land in that locality for which he received the pa-
tent frorfl the Government about 1847 or 1848,
wliich has never been transferred. The mother of
our subject, Mrs. Jemima (Bullington) Dorothy, a
native of Orange County, Ind., was born June 22,
1823. Early in life she was left an orphan, and
was reared to womanhood by an elder sister. She
married Archibald Dorothy in Henry Count}'. Iowa,
where she was living, in July, 1842, and in the
spring of 1844 removed to Wapello County, Iowa.
She was the mother of eleven children.

Wiien our subject was about eleven months f>ld
he was taken by his parents to Monroe County,
Iowa, where he grew to manhood and received his
education. He remained beneath the parental roof
until March 8, 1864, when, having married, he re-
moved to a farm of his own near his father's
homestead, and with his young wife set u[) house-
keeping. There he remained until May 22, 1873,
when having sold his property in that locality he
came to Monona County and has made this his
home ever since.

Mr. Dorothy was married Decemlior 24, 1863, to

Miss Mary A. Booher, a native of Indiana, and
daughter of Peter and Hannah (Danforth) Booher.
They have had a family of eight children: Archi-
bald F., P]mma A., Cora F., Edward II., Marion W..
Milton R., Nellie J., and Howard. They have also
taken to rear one of Mr. Dorothy's sister's chil-
dren, Gertie E. Vandover, both of whose parents
are deceased.

-Ei^.

^^^EORGE ROSS, who is engaged in farming
ill (—-, on section 20, in the town of Spring Val-
"'^Ij lej', was born in Jackson Township, Har-
rison County, Iowa', March 13, 18.56, and is the
son of William and Salina (Johnson) Ross. Both
of his parents were natives of England, his father
born in Yorkshire, September 6. 18.34, and his
mother in Cheshire, April 4, 1836. Jonathan Ross,
the paternal grandfather of our subject, came to
the United Stfates from England, and settled in
New Jersey, when his son, William, was about
eleven years of age. From that State, in 1851,
he removed to Council Bluffs, and a short time
after to Crescent City, Pottawattamie County,
where he is still living, having reached the age of
sevent3'-eight }'ears.

William Ross, the father of our subject, is a resi-
dent of Jackson Township, Harrison County, where
he is engaged in carrying on a large farm. He is
the parent of nine children, of whom our subject
is the second. George was reared upon his father's
farm, and received the elements of a good educa-
cation in the common schools of his native county.
but on his marriage left tiie parental roof and es-
tablisiied a home of his own on a farm in Harrison
County. There he remained until March 8, 188C,
when he came to Monona County and settled on
the place where he now lives. In his political
views Mr. Ross is a Democrat, but sometimes
votes the Union Labor ticket. Having the inter-
est of the agricultural classes at heart, he was for
some time connected with the Farmers' Alliance.

Mr. Ross was united in marri.age in Harrison
County, March 13, 1878, with Miss Sarah Balltin-
tyne, a u.ative of Monona County, Iowa, and the

MONONA COUNTY.

365

daughter of Andrew Ballantyne, who is mentioned
at length elsewhere in the pages of this Alhcm.
Unto them has been born a family of five chil-
dren, as follows: Leslie, Iwrn March 2, 1879, who
died September 7, 1884; Floyd, born- February 20,
1881; Robert, born May 7, 1883, and died Sep-
tember 8, 1884; Fred, born October 2, 1885; and
Ruby, January 28,1888. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are
consistent members of the reorganized Church of
.Tesus Christ of the Latter- D.ay Saints.

»o« .i ? . ; » Tf r . ^i ii ■■»

^ AMES COOK, now a prominent and in-
fluential citizen of Sherman Township, re-
^,^ siding on section 7, was one of the earliest
^^f' pioneers of this county, as already shown in
the history of the settlement of the same and the
details given below. He is I he oldest living res-
ident representative of that old pioneer family
whose name is so interwoven with the annals of
Monona County.

Mr. Cook was the son of Aaron W. and Martha
(llursher) Cook, and was born in the town of Del-
aware, Delaware County, Ohio, September 25, 1837.
His mother dying when he was quite a small child
he was brought up without the influence of a moth-
er's love, although his father was married twice af-
ter this. He came with his father's family in 1847
to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and after spending a few-
month's at " Winter Quarters," now Florence, Neb.,
took up his residence in Pottawattamie County.
In the fall of 1851 James came with his father
and Mr. Sumner up the Missouri Bottom, in search
of the houe3' made by the wild bees, and discover-
ing the large amount of rush beds in the county
upon which cattle could be fed all winter, and the
proximity of the timber to the river bank, the
elders decided to return here and make a settle-
ment, bringing what cattle they could get of their
neighbors to keep through the winter at twent3'-flve
cents a month per head. Returning here the same
fall they drove a herd of about one hundred
and fifty head, which James herded in the
above mentioned beds, and assisted the family
in settling themselves in one of the three de-

serted shanties which they found on section 30.
For several years he herded cattle in this man-
ner, and took a large share of the hard work
off of his father's shoulders, although he was
but a boy at the time. After the decease of his
father, which took place January I, 1856, James
took charge of the family, and kept them together
for about two years. On the breaking out of the
Pike's Peak excitement our subject, in company
with others, started for the newly discovered mines,
but on tlieirroad thither changed their minds and
went on to California. He remained in the latter
State, engaged in mining, some eight years, but in
Maj', 1867, returned to Monona County. Finding
that the rest of the family had deserted the old
homestead, he took charge of it, and having pur-
chased the rights of the other heirs in it, has brought
it to a high state of cultivation. This is situated
on sections 7 and 8. Sherman Township, his resi-
dence being on the former. Here he has remained
ever since.

James Cook was married December 15, 1867,
to Miss Sarah Barcus, a native of Ohio, and daugh-
ter of John and Phidelia Barcus. Thev have been
the parents of the five following children: George
M.; Willie, who was drowned in the Missouri River
in 1876; Addie May, James E.. Charles L.

"i^^ELSON D. BEALL, the present Assessor of
Spring Valley, of which township he is
one of the leading farmers, residing on sec-
tion 22, was born in Linn County, Iowa, December
27, 1842, and is the son of Vincent and Rachel
(Jenkins) Beall. His father, a native of Virginia,
was born in the western part of that State, August
15, 1811, and the following year was taken to Ohio
by his parents, where he grew to manhood and
there December 13, 1836, he was married. His
wife was a native of Nova Scotia. The young
couple emigrated shortly' after marriage to Illinois,
and from there in 1840 came to Iowa and settled
in Linn County, among its pioneers. The

;ijb

MONONA COUNTY.

family remained in Linn Ciiunty until 1856, the
fiitiier in llio meantime serving as Slieriff for four
years, an'l in otiier minor offices, when they re-
moved to Taylor County and tiiere took up farm-
ing again. After having- served as a member of
tlie board of supervisors, Mr. Beall died .Tuly 28.
1885, his wife having preceded him in death in
lSfi:i. Mr. 15eall liad been engaged in school-
tea(tliing in his younger days, and he and his wife
were zealous members of the Methodist Church.

Nelson D. Beall remained with the family in Linn
and Taylor Counties, assisting his father in his
farm labors until August 9, 18G2 when, filled with
tlio patriotism that covered our country- with march-
ing columns of men pressing forward in defence
of the Union, he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-
ninth Iowa Infantry' ,''ftnd served out his term of
service in tiie southwest. He participated in tiie
lialtle at Helena, Ark. and the expedition that
led to the capture of Little Rock, under General
.Steele, and at New Orleans and Mobile was sta-
tioned for some time. Though this was one of the
best disciplined and bravest regiments of the war,
it was long kept from participation in active ser-
vice by being stationed in Arkansas. Being on de-
tached duty as teamster near Spanish Fort, in March
1 805, our subject was taken prisoner and held for
over a month, when he was paroled and came home
until exchanged, but the war being then over he
was mustered out of service and discharged at
Davenport, .June 19, 1865.

Returning to his home in Taylor County Mr.
Beall engaged in farming, which he followed in
that locality until coming to Monona County in
1882, with the exception of the summer of 1870,
which he spent in Nevada. In politics he is a
Democrat, and possesses considerable influence in
the local councils of that party.

Mr. Beall was married April 7, 1867, to Miss
Mary PI Cadle. a native of Claiborne County,
Tenn., who was born February 2, 1849, and is the
daughter of Green B. and Elizabeth (Moore) Cadle,
the former a veteran of the iMexican War. I lor
parents, natives also of Teiuiessee, settled in Davis
County, Iowa, in 1851, whence they removed
s':ortly after to Taylor County, where her father
died July 27, 1863. Her mother is a resident of

Colorado Springs, Colo. The latter was the
mother of seven children, four boys and three
girls, of whom Mis. Beall is the eldest.

Mr. and Mrs. Beall are the parents of three chil-
dren: Cora May, born Jidy 18, 1868, who died
September 27, 1875; Frank L., born November 29,
1876, and Alta D., .January 23, 1879. Mrs. Beall
is a consistent member of the Methoilist Episcopal
Church.

— -im^- — ■

'^f RNE SKOW, who was born in Norway
(m/i iI! December 13, 1859, is the son of Lewis and
Rachel Olson .Skow, and came to Monona
!/J County in the.fall of 1884, and July 30,

1888, was united in marriage with Mrs. Annet
(Clemon) Thoreson, relict of Nels Thoreson, de-
ceased, and is the p.arent of one child, Rungnvald
Lorens, born February 26, 1889.

!|^ELS THORESON,
I ///' gentleman who w
'i\(^^ section 1, Spring

!;i^^ELS THORESON, deceased. This respected
was engaged in farming on
g Valley Township, came to
the county in 1868, late in the fall, his family fol-
lowing him in the next summer, and settled upon
land purchased for him by his brother, Knud, in
1867, which contained about one hundred acres.
His affairs prospering, owing to his energy and in-
dustry, he was enabled to add to this so that at
tlie time of his death he owned a farm of some
three hundred and forty acres. He was born in
Norway, July 8, 1848, and w.as the son of Nels
and Carrie (Knudson) Thoreson. His father dying
in 1851, in 1856 he came to the United States with
his mother and settled in La Crosse County, Wis.,
from which he came to Monona County as above
stated.

December 21, 1870, Mr. Thoreson was united in
marriage, in Soldier Town?hip, with iMiss Annet
Clemon, a native of Norway, born December 28,
1852, and the daughter of Ole and Elizabeth
( Hansen) Clemon. The lady came with her parents
to the L'nited States in 1867, and settled in Rock

MONONA Cor NT Y.

3G7

County, Wis., from which, in 1S70, the family
came to Monona County and settled on the Soldier
Uiver. There her mother died .Sei)tomber 23, 1888,
her father still surviving. Mr. Thoreson departed
this life May 13, 1885, having been the father of
seven children: Clara L., born October 17, 1871;
Theodore ()., May 26, 1874; Carl O., July 26, 1876;
Martin, November 26, 1878; Haldon, April 14,
1881 ; Alfred N., September 7, 1883, who died
August 22, 1889; and Nels, born August 1, 1885.

►JJf.gl/OT^'^v.'wv-

EROME B. HARLOW, an enterprising
farmer residing on section 31, in the town
of Spring Valley, was born in the township
f^Jj of Egypt, Monroe County, N. Y., near the
city of Rochester, August 4, 1833. His parents,
Benjamin D. and Hannah (Morrill) Harlow, were
natives of Orleans County, Vt., born, the former
in 1798, and the latter in 1803. After his parents'
marriage in 1828, they removed to New York
about 1831, where they resided until 1838, at which
date tliey settled in Branch County, Mich. Thej^
remained in that State until 1850, when they re-
moved to Lake County, 111. In 1852, the father
went to California, whence he returned in 1857,
and in 1860 they came to Iowa and located in
Fa3'ette Count}', where the father died in January,
1867. The mother of our subject died in Spring
Valley Township, August 27, 1880. His father
was a carpenter, wagon and carriage builder, and
quite a musician, being a member of one of the
Rochester bands in early life.

Jerome B. Harlow removed with his parents to
Michigan and to Lake County, 111., and grew to
manhood on a farm, receiving a common-school
education in his youth. October 2, 1858, he was
united in marriage with Miss Harriet S. Crawford,
a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., born June
17, 1835, and daughter of William and Harriet
(Ililliard) Crawford. Her parents were born in
Orleans Count}', Vt., her father March 31, 1789,
and her mother May 28, 1793, and both died in St.
Lawrence County, the father August 6, 1844, and
the mother, after a third marriage, in March, 1875.

In 1860, after their marriage, our subject and his
wife removed to Whiteside County, 111., where
he engaged in farming for about three years.
In 1863, he went to tlie mountains and in the
mines of Colorado, was engaged two years. He
returned to his home, but in November, 1868,
again went West and w.is in the timber business
and railroad contracting in Wyoming Territory.
In April, 1869, he was joined there by his wife,
and in October of the following year came to Mo-
nona County and bought the farm on which he now
resides. His seventy-five acres are well cultivated
and fairly improved, and manifest the care he be-
stows upon it. In politics he is a Democrat, and
has held several of the local township offices.

Mr. and Mrs. Harlow have had two children:
Almon Alphonso, born at Avon, Lake County, 111.,
Maj' 12, 1860; and Eugene Dorr, born in Taylor
Township, Appanoose County, Iowa, May 18, 1866.
While upon a rented farm in Whiteside County,
Mr. Harlow came to Iowa, and for a part of a year
resided in Fremont County, and a part of a year at
Strawberry Point, Clayton County, and then re-
turned to Illinois.

'i-'^^^>&^r>-^

W,1LHA3:

(| j^ylLLIAM T. WRIGHT, M. D., a practicing
ian and surgeon, who located at the
.age of Ute, January 18, 1889, was born
in Lewes. Sussex County, Del., September 1, 1856,
and is a son of William and Rachel (Smith) Wright.
His parents were natives of London, England. His
father, who came to this countr}' in earl}' life, was
an architect in Baltimore, Md., but was educated
for the ministry in the Flpiscopal theological semi-
nary, at Alexandria, Va., and after his marriage,
together with his wife, was engaged in mission
work in Africa. Returning to America, he has
been employed as a missionary in various States of
the Union, locating finally atClrinnell, Iowa, where
he is at present liriug.

Our subject came to Iowa with his parents in
1866, and after receiving his elementary education
in the common schools, entered the Iowa State
University at Iowa City, where he remained during

368

MONONA COUNTY.

the years 1873-1874, but completed the literary
braiioli of his education at Kenyon College, at
(iamhier, Ohio. Here he became a member of the
two old college societies Phi Beta Kappa and Beta
Theta Pi and was graduated at the head of his class.
After teaching school a year, he matriculated in the
medical department of the Michigan State Univer-
sity at Ann Arbor, in 1879, from wliich institution he
was graduated June 29, 1882. Locating at Denison.
Crawford County, Iowa, he commenced the practice
of his profession, and while a resident there, he held
the oHice of County Physician for some five years.
He came to Monona County and the village of Ute
as above st.ated. Dr. Wright united with Dowdell
Lodge, No. 90, K. of P., at Derison, and was one
of the organizers and charter members of Silver
Lodge. No. •-'24, of the same order, at Ute. He is
also a menilier of the Modern Woodmen, of the
camp at Denison, which he helped organize. In
politics he is a Eepublican, and was chosen by the
voters of Monona County at the November elec-
tion of 1889, to be their Coroner for the ensuing
two 3'ears.

=^EOROE E. LOYD, a prominent and well-
rmer of St. Clair Township, and
largest land owners, came to this
counly