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