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Osceola County,
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pl^om its organization to the
Present ©ime.
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by D. A. W. PERKINS.
*1
1892:
BROWN & SAENGER, PRINTERS AND BINDERS,
SIOUX FALLS, SO. DAK.
Til,
PI [BRAJ
322557B
. I . LENOX AND
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i
©I^EFAGE.
The writer of these pages located in O'Brien County,
Iowa, in the fall of 187 1, and hence knows something of th©
hardships and privations of the early settlers of these north-
western Counties of the State, and particularly of the County
of Osceola. This book is intended to rescue from coming
oblivion many of the incidents and reminiscences of the early
days of the County, and to give them record for the entertain-
ment and benefit of the old settlers and the new, and also to
give a general history of the County from its first organization.
The book is not produced as a money making scheme; is
not written to advertise anybody or anything. The writer
has simply taken a certain portion of his time from a busy
professional life, and wielded the pen in gratifying a personal
desire to preserve the County's history, and also to bring home
to the intelligent people of Osceola, and all others interested
in the County, a record of what has gone before, up to the
present date, and from which point some future historian may
continue the task, when we, who were active participants in its
earlv strucefles, will be numbered amono- those who are of the
silent city of the dead.
<<5he ftAME.
Osceola County was named after a Seminole chief who was
the acknowledged head of that band of Indians inhabiting the
everglades of Florida. In 1835, tne United States authorities
attempted to remove the tribe into the country west of the
Mississippi, but Osceola at the head of his brave followers re-
fused to go, and such renowned commanders as Scott and
Taylor were out-generaled in every encounter. After two
years he was captured by treachery, sent to Charleston in
irons, and afterwards at Ft. Moultrie died of grief.
LAW PERTAINING TO ITS ORGANIZATION.
Chapter 9 of the Laws of the Third General Assembly,
approved January 15, 1851, entitled, " An Act to Establish
New Counties and Derine Their Boundaries," among other
things, provides as follows:
"Section 49. That the following shall be the boundaries
of a new county, which shall be called Osceola, to-wit: Be-
ginning at the northwest corner of Township Ninety-seven,
Range Thirty-eight, thence north to the north boundary line
of the State, thence west to the northwest corner of Township
One Hundred, Range Forty-two, thence south to the south-
west corner of Township Ninety-eight, Range Forty-two,
thence east to the place of beginning."
Section 27 of the same act created a new county called
Wahkaw, which is the present County of Woodbury.
Chapter 8 of the Laws of the Fourth General Assembly,
approved January 12, 1853, entitled, "An Act Organizing
Certain Counties Therein Named," provides for the organiza-
tion of the County of Wahkaw, and the holding of a special
election for that purpose.
And Section 14 of said chapter reads as follows:
"Section 14. That for revenue, election and judicial pur-
poses, the Counties of Ida, Sac, Buena Vista, Cherokee.
Plymouth, Sioux, O'Brien, Clay, Dickenson, Osceola and Bun-
combe are hereby attached to Wahkaw, and the election for
said county shall be held at Sergeant's Bluff, and as many
6 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
other places as the organizing sheriff may designate in his
notice of election."
Thos. L. Griffey was tfie organizing sheriff of the County
of Wahkaw..
Chapter 12 of the Laws of the Fourth General Assembly,
approved January 12, 1853, entitled, "An Act in Relation to
New Counties," provides the manner in which citizens of an
unorganized county may secure the organization of their
county by application to the county judge of the county to
which such unorganized county is attached, and also provides
for establishing the county seat, notice of election, canvass of
returns and qualification of officers elected.
And Section 4 of said chapter provides that the name of
the County of Wahkaw shall be changed to Woodbury.
Sections 226 to 230, inclusive, of the revision of i860
contain general provisions relating to unorganized counties,
the holding of elections for organization, etc., in which the
authority is stated to be in the county judge to perform certain
duties, but Sections 312 to 326, inclusive, in effect confer upon
the board of supervisors the powers and duties of the county
judge in relation to unorganized counties attached to organized
counties. And Section 330 of the revision of i860 also so de-
clares.
Under these provisions the County of Osceola remained
attached to Woodbury County until its organization in Jan-
uary, 1872.
ORGANIZING OSGBOIiA (sOUNTY.
WOODBURY COUNTY RECORDS.
State of Iowa, \
Woodbury County, j"
I, George W. Wakefield, Auditor of Woodbury County,
Iowa, do hereby certify that at the June session, A. D. 1871,
of the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, to-wit:
On the 6th day of June, A. D. 1871, the following proceed-
ings were had to-wit:
Resolved^ that the County of Osceola in the State of Iowa,
be organized at the general election of 1871.
Resolved, that three townships be formed out of the
County of Osceola in the State of Iowa, to-wit: All of
Township No. Ninety-Eight, of Range Thirty-nine, Forty,
Forty-One and Forty-Two, shall compose one township to be
known and called Goewey Township. All of Township No.
Ninety-Nine, Range Thirty-Nine, Forty, Forty-One and
Forty-Two, shall compose one township to be known and
called Holman Township. And all of Township No. One
Hundred, of Range Thirty-Nine, Forty, Forty-One and
Forty-Two, shall compose one township to be known and
called Horton Township.
Resolved, that an election be held for the election of
Township and County officers at the general election for 1871,
to be held as follows, to-wit: In Goewey Township, at the
house of E. Huff; in Holman Township, at the house of
A. Culver; in Horton Township, at the house of H. R. Fenton.
Resolved, that the question of whether the Provisions of
Chapter 144 of the Laws of the Twelfth General Assembly of
the State of Iowa, shall be enforced in Osceola County, Iowa,
shall be submitted to the legal voters of said County, at the
general election of 187 1, as provided in said chapter.
Resolved) that the proper officers are hereby authorized
and instructed to do and take all necessary steps to have these
resolutions carried into effect.
Resolved) that the Auditor be instructed to assess the
lands in Osceola County at two dollars an acre.
8 irrsTORr of osceola cor.xrr, iowa.
I also certify that at the September Session, A. D. 1871,
to-wit: On the 4th day of September, A. D. 187 1, the fol-
lowing proceedings were had, to-wit:
Resolved, that the following taxes shall be and are herebv
levied for the year A. D. 1871, upon the assessed value of the
taxable property in Osceola County, Iowa, for the year A. D.
1871, in accordance with law, to-wit:
For State revenue, two mills on the dollar.
For ordinary County revenue, four mills on the dollar and
a poll tax of fifty cents.
For the support of schools, two mills on the dollar.
For making and repairing bridges, three mills on the
dollar.
For road purposes, five mills on the dollar.
For school house fund, ten mills on the dollar.
For teachers fund, ten mills on the dollar.
For contingent fund, four mills on the dollar.
I also certify that at the October session^ A. D. 1871, to-
wit: On the 16th day of October, A. D. 1871, the following
proceedings were had to-wit:
On motion the Board proceeded officially to canvass the
votes cast at the general October election, A. D. 1871, in and
for Osceola County, Iowa, which was reduced to writing and
placed on file, and the abstract of votes cast was recorded in
the election book, and signed by the said Board and attested
by the County Auditor, and it appearing by proofs on file that
due proclamation has been made of the several offices to be
filled, and to the question submitted to the vote of the County.
It was on motion ordered and declared that the following
persons were duly elected to the offices set opposite their re-
spective names, to-wit:
A. M. Culver, County Treasurer.
D. L. McCausland, County Recorder.
C. M. Brooks, Clerk of the District Court.
Delily Sliles, County Superintendent of Public Schools.
J. D. Hall, Coroner.
John Beaumont, Drainage Commissioner.
M. J. Campbell, County Surveyor.
George Spaulding, )
H. R. Fenton. I Commissioners.
J. H. Winspear. )
Also the following question submitted to. a vote of the
people of the County was declared to have been carried in the
affirmative:
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 9
" Shall the provisions of Chapter 144 of the Laws of the
Twelfth General Assembly of the State of Iowa, be enforced
in Osceola Countv, Iowa."
The supervisors elect, in and for Osceola County, Iowa,
were classed and divided by lot as by law provided, whereby
it was found that George Spaulding was entitled to hold the
office of member of the Board of Supervisors of said County
for the term of three years, and H. R. Fenton was entitled to
hold said office for the term of two years, and J. H. Winspear
was entitled to hold said office tor the term of one year.
On motion it is now ordered that the auditor be instructed
to notify Wm. A. McDonald and F. M. Robinson to appear at
his office and determine by lot which of them shall be declared
elected Auditor of Osceola County, Iowa, also to notify S. C.
Couch and T. J. Cutshall to appear at his office and determine
by lot which of them shall be declared elected Sheriff of Osce-
ola County, Iowa, also to give notice of the adoption of the
several questions submitted to the people as by law provided.
I also certify that the following proceedings were held
before the Countv Auditor of Woodbury County, Iowa, to-
to-wit :
F. M. Robinson, I /r p /
Wm. A. McDonald, \ nx ^ • '
Now on this 27th day of October, 1871, comes Frank M.
Robinson for himself and John Cleghorn, Jr., for Wm. A. Mc-
Donald, and lots having been duly prepared and drawn, it was
ascertained that Frank M. Robinson should be declared
elected Auditor of Osceola County, Iowa, and pursuant to the
order of the Board of Supervisors, made October 16, 1871,
the said Frank M. Robinson is hereby declared elected Audi-
tor of Osceola County, Iowa.
I also certify that at the adjourned October session, 187 1,
to-wit: On the 29th day of October, A. D. 187 1, the follow-
ing proceedings were had, to-wit:
On motion it is now ordered the Auditor be empowered
and instructed to approve the bond of the Auditor of Osceola
County, Iowa.
I also certify that the following proceedings were had be-
fore the County Auditor of Woodbury County, Iowa, on the
19th day of December, A. D. 1871:
10 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COr.VTV, TOWA.
F. M. Robinson, Auditor, )
^ r ^ T \ OFFICIAL BOND.
Osceola County, Iowa. \
The official bond of F. M. Robinson, Auditor of Osceola
County, Iowa, in the sum of Five Thousand Dollars with J.
H. Winspear, H. R. Fenton and D. D. Doe as sureties is this
day filed with the Auditor, and by him approved.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of the Board of Supervisors of Wood-
bury County, this 22nd day of March, A. D. 1S72.
Geo. W. Wakefield,
I seal.] Auditor of Woodbury County, Iowa.
CHAPTER I.
History is always interesting, and there is something pe-
culiarly fascinating in the record of past events. We look for-
ward with feelings of hope, of admiration and of ambition, but
we look backward over the seemingly forgotten past in the
spirit of meditation, and with our hearts concentrated upon the
scenes and incidents of other days, and we ponder them with
absorbing interest. The statements of history are sometimes
doubted, and controversies arise which can end only in contro-
versy, never settled, because the actors then in the drama of
life are mouldering in forgotten and neglected graves. And
even when the actors are still living, there often arises a dis-
pute which history cannot fully settle, as demonstrated by the
conflicting reports and statements of many a battle by partici-
pants themselves in our civil war. Our history is one of com-
parative recent events, whose pages turn back only two
decades, and which our earliest settlers are familiar with, and
which will be of much interest to the people of North w r est
Iowa generally, and indeed to the people of all parts of the
State. The intention of the writer in the history of Osceola
County is not only to make record of such facts as pertain to
its organization, its growth and progress, but also to weave in
reminiscences and events connected with the early settlers,
and make mention of every circumstance that will be of
interest to the general reader.
In the spring and summer of 1870, the fair and fertile
prairie land of Osceola County was without a settler. The
older parts of Iowa, with that instinctive feeling that an old
settled country has for a new, regarded Northwest Iowa then
as a barren and bleak part of the state, and as unfit for man's
habitation; but before the close of that vear Mr. E. Huff came
and filed on a claim November 3, which was the southwest
quarter of Section 32, Township 98, Range 42, in what is now
Gilman Township, so that this gentleman, now a non-resident,
was the first settler.
After Mr. Huff had made settlement as the law required,
he retured to Beloit, in Lyon County, and remained there dur-
ing the following winter. In the spring of 1871, while at
12 HISTORt OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
•
Sioux City, he came across C. M. Brooks, who was pushing
west under the advice of the lamented and distinguished Hor-
ace, but who had started for Nebraska. Mr. Huff explained
to him the wonders of Osceola, and the graphic description he
gave of this Garden of Eden resulted in Mr. Brooks coming to
Osceola County. Mr. Brooks left behind him others, who
were to follow when word was received where to go, and
when he reached this County and looked upon its fair and
fertile prairie land, he determined at once upon settlement
here, and wrote to his friends to lose no time in hastening to
this new and wonderful country.
This correspondence brought W. W. Webb, D. L. Mc-
Causland and M. J. Campbell, who, with C. M. Brooks, took
Section 8, in Township 99, Range 41, now West Holman,
each taking of it a quarter-section. Mr. McCausland and Mr.
Webb came through with oxen, and Brooks and Campbell
through to LeMars by rail. About this time, and we believe
on the first day of May, 1871, H. G. Doolittle, with James
Richardson, from Flovd Countv, arrived at the house of E.
Huff and remained over night. The next day they struck for
claims: Doolittle settled on the southwest quarter of Section
24, Township 99, Range 41, and Richardson on the same sec-
tion. Thev built sod houses, and had some lumber with them.
Mr. Richardson after being here a short time returned.
Houston A. Doolittle, a brother of H. G., came in June,
1871, and filed on Section 30, Township 99, Range 40. He
left here in 18S9, and now lives in Hancock County. II . G.
Doolittle established a land business that year near Shaw's
store, elsewhere referred to, and did business in a tent. He
was engaged in locating incoming settlers, and did consider-
able business.
Returning again to Messrs. W f ebb and McCausland, they
with the others, Brooks and Campbell, came from Fayette
County. At the starting of Mr. Webb and McCausland with
the oxen, Mr. McCausland was ill, indeed, low with consump-
tion, but the idea of still going to a new country seemed to in-
fuse new life in him, and his entire recovery afterwards was
indeed miraculous.
When Webb and McCausland got to Osceola Countv and
came to the Ochevdan, McCausland, still weak, undertook to
jump across the narrow stream and landed nearly to his neck
in the middle. This was severe for a consumptive man near
to death's door, but after a change of clothing he was all right
again. This was in April, 1871, and the weather disagree-
REV. JOHN YT'eBB.
14 HISTORr OF OSCEOLA (or.\'T)\ IOWA.
able with rain and sleet. There is something wonderful in the
mixture of ambition, of romance and love for a pioneer life,
that will turn a seemingly disagreeable hardship into pleasure
and enjoyment. The forces of nature seem to hold a man
with peculiar devotion to a venturesome life in a new country:
he can scale a cliff, cross troublesome streams, lay down con-
tent on the damp ground, and stand all kinds of weather as
long as the El Dorado is ahead of him, and, indeed, after it is
reached. Webb and McCausland that night remained at the
bank of the Ocheyedan, and crawled supperless into their
wagon and slept soundly until morning. When morning came
they drove on west and soon spied a sodded shack, which
they reached, and, building a fire, had a good square meal.
The shack evidently had been put up by a trapper, as some
deer meat was hanging inside, but was alive with living evi-
dences of decay. After breakfast they pushed on to the resi-
dence of our first settler, Mr. E. Huff. Huff's house was one
story, 12 by 16. No windows had been put in and no door,
but a blanket hung over the place of entrance. They re-
mained over night, and besides them, within this limited habi-
tation to slumber through, were Amos Buchman, with wife
and five children, Huff and his familv, James Richardson and
H. G. Doolittle, and how they packed themselves around none
of them seem to remember. Buchman had been there about
one week, and had drove through with his family from
Buchanan County.
That sort of hotel accommodations might strike an east-
ern dude as somewhat inconvenient, but to those early settlers
it was no doubt delightful and enjoyable in the highest degree.
After a night at the "Huff" house, Webb and McCausland
started back with Buchman to locate him where the trappers
shack was, and, not knowing the exact spot or even the right
direction, their going was somewhat devious, but they finally
found it, and this claim Mr. Buchman at once settled upon
and lived there until 1S82, when he moved into Sibley. Mr.
Buchman sold the claim this year (1892) and its description
is the northeast quarter of Section 22, in Ocheyedan Town-
ship. If any new settler ever had a hard time to get along, it
was Amos Buchman and family the summer and fall of 1871.
Thev lived on anything they could get; ground corn in a coffee
mill, cauirht hawks, badgers, skunks and any other animal
they could get hold of. Some friend living in Dickinson
County sent his team before winter set in and removed the
Buchman familv to Milford, where they remained until the
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COl'XTV. IOWA. 15
spring of 1872, when they returned again to their claim. Mr.
Buchman now resides at Sibley, one of its most respected citi-
zens, and is able now to enjoy the comforts of life.
In June, 1871, Elder John Webb, then living in Fayette
County, came to Osceola, and along with the rest filed on a
government claim, which was the southeast quarter Section 6,
Township 99, Range 41. When the Elder first drove up to
where his son, W. W. Webb, was, it was Sunday, and coming
across D. L. McCausland with a gun on his shoulder, said to
him, "Young man you are breaking the Sabbath." Mc re-
torted and inquired, "Why are you not preaching? '
In connection with the coming of these people from Fay-
ette County, the writer wrote to Rev. John Webb, now living
in Des Moines, for some contribution in regard to himself or
his living here, which he thought might be of interest. Mr.
Webb replied and contributed as follows:
"In June, 1872, in company with Mr. James Block, I left
Fayette County, this state, to visit my son and others who left
Fayette to locate in Osceola County on government claims.
I was directed from Lakeville to go to Ocheyedan Mound, and
was told that when on the mound I could in all probability see
the tents in which McCausland, Brooks and W. W. Webb
were living. I went to the mound and on top of it, but could
not see any signs of life in any direction. Mr. Block and my-
self then went down to the banks of the Ocheyedan and
camped for the night. The next morning we started in search
of the boys, and about noon found them one mile east of where
Sibley now is. We spent a few days with them, and our
horses were picketed out by the fore leg. While the horses
were thus secured, something gave them a fright, when they
run the full length of the rope and brought up so suddenly
both turned somersaults and one of them was killed. I liked
the country, and that fall took charge of the Spirit Lake Cir-
cuit, and the next year took charge of Sibley Circuit, and
formed the first class ever formed in Osceola County at the
house of A. M. Culver. I cannot remember all the members
of the class, but Mrs. Culver, Annie Webb, Robert Stamm
and wife, Mrs. Rodgers, Mrs. McCausland and Mr. Morrison
and wife were among them. I built the first Methodist Episco-
pal Church, or enclosed it, and Rev. Brasheers finished it.
"While I was living at Sibley at that early clay there was
a young lawyer came to town, not very scrupulous, and per-
suaded the board of supervisors to pay him $20,000 and he
would recover certain moneys due from Woodbury County to
16 HISTORl OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
Osceola. I heard of it and went to the court house where the
board was in session, requested them to hear me and they
consented. I told them they would regret the day that they
issued the warrant, and gave the general reasons why such an
official act should not be done, and even as an outsider I made
a motion, to the board and to the crowd, that Blackmer be
allowed $500 retainer, and a per cent, afterwards, and I added
to the motion that the hiring include all the lawyers, or the
remainder will be coming in for a share. J. T. Barcley, Esq.,
who was standing close by me, moved an amendment that the
preachers also be added, but they were not. This was the
last ever heard of the suit against Woodbury County.
" I continued to live in Osceola County, and in 1876 mv
first wife was taken from me by death, and I was afterwards
married again to Mrs. A. D. Bellord, a sister of Captain
Chase. I saw the County and town grow from a small be-
ginning to a county well settled and a thriving town. I w r ent
from Sibley to Vermillion, S. D., where I remained not quite
a year; then went to Kansas, where I was three years, and
from there to Des Moines. I then went to California and re-
mained there a year, when I longed for Iowa again and re-
turned to it, where I shall spend the remainder of my days,
for, take it as a whole, Iowa is ahead of all the rest of the uni-
verse, and here let me abide and pass the remnant of this
mortal career.
"On my return from Osceola that early time, and after I
had got to Independence, the hotel keeper, Mr. Naylor, asked
me what the Osceola County people used for fuel. I told him
principally hay. I think I could have heard him laugh twenty
miles away. 'Hav for fuel,' said the astonished listener, c whv
J J * 7 J
the last armful would be consumed before they could get from
the house to the stack and back again.' Notwithstanding,
under the circumstances, hay was a pretty good fuel.
" When our Methodist . Church at Sibley was ready for
dedication, we met Sabbath morning, and, just before time to
commence public worship, and while some of us were stand-
ing on the steps of the church, it was discovered that some-
thing was coming from the Northwest, which looked like a
cloud, but still it could be seen that it was not a cloud, and
upon its nearer approach we could then see that it was a
swarm of grasshoppers. This so disconcerted and discouraged
the people that it was impossible to hold them for the purposes
of dedication that day, and it was deferred. The ravages
of these pests which followed are known to old settlers."
D. L. McCAUSLAND.
CHAPTER II.
The intention of the writer is to confine these events to
the separate years as far as possible, and also to speak of
townships separately, but after all they will be more or less
blended. Having drifted into Ocheyedan Township by the
location of Mr. Buchman, it is perhaps best to finish this
township for the year 1871. Ocheyedan had no prospective
railroad to cross it, which, perhaps, may be the reason that
this township was not sooner settled, or its land filed upon as
early as Holman. Buchman's place, meagre as it was, and
not tempting to a traveler for hotel accommodations, was,
nevertheless, a sort of headquarters between Western Osceola,
Eastern Lyon and Milford and Spencer; and the boys had
many a rollicking time at the Buchman habitation. About
the first of May, 1871, Will Dunham and Fred Frick settled
on Section 8 in Ocheyedan Township. Frick lived there
about four years, and Dunham went to California in 1882.
On Section 18, we think the southwest quarter, Ole Peterson
settled.
This same summer of 1871 also came A. B. Elmore, L.
G. Ireland and E. N. Moore; these came from Clayton
County, also Elder Dean. Mr. Elmore first filed on a part of
Section 34, in Horton Township, but afterwards settled on
Section 2 in Ocheyedan, where he still resides and is highly
respected. E. N. Moore settled on Section 4, in Ocheyedan,
as did also Elder B. D. Dean. Mr. Moore still owns the same
quarter-section, but resides now in the Town of Ocheyedan, is
postmaster, and considered one of its best citizens. Elder
Dean is now in Exeter, New Hampshire, and left Osceola
County in 1878. L. G. Ireland, who was a very honorable
and conscientious man, left in 1879 with his family and moved
to Florida. They have since all died.
On the northwest quarter of Section 20 lived Fred Nagg.
These comprise the settlements made in Ocheyedan in 187 1.
Nothing was raised that season by these settlers, and the sum-
mer was uneventful, except a severe hail storm which swept
this part of the County and was unusually severe. Mr.
Buchman lost a cow and a calf in this storm; they probably
went with it, as cattle will; at any rate he never saw them
afterward.
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 19
The winter of 1871 and 1872 was a disagreeable one, but
most of the Ocheydan settlers wintered elsewhere. Those
that remained on their claims were Dunham and Frick, Ole
Peterson and Fred Nagg. The Nagg family had a hard time
of it. They lived in a sodded house, small and cold, and kept
a yoke of oxen in the same room, ground corn to live upon,
and cut weeds and fed to the oxen to keep them alive. Their
lot seemed to be a hard one, and indeed it was. Had they
been there by order of some despotic ruler, as a convict goes
to Siberia, it would have been unbearable, but thoughts of the
coming spring time, and of the green grass and wild flowers
of the beautiful prairie which would return in the summer
before them, kindled the joyous feeling of promise and of
hope, and gave them a heart of sunshine, even amid the snows
of winter. But, alas, before the hoped for spring time had
come to this poverty stricken family, that grim reaper Death,
which stalks unbidden alike into the palaces of the rich and
the hovels of the poor, sought out upon the bleak prairies of
Ocheyedan during that hard winter of 1871 and 1872 the head
of the household Fred Nagg himself, and this terrible afflic-
tion just then laid a burden of sorrow upon the family which
in addition to their abject condition of poverty seemed greater
than they could bear. Nagg had started on foot for Roger's
store during the latter part of that winter, the only store then
where Sibley now is, obtained a few needed and indispensable
articles, and left the store to return to his family, but he never
reached them. He had a hand sled and was overtaken with
a blizzard and sudden cold weather. He was not sufficiently
clad even for weather less severe, and, becoming numbed and
senseless by the cold and storm, lay down and died. This
blizzard, on February 12, 1872, lasted three days, and at its
commencement there were about sixteen men at Roger's store
in from their claims. They all started home. Some reached
there and others stopped with some settlers on the way. After
the storm was over word had been received that Nagg had
not reached home, and J. F. Glover, M. J. Campbell, C. M.
Brooks, Al Halstead, F. F. and Eugene White started out and
followed Nagg's sled trail. About seven miles out southeast
from Sibley they found the sled and sack; wolves had clawed
into the sack and eaten a part of the contents. The party
were unable to find Nagg's body, but went to the house and
consoled his wife as best they could, holding out a hope that
he might still be alive. His body was found afterwards in
the latter part of March, 1872, by W. H. Lean, and it was
20 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNT] . IOWA.
partially eaten by the wolves. Nagg was buried on his claim,
and, there being no clergyman to conduct the usual funeral
exercises, Frick read the burial service from an Episcopal
prayer book. The few that remained in Ocheyedan Town-
ship during that winter of 1871 and 1872 had nothing to
break the monotony of pioneer life, so far as mingling in
society was concerned, but going to Sibley occasionally, and
trapping some, was all the diversion within reach of these few
settlers.
In the fall of 187 1 Frick came near having serious
trouble with an adventurous immigrant pushing out into the
wild and wooly west. He had some cattle with him and one
of them had strayed away at night, and when Frick got up
one morning he saw not far off what he supposed was an elk
feeding quietly on the prairie. Frick was a hunter, and the
sight of this supposed elk thrilled every inch of his stature,
and he moved about with the stealth of an Indian for fear that
the slightest noise would frighten this valuable game and send
it fleet-footed out of rifle reach. Frick got good and ready,
pointed his rifle out of the shanty window, took a good rest
and deliberate aim and fired. The object of his mark fell under
the aim of the skillful hunter and he rushed out to the bleed-
ing body of his victim, but instead of an elk Frick's surprised
eyes and astonished senses gazed upon only a cow. It was
meat, however, if not venison, and Frick hauled the carcass
to his house and proceeded to do the usual carving into roasts
and steaks, when a stranger appeared upon the scene, who
was no other than the owner of the cow which had straved
away. Circumstantial evidence, as the lawyers call it, was
strong against Frick, pointing to theft malicious and intended,
and the moving immigrant was about to paralyze everything
in reach of him. Frick explained, however, apologized, and
scraped together what loose change he had and gave it to the
owner of the cow, who went on his way again satisfied and
contented.
A. M. Culver came to the County in the spring of 1871.
He settled and filed on the southeast quarter of Section 24,
Township 99, Range 42.
The previous year, in 1870, he had left the State of Wis-
consin and gone to Mills County, in Iowa, and from Mills
County he drove through to Osceola, bringing with him three
horses, a wagon and buggy, also two cows. His family came
with him, consisting of his wife, one son and a daughter. Mr.
Culver and family did the best they could with the shelter of
i ■
fif" 1 :^-
GEORGE CAREW.
22 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
a wagon cover, while his son, Andrew, went to LeMars and
got cottonwood lumber enough to build a house, which they
soon did, 12 by 14 in size. Mr. Culver broke nine acres that
year and put them into wheat and six acres into oats, and
raised an average crop on the sod. When Mr. Culver came
first without the family he landed at Huff's house, the first
settler and heretofore described, and there being quite a num-
ber there that night, he was among the usual number laid out
in rows on the floor. Huff and Brooks located Culver on his
quarter-section. On the same section there was also located
and settled that year Andrew Culver, Geo. W. Bean and R.
O. Manson,
John F. Glover landed in Sibley in the latter part of
August, 187 1, and settled on the southwest quarter of Section
4, Township 99, Range 41. Mr. Glover's coming was by
meeting Stiles and F. M. Robinson at Sioux City. Glover put
up the usual settler's shack, and obtained his lumber from
Windom, Minnesota, going for it with a yoke of oxen and
wagon.
After these incoming settlers had established a home, the
next thing was to find out who their neighbors were, and in
this year of 187 1 they were few and far between.
Some other things to think about, and among these some-
thing to eat. Glover made frequent trips hunting, but seemed
to be unsuccessful. While in McCausland's neighborhood,
Mc returned from a trip to Spirit Lake and reported that Rush
Lake, near Ocheyedan, was alive with ducks, and Glover be-
came so excited over the pictured description of vast lakes
and ponds covered with game, that he organized a hunting
party, consisting of himself, McCausland and Luther Webb,
who started the next day with oxen and a wagon, with which
conveyance the ducks and geese were to be carted home.
They arrived safely at Rush Lake, and sure enough McCaus-
land had not overdrawn the amount of game. They had no
boat, and anyone who knows Rush Lake, knows the difficulty
of getting game there without a float of some kind. Before
the boys had hardly appeared at the edge of the water on one
side, the entire army of ducks had moved to the other side,
out of reach, and by running around from one side to the
other, the boys became about exhausted. Finally Glover
gathered pieces of the wagon, some brush, and a decent sized
tree or two and formed a raft sufficient, as he believed, to
float himself out on the lake, and on it started. When out
about twenty feet the frail craft, like many an air castle, fell
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 23
to pieces, and its only passenger went reluctantly into the
water. He soon got out, however, and this dampened all the
ardor of hunting on his part, and the other two were tired and
discouraged. Webb then started with his oxen to Milford and
left McCausland and Glover to tramp twelve miles home,
which they did. Just as they were starting McCausland
brought down a brandt, and, this being the only game they
got, with it they started home, and it was near night. They
had brought with them some cooked beans in an iron pot, and
a loaf of bread; when the brandt was secured it was decided
that bread and beans were nowhere in comparison with a
roasted fowl, so that, hungry as they were, their appetite was
reserved until they could get home. At last they reached
McCausland 's house, and Mc sent Glover to Roger's store,
three miles, for some necessary articles for the square meal,
and to a settler's shack for something else. Glover returned
with the articles and Mc had the brandt stuffed and in the
oven roasting, but himself was laid out on the bed. The oily
odor from the fowl on an empty stomach had sickened him,
and Glover was left alone until O. M. Brooks happened to
arrive, when he and Glover got the table set, the roast on, and
the two of them sat down to a rich feast for homesteaders.
But alas for the dreams of fancv, the visions of bliss and the
tempting measures of delight, in which we too often indulge,
that are at last turned into the bitterness of gall in the round
up of indulgence. Glover and Brooks were soon laid out
groaning in the agony of too much brandt, and the oily condi-
tion of the fowl made them too sick to hope ever to make final
proof on a government claim, the taking of which had been
the leading ambition of their lives. Their extreme sickness
revived Mc and he ate the beans and the bread, and towards
morning Glover and Brooks got around all right again, but
like a victim of seasickness not a thing was left in them, and
as Mc had ate all the grub in the house, the three of them
started out for something to eat, and before they got through
they had nearly eaten the whole neighborhood out of house
and home, and that day there was a tramping to Roger's
store for a fresh supply. This sickened Glover for a while
on wild fowl; his hunting excursions after that were few and
far between, but it seems that another ducking was still in
store for him. He concluded that housekeeping was not well
done without vegetables, and nothing seemed to be in sight
but potatoes, and the nearest these could be had was thirteen
miles, but Glover had been a soldier and could walk like a
24 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, TOWA.
professional. He started with a sack and went southeast until
he came to the Ocheyedan, and when he got to that the water
was well up and the difficulty of crossing was before him.
There was a small skiff there owned by Ole Peterson, and
soon Peterson himself appeared, and, after reciting his experi-
ences as a sailor and his capabilities as a boatman, induced
Glover to get aboard, and taking a wagon bow for a paddle
started out with the frail craft to ferry the now Mayor of Sib-
ley across the troublesome stream. Men are apt to make too
little margin for what might happen, often miscalculate in
more serious adventures than this, and often start out in the
bouyancy of expectation, but fall into difficulty with sudden
and unexpected precipitation. When in the middle of the
stream, Peterson, who was standing up in the boat, fell on one
side of it, and himself and Glover went suddenly into the
water, and, having no further use for the boat in the interests
of navigation, they struck out, Glover for one side of the river
and Peterson for the other, and when landed they stood drip-
ping with the waters of the Ocheyedan on opposite banks, gaz-
ing at each other, Peterson rilling the air with profanity, and
Glover wondering if Peterson hadn't overdrawn his experi-
ences as a follower of the seas.
%
J. S. REYNOLDS.
CHAPTER III.
The people then living in Osceola County in 1871, did
not often get together, only as a neighborhood would gather
for social purposes. There were not many in the county in
1 87 1. The county was sparsely settled. It was
"The first low wash of waves, where soon
Would roll a human sea."
The first meeting of the people was held at Abraham
Miller's place, near Sibley. It was called for the purpose
of establishing mail facilities, and to provide for bringing the
mail from Le Mars to Shaw's store, then near Ashton. This
was the ostensible purpose, and mail arrangements were pro-
vided for, but back of it all there were a few political schemes,
and several ambitious aspirants for office at the coming elec-
tion who wanted to look the crowd over, get acquainted, and
try to make the usual favorable impression in order to suc-
ceed in making a harvest of votes. If a yankee should be
cast away on a desolate island, the first thing he would no
doubt do, would be to divide the territory into election pre-
cints, and the next thing to call a caucus. The people of
Osceola then were strangers to each other, and while other
things may have been left behind them at the old home, the
great feeling of sovereignty, realization of the fact that each
was an individual citizen and could vote and hold office, were
a part of their nature, and in this respect they were alike
without even a formal introduction. Abraham Miller was
chairman of the meeting, and Cyrus M. Brooks, secretary.
The next meeting of the people was held on the 4th day
of July, 1 87 1. It will be noticed that the first organization of
Osceola was brought about by act of Woodbury County
Board of Supervisors. Osceola was then a part of Wood-
bury for judicial purposes, and, under the law, for all other
also, so that Woodbury's act constituted a division of territory.
In other words, Woodbury set Osceola up in business for
itself. As provision had been made in the Woodbury County
proceedings for the election of Osceola County officers at the
general election in 1871, it became the duty of Osceola County
people to fix upon somebody to fill each of the offices, and to
prepare candidates for them who should be in the field for
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 27
election. The order for the election of officers was made in
June, 1871, and as July 4th was approaching, it was thought
best by the people of Osceola County to meet on that day, and
celebrate with the usual exercises and at the same time nom-
inate candidates for County offices.
The outside world was full of glory and enthusiasm, the
air was filled with noise and pyrotechnics, and the voices of
American orators were sounding the distinguished valor and
heroism of our canonized ancestors. The little band of
Osceola County settlers met together with a quaker quiet-
ness, comparatively speaking. They had their lunch baskets
and were socially agreeable, but the cannon, the fire cracker
and fire works were conspicuously absent. The meeting was
held on A. M. Culver's claim on Section 24, Township 99,
Range 41, and was called and intended, as before stated, not
only to observe and recognize the great American holiday,
but also to place in nomination candidates to fill the county
offices at the first election to be held in October, 1871.
At that time none knew each others qualifications, except
where men had come from the same neighborhood in other
parts of the country. The men to be nominated and elected
were to have the trial of service, were to be weighed in the
balance, and given the opportunity to prove their fitness, or to
be found unworthy of the trust that was imposed in them.
H. G. Doolittle was chosen chairman of the meeting and
secretary. A few patriotic remarks were made
and the meeting proceeded to make its nominations. The fol-
lowing named persons were put in nomination :
Treasurer, E. Huff.
Recorder, D. L. McCausland.
Sheriff, Jeff Cutshall.
Superintendent of Schools, Delily Stiles.
Clerk of Courts, Cyrus M. Brooks.
Auditor, McDonald.
( J. H. Winspear.
Supervisors, I
Supervisors, < H. R. Fenton.
( George Spaulding.
[ Robert Stamm.
u 1 T ■ • ™ 4 I W. W. Webb,
llolmon 1 ownship 1 rustees,-< ^ i o.-i
v ' | .brank Stiles.
L H. R. Hayes.
There was present at this meeting, including all, about
one hundred. The business and visiting were ended the latter
part of the afternoon and the people dispersed.
28 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
It might be well to follow these nominations to the elec-
tion which followed in October. At this election there were
no contentions of political parties. The contest involved no
controversy, except individual success, and there was no regu-
lar opposition ticket. There were independent candidates,
however, and the nominated ticket was not wholly successful.
A. M. Culver was elected Treasurer as an independent candi-
date over E. Huff, the regular nominee. F. M. Robinson was
an independent candidate for Auditor, and himself and the
nominee, McDonald, were a tie on the election. This tie had
to be decided by drawing lots, and the drawing resulted in
favor of Robinson, so that Robinson became Auditor. John
Beaumont was the independent candidate against McCausland,
but McCausland was elected. When the time to qualify
came, McCausland was away teaching school, and the board
in January, 1872, felt inclined to declare the office vacant, and
appointed John Beaumont, Recorder. Afterwards McCaus-
land sent his bond, and upon his return, had some little trouble
to get possession of the office, but finally obtained it. Cut-
shall and his independent opponent both tied, and when the
drawing was to take place neither were present, so the board
on January 3, 1872, appointed Frank Stiles.
There was at this time under the organization only three
townships in the county, and this October election was held in
Goewey Township at the house of E. Huff; in Holman Town-
ship at A. M. Culver's house, and in Horton Township at the
house of H. R. Fenton.
The final outcome resulted in the following named per-
sons filling the places:
Treasurer, A. M. Culver.
Recorder, D. L. McCausland.
Auditor, F. M. Robinson.
Clerk of Courts, Cyrus M. Brooks.
Surveyor, M. J. Campbell.
Coronor, J. D. Hall.
Superintendent of Schools, Delily Stiles.
Drainage Commissioner, John Beaumont.
(J. II. Winspear.
Supervisors, I George Spaulding.
( II. R. Fenton.
There were cast at this election in all at the three polling
places, votes.
The County was now full}' organized, and the Board of
Supervisors had their meeting January 1, 1872.
'<■% '
30 HISTORT OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
The proceedings of the board during the first year of its
administration are told in another part of this book and we
need not here recite them again. The record and the
unwritten history of this first year, and a part of the second
year, shows that a few unprincipled men came to Osceola
County for the sole and only purpose of plunder. These few
gathered some friends around them — really had a party — many
of whom had no share in the spoils, but were made to believe
that the leaders were only doing what the good of the County
demanded, and that the opposition were indignant because
they were out of office and not in.
There is a certain stubbornness in all our natures, which
we often assert, sometimes in the wrong direction, just because
some trivial thing has thrown us with this side or that, and
occasionally conviction itself will be suppressed by a stand
first taken and stubbornly kept. These two parties each had
their friends, and were about equally divided, the reform party,
however, being mostly in the country outside of the town.
Once allied with one side or the other it seemed difficult to
change, as it is now difficult to go from one political party to
the other when we have once identified ourselves with that of
our choice. Some of the people in 1872 and 1873 who joined
themselves with the boodlers were not — we will be charitable
enough to admit — boodlers with them. There were honora-
ble exceptions, strange as it may seem. George Spaulding,
who was one of the County Supervisors first elected, and
served with Fenton and Winspear, lives in Osceola still, and
is a man highly respected. He has held office in Goewey
Township, the place of his residence, several different times,
and is now on the School Board. Mr. Spaulding is looked
upon as a man of integrity and a good citizen. He was made
to believe that his co-members of the board, though inclined
to extravagance, were working for the best interests of the
County, and it is conceded that Mr. Spaulding acted conscien-
tiously in his official acts, and though now he may see some
things upon which he would vote differently, he felt at the
time that his action was right. He would now be voted for
with the full confidence of his fellow citizens.
CHAPTER IV.
John H. Douglass came to Osceola County in October,
187 1, driving through by wagon from Wisconsin. He had
with him his wife and daughter, now Mrs. Henry Newell,
and son. Mr. Douglass filed on the southwest quarter of
Section 14, Township no, Range 42, and made the usual
settlement and improvements required of a settler, and in
November of that year went to Alamakee County, Iowa, for
the winter. In the spring of 1872, Mr. Douglass and familv
returned to their claim, and got here towards the latter part
of March. He started before the frost was out of the ground
and while the roads might be fit for travel, but when he
reached Osceola County, it was breaking up, and the spring
weather had thawed the snow away and the rivers and creeks
were running with water. Mr. Douglass came to the Ocheye-
dan, that treacherous stream with which every incoming settler
seems to have had an adventure, and the prospect of getting
over was unfavorable, for the appearance of the stream to
cross it was neither promising nor inviting. Douglass arrived
at the bank of the Ocheyedan at the Buchman place on the
evening of March 7, 1872. The river was narrow at this
point but was yet rilled with snow, but soft and watery on the
surface. He rirst assisted his family across, and after this was
done together with the transportation of a few articles, he was
making arrangements to get the horses and wagon over, when
the water began to pour down the river over the snow, which
startled Douglass with surprise, and confronted him with a
difficulty entirely unexpected. He unhitched the horses, tied
them to the wagon and then started across, wading in the
water on the snow, treading lightly, knowing the danger of
being completely submerged. But it seems that he was not
to escape so easily, for when about midway down, in he went,
and when the bottom was reached his head was just above
water. There happened to be at the Buchman shack H. G.
Doolittle and his brother. These, with the Douglass family,
rescued the venturesome settler and brought him out on the
bank, but in a deplorable condition of wet and cold. The
next morning the river was still worse, but the Douglass effects
were divided and something had to be done. The horses and
t
32 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
the wagon with the household goods, including a barrel of
pork and two pigs in a box strapped on behind, were on the
other side, and they must be brought over, let the sacrifice be
what it may. Douglass, with a board or two, a rope and such
other devices as the ingenuity of man will bring into requisi-
tion under such circumstances, was enabled to get over to his
effects, and, finding them all right, the troublesome question
again arose as to how to get them over. Douglass on one
side and his friends and family on the other, discussed the
difficulty in all its bearings, and the task seemed to be hope-
less, and the question without any probability of solution.
Finally Douglass was seized with an idea. He had tied to
the wagon a red cedar bedstead, which had come down as an
heir loom in his wife's family from the old Knickerbocker
days in New York State, and which had been prized from
generation to generation. It was of the old-fashioned kind,
about enough material in it to have absorbed a lumber yard,
and with posts of enormous length and size. Douglass got
this out, and by a svstem of mechanical contrivance formed a
raft that seemed capable of greater navigation than that for
which it was intended. Mrs. Douglass protested, but had to
look on while this sacred relic from her ancesters was fast be-
ing transformed from its original construction, into nothing but
a float for the purpose of ferrying. John succeeded, however,
with the help of the others, in taking over the barrel of pork
and the other household goods, until all was over except the
horses and wagon. He tied a rope to one horse and this to
the other and they were led single file, and by swimming and
clambering they were soon on the other bank. Then came
the wagon. With this, they tied a rope in the end of the
tongue and hitching the rope to the horses started with the
wagon across. When the hind end of the wagon went down
the bank, the box with the pigs in struck the bank and broke
off, letting the pigs loose, and they went squealing away, glad
to escape. The tongue stuck into the opposite bank, but this
was soon pulled loose and the wagon drawn out. The pigs,
with the aid of the family dog, were soon caught and got over,
and Douglass heaved a sigh of relief. It took all day, how-
ever, to do the crossing, and the next day he started on north-
west to his claim, and came near having the same experierio
in crossing the Otter that he had at the Ocheyedan, but he
finally landed at his shack and soon was set up in the usual
style of homesteader housekeeping.
William Anderson came with Douglass in 1871. He also
S. A. DOVE.
34 J I IS TORI' OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
settled on a claim and lived here, we think, until 1877, when
he returned to Wisconsin, and now lives at Sparta.
The spring of 1872 was a troublesome one in Osceola
County for traveling. Then the streams had no bridges, and
the treacherous snow underlying the surface water was not
inviting to venture in. After a limited thaw in the fore part
of March there was part of a brief winter again, and it seemed
to the people then that an actual spring was never coming.
Quite a number of the early settlers came from Grant
County, Wisconsin, so that even if they didn't know each other
there, when acquaintance was made between these Wisconsin
people it established a mutual feeling of interest in each other,
for there is always an attachment arises between people of
the same nativity, where the same sights and scenes were
familiar to them all.
D. D. McCallum also came from Grant County, Wiscon-
sin. He started from there the fore part of May and drove
to Clayton County, and soon after on to Osceola County,
where he arrived about the middle of June, and on the 25th
day of June, 1872, filed on northwest quarter of Section 14,
Township 99, Range 40, what is now West Ocheyedan.
McCallum drove in with three horses and a linch-pin wagon;
had with him his wife and one child (now Mary McCallum);
had a few household goods, pork enough to last several years
and $105 in money. He first struck the Ocheyedan River at
what was called the Lone Tree ford, drove northwest until
he came to Mandeville Homestead, on Section 26, Township
99, Range 41, and there he camped for the night. The next
day he went to Buchman's, riding one horse and leading
another. Buchman mounted the other horse and the two men
rode over the country looking for a claim upon which
McCallum could settle. He finallv selected the one before
described, went to Sibley the next day, borrowed a saddle
from Ward — leaving his revolver as security — and started for
Sioux City, where he arrived safely and did his filing. Mc-
Callum \s first habitation after settlement was his wagon covet',
and once installed in this he went to work breaking, and
planted some potatoes. He soon after put up a sod house,
lived on the claim until 1878, when he moved into Sibley.
McCallum, like a great many others in those early days, had
a hard time of it. Soon his money was gone, no income was
in sight, and only those of the McCallum pluck were able to
see it through. His house, lumber and furniture, and all its
belongings, cost about $20; so that in those days of settle-
A. D. MORELAND.
36 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COl'\Tl\ IOWA.
ment our ex-Judge was not in shape to entertain any of the
kid glove or swallow-tail-coat members of fashionable society.
In the winter of 1872 and 1873 McCallum was in Sioux
City chopping wood, and remained there until the memorable
blizzard in the spring of 1873, when, feeling alarmed about
his family, he returned home. Soon after this in the summer
season Elder Dean while burning the prairie grass around his
property, carelessly let the fire get away from him, and it
swept, as a prairie fire will when turned loose, all over the
country. This fire swept away all McCallum's hay and all
other loose property, except the house.
The Elder, in spite of all his religious graces, his Godly
ways and good intentions, was very much blamed for his care-
lessness, and had he been a layman it is hard to tell what
might have occurred as a penalty. As it was, McCallum had
the Elder arrested, brought before a Justice, who found the
accused guilty and fined him $5 and costs, which he paid.
The Board of Supervisors had offered a reward of $50 for
the apprehension and conviction of a party who was the cause
of a prairie fire. McCallum in this case was entitled to it and
got it. This affair did not cause any hard feelings between
the Elder and McCallum; indeed, the Elder had not the
.-lightest animosity, for he was a man of broad views, kind
and charitable, as well as a sincere Christian. McCallum
rode home with the Elder and staid all ni<jht at the Elder's
house, and out of the $50 McCallum magnanimously reim-
bursed him for all the outlay and trouble he had been put to,
though brought about by his own carelessness. In other
words, McCallum whacked up with the Elder.
Prairie fires then in this sparsely settled country were
very much to be feared. Whenever they occurred but few
were prepared for them. They were not set maliciously, nor
with any intention to do harm, but were always the result of
carelessness or inability to hold them against sudden puffs of
wind unexpected, when the burning around was done with a
still atmosphere.
WILT. THOMAS.
CHAPTER V.
Most people who settled in Osceola County in 1S71, did
not, in starting out, make directly for the county, but started
for government land in Northwest Iowa. In the spring of
1 87 1, Frank R. Coe left Clayton County, Iowa, as sort of an
advance guard for several of his neighbors who had the
western fever. He arrived in Osceola County and filed that
same spring on the northwest quarter of Section 22, Town-
ship 99, Range 41, now East Holman, and then returned to
his friends, for whom also he had picked out claims. Among
these was J. S. Reynolds, present County Auditor. Coe and
Reynolds came up in September, 1871, and Reynolds filed on
the northeast quarter of Section 22, the same section with
Coe. They made the usual improvements required for a
government settler, and returned again to Clayton Countv,
where they wintered. In the spring of 1872, they returned
to their claims. Reynolds drove through with two yoke of
oxen, and had with him his son Samuel, then about twelve
years old. Coe had a span of horses and a wagon heavily
loaded with the requirements of a settler. They got to Mil-
ford between the first and the middle of March, and after they
had reached Milford there was a heavy fall of snow, and to
push through this and run the risk of blizzards was a task
they hesitated to undertake. The last shack for them to pass
after leaving Milford was about ten miles out, and they would
pass no other between that and the Ocheyedan. They started
from Milford, Reynolds going ahead with his oxen to break
the road, and Coe following behind. After they had passed
the last shack about a mile, its occupant came after them and
insisted upon their return, as it would be dangerous with
threatening weather to go on. Thev did return and remained
with this settler several days. They started out again when
a change in the weather came on, and again thev returned
and tarried several days more, when they started again. This
time they reached the Buchman dug-out, but everything
seemed to be covered with snow. This was about March
18th, and they reached this stopping place in the evening.
They went to work and about two hours had the snow cleared
SJVn
A. E. SMITH.
40 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNT!', IOWA.
away from the stable so they could get their teams in, which
they did, and also themselves stayed there all night. In the
morning they shoveled the snow from the dug-out so they
could get into that, and there they remained about two weeks
with bad weather and occasional blizzards. They had heard
of the death of Fred Nagg, lost in a blizzard, and knew the
danger of being caught in one of them on the open prairie,
and they were wise in their apprehensions. At the end of
about two weeks the weather and travel became such that
they pushed on and soon after got to their claims. When
once there they commenced improvements. Their stable was
made out of a few boards they borrowed from some other
settler, and with these and the wagon covers they constructed
a shelter for the stock and built it across the line between the
claims so that both owned the stable jointly. They then
drove to Worthington and bought lumber for shacks, and
bought it of Levi Shell, who was then in the lumber business
at that point. Reynolds put up the usual 8x8 shack, and Coe
one that was 8x12. Coe's family soon followed, but Reynold's
family did not come until in September following. This left
Reynolds to wrestle with the pots and kettles, and no doubt
his batching was like all the rest, with the washing of dishes
repeatedly deferred, and most meals consisting of a chunk of
bread and a slice of fresh pork, and perhaps an occasional
luxury of black molasses. His family met with a misfortune
after his leaving by the burning of the house in which they
lived with all its contents. They arrived safely in September
in Osceola County, and the family was again united and are
still here with the grown up children having families of their
own. Coe left here several years ago.
In the summer of 1871, Will Thomas, present Clerk of
Court, left Wisconsin with a covered wagon, containing him-
self and three sisters. There was also with him in another
covered wagon James G. Miller and his wife, who was also a
sister to Mr. Thomas. They started for Nebraska, but came
across some parties bound for Northwestern Iowa, upon which
Thomas and Miller also concluded to go in the same direction,
which they did, and landed in Osceola County in June of that
year. They were about one month on the road, and finally
located on Section 22, in what is now Wilson Township.
Thomas took the northeast quarter, Miller the northwest,
and the girls claims adjoining. When about a mile from the
section where the claims were taken they camped for the
night, using the wagon with its covering for a sleeping place
F. \V. HAHN,
42 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, l()\VA.
and a shelter. During the night a storm came up which was
very severe, and the wind, hail and rain witli frequent flashes
of lightning were terrible. Will Thomas and his companions
got out of the wagon, and soon a gust of wind tipped the
wagon over, the horses got loose and run away, but returned
after being gone about three hours. W. M. Bull was camp-
ing near by, with his wagon cover for a tent, and the bows
stuck into the ground. W. P. Underwood also was near with
liis wagon box and its cover set off on the ground. There
was considerable stirring around among these campers, for
the night was fearful and frightening. The Miss Thomas'
sought shelter in the Underwood camp, and they all managed
to worry through until morning. Of the three young ladies
who experienced this midnight adventure, one of them is now
the wife of Dr. Lawrence, another the wife of John P.
Hawxshurst, and the other at home with her mother and Will
Thomas, who constitute the family. Mr. Miller still lives in
the County at Sibley.
JOHN SCHLEGEL.
CHAPTER VI.
Referring again to the incoming of Messrs. Brooks, Mc-
Causland, Webb and Campbell who settled on section 8 in
the spring of 1871; they went to work and made continued
improvements on their claims. While they were visiting with
each other one day during the summer, they saw a covered
wagon approaching and heard the sound of a voice singing
"One Day's Journey Nearer Home." When the wagon had
got up and stopped, it was found to contain John Cronk,
Coy and James Hankins, this last mentioned being a Methodist
preacher, and it was he who was singing a Methodist hymn.
The following day Hankins preached in Brook's house, to an
audience of about twelve, and these were the first religious
exercises held in the County, according to Webb's account of
it. During the preaching Mrs. Brooks kept on with her
bread making, for they couldn't live on faith alone, and this is
told in the following article, written by John F. Glover, on the
death of Mrs. Brooks w r hich occurred at Denver in 1884:
DEATH OF A PIONEER WOMAN.
In the summer and fall of 187 1, the wives of C. M.
Brooks, M.J. Campbell, W.W. Webb and D. L.McCausland,
entered on pioneer life with their husbands, all four families
having claims on Section 8, Range 99, Township 41, the sec-
tion on which are now the farms of Deacon Herbert and Mr.
Deitz. The settlements were made on Section 8 before there
was a single soul on Section 13, Range 99, Township 42,
where is now the flourishing town of Sibley. Mr. Brooks
was in the land locating business, and his house was a home
that summer for several of the women. Mrs. Brooks was
the daughter of Rev. John Webb, a Methodist minister of
Fayette, Iowa, later a pioneer settler and minister in Osceola
County, still later a pioneer Presiding Elder in Dakota Terri-
tory, and now residing in Des Moines. She was very attrac-
tive in person, possessed of a good mind, and had a sensible
way of doing the best that circumstances would permit, for
the comfort of her household, and doing the best sue could to
be content. The following anecdote will illustrate her faithful
performance of household duties: The greater than usual
number of new comers at Mr. Brooks' made it necessary to
NORTHWESTERN STATE BANK, SIBLEY.
46 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
bake bread on the Lord's Day, and while the baking was go-
ing on, the little pioneer congregation gathered in the room to
listen to a preacher — one of the new comers. In the same
room were the baker and the preacher, and as the minister
went forward with his discourse, so did " Mel," as Melvina
Brooks was called by her relatives and near friends, go on
with her baking. She realized that on her depended the feel-
ing of hungry men, with appetites such as only pioneering
brings to the table. Mrs. Brooks was the Martha of that
little company. While others had nothing to do but listen, she
had work to do for the listeners. She could both hear and
work, and right down before the minister she baked the bread
of earth while he spoke the bread of Heaven, and she did her
work as well and as honestly as the preacher did his. It was
thus she went forward doing the things most necessary to be
done, and though possessed of a not very bad robust constitu-
tion did her full measure of work — having less in mind her
own strength than the comfort of those around her.
CHAPTER VII.
The western part of the County was settled first, owing
to the prospective incoming railroad. Goewey Township and
Gilman were as early settled as any, and, indeed, the very
first settler took his claim in Gilman.
In 1 87 1 there was living in O'Brien County, where
Primghar now is, Mr. Charles F. Allbright. His home was
a small one, we should judge 14x20, one story with small
addition. This house was the general stopping place, not
only for people from the north part of O'Brien County, but
also Southern Osceola. It will be understood that at this
time there was no railroad, and freight was hauled mostly from
Cherokee, and the Allbright house was about the only one on
the road in O'Brien County in making trips to and from
Cherokee.
Mr. A. H. Lyman made the first track across the County
from Allbright's to Goewey Township, and Mr. Lyman came
into Osceola County in March, 187 1. He came from Grant
County, Wisconsin, and first settled upon and done his filing
on the northeast quarter of Section 26, Township 98, Range
41, now Goewey Township. He put up a residence with a
shingled roof, but the walls of which were built of sod. He
broke about thirty acres that season, put in beans, potatoes,
turnips and melons, and of these had quite a crop. His family
came in October, 187 1. Mr. Lyman's house then became the
stopping place for that part of the country, and it was often
crowded with people, sometimes the whole floor covered
with lodgers, and, if not cold, some outside.
On this same section, in 187 1, Douglas E. Ball and B. F.
Mundorf took claims, and Adam Batie took his claim on the
same section in the spring of 1872. Mr. Lyman still lives in
Goewey Township. His reputation is that of an honest and
hard working man, but Lyman is considered quite a talker.
He is a man of ideas and likes to express them. Several
were at Lyman's one day and a fellow by the name of Patch
bet $1 with Lyman that he couldn't keep from speaking for
one hour. The money was deposited with the stakeholder,
and the hour of silence commenced. In the course of half an
hour some fellow came to the house to make some inquiries,
48 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
and the rest of them kept in the house to see Lyman wrestle
with the stranger. His motions were the most awkward, for
he couldn't answer the questions as his dollar was at stake,
and finally the stranger left with the idea that Lyman had
gone crazy.
The fore part of the summer of 1871 was a very dry one.
There was not a drop of rain from the middle of March until
the 16th day of June, and during that time of dryness several
got out of the Countv, as they have got out of Dakota, for
the reason, as they said, the County was too dry ever to raise
crops.
In April, 1872, Walter Fisher and Reed Patch started
west from Spencer to Lyman's place. They knew the quarter
that Lyman was on, so took the bearings and navigated as the
sailors do, by compass. They made it all right and reached
the Lyman place safely. These three then went to Sibley
with a sleigh. The ground was soft, however, and the creeks
had some water in. While crossing the Otter the horses sud-
denly went down in the soft, watery snow, and went so sud-
denly it pitched Lyman out, who went in up to his neck.
Lyman was got out and over the river, and Fisher, by care-
ful work, got himself across, and the horses were unhitched
and they safely landed. Patch determined to stick to the
sleigh and not get wet, the other fellows he thought could
look out for themselves. After the horses were got over, the
boys hitched a rope to the end of the tongue of the sleigh to
pull that out, and Patch was sort of crowing over his safe
and dry-shod transportation. The horses started and the first
jerk of the sleigh landed Patch into the creek and up to his
neck. The boys got him out, but he was not only a sorry
looking object, but had the appearance of a man disgustingly
disappointed. Lyman thought honors were easy, and they
soon got where their condition was made dry and comfortable.
In June, 187 1, J. B. Lent, who was Treasurer of Osceola
County, preceding Mr. Townsend, arrived at the Lyman
place. Mr. Lent also came from Grant County, Wisconsin,
and had started with some others for Nebraska. The others
who started with him with teams kept on to Cherokee, while
Lent diverted his course to go to Lyman's for the purpose of
leaving some stock there for Lyman, they having lived in the
same neighborhood in their Wisconsin home. The reason
that the 16th of June arrival is so well remembered is that on
that day the dry spell was broken, and Lyman and Lent gazed
upon the falling water with supreme satisfaction and delight.
REV. S. C. OI.DS.
50 * HISTORr OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, TOWA.
Lent, after leaving the stock at Lyman's, went to Cherokee
and told the rest of his party he was so delighted with Osceola
County that he would settle there and go no further; they
went on, except Louis Folsom and Lent, and these returned
to Lyman's place. The first night they slept out under the
wagon cover set on the ground, and during the night the wind
blowed that over, when they went into the house. Lent and
Folsom soon did their settlement and riling, Lent on south-
west quarter of Section 24, Township 98, Range 41, and Fol-
som on south half of southeast quarter of Section 24, Town-
ship 98, Range 41.
The great thing to be feared then on an open prairie was
a blizzard. The early settlers encountered several of them.
In December, 187 1, Dr. Hall, then living in Goewev Town-
ship, and his son, Arthur, a boy, stalled to the creek for some
willows for fuel. While they were gone a terrible blizzard
came up and they were caught out in it. They made their
way towards home the best they could, but the blinding snow
and extreme cold made it slow progress, and the oxen, too,
were hard to get along. Soon the boy discovered that the
father was missing and could not be found anywhere. Of
course no search could be made, for the boy was struggling
to take care of himself, but all at once Mr. Hall himself had
disappeared, either strayed away from the boy or fallen in
sheer exhaustion unable to go further. The boy went west
for a while, then turned and went east again, and after travel-
ing a few miles the oxen gave out; the boy then hollered as
loud as he could, and as luck would have it he was near
enough to the house of F. O. Messenger so that Messenger
heard him and went in the direction from where the sound
came until he reached the boy. The boy's hands and feet
were frozen, but Messenger got him to the house and after a
while the boy got around all right again. The oxen were
also rescued. Dr. Hall himself perished in that December
blizzard, and was not found until the spring of 1872, and was
then found by Mr. Messenger's dog bringing to the house the
bone from a human body, which was noticed, and Mrs. Mes-
senger then directed the dog back and followed him to Dr.
Hall's remains, which were but his bones. The boy, Arthur
Hall, grown to manhood, now lives in Washington State. The
blizzard in February, 1872, the same in which Nagg perished,
was also a fearful one. The first day of that blizzard, Lyman
with others went to Sibley to buy goods at Roger's store.
The blizzard commenced while they were in town, and they
GEORGE T. VOOREES.
52 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
hurried up their purchases in order to return, and were soon
on their way back again. It was a foolish start, but still they
got through and no lives were lost. There were Lyman, B.
F. Mundorf, Lon Sanfrisco, Eve Adler and A. Carpenter.
When they got to the house of A. Romey, Mundorf and Ly-
man had about eight miles further to go, and Mundorf in-
sisted on going and was bound to go. All the others objected
to any such thing, and Mr. Romey declared that not one of
them should leave his house. Mundorf, however, had made
up his mind to go and go he would, and as there was no other
alternative, Lyman, knowing that Mundorf would surely get
lost, started with him. Nothing saved them but the team of
horses Mr. Lyman was driving. They who are accustomed
to the road know the great difference between horses in know-
ing the direction to go, and Mr. Lyman's team was of that
kind which could find their way home in the darkest night or
in any storm in which they could travel. This was the reason
Lyman went with Mundorf, and Lvman made no attempt to
guide his team but let them take their own way, and they
landed these storm-driven settlers safely home.
At this time there was considerable of an attempt, and
some of it successful, to hold claims in fictitious names and
cover them up, so-called. It was done by filing applications
in the land office at Sioux City, and the filer signing some
name which would make it appear of record that the claim
was taken. It took an incoming stranger a little time, using
a western expression, " to catch on to the racket," but he
soon did, and there was not much after all made in that kind
of speculation. Soon after Lent and Folsom got here, and
they, with Lyman and some others, were taking it easy
sitting on the prairie grass at Lent's claim, a stranger, who
gave his name as Freman, drove up and informed these
gentlemen that they were trespassers on other people's
claims; that he had done the filing for them, and they were
now on the road to settle. Lent cross-questioned the fellow
a little, Lyman gathered himself together' for a controversy,
and when the stranger had told all he knew about it and the
boys had sized the thing up so that a conclusion was reached,
Mr. Freman was told in a most emphatic manner, and in
language that was not doubtful of construction, that if he was
seen in that part of the country in just sixty minutes after that
interview, they would hang him; and Lyman went to hunting
a rope and to get the well ready to drop him in, when he
started, to use Lyman's expression, as though the devil was
after him, and was never seen afterwards.
LANSING & BROWN BUILDING, OCCUPIED BY T. H. DRAV1S.
54 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA < Ol'STV, IOWA.
Mr. A. Romey, who is now a merchant in Sibley, came
to Osceola County in April, 1871. He drove through from
Fayette County, Iowa, and William Barkhuff started and
drove through with him; also, Mr. A. Carpenter. On the
road, Mr. J. F. Jones, Joshua Stevens and Waldo joined them;
also W. H. Lean. Mr. Stephens and Mr. Waldo have since
died. Mr. Jones and Mr. Carpenter are still residents of the
county. Mr. Romey riled on the northwest quarter of Section
4, Goewey Township. He put up a sod house, with shingled
roof, and hauled his lumber from Sioux City. He broke
about fifteen acres in 1871, but put in no crop.
T. H. DRAVIS.
CHAPTER VIII.
In September, 1881, Henry C. Allen landed in Goewey
Township. There came with him, August Thomson, C.
Thomson and Francis Allen, these four forming the party.
H. C. Allen settled on the northeast quarter of Section 8, in
Township 98, Range 41, where he still resides, and the others
filed upon and settled on claims near him, and are now non-
residents. This party commenced housekeeping by putting
up a house partly on three quarter-sections, making their
home together until later on, when separate houses were to be
built. In the latter part of 187 1, H. C. Allen and Frances
Allen drove their teams to Minnesota for work, and they re-
mained there during the winter, Frances Allen stopping at
Eagle Lake and H. C. going on further to Waterford. H.
C. Allen took his family along with him, consisting of his wife
and three children, and with them returned early in the spring
of 1872. He drove to Minnesota with a wagon and started
back with a wagon, but on his way was overtaken with a
blizzard and a large fall of snow, so that he had runners put
under his wagon bed. He was traveling alongside the railroad
track, and a few miles beyond Heron Lake came to a deep
ravine which was filled with snow and there seemed to be no
way of getting across it, and, as Allen was anxious to get home
before the time run out to get on his claim, he drove across
the railroad bridge, it being a high and reasonably long one
made in trestle work. It seemed a hazardous undertaking,
but Mr. Allen got over all right, and in watching the horses
ahead, had actually forgotten that he had one tied behind, but
when fairly landed on the other side everything was all right
and got over safely. Mr. Allen finally reached his claim, but
before getting there went down into a slough which required
the aid of his neighbor, Dagel, to pull him out. Someone had
been in the house and left it open, so that everything was in
confusion and covered with snow.
To one who drove over these prairies twenty years ago,
the scenery now in comparision is beautiful and magnificent.
Where stood the sod house and the usual 8 by 10 shack; there
are now commodious and tasty residences, and groves, whose
trees, dressed in their green and luxuriant foliage, add to the
JOHN F. STAMM.
58 jnsTonr 01 osceola countt, iowa.
beauties of nature, and mark the landscape with a fascinating
and dignified splendor. Going back in remembrance to 187 1
we could see a shack on Section 8, Goewey Township, which
straddled the line of three quarter-sections, holding down
claims for H. C. Allen, Frances Allen and one of the Thomson
boys, not a tree in sight anywhere, and, in fact, not a house.
We could see the boys figuring on how to get through the
winter, and wondering what the country would amount to
anyhow. But forgetting the past and looking at the living
present, we saw that same quarter-section on 8, which Henry
Allen settled upon in 187 1, now under thorough cultivation,
with a large barn and nice residence almost hidden in a grove
of large trees, and everything about the place showing that its
occupant is in comfortable circumstances and in the enjoyment
of life.
W. H. Lean came from Wisconsin and in 187 1 settled
on the southwest quarter of Section 6, Baker Township. Mr.
Lean came with some others, previously mentioned, and
returned to Wisconsin in 1871, and came back to his claim in
the spring of 1872. Mr. Lean still resides on the same land,
which now has a beautiful grove and fine residence, with other
improvements. He is also the Goewey Postmaster. Mr.
Lean found Nagg's body, the party mentioned elsewhere as
lost in the February blizzard, 1872.
A beautiful residence greets the eye on the southeast
quarter of Section 2, in Goewey Township. The elegant
dwelling house and large barn are surrounded with large
stately forest trees, and everything betokens thrift and com-
fort. The owner is O. B. Harding, w r ho settled on the east
half of southeast quarter of Section 2 in 1873, and has lived
there since. Mr. Harding has since bought other land
around him.
In 1 87 1, W. M. and J. H. Dagel, brothers, came from
Clayton County, Iowa, driving through with teams, and
between them took the north half of Section 6, in Goewey
Township. By work and economy they now own over 2,000
acres of land, and still live on their original claims.
In June, 1871, Mr. Thomas Jackson filed a pre-emption
on the northeast quarter of Section 30, in West 1 Iolman Town-
ship. Mr. Jackson came from Wisconsin and after filing
returned there, and came to Osceola County again in the fall
of same year and again returned. In the spring of 1872 he
drove through with a team, bringing his family with him. On
this same section at that time there were settled William
J. W. ORD'S RESIDENCE, SIBLEY.
00 HISTORr OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
Jackson, William Anderson, Joseph Anderson, Mr. Aldrich
and Charles Kent. Mr. Thomas Jackson broke about thirty
acres in 1872, put up his shack in the fall of 187 1, hauling
his lumber from Heron Lake, Minnesota. Mr. Jackson, after
living there about twelve years, moved to Fa'rview Town-
ship, where he still resides, and is a successful farmer and a
substantial citizen. The perils and troubles of emigration,
in traveling some distance from the old home to the new one,
are often many.
Early in the seventies there could be seen the emigrant
wagons, reaching out for Northwest Iowa. They were called
"prairie schooners." and a prairie schooner was, after all a
peculiar institution. They navigated, sometimes single and
alone, at other times in numbers like a fleet of vessels at sea.
A Yankee boy, fresh from Massachusetts, when he saw one
for the first time, said, " See that butcher cart, pa," for, sure
enough, the meat carts in the cities of New England go about
with a white covering. It was astonishing to see sometimes
the amount of "truck" they carried and the number of
inmates. We saw one in 1873, heaving into Osceola County,
that had three trunks, two setts of harness, a sheet-iron stove,
several bushels of potatoes, two dozen hens, and its inmates
were man and wife and eight children; they also had cooking
utensils, bedding, and feed for the team. This mode of trav-
elling, too, when the roads are good and the part}' united and
contented, is very enjoyable, and certainly very healthy.
These emigrant wagons are now seldom seen, and when they
are they are bound for Dakota.
Ir. June, 1872, N. W. Emery drove through from Floyd
County with a team and wagon, bringing his wife and one
child (now Forrest Emery, grown to manhood.) Mr. Emery
settled on the southwest quarter of Section 34, in Horton
Township, where he still resides, in easy circumstances and
with the respect of the people. The first summer he lived in
his wagon; that is, this was his only habitation. In the fall In-
put up a house, 12x14. Owing to grasshoppers later on,
Mr. Emery returned to Floyd County and remained during
the winter, where he could find something to do. The follow-
ing spring he returned, driving two yoke of oxen, and he
certainly had a time of it, for the roads were bad, and until he
reached Spencer it was nothing but mud and water. Five
other teams were with him, of parties going to Dakota, and
they stuck together, for they were useful to each other when
one or the other got fastened in the mud when it took strength
F. M. ROBINSON.
62 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTr, IOWA.
to pull the wagon out. Emery's oxen pulled each of the
others out several times, and once Emery's wagon was so
deep in the mud and water that it took the five teams com-
bined with Emery's two yoke of oxen to pull him out. So
bad were the roads, that one day they traveled only nine
miles, and Emery was delighted when he got back to his
claim. The first season Emery did some breaking away from
home for several weeks, which left his wife and the infant
(Forrest) to keep house alone.
In all the hardships incident to pioneer life it is not only
the men who endure them, but the women also, whose burden
is as great, if not greater, to bear. Their work may not be
as hard, but it is constant, and, with the care of the family
and motherly anxiety, the world does not know, and never
will, the mental anguish of a great many of the wives of
pioneers who were making a home on these fertile, but then
uncultivated, prairies.
John P. Hawxshurst came in March, 1872, from Wis-
consin. He settled upon the southwest quarter of Section 22,
Township 100, Range 42, and is still a resident of the county.
Mr. Hawxshurst helped start the Sibley Gazette — laid the
type from the "original packages" into the case, and was
with the paper until 1885. At one time he was sole pro-
prietor, and during the grasshopper raid had a hard time of it
indeed. At one time, for about a month, he did not take in
any money, nor pay any out, nor did he have any in his
pockets. His cash account was not hard to keep, and no
doubt there was many a country printer then wondering half
the time where his next meal was coming from.
In September, 1871, Mr. John L. Robinson landed in
Osceola County from Alamakee County. His son, F. M.
Robinson, afterwards County Auditor, had preceded him, and
Frank met his father and mother and one sister at Algona,
and all drove over from there. They took their claims on a
different part of Section 28, on what is now West Holman,
put up buildings and commenced living. Mr. J. L. Robinson
is still living in the county, at Sibley, and F. M. Robinson is
at Atlanta, Georgia. As will be seen by referring to the
Sibley records, F. M. Robinson put up the first building on
the Sibley townsite. Afterwards his father moved into the
building, and lived there during the winter of 187 1 and 1872.
While he was living there, in the fall of 1871, the portly form
of Elder Webb darkened the doorway, and went into the
room while Robinson was putting slough hay and broken
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 63
weeds into the stove. This was the first time the Elder had
seen that kind of fuel, and he was surprised that it could be
utilized as a warmth producer. Mr. Robinson was the first
Justice of the Peace in the county, and the office came to him
by appointment. There being some irregularity in the
appointment, Mr. Robinson afterwards stepped down and
out, but while he was in, some cases came to his court. The
first one brought, and, indeed, the first suit in the county, was
between Everett and Freeman, over a yoke of oxen; and, like
sensible fellows, they afterwards settled it. This was before
there were any lawyers here to back up the respective sides
of a controversy. Mr. Robinson's daughter, Ellen, who came
with him, was afterwards married to Charles M. Brooks, now
a lawyer at Sibley. The lumber with which F. M. Robinson
put up his first building was hauled from Windom, Minn.,
and afterwards they did hauling from Cherokee.
CHAPTER IX.
There is much of individual heroism in common life that is
lost to history, and which is not blazoned among the dis-
tinguished deeds which make some men famous and their
names immortal. Some military chieftain in the nick of time,
and by natural genius and adroitness as well as personal cour-
age, drives the enemy into a general slaughter, and his govern-
ment, with fulsome praise, sends his name down the ages, and
all time has a hero fearless and undaunted. Sometimes the
greatest of all heroic acts are manifested by one in the humblest
walks of life, which find no recognition in the record of history,
for it is only in the exalted stations of life that the names of
men glitter on the scroll of fame, and much that is the most
heroic of all heroism dies with the hero. We have an old
newspaper which recites the conviction and execution of a
negro slave, in which case Henry Clay was the public prose-
cutor. The negro was a faithful servant, and had not been
accustomed to the degredation of corporal chastisement. Dur-
ing a temporary absence of his master, he was placed under
the charge of a young and passionate overseer, who, for some
slight or imaginary offense, lashed him cruelly with a horse-
whip, and brought wicked blows about the head that were
unmercifully given. The spirit of the slave was aroused, and,
seizing a weapon that was near him, he laid his overseer dead
upon the spot. Soon after, he was borne to the place of
execution, and the pride of character he there displaved was
worthy of a Roman patriot. Being asked whether he was
anxious that his life be spared, and, answering under a feeling
of the injustice that had been done him and under the fact that
he was in bondage, he replied proudly and sternly: "No! I
would not live a day longer unless in the enjoyment of liberty."
The pages of history might be searched from the beginning to
the present, and nothing in the notoriety of preserved events
would exceed this personal proudness and bravery of an
obscure slave, whose words are lost in the din of pyrotecnic
words over names which were prominent with the people.
Carrying the thought still further, one does not need to
go to a battlefield, or to find tragedies in blood, for the
world's greatest heroes. Many unknown in life, bearing its
E. M. TAYLOR.
60 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
burdens under difficulties and under depressing circumstances,
and under the crushing conditions of poverty and misfortune,
are heroes, and the women who toil with them are heroines.
The writer in the early seventies knew several families in
Northwest Iowa who were without money, without friends —
for the world is cold and uncharitable to the borrower — whose
crops were an utter failure, and where existence was continued
by living on anything that was accessible, and whose diet
principally was corn ground in a coffee mill. We who are
living in the present progress and prosperity of Osceola
County cannot realize the crushed and despondent heart of
many a mother whose little ones, in the early days of the
county's history, were crying for bread, and where but inch
boards protected them from the severity of winter, huddled
around a fire made by twisted hay, and whose one hope was
in a change, which the future, dark and doubtful, would bring
to them. These early settlers who were thus battling against
the misfortunes of the county then were heroes.
The early days of Osceola county, from 1871 on, were hard
and trying to settlers who were endeavoring to make a home
here and establish a farm on the prairie. Most of them came
without means, and depended on their grit and muscle to pull
through. Those that brought money with them, and were
reasonably well fixed to start on, seemed to be the most
unfortunate after all, especially when the grasshoppers came,
for the reason that they did not hesitate to use their means
in building good houses and surrounding themselves with
comforts and conveniences, expecting an early return for their
investments. But when the pocket-book became empty, and
no crops as expected and no value to land, they were not
only discouraged but disgusted, and soon got out, while the
fellows who started with nothing were more inclined to stay
it through, still hoping to realize and get return for their
labor.
We can easily see how much grit and determination it
took to stay here several years, one after the other, without a
crop at harvest time, and still stay another winter and burn
hay and take chances on enough to eat. Money could not be
obtained only on gilt-edged security at a rate of interest from
three to eight per cent, a month, and sometimes at ten. Many
a farm and much live stock and farm machinery of these early
settlers passed into the hands of these money lenders; we
cannot say unjustly so, but as a matter of business, becau
the money was due, the debtor unable to pay, and that
B., C. R. & N. DEPOT, SIBLEY.
68 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
insatiate and inexorable Shylock, the chattel mortgage, must
have what its description calls for, and without delay. Some
were crushed under the burden of debt, and ran away from it,
glad to escape the annoyance of creditors, and into an atmos-
phere of peace.
Others still kept working on, toiling in the hope of better
days, and under a feeling that no matter how black and
hideous were the clouds of adversity, there was still a silver
lining, and that in time the sunshine of prosperity would
change the condition of things and gladden their hearts.
The days of Osceola County hardships are over. It has
passed the period of settlement, of hard times, debt and ad-
versity, and is today one of the most thrifty Counties in the
State. In 1870 its beautiful but unbroken prairie land was
waiting in mute silence for coming events; today its well
cultivated farms, extensive and magnificent forest trees, with
beautiful and comfortable residences show the wonderful
progress and prosperity that can come to a country by the
industry and thrift of a people, who under a government like
ours know the value of a home. The county is still advancing,
its population increases each year, its unbroken prairie is
diminishing rapidly, and before another decade not a foot of
wild land capable of cultivation can be found in the county.
Its people are full of energy, have the best of social qualities,
are intelligent and loyal. School districts and municipal town-
ship governments and the County administration, are all in the
hands of men who are honest, capable and economical, and
the future of the county is brilliant in everything that can lead
a people up to the highest conditions of contentment, happiness
and success. The older settlers, who have borne the " burden
and heat of the day" and are here yet, have a feeling of pride
in what the years accomplished, and the later incoming settlers
realize that there is no fairer or more fertile agricultural
country that the sun shines upon or was ever watered with
the dews of heaven. However much of adversity or hardship
our early settlers had to contend with the clouds have now
rolled by, and other people in the experience of a like mis-
fortune cannot only have our sympathy, but would find us
charitable enough and sufliciently able to pour into their lap
the surplus treasures of our own producih e soil.
W. II. GATES.
CHAPTER X.
In May, 187 1, W. H. Gates arrived in Osceola County
from Buchanan County. He started with O. Dunton and
T. J. Cutshall, Dunton and Gates having teams and outfit of
their own, while Cutshall was sort of a passenger with them.
Gates filed on the southeast quarter of Section 26, Township
100, Range 42, and Dunton and Cutshall on the south half of
Section 32, Township 100, Range 41. They built, to start
on, a sod house on Dunton's claim, and made that their head-
quarters. Mr. Gates returned soon after for his family, and
brought them out in the fall of 187 1, and lived in the Dunton
sod house during the winter of 187 1 and 1872, and in the
spring of 1872 he built a small house oh his own claim, which
is still there, and Mr. Gates still owns the land. At present
he is County Recorder. In the fall of 1871, after Mr. Gates
had become settled with his family, he met Mr. Glover for the
first time. Glover ventured over to the Gates household,
bringing a tin pail, bearing all the marks of a siege in batch-
ing. He modestly and timidly inquired if he could get some
milk, which was generously supplied him, and John was
treated so hospitably he ventured another request, doubtfully
asking Mrs. Gates if he could get a piece of pork rind to grease
his griddle for pancakes, and the request was accompanied
with a skillful gesture of the hand, following the movement
usually made in greasing a skillet for that purpose. Glover
was surprised with a nice piece of pork from a barrel which
Gates had brought with him, and the ex-Representative went
home in a feeling of supreme delight. Mr. Gates was very
much afflicted that winter with acute rheumatism, and no
physician within forty miles. After laying helpless for about
a month he got about again.
Cutshall alternated for several years between his claim
and cobbling shoes at Sibley. He now lives at Omaha, Neb.
Dunton a few years ago went to Dundee, Ills., where he
now lives.
During the season of 1871 deer and elk were plenty in
Osceola County, and they who were hunters and good marks-
men had plenty of it. The next season, of 1872, the incoming
railroad and influx of settlers drove them westward, in the
W. B. STEVENS.
72 HISTORT OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
same direction civilization pushes the Indians — towards the
setting sun.
This Township, in which Mr. Gates settled, as will be
seen elsewhere, was first named Fenton and afterwards
Viola. But few of the 187 1 and 1872 settlers are left in the
Township. In 187 1 John Stamm and Robert Stamm came to
the County, driving through with teams from Jefferson
County, Iowa. John settled on the southwest quarter of
Section 34, Viola, and Robert on the northeast quarter of
Section 4, Holman. We will now continue as to Viola Town-
ship. John Stamm is still a resident of the County, and was
elected Sheriff in 1891. Frank Vanamburg settled in 187 1
on the southeast quarter of Section 34. The same year
Theodore Stage took a part of Section 30. Mr. Stage now
lives at Little Rock. Also in 1871, John Smith and his
mother took the northwest quarter of Section 20, he taking
one and his mother the other eighty. On this same section
C. C. Collerson also settled in 1871. H. W. Tinkhum settled
the same year on a part of the northeast quarter of Section
26. Mr. Tinkhum is now at Barraboo, Wis. The remaining
part of the northeast quarter of Section 26 was taken by
Eleazer Headley in the spring of 1872. He is now in
Indiana. On this same Section 26, J. S. Patterson in 1871
took the northwest quarter. He came from Cerre Gordo
County, Iowa, and still lives on the same piece of land. On
the southwest quarter of Section 26, J. W. Blair settled in
1 87 1. He still owns the same piece and resides in Kansas.
J. W. Nimms filed on the northeast quarter of Section 34 in
1 87 1. On the northwest quarter of same section, J. T.
Barclay settled in 1872, and put up the usual shanty. He
sold the land afterwards to W. E. Ripley, and Mr. Barclay
resides in Sibley. Also in the spring of 1872, H. Jordon set-
tled on the southeast quarter of Section 28. Mr. Jordon was
afterwards a lawyer in Sibley, and died in . The
remainder of Section 28 was taken by George Carew, the
northeast quarter; D. B. Wood, the northwest quarter; and
Mr. Willie, the southwest quarter. Mr. Carew still lives in
Sibley, and his claim is now owned by Jacob Brooks. Mr.
Wood now lives in Springfield, Missouri.
The northwest quarter of Section 32 was taken by James
Dalton in 187 1. He now lives in Buchanan County, Iowa,
and Mr. Shapley owns the claim. George S. Downend, in
the spring of 1872, filed on the northeast quarter of Section
32, and still lives on the land, with good improvements. Mr.
**
4m
is
I' J
JOHN F. GLOVER.
74 HIST0R1 OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
Downend was from New York, was in the war, and went
home on crutches.
Patrick Piesley came to the county in 187 1, and took the
southeast quarter of Section 32. He returned to his former
home in Wisconsin, and was married there July 3, 1873, ana<
still lives in Osceola County on the same piece of land. The
southwest quarter of this same section was taken by Abraham
Shapley in the spring of 1870. Mr. Shapley drove through
by team from Clayton County, and along with him was N. D.
Bowles and John Gray. He put up a comfortable house,
hauling his lumber from Worthington. Mr. Shapley had a
blacksmith shop, and, like the rest, had a hard time at the
start. After he had got through June of that year, he had
just three nickels left; but he had other capital, consisting of
grit, of muscle and ambition. Mr. Shapley still lives on the
same place, has fine improvements, owns a section of land in
the county, and this year will establish his residence in Sibley,
and take life easy.
Asa Vanblorcon settled on the east half of the west half of
Section 30, in 1S72, and is still living in the same place. On
this same section, Mr. Knowl'.on took the southeast quarter in
1 87 1. Mr. Shapley now owns the land. The northeast
quarter of Section 30 was taken in 1872 by Henry Graham,
who has since died. On a part of Section 20 Mr. Samuel
Smith filed and settled in 1872. He put up first a sod house,
and now has a fine residence and is still living on the place.
John Pann also filed on a part of Section 20 in 1872, and
sold the land this year (1892). On the east half of the north-
east quarter of Section 20, Edwin Smith filed in 1872. Mr.
Smith still holds the land, and is engaged in the hardware
business at Little Rock.
In 1872, A. B. Graves filed on the southeast quarter of
Section 18, and has since died. A part of the northeast
quarter of Section 18 was taken in 1872 by A. Averhill, who
now lives in LeMars, but who still owns the land. Sidney
Beckwith and Mr. Barnard took the northwest quarter of
Section 18 in 1872, which quarter is now owned by Mr.
Heck with, and upon which he still resides. He has other
land around, since purchased. The south half of the south-
west quarter of Section 18 was taken by Mr. Beeman in 187 1.
Mr. Beeman perished in the February, 1872, blizzard. He
was hauling logs and was lost in the storm.
David Averhill and Obid Averhill took the south half of
Section 8 in 1872. David died about two years ago and Obid
moved from the county.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC BLOCK, SIBLEY.
76 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
On the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 10,
William Rubow filed in 1872. He still owns the land, but
lives in Missouri. On this section also, Eugene and Charles
Bennett settled in 1872. Charles returned to Illinois a few
years after, and Eugene still lives in the county on the same
land and is a prosperous farmer. On Section 22 M. D.
Hadsell took the northeast quarter, John Hart the southeast
quarter, J. P. Hawxshurst the southwest quarter, and C. C.
Hadsell and John Joseph the northwest quarter. These all
filed in 1872. The Hadsell's are in Nebraska, Josephs in
Kansas and J. P. Hawxshurst resides in Sibley. Peter Shaw
and Charles Shaw caYne in 1872, and filed between them on
the northeast quarter of Section 14. Prof. J. F. Kanson filed
in 1872. He left the county some years ago, and lives in
Florence, Kansas. Also, in 187 1, C. C. Ogan filed on the
southeast quarter of Section 14. He died since in California.
On the southwest quarter of Section 14, John H. Douglass
filed. This gentleman is elsewhere mentioned.
The Scribner family among themselves took Section 12
in 1872, and have since moved away.
On Section 24 N. J. Wetmore filed on a part of the
southeast quarter, Merritt Winchester on the southwest quar-
ter, G. W. Ketchem on the northwest quarter, all in 1872.
Mr. Wetmore is in DeKalb County, Illinois, Mr. Winchester
in Des Moines, and Mr. Ketchem went to Sioux Citv; he is
now preaching on the Pacific Coast. Levi Shell settled on
the southeast quarter of Section 36 in 1872. Mr. Shell has
been here ever since, and is now in the lumber trade a Sibley.
Joseph Ferrin, C. F. Torrey and Rev. Jones also filed in 1872
on other parts of the same section. These parties who filed
on Section 36, except Mr. Shell, have been away from the
County several years. These settlers in Viola who are still
here have weathered the disagreeable hardships of the first
years of pioneer life, and are now comfortable and well off.
Mr. John Stamm's first wife died in the county in 18S5. Viola
is a thrifty township, and one of the most prosperous in the
County. Among its leading farmers, in addition to those
already mentioned, are the following named gentlemen : A.
Ackerman, B. Ackerman, W. M. Achenbach, C. Barnum, R.
Black, S. M. Bullington, T. Boyenga, C. Bauman, W. Beck-
man, H. Branidt, W. Christian, J. W. Councill, Henry Doug-
lass, S. R. Dunwoodv, YV. Downs, D. Dexter, E. Fisher, Geo.
Gates, H. Hincuch, H. Hatterman, L. 1 loffman, J. Hollenbach,
E. D. Hollenbach, H. Hall, H. M. Heindivs. II. Houke, John
V I A 1
E, A. BUNKER,
78 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT % IOWA.
Iverson, G. C. Iverson, B. Koolman, I. Kimball, W. Kuhn, P
Keer, F. E. Kennedy, A. Kiser, C. Kreager, A. Lusk, H
Luterman, J. M. Likes, H. Likes, J. Mont, D. H. Morse, S
Newman, T. P. Norman, N. Olson, J. Peters, B. Robert, J
Rain, F. Rubow, P. Rehms, J. Rohger, S. B. Smith, H. Soins
C. Shroder, W. F. Smith, H. Temmenna, T. W. Tarbell
John Tann, S. S. Thatcher, H. Vietmeyer, C. Vink, W. J
Wohleater, A. A. Wyant, T. Wyant, R.*" Wyant, T. P. Wald
ran, Fred Witt, J. H. Harbets, J. Harbets, W. Harbets.
CHAPTER XL
In the fall of 187 1 S. J. Cram came from Alamakee
County and settled on a part of Section 32, in what is now
Wilson Township, and still resides here. W. W. Cram, a
brother of S. J., also came in 187 1 and filed on a part of
Section 14, in West Holman Township. He left here in 1882,
and now lives at Butte, Nebraska. A. H. Clark also filed the
same year on Section 32, in Wilson Township. In Holman
Township at this early day, S. A. Wright settled on a claim,
also the Halsteads, father and son, F. R. Cole, O. C. Staplin
and the Widow Rosenburv, and Randolph Kinney on Section
28, in Wilson Township. S. A. Wright was Treasurer of the
County one term, and now lives at Beatrice, Nebraska. O.
C. Staplin still lives in the County on the original claim, and
is one of our pushing farmers. S. H. Westcott came from
LeMars to Osceola County and filed on a claim in the fall of
1871 on the southeast quarter of Section 22, Township 99,
Range 41. Mr. Wescott has held township and County
offices, and now lives in Sibley. In April, 1871, there came
from Alamakee County to Osceola Mr. E. Morrison, R. O.
Manson, F. M. Robinson, W. W. Cram, Myron Churchill and
Thomas Parian; these came to file on land, and with them to
see the country was Mr. McFarland. Mr. Morrison settled
on a part of Section 10, in Township 99, Range 42; Mr.
Manson on northwest quarter of Section 24, West Holman;
F. M. Robinson on — , West Holman; Myron Churchill
on a part of Section ; and Parian on ■ , while Mr.
Cram has heretofore been described in his location. Mr.
Morrison now resides in Sibley, having been here since his
first settlement, except to return for his family in the fall of
1871. Mr. Manson still resides on the claim originally taken.
After these incoming settlers had got here from Alamakee
County, they looked around and decided upon the claims they
wanted. A part of them then started for Sioux City to file,
while Mr. Morrison drove to LeMars to get some groceries,
for there w r ere no provisions left, and it was a long ways to
market. When Morrison o;ot to the Huff shack he found that
Mrs. Huff was out of bread and no Hour to make any; he then
had to drive to Orange City, or where Orange City now is,
80 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
before he could get anything for himself or team. In the
meantime he had left Robinson, Manson and McFarland at
Frank Stiles' habitation. This consisted of an old stagecoach,
approximating the Deacon's one-hoss shay when it fell to
pieces. Stiles had hauled it to his claim and placed it there as
a settlement which the law required. At this stage coach
Morrison left the three parties above named, they to wait until
Morrison returned with something to eat, but hunger got the
better of them, so they started on southeast to find somebody,
or something to eat, and came across a shack near the
Ocheyedan where Mr. Miller lived, but here there was nothing
to eat so they returned again to Frank Stile's cottage on
wheels. After about forty-eight hours' absence Morrison
returned, and by this time Robinson, Manson and McFarland
were in about the same condition that Greeley, was when dis-
covered in the Artie regions. They were handed out some
bread, and the loaves disappeared about as fast as water in a
gopher hole, they couldn't wait for butter or anything else,
but soon the boys felt better with a satisfied appetite.
W. A. Morrison, a brother of E. Morrison, came in July,
1872, and made settlement here, but left the county a few
years ago and now resides in Kettle Falls, Washington.
In June, 1871, Rev. Smith Aldrich arrived in the county
and settled on Section 30, west Holman. When it became
known that Aldrich was a preacher, it was thought best to
have services the following Sunday, so E. Morris and some
others went around to what few there were and gave out the
notice. The preaching was in Morrison and Churchill's
shack. There were about twenty-five present, and this
sermon, no doubt, was the first preached in the county,
though W. W. Webb claims that some other was the first.
In the fall of 187 1 Mrs. Aldrich, wife of the reverend gentle-
man, died on their claim. This was the first death in the
county, and at that time the undertaker's shop was far away,
so that Mr. A. M. Culver made the coffin and Mrs. John
Douglass stained it with grape juice. The simple services at
the funeral were impressive, for Mrs. Aldrich was a woman
much respected. ller body was removed east some time
after its burial here, and Mr. Aldrich himself went away after
remaining here a few years.
Mr. Wallace Rea came here in the spring of 1872 and
settled on the southeast quarter of Section 14, Township 99,
Range 41. He is now at a Soldiers' Home. At the first
school election held in the Rea district there were only three
W. H. NOEHREN.
82 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COCNTl', IOWA.
present — Rea, O. C. Staplin and J. S. Reynolds. Staplin
was Chairman, Rea the Secretary and Reynolds the people.
A ballot was taken, and the vote stood: Rea, i; Staplin, i;
Reynolds, i. On the second ballot Staplin was elected.
Reynolds declares that on the first ballot he voted for Staplin,
and Staplin for Reynolds. At that time there was much
eagerness for the establishment of a school, and it was all
right in that feeling of personal anxiety for a fellow to vote
for himself as school officer.
Of the early settlers in Township ioo, Range 41 (now
Wilson Township), but few remain. Will Thomas still owns
the original claim, and in this township he still retains his
residence. On Section 26, in this township, are two early
settlers. Mr. John Klampe took the northeast quar f er about
twenty years ago, and still occupies it. On the southeast
quarter, Benj. Davis settled in 1872, and has borne the burden
and heat of the day from that time to the present, farming the
same piece of land. Mr. R. S. Eakin also came to this town-
ship about twenty years ago, and first settled on Section 8.
He now owns 240 acres on Section 28.
On the southwest quarter of Section 14, Mr. Jacob Wid-
man has lived since about 1873. He has made very fine
improvements, and on his place there is a spring of very nice
water, which we believe is the only spring in the township.
On Section 32, lives C. P. Reynolds, who settled there
in 1872, and has lived there continuously since. He has good
improvements, and has been a member of the County Board
of Supervisors.
The north tier of sections in Wilson, as in other town-
ships on the north bordering the Minnesota line, are clipped
off, or rather the surveyors run out of land when they reached
the line; or, as some one with bar-room proclivities remarked,
"they were lost in the shuffle." The absence of this north
tier of sections has been the cause of trouble to some, as well
as a loss of money, and has brought others to grief. Some
years ago several sharpers, who were of that class of men
constantly seeking opportunities to perpetrate a swindle,
actually made conveyance of some of these quarter sections
which had no existence to innocent and unsuspecting parties,
who took the deeds all right and paid for the land, only to
soon find out they had bought nothing, and couldn't buy what
the deed described if they wanted to. Some of these villianous
grantors were apprehended and made to languish in the pen-
itentiary, and to suffer punishment for the crime which was
involved in this method of conveyance.
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 83
Allen Cloud tiled in 1S72 on the northwest quarter of
Section 34, and lived there until he died in January, 1884, and
was buried in the Wilson Township Cemetery. His widow
now lives in Siblev.
The only old settlers still living in Wilson Township are
Will Thomas and W. A. Cloud.
Mr. C. E. Yates, on Section 10, went there about ten
years ago; James Zweek, on Section 14, about five years ago,
and Mr. H. A. Cramer, on the same section, two years ago.
The Makee boys, on the northwest quarter of Section 15,
have been there some time.
Mr. Joseph K. Shaw, on Section 18, was reasonably
early in settlement, as he filed on a claim and made final
proof in 1876, and still resides there. On this same section
resides Fred Theise and Mons Sorem. On Section 22, the
northwest quarter, W. J. Miller filed, and still owns the land.
The balance of this section belongs to the Thomas family,
with Clitford Ling as renter. F. J. and J. D. Engle are
living on the west half of Section 23, and on the northeast
quarter John Ackerson resides. Other parties in the town-
ship, and among Wilson's best farmers, not before mentioned
are Terkark Benezek, on Section 24, and F. A. Klampke, on
Section 25. Mr. Klampke has 320 acres, and has lived there
about 14 years. The east half of Section 27 is owned by
Clans Klepka, who has lived in the township about two
years. Mr, Comstock lives on the southwest quarter of
Section 29: also, on the same section is H. S. Lindsey.
J. N. Robinson, on the northwest quarter of Section 30,
owns the land, and has lived there about six years. On
Section 31, Mr. W. C Connor owns the northeast quarter,
and on this same section lives Charles Hoffman.
Mr. A. B. Evarts is the owner of a part of section 32 and
has lived there seven years. W. A. Cloud is on section 33.
This gentleman has been in the township seventeen years, and
would pass for an old settler. On the northeast quarter of
section 34 lives E. A. Beaston, while the southwest is owned
by J. W. Kaye of Sibley, and upon which there lives at
present, Mr. H. S. Lindsey. Mr. N. W. Williams who
settled in O'Brien County in 1871, has recently purchased the
northeast quarter of section 36 and will soon be a resident of
Wilson. In 1871 W. N. Bull settled on the northwest quarter
of section 26. Mr. Bull still resides in the county at Siblev.
CHAPTER XII.
There ought to be the strongest ties of feeling between
the old settlers of a eountry who have remained with it and
borne the burden and heat of the day, and there is. By
reason of the weakness of human nature there may be some-
times a hostile feeling over some petty and insignificant affair
between neighbors, but, as a rule, the surviving settlers of a
new country whose experiences run back a quarter of a
century are attached to each other; it would be unnatural to
be otherwise. Age may bring upon us its infirmities; it may
palsy the limbs, and gather the crows' feet insidiously about
the eyebrows, but as long as the faculties remain we shall
ever retain a feeling of fond recollection of the scenes and
incidents of other days, and of those who shared with us its
experiences, its joys and sorrows. And then again, people
who bear the same misfortune together become united in each
others interest and are bound together.
Every new County has to wrestle in the throes of doubt
and difficulty. The incoming population are generally of
moderate means, and come for the purpose of building a home
and acquiring a competence. The first acts of settlement are
liable to absorb the little that was brought with them, and for
a time it is a struggle with hardship, and sometimes for the
necessaries of life.
Their manner of living was not in commodious dwelling
houses, but in what was called a shanty or a shack. A set-
tler's shack, or shanty, was an exclusive western institution.
It was the first castle of the settler, was of generally uniform
si/.', Sxio, with a shed roof and tar paper covering. If any-
one doubted the continuous residence, the shanty was referred
to as the mute but standing witness, and the doubter became
silent under this avalanche of proof. There was also provided
a stove pipe, projecting through the roof, and this, added to
the shanty, emphasized the good faith of the settler. Occa-
sionally when the shack was left too long to itself, some mis-
chievous or malicious fellow carried away some part or all of
it, and the place that once knew it, knew it no more forever;
but among settlers themselves it was regarded as the sacred
habitation, the legal improvement, and everybody was warned
mm
mm
OOKS.
80 HISTORT OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
neither to disturb nor molest it. Sometimes, instead of this
kind of a habitation, the settler had a dugout or a sod shanty.
A dugout consisted of an excavation in the ground, a hole
large enough to live in, with a covering to it of some kind,
sufficient to shed the rain and enclose it; or, if the opportunity
was had, it was built into a knoll or the side of a hill. One
room served all the purposes of the homesteader and his
family. If he prospered for a season he would add to the
front of his abode by erecting walls of sod on the sides and
putting in a new front; the old would serve as a partition
between the two rooms. You would often, upon entering
such an abode, be surprised, for once you got through the
narrow hole, called a door, to get into it, you would find
elegant furniture, left over from the former residence, and an
organ with an imposing cathedral back, towering high in one
corner of the room.
Sometimes a settler's claim would be jumped, as they
called it, but jumping claims was a very disreputable and
sometimes a serious business. It was expected in those cases
where a party entirely neglected his duty as a settler and
paid no attention to the requirements of the homestead or
pre-emption law, that some one who could comply would
take the land and earn it with a continuous residence. But
where the settler was performing his duty to the best of his
ability, and was faithful to his claim, with good intentions, then
he who undertook to deprive him of it was a miscreant, and
the neighborhood would sit down on him with a determined
vengeance. Any person of character and respectability would
not jump a claim without the surest and safest of reasons, and
where a claimant abandoned his claim without actual settle-
ment, and with continued neglect, then it was the duty of any
seeking government land to take it, and let the other party
lose his rights by his delay. They did not blame anyone for
jumping a claim where the claimant showed had faith, but
where good faith was exhibited, then the act was repre-
hensible.
We will conclude this chapter with an experience of W.
R. Boling: Mr. Boling came to Osceola in the fall of 1872,
and left papers for filing on his claim in Horton Township,
where he now resides. He returned and remained that winter
in Powshiek County, and came back to Osceola in the spring
of 1873. While traveling out, he was joined by Ol. I lem-
m en way and John Wood, who were pointed fur Sheldon,
and settled there. Boling's trip was uneventful until lie
IflSTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 87
reached the Little Ocheyedan, about ten miles south of now
Ocheyedan Town, and was then on his way to Sibley. The
river from heavy snows that winter had become quite a stream,
but the ice was still underneath in some places. Doling had a
span of mules, a covered wagon filled with the requirements
of a settler, and the difficult task of crossing the Ocheyedan
was before him. He took a long pole, walked in sounding
the bottom to decide the question of safe crossing, and satisfied
himself that he could make it. He got aboard the wagon,
started up the mules and ventured to cross. When he was
about eight feet from the opposite side, the mules went into
the water out of sight, also one of the front wheels, leaving
the wagon partly tipped. Doling jumped into the stream to
try and right things, but had a narrow escape from drowning
and only by desperate effort reached the other side, and with-
out time to worry over the fix he was in, went to work at once
to save the outfit. One mule was completely under water,
and the other had his head just out of it; finally Doling got one
mule out and hitched on to the other one and pulled him out
upon the bank more dead than alive. A mule's existence
does not always require soft bedding and a palace barn, and
this one's experience demonstrates the fact that a mule can be
pretty well drowned and still live. Doling waited until both
of them got life enough to travel, then rode one and led the
other about eight miles to a settler's cabin, where he staid all
night, and, returning next morning with assistence, rescued
the wagon and its contents and renewed his journey.
CHAPTER XIII.
The blizzard of January 7, 1873, was a fearful one, and
considered as the worst this country ever experienced. These
storms are generally disastrous for the reason that they come
up suddenly. The morning may be fine and clear, causing
people to start out on the prairie, and in a sparsely settled
country where houses are several miles apart, a sudden blind-
ing snow storm makes it almost impossible to rind a shelter,
and is extremely dangerous to any who are out. On the
morning of January 7, 1873, the sun rose bright and warm,
giving promise of a beautiful day. There was then a stage
line between Spencer and Rock Rapids, the stage driver being
Peter Baker. He started out from Sibley in the forenoon
with one passenger, Mr. A. K. Jenkins, and when ten miles
west from Sibley they encountered that terrible blizzard out
on the unsettled prairie. It continued warm and pleasant until
about noon, when the treacherous northwest wind commenced
blowing and a dark cloud hovered in the western horizon.
The snow commenced creeping and sifting over the ground in
the peculiar insidious style so well known to every dweller on
our broad and unprotected prairies. In a very short time the
storm king was holding high carnival, and the air was tilled
with flying snow, driven by the force of the wind into the
minutest apertures and piling it into drifts wherever it en-
countered an obstacle.
The storm raged with scarcely an abatement until Thurs-
day morning, when the thermometer indicated 22 degrees
below zero.
As above stated, Mr. Jenkins, in company with Mr.
Baker, the stage driver on the Spencer and Rock Rapids
Stage Line, left Sibley for the latter point named; when about
ten miles distant from their destination the storm struck them
in all its fury, so completely hemming in their horses that they
>oon yielded to the influence of the cold and sunk down in a
deep snow drift and soon died. Mr. Jenkins tried to keep his
blood in circulation by walking, but to the contrary, he became
so helpless from the effects of the cold that even with the help
of his companion he was unable to regaip his seat in the coach.
After eighteen hours insane from suffering he laid down before
Mr. Baker's eyes and died.
90 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTS IOWA.
Meanwhile, Mr. Baker was conscious that he was losing
the use of his limbs, and could render his companion no further
assistance. Mr. Baker was found frozen to the knees on
Friday afternoon about 3 o'clock, about one-half mile from the
stage road; he was taken to the nearest house and cared for
until the next day. He was then taken to Sibley. Soon after,
both his legs were amputated, and on the 25th day of May,
1873, ne died.
George Hamilton was out in the same blizzard, and a
man of less nerve and endurance would have certainly per-
ished. Mr. Hamilton started in the morning to go to Milford,
and while only about four miles from home crossing the prai-
rie the storm struck him. To face the storm and try to re-
turn would have been the height, of folly. So that all Mr.
Hamilton could do was to go with it. This he did, and 'kept
on traveling until he came to a corn field, where the snow had
formed in large drifts, and into one of these his horses got
down. Mr. Hamilton worked with his horses until they were
on their feet again, and then as night was coming on, he un-
hitched and after having shovelled the snow away from the
front end of his wagon tied his horses there. Here he spent
the night, with that terrible storm howling in its fury, with no
shelter and really without sufficient clothing, for the storm
wasn't looked for. He kept at work shovelling the snow
away from where the horses stood and twice lay down near
the horses feet and got into a dose, and each time a horse
stepped on him, just enough to wake him up and he went to
work again. It is only a wonder that he didn't go to sleep
never to wake again, and probably such would have been his
fate, only for the horses feet. Finally morning dawned and
Mr. Hamilton feeling that he was near somebody's place, hol-
lered as loud as he could and there came a response. By this
communication of voice the parties living near by came to
where Hamilton was and himself and horses were gotten over
to the house, it being where Smith lived. The horses
were placed under shelter and soon Hamilton was in the
Smith shack which had the comforts of a stove, red with heat-
ing. Mr. Hamilton found that his clothing was not proof
against the driving snow, for it had drifted through in consid-
erable quantities next to the skin. He staid at the Smith hab-
itation two days, then when the storm was over made his trip
to Milford and on his return found parties searching for him,
supposing, of course, that he could not be otherwise than lost.
This narrow escape which George Hamilton had in this April
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA. 91
blizzard shows how easily a man of caution and of excel-
lent judgment can drift into danger, and where the chances of
living are against him, but a blizzard on an open prairie, comes
sometimes so unexpected and unlooked for that it is not alack
of caution nor an error in judgment to be caught out where
life becomes suddenly in danger. Mr. Hamilton's claim, as
will be noticed elsewhere, was then on Section 30, in Fairview
Township. Mr. Hamilton believes that his deliverance was
providential; that it was there on the prairie he made his first
original prayer which God gave him then and there the as-
surance that it would be verified.
In this same storm a resident of Fairview Township lost
his life. There was then a postoffice on the Spirit Lake and
Worthington route, about a mile south of where the town of
Round Lake now is. It was kept by William Mosier, and
Mr. Wheeler, whose claim was on Section in Fairview,
was at the postoffice in Mosier's house when the storm came
up. Wheeler started for home and unable to find his house,
he wandered with the storm and at last exhausted, benumbed
with cold, lay down and died. He got nearly to West
Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County. He was found soon as
the storm cleared up by Mr. Tuttle, whose house was not far
away from where Wheeler perished.
Some others were out in the blizzard, but not far from
home so that these got home safely.
One other death occurred in the county, that of Peter
Ladenberger. x\fter the storm he was missing and no trace
of him could be found it was concluded that he must have
perished. He was still unaccounted for until the 29th day of
November, 1873, when the account of his being found, given
at the time, is as follows: When Fred Krueger, while out
hunting in the valley of the Ocheyedan fifteen miles south-
east of Sibley, found the remains of some person, they
proved to be those of the unfortunate Ladenberger. Mr.
Krueger did not inform any person of the finding of the re-
mains until Sunday, when he related the facts to Mr. S. S.
Parker. Early Monday morning Mr. Parker came to town
and informed the proper authorities, who immediately sum-
moned a jury, consisting of Messrs. McCausland, Parker and
Warren; these gentlemen with the acting coroner, Mr. Tur-
ner, Dr. Mellen and some witnesses to identify the remains,
started for- the spot to determine, if possible, whose the re-
mains were. The party proceeded eastward to the Parker
settlement, where Krueger joined them; then going southeast
92 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
they crossed the Little Ocheyedan, the rolling prairie, and de-
scended into the broad valley of the Ocheyedan. When near
the junction of the Little Ocheyedan with the Ocheyedan, the
party separated, and going to the southwest Mr. Parker soon
discovered the remains. Tbe dead man was lying — probably
as he fell — breast down, with right arm thrown back. The
skull lay a few feet from the trunk. At his right foot was a
hole, and it is possible that the surface of the snow was on that
account uneven and caused him to stumble. A pipe, a car-
penter's pencil, a silver ring, several pocketbooks, cap and
pieces of clothing were found. The remains of the body
were placed in a coffin and taken to Sibley. The pocketbooks
were thawed out, and furnished conclusive evidence that the
dead man was Peter Ladenberger. On Tuesday the remains
were buried. Mr. Ladenberger was a carpenter, and the last
work he did was to put up the liberty pole on the courthouse.
He came from Sheboygan County, Wis., and had no relatives
in the county.
The first settler in Fairview Township was Mr. Ellis, who
took his claim there in 1871. This was the only claim taken
in that township during that year. There were considerable
many claims taken in this township in 1872, the year of a
general rush to Northwest Iowa. In April, 1872, George
Hamilton settled in Fairview and took east half of the north-
west quarter of Section 30. Mr. Hamilton drove with his
team, his wife with him, from Clinton County, Iowa, and after
taking the claim lived on it continuously until final proof, him-
self and wife not being away from it at the same time except
one night. He has now other land adjoining, but of these
early settlers in Fairview, who came there in 1872, Mr. Ham-
ilton is the only one of them who still lives in that township.
He put up on the start a very comfortable house, broke only
about four acres the first year, but has since been engaged in
extensive farming, and is a very worthy and substantial citizen
of Osceola County.
S, A. Dove came to Fairview in May, 1872, and settled
on the southwest quarter of Section 8. C. A. Foote the same
year took the northeast quarter of the same section. During
a later residence in the county, and after one of the blizzards,
it was impossible to get around with a team, and the neces-
saries of life to subsist upon were obtained by going on foot
with snow shoes. Dove and John Ilanna went to Worthing-
ton, eleven miles, with snow shoes, and drawing a hand sled.
Thev hauled butter to town and returned with Hour; there
:'h
JOHN A. FLOWER.
94
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
was no road, but they made the journey in a day, though their
return was after dark. Dove came from Clinton Count}", Iowa,
and drove through with a team. He put up first a sod house,
in which he lived two years, and then built a frame house, and
in 1890 moved to Ocheyedan, where he now resides.
Most of the settlers in Fair view have come at a recent
date, and but few reach back any number of years. Among
its leading farmers at the present time are S. Wright, Samuel
Peterson, John Ward, Frank Palmer, Levi Coyour, Charles
McLagen, S. C. Palmer, Fred Barneking, Fred Hindt, Ed.
Ward, Thos. Jackson, W. E. Proper, D. A. Hall, John Hanna,
Ed. Severence, Matthew Walling, William and Samuel Hanna,
E. S. Webster, George Miller, Jerry Bean, Milton Woodrow,
George Shephard, Steinkuehler, W. D. Hendrix and
William Mowthorpe.
The following is the way Osceola County stood in the
year 1873:
CENSUS OF OSCEOLA COUNTY FOR THE YEAR 1873.
HOLM AN TOWNSHIP.
Number of dwellings t8o
families 1 89
white males 320
" females 281
persons entitled to vote 187
militia - 153
foreigners not naturalized 3
acres of land improved 2,553
pounds of wool shorn in the year 1872 45
BUSHELS OF GRAIN RAISED IN 1872.
Wheat _• 2,2
a
a
«
u
a
a
a
Corn
Oats.
69
4,Soo
GOEWEY TOWNSHIP.
Number of dwellings .. . 143
families . _' 146
white males 277
" females 199
persons entitled to vote i.}7
militia ... 1
foreigners not naturalized 1
acres of land improved 3^4^4
a
a
a
u
a
a
a
u
a u
a a
a
a
HIS TORI OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 90
BUSHELS OF GRAIN RAISED IN 1 87 2.
Wheat 2, 1 74
Corn .... 5,420
Oats .... 2,605
Barley 346
FENTON TOWNSHIP.
Number of dwellings 39
" "families 40
" white males 76
" females 65
persons entitled to vote 43
" militia _. 39
" acres of land improved 866
BUSHELS OF GRAIN RAISED IN 1 87 2.
Wheat _ _ J 694
Corn 2,265
Oats . 680
WILSON TOWNSHIP.
Number of dwellings 32
" "families 32
" " white males 64
" " " females 63
" " persons entitled to vote 34
" "militia :. 22
" '< acres of land improved 420
" " pounds of wool shorn in 1872 5
BUSHELS OF GRAIN RAISED IN 1 87 2.
Wheat 39
Corn 1,337
IIORTON TOWNSHIP.
Number of dwellings '. . - 17
" "families 426
" " white males . 40
" " " females . 30
" " persons entitled to vote . 20
" militia 18
" acres of land improved 144
" bushels of corn raised in the year 1872 40
9(5
UISTOin OF OSCEOLA COUNT)', IOWA.
In 1873 Osceola County had the following:
Number of dwellings
families
white males
" females
persons entitled to vote
militia
foreigners not naturalized
acres of land improved 7?444
pounds of wool shorn in the year 1872 50
BUSHELS OF GRAIN RAISED IN 1 87 2.
Wheat 5,176
Corn ...._■ 1 3,862
Oats 4,857
Barley 346
419
426
779
630
43i
324
4
IBIlpIl
CENTRAL BLOCK, SIBLEY.
CHAPTER XIV.
We will now leave the general run of settlement for a
few chapters and speak of the County's finances in its method
of doing business in the early days. Lawyers' fees seemed
to be the most prominent method of " raising the wind."
Winspear was a lawyer, Blackmer was a lawyer, and, indeed,
it was the old saying repeated, that " Ceaser had a party, and
Brutus a party, but Rome had none." Other lawyers, also
outside the County, had a hand in it, but still there were
several lawyers in the County at the time who were battling
the gang in their thieving operations.
The early part of Osceola County, indeed northwestern
Iowa, for the Sioux City lawyers, was, as Deacon Howell
remarked of Lyon County, "a field for legitimate speculation."
Sioux City itself then was not prolific with litigation, clients
were not numerous, and the Argus eyes of some of its distin-
guished disciples of Blackstone magnified the gigantic wrongs
of this grasshoppered district, and their tender sympathies
were manifested by professional services and condolence to
the tune of retainer fees, which in the days of old Rome would
have made the eloquent Cicero himself blush with hesitation
in receiving them. The many grievances that seemed to
afflict these northwestern Counties then were simply astonish-
ing, but the remedies suggested by the legal fraternity to be
applied by use of County warrants were appalling and appar-
ently numberless. Sioux City then was the guardian of these
afflicted Counties, and when a steal was to be perpetrated, or
when suspicion of its coming perpetration caused a ripple of
comment and excitement among the people, then both boodler
and reformer would hie themselves to Sioux City, and within
the offices of their respective counsel the shadow of defeat for
the one, or the sunshine of success for the other, would be
thoroughly discussed, which would result either in an exhibi-
tion of unbounded "cheek" or a triumph for the watchers and
waiters for an honest administration. But the time finally
arrived when the scathing voice of the people brought these
wild speculations and exoribitant retainer fees to a close, and
County affairs were held down to the bed-rock of reason and
economy, and there was established rules of good government
and efficient administration, which no one since has been dis-
posed to violate nor depart from.
J. W. KAYE,
322557B
100 HISTORY OF OSCEOL I COUNTT, IOWA.
Indignation
MEETING
Swamp Land
An Indignation Meeting will be held at
SIBLEY, MONDAY, AUG. 26, 72, at 2 p. in., for the
purpose of taking action against the
SWAMP LAND FRAUD.
Osceola County <loes not wish to become involved
in a debt of $20,000.00 without anything to show
for it. CO ME EVERY MAX.
Gazette Print, Sibley, Osceola <'<>., Iowa,
\
W. L. PARKER.
102 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
The boodler gang which had fastened itself upon Osceola
County in 1872, had by the boldness and mercenary motives
of their operations, excited a strong and desperate feeling of
opposition among the settlers. That year it was a theme for
discussion, the topic of conversation, and taxed the ingenuity
and better judgment of the honest element of the county as to
what to do. Each side had their friends, and no other ques-
tion entered into the election in the fall of 1872, except to elect
into office representatives from one side or the other. On the
26th day of August, 1872, by a previous call, there was as-
sembled in Sibley, near the Sibley hotel, a large concourse of
settlers from all over the connty, numbering about five hun-
dred. These men were eager and determined in the feeling
and spirit of reform, and were indignant. The meeting had
been called by H. G. Doolittle, D. L. Riley and John Hawxs-
hurst, and a circular requesting the settlers to meet had been
sent over the county. The meeting was organized by electing
D. L. Riley chairman.
It will be seen by the records of the board that there was
to be swamp land selections, and that Frank Stiles was ap-
pointed to select them. Settlers in the county were afraid
that this unscrupulous gang might report some of their claims
as on the swamp land order, and thus complicate their titles
and throw their claims into contest and litigation, which would
be troublesome and expensive. This question was discussed
at the meeting also, and several made speeches. However
much the settlers then may have been poor in this world's
goods, there was not at this meeting any poverty of language.
Winspear himself appeared and made a statement that in
swamp land selections it was the railroad company lands they
were after, and not the land occupied by settlers. He also
read a letter from the Sioux City attorneys stating this fact,
and among other things the letter instructed the Board to issue
the six thousand dollars attorney fee in warrants of one thous-
and each. Speeches were made by D. L. Riley, Hawxshurst,
Doolittle and others, and the meeting finaly culminated in ap-
pointing a committee of twenty-seven men, and these men
were instructed to take the necessary steps to bring about
the resignation of objectionable members of the Board of
Supervisors, and to carry the feeling of reform into practical
results in all departments of the county administration. This
committee consisted of D. D. McCallum, George Hamilton
M. J. Campbell, C. W. Wyllys, M. D. Hadsell, John .Doug-
lass, E. Huff, Geo. Ketcham, John P. Hawxshurst, C. M.
^y^- r^^i .
W. L. PARKERS DRUG STORE.
104 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
Brooks, F. M. Robinson, J. F. Glover, A. M. Culver, W. H.
Gates, H. L. Baker, Robt. Stamm, H. G. Doolittle, C. C.
Jewel, Stickney, B. F. Tabler, C. C. Ogan, Rev.
Jones.
This committee demanded of the Board of Supervisors
that they resign. The committee also organized, electing
George Ketcham Captain, John Douglass First Lieutenant
and M. D. Hadsell, Second Lieutenant. Nothing was done
by them except upon a general conference, discussion and
deliberation, and a final decision by vote of the committee as
to the moves to be made. It was first decided to proceed to
the house of H. R. Fenton, and demand his resignation at
once, and if he refused to resign to carry out the vigilance
committee act, and suspend the victim, as is usual in such
cases, in mid-air. About the first day of September in this
year of 1872, the committee met at the house of C. W.
Wyllys and at about 10 o'clock in the evening started from
there and went to Fenton's house. The committee took a
rope along with them sufficient in strength for the hanging,
and if the demands of the committee were not complied with,
were anxious to use it. The committee halted in the slough
west of Fenton's house and sent the Captain and the two lieu-
tenants to make demand upon the Supervisor. Inquiry was
made at the house and the three committee delegates were
informed that Fenton was away from home, and it was
learned afterwards that there was a traitor in the reform
camp, and that Fenton had been notified and was in hiding.
Fenton was then living on Section 20, in Wilson Township.
The . committee then proceeded to Winspear's house,
which is where now lives, and the larger part of
them remained in the railroad cut, near the house, while a
delegation went to the house to demand the resignation.
Winspcar and friends, this committee's representatives were
informed, said there would be no resignation, and that the
inside of the house was an arsenal, and any attempt at violence
would be resisted and that somebody would be killed. The
committee, upon learning this state of affairs, retired peace-
full)' to their homes, and probably wondering when would
this "cruel war be over."
The next day it was rumored that Stiles had a warrant
of arrest for Douglass, so that this irrepressible Scotchman
cleaned up his six-shooter, went to Sibley, and tackled Stiles
about the warrant, which Stiles denied. At this time Stiles
had appointed twenty-six deputies, for his own and friends'
HUGH JORDAN
106 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
protection, and these were in Ward's saloon when Douglass
went in. Their guns were standing around against the side
of the building, when Douglass got some fellow to go around
behind Pat Larkins' building and make a cry of lire, which he
did, when the twenty-six deputies rushed out of the building
at this unusual sound, and Douglass, left alone, dumped the
shooting-irons through a trap door where there was about four
feet of water.
In the fall of 1872 Blackmer and some others went to
Sioux City with $40,000 of Holman School District warrants
for the purpose of negotiating, and D. D. McCallum happened
to be in the city at the time and learning that these parties
were there with the warrants and of their intentions, and know-
ing the fraudulent character of the paper, notified the banks
so that Blackmer and his party were unable to negotiate them.
Blackmer returned to Sibley with them, and was made to give
them up, all but a $1,000 warrant which was kept upon the
statement that he had none left. A. M. Culver was then one
of the most active participants in the opposition forces against
the Winspear crowd. During the winter of 1871-72 Culver
took Winspear to Sioux City in a sleigh, in February, and
Winspear had with him the $350 warrant issued for a map of
the Count}- which the County had not yet seen. Culver knew
nothing of the warrant, and Winspear in the genial feeling of
companionship, suggested to Culver that as he was Treasurer
of the County, there was a chance to make some money, and
upon inquiry from Culver how it was to be done, said, to buy
the warrants at a discount and turn them in for cash. Culver
replied to him that as a county officer the law forbid it, and
aside from that he did not want to make money that way.
Winspear negotiated the map warrant at Sioux City on this
trip, and on his return Winspear was accused of selling the
warrant which he did not deny, but undertook to lay some of
the blame onto Culver and told their conversation, distorting
and misrepresenting what Culver had said. There was a
crowd of settlers on that day in Sibley and this trip to Sioux-
City being the topic of conversation, Culver mounted a dry
goods box and with that spirit of energy characteristic of the
man, and in a feeling of indignation, he told the conversation
that had taken place between himself and Winspear and
branded Winspear as a liar and a knave. This was expected
by some to bring about an open warfare and a resort to weap-
ons for the ripple of excitement was great and almost irre-
pressible, but the occasion passed off without disturbance, save
G. L. CASWELL.
108 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
and except a war of words. County officers then, as now,
were required to give bonds, but as all were homesteaders a
bond could not be given in the county that would fill the re-
quirements of the law but bonds were accepted with such
signers as the officials could obtain. Soon after the Winspear
administration had charge of the affairs it was found that Cul-
ver would not do their bidding, so that under the pretense of
apprehension Culver was notified that he must give a gilt-
edged bond or the books would be taken away from him and
he was given a certain length of time to procure the bond.
Culver immediately, unbeknown to anybody, went to LeMars
and obtained good names and then to Sioux City and obtained
the name of T. J. Stone for $5,000. When the board met it
was supposed that Culver had been unable to better the bond
and Sheriff Stiles was ready to turn Culver out, but the Treas-
urer showed up what he had and the Board relapsed into si-
lence and acquiescence. The $6,000 allowed to H. B. Wilson
and Joy & Wright as a retainer on the swamp land business
was paid, but no swamp land was ever reclaimed or recovered,
fn justice, however, to all parties concerned, we present the
following communication from the attorneys, which appeared
January 9, 1874:
Editors Gazette:
We are compelled, by the position in which we find our-
selves placed, to make the following statement to the citizens
and taxpayers of Osceola County:
It is well known to the majority of your citizens that we
have been employed to commence and prosecute the necessary
suit or suits to recover for Osceola County her swamp lands,
and that a retainer was paid us for that purpose.
By the terms of the agreement entered into between the
county and ourselves, the county was to employ a competent
surveyor — accompanied with good and truthful men, as wit-
nesses — to make a selection of swamp lands, and ascertain the
owner or owners thereof. And under this agreement, but
against our advice and in opposition to our protest, the Board
appointed Mr. Frank Stiles to make said selection. We urged
upon the Board that Mr. Stiles was not the person to make
the selection, not from any animosity to him, but because he
was neither a theoretical or practical engineer or surveyor;
because he was at that time (whether justly or unjustly) un-
popular with a large number of your citizens, and any selections
he might make would meet with more or less opposition, by
reason ot a want of confidence in him.
-
nmm
V
' k
W. R. BOLING.
110 HISTORT OF OSCEOLA COUNTS IOWA.
Under said appointment, Mr. Stiles went on and made a
pretended selection of swamp lands, and did the work in such
a manner that it was universally admitted, by citizens of the
county, that no action could successfully be maintained upon
it. We so advised the Board of Supervisors — the selection
was repudiated, and the Board agreed to have another and
proper selection made. Soon after this a new Board of
Supervisors came into office, and we have been constant and
unremitting in our efforts to induce them to have the swamp
lands of the countv selected, so that we can commence the
necessary suit or suits, but without avail.
Now we want the citizens of Osceola County to know
and understand that we entered into an engagement with the
county in good faith. It is impossible for us to make the
selection; this the county must do, and the interests of the
county imperatively demand that it should be attended to at
once. For reasons, that it would be improper here to state,
the county may lose her swamp lands if she does not move in
this matter promptly. It is certain that further delay will
greatly complicate the matter. If the county expects to ac-
quire swamp lands, there must be a speedy assertion of her
rights, and this can only be done by making the proper
selections. We will not be answerable for the result of such
delay.
We are about to commence the necessary suit to recover
the swamp lands of Lyon County in the next term of the
District Court, and it would be convenient to commence in
your county about the same time.
We submit to the people of Osceola County that it is not
treating us in good faith to place us in our present position in
reference to this matter, and we wish it to be understood that
if the swamp land claims of Osceola County are not prosecuted
it will not be our fault. H. B. Wilson,
Joy & Wright.
This sort of belligerent spirit, or fighting campaign be-
tween the contending forces, soon died away, and other and
more peaceful methods were concluded upon. It was thought
hest to resort to legal proceedings and at the coming election,
in the fall of 1872, to rally and elect a reform member of the
board.
CHAPTER XV.
PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, PARTIALLY GIVEN,
INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE.
The first session of the Board, and the session of the first
Board, was held January i, 1891.
The Board was called to order by County Auditor, and
there were present as members J. H. Winspear and II. R.
Fenton. J. H. Winspear was elected Chairman. Eldredge
Morrison qualified as Clerk of Holman Township, A. M. Culver
as Treasurer of the County, H. L. Clapsaddle as Justice of
the Peace for Holman Township, Geo. W. Ketcham as Clerk
of Horton Township, O. Dunton as Justice of the Peace for
Horton Township, Frank Stiles as Justice for Holman Town-
ship, and Delily Stiles took the oath of office as County Sup-
erintendent of Schools. The Board then adjourned to the
next day, and met with the same members present.
It was voted to give orders to Perkins Bros., of Sioux
City, for books and stationery required for. County purposes.
C. M. Brooks qualified as Clerk of the District Court, M. J.
Campbell as County Surveyor, and Geo. Spaulding appealed
and took the oath of office as County Supervisor. Benjamin
F. Cox qualified as Clerk of Goewey Township, and the
Board then adjourned to January 3, the next day.
The Board met as per adjournment, at which meeting the
above members werepresent, with the addition of Geo. Spauld-
ing. L. L. Webb qualified as Constable for Holman Town-
ship, and D. F. Curtiss as Justice in Goewey Township. The
following appointments were then made: — Garvin,
Coroner of the County; Frank Stiles, Sheriff; and William
Jepson, Justice for Goewey Township. A large number of
petitions asking that County roads be laid out were presented
and allowed, and the Board adjourned to the next day, Jan-
uary 4.
At this adjourned meeting January 4, it was ordered
that the County Surveyor select ten sections of land that may
be marked swamp lands on the district land office plat, or as
near ten sections as he could. It was voted that Sibley be the
county seat. Frank Stiles then qualified as Sheriff, John
112 HISTORr OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
Beaumont as Drainage Commissioner. Forty-live dollars was
appropriated for paupers to be divided among the three town-
ships. It was then voted to call a special election to vote on
court house bonds to the amount of live thousand dollars; also
to vote as to whether stock shall be prevented from running
at large.
John F. Glover asked that the County Auditor be author-
ized to accept the bond of D. L. McCausland as County Re-
corder, which he was, provided the bond was presented by
January 10, 1872. It was also voted to call for bids for a
house 14x20 feet, to be used by county officers. Provision
was then made for desks and fuel.
Salaries were fixed as follows:
Treasurer, for the year $ 1 ,000
Auditor, " " " 840
Recorder, " " " 500
The following accounts were then allowed :
Geo. Spaulding, supervisor and mileage $21 76
H. R. Fenton, " " " .. 17 44
J. H. Winspear, " " " 1600
F. M. Robinson, services to Sioux City _ 60 00
H. R. Fenton, " " " 6000
J. H. Winspear, " " " 6000
William Hecker, maps of county 350 00
Frank Stiles, township trustee 2 00
John Beaumont, " " 2 00
H. K. Rogers, use of building _ 8 00
The Board then adjourned to meet February 12, 1872.
The Board met as per adjournment February 12, 1872,
and the election in the mean time having been held to vote on
the court house bonds and on stock running at large, the vote
was canvassed and resulted as follows:
For court house bonds 9
Against court house bonds 52
For the act restraining stock 61
Against the act of restraining stock _ 1
The Board then recognized D. L. McCausland as Re-
corder and approved his bond, and also approved the appoint-
ment of John F. Glover as Deputy Recorder. The Board
then adjourned to meet the next day, February 13.
At this, February 13, meeting Perkins Bros, were allowed
$300 on their bill for books. One dollar was allowed on the
scalp of each fox in addition to the state allowance, and the
salary of C. M. Brooks, Clerk of Court, was fixed at $50 per
G. W, MEADER HARDWARE BUILDING.
114 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COl'NTV, IOWA.
month. It was also voted to advertise in the LeMars Vidette
for bids for the erection of a court house to be 20x40 feet and
paid for in county warrants. The Board then adjourned to
meet next day, February 15.
The Board met as per adjournment, February 15, 1872.
Their first act was to authorize the County Auditor to take
legal measures to take the books of the County Recorder's
office from John Beaumont and turn them over to D. L.
McCausland. There was then allowed various bills for the
support of paupers, county seals, Supervisors' services, and
other things aggregating $342.36, and after this the Board
adjourned without day.
The next meeting of the Board was April 1, 1872, and at
this meeting the reports of road commissioners were acted
upon and several roads established and designated. John
Beaumont was allowed $30 salary while he was Recorder and
D. L. McCausland $62.60 for expenses in obtaining possession
of Recorder's books.
The next meeting of Board was the next day, April 2,
at which time other business was transacted with reference to
roads. M. J. Campbell was approved as deputy clerk of
courts, and Lewis E. Diefendorf as deputy treasurer. It was
then voted to employ Geo. W. Wakefield to secure the adjust-
ment of swamp land claims of the county against the United
States.
The next meeting of the Board was April 3, and no
business of importance was transacted.
The next meeting of the Board was April 4, 1S72, at
which time it was voted to accept the bid of Henry Phrings-
ton for putting up court house building, for the sum of $1,249.
There was also bills allowed for several purposes, supervisors
services, paupers, officers pay, etc., in all aggregating $639.99.
The Board next met May 6, 1872. This session was not
extended and no business of importance transacted. Bills
were allowed for surveving, goods furnished county, expenses
to Sioux City, etc., aggregating $283.55.
Next meeting of the Board was held June 3, 1872, which
was unimportant.
The Board next met on the 4th day of June, at which
time Perkins Bros, were allowed $1,500 for county books, and
there was no other business except in connection with the
establishment of roads.
Board met again June 5. At this meeting it was voted
to appropriate $500 in building a bridge across Otter Creek
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 115
on Section 15, Township 98, Range 42. Also the sum of
$350 to build a bridge across Ocheyedan Creek on the
Ocheyedan Valley road, $200 in bridging Otter Creek on
Section 13, Township 99, Range 42, $160 bridging Otter
Creek on County road No. 11, and $135 bridging Otter
Creek on Section 12, Township 99, Range 42. There was
also allowed various bills for salaries, fees, and other things,
aggregating $598.21.
The next meeting of Board was held June 6, and at this
meeting no business was transacted, except bridging Ocheye-
dan Creek near Section 16, Township 99, Range 40.
Board met again June 7, 1872, and it was voted that
sealed proposals be received for building six bridges. It was
also voted — upon a petition presented by John F. Glover,
John Beaumont and others — that Henry Phringston be allowed
$100 to release County from his contract to build court
house, and that an election be called to vote on court house
bonds to the amount of $5,000 with which to build court
house. Bills were then allowed to the amount of $82.18, and
Board adjourned to July 17, 1S72.
Board met again July 17, as per adjournment, and nothing
was done except passing the following resolution:
" Wliereas, On the 17th day of July, 1872, by a decree of
the District Court in and for the County of Osceola, in the
State of Iowa, John A. Schmidt, Esq., recovered a judgment
against the County of Osceola for the sum of three thousand
fifty and twenty hundredths dollars ($3,050.20), and,
" Whereas, On the 17th day of July, 1872, the said John
A. Schmidt, Esq., under the provisions of Chapter 174, Laws
of 1872, elected not to issue execution on said judgment, but
to receive payment of said judgment in the bonds of Osceola
County, bearing 10 per cent interest per annum, and,
" Wliereas, In our judgment the interests of Osceola
County will be best subserved and promoted by issuing said
bonds, therefore be it
"Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors of Osceola
County, that the County of Osceola do issue its bonds, in
compliance with the election of said John A. Schmidt to
liquidate said judgment, and that the President of the Board
and the County Auditor are directed and instructed to duly
execute said bonds under the seal of Osceola County."
Board met again July 18, 1872, and at this meeting the
votes cast for court house bonds at the second election were
canvassed, and the following was the count:
116 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNT!', IOWA.
FOR BONDS.
Holman Township 57
Goewey Township 3
Horton Township 7
Total number for 67
AGAINST BONDS.
Holman Township 4
Goewey Township ... . 10
Horton Township 8
Total number against 22
Following this, the usual resolution to provide for bonds
and carry out the vote was passed. C. I. Hill, Henry
Phringston and D. L. Riley were appointed a committee to
prepare plans and specifications for court house. The con-
tract to build the six bridges mentioned in a previous meeting
were then let to various parties, the six aggregating $1,522.
There was then appropriated $135 to bridge on east line of
Section 26, Township 100, Range 42; $250 was also appro-
priated for bridge on Section 34, Township, Range 42; and
$300 for building bridge across Ocheyedan.
The next meeting of Board was held July 18. This
meeting fixed the sheriff's salary at $200 per year, and passed
bills aggregating $981.11.
The next meeting of the Board was held August 12,
1872. The following resolution was passed:
"Resolved, That H. B. Wilson and Joy & Wright are
hereby employed as counsel to prosecute the swamp land
claims for the county, and that we allow them the sum of
$6,000 in county warrants as a retainer and compensation, and
the Auditor is instructed to issue warrants for the same, and
that the contingent interest in the lands that may be recovered
shall not exceed the proportion they are to receive in Lyon
County for prosecuting their swamp land claims."
Frank Stiles was appointed to make the necessary
survey of the swamp lands, and his compensation was fixed at
10 cents an acre. The contract to build court house was
awarded to Henry Phringston for $3,447, and the court house
was to be completed by November 1, 1872. Bills were then
allowed for various things amounting in all to $368.74.
Board again met September 2, 1872. Nothing was done
FRED H. BUNKER.
118 ///STOAT OF OSCEOLA COUNT]-. IOWA.
at this meeting, except such business as pertained to the estab-
lishment of roads.
Next meeting of the Board September 2.
The following resolution was adopted: " Resolved, That
the chairman of the Board of Supervisors be hereby instructed
to employ such counsel as he may deem necessary to defend
the county in the measures now adopted by the Board of
Supervisors." There was then allowed bills to the amount of
if 388, and the Board adjourned.
Board again met September 17, 1872. There was con-
siderable business done in the establishment of county roads,
and levies were made, as follows :
For State revenue, 2 x / 2 mills.
For ordinary county revenue, 4 mills.
For support of schools, 2 mills.
For paj'ment of court house bonds, 5 mills.
For payment of interest on judgment bonds, 3^ mills.
There was also passed the following resolution :
"Resolved, That C. W. Blackmer is hereby authorized to
purchase fifty-one volumes of the Iowa reports, and that we,
the Board of Supervisors of Osceola County, hereby appro-
priate $700 for the purchase of the same, and the County
Auditor is hereby instructed to issue that amount of County
warrants to C. W. Blackmer, for the purpose of obtaining said
Iowa Reports for the use of the county."
There was also allowed bills at this session aggregating
$600.08, among which were:
Frank Stiles, hand cuffs and leg irons $ 51
Frank Stiles, attending court with twenty-seven deputies,
September 2 56
Frank Stiles, attending court with five deputies, Septem-
ber 3 12
C. W. Blackmer, attorney's fees_ . 40
J. H. Winspear, attending court 12
J. H. Winspear, expenses and services to Sioux City see-
ing to the printing of the court house bonds , _ . 100
The Board next met October 7, 1872. At this meeting
Horton Township, as originally organized, was divided into
three civil townships, as follows: Township 100, Range 42,
to be known as Fenton Township. Township 100, Range 41,
to be called Wilson Township. Township 100, Range 40, to
be called Horton Township. Elections for township officers
for these townships were ordered for the general election in
1872, to be held in Wilson Township at the house of James
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 119
Miller; for Fenton Township, at the house of John H. Hart;
for Horton Township, at the house of L. G. Ireland. It was
voted to allow Crandall & Hall $900, part payment on bridge
contract. Bills were allowed amounting to $1,025.40.
The Board next met October 21, 1872. At this meeting
a resolution was passed authorizing Henry Phringston to build
privy, coal house, steps to court house, one vane and flag
staff and to fit up room under the stairway, for which he was
to receive in addition to court house contract, $1,053. BiH s
were then allowed amounting to $310.25.
The next meeting of the Board was held November 11,
1S72. At this meeting the votes cast at the general election
held this month were canvassed. As there is, in another part
of this history, the names of all officers of the county since its
organization, the officers declared elected at this session will
be found there. It was also voted to issue bonds for $1091.65
to J. M. Grant to satisfy a judgment obtained by Grant against
the county; also voted to issue bonds to the amount of
$1,339.06 to Condion & Harris to satisfy a judgment they had
obtained in the circuit court against Osceola County.
The next meeting of the Board was on November 13,
1872. At this meeting Henry Phringston was instructed to
get the court house furniture from the railroad depot and to
set it up, and for these services was allowed $250. Delialy
Stiles, County Superintendent, was allowed $200 as salary
from January 1, 1872 to January 1, 1873.
The following resolution was passed:
Resolved, That the Auditor is hereby instructed to fit up
and furnish the two north rooms on the first floor and a jury
room on the second floor of the court house for the use and
benefit of the poor of the county and to furnish provisions and
everything he deems necessary for the comfort of the same.
There was also allowed bills of various kinds and amounts,
aggregating $2,403.21, among which were:
Henry Phringston, drawing plans and specifications
of court house Jp6o 00
J. H. Winspear, inspecting court house 10 00
Furniture for court house 1,102 00
The Board next met November 27, at which no business
was transacted, except a small amount for burning around
bridge for $4.20.
The next meeting of the Board was held December 16,
1872, at which were present the members, as at other meet-
ings, being J. H. Winspear, H. R. Fenton and George Spauld-
120 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
ing. The Auditor was instructed to issue a warrant of $106.03
to pay the premium for $2,000 insurance on the court house
and furniture, in the Home Insurance Company of Columbus,
Ohio; warrant issued to W. H. Turner.
H. R. Fenton was instructed to procure safe for Treas-
urer, and the Auditor ordered to issue warrant to pay what
was necessary for it. Board adjourned to Dec. 17.
Board met Dec. 17, 1872, as per adjournment. Mr.
Spaulding was not present. It was ordered by the Board that
the Auditor employ an attorney in Clayton County to get
proof of the residence of Thomas Carroll. It was voted to
issue bonds to William C. Frye in the amount of $6,300 to
satisfs- a judgment against the County in the United States
Court, and also a warrant of $38.80 to said Frye, which would
complete payment of judgment. A new survey of swamp
lands was then ordered, and in connection therewith the fol-
lowing resolution was passed:
" Resolved, That Frank Stiles is hereby allowed the sum
of five hundred dollars for the use of his present survey book
of swamp land selections for Osceola County as a guide to the
County in conducting the new survey of swamp lands of said
County this day ordered by the Board of Supervisors, and
that the Auditor is instructed to issue a warrant to said
Frank Stiles of that amount, upon his delivering said survey
book to the Auditor at his office."
Board then adjourned to Dec. 18, at which meeting noth-
ing was done except allowances for bills of various amounts
and kinds, aggregating $1,231.76.
Board met again Dec. 30, 1872, members all present. The
first thing done w.as to instruct the Auditor to insure court
house and furniture in the Hawkeye Insurance Company to
the amount of $2,000, and issue warrant sufficient to pay
premium. It was then voted to accept the proposition of L.
A. Barker to print 5,000 pamphlets on Osceola Count}' for
distribution, and the Auditor was instructed to issue warrant
for $800 to pay the same.
The Board next met December 31. The official bonds
were approved and the Auditor's salary was increased; as also
that of the Recorder. Polk & Ilubbell, of Dos Moines, were
allowed $100 for service in the case of Wm. O. Frye vs.
Osceola County. Bills were then allowed amounting to
$1,269.94. Among the bills allowed were:
G. W. LISTER.
12'J HISTORl OF OSCEOLA <<>(\T). TOW A.
Frank Stiles, balance on bridge grading, etc $475 °°
J. II. Winspear, railroad fare to defend in Frye vs.
County 60 00
J. H. Winspear, expenses in same case 40 00
C. \V. Blackmer, counsel and advice 250 00
This last meeting of the Board closed the fust year's ad-
ministration of the County Supervisors. As near as can be
ascertained from a thorough search of the records and the
minutes of the Board, there was issued in county wan-ants
during the year 1872, if 29,000. There was also issued bonds
in the sum of $17,801.41. These bonds were based upon
judgments rendered in different courts, and aside from the
court house bonds, the judgments are based upon actions
brought upon county warrants which are a part of the $29,000
of warrants issued. The exact indebtedness at the close of
1872 cannot be accurately determined, but to approximate it
would stand as follows;
Bonds drawing 10 per cent, interest $17,801 31
Count v warrants : iS,ooo 00
Continuing as to the Board of Supervisors, there was to
be one member of the Board elected at the general election
in 187:. At this election D. L. Riley and L. F. Diefendorf
were candidates for the office, and the votes were a little
mixed on the Rilev ballots. Thev read D. I. Rilev, D. L.
Riley and L. F. Riley, so that the Board declared the result
as follow s :
VOTES
L. F. Diefendorf 78
D. I. Rilev 7^
D. L. Rilev 55
L. F. Riley 1
And officially declared that Diefendorf was eleeted.
It cannot be found, how ever, from the records that Diefen-
dorf ever qualified or acted with the Board. We know
nothing of the man, but he undoubtedly conscientiously felt
that he was not entitled to the office, and did not have the
audacity nor the desire to force himself upon the people even
with the Board's decision that he was "duly eleeted." Some-
thing had to be done, however, to straighten the record and
overturn this official decision made by the Board, so that the
proper proceedings were instituted by D. L. Riley, as con-
testant, against Diefendorf, incumbent. The tribunal then to
decide contested elections consisted of the Circuit Judge and
two associate judges, one chosen by the contestant and the
Ill STORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 123
other by incumbent. Riley chose I. N. Gardner, and as the
incumbent failed to make a choice, the Clerk of the Court,
then J. F. Glover, made choice of A. M. Culver. The court
so constituted met at Sibley January 2, 1873, anc ^ that day and
the day following was taken up in preliminary matters, and
making up issues, also receiving evidence, and on these days,
and including the next day, the case was fully presented to
the court. On January 4, 1873, the court decided that the
contestant, D. L. Riley, was entitled to the oflice, and he then
and there appeared and took the oath of ollice and thereby
became a member of the Board, leaving Diefendorf to pay the
costs.
BOARD PROCEEDINGS OF 1873.
The first meeting of the Board in 1873 was held January
6, and was called to order by the County Auditor, and there
were present H. R. Fenton and D. L. Riley. Riley elected
Fenton chairman, and the Board proceeded to approve official
bonds and adjourned until afternoon.
At the afternoon session the three members were present,
which added George Spaulding, and these three constituted
the Board. Some business was transacted with reference to
roads, and the Board adjourned until the next day, January 7.
January 7? 1S73, the three members were present. J. H.
Douglass, Sheriff, notified the Board that he had appointed C.
M. Bailey as deputy: J. F. Glover, Clerk of Court, gave notice
that he had appointed as deputy, F. M. Robinson, and F. M.
Robinson, County Auditor, notified the Board that his deputy
was C. M. Brooks. The Board then fixed the salaries of
oflice, which were to be paid at the end of each month, as
follows :
Treasurer $ 50 00
Auditor 100 00
Clerk of Court . _ 40 00
Recorder 40 00
Sheriff 16 65
County Superintendent of Schools . 15 00
The Board then allowed various bills amounting in all to
$331.57, and adjourned to January 20.
January 20, 1873, the Board met pursuant to adjournment,
and there were present Fenton and Spaulding, Riley being
absent. Nothing was done particularly at this session. John
Beaumont was allowed $58.35 for services as recorder the
year before, up to the time McCausland gobbled the books,
and other bills were allowed amounting to $541.60. The
Board then adjourned to meet February 20 next.
124 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
•
February 20, meeting of the Board was held as per
adjournment, with Fenton and Spaulding present, Riley
absent. It was voted that Chairman Fenton employ any
counsel to appear for the county any time he may deem it
necessary. The following astounding resolution was then
passed :
"Resolved, That the proposition of C. W. Blackmer be
accepted, and the Auditor of this county is hereby directed to
issue to the said C. W. Blackmer the sum of twenty thousand
dollars, in warrants of such dimensions as the said C. W.
Blackmer may determine. It is understood and agreed that,
out of the sum so issued to the said C. W. Blackmer, he is to
compensate the assistant counsel which he has agreed to
employ, and,
" Whereas, The said C. W. Blackmer has further pro-
posed to this Board that he will accept for the remainder of
his compensation a contingent fee of 20 per cent of the
amount recovered from the railroad company and Woodbury
County, therefore, be it further
"Resolved, That said County of Osceola will pay the said
C. W. Blackmer and his assistant counsel the said contingent
fee of 20 per cent, provided the same shall amount to more
than the said sum of twenty thousand dollars; it being under-
stood that the said sum of twenty thousand dollars is to be
deducted from said sum of 20 per cent, and that the said
C. W. Blackmer and his assistant counsel are only to receive
the balance, if any remaining, as a contingent fee."
The Board then appointed L. F. Diefendorf as their
clerk fro tern., by reason of F. M. Robinson refusing to act
as clerk in issuing warrants to Blackmer. It seems that at
this time there was considerable excitement in the county
over this $20,000 to Blackmer, which caused the Board in
the afternoon of this same session to rescind the resolution,
and they passed another, employing Winspear and Blackmer
to recover back taxes from the railroad company, allowing
the attorneys a retainer of $500 and 25 per cent on the
amount recovered. It was also voted that C. M. Brooks
should hang blinds upon the court house windows at $4.50
each, and the Auditor was authorized to issue a warrant of
$400 to said Brooks, immediately, as part payment, balance
to be paid when work was completed. The Treasurer's
salary was then increased to $100 per month, and a warrant
drawn for $50 for the extra compensation in January.
February 21, 1873, the Board again met with Fenton and
Spaulding present, and Riley absent. The Board ordered a
Art ENfc. &•
S' P
SIBLEY ROLLER MILLS.
120 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY* IOWA.
warrant drawn of $400, part pay for pamphlets, and allowed
bills aggregating $2,611.33. Among the bills were the fol-
lowing:
H. R. Fenton, expenses to Sioux City, four days time.$ 45 00
Black mer, attorney's fees 20 00
McCaffery & Harmon, attorney's fees 35 00
C. W. Blackmer, balance of bill presented to Board
December 31,1872 250 00
McCaffery & Harmon, attorney's fees 50 00
The next meeting of the Board was held March 11, 1873,
at which time there was present Fenton and Riley. Nothing
important was done at this session except to pass a resolution
dismissing all attorneys and inviting proposals from Sibley
lawyers to do the county business. Bills were allowed
amounting in all to $565.94.
Board met again April 7, 1S73. The following resolution
was adopted:
"Resolved, That J. H. Winspear and S. W. Harmon are
employed to appear for the county in all suits now pending in
the District Court and defend same."
Fenton and Spaulding voting for, and Riley against.
Board adjourned to meet April 14.
April 14th, as per adjournment, the record shows that
only Riley was present and he adjourned over until April 21.
The record here shows a change in the Board, and that
O. Dunton and B. F. Mundorf were appointed to fill the
vacancy caused by removal. The first meeting of this newly
constituted Board was held April 21, 1873, at which time
there were present D. L. Riley, O. Dunton and B. F. Mun-
dorf. D. L. Riley was elected chairman. The Board trans-
acted the usual business pertaining to county legislation. Bills
were allowed, a large part pertaining to court expenses, in all
amounting to $1,071.46.
The Board of 1874 consisted of D. L. Riley, O. Dunton
and F. E. Perry. This Board placed the affairs of the
county upon a thorough business basis, and established a
system of economy which succeeding Boards have not de-
parted from. The Board of Supervisers from that time up to
the present have all been men who had the interest of the
county at heart. The debt of the county has been reduced,
warrants are at par, and the administration of the county
affairs is satisfactory to the people. The different persons
who have constituted the Board of different years will be
found under the list of county officers.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Sibley Gazette in its starting out, although pub-
lished by Ren Barker, was made to sparkle with the wit, the
genius and all kinds of advice and suggestions, from Nellie
Granger. She wrote many articles of well constructed sen-
tences, under the name of Nellie F. Granger, and the hard
and pointed hits she distributed around in the community are
remembered by tradition, while the files of the paper have
been laid on the shelf for years, and nearly obliterated by
carelessness and misuse. Barker himself seemed to struggle
against some criticisms, and was foolish enough to notice
them, for we see by his early issues occasional items, like the
following:
"May be some people know our biz better than we do.
If so they are invited to take charge of the machine."
The January 24, 1S73, number of the Gazette, announces
that the Rock Rapids Review has been started by O. A.
Cheney, and that the Sheldon Mail has started out on the sea
of journalism. It also says that the January blizzard has done
somebody good, as the homesteaders have found work shovel-
ing snow, which will enable them to live through the winter.
It also expresses fears that E. R. Hazen was lost in the storm,
in the following item :
" Nothing has been heard of Elmore R. Hazen, who
worked in Sibley last fall, at carpentering, and who owned a
claim in this count}', and who started, as we have learned, on
the morning of the great storm, to go to Ocheyedan river for
wood. It is feared that he has perished."
Hazen, however, is still in the land # of the living. In
January of 1S73, the following mail routes were established:
From Cherokee to Sibley, 48 miles and back, once a week.
From LeMars, by Orange City, Ocheyedan and Sibley,
to Worthington, Minn., 74 miles and back, once a week.
From Spirit Lake, by Melrose, Silver Lake, Sibley and
Doon, to Beloit, 92 miles and back, once a week.
From Sibley to Beloit, 48 miles and back, once a week.
The reader well knows how the progress of the county
has long since abolished these routes for more speedy trans-
portation. The cold snap of January 28, sent the thermome-
128 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
ter down to 32 degrees below zero, and at Sioux City 23 be-
low. That kept the homesteaders of Osceola County busy
twisting hay. The January 7? I 873> blizzard so blocked the
Sioux City and St. Paul road, now the Chicago, St. Paul, Min-
neapolis and Omaha, that the train was not got through until
Feb. 14. In February 12, 1873, tne following announcement
through the columns of the local press was made to the
people :
"Repudiation. — All the citizens that are in favor of re-
pudiating the indebtedness of Osceola County, for the year
1872, about $20,000, are requested to meet at the court house
on Saturday, March 1st. McCaffery & Harmon will guaran-
tee a clear case. Let there be a full attendance."
This movement it seems died a "borning," as the follow-
ing minutes of the meeting will show:
REPUDIATION MEETING.
Proceedings of mass meeting called to consider the pro-
priety of repudiating the county indebtedness, above that
allowed by law, held at the court house in Sibley, March
1st, 1873.
At half past one o'clock the meeting was called to order
by J. McCaffery, of the firm of McCaffery & Harmon. On
motion W. A. Spencer was elected chairman and M. J. Camp-
bell secretary.
At the request of J. McCaffery, J. F. Glover made a state-
ment of the amount of warrants issued in excess of the amount
allowed by law in 1872 and 1873, as follows: In 1872,
$14,696.24, and in 1873, U P t0 March 1st, $432.19.
J. McCaffery opened the meeting by a speech in favor of
repudiation, and was replied to by J. T. Barclay, H. Jordan,
et al.
The following resolution was passed:
" Resolved, That a committee of one be appointed to wait
upon the Board of 'Supervisors at their next session, to request
them not to issue any warrants for attorney's fees, in any case
whatever except in criminal cases or to an attorney employed
by the year."
Motion was made by D. M. Shuck that the vote of the
house be taken on the question of repudiation; and the vote
was unanimous against repudiation.
On motion of J. F. Glover, J. McCaffery was allowed ten
minutes more in which to present his case more fully.
The following resolution was then adopted, viz:
A
J. L. McLAURY.
130 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COlST), IOWA.
"Resolved^ That a committee of three be elected by the
house to confer with the attorneys of this place in reference
to making a contract with one or more of them to become the
people's attorney for the year, and that we authorize them to
make such contract, in case it can be done upon satisfactory
terms. O. Dunton, D. M. Shuck and D. F. Curtis were then
elected as said committee.
On motion of J. F. Glover, J. McCaffery received a vote
of thanks for calling this meeting.
W. A. Spenxer, Chairman.
M. J. Campbell, Secretary.
In July, 1S73, the postoffice was established at the house
of L. G. Ireland, with Air. Ireland as postmaster. This was
long before Ocheyedan was thought of. At the same time
a postoffice was established at Silver Lake, Dickinson County,
at the house of C. B. Knox, with Mr. Knox as postmaster.
These were on the Sibley and Spirit Lake route, with Orren
Jones as mail carrier.
D. McCALLUM.
CHAPTER XVII.
Horton township's first settler came in 187 1. In 1870
Seymour Coyour, then under age, came to Minnesota with his
father, and lived just over the line of Horton in Minnesota.
When Seymour came of age he made contest of the north-
west quarter of Section 24 and succeeded in obtaining the
land, which he filed upon and still lives on the same place.
The first settler in Horton Township was L. G. Ireland, who
is elsewhere mentioned as coming from Clayton County, Iowa,
with A. B. Elmore and E. N. Moore. Mr. Elmore was also
one of Horton's first settlers, on Section 34, but he did not
long remain in Horton, as he soon after took a claim in
Ocheyedan. Mr. Ireland took the southeast quarter of Section
34, and turned the first furrow of the soil of that township. He
was also a lawyer, but he was not a distinguished member of
that profession and did not claim to be. He was politically
ambitious, and was once a candidate for the Legislature on an
independent ticket. He has since died. His claim is now
owned by Dick Wassmann. So far as we can learn there
were no other settlers in Horton Township in 187 1 except
Mr. Elmore and Mr. Ireland.
In 1872 there were many who settled in this township.
N. W. Emery, who is elsewhere mentioned, came that year.
W. R. Boling, mentioned also in another chapter, came in
1872. Mr. Boling had two brothers, J. T. and E. W., who
lived in Horton, but have since moved away. E. W. moved
from the township into Ocheyedan and resided there until
about two years ago, when he moved to Powshiek County,
Iowa, where he now resides. J. T. was justice in that town-
ship several years, and is now an evangelist ;md lives in Illinois.
In 1872 also C. M. Richards, W. Bisby, W. W. Herron, Henry
and Dan Gibson and Jacob Brooks settled in Horton, coming
from Butler County, Iowa. Richards left about eight years
ago, and now resides in Pipestone, Minnesota. Bisby went to
Butler County. Herron is in California. Mr. Brooks is now
a merchant at Sibley. Also H. B. Clemens came that year to
the township, and a few years ago went to Washington.
During the residence of these Butler County people Richards
was one of the township trustees, and in the fall went to Butler
BROWN & CHAMBERS BLOCK, SIBLEY.
134 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
Countv and remained during the winter. While thus away
on a visit, the other trustees declared his office vacant, and
made an appointment. Richards returned in the spring and
was present at the annual meeting, when he was informed
that during his absence the office had dropped from under
him, and that another had been appointed to fill the vacant
place. Richards was not of that kind to surrender so easily —
using a common expression — he was not built that way. He
first gave vent to his feelings, spoke his mind, and this, with
the talking back, culminated in an open fight, in which the
other fellows got the worst of it, and the affair finally drifted
into court. Richards, however, held the office until the expira-
tion of his term. Samuel Collett settled in Horton in 1872:
he proved up on his claim and moved to Montana, where he
now resides. Jacob Brooks owned the original quarter upon
which he settled until recently, and it is now occupied bv Mr.
H. Keith.
Since the earlier settlements in Horton Township quite a
a number of German families have moved into the township,
and these Germans are considered as some of its most sub-
stantial and industrious citizens. In 1882 Henry Wassmann
with his son Dick, Charles Griep and several others of their
neighbors left Indiana and bought tickets to Chicago, from
there to Glendive, Montana. They were simply going west
as men do go, without knowing exactly where until they looked
it over. They got to Bismarck in North Dakota, when the
elder Wassmann thought that any more west was too much
for him, and told the rest of the party they could go on, but
as for himself he should look over a part of Iowa. This
caused the three parties above named to return to St. Paul,
where they bought tickets to Sheldon. The)' drove from
Sheldon to Bigelow, Minn., and not desiring to settle there,
were returning, when, by parties at Sibley, they were induced
to settle in Osceola County, which they did. The Wass-
mann's bought several pieces of land, among which was the
L. G. Ireland place on Section 34, where Dick Wassmann
now lives. His correct name is Diedrich Wassmann, but is
commonly called Dick. There is no better farm in the county
than Dick Wassmann's, and no better place for a home than
right there among the large variety of forest trees, set out by
the lamented Ireland and later by Dick himself. About one
hundred different kinds of trees stand there in the gorgeous
grandeur of their green foliage and as the leaves rustle in the
breeze, they seem to whisper a voice of contentment, of thrift
W. F. ALDRED.
136 ffJSTORr OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
and independence which mark the surroundings, and are ex-
pressed in the hospitality of the occupant, for Dick Wass-
mann is no more diminutive in heart and soul than he is in
statue. There are kinds of trees on this farm that probably
couldn't be found anywhere else in the state, and fruit trees
in abundance. Henry Wassmann returned to Indiana where
he still resides. Charles Griep bought the northeast quarter
Section 27 where he still lives and is a successful farmer.
The coming of these parties here was the means of other
Germans following them and buying land in Horton.
Henry Pinkenburg took a part erf Section 25, also did
Conrad Hattendorf; Henry Rusche the northwest quarter of
Section 14; Fred Glade a part of Section 23; William Lick a
part of Section 21, and Conrad Oldendorf a part of Sections
23 and 25. W. H. Noehren bought the northeast quarter of
Section 22, and still lives there. Mr. Noehren has been
prominent in township matters, and at present is a member of
the Board of County Commissioners. This township has a
good class of people, and among its other substantial farmers
not otherwise mentioned are the three Piscators, father and
two sons, who we believe are on Section 8, Gustav Johnson on
Section 10, William Rehborg on Section 11, and August
Polinski on Section 13.
On Section 14, besides Henry Rusche, lives August
Bremer on the northeast quarter, and John Estabrook on the
southwest quarter. Conrad Bremer is on Section 15, William
Filk and John Farragher on Section 18, and Peter Wickland
on Section 19. On Section 20 is Vaclave Sixty, also John
Maske, Joseph Rhomatko and Joseph Cload. On Section 22
we find Chris Bremer and Henry Redeker.
John Robertson has the southeast quarter of Section 24,
and John Gielow and William Grave are on Section 26. On
Section 27, besides Mr. Griep, are Charles Schmidt and
William Sehr. Mr. John Thompson lives on a quarter of
Section 28, and Mr. I. B. Titus owns a part of Section 30, and
is the only resident on that section. Frank Engle is on Sec-
tion 31, and William Maske on Section 32. Chrie Wassman
is on Section 35 and has recently built there a house and barn.
On Section 36 William Carney has a quarter, also A. V.
Randall, and on the same section Mr. Elmore has a tree claim.
Mi\ Randall formerly lived on his quarter, but is now in
business in Ocheycdan. J. T. Boling's place is now owned
by Herman Bauer meister, who lives in Worthington, Minn.
GEO. RUPN'ER.
138 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
GRASSHOPPER PERIOD.
The history of the great world itself recognizes certain
distinct periods which have marked the ages with their differ-
ent characteristics. Osceola County is but a small part of
this mighty universe, but its brief history has it periods which
are readily recognized by those of its citizens whose residence
here reaches back even for only a decade.
The first was its filing period, when settlers made record
in the government office, that they claimed certain pieces of
land for residence and occupation. The next was the grass-
hopper period, and the last a period of general contentment
and prosperity- This part of the history is devoted to the
grasshopper period, and following this, the relief campaign
which followed in the w r ake of destroyed crops and destitution.
The writer himself went through this " reign of terror " and
knows all about it by personal contact and experience. The
grasshopper itself was a curiosity; we call it grasshopper be-
cause then among settlers it bore no other name, while the
books designate the pest as the "Rock}- Mountain locust."
The natural home of these insects was on the barren
table lands along the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains.
There they deposited their eggs every year. In Wyoming
Territory, Western Nebraska, Texas, the Indian Territory
and New Mexico, the broods were annually hatched. In their
native haunts they attained an enormous size, many specimens
being three inches in length. Scientific men, who have studied
the habits of the grasshoppers state that each succeeding brood
degenerates in size, and after three or four generations the
weaker are obliged to swarm and seek other quarters, being
driven out by the larger and stronger insects.
These exiles rise and go with the wind, keeping the
direction in which they first start, stopping in their flight for
subsistence and depositing eggs in a prolific manner during the
incubating season, which lasted from the middle of June to the
middle of September.
This region had been visited by grasshoppers before, but
did not excite a great deal of attention for the reasons that the
county was sparsely settled and but a small area of land under
cultivation, and they came so late in the season that small
grains were generally out of their reach, but extreme North-
western Iowa then was not settled, so that their ravages were
further east. Their first appearance at Sibley was on the 5th
day of June, 1873. The first seen of them was a huge black
Q. E. CI.KAVF.LAND.
140 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
cloud, which was none other than a swarm of grasshoppers,
and which sent out a roaring sound that terrified the ears.
Where there was any grain to cut even before its maturity,
the settlers went at it to save what they could, but the grass-
hoppers were not bad reapers themselves, and the modern and
latest improved of agricultural machinery cut but little figure
in the race, when that swarm of grasshoppers came down and
went to work. They were possessed of great vitality and
enormous appetites; their first appearance was alarming and
their devastations were appalling. It introduced to the settlers
a serious problem; they were new to the country, or rather
the country was new to them, and this strange visitation raised
the question as to whether or not this grasshopper business
was a part of the country itself, and that the pests would re-
main off and on indefinitely in the future. This thought, aside
from their coming and the destruction they did in T873, caused
much concern and consternation.
These grasshoppers had crossed the Missouri River and
commenced foraging in the bordering Iowa counties, and
devoured the crops as they went to a greater or less extent.
In this season of 1873 some of the Osceola County settlers
lost what crop they had by the grasshoppers, and others their
crops were partially destroyed. Some saved a small garden
patch by means of "shooing" them off and keeping the patch
free from them, although the task was tedious and difficult.
The early part of the season was extremely dry. No
rain fell from the first of May to the middle of June. Grain
did not grow much, but the grasshoppers did, and before the
drouth ended, the crops were eaten and parched beyond all
hope of recovery. About the middle of June, however, con-
siderable rain fell, and outside of the before mentioned counties
the prospect was generally favorable for good crops. The
young grasshoppers commenced to get wings about the middle
of June, and in a few days they began to rise and fly. The
prospect seemed good for a speedy riddance from the pests.
The perverse insects were waiting for an easterly wind, but
the wind blew from the southwest for nearly three weeks, so
they staid and visited, and eat and continued their ravages.
Early in the spring of 1874 the eggs deposited the season
before, commenced hatching, and the soil looked literally alive
with insignificant looking insects, a quarter of an inch in length
but of enormous eating qualities. As if by instinct, their first
movements were toward the fields where tender shoots of
grain were making their modest appearance. Sometimes the
CHRIS W. HOLLE.
142 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
first intimation a farmer would have of what was going on
would be from noticing along one side of his grain-field a nar-
row strip where the grain was missing. At first, perhaps, he
would attribute it to a "balk" in sowing, but each day it grew
wider and a closer examination would reveal the presence of
young grasshoppers.
The settlers of Osceola County in the spring of 1874 ^id
their sowing and planting under a feeling of apprehension.
They were here and the work must go, even with the grass-
hopper difficulty staring them in the face. Many got out of
the country, owing to the grasshoppers of 1873, Dut tne y wno
remained had nought else to do but to work on. The grass-
hopper ravages were the worst in 1874 an< ^ I 875, and from
then on the pests degenerated in size and did less mischief
each year, but were still here until 1879 when they did but
little damage and in 1880 the county felt itself well rid of
them.
All sorts of suggestions and devices were made with ref-
erence to the destruction of grasshoppers during these years,
and it was much of a topic of discussion how to get rid of
them. Judge Oliver, in a communication to the Sioux City
Journal^ said : "Farmers should not be discouraged. Crops,
especially wheat and corn, should be put in as early as possi-
ble, so as to get a start while the hoppers are small. Late
potatoes and beans may be planted as late as is safe, so as not
to get up until the hoppers are gone. Young trees and
shrubs may be protected by a sack of thin cloth drawn over
them and tied at the bottom. I desire to impress on farmers,
where the eggs are unhatched, the absolute necessity of early
seeding. One week's difference in the time of seeding may
make all the differences between a good crop and a failure."
The Sioux City Journal said : "The grasshopper de-
posits its eggs at the roots of the grass in the latter part of
summer or early autumn. The eggs hatch out early in spring,
and during the months of April, May and June, according as
the season is early or late; they are wingless, their sole power
of locomotion being the hop.
"To destroy them, all that is needed is for each county,
town or district to organize itself into a lire brigade, through-
out the district where their eggs are known to be deposited.
"This fire brigade shall see that the prairies are not
burned over in the fall, and thus they will have the grass for
the next spring and to be employed upon the pests while they
are yet hoppers, the means of sure death. To apply it, let all
tf I STORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA. 143
agree upon a certain day, say in April or May or at any time
when they are sure all the hoppers are hatched and none are
yet winged. All being ready let every person, man, woman
and boy, turn out with torches and simultaneously fire the
whole prairie, and the work, if well done, will destroy the
whole crop of grasshoppers for that year, and none will be
left to "soar their gossamer wings" or lay eggs for another
year."
The (Tit-.ettc of July 10, 1874, nac ^ tne following:
" Grasshoppers are being successfully chased by many
people in this county. There is usually a slight wind blowing,
and people take ropes one or two hundred feet in length, and,
stretching them out, walk or ride across the fields, the trailing
rope disturbing the grain, which causes the 'hoppers' to fly
up, and then the friendly wind carries them off the held.
"Mr. Dunton, who has been saving his wheat by the use
of ropes, finds it useful to tie rags, newspapers, etc., to them
on account of the greater rustle the rope makes as it trails
over the grain with these attached."
As the grasshopper years went on, the people themselves,
scientific men and even the halls of legislation were discussing
the important question of how to drive the "hoppers' from
the country- Many and varied were the experiments. They
tried smudging, burning the prairie, burning tar, digging
ditches and every conceivable thing that the ingenuity of man
could suggest, even to a huge trap in which to snare and
catch them. Minnesota offered a bounty of a certain amount
per bushel for them, and actually paid out quite a sum, which
helped the people along, but the idea of delivering a crop of
grasshoppers for a consideration, strikes us now as bordering
on the ridiculous. These pests lasted about seven years, and
the latter years of the seven they were much less troublesome
than the first. The grasshopper business, too, had its humor-
ous side, and there was much wit grew out of it, and the
t astern papers made much fun of us, and not only that, but
seriously charged us with being a country liable to such things,
and hence unfit to live in. The county papers around in
Northwestern Iowa would each claim that the other county
was the worst. The Gazette said in one issue they were
mostly in Dickinson County, and the Beacon gives this assertion
the lie and says they are on the border of Osceola "peeking*
over. Some agricultural house printed a card bearing the
picture of a grasshopper sitting on a board fence gazing at a
wheat field, and underneath the words "In this s(wheat) by
144 history or osceola counts iowa.
and bye." The poet was also at work, and the following one
of the numerous productions:
CHARGE OF THE GRASSHOPPER BRIGADE.
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
Right from the West they came,
More than six hundred —
Out from forest and glade;
" Charge for the corn ! " they said
Then for the fields they made —
More than six hundred.
Fields to the right of them,
Fields to the left of them ;
Fields in front of them,
Pillaged and plundered;
Naught could their numbers tell,
Down on the crop they fell,
Nor left a stalk or shell— -
More than six hundred.
Flashed all their red legs bare,
Flashed as they turned in air,
Robbing the farmers there,
Charging an orchard, while
All the world wondered!
Plunged in the smudge and smoke,
Right through the corn they broke,
Hopper and locust;
Peeled they the stalks all bare,
Shattered and sundered;
Then they went onward — but
More than six hundred.
Since these grasshopper days the old settlers can see what
they missed by the following, recently published:
"Some very important uses for grasshoppers have
recently been discovered. There would seem to be no reason
why they should not be applied to commercial advantage in
the event of a plague this year. Not long ago four quarts of
liquid, expressed from half a bushel of "hoppers" under a
cheese press, were shipped in a glass from Spirit Lake, Iowa,
to Professor William K. Kedzie, of the Kansas State Agri-
cultural College. He made a complete analysis, and by
distilling the juice with sulphuric acid obtained a colorless,
limpid solution of formic acid. Now, this acid is very valua-
ble, having a present market quotation of sixty cents an ounce.
It is not only employed in medicine to a considerable extent,
but it is also utilized in the laboratory to reduce salts of the
noble metals, gold, silver and platinum. Hitherto it has
always been extracted from red ants, but the possibility of
getting it in large quantities from grasshoppers suggests a
'=*Sb--
RESIDENCE OF ASA BOWERSOCK, OCHEYEDAX.
146 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
method for employing these insects to an unlooked-for advan-
tage. An interesting feature of the analysis was the discovery
of a certain amount of copper in the liquid. This metal has
been found in the blood of other animals, particularly in that
of the horseshoe crab, which always furnishes a trace of it. It
is not suggested, however, that grasshoppers would assay a
sufficient amount of copper to the ton to make it worth while
to smelt them.
"A while ago, Professor C. V. Ripley, United States
entomologist, sent a bushel of grasshoppers, freshly caught
and scalded, to Mr. Bonnet, a St. Louis caterer. The latter
made a soup of them, which was pronounced perfectly deli-
cious by many people who were afforded an opportunity of
tasting it. It closely resembled bisque. Mr. Bonnet declared
that he would gladly have it on his bill of fare every day if he
could only obtain the insects. His method of preparing the
dish, as described by himself, was to boil the hoppers over a
brisk fire, seasoning them with salt, pepper and grated nut-
meg, and occasionally stirring them. When sufficiently done
they were pounded in a mortar with bread fried brown; then
they were replaced in the saucepan and thickened to a broth,
which was passed through a strainer before being served.
Professor Riley treated some friends of his on one occasion
to curry of grasshoppers and grasshopper croquettes without
informing them as to the nature of the banquet, but an
unlucky hind leg, discovered in one of the croquettes, revealed
the secret." %
RELIEF.
In January, 1873, there was organized at Sibley what they
called the "Citizen Farmers' Club." This was before the
"Grange" swept over the state, but both of these had the usual
conditions of existence. They had their birth, maturity and
death. The Citizen Farmers' Club was organized December
7, 1872, and its object as declared by a resolution was for the
purpose of mutual protection, assistance, encouragement, in-
struction and social intercourse generally. Meetings were
heid every Friday afternoon at one o'clock, and no doubt many
an ambitious orator, after the fame of Cicero, electrified and
delighted the audience. This organization had quite a num-
ber of meetings, but soon as the Grange was introduced into
Osceola County, the Citizen Farmers' Club began to de-
cline and last, in the language of the illustrious Cleveland, went
into "Innocuous desuetude." Following these and really as a
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 147
basis upon which to secure relief for the people by reason of
grasshoppers, the following announcement appeared in a Sep-
tember number of the Gazette:
" Homesteader's Protective Association. — There
will be a meeting of the citizens of Osceola County, on the fair
grounds, near Sibley, at i o'clock p. m., September 25, 1873,
for the purpose of organizing a Homesteader's Protective As-
sociation, the object and aim of which, will be to look after the
interests of all true homesteaders. It is hoped that there will
be a general turnout, that the organization may be made per-
manent as long as it may be needed in this locality. In union
there is strength. Many Homesteaders."
The meeting was held according to announcement and
the following is a report of it:
homesteader's protective association.
A large number of homesteaders were present at the
meeting held at the Court house on Saturday last. D. L.
Riley was chosen temporary Chairman, and F. M. Robinson
temporary Secretary. Appropriate and earnest remarks were
made by D. L. Riley and H. Jordan. A committee on reso-
lutions, consisting of J. H. Douglass, H. Jordan and A. W.
Clark, was appointed. Remarks were made bv J. L,. Robin-
son, W. Rea, A. Halstead and Allen Garvin.
The committee on resolutions reported a preamble and
resolutions which were adopted. We have not space for
them, but the gist of them is as follows: After setting forth
as reasons for the forming of an association, the fact that many
homesteaders, owing to the failure of their crops, would be
compelled to leave the county for a time to obtain work in
order to provide for their families; also that fears were enter-
tained of their claims being unjustly contested, thereby caus-
ing them expense which they were unable to bear; "there-
fore, be it
" Resolved, That we, the undersigned, band ourselves to-
gether for the purpose of protecting ourselves in our rights."
A series of resolutions, tifteen in number, establishing the
number of officers as one President, one Vice President from
each range of townships, a Secretary and Treasurer; appoint-
ing a regular meeting on the first Saturday of each month, at
1 o'clock p. m., in the court house; establishing certain com-
mittees, defining their duties; giving the terms of admission to
the association; and making it necessary for the Treasurer to
give a bond, etc., were adopted. The officers elected were
as follows:
148 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
President, D. L. Riley; First Vice President, C. W.
Wyllys; Second Vice President, C. M. Bailey; Third Vice
President, A. Garvin; Secretary, H.Jordan; Treasurer, J. L.
Robinson.
Any resident of Osceola County may become a member
of this organization by subscribing his or her name to the
preamble, resolutions and by-laws, and paying the sum of
fifty cents.
Any one wishing to examine the by-laws, etc., or to
become a member of the association, can do so by calling at
Jordan's office.
This meeting was the foundation of a call for relief.
Grasshoppers had devastated the county, and what crops there
were had generally been ruined by this pest. On the start,
the people were divided on this relief question, as many were
opposed to it on the ground that it would give the county a
bad reputation and retard settlement. Several men in Sibley
offered to carry such families as were extremely needy,
through the winter and furnish them the necessaries of life.
Others, of those opposed to relief, thought the county had
better make provision for its own, but the relief party was
numerically the stronger, and finally its opposers had to fall
into line. It is often the case when some sudden catastrophe
has fallen upon a community, like the Chicago fire or the
Johnstown flood, that the community itself is unable to take
care of its unfortunates. Where hundreds of families are left
homeless and thrown upon the charity of others, then, indeed,
it is well to call upon other parts of the country for contribu-
tions. But there is always more or less fraud connected with
it, and it is apt to be the case that the modest people, but
more deserving, get but little of the relief goods, while the
"cheeky" ones get the most. It was a question then, and is
now, whether that relief movement for Northwestern Iowa
was advisable, but the people had it, organizations were
effected to handle it, the state was solicited particularly, and
the country generally, for supplies. Adjutant-General Baker
was the state manager, and each county, and indeed each
township had its committees.
At a meeting of the Sibley Grange, held the evening of
the 7th of October, 1S73, the following among the proceedings
was had :
"On motion, J. F. Glover, II. C. Ilungerford and F. M.
Robinson were authorized and instructed to prepare an ad-
dress to the Master of the National Grange, and to the State
■m
r *ii^.
RESIDENCE OF C. M. MANVILLE, OCHEYEDAN.
150 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
and Subordinate Granges of Iowa, soliciting supplies of grain
for seed, to be used by the farmers of Osceola Count}' in the
spring of 1874, wno are an ^ will be unable to purchase the
same on account of the almost total failure of crops the past
season."
Ihc Gazette notes one weeks receipts as follows: "Two
boxes, three sacks, eight barrels of flour and two carloads of
coal. General Baker reports nine more carloads of coal
which will make seventeen in all. About $200 in cash have
been received, which will be used to procure seed grain."
The relief business soon fell into controversy and the
newspapers were wrangling over the question.
The Gazette of December 19, 1873, had the following
article:
"The Relief Question. — We notice that some of the
papers in this part of the state are attributing all the destitu-
tion to this county; some of them even intimate that all the
supplies which come to this place are distributed to the people
of this count)'. In order to correct this impression, we have
obtained from J. L. Robinson, the secretary of the distributing
committee, the following figures:
"From the 10th to the 16th, inclusive, of this month, only
six days, there has been filled sixty-seven orders for families
of Lyon County, and thirty-four from Rock and Nobles
Counties, Minnesota. Sixty-seven orders in six days from a
county whose prominent men boasted in the Sioux City
Journal that they could take care of their own poor, does not
look much as if they were backing up their talk by deeds. It
should be remembered that these orders are not for single arti-
cles, but are from half a ton of coal to provisions and clothing
for a whole family, and in many instances all combined. The
above explanation will also apply to the Minnesota applicants.
"We publish elsewhere a communication from Minnesota
men in regard to the matter.
" While we have not denied the need of aid in this county,
we think it hardly fair that we should have to bear the whole
odium, especially when we are giving out supplies to people
whose own county was going to take care of them, and to in-
habitants of another state where there is no more than ordi-
nary destitution. No doubt some have obtained supplies who
did not really need them, but we should hesitate to call all
those thieves who get aid, and they certainly would be such if
they had taken when not deserving. As we understand the
matter, the supplies were sent for the needy homesteaders
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNT!', IOWA. 151
of the northwestern part of the state, and all received at this
place have been so distributed, except those furnished desti-
tute people in Minnesota. The distributing people are faith-
ful caretul men, and have done their work well; they may have
been deceived, but we think that what complaint there may
be, has come from those who have been refused when it was
ascertained that they did not need.
" We hope that the papers of these neighboring counties
will at least give us credit for what we have done, and not try
to shove all their destitution off onto Osceola County, because
it might injure their future prospects — especially in the face of
the above mentioned facts."
On November 14, 1873, tne following appeal was issued:
" An Appeal for Aid. — To the Peoflc of the State of
Iowa: We, the undersigned, a committee appointed by the
Homesteaders' Protective Association of Osceola County, an
organization effected for the purpose of looking after the ex-
treme and urgent necessities of the people of said county,
caused by the almost total failure of the crops, do deem it just
and proper that we let our sister counties, who are in affluent
circumstances, have positive knowledge of the situation of a
very large proportion of the citizens of this county.
The most of the settlers came here last spring with little or
no means, and depending entirely on their efforts during the
summer to cany them through the winter; honestly and faith-
fully have they toiled. A very large amount of ground was
sown and planted in the spring — more than sufficient to raise
subsistence for all for the coming winter, if it had not been for
an extremely wet, backward spring, and the invasion of a vast
army of grasshoppers, which caused almost a total failure of
corn and small grain crops, so that they now find themselves
on the eve of a long, cold winter, worse off than in the spring;
without food of the plainest kind, and without means to pur-
chase fuel to protect themselves and families during the com-
ing- winter. There are hundreds of families who have not
sufficient clothing, and know not where the bread that they
will eat ten days hence is coming from, or their fuel. These
same people relying on their crops to carry them through the
winter, have labored diligently through the summer, and
thousands of acres of the prairie have been turned over ready
for a crop next spring.
" Now, therefore, be it known to the people of the State
of Iowa, that without liberal assistance from some source, a
very large portion of the citizens of this county will be without
152 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT. IOWA.
the necessaries to sustain life, and also fuel to keep them from
freezing, and unless, from some source, seed is furnished to
these people to sow and plant in the spring, many of the
broad acres that are now ready will have to lie idle the com-
ing season.
" We therefore appeal to the liberal, christian hearted peo-
ple of this state for assistance in the shape of money, clothing,
fuel and staple articles of food.
" At the present writing there are at least two hundred
families in the county needing immediate assistance.
" All consignments will be made to
" C. M. Bailey, AgenrH. P. A.,
" Sibley. Osceola County, Iowa.
"(For relief. |
"Allen Garvin,
"Robt. Stamm,
"W. W. Cramm,
"J. L. Robinson,
-J. H. Douglass,
"Committee"
At a joint meeting of the Relief and Grange Committees,
held Saturday, January 3. 1S74, the following township com-
mittees were appointed to canvass the several townships and
ascertain the actual necessities of the inhabitants:
Township 98, Range 42 — S. Hanev, A. H. Miller and A.
\V. Mitchell.
Township 9S, Range 41 — C. Thompson, J. Mandeville
and W. Rea.
Township 9^. Range 40 — X. D. Bowles, J. C. Moar and
D. W. McCullam.
Township 99, Range 42 — Wm. Anderson, F. Townsend
and E. Huff.
Township 99, Range 41 — W. S. Westcott, \V. A. Spencer
md Curtis,
Township 99, Range 39-40— C. Boyd, W. A. Waldo
and F. Thaver.
■
Township 100, Range 42 — X. I. Wetmore, F. Reynolds
and S. Cram.
Township 100, Range 41 — Wm. Thomas, P. Piesley
and A. Shapley.
Township 100, Range 40 — W. W. Herron, Q. E. Cleve-
land and J. F. Pfaff.
Township 100, Range 39 — J. S. Flint. C. M. Richards
and Ira Stevens.
154 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA CO (NTT. IOWA.
The State Senate of 1873-74 appointed a committee to
visit Northwest Iowa with reference to legislative action for
the purpose of securing a loan with which to buy seed grain.
December 3, 1874, Geo. D. Perkins, Senator from Woodbury
County, and Samuel Fairall, Senator from Johnson County,
went to Sibley and held a conference with the people. They
examined the Auditor's books in order to ascertain the financial
condition of the county, and the feasibility of the count} r issuing
warrants for the purchase of grain, and ascertained that the
county could not obtain the supply needed from its own re-
sources. These men expressed themselves as wishing that
the entire General Assembly might be there and see for them-
selves, and promised that they would make an appeal for its
sympathy, and to its patriotism for action in the matter. A
bill was presented by Mr. Perkins asking an appropriation of
$105,000 for the purchase of seed grain and expenses of three
commissioners to purchase and distribute; $5,000 out of the
amount appropriated to be paid for expenses. Under this bill
the money was to be in the nature of a loan, which the parties
were to pay back. After a discussion, a bill was agreed upon
to donate, instead of loan, $50,000 to the northwest counties,
and this bill passed both houses and became a law. Out of
this donation Osceola County got about $8,000.
The Legislative Committee, Messrs. Brown and Tasker,
arrived in Sibey March 12, 1874, an< ^ "opened court." They
were armed with blanks, requiring the settler to state where
he lived, whether he was owner or renter, and how many
acres he had broken; also that he had no seed, no money to
buy seed with, and that he would use the seed for sowing.
They also required testimony where one's word was not con-
sidered good, and admonished each and all that the peniten-
tiary stared them in the face if they swore falsely. This
Legislative tribunal did their work and went home.
On March 27, 1874, a fter the relief business had under-
gone its usual trials and vexations, and charges of fraud had
gone around, and considerable discontent and dissatisfaction,
the following instructions were issued by General Baker to
committee:
"In the distribution of all supplies the utmost caution and
care must be exercised, and only the really needy must be
supplied, and they must be careful to save something 111
reserve for emergency or in case of sickness.
"In order to conform to the above instructions the com-
HISTOR1 OF OSCEOLA COCNTF, IOWA. 155
mittee will require each applicant for aid to take and subscribe
the following oath :
" Sibley, Iowa, I 874-
"I, do solemnly swear, so help me
God, that I have not flour or other provisions sufficient to last
my family one week, and that I have no means, on hand or
at my command, to procure subsistence for my family.
u "
Soon after this, which was in March, 1874, ^ relief
business was ended.
On March 12, 1874, ^ e state committee issued the
following:
Des Moines, March 12, 1874.
u 7o the Public: The undersigned would state for the
information of all concerned, that all supplies in our possession
for Northwestern settlers, will be distributed by April 1st,
1873. There may be a small amount left on hand at that date
but hardly worth consideration. The settlers and committees
must now act most cautiously and govern themselves in ac-
cordance with the existing condition of supplies. Any
Grange or other benevolent people who have anything to for-
ward should do so at once. All our advantages on railroad
lines will probably cease by the date above designated. And
here in conclusion, we wish to thank the railroads, express
companies and the telegraph companies for all the great favors
they have done to the Northwestern settlers, in forwarding
the generous donations of our benevolent people.
N. B. Baker.
J. D. Whitman,
R. R. Harbour,
D. W. Prindle,
State Grange Committee.
March 23, 1873, after an extended announcement, the
people gathered in the courthouse at Sibley, crowding the
house to its utmost capacity, to listen to General Baker and
others, and to have sort of a speaking love feast over the
winding up of the relief department. General Baker told
them that he had done what he could for the people, that the
supplies would soon end and that they were now thrown upon
their own resources and must view it in that light and act ac-
cordingly. Messrs. Jordan, Glover and Riley also spoke to
the people, and with three cheers and tigers for Baker the
meeting dispersed. Thus ended the great relief campaign of
1873 and 1874.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Soon after the Huff residence was established Mr. T. J.
Shaw put up a store building and put in a stock of goods; the
building on the same section with Huff. Mr. Shaw afterwards
filed on a part of Section 14, in Gilman, and in 1872, put up
a store building in the town of St. Gilman (now Ashton) and
moved his stock there. Shaw's store was the first store in
the county, and in it in 1871, the old settlers used to congre-
gate, and if we had a record of all their doings, and the stories
there told, our readers would be highly entertained. Every
blizzard would find about so many who happened to be at the
store, and unable to get home. In one of the blizzards there
were several of the old settlers caught there, among whom
were Dr. Gurney, August and C. Thompson, W. A. Spencer
and others. They took their horses in the store except one
of them, and this they put into the railroad tank near by.
This was not in the days of prohibition, and the boys had
plenty of the ardent, and hence quite a jollification. One of
them was preparing a pan of biscuits for baking while the
others were watching the operation, when Shaw declared that
his mother always striped biscuits when she made them, and
these must conform to the parental custom, upon which he
brought his foot down on the soft dough, giving them the
required stamp, when they were pronounced ready for the
oven, and in they went. When the settler got to Shaw's
store he generallv tarried awhile, talked over the news of the
day, smoked a clay pipe and sat around on the barrel heads,
and of the old settlers there were several there at all times
during the day and evening. In April, 1871, Joseph Reagan
with Uriah Cook, Jacob Henshaw and some others who set-
tled in Lyon County, came to Osceola County from Madison
Countv, Iowa. They went to the " Huff" house and through
the services of our first settler secured claims. Mr. Reagan
tiled on a part of Section 20, Township 98, Range 42, now
Gilman Township, and Uriah Cook filed on the same section
Huff was on. Mr. Reagan still lives in the county, is one of
the prominent men in Ashton and its postmaster. Mr. Cook
now lives in Montana.
Reagan and party arrived at Huff's on the 8th day of
RESIDENCE OF C. A. TATUM, OCHEYEDAN,
158 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNT 2' . IOWA.
April, 1 87 1. Their outfit consisted of five wagons, twelve
horses and mules and six head of cattle. Each of the wagons
had occupants sleeping in them on the night of the 8th, and
early on the morning of the 9th a terrible blizzard set in, and
these wagon sleepers were soon covered with snow and crawled
out and into a house. The next day they took the wagons
and formed a half circle of them at the south side of the house,
making a corral, in which they put their horses and then
tied the cattle to the wagons on the outside. This storm
lasted two days, and the company, consisting of about twenty
men, women and children, filled the house, and at night it
taxed the ingenuity of all to arrange the packing. Along with
the inmates already named, there were three dogs and forty
chickens, so that the time was not passed in Quaker silence,
and everybody was in everybody's way, though all were jolly.
The first night all were packed around systematically. Huff
and his wife were placed in the northeast corner, then came
Henshaw and his family, then the chickens and the rest of the
crowd as they could be accommodated. The end where the
horses were was considered unsafe, as the pressure against the
boards was liable to break them in, so that Reagan, C. M.
Brooks and Uriah Cook were assigned to that part of the
shack to counteract the pressure from the outside.
The morning of the third day was pleasant, and each went
their way to their separate claims. C. W. Freeman came to
Gilman township in June, 1872, and settled on the northeast
quarter of Section 8. He came from Humboldt County and
with him came F. E. Cook, J. W. Carson and Will Smith.
These four took Section 8. Mr. Carson died in January, TS83,
and his popularity and his large circle of friends in the county
justifies a reproduction of the following from January 24, 1883,
number of the Osceola County Review, then published at
Ashton:
"IN MEMORIAM.
"James W. Carson was born at Batavia, Genesee Countv,
New York, February 16, 1833. When about thirteen years
old his parents, leaving their eastern home, became pioneers
in the then Territory of Wisconsin. A wonderful tide of
immigration was pouring into the newer states and the terri-
tories bordering the Mississippi, and two years later, when
Mr. Boyd Carson, the father of the subject of this sketch,
removed to West Oregon, Dane Count)-, Wisconsin had be-
come a state. The father was one of the hardy pioneers of
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 159
the olden time, who, without the help of railways and modern
conveniences of travel, made the long and tiresome journey to
the frontier lands, and laid the foundations for prosperous
communities and states. He is described as a man of sterling
integrity and fine Christian character, and James W., the son,
inherited from his father a high regard for what was true and
pure in religious life. James, or " Kit," as he was popularly
called by settlers old and new in this county, of which he was
one of the first pioneers, grew to man's estate and was indus-
triously employed in trade or farming, but the agitation of the
slavery question and the disloyalty of the South, leading to
the civil war, he early in the rebellion enlisted in the Second
Wisconsin cavalry, and earned the merit of being a good sol-
dier, but incurred hardships and injuries which laid the foun-
dation of the disease which has taken him away, to the grief
of his family, the sorrow of his friends, and the loss of the
community. After the war, and soon after his marriage, he
removed to Humboldt County, this staje, where he remained
two years. In 1871 he, in company with F. E. Cook and C.
W. Freeman, removed to this county and located homesteads
in Gilman Township. During his twelve years residence in
this county he formed a wide acquaintance. The hold he had
on the hearts of the settlers was well attested by the crowd
that turned out to his funeral on the bitter cold Wednesday of
this week. People gathered in from the three counties of
Osceola, O'Brien and Lyon — one family driving fully ten
miles across the countrv. Sheldon sent a lar^e delegation
and quite a number of old soldiers, bringing choice flowers and
wreaths for the grave. Kind neighbors and comrades of
both Sheldon and Sibley army posts served as watchers from
the time — early Tuesday morning — that his remains reached
Ashton from Minneapolis, w r here he died early on Monday —
the immediate cause of his death being his inability to with-
stand the shock to his system, induced by an operation per-
formed by surgeons at a hospital in Minneapolis, removing a
large and bony-like tumor under the arm in the left side,
which had developed until it reached the region of the heart-"
In 187 1, Nick Boot - , along with John Streit and William
Shultz, landed in Gilman Township. Thev came from Wis-
consin, and drove through with a team. Nick filed on the
southeast quarter of Section 4, Township 98, Range 42,
Streit on the northeast quarter of same section, and Schultz
on the northeast quarter of Section 18. Mr. Schultz lives at
Sheldon, and Boor and Streit still live in Gilman Township.
160 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
C. C. Osgood came in 1872, and settled in Gilman Town-
ship on the southwest quarter of Section 30. Mr. Osgood
still lives on the same place, has weathered all the difficulties,
and is a successful farmer.
Mr. William Foster settled in Gilman Township in 1872,
on a part of Section 14. Mr. Foster died a few years aero,
and his widow with her sons still live on the old homestead.
Ephraim Miller, in 1871, located on the southwest
quarter of Section 26, Gilman Township; still owns the land,
and still resides in the township on land he has since pur-
chased.
Of these 187 1 and 1872 settlers in Gilman Township but
few remain in the township now. As far as we can learn
they are Joseph Reagan, Nick Boor, John Streit, Ephraim
Miller, C. C. Osgood and the Foster boys.
In the spring of 1S73, J. E. Townsend, along with his
brother George, came to Gilman Township from Michigan.
George returned soon after and J. E. filed on the north
half of the northwest quarter of Section 8, upon which he
still lives with his family and has other land afterwards pur-
chased. J. E. Townsend is now County Treasurer. This
same year, 1873, also, Fred Poschack came from Wisconsin
and filed on a part of Section 6, upon which he still resides.
Other parties living in this township came in the years follow-
ing these first settlements, and quite a number are renters.
Among others of the farming people in Gilman Township,
Mrs. John Neff resides on Section 1 ; also on the same Section
John Rabe. M. A. Schend was an old settler in Lyon County
and now lives on Section 2 in Gilman Township. On Section
2 also Mr. Frank Walrich and John Barbien. On Section 3
John Thorn; on Section 4 Joseph Dries, Anthony Geiver and
also Mr. Streit; on Section 5 Jacob Johannes; on Section 6
Fred Poschack, Matt Spartz, John Seivert, B. Sturber and B.
F. Pettin^ell. Mr. Pettin^eR is a Yankee from Massachu-
setts. Warren Robbins is on Section 7; Henry Shaa, Joseph
Ehlen, besides J. E. Townsend on Section 8. Of still other
residents of the county Joseph Dries, Jr., is on Section 9; also
Matt Seivert and William Fuger; R. Linzen, Jacob Leinen,
William Fuger on Section 10, Peter Kappes on Section 1 1 ;
Thomas Cox and Charles Winters on Section 12. The town
of Ashton is on Section 15 in this township and on Section 18
we find Henry Arends, W. Popkes, II. Lenitzens, and Mr.
DeGroat. On Section 20 lives Rev. Mr. Nolte, a Quaker
preacher; also C. W. Conner. Mr. Conner is a prominent
A. W. McCALLUM.
Ki
162 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
citizen and was a member of the County Board of Supervisors.
George Jamison also lives on Section 20. Mr. John Jackley
and Isaac Smalley are on Section 21 and B. H. Lyman and
J. C. Wilmarth on Section 22. Wm. Keith and Wm. Craig
live on Section 23; Nick Seivert, Nick Leinen and Phillip
Grats on Section 24; on Section 27 lives Mr. Charles Lingle-
man and C. Groendyke; Mr. Ruben Heritage and James
Sturgeon on Section 29, and on Section .30 is the old Iselin
place improved by these boys John and Harry who came from
New York with money but made a failure in business. Nels
Porter and S. Laber are on Section 32 and C. Beck, Charles
Huntsley and James Bunce on Section 34, with R. J. Stemm
on Section 35. Gilman Township is one of the best and finest
improved townships in the county and is well settled.
Referring again to Goewey Township, quite a number
still live in the county who were among its earlier settlers.
In May, 1871, George Perry, along with his brother John and
W. A. Spencer, landed here, having drove through from Wis-
consin. George settled on a part of Section 10, John on a
part of 14, and W. A. Spencer on Section 24. T. E. Perry,
father of John and George, came in the fall of 1871, and re-
sided here until he died, July 14, 1890. The boys used their
wagon covers and wagons for awhile as a habitation until they
got something built for a house. Their first load of lumber
was hauled from Windom, Minn., and the two Perrys, along
with Spencer, went after it. On the road they overtook a
traveler on foot who accepted an invitation to ride. When
they got to Worthington, which was then starting as a town
with only a few shacks, the traveler got a quart of whisky,
and brought it around to treat the rest of them. Spencer not
being a drinking man, declined to take any, and the fellow
soon went away by himself, and about as the boys were start-
ing on, came around again drunk as a lord. Pointing to
Spencer he said, if that man had drank his share I wouldn't
be tight, raising a question in moral philosophy whether or
not after all Spencer was to blame for the man's drunken-
ness. After this first lumber hauled from Windom, they aft-
erwards hauled from Cherokee. On one of George Perry's
trips he drove through the Orange City settlement, which
was composed mostly of Hollanders, and with these people
wooden shoes being principal commodity, they were well
stocked and the shoes were conspicuously displayed. George
Perry bought a pair for himself and also a pair for his wife,
more for the novelty of it than anything else. His wife saw
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 168
him coming home and as usual walked out about a mile to
meet him. George made a little speech to her about the
elegant foot gear he had seen, and thinking she needed a pair,
he had invested for her, and presented to her the pair of
wooden shoes. After that Mrs. Perry let her liege lord reach
the house before she greeted him. She preferred to take her
surprises in the way of presents at home.
Clark Perry, another brother, came in the fall of 187 1,
and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 10 and still
lives on the original claim.
John Perry now lives on the claim originally taken by
his father, and George now lives in Sibley.
W. A. Spencer resides in Sioux City; he has a son,
however, C. A. Spencer, now residing in Goewey Township
on Section 22.
In June, 1872, T. M. Spencer, a brother of W. A., came
from Wisconsin and took the northeast quarter of Section 23.
He has lived in the county since, except one year during the
grasshopper period he worked in Cherokee. Mr. Spencer
now lives in Ocheyedan; his sons, Charles A. and E. E., live
in the same town, while another son, O., lives in Sibley.
G. L. Van Eaton also settled in this township in 1872,
and is still the owner of the land upon which he settled, lie-
is now in the lumber business at Little Rock. John Gray,
another settler of 1872, lives at Ashton. Among other of the
1S72 settlers now living in this township are George Bar-
rager, Louis Folsom, James Ford, E. Ellis, Robert Edwards.
George Spaulding, who still resides in the township, came in
1871, and also the same year James Hollands. Mr. Hollands
now resides in Sibley. W. L. Daggett, now living on Section
36, also came in 1872. Mr. E. Filing and J. C. Inman, who,
we think, are on Section 34, are also early settlers. Mrs.
Clarinda leaker, who is also an early settler, resides on Section
30. Her husband was gored to death by a bull several years
ago. In addition to those mentioned, among the early settlers
in this township we find D. G. Crippen, Henry Hoffman.
Alexander Gilkerson, George Haskins. Frank Finlev. Eugene
Guertin, L. Daggett, N. Madison, John Freeman. P. F. Jones
Mr. Jones was one of the early settlers of 1872- Nelse Christ-
ensen, W. II. Winney, P. O. Gillis. A. Bronson, John St.
Clair, John Christensen, Henry Pollman, P. N. Folkers, D.
Irish. T. Stephens, Mr. Brandt, the Johannes brothers. Walter
Philips, W. I\ Reeves. I. Brandt, C. Crumb, 1\ Foley.
Peter and Andrew Sherbonda. who are still living in the
164 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
township on Section 6, settled there in 1872. B. F. Curtis.
who settled on Section 34 in 1S72, now resides in Sioux City.
Charles Bangert, living on Section 19, is at present one of the
County Board of Supervisors. W. R. Foster lives, we think,
on Section 20. and Lent on Section 21. In referring to these
present residents, there will no doubt be some omissions, as
the writer has gathered several townships from inquiry.
COURTS.
There was in 1872 a District Court, and also a Circuit
Court, both being courts of record. Their jurisdiction was
about the same, except that the District Court had exclusive
criminal jurisdiction, and the Circuit Court had exclusive pro-
bate jurisdiction. Both districts comprised several counties,
of which Osceola was one.
The first term of the Circuit Court was held in Osceola
County in 1873. with lion. Addison Oliver presiding. The
first case on the calendar seems to have been Jacob Franz &
Co. vs. F. L. Ward, and the case was continued. John II.
Douglass was then Sheriff and John F. Glover, Clerk. The
following attorneys seem to have figured into the business of
that term: H. Jordan. J. H. Swan and James T. Barclay.
The record does not show anv litigated cases, owing, per-
haps, to the fact that the attorneys were not numerous enough.
Everybody seemed to get judgment in what cases there were.
The next term of this Court was held in December and in
1884 the State Legislature abolished the Circuit Court, leav-
ing the District Court as the only Court of Record.
The first term of the District Court. Hon. Henrv Ford
presiding, was held at Sibley in July, 1872. The record makes
mention of the fact that it was the first term of any Court of
Record held in the county. The officers were: Judge,
Henry Ford; District Attorney. C. H. Lewis; Clerk, C. M.
Brooks; Sheriff, Frank Stiles.
The record states that C. I. Hill, C. W. Blackmer, H.
Jordan and J. T. Barclay were present as members of the
Sibley bar, and Sioux City attorneys as follows: L. Wynn,
VV. L. Joy, O. C. Treadway, H. B. Wilson and J. II. Swan.
The first case on the calendar was L. F. Diefendorf vs. J. II.
Winspear and others. The action was to restrain Winspear,
Frank Stiles and others from building school houses. The
injunction was modified, and in September following, in vaca-
tion, Diefendorf dismissed the action, and the school houses,
under the direction of Winspear, Stiles and others, went on in
J. E. TATUM.
166 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
construction. This term of court lasted two days and consisted
principally of a few judgments, there being no criminal cases
and no jury, either grand or petit.
The next term of the District Court was held in April,
1S73. The same officers were present, except -that John H.
Douglass was Sheriff and John F. Glover Clerk. District
Attorney C. H. Lewis stated to the court that there was an
irregularity in drawing the grand jury, and asked that the
precept be set aside, which was done, and the court then
ordered a new precept to issue, which was issued, and the
following were the first grand jurors of the county: H. G.
Doolittle, B. A. Dean, J. L. Robinson, E. Morrison, J. I.
Halstead, A. M. Culver, N. Thompson, J. Slecht, H. Babcock,
J. W. Kerr, T. J. Cutshall, Charles Mandeville, R. F. Kinne,
D. L. Riley and O. Dunton. Frank Stiles and F. M. Robin-
son were held to answer to the grand jury from a preliminary
examination before a justice, and upon inquiry to these parties
as to challenge, Stiles challenged Riley and Dunton. H. G.
Doolittle was chosen as foreman, and the jury was instructed
and charged by the court. The record then says, after being
charged by the court they retired to consider upon their duties.
There is no further record as to this grand jury, or the case
against Robinson and Stiles, so that we are left to conclude
that the grand jury are still out considering their duties, and
Robinson and Stiles are still waiting in doubtful apprehension
of an indictment.
The first civil case tried in this court was H. Jordan vs.
J.H. Winspear, and the nature of the case is not disclosed.
A jury was had, which was the first petit jury in the county,
and was composed of the following named members: J. Mc-
Kinney, H. Reeves, C. W. Wyllys, Thomas B. Jackson, W.
H. Morrison, S. W. Lang, G. R. Helmoly, A. Buchman, C.
Anderson, C. T. Torey, Joseph Kappes and George Taylor.
Jordan was defeated in his suit, and retired at an expense of
$13.40. Several individual judgments were rendered, and
Osceola caught it to the tune of $14,851.12 from several
different parties, altogether aggregating that amount.
It is not necessary to follow the record of these courts
further; the only desire is to show something connected with
their first terms. We might add, however, that the first per-
son naturalized in the county, was John R. Robertson by Judge
Ford, and the first estate to be probated was that of Patrick
Baker, deceased.
We also omitted to state that the only litigated case in
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 167
the first term of the Circuit Court was that of G. Toun vs.
Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad Company, in which case
J. T. Barclay was attorney for plaintiff and J. H. Swan for
defendant. The jury was as follows: H. L. Baker, C.
Manderville, J. W. Collman, E. E. Headley, S. Cram, C. W.
Wyllys, Daniel Busbu, Frances F. White, Thomas B. Jackson,
George Fablinger, H. F. Manderville, Lewis Cole. Barclay
carried off the honors of the victory, and obtained a verdict
"for seventy-five dollars and costs at the first trial; but the
clever and tenacious Swan, who knows but little of the word
defeat, appealed the case to the Supreme Court. It is said
that when a lawyer gets beaten in a case he either appeals, or
goes down to the tavern and swears at the court, and in this
case Swan appealed.
We have now only a District Court, comprising Wood-
bury, Sioux, Lyon, Osceola, Plymouth, Monona, O'Brien,
Cherokee and Harrison Counties. Within this Judicial District
are four Judges, who agree among themselves as to the time
and place each shall hold. The Judges are: George W.
Wakefield, of Sioux City; Scott M. Ladd, of Sheldon; Frank
R. Gaynor, of Le Mars, and A. Van Wagenen, of Rock
Rapids. These Judges, all of them being members of dif-
ferent political parties, are men of unquestioned integrity, of
ability, learned in the law, and preside with a desire to hold
the scales in equipose and do justice to all. Will Thomas is
Clerk of Court in Osceola.
JUSTICES.
Justices' courts were in running operation before there
was held a court of record. The office of Justice of the Peace,
says Judge Conklin, is of somewhat remote origin, having
been first instituted in England, it is said, as early as the time
of William the Conqueror. The office was introduced into
this country by our forefathers on their first settlement here,
so that the people are accustomed to these courts and have
them.
At the 4th of July meeting in 1871 nominations were
made for Justices of the Peace.
The first year of the county organization the Justices were
as follows: H. L. Clapsaddle, O. Dunton, Frank Stiles, D. F.
Curtiss and J. H. Winspear.
Since then others have been elected and retired, and the
Justices of the county in 1892 are as follows:
168 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
Holman — D. L. McCausland and E. Walton.
Ocheyedan — A. E. Smith and R. J. O. McGowan.
Harrison — Charles Mietke and E. L. Krukenberff.
Baker — Dirk Frey.
Wilson — R. S. Eakin.
Fairview — Thomas Jackson.
Gilman — Joseph W. Reagan.
Horton — W. R. Boling.
Goewey — W. J. Reeves.
Other District Court officers are, John F. Stamm, Sheriff,
and T. P. May, Deputy.
There are often many amusing things occur in justice
courts, and in the early days of Osceola County there were
many here, but the records have not preserved them, and the
lawyers who still survive them are reticent, while others who
were in practice here then, have gone and some have died.
Among the justices at an early day was W. R. Boling in
Horton Township — in fact, he is now justice. An action was
brought before him of ejectment, and was between — Wass-
mann and G. B. Garvy. McCallum brought the suit for
Wassmann, the trial was set for January 2 at nine o'clock.
McCallum, the Sheriff and his deputy, Webb, with McCausland,
started over from Sibley, starting at three o'clock in the morn-
ing, and at daylight the thermometer was twenty-six degrees
below zero; but they were going to a law-suit, and the stimulus
of the coming contest kept them warm — for we wouldn't for a
moment intimate that anything else contributed to their com-
fort. P. R. Bailey, of Sheldon, was to be McCallum's
opponent, but the distance to go and the early hour was too
much for him, so he staid at home. The parties were all there
in season, and a jury was called, whose qualifications were
inquired into, and Mc found that all of them were quite satis-
factory. The trial commenced and proceeded, the testimony
was in and McCallum was making his argument. Just as Mc
commenced, Jack Blair and A. V. Randall arrived, and Blair,
seeing a chance for a little fun, went on top of the one-story
building, laid a sack over the stove-pipe, sticking up through
the roof, and sat down on it. The stove had just been
replenished with soft coal, and in an instant the room was tilled
with black, sulphurous smoke, but Mc kept on until Webb
went to shaking the stove-pipe to make it draw, when about
twenty links of pipe, filled with soot, came suddenly down on
the heads of the jurors, the litigants, the court and the counsel,
when all beat a hasty retreat out of doors, and there was such
wmmmis\mmm>
mimi'i..
RESIDENCE OF M. A. TATUM, OCHEYEDAN.
170 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
a similarity in appearance, that it was hard to tell one from
the other. They found out, however, what the trouble was,
re-adjusted things and went at it again, but Blair's escape
saved him from a line for contempt. The case lasted all night,
and at six o'clock the next morning, the jury were led off
to a school house by Sheriff Lent for the purpose of delibera-
tion, and were out some time before they returned, and when
they did their verdict was for Wassmann. The court room
for the purposes of the trial was Seymour Coyour's shack, and
while the jury were out McCallum, Randall, McCausland and
Webb "turned in," as the sailors call it, that is all four of them
went to bed together, and while they were snoozing quietly,
Blair appeared again and laid a hog's head carefully between
Randall's head and McCallum's, which woke Mc up, and
himself and what was left of the hog were staring at each
other, for their countenances were in close proximity. The
trial ended with a judgment for Wassmann, and then followed
an execution to collect the costs. There was nothing in sight
to levy on but some potatoes, and these were hardly in sight,
for they were buried in a pit under ground. The Sheriff,
however, armed with the usual process, went out to Garvy's
place, took a man with him, and spent nearly a day digging
into the frozen ground and finally into the pit, but the potatoes
were missing. Upon a closer examination there was found to
be another hole on the other side of the pit from where the
Sheriff had excavated, where the debtor had stole a march on
the expected execution, and removed his potatoes to other
quarters.
Since writing the above, A. V. Randall denies the four
in a bed, and the pig's head story so far as he was concerned,
and states that he was a member of the jury.
In 1873 Charles Brannock who lived near the Ocheyedan
and who was like most of the settlers, hard up for something
to eat, had caught some kind of an animal, probably a musk-
rat and after skinning it was cooking the carcass on a fire
out of doors. In an unfortunate moment the prairie grass
caught fire, and soon the fire was spreading in every direction.
Brannock was arrested and bound over. He was allowed
to remain at home to get bail, but the next day the fury of the
people demanded his incarceration and Sheriff Douglass was
ordered out with the necessary papers. In order that the
arrest should be a complete success, quite an army volunteered
to go along and did on horseback, armed with Winchesters, so
that their going presented quite a body of cavalry and they
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 171
soon reached Brannock's cabin and the terrified fellow was
ordered to surrender which he did. He asked leave, how-
eve:', to go inside and change his clothes and once in, crawled
out of a back window and by cautiously creeping at first and
getting in the grass he made his escape. There were some
who understood his condition of poverty and his peaceful and
law-abiding disposition and who felt that while the act was a
violation of the law, still it was not malicious nor intended;
these wanted him to get away and we suspect that Douglass
was one of them. They waited for his return in changed suit,
and when sufficient time had elapsed, an investigation was
made and it v/as found that he had escaped. Some one, a
friend to Brannock, said that he just saw him going over the
hill towards the south, and away went the cavalry flying after
him; when that hill was reached the friend said he saw him
going over the next one, and on went the horsemen in furious
following, and thus for several miles they were led, and this
with searching took up about the whole day. In the mean
time Brannock had started north while the searchers were
still searching he was safe in Minnesota, as only a few miles
travel was required to get there.
D. D. McCallum's first case was before a Justice of
marked morality, who was extremely harsh with criminals.
His weakness was his veneration for veterans of the late war,
all of whom he esteemed as unrewarded heroes. McCallum
had fought four years. His client was a thief. "The only
thing I can do tor you," said McCallum, after having gained
the man's confidence, "is to implore the mercy of the court.
When you get on the stand tell the whole truth."
The man had stolen a cow, killed it, sold the hide and
taken the carcass home to his family, which was really suffer-
ing for the necessaries of life. The prosecution, with a long-
line of witnesses, had made a perfect case, and the brow of
the Justice was draped in ominous frowns when the the pris-
oner was called. The latter did as directed by his attorney,
concealing nothing — from the almost starving condition of his
wife and family to the dressing of the stolen beef.
"Now, your honor," said McCallum," the defense has no
witnesses. My client is guilty. He has hidden nothing from
this court. It is the first time he has ever transgressed the
law. He was inspired to do wrong by that instinct we even
admire in brutes."
Then, turning to the prisoner as if the fact had nearly
escaped him, McCallum said:
172 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
" By the way, you were a soldier in the late war, were
you not ?"
" Yes, sir."
" Weren't you at Gettysburg ? "
"Yes, sir."
"So was I. And you were in other historic battles, fight-
ing for your country, while your wife and family suffered at
home ?"
"Yes, sir."
The prosecution at this point saw the way the case was
drifting, and attempted to ridicule the "old soldier defense,"
as the prosecuting attorney named it.
The effect upon the old Justice was to arouse all his loy-
alty and indignation.
" Enough of this," said he, bringing his hand down on
the desk in front of him with a thundering thud. "No soldier,
no man who shed his best blood for his country, not even if he
be a criminal, can be reviled in my presence. The prisoner
is discharged. And, sir, when you are suffering for the nec-
essaries of life again, come to me."
The joke was too good to keep. McCallum one day
told him the old soldier was an ex-Confederate; but never
again did McCallum practice in that court.
COUNTY OFFICERS 1872.
Recorder D. L. McCausland.
Treasurer A. M. Culver.
Sheriff Frank Stiles.
Surveyor M.J. Campbell.
Superintendent of Schools Delily Stiles.
Auditor F. M. Robinson.
Clerk of Court CM. Brooks.
( J. H. Winspear.
Supervisors < Geo. Spaulding.
I II. R. Fenton.
1873.
Recorder D. L. McCausland.
Treasurer A.M. Culver.
Sheriff J. H. Douglass.
Surveyor M. J. Campbell.
Superintendent of Schools Delily Stiles.
Auditor F. M. Robinson.
Clerk of Court J. F. Glover.
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RESIDENCE OF D. D. McCALLUM, SIBLEY.
174 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
Coroner J. M. Jenkins.
D. L. Riley.
Supervisors, until April 21 { H. R. Fenton.
Geo. Spaulding.
D. L. Riley.
Supervisors, after April 21. , _, ^ P. Dunton.
B. F. Mundorf.
1874.
This year there was no change in the offices of Recorder,
Sheriff, Surveyor and Coroner. The other officers were as
follows :
Auditor W. M. Moore.
Treasurer S. A. Wright.
Superintendent of Schools j. M. Jenkins.
A change of one in the Board of Supervisors — T. E.
Perry in place of B. F. Mundorf.
1875.
The officers of preceding year remained the same, except
County Surveyor, H. G. Doolittle, and A. H. Brown, member
of Board, in place of T. E. Perry.
1876.
This year the county officers were as follows:
Recorder D. L. McCausland.
Treasurer Levi Shell.
Sheriff •_ John Douglass.
Surveyor H. G. Doolittle.
Superintendent of Schools C. L. Gurney.
Auditor W. M. Moore.
Clerk of Court J. F. Glover.
Coroner Win. R. Lawrence.
( D. L. Riley.
Supervisors < O. Dunton, Ch'n.
( A. H. Brown.
i877-
The above officers remained the same, except the follow-
ing changes:
Clerk of Court W.J. Miller.
Recorder E. H uff .
Supervisor — C. W. Wyllys in place of O. Dunton.
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA. 175
1878.
County officers were as follows:
Recorder E. Huff.
Treasurer . Henry C. Hungerford.
Sheriff John H. Douglass.
Surveyor M. J. Campbell.
Superintendent of Schools Mrs. W. L. Parker.
Auditor W. M. Moore.
Clerk of Court W.J.Miller.
Coroner W. R. Lawrence.
( D. L. Riley.
Supervisors < Henry. C. Allen.
( C. W. Wyllys.
1879.
The officers of 187S remain the same, except the follow-
ing change:
Supervisor — H. L. Emmert in place of D. L. Riley-
1880.
The only changes in county officers for this year were,
Wm. R. Lawrence, Superintendent of Schools, in place of C. L.
Gurney; W. H. Barkhuff, Coroner, in place of Lawrence, and
Geo. S. Downend, Supervisor, in place of
i88t.
The county officers of 18S1 stood as follows:
Recorder . ___ Mrs. C. I. Hill.
Treasurer H. C. Hungerford.
Sheriff _ John H. Douglass.
Surveyor M. J. Campbell.
Superintendent of Schools Wm. R. Lawrence.
Auditor W. M. Moore.
Clerk of Court John S. Davison.
f H. C. Allen.
Robert Stamm.
Supervisors . -\ Nicholas Boor.
William Mowthorpe.
Geo. S. Downend.
It will be noticed that this year the members of the Board
were increased to rive.
176 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
1882.
I
Recorder Mrs. C. I. 1 1 ill.
Treasurer Robert S. Hall.
Sheriff Jacob B. Lent.
Surveyor M. J. Campbell.
Superintendent of Schools J. R. Elliott.
Auditor W. M. Moore.
Clerk of Court John S. Davidson.
Coroner W. II. Barkhuff .
No change in Board of Supervisors.
1883.
There was no change this year in county officers from
that of 1882, except H. G. Doolittle, Surveyor.
1884.
The changes this year from 1883 were: Auditor, J. S.
Reynolds in place of W. M. Moore; H. Neill, Coroner, in
place of Barkhuff, and G. W. Barrager, Supervisor, in place
of H. C. Allen.
1885.
County officers for the year were as follows:
Recorder Mrs. C. I. I Iill:
Treasurer ; . _ R. S. Hall.
Sheriff . J. B. Lent.
Surveyor . H. G. Doolittle.
Superintendent of Schools J. R. Elliott,
Auditor J. S. Reynolds.
Clerk of Court W. H. Kimberly.
Coroner H. Neill.
Wm. Mowthorpe, Ch'n.
Supervisors
^
G. S. Downend.
Geo. W. Barrasrer.
Albert Romey.
N. Boor.
1 886.
The officers for this year remain the same as 1885, with
the following changes: W. J. Reeves, Superintendent of
Schools, in place of J. R. Elliott; W. S. Webb, Coroner;
C. P. Reynolds and Win. Foster elected Supervisors in place
of N. Boor and G. S. Downend.
RESIDENCE OF W. F. ALDRED, OCHEYEDAN.
11
178 'HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
1887.
The county officers of this year were as follows:
Recorder S. S. Parker.
Treasurer R. S. Hall.
Sheriff . J.B.Lent.
Surveyor H. G. Doolittle.
Superintendent of Schools W.J. Reeves.
Auditor J. S. Reynolds.
Clerk of Court J. B. Mead.
Coroner ... W. R. Lawrence.
f S. A, Dove.
I C. P. Reynolds.
Supervisors -\ Geo. W. Barrier.
J. E. Townsend.
1
A. Romey, Chairman.
1888.
Recorder S. S. Parker.
Treasurer J. B. Lent.
Sheriff -J. II. Douglass.
Surveyor H. G. Doolittle.
Superintendent of Schools W.J. Reeves.
Auditor J. S. Reynolds.
Clerk of Court W. R. Lawrence.
Coroner W. R. Lawrence.
Supervisors same as 1887.
1889.
Recorder S. S. Parker.
Treasurer -J. B. Lent.
Sheriff J. H. Douglass.
Surveyor IT. G. Doolittle.
Superintendent of Schools W. J. Reeves.
Auditor . J. S. Reynolds.
Clerk of Court J. B. Mead.
Coroner . W. R. Lawrence.
There was also elected in the fall of 1889, under a new
provision of the Legislature, a County Attorney.
County Attorney O. J. Clark.
CG, W. Barrager, Ch'n.
A. Romey.
Supervisors -I C. P. Reynolds.
S. A. Dove.
I C. W. Conner,
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
179
1890.
Recorder S.S.Parker.
Treasurer J. B. Lent.
Sheriff J. H. Douglass.
Surveyor . John A. Flower.
Superintendent of Schools F. W. Hahn.
Auditor J. S. Reynolds.
Clerk of Court J. B. Mead.
Coroner W. E. Ely.
Attorney O.J. Clark.
C. P. Reynolds, Ch'n.
A. Batie.
Supervisors C. W. Connor.
A. Romey.
S. A. Dove.
1 891.
Recorder W. H. Gates.
Treasurer J. B. Lent.
Sheriff J. H . Douglass.
Surveyor . J. A. Flower.
Superintendent of Schools F. W. Hahn.
Auditor J. S. Reynolds.
Clerk of Court Will Thomas.
Coroner W. E. Ely.
Attorney G. W. Lister.
'"S. A. Dove, Chairman.
Supervisors -\
Adam Batie.
C. W. Conner.
P. A. Cajacob.
C. P. Reynolds.
1892.
The county officers for this present year are as follows
Recorder W. H. Gates.
Treasurer James E. Townsend.
Sheriff John F. Stamm.
Superintendent of Schools F. W. Ilalin.
Auditor . J. S. Reynolds.
Clerk of Court Will Thomas.
Attorney . . G. W. Lister.
180
Coroner
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
Supervisors
W. E. Ely.
"A. Batie, Chairman.
S. A. Dove.
W. H. Noehren.
Charles Bangert.
v _
P. A. Cajacob.
D. H. BOYD.
CHAPTER XIX.
Returning again to Ocheyedan Township, we find its
settlement in 187 1 was not extensive, but its incoming settlers
in 1872 were quite numerous. In Jul)-, 1872, Daniel H. Boyd
filed on the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 2.
Himself and son Charles first looked the county over, and,
when final place of location was fixed upon, Mr. Boyd went to
Cedar Falls, where his family were, and all came back with
him to the claim. In the spring of that year, 1872, Mr. Boyd,
with the desire to go west which seized many people then, left
the State of New Hampshire, that beautiful country of scenery
that Bayard Taylor called the " Switzerland of America." Mr.
Boyd first put up a small building on the shack order, and in
the fall built a better house — the one he still resides in on the
original claim — and, after a lapse of twenty years, he has a
beautiful home there, overlooking the thrifty town of Ochey-
edan, and where its magnificent forest trees add to its attract-
iveness and beauty.
Along in September of 1872, Mr. R. S. Hall and Albert
March came to the Boyd place, they, too, fresh from the
Granite State. Mr. Hall, a few years ago, went to Long Pine,
Nebraska, where he still resides. Mr. March still lives on the
original claim.
On the morning of the January 7 (1873) blizzard, Mr.
March, who was putting up a building on his claim, started
from Mr. Boyd's to work that day. As stated elsewhere con-
cerning the blizzard, the morning was beautiful, and Mr.
March went with clothing for only ordinary weather, as he
was to return again at night. His partially built shack was
two miles east from Mr. Boyd's, and before Mr. March reached
it the blizzard had commenced, so that, once there, he did not
long remain, but started back for Mr. Boyd's house. He lost
his way and wandered for over two hours, not knowing which
wa} T he was going, with the storm increasing and the atmos-
phere growing intensely colder. Mr. March went down upon
his knees, and in the face of death offered up a prayer for his
deliverance. Soon after rising he saw, not far from him, in a
lull of the storm, a small shanty, which proved to be that of
Mr. Sutton, which was about two miles southeast from Mr.
ITISTORl OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 183
March's own claim. Mr. Sutton had been caught in the storm
at Mr. Ireland's place, and Mr. March remained with the other
members of the Sutton family until the third day, when the
storm was over.
On the second day of that blizzard Mr. Boyd and Mr.
Hall started from the Boyd place to go to March's shack to
look after him. It was a hazardous undertaking to go two
miles in that terrible blizzard and back, but these two men
had concluded that March was still there and might still be
alive, and that they might save him. They carried a string
with them, stretching it out about forty rods, and at the end of
this, by going slowly and carefully, they followed the blind
road which had been made by some hauling to the March
place, and at last reached the shack, but there was no occu-
pant. These two disappointed men concluded that March
was lost, and that, rigid with freezing and with death, he lay
out somewhere upon the prairie. The task of returning was
then before them. Mr. Hall was about exhausted and wanted
to lie down, but Mr. Boyd — of an iron constitution and good
pluck, and fearful that Hall would give out on the way —
encouraged his companion to make the venture, which they
did, and, after a few hours of tedious plodding and in a feeling
of apprehension for their own safety, they arrived back at the
Boyd residence.
On the third day, after it had cleared up some, Charles
Boyd was about to go, under the direction of his father, to
the Sutton place to see if March was there, when March him-
self, to the delight and astonishment of the Boyd household,
opened the door and walked in, alive and well.
On this same Section 2, upon which Mr. Boyd filed, Frank
Taylor took the east half of the northeast quarter in 1872,
Charles R. Boyd the east half of the northwest quarter, and
Mr. A. B. Elmore the west half of the northwest quarter. The
southeast quarter of this same section was a tree claim, filed on
by Mr. Ruttenburg, but which D. H. Boyd subsequently
became the owner of. The southwest quarter was settled upon
originally by Mr. Greenleaf. James Goodwin, of Spencer,
afterwards became the owner of it, and sold to Lorenzo B.
Boyd, who still owns it and there resides, except fifty acres on
the east side conveyed to Mrs. Tracy, and upon the south half
of this Section 2 is a part of the Ocheyedan Townsite.
Lorenzo B. and Charles R. Bovd are sons of D. H., and the
Boyd family in one of sterling integrity, and are among the best
citizens in the county. Mr. A. B. Elmore still resides on his
184 HISTORT OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
original Ocheyedan Township claim, and, quoting from a
former work on Northwestern Iowa, it is said of him: " He is
an energetic, hard-working farmer, possessed of broad ideas,
and is well known as an honorable upright citizen."
Geo. N. Taylor and S. S. Parker left Minnesota, where
they were then living about sixty miles northwest of St. Paul,
on the 6th day of May, 1872, and landed on the bank of the
Ocheyedan on the 28th. They both took claims on Section
6, Township 99, Range 40. Mr. Parker was afterwards
elected Recorder and moved to Sibley, where he still resides.
Mr. Taylor lives in Ocheyedan. Taylor's first crop, or a part
of it, was two acres of wheat intended for family bread. He
harvested just one bushel, the grasshoppers had harvested
ahead. Mr. Taylor lost a yoke of oxen in the January, 1873,
blizzard. Luke Horrobin settled in Ocheyedan Township in
1872, and came here from Ohio. He first settled on Section
6 and afterwards removed to Section 14, where he now resides.
About 1873, Mr. L. Tatum, with his son, C. A. Tatum, drove
through from Floyd County, and arrived in Osceola in May.
L. Tatum filed on a part of Section 14, in West Ocheyedan,
and in the same Township C. A. Tatum filed a homestead on
a part of Section 24. L. Tatum is now in Nebraska, and C.
A. Tatum still owns his original homestead and resides in the
Town of Ocheyedan. A picture of his residence is on another
page. W. H. Barkhuff, who has a very fine farm in this town-
ship, came from Fayette County in March, 1872. He has
braved the new country adversities with final success. John
Hesebeck came in 1872, and still lives on the original claim.
John has had a hard time of it like the rest of us, but is a suc-
cessful farmer. In this township also resides Hans Graves,
who is mentioned as one of the Graves family, most of whom
settled in Baker Township, also John Graves. Hans and John
came in 1S72, and both have as fine farms as can be found in
the state. Claus Yess, living in this township, also came in
1872. Mr. Yess now lives in a fine residence, across the road
from which stands the original cabin which he first built.
Geo. Raynor has a very fine place, having purchased it
from one of the Scotch settlers, so called, for at one time there
was a Scotch settlement in Ocheyedan Township, which scat-
tered from misfortune or inexperience in farming. G. A.
Peter, who still lives in this township and is a good farmer, is
a son of one of the Scotch settlers. On the cast side of the
township are C. 10. Benson, E. J. Benson and F. E. Benson.
E. J. has been some time in the township. Other residents^
JOHN H. DOUGLASS.
186 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
are John Armstrong, I. N. Beanger, A. C. Barnett, A. A.
Barnett, Anton Barta, C. H. Button, C. S. Buchner. George
Bremmer is an old resident of this township and lives in the
southwest part of it. J. J. Callender has been here about six-
years, Edmund Devine about three years and John Ginnie
about two years. James Hall, on the east side, te something
of an old settler, enough so as to have had a touch of the
grasshoppers and has been here about fourteen years. F. H.
Hunt, along with H. C. March, came in 1875 from New En-
gland. Mr. Hunt purchased the Luke Horrobin place and
now has an elegant home. Mr. March is well situated, and
had the misfortune about a year ago to lose his wife by death.
Richard Harrison, living south of town, has resided there
about three years. Others have been here as follows: M. N.
Herbert about five years, Joseph Korth about seven, while J.
H. Kerbv has been here considerably longer. H. T. and R.
C. Lutson have been residents about five years, D. J. Smith
about the same; also B. J. J. Morritz, O. J. Barkhuff and J. F.
and E. J. Bradlev. Among other residents of a latter date
are M. J. Swazy, Thomas Wise, I. W. Olmstead, Wallace
Olmstead, John A. Smith, Otto Rumford, Charles F. Porter,
Manley Pickett, J. S. Floyd, Ira Swaney, George Dearhalt.
T. B. Fletcher, who lives near the noted Ocheyedan Mound,
came about five years ago, as also did W. A. Cooper.
C. N. Moar is considerable of an old settler, as is also
Gilbert and Milan Gee. Hope Graham has been here about
ten years, and William Siver is considered an old settler.
Among other residents are W. A. Cook, J. H. Kuntz, N.
Richardson, N. I. Peter, Albert and Charles Shephard, P. H.
Tierney, Cornelius Tierney, R. S. Thompson, J. H. Welsh
and George Waldholm. F. L. James and A. W. Stephens
are old settlers; also Walter Woolridge and C. C. Webster
has been here about four years. James Thomas, who is con-
sidered an old settler, lives on the east side of the township.
P. L. Thompson, a recent settler, and near him H. Tjden.
Tjden, in addition to farming, is in the insurance business. J.
P. Tower is an early settler and is still living on the original
claim which he settled upon in 1872. John S. Robinson, on
the west side, has lived there about live years, and Joel Carl,
after an experience in Dakota, settled in the south part of the
township about two years ago. J- J- Lintner has been here
quite a number of years. There are also E. T. Evins, E. J.
Lee, who has lived in the township about two years; also A.
H. Paddock. We might further mention David Kratzer, H.
HTSTORY OF OSCEOLA COCXTl\ IOWA. 187
M. Trumbauer, W.E. Phinney, W. C. Ondler, Andrew Naab.
O. J. Nenno is an old settler, M. N. Smith has lived in the
township several years and C. R. Marsh about two years and
H. W. Anderson about the same. Edward Everett lives near
Ocheyedan, in this township. He first settled in the county
in 1871, east of Ashton, in Gilman Township, and has been
identified now for over twenty years in Osceola County
affairs. His wife is of a literary turn of mind; has written
some very elegant poetry and will soon publish a volume of
her poems. Mr. Everett was one of the first justices in Gil-
man township and the first Sunday school superintendent in that
part of the township, and indeed we believe the first in that
part of the county. Ocheyedan has gained very much in set-
tlement in the past two years and is a thrifty, productive
township. On Section 17, west of Ocheyedan, is I. C. Stew-
art and M. M. Hulburt, and on Section 18 Charles Moore, and
Max Decker on Section 33. Joseph Smith lives in the south-
east part of the township. Ocheyedan Township, as a part
of Osceola County, would still be incomplete without a men-
tion of C. B. Knox. Mr. Knox, it is true, lives in Dickinson
County, on the banks of Silver Lake but not a great distance
from the east line of Ocheyedan. He came from Wisconsin
in 1869 and camped for a few weeks on the banks of Spirit
Lake, and in that same year settled upon the northeast quar-
ter of Section 28, Township 100, Range 38, where he still re-
sides. Mr. Knox had occasion to pass across Osceola County
several times when not a white man was living in the county
and when he encountered bands of Indians and saw r nothing
but the original untrodden prairie, an occasional wild animal
and the roving red man. Mr. Knox has a lovely home over-
looking the placid waters of that beautiful lake, and there en-
joys life in contentment and with the respect of his neighbors
and fellow citizens.
CHAPTER XX.
The settlement of Holman Township east and west out-
side of Sibley began in 1871. The township is twelve miles
east and west, by six miles north and south. The township
was named after Supervisor Holman, of Woodbury County.
Goewey Township and Horton were also named after mem-
bers of Woodbury County's Board of Supervisors at the time
that Board started Osceola County into existence.
The only settler in the township near the neighborhood
of Sibley was Frank Stiles, and west of Stiles was J. H.
Winspear, who had a small house near where C. F. Benson's
residence now is. Just north of Sibley L. C. Chamberlain
had a homestead, and near him Ed. Shufelt, now of Canton,
South Dakota, had a pre-emption. Mr. Chamberlain lived
there about twenty years, and now is in San Francisco, Cali-
fornia. Near these D. Busbee, M. V. Beebe and J. K. Shaw
were located, while west of these were Robert Stamm and
John O'Neill. Garrett Irwin and James Bailey were in the
same neighborhood. A mile west of Chamberlain's were E.
Morrison, John Beaumont and D. L. Riley, while still further
were Daniel Call, Charles Call and N. Richards and Busbee.
On the section directly west of Sibley, where is now the fine
stock farm of H. L. Emmert, were Henry L. Baker, W. W.
Cram, Myron Churchill and Thomas Parland. On the first
section south of town were R. O. Manson, Geo. W. Bean, A.
M. Culver and his son, Andrew. West of these were G. F.
Nixon, A. W. Mitchell and Pat Larkin, and still further west
were John Coughlin, C. M. Bailey and Edward Lindsey.
Near this section were located William Proper, William and
Joseph Anderson, Rev. Mr. Aldrich and Thomas Jackson.
East of these was the Robinson section, John L., F. M. and
Ed., and near these were the Rice brothers, Martin and
Hughes, also Doc. Ward. South of the Culvers were W.
Belcher and near him David Chambers and sons. West of
these were David Johns, Peter Wagner, Thomas Thompson,
and near them John Welcher, S. F. Thompson and C. B.
Hann.
Of these old settlers mentioned, Winspear went to Colo-
rado; Stiles and Shufelt are in Dakota: M. V. Beebe is in
RESIDENCE OF JOHN H. DOUGLASS, SIBLEY.
190 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
Ellsworth, Minn.; J. K. Shaw is in Salt Lake City; W. H.
Morrison is in Kettle Falls; John O'Neill and James Bailey
have died; D. L. Riley is in Iowa Falls; H. L. Baker is in
Indiana; Myron Churchill is in Pipestone, Minn.; W. W. Cram
is in Nebraska; Edward Linsdey is dead, and his two sons,
Harvey and Henry, have farms in this county; C. M. Bailey is
in the Auditor's office at Des Moines; F. M. Robinson is at
Atlanta, Ga. ; and Pat Larkin is in Kansas.
Of the pioneers mentioned, but few remain on their
claims. Robert Stamm continues to live on his claim, and
A. W. Mitchell and John Coughlin are on the same original
claims; David Jones, John Chamberlain and R. O. Manson
also live on the land originally taken. East of Sibley, Dr.
J. M.Jenkins and his brother John riled; near them, John I.
Halstead and his son, Al Halstead, and also Rev. John Webb.
A mile north of these was located J. F. Glover, F. F. White,
E. A. White and S. A. Wright, and east of, C. F. Krueger
and sons. Near these last mentioned, were Chauncey H.
Bull, John E. Johnson and John E. Selecht. West of Bull
were James Bowles, E. C. Jenkins, Howey Walters and Mr.
Loharty. In the same neighborhood were the parties here-
tofore mentioned on Section 8.
On Section 14 were Wallace Rea, O. C. Staplin, John
Roberts and C. A. Kirkpatrick. On Section 22 were J. S.
Reynolds, Frank Coe and S. H. Westcott. On Section 24,
H. G. Doolittle and John McDonald; near there was the
Mandeville section — H. N. and his sons William and Charles.
On Section 28 were John H. Miller, W. J. Miller, G. H.
Perry and John Q. Miller; east were Hiram Burt, Michael
Clapsaddle, H. S. Brown and J. Bud worth; near by, Jack
Kettle, Wm. Horton, H. L. Clapsaddle, W. II. Philips and
J. B.Jenny. The Jenkins people have all moved away. The
Halsteads moved to Nebraska, the White boys returned to
Wisconsin, S. A. Wright to Nebraska, and Mr. Loharty per-
ished in a blizzard. C. M. Brooks lives in Cedar Rapids and
Hiram Austin in Kansas.
Thus the early settlers of Ilolman Township have scat-
tered, except what few remain, and some have died. Those
who left got discouraged and disheartened with the disadvan-
tages which every new country has, and returned to their
former homes, or sought other fields. The land of these early
settlers is now occupied by other and later comers, who will
reap the harvest, which, with the absent settlers failed to
materialize.
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 191
Among the present settlers, some of whom may through
inadvertence be omitted, are Geo. N. Argubright, P. (J.
Alexander, Gens Anderson, Geo. Alberns, Horace Ackerson,
Dirk Albers, Charles Andrews, Charles Thomas, William
Brechel, C. F. Blackmore, J. W. Bechet, Frank Burton, A. L.
Baxter, Will Chase, P. A. Cajacob — Mr. Cajacob is a mem-
ber of the Board of Supervisors — J. S. Campbell, who bought
the line Philips farm, Geo. Cooper, M. J. Chambers, David
Chambers, D. J. Chambers, Aaron Cox, H. L. Clapsaddle,
J. J. Conwav, G. De Bries, William Drahe, William Dix, J. L.
Dufree, C. N. Flower, G. W. Flower, D. R. Flower, John
Gerver, J. T. Greenfield. This last named gentleman is a
pioneer who has a large farm. J. H. Gallagher also lives in
this township, who is a fine stock breeder; also J. H. Gee,
John Gache and Jonathan Gross. There are also A. Hunter,
John Hess, Nick Hess, J. H. Karem, Claus Hoffman, George
Heritage, Mahlon Harvey, E. A. Hunter, Matt Hillers, P.
Henry, Peter Johannes, D. D. Jenkins, J. G. Johnson, J. B.
Jenney, Joseph Kappes, F. L. Kruger, W. H. Ketchem,
A. Klossen, William Kastor, Theodore Ling, C. F. Ling,
Thomas Larson, J. S. Martin, R. F. Maloney, D. Myer and
J. Miller, whose wife is one of the big turkey raisers of the
county, Peter Nelson, Dan O'Neill, John McCone, John
Pfeffer, Peter Philbern, L. S. Patterson, Thomas Pell. This
last named gentleman is a Congregational clergyman, who has
been pastor of a church in the countv and last winter preached
in Florida. There are also Charles Parker, P. Redmond,
N. H. Reynolds, Joseph Roth, John Redmond, B. A. Stamm,
who is also a pioneer, Henry Shroeder, Will Shroeder, John
Schulte, Robert Smith, who was also a pioneer, Martin
Schmidt, G. L. Smith, Peter Shaw, James Stevens, James
Thomas, Robert Taylor, J. F. Taylor, W. L. Taylor, G. B.
Van Norman, David Whitney, John Wagner, who is a large
farmer, John E. Wagner, T. M. Wagner. These names do
not include all the residents of Holman Township, but such as
could be ascertained by observation and inquiry. They have
taken the even numbered sections of the government land,
and the railroad land, being the odd numbered, and following
the little settlements and small improvements of the pioneer,
they have made Holman Township one of the finest agricul-
tural districts in the country.
The farmers of this township, as well as all other town-
ships, have, in less than a quarter of a century, built highways,
made substantial homes, built school-houses, and today this
192 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY* IOWA.
township, that in the sixties rated at $1.25 per acre and in the
seventies rated at $2.50 to $5 an acre, has advanced to be
worth from $25 to $50 an acre. Industrial developement is
marvelous. The Nineteenth Century advancement is won-
derful to contemplate, but right here at our doors, before our
very eyes, has been a transformation as remarkable as can be
noted in any department of industry in the wide field of this
great republic.
RESIDENCE OF W. B. STEVENS, SIBEEY.
12
CHAPTER XXI.
The first settler in Baker Township was in 187 1, but
during that winter following, there was hardly anyone there.
Several who had settled in Goewey in 1871, afterwards moved
to Baker, and now reside there. Among these are W. H.
Lean and Adam Batie. In 1872, a great many took claims
in Baker; indeed, in 1872 and 1873, t- ne Government land
was about all taken. Among those that came to Baker in
1 87 1, were Philip and Peter Ladenberger, and came from
Wisconsin. Philip still resides in the county at Sibley.
Peter perished in 1873 blizzard, elsewhere mentioned. John
Kinne also came in 1871, and we believe that this gentleman
and family were the only residents in this township in the win-
ter 1871 and 1872. There were also Jacob Henshaw,
Albert Waldo and Ed. Melvin. Mr. Melvin is in Sioux City,
and Mr. Henshaw now resides in Dickinson County.
There was some breaking done in the township in 187 1,
and some vegetables raised, but the products of the county
that year amounted to but little, and the shacks were very
limited in number. Adam Batie drove through from Wiscon-
sin in 1 87 1, with Stephen Higgins, filed that year on a claim
in Goewey Township, and afterwards settled in Baker. Mr.
Batie is a member of the Board of County Supervisors.
Elmore R. Hazen arrived in the county in 1872, and settled
on the southwest quarter of Section 2, in Baker. He still
owns the original claim. He put up the usual shack and did
some breaking. On the Hazen place now live the Holle
family, consisting of Herman Holle, wife, one daughter and
three sons. A picture of C. W. Holle is elsewhere in the
book. They own land themselves, but at present live on the
Hazen place, and farm this along with their own.
Harmon Runyon took the northeast quarter of Section 2
in 1872, and is still living on the same place with valuable im-
provements. He came here from Winneshiek County, and
along with him came Mr. Smith and Benj. Davis. Smith and
Davis soon returned. Davis afterwards died, and Smith still
lives in Winneshiek. Smith and Runyon also had a dangerous
experience with the December, 1872, blizzard. They went to
Sibley at that time and then drove around to Huff's to get
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA. 195
their papers, and while on their way home the blizzard over-
took them. They kept pushing on with the storm, and finally
brought up at Teabout's ranch, in Clay County. Runyon's
hat blowed away, and in running after that, he lost sight of the
team, and with difficulty found it again. Altogether it was a
narrow escape for them, as it was with a great many others in
those early blizzards.
Henry Dunkleman is still living in Baker on the same
original claim filed upon in 1872. Baker Township has one
postoffice called Gopher, of which W. H. Lean, elsewhere
mentioned, is postmaster. It is on Section 6. Henry Brem-
mer is an early settler on Section 5.
Among other residents of the township, not otherwise
mentioned, are Ira Peck, who is at present the only one living
on Section 3. Joh'n Haskins, Charles Wilson, S. T. Price,
Harvey Nash, Theodore Frey, H. W. Jones, Adolph Knox,
A. Hager, John Frey, Peter Wilson, Peter Anderson, Hermen
Frey, Henry Verteen, A. D. Wilson, W. Logar, George Leg-
gett, August Buchholtz, Will Philips, Philip Schertzer, Henry
Walters, Conrad Fink, John Fink, Charles Fink, Casper
Diekman, Benj. Diekman, George Webster, H. Weigands,
Clark Howard, W. Bell, James McAnrich, Herman Lyman,
Thomas Dewey, Charles Goodman, John Price, Frank Cres-
sap and son, Mr. Lyons, David Logar. Mr. Logar has in-
vented a flax cleaner and obtained a patent on it, which is said
to be a great improvement. Charles Timmons is on Section
2, and C. M. McDougal is on Section 15. Still others are
Dirk Frey, J. D. C. Frey, Frank Quiggle, Philip Keller, John
Benz, John Wiggenhausser, Peter Keutzer, John Jobes, Ernest
Benz, Fritz Rhoda, S. M. Stanford, August Gentz, O. Dufrees,
Henry Bremmer, H. Waehtel, Peter Johnson, J. Hokkoff,
Theodore Reimmers, George Reimmers. C. W. Bryan, who
is School and Township Clerk, lives on Section 21. Palmer
Rumford lives on the east side of the township.
Hans Graves, who yet lives in Baker Township, came in
1872, along with H. Steffenhagen and one other party. Mr.
Steffenhagen still lives in the township, and both himself and
Mr. Graves are entitled to the success they have made of it,
as they went through the early hard times. They returned
for the winter and came out again in the spring of 1873.
They came from Clinton County, and when they came back
the following spring, there came with them Mr. Frank Graves,
uncle to Hans, and other members of the family, Peter, John
C, Frank and Jerry Graves and Claus Yess. These all took
196 HI STOUT OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
claims. Peter and Frank Graves are now in Chicago in the
jewelry business, and John C, with his family, live in Ochey-
edan, and is engaged in the mercantile business. The other
members of the family live on their original claims and all are
well-to-do.
As has been said with reference to other townships, some
names are no doubt omitted as we did not intend to make a
complete directory but more of a record of past events. Baker
Township is one of the best in the county.
Harrison Township, which was a part of Baker until a
few years ago, was not early settled as other townships were.
We believe about the first settler in this township was Mr.
Billion, and the place where he lived was known for several
years as the Billion Ranch, and is so called now. It was land
owned by Rev. Peter Haverman, a Catholic priest, of Troy,
New York, who started there a cattle ranch, and sent Mr.
Billion out from New York State to run it. From poor
management, the enterprise proved a failure. Mr. Haverman
was out several times, and is spoken of as a very honorable
and conscientious man.
In the north part of the township is quite a settlement of
Mennonites. This sect is distinguished by antique simplicity,
by their indifference to the great interests of the world, and at
the same time their industry and self concentrations make
them well to-do. The main interest in the sect lies not in
dogma, but in principle, and as men they are conscientious,
law-abiding citizens. They have about thirty members, and
hold services every two weeks. They came from Canada to
Harrison township. Jesse Bauman came first in 1887, and, his
report concerning the country being favorable, others soon
followed. They sent out carpenters, who erected buildings
for them, and there is a sameness about all their surroundings.
Josiah Martin, one of the leaders among his people, has all of
Section 10. The Bauman's are also prominent — Jesse, Amos
and Elias. Elias is on Section 4, and Jesse and Amos on
Section 9. In this north part of the township are also Julius
Worm, Louis Clatt, Frank Gregory, John Huehn, Louis
Johannes, Daniel Weaver, Daniel Staurrer, John Dunnenworth,
George Bryer, Abraham Widner, Jacob Brubaker, Elias
Ginrich, Henry Gregory, Elias Reist, Daniel Harley, Fred
Kampene, James Reist, Mr. Kesterling.
The May City postofrice is on Section 8, in this township,
about the center. This section is owned by a company, and
is intended for a townsite. E. S. Robertson is postmaster, and
OCHEYEDAN HOUSE, OCHEYEDAN.
198 J /IS TORT OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
Mr. Robertson's father and two brothers are living there at
present. Martin Houcks and August Hess are the village
blacksmiths, and John Brendley the shoemaker. An incoming
railroad, which is expected, would make May City quite a
point. Section 12 is owned by Lon, John and Joseph Cham-
bers. On Section 6 are the Smith brothers, O.J. and A. W.
Among other of the residents there, George and E. L.
Krukenburg are on Section 31, Henry Krukenburg is on Sec-
tion 30, Chris Dorman and John Marsh are on Section 32 and
John Isley and Henry Schmoll are on Section 33. Among
other of its residents are Ernest Krukenburg, Henry Lager,
Henry Groff, Conrad Schmoll, Danied Tyards, W. D. Sauer,
John Brochus, Peter Anker, Henry Newkirk, T. Hemmig,
George Ryers, Charles Mielke; also Albert Mielke, John
Sittler, Martin Fritz; also Peter Anker, David Anker, A. F.
Berdine, W. H. Brerver, L. W. Lopp, Gerritt DeBoor, Wm.
Eden, Herman Eden, R. E. Ellis, R. C. Fuller, J. C. Herlie,
J. W. Wardnp, A. B. Weidman, Daniel Shafer, W. J. Smith,
Hugh Starts, Louis and Philip Kesserling, David Steiner,
Henry Heimrich, John Kimble, E. T. Willner, Martin Hank,
John Huchn. This township was named after President
Harrison, and many of its fine farms are attractive and delight
the eye. E. C. Roberts, in addition to the postoffice at May
City, has also a general stock of goods and his store is well
patronized. Emil Hemmig and Fred Tschudin also live in
Harrison. T. Hemmig is an old settler for Harrison, and
came here six years ago.
©owns in the (Bounty.
HARRIS.
This is a station on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and
Northern Railroad, on the east side of the county. At pres-
ent it does not claim to be metropolitan, but expects some time
in the future to acquire prominence as one of the towns in the
county. It is well located, and when the country around it
becomes more settled, the town will grow correspondingly.
It has one general store, managed by Rufus Townsend, who
is also postmaster, and the store has a good trade. M. B.
Smith has a lumber yard; also a harness shop. J. Ryckman
runs a coal yard and John Waiting is the blacksmith. The
station agent is Homer Richards, and Harris has a decorative
painter, Frank P. Burley. This about comprises the bus-
iness interests of Harris, and no doubt the historian ten years
from now will be able to make an extensive record, which will
come from its future growth.
ASHTON.
The Town of Ashton was laid out by the Land Depart-
ment of the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad Company in
1S72. It was first named St. Oilman, but afterwards, in 1882,
this name was changed to Ashton. The town is beautifully
located, and on the east side of its business portion runs the
Otter, a beautiful stream, though not a large one. It is a
thrifty town, having tributary to it a scope of country that for
productiveness and fertility of soil is unexcelled in the state.
The first building on the townsite was placed there by T. J.
Shaw in the fall of 1872, and the building still stands there and
is now occupied by John Kunnen for a restaurant. Mr. Shaw
is the same party who, previous to that time, had a store on
Section 32 in Gilman township, and he put up the building
now in Ashton before the town was laid out, and when lots
were to be had, placed the building on one of them and gave
200 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
it a permanent abiding place. Mr. Shaw left Osceola County
in 1888, and now resides in Oregon. After Shaw's store,
followed a warehouse in 1873, P ut U P by Brown & Rounds-
ville. Mr. Brown resides in Nebraska, and Mr. Roundsville
died several years ago. About the same time the warehouse
was built, a lumber yard office was put up, and this was used
afterwards for various purposes, and, by adding to it, Mr.
David Underhill now has it for a residence. Then followed a
blacksmith shop, run by Charles Miller, who sold to John Lee,
and in 1878 Lee sold out to I. B. Lucas, who still continues
the same business. Another store soon followed, a millinery
shop, and, in those days of beer and native wine from fruits
grown in the state, a saloon. A hotel building was also
erected soon after by J. D. Billings, which still stands in Ash-
ton, but which has been improved by large additions, and is
now owned by C. W. Freeman and run by Nick Reiter.
When Ashton got fairly started, it had two stores, a millinery
shop, blacksmith shop, hotel, warehouse, saloon and two resi-
dences. Then came the grasshoppers, whose ravages are
mentioned elsewhere, and these so discouraged and disheart-
ened the first business men of the town that one by one the}'
" Folded their tents like Arabs, and as silently stole away."
The store-keepers sold what they could, and packed up the
balance of the stock and departed. The hotel man had no
custom and he went, the saloon-keeper had to tend both sides
of the bar and do all the drinking himself, the millinery goods
were not in demand, no grain came to market, and the exodus
was thorough and complete.
In 1879, a W1 *i ter m tne Gazelle, said the following of St.
Gilman: "Last week we spent an hour or two in Gilman.
This village is struggling with all its hopes in the future, wait-
ing patiently for a depot, an elevator, an express and telegraph
office. A year or two of good crops will bring it into notice,
give it more buildings, sidewalks, a mayor and all the para-
phernalia of a full-fledged metropolis, until then it must move
quietly and contentedly. Its only merchant, F. M. Bash field,
was at his post. He is a gentleman, courteous, social and of
much intelligence: is a close dealer and watches every penny,
and indeed this is the secret of success. Kit Carson, who is
the magistrate, was absent, either figuring on the increase and
improvement of stock, or else talking politics. Kit is a host
in himself and good company. The portly form of Lucas,
the village blacksmith, was seen bending over his work which
seemed to be lying all around. The old Shaw store building
RESIDENCE OF DR. W. E. ELY, OCHEYEDAN.
202 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
is used for a dwelling and the familiar countenance of its former
and original occupant is no longer seen in town. Charley
Miller has moved into the country, not far from Gilman, and
now follows the plow instead of measuring wood and weigh-
ing coal. When the country tributary to Gilman is settled, it
will make a snug town and a good business point."
J. D. Billings, now of Sheldon, was the first justice and
one of the first school officers. His daughter Mary was the
first child born in the town.
In about 1883 business revived there again, stores were
opened, the hotel once more had a landlord, and St. Gilman
then made another start on the road to wealth and prosperity.
About that time Nick Boor opened up there in business, and
this had something to do with its new start. The Pattersons
also, A. and G. W., gave the town an impetus, and since the
change in name, and new parties going in, the town has con-
tinued to grow.
Its leading business interests are now represented by:
J. H. and C. C. Carmichael, drug store, who came to Ashton
in 1892; restaurant by John Kunnen, who commenced busi-
ness in 1892; H. A. Carson, son of J. W., who opened a
photograph gallery this present year; furniture store by F. H.
Thompson, established 1891; clothing store, M. Hingtgen,
1891; meat market, Ira L. and P. E. Kennen, 1891; harness
shop, N. Klees, 1892; jewelry store, A. L. Hyde, 1S92; res-
taurant, Henry Wheelhouse, 1890; hardware, C. W. Rahe,
1890; livery barn, J. Smith and L. Lamar; blacksmith shop,
I. B. Lucas and W. B. Reagen; hotel, N. Reiter; wagon
shop, J. W. Clark; general store, Henry Wheelhouse; also
general store, H. Ennga, 1892; general store, S. S. Dean and
J. A. Hoffman; general store, W. S. and G. L. Queenbv,
1892; general store, M. Wermerskirchen, 1890; Nick Boor
and W. L. Benjamin have an agricultural house and an
elevator; H. S. Grant, farm machinery; C.J.King and L. M.
March, blacksmith shop; Frank DeVoss, barber shop; and
S. M. Brown, a mechanic, and has charge of the elevator.
The banking interests are represented by A. and G. W.
Patterson, with G. W. Patterson in immediate charge.
Ashton's postmaster is J. W. Reagan. It has three
church buildings, Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist. One
paper is published there, the Leader, by C. A. Charles. It is
a bright, five-column quarto, and has large circulation.
Ashton is a live business town and one of general pros-
perity. It has some very elegant residences, good stores, and
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 203
thorough business men, and the town will continue its growth.
It is a good grain market and a good place for general
trading.
Ashton is situated on Section 15, in Gilman Township; is
on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway
line. It has the usual secret societies and social organizations
and its business men are on a solid basis. J. B. McEnany is
its physician. It also has a creamery, managed and owned
by C. W. Baird and is soon to have another elevator. Alto-
gether Ashton promises to be considerable of a place in the
future. Its present municipal officers are :
Mayor Joseph W. Reagan
W. L. Benjamin.
C. J. King.
John Lenn.
Trustees .. 1 1. W. Rake.
Peter Warner.
P. E. Kiemen.
Recorder, . _.J. H. Carmichael.
Marshal E. S. Knowles.
OCHEYEDAN.
The town is laid out on a part of Section 2, and a part of
Section 11, in west Ocheyedan Township. The writer has
been unable to ascertain correctly the origin of the word
Ocheyedan, and hence will not attempt to account for it.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad
crossed Osceola County in the year 1884. The coming of
this road brought into existence the Town of Ocheyedan, and
in the fall of 1884 building commenced. The first building
put up on the town site was a "shanty," which kind of a build-
ing is well understood, though the word itself is becoming
obsolete. This was put up by James Wood, and he lived in
it and stored his goods there, while a building was being pre-
pared for occupancy. Out of his stock, however, he made
some sales, and run a sort of "shanty" trade until he got
straightened out in more mercantile condition. This was in
the fall of 1884, and at this same time Charles Woodworth
had lumber on the ground for a hardware store; also did Wood
for a general store, and William Smith for a general store.
Woodworth moved into his building first with his stock of
hardware, so that this building, which Mr. Woodworth still
204 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
occupies, may be said to be the first business house in the
town. Wood put his stock also in Woodworth's building
temporarily, and as soon as his own was finished moved into
that. Mr. Smith got his building finished in October, and put
in a general stock. This same fall of 1884 the Kout brothers,
Joseph and Dominick, put up a store building and filled it with
a general stock of goods. L. B. Boyd also put up a building
that fall, in which he opened a general store, and these four
general stores, with the hardware, constituted the mercantile
business of the town in the winter of i884-'85. We will add,
however, that Dr. C. Teal erected the building now occupied
by Ed. Becker as a barber shop, in the fall of 1884, and
opened up a drug store, also practiced as a physician. Dr.
Teal moved from Ocheyedan a few years ago, and now lives
in North Carolina. William Smith sold out a vear or so after-
■r
wards to D. J. Jones, who carried on a general store until the
spring of 1891, when he died. Mrs. Jones continued the
business after her husbands death until this present year, when
she sold out to Bunker Bros., who now occupy the building
with a stock of groceries. Wood sold out to M. J. Young,
who carried a general stock, and in the fall of 1891 Young
sold out to J. W. Thomas & Son, who now run a general
store in the same building. The Kout Bros, sold out building
and stock to R. J. O. McGowan, who now occupies the same
stand with a general store. The L. B. Boyd building first
had a general store, and is now occupied by W. F. Stimpson
for a restaurant. In the fall of 1884 also Archibald Oliver put
up the livery barn now owned and occupied by E. D. Cleave-
land. Mr. Oliver was then, and was the first, station agent in
Ocheyedan.
There was also erected in the fall of 1884 two ware-
houses for grain and coal. One was put up by French &
Hayward, and the other by D. L. Riley. These business
houses, with a few dwellings, was what constituted the town
of Ocheyedan until the sping of 1885. There was, however,
in 1884 a lumber yard started by D. L. Rile}', and run by
Fred Wheeler. In the spring of 1885 C. A. and M. A. Tatum
erected the building now occupied by A. J. Coulton. Tatum's
opened a feed store and butcher shop, and afterwards sold it
to Coulton. Peter Graves opened a general store in 1885,
and erected the building now occupied by John and Mary
Graves. Also the same year John Wilson put up the W. J.
Robinson building, now occupied by L. D. and E. P. Johnson.
The hotel building, called the Ocheyedan House, was built in
RESIDENCE OF O. B. HARDING, GOEWEY TOWNSHIP.
206 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
1885 by John Wilson, who run it a few months and was then
succeeded by Charles Carnes, and he by H. Runyon. I. N.
Daggett soon after purchased the building and run the hotel
himself a short time, and was succeeded by J. F. Pfaff. Pfaff
was succeeded by S. A. Dove, who bought the property in
1891, and is still owner and landlord. Mr. Dove has recently
sold and will move to Missouri.
Ocheyedan celebrated the first year of its existence on the
4th day of July, 1885. It was given out beforehand that a
great time was to be had, and the country around looked upon
the coming celebration as an event of considerable importance,
and it was. People flocked into Ocheyedan in great numbers
on that day, and it seemed as if the whole country was there.
Archibald Oliver was president of the day and C. A. Tatum,
marshal. W. J. Robinson read the declaration of independ-
ence, and Henderson, a farmer living south of Ocheyedan,
delivered the oration. The music consisted of fife and drum;
also playing upon the organ and singing. There was a foot
race, sack race and a horse trot. Will Peters won the foot
race purse, and in the sack race Joel Rice took first money
and Frank Daley second. The Tatum's carried off the hon-
ors in the horse race, M. A. taking first money and H. C. sec-
ond. The contestants in the horse race were M. A. and H.
C. Tatum, Broadfoot, Adam Sterling, Smith and Claus Yess.
There was considerable excitement over this and the boys
were somewhat demonstrative over it, but did not let their
angry passions rise to the extent of an open fight, but at times
were near to it. The day wound up with a bowery dance;
Joseph Hall played the violin and there was other music. The
dance lasted all night and towards morning the remaining par-
ticipants in this first celebration went home to recruit up after
this enthusiastic siege.
The drug store building recently occupied by A. E.
Smith was built by John Webster and was placed between
Cleveland's livery and the railroad track, and it was used there
for a saloon. It was built in 1886. In 1887 it was moved to
where it now stands. It is now used by T. H. Dravis for a
clothing house.
Ocheyedan, as a town location, is unexcelled. It is on a
gradual rise from the railroad track, and most of the town is
on the elevation. This enables it to have clean streets, and a
complete drain for water.
Other buildings followed along in the course of construc-
tion, and in 1885 A. V. Randall erected a business house on
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 207
the corner of Main Street, which is now used by Walton
Brothers for a furniture store. In 1890 C. A. and M. A.
Tatum put up a building for livery barn, now occupied by
Tatum Brothers for an agricultural house. The elevator, now
owned and occupied by A. W. Harris & Co., was placed there
in 1885. In 1890 Bowersock Brothers, consisting of Asa and
E. Bowersock, bought out D. L. Riley's lumber yard, and are
still running the same business. In 1891 John Porter & Son,
of Reinbeck, Iowa, started the second lumber yard in Ochey-
edan, which is still running, under the management of W. F.
Aldred.
The bank building, now occupied by the Ocheyedan
Bank, was erected by I. N. Daggett, who sold out to the
Northwestern State Bank, of Sibley, and it was then placed
in charge of E. Baker, now vice president of the Northwestern
State Bank. They sold to the Ocheyedan Savings Bank, of
which C. S. McLaury is president, W. M. Smith, vice presi-
dent, and J. L. McLaury, cashier, under whose management
it now is.
The present year, 1892, John Porter & Son also estab-
lished a bank, which, in connection with their lumber business,
is under the management of W. F. Aldred, whose name
appears as cashier.
Ocheyedan has grown gradually each year since its first
starting. It has never been boomed, but has made its way
quietly as the country demanded its growth. This year of
1892 it has pushed ahead considerably. Kout Brothers have
erected a very fine business house, which is now occupied by
A. E. Smith for a drug store. A. V. Randall has added a
business building to Main Street, as has also E. N. Moore.
Several elegant dwelling houses have also been erected by
C. A. Tatum, W. F. Aldred, Dr. W. E. Ely, Mrs. D. R.
Jones, Charles Wood worth and others. In 1S91 Asa Bower-
sock put up a very fine residence house, as also did M. A.
Tatum.
In 1 889 several of the farmers around established in
Ocheyedan a creamery, which is a joint stock corporation.
The association was formed in 1889, and the following year
buildings were erected and business started. Its present
officers are: President, J. C. Moar; secretary, W. E. Ely;
treasurer, J. L. McLaury; directors, Dick Wassman, Geo.
W. Thomas, W. A. Cooper, Henry Bremer, J. C. Ward.
At the close of last year the secretary, W. E. Ely, pub-
lished in the local paper the following report:
208 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
"The Ocheyedan Creamery has just finished the second
season of its existence, and as there is some inquiry concerning
its workings and profits, we will endeavor to give a short
account of what has been done. Active work commenced
about the middle of April and continued until the middle of
September, or about five months in all. During that time we
have received 526,430 pounds, making 21,435 pounds of
butter, or an average of 4.07 pounds per hundred. Our cream
wagon has gathered 6,703 inches of cream, making the total
amount of butter manufactured 28,138 pounds. For milk we
have paid the shareholders at the rate of 55 cents per hundred
for May, June and July; 68 cents for August, and 80 cents for
September, or a grand total of $3,098.99, averaging 59 cents
per hundred for the season. For gathered cream we paid
13^ cents per inch in May and June, 1254 cents in July, 16)^
cents in August, and 17^ cents in September; in all $920,66,
or an average of 13^ cents per inch for the season. All of
our butter has been sold in New York at Elgin prices — the
gathered cream excepted, that grading lower and bringing
from 1 to 3 cents per pound less.
" It has been clearly demonstrated that a creamery pays,
and in proportion to the amount of patronage it receives.
Four hundred pounds can be manufactured each day as cheap
as 100 pounds, and reduces the expense accordingly. When
milk can be brought to the creamery in good condition for
separating, that system pays better than the gathered cream
system, while the latter on the whole is more profitable than
the home dairy. But a creamery is like any other business
concern, to be successful it must have patronage, and if its own
incorporators stand back waiting for it to become a paying
concern before they put their shoulder to the wheel, how can
they expect outsiders to take any interest or invest any capital
in the concern. Two years' work has demonstrated sure
success, and if each shareholder does his duty during the
coming season I am sure he will find that not only will the
creamery relieve his family of the drudgery of butter making,
but will pay him more cash than he could possibly make out
of his milk himself. Respectfuly,
« W. E. Ely,
"Secretary ."
Ocheyedan has two church organizations, the Methodist
and Congregationalist. The Methodist organization was first
completed in the country outside the town before the town
started, and for awhile had two buildings, one of them still
DR. B. A. WILDER.
13
210 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA.
standing and used near Mr. Mowthorpe's place. Judge Mc-
Callum, in giving us the history of the building, says that in
1876, or thereabouts, when he was holding down his claim
near Ocheyedan, himself and L. G. Ireland, with F. H. Hunt,
D. H. Boyd, Wm. Mowthorpe and others concluded that they
wanted a sanctuary for worship and some place to go to church.
Ireland, McCallum and some others were sort of outsiders
and not sound in the faith, and the question arose as to the
location, and upon this they were divided. A meeting was
held at Mr. Hunt's and the majority sat down completely on
any location, except that where a church building now stands,
near Mr. Mowthorpe's. The McCallum crowd were bound
to have a church anyhow where they wanted it, so they went
at it, and inside of three weeks they had a building all ready
for occupancy on a corner of Ireland's claim. The other
fellows, not to be outdone, also went at it and built their
church near Mr. Mowthorpe's, where it now is. One was
called grit and the other grace — the McCallum one being grit.
After they were erected, however, the brethren dwelt together
in unity, and, with the help of Brother Mallory, their spiritual
welfare was looked after, and all were satisfied. The Mc-
Callum church was moved into Ocheyedan when the town
started.
When the building was moved into Ocheyedan, the
church pastor then was Rev. R. Hild. He was succeeded by
Rev. Keister, he by Rev. J. M. Woolery and then Rev. S. C.
Olds, the present pastor. The church building is far too
small for the present accommodations and one larger and more
spacious will be erected in the near future.
The Congregational society was organized in the spring
of 1889. For awhile its exercises consisted of a Sunday
school and occasional preaching from some clergyman sent
from the state missionary society and this continued until 1890
when Rev. L. R. Fitch became its established pastor and is
such now. This society now holds its services in the school
house in the upper story, but will at no distant day erect a
church building and they are very much in need of one. Rev.
Thomas Pell was at one time pastor and is a forcible preacher.
Ocheyedan became an incorporated town fully, upon the
election of its first officers in April, 1891. In March of that
year, the previous month, the question of incorporation or no
incorporation was submitted to the people. Public opinion
was about equally divided and a discussion of the question
previous to the vote being taken, had warmed the contending
HI ST OUT OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 211
parties into a strong and almost belligerent controversy. In-
corporation carried by a few votes and as soon as the conflict
was ever, the opposers submitted gracefully, and the feeling
then was undivided in all interests that would promote the
welfare and progress of Ocheyedan. Soon public improve-
ments were entered into, ordinances for the better government
of the town, and in promotion of its welfare were passed, and
internal improvements became the order of the day. The
town's greatest need then was a system of sidewalks and these
came along in good time, are now on all streets where busi-
ness or residences require them. There is an eight-foot walk
which adds not only to the convenience of the town, but to its
appearance as well. The present town officers were the first
officers elected in April, 1891, with one exception, which is
that of Mr. Aldred, and he was elected at the election held in
the spring of 1892. The present officers are as follows:
Mayor W. E. Ely.
Recorder A. E. Smith.
Treasurer J. L. McLaury.
Assessor R. J. Jones.
Street Commissioner George Rupner.
Marshal George Rupner.
r C. M. Manville.
S. A. Dove.
Charles Woodwortl
"i W. F. Aldred-
Asa Bowersock.
C. A. Tatum.
Ocheyedan has one newspaper, published by Mr. Pc
ins. The paper was started in 1891, and its first issue on
7th day of August. The paper was started by D. A
Perkins, who intended it for his son, George W. Perkins
while the material was still in the boxes at the freight c
the boy was drowned in Silver lake, near Lake Park.
Perkins, however, under the shadow of this terrible n
une, proceeded with its publication and after an inter
change it is still published by Mr. Perkins. The pa
five-column quarto and the public spirit of Ocheyed;
is well manifested by giving the paper a liberal 1
which they have since the first issue, and its circ
large and constantly increasing. The town is not 1
with secret societies, but a Masonic lodge has a com,
ganization, with a hall finely furnished in the upper l
the building built by Joseph and Dominick Kout. T
Trustees
212 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
what is called the Ocheyedan Lodge, I. O. G. T., of which C.
M. Higley is C. T., and Mary McCallum, secretary. This
society meets each week. The first postmaster in Ocheye-
dan was D. H. Boyd, who was succeeded by A. V. Randall
and he by E. N. Moore, the present postmaster.
The town of Ocheyedan is in nearly the center of the
eastern part of Osceola County, and hence as a trading point
is favorably located. It has a fine farming country around and
tributary to it, and its future is exceedingly promising. Every-
thing is peaceable in the town, at the same time full of business
activity. Ocheyedan socially is a model town.
Its present most prominent business interests and citizens
are as follows:
Elevators — A. W. Harris & Co. (manager, John Harris) ;
A. E. Brown (manager, A. D. Moreland.)
Lumber — Bowersock Brothers; John Porter & Son (man-
ager, W. F. Aldred.)
General Stores — Mary Graves; J. W. Thomas & Son;
Bunker Brothers; R.J. O. McGowan.
Banks — Ocheyedan Bank; John Porter & Son.
Drug Store — A. E. Smith.
Hardware — Charles Woodworth.
Hotel— S. A. Dove.
Restaurant — W. F. Stimpson.
Meat Market — C. Bowersock.
Feed Store — A. J. Coulton.
Livery Barn — E. D. Cleaveland.
Agricultural House — Tatum Bros.; Frank Cleaveland;
ersock Bros.
Harness Shop — C. A. Tatum & Son.
lillinery — E. P. Johnson,
arber — Ed Becker.
>ntractors and Builders — Zeug Bros.; Fred Wheeler;
Buchman; Kout Bros.; T. M. Spencer; McLagen
'.smith — C. A. Spencer; Fred Meyer,
i— E. N. Moore.
Buyers — C. M. Manville; Bowersock Bros.
t re — Walton Bros.
aper — Ocheyedan Press,
aster — E. N. Moore,
cian— W. E. Ely.
yer — D. A. W. Perkins,
iter — Elmer Spencer.
JAMES T. BARCLAY
214 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
Clothing Store — T. H. Dravis.
Well Borer— C. R. Boyd.
Stockmen — C. A. Tatum; David Eicher.
Clergymen — S. C. 01ds;L. R. Fitch.
Station Agent — O. L. Beck.
Assistant Station Agent — A. O. Beck.
Mr. T. R. Stewart, formerly in the land business here, is
now with John Porter & Son; C. M. Higley, formerly of
Sheldon, is in the Ocheyedan Bank, and Frank Bumgardner
is engaged in general farming and stock dealing.
The interests of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and
Northern in its track repairs are represented by John Wallace
and P. Cramer.
Eustace Manville is also in business here, and the cream-
ery is under the management of Peter Jensen. A. V. Ran-
dall has a crockery store and Mr. A. Arend has a shoe store.
The Zeug Brothers have a building as a work shop and in
which is a public hall. Daniel Weaver, though living in the
country, is the Ocheyedan jeweler.
The prospect is that Ocheyedan will continue to have a
substantial growth and will be a town of some importance.
SIBLEY.
The Sibley townsite is situated on section 13, in East Hol-
man towmship. It was laid out by the land department of the
Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad Company, in 1872, and sub-
sequent additions have been made, which are Chase's addition
and East Sibley addition — the first by R. J. Chase and the last
by several different parties, among whom are Jacob Brooks,
H. S. Brown, Mrs. C. I. Hill, Wilbern Brothers, G. W. Mea-
der and others. The first building erected on what is now the
townsite was by F. M. Robinson, in the fall of 1871. Tin-
town was first named Cleghorn, and afterwards changed to
Sibley, named after Gen. H. H. Sibley, of St. Paul. The
Robinson building was on the shack order, and in which John
L. Robinson, with his son Frank, lived during the winter of
187 1 and 1872 ; also, W. H. Rogers put up a store building,
and this, with the Robinson building, constituted the town of
Sibley that first winter. In the spring of 1872 a fellow by the
name of Ward had a small building near Roger's store, and
in which he kept a saloon. These buildings, on the start, were
on what is Tenth street, the street where the old Pioneer hotel
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUXTl\ IOWA. 215
building now stands, and this point, then, was expected to be
the centre of business, and was, until the fire hereafter men-
tioned, when the town formed another location north of that,
and where the business part of the town now is. Just before
the railroad reached the townsite, D. L. McCausland hauled
lumber from Mountain Lake, Minn., and put up a residence
on the townsite, and this was the first residence building. Af-
ter the road had been built into Sibley, in June, 1S72, J. T.
Barclay obtained lumber out of the first brought in, and im-
mediately put up a residence, which he still occupies with his
family. After McCausland got his building up he used it for
a boarding house, and J. F. Glover, John Hawxshurst, with
many others, were his boarders. The house was two-story,
and in the hurry of its erection stairs were neglected, so that
cleats were nailed on the studding for steps to get up and
down. All who have had experiences as pioneers know how
its out-door life, its expectations, and all its ambitious surround-
ings, bring health to the cheek and puts one in the best of
physical condition ; and the result of it all, an enormous appe-
tite. McCausland's boarders became so ravenous, so anxious
for their meals, and in such extraordinary quantities, that it
kept Mc on the go to keep up with the demand. It is a won-
der that it hadn't broke Mc up in business, for no doubt there
were some who never missed a meal and who never paid a
cent.
The town did not get fairly started until in the summer of
1872, after the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad, now the
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha, reached the town
site, which was June 1, 1872. Soon as the road-bed was in
shape for hauling, lumber came in, and the first sales made
were by Levi Shell, who then established a lumber yard, and
has continued in the business since, and is still here. Quite a
number of business houses and residences were erected during
that year; also the court house and school house. The Sibley
Hotel was also built that year, and in the Sibley Hotel barn,
then just completed, was held the exercises on the Fourth day
of Jul)', which was the first celebration had on the town site.
L. S. Fawcett, of Sioux City, delivered the oration, and John
H. Douglass was captain of the whangdoodles. This day is
remembered by the old settlers as a very cold one, making an
overcoat quite comfortable. Sibley, in 1872, had the usual
air and appearance of Western towns in their first starting.
These are generally characterized by a feeling of independ-
ence and a freedom to act unrestrained by the settled ways of
JUS TORT OF OSCEOLA COIWT1. IOWA.
society and of 'social and religious organizations. It took the
balance of that year [872 for the men to get squared
>und with buildings for business and residences for their
lilies. In 1S73 tne substantial conditions of society pre-
iled in Sibley and the usual town societies came into exist-
ence. In March. i s 73, the town was out of coal owing to the
snow blockade, and people burned what they could get hold
of until the blockade was lifted. E. L. Kinney, who died
March 2. 1875, was the first landlord at the Sibley Hotel, and
he is remembered bv old settlers not onlv as a first-class land-
lord, but as one of the best of men.
The I. O. O. F. lodge was started in May. 1873, and among
its first officers were: W. W. Cram, treasurer: J. T. Barclay,
R. S. X. G.. and J. H. Douglass, R. S. S
In June of that year there was considerable rain, and the
mud was so deep that lumber was rafted down the Otter to
build bridges at Doon.
Some of the business men at Sibley then who are still here
are Brown & Chambers. Robert Richardson. P. A. Ca Jacob,
D. L. McC iusland,J. T. Barclay, J. F. Glover, W. C. Grant,
H. L. Emmert, Levi Shell, S. H. Westcott, David Littlechild,
S S. Parker. C. M. Mandeville, George Carew, W. R. Law-
rence, Augustus O'Neill, A. W. Mitchell, W. J. Miller, J. P.
Hawxshurs
In May, 1873, David Littlechild purchased a photograph
g illery, and in his announcement said to the ladies: "Come
and secure the shadow ere the substance fades." This was
in the days of Dave's youth and modesty, when he was con-
it with the shadow, but since then, in his increasing years of
bachelorhood, he has been looking for the substance.
David Littlechild was also in the livery business in 1S72.
This business required considerable driving, and Dave was
more than once out in a blizzard when his life was in danger.
In driving once from Spirit Lake to Sibley, a fearful snow
storm overtook him: the weather was extremely cold, and he
was unable to tell 1 tly where he was or where he could
find shelter. Fortunately, he was near the house of D. II.
Boyd, rear Ochevedan, and saw it in a lull of the storm, and
remained there until the blizzard was over.
A. W. Mitchell established the first ge'nuine furniture
store, J. A. Cole was about the first dr. rt, and L. Garner
about the first harness shop.
The antial law vers, at that time, were J. T. Barclay,
Hugh Jordan, J. F. Glover and R. J. Chas Mr. Barclay
C. W. BENSON.
218 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
retired from the practice several years ago for other business
interests. Hugh Jordan died in 1887, and R. J. Chase moved
to Sioux City in November, 1874, where he is still in practice.
Mr. Chase purchased eighty acres on the north side of Sibley,
and laid out an addition, which now is well settled with fine
residences. The writer knew Hugh Jordan well, and was
interested with him in several litigated cases. He was a good
lawyer, a prince of good fellows, a good citizen, and indulgent
to his family and kind to all. D. D. MeCallum studied law
with Mr. Jordan, and was admitted in 1878.
Wilbern Brothers were first in the agricultural implement
business, and in the spring of 1873 retired from that, and
opened a general store.
In 1873, Robert Richardson had a meat market, and
P. A. Cajacob also opened up in the same business in the
spring. Mr. Richardson started in 1872.
July 4th of that year, 1873, tne people of Sibley had a
celebration, which was largely attended. C. I. Hill was
president of the day; L. G. Ireland, marshal. Mr. Jordan
read the Declaration, and J. F. Glover delivered the oration.
Porter P. Peck and C. I. Hill were on the finance commit-
tee, and, having realized quite an amount on paper, they ex-
pended considerable of their own money, and at last had to
foot many of the bills. They came out in an article in the
paper afterwards and roasted the delinquents severely. They
forgot the old admonition that the time to take up a subscrip-
tion is when the coffin is being lowered into the grave, as
waiting after the funeral is over is a dangerous chancing of
contribution.
Mr. Peck came to Sibley in 1872, and was for a while in
business there under the firm name of Wetherell, Peck & Co.
He is now a capitalist in Sioux Falls, and is mayor of the city.
In Julv, 1873, a severe wind storm swept over Sibley,
scattering lumber, blowing down a few barns, and carrying
away the store signs.
Charles Armbright was Sibley's first barber, and he was
also at that time leader of the Sibley band.
A military company, called the Osceola County Guards,
was organized in 1873, with Robert Stamm orderly.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated Decem-
ber 18, 1874. The services were conducted by Rev. R. H.
Webb, assisted by Rev. John Webb. There was an indebt-
edness of $400, and this was raised at the dedication. The
Congregational Church was dedicated November 29, 1874,
the services conducted by W. L. Colman.
HI ST OR! OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 219
July 4, 1874, was a ^ so celebrated. The president of the
day was C. I. Hill, H. Jordan delivered the oration, J. F. Glo-
ver read the Declaration, and C. M. Bailey was marshal.
On the 7th day of November, 1873, Sibley was visited by
fire. It started in the rear of Barber & Lawrence's drug
store, and the cause of it was either from a stove in the back
part of the building or by an incendiary. The losses, as then
estimated, were : Barber & Lawrence, $900 ; A. H. Clark,
groceries, $600 ; H. C. Kellogg, store, $1,200 ; Kelley & Wal-
rath, dry goods, $1,244; J- A.. Cole, drugs, $2,000; Wilbern
Bros.', stock, $1,100. This fire was a hard blow on Sibley
then, but most of the losers soon rebuilt and were soon in
business again.
C. L. Davidson, one of the prominent men of the North-
west, who was an early settler in Sibley, now resides in Sioux
County. W. L. Parker established himself in the drug busi-
ness at Sibley in 1874. D. L. Riley, now at Iowa Falls, put
in a grain warehouse in 1872; also a lumber yard with W. C.
Grant. D. M. Shuck was also in the lumber business.
Sibley was incorporated as a town in the spring of 1876.
Its first officers were:
Mayor — D. L. Riley.
Trustees — C. L. Norton, C. E. Brown, D. Cramer, H. S.
Brown, H. L. Emmert.
Recorder — George S. Murphy.
The first banking house was started by H. L. Emmert
and C. I. Hill in 1873. Mr. Hill retired in 1874.
C. I. Hill was one of the early settlers in Sibley, and died
a few years ago. He was a man of sterling integrity, of much
public spirit, and lie was a man much missed by the people of
Sibley when he died. His widow still resides here.
Rev. W. W. Mallory, a Methodist preacher, here in the
seventies, was a man of strong, vigorous expression, yet of
sincere convictions and an upright life.
On the 2 1 st day of December, 1878, John L. Robinson
celebrated his golden wedding. Mr. Robinson and his wife
are still living at Sibley.
Dr. J. M. Jenkins was Sibley's first physician, in 187 1,
though Dr. Gurney, holding down a claim near here, was also
in practice. Dr. Churchill was also here in 187 1, and Dr.
Mellin in 1872.
The Sibley Gazette was started in July, 1872, by L. A.
Barker. In May, 1873, he sold to Riley cY. Brown, who a few
months after sold to E. H. Craig and John F. Glover. Mr.
220 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
John Hawxshurst then succeeded Mr. Craig, and with Mr.
Glover published the paper. Mr. Glover then retired, and
Mr. Hawxshurst was sole proprietor. It was then Edwards
& Reed, then Reed & Glover, then Glover, then Glover &
Hawxshurst, then George Carew. Afterwards it was Perkins
& Foster; then the paper returned to Mr. Carew again, who
retained its ownership until in 1891, when the paper was sold
to Ward & Co., who in turn sold to the Gazette Publishing
Company, who are its present proprietors, under the manage-
ment of J. A. Flower. It is the first paper published in the
county, and is Republican in politics.
In 1878, Sibley had seventy scholars in its school — forty-
four in the higher department and sixteen in the primary.
The Sibley Tribune was started by Charles E. Crossly;
then Dennis bought in, and in 1884 W. P. Webster bought
Crossly out. In November, 1890, G. L. Caswell purchased
Dennis' interest, so that the present proprietors and publishers
are W. P. Webster and G. L. Caswell, under the firm name
of Webster & Caswell. It is a six column quarto, and is a
Democratic paper, but not extremely partizan.
There is also published the Sibley Saber, representing
the order of Sons of Veterans. A. W. McCallum is editor-in-
chief, and George A. Romey, general manager.
The history of Sibley would be incomplete without a
mention of Hon. Stephen Miller, ex-governor of Minnesota
and who was, when Sibley started, representing the land de-
partment of the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad Company,
and had personal control of the townsites along the line of the
road in northwest Iowa. He was an intellectual, honest, no-
ble man. His occasional visits to the different towns always
found the old settlers ready to greet him warmly, and he was
highly respected by all, and died in 1880. He is buried at
Worthington, Minn. It would also be incomplete without a
mention of Gen. J. W. Bishop, who was then manager of the
above named railroad and for whom any fulsome praise is un-
necessary, as his standing, his character, and his business in-
tegrity, arc too well known and too well remembered by all
of us of the early days. The business men of Sibley, early
in the seventies, had a hard time of it, as well as did the home-
steaders. The settlers were poor, generally so by reason of
being poor when they came here, and then by grasshoppers
suffered a failure of crops afterwards. It was hard to refuse
them credit altogether, and a great many were carrried along
on book account, expecting each year to realize a harvest.
■ f 4
KER D. DUNLOP.
222 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
Those of the settlers who staid here were, after a while, able
to meet their obligations, while others got out of the country
in the darkness of night, driven to desperation in their condi-
tion of poverty and debt, and of course the business men of
Sibley in all such cases were losers. Others went away in
broad daylight, after informing their creditors of their ina-
bility to pay, and making promises for the future. Many of
these, as the years went by and the debt became ancient, were
after a while indifferent, and, even with the best of intentions
originally, never paid. The merchants, of course, were the
losers.
Sibley in its present condition is a town of about fifteen
hundred inhabitants. It is the abode of considerable wealth,
is a very fine business* point, and of high social character. It
has the best of educational facilities, is a peaceable town, has
verv fine residences and commanding brick business houses.
Of its banks, are the First National, capital $50,000 ; C.
E. Brown, president ; H. L. Emmert, cashier ; directors, L.
Shell, R. S. Hall, N. Boor, C. E. Brown, H. L. Emmert.
There is also the Northwestern State Bank. It has a
capital of $75,000, ar, d its last quarterly statement shows cash
deposits amounting to $264,695.62. J. W. Orde is president,
E. Baker, vice-president, L. Dawn, cashier.
IOWA LAND COMPANY (LIMITED.)
This company was organized early in the eighties, prin-
cipally by the Close Bros., who several years ago left the
county and ceased to operate in Northwest Iowa. Its busi-
ness here is now managed by C. W. Benson and Ker. D.
Dunlop, both of whom are men of the highest business integ-
rity and gentlemen in every sense of the word. This com-
pany, without question, has advanced the business interests of
the town and the settlement of the county. They have opened
up farms, brought settlers in, and given opportunities to men
without means to work and raise crops and become land own-
ers themselves. During their business career here they have
foreclosed only one mortgage, and this was for the purpose of
settling title, in which the mortgagee himself had an interest.
They have erected substantial brick buildings in the town,
and their investments here have been a benefit to all as well
as profitable to themselves. They control a large number of
acres of land, both improved and unimproved. John H. Doug-
las is connected with this land company in certain departments
of its business.
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA. 223
J. T. BARCLAY.
This gentleman, formerly a lawyer, now is principally
engaged in real estate. He issues each month a land journal,
and in his August number says : "The town is well supplied
with business houses, newspapers, flouring mills and elevators,
and is now eager to secure manufactories of all kinds. Such
a growing town, in the midst of an elegant farming country,
is bound to make land and farms near it very valuable in a
short time." Mr. Barclay handles land principally with his
own capital, buys and sells, and his continued operations
through grasshopper times, and up to the present, have helped
largely the settlement of the county. We quote somewhat
from his land journal as to other business interests in Sibley.
M. M. TRAINER
is Sibley's efficient and popular dentist. Mr. Trainer thor-
oughly understands his business, and is among the most
prominent dentists in the Northwest.
T. H. DRAVIS,
the "Square-Dealing Clothier," has one of the finest stocks of
exclusive clothing and gent's furnishing goods to be found in
the West.
WILLIAM COTTRILL
is one of Sibley's most extensive harness dealers.
j. w. KAYE
is an efficient and accurate abstracter, and whose office is with
Lawyer O. J. Clark.
C A. SANDERS
is the popular caterer in the City Bakery and Restaurant, on
the south side of Ninth Street.
LEONARD & CARMICHAEL,
dealers in lumber, wood and coal, are one of the largest firms
in this line in the Northwest.
d. l. m'causland
is in the insurance and loan business, and, as will be noticed
elsewhere, is one of the first settlers and was first County
Recorder.
224 insTORr of osceola coujvrr. iowa.
JOE GATES,
the boot and shoe man, is located just west of the post-office.
G. F. BRAND
conducts what he calls the "Palace Grocery" in the Lansing
& Brown building.
JOHN DE BOOS
is proprietor of the Third Avenue hardware store.
HELM, THE PHOTOIST,
has the only photograph gallery in Sibley.
J. C. BRICKNER
is a popular grocer, and does a good trade. His picture will
be found on another page.
WILLIAM RIDDLEBARGER
is proprietor of the Bargain Store.
MRS. KNIGHT
conducts a fashionable millinery store through her assistant
here, Mrs. Evans.
J. B. CAJACOB
conducts the harness shop on the west end of Ninth street.
A. BUCHMAN & SON
are proprietors of a grocery store on Third avenue.
V. B. GUTHRIE
has a very fine barber shop under the Northwestern State
Bank. He is assisted by M. L. Workheiser.
ARMIN & SHELL
have an extensive lumber yard. Mr. Shell was on the ground,
as elsewhere stated, in 1872.
J. WEBBER
is proprietor of Central meat market.
LAMME & M'KENNA.
These young men are successors of Grant & Milner.
They handle agricultural implements.
R. J. CHASE.
14
226 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA CO U NTT. IOWA.
CIGAR FACTORY.
This has just been started by Nic Koerting, of Le Mars.
WM. SMITH
is proprietor of a new restaurant and boarding house on Ninth
street.
NIC KIMMLINGER
is Sibley's merchant tailor.
j. BROOKS,
who is one of the early settlers, has a Hour and feed store.
A. ROMEY
has a general store next door to the Osceola House. Mr.
Romey is an old settler in the county, as our readers have
already noticed.
W. R. LAWRENCE
operates a drug store and grocery on the north side of Ninth
street. He is an old resident of Sibley and Osceola County.
ROBERT RICHARDSON
has a butcher shop, and we notice in the 1S73 Sibley paper
that the same Robert had a butcher shop then.
W. L. PARKER
has a drug store, and erected the building he occupies, a pic-
ture of which is in this book, in 1891. Mr. Parker is one of
the early settlers.
WALTON BROTHERS
have a very extensive furniture store in the Academy of Music
block. These are E. Walton and H. E. Walton.
THE SIBLEY HOTEL.
Sibley hotels are fully up to the demands of the town.
The Sibley Hotel, conducted by H. L. Leland, is located near
the Omaha depot.
THE OSCEOLA HOUSE
is located on the north side of Ninth Street, in the business
center of the town. It is conducted by John Hickok, and
managed by Hickok Brothers.
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 227
J. B. LENT
is dealing entirely in farming machinery of all kinds.
ECKERMAN BROTHERS.
This firm are successors to Davidson & Eckerman in the
implement business.
J. B. GREY
has in full operation one of the best creameries in the State.
The output of his institution the past year ranks among the
highest of any in the Northwest.
peavy & CO.
One of this company's elevators is located at Siblev-
J. T. Grow is their manager at this place.
B. MILLER
is city drayman and transfer man.
H. E. PERRY,
mail and express transfer man, and general delivery.
F. E. CRAM
is bridge builder and house mover. Also agent for the Austin
steel reversible road machines and well drills.
J. L. DURFEE
delivers milk at Sibley houses every day.
MRS. KENNY
conducts classes in instrumental music in Sibley.
MRS. WILDER
has a large class in vocal and instrumental music.
MISS GRACE CAMPBELL
conducts classes in instrumental music in Sibley, Ashton, and
Bigelow, Minn.
E. F. BEAUMONT
is Sibley's artistic wielder of the brush, and a professional
paper hanger.
228 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA.
SIBLEY MARBLE WORKS.
M. J. North looks after the monument business.
TOBEY BROS.
are dealers in agricultural implements and farm supplies.
L. D. BARNES
conducts a tin shop and deals in small hardware in the build-
ing next to Webber's meat market.
B. A. WILDER,
physician and surgeon, has had forty-two years' experience in
homoepathic methods.
H. NEILL,
is Sibley's oldest physician and surgeon.
MRS. HAHN MILLINERY.
She keeps hats, bonnets, hoods, ribbons, tips, bridal
wreaths, China silks, etc.
F. A. HOWARD
is an extensive dealer in all kinds of school furniture.
LAWYERS.
The lawyers of Siblev are C. M. Brooks, D. D. McCul-
lum, O. J. Clark, G. W. "Lister and John F. Glover. Mr.
Glover is the oldest 'in point of residence, and Mr. McCullum
also does an extensive pension business. Mr. Lister is County
Attorney. Mr. Clark has been in Sibley about ten years.
Mr. McCullum served a term as Circuit Judge in that judicial
district, and is mentioned elsewhere as an old resident. The
bar is well represented and Sibley's lawyers are efficient and
able practitioners.
LONG & SCHLEGEL
are land, loan and insurance agents, south side of Ninth street.
JOHN A. FLOWER
is county surveyor and also manager of the Sibley Gazette.
LEISCH & BRODT.
A. Leisch and C. H. Hrodt are the oldest draymen in the
city.
JOHN ROBERTSON.
'i^O liisroin <)!■ <)S< EOLA CUl'NT)", H)\\ r A.
A. W. MITCHELL
is a milk dealer. Mr. Mitchell is spoken of elsewhere as one 1
of the early settlers.
G. W. MRADER
has an extensive hardware store, and elsewhere in this book
is a picture of his building.
LIVERY STABLES.
These are represented by Littlechild Bros, and Joe Gill.
W. H. STEWART.
Mr. Stewart is veterinary surgeon.
c. w. LOWRY,
proprietor of the Sibley Steam Laundry.
D. F. CAUGHEY,
is proprietor of City Laundry.
CLINT HUDSON
is handling the Dustless grain and grass seed cleaner and
separator.
HENRY NEWELL
is the efficient young manager of the business of the Chicago,
St. Paul, Milwaukee & Omaha Railway at this station.
GEO. W. BAXTER
is the good natured gentleman who attends to the wants of
the patrons of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern
Railway. He is assisted by C. A. Thompson.
Sibley is having something of a boom in fine residences
this year. A. W. Harris, grain dealer, has erected a large
house of modern architecture. A Shapley, a retired farmer,
has the foundation in for a large and commodious dwelling in
which he proposes to take life easy for the remainder of his
days. Geo. Carew, the veteran newspaper man, is com-
fortably situated in a large, well built residence. Mrs. C. I.
I I ill has a fine residence just completed which is an ornament
to the city. There are several smaller residences which have
been constructed this spring.
Amono- its other business men are
fflSf6ttl OF OSCEOLA COi'XTl, IOWA. 231
W. B. STEVENS.
A picture of this gentleman and his residence will be
found elsewhere in this book. He has an extensive drug
store; also a line of jewelry and hardware.
SIBLEY ROLLER MILLS.
•
Sibley boasts of the best and most complete roller flour-
ing mills in the State, with a capacity of seventy-live barrels
per day. It is rushed with business every hour. Its makes of
flour are considered equal to those of any mills in the country,
and their field of trade extends to England. J. W. Orde and
G. B. Gurney appear as its proprietors, with Charles Himes
miller, and Guy P. Elliott as an interested party, and also M.
A. Harbord.
BLOTCKY BROTHERS
have dry goods, clothing, groceries, etc.
HINLKEY & TAYLOR
have a general store. Mr. Taylor is manager, and his picture
is elsewhere in this book.
E. F. ROBINSON
is the proprietor of the Postoflice book and news store.
BROWN & CHAMBERS.
This firm has been spoken of elsewhere as on the ground
at an early day. In 1890 they erected a brick building at a
cost of $15,000, a picture of which is on another page. They
carry a stock of general merchandise.
IRA BRUNSON
is engaged in the general land business.
WILLIAM PROPER,
one of the pioneers, is a resident of Sibley.
DANIEL MAHONEY
is a resident, and is road-master on the Burlington, Cedar
Rapids and Northern Railroad.
JACK IIANNA,
one of the old residents, is now in the land business.
232 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
JOHN SCHESTAG
is boot and shoe maker and repairer.
gus o'neil,
paper hanger and painter, kalsominer and plasterer.
Others of Sibley's business and professional men are as
follows :
Brand & Suter, contractors and builders.
A. M. Mastick, wagon maker.
A. M. Culver, carpenter and builder.
Ed. Garland, blacksmith.
S. J. Cram, carpenter and builder.
A. L. Blackmore, blacksmith.
H. C. Mory, carpenter and builder.
J. Grant, blacksmith.
C. H. Manderville, carpenter.
J. W. Flint, plasterer and mason.
H. G. Upp, carpenter and mechanic.
Charles Anderson, plasterer.
Joe Hillerns, blacksmith.
N. H. Brand, carpenter.
T. W. Turk, painter and decorator.
SCHOOLS.
Sibley has an elegant High School building with eight
rooms. The teachers are all the best that can be had, which
makes the schools very thorough. A large number of scholars
from other places attend here.
CHURCHES.
Sibley has six church societies and five fine buildings.
The Catholic, Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, Episcopal
and German Evangelical. All support good ministers and
have a large attendance.
civic SOCIETIES.
Sibley has numerous fraternal orders and all in a prosper-
ous, healthy condition. They consist of the Masons, Odd
Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Grand Army of the Republic,
Sons of Veterans, Modern Woodmen, Order of the Eastern
Star, Daughters of Rebecca, W. R. C, L. A. S., W. C. T. U.,
1. O. G. T. The Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias,
G. A. R., and Good Templars all have halls of their own.
H. C. WEBB.
234 jIISTORT OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, tOWA,
E. J. FAIRBROTHER
is a pioneer, and is an active, intelligent gentleman, eighty-
one years of age.
s. A. COLBURN
is selling sewing machines.
F. C. ALMONT AND A. SCHMITS
have established wagon and carriage works, with paint shop
attachment.
GEORGE T. VOORHEES AND H. C. WEBB
are engaged extensively in the land business. The pictures
of both of these gentlemen are in the book.
W. J. MILLER
is in the land and loan business. He is one of the early set-
tlers.
JOHN P. HAWXSHURST
is doing abstracting and real estate work. Mr. Hawxshurst
figures in the earlv history of the county.
H. E. THAYER
came to Sibley in 1892, from O'Brien County. He is engaged
in the real estate business with J. T. Barclay.
DR. CRAWHALL
is established over Brown & Chambers' store.
The Sibley municipal officers are as follows:
Mayor — J. F. Glover.
Recorder — W. P. Webster.
Treasurer — J. Fred Mattert.
Marshal — John Morrow.
Councilmen — G. O. Learned, E. Walton. C. E. Brown,
A. Romey, J. T. Barclay, John DeBoos.
Street Commissioner — R. L. Norris.
Assessor — John Town send.
Sibley has two railroads, the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne-
apolis and Omaha, which crosses the townsite north and south,
and the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern, which crosso
east and west.
A picture of J. C. Trainer appears elsewhere in the book.
tilSTORl OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA. 235
This gentleman was for several years principal of the public
schools in Sibley, and left an impression of thorough scholar-
ship and the best of school training upon all who came under
his instruction or in contact with him. He died a few years
ago, and his death caused a feelinor f sadness in the entire
community.
WILBERN BROTHERS.
These gentlemen are engaged extensively in business,
principally in real estate. They will be remembered from
reading elsewhere as early settlers in the town.
So far as the writer can gather from investigation and
inquiry, the foregoing comprise the business interests of Sib-
ley. If anv have been omitted it is unintentional.
The churches in Sibley are the following :
CONGREGATIONAL.
Services every Sunday morning at 10:30 and evening at
S o'clock. Sabbath school immediately after the morning
services. Prayer meeting on Thursday evening. Rev. P. B.
West, pastor.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
Services ever)' Sunday morning and evening. Sabbath
school at 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon. Prayer meeting every
Thursdav evening. Rev. C. Artman, pastor.
BAPTIST.
Services every Sunday morning and evening in the
church. Sabbath school from 12 to 1 o'clock p. m. Prayer
meeting every Thursday evening. Rev. R. Bradshaw, pastor.
st. john's episcopal church.
Located on the corner of Eighth street and Sixth avenue.
Services each Sundav. 1. W. Orde officiating as minister.
st. mary's church of sibley.
Services each alternate Sundav. Father Dollard, pastor.
Siblev is having a gradual growth. Some new building
seems to be in process of erection all the time, and electric
lights and water works will soon be the order of the da v.
CHAPTER XXII.
Since writing the preceding chapters in this book there
has come under the writer's observation an article written bv
some clever writer in 1876 on the history of Viola township,
and, although it may be somewhat on the order of repetition,
I will here reproduce it. We think it was written by Peter
Shaw:
" Vioi.a Township, December 2, 1876. — In accordance
with the proclamation of Samuel J. Kirkwood, the Governor
of Iowa for 1876, the Centennial year, the one hundredth
anniversary of America, that the several township clerks of
each county be requested to write a sketch or history of their
townships, though I am not much skilled in writing history or
anything that would be of much interest to the people, I will
endeavor to write something.
"This township was first settled A. D. 1871. The first
settlers, or rather the pioneer settlers as we term them, were
as follows: C. C. Collison, John Smith, J. F. Van Emburgh,
H. W. Tinkum, G. W. Ketchum, J. T. Sage, John Stamm,
Hugh and Oren Jones, W. H. Gates, and Mrs. Beeman, Mrs.
Jane Smith and Miss Carrie Smith. These comprise the
pioneers. C. C. Collison, John Smith and John Stamm were
the first. C. C. Collison built the first house that was built in
the township. There was considerable breaking done that
year, and some sod corn raised and a few potatoes. The set-
tlers worked at a great disadvantage in building, as there was
no timber within fifteen or twenty miles and no lumber within
fifty miles, till late in the fall the cars came as far as Worth-
ington, a distance of eighteen miles, the St. Paul Railroad
being completed no further. So most of the first settlers
built sod houses to live in, which made very comfortable
houses for the homesteaders of Viola. But they had a pretty
severe winter to go through. They had their wood to haul
from fifteen to twenty miles, which made snug work to keep
warm, as they had not learned to burn hay at that time.
"Mr. Beeman was frozen to death. He got caught out
in a blizzard on his way home from the Big Rock River,
where he had been after a load of corn. He left a wife and
several children to provide for themselves in the dead of win-
ter in the wilds of Osceola. Though the pioneers came out
238 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
in the spring fat and smoking, for their houses were mostly
covered over with snow, as the snow fell very deep that winter.
"The settlers of A. D. 1872, were as follows: Peter
Shaw, John H. Douglass, N. I. Wetmore, S. Ford, Abram
Shapley, John Hart, M. D. Hadsell, C. C. Hadsell, E. Headley,
C. C. Ogan, E. S. Bennett, C. G. Bennett, William Rubow,
A. Averill, D. Averill, O. Averill, A. B. Graves, E. Mulmex,
S. Smith, E. Smith, John Tann, W. M. Barnard, J. Blair, J. S.
Patterson, George Carew, L. Clark, G. S. Downend, D. B.
Wood, E. Nulton, J. Farren, H. Graham, T. W. Graves, H.
Jordan, L. McConnell, P. L. Piesley, Levi Shell, C. T. Torrey,
P. Wilcox, M. Winchester, J. F. Ransom, A. Van Blockham.
These were the settlers of '72. But the settlers of '72 had
great advantages over the settlers of '71- The St. Paul Rail-
road being completed to Sibley in the early part of June, lum-
ber and wood were within three to eight miles, and the settlers
went right to work and built their several shanties, and then
proceeded to break and plant sod corn and potatoes and gar-
dens, and as it was a fine growing season, they had fine crops
for sod crops. Some rented land that had been broken the
year before, and had an excellent crop from it. I raised 206
bushels of wheat off of nine and one-half acres of late breaking
that season. Most of the settlers that year raised their vege-
tables and feed for their teams, but most of them had their
meat and flour to buy till the next fall.
"Viola Township was organized in the fall of 1872, and
held its first election in John H. Douglass' shanty. The fol-
lowing township officers were elected: Peter Shaw, town-
ship clerk; M. D. Hadsell and John Smith, justices of the
peace; Jackson Blair, assessor; T. J. Stage, C. C. Hadsell,
C. G. Bennett, trustees; C. C. Ogan and John Stamm, con-
stables; Hugh Jones, road supervisor; U. S. Grant, president
of the United States, re-elected; John H. Douglass, sheriff of
Osceola County, Iowa. The township polled thirty-six votes,
but part of the officers went away that winter and left their
offices vacant. The following persons were appointed to fill
vacancies: W. H. Gates and David Wood, trustees; N. I.
Wetmore, assessor; John Hart, road supervisor; Abram
Shapley, justice of the peace; Mr. Shapley did not qualify.
"The first blacksmith shop was erected by J. F. Van
Emburgh in 187 1, and in 1872 Abram Shapley built another
shop.
" The first school house was erected in the summer of
1872 on the southwest quarter of Section 25, and called the
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 239
Gates School House, and Miss Carrie Smith was the first
teacher. She taught a term of six months. The first half of
the term was taught in one part of C. C. Collison's house, and
three months in the Gates School House. The next two
school houses were built in the spring of 1875, one on tne
northwest corner of Section 20, the other one on the northeast
quarter of Section 32. The first school directors were M. D.
Hadsell, N. I. Wetmore and D. B. Wood.
"The first Sabbath school was organized in the summer
of 1 87 1 and held at H. W. Tinkham's, and has been held
every summer in different parts of the township. In the sum-
mer of 1875 tne Sunday school officers were all lady officers,
with Mrs. Ripley as superintendent.
"The first church society was organized by Brother
Mallory, of Sibley, in the winter of 1875 ar| d 1876, at the
Greaves School House, but meetings had been held by differ-
ent denominations. Since the summer of 1872, Revs. B. A.
Dean, Brashears, Webb, Lowrie and several others have held
regular appointments here. G. W. Ketchum's sod house was
used for the first meeting house, till the Gates School House
was built.
" The first white child born in the township was the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Nims, in June, 187 1, and
was the first child born in the county, but it only lived to the
age of 18 months.
" The deaths have been but few. The first was Mr. Bee-
man, who was frozen to death in Lyon county in the winter
of 1 87 1 and 1872, in a blizzard, some time in February, while
on his way home from the Big Rock, where he had been
after a load of corn. The next was the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Nims. The next was Mrs. Jennings, the daughter of
Mrs. Abram Shapley, who died very suddenly at Mr. G. S.
Downend's with heart disease. The next was Mr. Wright-
mire, though a resident of Minnesota. The next was Mrs. C.
Collison, died in March, 1876. The next was Mrs. Eliza J.
Smith, died in April, 1876. Mrs. Collison and Mrs. Smith
died but a month apart, and came into the county together in
1872, and lived near neighbors and were highly esteemed by
all who knew them. Mrs. Collison left a large family of small
children. Mrs. Smith was the mother of John, Samuel, Edwin
and Carrie Smith. She took a homestead when she came,
and had lived within a few weeks of her five years on the
homestead.
" The first married couple was Mr. John Tann to Miss
240 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
Carrie A. Smith, in Sibley, at the parsonage, by Elder Webb,
January i, 1873. The next was Edwin Smith to Miss Greaves,
and several of the bachelors have married out of the county.
They have all taken a better half except Joseph Farren and J.
T. Sage, who still are waiting.
" The heaviest farmers are Abram Shapley, Peter Shaw,
G. S. Downend, P. L. Piesley, J. Blair, J. Farren, W. H.
Gates, A. Averill, A. B. Greaves, John Tarn, M. D. Hadsell,
S. F. Smith, Ed. Smith and C. C. Collison.
" So far the farmers have had rather discouraging farm-
ing on account of the grasshoppers. They came here in June,
1873, an d destroyed the greater part of the crops that year,
so that the people had to apply for assistance in the way of
relief. The State Legislature appropriated $50,000 to the
grasshopper sufferers in the way of seed grain. But in 1874
the 'hoppers hatched here and came in from Minnesota, and
hurt the crop from about one-fourth to a third. In 1875 the
crops were good except corn and oats, which were badly
eaten by the pests. But the people began to feel considerably
encouraged, and in 1876, the centennial year, they went in as
if they were going to make up for losses, and put in every
foot of ground that they had broken. And the grain was
looking fine and promising until within a few days of harvest-
ing, when the 'hoppers came again from the north in great
numbers and waded into the grain, and destroyed almost the
entire crop in this township. So most of the farmers are
bankrupt, without seed or money.
" Many of the settlers were compelled to go away for the
winter in order to make a living for their families and get
something to seed their places with for the next year. Some
are too poor to get away and have been compelled to prove
up on their homesteads and mortgage their places to raise
money to carry them till they can raise another crop. The
people nearly all burn hay for fuel because they have not the
wherewith to buy anything else to burn, but if all other ne-
cessities could be remedied as easily as the fuel we could man-
age to get along very well. As it is, most of the farmers will
be compelled to let part of their farms lie still next year, for
the want of means to get seed to seed their lands. Most of
the farmers did considerable breaking this season, and now
have more ground broken than they have the means to carry
on. There were about fifteen hundred acres broken in this
township this summer. The lands in this township are very
rich and productive, and the face of the country is most beau-
w:¥ A
J
v»
DIEDRICH WASSMANN.
15
P. A. CAJACOB.
HISTOR1 OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 245
tiful, just rolling enough to drain well, and it is as well watered
as any part of Osceola county. It has the Otter creek run-
ning through on the east, the Little Rock on the west and the
Muddy creek on the north. These streams all ha\e fine grass
land along them, which produces the best of hay for stock. It
is not only good farming land, but well adapted to raising
stock and the dairying business. We have one cheese factory
in the township, which is owned by David B. Wood, and is
located in the center of the township. All that is lacking now
is the means to get the stock to make it one of the most pro-
ductive townships in the northwest. Some new settlers have
settled in this township."
CHAPTER XXIII.
TOWNSHIPS.
To start on there were only three townships. The con-
gressional township running east and west across the county,
numbered ioo, was called Horton Township ; the same run-
ning east and west across the county, numbered 99, was called
Holman Township, and the same numbered 98 called Goewey
Township. These remained in that way until October 7,
1872, when the board divided Horton Township into three
townships, making section 100, range 42, Fenton, section 100,
range 41, Wilson, and section 100, range 40, and section 100,
range 39, Horton. Afterwards, by a demand of the people
in that township, Fenton was changed to Viola. Fairview was
set off September 7, 1874. Holman Township remained as
established until at the September 27, 1873, meeting the board
made two townships out of the four, making the east, being
section 99, range 39, and section 99, range 40, one township,
and giving the name Ocheyedan. These townships, remain-
ing the same as Holman, comprise two congressional town-
ships, and Ocheyedan two, which for convenience sake are
called East and West Ocheyedan. At the January 1, 1884,
meeting, Gilman Township was set off by itself. June 7> 1875,
the board passed a resolution that township 98, range 40, be
set off and called Baker, except sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36,
and sections 4, 5, 6, 7, S, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29 and
30, in township 98, range 39. Harrison was set off Septem-
ber 3, 1888, and that fall had its first election.
EDUCATIONAL.
If there is any one thing that is distinctly American, it is
our educational system, which offers to each rising generation
the grandest facilities for scholarship that can be found in the
world.
The American boy knows no barrier to distinction in the
line of education save in himself. Iowa is not behind any other
state in the Union in its legislative provisions concerning
schools, and Osceola County, as a part of the great state, is
ever active in the organization of its school districts and their
effective management.
XT
MARY L. McCALLUM.
'"7
H. G. DOOT.ITTLE.
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, IOWA. 251
If any boy or girl lives in Osceola County during their
school days, and grows to manhood or womanhood here with-
out a good common school education, the fault must be charged
to the parent or the child and not to lack of opportunity.
Immediately upon the formation of the civil townships,
as made by the Woodbury County Board, the same townships
by operation of law became school districts, and the school
townships now are the same in size and name as the civil
townships.
F. W. Hahn is the present County Superintendent of
Schools, and his official management in that department is
efficient and highly satisfactory.
There are at present in the county eighty-one school
houses, as follows :
Fairview 3
Horton 6
W ilson 6
Viola 6
Ochey edan 12
Harrison 7
Baker 7
Goewey 7
Gilman 8
Holman 15
Sibley, town 2
Ocheyedan, town 1
Ashton . town 1
The value of Osceola County school houses is estimated
at $44,000 ; the value of school house apparatus at $2,000.
The present school officers are as follows :
FAIRVIEW.
President— J. C. Ward.
Secretary -M. B. Smith.
Treasurer — Win. Mowthorpe.
Directors — Geo. Hamilton, B. F. Webster.
HORTON.
President — Dick Wassmann.
Secretary — John Robertson.
Treasurer — N. W. Emery.
Directors— I. B. Titus, August Bremer.
252 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA CO ['NTT. IOWA.
WILSON.
President — W. A. Cloud.
Secretary — A. B. Evarts.
Treasurer — Will Thomas.
Directors — W. C. Connor, Mons. Soren, C. E. Yates, F.
A. Klampe, Joseph Zweck.
VIOLA.
President — Joseph Raine.
Secretary — George Downend.
Treasurer — J. P. Wallran.
Directors — S. Newman, Pat Piesley.
HOLMAN.
President — W. L. Taylor.
Secretary — M. Harvey.
Treasurer — P. A. Cajacob.
Directors — T. Ling, John Gallagher, Thomas Reycraft,
D. W. Whitney, John Karpen, James Hunter, O. C. Staplin,
John Schroeder, Will Morse, J. B. Jenny, John Wagner, John
Melcher.
OCHEYEDAN.
President— W. E. Ely.
Secretary — E. N. Moore.
Treasurer — L. B. Boyd.
Directors — G. W. Thomas, Joseph Smith.
HARRISON.
President — J. W. Wardrip.
Secretary — T. Hemmig.
Treasurer — F. H. Newkirk.
Directors — George Krukenberg, Daniel Tzards.
BAKER.
President — Hans Graves.
Secretary — C. W. Bryan.
Treasurer — W. H. Lean.
Directors — J. L. McAnnich, Fred. Kuester.
GOEWEY.
President — H. C. Allen.
Secretary — Henry Huffman.
Treasurer — Alex. Gilkinson.
Directors — O. B. Harding, A. Brunson, Charles Bangert,
Jacob Brandt, George Spaulding, Eugene Girton.
M. A. TATUM.
A. E. BEAUMONT.
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA LOCXT1, IOWA. 257
GILMAN.
President — B. T. Pettingell.
Secretary — J. C. Wilmarth.
Treasurer — W. C. Craip - .
Directors — A. Schent, R. Lensen, H. H. Nolte, R. J.
Stemm, E. Beckwith, Nels Porter.
INDEPENDENT DISTRICT OF SIBLEY.
President — H. Neill.
Secretary — W. P. Webster.
Treasurer — Levi Shell.
Directors — A. Romey, M. J. Campbell, J. B. Lent, Geo.
Learned, W. H. Chambers.
INDEPENDENT DISTRICT OF ASHTON.
President — I. B. Lucas.
Secretary — J. W. Reagan.
Treasurer — W. L. Benjamin.
Directors — N. Boor, H. S. Grant.
The school sections, so-called, are numbered sixteen in
each township, which were donated by the general govern-
ment, to the State, for the benefit of the schools. These sec-
tions are sold, and the proceeds constitute a fund which re-
mains and not disposed of, but it is loaned out upon good real
estate security, and the income from it by way of interest, is
distributed over the State to each township according to its
number of scholars. Osceola County has now of this fund,
and as proceeds from the sale of land in this county, about
$100,000. The first sale made of school lands in Osceola,
was in July, 1881, and the first quarter sold was bought by
Close Bros, in Gilman Township. These school lands have
all been disposed of except one quarter, and this will go to
sale soon.
There are in Osceola County at the present time, about
twenty-one hundred persons of school age, and the best of
teachers are secured, so that our schools are of a high order
and the means of much advancement. Several school build-
ings have been erected this present season. Prof. Trainer,
mentioned elsewhere, did much for Osceola County in the line
of education. He constantly contributed to the public press
articles intended to stimulate the young in the line of their
studies. The following is one of his contributions:
16
258 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IOWA.
"A PLEA FOR THE CHILDREN.
"Children hunger perpetually for new ideas. They will
learn with pleasure from the lips of others what they deem
drudgery to study in books; and even if they have the mis-
fortune to be deprived of many educational advantages, they
grow up intelligent people.
"We sometimes see people who are the life of every com-
pany which they enter, dull, silent and uninteresting among
children; such cannot teach. The teacher must be the life of
the school. How can we expect life and energy to come from
dry, cold, silent books! The use of books is a detriment
rather than an aid to the younger pupils. When the pupil
enters school at the age of five years he already has learned
more than any teacher on earth can teach him in a long life
time. Teachers, did 3'ou ever think that the child at that age
has learned two of the most difficult things mortals have to
learn — walking and talking ? How many works in philosophy
has it been necessary for him to consult ? What university
has he graduated from to be able to walk perfectly? What
•authors on language has he studied, or how many lectures on
philosophy has he heard to be able to make known his
thoughts by talking. We know that these and a thousand
other attainments have been reached by doing for himself.
Yet without a knowledge of these things, from the first hour
the child enters school many teachers attempt to change the
whole course of nature by forcing upon him that which is as
foreign to his nature as day is from night. What we need is
the teacher who will give the children a chance to observe,
experiment and to think for themselves, and let us remember
that language is the instrument of thought, and that without
language there can be no thought."
JAMES PORTER.
T. C. HEIM.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Early in the seventies there was much discussion as to the
depreciation of county warrants, which were down then to fifty
cents on the dollar. Some writer in the local press, in Janu-
ary, 1874, nas tne following :
" Northwestern Iowa needs assistance, and such assist-
ance can only be granted by the State Legislature. The mu-
nificence of individuals can relieve the wants of individuals,
but it takes legislation to relieve the embarrassments of
counties.
" In no part of the state is there more fertile soil, more
healthful climate, larger yearly improvements, or more rapid
increase in population, than in Northwestern Iowa. In a few
■years the counties will be as independent as any in the state.
But circumstances, over which the county had no control, for
the very reason that they were, themselves, controlled by de-
signing men, brought the credit of many of them into great
disrepute, owing to the issuing of warrants for no valid con-
sideration, so that after affairs began to be economically man-
aged the warrants were worth, in the market, but half their
face.
" It may be safely said that the New Code of Iowa went
into operation finding the administration of our northwestern
counties in as good hands as other portions of the state, but
just as the New Code took force the bonding law expired by
statute limitation, thereby taking away that which had caused
warrants to be, at least in some degree, in demand, as offering
an investment which yielded a fair rate of interest.
" By economical management it was hoped that warrants
would not depreciate very much, but when the Supreme
Court's decision was announced there was no longer a mar-
ket, something, of course, must be done. The counties can-
not remedy the matter ; it rests with the Legislature.
" Our assessment is $612,000. At four mills the revenue
amounts to $2,448 ; this, with the present amount of property,
is all that can be raised for county purposes.
" Now, see what county expenses are to be paid out of
this sum : Section 3844 of the Code provides that l The
Board of Supervisors shall furnish the Clerk of District and
264 HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY. IO\i r A.
Circuit Courts, Sheriff, Recorder, Treasurer, Auditor and
County Superintendent with offices at the county-seat, to-
gether with fuel, lights, blanks, books and stationery neces-
sary and proper to enable them to discharge the duties of
their respective offices.'
" The compensation of the officers is fixed by the board,
and paid out of the county fund, except such as paid in the
shape of fees. The sum total of fees received in the different
offices is no more than sufficient to afford one officer a rea-
sonable and fair compensation, leaving four or five officers to
be paid out of the county fund. The sum total of fees and
expenses, fixed by law, and that cannot be reduced, amounted,
for the last year, to $4,620.94 ; add to this amount compensa-
tion for officers and the amount necessary to pay the interest
on bonds drawing ten per cent., payable semi-annually, and
you have, at the least calculation, a sum three or four times
the amount of the revenue. At present it would take just
about a twenty mill tax to keep up all the drafts on the county
fund.
" In view of the above condition of affairs, we appeal to
the Legislature to provide for a revenue. We submit that it
is an outrage on the Board of Supervisors, to the people of
the county, to the name of legislator or legislation, that a body
of men, chosen to legislate for the interests of the whole state,
should compel Boards of Supervisors to provide for the pay-
ment of bills of expenses and provide for only one-fourth the
necessary revenue.
" We must have the bonding law revived, a higher levy,
and direct taxes voted by the people. We need one, or more,
or all these means of relief. There is no reason why, if
sufficient revenue is provided, the paper of a county cannot
be just as good as the paper money of the government."
prices in 1873.
In 1873, prices in Sibley ranged about as follows: Six-
teen and one-half pounds of dried apples for $1.00; prunes
*1]/ 2 pounds for $1.00; blackberries, 73^ pounds for $1.00;
peaches, 10 pounds for $1.00; Standard "A" sugar, *]]/>
pounds for $t.oo; brown sugar, 10 pounds for $1.00; bacon,
12 cents per pound; shoulders, 7 cents per pound; hams, 16
cents per pound; oil, 35 cents per pound.
The above was from a local dealer advertising Jus goods.
The market report in a June, 1873, number of the Gazette,
was as follows:
A. W. HARRIS.
RESIDENCE OK A. \\\ HARKls. SIBLEY
HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTT, IOWA. 269
Wheat, No. i, $ bush ' 75@86
Corn, ^ bush 40
Oats, ^ bush 25
Barley, ^ bush 35@40
Flour, cp hundred lbs 3 . 25
Corn meal, ^ hundred lbs _ _ . 1.90
Beans, ^ bush .... 1 .50
Pork, $ Bb 12
Hams, ^ Bb : . 18
Potatoes . 30
Shoulders, c[$ Bb 12
Lard, ^$ Bb 17
Butter, ^ Bb 30
Cheese, ^ Bb 20
Eggs, ^ doz 15
Dried apples, ^ Bb 12^
Dried peaches, ^3 Bb .. 1 2 }4
Tea, $ Bb 72@i . 80
Coffee,^ ft 2 9 @3 4
Sugars, ^ Bb I2^@i7
Syrups, <$ gal 1.00
Molasses, ^ gal 80
Kerosene, <p gal 40
Lumber, ^ M 18.00@37.00
Nails, $ Bb 7©io
Shingles, <j£ M 3. oo@5 . 00
Hard coal was then selling at $25 per ton, and soft coal
correspondingly.
Whatever the farmer raises in Osceola County he finds a
good market for in either of the towns, and a prominent bus-
iness house in Sibley, Ocheyedan and Harris, inadvertently
omitted from the Sibley write-up, is
A. W. HARRIS & CO.
This firm has a large grain and coal business in Sibley,
also in the towns of Harris and Ocheyedan.
The town of Harris was named after the head of this
firm, who laid out the townsite, and still owns it except what
lots have been sold. They put up the first building on the
Harris townsite, and at present are the only grain buyers
there. This firm located in Sibley in 1887, and are very
prominent in their line of business in Osceola County.
CONCLUDING CHAPTER.
The condition of Osceola County in this year of our
Lord, 1892, is one of general prosperity. Pauperism does
not exist, and opportunities for labor, for securing homes, and
for establishing business are on every hand. There has been
an abundant harvest, and each year is an advancement in farm-
ing interests and in all classes of business.
The last assessed valuation of the county was $1,726,582.
The indebtedness of the county has been, at it highest, about
$90,000. Its present indebtedness is $60,500. The amount
of school money now loaned out, and under contract for loan
by the county on farm land, is $96,500.75. The amount paid
out for school purposes in 1891 was $29,040. This came from
taxation except $611, which was derived from the permanent
school fund interest. The running expenses of the county in
1891 required $18,568. The income to the county from taxa-
tion for 1891 was $61,375.
The county has a substantial court house and every school
district has the required buildings for school purposes.
The people are thrifty, intelligent and law-abiding, and
as a class are comparable with those of any county in the state.
The County has changed in its inhabitants since the first
settlement, some coming and going, some remaining yet, and
others with the fate that must follow all of us, are lying in the
cemetery. Western people are given to changing their busi-
ness locations more than are the people of the East; here, if
anywhere, is the spirit of unrest, implanted seemingly m our
very nature on the first move, and with many it becomes a
fixed feeling and irresistible. Osceola County has had its
share of this tidal change, this flowing in and out of popula-
tion, and of the original settlers, those who came here in 187 1,
'72 and '73, there are not a great many left.
A. W. HARRIS & CO. ELEVATOR, SIBLEY
REV. L. R. FITCH.
17
We close this book with a poem that has fallen under our
observation without knowing to whom credit is due.
COMING TO OSCEOLA COUNTY.
They are coming from the deserts of the dim and dusky East,
Where to raise a stunted turnip is the prospect of a feast ;
Where the farms are made of gravel and they plow with dynamite,
Where the festive chattel mortgage sings its dirges day and night;
They are coming in their wagons, they are coming on the train,
They are coming from the regions where they struggled long in vain ;
They are coming from the cabin, they are coming from the hall,
They are coming to Osceola County where there's plenty for them all.
They are coming from the .South-land, they are coming from the North
From the valleys and the mountains they in droves are coming forth ;
They are coming with their husbands, they are coming with their wives,
They are coming with their hammers, with their axes and their knives;
With their harrows, with their rakes, with their seeders and their guns.
They are coming with their fathers and their mothers and their sons ;
They are coming stout and slender, they are coming short and tall,
They are coming to Osceola County, where there's plenty for them all.
Where the savage used to wander searching for a crop of hair,
The farmer takes his porker to the nearest county fair;
And the corn is daily growing where the greasy wigwams stood.
Where he burned the wailing captive, now the poultry scratch for food;
And the people who are coming to this pleasantest of climes.
Show a happy knack of keeping with the progress of the times;
They will find a country beaming from the spring-time to the fall,
If they land here in Osceola County, where there's plenty for them all.
.Co
FLOREM'K l. m c callum.
C. M. MAXVILLE.
C. A. CHARLES.
MRS. D. D. MCCALLUM.
]. C. TRAINOR.
J. C. BRICKER.
A. ROMEY
18
C. B. KNOX.
C. L. DAVIDSON.
