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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
.
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF
Guthrie County, Iowa.
BY
Mrs. S. B. MAXWELL.
...
CENTENNIAL HISTORY
OF
GUTHRIE COUNTY, IOWA
CONTAINING A SHORT HISTORY OF IOWA, HIS- TORY AND DESCRIPTION OF GUTHRIE COUNTY; EARLY SETTLEMENT, INCIDENTS, ETC.
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By MRS. S. B. MAXWELL.
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DES MOINES: CARTER, HUSSEY & CURL, PRINTERS. 1876.
To MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, THE GOOD PEOPLE OF GUTHRIE COUNTY, IN GENERAL, AND THE OLD
SETTLERS, IN PARTICULAR, THIS LITTLE WORK IS REGARDFULLY INSCRIBED BY
THE AUTHOR.
Entered according to Act of Congress, A. D. 1876, by MRS. S. B. MAXWELL, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
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1-RC-954
PREFACE.
To the many hospitable, kind and obliging friends, who have encouraged and assisted me, I return my warmest thanks.
To Col. Raney, Capt. Thomas Seely, J. W. Cummins, Esq., Michael Leinart, Esq. and Capt. O. B. Hayden, for courtesy, kindness and assistance, I acknowledge my indebtedness.
To my advertising patrons, I thank you, and tender you my sincerest wishes for your success and prosperity.
To my publishers, and the editors of our county papers, for courtesies shown me, I thank you.
Respectfully,
STUART, Oct. 10, 1876.
SADIE B. MAXWELL.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
In writing a history of Guthrie county, a brief sketch of the State will not be out of place. The first settlement in the State of Iowa was made by a colony of miners from Prairie du Chein, under Julien Dubuque, in 1788,-one hundred and fifteen years after the discovery of these shores by Marquette and Joliet.
Iowa, at the time of this settlement, was a part of the Spanish province of Louisiana.
Previous to the year 1763 and at the close of the "Old French War," the entire continent of North America was owned by France, Great Britain, Spain and Russia.
In 1763, Spain obtained by cession from France, the territory west of the Mississippi.
On the 1st of October, 1800, by treaty of St. Idelfonso, Spain ceded back to France, the Territory of Louisiana.
On the 30th of April, 1803, France ceded it to the United States, in consideration of the sum of $11,250,000 and the liquidation of certain claims held by citizens of the United States against France,-the claims amounting to over $3,000,000.
March 31, 1803, the President was authorized by Con- gress, to take possession of the territory and provide for it, a temporary government.
October 1, 1804, this territory was divided into the " Dis- trict of Louisiana" and the Territory of Orleans.
On the 4th of July, 1805, the "district" of Louisiana was organized into a "territory" of the same name.
On the 30th of April, 1812, the Territory of Orleans became a State of the Union, under the name of Louisiana.
6
HISTORY OF IOWA.
December 1, 1812, the Territory of Louisiana was, by authority of Congress, re-organized and called the Terri- tory of Missouri.
July 4, 1819, Arkansas Territory was made and com- prised the present State of that name and the country to the westward.
March 2, 1821, by a "joint resolution " of Congress, the State of Missouri .- being a part of Missouri Territory,- was admitted into the Union.
June 28, 1834, the territory north of the State of Mis- souri, was made a part of the Territory of Michigan.
July 3, 1836, Wisconsin Territory was taken from that of Michigan and embraced the present States of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
July 3, 1838, the Territory of Iowa was formed, includ- ing, beside the present limits of the State, what is now Minnesota and extending northward to the British line.
After several attempts to locate the boundaries of the State of Iowa, it was finally admitted, with its present limits, on the 28th day of December, 1846, making the twenty-ninth State in the Union. Thus our proud young State is but thirty years old, and we challenge any of the other States to a comparison of enterprise and progress.
When admitted into the Union, the population of Iowa was 97,5SS; according to the last census, it is 1,350,544.
It is situated between the 40th and 43d parellels of lat- itude, and east and west between the two great rivers,-the Mississippi and the Missouri. Its area is 55,045 square miles and contains 35,228,200 acres of land. The distance across the State, east and west, is about 300 miles; north and south, over 200 miles. Its surface is about ninety per cent prairie, mostly undulating, thus giving us compar- atively little " swamp land." According to White's Report, ninety-five per cent of the surface is tillable.
No State is richer in the chief wealth of the nation- Agriculture.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
But a few short years ago this was the "far west," and when it was announced by a friend or neighbor that he was going to Iowa "to live," we thought it a terribly reckless undertaking, and could only comfort ourselves by sighing sadly, "Ah, well; 'westward the star of empire takes its way'-and ever will. If they are determined to risk their lives among the savages, where the only mark of civiliza- tion is an occasional fort, or a settlement of deluded whites, we can but commend them to the tender mercies of the All-father, whose watchful eye is ever over us."
To-day all is changed. Iowa is no longer "away out west,"-that region having receded to somewhere nearer sunset. The broad prairies are dotted with well cultivated and well stocked farms, and on every hand may be seen the evidence of thrift and general comfort, found only in agricultural regions. The farmer is here rewarded with abundant harvests-all the cereals yielding abundantly, ยท while the fruits adapted to this climate and all " garden vegetables " can be grown successfully. The soil is less susceptible to the effects of drouth or extremely wet weather, than that of most other States.
"Distance lends enchantment," and we hear, with feelings of rapture, the glowing descriptions of the ever-green and exuberant loveliness of the south, or with feelings of awe of the "icy deserts" of the far north. Tourists fill our imaginations with the grandeur of the mountain scenery of the west, but nowhere can be found, scenes of quiet, grace- ful beauty, equal to those of the prairies of Iowa. The graceful undulations of the prairie; the ever welcome groves; the clear, swiftly flowing streams, make a mag- nificent scene, while to add to its loveliness, the wild prairie flowers of various hues and varieties, greet us at every step; indeed so profuse are they upon the unbroken prairie, that verily, it may be said, "we tread upon a carpet of roses." With the limpid Mississippi on her eastern and the turbid Missouri on her western boundary, and traversed
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
by numerous railroads; with all the resources of commerce at her command; with unlimited water power for man- ufactures, and nearly every acre of land available for farming or grazing, Iowa, with her live and enterprising citizens, is making rapid strides toward the front rank in the Union.
The Sacs and Foxes, when driven by the whites from one hunting ground to another, and when finally driven across the Mississippi river, as they lay down discouraged and exhausted, exclaimed, "Iowa!" "Here we rest," or "Here we sleep." Thus Iowa means a resting place, and he who would rest, not from labor, but from the turmoil and con- fusion of crowded towns and cities, may here find an "Iowa."
DESCRIPTION OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
Guthrie county is situated between the 41st and 42d par- allels of north latitude, and is twenty-four miles square, which gives it an area of five hundred and seventy.six square miles. It lies in the fourth tier of counties from the south, and also in the fourth tier from the west line of the State. It is bounded on the north by Carroll and Greene counties, on the east by Dallas, on the south by Adair, and on the west by Audubon county.
The soil partakes of the general character of the prairie soil of the west, sand loam, and on the margins of the streams alluvial, all highly productive, as our numerous and bountiful crops testify. It is well watered and as well timbered as most counties in the west part of the State; though the bodies of timber may not be as large as along the larger streams of some counties, yet the numerous streams, whose valleys and ravines are covered with an average quality of timber, some quite good (said to aver- ag e a mile in width), make up our lack of large tracts. Bear Grove, containing eighteen hundred acres, is the largest in the county. It is situated in Bear Grove town- ship, in the middle western part of the county, while others of less extent are distributed along the various streams, at more or less convenient distances, from the open prairies, some sections being three, some five, while no section is more than ten miles from timber.
A great many "artificial" groves have been and are still being planted, which besides being a protection from storms, to buildings and orchards, may in time afford a limited supply of fire-wood.
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
The insufficiency of timber for fuel is abundantly com- pensated in the coal fields, which underlie many parts of the county. The native forests embrace several kinds of oak; hickory, walnut, cotton-wood, maple and elm. The artificial groves are maple and cotton-wood, with an occa- sional one of willow.
Where there is any protection from the fires which sweep the prairies in the late autumn and early spring, consider- able tracts have been covered with a vigorous growth of hazel, oak, etc., as that on the uplands of middle 'Coon near Panora, where it is said not a shrub was seen in the early settlement of the county.
The principal streams of the county are, Middle river, middle and south Raccoon rivers, with their numerous trib- utaries, the most important of which are, Brushy Fork, Bear, Beaver, Willow, Seely and Mosquito creeks. South Raccoon rises in the divide about four miles south of the north-west corner of the county and runs in a south-east- erly direction, receiving near the centre of the county, Brushy Fork, which enters the county in the north-west corner and is the most important stream of the two.
Middle Raccoon enters the county four miles east of Brushy Fork and runs nearly parallel to it, at a distance of, from two to six miles; its course is south-east and leaves the county in Jackson township, about eight miles from the south line, while south 'Coon makes its exit four miles below.
The stream next in importance is Middle river, which rises in Bear Grove, and pursues the same general course as the others, leaving the county one and a-half miles east of Casey, on the southern boundary, or about eight miles from the west line. Its chief tributary is South Fork of Middle river. Troublesome creek in the south-west part of Bear Grove township, receives the numerous small streams of that part of the township, and runs in a south-westerly direction. The larger branches of south 'Coon are, Seely
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
creek, in Bear Grove and Centre townships, Bear creek, which drains Centre and part of Valley townships, Beaver creek, from Valley and Beaver townships, and Deer creek and Long Branch from Penn.
The chief branches of middle Raccoon river are, Willow creek, from Highland township and Bay's Branch, from Cass. Mosquito creek, which rises in a lake of the same name in the eastern part of Dodge, drains Richland town- ship, as does also a small stream called Greenbrier. The lakes (which are small) are, Pilot, Swan and Mosquito in Dodge, and Lone Tree in Richland. This latter takes its name from a single cottonwood tree that stands upon its shore; the name is very suggestive, and in the early days, before artificial groves were made, this lone tree was a pleasant relief to the eye, from the wide stretches of prairie, which on a very warm day were apt to become monotonous. We remember the stories that used to be told to " us green ones " about seeing this tree from Dalmanutha, a distance of twenty miles and even further, forgetting that we might possibly think of the obstacles to be overcome in seeing a thing at so great a distance,-the rotundity of the earth's surface, the limit of mortal vision, etc .- but perhaps they thought we would think this a " mighty " tall tree, (a west- ernism we learned about this time).
The rivers afford sufficient water power for all manufac- turing purposes; there are two large woolen mills, with a number of grist and saw mills located on them, all doing a good business; of these we will speak hereafter.
As you enter the county on the east, the prairie sweeps away in gentle undulations, as far as the eye can reach, and should you view it for the first time, on a balmy June morning, when the breezes gently sway the tall prairie grass, just close your eyes and imagine yourself on deck of an ocean steamer, and when you open them again you can scarcely realize that you are upon terra firma. But I was thinking of several years ago; the farmers are fast changing that billowy green ocean, into cultivated fields
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HISTORY OF GUTIIRIE COUNTY.
and gardens, dotted with neat little cottages, orchards, groves and shade trees.
But going back to the uncultivated " surface," as you approach middle 'Coon valley the scene changes; the prairie becomes high and rolling, and as you near the river, rough and broken. To the westward of this river the sur- face is a succession of symmetrical ridges, the sight of which, make you wish you were a child again, that in winter you might coast upon these hills to your heart's content, or in summer, lie down and roll from summit to base. Though Time's gentle hand has painted numerous silvery steaks above our brow, we never pass these hills but sympathy with these childish diversions takes posses- sion of us.
These ridges or high undulations, continue to the great water-shed divide, which separates the drainages of the Mis- sissisppi and Missouri rivers, and marks our western boundary.
These ridges as well as the less rolling prairie are con- sidered valuable farming lands, while all parts of the county are adapted to stock raising. Taken as a whole, Guthrie county is one of the best grazing and farming counties in the State.
There is an abundance of coal, mines of which are being opened in many localities throughout the county. The first one opened was that of J. T. Frazier in 1858, three and a-half miles south-east of Panora. Mr. Frazier at that time delivered coal at ten cents per bushel.
In 1865 we paid thirty cents a bushel, for a most inferior quality of coal; now we get very good coal for just half that price.
We have stone that affords excellent building material, quarries of which have been opened on south 'Coon, Bea- ver and Deer creeks, and 'Coon's branch. At Farnsworth's quarry on the latter named stream, a superior article is found. This quarry furnishes stone for the foundation of the new court house.
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
Besides possessing mineral wealth, a soil unexcelled in fertility ; timber in moderate supply; water power abund- ant for all manufacturing purposes, and in connection with the fine grazing lands for stock raising, scenery unsur- passed in beauty, Guthrie county possesses the advantages. of railway communications, having the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific on her southern border, and the Chicgoa and Northwestern and Des Moines and Ft. Dodge within easy reach on the north and east.
FIRST SETTLEMENT OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
Previous to 1848, what is now Guthrie county, was the home of the red man, this being a part of the resting and hunting ground of Johnny Green, the Musquaka chief, and his tribe. The foot of the white man had never trodden the beautiful emerald carpet of the wild prairie; his hand had never plucked from this part of Nature's garden, the Joveliest flowers, planted by Nature's bountiful hand. The hunting grounds and camping places of the red man were along the streams and certain beaten trails, where he could roam or rest unmolested.
In the spring of 1848 a single emigrant wagon, contain- ing the household goods and gods of John Nevins, stopped on section 1, town 78, range 39, since known as the Charles Harper place, made a claim of the same and went to work to improve it. He built a little cabin, plowed up several acres of land and planted the first crop in Guthrie county. After gathering his corn in the fall, he went with his family to visit friends in the "Fort," where he was obliged to remain until spring, on account of the snow which was quite deep and thickly crusted. This is said to be one of Iowa's severest winters, during which, much wild game per- ished, by reason of its severity. "There is no great loss without some small gain." Mr. Nevins' loss proved the gain and salvation of his neighbors in Dallas county, as -.
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
they, upon the verge of starvation, went to his crib and with hand-sleds drew the corn home, and with the "hominy" made therefrom, drove the wolf from their doors. These neighbors were Leroy Lambert, John Hayes, Jerome Paige. David Daily and a Mr. Randolph, all living in Dallas county.
In 1847, Benjamin Kunkle removed from Champaign county, Ohio, to Wapello county, Iowa, but his ideal of home and country had not been realized to him there; so in the fall of 1848 he came farther west; on and on he came, over the almost boundless prairie, across the clear, purling streams, past occasional farm houses and hamlets, and leaving the latter miles behind him, he finally reached his present place, where, with thanks to the All-father, who had guided his steps hither, he rested from his journeyings, staked out a claim and determined to make this a home- his home.
With him came a Mr. Parrott, who also made a claim, but who never returned to " claim " it. Here in solitude and in silence, with no companions, save his horses and his dog; with no roof but his " covered wagon " to shelter him; with no table upon which to partake of his plain meals of corn bread and bacon, prepared by his own hands, save the green earth, but with willing hands and a brave heart, he went to work to prepare a home for his loved ones.
Here he built a cabin and made such improvements as were necessary to prove his sincerity in taking his claim and to entitle him to hold the same. This being done he returned to Wapello to spend the winter with his family, intending to bring them to the new home the ensuing spring, but the high waters prevented this, and he was obliged to remain until the latter part of August, when he started westward, arriving at his place on the first day of September, 1849.
Though the cabin was built, it had neither door nor win- dow and they were obliged to wait on the outside until a door could be sawed out, at least a doorway; the door
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HISTORY OF GUTIIRIE COUNTY.
being a blanket hung on nails. They made their beds upon the ground, there being no floor in the cabin, and slept sweetly in their own home.
The family arose early the next morning and went out to view their newly acquired possessions. The cabin stood in a little grove, beyond which, to the eastward, ran a little stream; away beyond and in every direction stretched the beautiful, undulating prairie, the tall, rank grass, still fresh and green, dotted with gorgeous autumn flowers, while here and there might be seen a deer or an elk bounding away in all his native grace and freedom. The prospect that met their eyes was indeed enchanting and with hearts full of gratitude, that they had found a country so beautiful, and so blest by Nature, they began the duties of the day- of a new life, as it were.
Though they entered upon this new life with true courage, think not, happy reader of to-day, that their's was a life of sunshine; oh, no; far from it. It was one of privation and toil, and though the beacon of Hope ever upheld and sus- tained them, small wonder is it, that its light sometimes grew dim, or that their hearts were sometimes oppressed to the verge of despair, by homesickness and loneliness.
As "necessity is the mother of invention," so the neces- sity of finding a more convenient and comfortable place than the ground upon which to sleep, produced the " prairie bunk," which consisted of two poles, usually hickory, the ends of which were laid on a log at either side of the cabin, extending across one end of it, with slats of smaller poles; sometimes, however, they made an old fashioned " cord bed," using basswood bark for the cord. This made a double bed, the walls making the head pannels; foot pan- nels they did without.
A packing box answered the purpose of a table, while their chairs consisted of smaller boxes of the same kind, and rough home-made stools. Their lights were "dips " made of deer suet. Deer were so plentiful that venison
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HISTORY OF GUTIIRIE COUNTY.
with the provision they were able to bring with them, con- stituted their food.
On the first day of September, 1849, Mr. Kunkle and family arrived at their cabin; on the 12th day of Septem- ber, 1849, Mrs. Kunkle gave birth to the first white child born in the county, Malinda Jane, now the wife of G. W. Mount. Her's was a brave heart, who could thus leave a comfortable home and face the privations of pioneer life. No peans may be sung for her; no story written, extoling her bravery, nevertheless she is a true heroine and her just reward is certain.
When Mr. Kunkle came, he brought with him the first hogs ever brought to the county.
With Mr. K. came J. W. Cummins, who made a claim where Stevenson Mount now resides. He remained here but a short time, when he returned to Wapello, where he remained until the next spring, when he moved on his claim. In 1854, he moved to and improved the Carey Har- bor farm. In the spring of 1861 he came to his present place, which is well improved and cultivated. He has fine hedges, fine groves and a fine orchard.
Mr. Cummins was born near Springfield, III., educated himself, and came to Wapello county with his father in 1847. He cast his first vote for president in 1852, voting for Scott; assisted in organizing the Republican party; has been sheriff of Guthrie county three terms. One of Guth- rie's oldest citizens, he has been identified with everything that pertains to her best interests and has the courage to do what his judgment dictates is right. With the aid of an intelligent and lovely wife, he makes his home a model of hospitality.
In the fall of 1850, came Abraham Moore, Samuel Moore, Fred Fry, James Moore and Benjamin Denslow, each of whom made claims and erected cabins thereon, and with the exception of Samuel Moore and Fred Fry, who had their families with them, moved on their claims in the spring of 1851.
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
The claim of Fred Fry was the one " staked off" by Mr. Parrott, who did not return to it, so Mr. F. was at liberty to "jump " it. This is now the J. J. Morris farm.
In February, 1850, John Davis made a claim of what is now the Culbertson farm. He has since (in 1864) removed to Oregon. The same year came Conrad Brumbaugh, Andrew Brumbaugh, Theophilus Bryan, John Van Order, Jacob Van Order, J. Schellhart, Michael Leinart, David Bay, Michael Mock, Daniel Messinger, George Messinger, Joseph Ricks and Nicholas Hartman.
Conrad Brumbaugh came in May, 1850, and made a claim, half a mile west of Panora, where his son Henry now lives.
John and Jacob Van Order made claims; the former, where John Cline now resides, the latter, where Peter Batchelet's home now is.
Theophilus Bryan, bought the claim of John Van Order and afterward that of Jacob Van Order, familiarly called Jake. Mr. Bryan came in March, 1851.
Andrew Brumbaugh made a claim of what is since known as the Silas Harper farm. He, as well as John Van Order, has since removed to Oregon, while Conrad Brum- baugh and Jacob Van Order have been removed to where claims and cabins are supposed to form no part of their possessions.
J. Schellhart made a claim of what is now known as the Hosier place, which passed into the hands of J. Anderson, then to Abraham Hosier, and is now owned by Col. Nichols. Mr. S. left the county years ago and no one knows where he is.
Michael Mock made a claim where Rev. S. Anderson now resides. Mr. Mock is now living in Polk county.
David Bay (for whom Bay's Branch was named) settled on the T. Roberts place. He went to Texas several years ago, where he died.
Michael and George Messinger made claims; the former
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HISTORY OF GUTHRIE COUNTY.
on what is now the John Allen Wasson farm, and the latter in the same vicinity.
Solomon Messinger made a claim where J. White now resides. Michael, too, followed the star of empire to its utmost limits-Oregon.
The present farm of Jas. Foster was claimed by Nathan Maynard. Joseph Ricks also made a claim near the Brum- baugh mill.
Nicholas Hartman, too, made a claim, but went to Cal- ifornia several years ago; however, he discovered that Iowa was good enough for him, and he returned to Dallas county, where he now resides.
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