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GC 977.701 L99h 1758080
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01081 4066
M. L
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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HISTORICAL SKETCH 1
OP
LYON COUNTY, IOWA, 4
AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE
COUNTRY AND ITS RESOURCES;
GIVING INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO THE INDUCEMENTS WHICH IT OFFERS TO IMMIGRANTS AND OTHERS DESIRING TO SETTLE IN THE NORTHWEST.
"Homes, Fortunes, Health and Happiness for all."
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORE
BY S. C. HYDE.
SIOUX CITY, IOWA: PERKINS BROS., PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 1873.
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DRAWN BY S. C. HYDE. - Irom Government Surveys 1573.
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OFFICIAL DIRECTORY
FOR 1872. 1758080
COUNTY AUDITOR,
CHARLES E. GOETZ
Beloit, Lyon County, Iowa
COUNTY TREASURER,
JAMES H. WAGNER. Doon, Lyon County, Iowa CLERK OF THE DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT COURTS, D. C. WHITEHEAD, Rock Rapids, Lyon County, Iowa SHERIFF,
T. W. JOHNSON
Earnest, Lyon County, Iowa
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
L. A. BALL
Willida, Lyon County, Iowa
COUNTY RECORDER,
THOMAS THORSON.
Beloit, Lyon County, iowa
COUNTY SURVEYOR,
"ETHAN ALLEN .. Rock Rapids, Lyon County, Iowa COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, J. S. HOWELL, Chairman, Rock Rapids, Lyon Co., Iowa CHAS. H. JOHNSON ... . Earnest, Lyon County, Iowa
H. T. HELGERSON Beloit, Lyon County, Iowa
FOR 1873. COUNTY AUDITOR, CHARLES E. GOETZ .. .. . . Beloit, Lyon County, Iowa
COUNTY TREASURER,
JAMES H. WAGNER,
Doon, Lyon County, Iowa
CLERK OF THE DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT COURTS,
HARMON COOK Doon, Lyon County, Iowa
SHERIFF,
MOSES NIXON
Doon, Lyon County, Iowa
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
L. A. BALL
Willida, Lyon County, Iowa
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COUNTY RECORDER
C. H. SOGN
Beloit, Lyon County, Iowa
COUNTY SURVEYOR
ETHAN ALLEN Rock Rapids, Lyon County, Iowa COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS,
CHAS. II JOHNSON
Earnest, Lyon County, Iowa
H. T. HELGERSON
, Lyon County, Iowa
F. W. ALLEN
Willida, Lyon County, Iowa
3
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PREFACE.
The citizens of Lyon County have, long felt that its beauty and natural resources were little known. They have also felt that the growth and development of the county and the interests of immigrants and capitalists scek- ing locations in the West, might be promoted by adopting some means for making known the character of the country . It has also been thought that some effort should be made to preserve the memory of the early settlers of the county, who have perilled their lives in the wilderness and endured great hardships and privations to lay the foundations of the county, and to make some record of events in its early his- tory, which would otherwise pass into oblivion when this day and generation have gone.
. Accordingly, the Board of Supervisors of Lyon County ordered the publication of a pamphlet,to be devoted to these abjects. One of the carly settlers of the county, who is well acquainted with the country, was appointed to write the pamphlet, and the following pages are the result of that action.
The writer is indebted to Dr. John K. Cook, of Sioux City, Iowa, and Hon. Charles Negus, of Fairfield, Iowa, for valuable information concerning the early history. The re- port of Dr. C. A. White, State Geologist, and the sketch of Iowa by Hon. A. R. Fulton, Secretary Iowa Board of Immi- gration, have also greatly assisted in the preparation of this pamphlet. The aim has been to give a brief sketch of the early history of the county. Also, to give a truthful description of the country, and such a statement of facts as will give to all who may desire to seek new homes in the
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PREFACE.
West, a correct idea of the superior inducements which our young county offers.
That these objects may be attained, and many induced to settle within our borders and share the advantages and blessings which await all who will make homes among us, is the carnest desire of
THE WRITER. .
1
LYON COUNTY, IOWA.,
Lyon County, forming the northwest corner of the State of Iowa, is bounded on the north by the State of Minnesota, west by the Big Sioux River, which separates it from Dakota Territory; on the south by Sioux County, and by Osceola on the east. These limits embrace a beautiful region of country, extending 37 miles in length cast and west, and about 17 miles in width, containing about 575 square miles, or 368,000 acres. The altitude of this county is about 1,400 feet above sea level, and it lies cast of the middle of the United States.
EARLY HISTORY.
Prior to the year 1851, the territory embraced within the present limits of Lyon county had never been designated by any particular name. And the vast region of country comprising Northwestern Iowa was almost entirely un- known.
The General Assembly of Iowa, by act approved January 15, 1851, created the county of Buncombe, com- prising what is now Lyon County. The following cireum stances gave rise to this singular name:
The Legislature which convened in 1851 was com- posed of a large majority favoring stringent corporation laws, and the liability of individual stockholders for corpor- ate debts. This sentiment in the Legislature, on account of the agitation of railroad enterprises, then beginning brought a large number of prominent men to the capital. To have an effect on the General Assembly, they organized a lobby legislature, in which these questions were ably discussed. They elected as Governor, Verplank Van Ant- werp, who delivered to this self-constituted body a lengthy message, in which he sharply criticised the regular Legis. lature. Some of the members of the latter body were in the habit of making long and useless speeches, much to tho hindrance of business. To these he especially referred, charging them with speaking for buncombe, and reeom- mended that as their lasting memorial, a county should
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6
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
be called Buncombe. This suggestion was readily seized upon by the regular Legislature, and the county of Bun- eombe was created with few dissenting votes.
By act of the General Assembly, approved Jarmary 12th, 1853, Buncombe County, with several others, was attached to the county of Wahkaw. for judicial and revenue pur- poses. The same Assembly, by act approved January 12th, provided for the organization of Wahkaw, which had been created in 1851, and by another act, approved at the same date, changed the name of Wahkaw to that of Woodbury. Buncombe remained under the jurisdiction of Woodbury County, until its organization, January Ist, 1872.
By act of the General Assembly, approved Septem- ber 11th, 1862, the name of Buncombe was changed to Lyon. This was in honor of the gallant General Nathaniel Lyon, who fell at the battle of Wilson's Creek, while leading the First Iowa Infantry in a charge.
THE INDIANS.
Both history and the earliest traditions agree that the Sioux, one of the most powerful and warlike of the Indian nations of America, have from time immemorial been the sovereigns of Northwestern Iowa, and a vast region to the north and west.
At the time of the creation of Buncombe County (now »yon), in 1851, the title to the soil still vested in the Indians.
On the 23rd of July, 1851, a treaty was concluded with the Sioux, by which they relinquished to the United States all their lands in Iowa.
The Yanktons and Tetons, tribes of the Sioux, formerly inhabited the region watered by the Big Sioux and Rock rivers and their tributaries, comprising what is now Lyon County. These were the most savage and warlike of any of the great Sioux nation, and maintained an almost constant war- fare against the Iowas, Omahas and Ottoes, powerful rivals, who lived to the south .
Here in our beautiful county of Lyon has been the home and the favorite hunting ground of the Yanktons for ages. Depending principally upon the chase for susten- ance, the countless herds of buffalo, elk, antelope and deer, which constantly roamed over these prairies, rendered this region especially attracting to the Sioux. These they hunted on horseback, using the bow and arrow. And the
7
THE INDIANS.
countless numbers of these animals which they annually slaughtered may be inferred from the heaps of bones and skulls which still lie about their old camping grounds. They specially delighted in the meandering valleys of the Sioux and Rock rivers. The timber skirting these streams supplied them with fuel, shelter, and ash for making their bows and arrows, and constructing their topces.
The Sioux have left many evidences of a long occu- pation of this country Prominent among these are their burial places. One situated on a high table land, on the west bank of Rock river, overlooking the town of Doon, bears evidence of great age. This consists of many series of circular mounds, each about fifteen feet high. They aro encased at the summit in stone, and contain the bones of their dead. But the most remarkable of all their relics are situated on a plateau extending back from the east bank of the Big Sioux river, on the south side of a small creck in Township 100, range 49.
These works are of the most singular character, and bear evidence of great labor and ancient origin. The sur- face of the earth appears to have been removed to a consid- erable depth, from a large field being thrown up into pyra- mids or mounds from fifteen to twenty-five feet high. Of these. there are a great number covering over twenty acres. Some of these works assume the form of an amphitheatre composed of circular terraces rising one above another from the ground. In other places circles have been formed of huge blocks of Sioux quartzite roek. Ornaments of copper, vessels of pottery, pipes and pieces of curious work- manship, cut out of the famous pipe-stone, have been found upon these grounds. Not having the appearance of works of defense, habitation, or burial places, they must have been devoted to athletic feats, public games,and religious ex- ercises.
On the north bank of the creek are the remains of long lines of redoubts and breastworks, having the appearance of an old fortification. Their village, or camping-ground, was situated a short distance to the southward.
These have been the loved and consecrated grounds of the Yanktons from time immemorial. Here, in one com- mon family, these children of nature met to worship the Great Spirit. And here they bade farewell to their happy hunting grounds, and departed forever.
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8
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Although the Indians relinquished all claim to their lands in lowa in 1851, and stipulated to remove at once to their reservation on the Upper Missouri, they were loth to leave their favorite hunting grounds, and did not take their final departure until 1869. Some lingered around their old council fires, and others returned on frequent hunting ex- cursions.
With the exception of a few families at Sioux City, no settlement had yet been made in Northwestern Iowa, and the country was little known except to Indian traders, hun- ters and explorers, for many years. In 1854, Dr. John K. Cook began the Government survers, and the same year laid out the town of Sioux City. In 1855 the United States Land Office was opened at Sioux City, and on the 11th of September of the same year, Alexander Anderson, United States Deputy Surveyor, completed the field surveys for the south tier of townships in Lyon County.
The remainder of the surveys were completed the two following years by different United States deputy surveyors.
The abundance of game and fur-bearing animals soon brought several parties of hunters to the Rock and Sioux rivers, who were joint occupants, with the Sioux, of Lyon County for several years.
An account, if possible, of the adventures and hair- breadth escapes of these hardy men would form an interesting chapter in the history of Lyon County. Among the most noted of these adventurers was Daniel MeLaren. " Unele Dan" had his cabin at the month of a sparkling creek, which now bears his name, on the east bank of the Sioux. He was fortunate enough to keep his scalp from falling into possession of the Yanktons, and always had his store- house well filled with buffalo, elk, deer and beaver skins. After the county began to settle. he concluded to take a homestead, and there are many now in Lyon County who bave enjoyed his hospitalities. But Uncle Dan soon be- came restless, so he " went West " to find " elbow room." "Old Tom" long had his cabin at the month of Tom Creek, near the present town of Rock Rapids. But with the advantage of the implements of the whites, and his great skill as a hunter, he could take more beaver than the Sioux. So they shot him through the heart with an carrow, one morning, while setting his traps. ]
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9
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
But the tale which most excites our sympathy is that of three young men from Massachusetts-Roy McGregor, George Clark and Thomas Lockhart. As they were pos- sessed of education, talent, and noble ambition, the tragio fate of two of this company is sad indeed. It must have been in the summer of 1862 that this party resolved to spend the winter in a hunting tour in this part of the . West. Reaching the Rock river valley in October, and being elated with the prospect here for a successful win ter's hunt, they built a cabin on an island in the river, at the forks of the Little Rock, West Branch and Rock river. Here they passed the autumn in rare sport, taking an abundance of game. But their happiness was not to con- tinue long unbroken. One morning, after snow had covered the ground, while McGregor and Lockhart were attending to their beaver traps, a short distance above the "Lone Cottonwood," on the bank of the Little Rock, opposite the present residence of Jessie Monk, they saw a drove of elk bounding down the valley. Seizing their rifles and firing simultaneously, they brought down a large buck. They were preparing to carry the venison to camp, when they were suddenly attacked by a band of Santee Sioux from Minnesota, who had been following the elk. The Indians first fired upon them with bows and arrows, from which McGregor received a shot in the side, and then charged upon them with unearthly yells. McGregor and Lockhart returned the fire from their rifles, and then retreated a short distance down the river under cover of the overhanging bluffs on the south bank of the stream. Here the superiority of their breech Joaders, and the advantage of their posi- tion, enabled them to keep the Indians at bay. As soon as possible, Lockhart extracted the arrow from poor Mc- Gregor's wound, and inquired if he was much hurt. He answered briskly, " Oh no," but soon began sinking and died in a few hours. When night came on. Lockhart escaped under cover of darkness and the thick underbrush, and joined Clark at their camp: They feared to move for several days, but finally returned to the scene of their en- counter with the Indians, but could find no traces of poor McGregor.
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Notwithstanding the shock produced by the loss of their companion, Lockhart and Clank decided to remain and contest with the savages the right to hunt on these
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HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
grounds. They were not, however, molested again, and continued their hunting with great success until spring. >Their cabin was fitted up with much taste, being lined on the inside with wolf skins, and became a favorite resort for hunters throughout this region. The two companions had barely recovered from the gloom caused by the death of Mc- Gregor when another calamity befel them more crushing, if possible, than his tragical death.
The island upon which the cabin stood was very low; but as the river was also low at the time of building it, they Had no thought of a flood. Early in March the weather became warm, the snow melted, and as the river began to rise, Lockhart and Clark felt some uneasiness lest the water should come into their cabin. A heavy rain came on, and the river continued to rise, until as they had prepared to retire, one evening, they found the water up to within a few inches of the door. Yet they concluded to wait until morning before making preparations to move.
During the night the ice broke up, and with the floating timber gorged the river above the head of the island, almost completely damming it. Behind this gorge the water continued to rise until it had covered the river bottom to great depth. Lockhart and Clark had arisen and begun to prepare their breakfast when this gorge broke, and the flood came down upon the island and cabin with terrific force. Hearing the rushing of the water and breaking of the tim- ber, they ran out of the cabin just as the water came down upon them. Lockhart seized hold of a tree and succeeded in climbing out of the way of the flood. Clark jumped into the river and swam for the east bank. He succeeded in crossing the stream, and grasping some orer- hanging boughs, turned his head and exclaimed: "Tom, I'm all right," when the flood came upon him, and, overwhelmed in the torrent, he sank to rise no more.
Lockhart remained in the tree for several hours, when, by means of some floating logs, he reached the high bank and made his escape. a
Gladly do we turn from the carly footprints of white men in Lyon county, and relating these wild scenes, to record the first step made in its settlement.
To Lewis P. Ilyde belongs the honor of making the first settlement in Lyon County, who, on the 23d of July, 1866, entered, as a homestead, lots 1 and 2, section 19 and
11.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
lot 5, section 20, township 98, range 48, lying on the Sioux river, about two miles above what is now Beloit. Mr. Hyde formerly resided in Wisconsin. Being su: romiur d by a family of grown up sons, he decided to emigrate to. the great West, where each could secure that birthnight oo every American citizen-a good home. Ile first emigrated to Minnesota, where he remained some time, but was never satisfied. until reaching the beautiful undulating pranic near the east line of Lyon county. From here to the Big Sioux river he was delighted with the country. A . conding the high table land overlooking the present town of Beluit, he beheld in the broad and magnificent valley of the Sioux future wealth, population and prosperity. He accordingly settled here, on the tract of land where he pow resides, while his sons settled across the river i: Dakota.
Mr. Hyde and his sons immediately set to work and erected the little cabin which formed the first dwelling in Lyon County. Little did they dream, as the sound of their axes broke the solitude never before disturbed by the husbandman, that so soon should they be surr, poded I : a prosperous community, and all the blessings of civilization.
Mr. Hyde is now being rewarded for the hardship which he endured in leaving an old settled country to be- come the pioneer of Lyon County. His homestead is one of the most valuable in the county, containing a fine body of black walnut. oak. ash, maple, and other timber; - and his two sons own good farms near him, and are prosperous and happy.
During this summer (1866) the preliminary survey of the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad was made, and their land grant located. This was the beginning of an enter- prise which is now doing good work in helping to build up- Northwestern Iowa and Lyon County.
It was also during this summer that the first land-grant swindle was prepetrated upon Lyon County. This was done by the Des Moines Valley Railroad Company, under an indemnity land grant made by Congress Through that grant this company secured 38,000 acres of the finest bot- tom lands in Lyon County, which would otherwise have passed into the hands of actual settlers, under ile Home- etend law, and the line of road which this company pro- poses to build for these lands does not run within eighty miles of Lyon County.
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HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
In the fall, Mr. Hyde and his sons returned to Minnesota to pass the winter, and make preparations to remove with their families to the county in the spring. And Lyon County was left to trappers, Indians and wild beasts, with no record of its history for the winter of 1866-7.
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In the spring of 1367, this little band returned with their families to the scene of their former labor and commeneed work. With Sioux City, seventy miles distant, for their nearest market, and the treacherous Sioux Indians to keep them company, their advantages for a successful summer's work must have been anything but good.
During this summer, Cerro Gordo County located a tract of 30,000 acres of beautiful land in Lyon County, as indemnity for swamp land due it from Government. That county afterward transferred these lands to the MeGregor and Missouri River Railroad Company, who will probably run their line of road through them, giving us an Eastern market. This will partly compensate for their loss to actual settlement.
In the fall of 1867, Halvor Nelson, of Clayton County, who is justly regarded as one of the fathers of Lyon County, accompanied by his brother, Ole Nelson, started West to prospect for a location to engage in the mill busi- ness and build up a town. Mr. Nelson followed up the Big Sioux to where now stands the flourishing town of Beloit Here he found a splendid water power, situatel in one of the most extensive and fertile valleys in the West.
Regarding these as the sure foundation of a city, he proceeded at once to Sioux City and entered a large tract of land embracing what is now Beloit. He then returned to Clayton County, to prepare to bring out a colony of Norwegians in the spring.
During the winter of 1867-S, L. P. Hyde and family, and " Uncle Dan," who, during the summer, had taken a homestead at " Uncle Dau's Ford," were the only inhabit- ants of Lyon County, and we are able to glean little con- eerning the events of character of this winter.
Early in the spring of 1SUS, Mr. Nelson, with his colony, consisting of thirty wagons, took up their journey for Lyon County. The last hundred miles of their journey lay across an open prairie, without bridges, or even a trail to guide their course. The water being high, they encountered many difficulties in crossing streams and keeping their route.
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Reaching Beloit, part of the colony settled in Dakota, and James Paulson, Chris. H. Sogn, A. K. Lee, Arne Hel- gerson, Gano Gunderson and Morton Hanson settled near Beloit, where, amid many difficulties, they began opening farms.
Mr. Nelson immediately commenced work on his saw- mill, and, although obliged to freight machinery and sup- plies from Sioux City, had it running before winter. A good quality of oak, black walnut, ash and cottonwood lum- ber was turned out, which greatly aided in the settlement of the Sioux Valley.
In the month of May of this season, H. D. Rice, then of Clay County, Iowa, encouraged by tales of the wonderful beauty of Lyon County, proceeded to explore the Rock river. Mr. Rice was much impressed with the extent and richness of this valley. But it was while standing on the highland above the now rising town of Doon that nature, in all its romantic beauty, seems to have burst upon his view. Before him, the broad and fertile valley of the Rock, with its sparkling waterfalls and groves of timber, wound away to the southwest until lost in the blue horizon of Dakota. The meandering Little Rock, its bright waters shimmering in the sunlight; the West Branch, with its delicate fringe of willow, and the green plateaus of these limitless prairies, lay, as vet untouched by the hand of civilization, before him. Who shall tell what were his feelings as he stood thus transfixed? Suffice for us to say. that he resolved here to build his permanent home. And from that time until the present, Mr. Rice has never lost faith in the ulti- mate prosperity of this country, and his voice and hand have ever been given in aiding the development of Lyan County.
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