USA > Iowa > Madison County > History and business directory of Madison County, Iowa > Part 1
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1800
S
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW
ALL ABOUT
IOWA AND THE WEST,
SUBSCRIBE FOR THE
IOWA STATE REGISTER.
PRICE ,
WEEKLY $2, DAILY $10 PER ANNUM.
THE REGISTER is the Official State Paper, Republican in politics. The Weekly is a mammoth 40-column sheet; has a circulation in every county in the State, and makes Iowa and Northwestern news a specialty.
It is now publishing a series of articles accurately describing the different counties of the State, with their business, prospects, prices and quality of land, &c., &c., prepared from the personal observation of one of the Editors, who is constantly traveling for that purpose.
PARTIES WISHING TO BUY OR SELL LAND, Insurance Companies, Manufac- turers, Agricultural Implement makers, Merchants, and business men of all classes, will find the REGISTER the best advertising medium in the West, having a much larger circulation in Iowa than any other paper.
Send P. O. money orders, or greenbacks. Specimen copies sent free.
IOWA STATE "REGISTER,"
FOURTH STREET, DES MOINES, IOWA.
The "REGISTER" Steam Book and Job Printing Office and Bindery is the largest and most complete establishment of the kind in the West, and does all kinds of work at the very lowest prices.
MILLS & COMPANY,
Lithographers, Printers, Publishers,
BOOKSELLERS, AND STATIONERS !
ALSO, Dealers in Musical Instruments and Musical Publications of all kinds, "REGISTER " BUILDING,
DES MOINES, IOWA.
BOND-CHANDLER-CHIC.
MADISON COUNTY COURT HOUSE, WINTERSET, IOWA.
4
HISTORY
AND
Business Directory
OF
MADISON COUNTY,
IOWA.
CONTAINING
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY ;
TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF ITS NATURAL RESOURCES, AND SKETCHES OF ITS PUBLIC BUILDINGS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, PROMINENT CITIZENS, &C., &C., &C.
BY J. J. DAVIES ... , A :
DES MOINES : MILLS & CO. PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS, "REGISTER BUILDING." 1869.
G 1841 .01
1
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, by
J. J. DAVIES,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States in and for the North- western District of the State of Iowa.
YAAASU JHT
8 == = =
PREFACE.
We lay the present book before our patrons, believing that our first efforts to produce a History and Business Directory of Madison County will prove to be a valuable advertising medium for the county, and will be fully appreciated by those who have the best interests of the County at heart.
The Historical and Descriptive sketches of the County and the several Townships, will, no doubt, be read with interest ; containing as they do, plain, simple facts, which neither time nor labor have been spared in procuring. In this connection we are under many obligations to friends and old settlers in the county, for the information and assist- ance they have given us.
We have endeavored to show the natural advantages and resources of the County just as they are, and believe we have given a faithful description of the soil, the stone, the streams, the timber and the natu- ral wealth of the County; and we have also endeavored to give a cor- Ject description of the towns, villages, churches, schools, public build- ings, and, in brief, a full report of what Madison County is at the pres- ent time-making it a useful book to persons abroad who may desire information about this portion of Iowa.
We have tried to perform our work accurately and well ; but if errors should appear they are such as our foresight could not have prevented. The old settlers, of whom we obtained most of the historical facts and data, gave them mostly from memory; errors are, therefore, liable to occur, but in the main, the history, descriptions and items are reliable and true, as published.
We point with considerable pride to the work itself, and to the mat- ter contained therein ; also with satisfaction to its general appearance. There are, perhaps, some omissions and other faults, which we hope our patrons will pass graciously by, believing that we have endeavored to do ample justice to the County and her citizens.
To the advertising patrons of the book, we return our best wishes; we feel satisfied that the benefit that will ultimately accrue to each will richly repay them many times its cost by an increase in trade.
We trust that our efforts to please our patrons and the public will be kindly received and appreciated. To our obliging friends we tender ,our warmest thanks, for the assistance, respect and kindness shown us.
Respectfully,
J. J. DAVIES.
6
ADVERTISEMENTS.
THE BEST IN THE WORLD, AND
COMPETT RATION DEFEED ! BY THE
Manufac-
Pioneer
Importers
tured
of
by
Cream Tartar
REDHEAD & CO.
and
DesMoines,
Bi-carb. Soda.
Iowa.
BAKINGPOWDER
FOR THE IMMEDIATE PRODUCTION OF
CAKES AND PASTRY
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION,
WITHOUT YEAST.
This is the only BAKING POWDER manufactured in the West. It is not a new preparation, but has been favorably known in the East, as well as in Europe, for the last twenty-five (25) years. It has never been equalled, and
CANNOT BE SURPASSED !
And wherever exhibited with other preparations at State and other Fairs, has invariably been awarded the
HIGHEST PREMIUM. It is the Cheapest, Healthiest and best Preparation
Ever made for Culinary purposes, and acknowledges nothing superior in the world. The eating of hot biscuit made with this powder causes no flatulence or other injurious effect.
The Pioneer Powder is manufactured on Chemical principles, and will not fall when used according to directions. It contains nothing but what is healthful and nutritious, and only what is found in Corn, Fish, Meat, Rice and Wheat.
This Baking Powder is put up in 14, 12. 1, 4, and 5 pound boxes, and sold by all Grocers, and Warranted.
IOWA HISTORY.
The History of Iowa has never been written, with the exception of sketches which have appeared from time to time in the Iowa Annals. What a bright field and golden opportunity is presented here for the future historian. The past, present and future of the great State of Iowa, with her round million of intelligent, energetic, liberty-loving and God-fearing people; her thirty-five million acres of prairies, forests, hills and valleys; her mighty rivers and rich fertile soil; her inexhaustible stone quarries, coal, lead and iron mines, and other mineral wealth; and her great natural and acquired advantages,-all combine in themselves a theme which would require the pen of a Bancroft or Macauley to honor. It is hoped that some historian equal to the task, may soon be found, who will write a complete and faithful history of the "Gallant Young Hawkeye State."
In a work like this, purposing to contain a history of a county, a brief history of the State would, very naturally, be appropriate. We have found it difficult to obtain material from which to glean much of the early history of Iowa ; but we will try and make good use of such in- formation as may be at our command. For the following historical memoranda we are indebted to the reports of state officers :
The territory embraced in the State of Iowa was originally a part of the Louisiana purchase. 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 France parted with her share of the continent, and Spain obtained by cession the territory west of the Mississippi ; and Great Britain retained pos- session of the Canadas and the region to the northward, which she had conquered during the war. On the 1st of October, 1800, by treaty of St. Idlefonso, Spain ceded back to France the territory of Louisiana. By treaty of April 30, 1803, France ceded it to the United States, in consid- eration of the sum of $11,250,000, and the liquidation of certain claims held by citizens of the United States against France, not exceeding in amount $3,750,000. By act of Congress approved March 31st, 1803, the President was authorized to take possession of the territory and pro- vide for it a temporary government. By act of Congress approved
3
HISTORY.
March 26, 1804, the newly acquired country was divided October 1st, 1804, into the Territory of " Orleans," (south of the thirty-third parallel north latitude) and the "District of Louisiana." The latter being placed under the authority of the officers of Indiana Territory. On the 4th of July, 1805, under act of Congress approved March 3, 1805, the " District of Louisiana" wasorganized into a territory of the same name, and it so remained until 1812. On the 30th of April, 1812, the Territory of Orleans became a State of the Union, under the name of "Louisiana," and on the first Monday in December, by virtue of an act approved June 4th, 1812, the Territory of Louisiana was re-organized, and called the "Territory of Missouri." By act of Congress approved March 2, 1819, and taking effect July 4th, the same year, "Arkansas Territory" was formed, comprising the present State of Arkansas and the territory to the westward. By a joint resolution, approved March 2d, 1821, the "State of Missouri" being a part of the territory of that name, was ad- mitted into the Union. 'By act of Congress approved June 28, 1834, the territory " bounded on the east by the Mississippi River, on the south by the State of Missouri," &c, was made a part of the territory of Mich- igan. On the 3d day of July, 1836, " Wisconsin Territory" embracing within its limits the present States of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, was taken from that of Michigan, and given a separate government. On the 3d day of July, 1838, by virtue of an act of Congress, approved June 12, 1838, the territory of Iowa was constituted; including, in addition to the present State, the greater part of what is now Minnesota, and extending northward to the British line.
By act of Congress, approved March 3d, 1845, provision was made for the admission of Iowa into the Union, with boundaries extending the north to the parallel of latitude passing through the mouth of the Mankato or Blue Earth river, and on the west only to 17º 30' west from Washington, corresponding very nearly to the existing line between Ringgold and Union counties on the one hand, and Taylor and Adams on the other. The Constitutional Convention of 1844 had adopted much more extensive boundaries even than those of the present State, the northwestern line extending from the mouth of the Big Sioux or Calumet river direct to the St. Peter's river where the Watonwan river enters the same; thence down the main channel of said river to the main channel of the Mississippi river, and thence down the Mississippi, embracing within its parallel limits some of the richest portions of the present State of Minnesota. The reduction of these boundaries being quite distasteful to the people, the whole plan was rejected at a popular election.
In 1846 Congress proposed new boundary lines, which were
9
ADVERTISEMENTS.
WHITE, MUNGER & CO., PROPRIETORS
MADISON WOOLEN MILLS,
WINTERSET, IOWA.
MANUFACTURE ALL KINDS OF Cloths, Jeans, Tweeds, Yarns, assimeres, Flannels, Water Proofs, Rolls, Satinetts, Blankets, Beavers, &c., &c., Which may at all times be found on sale at their STORE IN WINTERSET. For durability, warmth and beauty of finish, these goods are unsurpassed in the State.
Custom Carding, Spinning, Fulling, Dyeing and Finishing, DONE WITH NEATNESS AND DISPATCH. TERMS REASONABLE. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. THE HIGHEST MARKET PRICE PAID FOR WOOL GREASE. A good stock of Imported Cloths, Cussimeres, Tailors' Trimmings, and Gents' Furnishing Goods,
Always on hand.
MR. A. D TAYLOR, "Knight of the Shears," dispenses " Fits" to those in want of "Suits,"
CUSTOM CUTTING done on short notice. J. T. WHITE. W'M. LUTTEN,
N. W. MUNGER, ROB'T HERREN.
10
HISTORY.
embodied in the Constitution adopted that year ; the State retaining the Missouri slope, but submitting to a material reduction of its pretensions on the north, its western line, however, being extended in that direction to the Big Sioux river. The Constitution, with these modified boundaries having been accepted by the people, the State of Iowa was formally admitted into the Union on the 28th day of December, 1846, as the twenty-ninth State in the Confederacy.
For some of the following interesting items concerning the State, we are indebted to our excellent Governor (Merrill)
The State is settled mainly from Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania, with a large admixture from New England. About one-sixth of the entire population came from foreign countries. A people loving liberty and order, and respecting and prizing the political, religious and educational privileges of our State, is the natural result of the aggregation of such material.
The first permanent settlement in the State was made in Lee county, in the south-eastern part of the State, less than forty years ago.
In 1836 the population of the State was 10,531.
66 1838 66
22,859.
1846 66
97,588.
" 1856
519,055.
1867
902,040.
And it is now estimated at 1,200,000.
And yet much more than two-thirds of the State is just as it came from the hands of nature. From twenty to twenty-five millions of prairie land have not been touched by the plow.
The soil of the State is of surpassing richness and affords an abundant supply of all the necessaries and luxuries of life. The character of the soil is thus described by that eminent Geologist, Dr. James Hall, of New York :
" Upon the great prairies in Central Iowa, one may frequently travel over a large extent of surface without seeing a single stone, not even so much as the smallest pebble. In the swales and in some of the bottom lands, especially in the southern part of the State, the rich black vegetable mould is very deep, but on the prairie it is usually from one to two feet. The subsoil is almost invariably a quite argilaceons loam, and there is a gradual passage downward into a material which, though containing sandy portions and occasional pebbles, the argillaceous element greatly preponderates. "
The State is situated centrally in the Union, bounded east and west by the two great rivers of North America. In extent, it is about 300 miles east and west, and a little more than 200 miles north and south ;
11
ADVERTISEMENTS.
NEW ADMINISTRATION !
Old things have passed away, and with the new comes
TIDRICK'S ROCERT
South Side Court House Square,
WINTERSET, IOWA,
Where he will keep at all times,
THE FIN INEST AND BEST GROCERIES,
QUEENSWARE, WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE,
TABLE AND POCKET CUTLERY,
GLASSWARE,
And a full and complete assortment of
YANKEE NOTIONS.
He will also keep a large stock of
Confectioneries, Nuts, Candies, Canned Fruit, Cheese, Flour, Baskets, Looking Glasses, and
SEASONABLE COUNTRY PRODUCE.
Country Produce will be taken in exchange for merchandise. All of which will be sold at as low fig ares as any man can sell for and live. Call and see him. He is also
AGENT FOR THE CELEBRATED EXCELSIOR PLOW.
12
HISTORY.
and its parallel of latitude is designated as 40° 31' on the south, and 43° 30' on the north. Its area is 55,045 square miles, nearly as great as all England, much greater than that of Ireland, and nearly twice as large as Scotland. Its surface is over 90 per cent prairie, nearly all "rolling" or undulating, only a small part being what is denominated " flat prairie ; " and while there are no mountains there is a constant succession of gentle elevations and depressions, and along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers bold eminences and picturesque valleys heighten the beauty of the scenery. The table lands between the waters of the two great rivers attain, in the northern part of the State, according to our State Geologian's survey, an altitude of 1,400 feet above the level of the sea.
Among the many fine streams of the State are the Des Moines river (only three hundred miles long) ; the Iowa, the Cedar, and others, flow into the Mississippi ; while numerous tributaries of the Missouri drain the western counties. These streams are almost invariably skirted with timber, some of them heavily wooded. The timber consists of elm, black walnut, oak, linden, cottonwood, blackberry, sycamore, poplar, ash and other varieties of forest trees.
Coal is found in many parts of the State; it is being rapidly developed and is a source of vast wealth. In 1866 our State census shows there were 99,320 tons taken out, against 66,664 in 1864. Peat has also been discovered within a few years in many parts of the State in quantities which promise an abundant supply of fuel.
A few statistics of the erops of 1866 and other years will give some idea of the resources of the State :
Wheat is grown in every county in the State, and no part seems unfavorable to its production in generous quantities. Spring wheat is the variety mostly raised. As early as 1850, Iowa was the fifteenth of the States of the Union, in the production of this valuable cereal, and in 1860 it stood eighth; while in the former it was the twenty-fifth in the number of acres improved, and in 1860 was fifteenth. The following are the figures of the production of wheat for a series of years :
1864
15,021,149 bushels.
1866
14,635,520 bushels.
1867 (estimated)
20,000,000
bushels.
1868.
25,000,000 bushels.
The next federal census (1870) will probably show a yield in the State of at least 35,000,000 bushels of wheat. Such is the opinion of intelligent agriculturists.
13
ADVERTISEMENTS.
D. P. KENYON,
SOUTH SIDE OF PUBLIC SQUARE,
WINTERSET, IOWA,
DEALER IN
HEAVY HARDWARE,
CUTLERY,
STOVES,
TINWARE,
GLASS, SHEET IRON WORK, SASH, DOORS,
BUILDERS HARDWARE,&c.
HE KEEPS CONSTANTLY ON HAND
A LARGE AND WELL ASSORTED STOCK,
And will sell at the lowest possible prices.
14
HISTORY.
In 1849 Iowa stood eighteenth in the States in the production of corn, coming next to the old State of New Jersey at that early day. In 1869 it was the seventh, raising about 5 per cent of all the corn raised in the country, and now ranking next to Tennessee ; the other States standing above her being in their order Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. The census of 1870 will probably place Iowa third in the order of the States in the production of this grain. We give the figures for a series of years:
1864
48,471,123 bushels.
1866
56,928,938
bushels.
1867 (estimated)
74,000,000
bushels.
1868
90,000,000
bushels.
It is estimated that in 1870 the yield will exceed one hundred and twenty million bushels. The following table gives the figures of other crops for the years 1862, 1864 and 1866 :
1862
1864
1866
Oats, bushels
7,582,060| 15,928,777 |15,860,419
Rye, bushels.
474,675
662,388
492,841
Barley, bushels.
3×5,067
950,696
1,197,729
Potatoes, bushels.
2,362,918
2,730,811|
2,666,678
Sweet potatoes, bushels
37,498
26,222
51.390
Onions, no report.
297,638
213,285
Sorghum, gallons
3,012,393
1,443,605
2,091,507
Hay, tons
1,032,553
1,002,166
1,409,851
Butter, pounds.
13,675,500| 14 538,216 19,192,727
Cheese, pounds.
902,701
1,000,738
1, 103,864
Grapes, pounds
291,755
390,409
549,179
Stock-raising and wool-growing are profitable pursuits, and all kinds of live stock thrive finely in all parts of the State, no contagious or epidemic diseases having ever prevailed.
The following are the statistics of live stock for several years :
1863
1865
1867
Horses
275,697|
316,702|
425,055
Mules and Asses
12,022
14,302
22,037
Milch cows
292,025
310,187
326 559
Work oxen.
56,596|
37,707
27,246
Sheep
599,939
1,450,787 |
1,708,958
Swine ..
1,743,865
1,037,117
1,620,089
Other cattle ...
548,626
553,977
602,364
Pounds wool shorn.
1,429,209
2,813,620|
5,323,385
According to the last report of the Department of Agriculture, giving the average yield per acre of the principal crops of the United States for 1868, it would seem that nature has decided that Iowa should be the Corn State of the Union,-the figures prove it. On corn, the aver- age yield per bushel in Iowa-the highest in the list-was 37 bushels per acre; Illinois was 34,2; and in Indiana it was 34. This speaks volumes, and is a great honor to the raw, unmanured prairies of Iowa. Let the millions who are looking for new homes, consider this fact; and let them also bear in mind that Iowa is yet but a young State, and
15
ADVERTISEMEDTS.
P. B. SPRAGUE.
EDWARD BROWN.
WESTERN STORE.
SPRAGUE & BROWN,
SOUTH WEST CORNER OF SQUARE,
WINTERSET, IOWA,
DEALERS IN
STAPLE & FANCY DRY GOODS,
BOOTS AND SHOES, HATS AND CAPS,
CLOTHING,
LADIES' WEAR.
PRINTS.
Delaines.
Challies,
Mozambiques,
Poplinettes,
OF
Irish Poplins,
Lustres,
CHICAGO
-
Wool do
English do
Jackinettes,
Wool Delaines,
Hoop Skirts, &c.
Always on hand, A GOOD SUPPLY
GENTS' WEAR.
Over Coats,
Business Coats,
Frock Coats, Pants,
Vests, Linen Goods,
Suspenders,
Alpacas,
Buck Gloves,
French Merinos,
Custom Made
Paper Collars,
Cravats,
Cloths of all kinds, Shirts, &c.
A GOOD ASSORTMENT OF
WESTERN MADE CLOTHS,
SUCH AS
CASSIMERES, JEANS, FLANNELS, &C.,
All of which will be sold as low as at any other House west of the Mississippi River.
The attention of close cash buyers is particularly requested.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
16
HISTORY.
when her bounteous soil is cultivated to a higher degree, she will wear the envied crown of " the best Agricultural State in the Union."
In wheat, the average yield of Iowa is reported at 14 bushels; an average excelled only by Vermont, Nebraska, Minnesota and Kansas, - Vermont leading at 16.
On potatoes, Iowa is averaged at 96 bushels per acre. On sorghum, the yield is placed at 117 gallons per acre. On other crops, the State is also highly complimented by the official figures.
The State of Iowa has received and now controls, for the purpose of aiding the common schools of the State, an aggregate of 1,548,487.97 acres of land, besides a fund already acquired from sales of land and other sources, the magnificent sum of $2,557,107.10; which places our Common School system on a grander scale than even that of Massachusetts ; 208,430,30 acres of land have also been appropriated for the benefit of the Agricultural College; and 92,030,37 acres toward a State University fund. For railroad purposes, 3,270,702 acres have already been certified, while the estimated amounts inuring to the State for the different roads under the laws of 1856, 1862 and 1864, will increase the amount by as much more.
There are no less than five great railroad routes across the State. They are as follows : The Northwestern railroad, extending from Clinton across the State to Council Bluffs ; already completed. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad from Davenport to Council Bluffs ; this road was completed through in May, 1869. The Dubuque & Sioux City railroad, extending from Dubuque to Sioux City, will be completed through in 1870. The Des Moines Valley railroad, from Keokuk to Sioux City, and the Burlington and Missouri River railroad from Burlington to Council Bluffs, will be completed through in September, 1869. There are various other roads in process of construction, constructed and projected. Over 1,500 miles of road are already completed, and six hundred miles are under contract, and the number of miles in contemplation will bring the inhabitants of almost every county within reasonable distance of railway communication.
Among the benevolent institutions which the State has liberally provided for, are the Hospital for the Insane, at Mt. Pleasant, which, for extent and completeness, is said to be second to none in the United States. The Blind Asylum, at Vinton, is also a magnificent edifice and is said to be the best managed of any institution of the kind in the west. The Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb will be erected at Council Bluffs during the year 1869.
17
ADVERTISEMENTS.
EXCELSIOR GALLERY.
FOR
PHOTOGRAPHS
EXCEL
AMBROTYPES,
GEMS, &C., GO TO
ED. HYDER'S,
NORTH SIDE SQUARE, WINTERSET, IOWA.
Persons wanting Pictures would do well to give him a call, as he guaran- tees satisfaction, and will spare no pains to make his: business a success.
J. C. COLEMAN, DENTIST,
WINTERSET, IOWA.
Having permanently located in this place, he is prepared to do all kinds of work in his line, and is determined to give general satisfaction.
Has all the Useful, Modern Implements IN HIS POSSESSION.
PRICES LOW.
2
18
HISTORY.
And another Hospital for the Insane is already in process of erection at Independence, Buchanan county. The State has also made bountiful provision for the orphans of soldiers who died in defense of their country during the late war ; and three Orphans' Homes have been established, and are located respectively at Davenport, Glenwood, Mills county, and at Cedar Falls. The State Prison is located at Fort Madison. The Agricultural College is located in Story county, and has connected with it a Model Farm in successful operation. The State University is located at Iowa City. A Reform School for juvenile offenders, has been established at Salem in Henry county. There are other benevolent institutions amply provided for by the State; but sufficient has been cited to show that the State is not behind her sister States in her liberal provisions for her educational and charitable institutions.
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