USA > Iowa > Benton County > History of Benton County, Iowa. From materials in the public archives, the Iowa Historical society's collection, the newspapers, and data of personal interviews > Part 1
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Gc 977.701 B44hi v. 1 1755084
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01080 9785
ic
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofbentonc01hill
8-10
HISTORY
OF
BENTON COUNTY
IOWA V. 1.
From Materials in the Public Archives, the Jowa Historical Society's Collection, the Newspapers and data of personal interviews; also containing sketches of repre- sentative men.
Compiled under the editorial supervision of Mr. Luther B. Hill, General Historian, and a corps of local editors.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. I.
33442 THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO
840
1755084
INTRODUCTION
Benton county is a representative section of a representative Mississippi valley state-rich in material and intellectual wealth, fertile of soil and individual resources. It was almost equally settled by men and women from the New England and the old Middle states and from the commonwealths of the old-time Middle West, such as Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The result was that economy, hospitality and an ambition both to be well educated and well-to-do. were early and firmly implanted in the character of the Benton county settler, and these are still strong traits in the farmer, business man and professional representative of today.
In attempting a delineation of the country and the people included in the political term. Benton county, the editors and the publishers have endeavored to give a due meed of credit to both the pioneer and his descendants of two and sometimes three gener- ations, all of whom have had their historical place in making fowa and Benton county solid. alert. intelligent and progressive types of the highest American development. To the real, home-loving American, it is sufficient praise of Benton county to say that within her borders one may find comfort of life and full appreciation of industry, honesty and intelligent and educated effort. Nothing can more forcibly illustrate and prove this statement than the history now put forth.
In the preparation of the history of Benton county. the com- pilers and publishers were courteously and intelligently assisted by leading citizens. in every field of activity. and as space forbids a mention of the many individuals who thus contributed to the subject matter both of histories and biographies. thanks are hereby tendered in general terms. but in most cordial spirit.
iii - iv
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF BENTON COUNTY.
LOCATION AND FORM -- CHIEF TOPOGRAPHIC AND GEOLOG- ICAL FEATURES -- GREAT IOWA ICE FIELD-BROKEN AND PIC- TURESQUE FEATURES --- PICTURESQUE BENTON COUNTY-EVI- DENCES OF PREHISTORIC MAN-DRAINAGE OF THE COUNTY-THE IOWA RIVER-THE CEDAR RIVER-PRAIRIE CREEK-WATER SUPPLY OF BENTON COUNTY-BELLE PLAINE ARTESIAN ARBA-BELLE PLAINE'S "JUMBO"-BUILDING MATERIALS-CLAYS AND COAL- TIMBER AND GROVES. 1-22
!
CHAPTER IL.
THE INDIANS AND TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
BENTON COUNTY, LOUISIANA PURCHASE-WHY BLACK HAWK JOINED THE BRITISH -- KEOKUK, DIPLOMAT AND ORATOR-INDIAN TREATIES-HALF-BREED TRACT-DIRECTLY CONCERNING BENTON COUNTY-NEUTRAL GROUND BETWEEN INDIAN FOES-RESULTS OF THE BLACK HAWK WAR -- THE BLACK HAWK PURCHASE-KEOKUK'S RESERVE AND DEATHT --- WHITES ON THE HEELS OF INDIANS -- ROV- ING INDIAN BANDS -- BIRTH OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT-SUB-DIVISION OF COUNTIES-FIXING THE TERRITORIAL CAPITAL-IOWA BECOMES A STATE -- BENTON, ONE OF NINETY-NINE COUNTIES. 23-37
CHAPTER IIL. GENERAL PROGRESS OF COUNTY.
ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS-GROWTH IN PROPERTY -- AC- TUAL VALUES OF PROPERTY-1908 (ONE-FOURTH CASH VALUE) -- 1895 (ONE-HALF CASH VALUE)-1885 (ONE-HALF CASH VALUE) -1875 (ONE-ITALY CASH VALUE) -- 1865 (CASH VALUE) -IN- CREASE IN POPULATION- POPULATION OF TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS --- PROGRESS IN AGRICULTURE-AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES -- THE PAT- RONS OF HUSBANDRY. 38-51
V
vi
CONTENTS
CHAPTER IV.
POLITICAL HISTORY.
FIRST ELECTION IN BENTON COUNTY-FIRST CONTESTED ELEC- TION-EXCITING ELECTION OF 1855 -- RAILROAD POLITICS --- MID- WAR ELECTION-SINCE CIVIL WAR TIMES -- COUNTY ROSTER, 1846-1878- SUPERVISORS (TOWNSHIP SYSTEM ) -SUPERVISORS ( COUNTY SYSTEM ) -OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS, 1878-1909-OLD-TIME COUNTY OFFI- 52-68 CIALS.
CHAPTER V. COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS IN DETAIL
COUNTY BOUNDARIES FIXED-ACT FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF BENTON COUNTY-FIRST COUNTY ELECTION-NORTHIPORT, THE. COUNTY SEAT-ATTEMPTED OCCUPATION OF COURT HOUSE-NORTHI- PORT, RECHRISTENED VINTON --- MOVE TO CHANGE COUNTY SEAT -- TROUBLE WITH SECOND COURT HOUSE-CIVIL. COURTS ESTAB- LISIIED-HEAVY BURDENS OF COUNTY JUDGE-FIRE WIPES OUT COURT HOUSE AND SCHOOL -- CORNER STONE OF NEW COURT HOUSE DAID -- HOUSE WARMING IN DETAIL-CHANGES IN COUNTY GOVERN- MENT -- A COURT HOUSE OF WHICH TO BE PROUD-CORNER-STONE OF 1856 COURT HOUSE -- THE COURT HOUSE OF THE PRESENT -- STRONG- HOLD FOR LAW BREAKERS -- PROVISION FOR THE POOR. 69-SS
CHAPTER VI. EARLY SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS.
FIRST BENTON COUNTY "STAYER" -- FIRST NATIVE WHIL CHILD-FIRST FUNERAL IN THE COUNTY -- SETTLERS OF 18-41-1850 --- No PERMANENT OLD SETTLERS SOCIETY --- FIRST LAND ENTRIES -- TOWNS AND CITIES OF BENTON COUNTY-POSTOFFICES IN BEN- TON COUNTY-PROFESSOR T. F. TOBIN ON EARLY TIMES-JUDGE G. M. GILCHRIST ON "THE PIONEER" -- REMINISCENCES OF I. VAN METRE-'. SLOPE" POLITICS -- EARLY SETTLERS OF THE TOWNSHIPS. 89-124
CHAPTER VII. MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. BUILDING OF THE FIRST REAL BRIDGE- - DAILY STAGE COMMUNI-
vii
CONTENTS
CATION-STEAMBOAT ERA, 1858-1860-DOINGS OF THE STEAMER '. EXPORT" -- BECOMES THE "BLACK HAWK"-LAST TRIPS OF THE " BLACK HAWK" --- EARLY STATE ROADS IN BENTON COUNTY-RAIL- ROADS OF BENTON COUNTY-FIRST RAILROAD FOR THE SOUTH SLOPE -BENTON COUNTY'S NORTHERN ROAD-IRON HORSE TROTS INTO VINTON -- BRANCH WEST FROM VINTON. 125-133
CHAPTER VIIL BANKING IN BENTON COUNTY.
THE OLD TRAER BANK BOOK -- JAMES C. TRAER-BANKS AS POLI- TICAL CENTERS-BELLE PLAINE BANKS-VINTON'S OLDEST BANK, FARMERS' NATIONAL -- THE HALBERTS, SHELLSBURG BANKERS-CITI- ZEN'S BANK, BELLE PLAINE-CORN BELT SAVINGS BANK, BELLE PLAINE-FARMERS' NATIONAL BANK, VINTON-STATE BANK OF VIN- TON-VINTON SAVINGS BANK -- PEOPLES' SAVING BANK, VINTON --- PEOPLES SAVINGS BANK, SHELLSBURG -- BENTON COUNTY SAVINGS BANK, NORWAY -- ATKINS SAVINGS BANK --- URBANA SAVINGS BANK --- FARMERS SAVING BANK, WAALFORD --- FIRST NATIONAL BANK, NOR- WAY -- MT. AUBURN SAVINGS BANK-LUZERNE SAVINGS BANK- PRESENT CONDITION OF BANKS. 134-113
CTIAPTER IX. THE PRESS OF BENTON COUNTY.
"VINTON EAGLE" BORN-WHEN THE "EAGLE" SCREECHED --- THE "VINTON EAGLE" SALUTES-BERNARD MURPHY COMES IN- EARLY CHARACTERS OF THE "EAGLE" -- "BENTON COUNTY DEMO- CRAT" -- VAN METRE VS. DRUMMOND -- " EVERY OTHER DAILY UNION," BELLE PLAINE -- BELLE PLAINE "DEMOCRAT-HERALD"- "PEOPLE'S JOURNAL, " VINTON -- VINTON'S FIRST DEMOCRATIC EDI- TOR-"THE REVIEW" OF VINTON-"BENTON COUNTY TIMES" -- "WESTERN TELEPHONE JOURNAL, " VINTON --- "GARRISON INDEPEND- ENT" -- "THE SHELLSBURG CALL" -- THOMAS A. CARVER-VAN HORNE "METEOR" -- VAN HORNE "ENTERPRISE" -- "MOUNT AU- BURN NEWS" -- DEFUNCT NEWSPAPERS. 144-160
CHAPTER X.
EDUCATION IN THE COUNTY.
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE-FORESTALLED HENRY GEORGE-BENTON
viii
CONTENTS
COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM-FIRST TEACHERS' INSTITUTE-SCHOOL TOWNSHIP --- CITY AND VILLAGE . SCHOOLS-RURAL INDEPENDENT DISTRICTS -- IRVING INSTITUTE-BLAIRSTOWN ACADEMY AND SCHOOLS --- TILFORD COLLEGIATE ACADEMY, VINTON -- JOHN S. TILFORD --- REV. THOMAS TOBIN AND WIFE-PROF. T. F. TOBIN AND THE PRESENT- VINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- BELLE PLAINE SCHOOLS. 161-175
CHAPTER XI. COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND.
CAPTAIN THOMAS DRUMMOND-PROFESSOR SAMUEL BACON, FIRST PRINCIPAL -- COLLEGE FORMALLY OPENED AT VINTON-TWO WINGS ADDED -- "TOM" DRUMMOND AGAIN-"YES; IT IS WORTH IT ALL"-TRUSTEES TO BE REMEMBERED -- PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE-MUSIC DEPARTMENT-INDUSTRIAL TRAINING-OPII- THALMIC HOSPITAL IN OPERATION-GYMNASIUM UNDER WAY.
176-186
CHAPTER XIL. BENTON COUNTY IN TWO WARS.
FIRST GRAND UNION RALLY -- FIRST TO ENLIST IN THE COUNTY -- OFFICERS OF PIONEER COMPANY-PARKER'S GROVE AND HICKORY GROVE --- "BOYS IN BLUE" HAD TO BE UNIFORMED --- COMPANY G. FIFTH IOWA VOLUNTEERS-COMPANY D, EIGHTH INFANTRY -- GRAND HOME RECEPTION-BENTON COUNTY BOYS IN THE EIGHTHI --- COMPANY D, TWELFTH INFANTRY --- COMPANIES G AND E, TWENTY- EIGHTH INFANTRY-COMPANY A'S ROSTER-COMPANY D-COM- PANY II. EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY -- COMPANY K, FORTIETH INFANTRY -- FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY-FIFTH VETERAN CAVALRY-SIXTH CAVALRY-SEVENTH CAVALRY-NINTH CAVALRY-UNION SUPPORT AT HOME-SUMMARY OF WAR MATTERS -- GRAND CELEBRATION JULY 4, 1861-"KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE," BY JACOB SPRINGER --- SOLDIERS OF SIXTY-ONE, BY A. H. BROWN-COMPANY G, I. N. G .- SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-RECEPTION TO CALVIN P. TITUS-VETER- ANS ASSOCIATION AND G. A. R .-- LIVING CIVIL WAR VETERANS -- VINTON'S G. A. R. POST. 187-253
ix
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIII.
CHURCHES IN THE COUNTY ..
METHODISM IN BENTON COUNTY-FIRST METHODIST CHURCH, VINTON-BUILDING OF THE CHURCH --- KIND WORDS FROM MIR. KNAPP-WHITE ELEPHANT SLAUGHTERED -- A BELOVED METHODIST PIONEER-THE PASTORAL ROSTER --- SHELLSBURG METHODIST CHURCH FIRST M. E. CHURCH, BELLE PLAINE-BLAIRSTOWN M. E. CHURCH VAN HORNE METHODIST CHURCH -- REV. THOMAS C. GOLDEN -- OTHER M. E. CHURCHES-VINTON'S NEW SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -- OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIANS-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF VINTON -- REV. STEPHEN PHELPS-UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, VIN- TON -- SHELLSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -- PLEASANT HILL PRES- BYTERIAN CHURCH -- BLAIRSTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-GARRI- SON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-ATKINS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH- CEDAR RAPIDS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION-SHELLSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH -FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, VINTON-GARRISON GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH -- UNITED BRETHREN SOCIETIES -- DR. W. B. WAGNER -- FIRST DISCIPLES' CHURCH -- MI. AUBURN CHRISTIAN CHURCH- HARRISON TOWNSHIP CHRISTIAN CHURCH-DISCIPLES' (CHRISTIAN ) CHURCH, VINTON-FIRST SERMON IN BELLE PLAINE --- ST. MICHAEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, NORWAY-ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, VIN- TON -- OTHER CATHOLIC CHURCHES-BELLE PLAINE CONGREGATION- AL CHURCH-LUTHERAN AND EVANGELICAL CHURCHES-BENTON COUNTY SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. 254-280
CHAPTER XIV. LAW AND CRIME.
BENTON COUNTY CREATED JUDICIALLY -- FIRST DISTRICT COURT TERM A "FIZZLE"-COURT REALLY HELD-FIRST JUDICIAL ACTS- EXIT JUDGE MITCHELL-SECOND SESSION OF DISTRICT COURT-JOEL LIVERICH ELUDES THE LAW --- AT LAST, IN THE COURT HOUSE-AD- JOURNED TO DRYER PLACE-FIRST CONVICTION OF CRIME-HON. WILLIAM SMYTHE, DISTRICT JUDGE-"DARK AGES" OF BENTON COUNTY-THE IOWA PROTECTION COMPANY -- JUDGE CARLETON TO THE RESCUE -- COURT AGAIN HELD ---- BILL AGAINST "UNCLE" WAY -SCAPEGRACE BERRY WAY-FAREWELL TO UNCLE TOM WAY-LIST OF DISTRICT JUDGES-COUNTY JUDGE AS CZAR-FIRST COUNTY COURT SESSION-COUNTY JUDGES BUILD COURT HOUSE-CIRCUIT COURT ESTABLISHED AND ABOLISHED -- LEADING MEMBERS OF THE BAR -- GOVERNOR BUREN R. SHERMAN-WILLIAM C. CONNELL-
CONTENTS
HON. WILLIAM P. WHIPPLE-O. L. COOPER-J. J. MOSNAT -- FIEND- ISHI MURDER IN KANE TOWNSHIP-SOME LATER CRIMES IN "HELL'S ACRE"-THE NOVAK CASE. 281-305
CHAPTER XV. THE BENTON COUNTY DOCTOR.
A CONTEST FOR HEARTS -- MISSION OF THE FRONTIER DOCTOR --- VINTON'S FIRST PHYSICIANS -- FIRST BELLE PLAINE PHYSICIAN-DR. MARION MEREDITHI -- DR. C. C. GRIFFIN -- DR. STEPHEN M. COOK --- DR. CHARLES B. CHENOWETH-BENTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY -IOWA UNION MEDICAL SOCIETY. 306-310
CHAPTER XVI. THE CITY OF VINTON.
INCREASE IN POPULATION -- PASSING OF THE RED CEDAR -- RATHI- ER "SHADY" FIRST SETTLER-PIONEERS OF VINTON-LOOKING FOR THE COUNTY SEAT -- VINTON'S (FREMONT'S) FIRST REAL FOURTH -- FREMONT BECOMES VINTON-"VINTON EAGLE" ITEMS 1856-9- MUNICIPAL OFFICERS 1869-1910-OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT OF GOOD MEN-VINTON'S FIRE DEPARTMENT-WATER WORKS-ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT-FREE PUBLIC LABRARY -- THE TELEPHONE COMPANIES -"BOOSTER" CLUB OF VINTON -- WORLD'S LARGEST CORN-CANNING FACTORY -- GREAT EXPECTATIONS NOT REALIZED-MINNE ESTEMA PARK --- THE MASONS OF VINTON-THE ODD FELLOWS-KNIGHTS OF PTTHIAS -- MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA-THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. 311-335
CHAPTER XVII. LEADING VINTONITES.
JAMES F. YOUNG, MILLER --- ELIJAH EVANS, EARLY OFFICIAL- MARION EVANS, EX-MAYOR-CYRENIUS T. WHIPPLE, WEALTHY LAND OWNER-W. F. WILLIAMS, BANKER AND CITY PROMOTER -- JOHN KNAPP AND HIS LUCKY NUMBER-CORNELIUS ELLIS, PIONEER LUMBERMAN -- PAUL CORRELL., OLD-TIME MERCHANT -- GEORGE HOR- RIDGE, LEADING BANKER-C. O. HARRINGTON, EARLY BANKER- FIRST TO MARRY IN VINTON -- J. J. LOIZEUX, SETTLER OF '54 --- ROBERT A. HARPER. ALSO OP '51 -- THE YOUNGS OF '55-OCTOGE-
xi
CONTENTS
VARIANS IN RETIREMENT-LEVI S. MILLER, VETERAN BUSINESS MAN -- PALMER BROTHERS, OLD DRUGGISTS-JOHN O. BILLS, PIONEER JEWELER -- DEAN OF INSURANCE MEN-"RALYEA" STANDS FOR "HOTEL"-CAMPBELL, THE CONTRACTOR -- W. W. MEANS, OLD CITY 336-346 MARSHAL.
CHAPTER XVIII.
BELLE PLAINE.
BUSINESS START -- THE RAILROAD PLAT-BAD BUSINESS OUT- COME-EARLY GROWTH OF BELLE PLAINE-FIRST FOUNDRIES- CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN PLANTS-CORPORATION OF BELLE PLAINE -- THE FIRE DEPARTMENT -- THE GREAT FIRE OF 1894-LIGHT AND POWER PLANT-ARTESIAN WATER WORKS --- THE TELEPHONE SERVICE -- PUBLIC LIBRARY-THE BELLE PLAINE OPERA HOUSE- HERRING COTTAGE-THE BAUT FY HOUSE -- FOUR LEADING ESTABLISH- MENTS -- MASONRY IN BELLE PLAINE-ODD FELLOWSHIP IN BELLE PLAINE-KNIGHTS OF PYTILIAS --- THE "GRAND ARMY" POST-LE- GION OF HONOR-MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA-IMPROVED ORDER OF RID MEN-BOHEMIAN SOCIETIES --- RAILROAD UNIONS -- WOOD- MEN OF THE WORLD-MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA -- IHIGHLAND NOBLES AND C. C. C. 317-360
CHAPTER XIX. BLAIRSTOWN AND SHELLSBURG.
BLAIRSTOWN FOUNDED-FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES-SUPPORT- ER OF SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES -- THE FIRST BLACKSMITH -- THE TOWN IN 1862-THE TOWN IN 1868 -- CHAMPION OF THE SOUTH SLOPE-BLAIRSTOWN AS A CORPORATION -- ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER PLANT-BLAIRSTOWN ELEVATORS-LODGES OF BLAIRSTOWN -WHY SHELLSBURG ?- A STAGE STATION -- FIRST LANDLORD -- CAN- TONWINE'S PLACE-FIRST SHELLSBURG CHURCH -- GETS A RAILROAD -- INCORPORATED AS A VILLAGE-AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DIS- TRICT-SHELLSBURG'S FIRST MAYOR-THE FIRST BANK -- FARMERS' MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY -- MASONS OF SHELLSBURG -- INDE- PENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS-THE G. A. R. POST-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS -- MODERN WOODMEN. 361-373
xii
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XX.
GARRISON AND NORWAY.
FIRST OWNERS OF GARRISON -- THE GARRISON OF TODAY-ELE- VATORS AND TILE FACTORY-TELEPHONE COMPANIES -- MODERN WOODMEN AND ODD FELLOWS-VILLAGE OF NORWAY-OSMAN TUT- TLE, FOUNDER OF NORWAY -- PIONEER SETTLERS -- FARMERS' ELEVA- TOR COMPANY -- NORWAY LODGES. 374-378
CHAPTER XXL VAN HORNE, KEYSTONE AND LUZERNE.
VILLAGE OF VAN HORNE-TWO FLOURISHING INSTITUTIONS -- FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE COMPANY-VAN HORNE GRAIN AND LIVE STOCK COMPANY-THE LOCAL BANKS -- ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY-VAN HORNE'S TELEPHONE COMPANIES- LODGES AT VAN HORNE --- PROSPEROUS, COMFORTABLE-LOOKING KEYSTONE -- KEYSTONE BANKS -- KEYSTONE MERCANTILE COMPANY-SECRET SO- CIETIES-LUZERNE'S HISTORY AND PRESENT- PIONEER MERCHANT- WORTHY RETIRED PIONEERS. 379-385
CHAPTER XXII. OTHER BENTON COUNTY TOWNS.
MARYSVILLE BECOMES URBANA-INTERESTING OLD-TIMER -- URBANA'S MOST STIRRING EVENT -- MOUNT AUBURN-CEDAR TOWN- SHIP PIONEER --- NEWHALL-FIRST NEWHALL MERCHANT-ATKINS- WALFORD -- WATKINS -- FOUNDERS OF WATKINS. 336-391
CHAPTER XXIIL TOWNSHIP RECORDS.
. TWENTY TOWNSHIPS IN 1860-A SETTLER OF 1845-BENTON TOWNSIMP, '49-JAMES RICE AND EBENEZER BERRY-SETTLERS OF 1852-GARRIHER INTRODUCES HORSES-BIG GROVE TOWNSHIP PIONEERS-JOHN P. CHINN AND ELIAS DOAN -- THE HANNAS OF BIG GROVE-HELPED ORGANIZE THE TOWNSHIP-FOUNDER OF TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS-THE AGED FAMILY, 54-TYPICAL "SEMI- DEGort"-SHETTS, FATHER AND SON-BRUCE TOWNSHIP PIO- NEERS-SETTLERS OF 1858 -- CANTON TOWNSHIP PIONEER WOMAN
xiii
CONTENTS
-FIRST ELECTION IN TOWNSHIP-MR. AND MRS. DAVID HTITE, 1850 -HOUSELESS FOR FIFTEEN MILES --- SHELLSBURG, ONE LOG CABIN -ERECTED MANY OF THE FIRST BUILDINGS-NOTED HORTICUL TURIST-MR. AND MRS. WALKER, 1856-LAVED ON FARM FIFTY-SIX YEARS-JOHN RICKART, 1855 -- CEDAR TOWNSHIP PIONEERS -- FIRST SETTLERS OF EDEN TOWNSHIP -- FIRST POSTMASTER -- SETTLERS OF 1853-PIONEER FRUIT RMISER-THEY CAME IN 1854-JOHN A. DILLING. 1855-OTHER SETTLERS OF THE FIFTIES-ELDORADO'S FIRST SETTLER-EMANUEL BAKER, 1855-THESE CAME IN 1856 -- FIRST HOUSE IN FREMONT TOWNSHIP-ADDITIONS IN 1854 AND 1855-ALEXANDER JOHNSON. 1855 -- PIONEERS OF HARRISON TOWN- SHIP-EARLY SETTLERS OF HOMER TOWNSHIP- FOUNDER OF RE- PUBLICANISM-THOMAS COLLINS, 1857-FIRST CLAIM IN IOWA TOWNSHIP-JOUN SCHILD, 1852-EARLY SETTLERS IN JACKSON TOWNSIUP-JAMES W. ATHEY, 1850-A KANE TOWNSHIP VETERAN -"LONE TREE" FARM-CONRAD TATGE. 1852 -- RHESA CONLEY, 1850 --- POUR TOWNSHIP PIONEERS-THE BRYSONS AND REMINGTONS -- SETTLERS OF THE EARLY FIFTIES -- EARLY COMERS TO TAYLOR TOWNSHIP- - A UNION TOWNSHIP PIONEER. 392-416
ILLUSTRATIONS
Typical Lake Scene in Benton County
1
Section of Bowlder-Strewn Field 6
Artesian Well at Belle Plaine
14
Present Benton County Court House
40
Court House of 1856
82
Benton County Jail
86
Benton County Home near Vinton
88
James C. Traer
135
Interior Views "Vinton Eagle" Office
146
"Vinton Eagle" Plant
147
D. B. Pyne
151
Tilford Collegiate Academy
16S
Iligh School Building
173
Iowa College for the Blind (before adding wings)
179
Captain Thomas Drummond 181
185
Pipe Organ, Vinton Methodist Church
258
First Presbyterian Church, Vinton 265
First Baptist Church, Vinton 272
303
Vinton Looking West from the High School 312
Washington Street Looking South, Vinton 313
317
Jay Street Viadnet. Vinton
318
Rock Island Depot. Vinton
325
Free Public Library. Vinton
3:29
Young's Old Flour Mill. Vinton
337
Main Business Street. Belle Plaine
348
Chicago & Northwestern Depot. Belle Plaine
350
"AJumbo" Well in Action. Belle Plaine
353
The Herring Cottage, Belle Plaine
355
Main Street and High School, Blairstown
363
Soldiers' Monument. Blairstown 367
Pearl Street and High School, Shellsburg 370
Garrison Public School 375
George I .. Palmer's "Semi-Dugout" 399
xiv
/
Main Building, Iowa College for the Blind
Novak and his Steamship Ticket (opposite)
Old Wooden Bridge Foot of Main Street, Vinton
INDEX
Agriculture, 46 theins, ficorge R. S91 Albert. Charles F., 823 Aiden. Joseph Sr., 546 Allep. A. B., 763 Allen. E. K., 156 Armstrong. Newton G., 751
Arnold. William, 565
Athoy, James W .. 412, 652 Atkins. Savings Bank. 141 Atkins, Town of. 389
Anid. Arthur J., 801 Andd Family, 39S
Austin, Annie C., 465 Austin, James, 465 Austin, Robert B .. 369 Austin, Samuel B., 592
Bacon. Samuel, 177 Baker, Emanuel, 407 Ball. J. IL., 820
Banks. 134: present condition, 143 Br -- Leading members, 296
inwell Frank J .. 765 Jour. George. 176
Barr. . J. W., S91 Barry, Ebenezer. 395
Barry. Michael. 822
Panigardner. William, 502
Darty, John M .. 455 Belle Plaine- Banks, 136: Citizens Bank. 138; Corn Bolt Savings Bank, 130: schools. 174; business start. 247: First M. T. church. 262; first sermon. 2.6:
-
Congregational church. 278: luired Evangelical church. 979: :aBroad plet, 348; carly growth, 349: S :: foundries. 350: Chicago & North- Ve-tern plants, 350; corporation his- tory. 351; great fire of 1894, 352; arie-ian water works. 334: Herring foliage, Belle Plaine, 354: Henry. J. P 355: Henry, F. Il .. 355; secret societies, 356: Tappan & Crawford elevator, 356: Palmer brothers, Belle Plaine, 350: Belle Plaine Broom Com- pany. 356: Bohemian societies. 359: ualroad unions, 339
HAN Plaine "Democrat-Herald," 152 I.U.r. David. 407, 533 BuHler. M. B., 554
Benton county-Location and form, 1; topography and geology, 3: Jowan ice field, 4; broken and picturesque features, 5; pre-historic man, 7; drainage, 8; rivers and streams, 9; artesian wells, 13; building materials. 18: timber and groves. 21; one of ninety-nine counties, 37; organizing act. 70 Benton County Home. 87, 657
Benton county jail, 86
Benton County Medical Society, 309
".Benton County Signal, ': 159 Benton County Sunday School Associa- tion. 280 "Benton County Times. " Vinton, 157 Benton County Veterans Association,
246
Benton township, 393
Bergen, O. C., 820
Berry. Robert. 760
Bickel, William E., 566
Big Grove township-Pioneers of. 396
Bills, John O .. 315
Bixby Brothers, 595
Bixby, Clarence. 595
Bisby. Clayton, 595
Bixby. Wallace, 664
"Black Hawk" (steamboat). 114, 127
Black Hawk purchase, 30
Black Hawk war. 24, 30
Blairstown-Academy and schools, 166; M. E. church. 262; founded. 361: first religions services. 362; town in 1862 and 1868, 364: as a corporation, 365; elevators, 366: lodges. 360
Blairstown Presbyterian church. 263
Blossom, Charles A. 432
Blue, John M .. 535
Boggs, William C., 689
Bogle. V .. 405
Boisen, William, 484
Book, John. 879
Boomgarden, Okke O., 836
Bowe. Romanzo E., 447
Bowen, I. W .. 398
Boyden. J. IT .. 785
Brandt, John D., 714
Bridges, 125 Brown, A. II., 140
Brown, Elwyn F., 298, 458 Brown, James, 814 Brubaker, Joseph S., 345, 478
YV
xvi
INDEX
Bruce township-Early settlers, 117; how named. 118: pioneers of, 400 Bryson, W. G., 627 Bryson family, 414 Budd. Allen JJ .. 549
Bndd, Joseph L., 403
Bunten, James W., 509 Burleigh, H. S., 260 Buxton, E. A., 570
Calkins, David, 407 Campbell, Samuel M .. 346, 462
Canton township -- Pioneer woman, 401; first election, 402 Cantwell, Paul Sr., 456
Carleton. James, 289, 292 Carver, Thomas A., 15S
Case, Nelson B., 402. 404. 362
Cedar Valley Land Company. 641
Cedar Rapids Baptist Association. 270
Cedar township-Pioneers. 404
Chenoweth, Charles B .. 309, 602 Chenoweth. I. N .. 406
Chinn, John P., 397 Churches (see religious history)
Civil War, 187: Union support at home, 233: summary of war matters. 234: grand celebration, July 4. 1861. 236; "Knights of the Golden Circle. " (by Jacob Springer), 239; Soldiers of Sixty-one (by \. H. Brown), 240; living veterans, 247 Clifton, John. 711 Clime, John C., 832 Coburn, John P .. 770
Cokely, Jonathan, 489
Coleord, E. H., 510
College for the Blind, Vinton, 176 Collins. Thomas, 411
Collins, Martin J., 645
Company G., 1. N. G., 242
Conley. Andrew, 409. 847
Conley, Charles, 409
Conley, Rhesa. 413
Connell, W. C .. 156, 189. 20S
Conner. W. E., 701
Cook, Stephen ML .. 209, 512 Cooper, O. L., 299 Corbin, Jerome. 769 Correll. Paul. 342, 433
County court house-first. 74: burned, 77; second, 78; present. 84 County government. changes in. 81 County officials (1846 to 1910), 59 County school system. 162 County seat -- Northport. 73; moving of, 74
Courts-Organization of. 281: first dis- triet court. 22: first judicial aets, 255: second session of district court, 286: third session. 287: re-establish- ment of, 290: first county court. 294;
county judges build court house, 294; eirenit court, 296 Cox, George M., 64S Crawford, James F., 407
Crime -- First conviction for, 287; the Brody outlaws, 288; fiendish murder in Kane township. 299; some later crimes in "Hell's Acre, "' 201; the famous Novak case, 303 Culp. John B., 65S Culver, James S., 761 Cummings, Walter E., 612
Danskin, George M .. 390
Davis, Henry, 893
Davis, Tlenry J., 64.
Davi -. Louisa B., 893
Deklotz, John, 606
Deklotz, Lewis, 610
Delfs. Carl, 876
Detrick, Elmer E., 596
Dickson. David D., 597
Dilling. John A., 406, 804
Ditzler. E. J., 384
Doan, Elias. 396, 397
Doerzman, William J., SS1
Donald. Jackson, 727
Domelon. P. J., 646
Dorsey. Beal, 393
Douglass. Samiel, 109
Downs Brothers. 406
Downs, Robert N .. 561
Downs, Mary M., 561
Drexler. Joseph. 277, 716
Drummond. Thomas, 147, 177, 180
Dutton, O. B., 377
Eaton, George D., 176, 179 Eaton, Eliza W., 461 Eaton, Josiah. 161
Eden township -- First pioneer fruit raiser. 406
settlers, 405;
Edmond, Samuel M., 499
Edwards, A. T .. 620
Edwards, Hamilton B., 674
Eggleston, Levi C., 691
Eldorado township -- First settlers, 407 Elliott, C. W., 628 Elliott. J. A .. 656 Ellis, Cornelins, 341. 421
Ellis, W. C., 342, 422 Ellsworth, W. O., 406
Evans, Edward M., 67
Evans, Elijah. 338 Evans, Marion, 339
"Every Other Daily Union," Belle Plaine, 151
Fagan, Robert. 698 Farrington, Sereno S .. 152, 153 First Disciples' church (Christian
church), 275
First elections, 52, 72 First inneral, 91 First land entries, 92 First Methodist church, Vinton, 255 First native white child. 90 First permanent settler, 89 Fir-i post offices. 98 First school house. 161 First Teachers' Institute, 163 First towns and cities, 95 Fish. E. H., 825 Ilechner, John G., 748 Forrester. Asa B., 623 Forsyth, John S., 294 Fremont-Town of. 75
Fremont township-First settlers, 408 Fritz, Angust L., 613 Frost. Daniel Il., 154 Try, J. H., 731 Fry. U. S., 446 Try. William. 403, 680 Fry. W. E., 776
Gardemann. Louis C., 643 Garriher, Joseph, 396 Garrison- Farmers' Savings Bank. 141; People's Savings Bank. 142; Presby- ferian church, 269: German Baptist, #73: past and present. 374: imlus fries and telephone companies, 375; secret societies, 375 "Garrison Independent. "' 157 Gibbins, A., 408 WWchrist. George ML., 101, 293. 295, 429 Gilchrist. James Y., 525 Gilmore. John. 870 Golden. Thomas C .. 263 Hongwer, Joseph .J., 604 Wowwell. Charles M., 635 Gravenhorst, Hla M., 205 Griffin. C. C., 308, S54 Grimm. Eli, S61 Cross, Nicolas. 715 Grote. Henry I ... 525 Grovewald. William J .. 493 Quinn, If., 411
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