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

Author: Hill, Luther B; Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago (Ill.)
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 900


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


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35



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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