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MARSHALL COUNTY.
1800
Glass
F627
Book
Y
MARSHALL COUNTY.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
HISTORY
OF
MARSHALL COUNTY,
IOWA.
BY MRS. N. SANFORD. 11
CLINTON, IOWA: LESLIE, MOALLASTER & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 1867.
By P.O. De Mar 28 06
INTRODUCTION.
IN giving this little book to the citizens of Marshall County, it may be well to say it was written under many embarrassing circumstances, and not with the intention of making any elaborate literary effort. We have only tried to show the great advance made in the wealth and prosperity of this section of Iowa - the rightful heritage of the toilers amid the rocks and sterile soil of the East ; therefore, we ask the kindly consideration of the critic.
We commenced it as a pamphlet work, but many wishing it in a more permanent form, we have finally issued it to our readers in a manner better suited to their tastes.
We are much indebted to many of our prominent citizens for pecuniary help, and shall ever remember them gratefully for their kindness. Also, to the Hon. H. C. Henderson, for some of the legal points in the narration of the Marietta war; to A. J. Smith, Esq., of Timber Creek, for items connected with its history ; and to K. F. Cleaver, of Vienna, for the list of her soldier dead.
NETTIE SANFORD.
CONTENTS.
Page
MARSHALL COUNTY 9
Railroads 11
Stone and Timber 11
Pasturage. 12
Manufactures. 13
Common Schools, etc. 14
Military Record
14
History of the County
18
Indian War
20
LE GRAND TOWNSHIP 26
Women's Rights
29
Le Grand Institute.
30
Present Prosperity. 31
TIMBER CREEK TOWNSHIP 32
MARIETTA TOWNSHIP 36
Marietta . 40
Marietta Battle. 49
The Onset 54
The Retreat 56
Removing the County Records 61
New Year's Reception 61
The Death Blow 62
Hon. D. L. Arnold 63
T. Abell, Esq. 63
IOWA TOWNSHIP 65 Albion 66
A Brewing Tempest 68
Primitive Living 69
vi
CONTENTS.
Page
MARSHALL TOWNSHIP
73
Henry Anson, Esq.
76
Marshalltown
77
Dr. John Childs.
78
Sylvanus Rice, Esq.
79
Wells Rice, Esq.
79
John A. Kelly, Esq.
81
C. B. Straight
81
Distillery
83
Amusements
83
Births and Deaths
86
A Double Wedding 86 87
87 87
Blackberry Hunt
88 89
Fourth of July Celebration
89
Concert
90
Pioneer Merchants
91
Glick & Willigrod
93
David E. Parret
94
Mr. S. Lacy
95
Hon. H. C. Henderson
98
Hon. G. M. Woodbury
99
The Bell Society.
102
" Tambos "
104
Methodist Episcopal Church.
105
Camp Meeting 107
A New School Presbyterian Church. 108
Lutheran Church 109
Baptists 109
110
Universalists
110
Mite Societies, etc
110
The Press 110
Horticultural Society 112
Aid Societies 112
Celebration of Opening of Cedar Rapids and Missouri R. R. 113 Pilgrimage to the Jordan 115
Discomforts of Pioneer Life
Sabbatlı School
Singing School .
Tea Drinking
Disciples Church
CONTENTS.
vii
Page
VIENNA TOWNSHIP
117
BANGOR TOWNSHIP
120
Bangor
120
MINERVA TOWNSHIP
123
Clemens' Corners 125
125
Green Mountain 126
Fredonia. 126
GREENCASTLE TOWNSHIP 129
EDEN TOWNSHIP
131
Edenville.
132
Order of Good Templars 184
STATE CENTER TOWNSHIP 135
Terrible Tornado 136
Prosperity of the Township
137
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
138
Prairie Fires
139
Accidents on Linn Creek 140
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP 142
Hunting Parties 144
Conservatism 145
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP 145
Storm in 1859 146
MARSHALL COUNTY-its Population, Wealth, etc. 148
MARSHALLTOWN-Notices of her Business Men, etc. 149
IN THE COURTS 151
BUSINESS DIRECTORY 153-157
ADVERTISEMENTS 159-168
C. W. FRACKER, Insurance 159
HILL, LIDDLE & POLLOCK, Dry Goods, etc. 160
DR. GEORGE WHEALAN, Dry Goods, etc 160
C. W. SHERMAN, Marshall House. 160
JOHN TURNER & Co., Hardware 161
WM. C. PAGE, Washing Machine 161
LEE & BROMLEY, Dry Goods, etc. 162 BINFORD BRO'S & MORGAN, Agricultural Implements 162
BANBURY & CASWELL, Groceries, etc. 162
MARION TOWNSHIP
viii
CONTENTS.
ADVERTISEMENTS - continued.
Page
MARSHALL'S RESTAURANT 162
SMITH & UTZ, Marble Works 163
G. M. WOODBURY & SON, Woolen Mills 164
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MARSHALLTOWN 164
J. LEE KNIGHT, Photographer. 164
WOODWORTH & WHITTON, Dry Goods, etc.
165
HARVEY & DAVIS, Dry Goods, etc.
165
MRS N. M. HOLT, Millinery
165
DR. WM. H. MARVIN, Surgeon Dentist 165
W. S. RICE, General Merchandise. 166
S. LACEY, Furniture 167
ABBOTT & KNISELY, Hardware 168
HON.H.C.HENDERSON.
JAMES P. SANFORD. 11
COL. BANBURY.
IOWA 5TH
HON W. W. RICE
H. GERHART, ESQ.
IOWA.
MUCH has been said and very much written upon the inducements that Iowa holds out to settlers, yet like the glory of the East to the Queen of sacred story, the half has not been told. The word "Iowa " in one Indian dialect means the " drowsy," and the beautiful stream bearing this name sleeps along the prairie's edge through Marshall county as if loth to leave its pleasant borders. There are wild apples and wild roses on its banks - you hear the drowsy tapping of the partridge in the cottonwoods -the drone of beetles; a little further on in a quiet bayou, there are white lilies bearing a resemblance to the ancient lotus, where wild bees are slumbering within their pearly folds ; these sights and sounds to a child of nature, be he poet or Pottawatomie, have a drowsy, sweet sig- nificance in the word Iowa. We write the history of
MARSHALL COUNTY,
With a few statistics, to show what a wonderful progress has been made in little less than twenty years, in developing the resources and wealth of the coun- try. We give a very short geographical delineation of Marshall. It is situated near the forty-first.
2
10
IOWA.
parallel of latitude, is almost exactly in the center of the State, twenty-four miles square, and contains 368,640 acres of magnificent land - an almost un- broken garden through its limits. This county is divided into sixteen civil townships, Vienna, Bangor, Iowa, Liberty, Minerva, Marion, Le Grand, Greencastle, Marshall, Timber Creek, Jefferson, Washington, Mari- etta, Eden, State Center, and one township not named.
The products are wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, broom-corn, sorghum, garden vegetables and wild fruit in great profusion. Vegetables grow to an enormous size; they would scarcely be recognized if thrown among their poor relations of the Atlantic shore. There are good orchards in every township, and we will be able soon to depend upon home culture for fruit. There are nurseries scattered all through the county to supply farmers with young trees and cuttings, which ought to be patronized instead of getting dry and worthless sticks from the East. One farmer in this section paid twenty-five dollars for Eastern fruit trees, and received a single apple tree in the collection that wore a leaf. All the fruits that can be grown in this latitude, can be successfully cultivated in Iowa, except peaches, and even these can be grown by care- ful culture.
There is a prejudice against our climate which is wholly unfounded, that it is too severe for fruit-often an excuse for idleness in the care of trees, etc. We have cold winters but plenty of snow, and the autumns are the very perfection of climate. The springs are a degree warmer than New York, Northern Penn- sylvania and Ohio. Flowers are peerless, both on the prairie and in the door-yards. Hon. D. L. Arnold received the diploma for the most tastefully arranged garden, by the Fair committee last season. There was a magnificent gladiolus that bloomed in Mrs. C. B. Straight's yard in Marshalltown, the past summer; pansies of the largest size and velvety
11
MARSHALL COUNTY.
richness, at Mrs. H. Wiley's ; and in every day beauty, glowed crimson grass pinks and larkspurs, in Mrs. Peet's yard. Nothing could surpass the beautiful collection of green-house plants at Mr. C. C. Smith's ; and for evergreens, magnificent in proportion, we point to Mr. Woodbury's and Mr. Willigrod's grounds on Station street. Mrs. Bunce has a beautifully arranged flower plat also, and is very successful in the cul- ture of strawberries. A piece of ground five feet by ten, grew the enormous quantity of twenty-four quarts of this delicious fruit at different pickings. Mr. Barnhart has been equally fortunate in strawberry raising ; so that we can safely say that Iowa cannot be surpassed in this fruit, with proper culture, for in other parts of the town and county, nearly like results have been obtained. The forest is full of wild apples and plums, and honey is plentiful and cheap.
RAILROADS.
The Cedar Rapids and Missouri, sometimes called the Iowa Northwestern, is now finished to Omaha, connecting with the Union Pacific, giving railroad connection westward with the North Platte and Den- ver, and eastward, by car, to Chicago, and onward to the sea-girt shore. We supply many of the little towns and stations along the line with provisions, especially butter, eggs, etc. There is another road projected from Marshalltown to Eldora, which will be finished before many years.
The Pacific Telegraph, whose lines glisten west to the Sierra Nevada, and north to the new land of Sitka, passes through Marshalltown from Chicago, thus giving us lightning prescience with the world.
STONE AND TIMBER.
Freestone for building purposes is found in Le Grand, Marion ; and at the corner of Timber Creek township,
12
IOWA.
is found a dark red conglomerate, which is easily wrought, admirably adapted for foundations to build- ings, wells, etc. Brick is manufactured of an excel- lent character here, while dressed lumber can be obtained at our yards in unlimited amount and of the best quality, beside that from the native forests, making building a light matter to the settler. We have large groves of cottonwood, oak, lime, hack- berry, walnut, hickory, etc., which are ready for the ax, growing like Jack's bean-stalk, in the rich soil, if the prairie fires are kept at a respectful distance. Coal is brought from Boone and Eldora by car and wagons, although there is plenty of coal in the county as will be seen under the head of the different town- ships, but it is not so easily worked as at the above- mentioned places.
PASTURAGE.
The immense range of our plains is rapidly lessen- ing, but still there is enough for stock - great plenty. With the present efficient machinery, hay can be had for the cutting, in the lowlands, abundantly able to furnish feed for any amount of animals. The Marshall County Agricultural Society has given some very choice premiums for farm stock, so that in this section we have some fine horses. The fastest time made by a native, Blackhawk Tom, given by his owner, H. Nash, was 2.49. And mules, too - fine specimens. Swine are raised by the thousands, mostly of an improved breed.
President Chapin of the Agricultural Society has been very energetic in making the organization a power for good among the farmers, and there have been some creditable exhibitions at the Fair grounds east of Marshalltown. But the crowning profit of agri- cultural investment is in sheep. Our high and dry prairies, if the animals are protected from the cold winds, are extremely favorable to a healthy growth.
H
MARSHALL WOOLEN MILLS.
MARSHALL WOOLEN MILLS.
13
MARSHALL COUNTY.
The wool commands a high price at the factory of Woodbury & Son, and Eastern buyers are ready here to keep this staple at a high figure.
MANUFACTURES.
There are thirteen grist and saw mills in different parts of the county, and others in process of erection. Some of these have powerful engines, doing an im- mense business in flour, and building-lumber.
We have two carding machines, an iron foundry by Lockwood & Frederick, of Marshalltown, also a sash, blind and glove factory, and three broom factories, which have made in a year about twenty-two hun- dred dozen brooms, supplying other towns with these useful articles to a great extent. We will enu- merate four carriage shops, a large plow manufactory, a chandler shop, four butcher establishments, a fanning mill factory ; and Messrs. Shaw & Andrews are making a splendid article of window shades.
We have not space to particularize, but in the notice of the different townships, and city directory, the stranger may read of our unwonted prosperity in this direction. But in the factory of Mr. G. M. Woodbury & Son, is the chef d'Å“uvre of Marshalltown enterprise. It is situated near the depot, built of Le Grand free- stone, four stories, the main building eighty by fifty feet, and, with the machinery, cost about fifty thousand dollars. It runs ten looms, four hundred and fifty spindles, manufactures, daily, three hundred and fifty yards of cloth, and daily employs twenty-five persons. The building is heated throughout by the escape steam passing through pipes, and is lighted by gas generated in the building. It is a very extensive affair for the Iowa valley, and reflects great credit upon Mr. Woodbury and Son for their public spirit and energy.
In the Iowa river north of Marshalltown, there is a
14
IOWA.
water power of ten feet, already turning a grist mill, a large carding machine, saw mill, etc., and yet it is not half improved. We invite capitalists from the East to this point, and can safely insure a paying in- vestment upon stock. An oil mill would do well here if farmers should interest themselves in flaxseed.
COMMON SCHOOLS, ETC.
No county in the State is better supplied with good schools and buildings than Marshall. There are eighty subdistricts and seventy school houses, and well furnished with the modern improvements for the benefit of the students.
School buildings are under contract in different parts of the county this coming season, which will increase our educational advantages sufficiently to meet every want of the community. Our proximity to the Agricultural College of Story county will soon be of great benefit to our people, as well as to the State at large. Teachers are well paid from the mag- nificent school fund, and a healthy public sentiment sustains them in all efforts to maintain discipline, and inculcate lessons of morality and religion.
MILITARY RECORD.
Marshall County has a proud record in putting down the slaveholders' rebellion, having sent over eight hundred to the grand army of the Union. This, according to her population, was a good showing of her patriotic spirit. Gloriously, the brave boys from our midst carried the old flag on the bloody fields of Pittsburg Landing, Donelson, Inka, Milliken's Bend, Champion Hills, and many, many other places, where they won a renown equal to the heroes of Marathon and Thermopyla. But it is idle for an insignificant pen like ours to attempt to write an eulogy on Iowa
15
MARSHALL COUNTY.
soldiers. We might as well attempt to describe the Alps, or do any other impossible thing. The brave deeds of Marshall soldiers are written in blood by the Fifth, Eighth, Eleventh, Thirteenth, and Twenty-third Regiments of Iowa Volunteers. Also, in the Second Iowa Cavalry, Fourth Battery, and too, in the Eighth Cavalry, and there were a few in the Fourth Cavalry.
The prison life of some of these would fill a volume, that attests their heroic fortitude. And, first on the shining record, is Simon Woolston, of Edenville, who died in the filthy stockade of Andersonville, after eight weeks of horrible suffering from wounds, disease and starvation. He is wearing the martyr's crown with others from our regiment rolls, and may their memory be ever fragrant to a patriotic people. We must honor our returned soldiers more, cherish the memory of the lost in our heart of hearts, and build, just as soon as possible, some grand testimonial within our limits, in memory of those who gave their lives for the preservation of the Republic.
Among our citizens whom we should honor, is Colonel Banbury, Colonel Shurtz, Captain Haskins, Captains Cleavers and Page, Lieutenants Hoffman, Beeson, and the glorious rank and file, who won the battles without straps or chevrons. If there are any we have omitted here, it is for want of space ; they are all good and brave; rather than detract from the fame of an Iowa soldier, let our right arm be paralyzed, and " the shoulder be broken from the bone."
In this connection, we will speak of the escape of Captain Page and Lieut. M. Hoffman from prison after thirteen months' captivity, nearly. They were taken with Sergeant Oviatt and eight men at Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863, and sent to Libby prison by way of the Southern railroads. When within a few miles of Augusta, Ga., Captain Page having made a saw from a table knife, managed to cut a hole
16
IOWA.
through the bottom of the car, and drop out on the track. He eluded their pursuit five days, when he was recaptured by the bloodhounds, and was sent on with the rest to Libby prison, where he and Hoffman spent five months among the chivalry that dispensed mouldy corn-cob bread and mule meat, instead of their boasted hospitality. In the meantime Edward Bissell, one of the nine, died at Belle Island.
The fate of another of the party, Alonzo Rogers, never was known ; very likely he was killed by the dogs in trying to make his escape. Three of the number were sent to Andersonville, where they died in the filthy stockade. As I look upward among the stars, I read the names of these soldier martyrs, John Miller, Charles Smith, and Andrew Heller.
On the 7th of May following, the party from Libby prison were transferred to Macon, Ga. ; after spending a part of the summer in that Southern resort, they were sent to Charleston, S. C., for the humane purpose of being placed under fire for the protection of the city. But Union bullets and shells had another mission, and fortunately they escaped unhurt as the shells still screamed on over the dismantled churches, etc. Many of the prisoners dying of the yellow fever, the Marshall boys, with others, were ordered on board a train bound for Columbia, S. C. Captains Page and Hoffman again attempted an escape, but were retaken on the fourth day and placed in durance vile. While the train was moving quite slow in passing a crossing, they slipped slyly down from the open cars and crawled under the bridge till the train was out of sight, when they made for a cornfield, on the double quick. But in spite of all their precaution and inge- nuity, they were brought back again under the rebel flag.
At last, in being paroled to get wood and pine brush for bedding, they made their final escape, and after thirty-five days of patient, weary travel, they reached
17
MARSHALL COUNTY.
our lines at Sweet Water, forty miles from Knoxville, Tenn. They were ragged, and their feet were sore and blistered ; hungry and emaciated, they were glad to see their comrades, and the old starry banner float ing over the little station. They had no guide but the North Star and the faithful blacks, who divided food with them. Page used to sing the battle hymns of the Republic to these lowly men and women of the South, then partake of their humble food with merry laughter, having Hoffman and a certain Major for vis a vis companions.
Riley Westcott, now living in Wisconsin, and Charles Eagen, were left at Belle Island, but were regularly exchanged afterward.
While Captain Page was at Charleston, he sent a letter to his wife enclosed in a button of a surgeon's coat sewed on in the proper place. It gave great comfort to his anxious family although it was only four by five inches square.
Colonel Shurtz, once a private in the Mexican war, was taken prisoner at Nooney, Ga., and making his escape twice, was finally taken to Columbia, S. C. He was severely wounded in the hands, crippling him for life, yet managed to subsist on the miserable fare, when he was exchanged after five months' captivity.
Let us not forget the sufferings of these men, and when we can show our gratitude in society, in conven- tions, on all public occasions, let such as these take the " upper seats in the synagogue."
There was another noble, patriotic, young man who went from our midst, Martin V. B. Drum, who died after twelve months' service, at Camp Big Springs, Miss. He was buried on a bright Fourth of July morning, the thunders of the garrison pealing out that there were still brawny arms to defend the nation he had given his young life to save. He was the soul of the camp and sadly missed by his companions as they laid him down to rest under the sods of the Southern vale. In colo quies.
18
IOWA.
Perhaps there was no soldier from this county who gained promotion under prouder circumstances than Clarington Poynes. He entered Captain Page's company, a very unprepossessing private, but rose to the position of Captain after three years' service and re-enlistment in the Iowa Third Cavalry. He re- ceived his commission on the day of his death, being shot in leading his company at the taking of Nash- ville bridge. He had already struck down two rebels with his trusty sword.
HISTORY.
Prior to the settlement of this county by the whites, it was inhabited by the Sac and Fox tribes of Indians, remnants of the once powerful nation presided over by the far-famed Black Hawk. A portion of these Indians roving westward have returned, and now live in this and Tama county by permission of the legisla- ture, but are nearly all incapable of civilization. They call themselves Musquaquas. In the winter of 1847, a body of Mormons in their flight from Nauvoo to Salt Lake, camped and stayed through the winter in the forest north of where Marshalltown now stands. Famine and disease attacked them and many perished, although they peeled the red elm bark for bread. In the spring following, they folded their tents and planted their church standards beyond the Big Muddy. A few stragglers remained and built cabins at Council Bluffs.
The first permanent white settler in the county was Joseph Davison, who came to Le Grand township in 1847, and very soon after, his brother, William Davi- son, came and built a cabin in that vicinity. But the first settlement of any size was made in Timber Creek on the south side of the grove, in 1848. The pioneers of the movement were Joseph Ferguson and Josiah Cooper. After this, a few settlers came into Iowa
19
MARSHALL COUNTY.
townships, Bangor, Marietta, and Marshall. The county was organized in 1849, J. M. Ferguson acting as sheriff, and J. Hobbs was appointed judge.
In July of 1851, the first court was held in a little log building in the edge of the forest near where Colonel Shurtz lives, the grand jury meeting in the bushes just across the slough. No bill of indictment was found, and these representatives of justice were in session only about ten minutes. How the merry squirrels and gophers must have laughed in their sleeves at the solemn faces of the jurors with nothing to do.
The First District Court was held, with Judge Mckay from Des Moines, on the bench. Several lawyers of great renown, afterwards, were there. Lieutenant- Governor Eastman, in those days called "Uncle Enoch," was quite prominent in cutting hay for the horses owned by this august body, as well as expound- ing law and equity. Seevers, of Oskaloosa, laughed at him somewhat, telling him, with a curious leer in his eye, that he made better winrows than speeches. Cassidy, of Polk, who now ranks high in the profes- sion, was also in attendance, and a young lawyer who never gained much distinction, by the name of Young.
As the family of Mr. William Ralls lived in the cabin there was not much room for forensic display. Mrs. Ralls cooked their meals out of doors by a chunk fire, and when night came Attorneys Eastman and Seevers were obliged to sleep in the loft, climbing up a pole ladder. Their dignity was somewhat taken down as they slowly swung themselves over the heads of the family. As Eastman went up, looking down at the cradle (rather a primitive one, made of oak shakes), " Well," said the witty lawyer, "that looks like the running gear of a whippoorwill's nest."
Zeno Freeman was treasurer. John Amos, Green- bury Ralls, and William Ballard, were county commis-
20
IOWA.
sioners, which answered to the wants of the county in the same manner that our board of supervisors do to-day. A Mr. Walker was school fund commis- sioner sometime after ; and Jacob Hauser was county clerk.
At this term of the court there were two cases on the docket, Higgins v. Smith, of Hardin county, and the divorce suit of William Davison and his wife, who were made twain, instead of one flesh. Mrs. Davison remarked, as her husband rode up on horseback, "La !" said she, "Old Billy thinks he's goin' to git a divorce, anyhow. See how straight he sets up."
Sometime during the summer of this year, the commissioners appointed by the legislature to locate the county seat for Marshall, passed over some very eligible locations so it was said, but finally settled on Marietta, a good deal influenced by the judgment of William Dishon, a settler in that region.
In the history of the county, we must not omit that this was the year for the highest water known since its settlement. The Iowa river was three miles wide, and creeks came rushing down in mighty torrents carrying off the few bridges, so that it was almost im- possible to travel far in any direction without "dug outs." Previous to this year, in 1850, we hear of the great
INDIAN WAR.
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