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மதிலும்
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٠١
٠١
HISTORY
OF
SCOTT COUNTY,
IOWA;
TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDIT- CATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL HISTORY; PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
HISTORY OF IOWA,
EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, ABORIGINES, FRENCH, ENGLISH AND AMERICAN CONQUESTS, AND A GENERAL REVIEW OF ITS CIVIL, POLITICAL AND MILITARY HISTORY.
ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO: INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO., 1882.
F627 . S4H6
BLAKELY, MARSH & CO., PRINTERS, 155 & 157 DEARBORN ST., CHICAGO.
DONOHUE & HENNEBERRY, BOOKBINDERS, 105 × 100 MONROE ST., CHICAGO.
PREFACE.
As local history is more interesting than general, and as the time has arrived when County Histories can be made self-supporting. the publishers of this volume selected Scott County as a good field; and they have indeed found it a pleasant one, for the county has had, an interesting history, having always been one of the chief counties of the great State of lowa. In matters of general interest and progress Scott County has always taken a leading and prominent position. Here have lived men who have taken an important part in the affairs of State and in molding the political sentiments and destiny of the country.
This county has been the birth place of many business, philanthropic and party enterprises.
This history appears none too soon. The pioneers are fast passing away Here and there we see the whitened head and bended form of some of these vet- erans, but they constitute only a few of the carliest pilgrims. We have faithfully interviewed them, and obtained what facts we could. Accurate history is most difficult to write ; many things are differently told by different persons, and if nineteen-twentieths of the five hundred thousand data in this volume are correct, there may still be twenty-five thousand errors.
To obtain a glance of the scope and merits of a volume it is necessary to study critically the title page and table of contents. By looking carefully at the latter, one will learn how to use the work- where to look for any given class of items. In this volume notice particularly that the Townships are arranged alpha- betically, and the Biographies also alphabetically in their respective townships. A number of personal sketches will be found under the head of City of Daven- port, as many of the parties live in or near that place.
As one of the most interesting features of this work we present the portraits of numerous representative citizens. Many others just as deserving, of course, we did not select ; but those we have given constitute a good representation, and they are all men of high standing in the community.
As preliminary to the work, the Inter-State Publishing Company secured the co-operation of the officers of the Pioneer Society, who appointed a committee to read and revise the manuseript of the general history, and a like committee in each township to examine and correct the history of the respective townships. Every man thus appointed served to the best of his ability, and the wisdom of the choice of the committee is shown in the work performed. Our thanks are certainly due to these men, a number of whom spent much time, with no thought of other reward than in the consciousness of a duty well performed.
PREFACE.
The press of the county is also entitled to our special gratitude. Without an exception wc have received the kindest treatment from all, their files being placed at our disposal, and from which we gathered much of the information contained in this volume.
The task of compiling this history, which has assumed proportions much larger than we had expected, has been a pleasant one, although laborious and expensive ; and we desire here to express our hearty thanks to those who have so freely aided us in collecting material. To the county officials, pastors of churches officers of societies, pioneers, members of the Pioneer Society, and editors of the press, we are particularly grateful for the many kindnesses and courtesies shown us while laboring in the county.
INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO.
CERTIFICATES.
Below we give a copy of the certificate signed by the committee appointed by the President of the Pioneer Society, to revise and correct the general history of Scott County. And also committees from each township, to revise and correct the history of their respective townships, showing that we complied with our promises to submit the manuscript, and also that its members performed their duties. These certificates are all worded alike. We therefore deem it unneces- sary to subscribe cach of them in full, but give the names of the signatory mem. bers. These certificates will also show to those who examine this work that great care was taken to have it authentic and reliable.
, We, the undersigned, members of the General Committee appointed by the President of the Pioneer Society of Scott County tocorrect and revise the manu- script of the History of Scott County, written and compiled by the Inter-State Publishing Co., of Chicago, Ill., do hereby certify that we had free access to said manuscript at any and all times, and that we did to the best of our ability follow the instructions given us. We examined said manuscript and made all the changes and additions that we in our judgment deemed necessary.
D. N. RICHARDSON, Chairman, ) C. S. WATKINS, LAUREL SUMMERS, EDWARD RUSSELL, WV. L. CLARK, M. J. ROHLFS, H. LEONARD,
Committee.
-
Scott County, Iowa, April, 1882.
Following is the certificate of the committees for the respective cities and townships:
We, the committee appointed by the President of the Pioneer Society of Scott County, to correct and revise the history of [our respective townships] for the History of Scott County, written and compiled by the Inter-State Publishing Co., of Chicago, Ill., do hereby certify that said manuscript was submitted to us, and that we did make all the changes and additions we deemed necessary.
Rockingham Township. Enoch Mead,
Blue Grass Township.
Theodore Hartwell,
E. Steinhilber. TI. G. Stone,
John M. Friday. Davenport Township.
Sheridan Township.
L. Summers.
John S. Ackley,
Peter Hagedorn, Hickory Grove Township.
Jolın Lambert,
A. H. Lamp. Buffalo Township.
David Lougher,
John G. Mathews.
T. W. McCausland,
E. Müller.
Cleona Township.
Don C. Gates,
John Robertson,
Randolph Sry,
W. Il. Hickson,
H. M. Thompson.
Pleasant Valley Township.
G. I. Hyde,
G. M. Pinneo,
A. J. Ilyde,
B. Birchard.
L. S. Chamberlin.
Le Claire Ternship. Wm McGinnis,
Philip Baker,
Win. J. Cook. Butler Township.
J. E. Burnside, W. L. Clark. Liberty Township.
Winfield Turnship.
John Madden,
James Paul, Lincoln Township. Benjamin Cresswell, M. J. Rohlfs.
W. M. Grace. Princeton Township.
CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Former Occupants
Geography.
63
Pre-historic Races.
17
Geology
76
The Indians. .
20
Climate ..
89
Manners and Customs
23
Settlement by the Whites 90
Explorations by the Whiter
25
Indians of Iowa. 95
First Explorers.
25
Pioneer Life.
Subsequent Settlement ..
31
State Organization.
Missouri Territory
16
Iowa And The Rebellion
163
lowa Territory.
48
Educational
221
Kansas Territory.
49
Eminent Men of lowa.
236
Northwestern Territory
51
Ceosus of Iowa.
237
Expeditione Against the Indians
Census of the United States
238
Black Hawk War
State Officers .. 240
The State of Iowa. 63
View on the Des Moines River .. 246
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
Page.
IN THE BEGINNING. 249
Original Inhabitants.
250
First Visit of White Men
258
First Settlement. 2260
Other Early Settlements 2261
Organization of the C'onnty 261
John W. Thompson
357
Edward E. Cook
358
W. A. Foster.
Hugh M. Martin 359
359
llerman Block.
360
W'm. K. White. 360
John W. Green. 361
Charles M. Waterman 361
W'm. A. Lynch. 362
362
George E. Gould
363
Bleik Peters 363
Fred Heinz. 364
II. H. Ascherman.
365
Nathaniel S. Mitchell.
365
Peter A Boyle
365
C. A. Ficke .. 366
W. O. Schmidt. 366
F. L. Dodge. 367
A. P. McGuirk 367
J. Scott Richman. 368
H. M. llenley 369
George C. Preston 369
J. Il. Murphy 370
CHAPTER VI.
EDUCATIONAL
371
Common Schools 371
County Superintendente 376
Medical Institute 378
lowa College
379
Griswold College.
382
CHAPTER VII.
POLITICAL
386
llard Cider
38%
Soog of Tippecanoe 388
Official Vote. 407
CHAPTER VIII.
John L. Davies.
344
John F. Dillon ..
344
Samuel Francis Smith. 316 llans Reiner Clanesen 348
The Present Bar. 350
Ernst Clanssen
351
Jacob W. Stewart 351
George E. Hubbell. 332
John C. Bills 353
Samuel Edward Brown .. 333
Daniel B. Nash ... . 354
County Seat Contest .. 262
First County Commissioners' Court .. 270
County Judges.
275
Board of Supervisors
CHAPTER 11.
SCIENTIFIC. 281
Geology of Scott County
Coal Measures.
285
Quarteroary 286
CHAPTER III.
PIONEER LIFE .. 205
Early Manners and Customs. 295
Weddings
298
Shakes 99
Wolf Hunting 303
Religion. 30-1
CHAPTER IV.
COURTS OF SCOTT COUNTY 306
District Court ... 306
Circuit Court ... 335
Probate Court. 339
County Court. 340
CHAPTER V.
THE BAR OF SCOTT COUNTY 34 ]
The Early Bar. 3元
Alexander W. McGregor 343
S. B. Hastings .. 343
Jonathan W. Parker. 343
Simeon Meredith 313
James Grant 343
Ebenezer Cook.
343
Charles Weston
John P. Cook.
344 344
NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATION. 418
Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
418
Y
Arkansas Territory.
47
State Institutions
209
Mionesota Territory. 19
Miscellaneous
Nebraska Territory
50
Financial.
Territorial History 130
142
Louisiana Territory.
150
Page.
Roderick Rose
CONTENTS.
Page.
Congressional .. 420
Legislatore .. 422
First Constitutional Convention 423
Second Constitutional Convention 423
Third Constitutional Convention ... 425
County Representation .. 425
CHAPTER IX.
THE WAR FOR THE UNION 430
First Infantry 457
Second Infantry. 137
Second Veteran Infantry. 439
Eighth Infantry. 440
Eleventh Infantry 14.1
Thirteenth Infantry. 444
Fourteenth Infantry. 450
Sixteenth Infantry
Twentieth Infantry 455
Twentieth Infantry Veterans 455
Twenty sixth lufantry
439
Thirty-seventh Infantry. 459
Forty-fourth Infantry. 439
First Cavalry 160
Second Cavalry 461
Third Cavalry
Sixth Cavalry.
Eighth Cavalry 466
Ninth Cavalry
First African Infantry 467
Twelfth Missouri Infantry. 467
Second Missouri Artillery - 68
Third and Other Regiments 408
Roli of Honor 471
CHAPTER X.
RAILROADS
Chicago, Rock Island & l'acific R. R ...
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R .... 480
CHAPTER XI.
PIONEER SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 183
Constitution. 485
Special Meeting 188
Reminiscences 198
Second Annual Meeting. 505
Second Annual Festival 505
Pienie
520
CHAPTER XII.
REMINISCENCES. 540
J. E. Burnside. 540
James Brownlee 544
Judge Wm. L. Cook. 549
CHAPTER XIII.
AGRICULTURE
5.56
Scott Conoty Agricultural Society
559
CHAPTER XIV.
THE PRESS 570
The Iowa Snp 573
Davenport Gazette 575
Democratic Banner. 582
Davenport Democrat. 585
Der Demokrat. 591
Davenport Morning News 595
Le Claire Weekly Express. 596 Le Claire Republic. 597 Le Claire Register .. 59"
Davenport Daily Times 598
Daily Anti-Know-Nothing 598
Beobachter Am. Mississippi 598
The Temperance Organ 599 Davenport Commercial ... 599
The Davenport Bee 599
The Chip Basket. 600
Other Papers. 600
Davenport Daily Journal. 600
The True Radical 601
The Sunday Morning Times. 601
The Sunday Morning Star. 602
The Soldier's Friend ... B02
Le Claire City Enterprise 602
Scott County Register.
'Tho Le Claire Pilot. 602
The lowa Workman 609
Western Weekly. 603
The Bine Ribbon News. €03
The Davenport Weekly Telegraph
Der Banner .. 60%
The Davenport Free Press. 605
CHAPTER XV.
ILLUSTRIOUS & PROMINENT DEAD. 606
Antoine Le Claire
John P. Cook. 610
Jabez A. Birchard. 011
G. C. R. Mitchell. 611
Daniel T. Newcomb 612
Ebenezer Cook 614
Willard Barrows 615
616
Father Palamorgues
M. Le Claire.
618
John Owens ..
619
Nathaniel Sonires.
020
David S. True
620
llon. John L. Davies 621
Jonathan Parker.
Bezaleel Sunford.
Le Roy Dodge .. 624
R. II. Sencer .. 621
Alfred Sanders
W. B. Conway ..
Public Meeting. 629
J. D. Putnami 630
R. M. Prettymati 681
Eugene Birchard
James Mackintosh 032
Rev. W. Rutledge 639
B. B. Woodward.
CHAPTER XVI.
AUTHORS AND ARTISTS 63.
Jonas Hartzell. 687
W. S. Perry 639
David R. Dungan.
641
Mary E. Mead.
645
CHAPTER XVH.
MEDICAL
lowa and Illinois Medical Association .. 658
Scott County Medical Society ... . 1:59
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHRONOLOGY
663
CHAPTER XIX.
MISCELLANEOUS. 692
Temperance. 692
The Washingtonians.
Sons of Temperance. 691
Temple of Honor 695
Good Templars. 695
Dark Deede 695
Killing of Joseph Wilson. ,01
Young Ploneer Settlers' Association ,03
Duela. 003
Scott Connty Bible Society 704
Ferries .
705
The Weather. 509
CHAPTER XX.
CITY OF DAVENPORT
The Beginning. 719
Incorporation .. 721
The Postoffice.
Religious. 731
Educational.
748
Mercy Hospital.
Page.
-
A. I. Davenport.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Page.
Academy of Science ...
756
Davenport Produce Exchange 789
Home for the Friendlees.
763
Street Railroads ..
790
Secret and Benevolent Societies 764
Water-works. 790
Banks .. 771
First Things in Davenport .. 792
Manufactories.
777
Blographical ..
793
Milling.
777
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES AND BIOGRAPHIES.
Page.
Page.
Allen's Grove
934
Liberty
1149
Blue Grass
946
Lincoln ..
1166
Buffalo.
972
Pleasant Valley
1187
Butler
1019
Princeton
1202
Cleona
1038
Rockingham.
1227
Davenport ...
1048
Sheridan
1237
Hickory Grove
10St)
Winfield.
125?
Le Claire
109G
PORTRAITS.
Page.
Page.
Berryhill, John H.
788
Moore, Daniel ..
481
Berryhill, Mrs. John H.
787
Moorehead, H. C.
589
Burnside, J. E. ..
985
Mead, Enoch ...
199
Birchard, Backus.
517
MeCausland, T. W
1021
Bowling, James M.
319
Madden, John ..
1075
Baker, Thomas ..
1093
Muller, Ernst. 391
Birchard, Jabez A
607
N. wcomh, Daniel T.
428
Cook, Wm. L.
983
Newcomb, Patience V
427
Cook, Mrs. M. H
337
Prettyman. R. M
373
Clark, W. L.
947
Pease, H. H 409
Davenport, A. H
715
Parker, George W.
878
Dodge, LeRoy.
625
Parker, Ilannah
Forrest, John
931
Parker, J. M. 823
Fulton, A. C
913
Paden, Mrs. Margaret A
319
Friday, J. M.
733
Rohwer, C'land.
96%
Grant, Mr. & Mrs. James M.
355
Rusch, N. J
1111
Gamble, Jantes
535
Shand, Rev. W. J
950
Horst, Clans
1129
Shand, Mrs. W. J
949
Holst, John
859
Sry, Randolph. 1039
445
Kulp, Wm. O.
441
Summers, Laurel .. 301
Kuhnen, Nicholas.
661
Steinhilber, E.
679
Knox, Samuel
265
Schnitger, Gustavus.
553
Littig, JJohn
1057
Townsand, Robert. 769
Lambert, John
1003
Van Eps, E. V.
751
Leonard, H.
463
Watkins, C. S.
805
Hazen. E. H.
895
Steffen, A .
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
FORMER OCCUPANTS.
PRE-HISTORIO RACES.
The history of this country and the races which held it before the advent of the Europeans, is shrouded in as deep a mystery as that which hides the past of the oldest nations of the East. There are just relies enough left us to prove beyond a doubt that there once existed here a remarkable race, but there has been wide spee- ulation upon the nature and origin of the early races of America, especially those referred to as Mound-Builders. It is but lately that the researches of science have enabled us to reason with much certainty. Though the divergence of opinion among scientists may for a time seem incompatible with a thorough investigation of the subject, and tend to a confusion of ideas, no doubt whatever can exist as to the comparative acenracy of the conclusions arrived at by some of them. To solve the problem who were the pre- historie settlers of America, it will not be necessary to go to ancient history. That this continent is co-existent with the world of the ancients cannot be questioned. Every investigation insti- tuted under the anspices of modern civilization confirms the faet. China, with its numerous existing testimonials of antiquity, claims a continuous history from antediluvian times; and although its continuity may be denied, there is nothing to prevent the trans- mission of a hieroglyphie record of its history prior to 1656, anno mundi (the date of Noali's flood), since many traces of its early settlement survived the deluge, and became saered objects of the first historical epoch. That an antdiluvian people inhabited this continent, however, will not be claimed, because it is not probable that a settlement of a country so remote from the cradle of the race as this was effected until later times.
The most probable sources in which the origin of the Indians must be sought, are those countries which lie along the eastern
(17)
18
HISTORY OF IOWA.
coast of Asia, and which may have been once more densely popu- lated than now. The surplus population pushed north and east in search of a new home, which was found at last by crossing Behr- ing's Strait, and then journeying southward. The number of small islands lying between the two continents tends to confirmn this view; and it is yet further confirmed by some remarkable traces of similarity in the physical conformation of the northern nations of both continents. The researches of Humboldt have traced the Mexican to the vicinity of Behring's Strait; whence it is conjectured that they, as well as the Peruvians and other tribes, came originally from Asia.
This theory is accepted by most ethnologists, and there is every reason to believe that after the discovery of an overland route to a land of " illimitable possibilities, " many bands of adventurers found their way from the Chinese or Tartar nations, until they had populated much of this continent. Magnificent cities and monu- ments were ruised at the bidding of the tribal leaders, and popu- lous settlements centered with thriving villages sprang up every- where in manifestation of the progress of the people. For the last 400 years the colonizing Caucasian has trodden on the ruins of a civilization whose greatness he could only surmise. Among these ruins are pyramids similar to those which have rendered Egypt famous. The pyramid of Cholula is square, each side of its base is 1,335 feet in length, and its height is 172 feet. Another pyramid, north of Vera Cruz, is formed of large blocks of highly polished porphyry, and bears upon its front hieroglyphie inscrip- tions and curious sculpture. It is 82 feet square, and a flight of 57 steps conduets to its summit, which is 65 feet high. The ruins of Palenque are said to extend 20 miles along the ridge of a mountain, and the remains of an Aztec city, near the banks of the Gila, are spread over more than a square league. The principal feature of the Aztec civilization which has come down to us was its religion. which we are told was of a dark and gloomy eharae- ter. Each new god created by their priesthood, instead of arous- ing new life in the people. brought death to thousands; and their grotesque idols exposed to drown the senses of the beholders in fear, wrought wretchedness rather than spiritual happiness. In fact, fear was the great animating principle, the motive power which sustained this terrible religion. Their altars were sprinkled with blood drawn from their own bodies in large quantities, and on them thousands of human victims were sacrificed in honor of
19
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the demons whom they worshiped. The head and heart of every captive taken in war were offered up as a sacrifice to the god of battles, while the victorious legions feasted on the remaining por- tions of the bodies. It is said that during the ceremonies attend- ant on the conseeration of two of their temples, the number of prisoners offered up in sacrifice was 12,210, while they themselves contributed large numbers of voluntary victims to the terrible belief.
Throughout the Mississippi Valley are found mounds and walls of earth or stone, which can have had only a human origin, and their unknown constructors have been referred to as Mound- Builders. These mounds vary in size from a few feet to hundreds of feet in diameter. In them are often found stone axes, pestles, arrow-heads, spear points. pieces of flint, etc., showing that some of them, at least, were used for purposes of burial. Pottery of various designs is very common in them, and from the material of which they are made geologists have attempted to assign their age.
One of the most famous of these relics is a stone fortification in Clark county, Indiana, known as the " Stone Fort. " A place naturally strong for purposes of defense, has evidently been used as a fort, and strengthened so as to become nearly impregnable. On one side the artificial wall is 150 feet long and 75 feet high. On the hill on which this is situated are five " mounds " of earth, in which the usual relics have been found.
Some have thought that the Mound-Builders were a race quite distinct from the modern Indians, and that they were in an ad- vanced state of civilization. The best authorities now agree that while the comparatively civilized people called Aztecs built the cities whose ruins are occasionally found, the Mound-Builders were the immediate ancestors of the Indians De Soto first siw, and little different from the Indians of to-day.
Within a few years many discoveries have been made of remains of our predecessors. Together with many relies of the early in- habitants, the fossils of extinct animals have been unearthed in many places. These animals roamed the forests and prairies long before the advent of dreaded man. Among the souvenirs of an age about which so little is known, are 25 vertebræ, averag- ing 13 inches in diameter, and three vertebrae ossified to- gether, which measures nine cubical feet; a thigh-bone five feet long and 12 inches in diameter; and the weight of all these is 600 pounds. These are believed to have belonged to a Dinosaur
20
HISTORY OF IOWA.
(the literal meaning of which is "terrible lizard "), an animal 60 feet long. When feeding in cypress and palm forests, it could ex- tend itself to 85 feet, and feed on the budding tops of these tall trees.
Other remains are found every year, and additional light thrown on America's early history. It is much to be regretted, however, that the United States Government does not take this matter in hand at the present time; the most valuable relies have found their way to the British museum, or other European depositaries, while others remaining in some one's hands as private property, are lost to the public. The Government should secure all these at any price, and they should be carefully preserved for future study and comparison. This work should be begun at once. Too much has been lost already, and ere long the opportunity to secure and pre- serve what is rightfully ours for all time will be gone forever.
THE INDIANS.
The origin of the Red Men, or American Indians, is a subject which interests as well as instructs. It is a favorite topic with the ethnologist, even as it is one of deep concern to the ordinary reader. A review of two works lately published on the origin of the Indians, treats the matter in a peculiarly reasonable light. It says :
" Recently a German writer has put forward one theory on the subject, and an English writer has put forward another and directly opposite theory. The difference in opinion concerning our aborigi- nals among anthors who have made a profound study of races, is at once curions and interesting. Blumenbach treats them in his classifications as a distinct variety of the human family; but, in the three-fold division of Dr. Latham, they are ranked among the Mongolidæ. Other writers on races regard them as a branch of the great Mongolian family, which at a distant period found its way from Asia to this continent, and remained here for centuries separate from the rest of mankind, passing meanwhile, through divers phases of barbarism and civilization. Morton, our eminent ethnologist, and his followers, Nott and Gliddon, claim for our native Red Men an origin as distinct as the flora and fauna of this continent. Prichard, whose views are apt to differ from Morton's, finds reason to believe, on comparing the American tribes together, that they must have formed a separate department of nations from
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