Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II, Part 1

Author: Peck, John Licinius Everett, 1852-; Montzheimer, Otto Hillock, 1867-; Miller, William J., 1844-1914
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B. F. Bowen & company, inc.
Number of Pages: 840


USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II > 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 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63


3


NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 08192091 4


IVC 84


Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation


http://www.archive.org/details/pastpresentofobr02peck


PAST AND PRESENT


OF


O'Brien and Osceola Counties, Iowa


BY


HON. J. L. E. PECK and HON. O. H. MONTZHEIMER For O'Brien County


AND


HON. WILLIAM J. MILLER For Osceola County


VOL. II J


ILLUSTRATED


1914 B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana


786358


-


CONTENTS


O'BRIEN COUNTY


CHAPTER I-THE BEGINNING.


The Pioneer of O'Brien County-Creative and Administrative Periods-Nam- ing of County-William Smith O'Brien-In the Beginning-Court Record as to Organization of the County-Organization Election-First General Elec- tion-Bad Work in Organization and First Elections-O'Brien County to the Front-Hannibal House Waterman. the First Citizen-Winter Ox-Team Trips -Indians in O'Brien County-Indian Outrages-Courage of the Immigrants- First White Child-Proposal to Organize a County-The Bosler Crowd-Fort Dodge Crowd-Waterman's Land Jumped-First Actual Homestead Entry- Frederick Feldman, "Old Dutch Fred."


CHAPTER II-FIRST EVENTS


48


A Session of the First Boodle Board-Division of the Spoils-Scalping of Soldiers' Bounty Money-First Things Done-First Record Entries-The Old County Debt-The Aftermath and the County Treasury-Road Surveys and Charges for Bridge Building-Curious Swamp Land Contracts-Bridge at Waterman Ford-Curious Expenses-Swamp Land Swindle.


CHAPTER III-THE EARLY SETTLERS 65


First Settlers a Desirable Class-Their Origin-Conditions and Customs of the Early Settlers-Prairie Land-First Crops-Hardships and Disadvantages of the Pioneer Farmer-Prairie Fires-Foreign Population-Population Statistics.


CHAPTER IV-THE UPBUILDING


76


Constitutional Debt Limitation-Taxpayers' Association-Picnic-Two Views of the Debt Proposition-Its Final Disposition-Resumption of Cash Pay- ments-A Notable Meeting-Tax Sale of 1880-Rebonding of the County Debt.


CHAPTER V-HOMESTEADS AND FREE LANDS 85


Squatter Lands-Litigation Over the Overlapping Lands-Granting Act of Congress in Aid of Railroads-Fight Between Railroads-Milwaukee Railroad Land-Commencement of Real Squatter Possession-Exciting Times-Old Settlers Become Factor-Land Jumping-Inconsistent Statutes-Land Office Trials at Des Moines-Final Suit and Decree-Evictions-Homesteaders Not Favorable to Squatters-Sioux City Land Squatters-Odd Incidents in Evic- tion Cases-Squatters' Union-A Unique Banquet-List of Sioux City Land Squatters and Railroad Contract Men.


CHAPTER VI-COUNTY GOVERNMENT 108


Administration of County Affairs-County Auditor- County Judges-Archi- bald Murray-Andrew J. Edwards-The County Treasury-Contested Elec-


25


CONTENTS.


tion-Second Period of Auditors and Treasurers-County Treasury on a Banking Basis-Charles A. Winterble and Other Auditors-County Recorder's Office-County Surveyors-Supervisors-County Attorneys-County Farm and County Home Building-Electric Light Plant-Other County Improvements -Large Problems.


CHAPTER VII-COURT HOUSES OF O'BRIEN COUNTY. 129


Old Log Court House-Court Record Pertaining Thereto-Court House of 1870-Supervisors' Record-Court House at Primghar in 1874-Paine's Store -Present Court Couse-The Public Square-Jail History-More on the First Court House.


CHAPTER VIII-STORMS, PRAIRIE FIRES, GRASSHOPPERS, ETC. 139 Cyclone of June, 1882-Cyclone of June, 1914-Blizzards and Snow Banks- Blizzard of January, 1888-Prairie Fires-Towns in Danger-Grasshoppers The Plagues of 1873-4-5-Legislative Relief for the Stricken Settlers.


CHAPTER IX-COUNTY SEAT CONTESTS 153


Contest in 1872 Between O'Brien and Primghar-Sheldon vs. Primghar and Sanborn vs. Primghar in 1879-The Sanborn Raid-Contest Between Prim- ghar and Sheldon in 1911-Record of Supervisors-List of Petitioners-Legis- lative Amendment-New Hub Hotel at Primghar.


CHAPTER X-OLD SETTLERS' REUNION 169


First County-wide Reunion-Decorations-Reception of Visitors-Great Pa- rade-O'Brien County Relics.


CHAPTER XI-AGRICULTURE 177


A Prairie County-Grass a Blessing to the Early Settlers-Land the Basis of Wealth-Rivers and Streams-Groves and Tree Planting-Products of O'Brien County Soil-Their Variety-Uniformity of the County-Fruits-Wild Prairie Flowers-Modern Farm Conveniences-Development of Public Roads -Farmers' Meetings-Farmers' Institutes-Stock Sales-No Minerals in the County-Large Ranches-D. Edward Paullin-Franklin Teabout-John H. Archer-Chester W. Inman-Jonathan A. Stocum-Samuel J. Jordan.


CHAPTER XII-EDUCATIONAL 194


Education One of the Earliest and Chief Thoughts of the People-Schools of the County-Early School Houses-Growth of Educational System-Substan- tial Character of Present School Buildings and their Equipment-Lecture Courses-Teachers' Institutes-Parochial and Church Schools-County Su- perintendents-Decline of Rural Schools.


CHAPTER XIII-INDIAN OCCUPANCY 200


Prehistoric Races-The Mound Builders-Tribes Which Once Occupied O'Brien County Soil-Government Exploration-Treaties with Indians- Military Forts-Mistrust of Indians-Black Hawk-Outline of Treaties Incidents.


CHAPTER XIV-REMINISCENCES 205


Recollections of Mrs. Roma Wheeler Woods-Difficulties Encountered by Newcomers-Notable Astronomical Events-"Dutch Fred"-Village of O'Brien -Death of Fred Beach-Attempts to Secure Land-Faulty Deed Descriptions


CONTENTS.


-Futile Attempt to Sell School Lands-The Grange Movement-Gen. N. B. Baker Library-Fine Spirit of the Early Pioneers-1873 a Notable Year and a Hard One for the Settlers-"Library Parties"-The Grasshopper Plagu ?- The County Debt-Remarkable Pioneer Women.


CHAPTER XV-REMINISCENCES 222


Mrs. C. V. Van Epps' Story-A Trip in a Prairie Schooner-Many Surprises Earliest Habitations-Sod Houses-Carroll Township-Winter of 1872-3- Early Epidemics-Dark Days-First School House-First Congregational Church, Sheldon-Railroad Land.


CHAPTER XVI-BANKS AND BANKING 230


First Banking Enterprise in O'Brien County-Primghar's Banks-John R. Pumphrey-Ralph Hinman-Sheldon Banks-Banks at Sanborn-Paullina Banks-Banks in Hartley-Moneta-Sutherland-Archer-Gaza-Calumet -- O'Brien County's Substantial Banking System-Development of Land by Bankers-Banking Statistics.


CHAPTER XVII-THE COURTS 249


Two Courts of Record-The District Court and Circuit Court-Judicial Dis- tricts-District Judges-First Term of Court-Some Early Judges-Attorneys -First Grand Jury-Admission to Practice in Early Days-First Jury Case- Early Rules of Court Practice-Early Circuit Judges-A Judicial Joke-A Popular Clerk of Courts-Sheriffs-Clerks of Courts.


CHAPTER XVIII-THE O'BRIEN COUNTY BAR 262 First Lawyer in O'Brien County-Personal Mention of Some of the Early At- torneys-Those Who Are Now Engaged in the Practice Here.


CHAPTER XIX-LITIGATION IN O'BRIEN COUNTY 276


Much Probate Work, but Decrease in Other Litigation-Big Questions in the Early Days-The Overlapping Land Suit-Taxation Questions-The Teabout Failure-Taxpayers' Association-Tax Title Suits-Israel Lash Litigation- Elizabeth Streeter-Suits to Quiet Title-Referee in Bankruptcy-Estates- Justices' Courts.


CHAPTER XX-THE PRESS 287


Value of Local Newspaper -- First Paper in O'Brien County-F. M. McCormack -Brief Review of the Various Newspapers Which Have Existed Here and Which Have Contributed to the Development of the County.


CHAPTER XXI-MEDICAL HISTORY OF O'BRIEN COUNTY 302


Antiquity of the Practice of Medicine-Heroes Among the Pioneer Physicians -Modern Progress in the Practice of the Healing Art-O'Brien County Hos- pitals-The O'Brien County Medical Society-List of Registered Physicians Ignorance and Superstition on the Part of the Laity Superseded by Intelli- gence and Common Sense.


CHAPTER XXII-THE CHURCHES OF O'BRIEN COUNTY 311


Methodists First on the Ground-Methodist Churches in the County-\ Sod Church-First Sermon Preached in the County-Congregational Churches- The Friends Society-Evangelical Churches-German Evangelical Lutheran Zion Churches-Norwegian Lutheran Church-Christian Reformed Church-


CONTENTS.


Evangelical Association-Christian Churches-Church of Christ, Scientist- Presbyterian Churches-Reformed Church in North America-German Evan- gelical Church of North America-Catholic Church-Other Religious Societies -Church Statistics-Young Men's Christian Association.


CHAPTER XXIII-LODGES OF THE COUNTY 346 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, with Its Several Branches-Independent Order of Odd Fellows-Knights of Pythias.


CHAPTER XXIV-TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS 354


Incorporated Towns-City Government-Names of Townships and Their Gov- ernment-Platting of Towns and Their Additions-Floyd Township-City of Sheldon-National Guard-Sheldon District Fair-Franklin Township-San- born-Lincoln Township-Fiddle String Township-Hartley Township-Town of Hartley-Carroll Township-"Pathfinder of O'Brien County"-Archer- Summit Township-Primghar-Center Township-Omega Township-Moneta -Baker Township-Dale Township-Highland Township-Gaza-Grant Township-Caledonia Township-Germantown-Union Township-Paullina- Liberty Township-Calumet-Waterman Township-Sutherland.


CHAPTER XXV- O'BRIEN COUNTY IN THE HUMOROUS 455


Eccentric Dr. Longshore-"Pomp" McCormack's Jokes-Wolf Scalp Joke- O'Brien County Solon-A Revival in the Court Room-The Judge Needed a Sweat-Joke on a Bank Cashier-Superiority of Archer Over Omaha-Master Wirt Close's Oration.


CHAPTER XXVI-MISCELLANEOUS 468


Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association-Present Officials of O'Brien County -State Officials-Distinguished Citizens of the County-Official Vote, 1912- Population and Other Statistics-County Expenditures-Cemeteries-The Herd Law-Early Relations With Cherokee County-Abstracts of Title- Early Incidents-The Hay Twister-O'Brien County Agricultural Society- County Sealer of Weights and Measures-Lost Lumber-Highest Point in Iowa-Congressmen-Prehistoric Fortifications and Burial Mounds-Curious Incident-Prairie Chickens-Other Game-John McCormack-Reminiscent In- terview of B. F. McCormack-Record of Old Soldiers Who Have Lived in O'Brien County.


CHAPTER XXVII-THE SCRUB POET


506


A Little Spice and Many Local Hits-Townships of O'Brien County-Charge of the Grasshopper Brigade-Tenting. Camping. Farming on the Old Prairie Ground-First Starts of Towns and Railroads-That Martyred Wagon-The County Seat-John Ker, Squatter-The Pioneer Is Going, Gone-An Agricul- tural County-Marching to Victory-Let the People Vote-"Leedle Yoh"- When the Squatter Squatted His Squat, etc.


CONTENTS.


OSCEOLA COUNTY


CHAPTER I-GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY


535


Original Prairie Land-Scarcity of Timber-Streams-Hills-Lakes-Charac- - ter of Soil-Survey by Jefferson Davis, and His Report on Soil-Organization of Osceola Township-Its Name-Anxiety of Early Settlers to Get in Ahead of Railroads-Sibley, the First Town Site Laid Out-Official Record of County Organization-First Tax Levy-First Election and County Officers- First County Nominating Convention-Osceola County Cursed by Grafters and Looters-Grand Jury Indictments-An Unjust Debt-Roster of County Offi- cials-Auditors-Treasurers-Recorders-Clerks of Courts-Sheriffs-Super- intendents of Schools-Surveyors-Coroners-County Attorneys-Supervisors -First Term of Court and First Grand Jury-First Court House-Finances- Increase in Land Values-Appraisement of Public Utilities.


CHAPTER II-TOWNSHIPS OF OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP


544


Allison Township-First Officers-First Settlers in the Various Sections of the Township-Baker Township-Land Speculators-Early Settlers-Henry Dunkelmann's Experience-East Holman Township-Its Pioneers-Fairview Township-Magnificent Natural Features-Names of Early Settlers-First Township Officers-Present Officers-Gilman Township-Early Settlers- Goewey Township-Those Who First Came Here-Wealth in Legitimate Farm- ing-Narrow Escape From Death in a Blizzard-Harrison Township-Soil of Inexhaustible Richness-Mennonites-May City-Horton Township and Its Pioneer Settlers-Immigration of 1883-5-Ocheyedan Township-The Home- steaders-Hardships of Joseph P. Tower-Viola Township -First Settlers- Recent Arrivals-Public Schools and Officers-West Holman Township- How the Various Sections were Settled-Misfortunes of J. B. Jenney-Wilson Township-Early Homesteaders-Schools.


CHAPTER III-CITIES AND TOWNS


593


Sibley, the First Town in Osceola County-Early Business Interests-Pres- ent Business Concerns and Their Location-Municipal Items-Present City Officers- Ashton-First Called St. Gilman-Location-First Buildings and Business Interests-Present Enterprises-City Officials-Harris-Town Or- ganization-Present Business Interests-City Officials-Ocheyedan- Its Be- ginning-Public Utilities-Business Directory-City Officers -- Cloverdale- Allendorf-Melvin-A Thriving Little City-Principal Business Interests.


CHAPTER IV-RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY 606


First Methodist Episcopal Church of Sibley-First Preaching Service in the County- Melvin M. E. Church-Methodist Churches at Ashton, Harris and Ocheyedan-St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Ocheyedan-Congre- gational Church at Sibley-German Lutheran Church, Sibley-Ocheyedan Congregational Church-First German Presbyterian Church, Sibley-First Baptist Church, Sibley-Evangelical Lutheran Church of Horton Township- German Lutheran Church of Viola Township-Hope German Presbyterian Church-Catholic Church at Ashton-St. Andrew's Catholic Church at Sibley.


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER V-MEDICAL HISTORY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY 628 Dr. H. Neill's Interesting Review of the History of Medicine in the County- Many Old Soldiers Among the Early Settlers-Personal Mention of Some of the Early Practitioners-A Record of Many Interesting Surgical Cases and Other Ailments-A Young Woman's Heroism-Epidemic of Diphtheria-Auto- biography of Doctor Neill-Some Curious and Unusual Incidents in His Long Practice Here-A Human Pincushion.


CHAPTER VI-THE LEGAL FRATERNITY 647 First Attorneys in Osceola County-Personal Mention of Some Early Law- yers-Men of High Character and Eminent Ability.


CHAPTER VII-MILITARY HISTORY 652


Many Early Settlers Veterans of the Civil War-L. G. Ireland Post, Grand Army of the Republic-List of Old Soldiers in Osceola County.


CHAPTER VIII-EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS 660


The Johnson Murder-The Shooting of George Groen-The Freezing of Baker and Jenkins-Death of Edward Larrahty by Freezing-The Freezing of Doctor Hall-Fred Knaggs-Accidental Death of C. D. Wilbern-Peter De- Bloom Killed by Train-Herman Fry Killed by Falling Tree-Accidental Death of Edward Larrahty.


CHAPTER IX-MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST 670


Educational History-Schools in the Various Townships-Value of School Property-First Things of Osceola County-The Iowa Land Company, Lim., of London, England-The Fuel Question in Early Days-Hay Twisters-Early Planting of Forest Trees and the Beneficent Results-Transportation- Prairie Schooners-Advent of the Railroads-The Grasshopper Scourge- Interesting Agricultural Facts-Pioneer Letters-A Marvelous Change Since Pioneer Days-Early Hardships and Discomforts-Ode to Osceola.


BIOGRAPHICAL


715


HISTORICAL INDEX


O'BRIEN COUNTY.


A


Abstracts of Title 478


Administrative Period 26


Agricultural Society


481


Agricultural Statistics


474


Agriculture


177


Altitude 482


Ancient Free and Accepted Masons


346


Archer


398


Business Interests 399


Churches


319


How Named


398


Incorporation


398


1


Platting of


35S


Postmasters


399


Schools


399


Archer Bank 241, 247


Archer, John H 191


Archer Superior to Omaha


464


Army Record of Old Soldiers


499


Attorneys, County


121


Attorneys of O'Brien County


262


Auditors, County


108, 118


B


Baker Library


214


Baker Township 420


Early Settlement 420


Old Soldiers


500


1


1


Organization


420


I


Population


420


Squatters 106


Balkema, Nicholas 469


Bank Statistics 245


Banks and Banking. 230


Banquet of Land Attorneys


105


Baptist Church


337


Bar of O'Brien County 262


Beach, Fred, Death of


209


Black Hawk


202


Blizzards


143


Boodle Board


48


Bosler, James W.


32, 41


Bounty Money Scalped


51


Burial Mounds


484


C


Caledonia Township 430


Old Soldiers


501


Settlement


430


Calumet


442


Business Interests 444


Churches


319


First Election 443


Location


442


Old Soldiers


501


Park


443


Platting of


358


Postoffice


444


Public Improvements 443


Calumet Bank


242, 247


"Calumet Independent"


300


Cannon, Charles C.


469


Carroll Township


391


Early Settlers


391


First School


225


Old Soldiers


1


501


Pioneers


393


I Reminiscences 222 1 1


Squatters


106


Catholic Church


338


Center Township


1


417


Early Settlers


417


Location


417


1


Old Soldiers


501


Organization


417


1


HISTORICAL INDEX


Chautauquas


198


Chickens, Prairie 488


Christian Churches 332


Christian Reformed Church


331


Christian Science Church


332


Church of Christ 332


Church Schools


199


Church Statistics


343


Churches


311


Circuit Cour


249


City Government


354


Clerk of Courts


261


Congregational Churches


322


Congressional Districts 483


Congressional Land Grants


86


Congressmen


183


Constitutional Debt Limitation


76


Contested Election


114


Contests for County Seat. 153


County Attorneys


121


County Auditors


108, 118


County Debt


56


County Debt Rebonded 83


County Expenditures 174


County Farm


123


County Government


108


County Home


123


County Judge


109


County Officials, 1913 170


County Organization Election 31


County Recorders


119


County Records


119


County Seat Contests 153


County Superintendent Schools __ 194, 199


County Supervisors 120


County Surveyors


120


County Treasurers


113


Court Held in Paine's Store.


134


Court House, Log.


42, 129, 137


Court House History 129


Court House Public Square


135


Court Proceedings


276


Courts, The


249


Creative Period 26


Crops, First


70


Customs of Early Settlers


68


Cyclones


139, 142


Dale Township 422


Description 422


Old Soldiers 501


Settlement 422


Soil


422


Squatters


105


Death of Fred Beach 209


Debt, County


56


Debt, County, Rebounded 83


Debt Limitation 76


Dedication of County Home


124


District Court


249


District Judges 249


Doctor, the First


53


Doctors, First


302


Doctors, Registered


306


"Dutch Fred"


36. 45, 446


E


Early Settlers


65


Early Settlers, Customs of.


68


Educational History 194


Edwards, Andrew J.


111


Election Contest 114


Election, County Organization 31


Election, First General


31.


42


Election, Second General 32


English Settlers


66


Entry of First Homestead 45


Estates


285


Evangelical Association 331


Evangelical Churches


327


Eviction of Squatters 96


Expenditures, County


474


Expenses, Curious Early


62


F


Farm Improvements


188


Farm Products


181


Farmers' Institutes 189


Farmers Mutual Ins. Ass'n 468


Farms, Large


190


Feldman. Fred


36, 45, 446


Fiddle String Township


383


D


HISTORICAL INDEX.


Fires, Prairie


73, 147


First Crops


70


First General Election


31,


42


Old Soldiers


502


First Grand Jury


252


First Homestead Entry


45


First Jury Case


253


First Physicians in County


302


First Record Entries


53


First Sermon in County


313


First Things


52


First White Child 41


Flowers, Wild


188


Floyd Township


361


Early Settlers


362


How Named


361


Location


1


362


1


Old Soldiers


501


1


1


Squatters


107


Foreign Fopulation


75


1


Fort Dodge Crowd 1 1 1 I


12


Franklin Township


375


I


1


How Named


375


1


1


Old Soldiers 502


Population


376


Settlement


375


1


1


Squatters


106


Fraternal Societies I


346


Freemasonry 346


French Settlers


74


Friends, Society of 325


Fruits


187


G


Game, Wild


489


Gaza


423


Platting of


358


Woodstock, Known as 424


Gaza Bank 242, 247


German Evan. Church of No. Am .. 336 German Evan. Luth. Zion Churches_ 327 German Settlers 68


Germantown


431


Location


431


Platting of


359


Postoffice 432


Government, County 108


Grand Jury, First 252


Grant Township


426


First Settlers


427


Milwaukee Road


429


(451/2)


Grant Township-Continued.


Natural Features


24 _. 427


Grasshoppers


149


Groves


180


H


Hartley


384


Beginning of


384


Business Directory 389


Churches


1317


First Officers


385


Incorporation


384


Mayors


390


Old Soldiers


503


1


Platting of


357


Postoffice


388


Present Officers


387


Public Utilities


388


School History


385


Soldiers' Monument


388


Hartley Banks


239, 246


"Hartley Journal"


299


"Hartley News"


300


"Hartley Record"


299


Hartley Township


384


Old Soldiers


503


Highland Township


423


Old Soldiers


502


Hay Twister


479


High Schools


195, 197


Hollanders


:68


Homestead Entry, First.


45


Homestead Law


65


Hospitals 304


Hub Hotel 167


Humorous Incidents


455


Hunter, A Noted


490


1


Improvements, Farm


188


Incident, Curious Indian


487


Incorporated Towns 354


Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 350


Indian Incident, Curious 487


Indian Occupancy


200


Indian Scare


455


Indian Treaties


201


Indians in O'Brien County


37


1


HISTORICAL : INDEX.


Inman, Chester : W.


192


i Institutes, Farmers'


189


Institutes, Teachers'


198


f Irish Settlers


67


Mc


McCormack, B. F.


491


McCormack, F. M. (Pomp)


290


McCormack, John


490


J


Jails


136


Jokes Reminiscent 462


Jordan, Samuel J. 193


Judges


249


Judges, County


109


Jury Case, First


253


Justices' Courts


286


1


1


K


Knights of Pythias


352


L


Land Grants, Congressional


86


Land Investors 244


Land. Jumping


43,


92


Land Litigation


94


Land Loans


178


Land Office Trials


93


Land Squatters, List of 105


Land Values


178


Lands, Overlapping 85


Lands, Squatter 85


Law Suits 276


Lawyers .of O'Brien County 262


: . Lecture .Courses


198


Legal Questions


277


Liberty Township


442


( Old Soldiers


504


Library, First Circulating 53


Library, Gen. N. B. Baker 214


Library Parties


218


Lincoln Township


382


Old * Soldiers


503


List of O'Brien Soldiers 499


Litigation 276


Litigation, Land 94


Little Sioux River


179


Lodges


346


. . Log Court House


42, 129, 137


M


Masonic Order


346


Medical History 302


Medical Progress


309


Meeting, a Notable


81


Memorable Winters


146


Methodist Churches


311


1


Milwaukee Lands


86,


95


Minerals, Lack of


190


Miscellaneous


468


Moneta


419


Business


Interests


419


Churches


321


L


Fires


420


First Things 419


Incorporation


419


Platting of


357


Moneta Bank


240, 247


Mound Builders


200


Mounds, Burial


484


Murray, Archibald


110


N


Naming of County


28


Newspapers


287


Norwegian Lutheran Church


330


Notable Meeting


81


0


O'Brien


County


Agricultural


So-


ciety


481


"O'Brien County Bell"


290


O'Brien County in the Humorous


465


O'Brien County, Naming of


28


O'Brien County, Organization of.


29


O'Brien County Relics


176


O'Brien, Old


208


"O'Brien Pioneer"


289


O'Brien, William Smith


28


Ocheyedan River


179


Odd Fellows


350


1


HISTORICAL INDEX.


Official Vote in 1912 472


Officials, County, 1913 470


Old Log Court House 42, 129, 137


Prairie Fires 73, 147


Old O'Brien


208


Prairie Land


177


Preacher, the First


52


Old Settlers' Reunion


169


Omega Township


418


How Named 418


Old Soldiers 503


Population


419


Orchards 184


Organization of O'Brien County 29


Origin of Pioneers 66


Overlapping Land Suit 278


Overlapping Lands


85


Ox-team Trips


37


P


Paine's Store Court House


134


Parade of Old Settlers 174


Parochial Schools 199, 329


"Pathfinder of O'Brien County"


392


Paulling, D. Edward


190


Paullina


432


Additions 435


Churches 319, 333


Coming of Railroad 434


First Business Men 439


Grain Shipments


441


How Named


439


Library 437


Old Soldiers


503


Organization of


435


Platting of


358, 434


Public Utilities


436


School District


438


Paullina Banks


238, 247


"Paullina Star" 294


"Paullina Times"


294


Physician, the First. 53


Physicians, First


302


Physicians, Registered


306


Pioneer Women


220


Pioneers of O'Brien County.


25


Pioneers, Origin of 66


Poetry of a Local Flavor 506


Platting of Towns


356, 359


Population Statistics


75, 473


Prairie, Advantages of


70


Prairie Chickens 488


Prehistoric Fortifications 484


Prehistoric Races


200


Presbyterian Churches 333


Present Court House 134


Press, The


287


Primghar


402


Business Interests


415


Charter Families


404


Churches


316, 323, 341


County-Seat Contest


405


Epidemic


412


Fires


411


First Buildings


406


First Election 411


Hospital


How Named


402


Incorporation


411


Mills


412


Old Soldiers


503


1


1


1


Platting of


356


Present Officers 411


Public Square


405


Railroad Building


409


Schools


413


Town Plat


404


Water Works


415


Primghar Banks


230, 245


"Primghar Democrat" 295


"Primghar Republican"


295


"Primghar Times"


294


Products, Farm


181


Public Improvements 127


Public Officials 469


Public Roads


188


Public Square, Primghar


135


Pumphrey's Bank


58, 230


Q


Quieting Title Litigation


283


R


Raid, The Sanborn


156


Railroad Contract Men


105


Railroad Land


86


1


1


1


412


Old Settlers' Parade


174


Prairie Features 177


HISTORICAL INDEX.


OSCEOLA COUNTY.


A


Baker Township-Continued.


Section 10 547


Accidental Deaths 667


Agricultural Facts


681


Section 12


547


Allendorf 603


Section 13 547


Allison Township 544


Section 15


547


Early Settlers 544


Section 16


547


First Name


544


Organization


544


Section 18


547


Schools 544, 670


Section 20


548


Settlers, Early 544


Section 2 544


Section


3


544


Section 30


549


Section 4 544


Section 31


549


Section 6


544


Section 33


549


Section 9 545


545


Section 14 545


Section 17 545


545


Section 33 545


536


Ashton


Business Interests 598


Churches 609, 623


597


Location 597


Official 598


Civil War Veterans


652


Clerks of District Court.


540


Cloverdale 603


Congregational Churches 612


Convention, First Nominating


538


Coroners 540


County Attorneys 541


County Auditors


540


County Finances 541


County Officials 540


County Organized 536


County Recorders 540


County Set Off 537


County Supt. of Schools. 540


County Surveyors 540


County Treasurers 540


1


Section 6 546


Section 8 546


Section .9 547


1


Assessments


542


Attorneys 1


647


Attorneys, County 541


Auditors, County


540


B


Baker Township 545


Early Settlers 545




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.