USA > Iowa > An illustrated history of the state of Iowa, being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875; > Part 71
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Decorah is beautifully situated among the bluffs of the Upper Iowa, and it has built up quite a considera- ble business, sustaining a population of about four thousand, and the resi- dences of people of wealth are very handsome, while public buildings
challenge admiration. Many of the settlers here are Norwegians, and the Luther college is one of the marks of their regard for education and free thought.
There are good water powers in and near Decorah, and most of them are improved to some extent, so that there are five flouring mills, a paper mill, two woolen mills, and numerous fac- tories, which have caused investments to the tune of more than $500,000, and give employment to large numbers. Shipments from Decorah aggregate immensely. The branch line from Couover, which connects with the Mil- waukce and St. Paul railroad, has the effect of making that city a terminal station. The line was opened in 1869, and since that time the general busi- ness of the city has largely increased.
The banking accommodations in Decorah are metropolitan, in the num- ber as well as the size of its establish- ments.
Schools have been mentioned al- ready, but the special value of this department of the public service re- quires more notice. The graded school occupies a building which cost, when first erected, without furniture, $20,000, and there are nine grades through which pupils are expected to pass, concluding with the high school and its library and philosophical appara- tus. There are ten teachers and six hundred pupils enrolled. There are other establishments besides the pub- lic school, but they are only subsidiary to that institution, in the eyes of the public.
The newspapers of Decorah are a legion, and their value, as a whole, very considerable; but we are pre- cluded from entering into details. There is a literary club in this city, known as the Winneshiek club, and it is very successful. The club supplies all the purposes of a reading room, and it is peculiarly adapted to meet the wants of young men, although the Benedicts of Decorah are largely rep- resented in the management.
Woodbury County is on the western border of Iowa, in the third tier from the northern boundary, embracing an area of eight hundred and thirty-two square miles. Missouri river bottom, of great fertility, makes up about one- third of the whole area of Woodbury
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county. Some of these bottom lands | taste. The river gives facilities for range from six to ten miles in breadth, and although level, are well up above high water mark, and the soil admits of very easy cultivation.
The soil holds moisture without de- generating into swamps, and back of the valleys the bluffs have some broken ground, not adapted for cultivation ; but the rolling prairies soon terminate that belt, which is well fitted for wood- land. Timber is scarce because of the fires which have raged on the prairies, but there are signs that native woods will speedily spring up in vast groves. The streams have plenty of timber, still the quantity for the whole territory is too moderate for the convenience of settlers.
The bluff deposit, so often mention- ed, prevails in this county, and in con- sequence there are few exposures of stone; but there are some quarries on the Big Sioux river, and the supply of materials for brick making is ample.
In the year 1804 an expedition un- der orders from the war department, explored the Missouri river, penetrat- ing the northwest and holding coun- cils with the Indians in Nebraska and elsewhere. That journey first brought white men within sight of Woodbury county, or rather of the place now known by that name. Forty-four years later the first white settler came to the same region and was speedily followed by relatives, who formed a little colony. A town was laid out on the spot selected by the first settler, and the county seat was located here in 1853, but in spite of all that could be done, the town failed for want of a site on which to build it, and for want of a landing place from the Mis- souri river. The county seat was re- moved to Sioux City, by a popular vote, in 1856, and there is no building on the site of Thompsonstown to re- mind the traveller of a greatness too early prayed for, too soon erascd.
SIOUX CITY is on the Missouri river two miles above Big Sioux river, and near the mouth of Floyd river, that stream being named to perpetuate the memory of the first white man that died in the region through which it flows. The highest floods never reach the city, and as the river bank recedes, it gradually ascends towards the uplands, and many elegant resi- dences have been located with good
navigation and trade, and the rail- roads center here, consequently Sioux City is in good hands for push- ing ahead. The Illinois Central rail- road has here a terminus, and from this point Chicago, Dubuque and indeed all points can be easily reached. In the year 1868, the Sioux City and Pacific road was completed to this point, and four years later the Sioux City and St. Paul railroad came into operation. The Dakota Southern railroad makes this city its starting point, and the Sioux City and Pembina road will soon be furnished with its iron ribbon and its rolling stock.
The high school building cost $35,000, and there is another school recently erected at a cost of $11,000, consequently there is no lack of ac- commodation for teachers and taught. In other respects the arrangements are as satisfactory as the buildings, the high school being attended by five hundred scholars from whom good reports are customarily presented.
There are several newspapers, many fine churches, an academy of music which cost $45,000, and will seat one thousand persons, hence it will be seen that whether for educa- tion, enterprise, religious training, or for recreation, Sioux City deserves a good word.
SMITHVILLE stands thirty five miles from the county seat, on the Little Sioux river, and was one of the earliest settlements in this county. The Spirit Lake massacre had its rise in quarrels which commenced at this point, and culminated in the decima- tion of Dickinson county.
CORRECTIONVILLE was a village when Sioux City was only a camp, yet it is only a village now, and the city is rapidly becoming a metropolis. The village will some day find scope for its energies and an outlet for its produce.
WOODBURY stands where Sergeant's Bluff Railroad station tells the story of the town's origin. The town is just six miles from Sioux City, and it has some fame for the pottery manu- factured here.
SLOAN is fourteen miles from the place last named, on rich land, which must finally build up the town.
Worth County stands fifth from the
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Mississippi river in the northern tier. The surface of the county undulates in the east, and rolls in the west, be- ing somewhat hilly in the southwest; hence there is considerable diversity, and the natural drainage of the coun- ty by the Shellrock and the minor tributaries of the Cedar could hardly be improved. The drift formation almost entirely overlies this county, and only in a few places has rock been exposed. the quality there being poor, but some tolerable stone has been quarried, and the materials requisite for brick making are abundant.
The drift formation has peculiar ad- vantages for the art of the agriculturist, and this county excels in every respect as a raiser of stock or of cereals. Timber is scarce, but there is enough for the present, and more is springing up. Peat is found in many places, but it is not in favor as a fuel. Shell- rock river and Lime creek give excel- lent water powers, some of which have been improved.
This county labored under many disadvantages in its earlier years, most of its best lots being bought up in 1857 for speculative purposes, conse- quently there were only eight hundred people at the end of 1860 in the whole county. The population now is over five thousand. The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad passes across the southeastern angle of Worth county, having been completed in that section in 1870. The Central Railroad of Iowa has had a terminus at North- wood since 1871, and the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Compa- ny have a line in the Shellrock valley which will be pushed on to Minneapo- lis through North wood.
Worth county commenced its sepa- rate organization in 1857, and North- wood found Bristol a dangerous com- petitor for the location of the seat of justice. Bristol was made the county seat in 1858, and it was not until five years later that Northwood attained the honor so long desired.
A colony of Scandinavians began the settlement of this county in the year 1853, and the settlers were beset by many difficulties which have since disappeared.
NORTHWOOD is built on the high bank of the Shellrock river, well laid out, the streets broad and well graded, the houses of business and many of
the residences substantial as well as elegant. The town was platted in 1857, and the railroad communication which now includes this town in the circle of commerce, has afforded a well grounded hope that the rich country in which the town is located, will secure for it rapid and permanent growth.
Northwood is an independent school district, aud the graded school is the finest building there, the attend- ance evincing the good understanding which subsists between the teachers and children. There are good church- es here, and two newspapers well sup- ported.
BRISTOL stands near the head of Elk creek, a little more than twelve miles from Northwood, on prairie quite high and well drained. The am- bition of this town was very near being gratified by the permanent establish- ment of the county seat here; but Northwood won the game at last. The first school was taught here in 1858, and in the following year a school house was erected. The town is not so great as it once was, but it is still a place of some importance, and there are several very good church or- ganizations.
KENSETT is only a railroad station, six miles from Northwood, but a town was platted in 1872, and will event. ually become a place of much im- portance.
Wright County commenced its or- ganization ou the Boone river, in the year 1855. The county contains five hundred and twenty-six square miles, and the soil is very fertile as well as being well watered, in every way fit- ted for stock-raising. Creeks, streaus and lakes make the scenery of this region delightful. Along the western townships the Boone river flows to the south, and through the eastern townships the Iowa river is the great beauty of the conntry. The banks of these rivers and the lesser streams are adorned with timber, and it is no- ticed that the area of woodland is steadily increasing. The center of the county is prairie, ranging north and south, and the fertility of the land is almost equal to that of the valleys and bottom lands.
Lake Gertrude, now more generally known as Twin Lake, about two miles
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long by about half a mile wide, and joined by a smaller lake, stands just a little north of the center of the coun- ty. Cornelia and Elm lakes are fur- ther to the south, and both very beau- tiful, being much resorted to by pleas- ure parties. Wall lake owes its name to a wall of boulders, which the waters have arranged in a semi-circle on the northwest of the lake. The di- mensions of this body of water are about three miles long by two miles in width. The south bank of the lake has a very fine grove, and the beaches of sand and gravel offer great tempta- tions to tourists and visitors, being highly valued by the settlers in the surrounding country.
This county has no railroads, but before long the want will begin to be supplied as the Iowa Pacific Railroad Company have already graded a road on which the rails will soon be placed and the beneficent influences of com- merce be allowed, like a second sun- shine, to vivify and enrich the earth.
The first white settler came to Boone river in the year 1854, and in the fol- lowing year a saw mill and a grist mill were erected by him. After that time the flow of settlement was slow but steady. When the Spirit Lake massacre occured, there was some alarm among the settlers, but they or- ganized themselves into a military company and waited for develop- ments.
There are in the county fifty-seven school houses, and many new build- ings are being erected. The cost of maintaining schools in the year 1874 was just $16,750, nearly sixty cents for every acre of land then under cul- tivation. The fact is significant.
CLARION is the seat of justice in Wright county, of which it is the geo- graphical center. Liberty was the county seat until 1865, when the site of Clarion was selected for its special fitness, and a court house was erected there in the following year. Build- ings of every kind are now springing up somewhat rapidly, and should the railroad make this village a station for shipment, the horn of Clarion will be exalted. There is a news- paper published here, but the popu- lation is very limited.
BELMOND is a large village built on both sides of the Iowa river in the northern part of the county. It is the
largest center of population in this county. When first laid out in 1857, the place was called Crown Point, and several mills were established in succession. There was a good school house built in 1856, and the education- al wants of the district have always been carefully studied from that time. When this town was first platted game was very plentiful on the prairies and in the groves, but that feature of the county has given place to other more indicative of progress and civiliza- tion. The population of Belmond is over three hundred, being three times as great as Clarion.
WALL LAKE is a township on the border of the beautiful piece of water whose name it bears. The first settler came to this region in 1856, and for many years he was the only resident in that region, but the country will soon be populated much more largely. There are now nearly three hundred persons.
WOOLSTOCK is on the southern bor- der of the county, and the township has a population of more than two hundred. Eagle creek and White Fox creek run through this township, and there is good timber in many lo- calties. The first comers here date from 1858, but it was not until 1868 that a township organization was ac- complished.
PLEASANT is a township in the ex- treme northeast with the Iowa river forming its western boundary. The first settlers came here in 1855. There are nearly five hundred persons in this township, and the streams, bordered by beautiful groves, add charms to the fertile prairie and to the comfort- able farms.
IOWA township joins the village of Belmond, and the river whose name it bears flows through the center of the township, sustaining numerous groves of heavy timber which are much val- ued by the settlers. The post office is at Fryeburg, near the center, for the convenience of the farmers, whose beautiful residences and vast estates dot this section of the county in all directions. The population of Iowa township is about three hundred.
VERNON is the southeastern town- ship, with the Iowa river for the east- ern boundary, and its banks are cov- ered with good timber. There are fifty acres of fine peat in this town-
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ship, according to the state geologist's statement on that subject, varying from six to eight feet deep. There are two post offices in this section - Otis- ville and Dry Lake, and the popula- tion is nearly three hundred.
TROY township was first located in 1854, when Bach grove, an area of about three thousand acres of fine timber, lured first one and afterwards many settlers. There is a post office at Bach Grove now, and a population in the township of over four hundred. The early settlers suffered very many privations.
EAGLE GROVE is a township in the western tier, and the Boone river passes the western frontier of the ter- ritory. There arc fine groves of timber along the Boone. It was in this town- ship, in the log cabin of the first per- manent settler, that the meeting was held when it was determined to organ- ize Wright county. The provisions for the colony there had been hauled three hundred miles, and the nearest post office was thirty miles away.
Where Eagle Grove post office now stands there was once an Indian vil- lage of five hundred braves; but the present population of the township al- together is less than three hundred.
LIBERTY township is supposed to have been the site of the first white settlement here. The village of Lib- erty stood near where Otter creek empties itself into the Boone river, near the western border. Goldfield is the name of the post office, and the population is about three hundred. The village was platted in 1855.
BOONE is the northwestern town ship, and the first settler came here in the year 1855. The population is less than two hundred, but the country must command extensive settlement. Along the Boone river there are splen did groves of timber, and, back from that stream, an unbroken prairie, fully ten miles in extent, helps to make up the largest township in Wright coun ty. The agricultural resources of this township might feed a German prin- cipality.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Brief Biographical Sketches of the Pioneers and Prominent Men of Iowa.
Chief Justice Miller. William Ed- tained in the select schools of his ward Miller, the present chief justice of the supreme court of Iowa, was born October 18, 1823, near the town of Mount Pleasant, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His father, the venerable Samuel Miller, Sr., was born in Somerset county, but removed with his parents, when a child, to West- moreland county, where he was reared, and. where he became an active and prominent business man, distinguished for his energy, public spirit and integ- rity, and also for his zeal as an " old fashioned Methodist." He transferred his residence from Pennsylvania to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1854, where he and his wife, five years ago, cele- brated their golden wedding. Judge Miller is the second son of a large family, eight of whom are now living, and several of whom have become dis- tinguished, in the church, the army, or the law. In his earlier youth, Judge Miller lived and worked on his fath- er's farm, laboring in summer and at- tending school in winter. When he had attained his fifteenth year, his father having relinquished farming and gone into the foundry business at Mount Pleasant, manufacturing stoves, plows, and various kinds of machin- ery, young Miller engaged in this business with his father. In 1844, he married Miss Mary, daughter of James Robinson, Esq., of the neighboring county of Fayette, her father himself an old settler of Iowa, having been a purchaser at the government sale of lots in Iowa City in 1841. On his purchase then made he built some of the largest buildings here at that day, and subsequently some which still ' stand, and are counted with the most permanent business structures of Iowa City. Although Judge Miller had not the advantage of a university course, he has a good English education, ob-
early home, for the common school system of Pennsylvania had not yet been established in his youth. In 1846, he began the systematic study of the law, which for three years he applicd himself to incessantly during his leisure hours and at night, supporting himself meantime by working at his trade, as a moulder in his father's foundry. He also, at the same time, with diligence, extended his study of ancient and modern history as collat- eral with that of law. He has ever been a hard student; the acquisition of one kind of learning acting as a stimulus for others. In 1849, young Miller was elected to the office of jus- tice of the peace, by the "Young America " party of Mount Pleasant. He was also elected and commissioned captain of the "Jackson Blues," a company which formed part of the "uniformed militia " of the state. From April, 1849, to September, 1852, he held the office and discharged the duties of justice of the peace, pursuing more closely his law studies. In the latter year, he started with his family for Iowa, making the journey by steamer from Pittsburgh to Keokuk, and thence by stage to Iowa City, where he arrived on the 10th of Octo- ber. On his arrival here, his unac- quaintance with the Iowa code, com- bined with other circumstances, de- cided him to defer for a time entering upon his profession, and to accept the offer of the two Iowa City papers, to report for them the proceedings of the senate. The following May (1853), he was admitted to the bar, and at once opened a law office in Iowa City. He soon won a place in the front rank of the profession of his town, and laid that foundation on which his eminent reputation as a jurist now rests. In August, 1854, he was elected prose- (667)
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TUTTLE'S HISTORY OF IOWA.
cuting attorney for Johnson county. The duties of this office he discharged for the full term of two years. In 1857, he was selected as one of the republi- can candidates for representative in the legislature from the district then composed of Iowa and Johnson coun- ties, but was defeated. At the October election of 1858, the first held under the present constitution, he was elect- ed judge of the eightlı judicial dis- trict, comprising the counties of Ben- ton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Tama, and entered upon the duties of the office Jan. 1, 1859. In 1862, after a service on the hench of nearly four years, in which the pub- lic were well and faithfully served, and the bar well satisfied, he resigned his judgeship, to accept the colonelcy of the 28th Iowa volunteers. The arduous services and exposure of which this regiment had a peculiarly large share, laid the foundation of that disease which finally compelled Col. Miller, on the entreaty of friends, and the recommendation of surgeons, to resign his command, which he did in March, 1863. His constitution was very much impaired, and it was not till long after the war that it recov- ered its pristine strength. In the spring of 1864, he resumed business as a legal practitioner at Iowa City, and about this time hegan to prepare " A Treatise on Pleading and Practice in Actions and Special Proceedings at Law and in Equity in the Courts of Iowa under the Revision of 1860," the first edition of which was pub- lished in 1868, and, though a large one, has already been exhausted, and a new one, revised to meet the changes resulting from recent litigation, is now in course of publication. In 1868, he was again called to the bench as judge of the circuit court in the eighth ju- dicial district, and entered upon the discharge of his duties in January, 1869. In 1870, he was nominated by the republican state convention, for the office of supreme judge, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Dillon. In view of this nom- ination, Judge Miller was appointed by the governor, and in October, chosen by the people to this office, the term of which will expire in January, 1876. Since the beginning of the pres- ent year (1874), Judge Miller has filled the exalted position of chief justice, | year in Council Bluffs, he at once em-
and will be required to do so till the expiration of his term.
Hon. D. C. Bloomer. Among the early pioneers of western Iowa is D. C. Bloomer, the subject of this sketch. He was born at Aurora, Cayuga coun- ty, N. Y., on the 4th day of July, 1816, of Quaker parents. In 1823, he re- moved to Cortland county with his parents. In 1828, he removed to Sen- eca, N. Y., in the meantime attending such common schools and academies as were within his reach. At an early age, he acquired a fondness for books and newspapers, but they were scarce, and he was not always able to gratify this taste. When eighteen years of age, he became a school teacher, and for nearly three years, continued in that profession. In 1836, before the advent of railroads, he visited Michi- gan, his mode of conveyance being canal boats, and steamers on Lake Erie. After his return home to New York, lie commenced, in 1837, at Sen- eca Falls, the study of law. In the spring of 1838, he was appointed clerk of the village in which he resided, and held the office for three years. The same year he became the editor of a whig newspaper at Seneca Falls, and was connected in that capacity with the paper for fifteen years. During this period he spent a great deal of time in the interests of the whig party, aside from his editorial labors, - at no time, however, losing sight of his early Quaker teachings, that American slavery was a cruel wrong that sooner or later must be removed. As a pub- lic political speaker he had few supe- riors. His voice was clear, his dic- tion concise and accurate, and his manner affable and attractive. In 1841, he was appointed a commissioner in bankruptcy, under the act of con- gress then in existence. From 1841 to 1849, a large and lucrative practice in his profession as a lawyer, rewarded his industry, when he was appointed, by President Taylor, the postmaster of Seneca Falls. This place he held for four years. At the expiration of Fill- more's presidency, Mr. Bloomer re- moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and for a year edited the Western Home Visitor. In 1855, the western fever took hold of him, and he determined to make west- ern Iowa his home. Locating that
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