USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Biographical and historical record of Wayne and Appanoose counties, Iowa, containing a condensed history of the state of Iowa; portraits and biographies of the governors of the territory and state; engravings of prominent citizens in Wayne and Appanoose counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of Wayne and Appanoose counties > Part 78
USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Biographical and historical record of Wayne and Appanoose counties, Iowa, containing a condensed history of the state of Iowa; portraits and biographies of the governors of the territory and state; engravings of prominent citizens in Wayne and Appanoose counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of Wayne and Appanoose counties > Part 78
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James Wells was chosen President ; Asa Dudley, Vice-President ; Amos Harris, Secretary ; Harvey Tannehill, Treasurer. The township committee-men chosen were: Center, J. Delay, H. S. Stone, G. W. Perkins; Union, Nathan Udell ; Wash- ington, E. Taylor; Wells, James Wells ; Caldwell, F. A. Stevens ; Pleasant, J. H. B. Armstrong; Shoal Creek, Dr. Hall ; Johns, John Bland; Independence, D. Stooley ; Chariton, Mr. Macon ; Taylor, S. M. An- drews.
One or two meetings were afterward held, resulting in the holding of a fair near Centerville, on the 5th of October. The premiums awarded were: B. Adamson, best boar ; H. S. Thomas, yearling heifer ; Mr. Abel, second best heifer; James Wells,
76
726
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
yearling bull; James Galbraith, cow ; Mr. Abel, second best cow ; Valentine Tripp, best bull calf; Mr. Abel, second best ; Val- entine Tripp, best bull ; D. Scott, second best ; Thomas Tresser, best yoke of oxen ; H. S. Thomas, second best ; James Wells, best cow ; H. S. Thomas, second best; J. H. B. Armstrong, best mule team ; Isaac Grigsby, second best ; George Abel, best butter ; Mr. Brazille, second best ; M. O. Guinn, best boots ; Silas Jump, best colt two years old ; William Brazille, second best ; D. T. Stevens, best colt three years old; H. S. Thomas, best yearling mare-colt; Gilbert McFoy, second best; G. R. Morse, best yearling horse-colt; William , second best: O. Harrow, best horse-colt; Simpson Cupp, second best; George Abel, best mare-colt; J. C. Wright, second best; H. S. Thomas, best stallion; Isaac Gregory, second best; J. H. B. Armstrong, best brood mare; James Wells, second best; John Wright, buggy horse; R. Memnon, matched team; J. Conger, best draft horse; B. Burdam, second best. The total amount of awards was $33.50.
The above organization would seem to have been abandoned, for no meeting was held till September 6, 1856, when a new society was formed, with forty members. The old constitution was adopted with some modifications. George Abel was chosen President; Joseph Delay, Vice- President; J. S. Wakefield, Secretary; H. Tannehill, Treasurer. The fair was ap- pointed for the 3d of October. The com- mittee on stock was composed of Joseph Delay, R. P. Wilson, Woodford Jones; on grain, W. H. Clark, George Abel, Thomas Holoway; on poultry and domestic products, A. Dudley, B. Adams, W. S. Henderson; on mechanical products, Jo- seph R. Morse, W. H. Brazille, J. S. Wake- field; Marshal of the Day, L. Bland. There appear to have been only seventeen entries. Seven copies of the Iowa Farmer were
awarded, and seven certificates-presuma- bly diplomas.
Sixty-three entries were made at the fair of 1857, among which were some ap- ples by George W. Perkins, and two sam- ples of sorghum molasses, by other parties. There is nothing to show who took pre- miums. The treasurer reported in July, 1858, that he had paid premiums at this fair to the amount of $25.75.
At the annual meeting in July, 1858, Benjamin Adamson was elected President; William E. Callen, Secretary; J. F. Strat- ton, Treasurer. September 25 a new con- stitution was adopted, which was signed by 121 citizens. The fair was appointed to be held October 13, and sixteen commit- tees were appointed. Ninety-six entries were made.
March 12, 1859, the society engaged fair grounds of Judge Dudley, near Center- ville, and selected a committee to make arrangements for fencing the same. The fair for the year was fixed for the first Thursday in October. There were 229 entries this year, a gain of over double on the preceding year.
March 3, 1860, the committee on grounds were continued with instructions to com- plete the work, and to issue membership certificates in payment of labor. August II it was decided to build a floral hall and a judges' stand. The number of entries at the fair in the fall of this year was 225.
January 26, 1861, a committee was ap- pointed to ascertain what could be done toward buying a permanent site for fair grounds. No action was taken.
Annual fairs were then held until 1885, when no fair was held because the owners of the land demanded an increased rental -more than the officers of the society felt justified in paying. A fair will probably be held in 1886. The society has been prosperous, has always paid its premiums in full, and has a little money in the treas-
727
MISCELLANEOUS.
ury. There has been some talk of forming a new society-a stock company; but it is not yet known what will be done in this line.
MOULTON DISTRICT FAIRS.
Fairs have been held at Moulton since 1879, in which the surrounding counties participate. They have been of increasing size and interest.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
This order, designed as an educational force, and also as a means for promoting the material condition of the greatest in- dustry of our great country, had a rapid growth in Appanoose County soon after its first inception. The order arrived at its greatest strength in this county in 1874, when there were about fourteen chartered granges.
When the existence of the order became known a pretty numerous class, not strictly eligible to its privileges, sought and ob- tained admission therein. These folks were of several kinds. Some had been unfortunate as farmers, and hailed the grange movement as a means of bolster- ing their credit through fraternal feeling, and looked forward to a day when their brethren would sign their notes simply be- cause they were members of the same or- der. Others had been suppressed candi- dates in the political parties with which they had acted, and believed they could lead the guileless farmer whithersoever they would choose. Others again, whose ideas were numerous enough but lacking in practicability, yet really well-intentioned at heart, recognized the educational feat- ure of the grange as a means for ventilating their crude and visionary schemes, and thereby, in their own opinions, setting the world to revolving according to a bet- ter system. One thing all these people possessed in common, and that was glib- ness of tongue; while your average farmer
is generally a reticent fellow, slow of speech, but by his solitary habits of work is enabled to solve problems of society and business relations in a more satisfactory and certain way than the clever fellows who rushed in to instruct him with untired methods of finance, politics and sometimes religion.
The silent class could not help becoming disgusted with all this clamor in their ears about matters that they already under- stood, and their self-appointed apostles found the guileless granger quite able to comprehend their selfish ends. It is to the introduction of this alien and disturbing class that the order all over Iowa has ap- parently deteriorated. In Appanoose Coun- ty the subordinate granges now in exist- ence do not exceed three or four, and the membership in these is much reduced.
It is hoped and believed by the true friends and supporters of the order, that a revival will soon come and that a better basis will be established whereby it will be enabled to take the place its founders de- signed, as an educating vital force in every community, a place where a better system of agriculture will be taught, where farm- ers' sons and daughters will be imbued with a feeling of love for the calling in which they have been reared, and where true communism shall be practiced-that love for our fellow-men, which draws forth contributions from the prosperous to aid those who suffer from hunger, cold or the ravages of pestilence.
Brief as has been the history of the or- der, there is much to commend in what has been accomplished.
In the early months of 1874, when the distress-word was passed from the desti- tute settlers in the northern counties ask- ing for help for the hundreds who had lost their crops by the ravaging locusts, none gave more effectual or speedy help than the patrons in this and adjoining counties.
728
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
And when the cry was repeated from the West, in the following year, with the inten- sity of despair, car-load after car-load of grain, meat and clothing was sent to feed and clothe the destitute homesteaders of Nebraska and Kansas, and large sums of money. In these contributions the farmers of Appanoose County were conspicuous by the magnitude and frequency of their donations, only seeking to help their breth- ren in distress.
- - I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow-men "
exclaimed Ben Adhem, and the farmers of Iowa, during those two winters, sought no other recompense than this; but in the last day it is certain that their names will be enrolled among those who hold accumu- lated property as a trust for the benefit of humanity as well as for themselves.
September 27, 1873, the members of the order in the county had a grand celebra- tion at Centerville, at which time addresses were made by Colonel Earlywine, Rev. Mr. Clark, Elder Sevey, J. A. Pierson, J. L. Hughes and Mansel Hughes.
October 25 the following granges were reported, with their membership, to the master of the County Grange: Rehoboth, forty-two members; Hickory, twenty-nine; Concord, twenty ; Bellair, twenty-nine ; Buncombe, twenty-eight ; Philadelphia, nineteen; Hibbsville, forty; Golden Rule, sixty-six; Caldwell, thirty-one; Antioch, forty; Nashville, thirty-three; Washington, thirty-one; Iowa and Maple Grove were in existence, but had not reported.
Since then the order has gradually de- clined until it is practically extinct, in 1886. Its good results yet remain, however, and the Patrons of Husbandry cannot be said to have existed in vain.
STATISTICAL.
Following we give the report of the
census enumerator for Appanoose County by townships :
Township.
1850
IS65.
1875.
1SS5.
Bellair.
564
708
1,012
Caldwell
303
93:
1,414
1,153
Center.
1,137
1,409
2,416
3,434
Charitou
212
519
SS5
555
Douglas.
485
540
495
Franklin
549
S51
684
Independence
177
803
960
6S4
Johns
6:0
916
S58
Lincoln
.596
455
Pleasant.
S91
1,093
944
Sharon.
376
662
473
Shoal Creek.
150
423
958
599
Udell.
266
330
619
498
Vermillion
716
Walnut.
. .
.
.398
772
697
Wa-hington
382
796
2,0 0
1,859
Wells
255
398
1,061
755
Total
3.131
10.758
7,405
16,941
Of the population of 1885 there were 753 born in foreign lands, as follows : Eng- land, 219; Ireland, 133; Scotland, 80; Wales, II; Canada, 34; Norway, 2; Sweden, 160; France, 6; Germany, 82 ; Bo- hemia, 4 ; Denmark, 5 ; other countries, 17.
VALUE OF CHURCH PROPERTY.
Baptist.
$12,000
Christian
15.000
Congregational
2,500
Methodist.
25,400
Presby'erian.
S,575
Roman Catholic. 4,000
United Brethren
1,500
Total church property. $68,975
FARM STATISTICS.
Average siz : of farm, acres. 123
Acres of improved land ISS,577
Acres in cultivation. 124,036
Acres unimproved land. 106 251
Acres in pasture. So,245
Rods of hedge
207,859
Rods of barbed-wire fence. . 290,076
Rods of other fence .. . 693 670
Number farms managed by owner. 1,591
By tenant for money reut. 71
By tenant for crop rent. 266
924
914
SoS
Union
Taylor.
243
904
729
CENTERVILLE.
CENTERVILLE.
HE county seat was first called "Chal- dea." It was after- ward changed to " Sentersville," in honor of Governor Senter, of Tennessee. The wise men at the State capital, however, in enact- ing the new name thought they were only serving the cause of orthography by spelling it "Centerville." This was accepted by the citizens, and has since been unquestioned.
Chaldea was platted in October, 1846, by the Board of Commission- ers, on the northeast corner of section 36, township 69, range 18. The public square lies in the south west part of the plat, and is 132 feet square. Center stones are set on the north and east corners of the square, being on the center line of Main and State streets. The original streets running east and west are: North, Madison, Washing- ton, State and South, while those running north and south are: West, Wayne, Frank- lin, Main, School, Jefferson, Monroe and East streets. The magnetic variation is 9º 42'. The surveying was done in the winter of 1846-'7, by J. F. Stratton.
No building was erected in Chaldea dur- ing 1846. Spencer F. Wadlington came to the vicinity during the summer of this year and built a cabin just northeast of the orig- inal plat, and opened the first mercantile house ever started in the county. 'The first building erected on the town site was a cabin by James Wright, early in 1847, suc- ceeded by Mr. Wadlington, who removed to the town plat a short time afterward. James Hughes came to the town site in the summer of 1847, and, deciding that this was just the place for him, selected a lot and erected a blacksmith shop.
The town did not grow with alarming rapidity during this or the succeeding year. Mr. Hughes gives the population and busi- ness of the town during the winter of 1848 -'49 as follows: S. F. Wadlington, mer- chant; Thomas Cochran and family, gro- cery ; James Hughes and David Beeler, blacksmiths ; E. A. Packard and family, hotel; Benjamin Spooner and family, farm- er ; James J. Jackson, builder ; C. H. How- ell, merchant. These, he thinks, were all who were living on the town plat, and says that, living near, and composing part of the neighborhood, were the Perkinses, Man- sons, J. F. Stratton and A. Pewthers.
The first postoffice in the county, Mr. Hughes says, was established at George W. Perkins' house in 1847, but in the following
730
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
year it was removed to Centerville, and C. H. Howell made postmaster. The mail was carried on horseback from Keosauqua once a week, Benjamin Swearngen, then a lad two-thirds grown, being the messenger.
The principal reliance for amusement during the lonely winter of thirty years ago was dancing. Parties were given every week or so at the cabins in the neighbor- hood, which were punctually attended by the young people. The musicians were Ira Perdue and L. D. Packard, whose skill in drawing the fiddle-bow kept everybody cheerful within ten miles of Centerville.
An animated collision occurred either during this or the following winter. One Flood, whose name occurs with consider- able regularity on two or three old dockets, was engaged in the saloon business. A man named Brown came here from Albia, and engaged in the same occupation. Now, although whisky is frequently mentioned in the preceding pages, it is only just to the early settlers to enter a disclaimer for them on the score of intemperance. Teetotalism had not been heard of, and very few ab- stained entirely ; but at the same time, those who drank to excess were equally few. Hence, there was hardly room for more than one " grocery," and Brown's coming roused the commercial jealousy of Flood to the extent of his resolving to " clean him out." Backed by two or three chums, he undertook the job one night, and several shots were fired, but, unfortunately, with- out hurting anybody. Flood held on for a year or two, when, growing weary of paying costs in justice courts, he closed his shop, much to the gratification of the order- loving people of the town.
Flood remained till the fall of 1850. Having given up his saloon business, he turned his attention to horse-racing, and in the summer or fall of 1850 went to Ottum- wa with two race-horses, a nice black team, and a very tidy carriage, for the purpose |
of having some "fun with the boys." While there, his matched blacks ran away and smashed his carriage. He played "poker" one evening and lost over $200 at that fascinating game. He had arranged two races, one of which he lost, and the other he withdrew, paying forfeit. The Ottum- wa country was too wicked for poor Flood.
Flood came back, after his sad experi- ence, and while in Brown's saloon one evening, picked a quarrel with Brown, whom he drove into his living-room. Mrs. Brown came out, armed with a rifle, which she cocked and brought to aim within a foot or so of Flood's sconce. A doctor was leaning against the bar, with his back to her, but saw the barrel passing his own face. He raised his arm as the valorous Mrs. Brown pulled the trigger, which no doubt saved Flood's life. Some say the dame swore as she took aim. Mrs. Brown was required to give bail for this exploit, but Flood was careful to keep out of her reach ever after. Brown died in the course of a year or two, and his widow married an eccentric character, who used to preach and teach school in the neighborhood.
In 1852, or thereabouts, "Mose" Conger bought a barrel of whisky, and began busi- ness at his cabin. One Sunday two resi- dents of the town called on Mose for a pint of the article, and found him on his chair so inebriated that he could not rise. The visitors asked him to furnish them, but he refused point-blank, saying he would not sell on Sunday. They pressed the matter without success, until one of them asked him to give his reason for refusing. His answer was conclusive, for he explained with owl-like gravity, "I was raised a Presbyterian, and some of the old faith sticks to me yet!" But, so good a cus- tomer was Mose to himself that when his barrel became empty his circumstances did not admit of his obtaining a fresh supply.
731
CENTERVILLE.
About 1853 the town, which then con- tained nearly 400 inhabitants, settled down to an order-loving, peaceful community, and the few persons who had made nearly all the early troubles either left or became subdued.
Centerville grew steadily from 1850 till 1857, and, in the latter year, had become a place of about a thousand inhabitants. Several church societies were formed and houses erected during the time. The town became a stage center of no mean preten- sions, and the aspect of the future was pleasant. The panic of 1857 served to hinder the growth of the place for several years, but a better feeling began to be in- dicated in 1859. In May of that year, as gleaned from the first number of the Appa- noose Republican, the business men of Cen- terville were: R. N. Glenn, J. W. Williams, William Whittenmyer, C. H. Howell, Bradley & Campbell, Clark & Rummell, W. H. Breazeale, J. R. Wooden, Solomon Walker, D. L. Strickler, W. H. Alexander, Warren E. Allen, Harper & Henderson, L. Stevenson, John S. Lewis, Philip Whitsel and Moses Gaughenbaugh. The Eagle House was kept by T. D. Brown, the Travelers' Home by George Pratt and the Appanoose Hotel by John M. Slater. Miller & Beall were the lawyers and E. Mechem the doctor ; J. T. Place, insurance and real- estate agent.
In 1860 the prospects were good for an increase of population and business ; but the beginning of the war, in 1861, served to keep the population about the same till its close, for men enlisted as fast as new set- tlers came. As an instance of the patriotic feeling of the people of Centerville and the surrounding region, the following deserves mention. Twenty-three years ago the daily papers printed in Keokuk and Burlington reached Centerville late in the evening. So far as getting intelligence from Grant's army, after the battle of Black River
Bridge, was concerned, he and his dusty troops had been lost to the people at home, when all at once came the news that he was intrenched around Vicksburg. When the papers containing the news of Pemberton's surrender came to Centerville there were only two or three waiting to get their mail. Father Manson adjusted his spectacles and began the work of sorting out the mail. When he opened the package containing the daily papers, his old eyes caught the heading, " Vicksburg is Ours," and trem- blingly and dubiously announced it. An eager minute followed as he gave the par- ticulars. The lingerers rushed from the postoffice almost frantic with excitement, and, in three minutes, the whole town knew the glad news. A nondescript casting, used for firing salutes, was loaded and fired time after time. Hundreds living in the country heard the report, and, almost sure that Grant had succeeded, came in to verify their belief. It is estimated that 3,000 peo- ple were on the public square at II o'clock that night, all crazy with joy and ready to do anything to manifest it. And all next day the streets were filled by a moving crowd, too happy to work, careless of the sorrows the war had brought, and indiffer- ent to the future. All had crossed the great Mississippi, had seen its mighty capac- ity, and they knew it was no more block- aded by rebel rams, and lay, reflecting back the bright rays of the July sun, a limpid meridian between the East and West, un- vexed from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico.
Having been the seat of justice from the organization of the county, a further summary of the history of Centerville would be only a recapitulation of the coun- ty history. It is proper to say, however, that in the last few years many business blocks and private residences have been erected in the town that will vie with the architecture of any town in Iowa, and the
732
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
indications are that ere long the town will pass from the youthful climacteric of wood to the more mature age of brick and stone.
The people of the town are eminently enterprising in business matters, and they are noted for morality, temperance and neighborly good-will. With a consider- able capital already at hand, and with great natural resources to develop, it is impos- sible to foresee anything but growth and prosperity in the future.
POPULATION.
The first census that took separate ac- count of Centerville was that of 1854, when the number of inhabitants was given as 283. In 1860 it was 820; in 1870 it was 1,037, and in 1875 it was 1,226. Now be- gan a period of rapid growth. In 1880 the population had increased to 2,475, thus doubling in five years. In 1885 the total reached 3,432, which is not far below the present population.
THE BUILDING OF THE COURT-HOUSE.
It had become apparent to the tax-pay- ers in 1856 that the log court house, with its frame additions, would not long serve the needs of the county ; but the hard times of 1857 deferred the agitation of the ques- tion for some time. So insufficient was the size of the court-house in 1858 that the court in that year was held at the Presby- terian church. A special election was held May 19, 1865, to determine whether a court-house should be built at a cost of $15,000; there were 906 votes for the meas- ure and eighty-nine against it. Soon after this election Judge Galbraith made a con- tract with Callen & Pearson to build the new structure, and the foundation was laid during that year.
In January, 1861, the Board of Supervi- sors ordered a drain to be constructed to clear the foundation from an accumula- tion of water, and to protect it from future
damp, and appointed Judge Galbraith su- perintendent of the construction of the building, he having offered to attend to it for $240, although Thomas Wentworth offered to supervise it for $30. The pay- ments made by the Board to Callen & Pear- son, exclusive of what had been paid for the foundation, were as follows: January, 1862, $5,000; June, 1862, $2,650; October, 1862, $1,000; January, 1863, $1,255, and at the same session the report of Galbraith, as superintendent, was approved, which is the only hint that the work had been com- pleted. Most of the above payments had been made from the Swamp-Land Fund. The grounds were fenced in 1864.
The court-house is a brick structure, 52 × 76 feet in size, and two stories high, with a basement. On the first floor are halls crossing each way, and on this floor the county offices and fire-proof vaults are situated. A spacious court-room and jury- rooms occupy the upper story. The walls of the court-room are handsomely frescoed with several appropriate designs, including the Goddess of Justice in the rear of the judge's stand, and the Goddess of Liberty on the front wall. The ceiling is frescoed in various figures surrounding the Ameri- can eagle in the center. The covering of the edifice is fire-proof, and is surmounted by a tower rising ninety-nine and a half feet from the ground. The public square, in the center of which this temple of justice stands, is inclosed and well set with thrifty forest-trees.
JAIL.
A jail was proposed very soon after the organization of Appanoose County, but the project was not executed at that time, partly for lack of money and partly because there was little need for such a structure. A small stone jail was built about 1855, which served as an excuse for a prison, es- pecially when well guarded, for about ten
733
CENTERVILLE.
years; but in 1866 a prisoner named Lock- hart, awaiting trial for horse stealing, eas- ily effected his escape. For several years after this, prisoners were sent to Ottumwa for safe keeping.
June 8, 1871, the Board of Supervisors made a contract with Jacob Shaw, Thomas Wentworth and William Ames & Co., to build a suitable jail forty-two feet square. They were to receive for everything, ex- cept the carpenter's work, $6,176.37. The building was completed late in 1872. The jail part is 19 x 42, and is constructed in a substantial manner, of stone, brick and iron. The remaining portion is fitted up for jailer's residence. The whole cost was about $10,000.
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