Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships, Part 24

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : W.S. Dunbar
Number of Pages: 654


USA > Iowa > Cherokee County > Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships > Part 24


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 (link on the Part 1 page).


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 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71


Larrabee, located on the northeast quarter of section 22-93-40, was platted November 25, 1887. A. H. Meservey and J. P. B. Prim- rose, proprietors.


261


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


POLITICAL.


CHAPTER VIII.


HE political history of a country is always one of general interest, and especially is this true in a free land, where in the eyes of the law all are upon an equality, where it has been shown that even the humblest-the rail-splitter or the tow- path boy-can attain the highest honor within the gift of the American people. We delight to see merit rewarded; we are pleased with the onward progress of one from the humblest walks of life, as step by step he mounts the ladder of fame. Every citizen has a kind of political ambition, and while he may never reach the highest pinnacle, there is a possibility that his children may.


There is an excitement about a political campaign which nearly every American citi- zen rather enjoys, and although personalities are often indulged in, as a general thing all yield gracefully to the verdict of the people, a majority vote, and submit themselves to the "powers that be."


The political history of Cherokee County is more fully and much more authentically shown in giving the abstract of votes for the varions years than in any other manner. The county has been Republican by large 22


majorities ever since its organization; yet at times Democrats and Independent nominees have been elected by virtue of their own popularity, or at times by cross-fights be- tween regular candidates in the county con- ventions.


It should here be recorded that with but few exceptions the Government affairs of Cherokee County have been well adminis- tered. The bleak, wild prairies of 1856, when the Government survey was completed, have been developed; the angry and de- ceiving streams, which so greatly harrassed the early settlers, have been bridged at numer- ous points; over 100 school buildings adorn the landscape and add value to the county; over 2,000 acres of artificial timber have been successfully planted and cultivated; railroads have crossed and re-crossed the territory. The prairie wilderness has been dotted with enterprising towns and cities, until to-day, standing thirty-three years distant from the landing of the pioneer colony, we look out upon a fruitful, valuable landscape of agri- culture, and observe the coming and going of upward of 16,000 prosperous and contented people.


262


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


OFFICIAL VOTE.


In this connection is presented the official vote of Cherokee County for every general and special election from 1857 to 1888, in- clusive, so far as conld be ascertained from the county records.


The following is the record transcript of the elections during the period mentioned, the figures on the right hand denoting the majorities of the successful candidates.


ELECTION OF 1857 .* County Judge.


H. P. Thayer


Prosecuting Attorney.


Carlton Corbett .


Treasurer and Recorder.


George Lebourveau


Sheriff.


Samuel W. Hayward.


District Clerk.


Benjamin Sawtell


George Killem


Surveyor.


OCTOBER, 1858. County Judge.


George W. Sherwin


18-


17


George Coonley .


Clerk of Courts. 13


Benjamin W. Sawtell.


11


Chester Banister 1


James A. Brown. 1


Sheriff.


George W. Banister


18-


17


Albert Phipps .


1


Superintendent of Schools.


George Coonley


12 -- 10


James A. Brown


2


OCTOBER, 1859. County Judge.


George W. Sherwin .


19


*No record of the first election is found, but beyond doubt the above were the officers elected.


Treasurer and Recorder.


Lemuel Parkhurst. .


11


Drainage Commissioner.


George W. Lebourveau


17- 15


G. W. Sherwin .


1


Enoch Taylor


1


County Surveyor.


George S. Killem


20


Superintendent of Schools.


Orange S. Wright


12


Sheriff.


George W. Banister


20


Coroner.


Albert Haynes


19- 18


Albert Phipps


1


Justice of Peace for County.


Charles Webber


10-


2


Carlton Corbett


8


Chester Banister


1


August Alber


1


Jacob Miller


1


1


Albert Phipps


NOVEMBER, 1860.


County Judge.


Orange S. Wight


9


Clerk of Courts.


Benjamin W. Sawtell.


11


County Supervisor.


Albert Phipps


7-


-


4


George S. Killem


3


Justice of Peace.


9_


-


7


E. M. Wilcox .


James A. Brown.


1


O. S. Wight


1


Coroner.


B. W. Sawtell


5


OCTOBER, 1861. County Judge.


O. S. Wight.


10-


9


George S. Killem .


1


Treasurer and Recorder.


Carlton Corbett


7-


5


Lemuel Parkhurst


2


1


263


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


Sheriff.


G. W. Banister


9-


1


B. W. Sawtell


Surveyor.


George S. Killem 9


Superintendent of Schools.


O. S. Wight.


10


9


Lemmel Parkhurst


1


Supervisor.


Albert Phipps .


G. W. Banister


3


6-


-


3


Six-mill Court-House Tax.


For the levy


7.


-


4


Against "


3


OCTOBER, 1862. Clerk of Courts.


B. W. Sawtell


15-


14


G. J. Hoffman


1


Sheriff.


Robert Perry


14


Supervisor.


Albert Phipps (T. P.)


16


O. S. Wight (at large)


15


J. A. Brown (at large)


15


Justices of Peace.


George Killem


15


J. A. Brown


15


OCTOBER, 1863. Governor of State.


William M. Stone 6


James W. Tuttle. 1


County Judge.


Orange Wight. Treasurer and Recorder.


Carlton Corbett


Albert Phipps


Sheriff.


Robert Perry .


School Superintendent.


Orange Wight .


6


Supervisor.


7-


Albert Phipps.


Thomas Scurlock .


6


Court-House Tax.


For the tax.


7


Against the tax


NOVEMBER, 1864. President of United States.


Abraham Lincoln.


8-


7


George B. McClellen


1


Clerk of Courts.


Orange S. Wight.


6


Recorder.


Carlton Corbett.


6


Superintendent of Schools.


Joel H. Davenport.


6


Surveyor.


Joel H. Davenport. .


6


Supervisor-District No. 1.


James Brown . .


8-


1


George W. Lebourveau


7


OCTOBER, 1865.


Governor of State.


William M. Stone


22


14


Thomas H. Benton


County Judge.


8


Fletcher Mills


16


14


James A. Brown


2


Treasurer.


Carlton Corbett.


18


Sheriff.


Frederick Steles


16-


14


Albert Phipps


2


Surveyor.


Joel H. Davenport.


18


School Superintendent.


George E. Fisher


19


Drainage Commissioner.


Robert Perry .


14


Coroner.


O. S. Wight


14


Supervisor-At Large.


1


George W. Lebourveau.


14-


7


Thomas Scurlock


7


5


6


-


5


6


1


6


8


264


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


OCTOBER, 1866. Clerk of Courts.


Elisha Kingsbury .


29


County Judge ( Vacancy).


George W. Banister.


22- 20


2


Luther Phipps.


16- 12


D. T. Gearhart


3


E. Kingsbury


1


Surveyor.


Coroner.


Joseph Scurlock.


1


OCTOBER, 1867. County Judge.


George W. Banister


40


9


D. T. Gearhart.


Treasurer.


Carlton Corbett.


44- 38


George Fisher


6


Sheriff.


Samuel T. Miller


32- 14


George Fisher


18


Surveyor.


J. H. Davenport.


43


School Superintendent.


George E. Fisher


47- 46


O. S. Wight.


1


Coroner.


Z. B. Parkhurst.


45


NOVEMBER, 1868. President of United States.


U. S. Grant.


64-


48


Horatio Seymour


16


Secretary of State.


Republican


64- 48


Democratic .


16


Recorder.


E. Kingsbury .


50 -- 22


George E. Fisher


28


OCTOBER, 1869.


Governor of State.


Samuel Merrill


181-151


County Auditor .*


J. Armstrong


125- 40


G. W. Banister


85


Treasurer.


D. T. Gearhart.


120- 41


M. D. Butler


79


Sheriff.


George Filer


106


3


R. I. Smith


103


A. F. Potter


108- 10


C. F. Biddle


98


School Superintendent.


O. Chase.


94-


- 8


31


E. C. Combs


86


Coroner.


Levi Rogers


199


OCTOBER, 1870.


Recorder.


Carlton Corbett ...... (majority)


37


Clerk of Courts.


C. F. Biddle.


. (majority)


31


Supervisors.


J. H. Graves (one year).


George Hopkins (two years).


W. Nettleton (three years).


OCTOBER, 1871.


Governor of State.


C. C. Carpenter


393 -- 290


J. C. Knapp


103


County Treasurer.


James Henderson


252- 15


D. T. Gearhart.


134


J. D. F. Smith.


103


Auditor.


M. Baumgardner


390-292


Perry Vebber


98


Sheriff.


N. Bell


352


Scattering


201


E. B. Baily


141


* At this date the office of county judge was dropped and the new office of auditor created.


George Gellespy


30


William Crooks


Recorder.


265


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


School Superintendent.


J. E. Sanders.


367-247


E. C. Herrick


120


Supervisor.


D. J. Hays


333 -- 179


John F. Potter.


154


Surveyor.


H. W. Bowman ..


349 -- 101


W. H. Michael


94


J. H. Davenport.


44


Proposition to Locate County Seat at New Cherokee.


For the relocation


367 -- 291


Against relocation


76


NOVEMBER, 1872. President of United States.


U. S. Grant.


Horace Greeley Clerk of Courts.


C. F. Biddle.


310- 51


F. E. Whitmore


259


Recorder.


John E. Davis .


335 -- 76


Carlton Corbett.


259


Supervisors.


J. W. Tilden


556-209


Alvah Potter 347


E. I. Carr.


309


-66


E. B. Baily .


243


Sheriff.


William M. Whipple


297 -- 16


William McKay ..


281


Coroner.


Z. A. Wellman


555-545


B. Sweeney.


10


OCTOBER, 1873.


Governor of State.


C. C. Carpenter J. G. Vail


472-464


8


Auditor.


M. Baumgardner


580-579


Treasurer.


James Henderson


546-536


Caleb Chase


5


Scattering


5


Sheriff.


William Whipple


288-


11


Oscar Chase. .


267


School Superintendent.


W. F. Harriman


319 -- 90


E. C. Combs


229


Surveyor.


J. H. Davenport


560


Coroner.


Watson Pelton


581-579


2


Scattering


Supervisor.


C. W. Gillman .


558 -- 536


E. A. Caswell


22


Six Mill Court-House Tax.


For the tax


109


Against the tax


376 -- 267


OCTOBER, 1874. Secretary of State.


Josiah T. Young


545-308


237


David Morgan.


Clerk of Courts.


O. Chase


420 -- 67


C. F. Biddle


266


E. W. Parker


85


Recorder.


J. E. Davis


736


Supervisors.


E. A. Caswell (Dist. No. 2).


44-


4


40


Richard Gilbert


John Gilbert


18


H. J. McMannus (Dist. No. 4).


40 --


11


Elias Duber


29


A. J. Simmons 24


D. J. Hays (Dist. No. 5).


77-33


G. W. Prescott


44


OCTOBER, 1875. Governor of State. Samuel J. Kirkwood 536-332


Shepherd Leffler


John Hogarth Lozier


6


204


William McKay


1


.


266


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


Auditor.


William B. Chick


721-


714


Scattering


7


Treasurer.


Morgan Baumgardner


456-


181


S. F. Russell


275


Sheriff.


Leon Moore


558-


379


J. A. Hickey


179


Surveyor.


J. H. Davenport.


723


716


Scattering


7


Coroner.


W. Pelton


432-


127


G. W. Peck


305


Supervisors.


R. Ruthford (Dist. No. 3). .


..


102-


83


Alvah Potter


15


William Crouch


19


H. J. McMannus (Dist. No. 4). 82


J. A. Warburton


43


NOVEMBER, 1876. Clerk of Courts.


Oscar Chase.


766-


350


R. M. Smith .


416


Recorder.


J. E. Davis.


1,034- 881


G. C. Conant.


153


Supervisors.


Albert Phipps (Dist. No 1) ...


264-


172


George W. Lebonrveau .


92


OCTOBER, 1877. Auditor.


William B. Chick


1,100-1,099


Scattering


1


Treasurer.


M. Baumgardner


-


160


Carlton Corbett


476


636-


Sheriff.


L. H. Moore


702-


404


W. D. F. Holly


398


School Superintendent.


W. S. Rose


443-


84


R. L. Robie


359


F. Hard


304


Emma Richards.


6


Surveyor.


J. H. Davenport


562


19


W. C. Adsit .


- 543


Coroner.


E. B. Bailey


567-


31


W. Pelton


536


Supervisors.


E. A. Caswell (Dist. No. 2) ...


61-


8


G. Braasch .


53


William Cooks


28


J. C. West.


107


21


Joseph Umhalfer


86


OCTOBER, 1878. Clerk of Courts.


Oscar Chase.


446-


33


M. E. Hinkley


413


C. R. Pomroy


65


Recorder.


J. E. Davis


1,089-1,072


Scattering


17


Surveyor (Vacancy).


W. C. Adsit ..


621-


123


J. H. Davenport


498


Supervisors.


George Cline (Dist. No. 3). ..


112


29


E. Eshleman .


83


Charles Millard


22


Daniel Unger (Dist. No. 4) ...


156-


101


H. J. McMannus


55


OCTOBER, 1879. Governor of State.


John H. Gear


860- 489


David Campbell


371


H. H. Trumble


116


Auditor.


William B. Chick


970- 610


Frank A. Foster


360


Treasurer.


Eli Eshleman .


669


-


2


M. Baumgardner


667


39


267


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


Sheriff.


L. H. Moore.


703-206


F. D. Yaw. 597


School Superintendent.


H. B. Strever


784-251


W. F. Rose


533


Surveyor.


W. C. Adsit.


796-270


J. H. Davenport.


526


Coroner.


L. Rogers


787-268


G. Braasch.


519


Supervisor.


Cyrus Snyder (Dist. No. 1).


.


202- 69


E. B. Bailey


133


NOVEMBER, 1880. President of United States.


James A. Garfield . 1,118-706


W. S. Hancock


412


James B. Weaver


100


Neal Dow


10


Secretary of State.


A. B. Keith


411


G. M. Walker


100


J. A. T. Hull


1,128-717


Clerk of Courts.


W. C. Bundy


895-154


Oscar Chase


741


Recorder.


E. Miller


892-150


D. W. McNeal


742


Coroner.


Elias Duber


1,111-622


P. Donovan


489


Supervisors.


Richard Gilbert (Dist. No. 2). . 167- 49


E. A. Caswell


118


J. H. Wilder (Dist. No. 5)


153-


7


M. B. Whisman


146


NOVEMBER, 1882.


Secretary of State.


Constitutional Amendment.


For striking out words "free white" 488-152 Against " 326


OCTOBER, 1881. Governor of State.


B. R. Sherman


919-723


L. G. Kinnie


192


D. M. Clark.


196


Auditor.


R. L. Robie


851-610


E. K. Walbridge


241


W. P. Miller


211


Treasurer.


Eli Eshleman


897-693


E. I. Carr.


204


R. B. Taylor


186


Sheriff.


R. J. Smyth.


661-239


C. A. Durkee.


422


R. C. Opil.


121


H. Kennedy


68


School Superintendent.


Eli M. Slater.


738-411


J. V. Ward.


327


F. M. McHoes


202


Surveyor.


J. H. Davenport


852-404


L. E. Parker.


448


Coroner.


E. Duber


908-724


B. Spinhamey.


184


J. O'Donnell.


15


Supervisor.


Daniel Phelan (Dist. No. 3).


123- 27


A. F. Rigby. .


96


F. M. Langly (Dist. No. 4).


107-


9


S. W. Lyman .


98


Court-House Proposition.


For building.


422


Against "


865-443


JUNE, 1882 (SPECIAL). Prohibition Amendment.


For Amendment


1,151-799


Against


352


J. A. T. Hull.


1,261-891


F. O. Walker.


370


268


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


Clerk of Courts.


W. C. Bundy ...


. 1,032-


306


Morgan Baumgardner.


726


Recorder.


Ed. Miller


1,091- 420


C. R. Pomroy .


671


Supervisor. Cyrus Snyder (Dist. No. 1) ... 465


Court-House Proposition.


For building court-house. .


.. 420


Against building court-house . . 1,096-


676


OCTOBER, 1883. Governor of State.


B. R. Sherman


1,115-


557


L. G. Kinnie.


558


J. B. Weaver.


198


Treasurer.


William B. Chick.


1,164-


702


Eli Eshleman. .


229


Joseph Umhoefer


462


Auditor.


R. L. Robie.


885


367


F. A. Willis .


518


Benjamin H. Hayden.


429


Sheriff.


R. J. Smyth


1.428


997


J. F. Potter


431


School Superintendent.


H. B. Strever


1,157-


491


J. V. Ward .


666


Coroner.


Elias Duber.


1,358-


863


Patrick Donovan


495


Surveyor.


J. H. Davenport.


1,669-1,484


L. E. Parker


185


Supervisors.


A. Mckinney (Dist. No. 2) ...


186-


58


Jacob Hopkins


128


Daniel Metter (Dist. No. 5).


236- 92


J. C. West.


144


NOVEMBER, 1884. President of United States.


James G. Blaine.


1,651-759


Grover Cleveland


892


John P. St. John.


23


Secretary of State.


Frank T. Jackson


1,676-787


J. Dooley.


889


Clerk of Courts.


Charles E. Moore


.1,260


J. H. Butts


1,286- 26


Recorder.


Orson Gage


. 2,522


Surveyor.


D. H. Finch


.1,517-487


Robert De Lass.


1,030


Supervisors.


W. C. Marsh (Dist. No. 3).


244- 75


Daniel Phelan.


169


F. M. Langley


162- 59


G. W. Banister


103


Amendment as to County Attorney.


For creating the office.


342-239


Against creating the office ..


103


Proposition to Build a $40,000 Court-House.


For building court-house and jail. 821


Against building court-house and


jail.


1,544-723


NOVEMBER, 1885.


Governor of State.


William Larrabee.


1,343-512


Charles E. Whiting.


835


Treasurer.


William B. Chick.


2,179


Auditor.


L. W. Beal.


2,173


Sheriff.


R. J. Smyth


1,446-712


P. M. Price.


734


-


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


269


School Superintendent.


H. B. Strever 2,177


Surveyor.


D. H. Finch .


1,350-528


R. De Loss


822


Coroner.


W. Pelton


2,164


Supervisor.


L. A. Hunter (Dist. No. 1) ....


491


Poor Farm Proposition.


For Poor Farm


1,084-753


Against Poor Farm


331


NOVEMBER, 1886. Secretary of State.


Frank D. Jackson


1,438-697


Cato Sells


741


Clerk of Courts.


A. C. Hobart .


1,117- 35


J. H. Butts


1,082


Recorder.


Orson Gage


2,090


Supervisors.


Frank Barnes (Dist. No. 2)


313- 79


J. P. Foster .


..


234


J. H. Baker (Dist. No. 5)


251


Dan Melter


89


County Attorney .*


A. R. Molyneux


2,057


NOVEMBER, 1887. Governor of State.


William Larrabee


1,413-610


T. J. Anderson


803


Auditor.


L. W. Beal


1,449-659


John Donovan


790


Treasurer.


William B. Chick


2,210-2,203


Scattering


7


* This office was created at this date.


Sheriff.


Daniel Unger


1,220-1,211


Daniel Phelan


.1,009


Superintendent of Schools.


Eva L. Gregg


2,182-2,175


Scattering


7


Coroner.


M. Z. Sawtell


1,436-1,419


Scattering


17


Supervisors.


James Archer (Dist. No. 1) .. .


305-


39


A. A. Terrell


266


Moses Hummert (Dist. No. 3).


215-


208


J. C. Marsh


207


J. M. Duncan (Dist. No. 4) ...


183-


88


Levi Pearson


95


JULY, 1888 (SPECIAL).


Proposition to build Court-House to cost


$50,000.


For building court-house and jail 897


Against "


66


"


1,449- 552


NOVEMBER, 1888. President of United States.


Benjamin Harrison .


1,961- 799


Grover Cleveland


1,162


Secretary of State.


Frank D. Jackson.


1,971-1,521


Walter McHenry


450


J. B. Van Court


74


Recorder.


Orson Gage


2,057- 913


J. W. Dywer


1,144


Clerk of Courts.


O. B. Fobes


1,640-


45


H. A. Skarlan.


1,595


County Attorney.


A. R. Molyneau:


1,665- 134


J. D. F. Smith


1,531


Coroner.


Watson Pelton


1,956


Supervisor.


George Johnson (Dist. No. 1). 817


270


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


PROHIBITORY LIQUOR AMENDMENT VOTE.


At the special election held June 27, 1882, the question as to whether the following should become an amendment to the State constitution of Iowa was voted upon:


No person shall manufacture for sale, or sell, or keep for sale, as a beverage, any in- toxicating liquor whatsoever, including ale, - wine and beer.


The subjoined table shows the vote of Cherokee County, exhibited by townships- the same being a creditable reflection upon the moral sentiment of this most highly pro- gressive people:


TOWNSHIP.


For .....


Against.


Spring.


14


11


Cedar.


27 18


Liberty


57


6


Marcus


91


37


Amherst


71


4


Sheridan.


76


36


Cherokee


291


88


Afton


66


26


Pitcher


75


16


Pilot


60


17


Rock


21


40


Tilden


30


11


Grand Meadow


28


3


Willow


44


16


Silver


53 21


Diamond.


61


2


Total


1,065 361


271


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


EDUCATIONAL.%


CHAPTER IX.


S well informed as scholars are in this the noon-day of the nineteenth century, none are well enough versed in ancient day history to trace out the first school sys- tem (if such it may have been styled), that at the very dawn of civilization and human intelligence undertook to instruct the young. It appears like some fixed star, which has been for ages lost in the far-away sky of my- thology and is to-day obscure in the shadows of the dim and misty past. We know some- thing of the history of the schools of old Babylon, at least 3,000 years before the ad- vent of the Christian era -- schools of medi- cine-schools of science-even in the Chinese Empire. We have a fair idea of the schools of Egypt in Moses' time, and the schools and lyceums of Greece, back to the siege of Troy. However, but comparatively little is now known of the mode of teaching in those earlier days, and not until the fifteenth century does it appear there was much in the way of intel- ligent effort toward the instruction of the masses.


In our own time and country the history of education has been a varied one. The Puritans had no sooner landed and established themselves on the wave-washed and stormy


coast of a wild New England shore than they planted the precious seeds, the germ of which is the vital part of our great free pub- lic-school system. These seeds were sown deep, and roots were far-reaching and suf- ficiently strong to enable them to endure the stormns and trials of two and a half centuries, yet unshaken, not disturbed or interrupted in its onward course, or in the least caused to lessen its grip on the free and native soil.


This system, with such modifications as time and surroundings dictated, was brought from that far-away shore-the land of our forefathers, where they turned their faces toward the setting sun; and some of these precious seeds, thus sown, have found lodge- ment in this the great State of Iowa, which to-day ranks first in point of education among the galaxy of forty-two brilliant State-stars, now comprising our Union!


It is conceded by all thinking minds that the safety and perpetuity of our highly prized republican institutions depend upon the diffusion of intelligence among the masses of the people-for we are a self-governed peo- ple. The statistics from prisons and alms- houses throughout our American domain furnish the most abundant proof that edu-


272


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


cation is the best and cheapest cure for crime and pauperism. Again, education is the great equalizer of human rights and conditions. It places the poor and the rich on a inore even footing, both socially and legally. It sub- jects the evil passions and morbid appetites of the rich to the restraint of sense and rea- son, and thus prepares the two classes for positions of usefulness and honor. Every consideration, therefore, impels us to sustain and improve our common-school system to the highest possible degree of efficiency.


Not unlike their Puritan ancestors, the little band known as the Milford Colony, to- gether with the Ohio Colony, who effected the first settlement in Cherokee County, forgot not the benefits of the public schools, but at once established the same here in Iowa.


They came to the State when every act of the Legislature, for a series of years, tended to foster and encourage the public schools.


The Twelfth section of the act of Congress, establishing the Territory of Iowa, declares " that the citizens of Iowa shall enjoy all the rights and privileges hitherto granted to the domain of Wisconsin, from which it was taken." This then brings us within the rights given by the third article of the ordi- nance granted by Congress July 13, 1787- " That religion, morality and knowledge be- ing necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and all the means of education shall be forever en- couraged."


The people of Cherokee County have ever been in accord with these broad and liberal views concerning educational matters, as will be observed by the following report and table concerning the public schools, given by town- ships.


SCHOOL REPORT FOR 1888.


(The following is a partial transcript from School Superintendent Miss Eva L.


Gregg's Annual Report made October 31, 1888:)


TOWNSHIP-DIST.


Graded Rooms.


Ungraded Schools.


Male Teachers Dur-


Female Teachers


During Year.


Total Enrollment.


Cost per Pupil.


Number of Trees on


School Grounds.


Afton ..


9


6


11


246


$2.16


62


Amherst


9


2


9


185


3.62


204


Cedar.


8


3


13


182


2.80


41


Cherokee


7


4


16


123


3.12


261


Diamond ..


9


4


16


138


4.33


127


Grand Meadow


8


3


13


152


3.16


16


Liberty


9


3


10


181


2.63


25


Marcus


7


4


7


133


3.41


Pilot


8


6


13


145


3.50


Pitcher


8


5


6


212


2.18


Rock


8


5


13


178


3.03


68


Sheridan


8


8


8


158


4.30


Silver.


9


8


14


251


2.55


85


Spring


9


14


134


3.32


15


Tilden.


7


2


12


186


2.79


110


Willow


6


4


8


135


2.49


...


Aurelia (Ind.).


4


1


3


145


1.75


164


Marcus (Ind.).


4


1


4


201


2.01


198


Meriden (Ind.).


2


1


1


112


.89


50


New Cherokee(Ind)


9


1


10


655


1.39


48


Total


19 130


67


201


3,802


$2.77 1,474


At the above date of compiling, there were 2,383 males within Cherokee County between the ages of five and twenty-one years; 2,272 between the same ages of females.


The county was provided with 132 frame and two brick school-honses, making total of school buildings 134, which were valued at $92,555. Apparatus, $3,961.


Indeed this is a true record, which any county in the Union of forty-two States can- not excel and of which any may well be prond


" A school house on every hill-top and no saloon within the valleys!"


Great has been the change and material improvement in educational facilities in lowa since Cherokee County was first settled. And it is a pleasing fact to record, that the lady teachers are ardent, successful competitors in the race as instructors. Woman's value was seen and impressed on the mind of our Gen-


...


...


...


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·


ing Year.


273


HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.


eral Assemblies years ago, and finally cul- minated in that enactment which grants woman the next right to that of casting a ballot-namely, the right to be ballotted for. In Iowa, now, a lady can hold the important offices of recorder of deeds, school superin- tendent, school director, etc. In justice to her sex it should be said that the books of record, reports, etc., of the ladies who have been elected to such offices, have been espe- cially well kept. Iowa has been generous in enacting laws for the advancement of women, and now woman is doing her part nobly toward purifying politics. It will be observed by a glance at the report given above, that all the teachers in the hundred and thirty odd schools in Cherokee County are women, except sixty-seven. Two hundred and one ladies teaching in the public schools of this county !


Again, no finer set of county records can be found in all Iowa than those now being kept by Miss Eva L. Gregg, the efficient lady superintendent of schools in Cherokee County, whose efforts are advancing the educational Inatters of the county to a high degree.


THE NORMAL INSTITUTE.


By an act passed by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa in 1873, the county su- perintendents were required to commence and each year hold a teachers' institute at some convenient point in each county, for the drill of those who were teacliers or who intended to teachı. The design was to fur- nish teachers an opportunity to review and enlarge their knowledge of the branchies to be taught, to acquaint themselves with im- proved methods of instruction, etc .; also to awaken an increased desire for self-improve- ment in knowledge and skill and power to control others, and to give them more conti-


dence and ability in managing the affairs of the public schools. For the purpose of de- fraying the expenses incident to such gather- ings, the institute fund was created, to which the State pays $50 a year, the balance being made up by the $100 examination fees paid to the superintendent. While there is no law compelling teachers to attend these Nor- mal Institutes, yet eaclı applicant for a teaclı- er's certificate is required to give good and sufficient reason for not being in attendance.




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