USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 22
USA > Iowa > Audubon County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 22
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99
1884-James G. Blaine (Republican). 1,802
Grover Cleveland (Democratic). .1,745
1888-Benjamin Harrisou (Republican) 1,714
Grover Cleveland (Democratic). 1,762
GOVERNOR.
1854-Curtis Bates (Democratic) 33
James W. Grimes (Whig). 19
1857 -- Ralph P. Lowe (Republican) (No vote shown).
1859 -- A. C. Dodge (Democratic)
96
S. J. Kirkwood (Republican) 78
1861-S. J. Kirkwood (Republican). 99
Scattering (Democratic). 36
1863-William M. Stone (Republican) 80
J. M. Tuttle (Democratic). . 82
1865-William M. Stone (Republican). 73
T. H. Burton (Democratic). 74
G. S. Bailey. 7
1867-Samuel Merrill (Republican) 107
Charles Mason (Democratic) .. 109
1869-Samuel Merrill (Republican). 116 George Gillaspy (Democratic). 90 1871-Cyrus C. Carpenter (Republican) 285
J. O. C. Knapp (Democratic). 177 1873-Cyrus C. Carpenter (Republican) 364 J. G. Vale (Democratic) 228
1875-Samuel J. Kirkwood (Republican) 549
Shephard Leffler (Democratic). 406
J. H. Lozier (Prohibition). 3
1877-J. H. Gear (Republican). 888
John P. Irish (Democratic). 637
1879-Jobn H. Gear (Republican) 1,133
H. H. Trimble (Democratic). 794
Daniel Campbell (Greenback) 27
1881-B. R. Sherman (Republican). 1,050
L. G. Kinnie (Democratic). 695
D. M. Clark (Greenback). 103
1883-B. R. Sherman (Republican). 1,593
L. G. Kinnie (Democratic) ... 1,533
James B. Weaver (Greenback). 31
1885-William Larrabee (Republican) .1,544
Charles E. Whiting (Democratic). . 1,689
1887-William Larrabee (Republican). 1,421
J. T. Anderson (Democratic). 1,587
M. J. Cain (Greenback). 301
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The first set of county officials served nnder an appointment of the Governor, the first regular eleetion in the county being held April 3, 1853. No record seems to have been kept of the votes east, but the county election book shows the following to have been elected: William Vanausdall was elected County Judge at the April election of 1854; W. H. Jordan, County Judge; Milton M. Beebe, Sheriff; Alexander McCord, Treasurer and Reeorder; Adamn Cuppy, Drainage Com- missioner ; James Ward, Prosecuting Attor- ney; James Perry, Surveyor.
The following is a complete list of the various county officials having served in Shelby County, as shown by the county offi- cial election returns, of which the snbjoined is a true transcript:
COUNTY JUDGE.
ELECTION HELD.
August 7, 1854-Mansel Wicks. (No vote given.)
6, 1855-David Baughman 41
L. G. Tubbs. . 31
1857-H. A. Tarkington 47
242
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
August, 1857-David Baughman 56
April, 1859-William Wyland. 94
Stephen King .. 74
October, 1861-Samuel Dewell. 183
Mansel Wicks 54
1863-Samuel Dewell
1865-Nelson Ward.
= 1866-L. Woods
= 1867-Nathan Lindsey 108
P. C. Truman. 107
November, 1868-H. C. Holcomb (Vacancy) 156
J. B. Swain 25
At this date the office of county judge was abolished, and that of county auditor created.
COUNTY AUDITOR.
1869-II. C. Holcomb 180
J. B. Swain . 79
1871-John H. Louis 249
H. C. Holcomb 207 1873-J. II. Louis 28G
II. C. Holcomb 211
1875-Washington Wyland. 516
David Carter. 428
1877-J. H. Louis. 809
J. W. Stevens 745
1879-J. II. Louis.
1,069 William Asquith 856
1881-D. F. Paul. 933
J. B. Stutsman
836
1883-J. W. Harrod. 1,627
E. Y. Greenleaf. 1,533
1885-J. W. Jarrod.
1,653
II. C. McCusky
1,54S
1887-J. W. French ..
1,660
John R. Davis. 1,374
Frank S. Carroll 253
DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS.
The first drainage commissioner of Shelby County was Adam Cuppy, elected at the April election of 1854, and re-elected by a majority of eighteen over J. M. Long. This office was then held as follows:
1859-C. C. Culver 381
Nathaniel Lindsly 75
1861-Mansel Wicks 127 Jobn Hasty 10
1863-W. S. Brown. (No opposition.)
1864-George W. Taylor
D. H. Randall. 75
1867-William Howlett, Jr., (No opposition) . 101
This office was abolished at the close of the
last-named incumbent's term, the board of supervisors having such matters in charge at present.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
ELECTED IN
1854-James Ward
1856-Nelson Ward ..
1856-Warren L. Brown 35
J. H. Adams. 4
1857-M. P. Bull.
65
Nelson Ward.
55
At about this time the State judiciary was reconstructed and this office abolished, and that of district judge and district attorney created.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
This office was created in October, 1863.
ELECTED IN
1858-David Baughman 86
S. Dewell. 8
1859-S. Dewell. 90
William Gray.
79
1860-F. G. Clark (No opposition).
1861-F. G. Clark. 141
William A. Rabb. 1
1863-John Young. (No vote given.)
1865-James M. Woods. (No vote given.)
1867-Barney Hindsall
106
Thomas Wood. 104
1869-P. C. Truman (No opposition). 151
1869-P. C. Truman 178
John Young. 78
1871-Caleb Smith.
224
B. B. Mastick 175
D. S. Irwin 57
1873-O. N. Buckman. 312
Caleb Smith 265
1875-Aaron N. Buckman 597
John Beck. 353
1877-M. D. Bridgeman 858
T. J. Mitynger. 688
1879-M. D. Bridgeman. 1,145
L. S. Taylor 780
1880-W. W. Girton ('To fill vacancy). 1,279
M. E. Downey 4
1,227
1881-W. W. Girton. 1,051
James Canfield. 688 James Louis. 130
1883-W. K. Colburn
1,764
W. W. Girton 1,373
1885-C. F. Swift.
. 1,556
W. J. Wicks 1,579
243
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
1887-C. F. Swift. 1,566
A. N. Buckman. 1,357
Mrs. M. E. McArthur 264
COUNTY ASSESSOR.
1857-W. L. Brown 68
Adam Brant. .. 31
As the county became settled this office was impracticable, and hence township as- sessors took the place of it.
SURVEYOR.
1854-James Perry
Abraham Rubendall. (Vacancy.)
1855-Abraham Rubendall. (No opposition.)
1857-Samuel Dewell ...
Abraham Rubendall.
34
1859-Charles F. Forbes. 85
Samuel Dewell 83
1861-Samuel Dewell (No opposition) .. 122
1863-Christian Goodyear. (No vote given.)
72
1864-T. A. Haycook. A. Rubendall.
57
1865-Abraham Rubendall. (No vote recorded.)
101
1867-P. C. Trumau
A. Rubendall. 110
1869-Charles W. Day
158
Samuel Slates. 92
190
1871-W. L. Brown
N. J. Sharp.
152
R. W. Robins. 107
1873-Washington Wyland. 428
W. L. Brown 164
1875-P. C. Truman. 541
Frank Reynolds 415
832
1877-P. C. Truman.
A. C. Snyder. 719
1879-E. Y. Greenleaf 1,048
Emil Flusche. 844
1881-E. Y. Greenleaf. .1,050
J. D. Walker. 707
1883-Washington Wyland. 1,643 C. F. Swift. .1,509
1,560
1885-O. F. Plum.
L. R. Hertert 1,637 1887-C. L. Miller. 1,29
J. W. Miller. 1,518
J. K. P. Baker 264
1,797
C. L. Miller
COUNTY TREASURER.
[It should be understood that the office of county treasurer and that of recorder of deeds was a combined office until 1864, when
each became a distinct office; prior to that date it was known as the office of " Treasurer and Recorder."]
1854-Alexander McCord. Henry Runnels. (Elected in August.)
1855-William Gedney 42
William Hock. 32
1856-William Wyland
65
O. P. Steele. 62
1857-William Wylaud.
53
L. B. Holcomb
43
1858-George Benjamin
91
Nelson Ward.
82
1861-George Benjamin (No opposition).
130
1863-George Benjamin. (No abstract of votes cast.)
1864-M. H. Adams 81
William Wyland. 76
1865-M. H. Adams. (No record of votes cast.)
1867-M. H. Adams.
112
John H. Louis 101
1869-M. H. Adams.
169
Nathaniel Smith 65
243
M. H. Adams. A. M. Buckman 9
418
1873-C. J. Wyland. 182
II. S. Burke. 493
399
William J. Davis.
1877-Thomas McDonald J. D. Coughran. 679
972
1879-J. W. Harrod.
John L. Long. 954
1881-R. M. Pomeroy
J. W. Harrod. 861
97
J. T. Burke.
1883-R. M. Pomeroy 1,574
David Carter ... 1,570
1885-W. F. Cleveland.
1,753
George D. Ross.
1,486
1887-W. F. Cleveland.
1,705
Chris. Christiansen
1,321
M. Barton
274
COUNTY RECORDER.
1864-M. H. Adams. 78
William Wyland. 76
1866-John Gish. (No vote recorded.)
1868-Benjamin I. Kinsey. 133
John H. Louis. 18
1870-G. M. Couffer. (No vote recorded.) 369
1872-F. A. Holcomb.
F. S. White. 170
214
1871-C. J. Wyland
1875-Thomas McDonald
865
903
1889-J. K. P. Baker
1,726
75
244
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
1874-F. A. Holcomb 517
J. M. Beck. 218
1876-A. H. Holcomb. 875
A. M. Louis. 660
1878-J. E. Benson
715
William Howlett 581
1880-F. E. Benson 1,551
J. W. White. 957
1882-B. B. Mastick 1,377
J. P. Miller 1,136
1884-B. B. Mastick. 1,796
Lewis Gingery 1,722
1886-A. H. Tingle. 1,738
F. J. McNaughton 1,469
1888-A. H. Tingle 1,778
J. H. Kuhl. 1,723
W. R. Honeywell 117
SHERIFF.
1854-Miltou M. Beebe
1855-Milton M. Beebe. 38
Alexander Ford. 30
1857-Albert Crandall (No opposition). 116
1858-Isaac Wyland 50
Albert Crandall. 46
1859-Milton Stanton.
88
A. Crandall.
82
1861-Washington Wylaod. 137
C. C. Culver. 2
1863-Washington Wyland. (No vote recorded.)
1864-Albert Crandall 82
W. S. Brown. 73
1865-Albert Crandall.
(No vote recorded.)
1867 -* Thomas Chatburn. 95
L. D. Sunderland . S6
James M. Wood. 30
1868-Christian Goodyear 128
Daniel S. Bowman 123
1871-William Il. Burk 201
T. W. Chatburn 198
C. C. Redtield. 59
1873-L. Sweat. 323
T. W. Chatburo 278 1875 -- Jolın D. Long 512
John B. Swain. 450
1877-John D. Long. 917
Joseph H. Kuh] 623
1879-J. W. Martin 1,028
Elijah Fish. 856
· Mr. Sundertand contested the election, claiming that, because Chatburn was not a legal voter, that he had no right to bold the office, though he had received a majority of the votes cast. Chat- burn argued that a man could hold office, if elected, though he had not beeu in the county long enough to vote himself. The case wae tried before County Judge Lindsay, who decided in favor of Sunderland, throwing the costs on Chathorn, amounting to about $11.00.
1881 -- George E. Bennett. 933
Lewis Shorett. 786
C. W. Potter (Greenback) (To fill vacancy.) 123
1881-H. W. Patterson (Long term).
920
Lewis Shorett.
816
C. W. Potter. 133
1883-E. J. Trowbridge 1,635
Thomas W. Chatburn
1,467
1885-George S. Rainbow
.1,652
N. W. Sherman
1,573
1887-George S. Rainbow
1,662
J. J. Harter.
1,424
Z. II. MIcCombs.
217
COUNTY CORONER.
1855-Franklin Rudd (No opposition) 75
1857-Lewis Jackson (No opposition). 121
1859-Lewis Jackson. SS
William Holk 84
1860-D. Il. Randall (No opposition).
61
1861 -- O. E. IFolcomb (No opposition).
134
1863-O. E. Holcomb. (No record of votes cast.) 1864-Elias Monroe I. D. Frost.
72
1865-L. D. Sunderland
1867-Martin Polland 107
A. Roundy. 105
1868-R. M. Smith.
152
William Frantz 14
1869-I. W. Winters.
146
Aaron Bergstresser
1871 -- Aaron Bergstresser (No opposition)
174
1873-A. N. Stamm (No opposition). 361
1874-Caleb Smith (No opposition). 258
1875-11. Weeks (No other votes) ..
2
1877-F. A. Boyer. (No opposition.)
1878-George E. Bennett .. E. Jarvis. 540
745
1879-George Bennett. 1,097
Michael McCabe. 753
1881-J. W. Chatburn. 1,063
William Blair .695
1883-N. H. Burks.
1,587
J. W. Chatburn .1,554
1885-Dr. A. H. Burks
.1,724
E. Douglass
.1,513
1887-S. H. Waters.
1,523
L. D. Frost
1,285
P. H. Ilunt.
269
COUNTY CLERK.
1854-Vinsan G. Perkins.
1855-1 .. B. Holcomb (V. G. Perkins suspended) ..
1855-'56-L. G. Tubbs 41
L. B. Holcomb. 30
1857-O. E. Holcomb. 44
J. H. Adams 27
66
245
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
1859-11. C. Holcomb 89
M. P. Bull .. 78 1860-1I. C. Holcomb (No opposition) 143
1862-11. C. Holcomb. 86
John Young.
30
1864-H. C. Holcomb
82
B. V. Springer. ..
75
1866-A. M. Lonis. (No vote recorded.)
1868-II. C. Holcomb
157
J. B. Swain. 28 1870-H. C. Holcomb. (No vote recorded.)
1872-G. D. Ross ..
417
George Gibbs.
7
1874 -- George D. Ross 352
C. C. Redfield 234
J. M. Beck
218
1876-George D. Ross 863
A. D. Tinsly 664
1878-11. C. Holcomb 654
J. W. Harrod. 643 1880-H.C. Holcomb
1,574
M. J. Heiress 957 1882 -- W. J. Davis. 1,284
David Carter 1,236 1884-W. J. Davis. 1,823
J. H. Louis .. 1,705
1886-Hugh Harrod. 1,641
George F. Keller. 1,570
1888-O. P. Wyłand .1,870
Hugh Harrod. 1,612
Frauk Faltonson (Union Labor) 126
In 1857, when the question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquor within the State was voted upon, Shelby County east fifty-four votes-four for and fifty against.
In June, 1882, when the vote was taken to prohibit the sale of liquor in Iowa, by amend- ing the State constitution, Shelby County east 1,268 votes-517 for and 751 against the amendment.
The vote for and against purchasing land on which to found a poor-farm was taken in 1882, and resulted in 1,399 votes being cast for the measure and 666 against it.
In 1885 a vote to determine whether the county should erect a poor-house on the land already purehased, or not, was taken, which resulted in 1,698 for and 416 against the measure.
COUNTY SEAT HISTORY.
In common with nearly every other county in Iowa, Shelby has had her county-seat con- test, which was indeed a heated strife, the fever of which will not all have passed away until the present generation, the first settlers, have all passed from the scenes of earth.
From 1837 to 1840 this county was em- braced in Keokuk County. In 1851 it was established under its present name, being partly taken from the temporary county of Pottawattamie. It was duly organized from and after March 7, 1853. Its first election was held in April, 1853. By an order of the court a committee for the purpose of locating a seat of justice was appointed, consisting of L. D. Butler, John E. F. Vails and Marshall Turley, who decided on section 27, township 81, range 40, west, in what is now known as Grove Township. The place was called Shelbyville and became a platted village, and was for a time a thriving pioneer hamlet, but for many years now has only been known and marked out to the stranger by the farmers residing near pointing to several stately cot- tonwood trees whose giant branches long ago saw the village sink into decay, most of the buildings having been removed to other parts of the county. The first term of county court was held at the farm-house of Milton M. Beebe, July 3, 1854. At an election held in April, 1857, a vote was taken to determine whether or not a court-house should be erected at Shelbyville. Such vote stood three majority against the proposition to build, ninety-one being the total number of votes cast. Another election was soon held to de- cide upon the question of building a $3,000 court-house at Shelbyville. This vote stood thirty-seven for and sixty-five against build- ing. At the April election of 1859 a vote was taken to determine the popular virtue of
21
246
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
a petition calling for the removal of the county seat to Harlan. There were 175 votes cast; a majority of nine said the county seat should be removed to Harlan. Then came up the ever-vexing question in all new counties, how to provide a court-house. To make this matter perfectly plain it will be well for the reader to know all the circumstances. In the first instance, there were three contend- ing factions among the people. One was that portion who lived in the extreme northwest part of the county, who, for the most part- selfish like all human kind-wanted the seat of justice to remain where first located, at Shelbyville. Then there were two other fighting seetions in the vicinity of Harlan. The Rock Island & Pacific Railroad had been projected throughi Iowa, and a land grant given that company, the center of such grant being a line running near or through Har- lan. But designing men-men who came on in advance of the real survey, for the express purpose of laying out towns and selling off the lots-sought to establish the county seat at the now defunct village of Simoda, just east from the present site of Harlan. Samuel Dewell represented such interests, aided by others who held property adjoining the em- bryo town. Then at Harlan there was the other element whose financial interest con- victed them strongly in the belief that Har- lan presented the best surface of country over which to construct a railroad; lience they sought, by every means they could invent, to get the people to vote the building of a costly court-house there, hoping that this would forever settle the question of both county seat and railroad point, as well as give them great financial benefit from the sale of prop- erty. The three factions finally combined into two elements, the people in the extreme northwest joining with the Simoda party, mainly on the ground that every mile they
could shorten a trip to the county seat would be so much gain to them. A contract was finally made by the county judge, April 12, 1859, for the building of a $25,000 court- house, to L. W. Woodruff. The structure was large only in eost ! its size to be 40 x 60 feet, and two stories high, built of brick. Schemers even lived that long ago! But at a later meeting of those in official authority Judge Tarkington rescinded this visionary plan, to which he had previously assented, on the ground, as his record says, that it " would operate injuriously against the tax payers of the county." But the real and only true cause for abandoning the project was the more vital faet that the people outside of Ilarlan would not submit to the burden of taxes that would thus be laid upon them. And so strong was this feeling that many of the pioneers assembled and vowed they would not submit, but would die at the breech of their gun in resisting sueli imposition. Usually truth and justice wield a winning sword, hence it was that Judge Tarkington (who of himself was a elever man of good traits) and his scheming party saw fit to withdraw so bad and bold an attempt to bankrupt the new county.
In the early part of May, 1859, John Mc- Intosh and forty-seven others petitioned the court to remove the county seat to Simoda, but this measure soon "flashed in the pan !" However, it was the occasion of much bad blood, resulting in what was known as the "Simoda war." It seems that upon the ad- journment of the last term of court at Shelby- ville, Judge Tarkington was asked by the acting clerk, Samuel Dewell, what he should do with the books and records of the county in his charge. Ile replied, "Do as you like with them !" His interests and choice being for the county seat to be removed to Simoda, very naturally he took them to his home at
247
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
that point, and insisted on their being kept there. So, between the two factions pulling and hauling, the judge was kept in a constant state of turmoil ! However, he was quite a conrt-honse builder (?), and consequently in June of 1859 he contracted with Henry Run- nels to ercct a $10,000 court-house, to be 35 x 45 feet, the same to be finished by Au- gust, 1860, and to be paid for in warrants, at par. This was to be erected on block 41, in the village of Harlan. In December of the same eventful year (1859) this scheme was also given up as a bad job! The following summer, however, a contract was awarded to build a conrt-honse of fair size, and to cost $2,500, which was carried nearly to comple- tion, and by some accident, arising from heating a glue-pot, the building was destroyed by fire, at the loss of the contractors. Thus it will be seen Shelby County, had a continual round of dire calamity and discord in the matter of providing herself with a "temple of justice."
The county judge then entered into agree- ment with J. M. Long and Adam Ault, by which they were to receive $5,000 for a building then in course of erection and known as the "store building," which was situated north from the place where the "City Hotel" now stands. It was a two-story frame house with bricked walls, and was 20 x 40 feet. It was accordingly finished up for court-house purposes, and was used for such until about 1876, when the present conrt-house was com- pleted, the same having been contracted for with .Halstead & Palfreeman, at $4,250. It should, however, here be recorded that a movement was placed on foot in 1873-'74, to build a court-building to cost not less than $30,000 or more than $40,000. The vote on this measure stood 392 against and 192 for. After this failure the board of supervisors took the matter into their own hands and
built the present building, having the legal right, without a vote of the people, to expend $5,000 for such purpose. It may indeed be considered a wise thing that the early meas- ures of erecting large, costly court-houses was always presided over and defeated by better judgment, as the people were in no wise ready to stand such burdens. Bnt with the present advancement, culture, develop- ment and wealth of Shelby County, she can no longer well afford to have her officers housed in such small, dingy quarters as they are at present. Shelby County needs a $40,- 000 court-house, and is now able to pay for the same! notwithstanding her warrants at one time were only worth twenty-five cents on a dollar, and cost the pioneer very dear at that!
There were many amnsing and thrilling incidents connected with the removal and final location of the county seat; however, no such bad blood was ever seen as in many other Iowa counties. Among such incidents may be mentioned the determined spirit of persistency manifested upon the part of Will- iam Wyland, who was then treasurer and re- corder of the connty. He was ordered by Judge Tarkington (county judge) to return the records in his possession to the county seat, then designated as Shelbyville. Mr. Wyland paid no attention to the order of the court. The judge then declared the offices held by said Wyland to be vacant, and again ordered him to appear before him with such official records as belonged to the county; but he again refused to respond to the court's order, whereupon the judge issued a writ of replevin for said books of record. The sheriff brought Mr. Wyland, together with his books, before the outraged judge! Wyland claimed the court had no right to demand the surren- der of such books, but the court held con- trary.
218
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
During the "Simoda war," as well as in nearly all other wars, the people became ex- cited and watchful-even were suspicious of each other's every move and action. To illus- trate better this state of affairs, it may be well to repeat an incident related by one of Shelby County's aged pioneers, whose hair has been made snowy by the three decades of pioneer life-William ("Bill") McGinnes, whose farm is on section 9 of Harlan Town- ship. He says that while County Judge Tarkington was holding court at Harlan (during the county-seat trouble), that he, together with a few of his neighbors from Simoda, procceded to the court-room to de-
mand their pay for the scalps of some wild animals upon which the county had offered a bounty. On their way they stopped and cut some elder sticks for walking-canes, and when seen coming up the road toward the court- honse, the guard, who had been set out to protect (!) and guard his "honor" and the county books against any attempted raid by the Simoda faction, imagined they were armed with guns, and so reported to the judge, who for a time seemed quite troubled and alarmed, but when he saw his mistake, langheď it off' as a huge joke, and at once allowed "Uncle Bill" pay for the scalps he produced.
249
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
THE GREAT CIVIL WAR.
F there is any one thing more than another of which the people of the northern States have reason to be proud, it is the brightrec- ord they made during the dark and bloody days of the Rebellion. When this great civil war was forced upon the country the people were quietly pursuing the even tenor of their ways, doing whatever their hand found to do -making farms, cultivating those already improved, erecting homes, founding cities and towns, building shops and factories-in short, the country was alive with industry and buoyant with hopes of the future. While they were immediately surrounded with peace and tranquillity, they paid but little attention to the rumored plots and plans of those who grew rich from the sweat and toil, blood and flesh of others; aye, even trafficking in their own offspring. But, like a fierce thunder-storm, came the world's greatest war. The last words of Lincoln's proclama- tion calling for men hardly ceased to vibrate along the telegraphic wires before the quota was full-75,000 men only too ready to defend the Union of States!
Patriotism thrilled and pulsated through every heart-the farm, the shop, the office, the store, the factory, the bar, the pulpit- aye, even college and school-room offered their best men, their lives and fortunes, in defense of the unity and honor of their gov- ernment and its flag. Party lines were for the time lost sight of-all with one accord rushed to the rescue, repeating in spirit the oath of America's soldier-statesman, " By the
Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserved."
At the time Fort Sumter was fired upon by rebel arms Shelby County had only a population of about 800 people, men, women and children, all poor people who had come hither to build homes for themselves in this then wild, undeveloped country, far front rail- roads and market places. Yet they were not so far that they did not hear and heed the call for troops. Out of a population aver- aging during the war about 300 men, she sent nearly fifty to the service.
Local history is a record of events, and no better authority for such events can possibly be obtained than those to be found in public records and documents furnished at the time by county, State and national officials. Es- pecially is this true of war records.
In preparing a list of those who served as soldiers from Shelby County during the Re- bellion, all possible caution has been exer- cised to publish a complete list; but it should be understood that the local historian has no safer guide to aid him in such long-ago data than the Adjutant-General's reports for Iowa, which contain but few errors. The follow- ing is extracted from such reports:
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