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 66
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 66
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R. W. Hanna 682
1881-R. M. Carpenter 884
M. A. Mills. 579
1883-C. F. Willcutt
1,227
R. M. Carpenter. 873
1885-C. F. Willcuit
1,076
Mrs. Ada Funk 463
Jno. M. Cotton .
663
1887-C. F. Willcutt.
1,139
W. H. Brinkerhoff. 910
COUNTY SURVEYOR.
1855-John W. Beers
1868-J. W. Scott
Johu Craue 98
1870-H. Ransford 126
A. B. Houston.
97
1872-Thomas Walker.
242
Samuel Majors.
113
237
1874-A. L. Campbell. B. F. Thacker
91 1867-P. I. Whitted. J. L. Frost 74
1869-P.I. Whitted.
Charles Andrews 103
1871-P. I. Whitted 177
James D. Gage 157
1873 -- P. I. Whitted 256
D. P. McGill 221
1875-R. T. Smart.
275
P. I. Whitted
194
E. J. Freeman. 118
1877-L. C. Frost.
402
William Milliman 385
1879-H. S. Wattles 778
William Milliman 687
1881-II. S. Wattles. 752
Elias Fiscus 684
1883 -- L. C. Frost.
1,094
P. Bruce Moore 967
J. A. Botts.
93
1885-H.S. Wattles 1,067
R. T. Smart. . 151
1887-J. M. Hill.
1,080
P. I. Whitted 981
SHERIFF.
1855-Benjamin M. Hiatt.
1856-Charles L. Chapin 39
J. W. Beers. 34
1857-Charles L. Chapin 69
R. M. Lewis 20
1859-U. Herrick.
1861-U. Herrick.
1863-E. W. Pearl.
1866-Isaac Thomas
Andrew Lelfingwell (Leffingwell served). 77
654
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
1867-John Huntley 88
B. L. Anderson. 80
1869-S. R. Thomas. 98
C. Strahl. 80
1871-J. B. Conrardy
1873 -- J. B. Conrardy 219
S. P. Zike. 203
1875 -- J. L. Stotts. 380 F. J. Shrauger 136
1877-J. L. Stotts 416
John Huntley 365
1879-H. B. Herbert. 538
William Mallory 483
G. W. Bailey
451
1881-HI. B. Herbert 757
J. R. Rudge 721 1883-H. B. Herbert 1,187 W. J. Walker. 909 John Huntley 43
1885-William Mallory 1,102
H. B. Herbert 1,057
HI. B. Owen. 60
1887-A. B. Stanfield
902
William Mallony 1,149
OTHIER COUNTY OFFICES.
From the organization of the county until about 1870 there was what was known as the "drainage commissioners," whose business, principally, was to look after the swamp lands of the county. At one time it was an office of some considerable importance. The first to act in such capacity in Audubon County was P. I. Whitted, who received his appointment from the county judge, D. M. Jlarris, who in those early days was in fact chief ruler over all! Among others who held the office of drainage commissioner may be mentioned W. H. Green, in 1861.
For the first few years of Andubon County's history, it being embraced within one civil township and the settlers few in number, one man, known as county assessor, did all the assessing. W. W. Bowen was elected first county assessor, as well as road supervisor, holding both offices at the same time. In 1861, it is found by the records, I. V. D. Lewis was county assessor, and re- ceived for his services that year $47. W. P. Hamlin was the last county assessor, and served in 1862.
LIQUOR PROHIBITORY AMENDMENT.
At an election called especially for deter- mining whether or not the constitution of the State of Iowa should be amended so as to prohibit the sale and manufacture of intoxi- cating liquors within the State, the following is a trne copy of the vote in Audubon County, given by townships, as shown by the official returns. Snch election was held June 27, 1882, and uniformly throughout the State.
TOWNSHIPS.
FOR. AGAINST.
Audubon
50
89
Cameron.
70
45
Douglas
41
47
Exira.
151
132
Greeley
54
59
Hamlin 31
44
Leroy. 217
124
Lincoln
50
71
Melville
32
56
Oakfield
49
28
Sharon
9
42
Viola
53
52
Total.
807
779
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
655
CHAPTER V.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER MATTERS.
SPECIAL EVENTS.
MONG the special events having trans- pired within the range of history in Andubon County, may be mentioned the following:
The election records of 1880 show that when the question to strike from the State constitution the words "free white" (which virtually gave the colored man the same legal rights as the white race) came up, the vote stood 545 for and 365 against.
It is stated upon good authority that the exeitement was so great over the location and re-location of publie roads in Audubon County, that several times the judge of the district court was compelled to adjourn court for the reason that every one who should have been in attendance at court was at- tracted by the large crowd of " path-finders" who besieged the board of supervisors at the county auditor's room, which is nnder the court-room. There are various reasons for the publie highways having caused so much trouble. Among these reasons may be men- tioned the fact that in so hilly and uneven a surface as this country is, it is hard to make suitable roads and have them established on regular government lines, as is the usual cus- tom in more level counties. The matter of right of way, damages, ete., has ever been a " bone for contention" among the land own- ers. Again, the field notes of many of the surveyed highways were very imperfectly ex- ecuted, and frequently sneh notes were illy
recorded or the record entirely lost. At present, however, with the modification of the State laws and a better system of surveys and road records, the matter of highways is fast coming to a state of perfection.
Perhaps there is no more historic building in the county than the old hall, used for many years at Exira for county-seat purposes. It is built of lumber, two stories high, and 22 x 50 feet on the ground. Its first cost was about $1,700, and it was erected by the " Ex- ira HIall Company." The building is still standing where it was first crected, and is used as a hall for the Knights of Pythias. The first county offices, after the county seat was located at Exira, were within a frame building, 16 x 16 feet. Court at that time was held in the district school-house at Exira.
At one of the early elections (so it is re- lated to the writer) less than 100 votes were east, and before the time came for counting out the votes many of the voters were quite full of pioneer " budge," so it was proposed to take the ballot-box, which was a cominon eigar box, to the house of one of the judges of election; but in transit it was lost, and lo! and behold, upon going to count, nothing could be found to count! A part of the officers of election were supporters of one political party, and the remainder of them represented the interests of the other party; so, quite philosophieally, instead of attempt- ing to hunt the eigar ballot-box np, they simply took their seats and made out the
656
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
election "returns," according to what they knew of the voters' politics-"counting noses," as it were. It may be added that said election gave very universal satisfaction !
The first actual flour-mill of Audubon County was not constructed in the limits of the county, as it was a coffee-mill, manu- factured in Yankee land, probably! It was owned by Nathaniel Hamlin, the pioneer settler, who came in 1851. It was used by his family, as well as by the few neighbors at " Hamlin's Grove " settlement, and in it was ground corn and buckwheat. It was called " Hamlin's Portable Mill !" Its owner and proprietor tells the writer that its capac- ity was only limited by the amount of grease (elbow) it took to run it!
Before " shinplasters" (paper currency) were wisely issued during the Rebellion, small change was hard-almost impossible-to ob- tain, as the Wall street (New York) money sharks and traveling Jew brokers collected it all as fast as possible. Consequently the treasurer of Audubon County had to impro- vise some means of making change to those who came to pay taxes. Accordingly little slips of white paper, provided with a red line border, were made in large quantities. The same bore the signature of the county treas. urer, with the words " promise to redeem " upon their face. These passed throughout the county as moncy, and several are still in existence.
ASSESSED VALUATION OF PROPERTY IN 1888.
NUMBER.
AMOUNT.
Cattle
22,807
265,712
Horses
7,449
262,848
Mules
629
24,605
Sheep
879
1,193
Swine. 21,969
45,202
Railway property.
124,408
Farm lands ..
283,557
2,194,684
Village property.
244,892
Total
$3,263,574
MARRIAGE RECORD.
The first marriage in the county was that of G. L. Kellogg to Susana Kinyon, April 16, 1856. The ceremony was performed by Justice of the Peace Urbane Herrick. The following gives the total number of marriages for each year from the organization of the county to December, 1888, as shown by the marriage records in the county clerk's office:
YEAR.
No.
YEAR.
No.
185G
2
1873.
.23
1857
1
1874
20
1858
2
1875. .30
1859 ..
2
1876. 24
1860.
2
1877
.26
1861
6
1878.
.37
1862
1879
.5G
1863
1
1880
.52
1864.
5
1881
83
18G5.
1882
68
1866.
9
1883.
.67
1867
9
1884.
1.69
1868.
14
1885.
.76
1869 ..
10
1886. .
.96
1870
4
1887
.92
1871
13
1888. 53
1872.
11
Total.
999
POPULATION BY TOWNSHIP'S IN 1885.
No. OF
FOREION BORN.
TOTAL. DWELLINGS'
Audubon.
255
981
166
Cameron .. .
69
59G
132
Douglas
64
647
129
Exira and village.
198
1,555
396
Greeley
81
750
148
Hamlin.
80
591
113
Leroy and town of Audub'n 187
128
825
175
Melville.
80
$15
199
Oakfield.
322
892
168
Sharon
380
682
133
Viola.
43
409
135
Totals.
.1,817
10,825
2,207
POPULATION AT VARIOUS DATES.
In 1856 the county contained a population of 283; in 1860 it had 454; in 1870 its population was 1,270; in 1880 it amounted to 7,448; in 1885 it had reached 10,825.
1,882
388
Lincoln
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
657
CHAPTER VI.
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.
SCOTCIIMAN who had seen the Stuart dynasty sung from the throne, said: "Let me make a nation's ballads, and who will may make its laws." Newspapers have superseded ballads. Journalism, the popular voice in type, is the foe of usurpation. The growth of our press has, indeed, been wonder- ful. While Captain Carver treated with the North American Indians the newspaper ad- vanced from an advertising sheet to a political power. Before King George rewarded Carver with a grant, the newspaper had defeated the monarch. The " stamp act " might have been fought in vain but for our journals. Patrick Henry would have aroused a small circle of loyal men, and there would have been no na- tional soul if it had not been for journalism, the bond of union that saved the colonies. The Maryland Gazette indorscd Patrick Henry, and at once every liberal sheet responded. The Boston Gazette echoed the words, backed by Adams, and a pamphlet in London disseminated that utterance, in spite of the British government. Within one year the king was discomfited, the " stamp act " re- pealed-that was the beginning, and the end was near. " I am the State," said Louis XIV. With greater truth the press could have said " I am the Revolution!" The newspaper was the weapon, without which there had been no Bunker Hill, no renowned Declaration.
No local newspaper can remain long in a | about 1883.
community and enjoy a good patronage un- less it be a journal which reflects the general public and moral character of such commu- nity. If a people be intemperate, it were folly to attempt to publish a prohibition shect; if in a commercial center, no one would think of receiving support for an agricultural paper! For a time, a low-lived journal may find a few paying subscribers from among the morbid curiosity seeker, but no moral people will long tolerate an immoral paper, and no peculiar sect will support a paper which does not advocate its principles.
The first to found a local journal in the then wild and undeveloped region of Andu- bon County were John C. Brown and J. J. Van Houghton, who established the Audu- bon County Pioneer in December, 1860. It was published at " Andubon City "-now de- funct. It was Democratic in politics, but little else is known of its history save that the tax list was published in its columns. No file can now be found of it. Upon the break- ing out of the Rebellion the paper was sold to Frank Whitney and moved to Lewis, Cass County, Iowa. John C. Brown, one of the original owners, enlisted in 1861 and was an officer in Company I of the First Iowa Vol- unteers; he was killed at Milliken's Bend. Ilis partner also served in the army, being Captain in the Fourth Iowa Infantry. He returned to Iowa after the war and died
658
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
The next journal benefiting the people of Audubon County was a Democratic paper published at Atlantic, which, for political and advertising purposes, ran a portion of its issue with an Audubon County heading. It contained the proceedings of the county super- visors. Next, " Leafe " Young, of Atlantic newspaper fame, a radical Republican, fur- nished Audubon County with a similar paper, which in fact was a Cass County journal, but contained some local items from this county. It was at one time the official organ of An- dubon County, but npon the establishment of a real home-made paper, it soon ceased its weekly visits.
The next newspaper venture in the county was made by leading Democrats who were instrumental in getting R. Lespenasse to come to the county and take charge of a paper owned by a stock company of Demo- erats who proposed to have an official organ. This was known as the Audubon County Sentinel, which first appeared during the winter of 1870-'71. The manager whom the company had imported did not fill the bill, so the editorship was transferred to James P. Lair, who was an improvement, he being a vigorous, dashing "quill-slinger." Later on, however, its original editor, Mr. Lespenasse, purchased the plant, good-will and material; he controlled it till about 1873, when it was virtually given to ex-County Judge D. M. Harris, who changed its name to that of Audubon County Defender. He managed it a year when he sold to E. Il. Kimball, who published the paper until the spring of 1877. In 1876, however, its poli- ties were "in the twinkling of an eye" changed to Republican doctrines. In 1877 the concern was sold to J. A. Hallock and A. L. Campbell, who very much improved the style of the publication. It then passed into the hands of Milliman & Crane, and from
them to R. W. Griggs, then to " Bert " Sim- inons, who later let it go back to Griggs, who finally, in 1883, removed it to Kansas.
In 1876 Mr. Lespenasse, who started the Sentinel, which had been changed to the Defender, came back to the county and again started a paper called the Sentinel, taking up the old volume number. This only survived a year, collapsing in 1877-'78. Its manager was D. D. Stancliff, who died in 1887. But the people demanded a Sentinel, and so in 1878 II. P. Albert began printing a paper, taking the name of Audubon County Senti- nel. It was at first published at the now de- funct town of Hamlin, but the following year it was removed to Exira and there conducted until 1879, when it was removed to the then infant town of Andubon, at which point the county seat had been located. It continued until 1884; when its good-will (?) was sold to the Advocate.
The Audubon Advocate (Democratic) was issued nnder great disadvantages. Perhaps no paper in Iowa was launched on the jour- nalistic sea under more trying eirenmstances, bothi as to opposition from the other news- papers as well as from the wintry elements- all combining to " freeze out " the newly- born local paper, which was edited by E. II. Kimball in a very able and aggressive man- ner. Its first number was issued January 1, 1879. It was at first a nine-column folio- half home and half foreign print. The press employed to print it was the cver-reliable and old-fashioned " Washington " hand press, which has ever had that peculiar faculty of wonderfully developing the muscles about the elbow joint of the operator's right arın! As a matter of history it may be well for the reader to peruse the following, which is an extract from one of the earliest editorials of this paper, under the heading of " Then and Now":
659
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
" Don't it beat the royal star spangled American !
" But a few short months ago, in the place where we now sit, encircled by all that exalts and embellishes civilized life (perhaps), the rank thistle nodded in the wind, and the wild polecat flipped his caudal appendage in the prairie grass, or words to that effect. Pshaw! we thought we were running a Sunday-school paper in Exira! It is not often that we get sentimental! But what we started ont to say is this: Less than four months ago we roamed around over this town plat, trying to trace out the streets and alleys by the short stakes planted a short time before in the high prairie grass. Not a building had been erected, and in fact there were no signs that any would be erected for some time to come. The grass had already been killed by the autumn frosts, and the cold wind betokened winter at hand. Nearly every one predicted that nothing would be attempted in the way of building until spring-time. To-day (Jan- nary 22, 1879), we are sitting in a neat and cozy office in a handsome two-story building. In the rear room two presses are running, and their incessant click! click ! click! announees that the ' Art Preservative ' has found its way to the 'new town,' as it was then called. Around us are papers and books in profusion, and several persons, strangers to us then, some reading, some talking, but all here to, make their home. In front is a fine street, and scores of teams and busy people hurrying to and fro; the iron horse is snorting and puffing beside a magnificent depot, and pass- engers are leaving the train and hurrying to hotels and other places. Ilalf a dozen dray teams are hauling goods up the streets, the hotel bells are ringing to call the many new- comer guests to dinner; the sound of the tools used in nearly all the trades can be heard; upward of a hundred buildings, many of 42
them magnificent ones, adorn the town plat, and we sce Audubon, then a naked tract of prairie, now a veritable and flourishing young city, the liveliest of its age and size in all Iowa, as hundreds who sce it every day freely admit. We venture the prediction that one year from to-day the population of the place will reach nearly 1,000. And why not? It is tributary to, and will command, the entire trade of as beautiful a country as the sun ever shone on, for a distance of fifteen miles, east, north and west, and about half that dis- tance south."
The sea of journalism in Andubon County has been very trying and rough-one which has not fully satisfied the people, or even been a paying business to the proprietors themselves. There have been a number of changes on each of the several local papers, including the Advocate. As before stated, E. II. Kimball started the paper on borrowed capital, out of which grew much contention, so before the end of the first volume a part- ner named B. F. Thacker was taken in, when the paper was conducted under the firm name of Kimball & Thacker; but before the year closed Seth Paine, the original owner of the material, came on from Chicago, and took possession of his property. Under his man- agement and editorship the paper was greatly improved, having a more reliable, respecta- ble standing among lowa newspapers. It ever worked for good men and good improve- ments in the growing county.
Mr. Paine was full of energy, and got out a large edition January 1, 1881, which con- tained a very authentie historical " write-up," giving the county, and especially Audubon, a grand boom. It treated of the county's soil, crops, inducements offered to emigrants, etc. He sold 4,500 of these papers at ten cents each. They were sent to all parts of the east and to many places in Europe. St.
660
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
John, traffic manager of the great Rock Island Railway, bought $100 worth and sent them broadeast; and from sneh papers eame men from New England who now reside in the county, drawn here by the glowing ac- counts read in that single issue. Emigrants also came from Germany and other European States. The following scason 131 cars were landed at Audubon containing freight, which came by reason of that issue. It was a mar- vel in the way of proving the value of print- er's ink.
In January, 1882, Mr. Paine sold the paper to R. M. Carpenter, who had for an editor abont a year E. M. Stewart; but before that volume closed he was at the hehn him- self. He made some changes in the " make- up" of the sheet, and edited a good paper.
In 1886 he changed it again to a five- column quarto-its present size and form. In February, 1888, the paper passed from Mr. Carpenter's hands to the proprietorship of Crane & Crane, who continued the partner- ship until November of that year, when V. B. Crane sold his interest to F. D. Allen, the present firm being Allen & Crane.
The Audubon County Republican, the organ of the party which its name would in dieate, was founded December 24, 1885, as an eight.column folio, half home and half foreign print. It was established by Cousins & Foster, the latter's interest being repre- sented by W. II. McClure, who succeeded Foster in ownership in April, 1887. The tirin still remains Cousins & McClure.
The Republican is a good local paper, clean and moral-one which no community need be in the least ashamed of. While it is a party paper, yet it treats all with fairness.
The Times was owned and conducted by E. II. Kimball, who was virtually given his outfit by the Rock Island Railway Company, who wanted an organ within their newly created
town. It was established in the winter of 1879-'80 and published until the fall of 1886, when its proprietor saw greener fields await- ing his newspaper talent, in the mountain country of Wyoming Territory, to which sec- tion he shipped his office. In politics his paper was Republican. It was an eight- column folio and it is said to have been one of the strongest papers in the county, yet had its very bitter enemies.
The Audubon County Journal (independ- ent) is published at Exira. It takes the serial number of two defunct papers of that town, but virtually was founded anew by G. W. Guernsey in September, 1885. It is one of the best local papers in Andubon County, giving each week all the local happenings in the community. Its proprietor is a practical printer and journalist, who takes with the masses. He ever strives to build up his town and county, by speaking well of his location, the county and its populace.
The Liberator was a purely local sheet, founded and conducted by T. Y. Paine-a mere youth, who met with an accident in childhood and was a eripple till his death, which occurred in 1888. He was a son of Seth Paine who was once owner of the Adro- cute. The Liberator was a clean, spicy, well- edited local journal, well thought of by all. It was the pet and pride of young Paine, whose whole life seemed wrapped up in his paper, which was a four column folio in form. lle conducted it as long as he lived, the paper being in its third volume at the time of his death.
The Western Blizzard, an independent journal, was started by Allen & Waitman, at the village of Gray, in May, 1887. It had for a motto at its head (which was a very elaborate design), "It blows for Humanity." About three months after its establishment Frank D. Allen became sole proprietor of
661
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
the paper. It was a five-column quarto at first, but was later changed to a folio and made a semi-weekly; then changed to a weekly again and printed on rose-tinted paper. It was somewhat of a sensational paper and was
suspended before it had a chance to wield much influence politically. Its name was a happy hit and caused much comment by the press throughout the entire country. It did not pay !
662
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
CHAPTER VII.
VARIOUS THINGS.
EDUCATIONAL.
T is highly complimentary to the intelli- genee of Audubon County people, that in the few years devoted to the development of educational advantages, she has made so fine a record. Edneation has ever been held uppermost in the minds of the general popula- tion, who have never expended foolishily, yet always liberally, for the support of schools. To-day she has a system which equals any and far surpasses many older settled counties. It may be said there are fewer persons who cannot read and write than in almost any other county.
" The Iligh School of the town of Andu- bon is one of the most flourishing and effect- ive in all western Iowa, having for the past eight years been under the superintendency of enterprising educators, who were awake to modern methods, which have been introduced with most satisfactory results. The curriculum embraces the higher branches of study, in- eluding languages, while special attention is given to a preparatory course for teachers giving equal advantages in this regard with the regular Normal Schools, and no higher reward of compliment could be paid to those whose endeavors have thus built up this school than the knowledge of the fact that among the successful instructors doing good work in the county to-day there are many who have graduated from this place of learning."
The schools throughout the county are under an excellent system, so that none are
deprived of advantages. In going over the entire county one beholds district sehool- houses every two miles each way, making a grand total of one hundred and eight. This is indeed wonderful when one comes to re- flect that there are only twelve civil town- ship within the bounds of the county, giving nine school-houses to each township upou an average. In 1878 there was but one graded school, and that at the village of Exira. In 1888 there were three graded schools-one in Exira Township of two rooms; one in the village of Exira of five rooms, and one at Audubon of seven rooms.
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