USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > Historical and reminiscences of Chickasaw County, Iowa > Part 7
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his running horse, "Topsy," was just fast enough to make it interesting, but not profitable.
Not being able to hire a horse my trips about the country were made on foot, and I have walked from New Hampton to Brad- ford, fifteen miles, attended a lawsuit, and then walked back again. without any din- ner, for the reason that I had an empty exchequer. Having a suit to attend before Esq. Clason, who lived nineteen miles from New Hampton, in the north part of Obispo, I walked over, attended the suit, and walked back as far as Jacksonville, where I stopped at the house of W. E. Beach. He asked me if I had been to supper, and I told him that I had had neither dinner or supper. He told his boy Frank to get out the hand-mill and grind some meal, and sent Earl to build a fire, and to hurry up, as I was hungry. In due course of time there was prepared a kettle of mush, and I was served with mush and milk in a ten quart tin pan. Mrs. Beach was much embarrassed that she had no more to serve her guest, but of all the meals I have ever eaten, none ever tasted better than that pan of mush and milk. It was hospitably given, thankfully received and
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remembered with gratitude. After supper I walked to New Hampton, where I arrived about ten o'clock. It was pretty close times in those days, and I have seen the time when I could buy a load of wood for fifty cents, yet was obliged to carry wood on my back, from the timber. three-quarters of a mile, because I could not raise the funds to pay for a load.
M. C. Roby lived in a building about three- quarters of a mile northeast of New Hamp- ton, was not possessed with many of this world's goods, but he had a large family of children and during the winter of 1857-S he found that it was hard work to keep the wolf from the door.
At one time he found himself without a mouthful to eat in his house, and he started out to find something. When night came be did not come, and the little ones were cry- ing for something to eat. The house was cold and the mother decided to put them to bed to keep them warm, but they cried for food, and the mother had to whip them to make them go to bed.
In the meantime, Roby had secured half a bushel of corn, and taking it to David Edwards' "Little Giant" mill, and hitching
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on an old stag. he led him around until the corn was ground. and then taken on his back and carried home. When he got home they made mush and the children called up and made happy with a good meal. Roby used to say that he could hardly keep the tears back when he went to take up his little girl and found the tears still standing on her face where she had cried herself to sleep because she was hungry. Of course we that were holding official positions were not without the means to live, for we received for the first half of the term at the rate of two hundred and fifty dollars a year, and for the last half three hundred and fifty dollars. I think it was never known how the raise in the salaries came to be made. At this time the salaries were based on population of the county, and the salaries were so small, and the Judge thought that the population had increased enough to raise the salaries at least one hundred dollars, appointed M. B. Taylor to make an enumeration, and he reported that he found five more than enough. This report was very gratefully received by the officers, and they never ques- tioned the legality of the new census. Few men at this time were able to wear an over-
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coat, and it was two years before I was able to own one, but wore a shawl instead.
A favorite device was to pin a bag over the shoulders, and I recall how, day after day, Tim Donavan. Sr., used to wear one. as he drove his yoke of stags from his place to the Middle Wapsie. for wood. and that amid all this hardship and labor he was always cheery, and greeted all with a pleasant word. Of keen perception. frugal and industrious, he attained an opulence and raised a family to fill places of honor and trust. He was a true type of the American Irishman, adopt- ing in spirit. as well as in name, the country to which he had sworn allegiance, and left an inheritance for his children. not only of material substance, but above all the right idea of manhood.
On taking a trip to Chickasaw in the sum- mer of 1857, when coming to the Middle Wapsie, I saw a rude building covered with hay, with smoke emitting from it. which indicated that it was occupied, and as I was thirsty, concluded to call and get a drink. This was my first call on Barney Tierney, who was just starting his new home, and the contrast between his hay shanty, amid a wilderness of grass, and his spacious and well
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furnished house, immense barns and well cul- tivated fields of to-day show what industry, economy and perseverance will accomplish.
The town of Chickasaw was started with a desire to develop the water power, and to build up a rival town to Bradford. John W. Taylor, of Dubuque-Tucker being the local active agent in pushing the enterprise- was its backer. After it had figured quite extensively on paper, a gentleman started to pay it a visit, and reaching the town site. no town appeared to materialize. Seeing a boy, he asked where Chickasaw was, and was informed that "the store is in that log house, but Tucker is down at the mill." On arriving at Chickasaw one of the most striking things that I found was the firm of Albertson, Waite & Baldwin. Albertson was six feet two inches in height, Baldwin six feet three inches, and Waite six feet seven inches. If Tucker's legs had been as long in proportion as his back, he would have outmeasured them all. On remarking as to the size of Waite's hand, "Bro." Whitmore declared that "it was as big as the hand of Provi- dence." In those days Chickasaw was a little "loud," and Sunday was a great day for sport.
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At the organization of Obispo township, J. J. Rutherford was elected one of the Justices of the Peace. Soon after his election, a young German couple came to him and wanted a divorce. Not questioning their right or his jurisdiction, he proceeded to make out the papers. When the papers were about ready to sign, the husband and wife held a conference, and as a result, told the Justice that they had looked the matter over, and as it was coming on winter, if divorced to take effect then. they would have to keep two fires, and desired the papers made out to take effect in the spring. The papers were changed as requested, and the parties left contented. It took but little to give this Justice jurisdiction. Meeting his neighbor, John Clason, he told him that he was going to sue him next Friday, as he had been told to collect an account against him. Clason remarked, "I have paid that account and will be on hand when sned." Without further notice, on the Friday following the Justice entered judgment against Clason for the full amount of the claim. After au injunction had been served on him and the Constable who held the execution, the Jus- tice said that Clason ought to have attended
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to it, for he told him he was going to sue him. He also threatened to issue papers and impeach the County Judge for issuing an injunction to restrain the collection of a judgment of his rendering, and for interfer- ing with his court.
At the fall election of 1857 I attend my first election in Chickasaw county, although I had attended one in Allamakee county before, and as I lived in New Hampton, voted in that township. Election was held in the log house of Josephus Straw, five miles from the town. This was the last election held away from the village. Bos- worth and I walked down, and as Bosworth was running for Treasurer and Recorder, stayed to see how the election went, and found that Bosworth received two votes, his own and mine. This was as expected.
The fall term, 1857, court was held in Gur- ley's unfinished store building, seats being improvised of rough boards laying on timbers and the Judge was elevated upon the work bench. He had a stand furnished by Gurley for a desk. I was acting as Clerk and used one end of the work bench for a table. Judge Samuel Murdock presided and made a political speech in the evening.
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G. R. Rowley was elected a Justice of the Peace at the organization of Chickasaw township, and was a marked character in his day, and was only exceeded in rotundity, in the township, except by his neighbor Cud- worth. With a limited education, large frame and full abdomen, easy going and good natured, and smoking a corn cob pipe with an air of dignity, he was a typical specimen of a new country squire. With a full sense of the dignity of his position, reckless of technicalities and precedent, ignoring legal rules and untrammeled by the law of evi- dence, in coming to conclusions he appealed to his innate feeling of justice and common sense, and results were generally right, and was looked upon as one of the reliable men of the county. Too easy going and careful of over exertion to accumulate a fortune, he was happy with his large family of boys, and was satisfied with very plain fare, but when his country called for volunteers to defend her integrity, he was rich in material, and gave the largest number of any family in the county, sending five.
While a trial was in progress before him, a couple presented themselves to be married. The Justice was nothing loth, but there
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were unseen difficulties, but they were finally overcome by his Honor keeping his back to the wall as he slid into position, thus keeping from view the catastrophe that had befallen the rear of his pants.
The location of the village of New Hamp- ton was owing to its being the geographical center of the county and not for any natu- ral advantages it possessed. It received its name at the hands of a New Hampshire man, Osgood Gowen, who thus commemorated his native town amid the hills of the old Granite State by giving its name to this prospective town. There had been a town of four blocks laid out in the northwest corner of the south- west quarter of section seven, in township ninety-five, range twelve, and named Chick- asaw Center, but the plat had never been recorded. In the summer of 1556 Messrs. Gideon Gardner, Harrison Gurley and Homer Hamlin became interested in much of the land that constitutes the original plat of New Hampton, and late in the fall moved to their new homes. Gurley returned to Grinnell for a stock of goods that he had ordered from the east before his purchase in New Hampton, and moved them to Green- wood, where he spent the winter, as there
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was no place that could be had in New Hampton until spring. Mrs. Gurley moved into the northeast room of David Edwards' house with her little boy, "Willie," and taught school in the same room during the winter. The school room was unfinished, and as cheerless as the imagination could well picture, with its walls of prairie mud filled in between the flattened poles that served as studding. Severed from husband and friends, upon the wild, bleak prairie, sorrowing the loss of an only daughter that lay sleeping near her old home in Connecti- cut, this faithful woman took up her task, and with sore heart and tearful eyes, began a lifework of self denial that has endeared her to all who have known her.
Early in the history of New Hampton there was a feeling that its foundations should be laid with a firm trust in God, and this strong religious feeling was exemplified in the starting of a Sabbath school and in the holding of devotional meetings. The first sermon was preached by C. M. Webster, a Methodist, and the second by Wm. L. Coleman, a Congregationalist. Both were preached in the log house built by Jared, and which subsequently became the "Old
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Log Hotel." These gathering families were all professed Christians, and felt the need of organized work for the Master.
The New Hampton of 1856-7 was not the New Hampton of to-day. Where now are business blocks, churches, school houses. the homes of fond parents and joyous children, then the wild prairie grass waved in its luxuriant beauty, trailed by the wild deer and prowling wolf, and the hiding place of the prairie hen. The formative work went on. Sabbath schools, devotional meetings, and an occasional sermon by a traveling preacher, until early in 1S5S, when there was felt the pressing need of some organization that should bring a regular ministration of the gospel, and voice their aspirations for a higher life. A meeting was called, and on the Sth day of February met in the school house, being the log house that had been used by Gurley as a store and postoffice, at which it was resolved:
To take the preliminary steps to organize a Christian church that shall embrace all evangelical Christians.
Under said resolution a committee of seven was appointed, consisting of Gideon Gardner, David Edwards, D. Calkins, Caleb Arnold,
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Walter E. Beach, Dr. Wilson and J. H. Powers, to report a Basis. Articles of Faith and Covenant. W. E. Beach lived in Jack- sonville and Dr. Wilson in Richland, and neither of them ever met with the com- mittee. Of the remainder of the committee, Gideon Gardner was a Congregationalist, David Edwards a United Brethren, Denizen Calkins a Free Will Baptist, and J. H. Powers had never been a member of any church, though raised a Presbyterian.
Report of committee made on the 13th of February, and report approved and adopted. On Sunday morning. the 14th of February, 1858, the citizens met in the old log school house. The Rev. J. C. Strong, who was then pastor of the Bradford Congregational church, was present to aid in the services, and a church was organized with Gideon Gardner, Naomi Gardner, Harrison Gurley, Isabella Gurley, James D. Colt, Amelia Colt, Jason Morton and Julius H. Powers as mem- bers. At the April meeting following, Mr. and Mrs. Olney were admitted as members of the church by profession. February 6th, IS59, C. O. Case, Mrs. Mary Case, Miss Chris- tina Morton. Mrs. Hannah Morton. John L. Vanauken, Mrs. Catherine Vanauken, Mrs.
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Emma Vanauken, G. A. Hamilton and Mrs. Ruth Hamilton joined.
At the organization of the church the following resolutions were adopted:
WHEREAS, In the language of John Wesley, slavery is the sum of all villainies; and,
WHEREAS, It is a notorious fact that not only individual Christians, but churches, do tolerate it; therefore,
Resolved, That we will not fellowship any per- son who advocates the system of American slavery.
Resolved, That we will not fellowship any indi- vidual that traffics in, or makes use of, except for mechanical, medicinal or sacramental purposes, any spirituous or alcoholic liquors.
In the summer of 1862 the church called their first regular pastor in the person of Rev. Thomas N. Skinner. Mr. Skinner took charge of the church July 5th, 1862, and remained prstor two years. While he was pastor he preached every alternate Sunday at New Hampton and Fayette. In the spring of 1863 he commenced to agitate the build- ing of a house of worship, and being rein- forced by a return from the army of a number of members, the work was begun, and with untiring zeal he worked early and late to accomplish the end. Preaching twice
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every Sabbath, riding forty miles every week between his charges. he aiways worked from one to three days on the church building each week, and was a true type of western energy, and gave $50 out of his limited sal- ary, besides his labor. During his pastorate he preached in the lower story of the new school house, and as the church building was not dedicated before he left, he never preached in it until his return on a visit, when he occupied the pulpit. Thus one soweth and another reapeth.
The next pastor called by the church was the Rev. Harvey Adams, who commenced his labors on the first day of December. 1866, and closed his services with the church December 27th, 1S70. Mr. Adams was one of the "Andover Band," who came to the Territory of Iowa in 1843. This band, although not political, did much to give trend to public sentiment against the domi- nating influence of the southern emigration that came pouring into the Territory, and largely owing to their influence and anti- slavery sentiment, was there a party of freedom formed, which came into power by the election of James W. Grimes as Gov- ernor.
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In the spring of IS5S I was appointed to survey the Swamp Lands of the county so as to prepare the evidence to present to the United States under the grant of swamp lands to the State, the same having been transferred by the Legislature to the county. Taking Zelotes Bailey, E. M. Aiken and O. O. Popleton with me, we proceeded to make the survey. While running on the east side of the county. in Stapleton township, we came to the houses of Thomas Staples, C. A. Orvis and E. D. Filer, a kind of aristo- cratic settlement of good, comfortable frame houses, quite in contrast with most western homes. I found Staples a live Yankee, who had come west for business, and with energy enough for a whole township. This was the rock on which he split, allowing his energy to run away with his judgment. If he was doing well with one threshing machine, he would at once buy another. This was a type of the man, and old settlers recall how he run a farm with a large stock of cattle, threshing machines, and a hotel. and divers other kinds of business, and as a result he proved a better disburser than gatherer, and failed to make a financial success. Filer and Orvis were not in the habit of looking
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at life as a field calling for great physical exertion, and when the prospect of being called into official positions appeared to depart, their agricultural zeal departed also, and they moved to greener pastures. North of Staples we came to Michael Burns, a full- souled, jolly, hospitable Irishman, and who subsequently became a member of the Board of Supervisors, and held the office of Justice of the Peace so long, and so supreme was his contempt of precedent and the opinions of higher courts, that his court became known as "Burns' Supreme Court,"" and while his legal attainments were not burden- some, he had a faculty of remembering his friends.
As we passed north into township ninety- six we came to the little log house of John S. Lee. Lee was trying to make a home, and having invested his money in land, was relying upon what he could raise for living and incidental expenses. It was a struggle that required grit and persever- ance. At this time postage to the east was ten cents for a letter, and so straightened was he for funds that a letter laid in his house, after it was written, for six weeks, he being unable to send it for want of money,
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and only succeeded when a neighbor sent a dime to town with him for tobacco, and he got trusted for the tobacco and used the money to send the letter. It was by such hardships as this, together with a rigid economy added to industry and persever- ance, that he now has his elegant home, stately barns and productive acres. and has been able to give each of his children, as they left the paternal roof, a good farm and that aid that does so much towards making a successful start in life. When I see the inheritance of industry they received from their parents, crowned with success, I am led to exclaim that their worldly goods are not the richest of their inheritance.
Between Lee's and Jacksonville were Noel Gates on the east bank of Little Turkey. A. M. Snider and Hugh Johnston on the hill west of Little Turkey, Wm. Everingham in the timber, and Dan Kirby on the east bank of Crane Creek. Sylvester Reiley was living on section seven, Terance Commerford on section five, Owen Galigan on section eight, and Amos J. Smith on the southeast corner of section six, in township ninety-six, range eleven.
There was a Catholic church on the north-
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west corner of section eight, it being the first place of worship erected in the county. A. J. Smith lived about forty rods northwest from the church, and was everywhere known as "Yankee Smith," and was a very strong Catholic and appeared to have the care of the church building. I had my attention specially called to this church and its bury- ing ground, from the circumstance that a Catholic family living in Bradford, one of their children dying, and there being no other consecrated ground in the county, they took the child on a sheet which was attached to two poles, like a stretcher, and carried the same the whole twenty-seven miles on foot. It took them two days to go, and a little less to return. As they laid the dead body on the ground while they rested, it was as pathetic a scene as I had ever seen. I must say that outside of that church I have never seen such devotion to the traditions of the church. I have been in hopes that some one who was present at the building of this first church would give a history and a full record of its birth and death registers, together with its marriage record, for noth- ing would throw a clearer light upon the early history of that part of the county than would such a record.
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North, in township ninety-seven, were the Clason brothers, George Arnold and W. C. Mitchell. Mitchell became an aspirant for legislative honors, and ran as the Demo- cratic candidate in 1S59, the district consist- ing of Chickasaw and Bremer counties, and was defeated by G. W. Ruddick, of Bremer county. His majority over Ruddick in Bremer county was one hundred and twenty. five, but the truth that "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country," was again exemplified, and he was defeated by the vote of his own county.
George B. Arnold I had known in Ohio. When I knew him in Ohio, he was the son of opulent parents, dressed in broadcloth and kid gloves. When I found him in Obispo he was living in a little log house, teaching school, and had the appearance of having come west to grow up with the country. In . fact, it appeared as though Iowa winters and practical life had taken all the "dude" out of him. He gave me a hearty welcome, and has ever remained one of Chickasaw county's reliable men.
Passing over from Little Turkey to Crane Creek, in township ninety-seven, range twelve, we came to the log house of Samuel
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Shaff. who was keeping a little store of groceries. Passing down the Creek into township ninety-six, to a settlement that was known as "Up the Creek." we found J. C. HI. Miller. John and H. H. Shaffer. the three Palmer brothers, and Langdon. On approaching the log house of H. H. Shaffer, the sound of music was heard, and on stand- ing at the open door we saw Mrs. Shaffer Playing on the violin, holding the instru- ment in her lap with the neck upwards near the shoulder. The novelty of the thing, added to the sweetness of the music, was only equaled by the surprise of the per- former when she found that she had an audience. Her husband was elected County Surveyor, and gathered a large property which he left to his wife and surviving children.
Above this settlement stayed John Badg- ley, using one part of a log building for his Lome and stabling his oxen in the other part. He had shielded his cattle from the inelement weather by chinking between the logs. although the gables were unclosed, but he was not so particular as to himself, and the wind blew through between the unchinked logs so that his dog which sought
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shelter under his bed was frozen to death. This same Badgley appeared to be impervious to exposure. He was crossing Crane Creek during high water when the ice was running, and he was upset into the water and floated down stream until he caught hold of a bush. The bush was not large enough to sustain him so that he could crawl out. but would hold his head and shoulders out of the water. He gave the alarm in lusty tones. and the neighbors gathered on the bank of the stream. There was no boat with which to rescue him, but they caulked a wagon box, and launching it above with a rope attached, floated it, after repeated trials, to within his reach, he having been in the water more than an hour. He was taken into the house and clothing wrapped around him, but he declared he would not remain, and on inquiry it was found that his uneasi- ness was caused by remembering that his -money was in his coat, and fearing that it would be lost, he had taken off his coat and hung it on a bush. It was recovered next morning.
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