USA > Iowa > Lyon County > Historical sketch of Lyon County, Iowa : and a description of the country and its resources; giving information with regard to the inducements which it offers to immigrants and others desiring to settle in the Northwest > Part 4
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
Over 40,000 acres of farming lands surrouding Beloit are for sale to settlers upon easy terms. Town property is held at merely nominal prices, and every inducement is offered by one of the most promising towns in the Northwest.
Information concerning Beloit and surrounding country will be cheerfully given by addressing any of its business firms
DOON
is situated upon a smooth plateau on the east bank of the Rock, at the confluence of the West Branch, Rock and Little Rock rivers. It commands a view of the valleys of these streams, whose sweeping bends, shady groves, and spark- ling waters, present a beautiful landscape as far as the eye can reach. Here fancy would again restore to us some eastern village, surrounded by orchards, meadows and farms, were it not for that enterprise so characteristic of rising towns in the West.
Its geographical situation is very nearly at the middle of the county east and west, and one mile and a half from its southern boundary. It is located on the line of the Rock Valley Railway, and will also be the crossing of the Iowa and Dakota Railroad.
Doon has been amply provided by nature with the foun- dation for a substantial and flourishing town.
The country drained by the several streams that unite at this place is tributary to Doon. Two of the finest water powers on Rock River are conveniently located. The water has cut out au almost perfect mill race, the banks of the
--
36
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
stream are solid, and the power can be utilized at little ex- pense. Timber and stone are also plenty and convenient.
With the improvement of these advantages for manufac- ture, the development of the surrounding country, and com- pletion of railroads, Doon will rank as one of our finest western towns. For the purpose of encouraging these ob- jects some of our leading business men have organized "The Lyon County Town Lot and Real Estate Company." The objects of this Company are to deal in real estate, and in particular to invite immigration, encourage manufacturers, and promote the growth of Doon.
The town has already made rapid progress. Tri-weekly mail stages connect it with Sheldon and Sibley, on the St. Paul railroad, and with Rock Rapids, Beloit and Lemars. A lively newspaper, Republican in politics, is also published at Doon, The first paper ever printed in Lyon county was issued from this office,, Sept. 20th, 1812. It also contains a good hotel, several real estate offices and stores, a public hall and an elegant school building. Other buildings are going up and steps are being taken to erect a church. The Rock river is being spanned near town with an iron bridge. At present a flouring mill is urgently needed; other manu- factures must follow. More than 50,000 aeres of our best farming lands are held for sale at Doon. The home-seeker and the capitalist are urged to investigate the inducements which are here. offered, either by visit or correspondence with any of the following firms :
The Lyon County Town Lot and Real Estate Company, A. J. W'arrea, President; H. D. Rice, Vice President; James H. Wagner, Treasurer; Charles E. Goetz, Secretary.
M. W. Jeffries, dealer in general merchandise and agri- cultural implements.
The Lyon County Press, L. B. Raymond & Co., editors and proprietors.
James H. Wagner, real estate, tax paying and collec- tion Agent.
G. R. Badgerow, real estate and tax paying agent.
Geo. W. McQueen, dealer in real estate.
S. C. Hyde, real estate agent and surveyor.
ROCK RAPIDS.
Among the many Northwestern towns that have sprang into existence within the last two years, none have ahown
37
TOWNS AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES.
more life and vigor than Rock Rapids, and none now offer superior inducements to capitalists or immigrants.
Located upon a beautiful table land at the junction of the Rock and Kanaranzi rivers, abounding in foliage from stately trees to tiny flowers, and within the sound of water falls it is, indeed, a lovely town.
Geographically it is sitnated very near the middle of the county east and west, and five miles from its northern boun- dary. It is also located on the line of the Rock Valley Rail- way, and will be the crossing of the Rock Rapids and Sioux Falls Division of the McGregor and Missouri River Rail- road. Tri-weekly mail and stage lines also connect the town with Sibley, on the St. Paul Railway, with Doon, Le- Mars and Larchwood, Iowa, Luvern, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, Dakota.
An extensive region of country, embracing the northern part of Lyon County and a large district in Minnesota, is its natural tributary. But a surer foundation for the future greatness and permanence of Rock Rapids, stronger than all local advantages, arc its exhaustless manufacturing facilities. Three first-class water powers are situated within one mile of the town. Their power is ample for milling and manu- facturing purposes. The banks of the stream and building sites are safe and substantial. An abundance of rock for the construction of dams lies loose in the bed of the stream where it is needed for use.
Rock Rapids contains a good hotel, several real estate offices, stores, shops, a newspaper, public hall and a fine school building. A church has been organized, and steps are being taken to creet a house of worship. Other build. ings are also under construction, and an iron bridge is now being stretched across the Rock River opposite the town.
Many of the buildings are fine structures. The residence of C. H. Moon, the finest in the country, does credit to so young a town. A visit to the garden of J. S. Smith, filled with plants, flowers and shrubbery of all kinds, would show what may be accomplished in horticulture on our western soil. The grounds surrounding the residence of J. S. How- ell, near town, would do credit to one of our castern cities. They are regularly and tastefully laid out, with walks, drives, orchards and groves, the latter containing over 20,- 000 trees of many rare varieties.
A large nursery is being planted rear town, which will
38
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
be able to supply the whole valley with all kinds of fruit and forest trees.
The different real estate firms of Rock Rapids are agents for the sale of more than 50,000 acres of adjoining farming lands, for all of which settlers are earnestly desired. A flour- ing mill is also urgently demanded and would richly repay the investment. With the development of the surrounding country other manufactures must spring up and Rock Rapids take an importance far beyond what its most hopeful citi- zens ever anticipated.
We invite an examination of the town and surrounding country or correspondence with any of the following named parties :
The Rock Rapids Water Power Improvement, Milling and Manufacturing Company ; J. S. Howell, president ; C. H Moon, vice-president; O. A. Cheney, secretary; D. C. Whitehead, superintendent; T. K. Bradley, treasurer; J. F. Eccleston, attorney.
Van Sickle Brothers, dealers in general merchandise and agricultural implements.
T. K. Bradley, dealer in general merchandise.
D. C. Whitehead, attorney at law and real estate agent.
J. S. Howell, real estate broker and notary public.
Mount Brothers, real estate, title and insurance agents. Smith & Monlux, dealers in agricultural implements.
The Rock Rapids Review, O. A. Cheney editor and pro- prietor.
J. F. Eccleston, attorney at law.
Ethan Allen, real estate agent and surveyor.
Rock Rapids Hotel, T. E. Convers, proprietor.
Rock River Nurseries, D. E. Sweet, proprietor.
LARCHWOOD
is situated in the northwestern part of the county, surround- ed by some of our best farming lands. The place has a handsome location. on the Rock Rapids and Sioux Falls stage line, and expects to receive the MeGregor railroad. It is now the central point for a colony from Illinois, which is changing this portion of the county from a wilderness to a fine farming district. One of the principal advantages of- fered at Larehwood is improved farms with artificial timber for settlers. The surrounding vacant lands are owned by J. W. Fell, of Bloomington, Ill., who is taking every pains to propare them for settlement. Ten acres are broken on
1
39
PRICES OF LAND.
each quarter section and planted to timber-principally European larch. The new comer may thus find lands ready for cultivation the first year and a grove of timber growing These lands are among the best in the county and the colo- ny is prosperous. For further information address J. W. Fell, Bloomington, Ill., or J. F. Geiser, real estate agent. Larchwood, Lyon county, Iowa.
THE COUNTY SEAT
of Lyon has not yet been established, but the legal steps are now being taken for its location.
PRICES OF LAND).
There is room enough in Lyon county for 1,500 families with 160 acres of land each, which may be bought for $5.00 per acre. The best lands in the county are offered at $5.00 much at $4.00, and we know of none for which more than $6.00 per acre is asked. Thousands in Northwestern Iowa are paying for these lands from the proceeds of the soil alone. The new-comer arrives in the spring, which is the best time, puts up a temporary cabin and breaks up forty or fifty acres the first season, there being none of that laborious process of removing trees, stumps and stones. A part of this land may be planted to "sod corn" the first year, yield- ing a good crop. He then finds time to cut hay and pre- pare for winter. The next season this land is ready for wheat, and from this time on he finds no difficulty in making his annual payments from the proceeds of this crop alone. A large share of our vacant lands are held by railroad compa- nies, which offer it upon long time and easy terms. Look at the payments upon the usual plan :
160 acres, at $5 per acre, cost
$800 80
Patd at time of purchase.
One year's interest on balance
$50 40
End of first year
44 80 SO
End ef second year
39 20
80
End of third year
33 60
80
End of fourth year
28 00
80
End of fifth year
22 40
80
End of sixth year
17 80
SO
End of seventh year.
11 20
80
End of eighth year
5 60
SO
End of ninth year
SO
$252 00 $800
Never, do we believe, were landless men offered such an opportunity to secure homes.
·
1
40
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
.
CONCLUSION.
" Westward the star of empire takes its way." Five years ago the land we occupy was a howling wilderness. Vast herds of buffalo roamed over our prairies, or came thundering down our green slopes, where the husbandman's flocks now graze in quiet. The huts of savages marked the sites of our flourishing villages. The aged man of New England can recollect when central New York constituted the west. Following down the aisles of time he will recall the period when the few enterprising men who decided to emigrate to the "far west," collected their household goods hitched their ox teams to their wagons, and started on a two months journey to Ohio. Their friends crowded around them to speak their sad farewells, little expecting they would ever be able to return. To-day, although a thousand miles further west, we are yet east of the middle of the United States, and still the course is west. We can take the rail- road almost at our doors, and in three days reach the Atian- tic or Pacific coast. Flourishing communities, cities, terri- tories and powerful states have been established, among which the noble state of Iowa occupies a proud position.
Blessed with favorable climate, personal liberty and encr- gy protected and encouraged by equal laws, great strides have been made in agriculture, commerce, art, science and learning. Thousands of poor men from the Old World and the New, have followed this march of progress up the rug- ged valley of pioneer life, to fortune and independence. Hundreds of thousands of young men have here begun life and grown up with the country, sharing its wealth and pros- perity. And yet there is room for millions more with op- portunities equal to those who have preceded them. In the region which it is hoped this little pamphlet will describe are hundreds of thousands of acres of rich lands, as fresh as when first from the hands of nature, whose surface has never been furrowed by the plow. This must be made to con. tribute to the sustenance of man. Our water-powers are to be made useful; our railroad system is to be developed; our institutions are to be founded and our history shaped. Who will join us in this noble work and share the blessings which it will confer?
"I hear the tread of pioneers of nations yet to be-
The Erst low wash of waves, where soon shall roll a human sea, The rudiments of empire bere ara plastie yet, and warm, The chaos of a mighty world is rounding into form."
1
5748
1
Gc 977.701 L99h 1758080
Page 1,
INDEX OF : HISTORICAL SKETCH OF LYON COUNTY, IOWA
BY
S. C. HYDE, 1873
AUTHORIZED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PRINTED BY 1 PERKINS BROTHERS, PRINTERS & BINDERS, SIOUX CITY, JONA
I .
=
INDEX OF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF LYON COUNTY, IOWA
Page 5
INDEX OF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF LYON COUNTY, TOWA
RAYMOND, L. B. 36
REVES, N. !!.
13, 14, 15, RICE, I. D.
17, 36 RICE, Mrs. !. D.
SCHULTZ, Nr. .-
17
SKVRISOU, Amos
15
SHIPTH, --- 38
SMITH, J. S.
17, 37
SOGN, Chris H. 2, 13.
CARPMIITER, Ifr.
19, 34
LAWRENCE, Isaac
18
CARPENTER, J. A.
18, 34, 35
CHINEY, O. A. 38
LES, Odena
18
CLARK, George 9, 10
38
COOK, Harmon
2, 18
LOCKHART, Thomas
9, 10
COOK, Dr. John K. 3, 8
LYON, Gen. Nathaniel.
6
TAYLOR, James I. 17
THOMPSON, John 17
THIO IPSON, John . F. 17
THORSON, --- 19, 34 2
TUROSON. Thomas
TOBIASON, Simon 15
POLMAN, Anson 19. ,'
TORBARSON, Ole
18
TOUSLEY, Delos
14, 15
FELL, J. W.
19, 38, 39
FOSTER, Dr. J. W.
26
MC GREGOR, Roy
9, 10
MC GUIRE, ---
14
NC LAREN, Daniel 8, 12
VAN ANTWERP, Gov. Verplank 5
VAN SICKER, Brothers 38
WAGUSR, James Il. 2, 17, 36
WAGNER, John A.
15, 18
WAGNER, Lyman A. 18
WAGNER, William 17
WAR EN, A. J. 36
WHITE, Dr. C. A. 3, 22
MAHLIN, Abram J.
17
NEGUS, Hon. Charles
3
HAMLIN, William
17
NELSON; Ir. ---
19
NELSON, Halvor 12, 13, 18
HELSON, Il. 35
12
HRU;FRSQ:, H. T. 2, 17, 35
NIXON, Hoses
2
HTTPSHAW, Jacob
18
"OLD TON" 8
FICITELL, J. S.
2, 18, 37 10, 11, 12
HYX, S. C. 17, 36
IRJIM, Emerick
14 1
JEFFRIES, II. W. 36
ALBERTSON, John
15
ALLEN, Ethan
2, 38
JOHNSON, A. A.
11
ALLEN, F. U. ANDERSON, Alexander
2
JO'RISOM, Charles H. 2, 11
8
JO!LISON, T. W. 2, 11,
KEEP, ---
: 34
BAL.L., L. A.
ANIGHT, L. F.
13, 2h
BRADLEY, T. K.
38
BRISTOL, C. E.
19
LARSON, Christian 17
SORENSON, Ole 15
SWEESY, Matthias 14, 15 38
SWEST, D. E.
LAVIS : CLARK 28
LIMAIS, E. V. 15
ECCLESTON!, J. F.
38
BARTIN, Clay
16
sR.l., Emerick
14
MARTIN, Justice
15
HARTTU, Urs Justice 15
MARTIN, Lilly 16
MARTIN, 5. U.
15, 16
MAY, V. B. 19
NIC QUEEN, George W. 15, 36 17
GEISER, J. F.
39
HORY, Jessic
4
GESLEY, K.
35
M4 HILUX, ---
38
COETZ, Hr.
19, 34
GOETZ, Charles E. 2, 36
MOOI, C. Il. 17, 37, 38
CUNDERSONT, Gano
13
NIOUNIT, Brothers
38
HANSON!, Morton HARTSO!, J. B.
13
11
BEIGERKAT, Arne
13
NELSON, Ole
OLESON, Rev. Ellef 18
HYDE, Lewis P.
OLESON, Hans J. 1º
PARKS, Robert PAULSON, James 13
PET.M.On, Petrina 18
17
WHITEHEAD, D. C. 2, 14, 15, 17, 38
WHITEHEAD, Mrs. D. C.
19
Page 6. -
14
BADIERON, G. R. 18, 36 2
KORSTED, Thorsten
LEE, A. K. 13, 18
CONVERS, T. E.
FULTON, Hon. A. R.
3
HEAD, William
HOILUX, John 17
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.