USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 8
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Mr. Hamlin was not a church member, but favored the Baptist faith. Mrs. Hamlin was a member of the Christian church. He died at his home, of paralysis on April 17, 1897. After his death Mrs. Hamlin moved to Exira, and died there on September 13, 1906. Most of the Hamlin estate has passed out of the hand of his descendants. A grandson, Maturin L. Thomas, owns the old homestead proper, on Troublesome creek.
The children born to this worthy couple were as follow: Mary Mar- garet, who married Isaac Thomas; Hannah Maria, married Charles C. Hawk; Sarah Rosannah, married Benjamin F. Thomas; Malinda Christi- ana, married William Radcliff; William Allan, married Florence A. Lewis; Martha Jane, married Edward Calph; Eliza Angeline, died in 1859; Susan Parker, married John V. Plantz; Clara Harris, married John M. Allen; Nathaniel Douglas, married Elva Crane; Fernando Burton, married Emma E. Kilworth; Robert E. Lee, married Sadie J. Wheeler.
WILLIAM P. HAMLIN.
William P. Hamlin came with the first settlers in May, 1851, but soon moved to Cass county, a short distance south of the Exira township line. His place was afterward owned for many years by Almond Goodale. From thence he moved to Buck creek, a short distance south of the Audu- bon county line on the place owned for many years by Barney Harris. He moved to Exira in 1860 and bought the residence of Judge Harris, who at once built a larger dwelling on the site of the present Park hotel. Hamlin was a hunter ; had done a little farming ; kept a small stock of merchandise in his dwelling for sale, brought by his own team from Des Moines, Council Bluffs and other places; and he sold liquors. He was conspicuous for quar- rels and petty. lawsuits, and was frequently prosecuted for illicit dealing in liquors. He was a visionary man and dabbled in patent rights. He was proprietor of "Hamlin's Omaha Liniment." In collecting testimonials for advertising the nostrum, he solicited one from Peoria I. Whitted, who said
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that he had used the article and appreciated its value, and that it would be a pleasure for him to oblige Mr. Hamlin. Whitted said that on one occa- sion a strange dog was harboring about his place, and in trying to drive it away, he threw an ax at the dog, which cut off its tail; that he was sorry for the suffering of the poor brute and bathed. the wounded stump from which the tail was cut with "Hamlin's Liniment," and, behold, a new tail grew out from it. He was surprised at the result, and some time later he discov- ered the dissevered caudal appendage, and recalling the marvelous effect of the liniment on the former occasion, he applied a dose of it to the defunct member, when, wonderful to relate, a new dog was grown out of it. This romance of Whitted's produced no small amount of merriment at Ham- lin's expense, who did not take to it kindly. While a member of the grand jury in 1869, he was himself indicted for selling liquor, and pleaded guilty. On coming before Judge Maxwell for sentence, he was given permission to make a statement in mitigation, and gave an ingenious excuse. He said that he was the manufacturer of "Hamlin's Omaha Liniment," one of the ingredients of which was alcohol, which he kept on hand, and that he had, out of friendship, let his neighbors have some of it. The Judge first cau- tioned him not to interrupt while he pronounced sentence; ordered him to stand up and proceeded to censure him unmercifully and poured out the vials of his wrath on the heinousness of rum-selling, until Hamlin could stand it no longer, and he said: "I did have a United States license, Judge." "What did you get that for?" mockingly said the Judge. "I did it because I thought it would be no child's play to get into the United States court,"
ยท humbly replied Mr. Hamlin. "I will tell you now, Mr. Hamlin, before you are through with my court that it is no child's play," savagely responded the Judge. And a stiff fine was imposed.
In 1870 Hamlin resisted an officer who was searching his premises for illicit liquors, and hid himself out for many days to escape arrest. His liquor was seized and, pending trial, it was stolen and the receptacle filled with water. Mr. Scott was prosecuting the case before Squire Dodge, who solemnly condemned the stuff, and ordered it destroyed. The sheriff car- ried it into the street, broke up the cask and spilled the contents. Mr. Dodge himself tried to set it on fire with a match, but it would not burn. He remarked that any one who kept such miserably poor whisky ought to be punished! But the way Scott and Griggs convulsed with laughter at sight of the justice trying to set water on fire with a match, indicated that they might have known what became of the whisky. It was pronounced bonus by those supposed to be judges of the article.
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A warrant was issued for the arrest of Hamlin, and delivered to Henry Huyck, constable, for service, who was afraid, and consulted Mr. Leffing- well, ex-sheriff, as to his duty in the matter. Leffingwell, observing Huyck's dilemma, and his fear and inexperience, saw a chance for some fun. He caused him to believe that Hamlin was a dangerous man, and cautioned him to be on the alert and to avoid injury. Huyck armed himself, prac- ticed firing a revolver, called Leffingwell out to witness his shooting and requested his opinion as to his chances of arresting Mr. Hamlin. In firing off his gun, one of the chambers missed. "There," said Leffingwell, "What could you do now if Hamlin was after you?," It so worked on Huyck's nerves and alarmed him that he resigned his office, and Hamlin was not apprehended. He sold out and went to Arkansas, but kept in hiding until he got away. He had an idea that a Democrat was the salt of the earth and could do no wrong. His favorite appellation was to call Republicans "Thundering Puritan Hounds." His favorite byword was "By gosh!" which was the extent of his profanity. It is fair to say that he was hon- orable and honest in financial matters and his word was considered good. He had a strong dislike at that time for the writer, whom he classed with the "Puritans," but, in later years, this attitude changed to that of firm friendship and mutual confidence. If there was one thing more than another which he despised it was a "Yankee." When leaving, he was owing me a small sum, which he sent in and paid in full. Many were delighted at his departure and would not have detained him for sake of seeing him punished. He returned to Exira about 1874-5 and drove a hack- line several years. During the same time he resumed selling wine and beer, for which he was again prosecuted. He returned again to Arkansas about 1879. On a visit here a few years later, he said that he had modified his political views, and that he strongly opposed the liquor traffic, having seen so much of its evils. He also said to me: "Frank, you used to think I was on 'Old Moss Back,' but I wish you could see some of the natives in Arkan- sas. They called me a 'Yankee.' I tell you it was tough." He died on January 17, 1909.
THE JENKINSES.
John Shacket Jenkins was born near Elizabeth, Meade county, Ken- tucky, October 14, 1799. His father bore the same name. His wife was Malinda Miller. He was a stone mason by trade and a farmer. He lived in Meade county until about 1838, when he moved to Perry county, Indi- ana ; thence to Dablonega, Wapello county, Iowa, in 1850. This place did
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not please him and, in the spring of the year 1851, he started west again without any particular place in view, to discover a suitable place for a home.
At the Quaker Divide, near Winterset, Iowa, he fell in with Nathaniel Hamlin and his party, who were on their journey to settle in Audubon county. As stated elsewhere, the company arrived at Mr. Hamlin's claim on May 6. With him came his wife and children. He had three yoke of oxen, a cow and a horse. The next morning after the arrival at Hamlin's place he mounted his horse and rode over to the Nishua Botna river, to the site of the present town of Oakfield, where he selected a claim for his home.
JOHN S. JENKINS
near the "Big Spring," and near where the old school house at Oakfield used to stand. To mark out his claim he blazed a basswood tree and upon it wrote, "This is my claim," and signed his name to it. Soon after a party of men came there from down river about Indian Town or Lewis, among whom was one Jerry Bradshaw, who took a fancy to the same location and proceeded to blaze trees to mark out a claim.
Mr. Jenkins soon learned about Bradshaw's operations and went to ascertain what he was doing. William Hamlin, who went with him, nar- rated the event many years ago. They were at first in doubt whether Brad- shaw was attempting to "jump" "Uncle Johnny's" claim, but found where
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he had blazed trees on Jenkins's claim and soon discovered that he had cut down one of Jenkins's witness trees and thrown it into the river. This aroused the ire of "Uncle Johnny," who said to Mr. Hamlin: "This shows to me, sir, that they are not innocent progressors." Then they came to "Uncle Johnny's" blazed basswood, and found that Bradshaw had written beneath Jenkins's claim: "This is my claim and you had better get off." We shall have occasion to show later how Bradshaw was disposed of. Mr. Jenkins held his claim and soon built a cabin on it. This claim he sold in 1854 to Samuel B. Hopkins and it subsequently became the Hallock place and the town of Oakfield was located on part of it. Mr. Jenkins soon located in section 29 in what is now Exira township. At first he built another log cabin, later a commodious dwelling, which, if not the first, was among the earliest plastered houses in the county before 1865. This place he sold about 1870, and moved to near the present town of Brayton. He was a Kentuckian of the old school, a stern man, physically and morally, and of lofty sentiments; of the strictest integrity ; honorable and trustworthy in every way. His word was reliable and always promptly defended and sus- tained. Nothing insulted him more than to dispute or cast doubt upon it. At the first election in the county, held at his cabin in April, 1855, he was one of the judges of election. A dispute arose between him and Walter Marsh over the candidates for county judge-Daniel M. Harris and Thomas S. Lewis-during which Marsh disputed his word and called him by a hard name. "Uncle Johnny" at once seized his rifle and took it down from the deer horns where it rested and attempted to shoot Marsh, but the bystanders prevented it.
In a large sense, Jenkins was one of nature's noble men. His marked characteristics were worthy of record. His courage was undaunted; but he was kind, friendly and courteous. In a rude way, his utterances often approached remarkable poetic charm and force. His hospitality was of the peculiar. old-fashioned Kentucky style, always with an open welcome, and to offer recompense for entertainment, even by a stranger, was next to an insult-never desired and almost sternly refused, if tendered. His book learning was deficient; he was evidently reared in the stern surroundings of pioneer life-better acquainted with the methods of acquiring the neces- saries of life than with the accomplishments of social enjoyment.
In his younger days it was considered honorable for men to engage in contests for physical superiority, with only such power and advantages as nature provided and for the mere gratification of deciding who was the best man in a hand-to-hand fight. We have heard him relate taking part
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in such contests. His friends and admirers once desired to match him with a noted champion on a public occasion for such a fight. He was then recovering from an illness and did not consider himself in condition for such a trial; but he was persuaded, against his judgment, made the fight, and was defeated. It wounded his pride and injured his reputation, and he decided to fit himself and fight the victor again. Another match was arranged at a general muster of the militia, and a long savage fight was pulled off, in which the combatants used every effort of skill known to such encounters, striking, grappling, wrestling, choking, gouging, etc. Mr. Jen- kins won the victory and completely vanquished his antagonist. He added after relating the story: "But, my God, sir, how he gouged me! And my eyes have never been right since." The fact was noticeable that his eyes had been injured. Gouging, which was employed in such fights, con- sisted in the fighter forcing his thumb into the eye of his antagonist until sometimes the eye was forced from the socket. Barbarous and inhuman as this practice seems, such events were common in old times in Kentucky and elsewhere. A champion in such affairs was considered a popular, prom- inent citizen, and excited admiration. An old Kentucky favorite once remarked that in his youth every man was expected to be ready to fight at the drop of the hat, and "that unless he was a fighter the girls wouldn't have anything to say to him. That he was looked upon as a coward." What a marked evolution in public opinion on the subject exists today.
After Mr. Bradshaw attempted to jump Mr. Jenkins's claim, his party made claim to some of the land claimed by Doctor Ballard. The settlers collected and proceeded to defend the rights of the Doctor. The meeting was on the Botna, in the timber, near the county line. The Doctor was present, addressed the meeting, and explained what he was doing and desired to do; that he proposed to become an actual settler and desired a good-sized estate, which he had selected, and was able to pay for it, when it came into market and requested protection, etc. Bradshaw and his party urged that the action of the Doctor was unfair; that he was asking too much; that it deprived others from settling there, and added that they had equal right to the land as much as the Doctor had; that they had selected some of the land chosen by the Doctor, and intended to settle on and hold it.
This brought the matter to an issue. Mr. Jenkins, who was "captain" of the Settlers' Club, addressed the meeting and delivered an ultimatum. Said he: "Men, we think we understand you. Now, if you are for peace, (7)
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we are for peace; but if you are for war, we are for war, by G-, sirs! Now, you get off from this land." It had the desired effect. None of the Bradshaw party settled on the land claimed by Doctor Ballard.
The early settlers endured many hardships and privations. There was hardly such a thing as sawed lumber in the settlement, unless it was a wagon box or some article of furniture of that kind. Nearly everything, except food or clothing, required for use had to be hewed from the forest trees by hand work with axes, saws, etc., or had to be obtained from a distance. There were neither mills, workshops or stores here, and the nearest were many miles distant. The settlers ground corn, buckwheat, etc., in hand mills, or grated new corn as a substitute for meal. On one occasion, about 1852, the supply of flour and meal was at low ebb. Mr. Jenkins and Ben- jamin Hyatt took a load of corn and grain, with an ox team, and started for mill in Missouri. Their route was down the Botna, and on reaching Indian Town (near Lewis) they met a company of Mormons, who were suffering for breadstuff, who requested them to set a price on their grain, for they must have it. They sold the load at two dollars and a half a bushel and returned home, took another supply of grain and proceeded to the mill in Missouri. On arriving there they were told that there was a large amount of custom work ahead of them, and that their grist could not be ground for two weeks, but they persuaded the miller to grind it sooner.
Jenkins once related that the Democrats here during war times prophe- sied that the "greenback" and United States bonds would become worthless, as continental money did in time of the Revolution. That he then had a few hundred dollars surplus money which he desired to invest for safe- keeping. He consulted the county judge. A. B. Houston, Esq., for advice, who recommended him to let the United States money alone and to invest in Audubon county warrants, then worth seventy-five cents on the dollar, say- ing that they would pay six per cent interest, and that he (Houston) would assist him in getting them cashed. Afterwards Mr. Houston was elected county treasurer, and occasionally Jenkins called on him and presented his warrants for payment; but there were always other demands for the county revenue, and the warrants were not paid during Houston's term of office, but were paid by his successor, Van Gorder. In mentioning the matter years afterward, "Uncle Johnny" remarked : "I think that 'App' (Mr. Houston) pulled the wool over my eyes."
It does not appear that Mr. Jenkins made any profession of religion ; but that he was liberal in religious matters. In 1865 Elder Richard C. Meek, a noted preacher in his day, and his wife visited at the home of Mr.
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Jenkins several months, and while there held family religious services eve- ning and morning. At bedtime good "Aunty Meek" would bring the large Bible and place it before the elder, who would read a portion of Scripture and then offered a prayer, in which he suggested, "We know not that we shall live to see the light of another morning," etc. Next morning he returned thanks for protection through the night, and again referred to the uncertainty of life and recommended preparation for the future. This con- stant reference at prayer time to the uncertainty of life went on with con- tinual monotony for weeks, to the annoyance of Mr. Jenkins, until one day the elder and "Uncle John" took a stroll together. The elder made the mistake of again introducing the unwelcome subject, and advising the pro- priety of preparation for the hereafter. "Uncle John" called a halt abruptly. Said he: "Elder Meek, if you are going to die, sir, why don't you die like a man, and not be dying every day of your life, like a d- coward?" He was a life-long Democrat ; was elected county judge in 1865 and held the office one year. We shall have occasion to notice other events in his career at other parts of this work. He died at Brayton on July II, 1886, and his wife died on March 10, 1882. Their children were as follow : Benjamin Franklin married Maria Byrd and Josephine Gilbert, John Taylor married Darthula Rogers, Sarah Blauset married Lee L. Bartlett, Isaac Hughes married Clarissa Chase and Mollie Devine, Harriet married George Cannon, George Washington married Caroline Woody.
Benjamin Franklin Jenkins (son of John S.), came to Audubon county with his father's family in 1851. He married, first, Maria Byrd. They were divorced, and she became Mrs. Joseph C. Yetzer, of Atlantic, Iowa. For his second wife he married Josephine Gilbert. He was a prominent farmer, and lived near Brayton, Iowa. He was a member of the board of supervisors. He died on December 24, 1887; his wife survived him and died later. To Benjamin and Josephine Jenkins were born these children : Olive, who married Clarence Keese Hallock; Charles W., who married Eva Walker; Hayden; Margaret, who married Charles Sykes; May, who mar- ried Ernest Cotton, and Pearl.
John Taylor Jenkins (son of John S.), was born in Meade county, Kentucky, November 14. 1838. He married, in Audubon county, on Jan- uary 19, 1865, Darthula, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Rodgers, who was born in Illinois. He came to Audubon county with his parents in 1851. He lived at home with his parents until he enlisted in the Second Iowa Bat- tery on August 19, 1861, and served in the Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Army Corps, under Generals Pope, McPherson, Sherman and
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Grant. He participated in the battles of Corinth, Vicksburg, Iuka and Tu- pelo, and was mustered out on September 4, 1864. Upon the organization of the Audubon county militia, the same year, he was elected second lieu- tenant of the Audubon Mounted Infantry company, which saw no service and became obsolete at the close of the war, the following year. Upon the return of peace, he became a prominent farmer near his former home, and is a large landowner. He was proprietor of the town of Brayton in 1879, and was a merchant in Brayton from 1879 to 1887, afterwards being a dealer and shipper of live stock. He was postmaster at Brayton. A life- long Republican, he has been an active worker in the party, and many times has been a delegate to Republican conventions. He has served as township clerk, township trustee, member of the school board and member of the board of supervisors. He has a fine home near Brayton and is the last survivor of the little company which first settled in Audubon county on May 6, 1851. He is a member of Pymosa Lodge No. 18. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Audubon Lodge No. 217, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mrs. Jenkins was a popular school teacher before marriage. Their children, born in Audubon county, are as follow: Jeanette, who married Horace M. Bartlett; Marion Elver, who married Mame Black, now deceased, and Frank Granger, who married Josephine Cypher.
SAMUEL M. BALLARD, M. D.
One of the prominent characters in the early settlement of Audubon county was Doctor Samuel M. Ballard. His ancestors were said to have been Virginia Quakers. In youth he lived in Hillsboro, Ohio, where he studied medicine under a preceptor in the old-fashioned way, and after- wards attended medical lectures, perhaps at Cincinnati, Ohio. He was an incomparable story teller and a delightful companion in some ways; but some incidents of his life as told by himself will not, in the light of moral- ity, bear repetition. He once related an amusing incident which occurred during his early medical experience. A council of surgeons were convened to perform an operation upon the patient of his preceptor, and through his courtesy the student (Ballard) was invited to attend and witness the case. A lady, who acted as nurse, prepared the room for the occasion and notified the surgeons that it was ready for their reception. They proceeded to the room, and Ballard followed until reaching the entrance where the others had preceded him. Upon recognizing him, the nurse declined to let him
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pass. His preceptor, observing the interruption, said to the nurse: "You may admit Doctor Ballard." She acquiesced, but in a deprecatory tone remarked: "Oh, you are a 'stujent,' are ye?" The memory of that event was a pleasing recollection to the old doctor. He was a noble specimen of manhood-six and a half feet in stature, and of powerful physique, a ver- itable giant. His presence was at once noticeable, even in the largest assen- bly. In early life his hair had been sandy; his eyes were flashing blue, with an eagle gaze, and one of them was blind. When the writer first saw him, in 1865, his hair and long flowing beard were snowy white. He was a self-made man, largely; not classically educated and never a student of books. His stock of sound, practical common sense was varied and exten- sive. He was a thorough business man of the world among pioneers. His reputation as a skillful, successful physician rested upon his own personal experience, rather than upon any book knowledge. But few facts concern- ing his life have been recorded in print. No biography of him has been discovered. He once related that he came down the Ohio river on a steam- boat to St. Louis ; thence up the Mississippi river to Iowa. He was engaged in the practice of medicine at Iowa City as early as 1842, and there he established an extensive, lucrative business. He said that he kept relays of saddle horses to carry him about the country; that he would start from Iowa City and ride north several miles; thence west to Oxford, and south to the settlements on English river; thence east and north again to West Liberty and then home, after visiting and prescribing for patients along the route; that he made such trips in a single day and night and often rode asleep in the saddle; that for weeks at a time he slept but four hours out of twenty-four on an average, sometimes falling asleep in the saddle against his will power to keep awake. On such occasions as he was able to go to bed, he would order that he be permitted to sleep but for a half hour, then to be awakened at all hazards by dragging him from bed and throwing cold water in his face. He would then eat something and drink some coffee, and proceed to the next patient, taking another short sleep when wearied nature would resist no longer. His fees sometimes exceeded two hundred dollars in a day. He was a wealthy man before coming to Audubon county. He came to Audubon county in 1851, and his meeting with "Uncle Johnny" Jenkins is told in another part of this work.
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