USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 8
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 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
Opposite the mouth of Honey Creek, in Section 18, Township 84, Range 26, and west of the Des Moines River, is a row of ancient mounds, nine in number. The largest one is in the center, and is over fifteen feet high. These are more fully described in our chapter on "Prehistoric Races."
The county presented to the carly settlers a comparatively easy task in opening farms and establishing new homes. The natural prairies supplied fields ready for the planting of crops, except for the breaking of the tough prairie sod, and the rich black soil was of extreme fertility. The farms of lowa are, as a rule, large, level and unbroken by swamps, without stumps, or other obstructions. They
83
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
furnish ideal conditions for the use of reapers, mowers, planters, and other labor-saving machinery.
Boone County is well supplied with living streams. The Des Moines River is the principal stream crossing the county. It enters a mile west of the center of the northern boundary line, and after pursuing a southeasterly course, leaves the county four miles east of the center of the southern boundary line. Its average width is 300 feet, and its waters are crystal clear when not rendered turbid by freshets. The available water-power along this river, if fully utilized, would prove a valuable source of wealth to the county, and would add many profitable industries. The value of the river as a source of power is now just beginning to be appreciated, and it is to be hoped that it will not be many years until it will be operating exten- sive municipal and private plants of various kinds within this county.
According to Nicollet the name Des Moines, which has been applied to the state's largest river, to one of the first counties organ- ized, and to the capital city of the state, is a corruption of an Indian name meaning "at the road," but of late years this name ( Rivere des Moins) has been associated with the Trappist Monks (Moines de la Trappe), who resided on the Indian mounds of the American Bot- tom, and it is thought that the true rendering of "Rivere Des Moins" should be River of the Monks. The spelling of this name has under- gone gradual change since the time of the old settlers, it having then been spelled "Demoin." Now it is "Des Moines" on all later maps.
The other streams of the county are small, but important. A description of these from the pen of Mr. Corydon L. Lucas, of Madrid, Boone County, follows: "Big Creek rises in Des Moines Township, Boone County, a short distance southeast of the City of Boone, and empties into the Des Moines River in Crocker Town- ship, Polk County, Iowa. It is about twenty-five miles long, and it drains a large extent of country. The Town of Polk City is situated on its west bank, and the old Town of Corydon was located near its mouth. Back in the 'sos a man named Gross Cross built a mill on this creek and ground cornmeal, and sawed native lumber, which was very helpful to the early settlers; but at the expiration of two years Mr. Gross Cross moved his mill to Boone River, where he did a flourishing business. This stream was named Big Creek because it was larger than any other creek near it, but was too small to be called a river.
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
"There are two prominent groves of timber on Big Creek, north of Polk City, around which cluster some historical incidents. These are Pierce's Grove and Hat Grove.
"Another stream which heads in Boone County, and which has been honored with a name, is the Murphy Branch. It took its name from Isaac Murphy, who was the first to reside upon its banks. It is about six miles in length, and near its source is situated the Town of Madrid. The old track of the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad runs down the valley of this creek to where it discharges its water into the Des Moines River, opposite the Town of Scandia, in Dallas County.
"The next stream we come to as we go north is Hull Creek. It is estimated to be about seven miles in length, and it took its name from Jesse Hull, who settled near its source in 1847, being the first in that locality. The point of timber projecting out from the source of this stream was first called Hull Point, but the name was changed to Belle Point. This change of name was brought about by the establishment of a postoffice at this point. The petition to the depart- ment at Washington asked for the appointment of Mrs. Elizabeth Hull, wife of Jesse Hull, as postmistress. In honor of this lady the authorities named the office Belle Point. This was the first office in the county. In 1854 Richard Green and John Dickerson built a mill on Hull Creek. It did well for a time, but was of short duration.
"The next creek north, which is named upon the map of Boone County is Pea's Branch. It took its name from John Pea who, in the spring of 1846, headed the second group of settlers in the county, and who formed a settlement near the source of this creek, at a point of timber called Pea's Point, now about two miles southeast of Boone. The first country hotel in the county was erected at this point of timber in 1851. It was called the Boone County House, and for several years was a place of much prominence. In 1853 W. D. Parker and James Hall built a mill on Pea's Branch, with which they sawed native lumber, which helped the settlers mate- rially ; but it also had a short life.
"The next stream as we go north, which is named on the maps of Boone County, is Honey Creek. It is about six miles long, and near its source is the City of Boone, the county seat. The name of this creek originated from the fact that numerous bee trees, and much honey, were found along its banks by the carly settlers.
85
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
"In 1849 a schoolhouse was built in the Valley of Honey Creek, in Section 33, Township 82, Range 26. This was probably the first schoolhouse built in the county.
"The remains of the first man murdered in Boone County were buried on the west bank of this creek. This was Jacob Pea, killed by Lewis Jewett in 1849.
"The first track built by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad runs down the valley of this creek.
"Honey Creek has a west branch named Polecat Slough. This runs through the west part of old Boonesboro, now the Fifth ward of the City of Boone. In the spring of 1854 the first steam mill in Boone County was erected on the bank of Polecat Slough. The name of this branch of Honey Creek originated from the large number of quadrupeds of this species found along the little stream.
"There is but one other creek running into the Des Moines River on the east side, and north of those already mentioned, that has a name on the map of the county. That one is called the Mineral Branch, and is in the north part of Dodge Township. This little creek is only three miles long, and is without any historical incident connected with it.
"Boone County is not all drained by the Des Moines River and its tributaries. There are about two townships in the northeast part of the county, the drainage of which goes into the Squaw Fork, and through it to the Skunk River, which empties into the Missis- sippi River. The Squaw Fork runs almost diagonally through Har- rison Township and across the northeast corner of Jackson Town- ship, and there enters Story County. The 'Iowa Atlas,' published in 1904, says the Squaw Fork is a tributary of the Des Moines River. This is a curious mistake. Lieut. Albert M. Lea, on his 'Map of Iowa,' published in 1836, calls the Squaw Fork 'Gaston's Range.' Squaw Creek has one tributary in Boone County, called Mont- gomery Creek. The name of this creek originated from an histori- cal incident. J. B. Montgomery was a pioneer minister of the M. E. Church. On one occasion he went from Boonesboro over to the Squaw Fork to fill an appointment. A heavy rain had fallen the previous night and the little tributary was full of water, but he sup- posed that he could drive over it in perfect safety. To his great surprise the stream was so deep, and the current so swift, that he was thrown from the vehicle and barely escaped drowning. The horse reached the opposite shore in safety. After over an hour's delay he succeeded in getting started again. He finally reached the
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
house of a friend, who kindly loaned him a suit of clothing to wear while his own went through the process of drying. From this inci- dent the name of the little creek originated, it being named Mont- gomery Creek, after the minister. In the days of the county judge system, Rev. J. B. Montgomery was chosen by the people of Boone County to fill that office for three terms.
"There are six streams on the west side of the Des Moines River in Boone County which are honored with names on the county maps. The largest of these is Beaver Creek. The Indian name of this stream was Amaqua, meaning Beaver. Its two names have supplied the names of two townships in Boone County, Amaqua and Beaver. This is the only stream that runs entirely across the county, except the Des Moines River. It rises near the northwest corner of Boone County, and its course is almost due south to the south boundary of the county, where it turns toward the southeast, running through parts of four townships in Dallas County, and parts of two town- ships in Polk County. It empties into the Des Moines River a few miles north of the capital city of the state. It is about fifty miles long and there are numerous little bodies of timber along its banks. It took its name from the vast number of beavers that were trapped along its course in the days of the trappers. The towns of Granger, Berkley and Beaver and situated on its banks.
"Buffalo Grove, in Boone County, was often mentioned in the early settlement period, and around it cluster some interesting inci- dents of the pioneer times. This grove is on the Beaver and it was here that the Moore and Mower families settled. The Beaver has one tributary, called the Little Beaver. It rises in the northeast corner of Union Township, and runs southeast through Peoples Township, in Boone County, and empties into the main Beaver, in Beaver Township, in Dallas County.
"Bluff Creek is on the west side of the Des Moines River and is the longest stream wholly within the county. It rises near the north line of the county and runs almost due south through Pilot Mound Township, and from thence southeast to about five miles of Yell Township, emptying into the river due west from Boone. It is about fifteen miles long, and its name originated from the high bluffs found near its mouth. The Town of Pilot Mound and the station of Frasier Junction are situated on this creek. The elevation of ground known as Pilot Mound, from which both the town and township took their names, is near this creek. From the summit of this mound a view of the country in all directions can be obtaned. On his .Map of
87 .
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
Iowa,' published in 1836, Lieut. Albert M. Lea calls Pilot Mound 'Prospect Hill.' It may be inferred with certainty that in 1835 Col. S. W. Kearney, Lieutenant Lea, Capt. E. V. Sumner and Capt. Nathan Boone all stood upon the summit of this mound. It was in the valley of upper Bluff Creek, just a little west of this mound, that the great battle between the Sac and Fox Indians, commanded by Keokuk, and the Sioux Indians, commanded by Wamsapasha, was fought. Keokuk gained a great victory. Those of his warriors who were slain in the battle were buried on top of this mound. This accounts for the many bones that have been found there.
"South from the mouth of Bluff Creek we come to Bear Creek. It is about six miles long and is entirely in Marcy Township. it drains a large body of land. In the early settlement along Bear Creek, Capt. William P. Berry, and another hunter, killed a bear on its banks, and from that incident the name of the creek originated. There does not appear to be any other historic incident connected with this creek.
"In the south part of Cass Township are three branches, all of which have names on the maps of the county. These are the Eber- soll Branch, the Cayton Branch and the Preston Branch. The Ebersoll took the name from Moses Ebersoll, who lived near its source nearly forty years. Eighteen years of this time he was a justice of the peace, and his residence was called the seat of justice of Cass Township. The Ebersoll Branch is only about four miles long. It is a tributary of the Cayton Branch and empties into it a short distance from the river. The Cayton Branch is about ten miles long and it drains a vast body of land. At a beautiful grove of timber near its source, in the early '50s, a man named Cayton settled here, and made some improvements; although he did not remain long, the stream took its name from him. By reason of some bad spelling the name has appeared as Carton and Canton, but the correct name is Cayton. There was a fine body of timber along this creek before the woodman invaded it with his ax. There are no thrilling inci- dents connected with this creek.
"The Preston Branch is about six miles long. It took its name from Victor Preston, who located on its headwaters in the 'sos, and spent the remainder of his life there. This little stream empties into the river about six rods north of the site of the old water mill built at Elk Rapids in 1850. This was the first mill built on the Des Moines River north of the Raccoon Fork. Near its mouth and on
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
the south bank of this stream Judge Montgomery McCall passed the last years of his life, and died in February, 1855."
Some of the finest timber in lowa grew in Boone County. The most plentiful being black walnut, of the best grade, but the high price paid for this timber, and the desperate need of ready money among the settlers, resulted in the early cutting of all the market- able trees of this beautiful and valuable species. Red, white and black oak were also plentiful. Crabapple, elm, maple, ash, cotton- wood and white cherry are also found. In fact, this has been one of the best timbered counties in the state. Along the Des Moines River was a belt of timber averaging four miles in width, and all of her streams were well supplied with timber, but this has been gradually cut away to a large extent. Detached groves, both natural and arti- ficial, are scattered throughout the county, being both ornamental and useful, as they have a very beneficial effect upon the climate.
There is a wide variety of soils in the county, though they are mostly prairie soils. Portions along the Des Moines River are some- what broken and uneven, though they are very productive, and espe- cially adapted to the raising of wheat, corn, oats and other cereals. Grasses of all kinds grow luxuriantly, and the county is well adapted to stock raising.
Boone County is well supplied with stone for building purposes. Quarries of the best quality of limestone, resembling the celebrated Joliet limestone, are in operation in various parts of the county, the best being located in the vicinity of Elk Rapids. There is also an abundance of stone suitable for the manufacture of lime, and this is being extensively used.
Potter's clay of good quality is found all along the course of the Des Moines River, and this has for many years been utilized in the manufacture of stoneware and earthenware. The potteries of the county have a wide reputation, and their capacity can be largely increased by the investment of additional capital, rendering possible more extensive operation.
Clay for the manufacture of brick and tile is found in large quantity, being superimposed and also underneath the coal seams. These products are being extensively manufactured in the county.
From the river bluffs gush seemingly inexhaustible springs of pure water, and good well water is obtainable almost any place in the county at a depth of from 15 to 30 feet, though in places deep wells are necessary.
89)
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
On early maps of the county many lakes were indicated, but these were mostly only sloughs or marshy spots which are rapidly being drained by modern methods, and converted into productive corn fields.
The climate of Boone County is that of Central lowa, and is healthy, though subject to sudden changes from heat to cold and the reverse. The county lies nearly on the same parallel as that of Cen- tral New York, but owing to nearness to the Great Lakes, and to the sweep of the winds across the prairies, the winters are colder, while the summers are warmer. The summer nights are warm, which has much to do with the bumper corn crops for which the county is noted.
The population of the county, as shown by ten year census per- iods, is as follows: In 1850 it was 735; in 1860, 4,232; in 1870, 14,581; in 1880, 20,838; in 1890, 23,772; in 1900, 28,200, and in 1910, 27,626.
Fol. 1- 6
CHAPTER VI
COUNTY ORGANIZATION
Boone County was established, with its present boundaries, in February, 1847, by an act of the Legislature, about two months after the state was admitted. The county was named in honor of Capt. Nathan Boone, of Company H, First Regiment, United States Dragoons, the youngest son of Col. Daniel Boone, the great pioneer of Kentucky and Missouri. Captain Boone was in the expedition which marched from Old Fort Des Moines, where Montrose, in Lee County, now stands, to Wabasha's village, in Minnesota, located about where the City of Winona now stands.
This expedition consisted of three companies of the First Regi- ment of United States Dragoons under command of Lieut. Col. S. W. Kearney. Company B was commanded by Lieut. Albert M. Lea. This was made necessary by the sickness of Jesse B. Brown, the captain of that company. Company H was commanded by Capt. Nathan Boone, as before stated, and Company I was com- manded by Capt. E. V. Sumner.
The expedition left Old Fort Des Moines on the 7th of June, 1835. The march was along the divide between the Des Moines and Skunk Rivers. On the evening of the 23d of June this little army camped in what is now Boone County, a little south of the Mineral Ridge and about three miles east of the timber that skirted the Des Moines River. The encampment on the next evening was near the mouth of Boone River. From there the march was north- east to Wabasha's village.
The object of the expedition was to become acquainted with Wabasha, who was a great chief among the Sioux Indians, and to make a treaty of peace with him. This being done, the expedition returned, marching almost due west for a few days and then, turn- ing southwest, crossed the West Fork of the Des Moines River near the southeast corner of Palo Alto County, marched then south on the west side of the Des Moines River. On the return trip the little army again encamped in what is now Boone County. These three
91
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
hundred dragoons, as they rode through the wild country, must have made a deep impression upon the Indians.
In 1830, five years before this expedition, Capt. Nathan Boone, under a commission from the Government, surveyed the Neutral Strip. This neutral ground was forty miles wide and extended from the mouth of the upper lowa River west to the Des Moines River. In doing this surveying, Captain Boone became acquainted with much of the country in Northeastern Iowa.
Captan Boone continued in the service of the Government until 1853, when he resigned and returned to his family. After ten years of private life, he died at his home in Ash Grove, ten miles west of Springfield, Missouri, in the summer of 1863, at the age of eighty- one years.
Hle was held in high esteem by the members of his company and by his fellow officers. He was brave and honest, and our people have good reason to feel proud of the man after whom their county was named.
For judicial, voting and revenue purposes, Boone County remained a part of Polk County for two and one-half years after it was located and named. The first settler was Charles W. Gaston, who settled on the southwest quarter of Section 34, in Township 82, Range 26, on the 12th of January, 1846. Mr. Gaston has repeatedly said that the weather was nice and warm, and that he turned his horses out to browse in the timber, while he cut the logs to build his cabin. This was the first log cabin erected in Boone County. He did not locate for a month or a year, but he became a permanent settler.
From the date of his location here to the 15th of April, a period of three months, he was the only resident of the county. On the last date named, John Pea, John M. Crooks, James Hull, and their families, located at Pea's Point. They came from the State of Indiana.
The settlement of the county was quite rapid, considering the transportation facilities of that time. This is evidenced by the fact that in 1848 the people began talking about county organization. In the spring of 1849, they went to work in earnest to organize the county. They were tired of voting, transacting their business, and paying taxes in Polk County.
By an act of the Legislature, approved February 24, 1847, it became necessary for the judge of the judicial district to appoint an organizing sheriff, whose duty it was to order an election for county
93
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
officers, post notices at a specified number of places, and in fact discharge all the duties of sheriff until the result of the election should be proclaimed, and his successor qualified, in counties ready for organization.
The following is the proclamation of Judge William McKay, judge of the Fifth Judicial District, in which Boone County was at that time situated :
"To all to whom these presents shall come: Know ye that I, William McKay, judge of the Fifth Judicial District of the State of Iowa, have and here by appoint Samuel B. McCall, of Boone County, in said district, sheriff to organize said county of Boone. according to an act for the organization of Pottawatame and other counties, approved February A. D. 1847. to have and hold the said office of sheriff, with all the rights, duties and privileges thereunto appertaining as fully and completely as I have right or power to grant unto him according to said act, and that he have and hold the same until the first Monday in August 1849, and until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
"I here by fix the first Monday in August next as the time of holding a special election in said county of Boone, for the election of county officers, within and for the said county of Boone. given under my hand at Fort Des Moines, this 8th, day of May, 1849. William McKay, Judge."
In accordance with the order of Judge McKay, S. B: McCall, as sheriff, proceeded to divide the county into voting precincts as directed by law and the necessities of the voters of the county. In the discharge of these duties he divided the county into three town- ships. The south one-third of the county was named Pleasant Town- ship and the place of voting was Belle Point. The central one-third was named Boone Township, and the place of voting was the house of John M. Crooks, one mile south of Boone, while the north one- third was named Boone River Township and the place of voting was at the house of Thomas McNeal. At the time of his appoint- ment, S. B. McCall had been a citizen of Boone County about two years. His father, Judge Montgomery McCall, then owned and lived on a farm one mile south of Boone.
The first election was held August 6, 1849, and the following officers were elected to transact the business of the county: County Commissioners, Jesse Hull, Jonathan Boles, and John Boyles. Commissioners' Clerk, Reuben S. Clark. Clerk of the District Court, John M. Wane. Recorder, Collector and Treasurer, John
16
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
M. Crooks. Sheriff, Samuel HI. Bowers. Surveyor, Thomas Sparks, and Prosecuting Attorney, W. C. Hull.
There were ninety votes cast at the first election, and twenty-six of these were cast in Boone Township. We have been unable to find the poll books of Pleasant and Boone River Townships among the county records, which is much to be regretted. However, as there was a total of ninety votes cast at the first election and twenty- siv of these were cast in Boone Township, it follows that sixty-four were cast in Pleasant and Boone River Townships combined.
The following very interesting record of the election of Boone Township is here given in full. "Organization poll book of Boone County, Poll book of the election held at the house of John M. Crooks, in Boone Township, Boone County, lowa, on the first Mon- day and sixth day of August 1849, for the purpose of electing county officers and a board of County Commissioners.
"Jacob Crooks and George Hull, Judges, and John M. Wane and Montgomery McCall, Clerks of election, were severally sworn by me, as the law directs, previous to entering upon the duties of their respective offices. John Pea, Judge of Election.
"John Pea, Judge of Election, was sworn by me as the law directs previous to entering upon the duties of his office. George Hull, Judge of Election."
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.