USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 36
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The next spring Mr. Hathaway raised his first crop of wheat, forty bushels, and fenced in eighty acres of land. Mr. Hathaway made other improvements from time to time and was fairly prosperous or as much so as the early settler could be. Hathaway was born in the State of New York, came to Ohio when a young man and married there, and from this. state went successively to Michi-
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gan, Wisconsin, Illinois and then Iowa. He lived in Iowa for about twelve years, then sold out and moved back to Ohio, but shortly returned to this state, bought a farm near Greeley's Grove, where he remained for about five years when he again became restless and moved to Cedar County, where he lived until his death in 1872.
The first school taught in Washington Township was conducted in Hatha- way's log home in the winter of 1846.
Jolm Obenchain became a settler in this township in the spring of 1846. He was the first after Hathaway and was located about three miles from his home. He obtained funds at the start by raising hogs and then drawing them to Dubuque. He built a rude shanty and began to break prairie with a yoke of oxen. He was a native of Virginia. In 1850 Obenchain went to California, attracted by the gold fever of the times, but came back again in 1853 and lived here until 1860, when he started for Oregon, where he spent the remaining years of his life.
Oscar Wickham settled in the north part of the township in the spring of 1846, and constructed a rude cabin. He was a native of the State of Ohio. He left here after a few years' residence and went to Linn County, then to Fay- ette County, then to Kansas. Ilis whereabouts after this are not known.
Michael Ginther came about the same time as Wickham. In fact, they lived together in the same house. In 1850 he moved into Sumner and is credited as being the first settler in that place.
On November 18, 1846, Thomas Barr became a settler of Washington Town- ship. He built his home in the north part on land which he entered from the Government. He lived for many years in the township and was one of its most honored members.
John Boone settled in the township in November, 1846, entered his land and built on the site later occupied by the county poorhouse. After living here abont one year he sold his place to I. F. Hathaway and removed one mile away. in the same township, purchased 200 acres of land, built a house and began the making of improvements. He and Isaac Hathaway built a log house and hired a teacher in the winter of 1847. Boone was always noted as a hunter and trapper. His death occurred May 22, 1881.
OTTERVILLE
Otterville is the only village located in the township and is located near Otter Creek, about half a mile from its junction with the Wapsie. This village was platted about the year 1857, by Robert T. Young, who owned the ground. One of the first industries to be established in this place was a sawmill, owned and operated by James Dyer in 1854. Three years later there was a gristmill. The former was abandoned in 1878. The year after the sawmill was established a wagon shop was opened by Enoch and Zachariah Hall; and a blacksmith shop was started by Homer Sanders.
The postoffice of Otterville was opened about the year 1860 and the first postmaster was George L. Wileox. His immediate successors were Mr. Ostran- der, S. H. Stanard, George Sprague and J. T. Anderson. This office was dis-
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continued on July 15, 1902 and Otterville is now served from Independence by a rural mail carrier.
The first store was established in the village in the winter of 1861, and was kept by various parties until 1875. The store kept mostly groceries and other general merchandise.
A hotel was opened to the public in 1863, by Mr. Robertson. This hostelry did business for about twelve years.
The first bridge across the Otter at this point was built in 1868.
. The Methodist Episcopal religious organization was established in the Vil- lage of Otterville during the first year of the Civil war. This church is still in existence and has a present membership of about forty-five. The records of this church were not procurable. so that the detailed history of the society is impossible. This society did disband prior to the organization of the Pres- byterian, but about 1895 reorganized.
The Presbyterian Church at Otterville was first organized on May 19, 1889. Previous to this time there had been no attempt at organization, due to the lack of members. The coming of several letter members of the Pleasant Grove Church at Littleton made the church possible. Among these were: J. C. Wroten, J. W. and Mary A. Flummerfelt, Mrs. Adelia Bright, Mrs. Elizabeth O'Brien, Caroline L. Smith, John Slaughter, E. J. Slaughter, S. D. Trego, G. L. Trego, Ida Trego, the latter three being from the Baptist Church at Littleton. The society having been organized, interest once more seemed to lag, and not until November, 1892, did the people become really active again. At this time renewed interest was taken and the society steadily grew. The new church building was dedicated on August 30, 1896, with quite elaborate ceremonies. The church membership at the present time, 1914, is over one hundred active members.
UNION GRANGE FAIR
In the year 1872 the Union Grange No. 525 of Otterville, conceived the idea of giving an annual fair, for the exhibit of stock, cereals and other farm products, the same to be sectional in interest and devoted to the improvement of agriculture of the township and county. The first fair was given in that year and, with one or two interruptions, has been given every year since. No admis- sion is charged to the exhibit, which is shown under canvas tents, and the premiums, some of them cash, are paid from a sum donated by the ones inter- ested. Thus, the fair in almost every respect but size, is similar to the Hazle- ton District Fair. The Otterville fair is generally held in the first week of October.
WESTBURGH TOWNSHIP
Westburgh Township was organized in the fall of 1860, by order of the County Court, reading as follows: "In the County Court of said county : Be it known that, on the petition of M. D. Weston and others, the court afore- said, this 6th day of August, A. D. 1860, constitutes and forms a new township. 88, range 10, in said county ; and it is ordered by the court aforesaid that the
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new township thus formed be called by the name of Westburgh, in accord with the wishes of the voters thereof."
The name of the township was selected when the residents met at the house of one of the settlers to take the steps necessary for presenting the petition to the court asking for township organization. M. D. Weston, who lived in the north part, desired to have the new township named Weston, but the people in the southern part of the township would not have it unless the suffix "burgh" was substituted for the "on."
The first election was held at the house of John R. Sabin. There were sixteen voters in the township at that time, all of whom were there but J. W. Goen, who was ill. I. N. Myers was chosen clerk at this election; John Bowder, assessor ; M. D. Weston, P. G. Davis and Eli Lozer, trustees; John R. Sabin and D. M. Noyes, justices ; Isaac A. Williamson and R. A. Whitlock, constables; and Eli Lozer, road supervisor. Every man was given an office with the exception of Robert Stewart, W. B. Wilkinson, J. R. Noyes, Benjamin Cain and Peter Cox. At the election in 1880, 150 votes were east, showing the growth in the township in the intervening years.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS
The first permanent settlement in the township was made by Peter Cox, who came here in 1849 with his mother from Indiana, and built the first cabin in the section. About a month after settling he purchased his land from the Government.
D. M. Noyes settled in the township with his family in 1859. He was a prominent man in the organization of the township and served as one of the first magistrates. He lived here for eight years, then moved to Michigan, but later returned and lived at Jesup. He was a native of Vermont.
Peter Ham came in 1855 and settled on land entered from the Government. J. II. Goen came from Indiana in 1857. Ilis son L. W. was one of the first editors of the Conservative at Independence. L. B. Wilkinson and family came to this state and settled here in 1855 on seetion 31. John R. Sabin and family came from Indiana in 1856 and settled near the center of the township. The first election was held at his home on account of its central location. Philip Ham came in 1856, but soon after moved to the State of Illinois. Patrick Shine, a native of Ireland, settled in the township in 1857. M. D. Weston. mentioned in the petition to the County Court for the organization of the township, came with his family in 1858. About ten years later he went to Dakota and there died. John Bowder settled here in the year 1854. His house was the second that stood in the township. This home was made of slabs driven down into the ground. A hole ent in the wall, before which hung a buffalo skin, served him as a door. Bowder lived here until 1862, when he removed to Jefferson Town- ship.
MISCELLANEOUS
The first wedding in the township was that of Isaac A. Wilkinson to Mary E. Noyes on May 3, 1864. Rev. Edwin Champlin performed the ceremony.
SCENE IN OTTERVILLE
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The first school in the township was opened in 1861 at the house of D. M. Noyes, and there were ten scholars. George Fuller was the teacher. The same winter there was another one at the house of William B. Wilkinson, with eight scholars, taught by Libby Murphy. The next spring two schools were built, one near the residence of D. M. Noyes and another near the center of the town- ship close to the home of Peter Ham. Mary E. Noyes taught one of the schools the following summer. Among the early teachers were George Fuller, Mary E. Noyes, I. N. Myer and Edward Noyes.
The postoffice at the settlement of Vista was discontinued on December 31. 1904.
The Methodist Church at Vista has been organized since 1878. The church at present has thirty-five members and is in charge of Rev. II. Wyrick, living east of Jesup. An old church constructed by the Baptists years ago is now used for services.
CHAPTER XIV COUNTY FAIRS
THE FIRST COUNTY FAIR-THE BUCHANAN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
FIRST BUCHANAN COUNTY FAIR
The first notice of a county fair appeared in the Independence Civilian of . July 23, 1857. It had been suggested by a number of individuals that the citizens of Buchanan County should take measures to form a "County Agri- cultural Fair" to be held in such town as determined upon by the committee appointed for that purpose, and in order to get the people interested to offer premiums to exhibitors for the best specimens of farm produce. It was thought perhaps the season was too far advanced for that year, but the meeting should be ealled and the ball put in motion for next year. Accordingly several meet- ings were held which culminated in a county fair being held in Independence October 13 and 14, 1858. In the Quasqueton Guardian of February 25, 1858, appeared a call "to the farmers of Buchanan County" and all others interested in the formation and maintenance of a county agricultural society, in view of the importance as well as benefits derived from a properly organized and well regulated agricultural society, were invited to meet at Morse's Hall, in Inde- pendence, on Saturday, March 20, 1858, to perfect such an organization. This notice was signed by forty-one of the prominent business men and farmers of the county. Pursuant to this call, a meeting was held and an organization perfected and a constitution was adopted. Dr. H. S. Chase was elected president of the enterprise and Abiatha Richardson, David Merrill, Newman Curtis as vice president; L. W. Hart, secretary; O. H. P. Roszell, treasurer, and John Smyzer, William Logan, Rufus Conable, William II. Elliott and Charles Hooker were elected as directors. Committees were appointed and the officers and especial committees were delegated to solicit members and money for the society, and 200 hand bills advertising the society were published and scattered through- out the county. A board of managers, consisting of five members from each township in the county, were appointed ; this made fifty-five on the board, as there were only eleven townships. S. S. MeClure was appointed chief marshal. Premiums were offered on much the same things as now days, on farm animals, field, orehard and garden produce, dairy and household manufactured articles, including many things which now appear in the Floral Hall premium lists and what was of an entirely different class was the mechanies' work department divided into first, second and third classes. In the mechanies' work the list included almost everything that ever was or could be manufactured in the
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county-the first class offered premiums on twenty-four different articles, most of which were farm machinery. In the mechanics work-second elass-premiums were offered on seven articles, all of which pertained to leather industries (boots, shoes, harness and the different kinds of tanned leather comprised the list). This at first promised to be one of the most important industries of the county. The third class offered premiums on six different industries, as follows, best specimen of cabinet work; best specimen of tailor's work ; best specimen of tin- ware, not less than five pieces; best specimen of blacksmith work, not less than three pieces : best specimen of carriage or sign painting, and best specimen of printing. In the household manufacturers' class the unusual premiums were best piece of flannel-not less than ten yards, best five palm leaf hats, best two pounds of stocking yarn, best three pairs woolen soeks, best three pairs woolen mittens, best pair of ten quarter woolen blankets, best pair of shirts. One dollar and 50 cents were the premiums awarded on these artieles. We give these lists so one ean get an idea of what were the various employinents and accomplish- ments of those early pioneers, what their necessities and luxuries of fine arts embraced. Many of these classes had no entries and many, though having a small number, were exceptionally good for that carly day.
In the first class awards were given on the best two-horse wagons, best buggy, best ox yoke, best specimen horseshoeing. In the second elass awards for best dressed calf skins, best coarse boots, best ladies' shoes. The third class was for best specimen blacksmith's work-three pieces. The premiums were 50 cents and $1.00 on these different articles.
It is interesting to read these lists and compare the difference between the early fairs and those of today: for instance, a premium of $3.00 was given for the best 25 pounds of May or Jume butter. Imagine this profligaey when now the fair committees are glad to get entries of pound packages. One dollar and fifty cents for best sample of butter made in September; $1.00 for 12 pounds September butter: $1.00 for jar of brandy cheese.
Premiums were offered for best sweet potatoes, best gallon of Chinese sugar and cane sugar ; only two premiums were offered on domestie cookery-best loaf of bread and best specimen of cooking-not designated what kind of material.
Among the premiums for miscellaneous articles were the following: A premium of $2.00 was offered for map of Independence drawn with a pen; this was awarded to Thornton & Ross. This was a very creditable piece of work and afterwards these men had copies printed and sold them throughout the county. Now there are only a few in existence and are treasured highly. Two dollars for bits, augurs and gun work; $2.00 for 1 dozen domestie cigars; 50 cents for roast of beef (who wouldn't give 50 cents for a roast of beef, even without a premium attached).
Seventeen awards were given on horses in fifteen different classes. Thirteen awards were given on cattle in nine different classes. Oxen and steers entered were required to be presented in the yoke with a chain to secure them, and be accompanied with a suitable person to take charge of them. The committee on working oxen and four-year-old steers had to try the cattle presented for premiums, both on wagon and chain, and award the premiums for the best working cattle, considering their docility, training, close matehing, strength, size and beauty. Only one entry in sheep was made, although premiums on
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eight classes were offered and although there were several flocks in the county. Five awards were given on pigs in a like number of classes.
Only three awards were given on poultry. One field crops awards were given- $5.00 for the best acre of wheat, $3.00 best acre of corn, $1.50 best aere of potatoes, $3.00 best acre of Vermont eight-rowed yellow flint corn. One fine thing was the amounts given to the committees in charge of the different depart- ments and authorizing them to recommend discretionary premiums upon such artieles and animals if they deemed the same to be highly meritorious, although they might not come within the list of premiums, and such awards would be paid at the annual meeting in January, where all premiums were paid if the funds would possibly admit. The society were furnished the courthouse for the display of manufactured, fancy and household articles, and for fruit, vegetables, grain, ete. Hay would be furnished gratis during the fair for all stock pre- sented for premiums.
For special attractions there was a Ladies' Equestrian Performance, three prizes awarded for the best exhibition of horsemanship, a silver cup worth $8.00- for the second best, a $6.00 riding hat; for the third prize a $4.00 riding whip.
This exhibition was the center of interest in the entire two days' program. There were six entries in the contest, all popular young women of the town. The exhibition was to take place at the race course which then occupied the grounds of the West Side School Building. It was the opinion of the judges that the horses were generally inferior while the riding was uniformly good.
There was a plowing match too, but this did not command the attention that the riding contest from the fact that plowing was a very common, every day occurrence. The exhibition closed with an excellent address by C. A. L. Roszell and the reading of the premiums by Colonel Thomas.
The omens were not as auspicious for a complete success as could be desired on account of the weather which on the first day was cold, blustering and stormy but the second day the weather-man changed his attitude toward the enter- prise and gave his sanction to it by doling out a very propitious temperature and climate. The different committees generally made their awards impar- tially and to the general satisfaction of everyone. It was the opinion of some of the judges that though several fine horses were exhibited, the display was inferior to what the county was capable of producing; in cattle there were thirty-two entries, some of them very fine, showing even at that early day one of Buchanan's specialties was foreshadowed. The display of swine was quite creditable, the finest specimens were of the Suffolk variety. The display of poultry was not large but the varieties exhibited were fine, among them some Chittagong fowls, probably an extinct variety. In sheep, as we have mentioned previously, there was but one entry, that a fine mcriro buck and ewe belonging to C. H. Jakway, now of Aurora, one of the first importers of sheep in the state; an anecdote connected with Mr. Jakway was that he onee offered a pail of fine butter in Independence for 4 cents per lb. and could not find a purchaser.
The fruit and vegetable exhibit was pronounced excellent-some fine large sweet potatoes were exhibited by E. B. Older and a radish 2 feet in length and 12 in. in circumference, which was grown in Jefferson Township by Mr. Romig. Vol. 1-19
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Mr. Romig also exhibited samples of white and yellow seed corn which had produced 75 to 80 bu. per acre that year.
Some of the Chinese sugar cane syrup presented was pronounced equal to the hest golden syrup then in market. Mr. Lathrops and Mr. Reed's were especially fine. The butter entries were all of a superior quality, The one entry in cheese was of excellent quality.
This society, of which we have given a very detailed account, deeming an Agricultural Fair, one of the most important interests of a farming com- munity continued in existence but about four years. A good deal of interest was manifest and the displays continued very ereditable considering the imper- feet development which had at that time been made of the agricultural resources of the county. It was found difficult, however, to keep up the interest, for the lack of funds to offer attractive premiums, and the organization therefore was soon abandoned. At their 4th Annual Fair, in 1862. there was a fine exhibi- tion of sweet potatoes and a squash weighing 104 lbs., also fine specimens of sorghum, syrup and sugar. For several years the show of cattle and horses of the Buchanan County Agricultural Society was on the ground west of the Empire llouse. That of domestic manufactures was in the rooms of the hotel and the secretary had his office in the east room during the fair.
In 1866 a second society was organized, held two fairs, very much of the same character as the previous ones, and was then abandoned like the other. Neither of these societies owned any ground or other real estate. Their means for defraying expenses, paying premims, ete., were derived from member- ship fees ($1 annually from each member) and $200 contributed by the state for each fair held. These sources of revenue being found insufficient, the joint stock plan of organization, then common throughout the state, was finally adopted.
The next agricultural association adopting that plan was organized in 1869, and held its first fair the following year. The first officers were as fol- lows: L. S. Curtis, president ; J. Il. Campbell, treasurer; Jed Lake, secretary. The capital stock originally subscribed was $6,000, to which was added soon after the organization $600 more. This was increased by a donation of $1,000, made by the county in accordance with a law of the state. All this not being sufficient to meet the estimated expense of an equipment that should enable the society to make "a fair start," it proceeded to borrow $1,500-making its entire outfit $9,200. With this money it purchased about sixty acres of land, owned by James Burns, about half a mile west of Independence, being a part of the northeast quarter of section 5, township 88, range 9; enclosed it with a close substantial board fence; built along its south and western sides eon- venient stalls and sheds for cattle, a stable one hundred feet in length for horses, and an octagonal floral hall twenty-two feet on each side, graded a half- mile race track, and dug four excellent wells. The aggregate expense of all this was $9,100. The main hall was two stories high, with a wing on one of its sides 22 feet in width hy 60 in length. This wing is used for the exhibition of fruits and vegetables, while the main hall was devoted to flowers, articles of domestic manufacture, works of art, etc.
Fairs have been held annually ever since this society was organized, which have always been successful, pecuniarily, and for the most part creditable to
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the farming interests of the county, which should be the chief care of such an organization.
The capital stock of the society is divided into 200 shares, one-half of which are owned by Jed Lake, Esq., the most of the other half being held by the farmers throughout the county. The society is still in debt about one thousand two hundred dollars.
Eventually "the Agricultural Fair" became, honestly speaking, the "Annual County Races," and in the days when Independence was a veritable hot-bed for speed and breed in horse flesh-the races were the chief attraction of the entire fair and even in 1880 the former historian deeries the fact that raeing was being made such a prominent feature and was the absorbing interest of the fair and proves his statement by saying that on Thursday, the first day devoted to that part of the exhibition-1,900 tickets were sold at the gate, how would he exelaim if he had known the figures of the 1891-2 fair when thon- sands crowded every available space on the grounds to see the fast horse races, and for no other purpose and on that memorable day when Axtell and Aller- ton raced each other in a record breaking heat.
A County Agricultural Society was organized in the county on March 26th, 1886, by a number of prominent men. On the 27th a meeting was held at the eonrthouse and S. T. Spangler was chosen president; L. J. Dunlap, vice president: F. B. Bonniwell, secretary; and F. A. Weatherbee, treasurer. It considered renting the old county fair grounds at the Rush Park site for the fair that year, and possibly to buy the grounds later.
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