History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 32

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316

USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 32
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 32

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).

State Printers.'

Garrett D. Palmer and George Paul, 1849-51 William H. Merritt, 1851-53. William A. Hornish, 1853. Den. A. Mahoney and Jos. B. Dorr, 1853-55. Peter Moriarty, 1855-57. John Teesdale, 1857-61. Francis W. Palmer, 1861-69. Frank M. Mills, 1869-71. G. W. Edwards, 1871-73. Rich. P. Clarkson, 1873-79. Frank M. Mills, 1879.

State Binders.

William M. Coles, 1855-58. Frank M. Mills, 1858-67. James S. Carter, 1867-71. J. J. Smart, 1871-75. H. A. Perkins, 1875-79. Matt. Parrott, 1879.

Secretaries of Board of Education.

T. H. Benton, jr., 1859-63. Oran Faville, 1863-64. This office waa abolished March 23, 1864.

Presidents of the Senate.

Thomas Baker, 1846-47.

Thomas Hughes, 1847-48. John J. Selman, 1848-49. Enos Lowe, 1849-51. W. E. Leffingwel !. 1851-53. Maturin L. Fisher, 1853-55. W. W. Hamilton, 1855-57.

Under the new constitution the Lieut .- Gover- nor is President of the Senate.

Speakers of the House.

Jesse B. Brown, 1846-48. Smiley H. Bonham, 1848-50. George Temple, 1850-52,

James Grant, 1852-54. Reuben Noble, 1854-56. Samuel McFarland, 1856-57. Stephen B. Sheledy, 1857-59. John Edwards, 1859-61. Rush Clark, 1861-63. Jacob Butler, 1863-65. Ed. Wright, 1865-67. John Russell, 1867-69. Aylett R. Cotton, 1869-71.

· James Wilson, 1871-73. John H. Gear, 1873-77. John Y. Stone, 1877-79. Lore Alford, 1880-81. G. R. Struble, 1882.

Chief Justices of the Supreme Court.

Charles Mason, 1847.

Joseph Williams, 1847-48.

S. Clinton Hastings, 1848-49.

Joseph Williams, 1849-55.

George G. Wright, 1855-60. Ralph P. Lowe, 1860-62. Caleb Baldwin, 1862-64.

George G. Wright, 1864-66.

Ralph T. Lowe, 1866-68.

John F. Dillon, 1868-70.

Chester C. Cole, 1870-71.

James G. Day, 1871-72.

Joseph M. Beck, 1872-74. W. E. Miller, 1874-76.

Chester C. Cole, 1876. William H. Seevers, 1876-77.

James G. Day, 1877-78.

James H. Rothrock, 1878-79.

Joseph M. Beck, 1879-80.

Austin Adams, 1880-82.

William H. Seevers, 1882.

Associate Justices.

Joseph Williams, held over from territorial government until a successor was appointed.

Thomas S. Wilson, 1847. John F. Kinney, 1817-54. George Greene, 1847-55.

Jonathan C. Hall, 1854-55.

William G. Woodward, 1855.

Norman W. Isbell, 1855-57. Lacon D. Stockton, 1856-60.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

Caleb Baldwin, 1860-64. Ralph P. Lowe, 1860. George G. Wright, 1860. John F. Dillion, 1864-70. Chester C. Cole, 1864-77. Joseph M. Beck, 1868. W. E. Miller, 1870. James G. Day, 1870.

United States Senators.

Augustus C Dodge, 1848-55.

George_W. Jones, 1848-59. James B. Howell, 1870. George G. Wright, 1871-77.

James Harlan, 185 -65. James W. Grimes, 1859-69. Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1866. James Harlan, 1867-73. William B. Allison, 1873-79.

Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1877-81. William B. Allison. 1879. James W. McDid, 1881.

MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

1846-47-S.Clinton Hastings, Shepherd Lcfficr. 1847-49-Wm. Thompson, Shepherd Leffler.

1849-51-Wm. Thompson, Dan. F. Miller, Shepherd Leffler.

1851-53-B. Henn, Lincoln Clark.

1853-55-Bernhart Henn, John P. Cook.

1835-57 - Aug. Hall, Jas. Thorington.

1857-59-Samuel R. Curtis, Timothy Davis.

1859-61-Samuel R. Curtis, Wm. Vandever.

1861-63-Samuel R. Curtis, J. F. Wilson, Wm. Vandever.

1863-65-James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wm. B. Allison, J. B. Grinnell, John A. Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard.

1865-67-James F Wilson, Hiram Pricc, Wil- liam B. Allison, Josiah B. Grinnell, John A. Kasson, Asabel W. Hubbard.

1867-69-James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil- liam B. Allison, William Loughbridge, Grenville M. Dodge, Asahel W. Hubbard.

1869-71-George W. MeCrary, William Smyth (died September, 30, 1870, and succeeded by Wm. P. Wolf), William B. Allison, William Loughbridge, Frank W. Palmer, Charles Pome- roy.

1871-73-Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, W. G. Donnan, Madison M. Walden, Frank W. Palmer, Jackson Orr.

1873-75-Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, W. G. Donnan, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, William Loughbridge, John A. Kasson. James W. McDill, Jackson Orr.

1875-77-Geo. W. Mccrary, John Q. Tufts, L. L Ainsworth, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, Ezekiel S. Sampson, John A. Kasson, Jantes W. McDill, Addison Oliver.

1877-79-J. C. Stone, Hiram Price, T. W. Bur- dick, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark, E. S. Samp- son, H. J. B. Cummings, W. F. Sapp, Addison Oliver.

1879-81-Moses A. McCoid, Hiram Price, Thomas Updegraff, N. C. Decring, Rush Clark (died in May, 1878, and succeeded by Wm. G. Thompson), J. B. Weaver, E. II. Gillette, W. F. Sapp, Cyrus C. Carpenter.

1881-83-M. A. MeCoid, S. S Farwell, Thos. Updegraff, N. C. Deering, W. G. Thompson, M. E. Cutts, John A. Kasson, W. P. Hepburn, C. C. Carpenter.

PRESENT STATE OFFICERS.

Governor, Buren R Sherman.

Secretary, John A. T. Hull. Deputy Secretary, Wm. T. Hammond.

Auditor, Wm. V. Lucas. Deputy Auditor; Rufus L. Chase.

Book keeper. I .. E. Ayres.

Treasurer, Edwin H. Conger.

Deputy Treasurer, C. R. Chase.

Deputy Register, John M. Davis.

Sup't Pub. Inst , John W. Akers.

Printer, Frank M. Mills. Binder, Matt Parrott.

Adjutant- General, W. L. Alexander. Superintendent Weights and Measures, Prof.

N R. Leonard. Librarian, Mrs. S. B. Maxwell. Assistant Librarian, Jessie Maxwell.

SUPREME COURT.

Chief Justice-Wm. H. Seevers, Oskaloosa. Judges-James G. Day, Sidney. James II. Rothrock, Tipton. Joseph M. Brck, Fort Madison. Austin Adams, Dubuque. Att'y Gen .- Smith McPherson, Red Oak. Clerk-E. J. Homes. Des Moines. Reporter-John S. Qunnells, Des Moines.

HISTORY

BUTLER COUNTY,

IOWA

CHAPTER I.

THE CHANGE.

A S the changes of less than half a cen- tury are contemplated, one can scarcely realize or comprehend that the wonderful results of time's marvel-working hand are the achievements of a period so brief as to be within the remembrance- almost-of the present generation.

Let us turn back, as it were, the leaves of time's great book to but a quarter of a century ago, and the stranger would have gazed upon a landscape of great beauty; selected by the Sioux and Dakotahs as their camping-ground, with that singular appreciation of the beautiful which nature made an instinct in the savage. These vast and rolling prairies were as green then as now; the prairie flowers bloomed as thickly and diffused their fragrance as bountifully. We are in the haunt of the red man, with scarcely a trace of civiliza- tion. But what a contrast! Then all was as nature formed it, with its variagated

hues of vegetation; in winter a dreary snow-mantled desert, in summer a perfect paradise of flowers. Now all traces of the primitive are obliterated; in place of the tall prairie grass and tangled under-brush, one beholds the rich waving fields of golden grain. In place of the dusky war- rior's rude cabins are the substantial and often elegant dwellings of the thrifty farmers, and the "iron horse," swifter than the nimble deer, treads the pathway so re- cently the trail of the red man. Then the sickle of fire annually cut away the wild herbage and drove to its death the stag; now it is the home of the cereals and nour- ishes on its broad bosom thousands of tons of the staple products of the great Hawk- eye State. Then the storm drove the were-wolf to its hiding place; now the blast drives the herd of the husbandman to comfortable shelter. The transforma- tion is complete.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. In early days, Butler county was merged into and made a part of Buchanan, for judicial and local government purposes. It was, however, so sparsely settled at the time that it never took any part in the councils of that county, nor is there any record showing that polls were opened at any point for the election of officers for the "consolidated county," so that the ter- ritory was called a part of Buchanan more for convenience than owing to thic fact. The whole of Butler was then considered one township.

In 1853 enough settlements had been made to warrant an attempt to organize the county. Accordingly, in May of that year, Judge Roszell, of Buchanan county, ap- pointed John T. Barrick, D. C. Overman and William G. Payne as commissioners for that purpose, and for the location of the county seat. They selected Clarksville, as narrated elsewhere. In the following August the same magistrate ordered an election for Butler county, which was then under his judicial jurisdiction. This elec- tion was for organization and county offi- cers. The officers were elected, among whom was George W. Poisal, County Judge; but none qualified, because there was "no money in it."

Soon after this Butler was detached from Buchanan county and attached to Black Hawk, which had been recently organized. Pursuant to the order of Judge Knapp, of Black Hawk county, a second election was hield in August, 1854, when the following officers were chosen: John Palmer, County Judge; W. E. Burton, Clerk; Abner G. - Clark, Treasurer and Recorder; James Griffith, School Fund Commissioner; Rob-

ert T. Crowell, Sheriff ; Harlan Baird, Prosecuting Attorney; John H. Morton, Surveyor. Baird failed to qualify, and Aaron Van Dorn was appointed to fill the vacancy. The permanent organization was affected on the second of October, 1854, and on the 28th of the same month the first taxes were levied, amounting to $698.50.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY.

Butler county is one of the centre of the Northeastern Iowa counties, being con- tiguous to Floyd county on the north, Bremer and Black Hawk on the east, Grundy on the south, and Franklin on the west. It comprises the territory of town- ships 90 to 93 north inclusive, of range 15 to 18 west of the fifth principal meridian inclusive, containing an area of 576 square miles, or 368,640 acres. This forms a perfect square of 24 miles eachı way, and is divided into 16 townships of 36 square miles each.

The general inclination of the surface is a slope to the east and south, and is made up of rolling prairie, with no abrupt break of ground sufficient to be detrimental to agriculture, except in the vicinity of the streams where the surface is often quite broken. This region is known as the "valley of the Cedar and Shell Rock," and has a wide reputation as the "Garden spot of Iowa," while the rivers are frequently called the "gems of Iowa waters," there being in the estimation of many, little, if any choice between them.

The territory of Butler county is diver- sified with belts of timber and streams of very pure water. These streams take southeasterly courses, with one exception --

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

that of Beaver creek-which flows almost directly east through the southern tier of townships, and cmpties into the Cedar just above Cedar Falls. The source of this stream is in the southern part of Franklin county. Its flow of water is not great, but constant, being fed by many springs and tributaries, which increase its flow so that by the time it reaches Parkers- burg a good water power is furnished. This is the southern of the three impor- tant streams which cross the county. North of this stream another water-course, taking its rise in Cerro Gordo county, passes nearly diagonally through Butler county from northwest to southeast. This is the West Fork of the Cedar. It is slugglish in its flow, more so than tlie Beaver, and the bed is of a sandy and muddy nature. The land for quite a dis- tance back from the bed, is inclined to be marshy, and is among the best grazing and hay land in the county. There are many small streams which help to swell this body of water at different points The next is the most important stream in the county, and one of the most prominent in Iowa-the Shell Rock. It is one of the most beautiful streams in the west. Its banks from its source in Minnesota, to its confluence with the Cedar, are of limc- stone, and its pure sparkling waters flash along with a rapidity far exceeding any other stream in the State, even the "Clasic Cedar," of which, so much has been said and written, is a poor comparison. It enters the county from the north at about an equal distance from the east and west county lines, flows in a southeastern direc- tion, and leaves to enter Bremer county at a point in the southeastern part of Shell

Rock township. The width of the river will average about three hundred feet between the banks, and the flow of water is capable of propelling a vast amount of machinery at any season of the year, afford- ing a power every five miles.

A minute description of soil and surface features, or local peculiaritics, will be found in connection with the history of the various townships,

MOUNT NEBO AND ITS CAVE.

In the township of Coldwater is a ridge or hill, known as Mount Nebo. Under this is a miniature cave or cavern, which has interesting points connected with it. An attempt was made to explore it in 1875, and, in speaking of the adventure, a local writer said: "This cave has been known for several years, and there are some legends connected with it. One is that it was once used as a place of habitation; another is that a mysterious well of great depth exists somewhere within its bounds. A few days ago a party went down to explore it, but all backed out but J. Dexter and 'Mr. Barker, whose curiosity was greater than their caution. The place of entrance was small, but they soon found rooms in which they could stand erect, and some from eight to twelve feet high. Passages from one room to another were usually small, some so small that the explorers found difficulty in passing from one to another. After visiting numerous rooms in search of the well, and proceed- ing three or four hundred feet from the entrance, they returned without finding it. In several places there were supporting pillars, and along the walls resemblances to stalactites. The limits were not reached,

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

and there is still room for adventurers to gratify their curiosity.

RAILROADS.

There are three lines of railway travers- ing the territory of Butler county, in all directions, and connecting it with the east- ern markets. Besides those that cross the country, there are lines of railway within easy reach of the producers of Butler county, just over the line, both east and west. It will thus be seen that shipping facilities are excellent.

The following is the course and location of the varions roads:

The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern railway enters the county from the southeast, and follows the Shell Rock valley across the northeastern part of the county. It was built in 1871.

The Iowa Division of the Illinois Con- tral Railroad line crosses the county from east to west, through the southern tier of townships, having been constructed in 1865.

The Dubuque and Dakota railroad crosses the county in the same direction; entering with the Shell Rock river it follows the valley northward to Clarksville, where it makes an abrupt curve to the west, crosses the country in the second tier of townships from the north. This road was graded through in 1875, by the Iowa and Pacific Railroad Company. This company failed, and the road came into the possession of the Dubuque and Dakota Railroad Com- pany, composed of capitalists in Dubuque. The track was laid and trains running through Butler county in 1879. The line is not by any means completed, only run- ning from Sumner, in Bremer county,. to Hampton, in Franklin county. .

CHAPTER II.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Long before there was even any thought of permanent settlement in this region, and while the confines of civilization were yet resting midway between the Missis- sippi and Ohio, the valley of the Shell Rock and Cedar rivers had been made the

resort of trappers and hunters, whose ter- ritory knows no bounds. They had fol- lowed both of these famous streams from mouth to source, in quest of mink and beaver, and it is not strange that the first settlers stationed themselves along the

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

banks in their tracks. The Shell Rock valley, which traverses the eastern portion of the county, was the scene of the earliest settlement.

There are differenees of opinion as to who was the first to make permanent set- tlement in the county, and it is a hard matter to settle conclusively, as there is no one now living, who can be interviewed, - who positively knows. It can only be given as tradition hands it down. 1

Late in the fall of 1850, two hunter brothers, Harrison and Volney Carpenter, and D. C. Finch, wended their way up the valley of the Shell Rock in quest of game. They had come from Linn county, where they had also stopped for a time. It was * a magnificent country, and game of all descriptions abounded. Upon arriving at the point on the river where the village of Shell Roek now rests, they determined to make that spot a temporary home, while they scoured the country for game. A little log cabin was accordingly erected, in which they took up their abode, and for about one year made this a sort of a "hunts- man's rendezvous," when Volney, who was a married man, moved his family there. The whereabouts of any of the party at present, or whether they are yet alive, we are unable to state. The grove afterward took the name of Carpenter's Grove.

The first permanent settler in the county was Joseph Hicks, who, in December, 1850, tediously made his way up the Shell Roek, and located near the present site of the town of Clarksville, erecting his little log cabin about one mile to the west. Robert T. Crowell came at this time to bring the family of Hicks, and then re- turned to Wiseonsin. Hicks, during this

winter, was obliged to personate a pack mule, and earry provisions on his back from Cedar Falls, then a small trading post. The nearest neighbor of Hicks' was James Newell, who, a short time previous, had settled in the forks of the Cedar, about twenty miles to the southeast. Until spring Hieks spent most of his time in hunting, fishing and trapping, and then cultivated a small piece of ground which he planted to corn and vegetables. His wife was a true western heroine, and eould "talk injun," or shoot a rifle equal to "any other man;" it being a common belief that she could shoot a rifle ball between the lids of a deer's eye on a run. They came from Rock county, Wisconsin, and the grove in which they settled afterward took the name of Coon's Grove. At this time the Shell Rock also went under the name of English river. When the latter name was dropped is unknown.

In the spring of 1851, Joseph's father, Henry Hicks, came on from Rock county, Wisconsin, and locating with his children, he erected a blacksmith shop where he hammered away and forged the first iron in the Shell Rock Valley, until he was called upon to pay the debt of mortality, in 1854.

The first pieee of land that a patent was received for was that upon which John Heery, of Milton, Wisconsin, located in 1850. It lies just in the bend of the Shell Roek river, adjoining Clarksville on the southwest. Heery returned to Milton the same season, making the trip both ways on foot, and returned to his claim some years later.

R. G. Crowell, who is mentioned as hav- ing come to this county in December, 1850,

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

bringing the family of Joseph Hicks, re- turned to Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1852 came back and took a claim which was afterwards purchased by Alexander Glenn. Crowell remained here a number of years, and was the first Sheriff of Butler county. He finally sold his excellent farm and went to California. He was not satis- fied there, however, and again returned to Clarksville, and settled upon a farm a few miles northeast of town. He is now at Spirit Lake.

In the spring of 1851, two brothers from Ohio -- Malon B., and William S. Wamsley -came and took claims a short distance northwest of Clarksville. They were honored and respected citizens, and are mentioned frequently elsewhere in this work.

During the summer and fall of 1851, a number of additions were made to the meagre settlement in this part of the county, among whom were Morrison A. Taylor, E. Ensley and Jeremiah Perrin.

Morrison A. Taylor came with his family in September, 1851, and settled a short distance east of Clarksville, where he com- menced valuable improvements, but he was called by death from the midst of a loving family, on the 30th of December, 1856. He was a man of sterling integrity, and his loss made a lasting impression on the little community.

E. Ensley came the same summer and located about two miles from where the town now is. He left some years ago.

Jeremiah Perrin, with his family, made their appearance in September, 1851, and commenced pioneering on a place a short distance from where he is now comfortably

fixed. His estimable wife died in 1865, mourned by all.

Setlı Hilton, Sr., first came in December, 1851, but did not move his family until March 23, 1852. He erected a small log cabin about fifty rods southwest of where the depot, at Clarksville, now stands. Iu April, 1853, he erected a cabin on what soon after became the town plat. He came from Southern Illinois. In that State he was also a pioneer, always in ad- vance of railroads. He never saw a loco- motive or train of cars until those of the B. C. R. & N. R. R. run across his farm. He, is now over eighty years of age, as fine an old gentleman as any one would wish to meet. In 1852 a number of others came and the settlement thus started in the east- ern part of the county branched out and began to embrace not only the eastern tier of towns, but Jackson and Jefferson also had received a few settlers.

George W. Poisall came in July, 1853, and went into quarters on the brow of the hill east of the old Stone School House at Clarksville. Here he remained until 1854, when he sold to Dan. Mather, moved a short distance further north and laid out "Poisall's addition" to Clarksville. Uncle George, as he is familiarly called, still lives.

John T. Baughman, Alfred Elam, Hiram Beard, John Armstrong, C. N. Burton, W. E. Burton, and W. R. Butler, all came this year and located in the neighborhood. John Heery, who has been previously mentioned, brought his family this year.

The Clark brothers also came and loca- ted near the present town.

The above were about all of the very. earliest settlers in this region, and all of

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

those who are yet alive are in comfortable circumstances.

During the spring, summer and fall of 1854, a number more came in rapid succes- sion, among whom the names of the fol- lowing are remembered: O. A. Strong, John H. Morton, John Palmer, David Blakely, A. VanDorn, T. T. Rawson, J. J. Eichar, M. M. Trumbull, William Bran- don, R. Hardy, Abner Farlow, J. M. Vin- cent and Daniel Mather.

The settlement spoken of embraced the . eastern part of the county. In the mean- time the northern part of the county had received its first settlers, and neighborhoods began to spring up. Among the pioneers of this region, irrespective of order as to the time they came in, were, Mr. Laken, Comodore Bennett, John Fox, Lum Cole- ston, James Griffith, John and Aaron Hardman, John H. Miller, John Boggs John M. Hart, Dave Miller, Elias Miller, John and William Strong, Felix Landis, R. W. Butler, Levi Burress, James Blake, P. J. Ebersold, William Gough, Hugh Thomas, P. Ebersold, Delano McCain, J. F. Eikenberry, John V. Boggs, McCarty and Nelson Bement, James G. Temple, Robert Renfrew, Shadrach Bonnell, John Lainhart, J. J. Cross and Milton Wilson.

In the western part of the county among the pioneers were, W. R. Jamison, John, James, Asa and Isaac Boylan, Philip Mil- ler, George Lash, Benjamin Needham, Messrs. Early, Parks, Mckinney, Rust and Nichols, Ancel Durand, and Dr. Sprague.

The southern portion of the county was also being settled, and among the pioneers there, were, Charles and Titus Ensign, Louis Hammond, Nathan Olmstead, J. M. Caldwell, Clayton Mullarky, P. P. Parker,

Messrs. Wilbur, Cramer, Parriott, Nash, the Quinns, Rube Russell, R. R. Parriott and others.

These are the names of all of the earliest pioneers who can be remembered at present writing. The different locali- ties are taken up, in regard to early set- tlement; and treated at length in the history of the various townships.

FIRST THINGS.

The first postoffice established in Butler county was at Coon Grove, now Clarks- ville, in 1853, with Abner G. Clark as postmaster.

The first birth in the county, occurred in March, 1852, and ushered into existence a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Perrin. The child was named William, and only lived about six months.

The first death occurred in the fall of the year previous, 1851, and carried away Joseph Kirker, aged forty years. His death occurred at the house of W. S. Wamsley.

Malon B. Wamsley was appointed the first justice of the peace in the county in the fall of 1853, by the county court of Black Hawk county.

The first religious society incorporated in the county was the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Shell Rock, who filed their arti- cles of incorporation on the 26th of June, 1855.

The first civic society was a Masonic Lodge, established in Clarksville early in June, 1857.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 32

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1316

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316