History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 38

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 38
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 38

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COUNTY JUDGE.

This office, in early days, was the most important of the county, embracing the work of various officers of the present day. It is treated at length under the head of county and circuit courts, in the judicial chapter.

The first county judge was John Palmer, who was elected in 1854, and held for a term of one year.

· 293

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Aaron Van Dorn was the second, and held the office from 1856 to 1858. He was succeeded by Olonzo Converse, who was elected in the fall of 1857, and commenced official duties in January, 1858. He was re-elected in 1859, and served in all four years.

In 1861 C. A. Bannon was elected.

J. R. Fletcher was elected in 1862, and was the only democrat who ever held the office.

Ancel Durand was elected in 1863, and served for two years.

In 1865 A. J. Thompkins was honored and was re-elected in 1867. This ended the county court system, as the duties devolved upon the circuit court and other officials. This matter is treated at length, and per- sonal sketches given of the various judges under the head above mentioned. The county judge was made ex-officio

COUNTY AUDITOR

at the time of the change, in the spring of 1869, and A. J. Thompkins was the first to serve as such. He was re-elected in the fall of 1869, and served during the two succeeding years. He was a married man, and had a family, who were held in high esteem by all who knew them. At the time of his election he was getting well along in years, probably fifty, which would make him now about sixty-five. He re- mained in the county until the year 1873, when he removed to near Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he and his family yet live.

The next auditor was Rufus L. Chase, who was first elected in the fall of 1871. Mr. Chase was a native of the Empire State, and came to Parkersburg in the lat-

ter part of the sixties, where he began the practice of his profession, dentistry, which he gave up to enter the political arena. He was four times re-elected and served as auditor for eight consecutive years. Chase had a very good business education, and made a satisfactory official. He was a sharp and shrewd politician, and is now Deputy State Auditor, at Des Moines.

In the fall of 1879, James W. Spencer was first elected county auditor, and was re-elected in the fall of 1881, by an almost unanimous vote, there being only two cast against him.

James W. Spencer, the present county auditor of Butler county, has been a resi- dent of this county since January, 1872. He was born in the Province of Ontario, then Canada- West, in 1840. His father, whose parents were natives of New Jersey, was born at Lundy's Lane, Canada, and his mother was born in England. They now reside in Delaware, Clinton county, Iowa. Mr. Spencer removed with his parents to Jackson county in 1854; was for some time engaged at clerking in Ma- quoketa, then in Dubuque, and in 1866 went to Chicago, where he acted in the same capacity for a wholesale dry-goods house. In 1872 he returned to Jackson county, and, as stated above, came to But- ler county. For two years he acted as assistant superintendent of the Iowa Cen- tral Stock Farm, and in January, 1874, was appointed deputy sheriff under Capt. J. R. Jones, in which capacity he served for six years. In the fall of 1879 he was elected county auditor, and re-elected in the fall of 1881.

Politically, Mr. Spencer is a republican, and an earnest advocate of the principles

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

of that party. Officially, he is an able, affable and popular officer; and socially, an agreeable and entertaining companion. Mrs. Spencer was formally Miss Allie E. Sims, a native of Bucyrus, Crawford county, Ohio.

TREASURER AND RECORDER.

When the county was first organized, and for several years thereafter, the duties now belonging to these two offices were attended to by one officer.

The first to act in this capacity was A. G. Clark, who was elected to the office in 1854. Mr. Clark was a native of Indiana, and came to Clarksville early in the fifties, in company with several brothers. He was a genial, pleasant gentleman, and made an accommodating officer. After his term expired he kept the hotel at Clarksville for a few years, and then re- moved to Missouri. He was of the demo- cratic faith.

David C. Hilton was the next treasurer and recorder. He was elected in 1855 and re-elected in 1857, serving four years. Mr. Hilton was a first-class business man, and also made a good officer. While out of office he was engaged in real estate bus- iness, as he was lame, and obliged to do office work. He was a republican, and a native of Ohio, and came to Clarksville in 1852, where he made his residence until about 1866, when he removed to Missouri.

In 1859 J. H. Hale was elected to this position, and served for two years, when he was succeeded by D. C. Hilton, the lat- ter serving until 1863.

In 1863 John Palmer, formerly county judge, was elected treasurer and recorder. During his term the offices were separated,

and he was retained as treasurer, while J. H. Hale, in 1864, was elected

COUNTY RECORDER,

and was the first to fill the office, as it is to-day. Hale was elected first, principally, on the issue of the county seat from Clarks- ville, he favoring the latter. He was a good, square business man, and gave very general satisfaction. He is now postmas- ter at Spencer, Clay county, Iowa, where he removed in 1870. He served as re- corder four years.

In 1868 George M. Craig was elected recorder, and in 1870 was re-elected, serv- ing with honor to himself and satisfaction to those who had business to transact at the court house. A sketch of him is found in connection with the bar.

Elwood Wilson was Mr. Craig's succes- sor, being elected in 1872. Two years later he was re-elected, and in 1876 again re-elected.

Elwood Wilson was born in Otsego county, New York, on the 5th day of April, 1840. He is a son of James and Aznba (Stetson) Wilson. His father was a native of New York, and his mother . of Massa- chusetts. The most of his life, until seven- teen years of age, was passed in St. Law- rence county, New York, he receiving but a common school education. In 1857 El- wood came to Butler county, Iowa, and his parents soon after followed him. Shortly after his arrival he bought a farm in sec- tion 26, Shell Rock township, of a brother, who had entered the land some years pre- vious. Here he now owns a fine place and makes there his residence. In the fall of 1872 he was elected to the office of county recorder, and assumed his new duties the

295

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

following year; he was re-elected twice- holding the office for the space of six years. He was elected justice of the peace in 1878 and again in 1880 and 1882; he is also engaged in the collection ageney and in- surance business. In politics Mr. Wilson is a staunch republiean; he is a Master Mason and a member of the lodge at Shell Roek. He was married in 1861 to Miss Priscilla C. Courtwright, who was born in the State of Illinois. They have two chil- dren-Marcia and Herbert D. Mr. Wil- son's father is still living in Delaware county, at the age of 82. ITis mother died in 1874.

William W. Pattee was elected re- corder of Butler eounty in the fall of 1878 and again in 1880. He is a native of Iowa City, where he was born November 27, 1851. His father, William Pattee, was auditor of the State of Iowa from 1851 to 1855. He was also for some time editor of the Keokuk Argus. The family subse- quently removed to Bremer county, where Mr. Pattee, Sr., published for a time the Bremer County Argus, at Waverly. He is now connected with the State Normal Seliool, at Cedar Falls. William W. Pat- tee, the subject of this sketeh, went to Clarksville in 1871, where he was tele- graph operator for the B., C. R. and N. Railroad Company until 1873, when he was transferred to Shell Roek, and served as agent of the railroad company until 1878, when he was elected to the office of eounty recorder. He has also engaged in a general merchandise business at .Allison. His wife. was Emma Gould, born at She- boygan Falls, Wis. They have two ehil- dren, Annie and an infant daughter. They lost their second ehild, a son, Bernard.

W. M. Hunter was elected in the fall of 1882, and his duties began on Jannary 1, 1883.

COUNTY TREASURER.

John Palmer was the first to hold this office distinet from all others. He was elected in 1863, although part of the term this office and the reeordership were merged into one. A sketeh of Mr. Palmer is found in connection with the judicial history.

In 1867 J. F. Wright was elected to the office, and served for two terms. He was from Shell Rock, and still remains at that point, engaged in milling. His official career was satisfactory, as he is a good business man.

W. C. Thompson was Mr. Wright's suc- eessor, eleeted in the fall of 1871 and com- meneing duties on the first day of January following. Mr. Thompson is a repub- lican, and still lives in Jefferson township. He made an accommodating offieer, and at the end of his first terin, in the fall of 1873, he was re-elected, and served until 1876. A sketch of Mr. Thompson is found in connection with Jefferson township.

At the fall eleetion of 1875, E. S. . Thomas was elected treasurer and served for four consecutive years. A sketch of his life is presented in this eonneetion:

Edward S. Thomas, postmaster at Alli- son and ex-county treasurer of Butler county, was born in Bradford county, Pa., in 1829, where he lived until eighteen years of age. He learned the trade of a tinner, whiel he followed for many years. He came to Chickasaw county, in this State, iu 1856, thenee to Floyd eounty in the spring of 1860, where he lived until

296

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

1871, when he came to Butler county and settled at Greene, his family being the first that settled on the village plat. He was engaged in the hardware business at Greene until he was elected county treas- urer in 1875, when he removed to Butler Center. He was treasurer four years. Mr. Thomas came to Allison when the county seat was removed to this place. In 1881 he was .appointed postmaster. His wife was Miss R. L. Van Curen, born in the State of New York. They have five chil- dren-Charles, Charlotte, Virginia, Levi and Zenas-all of whom are married ex- cept the youngest.

John W. Ray, the present county treas- nrer of Butler county, is serving his sec- ond official term, having been elected in the fall of 1879 and again in 1881. He was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, in 1841, where he lived until about eighteen years of age. His father died when he was but a child. He removed to Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county, with his moth- er's family in 1859, and enlisted August, 1862, in Company B, 31st Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving three years. The 31st regiment belonged to the 15th Army Corps, and he participated in all the battles in which that famous corps engaged. When nineteen years of age he engaged in J. M. Overman & Co.'s mill, at Cedar Falls, to learn the trade. He removed in 1865 to Shell Rock, where he was engaged in mill- ing up to the time of his election to his present position. He still owns one-half interest in the mill at that place. Mrs. Ray, formerly Mrs. Emma R. Bartholo- mew, born in Illinois, is his wife. They have four children-William F., Cora A., James F. and Lulu N.

Willis Hyde, of the abstract firm of Lathrop, Hyde & Levis, and the present deputy treasurer of Butler county, was for a number of years a resident of Butler Center, where he was connected with the abstract business. The present firm was formed in 1880. He was born in Con- necticut in 1857. His wife was Miss Caro- line Digman, born in Ohio. They have one son, a namesake of his father.

CLERK OF THE COURTS.

This office was already established when the county was organized. The first clerk was W. E. Burton, who was elected in August, 1854, and served until 1856. He „was a native of Indiana, and came to But- ler county and settled in Clarksville at a very early day. His deputy was H. F. L. Burton, who did about all of the office work. He yet lives in Clarksville. W. E. Burton now lives in Grand Forks.

In 1856 the records seem to be incom- plete. Some one, whose name has been forgotten, was elected, but in a short time resigned, and a Mr. Leslie was appointed to fill out the term.

In 1857 Dr. James E. Walker was elected and served until 1859, when his successor qualified. Dr. Walker was a no- ble fellow, well educated and capable. In 1859 he returned to Maine, his native State. A short sketch of him is given in connection with the medical profession.

In the fall of 1858 James W. Davis was elected, and commenced official duties on the 1st of January, 1859. He was re- elected seven consecutive terms, serving fourteen years in the capacity of clerk. He is treated at length in connection with the chapter on the bar of Butler county.

297

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

In the fall of 1872 William H. Burdick was elected, in 1874 re-elected, and again in 1876, serving six years. Mr. Burdick was a republican and made a good offieer. He was a native of Canada, and came to Butler county and located at Clarksville in the fall of 1856, where he engaged at his trade, blacksmithing. In the spring of 1882 Mr. Burdick removed to Dakota Territory, where he yet remains.

The next clerk of courts was Charles H. Ilgenfritz, who was elected in 1878 and re-elected in 1880.

Charles H. Ilgenfritz, clerk of the courts of Butler county for four years ending De- cember 31, 1882, was born in LaPorte City, Ind., in 1850. He removed with his parents, Henry and Ann Ilgenfritz, to Greene county, Wisconsin, in 1852, and to Clarksville, Butler county, in 1863. Dur- ing the years from 1868 to 1870 he was a student at the Notre Dame College, Indi- ana, and from that time to his election as clerk of the courts, in 1878, was engaged in the lumber trade and in banking at Clarksville. A democrat politically, Mr. Ilgenfritz is not so strongly wedded to party as to be governed by prejudice, but sustains for official positions men whom he believes to be honest and possessors of the best principles. His popularity as an official may be inferred from the fact that at liis first election his majority was 160, and the second time was over 500.

Mrs. Ilgenfritz was, before marriage, Miss Lulu Walrath. They have two sons -Harry L. and Burr.

In the fall of 1882, after a heated cam- paign, W. S. Montgomery was elected as successor to Mr. Ilgenfritz, to the office of clerk of the courts, and began the duties

with 1883. Mr. Montgomery is a lawyer, who has been in practice, residing at Clarks- ville, and a further notice of him will be found in connection with the history of the bar.

SHERIFFS.

The first sheriff of Butler county was Robert T. Crowell, who was elected in the fall of 1854, at the organization of the county. He was a genial fellow, and made a good officer. Crowell first came to But- ler county in 1850, but not to settle until 1851, and located near Clarksville. He is now in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

The next sheriff of Butler county was Walker H. Bishop, who was first elected in 1855; was re-elected in 1857, and held until 1859. He was a native of Indiana, and had inherited democratic proclivities, which he always retained. He settled in Clarksville in 1854, and remained until the latter part of the sixties, when he and his family removed to Nebraska.

James Leverich was the second sheriff, elected in 1859, and serving for one term. Mr. Leverich was elected as a democrat. was a native of Ohio, and still lives in Shell Rock township. He made an acconi- modating official.

He was succeeded in the fall of 1861 by W. H. Bishop, who was re-elected, and served another term.

In 1863 Michael Hollenbeck was elected sheriff, and in 1865 re-elected, serving four years. Mr. Hollenbeck is a native of New York, and still lives in Shell Rock, where he first settled in 1854.

Michael Hollenbeck is the youngest son of Michael and Sarah (Chase) Hollen- beck, and was born in Oneida county, New York, September 17, 1822. Both his

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

mother and father died during the year 1846-the latter dying one month later than the former. The son remained in his native county until he had attained his majority, and then came West and settled in Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he lived eight years, and then moved to DeKalb county, Illinois, where he remained but one and one-half years. He was married March 26, 1843, to Miss Elsie Osterhout. In January, 1854, they came to Butler county, Iowa, and entered a farm of 160 acres in section 29, Shell Rock township. Here Mr. Hollenbeck built a small log cabin, into which he moved his family in May, 1854. During the early years of their settlement here they experienced many hardships. Upon their arrival but one five-dollar bill was left, and they lived in their log cabin the first summer with no roof, excepting an elm bark one. In this house the family lived for twelve years but as time went by it was considerably improved. At the time of their arrival in " the State not one railroad was built. Mr. Hollenbeck was supervisor, and a member of the first county board, and was also elected the first justice of the peace of the township, besides which he has held other town offices. He was elected sheriff of Butler county in 1863, and held the office for four years. Eight children have been born to them, six of whom are liv- ing-Romanzo, now living in this town- ship; Rozelia, now the wife of George Bass, of Kansas; Alice, now the wife of H. A. Page, of Kansas; Ida, wife of Gen. H. M. Day, of Waterloo; Wait and Eliza. In addition to his property in Butler county, Mr. Hollenbeck also owns a fine farm in Kansas.

To the office of sheriff, L. L. Smith, of New Hartford, succeeded Mr. Hollenbeck, being first elected in 1867, and re-elected in 1869, serving four years.

The next sheriff was Capt. J. R. Jones, of Butler township, who served for eight years.

John R. Jones settled at Shell Rock on the 26th day of May, 1856, formed partnership with George Hawker, and as Hawker & Jones engaged in the manufac- ture of wagons and plows, This firm built the first wagon manufactured in Butler county, and sold the same to John Kimmins for sixty dollars. The firm con- tinued business until 1862, when J. R. Jones' recruited Company E of the 32d Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of which com -. pany he was elected Captain and mustered into service, June 30, 1862. Captain Jones was elected Colonel of the regiment over a senior Captain, a Major, and a Lieu- tenant-Colonel, but as Governor Stone, of Iowa, was a personal friend of the Lieu- ienant-Colonel, he delayed the commission, , and J. R. Jones therefore served as Captain until the close of the service, when he received a complimentary commission of Colonel. He participated in thirteen dif- ferent battles, was an efficient officer, and highly respected as a soldier and commander.

In August, 1865, Captain Jones returned to Shell Rock, and in March, 1866, pur- chased his present farm, elevated on sec- tion 17, Butler township (the same being the land entered by Morrison Taylor, in 1851), and here he has 'since resided, sur- 'rounded by all the comforts of the best farm life. His residence erected in 1873, is one of the best in the county, and all

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

other improvements made by him are of the same character. His private life is now occupied by careful and wise attention to his money and well-tilled acres.

In 1871 Mr. Jones was elected sheriff of Butler county, and thrice re-elected, thereby serving eight years: and it is safe to say Butler county never had a more efficient officer than Captain Jones. He has also held many minor offices of trust at different intervals. Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Clarksville, and the Com- mandery at Cedar Falls. He has always taken an active interest in the promotion of every public enterprise, and deservedly enjoys the highest-regard of his fellow citizens.

John R. Jones was born in Detroit, Michigan, on the 8th day of October, 1831. His parents, John R. and Mary (Jones) Jones, were both natives of Wales; they were married in Liverpool, England, in 1830; at once emigrated to the United States, and soon settled at Detroit. In 1832 the family removed to Huron county, Ohio, and in 1838 to Will county, Illinois, where the father died in 1876, and the mother in 1878.

Captain Jones is the oldest of six chil- dren. In 1852 he drove an ox team for John T. Basy to Portland, Oregon; the trip occupying five months and twenty-one days. In 1853 he went into California, where he employed his time principally in wagon making, at which business he was reasonably successful. In the spring of 1856 he returned to Illinois, and on the Ist day of May married Miss Angeline Butter- field, a native of New York, and subse-

quently came to Butler county. They have had three children, two now living-Mary M., now Mrs. G. A. McIntyre, of Allison, and Carrie S., now the wife of J. P. Reed, editor "Shell Rock News." Mr. Jones is a strong republican. In religion the family are Presbyterians.

Gilbert Hazlet, the present sheriff of Butler county, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1839. His parents removed to Fayette county, Iowa, when he was thirteen years of age. . He came to Butler county in 1869, and purchased a farm in Pittsford township, where he located. His father, S. K. Hazlet, is now a resident of that township. Mr. Hazlet was elected as supervisor of Butler county in 1874, and served in that capacity for three years. He is now serving his second term as sheriff, having been elected in the fall of 1879, and re-elected in the fall of 1881. His wife is a native of Ohio; a daughter of William Barnhouse. They have three children-Forrest M., Edwin A. and Dorleska.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.

This office was first filled by Aaron Van . Dorn, who was appointed by Judge John Palmer, in the fall of 1854. He was elected in April, 1855. A sketch of him is found in connection with the bar history.

The next Prosecuting Attorney was C. A. Bannon, who is also noted among the legal representatives.

In 1858 an interesting occurrence dis- turbed the usual tranquility of this office. The law provided that in case of the absence of the incumbent for a period of six months, the office. should be declared vacant, and an election held to fill the

300 HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

vacancy. Mr. Bannon had left the county, and, as understood, was not coming back. Thereupon, in 1858, William R. Jamison was elected to the office, by two-thirds of the entire vote of the county. When court convened, however, Bannon again unexpectedly put in an appearance, and claimed the office, and Mr. Jamison with- drew.

During Bannon's term the office was abolished by law.

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

A history of this office, together with that of school fund commissioner, appears in connection with the chapter upon educational matters.

COUNTY ASSESSOR.

This office was created in 1857, to take the place of Township Assessor, and W. R. Cotton was the first and only officer ever elected, as it was abolished, reverting to the former and present system of town- ship assessor.

COUNTY SURVEYOR.

The following is a list of the gentlemen who have held this office. The year fol- lowing the names is that in which the party was elected, the time of service being until the successor qualified:

J. H. Morton. 1855

George Mcclellan

J. Ellis. 1857

Judd Bradley 1859

George Mcclellan 1861

A. F. Townsend 1863

M. D L. Niece 1865

O. W. McIntosh. 1867

Joseph Conn 1868

O. W. McIntosh 1869

M. D. L. Niece. 1871

J. G. Rockwell. 1873

O. W. McIntosh. 1881

DRAINAGE COMMISSIONER.

J. H. Miller. 1855

Liman Norton 1857

Isaac Boylan. 1859

N. Olmstead. 1861

H. A. Eirley .. 1862

T. G. Copeland. 1863

W. C. Thompson. 1865

E. D. Button 1867

Henry Trotter 1871

E. D. Button.

1873

Noble Thompson 1879

COUNTY CORONER.

D. W. Kensley. 1855

J. V. Boggs 1856

J. A. Barker 1857

R. T. Lowe. 1859

J. A. Barker. 1861

James A. Gurthie. 1862

E. W. Metzgar 1863

E. B. Allen. 1864

George Murphy

1865

E. W. Metzgar. 1867

T. G. Copeland. 1869

E. W. Metzgar 1873

C. A Murphy.

1875

H. J. Playter 1877

W. M. Foote. 1881

alvin M. Whaler

303

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE COUNTY SEAT STRUGGLES.

This matter in Butler county has been a source of much trouble and disagreement, and many bitter strifes and quarrels have grown from it. Notwithstanding there are five good towns in the county-all of them prosperous, full of business, and con- venient, any of which .would make an excellent county seat-when one locality succeeded in getting it, all others would co-operate to have it removed. One reason for this is that, until within the last two years, there has been no village of impor- tance near the center of the county. Greene lies on the extreme northern line; Clarksville and Shell Rock were opposed, because of being too far east; and Park- ersburgh too far south. When one of these made an effort to secure the seat of gov- ernment, all others would join in common cause to defeat the object. It was this petty jealousy which led to the "hub" being located for a number of years at one of the smallest places in the county, to which there was no access by railway, but one must return to the primitive modes of travel, and take a stage. This, however, has finally been remedied, and a better condition of affairs now exists, although it was only accomplished by a " very slight majority."

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 38

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