USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 36
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 36
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The institute will be conducted by Prof. L. T. Weld, of Cresco,
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418
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
and Prof. J. Breckenridge, of Decorah. All who intend to teach are cordially invited to come the first day, and remain during the entire session. The benefit derived from attending the institutes, are fully appreciated by all progressive teachers, and we feel con- fident that they will attend if it is possible for them to do so. In order, however, to reach some who have been teaching several terms, without making any visible improvement, and who seem to be satisfied if they can get a second or third grade certificate (renewed), we feel compelled to say: that no third, or second grade certificate will be renewed; and those who fail to attend the institute must expect to pass a most rigid examination if they continue to teach. Our state superintendent, Hon. J. W. Akers, will deliver a lecture before the institute. An examination will be held at the close of the institute. Hoping to meet you all on the first day of the institute, I remain yours respectfully,
F. C. CLARK, County Superintendent.
There are now in the county one hundred and fifty-seven teachers, who hold the following certificates:
First grade, 13 males, and 23 females; second grade, 22 males, and 51 females; third grade, 12 males, and 36 females.
While in 1880 there were about one hundred, out of which number sixty-six held first grade certificates, but by raising the standard of examination the number has been decreased, but the grade has gained in efficiency. The description of the school houses of Cresco and Lime Springs may be found under the respective heads of those towns.
CENSUS.
According to the United States census of 1860, the county of . Howard, state of Iowa, contained 3168 inhabitants, of all ages, sexes, and colors.
The following table is a slight abstract from the census of 1870,. of Howard county, as made by the United States: 1
Number of white inhabitants 6,270
Number of colored inhabitants. 12
Number of acres improved land 44,235
Number of horses 2,175
Number of mules 37
Number of milch cows. 2,734
Number of working oxen 431
419
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Number of sheep. 1,648
Number of swine 2,640
Number of bushels of wheat raised. 321,514
Number of bushels of corn raised 120,234
Number of bushels of oats raised. 263,258
Number of bushels of barley raised. 13,357
Number of bushels of potatoes raised. 30,713
Number of tons of hay made 14,880
Number of pounds of butter made. 408,351
Number of pounds of cheese made. 4,476
Number of pounds of wool raised. 5,153
We also find that the value of property in the county is returned, in 1870, as follows:
' Total assessed value, of all real and personal estate.
.$1,426,727
Total true value of all real and personal estate 4,131,132
Total taxes levied in the county 45,754
The manufacturing interests of Howard county are represented, - for 1870, as follows:
Number of manufacturing establishments. 32
Number of hands employed 69
Capital employed. $54,350
Wages paid. 8,310
Material used.
52,279
Products. 86,292
In 1875 the census, as returned to the sixteenth general asembly of the state of Iowa, shows, as follows:
White male inhabitants in county · 4,199
White female inhabitants in county 3,647
· Colored male inhabitants.
18
Colored female inhabitants
11
Number of horses in county
3,433
Number of mules. 58
Number of milch cows 4,358
Number of work oxen 279
Number of other cattle
8,018
Number of hogs 5,777
Number of sheep. 1,605
Number of acres of improved land in the county.115,823
420
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
There was raised in Howard county, and sold during the year 1874, products of the farm and dairy, as follows :;
Bushels.
Wheat
582,803
Corn
307,912
Oats
340;268
Barley
34,047
Buckwheat
1,251
Potatoes
62,472
Turnips
11,729
Pounds.
Butter
323,116
Cheese (not factory)
16,671
Wool
6,663 .
Tons.
Hay
21,905
Below we give the census of the number of inhabitants in Howard county, by townships, for the year 1880:
Albion
620
Afton
661
Chester
391
Cresco (town)
1201
Forest City.
941
Howard
381
Vernon Springs.
752
Howard Center
381
Jamestown
389
New Oregon
1153
Oakdale.
255
Paris
571
Saratoga
179
Total
7875
421
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
CHAPTER VIII.
VERNON SPRINGS TOWNSHIP; LOCATION; EARLY SETTLEMENT; VIL- LAGE OF VERNON SPRINGS; FIRST STORE, SAW MILL, GRIST MILL, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS; CRESCO; RISE AND PROGRESS; EARLY MERCHANTS, CHURCHES, NEWSPAPERS AND PRESENT STATE OF SOCIETIES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND GENERAL BUSI- NESS. RECORDS OF SCHOOL BOARD OF INDEPENDENT DISTRICT OF CRESCO.
VERNON SPRINGS TOWNSHIP.
H. D. Noble in an article published in the Cresco Times of July 6, 1876 gives the following in regard to Vernon Springs township which is made from township ninety-nine, range eleven.
"The first settlement was made by Oren Sprague, who built the first saw mill in Howard county, at the head of the grove on Tur- key river, near what was later the town of Vernon Springs in the year 1853. William Harlow, - Noonan, Thomas Fitzgerald and Thomas Granathan also took up claims about the same time in this precinct. The year after James G. Upton. first county judge, E. Gillett, first county clerk, M. G. Goss, M. L. Shook (on a claim taken first by Woodworth, alias "Old Frosty," of Decorah.(
,
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422
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
In August 1854, H. Blodgett and J. M. Fields came into this precinct as permanant settlers.
Mr. Noble further says; "There is no hesitancy calling this town- ship the most beautiful of all Howard county, being a succession of groves and prairies, more equal in distribution than any other section; well watered by numberless springs and spring streams; more good dry tillable land, with convenient spring courses for stock raising and grass growing-being at that point of the great military ridge running from McGregor northwest, where the knolls gradually roll into level prairie-it is par excellence the township of Howard county. It contains the villiage of
VERNON SPRINGS.
Here the saw mill of Sprague had soon a neighbor for in 1854, Henry Milder, erected a store which was known as the "blue store."
The saw mill has long since given way to the extensive grist mill and saw mill erected by A. H. Harris, on its site, being the first mill (grist) erected in the county, and one that brought cus- tomers from the west and the northwest the full distance of a hundred miles or more. The store mentioned has given way to new ones, in 1859 the village contained two stores, one extensive distillery with brewery, steam saw and grist mill combined, one water grist mill and saw mill, one tannery, two blacksmith shops, one shoe shop, one wagon shop one hotel, and an unfinished school house, The professional men at that time were, one doctor J. H. Bowers and one lawyer F. Belfoy.
The Babtist church was organized in 1857 with C. E. Brown as pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church dates its organization from 1858 Rev's Fall, Waterburg and Young being among the early pastors.
The county seat was located at Vernon Springs in August 1855, by James G. Upton, county judge.
The township was organized in 1855, J. F. Thayer and C. S. Thurber being elected justices of the peace The first school in the precinct was taught by Aaron Kimball in 1857-8.
Although the village of Vernon Springs once occupied a conspic- uous place in the county, and bade fair to grow into a large and thriving town, the rising glories of Cresco, so near it on the line of the railroad, so dimmed its light that it has gently settled back until a view of it calls to mind some thoughts of Goldsmiths,
.
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423
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
"deserted village"-verily its glory hath departed. The present county seat and largest and most important town in the county is the city of
CRESCO
which is located on portions of section 22, 23, 26 and 27 of this township, and is one of the liveliest and most flourishing of all the prairie cities.
The land, upon which this town now stands, was entered at the general land office in September, 1856, by Horace Barber, as the records show. In October, 1857; it was sold by him to M. L. Shook, who after holding it for some nine years, again sold it to Augustus Beadle during the month of April, 1866, who sold a part interest in it to W. B. Strong and B. H. Edgertown, and who immediately had it platted and laid out into town lots, the plat being placed upon record June 12, the same year. Several addit- ions have since been added, necessitated by the surprising growth of the town, of which the most important are, Beadle Strong and Hungerford's, on the remaining portion of section 25; Baldwin's on the south-east quarter of section twenty-four; and Beadle's on the north-west quarter of section twenty-six.
Of its early settlement but little can be said. The old Greek Mythology told how Minerva sprang full armed from the head of Jove and thus it seems with the birth of Cresco that sprung into being a full fledged city. A bald prairie, which had been covered with the waving grain the season before, in June 1866 was covered with buildings, and the town made quite an appearance as such; so marvelous was its rapid rise- even in these days of mushroom growth-that it stands without a parallel in the country. We find among the first merchants of the town, who settled there on its first inaugeration. Strother and Kirkpatrick, who were large dealers in general merchandise; Bones and White, dry goods; J. J. Clemmer, drugs, paints and oils; B. Chapin, stoves and hardware; G. A. Purdy, stores; Burdick and Clouse, general merchandise; Price and Lowry, drugs and medicines; W. H. Alleman; boots and shoes; Perry and Conklin, agricultural machinery; Mrs. J. T. Donahugh, millinery and fancy goods. There were also at the same time the following parties in business in the town B. Isaacs, manufacturer of buggies, wagons, etc .; Parnell and Myers, black- smiths; D. Beam and F. Miller, harness makers; Mrs. F. H.
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424
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Jewett, photographer; Mrs Knowles and Co., milliner and dress- makers, and E. B. Sloan merchant taylor. The earliest physicians to locate at this point were N. H. Knowles,M.D. and J.J. Clemmer, M. D. who attended to the wants of the sick and hurt of the com- munity, the latter gentleman, has "served his country" several times in an official manner, being for several terms, county coroner, and still resides in the town, and engaged in the practice of his profession, and ownes and operates a large drug store in con- nection therewith.
The hotel interest was also well represented at the time as we find the record of two good houses in the year 1867.
The Empire house, then engineered by J. DeNoyelles, now of the town Nashua; and the Durham house.
About all the lawyers, whose names we find in the early. records, are W. R. Mead and H. A. Goodrich, we know that there were more for what town is there in all the broad expanse of our native land, of a thousand inhabitants, that cannot boast of more than two of the bright lights of the bar.
In the early part of 1868, the question of incorporation came to the front, and, after some agitation, seemed to meet the views of the majority and an election was ordered for city officers, and Isaac Gregory, was chosen mayor, on April 20th, that year; the other officers elected were:
W. R. Mead, recorder; Henry Widner, attorney; B. Chapin, treasurer; L. T. Woodcock, J. J. Clemmer, John C. Clark and John E. Peck, as councilmen.
The officers of the city, in 1875 were as follows: J. F. Webster, Mayor; Henry Widner, recorder; H. Clark, treasurer; H. C. Mc- Carty, attorney; with H. E. Crandall, John E. Peck, G. W. Coon, Fred Miller and Jacob J. Lowry as council.
The city was controlled by the following officers, in 1882: Frank Sayre, mayor; F. A. Glass, recorder; with C. F. Webster, John B. Caward, William Wilbraham, Isaac Gregory, J. G. Doane and Henry Young as the the city council
At this writiting (March, 1883) the election for city officers has just resulted in the choice of following:
R. J. McHugh, mayor; A. F. Baumgartner, recorder; W. K. Barker, attorney; P. Connolly, treasurer; M, Luther, assessor; E.
425
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.'
H. Donahugh, street commissioner; and J. J. Lowry, H. C. Bur- gess and C. Frank Stremel, as members of the council.
Almost the first thing to do, it seems, when a new town is form- ed, is to institute a school, and in this respect Cresco is, in no wise, an exception, as it is recorded that a school was opened, during the first winter of the town's existence, in the building afterwards known as the private residence of Mrs. Bateman.
The independent school district of Cresco, seems to have been formed during the year 1869, but of this there exists no records, "to make assurance doubly sure." Of all that remains, we have carefully gone over, and find that the minutes of the first board of school directors are dated December, 1871. The board then con- sisted of the following gentlemen: Augustus Beadle, E. Gillett, W. R. Mead, S. A. Stone, and W. H. Patterson. In January, 1872, the new board elected, consisted of Augustus Beadle, S. A. Stone,. W. H. Patterson, D. W. Owen, W. R. Meade and E. Gillette, with Chas. I. White as secretary.
This board, at a session held Macrh 4, appropriated some four hundred dollars to purchase four lots, next to the school house lots, so as to give larger grounds for that edifice.
The election for officers of the above board, March 18, resulted in placing Augustus Beadle in the chair; John E. Peck as treas- urer; and Chas. I. White, secretary, as before. The board after organizing as above, immediately proceeded to levy a tax of ten. mills on the dollar for the school house fund.
Here it may be in order to make the statement that the main: part of the present school building was erected of stone, during: the summer of 1869, and cost in the neigliborhood of $8,000. The connection will be perceptible when it is seen that this special levy" of tax was for the purpose of building an additional wing. It would seem from the records, that during this year, the teachers were Mrs. Archer and Miss Nellie Phelps, together with L. T. Weld as principal.
At a meeting of the school board, held December 3d, 1872, it was
Resolved, That each and every member of the school board be required to visit the school, at least once a month, under penalty of buying the oysters for said school board.
426
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
And the resolution apparently clinches the matter by adding "that the said oysters shall be good ones."
The board, at the meeting of March 17, 1873, consistad of A. Beadle, president; John E. Peck, treasurer; C. I. White, secretary; E. Gillett, S. A. Stone, C. V. Jacobs, C. B. Sampson, John Farns- worth and W. R. Mead.
Att1 's meeting the resignation of Miss Nellie Phelps, as teacher, was handed in and accepted, and Mrs. L. T. Weld was appointed to fill the vacancy. Contracts were also signed with L. T. Weld, Mrs. Weld, Miss Lockwood and Miss Nichols, as teachers for the ensuing year, and also wtih Miss Lucy Thurber for fall term of 1873.
The accommodations for school purposes seems to have proved insufficient, the board appointed a committee, in August, 1873, to procure or build a room suitable for the purpose intended, that of ·establishing the primary school, separate from other grades. This committee reported, on September 21st following, that they had rented a room of Mr. Jackson, and fitted it up for the use of the " said primary grade; and that the same was installed therein.
We find that the board, March 16, 1874, consisted of the follow- ing gentlemen:
E. Gillett, president; John E. Peck, treasurer; C. I. White, sec- retary; C. V. Jacobs, John Farnsworth, C. B. Samson, S. A. Stone : and W. H. Patterson.
The report of the treasurer, of the school money was received. March 16, 1874, and shows as follows: -
On hand, in school house fund $1,323 32
On hand in teachers' fund. 453 00
On hand in contingent fund. 162 18
Total. $1,939 50
By resolution, April 6, 1874, the board instructed the clerk to issue the notice of a special election to order a tax to help build additional school house room. And on May 11, the following were named a committee to make plans and specifications for a wing to the school house, 28x52 feet, and also for the same to ad- vertise for bids for the construction of the same: S. A. Stone, E. Gillett, C. I. White and John E. Peck.
This was accordingly done, and the fine additional wing on the
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427
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
west side of the main building was erected the same year, under their supervision, at a total cost of about $4,000. This gave the necessary room, and the separate system was abandoned, and the primary grade was restored to its place, in the same building,with the others; placing all under the controlling influence of the prin- cipal. The building was now large enough, for the time being, but as will be found farther on, it in time was considered too small, and another wing was added.
June 1, 1874, G. M. Harris was elected a member of the board, to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of C. B. Smith from the town.
The salaries of the teachers of the district are defined this year as being, principal, $1,000 for the first year, and $1,200 every suc- ceeding year; first assistant, $450 first year, $500 succeeding years; second assistant, $350 first year, $400 per year afterwards; assist- ants in the intermediate departments, $400 first year, and $450 thereafter; first assistant in the primary grade, $400 the first year, $450 after; second assistant in same department, $350 the first year, with an increase of $50 the succeeding years.
The roll of teachers this year is, L. T. Weld, principal; Miss Addie E. Bucklin, first assistant; Mrs. Nichols, Miss Nichols and Miss Lucy Thurber.
The board of 1875 when convened, comprised the following list: S. A. Stone, president; John E. Peck, treasurer; Charles I. White, secretary; John Farnsworth, C. V. Jacobs, W. H. Patterson, P. T. Searles and C. F. Breckenridge.
The following is the roll of teachers in 1875:
L. T. Weld, principal; Mrs. L. T. Weld, Mrs. Nichols, Miss Sim- onds, Miss Lucy Thurber and Miss Addie E. Barnes.
At the annual meeting, September, 1875, the members of the board present were, S. A. Stone, president; L. T. Woodcock, treasurer; Charles I. White, Secretary; P. T. Searles, John Farns- worth, C. V. Jacobs, C. F. Breckenridge, W. H. Patterson.
Board for 1877 consisted of John Farnsworth, president; L. T. Woodcock, treasurer; C. I. White, secretary; C. F. Breckenridge, P. T. Searles, C. V. Jacobs, Daniel Platt and C. F. Webster.
In 1878 the following was the composition of the board of directors:
C. V. Jacobs, president; L. T. Woodcock, treasurer; Charles I.
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428
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
White, secretary, with C. F. Breckenridge, C. F. Webster, Daniel Platt, L. E. Smith, and W. H. Patterson.
The roll of the teachers for the same year is given, as follows: L. T. Weld, principal; Mrs. L. T. Weld, Mrs. Nichols, Miss Viola Webster, Miss Kittie Harris, teachers, with one vacancy.
Under date of June 10, 1878, a resolution is found, instructing the secretary to call a special election of the voters of the district, to authorize the board to issue bonds to build another wing to the school house. The election was held, and it was found that the people of the city had the necessary confidence to make the authorization. The bonds were accordingly issued, and C. V. Jacobs and Daniel Ratt were appointed a committee to put in the foundation for the east wing of the school house. This was built at a cost of $200, the board entering into a contract with J. F. Mitchell, he agreeing to erect the same for that sum.
In the fall of 1878 the contract was likewise let for the erection of the building, S. H. Clark being the contractor, whose bid for $2,928 was the lowest and best.
The school board for the year 1879 consisted of the following gentlemen :
J. F. Donahugh, H. E. Lomas, Daniel Platt, L. E. Smith, W. H. Patterson, with C. F. Webster as president; L. T. Woodcock, treasurer, and C. I. White, secretary.
During March, 1880, the new board of school directors assumed the control, and consisted of the following gentlemen:
L. E. Smith, president; L. T. Woodcock, treasurer; Charles I. White, secretary; Daniel Platt, H. E. Lomas, W. H. Patterson, and J. F. Donahugh. No better board could have occupied the re- sponsible position.
By a resolution the salary of the principal, L. T. Weld, was made $1,200 per year, and that of all the assistants made a uniform rate of $35 per month.
It was during this year that the first class, under the present rule and grade, was graduated with all the honors. The occasion was made a season of festivity and rejoicing in a sober, intellectual way. The ceremonies and the entertainment furnished by the exercises are spoken of by many to this day.
January, 1881, it was found, as the money market had grown easier and the rate for the use of moneys had become less, that
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429
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
the bonds of the independent school district of Cresco could be refunded at six per cent., and the board passed a resolution, instructing the clerk to proceed to do so immediately. The matter was soon adjusted on this basis, and some money was saved to the treasury by the action.
In March, of the same year, the new board was organized, as follows:
L. E. Smith, president; L. T. Woodcock, treasurer; C. I. White, secretary; H. E. Lomas, Daniel Platt, J. F. Donahugh, John Farnsworth, and C. F. Webster.
Six lots were purchased by the district, in October, 1882, of Augustus Beadle, in the school house block, for the sum of $350, giving the children a fine, large play-ground, and adding to the beauty of the surroundings of the school house.
The following is an abstract from the report of the treasurer of the independent school district of Cresco, delivered to the board at their meeting held March 20, 1882.
Annual report of money's received and paid out by the treasurer, for the year ending February 28, 1882:
SCHOOL HOUSE FUND.
Dr. Cr.
To amount received of county treasurer.$1,702.13
By amount overpaid at date of last re-
port. 423.74
By amount paid on bonds and interest .. 772.00
By amount on hand.
506.39
Totals.
$1,702.13 $1,702.13
TEACHER'S FUND.
To amount on hand at last report ... ...... $ 511.19 To amount received of county treasurer. 3,215.53
To amount received from apportion- ment. 610.74
To amount received from tuition 233.25
By amount paid teachers $4,073.27
By amount on hands. 497.44
Totals
$4,570.71 $4,570.71
430
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
CONTINGENT FUND.
To amount on hand at last report. .. 17 88 To amount received of county treas- urer 1167 06
To amount overpaid ..
224 23
By amount paid janitor
350 00
By amount. paid secretary
50 00
By amount paid insurance.
106 00
By amount paid for wood.
412 15
By amount paid for old orders.
234 28
By amount paid for repairs, etc.
256 74
Total $1409 17 $1409 17
The present board, at this writing (March 10, 1883,) is composed as follows:
L. E. Smith, president; L. T. Woodcock, treasurer; Charles I. White, secretary; C. F. Webster, John Farnsworth, Daniel Platt, R. J. McHugh, and Doan.
There was in 1879 a bonded indebtedness of the district school house fund afloat, amounting to $5,000, which with the interest for that year $350, and indebtedness of the other funds of $316.67, made a grand total of $5,666.67, as the incumbrance upon the property belonging thereto.
But by judicious management and real financial ability, the board have reduced the whole debt to about $1,500, and that with some money in the treasury.
For all the above information we are under obligations to the kindness and courtesey of county treasurer, C. I. White, who is also secretary of the school board, and it is no more than just that we should render the proper acknowledgement.
The following is the annual report of moneys received and paid out by the treasurer of the independent school district of Cresco, for the year ending February 28, 1883:
SCHOOL HOUSE FUND.
On hand at date of last report ..... $
$ 506 89
Received of county treasurer.
1399 99
Paid on bonds. 1225 00
Balance on hand. 681 66
1906 66 1906 66
431
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
TEACHERS' FUND.
On hand at date of last report ..... $
$ 497 34
Received of county treasurer.
2797 60
Received of state appropriation ...
534 66
Received of Vernon Springs.
142 00.
Received of tuition.
235 57
Paid on teachers' order.
4203 50
Balance on hand.
3 67
4207 17
4207 17
CONTINGENT FUND.
By county treasurer
$
$ 941 00
By Vernon Springs
73,00
By other sources.
13 50
To amount over paid at 'date of last report.
224 18
.
To amount paid janitor.
450 00
To amount paid for the school grounds.
350 00
To amount paid for sidewalks and repairs
147 29.
To amount paid for school furni- ture 22 65
To amount paid for wood and other expenses.
331 74
By amount overpaid.
498 36
1525 86
1525 86
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES FOR THE COMING YEAR.
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