USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 41
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 41
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THIRD IOWA INFANTRY-CO. D.
Charles P. Brown,
Gearge H. Culver,
R. E. Carpenter,
Joseph S. Neff, Henry H. Sheldon, Daniel Wise.
CO. I.
George Merchant, Isiah Wood,
John O'Donnell.
SEVENTH IOWA INFANTRY-CO. B.
W. E. Thayer, Joseph M. Gallahan,
David Seeley.
NINTH IOWA INFANTRY-CO. H.
Jasper N. Moulton, A. J. Cook,
Stephen Teeples, Alfred Knowlton.
CO. I.
Samuel Fellows, 1st lieut. C. B. Ashley,
Charles Kemery, 2d lieut. David Garver,
John Logue, Myrtello Barber, W. C. Bryan,
Levi Yantz,
Isaac Bryan,
S. A. Converse,
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489
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Joseph Capler, James M. Johnson, John Oren, J. F. Powell,
D. C. Horning, Martin Kile,
Finley D. Pierce,
William L. Ransom,
Chas. W. Polley,
Lauriston Averill,
T. J. Papin, Amos S. Halstead, Clark Johnson,
George S. Briggs,
Benj. F. Knight,
Joseph H. Fenton,
John F. Knight,
Daniel C. Harding,
Thos. J. Bridges,
Chas. D. Lockwood,
Edwin Chapell,
Daniel A. McMartin,
Ezra M. Cole,
Harvey S. Ayres, Hiram Birch,
Francis A. Daniels,
John P. Freeborn,
Lewellyn Hurley,
Simon Hughes,
Martin B. Jones,
Osborn Lutes,
John Long, A. Strogher,
William McCrea,
Lorenzo Wentworth,
Charles L. Wilder,
Adam Vance,
J. D. O'Donnell,
Salisbury Sherman,
Horace B. Rome,
Hiram M. Townsend,
D. M. Townsend,
M. M. Wells,
Joseph Yantz,
Geo. A. Owen,
Andrew Miller,
N. R. Johnston,
W. M. Colby,
Walter Scofield,
Daniel B. Burke,
Thos. J. Powell, Walter Mintay. 1
TWELFTH IOWA INFANTRY-CO. G.
V. R. Dunn, Fred. Rachan,
Edward Rachan. .-
THIRTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY
John R. Curry,
Isaac Cottrell,
Terence McGrary,
Francis Craig.
TWENTY-FIRST IOWA INFANTRY-CO. A. John Becker.
CO. I. THIRTY-EIGHT IOWA INFANTRY. W. H. Powell, 1st Lieut., W. H. Patterson, 2d Lieut.,
B. D. Everingham, Lewis L. Light,
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D. P. Griffin,
John Goodenough,
Robert Hurley,
Sherman Barnes,
490
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Jonas F. Adams,
Robt. Logue, Walter Mintey,
Alva J. Stearns,
Madison Taft,
S. Nichols,
Samuel L. Thomson,
S. G. Oldham,
O. A. Bunker,
F. H. Ransom,
O. D. Curtis,
Philip Serfors,
Otis A. Adams,
Benj. Strawn,
Wm. H. Buckland,
Jas. Shaw, Andrew Witt, Jr.,
Ard. Bryan,
Charles E. Booth,
Peter Phillips,
Charles Craghill,
Jay H. Phillips,
G. W. Dawes,
F. Richards.
Geo. Duffy,
Ole Talif, Geo. W. Weller,
Isaac W. Poe,
L. D. Huckins,
Chas. W. Sawyer,
J. B. Kingsley,
Wm. Winters,
C. M. Pepin,
C. F. Mitchell,
A. S. Pepin,
E. B. Sloan,
Alex. J. Powell,
S. Hazledine,
Sylvanus Pekin,
M. C. Abrams,
W. P. Rinia,
D. C. Ashley, Jos. W: Brown,
E. B. Millington,
Jason Bennett,
Wm. Niles,
Jno. P. Bossard,
H. C. Obert,
L. D. Bayes,
James M. Phillips,
F. L. Dauberschmit,
Edwin Phillips,
James Forester,
John B. Parrington,.
Adam Fussell,
J. F. Sheldon,
A. J. Garnsey,
Ezra Witt,
R. B. Henderson,
Enos. Wood.
John Holverson,
Jas. Heldridge,
FORTY-SIXTH IOWA INFANTRY-CO. F.
Ed. M. Ashley,
Henry Pierce,
George Daggett, S. E. Trask.
SIXTH IOWA CAVALRY-CO. F.
Elijah Murry, William C. Storr,
W. F. Lyman, .E. Miner,
J. W. Maynard,
John Feather,
491
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Joseph Richards, Peter Smith.
B. W. Sawyer,
CO. K. John M. Sawyer. CO M. C. J. Nichols. H. M. Harlow,
THIRD IOWA BATTERY.
Geo. L. Brown,
William Radford,
Edmund D. Howe,
George H. Niles,
George W. Combs,
Truman H. Smith,
James Q. Jones,
Theod. B. Sheldon,
Michael Kelley.
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492
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE COUNTY, BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE PRIN- CIPAL EVENTS, OCCURRING IN THE COUNTY, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT MOMENT, ARRANGED CHRONOLOGICALLY.
1851.
During the month of December, Hiram Johnson erected his humble cabin, and dwelt therein, the first white man to locate within the bounds of what now constitutes the county of Howard. 1853.
This is the first year that any immigration came into Howard county. It is told, that during the twelve months, Henry Brown located in Oakdale township, Daniel Crowell and Andrew Nelson in Albion, William Cottrell, Thomas Lewis, William Brown and H. Shuttleworth in New Oregon, and Owen Sprague, William Harlow and others at Vernon Springs.
1854.
During the year S. M. Cole, James G. Upton, George Schofield and others came to Vernon Springs. "Uncle" George Schofield building the first house, in what was afterwards the villiage of New Oregon.
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493
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
A. D. C. Knowlton, Joseph Knowlton, Oscar Chesebro, located the first claims in Forest City township. .
Jared Sigler and others in Saratoga, making the first settle- ments in that township.
This same year it is also recorded, that C. S. Thurber and others were the pioneers in the settlement in Albion township.
The first settlement of Afton township, was made this year, by A. Pooler. Joseph Hall and others.
A. Kingsley and others settled in the township of Chester.
The first saw mill in the county, was erected this year, near Vernon Springs, on the Turkey river, by Oren Sprague.
1854.
Saw mill at New Oregon erected by William Harlow, in the early part of the year.
The first grist mill built in the county, erected at Foreston
First store, within the limits of the county, opened by Henry Milder, at Vernon Springs, and known as the "Blue Store" to all the settlers round about.
First school in the county, opened during the year by Miss Harriet Cole, at Vernon Springs.
The first post office, established in the county was at "Oregon Grove," and of which Hiram Johnson was appointed postmaster, but before his commission had arrived, he had removed from the county, and S. M. Cole was appointed in his place.
This year, Lucy Thurber, the first white child was born, in the county, and in October of this same year Jacob Harlow, the first boy in the county, was born.
It is recorded that the first death to occur in Forest City town- ship, was during this year, and was that of John Mortimer.
Howard township first settled by W. S. Pettibone and others.
The first settlement in Jamestown township made by Messrs Van Houghton, Niles and Shaw.
During the winter of this year Robert Gilchrist, of Albion town- ship was frozen to death, while attempting to cross the prairie.
1855.
The settlements during the year are Thomas Griffin and Patrick Richards in Paris township; R. O. Thayer W. E. Thayer and oth- ers, in Howard Centre; C. D. Cutting, William and Dennis Rice, in Jamestown township.
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494
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
The second grist mill erected in the county, at Vernon Springs, on the Turkey river.
S. M. Cole erects and establishes the first hotel in the county, it being near the town of Vernon Springs; this hotel was for some years the principal stopping place for M. O. Walker's stages and for all travelers and emigrants passing west.
The county organized this year, in accordance with an order is- sued from the court of Judge Lyons, of Chickasaw county, and first election held, resulting in the election of James G. Upton as county judge, Edmund Gillett, county clerk; William Woodward, recorder and treasurer.
Vernon Springs township was organized this year.
Postoffice established at the village of Lime Springs, with A. D. C. Knowlton as postmaster; this being the first in the township of Forest City.
The postoffice located at Arnoldsville was the first in Albion township, and A. Allen was commissioned the postmaster. It re- mained here, however, but a short time when it was removed to Osborne.
C. M. Munson opened the first store, in the village of New Oregon, during the year.
1856.
The settlement of Jamestown township dates from this year, although a few settlers had pre-empted claims therein the year be- fore. It is recorded that a party consisting of James A. Cutting, D. P. Bradford, John Moffitt and Lyman Southard, erected a steam saw mill, which they had brought with them, near the town of Riceville. Large immigration poured into this town this year, among whom may be found, the names of Darius and Smith W. Seeley.
The first election, ever held in the town of Jamestown, was the presidential one of this year, which resulted in the election of James Buchanan, to the position of chief executive of the nation.
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April 12, Marcus De Moss born, the first birth in the precinct of Jamestown.
John F. Thayer commences the erection of the hotel, at Howard Centre, early in the year, and at the grand celebration held in the grove near by, and at which M. V. Burdick and James G. Upton, spoke, the lower story was used as a ball room,although the second story was not built yet.
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495
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
The record of the survey and plat, of the town of Howard Center, bears date of December 1, of this year.
The first postoffice in the township of Jamestown is established in the spring, with D. P. Bradford, to handle the mails.
This year proving dry, and the herbage growing dry, the prairie fires, destroyed much property, for the pioneers, and the cold winter coming on, the coldest they had ever known, many being without shelter, suffered, untold hardship. The fearful blizzard of December 13, will be remembered by them all, and many suffered, even unto death, notably, among which is Mr. William Niles, who attempting to cross but a short strip of open country, wandered from the track, was lost, and perished in the darkness and the storm.
Rev. John W. Windsor organizes the Congregational church at New Oregon. This is the parent of the church of the same de- nomination now located at Cresco.
The first marriage in the county is celebrated this year, being that of Edmund Gillett to Miss Helen Barber, this was at Vernon Springs.
The county seat is located at Vernon Springs, in the spring, by order of Judge Upton, and the books and papers of the county moved there and court held at that place.
The organization of Forest City township is perfected, and the first election held therein, resulting in electing C. S. Thurber, jus- tice of the peace, and E. Bassett, town clerk.
The first school in the township of Forest City was opened and taught by Miss Helen VanLeuvan, in the fall of this year.
Howard and Afton townships organized in one precinct during the year.
Charles F. Bunker, born October 1st, being the first birth in the township of Howard Center.
In the spring, in Albion township, the Baptist church was or- ganized, with Rev. T. H. Miner as pastor. Later in the year the Methodist of the community organized their church, and Rev. Wil- liam Lease was chosen their spiritual leader. The Church of Christ was also organized this year, under the labors of Rev. Wil- liam Phillips.
During the fall of this year, Dr. Lewis Reynolds opened and taught the first school in Albion township.
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496
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
The first regular village school was opened in the town of New Oregon, and Daniel Mills assumed the tutorship.
1857.
Albion township was a part of Vernon Springs, until this year, when it withdrew, and completed a separate organization, and held its first election, at which were cast some forty-eight votes, and re- sulted in electing JamesNichols and James Oakley, justices of the peace, and Josiah Kelley, town clerk.
The townships of Chester and Oakdale organized in one, under the name of Iowa River, and at the first election, held in April, forty-nine votes were polled, John Adams and W. Y. Wells being elected justices of the peace, and C. M. Sawyer, town clerk. In the same township the first regular district school was organized, and taught by Miss Salinda Burknap, although it is said, that a school had been in operation the year before, but of which there is noth- ing known of a certainty.
Postoffice, at Howard Center, established; Henry Cook being commissioned as the first postmaster thereof.
The organization of Howard Center township perfected. and first election held March 13th, at the house of John F. Thayer, result- ing in the choice of Frank S. Trew, as justice of the peace; Ira Eldridge, Chas. H. Wood, and Calvin F. Webster, town trustees; T. R. Perry, town clerk; R. O. Thayer, and O. A. Bunker, con- stables.
The township school board was also organized, and the first tax levied in the precinct was one voted by the people for the purpose of raising funds to erect a school house. The election took place June 1st.
It is recorded that, all this year, the Rev. John W. Windsor preached on alternate Sabbaths, at the town of Howard Center, being the first to teach the word of God in that precinct.
February 5th, during a blinding snow storm, the flakes falling so thick and fast that none could see the flames half a mile off, the hotel of John Thayer, at Howard Center, was destroyed by fire. There was, at the time of the breaking out of the conflagra- tion, a school in session in the building taught by W. B. Stone. The fire caught from a defective flue, or a broken stovepipe, and in a short time reduced the building to a pile of ashes.
The host, Mr. Thayer was in the timber at the time, getting out timbers for a barn, and when he saw the work of the devouring
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497
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
elements, immediately commenced operation to rebuild him a hotel, even before the glowing coals had lost their firey breath, he began his labors, and by the fourth of July next had the building completed, and much larger and better than before.
I. C. Chamberlain teaches the first school in the township of Paris.
The postoffice at Sturgis" Point, in the same town, located with. J. I. Sturgis as postmaster.
In Jamestown township the first election for township officers. was held, April 7th, and W. E. Thayer and D Patterson were chosen constables; Willis Spencer and Darius Seeley, justices of the peace; H. Ricker, Asel Fassett, and Smith W. Seeley, town trustees.
The first school was also taught in this township, this year, Miss Jane Chandler being the teacher. The building was built of logs at "Round Grove," and for some years answered the purpose, when it grew to limited, as to space, and was replaced with a larger one of frame.
The first term of the district court, held in the county, was at Vernon Springs, Samuel Murdock being the judge. It was at this term that the first naturalization papers ever issued in the county, were taken out by Joseph S. Schafer, an alien, who desired to become a citizen of the United States.
During the fall the county seat was removed from Vernon . Springs to the town of Howard Center.
First movement of the people of the county toward a railroad was initiated this year; a vote of the people offering the North -- western railroad $150,000 to build a road into the county. This proved of no avail, as that railway never accepted the bonus nor . built any track in that direction.
The Baptist church, at Vernon Springs, organized, with Rev. C. E. Brown as pastor. The first school, in the same township, opened and taught this year by Aaron Kimball.
1858.
Howard County Sentinel, the first paper published in the county, established February 18th, by a stock company, with J. Howard Field as editor. This paper was quite a success, until it was burned out in the following year, and never re-established.
The Star of the west, another journal, was established, at New
498
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Oregon, by Gilmore & Mckay, but it had a life of but eleven weeks, ere it died.
George W. Haislet starts the Northern Light, a weekly paper at Howard Center; it lasted but one year, when it was removed to more congenial climes.
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This seems to be a good year for newspapers, for we learn that the North Iowa Gazette, a democratic organ, under the editorship , of Messrs. Harrison & Peck, issues its initial number. The dura- tion of its life was only about a year, as it expired from want of patronage, there not being many democrats in the county.
During the summer the organization of Saratoga township, and the consequent election, is recorded. T. J. Gibbons being chosen justice of the peace, and John R. Buckbee, town clerk; fourteen votes were polled.
County seat moved from Howard Center and located on the bluff, between New Oregon and Vernon Springs villages, by the commission, consisting of M. V. Burdick, G. N. Holbrook, and George Bronson. These gentlemen' were appointed by Judge Upton for the purpose, in answer to the wishes of the people of the county, and, finding that it could not be granted to either of the above mentioned towns, compromised the matter by giving it to neither, but placed it half way between them. The court house was commenced at that point this year, but was not finished and occupied until the next spring, and was paid for by the private subscription of both villages.
Methodist church, at Vernon Springs, organized, with Rev. Fall ; as pastor.
The Congregational church, at Saratoga, organized, and the first . school, in that place, opened by Miss Emma Seeley.
At the organization of Paris township, this year, the vote polled was but twenty-three, and P. Smith was elected justice of the peace, and P. Griffin, town clerk.
Afton township was also organized this year, polling forty-eight votes, and electing A. M. Cowan and R. Wooten, justices of the peace.
The organization of the Methodist church, in Afton township, dates from this year.
The town of Chester laid out, in March, by A. Eaton, and the first postoffice established, and Mr. Eaton installed as the post- . master.
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499
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Methodist church, at Chester, organized, in March, by Rev. Mr. Norton, with seven members.
The first marriage in Albion township takes place, being that of Ralph Watson to Miss Martha Cassety, the ceremony being per- formed by Elder Griffin, a Baptist minister.
This year the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches, at New Oregon, were organized. The former under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Waterbury.
It was during this year that the "gold fever" broke out in the northern part of the county, some deluded creatures conceiving that the auriferous metal could be found in paying quantities on the banks of the Upper Iowa river. The mania had its run, but that was to short, and the craze being over, the men settled down to work, and were once more reasonable beings.
1859.
The court house, on the bluff, near Vernon Springs and New Oregon, finished and occupied as such, in February.
The New Oregon Plaindealer established, vy H. Lick and W. R. Mead; this has proved one of the few successful papers. With- standing the stornis and adversities of early journalism, it has rode triumphant into harbor. Continuing in New Oregon, until May, 1867, it was then transferred to Cresco, where it yet remains under the charge of W. R. and F. J. Mead.
The first Baptist church within the precinct of Forest City, was organized this spring, with Rev. C. E. Brown, as pastor and spiritual guide. The Methodist churches, at Foreston and Lime Springs, and the Presbyterian churches in both the above places, were also instituted during the year.
1860.
The large stone grist mill, at Lime Springs, was completed this year, although partly built the year previous. M. M. Marsh was the sole owner and builder, and at the time of its construction the finest in this section.
The first delinquent tax sale, in the county, was held, this year, and was but slimly attended.
1861.
The mode of county government being changed this year from the hands of the county judge to that of supervisors, one from each township; the board met January 7th for the first time.
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500
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
The southern slave states having now risen in arms against the government, the board of supervisors, on June 4th, pass a resolu- tion to sustain the honor of Howard county, by pledging the resources of the county to the federal government, both in men and money. In September they pass an ordinance, by which they agree to pay every man, enlisting from the county, ten dollars as an outfit, and also to pay monthly, to the wives of such, the sum of four dollars, and one dollar to each child under twelve years of age.
Company I, ninth Iowa infantry, raised in the county, and mustered into the service of the United States, September 18th. This company did good service in the fiery battle front, returning at the close of the war with much thinned ranks, and leaving many a loved comrade in the cold embrace of death, far away in southern swamps.
1862.
The summer breezes blowing down from Minnesota bring the fearful tidings of Indian massacre and butchery. Thousands flee- ing for their lives, leaving their property to be destroyed by the red fiends, came for shelter to Howard county, creating quite a scare. The county government asked the state for arms, but before the "circumlocation office" had got round to it, the need had passed away, and all was quiet once more.
. Company I, thirty-eighth Iowa infantry, raised in the county, and marched to join the boys in the front. This company was mustered in at Dubuque, November 4th, and served its full time, until the close of the war.
1863.
The board of supervisors, of the county, submit to the ratifica- tion of the legal electors of the county, the question of donating all the swamp lands of the county to aid in the construction and equipment of the McGregor Western railroad, on the condition that they would build a railroad from North McGregor westward to intersect the county from east to west. At an election held, October 19th, the people, by a large majority, proclaim themselves in favor of such donation.
The cemetery in Howard township laid out, also the first person interred therein being Mrs. Harriet N. Talmage, who had drowned herself, while suffering under a temporary aberration of mind.
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501
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
The board of supervisors of the county, finding that it was still necessary to find a few more men to fill the quota of Howard county, in the federal army, offer the sum of three hundred dollars to all who will enlist, and be accepted, between December 7th and January 5th next, and their wives and children to receive the same monthly payments as had been paid to the others.
1865.
The board of supervisors, wanting to change the location of the county seat, declare that the present court house is unfit for the purpose, the weather having rotted it down, until it was unsafe for the records, and ordered the officers to remove the said records and papers to Vernon Springs. The board met at the latter place, but the records, etc., were not moved owing to the objections raised against it.
The time in which the McGregor Western railway was to get their track and roadbed into the county, having expired before they were enabled to do so, they asked the people to extend the time on the contract, which, at an election held in October, was accordingly done.
During the year the first effort was made to purchase a poor farm, and erect a poor house, but it fell through for want of the proper support.
1866.
In the spring of this year the McGregor Western railroad crossed the boundary of the county, and first broke ground for their track within its limits. Entering in section twenty-three, in Vernon Springs, the road passes northwest and leaves the county on section ten, Oakdale township, traversing the northeast corner, and skirting the north line of the county. The people and officers of the county justly complained at the action of the railroad com- pany, in not complying with the terms of the contract entered into by them with the county, which recites that the road was to cross the entire length of the county, from east to west. This was the source of much trouble and litigation in the future.
The town of Cresco was laid out and platted, and the said plat placed on record, June 12th, of this year. There have been several additions made to this plat since, and now covers nearly four times as much territory as, at first laid out.
The first settlement of the town also dates from this year.
502
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY,
The London Times, in an issue early in the ensuing year, quotes the town of Cresco as an example of the wonderful growth of the American western towns, and says "that in six months a bald prairie is covered with stores, shops, and dwellings of a thou- sand inhabitants, and resounds to the hum of rushing business."
The first school, in Cresco, also dates from this year, and was taught in the house, afterwards used as a private residence by Mrs. Bateman.
1867.
In the course of this year, the board of supervisors of the county are presented with a petition, signed by Augustus Beadle and others, praying that the seat of the county government be re- located at Cresco, and offering, if that was done, to erect a suitable building to be used as a court house, and for the use of the county, donate it free of any charge whatever. A committee of the whole being appointed to view the proposed site of the building, was reported upon favorably, and the board accepted the offer, and ordered the county officers to remove the records, files, papers, and offices to the new court house, when it was finished. The Howard county court house association immedialely commenced the erection of the structure, which was finished in June, and the removal made. Owing to the opposition of many in the county, the county seat was not formally relocated, but by a legal fiction was still supposed to remain at "the bluff," but for the conveni- ence the court house, at Cresco, was recognized as the real county seat.
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