USA > Iowa > Clayton County > History of Clayton County, Iowa : from the earliest historical times down to the present : including a genealogical and biographical record of many representative families, prepared from data obtained from original sources of information, Volume I > Part 11
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Immigration-The Herald gives a glowing account of the times saying, "there never was a time in any portion of the west, when the country was settling with greater rapidity than northern Iowa is at this time. The whole country, from 60 to 100 miles west of the Mis- sissippi, is literally alive with immigrants ; where the buffalo and other wild game roamed in comparative security today, tomorrow the cabin of the pioneer, is seen rising in their midst, and ere they become set- tled upon new grounds, they are again frightened from them by the rising of domiciles of the settlers. New farms are being opened in every direction, and where government holds the title today, tomor- row may be seen unmistakable signs of a farm, a village, a mill, or something else which denotes the immediate transposition from the cradle to the advanced stage of civilization. Close after the pioneer, who opens his farm 60 miles from market in 1853, follows the capi- talist to invest his surplus in building a railroad to transport the sur- plus product of the farmer to market in 1854; and forsooth, while the older inhabitants of the older states hear of a new section of country brought into the market, and the sturdy settler bending his way thither, from associations of ideas relative to the many sufferings incident to the settlement of a new country when they were young, drop a tear in sympathy for their affliction, which, ere it dries, finds them sur- rounded by all the necessaries and often many of the luxuries of the older states. There never was a time before in this country, when every legitimate business seems so prosperous as at present. It seems as if the magic wand of the conjurer had passed over us, and pro- duced a perfect commotion in all the departments of business, unparal- leled perhaps, in the annuls of the west. We learn from the most reli- able authority that there are in this, Allamakee, Winneshiek and Fayette counties at least 40 saw and flouring mills to be built this sea- son, or as soon as labor sufficient can be procured. At present there is a great scarcity of mechanics, especially carpenters, joiners, masons,
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and millwrights and unless some can be procured from abroad, much of the building will have to be deferred.
FIRST AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
In July, 1853, the Herald began a campaign for the organization of an agricultural society. This was continued from week to week and finally resulted in a meeting held at Garnavillo on Friday, August 5, at which the first steps were taken for the organization of the soci- ety which has proved so helpful to the county. E. H. Williams was chairman and H. S. Granger secretary. The committee to draft a con- stitution and solicit members was as follows: T. Davis, chairman, Robert Smith, Dennis Quigley, J. C. Tremain, Jon. Noble, John W .. Potts, John Barnett, J. W. Griffith, Eliphalet Price, F. A. Olds, M. L. Fisher, L. Bigelow, P. P. Olmstead, and Joshua Jackson. On Sep- tember 10 a meeting was held at Garnavillo at which the constitution was adopted, giving as one of the purposes the holding of an annual fair and Samuel Murdock was elected president, H. S. Granger, secre- tary, and L. S. McHollister of Farmersburg, treasurer.
An interesting statement showing the rapid growth of the county is found in a comparative table taken from the assessment roll. In 1852, the county contained 1,227 horses, 5,060 cattle, 15 mules, 1,650 sheep, 6,019 swine. The number of acres occupied by settlers was 318,581 and the assessed value $707,323. In 1853, these had increased to the following figures, horses 1,560, cattle 5,267, mules, 23, sheep 2,235, swine 8,353, land held, 343,933 acres, assessed value $1,007.665. This was an increase in value of 56 per cent in a single year.
Vote of 1853-At the election held in August, 1853, Sanford L. Peck defeated John M. Gay by a close vote, the vote by precincts being as follows :
Sanford L. Peck.
John M. Gay.
Wagner
22
10
Sperry
20
27
Monona
30
20
Buena Vista
15
21
Garnavillo
51
44
Mallory
21
8
Cass
17
Farmersburg
28
35
Mendon
14
30
218
205
The returns from the following townships were rejected on account of irregularity.
Sanford L. Peck.
John M. Gay.
Jefferson
47
19
Lodomillo
18
18
Volga
20
13
Millville
23
14
Boardman
66
39
174
103
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The following officers received almost the whole number of votes cast : Sheriff, Thos. G. Drips; Surveyor, Ezra Hurd; Drainage Com- missioner, E. H. Hiett ; Coroner, Alexander Blake. "The vote," adds the Herald, "was small, owing to the fact that election comes at the season when the farmers are engaged with their harvest, and will not spare the time to engage in politics."
MC GREGOR'S PROPERTY
The Herald for 1853, contains many items showing the growth of the county at various points. Concerning McGregor a contributor says: "You would be surprised at the improvement going on here. I have not time to particularize, but will tell you in time for next paper. H. D. Evans, I understand, is commencing to build a warehouse 100 by 70 feet, four stories high. Mr. Carlin, of the 'Iowa House,' is also building an addition to his house. About a mile from here, on the Garnavillo road, I fell in with Mr. Riley, who is a perfect specimen of an Iowa pioneer. On the 10th of April last, he tented in the woods, now he has five acres under cultivation, with a first rate crop of corn, potatoes, turnips, etc., has a good log house, and conveniences, all accomplished by his own willing hands. He also manufactures a washing machine, which needs only to be seen to be appreciated."
BUSY GUTTENBERG
The progress of Guttenberg is shown by the following: "Every- body is busy, and the place looks prosperous. At the sale of the front lots on the 16ult., four lots were 'leased for a term of twenty years, for warehouse purposes,' at (as we understand) a rent of $40 per annum. Messrs. Fleck & Bros. have already commenced building a warehouse on the river bank,-in front of their store,- fifty by seventy-five feet, three and a half stories high. J. P. Kriebs also contemplates building a warehouse. The new school-house is under contract. It will cost $1,700 to $2,000. Several new dwelling houses are being erected and finished; the brick house of Mr. Treppahne and that of Mr. Rodemier being the two largest. The dig- gings in the bluff are not worked at present, on account of the warm weather. The furnaces were both out of blast; but the Messrs. Fleck intended to commence smelting on Monday last. Mineral is purchased for both furnaces, at prices ranging from $25 to $30 per 1,000 lbs."
Lead Mining-Mining was one of the important industries and a visit to Buena Vista made by the Herald editor tells of conditions there. "We paid a visit to Buena Vista last week. There is but little doing in the mines, owing to sickness among the miners. Mineral was sell- ing at $32 per 1,000 lbs. E. C. Forbes and B. White are both doing a pretty large business in the mercantile line, and the former is dealing extensively in wheat." It was during this year that a steam sawmill was built at Clayton by the enterprising firm of Frank Smith & Co. while Monona boasted a new hotel. This was called Egbert's Hotel and is described as new, large and commodious.
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COUNTY FINANCE
The finances of the county at this time are shown by the following statement by Judge Williams :
The total expenditures of Clayton county for the year ending July 4th, 1853, is $4,668.04
The credits are :
Taxes on property collected. $5,118.98
Taxes on property delinquent. 4,118.29
Poll tax collected. 406.00
Poll tax delinquent.
62.00
Due from Swamp Lands.
95.50
Fees of County Officers
1,237.42
$7,338.17
Assets on expenditure ..
2,670.15
County debt, not including interest.
2,277.59
Including interest it will not exceed.
3,000.00
Estimated income of next year.
9,300.00
Estimated expenditure of next year.
5,000.00
A tax of five mills this year will enable the accounting officers to nearly, if not quite, wipe out the indebtedness of the county. We con- gratulate the citizens and tax-payers of this county upon the above favorable exhibit of the indebtedness of the county, which has been fur- nished us by the County Judge. The tax for this year will be 734 mills on the dollar, as follows : five for county purposes, one and one-fourth for state, one for road, and one-half for school. Should the calcula- tion of receipts and expenditures for the next fiscal year prove correct, (and we think they may be relied on), Clayton county will no longer have to pay bonus on her credit, but when a dollar is issued to pay one, and not two dollars, being "salted down," drawing interest at six per cent, to be drawn out when they are at par value.
Mails-The carrying of the mails was of vital importance. Dur- ing the navigation season, mail was brought up the river, but the main dependence for all the countryside was in the network of stage lines which, by 1853, had been developed into an extensive system. The rapid development of the county, with new settlements constantly springing up, made the addition of new routes frequently necessary and often times the settlers grew impatient because postal facilities failed to keep pace with their advancement. Throughout all of these earlier years the newspapers are constantly complaining of the mail service, suggesting changes of schedule and urging new routes. The condition of the mail service in 1853, may be gleaned from the follow- ing, taken from the Herald of October 7: "We notice that increased service has been asked for on the route from Monona to Lansing, and also that the route should be so changed as to connect either at Farm- ersburg or Garnavillo instead of Monona. The winter will soon be upon us, when mail service by the way of the river will be suspended, and there is no doubt but that the wants of the country are sufficient to justify the department in granting increased service, both on this
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MEMOIRS OF CLAYTON COUNTY
and also on the route from here to Decorah. There is also a great want of a general revision of the mails in this portion of the state. The mails which we now have might answer a much better purpose than they now do, if they only connected in proper manner. For instance, a man at Clayton wishes to send an important business letter to West Union, and it so happens that he wishes to send it on Monday. What are the mail facilities for getting it there? He writes his letter, depos- its it in the Post Office and Saturday it comes to this place; but the western mail went out on Friday, so it lays over here until the follow- ing Friday when it goes to Elkader ; but it does not get there until four o'clock, and the mail left for West Union in the morning; so it lies there until the following Friday, when lo and behold it arrives at its destination twenty-one days from the time it was written-a distance of only forty miles! And in one week from the following Saturday he gets his answer, making in all precisely thirty days. During this time, if the writer should be expert at traveling, he may step over and pay his respects to Queen Victoria, and return in time to receive his answer and proceed to business."
A Pioneer Mail Carrier-One of the earliest mail carriers in the county was Jeremiah Roser, who as a boy, under sixteen, carried the mail on horse back from Dubuque to Jacksonville in the winter of 1844-45. He made the trip twice a week carrying the mail in his saddle bag. He followed the territorial road from Dubuque, almost his entire journey being through the timber, which was full of wild turkey, deer and wolves, while bear were not infrequent and often the sinister face of an Indian peered at the little messenger from the thick underbrush. There were but four post offices between Dubuque and Jacksonville. The first of these was Recordville, which consisted of a mortised hole in an oak tree by the roadside, into which Jerry placed the mail for the few timber dwellers thereabout. His next stop was at Floyd's Tavern and he then reached Clayton county, and, passing the Quigley sawmill at Millville, he went to the post office known as Turkey River, with Isaac H. Preston as post master. The messenger spent the night at Millville and then took the Indian trail through the brush to Prairie la Porte. Then northwest on the trail to Eli Carlin's and over the prairie road to Jacksonville.
Reuben Noble was post master at Jacksonville at the time, and Mrs. Noble took good care of the little messenger at the end of his long journey. On one occasion he arrived with both hands and feet frozen. It speaks well for the honesty of the community that he was unmolested on these lonely trips except on one occasion when there was an attempt made to hold him up near the Turkey River postoffice one day when he was carrying $400 in gold from a Clayton county settler to the land office at Dubuque. The contract time called for the arrival of the mail at Jacksonville at 12 o'clock on Tuesdays and Fri- days, and the messenger was required to leave, on his return journey, at 2 o'clock of the same days. Prepayment of postage was not required and rates were high. An old envelope, still in existence shows the address, "Jacksonville, Clayton County, Iowa Territory." On the envelope is marked the amount of postage due, being 1834 cents.
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Description of County-Mr. Granger, the Herald editor, made a lengthy journey in 1853, canvassing for subscriptions to his new paper. Speaking of McGregor he says, "Everybody was busy, building, repair- ing, cleaning, merchandising, ferrying, and everything else that tends to make a people happy, wise and rich. The amount of freight landed at this point is almost incredible, and the number of emigrants that cross the Mississippi at the ferry is really surprising. Leaving town we crossed the bluffs to the upper ferry wood, and this same crossing of the bluffs was an enterprise of no little difficulty and danger-diffi- culty in keeping the trail, and danger of getting tumbled into the turbid waters of Bloody Run. A large number of settlers are located on the road between the river and Monona, many of whom have good farms opened out, have considerable stock, and seemed to be living comfortably. George Shober presented us with some good apples grown on his farm; he is one of the few who believes that apples and other fruit will grow in Clayton county. The merchants of Monona are doing a considerable amount of business; the Messrs. Harding have erected and are now finishing a large building, and Mr. Egbert has removed his stock to the new store room adjoining the hotel. Tak- ing the old military road to Fort Atkinson, we passed a number of farms, on many of which houses are being erected and improvements made."
Boom Days at Clayton-We cannot close this picture of the county as its first newspaper found it without including the further description of Clayton as given by Mr. Granger. "Three years ago, when we first saw the place, we were on a trip from St. Louis to St. Paul, and in search of a location for a home in the west. At that time Frank Smith & Co. had just opened a store in a part of the building they now occupy, and there was then but one family in the place. In short, it presented to a stranger the appearance of a small wood-yard, with no visible prospect of ever being anything more. At this time the above firm keeps a large stock and sells both at wholesale and retail, it also does considerable in the storage, forwarding and commis- sion business, has a steam sawmill nearly completed and intends erect- ing a steam flouring mill, perhaps, next season. It also has a good horse ferry boat which is kept busy. Park & Rogers have a large brick storage, forwarding and commission house, also a large wooden building. They also have a brick store and a large two-story brick dwelling house. There are two good hotels in the place. J. H. Duncan first built a two-story building, as a store and dwelling, but lacking room he has erected a dwelling and will use the first building for a store altogether. There are several brick dwellings and many substantial wooden ones, besides a large number of smaller ones. There is a wagon and carriage shop, sash, door and blind factory, blacksmith, tinner and cabinet shop. A little back from the street, among the trees and near a babbling brook, is the domicile of the peda- gogue, where a school is continued the greater portion of the year."
Bridge Building-Toward the close of the year the question of a bridge across Turkey river became a "burning issue" in the county. The necessity for the bridge was recognized, but the location was the object of much strife. Judge Williams took the bull by the horns in
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1854 and announced that a tax would be levied for a bridge across the lower Turkey river, provided the citizens in the vicinity also sub- scribed. In a communication relative to the bridge question, "Tam O' Shanter" gives an interesting side light on county affairs. He states that "we have been laboring under an oppressive tax, levied to pay the debts of the county which consisted of county orders which were bought by capitalists at a discount of 50 per cent and presented at the treasury where they were cashed at par." John P. Kriebs signs an advertisement calling a meeting at Guttenberg of those interested in the bridge project. Elkader, however, did not propose to wait for any bridge, and this enterprising town began the building of a steam boat for the navigation of the Turkey. Concerning this the Herald says, "as novel as the idea may seem, it is nevertheless true that a steamboat is now being built at Elkader, Adam Keen, the energetic proprietor has been engaged for some years past in the foundry busi- ness at that place, with his brother, George Keen, and he is now embarked in this new enterprise. The whole boat is to be built there. He has superintended the building of the engine, which is nearly com- pleted and the contract is let for building the boat."
Prosperous Years-Beginning a new volume of his paper Mr. Granger tells of conditions in the county, saying "we find everything in a highly prosperous condition in our own county and vicinity. The farmers are now selling their last year's crops at high prices, with no immediate prospect of a decline. Business of all kinds is becoming active; almost everything has an upward and onward tendency. We can hardly hear from any portion of the county without hearing of improvements being planned and some already begun which are of the most permanent character. According to a statement published, in 1854, Clayton county was, in 1853, the thirteenth county in the state in point of wealth.
Bridge Controversies-The bridge question continued to agitate the county. J. W. Griffith presided at a Guttenberg meeting. E. Price offered resolutions, whereupon, "an able and interesting discus- sion took place between Mr. Price and Mr. Noble, when said resolu- tions were withdrawn." Judge Williams was appointed as a commit- tee on location. Meetings were also held at the Colony House at which the location at Peck's ferry was advocated. At a meeting at Guttenberg, February 25, Judge Williams reported in favor of a loca- tion at Peck's Ferry. E. Price moved that the judge be requested to procure estimates of cost, but, "this motion was seized as an oppor- tunity by those dissatisfied with the selection to express their disappro- bation and was lost by a vote of more than two to one-a very large majority of the Germans of Guttenberg voting against it.". At the close of this meeting Dr. H. Hoffbauer gave notice of another meeting in protest. This was held, F. W. Helmich presiding and Jacob Nicklaus acting as secretary. At this meeting a bridge at Pearson's Place was favored and the following were among the resolutions passed: "That we will not apply our money, or a particle of it, to any other point on Turkey river, at this time, and that we will not hear any influence or inducements to any other point. That we have' a better claim on the county money in Judge Williams' hands, as we are citizens
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of Clayton county, and the majority of the friends of Peck's Place are citizens of Delaware and Dubuque county. That we are ready to build a bridge-as is a bridge-across the Turkey river at Pearson's place, independent."
March 3, 1854, four new townships were added, Giard, Clayton, Highland, and Cox Creek. The boundaries were substantially as they are today. On March 17, the Herald sounds a note of joy, for the river is open. A boat is expected that week and Capt. Smith is daily expected at Guttenberg with a full load of emigrants-his new boat having been chartered at Cincinnati for that purpose. At this time A. Kinney reports that the road between Monona and the state line is thronged with new comers, and that the public houses are literally crammed full every night.
Political Affairs-In 1854, Clayton county was first honored by the nomination of one of its citizens for a state office. Hon. Eliphalet Price was nominated by the Whigs for state treasurer. In a letter full of wit Mr. Price declines the nomination and he states that he can- not live on a salary of $400 a year, which is $100 less than is paid the treasurer of Clayton county. The election, held April, 1854, resulted as follows: Superintendent, J. D. Eads, 331; I. I. Stewart, 281 : Clerk, R. R. Read, 506; E. H. Hiett, 183; School Fund Commis- sioner, H. S. Granger, 938; Drainage Commissioner, Joseph McSperrin, 41 ; David Mann, 23.
Dr. F. Andros was at this time appointed as Government physi- cian to the Winnebago Indians in Minnesota and the Minnesota News tells of his journey as follows: "Our old friend Dr. Andros, Garno- villo, Iowa, arrived in this city Saturday last, having traveled through from Iowa on the west side of the Mississippi with a span of horses and a buggy. This is, we believe, the first overland trip which has ever been made with a team on this route. With the exception of one night, spent at Chatfield they had camp fare the entire distance. They saw only one human being between Chatfield and Mendota, and that one was an Indian."
Annals of 1854-It is reported that "stock of every kind is selling at unprecedented prices. There has been quite an active demand for work cattle and milch cows for the country north of us, and some are to be taken as high up as the great bend of the St. Peters. Working oxen are selling at from $100 to $125 per yoke; cows from $25 to $40; and as for horses, there is no use naming a price, for neither love nor money will hardly buy one." Another glimpse of the prosperity of the time is found in an item relating to river traffic. It says, "persons have to remain in our river towns a week before they can get passage for themselves and a small lot of freight. Every boat that comes up is loaded to the guards with freight, and crowded with passengers. Emigration to and through this county has never before been equal to this season. Real estate is constantly changing hands. The emi- grants appear to be well off in this world's goods and of the right stamp for a new country."
The Democrats had the only effective political organization in the county prior to 1854. At their convention held at Garnavillo, May 13, Thomas L. Freeman was chairman and H. S. Granger, secretary ; dele-
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gates elected to the congressional convention were J. P. Kreibs, A. C. Woodworth, Jacob Hoarsch, Daniel Lowe, S. R. Peet and B. F. Fox ; senatorial delegates were Maturin L. Fisher, Thomas L. Freeman, and Harvey Egbert. In June, 1854, appears the announcement and pre- mium list for the first county fair to be held in October. Premiums were offered for grains, vegetables, fruits, butter, cheese and live stock. There were also premiums for the best plow and the best wagon manu- factured in the county and also for the best woolen cloth and woolen yarns made in Clayton county.
In June, 1854, the county was shocked by an attack upon Sheriff Drips, who was knocked senseless on the deck of the boat Henrietta when he attempted to serve papers on the officers at McGregor. He was set adrift on a log raft near Clayton and might have died but for three passengers who left the boat and rescued him. A new post- office was established at Grand Meadow, with Lynus Edson as post- master. Guttenberg was growing very fast; among the improvements were a three-story warehouse by the Messrs. Fleck and a large stone store building by Mr. Alburtus. New stores on Front street were a cigar store, C. Scherling's harness shop, Falkenhainer's hardware store, Schmee & Nolte's general store and Ceilfus' clothing store. At McGregor things were booming. It is stated that there were, at one time, 150 wagons on the opposite side of the river waiting to cross. The boat running between McGregor and Prairie du Chien was taken down to assist, and even then the emigrants could not be taken across as fast as they arrived on the opposite shore. A settler living on the main road from McGregor to the back country counted, in one week, 329 wagons, 1,456 head of cattle, 50 span of horses, 480 sheep, 324 hogs and 7 mules passing his house on the way westward. De- scribing this great rush of emigrants, the Crawford County (Wis.) Courier says : "There is a ferry across the Mississippi some five miles below here called the Junction ferry ; there is a ferry plying between the lower town of Prairie du Chien and McGregor; there is still another ferry which plies between the upper steamboat landing and a point below the mouth of Yellow river. Each of these ferries employs a horse-boat and is crowded all the time with emigrants for Iowa. Some times the emigrants have to encamp near the ferry two or three days to await their chance of crossing in the order of their arrival. They come in crowds a mile long-they come with wagon- loads of household fixings, with droves of cattle and flocks of sheep- they come from every land that ever sent an adventurer westward, and the cry is 'still they come.'" It is no wonder that with such an oncom- ing tide of settlers bringing wealth of all kinds with them that times in Clayton county were prosperous.
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