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 12
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Among the interesting items in the Herald of June 30, 1854, are the following: B. F. Forbes is improving the Western hotel; Mr. Keen has succeeded in running his steamboat down Turkey river as far as the dam at Hasting's bottom and back to Elkader. The sheriff has recovered and has amicably arranged his difficulties with the offi- cers of the boat. There are now three sawmills on Buck creek- Forbes', Corning's and Clark's ; a steam mill at Guttenberg and one at Clayton, and McCloud's and Sturm's on Sny Magill. The Lutheran
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congregation at Garnavillo installed the first church bell in the county and are erecting a parsonage for their preacher, who is just returning from Chicago with his bride. P. F. Walton was murdered by a knife wound by John White at McGregor.
ANTI-SLAVERY AGITATION
The first mention of the great controversy concerning slavery which was to divide the North and South appears in a little item on July 14, 1854, to the effect that "a convention of the people of Clay- ton county opposed to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise will be held at Elkader tomorrow at I o'clock."
On July 7 the democrats held their county convention at Gutten- berg; for candidates for the legislature the vote stood: Lafayette Bigelow, 19; Thomas L. Freeman (whose death occurred three days later), 8; John T. Kriebs, 7; S. R. Peet, 16, and J. W. Potts, 8. Bige- low and Peet were declared the nominees. Robert R. Read was the unanimous nominee for clerk. The "Anti-Nebraska" convention, held at Elkader, was attended by more than 200, fifteen townships being represented. J. T. H. Scott presided. Speeches were made by Tim- othy Davis, Reuben Noble and E. H. Williams. Lafayette Bigelow and Reuben Noble were nominated for the legislature.
FIRST RESOLUTIONS
The preamble of the resolutions stated: "We, citizens of Clayton county, recognizing each other as members of different political creeds, have assembled here in mass convention upon the common platform of freedom to demand a restoration of that freedom bequeathed to the territories of Nebraska and Kansas by the solemn act of our fore- fathers. Resolved, that the repeal of the Missouri Compromise has aroused and strengthened the slave power of the South, who are now demanding a repeal of the act of congress prohibiting the importation of slaves from Africa, and who in their late triumphant exaltation unhesitatingly proclaim that slavery is the natural condition of a por- tion of mankind, and that it is destined, slowly, but with certainty, to override the free institutions of the Union wherever they may exist. That from this time forward we will make no concession to, nor com- promises with, the institution of slavery. but will demand, and con- tinue to demand of our law-making representatives, until obtained, a restoration of the Missouri Compromise and a repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law. That we will support no man for public office-let him be called Whig, Democrat or Abolitionist-who is opposed to the restoration of freedom to the territories of Nebraska and Kansas. We request the nominees of this convention to stump the county. We absolve ourselves from all issues of the different political parties with which we have formerly acted, and do now unite upon the common platform of freedom to all mankind."
A Clayton county vigilance committee was appointed and con- sisted of the following members : V. R. Miller, Mendon ; Clark Wood, Farmersburg; A. L. Fuller, Boardman ; C. P. Goodrich, Jefferson ; F.
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Hartge, Volga; Jonathan Noble, Lodomillo; Dr. Dunn, Sperry ; J. C. Tremain, Cass; D. M. Zearley, Elk; H. L. Schutte, Garnavillo; John Beady, Grand Meadow ; B. White, Buena Vista ; L. V. Collins, Girard ; M. Stahl, Wagner ; J. Robbins, Highland; A. Clark, Cox Creek; Alva C. Rogers, Clayton ; Joseph McSperrin, Mallory ; J. W. Griffith, Mill- ville ; P. P. Olmstead, Monona. J. J. Kinzel and E. H. Williams were the secretaries of this convention. Thus spoke the voice of freemen for freedom. Off in the prairies and the woods of Iowa, their daily lives unaffected, they, nevertheless, 200 of them, left their homes and farms to issue this ringing declaration for liberty. These names, each and all of them, should be inscribed upon the roll of honor of Clayton county. That this was the birth of the Republican party in Clayton county is incidental, for, while others were slow to be aroused, within a few years the whole county stood shoulder to shoulder fighting together for liberty and union, with partisanship thrown to the winds. Mr. Bigelow had already been nominated by the Democrats, but his views were satisfactory to the convention. Reuben Noble following the instructions of the convention that its nominees should stump the county, at once issued a list of appointments, speaking at fourteen points in the county.
Grand Meadow Meeting-The honor of holding the first conven- tion opposing the extension of slavery must, however, be accorded to Grand Meadow. A meeting composed of citizens of Fayette, Winne- shiek, Allamakee and Clayton counties was held in Grand Meadow township, near Postville, on July 8. John Laughlin was president and G. L. Henderson secretary. Stirring resolutions were adopted, includ- ing the following: "That as the people of the state of Iowa have declared in the first article of their constitution that all men are by nature free and equal, we are solemnly bound to stand by these declara- tions, come what may, by refusing to recognize the existence of any man as a slave upon the soil of Iowa. That that which is not just is not law and that which is not law ought not to be obeyed; there- fore the Fugitive Slave Law is deserving of neither obedience nor respect. We earnestly solicit all true Republicans to unite with us for the purpose of electing such men as will vote for and maintain the principles contained in these resolutions." In these resolutions the word "republican" as applied to a political party appears for the first time in print in Clayton county.
H. S. Granger, editor of the Herald had been a Democrat, but he stated editorially that "animation can never be restored to the two great parties until the seed of corruption becomes completely eradi- cated from what is now known as free territory, and until it becomes completely walled and hedged in to its own legitimate and constitu- tional limits. Its (slavery's) origin is most clearly traced to the devil himself, and hence it is full of iniquity, and justice demands Congress to say, 'Thus far shalt thou come, and no farther.'"
Curtis Bates was the Democratic candidate for Governor, Stephen Hempstead for Congress and David S. Wilson for state Senator. On the Anti-Nebraska ticket James W. Grimes was the candidate for Governor, James Thorington for Congress and W. W. Hamilton for state Senator. O. F. Stevens was the Anti-Nebraska candidate for
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prosecuting attorney. The campaign was bitterly contested and the result in Clayton county was as follows: A sweeping victory for the Anti-Nebraska party; for Governor, J. W. Grimes 687, Curtis Bates 332; Congress, James Thorington 694, Stephen Hempstead 329; Sen- ator, W. W. Hamilton 689, D. S. Wilson 310; Representative, L. Bige- low 743, R. Noble 726, S. R. Peet 340.
Current Events-In August, 1854, two of the prominent citizens of the county became involved in a personal altercation, as the result of which Harrison Boardman inflicted two serious knife wounds upon John Garber. Boardman attempted to escape, but was captured and Garber was taken to the public house kept by Mr. Killam. Mr. Garber afterward recovered. On August 11, H. S. Granger sold the Garna- villo Herald to A. W. Drips, who had been associated with him for some time as a printer. Mr. Drips continued the Herald and made it a splendid newspaper, considering the times and the opportunities. He was always loyal to his friends and to the, community. Starting with limited means, it is fairly pitiful to see the brave struggle he made to be cheerful and optimistic as the hard times of the succeeding years closed in on him. He was one of the bright, brave spirits of the pioneer days and did his full share for the development of Clayton county.
County Improvements-The county finances of this time were in excellent condition, the outstanding warrants amounting to but $1,- 546.70, which Judge Williams declared would be entirely wiped out by the taxes of 1854. The persistence of the Germans at Guttenberg finally won out, for the Herald says: "We understand that an addi- tional force has been put to work on the bridge at Judge Pearson's place and we hope soon to hear of the rapid progress of the work." At the same time the citizens of Clayton were busy building a road through their hills to the back country, Alva C. Rogers, Frank Smith and John M. Ballou being the committee who advertised for bids for this work. Among the evidences of increased growth were the estab- lishment of a new mill route from Delhi to Garnavillo via Colesburg; the opening of a new postoffice, called High Grove, between Elkader and Highland, with Capt. A. H. Pool as postmaster ; the establishment of a new stage line, leaving Dubuque on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and arriving at Garnavillo the same day. Among the improve- ments noted at Garnavillo is a dwelling by Mr. Spicer, the new office of Noble and Granger, located next to the Herald office, an addition to the hotel, the new Odd Fellows hall and the residences of Mr. Hurd, Dr. Linton and the Lutheran parsonage.
First County Fair-The first county fair in Clayton county was held Oct. 3, 1854, just three weeks before the first Iowa state fair. The praise given for this first fair by the Herald was but faint. Among the ladies making exhibits were Mrs. P. M. Potter, Mrs. Drips, Mrs. J. B. Sargeant, Mrs. A. B. Scott of Clayton, Miss Lizzie Oldes and Mrs. E. H. Williams. Mrs. Murdock and Miss Drips won prizes in the preserved fruit department. The prize baby was Mary Stella, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. H. Jacobs, of Clayton. Prizes for grain were won as follows: Wheat, George Pearson; barley, Wm. Schulte ; corn and potatoes, Michael Uriell.
Marts and Markets-A statement of the amount of wheat pur-
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chased for the season at Elkader shows that Thompson & Davis bought 44,000 bushels, at an average cost of 65 cents; Freeman & Lawrence, 7,000 bushels, at an average cost of 80 cents, and E. G. Rolf, 1,109 bushels at 75 cents, making a total of $35,031.75 paid at Elkader. The Herald believes Clayton purchased twice that amount. Describing a journey through the county, the editor says of Elkader: "We found everybody busy and business of all kinds thriving. The foundry, we learn, is doing a very large amount of work. Squire Rolf and Carter & Co. are doing a heavy business. Some idea may be formed of the mercantile business transacted in Elkader when we state that since the Ist of April last there were sold nearly $100,000 worth of goods. Elkader has a cabinet-maker's shop, a chair and bedstead factory, tin- ner's shop, dauguerrean saloon, etc. The new store of Mr. Rolf, the brick store of Freeman & Lawrence and the stone building of Hobson & Davis are all handsome, durable structures." The Herald of Sept. 29 also notes that D. G. Rogers has sold the brick store at Garnavillo to C. W. Hagensick & Co. and that Rogers goes to Clayton to conduct business under the firm name of Rogers & Stoddard.
Miscellaneous Events-The Methodist appointments for the county are given as follows: Garnavillo, Joseph Cameron; Hardin, Isaac Newton ; Elkader Mission, Charles M. Session. By this time deer were scarce enough to be worthy of newspaper mention, and it is noted that H. H. Chesnut of Clayton township killed a fine buck weighing 209 pounds. In October a postoffice at Giard was established, with Isaac Mathew as postmaster. Clayton shows great business activ- ity, G. Douglas was doing good business with a sash and door factory ; L. Hodges conducted the "Gothic Hotel;" Nicholas Kriebs, J. G. Jerome, Rogers & Stoddard, Clark, Rogers & Co. and Frank Smith & Co. are mentioned among the merchants. The shipments of grain from Clayton are given as : Wheat 62,000 bushels, oats 24,000 bushels, barley 5,000 bushels, corn 9,000 bushels. From April I to October 25, 1854, there were 508 steamboat arrivals, to which were sold 2,400 cords of wood and which landed 2,200 passengers. The steam sawmill employed ten hands, and there were other industries, all of which were booming. Concerning Guttenberg, there are the following items : A steam sawmill was burned to the ground the latter part of October, but will be rebuilt at the mouth of Miners' creek ; Fleck & Bros. bought during the season 15,000 bushels of wheat, 2,500 bushels of oats, 1,500 bushels of corn, 7,000 bushels of barley, 1,500 bushels of potatoes, 3,000 dozen eggs at 9 cents per dozen, 9,000 pounds of butter and other produce. The leading exports were 300,000 pounds and the price be- tween $4 and $6 per hundred, 2,000 cords of wood were sold to steam- boats during the season. In the fall of 1854 began the great slump in prices which presaged the hard times of the succeeding years. The price of wheat at Clayton fell 20 cents in a single week, and the market quotations for Nov. 17, 1854, at Clayton, were: Wheat 55 cents to 60 cents, oats 20 cents, barley $1, corn 25 cents, shelled 30 cents, butter 18 cents, eggs 10 cents.
Mention is made of the new town of Highland, 11 miles west of Elkader. It is said that this town was laid out by A. W. Holbrock in the summer of 1854. It had a public house, a store and a post-
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office, and other buildings were contemplated. A semi-weekly stage from Elkader to West Union, passing through High Grove, Highland and Elyria, afforded the mail service. Judge Williams appointed B. F. Schroeder as swamp land commissioner, and the swamp lands were offered for sale in January, 1855.
Clayton a State Power-The election, at which the free soil men of Clayton county rallied in such force, bore important fruit. In Congress no voice from Iowa had been raised against the extension of slavery until James Harlan and James Thorington took their seats. Elected by a union of the free soil, Whigs and Abolitionists, they were the first Iowa Congressmen to oppose the growing aggression of the slavery power. The fifth General Assembly, which met at Iowa City, was one of the most important sessions of an Iowa legislature, and Clayton county had the honor of having the presiding officer both in the House and in the Senate. Maturin L. Fisher of Farmersburg, a Democrat, was elected president of the Senate, and Reuben Noble of Garnavillo, was speaker of the House. It so happened that Mr. Noble, as speaker, played a very important role in the election of the United States Senator. Gue's History of Iowa gives the following story of this exciting contest: "On the 13th of December the General As- sembly met in joint convention to elect a United States Senator. Two ballots were taken without an election, when the convention adjourned till the next day, at which time the convention adjourned to the 21st, without taking a vote on the election of Senator. A. C. Dodge and Edward Johnston received the votes of most of the Democrats, while the Whig and Free Soil members divided their votes among seven candidates, the most prominent of which were Fitz Henry Warren, James B. Howell, Ebenezer Cook and James Harlan. On the 21st three votes were taken for Senator. On the third ballot Harlan had 37 votes, Dodge 43, Cook 7. On the fifth ballot Harlan received 45 votes, Cook 44, scattering 8. The Democrats, being in a minority, had no chance to elect a member of their own party, and as Cook was a conservative Whig and Harlan a Free Soil Whig, most of them, on the fifth ballot, voted for Cook, hoping to elect him over Harlan. The convention now adjourned to January 5. On the seventh ballot Harlan received 47 votes, Cook 29, W. D. Browning 19. The convention then decided to proceed to the election of Supreme Judges. After several ballots were taken without an election the convention adjourned to the next day, when the Senate (which was Democratic) met and, by strict party vote, adjourned to Monday, to avoid meeting the House in joint convention at the time agreed upon, proposing thus to inval- idate any election that might be made. When the time arrived to which the joint convention had adjourned, the Whig Senators entered the House and Reuben Noble, as speaker, announced that the joint convention was then in session. Mr. Samuels raised the point that the convention was not properly convened; Mr. Noble overruled the point and ordered the roll called. Most of the Democratic members absented themselves or refused to answer to the call. Fifty-seven members answered, however, making a majority of the joint conven- tion. The president of the Senate, Mr. Fisher, being absent, W. W. Hamilton was elected to fill the position. A vote was then taken for
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United States Senator. James Harlan received 52 votes to four scat- tering and was declared elected for six years, from March 4, 1855."
It was thus that the little mass convention called at Elkader con- tributed to the election of the first Senator from Iowa who dared to stand up and fight against the extension of slavery.
Among the other important acts of this legislature, both branches of which were presided over by men from Clayton county, were the location of the state capital at Des Moines; provision for a state geological survey; the establishment of an asylum for the deaf and dumb; a prohibitory liquor law, and the establishment of a state land office.
Approach of Hard Times-Clayton county began the year 1856 with a glad heart and strong courage. Happily the dark clouds of the future were concealed from them. Crops had been bountiful, all of their little towns had been prospering, the tide of immigration had not been checked, new men and new money were constantly coming, prices were fair and the currency was still reliable and at par. Among the items of the year-end may be noted the following: "McGregor is improving fast. A large steam sawmill is being erected by Jones, Bass & Freck. Mr. McGregor is putting up a large building intended for a warehouse. There are three public houses and three stores doing a general merchandising business ; a wholesale and retail grocery, owned by W. H. Baker, a bakery, a tin shop, two blacksmith shops and a carpenter shop. McGregor's ferry connections make it a desirable landing for emigrants from the East, and it has a better natural road through the country than any of our river towns. Business is brisk at Elkader, E. Boardman, Jr., has leased the Elkader house; Mr. Clark is now merchandising in the building formerly occupied by Free- man & Lawrence; Mr. Espy is in the new brick store at the end of the bridge, and R. Freeman is doing a land agency business; Emerson & Border have the contract for carrying mail three times a week from Dubuque to Garnavillo and hope to establish a daily route to Decorah. There is a semi-weekly mail to Clayton, the citizens of Clayton paying for one trip and the government for the other ; a contract for a bridge over Little Turkey at Millville has been let, owing to the enterprise of B. White; Monona is to have a steam sawmill. Rogers & Stoddard of Clayton have commenced work on a large steam flour mill. Large steam saw and flouring mills are to be erected at Guttenberg. The new warehouse of Beckman & Co. is completed. Eighteen bushels of wheat to the acre was reported to be the average yield, and George Pearson had a yield of 120 bushels on four acres. The population of the county, according to the census of 1854, was 9,337 and the num- ber of voters 1,689."
The first note of the approaching hard times is found in an edi- torial in the Herald of Jan. 26, 1855, in which it states that "from one end of the East to the other the cry is of distress and hard times. That we feel somewhat the pressure of the times we do not deny." Among the other items of this issue are the following: That Dr. F. Andros is a member of the Minnesota legislature; that S. Murdock will give a lecture in the courthouse, subject, "The Earth;" that the agricultural society will meet and that a daily stage line is proposed
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between Clayton and West Union via Elkader. This paper also men- tions the wonderful discovery that paper can be made of wood pulp. The county seat question was again agitated and L. Bigelow, as rep- resentative, reports that 272 citizens have asked that the county seat be fixed by the legislature, that 448 citizens asked that commissioners be appointed to relocate and in case the county seat is changed that an election is first held, while 407 other citizens remonstrate against the appointment of commissioners and ask that an election be held. Under the circumstances Mr. Bigelow throws up his hands and decides to do nothing. Timothy Davis presided at a meeting at Elkport at which it was resolved to raise the funds and to build a bridge across the Volga. Samuel Murdock at this time announced his candidacy for district judge.
Despite the hard times which were creeping over the nation from east to west, Clayton county, with its ever increasing tide of immigra- tion, continued to prosper during the year 1855; all of the towns increased in population, and especially was this true of the river towns, which grew rapidly in importance. Clayton and McGregor received the greatest benefit from the transient immigrant trade and attracted much eastern capital. During this year Eliphalet Price succeeded E. H. Williams as county judge; the other county officers were Benjamin F. Fox, recorder and treasurer ; Robert R. Reed, clerk; H. S. Granger, school fund commissioner; Nicholas Kriebs, coroner; Murray E. Smith, surveyor ; James Davis, sheriff ; O. F. Stevens, attorney. Polit- ically the lines between the Democrats and the new party which was rapidly forming were more sharply drawn, the new party being in the ascendency in the county. Eliphalet Price was president of the agricultural society for 1855, and a second fair was held which was more successful than the first. The amount given in premiums at the first fair was $29; for the second fair the premiums amounted to $229.75.
Elkader Wins County Seat-Elkader had been growing both in population and ambition, and its friends circulated a petition asking for the removal of the county seat to Elkader. This petition was signed by 950 voters. The Elkaderites also founded a newspaper, called the Tribune, to aid in the fight for the county seat and the columns of the newspapers at Garnavillo and Elkader were filled with bitter editorials and contributed articles. The Tribune was branded as the "organ" of the "Company" and said to have been established simply to boom Elkader. The Elkader advocates issued a challenge for joint debates, and this challenge was accepted by Reuben Noble, who agreed to meet them at McGregor, Monona, Clayton and Gutten- burg. There is no record that these meetings were held, and the election took place in April and resulted in favor of Elkader by the following vote: Elkader 1,135, Garnavillo 964. Guttenburg people voted almost solidly for Garnavillo, thus paving the way for a peti- tion, notice of which was published on May 2, asking for another election, as between Elkader and Guttenburg. Judge Price immedi- ately issued the order for the removal of the county seat and stated that he had procured suitable rooms for the district court and that the county court would close at Garnavillo on Thursday, May 1, 1856,
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and open at Elkader on the following Monday. At the April election the vote was also taken on the "hog law," which was defeated by a vote of 616 for restraint and 799 against. A school fund commis- sioner was also elected, there being three candidates, and the vote standing : I. Matthews 980, J. Nicklaus 522, J. O. Crosby 432. Mr. Matthews removed the office to Giard.
Read and Morasser Townships-On March 14, 1856, Judge Price gave notice of the establishment of two new townships; the first, Read, named after Robert R. Read, with the election to be held at the house of John Barrett; the second, Morasser, which was to embrace all of township 94, range 6. This name was not satisfactory to the people, as is shown by the fact in the published election table for the April election, the description is used and not the name. It is related that J. C. Rounds was bitterly opposed to the name Morasser, and that he made an agreement with Judge Price for the changing of the name to Marion, the consideration being that the vote of the precinct be delivered to Guttenburg in the next county seat contest. It is stated, further, that Judge Price carried out his part of the agreement, but that at the election, much to his chagrin, the new township voted solidly for Elkader. At the first election .in this new township 29 votes were cast, and the election was held at the home of Ole Olson. Read township cast eighty votes.
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