USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 17
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There were others in Cincinnati turning their attention this way and among them our esteemed fellow citizen, John Owens, Esq. It was at this time Mr. Bur- rows first became acquainted with him. Together in a one-horse buggy they set forth in the spring of 1838 for Davenport, then in Wisconsin territory, and made the trip by land in ten days and a half. They spent a month here examining and admiring the country during which time they purchased a "claim" of eighty acres, long known as the "Owens & Burrows tract," a part of which is still owned by Mr. Burrows, and upon which his beautiful dwelling now stands amid grounds tastefully laid out and covered with vineyards, shrubbery and the choicest fruits planted by his own hands. They also, as was the custom in those days, took each of them a "claim" of 320 acres of prairie land back of the town, feeling prob- ably that if the town ever became of importance, the land might be valuable for farming purposes. This claim was the entire section 17, lying back of West Davenport on Duck creek, and through which the railroad now passes. Messrs. Owens and Burrows drew cuts for choice of halves, dividing the section north and south. Mr. Burrows drew the east half nearest the town. As some demon- stration had to be made in the way of improvements in order to hold the claim from being "jumped" they employed Strong Burnell, Esq., to break five fur- rows around the entire tract at a cost of $15, which was done. Some two years after this, when the land was brought into market and offered for sale, these two claim speculators held a consultation as to the entry of the land at government price ; whether the prospects would warrant such an investment. Upon mature
J. M. D. BURROWS
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deliberation Mr. Owens abandoned his at once, as not being of sufficient value so far from the village and all prairie, some of which has since been sold for $100 an acre. Mr. Burrows gave his part to Dr. Hall, on his paying the $15 paid to Mr. Burnell for the breaking.
Before Mr. Burrows returned to Cincinnati, however, he made arrangements for some improvements upon his first claim, purchased in connection with Mr. Owens of forty acres (his present homestead). There had been seven acres broken upon his forty acres, and he contracted with our fellow townsman, B. F. Coates, Esq., to erect a dwelling house, the same that now stands in front of his present residence. This forty-acre claim cost Mr. Burrows $250, and Mr. Owens paid $200 for his.
Mr. Burrows returned to Cincinnati with a determination to return west again if he could dispose of his property in Cincinnati. He was full of excite- ment on the subject of emigration to the west. He seemed anxious to be among the first and to cast his lot with the emigrating throng, but in his more thought- ful moods he began to cast about him to see what he could do to maintain his family in this new country. He was doing well where he was. His ambitious views began to dampen, and his excitement began to settle down upon a more solid basis. He felt that there was an uncertainty, a risk in a step so important. He, therefore, to save himself the mortification of a square backout on emigra- tion, offered his property for sale, putting on such a price that he was sure no one would purchase. But in this he was mistaken. In a very, very short time a purchaser appeared and took the property at his offer. In a very few weeks after, all this property was consumed by fire without any insurance. Mr. Bur- rows had secured his money and seemed to feel that all things pointed in the direction of his desired object. He, therefore, removed to Davenport with his family, and in 1839 cultivated his seven acres upon his forty acre homestead, and also rented a small tract that had been broken upon the Dubuque road, near Duck creek north of the Lindsley place. Here he labored faithfully the first season and succeeded in raising a crop, walking to and from his work with his little tin dinner pail, eating his lonely meal on the banks of Duck creek. Just before harvest the cattle broke in and destroyed his entire crop. Winter was coming on and the prospects to our old friend, just at that time, must have looked rather dreary. But his energies and ambition were ever adequate to the exigencies of the case.
With fresh thought and new courage he determined to build a store house in the town, and in the spring apply to his friends in Cincinnati for assistance to commence merchandising. He accordingly set about cutting trees and hewing timber for that little store house that stood so long and was occupied by the firm of Burrows & Prettyman on Front street, and has since disappeared to make room for the present spacious edifice. The frame of this first store house he got out with his own hands and with the help of Mr. James Rumbold erected the building covering it with clapboards made from the native oak, with the rude tools of the pioneer. The spring of 1840 found Mr. Burrows with his pecuniary means nearly exhausted and no favorable prospect of business of any kind. The future was dark. He went on to Cincinnati, told his story of the west, its present condition and its future prospects. His uncle purchased him a stock
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of goods, selecting them himself and Mr. Burrows returned as a commission merchant with new energy and a lighter heart. This was his first attempt at merchandising. He succeeded well, and in the fall went back to Cincinnati and renewed his stock, his uncle becoming his security. This time his cousin as- sisted in the selection of the goods. There was a surplus of wheat for the first time in the country this fall, and Mr. Burrows purchased and shipped the first bushel of wheat that ever went out of Scott county. It was raised by Messrs. Moss and Bradley, just above the mouth of Duck creek and sold at 45 cents a bushel. This was the beginning of the produce business in Davenport, a business which in after years, as will be seen, Mr. Burrows entered into very * largely. Nearly all produce at that day was shipped up the river for the supply of military posts and the Indian trade. He also bought and packed the first pork that was ever sold in our market. This he took in the spring of 1841 with the hams and shoulders to Prairie du Chien and sold them to Rice & Dowsman, Indian traders, receiving his pay in the only currency then known, silver dollars, and half dollars with a little gold coin. This was much annoyance to him as it was bulky and heavy. He had no trunk nor even a valise, such things not be- ing considered indispensable for such a trip in those days. His business being finished, he found there was no boat for his return to Davenport for some days. By traveling some twelve miles across the country and crossing the Wisconsin river he would reach a place where the stage passed. It was nearly noon, when wrapping his specie in separate parcels to keep them from rattling, putting some in one pocket and some in another, taking some in his hand tied up in his pocket handerchief, he left Prairie du Chien on foot. The Wisconsin river three miles below was very high, rushing and foaming among the willows upon its banks. No ferryman could be found and Mr. Burrows took a canoe that was often used to cross foot passengers and attempted to cross, himself. Although most em- phatically a western man, yet his experience in paddling the Indian canoe was very limited, and as he entered the boiling current his frail bark became un- manageable and he was whirled round and round among the willows and snags at the most imminent peril of his life. He could not paddle his canoe and being left to the mercy of the waves he quietly waited the opportunity in his downward passage of being thrown near the opposite shore, a chance which soon offered, when he leaped from his canoe and by ivading some distance reached the shore, fastening his treacherous bark to some willows. He regained his path and in a short time came to a creek overflowed, and the bridge gone. Searching for a narrow place he took a running jump and barely landed on the opposite bank. But the sudden deposit of himself and load caused the specie in one of his coat pockets to break loose and fall into the creek carrying with it pocket and all. Nothing daunted our hero soon fished it up from the bottom of the creek and pursued his way to the stage station where he expeced to find conveyance, but was disappointed.
He at once determined to pursue his way on foot to Dubuque. It was late in the afternoon, and the country very sparsely settled, but when nearly dark he came to a farm house. His load of specie began to grow heavy, his weary limbs sought rest; but where to deposit his treasure for the night was his greatest trouble. He was afraid to meet a fellow man, for fear of robbery, but
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he wanted shelter. He first thought of burying his money until the morning, but he had been observed in his approach to the house and he boldly walked to the door and asked for entertainment for the night of the lady of the house. He was referred to the husband at the stable, who of course turned none away. At supper three other dark visaged, unshaven men appeared at the table which much excited the already burdened mind of our friend. The weight of the coin was so burdensome that he had removed a portion of it from his pockets to his hat, which he kept close by his side, and on being invited to the table carried his hat along and set it down by his side. The dim light of the cabin revealed but partially the company with whom he was destined to spend the night, and robbery and murder seemed to be uppermost in his thoughts. "All were seated," said Mr. Burrows, "when the divine blessing was invoked upon the frugal meal. and a weight rolled from my mind greater than the one I had carried through the day." He was beneath the shelter of a professed disciple of Christ, his sup- per was taken with a keen relish and his sleep refreshing.
In the morning he pursued his way at an early hour and reached Dubuque about 10 o'clock at night, traveling the whole distance of seventy miles on foot, in less than two days. He soon found a boat and returned to Davenport. Such were the difficulties and dangers incident to a pioneer merchant and trader of that day.
We remember Mr. Burrows, as he was in 1839, full of energy and ambition, shrinking from no labor, however hard or menial that required his attention. In the summer of 1839 while he was living in his first home under the bluff I called with my wife. He was engaged in digging a well. The dirt tub was soon low- ered by the attendant at the windlass, and in due course of time Mr. Burrows was drawn up from the bottom of the well, covered with mud and dirt, the very picture of a Dubuque miner. This was our first introduction to him and although time has wrought many changes since, yet have I never been able to discover any labor too arduous for him where his personal attention was required. The perseverance, industry and sterling integrity of Mr. Burrows in addition to his business capacity have always secured him a host of friends.
It was about the year 1840, we believe, that he associated with him in busi- ness R. M. Prettyman, Esq., from Maryland, who has stood side by side with him and buffeted alike the financial waves that at times rolled over our western country. Mr. Prettyman has shared alike in the burdens and difficulties of a commercial life, and is deserving of all credit for prompt, persevering applica- tion to business. He is known for honest, honorable and high-toned principle as a business man and is kind and unassuming in all his dealings, and of sound, moral worth.
1847 .- The first attempt at manufacturing flour by this celebrated firm, Burrows & Prettyman, was at Rockingham, five miles below this city. On ac- count of the foreign demand produce was high all over the United States. In
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February, 1846, wheat was worth here 70 cents, and before April it fell to 25 cents. There was no probability of a continuance of the war with Mexico, and Burrows & Prettyman had purchased heavily at rates ranging from 60 to 75 cents. Their capital was all invested in wheat, and but for the timely aid of a friend, utter insolvency would have followed. That great financier, and friend to the deserving, James E. Woodruff, of St. Louis, stepped forward, advanced money and Burrows & Prettyman rented the Rockingham steam mill and manu- factured the wheat into flour. This operation not only saved them from bank- ruptcy, but they made more in the same time out of the same. capital than ever before or since. "Mr. Woodruff," says Mr. Burrows, "was the best friend that I ever had." It will be recollected that Mr. Woodruff left home for Europe to relieve an overwrought brain by too close application to business which was fast hurrying him to an early grave and was lost with his wife on the ill-fated Arctic at sea.
The manufacture of flour at Rockingham and the profits on a government contract for the supply of military and Indian stores at the forts and trading houses above on the Mississippi river in the spring of 1847 were what gave this firm their first start in business to any great extent. The mill at Rockingham being too small for future operations the new mills then nearly completed in Davenport by A. C. Fulton were purchased. The building alone was completed, ready to receive the machinery. Burrows & Prettyman immediately commenced putting the mill in running order, and on the 29th of January set it in opera- tion. This was an undertaking of no ordinary kind at that early day. The en- terprise was an experiment of doubtful issue when we take into consideration the small quantity of wheat grown and the slow progress of settlement then going on in our county. Messrs. Burrows & Prettyman entered into it with many fears but with stout hearts. But scarcely had the contract been closed before Mr. Fulton without stopping to reflect upon consequences started for St. Louis and with the money and paper received for his mill purchased the machinery and materials for another mill still greater in proportions than his first one. And such was the perseverance and energy of Mr. Fulton that he had it completed and running before Burrows & Prettyman got theirs in operation. It stood close by the other on Front street.
Amid all these discouragements and, as they thought, uncalled for and un- fair opposition, Burrows & Prettyman had their mill in operation in a few days after that of Mr. Fulton's, and Davenport which before had never possessed a mill of any kind now sent up the steam from two first rate flouring mills, while one could have done the business and was amply sufficient, as was after- ward shown. Mr. Fulton ran his mill about a year and failed. It was then rented to G. L. Davenport, William Inslee and L. A. Macklot who ran it a year and a half and lost some $3,000 in the operation, when it was sold to Burrows & Prettyman for the sum of $10,500 who ran it a year, lost money, and then used it two years as a warehouse. The machinery was then sold to parties in LeClaire and was consumed by fire a few years since. The building was torn down to give room for the block of stores built by Mr. Burrows in 1855.
The present mill was remodeled in 1854 at a cost of $25,000. The machinery in this mill is said to be the most perfect in the west. The Albion mills are capable
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of manufacturing 500 barrels per day of twenty-four hours' run. There were on one occasion 540 barrels of flour made in this mill in twenty-four hours. It manufactures yearly more than any other three mills in the state of Iowa and its flour brings in the New York market 25 cents per barrel more than St. Louis brands made from the same wheat. In 1855 this mill made 80,000 barrels of flour, grinding 400,000 bushels of wheat. The largest amount of business ever done by this firm in any one year was in 1855 when it amounted to over $700,000.
The pork packing business in former years was another important branch of business by this house. In 1854 they packed 19,000 hogs which was their heavi- est year in this business, although they have done more or less at it for the last twenty years. The present value of the Albion mills is rated at $40,000 and the block of brick stores, five in number, adjoining them is rated also at $40,000 besides the ground.
In the social relations Mr. Burrows stands high. Liberal and sensitive, he has ever been the friend of the poor man. In earlier days and times of financial dis- tress when the little necessities of life were hard to be obtained by the emigrant and pioneer settler, the liberal hand of Mr. Burrows was always open and his great heart always yielded to the wants of his fellowman. Many are the old settlers in Scott, Clinton and Cedar counties who can well remember these numer- ous acts of kidness; that when there was no flour to be obtained elsewhere nor goods to be had of other merchants, Burrows & Prettyman's store was always open and the "latch string always hanging out." In times of scarcity for seed wheat, and when farmers did not preserve it, Burrows & Prettyman in their fore- sight and wisdom had taken care to have a supply, and freely loaned it receiving their pay back from the crop produced from it. These acts of kindness and benev- olence many remember, and to this day may be seen farmers in our streets with loads of wheat refusing all other offers, until Burrows & Prettyman should have the refusal of it.
But few of the early settlers of Scott county have done so much toward the settlement and progress of it as Mr. Burrows. His long, arduous, energetic and constant application to business seems not to have impaired his health nor damp- ened his mental vigor. His slender frame but iron nerve still stands unshaken amid the storms of commercial life, and he may be seen, early and late at the counting room and the mill, in New York or St. Paul, pursuing his business with that same elastic step, and with as much life and ambition as he did twenty years ago. By his own industry he has carved out for himself a fortune. and there is none better calculated to enjoy it nor having more sincere friends desirous of his happiness than J. M. D. Burrows. A Christian, not only by profession, he loves and lives by its pure principles and with a most liberal hand gives of his abundance into the treasury of the Lord. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church in this city, of which, we believe. he was one of the founders and has done much for its support and prosperity. Long may he live. enjoying the comforts his industry has purchased among friends new and old, and in the bosom of his pleasant family in quiet and in peace spend the winter of his days, and as his locks whiten with age be able to look back and feel that he has not lived in vain nor been a drone in the hive of humanity.
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1849. GENERAL HISTORY.
In February of this year, when the ice broke loose, it gorged in the islands below, and caused the back water to overflow Front street from Brady up to LeClaire street, running into Second street. The water on the floor of Burrows & Prettyman's store on Front street was about four inches deep. It only re- mained from II o'clock, a. m., until early next morning. The spring was early.
At the April election in the city, Jonathan Parker was elected mayor, John L. Davis, Wm. McCammon, N. Squires, James M. Bowling, W. S. Collins and Samuel Lyter were elected aldermen; James Thorington, district clerk; John Evans, treasurer : and L. J. Senter, marshal. The census, taken by the assessor this year, makes the population within the corporate limits to be 1,200 and 1,500 in the township. At the August election, H. Leonard was elected sheriff, Hiram Price, recorder ; John Rowser, commissioners' clerk; A. C. Fulton, county com- missioner : W. Barrows, surveyor ; A. W. McGregor, prosecuting attorney ; and J. Thorington, probate judge.
On the 5th of July the first case of cholera made its appearance in the city. Samuel Sloper and Thomas Dillon, two of the pioneer settlers, were stricken down and a general panic seized upon the inhabitants. The epidemic spread ; emigrants landed from steamboats with cholera and ship fever and died in con- siderable numbers.
On the 20th of April of this year A. C. Fulton made a proposition to the city council to grade and fill Front street with adjoining streets and alleys from Rock Island to Ripley streets, for the sum of $4,200, payable in five years, but was re- fused the contract. On the 25th of May following, he made another proposition to fill anl level every street and alley two feet above the level from the east side of Rock Island to Ripley, and as far back from the river as Fourth street, for the sum of $4,200, payable in yearly installments with interest, but was refused. Such were the prudence, caution and fear of indebtedness in the city fathers of that day. This same work has since cost the city more than ten times that amount, under the modern rule and the extravagant progress of the age.
The census was taken this year in June by Jabez A. Birchard, the assessor, and amounted to 4,873 in the county. The report of the county commissioners made the expenditures $2,514.23 and the receipts $5,808.16. D. C. Eldridge again received the appointment of postmaster. Land, at that time, good prairie, could be entered within nine miles of the city.
There were at this time in the city of Davenport twenty-two carpenters, nine stone masons, two stone cutters, five brick makers, six bricklayers, five plasterers, six printers, ten cabinet makers, five chair makers, seven wheelwrights, two coach makers, twelve blacksmiths, fifteen coopers, five saddlers and harness makers, one trunk maker, eight shoemakers, three tin and copper smiths, seven tailors, four engineers, three millers, two sawyers, eight draymen, nine teamsters, three butchers, one dyer and scourer, one gunsmith, one watchmaker, one turner, one baker, one upholsterer, one barber, nine ministers, four physicians, two lawyers, two weekly papers. The public buildings were two steam flouring mills, one steam sawmill, the Iowa college, the Medical college, five schoolhouses,
PROSPECT TERRACE
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three hotels, two billiard rooms, two coffeehouses, nineteen stores, one public hall, one exchange office, two pork houses, one livery stable and one plow factory.
The commercial business of 1849 may be understood by reference to the fol- lowing exports of that year, which furnish data from which the increase of bus- iness may hereafter be determined :
There were shipped of flour 30,200 bbls.
There were shipped of pork 1,425 bbls.
There were shipped of lard 720 bbls.
There were shipped of wheat 16,700 bu.
There were shipped of beans
200 bu.
There were shipped of potatoes
300 bu.
There were shipped of onions
11,160 bu.
There were shipped of barley
5,020 bu.
There were shipped of flaxseed
128 bbls.
There were shipped of bran and shorts 320,000 bbls.
There were shipped of hides
20,400 bbls.
There were shipped of bacon
212 hhds.
While the imports for the same time amounted to :
Merchandise $148,500
Pine and oak lumber 790,000 ft.
Shingles 1,120,000
Squared timber
6,000 ft.
Reaping machines
42
Laths 310,000
This amount of business may seem meager, but when we consider the diffi- culties under which we labored at that time, having no railroad nor other com- munication with distant markets, except St. Louis by the Mississippi river, it was by no means small. We were upon the eve of a brighter destiny, a general pros- perity. Our railroad to Chicago had come to be a settled fact, our state had gained notoriety abroad for her genial climate and her rich and valuable lands, and the year 1850 was ushered in with every prospect of better times. The river closed the 27th of November. Population of the county, 5,500. Twenty-two thousand acres of land were entered this year in the county.
1850 .- The spring opened early, but was cold and backward. Grass did not start until nearly May. In March of this year Mr. Strong Burnell commenced his steam sawmill, situated on the corner of Front and Scott streets. This was another important improvement and a great acquisition to the business and pros- perity of the city. As a mechanic and a man of genius in machinery, Mr. Burnell stands high. He came to Davenport in April, 1839, with a complete outfit of implements and stock for farming. His first summer was spent in breaking prairie, and after farming upon the prairies, he removed into the village, with the conviction that he was not destined for a farmer. He then commenced business in the line of his trade as a carpenter and in 1841 built the brick house that now stands on the southeast corner of Sixth and Brady streets. In 1842 he received the appointment as deputy county surveyor. In the summer of 1844 he built the
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