USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 24
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Messrs. Haskel & Davis built a saw mill near the mouth of Crow creek on the Mississippi river, which was afterward purchased by Stephen Henley, who made important additions and improvements, and it is still in possession of his heirs. A postoffice was established, called "Pleasant Valley," J. A. Birchard, P. M., an appointment which he probably held longer than any similar officer in the state. In June, Simeon Chamberlin was born (son of J. B. Chamberlin), who now lives in LeClaire, and probably the oldest person living who was born in Pleasant Valley township. In the fall of 1836 Mr. Chamberlin's wife died and two of their children, one of which was the first child born in the valley.
1837 .- The immigrants of this year were Lyman Smith, Ernest Gould, D. N. Pope, Capt. Isaac Hawley, Cyrus P. Hawley, William P. Eldridge, G. J. Hyde, Jerry Payne, Robert Scroggins, John Campbell and William Nichols. Messrs. Spencer and Work built the third sawmill in the county, this summer on Spencer's creek, a small stream that empties into the Mississippi near Valley City. This creek was called by the Indians Wau-pe-me-me-sepo (White Pigeon creek). The Messrs. Hedges built the second grist mill and the saw mill of this county this summer on Crow creek, some four miles from its mouth, making
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the stones from common boulders found on the prairies. It is a remarkable fact that up to this date, although the settlement was begun and progressed rapidly up and down the river and back into the interior as far as the Cedar river where mill privileges were numerous, yet Scott county had more mills in opera- tion than all the country for forty miles and many settlers came that distance to mill.
1838 .- The immigrants of 1838 were G. W. Fenno, Thomas Hall, Isaac Hedges, John Emerson, Lucius Moss, Horace Bradley and A. B. Lathrop. These settled in various parts of the valley, many of whom still live. The progress of the settlement was slow but substantial.
1839 .- Among the many who came in 1839 we notice the names of Johnson & Boyington who built a distillery, the first, we believe, ever introduced into Scott county. But like many others who have undertaken the manufacture of spirituous liquors, they failed in the enterprise and removed to other parts.
1849 .- Like other places in the far west this settlement found many dif- ficulties to encounter during the long and dreary years from 1840 to 1850. The increase of immigration was slow. No public works or expenditure of govern- ment money was expected at that day, and all depended alike upon the culture of the soil for sustenance. They built houses and opened farms; they instituted schools for the education of their children, and built churches in which to wor- ship; so that in 1850 Pleasant Valley township as a rural district stood foremost among the settlements of Scott county. The early settlers were men of nerve and ability, and well knew that honest industry was sure of reward; and many now live to enjoy the fruits of their early labor.
One peculiarity, not only of the adaptation of the soil of Pleasant Valley, but of her people, is the raising of onions. In all Iowa, and probably nowhere west of the Mississippi river are there so many onions raised as in this town- ship. Tens of thousands of bushels are annually shipped as the products of this valley. From 300 to 400 bushels to the acre is considered a common crop, while some have raised as many as 500 and even 600 bushels to the acre. The onions raised are of a most excellent quality and bring the highest prices in the southern market.
Among the prominent citizens of this township is Mr. J. A. Birchard, who represented this county in the legislature in 1838-39. He has at times assessed the county, and been a public superintendent of highways. His sound, sterling principles have ever received the confidence and respect of all who know him. He is said to be one of the best farmers of our county and takes much pains in raising stock and fruit. He retains the original lands occupied in his first set- tlement. Having erected new and substantial buildings he lives at his ease, enjoying that comfort which his industry and perseverance have secured.
Roswell H. Spencer, one of the first settlers of the valley, is a farmer but his attention has been turned more particularly to mills and milling. From an early day Mr. Spencer has furnished lumber for improvements in this portion of the county and done much toward advancing the interests of the settlement. In 1856 or 1857 he erected at a heavy cost a large steam flouring mill near his residence in Valley City which has done a very good business.
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Capt. Isaac Hawley, another old settler, is with his sons, George B. and Daniel S. Hawley, one of the largest farmers in the valley. His early success in raising onions was his first step toward his future prosperity. His life has been lengthened out to a good old age and he lives blessed with all the comforts of life, respected by all who know him, happy in his declining years to look back upon the scenes through which he has passed and feel that his life has not been spent in vain.
Stephen Henley was another of the pioneers who settled in the valley at an early day, and did much toward the progress of agriculture besides manu- facturing lumber to a considerable extent. He died about the year 1850 leav- ing a large estate to his children and an unblemished character.
Christopher Rowe settled in 1851 and although he has been for many years a non-resident of the valley, yet his early efforts in behalf of the infant set- tlement will long be remembered. His open and generous heart has often made glad the weak and discouraged while his aid and counsel inspired confidence in those who languished under the severe trials incident to a frontier life.
Andrew J. Hyde and brother were among the first who opened farms upon the prairie back from the river, and still retain the lands upon which they first settled, and rank among the best farmers of Scott county. Andrew J. Hyde was the member elected to the legislature in 1846 and served with much acceptance to his constituents.
STREET SCENE, LE CLAIRE
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
CHAPTER VI.
LECLAIRE TOWNSHIP.
1834 .- At the treaty in 1832 with the Sac and Fox Indians at Davenport (see Chapter I of this history), they gave to Antoine LeClaire, Esq., a section of land at the head of the rapids (640 acres). They had at the same treaty presented Mrs. LeClaire with a similar amount of land where the city of Daven- port now stands. The reason of this gift was none other, we believe, than out of friendship and respect for Mr. and Mrs. LeClaire. He had been with them from boyhood, either in the employ of the Fur Company or of the government as interpreter, and was very popular with them. The American Fur Company at an early day had a trading house on a small island some three miles below LeClaire called Davenport's island, afterward Smith's island and now Fulton's island. The Indians came across from Rock river, Meredosia swamp and from the Wabesipinecon river to this post to trade. The Indians ever loved to live along the thick timber lands of the "Pau-ke-she-tuck" (rapids) or swift water, where they found abundance of fish. There was much game, also. The for- est was dense all through the country lying along the Mississippi river from Spencer's creek at the head of Pleasant valley to Princeton and was of large growth. A corresponding tract, also, of like character lay along the opposite side of the river.
The township of LeClaire in its general character is similar to other river townships; perhaps rather more uneven along a portion of its bluffs, but its prairie lands back are among the choicest in Iowa and well settled by enterpris- ing and industrious farmers.
The first settlement of LeClaire was not upon that portion given to Mr. LeClaire by the Indians, but was made by Eleazer Parkhurst, Esq., we believe, from the state of Massachusetts. He purchased the claim just above the north line of the reserve, of George W. Harlan who built the cabin thereon. This cabin stood on or near the place of the present residence of Waldo Parkhurst in the present limits of the city of LeClaire and was the first actually settled claim in the township. We believe this cabin was built in February, 1834. His brother, the late Sterling Parkhurst, Esq., was the second settler, but the same season Nathan and Martin W. Smith settled below the town where the old mill now stands. Ira F. Smith came in the autumn of that year and now lives on the
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old place of Martin W. Smith. All of these early pioneers are now dead except Ira F. Smith.
But there seem to have been others even at an earlier day anxious to secure so desirable a site for a town. The importance of the location had attracted the attention of some who at an early day were passing up and down the Missis- sippi river and were not blind to the coming future. I here insert a document dated the next year after the treaty and after Mr. LeClaire came into posses- sion of the land in which a contract is made for the town site of LeClaire proper :
Whereas, it is agreed by and between Antoine LeClaire of the one part and George Davenport, Enoch C. March and John Reynolds of the other part. wit- nesseth, that the said LeClaire agrees to convey by deed in fee simple to the said Davenport, March and Reynolds, forty acres each, to be taken out of a section of land at the head of the rapids which was granted to said LeClaire by the late treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians. Said land is situated on the Mississippi river on the west side thereof, said LeClaire reserving forty acres himself of said section making in all one-quarter section.
Said quarter section is to be located so as to be the most suitable for the purpose of laying out a town thereon. And all the parties to this contract agree further to lay out a town on said quarter section of land and to be equal partners and proprietors thereof.
Said quarter section of land is to be located and surveyed as soon as practi- cable and the same surveyed also as soon as practicable into lots.
Said Davenport, March and Reynolds in consideration of said land agree to pay him (LeClaire) $80, each one.
27th March, 1833.
Signed, and sealed : Antoine LeClaire, Geo. Davenport, Enoch C. March, John Reynolds.
Test, K. MCKENZEY.
1835 .- At a subsequent date the interest of Enoch C. March, Esq., consist- ing of one-fourth of the town site was purchased by our fellow townsman, Capt. James May who still retains a large portion of it. Mr. Eleazer Parkhurst opened the first farm upon the prairies back of the town. The town of LeClaire was laid out into lots in the spring or summer of 1837 by the town company, sur- veyed by Wm. R. Shoemaker, assisted by Henry S. Howell, both United States deputy surveyors. 'About the same time Mr. Parkhurst having disposed of a part of his claim to Col. T. C. Eads, they jointly laid out the town of Parkhurst.
1836 .- During the summer of 1836 Mr. Parkhurst applied to the postoffice department for a postoffice at that place. He immediately received a favorable answer, with the appointment of postmaster and the office was named Park- hurst, after the name of the petitioner.
During the years 1835 and 1836 emigrants came in and made settlements. Among these was Mr. William Rowe, Josiah Scott. John M. and Griswold Van- Duzer, Eli Smith. Dr. Zachariah Grant. William Cousal, Philip Suiter. Noble Mckinstry. Rockwell Mckinstry. John Lewis and others. A son of M. E.
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Parkhurst, the Rev. Wm. J. Parkhurst, still resides in this township and is the oldest inhabitant now resident in the place. The two towns, LeClaire and Parkhurst, were for many years rivals in point of progress and exhibited many of those traits so common among the embryo cities of the west. Soon after Parkhurst was laid out, its name was changed with that of its postoffice to Berlin and finally to LeClaire.
1837 .- Col. T. C. Eads made the first important improvement in Parkhurst in the summer of 1837 by the erection of a large frame dwelling, thirty feet by forty feet, two stories high, and it was one of the wonders of the age. Our fellow citizen, Nathaniel Squires, was the builder and it stands a worthy monu- ment of the genius, enterprise and ambition of those early pioneers.
1838 .- In the spring of 1838 Ralph Letton, Esq., of Cincinnati purchased a portion of Col. Eads' interest in the town and a disagreement among the owners retarded the settlement and improvement of the place for several years. No decided improvement in either of the towns took place however until 1841. But the progress of settlement by farmers upon the edge of the prairie was considerable, and many farms were opened along the river up to the Wabesi- pinecon bottoms.
1839 and 1840 were, however, dark days in the west, alike to all and every new enterprise or even a new comer was hailed as an acquisition to the in- fant colony. Lemuel Parkhurst, Esq., now a resident of LeClaire, first opened a store in 1839 in the little stone building in Parkhurst now owned by Mr. W. Gardner. In 1840 the old stone building yet standing on the bank of the river at the foot of Walnut street was erected by Eleazer Parkhurst. The same year he and his nephew Waldo Parkhurst who settled there in 1837 and is still a merchant in LeClaire opened in the stone store a large stock of goods of all kinds and continued in the same until 1849 when the firm was dissolved.
1841 .- In 1841 Charles Ames, William Allen, A. K. Philleo and Martin W. Smith made improvements and settled in the town of LeClaire. Mr. Ames was from Port Byron, on the opposite side of the river and brought with him a stock of goods. He built the house now owned and occupied by his widow, it being the first house built in the city of LeClaire or on the reserve. Here he opened the first stock of goods ever offered for sale in that place. Mr. Ames died in 1846. Mr. Philleo built the house occupied as a bakery now by Mr. Scheck. These were the dark days of LeClaire. Many an old settler will call to mind the few little tenements scattered along the banks of the river through both of the vil- lages and well remember the stately oaks that grew along the streets where now the beautiful mansions and the merchants' blocks rear their massive piles. From this date to 1847 but little progress was made at either town in the way of improvements. Steamboats generally laid up there in low water and windy weather on account of the difficulty of crossing the rapids at such times, and often in extreme low water lighters or flat boats were used to convey freight over as at the present day employing many men. It is the residence of the rapids pilots for boats and rafts. The settlement of the prairie back from the town con- tinued slowly and occasionally a new edifice would appear in LeClaire or Park- hurst.
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In February, 1837, Messrs. A. H. Davenport and Samuel Lyter of Rock- ingham opened a store of dry goods and groceries. Mr. Lyter soon gave place in the firm to Robert Christie, Esq., and Winchester Sherman; and in the autumn of 1848 this firm erected the first sawmill in LeClaire, and the following year a flouring mill was added. In the summer of 1851 this mill was burned down and in four months after the firm of Davenport & Rogers who then owned it, erected the Rapids mill upon the same ground.
1848 .-- The comparative size of the two villages at this date may be seen by an article which we quote from the LeClaire Republic of March 23, 1859, from the pen of E. Russell, Esq., then editor of that paper :
"In 1848," says Mr. Russell, "when we first visited the locality LeClaire and Parkhurst were separated by a 'gulf' which though easily passed kept each town entirely separate from the other. A beautiful and dense grove of oaks extended from Reynolds street up to Holland street, and no cabins or fences marred the scene. LeClaire then contained nine frame dwelling houses, two brick ditto, one brick store, one frame ditto, occupied, and one or two unoccupied, one brick building used as a pork house, one blacksmith shop, the Baptist church, oc- cupied but not finished, and the old Methodist church in course of erection. Parkhurst boasted of eight frame dwelling houses, one brick ditto, two log ditto, one stone ditto, two stone store houses, one frame barn and one log ditto."
It was not until 1849 or 1850 that either of the towns began to assume the appearance of a village, but from that time both increased in population and buildings as well as in extension of the limits of their towns. In 1851 Messrs. Davenport & Rogers purchased of Mr. LeClaire the remaining strip of land lying between the two towns of LeClaire and Parkhurst and laid it out into building lots. This gave a new impetus to business of all kinds. Mills and manufac- tories were erected. Mechanics of all kinds settled in the place, and many large brick stores were erected, so that in 1855 on petition of the inhabitants of both towns the legislature by act incorporated the city of LeClaire, including within its limits the town of Parkhurst.
At this date there were within the limits of this city no less than eleven dry goods stores, two clothing stores, one watchmaker, one saddler, two boat and provision stores, one bakery, five blacksmith shops, three wagon shops, one tin shop and stoves, one hardware store, one boot and shoe store, five churches, two cooper shops, two tailor shops, two shoemakers, two livery stables, five hotels, one banking house, one printing office, two steam flouring mills, one steam saw- mill, three lawyers, six physicians, two cabinet shops, candy shops and oyster saloons in any quantity, house and ship carpenters, stone masons and brick layers, a boat yard where steamers are repaired and keel boats made and repaired, and a ferry across the Mississippi river.
There are many interesting anecdotes connected with the early history of this township, like many others in the country. All the pioneer laws of a new country were enforced here, and that same rigid regard for the rights of all was duly noticed. Some very rough specimens of humanity were of course among the early settlers, and many a kind heart covered up by a very rough exterior. It was deemed in those days a very dangerous thing for one man to "jump" an- other's "claim." The man who had the temerity to attempt such a thing was
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LE CLAIRE
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looked upon as likely to do worse deeds when opportunity presented. A rather laughable farce of this kind took place in September, 1837. At a meeting of the inhabitants of the settlement matters had been talked over as to the peace and good order of things, and the meeting about to adjourn, when a young man, a stranger, rather casually remonstrated, against any one holding more than one "claim," and not that, unless he lived on it. He was from Hennepin, Ills., and most evidently had not traveled "the country all over," assuming rather more airs than seemed necessary for the occasion. His remarks were heard by one Simeon Cragin, a discharged soldier, and one of those unceremonious, backwoods, frontier, half civilized humans that lurk around the border settlements, who im- mediately presented himself before him and thus addressed him: "My name, sir, is Simeon Cragin. I own fourteen 'claims,' and if any man 'jumps' one of them, I will shoot him down at once, sir. I am a gentleman, sir, and a scholar. I was educated in Bangor, have been in the United States army and served my country faithfully-am the discoverer of the 'Wopsey'-can ride a grizzly bear, or whip any human that ever crossed the Mississippi; and if you dare to jump one of my claims, die you must. My name is Simeon Cragin, sir, all the way from Bangor, and you must leave these diggings, with but few remarks." The in- creasing rage of "Simeon" became alarming to the young Sucker and he found the shortest road possible to the state of Illinois, and we presume has never since visited Iowa with a view at least of "jumping claims."
There are also many striking reminiscences of the Indians in their sojourn both before and after the whites took possession of the country that might be in- teresting, and may be added hereafter. There are those now living in LeClaire who remember with what satisfaction the Indians often returned to their forest home at the head of the rapids. In 1837 over 1,000 were encamped where the city now stands.
But while the people of LeClaire were thus busily engaged in building up a city, they did not forget in its earlier days when their sun of prosperity looked dark and uncertainty brooded over their undertakings, to turn their attention to schools and churches. Of the first little gatherings for prayer or of the first ser- mon in some small cabin where the little pioneer band first met we know nothing, but the first building erected for that purpose was the brick Baptist church in the summer of 1847. It was enclosed that autumn, and a small room in the base- ment finished off so that it could be occupied by the district school during the six days and on the Sabbath for divine service. This room, measuring about sixteen feet by twenty feet, continued to be the headquarters of the grammar school and the ballot box for some five years. Upon election days the school was let out to accommodate the officials in the weightier matters of the law. In 1849, the church being still weak in numbers and poor, entered into an agreement with the Congregational church to make the building answer for both congregations. The main edifice was to be finished, the original owners were to lath it, and the Con- gregationalists were to plaster it, and for so doing the latter were to have the use of it free on alternate Sabbaths for four years. In consequence, however, of delay on the part of the Baptist brethren in performing their contract, the church was not plastered till the spring of 1850, and the slips or pews were not put in until autumn. During this summer (1850) the audiences of the respective
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churches had to sit on seats constructed by laying rough joists on equally rough blocks-seats of the most rude and primitive kind. But it appears that the immi- gration into the flourishing village of LeClaire that summer was so great houses could not be found to contain them and a family occupied one end of the church as a residence-having a calico curtain separating kitchen, dining room and par- lor from the sanctuary.
The Rev. W. Rutledge was pastor of the Baptist and Rev. H. W. Cobb the stated supply of the Congregational church which occupied the edifice until the completion and dedication of their neat little church on the 22d of December, 1853.
The old Methodist church was built in the autumn of 1848, and was used in its unfinished state during the following winter, being used also, one end of it, as a carpenter's shop, the bench and tools crowded into one corner on the Sabbath. This building is yet standing and is rented for a district school. The first resi- dent Methodist minister in LeClaire was the Rev. Joel B. Taylor. He was the first to occupy the parsonage, erected the same autumn as the church. A new Methodist church edifice was commenced in 1856, and completed and dedicated in August, 1857.
The old Presbyterian church was built, we believe, in 1850, at a cost of $500. In 1855 it was sold to the school district and converted into a schoolhouse. In the summer of that year Mr. T. H. Longbottom entered into a contract to erect a new church, which he completed the following season at a total cost of $4,180. The dedication services were held on the 15th of September, 1856. This building was destroyed by fire on the 2d of June, 1859, supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
The Congregational church was organized in 1849. Rev. H. W. Cobb was stated supply from June 1850, to December 1851, and the Rev. L. R. White from that date to June 1, 1854. The church edifice was erected in 1853, at a cost of $1,060, labor and material being at that time very cheap.
There are Catholic, United Presbyterian and Disciples' churches in the city, the statistics of which I am not able to give.
The "Bratton House" was commenced in the summer of 1854, finished the following season, and opened by H. E. and D. B. Brown in October, 1855.
A boat yard called the Marine Railway was commenced in March, 1856, and the first boat was hauled out the 18th of September of the same year.
MAIN STREET, LE CLAIRE
LE CLAIRE DEPOT
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
CHAPTER VII.
PRINCETON TOWNSHIP.
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