USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 2
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
PRODUCTIONS
On the west and south sides of the county good building stone is abundant. A little coal has been found in several localities, but no banks have yet been opened.
In variety and beauty of natural scenery this county is unsur- passed. Many of the views along Grand River are indeed grand, as the name suggests. From the prairie highlands the wooded slopes and valleys present to the eye the loveliest landscapes.
This is one of the finest grain-producing counties, and is especially adapted to winter wheat. No county in the state has produced better crops of tame grass and the farmers have engaged largely in its pro- duction. Decatur County is well adapted to the raising of fruits, and there are already many bearing orchards. Among the citizens who are devoting their attention to fruits may be mentioned Amos Newman, J. B. Lunbeck, Charles Moore, J. S. Warner, Thomas Waller and Caselton Gibson. The wild fruits which grow abundantly are plums, grapes, crabapples, blackberries, raspberries and straw- berries. The wild cherry, mulberry and the red and black haw are also found. Among the shrubs are the sumach, black elder and hazel in great profusion, and all indicative of a rich, deep soil. The priekly ash and swamp dogwood are also found in places. As a stock-raising county Decatur compares favorably with many others. The numerous running streams afford water at all seasons, while the timber makes a winter shelter. Several leading farmers are largely engaged in raising cattle and other fine stock, among whom may be mentioned Alexander McNeil, Stephen Strong, Adam Johns & Bros.
EDUCATIONAL
There are in the county seventy-seven sub-districts and three inde- pendent districts, Decatur, Garden Grove and Leon. Last year's report of the superintendent shows that there were 68 schoolhouses, four brick, 30 frame and 34 log. There were 78 schools taught last year, with an aggregate of 2,005 pupils in attendance. There were 60 male and 46 female teachers reported, the average compensation of the males per week being $9.45 and females $6.37. Decatur Township and the independent district of Decatur City justly paid male and female teachers the same wage, while all other townships discriminated against the females.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
MANUFACTORIES
Grand River, as it passes through this county, furnishes a large number of eligible mill sites, some four or five of which have been im- proved. There are in the county two woolen mills, one carding fac- tory, three water flouring mills, three steam flouring mills, ten steam sawmills and four shingle machines attached to sawmills. Several of the sawmills have lath mills attached.
One of the leading manufacturing establishments of the county is the woolen mills of R. M. Mudget & Company, situated at Leon. They have a building 40 by 70 feet and three stories high. It is supplied with the best machinery, consisting in part of two sets of manufacturing cards, two sets of roll cards, two jacks of 180 spindles each, one broad and three narrow looms, with steam engine and all other necessary machinery. The factory has been in operation some- thing over a year, but the proprietors have just made additions to the property to accommodate the increasing business.
Four miles east of Pleasant Plain, near the state line, are sit- uated the woolen mills of John Clark, which have been in operation about twelve years. The main factory building is 34 by 70 feet and three stories high, with two additional buildings. It has two sets of roll cards, two full sets of manufacturing cards, two jacks, one of 180 and the other 144 spindles, one broad and six narrow looms.
Stout & Blodgett recently erected at Leon a brick flouring mill, the main structure being 30 by 36 feet, and three stories high, with an engine room 14 by 16 feet. It is provided with an engine of fifty horsepower, has two run of burrs and is fitted up with all the latest improved machinery.
STATISTICS OF AGRICULTURE
In 1866 there were enclosed 58,141 acres; rods of hedging, 1,649; acres of spring wheat, 1,030; bushels harvested, 11,266; acres of winter wheat, 630; bushels harvested, 6,860; acres of oats, 3,668; bushels harvested, 104,382; acres of corn, 25,069; bushels harvested, 299,820; acres of rye, 282; bushels harvested, 3,686; acres of barley, 28; bushels harvested, 271; acres of sorghum, 350; gallons of syrup, 15,653; acres of Irish potatoes, 352; bushels harvested, 11,124. The statistics of last year's crops will show a vast increase over the above figures. The crop of wheat for the year 1868 will more than double that given above for 1866. The area of land in cultivation is rapidly increasing in this, as well as other counties in Southern Iowa.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
RAILROADS
As yet no lines of railroad have been completed within the county. The people, however, feel a deep interest in several contemplated railroads, promising great advantages to them in the future. One project which the people in the west part of the county, especially, feel interested in, is known as the Iowa & Minnesota Railroad. Some two years ago under a former organization called the Fort Des Moines & Kansas City Railroad Company, the line was surveyed and located. A considerable amount of the grading was also done south of Decatur City. There is confidence in the ultimate success of this road.
Another project is that known as the Chillicothe, Leon & Des Moines Railroad, in which the people of Leon and the eastern part of the county felt a particular interest. The Missouri counties through which the road passes have subscribed $50,000 worth of stock towards its construction to the state line at Pleasant Plain, twelve miles south of Leon. About thirty-seven thousand dollars has been subscribed in Decatur County. I. H. Sales of Leon is president of the company. Both of the above projects have met with great favor in the Missouri counties through which the lines pass, and one of the lines, if not both, will doubtless be constructed at an early day. The contract for grad- ing, bridging and tieing the Chillicothe & Des Moines Railroad from Chillicothe to Princeton, a distance of fifty miles, was let on the 10th of February and the road is to be ready for the iron by the first of August, 1870. As soon as possible the survey will be made through this county and put under contract. A county possessing the elements of wealth that Decatur does cannot longer afford to wait for a railroad to develop her resources.
REAL ESTATE
Unimproved lands may be bought in this county at reasonable prices ranging from $3 to $6 per acre and some even as low as $2.50. Unimproved lots in Leon are held at all prices, from $20 up to $200.
BRIDGES
The county has erected good bridges over most of the streams. One was completed last spring over Grand River at a cost of $9,000 and one over Little River this winter at a cost of $500. Another over Long Creek is now in the course of construction and will be finished very soon.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
CHURCHES
Nearly all the evangelical religious denominations are represented in the county. The religious organizations of Leon are Methodist Episcopal, Christian, Baptist and Presbyterian. The Methodists have a neat, new and commodious frame church, with bell, and well finished. They have a good membership and a large attending congregation. The Christian denomination have a brick church, 40 by 60 feet in size, also provided with a good bell. The other denominations have not yet built churches in Leon. Flourishing Sabbath schools are con- nected with the above denominations.
In Decatur City the Methodist Episcopal Church has an organiza- tion of about forty members. The town is enclosed in what is known as Decatur City Circuit. The circuit has ten preaching places and has about 250 members. The largest society in the circuit is at Prairie- ville, one and a half miles north of Decatur City. On this circuit and connected with the church are seven Sabbath schools, that at Decatur City having an attendance of about eighty pupils. The Union Sab- bath School in Decatur City has about the same number.
The Methodist Church-formerly known as the Protestant Meth- odist-has two organizations, one at Decatur City and the other at Funk's Mill on Grand River, northwest of Decatur City. The soci- eties were organized by Rev. F. A. Kirkpatrick within the last year.
The United Brethren also have an organization at Decatur City and others in different parts of the county to the number of eight with 300 members. We believe the Baptists also have a society at this place.
The Decatur County Bible Society was organized in 1855. James P. Layton, G. D. Sellers, Uriah Bobbitt and J. W. Warner are prom- inent workers in this society at the present time.
POSTOFFICES
The following are the postoffices in Decatur County in 1868: Westervelt, Funk's Mill, Decatur, Elk, Sedgwick, Terre Haute, New Buda, Nine Eagles, High Point, Garden Grove, Franklin, Leon.
OLD TIME NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS
June 4, 1868-Our friends of the Methodist persuasion received, on Thursday evening last, a fine bell for their church, weighing 600 pounds. It is of regular bell metal and cost delivered about $280.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
June 4, 1868-Everybody who wants a cheap farm should come to Decatur County. Good wild lands can be had at from $2 to $5 per acre and improved lands at $10 to $12.
June 25, 1868-J. W. Harvey, late of Monroe, Jasper County, this state, has settled among us and associated himself with J. L. Young in the practice of law.
July 30, 1868-W. C. Akers, living three miles cast of Leon, killed a lynx last Sunday morning in a pasture about 300 yards from his house.
September 12, 1868-Dan Castello's monster shows exhibited in Leon.
September 10, 1868-We are pleased to chronicle the return of Dr. I. F. Hildreth to his new home in Leon. This gentleman came to our town a couple of months ago, and together with Judge Sales, bought the stock of goods owned by C. S. Stout & Company. The Dr. hails from Bellefontaine, Mahaska County, and comes recommended as a gentleman of ability and high moral character and we have no doubt will prove to be a valuable citizen. Here's our , Doctor, and our best wishes for your success.
October 15, 1868-Whereas Oscar A. Doolan, aged 12, regularly bound to me, left my house and control, on October 4, 1868, without my consent or knowledge, this is to warn all persons not to trust or harbor him on my account as I will pay no debts of his contracting. Five cents reward will be paid for his return to me without expense. Signed, D. Huff.
March 4, 1869-Quite a novel scene was witnessed in the circuit court last Saturday, in the introduction of a full blooded African upon the witness stand, and drew a large crowd to hear the testimony. This, we believe, was the first instance of the kind on record in this county and excited no little comment.
April 9, 1869-The Leon Woolen Mills will commence operations one week from next Monday.
April 29, 1869-Mr. Thomas F. Marshall, one of the engineers of the Chillicothe and Des Moines Railroad, arrived in Leon on Monday last and commenced the survey of the line of the Leon, Chillicothe and Des Moines road from the state line to this place.
May 13, 1869-The Christian Church has just been completed and the finishing touches added. It will now compare with any edifice of the kind in Southern Iowa.
June 30, 1869-The G. F. Bailey & Co.'s Gigantic Caravan, Menagerie and Circus exhibited in Leon.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
October 14, 1869-Die Wage is the title of a paper just started in this county, printed in the German language and edited by H. Kompe.
December 22, 1870-Ab Waggoner is now running the stage from here to Osceola, making connections with the trains going both east and west.
June 11, 1868-15,000 pounds of wool were received at the R. M. Mudgett & Co. woolen factory during the past ten days.
IN THE DAYS OF AULD LANG SYNE
The following items were taken from the Decatur County Journal in the years 1872-3:
Trains now leave Garden Grove going east as follows: Atlantic express, 11.01 P. M .; mail, 2 P. M .; Chicago express, 4.11 A. M.
Col. Geo. Burton returned home last week from the south country where he had been buying cattle. He has a drove of 500 head on their way here.
Monday afternoon was a good day for editors. W. J. Wightman of the Garden Grove Express was down. G. N. Udell of the Bed- ford Southwest, was in town. These two, with the Leon editors, ex-editors and sub-editors, met at Q. M. Lindsey's and held a little convention.
Jerome Harvey and Prof. Frazier will hold a normal school July 22d to continue four weeks.
Superintendent Perkins and Chief Engineer Mallory were in town Tuesday on railroad matters intent. They authorized the right of way committee to locate the depot. The right of way committee con- sists of J. W. Harvey, Judge Miles and Samuel Castor. Now is the time to buttonhole said committee.
Mr. Denham, of Grand River township, tried to have a Greeley ratification meeting at his house. Four men, including Mr. D. and his hired man, were in attendance.
On the 4th of July a celebration was held in the grove at the east edge of town adjacent Little & Wise's mill and fully 2,000 people attended. In the morning there was a procession of "Fantastics," while a cannon brought up the rear. Dolly Varden was present during the day and presented a graceful figure. Dr. G. W. Baker was mar- shal of the day. Music was furnished by the Leon Cornet Band, and the band wagon was drawn by four horses driven by "that superb reinsman, Samuel Lindsey." J. W. Harvey acted as president. Prof. W. M. Jordan and a company of vocalists sang patriotic songs.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Addresses were delivered by Prof. Harkness, J. B. Morrison, Francis Varga, Samuel Forrey and Elder J. C. Porter. The celebration closed with a display of fireworks in the evening in the north part of town.
The people of Prairie City, now called Van Wert, celebrated the 4th in a grove 21/2 miles west of town. John Gemmell was marshal of the day. There was a parade to the grounds where the exercises opened with a song by the Sunday schools and prayer by Levi Lewis. Rev. Seth Samson made the address of welcome, which was responded to by J. C. Lewis. J. C. Roberts delivered an oration, which was followed by a declamation by Miss Nannie Gemmell. After dinner Lizzie McCann read the Declaration of Independence and Hon. Fred Teale delivered an oration. The local chronicler says that "Fred seemed full of patriotism." The singing was led by A. Bullard and Mrs. Barbara McCormick.
The 4th was observed at Pleasanton by an old fashioned celebra- tion. The Declaration was read by Dr. Murphy and A. M. Post delivered an oration.
W. H. Robb addressed a large political meeting at Pleasanton last Saturday.
The Leon public schools opened September 9th with W. S. Domer, of Iowa City, as principal; Mrs. M. J. Read, grammar department; Miss Ella Eaton, intermediate, and Miss Mollie Miles, primary. Attendance, 258.
Jeremiah Hatfield, one of the oldest residents of Decatur County, and one of the most influential men we had, was stricken dead while working in his field last Monday.
Wood is selling for $2 per cord in Leon.
Look out for the cars! The track layers are only two miles from town at this writing, August 22.
Cooper's Circus exhibited in Leon August 2d.
James Goen has the contract to carry the mail from the depot to the postoffice.
The Grant and Wilson Club will be addressed on next Wednesday evening, September 4th, by W. T. Laughlin, candidate for district attorney, and Hon. Sam Forrey. Come, everybody.
The oldest inhabitant never before saw such crops as Iowa can justly boast of this season. The county is a perfect ocean of corn. some of which has grown so tall that the owners will have to get on a ladder to pick the ears off.
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
J. A. Snyder has put an addition to his shop one door east of the M. E. Church.
Died, in Franklin Township, October 6, 1872, of congestive fever, Ebenezer Price, in the 44th year of his age. He was a faithful soldier three years in the Union army during the late war, and has been for several years an excellent member of the Christian Church.
The hotel now occupied by H. L. Sales passed into the hands of that prince of landlords, Capt. L. A. Ray, of Chariton, on Thursday of this week.
Some unprincipled cuss gobbled up a pocketbook belonging to Robert E. Dye, on last Monday, containing about $200 in cash, besides some papers and a postoffice order for $3.90.
The residence of J. R. Bashaw was totally destroyed by fire on Monday afternoon last, with a large proportion of his household goods, furniture and clothing. The fire originated in the roof in the neigh- borhood of a flue .- Dec. 5.
The prairie chickens have the epizootic.
Day before Christmas the mercury fell to 26 degrees below zero at Chariton. It was 42 at Minneapolis, 32 at Cedar Rapids and 28 at Burlington.
Died, at his residence near Terre Haute, December 27, 1872, John May. His unexpected death will be mourned by a host of friends.
On Friday evening last 23 cars of hogs were shipped at this point for Chicago.
On last Tuesday the last vestige of democracy was swept from our courthouse. A. E. Chase commenced his duties of clerk of the courts in place of Nathan Perdew, retiring.
There has been shipped from this point since the finishing of the railroad 175 cars of hogs, 49 of cattle, 10 of sheep and 2 of horses, making a total of 258 cars of live stock. In December alone 116 cars of hogs or 7,000 head were shipped.
There are over 500 patrons of husbandry or grangers in our county.
Last week a Ringgold county man brought to town twelve deer which he had killed within a few days. The venison sold readily at 9 to 12 cents per pound.
The following is the grand jury list for 1872: J. D. Burns, J. R. Starr, Newton Spencer, T. Fullerton, D. J. Patterson, M. T. Shelton, James Coover, Thos. Konklin, Sam Thomas, Thos. Pitman, Wm. Loving, Jesse Lloyd, C. Osborne, R. Turner, Peter Cartwright.
Thursday Tom Bradfield was unable to make his mail trip to
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Corydon on account of the drifts, but on Friday the mail passed through all right .- February 6, 1873.
The old Patterson House is being pulled down to give room for a new two-story building to be erected by Armstrong & Blind.
The scholars of Eden Center, under the superintendence of their teacher, Mr. G. W. Samson, will give an exhibition on Friday evening, February 28, at which several dramas will be presented and lots of fun besides.
A lot of boys attended a dance in the country on Friday evening last, and got drunk as a natural consequence.
J. C. Roberts and T. W. Silvers, after an arduous examination, which they passed with great credit to themselves, were admitted to the practice of the law by Judge Hewitt, on Friday evening last.
The town of High Point is still improving. Curt Alexander is building a dwelling on the lot east of Ruffcorn's store.
CHAPTER II
ORGANIZATION OF DECATUR COUNTY
Decatur County was named after Commodore Stephen Decatur, who was born in Maryland, January 5, 1779, and was killed by Com- modore Barron in a duel at Bladensburg, March 22, 1820. The territory was obtained from the Indians by a treaty which was rati- fied in March, 1843.
COUNTY ORGANIZATION
The County of Decatur was officially organized on the 1st day of April in the year 1850.
The first meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was held on May 6, 1850. The commissioners were: Josiah Morgan, William Hamilton and Asa Burrell. Henry B. Noston was the first clerk of the board.
The first order issued by this board was one allowing Andrew Still the sum of $30 for his services as organizing sheriff. The com- missioners, at this meeting, also ordered that the District Court, Pro- bate Court and Commissioners' Court be held at the house of Daniel Moad until the county seat should be located.
FIRST TOWNSHIPS
At another meeting of the board of commissioners in July, 1850, the county was divided into four civil townships, namely: Garden Grove, Morgan, Burrell and Hamilton. It will be noted that the last three names were the respective names of the commissioners.
The following judges and clerks of election were appointed in these divisions: Garden Grove, William Davis, Victor Doze and Hiram Chase, judges; Joshua R. Monroe and Enos Davis, clerks. Morgan, Reuben Hatfield, William Oney and Christopher Wain- scott, judges; Thomas Gilgore and Samuel McDowell, clerks. Bur- rell, Asa Howard, John McDaniel and John Still, judges; James
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Woodmansee and Andrew Still, clerks. Hamilton, William Eaton, Jefferson Dimick and William Hamilton, judges; Wyllis Dickinson and Gideon J. Walker, clerks.
After the first board of commissioners had divided the county into four townships, County Judge S. S. Thompson organized the townships of Center, Decatur, Richland, Eden and High Point. In 1856 Judge Thompson was called to Princeton, Mo., on business and he left his office in charge of Samuel Forrey, who had been employed to act as county attorney. He organized and named the following townships: Grand River, Long Creek, Franklin, New Buda and Woodland. Long Creek and Grand River were named after the streams of the same name, and Woodland because of its heavy growth of timber. The names of Franklin and New Buda were suggested by villages of the same name, both of which have now disappeared. The townships of Fayette and Bloomington were called Prairie, but were afterwards divided and given their present names. The name of Bloomington was suggested by M. McDonald, who had once resided in Bloomington, Ill.
COUNTY SEAT
On January 18, 1851, an act of the Legislature was approved, appointing commissioners and providing for the location of the county seat. The commissioners were Henry Allen and F. N. Sales. On July 21, 1851, they reported to the Board of County Commissioners that they had selected the east half of the southeast quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of section 27, township 69, range 26, "being high, gently-rolling prairie, through which runs the main road from Fort Des Moines to Independence, Mo., and in the imme- diate vicinity of good timber and stone, with good mill privileges." They also reported that they had named the town Decatur. N. Westcoat was selected to survey the new town. A sale of lots was also ordered to take place in Decatur on August 25, 1851, notice being given in the Des Moines Republican and the Sentinel at Fair- field.
There were many people in the county who strenuously claimed that the selection of the county seat had been illegal, because, on account of the high water prevailing at that time, the commissioners had not been able to reach the site inside the limits of the time fixed by the statute. The General Assembly accordingly ordered an elec- tion to take place the first Monday in April, 1853, to decide again on Vol. 1-2
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HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
the location of the county seat. It was urged that the point to which it was proposed to take the county seat was very little more in a central position than Decatur, which had been selected. Also, that the county had gone to the expense in constructing a courthouse at Decatur.
The vote was counted, however, and showed the majority in favor of removing the county seat to Independence, afterward called South Independence, and now Leon, located on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 28, and northwest quarter of the north- west quarter of section 33, township 69, range 25. The county sur- veyor was employed to survey the new town.
At the next April term of the County Court a sale of lots was directed to take place on the second Tuesday of May, 1853, notice to be given by publication in the Des Moines Valley Whig, Fairfield Sentinel. Iowa City Reporter and the Pioneer at Trenton, Mo.
On the site of the town forty acres of land had been donated to the county as an inducement for the removal of the county seat, and the survey of the town was made in May, 1853. On the 12th of the same month a courthouse was ordered constructed and Peter C. Stewart was awarded the contract, the price being $1,650. For some reason he failed to discharge the contract, and at the June term, 1854, another order was made for a courthouse, to be built of brick, 24 by 40 feet, and two stories in height, with three rooms below for . offices and one above for a courtroom. A contract for the brick work and plastering was let to Arnold Childers for the sum of $900 and the wood work to F. Parsons for the sum of $800. This build- ing was in use when burned, with all its contents, on March 31, 1874.
One of the voting places in the April (1853) election was at the store of Switzler, Davis & Co., located half a mile south of the residence on the Marion Oney farm in Eden Township. The store was in charge of I. N. Clark. Mr. Clark recalled the following voters as being among those who were present: Reuben, Calvin, Stanley, Andrew, Hiram and Myers Hatfield, James Hatfield (father and son), Hiram, Calvin and Abel Stanley, Alf Stanley (father and son), John and Anthony Vanderpool, William Oney, Johnny Patterson, P. C. Stewart, Harrison Weldon, Dan and Elisha Moad, Thomas Mann, Oliver Stanley, the McIlvaines (three in num- ber), Dr. S. C. Thompson, Sam McDowell, Dan Bradley, Thomas East and I. N. Clark.
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