USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 10
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June 8, 1864. the committee on paupers recommended the purchase of the Hefner farm for a county poor farm, at a price not to exceed $1,000, and F. B. Doolittle was appointed agent to carry the same into effect. The committee on military affairs reported 406 persons of families of volunteers in the county needing aid. June 10th, the clerk was anthorized to draw $1,000 to pay for the Hefner farm in case Mr. Doolittle should make the purchase.
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IHISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
June 8, 1865, the committee composed of F. B. Doolittle, Joseph Grimes and D. P. Baker reported that a contract had been made for the northwest fractional quarter of section 18, northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 18, in township 88 north, range 4 west, and northwest quarter of northeast quarter of section 23, range 5, amonnting to 2221/4 acres, for $2,000, to be paid on the date on which the contract was entered into. Payment was made and Judge Doolittle was requested to prepare plans and specifications for the poor house.
September 4th, an appropriation was made for the purpose of building an addition to the house then on the poor farm. The house was reconstructed with additions by Judge Doolittle, costing from $400 to $600.
January 1, 1866, the board granted permission to the citizens of Delhi to ereet a monument in memory of its soldiers.
In 1869, the sum of $1,500 was appropriated by the county board to build an addition to the poor house.
In June, 1869, on petition of citizens asking for an election to relocate the county seat, it was ordered that at the next general election the question should be submitted whether the county seat should remain at Delhi or be removed to Manchester.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REDUCED TO THREE
In 1870, by an act to amend Artiele 2 of Chapter 22 of the Revision of 1860, approved April 14, 1870, the board of supervisors was reduced to three, which number might be increased to five or seven by a vote of the people. In September the existing board ordered that the question. "Shall the number of supervisors be increased to seven ?" be submitted to the people at the next general election. The proposition was negatived by the people by 874 to 698.
The new board, consisting of Ferdinand W. Dunham, Joseph Chapman and J. Salisbury, assembled at Delhi, in January, 1871, and elected Mr. Dunham chairman.
The new and smaller board of supervisors in JJuly, 1873, entered into a con- fraet with N. W. Austin for the erection of the present main building on the poor farm. The contract price was $4,100, but the actual eost was $5,028.50.
Again the question of relocating the county seat was submitted to the people at the annual election in 1876, through permission obtained of the board of supervisors. In this contest Delhi and Earlville were the aspirants, one to retain, and the other to attain the plum. Delhi again was victorions by a large majority.
CHAPTER VI
COUNTY OFFICIALS FROM 1841 TO 1914
County commissioners-William H. Whiteside, William Eads and Daniel Brown, 1841-42; William H. Whiteside. Simeon Phillips and Missouri Dickson, 1842-3; William II. Whiteside, Missouri Diekson and Simeon Phillips, 1843-4; IIenry A. Carter, Simeon Phillips and Missouri Dickson, 1844-5; Henry A. Carter, Lawrence McNamee and Simeon Phillips, 1845-6; Henry A. Carter, Henry Baker and Samuel Mulliken, 1846-7; Henry A. Carter, Samuel Mulliken and Henry Baker, 1847-8; Henry A. Carter, Samuel Mulliken and Daniel II. Thornburg, 1848-9; Lawrence McNamee, Daniel HI. Thornburg and Henry A. Carter, 1849-50; Lawrence MeNamee, Daniel II. Thornburg and John W. Penn, 1850-51.
Judges of probate-Roland Anbrey, 1841-4; Clement Coffin, 1844-7; A. K. Eaton, 1847-50: Z. A. Wellman, 1850-51.
County judges-John Benson. 1851-5: Frederick B. Doolittle, 1855-7; A. E. House, 1857-60; Joel Bailey. 1860-1 (confined to probate powers when county board of supervisors were created in 1860) ; Z. A. Wellman, 1861-5; Jeremiah B. Boggs, 1866-9.
School fund commissioners-John Benson, 1849-51; Joel Bailey, 1851-3; Peter Case, 1854-5; John Hefner, 1855-6.
Recorders-John Paddleford, 1841; Charles W. IJobbs, 1842-7; William Phillips, 1847-53; Zina A. Wellman, 1854-5; George Wattson, 1856-7; Joel Bailey, 1858-9 : Ray B. Griffin, 1861; Z. D. Scobey, 1862-3; O. E. Taylor, 1864-5 ; W. II. H. Blanchard, 1866-7; Henry Harger, 1868-74; Henry C. Jackson, 1875-8; George II. Morisey, 1879-82; Jacob H. Morisey, 1883-4; G. Il. Morisey, 1885-94; Abner Dunham, 1895-1902: John Latimer, 1903-12; A. E. Dunlap. 1913 -.
Clerks of the court-The offices of clerk of the courts and clerk of county commissioners and supervisors were held by the same person, although distinct under the law, until the ereation of the office of county auditor. Charles W. Hobbs, 1841-6; J. W. Clark, 1846-7; C. W. Hobbs, 1847-50; James E. Anderson, 1850-1 : William Price, 1851-4; James Wright, 1854-62; Eli O. Clemens, 1863-8; A. J. Brown, 1869-72; G. B. Beveridge, 1873-4; Jerome B. Satterlee, 1875-82; H. J. Jackson, 1883-4: HI. (. Jackson, 1885-8; F. HT. Panl. 1889-1900: John Georgen, 1901-04; James Bishop, 1905-10; R. D. Graham, 1911 -.
Auditors-1869-91; S. M. Chase, 1892; R. R. Robinson to fill vacancy, 1892 ; R. R. Robinson, 1892-6; H. E. Stetson. 1897-1902; Roy B. Davis, 1903-06; W. J. Davis. 1907-08: Will J. Crosby, 1909-10; W. J. Davis, 1911-12; C. Il. Bunker, 1913 -.
Sheriff's-Leroy Jackson, 1841-4; JJohn W. Penn, 1844-50; Isaac Smith, 1850-3; John W. Penn, 1853-5; Cornelius T. Peet. 1855-7; Samuel F. Parker,
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
1857-9; Rensselaer Eddy, 1859-61; Jeremiah B. Boggs, 1862-3; Ancil E. Martin, 1864-5; William M. Williams, 1868-9; C. II. Smith, 1870-1; Abner Dunham, 1872-5; John W. Corbin, 1876-7; E. S. Cowles, 1878-81 : Jolm Cruise, Jr., 1882-89; G. H. Odell, 1890-97; R. W. Fishel, 1898-1903: T. J. Hennessey, 1904-06; M. P. IIennessey, 1907 -.
County treasurers-Robert B. Hutson, 1841-2; Theodore Marks. 1842-3; Joel Bailey, 1843-4; Drnry R. Dance, 1844 (murdered in February. 1845) ; Oliver A. Olmstead, appointed to fill vacancy. 1845; JJoel Bailey, 1845-6; Ira A. Green, 1846-7; William Phillips, 1847-53; Zina A. Wellman, 1853-5; George Wattson, 1855-7: Joel Bailey, 1858-9; Ray B. Griffin, 1860-1; Z. D. Scobey, 1862-5; Joseph M. Holbrook, 1866-1881; John M. Holbrook, 1882-3: HI. C. IIaeberle, 1884-93; C. E. Smith, 1894-97: 1. Matthews, 1898-1901; F. E. Dut- ton, 1902-08; George A. Newman, 1909 -.
County surveyors-Joel Bailey, 1841-47 ; John W. Clark, 1847-53 ; Joel Bailey, 1853-55; W. P. Cunningham, 1855-57 ; Hiram D. Wood, 1857-59 ; Henry L. Ryan, 1860-61; Charles Harger, 1862-63; James G. Verplank, 1864-65; Henry G. Doo- little, 1866-71; Silas Sawyer, 1872-75 ; Orin E. Noble, 1876-78; Charles Crawford, 1879-81; Ilenry Harger, 1882-84; P. II. Warner, 1885; D. O. Potter, 1886-87; P. II. Warner, 1888-89; A. G. Wilson, 1890-91; E. B. Porter, 1892; D. O. Potter, 1893-97 ; Thomas Wilson, 1898-1900: D. O. Potter, 1901 ; Thomas Wilson, 1902-08; L. Matthews, Jr., 1909 -.
County superintendents of schools-Horatio N. Gates, 1858-59; Ezra F. Chase, 1860-61 ; John L. MeCreery, 1862-63; Rodney W. Tirrill, 1864-67 : Ferdi- nand W. Dunham, 1867; Samuel Calvin, 1868; Jerome B. Satterlee, 1869 ; John Kennedy, 1870-71; William H. Merton, 1872-75; Robert M. Ewart, 1876-79; Q. M. Ewart, 1880-81 ; Horace G. Miller, 1882-87; A. O. Stanger, 1888-95; L. T. Eaton, 1896-99; II. J. Schwietert. 1900-03; Frank D. Joseph, 1904-10; Guy D. Ribble, 1911 -.
SUPERVISORS
In 1860 the county judge system of county government was abolished, and a board consisting of one supervisor from each township was constituted. One-half of the first board served one year and the other half two years, after which eight members were elected annually for two years.
1861-Z. D. Scobey, chairman; Jolm II. Burrington, JJoseph Lichtenberg, Charles H. Carpenter, Clement Coffin, William Price, William Crozier, Peter Richardson, Silas Gilmore, Ephraim Frost, Franeis MeFall, Aaron Richardson, Samuel P. Whittaker, Christopher L. Flint, Daniel Fuller, Daniel Sheldon.
1862-Silas Gilmore, chairman ; E. K. Frost, C. T. Peet, D. Sheldon, Franeis Rubly, F. MeFall, Noble Ruggles, Abram Parliman, Philip Stoner, Jolin M. Bray- ton, William Crozier, P. Richardson, S. P. Whittaker, C. L. Flint, Daniel Flint.
1863-N. Ruggles, chairman ; Joseph Grimes, Job Gildersleeve, C. T. Peet, S. A. Thompson, F. Rubly, William Cattron, P. Stoner, W. Crozier. James Harper, S. P. Whittaker, B. P. Miller, W. G. Campbell, Francis Schultz, William M. Hartshorn.
1864-J. Gildersleeve, chairman ; J. Grimes, O. S. Boggess, S. A. Thompson, T. Rubly, Cummings Sanborn, Ferdinand Dunham, A. Parliman, P. Stoner,
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
W. M. Hartshorn, W. Crozier, D. K. Fox, J. Harper, S. P. Whittaker, B. P. Miller, W. G. Campbell.
1865-O. S. Boggess, chairman ; J. Grimes, II. C. Drybread, F. Rubly, C. San- born, F. Dunham, D. P. Baker, P. Stoner, W. M. Hartshorn, W. Crozier, George Cowell, Leroy Jackson, S. P. Whittaker, J. M. Ames, D. Fuller, H. G. Doolittle.
1866-Joseph Grimes, chairman; H. C. Drybread, Alexander Loban, S. A. Thompson, James Le Gassick, C. Sanborn, F. Dunham, D. P. Baker, John Galyean, Samuel F. Parker, W. Crozier, Thomas J. Annis, L. Jackson, S. P. Whittaker, J. M. Annis, D. Fuller.
1867-J. Grimes, chairman; Charles Malven, A. Loban, Daniel Sheldon, J. Le Gassiek, Richard Boon, F. Dunham, D. P. Baker, John Galyean, S. F. Parker, W. Crozier, T. J. Annis, William Spence, J. M. Annis, Christopher L. Flint, Patrick Donnelly.
1868 -- C. L. Flint, chairman : Joseph Chapman, C. Malven, C. T. Peet, D. Sheldon, J. Le Gassick, R. Boon, William Cattron, R. Norton. Jesse B. Bailey, R. Holdridge, John Brownell, H. Gardner, W. Spence, J. M. Annis, P. Donnelly, D. P. Baker.
1869-R. Norton, chairman; A. G. Smith, J. Chapman, W. Cattron, J. Le Gassick, Thomas Conner. C. Sanborn, R. Holdridge, J. H. Campbell, Henry Ehlers, H. Gardner, J. Brownell. C. Malven, C. T. Peet, Philip Dale, J. B. Bailey.
1870-R. Norton, chairman; II. M. Congar, O. E. Taylor, Charles Malven, J. II. Campbell, II. Ehlers. J. F. Jackson, J. Chapman, Philip Dale, A. G. Smith, C. Sanborn, Albert Boomer, M. P. Spencer, Thomas Conner. J. Le Gassiek, William Ford. (Township system abolished April 14, 1870, and succeeded by a board of three, elected by the county.)
1870-Ferdinand Dunham, chairman ; Joseph Chapman, J. Salisbury.
1871-F. Dunham, chairman; J. Chapman, Jesse B. Bailey.
1872 -- F. Dunham, chairman; J. Chapman, Jesse B. Bailey. 1873-F. Dunham, chairman : J. Chapman, Jesse B. Bailey. 1874-F. Dunham, chairman; J. Chapman, Jesse B. Bailey. 1875-J. B. Bailey, chairman : F. Dunham, H. C. Merriam. 1876-F. Dunham, chairman; HI. C. Merriam, George Staehle. 1877-Henry C. Merriam, chairman ; G. Staehle, F. Dunham. 1878-G. Staehle, chairman : F. Dunham, James Le Gassiek. 1879-James Le Gassiek, chairman ; F. Dunham, B. P. Miller. 1880-James Le Gassiek, chairman ; F. Dunham, B. P. Miller. 1881-B. P. Miller, chairman : James be Gassick, II. P. Chapman. 1882-Il. P. Chapman, chairman ; B. P. Miller, W. M. Sawyer. 1883-W. M. Sawyer, chairman; II. P. Chapman, Charles Crocker. 1884-W. M. Sawyer, chairman ; Charles Crocker, Ryal Hickox. 1885-W. M. Sawyer, chairman ; Ryal Hiekox, Charles Crocker. 1886-W. M. Sawyer, chairman ; Charles Crocker, Ryal Hickox. 1887-W. M. Sawyer, chairman ; Henry Ehlers, Charles Crocker. 1888-Charles Crocker. chairman; Henry Ehlers, John F. Graham. 1889-Charles Crocker, chairman; Henry Ehlers, John F. Graham. 1890-Charles Crocker, chairman ; John F. Graham, Henry Ehlers. 1891-Charles Crocker, chairman ; John F. Graham, Henry Ehlers. 1892-John F. Graham, chairman; G. Merriam, Henry Ehlers.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
1893-John F. Graham, chairman; Thomas Rose, G. Merriam. 1894-G. Merriam, chairman; Thomas Rose, F. A. Grimes. 1895-Thomas Rose, chairman; F. A. Grimes, G. Merriam. 1896-F. A. Grimes, chairman; Thomas Rose, G. Merriam. 1897-G. Merriam, chairman; Thomas Rose, F. A. Grimes. 1898-F. A. Grimes, chairman; Thomas Rose, S. P. Carter. 1899-S. P. Carter, chairman; F. L. Dnrey, F. A. Grimes. 1900-S. P. Carter, chairman ; Thomas Lindsay, F. L. Durey. 1901-S. P. Carter, chairman ; F. L. Durey, Thomas Lindsay. 1902-S. P. Carter, chairman ; F. L. Durey, Thomas Lindsay. 1903-Thomas Lindsay, chairman; S. P. Carter, F. L. Durey. 1904-Thomas Lindsay, chairman ; James Le Gassick, F. L. Durey. 1905-Thomas Lindsay, chairman; W. B. Robinson, J. J. Kirkwood. 1907-J. J. Kirkwood, chairman ; A. M. Burbridge, W. B. Robinson. 1909-J. J. Kirkwood, chairman ; W. B. Robinson, F. M. Burbridge. 1911-F. M. Robinson, chairman ; J. J. Kirkwood. W. B. Robinson. 1913-W. B. Robinson, chairman ; F. A. Mead, James Kehoe.
Under the law passed a short time before, the first biennial election was held in Towa for all state and county officers, in November, 1906. This made it necessary for all officers to hold over one year that would otherwise have finished their terms in 1905.
Representatives-Arial K. Eaton, 1850-53; James M. Noble, 1856-57 ; Joseph Grimes, 1858-59; John W. Le Lacheur, 1860-61 ; Sahne G. Van Anda, 1862-63; Joseph W. Simpson, 1864-65; Albert Boomer. 1866-67; Cummings Sanborn. 1868-71: Cornelius T. Peet, 1872-75; Joseph Chapman, 1876-78; William H. Merten, Eighteenth and Nineteenth general assemblies; L. E. Hersey, Twen- tieth, sneeeeding Joseph Ilolbrook, who died January 31, 1884; L. S. Gates, Twenty-first; William C. Oakman, Twenty-second and Twenty-third; W. II. Norris, Twenty-fourth ; D. H. Young. Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, extra session of Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh; George W. Dunham, Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth ; R. J. Bixby, Thirtieth, Thirty-first, Thirty-second and Thirty- second extra ; Eli C. Perkins, Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth ; Millard F. LeRoy, Thirty-fifth.
Senators-John M. Brayton, 1864-67; Joseph Grimes, 1868-71; Albert Boomer, 1872-75 ; Lewis G. Hersey, 1876-77 ; Charles E. Bronson, 1878-79; Ed P. Seeds, Twenty-second and Twenty-third ; George W. Dunham, Thirtieth, Thirty- first, Thirty-second and Thirty-second extra session; Eli C. Perkins, Thirty-fifth.
CHAPTER VII REMINISCENCES
THE COMING OF THE PIONEERS BY A PIONEER
Some years ago the following appeared in a local paper, and is considered such good material for this work that it is reproduced. Since its publication Judge Doolittle, so prominent a character in Delaware County, has passed away, but his widow is still a resident of the old home at Delhi :
No man living has been for a longer time identified with the business interests of the commity than Judge F. B. Doolittle. of Delhi. For over a half century he has taken an active part in all movements of a publie nature and has extensive private interests in various parts of the county.
Judge Doolittle's location at Delhi was in the nature of an accident, as he had no intention of coming to that part of the country when he started West. At the age of nineteen he was compelled to go out and make his own way in the world. In the fall of 1849, in company with William Price, he started for Iowa. They spent three or four weeks traveling through Wisconsin and Illinois and then crossed the Mississippi at Savannah. Their search for land continued np to Yankee Settlement, and they then started back down the river for Davenport, a land office at that time. There were no roads across the prairie-only an occa- sional wagon track, and Mr. Doolittle and Mr. Price soon lost their bearings and 'aimlessly wandered about for some time. "At that time," says Judge Doolittle. "there were only four or five log cabins in the Town of Delhi. There was a log house near the 'Big Spring.' which was the tavern kept by John W. Clark. In a frame leanto, on one side of the tavern, Clark kept a little store."
Being almost penniless, the young adventurer worked as a laborer for a few months, saving a little money, which he invested in nursery stock. The new enterprise was a success, and for fifteen years the Doolittle nursery was consid- ered the largest in Iowa. Mr. Doolittle did effectual work in organizing the Davenport and St. Paul Railroad Company, and was a director and assistant treasurer of that company for four years. He was also treasurer of the Delaware County Construction Company, organized for the purpose of indueing the Davenport and St. Paul Company to build its line through Delaware County. He founded and laid out the Town of Delaware. He was elected judge of Dela- ware County in April, 1855, to fill a vacancy and afterward was reelected for a full term. He was the first United States revenue collector, under the United States revenue law, in Delaware County, and held that office five years. Such is a mere outline of the larger activities-or rather those of a public nature-in the life of Judge Doolittle. Ilis greatest service perhaps was a well-borne part in the struggle for mastery between the law-abiding and the hoodhim elements during the uncertain, chaotic years of early settlement.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
To one interested in the history of Delaware County, a few hours' chat with Joseph Chapman of Colesburg is of profit and pleasure. Mr. Chapman has been for years postmaster at Colesburg, rendering faithful and efficient service. It is a privilege not often given us to talk with a man who, though eighty-two years of age, has never worn glasses and whose hand is as steady as in the days of his youth. Mr. Chapman is a remarkably well preserved man, and with such an example before one, it is easy to understand how those early pioneers endured the hardships incident to their eventful lives.
Delaware County has been honored by the public service of Mr. Chapman. As a member of the board of supervisors for many years his council was of the greatest value in determining the important questions which came before the board in the initial years of its service. Mr. Chapman served in other minor positions, but his most important service in an official capacity was as member of the Legislature from 1876 to 1878. His loyalty to his constitueney was exem- plified by an action regarding the Dubuque & Southwestern Railroad, for which the people of Sand Spring have just cause to be grateful. The railroad company desired to vacate the road from Farley to Monticello and rebuild from Dubuque by way of Cascade. This would have killed Sand Spring. But Mr. Chapman resolutely stood out against the bill permitting this change of route, defeating it by an amendment requiring the railbed to be put in its original condition. In this and like services, Mr. Chapman honored himself and the county electing him to office.
Mr. Chapman came to Dubuque from New York State in the fall of 1850. While in Dubuque he met a young man named Bowman, and the two soon became quite intimate friends. Stories of deer hunting in the vicinity of Colesburg attracted them to that place. The two young men immediately bought rifles and started for the new country, arriving Christmas day. They at first boarded with a Mr. Atchison, who lived in a little log house where Bolsinger's store now stands. John and George Wattson soon eame to the same place, and Mr. Chapman recalls many exciting experiences while hunting with these young men. In fact, Mr. Chapman's recollections of those years are in large measure confined to hunting trips, etc., and the interview with him here recorded is necessarily brief, as it is purposed to relate all hunting stories in collective form.
To Nicholas Wilson of Delhi belongs the eredit of being one of the first, if not the first, settler in the "Wilson settlement," in Delhi and Union townships. Mr. 1 Wilson eame to this locality in 1854, buying 160 aeres of land in these two town- ships. The price paid was $1,500, a rather high price at that time. Mr. Wilson brought his family to the new home in 1855, and they resided continuously on this farm until 1900. The first home was a log cabin, purchased of Deacon Crosier. One of Mr. Wilson's first efforts was to start an orchard and a grove of trees. Some of these latter are yet standing, and on a recent visit to the farm Mr. Wilson found several of them which measured nearly 21/2 feet in diameter.
The Wilson place became a temporary home for newly arrived settlers, who would board there until they couldl build homes of their own. Some six or eight families thus shared the hospitality of Nicholas Wilson and his family, albeit they possessed not an abundance of the comforts of life for themselves. But these additional burdens were accepted cheerfully by these early settlers, and
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
looked upon as a welcome part of their responsibility in building up the new country.
One of the difficulties met by Mr. Wilson was in securing ready cash for necessary purchases. This was not uncommon at that time, when the bulk of business was carried on in trade. Ile remembered of raising 600 bushels of wheat one year but was unable to get enough money to pay the threshing bill of $50. Wheat sold at Hartwick for about thirty-five cents a bushel in trade.
¿ In point of continued residence in that locality, we believe Herbert Moulton, of Hopkinton, is the oldest of the early settlers yet living there. Mr. Moulton is a native of Vermont and when he first came West located at Galena, where he worked in the lead mines some years. At this place he married, and with his wife would occasionally come over into Iowa to visit relatives. While on one of these visits in the fall of 1849, Mr. Moulton was asked to come out and take up some land. After a brief consideration of the idea, he entered eighty aeres in North Fork Township, and with the assistance of two uneles and Allan Wilson, put up a log house. It was a primitive dwelling indeed, one week's time being required for its construction. The logs were not even hewn, the holes and crev- ices being chinked up with elay. Leaving his wife, Mr. Moulton returned to "Galena for their household goods. His wife's brother returned with him and together they bought a 160-acre soldier warrant for $135.
While the owner of considerable land, all paid for, Mr. Moulton was by no means well off, and he went to work for his uncle, receiving 50 cents a day in trade. Across the road to his uncle's farm lay a slough, which he had to wade twice a day on his three mile walk to and from work. Tiring of this, he laid a rough bridge across the slough, working all day in the water. This brought on an attack of ague, the first and last Mr. Moulton ever experienced in lowa, which laid him up for several weeks. Through such experiences the early settlers wrought out that sturdiness of character which at last won them a competence and which permitted in their later years a respite from hard labor and the enjoyment of what we have come to term the pleasures of life.
For a number of years Mr. Moulton did not own any horses, doing his work and traveling entirely with oxen, and it was two years before he owned a wagon of any kind. The great freshet of 1851 carried away a sawmill some miles above his farm, depositing a huge pile of lumber, etc., near his house. While looking this over one day, he noticed a large plank, which was pulled out and hauled home. Wagon wheels were sawed from this plank, a rough box built and there- after Mr. and Mrs. Moulton rode in state.
No history of Delaware County, however brief, would be complete without a mention of James P'. Ball, of Delaware. Mr. Ball came to this county in 1853, locating on the prairie near where the Town of Delaware now stands. Although land in that section of the county could at that time be entered for $1.25 an acre, Mr. Ball's first purchase was but eighty acres, as that was all he could afford. When he reached this county, his worldly possessions consisted of a team and about four hundred dollars in money. This amount barely sufficed for the purchase of the farm and to build a small frame house.
But Mr. and Mrs. Ball had the true pioneer spirit-willing to endure some privations and hardships that they might more surely reap a future reward. Their first few years on the farm were prosperous, as prosperity was eounted in Vol. 1 - 6
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
those years. The new soil yielded abundant crops and Mr. Ball was soon enabled to buy more land, until at one time he was the owner of 600 acres of the best land in the vicinity of Delaware. During recent years, he has from time to time disposed of much of his land and at present confines his attention largely to growing berries on a few acres adjoining his home in Delaware.
Shortly after the war, Mr. Ball began buying stock, and was for many years one of the best known buyers in this county. Of the hardships of a stoekman's life at that time, the modern stoek buyer knows but little. Mr. Ball traveled most of the time on horseback, and during cold weather suffered greatly from exposure. The rigorous winters of thirty or forty years ago robbed horseback riding of much of its fascination. But with the stock all loaded into cars at the shipping station, the buyers' troubles were only beginning. The railroad com- panies would not furnish a sufficient number of cars, thus compelling trying delays and overloading of cars. The trip to Chicago occupied two nights and a day and Mr. Ball was often compelled to ride with the stoek for long distances, to keep weaker animals from getting down and being smothered, so crowded were the cars. But Mr. Ball was a careful buyer, a good judge of stock, and despite these drawbacks, prospered in the business.
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