USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 40
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Michigan Territory
John Whittaker, first term commenced April 19, 1835. Judge Whittaker con- tinued to act until February 13, 1837.
Wisconsin Territory
Robert Cock, judge, held first term February 13, 1837, and continued to dis- charge the duties of his office until May, 1838.
Iowa Territory and Iowa State
Robert Cock, from May, 1838, until 1840.
Charles Madera held first term November 7, 1840, and continued to act until 1842.
John W. Webber had been elected and held his first term, commencing August 30, 1842. His successor was O. H. W. Stull, who was elected in 1846. Judge Stull's successor was J. P. Wightman, who held his first term of court com- mencing August 10, 1847. Judge Wightman continued to hold the office until Hon. Charles Mason was elected county judge.
What is known as the code of 1851 went into effect July 1, 1851. Judge Mason was elected at the August election, 1851, and entered upon the duties of his office September 10, 1851. Judge Mason was succeeded by Hon. O. C.
DES MOINES COUNTY COURTHOUSE, BURLINGTON
337
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Wightman in 1852, who was succeeded by Hon. T. W. Newman in 1855. Judge Newman was succeeded by Hon. O. C. Wightman in 1857. Judge Wightman was succeeded by Judge H. C. Ohrt in 1861. In 1865 Hon. J. C. Power was elected county judge and continued to hold the office until 1868, when Emery S. Huston was elected and continued to hold the office until the abolishment of the Circuit Court in 1869.
JUDGES OF CIRCUIT COURT, FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Name- Residence Term
John C. Power. Burlington, Des Moines County, second circuit. 1869-1872
Charles H. Phelps Burlington, Des Moines County, second circuit. 1878-1880
John B. Drayer Mount Pleasant, Henry County, first circuit. . . 1869-1872
John B. Drayer Mount Pleasant, Henry County. 1873-1876
John B. Drayer. Mount Pleasant, Henry County, first circuit. . . 1878-1890
The First Judicial District was divided, the counties of Louisa and Des Moines constituting the second circuit and Henry and Lee the first circuit.
JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT OF IOWA FROM DES MOINES COUNTY
Name-
Residence Term
Charles Mason
Burlington, Des Moines County 1847-
Jonathan C. Hall.
Burlington, Des Moines County 1854-1855
Lacon D. Stockton Burlington, Des Moines County. 1856-1860
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Name --
Residence Term
W. W. Chapman
Burlington, Des Moines County . 1835-
J. B. Teas. . Burlington, Des Moines County. 1835-
W. W. Chapman Burlington, Des Moines County
1836-1838
Alfred Rich Burlington, Des Moines County
1838-1841
William H. Starr
Burlington, Des Moines County
1841-1842
H. T. Reid.
Burlington, Des Moines County 1842-1843
L. D. Stocton.
Burlington, Des Moines County 1843-1846
J. C. Hall
1847-
James W. Woods
1848-1852
David Rorer 1852-1854
Charles H. Phelps 1854-
C. Ben Darwin.
1855-
Charles H. Phelps.
1856-1858
In 1858 the office became a district one until 1887.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS, FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Name --
Residence
Term
Joshua Tracey
Des Moines County 1860-1869
George B. Corkhill
Henry County 1869-1870
D. N. Sprague. Lee County 1870-1878
T. A. Beneman
Henry County 1878-1882
D. N. Sprague. Lee County 1882-1887
Vol. I -22
338
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
COUNTY ATTORNEYS
Name --
Term
Name-
Term
C. J. Dodge. .
1887-1889
W. W. Dodge.
. 1902-1904
James D. Smyth
1889-1891
Frank E. Thompson
1904-1907
George S. Tracy
1891-1899
H. F. Kuhlemeier
1907-1913
C. C. Clark.
. 1899-1902
George E. Hill. . 1913-1915
CLERKS, DISTRICT COURT
Michigan Territory
William R. Ross, April 13, 1835-1837.
Wisconsin Territory
William R. Ross, April 3. 1837-1838.
John S. Dunlap, appointed clerk, June term, 1838.
Iowa Territory
Name-
Term
Name-
Term
John S. Dunlap. 1838-1847
William Garrett
1864-1874
John S. Dunlap.
1847-1850
T. G. Foster.
1874-1883
Oliver Cock 1850-1852
C. P. DeHass.
. 1883-1889
Oliver C. Wightman 1852-1860
W. D. Inghram . 1889-1900
John Lahee
1860-1864
C. E. Demling
1900-1915
SHERIFFS AND MARSHALS
Michigan Territory
Solomon Perkins, 1834 to June 20, 1836.
Wisconsin Territory
First session, April 3, 1837 ; Francis Gehorn, marshal.
Second session, June 2, 1838.
Iowa Territory
First session, November 26, 1838.
Name- Termin
Name --- Term
James Cameron 1840-1846
J. H. McKemey 1846-1850
Anthony W. Carpenter. 1850-1853
Edward H. Ives. 1853-1857
George Kriechbaum 1887-1892
Samuel B. Hunt. 1892-190I
Allen J. Hillhouse
1861-1865
William A. Muenzemeyer 1901-1903
Martin Heisey 1865-1867
Jacob Williams . 1903-191I
C. G. Earnest. 1911-1915
Alexander S. Perry 1867-1872
James H. Latty. 1872-1874
William Shaffner 1874-1880
Mathew Ronaldson 1880-1882
George Smith 1882-1887
William Garrett 1857-1861
339
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS' COURT
The Legislative Assembly of Iowa Territory passed an act December 14, 1838, providing for the election of county commissioners and prescribing their powers and duties. By the terms of the act it had all the powers heretofore given to the County Board of Supervisors. However, prior to this enactment, and while Iowa was a part of Wisconsin Territory, there existed by virtue of law a board of commissioners. The board had the administration of county affairs, the allowance of claims, levy of taxes, etc. Appeals were allowed from its findings to the District Court. When first organized Gen. George W. Ilight and Jonathan Morgan constituted its members. The Legislative Assembly of Iowa, on January 25, 1839, passed an act which entitled Des Moines County to three commissioners-one to be selected from the north of Flint Creek, one from the south of the same and one from Burlington. Under the act George W. Hight, John D. Wright and Richard Land were elected commissioners.
The following persons constituted the board in 1840, at the October session : John D. Wright, George W. Hight and Jonathan Morgan. In 1841 the board was composed of Levi Scott, Jonathan Morgan and George W. Hight.
The October, 1841, session of the board consisted of George W. Hight, Jon- athan Morgan and Jeremiah Larieson.
For the year 1842 Jonathan Morgan, William Edmundson and Luke Palmer composed the board.
Jonathan Morgan, John Ripley and Luke Palmer constituted the board for 1843.
John Ripley, M. W. Robinson and Luke Palmer composed it for 1844.
At the October session in 1844 Luke Palmer, M. W. Robinson and Gordon McCauley composed the board.
In 1845 Gordon McCauley, M. W. Robinson and Daniel Haskell composed the board.
The same persons constituted the board in 1846 as in 1845.
Daniel Haskell, M. W. Robinson and B. W. Clark composed it in 1847.
M. W. Robinson, B. W. Clark and William F. Coolbaugh constituted it in 1848.
B. W. Clark, William F. Coolbaugh and Levi Hagar in 1849.
Levi Hagar and William C. Hackett constituted it in 1850.
COUNTY JUDGES
By virtue of the provisions of Chapter XV, Code 1851, there was established what is known as a "County Court." It provided for the election of each county at the following August election a county judge to hold the office for a term of three years. He was required to keep his office at the county seat and to keep it open for business at all usual times, and was made the keeper of the "County Seal." He was invested with all the powers which the county com- missioners possessed and in addition thereto, was made judge of probate. He had the managing of all county business. To audit all claims of money against the county, to audit and settle the accounts of the treasurer, etc. Had all the powers which the board of supervisors now possess, and in addition thereto,
340
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
acted as a County Court which held regular sessions on the first Monday of each month, except the months of April and August. Had jurisdiction of the probate of wills, the administration of estates of decedents, and the guardian- ship of minors and insane persons. The right of appeal existed from all judg- ments, decrees and decisions of the County Court to the District Court on matters affecting the rights or interests of individuals as distinguished from the public ; including immediate orders involving the merits and necessarily affect- ing the decree or decision. When first organized the clerk of the District Court was ex-officio clerk of the County Court. It is questionable if anything has been devised the better to take its place.
The first judge of the County Court of Des Moines County, Iowa, was Hon. Charles Mason, a man who was distinguished for his learning, high sense of duty and was eminent as lawyer and judge, having served as district judge and chief justice of the Supreme Court during the territorial existence of Iowa, as well as when a state. He entered upon the discharge of his duties as judge of the County Court, September 1, 1851. O. C. Wightman was the first clerk of this court. In the absence of Judge Mason, David Rorer, prose cuting attorney, acted in his place.
O. C. Wightman was elected county judge at the August election in 1852, and held the office until 1855 when Thomas W. Newman was elected.
Judge Newman held the office until 1857 when O. C. Wightman was elected. In 1861 there was established in the place of the County Court, the
SUPERVISOR SYSTEM
This system was the worst of all that could be inflicted on a people. Every township in the county elected its representative on the board. The board con- sisted of fourteen members, to do what three persons could far better perform.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 1861
Thomas Hedge, Burlington.
J. P. Sunderland, Burlington. Alex W. Gordon, Benton.
John Sawyer, Augusta.
S. Hibard, Danville.
G. W. Smith, Franklin.
G. W. Marchand, Flint River.
J. S. Dolbie, Huron
James Bruce, Yellow Springs.
Samuel Packwood, Pleasant Grove.
Franklin M. Cox, Union. Edward Enkee, Washington.
Charles M. Garman, Jackson.
Franklin Wilcox was elected chairman.
The writer was personally acquainted with all the above named persons, with the exception of three of them, and can say that they constituted a body of representative men in the several townships and the county.
BOARD, 1862
James Bruce, chairman. Edward Enkee.
L. Leforge.
H. W. McCornic.
Samuel Packwood.
A. W. Gordon. C. M. Garman. Thomas Hedge. C. Hughes.
J. C. Rankin.
John Sawyer. J. P. Sunderland.
S. Hibard.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
1863-James Bruce, chairman; L. Leforge, Thomas Hedge, John Sawyer, S. Hibard, S. Packwood, C. Hughes, H. W. McCormick, C. Garman, C. H. Snelson, John Penney, T. L. Parsons and S. D. Coonrod. 1864-John Penney, chairman; W. H. Cartwright, J. Clark, S. D. Coonrod, M. Gladden, C. Hughes, L. Leforge, H. W. McCormick, W. D. McCash, T. L. Parsons, John Sawyer, C. H. Snelson, M. C. Long. 1865-William D. McCash, chairman; W. H. Cart- wright, Justus Clark, M. Gladden, C. M. Garman, C. Hughes, R. C. Kendall, H. W. McCormick, J. R. Kline, J. Worr, James C. Rankin, C. H. Snelson. 1866-WV. D. McCash, chairman; John Bryson, W. H. Cartwright, J. Clark, E. N. Delashmut, R. B. Foster, C. M. Garman, John Inghram; R. C. Kendall, J. R. Kline, J. W. Orr, James C. Rankin, C. H. Snelson. 1867-W. . D. McCash, chairman; J. Clark, J. Burkholder, John Bryson, John Ballard, W. H. Cart- wright, R. B. Foster, John Inghram, J. R. Kline, J. C. Rankin, A. J. Smith, E. Woodward, R. C. Kendall. 1868-John Inghram, chairman; John Burkholder, John Bryson, John Ballard, Justus Clark, F. Heizer, R. C. Kendall, H. Metzger, J. C. Rankin, A. J. Smith, V. Van Dyke, W. Wolverton, E. Jones. 1869-John Inghram, chairman; John Bryson, John Burkholder, F. Heizer, E. Jackson, H. Metzger, Thomas Sherridan, Samuel Smith, A. P. Snelson, N. P. Sunderland, B. Van Dyke, W. Wolverton, E. Jones. 1869-J. L. Backus, chairman ; Thomas A. Barnes, J. Burkholder, R. B. Foster, Robert Grimes, Nathan Huston, Chris- tian Mathes, William C. Moore, Thomas Sherridan, Samuel Smith, A. P. Snel- son, N. P. Sunderland, A. S. Yohe.
The people began to get tired of paying so many men to do so small amount of business. It had its origin in the desire that each township might get its share of bridge and road work, each township wanted some one on the board to work for its share.
The Thirteenth General Assembly passed an act reducing the number of members of the board to three.
BOARD, 1870, AFTER CHANGE
Thomas Hedge, Sr., James Bruce, and J. J. McMaken. 1871-Thomas Hedge, Sr., James Bruce and J. J. McMaken. 1872-Thomas Hedge, Sr., James Bruce, J. J. McMaken. 1873-Thomas Hedge, Sr., J. J. McMaken and William Lynch. 1874-J. J. McMaken, William Lynch and George Robertson. 1875-George Robertson, William Lynch and D. Melcher. 1876-George Rob- ertson, D. Melcher, W. P. Willard. 1877-John Hanna, Henry Benne and Denis Norton. 1878-Thomas French, F. A. Tiedemann and Denis Melcher. 1879- Thomas French, F. A. Tiedemann and T. A. Barnes. 1880-Thomas French, T. A. Barnes and F. A. Tiedemann. 1881-C. F. Boesch, F. A. Tiedemann and T. A. Barnes. 1882-C. F. Boesch, John Hanna and D. L. Portlock. 1883-C. F. Boesch, John Hanna and D. L. Portlock. 1884-C. F. Boesch, John Hanna and D. L. Portlock. 1885-C. F. Boesch, John Hanna and D. L. Portlock. 1886 -C. F. Boesch, John Hanna and Henry Benne. 1887-John Hanna, Henry Benne and Dennis Norton. 1888-Dennis Norton, Henry Benne and John Car- den. 1889-Dennis Norton, Henry Benne and W. W. Turpin. 1890-Henry Benne, John Carden and W. W. Turpin. 1891-John Carden, Chris Mathes and W. W. Turpin. 1892-Christ Mathes, W. W. Turpin and John
342
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Carden. 1893-Christ Mathes, W. W. Turpin and John Carden. 1894- Christ Mathes, Henry Benne and John Carden. 1895-Christ Mathes, John Carden and W. G. Steingraber. 1896-Christ Mathes, W. G. Steingraber and John Carden. 1897-Christ Mathes, W. G. Steingraber and John Carden. 1898-Christ Mathes, W. G. Steingraber and James P. Welch. 1899-Christ Mathes, James P. Welch and Elisha Wright. 1900-Christ Mathes, James P. Welch and Elisha Wright. 1901-Christ Mathes, James P. Welch and Elisha Wright. 1902-Christ Mathes, Elisha Wright and James P. Welch. 1903- Christ Mathes, Elisha Wright and James P. Welch. 1904-Christ Mathes, Elisha Wright and James P. Welch. 1905-J. C. Hanna, E. L. Naumann and Henry Thie. 1906-E. L. Naumann, J. C. Hanna and Henry Thie. 1907-E. L. Naumann, J. C. Hanna and Henry Thie. 1908-A. T. Schwaller, E. L. Nau- mann and R. D. Siefken. 1909-Al Schwaller, R. D. Siefken and J. H. Petti- bone. 1910-J. H. Pettibone, R. D. Siefken and E. W. Romkey. 1911-J. H. Pettibone, E. W. Romkey and John Kuhlenbeck. 1912-J. H. Pettibone, R. D. Siefken and John Kuhlenbeck. 1913-J. H. Pettibone, A. Schwaller and R. D. Siefken. 1914-J. H. Pettibone, Al Schwaller and R. D. Siefken. 1915-H. C. Fommen, R. R. Sufkin and Al Schwoller.
COUNTY AUDITORS
The office of county auditor was created in 1868 and the auditor elected that year entered on the discharge of his duties on the first of January in 1869.
Name-
Term
Name-
Term
Emory S. Huston
1869-1871 N. P. Shartz
. 1905-1907
T. J. Copp.
1871-1884 Dan Hill
1907-1911
Paul Guelich
1884-1896 Al Wilken
1911-1913
N. P. Shartz
. 1896-1904 F. W. Parrott
1913-1915
C. H. Bell.
. 1904-1905
COUNTY TREASURERS DURING TERRITORIAL AND STATE EXISTENCE
Michigan Territory.
Name-
Term
William R. Ross 1835-1838
Wisconsin and Iowa Territory.
Name-
Term
Name- Term
Thornton Bayliss
1838-1840 George Blickhan
.1844-1848
Charles Nealy
. 1840-1841 J. F. Tallant. 1848-1850
John Johnson
1841-1842 J. W. Webber 1850-1851
Henry Moore
1842-1844
We find in a history of Des Moines County the statement "That there are conflicting entries in the minute-book of the county commissioners. For example in 1840, we find John M. Garrigus was recorder and in 1844 William B. Remey
343
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
is spoken of as holding the office, while Henry Moore was treasurer." We do not think such confusion exists.
The Iowa Territorial Legislative Assembly passed an act January 19, 1839, establishing the office of recorder of deeds. On the 24th day of December, 1839, the Legislative Assembly provided for the election of a county treasurer. As we understand the law, the two offices were separate and distinct until July I, 1851, when the Code of 1851 went into force, which provided (Chapter 17), "The person who is elected recorder shall be treasurer of the county and hold his office for the same time as that of recorder," etc.
The Tenth General Assembly of the state passed an act approved April 5, 1864, which provided: "The offices of county recorder and treasurer be and are hereby separated."
RECORDERS AND TREASURERS
Name-
Term
Name-
Term
J. W. Webber
1851-1853 James P. Chapman.
1855-1857
Charles Madera
1853-1854 John Ripley . 1857-1861
Jacob Arick 1854-1855 William B. Remey. 1861-1864
TREASURERS
Name-
Term
Name-
Term
William B. Remey
1864-1867 A. C. Hutchinson
1876-
William Horner 1867-1875
A. C. Hutchinson's final term expired January Ist, 1886. Enock Burrus from January Ist, 1886, to November 11th, 1896, the time of his death. John E. Rhein was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Burrus. Nils Anderson was elected and filled the office from January Ist, 1898, until the Ist of January, 1900. John E. Rhein, 1900-1915.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS
Name-
Term
Name --
Term
James D. Eads
1854-1857 E. Burrus
1875-1877
M. L. Fisher 1857-1858 John Paisley
1877-1882
1858-1859 R. L. Alshach 1882-1886 R. J. Graff. .
William Harper 1859-1861 W. E. Burke. 1886-1892
WV. Gregg, Jr. 1861-1863 E. G. Willard. 1872-1876
1863-1865 W. B. Shaw. 1896-1900 William Harper
J. K. Mccullough
1865-1867 Howard Mathews . 1900-1909
Thomas J. Trulock.
1867-1871 F. W. Parrott. 1909-1913
T. B. Snyder. 1871-1875 Miss Theresa Tiedemann. . . 1913-1915
SCHOOL FUND COMMISSION
Name- William H. Mauro
Term
344
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
CORONERS
Name --
Term
Name --
Term
John Kirkpatrick.
1855-1857 W. A. Haw
1867-1873
Jacob Weider
1857-1859 Jacob Weider
.1873-1875
William Thompson
1859-1861 F. L. Unterkircher.
1886-1900
Jacob Weider
1861-1865 B. A. Prugh
. 1900-1915
S. B. Burge.
1865-1867
COUNTY SURVEYORS
The Legislative Assembly of Iowa Territory passed an act approved December, 1838, which among other things provided, that there shall be elected in each county one county surveyor, and it shall be the duty of the governor to commission such person elected, who shall continue in office two years from the time of his election.
The law made it the duty of county surveyors, previous to making a survey, to furnish themselves with the field notes of the original survey of the land they may be called on to survey and all surveys made shall be according to the "Original Survey."
Name- Term
Name- Term
Robert Avery 18
John Nau
1875-1878
William Thompson
1854-1855 R. C. Waddle
1878-1884
Joseph K. Scott
1855-1857 John Nau 1884-1890
T. L. Seargeant
1857-1859 J. A. Crottner. 1890-1892
A. McMichael
1859-1861
John Nau 1892-1896
Oliver Hall
1861-1863
R. C. Waddle. 1896-1898
C. Handler
1863-1869
John Nau
1898-1900
WV. H. Gillespie.
1869-1873 R. C. Waddle. 1900-1913
R. C. Waddle.
1873-1875 Raymond Duerr
1913-
COURTS
The governor of Michigan Territory ordered election to be held in the territory west of the Mississippi in Des Moines and Dubuque counties in the early part of 1835. At this election William Morgan and Young L. Hughes were elected justices of the District Court of Des Moines County and John King justice of the District Court of Dubuque County. Justices Hughes and Morgan held the first term of court ever held in the county. This court commenced on the 13th day of April, 1835. Its first session was held in a log courthouse situated on lot 384 Original City ; which is the first lot south of the lot at the southwest corner of Third and High streets. James W. Woods, attorney, attended this court. He says: "It was held in a log cabin without floor, chimney or scarcely a roof." Judge Rorer says the desk for the judges consisted of a dry goods box which was overturned in a rencontre between one Toops and a man by the name of Walters during the empanelling of the grand jury. William R. Ross was clerk. The first entry, "For reasons appearing to the satisfaction of the court, it is ordered that William W. Chapman, Esq., be, and he is hereby appointed to
345
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
prosecute on the part of the United States in this court, and therefor the said Chapman came into court and took an oath, diligently and faithfully to dis- charge the duties of said office." The next order is "The sheriff returned into court the venire facias issued by order of the court whereby it appears that Thomas W. Taylor, George Southward, John Roberts, Hugh Nilson, John Bass, Nathaniel Knapp, David C. Hunter, John M. Forrest, James Hatcher, Mathew W. Latty, James Davison, Solomon Osborne, William Deakins, John Chamberlain, Frances Ridding, Henry Walker, David Chance, Arthur Inghram, Enock Wade, Jona- than Morgan, George Leebrick, Jeremiah Smith had been selected as grand jurors upon which venire facias the sheriff returned that he had summoned the afore- said persons except John Roberts and George Southward. Whereupon the fol- lowing named persons appeared as grand jurors and were sworn: Arthur Ingh- ram appointed foreman ; Hugh Wilson, David C. Hunter, James Hatcher, Mathew W. Latty, James Dawson, Solomon Osborne, William Deakins, John Chandler, Frances Ridding. David Chance, Enoch Wade, Jonathan Morgan, George Lee- brick and Jeremiah Smith and received their charge and retired to their chambers to consider "Indictments and Prosecutions." The records fail to mention the place of their chambers. The first motion made in any court in Des Moines County and sustained was this: "On motion of the prosecuting attorney and for reasons appearing to the satisfaction of the court ; it is ordered that John Toops be fined for contempt of this court, and pay a fine of $3 and the costs, and he be committed until the said fine and costs are paid." The county did not have a jail in which to confine Mr. Toops, and he did not have the $3 to pay the fine. The order of the court placed the sheriff in a peculiar situation. However, he solved it by taking Toops' note for the fine and costs which Toops never paid. It seems some of these old timers did not have much respect for the mandates of the court. Among the first orders made at this time was the following : "On motion and for reasons appearing to the satisfaction of the court, it is ordered that the sheriff summon John M. Forrest, to appear on the first day of the next term of this court to show cause if any, why he shall not be fined for a contempt of court in not appearing as a grand juror at this court." A like entry was made as to Henry Walker, John Box and Nathaniel Knapp. It was near corn planting time and it is to be presumed the above named gentlemen were at work in their fields. Ordered that court do now adjourn to 9:00 o'clock tomorrow morning. William Morgan and George L. Hughes, Justices.
Among the first orders of the court on the 14th was to grant Amzi Doolittle and Simpson S. White a license to operate a ferry from Burlington across the Mississippi for a time of one year and to fix their charges which were as follows :
One horse and carriage or wagon. $ .50
For each person and horse .25
For each footman .IO3/4
For a two-horse wagon or yoke of oxen and wagon .75
For each additional horse or ox. .211/2
For each head of meat cattle .061/4
For each head of hogs, sheep or goats. .03
All children belonging to a wagon to have free ferriage. Each ferry to have three hands in its operation. The boat or boats required to run from sunrise
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
to half after sunset. On the same day James Gipson was granted a license to run a ferry across Skunk River at his premises.
FIRST DIVORCE
William Wade VS. Petition for Divorce.
Abigail Wade.
Decree
"This day comes complainant by Wm. W. Chapman, his solicitor, and the defendant herein came not, but made default; and upon hearing the evidence, it is ordered and decreed by the court, that the bonds of matrimony heretofore existing between the said William Wade and Abigail Wade be dissolved and taken for naught, and it is further ordered that the complainant pay the costs of this suit."
PETIT JURORS
It is ordered by the court, that the petit jurors be called by the sheriff as ordered to be summoned by the honorable court to appear at the April term, when the following persons appeared and answered to their names: William Walker, Henry Parrish, Jonathan Castiline, Benjamin Simmons, Robert H. Rivers, Samuel Kinney, Thomas Briener, Daniel Strong, Amos Dunham, Benjamin Tucker, Levi Scott, Isaac Crenshaw, Samuel Lenevi, James McDowell, Lewis Walters, John Levion, Harrison Brooks, Isaac Canterbury, Alexander Hilleary, Jesse Hunt, Nicholas R. Teas, Samuel Smith, Riley Driskoll, and Israel Phillips. At this term of court numerous indictments were found by the grand jury in which the persons indicted were charged with the crime of adultery ; a crime for which at the present time an indictment is seldom, if ever, found. At this term of court John Box was authorized to maintain a ferry across the river at Fort Madison. In writing concerning ferries across the Mississippi it appears that Warren County, Illinois, in 1825, embraced that territory now called Henderson County. That Henderson County was not set off until 1841. The records of Warren County show that on December 8, 1832, Morton McCarver was granted author- ity to conduct a ferry across the Mississippi River one mile above Ellison Creek and Ezekiel Smith was authorized to conduct one from John Campbell's farm between Ellison and Honey creeks. That Joel Hargrove on March 4. 1833, was licensed to run a ferry from a point three miles above the mouth of Ellison Creek to the Flint Hills in Michigan Territory. At this term of court Isaac Leffler, Sidney H. Lettite, James W. Woods and W. W. Chapman were admitted to the practice of the law. The District Court convened on the 11th day of April, 1836, with a new set of judges: Isaac Leffler, chief justice, who had been ad- mitted to the practice just one year before this time; Arthur Inghram and Henry Walker, associates justices ; W. R. Ross, clerk, and W. W. Chapman, prosecuting attorney. David Rorer was admitted to practice at this term of court. As we have stated at one other place, the last named judges were legislated out of office on the organization of Wisconsin Territory, which was on April 20, 1836. The
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