USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > History of Dubuque County, Iowa; being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest settlement to the present time > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
In February, 1866, a large meeting of the Dubuque Democrats approved the veto by President Johnson of the Freedman's Bureau bill. Among the speakers were Stilson Hutchins, Frank Jennings, C. J. Rogers and George W. Jones. In March, 1866, a large
365
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
"Union" meeting was held and resolutions were passed expressing the opinion that Congress had the right to say upon what terms the rebellious states should come back into the Union. Among the speakers were Judge Burt, O. P. Shiras, General Wiltse, C. Wull- weber, C. G. Hawthorne and others. The following citizens signed the call for this meeting: F. E. Bissell, O. P. Shiras, George Crane, Frank Gilbert, James Burt, H. L. Stout, Richard Waller, Jacob Christman, T. C. Roberts, R. Bonson, C. H. Booth, James Thurs- ton, Thomas Finn, R. Spaulding, W. Westphal, G. L. Torbert, John H. Lull, Edgar Tisdale, John Mihlhop, A. Tredway, William Anderson, John W. Smith, D. E. Lyon, George D. Wood, W. J. Gilbert, C. G. Hawthorne, C. Leckie, J. W. Cox, A. G. Chapin.
During 1864 and 1865, as a claim for public approval, the Democ- racy of Dubuque showed that Mayor Thompson's administration had reduced the city indebtedness $353,000: the old indebtedness of $390,000 had been wiped out partly by a new issue of bonds ; the old Gelpcke debt, which had hung for years over the city like a pall, had all been taken up. In 1865-6, $68,000 of indebtedness had been paid; in the latter was a debt of $5,000 due since the old levee was built ; also the debt of Timothy Davis for the old cemetery lot, the interest on which had far exceeded the principal. All the city scrip had been taken up; at one time it was as low as 35 cents on the dollar. All this had been done without borrowing or with- out increasing the taxes. But there were no special local issues; the election ran along Democratic and Republican principles and policies. A large vote was polled, much larger than had been expected. The whole Democratic ticket was elected by majorities ranging from 148 to 320, the average being close to 250; total vote, 2,502. Mr. Thompson was re-elected mayor. Mr. Kingman was the Republican candidate. Thompson received 1,385 and Kingman1 1, 117 votes. The receipts for the fiscal year 1865-6 were $67,288.44, and the orders redeemed, $66,990.74.
In 1866 there was open opposition at Epworth against the violent partisan speeches of C. C. Hewitt and Frank Jennings ; they were prevented from speaking and in a measure assailed. In October, 1866, L. H. Cady was likewise assailed and prevented from speaking there by a crowd. Democrats were furious and later went there prepared for trouble and were permitted to speak. Democratic speakers were also opposed at Centralia, but were permitted to finish. At the October election liquor was allowed at the polls.
For secretary of state, Van Anda (D.) received 3,117 votes and Wright (R.) 2,186. For Congress, Noble (D.) received 3,131 and Allison (R.) 2,097 .. Taylor and Jefferson townships went Republican. In Table Mound township there was but one Repub- lican vote out of 115 polled.
In the spring of 1867 the Democrats nominated W. W. Wood- worth for mayor and the Republicans nominated J. K. Graves.
366
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
Charges of corruption in city affairs were made and facts stated. The question of compromising, repudiating or paying in full the city debt was all important.
"The Sarah Lee Porter case is a test one that will decide whether the city owes $1,000,000 or $200,000. Under the policy adopted in 1864, over one-third of the entire city indebtedness has been conditionally retired without imposing unusual burdens; but let this Sarah Lee Porter case be determined against the present council and there is an end of all compromise, for if Sarah Lee Porter recovers one hundred cents on the dollar of her claim, then any other creditor may do likewise."-( Alderman Hetherington in council, March 29, 1867. )
This contest was hotly fought; the Democrats were determined to retrieve their loss of October, 1866. The streets were soon strewn with circulars, ballots and beer kegs. Teams with banners and mottoes were out to hurry indifferent voters to the polls. It was one of the most exciting municipal elections ever held in Dubuque. Woodworth (D.) received 1,393 votes and Graves (R.) 1,639. The Democrats elected by small majorities the city ticket except mayor and marshal. Many Democratic votes were cast for Graves because of the announcement that he was a supporter of the policies of President Johnson.
Allison for the Senate was the Republican program in 1867. In July, 1867, Judge Burt sued the Herald ( Ham and Carver) for $20,000 for libel. The Democrats opposed negro suffrage in Iowa and any interference by Congress with the sovereignty of the states. The Germans in Dubuque organized in opposition to the prohibitory law. Payment of government bonds in greenbacks was advocated by the Democracy. Henry O'Connor (R. ) and W. T. Barker (D.) held a joint discussion in Dubuque in October ; they were candidates for attorney-general.
The election in October, 1867, resulted in Dubuque county as follows: For governor, Mason (D.) 3,335, Merrill (R.) 1,915; for sheriff, Buckman (D.) 3,435, Cheeney (R.) 1,824. Thus the Democrats swept the county with majorities ranging from 712 to 1,6II. Taylor and Dodge townships were carried by the Repub- licans. This was the first time Julien township was separated from the city of Dubuque. The Herald often referred in a jocular way to "Dubuque Copperheads."
In 1868, Solomon Turck was nominated for mayor by the Demo- crats, and William Westphal by the Republicans. The former received 1,792 votes and the latter 1,220. The Democrats elected their whole city ticket except marshal. The council ordered an investigation of the administration of Mayor Graves; he was charged with having distorted figures, etc.
In June, 1868, a Grant and Colfax club was organized at Dubuque. In the summer. J. K. Graves made desperate efforts to
367
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
wrest the nomination for Congress from Mr. Allison, but failed in convention, 221 to 207 votes. This contest almost divided the party. The nomination of Seymour and Blair was ratified by Dubuque Democrats. For Congress Allison received in Dubuque county 2,251 votes, Mills (D.) 4,328, Thomas (Ind.) 110.
In 1868, John H. O'Neill was a delegate to the Democratic national convention. The presidential contest of 1868 was filled with bitter personalities and savage partisan attacks. At the November election the Grant electors received 2,583 votes and the Seymour electors 4,088 votes in Dubuque county. Five constitu- tional amendments were voted on: (I) Negroes to vote in Iowa; (2) negroes to be enrolled as militia ; (3) negroes to be counted in the census; (4) negroes to be counted in the apportionment for senators and representatives ; (5) negroes to occupy any office in the state. Dubuque county polled heavy majorities against all five amendments-4,341 to 2,292. There was much excitement and bitterness in the vote on these amendments. It was said that a negro formerly a slave in Alabama and part white voted the straight Democratic ticket at Peosta in November, 1868.
YEAR
DEMOCRAT
REPUBLICAN
1864
3,375
2,223
1865
2,842
1,554
1866
3,15I
2,086
1867
3,340
1,950
1868
4,092
2,633
"Iowa has undoubtedly elected the nigger. It is triumph of which to be proud. In Dubuque the nigger runs ahead of Allison. In the state the nigger is but little behind the other radical candi- dates."-(Herald, November 7, 1868.)
"The election has renewed power to radicalism. One of the first things pledged by the radical party is to pay the bondholders in coin. The majority of Congress is sufficient, and Grant is equally pledged with Congress. The people have declared by their ballots that such payment is what they desire. The outrage is promised and endorsed. Let it be consummated speedily."-(Herald, November 7, 1868. )
In the spring of 1869 the Democrats nominated George W. Jones for mayor, but he declined and they then named W. J. Knight. The Republicans nominated C. J. Cummings, but upon his declina- tion they nominated H. S. Hetherington. Still the paramount question was the payment of the city indebtedness. In this contest the old Allison-Graves feud appeared because the Allison faction slashed Morheiser for marshal and the Graves faction knifed Hetherington. The result was that the Democrats had the largest majority they secured for many years. Knight (D.) received
368
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
1,706, and Hetherington (R.) 1,108. The Democratic majorities ranged from 546 to 697. This was the first election at which the negroes generally were permitted to vote. It was said at the time that they nearly all voted the straight Democratic ticket, but some allowance should be made for this statement. At the October election (1869) Gillaspy (D.) received for governor 3,367 votes and Merrill (R.) 1,927 in Dubuque county. Taylor and Dodge townships and the Third and Fourth wards, Dubuque, went Republican.
In January, 1870, W. B. Allison was a candidate for the United States Senate, but was defeated before the legislature. His dele- gation returned to Dubuque "sorry and sad." In March, 1870, the newspapers of both parties praised the administration of Mayor Knight, who had accomplished wonders in untangling the city debt and putting it in the way of certain ultimate extinction. Alderman A. F. Jaeger was likewise praised. The Democrats renominated Knight for mayor and the Republicans named Mr. Kingman, who was in reality the nominee of the Graves faction, which bitterly assailed the alleged Allison ring. Kingman a few years before had been terribly defeated by John Thompson in the mayoralty race. Knight (D.) received 1,994 votes and Kingman (R.) 742. Gener- ally, the whole Democratic ticket was successful. This surprising victory was an acknowledgment and endorsement of the Knight administration, many Republicans voting with the Democrats.
Among the Republican speakers to appear here in the fall of 1870 were Henry O'Connor, W. B. Allison, Chester C. Cole, J. S. Clarkson, Charles Aldrich and James Harlan. At the October election (1870) Doerr (D.) received 2,535 votes for secretary of state and Wright (R.), 1,439. For a constitutional convention, 225 ; against it. 1,815 ; for an increase in county supervisors, 771 ; against such increase, 2,223. M. B. Mulkern was state senator.
Both parties in the spring of 1871 held stirring conventions and named full municipal tickets. Mayor Knight had made enemies by his honest energy and zeal for the city's welfare. Few men in the face of such obstacles as then existed could have accomplished so much. His legal ability and integrity had greatly advanced the city's credit and made all business pursuits prosperous. But a change was wanted, evidently. It was shown that his honest policy embraced the payment at par of the city debt, regardless of the fact that many of the bondholders who resided in Dubuque had pur- chased the bonds in the East at about 25 cents on the dollar. Apparently the majority of the voters wanted the mayor to force the bondholders to take much less than 100 cents on the dollar ; thus in this election the taxpayers generally voted down the bondholders.
"We have met the enemy and have come so near to being theirs that not much pleasure can be derived from the escape. The whole Democratic city ticket is elected with the exception of mayor,
W. Ballison
369
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
where Mr. Knight is defeated by Judge Burt by about 337 majority. The Republicans have also elected a majority of the city council, carrying four of the five aldermen, so that the next council will stand, with the holdovers, six Republicans to four Democrats." --- (Herald, April 4, 1871.)
In 1871 B. B. Richards was nominated for the state senate by the Democracy, and M. M. Ham, of the Dubuque Herald, was nominated for lieutenant-governor. All Republican movements and nominations in the fall of 1871 were made with the view of Mr. Allison's candidacy for the United States Senate ; the Graves fac- tion had subsided; Allison men were chosen for everything, for popular effect. Torbert, Shiras, Henderson, Beach, Ballou et al. of the "Allison ring" ruled the party here. The vote in the county in October was: For governor, Knapp (D.) 3.287, Carpenter (R.) 1,986; county treasurer, Stewart (D.) 2,617, Jarrett (R.) 2,455; for lieutenant-governor, Ham (D.) 3,311, Bulis (R.) 1,951. Richard's majority over Burden was 652. C. H. Booth was elected to the House by 162 majority.
In January, 1872, Mr. Allison was elected to the United States Senate. Upon his return here, all citizens, irrespective of party, gave him a notable and cordial public reception. C. Wullweber made the welcoming speech; H. L. Stout was chairman. About this time, Mr. Mahony, having roused the wrath of M. M. Ham, of the Herald, was "roasted" in the following fashion :
"Mahony believes in blackmailing as a principle. He puts him- self up at auction and strikes himself off to anybody who will bid. If people decline to buy the goods, not believing him worth the buying, then his idea is to 'go for 'em,' lie about them, traduce them, vilify them, poison the public mind against them, do anything or everything against them; it serves them right, for they might have complied with his reasonable demands! This has always been his rule of action. Because General Jones did not give him a sur- veying contract years ago, he has been abusing him ever since. He was for a while partner with Doctor Holt in the newspaper busi- ness, and succeeded in ruining him. He was then with Dorr for a while, and would have ruined him had not Dorr got rid of him. About this time he was around the county treasury and turned up a defaulter, and the people of Dubuque county are suffering from it in their taxes to this day. In 1862 he besought Governor Kirk- wood to allow him to raise an Irish regiment of which he was to be colonel. He was then a rampant war man, but when Kirkwood- knowing him too well-refused his application, he at once turned upon him, abused him, and from being a terrible war man he became a terrible peace man. Soon after, the Republicans were foolish enough to arrest him, which made a great man of him, greater than he ever was before or ever will be again. After his return home he liked to have ruined the paper with his dogmatical and dicta-
370
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
torial manner, until Hutchins, to get rid of him, leased his interest in the office and got him out and soon after shoved him upon the long-suffering people of Dubuque county as sheriff. In 1866. Hutchins and Hodnett started the St. Louis Times, out of which they llave each made an independent fortune. In their good nature they gave Mahony an interest, but inside of a year they had to put him out again. He repaid Hutchins by abusing him for years. In 1868 he was first a rampant anti-bridge man, then as rampant for it. A present of $2,000 stock wrought the change. Ask Allison, Stout. Graves or Booth. He subscribed for a large amount of stock in the first water-works company and then abused John Thompson because he would not give him money to pay with. His recent spiteful, cowardly and vengeful attacks on L. D. Randall were because the latter would not be blackmailed out of $500; the same regarding his attacks on the county board and W. G. Stewart, in the latter case endeavoring to excite religious feuds in our midst : on Peter Kiene, Joe Rhomberg. J. K. Graves, the railroad com- pany-in fact, on everybody who refuses to have money extorted from them to silence him. Such is Dennis Mahony."-(Herald. January 26, 1872. )
In February. 1872, B. B. Richards, Fred O'Donnell and John Christoph in the legislature opposed woman suffrage; General Booth there supported the movement. Christoph was chosen at a special election to succeed Martin Kaier, deceased. The Democrats renominated their city officers except mayor ; they named Solomon Turck. The Republicans nominated H. O. Ward. The Herald called the latter the "ten-pin ticket" because it was put up to be knocked down. Closing the saloons on Sundays and cleaning the streets were issues. Turck (D.) received 1,572 votes and Ward (R.) 1,483. The Republicans and railways fought Turck for alleged former grievances. The city debt was being refunded in 6 per cent twenty-five-year bonds.
Grant's renomination for the Presidency suited the stalwart Republicans of this county. However, the "reform" movement of the so-called "liberal Republicans" carried away about 200 of the leading members of the regular Republican party. The Times promptly condemned the defection and urged the party to support Grant.
"In this work before us we should meet liberal Republicans as we would fellow citizens in an hour of peril. Our purposes are one, and let us not imperil the result by feeding ancient grudges with bitter words. Party has been swallowed up by patriotism, and we should feel prouder than ever of our grand old party, that it has made such a sacrifice for the seeming good of the country. As between Grant and the notorious corruption which he feeds, and Greeley and the reforms which he embodies, there should be no hesitation which to choose."-(Herald, July 11, 1872.)
371
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
The fall campaign in 1872 was enthusiastic in the extreme on the part of the liberal Republicans. All the best local speakers of both parties took the stump and analyzed to applauding crowds the national issues. All voters were required to register. John H. O'Neill, who had gone to reside at St. Louis but had returned, came out for Grant and Wilson.
"When the war was raging and the life of the nation was at stake, Mr. O'Neill was an outspoken secessionist and gave utterance to sentiments which, were he tried for them before the proper tribunal, would convict him of treason."-(Herald, September 17, 1872.)
H. B. Foulke, of Dubuque, was elector-at-large on the liberal Republican ticket. Dr. E. A. Guilbert, of Dubuque, was liberal Republican candidate for secretary of state. M. M. Ham was chair- man of the Greeley club. George W. Jones in a long letter deplor- ing the course of recent politics, declared he was ready to march out of the ranks of Democracy and ready to join the opposition. At the November election the liberal Republican electors received 3,478 votes and the Republican electors 2,437 votes. The balance of the ticket except for sheriff was about the same in Dubuque county. For sheriff, Liddy (R.) received 3,092 votes and Jarrett (L. R.) 2,823. Greeley's death, late in November, called forth suitable obituary notices.
In 1873 the Grangers organized and became a powerful force in politics. The Herald deplored the "antics" of George W. Jones in "marrying himself to the Republican party" at Des Moines early in 1873. "Municipal reform" was the slogan of a large faction, regardless of party, in April, 1873. It was a sudden movement against the alleged high taxation necessary to pay the city debt and current expenses. The movement proved the blindness of the masses, because the tax was necessary to relieve them from a greater burden. The "reformers" organized, joined the Repub- licans, nominated H. P. Ward for mayor, and attacked the city administration under Mayors Knight and Burt. The Grangers organized at an immense meeting in the court room on March 28. The Democrats nominated A. H. Peaslee for mayor. The Times claimed at this time that the Democrats here were kept in power by the Germans, who were kept in line by an occasional "plum." The Democrats elected their city ticket, though the majorities werc sınall. For mayor, Peaslee (D.) received 1,470 and Ward (R.) 1,403.
In the fall of 1873, the Democrats, to win the favor of the Grangers, called themselves "Anti-Monopolists," and the Repub- licans used the term "People's ticket." Both conducted strong and aggressive campaigns. For governor, Carpenter (R.) received in Dubuque county 2,153 votes and Vale (D.) 3.566 votes. D. N. Cooley (R.) unexpectedly received 3,088 votes for senator to
372
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
2,589 for the old favorite. B. B. Richards. For county auditor, Mclaughlin (R.) received 3,148 and Hempstead (D.) 2,496. For county treasurer, Williams (R.) received 3,299 and Ruegamer (D.) 2,402. These results astonished the Democracy. They were mainly due to the Granger movement.
In the spring of 1874 the Democrats renominated A. H. Peaslee for mayor and the Republicans named Mr. Chapman. There were no new issues. The result was Peaslee (D.) 2,145 votes and Chapman (R.) 901. For marshall, Reutzinger (R.) received 1,847 and Hardy (D.) 1,183. Four Republican aldermen were elected against two Democratic aldermen.
In October the Republicans made herculean efforts to elect two out of three county supervisors in order to have a majority of the board, but failed. For Congress, Ainsworth (D.) received 3,295 votes in Dubuque county and Granger (R.) 1,838. Ainsworth was elected and was thus the first Democratic congressman from this district for many years. For secretary of state, Morgan (D.) received 3,258 and Young (R.) 1,920. Restraining stock-yes, 1,150; no, 2,499; increasing county board to five members-yes, 1,948; no, 3,000. The Democrats, particularly at Dyersville, held a very enthusiastic celebration of the election of Mr. Ainsworth. His opponent (Granger) was hung in effigy.
In April, 1875. James Cushing (R.) was chosen mayor over W. G. Stewart (D.) by 373 majority. D. E. Lyon (R.) was chosen city attorney over T. S. Wilson (D.) by about seventy-five majority.
"Unusual care should be taken this fall to nominate men that are exceptionally good, for during the past three years it has become evident that a Democratic nomination by no means insures an election. Of the five county officers at the court house, three are men who were elected in opposition to the nominees of Demo- cratic conventions-Williams, Mclaughlin and Lewis. This county now has a Republican senator, and though we had the three repre- sentatives two years ago, yet they were elected by small majorities of a couple of hundred or so. Of the three county supervisors the Republicans have one and came near electing another. All this is done in the face of the fact that Dubuque county is still as strongly Democratic as ever."-(Herald, August 28, 1875.)
"During ten years the Democrats wiped out an indebtedness of $433,000. They kept down taxation so that Dubuque has been among the lightest taxed counties of the state. There was no defalcation-no misappropriation of funds. County warrants were brought up to par. No frauds have been committed. They have had no credit mobiliers, no rings, no side-cuts, no salary grabs, no back pay, no short terms of office and then retiring unaccountably rich; yet in spite of a Democratic majority of 1.500, the people have become tired of them and sought other rulers. Why is it?
373
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
The Republicans have spent money and corrupted voters. Who has forgotten the Graves campaign, the Cooley campaign or the Cushing campaign ?"-(Herald, August 28, 1875.)
In the fall of 1875 the Graves faction again became paramount. The old Allison men-Shiras, Henderson, Lyon, Rich, Nightingale, Ballou, Torbert, Crane and others-were shoved aside, and the Graves adherents-Cooley, Rhomberg, Cushing, Coates, Howard, Robinson, Walker, Taylor, Lewis, Kingman, Blumenauer, Trick, Eliner Williams, Walker and others-assumed control of the Re- publican convention. Allison was in the Senate and safely out of the way. The vote in October, 1875, was: For governor, Kirk- wood (R.) 2,124, Leffler (D.) 4,047. Two Republicans-Graves and Johnson-were elected to the legislature. Williams (R.) for county treasurer defeated O'Brien (D.), 3,579 to 2,591. Internal strife split the county Democracy.
Politics was demoralized in Dubuque county in 1876; people were seeking a change. Both Democrats and Republicans nomi- nated George B. Burch for mayor ; he was liberal and a good busi- ness man. It is a remarkable fact that D. D. W. Carver, A. A. Cooper, John Hodgdon, W. H. Peabody, M. M. Ham and W. W. Woodward, all sound Democrats, refused to be nominated at this time for mayor. The issues were unsatisfactory. Burch and the Democratic ticket, except auditor, were elected by greatly varying majorities. "Unite parties and pay the city debt," is the slogan that won.
The presidential campaign in 1876 was very spirited in this county. There was a great cry against waving the "bloody shirt." "Tilden and reform" overran the county. Many able speakers addressed Dubuque county audiences. Excitement ran high just before the election. When it was first announced that Tilden was elected, Democrats could not restrain themselves ; then they settled down to await the result. The Tilden electors received 4,978 and the Hayes electors 2,798 votes. The Democrats swept the county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.