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 51
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The vicinity of Dyersville was first settled about 1837-8 by the Whitesides-Abraham, William. John and Mack. Hewitt, Henry Mouncey, Thomas Riggs and a little later John Christoph, Thomas Finn, Theophilus Crawford and others arrived. Many of the first settlers of this part of the county came almost directly from the counties of Somersetshire and Devonshire, England. Life here then was rude and wild, and privations and hardships were numerous and often appalling.
In 1847 James Dyer bought the land at Dyersville. James Dyer, Jr., came in 1848 and James Dyer, Sr., and William Dyer arrived the following year. Rev. William Trick arrived in June, 1849. He preached the first sermon in the place. In 1850 the Dyers projected a town at the present site of Dyersville, but for some reason delayed definite action. About this time other settlers located near, among whom were Henry Popham, James Plaister, Robert Whiting, John Gould, John Bailey and others, who had previously settled at Du- buque. In the winter of 1850-51 some half dozen of the residents, headed by the Dyers, had the town laid out and at once it began to assume shape and promise. George Hyler, James Plaister and A. Limback built early residences. Judge Dyer, in 1853, resided at Main and Chestnut streets, where he had a store, and at the start the Dyers planned a saw mill and a grist mill, and built both. A Mr. Col- lins was an early resident. In 1853 the Dyers built a log bridge over the river, which was used until 1869. In 1853 Orsemus F. Foote bought a half interest in the grist mill in course of construction, and at once began to erect a hotel-a two-story brick, which for many years was an immense advantage to the village and a great accom- modation to the traveling public-just what was needed.
In 1854 a postoffice was established here, other brick stores were. built, shops sprang up and soon the farmers could get here about
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all the supplies they required. A little later a Masonic lodge was organized and met over the store of Henry Popham. In 1855 cholera took away several lives and spread terror over the whole community. Six deaths occurred in one day. Doctors Cainer, Warmouth and Jones ministered to the wants of the sick, refusing to leave.
The postal route from Dubuque to Dyersville was established in March, 1853, at which time the latter village contained about 350 or 400 inhabitants. A good saw mill, run by water power, was already in operation. A large flour mill, a church, several stores and about a dozen dwellings were being erected. The Dubuque Express. in writing of the founder of this village, used the expression: "Judge James Dyer, an intelligent, temperate, active, enterprising and thoroughgoing business man of English birth." In June, 1853, Mr. Stanton, of Dyersville, exhibited in Dubuque a good specimen of slate from the premises of Judge Dyer, near Dyersville.
In 1855 Caleb C. Chester was postmaster at Dyersville. In October and November, 1855. James Dyer & Company advertised for sale building lots in the village of Dyersville, twenty-six miles west of Dubuque. He said : "We offer for sale building lots in this village, suitable for residences, shops, stores, etc., at very low prices, conditional on early improvements being made on them. Being on the straightest road to Independence, Cedar Falls, Fort Dodge, etc., and containing fine water power mills, hotel, churches, stores, lumber yard, etc., great inducements are presented to those wishing to find a permanent stopping place."
In December, 1856, John Stanton, of Dyersville, advertised that there were wanted in that town 10,000,000 brick, tinners' tools and one crocker machine. A brickmaker was wanted to open up busi- ness.
In the Weekly Express and Herald of December 3, 1856, a corre- spondent-H. C. K .- gives the following account of Dyersville, the information being furnished by Judge Dyer, T. F. Allen, Dr. Ford and others: "Dyersville is situated near the western edge of Du- buque county, twenty-seven miles from the city of Dubuque, on the banks of the north fork of the Maquoketa river, which winds through the town. Bear creek empties into the river at this place. The country surrounding is the best farming district in Dubuque county ; the soil is rich and strong. The town was laid out by Judge Dyer, from whom it derives its name, about four years since, and now numbers over seven hundred inhabitants. It is not yet incorporated, but soon will be. It has thus far labored under the disadvantages of river and railroad facilities, and goods and lumber have been wagoned at a high cost, consequently the population of the place has been seriously kept back by the want of houses and hotel accommodations, and hundreds who have come to settle have thuis been compelled to go elsewhere. The prospect of the speedy con-
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pletion of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad to this point has given a surprising impetus to all building operations. The town plat is nearly a mile square and contains over 500 acres. The town is owned principally by the Iowa Land Company and Judge Dyer. who offer the most liberal inducements to business concerns and home seekers. The rails for the railroad will be laid to this point by the middle of December or the first of January. As soon as tlie railroad shall be completed here this town will be made the starting point for all the stage lines to the westward and northward, thus avoiding the heavy grades near Dubuque. At least eight stages will arrive and depart daily, besides many extra vehicles. It is estimated that there is a daily average of four hundred teams on the different roads which converge into Dubuque, and that all must concentrate here. Already a fine brick station and freight depot have been erected here. Two new hotels are being built. The Western and Northwestern Stage companies are building stables. The proposed Northwestern & St. Paul Railroad will likely connect here with the Dubuque & Pacific. Talk of building a branch railroad to Coles- burg, about twelve miles away, is indulged in. Among the new buildings recently erected or now under way are the following: Station and freight depot, Dyer's hotel, John Young's hotel, William Dyer's commission house, Dyer's stable for the Western Stage Com- pany, same for the Northwestern Stage Company, same for Pierce & Hannum of Dubuque, F. J. Stanton's planing mill and sash factory, and the following projected buildings: Railroad engine and repair shop, Presbyterian church, Episcopalian church, graded school building to cost $2,000. There were standing, the Methodist church, Rev. Lee ; public school, Mr. Gano, teacher ; Young Ladies' Select school, Mrs. B. Douglas; Iowa Land Company, incorporated December, 1855, R. B. Mason, president ; T. F. Allen, secretary ; offices of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad. Three hotels were in operation, conducted by H. P. Rice, J. Olney and W. Hatch. In operation was a large grist mill, owned by Judge Dyer ; it was one of the largest and most complete flouring mills in the state. It was operated by water power from the river. The race was nearly a mile long and cost $8,000. T. J. Stanton and Bailey & Co. con- ducted saw mills. Among the stores were the large one with depart- ments, owned by Judge Dyer; D. C. Salisbury, dry goods; D. S. Smith, druggist and deputy postmaster; A. Hoynck, grocery; J. Waldor, grocery ; John Young, furniture ; Richard Green, furniture ; John Dyer, harness; H. Popham, wagons; A. Hoynck, bakery : Bethell, Toogood & Wilkinson, brewery ; Page & Day, stores. The physicians were S. L. Lord and E. Covell. The only lawyer was H. B. Allen. There were blacksmiths, tailors, shoemakers, brick yards and stone quarries. There were many fine residences in the place. Business lots on Main and Union streets were worth from $5 to $15 a front foot ; lots for private residences were rated from
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$50 to $150 each. About a mile from town was the fine farm of W. L. Randall, who was one of the largest wool growers in Iowa, owning at this time 1.500 sheep.
"In addition to my statistics of Dyersville property, I would wish to notice that a large addition has been made about a year since on the east side, which is called East Dyersville. This was laid out by John Stanton, F. Stanton and Miss Green, and plats recorded. On the East Dyersville plat are several fine dwellings, one furniture and general store, one wagon-maker's shop, and contracts are being made for the erection of a dry goods store, turner's shop and a bakery. The railroad and stage roads run through it. The county roads from Rockville. John's Creek, New Wine and Bankson con- centrate here. Richard Gadsden and John Stanton have deeded a lot for school district No. 7; it will be ready in the spring. The ladies of Dyersville have established and manage a public library. It is yet in its infancy, but standard works are on its shelves; Miss Green is the president. This addition is laid out in fine sized build- ing lots and are offered to actual settlers on liberal and easy terms." -(H. K. C. in E. & H., December 3, 1856). The Clarendon hotel at Dyersville was kept by Mr. Jackson in 1857. On July 25, 1857, the Jesup lands-2.520 acres-lying near Dyersville, in Delaware county, were offered for sale here at public auction. The sale was for the purpose of closing up the Jesup estate. In October or November, 1857, the Dyersville Mercury was first issued by F. J. Stanton. It was neutral in politics and its motto was "Devoted to Iowa, the Union and Ourselves."
In the winter of 1857-8 a lyceum was conducted in Dyersville, and a Masonic lodge was organized there. John Young made an assignment during the panic of that year.
Dyersville was located in a burr-oak opening on the Maquoketa river. In 1856-7 its population doubled. In the summer of 1857 seven stores were going up at one time-also a score or more of dwellings. There were three brick yards there. The Methodists were building a church to cost $10,000. Their old building was sold to the town and converted into a public school house, with L. Gano teacher. Randall Brothers conducted a banking business there-the only one in the place. There were one drug store, one hardware store, one tin shop, two wagon shops, one harness shop, two furni- ture stores, three blacksmith shops, three hotels, four dry goods stores and six groceries. The Clarendon House, owned by Judge Dyer, cost $30,000. A large warehouse was owned by B. P. Power & Co .- (Times, August 3, 1857).
The completion of the Dubuque & Pacific railroad to Dyersville in 1857 was an important event and at once caused the village to grow rapidly. The Clarendon hotel was erected about this time by Judge Dyer, and was leased by him. The railroad was continued westward, but the panic of 1857 fell upon this community as upon
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all else and business was dull and improvement languished. It was about this time that Henry and Barney Holscher and Rev. W. H. Heu di Bourgh located, the latter being a member of the Congre- gational church. He at once began to secure subscriptions for a church of that faith, and ere long the same was built. In the end he owned a large property near the village.
In April, 1858, the editor of the Dyersville Mercury published a strong appeal to the people of that village and vicinity to come for- ward and assist him to maintain his paper or he would be obliged to move his outfit to some other place. Owen McGee shot and killed Jerry Kelly at Dyersville in September, 1858. The house of Daniel Higgins, near Dyersville, was burned September 25, 1858, and was a total loss.
In March, 1859, Mr. Stanton, editor of the Dyersville Mercury, boasted that he had a "smattering knowledge" of the following tongues : Hebrew, Greek, English, Douay, Latin, Italian, French, Flemish and Spanish.
The Herald called Stanton "the Douay editor," and rejoiced when he was beaten by a printer named William Corbett.
"Piles on piles of airy nothings, gossamer castles, were upreared on the frail base of the imagination-on the cornerstone of a single isolated but almighty dollar."-(Stanton in Dyersville Mercury). "Git eout!"-(E. & H., June 25, 1859).
The Fourth of July. 1859. was publicly celebrated at Dyersville ; thirteen guns were fired at day break. A procession marched to wooded grounds, where L. M. Gano read the Declaration ; B. F. Fotterall de- livered the oration, and Colonel Rickard, of Dubuque, also addressed the assemblage. There was good music by Professor Flude and others. The military band was a feature. The day ended with a ball at the Clarendon hotel.
In describing the 4th of July ( 1859) celebration at Dyersville the Mercury said: "The anniversary of that glorious day which gave a distinctness to all the energies of the patriots of '76, that gave a soul-stirring earnestness to all the noble deeds which they accom- plished ; that struck the keynote of the heart-strung sympathies of a people whose children and children's children should hand down to posterity this heirloom and eternally entailed heritage of heaven- directed nobility ; at early morn the reverberating echoes of distant hills, where awakened from their apathetic slumber, the vales of the North Maquoketa gave birth to echoes whose like was never heard since Jehovah's thunders called them into being. * * Here a grand federal salute greeted the ear which, with hundreds of happy throats, swelled the baptismal anthem, making the welkin ring again with its awakening echoes."
In April, 1861, the citizens of Dyersville voted as to who should be postmaster of that town, and John Dyer won by two majority. Dyersville was established in 1861 as an independent
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school district under the code. George Rebman's house, near Dyers- ville, was burned down August 14, 1864. The family was absent. Two farmers, George Kruepfel and Mr. Leopard, were held up and robbed near Dyersville in September, 1865. They were on horse- back when two men with pistols held them up. Kruepfel handed over $100. A boy with them had Io cents which they took. Jerry Boland built the Dyersville bridge in 1865. In June, 1865, a party of four or five persons were drowned at Dyersville. They had attended a wedding at Colesburg and on their return, while attempt- ing to cross Bear creek, which was greatly swollen, were drowned. They were Mr. Storker, Mr. Adam, Mrs. Adam and child, and per- haps others.
In January, 1866, Dyersville shipped 3.720 hogs, which, at $10 per hundred, were worth $93,297.20. A flood, in February, 1867, swept away the wagon bridge at Dyersville.
In April, 1868, Rev. R. Swearingen and Rev. J. W. Hanson debated at Dyersville the question of future state, the former main- taining the doctrine of endless punishment and the latter that of universal salvation ; they did not settle the question. In 1868 among the leading business houses of the place were T. D. Hall, store and hotel: Chesterman & Trick, agricultural warehouse and hardware store ; Collins & Schemmel, an agricultural warehouse; W. Dyer, extension to elevator ; Moreland & Kramer, a new store; Halscher Bros., grain elevator, which was previously owned by J. B. Hawley ; Limbeck & Co., store; Moreland & Stocker, store; Rohenkohl & Son, store. John Dyer was postmaster about 1865-6, but it then passed to D. L. Smith.
The following is a summing up of Dyersville in 1869: Claren- don hotel, 70 to 80 rooms, built by James Dyer in 1856-7; Congre- gational church, Rev. H. L. Chase; Methodist church, Rev. J. McCormick: Roman Catholic church, Rev. Fr. Kortencamp; Lu- theran, supplied from Dubuque ; public graded school, N. W. Boyes, principal ; merchants, A. Limbeck & Co .; Halscher & Bro., hard- ware; J. B. Hawley; Raper & Trum; Collins & Scheminel; F. Luthners, woolen factory; Chesterinan & Trick, Robelcol & Kramer: Jolin Dyer, etc. There were two grain elevators, two breweries, Doctors Kepler, Tremain, Miller and Menges; J. D. Alson, lawyer; A. Kroffl, Gadsden, Halscher & Co. and Sexton, grain buyers. At this date Dyersville was one of the largest ship- ping points for its size in the state. Immense quantities of hogs. grain and wild fowl were sent to market. There were three lumber yards, grist mill of J. Schemmel & Co., Masonic Lodge No. 132.
In 1870 a new bridge was built to take the place of the one washed away a year or two before.
In 1870-1 Dyersville and Cascade had rival baseball teams that met on more than one desperately fought field ; they also had rival billiardists. In one baseball game played at Dyersville April 1, 1871,
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the score was Dyersville 50, Cascade 26. In 1873 Rose & Son founded the Dyersville Commercial. In 1880 Charles E. Sloop became connected with it; the sheet was Democratic.
Dyersville was incorporated in 1872; the new town started as such with a population of about 1,000; forty-nine persons petitioned to have the place incorporated. William Trick was elected mayor ; J. A. Limback, treasurer; John Morley, recorder ; A. Limback, C. C. Chesterman, D. S. Smith, A. Kropfl and A. Muehe, council.
The large Howe truss bridge at Dyersville was erected in 1874 at a cost of $4,500.
The Teutonia band was in existence in 1874. On the question of a new school house to cost $7,000, in 1874, the vote of the corpo- ration stood-for the house, 115; against it, 87. The building was duly erected ; it was of brick and stone, 44 x 56 feet. By 1875 the leading streets were macadamized and put in good condition, side- walks were built and other needed improvements made from the license fees of the saloons; the license was $100 annually. The following is a summing up of the town in 1875: Merchants, A. Limback & Co., Holscher Bros., William Trick, John Christoph, the Godsdens, the Schemmels, David Smith, Nick Till, Bunker, Burley, Morley, Rohenkohl, Alsop, Rose and others. In October the new brick school house was nearly finished, at a cost of about $8,000, and with a capacity of about 400 pupils.
In December, 1895, the Farmers' State Bank of Dyersville organ- ized and prepared to do business on Main street, their building cost- ing $4,800. The officers were Adolph Lange, president ; John B. Utt, vice-president ; Ben Schemmel, cashier. Business was begun in January, 1896. In 1904 the city had two banks, six general stores, three hardware stores, four manufacturing plants, three grain ele- vators, two wholesale liquor houses, two breweries, one creamery, four lawyers, two real estate offices, three physicians, three milliners, excellent graded and parochial schools, and Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal and Lutheran churches.
In 1881 A. Limback & Co. conducted a large creamery. The German State Bank was established in 1886, with a capital of $25,000, of which $15,000 was owned by Dubuque capitalists.
In 1889 Dyersville had two newspapers, a bank, was a famous hog market, had 254 business houses of all kinds, and in 1888 had spent a total of $210,295 in buildings of all sorts. In that year the total business of the German State Bank was $1,250,000. In busi- ness enterprises there was invested about $1,000,000. The total postoffice business was $15,695. The Catholic church was one of the finest in Iowa and cost about $115,000. The News Letter was established in 1888-9.
The Hickory Valley Creamery Company was incorporated in 1891, and Richard Barry became president. This year the News Letter and the Commercial were official organs of the county ; Chris
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Smith edited the latter. In 1893 the town erected its city hall and engine house, 40 X 112 feet, and duly dedicated it on October 24. Hon. John B. Utt was orator. In 1896 Henry Steffen sued Mayor D. A. Gehrig for $10,000 damages for assault ; upon committing the assault the mayor promptly pleaded guilty before a justice and paid a fine of $1, but this did not satisfy Mr. Steffen. The Dyers- ville Canning Company was established in 1900; in 1902 it put up I 50,000 cans of corn. The Harvest Home picnic in 1906 brought out a large crowd. A fire in August, 1907, destroyed about $30,000 worth of property. In 1909 the Waterloo Canning Company leased the establishment of the Dyersville Canning Company. The First National Bank of Dyersville opened its doors in January, 1910, with Frank L. Drexler as president.
Dyersville, in 1910, was lighted by electricity, had fire department, opera house, two or three banks, two weekly newspapers-Commer- cial and News Letter-many excellent stores-dry goods, hardware, clothing, boots and shoes, jewelry, drugs, groceries, etc., saloons, lumber yards, physicians and surgeons, shops of all sorts, dentists, marble works, lawyers, undertakers, contractors, mills, furniture, photographer, churches for the Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans and Methodists, a malting company, etc.
The village of New Vienna was first settled in 1844 by Fred Rohenkohl. H. Tauke, John Fangmann and H. Weichmann. It was first platted as New Wein. Henry Schemmel was first post- master. About 1846-7 Mr. Fangmann built a saw mill on the river ; in 1865 a grist mill was erected near. About 1848 Frederick Rohen- kohl started the first store. Henry Schemmel & Brothers established a woolen mill about 1849. John Klosterman taught the first school. The woolen factory and flouring mill were destroyed by fire in November, 1863; nearly 3,000 bushels of wheat were burned; the loss was about $13,000 ; a large quantity of wool was destroyed; the property belonged to the estate of Joseph Schemmel. Frank Knippling was interested in the property and lost heavily. New Vienna was incorporated in 1895 in response to a petition signed by thirty-two citizens. There were polled 56 votes, 42 . for the incorporation and 14 against it. The officers elected were John Vorwald, mayor ; J. W. Schaetzel, recorder ; H. Huberty, J. Kerper, John Wessels, Jr., A. Lange, T. B. Boeckenstadt and Joseph E. Erdmann, trustees.
In 1904 New Vienna had three general stores, one hotel, one harness shop, one furniture dealer and undertaker, one brewery, one restaurant, one physician, one blacksmith, and two wagon shops.
Taylor Township (township 88 north, range I west). This por- tion of the county was quite early settled-had election precincts and road districts for several years prior to the creation and organi- zation of the township proper. The voters in 1838 went to the house of Jacob Hamilton, on the Great Maquoketa, to vote. The first
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settlers had to go to Dubuque to get their mail, but in 1840 received it at what is now Cascade .. In September. 1840, it was made a part of White Water election precinct, and in December of the same year was assigned to the first county commissioner's district. As originally created in February, 1843, it was part of four townships, which cornered at sections 20, 21, 28 and 29 ( see elsewhere herein ). It thus remained until February 7, 1849, when Taylor Township was created and then embraced the present Dodge Township. On January II, 1850, Taylor was cut down to its present boundaries, and elections were ordered held at the house of Peter Melingner.
This portion of the county contained good citizens. Daniel Hogan arrived in 1837. Other early ones were the Wilmotts, Briggs, Kidders, Johnsons, Youngs, Walkers, McKees, Hatches, Wilsons, Grafforts, Kelioes, Smiths, Dickinsons, Shermans, Kennedys, Grays, Jennings, Greenwoods, Murphys, Tracys, Healeys, McDer- motts, Striefs and many others.
In 1854 the famous "boiling springs" of this township first be- came generally known. There were originally seven large springs flowing into a common outlet and all furnishing enough water power for several mills. Mr. Smith became the owner of them in 1854; later Mr. Sherman became associated with him and soon they had one of the best stock and grain farms of the county.
Epworth originally comprised forty acres and was laid out by Dr. William Johnson and the village was named in honor of the birth- place of John Wesley. The first residents were Hezekiah Young. Otis Briggs and Zephaniah Kidder, who were there in 1855, a short time before the plat was made. Hiram Young was there early also.
The postoffice of Hogansville, named for Daniel Hogan, was established about 1840 at what is now Epworth, but no village grew up there until the survey of the railroad in 1855. In the spring of that year eighty acres were platted and the name of the postoffice was changed from Hogansville to Epworth.
The proposed construction of the Illinois Central railroad (known through this county in 1855 and later as the Dubuque & Pacific railroad) was the cause of the platting, settlement and growth of Epworth. Several years earlier a store at Drake's, about one mile east of Epworth, was opened by Benjamin H. Wilmott ; in the spring of 1855 he moved his store to Epworth. Mr. Kidder erected a building and started a store. E. G. French built a small hotel and also opened a small store. After a short time Robert Wilmott succeeded B. H. Wilmott in charge of the store. Otis and Thomas G. Briggs began burning bricks in 1855. The village grew rapidly. David and John Edwards opened the Graffort House the first year. It was well kept and became favorably known. E. G. French taught the first school in 1855-6. Other early resi- dents were J. V. McCune, Silas Moore, William Magill, Philip
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