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 52
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
Keagy, Jacob Wynant, Rev. S. T. Wells, Frank Richardson, A. S. Atkinson, a blacksmith, Dr. W. B. Fox, W. W. Wilkinson, Mr. Alexander, J. T. Williams. O. J. Metcalf and David Edwards.
J. H. and Edward Dodson conducted an early store ; so did Alex- ander & Company. Edward Tuttle was a painter. Epworth Lodge No. 84, A. F. & A. M., was founded in 1856. In 1857 Dr. E. Jackson, a homeopathist, was here, and Benjamin Goodrick con- ducted a shoe shop and store.
On July 4, 1857, the Methodist Sunday schools for Dyersville, Bankston's Prairie, Center Grove, Rockdale and the Union met at Epworth with the Sunday school there to celebrate the day. The Epworth school received the others at the station. All marched to Seminary Grove, where the Declaration was read by Dr. William Johnson, of Epworth, and addresses delivered by Rev. P. E. Brown and Rev. E. L. Stout, both of Dubuque.
In September, 1857, the Times contained the following account of Epworth: "It now numbers some 350 inhabitants and is daily increasing. There are many inducements to settle here. There are four stores in the place. A tinware and stove depot, owned by S. Young, and a very fine boot and shoe establishment, carried on by Goodrich & Watkins. The Methodist society have a nice church in the place. The Presbyterians are now building a fine house of worship. The new academy, now nearly completed, is a beautiful structure and admirably adopted to the purpose for which it is de- signed. Its cost, when completed, will be nearly or quite $8,000. and it must ever be an ornament to Epworth. We are informed the institution will open some time in November. There are two hotels here. One is kept by J. D. Graffort."-(Cor. Times, September 5, 1857.
At Epworth in 1858 wheat was reported half a crop ; potatoes were infected with rot. A new and fine steam flouring mill was being erected, to which a saw mill with power for lathes and cabi- net shop, was attached. The owners were Ridder & Chesterman. The main building was 30x40 feet and cost $10,000. The seminary was in a flourishing condition, with goodly attendance. Examina- tions of the public schools were satisfactory.
Bethel cemetery is one and one-half acres, donated by James McGee for burial purposes. Most of the early Protestant settlers of that locality have been buried there, the first interment being that of Joseph Jenkins in 1856. After that it filled up rapidly until about 1875, when the early settlers began to disperse. Bethel church was erected about 1855, opposite the cemetery, on an acre of ground donated by John Hilman, and was used for worshiping purposes most of the time until 1875. while it was left vacant until 1884, when sold to I. L. McGee and removed off the ground and used for a barn. The few members left were transferred to Farley parish.
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The Fourth of July was celebrated at Epworth, the academy pupils under Rev. Keeler leading. Rev. Robert Collier delivered an address there. Rev. Mr. Brush, president of the Upper Iowa Uni- versity, also delivered an address. At the celebration in the woods D. N. Cooley, of Dubuque, delivered the principal oration.
From 1860 to 1865 the following were at Epworth: Shoe store by Benjamin Goodrich, mill owned by Mr. Kidder, academy, two or three churches, excellent public schools, a moral atmosphere superior to any in the county ; the big store of Robert Wilmott, another by Metcalf & Vibber, another by P. Keagy, blacksmiths, carpenters, stone and brick masons, milliner, etc. In 1867 a large co-operative union store was established, owing to the high prices and hard times. In 1861 Silas Moore was postmaster. He con- ducted a hotel, the Graffort house having been destroyed by fire in 1859. J. D. Graffort, of Dubuque, had owned this house, which was conducted by Mr. Osborn at the time of the burning.
Previous to 1870 the seminary was the property of the Upper Iowa Conference, but in that year it fell to the ownership of the Methodist church. In 1879 Epworth was incorporated upon the petition of thirty-five residents. At this time they claimed not less than 300 population. At the incorporation election eighty-three votes were polled, fifty-six for incorporation and twenty-seven against incorporation. The town has a regular corporation tax. The officers in 1880 were J. M. Kirkpatrick, mayor ; Joseph Fogg, recorder ; J. B. Albrook, John W. Foster, Timothy French, T. J. Briggs, William Mckinlay and Daniel Durham, trustees. Iowa Lodge No. 324. I. O. O. F., was instituted in 1875, and Epworth Lodge No. 135, A. O. U. W., in 1877. The Epworth Seminary Association was incorporated in 1880.
Epworth now has Baptist, Catholic and Methodist churches, a bank, excellent schools, several general and special stores, hotels, liveries, physicians, milliners, grocery and hardware stores, con- tractors, lumber yards, barbers, dressmakers, teachers, stock dealers, drug stores, farm implement shops, etc.
Farley .- It seems that Joseph G. Wilson, in the fall of 1852, was among the first to locate at what is now Farley. He erected a frame house. Lawrence McGuigan located there in 1853. When the railroads were built in 1856-7 he sold out to the Iowa Land Company and the latter at once platted the village. The place was named in honor of Jesse P. Farley, of Dubuque, who was actively and prominently connected with the construction of both railroads. The village at once began to grow, Daniel Hill, E. A. Irwin, Dennis Sullivan, John Kimball, John Lehee, the Walkers and many others being among the first residents. The Sherman house was built early.
The W. G. Long residence was burned in May, 1863. The move- ment of the Good Templars against the liquor interests in 1868 was
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notable. The citizens were determined to keep out the grog shops. In October, 1863, the cornerstone of the Catholic church at Farley was laid ; 300 persons were present. Father McGauran celebrated mass and Father Maloney, of Holy Cross, conducted the services of dedication.
In 1872 the Stoll elevator at Farley burned down. It contained sixteen carloads of grain.
By 1869 there were at Farley the following improvements : Norling & Fitzgerald, store; A. C. Walker & Co., store; Vibber & Co., store; McGee Brothers. store; A. Maryatt, store ; Catholic and Methodist churches, pastor of the former, Rev. Fr. McGauran, and of the latter, Rev. Mr. Houghton, from Epworth; three hotels; A. Gillespie, teacher; W. B. Dubois and W. H. Tuthill, lumber dealers; Samuel J. Thompson, agricultural implements ; H. Stoll, elevator ; Smith & Kephart, cheese factory, etc.
In 1871 the Farmers' Harvest Home assemblies commenced. They were held in the woods near town and drew large crowds and were the means of uniting the people in the cause of industry, edu- cation, morality and good citizenship. Alexander McKee was president in 1871. The next year Robert Wilmott served as such and A. C. Walker was secretary. The "home" has been held often ever since. In 1886 P. F. Walker was president. As many as 6,000 people have been present at the annual meetings. In 1875 a big fire at Farley destroyed the railway machine shops. In Sep- tember, 1875, the Methodist Episcopal church was dedicated by Rev. E. K. Young: it cost about $4,000. In 1879 Farley was incorporated as a town, thirty-six persons signing the petition. At the election seventy-two voted for incorporation and fifty-seven against it. The Ryans, of Dubuque, contemplated a packing plant at Farley, but it did not materialize.
A very destructive fire at Farley in January, 1896, caused the loss of over $25,000 in property. Among the losers were Loomis, Vibber & Heald, Ransom, Newton, Ewen, Cattron, Plunkett, Asquitt, Bank of Farley and several societies. The Loomis opera house block was almost wholly destroyed.
Farley in 1910 had Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist and Presby- terian churches, graded schools, two banks, two newspapers- Advertiser and News -- general stores, and stores of hardware, drugs, jewelry, milliners, etc., resturants, hotels, liveries, doctors, lawyers, dentists, furniture, harness, real estate, lumber yards, shops, water works, undertakers, live stock dealers, etc.
The Farley State Bank was organized June 26, 1906, with a capital of $25,000. B. E. Loomis and J. B. Cook solicited sub- scriptions to the stock. There are about seventy stockholders, mainly farmers. On January 1, 1907, the deposits amounted to $35,436.82; on January 25, 1911, they were $264,572.65. The first officers were J. P. Sanner, president ; B. D. Heald, vice-presi-
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dent; F. S. Ferring, cashier, and they still manage the institution. The bank pays 41/2 per cent on time deposits.
Farley was incorporated in 1879, with A. C. Walker, mayor ; R. L. Vibber, treasurer ; Charles A. Joseph, recorder; J. F. Wil- mott, street commissioner and marshal; A. T. Garner, J. J. Wilson, L. N. Arcouit, D. Moynihan, S. Goodale and Solomon Carpenter, trustees. The city has a library association. Nearby are the famous. Farley quarries of building stone.
Kidder Siding is a small place in the northeast part, and Placid another in the southeast part.
Cascade Township (township 87 north, range 2 west ) was. organized as road districts and election precincts before the town- ship as such had an official existence.
As an election precinct it was Great Maquoketa in 1838 and elections were held at the house of Jacob Hamilton. It was also called White Water precinct. In August, 1839, elections were held at the house of Joseph Hewitt. Patrick Finn, James H. Kirkpatrick and Willis Thompson were judges of election. The military road was built in 1839 and thereafter Cascade had a postoffice of its own. Arthur Thomas was postmaster at the "Falls" in 1840. In 1840 the township was in the third county commissioners' district. As first created, in 1843, the township embraced parts of the present townships of Cascade, White Water, Taylor and Dodge. It was given its present boundaries in 1849.
Nicholas Delong was the first settler of Cascade township. He first came in 1834, when he plowed a small tract and planted it in corn. The next spring he returned and sowed a field of wheat. In 1836 he brought out his family, consisting of wife, daughter Susan and five sons, William, Jolin, Parley. Jacob and Perry. His cabin was located on the present townsite. John Sherman arrived about 1836 and bought a part of the water power and in partner- ship with Arthur Thomas about 1837 erected the first flouring mill and began business. At the same time they established a store and built a hotel. The next year the Delong brothers built the first saw mill about two miles above. Previous to his arrival here Nicholas Delong had been a miner, probably at Dubuque and per- haps at Galena. In about 1841 Caleb Bucknam, whose daughter married G. G. Banghart, bought the Delong property, and in 1842 laid out the village. Alvin Burt, Peter Summers, Egbert Macom- ber, C. O. Freeman, Elan Rafferty, Lyman Dillon, Mahlon Lupton, John Rafferty and Asa Leek were all early settlers of this township. L. A. Styles was postmaster-about 1842. W. W. Hamilton arrived about 1842. G. G. Banghart kept a large general store. Judge Taylor was here early.
Joseph Dean, Caleb Bucknam, Levi A. Styles, Peter Knoop, WV. W. Hamilton, Arthur Thomas, Alonzo Meecham, Asa Leek,. Nathan W. Dotan. John Gibson were all useful citizens.
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
The citizens of the North Fork of Maquoketa, on February 17, 1838, assembled and organized for the protection of their pre- emption rights and for the regulation of their claims. They adopted a constitution and assumed the name "North Fork of Maquoketa Association" for the mutual protection of settlers' claims on gov- ernment lands. No settler could have more than three quarter sec- tions of land. No person under sixteen years could hold a claim. The following were the officers: Charles W. Harris, president ; Webster M. Dowell, vice-president; Francis M. Hamilton, secre- tary ; Abraham Daniels, Samuel Groff, John Hanley, Fielden Braden, James Hoffman, Thomas Owens, E. Richardson, Vincent D. Smith and James B. Powell, grand committee.
The water power was the origin of Cascade, both of the name and the village. The military road, after 1839, was extensively traveled and caused Cascade to grow. Caleb Bucknam bought out the Delongs about 1840 and laid out the west town. Lyman Dillon owned the saw mill and G. G. Banghart opened a store. James Cooley was here early : also the Powells, Hamiltons, Smiths and McGintys. Mr. Bucknam donated land to the Catholic and Prot- estant churches and to their cemeteries. In 1842 the place was called West Cascade in the records of the county. About this time a road was established from Cascade westward to the county seat of Delaware county. The act of February 16, 1842, declared the Big Maquoketa a navigable highway. A large temperance meet- ing at the house of Arthur Thomas in 1842 organized with twenty persons and with William Collins as president. The Methodists organized in 1841 and erected a church in 1844. The Congrega- tionalists built in 1845.
About fifty Irish families, just over from Europe and now at St. Louis, sent one of their number, a young Irishman, to Dubuque county to select a location for all of them. He selected points along the Maquoketa in the southwestern part of Dubuque county. -(Bloomington Herald, June 10, 1842. )
A mass meeting of the citizens of Cascade was held at the Metho- dist church in that village on January 29, 1848, to take into con- sideration the expediency of making Cascade a point upon the contemplated Dubuque & Keokuk railroad, according to the charter granted by the last legislature. William Johnson was chosen presi- dent of the meeting; Joseph Dean, vice-president, and N. P. Cook and W. S. Hall, secretaries. The following committee to draft resolutions was appointed: Dr. B. F. Dewey, George Banghart, John McGinty, James S. Hamilton and Joshua Johnson. The meeting was addressed by George Banghart, C. O. Freeman, Dr. B. F. Dewey and Rev. L. H. Woodford. The resolutions warmly favored the selection of Cascade as a point on this contemplated railroad line.
In 1847 William Lawther & Co. conducted a large store in Cas-
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cade. The leading hotel at this date was managed by Henry Miller. William W. Hamilton, a Scotchman and a lawyer, was here early and became very prominent.
At a large railroad meeting in Cascade in December, 1852. G. G. Banghart served as chairman and Dr. G. W. Trumbull as secretary. W. S. Hall, T. S. Denson, L. Barnett, Lemuel Litton and Alfred Darling were present. The inhabitants here were endeavoring to secure the Dubuque & Pacific railway, or any other. The McGinty- Clark murder and suicide occurred near Cascade in 1855. By August, 1856, the village had a population of about 450 people. McCann was hotelkeeper. At this date there were seven or eight merchants, the big flour mill owned by the Chews, saw mill, brick yard, private schools, the academy, mechanics, blacksmiths, etc. James Hill laid out a large addition to the village. John Bates resided here.
In an examination before David F. Barr, justice, at Cascade, in June, 1857, Michael Flanigan was given a preliminary trial for the murder of James Newell by striking him on the head with an ax handle. Both resided in Jones county. The defendant was bound over to court in the sum of $4,000, on the charge of manslaughter. Bail was furnished. The alleged crime was committed at Francis M. McNally's grocery. Charles Winchel, a storekeeper, saw the blow struck. William Bucknam, a shopkeeper, was a witness. At this date Ruthorp owned a shop, Taylor had a store and Dr. Baker practiced medicine, also Dr. Beman. Frank May's brewery was there in 1856.
A grand mass meeting to be held at Cascade July 25, 1857, was called to consider the proposed new constitution. The best speakers from Dubuque were advertised to be present. Resolutions against the proposed new constitution were passed. In July, 1857, a mob of over 300 men surrounded the dwelling of Jack Parrot, of Cas- cade, intent on hanging him on the charge of horse stealing. At this time Parrot was constable of the township.
Cascade in 1858 had a population of nearly 1,000. Over seventy- five new buildings, it was claimed. were erected in 1858. They were built on both sides of the river. The falls in the river gave rise to the name Cascade, and were about nine feet high. There were two large mills at the town-a flouring mill on one side of the river and a saw mill on the other. There were four large dry goods stores, one drug store and several grocery stores. There were four churches already up and two more being erected. A large brick academy and a brick public school were in flourishing condition. There were five blacksmith shops, three wagonmaker shops, two cabinet shops, besides carpenters, shoemakers, tailors, etc. - (Ed. Acsac in Dubuque Herald; the name reversed spells Cascade. )
In 1858 Cascade Academy was under the superintendence of Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Wilson, A. M. The fourth session of this school
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began Monday, September 7, 1858. Instruction in all branches usually taught in colleges was given. The tuition was from $4 to $8. The trustees were Anthony S. Chew, G. W. Trumbull and W. W. Hamilton.
In July, 1858, wheat near Cascade was not over half a crop; oats were injured by rust, but the corn prospect was good. The Cascade Juvenile Vigilance Committee enforced the hog law-they penned utp about thirty head at one time and asked owners to pay charges and take them away. The Cascade Philomathean Society held regular meetings; the Masons had just organized, and despite the hard times and uncertain currency about twenty new dwellings were erected in 1858. The Catholics were about to commence on a new church there, the Methodists already had laid the basement of their large brick church in the eastern part .- (Cascade cor. E. & H., July 20, 1858.) A tornado swept through the county about two miles west of Cascade in July, 1858, prostrating crops and timber. Cyrus Goff was a brick manufacturer ; Hastings and Scott were at work in the "gold mine" near Cascade; the Irish neighborhood near Cas- cade was in a prosperous condition.
In 1858 Thomas Palmer was indicted for keeping a gambling house at Cascade. He kept a saloon there. He was found guilty by a jury in the District court before Judge T. S. Wilson.
In 1858 there were three new mail routes extending out from Cascade: from Cascade to Iowa City, from Cascade to Tipton, from Cascade to Wyoming. In August there were eight mail routes coming into or passing through the village.
The academy at Cascade was conducted by Professor Wilson in 1858. During the spring term there were about seventy pupils in attendance. While out hunting with a party of men a Mr. Con- nelley, of Cascade, accidentally shot a young man named Banghart with a full charge, but did not kill him.
On July 4, 1862, Cascade turned out to celebrate. The Declara- tion was read by Prof. C. W. Von Coelin and speeches were deliv- ered by M. B. Mulkern, Austin Adams and J. M. King. Washing- ton's farewell address was read by Doctor Trumbull. Simon Cham- berlain was postmaster in 1863.
The following citizens of Cascade, in August, 1864, notified the public that the new Cascade Academy, with the ablest and most experienced teachers, would be open for the reception of students September 15: G. W. Trumbull, John Taylor, G. G. Banghart, W. S. Hall, T. J. Chew, T. Litton and L. and L. Benham. Prof. J. Nolan, A. M., was principal. Sixty students were enrolled by November I.
In 1864 the paper mill two miles from Cascade was established by Mullally, Hutchins & Co. They first made wrapping paper, mainly from rye and oat straw, but later advanced to printing paper. The main building was 30x40 feet and two stories high.
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McNulty was connected with the company. He seems to have secured Hutchins' interest. Their paper was on the market in Du- buque in November and was exhibited at the county fair. In October, 1869, the mill was destroyed by fire caused by the explo- sion of a kerosene lamp. The loss was estimated at $30,000.
The Spring Valley mills on section 26 were built in about 1870 by F. Gilleger and had three run of stone.
In December, 1866, there was published in the Dubuque Herald the following description of Cascade abridged: Cascade is on the Maquoketa river, where there were falls about ten feet high, with power sufficient for forty or fifty pairs of buhrs. The town was in a heavily timbered section and was surrounded with a well settled and prosperous farming community. The Cascade flouring mill, owned by T. Chew, but leased by Crane Brothers, had four run of stone. T. Chew ran a saw mill; Thomas Crawford & Co. ran a cabinet factory ; there were several stores and shops; German Cath- olic church, Rev. M. Lynch; Irish Catholic church, same pastor ; a new Catholic church just finished, 100x50 feet, built of stone; new Methodist church, Rev. Wortz; Baptist church, Rev. Reas; New Presbyterian church, Rev. Sawhill; Second Advent church, Rev. Huff ; Cascade Academy, R. G. Gislon, principal, and two district schools.
In November, 1867, Cascade liad a population of about 1,000, seven dry goods stores, seven groceries, three drug stores, three hotels, three schoolhouses, six churches, a large grist mill, a saw mill, two cabinet and other shops, three wagon and carriage makers, four blacksmiths, four shoe shops, a distillery, doctors, lawyers, etc. In 1868 one span of the Cascade mill, then under construction, fell into the river, carrying down eight men. No lives were lost, but the property loss was about $2,500. The Cascade Pioneer was established early by C. H. Monger and did a great deal to build up the town and improve the community under J. W. Baldwin.
September 19, 1878, was a great day for Cascade. The first ground was turned on the narrow gauge railroad which extended from Bellevue to that town. About 2,500 people were present when John W. Tripp threw the first shovelful of earth. A large pro- cession, under Chief Marshal R. R. Creston, paraded the streets and marched out to the grove, where the speaking took place. Fred O'Donnell was orator of the day, but speeches were also made by Gen. L. A. Wright, Dennis A. Mahony, Dennis O'Brien, Mr. Tripp and others. The first locomotive arrived at Cascade in December, 1879.
The stock fair held at Cascade in 1880 was well attended and a success. Many excellent animals were exhibited. At this date, De- cember, 1880, the village was incorporated as a town. There were 161 votes, of whom 128 favored incorporation and 32 opposed it. In 1881 a squad of people at Cascade tarred and feathered a
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man, whereupon he commenced suit against them for damages. In 1886 a new bank was established, with B. B. Richards, of Dubuque, as president.
The fair at Cascade in 1891 was attended by 5,000 people on the best day. It had already given fame to this little town. "No man's land," at Cascade, began to be famous about this time. The five hundred yard law concerning liquor selling was the cause in this town, situated in two townships, in two counties and on the two sides of the river. There was almost open war between the Jones county officials and the saloonkeepers of Cascade. The Cascade opera house was built in the early nineties. The Cascade bank and the Farmers 'and Merchants' bank gave much needed accommo- dation to business men. In 1894 the Cascade water works were put in for $10,792 by the Smedley Manufacturing Company. Two hose carts and about 1,000 feet of hose were secured. The cor- poration tax in 1895 was $1,082.45. The Cascade Light & Power Company was established in 1895 with D. M. Finley president. It began with a capital of $7,000 and with about twenty-five to thirty lights.
In December, 1895, thirty-six of the heaviest shippers of Cas- cade-merchants, live stock dealers, foundrymen, mill owners, lum- bermen, liquor dealers and other shippers-petitioned the State Board of Railroad Commissioners, asking that the railway service be improved. Twenty-six carloads of corn for Cascade were not forwarded for want of cars. A short crop necessitated the importa- tion of this grain.
In 1896 the Cascade Courier was established by Bruce Baldwin. The county joined Cascade in 1897 and both held a joint fair that was a signal success. This was the sixth successful fair held at Cascade. There was a good track and a number of fast horses present. A baseball tournament was scheduled, with prizes of $100, $60 and $40. Five thousand people attended. The fairs of 1898 and 1899 were successful, though interest began to wane.
Cascade in 1904 had a water system, electric light plant, two newspapers-Pioneer and Katholischer-Cascade mills, two banks, two creameries, one railroad and German Catholic, Irish Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist churches.
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