USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 61
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Rockford-A. R. Prescott, George Wyatt and Horace Stearns; Floyd-Moses Conger, Chester Butterfield and H. Wilbur; River- ton-S. Clark, Charles Young and Jacob Beck; Union-D. Ripley, Isaac Teeples and John Wallace; Niles-Newman Dutcher, Rowe and J. B. Dawley; Rock Grove-T. T. Gilbert, W. W. Roberts and J. Hemphill ; Ulster-John Ball, -Welch and John Chapman; Cedar-D. Crawford, W. B. Howard and Isaac Nadin; St. Charles-M. Gilbert, R. W. Humphrey and J. Blunt. Adjourned to July 2.
At the meeting July 2, a committee was appointed to ascertain where public bridges were necessary, and the amount to be ex- pended upon each bridge; and they resolved that $12,500 should be raised by tax, to be expended as follows: At St. Charles, $3,000; Floyd, $3,000; Rockford, $2,000; Rock Grove, $2,000; Union, $2,000; Cedar, $200; on the main road leading from St. Charles to Marble Rock, over Flood Creek, $100; on Flood Creek, near John Balls, in Ulster, $100; and on Flood Creek, on the county road, west of Abram G. Shroll's, $100. A committee was appointed to draft a petition to circulate and present to the County Court. Adjourned sine die.
An editorial appeared in the next issue of the Intelligencer, ad- vocating the issue of county bonds, on the ground that the people were apt to be too loth to vote a direct tax upon themselves.
Others advocated the issue of county warrants, which would be receivable for taxes; but warrants were more liable to depreciate than bonds, and the idea of issuing them was abandoned.
The iron bridges in the county are noticed in the sketches of the respective towns or townships where they exist.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
UPPER CEDAR VALLEY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
Aug. 11, 1871, a call was issued for a meeting of physicians in Charles City, to organize a "Medical Association." It was signed by Drs. J. W. Smith, L. P. Fitch, J. W. Nabersburg and E. J. Williams, all of Charles City. In pursuance of this call a meeting was held Sept. 22, in the Odd Fellows Hall in Charles City. Present : Drs. S. B. Chase, of Osage, a graduate of Bow- doin Medical College, 1849; J. W. Smith, of Charles City, Yale Medical College, 1850; Win. S. Pitts, of Fredericksburg, Rush Medical College, 1868; Henry W. Turner, of Osage, Ohio Medi- College, 1861; J. W. Nabersberg, of Charles City, Iowa Uni- versity, 1865; J. K. Gardner, of Lawler, Michigan University, 1870; E. W. Wilbur, of Rockford, Philadelphia University, 1870; A. H. Wight, Dover, University of Michigan, 1870; J. L. Whitley, of Osage, Rush Medical College, 1869; John G. Ogden, of Mason City, New York City University Medical College, 1847; and L. P. Fitch, of Charles City, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, 1864.
A preliminary organization was effected, with Dr. Chase as Chairman, and Dr. Fitch, Secretary pro. tem.
After remarks upon the advisability of organizing a district medical society, by Drs. Smith, Chase and the other gentlemen present, it was resolved to organize a district medical society.
The chair appointed Drs. Smith, Turner and Pitts a committee on Permanent Organization.
The committee presented a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted by the society. The name of the society to be " The Upper Cedar Valley Medical Association," and that it includes the counties of Floyd, Mitchell, Howard, Chickasaw, Bremer, Butler, Franklin, Cerro Gordo, and Worth.
The following officers were then chosen: President, Dr. S. B. Chase; Vice President, Dr. J. W. Smith; Secretary, Dr. L. P. Fitch; Treasurer, Dr. Wm. S. Pitts.
Regular annual meetings to be held on the second Tuesday of June; a semi-annual meeting has also usually been held in Decem- ber; each to be held at such place as the society shall direct.
Since the organization, the following have become members, viz., from Floyd County:
*Dr. E. J. Williams, Charles City; Dr. M. M. Grannis, Charles
*Deceased.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
City; Dr. Irving W. Smith, Charles City; Dr. S. Riddill, Nora Springs; Dr. C. C. Birney, Nora Springs; Dr. W. A. Clayton, Marble Rock; Dr. J. D. Mckenzie, Floyd; Dr. W. H. Nichols, Rockford.
From Chickasaw County: Dr. S. S. Troy, Nashua; Dr. C. Billings, Nashua; Dr. H. M. Mixer, New Hampton; Dr. A. Bab- cock, New Hampton; Dr. F. O. Sherwin, Lawler.
From Mitchell County: Dr. A. H. Moore, Osage; * Dr. Elmer Nichols, Osage; Dr. S. A. Curvath, Mitchell; Dr. Harris Fellows, Riceville; Dr. John S. Wells, Riceville.
From Cerro Gordo County: Dr. A. A. Noyes, Mason City.
From Bremer County: Dr. H. Nichols, Plainfield.
From Worth County : Dr. N. L. Kean, Northwood.
At this meeting-1882-the association numbers about twenty- five members; holds regular meetings, and includes most of the physicians of Floyd County. In professional ability, and the interest of its proceedings, it compares favorably with other sim- ilar societies.
The annual meeting of 1872 was held at Osage; all other meet- ings have been held at Charles City, as the most central place.
FLOYD COUNTY SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF IOWA.
This association was organized July 16, 1867, in Charles City. A constitution was adopted, and R. B. Clarke, of Charles City, was elected President; Vice-Presidents, E. C. Chapin, Charles City; H. W. Bronson, Floyd; J. S. Childs, Rockford; Secretary, Rev. D. N. Bordwell, Charles City; Treasurer, David Pettit, also of Charles City. The present officers are, A. Schermerhorn, Pres- ident; Dr. E. W. Wilbur, Wesley Brownell and W. E. Holbrook, Vice-Presidents; C. A. Slocum, Secretary and Treasurer. This organization has been kept alive, and its efficiency has been marked in advancing Sunday-school work in all its branches and in all the churches. By the by-laws its regular meetings are held annually, from place to place but the county is now divided into three dis- tricts, wherein meetings are to be held every month or so. This is one of the permanent organizations of Floyd County.
THE DRIVE-WELL SWINDLE.
A meeting of citizens interested was held at the council room in Charles City, Feb. 8, 1879, to devise means for resisting what is know as the "drive-well swindle." Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth was chosen Chairman and E. J. Gilbert, Secretary, and a committee
* Deceased.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
appointed to confer with the well agent. They made him these two propositions: 1. Each man having a drive well to deposit $10, subject to the order of the owners of the patent, provided the cases then in litigation should be decided in their favor by the United States Supreme Court. 2. If the owners of the patent would take $5 royalty and give twenty days for payment from date of publication of notice to that effect, no resistance to be made.
The agent said he had no authority to make concessions, but the propositions struck him as fair and business-like, and he would consult with his superiors.
A permanent organization was effected, with the following offi- cers: A. B. F. Hildreth, President; A. G. Case, Vice-President; V. G. Barney, Treasurer; E. J. Gilbert, Secretary. Membership fee, $1. A large number of letters were written to parties in dif- ferent States, making inquiries as to progress in pending suits. But this association soon disbanded, as it was ascertained that pending litigation began to result in favor of the proprietors of the patent. The people using the drive well had all to pay the $10 royalty.
In April following news came from New York City, that Judge Blatchford, of that place, had rendered a decision invalidating the drive-well patent; but it seems that the claims of the patentee were finally sustained. In some of the States the claims of Greene are successfully resisted.
FLOYD COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
This association was organized many years ago, and while kept alive did a fair proportion of work. In the career of such a society there are no marked features to form pabulum for history, and at present the Floyd County Bible Society is "resting on its oars," probably waiting for the contemplated universal canvass proposed by the American Bible Society.
ANECDOTAL.
The tedium of heavy history is often relieved by a comical or a peculiar incident; and while most such events in this county are related in connection with the respective village and township histories in this volume, or in the general chapters, a few unclassi- fied anecdotes we publish in this place.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Pressing for Music .- A young man from the country, one evening in 1860, about to call on some musical young ladies in a Floyd County village, was told that he must ask them to sing, and that if they refused, he should press them. Accordingly, he commenced by requesting Miss Mary to favor him with a song. She gently declined, saying she had " a cold," etc. "Well, then, Mith," said our hero, "thuppothe I thqueethe you; don't you think you might thing then? "
Poor Smitten Pedagogue !- In 1860 one of the fairest and plumpest girls in a Floyd County school was called out upon the floor one day for violating one of the master's rules. After inter- rogating her a few moments, the master exclaimed, " Will you give me your hand ? "-" Yes, sir, and my heart, too," replied the girl, as she presented her hand and eyed him rather bewitchingly. Per- fect silence reigned for a moment, and a tear was seen to glisten in the teacher's eye. The ferule was laid upon the desk, and the blushing girl was permitted to take her seat, after being directed to tarry when school was out. As a sequel, it was understood that a wedding was agreed upon.
A Negligent Wife .- In 1858, a Floyd County man being about to start on a journey to Chicago, his careful wife exclaimed, " Don't, Charles, go off with that hole in the elbow of your shirt; for if the cars should run off the track and you should be killed, people would think me a very negligent wife." Husband (button- ing up his coat)-"Ahem! yes, I dare say they would."
No Gods in Iowa .-- A schoolmaster in Floyd County, just from the East, asked one of his pupils how many Gods there were. The boy scratched his head for some time and replied, " I don't know how many Gods you have East, but we have none in Iowa."
Loved her a Cow's Worth .- In one of the western towns of the county, in 1867, a young man sought the hand of a certain young lady in matrimony. She evaded an affirmative answer for two years, and then went East, where she soon received a letter from him, stating that he had consulted a lawyer, and ascertained that he could recover from $200 to $500, but that if she would give him an order for the possession of a cow, which she owned, he would consider the matter settled.
A Matrimonial Dance .- A woman was divorced from her hus- band in the county, in May, 1865. Shortly afterward she mar- ried another man, and went to Idaho. In a short time she became
41
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
dissatisfied with him, deserted her new home, came to Franklin County, this State, where she married a third time. In a few weeks she deserted husband number three, and returned to this county, where she commenced again to live with her first husband, who had, in her absence in the West, married a second wife and deserted her.
Not "Aul Hefers."-A Floyd County constable being directed to serve an execution, was told that the property to be levied upon consisted of three heifers, and that after taking charge of the same he must indorse a return describing the property. With a view to be entirely correct, and not finding "aul hefers," he specified as follows: "I went to level on the three hefers butt they want aul hefers onely wun was A shee hefer the uther was a mnooley bull, and the uther wun was a bulley mule."
A Motley Squad .- In August, 1870, a band of Indians (or gip- sies), claiming to be of the Cherokee nation, visited Charles City and probably other points in this section of the county, mainly for the purpose of selling certain medicines, as there was a "medi- cine woman" among them. There were ten or twelve of the party, including papooses. Two were young ladies (?) and adepts at horseback riding. One young man in Charles City, desiring to take a ride on horseback (or pony-back) with one of these copper- colored maidens, was refused at first, but insisting, she very politely told him in plain English to "go to hell." The filthy stuff they sold for medicine may have been nothing more than a decoction of old soup-bones and rotten wood. They sold $40 or $50 worth during their short stay here. A number of young men endeavored to outwit them with reference to their medical skill, but received more than they sent. These rovers could not all have been Indians, as some had light- colored hair, blue eyes and a fair skin; and they could speak English, German and French. They had four covered wagons, but no tents.
FLOYD COUNTY MAP.
A very reliable map of this county was drafted and published in 1878 by Warner & Foote, of Red Wing, and now of Minne- apolis, Minn. It is drawn on the scale of one and three-fourths miles to the inch. It was a subscription work and sold for $12 per copy.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
RELIEF TO WESTERN SUFFERERS.
During the year 1874 a large section of Northwestern Iowa was afflicted with a total failure of the crops from the locusts, and the people became dependent upon the public for the necessaries of life. In response to their wants the citizens of Floyd County responded not only liberally but promptly.
Also in the spring of 1882, when Grinnell, Ia., was devastated by a cyclone, the citizens of this county maintained their prestige in prompt and liberal contributions for the relief of sufferers at that point. The unparalleled alacrity with which the people of this county flew to the aid of Chicago during the great fire of Oct. 9 and 10, 1871, was incredible. Within twenty hours after that fire broke out, and before it had done more than half its work, the citizens of Charles City met and made arrangements for contributions.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
CHARLES CITY.
THE BEGINNINGS.
Joseph Kelly was the first white settler within the present bounds of Charles City. For a full account of his location here, and particulars concerning other early comers to this point, see the introductory portion of the first chapter. Mr. Kelly chose this spot for the eligibility of its situation and the water-power. The river crossing here was known as the "ford " of the Cedar, and had been the location of a Winnebago village. Jerome Watson came with Mr. Kelly, but did not like the place so well, and went down the river, purchasing near Bradford. After entering his land here, Mr. Kelly returned to Wisconsin to make preparations for a permanent location the following spring. Accordingly, in the spring of 1851, he returned to this place; but his family did not come until 1854, when they erected a cabin on the spot where the Christian church now stands.
During this year, 1852, about twenty-five families arrived, among whom was John Blunt, who built the first house on the east side of the river, raising it on the 10th of June. This was at what is now the west corner of Hulin and Joslin streets, where the cellar may yet be seen. Others were Edward Haskell, Horton Mande- ville and Dr. Robert L. Freeman, who erected a log house on the west side and used it for a store.
Freeman .- This was the first village plat laid out in the present county of Floyd, the date being April 8, 1854. The county was not then organized. This village was on the southwest side of the river, and a copy of the plat was recorded in Chickasaw County, by order of James H. Lyon, Judge. In said order it appears that Dr. Freeman and Mr. Mandeville acknowledged that the disposition of the land as shown by said plat, was "with their free con- sent and in accordance with their desire." The surveyors certifi-
(668)
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CHARLES" CITY.
cate, made by Seth Richardson, Surveyor, states that the situation of said plat is on the south half of the northwest quarter of section 12, township 95, 16; and that the streets running north and south are sixty-six feet wide, and those east and west, sixty feet wide; that the blocks are 300 feet north and south, by 320 east and west, with an alley of twenty feet running through the middle of each block north and south. The blocks are indicated on the plat by letters; to wit, from A to S, inclusive, with block J omitted, and in lieu thereof a block marked " Public Square," now occupied by the Fourth Ward School building.
St. Charles .- The original town plat of St Charles was dedicated by Joseph Kelly and Melinda Kelly, his wife, in an article dated Sept. 22, 1854, which article was acknowledged before B. Dunn- widdie, Notary Public, with a certificate attached, signed by David Wiltse, Prosecuting Attorney, acting Judge, in the absence of the county judge, stating that he was satisfied that the requirements of the code of Iowa had been fully complied with. This certificate was signed Jan. 18, 1855. Said plat was situated upon a portion of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter, and the south- east quarter of the southeast quarter of section 1, and the north halt of the northeast quarter of section 12, in township 95 north, range 15 west of the fifth meridian. The streets are at an angle of north 32° east, so as to be at right angles with the streets parallel with the river. The plat consists of eighteen square blocks, 264 feet square, and six half-sized blocks on the north side. Block nine of the plat was dedicated as a public square, and is still so used.
When Mr. Kelly settled here, he brought with him his son Charles, then a lad of fourteen or fifteen years of age, and, thinking that a boy courageous enough to go out thus into an unknown and an unbroken land ought to be remembered, he called the "ford" . Charlestown, in his honor. But in the course of time it was found that there was another Charlestown, in this State. The name of this place was then changed to St. Charles; but the fates were still against them, for there was another St. Charles in the State; namely, in Madison County. Hence, in 1860, the postoffice was changed to its present name, Charles City. The name of the original town has never been formally changed. In 1857 Dr. N. H. Palmer laid off an addition on the east side, with the streets
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
corresponding with the cardinal points of the compass, and called the plat "Charles City."
During the latter part of February, 1857, St. Charles was incorporated by the Legislature as a town or village, changing th name to " St. Charles City," and the " St. Charles Republican Intelligencer" forthwith for one issue changed its name to " Charles City Republican Intelligencer," considering the "St." superfluous. The result accorded with the Intelligencer's sugges- tion, both city and postoffice being since known by the pretty name of "Charles City."
This year, 1854, the village grew rapidly, the county was organ- ized, by the election of officers in August, and St. Charles w38 selected as the county seat. Freeman's was the first store in the place, and the first hotel was that of Gilbert & Pooler, opened the previous year.
A company of capitalists from Rockford, Ill., afterward bought up a large interest in the town from Mr. Kelly, so that in 1855 the proprietors of the town were Joseph Kelly, Duncan Ferguson, R. M. Waller, Milo Gilbert, Wm. Hulin, Luke Joslin, R. M. Brant- ingham and William Spriggs. Lots were for sale by Wiltse & Fairfield.
Dr. Freeman was the first postmaster at this point, the office being in his store on the west side. He was succeeded in 1856 by John Blunt, who of course had the office in his store on the east side. The next postmaster was S. W. Stanberry, the next, Dr. J. W. Smith, who was succeeded in 1869 by B. F. Wright, the present incumbent. In the chapter of Miscellaneous items a further account is given of the post-offices and post routes of the county, with anecdotes.
Kelly & Co.'s Addition to St. Charles was made May 29, 1857. It consisted of eighty-two full and fractional blocks, lying on all sides of the original plat of St. Charles, and was platted by Joseph and . Miranda Kelly, Milo and M. C. Gilbert, R. M. and E. J. Waller, R. M. and J. Brantingham, William Hulin, Luke Joslin, George E. and E. B. D. Woodward (by their attorney, Duncan Ferguson), and Duncan and Agnes M. Ferguson. The dedication was duly acknowledged, at the above date, and approved before J. V. W. Montague, County Clerk.
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CHARLES CITY.
Gilbert's Addition consisted of twelve full and four half blocks, being the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 12, township 95, 16. The streets are with the cardinal points of the compass, those running east and west being a continuation of the streets of Freeman, sixty feet wide, and the streets north and south sixty-six feet wide. The plat was dedicated by Truman T. and Almira Gilbert, June 20, 1857. This addition was named " Charleston.''
Kelly's Addition to St. Charles was made only four days after- ward. It consisted of two blocks, numbered 27 and 28, and were dedicated to the county of Floyd, block 28, to be occupied by the court-house and grounds, and block 27, to be disposed of as the county authorities saw fit. This subdivision was surveyed by Ronaldson & Lee, Surveyors.
"Charles City " is a small plat as an eastern suburb, consisting of four full and four half blocks. It is the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 6, Township 95, 15, and was made by Dr. N. H. Palmer, April 3, 1858, the dedication being acknowledged on that day before Wm. B. Fairfield, Notary Public, and approved by David Ripley, County Judge.
Lane's Addition to the City of St. Charles consisting of seventy- four full and fractional blocks, was duly dedicated by Robert T. and Mary Lane, Dec. 22, 1864, before Duncan Ferguson, Notary Public, and approved by Abner Root, County Judge. It was surveyed and platted by David Wiltse, Surveyor. It lies on all sides of the previously platted St. Charles and additions, and squares the city out to the Government survey of the land. It does not extend over into any other section except No. 6, township 95, 15.
Holcomb & Ferguson's Subdivision of lots 15 and 16 in block 139, of Lane's subdivision of St. Charles was made June 9, 1869, on Park street and joining the west of Iowa street.
Taylor's Subdivision of lots 17 and 18, in block 131, of Lane's Addition, was made May 2, 1871, at the corner of the county and the town line roads, by Charles M. Taylor.
The manner in which Main street came to be located where it is, is somewhat interesting. In the fall of 1853 John Blunt proposed to A. L. Collins to build a store in partnership. The latter, accept- ing, cut and hewed out some logs during the ensuing winter. Employing a man to haul them in the spring, the teamster asked
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
him, " Where shall I unload the logs?"-" Oh," replied Collins. , "anywhere over there [pointing] where you can find a stake." No thought was then entertained of any importance in laying out streets or the precise location and situation of a building. Main street was for many years known as " Mill street."
EARLY SETTLERS.
Of the fathers of Charles City, several remain here or in the county to this day, as Joseph Kelly, A. L. Collins, Milo Gilbert, G. B. Eastman, S. B. Starr, R. M. Waller, A. B. F. Hildreth Sanford Harwood, B. F. Cheney, Dr. J. W. Smith, and others, who are therefore well known to the public. Biographical sketches of these veterans of Floyd County history appear else- where in this volume, as in the chapters on the Courts and Bar the Press etc. Luke Joslin, R. N. Brantingham and Wm. Hulin, although among the original proprietors of St. Charles City, never resided here, but rather at Rockford, Ill., where they have long since died. Jackson Spriggs died in Pennsylvania, Dr. Freeman was here but a short time. After selling a few lots in his plat, he sold all his land here, about 1855, and removed to Elkadar, Clay- ton County, Ia.
Duncan Ferguson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1809, and came to America in 1851. Being an engineer and surveyor he was always in public positions, and made for himself a good name as a railroad engineer, Government surveyor or banker. In 1856 he, with others, came to Charles City, and laid out the village. He resided here two years, doing a banking business in company with G. B. Eastman, and returned to Rockford, Ill., where he died in May, 1882.
CITY OFFICERS.
Charles City was incorporated as a city in the early part of 1869. The first meeting of the City Council was held June 9, 1869, the members thereof, and the other city officers having been elected on the eighth of June. The first act of the council was to adopt a motion made by C. A. Slocum, to the effect that the Mayor should appoint a committee of three to prepare by-laws and ordi- nances for the consideration of the council. Mayor Gilbert ap- pointed C. A. Slocum, J. S. Root, and S. G. Bryant, who reported at the next meeting of the council a set of ordinances, which were
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