USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 35
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SCHOOLS
"There are in the county about fifty sub-districts, with an aggre- gate of forty-two schoolhouses. Of these thirty-five are frame, four stone, two brick and one log-all valued at $43,700. The stone schoolhouse in Hampton was finished in 1866, at a cost of about $8,000. It has four large rooms and is two stories high. The vil- lage of Maysville, in Reeve township, also has a fine stone school- house, built at a cost of about six thousand dollars. The schoolhouses generally in the county are of a good class, and many of them new.
"By the October report of the superintendent, it is shown that the whole number of persons between five and twenty-one years of age, is 1,564, being an increase of 375 in the last year. The whole num- ber in attendance at the public schools during the year was 1,209, against 973 last year, being an increase of 236, all of which shows a prosperous and healthy condition of the schools.
"The number of applicants for teachers' certificates examined during the year was III, and the number receiving certificates, 82. The aggregate amount paid teachers during the year was $10, 147.73. The average wages of men as teachers were $8.65 per week, and of ladies, $7.27. During the month of November a Teachers' Institute was held by Professor J. Piper, with an attendance of about forty of the teachers of the county. Under the judicious management of L. B. Raymond, as superintendent, during the last two years, the grade of teachers has materially improved, and the schools generally prospered. The development of the county, facilities for procuring building material and other favorable circumstances, have also con- tributed to awaken among the people an increased interest in educa- tional matters. Every neighborhood has its neat and comfortable schoolhouse, in which schools are maintained at least six months in the year.
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POPULATION
"The present population of Franklin county is about 4,500. The first census was taken in 1856, when the number was 780; in 1859, it was 1,159; in 1860, it was 1,309; in 1863, it was 1,448; in 1865, it was 1,899, and in 1867, 2,321.
"Politically, the county has always been largely republican. At the last presidential election the republican electors received 516 votes, and the democratic electors, 78 votes.
"Most of the people are from Ohio and the eastern states. There is likewise a considerable German element and a few foreigners of other nationalities.
"The people are generally intelligent and enterprising. All of their improvements are of a good and substantial character, con- sidering the disadvantages of a new country. We noticed many good farm and village residences, several of which are built of stone ob- tained in the county.
CLIMATE -- HEALTH
"The climate is delightful through spring, summer and autumn, while the winters are cold, but not unusually subject to sudden changes, or rain, or mist. The climate is conducive to the health both of man and beast. In respect to health, we have evidences that Franklin county will compare favorably with any other in our proverbially healthy state. The pure air, good water and excel- lent drainage are among the causes which contribute to this result.
GAME-FISH
"The prairies abound with wild chickens, while ducks are found along the streams. Various other kinds of feathered game may also be found. An occasional deer is still sometimes started up about the groves of timber, though they are not so plentiful as formerly. The streams are generally too small for fish of large size, but the smaller kinds are found in most of them. In Iowa river, however, there are fish of large size and excellent quality.
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REAL ESTATE
"Wild prairie land is held at various prices, ranging from $2 to $20 per acre. The higher prices are for lands favorably situ- ated near Hampton or Ackley. In the southwest part of the county the best prairie may be purchased for $8 per acre. The prices are generally higher in the eastern portion, on account of the better sup- ply of timber, as well as the more advanced state of improvement. Timber land sells at various prices, ranging from $12 to $60 per acre, depending upon location, quality and quantity.
"In view of the early completion of the St. Louis & St. Paul Rail- way, property in Hampton has advanced rapidly in value. Good business lots are held at from $500 to $1,000 each. We call attention of non-residents, and those who may contemplate becoming residents of this county, to the leading real-estate agencies.
"James Thompson is one of the oldest citizens of Hampton, has served both as county judge and treasurer, and is fully identified with all the interests of the county, as well as thoroughly familiar with every part of it. He has long been engaged as a land agent, and is now devoting his entire time to this business in all its branches. He has a complete abstract of all titles --- the only one in the county.
"George Beed has been county treasurer eight and recorder six years. He is also devoting special attention to this business-pays taxes, makes collections, examines titles and buys and sells real estate on commission. He is one of the old and substantial citizens of the county, fully acquainted with the character and situation of the lands.
"Reeve & Mckenzie Brothers is a prominent law firm, as well as real-estate and collection agency. Col. A. T. Reeve, of this firm, devotes all his time to the real-estate branch of the business and being one of the oldest citizens of the county, no man in it has better oppor- tunities for becoming acquainted with the quality of its lands, as well as their situation and value. J. W. and T. C. Mckenzie attend especially to the legal business of the firm and are rapidly rising to high positions in the profession.
"We mention also among the attorneys of Hampton the names of N. B. Chapman, W. N. Davidson, D. W. Dow and Capt. M. A. Leahy, all as we learn, in excellent standing in the legal fraternity.
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"E. A. Howland, of Otisville, Franklin county, is also devoting special attention to the land business, buying and selling on com- mission, paying taxes, examining titles, collecting, etc. He also gives his attention to the adjusting and settling of tax titles. He has been located at Otisville about eleven years and has acquired a large business and an extensive correspondence. Being located near the line of Wright county, a large part of his business pertains to lands in the eastern part of that county. In addition to his business as a real-estate agent, Mr. Howland is the postmaster at Otisville, keeps the only hotel and also carries on farming.
"We take pleasure in referring parties interested in lands here to any of the above named agents, as they are all reliable men and competent to give any information that correspondents may de- sire.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
"The Franklin County Agricultural Society was organized in 1859, and has generally been in a flourishing condition. The so- ciety has purchased a fine tract of twenty acres, immediately west of Hampton, for a fair ground. The leading farmers and stock men of the county take great interest in promoting the prosperity of the society and it may be considered one of the permanent institutions of the county. Besides this county society, Franklin, with Butler, Grundy and Hardin counties, have organized a District Agricultural Society and hold annual exhibitions at Ackley, near the corner of the four counties comprising the district, where they own ample fair grounds, fitted up in good style."
HAMPTON INCORPORATED AS A TOWN
The above article was written in January, 1870, and during the summer a petition was circulated and signed by many of the citizens, praying for an order from the circuit court for an election, at which the question of incorporating the village should be submitted. Granting the prayer of the petitioners, Judge S. L. Rose thereupon appointed D. W. Dow, M. H. Leahy, Nial McDonald, George Beed and N. B. Chapman, commissioners to call an election and submit the question of incorporation to a vote of the people. Pur- suant to instructions an election was called by the commissioners and
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held on Saturday, November 19, 1870. The proposition carried by a ratio vote of six to one, and at once manuevering began for the make-up of the municipal tickets.
Several anxious weeks elapsed before notices were posted for an election to choose the future village officers. The men qualified to issue the call were either indifferent, negligent or diligently grind- ing axes of their own or of friends. The people wanted a village government, so that they could do things, regardless of the township to which they were attached and they were becoming impatient of the silence and inactivities of the election commissioners. Finally, being no longer able to contain himself, the editor of the Reporter published the following item in his local columns, in the issue of January 18, 1871 :
"When is our incorporation election to be called? We have voted by a large majority to incorporate the village, all the necessary pre- liminary steps have been taken, and now nothing remains but to elect the necessary officers and we are unable to see any reason for delaying the election. Gentlemen commissioners, when are you go- ing to order the election? An answer would be received with pleas- ure by a large number of our fellow citizens."
No progress was made in Hampton's laudable ambition until Monday, March 6, 1871. On that day the first election of the in- corporated town of Hampton was held and the first officials elected. For the offices of mayor and recorder there was no opposition; but for trustees considerable scratching of tickets prevailed. There were 126 votes cast, of which William Raymond, candidate for mayor, received the whole number. For recorder, S. M. Jones got 123 votes; trustees, C. W. Boutin, 124; W. P. Smith, 118; D. G. Carbaugh, 99; A. T. Reeve, 79, and D. W. Dow, 77. On some of the tickets the names of George Beed, U. Weeks and L. N. Call were substituted for some of the nominees, which accounts for the dimin- ished vote of certain of the regular nominees.
At the time Hampton was incorporated the town was pictured by L. B. Raymond in these words :
"This, as we have seen, is the county seat. It has a pleasant location on rolling prairie, near the center of the county. Squaw creek, a beautiful stream, bordered with fine groves of timber, passes eastward about three-quarters of a mile north of town. It is in the midst of a rich portion of the country, with the advantages of timber, stone and water power convenient. The present population
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is about six hundred, and both the town and surrounding country are improving rapidly. The recent improvements are of a neat and sub- stantial character, both in the way of business houses and private residences. Among the improvements under way, we noticed a church belonging to the Baptist denomination, now almost com- pleted. Hampton, situated as it is, on the line of a north and south railroad, with a thriving and enterprising population, has a flatter- ing prospect of becoming an important town.
"Hampton has three general stores, two family groceries, two drug stores, one fruit store and restaurant, one hardware store, one harness shop, one tailor shop, two weekly newspapers and printing offices, two hotels, one furniture store and manufactory, two mil- linery stores, one shoe shop, three blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, two physicians, three real-estate agencies, seven attorneys, etc. "The following are leading and enterprising business men of the place : W. G. Beed and Tuttle & Nelson, dry goods and general mer- chants ; J. Phelps and H. D. Williams, dealers in family groceries ; Stearns & North, hardware merchants ; Dr. J. A. Norton and Dr. O. B. Harriman, druggists; U. Weeks, dealer in furniture; and C. P. Vigren, proprietor of restaurant and fruit store.
"Few of the small towns of Iowa are favored with as good hotels as Hampton. There are two of them-one of them we have tried, and of the other we have a good report. J. E. Hunter is the pro- prietor of the Hampton House, and we found him an obliging land- lord, always looking out for the comfort of his guests. His house is well furnished and kept to the satisfaction of the traveling pub- lic. E. S. Stiles, an experienced landlord, holds forth at the Phoenix Hotel, and we learn gives satisfaction to all who favor him with their patronage. We found his house presenting the appearance of neatness and comfort. The people of Hampton may well be proud of their hotels.
"The religious organizations of Hampton are Methodist, Con- gregational and Baptist, all having regular services and organized Sabbath schools. The Masons have a flourishing lodge, known as Anchor Lodge, No. 191. There is a lodge of Good Templars and also a post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Among the associ- ations of the place, we must not omit to mention the cornet band, which has dispensed its music to the citizens for the last year or two.
PUMPING STATION HAMPTON WATER WORKS
WINDSOR THEATRE, HAMPTON
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
"Among the early settlers of Hampton, we mention the names of Job Garner and George Ryan, who each gave the undivided half of eighty acres of land as a consideration for the location of the county seat thereon, in the spring of 1856. Both of them removed to other parts-Mr. Garner to the central portion of the state and Mr. Ryan to Missouri. Dr. J. A. Guthrie, a member of the Iowa Legis- lature from Butler county, and R. F. Pratt, who served as deputy in several of the county offices, but recently a member of the Terri- torial Legislature of Idaho, were among the early settlers. Hon. Chauncey Gillett, who served as a member of the Legislature in 1860, died of consumption in 1862. James Thompson is the oldest citi- zen of the place and came from Vinton, a distance of 120 miles. S. M. Jones, formerly publisher of the Record, and the Beed brothers came soon after, and are still among the active citizens of the place. J. T. Stearns, of the hardware firm of Stearns & North, is the post- master of Hampton."
HAMPTON GETS CITY CHARTER
On January 20, 1893, in accordance with section 509 of the Code, as amended by Chapter 52 of the Public Acts of the Fifteenth Gen- eral Assembly, Gov. Horace Boice granted a charter for a city of the second class. At that time the population of the newly cre- ated city was 2,539. It was divided into four wards and on the first Monday in March of that year was held an election and E. S. Patterson was the choice for mayor.
WATERWORKS SYSTEM
A short time prior to the advancement of Hampton to the city class a wave of improvement struck the fancy of her citizens. The streets needed paving, a system of waterworks was clamored for and a sewerage system was also demanded. The first improvement to be started was that of waterworks. At a special election held on July 7, 1890, the people plainly showed where they stood on the propositions of building waterworks and issuing $15,000 in bonds to pay for them. There were 292 votes cast at that election. Two hundred and two votes were for waterworks and the bonds and ninety-five votes against.
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As soon as the building of waterworks was settled a site for wells and pumping station was next to be considered. There were numerous offers of alleged convenient and available tracts of land, among them being the site finally selected, belonging to H. A. Harriman, in the east part of the city. Mr. Harriman offered the city "sufficient land, free and exclusive use of the spring thereon, with right to dig wells and pipe the water from the south to the north spring, with sufficient land for the waterworks," so long as the land should be used for the purpose, in consideration of the city of Hampton erecting a fountain between the northeast corner and the center of the north side of the public square, with drinking faucets and watering troughs for horses, to be supplied with water from the Harriman springs. The fountain was also to contain a tablet with the following inscription : "Pure Spring Water. Drink and Water Your Horses. Presented to the Citizens of Hampton and the Chil- dren that will soon take our places by H. A. Harriman." This gift was declined, although Mr. Harriman agreed to pay any ad- ditional cost of the fountain over $300. However, the city pur- chased the land, paying $600 for about five acres. Here, a deep well was dug, reservoir and power house erected and machinery in- stalled; and on the south side of Fifth street, midway between Reeve and Main and between the courthouse and city parks, was erected a steel stand-pipe over one hundred feet in height, costing $3,516. In April, 1891, the waterworks was completed and in full running or- der, and with the mains then laid stood for an expenditure of $15,584. Since then miles of mains have been laid and with other necessary additions and changes the cost of the improvement has been con- siderably increased. But the outlay has been justified by the bene- fits derived and Hampton has a system of waterworks that gives security to her citizens-as a safeguard against fires, as a menace to malarial diseases, and a helpful factor in all sanitary endeavors, both of a private and public nature.
SEWERAGE
From a sanitary viewpoint no system of waterworks is complete and satisfactorily available without sewerage. This proposition was realized as an axiom by the city authorities and property owners of Hampton and as soon as the waterworks question had been solved and the improvement made a concrete fact, a sewerage system was
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established by resolution of the city council. Early in the year 1902 a contract for building sewers was let, to O. C. Kringle, for $14,166.50, and excavation work commenced in August. The main sewer pipes laid were of 15, 12 and 8 inch diameter. These mains have been extended, many laterals built, and today Hampton fears no epidemic that could arise from improper drainage and dis- charge of waste matter from the homes, business places and thor- oughfares. But to be doubly sure of desired results, in 1910 a disposal plant was installed and now all refuse going through the sewers is caught by this ingenious mechanism and practically annihilated.
PAVING
Another improvement inaugurated in the 'gos was that of street paving. In May, 1892, an ordinance was passed for the paving with brick of Fourth street from Reeve to the Iowa Central depot. From time to time other paving was done. In 1910, considerable concrete paving was laid and more brick paving was done in 1911. In 1912, forty-two blocks of concrete paving and curbing were laid in Hamp- ton, at a total cost of approximately $65,000. This was a big undertaking, meaning the outlay of a large sum of money. But the improvement was magnificent, changing the general appear- ance of the little city completely. It takes no stretch of imagination to maintain that Hampton surpasses any city of its size in the State of Iowa for its many handsomely paved streets, splendid system of waterworks, brilliantly lighted streets and sanitary arrangements.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS
The city does not own a system of lighting for her streets, but on August 26, 1892, the question of the city granting a franchise for the erection and maintenance of an electric light plant was sub- mitted to a vote of the people and was carried practically unani- mously. Thereupon a franchise was granted to E. Buck of the Hampton Light & Power Company and that year the plant was erected and put in operation. The property has passed from hand to hand, never having been owned by local people. However, a fairly good service-continuous-has been given patrons. In the fall of 1913 fifty-six electroliers of five-globe standards were placed on Vol. 1-25
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Reeve street, from Third to Sixth; on Fifth from Main to Reeve; on Fourth from Main to Maple street, and the result is continuous bands of brilliant lights, that illuminate the district almost as per- fectly as the orb of day. The effect is intensely pleasing and gives the streets a very citified tone of character.
GAS PLANT
Hampton has a gas plant which is furnishing good light and service. A franchise for the manufacture of gas was granted to John Howie, T. H. J. Leckband and others, of Brooklyn, Iowa, August 15, 1905, and in the fall of 1906 the plant was in full opera- tion, under the management of T. H. J. Leckband.
CITY HALL
The caption to this paragraph would indicate that Hampton has a public building of its own. But it has nothing of the kind, unless the name is given an engine house or city bastile, which really do not count for much. Be that as it may, there is a volunteer fire com- pany, several hundred feet of hose and carts for the latter. But the council room is a rented office of the mayor's and in the same building, which stands on Reeve street, are the offices of the city clerk and superintendent of waterworks, the two offices being repre- sented by one and the same person. A city hall is badly needed and will probably be the next thing asked for by the authorities. Hamp- ton has a beautiful block of ground, however, that is the love and admiration of her citizens. This was given to Franklin county by Job Garner and George Ryan and turned over by the county to the city. This is the city park, whose grounds are nicely kept and are further adorned by a large fountain, donated to the city by a social organization known as the Yankee Doodle Club.
POSTOFFICE
The methods of doing things have changed wonderfully since 1855, when Franklin county was organized. At that time there was not a road in the community, scarcely a horse or other beast of bur- den, and when the settler desired to hear from friends, he either trudged on foot or went on horseback to Cedar Falls for his mail,
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or entrusted the errand to a neighbor who might be going that way. Two-cent postage stamps were then an unknown quantity; even the modern envelope had not come into vogue. The sheet of writing paper would be folded in a certain way and made secure with seal- ing wax. This was addressed to its destination, and the person re- ceiving it was often called upon to pay as high as twenty-five cents for the letter. The advent of the steel rail and iron horse changed all this and within a few short years every town of any consequence had a postoffice of its own, with first, mayhap, a delivery of mail weekly, then semi-weekly and at last, daily.
During the first few years of Hampton's existence, mail was ob- tained at Cedar Falls. In 1857, when a postoffice was established at Maysville, most of the mail for Hampton citizens was obtained there. The office at Hampton was established in 1857 and on the 19th of December of that year, Robert F. Piatt was commissioned postmaster. He was succeeded November 2, 1858, by James Thomp- son, the pioneer merchant, who held the office until March 14, 1860, when George Ryan, one of the founders of the city, took charge. Chauncey Gillett was commissioned postmaster April 9, 1861. He was the first republican postmaster to be appointed at this place, receiving his commission at the time herein mentioned. While on a trip to Chicago, in September, 1862, Mr. Gillett succumbed to the ravages of consumption, and on November 4th, following, his wife, Harriet Gillett, was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. She later became the wife of E. S. Stiles.
The next person to hold the office of postmaster in Hampton was John T. Stearns, whose commission was dated May 1, 1866. He remained three years and was succeeded, July 12, 1870, by Nial Mc- Donald. Stephen M. Jones, founder of the Recorder, first called the Franklin Reporter, was commissioned postmaster at Hampton, December 5, 1870. He served until 1886, when his successor, in the person of Dr. O. B. Harriman, was commissioned April 21, 1886. July 9, 1889, was the date of L. B. Raymond's commission as postmaster. It is hardly necessary to say anything of this official, as his person- ality and activities are so often mentioned in this volume. His suc- cessor was W. J. Stonebraker, who received his commission Decem- ber 14, 1893. Then followed T. H. Haecker, November 26, 1897, who gave way to his successor, the present incumbent, Thomas W. Purcell. His first commission is of date June 20, 1905. Mr. Pur- cell is the editor of the Hampton Chronicle.
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The business of the Hampton postoffice has been increasing from year to year, until it is now a public convenience of no little im- portance. But the business was not extensive for many years after its establishment and even during the time that T. H. Haecker was postmaster, his salary and clerk hire was only about $2,000. In the last year, however, Postmaster Haecker had increased the business sufficient for the department to raise his salary to $2,000 and clerk hire to $1,000. Since the incumbency of T. W. Purcell, there has been a gratifying increase in the receipts of the office, which shows that Hampton has more than kept pace with the advancement and progress of other towns of the state. For the year 1912 the num- ber of transactions of this office amounted close to $70,000, and for the past year 1913 the salaries of the postmaster, clerks and carriers amounted to about $13,000.
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