USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 27
USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 27
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230
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
majority of the whole votes, and was made the unanimous choice of the convention amidst the most intense enthusiasm. Han- nibal Hamlin, of Maine, was selected as the candidate for Vice-President.
The Democratic National Convention was called to meet at Charleston, South Carolina. The friends of Stephen A. Douglas were active in urging his claims to the nomination for the Presidency, many of the delegates from the northern States being instructed to use all honorable means to that end. The claims of Douglas were stoutly contested by the leaders of the democracy of the South, and it was evi- dent some time before the convention as- sembled that it would be difficult to come. to an agreement, especially as the rule of the Democratic National Conventions re- quired a two-thirds vote to nominate. Meeting in the city of Charleston, April 23, 1860, the convention remained in ses- sion ten days, at the expiration of which time no nominations were made, many of the delegates from the southern States withdrawing. After taking fifty-seven ballots, it was found impossible for any candida'e to receive a two-thirds vote of the entire body, so many delegates having withdrawn. An adjournment was then had to Baltimore June 19. At this latter place the convention met, pursuant to ad- journmen', but even here no agreement could be reached between the factions. After a six days' meeting, Stephen A. Douglas was nominated for President, and Benjamin Fitzpatrick, of Alabama, for Vice-President. The nomination of Doug- las was received with very great enthusi- asm. Mr. Fitzpatrick declining, Herschel
V. Johnson, of Georgia, was substituted. Mr. Johnson accepted the nomination.
That portion of the convention which seceded held a convention June 23, and nominated John C. Breckenridge, of Ken- tucky, for President, and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for Vice-President. A "Union" convention was also held, at which John Bell, of Tennessee was nominated for President, and Edward Everett, of Massa- chusetts, for Vice-President.
With four Presidential candidates in the field, the exciting questions growing out of the institution of slavery, and the threats of disunion by a portion of the south in the event of the election of Lincoln, tended to make the campaign one of great inter- est "Wide-Awake" clubs and organiza- tions of " Hickory Boys " on the part of republicans and Douglas democrats, re- spectively, tended to increase the excite- ment. Large and enthusiastic meetings were held by each party in all the leading towns and cities, and even in many of the smaller villages. The names of the "Rail- Splitter" and the "Little Giant" evoked the greatest enthusiasm.
The Republican State Convention met in Iowa city, May 23, nominated a State ticket, and adopted a platform endorsing the action of the National Convention at Chicago, endorsing its nominations and favoring rigid ( conomy in State matters. The Democratic Convention met at Des Moines July 12, nominated a State ticket, and passed resolutions endorsing Douglas and Johnson. The "Union ticket" was strongly condemned.
In this county the fight was waged as hard as in any county in the State. There was but one county officer of any import-
231
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
ance to be elected-clerk of the district court-consequently there was but little to attract from the great National ques- tions.
The war for the Union was in progress during the political campaign of 1861, and issues growing out of that war were form- ing.
The republicans were the first to meet in convention, assembling at Des Moines, July 31, and nominating a candidate for governor and other State officers, adopting a platform heartily supporting the govern- ment in its assertion of the right to coeree, denouncing the doctrine of secession, maintaining the supremacy of the consti- tution, and declaring in the most forcible language that the rebellion should be put down at any cost.
The Democratic State Convention passed resolutions also unequivocally condemning the action of the seceding States, but de- claring it to be the legitimate result of the successful teaching of the irrepressi- ble conflict, and also denying in toto the right of the government to perpetuate the Union by force of arms. State sover- eignty was endorsed, and the opposite doctrine declared to be fraught with dis- astrous consequences.
The campaign in this county afforded but little interest, the all-exciting ques- tions of the war, filling the mind of every voter.
During 1862, the Union army had met with several reverses, and a gloomy feel- ing pervaded the minds of the people, having its effect upon the eanvass for State officers.
The democrats met in convention at Des Moines, and adopted a platform in
which they expressed themselves as in favor of using all constitutional means for the suppression of the rebellion, and op- posing any scheme of confiscation or emancipation; objecting to a suppression of the writ of habeas corpus; declaring the superiority of the white over the black race and opposed to the purchase of slaves.
The republicans, in their platform, adopted at Des Moines, resolved that it was the duty of every man to help main- tain the government, condemned the course of the secession sympathizers, and asked all who were favorable to giving he national administration honest support, to co-operate with them.
In this county the campaign afforded but little of interest. The county officers to be elected were county judge and elerk of court. Austin North was elected to the former, and D. W. Dow to the latter.
In 1863, the democracy of the State met in convention at Des Moines, July 8, and nominated a candidate for governor and other State officers Questions growing out of the war still afforded issues be- tween the parties. The writ of habeas corpus had been suspended by the Presi- dent; martial law had been declared in some of the States not in rebellion, and the proclamation of emancipation had been issued. These measures the de- moeracy in convention and by resolution opposed, while the republican convention, which convened June 17, favored each. Thus were the issues defined. In Frank- lin county the vote on governor stood: William M. Stone, republican, 193; James M. Tuttle, democrat, 63; republican ma- jority, 130.
232
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
In 1864, Abraham Lincoln was re-nom- inated by the republicans, and associated with him on the ticket was Andrew John- son, the Union governor of Tennessee. The democrats put in nomination Gen. George B. McClellan for the Presidency, and George H. Pendleton, of Ohio, for the Vice-Presideney. The republicans of Iowa, held a convention at Des Moines, July 7, and adopted a platform confirming the re-nomination of Abraham Lincoln, and paying high tributes of praise to the loyal soldiers and soldiers' wives who were daily making sacrifices that the Union might be s.ved. The Democratic State Convention met at DesMoines, July 16, selected a State tieket, but adopted no platform. A peace convention, however, was held at Iowa City, August 24, which adopted resolutions denouncing the war and its further support, and rejecting the equality of the negro with the white man.
In 1865, the republicans were first in the field, meeting in convention at Des Moines, June 14, nominating a ticket and adopting a platform. The Union anti- negro suffrage party met at the capital, August 23 and nominated a ticket, and adopted a platform in which they resolved to sustain the administration of Andrew Johnson ; that they were opposed to negro suffrage ; that the soldiers of the late war deserved well of their country- men, and that their sympathies were with them. The democrats met in convention the same day, but made no nominations, the party supporting the soldier's tieket as it was known.
The campaign of 1866 was fought on the issue of reconstruction in the southern States. The republicans in convention
resolved that the people who subdued the rebellion and their representatives in Congress had the right to re-organize the States that had been in rebellion. This was denied by some of the republicans and the entire democratic party. The conservative republicans, or those who were opposed to congressional action, met in convention and nominated a State ticket. The democratic convention adopt- ed a platform, nominated two eandi- dates, and resolved to support the ticket of the conservatives.
The general issues dividing the parties in 1867 were the same as in 1866.
The year 1868 brought with it another Presidential campaign. The republican National Convention met in Chicago and placed in nomination Ulysses S. Grant, the victorious Union general, associating with him Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana. The democratie National Convention nom- inated Horatio Seymour and Francis P. Blair, Jr., for President and Vice Presi- dent. The financial question began to be a leading issue, especially with reference to the payment of the bonds in coin or greenbacks, the republicans favoring the payment in coin, the democrats opposing. The latter also, by resolution, favored the abolition of the national banking system, and the substitution of United States notes for those of national banks. This was opposed by the republicans.
The campaigns of 1869, 1870 and 1871 were devoid of much interest, and were but repetitions of the results of previous years, as a glance at the official vote in this chapter will show.
The movement known as the liberal re- publican had a large influence, politically,
233
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
in 1872, having virtually dictated the dem- ocratic nomination for the Presidency, and the platform of principles on which the campaign against the republican party was dictated. The liberal republicans were those connected with the republican party who were opposed to any extreme measures in the reconstruction of the southern States, and who believed the time had come when past issues should be forgotten, and new issues formed; that the hand of reconciliation should be of- fered the South, and a united country, working together to build up the waste places of the South. Many of the most able men of the republican party, includ- ing Horace Greeley, Charles Sumner, Ly- man Trumbull, John M. Palmer, and oth- ers, united in this movement. In May a National Convention was held by the lib- eral republicans, in Cincinnati, which nominated Horace Greeley for President and B. Gratz Brown for Vice President. The following is a synopsis of the resolu- -tions adopted :
1. Equality of all men before the law ; equal and exact justice to all, without regard to race, color or previous condi- tion.
2. Opposition to the re-opening of all questions settled by the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the constitution.
3. Demand for the immediate and absolute removal of all disabilities im- posed on account of the rebellion.
4. Local self-government ; supremacy of the civil over the military, and demand for the largest individual liberty consist- ent with publie order.
5. Denunciation of the existing system of civil service.
6. Demand for a system of federal taxation which should not unnecessarily interfere with the industries of the peo- ple ; reference of the tariff to the congres- sional districts.
7. Demand for civil service reform, and for the election of President for a single term only.
8. Maintenance of publie credit and denunciation of repudiation.
9. A speedy return to specie payment.
10. Thanks to the citizen-soldiers and sailors of the Republic.
11. Opposition to further grants to railroads
12. Cultivation of friendship with all nations ; regarding alike dishonorable, either to demand wha is not right or submit to what is wrong.
The democracy, in convention, ratified the nominations of Greeley and Brown, and adopted the platform of the liberal republicans. The republicans re-nomi- nated President Grant, and associated with him on the ticket Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, for Vice-President. The disaffection among the democrats in conse- quence of the nomination of Horace Greeley, a life-long political enemy, was so great, that a third ticket was nominated, at the head of which was Charles O'Con- nor, the distinguished lawyer of New York. The democrats and liberal republi- eans met in State convention, and nomi- nated a ticket composed of two democrats and three liberal republicans, and passed a resolution endorsing the nomination of Greeley. The liberal ticket in this county did not meet with much encouragement, the vote given it being orly that number usually polled by the democratie nomi-
234
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
nees. The total vote this year in Frank- lin county was 1,035, and the republican majority ranged between 708 and 898.
The question of Capital rs. Labor, engaged the attention of the people in 1873. The Republican State Convention met at DesMoines June 25, and after nominating candidates, adopted resolu- tions declaring against monopolies, and urging that the several States should care- fully restrict the powers of the railroad companies and other monopolies. Class legislation was also denounced. The democratic party of the State made no regular nomination this year, but gener- ally supported the anti-monopoly ticket. A convention was held at DesMoines, August 12, nominating candidates, and adopting resolutions, declaring that the old party organizations were no longer useful, denouncing corruption in government affairs, and urging the necessity of politi- cal honesty. In this county the general aspect of affairs remained unchanged, the republicans carrying the county on the State ticket by majorities ranging above 800. The total vote was about 1,100.
In 1874, the issues were the same as in the previous year, and the anti-monopolists made a gallant fight in this county as well as in the State, but were defeated in both.
A convention was called to meet at Des Moines June 24, 1875, to be composed of democrats, anti-monopolists and liberal republicans. Assembling, a ticket was nominated headed by Shepherd Lefler for governor, and a platform of principles adopted covering the principal ground of belief of the three elements represented. The republicans met in convention and nominated S. J. Kirkwood for governor.
A temperance convention was also held, and Rev. John H. Lozier nominated for governor. In Franklin county, the vote for governor stood: Kirkwood, 923; Leffer, 214. The temperance candidate did not receive a single vote in this county.
The election in 1876, was for National, State and county officers. Rutherford B. Hayes and William A. Wheeler were the republican candidates for President and Vice-President, while Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks received the nomination of the democratic party for the same offices. Peter Cooper was the nomi- nee of the independent party or green- backe s for President. The hard times which began in 1878 had a perceptible ef- fect upon this campaign. The democratic party, which for some years had been act- ing on the defensive, when not allied to some other political body, now assumed the aggressive, and under the banner of "Tilden and reform," forced the republi- cans in the defensive. On the part of the democrats the campaign was boldly con- ducted, though it cannot truthfully be said that Tilden was the choice of the Nation, especially of the western element of the party.
In this State the greenbackers held two conventions, at the first of which it adopted a platform containing their principal tenets.
The republicans adopted as a platform substantially the following points: 1, Unity of the Nation; 2, Economy in the administration of the government; 3, A currency convertible with coin; 4, All rail- way and other corporations to be subject to the law-making power. The democrats adopted but a single resolution approving
Geo N. Please.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations .
G
237
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
the platform of the National Democratic Convention and the nominations of Tilden and Hendricks.
In 1877, State tickets were nominated by democrats, republicans, greenbackers and prohibitionists. The latter had for a candidate, Elias Jessup, of Hardin county. The republican candidate, was John H. Gear; 'democratic, John P. Irish; and greenback, Daniel P. Stubbs. The vote in Franklin county stood: Gear, 1311; Irish, 336; Jessup, 10; Stubbs, 16.
In 1878, State tickets were nominated by greenbackers, democrats and republi- cans. Subsequently a fusion was effected by the democrats and greenbackers, and a portion of the nominees of each of their State tickets were chosen as the choice of both parties. The result in this county is seen by the official vote.
The campaign of 1879, was opened May 12, by the democracy meeting in conven- tion and nominating a State ticket, headed by H. H. Trimble for governor. Alengthy platform was adopted. The greenbackers were next in the field, their ticket being headed by Daniel Campbell for governor. The republicans met and nominated John H. Gear for governor, together with a full State ticket. Lastly, the prohibitionists met and placed in nomination George T. Carpenter, of Mahaska, for governor. Mr. Carpenter declining, D. R. Dungan, of Eldora, was substituted. The republicans nominated a straight ticket, while the op- position combined on a "People's ticket," composed of independent republicans, greenbackers and democrats.
The general campaign in 1880 began quite early, especially among aspirants for
office, and their friends. The preliminary canvass for the nomination grew quite warm as both republicans and democrats were alike confident that they would suc- ceed in the National struggle. James A. Garfield received the republican nomina- tion for President, and associated with him on the ticket, was Chester A. Arthur for Vice-President. Winfield S. Hancock was nominated for President by the democrats, and with him was William H. English for Vice-President. James B. Weaver and Gen. Chambers for President and Vice- President, respectively, on the National or greenback ticket. The canvass was pushed with vigor, the democratic and re- publican parties each using their utmost. endeavors to be successful. The National party, under the lead of Weaver, also endeavored to increase its votes, Mr. Weaver making speeches in more than half the States in the Union. The first State Convention held in Iowa this year was by the republicans, at DesMoines, April 7. The platform adopted consisted of three resolutions, the first demanding that candidates be nominated at Chicago by the National Republican Convention, of National reputation for ability; second, that James G. Blaine be the choice of the republicans of the State, and third, in- strneting delegates to the National Con- vention to vote for Blaine. The green- backers met at DesMoines, May 11, and adopted a platform re-asserting their de- mands for the abolition of the National banks, the reduction of the army, the limitation of Chinese immigration, the reduction of salaries, and the payment of the National debt in greenbacks. The democrats met at DesMoines, Sept. 2,
-
238
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
nominated a ticket, and adopted a plat- form endorsing Hancock and English, and the National platform adopted at Cincin- nati.
The election of 1881 was for State and county officers. The three leading parties had tickets in the field. In Franklin county the vote for governor stood: Buren R. Sherman, republican, 1,135; L. G. Kinne, democrat, 188; D. M. Clark, greenback, 75.
In 1882, the election was for State and county officers and members of Congress, and was a heated one. Particulars as to candidates and vote will be found in the official vote.
OFFICIAL VOTE.
In this connection is presented the of- ficial vote of Franklin county, for every general election from 1856 to 1883, so far as could be ascertained from the records in the court house.
The following is the record transcript of the elections since that time:
Election August, 1856 Prosecuting Attorney.
Samuel B. Jackson. 28-7
Robert F. Piatt.
21
Clerk of Courts.
.Samuel R. Mitchell.
.33
November, 1856. sident.
John C. Fremont.
110-78
James Buchanan.
32
Delegates to Constitutional Convention
S. Winchester.
110-91
William McClintock.
19
April, 1857.
Prosecuting Attorney.
Robert F. Piatt ..
85-8
Benjamin Butterfield.
77
Clerk of Courts.
S. C. Brazzelton
79-7
James A. Guthrie.
72
Solomon Brazzelton.
18
County Assessor.
John I. Popejoy.
95-21
William Tharpe.
774
August, 1857. County Judge.
Samuel R. Mitchell.
109-1
James B. Reeve.
108
Treasurer and Recorder
Milton Clover.
108-3
Isaac Miller.
104
Isaac Dodd.
1
Surveyor.
H. P. Allen
219
Sheriff.
A. S. Ross.
216
Coroner.
William Ward.
111-12
George Ryan
99
William Vanhorn.
3
April, 1858.
Superintendent of Schools.
R. F. Piatt
61-23
William C. Boyles.
37
John Staley.
17
School Fund Commissioner.
George W. Hansell.
39-13
H. W. Shroyer.
16
October, 1858. Clerk of Courts.
John D. Leland.
86-13
John E. Boyles.
73
S. C. Brazzelton.
45
Drainage Commissioners.
W. H. Thompson
78-30
David Church.
48
Coroner.
John Cromwell
62 -16
E. H. Sparling.
46
A. H. Bridgeman
1
George Lyman.
1
239
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
October, 1859. County Judge.
Henry Shroyer. .
153-53
James B. Reeve ..
100
Treasurer and Recorder.
James Thompson
106-18
John E. Boyles
88
Isaac Miller.
53
Sheriff.
F. A. Denton
86-28
George Ryan.
58
W. B. Freeburn
46
George W. Thompson.
32
J. E. Cannam
19
T. C. Riddle.
5
School Superintendent.
W. N. Davidson
170-59
J. W. Avery
111
A. H. Bridgeman.
13
Surveyor.
Obadiah Smith
171-98
J. M. Hansberry
73
Drainage Commissioner.
L H. Morgan
251
Coroner.
L. Armstrong.
249
November, 1860. Clerk of Courts.
D. W. Dow :
152-38
John D. Leland
114
Henry White.
1
A. H. Bridgeman.
Coroner.
L Shroyer.
138-112
W. W. Soper
26
L. Benjamin.
20
J. M. White
6
D. W. Dow.
1
J. D. Brand.
6
Drainage Commissioner.
William May.
111-101
James Jenkins
10
1
L. chroyer.
October, 1861.
Governor.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, rep.,
237-207
W. H. Merritt, dem'.
30
County Judge.
A. T. Reeve
132-69
J. M. White.
63
F. A. Denton
55
1
A. Denton.
Treasurer and Recorder.
George Beed.
237-211
L. H Morgan
26
S. R. Mitchell.
6
Surveyor.
O. Smith
104-33
S. H. Vankirk
71
1
George Beed.
Sheriff.
J. W. Ward.
97-30
William Ward.
67
E. A. Evans
38
J. E. Hunter.
45
Scattering.
9
School Superintendent.
N. B. Chapman.
141-64
W. N. Davidson.
57
J. W. Avery
50
J. Avery
2
October, 1862. County Judge.
Austin North.
190-179
N. McDonald
11
James T. McCormick.
8
Clerk of Courts.
Daniel W. Dow.
196-133
W. N. Davidson.
63
NOTE .- For some reason the records do not give any returns for the years 1863, 1864 and 1865. The list of offieers elected will be found in the chapter upon "Representation;" but it is impossible to give the vote.
Election, October 9, 1866.
Clerk of District Court.
R. S. Benson
204-9
A. T. Reeve.
.195
County Recorder.
James H. Beed.
257-115
H. C. Graves.
142
George Beed.
Additional Tax.
For additional tax
285-188
Against
97
.
240
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Election, October 8, 1867. County Judge.
W. W. Day.
242-35
James Thompson.
207
D. D Day.
1
County Treasurer.
George Beed.
446
Sheriff.
A. Pickering
248-55
Lewis P. Berry
193
N. B. Chapman
1
Superintendent of Schools,
L. B. Raymond.
222-33
N. B. Chapman.
189
John Avery
1
County Surveyor
S. H. Vankirk.
433-423
O. Smith
10
Coroner.
Drainage Commissioner.
B. H. Gibbs.
399
November, 1868.
Clerk of Courts.
R. S. Benson.
554-547
J. T. McFaddin.
James Beed.
1
Recorder.
Henry Meyer.
.232-38
James Beed.
194
James Walker.
156
Charles Meyer.
1
October, 1869. Auditor.
R. S. Benson
374-50
G. G. Clemmer.
324
G. C. Clemmer.
2
Treasurer.
A. T. Reeve
380-54
George Beed.
326
Sheriff.
A. B. Hudson
399-92
D. G. Carbaugh.
307
School Superintendent
J Cheston Whitney
429-163
L. B. Raymond.
266
Drainage Commissioner.
Election, October, 1870.
Judges of Supreme Court.
Chester C. Cole, Rep.
381
W. E. Miller, Rep
596
James (}. Day, Rep.
594
J. C. Knapp. Dem.
38
P. H. Smith. Dem
38
Reuben Noble, Dem
38
Secretary of State.
Ed Wright.
.594-584
Charles Doerr
10
Auditor of State.
John Russell
595-585
W. W. Garner
10
State Treasurer.
Samuel E. Rankin
595-557
W. C. James
38
Register of State Land office.
Aaron Brown.
595-557
D. T. Ellsworth.
38
Attorney General.
Henry Oleman.
595-558
H. M. Martin.
37
Supreme Court Reporter.
Charles Lindeman.
595-557
W. E. Mclellan
38
Congress.
Jackson Orr.
592-555
C. C. Smeltzer.
37
District Judge.
Daniel D. Chase
592
District Attorney.
J. H. Bradley
588
Clerk of Courts.
T. C. Mckenzie.
605-599
George Pettis
6
D. W. Dow.
1
County Recorder.
Henry Meyer, Sr.
.611-605
Ed. Avery.
6
Coroner.
J. M. Wait
609
Board of Supervisors,
C. J. Mott
460
E. L. Cloek.
440
J. I. Popejoy
501
W. Hf. Hoxie
201
David Elliott.
23
Henry Thompson
16
Baker.
1
J. C. Addis.
445
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 241
October Election, 1871.
Governor.
C. C. Carpenter.
.745-664
J. C. Knapp.
81
Lieutenant Governor.
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