History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 28

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990


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 28
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 28


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105


H. C. Bullis.


745-656


M. M. Ham.


89


Judge Supreme Court


J. G. Day.


748-660


J. F. Duncombe.


88


Superintendent Public Instruction.


A. Abernethy


748-696


E. Mumm.


36


E. M. Dunn


52


State Senator.


E. A. Howland. .


308


Representative.


M. A. Leahy.


797


County Treasurer.


A. T. Reeve.


806


Auditor.


R. S. Benson


819


Sheriff.


A. B. Hudson.


461-92


A. Pickering


369


County Superintendent


J. C. Whitney.


815


Surveyor.


O. Smith.


839


Coroner.


A. Graham


.835


Supervisor.


B. K. Jackson


429-18


J. I. Popejoy.


411


Stock Act.


For


349


Against.


370-21


November Election, 1872.


Secretary of State.


Josiah T. Young.


953-871


E. A. Guilbert


82


State Treasurer.


William Christy


876-717


M. J. Rholfs.


159


Register State Land Office.


Aaron Brown.


870-710


Jacob Butler.


150


Attorney General. (To fill vacancy.)


M. E. Cutts.


.870


Congressman, 4th District.


H. O. Pratt.


.869-708


A. T. Lusch


161


Judge Circuit Court, 11th District.


J. H. Bradley


882-869


John A. Hull.


13


F. Bliss.


1


District Attorney.


M. D. O'Connell


909-898


H. E. J. Boardman


11


W. N. Davidson ...


2


J. M. Mckenzie.


1


Clerk of District and Circuit Court.


T. C. Mckenzie


1038


County Recorder.


G. C. Hayes


1039


Supervisor.


D. W. Elliott.


762-496


E. L. Clock.


267


Superintendent of Schools. (To fill vacancy. )


I. W. Myers


544-83


G. H. Brock.


461


M. A. Ives.


1


Stock Act.


For


497-148


Against.


.349


October Election, 1873


Governor.


C. C. Carpenter. . .


979-866


J. G. Vale


113


Lieutenant Governor.


Joseph Dysart.


981-871


C. Whiting.


110


Supreme Judge.


Joseph M. Beck ..


979-866


B. J. Hall


113


Superintendent Public Instruction.


A. Abernethy.


978-866


D. W. Prindle


112


Representative.


M. A. Leahy.


978-870


G B. Rockwell


108


.


242


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.


County Auditor.


J. M. Wait.


683-283


William H. Thompson.


400


Treasurer.


R. S. Benson


572-57


George. Beed


515


Sheriff.


A. N. Minor.


719-356


Philip Salisbury


363


Surveyor.


P, S. Brennan.


.674 -- 276


S. H. Vankirk.


398


Superintendent of Schools.


G. G. Clemmer


1061-1057


I. W. Myers


4


Coroner.


Audrew Graham


1069


Supervisor.


L. D. Lane


.598-122


C. J. Mott.


476


County High School


For


165


Against.


744-579


Increase of Board of Supervisors.


For.


126


Against


746-621


October Election, 1874.


Secretary of State.


Josiah T. Young.


.749-516


David Morgan


233


Auditor of State.


B. R. Sherman.


753-514


Joseph M. King.


229


State Treasurer.


William Christy


750-518


H. C. Hargis.


232


Register State Land Office.


David Secor. .


749-517


R. H. Rodearmel


232


Attorney General.


M. E. Cutts.


750-518


John H. Keatly.


232


Supreme Court Reporter.


J. S. Runnells


750-518


J. M. Weart.


232


Clerk of Supreme Court.


E. J. Holmes.


.750 -- 518


George B. Rockwell.


27


George W. Ball.


232


Congressman.


H. O. Pratt.


721-483


John Bowman.


238


Judge of District Court .


I. J. Mitchell.


617-347


John Porter.


2770


District Attorney.


M. D. O'Connell.


671-353


C. A. Clark.


315


John Porter


1


Col. Clark.


1


C. H. Clark.


1


Clerk of Circuit and District Courts.


M. A. Ives


587-219


A. I. Smith.


368


T. C. Mckenzie.


2


I. W. Daggett.


3


County Recorder.


G. C. Hayes


935


Stock Act.


For.


682-557


Against.


125


Supervisor.


David Church.


228-140


Richard T. Blake


88


William Boots.


1


T. E. B. Hudson.


1


October Election, 1875.


Governor.


Samuel J. Kirkwood.


923-709


Shepherd Lefler


214


Lieutenant Governor.


Joshua G. Newbold.


923-709


Emmett B. Woodward.


214


Supreme Judge.


Austin Adams.


923 -- 710


William J. Knight


213


Superintendent Public Instruction.


Alonzo Abernethy.


.924-711


Isaiah Doane.


213


State Senator.


Lemuel Dwelle.


929-721


James M. Elder


208


Representative 68th District.


Lorenzo D. Lane.


456-11


Daniel W. Dow.


445


Marmaduke P. Rosecrans.


196


HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 243


County Auditor.


John M. Wait ..


1103-1084


James M. Snyder.


19


County Treasurer.


Rufus S. Benson.


768-413


Henry Meyers, Sr.


355


Clerk of Courts.


(To fill vacancy.)


Thomas B. Taylor.


595-73


James T. McCormick.


522


William C. Tyrrell.


2


Sheriff.


Abel N. Minor


.937-813


Newton Penney


124


O. H. Hemming.


65


County Superintendent of Schools. Congress.


Orilla M. Reeve.


574-79


G. H. Brock


.495


I. W. Myers


8


County Surveyor.


L B. Raymond.


447-64


P. S. Brennan


283


S. H. Vankirk.


282


Coroner.


O. B. Harriman


1114


Supervisor.


John I. Popejoy ...


.208


November Election, 1876.


Judge Supreme Court.


William H. Seevers.


.1175-796


Walter I. Hayes.


379


Judge Supreme Court to fill vacancy created by Chapter 7 of Aets 16th General Assembly.


James H. Rothrock.


1176-798


William Graham ..


378


Judge Supreme Court to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Chester C. Cole,


William H. Seevers


1175-796


Walter I. Hayes


379


Charles Negus


1


Secretary of State.


Josiah T. Young


1175-796


John Strubenraugh


379


A. MeReady


5


Auditor State.


Buren R. Sherman


1175-796


Wm. Groneweg.


379


David Brown.


5


Treasurer State.


George W. Bemis.


1175-796


Wesley Jones.


379


G. C. Fry


5


Register State Land Office.


David Secor


1175-796


N. C. Ridenour.


379


G. M. Walker


5


Attorney General.


John F. MeJunkin


1175-796


J. C. Cook.


379


Superintendent Public Instruction.


(To fill vacaney.)


Carl W. Van Coellen


1180-1175


J. A. North


5


Nathaniel C. Deering.


1177-793


Cyrus Foreman


384


Judge Circuit Court.


J. H. Bradley.


1268 -- 978


J. T. Frazier.


290


Clerk of Courts.


Thomas B. Taylor.


893-318


James T. McCormick


575


G. R. Miner


87


County Recorder.


Guy C. Hayes.


1561


Supervisor.


W. A. Alexander,


371-125


William Glendenning.


246


October Election, 1877.


Governor.


John H. Gear


1311-975


John P. Irish.


336


Elias Jessup.


10


Daniel P. Stubbs.


16


Lieutenant Governor.


Frank T. Campbell.


1344-1020


William C. James.


324


O. MeCready,


16


Judge Supreme Court.


J. G. Day ..


1339-1011


H. E. J. Boardman.


328


John Porter


16


Superintendent Public Instruction.


C. W. Von Coellen.


1331-1210


G D. Cullison.


121


V. G. Collison


202


S. T. Ballard


16


.


244


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.


Representative 78th District.


John H. King


1202-996


W. W. Knapp. 207


Daniel Dougherty.


255


County Auditor.


C. L. Clock.


879-86


John M. Wait.


793


County Treasurer.


T. C. Mckenzie.


905-196


Gideon G. Clemmer.


779


Sheriff.


.


M. B. Jones, rep.


892-560


M. K. Donovan, dem.


332


Robert Jeffers


268


John H. Rule.


182


John Hartgraves


1


Surveyor.


(To fill vacancy.)


S. H. Vankirk


.574-222


John T. Stearns


352


Surveyor.


(Full term. )


S. H. Vankirk.


909-152


John T. Stearns.


757


· Superintendent Schools. (To fill vacancy.)


I. W Myers


900-410


L. B. Raymond.


490


G. W. Miller.


4


Superintendent Schools. (Full term )


I. W. Myers.


1077-524


L. B. Raymond.


553


G. W. Miller ..


13


Coroner.


J. H. Hutchins


.829-742


C. D. Tidd


77


O. B. Harriman.


9


Dr. J. I. Leas


1


Supervisor.


David Church,


.352


October Election 1878.


Secretary of State.


John A. T. Hull


1127 -- 702


F M. Farnsworth.


425


E. M. Farnsworth.


145


E. N. Farnsworth.


29


Auditor of State.


„Buren R. Sherman


1128-584


Joseph Eibæck.


543


G. D. Swearinger.


44


Treasurer of State.


George W. Bemis


1128-565


M. L. Devin


563


M. L. Divine.


35


Register State Land Office.


James K. Powers.


1130-534


M. Farrington


596


Attorney General.


John F. McJunken


1054-543


John Gibbons. .


511


John E. McJunken.


73


John Gibbins


29


C. H. Jackson.


44


Supreme Judge.


James H. Rothrock.


1126-537


James C. Knapp


589


James Knapp.


9


Clerk Supreme Court.


Edward J. Holmes


1127-529


Alex. Runyan.


598


Supreme Court Reporter.


John S. Runnells.


1061-564


John B. Elliott


497


John S. Rennells.


66


John Elliott ..


43


George W. Rutherford.


44


Congress.


Nathaniel C. Deering.


1101-547


L. H. Weller


554


W. V. Allen


74


District Judge. '


J. W. Mckenzie.


1485-1264


H. E. J. Boardman.


221


District Attorney.


J. L. Stevens


1247-780


N. B. Hyatt


467


Clerk of Courts.


Henry A. Harriman,


986 -- 251


T. B. Taylor.


735


County Recorder.


A. W. Crawford.


801-67


C. S. Guilford.


734


George W. Fulsom


166


Supervisor.


J. I. Popejoy.


242-21


Wesley Brogan.


221


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 247


October Election, 1879.


Governor.


John H. Gear


1345-1067


H. H. Trimble.


278


Daniel Campbell


180


Lieutenant Governor.


Frank T. Campbell.


1343-1070


J. A. O. Yeaman.


273


H. M. Moore.


182


Supreme Judge.


J. M. Beck.


1344-1069


Reuben Noble


275


M. H. Jones


180


Superintendent Public Instruction.


Carl W. Von Coellen


1346-1075


Erwin Boke.


271


J. A. Nash.


182


State Senator.


F. M. Goodykoont.


1791


Representative.


John H. King.


1240-698


H. H. Schell.


542


C. C.Freeguard.


1


S. B. Elder.


1


County Auditor


Charles L. Clock.


1567-1364


Philip HI. Wolfenbarger.


203


C. P. Philps.


18


County Treasurer.


Tom C. Mckenzie, Ind.


1596-1398


J. M. Carroll.


198


N. B. Enfield. . .


1


Sheriff.


Martin B. Jones


1546-1301


M. A. Leahey.


245


A. R. Carter


8


Surveyor.


S. H. Van Kirk.


1130-821


Thomas R. Kelley


333


P. S. Brennan.


.309


Superintendent of Schools.


John E. Evans.


872-167


I. W. Myers.


675


George Miller


206


Loren J. Merris.


5


Coroner.


James H. Hutchins.


778-237


C. HI. Tidd.


541


William Boddy


221


J. Crebbs.


59


Supervisor.


W. A. Alexander.


405 -- 25


W. H. McMillan.


380


Jail Appropriation.


.


For


1100-876


Against


224


November Election, 1880. Secretary of State.


J. A. T. Hull.


1519-1047


A. B. Keith.


402


George M. Walker.


70


Auditor of State.


W. V. Lucas.


1516-1041


Charles I. Barker.


401


G. V. Swearinger.


74


Treasurer of State.


E. H Conger.


1517-1041


Martin Blim.


401


Matthew Farrington.


73


Register of State Land Office.


J. K. Powers. .


1521 -- 1129


Daniel Dougherty.


392


Thomas Hooker.


74


Attorney General.


S. McPherson.


1516-1115


Charles A. Clark


401


W. A. Spurrier.


74 .


Congress.


N. C. Deering.


1457-1092


J. S. Root.


365


M. B. Doolittle.


154


J. H. King.


1


E. J. Dean.


12


Circuit Judge.


David D. Miracle.


1684-1381


John Porter.


303


Clerk of Courts.


C. S. Guilford ..


1968


-1964


R. S. Wardwell.


4


Mose Harriman.


1


County Recorder.


A. W. Crawford.


1975-1971


T. I. McChesney


4


Supervisor.


William Barry


364-173


A. H. Bemis


192


13


248


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.


Additional Appropriation for County Jail.


For.


1448-1277


Against


171


Convention for Constitutional Amendment.


Yes.


1390-1152


No ..


238


October Election, 1881. Governor.


Buren R. Sherman


1135-870


L. G. Kinne


188


D. M. Clark.


75


Thomas Phelps.


1


Wm. Johnson.


1


Lieutenant-Governor.


O. H. Manning


1138-876


J. M. Walker.


189


James M. Holland.


12


John M. Cent ..


1


Supreme Judge.


Austin Adams. .


1137-874


H. B. Hendershott.


190


Jacob W. Rogers


1


W. W. Williamson


72


Superintendent of Public Instruction.


J. W. Akers


1138-876


W. H. Butler


260


J. Hammond.


1


Mrs. A. M. Swain


1


State Senator (Vacancy).


HI. G. Parker.


1301


Representative.


R. S. Benson.


1246-1103


F. J. Bush.


143


District Judge.


II. C. Henderson.


1391


County Auditor.


I. M. Wait.


834-278


C. P. Phelps.


555


J. S. Nye.


1


Treasurer.


(1. L. Clock.


1397


Sheriff.


S. C. Stevens


1387-1381


J. M. Soper.


4


Frank Thayer.


1


J. S. Nye.


1


County Superintendent of Schools.


John E. Evans.


1387


Nancy Evans.


1


Solomon Gamble.


1


County Surveyor.


S H. Vankirk


1384


T. Kelley


1


E. H. Weitzel


1


Coroner.


J. H. Hutchins


1397


Supervisor.


A. D. St. Clair


273


N. Penny


2


Stock Act.


For permitting stock to run at large.


. 64


Against.


1134


Norember, 1882. Secretary State.


John A. T. Hull


1232


T. O. Walker.


.524


William Gaston.


33


Auditor State.


John L. Brown.


1232-708


William Thompson


524


G. A. Wyant.


33


Treasurer State.


Edwin H. Conger.


1232-708


John Foley


.524


George Doerr.


33


Attorney Genera1.


Smith McPherson


1232-707


J. H. Bremermann.


525


James A. Rice.


33


Supreme Judge.


William H. Seevers.


1163-653


Charles E. Bronson


510


M A. Jones


33


H. T. Bonorden


16


Clerk Supreme Court.


Gilbert B. Pray.


1232-723


H. F. Bonorden.


509


J. E. N. Clark.


33


Reporter Supreme Court.


Ezra C. Ebersole


1231-696


L. A. Palmer


.535


J. II. Williamson


33


C


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.


249


District Judge.


Clerk of Courts.


H. C. Henderson. 1218-675


B. L. Burritt. .543


District Attorney .


J. L. Stevens ..


1295-839


County Recorder.


M. W. Anderson


.456


Lewis Elsoffer.


1730


Congress.


Supervisor.


J. A. Holmes 1279-806


W. H. McMillan.


424-16


John Cliggitt 473


L. P. Holden. 408


Isaac Doane. 34


Holden.


John Duni


1


H. P. Holden.


11


CHAPTER XII.


NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATION.


While unworthy men, at times, may force themselves into office, it cannot but be acknowledged that the great body of office-holders of the country are truly rep- resentative men,-men of positive force and character. They are of the number that build up and strengthen a town , county or State. In this chapter, as far as possible, are given sketches of all who have served the Nation, State or county, in an official capacity, who could be classed among the citizens of Franklin county. Some of the sketches are imper- fect, but it is not the fault of the historian that they are not more complete. Some of the parties have passed away, leaving no record from which a sketch could be obtained, while others have left the county and the place of their residence is unknown.


CONGRESSIONAL.


Franklin county became a part of the second congressional district, on its or-


ganization, and was represented in the thirty-third Congress, from 1853 to 1855, _ by John P. Cook, of Davenport.


Mr. Cook was a native of the State of New York, and in 1836, came west to Davenport. He was elected a member of Congress as a whig, and held the views of that party until its dissolution. On the breaking up of the whig party, he affili- ated with the democratic party, the prin- ciples of which he labored to sustain and promulgate, even to the end of his days. His life was one of great energy and in- dustry. He was by natural instinct a true western man,-a wide-awake, thoroughly active pioneer, who never saw the time when he could lay aside the business har- ness, and, to all appearances, never wanted to. As a lawyer, he had but few superiors; was always ready, fluent and an able ad- vocate, and with these qualities were com- bined energy, tact and industry ; and for


C. S. Guilford. 1765-1763


R. S. Bird. 2


250


2


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.


years he stood pre-eminently high. Mr. Cook died at Davenport, April 17, 1872.


James Thorington, of Davenport, was the next representative in Congress from the second district. He was not a man of extraordinary ability, but was a good poli- tician and wire-puller. He was after- ward minister to one of the South Amer- ican States.


Timothy Davis, of Elkader, Clayton county, was the next, and served the dis- trict from 1857 to 1859, in the thirty-fifth Congress.


William Vandever, of Dubuque, was elected a member of the thirty-sixth Congress and re-elected to the thirty- seventh. William Vandever was a native of Maryland. In 1839, he came west, lo- cating in Rock Island, where he remained until 1851, when he moved to Dubuque. In 1855, he formed a partnership with Ben. W. Samuels, of Dubuque, in the practice of law. In 1858, he was elect- ed a member of the thirty-sixth Congress. He made a useful member of that body. While serving his second term, he aban- doned his seat in Congress, returned home and raised the 9th Iowa Infantry, of which he was made colonel. In 1862, he was promoted to a brigadier-general, and at the close of the war was breveted major-gen- eral.


By the census of 1862, Iowa was enti- tled to six representatives in Congress. Franklin, on the State being re-districted, became a part of the sixth district. Its first representative was A. W. Hubbard, of Sioux City. He was elected in the fall of 1862, and became a member of the thirty- eighth Congress. He was re-elected a


member of the thirty-ninth and fortieth Congress.


Charles Pomeroy, of Fort Dodge, was the next representative in Congress from the sixth district. He was elected in 1868 as a member of the forty first Congress, and served one term, when he was suc- ceeded by Jackson Orr, of Boonesborough, in 1871, who served in the forty-second Congress as a representative. He was also re-elected to the forty-third Congress.


In 1870, it was found that the popula- tion of the State had increased to a num- ber entitling it to nine representatives in Congress. In the re-districting, Franklin county became a part of the fourth dis- trict. It was first represented by Henry O. Pratt, of Charles City, in the 43d Con- gress; he was re-elected to the 44th and served until March, 1877. Mr. Pratt was a native of Maine. He came west at an early day, and in June, 1862, was admitted to the bar at Mason City. Soon after- wards a call was made for 600,000 men, by the president, and he enlisted as a private in company B, 32d Iowa Infantry. He became completely broken down in health in less than a year, and was dis- charged in the spring of 1863. The fol- lowing summer, while regaining his health, he taught a small school in Worth Co., Iowa. His health being restored, he com- menced the practice of law at Charles City.


N. C. Deering was the successor to Mr. Pratt. He was elected as a member of the 45th and re-elected to the 46th and 47th Congress. He was an influential member. In 1882, a change was again made in the congressional district by which Franklin county was thrown into the tenth district, and Major J. A. Holmes,


251


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.


of Boone county, was elected as the first representative after this change. Col. John Scott, of Story county, and Hon. C. C Carpenter, of Fort Dodge, were candi- dates in the convention against him.


MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.


The fourth General Assembly convened at Iowa City Dec. 6, 1852, and adjourned Jan. 24, 1853. At this time Franklin county, although unorganized, was asso- ciated with Dallas, Greene, Polk, Boone, Story, Marshall, Risley, Will, Fox, Poca- hontas, Humboldt, Wright, Hardin, Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Emmett, Bancroft, Winnebago and Worth, constituting one district, with Andrew L. Hull as senator, and J. F. Rice, J. C. Goodson and Benjamin Green as repre- sentatives.


The fifth General Assembly convened at Iowa City, Dec. 4, 1854, and also convened in extra session in July, 1858. The dis- trict, of which Franklin county was a part, was represented by James C. Jordan, in the Senate, and Jacob W. Rogers in the House.


The sixth General Assembly convened at Iowa City, in December, 1856, and ad- journed Jan. 29, 1857. At this time the district was composed of Fayette, Bremer, Butler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin, Wright, Webster, Boone, Story, Greene and Hum- boldt counties. The district was represented by Aaron Brown, of Fayette, in the Sen- ate, and Walter C. Wilson, of Hamilton, in the House.


The seventh General Assembly convened at DesMoines, Jan. 11, 1858. Aaron Brown was still in the Senate, and the district was represented in the House by C. C. Carpenter, of Fort Dodge.


The eighth General Assembly convened at DesMoines, Jan. 8, 1860, and also con- vened in extra session, May 15, 1861. At this time Franklin county was asso- ciated with Grundy, Black Hawk and But- ler counties as the thirty-sixth senatorial district, and was represented by A. F. Brown, a lawyer from Black Hawk county. The representative district comprised the counties of Franklin, Wright, Butler and Grundy, which was served in the House by Chauncy Gillett, of Hampton.


Chauncy Gillett was born in Bridport, Addison Co., Vt., in October, 1820, and when little past his majority removed to Chillicothe, Ohio. In 1844, he moved to Columbus and went into business there- that of handling musical instruments. In 1856, he made some investments in Frank- lin county, but did not move his family ont until 1857. Upon his arrival he laid out the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 30-forty acres -- into Gil- lett's addition to Hampton, and built the house which is now a part of the Phoenix Hotel, on the corner of Fourth and Main streets. In 1859, he was elected to the legislature,and served with marked ability. He was a radical republican, and was the first republican postmaster at Hampton, having been appointed by President Lin- coln in the spring of 1861. Never a very strong or robust man, the vigorous cli- mate proved too much for him and he was stricken with consumption. With charac- teristic pluck and nerve, however, he kept up his courage and hope to the last, and insisted on taking a trip to Chicago on business against the advice of his family and friends, and while there was taken worse, and died in September, 1862.


252


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.


He was a public-spirited man, and a citi- zen whose loss was severely felt in Hamp- ton, and if he had lived, his ability and the esteem in which he was held would have doubtless placed him among the first men in Iowa. He left no children, and his wife yet resides in Hampton, and is now the wife of E. S. Stiles.


The ninth General Assembly convened in January, 1862. This district was rep- resented by A. F. Brown, in the Senate and Alonzo Converse, of Butler county, in the House.


The tenth General Assembly convened at Des Moines, Jan. 11, 1864. At this date the counties of Hardin, Grundy, Black Hawk, Butler and Franklin consti- tnted the thirty-ninth senatorial district and was represented by Coker F. Clarkson, of Grundy. Franklin was then in the fifty-third representative district, and was represented by Willis A. Lathrop, of Butler Centre.


The eleventh General Assembly con- vened January 8, 1866. George W. Bas- sett represented the district in the Senate, and G. W. Hand in the House.


The twelfth General Assembly con- vened in January, 1868. At this time this district was composed of Franklin, Butler, Grundy and Cerro Gordo counties, and was represented in the Senate by Marcus Tuttle, of Clear Lake. In the House, Wright, Hamilton, Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties were represented by J. D. Hunter, now of Webster City.


The thirteenth General Assembly con- vened in January, 1870. Worth, Mitchell, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Wright, Hancock, Winnebago and Kossuth counties were represented in the Senate by Marcus Tut- tle. In the Ilouse, J. D. Hunter repre-


sented the counties of Franklin, Hancock, Hamilton and Wright.


The fourteenth General Assembly con- vened at Des Moines in January, 1872. At this time Franklin county was repre- sented in the State Senate by IIon. E. A. Howland. In the House, the county was served by M. A. Leahy, of Hampton.


The fifteenth General Assembly con- vened at Des Moines, January, 1874. At this session Franklin county was repre- sented by the same parties as at the pre- ceding one, M. A. Leahy having been re-elected.


Senator E. A. Howland was a native of Rutland, Jefferson Co., N. Y., born Feb. 27, 1832. In the spring of 1855, he emigrated to Joliet, Ill., and one year later came to Iowa, loeating at Fort Dodge, where he remained one month and went to Webster City, where he engaged in the livery business. In 1858, he returned to Fort Dodge and in company with C. P. Farr kept the St. Charles Hotel for a year. In 1859 he came to Franklin county, set- tled at Otisville and went to farming and dairying. He afterwards added a'land agency to his business and was exceed- ingly well prospered as to this world's goods. For many years he was the mem- ber of the board of supervisors from Mor- gan township, and was chairman of that body for two or three years. In 1871, he was elected State senator and served his term with credit to himself. In 1873, he removed to Belmond, where he still lives.


The sixteenth General Assembly con- vened in January, 1876, at DesMoines. Hon. Lemuel Dwelle had been elected to succeed E. A. Howland, as State senator,


253


HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.


and Lorenzo D. Lane took the place of M. A. Leahy as representative.


L. D. Lane came to Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1870, and lived on a farm near Hamp- ton until 1880, when he went into the book and music trade in Hampton. Ile was one of the board of supervisors two years, is now justice of the peace, and was one term in the Iowa State legislature. He is a member of the M. E. Church in Ilampton. He was married in 1852 to Miss M. A. Mickle, and they have three children living. Mr. Lane was born, July 29, 1830, in Licking Co., Ohio, where he grew up. He received a common school education, and spent three years in the Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, then came west to Freeport, Ill., and from there to this county.


The seventeenth General Assembly con- vened in January, 1878, at DesMoines. At this time Hon. Lemuel Dwelle, of Worth county, was still representing the district in the Senate. Hon. John H. King was Representative.


The eighteenth General Assembly con- vened in January, 1880. At this time Hon. F. M. Goodykoontz, of Mason City, was senator from the district of which Franklin county formed a part. Hon. John H. King had been re-elected repre- sentative.


The nineteenth General Assembly con- vened at DesMoines in January, 1882. H. G. Parker, of Mason City, was represent- ing the district in the Senate, and R. S. Benson, of Hampton, served the county in the House.


COUNTY OFFICERS.


The history of Franklin county would indeed be incomplete without a record of


the county officers, who have served since the organization of the county. There has been much difficulty connected with ob- taining material for biographical sketches of those who have died or moved from the county since their official services were performed. Where the mention of men, who were prominent in their day, is short, it is because of the meagre material to be secured. The following embraces a com- plete list of the various officers from 1855 to 1883, inclusive :




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.