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 29
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 29
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COUNTY JUDGE.
This was the most important of the county officers, embracing the work now attended to by the board of supervisors and auditor, and also a great deal of busi- ness now handled by the circuit court. The first county judge of Franklin county was James B. Reeve. He was first elected in August, 1855, and two years later was re-elected, serving until January, 1860. His second election, in 1857, was con- tested by Dr. S. R. Mitchell, but after a lengthy trial Judge Reeve was declared elected. Upon him, as the first county judge, devolved the duty of perfecting the organization of the county, dividing it into townships, and such other work as was necessary to perfect a system of county government. Judge James B. Reeve was one of Franklin county's prom- inent men, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was one of the first three men who settled in Franklin county, and is remembered by the citizens, both in his private and official capacity as a man, in the fullest sense of that word. It is seldom that the first settler of a new county enters so fully into its history as does Mr. Reeve. When the South re-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
belled against the old flag, and the country was in peril, Mr. Reeve raised a company, of which he was made captain. He went South with his company and was taken sick at Fort Pillow, from which he never recovered, and died June 24, 1863. He was born in Lyme, Conn., Dec. 27, 1816. His parents, with several other families, moved to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, when he he was but five years of age, and settled in an unorganized township, which upon its organization they called New Lyme, after the town in which he was born. Here he grew to manhood, and received a common school education. He was mar- ried Feb. 9, 1840, to Adeline Riggs, born in Geauga Co., Ohio, Dec. 23, 1819. In the fall of 1852 he came, in company with Addison' Phelps, to Franklin Co., Iowa, and settled on section 23, township 91, range 20, where his wife still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Reeve had eleven children, all living but the eldest son (Fernando T.) who died at Andersonville prison. Those living are-T. Henry, Orrilla M., Orson G., Beulah M, J. Rumsey, Susan M., J. Albert, Sarah E., Herman D. and Emily A. The three oldest sons were also in the army.
The second county judge of Franklin county was Henry Shroyer, who was elected in the fall of 1869, and began official duties on Jan. 2, 1860. Henry Shroyer came here from Indiana in 1856 and settled near Maysville, in Reeve township. He was a married man and had a large family. He was a republican, a man of fair ability and made a good officer. During the latter part of the decade between 1860 and 1870, Shrover moved to Mahaska county, this State, where,
in 1882, he was still living, engaged in farming.
In October, 1861, A. T. Reeve was elected county judge, but did not qualify, as he soon went into the army, and for a few months S. R. Mitchell acted as county judge.
W. N. Davidson was appointed to fill the vacancy, and served until succeeded by Judge Austin North. Davidson was a lawyer of Hampton, and is noted at length in the Bar Chapter.
In the fall of 1862, Judge Austin North was elected to the office, and was twice thereafter re-elected, serving nearly five years. He made a good judge, and after his resignation, a few months before the expiration of his term, the members of the bar prepared and presented him with a testimonial of their esteem and regard for him as a man, and appreciation of his services as an official. This was signed by W. N. Davidson, attorney ; N. B. Chapman, attorney and superintendent ; George Beed, treasurer ; James H. Beed, recorder ; R. S. Benson, clerk ; A. Pick- ering, sheriff.
After the resignation of Judge North, James Thompson was appointed county judge and served about four months, until his successor was elected and qualified. He is still a resident and an honored citizen of Hampton.
W. W. Day was the next county judge, being elected in the fall of 1867 and serv- ing until the office was abolished by law. Judge Day came from Pennsylvania at an early day, and settled in Reeve township. He was quite an old man at the time, was married and was a shoemaker by trade. He made a good officer, and made many
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 255
friends. Since his first settlement in Franklin county his residence has not been continuous, but in 1883 he was living in Marion township.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
In 1869 the office of county judge was abolished, and that of county auditor created. Captain R. S. Benson was the first elected to this office, and two years later, in 1871, he was re-elected. He made one of the most popular and efficient officers the county has ever had.
In October, 1873, J. M. Wait was elected county auditor, and being re-elected, served until January, 1878.
C. L. Clock was the next county auditor, being elected in 1877, and re-elected in 1879. He is the present county treasurer.
In the fall of 1881, John M. Wait was again elected county auditor, and his term continues until January, 1884. He is a gentlemanly, careful, correct and most satisfactory officer. John M. Waitlocated in what is now Mott township in 1865. He lived on a farm three years, after which he embarked in the drug business at Hampton, and later, in the grocery trade. In 1873, he was elected county auditor, and re-elected in 1875 without any opposition. At the expiration of his second term he established himself as a real estate broker. Four years later, in 1881, he was re-elected to his present posi- tion. He is a republican in polities, and is a member of the Congregational Church. He was married in 1860 to Alice M. Aldrich, born in Hancock Co., Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Wai have three children-Wal- ter W., Wells and Bertha V.
TREASURER AND RECORDERS.
When Franklin county was organized, and for several years thereafter, the duties per- taining to the present offices of treasurer and recorder were attended to by one officer. The work of each was about the same as at the present day, but there was so little to do that it hardly kept one man busy to attend to both. Upon the organ- ization, Isaac Miller was elected treas- urer and recorder, and was the first to act in that capacity. Isaac Miller came here from Howard Co., Ind., in 1855, and settled in Reeve township with his family, consisting of wife and a number of chil- dren. He was a pleasant, affable man, of but little education, though with a good deal of natural tact, and succeeded very well in the office, as there was but little todo. In some respects he was rather rough. He remained here until about 1864 when he removed to Nebraska. Isaac Miller was re-elected in 1857. The vote stood 107 for Milton Clover, his opponent, and 104 for Miller, but after an extended contest trial, Miller was declared duly elected.
In October, 1859, James Thompson was elected treasurer and recorder, over John E. Boyles and Isaac Miller. Mr. Thomp- son served for two years, George Beed being his deputy.
Geore Beed was elected to the office in the fall of 1861, and re-elected in 1863.
In 1863-4, by an act of the General As- sembly, the offices of treasurer and recorder were separated, and provision was made for the election of an officer to attend to the duties of each. But notwithstanding this provision, George Beed continued to attend to the duties of both offices for one term after the passage of the act.
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256
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
In 1865, George Beed was elected treasurer of Franklin county, and in 1867, was re-elected, serving until January, 1870. The value and appreciation of Mr. Beed as an official, and a citizen, is attested by the fact that he was kept in the office for eight consecutive years.
Col. A. T. Reeve succeeded George Beed as county treasurer, and served until January, 1874. In the fall of 1873, he was a prominent candidate for the office of State treasurer, but was defeated in the convention.
In the fall of 1873, Rufus S. Benson was elected treasurer of Franklin county, and was re-elected in 1875, serving until January, 1878.
In October, 1877, T. C. Mckenzie was elected to succeed Mr. Benson. He was re-elected in 1879, serving four years. Mr. Mckenzie had served the county prior to this in the capacity of clerk of court, and was probably the most popular man who has ever held office in Franklin county. After the expiration of his term, he resumed the practice of law at Hamp- ton, in which he is now engaged.
C. L. Clock succeeded Mr. Mckenzie as treasurer, being elected in the fall of 1881.
Charles L. Clock came to Franklin county immediately after the close of the war in 1865. He located on a farm in Reeve township, and was engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits until 1875, when he be- gan to operate in grain and continued that business two years. He was elected county auditor in 1877, and re-elected in 1879. In 1881, he was elected to his present position. In politics he is a rad- ical republican. He has been a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1872, and during that time has been an active and zealous laborer in religious matters. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has taken the degree of the Royal Arch Chapter. Mr. Clock was married Jan. 1, 1867, to Rebecca Haskell. They have three children-Fred H., Harry L. and Charles H. Mr. Clock is a son of Ebenezer and Lucinda (Jarvis) Clock. His father died in 1845, and, in 1852, his mother removed to Illinois, and settled in Jo Daviess county. 1861, Mr. Clock en- listed in company E, 15th Illinois Infantry, and served as a private two years, when he became forage master, and acted in that capacity until the close of the war in 1865.
COUNTY RECORDERS.
This office was separated from that of treasurer in 1863-4, but for two years af- terward, George Beed attended to the duties of both offices. James H. Beed was the first to hold the office of recorder distinct from others, and served until Jan- nary, 1869, making two years.
Henry Meyer, Sr., succeeded James H. Beed as recorder, being elected in 1868, and re-elected in 1870. Mr. Meyer was born in Switzerland on the 27th of June, 1809. In 1833, he came to America, and settled in southern Illinois, where he re- mained, engaged at farming, until 1846, and then moved northward to Sauk Co, Wis. There he engaged at the same vo- cation, and remained until 1855, when he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and set- tled on the West Fork. In 1868, as stated, he was elec ed recorder of the county. After the expiration of his second term of office, he embarked in mercantile trade at
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Hampton, and was in active business life until 1882, when he retired. Mr. Meyer was married in 1831, to Sophia Baumgart- ner, who was born in Switzerland, Novem- ber 8, 1812. The have been blessed with twelve children. The living ones are Sophia, IIenry, Fred, Emile, Bertha and Adolph.
At the fall election, 1872, G. C. Hayes was elected recorder of Franklin county without opposition. In 1874 and 1876, Mr. . Hayes was re-elected, serving six years in all. He made a popular and effi- cient officer.
A. W. Crawford succeeded G. C. Hayes as recorder, in the fall of 1878, and being re-elected in 1880, served nntil January, 1883.
Lonis Elseffer was elected in the fall of 1882, and began official duties in January, 1883.
Louis Elseffer has been a resident of Iowa since 1856, when his parents, Peter and Jane (Tapp) Elseffer, located in Cedar county. Mr. Elseffer was born in New York City, Aug. 30, 1844. He enlisted from Cedar county in 1861, enrolling in company E, 11th lowa Infantry, and re- ceived an honorable discharge in July, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. On his return to Cedar county, he engaged in literary work, and entered upon the career of a news- paper reporter and correspondent. In 1875, he came to Franklin county and set- tled on a farm in Marion township. He was elected county recorder in 1882, on the republican ticket. He is a member of the Masonic order. Mr. Elseffer was married in 1870, to Delilah Medaris.
CLERKS OF COURT.
There has been some controversy among the early settlers as to who was the first clerk of court. It seems that at the first election there was no clerk elected, or at least, none qualified, and James Thomp son was appointed to fill the vacaney.
At the August election, in 1856, Dr. S. R. Mitchell was elected elerk and served until the ensuing April election, in 1857. Dr. Mitchell was the first physician to locate in Franklin county and is treated at length in the Medical Chapter.
In April, 1857, Sowel C. Brazzelton was elected to succeed Mitchell. Not much is remembered of Brazzelton except that he settled at Maysville in the summer of 1855, and was largely interested in the county seat fights between that place and Hamp- ton. He left the county years ago.
John D. Leland was elected elerk of court in October, 1858, over John E. Boyles and S. C. Brazzelton. Leland served for two years and was candidate for re-elec- tion, but was defeated.
D. W. Dow was the successful eandi- date for clerk of court in November, 1860, defeating J. D. Leland and Henry White. Mr. Dow was twice re-elected, and served six years, but was absent a portion of the time in the army. He is the oldest resi- dent attorney in Hampton, and is noticed at length in the Bar Chapter.
In the fall of 1866, R. S. Benson was elected clerk of court, and two years later was re- elected.
T. C. MeKenzie succeeded Mr. Benson to the elerkship, being elected in 1870, and re-elected in 1872, without opposition.
In the fall of 1874,. M. A. Ives was elected clerk of court, over A. I. Smith.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Hle did not qualify, however, and T. B. Taylor was appointed to the office. At the fall election, in 1875, he was elected to fill the vacancy. In November, 1876, Mr. Taylor was re-elected to the office and served until January, 1879.
In 1878, Henry A. Harriman was elected clerk of court and served one term.
C. S. Guilford succeeded Mr. Harriman by election in 1880. In 1882, he was re- elected and is now serving his second term.
C S. Guilford was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 15th of October, 1852, a son of C. C. and II. S. (Coffin) Guilford. Twelve years later the family removed to Tama Co., Iowa, and settled upon a farm. When fifteen years old C. S. beg.mn clerking in a store at Toledo, Iowa, and followed that vocation for about three years and a half, when he became deputy county auditor. For two years and a half he filled that position and then came to Hampton and compiled a set of Franklin county abstract books, and engaged in the loan, real estate and abstract business un- til elected clerk of court in 1880. In pol- itics Mr. Guilford is a republican. He is an efficient and accommodating county officer and is popular among all classes. He was married, in 1875, to Lydia Thompson, daughter of James Thompson, of Hampton. Three children bless this union-Edna A., William H. and Cady Swain.
COUNTY CORONERS.
This office was in existence at the time Franklin county was organized, but for some reason it was not filled at the time of the first election. At the election in Au- gust, 1857, William Ward was elected
coroner over George Ryan by a majority. of twelve, and served for one year.
William Ward came from Pennsylvania and settled on Mayne's creek, in Reeve township, in the fall of 1856. About 1873, he moved into Hampton and for two years engaged in the livery business; then bought the Shobe place near Sheffield and farmed it for several years, when he sold out and removed to Texas. After one sea- son's stop there he moved to Kansas, in which State he still resides. He is re- membered as a man of unimpeachable in- tegrity.
In the fall of 1858, Joshua Cromwell was elected coroner over E. H. Sparling by a majority of sixteen, and served for one year.
L. Armstrong came next as coroner by election in the fall of 1859, and held the office about the same length of time.
In November, 1860, L. Shroyer was elected coroner by a majority of 112 over W. W. Soper. Mr. Shroyer was from Os- ceola township. He left the county a num- ber of years ago and moved to some point in Nebraska.
During the next few years S. H. Carter and J. K Addis held the office of coroner; but a portion of the time it was vacant.
In October, 1870, John M. Wait was elected to he office. He was afterwards elected county auditor.
A. Graham succeeded Mr. Wait, being elected in 1871 and re-elected in 1873. Graham came to Hampton in 1869, from Ohio. He was a blacksmith and during his stay here operated a shop, part of the time in partnership with S. Tyler. A few years since he removed to Tama county.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
In 1875, Dr. O. B. Harriman was elected coroner and served for one term.
Dr. J. H. Hutchins succeeded Dr. Har- riman in 1877, and being re-elected in 1879 and 1881, is serving his third term.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
The first surveyor of Franklin county was Herman P. Allen, who was elected on the organization of the county in August, 1855. He was re-elected in 1857, and served until his successor was elected in August, 1859.
Obadiah Smith was the second sur veyor, being elected in 1859, and three times thereafter re-elected. Obadiah Smith first came to Franklin county in April, 1855, and entered a claim for land on sections 27 and 28, of what is now Washington township. During the first summer he broke a few acres, and in the winter of 1855-6 he went east, returning the ensuing spring to Franklin county, where he has since been a resident. He has always been actively interested in county politics and has held most of the local offices. Mr. Smith was born in Rhode Island May 4, 1832. His life, pre- vious to his locating in Iowa, was spent in his native State.
In 1867 S. H. Vankirk was elected county surveyor, and served for one term.
In October 1869, Obadiah Smith was again elected surveyor. In 1877 he was re-elected.
P. S. Brennan was elected to succeed Mr. Smith in the fall of 1873, and served for two years.
In October, 1875, L. B. Raymond was elected to the office of county surveyor, but did not serve out the full term and S. H. Vankirk was elected in the fall of
1877 to fill the vacancy, and for the en- suing regular term. S. H. Vankirk was re-elected in 1879 and 1881.
SHERIFFS.
The first sheriff of Franklin county was Solomon Staley, who was elected on the organization of the county in August, 1855. Staley was from Ohio, and settled with his family in Reeve township at an early day. He remained in the county until about 1876, when he went to Ne- braska.
In August, 1857, A. S. Ross was elected sheriff of Franklin county and served for two years.
F. A. Denton was elected to succeed Ross in August, 1859, over five other can- didates. He served the regular term of two years.
In 1861 J. W. Ward was elected sheriff. He served his term, and shortly after the war moved westward.
In October, 1867, A. Pickering was elected sheriff over Lewis P. Berry.
A. B. Hudson succeeded Mr. Pickering by election in October, 1869, and in 1871 was re-elected and served until January, 1874. Hudson was from Ohio, and settled at an early day on Mayne's creek in Reeve township. He remained in the county until about 1876, when he removed to Kansas, where he still lives. He was a man of good ability and made a popular officer. When the war broke out lie en- listed and became captain before the close.
A. N. Minor succeeded Capt. Hudson as sheriff. He was elected in 1873 and re elected in 1875. Minor had settled on Mayne's creek in Reeve township some years previous to his election and
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
was engaged in farming. In 1873 he removed to. Hampton and purchased the hardware business of Stearns & North, and for several years was in trade. there in partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. Norton. He now lives in Clarion, Wright Co., Iowa ..
In October, 1877, M. B. Jones was elec- ted sheriff, and two years later was re- elected, serving until January, 1882. M. B. Jones is a son of Levi Jones, one of the pioneers of Reeve township, and is a native of Delaware Co., Ind., born Sept. 16, 1841. In the fall of 1854 he came with his parents to Franklin county, and has made this his home since that time. In August, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 9th Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of the war, in 1865. In the battle of Kennesaw Mountain he received a gun- shot wound in the leg; and was wounded in the head in the battle of Pea Ridge. After receiving his discharge he returned to Franklin county, and on the 16th of May, 1866, was married to Martha A. But- terfield, who was born in Vermilion Co., Ill., Sept. 11,1847. She died Oct. 14, 1879, and on the 16th of December, 1881, Mr. Jones was married to Carrie Smith, a na- tive of Burlington, Vt., born Sept. 16, 1848. By this union there is one son- Martin L. In politics Mr. Jones is a staunch republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., at Hampton, and of the Masonic lodge at Geneva.
S. C. Stephen was the successor of M. B. Jones, as sheriff of Franklin county, being elected in the fall of 1881. S. C. Stephen came west in 1870, settling first in Vernon township, Wright county. He was a farmer there five years and man-
aged the hotel at Alden two years later, after which, until 1881, he was proprie or of the Phoenix hotel at Hampton. He was then elected sheriff, and has proved him- self a competent and efficient officer. Mr. Stevens was born in Grant Co., Wis., Dec. 20, 1840. His early life was spent in his native county, where his father was a pio- neer, and who died there in June, 1881, at the advanced age of 84 years. Mr Stephens was married in 1861 to Jennie S. Steph- ens, a native of La Fayette Co., Wis. Their children are Arthur W., Frank M. and Laina M. In the spring of 1862, it should have been stated, Mr. Stephens and wife crossed the plains to California, where they remained for two years and then returned to Platteville, Wis., remain- ing in the latter place until they came west to stay in 1870.
COUNTY ASSESSOR.
This office was created in 1856, to take the place of township assessors. John I. Popejoy was the first and only assessor ever elected in the county, as it was abol- ished, the duties reverting to the former and present system of township assessor.
DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS.
This office was of but little importance, and many of the gentlemen elected did not qualify. The first drainage commis- sioner of Franklin county was William H. Thompson, who was elected in October, 1858.
In the fall of 1859 Lewis H. Morgan was elected to the office without oppo- sition.
William May succeeded Morgan. He was elected in the fall of 1860, defeating James Jenkins.
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HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY.
In October, 1867, B. H. Gibbs was elected drainage commissioner without opposition.
Henry Thompson was the next drainage commissioner, and was the last in the county, as the office was abolished by law.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
A short time prior to the organization of Franklin county this office was created by an act of the General Assembly. The first to fill it for this county was Q. A.
Jordan. He was elected at the August election in 1855.
Samuel B Jackson succeeded Mr. Jor- dan, being elected in August, 1856, but for some reason did not serve but a few months.
In April, 1857, Robert F. Piatt was elected county attorney over Benjamin Butterfield by a majority of eight. Piatt hield the office until it was abol- ished by law, and that of district attor- ney took its place.
CHAPTER XIII.
AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
Franklin county is acknowledged as be- ing among the best and most prosperous agricultural counties in northern Iowa. Its people are wide awake and keep pace with the progressive march of a civiliza- tion of happiness, industry and culture. Its future possibilities may be set high among the cluster of its hundred sisters- a star of pride to the noble State. The early pioneers did not come loaded with wealth, and, in fact, few had more than enough to barely get settled upon their land; but they came with that which, in those days, was equal to it-training in agricultural pursuits, and were not ashamed to do hard work. In connection with industrious habits, they had energy and determination to win success. The county was new and there was no alterna- tive but that success must be wrought
from the soil, which was their only wealth and hope. In spite of all the obstacles and inconveniences to be encountered, success attended their efforts, and the transformation from the primitive to the present comfortable condition of things was accomplished. Nor is the end yet reached, for the county still has a mine of agricultural wealth yet undeveloped, which, as years roll on, will grow more and more valuable.
Early in the development of this county, wheat was the main product, and for a number of years excellent crops were raised with scarcely a failure. At the present time it has partially given up its former place to other cereals, while the farmers find many other avenues in which to devote their time and energies. The gradual increase in stock-raising has
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