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 78
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 78
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most approved pattern, were transferred from Springfield, Mass., and from Water- vleit, N. Y., together with a vast amount of cannon, mortar, balls, powder and shells were also forwarded to the rebels in the slave States.
On the 18th of February, 1861, the in- auguration of Jefferson Davis, as Presi- dent of the Southern Confederacy, took place at Montgomery, Ala. Four days later the collector of customs, appointed by the Confederate Government in Charleston, S. C., issued the manifesto that all vessels, from any State out of the Confederacy, would be treated as foreign vessels, and subject to the port dues, and other charges established by the laws of the Confederate States. Thus by a stroke of the pen, the immense commerce of the Northern States was declared to be for- eign commerce, beneath the guns of the forts which the United States had reared at an expense of millions of dollars.
Already a number of States had passed the ordinance of secession.
On the 4th of March, 1861, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated President, and assumed official dnties.
At half-past four o'clock on the morning of the 12th of April, 1861, the rebels opened fire upon Fort Sumpter, and, after enduring terrific bombardment from all sides, the heoric defenders abandoned it, and were conveyed to New York. Fort Sumter was the Bunker Hill of the civil war. In both cases, a proud aristocracy were determined to subject this country to its sway. In both cases the defeat was a glorious victory.
On the next Monday, April 15, Presi- dent Lincoln issued a call for three months'
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
service of 75,000 volunteers. The effect was electrical. Within fifteen days it is estimated that 350,000 men offered them- selves in defense of our national flag.
Thus the civil war had burst upon the United States with almost the suddenness of he meteor's glare. It was, however, but like the eruption of the volcano, whose pent-up fires had for ages been gathering strength for the final explosion. The con- spirators had for years been busy prepar- ing for the conflict. In the rebel conven- tion, which met in South Carolina to con- summate the conspiracy, Mr. Inglis said: "Most of us have had this subject under consideration for the last twenty years." Mr. Keitt said: "I have been engaged in this movement ever since I entered politi- cal life." Mr. Rhett said : "It is nothing produced by Mr. Lincoln's election, or the non-execution of the fugitive slave law. It is a matter which has been gathering for thirty years." But more need not be
said; the result is too well known. Call followed call in quick succession, till the number reached the grand total of 3,339,- 748. The calls were as follows:
April 15, 1861, for three months. 75,000
May 4, 1861, for five years. 64,748
July, 1861, for three years 500,000
July 18, 1862, for three years. 300,000
August 4, 1862, for nine months 300,000
June, 1863, for three years .. 300,000
October 17, 1863, for three years 300,000
February 18, 1864, for three years. 500,000
July 10, 1864, for three years. 200,000
July 16, 1864, for one, two and three
years. 500,000
December 21, 1864, for three years. 300,000
Total 3,339,748
Many interesting references are made to the events occurring during the breaking out of the war, and also to dates on which the various rebelling States se- ceded, in the War Chapter of Franklin county, in this volume.
CHAPTER XIX.
CERRO GORDO COUNTY IN THE WAR.
Looking at Cerro Gordo county to-day, we can scarcely realize that when the war broke upon the country, arraying more than a million of men in arms, and mak- ing our ship of State reel and stagger as if smitten by thunderbolts and dashed upon the rocks, that it had barely been set- tled a decade, and Iowa as a State of the American Union, was yet in her teens. But,
notwithstanding its own soil had not been fully subjugated to man's use, very mate- rial aid was promptly furnished in subdu- ing the rebellious States. The feeling throughout Iowa was universal that the Union must be preserved, and the sights and sounds that were so noticeable in ev- ery village and hamlet north of Mason and Dixon's line were duplicated here. The
Y
744
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
celerity with which men abandoned the pursuits of peace to take up those of war, was most remarkable.
The population of Cerro Gordo county was 940, in 1860. During the first two years of the war, until Jan. 1, 1863, the quota of the county called for sixty-nine men, and eighty-six were furnished, an ex- cess of seventeen. During the war there were many additional enlistments, until the county had furnished about 125 men. A few were drafted, but most of them fur- nished substitutes. Officially, Cerro Gordo county nobly did its part as will be seen by the proceedings of the board of super. visors.
On the 20th of July, 1861, the first lit- tle band of Cerro Gordo county patriots, six in number, all Mason City boys, under Capt. Datus E. Coon, were drawn up in line on the Main street of Mason City, to exchange the tearful good-byes, and re- ceive the parting "God bless you, boys," from friends and relatives. The names of the first volunteers, a roll of honor in- deed, are: Daniel Williams, Will Ed. Tucker, John Van Patter, John W. Hobbs, David Hobbs and L. H. Ferguson. That company was soon followed by others, and they in turn by still larger quotas, which soon so nearly stripped the county of its "bone and sinew," as to effectually arrest its growth and development.
Appended is given a list of the gallant heroes, from Cerro Gordo county, who par- ticipated in the war. When possible the list of the various regiments have been submitted to some one familiar with the names.
SEVENTH INFANTRY.
COMPANY B.
Captain. . Henry I. Smith. Sergeants.
Gilbert J. Tisdale Daniel McTaggert.
Privates.
John Brown Edmund B. Brown
O. C. Ford H. A. Gregory
James Wilson Joel C. Wilson
Joseph R Myers Peter Smith.
ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS.
James Campbell Charles B. Senior
A G. Porter Uriah A. Wilson.
TWELFTH INFANTRY.
COMPANY D.
Private. Plymouth B. Zuver.
SIXTEENTH INFANTRY.
COMPANY H. Private. William Myers.
THIRTY-SECOND INFANTRY.
Adjutant.
Charles H. Huntley .
COMPANY B. Captain. Amos B. Miller.
First Lieutenants.
William C. Stanbery
Henry Keer.
Second Lieutenants.
Thomas O Howard
Chauncy S, Lanc.
Sergeants.
Harvey D. Barr
Peter R. Wood
Milton P. Goodell. Corporals.
Albert L. Towne Edwin Nichols
Alonzo Frink Peter Crum
Bruce A. Bryant James Jenkinson
James Turner. Musicians.
Joseph Morris Francis M Rogers.
Privates.
Adams, George M.
Huntley, Charles H.
Butts, David H. Hoyt, Wilbur F.
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 745
Belanski, Charles R. Ingalls Amos
Boornhower, L. B. Jenkinson, James
Brown, George O.
Kerns, Wm. A.
Brown, Jacob G.
Morris. Cyrus
Mo" 1, Joseph
Brentner, Leander L. Crum, Benjamin F. Clark, James
Marsh, Henry A.
Pierce, Abell
Church, Wm. B. Connell, John
Pratt, Henry O. Rhodes. Wm.
Dack, William
Rendall, John
Elwood, Samuel
Strong, Charles
Felt, James H.
Tenney, 11. M.
Ford, Jobn P.
Turnure, Flavious J,
Fry, James L. Tobin, Cornelius W.
Fuller, George A. West, John
Florence, Fantleroy Warner, Leonard R.
Greely, Otis
Wiltfong, Hira n A.
Henry, John
Woodland, Joseph
Hughes, Edward Winters, Oliver J.
THIRTY-SECOND INFANTRY.
(ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS. )
COMPANY B.
Privates.
Marion Jones, C. F. Rosecrans, George W. Swanger.
Bige Long,
Unassigned.
James W. Florence, Warren Kittel.
[In connection with the War chapter of Franklin county, will be found a his- tory of this regiment.]
THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
COMPANY G. Private. George Gilmore. FORTY.FIRST INFANTRY. COMPANY C. Serge int. George W. Henderson.
Corporal. Elber Gregory. Privates.
Marquis Brown, J. W. Brown,
George Henderson,
Edwin Morris,
Charles McNany, McCullum Russell,
Jacob Russell, Seth B. Stevens,
Ira Williams.
SECOND CAVALRY. FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Colonel Datus E. Coon.
COMPANY I. Captains.
Datus E. Coon,
Stephen A. Bishop,
A. M. Goodrich.
Sergeant. Lewis H. Ferguson. Corporals.
Daniel Wu iams.
John Van Patten,
Privates.
David Hobbs,
John W. Hobbs,
William E. Tucker. SECOND VETERAN CAVALRY. (Additional Enlistments .) COMPANY I.
Privates.
John G. Dickerson, Thomas G. Emsley,
Horace P. Kirk,
Harrison Montis,
Wm. R. Petty.
COMPANY B. John Blake.
COMPANY D.
Joseph C. Hewitt,
Cassius M. Myers,
William Pizer,
Justus Tompkins.
Unassigned.
Stephen Ward. FOURTH CAVALRY.
COMPANY H, Privates. Henry S. Florence.
COMPANY M. (Additional Enlistments.)
Charles A. Platts,
Washington Russell,
Joseph M. W. Russell
FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
(Hundred day men.)
COMPANY E.
Sergeant. Oliver H. Stilson.
65
ยท
746
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
FIFTH VETERAN CAVALRY.
COMPANY L.
Sergeant. Martin Stephens.
Privates.
John S. K. Fellows, Edwin R. Spink,
Lorey A. Franklin, Peter R. Harding.
FIFTEENTH VETERAN CAVALRY.
(Additional Enlistments.)
COMPANY H. Sylvanus Johnson. ROLL OF HONOR.
"'Tis sweet and honorable to die for one's country," could appropriately be en- graved upon the headboards marking the graves of these martyrs. They laid down their lives in defense of a country whose future prosperity and magnificence must always be a monument to their services. The following comprises a list of the Cerro Gordo county patriots who lost their lives in the service:
Adjutant Charles H. Huntley was killed in the battle of Pleasant Hill, April 9, 1864.
Captain Amos B. Miller was mortally wounded at the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864, and died of his wounds four days later.
Lieutenant Thomas O. Howard was mortally wounded and died at Pleasant Hill, La., April 11, 1864.
Lieutenant Chauncey S. Lane died of pneumonia at New Madrid, Mo., Dec. 15, 1862.
Joseph C. Hewitt died Feb. 21, 1865, at Memphis, Tenn.
Peter R. Harding died of disease at Camp Cook, Ga., Sept. 25, 1864.
Joseph R. Myers was killed in battle at Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3, 1862.
Joel C. Wilson was killed in battle at Belmont, Mo., Nov. 7, 1861.
James Campbell died at Pulaski, Tenn., Aug. 14, 1864.
Peter Smith died of wounds near Corinth, Miss., May 21, 1862.
Peter R. Wood died of wounds at Pleasant Hill, La., April 20, 1864.
Milton P. Goodell was killed in battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864.
Leonard R. Warner died in Mason City, Oct. 4, 1864, of chronic diarrhea.
James Turner died of disease August, 1865, at Demopolis, Ala.
David H. Butts died of disease of the heart, at Fort Pillow, Tenn., April 12, 1863.
Jacob G. Brown was killed in battle at Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864.
John P. Ford was killed in battle at Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864.
James L Fry died of general debi ity, Jan. 17, 1863, at Fort Pillow, Tenn.
George A. Fuller died June 27, 1864, at Mound City, Ill., of chronic diarrhea.
Wilber F. Hoyt was killed at the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864.
Amos Ingalls died of wounds received at the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 20, 1864.
Hiram Wiltfong died of typhoid fever at Fort Pillow, Tenn., March 18, 1863.
Charles F. Rosecrans died of chronic diarrhea at Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 1, 1864.
George W. Swanger died at Mound City, Ill, June 22, 1864, of chronic diarrhea.
G
747
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
CHAPTER XX.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED-
In 1849 the territory now comprising Cerro Gordo county was first explored by white men. Rufus Clark and a man named Billings came in the spring of this year, hunting young buffalo and elk calves. They caught a young buffalo and marked it, but the Indians came upon them, and they had to let it go and run for their lives. The same buffalo was killed two years afterward by Joseph Hewitt and James Dickirson, they having heard of the mark used by Billings and Clark.
In 1850 Cerro Gordo county was created by the General Assembly, and its bounda- ries were defined.
In the spring of 1851, James Dickirson and Joseph Hewitt came, and were the first actual settlers of the county.
In 1853 among the settlers were David and Edward Wright, Robert and James S. Sirrine, and Anson C. Owen.
Two families of Winnebago Indians came this year, and camped near Joseph Hewitt's cabin, in the western part of the county.
In 1854 the famous Indian war took place, terrorizing all northern Iowa.
Mason City was platted this year.
J. L. McMillen started the first store and sold the first goods in the county this year.
The year 1855 was one of prosperity in Cerro Gordo county. Early in the spring the territory now comprising Cerro Gordo was attached to Floyd county for civil, judici il and election purposes, and treated as one of its civil townships.
In August, 1855, the first regular elec- tion was held, and the county was organ- ized. The first county officers were elected at this time.
During this year the second Indian dis- turbance took place. It was known as the "Grindstone war."
Elisha Randall erected the first saw mill in the county this year.
Rock Falls village was platted in 1855, by Elijah Wiltfong.
Late in the fall of this year the county seat was located at Mason City.
The winter of 1855-6 was one of the most severe in the history of Iowa An- drew J. Abbott, Cha les Weeks and John Van Aiken were all frozen to death this winter.
In 1856 the county was sub-divided into four townships, known as Mason, Lake, Falls and Owen.
The first regular session of county court was held this year.
In the spring of this year the saw mill which had been erected the previous year,
748
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
by Elisha Randall, was washed out by ice and high water. Its loss was a public calamity, and the citizens helped him re- build it.
Edwin Nichols and Oscar Sirrine erected a steam saw mill at Clear Lake during this year.
Clear Lake was platted this year by James Dickirson.
With the summer of 1856 came the excitement over, and survey of, the Mc- Gregor, St. Peter & Missouri Railway. Many of the settlers took stock in the road and turned in their farms, which they eventually lost.
In the winter of 1856-7 Alexander Long, while on his way from Forest City to M. P. Rosecrans', was frozen to death in the southwestern part of Cerro Gordo county.
In April, 1857, the county seat was re- moved from Mason City and located at Livonia.
Charles W. Tenney and John Morgan laid out the village of Plymouth in 1857.
The first term of district court in the county was held in June, of this year, by Judge Samuel Murdock.
The first naturalization papers were is- sued this year. George Brentner received them.
In April, 1858, an election was held by which the county seat was removed from Livonia back to Mason City.
During this year the office of school fund commissioner was abolished, and that of county superintendent created.
The first paper in the county was estab- lished this year, under the name of Cerro Gordo Press, by Datus E. Coon.
In 1859 the Cerro Gordo Press ceased publication at Mason City, and later, was moved to Hancock county.
The winter of 1859-60 was very severe.
In February, 1860, the first paper was established at Clear Lake It was known as the Independent.
In 1861 the board of supervisors, which body had been created the previous year, held their first session.
The Cerro Gordo Republican was es- tablished this year by J. H. Aylesworth.
The breaking out of the war makes this year memorable. The first band of pa- triots to leave Cerro Gordo county met at Mason City, on the 20th of July, 1861.
For the next few years nothing of in- terest transpired. The all exciting ques- tions of the war filled the minds of every- one.
In 1864 the offices of county treasurer and recorder were divided.
In 1865 the board of supervisors appro- priated funds to aid the Central Railroad of Iowa in their survey through Cerro Gordo county.
About the same time excitement began to be manifested over the projected Mc. Gregor & Sioux City Railway.
In 1869 the office of county judge was abolished by law and the circuit court was established.
The office of county auditor was created at the same time.
In November, 1869, the McGregor & Sioux City Railway was completed to Ma- son City, and for the first time in its his- tory Cerro Gordo county heard the whis- tle of the locomotive and was in railway connection with the world.
D
749
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
In 1870 the Central Railway of Iowa completed its line through Cerro Gordo county.
In 1871 the system of county govern- ment throughout the State was changed. The board of supervisors, which had been composed of one member from each town- ship, was now to consist of three from the entire county.
A daring burglary was committed in Mason City, Aug. 21, 1871. While Mr: Cavenaugh, station agent of the Central Railway of Iowa, was gone to dinner, some person entered the depot and stole between $1,500 and $2,000 in cash. The money drawer had been broken into and the loss of the money was at once discovered on the return of the agent. The news of the robbery was communicated to Marshal Dexter and several arrests made, but the guilty parties were not found.
Aug 27, 1871, a sad case of drowning occurred three miles south of Mason City, in Lime creek. The deceased was George Carl, of Green Co., Wis., who had been stopping in town for several months. At the time of his death he was in the employ of the Central Railway of Iowa grading, and in attempting to ford the creek his team got into deep water. The wagon box floated off and Carl, probably thinking he could touch bottom, sprang into the water, but it proved too deep, and as he was un- able to swim, he was carried into the cur- rent, and before help reached him, he sank for the last time. His body was soon re- covered and the following day it was buried. Carl was about twenty years of age, of good reputation, and left a large circle of friends.
In 1872 the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad constructed the line of railway through the northeastern part of Cerro Gordo county.
The previous year the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul Railway had constructed their branch from Mason City to Austin, Minnesota.
On Christmas Eve, 1872, Matthew Hum- phrey, a farmer living in Dougherty town- ship, left his home with a team to go to the timber on the Shell Rock river, a distance of about ten miles, for a load of wood. On the way home with his load he was met by several neighbors, and passed Mr. Har- ris' house at about 6:30 o'clock in the evening. Darkness and the bitter cold of that night came on and he did not reach his home. On search being instituted the . next morning, his dead body was found near the team, he having perished with the cold within one 100 rods of his own house. From the tracks and other evidences it seemed he had walked be- hind the load to keep warm, and it was supposed his lines had been left upon the load, and falling down wrapped about the wheel, thus stopping the team. The lines were broken as was also one of the breast straps, and the unfortunate man had taken a strap from about his waist to repair the harness. Losing his mittens and becom- ing benumbed with cold, he probably thought to unhitch his team from the load and save his life by abandoning the wagon. The horses were found turned around to the side of the wagon, fastened only by one tug, and the driver was lying par- tially across the wagon tongue in the icy embrace of death. Mr. Humphrey had lived in the county but one season, con-
750
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
ing here from Clayton county. He left a wife and several small children.
Jan. 16, 1872, a destructive fire swept away several business houses in Mason City. The fire originated in Mr. Kings grocery store, caused by a defective flue. The store of Mr. King was entirely new and filled with a fresh stock of groceries. His loss was about $2,000. Besides this, two other buildings were destroyed, one occupied by John Connell as a harness shop, and the other used by a German for a restaurant and saloon. The buildings and stock burned made an aggregate loss of about $4,000, only half of which was covered by insurance.
In April, 1873, the skeleton of a man was found in Grant township by James Dawson. There was nothing found by which to identify, and the matter was and still is shrouded in mystery ..
In July, 1873, a thirteen year old son of A R. Utley, of Clear Lake, was drowned while bathing in Clear Lake.
Frankie Brown, a daughter of H. A. Brown, of the Island House, Clear Lake, was drowned in the lake in July, 1873, through the upsetting of a boat. She was about nineteen years of age, a lady of education and refinement, beloved by all who knew her.
A fine residence belonging to D. W. Lyons was totally destroyed by fire early on the morning of July 12, 1875. The loss was several thousand dollars.
On Aug. 3, 1875, a Mr. Burge, near Mason City, came near losing his life by carelessly getting in front of the sickle of a reaper. The machine had clogged up with the heavy grain, and Mr. Burge went in front of the sickle to cut loose some
straw that had wound around the bar and grain wheel. The reaper was in gear for cutting, having a span of mules and span of horses hitched to it. While Mr. Burge was lying in front of the sickle, one of the mules lay down and Mr. Burge yelled out sharply, "get up." The mule did get up and the team did the same, starting into a trot, dragging the unfortunate man several rods in front o the rapidly vibra- ting sickle, which cut some deep gashes in his hip, and was only prevented from chop- ping him to pieces by the guards, which, driving into his hip and leg, held him in one position until the team was stopped. It took several weeks for Mr. Burge to recover.
In April, 1876, a little son of M. L. Brentner was trampled to death by a frac- tious horse. As the animal was consid- ered harmless, the little fellow was per- mitted to lead the horse home from a neighbor's. After going a short distance, the horse began to rear up and play, and the little fellow thinking to hold him more securely, tied the halter strap around his waist. The horse, in rearing, threw him down, when, becoming frightened, it ran, dragging the boy, trampling upon, and cruelly mangling him. He was dragged fully forty rods before being loosed from the frightened animal, and only breathed once after being picked up by his agonized father.
For a number of years the State Fish Commissioner deposited fish of varied spe- cies in the waters of Cerro Gordo county's lakes and rivers. In June, 1875, 23,000 Penobscot salmon were placed in Clear Lake.
-
751
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
On the 9th of September, 1875, Rolf Smith, who lived six miles south of Mason City, was kicked in the abdomen by a young colt so severely that he died the fol- lowing day. He was an industrious and highly esteemed man, and left a wife and two children to mourn his untimely end.
On Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1875, a young son of L. G. Stevens, who lived southeast of Mason City, was kicked by a horse and quite seriously injured. The horse kicked him under the chin, cutting a large gash and fracturing the bone. He was not dan- gerously injured, however, and soon re- covered.
On the 1st of October, 1875, Matthe w Hays, the yard master of the Iowa Cen- tral Railway, had his left hand badly mashed while attempting to couple cars.
On Thursday, July 13, 1876, a little daughter of R. H. Lown, at Clear Lake, met her death while attempting to light a fire with kerosene. The little girl was about seven years old. She did not think there was any fire in the stove, so poured the oil in out of the can, and the can ex- ploded, enveloping the child in flames. Her sister, about fourteen years of age,en- deavored to smother the flames, when her own clothing caught fire and she was so severely burned as to be considered in great danger. The younger child lived for several hours in the most intense agony, but death finally relieved her.
During the night of July 30, 1876, a thief stole one of Henry Keerl's horses and left for parts unknown. A reward of $125 was offered and Sheriff Schell started off in hot pursuit, but the thief evidently became frightened, and abandoned the
horse about six miles north of Forest City, when it was returned to Mr. Keerl.
The house of M. E. Bitterman, in Port- land township, was destroyed by fire on the 9th of August, 1876.
During a thunder storm on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 1876, Frank Thompson's stable, in Mason City, was struck by lightning and set on fire. There were six horses in the stable at the time, including a two- year-old colt. Three of the horses and the colt were burned to death, the other two broke loose and escaped, but were injured so severely as to be nearly valueless. One of them was burned blind. There was no insurance.
On the 16th of September, 1876, some little boys were indulging in the danger- ous sport of climbing upon moving freight cars at the Iowa Central depot in Mason City. One little fellow, aged about ten years, named Wilson, a stepson of Ira Sheffer, had climbed upon the rear car of the train which was backing up to hitch on another car, and when they "bumped" the little boy fell backwards between the cars and directly under them. The wheels caught the little fellow and literally crushed him to death; but did not even so much as break the skin. Had the train moved a foot further, he would have been cut in two.
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