USA > Iowa > Fremont County > History of Fremont County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistic, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Fremont County, constitution of the state of Iowa, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 52
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SECRETARY OF STATE.
John M. Corse, D 535
Elijah Sells, R.
409
COUNTY JUDGE.
Fred Rector, R. 491
T. L. Buckham, D. 467
DISTRICT CLERK.
A. Leitch, D. 498
G. V. Swearingen, R.
468
Shall proceeds of swamp land funds be applied to payment of court house judgment.
For.
598
Against
94
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1861.
FOR GOVERNOR.
COUNTY JUDGE.
James A. Hodges .
461
Milton Richards
447
CONGRESS.
Jarius E. Neal, D. 438
Jas. F. Wilson, R 409
TREASURER AND RECORDER.
Reed Armstrong
470
Alex. Wilson
424
REPRESENTATIVE.
SHERIFF.
Henry Bowen. 464
Wm. T. Laird
444
From 1861 to 1865 we are unable to find any record of the elections whatsoever. It is true, however, that during those years the democratic party uniformly carried the county and elected its candidates.
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1865.
GOVERNOR.
Thos. H. Benton, Anti-Negro
Suffrage. 775
Wm. M. Stone Republican ... 543
TREASURER.
Giles Cowles, D 770
James Sipple, R.
552
W. H. Merritt, Dem. 556
Sam. J. Kirkwood, Rep. 344
J. L. Mitchell
Robt. Percival. 443
462
454
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
REPRESENTATIVE. SHERIFF.
W. C. Sipple, Anti-Negro Suff. 725 S. T. Cromwell, D 730
I. N. Cornish, Rep 543 A. B. Copeland. 590
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1868.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
CIRCUIT JUDGE.
Seymour and Blair electors .. 1082
W. W. Morsman, D ..
1080
Grant and Colfax electors ... 977
R. L. Douglass, R
976
SECRETARY OF STATE.
David Hammer 1089
Ed. Wright. 979
E. T. Sheldon, R.
907
CONGRESS.
RECORDER.
P. Gad Bryan, D.
1082
D. G. Bodenhamer, D.
1058
John Griswold, R.
967
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1872.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
For Greely and Brown, Dem.
Lib. Rep. 1292
For Grant and Wilson, Rep .. 1261
CONGRESS.
W. P. Merritt, Dem. and Lib.
Rep .. . . 1316
J. W. McDill, Rep.
1255
CLERK OF COURTS.
J. M. Stauffer
1250
A. B. Copeland
1335
RECORDER.
John B. Gray
1400
A. D. King.
1182
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1876.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. For Tilden and Hendricks, Dem. 1682
For Hayes and Wheeler, Rep 1660
For Cooper and Cary, Green-
back .
146
CONGRESS.
Lemuel R. Bolter, Dem. and Greenback 1887
Wm. F. Sapp, Rep. 1588
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Jno. H. Stubenrauch, D .. 1693
Josiah T. Young, R.
1662
A. Macready, Gr.
135
CLERK OF THE COURTS.
H. R. Laird.
1741
Alfred Wingate
1698
RECORDER.
John B. Gray .
1795
David Worcester
1649
MEMBER BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
John Payne.
1861
John B. Furbush
1562
F. W. Palmer, R. 975
CLERK OF THE COURTS.
J. C. Shockley, D.
1144
OFFICIAL VOTE IN FREMONT COUNTY, NOVEMBER ELECTION, 1880.
PRES'DENTI'L ELECTORS.
CONGRESS.
DIST. JUDGE.
CIRCUIT JUDGE.
PROS. ATT'Y.
CLERK.
RECORDER.
MEM. BOARD.
TOWNSHIPS.
Garfield & Arthur.
Hancock & English.
Weaver& Chambers.
W. P. Hepburn.
Robert Percival.
H. C. Ayres
J. R. Reed.
G. L. Wright.
C. H. Jackson.
C. F. Loofbourow.
T. W. Ivory.
James Vincint.
J. P. Conner.
J. G. Tipton.
W. H. Miller.
W. G. Templeton.
Thos. Maloy.
S. C. Hatten.
H. C. Ritchie.
M. R. Yowell.
Wm. Morris.
John Antrim.
M. McCartney.
A. Travis.
Franklin ...
289
379
12
290| 379| 13
290
380| 12|
2931 227
377| 10 264 180
291 252
319| 12 266 160
301 341
257|24
290| 143
377
8
231
443
6
Sidney. .. .
227
266|182
228
254|196
227
265 181
106
15
104
106
15
114
106
15
130
91
107
118
8
114
106
13
Locust Gr ..
111
40
13
106
31
25
111
40
13
111
40
13
111
40
13
117
37
1
107
42 90
36
206
64
41
Riverton. . .
138
93
10
138
92
11
138
93
10
138
93
10
138
93
10
139
92 . .
120
113
6
137
93
10
Walnut ...
89
65
3
89
65
3
89
65
3
89
65
3
89
65
3
102
48
87
67
3
90
64
3
Prairie. ..
65
53
20
60
53
22
62
53
20
68
53
24
62
53
20
90
32
55
60
17
65
41
28
Monroe . .
124
108
119
98
20
121
108
7
120
111
7
124
108
148
85
4
114
119
6
170
63
6
Riverside ..
132
84
19
123
78
32
131
84
19
134
82
18
131
84
19
164
71
79
141
15
186
30
18
Ross. .
155
57
60
150
47
74
155
56
61
153
63
155
56
61
195
57 16
134
80
56
153
61|
58
Scott.
138
200
23
136
202
33
138
200
23
139
197
23
137
201
23
170
181|. .
119
219
19
66
273
19
Bent'nNo.1
100
2
85
115
2
100
100
2
99
101
2
99
101
2
112
86 2
85
114
2
49
150
2
Bent'n No.2
36
1
32
37
1
34
36
1
34
36
1
34
36
1
37
33
1
33
37
1
34
36
1
Total. . . 1920 1650 409
1865 1615 486 1905 1651 410
1906 1641|412 1944 1667 391
|2289|1503 49
1657 1945 330 1823 1712 406
Fisher ....
207
63
42
196
58
48
205
65
43
201
63
43
207
63
43
246
56|
184
368 140
211
257 188
Madison. . .
114
106
15
113
106
16
104
12
111
31
13
.
.
. .
455
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
..
. .
54
100 34
456
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
COUNTY OFFICERS FROM THE EARLIEST DATE.
Following is given as complete a list as possible of all the officers of Fremont county from its organization down to the present time, as taken from the election records. Some of the abstracts of election are missing, however, and in such cases reliance has been placed on old and well informed citizens for information. It is believed that this list, while it may not be absolutely perfect, will be found substantially correct.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
The affairs of the county were first managed by a board of county commissioners, three in number, who, except the first board elected, were chosen for terms of one, two and three years, respectively, thus adding one new commissioner each year and retaining two members of experi- ence on the board continually. The successive boards were as follows:
August, 1849, to October, 1850-Wn. K. McKissick, Isaac Hunsaker, and David Jones. The first session of this board was held at A. H Argyle's residence, September 10, 1849.
October, 1850, to September, 1851-Wm. K. McKissick, T. M. Gor- don, and A. M. C. Davis.
This was the last board of county commissioners elected. By an act of the legislature county affairs were thereafter managed by a county judge
COUNTY JUDGES.
At the August election, 1851, the first county judge was elected. August, 1851 to August, 1855-Thomas Greenwood.
1855 to 66 1857-Frederick Rector.
1857 to January, 1860-E. S. Hedges.
January, 1860 to 1861-S. B. Frost.
1861 to 1862-Frederick Rector.
“ 1862 to 1863-Jamee A. Hodges.
66 1863 to 1869-Alex Wilson.
The management of county affairs was virtually taken from the county judge in 1861, by the law creating the board of supervisors. Under sections 3 and 4 of article 11, chapter 22 of the revised statutes, this new body consisted of one member from each civil township, and the duties of the county judge were chiefly confined to probate busines.
Mr. H. English was the first and only probate judge of the county of whom we have any record. He came west first as a member of Leav- enworth's dragoons, U. S. army. Upon the expiration of his term of ser- vice he settled in Fremont county, and, being recognized as a man of
1
457
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
many superior qualities, was soon given office. Upon the breaking out of the war between the states, he raised a company and went into service, doing valiant service for the Union cause.
SUPERVISORS.
At the time of the organization of the board of supervisors, Fremont county consisted of eight townships and the supervisors therefrom were as follows:
Sidney-John Gordon; Madison-Thos. Farmer; Franklin-Joseph Black; Scott-Milton McCartney; Ross-Joseph Rhodes; Fisher-Wm. Matthews; Benton-R. R. Hanley; Monroe-Aaron Daniels.
The board held its first session Monday, Jan. 7, 1861. By the terms of the statute one-half of the members were to hold their offices for two years and the other half for one year. The board drew ballots to deter- mine the tenure of office of its members and the drawing resulted in Wm. Matthews, Milton McCartney, Aaron Daniels and Joseph Rhodes being chosen for two years, and Joseph Black, Thos. Farmer, John Gordon and R. R. Hanley being chosen for one year. The board organized by elect- ing Thos. Farmer, of Madison, as president.
1862-Aaron Daniels, Milton McCartney, Wm. C. Matthews, Wm. C. Sipple, Phineas Louder, A. R. Brewer, Moses Samuels and Joseph Rhodes. President, W. C. Sipple.
1863-Wm. C. Sipple, Milton McCartney, Phineas Louder, Moses Samuels, A. R. Brewer, Aaron Daniels, S. S. Wilcox, J. W. Cobb, John- son Laird, Milton McCartney. President, W. C. Sipple.
1864-Wm. C. Sipple, Milton McCartney, Aaron Daniels, J. F. San- born, S. S. Wilcox, John Kelsay, Wm. McCracken, I. D. Blanchard and Moses Samuels.
1865-W. C. Sipple, I. D. Blanchard, J. L. Smith, Fred. Rector, Uriah Eggleston, Thos. M. Gordon, J. L. Smith, Moses Samuels, Wm. McCracken and T. P. Henshaw.
1866-W. C. Sipple, Moses Samuels. Wm. McCracken, Thos. M. Gor- don, T. P. Henshaw, Fred. Rector, L. R. Henderson, Wm. Bebout, A S. Roberts.
1867-Fred. Rector, Wm. McCracken, J. R. Campbell, Moses Samuels, Uriah Eggleston, Wm. Bebout, J. R. Campbell, R. R. Hanley, L. R. Henderson.
1868-Joseph Rhodes, T. F. Fugitt, John Copeland, Uriah Eggleston, J. R. Campbell, John Griswold, Fred. Rector, Wm. Bebout, L. R. Henderson.
1869-Joseph Rhodes, T. F. Fugitt, John Copeland, H. J. Heaton, James Flannery, Uriah Griswold, L. R. Henderson, Jas. Miller.
458
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
1870-Joseph Rhodes, J. W. Chandler, R. S. Williams, H. J. Heaton, Jas. Flannery, Uriah Eggleston, B. O. Wilkinson, L. R. Henderson, Amos Cox, J. R. Campbell.
In 1870 the township supervisor system was changed and the number of supervisors was reduced to three, elected by the county at the general election. The law provided that the first board of three supervisors should be elected to serve one, two, and three years respectively, the length of their terms to be determined by lot. Afterwards one new supervisor was to be elected each year to serve three years, leaving two old members constantly on the board, except in cases of death or resigna- tion.
October 11, 1870, the first board of three supervisors was elected, which consisted of the following members: Noah Green, Simon Hooper, and Isaac Smith.
1872-Simon Hooper, Noah G. Green, and Isaac Smith.
1873-Simon Hooper, Henry Bowen, and G. W. Perkins.
1874-Henry Bowen, G. W. Perkins, and Wm. Blair.
1875-Henry Bowen, Wm. Blair, and Moses Samuels.
1876-Wm. Blair, Moses Samuels, and H. C. Gammon.
1877-Moses Samuels, H. C. Gammon, and John Payne.
1878-H. C. Gammon, John Payne, and Milton McCartney.
1879-Sam'l Chandler, John Payne, and Milton McCartney.
1880-W. W. Hutchison, John Payne, and Milton McCartney.
1881-John Payne, John Antrim, J. N. Harris.
COMMISSIONERS' CLERK.
Archibald H. Argyle, served from September 10, 1849, the date of the first session of the commissioners, until August 6, 1851, when the office was abolished.
COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Jacob Dawson, Wm. Kelsay, S. E. McCracken, L. Lingenfelter, from 1850 to 1859, when the office was abolished and that of district attorney substituted, R. B. Parrott, of Clarke county, being the first. Parrott was followed by C. E. Millard, M. L. McPherson, D. B. Dailey, H. K. Mc- Junkin, and A. R. Anderson.
DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS.
April, 1853, Solomon Stout was elected to this office and for aught the record shows to the contrary, served until April 23, 1857, when Jas. A. Hodges was chosen and served until January, 1860, when he was suc- ceeded by J. C. Larimore. Thos. Martin was elected in 1861. Jas. Bob-
459
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
bitt and Moses Samuels served during the war. John Copeland was elec- ted in 1865 and served until 1870, when the office was abolished.
DISTRICT CLERKS.
1849 to 1853-Milton Richards.
1853 to June, 1854-J. H. Cowles. .
1854 to 1855-S. W. Ripley.
1855 to October, 1858- Elias Findley.
October, 1858 to January, 1863- Alexander Leitch.
1863 to November 14, 1864-N. A. Talcott.
November, 1864 to 1867-J. L. Mitchell.
1867 to 1873-John C. Shockley.
1873 to 1875-A. B. Copeland.
1875 to - - Alex. Leitch.
1875 to 1879 -- H. R. Laird.
1879 to 1881-W. G. Templeton.
SHERIFFS.
Organizing sheriff-D. M. English, 1849. 1849 to 1854-Tilden L. Buckham.
1854 to August, 1854-Fletcher E. Venable.
August, 1854, to February 10, 1857-John Thurman.
February 10, 1857, to August 10, 1857-S. B. Frost, ex-afficio.
August, 1857, to January, 1860-R. W. Marvin.
1860 to 1862-Wm. K. McKissick, (J. J. Barnard).
January, 1862, to August 31, 1862-Henry Bowen.
August, 1862, to January, 1866-Alfred Gill, Wm. Laird, and A. B. Copeland.
1866 to 1868-W. T. Cromwell.
1868 to 1870-Wm. Martin.
1870 to 1878-W. M. Morgan.
1878 to 1880-Wm. L. Jenkins.
1880 to 1882-Samuel Chandler.
REPRESENTATIVES.
According to Judge Lingenfelter's history, the first representative from Fremont county in the state legislature, was Benj. Rector. After him came R. F. Connor, of Page county, Wm. Dewey, J. M. Dewey, Wm. Kelsay, R. F. Connor, J. L. Mitchell, and T. L. Buckham. In 1865, W. C. Sipple was elected; in 1867, Chas. O. Dewey; in 1869, James M. Hood; in 1871, W. A. Stow; in 1873, John Cooper; in 1875, Wm. M. Brooks; in 1877, Joseph Rhodes; in 1879, T. R. Stockton.
460
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
TREASURERS AND RECORDERS.
T. L. Buckham was the first treasurer and recorder of the county, being chosen at the first election. He served but a short time, when A. H. Argyle, at the third meeting of the county commissioners, Oc- tober 15, 1859, was appointed. J. J. Singleton is the next treasurer of whose election we have been able to find any record. He was elected at the August election, 1853, and served until August, 1855, when he was succeeded by H. G. Bourn.
1855 to 1857-H. G. Bourn.
1857 to 1862-G. J. Biggs.
1862 to 1866-Redd Armstrong, Sr., M. A. Webster.
1866 to 1870-Giles Cowles.
1870 to 1871-Geo. W. Gedney.
1871 to 1876-James A. Gray.
1876 to 1882-Aden D. King.
COUNTY RECORDERS.
Prior to 1866 there was no such office as that of county recorder per se. The duties were performed by the treasurer, who was called the treasurer and recorder. In 1866 the office was divided and D. G. Bodenhamer was the first recorder of Fremont county. He was re-elected in 1868, serving until 1871.
1871 to 1879-John B. Gray.
1879 to 1883-Moses R. Yowell.
AUDITORS.
This office was created in 1868 and its first incumbent in this county was Alex Wilson, who, upon the abolition of the office of the county judge, became county auditor.
1868 to 1870-Alex. Wilson.
1870 to 1876-John Griswold.
1876 to 1882-Amos P. Stafford.
SURVEYORS.
1849 to Aug., 1853-Thaddeus Williams.
1853 to 1855-C. W. Pierce, A. A. Green.
1855 to 1860-Geo. B. Vass.
1860 to 1861-A. A. Green and Wm. H. Hedges.
1861 to 1862-A. R. Brewer.
1866 to 1868-A. R. Brewer.
1868 to 1870-Eldred Huff.
1870 to 1874-A. R. Brewer.
1874 to 1878-John Wilson.
1878 to 1882-Henry F. Gagnebin.
461
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONERS.
John C. Campbell was the first school fund commissioner, being chosen at the April election, 1852. He served until Nov. 6, 1854, when John Hiatt was appointed and served until April, 1855, when C. B. Camp- bell was elected, and he being re-elected in 1856 filled the office until 1858, when it was abolished.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.
At the April election, 1858, L. G. Bell was elected the first county superintendent of common schools.
April 1858 to Nov. 2, 1859-L. G. Bell.
Nov. 2, 1859, to 1862-Giles Cowles.
In 1861 M. A. Webster was elected, but it seems he refused to serve, for on Jan. 6, 1862, as shown by the journal of the board of supervisors, Robert Percival was appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of M. A. Webster.
Wm. M. Brooks succeeded Mr. Percival and probably served from Jan. 1864, to Jan. 1866.
1866 to 1868-James M. Hood.
1868 to 1870-G. W. Hoop.
1870 to 1872-Russell Laird. 1872 to 1874-Robert Simons.
1874 to 1876-C. W. Gould.
1876 to 1880-T. J. Brant.
1880 to 1882-Miss Alice Williams.
The election records prior to 1861 were very imperfectly kept, if indeed, they were kept at all-and it has been by great labor and search that we have been enabled to find what officers were chosen, when and how long they served. The selection book was used for various purposes. It con- tained part of the county court records, sundry accounts against the county, jury venires, etc., etc. The returns of many of the elections, however, are only given in part. The canvass of the presidential election of 1856 is not given at all. The early "fathers" were undoubtedly very excellent individuals, but they were certainly not remarkable for their attainments as book-keepers. Their negligence, or incompetency, whichever it may have been, amounted to almost criminality in some respects. During the war-that is to say, from 1861 until 1865-we find absolutely no record of elections whatever; and at various other periods not only the records of elections but those of other matters were either never kept or they have been suppressed.
462
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
LOCAL FAIR ASSOCIATIONS.
There are three organizations of this character within the limits of the county. Two of them are of recent establishment, while the third is a former county organization revived. One of them, the Shenandoah Fair Association, is designed to include the western townships of Page county, and the townships of Walnut and Fisher in Fremont county. The capital stock of the association-which was organized in 1880-is three thousand five hundred dollars, and are all divded into shares of fifty dol- lars each. The object of the association shall be the holding of annual fairs for the display and competition for premiums in live stock, farm pro- duce, implements, mechanical and fancy articles, and the transaction of such business as is usual in agricultural societies and associations.
The association is still in its infancy, and has no history.
The same thing may be said of the Inter-State Fair Association of Hamburg, which held its first gathering in the fall of 1880. Its design is somewhat more comprehensive than any of the others, and it is to be hoped the intelligence to the farming community will avail to insure its permanency.
The oldest association devoted to the interests of agriculture is the Fremont County Agricultural Society, which was originally organized March 30, 1854, with the following officers: A. H. Argyle, president; J. L. Smith, vice-president; E. H. Sears, corresponding secretary ; M. F. Platt, recording secretary, and T. L. Buckham, treasurer. The board of direc- tors consisted of Asahel Mann, George B. Garton and William Gates. The organization has had a varied existence; not always flattering, nor has it always been a paying institution. Its objects are those common to organi- zations of its nature; the exhibition of farming products, and presenting inducements to greater labor by offering premiums on farm produce or stock. The organization is now on a firmer financial basis than at any previous time in its history, and bids fair to increase its usefulness.
1
FREMONT COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
"The principal advantage of academies consists in the philosophical spirit naturally engendered by them, which spreads itself throughout soci- ety, and extends to all objects. The isolated inquirer may resign himself without fear to the spirit of system; he only hears afar off the contradic- tion which he incurs. But in a learned society the conflict of systematic opinions soon results in their overthrow, and the desire of being mutually satisfied necessarily establishes between the members an agreement to
1
463
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
admit nothing but the results of observation and calculation. Hence, as experience has shown, true philosophy has been generally diffused since the rise of academies. By setting the example of subjecting everything to the examination of a rigorous analysis, they have dissipated the preju- dices which had too long tyrannized in the sciences, and in which the best intellects of preceding ages had shared. Their useful influence over opinion has, in our day, dispelled errors which had been received with an enthusiasm that in other times would have perpetuated them. Equally exempt from the credulity which would admit everything, and the preju- dice which disposes to the rejection of whatever departs from received ideas, these enlightened bodies have always, in difficult questions, and with reference to extraordinary phenomena, wisely awaited the answers of observation and experiment, which they have at the same time solicited by prizes and by their own labors. Proportioning their appreciation, as well to the magnitude and difficulty of a discovery as to its immediate utility, and convinced by many examples that the most sterile in appearance may some day lead to important consequences, they have encouraged the research for truth in regard to all objects, with the exclusion of those only which the limits of man's understanding render forever inaccessible. Finally, it is from their bosom that those great theories have arisen whose generality places them beyond the common reach, and which, spreading themselves by numerous applications over nature and the arts have become inexhaustible sources of light and fruition. Wise governments, convinced of the glory and prosperity of empires, have not only instituted them, but attached them to their own service, that they might derive from them that knowledge which has often proved of the highest public advantage."- Laplace, (Precis de l' Historie de l' Astronomie, p. 99).
The physicians of this county felt the importance and value of such united action as is above so beautifully presented, a need which found expression in the following manner: The Fremont County Medical Society was organized at Sidney in April, 1872. The records cover but the brief period of five years. That the physicians of this county felt the need of such an organization for mutual counsel and interchange of exper- iences, is evident by the large number who entered into its organization, and became partakers of its benefits. The society was limited to the county, but had enrolled nearly all the physicians in the county. The mat- ters discussed were those relating to the profession generally, and remarks and critiques upon cases of more than ordinary importance. Even doc- tors come to their Thermopyla, and are glad to fall back on their brothers of the Spartan band who resist the advance of disease and death. These "test " cases were always fraught with interest, and invariably resulted in such practical discussions as doctors best know are useful in their profes- sion. The papers or theses presented marked the patient toil of the men
464
HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
who so bravely devote themselves to the hardships and dangers of a phy- sician's life. The society was organized with Dr. G. H. Carpenter, as president. The meetings were held, while the organization existed, semi- annually, and occasionally the work done was in the shape of addresses and lectures. It is a thing of the past, and, with regret should it be said there are no signs of renewed life or of renewed existence.
RELIGIOUS.
The groves were God's first temples. Ere man learned To hew the shaft, and lay the architrave, And spread the roof above them,-ere he framed The lofty vault, to gather and roll back The sound of anthems,-in the darkling wood, Amidst the cool and silence he knelt down And offered to the Mightiest solemn thanks And supplications .- Bryant.
" No man liveth to himself alone." So reasoned those God-fearing men of old when first they came to Fremont county. They came, not to old and well established towns, where are found the " lofty vaults," but to regions sparsely settled; not among men accustomed to homes of luxury and elegance, but to farming districts, where now first were beginning to be heard the hum of honest industry and faithful toil. The men among whom they came had little in common with the object of their mission. They were men whose sole thought was of broad acres and material wealth. The travel-stained preacher of that olden time, strong in consti- tution and vigorous in mind, stronger still in faith and powerful in prayer, sought out these sturdy men and brought to their very doors the consola- tion of the gospel. For these very messages hearts were aching, and many were the souls forced to cry out: " Oh that I knew where I might find him !" The seeds of virtue have been sown by a good providence in all hearts, and they will spring up everywhere to His glory, if carefully nurtured. They are not wholly the result of learning and cultivation, and it is not only in old and refined communities that the lovely flowers of an exalted morality shed their perfume. The early men of God knew this principle and recognized, too, the importance of its culture, and so devoutly addressed themselves to the task. It is well-nigh impossible to correctly estimate the value of the work of these men; to estimate their influence on the character of this growing county. Welcomed everywhere, for the news they brought from other homes, as well as for the " good tidings
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
of great joy," they went from place to place, greeting with smiles and cheerful words the old; with counsel or reproof the young. Many and varied were the duties devolving upon them. A sermon here, a burial yonder; now a wedding, and then summoned to the bedside of a penitent sinner, what wonder the coming of these men was attended with bles- sings.
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