USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 61
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H. Bliss, Jackson.
T. I. McChesney, Ellis.
P. P. Cady, Tipton.
A. Lieser, Etna.
O. D. Wood, Union.
A. M. Mulford, Providence.
The Board of Directors met January 8, 1878, and decided on holding the seventh annual fair on the 11th, 12th and 13th of September. The following appointments were then made:
Chief Marshal-W. V. Wilcox. Superintendent of Gates-Willis Boyd.
The fair was quite successful this year, the gate receipts being $968.19; total re- ceipts from all sources, $1,559.72.
The eighth annual meeting was held December 11, 1878, when the following named officers were elected:
Otis Hall. 1
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
501
President-A. M. Bowdle.
Vice-President-C. W. Strothers.
Secretary-J. F. Hardin.
Treasurer-J. D. Newcomer.
Directors-
S. F. Lathrop, Clay.
Fred Boody, Pleasant.
L. O. Lowden, Tipton.
C. Holscher, Grant.
G. W. Pyle, Hardin.
B. F. Bear, Jackson.
J. Q. Irvin, Union.
W. Wildman, Providence.
L. T. Beard, Buckeye.
At the Directors' meeting, held January 15, 1879, the following appointments were made:
Chief Marshal-W. V. Wilcox.
Superintendent of Gates -- W. H. Pool.
The time of the eighth annual fair was set for September 23d, 24th, 25th and 26th. In relation to this fair, in his report to the State Agricultural Society, the Secretary said:
· " The eighth annual fair was held at Eldora, and was a success in every respect. The weather was splendid, the attendance large, and every department was filled to its utmost capacity. The entries numbered 1,305; $1,264 were paid out in premiums, being an excess of nearly $500 over any previous year. This excess consumed the surplus, yet it was the means of making the fair a grand success.
" Much credit is due the energetic and industrious lady exhibiters, who contrib- uted largely the products of the farm, gar- den, kitchen and household, adding greatly to the display."
Amount of Premiums Paid.
Cattle $241 00 Horses. 167 50
Mules.
27 75
Sheep. 17 50
Poultry 37 50
Hogs.
95 00
Grain, vegetables, ctc. 27 65
Fruits 21 00
Flowers 10 00
On machinery and farm implements 28 00
· Textile fabrics 17 25
Fancy goods. 10 00
Art gallery 7 00
Children's. department. 23 00
Discretionary
6 25
Sports.
38 50
Trotting and running horses
373 00
Pantry stores 94 00
"One of the most noticeable improve- ments in farming is, that farmers begin to realize the necessity of well drained lands, many miles of drain tile having been laid during the past two years; its utility and benefits have been shown by a large in- crease of crops harvested from the same number of acres. W. E. Stacy, a farmer of Point Pleasant, has invented a drainage machine, which is claimed to be the best yet in use. He has started a large factory for the purpose of manufacturing them. Many are paying taxes and interest on waste lands, that, with a small outlay, can be utilized and made to produce the best of crops.
"Barbed wire for fences is being used in great quantities, on account of its cheap- ness and durability; its introduction has enabled many to build fences which other- wise could not have been done. Its dis- advantages are the maiming of stock, principally horses, by coming in contact with it.
"Another very important improvement is the erection of buildings for the protec-
G
502
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
tion of grain, stock, and the housing of implements, tools and machinery; even the wagons are carefully housed. By the small expense incurred in caring for these necessities of the farm, thousands of dol- lars will annually be saved.
"There is a decreased interest in plant- ing artificial groves. This should not be. They not only beautify and protect the prairie home, and afford shelter for stock, but the day is not far distant when the growth will be needed for fuel. Our for- ests are rapidly disappearing, and the thoughtful will see to it that this coming necessity will be provided.
"Total exemptions claimed from taxa- tion, $90,000.
"There are numerous orchards which not only supply the family wants, but furnish a supply for the home markets Trees planted before the hardier varieties were known are dying out; some are being re- placed, while others are neglecting the opportunity that demands immediate at- tention.
"The needs are manufactories and woolen mills to utilize our splendid water-power, and to manufacture the raw products in- stead of shipping to Eastern markets.
"Parties having money to invest can find no better field for investment than at this point for a woolen or paper mill, can- ning or pork-packing establishment, or factories of any kind.
"The manufacturing interests were never in a more flourishing condition. Every mill and foundry is crowded with orders. The twelve flouring mills are running day and night on home demands and foreign orders. The two foundries, on account of the quality of their work, cannot fill their
orders on time. They are using a capital of over $100,000. There are nine wagon and carriage factories, with a total capital of nearly a half million dollars. The factory of Rummel Bros., Alden, employs ten to twelve men, and turns out excellent work; while the establisment of W. T. Shaver, Eldora, has quite a State reputation for durability of material, and superior workmanship and finish. This cstablish- ment employs about twenty-five men and a capital of $75,000.
"Coal mines are inexhaustible, producing five to six million bushels annually, of good quality, and at prices from $2 to $3.50 per ton.
"Cheese and butter factories are being erected, and there is no reason why they should not prove a financial success.
Shipments.
Cars of wheat 49.50
Cars of barley. 4.40
Cars of corn 8.00
Cars of rye. .12
Cars of oats
8.10
Cars of cattle. 4.70
Cars of horses .27
Cars of hogs 14.00
Cars of poultry
1.10
Cars of wood. .04
The election for officers at the ninth annual meeting, held at Eldora, December 10, 1879, was as follows:
President-A. M. Bowdle.
Vice-President-S. F. Lathrop.
Secretary-J. F. Hardin.
Treasurer-J. D. Newcomer.
Directors-
Wm. Hiserote, Jackson.
George McMillen, Ellis.
Jesse Pierce, Hardin.
C W. Strothers, Pleasant.
A. F. Wood, Union.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
L. G. Hunt, Providence.
Charles Hoelscher, Grant and Concord. L. O. Louden, Tipton and Sherman. Augustus Leiser, Etna.
The Board of Directors met January 14, 1880, and selected September 14, 15, 16 and 17 as the time for holding the ninth annual fair.
M. Van Buskirk was elected Chief Mar- shal, and W. H. Pool Gate-keeper.
The fair this year was also a success, the gate receipts being $1,127; total re- ceipts, $2,012.26.
The tenth annual meeting was held December 8, 1880, at which time the Treasurer's report was read, and the fol- lowing named officers elected:
President -- J. E. King.
Vice-President-B. F. Bear.
Secretary-M. W. Moir. Treasurer-W. S. Porter. Directors-
George Whitney, Union.
J. Q. Rathbone, Clay.
George Pattee, Etna.
U. K. McFarland, Pleasant.
T. J. Sheldon, Tipton and Sherman.
T. I. McChesney, Ellis and Buckeye.
A. M. Mulford, Providence.
A. A. Robertson, Hardin.
Isaac Painter, Grant and Concord.
The Board met January 5, 1881, and selected September 13, 14, 15 and 16 as the time for the tenth annual fair. John Lynk was appointed Chief Marshal, and W. H. Pool Gate-keeper.
The Treasurer was instructed to issue life membership tickets at $10 each, but not to go beyond 200 tickets.
The fair was held, but was not as suc- cessful as the year previous.
The eleventh annual meeting was held December 14, 1881, and the following named officers elected:
President-J. E. King, Eldora.
Vice-President-B. F. Bear, Jackson. .
Secretary-M. W. Moir, Eldora. Treasurer-W. S. Porter, Eldora.
Directors-
F. Lake, Ellis.
I. F. Miller, Hardin.
Chas Strother, Pleasant.
George Whitney, Union.
L. G. Hunt, Providence.
George Leverton, Etna.
I. Doud, Jackson.
T. J. Sheldon, Tipton.
John Rathbone, Clay.
The Board of Directors met January 11, 1882. The Secretary and Treasurer were each voted a salary of $25 per year. John Lynk was appointed Chief Marshal, and J. K. Stoltz Gate-keeper.
The fair for 1882 was the most success- ful in the history of the Society. It was held on the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th days of September. The weather was all that could be desired, and the third and fourth days witnessed the largest crowd ever at a fair in Hardin county. The receipts were sufficient to relieve the Society from debt.
THE UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ACKLEY.
With the view of improving the condi- tion of agriculture, horticulture, stock rais- ing, and the general improvement in articles of value to the industrial classes, this society was formed in 1869. The in- corporators were: R: R. Parrott, I. J. Schreiber, M. Barns, Erastus Pardee, A. T. Reeve, L. A. Raymond, Artemus Sev- erence, Granville Dennis, John A. Carton, J. Z Werst, William Francis, L. D. Tracey, and J. Seaton Kelso. The object of the incorporators was to hold an annual fair at or near "the village of Ackley,"
504
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
and to offer suitable premiums from time to time, for the purpose of encouraging agriculture, horticulture, stock raising and the mechanical arts. . The capital stock was $3,000, and not to exceed $5,000; divided into shares of $10 each, to be paid in advance. It was also declared that there was to be no dividend declared, or distri- bution of the property of the society among the stockholders, until the final dissolution of the society. The stockholders were to be life members of the society.
The amount of stock issued runs up to 370 shares, or $3,700.
In 1871 Dr. J. Seaton Kelso, the Secre- tary, inaugurated a system of stock sales of cattle, similar to those in existence in Eng- land from time immemorial, and modified somewhat on the plan of those instituted in the blue grass region of Kentucky, many years ago. It was the intention of the Secretary that these sales should be held yearly, quarterly, or monthly, or just as they were needed. The society was to appoint its own auctioneer. All stock was in charge of the owner, the society agreeing only to find suitable accommoda- tions. All stock offered for sale were to be registered with the Secretary, for which no charges were made. Sellers were to make their own terms of sale, for cash, or on time, or reserve a bid, or reserve a right to withdraw their stock from sale, if it did not reach a suitable price.
Nothing came of the well digested plan that Dr. Kelso spent considerable time and labor in perfecting. The society em- braces Hardin, Franklin, Butler and Grundy counties. The grounds are located north and adjoining Ackley, in Franklin county, and contain twenty acres,
as level as the leaf of a table, containing a half mile track in fine condition, with stables, pens, and inclosures for stock, and a suitable exhibition hall.
The indebtedness is nearly $200. Fairs have been held, with one or two excep- tions, for the last thirteen years, and under the management and direction of the pres- ent officers and Secretary, the interest in the success of the society for the last two or three years has been on the wane, and no fair will be held this year. The follow- ing were the first officers of the society:
President-Col. A. T. Reeve, Maysville, Frank- lin county.
Vice President, Ruby R. Parrott, Aplington, Butler county.
Secretary-Dr. J. Seaton Kelso. Ackley, Har- din county.
Treasurer-John A. Carton, Ackley, Hardin county.
Chief Marshal-Col. S. J. Mendell, Franklin county.
Assistants-
Alonzo Converse, Butler county.
Captain L. E. Campbell, Hardin county.
Directors-
William Ward, Franklin county.
David Church, Franklin county.
W. G. Beed, Franklin county.
Granville Dennis, Hardin county.
Dr. J. F. Simonds, Hardin county.
A. A. Noyes, Hardin county.
J. M. Caldwell, Butler county. William Kennific, Butler county. M. Huseman, Grundy county.
The following names constitute the offi- cers and directors for 1881:
President-Wm. Francis. Vice-President-John A. Carton.
Treasurer-Geo. Frantz. Secretary-J. Seaton Kelso.
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
505
Directors- William Francis. J. A. Carton. Geo. W. Froutz. J. Seaton Kelso. George Lyman. Joseph Nyldew.
A. Severance. Christopher Magrew. Wm. Kennific. E. Higgins. James Whiteside. Henry Froutz.
CHAPTER XIX.
-
RAILROADS.
There is no internal improvement that has done so much to develope the country as its railroads. The printing press, the railroad and the telegraph wire com- bined, certainly move the world as Archi- medes little dreamed it could be moved. Up to within a few years, new countries were required to be opened up by the hardy pioneers, and their agricultural and mineral resources well developed before the capitalists would invest their money in building of railroads. Now railroads are first built and the people follow. Hardin county was not so fortunate as to have her railroads first built, but her vast agricul_ tural and mineral resources were first made known to the world, and then the railroads sought entrance that it might transport the surplus product of the county.
Illinois Central.
One of the first railroads projected in Iowa, was the Dubuque and Pacific, after-
wards known as the Dubuque and Sioux City railroad, running from Dubuque across the northern part of the State to Sioux City. In 1856, there was a large corps of men at work upon the eastern line of the road, and it was hoped by its. projectors to soon finish it to its western terminus. It was completed to Cedar Falls, when the panic of 1857 forced the company to cease operations. At this time the survey had been made through this county, and the town of Ackley laid out ready to catch the boom which would surely strike it on the advent of the rail- road.
The hard times following the panic of 1857, continued until the third year of the war. Even had better times commenced on the inauguration of Lincoln, the war that followed filled the public mind to such an extent that little else could be thought of. The close of the war in the spring of 1865, and the abundance
506
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
of "greenbacks" in the country, necessitated some public measures in which the capital of the country and the people could be employed.
The officers of the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad now determined to push it through to completion. Accordingly a large force of men were put to work upon the road during the summer of 1865, and it was rapidly pushed forward, the road being completed and cars running to Ackley in the middle of October, and early in the year 1866 to lowa Falls. Here operations again ceased, the company being unable to raise the money for its comple- tion.
Two years passed when another com- pany known as the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Railroad Company, took hold of the work, and in due time completed it to its western terminus. The two roads were leased to the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and the line is now known as the Iowa Division of the Illinois Central Railroad.
The road enters Hardin county on sec- tion 2, Etna township, and striking the towns of Iowa Falls and Alden, passes out of the county from section 30, Alden town- ship, or township 89, range 32, west of the 5th principal meridian ..
The company have 23.72 miles of line in this county.
Central Iowa Railway. .
The formation of the Eldora and Steam- boat Rock Coal Company, together with the extensive preparations made by the company for mining coal upon the lands purchased and leased, led to the organiza- tion of the Eldora Railroad and Coal Com-
pany, having for its object the building of a road from Eldora to Ackley, connecting at the latter place with the Dubuque and Sioux City, now the Illinois Central Rail- road.
Hon. Platt Smith, of Dubuque, Iowa, manifested great interest in the formation of this company and in the building of the road. It was upon his invitation that the Executive Committee of the Eldora and Steamboat Rock Coal Company proceeded to Dubuque in January, 1866, for the pur- pose of consulting some of the capitalists of that place. After several meetings with Mr. Smith and others, a new com- pany was formed, to be known as the Eldora Railroad and Coal Company, hav- ing objects as already stated, together with the mining of coal upon the lands pur- chased and leased by the old company.
After filing the articles of incorporation of the new Company in the Recorder's office at Dubuque, a meeting was held by the stockholders and five Directors were chosen-C. C. Gilman, H. G. Hethering- ton, G. F. Lathrop, H. L. Huff and W. J. Moir. The Directors then met and elected C. C. Gilman President, and James Mc- Kinley Secretary pro tem.
The executive officers of the Eldora and Steamboat Rock Coal Company, as soon as the organization of the Eldora Railroad and Coal Company was completed, entered into a contract with the latter by which all its rights, title and interest in the lands owned or leased by the Company, should be transfered to it, on condition that a rail- road should be built from Ackley to Eldora on or before the first day of July, 1868, and providing for a re-conveyance to the former should the contract not be complied
507
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
with by the time specified. The Eldora and Steamboat Rock Coal Company fur- ther agreed to guarantee the right of way to the railroad company. The considera- tion of this transfer was that the railroad company should allow to the stockholders of the coal company the sum of $30 per acre, payable in equal amounts of money, stock and construction bonds of the com- pany.
The Eldora Railroad and Coal Company subsequently found itself unable to comply with the contract as made, and so notified the Eldora and Steamboat Rock Coal Com- pany, but expressed itself as abundantly able and willing to build and operate the railroad, provided the coal lands should be donated, instead of its having to pay for them the sum of $30 per acre. This propo- sition was accepted by the Coal Company, and the work was commenced.
The work of grading, tieing and bridg- ing was put under contract to Dows & Co., of Cedar Rapids, to be completed by November 15, 1867. Contracts were also let to private parties for the mining of 20,000 tons of coal, to be ready for use when the road was finished. Enough stock of the road was sold prior to begin- ning the work to pay the contractors for grading and tieing. It then became neces- sary to raise the means for obtaining the iron and rolling stock for operating the road. Bonds were issued to the amount of $400,000, secured by a first mortgage lien on the road-bed, rolling stock, lands and mineral rights, and all other property or privileges which the company then pos- sessed or might acquire. A sufficient number and amount of bonds were sold for the purpose named, and in due time
the road was completed. On the - day of July, 1868, the last spike was driven, and Eldora was in railroad communication with the world; it was no more to be considered one of those unfortunate places that looked with a longing eye upon pleasures that it could not enjoy. At the same moment the last spike was being driven, news came that the Supreme Court had decided that Eldora was the permanent county seat of Hardin county. A double celebration was therefore held, and joy reigned supreme in the heart of every citizen of the place. In the evening a salute of 100 guns was fired, bonfires were built and kept up until past the midnight hour, speeches were made by those not "too full for utterance," and "all went merry as a marriage bell."
The joy of the people of Eldora was not so great but that her citizens should be content with a strip of railroad seventeen miles in length, even if it did give connec- tions with a road leading east. An eastern connection was good so far as it went, but if to that could be added a north and south connection, giving the people here the advantage of a southern market for their, produce, and a northern market for their coal, it would be still better. The ques- tion had been thoroughiy discussed, and even before the last rail was laid on the Eldora railroad, a new company had been formed, composed of many who were in the old company and others, to be known as the Iowa River Railroad Company.
The Iowa River Railroad Company was organized July 8, 1868, under the general incorporation laws of the State of Iowa, for the avowed purpose of constructing and maintaining a north and south line of
508
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
7
railway through the central portion of Iowa, from the southern boundary line of Minnesota to the northern boundary line of Missouri, a distance of 250 miles. The sixteenth degree of longitude, or as near thereto as practicable, being selected as a route which would traverse the richest and best settled agricultural and mineral dis- tricts of Iowa, giving access to St. Paul on the north by a connection at Mankato with the Minnesota Valley Railroad, and to St. Louis on the south by a junction with the North Missouri Railroad at the Mis- souri State line.
As a preliminary to this great work, the company, after perfecting its organization, purchased the seventeen miles of road completed by the Eldora Railroad and Coal Company, from Ackley to Eldora, and the centre of the Iowa Valley coal basin.
Articles of incorporation were filed for record in the office of the Secretary of State, July 8, 1868. They were signed by C. C. Gilman, E. W. Eastman, W. J. Moir, Henry L. Huff, R. H. McBride, D. D. Chase, Joseph Edgington, Gardner Spen- cer, J Q. Patterson, S. R. Edgington and J. M. Scott, all of Eldora, excepting D.D. Chase and Gardner Spencer.
The following named were the first offi- cers and directors: President, C. C. Gil- man; Vice-President, Thomas Kensett; Treasurer, R. A. Babbage; Secretary, Charles Collins; Directors, C. C. Gilman, H. L. Huff, Wells S. Rice, F. W. H. Sheffield, H. L. Stout, Horace Abbott, Thomas Kensett, John S. Gilman, Isaac Hyde, Jr.
The seventeen miles of road purchased of the Eldora Railroad Company was fully
equipped and put in operation the first season. Twenty-seven miles, from Eldora to Marshalltown, was put under contract in October, 1868, and the grading was about half finished before severe cold weather put a stop to operations.
As soon as the weather would permit, work was resumed upon the road, and rap- idly pushed forward to Marshalltown, be- ing completed to that point according to contract. For the purpose of accomplish- ing this work, bonds were issued by the company, and placed in the hands of A. L. Hatch, of New York, for disposal. In his circular offering the bonds for sale, Mr. Hatch said:
"The history of the West during the past ten years clearly demonstrates the value of sound railway bonds as an invest- ment. Steadily increasing in population and wealth, it not only gives sure promise from the commencement of a business to railroads, sufficiently remunerative to insure the prompt payment of interest and prin- cipal of a moderate amount of indebted- ness, incurred in the cost of construction, but, as shown by the enormous increase of earnings of Western roads of ten years' growth and upwards, warrants a specula- tive investment in the stock upon which the indebtedness is based. Planned as a legitimate business operation, by careful, calculating men, with direct regards for the wants of the country, and built for cash on as low estimates as any road in Iowa, the Iowa River railway occupies a position before the public to-day as a me- dium for safe investment and speculative promise seldom reached by projects of like character. The earnings of the first seven- teen miles, in operation for only four
511
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
months, give a foundation on which an estimate can be made. These bonds, though not bearing a very high rate of interest, are paying as much as any legiti- mate operation can afford to-a point to be considered in the minds of those who seek a secure and safe investment."
On the 23d day of June, 1869, articles of incorporation were signed at Marshall- town for the formation of a new company, to be known as the Central Railroad Company of lowa. This company was the legitimate successor of the Iowa River Railroad Company, and having the same object in view-the construction, maintenance and operation of a railroad from the south to the north line of the State of Iowa. The principal office of the new company was to be in Marshalltown, but providing for meetings of the Board of Directors in New York. The capital stock of the company was limited to $12,- 000,000, divided into shares of $100 each, its issue for the purpose of construction being restricted to $30,000 per mile. Jay Cooke & Co., and E. W. Clark & Co., bankers in Philadelphia, were made agents for the sale of the bonds. It was provided by special contract with the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company, New York, that the bonds, or the moneys received from their sale, should remain in possession of that company as trustee, to be delivered or paid out to the railroad company or their order, only upon the Engineer's estimates, as the work progressed. Under these wise pre- cautions the capitalists of the East ad- vanced money, from time to time, for the completion of the road.
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