USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Iowa, and of the presidents of the United States > Part 11
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There were no castes in society, every man was considered as good as his neigh- bor, and each had a confidence in the other's promises, and a chattel mortgage was seldom heard of; there was a feeling of social, kind-hearted hospitality in every home. No stranger was turned away hungry, and there was room for lodging, as long as there was a vacant puncheon.
Toward the close of this period, the fur- nishing of supplies for the troops in the Northwest made a better market for the products of the farm-prices ruled higher and money was more plenty. The prin- cipal mode of transportation was by ox- teams, the shorter the haul, the less ex- pense, of course. About this time, before the Northwestern railroad reached Coun- cil Bluffs, (which was in 1866) the North-
western Stage Company established a line from the eastern terminus of the line to Council Bluffs. This was considered a a great accommodation to the public gen- erally and especially to those living near the line of the route. The fare from Wood- bine to Council Bluffs, a distance of forty miles, was four dollars, and the people did not grumble any more at the expense of traveling than they do now with the rail- road fare at three cents per niile.
When the surrender of Lee was an ac- complished fact, and the citizen-soldier, whose constancy and courage had main- tained the integrity of the Republic, and the camp-fire, the weary march, and the conflict and carnage were to be realized no more but in memory, with mingled feel- ings of sorrow for the precious blood that had been given as a ransom for our coun- try, with gratitude to God for the final triumph, with hearts full of love for family and friends, those that had worn the loyal blue returned to the homes they had left -to the peaceful occupation of former days, a wonder to the world, as well as an honor to mankind.
MAKING PIES OF "SAW-DUST."
In the early days of Magnolia, people were fond of "goodies", mince pie, etc., just the same as people are now-a-days, es- pecially the Yankee portion of the popu- lation. However, "pie timber," fruits, meats of a suitable nature and other neces- sary articles, were not as easy to be ob- tained by the good house-wives way back in the fifties and sixties as they are in the more recent years. But as "necessity has ever been the mother of invention", it only needs to be remarked, that they had pie in their season-even though saw- dust had to be used !
The "point" to this bit of early time
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domestic history brings into the story (which is true) his Honor Judge Brainard, who once upon a time, when gossiping with officials at the National Capital, told this incident to the merriment, as well as great surprise of all his hearers. The Judge was then Mail Inspector for Iowa and the duties of his office frequently took him to Washington, where he was a favorite on account of his good story-telling ability, as well as from the fact that he lived in what was then the "wild and woolly West!"
He told his friends of "hard times" in Harrison county and how that his wife at Magnolia had learned to make very palat- able, wholesome pies from saw-dust. This caused his Honor to be looked upon as the "biggest liar in all Washington." But when he came to explain in a candid manner how such a miracle could be wrought out by his good wife, then the laugh was on the crowd and the Judge was ever remembered as the "Saw-dust pie man from Iowa!"
The sequel of the story was in substance this: During the winter of 1856-57, deer and elk were plentiful in western Iowa and venison constituted about all the meat the pioneers possessed. One day the Judge was lamenting the fact that they had no mince pies. So the following day he was surprised, at dinner time, after having eaten heartily of the plain, simple viands, set before him; asking no questions for consicence sake (his good wife's sake). But 'ere he had drawn back from the table,
his wife said, "Wait, and try my pie!" So she gave him a large section of a steaming hot mince pie, of which the Judge talked much and finally concluded as the sample was good, he would try some more.
In answer to how it was made, the good woman (those early, self-sacrificing women of pioneer days were good) explained how that she had made it of chopped venison meat, seasoned in part with saw-dust. The manner of making the pie was this: she found the venison had frozen as hard as a rock, which was more flinty than old Pha- raoh's heart in his wickedest day. So she placed it on a broad board and by use of a buck-saw, she succeeded in getting some slices off. These pieces of deer meat she chopped as ordinary mince meat is wont to be hacked up into fine particles. The sawing had made much "saw-dust"-the same being not hickory or bass wood saw- dust, but meat, bone and rich marrow, which she scraped into the chopped mass. To this conglomerate compound, she added dried apples, a few raisins and spices, when all was ready for the crust!
When Mrs. Brainard told her husband he was eating a pie which had saw-dust as a component part, he fancied she told not the truth. Likewise the friends at Wash- ington branded him as a "Big liar from Iowa," when he gave them the mince-pie story, second handed. Yet no prevarica- tion was told by either-it was the plain facts, except it lacked the explanation of what kind of saw-dust was referred to!
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SABBATH SCHOOLS OF HARRISON COUNTY.
(Extract from a paper written for the County Sunday School Association in 1890, by C. M. Cadwell.)
CHAPTER XI.
HE first effort in this line was in 1853. Previous to 1852 most of the residents of this county, were only temporarily such, and the improvements made only such as would serve their pur- pose until they could move on to the Zion of the saints in the basin of the great Salt Lake.
Many of these left in 1851 and '52 either selling or abandoning their improvements. These were soon occupied by immigrants from almost every state east of the Mis- sissippi River.
Many of these if not church members, had been in the habit of attending church in their former homes, but finding no church privileges here, soon fell into the habit of visiting on the Sabbath, and even taking the rifle and while women and children were visiting, would bring in a buck or a turkey to help in replenishing the stock of provisions.
Of course they neglected family worship under such circumstances. Still the Holy Spirit kept calling after them and a few of this class living in Six Mile grove, feel- ing the need of reform on their own ac- count and because of their influence on
their own and their neighbor's children, resolved to organize a Sabbath school, which was done in the month of June, 1853, in a cabin which had been vacated by one of the Saints. The officers and teachers, were Kirtland Card and Stephen King .. From the first the school was well attended and continued until late in the fall, with interest. The following spring it was re-opened and continued right on, in or near, this neighborhood for several years. In 1856 the school was held in a grove. Meeting in the camp ground. In 1858 it was moved and re-opened in Buena Vista. S. King acted as su- perintendent most of the time.
In 1853 and '54, Rev. George Rice, brother of Dr. Rice, preached for us oc- casionally and sympathizing with the efforts of these friends, secured and sent a Sunday-school library which was highly appreciated and extensively read, doing good service in the schools of the neigh- borhood until about the year 1872 when the remains of it were destroyed by fire in Mr. Card's house in Buena Vista, or Whitesboro. While this school was in its infancy another was organized in Cal-
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houn in the summer of 1854 with George A. Brigham, as Superintendent. This school, unlike the Six Mile school was not well attended, because in a neighborhood where very few cared for anything of re- ligious character and it lasted but a short time and no attempt to try again was made until 1856, when the few mnet and organized, electing George L. Ferrel as Superintendent. This school continued through the summer but it seems nothing was done in 1857. In 1858, however, a school was started with R. Hays, as sup- erintendent, but this continued for only a short time. From this time until 1865, nothing was done to have a Sunday- school. Then a Miss Sue Clark and Mrs. H. C. Meach, moved by the Holy Spirit, we think, felt that something should be done. So a meeting was called and these ladies were elected Superintendent and assistant superintendent.
In the winter following a precious work of grace began, and as its results a class of twenty-eight members was formed and among the number was Brother H. C. Meach. From that time to the present, Calhoun has had a Sunday-school each summer and some of the time all the year.
In the same season the first Sunday- school was started in Calhoun, Dr. Rice started one in the Cutler neighborhood on the road between Calhoun and Mag- nolia and in 1855 one was started in Mag- nolia in a log cabin where Frank Mintun's house now stands, and has been contin- ued most of the time ever since. Dr. Rice was the first Superintendent of this school (if I am rightly informed.)
These three were the first schools in the county, but in June, 1858, one was organ- ized in Little Sioux with Sol Smith as Superintendent, and E. Schofield assist- ant. Mr. Smith did not continue in that
position long but Mr. Schofield continued to hold on, with his mother and sister Cynthia, Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Crane, Mr. Barbour and Sillars as teachers. This school also had a library brought by Mrs. S. June, from New York. From that time to the present (except one year) there has been a Sunday-school at Little Sioux.
In the Mc Williams neighborhood an- other Sunday-school was organized in 1856 and from that time to the present there has been a school in existence that has been a power for good in that re- gion.
The first Sunday-school at old St. John was organized in January, 1858, Jacob Fulton, Superintendent, Also, money was raised for a library, which was exten- sively read, and the school continued very successful until 1862. No school in 1863, but in 1864 it was re-organized, and Mrs. Wolcott elected Superintendent, and con- tinued until the fall of 1868. In the spring of 1865 it was started again with Mr. E. R. Robinson, Superintendent. From that time to the present there has been a school kept up with good success.
From the above record we find that there had been Union Sunday-schools opened and carried on with more or less success before 1860.
In the summer of 1867 the first Sunday- school was started in Missouri valley in a small house a little east of the old school house by a Rev. Mr. Foster, who was elected superintendent, and this school has not only been continued until the present, but others have been formed from it in the town.
Also in the summer of 1858 the first Sunday-school in Harrison Township was organized by a Colporteur in the James Roberts house, with H. B. Lyman as su-
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perintendent. This was a Union School. In the same year another in the Winter and Vining neighborhood near the town of Woodbine. This was a Methodist Episcopal Sanday-school. Another at Parrish City, Cincinnati Township, a little south of what is now California Junction, was organized the same year. These all are the earliest in the county, no others being organized until 1867.
We of the present cannot realize the discouragements attending the efforts of the few who were desirous of training the youth of this new county in Bible truth and leading them to see the need of christian society. And there are those now living in the county, who attended the earliest schools as children, who are now grandparents and have seen these children regular attendants of the schools in their neighborhoods.
Thus in a measure some have seen a reward here, but a greater one is in store for them in the hereafter.
In 1867 the first Sunday-school was or- ganized in Taylor Township. and contin- ned for two years in the summer season only. Then for nearly ten years nothing was done in Sunday-school work until the present school in Modale was organized with Brother W. W. Morton as superin- tendent, which position he has filled all the time but one year, and it has become one of the live schools of the county.
near Logan, when steps were taken to or- ganize the county as they were organized in Illinois. At this gathering the Rev. C. C. Cadwell (father of C. N. C.) was pres- ent, and gave such an account of what was being done there that it was thought best to try the experiment here. With this in view arrangements were made for a meeting at Magnolia, in January 1869, and S. King was elected temporary Chair- man and C. N. Cadwell, temporary sec- retary. January 5, the first regular con- vention was held in the Methodist Epis- copal Church in Magnolia, with quite an attendance. Rev. Morley, Laidley and Wafield gave much encouragement and aid in this effort. The constitution and by-laws were adopted and the Harrison County Sunday-school Association organ- ized.
The meeting then adjourned to meet again in September of the same year.
From that time to the present, Harrison County has not failed to hold a conven- tion each year, and has been among the foremost counties in Sunday-school work. Among the many workers there have been some who have always been most earnest in this work; S. King, Dr. Rice, Mrs. Schofield, Mrs. Preston, George Thomp- son, T. P. Kellogg, C. Mitchell, J. A. Boies, F. F. Beebe. George Gibson, W. W. Morton, L. D. Willet, H. C. Meach, J. A. Howard and C. N. Cadwell.
In the spring of 1868 the first Sunday school in Logen was organized with (. N. Cadwell as superintendent. Also the same spring one some four miles north near Bigler's grove was carried on for a time by Deacon Hillis, but he resigning, it was carried on through the summer by C. N. Cadwell. These persons did all they could in con- nection with the several ministers to or- , ganize and keep Sunday-schools open all the year, and by township conventions, interest the people and lead them to help in this work, but it seemed impossible, and the remark was often made, "If there was only a way by which one In August, 1868, the first general Sun- person could be sustained to attend to this day-school gathering was held in a grove . work." But this also seemed impossible.
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But God in His providence sent into the county in 1881, a young man by the name of Frederick Jewett, as a missionary of the American Sunday-school Union, who did such good work and endeared him- self so to the people that by his influence an effort was made in 1883 to raise means in the county to sustain a missionary to do this work. The effort was successful and there has been a missionary at work in the county most of the time ever since. This was the first attempt of this kind in the United States, and Harrison County feels a just pride in hearing this fact stated. By these efforts our county takes front rank as a Sunday-school county, and from
present appearances will soon become the banner county of the State in the num- ber of scholars in the Sunday-school.
May those now interested never relax their efforts, but do much more and better work thian any who have preceded them.
At the present time there are seventy- six schools in active operation, over one-half of this number having been or- ganized and made permanent, by the efforts of the missionaries of the Amer- ican Sunday-school Union, and the inter- est they have awakened, has caused fur- ther efforts in the way of preaching ser- vice in connection with them and four church buildings ereeted.
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LOGAN.
CHAPTER XII.
OGAN, the present seat of justice of Harrison County, was named by the proprietor, Henry Reel, who platted it July 19, 1867, and named it in honor of General John A. Logan, who bore so conspicuous a part in the Union ranks during the great Civil War.
Its exact location is the east half of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 18, and the northwest quarter of section 19-79-42; also the northeast quarter of section 24-79-43. The site, situated as it is on the second bench of the Boyer River, and nestled in at the foot of a high elevation at the west, is one of rare beauty. The great number of large maple and box-elder shade trees that grace the well-kept streets and park, lend a peculiar charm to the city, at the same time providing wind breaks in the winter and cooling shade in the heated mid- summer days.
Logan is within Jefferson civil town- ship and according to the 1890 census re- ports, has a population of 827.
The land upon which this picturesque town stands was originally squatted upon by the following persons : All that portion in section 14 by James B. Mc- Curley, who shortly afterward-about
1854-sold to Henry Reel, who also ob- tained that part which the main town now occupies, as well as that including the mill site. The latter named or east part of the present plat he received of a company of men, including Messrs. Kin- ney, Dow, King and others who claimed the land and agreed to donate it to who- ever would come in and erect a mill.
Henry Reel, who came from Indiana, believing the offer a liberal one at once commenced putting in a dam and a saw mill. Old settlers say Uncle Henry built his saw mill, where the Roller Mills now stand, by the use of an ax and a big jack- knife (?) No move toward, or even thought of, platting a town site occurred until many years later, when a railroad was being surveyed.
It is claimed by some that B. F. La- Porte, now a blacksmith at Logan, had a rude cabin and squatted on part of the present plat, in 1852 and finally aband- oned it.
It is one of the many town sites platted during the year 1867, in consequence of the extension of the Chicago & North- Western Railway through to the Missouri River.
It was made the seat of Justice for Har-
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rison County in 1875-the county seat be- ing removed from Magnolia to Logan, to- wards the close of that year.
It became one of the station points on the railway but through some trouble with the management of the railway no trains stopped at Logan until compelled to by the establishment of a post-office, brought about by Mr. Reel, in December, 1867, requiring trains to stop for the pur- pose of changing mail matter.
Around the original plat, the pioneer buildings and business places of every town, there clusters many a memory, be- fitting for the historian to weave into re- cord form, the subject matter of which will become more and more valuable and interesting as the years shall come and go, bringing new generations with them. Then we hasten on to mention something concerning the beginning of Logan.
After the establishment of the post- office, business men were attracted to the place and soon the march of commerce set in.
The first to engage in business at Logan was George F. Waterman who,in August, 1857, opened a drug store, directly west of what was later known as the "Logan Hous ." Within a short time, Messrs. "Rudasill, Wood & Lowe" of Magnolia, erected the above hotel building; but it was designed and used by this firmn, for the general dry-goods and grocery busi- ness which they successfully operated.
Following these came, Cole & Fish, who removed their building and general merchandise stock from Whitesboro (formerly Buena Vista) and located on the east side of the public square.
The next to engage in business was the firm of Broadwell & Cavin, who moved a general stock from "Hard Scratch" (Reeder's Mills), having erected what is
now a part of the Lusk House and used the same for store purposes.
The pioneer hotel in Logan was kept by George W. White, who built a brick building, being a part of the old Vose Logan House.
The first to embark in grain business and the handling of agricultural imple- ments were T. M. C. Logan and Judge Leach, of Cedar Rapids, who formed a co- partnership. In 1873, Seekel, Luce & Co. succeeded this firm.
The second to engage in the hotel busi- ness at Logan was G. T. Kennedy who conducted the Lusk House, built by James A. Lusk.
One business was added to another, from 1867 to 1874, when the following comprised the commercial interests of the place: Rudasill & Co. and Cole & Fish, General Dealers; G. B. Cadwell, Hard- ware; G. T. Kelley and William Giddings, Drugs; G. T. Kennedy, hotel; Louis Walters, Harness-shop; B. F. La Porte and F. M. Sprinkle, Blacksmiths; Daniel Stewart, Wagon-maker; Milton Good -. enough, Shoe-shop; The " Western Star", edited by George Musgrave; Logan & Leach and Vanderhoff & Co., Grain deal- ers ; Seekel & Co., Lumber and "Yankee Robinson", Livery barn.
BANKING.
The pioneer bank of Logan was Cadwell & Fiske, which was established about January 1, 1874. Its members were Phineas Cadwell and George W. Fiske. It was subsequently succeeded by P. Cad- well & Co., who failed October 8, 1888.
The Harrison County Bank was or- ganized, January, 1877, by A. L. Harvey and J. C. Milliman. April 1. 1879, Mr. Milliman sold to A. W. Ford. The style of the concern is now Harvey & Ford,
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who transact a general banking business.
The next bank opened at Logan was by C. F. Lnce & Co. in the last months of 1888. They were succeeded by the State Savings Bank which is still in operation. John W. Wood & Sons started a private bank about January 1, 1889. The pro- prietors are John W. Wood, Charles N. Wood and W. H. Wood.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OF 1891.
The following were the chief business factors at Logan in December, 1891 .
Banks-Harrison County, John W. Wood & Sons, State Savings Bank.
Newspapers-The Observer (Rep.), and The Nucleus. (Dem.)
Attorneys-L. R. Bolter & Sons, J. W. Barnhart, H. H. Roodifer, S. H. Cochran, C. S. Waitley, S. I. King, Joe H. Smith, John A. Berry and Thomas Arthur.
Physicians-I. C. Wood, J. L. Witt, J. Knowles and F. A. Comfort.
Land Agents-Harvey & Ford, Stern & Milliman and F. W. Hart.
Dry Goods-Berkley & Co., John W. Read and Cohen & Blockty.
Groceries-Jolin W. Stocker and Van Scoy Bros., Ehrhardt & Son and W. S. Longman.
Hardware-G. B. Cadwell, Kirk & Mills and Williams Bros.
Furniture-Harvey Lenz and K. E. Webber.
Agricultural Implements - John W. Stocker, Lewis Ellison and Kirk & Mills.
Drugs-Giddings & Doyle and C. C. Mayer & Co.
Grain Dealers-Ellison & Miller, John W. Stocker and J. D. Heritage.
Lumber Dealers- Lewis Ellison and James W. Rudd.
Live Stock Dealers-John W. Stocker, F. C. Adams and A. G. Wilson,
Mills-" Rock Bottom Roller," By James McCoid.
Factories-Farm Fence Company (In- corporated).
Photographer-C. E. Lenz.
Jewelry-J. A. Barr and J. J. Ring.
Millinery-Mrs. W. H. Eaton, Mrs. D.
Leyshon, Mrs. L. A. Williams and Welch & Kirkendall.
Livery Barns-F. P. Feigley and W. Brayton.
Hotels-Lusk Honse and Davison House.
Feed Barn-H. B. Kennie.
Harness Shop-I. Huber.
Blacksmiths-B. F. La Porte, R. B. Shields and F. M. Sprinkle.
Wagon Shop-Daniel Stewart.
Post Master-J. W. Stocker.
American Express Office.
Western Union Telegraph Office.
Abstracts-Stern & Milliman and E. G. Tyler.
POSTOFFICE HISTORY,
Through the efforts of pioneer Henry Reel who platted the town, a postoffice was established in December, 1867, with C. C. Cole (of the firm of Cole & Fish) as postmaster. He was succeeded by Will- iam Giddings, A. K. Grow, T. A. Massie and the present incumbent, J. W. Stocker. It became a money order office in July, 1877. August 7, 1884, the office and con- tents were totally destroyed by fire. The total number of money orders issued at the Logan office, up to June 1, 1891, is 15,405 and the full number of postal notes to the same date was 10,102.
INCORPORATION.
Logan became an incorporated town in 1877. The following have served in the capacity of Mayor :
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1877
John V. Evans
1878
John V. Evans
1879
J. W. Barnhart
1880
H. H. Roodifer
1881
W. C. Cadwell
1882
H. H. Roodifer
1883
H. H. Roodifer
1884
Du Ren Stearns
1885
Du Ren Stearns
1886
Almor Stern
1887
A. L. Harvey
1888
L. J. Paul
1889
C. R. Bolter
1890
. C. R. Bolter
1891
C. R. Bolter
In 1984, the town put in a system of direct pressure water-works, costing $7,500. The water is pumped to a re- servoir (on the hill, west of town) holding 100,000 barrels, by means of a steam en- gine and a wind-mill -- the former forcing water from the never failing springs and the latter from a well in the public square, through one and one quarter miles of pip- ing.
By this means the town is safe from the ravages of the fire fiend and for all domes- tic purposes the town has an abundance of the purest water, furnished at a very low rate.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first attempt in the journalistic field at Logan was the removal of the Harrison County Courier, established at Magnolia in 1874, to Logan, September, 1875. Al- pheus Davison was the editor and man- ager and forsook Magnolia, then the county seat, because the day seemed not far distant when Logan was to be the seat of justice and in that fact he saw financial good to himself. Money had been fur- nished him to ship his outfit and family from Illinois to Magnolia, but greater pressure was brought to bear by the enter-
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