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 2

Author: National Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, National Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1150

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 2

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

.957

Merchant,Anasa L .716 Merchant, Lucius. .25

Michael. Charles.

.. 512

Michacl, John C.

.. 500

Michel, Orin L

.562

Miles, Benaiah S

.892

Miller, Albert J.

848

Miller, George

.400

Miller, Reverdy J.

736

Miller, T. A.

957

Millett, Lucius D

.966

Milliman, Ezra Wilson

.854

Milliman, J. C

187

Milliman, William W.

.568

Mills, Charles

966

Mills, Francis M 749

Mills, Joseph S.

.598

Minor, Jacob. A

714

Mintun, A. W.

853

Mintun, Daniel P.

.422

Mintun. Jacob.

615

Mintun, Rev. James F.

.664

Moore. Samuel.

.798

Moore, William.

724

Moorehead, George

.489

Morgan, Frauces H ..

528

Morrow, David.

.767

Morrow, Patrick

.876

Morrow, H. P

.878

Morrow. William.

.866

Morton. Silas W

166

Motz, Jerry

.911

Mowry. Paul.

.. 304

Mullen, Peter R

551

Murphy, Joseph H.

.704

Murray, Michael ..

.931

Musgrave. George

178

Myer, Freely W

.653

Neal, Willian 595

Necley, Nathaniel. .967

Nelson, John G. .671

Newland, George F. .404

Newton, Edwin.

.636

Newton, Reuben.

583

Niece, George

871

Niles, Joseph W. .795

Noble, Josiah A. .780

Norman, J. H. .370 MeManimie, James N .. 765

Nordaker. Gmmar E. .560 McQueen, William H. .803 Noy, Joseph L. .725 Noyes, John. $41 McTwigan, Robert P .. 673 Mc Vey, John W. .. 697

Noyes, Lafayette H. 718

Noyes, Peter. 709

Noyes. Zachariah Taylor .. .. 856

Nuzum. SamnelS.

595

Ockerson, Alexander E.

.. 666

O'Connor, John

391

Olinger, Reuben.

788

Olmstead, James H.

382

O'Rourke, James P.

393

Orr, John A ..

700

Overton, Harmon D.

710

Roach, Damel ..

$69

Oviatt, Marshall E

667

Palmer, Seth.

.967

Patterson, J. B

417

Ross, Job.

317

Patton, C. M.

954

Pcase, H. E.

.577

Pease, Ziba W .423

Peckenpaugh, E. R.

956

Perkius, J. L.

.976

Peters, John M

464

Peterson, Carl.

405

Peterson, Carl F.

964

Peterson. Nels

640

Pett, William

('92

Pitt, Sidney.

762

Pitts, A. J.

372

Plath, Charles F.

.676

l'lath, William A

947

Porter, F. J

719

Powley, Abel.

737

Prather, Jonathan Clark .723

Pritchard, Joseph A

.750

Probasco, Jacob.

680

Probasco, Samuel.

561

Prose. Lorenzo B.

593

Pugh, Alfred B.

.70€

Pugsley, George. .445

Pugsley, James Oscar. 811

Purcell, Marion.

740

Purcell, Nephi.

.875

Purcel,, Samuel.

734

Rainer, Willian. .698

Rathbun, G H.

.433

Ratliff, Matilda P.

.873

Raymond, William T. 815 41

Redinbaugh, John G ... .741 Smith, S. J. 974

Reed, James W

591

Smith, Samuel T.

.. 527

Reed, Prof. Marcellus A .. 695

Reed, William.

415

Reel, Henry

.847

Reel, John A 657

Reiher, Charles.

562

Reilly, Joseph W.

.646

Rice, Arthur S.

796

Rice, John H., M. D.

781

Rice, Silas. 797

Rice, Wilber B. .797

Richardson, Hon. George

.731

Richardson, Philo M.

.819

Riddell, William O

681

Ritchison, Abraham 776

Roadifer, Hiram H.

.661

Roberts, B. F.

.934

Roberts, James A

.872

Roberts, James.

.904

Rock, Daniel.

.708

Roden, W. T.

331

Rogers, David R.

585

Rogers, James D.

.. 720

Rose, Archer C

.646

Patterson, S. J., M. D.

.505

Ross, William

95G

Royer, Joseph H.

.. 865

Rudd, James W.

.. 587

Sarvey, Michael.

.657

Satterlee, Dwight, M. D.

.. 618

Schmitt, Alexius.

.550

Schroeder, Calvin.

397

Schriver, Elmer E.

.366

Schwertle, F. W.

.398

Schwertley, Frederick.

.926

Scofield, Charles G.

.912

Scott, George M.

973

Seddon, Joseplı

757

Seeley, Alvin

417

Seeley, Jerome

.970

Sehlke, Henry.

775

Selleck, Albert E.

.947

Selleck, David

493

Sellers, Alfred.

459

Sharpnack, Hon. W. M. 525

Shaw, John

.289

Shearer, S. V.

.624

Sherwood, Charles W

.637

Sherwood, Lewis J

637

Shield, Samuel B.

.851

Shupe, Peter R.

971

Silsby, A. M.

.972

Simmons, Willam R. 650

Small, George W.

.. 644

Smith, Albert M

.950

Smith, G. B.

.863

Smith, Harrison C

759

Rathbun, H. H.

.433

Smith, James M.

539

Smith, Joe H .655

Smith, Oscar L

874

Smith, William A.

.300

Sniff, A. H.

.846

Snyder, Adam C.

.. 301

Preston, Herbert L.

.565

Preston. William Turner

827

Scouler, Peter J.

641

Prior, Harry H

.812

Ploth, Charles

659

Schultz, John.

.861

INDEX.

Snyder, J. J. 494

Snyder, Rev. L. S.

.353

Sorick, James T.

.786

Spracklen, Solomon G.

.. 524

Spooner, Aiphonso.

.398

Squire, William H.

580

Stearns, Madison C.

640

Steen, John.

.909

Stern, Almor.

.557

Stern, Jacob T.

297

Stern, Philip A.

428

Stevens, Charles D.

.817

Stewart, Daniel A.

925

Stocker, John W.

469

Stodgel, William C.

.535

Stoker, Allen

717

Stoker, Orson H.

.542

Stott, Rev. Arthur.

579

Strauss, Ephraim.

779

Strauss, John

777

Swan, Clark E.

.362

Tamisięa, Victor. . . .. 545 Taylor, Edgar. ........ 883

Teeter, Isaac K.

.... . 403

Thomas, J. J .. 899

Thomas, Thomas .495

Thompson, John.

519

Thompson, Thomas.

484

Tracy, T. L

915

Traver, John A.

125

Tovey, Thomas D. 763

Town, Salem

793

Tufly, George F.

766

Tufly, Josiah

.387

Waitley, Edwin B.

850

Tupper, Benson

.406

Tupper, Loring D.

.408

Tyler, Ernest (

.614

Tyler, Leonard G .663

Vanarsdale, N. H. .497

Wendenhall, Eli P. .M

West, Jonathan .769

Weston, John A

Weston, M. T ..

.913

Wheeler, Maj. John R. .679

Varns, John W.

.477

Wheelock, Charles .936

Whitney, I. E. 907

Willett, L. D.

.951

Williams, Cantine R.

675

Williams, David. 496

Williams, E. Burr. 840

Williams, John 663

William, Moses W 518 Willis, E. H. 727

Wilsey, W. H. 901

Wilson, Albert .310

Wilson, Elmer F. .864

Wilson, Gustavus A .. 310

Wilson, Lucian 153

Wilson, Lowery

618

Wilson, Oscar D, 880

Walker, C. A

.919

Wilson, W. E.

912

Walker, J. V.

.948

Walker, Orrin B

.868

Walker, Wells F 938

Witt, John L., M. D. 619

Wood, Irving C., M. E .822

Wood, John W 972

Wood, Mrs. Mary E. 473

Wood, Samuel. .375

Yarrington, Joseph P. .548

Yount, Harrison.

707

Young, Noble W.

611

Beebc, Henry O. .412

Harshbarger, H. C. .530

Harvey, A. L. .712

Kellogg, Lorenzo. .336

King. Hon. Stephen. .296

Longman, Alfred, Sr. .384

Mahoney. Stephen. .430

McGavren, Robert, M. D. .306

Milliman, James C. 486

Myer, Freely W. .652

Newton, Reuben. .582

Noyes, John. .40 Stern, Almor 556

Patterson, S. J., M. D. .501

Preston, W. T. 821 Stockton, John W 468

Preston, Mrs. W. T. .825

Richardson, Hon. George. .. 730

Ross, Job .. .316

Schultz, Mrs. Auna.

860

Seddon, Joseph .756

Shearer, Simon V. 621

Bolter, Hon. L. R. .346

Boynton, N. G. .394

Stern, J. T. 296

Chambers, David .. .790

Cochran, Addison. .356

Coe, Josiah. .894

Wheeler, Maj. John R. 678

Wood, Samuel.

Crawford, Logan .626

Hall, Mathew.

.326

Harris, Hon. D. M. .450

PORTRAITS

Vore, William F. 601

Vredenburgh. Charles.

.709

Wakchouse, Conrad

.612

Walker, Andrew D.

.536

Warner, Henry C ..

.864

Warren, Alfred N ...

.886

Watson, Jonathan V.

794

Webb, R. L .770

Weldon, J. C .. 897

Vanderhoof, David B. .. 610

Vanderhoof, J. S

.918

Vanderhoof, T. F.

.977

VanSlyke, W. H.

.. 738

Vining, Albert B.

800

Vittitoe, Samuel

774

Vore, John. .576

Wilson, W. T. 180

Wisler, W. E. 912

Wall, A. M

899

Wolcott R

926

.513

Vore, William F 600

300

INDEX.

PRESIDENTS AND GOVERNORS.

Adams, John 23

Harrison, William Henry .. 51

Polk, James K 59

Grimes, James W. .119

Adams, John Q. 39

Hayes, Rutherford B. 91

Arthur, Chester A. 99

Jackson, Andrew. 43

Tyler, John. 55 Kirkwood, Samuel I. .127

Buchanan, James. 75

Jefferson, Thomas 27 Van Buren, Martin 47 Larrabee, William. .153

Cleveland, S. Grover

103

Johnson, Andrew. 83

Washington, George. 19 Lowe, R. P. 123

Fillmore, Millard 66

Lincoln, Abraham 79

Boies, Horace 159

Merrill, Samuel. 135

Garfield, James A 95

Madison, James.

Briggs, Ansel .. 111

Newbold, J. G. 143

Grant, Ulysses S.

Monroe, James 35

Carpenter, Cyrus Clay .. 139

Sherman, B. R. .151

Stone, William M. .131

Harrison, Benjamin 107

Pierce, Franklin 71 Gear, John H 147

Taylor, Zachary. 63 Hempstead, Stephen. .115

HISTORY OF Harrison County, Iowa.

INTRODUCTORY.

CHAPTER I.

HEY have moved away out into Western Iowa," is a phrase which does not now carry with it the mean- ing it did, when so commonly spoken, a quarter or a third of a century ago, when the hopeful and adventurous pioneer had left his older home in some one of the thickly settled middle or eastern states, and taken a "claim" in Western Iowa, which was then but little less than a de- solate prairie land and wilderness. At that date no network of railroads, providing a royal highway over which the iron-hearted, steaming monster could speed his rapid way by day and by night, year in and year out, had been projected. The prairie sod was then unturned; the rivers and creeks were then unbridged, and almost impass- able roads were the rule everywhere. Ox and mule trains, en route for Pike's Peak and California, had for a few years passed through this section of the State and speculated, while camped along some one of its many beautiful streams, upon the future of this charming domain, which a little later on was named Harrison county. But vague, very vague, indeed, was their comprehension of the richness of the soil

and the wealth they were leaving behind, when they passed on toward the setting sun, in search of homes and happiness. They might have heard,

" The tread of Pioneers, Of Nations yet to be; The first low wash of waves where Shall roll a human sea, Are plastic, hot and warm And the chaos of a mighty work Is rounding into form."

A few brave sons of toil had the hardi- hood to face the privations incident to frontier life, and come on in advance of railroads, high culture and fancy styles ! They brought no better titles to their lands than that they were among Ameri- can citizens, which had already come to mean much to him who songht to build for himself a home with naught save hard days work. "They came, they saw-they conquered," and soon the ear of civilized life caught the inspiration and wended its way on to this goodly country, where men at once grew healthy and wealthy. The settlers multiplied; the soil produced far more than the first settlers could con- sume, and it was not long before capitalists saw money could be no better expended,

HARRISON COUNTY.

than in giving an outlet for the annually increasing crops, by the construction of great systems of railroads. So it may be said that Western Iowa is marked by two special eras-one the first settlement and the other the advent of the railroads. It is the purpose of this work to trace out the historic events, from the date of the ear- liest settlement, on down through the railroad era, noticing the advancement on all hands, from the first step to the present day-in brief to survey the original, pri- mitive wilderness, and the same domain, after having been transformed into a well- tilled garden spot, assuring the reader the contrast is indeed marked ..

Let us hasten, then, to record the words as they fall from their quivering lips; let us tell of the grandly heroic deeds done in those pioneer days, that their actions may find the niche in history, which they so justly deserve. Let their words and deeds build for them a monument that shall out- last the stone or bronze, which must ere long mark their last resting place. Let there an epitaph be inscribed "They have builded better than they knew."

But before we take up the true history of modern times, let us record a few facts concerning this county as it existed, "down through the dim and misty vista of time, before man was," and see what founda- tions were here builded by an all wise Creator, in the geological formation, the soil, the forests, the meandering stream and beantiful lakes.

TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY,

Harrison county is situated on the west- ern border-line of Iowa, in the fourth tier of connties from the southern line. The Missouri river washes its western border, while Monona and Crawford coun- ties bound it on the north; Shelby county

on the east and Pottawattamie county on the south.

According to the latest surveys the connty contains 446,000 acres, of which over 400,000 are under a high state of cul- tivation, and 42,724 acres consist of native timber-land. The real estate and personal property in 1885 was, per assessment, val- ued at $5,514,229.

The streams which drain and water the county gain the Missouri bottoms within the county, except the Pigeon and Mos- quito. Beginning at the east side of the county, the first stream is the Mosquito, then the Pigeon, Boyer, Willow, Allen and Steer Creeks, then the Soldier and Little Sioux rivers. These all take a south-west- erly course until they either empty into the Missouri river or pass the southern boundary line. The Mosquito river takes its source in Washington township and derives its name from the great number of mosquitos which infested this section at an early day.

The Pigeon rises in Douglas township, and is sixteen miles long from its source to the point at which it passes out of Har- rison county. The banks of these streams are from ten to twenty feet high, and con- vey the floods off without doing much damage.

The chief water courses of the county are the Boyer, Willow, Soldier and Little Sioux rivers. The Boyer in its crooked meanderings from the northeast corner of the county, to the place it passes out into Pottawattamie county, ten miles from the Missouri river and twenty miles from the southeast corner of the county, traverses sixty miles and only by a straight line twenty-eight miles.

The Willow is the next stream west of the Boyer and it rises in Crawford county, entering this county in Lincoln township,

HARRISON COUNTY.

near the west liue of section 3-81-42. It passes through portions of Lincoln, Boyer, Magnolia, Calhoun and Taylor townships.

Allen and Steer creeks both have their origin in Allen township, take a south- westerly course, and after having meand- ered among the hills of Allen, Magnolia and Raglon townships, enter into Atwood or Gilmore lake at the foot of the bluffs. These streams being things of beauty, are ever a joy to the beholder. The name of Allen creek was derived from a squatter, named Andrew Allen,who, in 1851, settled on the banks of this stream. Steer creek was so named on account of several head of steers having perished by miring down out of sight, while being driven over this section in 1849. The name of Soldier was applied to another stream because of a company of United States troops having encamped on its banks in 1846. This stream has its source in Ida and Crawford counties ; enters Monona county, running in a southwesterly direction until the same passes the northi line of this county, at which point it veers to the east, then, serpent-like, it winds its way southwest to the Missouri bottoms, through Taylor, Clay and Cincinnati townships.

The largest of Harrison County's streamns - the Little Sioux river- makes the shortest stay. It heads among springs and swamps on the southern line of Minne- sota, passes through Osceola, Dickinson, Clay, O'Brien, Buena Vista, Cherokee, Woodbury counties, introducing itself in- to Harrison county, on section 5-81-44 in Little Sioux township, still flowing south- west to the Missouri river.

The surface of the country presents an appearance as varied as the tastes of men. The high, rolling upland, far beyond the point where it is possible for malaria to prevail; the sunny cove nestling in along-

side the bluffs, so picturesque; the broad expanse of level prairie, reaching on and on, as far as the eye can measure; the elevated lands on margin of lake or river; the home in the native forests, or if per- chance one has desired, for special reasons, to settle on "gumbo," Harrison county possesses all of these.

The valleys are from one half to more than a mile in width, The broad expanse of corn, wheat and tame grasses presents a feast to the eye. In every locatiou, good pure water may be obtained from creeks which never fail; from springs gushing forth from the earth's surface, or from wells gained at a depth of forty to sixty feet.

The broadest, most delightful and most wonderfully fertile valley is the Boyer, ex- tending in places two miles in width, It is nature's own garden spot, improved by intelligent men and modern appliances. Indeed it arrests the eye of every passer by aud holds them spell-bound and half entranced. The rural scenes-the mag- nificent farms-the tens of thousands of acres of growing corn, grasses and veget- ables-the fine bearing apple and small fruit orchards-the lowing hierds; the happy populace, one and all, attest as to the beauty and royal richness of the Boyer valley, where from sixty to ninety bushels of corn surprises no one who has lived here a term of years and come to know the blessing of a sure crop every year!

Of the Missouri Valley it may be stated that it comprises more than one-fiftli of the entire area of Harrison county.

Another feature of this goodly county is the presence of lakes, among which may be named Smith's Lake, in Little Sioux township, located on section 31. This lovely lake is over four hundred yards wide by a mile in lengthı and is in many places

HARRISON COUNTY.

one hundred feet deep. It is the grandest lake in all the famous Missouri slope and abounds in the finest specimens of fish known to Iowa waters.

Round Lake, in the center of Morgan township, was at one time a part of the bed of the great Missouri river and still depends upon that muddy, changeable stream for its supply of water.

Horse Shoe Lake, in Clay township, is of the same character of Round Lake, ex- cept it derives its supply of water from the Soldier river.

Nobles Lake, partly in Harrison, but extending into the domain of Pottawatta- mie county, is located in Cincinnati town- ship. This is indeed a charming spot at all seasons of the year and a great fishing ground. Here one finds pickerel, bass, cat, buffalo and sun-fish.

In Harrison county, the post-tertiary deposits exhibit their usual charactistics, besides a limited exposure of the upper coal measure, which appears in the Boyer River Valley. To this date no paying coal deposits have been discovered, not- withstanding there is an outcropping of coal at or near Logan and six miles up the Boyer river. The drift and bluff deposits are both found in Harrison county, a fea- ture seldom found in one locality.

Glass sand is found in a four foot strata on section 7-81-44, in Jackson township. The sandstone found in the northwestern part of the county makes excellent build- ing material. Potter's clay is found on section 18-80-43 one mile northwest of Magnolia; also on section 15-81-42 in Lincoln township. Peat (moss suitable for fuel) is found covering about two hun- dred acres in Jackson township, section 34-81-44; also in Lincoln, Harrison, Cass and La Grange townships.

Mineral water gushes forth from the

earth a mile above Reeder Mills, in Jeffer- son township, on Harvey Armstrong's farm. It contains iron, sulphur and mag- nesia. There is also a mineral well twen- ty-two feet deep, on section 7-78-43.

The soil of the upland consists of the light colored deposits of bluff formation and only differs from that in the bottoms in the fine condition of silicious material of which it is nearly composed. Both the upland and bottoms are derived from the same source-that of the Missouri bot- toms being the coarser, because the finer particles are swept away by the current of this ceaseless flood, which comes sweeping down year by year.

The finest growths of timber are found in abundance. All along the Missouri, and well up into the interior of the county in La Grange, Union and Harrison Town- ships are found vigorous, growing forests. Harris Grove covers over six thousand acres ; Twelve Mile Grove in Douglas and Boyer Townships has one thousand acres ; Bigler's Grove in Boyer and Jefferson Townships; Union Grove in Union Town- ship; Spencer's Grove, just north of Miss- ouri Valley, has two thousand acres; Brown's Grove in Calhoun Taylor and Magnolia Townships, the largest of any ; Raglan Grove in Raglan Township; Spink's Grove in Magnolia and Allen Townships; the Flowers Grove in Jack- son Township and Weaver's Grove in Harrison Township, together with the artificial groves planted by the hardy pio- neers, places the county beyond want of timber for all time.

There is vastly more timber in the county now than in 1852, owing to the fact that prairie fires have been kept out, and also the other fact, that fencing is no longer made from native timber, as in early days when rail fences were used in

HARRISON COUNTY.

place of the present barbwire. It is es- timated that the county has thirty-three thousand acres of timber.

RAIN-FALL AND TEMPERATURE.

By having free access to a daily weather report, compiled from observations taken by Jacob T. Stern, one of the pioneers of this county, we are here enabled to give the rain-fall and temperature, by yearly averages, commencing with 1861 and end- ing in 1890.

In 1860 this highly esteemed gentleman, then living on his fine farm, in Harris Grove, was induced by a newspaper inan named Ford, then editing a paper at Mag- nolia, to become a monthly reporter of weather items, for the Smithsonian Insti- tute, at Washington, D. C. Later on, the War Department (Signal Service branch) appointed him reporter for them. Fine instruments and weather indicators were sent him, and each day, for all these years, he or members of his family have 'kept up their tri-daily observations and forwarded the same weekly to the Depart- ment " without money and without price."

On account of failing liealtlı Mr. Stern suggested to the Department at Washing- ton, that his wife be appointed to relieve him. This was agreed to and since about 1886 Mrs. Stern has made the observations and a weekly report to Washington.

The chief items included in the reports are the temperature, rain-fall and crops indications, The subjoined gives the averages of rain-fall and temperature by years in round number :

INCHES.

DEGREES TEMPERATURE.

1861-26

1862-25

1863-20

1864-24

- 48

1865-31

INCHES.

DEGREES TEMPERATURE.

1866-24

1867-28

1868-35

1869-50

1870-24

1871-27

1872-33

1873-46

1874-28

1875-42

1876-28

1877-45

1878-46

1879-32

1880-25

1881-57

1882-37

1883-39

1884-36

1885-43

1886-39

1887-28

1888-40

1889-33

1890-41

1891-35

Average, 34 inches. Average, 48 De- grees Temperature.

Knowing that their race is nearly run, this venerable old couple who for all these . years have kept these reports, have directed that after they have passed from earthı, their son Almor continue the rec- ord, which will be done.

THE LAST BUFFALO.

The buffalo, deer and elk will not-can- not remain long surrounded by civiliza- tion. There were large droves of elk and deer within Harrison County after white men commenced to settle its fertile soil. There are many reasons for believing that the grandest of all American animals and

HARRISON COUNTY.

the species found no where else in the world -- the buffalo, also made this his home. However but one was ever seen and killed by the white man's gun. This, according to George Musgrave, in the Logan Observer of March 6, 1887, was killed in 1863. It was first seen near the Boyer River, in Boyer Township, a short distance north from the Josiah Coe farm. A few of the neighbors gave him chase, with their horses. They ran the fright- ened animal around the east side of Twelve Mile Grove, across the farms of Mathew Hall and George Mefferd, to the south branch of the Picayune, where G. W. Pugsley then resided, and who chanced to be standing in his doorway. Seeing them coming toward his cabin, he drew his rifle and when the buffalo neared him he shot and fortunately killed himn.

At that date (1863) no buffaloes were known to exist nearer than fifty miles west from the banks of the Missouri River.

THE DEER AND ELK.

Plentiful as were deer and elk at the beginning of the settlement in this county, they faded away, fleeing west or being

slaughtered, ruthlessly by the pioneer's rifle, or made a deadly victim by the severe elements. The "hard winter " of 1856-57, deer and elk were so plentiful that they were scarcely a luxury, or even much valued as a family diet. December 3, 1856, a little snow began falling and it increased and continued for seventy-two hours, causing the surface of the earth to be covered by a mantle of snow four feet deep on the general level, with all ravines and valleys filled to the level, covering many of the great tree tops entirely over. The temperature changed and a sleet fell, which crusted the snow hard enough to permit teams to pass over its shining, glossy surface.

The large droves of deer and elk were left to the mercy of the Indians and white men, with their nimble hounds and sure rifles. The deer and elk could not run rapidly, as the ice covered snow caused them to slip and fall and cut their small, trim legs on the knife-like crust of snow and ice. It was during this memorable winter that many thousands of deer and elk in Western Iowa were uselessly slaughtered and but very few have ever been seen since.

HARRISON COUNTY.

ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT.

CHAPTER II.

OR an account of the "Early Settle- ment," the reader is referred to the township history department, found elsewhere in this volume, where a detailed description of the first comers in the sev- eral civil townships is given in complete form.

Harrison county was at one time a part of Keokuk county. It was established in 1851 and became an organized county, March 7, 1853, by an act of the Fourth General Assembly, which enactment also appointed Abram Fletcher, Charles Wol- cott and A. D. Jones, respectively from Fremont. Mills and Pottawattamie coun- ties, as Commissioners to locate the county seat, the name of which was to be Mag- nolia, and who were to meet early in March for such purpose. The county de- rived its name in honor of the Ninth Pre- sident of the United States - William Henry Harrison. An Organizing Sheriff was also appointed by the same authority, in the person of Michael McKenney. The Commissioners assembled at the house of A. D. Jones in Pottawattamie county and executed the business for which they were appointed. They selected the southeast corner of section 32-80-43 and then gave to the 160 acres thus selected the naine of "Magnolia" and the Organizing Sheriff

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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 2

Author: National Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, National Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1150

Author: National Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, National Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1150