USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa : its people, industries and institutions, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 23
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GREAT REPUBLICAN RALLY.
During the Mckinley-Bryan "free silver" campaign of 1896, there was held at Logan a rousing political meeting, at which many noted speakers were present, including such men as Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis, Governor Marion Drake, Congressman Hagar. Drake, the cool, self-possessed general of the - Civil War; Hillis, the scholarly eloquent divine, firmly planted on the law of inorality old as creation and firm as the eternal hills; Hager, the peer of any Republican representative of Iowa, each had his own peculiar way of ex- plaining the issues of the day. Then there was the "fighting parson," Rev. John Hogarth Lozier, with his wonderful musical talent, with songs galore,
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HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA.
as the leader of the glee club which he had trained especially for the occa- sion-his very soul was full to overflowing with sweet music. The audi- torium hell two thousand and only one-third of the assembled crowd could gain entrance. It was truly a red-letter day for Harrison county, and was a vote winner as well. Farmers came in from valley and plain and extra trains were run from many western Iowa towns.
Doctor Hillis, a native of the county, talked especially on sound money for an hour and a half. One of the favorite songs sung by Parson Lozier was entitled "Do You Hear the Watchman Cry?" Its refrain was "All is well, yust the same ober here."
CAMPAIGN WIT AND INCIDENT.
A good story is told, and it was true, too, of Pioneer Dunham, of this county. In the autumn of 1858, Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, being a candidate for congress on the Republican ticket, and Judge C. C. Cole, of Des Moines, the nomince on the Democratic ticket, met at Magnolia, in the ok! court house for a political debate. Cornelius Dunham, a man well-posted in poli- tics, and very eccentric, was present, who at the time wore a suit of home- spun, of butternut hue. While in the room where debate was going on in all its heat and sacasm, Dunham arose and took off his coat and vest, rolled them up with his old muskrat cap in a bundle and placed them under his seat. He then rolled up his sleeves, took a fresh chew of plug tobacco and was about to sit down, when the Judge remarked: "Sir, seeing that you are stripping for a fight, I'll pull off my coat and be ready for you." To this Dunham replied: "Monkeys will imitate sensible men." This brought down the house and the speaker could hardly rally for some minutes.
In 1860, A. L. Harvey and James Purley were candidates for the office treasurer-recorder ( when both offices were in one). Harvey was the Re- publican nominee and Purley the Democratic. Near the close of the cam- paign, a political meeting was held at the old town of Olmstead, near present Dunlap. These two gentlemen were there and took part. After the meeting was over, good Deacon L --- invited the Democratic candidate to his home for entertainment, and also a friend of the candidate. They accepted and spent nearly all the hours of the night in talking over the political issues and chances for the candidates. Although Deacon 12- was a Republi- can, he had about made up his mind to support the opposition nominee, so friendly had been their relations the night before. After breakfast, (which included a chicken killed in the early morning and nicely fried by the house-
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HARRISON COUNTY, IOW.1.
wife) the deacon read a chapter in the Bible and offered family prayers. All bowed except the Democratic candidate, who sat up as straight as an arrow. The candidate and friend soon departed, but received a very cool "good morning." The friend of Purley said, as soon as they got away from the house : "You eternal fool, why in the name of Jim Buchanan didn't you get down at prayers? By your want of respect to that good couple, who did all in their power to entertain us, you lost the support of Mr. L and you will find him doing all he can against you at election." Such was the fact. The host turned against him and in favor of Mr. Harvey, carrying seventeen other votes with him. The effect of his turning is seen in the fact that Harvey was elected by only one majority.
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CHAPTER XIX.
MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS.
While none of the subjects herein treated are sufficient to warrant a chapter by themselves, they are of enough historic importance to find a place in this volume, and many of the paragraphs will be read and re-read a hundred times as the years roll away, for they are of general interest to ail local readers.
ORIGINAL TOWN PLATS.
The original town plat of this county was that made for Daniel Brown, who was the first settler. This platting was for what is now referred to as "Old Calhoun," for long years defunct. It was platted August 19, 1853, on the southeast half of the southwest quarter of section 19, township 79, range 43. in what is now Calhoun township. Calhoun aspired to be the county seat.
Magnolia was platted by the county authorities, that being the location designated for the county seat by the locating commissioners. The plat was recorded July 5. 1854, and February 19, 1855. It is in section 5. township 79, range -13, in Magnolia township.
Little Sioux was platted October 1, 1855, on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 24, township SI, range 45, by S. W. Condit and T. B. Nceley.
Jeddo was platted January 12, 1856, on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 12, township 79, range 42, by James W. Denison and George W. Thorp, Denison acting as the attorney for Anson Briggs and wife.
St. John was platted December 5, 1857, on sections 26 and 27, township 78, range 44, by a company of ten men as follows: P. J. McMahon, J. A. Jackson, II. C. Purple, C. Vorhis, E. W. Bennett, Noah Harris, George H. Cotton, John Deal, Robert MeGavren, and G. H. McGavren.
Melrose was platted August 4, 1857, by W. E. Walker, in section II, township 79, range 44.
Cincinnati was platted June 9, 1857, in section 22, township 78, range 45, by W. V. Mason, who represented a corporation comprised of thirty- three men. It was situated in Cincinnati township.
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HARRISON COUNTY, 10W.1.
Eldorado was platted June 9, 1857, by D. D. and Mary Jane Young, in sections 11 and 12, township 80, range 43.
Olmstead was platted in section 27, township SI, range 41, by Henry Olmstead, December 31, 1857.
Buena Vista was platted in section 10, township 79, range 42, by H. F. Shinn, Levi Reeder. S. King. George W. White, and Thomas W. Reeder, July 144. 1856.
Parrish City was platted by Hon. Isaac Parrish in sections 21 and 22, township 78, range 45, May 22, 1858.
Magnolia City was platted (included in present Magnolia ), December 1, 1860, in section 32, township 80, range 43, by James Hardy and wife.
Woodbine was platted by John I. Blair (the "railroad king"), then connected with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, as a con- struction agent, December 5, 1866, in section 14, township So, range 42.
Missouri Valley was platted by John I. Blair, for the railroad company, January 28, 1867, in section 15, township 78, range 44.
Dunlap was platted by John I. Blair, June 26, 1867, in section 3. town- ship Si, range 41.
Logan was platted by Henry Reel, July 19, 1867, in sections 18 and 19, township 79, range 42.
River Sioux was platted (old town) September 10. 1868, by John I. Blair, in section 23, township 81, range 45.
Mondamin was platted September 10, 1868, by John I. Blair, in section 30, township So, range 44, and section 25. township 80, range 45.
Modale was platted March 2, 1874, by Alonzo and Hannah Beebe, in section 30, township 80, range 44.
River Sioux (new town) was platted by the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad Company, in section 26, township 81, range 45. December 7, 1875.
California Junction was platted by the Missouri Valley Land Company, September 9, 188o, in section 15, township 78, range 45.
Persia was platted by L. C. and Alice Baldwin, June 6, 1882, on parts of sections 4 and 9, township 78, range 41.
Yorkshire was platted by the Milwaukee Land Company, June 8, 1882, in section 28, township 78, range 41.
The present town of Yorkshire was plaited by Edward Howard, in section 29, township 78, range 41, May 16, 1887.
Pisgah was platted in the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter, and part of the south half of the northeast quarter of section 14, township
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81, range 44. by the Western Land and Town Lot Company and the Boyer Valley Railroad Company, January 20, 1899.
Orson, the last town platted in the county, had its platting recorded March 23, 1899. It was executed by the Western Land and Town Lot Company in sections 32 and 33, of township SI, range 44.
It may be added that the defunct plattings of the county are these: Jeddo, Parrish City. Olmstead, Buena Vista, Eldorado, Cincinnati, St. John, Melrose.
The two latest town plattings are along the line of the Mondamin branch of the Northwestern railway, both in Jackson township. These are named Pisgah and Orson. The former was named for the oldtime post office of "Mt. Pisgah."
A defunct platting which does not appear on record today, was Foun- tainbleau, which was platted by Charles La Ponteur, a Frenchman, in 1855. It was in the northeast corner of section 18, township 81, range 44. It was situated on the banks of the Little Sioux river, as well as on the old state road. He kept the stage station and had several wives(?) some of whom were dusky Indian maidens. This village never thrived and no trace of it remains at this date. Memory of old-timers only can give faint descriptions of it, but it is related that the proprietor had sanguine hopes of its becoming a "great place." It is believed that too much whisky and too many women might have caused the downfall of his cherished hopes.
ITEMS ON PIONEER PLATTINGS.
The first village platted in Cincinnati township was "Cincinnati," platted on section 22, township 78, range 45, June 9, 1857. by W. V. Mason, who represented a corporation of thirty-three men, many of whom were from Ohio, coming from near the city of Cincinnati. The location being on the Missouri river, it was designed and thought that at no distant day it would become a city, second to none along the great Missouri slope. It was fixed as a steamboat landing and was accessible to the finest timber as well as being on a line, where a railroad would, they believed, eventually cross the Missouri or the "Big Muddy" as it was then called by many. In this they were not mistaken, for not many years later, the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley railroad passed this route to Blair, Nebraska, which over- shadowed the towns on the lowa side of the river.
Parrish City, platted by Hon. Isaac Parrish, on section 21, and section 22, of Cincinnati township, May 22, 1858, at about the same geographical location as Cincinnati, was really a rival "paper town." Its history was
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HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA.
brief and of but little historical consequence. The high hopes of its proprie- tor were nipped in the bud by the survey made and the final location of Missouri Valley, California Junction and other towns.
"Olmstead" was the name of a platting made December 3. 1857. in section 27, township Si, range 41, on beautiful table-land three miles south of present Dunlap. It was platted by Henry Ohinstead, one of the first set- tlers of the township. The plat never amounted to anything. The survey and final building of the Northwestern railway, and the platting of Dunlap. forever precluded its growth Subsequently the spot was marked by the residence of L. Kellogg. a brick house later owned by Mathew Jennings.
MELROSE-A "PAPER TOWN."
A village named Melrose in sections 2 and II. was platted about 1860, by a firm in the East, styled Baker & Co. For good reasons it never ina- terialized. It was one of the many blue-sky town-sites platted at an early day in the West for the purpose of swindling people.
Fine maps and charts were produced and several stylish men came on from the East, to sell their town lots in the "charming village of Melrose." But alas they found them not! It was represented by the maps that the place was a steamboat landing and had several hundred people. It was a case of "Yankee" cheat brother "Yankee." The land where the supposed village was, later was known as a part of the A. Morrow estate.
COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICES,
"During" and "after the war" were periods that are frequently referred to in quoting prices of articles bought and sold. Hence the following table is given to show values then and now :
1865-Nails, per pound $.16 1914-Calico, per yard .07
1914-Nails, per pound. .03 1865-"Hickory" shirting. .75
1865-Kerosene, per gal .80 1914-"Hickory" shirting .12 1914-Kerosene, per gal (best) .15 1865-Flannel, per yard 1.25
1865-Tea, per pound (best) __ 3.00 1914-Flannel, per yard .50
1914-Tea, per pound (best ) _. 1.00 1865-Domestic ( factory cloth) .70
1865-Sugar, per pound (best) .25 1914-Domestic ( factory cloth ) .08
1914 -- Sugar, per pound .05
1865-Plug tobacco, per pound 1.25 1914-Plug tobacco, per pound .60 1865-Calico, per yard. .45
1865-Seamless grain sacks,
each 1.00
1914-Seamless grain sacks,
each .25
These are "war," and "peace" prices. They represent want and plenty.
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CENSU'S FIGURES ON FARM PROPERTY- - 1910.
The United States census compendium for 1910 gives the following for Harrison county: Total value of all farm property, $42,407.667. The number of acres of farm land used. 408.097; cattle, 41,269; horses, 16.Soo: mules. 1,399; hogs. 112.299; sheep. 7.211 ; goats, 100.
In 1909 there was corn, 151,000 acres ; oats, 24,000 acres; winter wheat. 9.408 acres: spring wheat, 17.945 acres; potatoes, 1.746 acres. The ayer- age yield of corn was thirty-eight bushels and a fraction. Total number bushels of corn in county grown in 1909, 5.752,312.
THE COUNTY'S POPULATION.
The census reports for 1854 gave Harrison county 1.065 population. In 1856 it had increased to 1,900. In 1860 it was 3,621. In 1865, at the close of the Civil War, the population of the county was 4.265. In ISto the regular United States enumeration gave it 8,931. In 18So the same authority gives it 16,649. In 1890 it had reached 21,356. In 1895 it was 23,091. In 1900 it had reached the greatest population it ever at- tained, which was 25.597. In 1905 it had fallen off to 23.762, while the United States census returns for 1910 gives the county a population of 23,162.
BY TOWNSHIPS.
The United States reports for 1910 gives the following on the popu- lation of Harrison county for the three decades last past, by townships and towns and cities-for 1890, 1900 and 1910:
Townships and Towns.
1910
1900
1800
Allen township
633
669
574
Boyer township, including town of Woodbine
2,310
2,167
1,470
Woodbine, town of
1,538
1,255
815
Calhoun township
526
506
470
Cass township
935
924
80
Cincinnati township
517
678
661
Clay township
467
731
706
Douglas township
706
735
726
Harrison township, including Dunlap.
1.6.46
2,178
1.797
Dunlap, town of
1,155
1,355
1,08S
Jackson township, with Pisgah.
1 769
682
525
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HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA.
Townships and Towns.
1910
1900
IS90
Pisgah, town of
212
Jefferson township, with Logan
2,596
2,593
2,022
Logan, town of
1,458
1,377
827
LaGrange township
743
728
630
Lincoln township
579
654
554
Little Sioux township, including Little Sioux
1,048
1,275
1,150
Little Sioux, town of
390
427
400
Magnolia township, with Magnolia.
1,345
1.381
1,232
Magnolia, town of
31I
Morgan township, including Mondamin
861
833
751
Mondamin, town of
420
384
257
Raglan township
567
657
565
St. John township, with Missouri Valley City.
4.042
5,125
3.792
Missouri, City of
3,187
4,010
2,797
Taylor township, with Modale
830
887
719
Modale, iown of
387
383
288
Union township
907
1,015
947
Washington township, with Persia
1,135
1,179
1,222
Persia, town of
358
361
Total
23,162
25.597
21,356
Out of the total population of the county in 1905, which was 23,762, there were 16,949 who were native born and of native-born parentage; native born, of foreign parentage, 4,936; foreign born, 1,857.
There were only fifteen colored people in the county- ten male and five female, mostly in Missouri Valley city.
The total number of school age in 1905 was 8,391. Number attend- ing school some portion of the year, 6,316.
Number of school-age persons in county unable to read and write, 16.
Number between 21 .and 45 years of age unable to read and write, 55. Number over 45 years of age unable to read and write, 153.
Per cent. of persons unable to read and write, one and six-tenths.
Number of persons engaged in agricultural pursuits, 4,014.
Number of persons engaged in some profession, 573.
Number of persons engaged in manufacturing and mechanical pursuits, 861.
Number classified as laborers, 1,258.
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HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA.
Number of Civil War soldiers residing in the county in 1905, who went from Jowa was 124, and from all other states, 278. making a total of 402 veterans. The oldest soklier was 88 years and the youngest was 55 years of age.
INCORPORATED TOWNS AND ALTITUDES.
Dunlap had a population of 1,155 in 1910. Its altitude is 1, 101 feet.
Logan had a population of 1.458 in 1910, and has an altitude of 1,033 feet.
Missouri Valley had a population of 3,187 in 1910, and has an alti- tude of 1,010 feet.
Modale had a population in 1910 of 387, and has an altitude of 1,024 feet.
Mondamin had a population of 420 in 1910, and has an altitude of 1,033 feet.
Persia had a population of 358 in 1910, and has an altitude of 1, 167 feet.
Woodbine had a population in 1910 of 1,538, and has an altitude of 1,062 feet.
This gives D'ersia the highest altitude in the county, with Dunlap next, followed by Woodbine. Missouri Valley has the lowest altitude of any incorporated town in the county.
EARLY MARRIAGES.
Up to 1891 there had been over four thousand couples married in Harrison county. This has doubtless been nearly, if not quite, doubled by this time. It is not the aim to go into these marriage records at any great length, but as there is always more or less interest centering around the first events of a county, including the early marriages, the author has thought best to mention a few of these matrimonial unions.
The first marriage was that of John Jones and Elizabeth Outhouse, June 9, 1853. Judge Stephen King performed the ceremony.
August 16, 1853. Samuel MeGavren and Mary M1. Harden were united by the same county official.
January 9, 1854, Chester Staley and Harriett Mahoney were married by Edward Todd, a justice of the peace.
May 5, 1854, Evans Obaniln and Malinda Smith were married by P. G. Cooper, county judge.
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HARRISON COUNTY, IOW.A.
March 25, 1854, Charles MeEvers and L. Neeley were united in mar- riage.
July 4, 1854. James Kirkland married Rachel M. Deal.
In 1853 there were but two marriages within this county, but taking the first thirty-eight years-down to 1891-the average number of mar- riages in the county was one hundred and four per year, the greatest num- ber being in 1888. The number that year was 213.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION OF 1863.
It used to be the boast and pride of the late Senator L. R. Bolter, of Logan, that he had delivered more Fourth of July orations in Iowa than any other man-the number being twenty-five up to 1891. These orations on Independence Day were in all parts of the state, for it will be recalled that Hon. Charles Aldrich, once dubbed Mr. Bolter "the noblest Roman of them all." He was popular in all sections and was in great demand when Inde- pendence Day came around each year. But it should be related that he never attended a more patriotic, stirring celebration than one that was held at Magnolia just before he settled in Harrison county. We refer now to that memorable celebration of July Fourth, 1863-the middle of the great Civil War period.
It was war time-hundreds of the best men of Harrison county were then in the far away Southland fighting and marching. or in some rebel prison pen. Every stage coach entering Magnolia, then the only town of importance within this county, brought good or bad war news. "Victory" was in the head lines of papers or else "defeat." Boys who romped about the grove in which that celebration was held in 1863, and fired crackers, or listened to the stirring notes of fife and drum, will recall the arrival of mails at Magnolia post office. The tear drops fell from the eyes of a mother or brother, while reading of some ill fate of loved ones in the army. On an- other face might have been seen smiles, as a letter told of the home coming of a husband, brother or friends. The "war news" was always read with interest. Some days it told of so many from a company of Harrison county men being among the "wounded and missing," while again it related of a victorious charge in which our men had captured a rebel battery and many prisoners.
Then, is it any wonder that all was bustle and excitement on Fourth of July, 1863, at the county celebration at Magnolia, where there had gath- ered from all directions, and from all adjoining counties and even from Ne-
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braska, hundreds of men, women and children? They assembled in the beau- tiful native grove just to the north of town. There was music in the air and patriotism was in the hearts of all. A large hollow square had been provided, several hundred feet on each side, by the erection of wide, rough board tables. A hundred men and women, acting as reception committees were within this square to receive and take care of the. speaking literally, wagon loads of provisions. Nearly all came in large farm wagons, bring- ing the entire family, and "grub" enough to feed three times as many as their own families. It is said that no more inviting dinner was ever served in the history of Harrison county. The best the land afforded was on every table. Thousands of persons were present and spent the day and evening. "War widows" and orphan boys and girls might have been seen in the vast assem- bly, with sad faces and much sadder hearts, at knowing that they had made a sacrifice that none but themselves could estimate.
Up to that time Harrison county, it appears, had never possessed a real flag of her country. But a flag must be in evidence on this occasion, so through the design and deft fingers of Mrs. A. L. Harvey and a few more ladies, a large flag was made by sewing together "broad stripes and bright stars" from cambrics. purchased at the general store in Magnolia. While it was all cotton, it was a flag and swung out in the breeze as proudly as though made of silk. It represented the emblem of the nation for which the brave boys at the front were on that very day fighting.
Hon. Phineas Cadwell was chief marshal of the day, assisted by A. L. Harvey. Judge Isaac Pendleton, of Sioux City, failing to come, the orator of the day was HIon. Stephen King, who made a telling speech, as did Judge Jonas Chatburn and Judge Ford. This was two years more than half a cen- tury ago, and there are still several here who recall that memorable day at Magnolia. Then the country had war and slavery, but today we have peace and freedom.
GRANT MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Saturday, August 8, 1885. Logan's gifted orators, as well as some of the common people, whose hearts were full of sadness, assembled to do honor in a memorial service over the death of President U. S. Grant, who had just passed from earthly sufferings. Other memorial services were held in Har- rison county in Dunlap. Woodbine, Missouri Valley, Modale, Mondamin, Little Sioux, Magnolia and Persia. At an early hour in the day, said the Courier, of about that date, the people were all astir with preparations. Stores, residences and public buildings were all suitably draped and deco-
n.
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HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA.
rated. The city park was prepared with seats while a platform and other conveniences nestled among the overhanging trees. By ten o'clock a large assemblage had gathered. Hon. Phineas Cadwell was made marshal of the day. Music was furnished by the cornet band and glee club. Prayer was offered by Rev. J. C. Carter. Five minute addresses were made by gifted fellow citizens, Joe H. Smith, F. W. Hart, J. D. Hornby, H. Il. Roadifer, A. W. Clyde and S. 1. King being the speakers. Each one named made able and touching addresses concerning the fallen hero and beloved ex-president. Every phase of the great military man and national head was brought out during the few hours of assembly on a day long to be remembered by those present. At all the other towns within this county like services were heldl. an account of which would be all too long for this page.
M'KINLEY MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Appropriate memorial services were held at Logan and other points in this county at the time of President McKinley's death, September 19, 1901. A large congregation assembled at the Christian church, and there speeches were delivered by ex-Lieut .- Governor Milliman, of Logan, on Mckinley as a soldier ; by Judge Green, on Mckinley as a statesman; by Rev. J. N. Cur- rens, on Mckinley as a man; by Rev. H. E. Higbee, on Mckinley as a Christian. The church was appropriately draped in mourning emblems, with portraits of Lincoln, Garfield and Mckinley, and was filled to over- flowing.
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