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 32
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The reader will find much concerning the first settlement of the county, by reading the history of St. Johns township.
The settlement here was effected in. 1848, when John Reynolds and family. William Smith, Sr., Charles Smith, Jr., Adam Stevens, George
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Lawrence and the Mongrum families all made settlement in "Tennessee Hollow," so named because these settlers all emigrated from Tennessee, locating on the south line of the county and township. It was about the same date that William Spencer, Eleazier Davis and William Steele located farther to the north in St. Johns township.
John Reynolds settled on the west side of Bigler's Grove in 1852, but the next spring moved to the cast side of that grove, settling in Boyer township, where he died in the eighties.
Dr. Robert McGavren settled, May 18, 1850, just over the line in Pot- tawattamie county, but was ever associated with all the pioneer settlement of Harrison county. In October, 1858, he removed to the village of St. Johns, and practiced medicine there until the town of Missouri Valley sprung into existence after the survey and building of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad at the close of the Civil War.
In 1851 William Dakan settled in section 26, but moved to Nebraska in 1888.
Erastus Coleman arrived in St. Jolas township in IS52 and located in section 35. He became a member of the Fifteenth Jowa Infantry Regiment and saw service in the great rebellion. He fell at the battle of Atlanta.
Joseph A. Deal cmigrated from Putnam county, Indiana, in 1852. His outfit consisted of three wagons. The father located in section 33, where he purchased an old Mormon claim. John Deal, his father, was a blacksmith by trade.
William II. Branson, located in section 2, in 1853. He was really out on a hunting expedition, in company with John Lathan, John Mostiller and Harvey Mostiller. They also came from Indiana. Branson remained until 1854, when, in company with Peter Deal, he started back for Indiana, but returned the following spring.
James Deal came from Putnam county. Indiana, by team in 1852. They were three weeks and three days en route. The winter of 1852-53 they spent in Honey Creek, Pottawattamie county, and the spring following moved to a farm a mile from the hamlet of St. Johns, where they lived three years, then went to section 24, where the family still resided in the ninetics.
Alfred Walker settled in section 35. in the spring of 1853. He was from Ohio, to which state he returned and remained until after the close of the Civil War, when he settled in La Grange township. JJe was blind from about 1865.
The year 1854 saw several others coming to this township. They in-
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cluded Andrew R. Cox. son of Abram Cox. He settled in section 13 and in the nineties he owned over five hundred acres of land.
John A. Keel came overland by team from Indiana, in 1854, being twenty-three days on the road. He claimed land in section 15, now in- cluded in the city of Missouri Valley.
Logan Crawford came to Harrison county in 1854, settling in Calhoun township, but later removed to section 5 of St. Johns.
Henderson Frazier, another son of the Hoosier state, settled here in 1854. in section 26, remained until 1867, and then moved to Pottawattamie county, where he died in 1889.
James G. Davis came from Illinois in 1855, settling in section 33. He remained there until 1863, when he moved to Council Bluffs. He then settled at Logan, where he died in 1868.
James A. Kirkland, who died a third of a century ago, came to the county in 1855. He pre-empted what was subsequently styled the Charles Gilmore farm. He improved this land and sold it in 1861 and bought land in section 35 of St. Johns township. He died in July, 1882.
Jacob Cox settled in section 12 in 1854. He was born in Ohio.
Franklin G. Weatherby, of section 12, township 78, range 44, arrived in the autumn of 1855. He worked near Magnolia two years, married and settled in this township in section 1. In 1860 he removed to Indiana, but returned in 1868.
James M. Smith located in section 27 in 1855. His family consisted of wife and one child. He took a quarter section of swamp land, and later possessed five hundred acres.
Bates Branson arrived in the township in 1855. He induced his par- ents to come on from Indiana about 1860.
Another immigrant of 1855 was C. Frazier of section 4. He settled between the Boyer and Soldier rivers.
Milton Berry came in 1856, settled on section 33, and remained until 1889, when he moved to Missouri Valley.
A. M. Smith came in 1856, from Putnam county, Indiana.
Moses B. Melntosh came in 1856. He purchased and entered land in all amounting to a half section, at what was named "McIntosh's Point." Ilis brother settled in section 18 in 1856 also.
Henry Fry came in 1856 and located in section 4. At first he claimed part of section 3.
About 1857 John Marshall settled in section 17.
Victor Tamisiea located in section 26 in 1857. IIe, with his parents,
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came from New York state. The father located over in Pottawattamie county where he died many years ago.
Thomas II. Faith, of section 12, came in August, 1857, from Boone county, Jowa. He served in the Union'army. In the eighties he owned a half section of land in St. Johns township.
John W. MeVey came from Stark county, Illinois, in the spring of 1857. In 1858, after working for others a year, he bought land in section 2, where he built for himself a fine home and became a well-to-do farmer.
James Dougherty came in 1858, as did Roberty Berry, who located near the south line of the county, where he rented until 1865, then bought in section 18.
Jacob Darting, of section 6, settled in this township in 1858. In the autumn of that year he bought wild land and improved the same.
Allen S. Jones, of section 33, was a settler of 1858. Also Alexis Schmidti, of section 21, arrived in 1858. He operated a blacksmith shop at old St. Johns village for four years, then purchased forty acres where he made himself and family a comfortable homestead.
Roger Wolcott came in from Wisconsin in October, 1859. He settled in section 30 and died in June, 1884.
James McCulley came to the county in 1859. bought a lot and built in St. Johns village. He died in the summer of 1883.
William M. Jones, a settler of 1863, settled in section 33.
Isaac Skelton came in 1863. located in section 33, but removed 10 31. Williams T. Wilson arrived in this township in 1865 and bought eighty acres of land in section 28. Later he bought in section 21.
William Fisher emigrated from Ohio and settled in this township in 1870, on section 19.
John W. Varns, of section 19. came from Ohio in 1870.
E. Newton became a resident here in 1867, locating finally on section 3.
Henry B. Cox made this township his home in 1854. He was of the pioneer band who came to lowa in 1851 from Indiana in a "prairie schooner" (covered wagon). He first settled in Pottawattamie county. His son, John L., was born in Pottawattamie county. September 12, 1853.
Other carly settlers may be recalled briefly as follows: Addison L. McIntosh (for whom McIntosh's Point was named), who came with his parents in 1856, lived on the present site of Missouri Valley: Rev. Lewis S. Snyder also came that year and opened the first tin shop at Magnolia, where he remained until 1865. then settled in St. Johns. In 1857 came William N. Fouts. He emigrated to Pottawattamie county in 1850 from Indiana.
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F. J. Haight. Peter Kirley, W. T. Roden and others were included in what may now be termed as "early settlers" in St. Johns township.
The pioneers here, as elsewhere in the "Kingdom of Harrison," were made up of people from many states east of the Mississippi river and were early in starting churches and schools, an account of which will be given in special chapters on such topics elsewhere in this work.
MILLING.
In 1857, William Arthur and H. N. Carter erected a saw-mill at St. Johns, which they operated until 1862, then moved the machinery away.
OAK GROVE CEMETERY.
Among the original burying grounds of the white race within Harrison county was that established in 1858, on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 35. The first form laid to rest there was a child of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Case, who died in 1858. Many are the graves of early settlers within this sacred enclosure, which for years was well kept and generally used as a cemetery by the carly settlers.
DEFUNCT VILLAGE OF ST. JOHNS.
The record says that this village was platted in July, 1857, by a town site company and recorded on December 25, 1857. It was located in sections 26 and 27, township 78, range 44. The members of the company were Robert and George MeGayren, John Deal, G. H. Cotton, E. W. Bennett. Noah Harris, P. J. McMahon, C. Vorhees, H. C. Purple and James A. Jackson. The company was formed in August, 1836, by electing Robert McGavren president, and E. W. Bennett, secretary. This place was just under the high bluffs, to the south of Missouri Valley a mile or two, and had it not been for the route taken by the first railroad through this part of the county, and the locating of a station at Missouri Valley, the place would be on the maps of today in big letters. But as it is, the old town site has for many years been tilled as the part of a valuable farm. Thus was born and died what has for long years been styled "Old St. Johns." Around the name and the spot there still cluster many fond memories to those who knew of its existence in its palmy days -- pioneers and their immediate rela- tives, who, perchance, recall this as the first "town" they ever had seen.
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Here a postoffice was established in 1838, with William N. Fouts as post- master. Then followed W. E. Ellis and E. K. Robinson. The office was discontinued in IS71.
The first to engage in trade here were Harvey & Woodruff, who opened a general store in the fall of 1857. Jacob Preston called the hotel he erected there, the "Bover Valley House." IIe soon sold it to Jacob Fulton. The winter of 1857-58 was not favorable to building and things were at a stand-still, but opened up in the spring with a rush and a boom. This continued until the "wild-cat" money days set in and ruined thou- sands of men all over the country, a fact which had its effect in this newly started town. This condition did not change, and no more was accom- plished at St. Johns for some time. During the existence of the town the dealers had among their number Mr. Platt, who had a small candy shop and grocery in 1857; "Squire" Noah Harris had embarked in a general store in 1858; John C. Buchanan, in 1860. put in a general store which he sold a year later to Dr. Robert MeGavren. In 1862 James Seaton carried on a general merchandising store, continuing till the close of the war. Early in 1865 Scott Justus put in a small clothing stock, and a year later added a general assortment of goods. W. A. & W. C. Ellis opened a general store in 1866, and in 1867 removed the stock to Missouri Valley. Brookhauser & Laygherty also had a store in 1866, removing to the Valley in 1868. In the winter of 1866-6; a shoe shop was started by each of the gentlemen, John C. Henry and John C. Caley. Another was opened in 1867 by Jolm P. Lahman, who went to Missouri Valley in 1867. W. J. Harris opened a hardware store in the autumn of 1866, but a year later moved to Missouri Valley. During the Civil War there were two wagon shops in operation at St. Johns, one by Sammel Myers and the other by a man named Jarred. Doctors Robert and George MeGavren were the only two physicians to practice here, to any extent. However, Dr. G. W. Coit, now the veteran doctor of Missouri Valley, first located here, but soon pulled out for the more enterprising town of Missouri Valley. Those who took active part in fostering and developing this town, for the most part, have long since passed from the workl, although a few still remain this side the strand.
CITY OF MISSOURI VALLEY.
Once known as "Melntosh's Point" and as "New St. Johns," but platted as Missouri Valley, this, the largest incorporated place within Harri- son county, sprung into existence almost like magic, at the coming of the
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Chicago & Northwestern railroad. The first head-light peering into the valley from the east threw a gleam of civilization and industrial power into the town that has never ceased to burn brighter and brighter, until her name is known far and near, as the greatest western Iowa railroad center, aside from Council Bluffs. About three score years ago, the beautiful and fertile valley of the Missouri river, at the point where now stands this city, had been undisturbed by the hand of civilization. The wild grass grew as luxuriantly and the wild flowers bloomed as sweetly as they had for un- counted centuries. Their right to inhabit the virgin soil had never yet been question by the sons of men. How changed the scene today! The plow- share has driven these things from the bosom of the earth and men have planted and sowed, cultivated and harvested sixty crops since the first land was broken by white men. The Indian tribes in long ago years had come to the summit of the high bluff overlooking the busy city, as now known, and viewed the bottom land below a hundred and one times, little dreaming that ere a century, their hunting grounds were to be no more in the great Missouri valley.
It remained for a Hoosier to set first stakes and claim land where the thriving city now stands. It was in 1854 that H. B. Hendricks, after a toilsome trip from Putnam county, Indiana, halted his tired teams at this point. Ilere he opened up a farm and, in 1856, . M. B. and George R. McIntosh came in from the same locality as had Hendricks. The old town of St. Johns flashed into existence, only to give way in a few years to Missouri Valley, the queen of the valley. It is situated in the center of St. Johns township, ten miles from the castern shores of the Missouri river, at the foot of the bluffs and one mile from the Boyer river. It was platted January 28, 1867, by that noted railroad king, Jolin I. Blair, in section 15. township 78, range 44. George Weare, an employe of the railroad com- pany, purchased the first lot thrown onto the market, it being lot us in block No. 4. He soon sold to Henry C. Warner, who started the first store in 1866. An early dealer was the pioneer grain man, "Hank" Will- iams, of Chicago, who located here and paid as high as two dollars and fifty cents per bushel for wheat, but these prices did not long prevail. The first building erected on the plat was that of John C. Henry, on lot 10, of block No. 4. It was used for what was then a legal business, but today the city has closed all such places. It was a beer saloon. He also kept a restaurant in connection with his saloon. In passing, it may be stated that the early business men of Missouri Valley were enterprising hustlers, many of whom
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made a success and remained long years, while others were of the roving. transient type, who soon went on west to make another start, and doubtless did not better their condition.
CARLY BUSINESS INTERESTS.
In the month of February, 1867. Henry C. Warner opened the first general merchandise store. He freighted his goods from Council Bluffs.
The pioneer "village blacksmith" was Roberty Hoy, who lighted his glowing forge early in 1867, remained a number of years and sold to Overton & Co.
The first shoemaker of the town was John J. Sullivan, in the spring of 1867. He was soon followed by John Caley.
The first harness-maker was John P. Lahman, in 1867.
Dr. George W. Coit, who had been associated with Dr. George W. MeGavren for a time at St. Johns, became the first resident physician in May. 1867. These gentlemen also conducted the pioneer drug store in Missouri Valley, continuing for four months, and being succeeded by Isaac llull.
The first attorney to swing out his professional shingle was P. D. Mickel, who arrived in the spring of 1867, and erected the residence later owned by Dr. J. C. Chapman.
The town was provided with a clothing store by Phillip A. Stern in the summer of 1867. He located on the east side of Sixth street, remained in trade many years, and was very popular.
Among the earliest exclusive hardware stocks in Harrison county was the one carried here by W. J. Harris, who moved from St. Johns.
The grocery dealers in 1867 were Scott Justis and Shields & Meech.
The earliest furniture stock was carried by William Bath in 1867. He made furniture and sold factory-made goods and supplied the coffins needed in the immediate community. He failed in 1873 and removed to Arkansas.
The first lumber dealers were Pelan & McChesney, in 1868. They sold to Erastus Mecch and he to Kellogg & Co., who later sold to C. H. Deur.
Live stock, "grain and farm produce were handled first by Cogswell & Smith in 1867.
D. G. Hearn was the first merchant tailor in the town. He opened his shop in 1867, working in the rear of the store of Laughery & Brook- houser.
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It was in 1867, that Laughery & Brookhouser put in a good general merchandise stock on Sixth street, later removing to Erie street, where they unfortunately failed in 1868.
The pioneer jeweler of the valley was J. W. Battershall, who came in the early spring of 1868 and built on the corner of Sixth and Erie streets.
Early druggists, aside from Doctors Coit and McCavren, were McBride & Birchard.
L. S. Snyder was carly in the market with tin, stoves and hardware. the business being managed by John Snyder.
In 1868 T. E. Brannon, an attorney, had located here, and a wholesale and retail general dealer's store was conducted by IJ. C. Warner. D. A. Babcock had added another hardware store and McGavren & Hull were listed as among the druggists of the new town. So much for the business start of Missouri Valley.
POSTOFFICE HISTORY.
The town was successful in securing the establishment of a postoffice in 1867, and the first to serve as postmaster was W. C. Ellis, who kept the office in a store. The following is a complete list of all postmasters of Missouri Valley to the present date: William C. Ellis, appointed July 23. 1867: A. T. Birchard, April 8, 1869: William C. Ellis. April 25, 1870; James H. Crowder. February 10, 1871; S. L. Berkley, July 5. 1884; Thomas O. Carlisle, February 10, 1886; John D. Brown, December 21. 1889: James K. MeGavren, April 5. 1894; Daniel J. Adlum, March 22, 1898. Mr. Adlum is still serving, and has the distinction of being post- master longer than any other man in the state. in a second-class office.
The postoffice was at first kept in a building on lot 5. of block 12, at the corner of Erie and Fourth streets. It was then a fourth-class office, but it is now a second-class office. Its business in the last fiscal year amounted (exclusive of money order business) to nine thousand, one hundred eighty- two dollars. The highest amount of savings deposits is two thousand, four hundred forty-eight dollars. The office now has four rural free delivery routes in surrounding country. Since about 1908 the postoffice has been kept in a building at 412 Erie street.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
The earliest attempt to incorporate Missouri Valley was at an election held January 17, 1871, when the measure was lost by a vote of twenty-one
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majority. But the matter was still in the minds of those who had the best interests of the place at heart and the measure was successful at another election during that same year, and, December 1, 1871, the village was legally incorporated as a "town." W. J. Harris was elected as the first mayor, and E. J. McBride as recorder. The following is a complete list of the mayors from that date to 1914:
1872, D. M. Harris and F. M. Dance; 1873, F. M. France; 1874, F. M. Dance; 1875, F. A. Pike; 1876, F. A. Pike; 1877, J. K. McGavren; 1878, J. K. MeGavren; 1879. J. K. McGavren: ISSO, M. I. Bailey; ISSI, M. C. Bailey; 1882, D. M. Harris; 1883, D. M. Harris; 1884, M. I. Bailey; 1885. J. S. Dewell; ( made a city of the second class in 1886). 1886, O. B. Dutton; 1887. W. W. Seaton; 1888. W. W. Seaton; 1889, D. M. Harris; 1890, D. M. llarris; 1891, George T. Royer; Abe Bachrach, appointed; B. W. Carlisle, J. C. Prather, R. J. Miller, E. J. James, W. H. Withrow, J. J. Amen, Horace Warner, J. C. Prather.
Officers during 1914 were: Mayor, J. C. Prather; clerk. S. R. Will- iams; treasurer, John S. MeGavren; health officer, Dr. Hugh Tamiseia; marshal, John O'Brien; city attorney, Frank Tamiscia; councilmen, Ed. Gill, S. E. Purcell, T. L. Finley, W. J. Roden, W. H. Suddeth.
WATER WORKS.
During the months of October and November, 1889, Missouri Valley installed a complete system of water works. Drive-wells furnished a supply of the purest water. The pumping plant was placed at the foot of First and Erie streets. The original plant cost fifteen thousand dollars and in 1891 five thousand dollars more was expended in improving the same. At the last named date the capacity was two hundred thousand gallons. A reser- voir was situated on the high bluff overlooking the main city. Ten drive- well points then furnished a sufficient amount of the best of water, used for both home and street purposes. These works were secured by wisely issuing bonds for fifteen thousand dollars, which were to run twenty years, at five per cent interest, per annum.
In 1913 the works were enlarged and in 1914 two blocks of additional main were laid, making six miles in all today. The present supply of water is obtained from two ten-inch and four six-inch tubular wells of seventy- five feet in depth, the water rising to within six feet of the surface. This water is pumped to the heights overlooking the city, giving a pressure of one
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hundred pounds per square inch. There are few cities with a more superior system than the Missouri Valley water works.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In 1873, or possibly as late as 1874, "Rescue No. I Fire Company" was organized as a protection against the fire-fiend. Its first president was E. McBride; E. F. James was secretary; F. A. Pike and E. F. James, vice- presidents.
The direct pressure gave the city a fine supply of water and much valuable property was doubtless saved from the flames in the first few years of the history of the department. At the present time the water works supplies an abundance of water to quench any flames that may come to property of the city, under the able management of the fire company, which is well organized and fully equipped with one thousand five hundred feet of hose. The total number of fire-plugs is sixty-two. The volunteer fire com- pauy consists of forty-eight men, including the paid chief, W. A. Kemper.
Among the internal improvements in the city in 1913-14 may be named the construction of forty-nine blocks of gutters and paving, of cement, and fourteen blocks of brick paving in the principal streets. The city now owes a debt of five thousand dollars general city fund and nine thousand dollars on water bonds. The city hall, erected in the eighties, still does good service.
ELECTRIC LIGIITED CITY.
Missouri Valley, always being in the forefront in adopting new im- provements, of course was early in the field in lighting her homes and streets with electricity, which was only used for this purpose about eight years. anywhere in the world, before it was adopted here, the date being 1888. It was in March, 1887, when there was incorporated a company in Missouri Valley, made up of thirty-one members, its stockholders having a capital of six thousand dollars. This was soon increased to fifteen thousand dollars. The "Jenney" system was first installed and six hundred lights were used. In 1891 the city had thirty-eight street lamps, all operated by the company. Originally, a one hundred-and-twenty horse-power engine, made at Sioux City, was the propelling power for the machinery that produced the electric current. Among the first officers of the corporation were Dr. G. W. Coit, Valley Bank was treasurer; and William Perkins, electrician. The prime movers in this landable enterprise were Dr. J. W. Huff, of Onawa; W. H.
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Fensler, Dr. E. J. Chapman, David Douglas, J. S. Dewe !! , A. Edgecomb, C. C. Deur, L. M. Kellogg and M. Holbrook.
Many changes have taken place with the passing and inventions of the years, but still Missouri Valley is lighted by a private corporation, which also supplies several other towns with lights.
The city has also an electric fire alarm system which is very satisfac- tory.
INDUSTRIAL.
While Missouri Valley has never laid claim to being a factory city, it has had, at different dates, numerous branches of the manufacturing in- dustry fairly well represented. The greatest of such plants is the railroad shops of the great Chicago & Northwestern system, or, to be more specific, the shops of the Fremont. Elkhorn & Missouri Valley and the Sioux City & Pacific railway companies, which corporations are now divisions of the Northwestern system. These shops were built in 1869, at first only employ- ing fifteen men. Engine No. 1, the first to make the run between Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs, was still in use about the yards in Missouri Valley in the nineties. In 1890 there were employed over three hundred workmen in these repair shops, including the office help. This made a pay- roll of about thirteen thousand dollars monthly. At that date there were also about two hundred other railroad men, such as conductors, firemen, engineers and brakemen, who made this city their home.
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