History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I, Part 10

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co.
Number of Pages: 763

USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 10

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).

The meetings of the farmers have been informal. The date of the first meet- ing does not appear to be a matter of record. It may suffice to know that such meetings were held and the subjects discussed with a remarkable degree of in- telligence. A temporary organization would be effected and the regular meet- ings be held during the winter and perhaps then a year or two would pass with- out a meeting.

The last organization of the County Institute was at the meeting held in Onslow in February, 1893. This, in fact, was simply a re-organization: Among the names of the farmers who were actively interested in the welfare of the organization we find R. A. Rynerson, A. G. Brown, S. L. Gilbert, R. A. Norton, F. J. Sokol, E. E. Brown, W. C. Monroe, Stephen Walsworth, H. D. Smith, J. B. Lyon, M. H. Morse, J. W. Morse, Frank Tasker, Hon. John Russell, H. H. Monroe, M. O. Felton, R. A. Inglis, J. A. Mallicoat, R. G. Lyans, Jerry Wood- yard, Ben Hoyt and others.

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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

No meeting of the County Farmers' Institute has been held for several years. This may be accounted for in several ways. The establishment of the rural mail delivery daily, and the publication of good farm papers, as well as a highly developed intelligence of agricultural topics, have, in part, satisfied the long- ing to meet in convention and discuss the subjects given at length in the farm journals, and read and thought over by the farmer in his home on the long win- ter evenings. Perhaps another reason for not holding the annual meetings, is that the scarcity of help on the farm, keeps the farmer at home. The last few meetings that were held revealed to the observer the fact that the attendance was largely from the community adjoining the place where the institute was held. It was difficult to get the farmers to attend from a distance. W. C. Monroe, a resident and farmer of Cass township, we believe, has attended every meeting of the farmer's institute held in Jones county. The printed record of the pro- ceedings, is readable as general reading matter, and is a source of considerable information along agricultural lines. A number of agricultural authorities of prominence have addressed the institute in recent years Among the number were Hon. James Wilson, the present secretary of agriculture, Hon. J. R. Sage, Henry Wallace of Des Moines, President William Beardshear of Ames, and others.

THE JONES COUNTY SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

No continuous record has been kept of the proceedings of the county Sunday School Association, and for that reason it has been difficult to secure any of those interesting details which are usually connected with the origin of such societies. The most that can be said is that this association of Sunday-school workers was organized in 1866.

In the pioneer days of Jones county, the early settlers were not unmindful of the necessity of religious training of children, and of the necessity of the development of the religious nature of mankind. Unlike the Pilgrims and the pioneers in colonial settlements, our pioneers were not driven to the new country through religious oppression but nevertheless, the communion with nature in its original state, as found by these pioneers, brought to them a sense of helpless- ness and a desire to keep in touch with some higher power, which is in its es- sence, the development of the religious nature of man. Readers of this history will be impressed with the fact that the place and time of the first preaching serv- ices or the first Sunday school, as given by the early settlers, has been noted by the historian in many cases.

The time or place of the first Sunday school in the county cannot be de termined. On the "Sabbath day, as was their custom," the families would devote some time to religious study or conversation. Whether as an impromptu gather- ing, or as a formal meeting, it could be called a Sunday school. When churches were erected, a Sunday school was a part of the Sabbath exercises. As stated, it is impossible to give any of the details of the first organization. The meet- ings were held annually at different points of the county, and in many cases very interesting and profitable sessions were held. To name the various officers, would be to give the names of the best citizens of the county.

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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

The forty-third annual convention of the Jones County Sunday School Asso- ciation was held at Wyoming, April 19th and 20th, 1909. The new officers elected were: president, Rev. M. McGlashing of Morley; first vice-president, Rev. H. E. Wilcox of Wyoming; second vice-president, A. O. Zones of Morley ; secretary and treasurer, Miss Jean Atkinson of Anamosa.

Executive committee : J. A. Doutrick of Monticello; Samuel Ellison of Mar- telle; I. H. Brasted of Anamosa ; Rev. S. B. McClelland of Onslow ; John Wurg- bacher of Morley; Mrs. Jennie Newman of Martelle. Department secretaries : Home, Miss Nettie Chadwick, Anamosa; normal, Miss Harriet Cunningham of Anamosa; house to house, Mrs. Alice Young, Center Junction; primary, Miss Luella Gibson of Monticello; missionary, Mrs. T. G. Richardson of Wyoming; teacher training. Mrs. Jennie Newman of Martelle; international bible reading, Mrs. Port of Olin; adult, Rev. H. F. Dorcas of Center Junction. The dele- gates to the state convention in Des Moines in June, 1909, were: Mrs. C. E. McDaniel, Mrs. J. B. Lyon and Miss Jean Atkinson.

JONES COUNTY GOOD ROADS ASSOCIATION.

This association, having for its object the improvement of the country roads and the encouragement of more careful driving thereon, was organized at Ana- mosa in August, 1909. The members of the association are owners of auto- mobiles who have realized that some organized effort was required in order to insure the best welfare of all.

The object of the association can best be explained by quoting Article II., of the constitution :

Section 1. Its object shall be to enlist the cooperation of all persons who have an interest in improving the roads of the county and to institute a good roads campaign.

Section 2. To erect signs showing direct routes between the various towns in the county, also indicating dangerous railroad crossings, etc.

Section 3. To suppress excessive speed and reckless driving and to aid in the prosecution of all violators of the state automobile law, and to promote common road courtesy between drivers of all kinds of vehicles.

Section 4. To cooperate with the township trustees of all the townships of the county in an endeavor to secure effective enforcement of the road law, passed by the last session of the legislature

The officers and vice-presidents of the association are: president, J. H. Gild- ner; secretary, George L. Schoonover ; vice-presidents : W. A. Hales, Cass ; Rev. S. M. Murphy, Castle Grove ; E. A. Osborne, Fairview ; C. S. Peet, Greenfield; Nick Carson, Hale; W. G. Ristine, Jackson ; J. S. Hall, Lovell; R. E. Story, Madi- son ; C. E. Leffingwell, Oxford; Miles F. Miles, Rome; George Schoon, Wayne; WY G. Krouse, Wyoming.

JONES COUNTY OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

The old settlers of Jones county have at various times formed an organiza- tion for mutual exchange of experiences and to cement the tie of common inter-

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est which so closely bound them in friendship's embrace. The pioneers have had many things in common, and it has been the most natural thing in the world for them to find pleasure in relating their individual experiences.

The first organization of which we find any record was on April 4, 1866, when, according to previous announcement, the old settlers of the county assem- bled in the city hall, Anamosa. The meeting was organized by appointing Dr. N. G. Sales, chairman. Dr. S. G. Matson was chosen secretary, and T. E. Booth, assistant secretary. The object of the meeting was stated by Otis Whittemore. On motion, a committee of three was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the government of the association, towit: C. T. Lamson, Dr. S. G. Matson .. nd Otis Whittemore. While the committee was out formulating their docu- ment. John Merritt, that stanch and respected pioneer of Rome, being called upon, gave a brief history of his early life. He came to Jones county in January, 1837. In the June following, he selected a claim near Rome, now Olin. He afterward returned to New York, and in 1839, again started west, by water, bringing his family with him. He arrived near where Clinton now is, and had not a dollar in his pocket. Those who were acquainted with Mr. Merritt will appreciate the contrast in his financial affairs at that time and later in his life- time, when the broad acres of which he held title in Rome, spoke of the comforts and pleasures which were his to enjoy. After much trouble and delay, he suc- ceeded in reaching his claim, where he, like many others of the pioneers of the county, by perseverance and frugal industry, attained wealth and the comforts which an abundance of means bring for old age.

At the conclusion of the remarks by Mr. Merritt, the committee reported a constitution and by-laws for a permanent organization, and the following officers were chosen for the ensuing term: president, S. G. Matson; vice-president, Otis Whittemore; secretary, J. D. Walworth ; treasurer, C. T. Lamson; vice-presidents at large-John Powell, Cass; Joseph A. Secrest, Fairview ; E. V. Miller, Green- field; L. A. Simpson, Hale; Thomas J. Peak, Monticello; Timothy Stivers, Rome; Barrett Whittemore, Richland; John E. Lovejoy, Scotch Grove; Thomas McNally, Washington ; Daniel Soper, Wayne; Thomas Green, Wyoming.

The following named persons were present at the meeting: N. G. Sales, S. G. Matson, John Merritt, Henry Koffitz, J. Clark, E. E. Brown, B. Chaplin, D. Graham, Otis Whittemore, G. H. Ford, J. Hutton, N. B. Homan, H. Booth, I. Fisher, W. W. Hollenbeck, J. D. Walworth, C. T. Lamson, S. F. Glenn, A. Sutherland, J. E. Lovejoy, G. L. Yount, S. Kelly, G. Brown, H. C. Metcalf, J. Powell, E. Booth, Benjamin L. Matson, J. Graham, T. E. Booth, H. Hollenbeck. C. W. Hollenbeck, B. Brown.

Another meeting was not held until September 2, 1875. At that time the old settlers of the county met in the observatory of the exhibition hall on the fair ground to the number of twenty.

Short remarks were made by Otis Whittemore, John Russell, A. H. Marvin, R. A. Rynerson, Timothy Stivers and John McKean. On motion of R. A. Rynerson, the secretary was instructed to procure the books and the funds of the old organization from J. D. Walworth, the former secretary, then residing at Boston, Mass. On motion of A. G. Pangburn, it was decided to appoint an executive committee consisting of Otis Whittemore, John Russell, A. H. Mar-

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vin, R. A. Rynerson and M. M. Moulton to draft a constitution and by-laws for the society and to report at the next meeting. The president gave notice that there would be a meeting of the committee at Moulton's office on Saturday after- noon, September the 18th. On motion of Judge Mckean, the meeting adjourned subject to the call of the president, Otis Whittemore, for a permanent organiza- tion. M. M. Moulton was secretary.

The names of those present, the state of their nativity and the year they came to Iowa, were : Barrett Whittemore, New Hampshire, 1837; Edmund Booth, Massachusetts, 1839; Thomas Green, Indiana, 1840: Timothy Stivers, New York, 1840; R. J. Cleaveland, Massachusetts, 1841 ; William Brazelton, Illinois, 1842 ; E. V. Miller, Ohio, 1843; Otis Whittemore, New Hampshire, 1843; Wil- liam Cline, New York, 1844; Elijah Pangburn, New York, 1845; R. A. Rynerson, Kentucky, 1845 ; John Young, England, 1848; A. D. Kline, Virginia, 1849; Rich- ard H. Simpson, Illinois, 1849; J. C. Austin, Vermont, 1850; John Russell, Scotland, 1852; S. S. Farwell, Ohio, 1852; John White, Pennsylvania, 1852; David Ralston, Virginia, 1853; M. M. Moulton, New Hampshire, 1854: John Mckean, Pennsylvania, 1854; Robert Dott, Scotland, 1854; Dr. T. E. Mellett, Indiana, 1855; A. G. Pangburn, New York, 1855; A. H. Marvin, New York, 1855; John Clark, Pennsylvania, 1855.

On January 15, 1886, the Jones County Old Settlers' Association was re- organized at a meeting held at Wyoming. J. S. Stacy was elected president; T. E. Booth, secretary and L. Schoonover, treasurer The several township vice presidents were : Cass, A. L. Fairbanks ; Castle Grove, J. A. Mclaughlin ; Clay, John Russell; Fairview, B. F. Shaw ; Greenfield. E. V. Miller; Hale, A. J. Dalby ; Jackson, Cabel Belknap; Madison, M. O. Felton; Monticello, Frank Hicks; Oxford, A. Curttright; Richland, Robert Snowden; Rome, John Mer- ritt; Scotch Grove, John Sutherland; Washington, M. Kenney; Wayne, D. Loper ; Wyoming, J. A. Bronson. The following executive committee was ap- pointed at this meeting : A. G. Brown, George Sutherland, W. C. Monroe, William Brazelton, Timothy Stivers, John Tasker, Julius Carter.

The next meeting of the Jones County Old Settlers' Association we find in connection with the Jones County Farmers' Institute which was held at Onslow in January, 1893. One afternoon of the institute program was given over to the old settlers. R. A. Rynerson was chairman of the meeting and delivered a short address. President W. M. Beardshear, of the State Agricultural College at Ames, who had been present during the institute, delivered an address which sparkled with the clearness and thoughtfulness for which the gifted speaker was noted. Other informal speakers during the afternoon were: A. G. Brown, 1. E. Booth, E. E. Brown, M. O. Felton, S. L. Gilbert, John Overley, John Paul, H. F. Paul, W. C. Monroe, Stephen Walsworth, Mrs. C. E. McDaniel, Thomas Silsbee, H. D. Smith, S. S. Farwell, J. B. Lyon, H. H. Monroe and others.

Hon. S. S. Farwell of Monticello was elected president, A. G. Brown of Wyoming, vice-president, and T. E. Booth, secretary and treasurer. A committee consisting of S. S. Farwell, R. A. Rynerson, A. G. Brown and T. E. Booth, was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, make out a program and fix the time for the next meeting.

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Informal gatherings of the old settlers have been held at various times in different parts of the county since the last recorded meeting. It is safe to say that these informal gatherings have been a veritable love feast to the pioneers as they have related incidents out of their own individual experience. One of these notable gatherings was at Wyoming in August, 1905, when the celebration of the semi-centennial settlement of the town brought together once more from almost every state in the Union and from every township in the county, hundreds of the old pioneers, to live once more in the rich and fruitful experiences of the past. Another similar informal meeting was held during fair week in August, 1909, at Anamosa, when the city was filled with the old settlers who had re- turned for the home-coming week and its pleasures and festivities.

The real old settler, the genuine pioneers of Jones county, are now numbered. The rugged constitution, the hearty frame, now ripe in years, can not stand in the balance when Father Time reaps his annual harvest. To these pioneers the pres- ent generation owes a debt of gratitude for their heritage of prosperity, citizenship and personal character, which nothing but appreciation can repay.

LYNCH LAW AND THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.

It may not be with any degree of pride that this history must record the fact that in an early day lynch law was brought into execution in Jones county. It was in the early part of the month of December, 1857, that Hiram Roberts, a reputed thief, counterfeiter and desperado fell into the hands of the vigil- ance committee, about four hundred strong, near Red Oak Grove. in Cedar county. Roberts was brought into Walnut Fork, now Olin, in Jones county, tried by the committee, found guilty and forced to pay the penalty without the formality of a judge and jury of his peers.

A company of people had gathered at George Saum's house to consider what was best to be done. The Tipton Vigilance Committee and the Walnut Grove Vigilance Committee had matters in charge, though the Tipton committee took the lead in the execution. While Ben Freeman had gathered the company back of the barn and in stentorian tones was declaring what he thought was best to be done to rid the country of these desperadoes, the Tipton committee smuggled Roberts out of the house and in a few moments Hiram Roberts was looking up' a straight rope in the barn. He was soon taken down and borne back into the timber and strung up to a stout limb. This tree yet stands. The next day the limp and lifeless body was found by a brother of deceased and Wesley South- wick who had been induced to help search for the body. The body of this counterfeiter now lies in the Olin Cemetery.

In connection with the burial of the body of Roberts in the Olin Cemetery, it is said that at the time the Cemetery Association was organized. Roberts, among others was asked to contribute, which he did to the amount of five dol- lars. When it came to his burial in the cemetery, objection was made to having the body of such a man buried on the sacred ground. Mr. Easterly who had secured Roberts subscription, raised the point that if Roberts' money was good enough to aid the cemetery, the cemetery was none too good as a resting place for the body, and this argument prevailed.

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Another instance is related where two boys narrowly escaped lynching. Some horses had been stolen, and the guilty parties were captured. At the conference of the vigilance committee, the guilt of the parties apprehended was established to the satisfaction of the committee. The two boys were brought in. A line was drawn across the floor, and the committee were to vote on the question of lynch- ing. All who are in favor of lynching, step over the line, was asked, and every man of the committee stepped over the line. The two boys then wilted com- pletely and begged for mercy, which was shown them. They were given their freedom under their solemn pledge to refrain from evil. The children of these two boys are now living in the southern part of the county and are highly re- spected people.

At another time a meeting had been called at the Olin schoolhouse to organize an anti-horse thief association. The horse thieves were present in such numbers that the proposition was voted down by a safe majority.

In the early days, severe measures were almost a necessity to the end that justice might be secured. Juries feared to condemn men whom they believed guilty. lest they might suffer in loss of life or property. This seemed to justify the vigilance committee's actions.

THE COUNTY FARM.

The county farm, located in section 36 of Wayne township, was originally deeded to Jones county for courthouse purposes, the deed being signed by Presi- dent Buchanan. There has been no change in the title to the original grant made in June, 1840. When the county seat was changed from Edinburgh, the county commissioners retained the grant for the establishment of a county poor farm. This grant with the subsequent additions, comprising approximately three hun- dred acres of improved land besides over thirty acres of timber land in section 9 in Scotch Grove township, now constitutes what is popularly known as the County Home.

Jones county has always exercised a liberal policy with its unfortunate poor, and the inmates have uniformly been treated with kindness and courtesy. While the policy of the county has always been to decline to furnish a comfortable re- treat for all the lazy, able-bodied, willingly dependent applicants for its charities, nevertheless, the treatment of those who have been obliged to seek shelter and aid, has been considerate and humane.

The number of inmates has increased with the population of the county. Where thirty years ago, the average attendance was about twenty, the average attendance now is about thirty. The annual report of the steward January I, 1909, was as follows, as to the number of inmates :

Males. Females. Total.

Number of inmates January 1, 1908.

Received since January 1, 1908.

Died during year

Discharged during year

Inmates January 1, 1909

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The first steward of the county farm, was O. B. Doyle. Among the number who have been steward since have been mentioned, T. Hartman, John Platner, S. H. Clark, Andrew McDonald, 1885; Lee Peet, 1893; T. A. King, the present efficient and kind-hearted steward and manager began his duties in the early part of the year 1906. No complaints have ever been made by the inmates of harsh or unkind treatment during the stewardship of Mr. King and his industrious and large-hearted wife. Everything in and about the county home is kept neat, tidy, comfortable and sanitary. The building is old, and in fact not suited for the pur- pose, but with the material at hand, a good account is given by the steward. There are accommodation for about fifty inmates, if necessary. During the past year or two, a fire escape has been placed on the building, the inmates department has been repaired and improved generally at an expense of about one thousand, two hundred dollars. Four hundred feet of six-inch sewer has been constructed, a toilet and bath room has been added, and an effort made to make the home more sanitary and comfortable.

At the present time there is some agitation toward the erection of a more mod- ern home, and strong arguments have been made favorable to this proposition. The board of supervisors has been making some investigations in contemplation of some action being taken, and no doubt ere many moons, the citizens of this county will be given an opportunity, in a special election, to voice their will on this question. .

The last annual report of the steward contains so much of general interest in regard to the products raised on the county farm, and the amount of property used and on hand, that we give it in full.

LIVE STOCK AND PROVISIONS ON HAND, JANUARY 1, 1909.

6 horses

.$ 800 00

65 head of cattle

1,950.00

42 head of swine. 258.00

150 chickens 52.00

100 tons hay.

550.00

1,000 bushels corn 550.00

150 bushels oats 65.00

160 bushels potatoes 100.00

10 bushels onions 12.00

10 bushels carrots 5.00

Cabbage and kraut 15.00

20 bushels parsnips 5.00

2 barrels pork 42.00

I barrel beef

16.50

60 pounds tea

16.40

Tobacco

11.00

Clothing, new and unmade

45.00

Machinery

695.00

Flour

10.00

Syrup

15.00

Coal

175.00

Total value on hand.

$5,387.90

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PROVISIONS USED AND SOLD DURING 1908.

12 hogs butchered

$ 180.00

I beef butchered

40.00

3 cows sold

170.00

II steers and heifers

677.46

51 hogs sold

725.89

Chickens and eggs used.

130.00

Milk and butter used.

296.00

Milk and butter sold.

178.04

Total

.$2,396.93

In addition to the provisions which were raised and used on the county farm during the year 1908, the county auditor's report of expenses during the same per- iod, shows the poor farm expenses to be three thousand, six hundred and thirty- three dollars and forty-three cents. From the same report it is learned that the ex- penses of the poor outside of the poor farm have been five thousand. five hun- dred and seventy-four dollars and nine cents, during the same period, making the total expenditure for the poor in addition to the provisions raised and used on the farm, nine thousand, two hundred and seven dollars and fifty-two cents for the year 1908, as against nine thousand, four hundred and seventy-four dollars and two cents in 1895. The county farm is managed as economically as is consistent with the comfort and best welfare of the inmates.

The annual report of L. B. Peet, steward for the year 1895 showed the num- ber of inmates on January 1, 1895 to be thirty-six, and on December 31st of the same year, forty-four. There were nine head of horses, thirty-two head of cattle, thirty-three hogs, thirty-five tons of hay, five hundred bushels of oats, two hun- dred and twenty bushels of potatoes, eight hundred pounds of pork, fifty tons of coal, four barrels of molasses.

THE JUDICIARY.

Jones county has not been more fortunate than her neighbors in the necessity of having courts of justice, where those with grievances might have their differ- ences adjusted, their wrongs redressed, and punishment given in full measure to those who have transgressed the laws of the commonwealth, and infringed on the personal and private rights of their fellowmen. The "Avengers of Blood" have never received any encouragement in Jones county. The courts have been insti- tuted as a civilized and modern method for the maintenance of justice and the enforcement of the laws of organized society, and in Jones county the sovereignty and supremacy of the strong arm of the law, have been uniformly respected.

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History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I, Part 10

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co. Number of Pages: 763

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co.
Number of Pages: 763