USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 40
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THE VILLAGE OF MADISON.
The first village in Madison township was naturally called Madison village. This historic spot was laid out into town lots November 25, 1856, by John and Sarah Niles, Horace and Eleanor Fay, George and Eliza Reed and Griswold N. Hay, and was located on the south half of the southwest quarter, and the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 20, and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 29.
THE POSTOFFICE.
The Madison village postoffice was established November 6, 1855, with Horace A. Fay as postmaster. The mail was carried on the stage line from Maquoketa to Anamosa. The next postmaster was Gould P. Deitz, whose commission was dated October 10. 1856. On March 6, 1860, John W. Niles was empowered to perform the duties of postmaster, and on November 13, 1866, he was succeeded by Isaac Vandervort. No further change was made in the representative of Uncle Sam until January 21, 1873, when Purviance Ireland was commissioned post- master. This was a short administration and on March 31, 1873, Alex. McGregor became the obliging Nasby of the village. On the 17th of November, 1873, the office was discontinued.
BUSINESS CENTER. AN "INN" INCIDENT.
The postoffice was kept in the store. There was also a wagon shop which stood about where Elias Anderson's fine residence now stands. The village blacksmith was Jacob Bender whose duties began in 1854. Seyborn Moore was the wood worker. T. M. Burch and wife were the proprietors of Madison Inn. It is related of this inn during the period when Mr. Burch and his wife were in control, that no liquors of any kind were kept or sold. This was not the usual
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custom in the early days. Hence one warm sultry day, some travelers came along and casually asked Mrs. Burch if they could get a drink, to which the accom- modating landlady replied, yes sir. The callers had meant one kind of drink, while Mrs. Burch had meant another ; so it was with a smile of satisfaction that she brought a pitcher of clear water from the well and offered it to the dry travelers, and it was likewise received with all the good nature of a joke. Mr. and Mrs. Burch now reside in Anamosa and are yet noted for their genial hos- pitality and kindness of heart.
Nothing remains of the thriving little village today except the land upon which it stood and the memories of the place as retained by those who once knew it. The Madison Village school is now on the next road north.
It is said that there is no stony soil in Madison township. Bear Creek Val- ley in the southern part, is one of the most fertile valleys in the county. There is not much timber. The farm houses are good and a general air of prosperity prevails.
MADISON TOWNSHIP ASSESSMENT IN 1859.
By chance, the assessment book of Madison township for 1859, has come under our observation, and the figures shown by this ancient record will prove of interest and value from a historical standpoint. This assessment was taken by C. C. Himebaugh, township assessor, just fifty years ago. The total valua- tion of the land in the township in that year aggregates the sum of eighty-five thousand eight hundred and sixty-five dollars. The assessed value was approxi- mately three dollars and eighty-five cents per acre. There were one hundred and fifty-three horses valued at six thousand, six hundred and forty-one dollars. Five mules valued at three hundred and forty dollars. Seven hundred and sixty head of cattle, value, seven thousand six hundred and fifty-nine dollars. Sixty-eight sheep, valued at one dollar per head. Five hundred and forty-two swine, value, seven hundred and five dollars. Eighty-five carriages, value one thousand eight hundred and sixteen dollars. Three hundred and fifteen dollars in moneys and credits. Fifteen dollars taxable household furniture. Three hundred and ninety- two dollars in other property not enumerated. Total personal property, seven- teen thousand, nine hundred and forty-nine dollars.
No land in the township was assessed at a higher valuation than six dollars per acre.
We also give herewith the names of the residents of the township who were subject to county poll as they appear on the assessment roll: Nathan Arnold, Philip G. Alberry, John Anderson, Thomas Bender, B. F. Bedford, Clinton Barto, D. C. Blakely, H. H. Bissell, H. S. Byres, Jacob S. Byres, Daniel Bugh, L. L. Burlingame, Jacob Bender, J. Bennett, Farnum Colby, Alexander Clark, John Clark, Michael D. Corcoran. Joshua Crawford. B. W. Curtis, Henry Cross, William J. Cross, Daniel Colby, Albert H. Day, Elijah Day, William Dockstader, Henry Dockstader, Fred H. Dockstader, Ezra Dockstader, George E. Delevan, G. P. Deitz, M. O. Felton, Joseph S. Fuller, Horace A. Fay, Hiram Fay, Amos Gilbert, John Gorman, H. C. Gleason. William Hawley, Ogden Horton, C. C. Himebaugh, Marcus Hogeboom, B. M. House, Alvin M. House, T. J. Holmes, John Herron, Henry Kenison, George Krouse, Abner Kimball,
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Thomas Lyans, James Lane, Barnet Lewis, Emmons Leonard, Israel Luce, John Lockard, John Livingston, Robert McCalmant, Guy Merrick, Lewis C. Minard, John McDonald, Evans Moore, John Niles, Lyman C. Niles, Harvey Niles, Martin Nichols, Elisha Newell, Philo Norton, William Newell, W. S. Niles, J. F. Parks, A. H. Persons, A. H. Wilson, Rufus Perry, J. M. Price, George Preston, Addison W. Pratt (land valued at four thousand, three hundred and seventy-five dollars), L. K. Rose, J. D. Raymond, Joseph Sherman, Solomon Smith, Peter Smith, Richard Slocum, Aaron D. Slater, Matthias Scriven, John H. Smith, Peter C. Smith, Peter Strong, David Sherill, Henry Simmons, James Stevenson, Eli Sawyer, Morris Simmons, Barnard Sealls, George W. Sones, Asa R. Thomas, Seth M. Tozier, James Tuttle.
A MADISON BEAR OF 1861.
The quiet and peaceful community which is now Madison township gives no evidence that at one time bears, black fighting bears, once tramped over the prairie and camped in the woods. This fact must be left for mem- ory to verify and history to record. We always like to think of the transi- tion of a county from its wild state to a condition of high civilization and the presence of the wild beasts of the forest vivifies the impression of the country being wild and uncivilized. This is not really true of Madison township, hence the fact that a bear was chased in the township and killed, adds spice to the early traditions of the township.
It was about in the month of February, 1861, John McDonald had about finished his chores in the morning, when his attention was called to the fact of a huge black bear in the barnyard. With that hunting instinct fully aroused, Mr. McDonald was all attention. He had guns, but alas, no bullets. It was the work of a short time to procure some lead and mould some bullets. The boys started after the bear, and John followed on horse back. The bear was found, and when discovered, started to run. The morning was cold, there was snow on the ground, and the long grass interfered with traveling. The bear had gone westward. When near the McNeilly farm, John took a shot at the bear, but had the comfort only of seeing the snow toss up near the nose of the bear. The bear was chased as far as where Amber now is. Here the bear's pursuers changed their course. In the chase, the bear and Mr. McDonald's horse met in the brush. The bear bit the horse on the knee, and the horse charging, fractured some ribs for Mr. Bear. The bear went up into Wayne to the Wil- liam Sanford farm, then plunged east to Edinburgh into the brush. Mr. McDon- ald fired, or tried to fire several shots, but in the dampness, the caps snapped. After several attempts to get the gun to fire, John was about to give up in dis- gust. He was cold and disgusted, and told the boys with him to take his gun and hunt if they wanted to, but he was going home. But feeling in his pocket, our bear hunter, as luck would have it, found another cap. With his gun Mr. McDonald followed the tracks of the bear into the brush, and soon found Mr. Bear lying in the brush facing his pursuer. When close enough, John took aim and fired, and the bear had tramped his last tramp. Not a hole could be found in his hide. for he had been shot straight in the eye. The bear was
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brought home on a sled and the hide removed. The carcass was taken to Du- buque and sold. There was quite a spirited rivalry among the hide fanciers to get the bear claws to hang on the bell rope. The hide was hung up in the barn. The moths got into it and destroyed it. Mr. McDonald, now lives at Center Junction at the age of eighty-five years, and his eye yet sparkles with the luster of a genuine sportsman, as he relates his bear chase and the true aim which brought its tragic end.
OFFICIAL ROSTER, MADISON TOWNSHIP.
1855-Trustees : James Tuttle, Thomas Bender, Horace A. Fay; clerk, John Lockard; assessor, C. C. Himebaugh.
1856-Trustees: Thomas Bender, Lewis C. Minards, Enoch Worthington; clerk, Seth Tozier; assessor, C. C. Himebaugh.
1857-Trustees : L. C. Minard, Daniel Colby, Joshua Crawford; clerk, Enoch Worthington.
1858-Trustees: Joshua Crawford, Amos Gilbert, Farnum Colby; clerk, S. M. Tozier.
1859-Trustees : M. O. Felton, H. C. Gleason, Philo Norton; clerk, Thomas Bender; assessor, C. C. Himebaugh; justices, George Sutherland and John H. Smith.
1860-Trustees : Daniel Colby, John Lockard, Thomas Lyons; clerk, Thomas Bender ; assessor, Philo Norton ; justices : H. A. Fays, G. P. Deitz.
1861-Trustees : L. C. Niles, John Lockard, Emmons Leonard; clerk, M. O. Felton ; assessor, M. B. Corcoran; justices, John Niles and M. H. Hogeboom; constables : Hiram Little and Henry Dockstader; road supervisors: No. I, A. Clark ; 2, E. A. Nichols ; 3, H. Crop; 4, Hiram Little; 5, J. F. Parks; 6, Jacob Bender ; 7, M. D. Corcoran; 8, F. O. Gleason; 9, Abner Kimball, 10, G. W. Halsey.
1862-Trustees : Emmons Leonard, J. A. Blakely, L. C. Niles; clerk, M. O. Felton ; assessor, M. D. Corcoran.
1863-Trustees : M. O. Felton, Emmons Leonard, J. A. Blakely; clerk, Thomas Bender; assessor, M. D. Corcoran.
1864-Trustees: E. Leonard, Nathan Arnold, -; clerk, Thomas Bender ; assessor, M. D. Corcoran.
1865-Trustees : Asa R. Thomas, Alvin M. House, Robert Somerby ; clerk, Thomas Bender; assessor, Michael Corcoran; justices, J. A. Blakely, M. O. Felton ; constables : W. S. Niles, Jr., and David M. Scriven.
1866-Trustees : A. R. Thomas, Ervin Green, G. E. Osborne; clerk, Robert Somerby; assessor, M. D. Corcoran.
1867-Trustees : Erwin Green, G. E. Osborne, C. VanSlyke; clerk, R. Som- erby ; assessor, A. W. Pratt; justice, W. J. Brainard; road supervisors: John Wasson, C. VanSlyke, J. Sherman, N. Day, T. Bender, R. Hanna, E. Vernon, G. W. James, W. Alden, J. A. Blakely.
1868-Trustees : George E. Osborne, L. G. Ransom, Christopher VanSiyke; assessor, M. O. Felton; clerk, R. Somerby.
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1869-Trustees : Alvin M. House, William H. Alden, L. G. Ransom; clerk, Robert Somerby; assessor, M. O. Felton.
1870-Trustees : William H. Alden, M. O. Felton, Alvin M. House; clerk, Robert Somerby ; assessor, George E. Osborn.
1871-Trustees: W. H. Alden, A. G. Pangborn, G. E. Osborne; clerk, R. Somerby; assessor, M. O. Felton.
1872-Trustees : A. G. Pangborn, S. M. Graves, M. G. Burch; clerk, Robert Somerby ; assessor, M. O. Felton; road supervisors: J. M. Scrivens, C. Van Slyke, A. Black, John H. Bratton, P. G. Alberry, H. C. Preston, M. O. Felton, L. K. Rose, A. M. House, H. Monroe, R. B. Hanna, J. C. Austin, Daniel Colby.
1873-Trustees: M. G. Burch, S. M. Graves, Thomas Lyons; clerk, M. O. Felton ; assessor, G. E. Osborn.
1874 -- Trustees : Thomas Lyons, S. M. Graves, M. G. Burch ; clerk, R. W. McCready; assessor, G. E. Osborn.
1875-Trustees : J. H. Smith, Thomas Lyons, D. H. Sherrill; clerk, Robert W. McCready; assessor, E. C. Meek; road supervisors, James Brutzman, Wil- liam Story, E. C. Meek, W. Curtis, A. N. Reade, E. A. Thomas, M. Strayer, W. H. Alden, L. D. Van Wormer, M. O. Felton, Eli Sawyer, J. Richardson.
1876-Trustees: L. G. Ransom, Joshua Crawford, D. H. Sherrill; clerk, Robert W. McCready ; assessor, E. C. Meek.
1877-Trustees : L. G. Ransom, John Wirt, G. E. Osborne; clerk, J. W. Strayer ; assessor, E. Tate.
1878-Trustees : J. H. Smith, L. G. Ransom, William H. Alden ; clerk, E. C. Meek; assessor, M. O. Felton.
1879-Trustees : A. G. Pangborn, Thomas Lyons, M. G. Burch; clerk, J. M. Paul; assessor, M. O. Felton.
1880-Trustees : M. G. Burch, Thomas Lyons, A. G. Pangborn ; clerk, J. M. Paul; assessor, Andrew McDonald.
1881-Trustees : Samuel Alexander, A. G. Pangborn, M. G. Burch; clerk, R. W. McCready ; assessor, Andrew McDonald; road supervisors : H. H. Hime- baugh, R. J. Espy, Thomas Lyons, Jr., S. M. Graves, D. G. Lyons, John Bender, G. W. James, Jacob Stingley, C. H. Leamon, Charles Gridley, William Stingley, George Evans, W. W. Dodge.
1882-Trustees: W. H. H. Reade, Samuel Alexander, D. H. Sherrill; clerk, R. W. McCready, assessor, Andrew McDonald.
1883-Trustees : D. H. Sherrill, Samuel Alexander, W. H. H. Reade; clerk, R. W. McCready ; assessor, A. McDonald; collector, S. L. Gilbert.
1884-Trustees : Samuel Alexander, W. H. H. Reade, D. H. Sherrill; clerk, R. W. McCready ; assessor, A. McDonald.
1885 -- Trustees : John Wirt, W. H. H. Reade, D. H. Sherrill; clerk, R. W. McCready ; assessor, N. B. Noyes.
1886-Trustees : D. S. McDonald, P. C. Smith, D. H. Sherill; clerk, R. W. McCready ; assessor, N. B. Noyes.
1887-Trustees : D. H. Sherrill, P. C. Smith, D. S. McDonald; clerk. Robert W. McCready ; assessor, N. B. Noyes.
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1888-Trustees: D. S McDonald, D. H. Sherrill, P. C. Smith; clerk, R. G. Lyans; assessor, N. B. Noyes.
1889-Trustees : P. C. Smith, D. H. Sherrill, D. S. McDonald; clerk, R. G. Lyans; assessor, William Davis.
1890-Trustees : D. S. McDonald, P. C. Smith, D. H. Sherrill; clerk, R. G. Lyans; assessor, W. H. Davis.
1891-Trustees : P. C. Smith, D. S. McDonald, D. H. Sherrill; clerk, George G. Platner; assessor, W. H. Davis.
1892-Trustees : J. A. Overly, P. C. Smith, Warren Dodge; clerk, George G. Platner ; assessor, W. H. Davis.
1893-Trustees : J. A. Overly, P. C. Smith, Warren Dodge; clerk, George G. Platner; assessor, M. O. Felton.
1894-Trustees : E. P. Thompson, J. A. Overly, Warren Dodge; clerk. George G. Platner; assessor, M. O. Felton.
1895-Trustees: Warren Dodge, J. A. Overly, E. P. Thompson; clerk, George G. Platner; assessor, S. L. Davis.
1896-Trustees : J. A. Overly, Warren Dodge, E. P. Thompson; clerk, R. G. Lyans; assessor, S. L. Davis.
1897-Trustees : J. A. Overly, Warren Dodge, J. F. Brown; clerk, W. O. Shaffer ; assessor, S. L. Davis; justices : S. L. Gilbert, G. W. Evans, Z. W. Montague; constables, George Hogeboom, W. H. H. Reade, A. J. Lewis; road supervisors : Henry Welch, R. G. Lyans, S. K. Thompson, B. A. Woodworth, F. D. Cromwell, John Bender, L. L. Ireland, J. W. Glenn, P. C. Levsen, Wil- liam L. Overly, Ben. Johnston, N. Day, A. J. House.
1898-Trustees : H. P. Barber, J. F. Brown, Warren Dodge; clerk, W. O. Shaffer.
1899-Trustees : C. E. Bruntlett, J. F. Brown, H. P. Barber; clerk, Charles Saxon.
1900-Trustees : H. P. Barber, J. F. Brown, C. E. Bruntlett; clerk, A. W. McDonald; assessor, George McDonald.
1901-Trustees : J. F. Brown, H. P. Barber, C. E. Bruntlett; clerk, A. W. McDonald; assessor, George D. McDonald; road supervisors : H. Welch, E. E. Overly, H. D. Story, S. K. Thompson, B. A. Woodworth, Robert J. Moncrief, John Thomsen, E. Anderson, J. B. Christopherson, L. B. Woodard, Charles Sherman, Clifford Wood, W. H. Preston; justices: R. G. Lyans and G. W. Evans ; constables : L. J. McDonald, A. J. Lewis.
1902-Trustees : C. E. Bruntlett, J. F. Brown, H. P. Barber; clerk, A. W. McDonald; assessor, George D. McDonald.
1903-Trustees : J. N. Smith, H. P. Barber, C. E. Bruntlett; clerk, George D. McDonald; assessor, R. G. Lyans.
1904-Trustees : C. E. Bruntlett, J. N. Smith, William McDonald; clerk, George D. McDonald; assessor, R. G. Lyans.
1905-Trustees : J. W. Glenn, C. E. Bruntlett, J. N. Smith; clerk, George D. McDonald; assessor, Charles Saxon.
1906-Trustees : J. N. Smith, J. W. Glenn, C. E. Bruntlett; clerk, George D. McDonald; assessor, Charles Saxon.
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1907-Trustees : A. E. Porter, C. E. Bruntlett, J. W. Glenn; clerk, George D. McDonald; assessor, Charles Saxon.
1908-Trustees : C. E. Bruntlett, J. W. Glenn, A. E. Porter; clerk, George D. McDonald; assessor, Charles Saxon.
1909-Trustees : H. G. Manuel, C. E. Bruntlett, A. E. Porter ; clerk, George D. McDonald; assessor, S. L. Davis.
CENTER JUNCTION.
This quiet and modest town located in the northern part of Madison town- ship, began its existence in October, 1871, when its proprietors, James A. Bron- son, S. W. Johnson, John M. Squires and Kinsey Elwood had the town site surveyed and laid out into lots and blocks. Later Mr. Squires purchased the interests of his co-tenants in the town property and became the sole owner.
It was about the same year that the Midland branch of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, and what is at present known as the Davenport and Monticello branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad completed their lines into and through the youthful village. The town being located near the geographical center of the county, and being at the junction of the two railroads, it very naturally took the name of Center Junction.
THE FIRST BUILDING.
The first building erected in town is the residence now occupied by Dr. T. B. Kent and was erected and used by George Bradfield as a boarding house. This was in 1871. The second building began its historic existence on the spot where Gus Ehlers' store now stands. It was then used for a saloon. The building was later moved back and soon lost its identity.
EARLY MERCANTILE INTERESTS.
William Slocum built and conducted the first hotel in 1871. Nathan Clark in 1871, became the first village blacksmith. In 1872, Dr. Carlisle came to minister to the physical necessities of the people and became the first and lead- ing physician of the place. Dr. Carlisle and Nathan Clark had been previously established in Johnsontown, a pioneer village of the county, located about five miles to the northeast. The first church services were held in the hall over what is now M. G. Alsever's store in the winter of 1871-1872. Rev. Z. R. Ward was the missionary who exhorted the people to live in right relations with their fellow men and with their Maker. Dr. Z. G. Isbell conducted the first drug store. J. C. Houser opened up the first dry goods and grocery store in the village. A man by the name of Sanborn came from Maquoketa and opened up a grocery store.
THE POSTOFFICE.
The first postmaster was John E. Lovejoy, appointed November 20, 1871. He is spoken of as a man of more than ordinary intelligence, as well as a
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man who was economical in anything which required physical exertion. The next man to represent Uncle Sam was Dr. Z. G. Isbell, May 7, 1875 and follow- ing him T. E. Canty became the obliging Nasby on May 1, 1893. When Mr. Canty laid down the reins of office, O. O. Watson received the commission to become postmaster and now holds this official position, his commission being dated February 24, 1906. .
THE VILLAGE IN 1879.
The history of 1879 in speaking of Center Junction says: "There are two general stores, one drug store, one hardware store, two restaurants, one millin- ery store, two blacksmith shops, one wagon and repair shop, one tin shop, one hotel, one creamery, two depots, two express offices, one harness shop, two grain warehouses, stockyards, two doctors and no saloons."
The present business roster will also state that there is no saloon. The people are a quiet, hospitable, law abiding class and merit the respect and es- teem of all who meet them. The inhabitants at present are largely an English speaking people, and are intelligent and industrious.
THE VILLAGE FIRES.
The business portion of the town has met with several severe reverses by fires. In November, 1900, the store building occupied by George and O. J. Felton, caught fire and burned to the ground. Very little was saved. Again on June 4, 1902, the Schultz meat market, J. W. Bahm's drug store, J. C. Smith's grocery and dry-goods store and O. O. Watson's barber shop and confectionery store met a similar fate, entailing a total loss of about twelve thousand dollars. Since this latter date, the fire god has been good to Center Junction and the onward march of the town has not been further hindered by the fire demon.
THE VILLAGE INCORPORATED.
In 1885, the village was commissioned to exercise the rights and privileges of local self-government, and in May of that year, the administration of town affairs was placed in the hands of officials elected by the people, for the people. Mr. J. E. Coder was elected to preside over the deliberation of the official body as the first mayor. Mr. Coder also enjoys the distinction of being one of the few who have resided in the town since its first history began. At the writing of this history, he is again the mayor of the town, and is well worthy of the re- spect and esteem of his fellow men, full of good works and of the charity „ hich builds up men's souls.
WATER WORKS ESTABLISHED.
In July, 1908, a special election was held to give the people an opportunity to vote on the proposition of issuing two thousand dollar bonds for the pur- pose of putting in a system of water works for the use and protection of the
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town. Only three votes were recorded against the proposition. The well has been drilled on the hill in the southern part of the town, and it is proposed to build a large reservoir and lay water mains through the various parts of town. The natural pressure will furnish fire protection and also be sufficient to provide water in all parts of the lower portion of the town.
Center Junction has good shipping facilities, being at the junction of two railroads. The town is surrounded by a rich farming community and the stock shipped to market each year numbers several hundred carloads. The freight receipts will average well with any town of its size in the county.
BUSINESS ROSTER, 1909.
The present business roster includes the following lines: Two general stores, conducted by M. G. Alsever on the north side, and by Gus Ehlers on the south side; one drug store and confectionery, by Harr, Gibbs Company; one hard- ware and agricultural implement store, by Charles Preston; one livery and feed barn, by W. F. Kellog; one wagon maker, wheelwright and general re- pair shop, by F. Dawson; one meat market, by Henry Ehlers; O. O. Watson, barber; Thomas Dawson, lumber and building material; J. E. Coder & Son and Hal and A. G. Smith, carpenters; J. E. Coder, undertaker; Orrin Freeman, landlord of Freeman House; William Tomlinson, blacksmith and also grinding ; Mrs. William Tomlinson, boarding house; L. E. Moats, blacksmith; Thomas Dawson, proprietor of Center Junction Clay Works; Mills & Kershaw, pro- prietors of creamery ; physicians, Dr. T. B. Kent and Dr. J. M. Young; post- master, O. O. Watson; Earl Stingley, agent at Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul depot ; Ira Schieb, agent at Chicago & Northwestern Railroad depot ; two churches, a Presbyterian and a Methodist.
THE CREAMERY.
The first creamery organized in the village was a company of farmers who conducted the plant on the cooperative plan. The building was erected about the year 1877. The business was carried on under the direct supervision of the farmers for a number of years, and was then transferred to private parties. A. F. Hanna, J. P. Younger and perhaps one other have been proprietors since the farmer's organization. Mills and Kershaw now conduct the business and buy milk and cream.
THE COUNTY SEAT QUESTION.
A history of Center Junction would not be complete without referring to its struggle to become the seat of county government. Its geographical loca- tion was its strongest argument. and in fact it was an imposing factor which the opponents of. the centrally located little city could not easily overcome. Anamosa fought bitterly, and with Colonel W. T. Shaw and other influential and prominent men, backing the efforts of the shire town to retain its head as capital of the county. the strife became bitter at times. The friends of Ana-
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mosa had grave fears of the result of the contest waged in October, 1874. Pend- ing the vote by the people on the county seat question, Anamosa in its cor- porate capacity, appropriated three thousand dollars and private citizens sub- scribed two thousand dollars more, and from other sources one thousand dollars additional was pledged. Center Junction was ready to do just as much or more, and had picked out the site for the new courthouse, which was to be located where the residence of Dr. Young now stands. In fact Center Junction was ready to do anything within reason to secure the coveted plum. The vote, how- ever, stood one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-three to one thousand, five hun- dred and ninety-two, in favor of Anamosa.
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