History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 78

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 78
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 78
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 78

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).

In 1872 there were in the county 527 between the same ages, divided as follows: Avery, district township, twenty-nine; Amsterdam, seventy-nine; Concord, 105; Crystal, thirty-seven; Ellington, 197; Madison, eighty.

PRESENT CONDITION.

From the last report of the county superintendent, a number of items have been collected which will show conclu- sively the present condition of educational matters in Hancock county:

REPORT OF 1883.

Number of district townships in the county. 16

Number of independent districts 0)

Number of sub-districts. 14

Total number of districts 30

Number of ungraded schools in the county 67

Number of rooms in graded schools .... 6

Average term of school in the county .. 7

Number of male teachers engaged. .. ... Number of female teachers engaged. . . . 99

Total number of teachers.

120

Total number of children enrolled in the schools. 1,078

Total average attendance. 743.9

Average cost of tuition per month, per pupil $3 80

Number of school houses in the county Frame 63

Brick Q

Total value of houses. $27,225

Total value of apparatus. $4,063

Total number of certificates issued in 1883. 139

First grade. 48

Second grade. 51

Third grade. 40

Number of applicants rejected .. 10

Average age of female applicants 21

Average age of male applicants 31

Number of volumes in library. 150

627

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XII.

THE PRESS.

The inception of journalism dates from remote ages. The institution, now known as the newspaper, was preceded nearly a thousand years by manuscript publica- tions, in which the accounts of public oc- currenees in the Queen city of the world -Rome, were made known to the public. These were known by the name of "Acta Diurna;" but their issue was irregular and without sequence, and often entirely suspended in times of scarcity of news. The editor, as far as is known, did not en- tirely devote himself to this business, but engaged in some other callingor indulged during leisure hours, in the sports of the day.

But little advancement or progress was made from this early prototype of the press, until 1622, the date of the birth of the first publication worthy the name of newspaper. For years prior to this time, the mental appetite of medieval and mod- ern Europe had subsisted upon periodical manuscript literature. In England, the written news-letter, furnished only at such fabulous prices that only the rich could afford it, was, for a long time, in vogue. This news pamphlet was the nearest ap- proach to the newspaper that had obtained up to 1622; when, as has been said, the first regular series of newspapers was born. In that year the Weekly News from

Italie and Germanie, made its salutatory to the London public. It was printed upon a mechanical contrivance, perfected by Nathaniel Butler, who might be termed the progenitor of the newspaper proper. This contrivance spoken of by contemparary writers by that name only, is supposed to be the germ from which has grown the present improved web per- fecting and cylinder presses. This first attempt at a newspaper was crude and weak and no attention was paid to politi- cal events until 1641, when the parliment- ary reports being inserted in the paper, the career of the modern newspaper, may be said to have commenced. The first advertisement occupied a place in the columns in 1648, and was in verse form, setting forth the manifold virtues of, the then, fashionable tailor of Belgravia.

The first daily morning newspaper was the London Courant, published in 1709, and which consisted of only one page of two columns, each about five paragraphs long, being made up from translations from foreign journals, many of them a month old. The press now made giant strides, and had so taken hold of the pop- ular mind, that, before 1760, over 7,000,- 000 papers were sold annually in Eng- land alone. All are familiar with the history of the press in our own country,

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

from the famous Boston Newsletter down to the present, and it were needless to go into any lengthy dissertation thereon.

The revolutions in journalism during the present century have been of so stu- perdons a type as to be almost beyond comprehension, were we not brought face to face with the fact day by day. Nor has the press failed to increase in power and usefulness. It is an instrument cal- culated to elevate and enlighten the peo- ple as well as to aid in the enforcement of the laws, and the perpetuation of good government. It is its mission to make wrong-doing odious, by airing the mis- deeds of those guilty of crimes against law and society; and to point our admir- ing gaze at the good and pure deeds of the men of nobility of soul, that should demand our respectful homage.

The first newspaper published in Han- cock county was the Hancock Sentinel. This was a journal published at Elling- ton, by D. E Coon. The initial number was issued during the year 1860. C. C. Doolittle, now the clerk of the courts, be- ing a disciple of "the art preservative of the arts" was in charge of the office. The paper ran with varying fortunes until 1863, when for want of patronage it sus- pended. The material that went to make up the paper was sold, and is partly inclu- ded in the make up of the office of the Winnebago County Summit. Out on a bleak and almost desolate prairie, this office was then established, with scarcely paying patronage enough to pay for the paper upon which it was printed, its only dependence was upon a fat slice of the county printing. But little local news was to be had and no labored editorials were

indulged in, and those best informed say that the issue was very irregular. No copy of this paper is supposed to exist within the county, and a more extended notice it were impossible to give without more data of facts. It would be inter- esting, were it in the power of the histor- ian, to give some extracts from its col- umuns, but the dead ashes of oblivion cover it from human ken.

In 1861, a five column folio paper called The Ind pendent, was started at the vil- lage of Amsterdam, by Brainard and Noyes. It is claimed that the prime ob- ject of the inception of this journal was simply to print the tax list and other county printing. If this was so the scheme failed for the paper, after sailing for a few months on a stormy sea, grounded on the shoals, and was entirely suspended. The paper was, or professed to be entirely neutral in politics, religion and every- thing else, and exerted little if any in- fluenee on the material development of Hancock county. A specimen, as it was, of that ephemeral class of papers, that are started in all new countries, that have a brief existence and then die of pure in- anition, from want of support and nourish- ment. Mr. Brainard, who was ostensibly the head of the concern, is at present pub- lishing a paper at Boonesboro, Boone county, this State.

In the spring of 1870, at Concord, the county seat of Hancock county, was born another journalistic infant. This was known as the Hancock county Auto- graph. With this euphonious and high sounding name, given it by its projectors and proprietors, Messrs. Moulton and Hamlin, it entered upon a short-lived

629

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

career. It was an eight column folio and from all reports, fairly edited. But, alas! the country was too thinly settled up to support so pretentious a child, at that date, so after a short life it "gave up the ghost," about nine or ten months after its initial number was launched. The ma- terial was moved to Mason city and after- wards helped to print the Mason City Express.

The Hancock Signal, one of the living representatives of this county's press, was established during the year 1871, by G. R. Lanning. The initial number was issued on the 12th of March and the paper soon was a recognized factor in the busi- ness interests of this neighborhood. Mr. Lanning did not remain long, but soon after lannehing his journalistic venture, he sold out to Messrs. Haywood & Ma- ben-W. C. Haywood and C. B. Maben. The latter gentleman was not concerned to any large extent in the editorial or mechanical management of the paper, his interest being merely a financial one. But a short time then elapsed before W. C. Haywood purchased the share in the business held by Mr. Maben and took hold of the helm and tried to guide his bark-the Signal-into the haven of pros- perity, through rough and boisterous seas. That he was successful to a large degree, it boots not to speak, for the well-known prosperity, the influence of the paper, its general reputation in the community speak in louder tones than mere words. Ilowever, on the Ist of June, 1883, after a ten years voyage, Mr. Ilaywood saw fit to dispose of all his right, title and in- terest in the Signal to its present owners, Messrs Bush & Elliott. In closing his

editorial career and surrendering up the quill and tripod, Mr. Haywood addressed his friends and patrons, sadly and mourn- fully thus:

BUSINESS CHANGES.

"In this world of business, changes are always occurring. Since last week the Hancock Signal newspaper and job, print- ing establishment has changed hands. We have sold the same to Messrs. Henry II. Bush and Charles Elliott. The former is a well and widely known attorney of of this place, mayor of the city and chair- man of the board of county supervisors. He at one time ably represented this dis- trict in the lowa Legislature, has for years been prominently identified with our local interests, is a gentleman of well recognized ability, public spirited, en- terprising and progressive. Charles Elliott has been foreman of the Signal office since last fall, and also assist- ant editor as well as assistant post- master. We have known him for some years and engaged him at the highest salary we ever paid any printer in our em- ploy. He is one of the best printers in the State, a thorough scholar, a fluent and forcible writer, of excellent habits, high character, industrious and persevering. The two are well calculated to make a strong team, and can hardly fail of the full- est success within the circuit to which their business interests extend. We ask for them a continuance of the generous pa- tronage and good-will that we have en- joyed so long, and trust and expect that its eirele will be extended rather than diminished.

"Seconded by the business men of Gar- ner, the postoffice is allowed to remain

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

with the paper, which needs its help, and we have resigned the office in favor of Mr. Bush, that arrangement being mutually agreeable in a business way to the new proprietors of the paper.

"We have been publisher of the Signal and postmaster in Garner over ten years. During this time we have labored honestly for the advancement of our town and county, its citizens, our patrons, and their interests. With what effect we leave others to judge. We doubtless have made occasional mistakes. 'It is human to err.' We have had various little tilts here and there, and engaged, at one time and another, in wordy wars of no very seri- ous results, but through it all have managed to avoid shipwreck, and for the most part, have sailed through very smooth and tranquil waters. We leave the Sig- nal with many regrets. It was a hard struggle for us to decide to give it up. The business relations and social ties that have existed so long between the paper, its publisher, and his patrons, are not sev- ered without heartfelt regret. There are a thousand ties that bind us to the work we are leaving, and it would be a heart of stone that would not be saddened by the thought that each must be broken. Our relations with the press of the State have existed long and have been friendly to an unusual degree. Each of our exchanges has grown as familiar as the faces of our own household. As we pick up each we see before ns the friendly face and genial smile of its proprietor, and through the pages scanned each week, for years, have grown an acquaintance and friendship we value beyond all price To all-business patrons, social friends, the craft-we ex-

tend good wishes for the future, and a a sadly cordial farewell. For the present we drop the Faber and consign you all to the tender mercies of our worthy success- ors. Sincerely yours,

W. C. HAYWOOD."

The paper is now, as it has been from its inception, an eight column folio, and well printed. The editorials are above the average of the usual inland paper, and betray the fact that the high encomiums of Mr. Haywood were not all "empty words."

The Independent was started at Garner by Messrs. Sargent & Geddes in 1877. The first number was issued December 12, and bore evidence to the brains, abili- ty and mechanical skill that had given it birth. It was a five column quarto, and presented a neat, clean appearance. Mr. Geddes was not long a member of the firm, but sold out his interest therein to John Christie, Jr., the present auditor. Mr. Christie, not being a newspaper man, never had his name placed at the head of the paper, but modestly allowed it to be carried on under the flag of his co-partner. This, also, was of short duration, for on the 12th day of March, 1878, Mr. Christie disposed of his interest in the establish- ment to Walter Elder, and the firm then became Sargent & Elder. After more than a year of varied fortunes, Mr. Sar- gent, in turn, closed out his portion of the business, and the firm became Walter Elder & Co. Well written editorials, sharp, spicy locals, a remarkable neatness and ability displayed in the make-up and mechanical appearance of the Independent, were always and at all times its dis- tinguishing features, and which clung to

631

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

it through all its changes unto the end. In the spring of 1882. the paper was moved to Britt, and there consolidated with the Tribune, published in that place.

The Northwestern Advertiser, a sharp, spicy sheet, was instituted by C. B. Ma- ben, in 1880, the initial number being issued upon the 17th of October. The paper was "a thorn in the flesh" to all who disagreed with it or antagonized its precepts. Sharp, witty and ably con- ducted, it was one of the institutions of the county. In the latter part of 1882 it was, however, sold to George E. Frost, of Clear Lake, but was suspended that same fall, after but a few weeks of life under the new management. Mr. Maben, its projector, is now located in that rapidly growing metropolis of our neighbor State, Minnesota, Minneapolis.

The Hancock County Tribune, one of the leading representatives of the press of this locality, was instituted by E. E. Adams, Dec. 19, 1879, under the name of the Britt Tribune. This was a six column quarto paper, and continued to run in that shape until Oet. 15, 1881, when it was consolidated with the Hancock Inde- pendent, when the name of the paper was changed to its present one, and the pub- lishing firm to Adams & Elder, the latter being Walter Elder, late proprietor of the Independent. This firm was short-lived, being dissolved in February, 1882, Mr. Adams continuing the business alone. Previous to this, in Apri!, 1881, the size and form of the paper was changed to an

eight-column folio. In August, 1882, it underwent a further metamorphosis, being changed into a nine-column folio, which form it kept until January, 1883, when it returned to its former size of eight-column folio, with both sides printed at home, a form it retains at present. On the 15th of October, 1882, Mr. Adams purchased the subscription list of the Northwestern Iowa Advertiser, and the Tribune may be considered as the legitimate successor of that sheet.

Edwin Adams was born in Van Buren Co., Iowa, Jan. 12, 1853. In 1860 he went to Council Bluffs, remained four years, then returned to his native county. In December, 1866, he moved to Chickasaw county, entering the Courier office as a compositor and remaining until March, 1870. He then went to Grinnell, Iowa, attending the Iowa College until March, 1875, after which he went to Chicago and worked in the job office of the Inter Ocean for two years, the most of the time being in the proof reading department. He was then in the Park News Room build- ing for two years, after which he went to Hopkinton, Iowa, where he started the Tribune. After remaining here one year he came to Britt where he has since been in the newspaper business. He was ap- pointed postmaster in November, 1880, an office which he still hokls. Mr. Adams was married March 20, 1878, to Jennie MeCullon, a native of Ohio. They have one child-Mabel G. Mr. Adams is a member of the Congregational Church.

632

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIII.

GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY AND MISCELLANEOUS.

The county of Hancock lies in the see- ond tier from the north line of the State of Iowa, and about half way between the east and west limits of the same. It is surrounded by the counties of Winnebago, Cerro Gordo, Wright and Kossuth, re- spectively on the north, east, south and west. Hancock embraces the regulation sixteen congressional townships and con- tains 576 square miles or 368,640 acres.

This territory is divided into civil town- ships as follows: Ellington, Madison, Crystal, Bingham, Orthel, Britt, Garfield, Concord, Ell, German, Erin, Boone, Magor, Amsterdam, Twin Lakes and Avery.

The surface of Hancock county is beau- tifully diversified by flat and rolling prai- rie. In the center the land is generally flat, while in the northeast and south the land is more of a rolling nature. No bet- ter stock or grazing country exists than this the northern central part of Iowa. As to the soil and geological formation of this region, an alluvial. deposit, of many fect in depth, overlies a sub-strata of gravel or drift, countless yards in depth. In fact, the under strata has an almost in- calenlable extent, as scientific explorers reckon it by hundreds of feet.

It is watered by many small streams, that meander through the grassy mead- ows like silver ribbons in an emerald set-

ting, the largest being Lime creek, which crosses the northeast corner. Several tributaries of the Iowa river, take their rise within the boundaries of the county. There are several lakes-the largest being Eagle lake, near the center, but the finest of all is Crystal lake, in the township of Crystal. These lakes, generally, abound in fish.

An eminence in the northeast corner, partly in Winnebago county, called "Pilot Mound," is the highest point of land in this part of the State. From the summit of this elevation the eye may take in the greater portion of the four counties of Hancock, Winnebago, Worth and Cerro Gordo, with their prairies, groves, lakes, streams, farms and villages.

The northeast part of the county has a good supply of timber skirting "Pilot Mound," and the borders of Lime creek. Some fine groves are also found on the Iowa river, in the southeast part, and on the borders of several of the lakes.

The county also contains about 4,000 aeres of peat deposit, or thereabouts, a fuel resource that may be resorted to if necessary. The deposits are from four to ten feet in depth, and are principally in the central and western portion of the connty, but are not utilized at present.

633

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

There are no exposures of stratified rocks, The only stone to be obtained are the huge drift boulders, which are used for foundations of buildings. Good brick are made in various places.

The soil is generally a rich dark loam, adapted to the varions cereals, grasses and root crops. The country is well suited for stock raising and dairy purposes,

PRODUCTIONS AND STOCKS,

The productions are as various and as valuable as can be raised anywhere in the same climate. Of the great grain staples, wheat, for many years, was of primal im- portance, but for the last three or four, a change has taken place and corn has as- serted its claim to the first place upon the list. Oats, barley, potatoes and hay, are the principal crops besides the two above mentioned. The following table will give an idea of the growth of this favored land, and demonstrate the supremacy of king corn;

TABLE OF PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR 1874.

Bushels.

Wheat.

70,006 Corn.

57,899

Oats 48. 816

Potatoes.

6,801

Barley. 1,564

Buckwheat.

240

PRODUCTIONS OF THE YEAR 1879.

Bushels.

Corn. 255, 598

Wheat.

168.782

Oats. 140,371

Barley 12. 513

Potitoes 26, 188

Buckwheat. 945

Hay.

8,782

Since the time of taking this last een- sus, the marvelous growth in the produc- tion of two items on the list-potatoes and hay-are almost beyond parallel. In fact, so stupendous that without reliable figures to give as data, the fact would seem

incredible. The business of baling hay of wild prairie grass, has grown in the vicinity, to large proportions, and grow- ing with the years.

In the way of stock, Hancock county can make as good, if not a better, exhibit than any other in the northern half of the State, taking into consideration the number of inhabitants engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. A list is here presented, showing the comparative numbers of these and the amount of production thereof:

1874.

Horses in the county .. 564

Milch cows in the countv. 805

Pounds of butter produced. 39,934

Pounds of cheese pr duced. 16, 390

1879.

Horses owned in county 1,918

Milch cows owned in connty. 1,874

Other cattle owned in county. 5,732

Swine owned in county.

5,663

Sheep owned in county 268

Mules owned in county. 55

Pounds of butter produced. 116. 065

Pounds of cheese produced 4,750

Besides these cattle put down as be- longing to the residents of the county, countless myriads of foreign stock are driven to the counties to the south of this, and pastured on the rich and sueeu- lent grasses indigenous to this local- ity. Estimates based upon the observa- tion of citizens place this vast herd at not less than 13,000 annually. Of course, in common with most of those por- tions of Iowa where corn is the staple, swine are generally raised by the farmer and are no nnimportant factor in making np the yearly income.

CLIMATE, ETC.

Sunny Italy or France can boast no blner skies or brighter sunshine than the summers and antumus of Iowa, present. No! no land 'neath the canopy of Heaven.

634

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

The land is bright and beautiful and teeming with health. When the cold of winter has wrapped his furry mantle round this country, let the thermometer register hyperborean cold. yet the exceed- ing dryness of the atmosphere renders it not only bearable, but pleasant. The cold, b'eak winds that sometimes roam over these prairies, are alone unpleasant and the source of danger to the luckless wight exposed to their merciless fury. In point of health, from the best information that can be gathered, this county of Han- cock is no exception to the general charac- ter that the other counties have gained for the State.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Hancock County Agricultural So- ciety was organized at Britt on the 13th of August, 1881, and the following officers chosen for the ensuing year, for the man- agement thereof:

President, George Stubbins, Britt; vice- president, Lucien Tuttle, Britt; secretary, F. B. Rogers, Britt; treasurer, Thomas Daylor, Britt; directors, G. W. Beadle and G. R. Maben, Ellington township; James Lackore and L. II. Chase, Madison town- ship; 1I. C. Potter, Boone township; Her- man Brummund, Magor township; Fred Lentz, German township; Thomas Hymer, Britt township; Joseph Finch, Garfield township; John Burnside, Concord town- ship; A. D. White, Avery township; J. D. Bailey, Amsterdam township; mar- shal, R. B. Pope, Britt. Division superin- tendents, A-horses and mules, John Burnside; B-Shorthorns, James Elder; C-sheep and swine, James Diekirson; D-poultry, S. Howland; E-grain and vegetables, E. C. Packard; F-manufac-

tures, J. D. Gillett; G-household manu- factures, Mrs. E. C. Packard; H-fruits, C. C. Doolittle; I -- pantry stores, H. C. Potter; J -- fancy work, Mrs. C. C. Way.

At the same time, the following articles of incorporation and constitution were adopted :

WHEREAS, It is deemed expedient that an Agricultural Society should be organ- ized in Hancock county in such a manner as to become a body corporate under the general law of the State of Iowa relative to the formation and erection of corpora- tions, therefore it is

Resolred, That George Stubbins, Lucien Tuttle, Thomas Daylor, F. B. Rogers, John J. Clemens, Mat Johnson, H. E. R. Iliil, with their present and future associ- ates and successors, are hereby constituted a body' corporate, to continue forty years, with the right of renewal and perpetual snecession under the following

CONSTITUTION.

ART. I. This association shall be styled The Hancock County Agricultural Socie- ty. Its object shall be to advance the interests of agriculture, and agricultural and mechanical industry, to improve the stock and the mind.

ART. Il. The principal place of busi- ness shall be at Britt, Hancock Co., Iowa, and no capital is required other than the sum contributed annually by the mem- bers. The amount received from the State, county, donations, and for life memberships, and the proceeds of the an- mal exhibitions which can only be used for the legitimate objects of the society.

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History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 78

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950