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 93

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 93
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 93
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 93

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).

751

IIISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

which took place, the bear struck the knife out of Mr. Bearse's hand, which left him to contend with bruin single handed. He finally found a piece of burned limb, and struck the bear across the face with it, knocking him down, and then the bear ran off. Mr. Bearse was quite severely scratched in the struggle with the bear, but not seriously hurt.

"Mr. Bearse continued to reside in this county about twelve years, when he re- moved, but about one year ago he returned, and now makes his home with E. D. Skin- ner, in Norway township.

"Among other things he talked of were the Indians, who used to roam over this section. The Winnebagoes had their agency about forty miles north of here, up in Minnesota, and used to frequent this section to hunt. The Sioux, who were located still further north, and the Win- nebagoes were deadly enemies, and when the latter came here to hunt, the former used to follow them and try to kill them. On one occasion ten Sioux came to Mr. Bearse's house, but went away without doing any harm. On this same occasion, this same crowd killed a Winnebago, at Clear Lake, shooting him off a horse, and then entting his head off and carrying it away to sealp it. At one time, while Mr. Bearse was living at Forest City, Eagle Eye, a Sionx chief, who was pursued by his enemies, the Winnebagoes, took refuge in his house and was protected by him, and the pursuers driven away.

"Those were the days when deer were plenty in this section, and Mr. Bearxe says that he and Philip Tennis have had as many as 300 at one time hanging up in the woods. These animals were killed

for their skins, and their carcasses were left for other wild animals to feed on."

INDIANS.

When the first settlers landed in Win- nebago county, and for several years af- ter, there were several bands of Indians, of the Winnebago tribe, who made this their home. Their number varied-at times there were fully 100, again but a handful. During the summer they would bury their pots and kettles in the ground, and, leaving their tepees standing, would go north into Minnesota to hunt and trap, returning in the fall, laden with the spoils of the chase. For the most part they were harmless, and seldom attempted vio- lenee. They were, however, meddlesome and inclined to thievishness, and often caused the settlers much annoyance. But when such was the case, three cool, brave men could go into a camp where fifty In- dians were collected, and invariably get back the stolen articles.

At one time Robert Stephens and family left their home to visit John S. Blowers, about a mile distant. In the middle of the afternoon Mr. Stephens re- turned home alone, and on reaching his house found the door broken open, and on examination discovered that a number of trinkets and provisions had been sto- len. He at once returned to Mr. Blowers and related what had occurred. They de- eided that the depredation had been com- mitted by the Indians. Accordingly, Frank Byford, Blowers, Stephens and John Furney started for the Indian camp to reclaim the stolen articles. They went to Porter, the head chief, and demanded that the loss be made good. After a brief consultation among the Indians, the blame

752

IIISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

of the theft was laid to Black Pigeon, who offered to give a blanket and new gun to settle the difficulty. This offer was accepted by the whites, who then de- manded some traps that had been stolen some days previous. These were also re- turned. As the whites were about leav- ing the tepee, an Indian by the name of Toshanigan attempted to push by them through the entrance. He had a gun partly concealed beneath his blanket, and his looks betokened mischief. Porter, the chief, suddenly said, in a tone of warning, "Be careful, Toshanigan is angry." The sit- uation was at once taken in by the whites, and Stephens, wheeling upon the Indian, grasped the muzzle of the gun, and shoving him back into the tepee, said,"By G-d ! if you don't put up that gun and sit down, I'll cut a hickory and give you the worst hickorying you ever got." Toshanigan sat down, and the whites went away unmo- lested. The Indians were by no means desirous of having a war with the whites, and the settler who preserved a calm, de- termined bearing among them was never harmed.

Philip Tennis was sitting before his fire one wintry night, partly undressed, when suddenly the door was burst open and in dashed a half dozen Indians. They were intoxicated, and at once made for Mr. Tennis, showing signs of hostili- ty. He promptly met them, knocked one over into the fire, then leaped through the door out into the night. The Indians searched for him in vain; he was safely hidden in the bushes, and they soon left, venting their disappointment in howls and whoops of rage.

They were very fond of liquor, and would use any means to get a pint of whiskey. One by the name of Diek Sharo came to John Blowers' mill one time, and offered to give him a bear skin for a pint of whiskey. Mr. Blowers said no, that he had no whiskey. But the In- dian insisted, and finally Blowers said, "Where is your bear skin?" The Indian replied, making a motion with his hands and feet as though the bear was still run- nìng, ' Ugh ! me kill um-me kill um, morrow."

753

IIISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

CHAPTER IV.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

When Winnebago county was organ-) ized, its local government was vested in the county court. This court consisted of a judge, clerk and sheriff. The judge had almost absolute control and jurisdic- tion in all matters. Ile had all the pow- ers now vested in the board of county supervisors; had jurisdiction in all mat- ters of probate, issued marriage licenses and attended to all financial matters. The first county judge was Robert Clark, who was succeeded by J. K. Boyd, and he by Samuel Tennis. The records of the pro- ceedings of the county court were de- stroyed by fire, in the fall of 1861, and a perfect report of the government cannot be given.

The first case, which came before Judge Clark, was an election contest case, enti- tled: Iowa, rs. George Nichols, James Jenkinson and John H. T. Ambrose. These parties were arrested for perjury on complaint of John Maben. They had sworn in their votes and complainant en- deavored to prove that they were not citi- zens and not entitled to vote, which, if so decided by the court, would elect David Secor treasurer of Winnebago county. The case was duly tried, evidence pre- sented and weighed by the judge, who decided that defendants were not guilty,

dismissed the case and ordered the pris- oners set at liberty.

COURT HOUSE.

One of the most important of the offi- cial actions of the first county judge was to provide for the erection of a substan- tial court house-one in which the county could take pride. The question of build- ing a $20,000 court house was agitated, and a petition that such should be built was signed by all but one of the voters of the county. Judge Clark then, on the part of the county, entered into a con- tract with Martin Bumgardner for the erection of the building to cost that amount. County bonds were issued and Judge Clark went to New York city with Mr. Bumgardner, where the bonds were sold. Mr. Bumgardner returned to Forest City with a stock of goods and commenced in the mercantile business, but did not at once begin work on the court house. Finally, after much delay, the people im- pressed Mr. Bumgardner that the time had come when the court house must be built, and accordingly he began work on the foundation. About this time the county supervisor system was put into operation, and a board elected by the county. This new board decided that the county could not afford so costly a build- ing, and passed a resolution repudiating

754

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

the bonds issued by Judge Clark. An in- junction was served on Mr. Bumgardner restraining him from the further prosecu- tion of his work, and thus the matter stood for some time. Finally the courts decided that the action of Judge Clark was legal, and that the county was holden for bonds issued. In the meantime, however, Mr. Bumgardner had continued work on a smaller and cheaper court house, which he had completed. He demanded pay for this building, and through his agent, W. C. Stanberry, of Mason City, made a proposi- tion to settle for $3,500. After much deliberation and several postponements, the supervisors accepted the proposition, and ordered the amount paid to W. C. Stanberry. The court house is a brick structure, two stories in height, and fur- nishes ample room for the county officers. It stands in the center of Forest City, in the court house square.

SUPERVISORS.

In 1859 an act was passed by the Gen- eral Assembly of Iowa, which changed the form of local government in the various counties throughout the State. This act provided for the election of a body termed the "board of supervisors," to supercede the old system of county court, and this board was vested with nearly all the authority formerly held by the court. The new board, as provided by the act of the Assembly, consisted of one supervisor from each organized township, making two members in all, as the county at this time was divided into but two townships, Forest and Pleasant.

Owing to the burning of the official proceedings of this board, for the first year, no record can be given dating prior to

January, 1862. The names, however, of the members of the board for 1861 were as follows: E. D. Stockton, John Ander- son and A. K. Curtis, clerk.

Jan. 6, 1862, the board of supervisors met at the court house in Forest City, with the following members present: Al- len T. Cole, Charles D. Smith and A. K. Curtis, county clerk and ex-officio member. The board proceeded to effeet a perma- nent organization by the election of Charles D. Smith as chairman for the en- suing year. The first act passed upon at this meeting was to authorize the clerk of the board "to draw warrants of the treas- urer for all accounts allowed at this ses- sion."

At an adjourned meeting, held the day following, a motion was adopted, which is here given verbatim as taken from the clerk's book:

"Resolved, That John II. T.Ambrose be and he is hereby appointed as Referee to settle with Chas. H. Day, Ex-Treasurer and Recorder, of Winnebago County, Ia. Robert Clark we appointed on part C. II. Day meet County Referee and said Am- brose and Clark gave Bonds for faithful performance of their duty and were also sworn into office."

To in part explain this unique record, it may be well to state that shortly before the expiration of the term of office of C. H. Day as treasurer and recorder, the records of his office, with others, were totally destroyed by fire, and the super- visors adopted the above plan for settle- ment. On January 25, the referees made their report to the board, in which they set forth that Mr. Day owed the county about $5,000, which amount was at once

755

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

paid to the supervisors in county warrants. Mr. Day then presented his bill for bal- ance due on salary, $189.80, which was ordered to be paid.

In August the board met as per adjourn- ment with C. D. Smith, chairman: A. T. Cole, supervisor; and John H. T. Am- brose, deputy clerk, present. Among other business transacted the following motion was passed:

"That each volunteer shall receive a bounty of $50 out of the county fund at the time of enlistment. Also, that each volunteer's wife shall receive from clerk 81 per week and each child fifty cents per week during the time said volunteer is in the service of the United States, or until the present war is ended."

At this meeting J. H. T. Ambrose was appointed clerk of district court, to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of A. K. Curtis, the former incumbent.

Jan. 5, 1863, the board met at Forest City. Present, C. D. Smith, chairman, William Lackore, supervisor eleet, B. F. Wellman, supervisor at large, and E. D. Hinman, clerk. At this meeting, John S. Blowers presented a petition to divide Forest township. Petition laid over till next day and when then taken up, after due consideration the board decided waive action in the matter until their next meet- ing. At the next meeting, April 6, the petition was rejected.

At the meeting of the board, Sept. 14, 1863, a very important petition was pre- sented. The petition asked the board to submit to the voters of Winnebago county, at the next general election, the question, "whether the county of Winnebago will change its southern boundary line so as to

inelude within Winnebago county the north eight townships of Hancock county." The question was put in the shape of a motion, and,on vote, was carried, the clerk being ordered to give notice of election according to law. The election was held and the question defeated.

At the meeting of November 3, of this year, the court house was purchased by the board. Below is given a copy of the agreement between W. C. Stanberry and the board which explains itself.

AGREEMENT.

"I have this day sold to Winnebago Co., Iowa, the brick court house erected by Martin Bumgardner on the public square in Forest City, Iowa.

"Also-A certain contract entered into, by and between Robert Clark, county judge, and Martin Bumgardner, wherein the said Bumgardner, for the sum of $20,000, agreed to build a court house in said Forest City on or before the 9th day of June, 1864, said contract having been by said Robert Clarke, county judge, ex- tended to the 9th day of June, 1869. Therefore the court house still remaining unbuilt and the money unpaid, I agree to relinquish all claim or claims upon said contract and the same to be entirely null and void.

"Also-The forced contract by which the first above named court house was built.

"Also-The sum of $4,800 in bonds and coupons and interest thereon which the said Stanberry relinquishes to said Winnebago connty. The said W. C. Stanberry for himself, the firm of Card & Stanberry, of which he is a member, and for Martin Bumgardner, doth covenant that he is the

756

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

owner in fee simple of all the property named and that he has a good right and lawful authority to sell the same, and does by these presents sell the same to the county of Winnebago, Iowa.

[Signed ] W. C. STANBERRY."

"We, the undersigned supervisors of Winnebago county, State of Iowa, accept the above proposition of W. C. Stanberry, and order the clerk to issue county war- rants unto said Stanberry, when the said Stanberry complies with the above prop- osition, to the amount of $3,500; two thousand dollars of which is in full pay- ment for the above described court house and fifteen hundred dollars of which is in full payment for the bonds and coupon bonds and contract as therein set forth.

"Witness our hands this 3d day of November, 1863.

[Signed] CHARLES D. SMITH, Chairman.

WILLIAM LACKORE, B. F. WELLMAN, Supervisors."

Dec. 14, 1863, the board met to canvas the votes returned from the different townships. After this was done the fol- lowing resolution was adopted:

"Resolved, That any one who will volun- teer from this county before the 5th of January, 1864, or before there is a draft in the State, or county, shall receive the sum of $200, and any one who is drafted shall receive the sum of $100, the war- rants to be issued when cach volunteer or drafted person is accepted into the United States service."

At a regular meeting of the board, June 6, 1864, the first business transacted was to provide for the payment of a

bounty on black birds, crows and gophers. The resolution as passed by the board is quite amusing, and is here given as found upon the records:

"Resolved, That a bounty of five cents per capitum be allowed on all black birds, crows and gophers killed in this county, to be paid in county orders. And the clerk was anthorized to issue such orders when the person claiming bounty shall produce sufficient proof that such animals have been killed in the county, and that there has never before been any bounty paid on them, and provided that there is enough to make $1."

At the same meeting the board per- fected the re-division of the county into civil townships, described as follows:

Norway township to comprise sections 7 to 30 inclusive, of township 100, ranges 23, 24, 25 and 26.

Pleasant township to comprise sections 31 to 36 inclusive, of township 100, ranges 23, 24, 25 and 26; also sections 1 to 18 in- clusive, of township 99, ranges 23, 24, 25 and 26.

Center township to comprise sections 18 to 36 inclusive, of township 99, ranges 23, 24, 25 and 26; also all of township 98, range 23, and sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 36; also that part of the east one-half of sec- tion 35 north of L street and east of Fourth street in Forest City, in township 98, range 24.

Forest township to comprise sections 18 to 36 inclusive, of township 99, range 26, and all of township 98, ranges 25 and 26; all of sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 and the west one-half of section 35, and

757

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

all south of L street and west of Fourth street in Forest City, in township 98, range 24.

At the meeting of the board on the 1st of August, of this year, a petition was presented, signed by a majority of the voters in the county, asking that the board order an election to be held on the 3d of September, 1864, "for the purpose of de- termining whether the board of super- visors shall or shall not levy a special tax of six mills to pay off the indebtedness of the county." After dne consideration the petition was granted and an election ordered.

The election was held, and on the 6th of September the board convened to can- vass the votes, which resulted as follows:

For the tax. 21-16 Against the tax. 5

The board then proceeded to levy the following tax for the year:

State fund (on the dollar). .0021

Ordinary county revenue. .004

Special tax. . .006

Relief of soldier's families. .002

School fund. .001

Bridge fund.

.001

At the same meeting the board decreed that "each volunteer or drafted man from the county under the call of the President for 500,000 men, should receive a bounty of $200, and that the wife and cach child under thirteen years of age should receive $1 a piece per week for their support while said volunteer was in the service of the United States."

The board for 1865 was composed of the following members: C. D. Smith, Pleasant township; Joseph Tennis, Nor- way; Robert Clark, Center, and Jesse Bonar, Forest township. Chairman for the year, Robert Clark. In April, of

this year, Joseph Tennis resigned his seat as supeivisor from Norway township, and Samuel Tennis was appointed to fill the vacancy.

At a meeting of the board, Jan. 10, 1865, the following resolution was passed: "Resolved, By the board of supervisors of Winnebago Co., Iowa, that the sum of 81,000 be, and the same is hereby appro- priated to each and every person volun- tecring from said county to fill the quota of cach township of said county; said ap- propriation to be paid in warrants on the treasury of the county, said warrants to be payable one half in one year from date, and one half in two years from date of their issuance, and to draw interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum."

In 1866 the first meeting was held, on the 1st of January, with the following named members present : Robert Clarke, supervisor from Center township; Jesse Bonar, Forest township ; Samuel Tennis, Norway township ; and George Thomas, Pleasant township. Permanent organiza- tion was effected by the election of Rob- ert Clarke as chairman for the ensuing year.

At a meeting of the board Jan. 5, 1866, a petition was presented, signed by J. S. Blowers and others, praying the board to give an additional bounty to the soldiers who volunteered from this county, and who have received but little county bounty. After due consideration it was resolved that those volunteer soldiers, who had received less than $300, should have issued to them warrants sufficient to make up for what was lacking. These war- rants were made to bear interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum and were

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

payable one-third in one year and the bal- ance in two years.

In 1867 the board met January 7, and elected George Thomas chairman. Mem- bers elected were Ole Anderson, Norway township ; A. T. Cole, Center ; and John Ambrose, Forest township. In November, of this year, Ole Anderson resigned his position on the board as a member from Norway township and Joseph Tennis was appointed to fill the vacancy.

The ensuing year the board consisted of the following named : Joseph Tennis, chairman, supervisor from Norway town- ship ; A. T. Cole, Center township; John II. T. Ambrose, Forest township, and S. D. Wadsworth, Pleasant township.

At a meeting of the board, June 3, 1868, the county was divided into five civil townships as follows :

Norway township to comprise township 100, ranges 24, 25 and 26; and also the west half of township 100, range 23.

Pleasant township to comprise the east half of township 100, range 23 ; the north half of township 99, ranges 23 and 24, and sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, of township 99, range 26.

Center township to comprise the south half of township 98, range 23; also see- tions 1 to 30, inclusive, section 36, and all that part of Forest City located east of Fourth street and north of Sstreet, in town- ship 98, range 24; and also sections 31 to 36, inclusive, of township 99, range 26.

lowa township to consist of the south half of township 99, range 23; also north half of township 98, range 23 ; and see- tions 19 to 30, inclusive, of township 99, range 24.

Forest township to comprise all of town- ship 98, range 26 ; also sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32,of township 98, range 25; also sections 31 to 34, inelu- sive, the west half of section 35, the south- west quarter of the southeast half of sec- tion 35, and all that part of Forest City, lying south of S street and west of Fourth street in township 98, range 24.

In 1869 the board was composed of the following named persons : C. H. Laek- ore, chairman and supervisor, for Forest township ; W. Higginbottam, Center township ; John Iverson, Norway town- ship; A. N. Brones, Iowa township, and S. D. Wadsworth for Pleasant township.

In 1870, the board met on the 3d of January, and was composed of the follow- ing members : C. H. Lackore, chairman; W. Higginbottam, John Iverson, A. N. Brones and C. D. Smith.

This was the last meeting of county legislature, or supervisors made up of one member from each township. The Gen- eral Assembly, by an act, changed the manner of local government; and the board of supervisors was re-arranged so as to be composed of three, who were to be elected at large throughout the county. The first board, under this law, which is yet in force, convened on the 2d of Janu- ary, 1871, the members being Charles D. Smith, R. O. Ilaughland and B. F. Well- man. The oath of office was admin- istered by the auditor, and the new board organized by the election of C. D. Smith, chairman.

The members of the board from that time until 1883, inclusive, are as follows : COUNTY SUPERVISORS FROM 1871 to 1884. 1871-C. D. Smith, chairman ; R. O. Ilaughland, and Benjamin F. Wellman.

759

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

1872-W. O. Hanson, C. D. Smith and R. O. Haughland.

1873-W. O. Hanson, C D. Smith and A. N. Brones.

1874-S. D. Wadsworth, W. O. Hanson and A. N. Brones.

1875-S. D. Wadsworth, A. N. Brones and P. H. Peterson.

1876-S. D. Wadsworth, P. H. Peter- son and J. W. Fisher.

1877-P. H. Peterson, J. W. Fisher and Knut Johnson.

1878-James W. Fisher, Knut Johnson and P. H. Peterson.

1879 -- J. W. Fisher, Knut Johnson and P. H. Peterson.

1880-J. W. Fisher, P. H. Peterson and Knut Johnson.

1881-J. W. Fisher, Knut Johnson and Andrew N. Honge.

1882-Knut Johnson, A. N. Honge and S. G. Honsey.

1883-William Larson, A. N. Honge and S. G. Honsey.

At the meeting of the board of super- visors in June, 1875, the county was re- distrieted into civil townships. The re- sult is here given:

Forest township to comprise township 98, ranges 23, 24, 25 and 26.

Center township to consist of township 99, ranges 23, 24, 25 and 26.

Norway township to comprise all of township 100, ranges 23, 24, 25 and 26.

TOWNSHIPS IN 1883.

In 1883 Winnebago county was com- posed of seven civil townships, namely: Norway, Center, Mount Valley, Forest, Linden, Newton and Logan.

Mount Valley was created by act of the board of supervisors in January, 1879,

and embraced all of township 98, range 23 west, of the fifth principal meridian.

Linden, set off in April, 1880, com- prised all of township 98, of ranges 25 and 26.

Forest, which had formerly embraced all the southern tier of congressional townships, was thus left township 98, range 24.

Newton was set off in April, 1881, and consisted of all of township 99, ranges 24, 25 and 26, leaving

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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 93

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