USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 24
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" "Fis not the fairest form that holds The mildest, purest soul within ; 'Tis not the richest plant that holds The sweetest fragrance in."
Gabriel Carpenter, a native of Lancaster. Pennsylvania, was born in 1801. Ile arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1852 and invested all his funds in 500 acres of land in what has now become the heart of the eity. Various addi- tions in this eity have been named in honor of this early real estate owner, who devoted all his time in the upbuilding of this city until his death in 1881. Mr. Carpenter saw many hardships in his early career in life, but with great perse- verance overcame all. The first Inmber he used was hauled by oxen from Musca- tine. Ile became early interested in various enterprises in the city. He always gave liberally of his means to all worthy objects and assisted in advancing all public enterprises which he believed would prove a benefit to the city. His widow, Mrs. Maria Carpenter, born in 1820, is still living and resides in this city, hon- ored and respected by all.
Dr. S. D. Carpenter was born in 1826. and is a son of Gabriel Car- penter. In the early fifties he came to Cedar Rapids and located here for the practice of medicine. He soon gave up medicine for the more exciting and more lucrative vocation of railway building, banking. and handling of real estate. He now resides in Chicago.
John E. Kurtz was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1817. emi- grated to lowa in 1847, and became one of the founders of Lisbon. He was for more than half a century a well known farmer, merchant, and miller. In early life Mr. Kurtz was a whig in politics, later going over to the republican party. A large number of his descendants still reside in this county.
Peter D. Harman was a native of Adams county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1816. In 1840 he came to Iowa City. locating in Lin county two years later. Mr. Harman assisted in the building of the state capitol at lowa City, and also in the erection of the first court house in Linn county. In his day
AT OLD SETTLERS' REUNION, MARION
A PARK SCENE IN MARION
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and generation Mr. Harman was considered one of the most skillful stone and briek masons in this part of the country. He died in Bertram township in 1896, and is survived by a number of children who are residents of this county.
Barnett Lutz eame to Linn county in 1839 and was one of the best known of the old settlers. At the time of his death in 1901 he was one of the oldest pioneers in the county. Mr. Lutz was a true pioneer, and did much in building up the new country.
C. J. Ives was not a pioneer settler in Linn county, but he was a pioneer in developing railway properties in the state. Mr. Ives was a native of New Eng- land, coming to Lee county in 1847, drifting into mining in Colorado, and not till 1862 did he turn his attention to railroading. He was for a number of years president of the B., C. R. & N. railway, which he developed into one of the best paying railway properties in the west. He resigned when that road was absorbed by the Rock Island system. Mr. Ives during his long residence in Linn county was deeply interested in the welfare of his employees, and in the upbuilding of Cedar Rapids. He was also interested in banks, electric light companies, and other large enterprises. He was a practical business man, capable and forceful, with a mind ever active in planning and executing great things. He was uni- versally respected by his employees, and never forgot in word, act, or deed that he was only an associate and not a superior. No railway official at the time of his death a few years ago had more friends among the railroad men than Mr. Ives.
David W. King, the founder of Kingston, settled in Linn county in 1839 when Indians were numerous and the white settlers seattered. Mr. King was a native of Westmorland county, Pennsylvania, who went to Michigan early and from there drove an ox team across the country to Iowa, entering land on the west side of the river, which land is now a part of Cedar Rapids. Mr. King operated the first ferry across the Cedar river and had to obtain his material for the erection of the same from Dubuque and Museatine, all of which was hanled in wagons across the country. The cable used in operating the ferry was of wire, which was brought from Dubuque on horseback. The town of Kingston he platted in 1850. Mr. King was a real promoter, who early comprehended the future of Cedar Rapids. In order to induce people to locate on the west side of the river he was liberal and publie-spirited, giving away many lots for factory sites and other enterprises. He passed away in 1854 at the age of forty-six, just at a time when he had attained to a prominent place as one of the leading citizens of the town. in the promotion of which he had devoted all his time and versatile talents.
Robert Smyth, who died in 1898 at his home at Mount Vernon, was in many respeets one of the most enterprising men in Linn county. Born in Ireland in 1814, and emigrating to America in 1834, he drifted into Linn county in 1840 and soon became an extensive dealer in real estate, as well as a banker, and during all his life took an active part in polities. He was a member of the Sixth Terri- torial legislature in 1843-44, a member of the state legislature in 1846-48. Mr. Smyth was also paymaster of the United States army, disbursing more than $10,000,000.00 during his term of office. In 1868 he was once more returned to the state senate where he served for four years, and in 1884 served another term in the house. He was also delegate to many state conventions, and outside of the late Charles Weare knew more of the publie men of Iowa than any other man in Linn county. Mr. Smyth was a brother of William Smyth, the well known jurist, who died a member of congress from this distriet.
Edward M. Crow, by some people believed to be the first actual white settler in the county. was born in Orange county. Indiana, in 1816 of ancestors who had previously emigrated from North Carolina. John Crow, the father, came to Linn county to the neighborhood of Viola in 1838, and there he died in March, 1841. It is thought that Ed Crow erossed the Mississippi river in 1837
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and on July 4th laid claim to a tract of land on section 13 in Brown township. This, it would seem, that Abbe preceded him by several months. In company with Crow at that time there came Harrison Crow, a brother, as well as James Dawson, who built cabins on what is now known as Crow's creek near Viola. They also put up a little hay that fall. Thus, while these were among the first settlers, it must be conceded that they did not precede Abbe. Haskins, or Hahn in locating in Linn county. Ed Crow. it is true, was one of the early settlers and well known, a typical pioneer, but he was not the first settler, although he arrived in the historic year of 1837, when the white settlers were beginning to move into the territory not yet vacated by the red men.
In mentioning the men who were factors in the upbuilding of Iowa, Theodore S. l'arvin should not be omitted. During his residence in Lin county he de- voted most of his time to the upbuilding of a unique Masonie library. He was known throughout the United States as one of the leaders of that order. Mr. Parvin's love of colleeting together many things was only one of the many sided- ness of a remarkable personage. Mr. Parvin was born in Cedarville, New Jersey. Educated in the east, he drifted west to Cineinnati and there met Robert Lucas, recently appointed governor of Iowa Territory. Mr. Parvin had been a teacher and had been admitted to the bar so he was well qualified for his mission as secretary to the governor. After coming to Burlington Mr. Parvin was United States attorney, clerk of the federal court, registrar of the state land office, and for many years professor and regent of the State University of Iowa. During all these years he lectured and wrote nich. He died June 28. 1901, one of the most widely known and most honored men in the state. "Steadfast in faith, without trace of cant. he walked the ways of life with simple trust in the Infinite wisdom and passed to his death relying on the guidance of an unseen hand, " says his biographer.
Julius E. Sanford was one of the platters of the city of Cedar Rapids, and was a wide-awake, enterprising young man who for a while was in partnership with N. W. Isbell. Mr. Sanford was a native of Connecticut and was well edu- cated on coming west where he took up the practice of the law and engaged in real estate. He removed to Dubuque in 1845, where he died in 1847. leaving a widow, Henrietta E. Sanford, who in 1848 married David Wilson. She died in 1898. Perit Sanford, who figures in early real estate transfers, was the father of Julins Sanford, and heir of the estate, as the son died without children.
Thomas Craig was an old settler in Linn county, and one of the best known men in the community. Mr. Craig was odd in some ways. He wore a white over- coat and had a fondness for horses. He was a stanch Methodist. and at times would be reprimanded. for he refused to lead in prayer. Mr. Craig died many years ago, respected and honored by all with whom he had come in contact. One of his daughters was married to N. B. Brown and another to JJesse Becchly. who recently died in his old homestead in Franklin township.
Dr. Eber L. Mansfield was born in Canaan. Ohio. in 1821. He received a classical education and also took a medical course later. On leaving home his father gave him a horse, saddle-bags, and an outfit, and he started out for himself. He taught school in Kentucky and then came overland on horseback to Iowa in 1847, crossing the Cedar river near the lower bridge. He was assisted by W. W. and M. A. Higley, two young men who later became his friends and fellow workers in the upbuilding of Cedar Rapids. The gold fever of 1850 took the doctor away from his praetice. and by August, 1850, he had arrived at the gold diggings. On the way he had made money, as he doctored a great many who were sick with fevers. Hle purchased two teams and did teaming from Sacramento to Shaw's Flats for about two years when he got tired and sold ont, returning by way of Panama and New Orleans. He came back to Cedar Rapids, which city remained his home until his death. Dr. Mansfield was one of the best known and most
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successful physicians of his day and generation. IIe invested in city real estate, in bank stoek, and was stockholder in insurance companies. His was a rugged, strong character. He early saw the possibilities of the city, and was one of the first to invest in its real estate. He erected brick buildings in the heart of the city which are now owned by his children, and are very valuable.
William Rogers, a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1830, eame to Linn county and settled in Rogers Grove in the early forties. Mr. Rogers was an enterprising man and was one of the first to ereet a saw mill and to raft lumber down the river to Muscatine in order to find a market for it. In an age when straw sheds were common he went to work and erected one of the best and largest barns in the country. In this barn he stacked his grain and threshed it by walking the horses over it, the wheat dropping through the floor to a floor below where it was cleaned. Mr. Rogers died many years ago, one of the best known men in southern Linn county. His widow, Elizabeth MeNie, is still liv- ing, making her home with her son, James M. Rogers, of Fairfax township.
Chandler Jordan, born in 1820 in the state of Maine, came to Linn county in 1844, where he made his home until his death a short time ago. Mr. Jordan was a lifelong member of the Baptist church, which he supported and in which he was an active worker all his life. He was interested in the public schools, and in public affairs in general. Jordan's Grove is named in honor of this sturdy old pioneer.
G. W. Matsell, for many years a resident of Buffalo township, where he owned some 2,000 aeres of land which he purchased at an early day, was a well known character in New York city in the old days of Tammany Hall. He was chief of poliee and a prominent politician for many years till the breaking up of the party with which he was closely associated. Then he came here where his family still resides. Mr. Matsell of course spent much time in New York, where he had financial interests, but he liked the west and enjoyed the summers in Iowa. He was a demoerat of the old school, but never entered into the game of politics after coming west, having had his fill of it in the New York political ring for many years.
The Matsell home was a hospitable one and many were the people George Matsell entertained during his residence in Iowa. Visitors came from all over the country, for he was well known. Mr. Matsell entertained royally and knew how to entertain. The history of New York city eannot be written withont the mention of G. W. Matsell, police chief, a member of the Committee of Seventy, and a well known character for many years during the stormy days of the Civil war. His son still resides on the old homestead.
Robert Safely was a native of Scotland. He emigrated to New York at the age of fourteen. He saw the first engine to run with steam in the state of New York. For many years Mr. Safely was master mechanie for the old B., C. R. & N. system, and was a familiar figure on the streets of Cedar Rapids up to the time of his death, a short time ago. Mr. Safely was an expert mechanic and up to the time of his death was interested in everything pertaining to mechanical science.
Many of our earlier citizens only remained here for a shorter or longer time and left for other parts where they later attained to prominence. Who does not remember W. II. Ingham, one of Kossuth eounty's pioneers, who lived in this county in 1850 and for five years was engeged in surveying and loeating lands for early settlers? Judge Thomas Burke, a noted character of Seattle and now wealthy, tried his luck at the law here waiting for elients who never came. When Mr. Burke was picked up by J. J. IIill on the coast then every one wanted this once briefless barrister as his legal adviser. Bishop C. C. MeCabe lived here for a number of years, and no one had any idea that the rolicky, fun-making, joking young beardless lad in the employ of Judge Greene and others would develop
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into a great leeturer and a Methedist bishop. Dr. J. T. Headley, of lecture fame, practiced medieine here in the late sixties, and was a quiet, unassuming man, who minded his own business and devoted days and nights to books and science. Ilere lived for some years the eloquent divine, Rev. Fawcett, a person of great eloquence and foree of character who left Cedar Rapids better for having lived in it. One cannot forget Rev. Elias Skinner, now living in Water- loo, also a Methodist minister of force and eloquence who at various times lived in Linn county. Rev. Skinner, despite his eighty-three years, is well and hearty and can relate many things which occurred in this county in the fifties and sixties. He writes as follows:
"I think Linn county is about the very best county in Iowa. Five different times I had my home in old Linn. I never did anything worthy of special mon- tion at either time. In each of the four places where I lived I blundered into doing things which I would rather not have recalled. So please excuse me. I write with pencil because I can't guide a pen.
"Yours.
E. SKINNER."
COL. DURHAM TO THE OLD SETTLERS - ADDRESS BEFORE ASSOCIATION. AUGUST 1902
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Old Settlers' Society: In calling this assemblage to order I wish to say to you all, to the new-comers, the strangers who honor us with their presenee, that, in the name of our society, we bid you a most hearty welcome and say as a good hostess would, come again.
Many of you I knew in territorial times, when we were seeking and establish- ing new homes, in the far new country beyond the Mississippi, and aiding in our humble way to lay the foundation of the present famous commonwealth of Iowa. The first settlements were made along and near the Mississippi river. There were but two counties, Dubuque and Des Moines, and the country was called the Black Hawk Purchase. The purchase negotiated with the Sae and Fox Indians. by General Scott and Governor Reynolds, at the close of the Black Hawk war, consisted of a strip averaging about fifty miles wide, beginning in the north- eastern part of the state and running to the north boundary of Missouri, though not on a straight line, at a point fifty miles west of the river. It was under the jurisdiction of the territory of Michigan, and was represented in congress, as a territorial delegate, by George Wallace Jones.
In 1837 a few townships in the northwestern part of this county were surveyed by a surveyor general deputy named Haight. And soon thereafter Edward Crow and a few other adventurers came. Their only roads were fragments of Indian trails. They were delighted with the country and the smooth, polished surface of the unbroken prairie in all the grandeur and sublimity of its primeval state. Sages have sung of the charms seen in the face of such solitudes and ] would say that I never felt nearer the great Creator and Ruler of the universe than when in regions before untrod by civilized man, where the forces of nature reigned supreme, and no sounds broke the silence except the hoo-hooing of owls. the drumming of pheasants, the bugle notes of the swan, the quacking of smaller fowls, the barking of prairie wolves, and in a timbered country, the hungry, deso- late howl of the large wolf, and sometimes, though seldom. the piteous wail of the panther. It's no wonder thot Moses retired to the top of a distant mountain with the roar of thunder and the flashes of lightning beneath him to talk with God.
In 1838 another strip of country was acquired from the Indians, embracing the remainder of Linn county. Possession was given in 1839, when a continuous immigration commenced, which dates back to the coming of many of the families represented here today, our respected secretary among them, and not long after
7
JJJJ
COURT HOUSE, MARION
WAPSIE RIVER AND MILL Built in the '50s at Central City
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that our treasurer. Previous to its organization in 1839, Linn county was, with Jones county, attached for judicial, revenue, and election purposes to Jackson county. In 1838 the territory of Iowa was struck off from Wisconsin, Robert Lucas was appointed governor by President Van Buren, and William Wallace Chapman was elected first delegate to congress, with both of whom I was ac- quainted in the constitutional convention in 1844. Governor Lucas was a Vir- ginian by birth, though raised in Ohio, where he had served as governor. He was one of nature's noblemen, not for pomposity and fine equipage, but for all the traits that make up true manhood - modesty, courage, honesty, integrity, pat- riotism, and morality.
Soon after the organization of the territory the Missouri war began. This related to the boundary line between the two states. It lasted some time, but like the Ohio and Michigan war, was bloodless, though a good deal of patriotism and red tape and military titles were shed. The trouble was finally settled by the surveyors and the courts.
In 1839 Linn county was organized. The first officers were John C. Berry, commissioner's clerk or auditor ; Hosea W. Gray, sheriff; Dr. Tryon, clerk of the court ; Luman W. Strong, Samuel C. Stewart, and Peter McRoberts, county com- missioners. Squire Strong was a potential factor in all Linn county affairs. Mr. Stewart was distinguished for his piety. His wife was a sister of those sturdy pioneers, the Scott brothers. In 1840 the territory contained 43,000 inhabitants ; Augustus C. Dodge was elected delegate to congress, and George Greene a member of the territorial council, or senate, to represent Cedar, Linn, and Jones counties. In 1841 the remainder of Linn county was surveyed by the United States depu- ties, with all of whom I was acquainted and in their camps - but chiefly with Mr. Welden.
After these surveys were made, claim-making and improving and trading became very lively, and the ratio of immigration increased all the time. There was more disturbance and trouble and fighting about claims than from all other eauses put together. I will give only a few instances of the many with which I am acquainted. A man by the name of Wolcott, near Mount Vernon, had his elaim entered. He reported it to the claim association. They sent a committee of three men to the intruder and demanded that he should relcase and caneel his purchase, which he refused to do. Whereupon they procured a conveyanec and told him that he must go to Dubuque with them. Knowing the settler's law was against him, he made no further resistance, but went before the register and receiver, cancelled his entry, and his money was returned to him. The matter eame up shortly after that before the grand jury at Marion on the charge of coercion and kidnaping. Samuel Hunter. Sr., of Hunter's Cross Roads, was one of the jury, Joseph Williams was judge, P. W. Earle. clerk, and Nathan Peddy- eord. of Yankee Grove, was another juryman, and I was foreman. William Abbe and Squire Waln of Mount Vernon were witnesses. Robert Smith was secretary of the claim association and Oliver Day or Allison Willits president. No bill was found and the matter stopped and never reached the supreme court.
Another claim case originated in the Dry Creek country, and came to a elimax in a rather exciting way. There were a number of us attending an Indian banquet and pow-wow at a place called Wiek-i-up Hollow, near the Cedar river, two or three nles south of the Oliphant and Ashlock neighborhood. The regular guests were seated in a semi-circle in the wiek-i-up; we were only eallers. The exercises consisted of short talks, chants and choruses. each keeping time with a deer's bladder dried and filled with air and some buckshot in it to make it rattle, all accompanied with the music of a sort of home made fife. The ban- quet or dinner to follow was being eooked by the women. It consisted, as far as I could sec, of dried venison, stewed dog meat, beans, and pancakes. Before the dinner was ready some of our party went outside and renewed a quarrel that
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had been pending for some time about their claims. Pretty soon the lie was passed, and it was immediately followed by a blow, and directly five or six were in the fight all at once. The struggle and angry shouts of the combatants frightened some of the Indian women who were near and they ran screaming away. This broke up the exercise in the wick-i-up and the braves rushed out. thinking that their women were being misused, for a brave man will always resent an insult to his wife. The fight so disrupted everything that we left with- out waiting for dinner, especially as some had to withdraw for repairs. The Chambers were in it. William Garrison and some of the Nations were in it, but not Carrie with her little hatchet. John Hunter and, I think, Dyer Usher, were there, but not in the fight. The case came up before his honor, Aaron Usher, a justice of the peace, who fined some of the participants $1.00 each, which ended the litigation and the claim dispute.
The last elaim case I will mention was of much greater magnitude, and out of it originated the Bill Johnson war, in which several lives were lost, including one Indian. It began in Buchanan county. William Bennett and a man purport- ing to be Bill Johnson of the Canadian patriot war were the principles in the extensive trouble. Bennett was an enterprising, public-spirited man and had a quantity of workmen and retainers helping build the first grist mill at Quas- queton, on the Wapsipinieon river. Ile was a man of sturdy muscular frame, swarthy complexion, dark eyes, strong jaws. a man who would be a good friend or a bad enemy. Johnson was older, tall and angular, with black bushy hair, on whose lips shone no smile. under whose brow lurked treason, stratagem, and spoil. I became acquainted with Johnson in a rather romantic way. which you will exense me for relating, as it shows some of the perils and hardships incident to the settling of a new country. On the 12th of November, 1842, a deep snow fell and remained till the next April, with additions during the winter. It has always since been called the hard winter of 1842 and '43.
During the winter my friend. Anderson Chambers, later a prosperous business man of Muscatine, and I had been up in the country between the Wapsipinicon and the Volga. The snow drifts were so deep and the day so dark that night overtook us several hours ride from any human habitation. Before dark we went into a little seattering timber on a small stream and under the bluff hitched our horses to a bush. We found some dry poles and got some dry rotten wood out of a tree, scraped away the snow with our feet, and with the aid of a Hint and some tow and powder, we managed to start a little fire. Matches were not then in use. We eut some brush and laid it on the ground. spread one horse blanket on that to lie on, and with another to cover us and our saddles for pillows, we slept through the long night until daylight, when we resumed our ride. About the middle of the forenoon we came in sight of an improvement in the edge of the timber, and I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curled that a frontiers- man's log cabin was there. We went into the house, which was neat and clean, and told them of our hard experience during the preceding night and day. They kindly sympathized with us and soon made us comfortable. It proved to be Bill Johnson's place. Kate Johnson and another young lady. Miss Kelso of Day- enport, were there. They busied themselves about setting us up a fresh, warm. ten o'clock breakfast. I relished it more than any other breakfast I ever ate, the zest of which was no doubt heightened by being served by so charming a hostess, and me a susceptible bachelor, too.
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