USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1912, Volume I > Part 35
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Joseph Blake was for a time the leading man in Oakland township.
Absalom Dollarhide had a grist mill on Prairie creek, not far from the bridge in the southwest quarter of section 22.
The first town established or attempted to be established in Oakland town- ship was called Catteese. William L. Toole refers to this in his writings in the "Annals of Iowa." He says, that in a very early day there was great rivalry between Catteese and Fredonia, and at one time there was a lot sale in Catteese.
Catteese was undoubtedly the forerunner of the original town of Port Allen,
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
which was located on high ground just across the river north from old "Todd Town."
In July, 1839, Mr. Samuel Davis, editor of a Whig paper called the "Peoria Register," was making a tour through Wisconsin, and was writing letters, one of which was published in the Iowa News of Dubuque. It is dated Catteese. July 4, 1837, and while it is quite an interesting letter, it does not say anything about Catteese or the immediate country around it, but the fact that it is dated at Catteese shows that it was then on the map.
We have an interesting little book which once belonged to Curtis Knight, which he called his "bill book." It begins in 1831 and extends over to about 1853. There are but few items in it. The first entry covers about four pages, and seems to be an inventory or invoice of goods bought by Curtis Knight in 1831, but the name of the vendor is not decipherable now.
We gather from some of the entries in this book that Mr. Knight settled in Oakland township in the spring of 1838.
If Mr. Knight had recorded all the happenings in the "forks of the river," in those early days, his book would possess very great interest. He might have enlightened us as to the Saturday gatherings for the promotion of horseracing and the manly art of fisticuffing. These were favorite sports with the people of the southern half of Oakland township until long after the war.
The custom in early days of borrowing and lending is well illustrated by some of the entries in this book. We give some sample entries : .
"IOWA & SEEDER FORKS, LOUISA COUNTY
June 4, 1838. Peter Blake debtor to Curtis Knight :
To 8 lbs. of bacon $1.00
To 1/2 bushel of seed corn .50
To One half day sawing plank .50
To one bushel of corn 1.00
To 34 yard linen .37
August 3, 1838. To breakage of wagon tongue. 2.50
Lent to Peter Blake, 4 small pans of corn meal at one time and 2 at another.
Lent four large pans of flour.
Lent 2 bowls of salt.
Lent one tea cup of pepper.
Lent I tea cup of shugar.
Lent I bowl of salt.
Settled."
From a few entries in the book it seems that Mr. Knight was a store keeper, and charged Jayhue Bedwell with an Ox yoke, staple, ring and post $3.00, and with different sums for different kinds of cloth, one item of 7 1/3 yards of "cassamer" at $13.75. He sells bacon, corn, skein silk, pickeled pork, potatoes, coffee, onions, saddles, honey and various other items. The price for coffee seems to have been 20 cents a pound, and corn meal 50 cts. a bushel.
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
Hugh Callin's name is found in one entry under date of December 4. 1840.
PORT ALLEN.
Port Allen was the next town in Oakland township and was laid out by George W. Allen, Joseph Blake, William Blake and Peter Blake, March 19, 1841, and was located in the forks of the Cedar and Iowa rivers. It was sur- veyed by John Gilliland, County Surveyor, and the plat was acknowledged by the above named proprietors on March 20, 1841, before Enoch K. Maxson, Justice of the Peace.
This was quite a pretentious place for a little while, there being a ferry across the lowa river on the road to Fredonia and across the Jowa to the south. At one time the ferry license was in the name of a man named John Brown, and it is said that he and also Mr. Allen kept store in Port Allen.
The government records show that Port Allen had the following postmasters :
Curtis Knight, appointed June 15, 1848.
Jesse Graves, appointed March 30, 1854.
William H. Hayward, appointed February 19, 1856.
Hiram Hall, appointed May 21, 1857.
David M. Inghram, appointed June 18, 1861.
We do not think that any of these men kept the postoffice at the Port Allen which was located by George W. Allen.
At the time that Curtis Knight was postmaster, he kept the postoffice at his house, which was on the bank of the Iowa river about three-quarters of a mile north of the platted town, and at that time it had probably been abandoned. The other postmasters given for Port Allen were located at the town platted as Oakland, which was situated some three miles north and west of there in sections 36 and 25.
A little later than the time we speak of, came Cyril Carpenter, Charles H. Abbott, Shakespeare McKee, Milton Carpenter, W. B. Davis, Alvah Morse, Delatus Graves, H. A. Keyes and William Nelson. A brief sketch of Cyril Carpenter will be found in the chapter on personal mention.
An interesting story is told of how Oakland township came to be established ; it was originally a part of Fredonia township, with the township headquarters and voting place at Fredonia, which necessitated the people living in Oakland township crossing the river when they wanted to vote or transact township business. Practically all the township officers were elected from the Fredonia side. At one election Colonel Abbott organized the Oakland township voters, and made up a ticket of township officers all of whom belonged in Oakland township. To prevent undue excitement on the Fredonia side, the Oakland township voters went over in skiffs one and two at a time, and their plan was not discovered until the polls were about to close, but too late to prevent the success of Abbott's plan. The result was, that when nearly all the township officers belonged in Oakland township the people on the Fredonia side were willing for a division.
OAKLAND
was laid out by James McKee, Erastus Graves, W. H. Crocker and Charles H. Abbott on sections 25 and 36, township 76 north, range 5 west, the quarter sec-
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
tion corner of the north boundary of section 36 being the geographical center of the town plat. It was surveyed by John R. Sisson, county surveyor, October 5, 1854.
CAJRO.
The history of Hope Farm and Cairo properly belong together. Hope Farmi was located on the land now owned by John Bretz, east of Cairo. It was started by the Isetts, Dr. Samuel R. Isett and J. Wilson Isett; they settled in that neighborhood probably as early as 1837. J. Wilson Isett had a store at Hope Farm as early as 1839. It is said that the first school in this vicinity was located about a quarter of a mile east of Hope Farm. The early school teachers were Elijah Lathrop and Veazy P. Bunnell, and they probably taught there in 1838 and 1839, although the exact date cannot be stated. Frank Griswold, now a resident of Wapello went to school there, as did also the late Mrs. Weaver, mother of Hon. H. O. Weaver, of Wapello.
The postmasters at Hope Farm were as follows:
Samuel Isett, appointed February 22, 1840; James W. Isett, appointed Decem- ber 29, 1840; Franklin Griswold, appointed August 18, 1843: John Marshall. appointed March 25, 1844; Joseph B. Nichols, appointed January 14, 1850 ; Thomas J. R. Ellis, appointed October 4, 1850. The postoffice at Hope Farm was discontinued March 23, 1856.
The postmasters at Cairo down to war times were as follows:
John Marshall, appointed July 1, 1856; Jefferson W. Davis, appointed April 18, 1857; David McKinley, appointed March 13, 1858; Alonzo D. Hickok. February 20, 1865. It can be safely assumed that practically all of these post- masters were store keepers at the time they held the postoffice.
There was a hotel in Cairo called the Louisa House, kept by Mrs. Lucy Hummeston, afterward Forbes. Mrs. Hummeston first kept hotel and called it the Louisa House, on the farm where Leslie Nichols now lives ; the old sign of the hotel was taken to Cairo and used there. Mrs. Hummeston was a daughter of Franklin Griswold, who with his brother were among the very earliest settlers in Marshall township; the brother, Ira Griswold, framed the Wapello Mill when it was first erected.
Aside from the early store keepers and those already mentioned, the pioneer settlers of Marshall township were Richard Slaughter, George Key, Nixon Scott, Richard Restine, John Sellers, Annanias Simpkins. H. M. Ochiltree, whose name is connected with the history of Morning Sun, first settled on a piece of land in Marshall township. A little later came Robert Niccolls, John N. Baldrige and Oliver Benton ; also Abraham Hill, who built what was known as Hill's Mill on Long creek near the Dan Mckay farm. Another early settler was Christopher Fox, the grandfather of Mrs. Ralph Butler, who was quite a character in his day and had seen active service in the Black Hawk war. In the early '6os Jesse Vanhorn was prominent in Cairo, and had much to do with building the Cairo church. He also erected a grist mill on Long creek about three miles down the creek from the Derbin mill.
About this same time M. M. Carson was running a pump factory at Cairo. This was also the home of Rev. F. F. Kiner, who will be remembered as one of the supervisors who were taken to Des Moines by the United States
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marshal. Mr. Kiner came here from Jefferson county shortly after the war was over; he was a soldier and wrote a book describing his life in prison.
Following is what the records show as to the laying out of Cairo and its additions :
CAIRO
was laid out by James H. Marshall on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 28, township 74 north, range 4 west, surveyed by W. S. Kremer, June 15, 1865.
Vanhorn & Kiner's addition to Cairo surveyed by William C. Blackstone, county surveyor, April 23. 1869. The plat does not state where the addition is situated.
Marshall's addition to Cairo, laid out by John S. Marshall, October 4, 1866, and surveyed by William C. Blackstone, said to be laid out on the north side of Cairo proper.
Vanhorn's addition to Cairo, laid out by Jesse Vanhorn, April 12, 1875, in the south half of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 28, 74-4.
The population of Cairo has usually been included in Marshall township, but it was given separately in the census of 1880. At that time it was 123.
COTTERVILLE
was laid out by Margaret E. Cotter. January 23, 1878, situated on the north side of the north half of the northwest quarter of section 20. 75-5, and on the north side of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad.
An addition was made to Cotterville by R. T. Jones, May 3. 1899, by making a subdivision of outlot 2 in the west part of the town.
Jenkins' addition to Cotterville, laid out December 30, 1904. by Catherine Ann Jenkins, Richard Jenkins and John Jenkins, in the southwest part of the west half of the southwest quarter of section 17, 75-5, adjoining the town on the north.
The place is now called Cotter : it is well located on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad about five miles west of Columbus Junction. It had several good stores, and is the trading point for a great many of the Welsh. It also has a strong bank, of which Robert T. Jones is president and R. L. Richards is cashier.
GRANDVIEW
was laid out by Alvin Clark and Robert Childers on the southwest quarter of section 22, township 75 north, range 3 west, surveyed by John Gilliland, county surveyor, July 3. 1841.
Springer's addition to Grandview, laid out by Francis Springer, surveyed by John Gilliland, June 7. 1843. It was laid out on land immediately south of the original town of Grandview. The part north of Monroe street which consists of six blocks containing six lots each, is said to be a part of the original plat as laid out by Clark and Childers.
Jackson's addition to Grandview. laid out by John Jackson, in the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 22, township 75 north, range 3 west.
HOTEL
NORTH ON MAIN STREET, GRANDVIEW
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
being immediately east of the original town of Grandview, surveyed by W. S. Kremer, surveyor, July 11, 1857.
January 24, 1843, the legislature of lowa passed an act incorporating a seminary of learning in Grandview, to be called the Grandview Seminary, and named as the incorporators. Henry Rockafellow, William Thompson, John Ronalds, Spencer Wilson, Robert Childres, Gabriel Walling. George Humphreys, Alexander Ross, Martin Gray and Clark Alexander. And in February. 1844, an act was passed incorporating the Grandview Literary & Philosophical Society, and naming as incorporators, Alexander McCall, Lewis Kinsey, Robert Childres. Spencer Wilson, Abraham McCleary.
The postoffice was established in Grandview May 2nd, 1838, and the following is a list of the postmasters up to war times, with the dates of their appoint- ments : Alvin Clark, May 2, 1838: Gabriel Walling, October 13, 1839: Benj. Gibboney, July 8, 1847 : J. B. Latta, December 10, 1849: David Winder, April 10, 1850; Robert Gillis, April 16, 1851; George Hutchinson, April 14, 1853: Nathan M. Stone, March 8, 1855 ; James H. Sprague, September 6, 1855; David Winder, March 2. 1865. It is safe to say that all these postmasters were store keepers at the time they held the postoffice.
It is said that the first house in Grandview was built by Gabriel Walling in 1837.
Grandview has always been noted for the high moral sentiment which pre- vades most of its citizens and also for its devotion to the cause of education. It is said that the first school taught in Grandview township was in 1839 in a cabin in the village of Grandview, and that it was taught by Miss Rachel Gray.
Grandview Institute-A. B. Hartzell, principal, advertises in Wapello Repub- lican of March 28, 1861 "that the 7th term of this well-known institute will commence April 15, 1861."
The Republican of November 10, 1866, says that "The Grandview Academy, under the direction of Prof. McClanahan, seems to be doing quite as well as its founders anticipated. The building itself is a spacious two story brick, and having been just completed, it wears a clean, nice, pleasant appearance through- out. Some forty scholars are already in attendance, &c."
Later, Lewis Kinsey, who was at one time Justice of the Peace in Grand- view township, taught school there. In 1844 a seminary building was erected. and a good school was taught there for a number of years. We think another educational institution, called the Grandview Seminary was incorporated under the general incorporation law in 1869, or about that time, and that in 1874. Professor E. R. Eldrige became principal of it. Professor Eldrige was one of the leaders in the movement to re-organize normal schools in Iowa, and through his efforts the Grandview Seminary was converted into the Eastern Iowa Normal School which began its first session in the fall of 1874, with Professor Eldrige as president, James A. Kennedy, vice president, W. F. Davis, secretary and John A. Thompson principal of the Commercial department. Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Davis were both experienced teachers, and the Eastern Iowa Normal School as conducted at Grandview for a number of years was of untold benefit to the community and the county. An arrangement was made by which the Grandview public schools were made "Model schools" for the normal school and were taught by the seniors and juniors under the supervision of the normal Vol. I-20
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
school faculty. Joseph Sypheit and Miss Hutchinson were teaching in the public schools of Grandview, and were added to the normal school faculty.
At that time Grandview was thought to have a prospect for a railroad, but as soon as the hope of a railroad vanished, it was felt the institution would be more prosperous if located where it could have the advantages of railroad trans- portation, and so, about 1881, through the influence of N. M. Letts, the Eastern Iowa Normal School was moved to Columbus Junction. It was re-organized with a new charter and a new board of trustees and received title to Block 5 in Columbus Junction, on which was a $25,000 building which had been erected by the people of Columbus Junction for the courthouse in case they could suc- ceed in getting the county seat removed to that place. The normal school pros- pered at Columbus Junction for several years, but soon after Professor Eldrige accepted the presidency of the State Normal School of Alabama, the normal school died and the building subsequently became the property of the Columbus Junction school district.
We copy the following item from the Wapello Intelligencer of January 31. 1854, which shows what outsiders thought of Grandview at that time: "In conversation with a gentleman near Grandview, we learn that that pleasant village is improving finely. Several good buildings have been erected there the past season, among which is quite an extensive dwelling. of brick, by Dr. J. B. Latta, which adds to the appearance of the town. Our informant states that there is quite a stirring business in the way of trade carried on there. Three business establishments are flourishing. Messrs. Fleming & Giles have nearly sold out their very large stock of fall and winter goods and are making prepara- tions to bring on a heavier stock the coming spring, than ever before. Mr. Hutchinson is said to have sold out quite an extensive stock of goods besides doing a good business in the way of accommodating the traveling public at his commodious hotel.
To those who merely pass through Grandview, it may seem strange that so much business would be done there. But were they to pass over the township and see the many rich farms that are pouring their products into market, and taking in exchange the requisite supplies for farm and fireside-they will at once see the whys and wherefores of this trade. Many wealthy farmers reside in Grandview township, and the beauty of it all is that the material is there in abundance for multitudes more, if good soil is any criterion. From its beauti- ful and elevated position, one would naturally enough be led to the conclusion that it is a healthful location. This we are authentically informed is the fact."
Grandview has always been a stronghold of prohibition and many meetings in furtherance of the cause have been held there. We find the proceedings of a meeting held June 10, 1862. in the Wapello Republican, and the fourth resolu- tion passed by that meeting might well be heeded by our officers at the present day.
Prohibition meeting at Grandview, June 10. 1862. Following Preamble and Resolution unanimously adopted.
Whereas, the evil of intemperance prevails in this community to an alarm- ing extent and seems to be increasing daily, therefore Resolved :
Ist. That the time has come when it becomes an imperative necessity for all persons to take a decided position on the question.
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
2d. Resolved, that persons engaged in the nefarious traffic of intoxicating liquors (including lager beer) are engaged in an unholy business, and are the common enemies of our race.
3d. Resolved, that the order loving citizens of this place lend a helping hand to arrest the progress of intemperance in our midst.
4th. Resolved, that as it is the province of law to preserve order as well as to prevent crime, we believe it to be the duty of any, and all of our civil officers to bring to justice any person or persons found guilty of violating the law, in vending liquors or becoming intoxicated.
5th. Resolved, that those engaged in selling lager beer, and other intoxi- cating liquors, are requested to desist immediately.
JOHN A. HARTZELL, S. E. JONES, J. FRISBEE, Com. on Resolution.
Grandview has always been a church center. It is a very difficult matter to get detailed church history, but in the case of one of the churches of Grand- view, the Congregational, we have been favored by Reverend T. O. Douglas of Grinnell, with its history, which is as follows:
"The Grandview church was organized June 19, 1857. The list of pastors is as follows :
"Adam Blumer, '57-'59: Henry Langpaap, '59-'60; Frederick W. Judeisch, '60-'75; Henry Hetzler, '75-'78; Andrew Kern, '78-'86; Henry Vogler, '86-'88; Gustav L. Brackemeyer, '88-'92; E. F. Kluckhohn, '92-'94: William Berg, '95- '97; C. W. Anthony, '97-'98 ; P. J. Theil, 1900-1902 ; Henry W. Stein, '02-'03 ; H. S. Everet, '04-06; \V. L. Childress, '07- 08: Samuel E. Eells, 'og. Originally, as you will see by the names of the pastors, this church was German. A number of years ago the English was introduced into some of the services. More and more, as the years went by, the congregation became English, and in 1903 the German was dropped entirely, and in 1906 the church transferred its member- ship from the German to the Davenport Association. Only a short time ago three of the charter members were still alive, and in constant attendance upon the services of the church. The church building was dedicated June 27, 1858. The building is now being remodeled and refurnished. The present pastor, Mr. Eells, is the son of one of our early missionaries, who was pastor at Farmington, Webster, Cincinnati, Lucas Grove and Sabula, 1866 to 1876. He is still alive, residing at Payson, Illinois. I am not able to say very much about the different pastors. Henry Langpaap was in the state from '59 to '68, preaching at Grand- view, Pine Creek, Davenport, Garnavillo, Lansing Ridge, etc. You will notice that Mr. Judeisch was pastor of the Grandview church for fifteen years. He was born in Prussia, November 11, 1820. He came to America in 1850, coming first to Muscatine. He moved to Pine Creek in 1853, and began preaching in 1859. From 1875 to 1892 he was pastor of the church at Davenport. He died May 5, 1900. At our meetings of Association he always spoke in English but
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HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
prayed in German. Some of us who had no knowledge of the German language learned the opening sentence of his prayer: "Wir danken. Dir, lieber Vater.' One of the many contributions of Germany to Iowa was this good man, Fred- erick W. Judeisch. He gave us forty years of service.
"Andrew Kern gave us twenty-three years of service, preaching at Grand- view, Minden, Lansing Ridge, New Hampton, etc.
"The other men had short pastorates, and were not in the state for a great while, and perhaps need no special mention here."
It is said that the first church built in Grandview was by the Methodists, and that they erected a new building about 1871.
The United Presbyterians also have a congregation in Grandview, and they erected a church building about 1854.
Grandview got her first railroad in 1898. when the Muscatine, North & South Railroad was constructed, and since that time it has grown quite a little and taken on some city airs.
Grandview was first incorporated in 1878. August 8. 1878, E. B. Lacey and thirty-three others filed a petition for incorporation. The commissioners appointed to hold the election were E. B. Lacey. J. 11. Benson, A. Brown, D. W. Walker and Geo. Hummell, and on Oct. IT. 1878, the vote on the question of incorpora- tion was 29 for to 21 against. Some years afterward the corporation was aban- doned, and Grandview remained a village until 1901, when it was again incor- porated. The petition was filed March 5. 1901, and D. J. Higley. D. M. Bridges, John Schafer. A. M. Cowden and W. B. Robison were appointed commissioners. An election was held and the vote was 56 for incorporation to 36 against. Feb- ruary 13, 1901, the following officers were elected : A. M. Cowden, mayor ; G. F. Schafer, clerk; D. M. Bridges, treasurer: Peter Muller, James Thorp, W. E. Schweitzer, William Guthrie, John F. Robison and T. B. Christy, councilmen.
The present officers are: Mayor, Win. Dickerson : recorder, Ed. Haas; coun- cilmen. C. W. Graham, O. W. McGrew. J. M. Buster, Peter Muller and John J. Beik.
The population of Grandview is given differently in some of the official publications. The following we believe to be nearly correct: 1854-91: 1860- 138: 1870-160: 1880-105 : 1885-229 : 1905-278 : 1910-374.
Through the courtesy of Rev. E. C. Brooks, of Wapello, we have had access to the early conference reports of the M. E. church, in which we find the fol- lowing interesting items pertaining to the early history of that denomination in Grandview.
Grandview was in the Rock river conference in 1842, and Joseph L. Kirk- patrick is named as pastor : Luther MeVoy was pastor in 1843. and the member- ship is given as 166. This must have included quite a scope of country.
Grandview was in the Iowa conference in 1844 and Laban Case was pastor. with a membership stated at 233.
In 1845 Sidney Wood was pastor, and the membership is given at 134.
In 1846 John H. Dennis was pastor, with 130 members : in 1847 Joseph W. Maxon was pastor with 138 members; in 1848 Wm. Burris was pastor with 155 white and 3 colored members; in 1849 Joseph Jamison was pastor with 120 members ; in 1850 H. N. Wilbur was pastor with 143 members; in 1851 Lucas
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