USA > Iowa > Louisa County > History of Louisa County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1912, Volume I > Part 40
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J. M. ROBERTSON & SON, SAM. REINER, HI. S. DENHAM, JAMES G. HALL, W. M. CLARK, ALFRED LIMBOCKER, PETER MERRILL, W. A. DUNCAN. HAMILTON JOHNSON, JACOB WREN, JOHN F. REINER, CORNELIUS JOHNSON, ITALION MYLER, PETER FULL- WILER, MARTIN SHAUM, HARRISON & BARRETT, WYLIE & FAR- RIS, JOHN GARDNER, W. G. ALLEN, J. S. DOUGLASS, JOHN CLEVES, WESLEY W. GARNER, JACOB GETTS, J. N. MCCONNELL, BENJ. STODDARD, F. H. JOHNSTON.
"I do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of a bond on file in the county Judge's office for the purpose therein specified. In testimony whereof I have set my name and affixed the seal of the county court of Louisa county at Wapello, the 13th day of September, 1858. (L. S.)
Jos. L. DERBIN, County Judge."
341
HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
The county seat campaign which followed was a red hot one in every respect and little was left undone by either the friends of Columbus City or Wapello to insure a favorable result. Objection was made on the part of those who were opposed to a removal of the county seat that the bond given on the removal to Columbus City was void and could not be enforced by the county in case it be- came desirable to do so and they had the opinions of Governor James W. Grimes, Judge David Rorer and Judge T. W. Newman to support their objections.
On the other hand, the friends of Columbus City had the favorable opinion of Judge J. C. Hall, of Burlington, and of D. C. Cloud, of Muscatine, and per- haps others. The vote resulted in favor of Wapello by 105 majority, and the following is the vote by townships :
For Wapello
For Columbus City
Columbus City
3
417
Concord
3
93
Eliot
32
0
Elm Grove
2
91
Grandview
.200
39
Jefferson
73
36
Marshall
67
52
Morning Sun
I3I
36
Oakland
0
SI
Port Louisa
123
I
Union
0
75
Wapello
417
25
1.051
946
Another paper published at Columbus City was the Enterprise published by James M. Edwards. No. I, Vol. I is dated February 26, 1859. Mr. Edwards stated that he intended to publish a republican paper but that the politics of the paper would be a secondary matter. In asking for the support of the community, Mr. Edwards says: "In conclusion we will say that we intend to publish the Enterprise one year-if we live that long-if we do not add another subscriber to our list ; unless, indeed, we should make a fortune at the business in less time, in which case we will donate the office to the New York Museum and become a candidate for congress." However, we have only been able to find thirty num- bers of this paper printed, the last number being dated October 8, 1859, it being stated in that issue that owing to ill health the publication would have to be sus- pended. This was an exceptionally good newspaper for that day and contained many able editorial articles and occasionally, considerable local news.
In Number 2 of this paper, published March 5th, is the following item con- cerning Columbus City: "For the benefit of strangers we give an inventory of Columbus City. We have two dry-goods stores, two large drug stores, two groc- eries, one hardware and stove store, five shoemakers, three blacksmiths, two wagon makers, two cabinet makers, three tailors, seven physicians, two lawyers, two hotels, one printing office, five church organizations, an excellent school and 800 inhabitants. (The official report at that time gave but 622 inhabitants). It
342
HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
also contains more pretty women, saucy boys and handsome babies than any other town of its size in the state."
The Columbus City market as given for March 5, 1859, is as follows :
"Wheat, old, Soc to $1.00 ; wheat, new, 50c to 75e ; corn, 35c to 40c ; oats, 45c to 50c ; flour, $2.75 to $3.00 ; meal, 50c ; potatoes, 50c to 75c; beans, 60c to 75c; butter, 121/2e to 150 ; eggs, 8c to Ioc ; tallow, Ioc to 121/20 ; coffee, 16 2-3e to 1834c ; sugar, Ioc to 121/20; N. O. molasses, 60c to 75e ; wood, per cord, $2.50 to $2.75 ; hay, per ton ( Hungarian ), $6.00; hay, per ton (Timothy ). $5.00; hay. per ton (prairie), $3.00."
There was at this time keen rivalry between Columbus City and Wapello, and many flings were taken by the Enterprise at Columbus City and by the Wapello Intelligencer at Wapello. The Intelligencer sneered at the idea of Columbus City having 800 inhabitants and we think that it was justified in so doing by the figures of the census. We quote from the Enterprise of March 19th the following bit of sarcasm concerning Wapello. "Wapello is bound to become one of the most thriving and flourishing cities in the west. Her location on the Iowa river gives her an excellent water communication over New Orleans and all the other small towns on the Mississippi, and the great Air Line railroad will soon be com- pleted, which will place her in direct communication with New York and the cities of Europe, Asia and Africa. A company is also being formed to build a railroad to New Orleans by way of Burlington and St. Louis. We have also been informed by a citizen of Wapello that the Rothchilds intend transferring their business to that place and that they design opening a hotel on the European plan in a new building erected two years ago."
Another squib along the same line is the following: "We neglected last week to thank the Wapello Intelligencer for the handsome notice it gave our paper. We do it now, and would return the compliment if we could do so without lying."
In the same paper is the following local item: "A young man living near this place, caught one day last week a beautiful fish, weighing something over one hundred pounds. The manner in which it was done is given in another column." After searching the paper in vain for a supposed fish story, we came to the conclusion that the following notice in the marriage column was the fish story in question : "Married on the 10th inst. by the Rev. Mr. Crellen, Mr. J. S. Limbocker to Miss Amanda Fish, both of this place."
The year 1859 was noted for its hard times. The Wapello Intelligencer at that time had some of its issues nearly taken up with sheriff sales and trustee sales and similar advertisements, but it would be news to many to learn that Gov- ernor Lowe of Iowa issued a proclamation on the subject. We found the procla- mation published in the Enterprise of April 2d as follows:
"Whereas the past winter has been one of special trial and destitution to many of our people, on account of which we should humble ourselves before him who directs us in ways and to ends unseen by human wisdom, according to His own pleasure ; and whereas abstinence from food, accompanied withi religious humilia- tion and the prayer of faith, in seasons of public distress, are recorded among the duties of all Christian communities, I therefore, would respectfully recommend Friday the 22d day of April next, to be observed by all the people of this State as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, that thereby we may propitiate a kindlier Providence and be 'fed once more with the heritage of Jacob.'
343
HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the great seal of the State of Iowa. Done at Desmoines, the 28th day of March, A. D. 1859, and of the Independence of the United States the 84th, and of this State the 13th. RALPH P. LOWE.
By the Governor. [L.L.] ELIJAH SELLS, Secretary of State."
In the Enterprise of April 9, 1859, we note that Rev. William Salter of Bur- lington was to preach at the Congregational church that evening, being Saturday, and on the next day, morning and evening, at the usual hours.
Another item gives an account of a meeting of the Temperance League on Thursday evening, after which Dr. Salter delivered a lecture.
We also find in the same paper an advertisement of the Congregational church, Rev. D. E. Jones, pastor.
The Enterprise of April 15, 1859, notes that J. W. Porter will commence his school on Monday next. that the new building of Harrison & Barratt was nearly completed, and that it was the largest business building in the county. The third story was then being fitted up for the use of the Masons.
The following from the Enterprise of April 23, 1859, explains itself : "We do not know of a county in this state that is worse off for postoffices and mail facilities than Louisa county. In some parts of the county the citizens have to send ten or twelve miles for their mail matter. A postoffice should be established at Clifton, one at Fredonia, one at some convenient point in Elm Grove township and one near Long creek on the Wapello road. These are all necessary to the convenience of the people and we shall do all in our power to secure them. A daily mail route between this place and Burlington is much needed and we hope to have it ere long."
This paper contains the advertisement of Charles Cutkomp, boot and shoe- maker ; also William Darrow, physician and surgeon, with his office at Clark & Colton's store : William A. Colton, notary public and conveyancer ; Wesley W. Garner, notary public and conveyancer. It also contains the advertisement of T. W. Boies, proprietor of a lumberyard at Clifton, also Douglas & Berry, gen- eral merchandise.
The Enterprise of April 30, 1859. gives the names of the Columbus City Pike's Peak expedition as follows: "William G. Allen, Jacob Getts, John Reiner, Will- iam Reiner, James Paschal, T. W. Brown, B. H. Eaton, L. Mitchell, wife and two children, Jonathan Pierson, David Knott, Peter Merrill, Joseph Neal, Samuel Luckey and Ed Suplee." The paper states that this company departed on Thurs- day last for Pike's Peak, with excellent teams and an abundance of provisions, for a six months' adventure and that a company of six or seven would leave Columbus City the first of the following week. It also states that one or two companies would go from Elm Grove about the Ioth of June and that recently a company had left from Fredonia and also one from Grandview.
In the issue of this paper for May 26th is recorded the organization of a lodge of Good Templars, the officers being as follows: W. C. T., J. M. Edwards : W. V. T., G. W. Limbocker : W. R. S., W. S. Robertson ; W. T., W. O. Kulp:
344
HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
W. I. G., J. J. Wylie ; W. O. G., James Manly ; W. C., Dr. J. Cleaves ; W. F. S .. William B. Berry ; W. M., Dr. William Darrow.
The Enterprise of June 9, 1859, records the return home of the Columbus City company of Pike Peakers. The Union Guards were called out, and accom- panied by the band and a large number of citizens, met them about a mile and a half west of town on the Washington road and saluted them with a volley of rifles of the Union Guards. After this Andrew Gamble on behalf of the citizens of Columbus City welcomed them back to their homes in a "neat and appropriate style." This speech was responded to "in a capital manner" by Lieutenant J. L. Grubb on behalf of the gold seekers. After this a song was sung by those who had been to see the "elephant," the song being entitled "Pike's Peak Humbug." It consists of sixteen verses, the last of which was as follows:
"The Columbus City boys are good grit, As sure as you are born ; But they've been sold, without any gold, And now acknowledge the corn."
Two outfits of teams of those who started for Pike's Peak did not return but went on to the gold fields-all of them returning later with the exception of B. H. Eaton, who remained in Colorado and gained prominence and wealth-was at one time Governor of Colorado.
The same issue also chronicles the fact that Harrison & Barratt had moved into their new store room, where they had just opened the largest stock of goods ever brought to the county.
As an indication of the business being done at Clifton, the new railroad station north of Columbus City, we note an advertisement in this same issue of a new lumberyard owned by J. M. Campbell, managed by J. L. Collins, agent, with office in his grocery store.
The Enterprise of June 23d notes that William Darrow had opened a new grocery and provision store two doors south of Clark & Colton's drug store.
The Enterprise of July 7, 1859, gives an account of the 4th of July celebra- tion held on Long creek. The Union Guards were present in full uniform, pro- vided with thirty-three rounds of blank cartridges, and left Columbus City at half past six o'clock in the morning. The order of their assembling and march said that they would march to the German camp grounds on Long creek. It is said that many people went from Columbus City and that Marshall, Elm Grove, Morning Sun, Concord and Wapello townships were well represented and that the number in attendance was two to three thousand. An oration was delivered by Mr. Stoughton, and an address by B. F. Wright.
It is said that the first school in Columbus City was held in the winter of 1843-4 and was taught by Dr. John Cleaves in a brick building, owned at the time by Colonel Garner. The school was taught the following winter by Colonel Garner himself. In the fall of 1846 the voters of school District No. 3. which included Columbus City and considerable territory outside of the town, met at the store room of H. S. Denham to permanently organize the district and to pass upon the question of erecting a school building. At this meeting a tax was voted and the directors were authorized to contract for the erection of a brick
REV. DAVID KNOWLES
子
345
HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
building, 20x30 feet. There were twenty-six votes cast, all but one of which were in the affirmative. In February, 1847, the directors let the contract for the erection of a building on lot 3, block 5, for the sum of $300 and this building was completed ready for use by October of the same year, and that winter school was taught in this building by William J. R. Flack. The next year Allen W. Pease taught school during the winter term and was succeeded in turn during four winters by J. Highfield, Mr. Bigsby, I. N. Chandler, and Thomas L. Baird. Miss Sarah Twiggs taught school there in the summer of 1853, and James K. Atchison in the summer of 1854. In the summer of 1855 Miss Mary Wylie taught a term of school in the Christian church building and the next summer Miss Mary Wear of Mt. Pleasant taught school in the church building. In the winter of 1855-6 school was taught in the school building by Mr. Fulton. In the fall of 1856 the directors found that the school building was not suitable for the purpose and condemned it and rented the Christian church and also a part of H. S. Denham's store building. A new school building was erected by the school district in the fall of 1856 and the spring of 1857. A meeting had been held for this purpose in March, 1856, and a tax levied therefor. The contract was let to George D. Harrison, of Columbus City, and a man by the name of McCarter, of Springfield, Ohio, for the price of $2,985. The building was of brick, 30x50 feet and two stories high and erected directly north of the old building. This building was used until the summer of 1878, when an addition was built on the north side of it, 30x60 feet, two stories high, at a cost of $2,330.
The people of Columbus City have always been liberal in support of schools and have usually succeeded in having good schools.
Columbus City has always been noted as being well supplied with churches. One of the earliest church organizations perfected there was that of the Church of Christ, or Christian church, sometimes called Campbellites. It is said that the first meeting to organize this church was held at the house of Barstow Williams. about two miles from Columbus City, and that for a number of years the meet- ings were held at the houses of the various members. A house of worship was erected about 1852, said to have cost $500 and was used until 1868, when a $3,000 structure was erected. Among those who served as pastors in the church at Columbus City were: Arthur Miller, Smiley Bonham, Moses Warren, Joshua Swallow, Jonas Hartzel, Samuel Lowe, Joseph Lowe, Freeman Walden, J. K. Cornell, John Errett, Simpson Ely, J. H. Painter, 1 .. B. Ames, J. Madison Will- iams, E. W. Miller and L. C. Wilson.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Columbus City dates its organization back to territorial days in 1840, and it is to be presumed that somewhere there is a record of the doings of this congregation and of the various ministers who served it and the dates of their service, but we have not happened to hit upon any one who could enlighten us on this matter. The Methodists erected a fine church building in 1866 and the church is still in a fairly flourishing condition.
Another Columbus City religious organization is that of the United Brethren in Christ, which was organized early in the '40s. The first annual conference of this church held west of the Mississippi river was held at the house of H. S. Denham in Columbus City, in May, 1844. This is the same building that was afterwards occupied by Italian Myler as a residence.
346
HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
One of the strong organizations of Columbus City and vicinity is the United Presbyterian church, which was organized in the fall of 1844, the Rev. William Smith being the pastor. The first regular pastor was said to be Rev. George Vincent, who afterward became quite prominent in church work. Rev. Alexan- der Storey acted as pastor of this church for more than twenty years and the church was called, by many outsiders, "Storey's church."
The Baptist church of Columbus City was organized in November, 1850. In 1802 a brick building was erected. In 1871 the congregation divided, some of its membership organizing a separate congregation at Louisa Center.
The Congregational church of Columbus City was organized October 25, 1846. The first pastor was Rev. Aaron 1 .. Leonard, born in Pennsylvania, in 1812. He served at Columbus City from 1847 until 1849, and later was pastor at Danville for six or seven years. He died in New York state in the year 1900.
Rev. David Knowles was pastor at Columbus City from 1849 to 1852. The next pastor there of whom we have any record. was E. O. Bennett, who served from 1856 to 1858. From 1858 to 1860 the pastor was Darius E. Jones. Mr. Jones was a versatile man and became much noted in the church world and in musical circles. He was at one time a manufacturer of carriages and hardware. He was also chorister in several noted churches. Among them being Plymouth church in Brooklyn. For a time he was assistant secretary of the American Home Missionary Society. He was also for a while editor of the Congregational Herald and of the Western Weekly at Davenport. He was the Iowa agent of the Bible Society, and colonization agent of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company. He was also pastor at a number of other places besides Columbus City, among them being Newton and Wilton. He is probably best remembered as the author of "Temple Melodies" and "Songs of New Life" and as the composer of "Stockwell" and "Martina." For many years during his active connection with the church and its work he was by common con- sent looked upon as the leader of song service at its association meetings, and it is said that "the presence of Darius E. Jones was always and everywhere the sig- nal for a sing." He died at Davenport. August 10, 1881.
Next after Mr. Jones came Robert Hunter, who served as pastor from 1860 to 1867. We have but little account of Mr. Hunter other than that he was pastor at Clay and Nevinville in Iowa and that his entire service in the state covered the years from 1855 to 1872. at which latter date he died at Nevinville. Frederick Crang was the next pastor. He was an Englishman, educated in the Church of England. had been a surgeon in the British navy and had practiced medicine in New York and Illinois. His service at Columbus City extended over the years from 1867 to 1869. The next and last pastor of this church was Rev. J. E. Elliott, who served in 1869 and 1870.
The Associate Presbyterian church built a house of worship in Columbus City in 1851 and afterwards erected another building in 1886.
For many years the Masons had a lodge in Columbus City, which was or- ganized there on February 24, 1857. as Columbus City Lodge, No. 107. Sub- sequently this lodge was removed to Columbus Junction and its history will be given in connection with that place.
The Odd Fellows still maintain a lodge in Columbus City. it having been in- stituted there on August 23. 1872, under the charter name of Columbus City
347
HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F. Its charter members were David McMichael, L. G. Baldwin, G. W. Breneman, John Jacobs, T. R. Jones, David H. Griffith, Joseph M. Dotson, Edward McSweeney and W. F. Hall. Its first officers were: David McMichael, N. G .; G. W. Breneman, V. G .; W. F. Hall, Sec .; L. G. Baldwin, Treas. The total membership of this lodge up to the present time has been fifty- three. The names of the deceased members are: James W. Carr, David A. Robbins, Dr. I. M. Smith, Sherman Shaum, Henry Ady, George W. Speath, Otto Schabilion and George Schmidt.
The corporation of Columbus City joins Columbus Junction at the Gamble corner, and the two are connected by a good cement sidewalk.
In later years Columbus City had two other newspapers ; one was the Non- pareil, published by Allan D. Hickok, and the other was the Safeguard, started at Columbus City by Robert H. Moore, but later removed by him to Columbus Junction.
The population of Columbus City has been as follows: 1854-149; 1859- 622; 1870-850; 1880-605; 1885-519; 1890-459; 1895-485; 1900-388; 1905-423.
WAPELLO.
Wapello is named after the noted Indian chief, and it appears that there was considerable controversy in the beginning as to where the main town would be located, as we find reference in the early records to Upper Wapello, Center Wapello and Lower Wapello. Upper Wapello undoubtedly corresponds very closely to what is now England's Addition. Central Wapello was the same as the original town, and Lower Wapello was undoubtedly the first laid out town, and was laid out by Jeremiah Smith, Jr. of Des Moines county, and some others whose names we have not been able to get. We have already seen that in negotiat- ing the surrender by the Indians of the Keokuk reserve, the white men had been locating claims upon the reserve, and buying Indian claims before the treaty was made, and it was said that one white man had paid another one $2,000 for a claim on which to build a "great town." This was undoubtedly Wapello and must have been Lower Wapello.
The following instrument made by Jeremiah Smith, Jr., to James McDaniel throws some light on the matter. We quote a part of it : "Know all men by these presents that I, Jeremiah Smith, Jr., of Des Moines county, I. T., for and in consideration of the sum of $300, to me paid by James McDaniel, of Louisa county, I. T. . have sold unto the said James McDaniel all of my inter- est included in the original town plat of Lower Wapello, Louisa county, Iowa Territory, situated on lots 1 and 2 of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 35, township 74 north, range 3 west, as laid off by me and others in the year 1836 and 7, and as by reference to such plat at the land office will appear." This instrument was dated August 27, 1844.
It appears from the records that Jeremiah Smith was the original purchaser from the government of lots 1 and 2, referred to in the deed, having entered them February 11, 1843, and secured a patent for them in 1846. One of the "others" referred to in the deed as having laid out Lower Wapello was probably David R. Chance, one of the representatives from Demoine county, in the first territorial legislature of Wisconsin. Our authority for this statement is found in Dr. Salter's
348
HISTORY OF LOUISA COUNTY
"Iowa," page 214. where he gives some remarks made by Mr. Chance upon the question of locating the seat of government of the new territory of Wisconsin.
Charges of bargaining and corruption had been made against the delegation from Demoine county and among other things, Mr. Chance said : "Mr. Chairman, we are honest men from Demoine; we are not here to be bought or sold. When I left home my intention was to locate the seat of government in the east of the Mississippi, dividing the territory with the river. If they did not wish to divide, I meant to sustain the place selected by the executive, Belmont. We said to the (lelegation on the east, fix your place and we go for it. I have no town property in the territory of Wisconsin, only some marked out in the town of Wapello." We have not the date when this speech was made but we know that this legislative assembly began its sessions October 25, 1836, and ended them on December 9th. The location of Lower Wapello is thus settled to have been upon what has long been known as the J. R. MeDaniel farm, immediately east of the W. C. Herrick farm. The land is now owned by Clarence Askren.
When the commissioners authorized by the first legislative assembly of Wis- consin to establish a territorial road west of the Mississippi performed that work, they located the road through Wapello as the law required. Their original plat and field notes of that part of the road through Louisa county has been preserved. and one point on the line is the center of the public square of Lower Wapello. According to the field notes of this survey this point must have been situated upon the land referred to in the deed from Jeremiah Smith, Jr., to James McDaniel.
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