USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. I > Part 9
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During the year 1846, and perhaps not until some time afterward, there was not a public highway established and worked, on which they could not travel. And as the settlers were generally far apart, and mills and trading points were at great distances, going from place to place was not only very tedious, but attended sometimes with great danger. Not a rail- road had yet entered Chicago and there was scarcely a thought in the
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minds of the people here of such a thing ever reaching the wild west, and if thought of, people had no conception of what a revolution a railroad or telegraph through here would cause in the progress of the country. Then there were less than five thousand miles of railroad in the United States and not a mile of track laid this side the Ohio, while now there are over one hundred thousand miles of railroad extending their trunks and branches in every direction over our land. Supplies in those days came to this western country entirely by river and wagon transportation. Mail was carried to and fro in the same way and telegraph dispatches were trans- mitted by the memory and lips of the immigrants coming in, or strangers passing through. By 1850 the country was in a flourishing condition. Des- . pite the privations of the early settlement and pioneer life generally the people had prospered. The great California travel had brought a market to their very doors and their products commanded a high price. Then, too, the fame of the country had spread abroad and newcomers came thronging in rapidly.
The crop was again good this year and everything went on prosperously in view of the coming bountiful harvest. Mills went up rapidly in various localities. rendering milling privileges comparatively convenient to all set- tlements in the county. Roads were being laid out and worked and tempor- ary bridges constructed in different localities for the convenience of travel. Schools and schoolhouses were rapidly increasing and conveniences of pub- lic worship multiplied. Manufactories of various kinds began to be talked of by the more enterprising men of some capital and the general work of improvement and civilization progressed most encouragingly.
TRADING POINTS IN EARLY DAYS.
One of the chief trading points in the beginning of things for Page county was Savannah, Missouri. At times some were compelled to go as far as St. Joe to do their trading, although such a trip was not of frequent occurrence, most of the settlers going to the former named place. After a few years Maryville was started and this lessened the distance very ma- terially. The journey at best was a long and wearisome one, many being compelled to make the trip with an ox team, occupying something near a week, when a trip to Savannah was to be made, and during these trips the wife and children were of necessity compelled to stay alone at home with their nearest neighbor. in many instances, from three to five miles away. The anxiety on the part of the father for his wife and children during one of these voyages must indeed have been great, but nothing in comparison to that of the wife and mother who, at the approach of nightfall, as she heard the cry of the panther or the howl of the wolf around the lonely and isolated cabin, gathered her cherished loved ones about her and fervently prayed that the Giver of all would watch over and guard herself and family from all harm, and in due time return to her him who, in years agone, had plighted his word to cherish and protect her.
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In early days it was no uncommon thing for several families to club together, make out a list of what each was in want of, and send off to the trading posts as many men and teams as was necessary, or as could be ob- tained, to buy and bring home supplies for all, and thus to a great degree they worked together and to one another's interest as one family. It was in this manner that they also took turns in going to mill, to the stores, for their mail, and when a neighbor needed assistance in any way or a cabin was to be raised, all within hearing or reach turned out with one accord, each one willing to lend a helping hand and enjoy in common the feast and frolic that always accompanied these gatherings. Pioneer life here, as it was elsewhere, was one of stern realities and serious trials, especially for the aged and sick ones, while so far removed from points of supply and almost entirely cut off from communication with the outside world. Not- withstanding all their trials and difficulties, if a stranger from any distance came into the settlement, he was treated with unusual cordiality and was sure to be questioned with unabating zeal with regard to the great world matters without, and did he see fit to accept the urgent invitation of the settlers to share their humble hospitality in welcome for many days, he might rest assured that he would pass through a long siege of innocent questioning by the inquisitive settlers, from which he would often derive as much pleasure and profit as they.
From the first settlement of the county, in 1840, up to the year 1850, the growth of the county was very slow. Having no statistics to rely on for information relative to its early growth, we are compelled to rely wholly upon the recollection of the first settlers, and from them we learn that up to 1848 there were not more than fifty families in the county, probably aggre- gating one hundred and fifty inhabitants. From 1850 until 1860 the growth, while not rapid, was a steady one and in those years to a very great extent was formed the foundation of the future greatness of the county. Few men of means came to Page county in the early days. But although they came almost without exception poor of pocket, they brought with them industry, economy and intelligence, so that in the course of years wealth has been the result. From 1860 the growth of the county never slackened or came to standstill but continued steadily year by year. The brunt of the pioneer battle was borne by the very early settlers, for within a few years the great hardships of pioneer life had disappeared and the people began to live in comfort, at least more so than it was possible for the early settlers to do when they came to the county. The early settlers were nearly all native born Americans, the greater proportion of them having been born in Ohio and Indiana, although quite a number were born in Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, yet the larger proportion came from the two first named states. They were good states to have been born in and still better to emigrate from, especially when the emigrant had in view the beautiful territory of which Page county is now composed. Indiana and Ohio have doubtless furnished Iowa more of her population than any of the other four states combined, and it was these states, or rather the citizens they furnished us, that first made our boundless prairies to blossom as the rose.
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COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
The third general assembly appointed William Hudson as organizing sheriff for Page county, and in 1851 that bailiwick became one of the or- ganized counties of the state of Iowa. With regard to the origin of dividing individual states into county and township organizations, which in an important measure should have the power and opportunity of trans- acting their own business and governing themselves under the approval of and subject to the state and general government of which they each formed a part, we quote from Elijah M. Haines, who is considered good authority on the subject.
In his "Laws of Illinois, Relative to Township Organizations," he says the county system "originated with Virginia, whose early settlers soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living apart in almost baronial magnificence on their own estates, and owning the laboring part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were not at hand, the voters being thinly distributed over a great area.
"The county organization, where a few influential men managed the whole business of the community, retaining their places almost at their pleasure, scarcely responsible at all except in name, and permitted to conduct the county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct, was, moreover, consonant with their recollections or traditions of the judicial and social dignities of the landed aristocracy of England, in descent from whom the Virginia gentleman felt so much pride. In 1834 eight counties were organized in Virginia and the system extending throughout the state spread into all the southern states and some of the northern states, unless we except the nearly similar division into 'districts' in South Carolina and that into `parishes' in Louisiana, from the French laws.
"Illinois, which with its vast additional territory, became a county of Virginia, on its conquest by General George Rogers Clark, retained the county organization, which was formally extended over the state by the constitution of 1818, and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848.
"Under this system, as in other states adopting it, most local business was transacted by those commissioners in each county, who constituted a county court, with quarterly sessions.
"During the period ending with the constitution of 1847, a large por- tion of the state had become filled with a population of New England birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system. It was maintained by the people that the heavily populated districts would always control the election of the commissioners to the disadvantage of the more thinly populated sections-in short that under that system 'equal and exact jus- tice' to all parts of the county could not be secured.
"The township system had its origin in Massachusetts and dates back to 1635.
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"The first legal enactment concerning this system provided that, 'whereas particular towns have many things which concern only themselves, and the ordering of their own affairs and disposing of business in their own town,' therefore, 'the freemen of every town, or the majority part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods with all the appurtenances of said town, to grant lots, and to make such orders as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the general court.'
"They might also, says Mr. Haines, impose fines of not more than twenty shillings, and 'choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the highways, and the like.'
"Evidently this enactment relieved the general court of a mass of municipal details, without any danger to the power of that body in con- trolling general measures of public policy.
"Probably also a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt for the control of their own home concerns.
"The New England colonies were first governed by a 'general court,' or legislature, composed of a governor and a small council, which court con- sisted of the most influential inhabitants and possessed and exercised both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders.
"They made laws, ordered their execution by officers, tried and decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations and in fact did all the public business of the colony.
"Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the first constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639, and the plan of town- ship organization as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficiency and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent people, be- came universal throughout New England and went westward with the emigrants from New England into New York, Ohio and other western states."
Thus we find that the valuable system of county, township and town organizations had been thoroughly tried and proven long before there was need of adopting it in Iowa, or any of the broad region west of the Missis- sippi river. But as the new country soon began to be opened and as eastern people continued to move westward across the mighty river and form thick settlements along its western shore, the territory and state and county and township and town organizations soon followed in quick suc- cession and those different systems became more or less modified and im- proved, accordingly as deemed necessary by the experience and judgment and demands of the people until they have arrived at the present stage of advancement and efficiency.
In the settlement of the territory of Iowa the legislature began by organizing counties on the Mississippi. As each new county was formed it was made to include under legal jurisdiction, all the country bordering west of it and required to grant to the occidental settlers election privileges and an equal share in the county government with those who properly
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lived in the geographical limit of the county. The counties first organized along the eastern border of this state were given for a short time juris- diction over the lands and settlements adjoining each on the west, until these different localities became sufficiently settled to support organiza- tions of their own, and finally, at the first session of the legislature, after the Indians sold out, the newly acquired territory, including all north- western Iowa, was laid off into counties, provisions were made for their respective organizations when the proper time should arrive and these were severally named.
At the time of the organization there were but two townships in the county-Buchanan, running up the divide between East river and Buchanan creek, and Nodaway, which included all the balance of the county. The organization was completed by the election of the following officers: com- missioners, S. F. Snider, John Duncan and William Shearer; district clerk, John Buckingham ; sheriff, Robert Stafford.
The election, it is hardly necessary to say, had nothing of the nature of a political contest. The object was simply to organize the county and po- litical differences had not yet appeared. But very soon there came a change. The citizens were then generally quiet, industrious and peaceable with one another. Occasional differences and disputes arose, which in the main were soon overlooked or forgotten on account of their necessary and natural de- pendence for aid and convenience, as well as for common defense in their pioneer homes.
Dissensions and enmities, however, became to creep in gradually as the settlement progressed and continued to increase in working mischief very much in proportion as the settlement became more independently situated and more exclusive in their devotion to self interest and advancement. The unwelcome spirit of dissension began to manifest itself to the public most clearly perhaps about the time of the proclamation of the organizing sheriff announced the organization of the county, which would create numerous offices to be filled from the ranks of the first voters.
These offices during the first term of course, presented no great induce- ment for being very eagerly sought after, so far as the salary was con- cerned, but then they avoided positions of influence and preference, and they might in the near future prove very convenient stepping stones to more lucrative and influential positions. Beside, it was no mean thing to be elected to fill the first offices created in the new county. In this regard they afforded considerable inducement for being sought after by those who were at all inclined toward official distinction and they called forth numerous aspirants.
At that time as well as now, doubtless, there was a good per cent of worthy, influential citizens who, so far as their own desires for official po- sition were concerned, were entirely disinterested in the political canvass. These persons sought no such positions for themselves and would not ac- cept one if offered. Public applause and criticism was not at all coveted by them. Nevertheless they were as deeply interested in the welfare of the county as any other citizens and had a decided preference for those who should
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receive their votes. They desired to entrust the county government to effi- cient, trustworthy men, who were willing to assume the responsibility, and capable of conducting it in an efficient and acceptable manner, while they themselves were content to engage in some other department of the county's progress, more congenial to their tastes and dispositions. On the other hand, there were always enough of those who would accept these official positions, more or less reluctantly or cheerfully, if duly elected or urged a little to fill them, so that it was soon found the various offices were not sufficient to give each of the aspirants a position. Evidently some of these must gain the honored distinction, while others must be left out, part of whom doubtless would be disappointed not a little over their defeat.
Who then of these various aspirants were the best qualified to fill these several positions? Who had the most deserved claim on the public support? Who were the shrewdest political tricksters and wire pullers? Who of all the number could wield the most extended and effective influence, either by honorable, or it may be, by unfair means in securing the majority vote? These and many other questions of similar character would quite naturally arise, even in the minds of early settlers, as the memorable first election day drew near, when they must each receive a decisive answer at the ballot box.
EARLY COURTS.
The first district court in Page county convened at the house of Philip Boulware, September 22, 1851, James Sloan presiding as judge. A. H. Farrens was clerk and R. W. Stafford, sheriff, and the court appointed Jacob Dawson prosecuting attorney. The other attorneys present were George P. Stiles and A. C. Ford. About the only business which seems to have been transacted was the admission of one, Eberhard Frederick Gam- mel, of the kingdom of Wurtemburg, as a citizen of the United States upon the testimony of G. W. Farrens and William Roach.
The second term should have been held in April, 1852, but Judge Sloan had in the meantime resigned, leaving the sixth judicial district without a head. The records show that the clerk and sheriff were present and that the clerk adjourned court until such time as might thereafter be fixed by the proper authority. On the 12th day of July, 1852, Hon. Allen A. Brad- ford, having been appointed district judge by Governor Hempstead, ap- peared and held the second term of the district court in Page county. Jon- athan Shepherd was appointed prosecuting attorney for the term. The attorneys enrolled were C. P. Brown, L. Lingenfelter, James M. Dews and B. Rector. Several cases were disposed of, mostly indictments for assault and battery. The grand jurors were P. B. Johnson, Joshua Brown, James Murray, William Robbins. Thomas Nixon, Peter Baker, Hiram Beach, James Huggins, A. B. Quimby, Joel Davidson, Jesse Majors, Ira Cunning, John Brock and Henry D. Farrens. William Robbins was appointed fore- man.
At the September term, 1853, John Wilson and M. K. Skidmore, upon examination were admitted to the bar. A large proportion of the business
PERRY HARDEE First white child born in Page County
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of the term seems to have been prosecution for the unlawful sale of intoxi- cating liquors.
All the courts up to the April term, 1854, were held at Boulware's mill. The attorneys who practiced in the district courts of this county from its organization up to 1858 were as follows: L. Lingenfelter, Benjamin Rec- tor, S. E. McCracken, J. M. Dews, John Wilson, J. L. Sharp, H. P. Bennett, D. H. Solomon, William Kelsey, E. H. Sears, C. E. Stone, Joseph Murphy, H. H. Harding, R. L. Dodge, J. M. Russell, J. Burwick, A. H. East, J. A. Hughes, W. S. Graff, William Herron and John H. Ware.
LAND ENTRIES.
The first land entries of Page county took place in the year 1853, the land office then being located at Council Bluffs. Prior to that date the lands · were held by the settlers under the claim and preemption laws. By the year 1853 the first settlers had as a general thing accumulated enough to enable them to enter forty and eighty acres, while some of them were enabled to enter as much as one hundred and sixty acres of land. The greater portion of the lands of the county were entered in 1854. Below we present the names of a majority of the residents of the county who entered their land in 1853:
Akin, Joshua, September 10, 1853; southwest quarter of northeast quar- ter of section 10, township 68, range 38; forty acres.
Baker, George, June 1, 1853; north half of northwest quarter of section 3, township 69, range 36; eighty acres.
Buckingham, John, December 1, 1853; northeast quarter of southwest quarter of section 12, township 69, range 36; forty acres.
Beaver, Henry, December 9, 1853; west half northwest quarter of section 21, township 70, range 36; eighty acres.
Bussy, John A., June 29, 1853 ; west half of southwest quarter of sec- tion 21, township 70, range 36; eighty acres.
Burge, William, December 1, 1853; southwest quarter of southwest quarter of section 36, township 69, range 37; forty acres.
Collier, Abraham, September 15, 1853: southwest quarter of south- west quarter of section 14, township 69, range 36; forty acres.
Casady, Jefferson, September 15, 1853: southwest quarter of south- west quarter, section 30, township 69, range 36: forty-two acres.
Campbell, James, June 21, 1853; east half of northeast quarter, sec- tion 35, township 69, range 36; eighty acres.
Davidson, Goolman, October 4, 1853; north half of northeast quarter, section 32, township 68, range 36; eighty acres.
Dodson, John, May 23, 1853; south half of southwest quarter, sec- tion 35, township 69, range 37; eighty acres.
Davidson, Samuel, July 16, 1853; south half of northeast quarter, sec- tion 26, township 67, range 36; eighty acres.
Davidson, Wayne, July 16, 1853; southwest quarter of northeast quar- ter, section 24, township 67, range 36; forty acres.
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Fruits, Sebastian, June 21, 1853; north half of southeast quarter, sec- tion 32, township 68, range 36; eighty acres.
Farrens, H. D., July 16, 1853; south half of southeast quarter, sec- tion 29, township 69, range 36; eighty acres.
Fleming, Thomas, December 24, 1853; southeast quarter of southeast quarter, section 26, township 67, range 36; forty acres.
Goldsmith, John G. H., March 22, 1853; northeast quarter of southeast quarter, section 18, township 68, range 36; forty acres.
Graves, William, December 29, 1853; southeast quarter of southeast quarter, section 13, township 69, range 36; forty acres.
Hamilton, Charles B., May 27, 1853; south half of northeast quarter and north half of southeast quarter, section I, township 67, range 36; one hundred and sixty acres.
Houston, Thomas M., December 29, 1853 ; east half of southeast quarter and northwest quarter of southeast quarter, section 25, township 67, range 36; one hundred and twenty acres.
Hull, Erastus W., March 27, 1853; southwest quarter of northeast quarter, section 31, township 69, range 36; forty acres.
Hampton, Abijah, June 4, 1853; northwest quarter of northeast quar- ter, section 10, township 69, range 36; forty acres.
Johnson, Eli B., May 25, 1853 ; southwest quarter, section 25, township 69, range 36; one hundred and sixty acres.
Jones, Edmund W., July 2, 1853; southwest quarter of southeast quar- ter and southeast quarter of southwest quarter, section 30, township 69, range 36; eighty acres.
Kenyon, B., July 4, 1853; east half of southeast quarter, section 3. township 70, range 39; eighty acres.
Lee, Hendrix, December 6, 1853 ; northeast quarter of southwest quarter, section II, township 68, range 37; forty acres.
Lavering, William, September 5, 1853; southeast quarter of north- west quarter, section 29, township 69, range 36; forty acres.
Martin, George, December 1, 1853; southwest quarter of northwest quarter, section 12, township 70, range 39; forty acres.
Nixon, Thomas, July 16, 1853; northwest quarter of southeast quarter and southeast quarter of southeast quarter, section 6, township 67, range 36; eighty acres.
Nixon, Mary, July 16, 1853; southwest quarter, section 17, township 67, range 36; one hundred and sixty acres.
Nixon, Samuel, July 16, 1853; northwest quarter, section 31, town- ship 68, range 36; one hundred and eighty-two acres.
Parker, William, June 28, 1853 ; northwest quarter of southwest quarter, section 10, township 68, range 37 ; forty acres.
Reed, Ann, June 21, 1853; west half of northeast quarter, section 35, township 69, range 36; eighty acres.
Roach, Thomas, May 25, 1853; northwest quarter, section 35, town- ship 69, range 36; one hundred and sixty acres.
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