USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Page County, constitution of the state of Iowa, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 42
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Even many of those who had been here for a longer time, having pre- pared in the summer and fall what they supposed would be sufficient fod- der for their stock through an average winter, and not looking for such a fearful siege of snow and storm, were glad to resort to the browsing sys- tem, also, and cut down trees plentifully near their stock yards, in order that the animals might fill up on the twigs and branches, and thus get along on a smaller quantity of the prepared fodder, lest the supply should fail before spring set in. Many such ingenious plans were resorted to in
371
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
these cases of necessity in order to "winter through." From all accounts of those who were compelled to endure it on the frontier, it was certainly a desperate winter, thoroughly fitted to try the hearts and test the powers of endurance of those who were obliged to battle with the trials of. pioneer life in the west. Such a winter, coming even now, when people are thor- oughly fixed for it, with fine houses and barns, and food and shelter for man and beast, and with all the conveniences and comforts and provisions that could reasonably be desired, would be considered as a "stormer," which must cause destitution and suffering on the part of very many. No wonder, then, that the early settlers still living, who endured it here with meager preparations, ever remember and refer to it as the "hard winter of 1848-49."
The fearful winter referred to gradually began to loosen its hold in the following February, and before the month of March was gone the snow had all disappeared, except occasional remnants of massive drifts that had existed on the north side of high banks and hills, where the sun had not been permitted to shine so powerfully, and the spring of 1849 was ushered . in quite early, with a kindly welcome, bringing encouragement and hope to many anxious hearts, as well as comfort and warmth to many needy, suffering homes. The heavy snow lying so constantly on the ground dur- ing the previous winter had not allowed the ground to become frozen very solid or deep, so that the stock could take care of themselves quite com- fortably during the latter part of March, and until grass began to start in the sloughs and bottom-lands in sufficient quantities to furnish feed in abundance. Everything seemed most favorable also for producing an early growth of vegetables, as if to recompense for the want and suffering of the past winter. By the time the snow was melted the frost was nearly all out of the ground, so that the constant rays of the sun soon produced warmth enough in the earth to start the growth of grass and hurry the much-wished-for pasture along, and furnish food for the famishing herds. This was, indeed, an inestimable blessing to all those who had settled here late in the previous fall, and had not been enabled to procure either food for their stock, or sufficient food and comforts for themselves and families.
The felling of trees for the browsing and shelter of stock had proven a good thing in time of need, but all were heartily glad that the time had at last come when this custom need no longer be pursued, and when stock could take care of themselves; leaving the owners to go about spring work and improvements.
Great preparations were made on all hands during the spring for secur- ing as good and large a crop during the coming harvest as possible. Every available acre and square foot of ground that was at all arable and fitted for receiving the seed with any chance of producing a reasonable
372
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
.
growth of grain or garden stuffs was seeded or planted with the utmost care and diligence. During that spring quite a large crop was planted, considering the age of the settlements and the great disadvantages under which the citizens labored for making improvements, and again their faith- ful labors were rewarded with a fruitful harvest. Quite a large increase of emigration also came into the county during that spring and summer, almost doubling the population of the county before the end of the year. As one who was present and witnessed the scene of progress says of it:
"The year of grace, 1849, was crowned with an abundant harvest, and witnessed the incoming of many emigrants within our borders, who were greeted with a hearty welcome by all."
No doubt those coming in during the year did receive a hearty welcome from all those who had preceded them, and found the way opened with far more encouraging prospects than those did who first made permanent settlements in Page county. It was, in general, a summer of peaceful prosperity, many of the new-comers bringing in more or less money, to be distributed, to some extent, among those already living here, who had been fortunate enough to have something left from last year's crop to sell for the supply of others. During the early years of the county there were two heavy floods that have never been equaled since. When the immense banks of snow that covered the earth in the winter of '48-49 began to melt, it caused a heavy flood to sweep down the bottoms and ravines into the rivers. The melting of the snow began about the first of March, and continued, under the increasing power of the sun's rays, to swell the rivers until far beyond their banks and well up on the bluffs on either side, thus rendering it impossible to cross them, and shutting the settlers in from communication with those living on the other side, for weeks and months. A great many heavy rains also came during that spring, and kept the flood raging from March until July of that year. There was very little getting to mill, or any place else, while that continued, if the desired trip was to be made across a stream or two of any considerable size, and under such circumstances the settlers must still remain contented with their allot- · ted apportionment of "hog and hominy" until the "floods of water" sub- sided so that crossing could again be accomplished.
Sometimes very risky, and generally fruitless, attempts were made at crossing during the high waters, by the more adventurous and dar- ing ones. A temporary raft was made of logs or home-made canoes and dug-outs fastened together, on which the grist and wagons were taken across, piece by piece and then the oxen caused to swim to the other shore, when all things were again put together in running order, and the mill-goers moved onward on their journey. But not very many of the settlers chose to risk such an hazardous undertaking, and sometimes those who did undertake it found more on their hands than they were able to
373
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
manage, and were glad to get back safely to shore with all their effects and wait until a more convenient season. As a general thing the citizens were content to remain near their homes, attending to the work to be done during high waters, and make the best of the circumstances, living on just such as they had, and could get near home. Again in 1851 there came another flood. This time it was not caused by melting snow, but by an unprecedented rainfall. The rain continued to fall without cessation for weeks, and even months, apparently. All the streams were swollen immensely, and great damage was done. In some places the prairies seemed like lakes or other large sheets of water. All the pioneers re- member the great floods of '49 and '51. Of the old settlers some are still living in the county, in the enjoyment of the fortunes they founded in the early times, "having reaped a hundred-fold." Others have passed away and many of them will not long survive. Some of them have gone to the far west and are still playing the part of pioneers. But wherever they may be, and whatever fate may betide them, it is but truth to say that they were excellent men as a class, and have left a deep and enduring impression upon Page county and the state. "They builded better than they knew." They were, of course, men of activity and energy or they would never have decided to face the trials of pioneer life. They were almost invariably poor, but the lessons taught them in the early days were of such a character that few of them remained so. They made their mis- takes in business pursuits like other men. Scarcely one of them but al- lowed golden opportunities, for pecuniary profit at least, to pass unheeded. What are now some of the choicest farms in Page county were not taken up by the pioneers, who preferred land of very much less value. They have seen many of their prophesies fulfilled and others come to naught. Whether they have attained the success they desired, their own hearts can tell.
During the year 1846, and perhaps not until some time afterward, there was not a public highway established and worked, on which they could travel. And as the settlers were generally far apart, and mills and trade- ing points were at great distances, going from place to place was not only very tedious, but attended sometimes with great danger. Not a railroad had yet entered Chicago, and there was scarcely a thought in the 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 5,000 miles of railroad in the United States, and not a mile of track laid this side of Ohio; while now there are over 100,- 000 miles of railroad extending their trunks and branches in every direc- tion over our land. Supplies, in those days, came to this western country entirely by river and wagon transportation. Mail was carried to and fro
374
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
in the same way, and telegraph dispatches were transmitted by the mem- ory and lips of the emigrants coming in, or starngers passing through. By 1850 the county was in a flourishing condition. Despite the priva- tions 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 county had spread abroad and new-comers came thronging in rapidly.
The crop was again good this year, and everything went on prosper- ously in view of the coming bountiful harvest. Mills went up rapidly in various localities, rendering milling privileges comparatively convenient to all settlements in the county. Roads were being laid out and worked, and temporary bridges constructed in different localities for the conve- nience of travel. Schools and school-houses were rapidly increasing, and conveniences of public worship multiplied. Manufactories of various kinds began to be talked of by the more enterprising men of some capi- tal and the general work of improvement and civilization progressed most encouragingly.
FIRST TRADING POINTS.
Savannah, Missouri, was one of the chief trading points for the citizens of Page county in early days. 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 night- fall, and 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 he, who in years agone, had plighted his word to cherish and protect her.
In early days it was no uncommon thing for several families to club to- gether, make out a list of what each one was in want of, and send off to
375
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
the trading posts as many men and teams as was necessary, or as could be obtained, 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. Notwithstanding all their trials and difficulties, if a stranger from any distance came into the settlement, he was treated with unusual cor- diality 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.
GROWTH OF THE COUNTY.
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 thirty families in the county, probably aggregating 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 a stand-still, but continued steadily year by year. The brunt of the pioneer battle was borne by the very early set- tlers, for within a few years the great hardships of pioneer life had disap- peared 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 pro- portion of them having been born in Ohio and Indiana, althought quite a
376
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
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 praries to blossom as the rose. The following table, taken from the census report for 1856, will serve a good purpose here, and will show to a good advantage the condition of the agricultural resources of the county at that early date:
377
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
TABLE,
Showing the Population, Agricultural Statistics, Number and Value of Hogs and Cattle Sold, Etc., of Page County for 1856.
NAME OF TOWNSHIPS.
POPULATION.
Nodaway.
Pierce.
Amity.
Nebraska.
Buchanan.
Total.
No. dwelling houses
114
24
20
99
82
339
No. families
123
25
20
105
82
355
No. males
364
65
61
278
247
1015
No. females
336
59
59
264
231
949
Married
235
45
38
205
153
676
Widowed
23
2
4
9
9
47
Native voters -
142
27
24
120
80
393
Naturalized voters
5
1
1
7
Aliens
6
1
7
Militia
135
18
23
107
67
350
Deaf and dumb
1
1
21
73
61
281
Paupers -
1
1
2
AGRICULTURAL.
Acres improved land
2722
476
329
2471
2054
8052
Acres unimproved land
16313
1918
4134
12832
8984
41182
Acres meadow
90
Tons hay -
182
58
240
Bushels grass seed
2
6
8
Acres spring wheat
182
28
50
104
624
Bushels harvested
1686
79
559
162
2486
Acres winter wheat
112
8
5
30
102
157
Bushels harvested
330
100
30
391
493
1344
Acres oats
78
11
76
197
362
Bushels harvested
1180
43
1674
2417
5314
Acres corn -
1084
213
94
1082
1071
3544
Bushels harvested
37286
6080
3170
40915
35746 123197
Acres potatoes
16
3
1
11
17
48
Bushels harvested
1892
670
90
1548
1389
5589
HOGS, CATTLE, ETC.
No. hogs sold
170
48
40
378
465
1101
Value hogs sold
1247
272
261
2333
2106
19219
No. cattle sold Value cattle sold
2451
332
535
1635
3681
8634
Pounds butter made
5759
1210
1675
3192
4195
16034
Pounds cheese
511
216
172
1200
2099
Pounds wool
621
111
140
835
1087
2794
Val. domestic manuf's
830
51
95
771
1153
2902
Val. gen. manufactures
500
117
617
1
2
Idiotic
2
3
Owners of land
110
16
86
489
700
94
14
17
9
81
378
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
The following table is also one that can be studied with interest by the inhabitants of the county at the present time:
TABLE.
Showing the Place of Nativity of the Inhabitants of Page County, for 1856.
TOWNSHIP.
STATES.
Nodaway.
Pierce.
Amity.
Nebraska.
Buchanan.
Total.
Ohio
211
47
15
56
86
415
Indiana
131
17
16
151
95
410
Pennsylvania
29
6
8
13
9
65
Iowa .
122
19
17
79
122
359
New York
10
1
9
10
1
31
Maine .
1
3
4
8
New Hampshire
1
1
Vermont .
1
1
Massachusetts
2
3
5
Connecticut
1
1
2
4
Rhode Island
2
1
Virginia
28
1
25
10
64
Kentucky
21
9
3
44
53
130
Illinois
10
2
21
22
8
63
Michigan
2
2
1
5
Arkansas
3
North Carolina.
8
2
13
18
41
South Carolina
3
2
2
7
Tennessee
39
1
8
55
14
117
Missouri
39
2
4
37
57
139
Georgia
2
2
Maryland.
6
3
1
1
11
New Jersey
2
5
5
12
England.
4
1
1
6
Ireland.
9
1
10
Scotland
1
1
Germany.
6
3
2
11
France. .
1
1
1
Canada ..
5
1
6
12
New Brunswick.
1
Switzerland
1
1
Wisconsin
1
7
5
13
Delaware
2
2
4
Unknown.
31
3
...
1
Norway
1
·
3
3
379
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
The following statistics are from the national census of 1860:
MALES. FEMALES
TOTAL POPULAT'N.
Nodaway township
743
631
1374
Buchanan
471
388
S59
Fremont
57
50
107
Tarkio
190
176
366
Amity
66
328
255
583
Nebraska
66
214
208
422
Valley
66
148
122
270
Douglas
66
76
59
106
Washington
104
96
200
Pierce
52
54
106
Clarinda
240
187
427
Hawleyville
S4
76
160
Amity
107
S6
193
5,202
VALUE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP.
Real estate.
$ 553,981
Personal property
175,870
Total
.
$
729,851
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP.
Real estate.
$
186,100
Personal property
70,72S
Total
$ 256,828
AMITY TOWNSHIP.
Real estate.
$ 183,670
Personal property
67,077
Total
.
$ 250,747
NEBRASKA TOWNSHIP.
Real estate.
$ 171,170
Personal property
67,871
Total
$ 239,040
380
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
TARKIO TOWNSHIP.
Real estate
$ 84,400
Personal property .
28,670
Total
.$
113,070
VALLEY TOWNSHIP,.
Real estate.
$ 109,980
Personal property
28,725
Total
$ 138,705
DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP.
Real estate.
$ 43,300
Personal property
. 15,400
Total
$ 57,700
PIERCE TOWNSHIP.
Real estate.
.
$ 20,500
Personal property.
14,365
Total
$
34,865
FREMONT TOWNSHIP.
Real estate
.
$ 18,200
Personal property
8,560
Total
$
26,760
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Real estate ..
.$ 59,050
Personal property
20,265
Total.
$ 79,315
Total amount of real estate in the county
$ 1,429,150
Total amount of personal property in the county
497,530
Total real and personal $ 1,926,680
From the same statistics we gather the following, showing the number of bushels of corn and wheat raised in the various townships of the county for the year 1859:
1
-
381
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
CORN.
WHEAT.
Nodaway township
92,800
15,030
Buchanan
66
73,800
4,930
Amity
35,800
5,156
Nebraska
37,100
3,500
Valley
66
32,200
4,390
Douglas
66
20,100
1,820
Washington
66
16,000
1,870
Tarkio
66
26,400
3,730
Pierce
66
10,200
3,030
Fremont
8,000
870
- Total. .
352,400
44,326.
LIVE STOCK.
Total number of sheep in the county,
4,296
Total number of hogs.
9,681
The growth of the county from 1860 to 1869, covering the war period, was somewhat slow. From 1860 to 1865 emigration to the western states was almost wholly checked, and in this respect Page county suffered with the balance of her sister counties. The population of Page county in 1850 was 551; in 1851 it was 534; in 1852, 636; 1854, 1,148; in 1856 it was, as we have before shown, 1,964; in 1859 it was 3,674; in 1860, 5,202; in 1865, 5,211; in 1867 it was 6,025; and in 1869 it had reached 7,843,
The following statistics relative to the growth and prosperity of the county from 1860 to 1869, we take from the state census report for the latter named year :
MALES.
FEMALES.
TOTAL.
Amity township.
453
301
854
Buchanan
456
434
890
Douglas
66
187
154
341
East River township.
442
435
877
Fremont
86
80
166
Harlan
66
309
278
587
Lincoln
231
221
452
Nebraska
66
355
333
689
Nodaway
66
822
774
1,596
Pierce
104
107
211
Tarkio
66
146
126
271
Valley
282
251
533
Washington
"
209
167
376
Total population in county
7,843
382
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
From 1849 to 1875 the growth of the county was simply marvelous, as in the years intervening between the dates mentioned the population of the county was very nearly doubled. Three new townships had been or- ganized-Colfax, Harlan, Motron -- and the old settlers were astonished at seeing the west side of the county settle up, something many of them had declared, in the early settlement of the county, would never occur. They were, of course, honest in their opinions, but subsequent events have for- cibly demonstrated that their judgment in regard to the matter was not of the best.
The census of the county for 1875 showed the following figures :
MALES.
FEMALES.
TOTAL.
Amity townsnip
595
557
1,122
Buchanan '
469
438
907
Clarinda, town of.
559
541
1,075
Colfax township ..
279
240
513
Douglas
455
393
838
East River township.
500
409
909
Fremont
66
407
368
775
Grant, except Shenandoah.
288
252
540
Harlan township.
501
435
913
Lincoln
411
334
744
Morton
66
203
179
382
Nebraska
66
354
345
680
Nodaway, except Clarinda.
670
604
1,246
Pierce township
394
356
750
Shenandoah, town of.
370
341
706
Tarkio township
375
313
688
Valley
435
401
836
Washington township
275
238
513
Total.
.14,139
FIELD CROPS HARVESTED IN 1874.
TOWNSHIP.
WHEAT, BU.
CORN, BU.
OATS, BU.
Amity
20,669
136,215
28,544
Buchanan
13,312
264,005
23,105
Colfax
15,666
81,650
17,383
Douglas
33,031
233,400
28,000
East River
15,599
142,863
22,147
Fremont
47,876
123,440
12,012
Grant -
33,215
173,872
18,121
Harlan
23,117
147,335
34,178
383
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
FIELD CROPS HARVESTED IN 1874-CONCLUDED.
TOWNSHIPS.
WHEAT, BU.
CORN, BU.
OATS, BU.
Lincoln
23,355
109,100
33,214
Morton
26,048
60,740
14,036
Nebraska
5,912
64,890
7,779
Nodaway
28,401
250,571
39,796
Pierce
23,242
73,740
10,559
Tarkio
28,199
113,358
23,226
Valley
21,316
184,880
19,898
Washington
16,560
78,984
14,509
Total
3,761,027
2,239,043
346,507
As will be observed by the foregoing statistics, the population of the county in 1875 was 14,139, 135 of whom were colored; 4,811 were born in Iowa; 8,331 were born in other states; and 1,132 were born in foreign countries. During the year 1874 there were 570 births and 213 deaths. There were 156,782 acres of improved land, and 175,471 acres unim- proved, and 115,484 acres in cultivation, which was enclosed with 585,113 rods of fence. There are in the county 16,756 acres of natural timber, 1,502 acres of planted timber, and 304,334 rods of hedge; 18,525 bearing apple trees, bore in 1874 15,128 bushels of apples; 594 pear trees bore 68 bushels of pears; 3,396 peach trees bore 1,215 bushels of peaches; 1,039 plum trees bore 161 bushels of plums; there were 300 cherry trees from which 668 bushels of cherries were gathered. From 19 acres of grapes in vineyard 24,522 pounds of grapes were gathered, and 112 gallons of wine pressed, while there were gathered from vines not in vineyard 82,- 657 pounds of grapes, from which there were compressed 254 gallons of wine. The number of head of live stock was as follows: Horses, 9,602; mules and asses, 923; milch cows, 6,776, from which 343,107 pounds of butter and 3,165 pounds of cheese were manufactured, and 600 gallons of milk sold. There were 26,130 head of cattle; 67,818 head of swine sold for slaughter. There were 11,574 head of sheep, of which 2,907 dogs killed 268. The value of farm products was $1,293,463; of market gar- den produce, $4,221; of the orchard, $17,877; of small fruit, $6,283; value of products of the herd, $714,592; of the dairy, $54,708; value of products of the forest, $27,612.
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