USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 19
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Article five provides that "the government of this corporation shall be vested in a board of directors to consist of fifty members who shall have control of the property and manage the affairs of the corporation, and who shall be elected annually at the annual meeting of the members of this corporation. The board of directors shall adopt such rules, regulations and by-laws as may be deemed advisable for the government and proper business conduct of the club, and for the guidance of its officers, committees and employes, and shall have the power to name and define the duties of such officers as they may decm necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the club by by-laws, and shall generally do all such things as are calculated to benefit and improve the usefulness of such corporation and to carry out the business of its forma- tion."
The membership fee is $5.00 and the annual dues $12.00, payable quarter- ly in advance.
The first officers of the Commercial Club were: President, Victor E. Ben- der; vice-presidents, Chris Jensen and W. H. Kimball; secretary, M. F. Rohrer; treasurer, E. E. Hart. The executive committee was composed of H. H. Van Brunt, chairman, F. R. Davis, C. W. McDonald, H. A. Quinn and HI. W. Binder.
The present officers of the Commercial Club are: President, E. H. Mer- riam ; vice-presidents, P. C. DeVol and E. H. Doolittle; secretary, W. B. Reed ; treasurer, E. E. Hart. Present executive committee is Chas. A. Beno, chair- man, J. G. Wadsworth, Thos. Green, R. H. Bloomer and H. B. Jennings.
CEMETERIES.
Few cities have more beautiful spots for the repose of their departed friends than Council Bluffs. Nature had already clothed them with native trees, making them, in reality, parks, while the grass was sprinkled with beautiful wild flowers.
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Fairview is rightly named, as its crest rises to a height of two hundred and fifty feet, commanding a view second only to that obtained from Fair- mount park. and sloping down each way forms delightful ravines. The first settlers were quick to observe this and immediately appropriated it, while yet it belonged to the government. Later, when a title was obtained, a com- pany was formed, the ground surveyed and platted. Then beautiful and costly monuments began to appear.
It seems that even here there is an aristocracy. In sight of the massive granite and marble monuments of the wealthy departed are hundreds of modest graves, where just as loving hands have adorned them according to their means, and undoubtedly their occupants rest as peacefully as the others. It seems to be natural for people to select hills on which to bury their dead. The first burial place found in the vicinity of Council Bluffs was on a high bluff near the Mynster Spring, where were the bones of hundreds of people supposed to be of Indians, of all ages, and all mixed together, and covered only to a depth of from one to two feet. The next was established after the advent of the white man, where the Pierce street school now stands. This was also an Indian burying ground and established after the mission was started among them, as shown by the Christian emblems found in the graves when the remains were removed. What is now Fairview was next and was started by the Mormons. The ground at that time belonged to the government and was appropriated by whoever saw fit, as before stated. Later, a few bodies were buried around the little frame church that stood on Pierce street in the rear of the Ogden House, but these were soon removed many years ago. Fairview, being the oldest and nearest, has as yet the greatest number of graves, especially of the old settlers.
At the northern part, on the highest point is the soldiers' burial place, in the center of which is the Kinsman monument, surrounded by the graves of his eomrades. This part is especially intended for such as had no lots of their own, and many soldiers are buried on their family lots. Among these are Dr. Henry Osborn, surgeon, Major Lyman, Dr. Alex Shoemaker, Harmon Shoemaker, Colonel Addison Cochran, and many others. Some years ago an attempt was made to enjoin the burial of more bodies here, claiming it would contaminate the water of the city, but since establishing the water- works this objection is removed.
Walnut Hill in the northeastern part of the city is another beautiful and sightly spot, and really embraces four cemeteries, as on the same hill, on the eastern slope is St. Joseph's (Catholic), Oak Hill (Jewish), besides Hillside (publie). Here again we meet the names of many who became prominent. Among them Judge Caleb Baldwin and wife, Rev. Joseph Knotts. Colonel Wm. Orr, Wm. Wyman and wife, J. M. Palmer and wife. Dr. Henry Hart, Captain D. F. Eicher, Dr. P. J. McMahon, and many others; and crossing into St. Joseph's we meet with as many more. There are comparatively few as yet in Oak Ilill, and fewer still in the publie ground. The view from here is almost as fine as from Fairview.
Just beyond the city limits going cast situated on another hill is the
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Clark cemetery, named in honor of D. B. Clark, a pioneer, whose farm was near by, and where he and his wife and many of the neighbors are buried.
Besides these each township has one or more.
THE PRESS.
So little has been left of numerous papers that have risen, flourished for a time under different managements, and died, that to give an authentic history is a pretty difficult proposition.
It is generally conceded that the Frontier Guardian, edited by Orson Hyde, a Mormon dder, and assisted by A. C. Ford, was the first newspaper published in this county. Politically this was whig, religiously Mormon. This had a life of some four years.
The next appears to have been the Bugle. This was owned and con- trolled by Alman W. Babbitt, was politically democratic, religiously Mormon. After conducting it for a year or two he sold it to Joseph E. Johnson.
Shortly after. Dan Carpenter, a practical printer, purchased an interest and for a time was run by them. During 1856 L. W. Babbitt bought out this firm, but Johnson continued to edit the paper until 1857, when he trans- ferred his activities to the rising town of Crescent and started a paper there called the Oraele. This left L. W. Babbitt in full control of the paper, which was issued as a daily after '63.
In 1864 Charles H. Babbitt took an interest and it was conducted by Babbitt and son until 1866, when it was purchased by W. T. Giles, the elder Babbitt retiring and the younger entering the army, and at the close of the war located permanently in Washington city. During the life of the Bugle it was intensely democratic. so much so that it was classed as a copperhead sheet. But however much Mr. Babbitt differed with the party in power, his integrity was never questioned and morally and socially no one stood higher than he. With great opportunities for accumulating wealth in office, he knew no such thing as "graft."
Mr. Giles also started a German paper called the Council Bluffs Press, but soon sold it. and after passing through several hands it finally was pur- chased by F. S. Pfeiffer, who came from Oregon with his family in 1879. He continued to publish it until his death July 16, 1899. Alois Becker is the present editor and proprietor.
During 1868 Alf Kierolf started a paper called the Democrat. He was a disciple of Brick Pomeroy. In the fall of that year B. F. Montgomery bought the concern and Kierolf continued to run it until October 31, when it suspended. and on December 12 the press and material were sold to satisfy a mortgage held by M. M. Pomeroy.
In 1871 the Globe .was established by S. W. Morehead. The following year Jacob Williams became editor and in 1879 Mr. Morgan bought a half interest and it continued under this management for some time.
During the early 'SOs the Evening Herald was launched, with S. T. Walker as president, F. E. Spencer, secretary and editor, and R. E. Ingram as treasurer. This was a prohibition paper, and after a short run was suc-
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ceeded by the Independent Republican from '85 to '88, and edited by H. W. Linchard.
This was succeeded by the Eagle, with W. R. Vaughan, proprietor, who, after a short trial here, took it to Omaha, where it was finally closed out by the sheriff.
The Globe continued as the democratic organ under different manage- ments until 1900, when it went into the hands of a receiver.
For a time the Inland Christian Advocate was published by Rev. Joseph Knotts. This was a Methodist organ, but was of short duration.
With the birth of the republican party it became necessary to have an organ, and as such the Nonpareil was launched more than a half century ago. The first issue was on May 2, 1857, by Maynard and Long. These men were brothers-in-law. The latter was a practical printer and the former was un- doubtedly the ablest editor that has yet appeared here. The first home was in what at that time was the Palmer block, on the northwest corner of Broad- way and Scott streets.
After the death of Mr. Long, which occurred during the winter of '57-8, Mr. Maynard conducted the paper alone until the spring of '64, when he sold out to W. S. Burke and A. J. Bell. Previous to this, on the 28th of January. 1863, the first issue of the Daily Nonpareil appeared, but after a short trial was suspended, but in July, 1884. came out as a daily, tri-weekly and weekly. After Mr. Maynard's retirement from the postmastership, John WV. Chapman became interested with him, and were together in the business until Mr. Maynard's death, February 26, 1876.
After the death of Mr. Maynard, Mr. Chapman took the editorial chair. He soon became recognized as one of the strong editorial writers of the state.
The following year Thos. P. Treynor, then postmaster, and John C. Schermerhorn purchased the interest of Messrs. Gray and Mill, and the office was moved into the old two-story brick on the south side of Broadway that was in an early day the banking house of Green. Ware & Benton. The next move was into the building between Main and Pearl streets, now oceu- pied and owned by the Metcalf Company. About this time the Nonpareil Printing Company was incorporated, with Thos. P. Treynor, J. W. Chap- man and Spencer Smith as stockholders, and the following year bought the three-story brick at the corner of Broadway and Scott street, and the Non- pareil found itself back to its first home, though much enlarged and improved. While here several changes in the ownership occurred. Mr. Treynor sold to Spencer Smith, Mr. Chapman sold a part of his stoek to C. Lefferts, and the remainder to J. J. Steadman and Spencer Smith, who became president and editor-in-chief.
Mr. Steadman and Mr. Lefferts sold to the Snyders, of Red Oak, and Mr. Smith to General E. F. Test.
In the latter part of 1894 a company was organized under the name of the New Nonpareil Company, which took over the entire plant, including the Daily and Weekly Nonpareil and the building it occupied.
Ernest E. Hart became president. J. HI. Purcell. secretary and business manager, and Vietor E. Bender assumed editorial charge of the papers. Mr.
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Purcell remained with the paper but a few months, and was succeeded as manager by Mr. Bender, a position he has ever since held. In 1900 removal was made to the present quarters in the Odd Fellows' building.
For five years from 1897 to 1902 Howard Tillon was editor.
During this year Mr. Bender purchased the interest of E. E. Hart, and is the present president of the company.
Other papers of the county are noticed in the part of this history relat- ing to the cities and towns where they are published.
BELKNAP TOWNSHIP.
This township is composed of twenty-four sections and named in honor of W. W. Belknap, an Iowa soldier, who became secretary of war during administration of President Grant. What it lacks in size it makes up in fertility.
It was set off for organization by an order of the county board of super- visors September 6, 1872, on the petition of W. Henry Mann, D. W. Hays, Wm. Lyman, and twenty other citizens of Center township, out of which the new township was carved.
As near as can be ascertained the first settler was Orin Belknap, who came from Ohio in 1854, and settled on section 10, township 75, range 40, the same tract of land which he sold to Judge W. C. James.
G. A. Slocum was another early settler. He was born at Pompey, Onondaga county, New York, on the 10th day of May, 1811, and became one of the early settlers in Huron county, Ohio. Of a roving disposition, he re- turned to New York, but in 1844 removed to Walworth county, Wisconsin. In 1847 went to Marquette and from there emigrated to this county, settling in what is now Belknap township, coming with an ox team.
His first residence was constructed by himself and was peculiar, being partly under ground, partly log and partly sod, but was very comfortable, being warm in winter and cool in summer.
The first white child born was Samuel George Slocum, son of G. A. Slocum, November 7, 1854.
The first marriage was that of Sylvadoy Slocum and Marilla Belknap.
The first postoffice in the township was established in 1854. George Reed was appointed postmaster and while he held that position he was killed by a kick from a horse, and was succeeded by Wm. Lyman, father of the boy that tramped into the Bluffs when the war commenced, enlisted in Com- pany B, Fourth Iowa (Dodge's) regiment, was promoted to adjutant of the Twenty-ninth, became major, and after the war studied law with Clinton and Sapp, became judge of circuit court and was elected to congress in 1884.
The first death was that of Michael Beard, August 29, 1854. The first postoffice was located about a mile east of Oakland in Mr. Reed's dwelling, and in 1863 was transferred to the residence of Wm. Lyman, a short dis- tance from the west side of the river.
M. T. Palmer started a store about two miles north of Oakland at the north end of the grove in 1860. He also practiced medicine. Although
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not a regularly educated physician, he practiced for a time, until Dr. Tobey, the first regular practitioner, arrived, the first one who settled in the town- ship, being in 1856. His first store was in a building that had been used as a schoolhouse. The first mail to these offices was carried by Jas. A. Sin- clair on horseback, the route being from Macedonia to Newtown.
The first school taught in the township was by Wmn. Lyman, Sr., and was supported by voluntary contribution by the little community.
J. L. Fetter was the first school director, and let the contract for the first schoolhouse for $690. The house was finished in 1861, and when com- pleted payment was made, all in silver. the contractor being Cyrus True, of Newtown.
The first house in Big Grove, now Oakland, was built in 1856 by Wm. Walker for a store room.
The first bridge across the Botna was begun in December, 1855, and finished in March, 1856. The abutments were timber cribs filled with earth. It was one hundred and twenty feet long, roadway fourteen feet wide, and consisted of three spans. Previous to this the settlers had to go to Macedonia, the river not being fordable here.
No money was paid for building of this bridge. G. A. Slocum pro- cured the settlers to sign a contract to furnish material or labor, and in this way it was built, G. A. Slocum, Samuel Dey and Orin Belknap, who were mechanics, doing most of the work.
One of the notable events of early days was the murder of Edward M. Benton by James Vest in October, 1868. Benton was in the employ of the Western Stage Company, who had a station at Big Grove. Vest was a farm hand in the employ of W. M. West. The scene of the murder was a little log cabin kept by three women of bad repute, and Vest boarded with them. Benton called in the night and, being refused admittance, broke down the door and made an attempt to get in, when Vest grabbed a hatchet and struck Benton twice on the head with the blade and cut him so badly that he died before morning. Vest made his escape and no effort was made to capture him, nor was any inquest held.
In 1860 a young man named Albert Griffith was plowing in a field of J. L. Fetter's with a yoke of oxen when one of them became entangled and in trying to extricate him. he was kicked to death. He was buried in Big Grove cemetery in section 10. Others buried there were Peter S. Johns, one of the soldiers drafted from James township; Win. Elliott. a soldier of the civil war, who died while undergoing the amputation of a wounded leg; an unknown emigrant of 1857, who was drowned while bathing in the Botna river; and the eldest son of J. R. Cook, who, in trying to reach the upper Botna bridge when the river was out of its banks, missed the bridge and was drowned March 28, 1875.
Goods were sold on the present site of Oakland before the town was laid out. Mr. Slocum had a store room and stock of groceries, when Jacob Colin came from Council Bluffs to start a general store at Big Grove, and the groceries in stock were transferred from Slocum to Cohn. W. H. Freeman put up a new building in the Grove and Cohn moved to that. He soon be-
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came a bankrupt. D. B. Freeman took charge of the assets and he and W. H. Freeman opened up in the same place on their own account.
J. B. Matlack afterwards acquired W. II. Freeman's interest and again that of D. B. Freeman, after which D. B. Freeman became sole owner by purchase from Matlack. Through successive changes rapidly made the busi- ness finally came into the hands of Potter and DeGraff.
The building of a branch railroad of the Rock Island Railroad down the Botna valley from Avoca changed the character of the hamlet of Big Grove, standing in the primeval forest, to an important town. The town of Oakland was laid out by Thomas Tostevin and Samuel Denton, surveyors. The first residence on the new site was erected by Dr. S. Stewart and the first store building by J. C. Norton, J. M. Estes and E. H. Wineland in the upper part of town.
The plat of the lower part of the town was made September 13, 1880, on the lands of W. Il. Freeman. David Freeman, John Bates, Ambrose Bates and Thomas Tostevin. The next spring, 1881, Thomas Tostevin platted a portion of the town in the upper part on the lands of Jolin T. Baldwin.
The town was incorporated under the laws of lowa by the circuit court of Pottawattamie county on the first of May, 1882. An election having been held on the 26th of April at which W. H. Freeman was chosen mayor; S. S. Rust, J. L. Caldwell, John McDonald, Austin Goff, L. F. Potter and Charles Bryant, councilmen; E. G. Barley, recorder; B. F. Freeman, treas- urer; D. H. Morrison, marshal, and W. W. Begler, city attorney. A news- paper, the Acorn, was started by John C. MeMannima and John G. Julian May 1, 1881. The first issue was dated May 5, the same year. In August following A. M. Lewis became editor and proprietor, and on the 1st of March, 1882, A. M. Lewis sold to A. T. Cox. It has been independent in politics, working for the interest of the town and surrounding country, and its efforts are appreciated by the business public.
Oakland Lodge No. 442 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was established at Oakland on the 13th of January, 1882, with the following officers: T. C. Alexander, N. G .; N. Young, V. G .; A. M. Lewis, secretary; W. D. Johnson, treasurer.
The Big Grove Grange of Patrons of Husbandry was instituted by General William Duane Wilson, editor of the Iowa Homestead, in the spring of 1871. The charter membership was twenty, and increased to sixty, while the grange continued to aet as such.
For the establishment of a Masonic lodge the first meeting for organiza- tion was held at Big Grove in March, 1874, and the lodge instituted as Ark Lodge No. 335, under dispensation from the grand lodge, upon the recom- mendation of Mt. Nebo Lodge of Avoca.
J. C. Chapman was grand master at that date. The dispensation is dated 10th of June, 1874, A. L. 5874, the year of the grand lodge 32, and is signed by J. C. Chapman as grand master and T. S. Parvin as grand secretary, and evidenced by the scal of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
The dispensation constituted Fletcher Dunham master of the lodge; W.
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H. Freeman, senior warden; H. II. Gillette, junior warden. With these the lodge was duly constituted, and at the ensuing meeting of the grand lodge the subordinate lodge was properly and regularly clothed with power to work under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
The Big Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ was organized August 11, 1861, with the following as members: Jacob Rust, Eda E. Rust, Susan Huff, Margaret J. Reed, Eda McGee, M. T. Palmer and Caroline Palmer, seven persons in all. The society was organized under the counsel of the Rev. E. W. Hall, pastor of the Baptist church at Lewis, in Cass county, and James W. Brown, clerk of the church at Lewis. The first meeting was held in the dwelling which now constitutes the residence of John Bird, the building then being used for a schoolhouse. On the second Sunday in November, 1861, George L. Reed and Abnas Iluff were received as members, and in December Mr. Reed was baptized, and the sacrament of the Lord's supper administered for the first time.
A preliminary meeting was held at Big Grove September 16, 1881, for the purpose of organizing a Congregational church society.
The confession of faith as laid down in the authorized manual was accepted, articles of faith and a constitution were drafted by a committee composed of Messrs. Norton, Snyder, Shepard and DeGraff. The following persons became members by signing the same: J. C. Norton, Susie Norton, Sarah Lyman, H. C. Snyder, C. R. Johnson. Lottie Shepard, W. L. Nokes, H. B. Shepard M. J. DeGraff, L. B. Shepard and Frank Shepard.
Rev. John Todd, of Tabor, preached to the congregation in the store room of J. B. Estes on the 19th of October, 1880. The first officers were H. C. Snyder, clerk; Mrs. Sarah Lyman, treasurer; A. Johnson, L. B. Shepard and J. C. Norton. trustees, and J. C. Norton. deacon.
Work was begun on a new church in September. 1881, and was so far completed as to be suitable for use in the winter of 1881. The cost was $1,500, and the same was furnished and dedicated.
The peculiar situation of Oakland is favorable for building up a large local business, being far enough from larger towns to prevent local trade from being drawn away to them, and being surrounded by as fine an agricul- tural country as the world can show, the town has made steady progress, and an old timer, on going there in this year of 1907 would look in vain for the old land marks of the days when the western stage crossed the Botna and wallowed through the mud bottom and wound around the south end of the grove and up the hill to Reed's station, who also kept the post- office.
On stepping from the ears now he finds himself on a well graded street with cement walks and lined with up-to-date business houses, most of which are of brick.
Among these are the three department stores that would be a credit to any town of ten thousand inhabitants, one exclusive grocery store, one boot and shoe store, two drug stores, two furniture stores, two millinery stores, one hotel. two restaurants, two meat markets. three barber shops, three coal vards, two cement block factories. There are two lumber yards carrying
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heavy stocks, two elevators with one of which is connected a feed mill, three livery stables, three agricultural implement houses. Among the trades are three blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one tailor shop, three harness shops.
In addition to the stores above named are two exclusive dry goods stores, two billiard halls. The city has two banks. The religious element is repre- sented by one Methodist, one Congregational and one Christian church. In schools the city is constituted an independent district and is provided with a graded school in charge of a superintendent and ten teachers. Four doctors look after the health of city and surrounding country, while but one attorney is required for to keep legal matters straight. This may be owing to the fact that Oakland has no saloon. It has a very neat little opera house, and a jail for rent. The city has its own waterworks, the supply being supplied from wells and the pressure obtained from a standpipe.
In addition to other improvements it has miles of cement walks.
The fraternal organizations are represented by one Masonic lodge, one of I. O. O. F., one of the K. of P., one of Woodmen of the World, and one of Maccabees.
Mayor, L. S. White. Population one thousand two hundred. Persons of school age in city according to the state census of 1905, three hundred and six; township outside of city, one hundred and ninety-two; total, four hundred and ninety-eight, of which two hundred and thirty-nine were males and two hundred and sixty-four females. Directors: President, Frank Zentmire; secretary, W. R. Frantz; treasurer, E. P. Denton.
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