USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 102
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Hans Strathman is a native of Holstein, Germany, born June 21, 1841. In 1856 he came to the United States, and located in Davenport on July 2 of that year. He worked on a farm some time, then learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for several years. He afterward kept a saloon for 10 years, and in 1877 moved to New Liberty and engaged in the dry-goods business there three years; then moved to Hickory Grove Township and es- tablished his present business. He keeps a complete line of gen- eral goods, and has a steadily inereasing trade. "He was married on Jan. 3, 1865, to Mary Hass. Three children have been born of this union-Louisa, born Nov. 26, 1866; Willie, July 11, 1873, and Laura, Dec. 4, 1878.
Lemuel D. White is a son of Samnel and Rebecca (Stont) White, natives of Lewis Co., Va., where Lemuel D. was born, Dec. 19, 1816. Mrs. White is still living, at the age of 85 years; she re- sides with the subject of this sketeh. He was reared on a farm and obtained an education in the old pioneer school-houses of that day, which were furnished with slab seats, puncheon floor, and a fire-
The Baker
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HICKORY GROVE TOWNSHIP.
place in each end of the room; a piece of greased paper pasted over a hole cut in the logs served as a window light, and an ox gad was used by the teacher to enforce order. Mr. White came to Scott County July 7, 1843. IIe was married in 1840 to Elizabeth Blake, by whom he had three children-Mary E., Virgil A. and Rebecca J. Mrs. Elizabeth White died in 1845. Mr. White married for his sceond wife Mrs. Sarah Alger, nec Hills, in 1856. Mr. White is the owner of 160 acres of land in Hickory Grove Township, and 20 acres in Allen's Grove Township. He is engaged in growing grain and stock for the market.
Detlef Wunder was born in Germany, July 15, 1827. He emi- grated to America in 1854, and came to Davenport, Ia., arriving July 10, of that year. He followed the carpenter's trade for two years, then bought a threshing machine, which he operated for 11 years. During that time he rented a farm which he cultivated when there was no work to be done with the threshing machine. In 1861 he bought the farm where he now resides. It contains
245 acres and is mostly under good cultivation. He was married to Catharine Megor, Jan. 1, 1857. They had four children, Henry (deceased), John, Gusta and Julia. He lost his wife in 1866, and in October, 1867, he married his present wife, Bettie Girch. This union has been blessed with six children-Henry, born July 11, 1868; Fritz, July 22, 1870; Maggie, Nov. 12, 1871; Charles, June 20, 1874; William, Dec. 22, 1875, and Louis, born June 3, 1877. Mr. Wunder has been very successful in a financial way and owns a fine property and comfortable home.
03
TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF LE CLAIRE.
Le Claire Township was first settled in 1834 by Eleazer Parkhurst, who purchased a claim just above the north line of the "reserve," of George W. Harlan, who built the cabin' thereon. The eabin was built as early as February, 1834. The reserve spoken of was a traet of 640 acres at the head of the rapids, given Antoine Le Claire by the Indians when they made their treaty with the whites in 1832. They had at the same treaty presented Mrs. Le Claire with a similar amount of land where the city of Davenport now stands. The reason of this gift was out of friendship for Mr. and Mrs. Le Claire. He had been with them from boyhood, either in the employ of the Government, or agent for the Fur Company, as inter- preter, and was very popular with them. The American Fur Com- pany at an early day had a trading house on a small island some three miles below Le Claire, ealled Davenport's Island, afterward Smith's Island, and then Fulton's Island. The Indians came across Rock River, Meredosia Swamp. and from the Wapsipine- eon River to this "post" to trade. The Indians loved to dwell along the thick-timbered lands of the Pan-ke-she-tuck (rapids), or swift waters, where they found an abundance of fish and also mneh game. The forest was dense all through the country lying along the Mississippi River, from Spencer's Creek, at the head of Pleasant Valley, to Princeton, and was of large growth. The Indians often returned to their forest home at the head of the rap- ids, and in 1837 one thousand of them encamped where the town of Le Claire now stands.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Martin W. Smith was the second settler in Le Claire Township, and was followed the same season, 1834, by Nathan and Ira F. Smith, who settled just below the present town of Le Claire. Phil- lip Suiter came in the fall of the same year. Laurel Summers, now, in 1882, one of the oldest settlers living in the township, says that when he came to the township. in 1837, there were living in the neighborhood of the present town of Le Claire, Eleazer Park- hurst, T. C. Eads, Sterling Parkhurst, J. W. Parkhurst, M. W. Smith, Ira F. Smith, Eli Smith, William Conroe, James Haskell, Phillip Suiter, A. W. Finley, Paul Follmer, S. G. Condit, Gris- wold Vanduzer, J. M. Vanduzer, Rockwell Mckinstry, Josiah Scott, Dr. Z. Grant. Jonas Barber, William Rowe, B. F. Pike, Benjamin Barber, H. E. W. East, Wald Parkhurst, Goodrich Hub- bard, L. Parkhurst, W. W. Upton, Alfred Prather and John Lewis.
1096
1097
LE CLAIRE TOWNSHIP.
Between 1837 and 1840 there settled in the township, James Jaek, James Spear, William Hopson, Robert Carleton, Parce Barber, George Long, Jacob Carber, Stephen Purcell, Samuel Stopher, Aaron Lancaster, Thomas Lancaster, D. V. Dawley, William Allen, Charles Ames, John Allen, Joseph Turner, Na- thaniel Wilson, Ralph Letton, William McGinnis, William Wil- son, William Gardner, Isaac Cody, John H. Sessions and James Turner.
JUMPING CLAIMS.
It was several years from the time the land in this vicinity was ceded to the general Government before it was surveyed and placed upon the market. In the meantime the settlers made their claims and their rights were held inviolate, and woe unto the man who attempted to jump the "claim" of a settler. The man who had the temerity to do such a deed was looked upon as one likely to do worse things when opportunity offered. A laughable farce of this kind took place in September, 1837. At a meeting of the inhabi- tants of the settlement, matters had been talked over as to the peace and good order of the community, and the meeting was about to ad- journ, when a young man, a stranger, rather casually remonstrated against anyone holding more than one " elaim," and not that unless he lived on it. He was from Hennepin, Ill., and most evidently had not " traveled the country all over," assuming rather more airs than was necessary for the occasion. His remarks were heard by one Simeon Cragin, a discharged soldier, and one of those nncere- monious, backwoods, frontier, half-civilized persons that hirk around the border settlements, who immediately presented himself before him and thus addressed him: " My name, sir, is Simeon Cragin. I own fourteen 'claims,' and if any man ' jumps ' one of them I will shoot him down at once, sir. I am a gentleman, sir, and scholar. I was educated in Bangor; have been in the United States army and served my country faithfully; am the discoverer of the ' Wopsy'; can ride a grizzly bear, or whip any human that ever crossed the Mississippi; and if you dare to jump one of my claims, die you must. My name is Simeon Cragin, sir, all the way from Bangor, Maine, and you must leave these diggins with but few remarks." He left.
The first couple living in Le Claire Township, united in mar riage, were Griswold Vanduzer and Mrs. Van Dyke. Scott County not then being organized, Dubuque was the point where licenses had to be obtained, and the distance being so great the couple crossed the river into Roek Island Co., Ill., and were there made one.
The first death was that of Simeon Cragin.
The first frame building ereeted was in the winter of 1836-'7, by Col. T. C. Eads, in the village of Parkhurst, now Le Claire. It is yet standing, and was long regarded as one of the land-marks of the place.
1098
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
The first preaching was at the house of Dr. Grant, by a Method- ist circuit rider, a Rev. Mr. Hobert. Soon after him came Rev. Ezra Fisher, of the Baptist church, and Rev. A. B. Hitchcock, of the Congregationalist.
A private school was taught in Parkhurst in 1840 by Miss Clark, the first in the town. The first blacksmith shop was started by George W. Warren, in 1844. Davenport & Rogers built the first flouring mill in 1848. The first carpenter shop was in 1840, by John and Isaac Williams. The first representative in the Legis- lature from Le Claire Township was Laurel Summers. The lands in this section were first offered for sale by the Government in 1840. Eleazer Parkhurst opened the first farm up on the prairies back of the village of Parkhurst.
VILLAGE OF PARKHURST.
In the summer of 1837, Eleazer Parkhurst having disposed of a part of his claim to T. C. Eads, they jointly laid out the town of Parkhurst.
The first important improvement made in the place was by Col. Eads in the erection of a large frame building in the summer of 1837. This building was one of the wonders of the age, and is yet standing. Ralph Letton, of Cincinnati, in the spring of 1838 pnr- chased a portion of Col. Eads' interest in the town, and a disagree- ment among the owners retarded the settlement of the place for several years, and no improvement took place until 1841.
The first store opened in the place was in 1839, by Lemuel Park- hurst, in a little stone building erected for that purpose.
The town grew but slowly and witnessed some trying periods, and in 1848 could boast only of about a dozen dwelling-houses, while the country back of it had been settling up quite rapidly.
During the summer of 1836, Elenzer Parkhurst applied to the postoffice department for a postoffice at his place. İle immedi- ately received a favorable answer, with the appointment of post- master, and the office was named Parkhurst, after the name of the petitioner.
VILLAGE OF LE OLAIRE.
The mania for laying ont villages and becoming rich from the sale of town lots began at a very early date. The desirable location here for a prosperous town early attracted the attention of parties passing up and down the Mississippi River, and who were not blind to the coming future. The following is a copy of a contract made between Mr. Le Claire and the parties named the year after the treaty, and even before the land came into market.
WHEREAS, It is agreed by and between Antoine Le Claire of the one part, and George Davenport, Enoch C. March and John Reynolds of the other part, witness- eth : That the said Le Claire agrees to convey by deed in fee simple, to the said Davenport, March and Reynolds, 40 acres each-to be taken out of a se tion
1099
LE CLAIRE TOWNSHIP.
of land at the head of the rapids, which was granted to said Le Claire by the late treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians. Said land is situated on the Mississippi River, on the west side thereof. Said Le Claire reserving 40 aeres himself of said section, making in all one quarter section.
Said quarter section isto be located so as to be most suitable for laying out a town thereon. And all the parties to this contraet agree further to lay out a town on said quarter section of land, and to be equal partners and proprietors thereof.
Said quarter section of land is to be located and surveyed as soon as practicable, and the same surveyed also, as soon as practicable, into lots.
Said Davenport, March and Reynolds, in consideration of said land, agreed to pay him (Le Claire) $80, each one.
27th March, 1833. (Signed)
Attest,
K. MOKENZEY.
ANTOINE LECLAIRE, ) GEORGE DAVENPORT, SEALS.
ENOCH C. MARCII, JOHN REYNOLDS.
At a subsequent date the interest of Enoch C. March was pur- chased by Capt. James May .
The town of Le Claire was first laid ont in the spring or sum- mer of 1837 by the town company, surveyed by William R. Shoe- maker, assisted by Henry S. Howell, both United States sur- veyors.
In 1841 Charles Ames, William Allen. A. K. Phillco and Mar- tin W. Smith made improvements and settled in the town of Le . Claire. Mr. Ames was from Port Byron, on the opposite side f the river, and brought with him a stock of goods, the first ever offered for sale in Le Claire. Mr. Ames died in 1846.
Like the town of Parkhurst, the village of Le Claire was of slow growth. In the Le Claire Republic of March 23, 1859, Edward Russell, now editor of the Gazette, Davenport, thus speaks of his first view of the two towns :
" In 1848, when we first visited the locality, Le Claire and Park- hurst were separated by a 'gulf,' which, though easily passed, kept each town entirely separate from the other. A beantitul dense grove of oaks extended from Reynolds street up to Ilolland street, and no ' cabins' or fences marred the seenc. Le Claire then contained nine frame dwelling houses, two brick dwelling-honses, one brick store, one frame store occupied, and one or two nnoccupied, one brick building used as a pork house, one blacksmith shop, the Baptist church, occupied but not finished, and the old Methodist church, in conrse of erection. Parkhurst boasted of eight frame buildings, one brick, one stone, and two logs; two stone store buildings, one frame barn and one log barn."
CITY OF LE CLAIRE.
It was not until about 1850 that either of the towns began to as- sume the appearance of a village, but from that time both increased in population and buildings, as well as in extension of the limits of their towns. In 1851 Davenport and Rogers purchased of Mr.
1100
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
Le Claire the remaining strip of land lying between the two towns of Le Claire and Parkhurst, and laid it out into building lots. This gave a new impetus to buildings of all kinds. Mills and mann- factories were ereeted; mechanics of all kinds settled in the place, and many large briek stores were erected, so that in 1855, on peti- tion of the inhabitants of both towns, the Legislature by act incor- porated the city of Le Claire, including within its limits the town of Parkhurst.
At this date there were within the limits of this eity no less than eleven dry-goods stores, two elothing stores, one watehmaker, one saddler, two boat and provision stores, one bakery, five blacksmith shops, three wagon shops, one tin shop and stove store, one hard- ware store, one boot and shoe store, five churches, two eooper shops, two tailor shops, two shoemakers, two livery stables, five hotels, one banking house, one printing office, two steam flouring mills, one steam saw-mill, three lawyers, six physicians, two eabinet shops, candy shops and oyster saloons in any quantity, house and ship carpenters, stone masons and briek-layers, a boat yard, where steamers are repaired and kecl boats made and repaired, and a ferry across the Mississippi River.
As an illustration of the condition of Le Claire and vicinity in 1851, the following questions, written by a gentleman in Indiana to and answered by a gentleman in Le Claire, are given :
1. I would like to known if a poor man can get along better there than here ?
2. Is there any Congress land to be had within 50 miles of that place that is timbered ?
3. What is the kind of rock, water, timber and soil in the connty ?
4. What is the usual price for wheat, eorn, oats, hay and po- tatoes.
5. What is the price per aere, or rent of land; how paid, cash or shares ?
6. What is the common price of horses, cows and sheep ?
7. The price of labor per day, month, or year ?
8. The usual quantity of wheat, corn, oats, and potatoes per aere ?
9. The politieal cast and population of your county, and the number of its townships ?
10. Shall I bring horses, wagon and farming utensils with me ? Horses are worth here from $60 to $100, wagons 870, plows $5 to $9.
11. What ehanec is there for merchandising ?
12. Is there any chance for renting a house in that place ?
13. What are the prices of wood and coal ?
14. What is the size of your town, number of meeting-houses, denominations, and how far are you from the county seat ?
1101
LE CLAIRE TOWNSHIP.
ANSWERS.
1. If a poor man cannot get along here he has no business to be a poor man, as we don't believe there is another portion of our Union where greater facilities are offered for the same amount of money.
2. Very little if any. But then there is prairie land to be had in the vicinity of saw-mills, where lumber for building, feneing, ete., ean be purchased at low rates.
3. Roek, limestono of a superior quality for building purposes. Water very good. Timber the best in the county. Soil, rich and arable-" black as your hat," to the depth of three or four feet.
5. Good improved farms may be purchased within from three to five miles of Le Claire at from $10 to $20 per acre. Rent of land at from $2 to $3 per acre, payment generally eash.
6. Horses rate from $60 to $100; cows, $15; sheep, $3.
7. Labor per day from 50 to 75 cents; by the year abont $150.
8. The average yield of wheat per acre is abont 25 bnshels, corn 60 bushels, oats 30, and potatoes 300. Onions are a reliable and staple artiele, and yield about 300 bushels per acre.
9. Scott County is Democratie, though not hopelessly so. Popu- lation in 1850, as shown by the census, 5,987, since which time there has been a continnal icflux of emigration. Seott County contains abont 14 townships, or a little more than 500 square miles.
10. We have stated the price of horses; you must judge for your- self whether it would be advisable to bring them. Farming uten- sils of every description ean be purchased here quite as reasonable as you could import them.
12. There are three stores in Le Claire, but from the business they do and the slight exertions they make to extend their custom we should concluide the opening favorable.
12. There that spoils your store-you can't get a honse. Lots however are cheap, building materials low and mechanics plenty, so that that obstacle may soon be overcome.
13. Wood sells at $1.50 per eord ;* coal, 10 cents per bushel.
14. Population of Le Claire, 600 to 800. There are four meet- ing-houses-Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Diseiple. Le Claire is about 12 miles from Davenport, the county seat, which contains 2,500 inhabitants, and is populating and improving with a rapidity unsurpassed by any town on the upper Mississippi River.
In 1862, by vote of its citizens, the eity of Le Claire surrendered her charter, and was incorporated as a town under the general laws of the State.
* This estimate is at least one-half too low.
1102
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
POSTOFFICE.
Le Claire postoffice was established in 1836, under the name of Parkhurst, with Eleazur Parkhurst as postmaster. It was subse- qnently changed to Berlin, with T. C. Eads as postmaster. Dr. Metcalf succeeded Mr. Eads in 1842, and was in turn succeeded by Jacob Emeigh and Lemuel Parkhurst, and the name of the office changed back to Parkhurst. A short time after the office was taken to the village of Le Claire, and name changed to that of the village. The following named have served as postmasters from that time to the present: James Gamble, Thomas Newman, John F. Newman, Mr. Harrington, William Laycock, and D. V. Dawley, the latter assuming charge of the office in the spring of 1881.
Le Claire was made a money-order office in 1870. The first order was issued August 1, to A. M. Gardner. About $25,000 are an- nually issued, and about $6,000 paid.
FIRST BIRTH.
The first birth in the village of Le Claire was Ellen L., daughter of Laurel Summers, born in April, 1842.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school taught in the township was in 1837, in the house of Phillip Suiter, Wm. Cannon being the teacher, and Mr. Suiter's five children the scholars.
The first school-house was built in 1838, on the claim of John F. Smith, in fractional section 4, Mr. Smith granting the right for the consideration of one leud bullet. In this house one Thos. Dinnison was the first teacher.
The next school-house was built in 1839, on the land of the late James Turner. in the north half of the northwest fourth of section 3. Dr. Periander Pollock was teacher. This Periander Pollock and wife were murdered at Silver Canyon, Col., on Dec. 4, 1881. He was a brother to Milo M. Pollock of this township.
The first brick school-house in the township was bnit in Park- hurst, in 1851, and is yet standing on the premises of Mr. D. Hathorn.
The second brick school-honse built in the township was the Suiter school-house, on the river bank, near Sycamore Creek, about three miles below town, in 1853. It was built by voluntary con- tribution, and took the place of the former two houses. The late Christian Lembach did the work.
The first school taught in Le Claire, then familiarly known as " the Point " or Parkhurst, was taught in 1840, by Miss Clark. At this time a local regulation required each unmarried man to
1103
LE CLAIRE TOWNSIIIP.
subscribe and pay for at least one scholar, regardless of future re- sponsibilities. In the next year, 1841, Miss II. Parkhurst taught school here.
In 1846-'7 the Baptist church was built on the corner of Wis- consin avenne and Second street. The want of a proper school- room being seriously felt, Win. Allen, D. V. Dowley with others, engaged to furnish the basement of the church as a school-room, in consideration of a lease of the same for a term of 12 years. This was the only sehool in Le Claire proper. until the district pur- chased, in 1854, the frame building used as a Presbyterian church, on lot 3, block 18, now owned and used by J. S. Huntington. In 1853 the school district of Le Claire was subdivided by State laws into four distriets, but under one organization. A union school- house had been projected by the citizens, and the present site of the public school-house purchased in 1851, but this subdivision of districts by the Legislature prevented a realization of the object at that time. In 1850 a new trame school-honse was built on lot 1, of 7, at the corner of Ferry and Cass streets. These were the only school-houses occupied until the completion of the present large and substantial stone building on Ferry street.
The present public school building was commenced in 1870, and dedicated July 4, 1871, at a cost of $13,000. Its estimated valne, inelnding furniture, philosophical and chemical apparatus, and three aeres of ground, is $25,000.
Since its dedication its principals or superintendents have been : J. W. Coates, J. W. Austin. C. A. Birchard, J. F. Sauender, J. T. Marvin, J. A. Holmes, E. E. Hamilton. Number of pupils enrolled, 265. Average attendance, 185. Teachers employed, five. Departments, first and second primary, intermediate, grammar and high seliool.
The township now has six sub-districts, with a frame school- honse in each district, with an average value of $500, or a total of $3,000. In these sub-districts there are at present between the ages of five and 21. 180, with an enrollment of 150. There are in the township two independent districts, Le Claire No. 1, with 54 chit- dren of school age, an enrollment of 49, and a good stone school- house valued at $1,700; town of Le Claire, with 359 children of school age, an enrollment of 265, and a school-house with five rooms, valued at $13,000.
RELIGIOUS.
The village of Le Claire is represented by five religious societies MethodistEpiscopal, Christian, Baptist, Presbyterian and Catholic.
The Baptist Church of Le Claire was organized June 10, 1839, and known as the Bath Baptist Church. Those composing the original organization were: Mary Rowe, Polly MeKinster. Amanda Palmer, Sarah Turner, Sophia Blanchard, William Rowe, Daniel
1104
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
A. Davidson, Robert Hilton, Orleans Blanchard, William Palmer, Joseph Turner and Benjamin F. Pike. The first services were held at the house of William Rowe, July 28, 1839. Joseph Tur- ner was appointed clerk pro tem. The first regularly elected elerk was Daniel C. Davidson, on the 19th of March, 1841. Elder Fisher was invited to the care of the church July 17, 1841. The first church edifice was erected in 1843, Joseph Turner, Benjamin F. Pike and John Campbell being the trustees appointed to super- intend its erection. The first regular pastor was Rev. C. E. Brown, who was employed in June, 1844, since which time the following named have served: Revs. Mr. Rutlege, Philemon Shirley, William J. Parkhurst, Mr. Barrows, Mr. Paul, Mr. Miles, Mr. Dunlap, Mr. Lewis and G. W. Prescott, the latter assuming charge of the church in 1875. At present no regular pastor is employed. The present church edifice was ereeted in 1875. A Sabbath-school was organ- ized in 1873, which has now a general attendance of 70. Mrs. Lucius Collins is superintendent, and Lillie Hilburn, secretary and treasurer. The teachers are Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Hewlett, Mrs. Hilburn and Mrs. Perney.
Presbyterian Church of Le Claire, Ia .- In the year 1841, when the State of Iowa was only a Territory, the present city of LeClaire was only a small village, and there were scarcely any Presbyterians in the village or in the country. Mr. James Jack, from Allegheny Co .. Penn., had settled here some time previously, and being an elder and having a desire for the ordinances of the gospel ad- ministered by his own church, formed with his family a nuelens for the future. The Rev. Michael Hummer at this time was settled in Davenport, and occasionally performed missionary labor in the re- gion around. We are informed by the session book that on the 9th day of January, 1841, after a sermon by the Rev. Michael Hummer, and after a long deliberation of the members present, it was unani- mously resolved that a church be organized after the manner and according to the form of government of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America, to be denominated " The Presby- terian Church of Berlin." The following persons were received as members at the time of the organization: James Jack, Eliza Jack, Christian Kilsey, Ralph Letton and Mary Van Horn. Mr. James Jack having been an elder in the Presbyterian church of Pennsyl- vania, was elected ruling elder. The sacrament of the Lord's Sup- per was administered to the young church for the first time on Jan. 10, 1841, by the above Rev. Michael Hummer. We are told not to despise the day of small things, and though the church con- sisted of only six members, yet the importance of the place, and being early in the field, justified the proceedings. The place now became a preaching station, supplied irregularly by the ministers of Davenport. The next record on session book relates the obser- vance of the Lord's Supper on March 28, 1841, by Rev. M. Hum- mer, at which time two more members were added, John C. Jaeks and Rachel Scott; and shortly three others were added, making 11
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