History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 58

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280


USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 58


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656


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


" Dr .--- MeCarn came to Davenport about 1860, remained a year or two, went to Memphis, Tenn., and died with yellow fever in 1867."


In the north part of the county there settled the following prac- titioners, as furnished by Drs. Gamble and Knox:


Dr. Zebulon Metcalf, Regular, from New York, came here in 1841, practiced three years, and removed to Clinton County.


Dr. Zachariah Grant practiced here in 1835, died about 1844.


Dr. Nelson Plummer, Irregular, came here in 1842, and removed to Farmington in 1848, and now resides there.


Dr. Philander Chamberlin, Irregular, commenced practice here in 1844; he removed from here in 1848, and now resides in Oregon.


Dr. James Gamble, Regular, graduate of Missouri Medical Col- lege in 1847, came to Le Claire in July of the same year, and has been and is now in active practice there. He is the oldest practic- ing physician in the county.


Dr. Sylvenns Rowe, Irregular, commenced practice here in 1846. He removed to Michigan where he now resides.


Dr. Austin, Irregular, came here from New Jersey in 1848, and practiced two years, then returned to New Jersey.


Dr. Wm. P. Hills, Regular, came here in 1850, from Pennsyl- vania, practiced five years and now resides in Clinton Co., Iowa.


Dr. James Van Horne, Regular, came here in 1853, from Penn- sylvania, practiced about two years, and now resides on a farm near Cordova, Ill.


Dr. S. W. Treat, Irregular, came here in 1856, practiced until 1863, now resides in Denver, Col.


Dr. W. F. Hays, Homeopathist, came here in 1857, practiced about five years, and now resides on a farm in Clinton Co., Iowa.


Dr. T. S. Smith, Regular, came to Pleasant Valley in 1860, practiced several years, and now resides on a farm in Pleasant Valley.


Dr. F. W. Bellfield. Regular, located in Valley City in 1861, and practiced there until his death in 1873.


Dr. E. D. Allen, Regular, located in Pleasant Valley in 1879, practiced two years, and now resides in Madison Co., Iowa.


Dr. Barnes, Irregular, located here in 1867, and remained about one year. He now resides in Henry Co .. Ill.


Dr. Bradway, Irregular, came here in 1855, practiced two years, and now resides in Cass Co., Iowa.


657


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


Dr. Taylor, Irregular, came here in 1870, practiced two years, and died in 1875.


Dr. Brown, Irregular, came here in 1869, practiced four years, and now resides in Guthrie Co., Iowa.


Dr. Barkalow, Regular, located here in 1880, practiced one year, and now resides in Muscatine Co., Iowa.


Dr. J. A. DeArmond, Regular, located here in 1876, and is now practicing here; gradnated at Pennsylvania University.


Dr. T. C. MeClery located here in 1875, in partnership withi Dr. Gamble, and now resides at Exeter, Neb.


In 1853 Dr. Joseph P. Hoover, a graduate of Pennsylvania Medical College, located in Princeton, and practiced medicine three years.


Dr. J. T. Tate moved to Princeton in 1854, and practiced one year.


In 1856 Dr. Thomas Gault, a graduate of Berkshire Medical College, Massachusetts, located in Princeton, and practiced in partnership with Dr. Samuel Knox for six years, and now resides in Rock Island, Ills.


In 1856 Dr. Samuel Knox, a graduate of Pennsylvania Univer- sity, located in Princeton and practiced in partnership with Dr. Ganlt, for six years; after Dr. Gault left he still continued in prac tice there, and is still in active practice.


In 1855 Dr. C. G. Martin, a graduate of Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphia, came to Princeton and practiced one year.


Dr. S. Semple, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, came to Princeton in 1858, and stayed two years.


In 1858 Dr. G. L. Bell came to Princeton, and practiced 10 years; he is now in Chicago.


In 1859 Dr. Bowman came to Princeton, and practiced one year. Dr. Logan came to Princeton in 1860, and practiced one year.


In 1869 Dr. S. Gast, Cancer, commenced practice in Princeton, and is still there.


In 1869 Dr. Blackburn located in Princeton, and practiced until his death, in 1880.


In 1875 Dr D. A. Kettle located in practice in Princeton, and is still there.


In 1878 Dr. C. W. Knott located in Princeton, and prac- tieed medicine three years; now resides in Benton Co., Iowa.


In 1878 Dr. John Knox, a graduate of the University of Penn- sylvania, located in Princeton and is still practicing there.


65S


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


IOWA AND ILLINOIS CENTRAL DISTRICT MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.


The Iowa and Illinois Central District Medical Association was organized Nov. 7, 1866. The want of a central society, in which local differences could not disturb the harmony of meetings, had long been felt by the profession of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Ill., and the district of country contiguous to them. Agreeable to this feeling resolutions were adopted in the Scott Co. (Iowa) Medical Society, providing for a call for the meeting of all regular physicians residing within a radius of 50 miles of Davenport, Iowa.


A committee of arrangements, consisting of Drs. Peck, Baker, and Richardson, was appointed, who corresponded with a large number of physicians in Illinois and Iowa, finding that it seemed to be the universal desire that such an association should be or- ganized. In reply to their invitation abont 30 physicians of Illi- nois and Iowa assembled in the court-house in Davenport, Iowa, on the afternoon of Nov. 7, 1866, when they organized. adopted a constitution and by-laws, and elected temporary officers. It was decided that the meeting should be held quarterly, alternately in Davenport and Rock Island, in January, April, July and October. The society rapidly increased in size and prosperity. The eom- mittees appointed to report on medical and surgical subjects spent mneh care and labor on their reports, and a great deal of interest in the meetings was evinced by the members.


Scott County physicians have been honored in the offices of the society as follows :


1866-68 .- W. F. Peck, Secretary; T. J. Iles, Treasurer.


1868-'69 .- J. W. Witherwax, Vice-President; E. H. Hazen, Secre- tary: T. J. Iles, Treasurer.


1869-'70 .- J. W. H. Baker, Vice-President; E. H. Hazen, Seere- tary, T. J. Iles, Treasurer.


1870-'71 .- E. Hazen, Secretary; T. J. Iles, Treasurer.


1871'-72 .- T. J. Iles, President; A. W. Cantwell, Treasurer; E. H. Hazen, Secretary.


1872-'73-A. S. Maxwell, President; A. W. Cantwell, Treasurer.


1874-'75 .- E. H. Hazen, Vice-President ; A. W. Cantwell, Treasurer.


1875-'76 .- E. H. Hazen, Secretary; A. W. Cantwell, Treasurer.


1876-'77 .- W.W. Grant, President; A. W. Cantwell, Treasurer.


659


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


1877-'78 .- J. W. H. Baker, Vice-President; A. W. Cantwell, Treasurer.


1879-'80 .- A. W. Cantwell, Treasurer.


1880-'81 .- A. W. Cantwell, Treasurer.


SCOTT COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.


Notice having been given through the public prints, that a meet- ing would be held for the purpose of organizing a medical society for the County of Scott, nine regular members of the profession met at the office of Drs. Witherwax & Carter ( Third street, west of Brady), on the 18th of October, 1856. Dr. Jas. Thistle presided and Dr. Tomson acted as secretary. Committees were appointed to report upon the several subjects of Constitution and By-Laws, Code of Ethics, and Fee Bill, and the meeting adjourned to meet 10 days subsequently. On the 28th of October, 13 physicians met at the office of Drs. Fountain & Adler (Second street, between Brady and Main) received the reports of the respective committees, adopted a constitution and by-laws, as well as the code of ethics recommended by the American Medical Association, and proceeded to elect the following permanent officers, to serve for one year : President, Dr Egbert S. Barrows: Vice-President, Dr. Lyman Carpenter; Secre- tary, Dr. J. J. Tomson; Treasurer, Dr. James Thistle, and Censors, Drs. T. J. Sanders, Jno. M. Adler, and J. W. H. Baker,


Although regular meetings four times a year had been agreed upon, calling this the anniversary, yet the necessity seemed to exist for a special meeting, and the members agreed to meet again in two weeks. The society convened in the Young Men's Literary Association Hall (Postffice building), on the 11th of November, Dr. Carpenter, Vice-President, ocenpying the chair. At this meet- ing a fee bill was adopted, and the members generally signed the constitution. Jan. 27, 1857, the first regular quarterly meeting took place at the office of Drs. Fountain & Adler, the president taking the chair. A resolution was adopted, and a committee ap- pointed relative to forming a union with the Rock Island County Medical Society. Drs. Barrows and Saunders were elected delegates to the American Medical Association, to convene in Nashville, Tenn., the succeeding May. The second quarterly meeting took place in the Conneil Chamber, at the corner of Brady and Third streets. April 28, the president filling the chair. The members of the Rock Island Medical Society were admitted as honorary members, and entitled to all privileges save voting. Dr. Patrick


660


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


Gregg, former and first president of that association, read an elo- quent and instructive address, by special invitation. Dr. Baker was appointed to deliver an essay at the next, or a future meeting. Drs. Fountain, Thistle, Carter, Pelton, and Barrows were appointed delegates to the State Society, to meet at Iowa City the following June. The third quarterly meeting inet at the Council Chamber July 28, the vice-president in the chair. The annual meeting convened at the same place, Oct. 27, Dr. C. C. Parry presiding at the morning, and the vice-president at the afternoon session. Resolutions were adopted making the annual meeting to occur the last Tuesday in January, and postponing the election of officers until that period, and continuing the existing organization. A committee, consisting of Drs. Carter, Thistle, and Adler, was appointed to revise the constitution and by-laws. The annual meet- ing assembled at the same place Jan. 26, 1858, Dr. Fountain presiding. The afternoon session was held at the office of Dr. Baker.


The society has had an honorable career and has been in existence a little more than a quarter of a century. The following named of its membership have been called on to preside over the State Med- ical Association: J. M. Witherwax, E. S. Barrows, M. B. Cochrane, J. W. H. Baker, James Gamble and W. F. Peck.


Nicholas Kuhnen


CHAPTER XVIII.


CHRONOLOGY.


In this connection'is given a synopsis of many historical events that have transpired in the county, with an occasional introductio of some event of national importance.


1832 .- Treaty with the Indians by Gen. Scott,'by which the title to the land in Scott County became vested in the United States. George L. Davenport made the first elaim of land in Scott County.


1833 .- First settlement in the county made by Capt. Benjamin W. Clark, near the present village of Buffalo. Antoine Le Claire received a commission as justice of the peace from the Governor of the Territory.


1834 .- Antoine Le Claire established a ferry between Stephen- son, now Rock Island, and Davenport.


1836 .- Davenport laid ont. First hotel, built by Antoine Le Claire and Col. George Davenport. First public sale of lots in May. Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin, held another treaty with the Sae and Fox Indians by which the tract of land reserved by the Indians in previous treaty was ceded to the United States. First law offices opened in Davenport by Alexander McGregor and G. C. R. Mitchell. First marriage in Davenport occurred this year, the contracting parties being William B. Watts and a nieee of An- toine Le Claire. The first surveyor, William Gordon. The first plasterer, William B. Watts. The first white ehild born in Daven- port, a son of Levi G. Colton; it died in 1840. Dr. E. S. Barrows settled in Rockinghanı, being the first physician in the county and 'second one in the Territory.


1837 .- Rev. Elnathan C. Gavitt. Methodist Episcopal, Rev. Enoch Mead, Presbyterian, and Bishop Chase, Episcopal, preaelied a sermon in Davenport, in the order named, Mr. Gavitt's being the first ever preached in the village. D. C. Eldridge built a grist-mill run by horse-power. First blacksmith shop, by Louis Le Page. First shoemaker David Miller. First tailor, James O. Kelley.


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664


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


1838 .- The Presbyterians effected the first Church organization . G. L. Davenport & Co. opened the first lumber yard. Harvey Leonard made the first briek and erected the first brick house, on the northeast corner of Third and Main streets, it is still stand ing. The Catholics ereeted the first churchi edifice in Davenport. The Iowa Sun started by Andrew Logan.


1839 .- City charter granted the town of Davenport. Daven - port had its first physician in the person of Dr. A. C. Donaldson. First drug-store, by Charles Leslie. Frst wagon-maker, Seth F. Whiting. First school by Rev. Mr. Hummer. Catholic school, by Rev. J. A. M. Palamorgne. First paint shop by Riddle & Morton.


1840 .- First agricultural society in Scott County organized, with A. W. McGregor, President, and John Forrest, Secretary. County- seat removed from Rockingham to Davenport. Le Claire House completed and opened by Mr. Hulse, of Cincinnati, and the White Hall Temperance House by D. C. Eldridge. The first pork packed by Shays & Gano, Davenport. First stove, tin and sheet-iron store in Davenport opened by R. T. Craig.


1841 .- Conrt-house and jail built by the citizens of Davenport, and presented to the county. The first shoe store opened in Dav-


enport by L. B. Collamer. Mr. Armitage and Captain Nichols started the first butcher stall. The first shipment of wheat made by John Owens to Cincinnati; price 50 to 56 cents per bushel. First watch repairer and goldsmith in Davenport, R. L. Linbangh. Newspaper, now in existence, commenced by Sanders & Davis as a weekly, under the name of Davenport Gazette. Oct. 14, first regular service of the Episcopal Church in Davenport, the Rev. C H. Goldsmith officiating. Nov. 4, Trinity Church parish of Dav- enport wasorganized. The first harness shop in Davenport was opened by Jacob Sailor, but soon after removed to Rock Island. Flour this year was sold at five dollars a barrel, and wheat 50 cents a bushel. Pork was worth but one and a half to two cents a pound.


1842 .- Protestant Episcopal Church organized on the 4th of No- vember in Davenport. Steam ferry-boat built by J. Wilson, but abandoned the same year. Bakery opened in Davenport by Daniel Moore, the oldest one in operation. Stephen Lindley started his harness shop in Davenport. The lowe Sun discontinued. Good winter wheat sold at 37 and 40 cents per bushel. The best flour sold for $4.50 a barrel, and the same antumn sold in Chicago at $3 and in St. Louis at $2.50 per barrel. There was no money ; every- thing was barter in trade; pork sold at $1 and $1.50 per 100.


665


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


1843 .-- New city charter granted Davenport. Horse ferry-boat started by John Wilson. Iowa House opened in Davenport by D. B. Shaw, afterward called the Ohio House. Scott County Bible Society organized. Ice in the river two feet thick. A Dubuque paper stated that for nearly four months the mercury stood at 20 degrees below zero, and for several week's of that time it stood at 35 and 39 degrees below zero. Although the erops were abundant, yet on account of the intense cold and want of sufficient hay and shelter a great many cattle died. Seven churches in Davenport.


1844 .- Iowa College Association formed in April. Stage office opened by Bennett & Lyter, and lines of stages to Dubuque and Burlington established, Bennett & Lyter having obtained the contract to carry the mail on their rontes. By census taken of the county in June it was found to contain 1,750 inhabitants. Finan- cial condition of the county at the end of the year flattering. Ex- penditures, 81, 757.80, and the receipts in treasury. $2,503.80. The wheat raised estimated at 100,000 bushels and no flouring mills in Davenport. A son of Benjamin W. Clark was drowned in the Mississippi near Buffalo. A child of Mr. Winfield, near Rocking- ham, was burned to death by its clothes taking fire. Ephraim Jenny died suddenly Jan. 16.


1845 .- First fire in Davenport; burned the building in which Mr. Eldridge had opened his store in 1837, situated on the corner of Ripley and Front streets, at the time veenpied as a residence by three or more German families. On the 4th of July Col. George Davenport was foully murdered in his house on the island by des- peradoes. River within one foot of the rise of 1844, May, 1845. A Swiss man and his wife poisoned by drinking tea made out of jimson weed. Peaches raised in the county were sold at 37} cents per bushel. Arrest of Birch, Fox, Long, Baxter, Aaron Long and Young, murderers of George Davenport. Grand Jury at Rock Island found bill of indictment against Robert Birch, John Long, Aaron Long, Granville Young, William Fox, John Baxter ; Birch, the brothers Long and Fox as principals, Baxter and Young as ac- cessories before the act. Asahel Hubbard, one of the county com- inissioners, died in Nebraska County, in September. Charles, infant son of William Inslee, of Davenport, fell into a kettle of hot water and was scalded to death. John and Aaron Long and Granville Young hung at Rock Island, Wednesday, Oet. 24.


666


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


1846 .- The first plow factory was started in Davenport by John Bechtel. Etna Flour Mill (the first steam mill in Davenport) finished, and business commeneed by A. C. Fulton. Burrows and Prettyman started their mill about the same time. First Board of Trustees of Iowa College chosen.


1847 .- First banking house in Davenport established by Cook & Sargent, who also opened the first land agency. April 23, first Odd Fellows' lodge in Davenport instituted. First elothing store in Davenport started by Powers & Jordan. The Democratic Banner first published by T. D. Eagal. Preparatory department of Iowa College opened, Rev. Erastus Ripley, teacher. Albion Mills started, J. M. Burrows, proprietor. The German immigra- tion was large this year; 100 landed in Davenport on the 22d of June, nearly all of whom settled in the county; 3,652 white inhabitants in county, and two negroes.


1849 .- First jewelry store in Davenport started by A. C. Bill- ion. During July and August many died of cholera. There were now 4,873 inhabitants in the county. There were at this time in the city of Davenport, twenty-two carpenters, nine stone-ma- sons, two stone entters, five briek-makers, six brick-layers, five plasters, six printers, ten cabinet-makers, five chair-makers, seven wheelwrights, two coach-makers, twelve blacksmiths, fifteen coopers, five saddlers and harness-makers, one trunk maker, eight shoemakers, three tin and coppersmiths, seven tailors, four engi- neers, three millers, two sawyers, eight draymen, nine teamsters, three butchers, one dyer and seourer, one gunsmith, one wateh- maker, one turner, one baker, one upholsterer, one barber, nine ministers, four physicians, two lawyers, two weekly papers. The public buildings were: two steam flouring mills, one steam saw- mill, the Iowa College, the Medical College, five sehool houses, three hotels, two billiard rooms, two coffee houses, nineteen stores, one publie hall, one exchange office, two pork houses, one livery stable, and one plow factory. A full grown bear was killed in the neighborhood of Blue Grass. The Gazette urgently advocated the building of the Rock Island & La Salle Railroad, and asked the citizens of Scott County to subscribe liberally to its stock. A Medical Institute established in Davenport. First jewelry store in County established in Davenport by A. C. Billion.


1850 .- First exelusive book store in Davenport opened by W, HI. Holmes, who bought out D. C. Eldridge's stoek, he having kept a bo ·k and drug store. Der Demokrat, a German newspaper com- me ced in Davenport by Theo. Gnelich. Pennsylvania House.


667


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


Davenport, opened by M. C. Davis, on Second street, between Main and Harrison. The first district school in Davenport, James Thor- ington, teacher, Mr. Thorington having taught private or select. schools for some five or six years previons. Charter of Davenport City amended. First collegiate elass formed in Iowa College. Pop- ulation of Davenport, 1,848. First pieture framing and gilding es- tablishment opened by Frederick H. Weiss, in Davenport. Saslı, door and blind factory and saw-mill opened by Burnett, Gillett & Co .. corner of Scott and Front streets, Davenport: capital, $125 .- 000 ; employ 90 hands ; manufacture annually, $160,000. One hundred new honses erected in Davenport during the year. Twen- ty-two thousand and forty-one acres of land entered in the county. Plenty of prairie land to be had for $1.25 per acre. On Monday, April 5, the county subscribed $25,000 in aid of the Rock Island & La Salle Railroad. Postoffice established at Allen's Grove, in Angust, with George Frederick as first postmaster.


1851 .-- The foundry, machine and finishing shops in Davenport started by Le Claire, Davenport & Co., employing 12 hands the first season. Coates & Davies' planing mill built in Davenport; capital, $75,000; employed 30 hands. The first daguerrean artist who opened permanently in Davenport was O. L. Burdick, al- though some had practiced the art previously. In April Judge Grant was chosen first president of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad. Robert Christie's mill was ereeted at. East Davenport- First wholesale grocery in Davenport. established by S. Hirschal. June 1, Stephenson & Carnahan opened a new drug store in Daven- port. New city charter granted Davenport. In February, Charles Weston was elected mayor of Davenport, and II. Leonard. A. Wygant, Dr. Barrows. N. Squires, H. Price, aldermen. In the August election Wmn. Burris was chosen judge, and Harvey Leon- ard, sheriff. Second Baptist Church of Davenport was organized. Oet. 7, S. Burnell's steam saw-mill was built. Three hundred immigrants landed at one time from the Wyoming settlers for Scott County. Cholera very bad. Over 300 honses built in Davenport. Gazette enlarged to a seven-column folio, May 22. German Lu- theran church erected. Ileavy rain storin occurred May 21, which destroyed a large amount of property. Forty-five buildings were in process of erection in Davenport in May. The river was higher than any year since 1844. Amity post-office, Hickory Grove town- ship, established in July, with Philip Baker, Postmaster. Daven- port & Rogers' grist and saw mill burned Sept. 9.


668


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


1852 .- First exclusive tobacco store and cigar manufactory opened in Davenport by James Burge, although HI. Wagener was the first person who manufactured cigars in the place. Steam ferry boat started by John Wilson. J. M. Cannon's steam saw-mill was built. First tombstone and marble manufactory in Davenport started by W. W. Kennedy. Population, 3,500.


1853 .- Le Claire foundry burnt Aug. 20. First music store opened in Davenport by J. A. Crandall. Mississippi & Missouri Railroad Company organized. Sept. 1, ground first broken by Mr. Le Claire. East end of Le Claire's row (in Davenport) completed, the fourth story being Le Claire's hall. First express office started in Davenport, Renwick & Son, agents. Telegraph office opened in Davenport. Population of Davenport, 4,500. Aug. 1, tri-weekly Gazette started in Davenport. Dec. 21, remarkable; river not closed. Steamer "Jenny Lind" arrived from Le Claire, and left next day for Galena with a load of good. On Thursday, July 7, 1853, vote was taken for or against city of Davenport subscribing $85,000 in aid of the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad-242 for and 1 against. Pre- vionsly a vote was taken for or against county subscribing $50,000 Chicago & Rock Island-298 for and 10 against. Wednesday, Oct. 26, first snow of the season. Antoine Le Claire was offered $130,000 for 100 acres of land near Davenport. Davenport weekly Bee being published.


1854 .- Feb. 22, completion of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad; the Atlantic and Mississippi united. On the 20th of July, a most terrible and destructive tornado passed over Davenport, the most severe ever known in this region. Trees were torn up, and houses unroofed and blown down. The Le Claire foundry was partially demolished, the walls of the building falling in on some of the workmen, killing William Overton and injuring his son. Mr. Wickersham's store, a new three-story brick building, was com- pletely demolished. In June of this year, the Rev. Henry W. Lee, D. D., was elected first bishop of Iowa. Central part of Le Claire's row finished, which completed the block from Brady to Main streets. Witherwax's block and Orr's building completed. Third floor of the latter fitted up and occupied as Odd Fellows and Sons of Temperance Hall. A portion of third loft of Witherwax's block named Literary Hall. The Davenport Commercial was started in the spring by N. H. Parker; W. Atwill purchased it in December and changed the name to Davenport Courier. An ex- tensive wholesale iron and hardware store was opened in Daven-




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