History of Tama County, Iowa. Its cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county, Part 2

Author: Chapman, Samuel D
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: [Toledo] Printed at the Toledo Times Office
Number of Pages: 308


USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa. Its cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 2


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J. C. Vermilya, County Judge; John Ross, Treasurer and Re- corder; Franklin Davis, Coroner; W. A. Daniel, Surveyor. Nor- man L. Osborn, who was elected Sheriff in May, 1853, did not qualify within the time fixed by law, and was appointed to the office July 7th, 1853, by the County Judge. At this election there were 72 votes cast and the Board of Canvassers were John Hus- ton, Robert Wilkinson and Wm. Boohr. At this election the voters had three voting precincts. Those residing in Howard


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


township, met at the house of Rezin A. Redman, and that town- sh : was at this election organized legally, and comprised what is now included in the present townships of Columbia, To- ledo, Howard, Carroll, Otter creek, Richland, Salt Creek, York and Oneida. The electors of Indian Village township met at the house of Eli W. Daily and organized that township, which com- prised what is now the townships of Highland, Indian Village, Carlton, Spring Creek and Lincoln. The electors of Buckingham township met at the house of Norman L. Osborn, and organized that township, which comprised what is now Crystal, Grant, Buckingham, Geneseo, Clark and Perry townships. At an election held at the house of Wm. Murty, on the 1st Monday of April, 1854, Carlton township was organized and contained all that part of Indian Village township as stated, north of the Iowa River, and on the same day Richland township was organized, and contained all that part of Salt Creek township lying south of the Iowa River.


The next election was held on the 3rd day of April, 1854, when a canvass of votes showed that Noah Myers was elected School Fund Commissioner, and Anthony Wilkinson, Drainage Commis- sioner. The Board of Canvassers at this election were John C. Vermilya, Benjaman Hammitt and Z. T. Shugart. The next election was held on the 7th day of August, 1854, and a call- vass of the votes showed the following officers elected: John Connell, Representative, (the first in the County:) David D. Ap- pelgate, Clerk of the District Court; Alford Phillips, Prosecuting Attorney.


A special election was held on the 2nd day of October, 1854, on the question of distraining hogs and sheep from running at large. There were 90 votes cast in favor of the proposition and 49 against it. Total one hundred and fifty nine votes. At the gen- eral election held on the 1st Monday in April, 1855, the following vote was had on the "Prohibitory Liquor Law." For prohibtion, 163 votes; against prohibition 126 votes; thus showing the feel- ing of the settlers on this important question at this early day.


On the 16 day of Angust, 1854, the Hon. Win. Smith, Dis- trict Judge for the 4th judicial district, issued an order causing


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


a term of court to be holden at the house of John C. Vermilya,* and on Friday the 15 day of September, 1854, at 11 o'clock 4% M., court was duly opened. The Hon. Win. Smith, sole presis # ing judge. There were present, in attendance on the court," David D. Appelgate, Clerk; Alford Phillips, Prosecuting Attor- ney of said county, and Miron Blodgett, Sheriff. There were three civil cases on the docket. First, Rezin A. Redman vs. Noah Myers, School Fund Commissioner, and Robert Carter, for writ of mandamus and injunction: Second, Jacob W. Appel- gate vs. Mary A. Appelgate, petition for divorce: Third, An- drew D. Stephens vs. Noah Myers, School Fund Commissioner. All of these cases were continued. David D. Appelgate was Clerk and Miron Blodgett Sheriff.


In the fall of 1853, Hon. James P. Carlton, District Judge of the fourth judicial district appointed Joseph M. Furgeson, of Marshall county and R. B. Ogden, of Powesheik county, com- missioners to locate a seat of justice for Tama county. They inet at the house of John C. Vermilya on October 20th. of that year and proceeded to examine a location for a site. They first examined a quarter section near Broner's mill, in Howard township, which was thought to be too far north. They finally examined and located the town on the present site, it being on the south-west one fourth of south-east one fourth and west one- half of south-east one-fourth of south east one-fourth and southone- halt of north-west one-fourth of south-east one-fourth of section fifteen. After the county seat was located the christening it with a name was necessary. It was however agreed that, that honor should be confered upon the oldest person present, and it accord- ingly fell upon Mr. Adam Zehrung, who in love with Toledo, Ohio, near which he once resided, named it "Toledo "


The next step taken was for the erection of a Court House. The contract was let to T. A. Graham for the sum of thirteen hundred dollars. In due time the house was completed and was used for this purpose until the erection of a new one in 1866.


* A small log cabin located about one-half mile east of the present site of Tama City, on section 26. This house was used as a tavern, clerk's office and court house, until the erection of a court house at the county seat.


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


This building still stands on the east side of the public square and is occupied by Jons & Tode as a meat market. The Court House was finished according to contract, and District Court convened therein for its second term on the twenty second day of May, 1855, Ilon. Wm. Smith presiding Judge. The first criminal case was at this term, it being the State of Iowa vs. Thomas Evert, on a charge of larceny. Alford Phillip, appearing as Prosecuting At- torney. The case was discharged on motion and bond exhonora- ted. This case was brought on appeal from James HI. Hollen, Justice of the Peace to the District Court. At thisterm of court Timothy Brown, Esq., now of Marshalltown, was admitted to practice. At the May term following, in 1856, T. W. Jackson, N. C. Wieting, and E. B. Bolens were admitted to practice at the Dis- triet Court, at which also appeared as practitioners, I. L. Allen and Noah Levering who had previously become residents of Toledo. C. J. L. Foster and J. W. Mckinley practicing attor- neys, had at this time removed from the county. Mr W. H. Stivers, who is still a resident of Toledo and an able practitioner, came to the town in the month of August of this year.


The first grand and petit jurors were empaneled at the second term of the District Court, and were as follows: C. B. Slade, H. Van Vliet, Giles Taylor, Joseph Jack, W. H. II. Hill, John Freemer, Henry Stokes, G. P. Yocum, James H. Hollen, William Blodgett, J. W. Appelgate, HI. R. Rich, T. A. Graham, P. MeRoberts, and Jonas P. Wood.


The petit jury were G. Smith, J. D. Gettis, T. Marshall, N. Bates, E. W. Daily, J. HI. Vanhorn, J. II. Voorhies, L. Olney, John D. Spohr, J. A. Willey, M. Mitchell and N. Fisher. J. L. Carter was sworn as bailiff. The first naturalized citizen was Gotlieb Waggoner, who received his final papers from Judge Wm. Smith on May 20th, 1856. The first will probated was the will of James Hatfield, deceased on the 27th day of November, 1854, in the county court by judge J. C. Vermilya. The first letters of administration were issued to Nathaniel E. Horton, October 23rd, 1854, and Amos Hatfield was the first guardian ap- pointed by the county court, on November 27th, 1854.


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


The first jury trial was the case of Eli Innman vs. William J. Booher, on note and book account. The jury consisted of George Smith, J. D. Gettis, Thomas Marshall, Nathan Fisher, Norton . Bates, E. W. Daily J. II. Van Horn, J. II. Voorhies, L. Olney, J. D. Spohr, J. A. Willey and M. Mitchell. Said jury being duly sworn, after hearing the argument of counsel and charge of the court, retired in the custody of A. S. Curtis, sworn as bailiff. The jury rendered its verdiet, finding for the defendant a judg- ment, and assessed the amount of his recovery at five dollars.


CHAPTER II. 1857-61.


From 1857 to 1861 there was no event in the history of Tama County calculated to arouse any particular excitement among her citizens, save the incident of the murder of William Stopp.


The settlers of that day pursued the even tenor of their way, endeavoring to make for themselves and families a home in this unbroken wilderness. Their little troubles were settled by a fair fight and a friendly drink afterwards, and no hard feelings were entertained.


A short time previous to the time of which we write, a German by the name of Olleslaugher and a man named Butler, who had more than an ordinary education and attainments and a profes- sional lawyer, came to this County and settled on the farm now owned by J. W. Fleming, in Grant township. If reports are correct, they were of an overbearing and quarrelsome nature.


William Stopp, a young man of but fourteen summers, from Cincinnati, Ohio, accompanied them to this County. The three occupied a small cabin on section 23. Both of these men drank, and caroused and at times cruelly abused the boy. One severe cold night, nearly in the dead of winter, they stripped the boy and gave him a shameful beating then thrust him under the floor of their cabin into a small cellar, where he died before morning from the effects of the cruelty received from the in-


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


furiated men, and exposure to the severe cold. It was but a short time before the news spread over the entire neighborhood and a crowd of excited people at once proceeded to the scene of murder. In due time both Olleslaugher and Butler were arrested and placed under bonds. On the 23d day of May, 1857, the grand jury found a true bill of indictment against these men and the same day they were brought before the court. A change of venne was asked and granted to Johnson County. The case was tried at Iowa City, but they finally escaped their just punishment through some lack of evidence and informality of the law. Shortly after they left the County, leaving the whole matter a mistery at that time, as to the true facts in the case, and their object in dealing so foully with the boy. But some time sub- sequent to their trial it was ascertained by the attorney for these men that the boy Stopp, who at the time of the murder was about fourteen years of age, was to fall heir to a valnable proper- ty in Ohio, when he became of age, and that Butler had succeed- ed in seenring the legal guardianship over him, and without much doubt removed with the boy to Iowa to accomplish what was ac- complished, using Olleslaugher for the purpose, as the gravest charges, the last severe beating and exposure was done directly by him but with the approval of Butler.


During the winter of 1856 and 7 the settlers experienced some long hardships. But all managed to live and had good cause to be thankful that it was not worse. The young men and women of this day have little knowledge of what a pioneer life consisted. Away out upon an almost boundless prairie, alone to experience the rough and rugged frontier life, deprived of the pleasure of close communication with old friends and perhaps parents, it was dreary indeed. But how different it is now; however far the distance they can be communicated with in a few moments.


The recollection of these hard winters and severe snow storms are vividly impressed npon the mind of more than one old settler, and especially the rememberance of the horrors of that long win- ter, 1857, will never be obliterated while their lives will last. The snow began to fall on the night of the first of December, and


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continued falling for a number of days, until it reached an aver- age depth of about two feet, drifting in places as high as eigh- teen to twenty feet. Great suffering was experienced in conse- quence. The settlers relied for their daily wants upon the small crop which they were enabled to raise the previous season, and the wild game which was abundant at that time. The great depth of the snow was a barrier to all travel, and it may well be imagined the suffering was great.


The snow remained on the ground for about three months and during this time some of those who were exposed to the cold froze to death; others narrowly escaped with their lives. A Mr. Crampton and wife, who had been visiting at Mr. Greenlee's, in Perry township, on returning home one Sunday afternoon, a dis- tance of probably half-mile, were over taken by a severe snow storm, lost their way and perished in the cokl. The next day, being still stormy the neighbors found her in the forenoon about three miles from home and found him late in the afternoon about seven miles from home, with her shawl wrapped about him. There were convincing evidences that he had carried her for a half mile or more after she was unable to walk. He probably took her shawl to save his own life, after he found she was dead. In the same storm of December 21st, William Randolph, now a resident of Richland township, then living in Carroll township, left his home for the timber to procure a load of wood. On his return he had proceeded but a short distance when caught in a snow storm and it was with great difficulty that he arrived safely at home. We have heard him remark that several times while ont that night he thought he would be compelled to give up, lie down and die. The snow in many places had drifted so much that his team could not get through, and he was compelled to effect a passage by raking it away with his hands.


We have little doubt that many weary ones during that long winter, sighed for the comforts of the "Old home", but notwith- standing its dreariness and the suffering of the people, very few became disheartened. We find them in the spring as determin-


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ed as ever to procure for themselves a home in this truly beanti- ful country.


In 1860 a Board of Supervisors were elected under an act of the eighth General Assembly, consisting of a member from each civil township in the county. On the 7th day of January, 1851, the Board held their first meeting, at the Court House in Toledo. On motion made by A. C. Marston, Jonathan Peterson, of Car- roll township, was elected Chairman pro tem, after which P. L. Sherman, of Geneseo township, was elected permanent Chairman. Rules were adopted for the government of the Board, and busi. ness at once proceeded with the following named persons respond- ing respectively:


Anthony Bricker, Indian Village township; Wesley Daniel, Buckingham; Turner Forker, Richland; William Gallagher, Jr., Howard; B. A. Hall, Toledo, now of Tama; Robinson Johnson, Highland; Lucius Kibbee, Carroll; A. C. Marston, Spring Creek; G. G. Mason, Oneida; Mefford Mitchell, Otter Creek; Jonathan Peterson, Carlton; S. C. Rogers, Crystal; P. L. Sherman, Geneseo; J. W. Southwick, Perry; T. S. Talmage, Clark; the member from York township being absent.


At this meeting of the Board no business of importance was transacted, and it would be unprofitable as well as unnecessary to present in detail the numerous orders, reports, resolutions, etc. Among so many men, their proceedings partake a good deal of the nature of a legislative body. There are always some cool business heads, as well as a good many "glib-tongues". Some of them are practical, industrious workers, others are of the "lond-mouthed" order and always ready to make a speech of volatile import, more to be heard than for real practical nse- fulness to their constituency and the tax payer. This is in nowise derogatory to their character as men, they can't help it. It has always been and always will be so. In the Congress of the United States, in State legislatures, a few do the work, while others do the talking. This is neither romance nor elaboration, but solid history sustained by facts as old as any eivilized government.


Eight years had come and gone since the independence of Tama


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


County was recognized. In these years the wild prairies, first the home of the red man, had been reduced to farm tillage, and evidences of wealth, intelligence, comfort and refinement were to be seen in every direction. Indian trails had given way to State and County roads. Villages, churches and school houses had sprang up on the "old camp grounds" of the Sac and Fox and their kindred tribes. natives of the beautiful valley of the Iowa River and its tributaries. Claims upon which the hearty pioneers had settled long before the County Surveyors had disturbed the grasses and flowers that grew in great profusion with Jacob's staff and chain, as they re-surveyed townships and sec- tion lines, and established section corners, had been proved up. and with a guaranty from Uncle Sam, the occupants were mon- archs of all they surveyed. In peaceable possession of their land and their homes, the ont-laws expelled from the County, their lands rich and productive, the people of Tama County can well afford to be joyous and happy. What if their pioneer days were often full of hardships, toil exposure and want; the worst is over. Those years of trial have brought them comfort and plenty, and the future is bright with hope and full of promise. Since then, 1861, seventeen more years have come and gone, each of them adding to the population, wealth and intelligence of the people, until Tama County has come to rank among the richest and most populous in the great State of Iowa, a proud monument in the memory of the brave and heroic pioneers, who settled here first. The following are lines written by an old settler, which we con- sider very appropriate.


Of all the dear hopes among men, These are the sweetest in life; A hope for salvation-and then A home- for my child-for my wife.


Coming ont from the distant east Ont from the ocean's strands,


Away from old Ohio's beech, Out from the blue-grass land,


Coming down from the sunny slopes Of Virginia's mountains,


The rocky dales of old Vermont. Massachusetts' fountains,


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


See-here a man, and there a man From glen. and dell and bay, With oxen. wagon, gun and hounds, All westward take their way.


And now beside a grassy mound, They're tenting on the green; The thin bine smoke, where they are camped, Above the trees is seen.


The night is gone; the early morn Saintes the coming day : In dreams last night new hopes were born !- Again they're on their way!


With faces to the setting sun Their loved ones left behind; Their hope, their aim, their object one, Each, in each heart enshrined:


For nature's wish in every heart, Though often it may roam. Is still to have some hallowed spot That heart may call "Sweet Home.


Then, what was toil, or, what was strife, To sturdy souls like those Who saw the forest vield new life And blossom as the rose.


Who saw the prairies robed in green Pnt on new life again! League after Jeagne their lands were seen, In waves of golden grain.


They heard the red man's barbarous yell- Triumphant roll along. But soon the hill-top and the dell Broke forth în Christian song.


And where the little cabin stood, Half hid by shady bough, Stands towering up above the scene The stately mansion now.


And where the dark blue smoke arose. From camp-are's burning brands, Queen City of the pioneers Toledo, in beauty stands.


And, so in pride we gaze upon, Her spires and her domes, We'll not forget the hands that raised Our humble childhood homes.


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


But, as the days grow old and die; As sunnners come and go, Our hearts return to other scenes, Of thirty years ago.


To sugar camp where boiling down The garnered sap, again, We listen to the deep mouthed hound Close followed by the men.


Cry long and loud upon the track Of some poor wounded deer, Whose doom is sealed-the rifle erack! Ah! hear the hunters cheer,


The chase is done-the trophy won; And breakfast waits at dawn; Tis syrup stored-in thin scraped gourd, "Corn bread" and roasted fawn.


No days are there like early days, No real joy since then; Time robs us of our happiness As we lose faith in men.


O blessed spots! O by gone years, O'er you our old hearts year, And as our eyes grow dim with tears, To sadder scenes we turn.


To grassy mounds, long years o'ergrown, By thickets and by thorns, Where, precious dust, our loved' ones own, Sleep till the coming morn.


Many of the pioneers. Are camping on the shore Of death's dark deep, whose tide of years Will wake them never more!


Though some remain, their locks of grey Admonish us that still They're drifting from us day by day, Adown life's sunset hill.


CHAPTER III.


HOME LIFE AND AMUSEMENTS.


The manner and customs of our fore fathers are always fraught with peculiar interest, and read of with pleasure and profit by all. If we compare the pleasures of the times of our fathers with those of to-day, and the customs of those days with our own, we are apt to regard those of the past in an unfavorable light. But by out- ward appearance alone, things cannot safely be judged. Many things are inwardly beautiful which outwardly appear the re- verse.


We have not yet given a description of the dwelling of our fath- ers; so here it goes. Imagine a home about sixteen feet square, seven and a half feet high, built up with large ronnd or square logs, and covered with roof boards, held on by huge weights and poles, the cracks in the walls filled with mud, which would occasionally fall out, when the wind would whistle through the door, (for there was but one) made of rough boards, with a wood- en latch, the string of which always hung out, a sign of welcome to the weary traveler, and the kind neighbor, and you have the exterior, except that upon one side there was a small window, large enough for a sash containing six, eight by ten lights, some- times with glass in them, but often covered with greased paper. In the interior, you will find upon one side the huge fire place, large enough to contain a back-log as heavy as any man would


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care to carry, and holding enough wood to supply an ordinary stove a week, on either side are huge pots and kettles, and over all a mantle, on which stands the tallow-dip to give light to all who are in the house, but which will hardly compare with the gas jets of this day; the "little brown jug." which was not so lit- tle either, and in many cases well filled with a liquor which teto- tlers decline; in one corner the large bed, for the old folks. un. der which the trundle-bed for the younger members of the family; in another corner stands the old-fashioned large spinning wheel with a smaller one by its side: in another the pine table on which three times a day the food of the family was placed, and which was rapidly taken therefrom by the individual members thereof: in still another may be seen the cumbersome loom; over the door hangs the ever truthful rifle with powder horn. ready for instant use; while around the room are scattered a few splint bottomed chairs and three legged stools; a rude cupboard, holding the glass and queensware composes the furniture-everything of the sim- plest and rudest manufacture. And yet these homes, simple and rude as they were, were inhabited by a kind, true hearted people. They were strangers to mock modesty, and the traveler seeking lodging for the night, or desirous of spending a few days in the community. if willing to accept the offerings of honest hearts, al- ways found a welcome. The people were industrious from dire necessity. All who were old enough were usefully employed. Children were enured to toil and labor ard the lot of the women was hard indeed. Upon them devolved the preparation of the daily food, off from a very scanty larder; they were re- quired to weave the linen and woolsey, prepare the flax and wool with their own hands, making almost the entire wardrobe of the family, some really doing it all. It was a life peculiarly trying and wearing to them, yet they bore it with patience and endur- ance.


The family bible was another article found in almost every home, and the minister of the gospel appearing. the two served to turn the thoughts of the people in the right direction. To these influences we ascribe in a great measure the prosperity of the


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County, and the better moral sentiment that has usually prevailed. Without such influence men would be barbarians. Closely allied to this influence is a desire for knowledge that must be appeased. We therefore find the school teacher following closely in the walk of the minister, and schools were established in every neighbor- hood where a sufficient number of children could be brought to- gether to warrant the services of an instructor.


The cultivation of flax was an important item with many of the early settlers, while sheep raising was hardly ever neglected. The entire clothing of many families was manufactured from these staple sources into cloth by the prudent and tireless house wife.


The flax was, after pulled by the women, and after the seed had been thrashed out, spread on the grass to rot, and when rot- ted sufficiently was bound in bundles and dressed; that is, the flax and tow were separated. Scarcely any crop, while growing was more beautiful than the flax. From one-half to two bushels of seed was sown on an acre, and the crop amounted to about two hundred pounds.




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