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 4

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 4


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Meetings were held for the purpose of creating more interest in the proposed railroad at Toledo at stated times, when some big man would address the citizens of the County upon this important subject. Committes were appointed to conter with the directors of the road, etc. and after a time the work began in earnest. Men interested in the road at once began the canvass in various parts of the County, making speeches in nearly every school house. church, and log cabin. The opponents of the road were not idle


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


in the meantime, and used every means in their power to influence the people against it, but notwithstanding this considerable amount of money was raised and the grading began, along the proposed line. After expending some $30,000 in the enterprise, nearly completing the grade from Toledo to the northern boundary of the County, the people of Marshall county thinking they would like to have a north and south road influenced the head men to change the route and give them the road. When this scheme came up work suspended, time passed away, and still no road. Its friends were almost in despair, and its enemies jubilant. The soothing phrase, "I told you so," was repeated over and over again to the friends of the road until it became almost monotonous. We have only to say, Tama County did not get the proposed north and south railroad but Marshall County did.


In the winter of 1862 three years before the north and south railroad was proposed the iron horse first made its appearance in the County. We refer to the Chicago & North Western Railroad, then known as the Cedar Rapids & Missouri. Without dis- paragement to the others, this can be said to be the chief road passing through the County; its volume of business being larger and its facilities far greater than its competitors. Tama County subscribed liberally to aid in its construction, and no better invest- ment has she ever made. There has been returned by the road in the shape of taxes, far more than the subscription. By its aid the resources of the County have been developed to an extent that one can scarcely realize. Towns have sprang up along its line as if by magic, farms have been opened and factories have been set in operation, employing hundreds of hands, and the wealth of the East has been poured into our laps. Who would have thought that we would almost double our population in ten years. In less than that length of time the population had not only doubled but nearly trebled. We will venture to say, to-day we have four times the population we had then, and is constantly increasing. This road passes through the southern portion of the County while upon the north the Pacific Division of the Burlington Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad passes through a good portion of


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


the County, giving northern Tama an outlet east. While Toledo has an outlet by a branch railroad running to Tama City, a distance of two miles and one-half, which was constructed in the year 1871, and known as the Toledo & North-Western, Rail- road.


CHAPTER VII.


OLD SETTLERS SOCIETY.


Oh! a wonderful stream is the river of time,


As it runs through the realm of tears, With a faultless rhythm, and a musical rhyme;


And a broader sweep, and a surge sublime.


As it blends in the ocean of years.


B. T. TAYLOR.


It is not strange that among the pioneer settlers of any new county a deep seated and sineere friendship should spring up that would grow and strengthen with their years. The incidents peculiar to life in a new country, the trials and hardship, priva- tions and destitutions are well calculated to test, not only the physical powers of endurance, but the moral, kind and generous attributes of manhood and womanhood. They were times that tried men's souls and bring to the surface all that there may be in them of either good or bad. As a rule there is an equality of conditions that recognizes no distinction; all occupy a common level, and, as a natural consequence, a brotherly and sisterly feel- ing grows up that is lasting as time, for a "fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind."


With such a community, there is a hospitality, a kindness, a benevolence and charity unknown and unpracticed among the older, richer and more densely populated commonwealth. The very nature of their surroundings teaches them to feel each other's woes, and to share each others joys. An injury or a wrong


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


may be ignored, but a kindly, generous, and charitable act is .


never forgotten. The memory of old associations and kindly deeds is always fresh. Raven locks may bleneh and whiten; full round cheekes fade and hollow: the fire of intelligence vanish from the organs of vision; the brow become wrinkled with care and age; the erect form bowed with accumulating years, but the true friends of the long ago, will be remembered as long as life and reason endure.


The surroundings of pioneer life are well calenlated to test the true inwardness of the human heart. As a rule, the men and women who first occupy a new country, who go in advance to open and prepare the land for a future people, are bold, fearless, self reliant and industrious. In these respects, no matter from what remote section or country they may come, there is a similar- ity of character. In either education, religion or language, there may be a vast difference, but imbued with a common pur- pose, the founding and building of houses, these differences are soon lost by associations, and thus they became one people, unit- ed by a common interest. No matter what changes may come in after years, the associations are never obliterated from the memory.


Many interesting incidents occured during the days of early settlers of Tama County which if had been properly preserved, would be of benefit to poserity, and it is a matter of regret that the formation of the "Old Settlers Association" has not been continuously maintained in Tama County. The presence of such associations in all the Counties of our common country, with well kept records of the most important events, such as dates of arrivals, births, marriages, deaths, removals, nativity, etc., as all can readily see, would be the direct means of preserving to the literature of the country the history of every community that, to future generations, would be invaluable as a record of reference and a ready method of settling important questions of contro- versy. Such organizations would possess facts that could not be had from any other source. Aside from their historical import- ance, they would serve as a means of keeping alive and further


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


cementing old friendships, and renewing among the members as- sociations that were necessarily interrupted by the innovations of increasing population, cultivating social intercourse and creating a charitable band for such of their old members as were victims of misfortune and adversity.


Actuated by the purposes suggested in the preceding paragraph the pioneers of Tama County organized a society in 1872, that was known as the "Old Settler's Society of Tama County, Iowa." The first formal meeting was held in the city of Toledo, at the Court House, October 17th, 1872. Rezin A. Redman was chosen Chairman and Thomas A. Graham, Secretary. At this meeting speeches were made by many of those who felt an inter- est in such an organization. Such business as seemed neces- sary was transacted, and the meeting adjourned to meet Octo- ber 24th. At this meeting the organization was made complete. Constitution and by-laws were adopted, wherein any person who having been a resident of the County fifteen years, could become a member of said Association by signing a record kept for that purpose by the Secretary of the Association. The time fixed for holding their annual meeting's was the second Wednesday of each year. The following officers were elected:


Anthony Wilkinson, President; D. D. Appelgate, Secretary; Frank Davis, Treasurer; Thomas S. Free, David F. Bruner, W. H. Stivers and John T. Ames were appointed a committee to compile a history of the early settlements of the County.


The last meeting of the Old Settler's Association was held at Traer, October 9th, 1878, where many of the old settlers of Tama County gathered, and participated in a fine time.


CHAPTER VIII.


SAC AND FOX INDIANS.


These Indians were formerly two distinct nations and resided near the waters of the St. Lawrence. They lived together and were considered one people, though they kept up some customs among themselves calculated to maintain a seperate name and language.


The Fox Indians moved to the West and settled in the vicinity of Green Bay, on lake Michigan, but becoming involved in war with the French and neighboring tribes, were so much reduced in number that they were unable to sustain themselves against their hostile neighbors.


The Sac Indians had been engaged in a war with the Iroquois, or Six Nations, who occupied the country which now compasses the State of New York, and had became so weak that they were forced to leave their old hunting grounds and move to the West. They found the Fox tribe, their old neighbors like themselves, reduced in number by the misfortunes of war, and from a matter of necessity, as well as sympathy, they united their fortunes to- gather and became one people. The date of their emmigration from the St. Lawrence is not definitely known. Father Henne- pin speaks of the Fox Indians being at Green Bay in 1760, which was at that time called the Bay of Puants.


Just how long they remained at Green Bay is not known, but we do know that before the white man claimed the beautiful lands


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


along the Iowa River, the Musquakie band of the Sacs and Foxes had their favorite hunting ground here, and acknowledged no higher anthority than that of their renowned chief, Poweshiek. All were removed. however, with the rest of the Sacs and Foxes to their new home beyond the Missouri. After remaining in Kansas a while they ceded all their lands, in the year 1859 and 1860 to the government for the lands now occupied as a reserva- tion for the original tribe. Three hundred and seventeen Indians of this tribe, after their removal, returned to Iowa and settled in Tama County and here received the misnomer of "Musquakie." The Government permitted them to remain and by virtue of an act passed, March 2nd, 1867, they were permitted to receive their share of the tribal funds, which is the interest only on the amount due them from the Government for their lands.


In August, 1865, Leander Clark, of Toledo, was appointed to act as their agent, and remained in that position until relieved by F. D. Garrety, U. S. A., under the late regulation transfering the Indian Bureau to the War Department. Mr. Garrety was succeeded by Rev. A. R. Howbert, and in April, 1875, Thomas S. Free became agent for the Musquakie band and still remains in that position.


Since Mr. Free has been agent, active steps have been taken for the advancement of the Indians in education and farming, besides many other ways. In August, 1875, a school house was built, at a cost of $1,200 in which school is kept. Mr. A. B. Somers is employed as their instructor. There is not a regular attendance at school, but the school house is kept open and every opportunity improved to teach them, and remove the prejudice existing by reason of their religious belief against education. Books have been distributed among them and in this irregular manner some of them have learned to read and write. The Instructor resides in the second story of the school building and gives his entire time and attention to the advancement of his subjects in agriculture as well as education, and carefully attends to the sick and infirm. The prejudice against the school is caus- ed by the Chief and head men, who are opposed to it and the


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


young men are governed by their disapproval under their tribal relations. Still many have advanced in learning the English language and the requirements of the law, regarding payments of debts, crimes, trespasses, petty misdemeanors and to accept as true the manner in which the law in such cases is applied to the whites.


In a retrospective view of the tribe, while residents of the County we can recall but one marked scene of violence. This occured upon the morning of June 13th, 1874, resulting in the murder of a Pawnee Indian. We give it as given by the "Tama City Press" of June 19th, 1874.


"On Saturday morning about 11 o'clock our usually quiet city was thrown into some excitement over the intelligence that a fearful tragedy had been enacted at the Indian camps, about three miles west of Tama City. After learning that there was some foundation for the rumor we repaired in company with an Attorney, a Physician and a Contractor, to the scene of the tragedy. As near as we could learn, the facts were about as follows:


On the morning of the 12th inst., four Pawnee Indians cane to the camp of the Misquakies, and remained all day and the night of the 12th. On the next morning one of them, while but a few steps from the wick-iup was approached from behind by one of the Musgnakies called "Black Wolf," who drew a re- volver and fired three shots. The first entered the back of the head, and passing through the brain lodged under the skull in front; the second one passing into the base of the neck passed upward toward the head, and came to the surface near the right ear, and the other was merely a scalp wound. The last two wounds were not necessarily fatal, but the first one bore unmis- takable evidence of the intention of him who held the fatal weapon. At the first shot the Pawnee went down, and the other two must have hit hiu: while in the act of falling. When we reached the camp, the Pawnee had been buried, and here, not fearing a dead Indian, we had no necessity for the professional assistance of either of the gentlemen who accompanied us. Soon


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


after, the Coroner. Deputy Sheriff, Indian Agent and several other parties appeared upon the scene, and the dead Pawnee was resurrected, brought to Tama City, together with his murderer, and on Saturday evening an inquest was held by E. M. Beilby, Coroner."


When it was proven that Black Wolf did the bloody deed, a warrant was issued and delivered to Deputy Sheriff Bartlett who arrested him and lodged him in jail. Black Wolf remained in jail until Febuary 18th, 1875, when he was discharged, the wit- nesses failing to appear against him.


The Chief is Man-an-wan-e-ka, a son of the noted Chief Powe- shiek, in honor of whom one of our Counties, is named. IIe is about 50 years of age, rather intelligent looking, but a man of few words, and highly esteemed by his people. He is a strict tetotaler, says he never drank any whiskey, and talks temper- ance to his people. Wa-ka-mo is the second or subordinate Chief and the pride of the tribe. He is about 60 years of age, stands six feet high, and has a large and powerful physical structure. He has a keen eye, a quick intellect, but cannot talk English with ease. The Interpreter, Sow-on, is a good looking middle aged man, and speaks the English language fluently. There are also some others who take seats in the council whenever any business of importance is to be transacted.


The reservation belonging to the tribe is located in Tama town- ship, on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, three miles west of Tama City, and intersected by the Iowa River. They have 692 acres of land, which they have purchased with their annuities and it is held in trust for their use and benefit, and upon it they pay taxes. They have, by estimate, about 150 acres of land under plow, 60 acres in tame grass, and the balance is wild grass and wood land. The whole tract is under fence, most of the fencing being of good and substantial make. Their chief crop is corn, but they raise potatoes, beans, onions, tobacco, squashes, and other vegetables in quantities to meet their wants. The tribe numbers 345, one hundred and sixty-four males and one hundred and eighty-one females. There has been seven births and three


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY


deaths during last year. Their personal property is estimated at $15,000, consisting largely of ponies which is their ideal of wealth. They receive annually from the Government the sum of $11,174.66, as Annuity under treaty relations.


The strongest local attachment exists among them for their present home, it being the home of their fathers. They cannot forget the past with all its associations and will never consent to remove from their present place. They have from the earliest days been friendly to our settlers. They are a peaceful, honest and contented people, posessed with a good degree of moral character and have a bright out-look for the future.


CHAPTER IX.


TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.


This chapter we devote to brief histories of each township in order as organized -- Giving date of organization-First settlers- Township officers-Interesting incidents, etc. It will be noticed that Tama County was organized at an early date, into three townships, namely; Indian Village, Howard and Buckingham, and bounded as in Chapter 1, Page 20. We will notice in particu- lar the townships as they are known at present, treating them un- der their respective names.


INDIAN VILLAGE.


This township derived its name from the large number of Indians, living in the vicinity of old Indiantown, at its organiza- tion.


The first settlement effected in the township was in the year 1849 by Isaac Asher. E. W. Daily, N. J., A. J. and M. Blodgett, S. Chase, J H. Voorhies, E. Stump, P. Ronse, A. Dingee, J. Cronk, W. Murty, I. Butler, P. Helm, J. Huston, S. B. Dunton, J. Jack and T. D. H. Wilcoxen were among the early settlers, coming in at an early day and improving farms in various parts of the township.


The Iowa River passes through this township almost diagonal- ly, in a southeasterly direction, and along its bank will be found


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


one mill known as the Indiantown Flouring Mill. which was established in 1855 by Fisk, Ilelm & Gray, now owned and operated by Charles Gray, who bought their interest in 1856. This township has peculiar advantages over the adjacent ones, from the fact that a large body of timber lines the bank of the river in its course through the township, and also from the amount of stone to be found here. The bluffs through this sec- tion contain abundance of rock for building and other purposes. The quality of this stone and its extent are spoken of in a pre- vious chapter. It contains three towns. Orford, now Montour, Indiantown, (which is known as Butlerville, the name of the P. Office) about two miles apart, and Le Grand Station, located on section 18. The country is fine; the bluffs in general are of gentle ascent and timber and water plentiful, making it a highly productive township.


The township was organized in 1853 with William Taylor, E. W. Daily and L. Appelgate as Trustees. The first election was held at the house of E. W. Daily on the first Mondayin August, 1853. The township contains several stone quarries and lime kilns, from which stone are taken and lime made in abundance.


At an early Gay an exciting shooting affray took place in "Whiskey Bottom"-so called from the immense quantity of whiskey sold there by one Ronse, and the roughness of the peo- ple. The old settlers well remember its character. The shooting took place between a Samuel Reed and one Scamerhorn, and re- sulted in the killing of Reed. It appears from the facts we can gather regarding it, that between this Reed and Seamerhorn a feel- ing of jealousy existed in regard to a girl that both were wooing. These two men in company with five or six others, were turkey hunting. After proceeding some distance the party seated them- selves on a log, when they separated a little while after this a re- port of a gun was heard and upon examination it was found that Reed was dead, having been shot completely through. Scam- erhorn was indicted, but the crime was not fastened upon him, owing to the fact that sufficient testimony could not be had to convict the prisoner.


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


The first marriage was S. Davidson and Miss A. Asher, July 18th, 1850, three years before the County was organized.


The first school was taught by C. J. Stevens our present Coun ty Clerk, at Indiantown in 1856.


The first death was Mariah Blodgett in 1853.


The first birth was Mary M. Blodgett, March 4th, 1853.


But little was done in the settlement of the township until the completion of the Chicago & North Western Railroad, when, in a short time nearly every quarter was occupied.


The township is well improved and has living within its boun- daries some of the most enterprising farmers in the County, among whom we many mention J. L. Magee, N. J. Blodgett, W. C. Salsbury, S. Strain, A. B. Taplin, R. M., A. C. and Charles Tenny,


Below will be found the names of those who have served in the offices of Justices, Trustees, and Clerks, from the organiza- tion of the townships to the present.


Justices :- W. B. Mumbrow, H. Welton, J. W. Wyman, B. W. Fellows, C. J. Stevens, G. H. Hall, 1. Butler, A. Dingee, P. Helm, J. B. Moffitt, J. M. Preston, L. Appelgate, J. HI. Stevens.


Clerks :- A. L. Range, T. P. Smith, T. R. Oldham, C. D. Torrey, A. J. Dingee, H. G. Wallace, B. F. Fellows, E. Taplin, J. II. Voorhies, D. D. Appelgate.


Trustees :- R. E. Tewksberry, S. D. Tyner, J. Paxton, E. Gar- rison, C. and R. M. Tenny, J. M. Mills, J. Abbott, J. Smith, A. B. Taplin, J. Dunn, T. D. II. Wilcoxen, H. G. Wallace, M. and N. J. Blodgett, B. W. Fellows, P. Helm, R. T. Arm- strong. C. Gray, G. Blake, C. J. Stevens, A. C. Tenny, J. Moore, J. Bradley, F. Hollingshead, E. Ruggles, J. S. Townsend, A. Dingee, M. Dunn, W. Taylor, E. W. Dailey, J. Jack, L. Appel- gate, A. Bricker, I. Asher.


HOWARD.


This township was organized with boundaries as in the year


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY


1854, but afterwards divided into nine townships (see page 20) leaving it as now known in the third tier of townships from the north line and second from the west line of the County.


The township is principally prairie, though containing consider- able timber, some of which is very heavy in the south western portion, and along the streams in the west and eastern part. Chris- tian Bruner has the honor of being the first to settle here; he built himself a cabin on section thirty-three in the spring of 1852, near the present village of Monticello. Samuel and Jacob Giger, E. Moler, R. A. Rundals, J. Reedy, R. Ray, J. Hartman, F. Spade, H. Howdyshell R. Blake, E. Myers, A. Harbaugh, D. Miller, B. Hammitt, G. Zehrung, P. and L. Otterman, Wm. Gallagher, M. Hill, S. Speer, S. Bird, J. Strain, C. R. Ward, A. Leonard, W. C. Granger, J. Davis and B. C. Freet can also be numbered with the first settlers, all good and industrious farm- ers, the most of whom are still living in the same neighbor- hood in which they first settled.


With regard to products, the township will favorably compare with any other in the County. In stock it ranks number one. In intelligence and business enterprise second to none. Being the home of so many good industrious farmers, this is not to be won- dered at.


The township is well watered by Deer Creek and its tribu- taries, passing through a good portion of it.


There is one village in the township, Monticello, a name given it by C. R. Ward a resident of the place, it being the name of the town, and home of ex-President Thomas Jefferson, and has borne the name to this day. For description the reader is refered to another chapter.


The township contians one flouring Mill, established in 1854, by Christain Bruner, now owned and operated by Bruner & Reedy, located in the southwest part of the township on Deer Creek, also one Cheese Factory, with W. C. Granger as proprie- tor, which was established in 187S.


The first marriage was a double wedding. Mr. W. T. Hollen to Miss. Sarah Bruner, and Mr. Joseph Davis to Miss. Rebecca


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


Bruner, September 17th, 1854, B. Hammitt, a Justice of the Peace, officiating.


The first school was tanght on section 29, by Miss. Skinner, in 1854.


The first death was, Benjaman Franklin, son of D. F. and Catharine Bruner, on September 10th, 1853.


The Methodists were the first religious denomination. A Methodist Minister named Gamin, preached the first sermon at Christian Bruner's house in 1853. Since that time there has been a church building erected. The denomination is in a pros- perons condition.


We compile the following list of officers from the Clerk's books.


Justices: B. Hammitt, C. R. Ward, R. Ray, J. Fay, W. C. Granger, B. Rhodes, J. Stone, II. Dann, W. Guilford, J. Ri- der, G. Burke, J. Gray, C. Baxter, H. Snodgrass, E. Car- penter, A. Whitely.


Clerks: D. F. Brunner, R. Ray, J. II. Granger, J. W. Rider, E. S. Beckley, D. K. Gallagher, C. C. Granger and S. W. Hawke.


Trustees :- W. C. Morrison, J. Ross, F. Davis, S. Giger, W. C. Granger, D. N. IIill, C. R. Ward, J. Stone, J. Fay, D. Miller J. Reedy, F. Homan, HI. Parker, M. Ross, J. Fuller, P. Otterman, R. Ray, G. W. McCollister, A. Harbaugh, J. II. Tindall, G. Burke, E. D. Rice, II. McAnulty, J. T. McCormack, HI. II. With- ington, G. T. Jones, J. Gray, I. A. Richards, J. H. Giger.




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